I’ve been thinking a lot lately about work, careers and the economy. Much of this is due to my relatively recent job change, which has brought me into the world of workforce and economic development. Given the state of the economy nationwide, and especially my home state of Michigan, there is much to think about. Issues such as downsizing, layoffs, plant closings and wage freezes all too often hit the front page of local media and my organization works daily in this arena as we try to match employers and prospective employees and be part of the solution to economic stability and growth.
My thoughts for this article though, are not primarily about my new job, but more about the role of work in our lives and our faith as Christians. Do Christians view work differently? Should Christians view work differently, and if so, what is that different perspective? What should be the role of work in our lives? How does our work impact others around us – our families, neighbors, co-workers, competitors, business partners, and communities?
For better or worse, much of our identity can be tied up in our work. How many of us lament the amount of time that we spend at our places at work – which reminds me of the somewhat humorous observation that as one approaches dying, that rarely does one express the desire that he or she had spent more time at work or in the office.
I categorize that saying as “somewhat humorous” because I’m not sure I totally agree with it. Now I’m not saying that I’m a workaholic or that I think I need to spend more time at the office (that may depend on which day we’re talking about). What I’m talking about here is more about the role of work in our lives and the meaning it has for us and those around us. Our work is obviously a means to providing for our families and sustaining our physical existence, but to me work is more than simply a means for providing for our physical needs, but is really a way of participating in God’s loving grace toward the world. Our work, more authentically conceived, is a means of engaging in God’s redemptive work and God’s reign in the world.
I like the way Eugene Peterson characterizes this idea in his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction when he states that “The Bible begins with the announcement ‘In the beginning God created’ – not ‘sat majestic in the heavens,’ not ‘was filled with beauty and love.’ He created. He did something. He made something. He fashioned heaven and earth. The week of creation was a week of work.” God views work as part and parcel of who he made us to be. It was woven in His good creation. With that in mind work is not to be viewed as onerous, meaningless drudgery and simply as something to survive on the way to the weekend. Work is rooted in creation and is part of who are as creatures in God’s image. Through work, God allows us to participate in His creative process.
Pete Hammond builds on this idea when he says, “for too many generations the church has taught that work is the penalty for sin…when we view ourselves as trash and our work as irrelevant drudgery, spirituality disappears from everyday life. And we are doomed to perpetuate the shame Adam and Eve felt after the fall” (Working Under a Curse – Look Again!).
Often we forget that work is rooted in creation and not the fall. Work need not be drudgery or meaningless, but far too often it seems that way – maybe in our own lives or in the lives of those with whom we work. I believe that for those of us in social work and the human service arena there is a special emphasis on our work and its meaning for us, the people we help and the people we work with. As we counsel, coordinate, lead, organize and develop I think we have a special opportunity to help people participate in God’s creation and redemption through our work and theirs.
Too often going to work is filled with boredom, fear, anxiety, lack of meaning, or conflict. I think work should be an opportunity for people to shine, share creativity, build up one another and accomplish great purposes. That vision may never be fully realized in this age, but I definitely think that this is what God had in mind when He created work. Too often our view of work is shaped primarily by chasing a paycheck, dealing with demanding bosses, difficult co-workers or struggling with dead-end jobs and it is simply not fun, joyful or fulfilling. I agree with Alistair McKenzie and Wayne Kirkland in their great little article on work, “The significance of work for us as Christians lies in discerning ways in which we can express through our work stewardship, service, creativity, witness, truth- telling, preservation, healing, community-building, justice and peace-making” (Thinking Biblically About Work).
More people should have this opportunity and as social workers hopefully we can help build this reality in our places of work and influence. I know we will have a chance to look at the implications of forced labor and human trafficking at our 2008 convention – this is just one manifestation of the work to be done in this arena. Work is both a personal and an economic justice issue and there is no shortage of opportunity to focus on helping others experience some level of joy in their work. I would challenge us to follow the thinking of Dennis Bakke in his book The Joy of Work, “A mission statement that challenges people to create the world’s most fun place to work is essential for organizations that want their employees to have one of the most gratifying experiences in their lives. This end requires no other justification. However, for executives who can’t get the dollar signs out of their eyes, it’s worth noting that the link between fun and superior performance is extremely strong.” I encourage you to read Dennis’ book – it gives a wonderful perspective from a man who is engaged both in corporate work and mission/community development work.
I’ll leave you with this challenging quote from Dennis Peacock as you contemplate the place of work in your life and those around you, “The promise of a work free heaven is a heresy and reveals not only a lack of Biblical scholarship and knowledge of God, but it reveals a soul unable to find expression in the material world. Work is the incarnation of my intangible “soul” out into God’s cosmos” (Meet God the Worker).
May you experience God’s joy and passion in your work – whatever it may be, as you serve Him and others.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Game Night @ the water's edge - Nov. 24
(Young & Old)
Where: At the Water’s Edge Space
What to Bring: Your favorite Game(s), your
favorite Pizza toppings, drinks that may go
especially good with pizza, any leftover goodies,
your bubbly personalities, and whatever else you
may need to be comfortable.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Time: 5:00 PM till. . . . .
Where: At the Water’s Edge Space
What to Bring: Your favorite Game(s), your
favorite Pizza toppings, drinks that may go
especially good with pizza, any leftover goodies,
your bubbly personalities, and whatever else you
may need to be comfortable.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Time: 5:00 PM till. . . . .
Saturday Nov. 24 @ the water's edge space...
(Young & Old)
Where: At the Water’s Edge Space
What to Bring: Your favorite Game(s), your
favorite Pizza toppings, drinks that may go
especially good with pizza, any leftover goodies,
your bubbly personalities, and whatever else you
may need to be comfortable.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Time: 5:00 PM till. . . . . .
Where: At the Water’s Edge Space
What to Bring: Your favorite Game(s), your
favorite Pizza toppings, drinks that may go
especially good with pizza, any leftover goodies,
your bubbly personalities, and whatever else you
may need to be comfortable.
Date: Saturday, November 24
Time: 5:00 PM till. . . . . .
Monday, November 12, 2007
i dare us...
"In response to the over-consumptive habits of western culture, Adbusters magazine has been promoting Buy Nothing Day for years now. The Friday after Thanksgiving is typically marked as the highest buying day for Americans. But we live in a world that can no longer handle our consumptive habits here in the west. And while we pile up on things we don't need a large portion of the world exists without basic human needs being met every day.
We applaud Buy Nothing Day… but it isn't enough for us. As followers of Jesus, we believe that giving is a central part of the lifestyle we are trying to embody. So, we replaced the negative with something positive: Make Something Day .
Go ahead and give gifts this holiday season. As they say, giving is better than receiving. But that doesn't mean buying something is. So, we encourage folks to avoid shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Instead, stay home, put a log on the fire and try making something for someone."
We applaud Buy Nothing Day… but it isn't enough for us. As followers of Jesus, we believe that giving is a central part of the lifestyle we are trying to embody. So, we replaced the negative with something positive: Make Something Day .
Go ahead and give gifts this holiday season. As they say, giving is better than receiving. But that doesn't mean buying something is. So, we encourage folks to avoid shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Instead, stay home, put a log on the fire and try making something for someone."
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sept. 12 --- a cup of joe anyone?
the update - september 10 of 2007
Conversation Wednesday - september 12, 10:30 a.m.
This Wednesday ... a cup of joe... with conversation!
place:
Urban Mill Cafe235 W Fulton StGrand Rapids, MI 49503(616) 458-6455
directions click here
FREE PARKING for first 60 minutues.
$1.50/30 minutes after first hour
Summer has come to an end; churches are again filling with people who are returning from the summer cottages and vacations, and you need to read a book before joining us?
Nope. This month we are simply sharing life together over good coffee and good food. Join us for conversation this Wednesday.
127 people - This is the number of people who are currently on the emergent west michigan e-mail list. So, for various reasons you have shown an interest in the ways that we are re-thinking, re-learning, and attempting to be followers of Jesus in different ways for this century.
Next month ( Oct. 10 ) we'll return to a planned topic of conversation. This month life is full of new programs, new school stuff, and enough... just take a sabbath for a few moments on Wednesday morning because...
____________________________________________________________________
Living in the Suburbs - We are reconsidering what it means to be followers of Jesus for those of us who live in the suburbs. Feel invited to check out some of our thoughts as we challenge one another to faithful kingdom living in
West Michigan.
A couple of helpful resources as we traverse this conversation include a few new and excellent books from several friends. I encourage you to take a look at both of these resources as they are more than worthy of your time and dollars.
Will and Lisa Samson have been struggling with this issue for more than a few years now. They weave a great story along with challenging obervations and experiences in Justice in the Burbs.
Another resource from someone who has taken a vow of poverty as well as exemplified kingdom life comes from Mark Scandrette. His first book, Soul Graffiti, has even been enough to get great praise from Phyllis Tickle. Check out his website and book if you want another means of challenging your current conception of being a Jesus follower.
Phyliss Tickle writes, " I read SOUL GRAFFITI in manuscript and then was given the chance to blurb the published book. All I want to do now, I suspect, is re-iterate what I said on the back jacket: This book is an encounter more than a book. It rattles your teeth in places, and your bones in others. It is radical Christianity, but so realistic, so possible...or at least so possible to yearn toward and strive for. Anyway, I for one am grateful this one is out there mixing it up in the cultural soup...phyllis tickle
Conversation Wednesday - september 12, 10:30 a.m.
This Wednesday ... a cup of joe... with conversation!
place:
Urban Mill Cafe235 W Fulton StGrand Rapids, MI 49503(616) 458-6455
directions click here
FREE PARKING for first 60 minutues.
$1.50/30 minutes after first hour
Summer has come to an end; churches are again filling with people who are returning from the summer cottages and vacations, and you need to read a book before joining us?
Nope. This month we are simply sharing life together over good coffee and good food. Join us for conversation this Wednesday.
127 people - This is the number of people who are currently on the emergent west michigan e-mail list. So, for various reasons you have shown an interest in the ways that we are re-thinking, re-learning, and attempting to be followers of Jesus in different ways for this century.
Next month ( Oct. 10 ) we'll return to a planned topic of conversation. This month life is full of new programs, new school stuff, and enough... just take a sabbath for a few moments on Wednesday morning because...
____________________________________________________________________
Living in the Suburbs - We are reconsidering what it means to be followers of Jesus for those of us who live in the suburbs. Feel invited to check out some of our thoughts as we challenge one another to faithful kingdom living in
West Michigan.
A couple of helpful resources as we traverse this conversation include a few new and excellent books from several friends. I encourage you to take a look at both of these resources as they are more than worthy of your time and dollars.
Will and Lisa Samson have been struggling with this issue for more than a few years now. They weave a great story along with challenging obervations and experiences in Justice in the Burbs.
Another resource from someone who has taken a vow of poverty as well as exemplified kingdom life comes from Mark Scandrette. His first book, Soul Graffiti, has even been enough to get great praise from Phyllis Tickle. Check out his website and book if you want another means of challenging your current conception of being a Jesus follower.
Phyliss Tickle writes, " I read SOUL GRAFFITI in manuscript and then was given the chance to blurb the published book. All I want to do now, I suspect, is re-iterate what I said on the back jacket: This book is an encounter more than a book. It rattles your teeth in places, and your bones in others. It is radical Christianity, but so realistic, so possible...or at least so possible to yearn toward and strive for. Anyway, I for one am grateful this one is out there mixing it up in the cultural soup...phyllis tickle
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Life for Suburbia :: Week 2 Homework & Week 3 Topic
We've started into our work on Following Jesus in Suburbia. Last Sunday some of us shared our first week's homework which was to write out the 'Suburban Narrative'. We had some great insight into the assumptions and aspirations of the stereotypical suburban way of life.
The homework for this week is to respond to the 'Suburban Narrative' with an alternative narrative: namely, how the suburbs might look if Jesus was in charge...if the dream of God started to come true right here in the 'burbs.
Week 3 Topic: Consumerism & Relationships
We'll also be looking more closely at consumerism and what it does to our relationships. To get your thinking started, here are a few ideas I've been working with lately.
What are the bits of the suburban script that need to be rewritten?
The Suburban Script: I am a Consumer
of product (food, clothing, stuff)
marketing has long been targeted toward convincing people to think of themselves primarily as consumers. (consumers’ reports for one example, George Bush’s comments about shopping being patriotic [see Colossians remixed]; ever hear of a consumers’ bill of rights?)
“I shop therefore I am.”
-of experience (entertainment)
marketing is now being reoriented toward selling experience. And we start to see ourselves as consumers of experiences. This puts us in a place to make demands. After all, the customer is always right, right? If you hear it enough, you start to think you just might really be the center of the universe.
Think now about how this is being expressed in our churches. Churches are expending massive amounts of energy and money to make sure that people have an experience that satisfies their tastes (and keeps them coming back). This is not the whole of the motive, but it is right there nonetheless. We are starting to truly believe that we are, first and foremost, consumers.
This also starts to move us into thinking of ourselves as a kind of sovereign (‘be like gods’, getting whatever you want whenever you want it.)–this is a subtle but dangerous expression of idolatry (self-worship).
-of relationship (service industry, conduits of progress)
When you become a consumer of products and experience, it is a very easy move to think of yourself as a consumer when it comes to relationships. We start to relate to other people the way you relate to toothpaste.
We unconsciously start doing a cost/benefit analysis to our relationships. Whoever has a more effective marketing campaign, whoever offers a more pain-free or entertaining experience, those people get your business.
Consumption is about transactional relationships.
“I am willing to pay something as long as I’m getting something of value to me back. The less I have to pay, and the more I get back, the better.”
Consumption trains us to see people as:
-impersonal functionaries that facilitate my free movement through life.
(cashier, server, garbage truck driver, telephone operator, mail carrier, etc.)
-I stop seeing people as persons deserving respect.
-relational connections to open up opportunities for my progress in life.
(“tit-for-tat”; “how will this person help to get me what I want?”)
-I start to see people in terms of how they benefit me.
-obstacles to my free movement or competitors for my opportunities.
(“outwit, outlast, outplay”; road rage; phone rage; mall rage)
-I start to see people as obstacles, competitors or enemies.
What does this do to our souls?
-we are deceived into thinking we’re more important than others
-we become more insecure about our place and worth
-we become less satisfied/content the more we consume
-we reflect the image of God less and less; losing our humanity
-we gradually lose the capacity to love and to be loved
-we grow more isolated, angry, suspicious, and empty
The homework for this week is to respond to the 'Suburban Narrative' with an alternative narrative: namely, how the suburbs might look if Jesus was in charge...if the dream of God started to come true right here in the 'burbs.
Week 3 Topic: Consumerism & Relationships
We'll also be looking more closely at consumerism and what it does to our relationships. To get your thinking started, here are a few ideas I've been working with lately.
What are the bits of the suburban script that need to be rewritten?
The Suburban Script: I am a Consumer
of product (food, clothing, stuff)
marketing has long been targeted toward convincing people to think of themselves primarily as consumers. (consumers’ reports for one example, George Bush’s comments about shopping being patriotic [see Colossians remixed]; ever hear of a consumers’ bill of rights?)
“I shop therefore I am.”
-of experience (entertainment)
marketing is now being reoriented toward selling experience. And we start to see ourselves as consumers of experiences. This puts us in a place to make demands. After all, the customer is always right, right? If you hear it enough, you start to think you just might really be the center of the universe.
Think now about how this is being expressed in our churches. Churches are expending massive amounts of energy and money to make sure that people have an experience that satisfies their tastes (and keeps them coming back). This is not the whole of the motive, but it is right there nonetheless. We are starting to truly believe that we are, first and foremost, consumers.
This also starts to move us into thinking of ourselves as a kind of sovereign (‘be like gods’, getting whatever you want whenever you want it.)–this is a subtle but dangerous expression of idolatry (self-worship).
-of relationship (service industry, conduits of progress)
When you become a consumer of products and experience, it is a very easy move to think of yourself as a consumer when it comes to relationships. We start to relate to other people the way you relate to toothpaste.
We unconsciously start doing a cost/benefit analysis to our relationships. Whoever has a more effective marketing campaign, whoever offers a more pain-free or entertaining experience, those people get your business.
Consumption is about transactional relationships.
“I am willing to pay something as long as I’m getting something of value to me back. The less I have to pay, and the more I get back, the better.”
Consumption trains us to see people as:
-impersonal functionaries that facilitate my free movement through life.
(cashier, server, garbage truck driver, telephone operator, mail carrier, etc.)
-I stop seeing people as persons deserving respect.
-relational connections to open up opportunities for my progress in life.
(“tit-for-tat”; “how will this person help to get me what I want?”)
-I start to see people in terms of how they benefit me.
-obstacles to my free movement or competitors for my opportunities.
(“outwit, outlast, outplay”; road rage; phone rage; mall rage)
-I start to see people as obstacles, competitors or enemies.
What does this do to our souls?
-we are deceived into thinking we’re more important than others
-we become more insecure about our place and worth
-we become less satisfied/content the more we consume
-we reflect the image of God less and less; losing our humanity
-we gradually lose the capacity to love and to be loved
-we grow more isolated, angry, suspicious, and empty
SOUL WORK | STREET WORK :: Retreat Sept 21-23
Click on the banner above to download info on the retreat. Please contact Randy or Joel if you intend to come along. If you can make arrangements, please come along. It will be worth the trip.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Shane Claiborne of the simple way community
Shane Claiborne helps head up a group of Jesus followers in the midst of Philly. It was a significant part of his community that burned a few months back during a serious fire...
Friday, July 13, 2007
"Special" & "General" revelation
Three nights ago, an amazingly beautiful summer night in Michigan... and I was flopped in the lawn chair catching the end of the sunset. As the sun disapppeared, the clouds took on the shades of the sunset, and they seemed to radiate off each other nearly endlessly.
Yet, all of this bright red and orange and every shade between disappeared within minutes. Those same clouds began to look dark, scary dark. They contained no storms nor rain, and yet they had changed so dramatically within twenty or thirty minutes.
What seemed like just a few minutes was much more, and it was an entire transformation from daylight to bats darting over my head catching their dinner meal, or perhaps it was really breakfast for those little flying F-16's.
With all of those observations filling my head, you need to know that I was raised as a good reformed protestant kid. But here was my question for the night after all of my observations, "Why was 'general' revelation so downplayed while 'special' revelations was the primary focus of our theology?
I had observed a nightfall that was amazing beyond words, and yet it would have been termed 'general.' For one thing, it wasn't just general. It was the hand of a creator God, or perhaps it was just evolution...
the
Secondly, my mind now has a beef with this crazy dicotomy. 'Special' revelation suggests that we need the life, death, and ressurection of Jesus to know God. I've always agreed. Yet?
What if we 'believe' that Jesus died for or sins, and yet we don't recognize the creation as being the handiwork of the Creator (God the Father), it seems that we've also denied part of God's very being.
On the other hand, if we recognize a Creator God and we believe in the Spirit of God but pay little or no attention to Jesus Christ, we've also denied a significant part of God's being.
I have no theological conclusion for these thoughts other than the following: For whatever reason, the protestant church has found it incredibly easy to qualify people for salvation if they believe (in their mind at least) in Jesus Christ as savior. For whatever reason, has taken on a more significant part for savation purposes than either a believe in God the creator and God's Spirit.
I'm perplexed....
Yet, all of this bright red and orange and every shade between disappeared within minutes. Those same clouds began to look dark, scary dark. They contained no storms nor rain, and yet they had changed so dramatically within twenty or thirty minutes.
What seemed like just a few minutes was much more, and it was an entire transformation from daylight to bats darting over my head catching their dinner meal, or perhaps it was really breakfast for those little flying F-16's.
With all of those observations filling my head, you need to know that I was raised as a good reformed protestant kid. But here was my question for the night after all of my observations, "Why was 'general' revelation so downplayed while 'special' revelations was the primary focus of our theology?
I had observed a nightfall that was amazing beyond words, and yet it would have been termed 'general.' For one thing, it wasn't just general. It was the hand of a creator God, or perhaps it was just evolution...
the
Secondly, my mind now has a beef with this crazy dicotomy. 'Special' revelation suggests that we need the life, death, and ressurection of Jesus to know God. I've always agreed. Yet?
What if we 'believe' that Jesus died for or sins, and yet we don't recognize the creation as being the handiwork of the Creator (God the Father), it seems that we've also denied part of God's very being.
On the other hand, if we recognize a Creator God and we believe in the Spirit of God but pay little or no attention to Jesus Christ, we've also denied a significant part of God's being.
I have no theological conclusion for these thoughts other than the following: For whatever reason, the protestant church has found it incredibly easy to qualify people for salvation if they believe (in their mind at least) in Jesus Christ as savior. For whatever reason, has taken on a more significant part for savation purposes than either a believe in God the creator and God's Spirit.
I'm perplexed....
Friday, June 29, 2007
Sunday, July 1...
Hey Friends,
We’re messing with our gathering time AGAIN this week. We’ll be meeting at night (4:30 p.m. for food…) There were just a handful of people who couldn’t make the morning; so we thought we’d have a better turnout at night.
Lots of Love,
Randy
We’re messing with our gathering time AGAIN this week. We’ll be meeting at night (4:30 p.m. for food…) There were just a handful of people who couldn’t make the morning; so we thought we’d have a better turnout at night.
Lots of Love,
Randy
Friday, June 01, 2007
Sunday night, June 3
This Sunday we will be meeting at night. While we normally gather in the morning on the first Sunday of the month, this month is a bit different…
We’ll be meeting in Holland at the home of Kel & Connie Blom & family. Kel has served as a pastor in various capacities over the past twenty plus years. He recently resigned his position at one of the larger churches in Holland. While he is willfully employed, he is also pursuing some of the dreams the Spirit has set before him within the Holland area.
This gathering will be typical of a water’s edge gathering, but it will also be a sort of commissioning time for Kel and his group of cohorts aka “wet feet.”
We’ll begin the night with a shared time of conversation and worship followed with food and a bonfire. We plan on getting things going by 5 p.m.
~ We’ll be meeting in the ‘barn’ behind the Blom home. (It’s not a real barn in terms of hay, cats, dogs, etc.)
~~ For food, take whatever moves you.
~~ Directions: From Lakewood...turn north on beeline (by KFC)...take the 3rd right...Oak Park...then the first left...Beth...follow it all the way to the end and follow the sign down to the Barn at the end of the culdisac...
Address:
226 Beth st.
holland mi. 49424...
We’ll be meeting in Holland at the home of Kel & Connie Blom & family. Kel has served as a pastor in various capacities over the past twenty plus years. He recently resigned his position at one of the larger churches in Holland. While he is willfully employed, he is also pursuing some of the dreams the Spirit has set before him within the Holland area.
This gathering will be typical of a water’s edge gathering, but it will also be a sort of commissioning time for Kel and his group of cohorts aka “wet feet.”
We’ll begin the night with a shared time of conversation and worship followed with food and a bonfire. We plan on getting things going by 5 p.m.
~ We’ll be meeting in the ‘barn’ behind the Blom home. (It’s not a real barn in terms of hay, cats, dogs, etc.)
~~ For food, take whatever moves you.
~~ Directions: From Lakewood...turn north on beeline (by KFC)...take the 3rd right...Oak Park...then the first left...Beth...follow it all the way to the end and follow the sign down to the Barn at the end of the culdisac...
Address:
226 Beth st.
holland mi. 49424...
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday May 27: offsite
THIS Sunday night we will be gathering for conversation, food, and worship @ the home of Travis & Heidi Swierenga.
We’ll certainly be informal… dress according to the weather… take lawn chairs too.
4:30 p.m. at the Swierenga’s home
~~~ Take food, beverages, and anything else for a campfire and worship.
10313 Tyler Street
Zeeland, Mich
We’ll certainly be informal… dress according to the weather… take lawn chairs too.
4:30 p.m. at the Swierenga’s home
~~~ Take food, beverages, and anything else for a campfire and worship.
10313 Tyler Street
Zeeland, Mich
Monday, April 09, 2007
We Believe in the Resurrection
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. We don't just believe that the resurrection happened. We don't just believe things about the resurrection of Jesus. We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus.
In a world where it appears that death wins, where violence, murder, disease, and terrorists might cause us to fear and lose heart, we say that we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. We say that there is a power beyond our understanding that is able to give life back to those who've lost it. And not metaphorical life, but real, actual, fish-eating, hand-touching, word-speaking, bread-breaking, sitting down at the table life.
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. In a world that teaches and trains us to protect and secure ourselves, we say there is a power at work now in this world that exposes the fragility and short-sightedness of such so-called securities, and offers, no, promises and has proven the ability to deliver us through, not merely from, danger and death.
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. And so we refuse to accommodate ourselves to the fear, despair, and cynicism all around us. We choose, instead, to give words and expression to the groaning of the creation. We say that a new day has begun, and the darkness all around us will find no more safe quarter, for the light of life has dawned. Death's teeth have been pulled; it holds no threat any longer.
So we live our lives with abandon. We stand up for and alongside those who are most at risk, and we say in word and in action that we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. God has begun His good revolution, and change is on the way. Oppression, violence, deception, rejection, selfishness, apathy, brutality, manipulation, malice, murder, hatred and all their kind are living on borrowed time.
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. So we refuse to be seduced or coerced into sharing in the behavior of that which will be removed and replaced. Instead, we love rather than hate, we share rather than steal, we give rather than take, we show kindness rather than brutality, we tell the truth rather than deceive, we hope rather than despair, we believe rather than doubt, we help rather than oppress, we heal rather than destroy, we embrace rather than strike, we lose rather than win at any cost. Because we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus.
In a world where it appears that death wins, where violence, murder, disease, and terrorists might cause us to fear and lose heart, we say that we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. We say that there is a power beyond our understanding that is able to give life back to those who've lost it. And not metaphorical life, but real, actual, fish-eating, hand-touching, word-speaking, bread-breaking, sitting down at the table life.
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. In a world that teaches and trains us to protect and secure ourselves, we say there is a power at work now in this world that exposes the fragility and short-sightedness of such so-called securities, and offers, no, promises and has proven the ability to deliver us through, not merely from, danger and death.
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. And so we refuse to accommodate ourselves to the fear, despair, and cynicism all around us. We choose, instead, to give words and expression to the groaning of the creation. We say that a new day has begun, and the darkness all around us will find no more safe quarter, for the light of life has dawned. Death's teeth have been pulled; it holds no threat any longer.
So we live our lives with abandon. We stand up for and alongside those who are most at risk, and we say in word and in action that we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. God has begun His good revolution, and change is on the way. Oppression, violence, deception, rejection, selfishness, apathy, brutality, manipulation, malice, murder, hatred and all their kind are living on borrowed time.
We believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. So we refuse to be seduced or coerced into sharing in the behavior of that which will be removed and replaced. Instead, we love rather than hate, we share rather than steal, we give rather than take, we show kindness rather than brutality, we tell the truth rather than deceive, we hope rather than despair, we believe rather than doubt, we help rather than oppress, we heal rather than destroy, we embrace rather than strike, we lose rather than win at any cost. Because we believe in the Resurrection of Jesus.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
thinspace.net
For those of you not here: 'Here' is in Cincinnati this weekend at a gathering with one of the tribes of Jesus. My thoughts, emotions, words, are all too scrabbled to write right now, but I do know this... God has allowed for a gathering of some of his people here this weekend. The Spirit is among us. It is also St. Patrick's Day, and Patrick was more than just a good guy.
Today let us celebrate the life of Patrick as well as the life of the kingdom among us. And may we have hope for the fullness of the kingdom as it is to come!
Today let us celebrate the life of Patrick as well as the life of the kingdom among us. And may we have hope for the fullness of the kingdom as it is to come!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
the show must go on...
It's winter to the fullest, and it's beginning to look like 'church' will be cancelled around the area in the morning. But what about the show? All of the prep that has gone into getting ready for the weekend 'services?'
Like the below zero windchills of this Saturday morning, I've been woken to the reality of cold winds hitting my face this week. By that I mean, I have friends pastoring at large churches... good churches... and nearly all of the energy of the organization goes into the Sunday event.
While we take a very subdued approach to worship gatherings with water's edge, I must say -- it is good to concentrate our energies on other places besides the Sunday gathering. Vision statements and mission statements are the buzzes of this decade, and I am wondering where they are getting us?
I am not asking if your church or my church is growing in numbers. Numbers are often said to be indicators of health... really?
If this were the case, why did Jesus maintain 12 intimate disciples? There was the ring of 70 disciples, but that didn't move to the ring of 3000. Yet, our mission and vision statements are usually bent on growing us in numbers rather than growing us in discipleship.
We talk about disicipleship, but what is it really costing us? Are we seriously struggling to follow Jesus? Are our dollars donated, our hours of giving, our devotion to the poor, our devotion to the creation (yes - green issues) increasing?
Are our hearts increasingly being broken for the things that broke the heart of Jesus? Do we find our hearts and minds being torn between our own desires and the ways of the kingdom?
I submit that I don't have all of the answers, but I do know this. The kingdom of God is not about the weekend show so people can simply get their butts into heaven. Either we need to adhere to the fullness of the gospel with Jesus proclaiming that the kingdom is at hand... and live into it, or we are stuck with the show.
Intentionally drawing this stark contrast for the following reason: IF we put our energies into the weekend show, what are we saying about the value of life between Sunday 'services'? Service is exactly what we have grown many churches into... like changing the oil in the car, 'getting fed.' We've positioned the church to energize us for 65 minutes so that we can be fired up for another week of life.
BUT here is a point of tension, biblically the church is meant to be a representation of the kingdom. It is meant to be a collection of people who live into a different reality than 'lost' humans. BUT, by and large it is not that.
It has become a feeding station so that we feel good for another week. While 'Christians' go to church on Sunday to feel good for seven days, football fans go to the 'Big House' or the 'Superdome.' Concert goers connect with emotions that allow them do do crazy things apart from their personalities. Bar patrons enjoy 'happy hour' to escape their reality and create something that doesn't really exist after consuming enough liquids. So, how is the weekend 'show' any different?
Go ahead and argue that it is about God, it's about biblical teaching. But here is the deal... Jesus and the writers of the New Testament didn't encourage us to primarily focus on our vision statements, our mission statements, and our Sunday gatherings. With Jesus dying on the cross, the temple curtain rips apart. The holiness of God goes out. It is no longer hidden or contained. Yet...
We've brought it back to the temple. We have our weekend shows that tell us how we are doing based almost entirely on attendance. And we have forgotten that we don't need the high priests to present God to us.
If the gospel is reality, then we need to live into this reality -- the reality of the Spirit among us and the kingdom as reality now. AND we need our churches to stop counting people. Instead, we need our churches to live as holy Israels. We need to live as God's chosen people called to live a different kind of reality than numbers. I submit that I push against a great many churches with this language.
Yet, I am to the point where I believe that the gospel has been truncated to fit the desires of organizations we call churches... and the gospel has been truncated to fit mission statements and vision statements so that we can show 'success' as churches. Then I can say, "My church is doing well. We are growing."
But we miss opportunities to live the kingdom by adhering to the Sunday show as our means of saving souls. Either we are capable of proclaiming the kingdom life by the actions of our lives or we are not.
And perhaps this leaves us at the crossroads. Either followers of Jesus will make a difference by keeping in step with the Spirit, or we will leave it to the Sunday show. We can not have it both ways.
Either the primary actions of the church will be the Spirit moving among people who follow the ways of Jesus or... or it will be about getting people to 'the show' on Sunday to get butts into heaven.
AND perhaps my greatest tension... pastors and staff members need to put all things into the Sunday show. So, while they may claim to desire living in step with the Spiriti seven days a week, their reality becomes focused on the weekend shows. We can not claim one reality and live another.
Pastors get fired for looking at porn and having affairs because they are not supposed to live into that reality. Yet, we have fully embraced that they put on a great 'service' for the sake of the 'congregation.' What if we expected pastors to live beyond their study rooms and stages? What kind of gospel would we then proclaim?
I submit that it would be entirely different, and it would be the gospel of Jesus rather than the gospel of the vision statement.
These places are not keeping people from getting into heaven, but I do believe these churches are helping people miss the reality of living into the kingdom.
Like the below zero windchills of this Saturday morning, I've been woken to the reality of cold winds hitting my face this week. By that I mean, I have friends pastoring at large churches... good churches... and nearly all of the energy of the organization goes into the Sunday event.
While we take a very subdued approach to worship gatherings with water's edge, I must say -- it is good to concentrate our energies on other places besides the Sunday gathering. Vision statements and mission statements are the buzzes of this decade, and I am wondering where they are getting us?
I am not asking if your church or my church is growing in numbers. Numbers are often said to be indicators of health... really?
If this were the case, why did Jesus maintain 12 intimate disciples? There was the ring of 70 disciples, but that didn't move to the ring of 3000. Yet, our mission and vision statements are usually bent on growing us in numbers rather than growing us in discipleship.
We talk about disicipleship, but what is it really costing us? Are we seriously struggling to follow Jesus? Are our dollars donated, our hours of giving, our devotion to the poor, our devotion to the creation (yes - green issues) increasing?
Are our hearts increasingly being broken for the things that broke the heart of Jesus? Do we find our hearts and minds being torn between our own desires and the ways of the kingdom?
I submit that I don't have all of the answers, but I do know this. The kingdom of God is not about the weekend show so people can simply get their butts into heaven. Either we need to adhere to the fullness of the gospel with Jesus proclaiming that the kingdom is at hand... and live into it, or we are stuck with the show.
Intentionally drawing this stark contrast for the following reason: IF we put our energies into the weekend show, what are we saying about the value of life between Sunday 'services'? Service is exactly what we have grown many churches into... like changing the oil in the car, 'getting fed.' We've positioned the church to energize us for 65 minutes so that we can be fired up for another week of life.
BUT here is a point of tension, biblically the church is meant to be a representation of the kingdom. It is meant to be a collection of people who live into a different reality than 'lost' humans. BUT, by and large it is not that.
It has become a feeding station so that we feel good for another week. While 'Christians' go to church on Sunday to feel good for seven days, football fans go to the 'Big House' or the 'Superdome.' Concert goers connect with emotions that allow them do do crazy things apart from their personalities. Bar patrons enjoy 'happy hour' to escape their reality and create something that doesn't really exist after consuming enough liquids. So, how is the weekend 'show' any different?
Go ahead and argue that it is about God, it's about biblical teaching. But here is the deal... Jesus and the writers of the New Testament didn't encourage us to primarily focus on our vision statements, our mission statements, and our Sunday gatherings. With Jesus dying on the cross, the temple curtain rips apart. The holiness of God goes out. It is no longer hidden or contained. Yet...
We've brought it back to the temple. We have our weekend shows that tell us how we are doing based almost entirely on attendance. And we have forgotten that we don't need the high priests to present God to us.
If the gospel is reality, then we need to live into this reality -- the reality of the Spirit among us and the kingdom as reality now. AND we need our churches to stop counting people. Instead, we need our churches to live as holy Israels. We need to live as God's chosen people called to live a different kind of reality than numbers. I submit that I push against a great many churches with this language.
Yet, I am to the point where I believe that the gospel has been truncated to fit the desires of organizations we call churches... and the gospel has been truncated to fit mission statements and vision statements so that we can show 'success' as churches. Then I can say, "My church is doing well. We are growing."
But we miss opportunities to live the kingdom by adhering to the Sunday show as our means of saving souls. Either we are capable of proclaiming the kingdom life by the actions of our lives or we are not.
And perhaps this leaves us at the crossroads. Either followers of Jesus will make a difference by keeping in step with the Spirit, or we will leave it to the Sunday show. We can not have it both ways.
Either the primary actions of the church will be the Spirit moving among people who follow the ways of Jesus or... or it will be about getting people to 'the show' on Sunday to get butts into heaven.
AND perhaps my greatest tension... pastors and staff members need to put all things into the Sunday show. So, while they may claim to desire living in step with the Spiriti seven days a week, their reality becomes focused on the weekend shows. We can not claim one reality and live another.
Pastors get fired for looking at porn and having affairs because they are not supposed to live into that reality. Yet, we have fully embraced that they put on a great 'service' for the sake of the 'congregation.' What if we expected pastors to live beyond their study rooms and stages? What kind of gospel would we then proclaim?
I submit that it would be entirely different, and it would be the gospel of Jesus rather than the gospel of the vision statement.
These places are not keeping people from getting into heaven, but I do believe these churches are helping people miss the reality of living into the kingdom.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
From Sojourners
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The killing of the guilty is not the way to rebuild justice and reconcile society, rather there is a risk of nourishing the spirit of revenge and inciting fresh violence."
- Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., on the execution of Saddam Hussein. (Source: Holy See Press Office)
~ Food for thought.
"The killing of the guilty is not the way to rebuild justice and reconcile society, rather there is a risk of nourishing the spirit of revenge and inciting fresh violence."
- Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., on the execution of Saddam Hussein. (Source: Holy See Press Office)
~ Food for thought.
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