Jason Valendy 5/31/16 Jason Valendy 5/31/16

A first breath after the General Conference dust storm

Over the next several posts I would like to share some General Conference reflections as now the dust is settling. These posts will not so much look at the bits of legislation that did or did not pass. These posts will use specific conference actions as examples for a larger point. These posts are designed for those who did not attend, don't care or are tired of reading what did/did not happen, or those who are looking for the larger Spirit of the UMC as lived out at the General Conference. These are only my thoughts and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Central Texas Conference or her delegation or Bishop.

In order to better get a sense of where these posts are headed here are the topic headings:

Language Monopoly
Sit, Stay, Go - A Dilemma in Table Manners
Double Victory in an Age of Winners and Losers

And so while I am still processing all that happened in the ten days and the fall out of General Conference there is still ministry to be done. Until these forthcoming GC posts arrive. I invite you to hear/watch (beginning at the 30 minute mark) this sermon called "Why did Ananias and Sapphira really die?" It is the story in Acts when two people dropped dead after it was discovered they held back money from the Church. It is an odd story, however, it relates to General Conference and the state of the UMC. Peace.

Jason Valendy 4/9/15 Jason Valendy 4/9/15

The Thing Most Preachers Say Every Week

Just like there are different makes of cars, there are different philosophies of preaching. There are some who pride themselves on being pastoral, ensuring people are lifted up. There are others who are fiery and prophetic, trying to spur people to action. There are others who see the preaching moment as a sort of group counselling, helping people to cope with the problems of the day.

Sometimes preachers will look like a standup comic in order to say things you don't want to hear.

And just like there are different models of cars, there are different styles of preaching. Some are storytellers and some are didactic teachers. Some are dramatic re-enactors, while others stand as one who is giving a TED Talk.

Regardless of the philosophy of the style there is one thing that most preachers say every week and to not say it would lead to a short ministry at that place:

Most preachers, most of the time can only say the thing that people want to hear.

That is to say most of time preachers cannot say the thing that people disagree with. Of course preachers say things all the time that people disagree with, but if that preacher has also been at that setting for a long time, it is in part because that preacher most of the time says the things the people want to hear. One can see why Jesus, and many other spiritual teachers, are driven from their hometown or an area after a while of preaching/teaching things that people don't want to hear.

I have heard it said that people want to be challenged by the preacher each week. I have heard it said that people want to learn something each week. These may all be true. However, if the preacher challenges too much or challenges too strongly held convictions or if the preacher teaches something that contradicts core values - you can be sure most people will not put up with it for too long. They will leave. They will find a new church. They will split and start a new church. They will not attend church.

You just don't hear a preacher very often say things like:

I don't believe this or that.
There is no way this is factually true.
Some Sundays, and other days, I think what I am saying is BS.
Many times I doubt this whole resurrection thing and wonder if there is nothing more.
I fear death or purposelessness or being alone or being forgotten or ....
Some of the things the Universal Church does is garbage.

I have wanted to say some things like those above, but rarely have the courage to do so in the pulpit. Because I know that for the most part my job as a preacher is not to challenge but to reassure that what we say we believe is true.

If you find a preacher who on Easter Sunday proclaimed, "Yea, I just really have a hard time that death does not have the final word." Let me know.

Jason Valendy 4/3/15 Jason Valendy 4/3/15

Devil's Rope and Communion

99% Invisible is a wonderful radio program/podcast that I cannot endorse high enough. Roman, the creator, has a slick voice and a keen eye for the things in the world that mostly do not enter into our minds - the things that are 99% invisible. Most of the shows are geared toward something about the world of 'design' and recently his episode on "Devil's Rope" tied (no pun intended) very well into the idea of communion that I wanted to highlight this Palm Sunday.

So with much credit to Roman and the team at 99% Invisible and as a way to encourage you to maybe subscribe to his radio podcast (here is a starter pack) or even Saginaw UMC's podcasts, I invite you to listen to this sermon about "Devil's Rope and Communion".