CHATTERBOX LIST

SEARCH

Nearly every church in the western world is facing the same question: how do we get the younger generations to engage with us and our message? New Church societies are no exception. In fact, this is a question that it seems the General Church has struggled with for a long time. Here we have these incredible teachings that can transform a person's life and alter their view of the world, but how do we get people to listen to them? How do we get them interested?

The traditional way has been through the distribution of books. An “outsider” visits for a wedding or funeral, likes something they heard and we say “Here, have book!” Often we give the books away in the fear that $20 is too large a barrier for a seeker to overcome. This method of evangelization has had its moments of success. Many if not all of us know of somebody who came into or heard about the church by stumbling across one of Swedenborg's books. This has led to us attracting mostly people who are of a more intellectual ilk. Their rational mind sees what they are reading is true, which is great. But what about "normal" people? What about people who don't consider reading 18th century theological literature a fun pastime? How do they find us? How do we react when they do?

To start with, I think we need to remember just how weird we can sound to somebody who is new to our church. We believe the second coming has already happened. Oh, and it occurred in the 1700s...this scientist, well, Swedish mystic, he was really a genius, had this meeting with God himself, and wrote all these books – about 35, depending on your translation – and they reveal our spiritual reality. The creation story? Not literal, neither was Noah and the Ark, but then just after the Tower of Babel story we believe things are historically accurate. Well, except that God didn't actually stop the sun in Joshua, that was the Israelites seeing through their spiritual eyes. But let me tell you about Swedenborg's flying machine! It was better than da Vinci's! Want a book?

It can be a lot to swallow. Especially for a first timer. However, most of our evangelization work has been focused on promoting the Writings of Swedenborg. In my view, this creates a large barrier to entry. Take a look at the New Testament and notice how Jesus called His disciples. How did He introduce himself? He had a similar situation. The Jewish church was the ruling authority, the Romans and Greeks had their influence, and then there was Jesus, a single man with a new message on a mission to save the world. He didn't go up to Matthew and say, “Matthew, I want you to join me. You see, I am the promised Messiah. I'm not what you expected, because I didn't come to literally be a king to shake off the Romans. There's a deeper meaning to my purpose. But look at the prophecies in scripture – see how I am fulfilling them? Listen to the answers I have for the Pharisees and Sadducees! My answers make sense! Don't worry about the letter of Law and Prophets, I'm giving you the New Testament! I need you to change your life – stop being a tax collector, give it all up, and commit yourself to me and it is going to be great.”

Matthew would have likely thought Jesus a madman. Matthew “knew” from the Scriptures that God certainly wasn't somebody we could even be near, much less talk to face to face. So what did Jesus actually say? “[Jesus] saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him” (Matt 9:9) The call was “Follow me.” That's it! That is a very simple calling. There's no sales pitch, justification, explanation in that calling. Jesus doesn't sound anxious as to whether or not Matthew actually will follow. No lesson as to what Jesus' mission is. In fact, in the next verse Jesus is sitting down with Matthew and Matthew's friends having dinner. That is Jesus going where Matthew is comfortable. He's making the concession; Jesus is accommodating Matthew.

I submit that this is a different approach than what is traditionally done in General Church congregations. Asking people to simply follow us and observe who we are as people, that is the first step. It does put the burden on each and every one of us to be an ambassador for the church. We all have to live the teachings so that new people can see that we’re different, and that there is something special going on here. As people follow us, they will also hear our teachings, and my experience is most people do like our theology. They're just usually not going to be successful at appreciating the New Church by reading the Writings to start with.

This is not to say I want us to stop promoting the Writings, but I do think we need to promote the church and our message in more than just our traditional way. There's no reason why we cannot do both. Jesus gave us the model. Let's follow it by encouraging people to follow us. More to come next month...

Rev. Todd Beiswenger (based on a series originally by Andy Stanley)

I’ve had the unique experience of being me for the past 49 years, and overall being me has been a good experience. However, over the years I have learned some things about myself that I thought would be worth sharing here.

Let’s start with some basic stuff…I like baseball, and American football, but am mostly known as a “car guy.” I blame my parents. Not that either of them are actually into cars, but when I was little, Dad was still going through pilot training in the USAF and so what would happen is Mom would put me in her 1970 Ford Maverick and we’d drive all over the country to be with family while Dad was in training. I think being on the road just became a part of me. It’s probably why I always loved watching “The Love Bug,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and other car centric shows of the 80s. Today, I still love a road trip in an interesting car.

When it comes to feeding me, I have simple tastes. I’d be categorized as a “meat and potatoes guy.” I will eat most things though, but am really not a fan of mushrooms. I don’t drink beer, not because I think it’s sinful, but because I’ve just never enjoyed the taste of it. I do enjoy a cold Coke.

But the real point of writing this article is to warn you about one thing: my sense of humour. I find that many people enjoy it, but I also find that this is where I can get myself in trouble with some. Usually, it is simply because they don’t realize that I’m joking, and I get it…I will say something crazy with a completely straight face, so if you don’t know me, and therefore don’t know that I’m joking, and I don’t pick up on the fact that you didn’t catch the joke, then there’s an opportunity for a misunderstanding.

With that in mind, it is probably useful for me to describe my sense of humor a bit. While some people joke around using puns and wordplay, I tend to joke around by making exaggerated statements with the aforementioned straight face. Or I will say something that is funny because it isn’t what is expected to be said. Anyway, I will do my best to be clear when I’m joking, at least at the start, but I will also ask that if you think I’ve said or written something terrible, then I ask you to consider that I was probably just attempting to be funny, even if you think I didn’t succeed at it.

That brings up something else, something a bit more positive. I’m actually pretty good at taking criticism. I’m a big boy, and I promise I won’t cry myself to sleep at night if you tell me you don’t like something I’ve done. I’d rather you tell me instead of silently hating me. We’re all adults here; well, I’m imagining only adults are reading this at least, and so I encourage open communication. I won’t take it personally, I promise. Or, if that’s too uncomfortable for you, tell Jim Cooper, he’s my supervisor, and he can pass it along.

I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you in the weeks and months ahead. Feel free to drop by, or send a text or email.

Todd

The new year has brought both new and familiar faces to our faculty. We are delighted to welcome Madame Cooper back to the French room. Additionally, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting two student teachers from Humber College over the coming months. They began mid-January and will be with us until April.

We would like to thank everyone for their support for our second concert of the year. The students have worked hard to learn the songs. We would also like to thank the hard work of our amazing music teacher, Ms. Sharon Burlacoff, without whom these concerts wouldn’t be possible.

Warm regards,

Emily Crampton

Olivet Church, 279 Burnhamthorpe Rd. Toronto, ON M9B 1Z6 ~ 416-239-3054
Olivet Church email address ~ contact@olivetnewchurch.org ~ FAX 416-239-4935
Pastor, Todd Beiswenger ~ 437-345-8955
Chatterbox editor, Claire Hurd ~ 647-203-5875
Rides to church, Karen Cooper ~ 416-236-0841