More on "deconstruction"....

Here are some more of the thoughts on "deconstruction" from Naked Pastor....

I suppose I should correct #1 from my list of How to Deconstruct Your Church. I should probably say, instead, that you should deconstruct yourself first. I guess this is especially for pastors, but it applies to all of us who want to deconstruct the church so that we can become a genuine community of free individuals. So, here’s a list of how to deconstruct yourself:

1. First of all, you have to really want to. It has to be an inner necessity. You’ve seen the light and you have no choice. You are a fraud exposed. You are going to divest yourself of your false self. Let everyone know that the real you is here to stay (whether they like it or not, fire you or not, desert you or not).
2. Create a small group of people with whom you can open up and really be yourself with. Your leadership team or elders is best, if possible.
3. Keep a journal. It will help you be honest and keep on track. Write even your dreams, which are excellent detectors of what our masks are. Write what people say about you. For instance, my wife said to me once: “When you are more spiritual, you are a worse husband!” I’ve never forgotten that because it exposed that my spirituality at the time was nourishing an arrogance in me.
4. Start letting some of the things you do that are motivated by ambition, rote tradition, competition, or people-pleasing die. Stop doing it. Explain why if necessary.
5. Have people call you by your first name (not pastor, Mr., Reverend, or Father, etc.). Be a real, normal accessible person.
6. Recognize those things about you that aren’t truly you but are attached to your identity as a pastor. Reject them! Example: there are some of your people (and I know some pastors) who have what they think is a biblical view of the authority of a pastor, but is in fact identical to the idea of the “Divine Right of Kings”. Reject it!
7. In your mind and heart, genuinely become one with the people. Party with them. Drink too much with them. This, I think, was one of Martin Luther’s strengths as a reformer. His community was his friends, and they would get together and party and intentionally drink too much to spite the devil.
8. Prepare for rejection. Many religious people want a king. If you aren’t willing to be that for them, they will go and find one. I can’t tell you how many people have left because I was an insufficient leader or none at all.
9. Develop other means of income in case your church shrinks to a size where it is unable to pay you a full salary. Over the last 13 years of my own deconstruction and that of our church, I have taken several pay cuts. I am making much less than I did when I started pastoring this church 13 years ago. Lisa has had to start working, and I am an artist on the side. I’ve done construction and other side projects to keep my family supported. I’ve even received unemployment benefits.
10. Start to seriously question everything, especially your theology and your ideas of what church and ministry is. Let your theology deconstruct, realizing that much of what we are taught and have learned endorses power, authority and control, and is contrary to freedom. Begin to discover what the truth is for yourself. Your search, it is promised, will not go unrewarded.

That’s just a start. I hope this is helpful to some. I’m starting to get some clarity on writing a small book on How to Deconstruct Your Church. Ten easy steps. With some of my more relevant cartoons.

A little more to the US "arm-twisting" rumors.....

La Vanguardia, a spanish news agency, is reporting this....

Zelaya, caught in the Brazilian rat trap, had few options. Diplomats from Tegucigalpa commented to La Vanguardia that Zelaya, of course, knew very well that he was signing a document that was rather unfavorable to him as it left his possible return as president in the hands of the very same Congress that removed him, without setting any time limit despite the closeness of the elections. According to these sources, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America, Thomas Shannon, pressured Zelaya to sign under the threat that if he did not, his son, Hector, who is presently in the U.S., would be prosecuted for drug trafficking.

I will be very surprised if Zelaya is still in Honduras a week from now. I could see a scenario where they allow him to leave the country for good to avoid prosecution, but I don't think he will ever be reinstated.

The Honduras Accord.... and a few thoughts.

I have read a ton of articles stating that the Honduran agreement will reinstate Zelaya to the presidency and this is just not true. The agreement (in point #5) simply says that Congress will decide the issue of Zelaya's restitution. More on this below.

Here is a very basic summary of the Guaymuras Accord, now being called the Tegucigalpa/San Jose Accord. To read the full accord in Spanish, click here. My comments will be in italics. I copied these summary translations from La Gringa's Blogcito. Her comments are in brackets [].

1. Government of Unity and National Reconciliation

This refers to the Secretaries, Sub-secretaries, and heads of other state departments [such as Hondutel and La ENEE]. [This would be similar to the president's cabinet in the US.] It specifically states that these people should be from diverse parties and should be known for their honesty and capabilities. It also requires this new government to respect the 2009 budget approved by congress in July 2009, since Mel Zelaya had never submitted a 2009 budget.

The biggest issue here is that I wonder who it is that is "appointing" these individuals. I must be missing something as it doesn't appear to tell us how or who will decide who is in this Unity Government.

2. Renunciation of Constitutional Assembly

This requires abstention from convoking, directly or indirectly, a constitutional assembly, as well as prohibition of promoting or supporting any public poll with the object of reforming the articles of the constitution "set in stone". This includes making public declarations or exercising any type of influence inconsistent with the spirit of articles 5, 239, 373, and 374, and the special law that regulates Referendum and Plebiscite.

While it is true that no one in any official government position can now call for a Constitutional Assembly, the "resistence" has vowed to continue to call for it and has vowed to continue to upset the status quo in an effort to accomplish that.

3. Elections and Transfer of Government

Makes a call to the Honduran public to participate pacifically in the elections and avoid every type of manifestation that opposes elections or promotes insurrection or illegal acts. Also discusses the TSE authority and the transfer of power on January 27, 2009.

Again, the "resistence" has vowed to boycott and disrupt the election process in their eforts to convene a Constitutional Assembly and upset the status quo.

4. Armed Forces and National Police

As already required by the constitution, control of the Armed Forces was transferred to the Election Tribunal (TSE) until election results are announced [expected to be November 30]. The military are responsible for the custody, transportation, and vigilance of election materials, as well as election security. The National Police are also reminded to strictly follow the special legislation [I assume this means laws related to elections].

5. Executive Power

Both sides have decided that the National Congress, as an expression of popular sovereignty, in consultation with the Supreme Court and in conformation with the law, resolve the issue of the return of the Executive Power to his status previous to June 28, until January 27, 2010. [Note that there is no timetable or deadline for this action. The congress is in recess right now, but could call a special session next week.]

The decision adopted by the Congress should be based on reaching social peace, political tranquility, and democratic government that the society demands and the country needs. [This could be the catch in which the international community could refuse to accept the Congress' decision or refuse to recognize elections − ALBA members and other countries have already said as much in the October 30 OAS meeting. That would, of course, highlight their hypocrisy.]

This is what all the fuss has been about. The reinstatement of Manuel Zelaya. There is a lot going on with this and it certainly is not a decided issue. There is no way to determine what may happen. Congress is officially in recess right now and had no plan to return until the new government was officially in office in January. My understanding is that they can convene a special session and that is what may happen so they can deal with this. I am sure there will be problems with this as many of them are in re-election campaigns and will be busy with those things. The next week should be interesting.

6. Verification and Truth Commissions

Verification Commission will monitor the strict compliance with the Accord. The commission will be coordinated by OAS, and consists of two members of the international community and two Honduran members (one selected by each side).

It has been rumored that the two international members will be Colin Powell (former US Secretary of State) and Ricardo Lagos (former president and member of the Socialist Party of Chile).

It is recommended that the next government establish the Truth Commission in the first 6 months of 2010.

I wonder why they need to delay this? A lot can happen in six months as we have already seen.

7. Normalization of Relations

By promising to comply faithfully with this Accord, it is respectfully asked that the immediate revocation of measures and sanctions that affect Honduras and its participation in the international community.

We call on the international community to reactivate cooperative projects as soon as possible and to continue with negotiations of future projects.

This is exciting as many programs requiring international aid should be back in full operation immediately. The US has already announced they will begin normal relations as far as recognition of Consulates and beginning to issue Visas, etc.

8. Final Dispositions

Any difference in interpretation or application of the Accord will be submitted to the Verification Commission to be determined in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Honduras.

Taking into account that this Accord is the product of Hondurans, we vehemently ask that the international community respect the sovereignty of Honduras and observe the UN Charter principal of no intervention in internal matters of other states.

9. Compliance calendar

The Accord goes into effect immediately on the date of signing.

Oct. 30, 2009:
1. Signing of Accord
2. Submission of the Accord to Congress regarding point 5.

Nov. 2, 2009: Formation of the Verification Commission

No later than Nov. 5, 2009: Formation and installation of the Unity and Reconciliation Government.

Jan. 27, 2010: Celebration of the transfer of government.

First 6 months of 2010: Formation of the Truth Commission

10. Final Declaration

A promise in good faith to comply with the terms of the Accord.

11. Appreciation

[Not worth summarizing. The people being thanked have already congratulated themselves and each other ad nauseam.]

12. Effective date

The agreement is effective the date signed. The formal signing ceremony will be on Monday, November 2 [in which I assume that Roberto Micheletti and Manuel Zelaya will sign the agreement].

Even though there is now an agreement there is still the implementation of it and the willingness of everyone to abide by it. Let's just say I'm not real confident it will go smoothly. There is much that needs to happen and I have the feeling that both sides are still looking to have it turn out the way they want it. The next few weeks leading up to the election will really be interesting. I am quite sure that Micheletti's team was counting on the fact that Congress is in recess and that nothing would happen in regards to Zelaya until after the elections and in a radio interview, Zelaya has already issued threats and ultimatums(google translation) if he is not reinstated by the end of next week.

continued deconstruction thoughts...

All of this sounds VERY familiar..... reminds me of another group I know....

from Naked Pastor

Many people are tired of doing church in the same old way (point A). Some seem to appreciate the way we are doing church here (point B), and wonder how they can get from point A to point B.

First of all, I want to assert that if these people moved here and became a part of our church, they would in soon realize that there is nothing spectacular about it. There is nothing to boast and nothing to reproduce. Like I continually tell people, I spend most of my time deconstructing, preventing things from happening, and resisting success. I am constantly reprimanded for our church being self-sabotaging in that we continually seem to undermine strategies that might guarantee some measure of stability and even growth. Believe me, there are times we would love successful growth with its stability and all that it provides, but when we are at my best, we resist these temptations.

What I can say is that, as a church, we are pretty much stripped bare of goal, vision and agenda. We can say, for the most part, that we don’t coerce, manipulate, or control people. People are free to come and go as they are and as they please. It is a completely voluntary assemblage with no expectations placed upon it. We do not prescribe beliefs or lifestyles. If people come with agendas or some people develop agendas, they don’t seem to last. Their sense of what a church “should be” gets frustrated.

Lisa and I have been married for almost 30 years. We have a rich relationship. If other couples who wanted to have a good relationship came to us to learn how, we could give some pointers. We could even allow them to observe us for a while (within limits). But I’m confident that in time they would start asking, “What’s the big deal?” There’s no magic or tricks or formulas. It’s mostly mundane commitment and tenacious hard work. Same with our church community. There’s no magic, no flash, no tricks, no formulas, no big attraction. Our worship music is raw and unprofessional. The preaching and teaching is unrefined, crude and informal. Our community is made up of a diverse mixture of regular people. We aren’t a big deal.

Therefore, even though you might want to deconstruct your church, it ain’t pretty. However, I think it is worthwhile and even necessary if we are to become more free and more human, and if we want to discover what true community and love is. So, I’m thinking I might blog for a while on how our church has deconstructed over the years. It is a wild and fascinating story, and many feel it is a story that needs to be told. So stay tuned!

OK... this is good...DECONSTRUCTION...

Found this at Naked Pastor

I frequently get emails from pastors wondering how they can get their church from running like a machine to looking like a functional family. They wonder how to get from where they are to where they think my church is (I plan on writing more about that tomorrow, which is a whole other issue). I would call this process the deconstruction of the church. Be mindful that we’ve gotten to where we are today after 12 years and tons of continued disdain, ridicule, opposition and rejection. Anyway, here’s 10 suggestions I’ve quickly strung together for a start:

1. Determine in your heart that you will do all things out of love, compassion and patience.
2. Make sure this is what you want no matter what the cost (because often the cost is high).
3. Are there any leaders or elders who are in agreement with you and will endure with you for the long haul?
4. Start speaking honestly about what you are feeling and thinking. Begin with your closest group and move out to the whole community.
5. Allow people to see you at your weakest. Then allow them to reveal themselves at their weakest.
6. Let things die that require coercion, manipulation, begging or controlling others in order to live and continue on.
7. Welcome diversity in belief, thought and lifestyle (they are already diverse, you are just welcoming its open expression).
8. Change the teaching/ preaching time to a shorter teaching time with discussion following. This is scary at first, but you’ll get used to it and eventually prefer it. This levels the playing field really fast.
9. Challenge only those who are judging, abusing, and controlling others.
10. If people decide this is not for them, bless them as they go (because they will eventually go).

Maybe tomorrow I’ll post about why I find such requests on how to do this rather bizarre. It’s been a difficult road that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Unless, of course, this is what they really, really want.

Honduras has an agreement!!!

I just got home and read the news that the delegations have signed an agreement to end the political crisis in Honduras. Here are the basics points in the agreement...

1-- The creation of a government of unity and national reconciliation

2-- Rejection of amnesty for political crimes, and delay of criminal prosecutions.

3--Renouncing the convening of a National Constituent Assembly or the reform of the Constitution in its irreformable constitutional articles.

4-- Recognition and support for the general elections and the succession of Government.

5-- The transfer of authority over the Armed Forces to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal

6-- The creation of a commission of verification to ensure compliance with the points of the accord.

7-- The formation of a commission of truth to investigate the events before, during, and after the 28th of June of 2009.

8-- Request of the international community the normalization of international relations with our country.

9-- Support a proposal that permits a vote in the National Congress with a previous opinion by the Supreme Court of Justice to return all the Executive Power back to before the 28th of June.

Word is that the "non-interfering" visit of Thomas Shannon and the others from the US State Department (you can read some of the reports (rumors?) here) was basically an arm-twisting that said "come to an agreement or else!"

The final point (#9) means that the restitution of Manuel Zelaya is now in the hands of the Honduran Congress and all have agreed to accept whatever they decide. Apparently this agreement (point #8) means that the US, UN and others have agreed to immediately restore all relationships with Honduras to the way they were before June 28, when all this started. That includes recognition of Micheletti as legitimate, all aid restored, restoration of visas, recognition of Honduran Consulate appointees (as appointed by Micheletti), etc.

The "resistence" has not accepted this agreement and are continuing to vow for a disruption of the elections and an insistence on convening a constitutional assembly to rewrite the constitution. The problem for them is that they are, for the moment at least, irrelevant to the agreement.

grace and peace

Possible agreement? Believe it when it becomes reality...

There has been very little news since the dialogue broke down at the end of last week, but things have heated up over the last couple days. Yesterday, three representatives from the US State Department arrived including Thomas Shannon, the head of Latin American affairs. Word is that they have come to "encourage" a return to dialogue. They were to have met with both Zelaya and Micheletti yesterday. It has also been reported that Hillary Clinton talked to both Zelaya and Micheletti by phone earlier this week encouraging them to reach an agreemant.

It was reported that the Micheletti team has agreed to allow Congress to make the call on Zelaya's restitution to power (a reversal from last week and in agreement with Zelaya's desires) with the caveat that the decision is done after hearing the constitutional opinions of the Supreme Court. They announced yesterday that they were ready to sign the agreement. No word from Zelaya's team as to whether they accept the new proposal.

We were grateful last week to have some visitors from Mitchell, Indiana. Five traveled here to complete some projects that had been intended for a trip this past summer, but because of the political unrest, were unable to be completed. They installed water purification systems at two children's homes and built three houses during their 6 day trip. It was a blast having them here.

Grace and peace