Pastor David L. Hansen

New post

2017-07-18T15:08:00.002-05:00

Hey there!

There is a new post up today at my new location. If you haven't already updated all your notification settings and bookmarks, now is a great time to do that.

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On the Move

2017-05-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

After 6 years at this same location, and over a decade on Blogger, it is time for a move.

Which is all to say: I have a new blog - check out the first post.

I hope you will cruise over that direction, and join me in my new online home. Some of the more popular posts from this page are being migrated to that location, too. So please update any links.

You can subscribe via email to the posts from that page, or just bookmark the page and check in regularly.

Thanks for being such a great group of friends and readers.

Where ever you follow my writing, posts, or social media, I look forward to seeing you around the internets!

Blog Announcement

2017-05-10T13:28:00.002-05:00

Easter is all about the new.

New life.
Renewing our faith.

So Easter seems an appropriate time to start new projects.

Watch this space in the week ahead for news about my writing and this blog.

Healing Spiritual Wounds - Review

2017-02-07T16:29:00.000-06:00

TLDR version: A much needed resource for people of faith, and for those in ministry.
Increasingly, those of us in ministry are finding ourselves spending more time with people who are either new to the church or returning to the church. Once upon a time, people were raised in the church and stayed in the church - I mean, maybe they drifted away for a few years in their 20s, but just for a moment.

There is a set of tools for cradle-to-grave church members. Here are the steps of faith formation ("confirmation then graduation then marriage, etc"). Here's how to build on your positive experience and grow deeper in faith. These tools - these steps - are what most people learn when they train for ministry.

Now a growing population has left the community we call "church," or has intentionally chosen to stay away from it. Some were raised in the church and walked away. Others saw the church at a distance and have worked to keep the church at arm’s length. And still others remain in the church with an uneasy peace.

This new population has awoken important realizations among those of us who provide pastoral care – that many people have been hurt by the church, many people have been taught faith in a way that is counter to the good news of Jesus, many people have deep spiritual wounds.

The Rev. Carol Howard Merritt's new publication from HarperOne - Healing Spiritual Wounds - is written with just such realizations in mind. It is theology, pastoral care, and a workbook for all those who carry spiritual wounds and all those whose ministry is the healing of those wounds.

Many a Christian memoirist will write with honesty about the struggles that they once overcame, long ago. Pastor Merritt's memoir is raw and honest about the wounds she carries to this day, and the work she is currently and continuing to doing to heal from them.

With humor, candor, and deep insight, Pastor Merritt opens up to the reader some of the most painful intersections of faith, Christian community, and human frailty in her life.

Each chapter deals with a different type of spiritual wound. Pastor Merritt describes the ways many of us have been hurt, points to some of the effects of that pain on our lives, and then – and this is key – offers tools to help the reader unpack that wound and begin the process of healing.

“Our souls are tender places. We hold our ideals, hopes, wishes, and dreams there. That’s why spiritual wounds can feel so devastating … There seem to be so many people who want to heal, but they can’t figure out where they placed the balm.”

Merritt’s personal stories in Healing Spiritual Wounds held up a mirror to my own stories, and her healing points her readers toward their own peace. For all of us imperfect people, living out our faith in community with other imperfect people, Carol Howard Merritt gives us tools for a healthier, more compassionate spiritual life.

As a person of faith, I am looking forward to returning to this book again and again as I work through the exercises provided in each chapter. As a pastor, Healing Spiritual Wounds provides me with an extremely helpful set of insights and tools as I care for those I am called to serve.

With Healing Spiritual Wounds, Carol Howard Merritt provided me with the spiritual direction that I didn't know I needed, and given me some of the tools I've been looking for in my ministry.

Disclosure: I am fortunate to count Carol as a friend, and was provided with a review copy of this book from HarperOne.

The Sin of Boring Church

2016-05-17T18:04:00.000-05:00

Earlier, a conversation happening at UNCO asked the question "Why can't we get as excited about church as we do about the new Star Wars movie?"

As someone who engages with the meeting places of faith and culture, I've thought about this question before.
As someone who leads worship and preaches, leading a congregation in faith formation, I've thought about this question before.
I knew my answer.

Boring church is a sin. #unco16
— David Hansen (@rev_david) May 17, 2016

While I am prone to hyperbole (aren't all preachers?) I really believe this to be true.

My friend Tripp Hudgins called me out on this, and invited me to a deeper, more nuanced conversation about it.

Yeah, but the liturgical service is not the sum total of our activities. Must it be always exciting? 1/2 https://t.co/0TJHC2miQF
— Tripp Hudgins (@tripphudgins) May 17, 2016

And on the afternoon of the seventh day the LORD said, "I'm bored." #unco16
— Tripp Hudgins (@tripphudgins) May 17, 2016

Now, let me be clear - Tripp is one of the smartest people I know. He has spent years studying worship, and I learn a lot from him. We agree on much more than we disagree on - and in our disagreement I continue to learn from his wisdom.

(Read Tripp's counterpoint to this post - "In Praise of Boredom")

Now, to the point.

The church has been entrusted with one of the most exciting stories ever. A story filled with drama and intrigue, with humor and sadness, with celebration and sorrow.

Yes, the overarching story - the story of creation and redemption, of God and the world.
But also the stories within the story - stories of death and resurrection, of adventure and betrayal, or redemption and romance.

Most people experience our telling of this powerful story like Mr Bean:

The church has been handed this gift - these powerful, world-changing stories - and all too often we tell them as if they are as exciting as watching paint dry.

And that's a sin.

It is a disservice to and misuse of the gift that God has entrusted to us.

Not all of our proclamation is needs to be "exciting" - it's not about turning the church nonstop into the adrenaline rush of watching Rey pilot the Millennium Falcon (although there are moments like that).
But our proclamation should always be engaging.

Proclaiming the story invites us to be a part of it.
Their story then becomes my story now.

Some clarifications.

This is not about worship style - contemporary or traditional or postmodern or ancient-modern, they can all be boring, they can all be engaging.

It's not about preaching style - manuscript or not, behind a pulpit or perambulating - they can all be boring, they can all be engaging.

I agree with Tripp: boredom - that place of giving one's mind the unencumbered space to wander free - can be a beneficial part of the life of faith.

But the central act of proclamation, within the central gathering of the worshiping community, should not be boring.

We have gotten lazy with how we tell the story.

We (proclaimers) need to re-learn the power of inviting people into the drama of the story entrusted to us.
We need to let boring church die, and engaging church be reborn.

Our task, our calling, is to invite people into the most exciting and amazing story of all time and give them the tools to make it their own story.

And there is nothing boring about that.

Living Together

2015-06-26T11:53:00.001-05:00

The central element of the Christian life is baptism - the waters that unite us to the death and resurrection of Jesus. I offer you this little devotion, as a way of rooting your day in the gift God has given in baptism.

What we have is two problems

An Identity problem
An Identification problem

My Identity
We have many things asking to be a part of our identity. Profession, family, politics, friendships, ideologies. Some of these are good things, some or not. But our problems start when those identities become more important than our baptismal identity. Before I am anything else, I am God's beloved child. That supersedes everything else. Child of God.

My Identification of Others
Our many identities affect how we view others, and how we define them and interact with them. Are they the opponent, the other side, wrong, sinful, hateful, etc, etc. Disagreement is a part of life, and a part of the life of faith. But when we look at others, we are called to primarily to see their baptismal identity. They may be many things, but in our eyes they are first God's beloved child. And that should shape every word we say to and about them.

You are God's beloved child.
They are God's beloved child.

Now then, children of God, how shall we live together?

Joy Jar

2015-06-08T17:45:00.000-05:00

For the last month at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, we have been talking about joy - what joy means, where it comes from, and how we experience.

Last Sunday, we talked there are times when it is hard to find joy - times when life is hard, or maybe we just have a bad day.

As a part of Growing In Faith Together (our intergenerational education hour) we made "Joy Jars" for just such days. This is a great project for any age group - our group ranged from 6 months old to 80+ years old.

Supplies:

A jar (we used plastic storage containers from a discount store, but anything will work that has an opening large enough to reach into)
Squares of paper in 3 different colors
Supplies for writing and decorating

And that's it!

On the three colored pieces of paper, we wrote things that give us joy

On one color piece of paper, write memories that make you happy when you think about them.
On a second color of paper, write Bible verses or stories that make you happy or give you strength.
On a third color of paper, write activities that give you joy.

If you are doing this activity as a group, do one color at a time and discuss them around your table. What memories give you joy? What stories in the Bible give you strength? What activities give you joy?

When you are done, take you joy jar home and put where you can find it quickly (perhaps a family devotional space, if you have one).

When you have a hard day, when you are upset, worried, sad, or angry, reach into your joy jar.

If you pull out a memory, spend some time savoring that memory.

If you pull out a Bible verse or story, look it up. Read it out loud. Pray the story. Make a sketch or a piece of art based on it. Share it online with friends.

If you pull out an activity, go and do it.

Be joy in the world.

Hear more about our ministry at Spirit of Joy! - connect with us on facebook and sign up for my weekly email devotional.

Want to learn more about Intergenerational (Cross+Gen) ministries? Check out this great retreat and learning event in Colorado this October.

Pentecost Call to Worship

2015-05-20T21:43:00.000-05:00

As we prepare for Pentecost this year, I couldn't find a piece of the liturgy that fit well with what we are doing at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, so I wrote this call to worship. With the thought that perhaps it will be useful to others, I am sharing it here.

Welcome in the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen!

On that first Pentecost, God Spirit transformed the lives of the disciples and changed the world. As we gather, we pray for that same Spirit to be poured out on us.
Come, Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit is a fire, consuming our selfishness, our hatred, and our indifference – filling our lives with new life and the light of God.
Come, Holy Spirit!

Filled with the Holy Spirit, our lives bear fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Like the beacon of a lighthouse, may the fruit of the Spirit shine in our lives.
Come, Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit never leaves us where we are – we are sent by the Spirit out into the world to be the salt of the earth, to show God’s love to all people, to bring God’s Spirit of joy to the world.
Come, Holy Spirit!

Gracious God, pour your Spirit into our hearts, that we would worship today with all our hearts, that our lives would be transformed by your power, and that we would carry your joy from this place into all the world.

To you we give our honor and praise, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen!

Church Bells: A Parable

2014-09-18T10:31:00.002-05:00

Listen, and I will tell you a parable. The modern church is like a church bell.

Once upon a time, the large church bell in the steeple played an important role in the community. They drew the community together, and provided vital service for everyone in the neighborhood.

On Saturday night the bell rang at sunset, to let everyone know that there would be worship in the morning.

Important news in the community? The church bell rang to alert everyone.

A death in the community? Listen for the church bell - you would even find out how old the person was.

Sunday morning - the bell rang a few hours before worship, reminding everyone to start gathering together.

Everyone in the neighborhood heard and depended on the church bell as a part of life together.

And then things changed.

Silent church bells on display.

The world became noisier. Cars and planes, cell phones and televisions and radios. Better insulated homes. The church bell couldn't be heard as well.

And once the church bell couldn't be heard as well, it started to ring less often.

Many churches still have bells. Most often they are rung right as worship begins, so that those inside the church already know that worship is beginning.

Once upon a time, the church bell was an important source of news and information for everyone in the neighborhood.

Now the bell only rings for those who are inside the church when worship begins.

A New Hope - Easter 3A

2014-05-04T19:13:00.000-05:00

My farewell sermon as the Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, preached on May 4th, 2014.

The stained glass window to the in the picture to the right provided a visual aid, and the convergence of Star Wars Day with my last Sunday may have also influenced the sermon.

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Funeral Sermon: The Tongue of a Teacher

2014-04-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

A funeral sermon preached at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill for Pat Schroeder. Text for the day were Isaiah 50:4, 7-9a; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, 53-57; and John 11:21-27.

As we head into Holy Week, it a fitting time to look at how even as we go the grave we make our song: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Announcing My New Call

2014-03-28T17:48:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, I sent a letter to the members of St. John Lutheran Church, announcing my new call as the Pastor of Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church. Portions of that letter follow:

Dear family of St. John,

It is with a mix of joy and sadness that I write to share the news that I have accepted a call to serve as the Pastor Redeveloper of Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church in The Woodlands.

Megan and I have been praying about this decision and the future of St. John. This call is an exciting opportunity for our family and the right choice for our life together. As we look at the paths ahead of us as a family, it is the right time and opportunity for us to relocate. As a congregation in redevelopment, Spirit of Joy! is a great fit for my particular gifts and strengths in ministry. My last Sunday as the Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church will be May 4th, 2014.

In 2006, you took a chance on an untested Pastor straight out of seminary. In the eight years that followed we shared our lives with one another, and Prairie Hill became my home. We shared in joy – celebrating baptisms and confirmations, marriages and new jobs. We shared in sorrows – celebrating the lives of the saints at funerals, talking through the difficulties of life.

We have accomplished much over the last eight years. Together we have grown the ministry of St. John and seen glimpses of the Kingdom here. You have taught me much about the Gospel, the love of God, and what it means to be a community of faith. I could not have asked for a better first call experience than what I had at St. John. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

While I am not your pastor any longer, I am certainly your friend. I will continue to pray for you individually and as a congregation – and I hope that you will pray for me and my family and the ministry at Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church.

With my deepest gratitude and love,

David Hansen

February #BishopChat

2014-02-28T13:16:00.002-06:00

Relationships, Not Rules - Epiphany 6A

2014-02-19T14:06:00.001-06:00

Sermon preached at St John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill on February 16, 2014; Epiphany 6A. Text: Matthew 5:21-37.

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One Word: Many Messengers

2014-02-10T14:40:00.000-06:00

In the beginning was the Word ...

If you are involved in ministry, you are a communicator. Preaching sermons. Sharing news and events. Spreading the Good News. It's all communications.

I am excited to share a wonderful opportunity with you, communicator!

One Word: Many Messengers (21st Century Communications) is a week long comprehensive training program in church communications, offered as a part of the Disciple Project.

I will be joined in this course by co-instructor Pastor Joe Smith, as well as others who will be providing us with their expertise in workshops. Over the course of the week we will talk about communications strategy, print media, social media, email, and worship technology.

We will have 17 contact hours over the course of the week - it is rare to find this sort of immersive learning opportunity!

The Disciple Project is an intergenerational learning and leadership event that takes place June 23-27, 2014, on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. The registration fee of (only!) $395 includes room and board on campus for the week. More information and registration.

Bishop Chat 1/23/14

2014-01-28T10:51:00.001-06:00

The second Bishop Chat took place on January 23, 2014. Talking with Bishop Mike Rinehart and others about the theme of Sabbath.

The Heresy of Quantity

2014-01-16T14:28:00.002-06:00

My friend Tripp doesn't read my blog. No really. He told me so.

Not Tripp Hudgins

I resonate with Tripp's reflection. I do a lot of reading. A lot. But I miss out on way more than I read. It often takes someone sending their article directly to me (as Tripp did) to make sure that I don't miss things.

In fact, something Tripp wrote a while back caught my eye. He wrote about paying attention to the quality of the information we consume each day. It was the kick in the pants that I needed.

There is a lot of information thrown at us each day. Television. Radio. Social media news feeds. Magazines. Newspapers. Information. Enough information to make your head explode.

MORE MORE MORE

That's our mantra. Supersize my information! In the world of social media this usually means growing our number of conversation partners - more facebook friends, more people to follow on twitter. Quantity, quantity, quantity.

Following Tripp's kick in the pants, I realized I couldn't keep up with my twitter feed - and even more than that - I didn't want to. There was so much junk.

I was overwhelmed by the information sent my way every day. I was reading stuff that didn't feed me, and I was missing out on stuff that would feed me. I didn't read Tripp's blog (among others). Tripp didn't read mine. More is not the answer.

Better is the answer. I am becoming more intentional about filtering the information I consume - in all the ways that I consume it. More is not better. Better is better.

And the same is true in the content we produce. "Put up an article every day." That's what the gurus tell you. You NEED to publish something. More is better.

But it's not. People are not reading - I am not reading - because we are overwhelmed by quantity.

Content producers - myself and all of us who blog included: overwhelm us with quality, or else you will get lost in the white noise of quantity.

I want quality information. Quality relationships in social media. Quality, thought provoking articles in my feedreader. I am stepping out of the cult of quantity, the deification of more information.

2014. The year when BETTER beats out MORE in my life.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Reading

2013-12-17T21:13:00.000-06:00

At Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, as the lights are turned out and candles are lit, we encounter the Word of God. A few years ago I put together this reading in two parts that merges together Genesis 1 and John 1.

Reader 1: In the beginning was the Word,
Reader 2: In the beginning when God began to create the heavens and the earth,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep while a spirit from God swept over the face of the waters.

He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.
Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.

What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
And God saw that the light was good.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. And God blessed them.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.

From the fullness of the Word made flesh we have all received grace upon grace.

Note: This reading is based on the NRSV translation of the text. Adapt as needed for other translations.

Less Stuff, More Fun!

2013-12-10T12:42:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite songs (it's even on my Advent playlist!).

I love examples like this of parents being creative with their children. As we look at this time of the year, there is pressure to believe that happiness comes from stuff. That if we can just buy our kids the right toys, buy our spouse the most expensive gift - then they will know that we love them. Then we will be happy.

But it's a lie. A vicious, soul-sucking lie.

Spend time together. Be creative with your family. Do the things that make you laugh and smile. That's where happiness is. That's how we will make treasured memories together.

Less stuff, more fun!

#BishopChat

2013-12-05T21:00:00.000-06:00

The inaugural #BishopChat took place today. The idea for the chat came out of a conversation between Bishop Mike Rinehart and me. We thought that this could be a great way to give anyone who wanted to take part the opportunity to have a conversation with the Bishop.

We covered a wide range of topics, letting the chat participants guide our conversation. The result was even better than we could have hoped for. In this very first chat we talked with not one, but three bishops (2 ELCA, and one Episcopal). We had a class at one of our ELCA seminaries join the conversation, too.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this chat - especially Bishop Mike and Andrea Martinez (our synod Director of Communications, who was providing lots of behind the scenes support). We are working on making this a reoccurring event, and are scheduling the next one for January. Stay tuned!

The Vanilla Ice Plan

2013-11-25T17:19:00.000-06:00

There are lots of different approaches to using social media. After giving presentations to many groups about using social media for ministry, I have come up with my own strategy for getting started with social media. And it works.

Whether you are a pastor getting started on social media or a church looking to start using social media for your ministry or an author looking to get the word out about your latest offering, it will work.

The plan? Listen to Vanilla Ice.

Yup.Vanilla Ice has some wisdom to drop. Namely: Stop, Collaborate, and Listen.

Stop
Before you jump into social media, stop. Many people rush into social media, or move from one platform to another, without thinking about it. They want to be doing the latest thing, or know that they should be on social media, but they don't think about what that means. Rushing in most often results in ineffective communications efforts, and a mess that has to be cleaned up later. So stop.

Spend some time thinking about how you are going to use social media, and how it fits into your other communication methods. Think about which platform would be most effective for you, and where your audience is. Read up on social media strategy - I recommend The Social Media Gospel and Click2Save for people who are using social media for ministry.

Collaborate
You are not the first person to consider using social media for your ministry (or business, etc). Seek out the people who are doing it well. Sit down with them. Work together with them to develop a plan to help get you on your feet. Here's a secret: most of the people who are using social media for church communications want to help others do the same. And very often, this sort of experienced help from peers in the field is free or remarkably inexpensive.

Get together (in person or virtually) with others in the same field, people who share the same sorts of goals. Share ideas about how you can creatively and effectively use digital tools. If you are using social media for ministry check out the Church Social Media (#chsocm) community, where some of the best church communicators are collaborating and sharing ideas.*

Listen
Most people get on social media and they immediately start talking. "BUY MY PRODUCT" "COME TO MY WORSHIP SERVICE" "CLICK MY LINKS."

It's about as much friendly as the guy standing on a street corner with a bullhorn. Before you start talking, listen. Learn what are the people in your community are talking about. Learn how your church/product is perceived by others. Listen for the needs, desires, and hurts among the people you are hoping to reach. Before you can talk, you need to earn respect. And the best way to do that is by being attentive and listening.

Even once you have a plan, have collaborated with others, and have listened to the community, it is important to remember to listen more than you talk.

That's it. The "Vanilla Ice Plan" for social media. Stop, collaborate, and listen.

Well, there is one more step. Repeat. Over and over again. Continue to revisit your plan and strategy. Continue to seek out the best practitioners to learn from an collaborate with. And continue to listen to your community.

Stop, Collaborate, and Listen.

Want to connect? Find me on twitter or facebook. I'd love to hear from you.

*The Church Social Media conversation happens on Twitter on the hashtag #chsocm, especially on Tuesday nights at 9pm Eastern during our weekly chats. You can also find us on Facebook.

Amazing Transformation of a Homeless Vet

2013-11-08T11:21:00.000-06:00

Here in the US, Veterans Day is coming up. November 11.

Many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who died in war. On Veterans Day, we honor the all of the men and women who have served in our country's Armed Services.

Take note of this important fact on Veteran's Day: 1 in 4 homeless people in America are veterans.

The next time you see someone panhandling downtown, or hear a new story about homelessness, or hear of a cut in funding to programs to feed the homeless, remember that number. 1 in 4.

Check this amazing transformation of a homeless vet:

Happy Veterans Day.

The REAL Space Oddity

2013-11-04T12:01:00.001-06:00

Why have I not seen this masterpeice before now??

And more importantly, why did this not happen before now? NASA astronaut Chris Hadfield performing David Bowie's Space Oddity in the International Space Station.

"Here am I, sitting in a tin can ..."

Baptism & the Communion of the Saints

2013-11-01T11:52:00.001-05:00

In baptism we are told that we "take off our sinful selves" and we are then "clothed in Christ Jesus." As a symbol of this new beginning, candidates for baptism in the early church took off all of their clothes, were baptized nude, and then were reclothed in white robes which indicated their new purity in Christ. This white baptismal robe is the origin of the alb worn by many clergy during worship services. The idea of being "clothed in Christ" is also preserved in the practice of baptismal gowns - white gowns for children who are being baptized.

My daughter's baptismal gown was as a connection with the generations that came before. It was made by her Great-Great Grandmother, Serena Hansen. It was worn by her Great-Grandpa Hansen and his three siblings, by her Grandpa Hansen and his sister, and of course by her Dad and his brothers. On the day of my daughter's death and re-birth, only a few members of her family were able to be there -- those who are still living and were able to make the trip to Prairie Hill. Yet her baptismal gown reminded us - and someday will remind her - that all of God's faithful saints, including the loved ones of our family, were watching over her on that day.

It was an intentional choice for my daughter to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism on All Saints Sunday. I have always loved that particular festival, and I liked the idea that it would serve as a constant reminder for her that she is surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. I also liked the physical connection (the baptismal gown) with the meaning of the festival.

The great Orthodox liturgical theologian Alexander Schmemann has pointed out that we (i.e., all of humanity) are inherently sacramental. By this he meant that we need a physical connection to help us make sense of great spiritual truths. Lutherans have always been hesitant to use the language of "sacramental" to talk of anything except the two Sacraments of Water and Table. But there is much that is sacramental without being a sacrament; to say a thing is sacramental is to say that it is a physical reminder or sign of spiritual grace.

All Saints is a wonderful festival of the church, yet one that can be too abstract a concept for many people. I have found that a sacramental reminder -- something physical to connect us to intangible -- can serve as a wonderful reminder of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. Any variety of objects can serve such a purpose -- a picture of a loved one, a spouse's favorite shirt, a cross or Bible from a parent. As All Saints Day comes and goes for the year, placing such an object in the place we say our daily prayers can bring us closer to that Great Communion of all the saints.

(Knowing that some readers of this blog do their own sewing and embroidery work, I have placed a couple of detail shots of the baptismal gown below for your enjoyment)

Pope Francis, Children, and Worship

2013-10-29T22:42:00.000-05:00

In many churches, there are very clear expectations for children (and there parents). Even if you have never attended the congregation before, you can quickly pick up on the expectation.

The very clearly labelled cry room / nursery, far from the sanctuary. To separate noisy children from the worshipers.
The children being led out at some point for "children's church."
The judging looks at parents with young children who are laughing or crying.
Even the sign, "Small Children Should Be in the Nursery During Worship."

Yup. The expectation is clear. We do not want to see or hear children during worship. No wiggling, no laughing, no talking, no fidgeting. Take them out: to the nursery, to the cry room, anywhere but the sanctuary.

I was greatly moved by the pictures this week of Pope Francis. As he was speaking to a huge gathering of families, a young boy joined the Pope on the stage. Despite attempts by those on the stage to remove him, the boy stayed. He wandered. He talked. He spent time in the places where he was not supposed to be. And no one seemed happier about the situation than Pope Francis.

Love. Kid runs on stage during @Pontifex speech, hugs him, Pope sits him on his chair to continue the speech. pic.twitter.com/zxghWLpwtb
— PEG (@pegobry) October 29, 2013

The Pope seemed to have grasped an important truth: If you have a gathering of families, there will be children. And those children will behave like ... well ...children.

If we continue to make it clear that we do not want to hear or see children in worship, we will get exactly what we want. We will not see or hear children -- Not now, and not in twenty years when they grow up. They will get the message loud and clear: They are not welcome.

Worship leaders: learn from the Pope. We want our worship services to be gatherings for families (all sorts of families). And where there are families, there will be children. (Rodger Nishioka wrote about this very idea yesterday on the NextChurch blog)

Worship leaders: let children be children. Give permission for them to wander, to talk, to color, to play. To do all the things that children do. Make it abundantly clear to parents and children that they are welcome.

Here is the welcome that we put in our bulletins at St. John - Prairie Hill

Parents of Young Children

We are so glad that you are here, and that you brought your children with you! Thank you! A few suggestions for your worship experience:

Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it in God’s house. It can be helpful to sit toward the front where it is easier for children to see and hear.
Sing hymns loudly, pray, and voice the responses with enthusiasm. Children learn behavior by copying you. If you are excited about God, they will be too!
There are Story Bibles in the pew—your child is welcome to read, look at, and use this Bible! (If you would like to take one home, talk to Pastor David).
Teach children some of the basic prayers; being able to join in with the prayers helps them feel they are contributing too. Also, it can be helpful to explain to your child what is happening during the service.
Attend worship often, children like and need routines where they can participate.

To those who are sitting near worshiping parents and children
A smile of encouragement is always welcome to parents with small, active children! Jesus welcomed the little children, and so do we. Whether talking, crying, laughing, or singing, the sounds of children in worship are joyful songs of praise.

An Usher at St. John