United Church of Two Harbors

Recently a United Methodist pastor from Texas, a well known spiritual advisor to President Bush, endorsed Barack Obama for President. Other pastors have gotten into the endorsement race too, endorsing different candidates. All of which has been fodder for a lot of prayerful thinking on my part.

During the last election cycle several churches got in trouble with the IRS which has threatened to take away their non-profit status over political activity. So I was wondering how these pastors could do this so publicly. The line is kind of a blurry one.

• Pastors may not endorse any candidate or political party from the pulpit or in print in any church publication (using church stationery or in the church newsletter).
• Pastors may, as private citizens, endorse candidates in newspapers, on the sidewalk, in the church parking lot, just not in the pulpit.
• Congregations cannot endorse a candidate or party in any way.
• Churches may hold voter registration drives, as long as they do not endorse any candidate or party.
• Pastors may preach on any issue they wish - social, economic, political.
• Churches may hold forums where candidates are invited to address issues.
• Candidates may be introduced in worship services.
• Churches may be used as polling places.

Now, many of you know that I am a politically aware and involved individual. I even was the campaign manager for a county commission seat a few years ago. I have some strong opinions about political matters, but you won't hear me in church or in the public arena using my clergy status to support any candidate. I just don't think it's wise.

First of all, I'm the pastor of everyone at United and I bet we don't all agree on political matters. I don't want my politics to become a stumbling block. While I am sure we can all agree to disagree agreeably, if I went and endorsed a candidate as a pastor for any political office, local or national, there would be rifts. I just don't see any upside to that.

Second of all, it's really not important. To me the job of being a pastor is not linked to my political identity. Most people when I visit them in the hospital don't care what my political leanings are. They want someone to listen to them and pray with them. I can do that.

Third of all, it's not the area of my expertise. I'm a Bible Scholar and a Spiritual Advisor, not a Political Pundit. I also don't walk onto construction sites and give the contractors there tips on plumbing or electrical wiring. I don't go into your kitchen and tell you how to bake a ham. It's not my forte.

All this said, I think as good citizens we all have political opinions. I don't have to divorce myself from politics. In fact, my faith calls for me to be active in social policy with issues of economic justice, the pursuit of peaceful resolution to conflicts, environmental stewardship, and the just and ethical use of resources. Inasmuch as these are political issues they are also deeply spiritual issues.

So as we go to caucus and expect a good and healthy political debate in the year to come, do not expect me to be wearing a button for any candidate on my stole, but I may be leafleting your house sans collar.

Posted by Lawrence Lee at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was shocked with the recent senseless killing spree of Matthew Murray. I was equally shocked when he encountered resistance at New Life Church in Colorado Springs from an armed security guard. When I heard that I wondered, "What kind of church has an armed security guard on duty?"

New Life Church is a megachurch with thousands of members. It was led, until recently, by the Rev. Ted Haggard who was a major figure in the evangelical movement until he was removed because of allegations of homosexual encounters with a prostitute and drug abuse.

The armed guard was Jeanne Assam, a former police officer from Minneapolis, who was licensed to carry her weapon. She was also, presumably, well trained in firearms safety.

Still, I have to ask, am I the only one troubled by the idea of armed guards at churches? Am I the only one who sees an issue with confronting firepower with firepower as being an odd reading of the gospel?

The media seems to be rushing to praise Assam as a hero whose actions prevented many innocent deaths. Maybe that's so. I can't say. But what does it say about our faith when we have to station armed guards at the doors of our churches?

Perhaps I am naive. But I am not speaking without some experience. I and my family were held up at gunpoint at my church in November 1999. Admittedly, the gunman was not out for blood, he was out for money, which I gladly gave - the four bucks I had in my pocket. I play over that scene over and over again in my mind wondering what I could have done differently or if I should have done anything differently. I also wonder what difference it would make if I had been packing at the time.

In Romans 12 Paul writes, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil... never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God." But, a few verses later, in Romans 13 he writes, "if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain!"

So my soul remains troubled by this story and I hope your spirit will be with my spirit in prayer. Let us pray for those who think violence is the only answer to the problem, whether perpetrator or protector.

Please leave your own comments or thoughts about this.

Posted by Lawrence Lee at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So, what are you having for lunch?

Doesn't sound like an earth shattering question, but the people at the PB&J Campaign think differently. They are encouraging people to eat more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to help slow global warming, save water, and save land from deforestation, overgrazing, and pesticides. This is over other lunch alternatives such as burgers or ham sandwiches or even cheese sandwiches. This is all based on eating lower on the food chain and, thus, having a smaller environmental impact. They run the numbers and it's pretty astounding. And, if you are sick of peanut butter and jelly, they suggest some tasty alternatives.

Also, I have to say, their website layout and design is very tasteful and fun.

So, what are you having for lunch?

Posted by Lawrence Lee at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Minnesota FoodShare, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, has named United Church their Outstanding Congregation for the March Minnesota FoodShare Drive for hosting our second annual Music to Feed the Soul Concert for Hunger Relief this past March. At that concert, in which people from all over the community and many congregations participated, the community raised over $1600 for our local food shelf.

Jerri Swardstrom, Nancy Christensen, and the Missions and Social Concerns committee deserve many thanks for organizing this event.

We were nominated for this honor by Jan Larson of the Two Harbors Food Shelf.

United Church has a tradition of being very active in issues of hunger relief. This past fall we had our umpteenth annual Dinner and Auction for Hunger Relief where we raised $2700 for local, regional, and world hunger relief. Our youth group also volunteers at our regional food bank, as you can see here.

Posted by Lawrence Lee at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)