I discovered this article last night, and thought it was funny.
"A Wheaton grad ends up on British reality TV. His mission: Save a dying church. How many American priests end up in their own reality show on British television? James McCaskill did just that when he moved last year from Pittsburgh to the town of Lundwood in England's South Yorkshire district. He was brought in to revitalize a church whose congregation had dropped below ten, and his turnaround efforts were filmed for one year by a camera crew. The results will air—under the name Priest Idol—in a three-part series in November on the UK's Channel 4. Nate Anderson sat down with McCaskill on a recent visit to the U.S. to talk about ministry and media."
Then I thought it was troubling..."his mission save a dying church."
Might there be other needs for a gifted minister?
Is there a problem that the pastor utilized a marketing firm called "Proganda" to help rejuvinate the church?
While I do believe the church should be involved in cultural dialogue, it makes me wonder where we are putting our resources and if we always make the best decision.
Perhaps this was a good mission; either way I have confidence that God can utilize endeavors such as this.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
majority rules?
Recently I have been bothered by the idea that since the majority believe something it is therefore more valid, especially in regards to issues of faith and Christian practice.
I have been really bothered by this in two different ways--
1) If you look a the Majority of all advertisements on Television and Billboards between the Philly airport and Princeton
you would be surprised that a vast majority of the actors are white, which is disproportionate to our society. Don't minorities need Crest Whitening Strips just as much as WASPs? On the trip back from Thanksgiving, I noticed one billboard that advertised an African American, and it was the pastor of a church.
2) Just because a majority of church officials have voted repeatedly over an issue does not mean that it is God's will. I am tired of the argument that, "We have already voted on this and ____% agreed." Though their view may be acurate, just because it is the majority does not mean it is God's Will. All we have to do is look at the American Southern Church during the 1800s-1900s; look at the Church of Germany during the 1920s-1940s. Christian polity is not necessarily a democracy, and unfortunately we impose our American political system on God's community.
Isn't scripture filled with stories of the minority being given voice? Isn't it that the last that shall be first? Isn't it the outsiders that are actually the insiders? That is why the Gospel is so radical and transformative...the majority does not rule.
I have been really bothered by this in two different ways--
1) If you look a the Majority of all advertisements on Television and Billboards between the Philly airport and Princeton
you would be surprised that a vast majority of the actors are white, which is disproportionate to our society. Don't minorities need Crest Whitening Strips just as much as WASPs? On the trip back from Thanksgiving, I noticed one billboard that advertised an African American, and it was the pastor of a church.2) Just because a majority of church officials have voted repeatedly over an issue does not mean that it is God's will. I am tired of the argument that, "We have already voted on this and ____% agreed." Though their view may be acurate, just because it is the majority does not mean it is God's Will. All we have to do is look at the American Southern Church during the 1800s-1900s; look at the Church of Germany during the 1920s-1940s. Christian polity is not necessarily a democracy, and unfortunately we impose our American political system on God's community.
Isn't scripture filled with stories of the minority being given voice? Isn't it that the last that shall be first? Isn't it the outsiders that are actually the insiders? That is why the Gospel is so radical and transformative...the majority does not rule.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
new dog...new trick
Thank you for Hauser-Brydon obedience school...not only is Savannah somewhat more obedient, but she has a new trick.
Giving Five
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Extra helping...
...of guilt.
Most of us are enjoying the luxury of a delicious, homemade Thanksgiving dinner tonight.
Just wanted to remind us about what was once a hip topic (see Live8):
Famine in Niger still a reality.
"Even if good harvest conditions persist, "many Nigeriens have already stretched their ability to deal with difficult times to the limit. Their survival strategies will be less reliable and less sustainable in 2006," Cirri said in a statement.
"Many people have used every available means to get them through this year, and the harvests will bring only a brief respite," he said. "It will take only the slightest adversity to push families over the edge again."
Without an increase in international aid, Niger "faces a second successive year of extreme suffering and hardship."
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
hidden
it is weird that we have come to such a globalized world yet we are even further apart from each other. I prefer the self checkout lane, I walk/run with an ipod, I watch a lot of television and I prefer to communicate via email-or a blog. I can google anyone in the world and find some sort of information on them; I can do a stat-check on this blog and see who has googled me.
I came across the email of an old mentor, but I am afraid to contact him, to encourage him, to gain his wisdom, to allow him to challenge me. He helped propel me to seminary, and even while I sit in the classroom I can hear his voice whispering in the background..."are they preparing me to be a minister here?" "Am I losing touch with normal people?" "Is creativity being lost at the expense of conformity?" Now that I am here, I need to know more about his perspective on preaching, on practical ministry to "normal people," and appriopriate discernment about tradition but I'd perfer to avoid it. So even while his impact on my ministry has been tremendous, I fear a conversation with him...I fear bothering him; I fear confrontation; I fear being forgotten.
I prefer to avoid these fears and ergo miss the connection and community.
If I contact him perhaps he will further change my perspective...and I am not ready for that.
I prefer hiding behind the ipod.
I prefer posting a blog (passive) than writing an email (semi-active).
And that is why I remain hidden.
I came across the email of an old mentor, but I am afraid to contact him, to encourage him, to gain his wisdom, to allow him to challenge me. He helped propel me to seminary, and even while I sit in the classroom I can hear his voice whispering in the background..."are they preparing me to be a minister here?" "Am I losing touch with normal people?" "Is creativity being lost at the expense of conformity?" Now that I am here, I need to know more about his perspective on preaching, on practical ministry to "normal people," and appriopriate discernment about tradition but I'd perfer to avoid it. So even while his impact on my ministry has been tremendous, I fear a conversation with him...I fear bothering him; I fear confrontation; I fear being forgotten.
I prefer to avoid these fears and ergo miss the connection and community.
If I contact him perhaps he will further change my perspective...and I am not ready for that.
I prefer hiding behind the ipod.
I prefer posting a blog (passive) than writing an email (semi-active).
And that is why I remain hidden.
the art of preaching
In a quest to better understand the art of preaching I emailed and spoke with some of the pastors I have been fortunate to work with...So far the two responses i have gotten back have been opposite, but enlightening. Both are from PC(USA) pastors, they have different styles of preaching but I learned, was challenged and grew from hearing their variety of preaching.
"How do you worship while leading worship?"
"How did you discover your 'style' of preaching?"
- It is like learning to drive a car, at first your mind is very aware of all the things that are going on around you-did the ushers pass the plates? Who is supposed to read the scripture? etc.-but as you progress those things become more periphary. And like driving a car, you are aware that those things/details are there but it becomes more fluid allowing you to be involved in worship.
- I'm still trying to discover how to preach. I've never gotten comfortable, am always nervous and feel like I've absolutley blown it afterwards. I'm beginning to get used to the idea that this preaching thing is larger than I am and I'm not really ever going to master it, in fact, it will master me....then perhaps the Lord can speak. But, it is a week by week learning experience.
Recently, with a new secretary, and a bunch of extra administrative stuff, I'm struggling to carve out from amidst the screaming urgencies the time to prepare both mind and heart. Speaking of that, I've got to go do some preparing right now! Take care and hope all will continue to go well.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Christian Competition
This is one thing that I have struggle for a long time to understand and to live out. Having played competitive football for a long time, and now experiencing Seminary Flag Football
...I have had a tough time figuring out how to be competitive at intense levels while still representing a transformative faith.
And as people who have played with me or against me can attest, a new person appears when competition is involved, whether on the field or at the poker table; plus I see that new person in other friends as well. It makes me wonder how can we effectively represent Christ when we try to defeat an opponent.Competition causes me to evaluate myself in comparison to my opponent. If (s)he is faster, than I have to be stronger; stronger than I have to be smarter; smarter than I have to be more determined. I must believe that the other person has one more fault than me.
The basic idea of team competition is to come build community among your own team--good thing--so that you can annihilate an opponent--not so good thing.
When I walk onto to a playing field I focus upon how my strengths can exploit their weaknesses.
Competition naturally sets one person/team apart from another saying that my personal goals and efforts are more important than another's, and I will do whatever it takes to get a victory.
Hubris and pride is involved in competition because if I do not believe that I am better than my opponent than I will lose, which is unacceptable.
My ego becomes inflated because I know that I am capable of more than my opponent, the refs, and the coaches have witnessed; thus I dedicate days, weeks, years to improving, and clearly whoever disagrees with my perception is wrong.
Being competitive means that I will not accept failure and loss.
I know people will argue that competition helps one learn how to deal with lose, working as a team, push oneself beyond one's limits, etc.
But doing so at the expense of another person/team (community of people) seems to contradict the essential Christian message:
Luke 10:27
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
While working for the Falcons (for a day and a half) I remember cleaning up a player's locker who had Philippians 4:13 pasted on his locker. But is playing a competitive sport such as football what God intended Christ's strength to be used for?
Every game I suited up for I had Colossians 3:23 ("Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...") taped to my arm--Was my working with all my effort at blocking my rival's NG, to the extent that I blew out his knee ending his college career, what God had meant?
While running, I have found a new form of competition...with myself. And this form is not at the expense or exploit another person. I found out what it meant for my body to be pushed to the limits--puking in the gutter, having to stop and walk, collapsing in the apartment after a hard run--but I also learned that my body can achieve tremendous goals.
...I have had a tough time figuring out how to be competitive at intense levels while still representing a transformative faith. And as people who have played with me or against me can attest, a new person appears when competition is involved, whether on the field or at the poker table; plus I see that new person in other friends as well. It makes me wonder how can we effectively represent Christ when we try to defeat an opponent.
I know people will argue that competition helps one learn how to deal with lose, working as a team, push oneself beyond one's limits, etc.
But doing so at the expense of another person/team (community of people) seems to contradict the essential Christian message:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
While working for the Falcons (for a day and a half) I remember cleaning up a player's locker who had Philippians 4:13 pasted on his locker. But is playing a competitive sport such as football what God intended Christ's strength to be used for?
Every game I suited up for I had Colossians 3:23 ("Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...") taped to my arm--Was my working with all my effort at blocking my rival's NG, to the extent that I blew out his knee ending his college career, what God had meant?
While running, I have found a new form of competition...with myself. And this form is not at the expense or exploit another person. I found out what it meant for my body to be pushed to the limits--puking in the gutter, having to stop and walk, collapsing in the apartment after a hard run--but I also learned that my body can achieve tremendous goals.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
struggling to find a voice
This semester at Princeton has been a wonderful experience because I am discovering the art of preaching. I have to keep reminded myself that this is a process, and that right now the product is secondary to the process.
Just like my visual art classes through high school and college, I am trying to break out of the expected. However, the struggle is that I want to remain within the expected because that is what I can hold on to well.
The early visual art I produced was very linear, standard, representational art. It was unexciting, it was safe, it was easy. But in the back of my mind I had the voice of my third grade art teacher saying, "there are no mistakes in art." There are no accidental lines, there is no need to have an eraser; art is the process of developing, of creating, of making it is not a product.
Suddenly, in college that perspective clicked for me and I found the freedom and passion in artmaking. I came to realize that not everyone will like my work, but that is not important because it was about something larger than a product, the process was a form of worship.
I pray that I could have that same experience with the art of preaching. For some reason, I do not feel that freedom. I fear the "orthodox" eyes who say "there is a mistake in your theology." I fear the homelitics pen who counts my "ums" and "ers." Therefore, I cannot express freedom, grace and passion while preaching because I am not experciencing freedom, grace and passion in the process of preaching-making.
Right now, I have come to love wrestling with a passage but would rather go outside, throw on some Creed and draw my exegesis because I am struggling to find an aduible voice.
Just like my visual art classes through high school and college, I am trying to break out of the expected. However, the struggle is that I want to remain within the expected because that is what I can hold on to well.
The early visual art I produced was very linear, standard, representational art. It was unexciting, it was safe, it was easy. But in the back of my mind I had the voice of my third grade art teacher saying, "there are no mistakes in art." There are no accidental lines, there is no need to have an eraser; art is the process of developing, of creating, of making it is not a product.
Suddenly, in college that perspective clicked for me and I found the freedom and passion in artmaking. I came to realize that not everyone will like my work, but that is not important because it was about something larger than a product, the process was a form of worship.
I pray that I could have that same experience with the art of preaching. For some reason, I do not feel that freedom. I fear the "orthodox" eyes who say "there is a mistake in your theology." I fear the homelitics pen who counts my "ums" and "ers." Therefore, I cannot express freedom, grace and passion while preaching because I am not experciencing freedom, grace and passion in the process of preaching-making.
Right now, I have come to love wrestling with a passage but would rather go outside, throw on some Creed and draw my exegesis because I am struggling to find an aduible voice.
art: breaking through
[the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire]
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
labeled
Cultural Creative | 94% | ||
Postmodernist | 81% | ||
Idealist | 75% | ||
Romanticist | 69% | ||
Fundamentalist | 56% | ||
Existentialist | 25% | ||
Modernist | 19% | ||
Materialist | 0% |
What is Your World View? (updated)
created with QuizFarm.com
confrontation
A friend of minereminded me of an important, and often neglected piece of Scripture.
Matthew 18:15-17
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
And as God will often do, I have been challenged and confronted by this passage all week. First, during a class we discussed the Anabaptist fraternal abdomition, and this passage fit perfectly with our discussion, so I was able to quote a scripture verse for the first time in precept. Second, I was able to experience that personally when a close friend confronted me over something stupid I did.
His willingness not to let me "slide" revealed to me the heart of Matthew 18, which is not in the individual but in the community. It is not about the individual's sin, but the ability for the community to remain a relational-community. The value of Matthew 18 is not in getting the individual to repent, but to providing a close community that confronts and accepts confrontation. My friend forced me to see my mistake, and to humbly admit that i screwed up. Not because my salavation was at stake, but the good of the community was at stake.
Therefore the final verse, which is often misinterpreted, does not mean that the member should be excommunicated. Rather, if the community is healthy and humble the individual would not feel threatened by confrontation, because the church's ethos valued relationships over individualism.
The interest twist is this...The final line says "treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." Therefore, the community is called not to kick the individual out but to treat them as Christ treated pagans and tax-collectors (The Disciple Matthew is identified as a tax-collector: Mat 10:3) For pharisees that means to treat them as outsiders, for Christ that meant showing them the abundant grace of God, to dine with them (Luke 19).
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
And as God will often do, I have been challenged and confronted by this passage all week. First, during a class we discussed the Anabaptist fraternal abdomition, and this passage fit perfectly with our discussion, so I was able to quote a scripture verse for the first time in precept. Second, I was able to experience that personally when a close friend confronted me over something stupid I did.
His willingness not to let me "slide" revealed to me the heart of Matthew 18, which is not in the individual but in the community. It is not about the individual's sin, but the ability for the community to remain a relational-community. The value of Matthew 18 is not in getting the individual to repent, but to providing a close community that confronts and accepts confrontation. My friend forced me to see my mistake, and to humbly admit that i screwed up. Not because my salavation was at stake, but the good of the community was at stake.
Therefore the final verse, which is often misinterpreted, does not mean that the member should be excommunicated. Rather, if the community is healthy and humble the individual would not feel threatened by confrontation, because the church's ethos valued relationships over individualism.
The interest twist is this...The final line says "treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." Therefore, the community is called not to kick the individual out but to treat them as Christ treated pagans and tax-collectors (The Disciple Matthew is identified as a tax-collector: Mat 10:3) For pharisees that means to treat them as outsiders, for Christ that meant showing them the abundant grace of God, to dine with them (Luke 19).
Monday, November 07, 2005
new streak
Last year was the first time the Blue Devils
were not ranked #1 at some point
in the last 8 season.
were not ranked #1 at some point
in the last 8 season.
And the good news is that the Tarholes aren't even ranked: Duke #1
Big games:
vs. Davidson (Nov 19th) ESPN2
vs. #2 Texas (Dec 10th) in New Jersey
at UNC (Feb 7)
at Maryland (Feb 11)
Sunday, November 06, 2005
best weekend in seminary
Great weather, a fun-competitive flag football game against good friends, finished a major midterm, celebrated Gavin's first birthday, had a lot of good beer and great cigar, listened to the Panthers win, went to a great field ed worship service.
All in all I would say this was the best weekend at Princeton.
Hope for more to come.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
is this really what God intended?
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Thursday, November 03, 2005
the art of listening
Having just returned from an hour and a half of listening at the Emergent Cohort, not by force but by decision...I am elated to see the new forms of ministry emerging, but realize the challenge facing the PC(USA).
creative economically the monastic movement looked within their congregation to find creative ways to gain economic stability. If there was a print maker in the group, they printed documents. Some brewed beer, some sold food. Due to a need for money, they were able to recognize the talents, resources and gifts God had presented them, and they responded (if not they died quickly and no one ever spoke of them again).
The PC(USA) challenge is that we have the infastructure and resources to sustain an empty ship for decades. There is no need to be creative economically.
creative artistically Creative artistically means that churchs recognize the gifts and abilities of the culture to present media in a format that touches the viewer/listener/participator's heart. There is something about Laguana Beach that makes everyone watch it--Lord knows i have no clue what "that" is, but undoubtably MTV knows. Therefore, there is an importance in artistic creativity, which emphasizes the common story we all have in the Creator's Artwork.
The challenge to the PC(USA) is that we have a disdain for artwork, or at least see it as a nice side hobby while the real theological work occurs in the classroom, not the studio.
creative leadership Ultimately creativity boils down to leadership, are leaders being trained how to embrace creativity or are leaders being molded into an established formula that preach, pastor and pray in the "traditional manner." An innovative leaders need freedom to experiment and fail.
The challenge to the PC(USA) is that it is trying to fix some gapping wounds, and the idea of experimentation and failure would only produce more wounds which would seem unbarable.
It is in the "Oh Shit" moments that leadership defines itself, it is in those times of chaos that creativity is essential because "Oh Shit" moments occur only when all reasonable avenues have failed.
Anyone ready to say "Oh Shit" yet?
The PC(USA) challenge is that we have the infastructure and resources to sustain an empty ship for decades. There is no need to be creative economically.
The challenge to the PC(USA) is that we have a disdain for artwork, or at least see it as a nice side hobby while the real theological work occurs in the classroom, not the studio.
The challenge to the PC(USA) is that it is trying to fix some gapping wounds, and the idea of experimentation and failure would only produce more wounds which would seem unbarable.
It is in the "Oh Shit" moments that leadership defines itself, it is in those times of chaos that creativity is essential because "Oh Shit" moments occur only when all reasonable avenues have failed.
Anyone ready to say "Oh Shit" yet?
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
a chuckle
this gave me a chuckle today:
Gizoogle
It turns any website into Snoop Dog language.
PTSem Mission Statement Snoopified
(apologies for the language if you are offended, if not, then no apologies.)
Princeton Theolizzle Seminary prepares men n --uh, let's just say it said women-- ta serve Jesus Christ in ministries marked by faith, integrity, scholarship, competizzles compassion, n jizzy pimpin' T-H-to-tha-izzem fo` leadership worldwide in congregizzles n tha rappa church, in classrooms n tha academy, n in tha public arena ridin' in mah double R.
A professizzle n graduate schoo` of tha Presbytizzle Church (U.S.A.), tha Seminary stands witin tha Reformed tradition, affirm'n tha sovereignty of tha triune God over all creation, tha Gospel of Jesus Christ as God’s sav'n word fo` all people, tha mackin' powa of tha word n Spirit in all of life, n tha unity of Christ’s servant church throughout tha world. This tradition shapes tha instruction, research, practical cruisin' n clockin' education provided by tha Seminizzles as well as tha theolizzles scholarship it promotes so jus' chill.
In response ta Christ’s hollarin' fo` tha unity of tha church, tha Seminary embraces in its life n work a rich racial n ethnic diversity n tha breadth of communions represented in tha worldwide church . It's your homie snoop dogg from the dpg. In response ta tha trippin' wizzle of tha Holy Spirit, tha Seminary offa its theolizzles scholarship in service ta God’s renewal of tha church’s life n mission. In response ta God’s sovereign claim over all creation, tha Seminary seeks ta engage Christian faith wit intellectual, politizzles n economic life in pursuit of truth, justice, compassion, n peace.
To these ends, tha Seminary provides a residizzles community of worship n learn'n where a sense of weed-smokin' is tested n defined, where Scripture n tha Christian tradition is appropriated critically, where faith n intellect mature n life-long friendships begin, n where habits of disciplizzles is so nourished tizzy memba of tha community may learn ta proclaim wit conviction, courage, wisdom, n love tha good news tizzle Jesus Christ is Lord.
Adopted by tha Board of Trustees, May 1996
--If you would like to learn more about our illustrious institution please visit: PTS
It turns any website into Snoop Dog language.
(apologies for the language if you are offended, if not, then no apologies.)
Princeton Theolizzle Seminary prepares men n --uh, let's just say it said women-- ta serve Jesus Christ in ministries marked by faith, integrity, scholarship, competizzles compassion, n jizzy pimpin' T-H-to-tha-izzem fo` leadership worldwide in congregizzles n tha rappa church, in classrooms n tha academy, n in tha public arena ridin' in mah double R.
A professizzle n graduate schoo` of tha Presbytizzle Church (U.S.A.), tha Seminary stands witin tha Reformed tradition, affirm'n tha sovereignty of tha triune God over all creation, tha Gospel of Jesus Christ as God’s sav'n word fo` all people, tha mackin' powa of tha word n Spirit in all of life, n tha unity of Christ’s servant church throughout tha world. This tradition shapes tha instruction, research, practical cruisin' n clockin' education provided by tha Seminizzles as well as tha theolizzles scholarship it promotes so jus' chill.
In response ta Christ’s hollarin' fo` tha unity of tha church, tha Seminary embraces in its life n work a rich racial n ethnic diversity n tha breadth of communions represented in tha worldwide church . It's your homie snoop dogg from the dpg. In response ta tha trippin' wizzle of tha Holy Spirit, tha Seminary offa its theolizzles scholarship in service ta God’s renewal of tha church’s life n mission. In response ta God’s sovereign claim over all creation, tha Seminary seeks ta engage Christian faith wit intellectual, politizzles n economic life in pursuit of truth, justice, compassion, n peace.
To these ends, tha Seminary provides a residizzles community of worship n learn'n where a sense of weed-smokin' is tested n defined, where Scripture n tha Christian tradition is appropriated critically, where faith n intellect mature n life-long friendships begin, n where habits of disciplizzles is so nourished tizzy memba of tha community may learn ta proclaim wit conviction, courage, wisdom, n love tha good news tizzle Jesus Christ is Lord.
Adopted by tha Board of Trustees, May 1996
--If you would like to learn more about our illustrious institution please visit: PTS
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