God designed us to be in relationship with him and one another. Most of us already know this, but our community time together often ends up in us focusing on trying to meet our own individual needs.
Winn Griffin wrote, "In the Creation narrative, we discover that the creation of humankind, male and female, was a creation of community which told Israel the importance of being the people of God. Community is not just a loosely knit group of people who believe the same thing about certain issues. It is not a group of individualized individuals who gather in a building and do certain religous activities on a regular basis, or small groups that provide occasions for individuals to focus on themselves in the presence of others. Community is a tightly knit group of people on mission, sent by a redeeming God as his conduits for bringing his world back to him. Its vocation is to find the pain of the rebellious world and bring the church/community there to begin the process of redemption. (God's Epic Adventure, 73)"
What a powerful statement! If we all took that seriously, how would it change the way we interact with one another and the world? I know our world would be a much different place if Christians actually lived that out.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A Day in the Life
Today was a a great day. I left early this morning to head to a staff meeting at North Way. I love the team that is in place there, and I really value the friendships that I've developed over the past four years. It really is an amazing place to work! Before noon I had the opportunity to train some of North Way's finest on the externally focused strategy that I'm helping to implement at the church. I love how people are so responsive to change, and to God's call for Christians to be passionately engaged outside the walls of the church. Watch out, Pittsburgh!
On my lunch break I recorded a podcast with my friend, Steve Brennan. Steve was one of my best friends growing up, and we have really enjoyed reconnecting and sharing the masculine journey with one another as adults. You check out the podcast at www.journeymenpodcast.com. Our last episode had over 100 downloads! We're not deep theologians or philosophers. We're just sharing our journeys through life with others.
After spending some time at Faison Primary planning this Friday's field trip (300 kids from Homewood are going to North Way Wexford), I headed to my office to finally sit down and work on some emails. Out of the blue my mentee called me to help him with his school science project, so we worked on it over dinner and snacks with my family. My oldest daughter helped him out with the gluing (and some advice). Two other boys from the neighborhood stopped by to visit us for a little while. We all played Wii Resort. With the science project completed, my mentee and I went over to Club One in East Liberty to play pick-up basketball games. I had a good time introducing him to all of the guys who I play with every week. I was so proud of how he played! He hustled the whole time even though he was the youngest there by far, and he even hit a three pointer to win a game for his team. It was a great bonding time... but don't listen to any of the rumors about him beating me. After I dropped him off, I received a phone call from another young man in the LAMP program. He needed some advice with something he's been going through. I was glad he thought to call me.
When I got home I had a great time sharing my day with my wife, Julie, who is such an amazing gift to me! She has such a great heart. Anyway, my day was just beginning in some ways because it's now time to study (no TV for this guy). I am loving the course I'm taking at BGU called God's Grand Narrative. God is really stretching me, and drawing me closer to Him through all of this. I felt like I needed a study break, so might as well cap the day off with a blog post. I am so blessed!
On my lunch break I recorded a podcast with my friend, Steve Brennan. Steve was one of my best friends growing up, and we have really enjoyed reconnecting and sharing the masculine journey with one another as adults. You check out the podcast at www.journeymenpodcast.com. Our last episode had over 100 downloads! We're not deep theologians or philosophers. We're just sharing our journeys through life with others.
After spending some time at Faison Primary planning this Friday's field trip (300 kids from Homewood are going to North Way Wexford), I headed to my office to finally sit down and work on some emails. Out of the blue my mentee called me to help him with his school science project, so we worked on it over dinner and snacks with my family. My oldest daughter helped him out with the gluing (and some advice). Two other boys from the neighborhood stopped by to visit us for a little while. We all played Wii Resort. With the science project completed, my mentee and I went over to Club One in East Liberty to play pick-up basketball games. I had a good time introducing him to all of the guys who I play with every week. I was so proud of how he played! He hustled the whole time even though he was the youngest there by far, and he even hit a three pointer to win a game for his team. It was a great bonding time... but don't listen to any of the rumors about him beating me. After I dropped him off, I received a phone call from another young man in the LAMP program. He needed some advice with something he's been going through. I was glad he thought to call me.
When I got home I had a great time sharing my day with my wife, Julie, who is such an amazing gift to me! She has such a great heart. Anyway, my day was just beginning in some ways because it's now time to study (no TV for this guy). I am loving the course I'm taking at BGU called God's Grand Narrative. God is really stretching me, and drawing me closer to Him through all of this. I felt like I needed a study break, so might as well cap the day off with a blog post. I am so blessed!
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Bible Subverts All Other Worldviews
I have been learning a lot about the importance of understanding the Bible as a grand narrative, as opposed to developing a fragmented view of Scripture which breaks the Bible down into applicable, devotional pieces which are often taken out of context. This type of biblical interpretation is a product of the Enlightenment, which emphasizes reason and the use of scientific tools to bring about previously unknown levels of understanding. It can be very dangerous. My problem is that I am very conditioned to break the Bible down into tiny bits so that I can understand it better or communicate it more clearly to others. I am having to relearn how to grasp the joy that can be found in placing myself in God's broader story.
The exciting thing about understanding the Bible as a grand narrative is that God designed it to overcome all other worldviews (including modernism, postmodernism, economic globalization, etc.). N. T. Wright wrote, "By opening the Bible and reading it for all its worth the Church will be unable to avoid the fact that it challenges and subverts other world views."
How do you understand Scripture? Do you try to break it down into smaller pieces to be able to process it better, or do you find it easier to process in story form?
The exciting thing about understanding the Bible as a grand narrative is that God designed it to overcome all other worldviews (including modernism, postmodernism, economic globalization, etc.). N. T. Wright wrote, "By opening the Bible and reading it for all its worth the Church will be unable to avoid the fact that it challenges and subverts other world views."
How do you understand Scripture? Do you try to break it down into smaller pieces to be able to process it better, or do you find it easier to process in story form?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Difficult Process of Transformation
A few weeks ago I told some friends that things were going eerily well in Homewood. Since then, the Jordan Miles controversy happened, the entire community was snowed in for a week, and three people were shot in my part of Homewood this weekend. Then, today I had a very difficult mentoring time with my mentee. We had lunch with an older kid who I know is not a good influence on him. It was a very awkward clash of influences on his life, and I walked away with the sense that I lost ground on this particular day.
One of the difficult things about the nature of transformation is that it takes so much time. And it is a process... one never "arrives" at tranformation. It will be a never-ending process in both the life of my mentee and in Homewood in general. For that matter, I am also involved in a constant process of transformation. Things seem like they are always up in the air, but I know God is in control. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is at work in all things in a way that I will never be able to comprehend. That is reassuring, because I know I certainly can't rely on my own devices to generate transformation amidst such challenging circumstances.
One of the difficult things about the nature of transformation is that it takes so much time. And it is a process... one never "arrives" at tranformation. It will be a never-ending process in both the life of my mentee and in Homewood in general. For that matter, I am also involved in a constant process of transformation. Things seem like they are always up in the air, but I know God is in control. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is at work in all things in a way that I will never be able to comprehend. That is reassuring, because I know I certainly can't rely on my own devices to generate transformation amidst such challenging circumstances.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
God's Mission, Not Ours
"We are advocates for God before we are advocates for others (Wright)." Engaging in issues of justice may be important components of God's grand narrative, but we must be God's advocates in the world first. "Otherwise everything peters out into social activism and aimless programs (Wright)." Much can go wrong when we take our focus off of God. I experience this personally when I elevate issues of justice above God's plans. Mission is God's, not ours. Often the church, and individuals, have made the mission of God about themselves.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bogged Down
What did I learn today? I am learning that literary genres in the Bible are crucial to interpretation. Context, both historical and literary, are crucial factors in interpreting the Scriptures. Also important are asking the right questions and using the right tools to bring about understanding.
The breadth of information covered so far in this course is important to me as a student of Scripture because I am in many ways building a foundation for understanding and Biblical interpretation. I have always loved the Bible and had an interest in learning more, but I have never really had to lean into the content in this depth.
For instance, I am hoping that learning to understand the different genres in Scripture will help to trigger a renewed interest in reading what I have often perceived to be the more “difficult” books of the Bible. Authors Fee and Stuart in "How to Read the Bible for All its Worth" describe how many people get “bogged down” in books such as Leviticus, Jeremiah, or Proverbs. That often happens to me. As a good student of Scripture, I don’t want to get bogged down anymore.
Do you find yourself getting "bogged down" anywhere in the Bible, or perhaps developing a bias for reading what seem to be more "applicable" books like the New Testament letters?
The breadth of information covered so far in this course is important to me as a student of Scripture because I am in many ways building a foundation for understanding and Biblical interpretation. I have always loved the Bible and had an interest in learning more, but I have never really had to lean into the content in this depth.
For instance, I am hoping that learning to understand the different genres in Scripture will help to trigger a renewed interest in reading what I have often perceived to be the more “difficult” books of the Bible. Authors Fee and Stuart in "How to Read the Bible for All its Worth" describe how many people get “bogged down” in books such as Leviticus, Jeremiah, or Proverbs. That often happens to me. As a good student of Scripture, I don’t want to get bogged down anymore.
Do you find yourself getting "bogged down" anywhere in the Bible, or perhaps developing a bias for reading what seem to be more "applicable" books like the New Testament letters?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Justice and Beauty
Perhaps because of the power of justice, it seems to take a strong hold in my life. I have a hard time turning it on and off... it seems to just be there all of the time as a part of the DNA of my life. Sometimes in comes in handy in speaking up for things when that voice is really needed. Other times it gets me into trouble, rubs people the wrong way, or just generates confusion if I am unable to articulate the cause of justice clearly. Sometimes I feel like I am a mouthpiece for justice when I spend so much time living with and working among the urban poor. I wouldn't trade it for any other passion, though.
I am really learning to see God's beauty in the midst of brokenness in the city. I am learning to experience places of brokenness as holy ground. This has been a big learning curve for me, because I come from a background which emphasized finding beauty in nature or the cleanliness of well-ordered systems.
Do you have any thoughts on justice? And, what are your thoughts on finding beauty in this world?
I am really learning to see God's beauty in the midst of brokenness in the city. I am learning to experience places of brokenness as holy ground. This has been a big learning curve for me, because I come from a background which emphasized finding beauty in nature or the cleanliness of well-ordered systems.
Do you have any thoughts on justice? And, what are your thoughts on finding beauty in this world?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, and Beauty
Today I listened to an audio presentation by author N.T. Wright about the four “internal voices” that all human beings are drawn to: we are all drawn to justice, spirituality, human relationships, and beauty. We are not able to experience the fullness of all four things in this world because we live in a fallen world (evil is present). However, Wright made the point that these four things are “the echoes of Jesus,” meaning Jesus dealt with all of them once and for all when he dealt with evil through the cross.
In looking at the four things, I would say that I am most drawn to justice and beauty. I long for things to be just in our world (on many different levels), and I long for beauty (I may not always quantify it that way, but I do). However, Wright also pointed out the importance of understanding historical context in Scripture as a way of understanding our “internal voices.” If we don’t understand what Jesus did on the cross, or if we rely on our own understanding, then we as humans will come up with all kinds of ways of thinking to find meaning in life (the Enlightenment, modernity, agnosticism, or postmodernity are examples). I thought Wright did a great job of describing the power of what Jesus did for us, and how we can act powerfully as followers of Christ in this postmodern era.
Which of the four things are you most drawn to in your life: justice, spirituality, relationships, or beauty?
In looking at the four things, I would say that I am most drawn to justice and beauty. I long for things to be just in our world (on many different levels), and I long for beauty (I may not always quantify it that way, but I do). However, Wright also pointed out the importance of understanding historical context in Scripture as a way of understanding our “internal voices.” If we don’t understand what Jesus did on the cross, or if we rely on our own understanding, then we as humans will come up with all kinds of ways of thinking to find meaning in life (the Enlightenment, modernity, agnosticism, or postmodernity are examples). I thought Wright did a great job of describing the power of what Jesus did for us, and how we can act powerfully as followers of Christ in this postmodern era.
Which of the four things are you most drawn to in your life: justice, spirituality, relationships, or beauty?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Historically and Devotionally Informed
Today I learned that most people who read the Bible are either historically or devotionally informed. Historically informed readers of the Bible focus on understanding the text in its historical context. Devotionally informed readers look for a present word from God in the text for life today. I am learning that a balance of both ways of reading Scripture are necessary to properly understand what God is communicating.
I have long been a devotionally informed reader of Scripture. Although I am interested in historical aspects of the text, I have not always seen it as integral to my life as a follower of Christ. One of my big takeaways from this course so far is that I need to integrate these two components of Scripture. I have always believed that God speaks through Scripture, and that He still speaks today (even through different forms other than Scripture).
Also, I am definitely guilty of reading the Bible through a fragmented lens. I even communicate God’s Word through fragmented forms without much regard for context. One of the reasons I have looked forward to this course so much is that I want to have a more contextual approach to reading and communicating God’s Word.
I have long been a devotionally informed reader of Scripture. Although I am interested in historical aspects of the text, I have not always seen it as integral to my life as a follower of Christ. One of my big takeaways from this course so far is that I need to integrate these two components of Scripture. I have always believed that God speaks through Scripture, and that He still speaks today (even through different forms other than Scripture).
Also, I am definitely guilty of reading the Bible through a fragmented lens. I even communicate God’s Word through fragmented forms without much regard for context. One of the reasons I have looked forward to this course so much is that I want to have a more contextual approach to reading and communicating God’s Word.
Monday, February 1, 2010
God's Grand Narrative
I covet your prayers today (and over the next four months) as I begin a new DMin course at BGU called Theology: God's Grand Narrative. Here is the course description:
"This course will help the DMin student relate to God's Grand Narrative, the Old and New Testaments and Hermeneutics, while thinking and reflecting about global and urban contextualization. It is presented online using a "social constructionist pedagogy," which suggests that students actively construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment where the student is constructing something for others to experience where collaboratively a group creates a small culure of shared artifacts. The course follows Tom Wright's (Bishop of Durham) five-act-play model as a way of presenting Scripture for a better read and a way of thinking about living in the Story that Scripture presents. The course provides the gluing themes of Covenant in the Old Testament and Kingdom of God in the New Testament, which are two ways of saying the same thing: God has invaded this present evil age with his Rule. The course is presented from Genesis to Revelation set in chronological fashion. It will take into consideration how one interprets the Grand Narrative in present ministry."
Sounds fun, huh? I'm sure I'll be posting a lot over the coming months. Please pray specifically for:
"This course will help the DMin student relate to God's Grand Narrative, the Old and New Testaments and Hermeneutics, while thinking and reflecting about global and urban contextualization. It is presented online using a "social constructionist pedagogy," which suggests that students actively construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment where the student is constructing something for others to experience where collaboratively a group creates a small culure of shared artifacts. The course follows Tom Wright's (Bishop of Durham) five-act-play model as a way of presenting Scripture for a better read and a way of thinking about living in the Story that Scripture presents. The course provides the gluing themes of Covenant in the Old Testament and Kingdom of God in the New Testament, which are two ways of saying the same thing: God has invaded this present evil age with his Rule. The course is presented from Genesis to Revelation set in chronological fashion. It will take into consideration how one interprets the Grand Narrative in present ministry."
Sounds fun, huh? I'm sure I'll be posting a lot over the coming months. Please pray specifically for:
- My focus as I integrate what I am learning into my ministry context in Pittsburgh.
- My health (I've learned that these courses can take a physical and spiritual toll on me if I don't manage my time well).
- Julie and Kyra and Sierra (they make many sacrifices so that I can work, study, and live out incarnational leadership in Homewood).
- The LAMP and MICAH ministries at North Way (everything I am learning I plan to pour back into others who are engaged in these ministries).
Thanks!
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