More Than Stone

When I had the chance to go to Mars Hill for the Isn’t She Beautiful conference. At that time, Rob Bell said that at the beginning of Lent, a plan would be unveiled for people around the world, that feel part of Mars Hill to get involved. Here is the XYZ, watch the video and if your intrigued, check out the site. It’s so cool.

Technorati Tags: Mars+Hill, Rob+Bell, poverty, church

Ok, I was not going to post anything about “The people formerly known as the congregation”, because everyone in the blogosphere was talking about it.

Then came, TPFKAC Part 2 or “The Penguins Formerly Known as the Waddle”

And then TPFKAC Part 3 or “The Community Coming To Be Known As Missional.”

And now, TPFKAC Part 4 or “The People Formerly Known As “The Pastor.”

I realize that not everyone who reads my blog is a big “blog reader”, so I post these for you, my dear non-bloggers…..

From Brother Maynard —undervalued missional/emerging blogs…..

Here’s what we’re going to do. Think of between 3 and 5 blogs which you think are under-rated, under-appreciated, or under-valued. More people should be reading them, in other words. They need to be blogging largely on EMC themes and topics, and they should not be on the list of leading blogs on these areas, say 150ish+ links on Technorati. Got your list? I’ll wait. If you come up with 7, that’s fine… you can borrow 2 from someone else.

To participate, copy this list into a new post on your own blog, and add the names you have to the bottom of the list, and encourage others to do the same. Your list will be about twice the length of mine, and people who follow you will have lists three times this length. It could get fairly long, but that’s part of the point — each link will help boost the undervalued blog’s profile… and you might even get some link love from it too! Include these instructions (this and the preceding paragraph). When you’ve done that, leave a comment here so we can keep track of who ends up participating. Sound like fun for the weekend?

1………………….
2…………………….
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GO!

Today I came across an internet site celebrating warrior women. It is dedicated to “TV heroines who could really kick ass.” Indeed, this is the theme of the action/adventure genre of film and television. Favorite heroes and heroines accomplish the absurd and performing ridiculously impossible stunts against all odds. Perhaps this taps into our love for fantasy and the desire to escape reality. My favorite productions have this very element of the impossible and improbable—Shawshank Redemption, Gladiator, Braveheart, 24, on and on. Folks such as Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise, Arnold Swarzchenegger, Russel Crowe, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Garner (Alias), Lucy Lu, Angelina Jolie, Farrah Fawcett . . . and countless others have gotten wealthy winning against seemingly undefeatable evil.

I am indebted to the world of Greek mythology for its indirect influence on my conversion to Christianity. It was either in late elementary school or early junior high that I fell in love with the stories of Poseidon, Zeus, Hercules, Achilles, and Helen of Troy among others. Though ancient they resemble the current mythological gods and heroes of our own day with their exercise of their remarkable powers against incredible obstacles. Of course, let us not forget the winners in fantasyland that kids love; we celebrate with Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Mary Poppins, etc. Should we not throw in the marvel comic gang also? Gotta love me some Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman . . .

As G.K. Chesterton says, “we all like astonishing tales because they touch the nerve of the ancient instinct of astonishment.” I love to be astonished. Yet, to take it one step further, I want to be astonishing! I want to do the impossible and overcome the odds. As a Christian I have my shot.

Christianity is built on the absurd. A living God who “invades” earth in human form, does some wild miracles, teaches outlandish kingdom stuff, defeats demons, and overcomes death ranks up their with the greatest mythology and most popular superheroes. Though you may choose to disagree, it also happens to be true myth. The hero lives on and all who follow Him are called to join in the impossible.

Jesus commands all the world to become His disciples and to observe all that He has commanded. He isn’t concerned about people knowing and quoting His ways and instructions. He doesn’t need or want parrots. He commands observance; my “doing” is His primary concern.

As His disciple I am commanded to do my part to make this happen in all nations. We call this the Great Commission. How crazy is that? I mean, even Jesus Himself said that it was darn near impossible for people to get into the kingdom of heaven. Narrow is the way; many are called, few are chosen; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Dang! But then we read the magic that we all have loved since we were children: “All things are possible with God.”
Because of belief in the impossible Christians like myself have hope of making a difference in this good world through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In the face of overwhelming injustice we fight for making things right for people. In the midst of a decaying creation we seek to bring about the redemption of what is rotting. Among walking dead people we seek to give true birth. To those who are discouraged, disgruntled, and disappointed we seek to give living and enduring hope—all the while struggling to experience the same for ourselves.

It takes a hero to win against such odds. And though part of me wants to be that hero (like Larry Boy in Veggie Tales) the only true Victor in all that is accomplished in the name of Christianity is Jesus Himself. Without Him I do nothing. In my own strength I fail. When I seek to become one of the mythological or fantasy heroes that I have adored I depart from Christianity. Nevertheless, I am fulfilled when God decides to act out miracles and bring freedom and joy to creatures through me. It is what I was made for so that in all things he might receive the glory. That is why I have given my life to a life of mission for His name. As Isaiah 26:8 says concerning the relation between our walk and our God, “Your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.” Nothing beats living in the world of a mythology, which is true. I beg you to join me. Let’s run together until all things are made new.

John Smulo says:

“I could develop a list of things to say sorry about that could go on until tomorrow. But over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking through a few different ways for the Christian community as a whole to say “we’re sorry”.”

If you’ve ever regreted the way you’ve acted, or things you’ve said “in the name of God”, take a look at John’s website and join the chorus of apologies.

I was reading Sojourners articles about Red Letter Christians.

Tony Campolo says that “purpose of this gathering was not to create a religious left movement to challenge the religious right, but to jump-start a religious movement that will transcend partisan politics.” Hmmm…a faith that transcends partisan politics. That sounds eerily like Jesus.

I decided to google them to see what kind of reponse this idea is getting. Again, I was shocked and dismayed by those in the church that use hyperbole and misrepresentation to describe to their audience what this organization is about.

Here is a little taste….

In the article Red Letter Liberal Christians: A New Front Group For Democrats, it states

“These “Red Letter Christians” are supposedly trying to alert American Evangelicals to the importance of living the words of Jesus as highlighted in red in many Bibles. Their idea of living the words of Jesus, however, is somehow reinterpreted to mean support for every liberal political agenda on the horizon.

These pseudo-evangelicals would have you believe that the Bible only contains the Word of God. True Evangelicals believe that the Bible — each word, each sentence — is the Word of God. This is how you can tell the difference between these pseudo-evangelicals and true Evangelicals.”

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission states

Dalmation Theology: The idea that the Bible is inspired in spots, and we’re inspired to spot the spots. The new group of “Red Letter” Christians founded by Jim Wallis is a good example.

In an article written by Matt Friedman, a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary, he states:

One wonders, of course, if the real reason they have decided to use Scripture this way is that Jesus never actually uses the terms “homosexual” and “abortion.” The Red-Letter designation ostensibly frees these passionate lefties from the issues they despise the most…

In an article by Mark Tooley, who directs United Methodist committee at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, it states:

These Red Letter Fundamentalists are claiming to follow the words of Jesus. But most church goers will recognize that these “red letters” more closely resemble the editorial pages of The New York Times.

And last, but not least, in an article entitled No, Jesus Is Not a Socialist, Tom Snyder says

A group of self-described “progressive” Christian evangelicals calling themselves “Red Letter Christians,” and led by the left-oriented Sojourners magazine and left-oriented
Liberals and socialists like the “Red Letter Christians,” are violating the commands of Jesus Christ, who is God in the Flesh. They are also violating the commands that God gives all of us in the Hebrew Scriptures as well. If they truly want to follow the words of Jesus in the New Testament, they should stop their opposition to the real Christian movement in America and join it. One of the first things they should do immediately is help cut government programs for the poor.

Christians must stop the ungodly, immoral rape of American citizens with the totalitarian, socialist welfare state!

Pseudo-evangelicals. Passionat leftists. Liberals. Socialists.

Wow. I wonder if Tom Snyder ever had a child get sick without health insurance. I wonder if he had a child that needed medicine that cost $2000 per month. I wonder if Tom Snyder ever had to thank God for government programs because the church didn’t come through.

Technorati Tags: Tony Campolo, Red Letter Christians, Richard Land, Matt Friedman, Mark Tooley, Tom Snyder, Sojourners, Republican, Democrat, Partisan Politics, Religious Right

I’m reading a book called “Speaking My Mind: The Radical Evangelical Prophet Tackles The Tough Issues Christians Are Afraid to Face.” by Tony Campolo. In the book, he addresses tough topics. A brief survey of the chapters follows:

Is Evangelicalism Sexist?
Are Evangelicals Handling The Gay Issue All Wrong?
Is There A Second Chance For Those Who Die Without Christ?
Is Islam Really An Evil Religion?
Can we help the poor without making matters worse?

Tony C. brings some topics to the table that are heavy and well worth the time to ponder. His chapter on how the evangelical church handles the gay issue is both thought provoking and heart breaking. He simply poses the question, if gays aren’t allowed or welcomed in our churches, where does that leave those people that hunger for God? He speaks truth when he states that many in the evangelical church will say that anyone that does not accept Jesus is going to hell, yet with the same breath, say that an infant or mentally handicapped person is exempt from damnation. Where is the scripture reference on that little piece of doctrine? (My wording, not Tony’s). The book also speaks of the fact, that though much evangelical missionary work has done great things, it has also brought a cultural, contextualized Gospel.

I think the book is worthwhile reading. Perhaps some of you have already passed into post-evangelicalism. I’m still walking that out. Either way, if you are/were of an evangelical heritage, it’s a good book to open eyes to some of the harm that we evangelicals have done.

Matthew 21

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Technorati Tags: Tony+Campolo, Evangelical, Evangelicalism, Gay, Hell

The Margins » Whitewashed

In her post, Erika Carney Haub asks “how do we measure a person: is it the orthodoxy of their speech or the orthopraxy of their life that matters the most? The whole of scripture commends to us that it must be both, yet I am saddened by how often I see doctrine trump a Christ-like character.”

Facinating question. One that I think demonstrates one of current church models that need to change. The article Transformation: Going To The Roots juxtaposes the old paradigm with a new missional paradigm:

The resources, practices, and services of the church — scripture, tradition, doctrine, worship, sacraments, preaching, program ministries, ecclesiastical structure, and communal life — are deemed useful to the extent that they serve as functional guides for the development and expression of individual belief, piety, devotion, morality, service.

VERSUS

The church’s resources, practices, and services cultivate a new people, a people learning and practicing the virtues, habits, and behaviors of the reconciling way of life disclosed in the words and deeds, ministry and mission of Jesus Christ. As a public, visible, and social reality of transformed relationships, this people exhibits the relational fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.”

Technorati Tags: missional, church, orthopraxy, orthodoxy

ISN’T SHE BEAUTIFUL? A seminar for leaders celebrating the local church.

I just paid for my registration for this conference. I am so psyched! Registration fees are really reasonable!

Technorati Tags: rob+bell, mars+hill, AIDS, conference, don+golden