5/18 Class
Chapter XIV
What is the role of music & art in your spiritual life? In WPPC?
Do you use images or hymns to speak where you can't think through a spiritual problem?
Christopher keeps a lively pace to the hymns, which is noticeable when his substitutes seem plod out the music. Our prayer candles help those from other traditions, such as Catholic, feel at home. An artwork or hymn can help one focus on an idea or concept in the liturgy. Art and/or music can help us remember key events in our spiritual path. Words can be artistically grouped, as with our hymn lyrics. Artful use of light and darkness can enhance the worship. Darkness can also remind us that some believe God communicates with them in their dreams. We can see elements of theater in our liturgy.
Can you see the appreciation of beauty as an antidote to intellectual & spiritual aridness?
Do you see art/music as another form of prayer?
Does art/music help you deal with the mysteries of your faith?
How does music in WPPC help your spirituality, when compared to secular performances?
What do you think of icons?
Chapter XV
Does WPPC help you recognize our different kinds of metanoia [ spiritually transforming moments-page 222]?
Do you think WPPC welcomes people while they take time for their personal transformation or metanoia? (pp. 221-222)
Have you heard people discuss conversion at WPPC? If not, what term do people use, if any?
Are there mass market religious books, movies that you would recommend for WPPC?
How does a tourist become a pilgrim? (pages 215-17)
Do you find fellow travelers to help teach you your spiritual insights? at WPPC or elsewhere? (page 235)
Have you heard of spiritual opportunities in changing from wanderer to pilgrim (page 224); gathering meaning from work (page 226); detaching from consuming society (page 230); focussing on community spirituality, rather than individual piety (page 233); and discerning lost spiritual disciplines from discardable habits (page 235).
During our liturgy we are open to individual responses, whether raising hands, or lighting candles. We not used to hearing “born again, or altar calls.” However, WPPC folks are comfortable talking about small happenings along their spiritual path. Cynthia Bourgeault talks about the economy of the Spirit. The Spirit will provide you just what you need. Those who need a spectacular “road to Damascus” will get that. Others who can be transformed with something less will probably not see the fireworks.
4/6 Class
Chapter II
What images do you have of the US religious past?
28 – Conservative rewrite of history.
Have you heard of historical amnesia?
Genocide, racism, sexism.
Do you see WPPC in chapter 2?
35 – Christian exclusivism vs secular inclusivism
38 – pilgrims, exiles, and immigrants in a new world of post-everything
This chapter reminded us of the Angela Davis debate in the PC(USA). We saw that different people in WPPC have a sense of being a pilgrim, exile, or immigrant. Others said they felt they had two or all three components in their prior WPPC life.
Chapter III
Do you see yourself as spiritual, not religious; religious, not spiritual; or religious & spiritual?
What do you think upon hearing “tradition?”
45 –Borg's taking the Bible seriously, but not literally
--decline occurs with neglect of scripture, prayer, discernment, hospitality, contemplation, & justice
How would a congregation emphasizing “purity” differ from that preferring “practice?”
Is faith about asking questions or finding answers?
51-- If you think you know, you've lost perspective on wisdom—keep a “beginner's mind”
--wisdom, as knowing God, thinking like Christians, comfort with ambiguity & asking questions, rather than definite answers; prioritizing community over holding to dogma
2 Cor 3: 6 letter kills, spirit gives life
Some grew up in congregations where the 2 Cor 3: 6 was used to say their church gave life, but not others. Now we hear that verse in the context that rules stifle a congregation, while allowing “the Spirit to go where it wills” fits our laid back inclinations.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
3/30 & 5/11 classes
In the Star Wars film non-linear precedent, after starting this blog with later classes, I'll go back to the beginning of how this class started. WPPC's book club first read this and suggested to Pastor Wes that it would be a good adult class. After he agreed, we decided to take two chapters per week in discussion, as we saw the value in the session and Deacons learning of some the Bass ideas. Some of the book club members have looked at two other Bass books with similar hints for congregations, Strength for the Journey and The Practicing Congregation and also found them helpful.
I started with Bass' suggested discussion questions, modified them for WPPC, added a few chapter observations that seemed to fit WPPC to develop the outline for this class. The outline questions are included, below, in a different typeface, than these blog comments. Page references are for the Bass book, which is in the WPPC library.
I'll continue adding notes from the previous classes, but will probably comment on the most recent first. Fortunately, this book can be read in any chapter order.
March 30 Class
Chapter I
What changes in church (or religion) have you noticed since childhood?
Where did you grow up?
What was the world like then?
These beginning questions started us reminiscing about rural and suburban; fundamentalist and mainstream Protestant childhood experiences. We also remembered attending Protestant churches that had hundreds of members.
What interest do you have in exploring new aspects of faith?
What types of areas?
Do you think your childhood may have shaped those interests?
page 23 - Definition of Phinney Lutheran “WAY”
page 24 - What are your thoughts on how WPPC views change?
Nomadic spirituality
When established patterns are broken – pilgrim/nomadic search begins.
How do you relate to this nomadic idea?
This last set of questions lead us to remember that some choose WPPC because they disliked judgment, fundamentalist, or cold unfriendly congregations.
5/11 Class
Chapter XII
What do you like best about WPPC worship?
What parts of worship are most likely to give you a sense of awe?
Are there new aspects of worship you'd like to see at WPPC?
The discussion favored having children in the service. The children's sermon option allowed parents the opportunity to focus on Wes' sermon, which wouldn't happen if the child were present. We also recognized that some parents may not want their children to leave, have more strict behavior rules, etc., even when we communicate that WPPC is more laid back.
We also mentioned that the Seattle University liturgical week-long workshop would be an excellent way to get more ideas, as the theme is “congregational singing.” Details are on the Worship bulletin board or at the Seattle University website.
What is your view of silence in worship?
Approval was expressed for the “unspoken prayers” that are sometimes mentioned in the intercessory prayer period. Our liturgical silence was also seen as a refreshing change from the secular world. This type of change reminded some of a walk in nature.
Chapter XIII
How do you understand the Christian life of the mind? Have you ever thought of intellectual curiosity as a spiritual practice? How does WPPC view theological reflection as part of the faith journey? Can you see this as a 'way of life?'
Can you see the difference between liberality and liberalism? [pp. 190-193]
Do you feel more comfortable with people with faith answers or questions? What does WPPC foster?
page 189 – what are your experiences with clerics pitting mind against the heart?
The discussion cited coffee hour and men's breakfast as the current opportunities for theological reflection. Another possibility that was proposed was a sermon discussion, before or after Sunday. Some preferred after, especially if the pastor were there.
I started with Bass' suggested discussion questions, modified them for WPPC, added a few chapter observations that seemed to fit WPPC to develop the outline for this class. The outline questions are included, below, in a different typeface, than these blog comments. Page references are for the Bass book, which is in the WPPC library.
I'll continue adding notes from the previous classes, but will probably comment on the most recent first. Fortunately, this book can be read in any chapter order.
March 30 Class
Chapter I
What changes in church (or religion) have you noticed since childhood?
Where did you grow up?
What was the world like then?
These beginning questions started us reminiscing about rural and suburban; fundamentalist and mainstream Protestant childhood experiences. We also remembered attending Protestant churches that had hundreds of members.
What interest do you have in exploring new aspects of faith?
What types of areas?
Do you think your childhood may have shaped those interests?
page 23 - Definition of Phinney Lutheran “WAY”
page 24 - What are your thoughts on how WPPC views change?
Nomadic spirituality
When established patterns are broken – pilgrim/nomadic search begins.
How do you relate to this nomadic idea?
This last set of questions lead us to remember that some choose WPPC because they disliked judgment, fundamentalist, or cold unfriendly congregations.
5/11 Class
Chapter XII
What do you like best about WPPC worship?
What parts of worship are most likely to give you a sense of awe?
Are there new aspects of worship you'd like to see at WPPC?
The discussion favored having children in the service. The children's sermon option allowed parents the opportunity to focus on Wes' sermon, which wouldn't happen if the child were present. We also recognized that some parents may not want their children to leave, have more strict behavior rules, etc., even when we communicate that WPPC is more laid back.
We also mentioned that the Seattle University liturgical week-long workshop would be an excellent way to get more ideas, as the theme is “congregational singing.” Details are on the Worship bulletin board or at the Seattle University website.
What is your view of silence in worship?
Approval was expressed for the “unspoken prayers” that are sometimes mentioned in the intercessory prayer period. Our liturgical silence was also seen as a refreshing change from the secular world. This type of change reminded some of a walk in nature.
Chapter XIII
How do you understand the Christian life of the mind? Have you ever thought of intellectual curiosity as a spiritual practice? How does WPPC view theological reflection as part of the faith journey? Can you see this as a 'way of life?'
Can you see the difference between liberality and liberalism? [pp. 190-193]
Do you feel more comfortable with people with faith answers or questions? What does WPPC foster?
page 189 – what are your experiences with clerics pitting mind against the heart?
The discussion cited coffee hour and men's breakfast as the current opportunities for theological reflection. Another possibility that was proposed was a sermon discussion, before or after Sunday. Some preferred after, especially if the pastor were there.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Visitor from Phinney Ridge Lutheran
Donna from PR Lutheran graciously added to our discussions on the last two Sundays. She favorably commented on our "Grace" banner. She said it is a better message than a "dead guy on a cross" to invite newcomers. While she spent some time describing the PRL 9 month catacumen program they call "The WAY," she helped us get some perspective on other aspects of WPPC's ideas.
She also mentioned they're about at the same stage of their capital campaign. They have the same consultant that we have. PRL has also revived testimony (see chapter 9), like we did at WPPC, as a part of their campaign.
She thought it was important to have different types of prayer available to the members of the congregation. While they have some experience with Taize in liturgy, they don't seem to have as much experience with other forms of silence, as with lectio divina.
In a separate posting I'll summarize the classes before Donna arrived.
She also mentioned they're about at the same stage of their capital campaign. They have the same consultant that we have. PRL has also revived testimony (see chapter 9), like we did at WPPC, as a part of their campaign.
She thought it was important to have different types of prayer available to the members of the congregation. While they have some experience with Taize in liturgy, they don't seem to have as much experience with other forms of silence, as with lectio divina.
In a separate posting I'll summarize the classes before Donna arrived.
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