Called to be .... Odd

The community began the first time, and each time, because God takes an initiative and gathers folk together for oddness. God gathers together folks like us, rich and poor, liberal and conservative, willing and reluctant, slave and free, and bids all sign on for odd songs and hard commands. In that way a community is formed like none other in the world. There is nothing here of arrogance or virtue or merit, nothing here of despising outsiders or congratulaing insiders. There is only assurance that to be odd in the world is God’s intention for this people. And now this weak, exilic community must decide what to do with its oddness. Walter Brueggemann

Let us not hide our oddness under a bushel, under professional music and multicoloured matching shirts. Let's not worry about the quality of our advertising and strategic five year plans. Let us not strive to look credible and relevant. But let us celebrate our odd ones. Those who love collecting the imprints of postcards, those who wear trousers not quite long enough. Those who love electronics and sound systems. Those who enjoy horse racing and the antique roadshow. Perhaps even those who wear flip flops more than they should...

By their oddness and love shall you know them.