Category Archives: Ministry

Books, Ministry, Theology

Emergent Response

In 2000, I read a book entitled “Postmodern Youth Ministry” by Tony Jones. I had the privilege of meeting him and his friend Dan Kimball at YS NYWC soon after. Kimball then wrote a book called “The Emerging Church” which I fell in love with church all over again. That book’s follow-up, “Emerging Worship,” was also a hit at the Felker desk. Then came the earthquake: “A New Kind of Christian” by Brian McLaren. I soon discovered other McLaren gems such as “Finding Faith,” “Adventures in Missing the Point,” “The Church on the Other Side,” and now recently, “A Generous Orthodoxy”. These books were so refreshing and honest. They completely spoke to my heart as one who seeks to see the Church become what it was intended to be and not just what we have settled for. This group and its message became known as Emergent.

For a while, Emergent was considered by some to be a fad by the “mainstream”. It was a “coffee and Christmas lights” worship movement and nothing more. It wasn’t dangerous. It wasn’t even on the radar for many (and still may not be).

Now, things are different. As I have followed their stories on blogs and though print I have seen a dramatic backlash against these men and their teachings. I believe one of them (Jones, Pagitt) saw this backlash on the horizon a little over a year ago. Now I’ve seen it to be true. Below I have pasted an article from The Ooze written by Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Andrew Jones, and Chris Seay. The article is a response to some of the criticism that has sprung up. I have met or heard in person almost all seven of these men. They have meant a lot to me and their writings have helped me focus my ministry on Christ Jesus. If you aren’t in on the conversation, get in.

We continue to be amazed by the enthusiastic interest in the work of emergent, a conversation and friendship of which we are a small part. This conversation is bringing together a wide range of committed Christians and those exploring the Christian faith in wonderful ways, and many of us sense that God is at work among us. As would be expected, there have also been criticisms. A number of people have asked us to respond to these criticisms. These ten brief responses will, we hope, serve to clarify our position and suggest ways for the conversation to continue constructively for participants and critics alike. It is our hope and prayer that even our disagreements can bring us together in respectful dialogue as Christians, resulting in growth for all concerned.

First, we wish to say thanks to our critics… (more)

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General, Ministry, Popular Culture, U2

Nada and Compare

I have been absolutely worthless since my wife left to visit her family. Not as worthless as a friend I had in college but still I feel lazy. This friend was the worst (or best depending on your perspective). His wife left for a summer long internship in another state. He went to Wal-Mart and purchased a couple of power strips and extension chords. When he returned to his apartment he plugged his refrigerator, microwave, an fan and the TV into the power strips and plugged the extension chord in the community outlet in the hallway of the apartment complex. He then turned the power off in his apartment to avoid paying for electricity while his wife was gone. I would try that but I think my neighbors would notice my bright orange extension chord plugged into their back porch.

I haven’t completely let the house go to pot but it is a far cry from being acceptable to her. Tonight I’m going to have to clean hardcore!

I feel like I have not accomplished anything this week even though I have done a lot. I am teaching a class next school year entitled “Leadership in Action”. I am so excited and have been working very hard on making it a great class. This week I laid out a basic outline for the year and I detailed the first 2-3 weeks. I have done a lot of work on it. I’ll share more on it later.

On the pop culture front, I am eagerly anticipating the new Coldplay album X&Y. I read on the CNN ticker last night that it was leaked on the internet yesterday. I just checked iTunes and they still have it listed as pre-order. I guess I can wait until Tuesday. I am excited also because of all the U2/Coldplay comparisons. Although I think that they are two completely different bands I still get excited when I read things like this:

Coldplay’s third opus takes on the reigning champ, U2, and doesn’t so much dismantle Atomic Bomb as blast right through it, like a mile-wide meteor, hurteling across the heavens toward the Beatles themselves.

Whoa! That was written by Bud Scoppa in the June/July issue of Paste Magazine. For my money, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is my favorite album of the past 12 months. I know I’m biased but so what! It is a near perfect album.

If Martin and Co. can “blast” through that album my ears say, “Bring it on!!!”

Ministry

Imitation

On June 13 I will be taking a monstic retreat. I am very excited about getting away for a few days to reflect so I have been reading Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis to prepare. The chapters are small and very concise. I fell in love with the chapter below. The editor of my edition titled this “Putting Up with Putting Down.”

Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and in others. Consider it better thus — perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly.

If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure.

If you cannot make yourself what you would wish to be, how can you bend others to your will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves. Their great liberty displeases us, yet we would not be denied what we ask. We would have them bound by laws, yet we will allow ourselves to be restrained in nothing. Hence, it is clear how seldom we think of others as we do of ourselves.

If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity — adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.

General, Ministry, Popular Culture

Podcasting

2 or 3 months ago I picked up an issue of Wired because there was a great article on podcasting. For those who don’t know, podcasting, in a nut shell, is independent radio in the form of a .mp3. For me, this new social phenom could have endless possibilities. I could record my classes and post them on my site. I could record my student speakers and email their message to them and their parents. I could record meetings and archive them. Exciting possibilities. I have been messing with Audacity, a user-friendly podcasting software. Maybe by the end of next month I will add a podcasting feature here. What do you think?

Ministry

Next Year’s Theme

Each year we have a school wide theme. This year’s theme was “Lean On Me” (Hey, at least it wasn’t FROG: Fully Rely on God. I rescued the school from being egged or burned down by shooting that one down.) I created this mock up (below) for next year. We have had a real issue with unity. Our school is a Church of Christ affiliated institution. The ones who belong to conservative churches expect us to cater to them and those who go to progressive churches want us to favor them. Those who belong to other denominations feel (rightly?) they get mistreated or marginalized. I just want us to get along within the doors of the school. I believe that if we could just respect each other enough to care about one another Monday-Friday we could change the whole city. So, today, I floated this idea by the administration:

Army of ONE

I’m not one who loves to beat the Christian war drum. When I lead worship, I tend to shy (run) away from overtly patriotic songs and hymns like “Onward Christian Soldiers.” I just believe that UNITY is what we need at the school. Maybe that is what we will focus on next year. As long as we don’t choose DOG: Depend of God I’ll be fine.

Ministry, Theology

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

What man is a man who does not make the world better?

The wife and I went to see Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven” last night. The movie is based on the siege of Jerusalem led by Saladin against the knight Balian and his forces. Although not entirely accurate (See Holy War by Karen Anderson), the film was engaging.

Over the past few months, my heart has been dogged by the question, “What does Jesus Christ mean when he talks about ‘the Kingdom of Heaven.” I know that I am certainly not the first person to ask this question. I just don’t have an answer. I do know that I am less and less inclined to believe that He speaking eschatologically. I also believe that in the USofA, we think more about the sweet by and by and less about the here and now. It seems that everything I read, every small conversation, every news report I see has been pushing me closer and closer to this question lately. Greg posted a heartbreaking thought on “the kingdom” this week. The question is driving me at the moment. Don’t be surprised if over the course of the next few weeks if this question spills a lot of digital ink here. Just a necessary part of “Kicking at the Darkness.”

Ministry

Challenge of the Day

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“I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certian evidence that anyone has gone.” – Christopher Columbus from his journal (1492)

Travis Stanley posted a thought on his site last week concerning “change.” I loved how he summed up his thoughts on what true change is. it isn’t found in new songs, powerpoint, or new paradigms. It is is firmly rooted in Christ’s sacrificial life. He states:

Whether we consider ourselves modern or postmodern, older or younger, traditional or liberal, sin lies not in our particular positions but in our unwillingness to be hospitable to the other position. For Christ did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking on the very nature of a servant, and became obedient to death–even death on a cross.

This is the path of ministry–the journey of the cross. If change must occur, it occurs by disciples of Christ emptying themselves of all selfish desire and seeking the needs of the other. Change occurs when we are willing to change in order to make the other comfortable. The change a minister should bring is not simply changes in forms of worship and ministry, though these may be good and necessary at times. The change that should be brought by the minister is a change of life–a change into the likeness of Christ. For if we do not look like Christ, what good does our post-modern, missional, emerging, progressive, liberal worship styles do us? If we don’t act like Christ, what good are our innovative programs and ministry styles? To form people into the image of Christ–this should be the goal of all ministry.

Yes! That is what true ministry is. It isn’t razzle dazzle. It’s real. It’s relational. It’s love.

Ministry

Double Take, Doubled Over

I ran into Lifeway tonight because a) I was on that side of town and b) I like walking around bookstores. I was in the Pastoral Helps section when I saw some book with a title like Church Out-Side the Box or Out-Side the Box Church. Something along those lines. I never pick up those books because they all espouse the same “wisdom.” I kept walking down the aisle but quickly took a second look at the book’s cover.

“Forward by Rick Warren.”

For what it’s worth.

Ministry, Theology

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy…

Down in My Heart! Where?

Tonight we resume meetings for our small group Bible study. This quarter we are looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians using the Serendipty small group resources (Great resources to get students talking through the scriptures and growing together).

As I reread the letter last week, I was stuck at how hopeful Paul’s words are. Although our group wont’t get to it until next week, I think that the well worn statement in v 21 gives us the reason behind Paul’s joy. I love how poetic the Message staes this: “Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.. As I’m typing this I’m listening to “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”. Very fitting for the letter to the suffering city. Compare Paul’s words of encouragement to Bono’s words to his father.

Philippians 1:3-14
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Tough, you think you’ve got the stuff
You’re telling me and anyone
You’re hard enough
You don’t have to put up a fight
You don’t have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don’t have to go it alone

Can you hear me when I sing
You’re the reason I sing
You’re the reason why the opera is in me.

Tonight we are going focus on this passage. My prayer is that it will encourge our students to rely on God and each other. I pray also that these words, Paul’s and Bono’s, my encourage you today. Peace.