Tag Archives: rants

No Education

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From time to time, a patient at work will ask me how much school is required to do my job. I have to be honest and say that I have had none specific for my position; everything I know about my work has been learnt on the job.

Today, when a patient asked that and after I explained that I’d been doing this for six years and had learnt a lot as I went, he responded, “Its nice to know that there are still some jobs left where you don’t need any school.”

I know it was not meant in a condescending way and I know that there should be no offense taken, but I always take offense in situations like that. I have done seven years of post-secondary education and have three pieces of paper to prove it; I’m working on the fourth piece of paper. I feel like I deserve a little credit for that.

Next time when someone asks me that question, I’ll tell them “None is required, but I’m working on my Masters degree” and just leave it at that.

Two Letters

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To: The two young mums sitting in front of me at church this evening.

I know we didn’t get a chance to talk, and I regret that, but I wanted to tell you that you have some very adorable little boys. The young one sitting directly in front of me, how old was he? Two? Three? His big brown eyes were open with such wonder and his excitement at the pipe organ and candles was beautiful to see. I think that is where the phrase “wide-eyed wonder” comes from. I am guessing, from his reaction to everything, that you don’t come to church very often. I’m glad you came tonight for the Nine Lessons and Carols service! It was pretty full, there must have been 800-900 people there. I’ve been slow at getting into the “Christmas Spirit” this year, but your children reminded me of what it should be like – wide-eyed with excitement at the joy and wonder of Christmas.

I wish I had taken the opportunity to lean over during a carol and whisper to you that not all people at church are like the two old ladies sitting directly in front of you. I was happy you were there and would love to see you another Sunday if you choose to come back again. I hope you didn’t feel pushed aside when someone mentioned the soft-space for kids at the back of the sanctuary. It is more kid friendly back there and your boys probably enjoyed themselves more. Were you still able to enjoy the service from there? I wasn’t enjoying it much after you left, and I was still in my seat, close to the front, with a good view of the choir and the readers. I was troubled by how you were treated and I hope that you don’t think that is how all church people are. Most of us are loving and welcoming and would be overjoyed to have young families like both of yours join us on a regular basis.

If I ever see you at church again, I promise I will come over and talk to you and I hope you have a better second experience.

To: The two old ladies sitting two rows in front of me, directly in front of the two young mums.

Have you no idea what you did tonight? Do you really think that repeated turning around to loudly “shush” a two year old is going to make your church service better? Is cursing the toddler’s mother really the way for you or her to hear the Good News of the birth of Jesus?

I was so embarrassed for you. I wanted to take you aside after the service and humiliate you the way you humiliated them. But I didn’t. I did not think that would be the best option and since I could not think of a good way to word things, I let it be.

But I still wonder, did you listen to any of the Scripture readings tonight? What about the short paragraph before each reading. I’m talking about the parts describing the marginalized and downtrodden in society; how they were the the one’s God chose to appear to, not the high-and-mighty religious folk snug in their pews every Sunday. Sound familiar? I know that you like everything to be “just so” and that the little boy’s squeals of delight over the new sights and sounds of church were too out of the ordinary and disruptive to your comfortable little church life. Did it ever occur to you that the reason why Jesus came was to hang out with the people you just cursed? Has it occurred to you that your actions may have pushed two people and, by extension, their children, away from church? Is it any wonder that our churches are shrinking when folks like you are doing your best to scare people away?

Please, don’t ever let me catch you doing anything like that again at my church. Next time I don’t think I will be able to contain myself.

Amendment

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I don’t technically have the time to sit here and do this, but really, when have I ever? My motivation to sit and type is largely fueled by the quickly approaching due date of an Art History paper. What on earth do you write for an Art History paper?!? “It was a very nice statue. The carving is typical to the artist…” No idea. Anyway, you can see my dilemma.
I feel like I need to amend my comments on BreakForth. I was in a bit of a state when I wrote them. I did not mean to imply that Bruce Wilkinson was a bad speaker. Yes, Arlen Salte (the conference organizer, and, for those of you southern Albertans who may remember the 80’s-90’s rock band “Heartattack,” the lead singer of that former band) did get up at the session following Bruce Wilkinson’s and [sort of] apologize for what he said. But that doesn’t mean people weren’t impacted by his words (in a positive way). Actually, Arlen didn’t apologize as much for what Bruce Wilkinson said as for how it came across to people and how it made some people feel. Some, and I count myself in this group, were quite offended by him calling down judgment from God on the churches, families, relationships, and personal lives of the people who did not stand for his “alter call to discipleship.” His call was worded in such a way as to not include everyone, and I did not feel like it was something God was dealing with me about. However, to then tell me that my church, relationships, family, and life is cursed because I didn’t stand up is not cool in my book. That being said, one of the ladies from church who came to BreakForth for the first time this year was quite impacted by his talk and really came away with good things to say about it. Upon reflection, there were some excellent points made (if I pulled out my journal, I could transcribe some of my notes), I guess the ending soured my perspective.
I think that my favourite class of the weekend was one on Worship Leading with Graham Kendrick. He is one great guy. Very humble, very genuine. It wasn’t too simplistic or anything either. One of my pet peeves is when people get up for a talk and start quoting random people you are fairly sure they have never read, but just happened to come up when they googled “worship quotes” or they are from the latest quote book at the Christian book store. Unfortunately, I see that a lot with “worship-type people,” not to generalize or anything because I am somewhat in that “worship-type” group. But there was none of that with Graham. He was very straight and left me with the impression of great wisdom.
And of course there was my sister’s church Sunday morning. She goes to one of the Anglican churches in Edmonton. I must say that I love going to an Anglican church every now and again. One thing I really miss is the richness and beauty of the liturgy, the focus on scripture, and emphasis on confession and becoming right with God before the Eucharist is celebrated. I think that we tend to gloss over a lot of that in more “evangelical” circles – especially the confessional emphasis and focusing on scripture (case in point: I cannot remember if the Bible was even read this morning at my church…). Also, her minister is possibly the best preacher I heard all weekend. Jen said she has a PhD. in English, and it showed. Every single word that she said counted. It was really intense and made me think a lot, but she was humourous, in an intelligent and dry sort of way. I think that she said more in 20 min than most preachers I hear on a regular basis say in 40. It almost felt like I was in a university lecture, except it was a little shorter than most of mine! Jen said that can be either a good thing or a bad thing (who needs 6 days a week with “classes”!) depending on the amount of sleep obtained the preceding night. However, I loved it. I would love to be able to preach like that! Thinking back to my previous comment on quotes, I sometimes wonder how people can have had the time to actually read all the fantastic books out there. There are so many books I would love to read, at least for their literary value (I’m thinking of the classics which everyone quotes and I have read a fraction of) or their theological value (some of the classics of Christian thought). But how does one have the time to read all of them? I barely have time to read my text books in time for the next class and inevitably end up reading at least one if not more chapters for the first time the night before an exam. Perhaps sitting here and typing is part of that problem. But seriously, I am a fast reader and can’t fathom being able to read all of them! Maybe when school is done and I am aching for intellectual stimulation while sitting in a boring job I am working at to make money to pay off loans I incurred while attending school and traveling. Ideas? (And Coles Notes is NOT a solution!)