Thursday, March 23, 2006

Don't move... change.

"If a democracy rests on any principle at all, it is the realization that we can create the society we want to live in. If people in this single morning and this single room, if they put their minds to it, you have enough energy, and you have enough creativity to change America."

--Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts

(Keynote speech at International Arts Movement's "Artist as Reconcilers" conference, February 23, 2006, Cooper Union University, New York City.)

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Four Rules for Irrelevance

Adapted from material in Mary Toumi Hammond's book, The Church and the Dechurched: Mending a Damaged Faith

1. Don't Think

What does it look like: "We don't question the Bible."
What is the cure: Freedom of genuine thought. Create a safe place for doubt and questions to be examined and explored.

This admonition stifles the development of original and independent thought. Judgments, ideas, and opinions must be suppressed unless they agree with dominant authority figures. One learns to placate in order to avoid conflict and condemnation. Conform outwardly. Keep the peace at any price. This develops a "split self": public self and private self. It is a form of intellectual abuse.

2. Don't Feel

What does it look like: "Praise the Lord anyway."
What is the cure: "Emotional Honesty. Create room in relationships for real life reactions."

Good emotions are happiness, kindness, self-sacrifice, gentleness, joy. Smile always. Keep your chin up. The bad emotions of anger, bitterness, depression, shame, guilt, and pain must be overcome by good. Anger is inappropriate. This rule teaches us to separate our emotions into "good emotions vs. bad emotions." Our feelings, both good and bad, are a gift from God. They help us to know ourselves and deepen our experiences.

3. Don't Talk

What does it look like: "We must follow the vision God has given him for our church."
What is the cure: Join the Conversation. Create a safe place for dialogue and discussion.

This rule is toxic. It stifles the honesty that is required to tackle difficult issues and stunts our spiritual growth. One is stranded, alone, and often treated like an outcast.

4. Don't Trust

What does it look like: "Pick most any church on Sunday Morning."
What is the cure: Forgiveness, Acceptance, Vulnerability.

We must accept forgiveness from God for our sin. We must find ourselves acceptable in His presence. We must learn to trust Him and risk trusting His people. The dangers and consequences are very real. If we commit ourselves in community to grow and learn from one another, then the reward will be life and community as God imagined it.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Violence in the Pulpit

A sermon is often a violent act,” says Doug Pagitt, a key figure among emerging leaders. “It’s a violence toward the will of the people who have to sit there and take it.”

To treat the sermon as an oratorical performance delivered by a paid and trained professional who claims to speak for God sets up an artificial power imbalance within the congregation, Pagitt says. It's hard for a congregation to practice the priesthood of all believers when the preaching perpetuates an image of the pastor as somehow more authoritative or spiritual than his or her listeners.

In an emerging church culture that values authenticity above all else, such an approach to preaching creates an artificial distance with the congregation.

A friend once told me that 'unforgiveness is like drinking poison, but expecting the other person to die.' Truly there are too many individuals consumed with anger towards the institutional church. This kind of attitude is not helping anyone, especially those who have it.

- Paul Vieira

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Illegitimis nil carborundum

I have a new motto.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Shroud of Turin

Noah's Ark?

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Outwardbuzz

Steve Sjogren writes

I was hoping that my incredible experience would capture the attention of the reading public of America. I hope that each reader would become curious about a new kind of spirituality – seeing the real Jesus, the Jesus who came to model living to us, to show us how we are to live as servants, to be generous givers, and to serve our cities until we have gained the right to be trusted or listened to.

In the eyes of the culture we are takers. We hold so little sway in the eyes of the culture around us. The reputation of Christians is arguably at an all-time low point. I quit telling people I was a pastor a long time ago. When people on planes ask what I do I usually tell them that I am a “motivational speaker” or a “teacher” or an “author” – I know that if I tell them that I’m a pastor the conversation will come to an immediate halt.

The word “Christian” has lost its meaning. “Christ-follower” communicates much better. As soon as outsiders pick up on an agenda of any sort, they disengage in the conversation.


Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Organic

...what is organic can never be systemized, when we take the organic and try to organize it we develop “engineered” life.

- John O'Keefe

Read more of John's article, The Relationship Driven Church...

Harsh words... but is there truth within?

Excerpts from Paul Vieira's journey and his book, Jesus Has Left the Building: In Search of Authentic Christianity

  • Jesus did not start a religion or an organization. He lived a lifestyle in the context of community and mission

  • Unfortunately, many of our churches can not be described this way [organic]. They have been injected with synthetic material, man-made toxic compounds of the carnal nature.

  • When God speaks to us about the future, the container is as important as the content. There needs to be a new container for the new wine He desires to give us.

  • While Jesus was with His disciples for three years, they literally stopped engaging in many of their older ways. The religious people around them, steeped in tradition, were constantly criticizing them for not keeping the rules. Some of these activities were even biblical and as important as fasting.

  • I wanted to know why we did all that we did and that it was the heart of God and not just tradition. I sought God for revelation as to how He wants things done in the days we live in.

  • As you could see the Father in the face of Jesus, so will the world see Jesus in the face of His followers. God’s glory is to be seen in the ones incarnating Jesus.
  • Jesus has left the building...

    The title of this soon-to-be released book will offend many. According to the author, Paul Vieira, it was taken from a statement that U2's legendary lead-singer, Bono, made to Oprah Winfrey on September 20, 2002

    I grew up in Ireland. My father was catholic and my mother was protestant. I am a believer, but I learned to be somewhat skeptical of religion. Religion is that thing, when God (like Elvis) has left the building. But if God is in the house, you get something else.


    Check out the pre-release site...

    Sunday, March 05, 2006

    Just Finished...

    A Churchless Faith
    by Alan Jamieson (Pilgrim Press - July 2002)

    I found it very interesting and informational though a little academic. I recommend it.