Current trends will not continue indefinitely.

There is only one trend that is continuous, and that is that current trends change.

For example, the average birth rate today in the United States is 1.8 children per woman.  In other words, the birthrate is below 2.1/woman, the rate required at a minimum to sustain the population of a people from generation to generation.  In 1960 the average birth rate was 3.65.  What that means is that the birthrate in our country, if current trends continue, will be zero by 2080.  If current trends continue.  It also means that with a birthrate of zero in 2080 then shortly thereafter, in a generation or two, the United States will cease to exist.  If current rates continue.

They won't.

But even if the birthrate continues at its current rate, the population of the United States will only be able to maintain or grow through immigration-- if current trends continue.  It is also true that the highest birthrates globally are among non-white people, meaning that in time white folks will compromise less and less of the world's population-- if current trends continue.

I recently received a piece from one of my church's seminaries that asked the question whether our denomination would cease to exist.  Based on current trends, 2050 is the year we run out of members.  One fact this does point to is that with the birthrate being what it is we are not regenerating membership through births, as we did in years past.  But it also points to a decreasing interest in organized religion across the board.

With regards to current trends, there are shifts in trends that often stabilize, and even reverse themselves over time.  For example, most of the decline in the birthrate in this country occurred between 1960 and 1975.  Two things happened.  The Pill was introduced.  And expectations around women's roles in society shifted.  But the birthrate stabilized after 1975.

In all likelihood, the decline in Church membership will level out at some point, and may even radically change.  A friend speaks of the hope that a Great Awakening will once again transform our land.  Whether this country ever returns to a feverish religiosity remains to be seen, but likely religious participation will stabilize at some point.  And, if in the course of a couple decades we again face the equivalent of two world wars and a great depression there maybe a significant return to faith communities in order to seek comfort and hope during times of trial.

Baring such an awakening, we will likely see leaner years ahead for our congregations and denominations.  Faced with leaner times there will be a fundamental question that will divide religious expressions in the future.  Churches will orient themselves either to the future or the past.  There will be a motivation either to shape the future or hold fast to the past.  My hope is to be involved in a church that is dedicated to shaping the future, not one that attempting to  preserve the remnant of the past.

One irreversible change that has occurred globally is the interaction between diverse cultures and people.  The world is becoming smaller.  And our experience of one another is expanding.  Advances in communication and travel have brought the world closer together resulting in an experience of diversity never before imagined.  When I grew up in Irene, SD, our town was comprised almost exclusively of Norwegian Americans.  The next town over was Danish American.  And so it was across the Great Plains.  During the time of homesteading ethnic groups settled together.  Interaction with other groups and communities was very limited.  The result was a sense of homogeneity.  Irene was Lutheran and exclusively White.

The question for the future will be whether we seek to cling to a tribalism that is a remnant of the past, or embrace a diversity of people that reflects the interaction between people of different ethnic, cultural, political and religious backgrounds.  For the Church the implications are straight forward.  We will either seek to maintain the exclusive claims and closed communities of the past or we will learn to thrive in a world that is pluralistic.  Within the Church we will need to become more ecumenical, beyond the Church we will need to address interfaith relationships, and individually we will have to deal with diversity as a 'next door' issue.

I'm actually excited about the prospects for the future.  I believe that the human experience will be richer for the diversity.  But we will have to get over the desire to mandate a conformity in order to enjoy it.  Religious communities will not even be able to maintain a homogeneity within their own membership ranks.  That's not so bad, unless your compelled to fight about it.

If current trends continue the Church as we have known it in years gone by will indeed die.  We simply will not be able to sustain the Church as a tribalistic community that defines itself over and against everybody else.  This will be especially true as our neighborhoods and families are increasingly shaped by the diversity of the world.  But that's alright.

And remember, homogeneity was ALWAYS an illusion.  The world has ALWAYS been diverse.  The future that is beckoning us is just more aware and accepting of this basic fact of our existence on this planet.

For the love of people. . .

Its that simple.

And that hard.

I've spent a  lot of time contemplating the future of the church.  For years now I have stood in the pulpit and looked out at aging congregations.  Probably the most alarming experience was while I was supply preaching.  I went from congregation to congregation and saw that the graying of our membership was not an isolated instance,by far.  And so I wonder what the church will look like in a decade or two.

I must confess.  As I look back too often I have feared membership loss to the extent that I coddled behaviors and attitudes that deep within my soul I feel are contrary to the Gospel.  The intolerance and judgmental attitudes that have prevailed in many a conversation hardly reflect the love of Christ or the compassion of our God and Father.  Yet in many instances they tithed.

To coddle attitudes because my financial security depends on it is not the most defensible witness to the Gospel.  It may in fact be sinful and so I confess.

One of the core tenants of my faith that has emerged more and more over the years is that if we would know the Creator we ought start by observing the creation for it is near to the heart of God.  And if we do that there is one thing, one very BIG thing that is undeniable.  God loves diversity.  From the landscapes that dot this planet (and the universe) to the flora and fauna of every corner of our world.

And one of the most regrettable tendencies of our human spirit is to limit this diversity and opt for a controlled uniformity.  Nothing is farther from the Spirit of God.  Yet we persist.

You see this in many ways.  Bananas for example.  Worldwide there are about 1,000 different varieties.  And only one that is exported, the Cavendish.  One.  There was a crisis among banana producers in years past.  The one banana that they focused on for production became diseased.  The lack of biodiversity meant that crops worldwide were at risk.  I digress.  If God went to the trouble of creating a thousand different types of bananas, God obviously loves diversity.

And humans also excel at diversity.  A few different varieties. And that makes us uneasy. 

One tendency of education is to impose conformity as opposed to encouraging diversity.  This is especially true of religious education where we are too quick to assume a common path to the divine and a homogeneous human experience.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  When God created us it was not with the intention that you would be me.

Human sexuality is one such example of the diversity of creation.  We are not all the same.  And no one experience can be applied universally without reeking havoc on the individual.  And yet we try.  Perversity is the condition of being different than me. . .

Back to the original point.  Will the church chart a future that imposes conformity or which celebrates the diversity of God's creation? 

Kennon Callahan, a church growth consultant, talks about the 'principle of homogeneity'.  "Birds of a feather flock together."  If you desire to successfully grow a congregation focus on one type of people because few truly can handle diversity. 

What is more important?  To have a successful congregation or to be faithful to the Gospel and the Love of God?

Dare we live in a world in which the Cavendish is not the only  banana and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" is not the only hymn?  Dare we love each unique individual without the expectation of conformity to a universal norm?  And to be clear, it's not that the Cavendish is a bad banana.  It's just not the only banana.  It's not that being a blond haired, blue eyed, balding and aging man of Norwegian descent is bad.  It's just not the totality of the human experience. 

I wish my church was more diverse.  But I also acknowledge that my church will never be able to be home to the full spectrum of human religious conviction.  There is a place for Baptists, and Pentecostals, and Orthodox, and Catholics, and Jewish people, and Hindus, and Buddhists, and Muslims, and even those whose experience of the divine is at best a question mark. 

What I know is that I can no longer define my faith against others.  It is for the love of people that God brought us forth in all our diversity and one cannot love God while despising those who are created in the Divine Image.

Permission to be. . .Happy

Strange title.  Unless you're bipolar.
I'm making some changes in my life, entering into semi-retirement.  I've left my job at the cabinet shop where I've worked the last four years, am beginning to take some pensions withdrawals, and reopening my own business.

The previous job was difficult.  Up at 3:30 am, hour commute, ten hour days, home at five for supper, then bed.  Day after day.  Drudgery.

I'm done.

In spite of having surgery on Monday for two hernias (thanks to the heavy lifting at my prior job) I've felt better than I have in years.  Really good.

Sound the alarms.

As a bipolar person one cannot help but wonder when you feel good, if you're feeling TOO good.  Actually, Monday following surgery that may have been the case.  Hydrocodone and acetaminophen.  Norco.  I reacted and couldn't sleep all night.  Perhaps a bit high.  I stopped after two doses.  I'll put up with the pain.

But, in general, I'm excited.  Really excited.

My son and I are building a shop.  Lifetime dream.  Its happening.  Excitement.  And with my reopening my business I'm buying a few new tools.  Not an excessive amount.  But a few.  Any new tool is cause for excitement.  A planer.  A sliding miter saw.  A dovetail jig.  Oh, and I'll be building a new assembly table.  Well thought out, and needed.  Not breaking my budget.

But the albatross hanging around the neck of any bipolar person who actually feels good, even great, is mania.  Has my chemical balance shifted? 

My psychiatrist applauds the changes.  She's not concerned.  "Well thought out, rational choices, that make sense."  Not some grandiose scheme to change the world.

And then things are going well at church.  Some welcome developments that should stabilize that congregation for a good while.

So is it alright to actually be happy and excited about life?  I've spent so much of my life pensive and melancholy that I'm just not sure what to do with my self and can't help wondering what's wrong.

Maybe "what's wrong" is just that every things right.

That's a change.

When God opens a door

Persistence and resilience are a mixed bag.  Sometimes those traits have gotten me in trouble as I pushed down a road I probably was not meant to go down in the first place.  Sometimes doors close for a reason.  They've also been a Godsend, allowing me to achieve goals and bounce back from life's pitfalls.  In these instances doors open, sometimes like those automated doors in businesses-- you approach and the door opens.  These are special moments.

Part of my faith is to trust these open doors and to see in them the hand of God leading, guiding, and providing.  It was like that when we went to seminary.  It was really like that when we came to Sandpoint.  And when I went through treatment, left ministry on disability, and began to rebuild my life doors opened along the way.

And now I face another such transition and moving into my retirement years.  This has opened up some possibilities.  Key among them is building a shop and resuming my work in my own business, Olsons WoodWorks.  For a while I encountered roadblock after roadblock, especially with regards to insurance.  Insurers just don't like the exposure of home based businesses.  Or making anything for children.  Or ladders.  Or boats.  Or stools.  Uffda.

But on Friday I received the pledge for the insurance, as well as the go ahead on the shop, and  positive news on the church front.  Every uncertainty seemed to be answered and in the positive. 

Life feels good right now.

One of the most encouraging things is when those trusted friends you count on offer their affirmation.  That's a  good meter, a sanity meter if you will, for judging whether one's judgment passes the smell test.  And to have my psychiatrist weigh in on this and applaud the decision really helped.  Of course, the most important voice to listen to was my wife, whose caution is a good counter to my ambition.

There are many months ahead when I'm sure some uncertainty will remain.  But we move forward in faith and good courage.  I'm reminded again of my prayer, composed  by me during one of my transitions, and to which my heart returns from time to time.

Hold me tight, most precious Lord,

That I might follow you.

Grant me grace to live each day,

May I be born anew.

Lift me up whenever I fall,

And never let me fade

From the grace filled light

Of your own sight

That turns the night to day.

Questions & Answers

One of the most difficult aspects of being bipolar is negotiating the challenges of life, making decisions on important issues, and being certain that those decisions are rational and not part of a manic flurry or depressed fog.  In a manic phase one can be far too bold and optimistic.  "Why do you doubt me and my dreams?" would be an example of the mindset.  In a depressed mode decisions are made, if they are made at all, with a sense of "I have no choice."

I think I'm in a good place.  The questions I wrote about last time are being answered.

1. Do I go back to work in my own business, Olsons Woodworks?  
   The answer is yes.  I have a golden opportunity to do that and a major commission with which to start doing the kitchen for my brother and sister in law.
2. If so, should I build a shop?
   My financing has been approved so yes.  I think so.  Unfortunately it won't be done in time to build the kitchen.  But its coming.
3. What does the future hold for me regarding ministry?  Will Peace survive for the long term.  Is it's viability more limited than that?  What options are there, if any?
   This looks favorable right now.  Another congregation is exploring sharing the building with us, and contributing to the cause.  This may result in the congregation being viable again.
4. What tools are necessary at this time if I go back into business?
   I've purchased a dovetail jig.  A planer is also necessary.  Pretty much everything else can wait.
5. How much of an investment is appropriate given a limited amount of years left to work?
   This is less clear.  I guess the answer is 'as much as is necessary to sustain the income as long as I need it.
6. Will my health hold up?
   I hope so.  But I'm getting older.
7. The pain in my shoulder. . .is it bursitis, or bone spurs, or. . .?  Will it require surgery?  Can I continue long term with the repetitive motions associated with woodworking?
   This hasn't made it to the top of the list with my family doctor.  I'm hoping it's bursitis and will improve once I'm no longer doing as much highly repetitive work on a day to day basis.  (Though there will still be some.)
8. And what about my knees?  Their soreness is not helped by hours on end on concrete.
   I'll live with them for a while.
9. And then there is the small matter of my heart.  X-rays showed slight enlargement.  I've experienced some shortness of breath.  Big issue?  Small matter?  Time will tell.
   My heart tested just fine.  That was a great relief.
   
   What has emerged though is an umbilical and ventral hernia.  Yup, two.  That's an easy surgery and recovery.  Will take care of it.
10. And finally, there's the question of desire.  What would make me, and Karla, happy and satisfied in the coming months and years?
    This is the easiest question.  Living the dream in Sandpoint, being self employed, and enjoying ministry.  Sleeping well.  And enjoying family time again.

I think these decisions and answers pass the smell test.  None of my family are contemplating hauling me into my doctor.  Though I see her on Wednesday.

The bottom line is I'm excited to finish off my working career this way.  In that working in my own shop is what I envisioned for retirement, doing so for a profit is not a bad way to transition into retirement.  

And I can't tell you how wonderful it is to feel excited.  Yeah baby.  Life is good.

Decisions

One of the things I've not heard anyone talk about is that while in a manic phase one is much more decisive than at other times.  Depression errs on the side of immobilization.  For me, mania results in a capacity to decide in a rapid fire manner.  Bang, bang, bang, done.

I could use some of that mania now.

There's a lot of  uncertainty at this time.  A lot of decisions looming.  "Make a list!" Karla says.  "Check off one after another until your done."

A list.

1. Do I go back to work in my own business, Olsons Woodworks?  
2. If so, should I build a shop?
3. What does the future hold for me regarding ministry?  Will Peace survive for the long term.  Is it's viability more limited than that?  What options are there, if any?
4. What tools are necessary at this time if I go back into business?
5. How much of an investment is appropriate given a limited amount of years left to work?
6. Will my health hold up?
7. The pain in my shoulder. . .is it bursitis, or bone spurs, or. . .?  Will it require surgery?  Can I continue long term with the repetitive motions associated with woodworking?
8. And what about my knees?  Their soreness is not helped by hours on end on concrete.
9. And then there is the small matter of my heart.  X-rays showed slight enlargement.  I've experienced some shortness of breath.  Big issue?  Small matter?  Time will tell.
10. And finally, there's the question of desire.  What would make me, and Karla, happy and satisfied in the coming months and years?

Now, if I was in a manic phase I could rattle off decisions fast enough to make your head spin.  This list?  Well except for those  matters waiting for another could all be resolved in about 10 minutes.  

Bottom line.  I currently don't feel well and am not happy with my life.  It doesn't feel like depression.  It feels like circumstances are not what I'd like them to be.  There's a difference.  

I'm tired of setting the alarm for 3:30 each morning.

I'm tired of going to bed at 7:00 pm each evening.

I'd like to be more of a companion for my wife.

I'd like for my woodworking to be more fulfilling.

I'd like to feel healthier.

OK, you get the picture.  

The key to happiness is to identify your passion and follow it.  In relationships.  In work.  In one's leisure time activities.  

That's a better list.  I'll work on it.

No Justification. Not even the economy.

160 years ago slavery, and the overt racism behind it, was justified on the basis of the economy.  And violence against those who would change it was justified.  The Bible was used to justify it. 

Not much has changed.  We have a president who, while claiming he is not racist, lambasts the country with one racist thing after another.  David Duke and other white supremacists see this.  They love it.  People who are Muslim, or Hispanic, or Black feel this.  Crowds at political rallies chant "Send them back!".  Racist.  By the way, sending  minorities back to their country of origin is a central theme of the Aryan Nations.  White, Christian, Nationalism is just a contemporary manifestation of the basic tenets of the white supremacist agenda.  The Church of Jesus Christ Christian is what the Aryan Nations under Richard Butler belonged to.  As a country we should abhor all this, reject it, and work to overcome it.  Racism has no place in a free society.  Racism is sinful.  White Christian Nationalism, if it is not checked, may well destroy both the Church and the Nation.  It is that contrary to both democracy and freedom, as well as the message of Jesus Christ. 

But the economy is good.

The economy was good for slave owners in the South.  It did not justify slavery.  Hitler's rise to power in Germany was closely associated with economic recovery from the Great Depression and the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles.  Bottom line was that Hitler was 'good for the economy'.  That hardly justified the Holocaust. 

Two things are reprehensible about the current state of affairs.  That otherwise good people will continue to support Trump, in spite of his racists attacks, is one of them.  That otherwise good people will oppose any effort to control access to guns as a means of responding to the myriad of mass shootings in our country is another.  And in the most recent shooting in El Paso the two issues are married together. 

But the economy is good.  And we like to collect guns.  So to hell with the loss of life.  We're content to send our "thoughts and prayers".  I can't help but believe that God despises our 'thoughts and prayers'. 

But the economy is good.

Except if you're a farmer or any other of the people affected by Trump's trade wars.

But we don't much care about other people's economic plight.  The economy wasn't good for the slaves in the South.  Just the plantation owners. 

There is no moral justification for racism.  There is no moral justification for callused indifference to the loss of human life.  There is no moral justification for caring more for the economy than the lives and well being of human beings.  No Justification.  None.

I struggle with how to respond.  I live in North Idaho.  Trump is popular here.   Racism is common place.  Guns are BIG.  I tend to politely, quietly, often silently, disagree.  And in doing so I'm part of the problem. 

I have to work with these people, whether in the cabinet shop or when I reopen my own business.  And I hesitate to address the issue head on in my preaching or teaching at church, lest the offerings tank. 

But economic considerations are no justification for doing nothing. 

I can become politically active.  The struggle is that in Idaho, my voice is drowned out by the vast majority in this redder than red state.  My vote counts not at all, except as a protest.  And there is a reason white supremacists have chosen to settle here: racism is widely accepted in this predominantly white society. 

But at least the economy is good.