A resource I'm using while I teach on The Image of God in Africa.
Eikon is Greek for Image. The idea is that humans are like "icons" on your computer desktop. When clicked on they open up to a new world. The world of God.
http://www.theopedia.com/Scot_McKnight
click on "The Story of Eikons" (mp3)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Africa/Europe - 6
I think we need a THEOLOGY OF INCONVENIENCE. A Biblical perspective when we are uncomfortable, undone, and undercared for.
Like when your stuck in a foreign country alone, people make you late, you missed your favorite t.v. show, you have to park farther than you like, you've missed your exit, the waiter forgets your order, your alarm clock doesn't go off or your dog eats your homework.
You hear people's theology speaking things like..."he's unlucky, she deserves it, what goes around comes around, lucky dog, the enemy's attacking me, I'm blessed, I'm favored, this always happens to me, it's not fair" etc.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of blessings being beyond our circumstances. What if this is true? Can I live beyond my circumstances and quit complaining, feeling sorry for myself or blaming others. This theology could even affect my bad mood, hopefully!
Africa - 5
You know you're in Europe when...
...they ask if you want gas in your water.
...you pay $6 dollars for the water
...then wait 30 minutes to order your lunch
...the homeless lady outside the church takes your change and gets in a Mercedes taxi
...churches are now tourist attractions
...you consider starting smoking to be skinny like everyone else
...trip in the street because of the cobblestone
...no shops take your visa or currency
...when English is everyone's 3rd language
...you are starting to enjoy the warm sensations of the bidet!!!
...they ask if you want gas in your water.
...you pay $6 dollars for the water
...then wait 30 minutes to order your lunch
...the homeless lady outside the church takes your change and gets in a Mercedes taxi
...churches are now tourist attractions
...you consider starting smoking to be skinny like everyone else
...trip in the street because of the cobblestone
...no shops take your visa or currency
...when English is everyone's 3rd language
...you are starting to enjoy the warm sensations of the bidet!!!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Africa - 4
"DING!"
Our flight was delayed out of the U.S. because the DING didn't work?! When the flight attendants use the intercom to communicate it is suppose to DING. The intercom worked as well as everything else but because the DING didn't we were delayed 5 hours!
We missed our connection out of Brussels, Belgium to Entebbe, Uganda and so we'll be delayed. We will arrive in Entebbe Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The DING cost us 2 days!!!
This has reminded us that we are out of control and that Jesus is the focus not our schedule.
Scott will start the conference without us but we will be there shortly.
Have you experienced a "DING" today?
Our flight was delayed out of the U.S. because the DING didn't work?! When the flight attendants use the intercom to communicate it is suppose to DING. The intercom worked as well as everything else but because the DING didn't we were delayed 5 hours!
We missed our connection out of Brussels, Belgium to Entebbe, Uganda and so we'll be delayed. We will arrive in Entebbe Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. The DING cost us 2 days!!!
This has reminded us that we are out of control and that Jesus is the focus not our schedule.
Scott will start the conference without us but we will be there shortly.
Have you experienced a "DING" today?
Africa - 3
We met Josh McDowell on the airplane yesterday. Josh is a once popular author ("Evidence that Demands a Verdict") and communicator. He is still travelling, writing and speaking. He stopped by our seats after we recognized him and had a chat.
He began by saying how frustrated he was with the new emergent stuff. QUOTING... brian mclaren says truth changes, but truth doesn't only the culture does. Youth pastors are leading this movement and they are not educated enough. modernism and postmodernism are wrong. modernism is a reaction to pietism (feelings, inner spirituality, mysticism) and is rational, logical and absolute (all good things). postmodernism is a reaction to modernism and is emotion and experience based (suspicious). He calls for balance because balance is always biblical and being biblical is always balanced.
I responded that it would be fun to have all the leading thinkers on the subject, including him and mclaren, on a panel and he rejected it. He said he doesn't want a panel but a debate. He then spoke of his son debating all the liberal, gay, evolutionist professors at Berkley and seemed proud. His son is good at this because he can take someone's logic a part because of his degrees in philosophy and systematic theology.
My impression:
I appreciate his influence and heart for truth. He did seem to self-promote and sell his son to us. I felt uncomfortable with the right vs. wrong approach to life and the power involved when you can prove someone wrong. It seemed truth was defined as propositions about truth instead of the person of Jesus. We both share a love for John Wesley and it was good to interact with him, even though he was in first class and we were sitting with the goats and chickens in the baggage compartment!
He began by saying how frustrated he was with the new emergent stuff. QUOTING... brian mclaren says truth changes, but truth doesn't only the culture does. Youth pastors are leading this movement and they are not educated enough. modernism and postmodernism are wrong. modernism is a reaction to pietism (feelings, inner spirituality, mysticism) and is rational, logical and absolute (all good things). postmodernism is a reaction to modernism and is emotion and experience based (suspicious). He calls for balance because balance is always biblical and being biblical is always balanced.
I responded that it would be fun to have all the leading thinkers on the subject, including him and mclaren, on a panel and he rejected it. He said he doesn't want a panel but a debate. He then spoke of his son debating all the liberal, gay, evolutionist professors at Berkley and seemed proud. His son is good at this because he can take someone's logic a part because of his degrees in philosophy and systematic theology.
My impression:
I appreciate his influence and heart for truth. He did seem to self-promote and sell his son to us. I felt uncomfortable with the right vs. wrong approach to life and the power involved when you can prove someone wrong. It seemed truth was defined as propositions about truth instead of the person of Jesus. We both share a love for John Wesley and it was good to interact with him, even though he was in first class and we were sitting with the goats and chickens in the baggage compartment!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Africa - 2
Jesus spoke of a city gate called Needle. It had a low head clearance and so if a camel wanted in, it had to stoop low to enter. Jesus uses this picture to describe the rich man wanting into the Kingdom. It is hard to enter the Kingdom like a camel going through the eye of a needle.
I think this speaks more of just our materialism that makes us rich. As we prepare to leave for Uganda, there is a sense of stooping low and humbling ourselves. There is also a letting go of our attachments... packing less, doing without, being uncomfortable, saying good bye.
I'm sad as I take my kids to the movies (Wall-E!), having my mom pray over me and kiss my wife good bye.
For the Kingdom...and to bring back a giraffe for Kennedy and an elephant for Jameson!
I think this speaks more of just our materialism that makes us rich. As we prepare to leave for Uganda, there is a sense of stooping low and humbling ourselves. There is also a letting go of our attachments... packing less, doing without, being uncomfortable, saying good bye.
I'm sad as I take my kids to the movies (Wall-E!), having my mom pray over me and kiss my wife good bye.
For the Kingdom...and to bring back a giraffe for Kennedy and an elephant for Jameson!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Africa - 1
I met Claude Nikondeha at a lunch hosted by my pastor Ron Lush. Claude is from Burundi and we shared similar thoughts on the gospel and the world. I wanted to explore the idea of missional living and after conversing a few times, Claude invited others to share in his work, Amahoro Africa.
The Group:
Grace Scale, Christy Jones, Breilan Rosenberg, Scott Comfort, David Charlton and myself. We will also meet up with others from Amahoro .
The Purpose:
Grace and Christy will be in Burundi serving in an orphanage. Grace is a recent high school graduate and will return to the states after the summer. Christy is an elementary school teacher who is taking a leave of absence to serve the next 9 months (no she is not concealing a pregnancy!)
Breilan is a senior in high school called to full time ministry and will be travelling with the boys as an intern. David, Scott and myself will be facilitating learning conversations with other church and marketplace leaders. We will be discussing Theology - Context - Praxis. With the theology piece we want to unlearn our reduced, western gospel and engage in a more global, robust, Biblical story of God's heart. I will be teaching CREATION, Dave will focus on INCARNATION, and Scott will center us on ReCREATION. Claude's language is a shift from a gospel of "evacuation" to a gospel of "transformation".
The Journey:
We leave June 28 for Entebbe, Uganda. Stay there for the Summer Institute, head to Kampala, Jinga (source of the Nile River), up to Gulu (Invisible Children) then back to Entebbe. We are scheduled to be home July 10th.
Obviously we are out of our element and are ready to humble ourselves, be flexible and come back changed with new friends in Africa.
You can read more about Claude and Amahoro in Brian McLaren's book Everything Must Change or visit his website http://www.amahoro-africa.org/
The Group:
Grace Scale, Christy Jones, Breilan Rosenberg, Scott Comfort, David Charlton and myself. We will also meet up with others from Amahoro .
The Purpose:
Grace and Christy will be in Burundi serving in an orphanage. Grace is a recent high school graduate and will return to the states after the summer. Christy is an elementary school teacher who is taking a leave of absence to serve the next 9 months (no she is not concealing a pregnancy!)
Breilan is a senior in high school called to full time ministry and will be travelling with the boys as an intern. David, Scott and myself will be facilitating learning conversations with other church and marketplace leaders. We will be discussing Theology - Context - Praxis. With the theology piece we want to unlearn our reduced, western gospel and engage in a more global, robust, Biblical story of God's heart. I will be teaching CREATION, Dave will focus on INCARNATION, and Scott will center us on ReCREATION. Claude's language is a shift from a gospel of "evacuation" to a gospel of "transformation".
The Journey:
We leave June 28 for Entebbe, Uganda. Stay there for the Summer Institute, head to Kampala, Jinga (source of the Nile River), up to Gulu (Invisible Children) then back to Entebbe. We are scheduled to be home July 10th.
Obviously we are out of our element and are ready to humble ourselves, be flexible and come back changed with new friends in Africa.
You can read more about Claude and Amahoro in Brian McLaren's book Everything Must Change or visit his website http://www.amahoro-africa.org/
The Cross Style Message
The cross was more than an event one day in the life of Jesus; it was and is His continual style.
This style was manifested in His constant response to the will and moving of the indwelling presence of the Father. Jesus did not operate on His own or out of His own resource, but lived in the continual flow of what the Father would do through Him.
It is still His style, the "cross style," which He now desires to reproduce as He comes to indwell us through His Spirit. As Jesus lived in this world, so we live in constant response to His will and moving in us, not operating out of our own resources, but in the constant flow of what He would do through us for a time such as this.
www.crossstyle.org
This style was manifested in His constant response to the will and moving of the indwelling presence of the Father. Jesus did not operate on His own or out of His own resource, but lived in the continual flow of what the Father would do through Him.
It is still His style, the "cross style," which He now desires to reproduce as He comes to indwell us through His Spirit. As Jesus lived in this world, so we live in constant response to His will and moving in us, not operating out of our own resources, but in the constant flow of what He would do through us for a time such as this.
www.crossstyle.org
What is a Nazarene?
Everyone who attends the Church of the Nazarene gets asks this question and has a hard time answering. In short, the C.O.N. is a Christian Church.
Some history...
The C.O.N. can trace her roots back to Jesus and his disicples through the Methodist Church, Church of England, Roman Catholic Church and the Early Church.
Some theology...
Nazarenes are Wesleyan/American Holiness people. They are not fundamentalists but are liberal thinkers. They are social conservatives rooted in convictions that desire a holy lifestyle. A common quote, "In essentials - unity, in nonessentials - liberty, in all things - charity."
Some story...
Phineas Bresee, a Methodist preacher, focused on serving the poor in Los Angeles which led to him leaving that church and starting a new denomination. J.P. Widney, the second president of the University of California, was a friend and contemporary of Bresee. Widney suggested the name "Church of the Nazarene" citing it was the name Jesus used of himself and symbolized the toiling, lowly mission of Christ.
Some future...
The core values of the C.O.N. are "Christian", "Holiness" and "Missional". The denomination's mission statement is "to make Christlike disciples in the nations". Nazarenes celebrate their centennial October 5th, 2008.
Some history...
The C.O.N. can trace her roots back to Jesus and his disicples through the Methodist Church, Church of England, Roman Catholic Church and the Early Church.
Some theology...
Nazarenes are Wesleyan/American Holiness people. They are not fundamentalists but are liberal thinkers. They are social conservatives rooted in convictions that desire a holy lifestyle. A common quote, "In essentials - unity, in nonessentials - liberty, in all things - charity."
Some story...
Phineas Bresee, a Methodist preacher, focused on serving the poor in Los Angeles which led to him leaving that church and starting a new denomination. J.P. Widney, the second president of the University of California, was a friend and contemporary of Bresee. Widney suggested the name "Church of the Nazarene" citing it was the name Jesus used of himself and symbolized the toiling, lowly mission of Christ.
Some future...
The core values of the C.O.N. are "Christian", "Holiness" and "Missional". The denomination's mission statement is "to make Christlike disciples in the nations". Nazarenes celebrate their centennial October 5th, 2008.
Monday, June 16, 2008
10 Favorite Books
I didn't always enjoy reading. My youth pastor and his wife instilled in me the thought that there is always more to learn and somehow God has given me the desire to learn of him. When I dropped out of school I sensed that I would need to become a reader. The picture of A.W. Tozer on his knees praying that God helps him understand what he was reading has always inspired me. Evelyn Underhill's statement that there is no spiritual growth without spiritual reading has always challenged me. I read at least one hour per day and up to 4 or 5 books at a time. My reading philosophy is some books are meant to be chewed, some swallowed and some digested. Here are 10 books that I've digested...
1. MY UPTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST - Oswald Chambers
My youth pastor would speak from this almost every Wednesday night. He then passed on the devotional to all of us in the youth group. I still use it today.
2. THE PURSUIT OF GOD - A.W. Tozer
My bones burn when I read this book. I feel Tozer's passion in his writings.
3. THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL - Brennan Manning
The heart of the gospel. God's love for perfectionists like me whose cheese is falling off their cracker.
4. CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE - Richard Foster
All is grace, even the discipline to receive more. An oft used resource.
5. FRESH WIND, FRESH FIRE - Jim Cymbala
My family has visited his church and experienced the prayers that bring radical change.
6. SUBVERSIVE SPIRITUALITY - Eugene Peterson
My introduction into spiritual formation studies.
7. HUMILITY - Andrew Murray
Read during my first ministry assignment. Yes, it was humbling.
8. THE WAY TO LOVE - Anthony DeMello
It introduced me to the author and all his other works. My first non-Western thoughts.
9. THE YOUNGER EVANGELICALS - Robert Webber
How can a church be so brutal in firing a God loving, potty mouth associate pastor? Because of his mouth but also because he is a Younger Evangelical.
10. RECLAIMING GOD'S ORIGINAL INTENT FOR THE CHURCH - Roberts and Marshall.
Read while working at Starbuck's eating lunch at Chipotle. Helped focus my vision for a church just before becoming a senior pastor.
Many, many books have help to shape me. There are many I didn't include that probably deserve in my top 10. Above all I wish to be like Wesley, a man of one book, the Bible.
1. MY UPTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST - Oswald Chambers
My youth pastor would speak from this almost every Wednesday night. He then passed on the devotional to all of us in the youth group. I still use it today.
2. THE PURSUIT OF GOD - A.W. Tozer
My bones burn when I read this book. I feel Tozer's passion in his writings.
3. THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL - Brennan Manning
The heart of the gospel. God's love for perfectionists like me whose cheese is falling off their cracker.
4. CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE - Richard Foster
All is grace, even the discipline to receive more. An oft used resource.
5. FRESH WIND, FRESH FIRE - Jim Cymbala
My family has visited his church and experienced the prayers that bring radical change.
6. SUBVERSIVE SPIRITUALITY - Eugene Peterson
My introduction into spiritual formation studies.
7. HUMILITY - Andrew Murray
Read during my first ministry assignment. Yes, it was humbling.
8. THE WAY TO LOVE - Anthony DeMello
It introduced me to the author and all his other works. My first non-Western thoughts.
9. THE YOUNGER EVANGELICALS - Robert Webber
How can a church be so brutal in firing a God loving, potty mouth associate pastor? Because of his mouth but also because he is a Younger Evangelical.
10. RECLAIMING GOD'S ORIGINAL INTENT FOR THE CHURCH - Roberts and Marshall.
Read while working at Starbuck's eating lunch at Chipotle. Helped focus my vision for a church just before becoming a senior pastor.
Many, many books have help to shape me. There are many I didn't include that probably deserve in my top 10. Above all I wish to be like Wesley, a man of one book, the Bible.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
District Assembly
The Assembly for all Nazarene churches on the Arizona District was held in Las Vegas this year. I loved the location even though many other pastors and laymen hated it and made it known.
I should confess this was the first year I wasn't excited about the actual gathering. Since junior high I have attended this annual event with enthusiasm, sitting through the missionary slides, voting by delegates and 4 hour ordination services. Something has shifted in me.
I enjoyed the missionary speaker, Brubaker. I enjoyed the fellowship of other pastors and the leadership of the General Superintendent, Jerry Porter. I even engaged in the voting of delegates as our Distrit Superintendent was reissued the invitation to lead our district with a vote of 187-39. But something was different in me.
The Holiness movement has stalled and is constipated. Aside from the inbredness and unfunny religious jokes we put up with, I sense serious problems. The first is the focus on sin defined as the gambling and prostitution that is legal in Sin City. I struggled with the constant references to sin being an outside, behavior thing - rather than an inside heart condition. Which means sin is not narrowed to a city that celebrates it but can even be found in the church that mocks it.
The second challenge that has me uncomfortable is the beaurocracy that stifles the cure for the disease we all suffer. There seems to be a different philosphy of our association for local churches. Initially we associated to combine resources for better effectiveness. Now the church exits for the denomination and for the preservation of the institution.
I'm glad I went to report what God is doing at NorthGate Church, hang out with my wife by watching a movie in a casino, and connecting with others who with me are discerning how to follow Jesus while serving in his church.
I should confess this was the first year I wasn't excited about the actual gathering. Since junior high I have attended this annual event with enthusiasm, sitting through the missionary slides, voting by delegates and 4 hour ordination services. Something has shifted in me.
I enjoyed the missionary speaker, Brubaker. I enjoyed the fellowship of other pastors and the leadership of the General Superintendent, Jerry Porter. I even engaged in the voting of delegates as our Distrit Superintendent was reissued the invitation to lead our district with a vote of 187-39. But something was different in me.
The Holiness movement has stalled and is constipated. Aside from the inbredness and unfunny religious jokes we put up with, I sense serious problems. The first is the focus on sin defined as the gambling and prostitution that is legal in Sin City. I struggled with the constant references to sin being an outside, behavior thing - rather than an inside heart condition. Which means sin is not narrowed to a city that celebrates it but can even be found in the church that mocks it.
The second challenge that has me uncomfortable is the beaurocracy that stifles the cure for the disease we all suffer. There seems to be a different philosphy of our association for local churches. Initially we associated to combine resources for better effectiveness. Now the church exits for the denomination and for the preservation of the institution.
I'm glad I went to report what God is doing at NorthGate Church, hang out with my wife by watching a movie in a casino, and connecting with others who with me are discerning how to follow Jesus while serving in his church.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Story of God
What is the Gospel?
The death of Jesus on a Roman cross is the climax to God’s story of world restoration, not just an event of individual forgiveness. By proclaiming the whole counsel of God, our gospel shifts from a story of evacuation to good news of transformation.
The Bible – God/man
Genesis through Revelation
The Story We Find Ourselves In – Brian McLaren
Creation
Crisis (the fall, sin, disobedience)
Calling (of Abraham and the Jews)
Conversation (with priests, prophets, poets and philosophers)
Christ
Community (of the church)
Consummation
Static – Ron Martoia
Creation
Fall
Redemption
Restoration
The Story of God - Michael Lodahl
Creation
Sin
Covenants
Christ
Church
Last Things
Ancient-Future Worship – Robert Webber
Creation
Incarnation
ReCreation
The Christian Story - Gabriel Fackre
God
Creation
Fall
Liberation and Covenant
Incarnation
Church
Commonwealth of Love and Justice
Simply Christian - N.T. Wright
God - Creation
God - Israel
Jesus - Kingdom of God
Jesus - Rescue and Renewal
Holy Spirit - Church
Holy Spirit - Spirituality
God's New Creation
The death of Jesus on a Roman cross is the climax to God’s story of world restoration, not just an event of individual forgiveness. By proclaiming the whole counsel of God, our gospel shifts from a story of evacuation to good news of transformation.
The Bible – God/man
Genesis through Revelation
The Story We Find Ourselves In – Brian McLaren
Creation
Crisis (the fall, sin, disobedience)
Calling (of Abraham and the Jews)
Conversation (with priests, prophets, poets and philosophers)
Christ
Community (of the church)
Consummation
Static – Ron Martoia
Creation
Fall
Redemption
Restoration
The Story of God - Michael Lodahl
Creation
Sin
Covenants
Christ
Church
Last Things
Ancient-Future Worship – Robert Webber
Creation
Incarnation
ReCreation
The Christian Story - Gabriel Fackre
God
Creation
Fall
Liberation and Covenant
Incarnation
Church
Commonwealth of Love and Justice
Simply Christian - N.T. Wright
God - Creation
God - Israel
Jesus - Kingdom of God
Jesus - Rescue and Renewal
Holy Spirit - Church
Holy Spirit - Spirituality
God's New Creation
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
