Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon

"Going Forth on the Fourth"

This is something I have wanted to explore for a long, long time. How do we maintain the tradition of the revolution in a time when we are no longer consumed by the need to revolt?

What was the passion of the past that has a claim on us today? It was a revolt then. What do we need to revolt from today and how do we best revolt?

We live in a time of individualism and that kind of response is appropriate in some circumstances. However, revolution without organization leads to chaos without catharsis.

The revolutionary passion we nurture must be followed with organization and structure.

When Jesus finally acted on his call to ministry, and after he had formed his disciples into a group and they followed him, he organized. He sent them out and he sent them out with instruction.

Sunday, on the Fourth of July we will tap into the passion that formed the nation and we will take a look at the organization and structure necessary to keep the passion alive.

How do you define what made our nation at its birth? What was the source of the passion? Was it recalcitrance to authority? Was it driven by the need to define itself as a new experiment? How does that speak to us today?

What do you think?

If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the comments box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster