Wednesday, August 31, 2005

I hope to arrive...

It is a sad commentary on Church that this quote from Brian McLaren doesn't describe every house of worship. Like Brian and many others, I am:

hoping to encourage the church to be a more hospitable, healthy, and wholesome place for seekers, so when they come in and become disciples, they will not be socialized into believers who are excessively argumentative, judgmental, and hostile to both the world and to many of their fellow Christians.
Dare to insist that your community of faith becomes:
a profound new convergence – where formerly alienated people come together as never before to form Christ-centered communities in which more and more of us learn to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength … in which we learn to love our neighbors and our enemies according to the teachings of Jesus … and through which we teach others by word and example to do the same, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Toward that convergence I will continue to bend my efforts in grateful collaboration with all who dream a similar dream.

Authors to read

This is a list of authors (from his article) that have influenced Brian in his theology and ministry:

Walker Percy
Lesslie Newbigin
Leonard Sweet
Alan Roxburgh
Nancey Murphy
Stanley Grenz
John Franke
Dallas Willard
N. T. Wright
Walter Brueggemann
Wendell Berry
Annie LaMott

Becoming Convergent

Great article in Next-Wave (in three parts) by Brian McLaren. I recommend the article to every Christian under forty and to those over forty who are courious about the relationship between the Church and the quest for spirituality in society at large.

I especially love this quote:

What he finds – in himself and in other people – is a new breed of person in whom the potential for catastrophe – and hope – has suddenly escalated… The psychical forces presently released in the postmodern consciousness open unlimited possibilities for both destruction and liberation, for an absolute loneliness or a rediscovery of community and reconciliation.

… The wrong questions are being asked. The proper question is not whether God has died or been superseded by the urban-political complex. The question is not whether the Good News is no longer relevant, but rather whether it is possible that man is presently undergoing a tempestuous restructuring of his consciousness which does not presently allow him to take account of the Good News…. It is possible that a different kind of communication-event occurs in the door of the church than occurred fifty years earlier.

- Walker Perry

Communion of the Arts - NYC

Hey Hamption! This one is especially for you...

In the preface of an article I was reading by Tony Jones in Next-Wave was a reference to a ministry in New York City to artist:

I [Tony Jones] blogged about a God-encounter I had with an artist and church-planter in New York City a few months back. His name is Jeff Kursonis, he occasionally blogs, and Brian spoke at his place, Communion of the Arts, August 15. It's a church plant particularly for those in NYC who are involved in the arts, acting, music, media, and the creative professions. Pass on the word to those you know in NYC.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Widgetology

I was link-chasing. From blog-to-comment-to-link-to-etc. Ended up in South Africa. There if found a link to Konfabulotor and their widget gallery.

...go on then. Have a go at it...

Friday, August 26, 2005

It's not a problem of doctrine; it's a problem of practice.

Thanks to Marcia Ford for her article.

Bear with me... I need to define the emerging church. I'll start by explaining what it is not: It's not an organization, a denomination, or an association of churches; that kind of structure runs counter to the thinking of its adherents. (Even the word "adherents" is suspect, but let's not get sidetracked.) It's not an entity with a single doctrinal stance, though most in the movement could, like me, sign any standard evangelical statement of faith. It's not -thank God!- another regimented program for the church to follow. And although it emerged as a reaction to church as usual, its leaders take care not to criticize or disparage people who are quite content with the usual church...

...They believe Jesus intended his followers to interact with the culture around them, not become an alien subculture. They adhere to the ancient creeds of the church. They emphasize the visual and performing arts and acknowledge the enormous influence pop culture has on society. As much as anything else, they believe in the communal and missional aspects of the church -the responsibility Jesus-followers have to each other and to those outside the faith. And they believe that as we draw closer to God, we draw closer to each other, despite the denominational boundaries that divide us. Emerging church evangelicals comfortably draw on the rich traditions and practices of the diverse streams of Christianity, believing that by genuinely living where our common faith intersects, we can surpass the efforts of even the most successful ecumenical programs...

...They believe faith is a journey rather than a destination, and each community of Christians needs to find its own way of continuing on that journey.

The article goes on to offer a short list of authors to pay attention to and a link to friends at AGTS and their free resources which include "Emerging Culture/Emerging Church Resources" compiled by Earl Creps.

"Jesus found me during the Revolution"

That's the way I like to describe coming to faith during the Jesus "Revolution" or movement in the early 70's.

I was reminding the group of College leaders in San Angelo (concho Valley Association) that students focus on relationships and are holistic in the practice of their faith. Their relentless devotion to Christ, School, Family, etc. lives in a celebration and passion which consumes their attention and permeates their very being.

That's what I find so invigorating and so hopeful.

...slow...ing...down......

The pace on this blog has slowed some because I'm been busy since late July. I hope that things will settle so I can get back to my pursuits.

Meanwhile, chase some of my links and then some of their's.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Take your Jesus to work day...

... today and every day.

"When Christianity translates into conduct, behavior and attitudes, it's very welcome." - John Beckett

Check out this organization: International Coalition of Workplace Ministries

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

a life that’s in rhythm with God

I like the idea of that.

Doug Pagitt, Pastor, Author, and one of the significant voices from Emergent Village has a great article on emerging church values.

In no way do I suppose to speak for all emerging communities but from my understanding as an insider - this is what I see.

1. Emerging Churches strive to be positive about the future.
2. Churches within the emerging community are committed to God in the way of Jesus.
3. The Kingdom of God is a central conversation in emerging communities.
4. The emerging church values communal life – living like family.
5. Emerging churches seek to live as missional communities.
6. Friendship and hospitality are transformational pieces in the emerging church.
7. Communities in the emerging movement value theology.

So that is my list; it’s not intended to be static - nor the end of the conversation. I guess you could say it’s just emerging.
I recommend that you read the entire article.

Monday, August 15, 2005

what's around the corner?

some say, "Nothing."

some say, "More of the same."

some say, "a radical shift from the local church being the primary spiritual caretaker of believers in USA to other emerging forms of church having equal allegiance"

many followers will think of their primary spiritual community as something other than the local church. some anticipate a shift will occur. Currently approximately 70% look to the local church, but estimates are that in the next twenty years that number will be closer to 35%. While that may not be good news to everyone, many expect there will be a greater Kingdom consciousness and deeper followership.

regardless of the numbers, that's my hope and prayer.

Ryan attempts to verbalize his Mission experience this summer:

The mission trip we just got back from was probably the best I've ever been on! It was soooo amazing! First of all, I led worship every night in a small relaxing atmosphere with just about 15 people. It was probably the best worship I have ever been to. I would be playing guitar and singing and crying and I would look up and see kids that I would never imagine worshipping whole heartedly, with their faces in their hands just bawling. For five nights in a row God just moved more than I had ever seen before! It was the most amazing experience ever! I saw people grow in their faith...right before my eyes!!! One of my friends who hadn't been going to church much before and was raised catholic was hit so hard the first night, that he decided that after every worship for the rest of the week he was going to study the bible and present what he learned in a bible study led by him!!! I think that is soo cool! It was like songs that we had sung 100s of times before sounded like completely different songs! Oooh, it was so awesome!

Then we went to this night shelter and played with some kids that were absolutely terrific. I don't know if I ever told you about the homeless guy I met in Denver. Well anyway this guy came up to me and started saying that I was his cousin and just random things and he said that I'd see him again soon. And when I left I realized that I had seen Jesus in his worn, drunken, homeless eyes and I was so moved. Well, the other day when we went to this homeless shelter, I met this little girl named Laramie. She was this little bratty 7 yr old who acted like she was 17. She obviously hadn't had much in the way of good parenting because of the way she acted. Well she did something and her mom said she was going to spank her and Laramie of course said "so", so she took her to spank her and Laramie came back crying. She had her head down and I saw her from across the room and then she lifted her eyes to me and waved to me! At that very moment I saw the eyes of Jesus. This little bratty girl had just enough innocence to make my day! It was so cool. Then later that night I realized what had happened in relation to the guy in Denver, he said I would see him again, and I saw him in a 7 yr old girl! It's so awesome how God works like that!

Oh I forgot to mention that all of this is taking place in Ft. Worth. This year we decided to take our mission trip to our own backyard. We were like why spend money on going somewhere when people need help here. So the last day we made 150 lunches, thats 1-5-0, and went and handed them out to people in Ft. Worth it was amazing. Like within 5 min of being there, we were swarmed by homeless people! It was like they had a radar! But then we ran out and there were still people without food, it was devestating! The look in their eyes when asking if there was anymore was just......oh it just hurt me. So we left and we all felt pretty bad but we realized that we helped a little bit and we are gonna go back and do it more during the year.

Then on the last night we had worship, and once again it was so very moving. We started out with telling about our week and then it turned into one after the other telling about their drug and alchohol addictions! It was like God was just letting it all hang out of us! We were so weak in spite of the masks we all had on. We were just all humbled to hear all the things. People were telling how the past week had changed their plans for life! This one girl that has always wanted to be a chef, had God tell her that she needed to be a missionary! How cool is that! And this guy who has been stuggling with alchohol and drugs said that because of working with the kids, he wants to be a youth minister! How cool is that! And then we did our last song of the week and once again I'm just crying. Then after one of my youth ministers came up to me and said, "ryan, this week has been so great and I can feel that God is telling you to be a worship leader."......oh my gosh....what she didn't know was that the whole week God had been puting that on my heart and I had been wrestling with it every night! I was just like oh my gosh, thats probably what i should be doing! So I've mostly decided that I'm going to be a worship leader! How cool is that!!!!

Reminds me of a song lyric I just read:

The Hard Part

I see the look that's in your eyes
that says, I must keep most of me inside,
You'd never love me if I didn't hide
the secrets of my heart

I'm not here for the surface stuff
just get bored with all that fluff
so show me the edges even if it's rough
and let the real love start

You think your shame and deep disgrace
are more than I can bear
But you can go to your darkest place
and I will meet you there

I'm strong enough to take it
and I know what you've been through
You've got a whole heart, give me the hard part
I can love that too

You look at me with some surprise
and I see the doubt that's in your eyes
like something deep inside you cries
with a hunger to be known

Like a tiger born in a city zoo
there's been no place for what's inside of you
you try to live like the others do
but it leaves you so alone

I know you think that the heat of your pain
is more than I can stand
Burn it all in one big flame
and I will hold it in my hand

'Cause I'm strong enough to take it
and I know what you've been through
You've got a whole heart, give me the hard part
I can love that too

Now your eyes well up with tears
'cause desire mixes with your fears
after so many wounded years
can you long for what you've missed?

You want a cool breeze to dance with your flame
a long-lost lover who knows your true name
a secret garden beyond the shame
It all comes down to this

You think your drowning hope will die
in a sea without a shore
but I can drink that ocean dry
and still come back for more

'Cause I'm strong enough to take it
and I know what you've been through
You've got a whole heart, give me the hard part
I can love that too
You've got a whole heart, give me the hard part
I can love that too

(Yes, of course, it’s David Wilcox.)

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Is this the past or the future?

from the beginning, we committed to no building, no paid professional ministers, and no "programs." It's a simple church concept whose base is the people

Is this the past or the future? ...or both?

Ten Stages

Dan Kimball posted an interesting article on a cyclical journey that many travel. I found it very interesting. Here's the highlights:

1. We begin going to a church, exciting, thrilling, love Jesus, the church is exciting, all things new.
2. We begin getting involved, learn behind the scenes things, feel privileged to know the church staff and leaders more personally, we are totally excited.
3. The thrill of the big church meetings wanes, as it seems more and more predictable.
4. We start to get tired of serving in ministry. It seems routine now and we only see it as fueling the big meeting that we don't really like anymore.
5. Total disillusionment, begin feeling bitter towards church leaders, and wonder why people don't question things more.
6. We silently drop out of church. We read the Bible and early church history and see that they didn't have bigger weekly meetings in the early church. We read "house church" literature and begin thinking this is the real New Testament church
7. We realize it isn't too easy leading people. Even in a small house church.
8. We stop going to any church of any kind. We forget it all. Watch a lot of TV.
9. We begin missing other Christians, and regular fellowship.
10. So, we slowly go back to our original church.

And his comments on the article:
* Due to the rather large amount of emails I am getting from people about this post and asking questions - I wanted to say this is not an entirely real situation, but one made up from lots of different experiences and stories. Nor do I think everyone has to go through all these stages. Nor do I think everyone always ends up back at their original church. Sadly, some churches should never be returned to!

Detoxing...

The term may be overstated and offensive to some but the concept is genuine for those of us who are willing to build the future instead of waiting for it to arrive. I offer some excerpts from Rob McAlpine's article Detoxing From Church

Loving the Church Enough to Get Upset
"When Jesus said 'I will build My church', this can't be what He had in mind!"

Getting the System Out of Our System
...I was thinking about this whole concept of detox being a normal, healthy part of breaking out of "the system" in order to create something vibrant and new, or reform the existing churches.

So When Are They Coming Back?
The assumption can be that once people work through a season of detox, that they'll be back in the pew "where they belong", ready to take part in the work of the church. Maybe. Maybe not.

Conclusion
There is a human tendency to want to prove that one way (our way) of expressing the gathered Body of Christ is somehow superior to all others, or (if we're attempting to sound humble), at least more effective

It is important to remind everyone that at the bottom of this whole sense of detox are people who are in love with Jesus, and who want to be a part in the healthy functioning of the Body of Christ... People are in detox because they love Jesus and have a vision for being His Body in an advancing Kingdom on this earth.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

I simply wanted to do something that mattered.

This is the heartcry of George Barna. After interviewing nearly half a million people, providing seminar-based training to leaders from over fifty thousand churches, and producing more than sixty books and syndicated reports he was:

Frustrated... I told the Lord I could not continue...

How did he get to this point?
My passion was to work with ministries to facilitate genuine life transformation... We conducted a survey where we were looking for churches that consistently and intelligently evaluate life transformation among the people to whom they minister.

But here's what they found
very few churches – emphasis on very – measure anything beyond attendance, donations, square footage, number of programs and size of staff. None of that necessarily reflects life transformation.

Barna goes on to lament
My objective had always been to get good information into the hands of leaders so they would convert those insights into great strategic decisions about how to minister more obediently and effectively. Not having the leaders in place to utilize such information was an obstacle I had not foreseen... Giving information to people whose sole interest seemed to be searching for facts that confirmed what they had already chosen to do, or seeking statistical evidence to support their teaching...

His conclusion
better to go broke in the pursuit of true life transformation than to remain financially safe but without any gain for the kingdom

I applaude his courage and the sacrifice of his staff. I'll gladly journey into the future with you. If you care about Kingdom or people, I'd recommend that you thoughtfully read his New Directions article.

p.s. george, i feel ya...

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

...where faith meets fine art

At THEOOZE you can find an article by Gene Koprowski that explores the intersection of Faith and Art. We are introduced to Susan Hooks of White Stone Gallery who with her husband has opened a gallery where contempory artist can express their faith through their enormous gifts. She describes the art at her gallery as

visual parables ... witnessing to whomever is open to the message,” and strongly believes that churches can use fine art to encourage Christians to embrace the purpose God has for them, as well as reach people who wouldn’t darken the door of a church.

The article originated in Outreach Magazine. View some thumbnails of the amazing works and read more about UNEXPECTED STORIES OF FAITH: The Art of the Gospel

a moot point

I blogged earlier this week about moot. Though I don't fully subscribe to their hermenutic, I chose to borrow these statements from their scripture space for further examination:

There has been much argument in Church history about scripture texts, and to assist us having a level playing field the following is assumed:

1. Following Karl Barth, it is assumed that the Bible has limited inherency. Which means that it is the inspired Word of God but that it is written through Human Beings. Texts therefore do hold the word of God, but also human content. We therefore need to approach texts critically to work out what is of God and what is human or cultural.

2. The Bible as the Word of God is not God. The bible is writing that inspires us and reveals the character of God. Jesus is the word of God, so we do not treat the bible as inherent. Some forms of fundamentalist Christians are quite idolatrous in their treatment of the Bible.

3. When doing scriptural questing we will be mindful of the history of interpretation, and hold these in tension with the doctrines of the faith.
Read more on their thoughts about scripture

it's unfortunate...

...that all of the fantastic minds in Christendom don't pool their collective passions to collaborate on Kingdom business... or do they?

I celebrate those movements that seek to live incarnationally in cultures overlooked by mainstream, modern culture

- Ryan Bolger


For the sake of balance, the Kingdom also needs those who are willing to "celebrate those movements that seek to live incarnationally in mainstream, modern cultures".

Maybe soon Mary and Martha will be able to share their worship expressions together in a community/corporate venue and grow to appreciate each other and bless one another.

Conversion vs. Transformation

I posted some thoughts at Alpha Community about contrasting ways of understanding and experiencing spiritual realities. I've been taught to focus (to the point of obsession) on salvation as an event; an occurrence. It presumes that you arrive mentally first as though the mind is the engine and the body, soul, spirit, emotions,et. al are the train cars.

I've recently permitted my self the luxury of exploring new ideas that don't fit neatly into categories and systems; there are things that I value but don't fully understand at this point and I've allowed myself to be OK when the "cerebral coach" is the last to pull into the station.

Read the original post...

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Boomers Rule!

After reading an article by George Barna entitled,Gracefully Passing the Baton one could be left wondering if that's a good thing.


Barna, who has been one of the leading voices in most everything from business and politics to church advisor and author of countless books, has scaled back his operations and changed the focus of his efforts.


Read more about his New Directions...

whoa.

When I read the opening remarks by Dr James MacDonald

Let me begin with a word of personal appreciation for the current leaders of the emerging church movement. I am deeply grateful for your courage in standing against the many shortcomings of the modern western church. Thanks for insisting that authenticity in relationship is the foundation of genuine Christian community. Thanks for standing against the formulaic/instant Gospel which fills our churches with tares and insulates the human heart from a genuine transformational encounter with the living Christ. Thanks also for daring to believe that failure is not final and that Christ yet longs for His bride to function with the health and wholeness He created it to enjoy

I was stunned to read the words that followed in explanation of why he's not ready to join ranks:
1.Because observing the bad is not a credential for guiding us to the good
2.Because God is looking for obedience to revealed truth, not just sincerity
3.Because Christ’s is a kingdom of substance, not style
4.Because the answer is Jesus, not cultural analysis
5.Because Jesus is the purpose for the party, not the surprise hiding in the closet of respectability

Read more of his thoughts on Why I’m Not Emerging:
A Brief Response to the Emergent Church

Darryl of Dashhouse.com provides an opportunity for Learning from James MacDonald

tallskinnykiwi weighs in on How James MacDonald Can Avoid Being Emerging

imaginations wanted

emerging church leaders need to be nurturing their transformed imaginations and the imaginations of those young emerging leaders within their scope of influence

-Kirk Bartha


Read the entire article and/or others in the August issue of next-wave

Monday, August 08, 2005

moot

Very imaginative expression and journey:

moot


a developing community of spiritual travellers who are seeking to find a means of living a life that is honest to god and honest to now. moot seeks to make connections and find inspirations in the meeting of faith, life and culture.

an interesting response

Kester Brewin weighs in on Carson's book, Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church

We have to admit it: the emergent movement is young. It is immature. And it carries some of the problems associated with youth: arrogance, brashness, a belief that it is blazing a whole new trail, that it is re-inventing the wheel.

But, as a teacher, I worry about how these children will grow up when their parents are so harsh on them. Sure, there are criticisms to make, but it's vital that they are made in a supportive and nurturing way.

Read more of Kester's response...

Kester Brewin is a teacher and founder member of Vaux, a community of artists and city-lovers based in South London.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Discussions are heatin' up.

This great article by Stephen Shields will get you started or catch you up.

Chase a few of the links and find out "how deep the rabbit hole really goes"

Lean Toward the Other. Just as a bicyclist leans toward the ground when making a turn in order to avoid falling to the ground, participants in this coming conversation will, counterintuitively, need to lean toward the other rather than away.

Value Criticism as Pure Gold. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. Proverbs 17:10

"Balance Advocacy with Inquiry" This is a phrase from Peter Senge’s wonderful book, The Fifth Discipline. Balancing advocacy with inquiry is an art.

Differentiate Emotional and Logical Statements: Respond to every emotional statement with empathy and to every logical statement with inquiry.

grovin'

8 days away...

5 days at sea...

got up early this a.m. to get a head start on month end responsibilities.

In @ 7:05 a.m.

Emergency meeting @ 10 a.m. Surprise... drop everything... new project... due this week... keep everyone posted...

What happened to lunch? Out @ 6:15 p.m.

In the pool @ 9:05 p.m.

three cool things:
1. "Evidently the world doesn't spin while Jay Clark's on vacation"
2. "You were most definitly missed last week"
3. my baby sent me a message, "I love you very much."

like the shirt says, "Life's good when you're me"