The organisations, programmes, events and personal ambitions, which arise from the notion that 'church' is anything more than a collection of believers, are great distractions to my pursuit of God.
My difficulty is that, except for my understanding of Jesus' message, I cannot find a party line to toe, an authority to submit to, or a vision to passionately pursue.
Attending most church meetings feels either inappropriate, painful or hippocritical. Not meeting with other believers feels wrong, isolating and not a good way to head a family, which I believe to be one of my responsibilities.
I don't have anything better to offer except that which I do now.
Meeting: Is it better to do the wrong thing than to do nothing?
Monday 24 December 2007
Churchworld
I have found a forum where my thirst for corporate preaching is quenched and my hunger for corporate worship is fed. But there seems to exist, in the subconscious of the believers there, an old-covenant-style belief that this is the place, and these are the meetings, where the Spirit of God can be found.
The notion that the Holy Spirit is with an individual, in them, on them, wherever and whenever they are, seems long forgotten. Instead, out of a heart to share their experience of God with others, astonishing programs and events are formulated and invitations distributed.
In desire and words, they are passionately missional, but so much time and energy is spent creating attractive meetings, that I rarely see the believers outside of their churchworld and in the village.
When our paths do cross in the village, their behaviour is often unfortunate and their language sometimes alienating to villagers. 'Acceptable' thinking and behaviour has been taught over a number of years such that, although oblivious to it, the community has developed its own segregated culture.
The corporate desire for God is great. It is wonderful. But in the absence of true prophecy and power manifest in tangible happenings, people-pleasers leave false prophecy unchallenged and nobody has the courage to wait.
The organisational calendar dictates that fifty-odd sermons be preached in any 12 month period and that the timetable of any single meeting be filled with an enriching schedule.
The mechanics of the meetings are religious and traditional. To some they feel modern, embracing societal changes and all that is new, although much is as it was 15 years ago. Old songs of substance have been replaced with last weekend's rock trivia and some nonsense of yesteryear was chosen preferentially over a recent revelation because someone didn't like the tune.
I agree with today's message, that being 'fishers of men' is a family activity, not an individual sport. But when I bring my village friends to meetings on subsequent occasions, most people don't even remember their names, never mind take a further interest in their lives.
I would rather sit in a hall of silence for 90 minutes than fill a meeting with the zillionth sermon searching for a relevant life-application from one of Paul's letters addressing somebody elses problems.
The God I believe in does not perform on-demand. His speech is not a constant flow of drivel. Excuses and cover stories do not need to be made on His behalf. I'm not a cynic. I want to be part of something better but I don't know how.
The notion that the Holy Spirit is with an individual, in them, on them, wherever and whenever they are, seems long forgotten. Instead, out of a heart to share their experience of God with others, astonishing programs and events are formulated and invitations distributed.
In desire and words, they are passionately missional, but so much time and energy is spent creating attractive meetings, that I rarely see the believers outside of their churchworld and in the village.
When our paths do cross in the village, their behaviour is often unfortunate and their language sometimes alienating to villagers. 'Acceptable' thinking and behaviour has been taught over a number of years such that, although oblivious to it, the community has developed its own segregated culture.
The corporate desire for God is great. It is wonderful. But in the absence of true prophecy and power manifest in tangible happenings, people-pleasers leave false prophecy unchallenged and nobody has the courage to wait.
The organisational calendar dictates that fifty-odd sermons be preached in any 12 month period and that the timetable of any single meeting be filled with an enriching schedule.
The mechanics of the meetings are religious and traditional. To some they feel modern, embracing societal changes and all that is new, although much is as it was 15 years ago. Old songs of substance have been replaced with last weekend's rock trivia and some nonsense of yesteryear was chosen preferentially over a recent revelation because someone didn't like the tune.
I agree with today's message, that being 'fishers of men' is a family activity, not an individual sport. But when I bring my village friends to meetings on subsequent occasions, most people don't even remember their names, never mind take a further interest in their lives.
I would rather sit in a hall of silence for 90 minutes than fill a meeting with the zillionth sermon searching for a relevant life-application from one of Paul's letters addressing somebody elses problems.
The God I believe in does not perform on-demand. His speech is not a constant flow of drivel. Excuses and cover stories do not need to be made on His behalf. I'm not a cynic. I want to be part of something better but I don't know how.
Saturday 22 September 2007
Great Expectations
Some people plan their entire lives around finding the ‘best’ schools and educational establishments for their kids.
1. How do I best help prepare the ‘next generation’ for the future marketplace without placing unspoken expectations on them?
2. Does this question matter any less to a Christian parent, given that wealth and asset accumulation have no significance in the kingdom of God? What if our kids grow up as unbelievers and place more value in these things?
1. How do I best help prepare the ‘next generation’ for the future marketplace without placing unspoken expectations on them?
2. Does this question matter any less to a Christian parent, given that wealth and asset accumulation have no significance in the kingdom of God? What if our kids grow up as unbelievers and place more value in these things?
Jesus and the ASBO
Across the street from our house are three car parking spaces. It is a corner of town, hidden from CCTV and the accountability of society. Every day I see guys loitering there; drinking beer in the street, throwing their cans on the ground, urinating up the walls. All of these are illegal where we live.
From a MarketPlace point of view, we could lose less money in our mortgage on the property if these people would go away and ‘devalue’ somebody else’s ‘front yard’. Getting them ‘moved on’ would probably take a month of daily phone calls to the local police.
From a Church point of view, Jesus talked about loving neighbours and casting out demons. My only contact with these people is to ask them to use a bin and to not p*** up the walls please. So my message is that Jesus likes streets that are clean and stench free.
Should I ‘live and let live’ or do I pick up the phone?
From a MarketPlace point of view, we could lose less money in our mortgage on the property if these people would go away and ‘devalue’ somebody else’s ‘front yard’. Getting them ‘moved on’ would probably take a month of daily phone calls to the local police.
From a Church point of view, Jesus talked about loving neighbours and casting out demons. My only contact with these people is to ask them to use a bin and to not p*** up the walls please. So my message is that Jesus likes streets that are clean and stench free.
Should I ‘live and let live’ or do I pick up the phone?
Friday 20 July 2007
Tinker Tailor Soldier WorshipLeader
Who I Am. Ten Questions.
1. Do I have a role to play in the church (the believers collective)?
2. If I do, how do I know what it is?
3. Does it need to be defined? Or recognised? Or authorised?
4. Does it change depending on where I am or whom I am with?
5. Is it most like a family role, a bodily function, or a job position?
6. How does it relate to my role in the marketplace?
7. Does it have anything to do with my character?
8. Can my character be changed or only my behaviour?
9. Does it have anything to do with my abilities or skills?
10. Is it dependent on, or independent of, the role of any other believer?
1. Do I have a role to play in the church (the believers collective)?
2. If I do, how do I know what it is?
3. Does it need to be defined? Or recognised? Or authorised?
4. Does it change depending on where I am or whom I am with?
5. Is it most like a family role, a bodily function, or a job position?
6. How does it relate to my role in the marketplace?
7. Does it have anything to do with my character?
8. Can my character be changed or only my behaviour?
9. Does it have anything to do with my abilities or skills?
10. Is it dependent on, or independent of, the role of any other believer?
Tuesday 10 July 2007
The Wheels On The Bus
So I alight a public transport bus, which is almost full, and take the last seat. At the next stop, the doors swing open and several people climb aboard, including a friend, a member of the church, an unbeliever, a family member, a Muslim, a traveller from a distant land, a poor man and a neighbour.
A small sign on the bus says “please give up this seat to a pregnant or elderly person”.
In my culture, the rule is “first come, first served”.
Jesus said to “love thy neighbour” but loved those who were given to him.
Paul said to care for the family.
Peter said to love believers.
The evangelist says to love the unbeliever.
The missionary says to love the foreigner.
I only have one seat to give up. Who should I give it up to, if anyone?
Friday 22 June 2007
XYZ: The Maths Of Mission
There are X missionaries in our church group.
The cost of sending each one to their ‘mission field’ is Y.
The total amount of money that our church group receives from one another is Z.
What calculation between X, Y and Z should be used to decide who to send where?
When they reach their respective ‘mission fields’, what should the missionaries teach the local church about the relationship between X, Y and Z?
The cost of sending each one to their ‘mission field’ is Y.
The total amount of money that our church group receives from one another is Z.
What calculation between X, Y and Z should be used to decide who to send where?
When they reach their respective ‘mission fields’, what should the missionaries teach the local church about the relationship between X, Y and Z?
Sunday 27 May 2007
Born Again ?
When Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus that "... no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again ..." [bible:niv:nt:john3], was he referring to the Jews, who believed that inheritance of the kingdom had already come to them through birth ?
If Jesus had the same conversation with a Gentile, who would not hear the same message since their own birth implied no spiritual favour, would he have used the 'birth' analogy at all ?
Put another way, should believers be telling Gentile unbelievers that they must be 'born again' ?
If Jesus had the same conversation with a Gentile, who would not hear the same message since their own birth implied no spiritual favour, would he have used the 'birth' analogy at all ?
Put another way, should believers be telling Gentile unbelievers that they must be 'born again' ?
Certain Uncertainty
Change, Embracing Wobbles, The Importance of Being Right, Beer, Defining Theology, Christian Worldviews, Conceptual Idolatry, Defining The Gospel, Escatological ('end times') Understanding and Confidence.
http://www.allelon.org/media/files/MPMC_mclaren_01.mp3
This guy was recommended to me by TTW. This interesting talk is about 40mins long, and part of a series of forums which are downloadable from here.
http://www.allelon.org/media/files/MPMC_mclaren_01.mp3
This guy was recommended to me by TTW. This interesting talk is about 40mins long, and part of a series of forums which are downloadable from here.
Friday 11 May 2007
Money Money Money
True Or False ?
1. Except for a Watchmaker, the secular proverb “Time Is Money” is true only when interest is charged on a debt.
2. Regardless of how much or how little we think we have, we usually spend it all.
3. Wise Stewards invest an excess where it will bring the greatest return, the Charitable distribute it to the most worthy cause, but Jesus’ message on giving is not about stewardship, or charity, but Generosity.
1. Except for a Watchmaker, the secular proverb “Time Is Money” is true only when interest is charged on a debt.
2. Regardless of how much or how little we think we have, we usually spend it all.
3. Wise Stewards invest an excess where it will bring the greatest return, the Charitable distribute it to the most worthy cause, but Jesus’ message on giving is not about stewardship, or charity, but Generosity.
Saturday 5 May 2007
Theoretical Situation III
Janet and John are at home, enjoying an evening in with some visiting friends, Betty and Boris. They hear a disturbance outside, including raised voices, violent language and the crash of rubbish bins (trash cans).
Boris and John go outside to find a young woman fearfully curled up against a wall, and a loud man pacing, threateningly, around her. To anyone listening in the neighbourhood, the man explains in an angry boom that the girl is the mother of his unborn child and that he has just discovered she is using crack cocaine.
What would you do?
a) Invite the girl in for a coffee
b) Tackle the man to the ground
c) Go back into the house and try to talk a little louder, so as to drown out the noise outside
d) Hang around and intervene in the event of physical violence
e) Call the cops
f) Invite the man in for a coffee
g) Other ...
Boris and John go outside to find a young woman fearfully curled up against a wall, and a loud man pacing, threateningly, around her. To anyone listening in the neighbourhood, the man explains in an angry boom that the girl is the mother of his unborn child and that he has just discovered she is using crack cocaine.
What would you do?
a) Invite the girl in for a coffee
b) Tackle the man to the ground
c) Go back into the house and try to talk a little louder, so as to drown out the noise outside
d) Hang around and intervene in the event of physical violence
e) Call the cops
f) Invite the man in for a coffee
g) Other ...
Thursday 26 April 2007
The Power of Invitation
Invitation to contribute can demonstrate interest.
Invitation to a party can demonstrate care.
Invitation to carry responsibility can demonstrate trust.
Joining a party without Invitation is called Gatecrashing.
Helping a person without Invitation is called Meddling.
Entering a house without Invitation is called Intrusion.
1. When does a Prophet need an Invitation to speak?
2. When does a Missionary need an Invitation to go?
3. Who does a Leader expect an Invitation from?
Invitation to a party can demonstrate care.
Invitation to carry responsibility can demonstrate trust.
Joining a party without Invitation is called Gatecrashing.
Helping a person without Invitation is called Meddling.
Entering a house without Invitation is called Intrusion.
1. When does a Prophet need an Invitation to speak?
2. When does a Missionary need an Invitation to go?
3. Who does a Leader expect an Invitation from?
Wednesday 11 April 2007
Demons and Drama Queens
Being vulnerable. Exercising authority. Helping those in need.
They could be seen as attributes of a Christ-follower.
They could also be seen as roles under Steven B Karpman’s triangle theory.
Is there a place for psychiatry, psychology and psycho-analysis in Christianity? Does it provide us with useful tools or is it an industry that meddles with our souls?
Under the marketplace rules of supply & demand, does a skew towards education, therapy and charity, breed a generation of clever, ill-minded beggars?
They could be seen as attributes of a Christ-follower.
They could also be seen as roles under Steven B Karpman’s triangle theory.
Is there a place for psychiatry, psychology and psycho-analysis in Christianity? Does it provide us with useful tools or is it an industry that meddles with our souls?
Under the marketplace rules of supply & demand, does a skew towards education, therapy and charity, breed a generation of clever, ill-minded beggars?
Mrs. Jesus ?
At the wedding of Cana, Mary (Jesus’ mother) tells the servants, ‘do whatever he tells you’. This implies that Mary may have been ‘mother of the groom’ and that indeed the wedding at Cana was Jesus’ wedding to Mary Magdalene.
If Jesus’ was married does it impact on his deity?
[Thanks Nemo]
If Jesus’ was married does it impact on his deity?
[Thanks Nemo]
Sunday 1 April 2007
Pins In A World Map ?
Some missionaries are coming to my town from overseas.
I doubt they will introduce themselves as missionaries.
So, other than them being ‘the polite bunch with the sketchy dialect’, how will we recognise them as missionaries?
I doubt they will introduce themselves as missionaries.
So, other than them being ‘the polite bunch with the sketchy dialect’, how will we recognise them as missionaries?
Saturday 31 March 2007
Theoretical Scenario II
Janet is a Christian landlady. She rents out two rooms of her house to a couple of young brothers, John and Fred. Fred has a well-paid job and always pays his rent on time. John, however, has a poorly paid job and makes different lifestyle choices. John’s rent payments have become later and later. For a while, Fred paid on John’s behalf, but recently John’s portion has completely stopped.
On explaining that the brothers risked eviction and court action, Janet comes home one day to find the rooms empty and the brothers gone.
With a substantial debt owed to her, what should she do?
On explaining that the brothers risked eviction and court action, Janet comes home one day to find the rooms empty and the brothers gone.
With a substantial debt owed to her, what should she do?
Saturday 17 March 2007
God's Fragile Creation
"... More earthbound Christians, though, are beginning to ponder on the biblical creation story, according to which, God says that humans should 'have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth' ..."
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/can_you_believe_it/debates/green.html
Does 'dominion' mean that we are entitled to blow the tops off mountains to get at the coal beneath?
[Thanks for this post Apoc29]
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/can_you_believe_it/debates/green.html
Does 'dominion' mean that we are entitled to blow the tops off mountains to get at the coal beneath?
[Thanks for this post Apoc29]
Sunday 11 March 2007
Not Enough Explanation
Thanks for all the threads, they are in a queue (a line) ready for posting.
I have modified the blog rules on the right hand side.
Are these rules necessary?
Can any be deleted?
Does any more explanation need to be added?
I have modified the blog rules on the right hand side.
Are these rules necessary?
Can any be deleted?
Does any more explanation need to be added?
Church vs MarketPlace
‘The marketplace’ - where we buy and sell. Products, services, religion, education, entertainment, media, arts, security, law, etc. Food for thought:
1. If the church (the believers collective) is not in the marketplace then it cannot be ‘missional’.
2. The church can shape the marketplace, but cannot expect to pull the marketplace into the church, or under its values, since ‘belief’ is a choice.
3. Everybody (believer and unbeliever) must be, and in fact is, in the marketplace, because everybody has bills to pay and/or responsibilities to carry.
4. If the church claims to be a non-marketplace entity, it still remains in it, confusing believers and unbelievers, and continuing to effect competition, supply, and demand, in the areas that it touches.
Here’s an interesting chap, and what he believed, but hey who wants to live in a village with no pub these days?!
1. If the church (the believers collective) is not in the marketplace then it cannot be ‘missional’.
2. The church can shape the marketplace, but cannot expect to pull the marketplace into the church, or under its values, since ‘belief’ is a choice.
3. Everybody (believer and unbeliever) must be, and in fact is, in the marketplace, because everybody has bills to pay and/or responsibilities to carry.
4. If the church claims to be a non-marketplace entity, it still remains in it, confusing believers and unbelievers, and continuing to effect competition, supply, and demand, in the areas that it touches.
Here’s an interesting chap, and what he believed, but hey who wants to live in a village with no pub these days?!
Saturday 24 February 2007
Book Worms
There are loads of interesting books out there, some excellent and encouraging, some not so much. Which, if any, books have you found useful and/or inspiring on your journey?
[Thanks DontQuoteMe - ironically, I could not post the question without quoting you!]
Please remember the blog rule that adverts will be deleted. Which, in practice, means that you can name a book's author, and say how the book has influenced your journey, but you can't name the book.
[Thanks DontQuoteMe - ironically, I could not post the question without quoting you!]
Please remember the blog rule that adverts will be deleted. Which, in practice, means that you can name a book's author, and say how the book has influenced your journey, but you can't name the book.
True Or False?
1. An unbeliever, who has no previous knowledge of Jewish Law, cannot be expected to understand the words 'sin' or 'sinner'.
2. A believer is a sinner.
2. A believer is a sinner.
Jesus vs. Paul
Paul writes "... what fellowship can light have with darkness? ..." [bible:niv:nt:2cor6]
Luke writes how Jesus "... welcomes sinners, and eats with them ..." [bible:niv:nt:luk15]
Is this a contradiction?
If I believe Paul over Jesus, does that make me a Paulian, rather than a Christian?
Luke writes how Jesus "... welcomes sinners, and eats with them ..." [bible:niv:nt:luk15]
Is this a contradiction?
If I believe Paul over Jesus, does that make me a Paulian, rather than a Christian?
Sunday 11 February 2007
The Church Iceberg
Have a look at this link. The guys from 'ship of fools' send out 'mystery worshippers' to measure church services and write reports. This one they describe as the world's smallest church.
http://ship-of-fools.com/Mystery/2005/1117.html
Surely the church service, like the iceberg, is only the proverbial 'one tenth' that you can see.
ShipOfFools have an interesting list of standard questions for the visit. But what about the other 'nine tenths'?
What are the questions that we should really be asking? How should we really be measuring the church?
http://ship-of-fools.com/Mystery/2005/1117.html
Surely the church service, like the iceberg, is only the proverbial 'one tenth' that you can see.
ShipOfFools have an interesting list of standard questions for the visit. But what about the other 'nine tenths'?
What are the questions that we should really be asking? How should we really be measuring the church?
Saturday 27 January 2007
Being a People Pleaser
I used to work with a very lovely girl. I would always know when she was about to tell me something which (she presumed) I would not receive well, because she would start by saying two or three things about me or my character that she thought was positive.
It was a very cute mannerism, but did she think that I would find the truth hard to swallow and so just ‘dressing it up’?
Paul said that we should “… build up the church …” [bible:niv:nt:1cor14]
But I don’t see Jesus giving a soft, encouraging word when he turns the tables on the people trading in the temple area [bible:niv:nt:john2].
What does this mean for the ‘prophetic’ church. Is ‘building up’ the same as ‘saying positive things’?
It was a very cute mannerism, but did she think that I would find the truth hard to swallow and so just ‘dressing it up’?
Paul said that we should “… build up the church …” [bible:niv:nt:1cor14]
But I don’t see Jesus giving a soft, encouraging word when he turns the tables on the people trading in the temple area [bible:niv:nt:john2].
What does this mean for the ‘prophetic’ church. Is ‘building up’ the same as ‘saying positive things’?
Saturday 13 January 2007
Friend or Fo? llower
If I move town, for a new job, away from my current ‘church plant’, it is very likely that I will lose touch with many people in my church community.
The ones I keep in touch with, were they my ‘real’ friends, and the others just fellow believers?
Jesus said “… greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends …” [bible:niv:nt:john14]
We all have different ideas and expectations about friendship.
Should ‘discipleship’ include ‘friendship’?
The ones I keep in touch with, were they my ‘real’ friends, and the others just fellow believers?
Jesus said “… greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends …” [bible:niv:nt:john14]
We all have different ideas and expectations about friendship.
Should ‘discipleship’ include ‘friendship’?
Theoretical Scenario
Janet is a Christian who does a job for John for an agreed price. The job is too big for Janet alone, so she gets a friend, Mark to help. Part the way through the job, Janet goes on holiday, leaving Mark to finish up.
While Janet is away, John realises that he can get the job done a lot cheaper by doing a deal with Mark, who is happy to work for less money. When Janet returns from holiday, the job is finished. Unfortunately, John refuses to pay Janet anything, saying that he was unhappy with the work, and that he asked Mark personally to finish the job for an agreed fee.
Neither John nor Mark reply when Janet tries to call them.
Janet has spent a lot of money on the job and, feeling robbed, wonders what to do. She reads Jesus’ teaching:
" … and if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well … " [bible:niv:nt:matt5].
So should Janet give more money to John?
While Janet is away, John realises that he can get the job done a lot cheaper by doing a deal with Mark, who is happy to work for less money. When Janet returns from holiday, the job is finished. Unfortunately, John refuses to pay Janet anything, saying that he was unhappy with the work, and that he asked Mark personally to finish the job for an agreed fee.
Neither John nor Mark reply when Janet tries to call them.
Janet has spent a lot of money on the job and, feeling robbed, wonders what to do. She reads Jesus’ teaching:
" … and if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well … " [bible:niv:nt:matt5].
So should Janet give more money to John?
Jesus Is The Dot. What ?
“ … most churches are bounded set …”
“ … most of us don’t want to join somebody else’s bounded set …”
Here's a link to a couple of talks that my father-in-law sent me. Each talk is about 2 hours long so you might need to listen over several sessions.
http://www.nycvineyard.org/resources/resources.php?page=schmelzer
It’s slightly abstract, but is there any value in looking at life through these lenses?
“ … most of us don’t want to join somebody else’s bounded set …”
Here's a link to a couple of talks that my father-in-law sent me. Each talk is about 2 hours long so you might need to listen over several sessions.
http://www.nycvineyard.org/resources/resources.php?page=schmelzer
It’s slightly abstract, but is there any value in looking at life through these lenses?
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