Motorcycles, Donald Miller, and Donald Miller's Impending Doom
Okay, that's an idiotic title, but we're going with it.
First bit of news is that I almost bought a motorcycle this week. It was a sweet bike, but way overpriced. I'm excited though, because that means I am officially looking and will hopefully own one soon. Vroom.
Secondly, I heard Donald Miller speak yesterday. It wasn't anything earth-shattering, especially since he basically shared what he's already written in his books, but it was still fun. I'm glad people are listening to a guy like him, who is trying to eliminate the whole "5 steps to biblical happiness" concept from Christianity and bring it back to a real feeling of loving relationship. It's a good start.
Lastly, I read some good articles yesterday that got me really excited about the hermeneutical task. Reading Jurgen Moltmann and Paul Ricoeur together was fascinating. I won't recap their arguments, but I'll try to share what I received after reading both and swirling them together in my mind. The author is not important (yes, like death of the author), but what is important is the transformation that occurs when a text comes upon the reader. The text is a mirror, showing our story for what it is and what is lacking. Think of Paul writing to the Corinthians. If we are thinking of authorial intent, the text has nothing to say to the 21st century believing community, because it is written to a certain group at a certain time. But if we put that aside and see how the text speaks into our own lives, how this story comes upon our own, we are transformed by the interaction. This is where the Spirit works. And we know it is the Spirit when it brings life. With the Spirit moving, the reader "becomes the reader of oneself," discovering a "new mode of being from the text itself." Our new mode of being, is not the suicidal will to power of Nietzsche, but an ontology of living into the New Testament narrative in which the Father, Son and Spirit demonstrate "relationships of fellowship and are open to the world."
Sorry if this doesn't make sense to you, the reader. I'm excited about it, but what do I know: I'm just the dead author of this blog entry!
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: I'm back on Gadamer's Truth and Method again. I had to take a break before. It is tough reading. Profound, but long.
Currently Listening To: A compilation of my favorite Wilco songs I put together yesterday.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
Where the rubber hits the road...
Where the rubber hits the road in ministry
Last night was our second week doing youth ministry with an entirely new format. I continue to love it, but have to accept the truth about what I'm doing in the process.
Last week we had nearly 60 students. Last year we averaged between 30-40, so I was pretty excited. This week we were down to the mid 30's. I have been spoon fed the idea that numerical growth is the way ministry works, and though I don't entirely agree, it is still in my head and was harshly yelling its painful reminders into my ear throughout the night. But I know that many students didn't return because the night wasn't "fun" enough, which means I have to be okay with it.
The good news, though, is that many students took on the challenge given last week, which meant personalizing the message and trying to live out the Gospel in their own context. Some succeeded. Some failed. But they all wanted to share about their attempts either way! Equally exciting was that many of them took the daily devotions I made seriously and read through the first 11 chapters of Genesis. They brought a bunch of great questions, some of which I was able to answer, others of which completely stumped me.
I don't know how all of this will be viewed by my superiors, my church as a whole, or other youth ministries. What I do know is that for the first time I feel like I am doing ministry in a way that is faithful to God and scripture, and leading in a fashion that matches the way God made me. I like it.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Radical Reformission, The : Reaching Out without Selling Out by Mark Driscoll. Although I have had a multitude of issues with this guy (and still do), it is a decent book which would probably do the average Christian a lot of good. I see him taking a lot of the big theological thoughts floating around these days and boiling them down into some practical ways of living for the average Joe. That's a good thing.
Currently Listening To: NOFX's White Trash album. It's their best by far.
Last night was our second week doing youth ministry with an entirely new format. I continue to love it, but have to accept the truth about what I'm doing in the process.
Last week we had nearly 60 students. Last year we averaged between 30-40, so I was pretty excited. This week we were down to the mid 30's. I have been spoon fed the idea that numerical growth is the way ministry works, and though I don't entirely agree, it is still in my head and was harshly yelling its painful reminders into my ear throughout the night. But I know that many students didn't return because the night wasn't "fun" enough, which means I have to be okay with it.
The good news, though, is that many students took on the challenge given last week, which meant personalizing the message and trying to live out the Gospel in their own context. Some succeeded. Some failed. But they all wanted to share about their attempts either way! Equally exciting was that many of them took the daily devotions I made seriously and read through the first 11 chapters of Genesis. They brought a bunch of great questions, some of which I was able to answer, others of which completely stumped me.
I don't know how all of this will be viewed by my superiors, my church as a whole, or other youth ministries. What I do know is that for the first time I feel like I am doing ministry in a way that is faithful to God and scripture, and leading in a fashion that matches the way God made me. I like it.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Radical Reformission, The : Reaching Out without Selling Out by Mark Driscoll. Although I have had a multitude of issues with this guy (and still do), it is a decent book which would probably do the average Christian a lot of good. I see him taking a lot of the big theological thoughts floating around these days and boiling them down into some practical ways of living for the average Joe. That's a good thing.
Currently Listening To: NOFX's White Trash album. It's their best by far.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
International Day of Peace
Today is the International Day of Peace. I'll be marching through downtown Bellingham and I would highly recommend that anybody who chooses peace over violence do something similar.
In other news, the US military death count in Iraq has reached nearly 2,000 (infinitely less than civilian deaths and illegal imprisonments in Iraq). No sign of any WMD's or Bin Laden (remember him?) yet, but we're gonna keep looking. Meanwhile we'll execute Saddam and prove to the world that violence is not the answer.
Sorry for the sarcasm... Sometimes I can't contain it.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: The newest issue of Rolling Stone (thanks Ron) and some wild articles I was given about the "Moral Majority." Glad their "morals" led them to put tax cuts as their number one priority: never mind starving children, AIDS, cancer, sweat shops, the decline of Christianity, war, etc.
Currently Listening To: No Direction Home, the soundtrack to the new Bob Dylan documentary. It's great, especially when the whole crowd is booing him for going electric and he responds by playing Like a Rolling Stone as loud as he can. Beautiful.
In other news, the US military death count in Iraq has reached nearly 2,000 (infinitely less than civilian deaths and illegal imprisonments in Iraq). No sign of any WMD's or Bin Laden (remember him?) yet, but we're gonna keep looking. Meanwhile we'll execute Saddam and prove to the world that violence is not the answer.
Sorry for the sarcasm... Sometimes I can't contain it.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: The newest issue of Rolling Stone (thanks Ron) and some wild articles I was given about the "Moral Majority." Glad their "morals" led them to put tax cuts as their number one priority: never mind starving children, AIDS, cancer, sweat shops, the decline of Christianity, war, etc.
Currently Listening To: No Direction Home, the soundtrack to the new Bob Dylan documentary. It's great, especially when the whole crowd is booing him for going electric and he responds by playing Like a Rolling Stone as loud as he can. Beautiful.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Volunteerism
Inspired by Putnam's book Bowling Alone, along with personal convictions to do something more than gripe about things I dislike in the world, I have become a joiner. Last Friday I joined the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, and will be volunteering on Friday mornings by running the center. I'm very excited about this opportunity to help bring peace and justice in a world where both are hard to come by. I put a link to the WPJC for anybody interested.
Peace,
Matt
Peace,
Matt
Teenage Faith Seeking Understanding
Jesus is popular with most people, be they Christian, Hindu, Agnostic or any other title a person may take on. He preached a loving way of life and offerred himself for the sake of others. When teens show up in my ministry, they rarely seem to have a problem with him. They may or may not be "religious," but Jesus is alright with them. The problem comes when I challenge them to seek answers. It doesn't feel like many people want to seek anything beyond their remote control these days.
Last night was the first night of our new ministry format. It went well. The hard thing for me is to see so many teenagers who just aren't interested in expanding their faith, in seeking to have a fuller understanding of who Christ is and what he means to their lives. They can show up and sit through two hours of our ministry, but that's it. The mega-church people call those people who show up at a service "seekers," but I don't really feel like many people are actually seeking. To seek means to search continually until you find answers. I wish everybody would become a seeker.
I gave our students daily readings, which equal about 5-10 minutes of reading a night, including another 5-10 minutes for prayer and journaling questions and thoughts. Some students jumped right on it. Some took the booklets but didn't seem too interested. Some didn't even touch them. I know I'm a dreamer, but I do think it would be amazing to see people of any age take the opportunity to learn more about the transcendent God who created the universe and loves humankind with all that he is. I wish teens would have faith that seeks understanding.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Listening To: Neil Young's new album, Prarie Wind, which hasn't been released yet but is available for listening on NPR.
Currently Reading: After Our Likeness: The Church As the Image of the Trinity by Miroslav Volf. Brilliant, full of depth, as usual.
Last night was the first night of our new ministry format. It went well. The hard thing for me is to see so many teenagers who just aren't interested in expanding their faith, in seeking to have a fuller understanding of who Christ is and what he means to their lives. They can show up and sit through two hours of our ministry, but that's it. The mega-church people call those people who show up at a service "seekers," but I don't really feel like many people are actually seeking. To seek means to search continually until you find answers. I wish everybody would become a seeker.
I gave our students daily readings, which equal about 5-10 minutes of reading a night, including another 5-10 minutes for prayer and journaling questions and thoughts. Some students jumped right on it. Some took the booklets but didn't seem too interested. Some didn't even touch them. I know I'm a dreamer, but I do think it would be amazing to see people of any age take the opportunity to learn more about the transcendent God who created the universe and loves humankind with all that he is. I wish teens would have faith that seeks understanding.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Listening To: Neil Young's new album, Prarie Wind, which hasn't been released yet but is available for listening on NPR.
Currently Reading: After Our Likeness: The Church As the Image of the Trinity by Miroslav Volf. Brilliant, full of depth, as usual.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Ah Crap!
Well, I changed the look of this site not realizing that I would lose all my links! I'm an idiot. I think I will add them slowly, so keep posted for exciting new links!
Is that good advertising or what?
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich. I found an original copy at the used book store and am of course loving it. Tillich was a very brilliant theologian who I believe is too often overlooked these days.
Currently Listening To: An interview with John Dominic Crossan on NPR from 2004.
Is that good advertising or what?
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich. I found an original copy at the used book store and am of course loving it. Tillich was a very brilliant theologian who I believe is too often overlooked these days.
Currently Listening To: An interview with John Dominic Crossan on NPR from 2004.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Storytellers
A few days ago I sat down with my friend Ron and watched Bruce Springsteen's VH1 Storytellers on DVD. To be honest, I've never been a fan of his. His later stuff always sounds pretty good, but Born in the USA just sounds like some guy yelling. Anyway, listening to him explain Devils & Dust just got to me.
He pointed out themes that were hidden in the lyrics rather than blatant. He explained the guitar parts and why the rhythm and tempo went a certain way to encourage a certain mood and the continuing themes of the song. I don't think I have typically given that much credit to songwriters.
As a storyteller myself, it made me wonder about how I could be telling the story better. I know that all the talk about story may be a bit cliched for some in the pomo camp, but there is some serious truth to it. We are continually retelling a story and it requires us to put a lot of thought into how we tell it. I listened to a 2 hour CD of Johnny Baker talking about how he tells the story through media and experiences beyond what 99.9% percent of churches would ever dream of, and it was brilliant. We have a calling to be good storytellers, and to put at least as much thought into how we tell God's story as Bruce puts into one song.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: True at First Light : A Fictional Memoir by Ernest Hemingway. Also, I recently read Jesus : A Revolutionary Biography by John Dominic Crossan. He is part of the Jesus Seminar, and a bit wild for the average Christian, but there were some amazing gems and thought provoking statements made amidst many things that I simply cannot accept. Also reading the newest issue of Mother Jones magazine. I'm still a nerd.
He pointed out themes that were hidden in the lyrics rather than blatant. He explained the guitar parts and why the rhythm and tempo went a certain way to encourage a certain mood and the continuing themes of the song. I don't think I have typically given that much credit to songwriters.
As a storyteller myself, it made me wonder about how I could be telling the story better. I know that all the talk about story may be a bit cliched for some in the pomo camp, but there is some serious truth to it. We are continually retelling a story and it requires us to put a lot of thought into how we tell it. I listened to a 2 hour CD of Johnny Baker talking about how he tells the story through media and experiences beyond what 99.9% percent of churches would ever dream of, and it was brilliant. We have a calling to be good storytellers, and to put at least as much thought into how we tell God's story as Bruce puts into one song.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: True at First Light : A Fictional Memoir by Ernest Hemingway. Also, I recently read Jesus : A Revolutionary Biography by John Dominic Crossan. He is part of the Jesus Seminar, and a bit wild for the average Christian, but there were some amazing gems and thought provoking statements made amidst many things that I simply cannot accept. Also reading the newest issue of Mother Jones magazine. I'm still a nerd.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Principalities & Powers
Throughout his letters, and especially in Ephesians and Colossians, the apostle Paul mentions "principalities" and "powers." Newbigin did a great job looking into this and helping point out what the apostle may be referring to when he writes this sort of thing.
The word Paul uses for powers is stoicheia, which is literally "elementary spirits," or "ruling spirits of the universe" (p. 203). When Newbigin discusses this, he uses the example of kingship. The king may die and another king arise, but the kingship remains. The power is the kingship more than any individual king. So the battle is not simply with those who wield power, but the power that is above and beyond the person who has it. It is a spiritual battle.
Paul points out in Colossians 2:15 that these spirits, or powers, have been disarmed by Christ's work, though not destroyed. The truth to powers is that there has to be systems and controls in our world to prevent anarchy. So Christ has disarmed them and shown that he is above all powers, but he has not destroyed them because they are necessary. The role of the church, then, is to judge between good and bad powers.
Last weekend I watched The Corporation, a documentary about modern day corporations that are literally buying everything imaginable and taking complete control of human life. The wild thing was to realize that most people in these despicable corporations were "good people." They want to help the environment. They hate sweat shops. The celebrate life and equality. Yet their corporations turn out to be the poster-children for evil. How is this? I believe it has to do with principalities and powers. Furthermore, I believe that the church must have a response to these unmasked, disarmed powers if it is to be the Church of the risen Christ. Our response is a violent reaction to those spiritual powers beyond the men and women running corupt corporations and governments, requiring the full armor of Christ as we engage the powers and call them to live into their original, God-given calling.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Genesis, a commentary by Walter Brueggemann. It is amazing!
The word Paul uses for powers is stoicheia, which is literally "elementary spirits," or "ruling spirits of the universe" (p. 203). When Newbigin discusses this, he uses the example of kingship. The king may die and another king arise, but the kingship remains. The power is the kingship more than any individual king. So the battle is not simply with those who wield power, but the power that is above and beyond the person who has it. It is a spiritual battle.
Paul points out in Colossians 2:15 that these spirits, or powers, have been disarmed by Christ's work, though not destroyed. The truth to powers is that there has to be systems and controls in our world to prevent anarchy. So Christ has disarmed them and shown that he is above all powers, but he has not destroyed them because they are necessary. The role of the church, then, is to judge between good and bad powers.
Last weekend I watched The Corporation, a documentary about modern day corporations that are literally buying everything imaginable and taking complete control of human life. The wild thing was to realize that most people in these despicable corporations were "good people." They want to help the environment. They hate sweat shops. The celebrate life and equality. Yet their corporations turn out to be the poster-children for evil. How is this? I believe it has to do with principalities and powers. Furthermore, I believe that the church must have a response to these unmasked, disarmed powers if it is to be the Church of the risen Christ. Our response is a violent reaction to those spiritual powers beyond the men and women running corupt corporations and governments, requiring the full armor of Christ as we engage the powers and call them to live into their original, God-given calling.
Peace,
Matt
Currently Reading: Genesis, a commentary by Walter Brueggemann. It is amazing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
