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On a whim, I decided to attend the Live Earth concert in London in July. The global Live Earth concerts spanned all seven continents including Antarctica (think lonely scientists playing the trumpet in parkas). Perhaps the largest musical event ever in the history of our planet, Live Earth was a call to action. I came away with many impressions, learnings, and also questions. How might we as church leaders learn from this massive cultural event? As I reflected back on the experience, several insights emerged. Invading the mundane. One of the most profound aspects of the Live Earth experience was the understanding that this concert was occurring on the same day across the world. At times, video feeds were projected with performances and speakers from the other side of the globe. There was an immediate sense that we were connected to something much bigger than a single event in London. I was reminded of one of the first things I learned about the Mass in my Catholic high school religion class. My teacher, Mr. Laniak, taught us that the Mass is being said all across the world every hour of every day and as we participate we are joined and united with the whole church in one unified act together. So, as Live Earth continued, I clearly understood that the message to get involved in the work of saving the planet was bigger than one concert on one day in one city. This is the most important issue of our time. Hollywood stars featured in thirty second video spots, web sites, and concert speakers all used the same language that we have to “answer the call” to a climate in crisis. And, there was a feeling that came from participating in such a lofty endeavor – the mundane of my life was invaded. As pastors and church leaders who invite people to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ (which just might include the climate change issue as well), it is vitally important that we paint visions and pictures that are bigger than our church and even our denomination. We need to recapture a Kingdom-sized language. We are part of the body of Christ, called to bring the Kingdom of God to planet earth. A vision this size requires big pictures, huge pictures to communicate, inspire, and lead. Clarity of message. Another insight I found in the Live Earth experience was the clarity of the message it communicated. My paraphrase: "The planet is in trouble and we have got to do something about it. So, today we are committing to live out an action-driven 7-point pledge to save the planet." This message was strikingly clear and deeply passionate. Not a single person attending, performing, or working at the event was unsure about the issue at hand. As leaders it is our responsibility to ensure that our mission is communicated and lived out in clear, deep, and passionate ways -- whether that is seeking to care for foster children, to raise funds for relief efforts in Darfur, Sudan, or to minister to people struggling with addictions. We need clarity and passion about the big picture of what it means to follow Jesus and the ways in which that becomes lived out in our own communities. Creative meaningful participation. I am going to use a dangerous word: Entertainment. I like to be entertained. I like to be moved. And I love to laugh. Live Earth definitely delivered in the entertainment realm with tons of huge performers, actors, and DJs. But, on top of being entertained, we were made to feel hugely significant in a strikingly un-self-centered way. The event instilled a deep sense of responsibility – what we do (or do not do) as individuals greatly matters to the earth. This was communicated repeatedly in a variety of forms, both practical and satirical. We were reminded that we have the power to save the planet through simple acts of energy conservation and advocacy. During each of the Live Earth concerts people were asked to participate in personal and immediate ways. To demonstrate our commitment to make energy changes in our daily lives, we were asked to send text messages from our cell phones. The names and hometowns of those who sent text messages would then fly across a big screen. In the weeks since the concert, every time I leave a room, I think about my Live Earth experience and am reminded to hit the light switch or recycle a plastic bottle. It was impossible to leave not feeling a new sense of importance, significance, and meaning. As individuals, we were connected to a larger movement. We were told we have the power to make a difference and that our inaction is not neutral. In theological words, the sins of commission and omission around climate change were made abundantly clear in ways that inspired urgent action. Now, Live Earth only happened once, and as we preach and lead, we have the attention of people every week. It is our job as church leaders to create meaningful steps that people can take toward engagement in worship, the life the church and the larger mission of Jesus. With a little creativity, there are countless ways to turn a crowd of 100 or even 1,000 into active participants. The church cannot call people to an urgent mission or bring meaning to their lives without imparting the responsibility to act. What a goal to think that our sermons, our ideas, and most importantly our call to the mission of Jesus could invade the mundaneness of everyday lives. Sidney Traynham (straynham@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and also works at Action by Churches Together (ACT) International in Geneva, Switzerland. He previously served as the Media Director at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, OH. |
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Invading the Mundane: