November 15, 05 by ed
My friend Jesse Joyner just started a blog: jessethejuggler.blogspot.com.
I am typically weary of new blogs. First of all I don’t have time to read much more than 10 blogs on a regular basis. The list on the side of this blog is a good representation of my regular blog diet. If a new blog comes out I give it a look, come back when I can, and - if it still holds my interest - eventually add it to my list.
In the case of Jesse I’m recommending him after only one post because I know he’s a thoughtful guy with the Spirit of God in him. I look forward to his future posts and expect some good discussions at his site. Jesse has a powerful anointing in ministering to children and his incredible juggling skills are a big part of that.
November 14, 05 by ed
And now we come to the most delicate part of rethinking church. Control, manipulation, and sloth are equally possible when beginning a new ministry or rebooting an old one. Any birthing or rebirthing of ministry is a supernatural act that can only begin and end through the direct intervention of God.
But what does it look and feel like when God is birthing an emerging ministry? How do we know we are in line with the work of God in starting a ministry and not just running ahead with our carefully laid plans? I’m not sure because every situation is different. Nevertheless, I think we can be aware of a few principles and patterns.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 13, 05 by ed
I think that Pat Robertson is losing it. He actually warned a town in Pennsylvania about God’s impending wrath for not voting intelligent design into their school curriculum (via school board elections).
Quote: “I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city,” Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, The 700 Club. “And don’t wonder why He hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, don’t ask for His help because he might not be there,” he said.
Full Article.
November 12, 05 by ed
I was sent a link to an article concerning a BYU prof’s hypothesis for the collapse of the twin towers on 9-11 (link). According to Steven Jones, jets, jet fuel, and the consequent fires were not enough to bring the towers down so completely and upon themselves. This is not a classic conspiracy theory. He’s just trying to do good science (the whole paper).
November 12, 05 by ed
<%image(20051112-Jordan.jpg|182|270|Jordan Vigil)%> With close to 60 dead, over 100 wounded, and a hard fought image of safety in tatters, the people of Jordan have good cause to be upset after being hit with three bombing attacks (link). There is nothing worse than finding out you have a new enemy who wants to kill you. In fact, voices from numerous papers in the Middle East have joined together in denouncing the suicide bombings (link).
And even if some of the condemnations are a bit guarded, such as referring to the acts as “blind” terror (is terror OK if it’s directed at someone like America?), the anger of moderate voices in the Arab world seems to be the most powerful weapon in any struggle against terrorism. Even Palestinian militants have limits to their barbarity in claiming that while it’s OK to kill Jews, indiscriminate acts of terror against other nationalities is clearly wrong (link).
And so we have a reason for hope in the midst of dark times.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 10, 05 by ed
It doesn’t take much to get Christians and non-Christians ticked off at Pat Robertson and other hyper-conservative, blindly pro-Zionist Christians out there, and the lastest news from Israel should once again do the trick. I was just forwarded an article from the Christian Science Monitor regarding a type of Christian Theme Park that will be built on the Northern Shores of the Sea of Galilee, thereby destroing through development 125 acres of some of the most beautiful scenery in the small country.
Jesus came to this world to redeem it. And now a bunch of Christians are basically going to put in a huge tourist center in remembrance of him. And believe me, the Israeli tourist industry is salivating at the prospect of making a buck off the Son of God. Don’t we have better things to do with our time and money? Do churches need to worry about providing a place to worship by the Sea of Galilee??? I’m all for visiting Israel, but does the church need to get involved in the tourist industry?
November 10, 05 by ed
Regardless of historical circumstance or context, the Bible is at the center of God’s revelation to his children. In pages dense with text we read the story of God’s saving works throughout history. We find out God’s terms, how easy it is to violate them, and rejoice at the coming of redemption.
Beyond the larger story of salvation and righteousness are numerous stories that we look to for guidance. We look for what the writers of the Bible condemn and approve, hoping to We hope that our traditions of prayer, worship, and gathering are based on the Scriptures. And while our gatherings are informed by scripture in part, I wonder if we read more into certain scriptures and neglect others that would present a different form for meeting. I hope to take a look at Jesus in particular to see who he gathered with and what happened when he gathered with his disciples.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 09, 05 by ed
Our assumptions about church are as rooted in our Christian tradition as in local context.
Who told us to call the elders a “board?”
Why do churches have business meetings?
Why do congregations get to vote?
Who told you to pray the salvation prayer, bow your head, close your eyes and fold your hands neatly?
Why do you interpret some parts of scripture literally and others figuratively?
Who said that we need to sing at a gathering or have a lengthy sermon?
The answers to these questions are not in the Bible. We may find a loose precedent for these practices, but the real sources are traditions and cultural context. And when traditions are well-watered and bloom, they become our assumptions.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 08, 05 by ed
With a mug of java in hand, seats arranged in an inviting circle, and snacks generously heaped upon the central coffee table, many would-be emerging Christians are having conversations about church and the new things that God is doing. And while there has been a steady influx of fresh innovations and discussions, the sleek emerging/evangelical church hybrid is often in danger of falling into well-worn ruts that previous travelers sunk into . . . with little hope of emerging again.
Language, culture, assumptions, traditions, a limited collection of scripture verses, and a boxing of the Holy Spirit all act as spoilers for anything that would be fresh and emergent. While this fence around theologians must not be completely destroyed, it is sorely in need of alterations. Some parts need to be demolished, others need to be extended to include more, and others must be left in place but still recognized as a fence.
Language is the first specimen to be placed under the microscope.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 07, 05 by ed
<%image(20051107-remnant 2.jpg|216|205|remnant)%> I’m thinking of starting a series that will be called “Rethinking Church” or something like “Obstacles to Rethinking Church.” Neither of those titles are very exciting or inspiring, but let’s press ahead into the meat of things and do a quick overview.
The Basic Matter at Hand:
Christians believe that God is always at work and that he wants to birth new things in new contexts with new generations. It’s not that the new is novel and trendy, it’s just the way things are. Unless the church is reproducing and bearing fruit (for the “fruit” is what enables reproduction), it is dead and will become a relic of the past like the Shakers.
And while God is doing some wonderful new things in emerging churches and gatherings, there are a number of obstacles that stand in our way, giving the fresh clean work of God a stale odor and spoiling his work. I hope to take a look at such rot over the following days and attempt to deconstruct the ways we limit the work of God.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 06, 05 by ed
<%image(20051106-mosaic.jpg|203|152|mosaic)%> The Israeli Antiquities Authority has found a 3rd-4th century church in a modern day prison near the site of Megiddo. This is one of the oldest churches excavated to date and the mosaics within it are a rare find. Additional info: BBC article.
November 05, 05 by ed
<%image(20051105-Equinox Hike fall 05 005 smaller.jpg|216|162|maple and red mt.)%> Our Saturday began with clear blue skies and weather that was climbing to 60 degrees. With the settling of a frost in the Sourthern Vermont valley this past week, all of the trees holding back their color have gone into high speed foliage like the maple tree in our back yard. We then headed north to hike the next peak up in the Taconic Range: Mt. Equinox.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 05, 05 by ed
<%image(20051105-football.jpg|125|125|football)%> Sports are filled with priceless moments. Perhaps it’s the game-winning home run that soars over the fence with 2 outs, the bloodied forward kissing the Stanley Cup he worked so hard for, or the chaotic spray of champagne bottles from giddy athletes who have accomplished what so many young boys dream of. If these moments are of any value to a city, then I assure you, Philadelphia is bankrupt. Philadelphians seem to always be on the OTHER end of those magic moments, helplessly watching Joe Carter run the bases in 1993, Steve Yzerman lift the cup in 1994, and those pesky New England Patriots celebrate yet again in 2004. No other major sports city (with teams in all 4 sports) has gone as long as Philly without a major championship, and no one in Philly expects it to happen any time soon. The latest chronology on the laughable and lamentable fatalism of Philadelpia is If Football’s a Religion, Why Don’t We Have a Prayer? : Philadelphia, Its Faithful, and the Eternal Quest for Sports Salvation
by Jere Longman.
I typically do not blog on sports, but I feel that the subject of Philadelphia’s fatalism in professional sports is worth a look because if anything it will give others a laugh at my own expense.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 04, 05 by ed
As a change of pace I’m going to cover a broader range of topics today in less depth than usual.
Is Paris Burning?
<%image(20051104-paris.jpg|203|152|parisfire)%> Apparently France has the same problem that was highlighted so regretfully in New Orleans: sowing injustice and poverty will reap a crop of anger, resentment, and violence (BBC Link). The largely poor and unemployed communities of immigrants have been rioting, and the violence has only increased since the government took a hard line and two youths were killed in a disputed incident.
I truly wonder what would happen if the French authorities apologized for any role they had in the killing of the two boys and then pledged to work on improving conditions? Even if they don’t intend to do much, it sure would be better than calling these people thugs and promising to crack down on them. I sincerely hope that America can look at what’s happening over there and take steps to correct injustice in our own land.
Read the rest of this entry »
November 03, 05 by ed
<%image(20051104-At Home 002.jpg|180|135|camerabox)%> Tearing in to our new camera.
Our camera broke about 6 months ago and we have been waiting patiently to make our move into the world of digital photography. After much searching and researching, a gift made it possible to shell out the dough for a really nice digital camera. I ordered our Canon A95 Powershot from Beach Camera, which appears to be a top-notch operation. I ordered it yesterday morning and it arrived this afternoon, eventhough I chose the “14-day” shipping option. I’m glad I didn’t choose overnight! I am currently way too impressed with this camera and need to go to bed.
<%image(20051104-At Home 003.jpg|180|135|timmy)%> Timmy, the sweetheart of my in-laws, was the subject of my first picture. He’s an accomodating subject. The LCD screen that flips out is by far the coolest and the flash is really powerful. I could go on, but enough, I’m really not a technology Geek. Yet, I should confess that we purchased such a nice camera because I am sensing that God wants me to pursue photography as a hobby of sorts, and this is my first big step into it. I find that taking a close look at our world and seeing it from different angles and different shades of light is a wonderful way to worship God and appreciate the work of his hands.
Read the rest of this entry »
