Being Sent

There’s an old hymn that, in its day, created quite a bit of debate in the circles in which I moved. It went like this:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace”.

I know that there may be some valid reasons behind the writer’s decision to include those words in the hymn, but I have always struggled with what that line has meant for those who sing it. In so many ways it can be tempting to see worship as an escape from the world and its struggles – a retreat from the daily wrestle for justice and peace, and a place to imagine, for a moment, that we are already in the heavenly bliss that awaits us in the future. But, when we allow worship to be viewed this way, it loses its purpose and power.

When we gather for worship there are at least two significant truths that, I believe, should impact us and change us. The first is that God’s Reign – or heaven, if you will – is not so much something that we can only experience after we die. Rather, as we sing and pray together we are reminded that heaven is among us and within us, and that we can experience and live God’s Reign in our lives now. The second truth is that worship does not offer us an escape from the world, but rather challenges us to engage the world from God’s perspective. So, rather than the things of earth growing “strangely dim” they should be growing “strangely clear” in the light of God’s presence and purposes.

When our worship is driven by these two truths, we cannot help but take what we do in church out into the streets. We can only claim to have worshipped authentically when our worship changes how we speak and act, how we choose to spend our money and cast our vote, how we interact with others and participate in works of justice. If other people don’t see a difference in us after we have worshipped, I wonder whether we have really worshipped at all.

Which is why the final act of worship carries such significance. The benediction, or blessing, that closes most worship gatherings is also a moment of challenge and sending. It’s a final call to commitment that demands a response from us. And when this call comes, if we seek to be true worshippers, we had better be listening. We cannot move into worship for a time, and then think that we can leave God and God’s call on our lives in the sanctuary as we go back to “business as usual”. No, it is how we respond to the final words that really reveal how much our worship has been a genuine giving of ourselves to God.

One of my favourite benediction prayers is an ancient one:

“Go in peace. Go in the power of the Spirit to love and serve God.”

It is difficult to hear these words without recognising that God has a claim on our lives, and that our worship must bring every thought, word and action into line with God’s purposes. The question we should be asking as we hear words like these at the end of our worship gatherings is this: have we come to worship to escape, or are we ready to be recruited into God’s service once again. I pray that more and more our answer will be like that of Isaiah - a resounding “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
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John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.

Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.

Tutu urges support for 'extraordinary' Climate Change Concert

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has urged South Africans to join world faith leaders, political leaders and music stars at an “extraordinary” mass rally and afternoon concert on November 27 at the King’s Park Stadium in Durban.

The Archbishop is to host the “We Have Faith - Act Now for Climate Justice” rally and concert, at which he will lead a call to world leaders attending the COP17 climate change talks in Durban that they should reach a fair and legally binding agreement to curb climate change.

Musicians including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Arno Carstens, rap star HHP and Kenyan Gospel rapper Juliani have confirmed they will perform at the rally, which will be free. The COP17 talks start in Durban the day after the rally.

Faith leaders including Pope Benedict XVI, Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, have also been invited. Those who cannot attend have been asked to send video clips of support.

Environmental campaigners and motivational speakers Lewis Pugh, the “human polar bear”, and Braam Malherbe, a 50/50 presenter, will be among the many who will address the crowd.

“Apartheid seemed an overwhelming challenge that could not be defeated but we mobilised and defeated it. We need the same passion and determination to defeat climate change,” says Tutu.

“Climate change is an even greater threat to us than apartheid was, because as temperatures rise, millions of Africans will be deprived of water and crops. This will cause enormous suffering. It is something we simply cannot allow.

“In the face of such a huge threat, many of us feel numb and throw up our hands, believing we can’t make a difference. But we can make a difference - come to the rally. It will be an extraordinary event. And if you cannot come, please sign our petition on www.wehavefaithactnow.org. We want to have over one million signatures on these petitions at the rally to hand over the world leaders.

“Along with the many other faith leaders in the campaign, I appeal to you all - don’t hesitate to join us. Your support could help make a world of difference in keeping our planet cool.”

At the rally, Archbishop Tutu will hand over the petition to COP17 Chair, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who has confirmed she will attend to receive it.

UNFCCC executive secretary Christina Figueres has confirmed she will attend the rally, and President Jacob Zuma is among the many key politicians who have been invited.

The “We Have Faith” petition calls on world leaders to commit to a fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement, for a renewal of the Kyoto Protocol, and for funding to help Africa adapt to climate change.

Learners from dozens of schools throughout KwaZulu-Natal will also participate in the rally, presenting environmental-themed posters and messages to the leaders and performing song-and-dance numbers.

The faith leaders participating in the campaign are reiterating scientists’ predictions that that if greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed, by the end of the century average world temperatures will rise between 2˚C and 4˚C, and up to 6˚C in parts of Africa.

Climate change is already causing unpredictable, extreme weather across the
world, they say. Large numbers of people, especially in Africa, are struggling to survive amid increasingly severe droughts, floods and other disasters. Although Africans have done very little to cause climate change, they will be among the most devastated. A new climate change treaty is crucial to prevent enormous suffering and loss of life.


The rally starts at 2pm. Doors open at noon, and there will be local entertainment until 2pm. The event is free and all are welcome! However, as a safety and security precaution, tickets will be required to enter the Rally. Tickets will be available from November 11 at The Shark Tank Shop, the Diakonia Council of Churches and various other organisations ahead of time.

Tickets can also be collected on the day at the stadium ticket office.

For more information, log on to www.wehavefaithactnow.org, follow the campaign on Facebook (“We Have Faith - Act Now” community) and Twitter (“COP17ActNow”). Watch the YouTube video of Archbishop Tutu’s call to people to sign the petition, on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEcOT34ORXE &feature=feedu

For public queries about the rally, contact: The campaign Faith Secretariat on (031) 310 3500 / 3512.

Three Words

My visit to Israel in my late teens was a tough time. I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the conflict I saw between different faiths and denominations, and I disliked the way huge church buildings had been erected over every site that had any kind of spiritual significance. Where I had expected a journey of spiritual inspiration and nourishment, I discovered instead a growing dryness in my soul.

One of the exceptions to this pattern was a visit to the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane. This beautiful church was built, as the name suggests, as a place of welcome for all people. There was no sign of conflict, and no visible agenda other than providing a place of worship for whoever needed it. As I walked toward the entrance, there was an old priest sitting on a stool. He looked me in the eye and, with feeling, said three words: “God bless you”. In this cool, quiet sanctuary I immediately sensed the peace and presence of God. I slipped into a pew and began to pray and meditate, feeling my soul expand as I drank in the blessing of this place. When the call from the tour guide came to move on, I reluctantly left this sanctuary, but I offered a heartfelt word of thanks to the old priest as I passed him again.

Was it those three words that made the difference that day? I’ll never really know, but I do know that they touched me, and I am certain that they helped me to relax and receive the blessing that awaited me. I also know this – words have power, and words of blessing are an underutilised force for good in our world.

In Genesis 12 when God calls Abraham he speaks two primary words to him – he will be blessed and he will be a blessing. It is not a new thought that God’s blessing is given in order that we may bless others – it is a central tenet of the Scriptures. Yet, somehow, we have developed a culture where blessing is seen as a gift to individuals, which may be hoarded and used only for personal benefit. The impact of this view has been dramatically shown as we continue to struggle through the worst economic crisis of our generation and as the unnecessary evil of poverty persists across the globe.

This is why I believe so strongly in a simple act that concludes every worship gathering in many churches – the benediction (literally a “saying of wellness” or “good word”). It is significant that in the moment when we turn our attention from the spiritual discipline of worship to the daily business of our lives we receive a blessing, a “good word” to send us on our way. The benediction reminds us of the blessing we have received in our encounter with God, and sends us back out into the world to be a blessing – to carry the blessing with us and to share it with others. When we use this short, but powerful moment well, we leave the sanctuary with one final resource with which to touch and change the world.

So, next time you join a community at worship, don’t allow yourself to mentally leave the sanctuary during the last hymn. Stay focussed and wait for the final gift. Receive the blessing openly and intentionally, with a thankful heart, and then, as you leave the sanctuary, think about how, in the coming week, you are going to pass the blessing on. Then, give thanks that God has blessed you and made it possible for you to be a blessing in turn.
__________
John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.

Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.

Tutu urges support for “extraordinary” Climate Change Concert & Rally

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has urged South Africans to join world faith leaders, political leaders and music stars at an “extraordinary” mass rally and afternoon concert on November 27 at the King’s Park Stadium in Durban.

The Archbishop is to host the “We Have Faith - Act Now for Climate Justice” rally and concert, at which he will lead a call to world leaders attending the COP17 climate change talks in Durban that they should reach a fair and legally binding agreement to curb climate change.

Musicians including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Arno Carstens, rap star HHP and Kenyan Gospel rapper Juliani have confirmed they will perform at the rally, which will be free. The COP17 talks start in Durban the day after the rally.

Faith leaders including Pope Benedict XVI, Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, have also been invited. Those who cannot attend have been asked to send video clips of support.

Environmental campaigners and motivational speakers Lewis Pugh, the “human polar bear”, and Braam Malherbe, a 50/50 presenter, will be among the many who will address the crowd.

“Apartheid seemed an overwhelming challenge that could not be defeated but we mobilised and defeated it. We need the same passion and determination to defeat climate change,” says Tutu.

“Climate change is an even greater threat to us than apartheid was, because as temperatures rise, millions of Africans will be deprived of water and crops. This will cause enormous suffering. It is something we simply cannot allow.

“In the face of such a huge threat, many of us feel numb and throw up our hands, believing we can’t make a difference. But we can make a difference - come to the rally. It will be an extraordinary event. And if you cannot come, please sign our petition on www.wehavefaithactnow.org. We want to have over one million signatures on these petitions at the rally to hand over the world leaders.

“Along with the many other faith leaders in the campaign, I appeal to you all - don’t hesitate to join us. Your support could help make a world of difference in keeping our planet cool.”

At the rally, Archbishop Tutu will hand over the petition to COP17 Chair, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who has confirmed she will attend to receive it.

UNFCCC executive secretary Christina Figueres has confirmed she will attend the rally, and President Jacob Zuma is among the many key politicians who have been invited.

The “We Have Faith” petition calls on world leaders to commit to a fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement, for a renewal of the Kyoto Protocol, and for funding to help Africa adapt to climate change.

Learners from dozens of schools throughout KwaZulu-Natal will also participate in the rally, presenting environmental-themed posters and messages to the leaders and performing song-and-dance numbers.

The faith leaders participating in the campaign are reiterating scientists’ predictions that that if greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed, by the end of the century average world temperatures will rise between 2˚C and 4˚C, and up to 6˚C in parts of Africa.

Climate change is already causing unpredictable, extreme weather across the
world, they say. Large numbers of people, especially in Africa, are struggling to survive amid increasingly severe droughts, floods and other disasters. Although Africans have done very little to cause climate change, they will be among the most devastated. A new climate change treaty is crucial to prevent enormous suffering and loss of life.


The rally starts at 2pm. Doors open at noon, and there will be local entertainment until 2pm. The event is free and all are welcome! However, as a safety and security precaution, tickets will be required to enter the Rally. Tickets will be available from November 11 at The Shark Tank Shop, the Diakonia Council of Churches and various other organisations ahead of time.

Tickets can also be collected on the day at the stadium ticket office.

For more information, log on to www.wehavefaithactnow.org, follow the campaign on Facebook (“We Have Faith - Act Now” community) and Twitter (“COP17ActNow”). Watch the YouTube video of Archbishop Tutu’s call to people to sign the petition, on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEcOT34ORXE &feature=feedu

For public queries about the rally, contact: The campaign Faith Secretariat on (031) 310 3500 / 3512.

Benediction

My visit to Israel in my late teens was a tough time. I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the conflict I saw between different faiths and denominations, and I disliked the way huge church buildings had been erected over every site that had any kind of spiritual significance. Where I had expected a journey of spiritual inspiration and nourishment, I discovered instead a growing dryness in my soul.

One of the exceptions to this pattern was a visit to the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane. This beautiful church was built, as the name suggests, as a place of welcome for all people. There was no sign of conflict, and no visible agenda other than providing a place of worship for whoever needed it. As I walked toward the entrance, there was an old priest sitting on a stool. He looked me in the eye and, with feeling, said three words: “God bless you”. In this cool, quiet sanctuary I immediately sensed the peace and presence of God. I slipped into a pew and began to pray and meditate, feeling my soul expand as I drank in the blessing of this place. When the call from the tour guide came to move on, I reluctantly left this sanctuary, but I offered a heartfelt word of thanks to the old priest as I passed him again.

Was it those three words that made the difference that day? I’ll never really know, but I do know that they touched me, and I am certain that they helped me to relax and receive the blessing that awaited me. I also know this – words have power, and words of blessing are an underutilised force for good in our world.

In Genesis 12 when God calls Abraham he speaks two primary words to him – he will be blessed and he will be a blessing. It is not a new thought that God’s blessing is given in order that we may bless others – it is a central tenet of the Scriptures. Yet, somehow, we have developed a culture where blessing is seen as a gift to individuals, which may be hoarded and used only for personal benefit. The impact of this view has been dramatically shown as we continue to struggle through the worst economic crisis of our generation and as the unnecessary evil of poverty persists across the globe.

This is why I believe so strongly in a simple act that concludes every worship gathering in many churches – the benediction (literally a “saying of wellness” or “good word”). It is significant that in the moment when we turn our attention from the spiritual discipline of worship to the daily business of our lives we receive a blessing, a “good word” to send us on our way. The benediction reminds us of the blessing we have received in our encounter with God, and sends us back out into the world to be a blessing – to carry the blessing with us and to share it with others. When we use this short, but powerful moment well, we leave the sanctuary with one final resource with which to touch and change the world.

So, next time you join a community at worship, don’t allow yourself to mentally leave the sanctuary during the last hymn. Stay focussed and wait for the final gift. Receive the blessing openly and intentionally, with a thankful heart, and then, as you leave the sanctuary, think about how, in the coming week, you are going to pass the blessing on. Then, give thanks that God has blessed you and made it possible for you to be a blessing in turn.
__________
John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.

Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.

You Are What You Eat

There’s an old saying in health and fitness circles: “You are what you eat.” This is not just a slogan, but reflects the truth that everything we put into our bodies becomes part of us, nourishing our cells, impacting our energy levels, and either moving us toward health or toward disease. It is because of this that famous chef, Jamie Oliver, is on a campaign to change the way people eat – especially children in schools. (If you have about twenty minutes spare, it’s well worth watching his TED Award Acceptance speech on the TED web site.)

In biblical terms, the idea that we are what we eat goes to a whole new level. When Ezekiel received his call to the prophetic ministry, he had a vision in which he was given a scroll that he was instructed to eat. It was covered in words on both sides, and was representative of him “consuming” God’s word in order to deliver it to the people (Ezekiel 3:1-4). In a similar way, in the book of Revelation, John is given a scroll to eat and the instructed to prophesy to the nations (Revelation 10:9-11). These two prophets they became the proclaimers and the embodiment of what they ate!

Which brings us to the meal that is at the heart of Christian worship. It is not surprising that when Jesus calls us to follow him – to become like him, and to embody his message and mission – that he also invited us to regularly share in a meal in which the main course was said to be his body and blood. For literalists this may feel quite disgusting and may appear to hold overtones of cannibalism (as it did for some of Jesus’ listeners in John 6:51-52). But, when we place these words in the context of our discussion so far, a whole new meaning opens up. When we are able to receive the bread and wine as Jesus’ body and blood we are, in effect, saying to God that we want to become like Jesus, that we want the very being of Jesus to enter our entire being and transform us into Christ’s likeness.

In many liturgical churches, when Holy Communion is received, we pray a prayer, called the epiclesis, which asks God’s Spirit to fill the bread and wine so that they become for us Christ’s body and blood. Then, in the second part of the prayer, we ask God’s Spirit to fill us so that we may become the body of Christ to the world. By eating Christ’s body, we become Christ’s body. We are what we eat!

So, what does this mean for us practically? It means that eating – not just at Holy Communion but at every meal – is not just about shovelling some food down our throats. Rather, for the sake of our health – body, mind and spirit – we need to eat mindfully, aware of how the food nourishes and changes us. It means that when we gather for worship and share in the bread and wine, we are inviting Christ to fill us and change us and enlist us in God’s saving work in the world. It also means that we begin to live out the justice, grace and love of God’s reign at the Lord’s Table. As one writer put it, Communion is a “hungry meal” – we only receive a small portion that could never satisfy our hunger. And in so doing, we are invited into solidarity with all those who live with hunger constantly.

You are what you eat. If you long to be someone who knows and shares the life of God, then I can think of nothing better to eat than the Body of Christ.
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John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.

Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.

Table Talk

In Luke 14:7-11 Jesus offers a small piece of what author Michael Frost calls “etiquette”. It’s a challenging, but pretty common sense, piece of advice, really:

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, He gave them this advice: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

It’s a simple lesson in humility, but, the implications go far further than just our view of ourselves. Choosing a seat at the table is not just about where we believe we deserve to fit into the social pecking order. It’s also about who we choose to sit with – and this is where it begins to get really uncomfortable.

If we are to take Jesus as our example, then we may just find ourselves faced with companions at the Lord’s Table that we might not have intended or wanted to sit with. Jesus, after all, was known to share meals with religious leaders and with the shadiest characters of his time – tax collectors and prostitutes. In one incident, while a guest in the home of a Pharisee (who had treated him rather rudely according to the customs of the time) a prostitute came in and began to wash Jesus’ feet. The Pharisee was offended and wondered how Jesus could allow it, but Jesus, knowing his thoughts, used the moment to teach his host about God’s all-welcoming Reign. (See Luke 7:36-50)

At the heart of our worship, and of our faith, is a meal to which Jesus invited us. We call it Holy Communion, and it’s the primary way by which we are instructed to remember Jesus. The tragedy is that this meal has too often become a place of division and exclusion. If we truly mean to remember Jesus, then this exclusivity must be removed. Rather, the Lord’s Table can be nothing other than the most inclusive and welcoming place in the world.

But this means, of course, that we don’t get to choose the people with whom we will share the meal. We may find ourselves breaking bread with people who think or act or believe differently from us. We may be required to kneel beside those that we would prefer not to be in the same room with. But, that’s the challenging, miraculous invitation of God’s Reign – all are welcome. Even those we would rather keep out.

If we are to find a way to deal with the tremendous struggles in our world – the conflict between wealthy and poor, between powerful and marginalized, between races, religions and nations, we could do worse than to come together around Christ’s Table. There we are all equal, and when we learn that, we may just discover that the others who share the meal are loved by God just as much as we are.
__________
John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.

Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.