Remembering Tom Sine
5 days ago
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
words of wisdom, quotable quotes*
"Be regular and ordinary in your habits, like a petit bourgeois, so you may be violent and original in your work."
-gustave flaubert
"I'm not saying I'm like Jesus, but I do follow him. Maybe when your master is a polarizing figure, you end up that way yourself."
-joe boyd
"Es is aus. This culture, in my opinion is over. But that's ok, because God doesn't redeem cultures, but he does redeem individuals all the time."
-prof. n, as spoken in old testament exegesis on 2.1.08
* tip-of-the-cap to the young robert de niro who recently brought this quote to my attention.
"Be regular and ordinary in your habits, like a petit bourgeois, so you may be violent and original in your work."
-gustave flaubert
"I'm not saying I'm like Jesus, but I do follow him. Maybe when your master is a polarizing figure, you end up that way yourself."
-joe boyd
"Es is aus. This culture, in my opinion is over. But that's ok, because God doesn't redeem cultures, but he does redeem individuals all the time."
-prof. n, as spoken in old testament exegesis on 2.1.08
* tip-of-the-cap to the young robert de niro who recently brought this quote to my attention.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
stuff that has been making me laugh
for one, the picture above. if the caption beneath read "sounding forth from the center of the real economy," i'd laugh even harder.
i've also been laughing at reggie white's exposition of the crucifixion as recorded by the saint pete times. money quote below:
"Reggie White turned interviews into sermons, questions into homilies and the Super Bowl into a pulpit. He was a good man with a good heart. That said, it was suggested that, sometimes, Reggie's Bible had chapters the rest of us didn't have. White would give you an impassioned speech about how it was God, not money, who led him to Green Bay. The defensive end once said that he came back for one last season because of divine intervention. He said he was healed by faith, not by the trainer.
snip
it's hard to forget media day, when White suggested that Jesus Christ was crucified 'because he was affecting the economy." Huh? "He was healing the sick, and the doctors got mad,' White said. 'He was raising the dead, and all the funeral home directors got mad.'"
finally, i've been laughing for three weeks at the following joke: "what's the hardest thing about rollerblading?"
for one, the picture above. if the caption beneath read "sounding forth from the center of the real economy," i'd laugh even harder.
i've also been laughing at reggie white's exposition of the crucifixion as recorded by the saint pete times. money quote below:
"Reggie White turned interviews into sermons, questions into homilies and the Super Bowl into a pulpit. He was a good man with a good heart. That said, it was suggested that, sometimes, Reggie's Bible had chapters the rest of us didn't have. White would give you an impassioned speech about how it was God, not money, who led him to Green Bay. The defensive end once said that he came back for one last season because of divine intervention. He said he was healed by faith, not by the trainer.
snip
it's hard to forget media day, when White suggested that Jesus Christ was crucified 'because he was affecting the economy." Huh? "He was healing the sick, and the doctors got mad,' White said. 'He was raising the dead, and all the funeral home directors got mad.'"
finally, i've been laughing for three weeks at the following joke: "what's the hardest thing about rollerblading?"
Monday, January 28, 2008
could i have been anyone other than me?
recently i've been complaining to my nerdy neighbors* at television without pity about the complete catastrophe that is friday night lights season II. my specific gripe about the current season is that it lacks a compelling, overarching metanarrative** such as the "win state" theme that dominated the first season. on account of the missing meta, the stories of the players, families and townies that once converged so beautifully have devolved into trite stories that add little if anything to the Story of the town and its team.
i mention this because i've been musing about my personal meta lately.
for the first quarter century of my life baseball was not merely a my consuming passion, but it provided the narrative framework by which i understood, evaluated and envisioned my life. although i rarely, if ever, mention it here as a kid i played a lot of baseball and played most of it poorly. i think that if i had not understood the fundamentals of hitting or been able to break off a nasty curve, the story of baseball wouldn't have held much sway. but, alas, at twelve years of age i could explain the fundamentals of rod carew's swing, was learning to i set up the heat with the circle change and yet had still found a way to fail my way through almost every level of little league and competitive ball. i had a beautiful swing, but couldn't stay in the box for fear of the ball. likewise, my fastball had plenty of heat and not a little hop, but i could never control my mechanics or my raging temper, long enough to pitch with anything approaching consistency. i loved baseball more than any of my peers, but by the age of thirteen i realized i was a van poppel-esque pitcher whose stuff would never pan out. for this reason, i internalized the story of the failed prospect, found myself umpiring games while friends starred on varsity and doubted that i would ever excel at something that i loved.
fortunately, over the past five years, i've finally started to accept a new meta for my life. now, instead of considering myself a failed prospect who will never be able to turn tools*** into results, i've received a new meta, that of a servant, and have begun to suspect that i have the ability to successfully live this story out.
don't get me wrong, far more often than i would like to admit i still fixate on the few moments when my deuce was dropping for strikes, i had enough emotional control to sustain my mechanics and standing on a twelve inch mound felt like straddling olympus. in those moments, i grieve for my inability to succeed at the game i love so much and still feel like the prospect who will always find a way to fuck things up.
but, thanks be to the God, most days i am focused on the new meta that stretches before me and i somehow find the strength to scribble my way forward.
* and pretty much anyone else who will listen.
** or, as the cool kids at twop call it, a "meta."
*** be they of a baseball, academic or pastoral nature.
recently i've been complaining to my nerdy neighbors* at television without pity about the complete catastrophe that is friday night lights season II. my specific gripe about the current season is that it lacks a compelling, overarching metanarrative** such as the "win state" theme that dominated the first season. on account of the missing meta, the stories of the players, families and townies that once converged so beautifully have devolved into trite stories that add little if anything to the Story of the town and its team.
i mention this because i've been musing about my personal meta lately.
for the first quarter century of my life baseball was not merely a my consuming passion, but it provided the narrative framework by which i understood, evaluated and envisioned my life. although i rarely, if ever, mention it here as a kid i played a lot of baseball and played most of it poorly. i think that if i had not understood the fundamentals of hitting or been able to break off a nasty curve, the story of baseball wouldn't have held much sway. but, alas, at twelve years of age i could explain the fundamentals of rod carew's swing, was learning to i set up the heat with the circle change and yet had still found a way to fail my way through almost every level of little league and competitive ball. i had a beautiful swing, but couldn't stay in the box for fear of the ball. likewise, my fastball had plenty of heat and not a little hop, but i could never control my mechanics or my raging temper, long enough to pitch with anything approaching consistency. i loved baseball more than any of my peers, but by the age of thirteen i realized i was a van poppel-esque pitcher whose stuff would never pan out. for this reason, i internalized the story of the failed prospect, found myself umpiring games while friends starred on varsity and doubted that i would ever excel at something that i loved.
fortunately, over the past five years, i've finally started to accept a new meta for my life. now, instead of considering myself a failed prospect who will never be able to turn tools*** into results, i've received a new meta, that of a servant, and have begun to suspect that i have the ability to successfully live this story out.
don't get me wrong, far more often than i would like to admit i still fixate on the few moments when my deuce was dropping for strikes, i had enough emotional control to sustain my mechanics and standing on a twelve inch mound felt like straddling olympus. in those moments, i grieve for my inability to succeed at the game i love so much and still feel like the prospect who will always find a way to fuck things up.
but, thanks be to the God, most days i am focused on the new meta that stretches before me and i somehow find the strength to scribble my way forward.
* and pretty much anyone else who will listen.
** or, as the cool kids at twop call it, a "meta."
*** be they of a baseball, academic or pastoral nature.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
linkage
welcome to the fatosphere where, presumably, the biggest losers have far less to talk about.
wal-mart chief offers a social manifesto. wouldn't it be amazing if wal-mart is able to utilize their market share, dominion over suppliers and international influence in order to provoke positive environmental practices and serve its customers in a more holistic manner? if wal-mart continues to achieve some level of success in these initiatives they might just win over one more customer.
nick hornby, one of the contemporary kings of the common reader, interviews david simon, a television producer who is a little less enamored with the average reader. one poo dollar will be awarded to the first person to identify both of the television shows simon has created.
finally, i'm really excited about this hbo miniseries. i really enjoyed the book* the series is based on and think that hbo last military miniseries was pretty damn good.
* tip-o-the-hat to josh brown.
welcome to the fatosphere where, presumably, the biggest losers have far less to talk about.
wal-mart chief offers a social manifesto. wouldn't it be amazing if wal-mart is able to utilize their market share, dominion over suppliers and international influence in order to provoke positive environmental practices and serve its customers in a more holistic manner? if wal-mart continues to achieve some level of success in these initiatives they might just win over one more customer.
nick hornby, one of the contemporary kings of the common reader, interviews david simon, a television producer who is a little less enamored with the average reader. one poo dollar will be awarded to the first person to identify both of the television shows simon has created.
finally, i'm really excited about this hbo miniseries. i really enjoyed the book* the series is based on and think that hbo last military miniseries was pretty damn good.
* tip-o-the-hat to josh brown.
nine month vitals
height: 30"
weight: 19 lbs., 10 oz.
mobility: crawlking
super power: liberating laptop keys
keywords: hi!,* mama and da
watching: the wire, season 3
singing: "milkshake"** by kelis
forbidden fruit: duracell batteries
* a greeting he only offers himself, while glancing in a mirror.
** as seen here.
height: 30"weight: 19 lbs., 10 oz.
mobility: crawlking
super power: liberating laptop keys
keywords: hi!,* mama and da
watching: the wire, season 3
singing: "milkshake"** by kelis
forbidden fruit: duracell batteries
* a greeting he only offers himself, while glancing in a mirror.
** as seen here.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
reader/response
in the midst of the forgotten ways alan hirsch argues that the church would be more effective at developing committed disciples and transformational leaders if christians encouraged one another to "act our way into a new way of thinking" rather than trying to "think our way into a new way of acting."*
as one who has long tried, and often failed, to think my way into a new way of acting, i found hirsch's suggestion intriguing. i have long thought that i learned more about pastoral ministry by serving the core members of l'arche and have connected with God much more naturally when i have intentionally entered into silence and set aside the prefabricated, a.c.t.s.** model of prayer.
if christian leaders were to follow hirsch's suggestion by seeking to shape Christ followers more in the context of action than a context of abstraction,*** we would need to constantly encourage experiences, practices and settings that would empower young believers who are seeking to effectively love God, love people and contribute to their communities.
so i'm wondering, what experiences, practices and/or settings have helped you learn how to love God and/or other people more passionately and proficiently?****
please take a moment to help this brother out. if i'm ever going to exchange a ministry of abstraction for one of applied wisdom, i'm going to need your help!
* emphasis his. pg. 122.
** for the (fortunately) uninitiated, a.c.t.s. is an acrostic that reminds young prayer warriors to adore God, confess sin, thank God before inserting one's supplications into God's sanctified in-bow.
*** read: classroom.
**** please note: i do not for one moment think that Christ followers have cornered the market on love. people of all, and no, religions are more than welcome to contribute to the conversation.
in the midst of the forgotten ways alan hirsch argues that the church would be more effective at developing committed disciples and transformational leaders if christians encouraged one another to "act our way into a new way of thinking" rather than trying to "think our way into a new way of acting."*
as one who has long tried, and often failed, to think my way into a new way of acting, i found hirsch's suggestion intriguing. i have long thought that i learned more about pastoral ministry by serving the core members of l'arche and have connected with God much more naturally when i have intentionally entered into silence and set aside the prefabricated, a.c.t.s.** model of prayer.
if christian leaders were to follow hirsch's suggestion by seeking to shape Christ followers more in the context of action than a context of abstraction,*** we would need to constantly encourage experiences, practices and settings that would empower young believers who are seeking to effectively love God, love people and contribute to their communities.
so i'm wondering, what experiences, practices and/or settings have helped you learn how to love God and/or other people more passionately and proficiently?****
please take a moment to help this brother out. if i'm ever going to exchange a ministry of abstraction for one of applied wisdom, i'm going to need your help!
* emphasis his. pg. 122.
** for the (fortunately) uninitiated, a.c.t.s. is an acrostic that reminds young prayer warriors to adore God, confess sin, thank God before inserting one's supplications into God's sanctified in-bow.
*** read: classroom.
**** please note: i do not for one moment think that Christ followers have cornered the market on love. people of all, and no, religions are more than welcome to contribute to the conversation.
Monday, January 21, 2008
too funny
on a more cereal note, in today's edition of the nyt online, sarah vowell pens a beautiful op-ed about the legacy of MLK, her own evangelical history and her hope that our next president follows in at least a few of MLK's steps. if you have a moment, please take the time to read radical love gets a holiday. i think it is one of the best short pieces i've read in years.
on a more cereal note, in today's edition of the nyt online, sarah vowell pens a beautiful op-ed about the legacy of MLK, her own evangelical history and her hope that our next president follows in at least a few of MLK's steps. if you have a moment, please take the time to read radical love gets a holiday. i think it is one of the best short pieces i've read in years.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
overheard: edgy church breaks old rules, insists on new ones
ROCHESTER, Minn. — At The Circle, a young, innovative church which meets in a renovated bus depot, there is no pulpit, platform or pastor, as such. The congregation rejects the labels "Christian" and "congregation," preferring "followers of Jesus" and "friendship community."
There are no ushers, but rather "helpers."
There is no worship team, but rather "God artists."
And woe to anyone who affixes traditional church labels to any of it.
"God's doing a new thing here," says Mitch Townsend, the leader of the church. He shuns the "pastor" label and insists people call him, "Hey, man," or simply "Dude." If someone slips and calls him "pastor," he bristles and gently rebukes them.
"We got rid of all those old labels," he says. "There's no going back."
continue reading
ROCHESTER, Minn. — At The Circle, a young, innovative church which meets in a renovated bus depot, there is no pulpit, platform or pastor, as such. The congregation rejects the labels "Christian" and "congregation," preferring "followers of Jesus" and "friendship community."There are no ushers, but rather "helpers."
There is no worship team, but rather "God artists."
And woe to anyone who affixes traditional church labels to any of it.
"God's doing a new thing here," says Mitch Townsend, the leader of the church. He shuns the "pastor" label and insists people call him, "Hey, man," or simply "Dude." If someone slips and calls him "pastor," he bristles and gently rebukes them.
"We got rid of all those old labels," he says. "There's no going back."
continue reading
musing...
in a archived interview on hbo.com david simon, the creator of the wire, mentioned that omar little is the only character on the show that does not curse. simon suggested that omar's inoffensive language is a reflection of the fact that he has not submitted himself to an institution that has failed him and so produced the "debased language of those who are subject to the caprices and indifferences of the institutions they serve." in sum, omar does not curse because he has not capitulated to cynicism that rules the hearts of the other characters.
i was struck by simon's exposition of omar's character, since, by all accounts, omar is one of the most ruthless, violent residents of simon's blighted baltimore. omar is a child of the projects who robs drug dealers of their product for a living, will not hesitate to shoot a hopper who refuses to hand over the product and yet still finds time to find his "church crowned" granny to church once a month. omar piles up as many bodies as anyone, yet he will not deviate from his code by killing civilians, working for hire or distributing his spoils to his neighbors.
obviously, i am not interested in living by omar's particular code, but i am interested in relentlessly upholding the code or calling that Christ has imprinted upon my life. as i reflect upon omar's oddly inspiring life, i wish that my awareness of God's Kingdom, belief in holistic reconciliation and commitment to compassionate incarnation was so overwhelming that i felt compelled to exchange the cynical, despairing words that often proceed from my lips for words that more adequately reflect the beauty, truth and goodness of the God i serve. here's to living a life and utilizing language that is, in its own way, as focused, integrous and committed as omar little's.
in a archived interview on hbo.com david simon, the creator of the wire, mentioned that omar little is the only character on the show that does not curse. simon suggested that omar's inoffensive language is a reflection of the fact that he has not submitted himself to an institution that has failed him and so produced the "debased language of those who are subject to the caprices and indifferences of the institutions they serve." in sum, omar does not curse because he has not capitulated to cynicism that rules the hearts of the other characters. i was struck by simon's exposition of omar's character, since, by all accounts, omar is one of the most ruthless, violent residents of simon's blighted baltimore. omar is a child of the projects who robs drug dealers of their product for a living, will not hesitate to shoot a hopper who refuses to hand over the product and yet still finds time to find his "church crowned" granny to church once a month. omar piles up as many bodies as anyone, yet he will not deviate from his code by killing civilians, working for hire or distributing his spoils to his neighbors.
obviously, i am not interested in living by omar's particular code, but i am interested in relentlessly upholding the code or calling that Christ has imprinted upon my life. as i reflect upon omar's oddly inspiring life, i wish that my awareness of God's Kingdom, belief in holistic reconciliation and commitment to compassionate incarnation was so overwhelming that i felt compelled to exchange the cynical, despairing words that often proceed from my lips for words that more adequately reflect the beauty, truth and goodness of the God i serve. here's to living a life and utilizing language that is, in its own way, as focused, integrous and committed as omar little's.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
overheard
"it was david bosch who rightly noted that 'discipleship is determined by relation to Christ himself not by mere conformity to impersonal commands. the context of this is not in the classroom (where 'teaching' normally takes place), or even in the church, but in the world.* to be true, evangelical thinking reverberates with this idea. we emphasize the primacy of our relationship with Jesus and not to mere ideas about him, and we claim that this is an all-of-life phenomenon, but it is our lifestyle practices and not our thinking that constantly let us down in this matter." - alan hirsch, the forgotten ways, pg. 113
Christ does not call us to visit prisoners, feed the poor and clothe the naked so that we can develop a virtuous life. rather, Christ calls us to visit prisoners, feed the poor and clothe the naked because it is within such groups of people that He most fully dwells.
historically, i have been more concerned with my failure to maintain consistent quiet times, keep up with contemporary theology and fully invest in my pastoral "profession," than i have been concerned with loving my enemies, listening to the broken and breaking bread with the bedraggled. reading the statement above reminded me that unless i serve and sacrifice myself on behalf of the least, biblical knowledge and personal piety are of little or no value. for this reason, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, i hope to refocus my life on moving towards the center of all things and trusting that in the process of doing so the theological and spiritual details will work themselves out.
i think this personal movement from a "bounded set" view of christianity to a more "centered set" perspective is as important for the community of God as it is for this little disciple. i would like to spend a few moments explicating the latter movement but am going to spend a few more moments serving Christ instead.
* d. bosch, transforming mission (maryknoll, ny: orbis, 1991), 67.
"it was david bosch who rightly noted that 'discipleship is determined by relation to Christ himself not by mere conformity to impersonal commands. the context of this is not in the classroom (where 'teaching' normally takes place), or even in the church, but in the world.* to be true, evangelical thinking reverberates with this idea. we emphasize the primacy of our relationship with Jesus and not to mere ideas about him, and we claim that this is an all-of-life phenomenon, but it is our lifestyle practices and not our thinking that constantly let us down in this matter." - alan hirsch, the forgotten ways, pg. 113
Christ does not call us to visit prisoners, feed the poor and clothe the naked so that we can develop a virtuous life. rather, Christ calls us to visit prisoners, feed the poor and clothe the naked because it is within such groups of people that He most fully dwells.
historically, i have been more concerned with my failure to maintain consistent quiet times, keep up with contemporary theology and fully invest in my pastoral "profession," than i have been concerned with loving my enemies, listening to the broken and breaking bread with the bedraggled. reading the statement above reminded me that unless i serve and sacrifice myself on behalf of the least, biblical knowledge and personal piety are of little or no value. for this reason, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, i hope to refocus my life on moving towards the center of all things and trusting that in the process of doing so the theological and spiritual details will work themselves out.
i think this personal movement from a "bounded set" view of christianity to a more "centered set" perspective is as important for the community of God as it is for this little disciple. i would like to spend a few moments explicating the latter movement but am going to spend a few more moments serving Christ instead.
* d. bosch, transforming mission (maryknoll, ny: orbis, 1991), 67.
Monday, January 14, 2008
mid-morning time waster: theological threads
today, due to 6 - 12 inches of snow in the hub, i am off of work. so i'm spending the day with little p, continuing to prep for my hebrew course and thinking up ideas for inappropriate christian t-shirts.
the shirt that's pictured above is currently available from lark news for $17.99. i'd love to pick it up for the pix, but, seeing as i'm broke, in lieu of such purchases i am going to produce my own christian t's instead. so, here are a few slogans i'm currently considering. i am entrusting cade with the task of visual design, but where i have ideas, i've offered them.
1. "seduced by sunday school"*
2. "if you're looking to homer, i'm your gomer"
3. "MK and Awkward"
4. i'm the s _ _ _ solomon warned you about**
5. this shirt wouldn't have a slogan, but would feature an open Bible on the front and a smoking bowl*** on the back****
as always, your submissions are welcome.
* this text would be super imposed on one of those trashy lady silhouettes that adorn truck stops and are featured on these threads.
**
*** of course, the bowl i'm talking about here would come from a "tobacco pipe."
****i think the .09% of the population who would understand this shirt would absolutely love it.
today, due to 6 - 12 inches of snow in the hub, i am off of work. so i'm spending the day with little p, continuing to prep for my hebrew course and thinking up ideas for inappropriate christian t-shirts.
the shirt that's pictured above is currently available from lark news for $17.99. i'd love to pick it up for the pix, but, seeing as i'm broke, in lieu of such purchases i am going to produce my own christian t's instead. so, here are a few slogans i'm currently considering. i am entrusting cade with the task of visual design, but where i have ideas, i've offered them.
1. "seduced by sunday school"*
2. "if you're looking to homer, i'm your gomer"
3. "MK and Awkward"
4. i'm the s _ _ _ solomon warned you about**
5. this shirt wouldn't have a slogan, but would feature an open Bible on the front and a smoking bowl*** on the back****
as always, your submissions are welcome.
* this text would be super imposed on one of those trashy lady silhouettes that adorn truck stops and are featured on these threads.
**
*** of course, the bowl i'm talking about here would come from a "tobacco pipe."
****i think the .09% of the population who would understand this shirt would absolutely love it.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Who Knew that Cloth Diapering is Good for the Faith?
Submitted by the Pixie*
Kathy, Preston’s day sitter, has suggested that we expand his BumGenius diapers to the third snap because diapers are supposed to go all the way up to the belly button. Now this may not seem like a big thing, but I’m not sure that I’m ready to have him wearing the fully expanded diapers at 9 months. I know our kid is looong but the diapers are supposed to last through potty training – what am I supposed to go to next if he outgrows the largest fitting?!! Thus began an in depth search of cottonbabies.com to see exactly how Preston’s cloth diapers are supposed to fit. I still haven’t found the answer to my question but I did find this:
Introducing Diaper Grants for Missionaries
How cool is that? Our diapers are made by Christians!! So we’re not crazy, crunchy, liberal, environmentally crazed New Englanders - we’re supporting the spread of Gospel...and preventing the spread of the super poo.
* with linkage by g13.
Submitted by the Pixie*
Kathy, Preston’s day sitter, has suggested that we expand his BumGenius diapers to the third snap because diapers are supposed to go all the way up to the belly button. Now this may not seem like a big thing, but I’m not sure that I’m ready to have him wearing the fully expanded diapers at 9 months. I know our kid is looong but the diapers are supposed to last through potty training – what am I supposed to go to next if he outgrows the largest fitting?!! Thus began an in depth search of cottonbabies.com to see exactly how Preston’s cloth diapers are supposed to fit. I still haven’t found the answer to my question but I did find this:
Introducing Diaper Grants for Missionaries
How cool is that? Our diapers are made by Christians!! So we’re not crazy, crunchy, liberal, environmentally crazed New Englanders - we’re supporting the spread of Gospel...and preventing the spread of the super poo.
* with linkage by g13.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
homiletical musing...
throughout the christmas season the pix and i had an opportunity to attend three separate services at my home church in tulsa, ok. throughout each of these services, as well as the service we attended at kellie's parents' church in amarillo, tx in october, i was surprised by the individualistic aims of the sermons. for instance, a sermon on Christ's birth was thematically focused on "God's gift for you*" and a sermon on paul's fascinating "house table" of community ethics in colossians 3 was transformed into "your extreme personal makeover." if memory serves, one of the first principles of homiletics I is audience analysis. thus, one would suspect that educated preachers would address communal texts to the community of Christ instead of transforming communal texts into paeans to personal growth.
of course, as i review my recent sermons and rifle through cringe worthy sermons of old, i am well aware that i have been guilty of error on far too many occasions.** however, i think it is worthwhile for those of us who worship the God of community and regularly attempt to deliver God's Word to His community, to remember that God's focus has always been upon, Christ our Lord came to save, the Holy Spirit chooses to indwell and we are called to sacrificially serve a community. here's to hoping that our future sermons will more adequately reflect our values.
* i'm assuming that the preacher was focused on the 2nd person singular form of the personal pronoun in this instance. since we were in oklahoma, if he had wanted to say y'all, he darn sure would have said y'all.
** examples (mercifully) omitted.
throughout the christmas season the pix and i had an opportunity to attend three separate services at my home church in tulsa, ok. throughout each of these services, as well as the service we attended at kellie's parents' church in amarillo, tx in october, i was surprised by the individualistic aims of the sermons. for instance, a sermon on Christ's birth was thematically focused on "God's gift for you*" and a sermon on paul's fascinating "house table" of community ethics in colossians 3 was transformed into "your extreme personal makeover." if memory serves, one of the first principles of homiletics I is audience analysis. thus, one would suspect that educated preachers would address communal texts to the community of Christ instead of transforming communal texts into paeans to personal growth.
of course, as i review my recent sermons and rifle through cringe worthy sermons of old, i am well aware that i have been guilty of error on far too many occasions.** however, i think it is worthwhile for those of us who worship the God of community and regularly attempt to deliver God's Word to His community, to remember that God's focus has always been upon, Christ our Lord came to save, the Holy Spirit chooses to indwell and we are called to sacrificially serve a community. here's to hoping that our future sermons will more adequately reflect our values.
* i'm assuming that the preacher was focused on the 2nd person singular form of the personal pronoun in this instance. since we were in oklahoma, if he had wanted to say y'all, he darn sure would have said y'all.
** examples (mercifully) omitted.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
reader/response
on account of barnes and noble gift cards and additional eagerly received gifts, i am currently engaging in a media orgy. one of the most fascinating books i am currently reading is the forgotten ways by alan hirsch.
early on in the book, hirsch persuasively argues that the western church will not be able to effectively participate in Christ's ongoing mission of redemption if we do not reconsider and re-envision our ecclesiology. drawing on an i.t. analogy, hirsch suggests that the church needs to quit focusing on software such as church growth techniques so that we can focus on fully redesigning our hardware, which - i think - he would define as our functional ecclesiology. in sum, hirsch is suggesting that the church will not operate effectively and efficiently unless the objectives and aims of the church are carefully redesigned and comprehensively embraced by the community of Christ.
i'm still working through hirsch's argument at this point, but i think his assessment of the western church's malnourished ecclesiology and his call to ecclesiological revitalization is prescient. moreover, since hirsch is a progeny of the Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ/Independent* Christian Church, Church of Christ, a movement that is deeply rooted in missional pragmatism and almost completely free of creedal or institutional impediments, i think he is well situated to explore creative ways to incarnate Christ and participate in his mission in the postmodern world.
since i, and not a few of my readers, share hirsch's campellite roots, i think we should listen carefully to his argument and consider ourselves blessed to participate in a tradition that is, ideologically at least, open to innovation. i know that there are a number of self-ordained "big men" in the campbellite tradition who either hesitant to embrace ecclesiological innovation or eager to condemn it outright. however, since our "big men" are bereft of institutional and theological authority, emerging leaders are completely free to carefully rethink our understanding of the Church and pursue Christ's mission as we please.
i am grateful for this freedom and more convinced than ever that we should follow in the footsteps of our innovative forbears by participating in Christ's mission in new, meaningful and powerful ways.
if you're interested in this discussion at all, i would love to hear what you have to say.
* i have long thought that the phrase "independent christian church" is a rather ridiculous oxymoron and my opinion on this matter is not likely to change.
on account of barnes and noble gift cards and additional eagerly received gifts, i am currently engaging in a media orgy. one of the most fascinating books i am currently reading is the forgotten ways by alan hirsch.early on in the book, hirsch persuasively argues that the western church will not be able to effectively participate in Christ's ongoing mission of redemption if we do not reconsider and re-envision our ecclesiology. drawing on an i.t. analogy, hirsch suggests that the church needs to quit focusing on software such as church growth techniques so that we can focus on fully redesigning our hardware, which - i think - he would define as our functional ecclesiology. in sum, hirsch is suggesting that the church will not operate effectively and efficiently unless the objectives and aims of the church are carefully redesigned and comprehensively embraced by the community of Christ.
i'm still working through hirsch's argument at this point, but i think his assessment of the western church's malnourished ecclesiology and his call to ecclesiological revitalization is prescient. moreover, since hirsch is a progeny of the Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ/Independent* Christian Church, Church of Christ, a movement that is deeply rooted in missional pragmatism and almost completely free of creedal or institutional impediments, i think he is well situated to explore creative ways to incarnate Christ and participate in his mission in the postmodern world.
since i, and not a few of my readers, share hirsch's campellite roots, i think we should listen carefully to his argument and consider ourselves blessed to participate in a tradition that is, ideologically at least, open to innovation. i know that there are a number of self-ordained "big men" in the campbellite tradition who either hesitant to embrace ecclesiological innovation or eager to condemn it outright. however, since our "big men" are bereft of institutional and theological authority, emerging leaders are completely free to carefully rethink our understanding of the Church and pursue Christ's mission as we please.
i am grateful for this freedom and more convinced than ever that we should follow in the footsteps of our innovative forbears by participating in Christ's mission in new, meaningful and powerful ways.
if you're interested in this discussion at all, i would love to hear what you have to say.
* i have long thought that the phrase "independent christian church" is a rather ridiculous oxymoron and my opinion on this matter is not likely to change.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
rant...
brothers and sisters, as much as it pains me to say it, i am convinced that we have an ass crack epidemic on our hands.
in years past, i'd occasionally have an unrequited and (usually) wholly unappealing glimpse of a fat crack and five dollar thong, but lately i can't look to my right or left without being accosted by crack.
just on this trip alone, pix and i were subjected to a full-on glimpse of a wide crack ass that was not only half unsheathed, but sprouting black hairs. later, on one of our unfortunate trips to a commerce carnival, we saw a young woman who wore stylish black slacks that were quickly creeping towards the lower rims of her ass. even worse, she was toting along her young son and daughter who were sporting low-slung pampers and proudly displaying finely powdered and (as of yet) completely undimpled ass.
now i'm not calling anyone out here and will let all offenders remain anonymous. but if you are not a plumber, subjected to prison blues or being solicited for a vanity fair photo shoot, i would ask that when in public you properly sheathe your rapidly degenerating ass. proper coverage will not only please God but will secure my appetite and will help teenagers conserve water.
that is all. more meaningful posts to follow.
brothers and sisters, as much as it pains me to say it, i am convinced that we have an ass crack epidemic on our hands.
in years past, i'd occasionally have an unrequited and (usually) wholly unappealing glimpse of a fat crack and five dollar thong, but lately i can't look to my right or left without being accosted by crack.
just on this trip alone, pix and i were subjected to a full-on glimpse of a wide crack ass that was not only half unsheathed, but sprouting black hairs. later, on one of our unfortunate trips to a commerce carnival, we saw a young woman who wore stylish black slacks that were quickly creeping towards the lower rims of her ass. even worse, she was toting along her young son and daughter who were sporting low-slung pampers and proudly displaying finely powdered and (as of yet) completely undimpled ass.
now i'm not calling anyone out here and will let all offenders remain anonymous. but if you are not a plumber, subjected to prison blues or being solicited for a vanity fair photo shoot, i would ask that when in public you properly sheathe your rapidly degenerating ass. proper coverage will not only please God but will secure my appetite and will help teenagers conserve water.
that is all. more meaningful posts to follow.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
a place for a manger
throughout the christmas season, the boston globe has been featuring a series of stories on Ma Siss' Place and the Quincy Street Missional Church in dorchester, massachusetts. through city on a hill and my friendship with aaron graham, i have had the opportunity to worship, serve and eat with the good folks at quincy street on a couple of occasions. if Christ's first Advent had taken place today, i think Ma Siss' former chop shop would be a fitting substitute for bethlehem's stable.
when you get a moment, please take a moment to peruse michael paulson's excellent series on Ma Siss' redemptive community.
part one: birth - from a dorchester chop shop, a place to pray
part two: mission - a call to serve, and to lead
part three: crisis - a crisis year, and a christmas comeback
part four: future - and who, now, will lead them?
may Christ's shalom be with you and yours throughout this holiest of holiday seasons.
throughout the christmas season, the boston globe has been featuring a series of stories on Ma Siss' Place and the Quincy Street Missional Church in dorchester, massachusetts. through city on a hill and my friendship with aaron graham, i have had the opportunity to worship, serve and eat with the good folks at quincy street on a couple of occasions. if Christ's first Advent had taken place today, i think Ma Siss' former chop shop would be a fitting substitute for bethlehem's stable.
when you get a moment, please take a moment to peruse michael paulson's excellent series on Ma Siss' redemptive community.
part one: birth - from a dorchester chop shop, a place to pray
part two: mission - a call to serve, and to lead
part three: crisis - a crisis year, and a christmas comeback
part four: future - and who, now, will lead them?
may Christ's shalom be with you and yours throughout this holiest of holiday seasons.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
maranatha
i came, i saw, i scrawled
searching for significance
by clustering consonants and arranging vowels
your words, my words
less a lens than a house of straw
the huff and puff of anxiety a threat to it all
still i work
less out of expectation
than an attempt to avoid waiting
the wolf at the door
the baby cries awake
scratching is the sound i make
i came, i saw, i scrawled
searching for significance
by clustering consonants and arranging vowels
your words, my words
less a lens than a house of straw
the huff and puff of anxiety a threat to it all
still i work
less out of expectation
than an attempt to avoid waiting
the wolf at the door
the baby cries awake
scratching is the sound i make
Thursday, December 13, 2007
rant
when i first moved to new england i assumed that i would be surrounded by thick skinned winter warriors who knew how to drive on ice, maintain the status quo in a foot of snow and laugh in the face of southerners who quake at the mere sight of a snowflake.
after seven years in the region i can confidently conclude that i couldn't have been more wrong.
the greater boston area is expecting 3 to 8 inches of snow today and a single flake has yet to fall, but schools are already closing early, offices (such as my own) are shuttering at noon and the state is already paying new hampshire profiteers to clear uncluttered streets and roads.
when it comes to snow, new englanders are remarkably infantile and pathetic. back home, we would routinely drive through horizontal rain and maintain our composure in the midst of tornadoes. but here in new england, only local heroes will walk through a snow storm to secure a much needed gallon of milk. like i said, pathetic.
when i first moved to new england i assumed that i would be surrounded by thick skinned winter warriors who knew how to drive on ice, maintain the status quo in a foot of snow and laugh in the face of southerners who quake at the mere sight of a snowflake.
after seven years in the region i can confidently conclude that i couldn't have been more wrong.
the greater boston area is expecting 3 to 8 inches of snow today and a single flake has yet to fall, but schools are already closing early, offices (such as my own) are shuttering at noon and the state is already paying new hampshire profiteers to clear uncluttered streets and roads.
when it comes to snow, new englanders are remarkably infantile and pathetic. back home, we would routinely drive through horizontal rain and maintain our composure in the midst of tornadoes. but here in new england, only local heroes will walk through a snow storm to secure a much needed gallon of milk. like i said, pathetic.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
recently consumed
a couple of weeks ago i perused the nyt's 100 notable books of 2007 and decided to knock of a couple of the top fiction pics while i was recovering from sinus surgery. i meant to get a little more reading accomplished during my five days "off," but i only knocked back the books listed below.
then we came to the end, by joshua ferris
since this novel about a failing advertising agency has often been compared to the office, i thought it would be filled with snarky characters and riddled with cutting dialog. however, the tone of the book was quite different than that of the t.v. show. then we came to the end is not a comedy so much as it is a corporate character study on the way we - and i use that pronoun quite literally since most of the sentences have a 1st person plural subject - often loathe, sometimes love and always rely on our work. while reading the novel i did not laugh often, but i was often struck by ferris' insight into corporate politics and colleague relations. if you think you're interested, i'd recommend picking it up in the library when you get a chance. it's not a book that i would shell out money for, but i suspect ferris will pen purchase worthy tales in the future.
the abstinence teacher, by tom perotta
this is the story of a middle-aged, progressive sex-ed teacher who opens her mouth to discuss oral sex only to have a true love waits curriculum shoved down her throat, and a smoked out, divorced deadhead whose been captured by Jesus and called to keep his promises.* within the context of the affluent northeastern suburb in which they live, these two characters somehow stumble into the midst of the so called culture wars and unexpectedly find their lives intertwined in more ways than one. although i thought perotta's portrait of evangelicalism was a tad simplistic, especially in regards to the variety of evangelical we grow up here in the godforsaken cesspool of liberalism, i was overwhelmed by his ability to portray the transformation that takes place when partisans truly receive the other. the abstinence teacher is a moving book that i heartily recommend to one and all.
what's up next?
i'm going to try and finish krakauer's under the banner of heaven because i've come too far to quit and i have heard too many good things about alan hirsch's the forgotten ways to ignore the complimentary copy dr. james so graciously provided for much longer. i'm also thinking about continuing my nyt trend by diving into dennis johnson's tree of smoke and have been itching to taste a little berry lately, so i'll probably give nathan coulter a go sooner or later.
is there anything you've recently consumed and would recommend? if so, do tell.
* is that a tortured sentence or what? its a wonder i ever passed comp II.
a couple of weeks ago i perused the nyt's 100 notable books of 2007 and decided to knock of a couple of the top fiction pics while i was recovering from sinus surgery. i meant to get a little more reading accomplished during my five days "off," but i only knocked back the books listed below.
then we came to the end, by joshua ferris
since this novel about a failing advertising agency has often been compared to the office, i thought it would be filled with snarky characters and riddled with cutting dialog. however, the tone of the book was quite different than that of the t.v. show. then we came to the end is not a comedy so much as it is a corporate character study on the way we - and i use that pronoun quite literally since most of the sentences have a 1st person plural subject - often loathe, sometimes love and always rely on our work. while reading the novel i did not laugh often, but i was often struck by ferris' insight into corporate politics and colleague relations. if you think you're interested, i'd recommend picking it up in the library when you get a chance. it's not a book that i would shell out money for, but i suspect ferris will pen purchase worthy tales in the future.
the abstinence teacher, by tom perottathis is the story of a middle-aged, progressive sex-ed teacher who opens her mouth to discuss oral sex only to have a true love waits curriculum shoved down her throat, and a smoked out, divorced deadhead whose been captured by Jesus and called to keep his promises.* within the context of the affluent northeastern suburb in which they live, these two characters somehow stumble into the midst of the so called culture wars and unexpectedly find their lives intertwined in more ways than one. although i thought perotta's portrait of evangelicalism was a tad simplistic, especially in regards to the variety of evangelical we grow up here in the godforsaken cesspool of liberalism, i was overwhelmed by his ability to portray the transformation that takes place when partisans truly receive the other. the abstinence teacher is a moving book that i heartily recommend to one and all.
what's up next?
i'm going to try and finish krakauer's under the banner of heaven because i've come too far to quit and i have heard too many good things about alan hirsch's the forgotten ways to ignore the complimentary copy dr. james so graciously provided for much longer. i'm also thinking about continuing my nyt trend by diving into dennis johnson's tree of smoke and have been itching to taste a little berry lately, so i'll probably give nathan coulter a go sooner or later.
is there anything you've recently consumed and would recommend? if so, do tell.
* is that a tortured sentence or what? its a wonder i ever passed comp II.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
for the rest of us
if jim halpert was the acting manager at rectangle, he'd probably approach holidays in much the same way that he approached birthdays. thus instead of throwing a half-a-dozen, relatively meaningless, rather expensive and wholly unproductive celebrations throughout the year he'd probably establish one previously inconsequential day as festivus and would throw a vending machine catered and tastefully, florescent lit party for one and all.
i don't know if i would do what jim would do, but i think such an action would make sense.
further, if jim was acting manager at rectangle, he either wouldn't participate in stupid gift exchanges with his co-workers or would abolish secret santas, white elephant or other such ignorant schemes altogether. although he is generally a congenial guy, jim wouldn't be roped into buying a gift for his superiors when his minimal yearly commission would make it financially unreasonable to purchase a little something for pam.
i can neither confirm nor deny whether i would support such plans, but i can clearly comprehend jim's logic.
finally, if jim was acting manager at rectangle, he'd undoubtedly be his funny, engaging self, ever eager to pull a prank on andy or catch up with toby over a coffee. however, he would not be desperate enough to make work the social center of his little life and would probably skip out of the festivus party in midstream in order to share a romantic drink with pam on the roof or play a little uninterrupted game of ping pong with darrell.
in regards to the latter, i cannot say i would follow in his steps exactly, but my path would be roughly parallel.
of course, jim isn't the acting manager at rectangle, so the reasonable folk who work there will in no way be rescued from the ignorant, annoying and inefficient schemes of the party planning committee. gee whiz...let the fun begin!
if jim halpert was the acting manager at rectangle, he'd probably approach holidays in much the same way that he approached birthdays. thus instead of throwing a half-a-dozen, relatively meaningless, rather expensive and wholly unproductive celebrations throughout the year he'd probably establish one previously inconsequential day as festivus and would throw a vending machine catered and tastefully, florescent lit party for one and all.
i don't know if i would do what jim would do, but i think such an action would make sense.
further, if jim was acting manager at rectangle, he either wouldn't participate in stupid gift exchanges with his co-workers or would abolish secret santas, white elephant or other such ignorant schemes altogether. although he is generally a congenial guy, jim wouldn't be roped into buying a gift for his superiors when his minimal yearly commission would make it financially unreasonable to purchase a little something for pam.
i can neither confirm nor deny whether i would support such plans, but i can clearly comprehend jim's logic.
finally, if jim was acting manager at rectangle, he'd undoubtedly be his funny, engaging self, ever eager to pull a prank on andy or catch up with toby over a coffee. however, he would not be desperate enough to make work the social center of his little life and would probably skip out of the festivus party in midstream in order to share a romantic drink with pam on the roof or play a little uninterrupted game of ping pong with darrell.
in regards to the latter, i cannot say i would follow in his steps exactly, but my path would be roughly parallel.
of course, jim isn't the acting manager at rectangle, so the reasonable folk who work there will in no way be rescued from the ignorant, annoying and inefficient schemes of the party planning committee. gee whiz...let the fun begin!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
overheard: the nyt shares tales of jewish emergence
i am really exhausted and would rather sleep than summarize this article completely, but tonight i stumbled across the new york times* front page and was surprised to find a fascinating story about emergent forms of jewish worship.
apparently a number of young jews throughout the country are starting lay led, gender inclusive "independent prayer groups, or minyanim" where people of the faith are gathering to read the Torah, sing songs of the faith and search for a "sense of sacred community." how cool is that? i hope that the good folks at jewcy are involved.
if you know more about this emerging form of jewish worship, feel free to drop a comment below. i'd love to learn more about this developing movement.
* cnn.com you are dead to me. since you're so dead set on snorting cocaine off of britney's ass, i'm switching my allegiance to the nyt. salut.
i am really exhausted and would rather sleep than summarize this article completely, but tonight i stumbled across the new york times* front page and was surprised to find a fascinating story about emergent forms of jewish worship.
apparently a number of young jews throughout the country are starting lay led, gender inclusive "independent prayer groups, or minyanim" where people of the faith are gathering to read the Torah, sing songs of the faith and search for a "sense of sacred community." how cool is that? i hope that the good folks at jewcy are involved.
if you know more about this emerging form of jewish worship, feel free to drop a comment below. i'd love to learn more about this developing movement.
* cnn.com you are dead to me. since you're so dead set on snorting cocaine off of britney's ass, i'm switching my allegiance to the nyt. salut.
Monday, November 26, 2007
unsolicited opinions...
mc lovin'
1. my son: as if you didn't already know that.
2. the pix's pecan pie: 2,000 calories of crunchy, molasses sweet, septic shock inducing glory.
3. seth rogen: partnering up with kevin smith to shoot zack and miri shoot a phono.
4. dr. james as john proctor: dude damn near knocked my knickers off. seriously.
5. free money: thank you family foundations and keep it coming. baby needs a new pair of shoes!
eh...
1. the boston celtics and the nba: love the free tickets, hate the sloppy play and the simultaneously demeaning and demanding scoreboard. i'll clap my hands when i am gosh darn good and ready!
2. jon krakauer's under the banner of heaven: hey, i hate the polygamists too, but some of the simplistic faith vs. reason theologising really bugs.
3. nick hornby's slam: sure, i devoured it in two days, but about a boy and high fidelity it is not.
4.band of brothers: intriguing story and quality cast, but the narrative arcs are not definitively sketched and the dirge like tone gets a little old. take a lesson from your allies easy by learning to always look on the bright side of life. i think a revision is in order. that episode about pvt. blithe just about killed me. wow.
5. christmas: hate the music, hate consumerism, hate obligatory gifts, hate claymation but afraid to offend fred claus.
hatin'
1. fnl: i'm glad the writers went on strike since scabs could surely do better. memo to mr. berg: win state is a legitimate, season long metanarrative. wfw (or who f'd who) is not.
2. micromana...uh, hate feeling the freedom to holler the things i hate. once bitten, twice shy i suppose.
3. dizzy dean: the dog who submitted to the sodium pentothol i always threatened. that is one irony i could live without.
4. extreme home makeover: dying of a terrible disease? taking care of your eighteen nieces and nephews? tractor tore your testicles clean off? here's what you need? the american dream! once you increase that carbon footprint, turn on that plasma screen and soak in your hot tub for twenty, you'll feel all better!
5. my taste in movies: even with all scruples considered, i will not be able to dis zack and miri on opening weekend. i know, i know. indefensable.
consider yourself solicited.
mc lovin'
1. my son: as if you didn't already know that.
2. the pix's pecan pie: 2,000 calories of crunchy, molasses sweet, septic shock inducing glory.
3. seth rogen: partnering up with kevin smith to shoot zack and miri shoot a phono.
4. dr. james as john proctor: dude damn near knocked my knickers off. seriously.
5. free money: thank you family foundations and keep it coming. baby needs a new pair of shoes!
eh...
1. the boston celtics and the nba: love the free tickets, hate the sloppy play and the simultaneously demeaning and demanding scoreboard. i'll clap my hands when i am gosh darn good and ready!
2. jon krakauer's under the banner of heaven: hey, i hate the polygamists too, but some of the simplistic faith vs. reason theologising really bugs.
3. nick hornby's slam: sure, i devoured it in two days, but about a boy and high fidelity it is not.
4.
5. christmas: hate the music, hate consumerism, hate obligatory gifts, hate claymation but afraid to offend fred claus.
hatin'
1. fnl: i'm glad the writers went on strike since scabs could surely do better. memo to mr. berg: win state is a legitimate, season long metanarrative. wfw (or who f'd who) is not.
2. micromana...uh, hate feeling the freedom to holler the things i hate. once bitten, twice shy i suppose.
3. dizzy dean: the dog who submitted to the sodium pentothol i always threatened. that is one irony i could live without.
4. extreme home makeover: dying of a terrible disease? taking care of your eighteen nieces and nephews? tractor tore your testicles clean off? here's what you need? the american dream! once you increase that carbon footprint, turn on that plasma screen and soak in your hot tub for twenty, you'll feel all better!
5. my taste in movies: even with all scruples considered, i will not be able to dis zack and miri on opening weekend. i know, i know. indefensable.
consider yourself solicited.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
musing…
growing up, i had the impression that christian ministers were offered their posts on account of their moral accomplishments, theological acumen and commitment to their local communities. for that reason, i often converted descriptive passages such as i timothy 3 into a virtual checklists for prospective christian leaders.
“so you want todance lead?” st. paul somberly asked. “if so, please answer the following questions in five hundred words or less: do you have the same quality of character as your pa pa? are you sexing up anyone other than your wife? are your children little shits?”
however, now that i’ve stumbled after Christ for a number of years, i am starting to realize that my ministry is not something that i have acquired on account of my moral qualifications. rather, the origins of my ministry are rooted in the sovereign, undeserved, seemingly awkward and nearly impossible to interpret calling of God.
i’m not saying that i’m indifferent to importance of developing the character traits that paul outlines in i timothy 3. but, thus far anyway, the purpose and power of ministry seem to reside less in my character development than in the simultaneously wonderful and horrifying knowledge that God has intertwined a life that is, admittedly, not worthy to be incorporated into the scum of the earth with the remarkably beautiful, good and true life of the suffering Servant.
as i’ve mentioned before, much like the whisky priest in greene’s power and the glory and buechner’s godric, i (somewhat) realize that i am a part of the compost of the world out of which God intends to bring new life. so please excuse me if i smell like shit and fail to measure up to paul’s metrics. this life is not an expression of personal ambition or intention but the direct result of an unexpected and undeserved calling.
growing up, i had the impression that christian ministers were offered their posts on account of their moral accomplishments, theological acumen and commitment to their local communities. for that reason, i often converted descriptive passages such as i timothy 3 into a virtual checklists for prospective christian leaders.
“so you want to
however, now that i’ve stumbled after Christ for a number of years, i am starting to realize that my ministry is not something that i have acquired on account of my moral qualifications. rather, the origins of my ministry are rooted in the sovereign, undeserved, seemingly awkward and nearly impossible to interpret calling of God.
i’m not saying that i’m indifferent to importance of developing the character traits that paul outlines in i timothy 3. but, thus far anyway, the purpose and power of ministry seem to reside less in my character development than in the simultaneously wonderful and horrifying knowledge that God has intertwined a life that is, admittedly, not worthy to be incorporated into the scum of the earth with the remarkably beautiful, good and true life of the suffering Servant.
as i’ve mentioned before, much like the whisky priest in greene’s power and the glory and buechner’s godric, i (somewhat) realize that i am a part of the compost of the world out of which God intends to bring new life. so please excuse me if i smell like shit and fail to measure up to paul’s metrics. this life is not an expression of personal ambition or intention but the direct result of an unexpected and undeserved calling.
Friday, November 23, 2007
overheard: megachurches add local economy to their mission
one of the persistent criticisms of megachurches has been that the tax-exempt facilities they own as well as the strain such facilities put on local utilities leads to a drain on the church's local economies. in fact, a few weeks ago christianitytoday.com reported* that a few counties in florida are starting to limit the number of churches that can be incorporated within their jurisdictions due to the demand such facilities put on local resources.
for these reasons, i was surprised to click open the new york times this morning and find a well balanced consideration of the positive and negative influences american megachurches are having on their local economies. one of the churches that is featured has developed a sports dome that is the largest inflatable sports facility not only in anchorage, where the church is located, but in north america. other churches, such as t.d. jakes' potter's house in dallas are in the midst of building mixed-use residential communities that are inspired by the new urbanism movement in architecture.
as the article explains in much greater detail, the sports facilities, shopping centers, credit unions, western inspired theme parks and neighborhoods that these churches are birthing raise thorny questions about the relationship between tax-exempt organizations and for-profit corporations in any given community. however, if these new initiatives create jobs, serve the needs of the people, revitalize underutilized facilities and expand the tax base in local communities, i can see their value. of course, far too many of these initiatives are probably adding to urban sprawl, carefully skirting property taxes and demanding a disproportionate allocation of their church's budget, but in an economy that is trending downward i am more open to such developments than i have been previously.
so that's my opinion, not that it matters. if you are not interested in reading the article, check out the nifty slide show that accompanies the article.
* i tried to locate the CT article that discussed these matters but was unable to do so.
one of the persistent criticisms of megachurches has been that the tax-exempt facilities they own as well as the strain such facilities put on local utilities leads to a drain on the church's local economies. in fact, a few weeks ago christianitytoday.com reported* that a few counties in florida are starting to limit the number of churches that can be incorporated within their jurisdictions due to the demand such facilities put on local resources.
for these reasons, i was surprised to click open the new york times this morning and find a well balanced consideration of the positive and negative influences american megachurches are having on their local economies. one of the churches that is featured has developed a sports dome that is the largest inflatable sports facility not only in anchorage, where the church is located, but in north america. other churches, such as t.d. jakes' potter's house in dallas are in the midst of building mixed-use residential communities that are inspired by the new urbanism movement in architecture.
as the article explains in much greater detail, the sports facilities, shopping centers, credit unions, western inspired theme parks and neighborhoods that these churches are birthing raise thorny questions about the relationship between tax-exempt organizations and for-profit corporations in any given community. however, if these new initiatives create jobs, serve the needs of the people, revitalize underutilized facilities and expand the tax base in local communities, i can see their value. of course, far too many of these initiatives are probably adding to urban sprawl, carefully skirting property taxes and demanding a disproportionate allocation of their church's budget, but in an economy that is trending downward i am more open to such developments than i have been previously.
so that's my opinion, not that it matters. if you are not interested in reading the article, check out the nifty slide show that accompanies the article.
* i tried to locate the CT article that discussed these matters but was unable to do so.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
musing...
just this morning, before i left the office to advocate for a client, my boss told me that he had received an urgent request to meet with his boss the afternoon before, but had not been able to contact the boss before the end of the business day. although i realized that the urgent meeting request probably concerned a small administrative matter or a moving discussion of budget minutiae, i worried throughout the morning that the real topic of concern was my impending termination. for that reason, i spent most of the morning worrying whether something i said, a post i had written or a person i had offended would lead to the unexpected end of a job i dearly love. in short course, such worries led to prayers, compulsive crossing and fears that i would not react to the firing in a healthy manner.
i am incredibly relieved that i no longer spend my days commodifying Christ at lightway christian stores, but if i told you that my firing did not leave a scar i'd be lying. i can't tell you how many times over the past two years i've broke out into cold sweats worrying if a word muttered in frustration, a courtesy left undone or a quick check of the scores on espn.com would be my undoing.
much to my relief, i have since learned that my boss' conversation was about minutiae and i am no longer afraid of spending the next six weeks freaking out about employment. however, the termination terrors that i periodically endure annoy me greatly and are yet another reason that i would be terrified to pursue the path of professional christianity.*
* where, i suspect, 25% of what i say, 70% of the movies i watch and 60% of my political opinions could get me fired in very short order.
just this morning, before i left the office to advocate for a client, my boss told me that he had received an urgent request to meet with his boss the afternoon before, but had not been able to contact the boss before the end of the business day. although i realized that the urgent meeting request probably concerned a small administrative matter or a moving discussion of budget minutiae, i worried throughout the morning that the real topic of concern was my impending termination. for that reason, i spent most of the morning worrying whether something i said, a post i had written or a person i had offended would lead to the unexpected end of a job i dearly love. in short course, such worries led to prayers, compulsive crossing and fears that i would not react to the firing in a healthy manner.
i am incredibly relieved that i no longer spend my days commodifying Christ at lightway christian stores, but if i told you that my firing did not leave a scar i'd be lying. i can't tell you how many times over the past two years i've broke out into cold sweats worrying if a word muttered in frustration, a courtesy left undone or a quick check of the scores on espn.com would be my undoing.
much to my relief, i have since learned that my boss' conversation was about minutiae and i am no longer afraid of spending the next six weeks freaking out about employment. however, the termination terrors that i periodically endure annoy me greatly and are yet another reason that i would be terrified to pursue the path of professional christianity.*
* where, i suspect, 25% of what i say, 70% of the movies i watch and 60% of my political opinions could get me fired in very short order.
Monday, November 19, 2007
whodunit?
something is horribly wrong with the gentry fridge! carefully assess the evidence in order to determine a) what is horribly wrong with the fridge and b) who defaced our beloved fridge in this way.
i'm not offering you any clues on the first question. but as to the second, i have two culprits in mind: one who has daily access to such offensive material and another whose sense of humor often delights in such vulgar displays.
for the love of god* please help us solve this crime!
* whom, i've heard, "ain't poor no more."
something is horribly wrong with the gentry fridge! carefully assess the evidence in order to determine a) what is horribly wrong with the fridge and b) who defaced our beloved fridge in this way.
i'm not offering you any clues on the first question. but as to the second, i have two culprits in mind: one who has daily access to such offensive material and another whose sense of humor often delights in such vulgar displays.
for the love of god* please help us solve this crime!
* whom, i've heard, "ain't poor no more."
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
happy haiku
paper-in-plastic
elephant eared latina
behold the good news
red smock, blue apron
plastic bags not worth saving
a life examined
handouts from hindus
serve as supplements for wic
ganesh gives good gifts
cold goya soda
compliments chicken and rice
laughter for dessert
recycle-the-hut
requires can submission
the least shall be first
sweeping the nation
yo quiero tres crustacean
spicy on the lip
paper-in-plastic
elephant eared latina
behold the good news
red smock, blue apron
plastic bags not worth saving
a life examined
handouts from hindus
serve as supplements for wic
ganesh gives good gifts
cold goya soda
compliments chicken and rice
laughter for dessert
recycle-the-hut
requires can submission
the least shall be first
sweeping the nation
yo quiero tres crustacean
spicy on the lip
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
musing...
this morning, as i listened to morning edition reporting on the consistent, devaluation of the dollar, the precipitous price of oil and the possibility of chinese companies divesting their american assets and shifting their focus to europe and the euro, i started to wrestle with a strange set of questions. namely, if our country's impending recession devolved into a full blown depression, how would my family respond?
would we exchange our little condo for a more communitarian existence? if we chose the latter option would we live communally in new england, choose to live with extended family or move to the midwest where we could produce more of the food we would need to subsist? in a desperate economy, how would my view of work change? would i be more willing to work a job that met our necessities but was relatively bereft of meaning? how would such circumstances alter my spirituality and my understanding of God? would theological discussions become less of a parlor game and more, or less, essential to a good, beautiful and true existence? would my relationships with friends, family and the other deepen or be distressed?
how do you think a catastrophic economic depression, such as that experienced by my paternal grandparents, who were part of the diaspora that traipsed from oklahoma to california in the 1930s, would effect you and your family?
moreover, if you are a member of the body of Christ, how do you think such circumstances would alter the mission and ministry of the church? as per the church, i suspect that during a depression sermon series on topics such as "how to make friends at work" and "extreme money makeover" would wilt on the side of the road. in addition, the content of your best life now would probably have to be significantly revised. but, i'll leave further discussion of how the church might respond to the comments section.
maybe these musings should be written off as the apocalyptic anxieties of a third generation okie. but maybe considering such questions will help us better understand who we are as individuals and communities as well as what changes we might need to make in order to persevere through the tough economic, political, spiritual and relational times that are bound to come.
this morning, as i listened to morning edition reporting on the consistent, devaluation of the dollar, the precipitous price of oil and the possibility of chinese companies divesting their american assets and shifting their focus to europe and the euro, i started to wrestle with a strange set of questions. namely, if our country's impending recession devolved into a full blown depression, how would my family respond?
would we exchange our little condo for a more communitarian existence? if we chose the latter option would we live communally in new england, choose to live with extended family or move to the midwest where we could produce more of the food we would need to subsist? in a desperate economy, how would my view of work change? would i be more willing to work a job that met our necessities but was relatively bereft of meaning? how would such circumstances alter my spirituality and my understanding of God? would theological discussions become less of a parlor game and more, or less, essential to a good, beautiful and true existence? would my relationships with friends, family and the other deepen or be distressed?
how do you think a catastrophic economic depression, such as that experienced by my paternal grandparents, who were part of the diaspora that traipsed from oklahoma to california in the 1930s, would effect you and your family?
moreover, if you are a member of the body of Christ, how do you think such circumstances would alter the mission and ministry of the church? as per the church, i suspect that during a depression sermon series on topics such as "how to make friends at work" and "extreme money makeover" would wilt on the side of the road. in addition, the content of your best life now would probably have to be significantly revised. but, i'll leave further discussion of how the church might respond to the comments section.
maybe these musings should be written off as the apocalyptic anxieties of a third generation okie. but maybe considering such questions will help us better understand who we are as individuals and communities as well as what changes we might need to make in order to persevere through the tough economic, political, spiritual and relational times that are bound to come.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
recently viewed and recommended
last saturday night a group of us gathered to gorge on sausage and cabbage, one of pix's finest dishes, and watch the lives of others, a german film that was awarded the best foreign film oscar in 2007.
the narrative arc of the lives of others focuses on a well respected german state security agent who helps incite and subsequently conducts extensive surveillance on a celebrated east german playwright in hopes of exposing the artist's disloyalty and securing the affections of the artist's girl.
however, as the agent sits in the attic above the artist's apartment, constantly listening to the artists' conversations and carefully preparing his reports, he slowly begins to empathize with his subjects and ultimately identifies with them to such a degree that his loyalties are severely tested.
the lives of others is a magnificent film which will undoubtedly mean many things to many people. however, as i watched this film i could not help but think of it as a parable that emphasizes the significance of careful listening and warns the viewer of the unexpected consequences that arise from truly identifying with the other.
i often wish that i had better listening skills and found it easier to empathize with others. however, after watching the film, i have to wonder whether i am capable and willing to face the manifold consequences that result from such careful listening.
last saturday night a group of us gathered to gorge on sausage and cabbage, one of pix's finest dishes, and watch the lives of others, a german film that was awarded the best foreign film oscar in 2007.
the narrative arc of the lives of others focuses on a well respected german state security agent who helps incite and subsequently conducts extensive surveillance on a celebrated east german playwright in hopes of exposing the artist's disloyalty and securing the affections of the artist's girl.
however, as the agent sits in the attic above the artist's apartment, constantly listening to the artists' conversations and carefully preparing his reports, he slowly begins to empathize with his subjects and ultimately identifies with them to such a degree that his loyalties are severely tested.
the lives of others is a magnificent film which will undoubtedly mean many things to many people. however, as i watched this film i could not help but think of it as a parable that emphasizes the significance of careful listening and warns the viewer of the unexpected consequences that arise from truly identifying with the other.
i often wish that i had better listening skills and found it easier to empathize with others. however, after watching the film, i have to wonder whether i am capable and willing to face the manifold consequences that result from such careful listening.
Monday, November 05, 2007
musing...
yesterday i had the opportunity to speak on 1 corinthians 1:26ff at the gathering. on saturday i did a fair amount of research on 1st corinthians and, as a result, felt that i had a pretty solid understanding of the text. however, when i tried to give shape and structure to my message early sunday morning, i felt the text slipping through my fingers like so many grains of sand. on account of these conflicting experiences, when i stood up before the gathering on sunday, i felt simultaneously slathered in unction and rhetorically retarded. i knew i had something to say, but i had no clue how i was going to say it.
for this reason, i carefully preempted my preaching with a disclaimer that sounded something like this:
"for so long i have wanted to be able to preach a sermon that resounds like peter in acts 2. a part of me would love to stand before you and pronounce something similar to peter's punch line: 'God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!' however, instead of peter's bold propositions, i usually find myself sharing with you only the most provisional thoughts, ideas that emanate from wrestling with questions far more often than they spring forth from certainty. so i hope you don't mind me standing before you today and giving you a glimpse of the way i have wrestled with this text and how, in the end, this text has served as a sort of theological lens through which i have tried to interpret the experiences i had in the streets of salem this halloween."
i have little doubt that my characterization of my sermon as a provisional musing has derived from cadences of home: preaching among exiles, a remarkable little book by walter brueggemann that i've recently been reading. in one of the chapters of the book brueggemann makes a case for testimony as a fitting form for contemporary preaching. such testimony, brueggemann suggests should: render Yahweh as credible by linking our renderings to "real life circumstance;" speak about Yahweh as an "accepted, assumed, embraced Character who belongs invariably and without question in the middle of the narrative;" and suggest that Yahweh is so indispensable that "if one omits Yahweh from the tale, the tale collapses into nonsense."* brueggemann believes that this fragile, contextual proclamation makes far more sense in our cultural context than propositional preaching which, by its very form, suggests not only the existence of absolutes but also a shared, empirical epistemology through which, presumably, a community can observe defined phenomena and arrive at a singular conclusion.
undoubtedly many in the biblical preaching/big idea camp that i was reared in would warn that brueggemann's homiletic - if we can even speak of his musings as such - is so full of holes that it would immediately capsize an evangel into the pluralistic, postmodern seas. however, as i read it, brueggemann's homiletic gives me hope that even paper mache sermons such as mine might occasionally catch the winds of the spirit and be directed towards safe, if unsuspecting, harbors.
in the hours since i stood before the gathering, i've realized that my life is just as provisional as the sermon i just preached. although i usually live as though the unexamined life is the only one worth living, in rare moments like these i am by turns grateful for and terrified of the life of self(ish)less service, provisional sermons and reticent, if resplendent, relationship that lies before me.
yet tomorrow, heart-full and spiritually stunted, i plan on putting this paper mache back out to sea. by God's grace, i'll raise the sails and she'll blow where He wills.**
* Ibid, Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville, pg. 43.
** no, you know that's not what i mean. get your head out of the gutter. wait, i didn't mean that head and that, oh forget it. so it is written.
yesterday i had the opportunity to speak on 1 corinthians 1:26ff at the gathering. on saturday i did a fair amount of research on 1st corinthians and, as a result, felt that i had a pretty solid understanding of the text. however, when i tried to give shape and structure to my message early sunday morning, i felt the text slipping through my fingers like so many grains of sand. on account of these conflicting experiences, when i stood up before the gathering on sunday, i felt simultaneously slathered in unction and rhetorically retarded. i knew i had something to say, but i had no clue how i was going to say it.
for this reason, i carefully preempted my preaching with a disclaimer that sounded something like this:
"for so long i have wanted to be able to preach a sermon that resounds like peter in acts 2. a part of me would love to stand before you and pronounce something similar to peter's punch line: 'God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!' however, instead of peter's bold propositions, i usually find myself sharing with you only the most provisional thoughts, ideas that emanate from wrestling with questions far more often than they spring forth from certainty. so i hope you don't mind me standing before you today and giving you a glimpse of the way i have wrestled with this text and how, in the end, this text has served as a sort of theological lens through which i have tried to interpret the experiences i had in the streets of salem this halloween."
i have little doubt that my characterization of my sermon as a provisional musing has derived from cadences of home: preaching among exiles, a remarkable little book by walter brueggemann that i've recently been reading. in one of the chapters of the book brueggemann makes a case for testimony as a fitting form for contemporary preaching. such testimony, brueggemann suggests should: render Yahweh as credible by linking our renderings to "real life circumstance;" speak about Yahweh as an "accepted, assumed, embraced Character who belongs invariably and without question in the middle of the narrative;" and suggest that Yahweh is so indispensable that "if one omits Yahweh from the tale, the tale collapses into nonsense."* brueggemann believes that this fragile, contextual proclamation makes far more sense in our cultural context than propositional preaching which, by its very form, suggests not only the existence of absolutes but also a shared, empirical epistemology through which, presumably, a community can observe defined phenomena and arrive at a singular conclusion.
undoubtedly many in the biblical preaching/big idea camp that i was reared in would warn that brueggemann's homiletic - if we can even speak of his musings as such - is so full of holes that it would immediately capsize an evangel into the pluralistic, postmodern seas. however, as i read it, brueggemann's homiletic gives me hope that even paper mache sermons such as mine might occasionally catch the winds of the spirit and be directed towards safe, if unsuspecting, harbors.
in the hours since i stood before the gathering, i've realized that my life is just as provisional as the sermon i just preached. although i usually live as though the unexamined life is the only one worth living, in rare moments like these i am by turns grateful for and terrified of the life of self(ish)less service, provisional sermons and reticent, if resplendent, relationship that lies before me.
yet tomorrow, heart-full and spiritually stunted, i plan on putting this paper mache back out to sea. by God's grace, i'll raise the sails and she'll blow where He wills.**
* Ibid, Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville, pg. 43.
** no, you know that's not what i mean. get your head out of the gutter. wait, i didn't mean that head and that, oh forget it. so it is written.
Monday, October 22, 2007
confession...
yesterday i was barefoot, barely clothed and bawling for confessions on the streets of salem.
since my role as carnival barker* required me to perform a lot more clowning and calling than confessing** i did not have the opportunity to get much off of my chest. so, please bless me by sitting still for one more moment and hearing what i have to say.
i don't like being a fool for Christ, but a fool is undoubtedly what i am. i usually cannot believe all that i hope in, but continue to preach. i rarely choose to bless those who curse me and usually curse more often than i bless. nine times out of ten i not only eschew the prayer closet but also find it hard to opt for silence instead of morning edition.
i am not worthy of Christ, but have been wholly subverted by his grace and though he alone is my righteousness i seem to imitate him less and less. i am as confounded by Christ as godric, as compromised as the whisky priest and duplicitous as jacob. yet, for some unknown reason, every time He cues the song i start to stumble forward.
send in the clown.
* which fits me a little better than say, martin luther, the role pastor phil talked me into playing on friday night.
** dr. james reports that my actual ratio of clowning to confessing was 67.5 to 1.
yesterday i was barefoot, barely clothed and bawling for confessions on the streets of salem.
since my role as carnival barker* required me to perform a lot more clowning and calling than confessing** i did not have the opportunity to get much off of my chest. so, please bless me by sitting still for one more moment and hearing what i have to say.
i don't like being a fool for Christ, but a fool is undoubtedly what i am. i usually cannot believe all that i hope in, but continue to preach. i rarely choose to bless those who curse me and usually curse more often than i bless. nine times out of ten i not only eschew the prayer closet but also find it hard to opt for silence instead of morning edition.
i am not worthy of Christ, but have been wholly subverted by his grace and though he alone is my righteousness i seem to imitate him less and less. i am as confounded by Christ as godric, as compromised as the whisky priest and duplicitous as jacob. yet, for some unknown reason, every time He cues the song i start to stumble forward.
send in the clown.
* which fits me a little better than say, martin luther, the role pastor phil talked me into playing on friday night.
** dr. james reports that my actual ratio of clowning to confessing was 67.5 to 1.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
overheard...
according to stephanie simon of the
money quotes:
"Equal but different. You hear that a lot on the lush green campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. God values men and women equally, any student here will tell you. It's just that he's given them different responsibilities: Men make decisions; women make dinner."
"A model house, to be completed by next fall, will allow women to get credit toward bachelor's degrees by learning how to set tables, sew buttons, and sustain lively dinner-time conversation."
too bad the baptist general conference wrestled control of baylor university from the man hands of the sbc. if baylor's board of regents had let the sbc have their way 99% of the married women in
now that you've read this take, read the article for yourself.
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