What if a congregation was totally honest?

Churches talk a lot about hospitality. Most take it seriously, at least toward people they like. Some are sincere and try to welcome all comers -- some are even good at it.

But often, church members tiptoe around visitors. Sometimes this is in the name of hospitality, wanting them to feel welcome and comfortable. Sometimes this is because they are afraid the visitors might find how what they -- the congregation -- are really like.

Here's an idea of radical hospitality -- What if a congregation told a visitor what they were like up front? This is the idea from a recent post on another blog.

What would our honest self-disclosure be? Would it be disturbing? Funny? Disappointing? Real? Would others like find it appealing or appalling? Hard to say. After all, some people prefer phony smiles to real-life complexity. But I think most people would like who we honestly are. But it's hard to put that kind of honesty into hospitality.

DisciplesWorld - September/October

The latest issue of DisciplesWorld arrived this week. This issue focuses on Disaster relief, as we pass the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, there is coverage of the recent General Assembly, including editor Verity Jones' opening reflection and several letters to the editor (one wonders how many such letters the magazine received about the Assembly).

In addition to the articles on disaster relief, which do a good job at sketching the logistical challenges and spiritual opportunities of such work, I recommend the article on chaplaincy. Many people misunderstand the many different types of ministry that chaplains do, in many varied environments. There is also an article about several congregations that have supported Boy Scout troops for long periods of time (as we approach the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Boy Scouts of America).

There is also an interesting personal essay from a retired pastor, reflecting on the murder of his brother. It is a poignant piece of writing, and one which should stimulate discussion. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is a frankly awful essay purporting to show Biblical support for health care reform. I will not not comment on the politics, which can be debated, but just point out that the scriptural interpretation, on the whole, is poor, mixing reasonable interpretation with some Biblical tunnel-vision, with some misunderstanding of the Roman economic system to boot.

Coming Up Sunday, September 6

This week marks the final Sunday in the "Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series," focusing on the film "Public Enemies." The movie, based on the story of how the FBI tracked down notorious bank robber John Dillinger, is a hard-nosed gangster film. The film stars Johnny Depp as the legendary hold-up man, as famous for his seemingly impossible jailbreaks as for his robberies. Here is the trailer:

The gangster film is a famous subgenre of American movies, looking at those who try to operate outside of the law. In many respects it is similar to the Western, which also featured outlaws and marshals who made their own rules in the chaotic Wild West. Such movies have long fascinated Americans, who love rooting for the hero who follows his own moral compass.

The closest Biblical analogy to this type of story is an obscure tale from the life of David before he became king. (Yes, I couldn't let the summer pass without a look at the Jewish monarchy.) After being threatened one too many times by Saul, David flees from the Jewish kingdom and survives as a rogue tribal leader whose troupe robs people living on the frontier. I've written about this time in David's life previously on the blog.

In modern language, we would call David either a mercenary -- if we are kind -- or a terrorist. He acted outside of the (Jewish) law; he acted outside of the Jewish kingdom. In the end, he becomes king. But if things had happened differently -- if another tribal leader had become king -- David would have probably been known only as a criminal. David slew Goliath, and then it all went to his head and he became a bandit. He stole; he killed. He broke his word (to the Philistines) when it was in his interest.

This Sunday, we will come full circle in our series. Having first thought about cosmic good and evil, now we will look at personal good and evil. Who is good? Who is evil? Who decides?