ideas, resources, and conversation about the joys and struggles of ministry December 2007

Partners in Caring

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska

Outside the Lines

Sometimes it doesn’t work.
Despite all the efforts of social workers, mental health counselors, foster care parents, and various pastors, a young man still took a rifle into an Omaha mall and randomly killed eight people.

And despite frequent church attendance and home schooling parents and missionary training schools, a young man died in the lobby of a church in Colorado Springs after killing four and wounding five.

Those are the startling instances that have captured our attention in recent days.  Inevitably, people begin asking “Why?”  What could have been done to prevent this?  Who failed?  And those of us, who face daily, though fortunately less dramatic indicators of failure know that it is always possibility that someone in our care could be the next one.  Despite our best efforts to love, to care for, to educate, and to practice forgiveness, some people aren’t getting it,   When these things happen, the temptation is to draw back, avoid risks, and to give up on some folks.

It definitely caught my attention when the news reported that “a female security guard” at the church shot the Colorado Springs assailant.  Whoa.  Church ushers with guns?  That was a whole new picture for me.

It seems clear from what has been reported that the guard’s action did indeed prevent a much greater tragedy.  The gunman had arrived in the parking lot of the church carrying an assault rifle, two semi-automatic hand guns, and 1,000 of rounds of ammunition.  Perhaps the security guard was only armed that morning because of what had happened the night before.  Still, the picture of armed security guards at a church bothers me.

Is the lesson to be learned from this we that we need to equip ushers how to identify suspicious looking people? Do we need video cameras to monitor the parking lot?  Do we need metal screening devices?  Do we need to abandon our churches in the inner-city and continue to do church planting only where neighborhoods appear safe?  Do we need more effective ways to identify so called “clergy-killers” and exclude them from membership? 
Perhaps I’m naïve.  I never have liked electronic security systems for congregations.  Figuring out how to keep people out of church (and spending a lot of time and money in the process) rather than investing in ways to bring them in always seemed like misdirected objectives.  Besides, I’m a little bit haunted by the image that the band that came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane was probably made up mostly of the temple security force (This was one of the jobs of the Levites, a job that was taken very seriously.  If one were to fall asleep while on duty, he would be awakened by having his clothes set on fire.)   

But if it is true that we really can’t help some people, shouldn’t we focus our attention on those we can?  Isn’t it a waste of time to try to resolve difficulties with someone who seems bent on being contentious?  Isn’t it about priorities and making judgments about where one is most effective?

This too makes sense, except for another haunting image, that of Mary and Joseph at the inn, being turned away because someone had drawn the line between whom they could help and whom they couldn’t.  Somehow, Jesus always seems to end up outside the lines.

No doubt there are lessons to be learned from this month’s tragedies.  It’s doubtful they could have been prevented.  There are some things that can be done to make people safer.  And reaching beyond the lines may be both risky and necessary.

From a Martin Luther Christmas sermon:

They were praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest.

The joy was so great that the angels could not stay in heaven, but had to break out and tell man on earth.  The angels proclaimed to the shepherds “tidings of great joy.” This is a mighty comfort to us.  What the world despised the angels honored.  They would have had a much bigger celebration if God had allowed them, but he wished to teach us through his Son to despise the pomp of the world.

All the angels in heaven, not one excepted, sang, “Glory to God in the highest.”  What a shame that all men should not preach this word when all the angels in heaven play it on organs and pipes in eternity!  The angels had no bigger congregation than two shepherds in a field.  They were filled with too great joy for words.

Partners in Caring at Lutheran Family Services exists to serve people like you.  It is dependent in part on the contributions of individuals and groups who understand the importance of providing support to those who serve in ministry.  Gifts to Lutheran Family Services can be designated specifically for Partners in Caring so that this ministry can continue.

In Christ's Service,

Roger Kruger
rkruger@lfsneb.org
(402) 978-5670 (direct line and confidential voice mail)

This e-mail newsletter is an endeavor of Partners in Caring, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. I envision it as a way to share ideas, resources, and conversation about the joys and struggles of ministry. I welcome your input. Feel free to pass it on to friends.