Thinking Theologically?

As our faith matures our understanding of God slowly evolves. As we develop spiritually we reach for new ways to express our faith and to put into words that which is happening to us. At least that is what I've experienced. When I went to seminary--a middle-aged woman--I gained a new vocabulary for that which I had been doing for decades! That is, thinking theologically. I just assumed every body did it... and they may! Who am I to say. We just call it 'thinking about God...' and continue to go about out the business of life.

My most profound 'theological thinking' took place as I changed diapers, washed dishes, ironed clothes, and vacuumed the floor. Today, I discovered a passage that informs a developing theology that I've had on the potter's wheel for many years now!

Since discovering 2 Corinthians 3:18 back in the early 1970s, the process of spiritual formation has stimulated my imagination.

"And we, ...all reflect the Lord's glory, ...being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

We are being changed from one degree of glory to another! Granted, this transformation is a slow process but one that is happening now if we allow it, if we cooperate with the Lord and let the Spirit produce godly character in us.

In my decades of imaginings I leap into the future, to that day when I stand face to face with the Creator. In my imagination I stand before a benevolent, loving Other, one who reconciles and provides, a brilliance so radient that I must avert my eyes and bow my head in wonder and awe. In that moment the part of me that has not been surrendered to the purifying Spirit during my lifetime on earth will be burned away, consumed and eliminated so that I stand pure and holy before a Holy and Pure God. Declared holy in Christ in my youth, now, in death, I stand purified before a Holy God!

Scripture supports the image of our present process of spiritual formation as precious metal being refined by fire.

"...your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:7

Scripture supports the images of the purifying fire.

"...since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" Hebrews 12:28-29

Standing before and being answerable to a benevolent, loving, albeit purifying, God brings peace to my heart. That final purification will be an extenuation of the process already started. The Consuming Fire brings comfort, not hurt; consolation, not fear; purification, not punishment.

Today I read 1 John 3:2-3 and these words, read hundreds of times before, took on deeper meaning as I continue to turn my thoughts on the potter's wheel, forming an understanding that challenges me, even now, to submit my whole being and my way of being to this gracious God.

"Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."

Vacation Reflections #2: What about a non-profit?

Since last March when I announced my resignation from my present ministry with First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in El Dorado Springs, MO, I have often been asked: Have you thought about going to work for a non-profit in the area so that you and Thomas can stay here? (Thomas could continue with his congregation and we wouldn't have to sell our house.)

I will admit the prospect has been tempting--but, thus far, my consistent response has been, "No." My internal reasoning: The Lord called me to minister and spiritual gifts are for the church, the community of faith that centers around the resurrected Lord. But during our recent vacation I have pondered my response. Why does 'No!' roll off my tongue so quickly and with such certainty?

As I reflected on ministry my thoughts wondered back to the '80s and our return to the States after 16 years living in Europe. There was a time for many years when all of my ministry was either in our home together with my husband, with women (or children) in the church, or through a non-profit organization.

In the early '70s (while we were still in Europe) Thomas and I had concluded from our personal Bible study that all spiritual gifts, given to both women and men, were to be exercised within the church for the whole church. This conclusion was contrary to the understanding of our denominaiton so when church doctrine does not provide a place for women in public ministry, one looks elsewhere, even without thinking why. At least, in my case, that was true.

The non-denominational congregation that received us on our return to the States in 1982 readily acknowledged my pastoral gifts and even sent me to Notre Dame for special training for ministry specific for women. Then through a non-profit organization I trained women and set up support groups for them to lead. Relationships within these groups let women experience both spiritual and emotional healing. But as I stood before the volunteers from a variety of denominations and non-denoms, training them for ministry, I saw gaping holes in the body of Christ! Each place in the body of Christ where these women's spiritual gifts originated was a wound, a hole. And, back then, I didn't know if that wound in the body of Christ could be healed. Only later would I meet Christians who affirmed women's spiritual gifts and ordained them for ministry within the church.

Today I am an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and am grateful for the opportunities that I have for ministry. However, through the years I must also admit that I have seen non-profit organizations and social clubs doing the work that the church should be doing! If that be the case, then why do I respond so quickly with a "No!" when the question is asked me?

If non-profits have picked up the work of the church without doing the work in the name of Christ, how will our children know God's grace? How will the faith of the next generation be founded in God's strength instead of in human goodness? How long will human goodness prevail without the strength of the Holy Spirit? Who will tell the story of God's involvement in this world if we abandon the community of faith that gathers around the resurrected Lord? Maybe that is why I say "No!" so quickly. Maybe that is why my heart still aches when I see God's good gifts finding their fulfillment in the non-profits and the social clubs. The wounds in the body of Christ still haunt me.