I don't know exactly. The best answer I can offer right now is that the Practice of Living Shalom is an acknowledgement that, as a child of God and follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to practice shalom - so I guess I'm practicing the practice of Shalom. I realize that doesn't make much sense. But, you have to remember that I'm trying to figure all of this out as I journey along.
The purpose of this Blog is to explore the Practice of Living Shalom and to consider matters of Peace and Justice through the lens of the teachings of Jesus Christ. I hope that by sharing my experiences, my frustrations, my doubts, and whatever insights I gather along the way, you and I both will grow in understanding of ourselves, each other, and the world in which we live.
I have always been passionate about issues of Peace and Justice, even when I wasn't much interested in church or God. I'm a 50 something United Methodist Pastor that took a long and crooked path to the pulpit. I'm one of those pastors who never imagined I would ever be or could ever be a pastor.
I'm hardheaded, outspoken, oppionated, and I hate to loose. All good traits, I suppose, for someone working for Peace and Justice. But not necessarily good traits for someone called to shepherd and serve a local church. The folks I serve politely say that I am "passionate" - which, we all know, means I'm hardheaded, outspoken, and oppionated. I am also blessed with a pastor's heart - thank God - that moderates and manages my ego and allows me to love and care for people in ways I never imagined.
My hope is that in this space I can be more "passionate" than I allow myself to be in my role as pastor. I hope that having this space to embrace and release my passion helps me be a better pastor, shepherd, companion, and servant to the wonderful people God has called me to care for. It is my fervent hope that sharing the challenges of the Practice of Living Shalom helps us both to be better practitioners of Shalom and that this Blog bears the fruit of God's Peace and Justice in our lives and in our world.
So, that's me and that's my first post.
Shalom,
LC
