Wednesday, December 31

The Three Postmodernisms by Brian McLaren

Good article on the term postmodernity

posted by Jordon | 10:06 AM | |


Tuesday, December 30

2004 Web Project

I decided to launch a one year web project this year called Project 365 in which I would post a picture a day, every day during 2004 to the web. Something to stretch my artistic side and something to look back at. If you are interested, you can follow the progress at www.fotolog.net/project365

posted by Jordon | 9:43 PM | |


Sunday, December 28

Alan rants a bit about "emerging"....

Alan Creech writes:
"December 26, 2003 >> 11:43 PM
emerging
Liz just came home. I used my new knife tonight - I think it's so sharp I could shave myself with it - I won't. Listening to my new Radiohead CD - The Bends - amazing stuff - there will be more. Matt and Brian came over tonight - pleasant surprise - just hung out for a while. I love those boys.

I've also read a little in blogdom and heard a little talk lately about the term "emerging," referring to the emerging church. Also used is the term "emergent" as well as "postmodern" - wow. Are you still really using the term postmodern a good deal? Seriously. Anyway, I don't really give a damn what you call it - it's not that important. I just know what I am doing (yes, DOING) and what I've been tracking with and seeing happen all over the world. There are different phenomena out there - it's not all the same. This doesn't equal that doesn't equal that over there. Generally, and this is brief surface scratching here, the term postmodern church, as I see it, refers to churches that tend to keep many of the same trappings as ever: buildings, budgets, staff ministers, sermons in front of silent audiences, a "come to church" mentality, programatic "ministry," etc. Only this - they do it cooler. They have cool haircuts and cool worship songs and the setting of the same old stuff is just plain cool. I suppose that'.... never mind - I just don't think that's very helpful. Root causes are not being addressed. Problems that cripple the Body are left untouched really, covered with makeup and band-aids. Are they sincere and Christian and do they love God and love people?? Yes, yes, yes, ok, ok. I'm not saying they don't. I don't know if going on with this post much further is even fruitful. I wonder.

Things are changing. What I've seen in this underground sort of "emerging church" whatever it is, is (and seriously, labels here are pointless and it really doesn't matter) something far more radical. More radical (to the root) than models of how to "do church" and music styles and whether we reach "young people" or not. It's more a wholesale questioning and redefinition of why we are doing what we are doing and what it has or has not - and what it is or is not accomplishing - and whether or not "accomplishing" anything in this arena is even what we need to be talking about or concerned with.

The question for me and for many church planters - people who have jumped out of the boat to find another island - are doing is trying to get to the heart of the matter - what IS the church? Why is it here? All the answers we have EVER been given are on the chopping block - they won't do simply because they are there. So, we lay them all down and we pick them up one by one and ask, "why is this here?" - "is this legitimate?" - "does this harm or help?" - and the big one - "does this or that help to effectively form me and those whom I am bound together with into the image of Jesus Christ?" The answer to this question is what causes me to "be the church" how I be it. The question, you understand me, is NOT, "does this or that effectively communicate the gospel to the postmodern generation around me?" If that were the question, I would not be asking deeply enough. I would be asking within my former framework of thinking. I would still be wondering how best to get people to come to church and how to make that church service relevant to them when they do come. That would be to stay the same with makeup on.

So, I am not talking about one model over another. I am not advocating "house church" over "cell church" or whatever. The only reason I would ever suggest anyone look at any model whatsoever is if I thought somehow, part of that model caught a glimpse of the core of the matter better than another perhaps - so look at that - please! But don't just look to find things that seem cool and copy them - damn! Jump off the cliff and hit the freakin' rocks below and die a bloody death to everything before! Do it now!!! If you do not, you will never ever know if any of it is good and healthy and formational or not. You will not know because you will have stayed in the land of assumptions. So, you may come back alive from that death and realize, for instance, that liturgy IS good and DOES help to form people effectively into the image of Christ - and then you will do it because of that and not because you never questioned it and you assumed it was just good. And you will not do it because you were desperate to reach the young people and you found out they like that cool, mystical crap and so you cranked up some candles and incense and did it, and they came, and declared, "it is cool."

If you die that death, allow God to slowly resurrect you, and then end up with a building - awesome!! But DO NOT simply refuse to question whether or not it is legitimate to have a building as a "church"! Don't do that. Don't simply refuse to question paid staff ministry because "that's all I was ever trained to do" and you're afraid you won't be able to support your family - DON'T do that! Wow! We can't get past the front door to see the street! It's NOT about models or labels or styles of worship - crap, crap! It's about busting it all down because it really, really has not worked very well - a good deal of it - and allowing God to rebuild it - ALL of it - for us, through us, in us. So, doing it the same old way with new garb on is not going to cut it. Not allowing yourself to question pretty much everything because of fear will not get it done. This is it. This is what is "emerging." I'm sure other things are too, but this is what I'm seeing and hearing and doing - trying to do. OK, I'm done for now. I wasn't even sure I wanted to get started on this tonight. I guess I did though, didn't I? Oh well. Peace, Grace, and an open heart be with you."


posted by Charlie Wear | 10:38 PM | |


Saturday, December 27

Indie Allies Meetup



find out more at indieallies.meetup.com
Indie Allies Meetup is coming again soon on January 13, 2004. As you can see, there is over 1800 people signed up worldwide and we are looking for more. If you have signed up, go an vote. If you haven't, it is FREE to join, and takes about 30 seconds to join. It is a monthly gathering of people who are exploring new ideas in Christian thought and expression and want to see what God is doing in their communities. If you haven't signed up, you are missing out on a great time. There is no central agenda, just a meeting over coffee and a beverage to see what's up in your part of the world.

posted by Jordon | 12:07 PM | |


Friday, December 26



SIMPLISTIC SIMPLICITY: Mike gives some sobering thoughts about the emerging church movement in the thread under Charlie's remarks.

I've always imagined that part of the emerging church's function is to serve as another fishing rod for bringing people to Christ. I know that sounds simplistic.
But I know lots of people who do not connect in any existing churches and who I believe would connect to a new way of being church. Granted, many of those folks have issues that go much deeper than forms of church. But I'm supporitive of any move to bring folks into the body.

posted by Rudy | 10:40 AM | |


Wednesday, December 24

My Christmas Wish

I love to give.

However, that doesn't mean that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It usually means that it is one of the most frustrating times of the year. I struggle with this.

Why do I get so frustrated at this time of the year?

Maybe it's a frustration that comes from the obligation of giving. I've always commented to those who respond to a gift, "You didn't have to do this," with "If I thought I had to, I wouldn't."

Maybe it's the frustration of wanting to give a gift that others would view as excessive. When I was 14 or 15 I gave my parents a nice "expensive" gift. I had saved some money and could afford to spend more than my sister. Mom and Dad enjoyed the gift. My sister was hurt. She felt her gift was useless in comparison.

Maybe it is the lack of surprise. One of the joys of giving is the surprise one experiences because it is unexpected. I enjoy seeing the surprise of the unexpected.

This year is particularly hard. I want to be generous but I'm experiencing some great frustration with some of my family. It's hard to be generous and frustrated at the same time.

Each year Sara and I make a list of people that we are going to get gifts for. Then we ask, "What gift would they have fun receiving?" In most cases we are able to finish the list with ease and with anticipation that we will really enjoy giving the gift selected.

However, this year the list was bare and aggravation set in quickly. We couldn't think of gifts because our view was clouded by the irritation of frustration.

It is interesting that sometimes we see God dealing with the same irritations. Seemingly at times it is hard for Him to be generous because of His frustration with us. (e.g. the stories of Israel and the promise land, Hosea, Noah)

However, the Gift of the Christ Child came in a moment of history when the obligation had worn from the years. The time was pregnant with for surprise. And, it was an excessive gift wrapped in a paper bag. The timing was beautiful.

In the middle of Hosea the anger of God is building to a frenzy. God is going to punish (destroy) His people for their disobedience. And then there is a phrase that changes the entire mood of the book. "But I am God, not man."

In this one phrase God explains that even in frustration He cannot help but to be generous. His logic is skewed because of His generous nature.

My Christmas wish...that someday it would be said about me, "he so loved the world that he gave."

posted by joe | 9:41 AM | |

When Santas Go Bad

From Newsday
A parade of Santas turned holiday cheer into anything but at Nassau Coliseum.
The New York Islanders offered a free ticket to Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers to anyone who came dressed as Santa Claus.
After the first period, around 1,000 Santa-clad fans were invited onto the ice in their costumes. But the good will went somewhat awry when two Santas ripped off their jackets to reveal jerseys of the rival New York Rangers.
Some Santas, partial to the Islanders, jumped the ones with the Rangers jerseys. They were knocked to the ice and had the shirts ripped off during a melee in one corner of the rink.
Security tried their best to calm the fans down, but some took advantage and went sliding across the ice.
The entire parade took nearly nine minutes, and nearly delayed the start of the second period. The Islanders rallied in the third period for a 4-2 victory.
Islanders forward Arron Asham said the team wasn't aware of the in-between periods excitement. But when he was briefed, a smile came across his face.
"Awesome," Asham said.

posted by Jordon | 7:12 AM | |


Monday, December 22



By now I have read Mr. Colson's remarks a few times....So we have turned the corner on abortion rights, homosexuality and soccer moms are now security moms because of 9/11. And therefore our society is back on the road to rationalism which is a victory for "Christianity"? We now have a real opening for the gospel?
Unfortunately Barna has discovered the church has dumbed down, so now what we need to do is dumb up! Huh? So Colson's remarks irritated David enough to cause him to expose his true emotions....so what, does that mean he can't express his opinion? Mr. Colson claims that universities can't teach ethics any more...that is rich from a convicted felon who practiced his own form of situational ethics that landed him in jail....way back before we knew that such things happened because we had lost our moral compass in favor of pragmatism. I'm glad Mr. Colson found Christ and that he has ministered to prisoners....But I'm sorry I don't think his arguments were "rational." However, I think that once we get beyond the obvious generation gap between Mr. Colson and David Hopkins, and beyond David's "attidude, then isn't it clear that there is a culture gap as well....

posted by Charlie Wear | 7:38 PM | |

Charismatics and the emerging church

My early years of following Christ were in a pentecostal church. There was a fire and passion within that I still believe to be real. The gifts and at least some of the manifestations, for lack of a better term, of the Spirit were legit. In my own limited scope, I have seen a drastic reduction in miracles and even average functioning of the more supernatural, again for lack of a better term, spiritual gifts in the emerging church. While there are many, many, and I mean many, good things going on with how the church is evolving, I fear losing the power and presence of the Spirit. For whatever ills the excesses have given to us, there were benefits to the twentieth century charismatic movement. How do we not lose that? Is anyone else thinking about this? Can the good be a part of the emerging church without ending up with the bad?

I am seriously interested to see if there are a few charismatic movements or even individual local churches who are engaging the questions we grapple with in the emerging church.

I should also note that I am in the more extreme segment of the emerging church in regards to structure. We avoid anything looking like an institution or establishment at all costs. I just add that because when I have investigated charismatics and postmodernity in the past, the norm is to change a few external things while keeping the core of the ministry intact.

posted by Alan | 6:46 PM | |


Wednesday, December 17

Chuck Colson nailed by David Hopkins

David Hopkins writes:

"From Chuck Colson (with Anne Morse), his article The Postmodern Crackup:
"Is postmodernism, the philosophy that claims there is no transcendent truth, on life support?"

Thank you, Mr. Colson, for completely misunderstanding (or, at best, grossly simplifying) a concept to fit your own agenda and worldview. You have proved to me, three things:
1.) People cannot see outside of their own perspective
2.) Yes, some perspectives do not deserve the priviledge they are given.
3.) You are not as well-informed as I hoped.

"The philosophy that claims there is no transcendent truth"? Nearly every word in that statement is wrong. Have you read any text from a postmodern theorist? Any? One?

Does it scare anyone that Colson is considered an influential thinker within American Christianity?

Troy Dyer from Reality Bites said it best:
"You are the reason Cliffnotes were invented."

more from Chuck---

"I spoke at my alma mater, Brown University, in June, arguing that without acknowledging moral truth, it's impossible for colleges to teach ethics. I've been saying this since the late 1980s, all over America, and I've yet to be successfully contradicted."
Um, you're also a prick.

"Postmodernists claim we can have no "grand metanarrative" that makes sense of reality. Since there's no such thing as truth, all principles are merely personal preferences."
Moving from grand metanarrative to truth is terribly simplistic. The grand metanarrative is a little more complex than a 1:1 with your favorite word: truth.

Your personal preference for defending a keyword within your theology is ironic.

"But then came September 11, the day terrorists imposed their preferences, murdering 3,000 innocent Americans."
Are you suggesting that postmodernism killed 3,000 Americans? I'd think those terrorists do not believe in multiple narratives that are equally valid. They seem fairly convinced in the truth of their cause. Chuck, the terrorists might endorse your own philosophy and disdain for forward thinking.

"Christianity offers a belief system that is, as Paul tells Festus, 'true and reasonable.' "
C.S. Lewis stated that the believability of the Christian story comes from it being so wonderfully unreasonable. Just a thought.

"It would be the supreme irony, and a terrible tragedy, if we found ourselves slipping into postmodernity just when the broader culture has figured out it's a dead end."
Broader culture? Soccer moms? But HOW is it a dead end? Because the postmodern philosophy does not acknowledge truth? Why does everything fall apart? Maybe for you... or maybe you just need a villain in order to continue your own form of Christian imperialism?

Maybe I need a villain?"


posted by Charlie Wear | 9:55 PM | |

Meet the Creative Commons

3.2 meg Flash movie. Excellent.

posted by Jordon | 11:09 AM | |


Monday, December 15



RUMORS OF RUMORS
"They" say that Soularize 2004 might be in Los Angeles. Cool. Everybody come over and visit The Harambee. I promise to have the wireless network up-and-running in the Family Room, a full-size basketball court out back, an amphitheatre that holds 150 people, a Retreat House with 16 beds - plus if you act now I'll call in a helicopter fly-by complete with searchlights and speeding squad cars.

( And isn't it nice to finally know who "they" are? )

posted by Rudy | 8:47 PM | |



I FIGURE...
... that the ooze audience knows about this blog, but thought i'd mention it anyway.

posted by Rudy | 8:25 PM | |

Ten Tips for a Better Weblog by Rebecca Blood

Some good tips here for all of us.

posted by Jordon | 8:15 PM | |

Drag and Drop Nativity Story

Another cool idea. Get the order right and you get the whole story. via Maggi Dawn

posted by Jordon | 3:28 PM | |


Friday, December 12

istockphoto.com

I was going to e-mail this link to Spencer but decided to post it here for all to see. It's istockphoto.com and it is an online stock photo community. Basically you upload photos to the site and if they are approved, they are available to everyone. As your photos are downloaded, you get paid a dime a download which means that you can buy more download credits or cash out once you reach $100. Not a bad idea and a good way to get some of your work in the public eye.

posted by Jordon | 4:31 PM | |

The blog now has it's

own RSS feed. If you are wondering what RSS is, the BBC does a good job explaining here. (update: it is now the right link)

posted by Jordon | 12:37 PM | |

Terror Attack Levels

Terror Alert Level
(It's not a political statement, I am just having fun this Friday)

posted by Jordon | 11:20 AM | |


Thursday, December 11

10 Worst Life Verses

Wendy's life verse is #8. Not good.

posted by Jordon | 9:13 PM | |

Five Geek Social Fallacies

About geeks but has some great application to community as well. via Smart Mobs

posted by Jordon | 5:03 PM | |


Tuesday, December 9

christmas love :)


i am always amazed at how "loving" people get at christmas time, and how indifferent they are all the rest of the year. i'm not sure why, and to be honest with you the reason "we are human" is no longer any good - to me it sounds like a cop-out and not a reality. then i wonder, how can we get people to love all year long? i wonder, and i wonder - and still i wonder. but mostly, i love - and i pray that others love also. maybe if we see our faith as "life changeing" we would truly change our lives.......... hummm, i wonder - be in peace

pax
punk monkey -

posted by john o'keefe | 11:41 PM | |

The Rwanda Project

Beauty is the midst of terror via Jonny Baker
UPDATE: I posted it to Metafilter and this was posted in the comments. Art of some of the child survivors of genocide. Very disturbing.

posted by Jordon | 1:29 PM | |


Sunday, December 7

Okay, I can't help it, this is kind of funny....

If you search google for "The Kama Sutra", no. 18 (out of 32,300)of the results listed is this article>>>

posted by Charlie Wear | 4:10 PM | |


Friday, December 5

Evangelicals @ Harvard, MIT

Interesting Boston Globe story about evangelical Christianity at Harvard, MIT and other Boston universities.

There are 15 evangelical Christian fellowship groups at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology alone. This is a pretty stunning development for a university where science has always been god, where efficiency and rationality are embedded in the DNA of the cold granite campus. Hundreds of MIT students are involved in these fellowships -- blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians, especially Asians. Some of the groups are associated with powerhouse national evangelical organizations, like Campus Crusade for Christ and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Others are more home-grown. Either way, the ranks are multiplying.

"When I came to MIT, I was expecting it to be full of nerds -- people who don't really put together science and religion," says Benjamin Brooks, a senior from Paterson, New Jersey, who belongs to the MIT chapter of the evangelical group Chi Alpha. "I was really surprised -- and still am -- by the volume of Christian fellowship here."

It's the same on campuses across the Boston area. At Harvard University, "there are probably more evangelicals than at any time since the 17th century," says the Rev. Peter J. Gomes, religious historian and minister of the university's Memorial Church, who arrived on campus in 1970. "And I don't think I have ever seen a wider range of Christian fellowship activity." (Full story.)

Link via Chi Alpha@Stanford.

posted by Andrew | 5:35 AM | |


Thursday, December 4

roadFORKS.com


We've just finished filling out the www.roadforks.com site! Check it out!

posted by Malcolm | 3:30 PM | |


Tuesday, December 2

December Next-Wave is online

The December issue of Next-Wave is online....

posted by Charlie Wear | 7:55 AM | |


Monday, December 1

Brian McLaren's new website

anewkindofchristian.com

posted by Jordon | 2:33 PM | |