Two More Habits

 

I decided to lean into the whole 12 days of Christmas this year. In case you are an American and a white evangelical, especially non-denominational, Baptist or Nazarene, I might have to explain that Christmas starts on December 25th and the celebration continues for twelve days, culminating with the celebration of the arrival of the wisemen for Epiphany on January 6th. Not to be confused with the other January 6th.

In some parts of the world people eat this yummy, round cake shaped like a crown called Rosca de Reyes. Sometimes there's presents. And then you may take down the Christmas decorations. 

Real Talk: I've only really known all this for about thirty-six months.

Some years I have fought back the chaos of the Christmas season, demanding an immediate return to order following Christmas Day. Dry cookies are thrown in the trash can, tree ornaments start coming down, new toys find their new homes, and trunks are hauled in from the garage. Not this year. This year I just did a lot of "yes days."

I let Daniel mess up my kitchen with sticky pizza dough ingredients multiple times, and stay up to who-knows-when playing video games. Twice we woke up to find his friend John on our couch. 

Dan and I spent an overnight in Fountain Hills at our new favorite resort as a Christmas/Anniversary gift. In the month of December we got together with my side of the family six times (if we count the play and the movies with just Mimi) and Dan's side twice plus a few smaller visits with just a few. We went on an Escape the City scavenger hunt in downtown Phoenix, and we put on a Disco murder mystery party that included a patched together group of teenagers who really know how to get into character. 

And I also penned my last two resolutions to finish filling the slots in my shiny blue calendar.

Last week I mentioned my walking goal, launching Daniel into adulthood-related goals, and my goals for loving extended family better. 

Here's the other two:

3. Sabbath Writing

"They" are always saying pastors should have a hobby. Helping professions have high burn out rates because we pour out without pouring in. And this is true. I've had trouble naming an actual hobby. Because I don't do pickleball or raise chickens or anything. But, writing is life-giving for me. 

So, I promised myself a weekly "Sabbath Writing."

Maybe they'll be some worth adding to a folder that I could possibly develop into a book. That's kind of sort of a five year goal. But, for now, either way, I'll enjoy the process. And making it a goal means I'm less likely to feel guilty doing it. I did write a totally different blog post that I started yesterday about whether "Stop People Pleasing" is a valid New Years resolution or not. But it was a little long and I'm worried it came out a little harsh, so it's still in the workshop.

4. I'll have to explain but I'm calling this one "The World Is My Parish."

I stole these words from John Wesley, who said:

""I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it. Great encouragement have I, therefore, to be faithful in fulfilling the work He hath given me to do. His servant I am, and, as such, am employed according to the plain direction of His Word, As I have opportunity, doing good unto all men'; and His providence clearly concurs with his Word; which has disengaged me from all things else, that I might singly attend on this very thing, and go about doing good.'"

One of the points of embracing a House Church model was so that I was free to see the Church as something besides a building. And it's freed me to be "pastor" to the people I meet in coffee shops, being involved in other groups and working bivocationally. It also causes me to meet the people who are part of my congregation outside in their world instead of just a church office. 

Making "all the world as my parish" means I can embrace this in several ways:

1. Increasingly viewing other congregations as "on the same team" rather than some sort of competing business. Things like speaking at Chandler first's ladies tea, putting together the New Scent fundraiser craft sale, and visiting Journey of Grace, Tempe first, and others was a start. I hope to find ways to continue to model this attitude of unity.

2. Setting aside at least one time slot each week to go TO my congregation. Wesley used to ride a horse to go preach in the fields instead of the Cathedrals. I don't ride horses really but I can go to living rooms, gyms, diners and soccer games. I hope I can hold myself to this, but I want to visit with someone outside the standard church service time every single week this year.

3. Getting to know those outside of our church and providing pastoral care for them as needed. Maybe this means finding ANOTHER hobby besides just typing. Not to push my faith on people, because I don't see that ambush approach as truly productive or sustainable, but to be available as someone finds they need prayer or has questions. Not everyone has a someone. So many people are lonely and disconnected from community. 

I went to a Wendy's once where the guy working behind the counter had a tag that said "Reverand Joe" (actually I don't remember if it was Joe. But I had to give him a first name). This was before I started talking about House Church. I'm pretty sure it was before I read Letters to the Church and Trevor and Ryan started The Table. And this guy (Reverand Joe) said everyone at work called him Reverand because he was the pastor of a little congregation of unhoused people that he invited into his kitchen at home every Sunday. They always left full of food and the Holy Spirit. But he wasn't just their pastor now. He was the pastor of Wendy's. And probably some of the customers too, from time to time, who needed an encouraging word or to know someone cared. 

Wherever I go, I want people to feel that they're not the outsiders. They are inside my circle. And I have good news to share with them if they are ready to hear it.

How are you filling your bucket so you have more to pour out?

How has God helped you expand your idea of "church" and "parish"?

How are you widening your circle so that no one falls through the cracks?