bob.blog

Slow down...

"In a faster world, maybe we need a slower church."- Leighton Ford

I'm sitting, thinking about these words, thinking about our community, what it means to be the people of God...

Like many, I have a mixed relationship with my evangelical past. There are things I look back on and wish had been done differently. But one thing I don't regret... how much time church took.

Sunday morning we would head to church early for Sunday school, we would eat donuts after (while the adults drank Folgers), we would run and play (or when we were teens, sit and talk) until it was time for worship and then we would head to the sanctuary together. Sometimes it was good, sometimes it was boring... but whatever it was it was something we did together. And after, some would rush off, but I remember- many would linger, talk, enjoy one another's company... 

Maybe it's that now, as a pastor, I'm lost in the details- thinking through what needs to get put away and packed up, trying to talk to so many people I can't really talk to anyone... but these days it all feels so rushed.

Here's one thing I've noticed: When we stay after for lunch together- it's often the same people who stay. And interestingly enough, it's people who seem to have no trouble feeling connected.

Others come late, leave right when things are done and are rarely present to the rest of the community any other times but that narrow band of an hour and a half on Sunday. And, again, interestingly, often those who make a rhythm of coming late and leaving early later eventually complain to me of not feeling a sense of community, of connectedness.

This isn't a poke at or slam on anyone in particular. I just feel this loss of slowness, of languidly enjoying each others' company- maybe it's an airbrushed and idealized picture I'm carrying around in my head, but it just seems like we didn't have as much to do back then, as much to rush off to... and being together seemed more of a priority.

I don't know how to encourage people to come early, to stay late, to help set up and tear down as a shared activity, to endure the same pub food week after week as a sacrificial act of community building, to invest and create the community they long for rather than hoping it just happens... I honestly wish I did. 

But I will say this- I've rarely regretted giving my time to others. To myself, to the internet, to TV and busy work yes. To people, to community, no. 

MessiahWatch

"More than a presidential portrait," writes artist D'Antuono on a website touting the painting, "'The Truth' is a politically, religiously and socially-charged statement on our nation's current political climate and deep partisan divide that is sure to create a dialogue."

Like others in the news who have depicted Obama in Christ-like imagery, D'Antuono insists he isn't claiming the man is Messiah, but only inviting "individual interpretations."

What do you all think? What kind of dialogue does something like this invite? Helpful? Or just weird and creepy?

Virtual Community: Problematic, but maybe not how we think...

I love social media- Twitter, Facebook, etc. I use and enjoy them, and plan to post on some of their positive uses/effects. But for now...

I was there at NPC when Shane Hipps somewhat famously declared that virtual community is "one but not the other", that is, it may be virtual but isn't real community, igniting a flurry of blog posts and comments... 

I know I'm late to the party, and really wanted to jump in on Out of Ur, but this all came down during a blog-slump, and though I had some thoughts, it felt as though others were carrying on the conversation just fine. 

But looking back, I'm not sure anyone quite made the point I wanted to, and I'm rethinking all of this in light of an interview I'm doing tonight with a public radio show on Social Media.

I absolutely dig where Shane is going here and his concern about virtual community- that it may be virtual but it isn't community. My concern however is a little different- I'm pretty sure it is community, and that it's not simply virtual... and therein lies the problem. 

Blog Tour: The Divine Commodity

Skye Jethani has authored a new book The Divine Commodity. It's a top rate examination of the forces that are unintentionally (and in many cases, intentionally and by design) shaping the church in the west along the lines of consumerism. 

One of the biggest arguments in this whole discussion is the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" line of reasoning. It's difficult when 2,000 or 3,000 or 10,000 people are showing up to watch you preach to hear any suggestion that maybe what you are doing is less-than-healthy in the long-term. 

So here's the question for Skye: 

Bob: So, what do you say to the pastor or Christian leader who decides to embrace consumer-driven ideas and principles for ministry because they “work?”

(Please- feel free to make comments or ask follow up questions in the comments! Skye should be checking in periodically with the conversation) 

Skye: I’ve heard this argument before—both in ministry books and in discussion with church leaders. I usually have to follow up by asking, “Define what you mean by ‘works’?” The response is typically something related to increasing church attendance. “We started offering coffee and flexible worship venues and it worked. Our attendance is up 38 percent.” Or, “We did a sermon series about having great sex and we had to start a third worship service because it was so popular. It worked!”

It’s hard to disagree. Yes, using consumer-driven principles works if your mission is getting butts in seats. There is no more effective tool to build institutions than those devised by consumerism. But that is not the mission that Christ has given us. He’s commanded us to “go and make disciples.” (One of the great problems the church faces, which reveals our captivity to consumerism, is the popular belief that disciples can only be made by getting butts in seats and through the construction of large program-driven institutions. This is one falsehood tackled in my book.) Consumerism can build institutions, but it cannot build disciples of Jesus Christ. This is because the fundamental values of consumerism are utterly at odds with the values of Christ’s kingdom.

Consumerism advocates the sanctity of personal desires. Christ calls us to surrender our desires, take up our cross, and follow him. Consumerism says a person’s value is determined by his/her productivity or usefulness to me. Christ says all people are inherently valuable—even those the world kicks to the curb. Consumerism puts the consumer at the center of the cosmos and sees God as a divine butler or spiritual therapist we employ to make our lives better. Christ calls us to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength—to put him at the center of the cosmos and organize our lives around his will, not our own.

We have a tendency to celebrate church leaders who have managed to draw a large crowd to their church. But this is hardly an accomplishment in a culture where a few bottles of Diet Coke and a pack of Mentos mints can draw a crowd. The fact that a few thousand people might show up on Sunday to hear you talk seems less impressive when you consider that we live in a society in which millions of people will tune in to watch Sanjaya sing on American Idol.

Aggregating an audience isn’t successful ministry. Fostering women, men, and children toward deep, internal, and unyielding communion with Christ that transforms their lives and produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—that is ministry worth celebrating. To do this work we don’t need the self-centered methodologies of consumerism, but the counter-intuitive and foolish ways of God’s kingdom. And this is exactly why I wrote The Divine Commodity—to show the weaknesses of employing consumer models in ministry, and point in a new direction.

Recommendation: The Divine Commodity

Skye Jethani has a great new book The Divine Commodity, discussing "consumer Christianity." Others have tackled the subject, but probably not with as much style and imagination.

Here's a description from Amazon:

"A growing number of people are disturbed by the values exhibited by the contemporary church. Worship has become entertainment, the church has become a shopping mall, and God has become a consumable product. Many sense that something is wrong, but they cannot imagine an alternative way. The Divine Commodity finally articulates what so many have been feeling and offers hope for the future of a post-consumer Christianity.
Through Scripture, history, engaging narrative, and the inspiring art of Vincent van Gogh, The Divine Commodity explores spiritual practices that liberate our imaginations to live as Christ's people in a consumer culture opposed to the values of his kingdom. Each chapter shows how our formation as consumers has distorted an element of our faith. For example, the way churches have become corporations and how branding makes us more focused on image than reality. It then energizes an alternative vision for those seeking a more meaningful faith. Before we can hope to live differently, we must have our minds released from consumerism's grip and captivated once again by Christ. "

Some other recommendations:

"This book is a top-rate exploration of a critical subject by a really good writer. In this book Skye Jethani skillfully guides us in what it means to be faithful disciples in a culture that has literally sold its soul to the devil of consumerism. The Divine Commodity is a great antidote for the venomous spirit of our age." 
-Alan Hirsch, author of The Forgotten Ways and reJesus

"Jethani has written a summoning, thoughtful, often humorous report on the pathology of consumerism among us, and its enormous capacity to shape our lives. More than that, he ponders the resources of faith that enable one to resist the power of commodity and to embrace an alternative life in the world. This is as good a book on the pervasive power of consumerism as I have read. Jethani calls things by their right names, and imagines how differently our society could be shaped. This will be a welcome read for those who are willing and able to see us as we are...and still to hope."
-Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

"In this well written and thought provoking book, Jethani prophetically calls on American Christians to wake up to the extent to which we've been co-opted by the values and ideology of consumerism. Jethani makes a compelling case that this isn't simply a matter of Christians spending too much on themselves (which is true). Consumerism is a diabolic cancer that is subtlety undermining the core values and practices of the Kingdom. All American Christians need to read, discuss and digest this book!"
-Gregory A .Boyd, pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and author of The Myth of a Christian Nation

"Navigating American consumerism requires both the aptitude of a scholarly mind and the observational skills of a "culture junkie." Skye Jethani exhibits both in his book The Divine Commodity. With care, subtlety, cultural savy and theological acumen, he guides us through the consumerist maze that threatens Christian discipleship in our day. In so doing, he makes The Divine Commodity a primer for discerning a new Christian faithfulness amidst the market forces that so dominate American life today." 
-David Fitch, Lindner Chair Evangelical Theology Northern Seminary

Next up: Skye stops by...

A.N. Wilson- converted converted atheist

Probably my favorite biography of all time (I admit that I haven't read many) is A.N. Wilson's biography of CS Lewis. More than the hagiography most offer up about the author of the Chronicles of Narnia, it was (and remains) the only life of Lewis I've ever read to show him as a real human being- mother issues, odd family relationships, sexuality and all. 

A.N. Wilson was a Christian, became an atheist and has now become a theist again. I find his story fascinating:

"By nature a doubting Thomas, I should have distrusted the symptoms when I underwent a “conversion experience” 20 years ago. Something was happening which was out of character – the inner glow of complete certainty, the heady sense of being at one with the great tide of fellow non-believers. For my conversion experience was to atheism. There were several moments of epiphany, actually, but one of the most dramatic occurred in the pulpit of a church."

Read the rest here: Why I Believe Again

The Divine Commodity Blog Tour

I've had the pleasure of meeting Skye Jethani a number of times over the past couple of years- really sharp guy. And tomorrow, I'll be participating (in some way) in a blog tour for Skye's new book, The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity. 

I say "in some way", because of recent trips and Holy Week prep, I didn't get my question in to Skye on time. So we'll see what we can put together... Regardless, I want people to know about the book- anything on consumerism and church gets my attention!

Chris Fann from Zondervan has the details: 

"Skye Jethani, Managing Editor of Leadership Journal and author of the new book, The Divine Commodity, will be visiting over 20 blogs this Thursday, 16 April to talk about his book, and consumerism’s effect on Christianity. In the book, Skye interacts with both consumerisms’ grip on American culture as well as the artwork and life of Vincent van Gogh and connects the two. In the end, Skye offers a way to break free of the grip of consumerism by practicing several spiritual disciplines. Please visit this blog and the others linked below to read Skye’s answer to some great questions. Also, post your comments and questions as well to the respective blogs, as Skye will also be interacting with commenter’s on each blog. For more about The Divine Commodity, visit Skye’s blog (SkyeJethani.com)."

 Here is a list of the blogs involved this Thursday: 

Out of Ur (OutofUr.com)
Flowerdust.net (http://www.flowerdust.net/)
Stuff Christians Like (http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/)
Ragamuffin Soul (www.ragamuffinsoul.com)
Monday Morning Insight (http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/)
Mark D Roberts (http://www.markdroberts.com/)
Ben Arment (www.benarment.com)
Church Relevance (http://churchrelevance.com/)
Bob Franquiz (http://bobfranquiz.typepad.com/)
Bob Hyatt (http://bobhyatt.typepad.com/)
Cole-Slaw (http://cole-slaw.blogspot.com/)
The Forgotten Ways (www.theforgottenways.org)
Reclaiming the Mission (http://www.reclaimingthemission.com/)
The Shlog (http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog)
Frank Viola (www.frankviola.wordpress.com/)
The Gospel-Driven Church (http://www.gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/)
Christina Meyer (http://w2christina.blogspot.com/)
Lee Coate (http://leecoate.wordpress.com/)
Preaching Today (http://blog.preachingtoday.com/)
Gathering In Light (http://gatheringinlight.com/)
Off the Agenda (http://blog.BuildingChurchLeaders.com)
Take Your Vitamin Z (www.takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com)
Staying Focused (http://kimmartinezstayingfocused.wordpress.com/)
ZonderFann (http://zonderfann.com/)

Good Friday

Some of my most stressful moments as a pastor have been those minutes just before a gathering- when everything is going wrong. Why won't the sound come through this channel? Is the video STILL rendering?? Seriously- they aren't going to be here? 

Oh man...

One magnifier for these feelings is the whole "big rock" effect of the holidays- times like Good Friday and Easter, Advent etc even in smaller, more organic churches still feel weighty- as though the expectations are heightened... and so too is the pressure. I feel guilty for even thinking it, but the day after Easter, the day after Christmas usually feels so good to me- just to be done! The unfortunate side-effect of being so involved in the planning and doing of community times... 

The good news is that even as we're learning to just chillax, to not allow that pressure in, we're also getting the hang, the rhythm of certain of these times. Both Good Friday and Ash Wednesday felt that way to us this year- both went well, seemed to be meaningful for people, and felt... easier. Smoother. Something I got to actually enjoy, not just watch nervously to make sure details were taken care of as others enjoyed (hopefully) what we had put together...

For you evergreeners- here are some pictures of this year's Good Friday- Thanks Rob Grant!

And here's Ash Wednesday

Thank God for crappy dads!

Last week I was meeting over breakfast with some guys I meet over breakfast with... and I found myself feeling the most extraordinary feeling: gratitude for my dad. 

We were talking about various and sundry things God is doing, pushing or pulling us toward, and one guy was mentioning how grateful he is for having a wonderful dad. Loves the guy. Tries to look past the one or two little things that really bother him about their relationship because he knows his dad cares. But still, there are these one or two things that feel something like a wound...

As we talked about those one or two little things, my only thought, and what came out of my mouth was this: Well, thank God your dad isn't perfect. 

Thank God MY dad isn't perfect. 

It was a revelation to me when in High School someone told me my view of God was likely very much shaped by my view of my father. While the correlation wasn't perfect, I could certainly see some of the ways it was true. 

Later, it was even more a revelation to read Eph 3:14-15 ("For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]."- Amplified Bible).

We get angry when our parents fail us, or when our dad isn't the loving, gracious, patient (fill in the adjective) father we want. We get even more angry when we realize they were meant to be a certain way, draw a certain picture... Our parents, and for the sake of this discussion, our fathers are meant to point to that Father of which they are merely a shadow, a type. 

But here's the thing: more than meant to- they DO. 

Even the crappy ones. 

They point us to God in both what they do well and in what they do poorly. They point us to him when they succeed in loving us and when they fail to. 

How? How could they point us to Him in their failure?

Because if they were perfect, did it ALL right, offered us unconditional love that was always patient, always wise, always nurturing and building into us... well, I guess we wouldn't need God, right? We'd be satisfied with that guy over there in the Lay-Z-Boy and completely miss the God of the Universe, the God who made us, pursues us, died for us. 

I realize it's probably a little too John Piper-esque for some reading this to say "Thank God for all the ways in which your dad failed you." So I'm not going to say that. 

But I will say this: I'm thankful for a dad who didn't get much right (and that's probably about the most generous assessment I've ever done of his fathering). I'm thankful because though he never pointed me to God intentionally, by his absence and indifference he drove me to lean all the more heavily on the God who is always present and never indifferent- the God who loves me, like the Psalmist says, with an everlasting love. 

I realize that may be an odd way to appreciate my dad, but it's the truth. 

And if that's ALL my dad ever did for me, I think it's enough. 

Uh, no...

Passion of the Christ- Facebook style.

Seriously- how awesome is this???

An excerpt- click thru and read the whole thing. Totally worth it...

Missions, Misunderstood

Like the bob.blog? Many of you readers came here during the salad days when I was posting daily, ranting about church and saving the world. I still do some of that, but boy- the pace has slowed. 

Ernest Goodman (a pseudonym), however, is at the top of his game. 

You should read his blog Missions, Misunderstood

Really good stuff... good missional thinking from someone who's been there and done that. The current series on the counterintuitve church is gold. 

Recovery

Still recovering from this week's fast trip down to San Diego- yesterday I felt as though a train had hit me, today somewhat better. Now I'm trying to get my head back in the game, back in the present... back in Portland. 

Too much happening here with my family, my church and my life to worry much more about what's happening in San Diego, but for those who missed the twitter or facebook updates...

I spent Tuesday cleaning out my dad's apartment, filtering through his personal effects, pulling out the few letters he had hung onto from 20 years ago, the pictures, the old year books. The guy's life peaked in the late 60's and stopped altogether in the late 80s. Nothing significant, no relationships, no movement happened after that. 

It's frightening what 9 years in an apartment with only minimal cleaning by a cleaning person can do- the dust and cobwebs, the cigarette smoke stains on every surface- I moved a box in the closet, and the carpet underneath was white while all around it was brown. Amazing.  

I filled a dumpster with rotting clothes, old mail, kitchenware I grown up eating off of which had largely gone unused this last decade as my dad ate mostly fast food every day, The fridge was a nightmare. 

I saved the pictures and letters and things and put them in a box for him. Not sure where he's going to end up, somewhere with 24-hour care, but when he goes, he'll have a suitcase of clothes and a box of pictures and that's it. The take-away from a wasted life. 

I do feel compassion for him, though... he's clearly in pain, both physical and emotional. He finds himself with nothing and no one, unable or unwilling to even try communicating. 

I sat with him for about half an hour on Tuesday- I wish it was longer, but honestly- it was all I could take. He barely looked at me- once, possibly for 15 seconds, and then went back to the TV. 

"It's been a hard few months, hasn't it?" 

"Yeah."

Are you feeling better today?"

"Yeah"

One word answers, grunts... 

I took the initiative and apologized for not having been in better touch the last few years. I told him I was sorry we didn't have a better relationship. No response. 

I mentioned a few times I thought I would go and didn't know if I would see him again. No response. 

After a half hour, much of it just sitting next to him in silence, I got up and said I would be on my way. As I walked around the bed he (finally) followed me with his eyes and said "Why?" 

"Is there anything you want to say to me?" I asked.

"No," he said eyes back on the TV again.

"That's why," I answered. 

Looking back, I wish I had had the ability to just sit. I don't think anything would have changed. There were no breakthroughs, no opening-ups, no nothing even remotely in the works. 

But still...

I'm glad to have seen him, glad to have made an effort. Glad I got to thank my uncle and aunt for the truly heroic efforts and work they've done on his behalf in the last decade. 

Sorry he has ended up where and how he has. 

follow @PassionWeek on Twitter

John Chandler has set up something cool- a way to walk through Passion Week with real-time updates- here's how he describes it:

"I have created a Twitter account called @passionweek. Beginning this Sunday — Palm Sunday — you can follow along with the events of Jesus’ final week. Throughout the week, the @passionweek twitter account will post a brief glimpse of what Jesus experienced at the time he would of experienced it. The timing is mostly estimated. Regardless, I hope it can give you reason to pause throughout the week to reflect and anticipate what looms on Sunday."

Read the rest here