I've recently started reading the blog of marketing guy Seth Godin. Today he said something (at the end of a post about recognizing how truly privileged we are) that I needed to post:
The object isn’t to be perfect. The goal isn’t to hold back until you’ve created something beyond reproach. I believe the opposite is true. Our birthright is to fail and to fail often, but to fail in search of something bigger than we can imagine. To do anything else is to waste it all.
I love how he condemns both perfectionism and ambivalence. Spending several years neck deep in one of the most performance-driven communities in Canada gave me a strong distaste for the unquenchable lust for overachieving. At the same time I do have respect for high standards and commitment. Seth captures exactly what I think worth doing poorly is about. thanks
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Where do we belong?
The favourite buzzwords in a lot of church circles these days are "emerging" and "missional". Those who identify with these terms describe it as an important movement in Christianity in the Western world through which the church moves away from being primarily institutional and returns to more sincere and open relationship with the community. Critics often see it as either just another form of target marketing or an abandonment of the Biblical basics that define what is truly Christian.
Both the advocates and the naysayers have valid points. There are loads of examples of a loss of focus happening and the church losing the distinct message of God's earnest love for all of Creation and his passion to reveal himself for our response. It is potentially dangerous to leave behind the predictable systems and structures of church for the uncertainties of trying to figure out how to live out the truth and grace of Jesus in the midst of our neighbourhoods, marketplaces, and relationships.
Next Monday I'll be taking part in something called a synchroblog on this idea of Christians being "missional". To see what comes up you can visit my work blog.
For now, click over to see what has happened as the staff and students of Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship at McMaster University have struggled and celebrated their journey in this area. I know well that there has been a lot of doubt and discouragement along the way. There has been a large decline in attendance in prominence; and some people have been hurt in the process. It has been messy. But even in my conversation today with staff leader Cole Bassarab I saw how glad they are to have taken the risks and ow they are more fully experiencing God as they go.
Both the advocates and the naysayers have valid points. There are loads of examples of a loss of focus happening and the church losing the distinct message of God's earnest love for all of Creation and his passion to reveal himself for our response. It is potentially dangerous to leave behind the predictable systems and structures of church for the uncertainties of trying to figure out how to live out the truth and grace of Jesus in the midst of our neighbourhoods, marketplaces, and relationships.
Next Monday I'll be taking part in something called a synchroblog on this idea of Christians being "missional". To see what comes up you can visit my work blog.
For now, click over to see what has happened as the staff and students of Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship at McMaster University have struggled and celebrated their journey in this area. I know well that there has been a lot of doubt and discouragement along the way. There has been a large decline in attendance in prominence; and some people have been hurt in the process. It has been messy. But even in my conversation today with staff leader Cole Bassarab I saw how glad they are to have taken the risks and ow they are more fully experiencing God as they go.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Like an airport?!?
My new role with the Catalyst Foundation means I'm doing a bit more travelling than I've done before. that means spending a little more time in airports, with the strange sociological realities they bring.
At church this morning our pastor referred to an analogy he heard from Dr. Reggie McNeal at a denominational conference this week. It went something like this:
The church is meant to be like an airport; not a destination to which we bring people so they can arrive, but a place we pass through en route to where we are meant to be, which is among the people in our communities who are most in need; the place where God is at work.
I didn't hear McNeal, but I find it an interesting and helpful image. Certainly the church loses perspective and often we see our Sunday services as the purpose and high point of life.
I long to be part of a Christian community in which our gatherings are truly about being energised and prepared for being the presence of Christ in every other aspect of life.
At church this morning our pastor referred to an analogy he heard from Dr. Reggie McNeal at a denominational conference this week. It went something like this:
The church is meant to be like an airport; not a destination to which we bring people so they can arrive, but a place we pass through en route to where we are meant to be, which is among the people in our communities who are most in need; the place where God is at work.
I didn't hear McNeal, but I find it an interesting and helpful image. Certainly the church loses perspective and often we see our Sunday services as the purpose and high point of life.
I long to be part of a Christian community in which our gatherings are truly about being energised and prepared for being the presence of Christ in every other aspect of life.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Virginity for the Unchurched
I was very intrigued by this article from Christianity Today about the growing advocacy for premarital abstinence among people who make no claim of religious motivation. It's interesting that they offer more concrete considerations than most youth pastors do for why sex before marriage is generally a bad idea. But more interesting is the following comments about the value of this movement.
God's direction for our lives is good, both for raw practical reasons, and because it reflects the right relationship we are meant to have with God and all of Creation. this article surfaces both.
For my part, I hope that unchurched people who choose to remain celibate outside of marriage find some comfort and support in this movement. Theirs is a lonely conviction.
God's direction for our lives is good, both for raw practical reasons, and because it reflects the right relationship we are meant to have with God and all of Creation. this article surfaces both.
For my part, I hope that unchurched people who choose to remain celibate outside of marriage find some comfort and support in this movement. Theirs is a lonely conviction.
Two things not to be discussed in proper company
Religion and Politics are crucial topics but are rarely addressed with sincerity and humility in the media. Today I blog-hopped my way to this very interesting piece on how Barack Obama's faith informs his political role. Obama says:
Well, look, obviously as a Christian I believe in the values that are laid out in Scripture. I reflect on them often. I reflect on the lessons of Scripture as I’m going through the day. I pray frequently. I wrestle with doubts and try to figure out whether I’m doing the right thing, am I operating in an honest and moral way that is true to my religious precepts? Sometimes I may falter. So I guess the point is, I approach my work or I guess my faith is part of everything that I do. And I don’t think there’s a clear separation between my faith and how I try to live my life. And I certainly think that part of my motivation in the work that I do is a belief in what I consider the core precept of Christianity in addition to Christ dying for your sins and that is treating your brothers and sisters as you would have them treat you. A sense of empathy and a belief in the golden rule. And that’s what I try to apply to my work and what I do every day.
Regardless of your view of his stance on issues (I tend to like his positions for the most part), this is the kind of sincerity I appreciate.
Well, look, obviously as a Christian I believe in the values that are laid out in Scripture. I reflect on them often. I reflect on the lessons of Scripture as I’m going through the day. I pray frequently. I wrestle with doubts and try to figure out whether I’m doing the right thing, am I operating in an honest and moral way that is true to my religious precepts? Sometimes I may falter. So I guess the point is, I approach my work or I guess my faith is part of everything that I do. And I don’t think there’s a clear separation between my faith and how I try to live my life. And I certainly think that part of my motivation in the work that I do is a belief in what I consider the core precept of Christianity in addition to Christ dying for your sins and that is treating your brothers and sisters as you would have them treat you. A sense of empathy and a belief in the golden rule. And that’s what I try to apply to my work and what I do every day.
Regardless of your view of his stance on issues (I tend to like his positions for the most part), this is the kind of sincerity I appreciate.
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