Not about Right Beliefs!

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.

And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if people were rushing to our doors because they believed they could find peace for their souls, a place of rest, a promise of nourishment! At one time, churches were that in the community. You can spot that memory in TV shows about clergy and parishes. Everyone is involved in the life of the community, whether that activity is a fund raiser for a good cause, solving a murder, or protecting the vulnerable. Many people are very involved in all kinds of worthy activities within the secular community, so what bridge is missing?

Do we think we have something to offer that is valuable? An interesting exercise might be to ask our friends and co-volunteers what would make them interested in church. Then be prepared to say what benefit faith, acting on it, and learning, has had in your own life. If there is no interest, move on to the baseball scores or the weather.

Recently at a dinner party, I was asked what I believe in. I talked about seeing the world from the perspective of awe and holiness. I talked about the difference between belief in closed doctrines and openness to the Spirit changing and renewing all life. Then we had dessert and talked about our gardens.

Sometimes we think we have to explain our religion and that frightens us. Instead, if we speak only of our experience and how faith has benefitted us, we do not have anything to defend. Afterall, we recommend healing salves and excellent recipes all the time. We have the skill!

From theologian, Marcus Borg:

from Dr. Borg’s blog on Patheos: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marcusborg/