The Scroll
A Periodic newsletter
for SAM's Lambs
http://www.samslambs.org

The Rev:  A View from Upstairs

SAM's Lambs - Good Shepherd Ministry for Singles

Why God Will Never Get Tenure at Any University

  1. Only published one book.
  2. It was in Hebrew.
  3. It had no references.
  4. He did not publish it in referenced journals.
  5. Some doubt He even wrote it Himself.
  6. He is not known for his cooperative work.
  7. Sure. He created the world, but what has He done lately?
  8. He did not get permission from any review board to work on human subjects.
  9. When one of His experiments went awry, He tried to cover it up by drowning all the subjects.
  10. When sample subjects do not behave as predicted, He deletes the whole sample.
  11. He rarely comes to class. He just tells His students to read the Book.
  12. It is rumored that He sometimes lets His Son teach the class.
  13. Although He only has 10 requirements, His students often fail His tests.
  14. He expelled His first two students for learning.
  15. His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top.

(From faculty members at Kansas State University and instructors at Allen County Community College)

Internet References:

Singles in the Church: Is There Seating For One In The Church?

From The Rev: 
  Flash! Jesus Wasn't Married! 
  God Welcomes Singles, Too

by Reverend Lance Robbins
Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

One of my favorite advertisements produced by a national church reads as follows: 'IF YOU THINK CHURCH IS ONLY FOR FAMILIES, REMEMBER - JESUS WAS SINGLE. Our church believes there's more than enough room for singles in the family of God. We invite you to join us in faith and fellowship every Sunday.'

That ad readily came to mind as I jot down these few lines for this issue of Singles, The Magazine for Today's Single. It is my hope that in this column and future columns, as in the past, we can explore, discover and recover dimensions of our spirituality, particular to those of us who are single. Of special interest and concern to me as a pastor is how one may celebrate and experience  the deep and abiding love of God in a world which a person's status and even identity are at times "suspect" simply because they are single. Even the term itself often has negative connotations, defined by not being "married".

As part of the Christian community and faith I remind our readers that our life in God is a life in which expressions of love, concern and reaching out to others is not dependent upon marriage. The love we cherish and proclaim re-affirms the worth and dignity of each person in the eyes of God. This is not to undermine the value of marriage and the traditional two-parent family, but lifts up and values people unmarried, divorced, separated, or widowed as well.

Unfortunately, at times, our churches have focused exclusively on those who are married, and on families. May we do better! It is hoped that we may help each other to develop a faith that embraces life and help all experience a sense of acceptance and the awareness of the presence of God.

Single. Gifted. Accepted. Loved. Valued. Let us remind ourselves and those around us that "contrary to popular belief" God welcomes singles too.

Faithfully,
The Rev. Lance D. Robbins
Rector, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
Webster NY

The Reverend Lance Robbins is Rector for the growing flock at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1130 Webster Rd., Webster NY 14580. (585) 872-2281 and co-founder and leader of SAM's Lambs Singles Ministry