HELLO!

Last night surprised me, with seven people writing me before our faith study began, they were not able to join us. Given the storm the day before, I expected me, myself and I. Instead, 18 formed our conversation circle. We discussed Islam and Christianity, based on the writings of author Barbara Brown Taylor. One aspect of her chapter on Christianity that garnered attention was this; her 25 undergraduate students, all Christian in background, scored poorest on their knowledge of the basic of Christianity, as compared to Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism. How could this be? One big reason is the lack of diverse religious expressions means we have less to compare with, if all we know is what we are given, there is less incentive to ask questions, explore our faith.

I offered the circle the opportunity to write me an email with a question about an aspect related to the basics of Christian belief and practice. Many are embarrassed to ask these questions, as they feel they ought to already know the answer (having gone to church for most of their 70+ years). Without mentioning names, I would work into my sermons and blogs and studies, possible answers to these questions. I now make the same offer to you. If there is something about church belief, the broader Christian faith or the particular United Church of Canada view, please ask. I shared with the group last night that 35 years ago, during pastoral visits, people would ask questions no one asks today; about the Trinity, the Virgin birth, why children now take Communion. Now, questions focus on how often do we forgive, when is it appropriate to say no to a request for help, and how God is present, or not present, in one’s daily life.

I love these questions. I suspect we have shifted in focus, from trying to discern what we ought to believe, to how we ought to live. I will confess there are lines of inquiry I find it hard to fathom. I remember a decade ago offering an adult confirmation class. I was excited to hear the questions. I wanted to use the questions and responses as future sermon material (without naming names). I was surprised by the questions, “Why do we have three hymns every Sunday?” “Why do the Bibles in the pews have blue covers?” and “Why do we use the font size that appears in our weekly bulletin?” I guess I was hoping for “bigger questions”, more “keeps me up at night” challenges. Maybe I expected too much.

Nonetheless, I would love your questions. I do not promise to know the answers, but I do commit to giving your questions my full attention.

Peace, Kevin