Thursday night I was at a lecture conducted by Marcus Borg and others on progressive Christianity. While nothing new was learned by me, I resonated with what was being said on a deeply personal level.
One young pastor responded to what Marcus Borg said about the church and I was deeply inspired. Her name is Nadia Bolz-Weber. The first thing you notice is the tattoos all over her arms, almost sleeved but not quite. The second thing you can't help but notice is her powerful voice which throws out challenge coupled with inspiration, wrapped in a package of sarcasm. It is evident that she loves the church. It is evident that she loves her denomination. It is evident that she is a world-changer.
She made me laugh as she described herself running as the Lutheran church crumbled behind her. I believed the audience could visualize scenes of those action movies where world destruction is happening and the hero is running like hell. Isn't that how it feels to be a pastor these days!
The church as we know it is crumbling. Some are clinging to that last object of recollection of the world as it was. Some are turning back toward the crumbling building to see if they can save those who refuse to leave it. Some are running like hell to save themselves. And others are running as fast as they can, integrity and truth in hand, so that we all can survive.
We all react differently to the communal and individual stresses in our lives. At times we all play these different roles in the dance of life. Sometimes we cannot help but cling to what was. Other times we run like hell to save ourselves because the destruction is so evident and so overwhelming. Often we try to be heroes saving others from their own destruction, risking ourselves and our integrity in the process. And we might, find ourselves running with integrity and truth toward an unknown future, scared that we will be swallowed up, sure that what we are doing is right.
I am done trying to save others from their own destruction and risking my integrity in the process. I have been tempted to run for my own survival. But it is time for me to run with integrity and truth towards that unknown future. I know the Spiritual Zombies are on my trail trying to pull be down and consume my brains, making me into one of them. So I need to learn to run and I need to know how to survive. Here are the rules. Thanks Zombieland for the education!
Rule 1 Cardio--Be sure you are fit to run like hell, so take the time to sustain and care for self.
Rule 2: Double-Tap--Make sure the dead, stays dead and do not let it arise to consume you.
Rule 3: Beware of the Bathrooms--Or any building....that may pull you under for it's own needs.
Rule 4: Wear Seatbelts--Make sure your ready for sudden stops and turns along the way.
Rule 5: No attachments-- to Zombies....you will need to leave behind those who are diseased
Rule 6: The "Skillet"--Use whatever you have on hand to survive--then you can travel light
Rule 7: Travel light--Don't take along the sacred cows--way too heavy!
Rule 8: Get a Kick Ass Partner--AMEN!! Don't try this alone.
Rule 12: Bounty Paper Towels--If you have to absorb anything, do so and then throw it away!
Rule 15: Bowling Ball--take out your frustrations by doing something fun once in awhile
Rule 17: Don't be a Hero/Be a Hero--know when to fight and when to run.
Rule 18: Limber up--remain flexible....remember the dead and undead are stiff.
Rule 21: Avoid Strip Clubs--Don't get distracted or lured in to something that seems good.
Rule 22: When in Doubt, know Your Way Out--always know where the door to freedom lies
Rule 29: The Buddy System--Rely on one another....watch each other's back
Rule 31: Check the Back Seat--somethings lay hidden and waiting to pounce
Rule 32: Enjoy the Little Things--eat the damn twinkie, you only live once, so live!
Rule 33: Swiss Army Knife--Have multi-functional tools in order to survive
Rule 48: Hygiene--Life is messy, so make sure you take care of yourself first.
