DO I NEED THE CHURCH?

Religionless Christianity: Do I need the Church if I am "spiritual"? by Tim Gray, Ph.D.

Americans have long been characterized, by people like Alexis Tocqueville, as a very religious people. However, a major cultural shift is putting this characterization in question, as more Americans see themselves as "spiritual" rather than "religious." Not only has Christianity been pushed out of the public square by secular forces hostile to faith, but within American Christianity itself there is a shrinking back from the visibility of the Church and public worship, from the non-denominational movement to the recent house Church movement, to recent reactions to the priest abuse scandals, the place of religion and Church is in question. Can one have a religionless Christianity? What do these trends forebode about the future of Christianity in America?

How racist is your church?

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

By Bryan Cones

The election of Fred Luter, who is African American, as president of the Southern Baptist Convention got me thinking about race and the Catholic Church. The SBC was, in effect, racist in its foundation to the extent that it was created in 1845 in defense of slavery. For many Southern Baptists Luter's election represents a turning point in their history.

The Roman Catholic Church did not split into northern and southern branches over slavery as so many other U.S. churches did (the Episcopal Church being another exception), though the country's first Roman Catholic bishop owned a slave, and Catholic bishops in the United States were not on the forefront of the abolitionist movement. So it's safe to say the U.S. Roman Catholic Church is touched by our nation's history of race-based slavery as well.

But what about now? Is Sunday Mass the weekend's most segregated hour? Or are parish's really "Catholic" in that people of all races and cultures are not only welcome but fully share in the resources and leadership of the parish? Frankly, I rarely hear conversations or homilies about race and racism in Catholic churches.

To ask it another way: If the SBC's election of Luter marks a new moment in that denomination's history of race relations, what would it take to create a new racial moment in the Catholic Church?

Pastorgraphs: “Oasis in the middle of the city”

E-Vangel Newsletter

June 25, 2012

Pastorgraphs: “Oasis in the middle of the city”

“Now faith, hope and CHARITY abide, these three. But the greatest of these is CHARITY.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

In his report to the Annual Conference, San Diego District Superintendent Myron Wingfield wrote:

“New Life from a Legacy: Christ United Methodist Church became Christ United Methodist Ministry Center (CUMMC) under the innovative leadership of Rev. Bill Jenkins. Providing an exciting example of what a legacy congregation can accomplish, the CUMMC is practicing hospitality and providing immigration assistance for Haitian refugees, just one of the numerous mission outreach efforts flowing from this oasis in the middle of the city of San Diego.”

Bless you, and thank you, Myron for these kind words. It is my fondest hope and dream that CUMMC can indeed be an oasis in the middle of our great city.

With the downturn in the economy, there are more people in need than at any time in recent history. NBC’s Dateline last night showed middle class families in the suburbs who have fallen prey to the financial crisis; where jobs are scarce, mortgages are upside down, and aid coffers are empty. My heart was broken for families who never thought they would be in need of help, whose children do not know from day to day when they will eat again, or where they will sleep.

Under our roof, there are programs to feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick and imprisoned, and befriend the strangers in our midst. Add to that programs to help widows and orphans, abused women and children. The worshipping congregations minister to spiritual hunger and thirst.

I recently learned one of our ministries is helping provide food for the children in four orphanages in Mexico!

I believe with all my heart we are one place where the broadest range of ministries are conducted. But like so many churches and urban ministries, we need help…spiritual and financial help…to keep the doors open.

We are truly our brother’s keeper. Those who cannot afford to help financially may volunteer or provide prayer support. There is power in numbers. If ten people each provide $20 a month, that is $200! All donations, large or small, are gratefully appreciated.

To make it easier, we have made it possible for anyone who wishes to make a tax deductible donation to do so online. We are using MyCharityBox. You may go online and make a single donation, or a recurring donation (weekly, monthly) to help us as we seek to keep our hearts, our minds and our doors open for those in need.

Bless you, one and all, Brother Bill

P.S. I am looking forward to preaching this Sunday at Christ Church. It is the one year anniversary of my retirement. We will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of our roots in San Diego when the Evangelical Association and United Brethren in Christ (our parent congregations) built their first houses of worship here.

ALERT! The long anticipated water/sewer upgrade has now begun on 33^rd Street north of El Cajon Blvd. Allow a few extra minutes to go to 34^th Street and circle back to Meade if 33^rd is closed. The city anticipates the work will be completed by August 6. Apologies for the inconvenience.

From the Quote Garden

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,

I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

~ Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:1

Christ United Methodist Ministry Center

“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”

3295 Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205

www.ChristSD.com

Published: June 25, 2012

Altar Rails and the Holy Mass

The significance of.

The following excerpt is part of an article by Father Evan Harkins which appeared in December 2011 on the Pray the Mass website.

…Firstly, we call it an altar rail; the name has reference to the altar. This rail can be seen as an extension of the altar. Christ becomes present on the altar and invites us to be fed at His altar via the rail. Very often the appearance of the rail matches the appearance or imitates the appearance of the altar. In churches where there is no rail, this symbolism is very diminished or completely destroyed.

There is a beautiful parallel in the series of events that lead to the distribution of Holy Communion. Just as the priest goes to the altar, offers the sacrifice, and brings that Sacrament to the altar rail for the faithful, so every Christian is called to Sunday Mass, called to the altar, and, nourished by that Sacrament, is sent out to bring Christ and His gospel to the world through daily life.

Practically, the rail is a help to people, both physically and spiritually. The use of rail and the way Holy Communion is distributed with it sets a solemn pace for the reception of Holy Communion. On the part of the priest, more of his time is spent actually distributing the Blessed Sacrament and less time waiting. On the part of the person receiving, the hurried tone is removed; there is a great opportunity for quiet and prayer both a few moments before and after receiving our Lord. The rail also is a help to people in kneeling and standing back up.

On the psychological level, we all have a desire, built into us by God, to offer Him our love and worship, but all of our efforts will be imperfect. This is a truth we cannot escape. If we deny our short-comings and wrong-doings on our conscious level, we will feel it and suffer on a more subconscious level.

Because we know that the ‘sanctuary‘ exists — we know that there is a realm that we are unworthy and unable to enter on our own. We know that our knowledge and power are limited. God, of course, knows this too and created a solution. God sent His Son — His Christ — as the perfect high priest, who in turn instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders, by which He allows and commands men to enter His sanctuary and offer His perfect sacrifice, so that we, the entire Church, may join our imperfect sacrifices to His….

To read entire article, Click here.

HIGH-WIRE AND CHURCH NEWS

today's articles

worship
They're Playing Our Song: The Secret Multiracial Churches Know About Music

It's not the style or quality of musical performance that brings multiracial churches together, but a commitment to common participation. Michael O. Emerson

So you want to have a multiracial, multicultural church. Music, you decide, is an important vehicle to get there.
Continue reading They're Playing Our Song: The Secret Multiracial Churches Know About Music...

 

God Doesn't Keep Jews in a Pickle Jar

Part three of a conversation between John Piper and Jews for Jesus head David Brickner. David Brickner

From Her.meneutics
Theology on a Tightrope: Nik Wallenda's High-Wire Walk and Our Longing for God

Why we can't get enough of death-defying feats.

Karen Swallow Prior