“We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine . . . but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way …” Ephesians 4:14-15. I’ve been thinking about this admonition in Ephesians and its application to the current church situation. My guess is that the average lay person does not have the resources necessary to respond to the various issues that buffet the church. When thinking about an issue, it doesn’t automatically occur to them that some of their basic doctrines of the faith can provide them a framework from which to think about these issues.
At least part of the problem is that we as clergy don’t explicitly name the doctrines that undergird our own attempts to address our society. Yesterday I suggested that you take a note book and note your various experiences throughout the day, large and small, and begin to identify how some of our basic doctrines of faith might provide us a perspective from which to think about these experiences.
Today I want to suggest that you invite three or four colleagues for a breakfast or lunch but with the clear intention of playing a theological game. The game can go in one of two directions but is intended to connect theological truths with lived experiences. One approach is that someone in the group will name an event in society and the others will respond by suggesting some of the theological doctrines that may guide our response to such a situation. The other way to play the game is to go in the opposite direction. That is, someone will name a doctrine and others will suggest life experiences to which such a doctrine might apply. Either way, the group should have fun with the game and be willing to make some exaggerated or fanciful connections. The reason for that is that sometimes when we begin in too serious a mode, we miss some insightful connections that can be made.
Tomorrow I will suggest some beginning connections between doctrine and life experiences. As you play the game, I think you will also find some rich resources for preaching as well as the nurture of your own spiritual life.
