Be like Mona Lisa

When talking about the soul that is in the "Dark Night", St. John of the Cross expressed that this soul has one task - be still. But being still is not socially acceptable and it also does not feel like you do anything when you are still. It does not feel productive or efficient. Generally, stillness is not valued for the sake of itself but only for what it can produce in our lives. The discipline of being still is, according to St. John, like that of a model for an artist. 

The model is still for the artist. The model may be tempted to think that she/he is not doing anything and might begin to get more paint, clean the room or wash the brushes in an effort to help the artist. 

But these actions, this busyness, keep the artist from capturing the beauty of the soul. 

What would the Mona Lisa look like if she was busy mixing the paint?

So be still. Be still and let the great artist of the universe gaze upon you. 

Be like Mona Lisa.

Want to help the church? Good preaching must end.

A while ago, Brain Pickings had a wonderful article entitled Good Writing vs. Talented Writing.

And it is amazing. Read it. And after you read it you will begin to see why good preaching is actually hurting the church. To use the language of the article, we need talented preaching.

a good preacher

The thing about good preaching is that it is safe, predictable and thus "good" to hear. A lot of good preaching is manipulation but with a "Jesus shine". It is focused on morals or on the very practical things you can/should do in the week. Good preaching is clear, simple logical and easy to follow.

Good preaching also gives you clues when you can check out of listening and also clues when you can check back in so you can still get the "gist" of the sermon. If the sermon has three points or an alliterative device that gives you something to "remember" it is possible that you are listening to good preaching. 

That does not always mean it is talented preaching. 

The quote below is my favorite from the article above, but altered to reflect preaching rather than writing:

The talented (preacher) often uses specifics and avoids generalities — generalities that his or her specifics suggest. Because they are suggested, rather than stated, they may register with the (hearer) far more forcefully than if they were articulated. Using specifics to imply generalities...is dramatic (preaching). 

The problem with the preaching style of "tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; tell them what you have told them", is that it is clear, controlled and logical. It is not talented.

Are you arrogant enough to dismiss the voice of the dead?

It has been said that tradition is the voice or the vote of the dead. And, one might add, it is of the greatest arrogance to believe that your opinion is most important just because you happen to be living at that moment. 

The Christian faith speaks of the "great cloud of witnesses that surround us". That we stand on the shoulders of the martyrs. That we are part of a past, present and future Universal Church that is not bound to space-time. 

When we observe and honor tradition we are willing to admit that the opinions of our time are not the only opinions and that our opinions may not be the best opinions on the matter (gasp!).

It might be one of the reasons why one of the most common verbs in the Bible is "remember". Remember the voices the people of the past. Remember that your time is not the only time. Remember that there were sinners and saints before you and me and they were just as important to the conversation as anyone.

Remember the voice of the dead, know your voice will soon join their ranks.

The one superpower of pastors

Don't tell anyone I told you this, but pastors have a superpower. When we are ordained there is a whole "pastor's code" we have to sign that demands we not tell anyone about this superpower so few pastors will talk about what I am about to tell you as their superpower. But do not be fooled. Pastors have one superpower and it is our bread and butter. 

Listening. 

Were you expecting something cooler? Water to wine? Walking on water? Ability to find quarters behind people's ears? Sorry, nothing like that. But that does not mean that listening is not one of the most super of superpowers. 

Everyone needs someone to listen to them. Everyone. Even the hermits of our day talk to themselves or to God or to a volleyball (as science shows). 

Which is why when you come into contact with someone who will listen, you are drawn to them. You find something about them that is "warm" or "helpful" or "holy".  The power of listening is a very powerful power. Do not underestimate it. 

Recently I heard this TED Talk by Julian Treasure about listening. At the end he gives an acronym to remind people how to listen. I tweaked his acronym a bit because I think that listening is like exploring, which is why when I listen to others I work like NASA.

Nod, Affirm, Summarize and Ask.

Nodding your head goes a long way. Not like a bobble head. Just nod.

Affirm. Just say 'yes'.

Summarize what you have just heard - "so what I hear you saying is..."

Ask - Ask a question. Even if it is just in the ballpark of the conversation is good enough.