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Mar 1 2017

photo by William Warby, CC BY 2.0

A recent Freakonomics podcast, Is the American Dream Really Dead?, highlighted increasing income inequality in the U.S. and decreased ability of people to do better financially than their parents. The podcast shared two things that can help overcome the growing tendency to be born poor and stay that way. As I listened I realized our church is creating both of those in our neighborhood!

In the Freakonomics podcast Raj Chetty, a Stanford economist, reported on research that showed upward mobility is correlated with good public schools and social capital. Loosely defined, social capital refers to the value people get from knowing others. For example, the more people you know the more likely it is that someone will be there to help you find a better job or pick up your sick child when you might risk your job by leaving work to do it yourself. The more people you have to support you, the more likely it is you’ll flourish economically (and I’d say in other ways too).

When I heard “good public schools” and “social capital,” I realized those are exactly what our church’s school partnership ministry, Children First, is helping to create. At Greenwood Hills Elementary and Mark Twain Elementary, we partner with parents, students, teachers, and staff to support education. From doing teacher appreciation activities to volunteering alongside parents at PTA events and tutoring sessions, our efforts contribute to good public schools for two largely low-income student populations. By partnering with and working alongside parents, students, teachers, and staff, taking our lead from them and what they need, we’re also building personal relationships that contribute to greater social capital for everyone involved.

We set out to follow Jesus’ instruction to love our neighbors, and it turns out we’re also contributing to people achieving the American Dream. Pretty cool, huh?

If you’d like more information or to receive regular updates about our school partnerships, e-mail .

To see current school needs and how you can help, click here.

To read about the history of our school partnerships click here.

I hope to see you Sunday as we continue our “God is…” series of sermons with “God is… true?”

In Christ,
Rich

Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson

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Mar 1 2017

At multiple points during this year’s presidential campaign I’ve found myself feeling like the little boy whose voice was caught on video when one of the nominees visited his classroom: “I’m nervous. I’m nervous. I’m nervous.” News reports about both major candidates continue to make me nervous; however, I also keep reminding myself of several things from the Bible that assure me, it’ll be ok.

Jesus was more interested in church leadership than government leadership

Jesus apparently felt little need for political support in accomplishing his goals. He didn’t bother advocating policy to King Herod or the Roman governor, Pilate, when he appeared before them. When he talked to religious leaders he focused on topics like lowering barriers to worship and expanding opportunities to do good. Even when asked about tax policy, Jesus pivoted to spiritual commitment. Recalling Jesus’ lack of need for political support to accomplish his goals reassures me that whichever candidate we elect president, it’ll be ok.

We have dual citizenship

Jesus taught that his followers are residents of the Kingdom of God no matter where they happen to be living. The political entity in which they lived could fall to another nation as Israel did to Rome, could turn violently against them as Rome did under Nero, or could give them special status as Rome did under Constantine. Their earthly nation could change beyond recognition, yet they would be ok, because their primary citizenship was in the Kingdom of God. I’ve heard talk this election cycle that one candidate or the other will bring an end to the country as we know it if elected. I doubt that will happen, but even if it does, I recall that I belong first and foremost to the eternal Kingdom of God, and because of that, it’ll be ok.

We’re electing a president not a savior

I want what the Bible describes as shalom for myself, for my country, and for the world. It means peace, wholeness, and wellbeing and is one way of expressing what salvation looks like. The Bible teaches that only God can give true shalom. When I remember to look to God to save the world rather than to a political leader I become more honest about the limits of any human leader, recognize more clearly that human shalom-building is a team effort needing my participation, and gain assurance that if an elected leader isn’t my idea of a savior, it’ll be ok.

By this time next week we should know the identity of our next president. I’m nervous. But I’m also assured. It’ll be ok.

In Christ,
Rich

Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson

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Mar 1 2017

We have evidence that Jesus’ inner circle contained at least two people with strongly opposite political beliefs. Matthew worked as a tax collector, collaborating with the Roman occupiers of Judea. Simon was known as the Zealot, a term used to describe people strongly against any kind of collaboration. As far as we know these two managed to work together and get along despite their political differences. I believe that’s still possible today, and we can help make it happen by following two principles we see in Jesus’ life and teaching.

Jesus lived incarnationally

Next month at Christmas we’ll celebrate “the incarnation,” the act of God taking on human form. God got to know us, and we got to know God on a completely new and deeper level, because God chose to live life as we live it, to see things from our perspective. Jesus followed this pattern throughout his life as he interacted meaningfully with everyone from the wealthy to the poor, from Jewish to Samaritan to pagan, from the healthy to the ill. He made an effort to know all of these people as more than just labels or stereotypes and never demonized anyone, not even the demon-possessed! Perhaps Matthew and Simon were able to work together despite their differences by living incarnationally, making an effort to understand each other and to see things from each other’s perspective.

Jesus taught and lived agape

Almost every time you read the word “love” in the New Testament, and every time Jesus uses it, the Greek word being translated is agape. It means doing good things for another person. When Jesus says to love our enemies,  he’s not saying we have to feel good about them, but that we have to do good things for them regardless of how we feel. Most people respond to acts of agape with gratitude. Defensiveness lessens and willingness to collaborate increases. Maybe a steady infusion of agape wore down any animosity between Simon and Matthew and enabled them to work as a team with Jesus.

This year’s election has highlighted many divisions within our country. We followers of Jesus have an example for how to heal those divisions. In the days ahead I’ll be working to live incarnationally and to show agape to the people around me, particularly to those who voted differently than me. I hope you’ll join me in this. Together we can create an environment where people separated by politics can nevertheless work together peacefully and productively.

In Christ,
Rich

Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson