Louise Westfall’s Blog

I’m listening, Jesus. What are you saying to me? One of my pals mentioned that he sometimes punctuates these two sentences differently so they read: I’m listening. Jesus, what are you saying to me??!!! Oh, yeah! Some days are like that.

This is a deceptively easy exercise, but I’m trying to be intentional and persistent about listening for the “still, small voice” amid many competing voices (including my own!). What is your experience with this practice? I’d love to hear your thoughts about it as a way to connect more deeply with the Divine. What is Jesus saying to you?
I’m listening!

Been awhile since I blogged, but I’ll try to be more timely! Yesterday I preached the sermon germinated by a number of 20s/30s individuals who discussed the text at a recent Theology on Tap. As I wrote the sermon, I was glad and grateful for the thoughtful comments and perspectives of the group, and I was keenly aware of the way those comments shaped the direction and accent of the sermon.

The text (John 18:33-38) concludes with Pilate’s question to Jesus: What is truth? Some of us assumed the question was asked dismissively, but others noted how that is a question worth thinking about, and is especially intriguing because Jesus doesn’t directly answer it. I thought the richest part of our discussion was wondering why he didn’t. The fingerprints of the Theology on Tap group are all over this paragraph:
….we began to understand Jesus’ response as an invitation, that truth resides in an ongoing relationship with him; a conversation that can’t be captured by a pithy phrase, a statement of belief, or an intellectual proposition. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. Friends, is you want to know the truth, get to know Jesus. Look at His example of self-giving love. Listen to His words that widen our vision of what life is, and what it’s for. Find the path for your life in His.

I wanted to bring home that point by inviting us to a specific practice.
Everyone is invited to try this experiment: As you get ready for the day, say: I’m listening, Jesus. What are you saying to me? It’s a way of consciously opening every part of our lives to the One who rules heaven and earth. It’s an intentional way to demonstrate that Jesus is our leader. It’s a way to discover what Jesus is calling you and Fairmount Church to do and become. I’d love to hear about your experiences with this practice!

Sermon germination is so enjoyable! But even more, it demonstrates one of my deepest convictions about preaching: that it is a conversation the people of God (not just the minister) have with God. The congregation is not the audience to whom the sermon is directed; instead, the preacher voices the conversation of the congregation and together we offer that to God. The best sermons are ones that reflect the concerns, needs, questions, truths of the congregation. Thank you to the 20s/30s individuals and the 20s/30s coordinator Angelia Martin for participating this time! Below are some texts for upcoming sermons. Please feel free to read the text and make some comments. Tell me what strikes you about the text, or the questions it raises for you. And thanks for exercising the preacher in you!

December 6 Read Luke 3:1-6 How do we prepare the way of the Lord? What is Jesus coming to do?

December 13 Read Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist urged people to change their ways. How is this good news?

Christmas Eve Micah 5:2-5 “Peace on earth, goodwill to all???” In what ways could this promise come true?

January 10 Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3:21-22
Who’s your daddy? What do our names have to do with our identity?

Sermon Germin’-ation groups meet with me to discuss an upcoming sermon text and topic. We read the Bible passage and then explore how it can become God’s Word to contemporary people. You don’t have to be a theological expert or Bible scholar to participate–just someone who wants the Sunday sermons to reflect the questions you’re asking, the situations that concern you, and the values that matter to you.

Sermon Germin’-ation this year will include some brainstorming about how a sermon might effectively incorporate visual imagery, pictures, photos, or video clips to enhance its ability to connect with a broad range of worshipers. We already have the digital technology and know-how (thanks, Shawn!) to do this in the Chapel, and I’m confident that YOUR ideas could make this work well! (And if it’s true that a picture is worth 1000 words, just imagine how short the sermons could get!)

Come to Sermon Germin’-ation once, or often! It’s one hour, 10-11 AM at the Manse on Saturday–September 19, October 17, and November 21. Freshly-baked muffins and Fair Trade coffee are part of the deal! Sign up by posting a “comment” after this blog entry OR e-mailing me at lwestfall@fairmountchurch.org. I look forward to our conversations. . . and the sermons they’ll form and inform!

I’m back from the Rocky Mountains, but climbing another peak this week at the Mayor’s Summit on Sustainability. Mayor Frank Jackson has gathered over 500 business, civic, university, not-for-profit, and faith community leaders for a three-day strategy session on how to create an economic engine that will help produce a “green city on a blue lake.” We’re using an “appreciative inquiry” process led by David Cooperrider that has engaged us in identifying assets, dreaming, designing, and deploying. Keynote speakers — from President Obama’s environmental chief to IBM’s North American manager — have informed and inspired us, and sparked thoughtful conversation from a variety of perspectives.

The sabbatical time is drawing to a close. I’ll be in the pulpit August 23, and am really looking forward to being back among you! This time has been a rich and nourishing mix of family time, study and reflection, spiritual renewal, and fun in some of my favorite places. I feel enormously grateful, completely healthy, and am ready to rock and roll at Fairmount this Fall! Thanks to my intrepid colleagues for their stellar leadership, and to each of you! See you very soon!

One of the most stimulating books I’ve read on sabbatical (besides Moby Dick!) is entitled Digital Storytellers: The Art of Communicating the Gospel in Worship by Len Wilson and Jason Moore, media ministry pioneers and practitioners. The authors make a strong case for digitizing worship based on their understanding of post-modern culture. Although we live in the “information age,” contemporary people don’t want or need more information, they seek experiences of the Transcendent; they want to “see God.” Instead of analyzing doctrine or debating biblical interpretations, they want to identify and celebrate God’s presence in the world and in their lives.
The authors are convinced that traditional forms of worship are less effective in communicating this good news to a digital culture; which is to say, most people under the age of 40. They urge leaders in mainline, traditional congregations to be aware of the seismic sociological shift brought on by digital technology, and to adapt their communication ways and means accordingly. Only by doing so, they contend, can the ancient tradition be accessible to younger generations so at home in a digital world.

Tradition and technology converge through storytelling. I readily resonate with this. The Bible is sacred story—the histories, poetry, teachings, and convictions of a people who perceived themselves to be called by the God of grace. All of the Bible serves to tell the story of God’s relationship with humanity and God’s saving purposes for the whole world. The methods of storytelling have changed over the millennia: from tales told around blazing campfires to weathered scrolls preserved in clay jars , from laborious hand-copying to the modern printing press , from “hard copy” to flickering pixel. The use of projected images in worship for these authors is simply the next communication method. In fact, it’s not “next;” it’s now.

Digital storytelling is not about projecting words—the Scripture text, the song lyrics, announcements, and the like. Instead, it seeks to share the gospel of God’s redeeming love through visual images, creative graphic design, stories and parables, drama and film clips. It seeks more to inspire, rather than inform. Creative expression can help people see the same thing in new ways—and with the power of God’s lively Spirit, become transforming for them. Sermons, for example, would utilize visual as well as oral styles. Imagine “seeing” God’s Word along with “hearing” it! The stories and anecdotes preachers tell in our sermons as “illustrations” could come to life through visual representation. Can you see it at Fairmount? “Eye” wonder!

Worshiped this week at the church in which I grew up, and where my dad was pastor for 17 years until his death. A flood of memories washed over me: of worship and church school, vacation Bible school, confirmation, and youth fellowship, mission trips and service projects, choir practices, and some spectacular Youth Sunday worship services. We were the first to play guitar in worship, leading the congregation in singing “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love,” and thought we were on the cutting edge of the next Reformation!

The service on Sunday was as “blended” as any I’ve seen. Song lyrics and Scripture readings are projected on to the flat white walls flanking a large cross, though the bulletin also lists hymn numbers and biblical texts so that worshipers can also use hymnals and read from the pew Bibles if desired. The choir doesn’t sing in the summertime, but a male quartet sang a Michael W. Smith song “Shine on Us,” with recorded electronic accompaniment. Following the prelude, a worship leader led the congregation in singing two praise songs, and then segued into the announcements for the day. Another worship leader then led the responsive call to worship (which was projected AND printed in the bulletin), and the rest of the service followed similarly to ours, with a confessional section, scripture readings, sermon, prayers, and offering. We sang both contemporary praise songs and hymns as traditional as “Rock of Ages” and “To God Be the Glory,” all accompanied by organ or piano. I was glad to see the church attempting to reach out to an ever-wider congregation by integrating traditional and contemporary elements.

I’m really interested in your thoughts about Fairmount’s worship. Is it better to try and “blend” both contemporary and traditional elements in a service, OR to offer both types of services at different times? If you’re a traditionalist, would you be willing to experiment with some new forms? Or, if you’re drawn to contemporary style with digital input, would you be willing to include traditional elements as well? –or perhaps to attend at a different time than Sunday at 11 am? Some of the church growth research suggests that “blended” worship simply doesn’t work. It waters down both styles, leaving them bland versions of their true, robust individual selves. What excites you about new worship possibilities? What frightens or potentially offends you?

Okay, I’ll admit it: after a summer of attending “alternative”-style worship services, I was so glad to worship at the downtown Denver Presbyterian Church that my brother and his family attend. We arrived in time to hear the prelude—a Bach piece expertly played on the church’s pipe organ, and from the moment I took my seat in the padded pew, I felt at home. The order of service was similar to our eleven o’clock service, with a responsive call to worship, prayer of confession/assurance of forgiveness/passing the peace, Scripture readings and sermon, prayers and offering. The associate pastor preached a thoughtful sermon on the Old Testament lectionary text, and drew out some meaningful connections to contemporary life and faith. I knew every hymn, and enjoyed singing “parts” with my brother and nephew by following the musical score in the hymnal. The comfort of the familiar made it easy to worship and to feel spiritually nourished by the experience—it required almost no effort on my part because I was in the groove–that’s the way I’m used to worshiping.
But I wonder if it is only the familiarity of such worship that makes it spiritually nourishing for me. Reformed worship is designed to reflect some core understandings about our relationship with God. In the “alternative”-style services I’ve attended, the emphasis is very much on giving praise to God. The energy of the music, the singability of the choruses, the full engagement of worshipers through standing, moving, clapping, and hand-raising make praise obvious and ecstatic. The elements of Reformed worship include praise (albeit in a more restrained manner), but much more. In the confessional section, we acknowledge the human condition—including the parts of our lives and the life of the world that are broken, alienated, lost, and hurting. We name some of these conditions together, and together seek God’s forgiving grace and the opportunity to begin anew. We demonstrate the way that grace transforms our relationships with others by sharing the peace. Sermons in the Reformed tradition grow out of Scripture, and the way it informs our lives today. We seek to “hear God’s Word to us” rather than using Scripture to “prove” a point we want to make. We respond to God’s grace by offering our lives including the giving of financial gifts which we dedicate through prayer. Our prayers of intercession include not only our own needs and concerns, but those of the wider church and world, because the purpose of Reformed worship is not simply individual nourishment, but the alignment of our lives towards God and the way Christ taught in word and deed. I missed most of these other worship elements in the “alternative”-style services, and I wonder if a steady diet of that style would deepen my faith or strengthen me for service and witness in our complex world.
So I wonder if we Presbyterians might actually have important contributions to make towards contemporary worship. That is, we might grow in our ability to incorporate technology and varying styles in worship that honors the intellect, enlarges the sphere of concern, and helps us practice the way of Christ in our lives beyond Sunday morning. What do you think? And what would you like to try in order to accomplish this?