So this is where I put this blog…

Posted on July 2, 2010 by David Nuottila

It has been quite a while since regular posting has taken place here, but it’s not for lack of interesting things to submit.  Indeed, plenty of good things have happened and continue to happen in this pastor’s life and ministry.  Now that I am away from the office for a few weeks, perhaps I can begin to see through the fog and see some things from a different perspective.  As for maintaining this blog, I believe my longer than expected hiatus from posting is the result of months of frustration in several areas.  

Pertaining to one such issue, it has been no secret that I have found myself in the midst of the struggle associated with the 2009 ELCA Churchwide decisions regarding human sexuality.  To simply remain engaged in this discussion takes plenty of energy, determination, study, restraint and cooperation.  The conversation will be ongoing for years to come, and we are kidding ourselves if we think it will be enough to simply agree to disagree on such complex issues.  Certainly, there is much work to be done before we can move on as so many wish would happen.  I will address some of my concerns in the near future.

As for my local ministry, the ideal of being a pastor with high expectations and eagerness to begin new ministries is beginning to clash with the realities of serving a small congregation.  I am feeling the same frustrations of other pastors as I try to begin new ministries, create more learning opportunities and enhance our worship without burning out the small number of people willing to help get the ball rolling.  More often than not, it seems that we are trying to roll the ball up a very steep hill.  Still, I am hopeful that this time away from the office will allow for some new insight and inspiration, but I can’t help but feel a bit apprehensive in making some suggestions.

Finally, having been neglectful in maintaining my blog, I’ve noticed the landscape has changed somewhat.  It looks as though it is time to say farewell to some favorites as they have wrapped up their blogs.  On the other hand, I’m glad for the opportunity to renew acquaintances with some and discover the offerings of others.  Let’s see what happens.

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Holy Week – Witnessing the Passion of Christ

Posted on March 28, 2010 by David Nuottila

In one of his sermons, the Rev. Richard J. Fairchild says that “When you look at the events from Palm Sunday to Good Friday it’s almost like one of those “Good news and Bad news” jokes.”  The good news is that Jesus Christ reached the peak of his popularity this week, riding in triumphal procession into the holy city of Jerusalem. 

There was a big parade with lots of commotion, there were large crowds shouting “Hosanna!”  The disciples were absolutely impressed, and the Pharisees realized that they had underestimated this simple teacher from Galilee.  Riding the wave of public approval Jesus went to the temple, the very center of the Jewish faith, and began to teach and preach.  From Sunday to Thursday, there seemed to be nothing the Pharisees or anyone else could do that would interfere with Jesus’ activities.

His enemies tried to trick him with their loaded questions about God’s Law, but their traps never quite worked out.  Each time they thought they had Jesus trapped with their words, Jesus taught truth and exposed their treachery.

This is also the week that Jesus gave the new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  He celebrated the Passover with his disciples, during which Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion; the new covenant in his blood for the forgiveness of sin.

So, if all of this is the good news, what’s the bad news?

On Thursday he was betrayed and arrested, and on Friday he was hung on a cross and killed.  Today the procession of the palms, tomorrow the pain of the cross; good news / bad news, but there is no joke at all.  The grim truth is the same people who shouted “Hosanna” on Sunday, shouted “Crucify him,” just five days later.  Jesus entered the city as a hero, a king, but by the end of the week he became a bloody sacrifice, an object of public hatred and scorn.

To those who loved Jesus, all of this was too much to understand. They were devastated, heartbroken and demoralized.  Their questions were obvious, “Why Jesus, after all of the good works he had done?”  How could a man like Jesus, one who healed the sick, fed the hungry, and preached a message of love and the nearness of God’s kingdom be put to death in such a gruesome manner by the very people he came to save?

That’s a great question; one that bears asking again.  It is a great question to ask the crowd that called for Jesus’ death, and a great question for the Pharisees.  It’s a great question for all those who caused this to happen.  In short, it’s a great question to ask of you, and of me.

Our theme for the Wednesdays in Lent was “Were you there?”  Were you there when they crucified Jesus?  What we learned as an answer was “Yes, we were there.”  Because of sin, our age old rebellion, we were there for every moment.  We were there the night he was handed over and when he went on trial.  We were there when Herod mocked Jesus and then sent him back to the Roman governor; and we were there when Pilate washed his hands of the entire matter.  With each lash of the whip, every step of Jesus’ walk to Golgotha, and every hammer strike of the nails, we were there.

Yet, most importantly, we were there when Jesus said “Father, forgive them.”

With the reading of Christ’s passion we have entered yet another Holy Week.  We have come to the time of the year when the lessons of Jesus life, his teaching and miracles, all of which served to point to him as God’s Messiah, reach their fulfillment.

For Jesus, it was a week of extremes.  His praises sung on Sunday, his death demanded by Friday.  Yet, Christ remained obedient to God, Even unto death.  For Jesus’ disciples and close companions the week was an emotional roller coaster.  A series of triumphs and tragedies, and a week of experiences that would be etched in their hearts and minds forever.

So what does Holy Week mean for the modern church?  Well, to tell the truth, sometimes I wonder.  I wonder if the reading of Christ’s passion makes a difference in the way we approach the coming days.  I wonder if the prayers we laid at the foot of the cross during Lent are the same prayers we say as we ponder Jesus’ suffering?  I wonder if the world will slow down enough to notice the price Christ paid for our salvation.  I wonder if Christians will pause to worship our Father in heaven during these holiest of days.

The journey from Palm Sunday to Good Friday is not easy.  It certainly wasn’t easy for Jesus, nor was it easy for his disciples and friends.  For us, it is a week that requires discipline and determination.

Beginning this evening with our service for healing and forgiveness, I invite you also to this journey; to hear the lessons and sing the hymns of the week we call holy.  I invite you to experience the emotional ebb and flow of our worship, and to ponder what it means to be convicted of our sin, yet mercifully forgiven.  Come this week to hear and to see; come take part as witness to Christ’s passion.  Share this time of prayer and remembrance with your family and your church.  Come to the foot of the cross with a repentant heart, and witness again Christ’s victory over sin and grave.

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A Holy Marathon

Posted on March 26, 2010 by David Nuottila

Not that the season of Lent is uneventful, but the real marathon began in earnest a couple of days ago. With Palm Sunday next on the schedule, Holy Week is less than 48 hours from beginning.  This means several things for folks who work in churches, especially as administrators and clergy.

The beginning of Holy Week means several extra worship services have been planned and the associated worship bulletins need to be printed.  The office copier should have extra toner and staples, just to ensure there is no crisis in those regards.  It means the pastor must write more sermons than usual, in my case, beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through Easter, our congregation has six worship services planned.

Holy Week also means the ladies of the altar guild are getting in gear.  Palm branches have been ordered and need to be picked up, extra flower vases need to be put out, and all during the week the paraments need to be changed from purple to scarlet, scarlet to black and finally from black to white.  No time to rest ladies, it’s a big job.

Finally, Holy Week also means parishioners need to dedicate their selves to coming to the services of worship; to move through the week and reflect on the Passion of Christ.  Beginning with the celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to the institution of the Lord’s Supper, and finally Christ’s crucifixion, Christians realize the sinfulness of humankind is what brought these things to bear.

Weary from the Lenten journey, and the experience of Holy Week, we keep vigil on the eve of Christ’s resurrection.  We read the stories of the Old Testament recounting our salvation history.  We sing psalms and hymns expressing our thanks to God for his mercy, and we anticipate the time of celebration, the Feast of Victory at Easter.

Better pace yourselves folks, it’s a long and exhaustive week.  It is a week like no other, a week of emotional swings amid great triumph and great sorrow.  Yet, by Easter Sunday, we gather in the light of God’s victory over sin and the grave, singing our “Alleluias” to God and worshipping our Risen Lord.

Are you ready?  If so, let the marathon begin!

Palm Sunday Holy Week

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Disappearing Theology

Posted on February 11, 2010 by David Nuottila

The CWA 2009 set the tone for a ground swell of debate as congregations and synods try to discern the path each will follow.  Last weekend here in South Carolina our synod took part in what our bishop called “A Day of Holy Conversation.”  This day was set aside for South Carolina Synod Lutherans to gather and respectfully discuss our differences as we acknowledge one another as fellow members of the body of Christ on earth.

Hundreds gathered together, listened together, ate together and worshipped together as if it were any other day in our synod’s history.  Friends on opposite sides of one issue or another remained friends, hugs were exchanged in lieu of handshakes, and our synod family had all the appearances of one still knit closely together in the bonds of Christian love.  For this I am glad and give thanks to the one who calls us to live in community through our baptism into Christ.

During the morning session, seminary professors Dr. David Yeago and Dr. Susan McArver gave presentations with regards to their thoughts concerning the decisions of CWA 2009.  Dr. Yeago spoke to the lack of biblical, traditional and theological support for these resolutions, describing the ELCA as a church of “impaired communion” with itself.  Dr. McArver provided historical perspective as to how the church has handled divisions in the past and advocated for the CWA 2009 changes through the lens of history and personal reflection.

Following a brief luncheon and then worship with Holy Communion, the body discussed possible resolutions for our upcoming synod assembly in June.  As with the morning session a format was followed to allow voices from either side of the debate to be heard.  The debate (I can’t call it conversation) was respectful, and each resolution was discussed in polite manner.  As I listened to each person, a common theme became evident; one that I have noticed so many times before in such debates.  The ELCA seems to be suffering from a disappearing theology.

Since August there have been many meetings and forums on the schedule, and most allow a time for people to voice their views.  As people from either side of the disagreement speak, the refrain of “I am not a theologian or a pastor, and I’ve had no theological instruction, but I feel in my heart…”  Another oft heard remark seems to be, “I haven’t read Leviticus or Romans, but I believe…”

Now please hear this, I am not saying one side is biblically uninformed as compared to the other.  The truth is, I hear these remarks coming from both sides of the issue and this concerns me.  Our church is in the midst of a great struggle with one side claiming biblical authority and the other claiming the scriptural authors’ lack of knowledge concerning sexual orientation, yet we have many willing to speak out who have not read or studied the disputed texts in their context.  Many others do not take the time to read the essays published by our church’s theologians or enter into focused Bible studies.  Understanding this, I fear we are becoming a church that makes decisions based on our experience and emotions rather than on biblical study and theological reflection.  We ask, “Where is God in all this?” but we largely answer the question without studying God’s Word, hearing the teaching of our theologians, and listening to the witness of the saints.

I am convinced that the debate surrounding CWA 2009 is going to be long and painstakingly exhausting.  I am also convinced that those who enter and remain in the discussion will do so out of their love for God, the church and their neighbor.  It is my prayer that as we go forward in this “Holy Conversation” the church rediscovers it’s rich tradition of teaching and learning, while we strive to love God with all our heart, mind soul and strength.

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Shades of Haiti

Posted on January 15, 2010 by David Nuottila

Years ago, when I was in the navy, I looked forward to visiting different countries and experiencing other cultures.  The first ship I was assigned to, U.S.S. Davis DD937, was just completing an extended overhaul and the crew was preparing for refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  REF-TRA, as it is known, is an intensive exercise for ships that have been through extended lay off.  It is a chance for the crew to indoctrinate new members to the way of living aboard a warship, while learning how to adapt to situations with short notice.  Needless to say, upon completion of REF-TRA our crew was ready for a break, and a port visit was in order.

I looked forward to my first visit to a foreign land.  Growing up in Michigan, the only place I had been that was away from American soil was across the Detroit River to Windsor, Ontario.  It wasn’t much of a jaunt, and every one there looked and sounded just like us. I have to say though, that I was less than enthused when I heard we were going to Port Au Prince, Haiti.  I had hoped for Jamaica, Cancun, or some exotic Caribbean resort island.  But Haiti it was to be.

Nothing could have prepared me for experiencing such poverty.  As our ship drew closer to the pier, young boys swam out, ignoring the danger of the ship’s propellers, and shouted out “Throw me a nickel Joe!”  By the time we were pier side there must have been three dozen boys in the water around us begging for spare change.  As each coin hit the water, one of the boys would swim down and scoop it into his cheeks and come back for another.  Soon, each boy was swimming with cheeks that resembled stuffed pouches filled with nickels, dimes and quarters.

Passing through the gate at the end of the pier was another experience entirely.  As my friends and I made our way to the city streets, we were instantly swarmed by people tugging at us to go with them.  “I’ll show you around all day Joe…$1.00!”  Suddenly a heavey set man grabbed me by the arm and took me aside.  He said his name was Leroy Brown (really, he said that!) and that he had a car.  For five dollars each, he would be guide for me and four friends for 24 hours.  We took him up on the bargain. And all of us hopped into Leroy’s late 70’s Ford station wagon.

Leroy took us souvenir hunting, he took us to the rum factory, and he took us to some great places to eat.  As we went from place to place, the poor conditions the people lived in were so evident it sometimes hurt to look.  The streets all seemed to be dirt roads, but upon closer inspection you could tell that the pavement lay under six inches or so of compressed garbage.  Each time we exited Leroy’s car, people would come to us begging for money.  “Reagan is our friend!  Give me $1.00 Joe!”

Towards the end of the day, Leroy secured a hotel room for each of us on the outskirts of Port Au Prince away from the crowds.  We enjoyed swimming in the pool and considering where we were, there was also a nice club as well.  Hector, our host for the night saw to it that we had everything we needed or wanted.  Other guests in the hotel included mostly American contractors working in Haiti building government office buildings.  We all had a great time, and it was nice to be away from the people begging money at every step.

When morning had come, Leroy was waiting bright and early to take us to breakfast and then to our ship.  It was Sunday, and for the first time since our arrival the island was quiet.  It didn’t last long; however, and soon we were again in the midst of a crowded city filled with impoverished people begging for a bit of relief.  We all paid Leroy $10.00, double his asking price, and thanked him for a wonderful visit.  As I walked back through the gate to the pier, I handed out dollar bills as if they were candy.  I probably only passed out $25 or so, but I gave most of what I had left in my pockets.  Back onboard ship, I took my place at the rail and flipped coins into the water for the boys to dive and scoop up in their mouths.

We spent two days in Port Au Prince, the place where we were supposed to get our R&R after two months of stressful training.  This visit ranks among the best of my memories of traveling the world while serving the navy.  Yet, my remarks here do little to tell you about what I experienced in those 48 hours.  I can assure you, our trip to Haiti was an eye opener.  I wanted to visit other countries, experience diverse cultures, and learn more about our world.  In Haiti, I did just that, but not to the breadth and scope that I had first imagined.  Instead, I experienced something that most Americans only see on television.

Before the earthquake, perhaps few in the world even knew where Haiti is, and fewer still might not have cared.  Yet now, in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, the world is finally seeing Haiti for what it is; an island nation, poorest of the poor, filled with people in great need.  This was the sad reality of Haiti even before the quake.  With its beautiful landscapes and mountain peaks, Haiti can be a tropical paradise.  Yet, as we have seen in the images of this week, Haiti is most certainly something else.  On the evening news I saw the very pier where our ship moored, and recognized a few of the now crumbled buildings of the city.  But for people too many to count, the images of Port au Prince, Haiti, as I mentioned above, seem to no longer exist.

Please do what you can for those in need.

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