[Oe List ...] Salmon: reply to the Bishops

[William Salmon]

Bishops et al!
    Your comment concerning the clergy piqued my interest, and I can sympathize with such pastoral views that their congregation could be upset applying the principles of "Progressive Theology." The majority of congregations are not Christian by the definition that, "The church is what the church does." If it ain't pushing At-One-Ment it ain't a Christian Church. I affirm that Niebuhr would love this. Most pastors are concerned about their industrial position, and most congregations are interested in the status quo. 
    Didn't we learn something about living in the tension between appearing like "The Establishment," or like "The Dis-Establishment." What is called for is for people to live like the "Trans-Establishment" that is able to call into question the irresponsibility of the Establishment to keep creative and the Dis-Establishment for their ineffective interest in keeping the doors open and the bills paid.  
    The chief lesson I've learned is that most pastors are no further along in Christian maturity than their laity. Our professional schools have done a lousy job in helping pastors to ground their theology, provided the schools can call it Christian theology at all. Consequently, to ask either a layperson or a pastor to define what they mean by God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Church, Blood of Jesus, or whatever, they all have equal amounts of difficulty.
    The answer is so rudimentary. Simply ask, "Tell me how you EXPERIENCE God, Christ, Holy Spirit, etc." Immediately this question moves the conversation from a Head Trip Analysis to a Gut Trip Analysis. A person can reply, 
    "God is experienced as love."             
    "Alright, tell me the last time you were loved?" 
    "Well, it was when my spouse forgave me for being a damned fool." 
    Now everyone knows the experience of being a fool. Note that the conversation has moved from a Head Trip Analysis to a Gut Trip Analysis.This works every time, just refuse to dwell in a Head Trip conversation by gently pushing to the experiential. This conversation technique works with any and all kinds of people; it works with those who are Christian, non-Christian, other worldly/spiritual people, fundys, Pentecostals, as well as atheists; yes, and even we United Methodists. 
    There is nothing controversial about it, and most Christians will appreciate it because it appears to support their theological positions. Rather, what is happening it takes a person where they are found on the theological spectrum and helps them identify the human/humane experience. "Don't tell me WHAT YOU KNOW. Instead, tell me HOW YOU EXPERIENCE IT!"
    Concerning Social Issues: "Help each one you meet to make a new decision." The ethical model for Christians is WWJD, and WWNS or "What Would Niebuhr Say?"
      I can wax eloquent on the need to live the surrendered life fulfilling our intended creation living as humane and gracious people working for justice and mercy. At this time, I won't wax.  
      What do you think? Usually when I do this with OE I open a can of worms. But, what the hell, ain't I a Salmon, and you know what Salmon do when they swim upstream. I say this just to egg you on, and you can't sperm out of it. Oh, come on!
    Inner peas, 
    Bill  
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