tabletalk

Saying Yes to Vulnerability

One of the things that I like about the Rule of Northumbria is the positive nature of the Rule.  They are not against things, they define themselves as what they are for.  In this long year of political campaigning, one of the things that can get lost is what people are for.  The church in its history has often been seen for what it is against.  Many believe this is all we are about.  Try sometime to write what you are "for" without reference to what you are "against".  It's not easy!

From the Rule:

We are called to intentional, deliberate VULNERABILITY:

We embrace the vulnerability of being teachable expressed in:
a discipline of prayer;
in exposure to Scripture;
a willingness to be accountable to others in ordering our ways and our heart in order to effect change.

We embrace the responsibility of taking the heretical imperative:
by speaking out when necessary or asking awkward questions that will often upset the status quo;
by making relationships the priority, and not reputation.

Yesterday a new friend of mine asked me how I managed a certain aspect of my job and life.  It wasn't a question of information, it was a question that asked if I would be vulnerable enough to reveal the truth of my life.  He was genuinely concerned.  There was a moment when I had to determine my level of vulnerability and answer if he could be trusted.  Since I've been reading this "Rule" I decided I could be honest and vulnerable. 

Many times in the church we shy away from vulnerability, because we believe that those we are with will not receive us if they know us.  Beyond that we shy away from asking of ourselves and each other awkward questions because we're afraid of being rejected out-of-hand. But this is the way to honest relationships.  By avoiding the awkward  question we  avoid being real.  Once again we are a step or two away from the truth of the incarnation.

To be vulnerable to God is much the same.  How much do we pray only what we deem is respectable and not what is honest.  I think this is why so many have recommended and used the Psalms as a prayer book.  Not for the rote nature of the prayers, but the prompting of the Psalmist to be honest and vulnerable before God.  We are good at posturing.  But it is hard to assume the posture of honest penitent. 

The world wants and needs our yes to vulnerability.

Let's unfold more of this in the days to come.

Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No

The Rule of Northumbria as I will call it, has many things I like.  Let me begin with its beginning.  "This is the Rule we will keep: we say YES to AVAILABILITY; we say YES to VULNERABILITY"  The rule goes on to define this more generally and then it allows for room to express what practices the community determines are necessary to keep the rule.  But it is simple and straightforward. 

We say YES to AVAILABILITY.  Yes.  This is certainly the touchstone of the incarnation of the Word of God in Jesus Christ.  God made himself available to humankind. What is Peterson's translation in The Message of John 1 - "The Word became flesh and moved into our neighborhood."  This is what it means to be incarnational, to be available - physically present and accessible.  This is one of the challenges I have to the multi-church concept that would throw a video up instead of a real preacher.  Jesus was really present as we must make ourselves to others.

What does this look like?  A friend told me this story.  She had a medical procedure that was rather invasive.  Though she had spent some time in the hospital it seems that early release is the norm not the exception.  In her case she came home a little early.  Her first night at home she had complications.  She lived alone.  The woman who had brought her home had sincerely but somewhat casually said, "If you have any problems, call me."  That night she was suffering, she called her friend in the wee hours of the morning.  It was not a far drive to get her and take her to the hospital, but it wasn't convenient either.  The friend did it.  The friend stayed,  helped, drove home.  The friend not only said she was available, but in practice was there for her.  This is availability.  Being there.  If you are not present you are not available.

Ministry has an element of presence, of availability.  Good theology generates good practice.  It is the fruit of belief.  How is the fruit of your tree?  Are you available to those God cares about?  Are you available to the One who cares for you?  Woody Allen is appropriately paraphrased here, "80% of life is just showing up."

Next up: Vulnerability.