Today I compare and contrast the luminosity and generosity of the world's greatest religion with the normal way of doing business in the country supposedly Christianity's greatest exponent -- the United States.
Recently, I read a poem which describes what a Christian life should be like. Here is the poem:
Salvation is:
liberation from evil,
the defeat of the devil,
the transfiguration of man,
living authentically,
putting on Christ,
the restoration of the image of God in man,
participating in the life of God,
restoration of communion with God,
incorruption,
receiving the Holy Spirit,
becoming temples of the Holy Spirit,
forgiveness of sins,
ascending to the throne of God,
participating in the kingdom of God,
being by grace what God is by nature,
the destruction of death,
seeing the light,
being in a process of growth that never ends,
living life the way God meant it to be.*
I doubt there has ever been a more succinct description of the Christian life or salvation.
Compare what is being said here to the way business is done in America or any other place. How close do the men and women of Wall Street come to this description? Not only are they not close, they are not even in the same world. And, of course, this question can be asked of those all across America as self-centered greed can be found everywhere. By no means do I exempt myself totally from such feelings.
It is not too much to hope that in coming years, the way of doing business so common for so long can be reformed. But let us be clear about just what is wrong and what our goals are. The poem above can be a start as we go through the Christmas period.
* from Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life by Anthony M. Coniaris
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Capitalism: A Fright Story
Last evening I had the privilege of watching Capitalism: A Love Story courtesy of my friend, a theater manager. There is more to say about this film than I have time here. But first I can certainly recommend this film to anyone. While there are criticisms which can be made here and there, the main message of the film is so important and so compelling as to counterbalance any flaws. And the several references to Christianity are quite effective. Very often the Bible has been used to support capitalism, which is crazy when you think about it. Here, bishops of the church speak against capitalism in a forceful way.
I was surprised by how serious the film was, although I shouldn't have been given the subject matter. There was the famous Michael Moore humor in evidence, but there were long stretches of non-uplifting depictions of people in trouble.
Yet, is not this exactly what we need to counter propaganda resurgent in this country? There is a message that the crisis is over, the stock market is "rebounding" and so forth. We have heard all this blather before. Remember, it was just at the time we were told the economy was "sound" and "robust" that the most serious crimes of speculation and exploitation were occurring.
To summarize, the new Moore film is engaging, engrossing, and ultimately -- yes! -- inspiring. You will be glad you went.
I was surprised by how serious the film was, although I shouldn't have been given the subject matter. There was the famous Michael Moore humor in evidence, but there were long stretches of non-uplifting depictions of people in trouble.
Yet, is not this exactly what we need to counter propaganda resurgent in this country? There is a message that the crisis is over, the stock market is "rebounding" and so forth. We have heard all this blather before. Remember, it was just at the time we were told the economy was "sound" and "robust" that the most serious crimes of speculation and exploitation were occurring.
To summarize, the new Moore film is engaging, engrossing, and ultimately -- yes! -- inspiring. You will be glad you went.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Resuming
Unfortunately, various duties have kept me away from this blog in recent months. However, I have been thinking about the blog and what is most appropriate to write about next.
The Protestant church continues in a certain state of confusion and even turmoil in many ways, with continuing slow declines in membership and participation in many places. This decline, naturally, affects music, and usually not for the better.
In conversations with friends I am developing ideas about how to support musicians in a time of crisis. I hope to have more to say about this in the relatively near future.
All the best,
The Concerned Church Musician
The Protestant church continues in a certain state of confusion and even turmoil in many ways, with continuing slow declines in membership and participation in many places. This decline, naturally, affects music, and usually not for the better.
In conversations with friends I am developing ideas about how to support musicians in a time of crisis. I hope to have more to say about this in the relatively near future.
All the best,
The Concerned Church Musician
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Toward a New Status for the Church Musician
This post will be only a beginning in what I intend as an on-going discussion of the status of the church musician in America. As the days and weeks and months go on I intend to flesh out certain proposals for an improvement in the status and treatment of church musicians.
Church musicians are doubtless some of the most underpaid professionals in America. There are many reasons for this. Chief among them are two: 1) There is a history of giving one's time to the church with no charge. This spills over into the field of church music. 2) Many if not most church musicians contain no degree in music and skill levels vary widely.
With this kind of history plus the doctrine of separation of church and state which prevents many fair labor laws from being applied in religious institutions, it is not hard to see how church musicians are under-compensated and have such poor benefit packages (if any).
With the coming to be of a new administration in Washington I believe it is time to apply a new philosophy to the plight of the local church musician. Accordingly, I propose the following:
1. There needs to be a formal section within the American Federation of Musicians devoted to church music. This is due to the special nature of the field. Alternatively, a special church musicians union could be established. Such a section or union could develop new programs of support for the church musician and could effect collective bargaining agreements within every city. Such a section or union could begin to develop minimum standards for the church musician in the areas of musical and theological training.
2. To continue: A church musicians department could, through force of numbers, begin to exert a positive influence on the hiring of church musicians in an area. Lists of cooperating churches could be built up and promulgated. Churches would be assured of musicians with at least a minimal level of training, particularly in the area of theology, an area of training deficient in nearly every school of music in America. Churches would also have access to affordable means of continuing education.
3. These musicians' leagues, sections, or unions could get their funding from dues and possibly foundation support. It can be considered whether the churches themselves could contribute directly or whether it would be best to disallow this.
4. Normal job benefits could be paid to the church musician through this union of church musicians in the event the church is unable to pay. Eventually, the government should provide for such benefits as is now done in virtually every western European country.
**************
As will be seen, the suggestions above all relate to a new union of musicians. Serious thought must be given to whether the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), affiliated as it is with the AFL-CIO, is the best vehicle. Unfortunately, at the present time there is no existing musicians' league or guild outside of the AFM which has sufficient clout to protect the interests of both church musicians and the religious institutions for which they work.
Much more can be said about this subject. But clearly, if ever there was a time for major change, what with all the on-going job insecurity, it is now. Responsible comments are most welcome.
(c) 2009 by The Concerned Church Musician
Church musicians are doubtless some of the most underpaid professionals in America. There are many reasons for this. Chief among them are two: 1) There is a history of giving one's time to the church with no charge. This spills over into the field of church music. 2) Many if not most church musicians contain no degree in music and skill levels vary widely.
With this kind of history plus the doctrine of separation of church and state which prevents many fair labor laws from being applied in religious institutions, it is not hard to see how church musicians are under-compensated and have such poor benefit packages (if any).
With the coming to be of a new administration in Washington I believe it is time to apply a new philosophy to the plight of the local church musician. Accordingly, I propose the following:
1. There needs to be a formal section within the American Federation of Musicians devoted to church music. This is due to the special nature of the field. Alternatively, a special church musicians union could be established. Such a section or union could develop new programs of support for the church musician and could effect collective bargaining agreements within every city. Such a section or union could begin to develop minimum standards for the church musician in the areas of musical and theological training.
2. To continue: A church musicians department could, through force of numbers, begin to exert a positive influence on the hiring of church musicians in an area. Lists of cooperating churches could be built up and promulgated. Churches would be assured of musicians with at least a minimal level of training, particularly in the area of theology, an area of training deficient in nearly every school of music in America. Churches would also have access to affordable means of continuing education.
3. These musicians' leagues, sections, or unions could get their funding from dues and possibly foundation support. It can be considered whether the churches themselves could contribute directly or whether it would be best to disallow this.
4. Normal job benefits could be paid to the church musician through this union of church musicians in the event the church is unable to pay. Eventually, the government should provide for such benefits as is now done in virtually every western European country.
**************
As will be seen, the suggestions above all relate to a new union of musicians. Serious thought must be given to whether the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), affiliated as it is with the AFL-CIO, is the best vehicle. Unfortunately, at the present time there is no existing musicians' league or guild outside of the AFM which has sufficient clout to protect the interests of both church musicians and the religious institutions for which they work.
Much more can be said about this subject. But clearly, if ever there was a time for major change, what with all the on-going job insecurity, it is now. Responsible comments are most welcome.
(c) 2009 by The Concerned Church Musician
Monday, February 9, 2009
Capitalism Opposed to Christian Mores
The article referenced below is short and winsome -- and useful. In fact, as far as it goes it is one of the most useful articles I have read.
Those who know me know I am not a proponent of state socialism. But my friends and readers know I am an opponent of capitalism. The article below gives important reasons why a person should be against capitalism or the profit system. And my friends also know that what I favor is an American version of the Scandinavian model of a mixed economy. This article urges us to think deeper -- to put economic functioning in its proper place as a servant of humanity, instead of the driving force of society. It juxtaposes an economic model driven by selfishness as against the ideal society where justice for others is equal to justice to oneself. As such, Christianity, in its purpose, is opposed to the profit system in its purpose.
The turmoil of now is creating terrific havoc in communities and lives. Others have rightly pointed out the hidden source of this havoc -- the desire of certain persons with power to make sure their wealth is protected at all costs, including national sovereignty and personal security. The Christ of the money-changers would be opposed to this avaricious society which has been created. The stones indeed are crying out. That which is fundamentally opposed to justice cannot forever stand. Thus the collapse of capitalism should be welcomed and celebrated. The link below gives two important further resources.
http://www.truthout.org/020909E
Those who know me know I am not a proponent of state socialism. But my friends and readers know I am an opponent of capitalism. The article below gives important reasons why a person should be against capitalism or the profit system. And my friends also know that what I favor is an American version of the Scandinavian model of a mixed economy. This article urges us to think deeper -- to put economic functioning in its proper place as a servant of humanity, instead of the driving force of society. It juxtaposes an economic model driven by selfishness as against the ideal society where justice for others is equal to justice to oneself. As such, Christianity, in its purpose, is opposed to the profit system in its purpose.
The turmoil of now is creating terrific havoc in communities and lives. Others have rightly pointed out the hidden source of this havoc -- the desire of certain persons with power to make sure their wealth is protected at all costs, including national sovereignty and personal security. The Christ of the money-changers would be opposed to this avaricious society which has been created. The stones indeed are crying out. That which is fundamentally opposed to justice cannot forever stand. Thus the collapse of capitalism should be welcomed and celebrated. The link below gives two important further resources.
http://www.truthout.org/020909E
Monday, January 12, 2009
Cathedral Crystal Clouded
Today I have been up-dating myself on the situation at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. While quite a bit has been written about recent events there, much of what appears on line is speculative, even wild. The article referenced below seems to be pretty well-written and essentially accurate.
One speaker has said that the main reason for the departure of Robert A. Schuller from The Hour of Power was simply that he did not want to be one of several rotating preachers. The speaker indicated that there really was nothing more to the matter. Somehow this rings true, although it is hard to say for sure.
Although feeling Robert H. Schuller's philosophy was incomplete, I have found much good in it and have personally benefited in important ways several times in my life. For this I am grateful to him. And I have long respected his original commitment to quality music, though in recent years, he seems oblivious to the fact that quality includes quality of composition as well as performance. Not always has the music presented (especially by singers) been of superior quality.
Because of the place of this ministry in our national religious life, it is important to get the facts -- something which has not been easy to do. It is important not to become hysterical or to jump to conclusions. For now, it seems there may have been simply a difference of opinion, though one surmises there may be many details leading up to this change of personnel. The article gives some of the basic facts.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/27/local/me-schuller27
One speaker has said that the main reason for the departure of Robert A. Schuller from The Hour of Power was simply that he did not want to be one of several rotating preachers. The speaker indicated that there really was nothing more to the matter. Somehow this rings true, although it is hard to say for sure.
Although feeling Robert H. Schuller's philosophy was incomplete, I have found much good in it and have personally benefited in important ways several times in my life. For this I am grateful to him. And I have long respected his original commitment to quality music, though in recent years, he seems oblivious to the fact that quality includes quality of composition as well as performance. Not always has the music presented (especially by singers) been of superior quality.
Because of the place of this ministry in our national religious life, it is important to get the facts -- something which has not been easy to do. It is important not to become hysterical or to jump to conclusions. For now, it seems there may have been simply a difference of opinion, though one surmises there may be many details leading up to this change of personnel. The article gives some of the basic facts.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/27/local/me-schuller27
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