After six months as the online host for ChurchRater.com, I will be stepping down from this role.
It's simply been too much: balancing work, seminary, preaching, blogging and efforts on my own book (reality: no efforts lately) has been a growth experience, but too much to juggle in a healthy way. My wife thinks some of the screws are starting to come loose… I think she’s right!
I’m thankful to the Off The map Crew and to so many who regularly posted at ChurchRater.com and look forward to seeing where the site goes with the next blog host.
Now, hopefully I can spend a little time at my own blogs...
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at www.EmergingChristianity.blogspot.com
Visit Me At...
Tuesday
Hindus to Buddhists: Usurping Caste...
I was in Seattle over the weekend of November 5th (my one year anniversary!). Jen and I attended The Revolution Conference through Off The Map. Truly an amazing event.
An Indian (India Indian) evangelist named Sunil Sardar came to talk about alternative ways he and his movement are trying to undermine the Caste System. One of their methods is helping members of the upper castes convert to Buddhism from Hinduism. Right now, Christianity is seen as a "lower caste religion" because the "untouchable" Dalits are swarming to Jesus by the hundreds of thousands.
Until the upper castes reject the inhumane system, they will not even consider Christ. So the first, most natural step in affecting their worldview is presenting Buddhism to them, where there is freedom to choose what to do and believe.
Christians evangelizing Hindus to Buddhism? Heresy! I love it!
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
An Indian (India Indian) evangelist named Sunil Sardar came to talk about alternative ways he and his movement are trying to undermine the Caste System. One of their methods is helping members of the upper castes convert to Buddhism from Hinduism. Right now, Christianity is seen as a "lower caste religion" because the "untouchable" Dalits are swarming to Jesus by the hundreds of thousands.
Until the upper castes reject the inhumane system, they will not even consider Christ. So the first, most natural step in affecting their worldview is presenting Buddhism to them, where there is freedom to choose what to do and believe.
Christians evangelizing Hindus to Buddhism? Heresy! I love it!
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Rejection Hurts
As I was Googling “Christianity” and “Church” recently, I stumbled across www.RejectionHurts.com, “an online community where people can share their personal stories of how they felt unwanted or alienated by organized religion.”
The site is produced by the United Church of Christ and includes all sorts of testimonies from the Church-Burned.
Now, I can’t fault UCC for this evangelism tactic. In fact, I think it’s in pretty good taste. But what I love about my own website, www.ChurchRater.com (shameless self-promotion here!) is that we’re not run by a church and we don’t demand happy endings. We acknowledge that for many, many (too many) people, the “church experience” ends with wounding and bitterness.
Reality isn’t always rosey and I GUARANTEE there is no church or denomination that has found “The Answer” to not hurting people.
I’d encourage you to check out www.RejectionHurts.com and think about what is and is not affective or valuable for seekers and those in spiritual recovery…
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at www.emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
The site is produced by the United Church of Christ and includes all sorts of testimonies from the Church-Burned.
One post reads…I love the idea of this website and the tone it takes. However, after reading quite a few of the posts, I realized that almost all of the stories resolved with a “and then I found the UCC Church!” happy ending.
“…one Sunday, my mother convinced me to go to church with her. Everything was fine until the sermon. It was about the ’signs of death in the church’. According to the sermon, the worst was divorce and that those that divorce are going to hell. I was furious. I had done nothing wrong, and I was being told I was going to hell. I turned to my mother, told her I was leaving and would never again set foot in that church…”
Another says…
“…we attended a loving church for over a decade, but when the congregation discovered my homosexuality, I noticed that I had begun to become somewhat segregated from the rest of the church community, and when the clergy began distributing propaganda about the “detestable wickedness” of homosexuals, and similar literature that was blatantly homophobic and hateful to lesbians and gays, I simply quit going to church and over a year I had adopted a rage-filled, agnostic approach to God and religion…”
Now, I can’t fault UCC for this evangelism tactic. In fact, I think it’s in pretty good taste. But what I love about my own website, www.ChurchRater.com (shameless self-promotion here!) is that we’re not run by a church and we don’t demand happy endings. We acknowledge that for many, many (too many) people, the “church experience” ends with wounding and bitterness.
Reality isn’t always rosey and I GUARANTEE there is no church or denomination that has found “The Answer” to not hurting people.
I’d encourage you to check out www.RejectionHurts.com and think about what is and is not affective or valuable for seekers and those in spiritual recovery…
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at www.emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Friday
The Nature of Good & Evil...
From the Mouths of Babes
Two young boys at a Montessori school were involved in a serious discussion about whether "bad guys" existed or not.
In Montessori teaching, they don't let the young children play bad guy/good guy at school, or emulate superheroes or play with guns.
One of the boys insisted to the other that "bad guys did NOT exist!"
The other boy was saying "they DID exist," very adamantly.
The boy who believed in bad guys turned around and said to his teacher, "Bad guys do exist. My dad told me."
The teacher responded, "what did he tell you?"
"Well," he answered, "my dad said a person stole money from a bank and he was a BAD GUY!"
By this time the whole room was listening intently. Their teacher was conflicted: will I admit that bad guys exist or not? she thought.
"Are bad guys real?" the disbelieving little boy asked.
The teacher answered, "I think sometimes there are people who make bad decisions, or bad actions, or bad choices... but that does not necessarily make them a BAD GUY... it means they made a very bad choice..."
Ellie, a three-and-a-half year old girl who was listening jumped up: "Yes! Like George Bush!"
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at EmergingChristianity...
Two young boys at a Montessori school were involved in a serious discussion about whether "bad guys" existed or not.
In Montessori teaching, they don't let the young children play bad guy/good guy at school, or emulate superheroes or play with guns.
One of the boys insisted to the other that "bad guys did NOT exist!"
The other boy was saying "they DID exist," very adamantly.
The boy who believed in bad guys turned around and said to his teacher, "Bad guys do exist. My dad told me."
The teacher responded, "what did he tell you?"
"Well," he answered, "my dad said a person stole money from a bank and he was a BAD GUY!"
By this time the whole room was listening intently. Their teacher was conflicted: will I admit that bad guys exist or not? she thought.
"Are bad guys real?" the disbelieving little boy asked.
The teacher answered, "I think sometimes there are people who make bad decisions, or bad actions, or bad choices... but that does not necessarily make them a BAD GUY... it means they made a very bad choice..."
Ellie, a three-and-a-half year old girl who was listening jumped up: "Yes! Like George Bush!"
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at EmergingChristianity...
Wednesday
Falling From Grace...
We found out recently that the youth pastor at a church my wife once attended quite a few years ago was found with exploitative and pornographic materials on his work computer.
As this scandal unfolds, unconnected pieces from years past - unanswered questions, puzzling circumstances (unnamed abuses and assaults in a small, rural town) - begin to fit together and paint an even darker image.
That night, Jen wept and I choked back tears and nausea. “I trusted him,” Jen said in shock.
He was a friend and confidant to her - a good natured peer, 25 years old. I didn’t know him well, but had liked him when I met him.
So I don’t really know what to feel. I’m angry, as young ladies close to us have been victimized not only by this sad predator but by a church that allowed a young man to lead a co-ed ministry without proper supervision or accountability.
But I’ve seen the same at churches I’ve attended. This type of tragic negligence is nothing new…
Forgive me while this anger burns a little while.
...please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at EmergingChristianity...
As this scandal unfolds, unconnected pieces from years past - unanswered questions, puzzling circumstances (unnamed abuses and assaults in a small, rural town) - begin to fit together and paint an even darker image.
That night, Jen wept and I choked back tears and nausea. “I trusted him,” Jen said in shock.
He was a friend and confidant to her - a good natured peer, 25 years old. I didn’t know him well, but had liked him when I met him.
So I don’t really know what to feel. I’m angry, as young ladies close to us have been victimized not only by this sad predator but by a church that allowed a young man to lead a co-ed ministry without proper supervision or accountability.
But I’ve seen the same at churches I’ve attended. This type of tragic negligence is nothing new…
Forgive me while this anger burns a little while.
All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Psalm 14:3
...please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at EmergingChristianity...
Monday
Having "The Armor of God" Crammed Down My Throat...
My grandmother turned 80 on Sunday and our family threw her a huge party in celebration. She married the Saturday night prior - ending 45 years of single living!
My wife and I stayed in a hotel in Portland to be near for both events. My relatives came from all over, including cousins and an aunt and uncle from Florida. I hadn’t seen any of them in more than 12 years so I had anticipated the weekend with both excitement and reluctance. Excitment for my grandma, with whom I’ve always been close. Reluctance, because my family (like everyone else’s) tends to be a little strange and somewhat exhausting.
I was pleasantly surprised that things were going smoothly by the end of the party on Sunday. The only oddity was the prognostication from my aunt - I guess you could call her a “prophetess” of sorts - who proclaimed (in thick Scottish accent) that my wife and I were to be co-ministers in a future endeavor… that she saw a great pastoral call on my wife’s life in particular. I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy hearing that - but I suppose it wasn’t particularly earth-shattering either.
Then my male cousin David approached me. David is a year older than me, and I’ve often heard stories of his mishaps: burglarly, drug use, misdemeanors here and there… apparently his Pentecostal parents had gotten through to him as he began our first and last conversation that weekend, early Sunday evening.
“So, you’re in Seminary?” David asked.
“Yes, I’ve been going to school for a little over a year now.”
“Wow, I sure would have never predicted that for you,” he said. I couldn’t tell if it was a slam or not - especially since he was the one who’d always been in trouble.
“Yeah,” I answered, “I guess God takes us on different roads than we usually expect.”
“What denomination are you affiliated with?” He asked.
“Not any, really,” I said, “I’m just coming down out of a Pentecostal church - a little burned out.”
That’s where it got weird. “‘Cause I’m leading my own small group on Tuesday nights at the Assembly of God,” David launched in, “There’s a powerful annointing there. Man, when we get going, the Holy Spirit just comes down in power and things happen. We step out onto the street, not alone, not two or three, but we march seven or ten soldiers deep.” Soldiers? He continued, “And we don’t mess around. We pray the blood of Jesus and we wear the full armor of God. If I’ve got a brother who’s not carrying his sword, then I say: brother, I can’t roll with you because you don’t have a weapon against the enemy. And if one of my brothers doesn’t have his breastplate of righteousness on, I gotta say: yo, I can’t roll with that because you don’t got your breastplate of righteousness on. You’re not wearing the full armor of God!”
With each declaration, David is inching close and closer into my personal space. He’s taller and larger than me - about 6′5″ - and I can feel his breath as he speaks. I am already feeling both attacked and placed on the defense, though I don’t understand why or what his motivation is.
He’s still talking, “Because ours is not a battle of flesh and blood but against principalities - you know - principalities and powers…”
I’m frowning because I don’t like his tone or his language (just the kind of thing I’ve been trying to get away from) but somehow I’m nodding my head a little - not in agreement, but because I just can’t help wanting to affirm in some way anyone who’s talking to me - even if I’m just affirmng that I’m hearing their words. I don’t know if that was egging him on or not.
“… And it’s time that the church took back ground. And to do that, our men have to stand up and take leadership in the church and in the home again…” Now I can’t let him keep talking.
I interupt: “Yeah, I don’t really agree with that, David. There are a lot of historical, cultural, situational and ecclesiological contexts that I don’t think you’re taking into account there. I don’t think we’re going to agree, and that’s ok - that’s why we have so many denominations and sects within the church. Because people don’t agree on everything, even Christians. What I’ll stand behind is what is good. I believe that whatever is good and whatever is true comes from Jesus - even in surprising places…” and I was cut off by the Scottish aunt - David’s mother - who was pulling him up in front of the room to do a “Highland Jig” while the bagpiper played (oh, did I mention there was a piper?).
My wife, Jen, was standing close by. She eyed me intensely and asked, “Do you want to go?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’m exhausted.” And I was. We ducked out the backdoor without saying goodbye.
I felt a little bad. I can handle angry atheists, agnostics - even Wiccans - any day of the week. But I still don’t have the stamina to go many rounds with a feverish fundimentalist family member.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at Emerging Christianity...
My wife and I stayed in a hotel in Portland to be near for both events. My relatives came from all over, including cousins and an aunt and uncle from Florida. I hadn’t seen any of them in more than 12 years so I had anticipated the weekend with both excitement and reluctance. Excitment for my grandma, with whom I’ve always been close. Reluctance, because my family (like everyone else’s) tends to be a little strange and somewhat exhausting.
I was pleasantly surprised that things were going smoothly by the end of the party on Sunday. The only oddity was the prognostication from my aunt - I guess you could call her a “prophetess” of sorts - who proclaimed (in thick Scottish accent) that my wife and I were to be co-ministers in a future endeavor… that she saw a great pastoral call on my wife’s life in particular. I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy hearing that - but I suppose it wasn’t particularly earth-shattering either.
Then my male cousin David approached me. David is a year older than me, and I’ve often heard stories of his mishaps: burglarly, drug use, misdemeanors here and there… apparently his Pentecostal parents had gotten through to him as he began our first and last conversation that weekend, early Sunday evening.
“So, you’re in Seminary?” David asked.
“Yes, I’ve been going to school for a little over a year now.”
“Wow, I sure would have never predicted that for you,” he said. I couldn’t tell if it was a slam or not - especially since he was the one who’d always been in trouble.
“Yeah,” I answered, “I guess God takes us on different roads than we usually expect.”
“What denomination are you affiliated with?” He asked.
“Not any, really,” I said, “I’m just coming down out of a Pentecostal church - a little burned out.”
That’s where it got weird. “‘Cause I’m leading my own small group on Tuesday nights at the Assembly of God,” David launched in, “There’s a powerful annointing there. Man, when we get going, the Holy Spirit just comes down in power and things happen. We step out onto the street, not alone, not two or three, but we march seven or ten soldiers deep.” Soldiers? He continued, “And we don’t mess around. We pray the blood of Jesus and we wear the full armor of God. If I’ve got a brother who’s not carrying his sword, then I say: brother, I can’t roll with you because you don’t have a weapon against the enemy. And if one of my brothers doesn’t have his breastplate of righteousness on, I gotta say: yo, I can’t roll with that because you don’t got your breastplate of righteousness on. You’re not wearing the full armor of God!”
With each declaration, David is inching close and closer into my personal space. He’s taller and larger than me - about 6′5″ - and I can feel his breath as he speaks. I am already feeling both attacked and placed on the defense, though I don’t understand why or what his motivation is.
He’s still talking, “Because ours is not a battle of flesh and blood but against principalities - you know - principalities and powers…”
I’m frowning because I don’t like his tone or his language (just the kind of thing I’ve been trying to get away from) but somehow I’m nodding my head a little - not in agreement, but because I just can’t help wanting to affirm in some way anyone who’s talking to me - even if I’m just affirmng that I’m hearing their words. I don’t know if that was egging him on or not.
“… And it’s time that the church took back ground. And to do that, our men have to stand up and take leadership in the church and in the home again…” Now I can’t let him keep talking.
I interupt: “Yeah, I don’t really agree with that, David. There are a lot of historical, cultural, situational and ecclesiological contexts that I don’t think you’re taking into account there. I don’t think we’re going to agree, and that’s ok - that’s why we have so many denominations and sects within the church. Because people don’t agree on everything, even Christians. What I’ll stand behind is what is good. I believe that whatever is good and whatever is true comes from Jesus - even in surprising places…” and I was cut off by the Scottish aunt - David’s mother - who was pulling him up in front of the room to do a “Highland Jig” while the bagpiper played (oh, did I mention there was a piper?).
My wife, Jen, was standing close by. She eyed me intensely and asked, “Do you want to go?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’m exhausted.” And I was. We ducked out the backdoor without saying goodbye.
I felt a little bad. I can handle angry atheists, agnostics - even Wiccans - any day of the week. But I still don’t have the stamina to go many rounds with a feverish fundimentalist family member.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at Emerging Christianity...
Saturday
Ordinary Attempts...
An online friend of mine, Bruce Logue, is running a website called "Ordinary Attempts." Ordinary Attempts are stories chronicling a non-traditional approaches to evangelism — ordinary activities that people are already doing. Not a program, pitch or presentation, but a simple shift in how we view interacting with the world.
OrdinaryAttempts.org was born out of a desire to redefine evangelism – to make it doable for ordinary people.
Most of my own Ordinary Attempts probably sound churchy to some because I’m a seminary student. For me though, it’s very much a casual part of who I am.
Most people I meet will ask me what I do. I usually tell them my career (banker) and that I’m a seminary student at the same time. Why? Not to be pretentious, but because I’ve found that most everyday people on the street are FASCINATED by religion - particularly Christianity.
As soon as I say I’m a seminary student, I have them hooked because the first thing they want to know is: “are you one of those Right-Wing, War Supporting, Gay-Hating, Radical Fundamentalists?” They want to know whether or not I'm "safe."
I love telling them that I grew up in Conservative Christianity but have found I don’t agree with very much in the way of how they interpret Jesus. I tell them I think Christianity has done a lot of awful things and that I hate what a lot of people do and say in the name of Jesus.
“Then why are you in seminary?” They ask.
“Because I want to change that.” If I know they’re not Christian, I will often add, “A lot of that change can come by listening to folks like you.” Wow! What an amazing response I see in their eyes!
I experienced this just the other night at my wife’s workplace. The Montessori School had an open house, and I got to talking with a couple who relocated from Southern California. She was an agnostic and he was a backsliden Sikh!
We had a grand old time talking. He showed us an amazing picture of himself from the 1960s - he looked like a Pakistani Hindi with his turban and gigantic, jungle-like beard. That night though, in Corvallis Oregon, he looked like a regular 50 year-old white suburban American.
"I was so attracted to the practices and disciplines of that lifestyle," he said, "After attending a few yoga classes, I thought: I could really live this. After that, I traveled all over the world. It's really a beautiful religion. But then I started to realize I was praying less and less - meditating less and less - and I'd better either get disciplined or get out. I got out and started a family."
At the end, I thanked him for sharing his story, because our stories are gifts. We learn from each other. We can give those gifts, or hold them inside, greedily clinging to something that does no good when left unshared.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
OrdinaryAttempts.org was born out of a desire to redefine evangelism – to make it doable for ordinary people.
Most of my own Ordinary Attempts probably sound churchy to some because I’m a seminary student. For me though, it’s very much a casual part of who I am.
Most people I meet will ask me what I do. I usually tell them my career (banker) and that I’m a seminary student at the same time. Why? Not to be pretentious, but because I’ve found that most everyday people on the street are FASCINATED by religion - particularly Christianity.
As soon as I say I’m a seminary student, I have them hooked because the first thing they want to know is: “are you one of those Right-Wing, War Supporting, Gay-Hating, Radical Fundamentalists?” They want to know whether or not I'm "safe."
I love telling them that I grew up in Conservative Christianity but have found I don’t agree with very much in the way of how they interpret Jesus. I tell them I think Christianity has done a lot of awful things and that I hate what a lot of people do and say in the name of Jesus.
“Then why are you in seminary?” They ask.
“Because I want to change that.” If I know they’re not Christian, I will often add, “A lot of that change can come by listening to folks like you.” Wow! What an amazing response I see in their eyes!
I experienced this just the other night at my wife’s workplace. The Montessori School had an open house, and I got to talking with a couple who relocated from Southern California. She was an agnostic and he was a backsliden Sikh!
We had a grand old time talking. He showed us an amazing picture of himself from the 1960s - he looked like a Pakistani Hindi with his turban and gigantic, jungle-like beard. That night though, in Corvallis Oregon, he looked like a regular 50 year-old white suburban American.
"I was so attracted to the practices and disciplines of that lifestyle," he said, "After attending a few yoga classes, I thought: I could really live this. After that, I traveled all over the world. It's really a beautiful religion. But then I started to realize I was praying less and less - meditating less and less - and I'd better either get disciplined or get out. I got out and started a family."
At the end, I thanked him for sharing his story, because our stories are gifts. We learn from each other. We can give those gifts, or hold them inside, greedily clinging to something that does no good when left unshared.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Wednesday
Lance Bass is Gay...
Look out, I'm turning into a blogger sensationalist like Perez Hilton!
But seriously, Lance Bass coming out of the closet today will doubtless have impact and ramifications related to Christianity and the church.
Why? Because, as any N'Sync fan knows, Lance Bass was always the most vocally Christian of any of the boys. Open an N'Sync album cover and read his extended writings on faith, God and Jesus Christ!
What concerns me is that Bass will take a lot of angry, ungracious fire for his lifestyle and decision to be open about it. In fact, several of his quotes have already dealt directly with his faith: he is still a Christian, and has personally reconciled his Christianity with God.
Now regardless what you think about homosexuality, I hope you share in my prayers that the Church will somehow manage to be more gracious, loving and compassionate than it usually is about such matters, and if nothing else - keep silent. We dont' need picket signs. We don't need pastors decrying his potential influence on the youth of America (not like Lance Bass or N'Sync have any pop equity leftover from early 2001) .
Lance has made a decision. And a prayerful one. I pray he finds happiness and wholeness, and in friendship, I would say the same thing to him that I would say to any friends, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness." We're all on a journey here, and none of us living have crossed the finish line.
But lookout. I don't expect public Christian figures to be particularly loving.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
But seriously, Lance Bass coming out of the closet today will doubtless have impact and ramifications related to Christianity and the church.
Why? Because, as any N'Sync fan knows, Lance Bass was always the most vocally Christian of any of the boys. Open an N'Sync album cover and read his extended writings on faith, God and Jesus Christ!
What concerns me is that Bass will take a lot of angry, ungracious fire for his lifestyle and decision to be open about it. In fact, several of his quotes have already dealt directly with his faith: he is still a Christian, and has personally reconciled his Christianity with God.
Now regardless what you think about homosexuality, I hope you share in my prayers that the Church will somehow manage to be more gracious, loving and compassionate than it usually is about such matters, and if nothing else - keep silent. We dont' need picket signs. We don't need pastors decrying his potential influence on the youth of America (not like Lance Bass or N'Sync have any pop equity leftover from early 2001) .
Lance has made a decision. And a prayerful one. I pray he finds happiness and wholeness, and in friendship, I would say the same thing to him that I would say to any friends, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness." We're all on a journey here, and none of us living have crossed the finish line.
But lookout. I don't expect public Christian figures to be particularly loving.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Tuesday
Billy Graham & the Buddhist...
On Saturday I drove up to Portland for lunch with George Fox Seminary's Dean, Jules Glanzer. Great guy!
We talked a lot about Christianity in emerging culture, jumping from topic to topic like a theological decathlon. What a day! The kind of conversation I live for.
As we discussed the nature of living in a pluralistic world, Jules recounted a story Billy Graham once told: Graham was visiting China on a missions trip, and one day saw a Buddhist monk on the road. Graham felt in his gut a need to go share the Gospel with this monk (I usually tend to be suspicious of Christians' "gut" instincts, but I tend to respect Graham's motives) and crossed the road to meet him.
The monk was gracious and patient (as one might expect from a devout Buddhist) and listened to Graham as he recounted - not only a "quickie" rundown of the Bible, but - the entire story of Scripture: Genesis to Revelation, Adam to Jesus, Creation to New Creation.
At the end of this lengthy sermon, Graham asked (in typical Graham fashion) "So, would you like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"
The monk looked quizzically at Graham and paused for a moment. Then, "Accept Jesus? I don't need to accept Jesus."
Graham was puzzled.
"Jesus is right here, right now," the monk continued. "The story you've told me today? I've known the truth of that story my entire life - I just never knew the name Jesus. Thank you."
Graham took a lot of heat for this story and a subsequent suggestion that Jesus Christ was working in and among other religions of the world.
But the Holy Spirit is not confined by our borders. The God of the universe cares nothing for our labels. This is what worldspeak is all about: the breath of God alive and moving through everyone...
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at www.emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
We talked a lot about Christianity in emerging culture, jumping from topic to topic like a theological decathlon. What a day! The kind of conversation I live for.
As we discussed the nature of living in a pluralistic world, Jules recounted a story Billy Graham once told: Graham was visiting China on a missions trip, and one day saw a Buddhist monk on the road. Graham felt in his gut a need to go share the Gospel with this monk (I usually tend to be suspicious of Christians' "gut" instincts, but I tend to respect Graham's motives) and crossed the road to meet him.
The monk was gracious and patient (as one might expect from a devout Buddhist) and listened to Graham as he recounted - not only a "quickie" rundown of the Bible, but - the entire story of Scripture: Genesis to Revelation, Adam to Jesus, Creation to New Creation.
At the end of this lengthy sermon, Graham asked (in typical Graham fashion) "So, would you like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"
The monk looked quizzically at Graham and paused for a moment. Then, "Accept Jesus? I don't need to accept Jesus."
Graham was puzzled.
"Jesus is right here, right now," the monk continued. "The story you've told me today? I've known the truth of that story my entire life - I just never knew the name Jesus. Thank you."
Graham took a lot of heat for this story and a subsequent suggestion that Jesus Christ was working in and among other religions of the world.
But the Holy Spirit is not confined by our borders. The God of the universe cares nothing for our labels. This is what worldspeak is all about: the breath of God alive and moving through everyone...
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at www.emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Friday
Rating Churches...
I've recently become the online director of a new website: ChurchRater.com! The site itself is a blog of sorts with a very heavy emphasis on discussion surrounding the "rating" of churches. Here is what I envision ChurchRater becoming: A dynamic, thinktank sort of environment, where any thinkers, atheists, agnostics, Christians, pastors or various kinds of leaders and teachers can come together and dialogue about the Church...
- how the church functions
- how it perceives itself
- how it is perceived externally
- what Christians see in it
- what non-Christians see in it
- what is good/bad/ugly/hilarious
How can I get people to take time to fill out a rating survey? Especially non-Christians. I'm most curious about their feedback (as always) so I'm open to suggestions.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Wednesday
God, Mom and a Circle...
My wife is the new program director at a Montessori school. She loves it, which makes me very happy!
The other day, she witnessed the following conversation between three 4-year-old girls... *
- Girl 1: Teacher! I met a girl who doesn't believe in God!
- Girl 2: I don't believe in God.
- Girl 3: Well, if I'm grumpy I don't believe in God. But if I'm not grumpy, I kinda do; but not as much as I believe in Mom and not as much as a circle.
*note: I've updated the wording here per my wife's corrections
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Saturday
Hater Jesus
My best friend Chris is an actor out of Portland.
He recently starred in a new music video that will be gracing MTV shortly, by the band Everclear. In it, Chris plays a mean-spirited "Jesus" who does horrible things to other people.
The music video is called "Hater Jesus" and at the beginning reads:
He recently starred in a new music video that will be gracing MTV shortly, by the band Everclear. In it, Chris plays a mean-spirited "Jesus" who does horrible things to other people.
The music video is called "Hater Jesus" and at the beginning reads:
Dedicated to Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and all those who hate in the name of Jesus.
Pretty powerful stuff. Click here to read about the video...
www.SPIN.com/Features/HeyThisIsAwesome/2006/06/060623_EVERCLEAR/
There is a link to watch the video, but I would caution you - there is some fairly graphic imagery that will ultimately be blurred out when it hits MTV.
You can get more details on the character and meaning of "Hater Jesus" at www.MYSPACE.com/HaterJesus.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Wednesday
Adventures in Missing the Point...
Forgive me for seeming political. I hope I would be just as hard on misguided Democrats (and I think I am).The Gospel of Jesus Christ is SO MUCH MORE than a few carefully selected, politically charged, socially foreign (to most Evangelicals) "sins."
When will Christians become more indignant about starvation and disease than they are about queers and liberals? I guess too many of us are part of the problem - comfortable, wealthy and white.
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Saturday
Fewer Moments of Truth...
Fewer Encounters With My Atheist & Agnostic Neighbors
I've been blogging less and less lately, and several of my regular visitors have e-mailed, asking "Where've you been? Why aren't you writing?"
I have the canned answer that lets me sleep at night: "Oh, well, work and seminary are really kicking my butt, so I'm spending every spare moment possible with my wife." Sounds good, right? Very noble... but not entirely true.
Yes, I'm busier these days than I've ever been. And work and seminary are most certainly taking a great deal of my time.
...but I'm starting to realize that a huge and underlying reason I haven't been blogging or writing (working on my book) lately is that I'm not spending much time with non-Christians. I haven't been getting out of my own bubble. Monday through Friday I'm working eleven hour days with online homework in the evenings. Weekends, I'm just trying to decompress... usually I go to church on Sunday mornings. Any social time my wife and I spend is with a few friends from church.
When I'm only around Christians, my life doesn't just feel out of balance, it is out of balance. In fact, I believe there are things God wants to say to me that will only be said through non-Christians. For whatever [numerous] reasons, I am not stretched fully without my atheist, agnostic and "other" friends. I need them.
On my friend Jim Henderson's website www.DoableEvangelism.com, we had a discussion about whether a Christian pastor could "pastor" (verb) non-Christians, or members of other religions. We were thinking about the concept of the Catholic and Anglican parishes, and how the priests assigned to these areas were responsible for serving the needs of everyone - even those who didn't attend the church. What a concept!
So in a pluralist, postmodern setting, can I be a pastor/disciple/brother/counselor/shoulder-to-cry-on for my atheist/agnostic/pagan/Buddhist/Islamic/Hindu/Wiccan/Star-Trek-fan brothers and sisters? I already believe the answer is most certainly "yes," (it MUST be!) but how does it look in practice? ...and how do I avoid being excommunicated from my Conservative Pentecostal church while practicing this scary pluralist pastoring.
I mean, didn't Jesus kind of model this?
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
I've been blogging less and less lately, and several of my regular visitors have e-mailed, asking "Where've you been? Why aren't you writing?"
I have the canned answer that lets me sleep at night: "Oh, well, work and seminary are really kicking my butt, so I'm spending every spare moment possible with my wife." Sounds good, right? Very noble... but not entirely true.
Yes, I'm busier these days than I've ever been. And work and seminary are most certainly taking a great deal of my time.
...but I'm starting to realize that a huge and underlying reason I haven't been blogging or writing (working on my book) lately is that I'm not spending much time with non-Christians. I haven't been getting out of my own bubble. Monday through Friday I'm working eleven hour days with online homework in the evenings. Weekends, I'm just trying to decompress... usually I go to church on Sunday mornings. Any social time my wife and I spend is with a few friends from church.
When I'm only around Christians, my life doesn't just feel out of balance, it is out of balance. In fact, I believe there are things God wants to say to me that will only be said through non-Christians. For whatever [numerous] reasons, I am not stretched fully without my atheist, agnostic and "other" friends. I need them.
On my friend Jim Henderson's website www.DoableEvangelism.com, we had a discussion about whether a Christian pastor could "pastor" (verb) non-Christians, or members of other religions. We were thinking about the concept of the Catholic and Anglican parishes, and how the priests assigned to these areas were responsible for serving the needs of everyone - even those who didn't attend the church. What a concept!
So in a pluralist, postmodern setting, can I be a pastor/disciple/brother/counselor/shoulder-to-cry-on for my atheist/agnostic/pagan/Buddhist/Islamic/Hindu/Wiccan/Star-Trek-fan brothers and sisters? I already believe the answer is most certainly "yes," (it MUST be!) but how does it look in practice? ...and how do I avoid being excommunicated from my Conservative Pentecostal church while practicing this scary pluralist pastoring.
I mean, didn't Jesus kind of model this?
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Tuesday
"Left Behind" Video Game
That's right! If there's fear-induced money to be made, you can be sure that Jenkins and LaHaye will go for it...
As Plain Truth Ministries writes...
Game description
Wage a war of apocalyptic proportions in LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces - a real-time strategy game based upon the best-selling LEFT BEHIND book series created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.
Join the ultimate fight of Good against Evil, commanding Tribulation Forces or the Global Community Peacekeepers, and uncover the truth about the worldwide disappearances!
As Plain Truth Ministries writes...
Set in post-Rapture New York City, the "Tribulation Force" (now repentant left-behinders whose loved-ones have already been taken to heaven) battles the Antichrist's UN-based Global Community Peacekeepers. Multiple players can decide whether they want to play the role of Antichrist or Christian. When the good-guy soldiers blow away a bad guy, they say "Praise the Lord," yet they still lose some spirituality points, which must be replenished by prayer. Losing too many points may cause a player to go over to the dark side. Demons help the villains, while angels help the faithful. The game is replete with magical scripture passages and inspirational music.
Game description
Wage a war of apocalyptic proportions in LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces - a real-time strategy game based upon the best-selling LEFT BEHIND book series created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.
Join the ultimate fight of Good against Evil, commanding Tribulation Forces or the Global Community Peacekeepers, and uncover the truth about the worldwide disappearances!
- Lead the Tribulation Force from the book series , including Rayford, Chloe, Buck and Bruce against Nicolae Carpathia – the AntiChrist
- Conduct physical & spiritual warfare : using the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world.
- Recover ancient scriptures and witness spectacular Angelic and Demonic activity as a direct consequence of your choices.
- Command your forces through intense battles across a breathtaking, authentic depiction of New York City
- Control more than 30 units types - from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces and Battle Tanks!
- Enjoy a robust single player experience across dozens of New York City maps in Story Mode – fighting in China Town , SoHo , Uptown and more!
- Play multiplayer games as Tribulation Force or the AntiChrist's Global Community Peacekeepers with up to eight players via LAN or over the internet!
Gives new meaning to the question: "Who Would Jesus Assassinate?"
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
What IS a "Human Video?"
Cheap Knockoffs & Artistic Lament
Several nights ago I watched a group of visiting high school students at our church's youth night lip sync and perform dance and drama to a dozen teen-oriented "contemporary" Christian songs.
Each time, song after song, cheesy reproductions of secular music were paired with ghastly, uncreative, untalented, shameless dance routines and pantomined scenarios.
The music was so trite, so shallow, and the messages so blatant, unsubtle and juvenile... my wife and I sat in our seats, uncomfortably waiting for the time to pass so we could leave and breathe some refreshing "secular" air.
The real tragedy of that evening was not the performances themselves - in fact, youth groups across America routinely perform these "Human Videos" at schools, churches, homeless shelters, senior centers... anywhere they're allowed. The REAL tragedy (and I say this emphatically) is that we have convinced these kids that this is EFFECTIVE ministry in our world. That this is reflective of the Kingdom of God...
...perhaps most detrimental: we've taught them that this is artistic expression. That corny lip sync has beauty.
Once again, the Church has made a pitiful carbon copy of the world, slapped a Christian label on it, and "called it good."
But it isn't good. It's lazy. In fact, MOST Christian-labeled arts and entertainment are just that: lazy.
Instead of making something new, something beautiful, transcendant, provocative and evocative and even (dare I say) sexy, we've sold ourselves short. We've sold our kids short. We've sold the Kingdom of God short.
There were a bunch of very chubby high schoolers up on stage, dancing around, trying to catch their breath between songs. I felt no sick humor in watching the spectacle. I only wanted to slap the parents and youth directors who allowed them to make fools of themselves on stage with reassurances and false encouragment.
Kingdom: can we get to a point in Christian art where realistic criticism and honest opinion can be tolerated and welcomed in love? We shouldn't have to humilate these kids and justify it by saying that love allows them to do what's in their hearts.
That's not art. That's enabling!
I really sound like an asshole in this post, I know... I feel really badly for the kids. I'm in no way trying to mock them or show distrespect toward them, but I hate this little microcosm they're growing up in. Youth ministry in America is in such dire need of radical change...
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Several nights ago I watched a group of visiting high school students at our church's youth night lip sync and perform dance and drama to a dozen teen-oriented "contemporary" Christian songs.
Each time, song after song, cheesy reproductions of secular music were paired with ghastly, uncreative, untalented, shameless dance routines and pantomined scenarios.
The music was so trite, so shallow, and the messages so blatant, unsubtle and juvenile... my wife and I sat in our seats, uncomfortably waiting for the time to pass so we could leave and breathe some refreshing "secular" air.
The real tragedy of that evening was not the performances themselves - in fact, youth groups across America routinely perform these "Human Videos" at schools, churches, homeless shelters, senior centers... anywhere they're allowed. The REAL tragedy (and I say this emphatically) is that we have convinced these kids that this is EFFECTIVE ministry in our world. That this is reflective of the Kingdom of God...
...perhaps most detrimental: we've taught them that this is artistic expression. That corny lip sync has beauty.
Once again, the Church has made a pitiful carbon copy of the world, slapped a Christian label on it, and "called it good."
But it isn't good. It's lazy. In fact, MOST Christian-labeled arts and entertainment are just that: lazy.
Instead of making something new, something beautiful, transcendant, provocative and evocative and even (dare I say) sexy, we've sold ourselves short. We've sold our kids short. We've sold the Kingdom of God short.
There were a bunch of very chubby high schoolers up on stage, dancing around, trying to catch their breath between songs. I felt no sick humor in watching the spectacle. I only wanted to slap the parents and youth directors who allowed them to make fools of themselves on stage with reassurances and false encouragment.
Kingdom: can we get to a point in Christian art where realistic criticism and honest opinion can be tolerated and welcomed in love? We shouldn't have to humilate these kids and justify it by saying that love allows them to do what's in their hearts.
That's not art. That's enabling!
I really sound like an asshole in this post, I know... I feel really badly for the kids. I'm in no way trying to mock them or show distrespect toward them, but I hate this little microcosm they're growing up in. Youth ministry in America is in such dire need of radical change...
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Friday
K-Love - Home of Paradigm Shifters?
I met Oregon's Regional Manager of K-Love Radio at lunch the other day. It was a weird, random occurrence. He happened to be an ex-member of our local chapter of Rotary, and sat right across from me.
When Ted Gillette introduced himself as a K-Love director, I told him I was a George Fox Seminary student. "That's my alma mater!" he exclaimed, and we began talking.
Many who know me are aware that I think fairly little of K-Love. To me, it's a shiny, happy ad campaign for white, middle class Christendom. It overpromises and under-delivers on a life without problems, full of happiness and blonde children with ponytails and tragically.
But as Ted and I talked, I started to hear some very shocking things. First he said, "I don't like to call myself a Christian... that word is defeating. It turns people off. I just follow Jesus." Keep talking like this in public, I thought, and you won't stay with K-Love very long. "Postmodernity is everywhere. Even in rural, smalltown Oregon." He was speaking my language. "I'm a paradigm shifter," he continued, "I used to think I'd go into the ministry as a Reformer, but I realized several years ago that real change came through healing ministries. That's what I do. That's how you change the church... through healing, on a local level. The foundation of the church needs healing - it's sick."
We went over to my office after Rotary and talked for another hour. Ted listed the approaches he's used in ministry (he particularly likes Len Sweet's SoulCafe concept), discussed some of the people he's met (Tony Campolo and Don Miller to name a few...) and talked lovingly about the young gay couple that visited his church several weeks ago.
This was not the human face of K-Love I expected. Watch a music video by ZoeGirl if you want a taste of my old impression. But now I wonder if, even within this Audio Empire of Christendom, this Tower of Babel of Christian Entertainment... God is still breaking hearts and healing minds and even... changing paradigms. I guess if Ted Gillette can read SoulTsunami and A Generous Orthodoxy and Blue Like Jazz and reach people who don't find Christ through 4Him or Michael W. Smith, then thank God that K-Love is paying Ted's salary!
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Interviewing Len Sweet...
Questioning (E)mergent?
Little was happening in my relational/missional/spiritual life lately. For how much I pride myself in getting out of my comfort zone and getting into peoples lives... well, I've been enjoying the safe, comfortable, clean joys of marriage. And who could blame me?
But something in my spirit was churning... my desire for adventure juxtaposing my boredom with God.
I've gotten several e-bulletins from Emergent Village lately that sounded more like 700 Club pitches: personal testimonies about "why I gave money to Emergent!" This did nothing to improve my mood.
Then it occured to me! If you read some of my recent posts on www.EmergingChristianity.blogspot.com, you'll know that I am taking an online class taught by Len Sweet. I remembered that Len said a few things in class, when we met in Portland for a weekend, about the "selling out of Emergent," and the political hijacking that's taken place there. Feeling the urge to churn the waters a bit, I called up Len and asked if he'd be willing to do an interview on the subject. I e-mailed Relevant Magazine at the same time to see if they'd be interested in the story. Boy, were they! I got several responses from multiple editors there: "Yes yes yes, this is exactly what we've been talking about lately. But no one with Len's credibility is willing to discuss this."
And believe me, Len's scared too. At first he said, "No. Absolutely not. I'm not going to get into that mess..." but then he softened. "Over the weekend, the Lord really worked on me. I like the spirit in which you're doing this (in kindness, love, and relational conversation)." And if Emergent is a Conversation then someone better talk about where it's heading!
I still haven't sat down to do the formal interview with Len yet, but I'm really excited because I worry that the postmodern church won't know what it's missing if all it's offered is a 1960s-Style Social-Justice-Christianity ala Jim Wallace and Bryan McLaren. Forgive me both, Jim and Bryan, because I love you and I love your hearts. But we need more spirit. Spending our lives, identifying which political or governmental bill is "Godly" is, I think, an Adventure in Missing the Point.
More to come...
Forgive me for being so sporradic in writing lately. With my lovely wife, Seminary, and this project for Relevant, as well as a church Easter Drama to produce... I'm tired.
But thank the Lord, I'm getting my wind back!
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Little was happening in my relational/missional/spiritual life lately. For how much I pride myself in getting out of my comfort zone and getting into peoples lives... well, I've been enjoying the safe, comfortable, clean joys of marriage. And who could blame me?
But something in my spirit was churning... my desire for adventure juxtaposing my boredom with God.
I've gotten several e-bulletins from Emergent Village lately that sounded more like 700 Club pitches: personal testimonies about "why I gave money to Emergent!" This did nothing to improve my mood.
Then it occured to me! If you read some of my recent posts on www.EmergingChristianity.blogspot.com, you'll know that I am taking an online class taught by Len Sweet. I remembered that Len said a few things in class, when we met in Portland for a weekend, about the "selling out of Emergent," and the political hijacking that's taken place there. Feeling the urge to churn the waters a bit, I called up Len and asked if he'd be willing to do an interview on the subject. I e-mailed Relevant Magazine at the same time to see if they'd be interested in the story. Boy, were they! I got several responses from multiple editors there: "Yes yes yes, this is exactly what we've been talking about lately. But no one with Len's credibility is willing to discuss this."
And believe me, Len's scared too. At first he said, "No. Absolutely not. I'm not going to get into that mess..." but then he softened. "Over the weekend, the Lord really worked on me. I like the spirit in which you're doing this (in kindness, love, and relational conversation)." And if Emergent is a Conversation then someone better talk about where it's heading!
I still haven't sat down to do the formal interview with Len yet, but I'm really excited because I worry that the postmodern church won't know what it's missing if all it's offered is a 1960s-Style Social-Justice-Christianity ala Jim Wallace and Bryan McLaren. Forgive me both, Jim and Bryan, because I love you and I love your hearts. But we need more spirit. Spending our lives, identifying which political or governmental bill is "Godly" is, I think, an Adventure in Missing the Point.
More to come...
Forgive me for being so sporradic in writing lately. With my lovely wife, Seminary, and this project for Relevant, as well as a church Easter Drama to produce... I'm tired.
But thank the Lord, I'm getting my wind back!
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
Tuesday
"Some of my best friends are black!"
There's a great episode of Seinfield where George has to prove he's not a racist. Some of his co-workers at the NY Yankees seem to be wondering.To ward off the allegations, George pays his pest exterminator (the only black man he knows outside of work) to go to lunch with him.
It's pretty ridiculous and not very realistic, but I think it reveals an instinct a lot of us have in regards to people or things we aren't (a) comfortable with, or (b) simply have no experience with.
Most of us spend much of our lives in desperate efforts toward self-vindication.
I've known my company's plummer for several years now, and we've always gotten along well. He's in his early fifties, cheery, talkative, with a macho-trucker-in-flannel kind of appearance.
It was a year ago that I found out he was gay. I was so surprised to discover it because he fit none of the stereotypes I'd collected over my lifetime - he seems straighter than I do!
I went out to have a couple of beers with Alan the other night. We'd been having casual conversations about Christianity and homosexuality for several weeks, and it took me most of that time to convince him that he could trust me. He's always liked me, but the "Christian thing" seemed to sit on the back shelf for awhile - an uncomfortable subject he'd rather avoid.
Finally I asked him: "Alan, what's your experience with the Church, as a gay man?"
"Oh boy - that's a can of worms you don't want to open," he laughed sadly. I assured him that I did, and that I was sure he'd been treated badly and was desperately sorry for it.
We finally met at an brewpub in Corvallis, and over the evening's discourse he laid out in detail his frustrations and wounds from the Christian Church.
At the end of the evening, he asked, "Are you going to write about this?"
I said, "Not a lot. I think what I'm going to write about is the idea of having a gay friend to clear oneself of bigotry. You know? Like on Seinfield, when George tries to prove he's not racist by going to lunch with a black man?"
Alan chuckled. "I actually wondered about that when you asked me to have drinks. I didn't really think it was true, but it crossed my mind."
It still crosses my mind. Not as a sin I have actually committed - I wanted to spend time with Alan, I like him - but as an instinct that I confess exists in my heart.
Will & Grace exploits gays for comedy. Most of us exploit them for self-vindication.
_________________________________________________________
please read more about my thoughts on the evolution of Christianity at http://emergingchristianity.blogspot.com
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