09.23.06
In order to help prepare myself to speak Sunday, I’m taking the outline I made and am going to type out a sort of “script”. I typically don’t take this much time to prepare for these kinds of things, but I want to take this as seriously as I can. I’m going to offer words about something I feel very passionate about and I certainly shouldn’t be resting lightly with the idea that I am about to literally preach the gospel.
I’m sure I’ll veer of course from what I’ve written. What I hope to do here is simply stimulate thought so that I’m not either fumbling for words or running on and on (which I can tend to do). This script certainly seems long, but I have to speak for about a half hour…
09.21.06
Two things
Today is the International Day of Peace. Go here to get the info about the man who pretty much created the day on his own.
Also, I’ve realized that somehow I missed out on a lot of classic fiction I should have read. So when school started again, I checked out some books on audio to listen to on the drive. First came “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Excellent.
I just finished “Fahrenheit 451” today. It was pretty unreal. For those of you unfamiliar, it was written in 1953 and is the story of some future time where book reading is forbidden and everybody is consumed with mindless entertainment.
Ray Bradbury is a prophet.
At the end of the book, the protagonist starts quoting the only book sections he knows: a section from Ecclesiastes and a section from Revelation. I got chills when he ended the book with this:
And on either side of the river was there a tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Anyone who has not read this book certainly ought to, especially those of you who shared this experience.
09.17.06
Next Sunday
On Sunday the 24th, I will be speaking at Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene for their EPIC service. I’m a little anxious for a couple reasons.
It’s a very large church…a megachurch. It runs about a thousand (If I remember correctly) and has some pretty large facilities. It’s certainly out of my comfort zone and the type of place that has been the subject of much criticism from me.
And probably still will. I have talked with two friends of mine who are on staff there and have expressed to them that I do have certain reservations about that “movement” for lack of a better term. It usually ties in pretty closely with where the church growth movement is going and I think both of those exhibit core values that I don’t really share or respect in light of scripture and Christian experience.
These friends of mine invited me, knowing that I have often been very critical of their type of church in the past, so that I could speak about social justice.
As I mentioned in the last post, I’m not sure where to draw the line between criticism and hope. Certainly criticism can be often aimed at individual people, but should also be aimed at institutions. My concern, particularly in the realm of social justice is that criticism may not produce the reaction we need. If I show up on Sunday morning, berate the congregation for their homes, cars and church facilities, will they have received what they need to become concerned for others? Do I have the luxury to speak so harshly that nobody will hear me? Do I have the right to shout over the voice of the spirit?
Will they only receive guilt in this case? I know how much I abhor pastors who lead people “to the Kingdom” through fear and guilt. People are told they’re going to hell as if that’s the only reason to live in the Kingdom.
My hope this sunday morning is to present the alternative vision for what the Kingdom can be. I hope the spirit speaks where I do not and fills in whatever criticism is necessary for the individuals and congregation.
Don’t hear me wrong. I am not in the business of ignoring what needs to be said so that I can present only shiny happiness. I will continue to offer criticism in the hope of dialogue and change as an essential part of my spiritual life and the life of the Kingdom.
But what I hope for is that the only criticism I offer will not be my own, but that of the Kingdom, of the spirit. And that the hope I offer…of something different, of something better…will be of the Kingdom as well.
Please pray for me friends. This is very unfamiliar territory for me.
09.16.06
Feeling generous?
If anyone happens to have a moment of selfless consumerism directed at others, I’d love this shirt in a small:
As promised
A few weeks ago I attended a debate between Phil Burress and Michelle Goldberg.
Throughout the debate, the crowd booed, hissed, laughed and interrupted whenever they felt appropriate, though 95% was directed at Mr. Burress. I wondered if this was supposed to be the body of Christ? Certainly they were mostly religious people since the debate was on the role of religion in politics.
I also wondered if perhaps I had misjudged their age. The last time I saw a crowd so intent on disrespecting the speaker, the average age couldn’t have been above ten.
During the Q&A time, I got up to ask a question. A line formed behind me. I took a moment to compliment Mr. Burress (with whom I had the most disagreements) on the tact with which he handled the crowd. Apparently someone didn’t appreciate me taking this time, or apologizing to Mr. Burress (I can only guess which) but he yelled out in the middle of my question for me to hurry up. We found out later, as he asked his question that he was an “Anti-War Activist”.
It seemed not too coincidental that he defined himself by what he was not rather than what he was. “God, thank you for not making me like the tax collector…” He could have just as easily said he was a “Peace Activist”, but he was more interested in describing how much he abhorred Mr. Burress (and now me apparently).
I’ve been realizing more and more lately how pointless debate is if it is not truly concerned with dialogue. How beneficial is it for us to gather convinced we are not going to change our mind on anything and spend our moments berating those who differ from us? When was the last time you saw someone on TV in this situation pause and say “You know, I may have to rethink that…you’ve said some very plausible things.”
And this crowd….it is only a moderate exaggeration to say they were the “mocking and spitting” crowd. I apologized to Mr. Burress again after it was over…making sure to tell him I didn’t think the crowd was very Kingdom minded.
I told some friends yesterday that I felt like the balance between criticism and energizing (offering the alternative vision…or hope) needs to be weighed pretty heavily on the hope side. Criticism is heavy…both for those giving it and for those receiving it. It doesn’t take much criticism to make the accuser cynical and the accused either defiant or deaf. Criticism, rightly articulated from a place of faith and offered peacefully in hope of change and dialogue, does not need loud or numerous words.
On the other hand, we can never have enough hope. Never tire of giving it.
If we do not speak for ourselves, but rather articulate criticism of our world because the Kingdom calls for it, then what right do we have to speak to others so hatefully? As followers of Christ, we do not have the luxury of speaking for ourselves. We speak on behalf of the lowly and simple Jesus, who both criticized those who trounced the Kingdom vision, and in love offered the alternative in every word and deed.
We should do the same.
09.07.06
God-Awful Quote of the Day…or year
“Abortion is also an economic issue. It has killed millions of American consumers.”
- Russell Johnson, pastor of Fairfield (Ohio) Christian Church and religious right activist.
I need to write something about my experience at the Michelle Goldberg / Phil Burress event. I hope to do that in the next couple days.
09.01.06
Back in the saddle (again…or part two)
It’s late notice, and I’m sure you’re all dying to go…
Tomorrow morning a friend and I will be taking a rather hilly 30 mile bike trip. Not too long, so you’re welcome to come along. We’re going to head up to the West Liberty area.
If you’re interested in coming, call me tonight.
