Finding new perspective, not glib cliches
Lately, I have found myself in some fairly interesting conversations. Some have been unpleasant and others very challenging. The other night, I had a thought provoking conversation that will stick in my mind long after the exchange ends. It's the kind one ponders and thinks about over and over until it becomes the topic of every conversation.
It started with a simple but intriguing question: “Why has the church become a place for pat answers and clichés?”
Immediately, my mind went to a question that a pastor challenged me with over the summer: “What is the thing behind the thing?” What was behind the question that this person was laying on the table?
As I continued the conversation and began talking with others, I was intrigued to find out that a great deal of those I talked with considered church, including sermons, Sunday school, Bible studies, small groups, and even fellowships, a place where a basic set of knowledge was being bounced around over and over.
After further discussion, this basic knowledge was defined as a set of “go-to” Bible passages to give finality to almost any discussion, repeated stories that may fit the situation but mostly were mediocre to make you feel good, and perspectives on issues that come from the same viewpoint every time – giving very few if any new ways of seeing things.
As an artist myself, I like to capture rare angles and perspectives, use a full pallet of colors, and, when finished gather a variety of interpretations of my work. If every painting or photograph used the same color scheme, was taken from the same angle, and interpreted the same, art would quickly become monotonous, and would lack the depth and beauty it was meant to convey. Just maybe this can be applied to our conversation.
On reflection, the “thing behind the thing” became apparent. The real question was, “How do we recall people to a deeper level and purpose?” Obviously, this is a loaded question but needs some serious thought and attention. You may think it unorthodox, but instead of asking pastors or theologians for these answers, I risked looking elsewhere for a new perspective.
At a summer institute, I had the opportunity to teach alongside author and Harvard research professor Dr. Sharon Daloz Parks. In her lecture, she talked about how we often need to see things from varied perspectives.
She challenged us to imagine how much different it is to watch people dance from a balcony than from the actual dance floor – how much more you can see and experience. When confronted with challenging questions such as the ones posed to me, we need to find the stairway leading to the balcony.
Another suggestion Parks had was to see things through the eyes of artists - ironically something the church has done for centuries, but since modern times has often negated. Dr. Parks shared six things that she has learned from artists that are helpful in recalling people to the deeper purposes of their lives.
When you think of the best work of musicians, poets, painters throughout the generations, you will find the following six categories and accompanying questions behind their best work.
As we launch our church programming for the fall, I challenge you to take a moment to work through these questions and see where you and your church have been given over to pat answers or clichés. It could make a world of difference to you, your members and those visiting your church this year. And as you go to ponder these questions, start by finding the stairs that lead to the balcony.
It started with a simple but intriguing question: “Why has the church become a place for pat answers and clichés?”
Immediately, my mind went to a question that a pastor challenged me with over the summer: “What is the thing behind the thing?” What was behind the question that this person was laying on the table?
As I continued the conversation and began talking with others, I was intrigued to find out that a great deal of those I talked with considered church, including sermons, Sunday school, Bible studies, small groups, and even fellowships, a place where a basic set of knowledge was being bounced around over and over.
After further discussion, this basic knowledge was defined as a set of “go-to” Bible passages to give finality to almost any discussion, repeated stories that may fit the situation but mostly were mediocre to make you feel good, and perspectives on issues that come from the same viewpoint every time – giving very few if any new ways of seeing things.
As an artist myself, I like to capture rare angles and perspectives, use a full pallet of colors, and, when finished gather a variety of interpretations of my work. If every painting or photograph used the same color scheme, was taken from the same angle, and interpreted the same, art would quickly become monotonous, and would lack the depth and beauty it was meant to convey. Just maybe this can be applied to our conversation.
On reflection, the “thing behind the thing” became apparent. The real question was, “How do we recall people to a deeper level and purpose?” Obviously, this is a loaded question but needs some serious thought and attention. You may think it unorthodox, but instead of asking pastors or theologians for these answers, I risked looking elsewhere for a new perspective.
At a summer institute, I had the opportunity to teach alongside author and Harvard research professor Dr. Sharon Daloz Parks. In her lecture, she talked about how we often need to see things from varied perspectives.
She challenged us to imagine how much different it is to watch people dance from a balcony than from the actual dance floor – how much more you can see and experience. When confronted with challenging questions such as the ones posed to me, we need to find the stairway leading to the balcony.
Another suggestion Parks had was to see things through the eyes of artists - ironically something the church has done for centuries, but since modern times has often negated. Dr. Parks shared six things that she has learned from artists that are helpful in recalling people to the deeper purposes of their lives.
When you think of the best work of musicians, poets, painters throughout the generations, you will find the following six categories and accompanying questions behind their best work.
- Haunt: What haunts us?
- Gap: What IS and what COULD BE?
- Pause: When do we CONTEMPLATE and take time for true SABBATH?
- Edge: Where is the edge of the known AND THE UNKNOWN?
- Spirit: What do we know about the work and voice of the Spirit in our lives and communities?
- Fire: Are we looking to be REMADE and what will come out of the fire if we go in?
As we launch our church programming for the fall, I challenge you to take a moment to work through these questions and see where you and your church have been given over to pat answers or clichés. It could make a world of difference to you, your members and those visiting your church this year. And as you go to ponder these questions, start by finding the stairs that lead to the balcony.
By Rev. Robert Henry
This article first appeared in the FWLutheran, September 2009
This article first appeared in the FWLutheran, September 2009
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