For those of you who are newer readers to the blog you may not know where the name "Preacher on the Plaza" came from.
All of this blogging started in 2009 when I became the pastor of Washington Plaza Baptist Church-- a lovely little congregation that sat in the middle of Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, VA. Want to read about my first days on the job and more about the church? Click here.
So, it seemed fitting that if I was going to blog about my work with Washington Plaza, then the name "Preacher on the Plaza" would be the best choice considering I was pastoring THE church on this famous Reston plaza.
But as I left this church in 2012 and made the move to Oklahoma for things to come, the name stuck around.
It seemed that the more I sought to figure out life and ministry, the places I felt called to the most were outside of the church. . . . while keeping one foot in the door of it too.
A couple years ago, when I redesigned my blog in this format, I asked my friend Scott Henrichsen to take some pictures that would reflect the theme (thus the header I use today). It was a very cold, cold day in downtown DC near K street. But you can't tell it from how he organized the photos.
But much as has changed in my life since then-- three years in Oklahoma and now back in DC-- so I thought it was a great time to re-do some of the images.
So this week, Scott and I hit the streets again this time in DC in the Eastern Market area. It turned out to be a much different shoot than before. Mostly because it was a beautiful day in the city and folks were a lot more willing to chat!
Scott told everyone that I was a "street preacher" to which I had to correct him and laugh every time (You know, I'm not the stand on the milk crate, hell fire and brimstone type) and that he was taking pictures for the Preacher on the Plaza blog.
We're really not as scary as people think. We eat and breathe like everyone else. And we might just be fun to talk to!
So, first, I chatted for awhile with this father and son in DC from down South, who were celebrating the award of one of their family members who just received an national honor of parent of the year.
It so easy to bond with people over the dogs, like I did with this couple out getting ready to buy some fresh vegetables at the open air market. Though you can't see their beautiful pup in this photo, "Joe" was a cutie!
Then, I met this couple who was visiting the DC area from Pennsylvania and really happy to be doing some shopping in the city.
I then began talking to this man who plays his guitar every afternoon in Eastern Market but spends his weekends in Georgetown, playing there because the tips are better.
He then asked me if I knew any church songs, to which I said yes!
"Do you know Amazing Grace?" he wondered. "Of course I know it," I answered.
"Then, you're going to sing it and I'm going to play!" He told me.
Big gulp!
So, right here on this street corner, I sang Amazing Grace.
What you can't tell from the picture is that a flock of 5 year old karate students passed by and wondered what in the world was going on!
What a blast that was!
Then, I was able to meet this young couple expecting their first child. I heard stories from the mother-to-be about her grandfather that was a Lutheran but also a "Pentecostal, full of the Holy Spirit" kind of preacher. "He was such a great man!" she added, "People loved him."
They were so interested in what kind of pastor I was and asked me several questions of about what kind of ministry I do. She wrote down the address of my blog. So, if you are reading right now-- it was great to meet you!
Maybe I should get out to the plazas more often. What beautiful people I met! Thanks to Scott for the capturing the moments!
One of the first question people ask when they learn I'm a preacher is, "What kind are you?"
Though there are a thousand ways to answer this question, I know what the person is really asking. They want to know who I am?
They want to know what denomination or faith group I associate with.
They want to know about my ordination.
The answer is simple. I say, "I am Baptist."
(And usually a collective gasp falls over the room).
Soon thereafter, I get questions like, "How is that possible?" "You aren't Southern Baptist are you?" "They don't allow for girl preachers do they?"
The answer is "Yes, it's possible, but no, I'm not Southern Baptist (though I grew up as one)."
And the longer explanation is that was ordained American Baptist. (You can read more about their story here).
The ABC is a group of Baptists that has ecumenical ties to groups like the Disciples of Christ and the Presbyterian Church USA.
And I also find theological kinship with the Alliance of Baptists (You can read more about what they believe here). The Alliance is a progressive group of Baptists closely aligned with the United Church of Christ. (Oh, and I attended a United Methodist seminary!)
Sound complicated? Well, maybe. But, I love being the kind of Baptist that allows for connection to the larger Mainline church in the United States and around the world. I love connection to the historical traditions of the creeds and sacraments. And I love the freedom to not always work in a Baptist church. God's Spirit always is leading us out, I believe!
Recently, I was asked to be one of the columnists for the new Alliance of Baptist blog called Voices. Every couple of months, I submit a post that has as something to do with the conversations going on within progressive Christianity.
I invite you to check out this series here. Some of my recent posts have included:
My fellow columnists have some insightful posts that I'd know you'd love too.
Growing up with a Baptist heritage and now forging a different way to be Baptist with an eye toward social justice, separation of church and state, the priesthood of all believers and most of ecumenism is a delightful place to be!
See, all Baptists aren't what you imagined! And I'm glad to be one of them.
