World-view

Just a quick follow-up to yesterday’s post. 

I wonder if those of us who are US Americans realize how our country is viewed by most of the world.  We are the selfish child over in the corner who refuses to share his toys or the bully who steals the lunch money from the smaller kid in school.  Many of would be shocked by the negative characterizations, especially in light of the fact that the people of the United States can be so kind and giving.  If there is a catastrophe in the world, we are among the first and most generous to respond.  We go in amazing numbers around the world to serve those in need and help relieve suffering.  But the fact remains, we are often viewed as being arrogant and taking more than we give.  I think the truth is, it is possible to be both arrogant and giving at the same time.  It is possible to have a sense of entitlement which makes us want our own way while at the same time wanting good things for other people. 

I read a new Barna report this morning and in the report Barna reports that US Americans have a very high view of themselves, even where that may or may not be justified.  I think that is the root of the issue.  We don’t usually care about what the rest of the world thinks. We like ourselves just the way we are.  It’s hard to get past that, isn’t it?

 

How the World Sees Us

My friend Mark Berryrecently posted something on his blog which got my attention (something which Mark does with regularity).  He was commenting on the fact that 150 businesses from around the world have demanded that the United Nations hold their feet to the fire in limiting carbon emissions (see article in Forbes here).

What I found particularly interesting was the fact that the US government has, once again, thrown up roadblocks, in spite of the fact that many of the companies signing the petition are US based.  Mark, who is a Brit, echoed the sentiments of much of the world when he comments, “Hmmm, no surprise there then!”

Is our reputation justified?

 

I’m the One

I remember a terrible moment in my life.  It was shortly after I had come to personal faith in Christ as a college student.  As I thought back on my younger years there was a tremendous sense of regret.  For whatever reason, people always seemed to follow my lead in certain things.  That is not to say I was popular, I most certainly was not.  But in some strange way there were a group of people with whom I had some sort of influence.  And the thought came to me, “I was the one your mother warned you about.”  I was given the gift of influence and yet abused that gift by drawing people to think and act in ways which did damage to themselves and to others. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have just finished reading a new book, unChristian, about the perceptions that people 18-30 years of age have of those of us who claim the name of Christ.  As I read about some of the perceptions, it struck me that I might again be standing in the same position I stood those many years ago.  Is there anything I might have done that would cause people to find Christians to be judgmental or sheltered?  In what ways have I been a part of the problem and not a part of the solution.  This is an age group that I care for deeply, yet it is easy for me to dismiss some of their attitudes or to isolate myself from the rawer edges of the culture because they are uncomfortable.  At the end of the book, opportunity is given for Christian leaders to share their hope for the future of Christianity.  I find I resonate deeply with what Dave Gibbons, Pastor at New Song Church has written. He says in part that “the future of Christian love ought to involve:

• Love without strings, unconditionally, no bait and swicthes.
• Being unconcerned about being unnamed, rewarded or repaid.
• Advocating for the undefended.
• Being a voice for the voiceless.
• Being a better listeners to those who need to be heard.
• Showing love for Christ more than love for Christianity as a culture….”

Let it start with me; I’m the one who needs change.

 

UnChristian: What a Generation Thinks

I have been given the opportunity to do some book reviews for Leadership Network.  They have reworked their book blog and I think you will find some helpful things there.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part. If you are interested in reading my review of David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyon’s new book, unChristian, please click here.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

OK, I admit it.  I love a parade.  Specifically, I love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.  The floats, the giant floating Snoopy, dancing girls and bands, what’s not to love?!?  And the rest of Thanksgiving…. the smells of roasting bird, sweet potatoes and…. well, you get the point.

I am truly thankful and have much to be thankful for. 

Gratitude for others and for the blessings we so often take for granted is one of the key ways which God uses to remind us of our place in the world and our ties to other people.  It also reminds us of our dependence upon Him.  He is the source of all things for which we give thanks.  Without Him, Thanksgiving just doesn’t make sense.

So Happy Thanksgiving and may you be blessed by the company of family and friends.  Enjoy the parade!

 

Church as institution

The more I think about it, the less I believe the church as institution is God’s idea.  Think of the biblical language: In the Old Testament, a covenant was something that was about as relational as you can get.  God called Israel “my people”.  Again, relational.  And the New Testament picture of the church as the Bride of Christ…..  wow.  So, why is that so difficult?  Why is it that we seem to move slowly but surely (or sometimes like a rocket) into institutional mode?  Is it part of the “bigger is better” mentality which seems to almost necessitate an institution?

 

Stop leaving it to the “Pros”

Yesterday I received an amazing email.  The email was from a friend who is passionate about working with university students.  Now, I have worked with students for a long time and I love college students, but this guy is amazing to me.  His commitment to seeing student experience life to the fullest though a relationship with Jesus Christ is nothing short of amazing.  You see, the passion with which my friend goes about his ministry is a passion I normally associate with “full-time ministers.”  My friend loves college students, but being an airline pilot is what pays the bills.

In his email, my friend was challenging people with whom he is connected to help make it possible to provide a “Thanksgiving Feast” for students at a nearby community college.  This is the culmination of a semester of ministry, not a one time shot and the hope is that more than 300 students will take advantage.  In coming, they will not only meet people who love them and truly care about their welfare, they will see skits and hear music.  They will also hear someone share about the greatest gift of all.  It should be a great time and a great celebration.

After reading the email and forwarding to others who work with students as our day job, I asked myself why is was that this so touched me.  I have come to the conclusion that it is because we so rarely have the expectation that those who are not paid will commit such a significant part of their lives in ministry.  After all, that’s why we have paid ministers, isn’t it?  I mean, if you can’t depend on them to get the work done, then why do we pay them anyway?  At the risk of sounding anything but thankful for the opportunity to spend my days involved in the lives of students, I think that is a crock.  In fact, I think in some ways, the presence of a paid clergy class may in fact hinder the cause of Christ…. or at the very least is a huge hurdle which we must overcome.  Most followers of Christ would agree that, at least in theory, all believers should live out their relationship to Christ in concrete ways and “do the work of ministry.”  The problem is, we are just too busy to get around to it.  And so, we hire a professional and expect them to get down to the nuts and bolts of day to day ministry.  There are only two problems with this whole concept.  The first problem is quite simply that ministry is a contextual / relational thing, not a positional thing. This kind of mentality leads us to miss the ministry opportunities at work or school because that’s someone else’s job.  The second problem is that, from what I can see, the primary “work” of biblical leaders is to prepare and train those who claim the name of Christ to do the “works of service” which God has prepared for them (Ephesians 4:12)…. Uh, sounds like ministry to me. So is the answer to fire all of us doing ministry for a living?  Maybe, but I don’t think so.  Let’s revisit this question later.

 

Heros

Do you ever wonder why it is that the NBC show Heroes is such a hit? Now, don’t get me wrong, I count myself as a fan.  In fact, TIVO can have a temporary breakdown and forget to record Monday Night football or even The Office and all can be forgiven.  But one lost episode of Heroes is grounds for replacement.

So what makes this show so special?  It involves ordinary people who, to their own shock, amazement and often consternation, develop extra-ordinary powers.  Some of these ordinary folks truly do choose to be heroes, while others choose to use their powers for selfish gain or even evil.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have those special powers?  I have wanted a special power since I was a kid.  I’m not greedy, I just want one.  When I was a kid, flying seemed to be a good choice.  And I confess that in at least one of my more evil teenage phases, X-Ray vision was coveted.  But by and large, I simply wanted something that made me special.  I guess if TV ratings are any indicator, that’s what many of us still long for.  We already know that we are ordinary.  We are just waiting for something to happen to reveal that our ordinary facade covers up something extraordinary.  We tell ourselves that is that were true, we could also be heroes.  We could change the world or, at the very least, kick butt if confronted with the bad guy.

But as I think about it, one of the most unique things about the gospel is that it is the ordinary who are the Heroes.  In fact, even without the extraordinary powers, the story of God’s engagement with man is the story of God choosing the normal, ordinary Joe off the street to do incredibly extraordinary things.  That’s what so amazed the religious leaders who heard Peter and John speaking and noted that these were unschooled, ordinary men!  Maybe the missing element isn’t really my (still) missing extraordinary power.  Maybe the thing that stands between me and being a hero is the courage to trust God to do far more than I can ask or think, even in and through someone as thoroughly ordinary as I am.

 

Welcome

Welcome to Theosyllabic.  Before starting this blog I had to ask myself two questions:

1. Does the world really need yet another blog?

2. Do I really have anything to add to the conversation?

I guess by virtue of the fact that you are reading this, I have answered both of these questions in the affirmative.  But the truth is, I don’t know.  I think those questions will only be answered with time.  So, what do I hope to accomplish in this blog?  My desire is to be a part of the conversation related to what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ in the 21st century.  In some circles, this might be refered to as “emerging church” issues or conversation.  To be honest, I hope this blog goes beyond what happens in the church, emerging or otherwise.  All of life is spiritual (thanks to Rob Bell for that recent reminder) and it is not just life within the community of believers which is complicated, but all of life as a follower of Jesus.  So look for thoughts on every aspect of life.  If this seems somewhat random and unfocused, welcome to the 21st century.  I also plan on reviewing books of all stripes which I think might help the conversation. 

So, again, welcome and thanks for reading.  Hopefully it will be worth your while.