De-baptism?!?

(This one's for you Yaksman)

Came across this article today about 100 000 people who have downloaded a certificate of de-baptism to signify that they are no longer in agreement with the decision made by their parents to ritually include them in the church. I've gotta say that I kinda like the idea.
While I have been baptised both as an unaware infant and later out of my own conviction as a teen, I do feel badly for those who feel tied to a faith they don't, can't, or won't adhere to. If this de-baptism is a sincere act of integrity to reconcile personal conviction with religious ritual I'm all for it. If it is being done just for laughs and mild rebellion, that's okay with me too.
The best thing about this is that people are considering whether they agree with the implications of baptism on their current life and beliefs. Nothing is much more Christian than regularly reconsidering the compatibility of our character and our stated convictions. If we genuinely don't desire to live in responsive obedience to the revelation of God we have received or what we believe isn't matching up to the spiritual community we are part of it is better that we face that directly and deal with it.
I would love to see a church offer a de-baptism day where they could provide the certificates and meet individually with people who wanted to be officially relieved of any expectations of identification or involvement with the church...

I want my pastor to...

During the 7 years I spent working full time in church I often came up against the expectations various people in the congregation had for what my role should be. In the beginning I spent far too much time and energy trying to figure out what was expected by everyone. I actually become much more effective when I stopped trying so hard to be a "good pastor" and tried to focus on being myself...

This week's Breakfast With Fred piece gives the late Fred Smith's perspective on what a pastor should be:

“I was asked to address the topic, “A Layman Looks at the Pastor.” I changed one word: Looking TO, not looking AT. Here are my personal views:.

1. I want my pastor to commit himself to building community. We live in a fractured world. Our cities are not friendly. Our workplaces are often combative. Sadly, even our homes are dysfunctional. As a group of believers, we need the fellowship of believers where people feel accepted and blessed.

2. I want my pastor to encourage the “priesthood of the believers.” He is not my agent negotiating a better deal with God than I can make. I want him to remind me that he isn’t a professional Christian with greater access. I want him to join with me in prayer --- not do the praying for me.

3. I want my pastor to teach me how to think about God, not just know what he thinks about God. My pastor is to awaken the teacher within me. He is to help me and guide me, but the responsibility for my spiritual health is mine.

4. I want my pastor to maintain his own spiritual vitality. I want his teaching to come from the artesian well of his walk, not the dead sea of old sermons and seminary classes.

5. I want my pastor to be my spiritual dietician, helping me to develop a spiritual regimen that is uniquely based on my gifts and opportunities. I am grateful for those who invested in my spiritual growth.

6. I want to be a regular person around him --- and I want him to be natural with me, as well. Maintaining images can alienate us from each other.

7. I want my pastor to know truth, not just the facts of the Bible. Just as information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom, so facts and word studies do not comprise the truth of the revelation.

8. I want my pastor to personify humility. I don’t want him to act humble – I want him to be humble. Our son, Fred, Jr., once gave me a great definition of humility: “Accepting your strength with gratitude.”

This week think carefully about: 1) What do I want my pastor to be? 2) How am I partnering with my pastor for encouragement? 3) What does it mean to be real with my pastor?

Point/Counterpoint

Larry Flynt sent members of congress free subscriptions to the porn magazine he publishes.

Most of them responded with condemning speeches (at least publically). But one was much more creative.

I don't know anything about this congressman, but this is pretty smooth.

Things I Need To Hear...

Over lunch today a good friend and I were talking about work and family and the mystery of balance. He's been out of work for a few months now, which gives him a certain perspective.

When I mentioned that I sometimes find it hard to reconcile the needs of my family with three small children at home and the encouragement to develop myself as a leader as much as I can he said something truly profound:

"Your job is not a covenant".

He went on to say that as a follower of Jesus I have a covenant promise with God, and as a married man I have another one with Kristen (and by extension our kids). But while I may be strongly committed to my other roles in life (profession, extended family, community, friendships, etc.), none of them have that same qualification.

A covenant is something much more than a commitment, it is a soul promise. It is an enduring sacrificial pledge from which there is meant to be no exit. It is a sacred and determining priority.

Church people often make trite statements about putting God first, marriage second, children third, church next, and so on...
But working that out in real life is far more complex. We can't just say that we always do family things before work. Real life requires compromise and constant renegotiation. that is why the reminder of covenant is so helpful. It's much deeper than a list of priorities. It's a fundamental orientation to life that honours core relationships even in the midst of the challenge doing so presents.

Thanks Gerb, I needed that.

Great Quote

“As a theologically conservative Christian myself, the challenge to me is to accept that it’s possible for someone to come to a different theological conclusion based on scripture, and still be a committed follower of Jesus. I’m used to feeling like, I know you’re a real Christ follower when you agree with me about everything, and part of the journey of a conservative Christian is realizing that there are genuine, heartfelt, passionate followers of Jesus, who arrived at different conclusions on some theological issues and some ethical issues rooted in their passion for, and study of scripture. Now there are also some sloppy, lazy, self-serving people who make up their ethics as they go along, to validate how they want to live, and then try to look through scripture to find the proof-text. And how do you know the difference between the two of those? First of all, as a Christian, I want to give people the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise, but also I get to know the difference when I get to know them, when we hang out together, when we do Bible study together.”

-Bruxy Cavey

Whose Story Is This?

I can't decide if I love this video or not.
I suspect that a lot of church people will think it's innovative and persuasive; but I wonder if people who aren't already convinced of the Christian message will just see it as another semi-typical attempt to market our faith...

Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WndCCNpD0BI

Two Good Starts

Last night I attended the "very soft launch" of Word Made Flesh - Canada. When Mark Petersen gets this motivated by a charity it is always worth checking out; and it was.

But the best part of the night came earlier, before I left home.

I was telling my 5 year old son, Ben, that I was going to hear a man who lives with people who don't have enough money or food. Ben asked why the man (Chris Heuertz) would do that. I explained that God loves everyone, but he has a special love for the poor. Ben nodded thoughtfully, then disappeared upstairs for a minute. When he came down he solemnly handed me the entire contents of his giraffe piggy bank and told me to give it to the man who helps the poor people. Then he drew a picture for them of someone who was given "clothes, food, money, a hat, and a house".


My son is more like Jesus than I am.

It was a sacred privilege to give his donation to Chris and after last night's event I am glad that Ben's first entry into generosity was in support of such a good organization.

Being Neighbourly

We've been in our house for almost three years. It's the kind of street where people rarely leave until the really have to, most of the houses are a little over 50 years old and many are still on their first residents.

This fall the neighbours on the east side of our place moved out, they needed somewhere with fewer stairs to accomodate their aging health. We spent a few weeks watching out our living room window as people came to see the house; who would our new neighbours be?

We've been hoping for either a family with young kids for ours to play with, or (even better) a teenage girl who could babysit. When the sold sign went up we watched even more closely and it seems like we didn't get our wish. We haven't met them yet, but it looks a couple in their mid-50's bought the place and are having a lot of renovations done before they move in. I can admit to being a little disappointed.

The thing is, whoever these people are, they are our neighbours. Today I read an article from Carolyn Arends, a musician I used to love a decade ago who now does a fair bit of writing and speaking. She talked about the reaction she had when her lovely family neighbourhood was overrun by grow-ops. What does "love your neighbour" feel like when the neighbour is in handcuffs?

A New Beginning

I really hope President Obama can deliver on some of the hope he has brought to both Americans and many in the rest of the world. I'm excited about the way he has set an entirely different tone for governing and engaging with people than his predecessor had. An amazing example is the new white house website.

Any chance Canada's political leaders will follow suit?
(Didn't think so)

Pro-What

I am not particularly interested in entering into the abortion debate on blog and facebook. I have zero confidence that the complexities and emotion of it can be usefully addressed here. But I do want to share these thoughts from Skye Jethani that express what I believe is a productive shift in the dialogue:

Christians have always been pro-life. During the Roman Empire when infanticide was rampant, it was Christians who retrieved abandoned babies from outside the city walls to raise them as their own. But it was also the church that gave unprecedented dignity to slaves, women, and social outcasts. Some have even hypothesized that it was Christianity's appeal to the disenfranchised masses that fueled its rapid expansion.
But since Roe vs. Wade, the way "pro-life" has been defined by many evangelicals has been very narrow. It has simply meant anti-abortion. But now that seems to be changing. Growing numbers of Christians are embracing a wider ethic of life. Jim Wallis has called for a Christian agenda that is pro-life "from the womb to the tomb." That means valuing people after they are born, and not just before. It means pursuing social justice, equality, education, health care, and human rights. It means fighting poverty and advocating for those without a voice.

I would love to see those who are so decisive in their condemnation of abortion become half as passionate about the lives of those that have been born. They might even earn a sincere audience...

The Root Of All Evil

(Note; the title above is a misquote from the Bible where it actually says "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" 1 Timothy 6:10)

The last year or so has seen some very public shame for a number of religious leaders who share in common the belief that God wants those he loves to be healthy and rich. The basic idea is that if we give generously to God (usually through the leader's organization) God will reward us with material prosperity. It's a very appealing invitation, especially for those who are economically struggling. Unfortunately it doesn't hold up to sound theology or practical observation.

This article gives the sad story of some of those leaders and how their followers are holding on to the teaching.

I don't really blame people for getting caught up in this. It's a very enticing idea; God will make me rich if only I stop sinning, give enough, pray enough, do enough. If I'm not rich it's my own fault for not trusting God the way I should.

The thing is, thee is an element of truth hidden here. It is a biblical principle that God provides us with all that we have so that we can bless others. Often, those who are faithful in giving their time, energy, love, abilities, and yes, money, do receive more in return. But the key to the whole thing is that it isn't a mechanical transaction.

We don't get to say to God, "I gave you $2000, now you owe me $10 000". It's all God's to begin with.

Truth only is true when it's equally true for everyone. Do the prosperity believers believe that those living in abject poverty are more sinful than the North American elite consumers? Do they think the only way God shows love is with cash?

I know this is a hugely loaded topic. I know there are tons of questions, for instances, objections, cautions, and pitfalls here. But I also know that there are a lot of people suffering with undeserved shame and false hope because they are convinced that they are only a little more donation away from easy street.

If the Bible teaches us anything, it's that there are no easy streets this side of heaven. Some prosperity preachers are finding that out now.

Should every player get to play?

In my professional life as someone who evaluates and develops nonprofit organizations I sometimes find myself stuck in a tension between honouring the best intentions of every participant and the reasonable expectation for meaningful performance outcomes that truly benefit those in need. It reminds me of the way I've been torn as a sports coach with whether to give equal playing time to everyone or to favour those who give the team the best chance of winning.

An article I read today argues that within the church everyone should get to play in the way that they want. In part the author says:

The church remains the home of the no-cut audition. We don't get to choose the other members of our body. You have to want to get in, but once you are here, we will find a part for you to play.

I'm so grateful that there is a place for everyone in God's great production. I hope I can keep that in mind when I need to suggest to some that they may be playing the wrong part. Ideally my true motive will be to see each one find the role for which they have been unwittingly preparing all along. Some of us don't realise that we are meant to be in the chorus, not singing solos. (Those who have heard my voice will now be thinking that some of us should maybe hold the lyric sheet and stay quiet).

At Christmas of all times, I pray that I and each one I interact with will discover more fully the dreams we can pursue in the company of a God who withholds nothing in his wild passion to be with us.

So whatever part you are now playing, and whatever parts you find yourself playing in the future; Merry Christmas

Advent

My favourite missionaries posted the most wonderful, simple explanation of the anticipation of Christmas:

http://forestviewchurch.ca/blogs/eggert/?p=22

Read it.

The Idology of Ideology

(Title taken from a Bruce Cockburn lyric "Call it Democracy")

Over lunch this week I may have confused a younger friend by saying that I am personally supportive of the legalization of gay marriage and all the accompanying rights that go with it, at least until political and religious leaders get their heads together and realise that the government should provide legal civil unions for any two people who so desire and each spiritual community should enact it's own practise for sacred unions.

In the discussion she referred to the idea that she just can't see herself letting go of some of the basic tenets of conviction she has been raised with. I understand that. Still, I hope that she will learn to hold most convictions loosely and only the most crucial of them in closed hands.

Brian McLaren describes what I'm experiencing as "ideological homelessness" in an excellent and very timely article.

Here's a snippet:

What they have in common, I think, is that they are seeking to create a new space that isn't clearly defined as "left" or "right." This is a space of civil disagreement, engaging with the other, crossing boundaries. Just yesterday, I heard somebody define this space as being homeless ... ideologically homeless.

If Rick were the right-wing nut-job that some of his hefty-lefty critics are painting him to be, he wouldn't dare accept an invitation by a Democratic pro-choice pro-gay President. If the President-Elect were the left-wing nut job his tighty-righty critics paint him to be ... he wouldn't invite Prop-8-supporting Rick Warren to give the invocation. If Rick were the compromising apostate his tighty-righty critics claim him to be, he wouldn't outspokenly disagree with the President-Elect on gay marriage and criminalizing abortion. And so on ... you get the point.

Meanwhile, what the critics have in common is that they have a home. They know where they stand - left, far left, right, far right, etc. They know who's in and who's out, who's orthodox and who's not, whom they're cold toward and whom they're hot about.

Christian does not equal Conservative

I've heard from more than one direction in this highly political year that Evangelical Christians must vote for the conservative (Republican in the US, Conservative Party in Canada) political party.

I find this utterly offensive.

While I have had some excellent interaction with people I deeply respect who are Christian and affiliate themselves with the conservative side, far too many of my spiritual siblings are simply stupid in this. They have limited what they understand to be God's interest to a very short list of hot topics; particularly the inclusion of homosexual couples in the civil institute of marriage. At the same time they are so partisan that they willfully turn a blind eye to other matters (environment, poverty, corruption, immigration/refugees for example), and often to the glaring inconsistencies and improprieties of their preferred leaders.

There is neither integrity or spiritual high ground in this.

There is also no historical perspective. My current favourite theologian, John Stackhouse, wrote an article that all politically interested followers of Jesus would be wise to give careful consideration. You don't have to agree, but you would be missing out on an important understanding if you ignore it.

And in the interest of honesty let me say that I have voted Liberal, Conservative, and Green each at least once in recent elections and I believe my current Member of Parliament (a Conservative) is worthy of respect and a committed representative of our riding.

I Believe In Books

Came across this interesting article from leadership guy Mark Sanborn which got me thinking about books that have been timely influences in my life.

Here are a few:
Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey I took this from my oldest brother and it was the first fantasy series I ever read. The story of Menolly struggling to find acceptance in a culture that didn't understand tapped into my own adolescent search for identity.
Mere Christianity - CS Lewis Started my search to find ways to express faith that could be understood by people who hadn't been already immersed in the subculture.
No Compromise - Melody Green This biography of Christian music and ministry pioneer Keith Green still calls me to a more complete devotion to what I claim to believe, I first read it about twenty years ago.
20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid to Touch - Tony Campolo Challenged several of the stereotypical views I had accepted without criticism.
The Jesus I Never Knew and What's So Amazing About Grace - Philip Yancey Two books that started me on the road to understand and experience Jesus with appreciation of church traditions but not dependence on them.
Spiritual Leadership - Oswald Sanders Still the best leadership book on my shelf.
Oh The Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuss The most honest and inspiring adult book ever hidden as a children's book. Can't count the number of times I've read this book to groups or given it as a gift.
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten - Robert Fulghum Profound wisdom throughout this book, not just the title essay. Probably one of the major influences on how I try to express myself even now.
A New Kind Of Christian - Brian McLaren Took all the things I was afraid to admit I was wondering and put them in narrative form.
Making The Best Of It - John Stackhouse The latest book to open up an understanding of faith that truly connects with the inherent messiness of my reality.
Holy Sweat - Tim Hansel The theme book of my internship year at Medeba. Expresses the adventure of following Jesus in ways that are easy to connect but hard to pursue. Sadly, out of print.
Return Of The Prodigal Son - Henri Nouwen Came at exactly the right time in my life and opened me to a new, more contemplative exploration of faith.
The Gospel In A Pluralist Society - Lesslie Newbigin Put words to my wonderings and turned me on to a whole circle of other writing based on his thought.

That's enought for now. Another time I could add "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet" "It's not about the bike", "The Hobbit", "God in the Alley", "Five Love Languages", and "Adrenaline and Stress"

Fame! I'm gonna live forever!

My boys have made their mainstream media debut: http://www.dundasstarnews.com/community/gallery/details/152426

The Most Offensive Word in the English Language

(It's not what you think).

Forgive the melodramatic title to this post, but I've got some frustration to vent.
I find it absolutely repulsive that so often we (and yes, I include myself here) use the word "just" in a dismissive sense with regard to people, tendencies, skills, and interests.

"I'm just a volunteer"
"That's just being emotional"
"I'm just learning to do it"
"You're just a student"
"I just try to help"
"My mom was just a housewife"
and the list goes on...

How arrogant and offensive to label the gifts and creations of God in such a way!
If I hear anyone speak of my children as "just" anything I'll be furious. They are not "just"; they are special, loved, unique, and sacred. The same is true of my developmentally delayed relatives, the neighbour with dementia, and the newcomer working a menial job to provide for their family. None of us is "just".

In fact, I'd love to take all those examples above, remove the word just, and replace it with an exclamation point at the end and an enthusiastic tone. We really need to learn to celebrate who we are, what we do, and those things that identify us as distinct from every other of the billions of humans who have wandered around on this sod.

I can only imagine God's reaction to our dismissal of ourselves, other people, or the things he has given us. Do you think he rages or weeps?

But then again, I'm just some guy with a blog...

If you don't (xxxxxxx); don't complain

It's not good enough to show up and vote once every few years and then feel you've done your part for the political process and our country. If the only time our representatives receive feedback is on election day they are ill-equipped to understand or respond to what we care about. Imagine if the only time your employer ever spoke to you was to either fire you or extend your contract annually.

We need to be the people who become known in the constituency offices, not because we're always complaining or critical; but because we offer a reasoned perspective that both affirms and argues respectfully as needed. If we don't do this the only voices to be heard will be the constant griping of the annoyed and the thoughtless praise of the loyalists. Politicians can't do their jobs well without our ongoing participation.

This doesn't mean we need to become associated with any political party. In a previous post I was critical of forming committed allegiances of this type, at least for those who call themselves Christians. In fact, I suspect that the most influential voices to a politician often are those who are undecided. After all those are the people they want to convince.

During the course of a campaign we are bombarded with political messaging, and still often we respond only by marking our "X". Between elections we are often completely silent. If we can't do better than that we don't deserve better government than we are getting.

On Obama

More than ever before in my life I am becoming politically conscious. I'm more attentive to the election campaigns both here in Canada and in the US. And I've taken the time to contact the leading candidate in my area about issues that matter to me, though I haven't yet decided how to vote (though my two year old has declared his allegiance...)


One of the best bloggers around posted this on how Niebuhr's philosophy has impacted Barack Obama. It's good.

(I have a daydream where someday I come up with something worth writing a book about and Al Hsu is my editor).