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.
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2 comments:
Although the PRLC "The Way" classes for learning about the church and becoming a member do seem long (about 9 months), I think they probably serve some good purposes.
-On the one hand they show the prospective member that the church is serious about it's commitment to them to develop in their faith. They also communicate to the prospective member that PRLC is not the normal church. 'We do things differently here'.
-Talking to my friends their, each 'candidate' gets a sponsor family. That family sort of takes them under their wing and makes sure they are doing well and growing and I am sure encouraging and them along the way.
-I have never been to a church that approaches 'candidates' in this manner so when I first heard of it I reacted "9 months! Way too long!". I think they may be onto something however. I'm not sure about the 9 months, but more information about the church, christianity, ethics, growing in faith and community. I think that is something every church would want of it's members.
-It provides a great way to meet each other and foster a deeper relationship. Getting together at church without a meeting is somethinig I have heard from several people. Providing a light dinner, child care and community. How wonderful is that?
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In the discussion around theological reflection, the opportunities at such prosaic WPPC activities as the recently completed “cleanup day,” should not be overlooked. Other Seattle churches are interested in contemplative opportunities on such days. While substituting a hymn as a kind of a church chantey would not be my recommendation, maybe a taize or other chant could be a unifying way to tie together multiple small tasks.
A form of meditation is continuing the same “boring” task, such as sweeping, for 20 minutes. The discipline would be to be fully present in the task during that 20 minutes. Another meditative option during the task could be to consider all the people who made your doing that task possible, such as the merchant who sold the broom, the broom maker, etc.
Having chanteys would emphasize work as a necessary evil. We discussed that in some countries, especially where under- and unemployment are endemic, just having any job is considered a blessing. By taking the “foolishness of Christ” view that work is part of grace, rather than the Enron or oppressive industrial view of work as part of greed and drudgery, we could transform WPPC cleanup days into teaching opportunities.
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