|
Acts 2:42-47 John 15: 7-12 SNL John 10:10-RCL Lectionary 
Act on It: Organizing for Unorganized Religion“I’m spiritual… but I’m not into organized religion.” Have you ever heard someone say that? Maybe you’ve even said that, or thought that, yourself.
I usually laugh at this comment when I look around at my office, or at our worship space on Saturdays or Sundays fifteen minutes before services and think, “you call this organized?!” But I know that most people, when they think, “organized religion” aren’t using it in contrast to “unorganized.” Participating in “unorganized religion” would be pretty chaotic. Believe me. I’ve been there. It’s not pretty. I think most people use the word “organized” to refer to an artificial system of relating to God, as opposed to perhaps the word “organic.” In my conversations with people, and from what I’ve read, most people who say they are not into “organized religion” mean that they don’t want to get caught up in man-made power structures that are used to control individual thought or stifle freedom. Often times, when people think “organized religion” they think of dominant power-hungry church hierarchy, or big business type churches trying to turn a buck, or faith traditions that focus on strict rules and codes of conduct whose favorite words are “thou shalt not.” “Thou shalt not watch R-rated movies… Thou shalt not wear pants if thou art a girl… Thou shalt not disagree with the pastor. Actually, a few years ago, there was someone who had begun attending St. Gabriel’s and was exploring whether or not to join, and she asked me point blank, “Am I allowed to disagree with you?” It wasn’t over a particular issue, it was a question in general. It kind of took me aback. “Of course you can disagree with me. Believe me, you wouldn’t be the first.” Any faith that has a strong basis will eventually be organized into a religion, or system of beliefs. That’s not necessarily bad. It means the objects and beliefs of the faith are being discussed and practiced as adherents try to live them out. It is when a religion is then is co-opted by those seeking to wield power or exercise control that organized religion gets a bad name. That’s where Jesus stood up to the organized religion of his day. He railed against hypocrisy and hard-heartedness among those who claimed to be God’s people. Jesus challenged the Pharisees and Sadducees who ignored the spirit of the law to judge by the letter of the law, and their own additional customs. He eventually was handed over to be crucifies by those who were trying to protect the power structures of an increasingly corrupt temple system. If there was anyone who walked this earth who could have used the “I’m definitely spiritual, but I don’t see the need for organized religion” line, it was Jesus. He was God’s only son. He had his own hotline to God. He performed miracles. Nevertheless, Jesus was an observant Jew, and not just to conform. He not only knew the scriptures, he upheld their teachings. He was active in the worship life of the synagogue and the festivals of the temple. Even as he was being mocked and questioned by the Caiaphas the night before he died, he still showed respect for the office of high priest. So it wasn’t organized religion per se that Jesus had a problem with, but religion organized for purposes apart from God’s purpose to reconcile all creation to himself. Jesus said to Peter, “I will build my church,” meaning, through the power of his Spirit, all who, like Peter, confess Jesus as Messiah and son of God would be the assembly of people through which Jesus would continue to work in the world. Fifty days after Jesus rose on Easter, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit did indeed come and infuse Jesus’ followers with Power to work miracles and spread the Good News of Jesus. On that Pentecost day, the church grew from 120 believers in the upper room, to 3000 with more added to the number each day. Looking at how the early church lived out its beliefs in Jesus can show us how to organize ourselves for “unorganized religion.” Or rather, how we can live out an organic faith that grows from faith in Jesus and aims at God’s purposes. The passage from Acts chapter 2, verses 42-47 is the blueprint of early life in the church. “The believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.” This one line encompasses a major portion of what the church is to be about. The apostles teaching is simply the teachings passed on from the apostles. This includes of course, all that Jesus did and said, but how Jesus’ story fits into the larger story of God’s people found in the Hebrew scriptures, our old testament. It also includes instruction and encouragement that has been passed on throughout history as Jesus’ followers faced difficulties or persecution, or rapid growth. Today we continue in the apostles’ teaching as we hear scripture read and commented on in worship services, and as we study the bible privately and in small groups. Jesus gave sermons and talks to large crowds, then he gathered his disciples together in a small group to discuss what they had heard and to allow for questions and clarification. That’s the same model we want to emulate at St. Gabriel’s. We aren’t there yet. We have a few small groups, and several more getting ready to launch in a couple of weeks, but I’d like to see 80% or more of our adults engaged actively in a small group. But church is not just about, or primarily about learning. Fellowship is a large part of our life together. I don’t know where else the word “fellowship” is used nowadays. I think of Tolkien’s “Fellowship of the Ring” perhaps. The word includes the meaning of “friendship” but it is much larger than that. The word used in the Bible here is “Koinonia”, the deep relationship of community. In church circles you might here the phrase, “Join us for coffee and fellowship after the service.” And certainly, coffee hours and pot lucks are a good way to begin fellowship, but fellowship is deepened in 2s and 3s and small groups. “Building Meaningful relationships” is the way we say it in St. Gabriel’s mission statement. Koinonia is being able to be truly present with someone in the darkest of dark hours, and laughing with someone until you cry and praying with and for someone when they don’t have the words to pray for themselves. The apostles teaching and fellowship go hand in hand with the breaking of bread and the prayers. Extending the family dinner to include others, as well as remembering the Lord’s Supper are both included in the Breaking of Bread. And none of this community life has meaning when it is not connected to God in prayer. In the Episcopal Church, we use that one line from Acts as the first promise we make in our baptismal covenant. After we have stated that “We believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are asked, “Will you continue in the Apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.” To which we answer, “I will with God’s help.” But wait, there’s more! Acting like Church doesn’t stop with that one line. Awe came on everyone – Church is a place where miracles are expected and experienced. Like when St. Gabriel’s received our gift of land in what has to be the most prime location in this area… not just a large donation from a faithful church family, but pieces from local developers who normally would be looking to profit lines. Of course, most of the miracles occur within the lives of the people in our congregation. Someone is healed. Another finds new life in their marriage. Another decides to tithe and quickly finds a new and better job. Where God is working there are not “coincidences” there are “God-incidences” and when we are together, we get to see more of them. In the early church, the people provided for one another, even selling what they have to distribute to those in need. That is still a hallmark of the church today. The early church quickly outgrew its first attempts at complete communal living, but an authentic church is one that cares for those in need. When our church hosted the McLendon family displaced by Katrina, the outpouring of clothes and money, and a place to stay were heartwarming. St. Gabriel’s, as young and as small as we are, is already known in Loudoun County as a church that cares for those in need. I was pleased and humbled this week to learn that the Loudoun County Volunteer Services Board has just awarded St. Gabriel’s “Outstanding Volunteer Project” of the year for our Alternative Gift Fair we held in December. There are many more examples, more than I’m even aware of, smaller and more private, of how one parishioner comes along side of another in a time of need. As Churchhill Gibson, a priest of this diocese and friend of mine, whose funeral I attended this morning, often said, “The waters of Baptism are thicker than blood.” In all these acts of the early church, the first Christians continued to worship together in the temple regularly, and then to spend time in each others’ homes. They were known for their glad and generous hearts, which attracted more and more people each day. Eventually, the church would need to be more organized than the first informal table fellowships allowed. But the church, when organizing and keeping true to its mission, organizes like a family putting dinner on the table each night. Someone selects the menu, someone shops, someone prepares, someone cooks, someone sets the table.. all so that the family can sit down together to enjoy the fellowship and the breaking of bread. Learning, loving, eating, praying, giving, sharing, receiving, rejoicing. Together, With God. These are the marks what real church looks like. Let’s organize our religion like that. Amen.
|
