Most of us when we hear someone talented play the piano well have a part of us that wishes that we could play as well. Some of us have even gone so far as to take a few lessons. In very few cases an individual will continue and actually become proficient. Most of us however, end up stopping after a few months and only recall the experience in conversation as we casually remark "oh yes I studied piano once as well." Playing any musical instrument takes practice. It is not something you can learn and then forget about until you want to play. The missing element for most of us is not ability, it is the willingness to practice. Even a concert pianist, or maybe I should say especially and concert pianist has to spend many hours, every day to be able to play like they do. Most of us want to be able to play well but we don't want to spent the time practicing that is necessary.

A lot of people in our culture, especially those of us who attend church also want a deep spirituality. We want a meaningful relationship with God. Just like the learning to play the piano though relationships take time. we want to be able to create the music without the faltering notes and long hours of practice. The common theme here is discipline. Both music and spirituality take a lot of discipline for us to become proficient. Many might argue that spirituality is different because God is involved but the truth is because God is very different from us that it actually harder. I am aware that God is our creator but as odd as it might seem communicating with our creator on our own is like learning a new language with no translator. Luther himself tells us that God is unknown and alien.

So where do we begin? It is important to realize that this is not just and individual problem. It is a problem that is common in churches throughout our nation. Whole denominations are realizing that the churches whose members place a high value on Bible study and spiritual development thrive while others have a tendency to slowly fade into oblivion. We need to be honest with ourselves and admit addressing this issue will take more than a Sunday Morning commitment.

The ELCA has started a nation wide program they call the Book of Faith Initiative. "The Book of Faith initiative invites the whole church to become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered and  sent by the Word."

This movement acknowledges that the Bible is the written Word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit is able to nurture our faith and teach us the language of faith we need to have the deep spirituality that so many people are desperately seeking. It is only when we begin to understand the language of faith that we realize that Jesus has invited us into a relationship with God that both makes demands on our lives and promises us life in Christ. It is only at that point that we begin to be "renewed, enlivened, and empowered as the language of Scripture forms our hearts, our minds, our community conversation, and our commitments."

Beginning this fall at Resurrection I would like us to consider we need to do recommit ourselves the becoming more proficient in the language of faith, increasing the time we spend in Bible study and prayer. Here are some general question for each of us to consider as we begin our conversation. Be honest with yourself and God... it is not a test but it may be a beginning.

How does the Bible feed your daily life?

How does the Bible feed the life of our faith community?

How are we renewed, empowered, and enlivened by the Word?

What stands in the way of our opening the Bible and joining the conversation

If you want to explore this more I got a lot of this information at http://www.bookoffaith.org. There is also written material that we can explore together. A lot of times programs like this are things pastors gets excited about and everybody listens politely until they stop talking. I have been excited about the "Book of Faith" for many years, immersing myself in it and trying to guide my life by the Spirit it nurtures within me. IT is not a particular program or initiative that is important it is a group of people finally beginning to be able to hear and understand the God that created them. For only at this point does the Body of Christ become a reality in a community.

The real commitment here is "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.( Ephesians 6:10) Talk to one another about ways that we can work together to learn this language of faith, talk to the Pastor and staff. A couple of people making this commitment to seek God and God's will make a little difference like a trickle of water in a parched land. A whole community making this kind of a commitment though will be like a river of living water bringing Good News, being the Body of Christ in a place where the light is sorely needed.

Pastor Jim Bliss
September 2009