Here is the quote of the week.

First, to set this up, you need to know that I am leading the Senior High Youth Group on Sunday evenings.

And having a blast.

I started my ministry working with youth. In college I worked with Young Life. I also ran a summer camp for youth. Everywhere I have worked since college I have been closely involved with the spiritual formation of teenagers. I'm still at it. It's the best part of the job.

Why do I do it? It keeps me young. It keeps my head on straight.

This past Sunday I was with a group of young people and we were talking about their experience of the social hierarchy at high school. After hearing their penetrating analysis of the abusive behavior teens can inflict on one another as they find their place in the pecking order, Laurie said, (and I quote),

“No one likes the popular people.”

No one likes the popular people?

It reminded me of a Yogi Berraism: “That restaurant is so crowded, no one eats there anymore.”

Laurie was pointing to an insane polarity: We all have a desire for belonging. Yet, we seek positions of superiority in relationship with others.

We long to belong. We know that our deepest needs are best served by our participation in a healthy, vital, life-giving community. But rather than invest in community, we invest in symbols of separation.

This, I think, is at the heart of why a church like St. David's struggles financially. People are torn by the insane polarity. In our heart of hearts we know that life rises out of the community we have in Christ Jesus. But something tugs at us to spend our time, talent and treasure in efforts that can only result in greater and greater isolation.

If the Rector risks pointing this out, the inevitable criticism is: "The Rector is after my money." Or, "The Rector is always talking about money."

How come the response is not:

"Wow. The Rector is really serious about nurturing our faith."

"Wow. The Rector is really serious about helping us to become a healthy, vital community."

"Wow. The Rector is really serious about guiding us into experiences of genuine belonging."

"Wow. The Rector is really serious about leading us into the abundance we have in Christ Jesus."

But no. It's always: The Rector is after my money. It's never: The Rector really cares.

The fact of the matter is some are ready to grapple with the real relationship between life and faith and money. Others aren't.

Some will enter deeply into commitment with one another and become an amazing, life transforming community. Others, sadly, won't.

Some will experience the joy of investing fully in the life they can have in Christ Jesus. Others will continue to invest in symbols of social hierarchy that serve only to deepen their isolation.

Unfortunately, Laurie got it just right.

No one likes the popular people. But everyone wants to be one.