Which Side Is the Other Side?

God places high value on staying connected I believe that everyone has the need to belong. We meet this need through fami­ly, school, church and other community places of connec­tion. Even this weekend, we have the Venetian Festival to gives us an opportunity to connect with people. We stay connected with cell phones, the Internet and even smart­phones that can achieve both. With all of these options available to us, why do we feel so lonely? We are so busy going our own separate ways that we have discon­nected in a gigantic way from those around us. I was on a college campus the other day and I saw a cou­ple of students walking side by side. As they approached me I could see them both talking on their phones to someone else. They were to­gether but not totally present with each other. How many times do we say “How are you?” and are not interested in the answer? It is not about age or technical advances, but about simply disco...

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul… Psalm 42:4a (RSV) Are you a Baptist? United Methodist? Presbyterian? Episcopalian? An Adventist? Or maybe a Non-denominational Christian? Or maybe not a Christian at all. Are you Republican or Democrat? Liberal or Conservative? Pro this or pro that? Do you believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or maybe even Peter Pan? All of these beliefs and thoughts make us who we are. The problem with all this diversity is that we can start to build fences and not celebrate our differences. God made us all unique and special, but do we really celebrate that as well as we could? I have been a pastor for over twenty years. During this time I have served a diversity of congregations. Each time I meet a congregation they want to know where I stand on many issues. How do you serve communion? In the pews or do you have people come forward? Do you read your sermon or are you able to use an outline and be comfortable? These questions lead up to what they re...

The Process Benton Harbor and St Joseph are known as the “Twin Cities.” This name is not very accurate to the true picture of these cities as you can see by the following Census information. Benton Harbor Caucasian 5.49% African American 92.40% Household Income $17,471 St. Joseph Caucasian 90.31 African American 5.11% Household Income $37,032 (Census 2008) My congregation in St Joseph is not racially diverse. They struggle with the differences of the communities. Because of their fears and differences they have only engaged the community of Benton Harbor in very nominal ways. They tend to see little value in a connection with the people on the "Other Side of the River." 1. Statement of Core Problematic In living out my call from God to model social justice and racial reconciliation within the larger community I anticipate there will be lines of tension between that call and my call as pastor within a homogeneous congregation. 2. The Learning Goal: I will engage my sen...