Post 28
Connecting Passion and Pain: where is the Church?
During
February, I attended a convocation for our United Methodist Indiana
clergy. One evening during a special
worship service, we were challenged by stirring words from the guest
preacher. This afternoon, I reviewed my
notes on the message given; and, once again, my heart, soul, and mind were stirred.
For this GRM Blog entry, I would like to
re-present some of those thoughts in the hopes of challenging all readers to
look beyond …
beyond what
they are doing in the name of - and for the sake of - their own individual
faith-beliefs and convictions.
First,
allow me to pose a few questions.
·
What stirs you about your faith?
·
Are you involved in a ministry about
which you feel passionate?
·
Do you yearn – or sense a calling –
for making a difference in your community or the world?
·
Are you involved in a community that
regularly practices “holy
habits” (i.e., certain spiritual disciplines) together?
Second, how do you see the following notes as they may connect
with the above questions?
·
Mother Teresa observed that in America, she
had never seen such suffering … many walls and no caring.
·
We need to get out of our [church]
buildings – out of our bubbles.
·
We need to err on the side of grace:
love people well; listen; straight talk; confess to each other.
·
Some of us need to be taken
advantage of ... a little bit more.
·
Holy troublemakers insist on the
world being what God dreams it to be.
·
If you try to shut down Revival,
then you’re [messing] with God
·
We need to connect our deepest
passions with the world’s
deepest pains.
·
One of the most radical views of
Christianity is to move
closer to pain.
So many times, I say to folks who inquire about Gambling
Recovery Ministries, “We are always doing a new thing.” For eleven years, now, we have continued to
break parish boundaries and bring the good news of recovery from problem
gambling - via this faith-based outreach – to many corners of America: to
persons in addiction (and their loved ones) who have given up hope; to
professionals who want to learn how to include spirituality within their work
with gamblers; and to clergy who need information and assistance in helping
parishioners lost in addiction.
Yes, to truly bring
hope and help to those suffering from gambling problems – and do not know where
to turn for help –
we need to ...
· raise the questions
about pain and suffering;
· tear down the walls of
isolated comfort;
· truly see the marginalized…
AND THEN -
·
we will be in position to meet many more starting points of God’s continuing dreams!
For more information
on hope and help for recovery from gambling addiction, go to www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
