Driven to Live the Message...

"When God invades man's consciousness, man's reliance on 'peace and security' vanishes from every nook of his existence. His life as a single whole becomes vulnerable. Broken down are the bulkheads between the chambers which confine explosions to one compartment. When God chooses man, He invests him with full responsibility for total obedience to an absolute demand." Paul Minear

"Persecution drives the persecuted to live very close to their message -- they simply cling to the gospel of Jesus and thus unlock its liberating power." Alan Hirsch

How can we live identify and enliven that absolute message of Jesus so it not just resonates with our souls, but become our thoughts, feelings, words and actions? That my will is the as Jesus'.

I wonder if only persecution cultivates such loyalty to Jesus, or can sheer passion and desire also shape our identity? Whatever it is, there is a gap between the unadulterated story of Jesus, and the rhythm by which our lives move. This interaction sometimes sings in key, but loses its tone in many areas of our lives. How do we stay on mission? I don't believe it is one person's will that initiates the movement, but a few who sacrificially live.

I look to our group and see mini-persecutions abounding (not to minimize real persecution around the world). Are we breaking in such a way that empowers God's creating force to shape us? Will we tuck away and try to discern our own agendas without regard for the voice of community? Is the message of persecution for one, or for all?

These are just questions that are streaming through my mind. Comment if you wish...

Change...

I shared some of our thoughts and struggles with a friend. She offered me this piece of hers to help me put words to my situation.

It is difficult to think down here. Living my life with eyes unfocused, and never learning to live with this malady, keeps me bumping in to the same old furniture even though I should know where it is... where it's always been.

She walks through her apartment like a person newly blind, bumping into furniture thats always been there. She is drunk, but it's more than that. It is her unwillingness to see. Her blatant disregard to change herself has become a blindness of the mind. She is capable of seeing what is wrong, but lacks the resolve to change it. Bruised shins are easier than effort. She lives the easy life and wears long pants.

Alternative Story...

"Ivan Illich was once asked what he thought was the most radical way to change society; was it through violent revolution or gradual reform? He gave a careful answer. Neither. Rather, he suggested that if one wanted to change society, then one must tell an alternative story." Alan Hirsch

I have been yearning to be a part of an alternative story, somehow thinking that the local church will generate a compelling narrative that breaks through our current culture and captivates us. My struggle, as well as my brokenness, leads me to believe that the establishment is unable to generate something profoundly new. Perhaps this is my cynicism, but many believe this to be true.

So how do you tell a new, alternative story? Do we, I believe that there is something new that is worth saying? How do we cultivate that expression and invite others on the journey? How do we break free from the trappings of our church mentality, and create an expression of holy gathering that is profoundly new?

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

Covenant Community?

Was Friday night the exception or the expectation? Friday night was a time when you all came and heard my fragmented telling of my Milwaukee experience. While still wrestling and processing this trip, I felt if nothing more, it was a time of gathering and prayer. But are we challenging each other to grow, prayer, and create ideas? I have to say, I am not being challenged.

We have prayed for a dangerous pursuit; we know it is going to be hard. But every time we initiate something, we fail to follow through. If we believe in the spiritual, then we will know that there persistent distractions that are vying for our attention. Powerful forces that are trying to disrupt the very unity we are called to create. So being passive and silent is going to be much easier than being active and vocal. We are going to have to fight to make the rhythms of our lives beat to a different song, and it is going to be hard.

Shouldn't we share our insights and difficulties with great regularity? Shouldn't we pray with each other and for each other as though we depend on it? Shouldn't we challenge each other, encourage each other, and hold one another accountable? Shouldn't we be eager to generate thought and ideas for all new and continuing dialogue?

So what does it mean to be a covenant community? Let me suggest that it is not so much of an "all for one, and one for all" mentality. But a time when we unite to sharpen our faculties to see, hear, and sense the movements of God. A community in covenant will gain much greater clarity than we ever will alone, believing that there is a reason why we are together now, if nothing less than to prepare each of us for the impending future that is rapidly approaching.

I covenant with you to read the Bible and our books daily, pray for each of you daily and pray with you as often as we can, write daily, comment as often as I am prompted. I will do these things because I believe they will draw me and us closer to the heart and mind of God, and I owe it to God to be at my best for this next venture in life. Without making this sound like a benign altar call...who's in?

Dormant Faith...

I'm reading the Bible again...let me clarify. I am reading the Bible again and allowing it to disrupt my life, dismantle my plan, and develop my identity. In a repentant way I need to seek forgiveness from the Almighty, for I have read out of obligation and not out of the passionate pursuit.

This afternoon, as I was driving home, I felt an inordinate amount of fear for the future. I am traveling trying to discern my call and all the while scared that as the truth is revealed that my level of fear would increase. I fear the following...having to make a choice; having no choice to make; stagnancy; rapid motion. There is no reason to my fear other than it is prominent everywhere. So in my reflection of these disjointed thoughts, I simply asked the question of myself thinking it was a basic 101 question... "Do I have faith?" That question wrecked me!

I looked through the past several years trying to take in the highlights of a faith lived out, and other than moving and fatherhood, the highlights are minimal. As I process this phase of life I am in, I have to say with grave disappointment, my faith is dormant. It has not been aroused or prompted to grow with any regularity or purpose. As one who has made a living dispensing the word of God for monetary gain, I have spent a majority of the recent past talking of something I have very little experience living. How can this be?!

How can the organism of the church put to sleep the only thing that should matter in me? How can I, a spiritual formation person, allow my knowledge about faith consume my thirst for living in faith?

So my disgust stews, my anger boils, and my frustration continues. I think I am supposed to look forward to my growth, but have no real understanding why. I have to learn again about faith with hopes that it will leave a lasting impression that empowers the continual quest. I am scared, ill-equipped...but have no other choice.

Only a whisper...

There was a dream that was Rome. I can only whisper of it now. Anything more than a whisper and the dream vanishes. It's so... fragile. The true glory of Rome is in a very fragile idea. Imagine a place devoted to the rights of the citizen. Where every free man has a voice. That was the dream... And I fear it will not survive the winter.
--Gladiator

I think this describes our conversations. Each of us is careful to shout our dreams or even surrender to them. But at this point, we need to examine how this "dream" fits into a realistic transistion. Which city is going to partner with us? What must we do to provide for our families? Or how do we find meaning in potentially temporary jobs while actively pursuing the "third place"?
It is time to develop this whisper among us. Soon we will need to be able to talk about it and share its hope with others. Let's focus on the dream. How does community embody it? What about this dream can be applicable to multiple cities and people? The beliefs and vitals are important, now we must shape/define what "it" is in a transferable way.

Character Development

"The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends…They are the heart of a community's social vitality, the grassroots of democracy, but sadly, they constitute a diminishing aspect of the American social landscape." - Ray Oldenburg

If the "third place", by Oldenburg's definition, develops most of its character from regular clientele (not staff/management) then what must the role of the staff/management be if we are to bring people into a higher experience? Can this place, which we desire to see, really be considered a true "third place"? Or, is there another word out there? We do desire to see serious involvement, serious life change, true expression and a raised awareness and Kingdom perspective. However, left to clientele to development the place's character, we are living dangerously. This word, dangerous, is one that we want to experience, but to what extent? What do we do to insure that the values we believe in are infused? This idea of infusing higher values into the DNA of the place and its patrons seems in contradiction with what Oldenburg is preaching. He proclaims that it is to be determined. Is there a need to create a NEW term for what we are trying to develop? I propose a loud "yes!"

Suggestions?

At The Alter...

When we have no impressive buildings and no swollen budgets to sustain our work, often only then do we realize that the best we have to offer this post-Christendom world is the quality of our relationships, the power of our trustworthiness and the wonder of our generosity. -M. Frost

If we leave this place, what shall we take with us? Will we pack up our understanding of what "church" is and shuttle it by our side, wrapped neat and tidy with the same familiar ideas? Or, do we set out to discover the true power of ecclesia? Do we search for newness in a way that respect for where we've come? Are we holding on the allure of what is comfortable? Shame on us for not expecting more.

Yes, it is the Body of Christ. And, I firmly believe that where two or more gather in the name of Christ, He too will be with us. From that we shall gather our offering - confidently, boldly even, laying it at the alter. This alter will not resemble current conditions. It will be an alter of relationships, service and generosity.

We will, together with the working of The Holy Spirit, bring forth true worship, true teaching (the true church) through our everyday interaction with man and Creator. We will do this with no building, no budget and no excuses. If God is with us, who can be against us?

Thoughts on Galatians 1:1-10

How easy is it to become distracted? Why do man made concoctions seem easier to follow than God made directions? Immediately in Paul's letter to the Galatians there was the duality of human authority and God's authority...

• "Paul an apostle - sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead..." (1.1)
• "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel..." (1.6)
• "Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (1.10)

So I struggle. Perhaps I cannot acknowledge the authority of God, or for that matter the authentic Gospel, because of all the voices, opinions and ideas within my sphere of human influence. Or, perhaps the authority of God is easily recognizable for it seems the path that I am least equipped to pursue.

Finally A Dream Verbalized...at least the first draft

I am longing to create a place where a community can gather, and with heightened awareness realize the prevailing metanarrative of God, humanity and the world, and be inspired interact with this narrative and become part of the restoration/reconciliation process. While this is an ominous task, it begins with personal awareness that unites in a community to make a difference for the benefit that may not be fully realized by the individual. With this in mind lets begin with a vision of the place that invites people to gather...

• First, there must be food...good, healthy food. We believe that people eating together have a greater possibility of growing closer together. The menu does not have to be overly complex, but include food and portions that encourage people to eat with a conscience for health, but also invites people to be fully present in the taste.
  
• There also must be beverages...coffee, tea, perhaps beer and wine if we can serve it in a way that promotes sobriety.
  
• The gathering place should be a place that cultivates creativity through artistic expression (live music, film, visual arts, creative writing, etc.) We believe that people exposed to the arts will invigorate their creativity to be actively involved in helping recreate the world as God's good creation.
• We must inspire a social consciousness that prompts people towards proactivity. The gathering place should be a place that informs people of personal, local and world perspectives, and provide platforms and resources to send people to become active in their world.
  
• We must actively create opportunities for elevated conversations and thinking. A mind that seeks greater understanding will be better equiped to discern truth, believe in hope, and act in love.
• The gathering place should be socially and environmentally responsible in all areas
  
• The gathering place should be a non-profit organization seeking opportunities to invest back into its community and alocate its resources accordingly.
  

Is it Angst or Fear? Either way it sucks!

This week the turmoil of possiblity and reality has taken its toll. Dreams of alternative forms of community, and communal spaces, heighten my intrests and creative juices. However, time, resources, and ability raise questions as to probable possibility. But, does authentic faith confront fear? I am stuck with the notion that the vision of Jesus needs further exploration in alternative environments, and wonder if I can be a pioneer in this movement. My angst longs for paradigmatic change more than a familiarity in a different locale. So I am stuck...I suffer from angst that might not be relieved in the familiar, but I fear that radical change is so divergent that the unchartered territory might destroy my faith. Either way I know I will have to choose a path and pray it is the leading of God and not reationary to my fear and angst.

Joe's debut

What is clear to me is that church cannot be the same. Church has been suppressed by Christendom for too long.

Is it possible to return to a truly biblical/1st century/apostilic experience? Sure, Christians in China are doing it. They are also being killed, but their "church" movement is the closest Christians have gotten to the original.

Since 300AD, we have squeezed the life, and dare I say mission, out of the church. It has been going on so long people hardly notice anymore. I brought this up with Dave yesterday. I told him what was going to be hard about this. We are going to have to do what hasn't been done in 1700 years. It is going to be so unfamiliar, so awkward.

We must rock the systems story, the paradigm, the mode of church. I am giving up on ministries, progams, and theology. I am calling for a holy rebellion. Lets throw aside anything that robs us of a greater experience with God than we now know.

C.S. Lewis said "there exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So we must strive very hard, by the grace of God to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it."

Can we challenge the church that we operate from? Can we challenge the church that gives us legitimacy?

Do I know where this leads? No, not really. I can only say I'm available and ready to engage.

Who shall we follow?

"I can't help but wonder which came first: the impulse to sanitize and tame Jesus by encasing him in abstract theology, thereby removing our motivation for discipleship, or our natural repulsion toward discipleship that forced us to domesticate Jesus to let us off the hook. Either way, when Jesus is just true light from true light, ethereal and otherworldly, we are only ever called to adore him. But when he is true human, one who loved and healed, who served and taught,who suffered and rose again, he becomes one we can follow."

-Michael Frost

What I believe...

The Essentials...
- I believe in the mystery of the Trinity
- I believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior, but also teacher and revolutionary
- I believe that the Kingdom of God exists right now, and all people are invited to fully participate in its reality
- I believe that the Bible is authoritative, revealing how people and God have been in and out of relationship

Also vitally important...
- I believe that the character and teachings of Jesus is still the best perspective for living
- I beleive in the power and hope of creativity
- I believe that a shared meal can unite people
- I believe in the potency of elevated conversations
- I believe we become better people when we have multiple and diverse communication partners
- I believe that all people yearn for significance and passion
- I believe that people actively and intentionaly in relationships with other people, can change the world
- I believe we are called to be in community, called to deeper thinking, and called to make an impact in this world
- I believe because I don't like who I am when I don't believe