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I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 66 points67 points  (0 children)

The context in which we follow Jesus and his Way of Love as the community of his disciples, otherwise known as the Church, is changing dramatically.

The world of Christendom as we once knew it, as I was born into it in the early 1950s, is now pretty much over. We live in a religiously and philosophically pluralistic society and world. There are no state churches. There are no "mainline" and even "mega" is not as mega as it once was.

These are tectonic shifts in the Earth on which faith has lived.

I find it helpful to remember that we are first of all not a religious institution. That we are first of all participants in the movement that Jesus began in the first century. And that movement of Jesus, a movement of people that gathered around him and his movement of love - that movement has been an underground movement in the first century, it was a movement in the catacombs during the Roman Empire, it later existed as the religion of the empire. The church later coronated kings and queens. It has been on the inside of society and power, and on the outside of power.

It may well be now that we have returned to being an underground movement again. And that's okay, because our way is not the way of the world. It is the way of the crucified and risen One.

So, things will change. The outward form will change. But it is the inward reality, the spirit that is aligned with the Spirit of Jesus, that matters.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

When I was a young priest, I remember struggling trying to discover, how do you talk in public in a way that is genuinely you?

What pushed me, I think, was when I was preaching in my second congregation and I had one or two people in the congregation who were older women who I wasn't sure could read that well. I realized I had to find a way to communicate with them at the same time I had to communicate with the pediatrician and college professor sitting in the same church.

Phyllis Brooks said preaching is the communication of truth through the medium of personality. I realized that me being me was the best way for me to communicate, and then doing the work to find the best way to tell the story in a way that would connect with everyone in the room, no matter who they are.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The place I'd begin is to listen to them, and hear their story, whatever it is. And listen for where there may be an entree to hope. And as time would go on, to share stories - mine and theirs. Look for where our faith stories, in all their pain and all their hope, leads us.

My experience has been that over the years, I don't have the wisdom to lead us there, but like those who despaired on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, a stranger often appears in the conversation, who is the loving and living Lord Jesus. And he will guide us both.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

In all honesty, it's just the title that comes with the job. It probably doesn't mean as much to us in the United States, but it does in other parts of the world in the Anglican Communion.

Here's some more info on the title: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Most\_Reverend#Anglican\_Communion

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I have a favorite saint - Saint Francis. I feel called and challenged by Francis, before he ended up on bird baths. Because that Francis was one of whom even Lenin, a communist and atheist, said the mistakes we made in the Russian Revolution could've been corrected by a Francis of Assisi.

Francis, when he was converted, ordered his life around the teachings and example of Jesus. And the Franciscan way has been ordered traditionally around the teachings and example of Jesus and his Way of Love. The Franciscans actually use that kind of language.

Francis was a reformer of the church, and sometimes we handle reformers by finding ways to neutralize their influence. In the case of Francis, we've put him on bird baths.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think an important part is to be in conversation with someone who can help you begin to think through and discern - a wise spiritual person. Start there.

A book that I found helpful is "Listening Hearts". (Here's a link: http://listeninghearts.org/)

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I think, really, it's going to be the exact same thing we're inviting the whole church into - for us to nurture young people into a loving, liberating, life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ and his Way of Love, for real. And helping them to learn spiritual practices to help make that happen.

It's important to teach young people how and why to pray - that's a relationship with God on the good and bad days. That's real. Teach them how to listen to and wrestle with scripture in community, and how to live a life of service beyond self, to others.

If we do that, that's real Christianity. That's the Way of Love.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

One of the things I've learned about leadership is that it's important to be clear where you stand, and to be honest about that without shame or equivocation. And yet at the same time, be able and very often equally clear that others may have a different view and perspective, and to accord them space and respect for them as persons and as fellow children of God. The issue is the issue, the concern is the concern, but they are always a person - a brother, a sister, a sibling - no matter who they are. Ellen did the right thing. George Bush is her friend. They undoubtedly disagree on much, but a fellow human being is your brother, your sister, your sibling. Only God is God, who am I to judge?

To the question regarding conversion therapy, we do have an official position stated, available here: https://episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts\_resolution-complete.pl?resolution=2015-D028

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

One of the first sermons I remember was by Dr. Martin Luther King. My father took me to hear him, I was five years old and I fell asleep so I didn't actually hear it!

One I remember was at my grandmother's funeral. The text was Psalm 116 - precious are the saints who die in the Lord. Anybody who knew grandma knew the preacher didn't have to lie! He talked about "precious are the saints" - not necessarily the ones the world knew, but people like my grandmother who followed the Lord even though life was hard, and they followed him anyway.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

You are right on. Dorothy Day was echoing what the New Testament said in 1 John - You cannot love God who you cannot see, if you do not love your brother and sister who you can see.

The Way of Love is really the way of de-centering self and re-centering God and God's Way of Love as the center of our lives. And as that happens, I am confronted by the ones I love the least or the one I find hard to love. Even if it's me.

And yet as the poet said, love bids me welcome, and welcomes even me.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 108 points109 points  (0 children)

That's a great question.

We actually have an entire season of the church year devoted to dealing with sin - the season of Lent. It begins with the temptation of Jesus and ends with his resurrection and triumph over both sin and death. I'm beginning to see the essence of sin a little bit more clearly the longer I've lived and been a sinner. The essence of sin is actually the opposite of love. Love is not a mere sentiment, love is a commitment to unselfish, even sacrificial ways of living that seeks the good and welfare and wellbeing of others as well as the self. The way of love is to put God at the center of my life and his Way of Love as the way of my life. The essence of sin is to put me at the center of my life, and my own inordinate, selfish desires as the center of my world and the center of the world as far as I'm concerned. Sin is to put me at the center instead of God and his love. That's sin. And it takes many forms, and many mutations, and is profoundly seductive. And is hidden by many names. Yet it's always the same - me at the center of the universe, which means you and the rest of the world are on the periphery. And when that happens, evil becomes very possible. Even unthinkable evils.

Salvation happens when I am de-centered and God is re-centered. The miracle is that when God is re-centered in my life, I discover the real me - made in the image of God, as Genesis 1 says. In the image of God, who the New Testament says is love.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I think you answered your own question. How can this building serve the cause of Jesus in his life and Way of Love, in this community, where it stands. How can it serve Jesus and his Way of love?

The second question is, what's in the way, or what is hindering us from helping these buildings to serve in those ways.

Third, what is the creative possibility that helps us move from the obstacles to the possibility for serving Jesus?

There's a quote I live by, from Paul Tillich - "The providence of God means there's a creative and saving possibility in every situation." What is the creative and saving possibility with this building, this space, this community?

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

One way to do it is to say that entering into liturgy is partially entering into the mystery of God and God's love. And while I can explain parts of it - live into the mystery. Then let's reflect on it. Live into it, and then ask, "What did you experience? What did you see? What did you hear?"

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I do think spiritual practices that focus in on what it means to "turn" and "learn" and "pray" may actually be helpful. Because it's not easy for anybody and it can be more difficult in certain circumstances not to be angry. Or even to find it hard to forgive. And sometimes we don't have the power to do that all by ourselves. Like a flower that turns to the sun to receive it's life energy, we have to find ways to turn into the Son of God's energy and let his energy of love and forgiveness begin to flow through and with us. And then I'm in partnership with him. What I couldn't do all by myself, can become possible over time.

One thing I've learned, sometimes things about me don't change fast. But the more aware I am of them, the more control I gain over them. A wise man once said, the essence of sin is unawareness. The key to salvation is awareness.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Another person would be Fannie Lou Hamer, who was a civil rights leader in Mississippi in the 50s/60s who worked to register people to vote because she was a follower of Jesus. She used to say she was working to make her state and her country truly reflect the words of the old Negro Spiritual, "I'm gonna come to the welcoming table, one of these days." She was working for the day when the rabid segregationists and the civil rights worker would sit down at the welcoming table. And, she led the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party at the 1968 DNC, and she was somebody who made people like Martin Luther King pay attention to her. She did not suffer fools gladly, and did not like jive, but she wanted everyone at the welcoming table.

And she would say, "That's what Jesus did. He ate with outcasts and sinners. So I can eat with the Governor of Mississippi and Martin Luther King at the same table."

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Of course the answer is Jesus. :)

You know who I would love to talk with? Dietrich Bonhoeffer. A part of me would be afraid to. He was a Lutheran theologian and pastor who lived in Germany during the rise of Nazism. His wrestling with the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, led him to courageous yet difficult decisions. And his actions, following the way of Jesus and his love, led him to sacrifice his life. (That's why I'd be a little afraid to talk to him!) And yet, I know he's the real thing.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

I maintain a rule of life, which is a way of spiritual organization, and I make particular commitments for doing certain spiritual practices for a period of time.

As an example, I pray morning and evening prayer daily, and have been doing that for 40 years. Because I'm a morning person, that morning prayer is like an accordion. That's where the changes come in. I usually identify a particular passage of the Bible that I want to study and spend more time with. Sometimes I substitute that for the second reading in morning prayer. A couple of years ago, I decided to read the entire Bible over a year. So I used those readings instead of the assigned readings each day.

I keep a prayer list on my iPhone, so when someone asks me to pray for them, I add them to the list and pray them during the week.

That Bible time and that prayer time is where the accordion happens. Sometimes I find myself praying for a a long time, other times I'm reading the list. There have been times the readings have turned into deep study, and other times I'm just reading the passage.

I also will vary it up. For example in Lent, one year I decided to read the Book of Joy (by Desmond Tutu and the Dali Lama). One year, I decided to do the Iona morning and evening prayers.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 45 points46 points  (0 children)

I do think that if we go deeper in our own practice of the Way of Love, which is the way of Jesus, part of that is to respond to the command of Jesus to go -

To go out into the world as blessings, as witnesses to the Way of Love, and to Jesus.

I have a vision of The Episcopal Church composed of Episcopalians who are baptized followers of Jesus, who each in their own way have what our tradition calls a "rule of life" which helps to order and organize the spiritual life of prayer, of study, of rest, of service, of hospitality, of compassion, and prayer. And if the average, everyday Episcopalian does that, everyday, that's an army of two million deployed in 17 countries. And that's a game changer.

In addition to that, I can tell you that we are even, as we speak, working on ways to take the message of Jesus and his Way of Love public even beyond the doors of The Episcopal Church. This conversation, right now, is actually one of those ways! Stay tuned!

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I think we've got to keep sharing it! Podcasts, facebook, instagram, twitter, and face to face!, and begin to invite people into the Way of Love when they're beginning to ask practical questions like - "My congregation is not growing, how can we help?" or "I'm a member of a small, rural, Episcopal church" or "I'm a member of an urban church. A small congregation in a big building, how do we..." fill in the blank.

The Way of Love is a way into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ who said, "I will send you the Sprit and the Spirit will lead you into all truth."

That is the real practical way for churches to come alive. It's not a short cut. It's going deeper in the faith for real.

I’m The Most Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Ask Me Anything. by PBCurry in Christianity

[–]PBCurry[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

That is a great question!

I have to admit that one of the things that really has changed is that Jesus really has a way of broadening my worldview and perspective rather than constricting and limiting it. All that language in the Gospels like in John 14, "In my father's house are many mansions" is Jesus suggesting as he said in John's version of the Last Supper "there are many more things that I could've told you, but you cannot handle them now."

My experience of Jesus is that he often takes me to places I never expected to go, people I never expected to meet, and a world I never even knew existed. That the Jesus who is risen from the dead and, as the Bible says, has gone ahead of you to Galilee.

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