I pay good money for my entertainment every week…about 10% - anonymous
Entertainment is a great thing isn’t it. It is so good to just sit back and relax and watch someone else do what they love. It could be acting, playing football, or speeding through France on a bike. Whatever it is, we Americans love our entertainment. When I was a kid I remember going to watch the Cincinnati Reds with my Dad (this was in the ancient times when they were actually good). I remember watching them and wanting to be like them. I would pretend that I was Chris Sabo and my little league baseball field would somehow be transformed into Riverfront Stadium (now Cenergy Field). Even though I was awful at baseball I would be inspired by a good game.
I did this through out my life with just about every kind of entertainment. I was inspired by good books about knights, movies about bravery and the determination of a football team to get one more yard. When I saw or heard something great I would imitate it to the best of my ability. When King Arthur said, “Be honorable,” I took it to heart. As I grew older though, I began to be less inspired by the entertainment industry and more, well, entertained. It became more of a spectacle to watch and marvel at. A director’s skill would not inspire me to make movies; I would just sit and say it was neat. I put away the swords and songs and picked up “real life” and “respectable dreams.”
I wonder if this entertainment attitude has infected the church. We often come to be entertained but not transformed. We pay good money for good music and a good speech and walk away feeling pretty good about ourselves. We end up coming but never changing. We will criticize the “poor special effects” and miss Christ.
What would happen if we took a different approach? What if we started looking at the professional ministers and were inspired to do ministry? You don’t have to be paid to play baseball well; why would following Christ be any different? What if we held off our American need to be constantly entertained and actually did something inspiring? Let’s stop going to church like we go to the movies. Movies can speak but only God can transform. Will you be open to transformation or will you just pay 10% for a good show?
Am I right about the “entertainment me” attitude of the average churchgoer? Is the answer just to make church more entertaining and flashy? It is a big temptation but is it right? Where did we loose the transformational message of Christ?
Talk amongst yourselves - J
Ok so these questions have been pondered before but I have had writers block and needed to get something out. Hope it is still helpful
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Friday, December 16, 2005
Stasis
Axiom: Apart from me you can do nothing – Jesus Christ
Reverse Axiom: If you do nothing it will certainly be without Him – Justin Gentry
We tend to like things as they were. Old timers are notorious for this, “In my day we (insert nostalgic nonsense about walking up hill both ways which I know is impossible).” Anyone who has graduated college is almost as bad, “I remember in school we…” Even kids fall victim to it, “Last year we…” Face it folks, we all compare today with the past.
The past is the only context we have to interpret our present. We are the sum of our experiences and our reactions to them so it makes sense to be a student of history (there are a few politicians I know who could use a good personal history lesson, but that is the subject of another blog entirely). Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit nostalgic myself. I enjoy mythology, I memorized a few creeds and I know how to use a sword without cutting my toes off. A bit of wistfulness is not a bad thing.
Nostalgia has a dirty side too. There comes a time when we look to the past at the expense of the future. I am going to call this condition “stasis” and I fear it is all over the Body of Christ. “If we could get back to the early church, If we could be more like John Wesley, If we could party like its 1611, If…If…If…” I am saddened to hear these kinds of phrases come out of Christian mouths because it is often in resignation. Things are not like they were. Nothing good can happen and so we do nothing. We begin preaching the past and not the gospel by making people convert to a previous era of thinking and talking (KJV anyone?) and not to a present and living Christ.
Apart from Christ we can do nothing. Without Him the Church will wither up and die. Be as culturally relevant as you want and without him you might as well preach the sky is falling. Conversely if we do nothing to bring Christ into the 21st century I am not so sure he is going to be in that either. If Christ is relevant today why do we keep him rooted in the past? Sometimes we act like he is dead and waiting for us to resurrect him through ancestor worship or something. He is alive at present and calling for us to meet Him. He is in the people who are currently poor, naked, and hungry. I think He is waiting for us to reach them in their language. He reached us in ours. He left his heavenly home are we going to leave the ivory pulpit?
The only constant is change. We can never go back to the good old days. We can’t count on the righteous past to give us a righteous future. We have no future without a Christ-centered and forward-thinking present. I love the past and in my life I desire some of the traits of my forebears. I admire their courage and love but if I am not fleshing out those traits today then their legacy is lost. Let’s not get stuck in stasis and get left behind. Let’s go to the frontlines and give the future something to remember
Are you in stasis? What are you doing to connect to Christ today? Do you find yourself constantly afraid of anything new or innovative? Why is that?
Talk amongst yourselves
-J
Reverse Axiom: If you do nothing it will certainly be without Him – Justin Gentry
We tend to like things as they were. Old timers are notorious for this, “In my day we (insert nostalgic nonsense about walking up hill both ways which I know is impossible).” Anyone who has graduated college is almost as bad, “I remember in school we…” Even kids fall victim to it, “Last year we…” Face it folks, we all compare today with the past.
The past is the only context we have to interpret our present. We are the sum of our experiences and our reactions to them so it makes sense to be a student of history (there are a few politicians I know who could use a good personal history lesson, but that is the subject of another blog entirely). Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit nostalgic myself. I enjoy mythology, I memorized a few creeds and I know how to use a sword without cutting my toes off. A bit of wistfulness is not a bad thing.
Nostalgia has a dirty side too. There comes a time when we look to the past at the expense of the future. I am going to call this condition “stasis” and I fear it is all over the Body of Christ. “If we could get back to the early church, If we could be more like John Wesley, If we could party like its 1611, If…If…If…” I am saddened to hear these kinds of phrases come out of Christian mouths because it is often in resignation. Things are not like they were. Nothing good can happen and so we do nothing. We begin preaching the past and not the gospel by making people convert to a previous era of thinking and talking (KJV anyone?) and not to a present and living Christ.
Apart from Christ we can do nothing. Without Him the Church will wither up and die. Be as culturally relevant as you want and without him you might as well preach the sky is falling. Conversely if we do nothing to bring Christ into the 21st century I am not so sure he is going to be in that either. If Christ is relevant today why do we keep him rooted in the past? Sometimes we act like he is dead and waiting for us to resurrect him through ancestor worship or something. He is alive at present and calling for us to meet Him. He is in the people who are currently poor, naked, and hungry. I think He is waiting for us to reach them in their language. He reached us in ours. He left his heavenly home are we going to leave the ivory pulpit?
The only constant is change. We can never go back to the good old days. We can’t count on the righteous past to give us a righteous future. We have no future without a Christ-centered and forward-thinking present. I love the past and in my life I desire some of the traits of my forebears. I admire their courage and love but if I am not fleshing out those traits today then their legacy is lost. Let’s not get stuck in stasis and get left behind. Let’s go to the frontlines and give the future something to remember
Are you in stasis? What are you doing to connect to Christ today? Do you find yourself constantly afraid of anything new or innovative? Why is that?
Talk amongst yourselves
-J
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Practical Atheism
Deism= It is the practice of atheism with the belief in God.
– Justin’s Dictionary of Religious Terms and Paraphernalia
Have you ever been tempted by atheism? No god or person to tell you what to do; you are the standard. You don’t have to depend on anyone but yourself and you don’t have to be accountable to anyone either. When there is a problem you don’t have to ask some god for help…you can do it yourself and get the credit. You don’t have to buy into all this humility, patience and love stuff; you can be your own man/woman and do things your way.
They say that atheism is dying out as a belief, but the practice of it is far more widespread than we ever imagined. Read through the list again. Now carefully and honestly ask yourself if you are a practicing atheist. “How many times have I lived my life like this?” A person may not actually think or say, “I want it my way and no other” but a person often lives that way.
It is all too easy to be a believing Christian but a practicing atheist. We can go about our day believing that God is there yet acting like he is not. We pray like he can help but won’t wait for his timing. When crisis strikes we will have faith enough to say a few words but keep the more practical matters of business to ourselves. In confession, I will wear him gladly on my sleeve but often fail to hide him in my heart.
How many days have I lived centered on my problems and my solutions? How many times have I let the practical rule out the divine? We live in a country founded by Deists of which I am often the worst. I will ask him to bless the building but not the finances, the sermon but not the study, and the program but not the planning.
Some might think I am splitting hairs or that I am too idealistic and young. Yeah it is probably true, but I am not sure that it is a bad thing. I remember a time when I wasn’t so practical. I believed there was a way to graduate college debt free even when all seemed impossible, I believed I could be a pastor despite my checkered past, I believed I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me…and he did. I remember a day when I wasn’t so practical and I intend to return there.
Are you a practicing atheist? Where does the road to recovery lay? Do you see it as a problem or just “good common sense”?
Talk amongst yourselves
– Justin’s Dictionary of Religious Terms and Paraphernalia
Have you ever been tempted by atheism? No god or person to tell you what to do; you are the standard. You don’t have to depend on anyone but yourself and you don’t have to be accountable to anyone either. When there is a problem you don’t have to ask some god for help…you can do it yourself and get the credit. You don’t have to buy into all this humility, patience and love stuff; you can be your own man/woman and do things your way.
They say that atheism is dying out as a belief, but the practice of it is far more widespread than we ever imagined. Read through the list again. Now carefully and honestly ask yourself if you are a practicing atheist. “How many times have I lived my life like this?” A person may not actually think or say, “I want it my way and no other” but a person often lives that way.
It is all too easy to be a believing Christian but a practicing atheist. We can go about our day believing that God is there yet acting like he is not. We pray like he can help but won’t wait for his timing. When crisis strikes we will have faith enough to say a few words but keep the more practical matters of business to ourselves. In confession, I will wear him gladly on my sleeve but often fail to hide him in my heart.
How many days have I lived centered on my problems and my solutions? How many times have I let the practical rule out the divine? We live in a country founded by Deists of which I am often the worst. I will ask him to bless the building but not the finances, the sermon but not the study, and the program but not the planning.
Some might think I am splitting hairs or that I am too idealistic and young. Yeah it is probably true, but I am not sure that it is a bad thing. I remember a time when I wasn’t so practical. I believed there was a way to graduate college debt free even when all seemed impossible, I believed I could be a pastor despite my checkered past, I believed I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me…and he did. I remember a day when I wasn’t so practical and I intend to return there.
Are you a practicing atheist? Where does the road to recovery lay? Do you see it as a problem or just “good common sense”?
Talk amongst yourselves
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
What should I do?
Here is a real life situation that I am trying to figure out. My church is in the middle of a building project and I have to choice of one of two rooms to base the youth ministry out of. One is the old sanctuary and the other is a triangular room next to the new sanctuary. Both are bigger than the current room and have much higher ceilings.
Sanctuary: Has a pretty old school feel but it has lots of potential. It already has a sound system and screen. We would have to replace the lighting and clear out some stuff. There are some storage rooms to the side and I am considering making one of them a prayer room. The catch is I have already been unofficially warned that I should not do any “youthifying” for at least a year, if ever or I might upset some folks.
Side room: The side room has the advantage of an outside door and it is bare so we can do anything we want to it. The cons are that it does border the new sanctuary so noise level might be a problem, but considering it has no sound equipment in it that might not be so bad. It also does not look that much bigger than our already cramped current room.
The trade offs are pretty simple. Go with the side room and don’t rock the boat but loose space and money or go with the sanctuary and get more space and save money but possibly get stuck with it as is or remodel anyway and make some key folks unhappy. It is a bit of a catch 22 so what should I do?
Deep in my heart I know that style should not matter and that worship can take place in a bare room. Yes, for the believer style should not matter. We should be ready to worship at all times and with all places and styles. But, we are not trying to reach believers are we. It is not the healthy that need a doctor…it is the sick.
I am not sure what room I will take but I do know that that room will be dedicated to the kids in my area. If that means someone’s feelings are hurt because I replace the 60’s wood paneling with something a little modern, so be it. If I have to drain the budget to make a bare room feel inviting, so be it. I am not after the coolness factor I am after the relevant factor. Shouldn’t we be all things to all people?
What do you think I should do? What other things am I not considering?
Sanctuary: Has a pretty old school feel but it has lots of potential. It already has a sound system and screen. We would have to replace the lighting and clear out some stuff. There are some storage rooms to the side and I am considering making one of them a prayer room. The catch is I have already been unofficially warned that I should not do any “youthifying” for at least a year, if ever or I might upset some folks.
Side room: The side room has the advantage of an outside door and it is bare so we can do anything we want to it. The cons are that it does border the new sanctuary so noise level might be a problem, but considering it has no sound equipment in it that might not be so bad. It also does not look that much bigger than our already cramped current room.
The trade offs are pretty simple. Go with the side room and don’t rock the boat but loose space and money or go with the sanctuary and get more space and save money but possibly get stuck with it as is or remodel anyway and make some key folks unhappy. It is a bit of a catch 22 so what should I do?
Deep in my heart I know that style should not matter and that worship can take place in a bare room. Yes, for the believer style should not matter. We should be ready to worship at all times and with all places and styles. But, we are not trying to reach believers are we. It is not the healthy that need a doctor…it is the sick.
I am not sure what room I will take but I do know that that room will be dedicated to the kids in my area. If that means someone’s feelings are hurt because I replace the 60’s wood paneling with something a little modern, so be it. If I have to drain the budget to make a bare room feel inviting, so be it. I am not after the coolness factor I am after the relevant factor. Shouldn’t we be all things to all people?
What do you think I should do? What other things am I not considering?
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Thoughts on Community
Community is a pretty common buzzword these days. You may remember it by such words as fellowship, body life or pot luck. But what is real biblical community and how does it translate into today? We live in an increasingly segmented society. I could stay in my home and only leave to buy the supplies I can’t get on ebay and to feed. To survive we really don’t need other people.
The Gospel calls us to a different kind of life; a life where we are one crucial piece in a greater whole. Some are pastors, teachers, church planters and some are singers, builders, encouragers, cooks but when it all comes down to it we are all ministers in some form or another. The question is not should I get involved the question is where is my place?
This different kind of life is lived with others, not against them. Unity within the Body of Christ is so highlighted in the New Testament one might think it is a pillar of the faith. Christ said we will be known by the love we have for other Christians. Are we still hearing this or are we to busy critiquing the sermon to hear the message? I am convinced that Love is the center of community. It is not bowling every Tuesday or even worshiping on Thursday evening or Sunday morning. I can “do life” with someone 24/7 and never be in community with them. Love for others, whatever the context, is the seed of community.
Biblical community is always looking to Christ and pointing others there too. As a body we are pointing back to the source of this love which is Christ. Our new kind of life does not spring up from our own effort and neither does unity. Does a body survive without a head? Can a fellowship stand without a goal? Lord of the Rings would be a right silly book if an elf, a wizard, 2 men, 4 hobbits and 1 dwarf got together and played cribbage. The body of Christ needs a bigger goal that just being together. I think the great commission is a pretty good one to start with :-)
I know this list is not complete but I do not intend it to be. What else would you add? How else could we foster unity in the Body? Are you sick of the word community?
Talk amongst yourselves
The Gospel calls us to a different kind of life; a life where we are one crucial piece in a greater whole. Some are pastors, teachers, church planters and some are singers, builders, encouragers, cooks but when it all comes down to it we are all ministers in some form or another. The question is not should I get involved the question is where is my place?
This different kind of life is lived with others, not against them. Unity within the Body of Christ is so highlighted in the New Testament one might think it is a pillar of the faith. Christ said we will be known by the love we have for other Christians. Are we still hearing this or are we to busy critiquing the sermon to hear the message? I am convinced that Love is the center of community. It is not bowling every Tuesday or even worshiping on Thursday evening or Sunday morning. I can “do life” with someone 24/7 and never be in community with them. Love for others, whatever the context, is the seed of community.
Biblical community is always looking to Christ and pointing others there too. As a body we are pointing back to the source of this love which is Christ. Our new kind of life does not spring up from our own effort and neither does unity. Does a body survive without a head? Can a fellowship stand without a goal? Lord of the Rings would be a right silly book if an elf, a wizard, 2 men, 4 hobbits and 1 dwarf got together and played cribbage. The body of Christ needs a bigger goal that just being together. I think the great commission is a pretty good one to start with :-)
I know this list is not complete but I do not intend it to be. What else would you add? How else could we foster unity in the Body? Are you sick of the word community?
Talk amongst yourselves
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Going on anyways
You can never know everything, and part of what you know is always wrong. Perhaps even the most important part. A portion of wisdom lies in knowing that. A portion of courage lies in going on anyways. –Robert Jordan
I am not so sure I am a good pastor. Some of you are gasping and others are nudging your neighbor and saying, “bout time he figured it out.” I have been given the impression that a spiritual leader is supposed to have it all together or at least know what he believes…I just don’t. Supposedly a pastor needs to be rock solid and unwavering in his convictions…I am not. If a Modernist were to look at me and classify me (which they love to do) I think they would say I was a seeker and then be very sensitive about what they said around me. J
I have been reading and talking to a lot of my friends and colleges about the so called “Faith Meltdown” that hits in the early twenties It is like the brain secretes an enzyme upon receiving that hard earned bachelors degree and says, “Doubt everything you have ever been told!” I think it hits men the hardest. I have really not dialoged with any women going through this. Maybe they just have the propriety to not voice their doubts to the world or it just hits them later in life. I am also finding that most of the older generation either did not go through this or they forget that it happened. I don’t get much sympathy when I voice that I question the prohibition on alcohol or that I dabble with open theism or that I think Tim LaHaye is an intellectual thief. Maybe they are just doing what their elders did to them.
On the one hand I like questioning. I don’t want to just take everything at face value. I have been trained too well for that. Besides, they tell me that life is too complex to answer every question with, “read the Bible and pray” or “just have faith.” I remember a time when that was all the answer I needed. It worked then…why not now? I am beginning to question the value of questioning everything. When does a little boyish rebellion turn into cynicism? Have I traded my joy in and become jaded?
Can a person just sit aside their doubts and not be intellectually dishonest? I like being a rebel and questing for answers but this new skin gets old pretty quick. I am starting to realize that there needs to be a couple things that you hammer down and honestly don’t touch. I still might not be sure of them but I have to choose to believe and move on anyways. If you have no anchor there is no point casting out to sea.
I have decided that I will always identify myself with Jesus Christ. He has convinced me and I will make his life, death and resurrection a “no fly zone” for doubt. I have sampled a lot of life without him and it is just too empty. I am willing to submit myself to him as an apprentice in the eternal/fullest kind of life he promised. I like the Apostles Creed. I am still shaky on the whole descent into hell but I am finding most people are.
Some would say I am giving up. “Question everything!” they shout, “Jesus is one of many ways…why are you teaching these kids only one path to God?” “He does not answer my questions sufficiently!” I say, “Welcome aboard, he does not answer all of mine either.” I am not sure the point of religion or God is to answer all my questions as if my inquiries into how he runs things are somehow new and important. I don’t know everything but I am not sure that it is God’s job to convince me. When I read the scriptures I see Christ presenting Truth and then allowing people to make up their own mind to believe him or not. I am pretty sure God is confident in his position and his views. Are we going to jump on board or not? Jesus never asked people to question him. I believed he asked them to follow him.
It is said that when the student is ready the master will appear. I believe that when the questioner is ready the answers will appear. Maybe not on this side of the Veil but someday we will see clearly. Can I be patient for that day when my Master has decided to let me know beyond the shadow of doubt? I guess I am just going to have to stick with him to find out.
Some things I am still working on…wanna help me out?
I think I am rejecting the idea of Sola Scriptora (Scripture alone). I find it leads to Bible theism. Besides, I sometimes find God more in nature, people and Lord of the Rings. The Bible is an awesome source for guidance and a great tool to test the spirits so to speak but it is a means to a greater end…knowing God.
I have rejected American (or should I say Modern) individualism in favor of community. Call me emergent but I like people. Do I like them too much though? Where do individualism and community meet? I believe God works on both levels equally.
I have embraced the veneration of Saints. Ok, my version of it. I don’t pray to them but I do find knowing those who have gone before and being a student of past mistakes to be an invaluable tool. I am tired of the evangelical fear of getting a little medieval. What are some other fears that we can cast aside?
Speaking of medieval, I am a now joining the ranks of the self-appointed Medievalists like Tolkien, Lewis and MacDonald. I like sagas and myths and fairy tales and want to reawaken the slumbering giant of Chivalry. (Note I am not equating myself to these men just naming a few of the more famous members of my most noble and ancient Order). Is anyone else with me?
More to come…still thinking…
I am not so sure I am a good pastor. Some of you are gasping and others are nudging your neighbor and saying, “bout time he figured it out.” I have been given the impression that a spiritual leader is supposed to have it all together or at least know what he believes…I just don’t. Supposedly a pastor needs to be rock solid and unwavering in his convictions…I am not. If a Modernist were to look at me and classify me (which they love to do) I think they would say I was a seeker and then be very sensitive about what they said around me. J
I have been reading and talking to a lot of my friends and colleges about the so called “Faith Meltdown” that hits in the early twenties It is like the brain secretes an enzyme upon receiving that hard earned bachelors degree and says, “Doubt everything you have ever been told!” I think it hits men the hardest. I have really not dialoged with any women going through this. Maybe they just have the propriety to not voice their doubts to the world or it just hits them later in life. I am also finding that most of the older generation either did not go through this or they forget that it happened. I don’t get much sympathy when I voice that I question the prohibition on alcohol or that I dabble with open theism or that I think Tim LaHaye is an intellectual thief. Maybe they are just doing what their elders did to them.
On the one hand I like questioning. I don’t want to just take everything at face value. I have been trained too well for that. Besides, they tell me that life is too complex to answer every question with, “read the Bible and pray” or “just have faith.” I remember a time when that was all the answer I needed. It worked then…why not now? I am beginning to question the value of questioning everything. When does a little boyish rebellion turn into cynicism? Have I traded my joy in and become jaded?
Can a person just sit aside their doubts and not be intellectually dishonest? I like being a rebel and questing for answers but this new skin gets old pretty quick. I am starting to realize that there needs to be a couple things that you hammer down and honestly don’t touch. I still might not be sure of them but I have to choose to believe and move on anyways. If you have no anchor there is no point casting out to sea.
I have decided that I will always identify myself with Jesus Christ. He has convinced me and I will make his life, death and resurrection a “no fly zone” for doubt. I have sampled a lot of life without him and it is just too empty. I am willing to submit myself to him as an apprentice in the eternal/fullest kind of life he promised. I like the Apostles Creed. I am still shaky on the whole descent into hell but I am finding most people are.
Some would say I am giving up. “Question everything!” they shout, “Jesus is one of many ways…why are you teaching these kids only one path to God?” “He does not answer my questions sufficiently!” I say, “Welcome aboard, he does not answer all of mine either.” I am not sure the point of religion or God is to answer all my questions as if my inquiries into how he runs things are somehow new and important. I don’t know everything but I am not sure that it is God’s job to convince me. When I read the scriptures I see Christ presenting Truth and then allowing people to make up their own mind to believe him or not. I am pretty sure God is confident in his position and his views. Are we going to jump on board or not? Jesus never asked people to question him. I believed he asked them to follow him.
It is said that when the student is ready the master will appear. I believe that when the questioner is ready the answers will appear. Maybe not on this side of the Veil but someday we will see clearly. Can I be patient for that day when my Master has decided to let me know beyond the shadow of doubt? I guess I am just going to have to stick with him to find out.
Some things I am still working on…wanna help me out?
I think I am rejecting the idea of Sola Scriptora (Scripture alone). I find it leads to Bible theism. Besides, I sometimes find God more in nature, people and Lord of the Rings. The Bible is an awesome source for guidance and a great tool to test the spirits so to speak but it is a means to a greater end…knowing God.
I have rejected American (or should I say Modern) individualism in favor of community. Call me emergent but I like people. Do I like them too much though? Where do individualism and community meet? I believe God works on both levels equally.
I have embraced the veneration of Saints. Ok, my version of it. I don’t pray to them but I do find knowing those who have gone before and being a student of past mistakes to be an invaluable tool. I am tired of the evangelical fear of getting a little medieval. What are some other fears that we can cast aside?
Speaking of medieval, I am a now joining the ranks of the self-appointed Medievalists like Tolkien, Lewis and MacDonald. I like sagas and myths and fairy tales and want to reawaken the slumbering giant of Chivalry. (Note I am not equating myself to these men just naming a few of the more famous members of my most noble and ancient Order). Is anyone else with me?
More to come…still thinking…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
