joetiedemann.com

On General Conference

Joe Tiedemann — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:09:51 +0000

Even if nothing got accomplished except for frustration (and as a pastor I really felt like I was on the loosing end of the stick with GA removed and the action taken on pensions) I think the global conversation is critical. There is no other Christian body that comes together to painstakingly work through some of the critical issues of being family and living together when we don’t agree and the cultural disparity is so wide. Holy conversation in a multicultural, multinational arena is the key to the future church and we are the only one’s struggling to do it. I can’t think of any other globally reaching church is not representative.

I feel that we have to come up with new ways of more consistently engaging in Holy Conferencing where no one feels bullied, yet everyone understands that even when your on the loosing end of the stick we are together and working toward healing and love to transform the world for Jesus Christ giving glory to God in all we do.

Regarding, cost…we need to be good stewards, so maybe there are ways to connect more frequently that are less costly. But bringing that many people together is costly. I would like to see the UMC commit to holding GC in each of the Central Conferences (sorry that will cost a lot more).

Wants… to be

Joe Tiedemann — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:49:14 +0000

Then Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NLT)

What are your wants or desires? Today, as it was (and will be) many of us, including me, get focussed on things other than God. We yearn for things, power, health, popularity, etc. in the end we either spend our lives chasing after the illusive desires of our hearts or obtain them only to find a momentary satisfaction, then emptiness.

At the deepest level, we may say we want or desire for the spiritual, but all to often (Jesus’ disciples as examples) we get stuck in the worldly, tangible stuff. It is striking that Luke recounts that just before this profession, Jesus challenges the disciples to feed some 5000 people with little food. The disciples collect 12 baskets of food after… an abundance.

Tie this grand show of abundance with the Apostle Paul writing to the Philippines when he penned, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil. 4:11-12 NIV)

When we can find Christ as THE desire and want we find an abundance of all that we need. We can know more than momentary contentment; we can know eternal peace and joy that produces an abundance within life that surpasses everything but it’s source.

So, what are your wants or desires?

θέλει – to will or want (benevolent). Jesus is teaching his disciples about what it would mean to follow him. Just prior to this teaching moment, Peter declares that He is the Messiah, but does he know what that means in it’s fullness? Possibly. Can Peter possibly be deeply touched by the One to quell his sin sick soul? Yes!

My kids just started Spring sports and every once in awhile I hear, “Dad, do I have to go to practice?” Most of the time my response is “Yes, you have to practice to get better at things that you want to do well.”

As we enter into Holy Week, the question I keep asking myself is “how am I practicing my wanting Jesus? What selfish ways am I giving up and what am I doing to open myself to find abundance in scarcity and joyful contentment as I bear the cross?”

The Blessing of a Book

Joe Tiedemann — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:04:58 +0000

I have read a lot of books recently. Some have impacted me more than others, like The Moneyless Man. Yet, the book that I am just finishing up has struck me in a profound way. If it wasn’t for the profound spiritual impact it is having on my life, I might describe it as a book that was written by a Christian mom for women. I probably wouldn’t enjoy it much because many of the illustrations were more traditionally feminine and motherly. At times, I failed to think of this book being written in within the last couple of years because the illustrations remind me of more what I would consider a typical scenario from the 1930-40s. Growing up in NJ, the farm house scenario just is something that strikes me of oldish and not today, until a reference of modern technology or something of that sort.

Yet, I have been profoundly moved and spiritually impacted by the book One Thousand Gift by Ann Voskamp. I can’t say enough about the detailed illustrations that all help the read to look for grace in every moment. I am greatly appreciative and challenged by her humble boldness in asking the tougher questions of life and God. And most of all, I have been changed because of theologically profound, yet intimately practical way she goes about discovering and implementing Eucharist in the everyday moments of life.

If I had one book to recommend from my most recent reading with the potential to impact one’s spiritual life it would be One Thousand Gifts!

Acceptance

Joe Tiedemann — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:14:27 +0000

These days I have been thinking a lot about acceptance. Can you be accepted and oppressed at the same time? Can one create an atmosphere of acceptance? Is it possible to win acceptance for one’s self or does it need to be championed by someone else? Does being accepted do anything for us beyond feeding our own egos? How is acceptance part of community? Is it necessary for building community? How big is the gap between acceptance and trust (or are they two entirely different things)? Does acceptance promote a defeatist attitude?

According to Wikipedia acceptance is a person’s assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it, protest, or exit. The concept is close in meaning to ‘acquiescence’, derived from the Latin ‘acquiēscere’ (to find rest in).^[1]

I find this definition troubling because why is it an assent – maybe it is a decent into the bowels of our human condition? Maybe the acceptance of a higher understanding of what it means to be human or created in the likeness of God or children of God or… is the accent. Who sets the definition for reality. Reality has changed over time. You are reading this because reality has change from a time when wireless communication would have been thought of as witchcraft, yet here I sit – plugged into the wall for electricity and connected to the internet wirelessly (not being hunted to be burned at the stake, at least not for my wireless network).

What is reality? Who defines it? Why is it important to acceptance? Jesus had problems with acceptance. Some loved him and some not-so-much. A studious person once approached Jesus and asked him, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV)

What does law have to do with acceptance? I think a better question might be, what does our acceptance of who or what is our object of worship (or highest ideals) shape our laws and understanding?

Maybe that was Jesus point… if I love a benevolent, community building, all-loving God with all I am, then I would know at an ever-deepening level, the extent of who I am and how much I am loved. In that, I would be able to love neighbor as self with a fearless acceptance of who they are and who they are becoming.

Acceptance is not about scarcity, diminishing returns, finite resources and fear – acceptance is about limitless living in a world designed abundantly open, free and loving.

What are your thoughts?

Passions

Joe Tiedemann — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:13:42 +0000

What are you passionate about? Has it changed over the years? Has your passionate endeavors worked within the framework or your life or required a life-change?

Recently, my journey of life has been leading me to rediscovery. Maybe you’ve been on a similar journey – everything is good (work, family, spiritually, etc.) yet for some reason it seems time to take a new step in some new direction. I have tried revisiting older patterns that have fallen away or I have grown through. I have examined where I am and found that I am very satisfied. At some level I think my children are causing me to look more closely at what matters. Each one is at a different place in life.

I often wonder about Samuel Wesley (the father of John and Charles Wesley); what did he struggle with; what did he do to balance life and work; what were his passions and dreams; how did he pursue them?

Anyway, I am not sensing a life-changer as much as some new step within the current framework of life. Maybe it is a D.Min.; maybe a new sport; maybe a new mission project. One thing I pray is that God continue to guide me and lead me to this new place.

Let me know, what are you passionate about? Has it changed over the years? Has your passionate endeavors worked within the framework or your life or required a life-change?