Today's service certainly gave me much to think about.
The invitation to leave tradition and institutional comfort at bay was a difficult challenge, as these values are dear to me. Reconsidering them, though, is always a useful exercise. Perhaps the sermon's title "I am the bread of life" can provide strength in this exercise.
As Rev. Johnston described the boomers, Gen X (that's me), and the echo generation, I was thinking about how I could relate to values usually ascribed to each. But the challenge to rethink how we express our faith and to focus on the personal experience of faith is not at all easy. For me, coming to a life of faith indeed started with the monument and tradition of the church, and I must say that I find it difficult to express personal experiences of faith. It is far easier to read scripture, hear music, see art and architecture, rather than relate the powerful peace that can come in silent prayer.
As Rev. Johnston described Jesus as a bridge between us and God, perhaps traditions and institutions have been another kind of bridge for me, and that personal experience is just another lane on the same bridge.
Geoffrey
Sunday, March 27, 2011
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I hadn't seen it that way before, Geoffrey. Even though I'm on the brink between Gen X and the Echo generation, I personally tend to tradition and institution, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat floored me on Sunday, was the feeling of spiritual nourishment. From the dedication of the new bibles, to the anthem sung, to the offering of the baskets for the food bank... I felt like that hummingbird on the bulletin cover, being fed delicious, sustaining spiritual food, and wanting more and more!
M.