I’m preparing for a workshop on sunday at the synod meeting. When i’m preparing a workshop i try to make the practical examples and ideas fit with the lectionary reading for the following Sunday. The workshop is on alternative worship within a mission context – what to do when the church’s traditional ‘them’ becomes the ‘us’ in our worship. it’s a hard topic to do a workshop on, i have to say.

it couldn’t be more fitting, though, that the lectionary readings include Luke 16:19-31 and Amos 6:1-7 – we stand convicted… I’m not sure how i’ll use this yet – if i had a dozen directional speakers i’d set it up as a whispering sound installation…

you are the beggar sitting outside our gate

the awkwardness at the edge of our experience

the provocation that challenges our perception of the world

the discomfort that urges us to action

the anger that confuses our theology

the shadow in the corner of our eye that defies us to deviate from our path

the pain that cripples our indulgence

the melancholy that interferes with the party

the discomfort that disturbs our assuredness

the dream that interrupts our sleep

the grief that halts our play

the sorrow that pervades our celebrations

the anxiety that will not let us be complacent

the silence that confounds our judgement

the void that undermines our confidence

the disruption that will not leave us in peace…