Racism And Politics

I’ve been watching the Republican National Convention and I’m startled by the contrast between it and the Democratic National Convention.

I’m watching Mike Huckabee’s speech right now and as the cameras move about the room it is predominately old white people (many men).  He stands in a room full of white people in positions of power he then talks about the evils of racism....  I guess he wasn’t talking about institutional racism and tokenism that seems to be pervasive in the Republican Party.

Now don’t get me wrong, I struggle with our party system.  Democrat and Republican party organizations have systematic problems and neither is any more perfect than the other......but when a man like Barack Obama stands up and starts talking about hope and brings a new vision of self, country, and responsibility...and he is made fun of by a bunch of [predominately] old white people I feel sickened.

In one of the video ads by the Obama Campaign “Signs of Hope and Change” one of the men on the video says, “I don’t want a country for me, I want a country for everyone.”  That is what I want.  I want a country that will take seriously the need to inspect our exclusivism, racism, sexism and hopefully one day we will begin to cope with our materialism as well!

Mike Huckabee attacked Barack Obama for going abroad.  I could have imagined (not agreed with) Mike (for) attacking him for wasting money or some other issue in relation to the European tour...but Mr. Huckabee attacks Senator Obama by sayng, “It’s not what he took there that concerns me.  It’s what he brought back.  Lots of ideas from Europe he’d like to see imported here.”  First of all, why not ‘import ideas’ that might make health care more accessible and bring better services (such as preventative care) to our citizenry.  There is an idea to laugh at!  How about ‘importing’ some ideas from countries with better economies, schools, and longer life expectancy than the United States?  There is an idea to laugh at.

Looking at the camera pans back-and-forth, here is what I see:  white Americans who have healthcare and money for good educations  LAUGHING at people who are willing to say, “I don’t want a country for me, I want a country for everyone.”

The Republican leadership in the white house have heard that there are other ways of seeing the world and we know what they do.  They Laugh.  When most of the world says, “no” to a war in Iraq they laughed and ignored them.  When their own citizen’s raised concerns they laughed and said those are just the bleeding heart liberals.  Lastly, when even the republican base withdrew their support of the war and the white house what did they do?  The laughed.

Yes, Republican leadership call Obama an elitist.  They call him incompetent, inexperienced and, of course were happy to circulate the rumor that he was a “secret muslim.”  We have a man standing up with new ideas and a new direction for our country.  This young but competent man, each day, teaches our young people by example that one person can instigate change in the world.  We have a presidential candidate who has proven that he can hear the needs and views of others.  We have a candidate who has already demonstrated his intent to be diplomatic.  Most importantly, if one actually listens to Barack Obama’s acceptance speech in it’s entirety, Obama has a concrete and, in fact, ambitious agenda for this country which speaks to personal responsibility of citizens, fiscal responsibility of the government, and social responsibilities of all.

We have serious issues facing America today and we will have to work hard to address them.  Laughing at other people’s problems, dreams, and hopes doesn’t seem like an effective way to make our country a better place.  I do respect John McCain, but I hope he can find some republican leaders who don’t just laugh at problems, should he be elected to the presidency.

Great Floods

I lived near the Mississippi growing up and still remember the flood of ’93.  Today I took a bike ride to photograph some of the Rock River flood of ’08.  I know it isn’t quite as mind boggling as housing falling into the river (Wisconsin Dells) or entire towns underwater to their roofs (Mississippi flood of ’93), but I found the overabundance of water pretty amazing.  Especially since I now live just a few blocks from the river.

I wonder how Noah and his contemporaries felt as the water rose?  As we consider the destruction that has already occurred and consider the destruction that is still to come, we should consider God’s continual covenant relationship with us.  Over and over again God has been with us as we endured pain, suffering, loss and destruction.  Some people might need to curse and scream at God.  Fine. That can be healthy, look at Job who remains faithful to God despite all of his losses.  When we are rebuilding, however, we must also be thankful to God for the chance to start again.

Baptism is deeply connecting to creation and flood.  By the water washing over us we have symbolism of the water destroying our sins.  As we rise up out of the water we rise up to re-creation.  A new life begins.  Out of destruction can come new life and new opportunities.  We must stay hopeful for this in 2008.


Title Image: A young girl ponders the flood waters in Janesville.  Photo by Scott Carnes, Copyright 2008, All rights reserved.

Door-to-door 4 God

Nope, we’re not Jehovah’s Witnesses or anything, but last Sunday I sent my youth door-to-door.  We didn’t hand out anything, by the way, either.  We collected stuff.  We played a well-known youth game called “Bigger and Better.”  Each group got a paperclip and then went door-to-door.  At the first house they would say, “We’re from Cargill United Methodist Church and we are playing a game called bigger and better.  If we give you this paperclip would you help us with something “Bigger and Better?”

It was  lot of fun.  This kids came back with tons of stuff including: chairs, 2 microwaves, a bench, 2 car seats, hats, toys, a clock, lots of non-perishable food and over $30.00 in cash.  Not bad for a walk around the neighborhood.  We’re going to take the stuff we collected to Echo, the Salvation Army and the Hospital thrift shop.  We are also going to take the money we collected on our mission trip to St. Louis so that we can purchase classroom supplies for the Kingdom House (a social services outreach of the United Methodist Church for low income families which provides low-cost childcare and preschool).

What would happen if we all went door-to-door 4 God?  In this case we proclaimed the name of our church, acted out our faith, and challenged others to help us.  It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it is often uncomfortable to walk up to people in this day-and-age regarding faith issues.  If North American Christianity is to survive, though, we must learn to step out of our comfort zone and take part in world-changing and attitude-changing behavior.

Take a moment to think about how you might share your faith today. Might you invite a friend to church?  Could you challenge someone to do acts of kindness for others?  What would the church look like if we all began acting out our faith and unashamedly proclaimed our love of God?

Evangelism does not have to be “in-your-face,” but it is also not “just” doing Good Works.  Evangelism is different things at different times, but I believe that it can include: Sharing our faith story with individuals or groups, Helping others in the name of Christ, showing love in our daily lives with no expectation of reward or recognition.

Music To My Eyes

Sometimes I like to just pull out my guitar and strum.  No matter what I’m playing (or attempting to play), I find myself relaxed.  What is it that you do to relax?

It is important to relax.  Reading is the way that I used to relax, but now that I’m at seminary I find myself with an inordinate amount of reading and writing.  When a person spends all of their time reading theologians and Biblical commentaries it is hard to find the time to enjoy a Harry Potter book, for example.

I hope that you will take a moment to think about the last time you were truly and completely relaxed.  Don’t think of it as a luxury - but as a necessity - and make time to relax more often!

Overwhelmed and Tired

It is difficult to balance school and work, especially this week.  I had a great week when it comes to being “Scott Carnes, Coordinator of Student Ministries,” but I have fallen far behind in being “Scott Carnes, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminarian...”  As of earlier today, I had three papers to write.  I finished my assignment for tonight, but I am struggling as I try to catch up.  There just seem to be too few hours in the day.

I am also in the midst of scholarship and tax season!  I am trying to apply and re-apply for scholarships and it is clear that I can not (and should not) expect the same level of financial support from my home church as I received during this past year.  I guess I am just feeling very stressed out.

The good news is that I am where I want to be.  I have a kind and loving home church who support me from a distance.  I have a wonderful job at a church which is immensely supportive and accommodating of me as I work through seminary.  Lastly, and most importantly, I am in school and receiving an education is primarily where I want to be right now and I am thrilled to be learning at seminary.

It's More Than Just Staying "Informed"

I’m now in a church that does not have a regular newsletter, nor a heavily used website.  I hear from around the church council table and staff meetings that communication is one of our biggest needs.  The truth is that I was most recently at a church with a monthly newsletter that was very professional and a highly used website and I still heard the same concerns.

Church newsletters are necessary to keep people informed and in today’s world websites are even more important in order to share information, but faith is more than being informed.  It is about being activated.  It is time we stop asking “how do we keep people informed” and begin asking questions like “how do we build community and activate that community?”

Youth know how to use their technology to do such a thing.  Using social networking youth have taken relationship building on-line.  They have found a way to make technology work for them and enrich their relationships.  Some churches and religious organizations have tried to create similar “Christian” communities on-line, but why a separate endeavor.  When Kings were going across the Atlantic ocean to a New World the church did not say, “Well, it is dangerous and there are ‘savages’ there we should go find our own island to create a paradise...”

No.  The church can no longer be in the business of just creating a website and hope that people stumble across it (or even if we advertise it).  We must look at the internet as a new world and begin moving our faith out into that world in a natural but competent way.  If we had pornographers, prostitutes and drug lords moving in to the lots next door we would get activated and take back our community.  It is time for us to get out into the internet and share our faith on-line and “take back the neighborhood.”

Apple, Inc. to purchase Baptist Church for $10 Million

“Sources close to Steve Jobs have confirmed that he is currently in negotiations to buy a local Baptist Church.  When asked his intentions, Jobs reportedly noted that Apple has attracted faithful consumers with deep convictions, but they have not yet determined a way to make Apple a faith.  Jobs hopes that by merging Apple, Inc with a church he might be able to do this.”

Did I get your attention???

Why is it that in the church, these days, we seem to always be one step behind companies and other organizations.  I look at Apple, Inc.  They make lots and lots of money making electronics and yet somehow they have created a deeply committed consumer-base.  They have become exceptional at their communications and advertising and die-hards like me have great loyalty............to a money-making corporation!?!

How do we create a similar commitment in the church???

I have been thinking about this.  Apple has attemped to never sacrifice quality.  They have always aimed for the best, easiest-to-use, and most attractive computers (note:  during years when Steve Jobs was CEO, but we must ignore the “dark times” for my purposes here).  In order that everything works together flawlessly, Apple has taken a corporate approach that is unmatched anywhere else within or beyond their industry.  Apple makes the hardware, the software, provides the tech support, has created its own .Mac web connectivity service, and makes its own peripherals like iPods. Most importantly they have never been willing to sacrifice quality for price.

This last point is where we have failed.  In the church we think that we have to make church easy in order to get people in the pews, but wherever we have failed to set the expectation of commitment and loyalty we have created apathy and faithlessness.  If we want to re-energize our churches we must start by setting high expectations.  In other words we must not sacrifice quality for price.

Gang Living.

I was just with a couple of other people who have been camp counselors and I realized that I’m not the only one looking forward to summer.  I can’t wait for camp to come again!

Since I’ve been thinking about camp, it really hit me when we were visiting Quinn Chapel AME last week.  The youth that I met there were so different from the youth with whom I work each week.  They are kids that don’t likely have the opportunity to go to camp each summer.  Instead of worrying about which game system they will get for Christmas they are worried about whether their parents (if they have parents) were able to pay the heating bill.

Quinn AME is in the middle of what used to be the worst neighborhood in Chicago, but now the poor are quickly being pushed out and housing projects are being shut down  because large companies want the land for new developments.  On the outside this sounds okay, a bad neighborhood is being redeveloped, but where do the poor go as rent goes up and housing is torn down?

In Janesville, Green Bay, Marion, Murphysboro, Carbondale, and Pittsfield...in most of the places where i have lived I have not been confronted by this kind of poverty.  On mission trips it still seems like someone else’s problem once time and distance is put between you and the street.  Here it feels like it is my problem.

In the photo above, you will see some of the city housing projects.  The one at the far right (distant) is gang controlled.  The city (and community) has simply abandoned these people and when it gets too bad, they start shutting them down and selling the only housing that some people can afford because the land has become too valuable.

When did a person’s safety and welfare begin to come with a price tag?

New Church, New Ways.

It takes time to get completely integrated into a new church.  I feel fortunate that I have so quickly gotten to know folks at Cargill United Methodist Church.  Beginning to feel as though I have gotten to know people is a dangerous time, as well.  When a person is new to a group, organization, or even a one-on-one relationship, it is easy to overstep.

I may have overstepped yesterday.  Not sure yet, but being the new guy on campus it is easy to let my desire to spur change and innovation to make another person feel undervalued.  I believe that we all find times when our best intentions might hurt another person.

I believe we are called to be tactful, thoughtful and caring in all of our relationships - even when we find ourselves in conflict or difficulty.  To be thoughtful to another person does not mean that we ignore the possibility of innovation or betterment...it means that we find gentle ways to nurture our community (or friendship) toward a new ideal or a new way of doing things.

This is especially true in the church.  I have worked with pastors who tried to create new PROCEDURES or RULES for doing things, but that often causes rifts and division in the church.  Forrest Wells is the pastor in my current church and I hear him say, “as long as a ministry is true to our mission there is room for it in our church,” and “the staff and pastors must empower the people to do ministry, not try to own the ministries themselves.”  Rev. Wells is truly a nurturing person who will encourage - over time, not overnight - the congregation of Cargill UMC toward innovation and exciting new ministries.

I am very blessed to be a part of such a staff.

Mayonnaise.

J-Term has been good for me.  I was having a difficult time as the Fall semester was ending and I was very worried about my grades.  I had some personal struggles, I serve on a Board of Directors which was in the process of not recommending our executive for re-election, and I was starting a new job.  There was a lot going on.  Luckily I came through in good shape.

My J-Term class (as I talked about last time) is amazing!  We worship with the Quinn Chapel AME church last Sunday, spent the day with the pastor on Monday and then worked in their food distribution ministry on Thursday and attended a special worship service for the folks off the street who come in for food.  It was very powerful and we learned SO much about the AME church and inner city ministry, not to mention the history of the black church.  We’ve had a lot of reading, but combined with the first-hand experience, we had a great class.

I am finally going to get back to my church in Janesville on Tuesday!  I can’t wait to get back up to Janesville, I’ve had such a great time getting involved with this church and I really enjoy the youth!  I’m mostly looking forward to beating Ryan on Guitar Hero next week.

Cross-Cultural Worship Experience

I’m taking a class with Dr. Ruth Duck for J-Term.  For the next two weeks we are studying African American worship and will be involved in Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the city.  Quinn Chapel was the first African American church in Chicago and I can’t wait to finally get there on Sunday.

I just finished a class in United Methodist Worship with Dr. Ron Anderson and learned soooo much about United Methodist worship practices and now as we look into cultural practices in worship I am finding more questions than answers.

I suggest that everyone finds time to worship with churches of other traditions.  I have usually taken confirmation students to AME (African Methodist Episcopal) churches when we are on mission because  I especially enjoy AME worship, but this class has helped me to better understand why African American worship is so distinctive and is helping me to to better appreciate the journey of our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout diaspora, slavery and oppression.

Most importantly, it is not just worship practices which are different.  With African roots and a history of slavery African Americans have had a community centered-ness that many Anglo-Americans can not begin to understand and the church has been at the center of that need for community.  I hope that everyone reading this blog will join with me in experiencing the community of support and ministry of an African American congregation during the next month, if you do not already worship in one.

God Surprises Us!

When Rev. Forrest Wells called me at the end of last summer about a possible position at Cargill UMC I politely (I hope) said, “No thanks, I am a full-time student now and I want to dedicate myself to seminary.”  I told Forrest that if they needed some help with any project, finding a youth pastor, or with a retreat I would be glad to consult, however.  Forrest called me back about two weeks later asking me if I would be willing to lead a retreat and I agreed.  Like any good employer with an opening in his organization, Forrest kept the invitation of a job open...and I continued to turn him down.

It is truly marvelous how God works in our lives.  I had a plan, but after I spent a weekend with some truly amazing youth of Cargill UMC I found myself calling Forrest to see about a job.  The church in Janesville has welcomed me and already I find myself developing relationships with the people there, especially the youth.

It seems that in this time and in this place I am called to be in ministry.  I don’t yet know what that will look like or how I will accomplish it, but I leave that to God’s capable hands.  How is it that God is calling you into ministry?  What is God asking of you in this time and in your place?

New Church, New Year.

Sorry it has been so long since I last updated my blog.  The past month has been a blur.  I don’t think I have been in any one town more than a week.  I was in Birmingham, AL taking part in a very difficult meeting during the first week of December.  I got through my finals and papers during the second week and started a new job in Janesville, WI at the same time.  I’ve been settling in at Cargill United Methodist Church but I was at home for a week from Christmas until New Year’s Eve. I just got done with a Ski Trip with my new youth group and now I’m getting ready to go back to school for January Intensives....    whew.

It has been a crazy holiday season.  I am really enjoying my job though, and even though it made for a difficult end-of-semester, I’m really glad that I took the job.  The youth are really fantastic and I’ve really begun to get-to-know them much more quickly than I expected to, being on staff half-time.

We did some videotaping of the ski trip from this past weekend.  I’ve already put up the first video of one of the Sr. High youth impersonating me.  I hope you enjoy.