And Deliver Us from Eagles

Two favorite hymns of people are “On Eagles’ Wings” and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”  The two hymns are both about birds.  Interesting isn’t it?  They are totally opposite variations of bird species.  The hymns reflect that difference.  “On Eagles’ Wings” sings of the Good Lord who is strong and valiant holding his children in the palm of his strong hand.  “His Eye is on the Sparrow” is a more pastoral message caring for all the little, helpless sparrows like a loving mother.  Eagles and sparrows certainly become an odd couple, don’t they?

Many moons ago when I was a baby pastor a colleague told the parable of eagles and sparrows in the church. I may embellish a little.  (The analogy fits most volunteer groups because it is about human nature.)  He said there are eagles and there are sparrows.  Eagles make the place look splendid.  Their noble stature becomes a reflection of the institution. Everyone driving by sees the eagles and takes pictures of the eagles.  Sparrows are in the background flittering around also needing to be fed.  Without ceremony they get their job done being fed and feeding one another.  But then the cameras are put away and the eagles end up scaring away the sparrows.  The sparrows begin to wonder if it is a safe place anymore.

I would say this is a universal condition whenever we gather.  It happens at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church, at Generic Lutheran Church, at the Grand Order of Buffaloes, at the Loyal Daughters of Jupiter, and at Suburbia Elementary PTA.

Oh, I have seen my share of eagles over the years. In my case, it has been at Generic Lutheran Church.  I’ve seen eagles scare sparrows out of study groups that were designed with the sparrow in mind.  I’ve seen eagles scare sparrows out of the choir loft; scare sparrows from junior leadership positions; scare sparrows out of kitchens, sacristies, parking lots, and garden spots.  The sparrows begin to wonder if it is a safe place anymore.

Enter the emerging church:  those are the untraditional communities of faith that don’t look like their parents’ iconic churches.  They are the communities made up of Gen-Xers, Millennial Agers and a scattering of Boomers, students and hipsters, social activists and unchurched people in search of community.  They are sparrows who have nested together.  If someone begins to sound like their eagle parent, they are called out for their offense to the nature of the community.  They are committed sparrows.  Sparrows rock!

We need eagles.  Eagles take on necessary leadership roles.  Eagles initiate programs.  Eagles know the history. Eagles might be bankrolling the organization.  But eagles need to be reminded that they are eagles.  Eagles need to soar humbly and lovingly otherwise they become too “eagle-icious.”

Why can’t we all be robins?