MBCC Blog

Mission Trip? Let's chat during dinner on Nov 8

It seems like everyone is talking about the recession - it has usurped the weather as the "safe" small talk topic, and balloons from there.  Certainly we have all adjusted our thinking, spending, budgeting, etc.  My husband and I were faced with a new city (SF) which has nearly double the cost of living as our old city (Memphis) coupled with several months of my unemployment.  This prompted us to adjust our lifestyle: less eating out, cutting out a home phone, no new clothes, no vacation....

But, in addition to adjusting our wallets, I think the current economic state can also help us realign our priorities.  Many non-profits have taken a serious beating over the past 18 months with less money coming in as people are faced with reduced income as well as less volunteer hours as people are picking up second or even third jobs.  For those of us who can make either the time or the money, there is much work to be done in our neighborhoods, our country, and our world.

MBCC already has a great opportunity for volunteer work and giving through the Excelsior Community Food Pantry.  I would like to also gauge the interest on another: a mission trip.  Why a mission trip when there is great need right around us in SF?  A mission trip provides a unique opportunity for a community of believers to remove themselves from "normal life" and push outside their comfort zones physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Mission trips can also serve to strengthen relationships (between communities, individuals, and God) in a way unlike anything else I have experienced.  And in case you aren't convinced, see what the PC(USA) has to say: http://www.pcusa.org/missiontrips/

Have I piqued your interest?  If you are even a little interested in the idea of an MBCC mission trip, lets have a chat during dinner time on November 8.  Together we can explore when and where a mission trip might take place and how it would come together.  If you have thoughts before (or after) the meeting, please feel free to contact me :)

From the Personnel Committee - Tentmaking update #1

Dear MBCC Friends and Family,

On the horizon are a handful of exciting possibilities that can strengthen MBCC, and we’d like your help in shaping them. MBCC embraces its identity as a very dynamic, fluid group of Christ-followers and has been exceptionally open to new adventures and trying new ways of building the body of Christ through the unique experiences of our community. Recently, we’re transitioning to a more inclusive leadership style. Thank you, everyone, for stepping up into roles to help build the church, share the gospel, and extend MBCC’s sincerely welcoming, open-door invitation into community and into Christ-centered relationships.

 What will help serve the church’s big goals?

One option floated recently is trying a tentmaking pastoral model. This could help share leadership duties and would allow MBCC to invite an associate pastor to support and cooperate with Pastor Bruce. If a tentmaking model is eventually put in place, Pastor Bruce, who loves and enjoys our church family, would plan to remain as head pastor part-time while simultaneously pursuing additional opportunities. As we have been very blessed by his family’s service through the years, we invite all of our brothers and sisters at MBCC to help find an agreeable model to advance all of these major goals of the church and further strengthen the leadership and vision for what/who MBCC will be.

What’s the tentative plan and how can we all help?

Over the next several months, the Personnel Committee (Katina M., James V., Katherine W., Leslie V., Joe C.) invites ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE to help us figure out what all of us need MBCC to be and HOW to make it happen. During the first 2 weeks of November, we will collect people’s input through an online survey. The second and third Sundays in November (11/8 and 11/15), Personnel Committee is offering to hold “office hours” to invite everyone to sit and share 1-on-1 (or in small groups) what are your thoughts about the tentmaking option (i.e. What concerns do you have? How can we help address your concerns? What are other good options that can serve the goals and mission of the church? etc.)

We are really trying to invite and hear everyone’s most critical input by end of November so we can report back to the church what we’ve heard and help shape a plan to incorporate all feedback. If (and only if) the tentmaking model will agreeably serve our church family and shared goals at MBCC, we are considering searching for an associate pastor starting in January with interviews in April. August 2010 is the potential hire month.

Again, this is just 1 series of options. We’re asking everyone in MBCC to PRAY about and to help us consider and modify this possibility. We will be in ongoing discussion with Session and trying to figure out what God wants for MBCC and how God would lead the church to serve the body of Christ in vibrant, enthusiastic ministries in years ahead. Pleases engage with our church family as we enter optimistically into these conversations.

So at your earliest convenience, please fill the ONLINE SURVEY by NOVEMBER 11.

Please get in touch with any of us if you have any questions!

Peace,
The Personnel Committee
Katina M.
James V.
Katherine W.
Joe C.
Leslie V.

Read more about tentmaking option and models at:

• Bruce Pastoral Letter on Tentmaking
• Presbyterian Church (USA) Tentmaking Info

A Pastoral Letter: Staffing plans for the future of MBCC

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Dear MBCC friends and family,

I hope this letter finds you doing well and enjoying the odd weather we have been having as of late.  As I sit here at the church amidst the sunshine after the storms, I am reminded of the wonderfully chaotic world and city in which we live.

And yes, "wonderfully chaotic" is how I would describe our life together at MBCC.  During my nine years here in pastoral leadership, I have come to embrace the ways in which we shift and adapt to life around us while maintaining a commitment to being constantly recreated by God, sustained by the movement of the Holy Spirit and compelled by the calling of Christ.  For this gift and for the privilege of being part of the pastoral staff over the years I thank you.

With that buttering up . . . we move on to a new time in our life that will require all of us to again be open to the possibilities that God may have for our community.  God is not done with us yet, and like I said, what would MBCC be without some new adventure to navigate?

Over the past few months, The Session (Our governing body), the Personnel Committee (Yes, we have one) and I have been in discussion about my future here at MBCC after my Moderatorial term is complete in July of 2010.  This is been a good time of discovery and discernment for all involved as we reflect upon our nine-year history, the past few years and where/how we would like to into the future. 

Here are a few of the general things we have discerned and discovered over the past few months of discussion:

• You: The past 15 months of this Moderator adventure, has been difficult in regards to some of the ways MBCC has been able to fully settle into our current ministry location.  I am grateful that MBCC and my family have shared me with the denomination, but I also know that my energies have been spread thin. At the same time the term has provided us, thanks to so many who have stepped into leadership, with some opportunities to explore and discover creative ways to express pastoral leadership.
• Me: As a person who has now been in ministry for 14 years, has been on pastoral staff here for nine years and is coming off of a larger-church leadership experience, I am yearning and hoping for some new challenges in ministry so that I may continue to growing personally and professionally into who God intends for me to become. I also greatly embrace being a local pastor, especially serving in a community such as MBCC, one that feeds and nourishes my soul.
• Us: Neither I or MBCC is ready to let go of one another. So barring any dramatic discovery, membership revolution or other unforeseen development, I am not going anywhere.  While there will certainly be a time some day that I and you will will need something different, we have discerned that that time is not now and we still, together, have much ministry yet to live out.  In short, if you will still have me, I will still be the Pastor here.

So here is what we are going to explore together . . .

What I am hoping that we do together is explore the idea of "tentmaking" as a model for our pastoral staffing.  While you can read more about the concept HERE*, basically this means that I would be bi-vocation, part time pastoring here at MBCC and part time pursuing other endeavors.  This tentmaking model would then create a situation where I would be the Pastor and we would call an additional part-time ordained Associate Pastor to complement my skill set and complete a full time pastoral presence.

The Apostle Paul, for example, made tents for a living so that he would not have to burden the small, struggling fellowships of believers during the first century A.D. From Saint Paul's example we have adopted the term "tentmaking" to describe a situation in which a minister of the Word and Sacrament works in a usually secular occupation and works for a particular church on a less than full time basis. - PCUSA

In my case, I will pursue some other interests primarily some freelance blogging, co-hosting God Complex Radio and completing a book project, all of which will have have me physically present at MBCC far more than I have been over the past 15 months.

Why this is good for MBCC:

Clearly, if I did not ask that we explore this possibility I/we would probably simply shift into a full-time pastoral role here at MBCC.  We would be having a very different conversation, one based on the question, "What will Bruce do as the only paid staff?"  Quite honestly, the idea of this route scares me a bit because, one, we have never had only ONE paid staff person and, two, the idea that one person can provide the kind of pastoral presence that we need to keep us creatively moving forward seems daunting.

If this model works well, with MBCC discerning what gifts are needed to move us into the future AND we find the right second person, we - along with Leslie - will have a pretty awesome pastoral staff team.  You would in essence have  more complete and energized pastoral staff that will continue to be challenged and informed by one another as well as their vocational contexts outside of MBCC.

Next steps . . .

I do understand that for many of you this is pretty unexpected and probably a different staffing model that you may be used to.  And while some of us have been talking about this for a few months, this is not something that the Session, I nor you all should ruch into without a great deal of care. 

We have roughly nine months until my terms ends and the hope is that ever the next six months or so we will build a job description and structure that will allow us to bring someone on by the Fall of 2010.

Here is what you should know about the process . . .

• Current Staffing: Session and personnel acknowledge that there have been some ministries that have not been kept up over the past 15 months so with Abby and Nick shifting into new chapters in their lives, we need to not only survive the next 9 months, but begin to be forward thinking and creative.  For this reason we hired Erin and Miriam  to help provide support and help us think about the future. I will also shift a small portion of my time to begin preparing for what I am entering into, mostly taking some concentrated hours to finish my book.
• Session's charge: The Session has asked the Personnel Committee to begin a process of discovery and planning with the outcome to shift to this model.  Most of the conversations will be about the expectations, needs and wants of the congregation for it's pastoral leadership and what that then looks like in a two-person structure.
• Seeking input: Personnel over the next few months will be approaching the congregation individually and collectively to seek out the hopes and expectations that are had of the pastoral position as well as what roles you think that position plays in the life of the congregation.  Past and present staff folks as well as myself and Leslie will also offer information in terms of how some of the internal structures play into future positions.
• Developing a staffing structure: After information is gathered, the Personnel Committee will begin to develop appropriate post-moderator job descriptions for myself as well as any other position/s that they deem are needed.
• Calling of a new Tent Making Associate: While this can be a complicated process and will require us to navigate the exciting waters of Presbytery and other denominational systems, it is our hope to begin searching for someone some time in the spring of 2010 in order to start in the Fall. 
• Keeping you in the loop: Throughout all of this, the Personnel Committee will be reporting back to both the session and the congregation with updates, requests for information and anything else they might need to help us best discern the Spirit in the midst of these changes. Personnel meets this weekend and will come up with some best ideas for feedback from you as well.

So . . . that's it for now.  You know now everything that some of us have been talking about.  As we do, I would expect nothing other than complete transparency as we engage in this process and I hope that you will take every opportunity to provide feedback, engage in discussion and help us define God's future for MBCC.

While the Personnel Committee will be communicated with you all soon, if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to drop me a note or lets schedule coffee.

And my the peace of Christ be with you!

* And in case you were wondering, of course there is an Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers ;-)

Welcome Erin and Miriam to the crazy that is MBCC!

We have staff! Woot. I wanted to introduce you to the two folks who have joined the MBCC staff team. What a gift it is to have connected with Miriam Dolin, who will be taking on Mission and Christian Ed/Youth, and Erin Moore, who will be taking on Worship, Volunteer and Administration Coordination. Each will be working 40-60 hours a month to help us move and creatively cruise through the final months of Bruce's term as Moderator.

Here is a little more about them as well as various contact points, to please take moment to welcome them to the MBCC Crew!

Erin Moore: Twitter | Facebook |eMail
Volunteer and Worship Coordinator

I'm Erin Moore, a born and raised Texan (but please don't hold that against me!), who makes her home with an adorable pup named Emily and my partner, Beth. I'm a 3rd year seminarian at Pacific School of Religion, in the ordination process with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). You might want to know that I: love Texas Dr. Pepper, made with pure cane sugar instead of corn syrup; really, really, really, really love my dog-child; and I actually enjoy reading an abnormal amount of theology.

My favorites:

• TV shows: Bones, NCIS, Grey's, Numb3rs, Dexter, Weeds, The Closer, Lie to Me . . . all on Hulu;
• Movies: Love Actually, Mama Mia!, Labyrinth, anything Pixar, British comedy;
• Hobbies- knitting, hiking with the pup, and enjoying a great meal with friends;

Miriam Dolin: Twitter | Facebook |eMail
Mission, Service, Christian Education and Youth

Growing up in Louisville, KY, Miriam threw herself into the youth group at Harvey Browne PC, a legacy that follows her to this day. She studied the sticky relationship between church and state and faith and politics as a religious studies and political science double major at Rhodes College in Memphis. Since graduating from Rhodes, Miriam has taught high school history and worked in the non-profit world. She recently relocated to the Bay Area with her husband, Dave, and is thrilled to learn all that San Francisco has to offer.

A self-proclaimed nerd, Miriam loves to read anything, especially books about history, other cultures, and religion. She also loves anything with food - cooking, eating, trying new restaurants, and watching cooking shows. And finally, Miriam loves music, both listening and participating.
 
Favorites: (in no particular order)

• TV shows: Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, Bones and The Office
• Music: REM, Gillian Welch, Mary Lou Lord, Wilco
• Movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding - that is the only movie I can watch over and over again and still laugh
• Hobbies: Photography, playing games, cooking and eating, reading

just in case...

Hey folks.  We have gotten no RSVPs for Saturday's work day, so it is canceled.

I repeat... DON'T COME TO CHURCH ON SATURDAY. THERE IS NO WORK DAY.

Or show up and wonder where everyone is :)

CROP Walk 10/18/09 at 1:30 PM around Lake Merced

This year, the SF CROP Walk will be held around Lake Merced.  Meet at the Bufano statue on Brotherhood Way.  The new location is designed to tie in with the Big Rumble block party sponsored by the Brotherhood Way Association as part of the city-wide celebrations observing the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake.  The proceeds from the walk will benefit the San Francisco INterfaith Council Winter Shelter Program, as well as Church World Service.  See www.cropwalksf.org for more information, and to register or sponsor online.  Contact marc@missionbaycc.org with any questions.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS: Part-Time Pastoral Assistants at MBCC

THESE POSITIONS ARE NO LONGER OPEN
Welcome Miriam and Erin

MBCC is looking for a few folks to serve as PART-TIME and SHORT-TERM pastoral assistants ASAP. 

Mission Bay Community Church has discovered over the past 15 months both the joys and struggles that come with having the pastor, Bruce Reyes-Chow, serve as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  While for the most part, things have gone well, there has certainly been some energy drain from the community.  Two developments have created an opportunity for MBCC to engage in some "creative cruising" until the end of Bruce's term.  First, two of the current part-time staff are leaving in order to take on full-time ministry, and second, the Session is exploring the possibility of Bruce shifting to a "tentmaking" or P/T role upon the completion of his term and bring on another ordained tentmaker in an associate pastor role. The formation of these three "Pastoral Assistant" roles will not only help keep things moving during the final 10 months of the moderatorial term, but will also help in the formation of future possible pastoral positions.

These positions would be a good fit for any seminarian or student looking to engage in ministry in an Christ-centered context that embraces its identity of being a fluid, young, urban community where faith, culture and life are taken seriously as we strive to discover and live out God's intentions for our life together. 

For more information about MBCC please visit and explore our Webpage as well our Yelp Reviews.  You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

COMPLETE JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR ALL THREE POSITIONS

TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter, resume and references to Bruce Reyes-Chow. Applications will only be taken via eMail and will be considered as they are submitted so if you are interested, please submit ASAP and of course, please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think may be interested.

Random blathering from your Pastor

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REMEMBER, NO MBCC WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, 10.04
YOU ARE INVITED TO WORSHIP WITH OAPC AT 10:30

Dear MBCC,

Greetings all, this is the guy that say is the pastor here at MBCC.  Yeah, I know, feels like it has been awhile since we have seen each other.  We've been on vacations, traveling and enjoying life . . . and while it has only been two Sunday's that I have been gone, so much seems to have taken place. 

Lets catch up a bit.  Below are a few things that I hope you'll file away as we continue to move forward . . .

FIRST . . . I want to thank everyone for their continued patience during my Moderatorial travels.  The cumulative effect of my time away I know has impacted the church as well as my family and my own sanity ;-)  And while I am enjoying my time in office, I look forward to being more present in all ways in just over 9 months from now.  Until then, I have to ask you to hang in there, welcome some incoming new staff and continue to "creatively cruise" until we can get into the next chapter of our life . . . post-moderator.

SECOND . . . our walk and fundraiser extraordinaire, Marc Jung, would like us to start getting in gear for this year's CROP WALK with Church World Service.  For you crop walk newbies, CWS Crop Walk is a walk-a-thin that goes to raise $$ to fight hunger around the world.  Marc will be sharing more inforamtion over the next weeks. Meanwhile you can visit www.cropwalksf.org for more info MBCC is already set up as a team for CROP Walk online registration and donation.  The walk takes place on OCTOBER 18 @ 1:30 around Lake Merced. Register or Donate NOW.  And yes, we have $250 to match, so if you get a donation, it gets doubled.  Just leave a comment here saying you have received a donation. For more info contact Marc.

THIRD . . . Yep, you heard right, because of the Excelsior Festival this Sunday, MBCC will not be having worship.  Unfortunately we will also not be having a booth in this year's festivities.  Understandably so, energy is a little low and with all the staff away, we are just going to take a pass this year.  Next year though, we are SO there with the BBQ!  In any case, I REALLY hope you will come to church that morning at 10:30 and join with our "roommates" Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church.  This Sunday will mark exactly ONE YEAR since we have been at this space.  My how time flies . . .

FOURTH . . . Membership Class begins again at MBCC on the 11th and will run for two weeks, the 11th and 18th.  Classes will take place RIGHT AFTER WORSHIP, so grab your dinner and head to the church school room.  Whether you officially join or not, this is a great way to find out more about getting involved in a different way here at MBCC.  If you are interested you should contact Leslie ASAP.

LASTLY . . . Saturday, October 17th is going to be a busy time for 32 Ocean Avenue.  Not only is that the monthly date for the Excelsior Community Food Pantry, but there will also be an event held up in the sanctuary for folks interested in the what work the Presbyterian Church has done in the Philippines.  From 11:00-4:00 - including lunch - we have two mission co-workers coming to talk about some of the struggles and joys of doing ministry in the Philippines.  To RSVP or for more information please visit the FB EVENT PAGE.  

I think that's it for now.  I head to Tuscon and Minneapolis for the next few days, but after that, my travels slow down a bit and we'll hang out again ;-)

Peace . . . Bruce

REMEMBER, NO MBCC WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, 10.04
YOU ARE INVITED TO WORSHIP WITH OAPC AT 10:30

ECFP update

When in doubt, carefully edit.

I forgot to update the Food Pantry section of the eZine folks (sorry), so here is the correct info.  The next ECFP is Saturday, October 17th.  Mark your calendars!  Last week, 176 people were served, so it is a happening place to be!

Get Out Of Here

Just finished listening to a fascinating episode of This American Life, entitled "Rest Stop."   The show sent 9 reporters to spend two days at a highway rest stop in upstate New York.  I realize that this concept sounds horribly exciting and probably a little too stimulating for a radio program, but it was genuinely an interesting episode that, among other things, highlighted the importance of just getting away.  One of the people they interviewed was a young woman who was visiting a highway rest stop for the first time in her life -- she had never left West Virginia.  Getting out of our routine, our day-to-day, our cultural comfort zones, is vitally important, both to developing an appreciation and respect for our differences, but to understanding that, despite all of our differences, we are all just people.  This is true whether you cross the street into another community, or if you cross the ocean to another society.  

Bittersweet

According to Coldplay, the hardest part is letting go not taking part (yes, I listen to Coldplay)... and I agree.  It is with a grateful heart and I am sure with a fair amount of tears that I will be leaving the MBCC in a month.  I have been called by Fruitvale Presbyterian Church in Oakland.  It is an exciting move for me, a 3/4 time solo pastor gig, giving me time to continue pursuing my artwork.  But, for every bit of me that is excited by this change, a bit of me is sad as well.  At MBCC, I grew into a pastoral call I didn't know I had.

So spare me a minute to gush.  This journey started for me at the suggestion of a stranger, who thought this was the coolest Presbyterian crew in the Bay.  I met Bruce, before ever coming to MBCC, over vegetarian Chinese food to discuss the possibility of an internship.  I was deeply impressed by the welcome I received as a stranger. After much hemming and hawing, to MBCC I came for my internship, never having preached, never having worked for a church, and completely unsure of what to expect.

With y'all, I learned to love preaching, to ask questions of the Bible, to ask my community for prayer.  With y'all, I learned to feel at home somewhere other than Cincinnati.  God showed me that I can trust that I will be given what I need--a network of relationships and a supportive community--to live into my call.  With y'all, I learned how to live my Presbyterian tradition as my own, with a little flair, a little color and a whole lot of humor.

So I thank all of you for all your support through the last two years.  I know that I wouldn't be a pastor without the gift of this community, and I thank God for that.

Sex! Drugs! Rock & Roll!

Caught your attention? Studies show that most people only pay attention to the first word or two of a headline. If they're not hooked, they move on.  I see this as more than just evidence of our shorter attention spans, we do this because of sheer information overload.  With all the blogs, articles, Facebook posts, tweets, and whatnot to keep up with, it's a survival strategy to just skim until we find something we really care about.

(Short paragraphs also apparently retain viewers as well.)  Moreover, with the incredible array of voices and media clamoring for our attention, our collective opinions are less easily shaped or influenced.  Back in the day when everyone in a community read one newspaper, it was easier to reach a broad consensus on issues.  Now, with a media outlet for every conceivable interest group or point of view, we never end up agreeing on anything.

Still with me?  

Good news that we've been waiting for...

The numbers have been added up at the AIDS Walk San Francisco office, and I'm happy to announce that our Presbyterian team raised $4,300, which is higher than last year's amount.  Yes, we achieved this milestone despite the weak economy!  Congratulations, and thank you to all the team members, sponsors, and supporters who helped make this event a success!

I would also like to express a special word of thanks to Arnold Lee and Ricky Choi for getting up very, very early on Sunday morning to set up our BBQ grill before the crowds arrived.  Those of you who were able to participate in our post-walk BBQ noticed that we were assigned a great location this year, and the weather cooperated.  I am grateful that we had at least nine churches participate on our team this year.

The entire event attracted 25,000 walkers.  By now you may have seen the press release, announcing that the total amount raised this year is $3.5 million.  While it is unfortunately a decrease of around $900,000 from last year, it reflects the current state of the economy, and is in line with the pattern experienced by AIDS Walk New York a few months ago.  We are thankful that the 25,000 were able to still raise this amount despite the weak economy.  Rest asured that the 50+ community organizations will still be receiving their grants from the proceeds, as the shortfall will instead be deducted from the amount to be received by the SF AIDS Foundation.  I'm also happy to learn that the organization that Ricky Choi (one of our BBQ organizers) works at, has been named as one of the 50+ agencies receiving grants from this year's walk.  Congratulations!

Thank you again for helping make the event a success!

The Death of Discourse

Lately the country has found itself in a heated debate on health care reform.  While most people agree that reform is needed, many disagree on how that reform should look like.  That's fine and natural -- obviously we live in a free and open democratic society and debate is not only tolerated, it is encouraged.  But in recent years we've seen a severe erosion in civilized and thoughtful discourse, and a dramatic increase in vitriolic name-calling, demagoguery, and plain ol' ignorance.  It is impossible to hear each other when we are yelling at one another, and as President Obama has said on more than one occasion, we must disagree without being disagreeable.  

So that's why I was disappointed by today's article in the New York Times that many parents with kids in the Houston school at which the President will speak next week are opposing his presence and indeed, pulling their kids from attending that event.  Some of them even express the belief that our Commander in Chief is the head of a "socialist movement."  I find this sad on several levels.  First, that we have gotten to the point in society where we wish to shield ourselves and our children from different points of view.  This is of course reflected in the splintered audiences of cable news, wherein people will tune in to the station that best reinforces -- and does not challenge -- their already held beliefs.  Second, that we are using and adopting wildly inaccurate terms to describe one another.  Anyone who believes that our President is a "socialist" has plainly never been to an actual socialist country, or has a profound lack of understanding of basic political-economy.  (Even worse, some have called the President a "Nazi".)

The death of discourse is not a one-way street, of course.  Discourse requires two sides that are prepared to engage in thoughtful discussion.  During the last administration, many people called President Bush all manner of unprintable names, accusing him and his advisors of evil conspiracy on a vast scale.  (Indeed, some prominent liberals called President Bush a "Nazi" too!  That seems to serve as the catch-all epithet for anyone you really disagree with.)  However you felt about President Bush's policies, I think it's inarguable that he cares deeply about this country and effected policies that he felt would best serve it.  One may choose to differ with his neo-conservative ideas about nation building in Iraq, or his supply-side tax policies, but those differences should be expressed in reasoned discussion and debate, not yelling and name-calling.  Now we again have a President -- the first African American head of state, a fact of which we should all be proud as Americans -- whose policies are stirring up great emotion across the country.  Whether you feel the "public option" would drive private insurers out of business, or that federal research into the efficacy of medical treatments would result in seniors not obtaining the full range of end-of-life care, these are debates that we should be talking, not screaming, about.

UPDATE: Watch this video of Sen. Al Franken (D) at a state fair in Minnesota.  He was confronted by an angry group of protesters on the health care issue.  Instead of yelling back, he was calm, thoughtful and gave clear and reasoned answers to their questions.  That is how it should be done.

Life In All Its Glories

This past Saturday was a very eventful one.  Mark Regis and Christina Freeze, two much loved members of the MBCC community, were married in an amazing wedding that made a lasting impression on all those in attendance.  Afterwards, in the stunning ocean-side setting of the Cliff House restaurant, we all boogied the night away to songs by Journey and the Village People while we carefully gripped our overly strong mixed drinks.  It was a happy, joyous time as we celebrated Mark and Christina's transition into a new phase of life, one in which they were no longer separate and autonomous but rather joined and interdependent.  

That same day, across the country, another family was experiencing a transition, as Senator Edward Kennedy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  No matter one's personal political beliefs, it is undisputed that Ted Kennedy was one of the -- if not the -- most influential senator of the last century, and the last surviving brother of a political dynasty.  But more than Ted Kennedy's presence in the public sphere, it was his cherished role as a father, uncle, brother and colleague that really came through in the funeral services.  After his brothers were gunned down, Uncle Teddy became the de facto father figure to numerous children who all looked up to him as the head of the extended Kennedy clan.  These people, too, will be entering a new phase of life as they struggle to cope with life without Uncle Teddy.

So Saturday was a special day.  We both celebrated the lifelong union of two people in love, and we mourned the passing of an American giant.  These events remind us that life, in all its glories, is constantly on the march.  The old makes way for the new, and we find hope and inspiration in all of it.

Making ministry real at the Excelsior Community Food Pantry

    

Last Saturday I had the privilege of FINALLY being part of the Excelsior Community Food Pantry that MBCC folks have been organizing the past six months.  Along with people from Ocean Avenue PC and some other churches and groups, this ministry has been gradually picking up steam and energy.  

The day was filled with great meaning for me as I simply participated in the well-oiled machine that is the ECFP.  I reveled in watching a few of our young folks find joy in the experience as they helped carry, sort and distribute food; I was touched when folks I knew personally came through the line bridging the awkwardness of the moment with a hug; and I was moved by the general sense of gratitude and thoughtfulness that everyone had in doing this important work in the community.

As I reflect on the big picture of this part of what we do as MBCC in this part of San Francisco, I do not forget that there are larger systematic issues that we must confront when it comes to issues of economics, hunger and the working poor, but I am also reminded that there is a great deal of power that will come from communities gathering together to distribute food, compassion and presence. 

For the small part that we are doing, I am grateful.

And now the ask . . .

• YOUR TIME - We would love to have more people involved and even to have a group take over a Saturday or two.  While there would be a good deal of work to be done, the SF Food Bank would LOVE LOVE LOVE for us to go weekly.  We are hopeful that we could do this, but only if we can guarantee the people-power to make it happen.
• YOUR MONEY - It takes less than $3.00 to feed each family.  Yep, three hundred buckaroonees,  a $300 donation, basically feeds 100 families for the week.  So, above and beyond what you would also give to other organizations and your church, please consider making a designated gift to the Food Pantry.

Here is the info that you need to make a difference:

• To volunteer, ask questions, be part of the Steering Committee etc: foodpantry at missionbaycc dot org
• To donate online (one time of regularly): eGive
• To donate via check/corporate matching:
  Mission Bay Community Church
  ATTN: Food Pantry
  32 Ocean Avenue | San Francisco CA 94112
• on Twitter: @ecfp
• on Facebook: FB Group

Lastly to those who, out of grappling with God's call on our collective lives, really helped this thing get off the ground and continue to provide energy as the ministry expands, thank you.  You know you who are!

Open source + san francisco + church = MBCC

[image and explanation: Intersection Consulting]

Every once in a while I find myself in some great conversations about this crew we call, Mission Bay Community Church.  One topic that always comes up is the general feel/culture of leadership and authority here at MBCC.  This has to do with everything from how we engage in worship, to how we structure ourselves to how the community interacts throughout the week.

Now without getting too deep into things that I probably don't know as much about as I would like to think I do, I can pretty confidently say that MBCC is a open source, urban manifestation of a historically protestant tradition.  Say that five times fast.

One of the core elements of open source culture is how we perceive and engage in communal discernment and the place of authority in that discourse.  You will notice that I really TRY not to hold a posture of "the pastor says it, so it must be true" because, one, most at MBCC would be like, "What the . . .?" and, two, it just not feel right to me.  Now this is not an abdication of authority for I, and other pastoral staff, still play a role here but it is NOT to dispense wisdom.  Our role is to invite and encourage people to use the authority of their heart and mind that God has given to help us all discern the mind of Christ and the will of God. And our own authority lies in how well and faithfully we fulfill that role.

As a church community we try to remain consistent in holding a posture of communal discernment and engagement throughout all we do.  We each may play particular roles in our life together, but none of us holds the absolute truth in any part of our life together: theology, organizational structure, music or coffee choice . . . well, maybe coffee choices* ;-)

This is one of the reasons you see so many folks rotating through music leadership, preaching and other facets of our life.  In worship you will notice that we encourage folks to engage either through our conversation time, through movement through stations and especially in our prayer time.  If you've wondered why, now you know.

Of course, another aspect - some may call these "opportunities" -  of this way of being is that we are always in flux.  This can be frustrating for those that need a more solid and set way of being that lasts for more than a month, but try as we might, that is just not who we are.  And while it might seems easier if we could just set things for a while, I firmly believe that our fluid and adaptive nature has, in the long run, created a meaningful community of faith here in San Francisco.  Sure, it will not be for everyone, but a place like MBCC is only once glimpse of what it means to gather as the Body of Christ in the world today.  And for that I give great thanks to God.

So . . . hope that was helpful, feel free to ask more questions if ya got em.

Have a great rest of the week and I'll see ya on Sunday!

Bruce

*Philz Coffee is liquid joy, just saying.**
** The author of this blog receives no kick-backs from the aforementioned coffee company, but only because he has not been offered as of this date.***
*** kidding.

Are you saved? Theories on the Atonement // Two week online Bible Study w/Bruce

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Are you saved?
A look at the theories of atonement

DATES: September 8 and 15
TIME: 9:30-10:30 Sharp
LEADER: Bruce, the pastor they say
LOCATION: Tokbox.com
PREP: WebCam, Tokbox Account, a smile ;-)
LIMIT: 6 People

Okay you nocturnal MBCC'ites. lets try to get together for a couple of weeks, online, at night for an hour to talk theology.  First up, theories of the atonement and all this talk about being "saved" . . . what the heck does that even mean?  In this brief time ee'll explore the controversy and the breadth of theological perspectives. 

Bruce will eMail you the documents each week so all you gots to do is a little readin', a little thinkin' and then some talkin'.  So lets do this! 

IF you are interested, please eMail Bruce.

We made a difference for some great Bay Area organizations!

Thanks to the Presbyterian team at AIDS Walk San Francisco, which was part of the 25,000 walkers raising $3.5 million for several dozen Bay Area nonprofit organizations, we have some good news to share!  The list of benefitting organizations receiving grants from the walk proceeds is extensive.  Check it out on www.aidswalk.net/sanfran for details.  We're pleased to announce that one of MBCC's elders, Ricky Choi, is affiliated with one of the organizations that made the list of grants.  Congragulations!  I'm sure you all know Ricky, who along with Arnold Lee organize our post-walk BBQ at our team table at AIDS Walk San Francisco every year.  It's wonderful to see how our team members are directly involved with the cause.  Again, congratulations!

It's not too late to sponsor a walker!  There's 10 more days to send in a check, payable to AIDS Walk San Francisco, P. O. Box 193920, San Francisco, CA  94119-3920.  Be sure to write in the name of the walker you are sponsoring, in the "memo" field on the lower left corner of your tax-deductible check.  You may also sponsor online www.aidswalk.net/sanfran --> sponsor a walker (and follow the links) but keep in mind that credit card donations have a minimum, whereas checks have no minimum.  Thank you again to all the walkers and sponsors!  We'll be back next year!

Help . . . why is it so hard to ask for?

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Greetings all.  I trust folks are doing well.  I am blogging from Montreat, North Carolina where I am on a three week blended vacation and moderator travel trip. 

Yeah . . . we'll see how that goes ;-)

In any case, I was thinking this week, as I scrambled to get some things done before I left, that I have a hard time asking for help . . . and I am pretty sure I am not alone.

In our culture of independence and self sufficiency, asking for help has got to be one of the most difficult things to do today.  Sure, we have friends, family and church community, but for some reason when it really gets down to it, we too often try to handle all of life's burdens on our own.

Dear Body of Christ, "Cut it out!"

Churches throughout scripture remind us that at the core of our being and living as the Body of Christ, we are to care for one another as well as the stranger.  Sure, sometimes this may turn into ONLY caring for ourselves, but too often I think we sometimes forget HOW to care for ourselves at all.

Now as I said,  I am not one to talk.  As much as anyone, I like to do things on my own, muscle through struggle and plant the flag at the top of the accomplishment mountain as much as the next person, but that is not what we are to be about.  Sure, we each follow God in our lives, but sometimes - more than we would like to admit - we can and shouldn't try to take everything on ourselves.  When we do, we will fail and in the process may do more damage than good.

So . . . as put together as we may sometimes want to seem at MBCC, sometimes we need to ask for help: help with the physical, the emotional and the spiritual parts of our life.

So, if you need some help.  Please ask. Your community will respond.  That's a big ol' reason we are here.

Have a great week!