Hallellujah!

Two weeks ago, I went forward in church and requested prayers. I left Chattanooga headed for Indiana and my ninety-year-old parents surrounded by the prayers of the most loving congregation of Christians with whom Bruce and I have ever been associated.

They knew I was worried, but even I did not know how worried until the situation was resolved. I sobbed for hours. Every time I think how miraculously it all worked out, I break down again, overcome with gratitude and praise. To explain the problem would take a book and would upset my entire family, but, by the Grace of God, my elderly parents are, with their full consent, being placed in a safe, healthy environment. And my three sisters, my parents and I are bound together in love. Hallelujah!!

The short version: My sisters and I met together (again) to discuss what could be done about Mother and Daddy and their intolerable living conditions. We did the usual pointing of fingers and glaring and then came up with a possible solution.

As soon as we stepped into our parents’ house, Daddy called us aside. He and mother had come up with a plan: He would move into assisted living immediately for much needed rest, and my sister Paula would stay at the house and care for Mother until an apartment became available—the very plan we had arrived at moments before. When we asked Mother for confirmation, she smiled and humbly thanked Paula for consenting to stay. It was at that point I began to cry and praise God. I left with blessings on my head and tears running down my face. God is good. God is faithful. Praise the Lord.

“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
    and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3,4  (NIV)

Why I Don't Write "Inspirational" Essays

I am not an inspirational person.

First of all, I anticipate trouble. When it gets here, I waste time looking back and blaming others who didn’t see it coming.

Secondly, I become a blubbering wad of toxic pain and suffering. I forget that God is faithful. I forget I am saved by grace. I remember my sins and failings, and I believe my suffering is somehow deserved.

The next step in my process of grief is a “poor me, look at me” call for attention and help. Thank God, that help is not far away and not begrudging. It always comes in the form of prayers, consolation, friendship and love from my Christian brothers and sisters.

They remind me that I am forgiven. They assure me that God cares. They inspire me and give me hope.

Galations 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfilll the law of Christ."

Dying Happy

I cried, a lot, yesterday. I laughed, a lot, yesterday. One of our dear, old brothers, Carl Allen, died Friday. At his funeral, yesterday, his children remembered him as a father who always had time for them; always encouraged them; always made them laugh. His youngest daughter, Ginny, told of walking with her parents through an old family cemetery—she and her father a few yards ahead of her mom.
A moving glint of black caused Ginny to ask, “Was that a snake.”
“We’ll know in a minute,” Carl said.
Frantic screams from her mother.
“Yes, that was a snake.”

Bruce gave the eulogy and remarked that it is much easier to speak at some funerals than others, and that Carl’s was one of the easier ones. We all know where Carl stands with Jesus, saved by grace; and we all know, by grace, we will see Carl again—arms and smile spread wide.

I was laughing and crying again last night. Two reasons: First, we were treated to a joyous, moving, slide presentation and talk from a mission team member who recently returned from Costa Rica. Secondly, that member represents a minority never allowed to speak in front of the full congregation before. Susan Campbell is female. FEMALE! And she did our gender proud.

Bruce pointed out that we had been edified by one of our female members, in case nobody noticed—since we met in the fellowship hall and had cookies and coffee. But it was a Wednesday night between seven and eight o’clock. That makes it official.

I can die happy.

How I Really Feel

Having observed public worship services in various Churches of Christ my entire life, I have seen and heard many things that have caused my worship experience to be less than ideal.
Here are a few examples:

Songleaders who were:
Flat, sharp; too slow, fast, loud or soft; unable to read music, without rhythm, unable to read English; children.

Scripture readers who were:
Inaudible, expressionless, unable to read, without understanding; children.

Communion speakers who:
Forgot our standard procedures, made the communion sound like a funeral and not a celebration, included the offering as a commanded part of worship, spoke longer than the preacher; were children.

I have heard the following from our own pulpit:
A funeral sermon denouncing our congregation as unscriptural and unsound.
Paranoid rants.
An invitation that instructed converts to pray in their seats and accept Christ into their hearts.
A sermon about evangelism that included a cartoon showing African cannibals boiling a missionary.
Several unsolicited testimonies. (Usually a good thing, but not always.)

What I have not heard or seen is one well-qualified female serving in any of these capacities.

The question I am usually asked at this point in my tirade is, “What do you want?”, as if somehow my simply wanting change is a failure on my part. It’s simple; I want a public acknowledgement that failure to use the talents of our female members in public worship is wrong.

We have ladies in our fellowship who are excellent Spanish speakers and translators. We have young women who are trained vocalists. We certainly have women trained in food service. We could serve communion. We wouldn’t have to say a word, and we could wear burqas.

Let Your Women Keep Silent - No More

Letter to the elders of Brainerd Church of Christ, June 2012
With all of the struggles that this congregation has been through and will continue to face in the future, you as elders may think that solving the problem of “women’s roles in public worship” could surely wait another thousand years. Maybe so; but truth does not decrease in relevance or importance with time.

In fact, recognizing and using the gifts of the entire congregation in public worship, as modeled and explained in the book of Corinthians and elsewhere in the Bible, could lessen the burden on the few who are constantly called on to serve and attract men and women to our services who have sought spirit-filled worship in other denominations.

Please consider the following scriptures:
Genesis 1:26 +
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Joel 2:28-30
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Act 2:16-18 - Peter on the Day of Pentecost
This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Galations 3: 26
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I Corinthians 12:7-11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

I Corinthians 14:23-25
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Acts 21:9
Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

I Corinthians 11:5-12
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. . . . Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

I Corinthians 14:1-5
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

I Corinthians 16:26-35
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet (remain silent) in the church and speak to himself and to God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop (remain silent) .For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. (Married) Women (who are being disruptive) should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak (be disruptive), but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak (be disruptive) in the church.

Romans 16
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

About Christian workers Paul says:
I Corinthians 16:15-16
You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.

It cannot be argued that women were silent in the assembly in the days of the Apostles nor are they required to be silent today. At present our public worship is not controlled by the Holy Spirit, otherwise everyone would bring something to the service to edify one another. It is right and good to allow women to practice their God given gifts in the assembly. To ignore the example of scripture is destructive to the church and sinful.

When asked what sort of changes I would like to see made, I mentioned several possibilities: 1. Give women permission to respond to the sermon verbally when prompted by the Spirit. 2. Allow appropriately-gifted women to do translation, read scripture or lead singing. 3. Allow every member, male and female, to bring a song, a prayer, or a scripture, to edify the church. 4. At the very least, let women serve communion.

Looking for the Elevator

      This past Saturday our elders informed the congregation that Brainerd Church of Christ will shortly be out of funds. The Saturday previous, they let my husband, Bruce, know that we will not be paid after December. Utility bills and upkeep on the building, plus the demise, relocation or defection of our members has done us in.
     This congregation has been in existence for over eighty-five years. Martha Eichelberger and Fran McPherson, nearly-ninety-year-old ladies who work with the inner-city bus ministry, are first generation descendents of founding members. The current building was built in pieces beginning in 1947(?) with the current auditorium added in 1963.
     There is much irony in our situation.
     First of all, due to recent hail damage, we are getting a new $100,000 roof, paid for by insurance. (Our main roof is three stories above ground and three stories high with, I would guess, a 70 degree pitch. I think the roofers are Nepalise Sherpas.)
     Secondly, our Hispanic congregation continues to grow. Although strong in number and faith, there is no way they could support our white elephant any more than we can.
Thirdly, this church has established a number of congregations, e.g. East Brainerd Church of Christ, which are thriving.
      And fourthly, we are a very generous congregation that has seen to the financial needs of members and nonmembers alike. We have been supporters of domestic and foreign missions and currently provide worship space for one of the largest Hispanic congregations in the area.
      But, over the years, our current elders (all loving, caring, giving men) have failed to make other, necessary decisions or to communicate with or listen to the members of the congregation. They have tried, but their efforts have been sporadic and ineffectual. They tried for several years to invite predominantly black congregations who were considering building to join us, instead. The problem being that, by the elders’ choice, our worship services are about as active as a thirty-year-old collie. (This particular collie is friendly, loving and full of faith, just sedentary.)
      As secretary, I was privy to the issues that were never brought before the congregation or addressed by the elders. I finally had to resign to keep from driving my poor husband nuts. (You may not know that, as Churches of Christ interpret scripture, the preacher is not, unless appointed to be so, an elder or pastor. In many cases decisions and leadership are ipso facto left to the preacher, but Bruce has always deferred to the elders.)
      I have made pleas for decisions to be made, especially about our worship. Other people have tried over the years only to be told that “someone may object.” We have never had a praise team or a solo singer. We do not vary our communion service and rarely rearrange our order of worship. Drama in worship is very rare, always disguised as something else, and only performed by men. My last effort to jazz things up was a heart-felt, scripture-laden supplication ( I will post this tomorrow.) for the elders to incorporate women in any worship capacity. That, I believe, would have attracted a number of Christian families whose female members have felt excluded and marginalized. It would at least have put Brainerd Church of Christ on the radar.
      Meanwhile, I have been in touch with a solar panel company that tells me that a third party donor with $200,000 could put an array on our roof that would cover our utility bills, pay for itself in a few years, and generate income and tax incentives for the donor. This would need to be initiated by the end of October to get in on current tax law. Know anybody? And, if we could get someone to replace our now missing steeple with a look-alike cell tower, it would bring the church about $5000/ month. Again, know anybody?
Please pray for Bruce and me as we make this abrupt transition sans golden parachute. What color is God’s parachute? I would prefer an elevator.

Keoshia

Thirteen-year-old Keosshia Ford did not want to become the symbol of gang violence in Chattanooga. Keoshia wanted to be the athletic, active, beautiful child she was until two bullets hurtled into her body leaving her helpless, wordless and, some would say, hopeless.

According to the Xfinity Security web site, my chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chattanooga is 1/107. Of course, that depends on where in our fair city I live. Low cost housing in Chattanooga is dangerous housing. Low rent neighborhoods in Chattanooga are high crime neighborhoods.

Currently my husband and I live in a relatively safe area with peaceful neighbors. This has not always been the case. We have lived in seven different cities in six different states and have had to live in homes well below the median value, but I have been unsafe in only two of those cities, Memphis, and Chattanooga.
In both of those cities you must have a better than average income, or be very lucky, to live in a safe neighborhood. A large part of the problem is that Memphis and Chattanooga still suffer from “white flight,” urban sprawl, and the racial and economic problems that result. Shame on us. The unfounded fear that burned through these cities in the 60’s and 70’s has left a legacy of blight and destruction that feeds into the immoral national welfare system and creates a fatherless, valueless, bitter underclass with inferior schools and poor health.
How do we overcome?
On August 4th, in the residential neighborhood where Keoshia was shot, Chattanooga gathered and prayed. Our mayor prayed, our city and county representatives prayed, our ministers and our neighbors prayed. We prayed for peace in our community, unity among neighbors, hope for the future, help to understand and stop the violence, and healing for this innocent victim.
God help us.
Help us to create a spiritual unity that is impervious to the machinations of Satan and a resolve to rebuild neglected institutions and communities.
Amen.