Prayer without action is idealism.
Action without prayer is violence.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Monday, 9 March 2009
Pastors or Police?
All church leadership must place in the context of relationship. If it does not, quite quickly it becomes more like police work than pastoral work. Those in this line of work love to sniff around for clues; who is committing the crimes? When was the last time they did so? With whom? Have we got enough evidence? What sentence can we set to really teach them a lesson?
The problem with this approach of course is that it is completely and utterly ineffective. Police work does not often deal with crime as it focuses on symptoms rather than causes. Moreover, it can only punish those who are caught. Thus crime often ends up going underground and in a far more virulent form. Quite apart from this is the fact that people are as likely to rebel against such authoritarianism as they are to toe the line. Even those who fall in line won't necessarily know why they are doing so and soon they will be disillusioned, or far worse, they may join the force themselves.
Instead, those who want to take seriously the call to leading the church of Jesus should aim for nothing less than transformation of hearts and minds. Peoples actions will always fall in line with what they believe to be true about the world. So aim for the heart! If you can convince someone of the need to change at that level then real and lasting transformation will occur, which will likewise spread like a wild fire.
The problem with this approach of course is that it is completely and utterly ineffective. Police work does not often deal with crime as it focuses on symptoms rather than causes. Moreover, it can only punish those who are caught. Thus crime often ends up going underground and in a far more virulent form. Quite apart from this is the fact that people are as likely to rebel against such authoritarianism as they are to toe the line. Even those who fall in line won't necessarily know why they are doing so and soon they will be disillusioned, or far worse, they may join the force themselves.
Instead, those who want to take seriously the call to leading the church of Jesus should aim for nothing less than transformation of hearts and minds. Peoples actions will always fall in line with what they believe to be true about the world. So aim for the heart! If you can convince someone of the need to change at that level then real and lasting transformation will occur, which will likewise spread like a wild fire.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Leather bags
This summer I almost bought a leather bag from a nigerian chap in a market in Florence. Thankfully I was able to resist the temptation and instead bought something far better and consequently far more expensive in a great leather shop next to the Duomo. I did not regret the extra expense.
So often in life we settle for something less than the real thing. An imitation. A cheap rip off. But it never does the same as the real thing. It never satisfies, it never performs for as long or as well. Inevitably we feel ripped off by the whole experience and we always wish we had done it properly the first time around.
I think it is the same with God too. The temptation is to settle for less than the real thing. So often we settle for knowledge about God rather than knowledge of God. We think that this will do the same job, plus it's far less expensive to attain. All we need do is listen to the right people, read the right books, use the right religious language and listen to the latest worship music. But the cheap imitation will always break down under stress and we will be left worse off than when we began.
As with buying leather bags the trick with God is to never settle for anything less than the totality of reality. We will never attain it, no, which is of course very frustrating in its own manner. But yet in this endless pursuit and struggle we will develop character and become the right sort of person, a person who knows God for themselves.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Death by a thousand cuts
I had a great chat with a good friend over coffee this morning. We were talking about how learning the truth in life and growing into the shape God would have us take up is more often than not such a slow and painful process. The reason for this is related to my last post.
Growing up is actually growing down! That is to say that maturity is about 'learning how to die' (see Jon Foreman's song of this title). But dying necessarily takes a long time. God could do it in one knock-out punch; he could knock us off our feet. But the trouble is that if He did it in one we would never get up off the canvas. Or to switch the metaphor, if He cut the mess out of us with one incision we would die of blood loss.
So we endure the death of a thousand cuts, which is to say He does his work slowly and surely. This is his mercy, although it does not feel much like it at the time. It feels more like a long, drawn out death, which is just what it is. It is actually for our good that it happens in this way.
What is our role? To pray for endurance I suppose, that we would stay on the operating table long enough for the work to be completed.
Growing up is actually growing down! That is to say that maturity is about 'learning how to die' (see Jon Foreman's song of this title). But dying necessarily takes a long time. God could do it in one knock-out punch; he could knock us off our feet. But the trouble is that if He did it in one we would never get up off the canvas. Or to switch the metaphor, if He cut the mess out of us with one incision we would die of blood loss.
So we endure the death of a thousand cuts, which is to say He does his work slowly and surely. This is his mercy, although it does not feel much like it at the time. It feels more like a long, drawn out death, which is just what it is. It is actually for our good that it happens in this way.
What is our role? To pray for endurance I suppose, that we would stay on the operating table long enough for the work to be completed.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Death as the gateway to Life
The Christian gospel has at its centre a wonderful paradox: the idea that the way to receive life in its fullest and most undiluted form is to die. This is not necessarily a physical death - in fact it encompasses way more than just the physical - but it is a choice to 'let go' in all areas of life, which means to give up the pursuit of ones own agenda for life and submit it to God's agenda.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16: 25 & 26)
The answer to Jesus' questions in these verses is of course 'nothing'. Nothing can be given in exchange for a person's life. No material thing, no earthly achievement, no degree certificate, no healthy family, nothing. The only hope the follower of Jesus has is utter abandonment to Jesus' cause, with a commensurate trust that he will do everything necessary for life 'through' us.
The better we learn to die, the better the risen Jesus will be able to live through us. That's the exchange we are to become a part of as Christ followers. One of the best examples of such a life was John the Baptist, who said of Jesus; "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3.30).
I believe that this is one of the greatest meanings of Jesus' death and resurrection; that after a death always comes a new life for the ones who learn to trust in God.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16: 25 & 26)
The answer to Jesus' questions in these verses is of course 'nothing'. Nothing can be given in exchange for a person's life. No material thing, no earthly achievement, no degree certificate, no healthy family, nothing. The only hope the follower of Jesus has is utter abandonment to Jesus' cause, with a commensurate trust that he will do everything necessary for life 'through' us.
The better we learn to die, the better the risen Jesus will be able to live through us. That's the exchange we are to become a part of as Christ followers. One of the best examples of such a life was John the Baptist, who said of Jesus; "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3.30).
I believe that this is one of the greatest meanings of Jesus' death and resurrection; that after a death always comes a new life for the ones who learn to trust in God.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Excellence versus Obedience
I believe that God is far more interested in whether we are choosing to follow Him in how we live - by loving Him and loving other people - than whether we are pursuing the appearance of 'excellence' in our lives. Obedience then is of much greater importance than excellence.
Yes, I believe that we are to do our best with what we have been given. Jesus, after all, talks along these lines in the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25). But his main point in this text seems to focus around how we respond in obedience with what He has entrusted us with, not whether or not the results appear impressive from the outside looking in.
This kind of perfectionism misses the point. It focuses on the outward appearance instead of the inner motivation or the power of God, something that Jesus continually warns us against doing in the gospels (eg. Matt 5 & 6). Jesus' life shows us that what is powerful in God's eyes is often profoundly unimpressive in human terms.
What is of far more consequence to God, in my opinion, is what the motivation of our hearts is. If we are doing things because He has led us in a certain direction, then more power to us. But we must beware of getting to a place where we think that our excellence can compensate for God's power.
Yes, I believe that we are to do our best with what we have been given. Jesus, after all, talks along these lines in the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25). But his main point in this text seems to focus around how we respond in obedience with what He has entrusted us with, not whether or not the results appear impressive from the outside looking in.
This kind of perfectionism misses the point. It focuses on the outward appearance instead of the inner motivation or the power of God, something that Jesus continually warns us against doing in the gospels (eg. Matt 5 & 6). Jesus' life shows us that what is powerful in God's eyes is often profoundly unimpressive in human terms.
What is of far more consequence to God, in my opinion, is what the motivation of our hearts is. If we are doing things because He has led us in a certain direction, then more power to us. But we must beware of getting to a place where we think that our excellence can compensate for God's power.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
The Emerging Church
Over here in the USA there is a great deal of controversy over the Emerging Church. For those of you that don't know, the Emerging Church (EC) is a broad movement which is seeking to re-interpret the gospel for today's culture, rather than to stick with outmoded ways of doing things just because they are familiar. Those within this broad movement recognise that the medium is the message and that there is a huge responsibility on the church to change in order to stay true to the gospel Jesus preached.
As with any movement there are those who have perhaps gone too far in this quest; that is inevitable. But what excites me is that there is energy present in this conversation, not only in the emerging movement, but in those who have for too long been dormant who now refute the new thing. Whether or not you agree with these emergents, the presence of this energy (zeal?) can only be a good thing.
Here are some things I like about this broad movement;
1) The EC is willing to broaden the field when viewing scripture. That is to say that it is willing to come to the scripture afresh and view it through different lenses. This is a recognition that no one lens will suffice in viewing the truth of God's word, not even a middle class, white, male lens! This to my mind is a sign of reverence for the scriptures although it is sometimes interpreted as being the very opposite.
2)There is a willingness within the EC to change the forms/wineskins where they have obstructed the message of the gospel. For all the talk about the evangelical movement doing this on its own, there has been little fruit. (The 'Fresh Expressions' in the Anglican Church has achieved this).
3) There is a re-emphasis on the organic, relational elements of faith. This is a choice to favour what is 'real' over what is 'true'. This is imperative for our generation.
4) There seems to be less of a pre-occupation with structure and hierarchy. This may be a function of the newness of the movement. Enjoy it while you can!
If this is a move of God - and I believe that it is - then it will continue to generate further energy. One of the most exciting facets of the movement is that it has arisen independently in many different parts of the world. What I am not suggesting is that this 'denomination' is perfect, nothing is. But through it I believe God is going to do some great things.
"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5.38-39)
As with any movement there are those who have perhaps gone too far in this quest; that is inevitable. But what excites me is that there is energy present in this conversation, not only in the emerging movement, but in those who have for too long been dormant who now refute the new thing. Whether or not you agree with these emergents, the presence of this energy (zeal?) can only be a good thing.
Here are some things I like about this broad movement;
1) The EC is willing to broaden the field when viewing scripture. That is to say that it is willing to come to the scripture afresh and view it through different lenses. This is a recognition that no one lens will suffice in viewing the truth of God's word, not even a middle class, white, male lens! This to my mind is a sign of reverence for the scriptures although it is sometimes interpreted as being the very opposite.
2)There is a willingness within the EC to change the forms/wineskins where they have obstructed the message of the gospel. For all the talk about the evangelical movement doing this on its own, there has been little fruit. (The 'Fresh Expressions' in the Anglican Church has achieved this).
3) There is a re-emphasis on the organic, relational elements of faith. This is a choice to favour what is 'real' over what is 'true'. This is imperative for our generation.
4) There seems to be less of a pre-occupation with structure and hierarchy. This may be a function of the newness of the movement. Enjoy it while you can!
If this is a move of God - and I believe that it is - then it will continue to generate further energy. One of the most exciting facets of the movement is that it has arisen independently in many different parts of the world. What I am not suggesting is that this 'denomination' is perfect, nothing is. But through it I believe God is going to do some great things.
"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5.38-39)
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Matthew 7.28 and following
"Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowd were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." (Matt 7.28-29)
During chapters 5, 6 and 7 Matthew has led us through Jesus' ethical teaching in the 'Sermon on the Mount'. Here though, Matthew is ready to lead us into a new section, driving home a different emphasis. The key word is found in verse 29 and regularly over the following chapters. It is 'authority'. In the above verses Matthew is showing us that the authority of Jesus' teaching was unmatched, as was recognised by those gathered to hear him (verse 28). But Jesus' authority does not end with teaching. He is not merely the mouthpiece of God. Jesus in fact is here to heal as well as to preach. In his ministry these two elements are indivisible. Tragically, his disciples (i.e. us) are the ones who have separated teaching and healing and do so to this day.
To illustrate this point Matthew leads us through a series of healings, which demonstrate to us that Jesus has authority over physical sickness where he is present (Matt 8.1-4) and even when he is absent (8.5-13). Where there is faith present great things can be done in his name. In verse 23 we see that his authority does not merely extend to the physical realm. He is also Lord over nature itself and so he is able to still a storm.
Moreover, he commands opposing demonic forces to do whatever he pleases. This Jesus is Lord of all things and the word that keeps cropping up in Matthew's account is 'authority'. What does it take to participate in this authority? Faith. This was the key ingredient to see Jesus' authority at work then and nothing has changed. Faith can be interpreted in many ways but what I would suggest it is pointing towards here is a 'reliance on the authority of Jesus'. So to see Jesus work in the world simply need to believe that he can and will work in the world - indeed he is working in the world.
The church is in desperate need of this sort of faith in this present age. We need to come to see Jesus for who he is again. We have, I believe, spent far too long concentrating on the problems in the world and far too little time looking at the solution, the Lord of all, even the Lord of death. There is no crisis, economic, spiritual, physical or otherwise that he does not have Lordship over. Let us ask him to show us who he is once again.
During chapters 5, 6 and 7 Matthew has led us through Jesus' ethical teaching in the 'Sermon on the Mount'. Here though, Matthew is ready to lead us into a new section, driving home a different emphasis. The key word is found in verse 29 and regularly over the following chapters. It is 'authority'. In the above verses Matthew is showing us that the authority of Jesus' teaching was unmatched, as was recognised by those gathered to hear him (verse 28). But Jesus' authority does not end with teaching. He is not merely the mouthpiece of God. Jesus in fact is here to heal as well as to preach. In his ministry these two elements are indivisible. Tragically, his disciples (i.e. us) are the ones who have separated teaching and healing and do so to this day.
To illustrate this point Matthew leads us through a series of healings, which demonstrate to us that Jesus has authority over physical sickness where he is present (Matt 8.1-4) and even when he is absent (8.5-13). Where there is faith present great things can be done in his name. In verse 23 we see that his authority does not merely extend to the physical realm. He is also Lord over nature itself and so he is able to still a storm.
Moreover, he commands opposing demonic forces to do whatever he pleases. This Jesus is Lord of all things and the word that keeps cropping up in Matthew's account is 'authority'. What does it take to participate in this authority? Faith. This was the key ingredient to see Jesus' authority at work then and nothing has changed. Faith can be interpreted in many ways but what I would suggest it is pointing towards here is a 'reliance on the authority of Jesus'. So to see Jesus work in the world simply need to believe that he can and will work in the world - indeed he is working in the world.
The church is in desperate need of this sort of faith in this present age. We need to come to see Jesus for who he is again. We have, I believe, spent far too long concentrating on the problems in the world and far too little time looking at the solution, the Lord of all, even the Lord of death. There is no crisis, economic, spiritual, physical or otherwise that he does not have Lordship over. Let us ask him to show us who he is once again.
Some things I realised this morning...
1) The world does not revolve around me.
2) My life is not about me; it is about God.
3) I am not in control of anything.
4) I am fragile.
5) How much would I give away if I knew I could die anytime?
6) If my life is not about me there is absolutely no need to worry about anything.
Thank God!
2) My life is not about me; it is about God.
3) I am not in control of anything.
4) I am fragile.
5) How much would I give away if I knew I could die anytime?
6) If my life is not about me there is absolutely no need to worry about anything.
Thank God!
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Matthew 3.1-12
A figure arrives out of nowhere at the beginning of chapter 3. His name is John the Baptizer. He comes to fulfill what Isaiah had pointed towards in Isaiah 40.3, namely 'to prepare the way for the Lord', the one who was to come and sort out the mess Israel found itself in (messiah). He was to make Jesus' paths straight, which is to say that his job was to get the people to a place where they could recognise the messiah when he came. His method for doing this was calling people to repent and be baptised. That is to say he led people to begin afresh, to turn their lives around in readiness for the appearance of the Kingdom of God (3.2). This coming near of the Kingdom was the mission of the messiah.
What strikes me about John most of all is that he is so clear in his understanding of what he has come to do, so much so that he does not deviate from this path in any way. John is not a people pleaser - just look at what he is wearing! In fact he is so free of the need to please others that he is able to tell the religious leaders of the day to their face that their time has been and gone, their 'kingdom' has come to an end. In his own language 'the axe is lying at the root of the tree' (the tree is an OT metaphor for Israel here employed to refer to the current leadership of Israel). These guys had been instrumental in making the mess and they needed to know they could not be part of the solution in their current state.
But in John's criticism comes a challenge in verse 10; that those who want to carry on in the new Kingdom God is building must not only turn back from the ways of the old kingdom, the old power based structures and such, but must also example this by bearing good fruit. This is an instruction to prove it or lose it. All that do not will be thrown into the fire. Perhaps the fire is for purification as much as destruction, but certainly it will be a painful experience.
The fire metaphor is carried over to verse 11 to talk about Jesus where we discover that Jesus is the one who will be bringing the fire. Indeed, the fire is his Holy Spirit given to those who repent and bear good fruit. This is another type of baptism which only Jesus can bring. Those that do not choose to receive this will instead be choosing fire of a different kind, which seems to refer to judgment (3.12).
John makes me ask the questions; am I too comfortable to be of any use in announcing Jesus? do I care too much about what other people think of me to really be able to follow Him? how can I prepare the way for Jesus? what is standing in the way of me doing this?
What strikes me about John most of all is that he is so clear in his understanding of what he has come to do, so much so that he does not deviate from this path in any way. John is not a people pleaser - just look at what he is wearing! In fact he is so free of the need to please others that he is able to tell the religious leaders of the day to their face that their time has been and gone, their 'kingdom' has come to an end. In his own language 'the axe is lying at the root of the tree' (the tree is an OT metaphor for Israel here employed to refer to the current leadership of Israel). These guys had been instrumental in making the mess and they needed to know they could not be part of the solution in their current state.
But in John's criticism comes a challenge in verse 10; that those who want to carry on in the new Kingdom God is building must not only turn back from the ways of the old kingdom, the old power based structures and such, but must also example this by bearing good fruit. This is an instruction to prove it or lose it. All that do not will be thrown into the fire. Perhaps the fire is for purification as much as destruction, but certainly it will be a painful experience.
The fire metaphor is carried over to verse 11 to talk about Jesus where we discover that Jesus is the one who will be bringing the fire. Indeed, the fire is his Holy Spirit given to those who repent and bear good fruit. This is another type of baptism which only Jesus can bring. Those that do not choose to receive this will instead be choosing fire of a different kind, which seems to refer to judgment (3.12).
John makes me ask the questions; am I too comfortable to be of any use in announcing Jesus? do I care too much about what other people think of me to really be able to follow Him? how can I prepare the way for Jesus? what is standing in the way of me doing this?
Matthew Chapters 1-2
I had never before realised how prominent a figure Joseph is in the early gospel story, as recorded by Matthew. He is, in fact, significantly more prominent than Mary who is only mentioned explicitly twice (vv18 & 20) and twice more implicitly (vv21 & 22). Even when Mary is mentioned explicitly she is always referred to in relation to Joseph or in relation to her task. In verse 18 she is 'engaged to Joseph', in verse 20 she is Joseph's 'wife'. There is no doubt that Joseph is the hero of this early story. He is the recipient of the vast majority of the divine interaction; he is witness to two Angelic apparitions (1.20 & 2.13) in his sleep and two further instructive dreams (2.12 & 2.22), which guide this fledgling family on their way.
Perhaps the fact that he is the recipient of such divine help is only an indication that he needed it more than the others. Putting myself in his shoes I can see why that might be the case. What would he be feeling? His wife-to-be had only 9 months previously broken the news to him that she was pregnant and he was not the father! Since then he had travelled to Bethlehem, Egypt and now to Nazareth, a backwater town, in fear of his life and the life of his family. He had the responsibility of caring for his young wife and his young son Jesus, who is to 'save his people from their sins' (2.21). I would imagine he was asking some serious questions of God; what did I do to deserve this? Why choose me? He is in awe. He must be frightened, terrified in fact. This must have been something akin to a waking dream, perhaps a nightmare at times. But yet in the face of all of this he consistently makes the right decision, to be obedient to God.
Much has been made in the history of the church of the heroism of Mary, and yes, she is worthy of much of it. But Joseph is without doubt a hero too. On him rested the massive responsibility of keeping this vulnerable troupe alive and he responded with great courage and distinction. But the same thing that marked Mary out as a heroine marks him out as hero - he was obedient. He said yes. Again and again and again, he said yes.
And that is the challenge for each of us too. Will we be people who say 'yes'? People who surrender our agenda to God and in so doing allow Him to make something more of our lives than we could ever make under our own steam? If we do we can be certain that this will lead us into a story far bigger than us, the same story that Mary and Joseph stepped into when they said yes to receiving the Messiah Jesus, the Saviour of the world.
Perhaps the fact that he is the recipient of such divine help is only an indication that he needed it more than the others. Putting myself in his shoes I can see why that might be the case. What would he be feeling? His wife-to-be had only 9 months previously broken the news to him that she was pregnant and he was not the father! Since then he had travelled to Bethlehem, Egypt and now to Nazareth, a backwater town, in fear of his life and the life of his family. He had the responsibility of caring for his young wife and his young son Jesus, who is to 'save his people from their sins' (2.21). I would imagine he was asking some serious questions of God; what did I do to deserve this? Why choose me? He is in awe. He must be frightened, terrified in fact. This must have been something akin to a waking dream, perhaps a nightmare at times. But yet in the face of all of this he consistently makes the right decision, to be obedient to God.
Much has been made in the history of the church of the heroism of Mary, and yes, she is worthy of much of it. But Joseph is without doubt a hero too. On him rested the massive responsibility of keeping this vulnerable troupe alive and he responded with great courage and distinction. But the same thing that marked Mary out as a heroine marks him out as hero - he was obedient. He said yes. Again and again and again, he said yes.
And that is the challenge for each of us too. Will we be people who say 'yes'? People who surrender our agenda to God and in so doing allow Him to make something more of our lives than we could ever make under our own steam? If we do we can be certain that this will lead us into a story far bigger than us, the same story that Mary and Joseph stepped into when they said yes to receiving the Messiah Jesus, the Saviour of the world.
Matthew's Gospel
Over the coming weeks and months I am hoping to write some observations on Matthew's gospel as I read it for myself. Last year I did the 'Bible in a Year, which was a good discipline but did not leave room to let the bible breathe. I am hoping to go deeper into the New Testament this year - particularly the gospels - as I am embarrassed by how little I know of what Jesus actually said.
There won't be any real scholarship behind what I'm doing - you can get that elsewhere - but hopefully something will grab your attention and provoke your thinking.
There won't be any real scholarship behind what I'm doing - you can get that elsewhere - but hopefully something will grab your attention and provoke your thinking.
Friday, 2 January 2009
Where is the life?
This is nothing new I know, but it has struck me again this week that growth and life are always to be found on the margins of the institutions and organisations; on the margins of society - perhaps even on the margins of the human self.
This observation clearly has implications for how we structure our churches, our businesses, perhaps even our society. In terms of our churches, increasingly we will need them to be more fluid and focussed towards those who are not currently members. (FYI - I am not talking about implementing 'seeker services' so much as ridding ourselves of services as we know them. Who is getting served after all?) It also has clear implications for how we should be living. Namely we must people who are ready to make our home on the borders of our society. As Christians we have seen this kind of life in action in Jesus. He was born on the margins and in disgrace, he lived on the margins, even died on the margins outside the walls of the city.
Let the church once again find its place on the margins of society (disestablishment?). Let us give up the search to be in with the 'in crowd'. Let's instead spend our time getting in with the wrong crowd and building communities there. Let's spend less money on new church buildings and more on building homes for the homeless. Less time working out how to best 'worship' God and more time doing it. Maybe then we will rediscover our prophetic witness to the world, which I would argue we have almost completely surrendered.
I don't pretend to be living this kind of life by the way. But I would love to try. Are you interested? It can't be done alone. It will certainly cost us the life we dreamed we might live. But I believe Jesus on this one, I think the rewards will more than compensate for the loss.
This observation clearly has implications for how we structure our churches, our businesses, perhaps even our society. In terms of our churches, increasingly we will need them to be more fluid and focussed towards those who are not currently members. (FYI - I am not talking about implementing 'seeker services' so much as ridding ourselves of services as we know them. Who is getting served after all?) It also has clear implications for how we should be living. Namely we must people who are ready to make our home on the borders of our society. As Christians we have seen this kind of life in action in Jesus. He was born on the margins and in disgrace, he lived on the margins, even died on the margins outside the walls of the city.
Let the church once again find its place on the margins of society (disestablishment?). Let us give up the search to be in with the 'in crowd'. Let's instead spend our time getting in with the wrong crowd and building communities there. Let's spend less money on new church buildings and more on building homes for the homeless. Less time working out how to best 'worship' God and more time doing it. Maybe then we will rediscover our prophetic witness to the world, which I would argue we have almost completely surrendered.
I don't pretend to be living this kind of life by the way. But I would love to try. Are you interested? It can't be done alone. It will certainly cost us the life we dreamed we might live. But I believe Jesus on this one, I think the rewards will more than compensate for the loss.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Being one of the kids
I have been thinking a bit recently about my own childhood. About how I became who I am, both for good and for ill. I have realised that many of my fears and worries now come from my erroneous belief that I am the one who has to be in control of my life; that I have to make things happen. After all, if I am not working to make life happen, who will?
Who knows when I started to think like this? All I know is that it is the root of much of my anxiety. I am noticing more and more that it also saps me of real hope. When I look at the world, the church and my life with my controlling mind I cannot help but feel hopeless. How could this mess ever come to any good? The answer of course is that it cannot as long as I am in control. But true hope rests not on the created order, of which I am a paltry part, but on the Creator who never changes.
My trouble is that I think way too much like an adult. In fact I think way too much like I am a god. I put myself in God's shoes and then spend all my time trying to control the world around me so that I can remain unharmed. As Bruce Almighty should have shown us - if not the 10 commandments - we were not cut out to be Gods, but kids.
And this is the secret to gaining access to both hope and peace. As with most of Jesus' teaching it is both simple and very difficult. See Mark 10.13-16 (NKJV).
"Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them."
It seems to me that Jesus is saying that the only ones who will enter the kingdom of God are those who are willing to become children. This seems to echo something of what he was saying to Nicodemus in John 3. Children are those who are willing to lay down control of their lives, allowing God to be the parent. These ones will be taken up into Jesus' own arms and cared for by him (v16).
Children trust in the goodness of their reality even to the point of naivete, living their lives in radical dependence on their parents. This can get them into trouble but it is the right sort of trouble to be in. There is a certain risk to living this kind of trust-filled life and it is certainly not for the faint of heart. Children are the courageous ones! But they are also lighthearted, hopeful, joyful, playful, kind and generous. This is the kind of life I want to pursue in 2009. May this new year be the year of radical dependence on God, the year of becoming a child once again!
Who knows when I started to think like this? All I know is that it is the root of much of my anxiety. I am noticing more and more that it also saps me of real hope. When I look at the world, the church and my life with my controlling mind I cannot help but feel hopeless. How could this mess ever come to any good? The answer of course is that it cannot as long as I am in control. But true hope rests not on the created order, of which I am a paltry part, but on the Creator who never changes.
My trouble is that I think way too much like an adult. In fact I think way too much like I am a god. I put myself in God's shoes and then spend all my time trying to control the world around me so that I can remain unharmed. As Bruce Almighty should have shown us - if not the 10 commandments - we were not cut out to be Gods, but kids.
And this is the secret to gaining access to both hope and peace. As with most of Jesus' teaching it is both simple and very difficult. See Mark 10.13-16 (NKJV).
"Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them."
It seems to me that Jesus is saying that the only ones who will enter the kingdom of God are those who are willing to become children. This seems to echo something of what he was saying to Nicodemus in John 3. Children are those who are willing to lay down control of their lives, allowing God to be the parent. These ones will be taken up into Jesus' own arms and cared for by him (v16).
Children trust in the goodness of their reality even to the point of naivete, living their lives in radical dependence on their parents. This can get them into trouble but it is the right sort of trouble to be in. There is a certain risk to living this kind of trust-filled life and it is certainly not for the faint of heart. Children are the courageous ones! But they are also lighthearted, hopeful, joyful, playful, kind and generous. This is the kind of life I want to pursue in 2009. May this new year be the year of radical dependence on God, the year of becoming a child once again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
