If you did not read Mike's reply from the last blog, you gotta check it out. If you did, and you are wondering where I've been, the answer is - Heck I'm trying to figure out where I am too.
For the next two week's I'll be in Florida, and you will not likely hear from me, unless I get inspired, and inspired can happen. Then I will have more time, and may write stuff.
Otherwise - catch you after September 1st.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Listening as a Teaching Tool?
We've been practicing Lectio Divina meditation each Thursday night at 7pm, down at The Vault (see www.salemgathering.com), and it has been a wonderful experience for most involved.
We have a religiously diverse group spanning the spectrum from Pagan to Christian, and filling in the gaps which lie between. A reader reads the passage of scripture slowly, and repetitively, and everyone else listens, and thinks. After some time everyone who desires to share their meditation has the opportunity.
Occasionally we get someone who wants to correct something they hear another person sharing, and it is usually a fellow born-again Christian who does not understand how to meditate on the Bible in any other style, than to find some doctrinal insight which points to someone else's failures, or shortcomings. This usually breaks the gracefulness of the group, and requires a leadership redirection, or even a gentle correction.
Why are Christians, who should be the light of the world, such terrible listeners? Isn't someone who can not listen living in the dark? Why do we correct people before we know them, or in some cases even before we understand what they are saying?
I am wondering if listening might be a better teaching tool at times than talking. Certainly a dialogue beats a monologue, and the dialogue requires both listening and speaking.
We have a religiously diverse group spanning the spectrum from Pagan to Christian, and filling in the gaps which lie between. A reader reads the passage of scripture slowly, and repetitively, and everyone else listens, and thinks. After some time everyone who desires to share their meditation has the opportunity.
Occasionally we get someone who wants to correct something they hear another person sharing, and it is usually a fellow born-again Christian who does not understand how to meditate on the Bible in any other style, than to find some doctrinal insight which points to someone else's failures, or shortcomings. This usually breaks the gracefulness of the group, and requires a leadership redirection, or even a gentle correction.
Why are Christians, who should be the light of the world, such terrible listeners? Isn't someone who can not listen living in the dark? Why do we correct people before we know them, or in some cases even before we understand what they are saying?
I am wondering if listening might be a better teaching tool at times than talking. Certainly a dialogue beats a monologue, and the dialogue requires both listening and speaking.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Working alongside other minded people
Our location - The Vault - is somewhat of an experiment. We are trying to figure out how to make the place comfortable for people from every background - including religiously diverse backgrounds, and still retain our Christian integrity.
It appears to be working so far, and the little group we are is growing larger.
But now, we have Pagans, Atheists, New Agers, and Undecideds hangin' around with us and loving it. They want to get involved too. So we are rethinking what it means to do ministry, and serve people.
Could it be that some people might find God while serving God? That's a unique thought. It sure is stretching our idea of doing church, and doing "evangelism." Eugene Peterson suggested using the word hospitality instead of evangelism. I think I like that idea.
Traditionally the church has required everyone to be likeminded in order to serve together. Could it be that we have short changed God by not working side by side with other-minded people?
It appears to be working so far, and the little group we are is growing larger.
But now, we have Pagans, Atheists, New Agers, and Undecideds hangin' around with us and loving it. They want to get involved too. So we are rethinking what it means to do ministry, and serve people.
Could it be that some people might find God while serving God? That's a unique thought. It sure is stretching our idea of doing church, and doing "evangelism." Eugene Peterson suggested using the word hospitality instead of evangelism. I think I like that idea.
Traditionally the church has required everyone to be likeminded in order to serve together. Could it be that we have short changed God by not working side by side with other-minded people?
Friday, July 21, 2006
Could the Atheists be Correct?
A newly-found friend and fellow Christian rebel, purchased an atheist on e-bay some time ago. The Atheist was selling his soul. For every $10 he would go to church one hour. (Check out the story at www.off-the-map.org)
This was quite controversial among Christians and Atheists alike.
As Christians we feel that Atheists are foolish, and we have Bible verses to prove our point. Yet many of the Atheists believe that we are captivated by a kind of despotic mind cult. Our thoughts are not free because we have been brainwashed by this cult of Christianity.
Could they be right? Could it be that the most common practices of Christian fellowship are based in creating people who all think exactly the same? I know far too many Christian leaders who are afraid to allow others in the church to have a say, to ask a question, or to get involved at anything more than a basic level, unless they have proved themselves to be robotic imitators of their leaders. Is this because we Christian leaders are afraid to be challenged, and so we silence free thinkers? or could it be that we have wrongly assumed that God's goal is make us think and act alike?
The second reason would be far more noble, even though it would show that we are foolish Christian leaders. The first option of being fearful would show how corrupt we are, and in need of defending our little despotisms.
I wonder how we can best help Christians become free thinkers. It seems to me that Christianity - the religion of liberty - ought to be able to find a way to free our minds.
Whadayathink?
This was quite controversial among Christians and Atheists alike.
As Christians we feel that Atheists are foolish, and we have Bible verses to prove our point. Yet many of the Atheists believe that we are captivated by a kind of despotic mind cult. Our thoughts are not free because we have been brainwashed by this cult of Christianity.
Could they be right? Could it be that the most common practices of Christian fellowship are based in creating people who all think exactly the same? I know far too many Christian leaders who are afraid to allow others in the church to have a say, to ask a question, or to get involved at anything more than a basic level, unless they have proved themselves to be robotic imitators of their leaders. Is this because we Christian leaders are afraid to be challenged, and so we silence free thinkers? or could it be that we have wrongly assumed that God's goal is make us think and act alike?
The second reason would be far more noble, even though it would show that we are foolish Christian leaders. The first option of being fearful would show how corrupt we are, and in need of defending our little despotisms.
I wonder how we can best help Christians become free thinkers. It seems to me that Christianity - the religion of liberty - ought to be able to find a way to free our minds.
Whadayathink?
Monday, July 10, 2006
Looking for a Win
Win and Christie dropped by last night after church. We haven't seen them for quite some time. They pastor a church in Beverly. Win and Christie are struggling with autheniticity in Christianity, just like we are. He calls the state of American Christianity "the system." They think that "the system" is messed up, and it is part of the problem with Christianity in America today. Well no, they think it is THE problem.
Thye actually came by to see how Elijah was doing, because they only just heard about our son's hospital stint, and his ongoing health struggles.
Thye came by to see how we were doing. They were being relational. They were being friends. They didn't care about numbers at the church, or a discussion couched in self-important Christianized phrases. They just wanted to see how we were doing. Win commented that he wasn't looking to build a church these days, he was just looking for friends.
I don't think that I'm looking to win the prize for church growth either, but I guess I am looking for a Win. More people like Win would be refreshing.
I think he holds the key to authenticity in Christianity - friends. Friends like Jesus - who act like Jesus - who are there for us like Jesus.
What do you think?
Thye actually came by to see how Elijah was doing, because they only just heard about our son's hospital stint, and his ongoing health struggles.
Thye came by to see how we were doing. They were being relational. They were being friends. They didn't care about numbers at the church, or a discussion couched in self-important Christianized phrases. They just wanted to see how we were doing. Win commented that he wasn't looking to build a church these days, he was just looking for friends.
I don't think that I'm looking to win the prize for church growth either, but I guess I am looking for a Win. More people like Win would be refreshing.
I think he holds the key to authenticity in Christianity - friends. Friends like Jesus - who act like Jesus - who are there for us like Jesus.
What do you think?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Torturing our Own?
A couple weeks back, we had a short discussion at church about past hurts brought on by churches, and their people. Someone made the comment that the church is the only army which kills its wounded.
I remarked that we don't kill our wounded. We keep them alive and torture them for awhile. There was a hearty laugh in the room.
Why do we identify with this sad observation?
I remarked that we don't kill our wounded. We keep them alive and torture them for awhile. There was a hearty laugh in the room.
Why do we identify with this sad observation?
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Church Discipline and Soteriology
Matthew 18 is not optional behavior according to Jesus. It appears to be a mandatory pattern for dealing with one another. Yet the fact of the matter is that there is a style of leadership practiced by church pastors and leaders today, which teaches and models that it is acceptable, and proper to bypass this section of scripture.
By making an example of people before fully understanding the situation, and before confronting them one on one, we run the risk of isolating them, and potentially driving them away from God. I know people who have left the church, and walked away from the faith on the basis of such treatment, and I would imagine that people are being driven away from God, or brought closer to Him daily by the activities of church discipline.
Is the world looking on and judging how we love one another, and thereby making a judgment about how much we look like Christ? Is this bringing them closer, or keeping them away? Could it be that the style of one's church discipline has soteriological ramifications?
I have some thoughts about this myself, and have only briefly touched on it in my other blog.Style Difference or Heresy?
By making an example of people before fully understanding the situation, and before confronting them one on one, we run the risk of isolating them, and potentially driving them away from God. I know people who have left the church, and walked away from the faith on the basis of such treatment, and I would imagine that people are being driven away from God, or brought closer to Him daily by the activities of church discipline.
Is the world looking on and judging how we love one another, and thereby making a judgment about how much we look like Christ? Is this bringing them closer, or keeping them away? Could it be that the style of one's church discipline has soteriological ramifications?
I have some thoughts about this myself, and have only briefly touched on it in my other blog.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
What the Heck Does this Sound Like to Someone Outside the Church?
Tonight at The Gathering we discussed Paul's manner of dealing with the Pagan population in Athens, and noticed his supreme control over his emotions. We read that he was distressed, or 'provoked in his spirit' by the idolatry in Athens, and yet his response was to reason with the people daily. Can you read between the lines, and see dialogues occurring in the marketplace?
In considering this issue, we wondered out loud, "What does it sound like to someone who is not an evangelical Christian when they hear the words 'Hate the sin, but love the sinner?'" We generally agreed that it was a pretty condescending statement.
What do you think? Is this a helpful way to communicate what our attitude should be toward those outside the little circle of our church life?
In considering this issue, we wondered out loud, "What does it sound like to someone who is not an evangelical Christian when they hear the words 'Hate the sin, but love the sinner?'" We generally agreed that it was a pretty condescending statement.
What do you think? Is this a helpful way to communicate what our attitude should be toward those outside the little circle of our church life?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Why Another Blog Why Man?
This blog was specifically started to speak to the questions I have about the nature of the church, and its relevance in today's world. I've spent quite a few years in a group which I believed had a high degree of relevance, but now I am looking at it from the outside.
It don't look the same from the outside as it does from the inside. The church looks pretty square to me, and I am saying that as a pastor in two denominations (on evangelical, one pentecostal) over the last 21 years.
Blogateers and non-blogateers alike are welcome to add their two cents in on this question as I pursue it mercilessly.
I will leave no sharp corners unassailed in asking hard questions, and offering brutal evaluations. I want to be SQUARE NO MORE! Yep, I just yelled in type.
It don't look the same from the outside as it does from the inside. The church looks pretty square to me, and I am saying that as a pastor in two denominations (on evangelical, one pentecostal) over the last 21 years.
Blogateers and non-blogateers alike are welcome to add their two cents in on this question as I pursue it mercilessly.
I will leave no sharp corners unassailed in asking hard questions, and offering brutal evaluations. I want to be SQUARE NO MORE! Yep, I just yelled in type.
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