Sermon: Copyright Dispute, Mark 9:38-50
Sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church of Hallock, Minn.
A Copyright Dispute
Mark 9: 38-50
Adam J. Copeland
Every few years, my parents will have an amusing conversation in which my dad accuses my mother of plagiarism. It’s all in good fun, of course, and it’s really a lesson on cultural differences, but it’s always fun to listen nonetheless.
You see, my mother is from Edinburgh, Scotland. She went to college at St. Andrews University where she met my dad, who was studying there on a graduate fellowship. Dad was very much enjoying his time at St. Andrews, but also experiencing some significant cultural differences. Of course, there were the expected language issues — Scots call a car trunk a “boot,” gas “petrol,” a cookie a “biscuit,” and of course french fries they call “chips.” But the academic system was rather foreign as well. … Continue Reading
Marathon Training Update: Change of Plans
Ok, here’s a quick update on operation run-a-marathon / prove-my-nuttiness campaign this October. As you might remember, back in April I registered for the Twin Cities Marathon that will be run next Sunday, Oct 4. My training was hampered a bit a few weeks back when I developed runners’ knee, but overall it’s been coming along fairly well. (And my knee is feeling much better, thanks.)
But back in April when I registered, I did not know that Oct 4th would be only my third Sunday leading worship in a new call. So, since there’s no way I’m taking off a Sunday in my first month, I’ve reset my sights on another marathon (still 26.2 miles, I’m afraid).
On Saturday, Oct 17th I’ll be running the Siouxland Lewis and Clark Marathon in Sioux City, Iowa (well, it actually starts in Nebraska, technically). It will be a totally different marathon experience as there are over 10,000 running in the Twin Cities and less than 500 running in Iowa. The Siouxland course includes several paved trails and the cities marathon is very urban. But, I’m making the best of it and determined to finish — very slowly, yes, but finish.
Which leads me to admit another crazy thing this marathon goal made me do this morning. I was getting a bit sick of long runs, so I did today’s a bit differently. I ran the Fall Frolic 10K (put on by Red River Runners) three times. (I guess that’d be 30K.) I ran one time before for the race. One time as the race (I came in 35th out of no more than 40, I’m sure). And another time afterwards. Some quick math says that’s 18.6 miles, and an enjoyable way to do it.
Now back to icing and wanting a nap…
Flu Ministry
What might congregations do in response to H1N1? Take precautions, perhaps. Serve the community, of course. But, practically speaking, what might we do?
County health officials sent our congregation — and presumably all in the region — a letter a few weeks ago regarding H1N1. They suggested that communion from a common cup be stopped, and that the passing of the peace be altered so that it did not necessitate hand shakes or hugs. Now you could read that two ways: 1) what in the world is the government doing telling us how to practice our religion or, 2) isn’t that wonderful that the county cares so much for its citizens it suggests ways to stay healthy, even in church.
Before I arrived in Hallock, the congregation made a few announcements in worship to suggest that people might want to welcome their neighbor with a friendly “hello” and a smile rather than a hand shake. A few weeks later, I’m not sure the message stuck as every person shook my hand heading out the door last Sunday — or my leadership was so bad that they wanted to infect me and get rid of me quick!
Perhaps all this H1N1 worry gets into culture of fear issues — homeland security threat level raised to burnt orange — or, perhaps it is a real health concern that we should take completely seriously. Since, in my lifetime I do not remember any flu scare such as this, I’m willing to take things quite seriously. Even more so, I’m willing to spread the word.
I’m all for action, but with H1N1, it seems the best I can do is sneeze into my elbow and wash my hands often. I’m even willing to use that goopy hand sanitizer from time to time. And yes, I can help spread the word (and shutdown folks overreacting). But, other than that, it seems there’s nothing to do. Which is frustrating. So I just wrote a blog post about it. Now I’m off to serve my country and…. wash my hands.
image by Marcos Santos
Sermon: Holy Wisdom, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
My first sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church of Hallock, Minnesota. The service was a lot of fun to lead (and to get that first one out of the way 
). It’s a beautiful worship space, a very friendly congregation, and a fun place at which to minister — well, so far so good, at least!
Audio next week maybe, but here’s the text:
September 20, 2009
FPC Hallock
Holy Wisdom
James 3:13-4:3; 7-8a
After this morning’s bulletin had already been printed I had a momentary panic when I looked at the sermon title again. “Holy Wisdom” what was I thinking? These people are going to wonder about this new young pastor coming in and, low and beyond his first sermon is title, “Holy Wisdom.” Talk about a big head! Who’s thinks he’s gonna be preaching wisdom this morning?
But, I promise, that’s not what I had in mind at all. And I hope while listening to the scripture texts this morning, that became clear. All these texts have to do with wisdom one way or another, and the James passage which I’ll be focusing on this morning makes it clear: there’s a holy wisdom — a wisdom from God — and an earthly wisdom that isn’t really wisdom at all.
Before any more of that, though, I do want to say how glad I am to be with you all this morning. Who knows how long I’ve been preparing for a day such as this, and it’s a great joy and a humbling honor to be in this pulpit and to look forward to ministering with you in Hallock and beyond. Megan and I are very glad to be in the area, and I’m chomping at the bit to get to know you better, to help facilitate worship and, with you, to do God’s work in this place.
Incidentally, the passages from the lectionary this morning did seem quite appropriate for this community, as — did you notice this — three out of four scripture readings this morning contained references to agriculture.
That strange and beautiful passage from Proverbs about — the capable or strong wife, or some translate it “a woman of substance” — that wise woman seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands and then later on she considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Grand Forks Yard Craziness
Not sure what to make of this, but on about a three mile drive from our place to the mall today, I saw eight yard sales. EIGHT! Yes, I took the route through the neighborhood rather than on the larger road, but man o man, what’s up with Grand Forkians (Grand Forkers? Grand Forkites?) and yard sales?
Maybe it’s the midwestern thrift that causes folks to cash in their old stuff often.
Maybe it’s the warm weather going to people’s heads.
Maybe it’s a sign that folks just buy too much and need more room to store the new stuff.
Maybe it’s a sign of the economy — need money to pay the bills, so hold a yard sale.
I’m not sure, but I am rather curious. And also, come to think about it, there’s a large amount of thrift stores in Grand Forks as well. I’m all for thrift and buying and selling second-hand, but in this quantity? What gives?
image by JMGriffin
Julie & Julia Review
Last night, I enjoyed seeing the film “Julie & Julia” about a young searching New Yorker’s quest to blog through Julia Child’s classic “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”
First off, Meryl Streep, who played Julia Child, was amazing. Her scenes (the film switches back and forth between modern Queens and post-war Paris), I found the most compelling, best acted, and most entertaining. An Oscar nomination better be coming.
And while I recommend the movie for Streep’s performance alone, I was most struck by the smaller role of Julie’s husband Eric, played by Chris Messina.
I suppose Julie’s character is also interesting because she’s searching so, searching for a meaning in life, searching for success, searching for a vocation — and it is interesting, by the way, that not a religious peep was uttered in the entire film.
But back to Eric, Julie’s husband. Eric was most appealing due to his long-suffering support of Julie. Sure, once after a fight he takes off for a night, but that scene felt like it was in there just to humanize him a bit. Overall he’s an incredibly sensitive and supporting husband. When Julie needs cheered up, Eric is there. When she needs a party, Eric is there. He more than puts up with Julie’s antics, he seems to understand that the crazy blog event gives her life, so he sacrifices for a bit to make her happy.
Now I’m not the biggest movie-goer in the world, but I certainly haven’t seen too many similar portrayals of contemporary men. Usually men in movies are portrayed as overly masculine, cracking rude jokes, obsessed with sports, always putting their own interests first, and they only shine in very intentional well-planned romantic moments. Other than gay characters which might be an exception more people are comfortable with, most male characters in such films tend not to be particularly sensitive or thoughtful, and they hate when the action and emotions do not revolve around them.
I’m probably over generalizing a bit here, but I suppose my takeaway point is that I enjoyed seeing a supportive, emotional, thoughtful male character express his masculinity by helping his wife find herself rather than by lifting weights and cracking crude jokes. Now if Eric could only work on his table manners, he’d really be a guy to emulate.
From Midterms to Ministry
I’ve only half-way enjoyed the first few essays in a the new Eerdmans publication, From Midterms to Ministry: Practical Theologians on Pastoral Beginnings. The work was edited by Allan Hugh Cole Jr., and is a collection of essays written for new pastors — mostly those right out of seminary, but for seasoned pastors in new calls as well.
What has struck me most about the first essays is that they were all written by people not currently called as pastor of a church. As I perused the author bios further, I discovered that, indeed, almost if not all the essays are written by professors who once were pastors, but no longer pastoring. This strikes me as strange.
I suppose the subtitle, “practical theologians on pastoral beginnings” could imply that the book was authored only by professors, but what does that say about pastors? Well, if you ask me it says: (1) pastors are not “practical theologians,” only professors are, and (2) pastors these days don’t put out high-enough quality work to publish them in an essay collection. Save the writing for the professors. Both points strike me as unfortunate, and untrue.
Now I don’t know much about Allan Hugh Cole Jr., who may be the most pastoral person in the world and just needed to edit a book with other academics, but I still don’t think I buy the premise: professors should be writing for pastors, not pastors for pastors.
All that said, I did really appreciate the first essay by Tom Long entitled, “The Essential Untidiness of Ministry.” It connected with me, because I’m all about the messiness of all our lives, especially that of a pastor. Life is not black and white, it’s untidy, and trying to tidy it up too much leads to no good at all.
My favorite image of the piece, perhaps, Long borrowed from Luke Johnson. Johnson imagines the difference between the front of a church — with its neat and tidy architecture and images, where only the worship leaders walk — with the back of the church where there’s messy announcements and baskets collecting food and children whining and everyone treads. Most ministers have learned much about the front of the church, about the sacraments and preaching and teaching, but it’s the back of the church where the rubber hits the road. Pastoring gets messy back there, and that’s ok.
As I continue to read, From Midterms to Ministry I’ll put up more posts. Peace.
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