blink, blink
June: "So this is a group from several churches in town, some will order beer, some won't."
Zach: "...." blink, blink.
James: "Hi, I'm James, I'll have the Brewer's Cut from Real Ale."
Zach caught on quickly, but there was definitely a pause of confusion when June Pettit, owner of Beaches, explained why the Presbyterian and Episcopalian ministers were gathering people on the porch. We've adopted the name Theology on Tap for our gathering. And part of our discussion is actually about the "tap." I brew beer, and Reverend Bob enjoys learning about, and tasting good beer. The idea is to talk some about beer, brewing, etc., and then to share questions and insights about God (that's the Theology part.)
Last week, while we asked some deep questions (who goes to heaven, and all that), it was boring in that Bob and I agreed. We hoped to have some different perspectives on things to provide some options for others to agree with or disagree with, or to offer other ideas. This week we got to offer different perspectives because we explored (at the prompting of the gathering) denominational differences.
As we shifted from the conversation about the variety of beer styles and their origins to the variety of denominations and their origins, I couldn't help but ponder the connection. Different styles of beers, in their histories, point to the local resources available. Consider the English Pale Ale, or the German Heffewisen. The water, yeast, hops, and grains available in a region shape the expression of the beer. Perhaps there is a similar shaping as the Holy Spirit moved to draw out blessed features of a variety of cultures as the church spread and found new expression, and renewed expression through the generations. Now, I can go to a local brew store and brew either a Heffe or a Pale. And I can live on a barrier island in Texas and go to variety of churches.
An emerging reality in the Church today is interest in exploring the truths of the Gospel carried by our many traditions. People from evangelical backgrounds are exploring the Book of Common Prayer and other liturgical resources; And Episcopalians are digging into the Bible (even the part that isn't quoted in our liturgies!)
In the midst of this is an awareness that the Holy Spirit moves in different denominations in different ways, and paying attention to that can allow us to share our gifts and discover even more about our relationship with God. There's also something to exploring the unique expression of any church in any place--that can lead to a variety of new questions about denominations going from it's original location to new locations, as the Colonial English Church was carried around the world. Or questions about how to balance the inherited traditions with the new thing the Spirit is doing in any local expression of church.
Of course, you don't have to drink beer to ponder those questions, but I'm thankful to June and Zach, and those who gathered yesterday to help me to reflect on the Holy Spirit's work in the Church over a pint; even though it can be a bit confusing to see the Church moving out into the world.
Zach: "...." blink, blink.
James: "Hi, I'm James, I'll have the Brewer's Cut from Real Ale."
Zach caught on quickly, but there was definitely a pause of confusion when June Pettit, owner of Beaches, explained why the Presbyterian and Episcopalian ministers were gathering people on the porch. We've adopted the name Theology on Tap for our gathering. And part of our discussion is actually about the "tap." I brew beer, and Reverend Bob enjoys learning about, and tasting good beer. The idea is to talk some about beer, brewing, etc., and then to share questions and insights about God (that's the Theology part.)
Last week, while we asked some deep questions (who goes to heaven, and all that), it was boring in that Bob and I agreed. We hoped to have some different perspectives on things to provide some options for others to agree with or disagree with, or to offer other ideas. This week we got to offer different perspectives because we explored (at the prompting of the gathering) denominational differences.
An emerging reality in the Church today is interest in exploring the truths of the Gospel carried by our many traditions. People from evangelical backgrounds are exploring the Book of Common Prayer and other liturgical resources; And Episcopalians are digging into the Bible (even the part that isn't quoted in our liturgies!)
In the midst of this is an awareness that the Holy Spirit moves in different denominations in different ways, and paying attention to that can allow us to share our gifts and discover even more about our relationship with God. There's also something to exploring the unique expression of any church in any place--that can lead to a variety of new questions about denominations going from it's original location to new locations, as the Colonial English Church was carried around the world. Or questions about how to balance the inherited traditions with the new thing the Spirit is doing in any local expression of church.
Of course, you don't have to drink beer to ponder those questions, but I'm thankful to June and Zach, and those who gathered yesterday to help me to reflect on the Holy Spirit's work in the Church over a pint; even though it can be a bit confusing to see the Church moving out into the world.
Comments
Post a Comment