Who is Reverend Rich Lang - a Biography
MY CALL INTO MINISTRY:
I was converted to the values and vision of Jesus from a lifestyle of adolescent drug-abuse,
alcoholism and its resulting despair in 1975. My conversion was a very powerful mystical experience that changed my way of thinking, acting and feeling.
Since that moment I have known that my life would be in service to promoting the good news of God's power and ability to redeem.
I never much cared for the institutional form of Christian expression. I interpreted the Church as an institution of hypocrisy and mediocrity.
I wrestled with and rebelled against becoming an "institutionalized Christian".
But over the years I have learned that institutions (although not perfect) are necessary. Institutions, like persons, can be redeemed to
work for justice and the care of the earth.
My call to be an "institutionalized clergy" is an opportunity to proclaim the person of Jesus and his power to redeem. My current ministry
allows me to work with a congregation that seeks to role model justice, peace, compassion and kindness in our care of creation and each other.
I consider myself a Liberation Theologian that is intrigued by the vision of Jubilee (canceling debt, creating a limit on wealth and a floor under poverty).
Thinkers who have influenced me greatly are Ernest Becker, Jacques Ellul, Ted Peters, Robert Jewett, Walter Wink, Walter Brueggemann, Dorothy Day,
Martin Luther King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rosemary Ruether, Mark Noll, Ched Myers, David Korten and Noam Chomsky.
I try to read deeply into the field of politics, Biblical studies and theology so that I might be useful to the congregations I serve.
I very much believe that America is currently undergoing severe change as it moves into the fullness of Empire with a corresponding perversion
of media-driven Christianity which I call Christian Fascism. The good news is that God is a great anarchist that constantly subverts the plans of
control freaks and the power hungry.
Rich married Cathy in 1983 and they have two sons, Mike and Andy.
Rich has been honored with the following community awards:
Ballard Community (2006)
Taking the Bull by the Horn "& for Courageous Social Justice Leadership
Sacred Activists (2006)
Ordinary People/Extraordinary Outcomes Award
Rauschenbusch Center for Spirit and Action (2005)
For leadership in the Social Gospel.
Volunteers of America: Heroic Leadership (Spokane) (1995)
He has published articles in
Yes Magazine, Zion's Herald, Real Change, and various newspapers and websites.
CLERGY EXPERIENCE:
Seattle: Trinity UMC July 2000 to the present
Spokane: Central UMC July 1995-2000
LaConner-Bay View UMC July 1989-1995
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NEXT SUNDAY-July 25
Worship at 10:00 a.m.
Preaching series on The Lord's Prayer
Rev. Rich Lang
Throughout the summer we will focus on different petitions within the Lord's Prayer.
Summer worship moved up to 10am and we are a wee bit more informal.
Come and see.
Coffee & Fellowship time in
the Parlor before and after
Worship.
GREAT SUMMER PICNIC
Noon to 3pm complete with watching Trinity take on Ballard in a game of softball.
Montlake Playground (1618 E. Calhoun St 98112)
Children of Trinity
9:30
Kids Sunday School for ages through 6th grade.
Nursery Care attendant on site at Trinity from 9-noon every Sunday.
Come, grow with us as together we develop the values of joy and justice.
Spiritual Education
Join us Sunday mornings at 9am
for the Education Hour.
Current Theme:
Discovering our Roots: A Wild Romp through Church History
Class lead by Dave Hullin
Click for Details
Trinity Music
The Sparkling Choir of Love, meets every Thursday in the Sanctuary
7pm start time. Come a little early, 6:45 to grab a cup of tea.
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Articles & Sermons
