Resources for “Simplicity Itself”
In the February 22, 2010 issue of Alban Weekly (“Simplicity Itself“), Bob Sitze recognizes that many people in congregations long to live more simply. The multi-tasked, fast-paced, and possession-obsessed culture in which we live is not spiritually or physically sustainable. Following the example of Jesus, we are called, in Sitze’s words, to “live simply and joyfully in service to others.”
We can do that by being conscious and intentional about what we pay attention to, giving our full attention to only one thing at a time. By so doing, we gradually stop paying attention to all those things that drain our vitality. It’s even the case, says Sitze, that we can judge the joyfulness of our lives “by the amount and quality of the attention you devote to various aspects of your life.”
A good place to begin living simply is by having “simplicity conversations” in congregations. What resources might support that? I invite you to strongly consider the items listed at the end of the article, especially Sitze’s own Starting Simple: Conversations About the Way We Live (from which today’s article is drawn). You might also consider the resources in the “Simple Living” section of the Congregational Resource Guide and Lisa Colburn’s essay, “Approaches to Simple Living.” If you are seeking to form a small group on this or other topics, check out the “Small Groups” section of the Guide as well.
What are your stories and thoughts on this topic? And what resources do you suggest? We look forward to hearing from you!
I enjoyed this article. Simplicity is what I think our community really hungers for. Media promotes the multitasking concept so that even an evening out with friends is about people checking their emails or answering their Iphones when a really wonderful discussion is taking place.
A great message for our difficult times. I will use some of this message as I work on our annual pledge drive even though it is so much broader.
Really enjoyed reading the article. Liked the phrase, what you pay attention to will also determine what you do not pay attention to. The world of multi-tasking has made our lives so much more superficial. Thank you for taking the time to write a simple and focused article.
Blessings
Gerard Kiemeney
Your timing couldn’t have been better. My husband was lamenting this morning about this very topic. He and I yearn for a simple lifestyle without all the trappings or consumerism. We humans fall far too easily for the temptations of the world and miss out on being in the world and enjoying all that God has given us to explore and discover. This is what “the doctor ordered;” this is part of the healing Jesus came to give us.
Absolutely Bob is right about living simply, intentionally, focus on what we do instead of having so much to do that focus is impossible. More importantly, Bob lives as an example of living simply. It isn’t simple in the lives we live to sit together at the dinner table and to a home prepared meal no less! The joy of simple living is worth it, but we have to be living examples of Jesus’ walk, not just preach about it or lift up common examples. We need our lives to be examples to others and to serve as Jesus did and still does through others and in the lives of so many. We all need to begin where we are at and try to cut our carbon footprint. You may want to try Michael’s Lenten Cabon Fast at http://www.simpleliving.org. Lent is a good time to meat portions or forget red meat for Lent. Go vegetarian, even vegan. Now that went over my boundaries but gives me more admiration for vegans.
An interesting thoughtful commentary — given that so many people are currently being forced economically into a simpler life than what they formerly lived. My wife and I are living a simpler life because of recent continuing illnesses. We would just as soon not have them, but actually do appreciate the simpler life we’re now living.
Friends:
Thanks to all who responded; your thoughts touch me deeply, perhaps because simplicity is always seen as a goal to be reached, and thus relegates any of us who are just “along the way” to a kind of perpetual Lutheran semi-guilt and loneliness because we haven’t arrived there. (Yes, living simply makes you into a Lutheran, sadly or gladly. Or perhaps a Buddhist with a Germanic name?)
Lately I’ve been wondering about “noise” as a feature of life, and whether in matters of moving toward simplicity this quality (non-quality?) of life is more important even than attention. Or connected to it. Anyone out there done any work on that phenomenon? (“Noise” not only as sound waves, but as a metaphoric or biological function of the brain.) I’m thinking that “noisy” and “quiet” might be descriptors of personality types, or basic frameworks for approaching the world. Perhaps noisy-or-not describes the worship wars phenomenon. Maybe Alban Institute as quiet and SureFire HotShot Ecclesio-Publishing as noisy? Noise-tolerance; noise as chaotic sound yet to be sorted into actionable perception; or even the addictive qualities of noise in our brains.
Not sure yet about this idea, but intrigued.
Thanks for the response. Keep thinking, praying and writing. It encourages the heck out of people just like you!
Bob Sitze,
To Bill Foley:
A quick note:
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — through its publisher, Augsburg Fortress Publishing — has published a CD-based interactive congregational financial response program (aka “pledge drive”) called MAKE IT SIMPLE. Google the title or Augsburg, or poke around at http://www.ecla.org/stewardship and see if you can find it.
Check it out and let me know if I can help!
Bob Sitze
Simplicity comes to the surface when long term sickness comes to the family. Age wise we are both seniors and I still work and love it. However both my wife and I have had a stumble health wise. What we did we now can’t do not because of lack of ability but because there is now only enough time to do the most important things and even that has gotten smaller. People are so important, causes are just that causes that can distract one from engaging in the moment. At this time in our lives we are finding what is real and what is shadow. Unfortunately we have spent a lot of our lives shadow boxing and not with the real stuff. I believe the real stuff is focusing on the person rather than the process.
This was a great article and well timed as the world seems to be more complex with each passing year.
I enjoyed the article and will share it with our Spiritual Nurture group. We are studying the spiritual disciplines and the discipline of Simplicity is the one we are presently working on.
In connection with a different project I am working on, if you can without much effort, could you please send me references to times when Jesus criticized government? Any help would be much appreciated.
Dave
Check out the Hutterites and their work on simplicity and noise – particularly those in the eastern United States.. The sense that busyness and noise are signs of lack of focus and of moving into a complicated secular world.
Also, of course, Buddhists have written greatly on this. Check out Thich Nhat Hanh who has written volumes on this walk. Watch for his Walking Meditations; Calming the Fearful Mind; and Touching Peace.
Couldn’t have come at a better time. Working as the music minister at a mid-sized church with a number of “upper to high” income families, perhaps the most disturbing thing I see is the loss of simplicity for the children. It seems that the there is a direct inverse relation between family income and simplicity. The children don’t choose, at least not with real thought. They are told by parents (and media) what they have to do to “succeed” in our consumeristic western society.