Frankly Speaking… 14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 16 But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17 (NRSV)
Bishop David J. Lawson talks about old shoe congregations where people find comfort, friends and unchanging circumstances. The problem with the old shoe fit, is that there is no growth in something that fits like a old shoe. If one is growing, one constantly needs new shoes, as uncomfortable at first as those new shoes may be. The pathology of the old shoe syndrome can be broken, Lawson suggests, by asking these five questions:
1. Are persons growing in relationship to God through participating in our congregations?
2. Are persons growing in their knowledge of Scripture, ... and the history of our church?
3. Are persons giving evidence of increased Christian commitment by the way they live?
4. Are persons growing in compassionate world citizenship?
5. Are persons viewing our congregations as supportive centers of excitement and joy?
--Lawson, Fits Like an Old Shoe, Dateline 8 (November 1993), 1.
It is number two that I want to write about today: Are persons growing in their knowledge of Scripture? I am often amazed when I asked the congregation to bow their heads for prayer, then ask to hear the sounds around the sanctuary, then begin to pray. What is heard? I hear the wind from the pipe organ billows, the rustling of paper shuffled, a cry of a child fidgeting from a parent, a cough, the squeaking of a pew or two… Try it next time when the moment is right in the sanctuary. A colleague of mine told me of a scripture-hearing program that he has started in his congregation. It is called: “Faith Comes from Hearing.” A MP3 audio stick has the New Testament read in a way that captures your attention. The one I hear has background sounds for that particular part of the scripture-context-moment. In just a few weeks, I will ask everyone to receive one of these and begin a discipline of “just listening to scriptures. Your cost is nothing. I will ask for donations from folks who wish to contribute to the ones I have purchased for our children and youth… What would happen when you hear the scriptures read for the first time, again? FAITH COMES FROM HEARING…AND WHAT IS HEARD COMES FROM THE WORD OF GOD. I need all the faith I can have, through God’s graciousness. Expect a blessing.
Shalom + Paz + Pax + Peace
Pastor Frank
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