Presbymeme II
Presbymergent friends - well, it was only a matter of time before two things happened:
- Bruce Reyes-Chow, our esteemed Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA) started up another meme, called Presbymeme II.
- Neal Locke, a member of our esteemed Coordinating Group here at Presbymergent, “tagged” literally EVERYONE at Presbymergent to respond to the meme.
Now, I’m not sure if you simply wish to respond in the comments section here, or if you’d like to post your own responses as separate posts here in Presbymergent, or if you’d like to go post it on your own blog and leave us a link here, but one thing is for sure - we’ve been tagged.
The information for Presbymeme II is below. I’ve gone ahead and posted my response over on my blog, pomomusings. Let’s all join in the fun!
The Rules
- In about 25 words each, answer the following five questions.
- Tag five presbyterian bloggers and send them a note to let them know they were tagged.
- Be sure to link to this original post.
- Leave a comment or send a trackback to this post so others can find you.
1) What is your favorite faith-based hymn, song or chorus?
2) What was the context, content and/or topic of the last sermon that truly touched, convicted, inspired, challenged, comforted and/or otherwise moved you?
3) If you could have all Presbyterians read just one of your previous posts, what would it be and why?
4) What are three PC(USA) flavored blogs you read on a regular basis?
5) If the PC(USA) were a movie, what would it be and why?
Comment by Drew on 22 August 2008:
This one took me a while to think about. I also went slightly over the 25 word rule. Oh well.
Here’s my response: http://notes-from-offcenter.com/2008/08/21/die-presbymeme-zwei/
Cheers!
Comment by Doug Resler on 22 August 2008:
My response is up…christseeker.typepad.com.
Peace,
Doug
Comment by Carol Howard Merritt on 22 August 2008:
I played over here: http://tribalchurch.org/?p=834.
Comment by Chris Brown on 22 August 2008:
My responses are up on my blog: http://christopherbrown.wordpress.com.
Comment by jim on 22 August 2008:
did likewise at http://www.thechurchgeek.com/archives/892
Comment by Mark on 22 August 2008:
I read the five questions outloud so my wife could hear them. There was only one we could answer immediately, and that was #5. We both said “Titanic” at the same time, paused, and started laughing.
Comment by reyes-chow on 23 August 2008:
Mark - I thought the same thing - one of my fav movies, BTW - but you are the first to put it out there. So, who would be the captain?
Comment by David Williams on 24 August 2008:
Good ‘un. My response is up at http://www.belovedspear.org.
Comment by Mark on 25 August 2008:
Bruce,
“So, who would be the captain?” Hmmm. Making me think on a Monday morning?! I’ll try, but I make no claims for lucidity.
No pastor, elder, moderator, clerk, or governing body is captain. Our theology and polity forbid that! As a cradle Presbyterian, my only answer to your question can be Jesus Christ. At that point, the laughter stops.
I never saw “Titanic”. I don’t think my wife did either. We only said “Titanic” because we both feel at times like we’re on a sinking ship. We think the ship’s going down precisely because its crew acts like it doesn’t know who the captain is, let alone obeys orders. And we say this as liberals.
What came of the commandment to love one another as Christ loves us? It has been ignored in favor of the love of doctrine and power.
What came of the command to remove the log from our own eyes before taking the speck from our neighbor’s? No one can see to read that command because folks on all sides of the issues spend so much time jamming logs into everyone’s eyes.
What came of the command to go into all the world, including around the corner to that economically disadvantaged neighborhood filled with “minorities” who are quickly becoming majorities? Ask that question and watch people squirm in their pews. Preach that command and hear people grumble. Act on that command and find yourself tarred and feathered.
What came of Paul’s vision of the Church as the Body of Christ? It’s been forgotten in favor of that well known cry on sinking ships: “Every man for himself!” Every person, every congregation, every presbytery for itself. “We play this game by my rules, or I take my marbles and leave.”
You know the old remark about rearranging furniture on the Titanic? That’s what life in the PC(USA) feels like at times. We’ve got to keep up appearances, make sure everyone’s happy, and keep the coffers full. Meanwhile, the water’s lapping around our knees.
Instead, we should be refitting the ship, or better yet, dry-docking it entirely in favor of the leaner, simpler vessel Christ rode on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. Sure, it’s a rough ride in such a small boat, but at least we’ll make the trip together.
That’s a good question, Bruce. I’m sorry I don’t have a more practical and satisfying answer.
Comment by Mark on 25 August 2008:
Oops! Did you say 25 words or less?
Comment by reyes-chow on 26 August 2008:
Mark - Well, it would be interesting to see the movie with a lens of faith because Jesus was definately NOT the captain in this one. Thankfully no one has written a “Gospel according to Titanic” . . . not sure it would hold up. Laters -
Comment by Kerri Peterson-Davis on 26 August 2008:
here is mine
http://revkpd.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/presbymeme-ii/
Comment by Pinkhammer on 31 August 2008:
My response is here: http://pinkhammer.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/presbymeme-ii/