Theological Thoughts for Thursday

Wikipedia lists 75 "celebrities" who adhere to the teaching of Scientology. This list is paired with a similarly long list of "celebrities" who are former members of Scientology. I put the word "celebrities" into quotation marks because, while some names are universally applauded Hollywood mainstays (John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and Kirstie Alley), others have minor parts in current sitcoms or played bit parts on Broadway shows.

Since 1955, when L. Ron Hubbard, the sci-fi writer who founded Scientology, began Project Celebrity; the church has offered rewards to members who could recruit celebrities. At least this is what the Church of Wikipediology teaches. I'm a devout believer.

Scientology claims 8 million adherents worldwide, with 3.5 million of those living within the United States. However, these membership statistics lack credibility. Census reports show that only 55,000 people in America count themselves as Scientologists.

Very interesting. I'm fascinated by this religion because it is so "out there." It doesn't make any sense to me; which isn't necessarily a value statement.

The evangelical church in America is thoroughly modern - and one trapping of this sad fact is the constant presence of apologetic appeals toward the rational, logical nature of the Christian faith. I don't really think that Christianity is either rational or logical. Our faith really doesn't make much sense - just ask an outsider.

Our faith is real - it is true and holy - but that doesn't mean that it should make sense to our minds. I'm not saying that reason is the enemy of faith ... but I do think that faith should transcend reason. If every aspect of your religion makes logical sense it has lost all sense of the holy and mystical touch that separates religions from philosophies.

Christianity is quickly fading with my generation, because we don't need a new life philosophy ... we need a religion. A faith that transcends our current knowledge of the world. A master who asks us to do something that will change the world.

Theological Thoughts for Thursday

Weddings and funerals. These are the two reference points an un-churched person has for traditional worship.

Which of these two do our churches most resemble? Is our worship slow and methodic? Do we have something to celebrate? Do people look a little sad to be at church this day? Are people showing an emotional resonance to the words being spoken?

When we worship as a body we should be celebrating the resurrection of our savior.

The worship wars have focused on traditional vs. contemporary. This is wrong. The worship wars should focus on good vs. bad. Because any musical style could be used to worship God.

Every worship committee should re-evaluate every second of their worship service. Which aspects show the joy of the resurrection? Which events hide the brilliance of our joy?

Theological Thoughts for Thursday

"Don't throw your life away on the American dream of retirement. Live dangerously for the One who loved you and died for you in his thirties." - John Piper

I don't find many parallels between the theology of John Piper and the theology of Michael Airgood. But this is one, I wholeheartedly agree that Christians must stop falling for the lie of the American dream.

I keep a box filled with pictures of friends and family, mementos of good times, quotes about the missionary life, and a prayer from the onetruth.com site. The prayer is:

"Well, God, if I live a few years on this earth and have to give up 'comfort' it's ok. And if I cant' get to always feel like I'm in charge or even that I know what I'm doing, I'm ok. And if I get persecuted for being who you call me to be, and people get downright nasty, it's ok. And if I never get to live out the "American Dream" and have an impeccable wife, and impeccable house, an impeccable minivan, and impeccable kids, I'm ok. And if I sped my whole life in weird shadows in unglamorous places and never really get recognized, it's ok. If I don't do the traditional 'ministry' and fit into a typical position, it's ok.

But God, please be with me..."

This prayer holds so much truth for my life. I know that God might not call me to a life of comfort and privilege.

I live my life in the glorious truth that God might call me to the gutters of the world and that I would go in a heartbeat. That the next apartment God has planned for me might not have a stove or a private bathroom.

That I may never have a retirement home on the lake. That God is in control.

I just finished a missionary biography. Perhaps the most interesting part was the four pages of pictures. The first picture showed a young couple in the early fifties, Janine playfully riding on John's back. The last picture revealed an aged couple, Janine still dressed in her fifties style sweater and long wool skirt, especially appropriate for the jungles of south east Asia. I long to grow old and unfashionable.

I spent these last few days in San diego at the Russia iniative. I spoke a lot of Russian every day. I understood a joke in Russian last night. All major accomplishments.

I love the direction the united Methodist church in Russia is going. Bishop Hans Vaxby is a truly devout and humble man. At the worship service last night, after one speaker squandered 45 minutes on a historical slide presentation, Hans summarized his (no doubt eloquently prepared sermon) in one minute. After a weekend of speakers trying to quench their unsatiable lust to hear their own voices, this was a sad yet welcome decision.

The United Methodst church in Russia is in a good position. Most major metropolitan areas have at least one United Methodist church. The leadership, across all 11 time zones, is improving. Youth and young adults have a healthy perspective on their role as servant leaders- they are empowered and trusted in almost every congregation. Although Russian churches haven't grown numerically during this short, unprecedented time of falling American interest (on an economic and societal level) and increasing Russian security (on an economic and societal level), they grew in spirit and truth. Our churches are primed to handle the needs of the Russian people - stability, security, and peace - in this time, like so many in their history, when society, economy, and government cannot satisfy.

Let it be known that the need for support- prayers, presence, and gifts - has not dwindled and neither should our supply. As Russian courts uphold our right to gather in the name of Christ under the banner of the United Methodist church, physical buildings prove to be a statement of our legitamacy and committment to the long haul. We must take this brief economic opportunity to help the RUMC purchase buildings for ministry.

Theological Thoughts for Thursday.

A new stray cat has arrived in my neighborhood. She is a long haired white cat, obviously from the street. My cat, Vassya, is none too keen on the idea of sharing feeding times with another stray.

Because that is all Vassya was when we first met, a stray. His coat was a dull gray and his eyes were vacant. He rubbed up against my legs begging for food. He was thin and sickly. The fleas were overwhelming his thinning fur. He had a large scar on his forehead from scratching through the fleas.

Vassya is a fun loving a playful cat these days. He eats well, and on cold nights he is allowed to sleep on the king sized bed with satin sheets and a down comforter. But how dare another cat try for the same privilege.

I would love Vassya no less if the other cat were welcomed in, but that makes little difference to him.

How quickly we forget the sad state we found ourselves in before we met Christ. How often we fail to share the good news we so recently discovered for ourselves. How often we judge others for the same sins we found ourselves in so recently.

So, I've done some updating to michaelairgood.blogspot.com . I've added a few pictures to prepare everyone for my departure.

I'll be updating both blogs from Korea - this blog with more of the Theological, Sociological, Political, etc thoughts that you come here to read and the other blog with more day to day occurances in Korea.

The visa process is difficult for Korea, and I won't be able to complete it until the Tuesday after graduation. They need my physical diploma to run my E2 (English teacher) Visa. I'll be coming home for a graduation party in May.

I don't have internet at my house, so that explains why posts are a little slim these last few weeks. Sorry about that.

I'm going to California with my mother on Wednesday. We are going to the Russian United Methodist convocation. I'm thrilled and sure to have a lot to post about.