Have you ever been to jail?

I have not.  My impression is that it is not a fun place to be.

You’ve probably caught wind of the firestorm that started brewing this week.  Suddenly, it’s become apparent that under the President’s healthcare overhaul, every healthcare facility will have to provide contraceptive and abortion-inducing medications.  This of course, is seen as directly affecting Catholics, who have traditionally taught against artificial contraception.

I don’t think Christians have ever been in a position to go to jail for their beliefs in America, at least not in our lifetimes.  But a lot of Catholic bishops are saying they will go to jail rather than comply.

There have been a few people beating the drums for a long time, alerting us to the impending government interference on our religious liberty.  We usually call them “right wing nuts” or “Glenn Beck.”  And I have to say, I haven’t believed them.  But this sure looks eerie.

My question to all of you Catholics, Evangelicals, Democrats, Republicans, whatever you are: we’ve talked a pretty big game as long as we’ve had the freedom to do so.  Are you ready to put your money where your mouth is?

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I think it’s time to say this.

If you haven’t noticed, things have gotten kind of divisive lately.

I read recently that President Obama is, statistically, the most polarizing President in history.  Sounds hard to believe after W.  Basically, that means we’re becoming more hard-bitten in our half-witted “ideologies” while we plug our ears with toilet paper.

And you know that Christians are no different.

While I try to keep conversations here productive and reasonable, sometimes the controversy is just exhausting.  Christians (at least those of us who pay attention to any other Christians) divide ourselves over politics, social issues, theology, the “feel” of Christianity (since when is Christianity about a “feeling?”), and a million other tiny issues.  We are even divided over which Christians we should show unity with.

If you think we may be letting things get out of hand, please read on.  And I’ve never asked you to do this before, but let’s try to share this message at least as much as we spread the latest juicy bit of Christian gossip.

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You know, sometimes we get so caught up with celebrity personalities, we forget to notice the little guy.

There they are, plugging away, fighting the good fight, and no one seems to pay attention.

Today, I want to correct that.  Because while there are the big guys like Rob and Mark and Pat kicking hornet’s nests, there are plenty of other guys who deserve their time in the sun.

I don’t usually single people out, but today, I want to celebrate Pastor Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church, an Independent Fundamental Baptist congregation that meets in a classroom-sized space in a strip mall.  Many of you have watched him on YouTube preach with godly ferocity about the importance of wearing pants or urinating while standing (for men) or the evils of painkillers during childbirth (for women).  If you don’t know this guy, then you are missing out.  His star is rising, with every appearance on local news and getting tased by hecklers.

I’ve compiled a “best of” list of some of Pastor Anderson’s most inspirational quotes, a tribute, a salute, if you will.

And maybe you can help me figure out just what it is with fundamentalist preachers.

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Trying to get elected President sure isn’t the way it used to be.

Sure, throughout American history, politicians have almost always needed stacks of cash, connections to business tycoons, a soap box and testicles.  We’ve recently relaxed that last requirement.

But that’s about the only requirement that’s been relaxed.  Sure, American politics have always been dirty.  But watching this year’s campaign heat up with the continual swirl of accusations of moral impurity and past transgressions has made me realize something.

We have set a really high standard.  We expect a hell of a lot of our public leaders.  We all think that’s a good thing.  Maybe it’s not…

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I’ve complained before about pastors that seem to think they “own” their churches.

But I’ve noticed the opposite among many churches too.  They own their pastors.

Chances are if you aren’t a pastor, you don’t feel that your place of work owns you.  Many of you probably don’t even like to be identified by what you do.  It’s a job; it pays the bills.

But not so with pastors.  It’s not just a job.  It’s an identity. No wonder we have so many pastors burning out.

Today’s post goes out to all those indentured pastors, but really, no matter what your job is, this post is for you.  Today, you will stop being owned by your job (or lack thereof.)

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Among many of the more conservative wings of Christianity, the debate goes on about women in leadership.

Many of these churches claim to take Paul at his word when he says he doesn’t allow a woman to speak in church.  That means that women still can’t be pastors or elders in a lot of churches, much to the frustration of many women.

Meanwhile, lots of pastors continue to plaster their smiling faces on church mailers and billboards with their wives, who inexplicably call themselves “co-pastor.”

I’ve got a clue for all the churches out there who are still trying to kick it old school and keep women out of leadership, as well as the churches that hire two pastors that happen to be married.

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