Emergent Response
In 2000, I read a book entitled “Postmodern Youth Ministry” by Tony Jones. I had the privilege of meeting him and his friend Dan Kimball at YS NYWC soon after. Kimball then wrote a book called “The Emerging Church” which I fell in love with church all over again. That book’s follow-up, “Emerging Worship,” was also a hit at the Felker desk. Then came the earthquake: “A New Kind of Christian” by Brian McLaren. I soon discovered other McLaren gems such as “Finding Faith,” “Adventures in Missing the Point,” “The Church on the Other Side,” and now recently, “A Generous Orthodoxy”. These books were so refreshing and honest. They completely spoke to my heart as one who seeks to see the Church become what it was intended to be and not just what we have settled for. This group and its message became known as Emergent.
For a while, Emergent was considered by some to be a fad by the “mainstream”. It was a “coffee and Christmas lights” worship movement and nothing more. It wasn’t dangerous. It wasn’t even on the radar for many (and still may not be).
Now, things are different. As I have followed their stories on blogs and though print I have seen a dramatic backlash against these men and their teachings. I believe one of them (Jones, Pagitt) saw this backlash on the horizon a little over a year ago. Now I’ve seen it to be true. Below I have pasted an article from The Ooze written by Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Andrew Jones, and Chris Seay. The article is a response to some of the criticism that has sprung up. I have met or heard in person almost all seven of these men. They have meant a lot to me and their writings have helped me focus my ministry on Christ Jesus. If you aren’t in on the conversation, get in.
We continue to be amazed by the enthusiastic interest in the work of emergent, a conversation and friendship of which we are a small part. This conversation is bringing together a wide range of committed Christians and those exploring the Christian faith in wonderful ways, and many of us sense that God is at work among us. As would be expected, there have also been criticisms. A number of people have asked us to respond to these criticisms. These ten brief responses will, we hope, serve to clarify our position and suggest ways for the conversation to continue constructively for participants and critics alike. It is our hope and prayer that even our disagreements can bring us together in respectful dialogue as Christians, resulting in growth for all concerned.
First, we wish to say thanks to our critics… (more)
More Important Than Coldplay
Take Action Links
Greg’s Thoughts on American Indifference
NYT: “Bush Maintains Opposition to Doubling Aid for Africa”
Worship in the Spirit of Justice
The ONE Campaign
Just a taste of the important things I’ve been reading about today.
Nada and Compare
I have been absolutely worthless since my wife left to visit her family. Not as worthless as a friend I had in college but still I feel lazy. This friend was the worst (or best depending on your perspective). His wife left for a summer long internship in another state. He went to Wal-Mart and purchased a couple of power strips and extension chords. When he returned to his apartment he plugged his refrigerator, microwave, an fan and the TV into the power strips and plugged the extension chord in the community outlet in the hallway of the apartment complex. He then turned the power off in his apartment to avoid paying for electricity while his wife was gone. I would try that but I think my neighbors would notice my bright orange extension chord plugged into their back porch.
I haven’t completely let the house go to pot but it is a far cry from being acceptable to her. Tonight I’m going to have to clean hardcore!
I feel like I have not accomplished anything this week even though I have done a lot. I am teaching a class next school year entitled “Leadership in Action”. I am so excited and have been working very hard on making it a great class. This week I laid out a basic outline for the year and I detailed the first 2-3 weeks. I have done a lot of work on it. I’ll share more on it later.
On the pop culture front, I am eagerly anticipating the new Coldplay album X&Y. I read on the CNN ticker last night that it was leaked on the internet yesterday. I just checked iTunes and they still have it listed as pre-order. I guess I can wait until Tuesday. I am excited also because of all the U2/Coldplay comparisons. Although I think that they are two completely different bands I still get excited when I read things like this:
Coldplay’s third opus takes on the reigning champ, U2, and doesn’t so much dismantle Atomic Bomb as blast right through it, like a mile-wide meteor, hurteling across the heavens toward the Beatles themselves.
Whoa! That was written by Bud Scoppa in the June/July issue of Paste Magazine. For my money, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is my favorite album of the past 12 months. I know I’m biased but so what! It is a near perfect album.
If Martin and Co. can “blast” through that album my ears say, “Bring it on!!!”
Live 8
I just recieved this email from The ONE Campaign. There are some very exciting things happening!
This morning, international stars such as Bono, Bob Geldof and Dave Matthews announced “Live 8”, a series of free global concerts to take place on July 2. “Live 8” concerts will be held simultaneously in Philadelphia, PA; London, England; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Berlin, Germany.
The “Live 8” concerts are part of the ONE Countdown to the G8 Summit to urge President Bush and other leaders of the world’s 8 wealthiest nations to save millions of lives when they meet together in Scotland, July 5th to 8th.
The global concerts will feature performances by a historic line up of artists including Dave Matthews Band, U2, Jay Z, Paul McCartney, Black Eyed Peas, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and many, many more!
his year marks 20 years since LIVE AID, the biggest charity concert ever staged. This time, the concerts will not be asking for your money, but your voice. Your voice is urgently needed to urge President Bush to Make Poverty History at the G8 summit.
Together, we will let President Bush know that the American people are counting on his leadership to make the simple, but powerful decisions necessary to save millions of lives around the world.
Sincerly, The ONE Team
Imitation
On June 13 I will be taking a monstic retreat. I am very excited about getting away for a few days to reflect so I have been reading Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis to prepare. The chapters are small and very concise. I fell in love with the chapter below. The editor of my edition titled this “Putting Up with Putting Down.”
Until God ordains otherwise, a man ought to bear patiently whatever he cannot correct in himself and in others. Consider it better thus — perhaps to try your patience and to test you, for without such patience and trial your merits are of little account. Nevertheless, under such difficulties you should pray that God will consent to help you bear them calmly.
If, after being admonished once or twice, a person does not amend, do not argue with him but commit the whole matter to God that His will and honor may be furthered in all His servants, for God knows well how to turn evil to good. Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault which others must endure.
If you cannot make yourself what you would wish to be, how can you bend others to your will? We want them to be perfect, yet we do not correct our own faults. We wish them to be severely corrected, yet we will not correct ourselves. Their great liberty displeases us, yet we would not be denied what we ask. We would have them bound by laws, yet we will allow ourselves to be restrained in nothing. Hence, it is clear how seldom we think of others as we do of ourselves.
If all were perfect, what should we have to suffer from others for God’s sake? But God has so ordained, that we may learn to bear with one another’s burdens, for there is no man without fault, no man without burden, no man sufficient to himself nor wise enough. Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity — adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.
Podcasting
2 or 3 months ago I picked up an issue of Wired because there was a great article on podcasting. For those who don’t know, podcasting, in a nut shell, is independent radio in the form of a .mp3. For me, this new social phenom could have endless possibilities. I could record my classes and post them on my site. I could record my student speakers and email their message to them and their parents. I could record meetings and archive them. Exciting possibilities. I have been messing with Audacity, a user-friendly podcasting software. Maybe by the end of next month I will add a podcasting feature here. What do you think?
Great Week
It is so wonderful that our administrative team works together. The last day of our planning session was a day set aside for brainstorming. We brainstormed on the lake! Just us, the wind, and the water. This week was great! I am so excited about the coming year.
Single Again
Well… at least for this week. My wife just left with her sister to visit their family up in VA. She left me and the dog home alone for the next 10 days and I just hope that I don’t burn the house down.
3.0
And so begins my third year of full time ministry. As an administration we have been meeting since Monday dreaming and planning the next year for our school. This was a good year but I am convinced that the coming school year will be great. We are planning quite a few changes and tightening up a few loose ends. It is great when you can meet with your team and have a great time growing together and learing together.