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We have a position for a senior assistant pastor/minister at our church. For a full role spec and application please e-mail applicationinfo@vineyardchurch.org
This role is to support our current emerging church plant and help with a new church plant later this autumn.
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I am writing two paper/research articles next term/semester.
“Is there a future for preaching in the post-modern/emerging church?”
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“The nature of leadership in the emerging church?”I know James Prette is doing research on the preaching, we had a long phone interview a few months ago (James can we have your booklist?). So friends, do you have any books you’d recommend on these subjects, and web sites, any papers you have read?
Thanks in advance for your input. Jason
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Well friends, thanks for all he feedback, here is my revised and submitted paper from my doctoral course, for this semester/term.
Message of the Emerging ChurchIf you want some more background to the section on “message” and theology, see my previous paper Being Human
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Thought for the week…
One criticism of modernity is how christians have forced people who aren’t christians to undergo a culture nuturing, to become a christian.
So we take a normal non/pre/unchurch/christian (please chose the least offensive…that’s another blog idea), and ask them to change how they dress, do their hair, and use strange words, and become a cultural freak to their friends and family.
So now we have (feel the irony building) postmodern christians opening their communities/groups/cliches/niches to people, as long as they change their clothes, language, music choices, hair colour, language…so refreshingly different. With some people you can almost feel that unless you look like bono from U2, complete with shades you aren’t post modern.
Now taking my tongue out of my cheek, what point am I driving at? I think it is true that the church has forced people to change their culture to engage with the church in a way that has been hugely damaging. The church has asked people to come out of the worlds culture, and adopt it’s sociological nuances, and vibe.
But christians in love with the idea of postmodernity, who want to see them selves as post modern run the risk of being hyper modern fashion victims. Taking enculturation to an extreme to be trendy and “relevant”, they result in the same things but at the opposite end of the spectrum of cultural adaption and synthesis. They flip and flap from conference to conference, event to event, say the same stuff, go drink coffee with some “edgy” person in Amsterdam/New York/LA who isn’t a beleiver then go on the next tour with new info fresh from the post modern world. This is the reason why, God forbid, I still like to read guys like Maxwell, Hybels, Ed Young Jr., and gasp other church leaders. Why? Most of them or still leading people. It’s refreshing to hear from people who are actually still doing church.
Both groups are a sociological response that has failed to engage in re-thinking the gospel message, and moved beyond the fetishm of surface images. Indeed scholars such as Graham Ward, argue that the modern world was obesessed with fetish, and there is a continuing trajectory of hyper modernity, that thinks it’s postmodern but is not. Rather they are hyper modern fetishists.
It’s always easier to go to one extreme or the other, and far harder to live with both. Living with both might mean that we have people very conservative on the outside who have very different internal worlds, and vice versa.
I had a great exmaple of this in making a new friend with a superb guy who planted an emerging church with harley davidson bikers…his group is comprised of new christians who are very postmodern, yet tells me there are aparently, very modern christian bikers…a great example of fetishism at both ends :-).
Yet he and I had so much in common, our faith expressed in very different ways externally was built on an internal world very similar, of non-foundationalism.
Rodney Clapp, in “A Peculiar People” talks about how christianity is it’s most successful when the christian subculture people are in is their dominant culture, something youth leaders have known for year :-) So concluding thought, how do we form new emerging church communities, that have a dominant christian subculture that strengthens faith in a liminal situation but leaves us open and engaging to the culture around us? Maybe that’s the billion dollar question.
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If you looking for some serious reflection, and deep and connecting theological thoughts with someone ahead of the curve you must check out James Mills. Thanks to James I have bought way to many extra books, and his feedback on my thinking and theology has be life giving.
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Jordan Cooper posted this, about the experience of pc users. Now I don’t want to be a smug git, but the article made me chuckle. If you can relate to this PC experience it’s time to visit here
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Ever wondered what life was life for Abraham in the desert. Seems he would have been familiar with these Camel Spiders and David might have had second thoughts about walking through the desert.
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Urban Voices: Exploring Church in the City12 May 2004 – Westbourne Park Baptist Church, Paddington, London
20 May 2004 – Carlisle Business Centre, Manningham, BradfordTime: 9.45am – 4.00pm
Cost: £25 (including lunch)Organised by The Shaftesbury Society
In the context of poverty, fragmentation and the disaffection experienced by many people living in our cities, Urban Voices is an invitation for people who are asking the question: what does this mean for the church? It will focus on urban voices less heard, putting them firmly at the centre of the church in the city agenda.
Along with a critique of the city, each day features the story of a campaign group, organisation and local church. Combined they present an alternative view of the urban church. This event aims to explore the importance of marginal stories in shaping the urban church of the future. Delegates will be encouraged to consider the implications for the church of listening to and responding to these voices.
For more information on workshop speakers in London and Bradford visit here
To book or for further information contact Kim Pearson on 0208 239 5527 or email communityinfo@shaftesburysoc.org.uk
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I finally got to see 21 Grammes last week. What can I say, profound, harrowing, moving. Life, death, suffering, dealing with pain and loss…Damaris have a great review and discussion article for you to use.
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Sacred Rhythms: Finding a Peaceful Pace in a Hectic World
Christine Sine
Buy in UK
Buy in US
I have been talking with Christine Sine about her new book. She has written an article for me to post here, that draws on the theme of her book. You can download the article here or read the text in the continuation section. Christine and more info about the book (which is wonderful) is at www.masinfo.org
——-Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
STOP AND TAKE YOUR PULSE.Not your heart rate, but the pulse of your life. Is it beating out of control? Do you feel out of synch with the shalom lifestyle God intends you to have? Are you having a hard time sifting through the noise and busyness in order to connect the everyday to God?
Even now, your life can reflect Godís rhythms of peace, celebration, and rest-the rhythms Jesus modeled-instead of the worldís stressful, hurried pace. Sacred Rhythms is a prescription for a healthy lifestyle that flows directly from your faith. It looks at the natural rhythms God built into our world and how paying attention to them can strengthen every part of your life.
Godís rhythm makes time for all the good things life offers-prayer, Bible study, and Christian service, as well as the creative activity of work, the joy of relationships, and the soothing relaxation of rest. Follow the Sacred Rhythms and then check the pulse of your life again. You will discover a peaceful, Christlike pace that liberates you from the frenzy of a culture enslaved by time.
ìFew things are more needed today than a deepening of our understanding and practice of prayer, contemplation, and the inward journey. Sacred Rhythms helps fill this need.î-Ronald J. Sider, president, Evangelicals for Social Action Christine Sine, M.D., spent twelve years with YWAM as medical director of the Mercy Ships. She and her husband, Tom, consult with Christian organizations around the world and are the authors of Living on Purpose.
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