The Energy is in the Transition(s)

Right after Big Tent Christianity, I made the mistake of going to yoga two days in a row at two entirely different studios where the teachers focused on exactly the same thing: transitions.

As a side note, what is all that about?  Is there some sort of master yoga curriculum they're following?  A "Sunday school quarterly" of sorts?  (My Baptist family members should get that)

"We're going to work on living in the transitions between poses.  So often, we want to move quickly from one pose to the next with no thought of how we got there but the transitions are where the real energy lies.  As we breathe in the transitions, this allows us to rest, regain & refocus energy, refine our alignment, and frees us to move into a deeper understanding of the next pose."

I've been working on my thoughts about Big Tent Christianity for a week now (this post is in its 10th iteration) and I am losing my mind trying to craft the right words or turn of phrase.  So, here are my thoughts in the transition(s) time:

1. Tony, it didn't suck.  But we ended up doing exactly what you hoped we wouldn't.
2. I stand by my statement that there is bad theology (and I would add misinformation) in our churches that can only be changed if clergy (including me) will grow a spine.
3. I am tired of all the talking.

The way I see it, all the talking heads (of which I was one) were in some “pose” or another, vigorously working out their understanding of “Big Tent Christianity” in all the different configurations possible.  Some were in basic poses, others in the more advanced stage, some novices and others masters.  Regardless, the configuration of the event didn’t allow for much interaction between practitioners.  All of us were focused inward – on our individual experiences, thoughts, and alignment.

The real energy, however, was in the transitions.  In the hallways, lunch conversations, over beer & cigars at the after-party, and in the ministry of Love Wins made possible by the spare change of party-goers.  I felt more at home in those times, more at ease and connected to the “Big Tent” than in the official meeting times/poses.  I was given space to rest, regain & refocus energy, refine my alignment and, with God’s help, freed to move into a deeper understanding of the next pose of Big Tent Christianity.

I can only pray that others felt the same.  Thanks be to God.