Category Archives: Relationships
Losing Our Religion
Recently a pastor in my denomination (The CRCNA) announced that he is leaving the denomination because he ‘has doubts’ about the doctrinal positions that he is supposed to defend and teach. He indicated that he is pursuing a ministry position in the United Church of Canada.
He is not leaving because he is no longer a Christian.
He is not leaving because he is done with the ministry.
He is not leaving because he no longer is interested in following Christ.
He is not leaving because he no longer is interested in preaching and teaching.
He is leaving because we’ve created a culture in which. . . Continue reading
Filed under Theology, Readings, Culture, Relationships, The Text, Philosophy, Practices
Of Paths and Prairies, Gods and Tears
The story begins as the European pioneers crossed the Alleghenies and started to settle the Midwest. The land they found was covered with forests. With great effort they pulled up the trees, pulled up the stumps, and planted their crops in the rich, loamy soil.
When they finally reached the western edge of the place we now call Indiana, the forest stopped and ahead lay a thousand miles of the great grass prairie. The Europeans were puzzled by this new environment. Some even called it the Great Desert. It seemed untillable.
In 1837, a blacksmith in the town of Grand Detour, Illinois, invented a new tool. His name was John Deere, and the tool was a plow made of steel… Continue reading
Filed under Politics, Theology, Readings, Travels, Culture, Relationships, Economy, Philosophy, Books, Practices
Toes, Lines and Bad Religion
There has been an ongoing dialogue in the CRC as to the role the historic Reformed confessions should play in our life together as a denomination.
They were written in the 1600’s and 1700’s – should adherence to them be mandatory? Historically, all pastors and office bearers (and professors at Calvin College and Dordt College) have signed that they will teach and uphold these (by signing the Form of Subscription). Yet times have changed. Continue reading
Filed under Politics, Practices, Readings, Relationships, Theology
Church Planters Academy Highlights 2
Tonight’s portion was on failure in church planting — Rich McCullen (Missiongathering), Mike Stavlund (Common Table), and Mark Scandrette (ReImagine).
“Only those who have been wounded by power learn to wield it responsibly.”
“Instead of building, think of gardening. What can grow here? What’s already flowering even w/o tending?”
“If something is not working let it die.” Continue reading
Filed under Practices, Relationships, Theology, Worship
CPA Highlights
Overheard at the Church Planting Academy at Solomon’s Porch:
carlgregg “We’re anti-excellent, pro-participation. We do a lot of crappy stuff, but we do it together.” ~@SarcasticLutheran#CPA2012 -3:36 PM May 3rd, 2012 Continue reading
Filed under Relationships, Theology, Worship
Highlights from Funding the Missional Church
Attending a conference in Minneapolis entitled, “Funding the Missional Church”
It’s been inspiring, challenging and very fun. Great to meet so many people who are seeking to create unique, engaging communities of Christ followers.
Here’s a few highlights: Continue reading
Filed under Practices, Relationships, Theology
Master and Apprentice
On Sunday at Watershed we looked at John 5:19-20 and saw it as a ‘parable of apprenticeship.’ (Wes Howard-Brook)
Jesus watching the Father to see how he acts, and to act likewise in the world.
We noted that throughout history, fathers have taught their sons a particular trade.
NT Wright notes:
“This is becoming more rare today in the Western world, but there are still plenty of places where it is the normal and expected thing for sons to follow fathers into the family business. And, particularly where the business involves working at a skilled trade with one’s hands, apprenticeship means literally being side by side, with the son watching every move that the father makes and learning to do it in exactly the same way. Continue reading
Filed under Culture, Philosophy, Practices, Readings, Relationships, The Text, Theology, Travels, Worship
A Spoonful of Sugar
Tonight we watched Mary Poppins with the kids.
Hadn’t seen it in ages – it’s still a classic.
The storyline is that Mary shows up, dropping out of the sky, as a nanny for two sad and unruly British children, and she is simply magical. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships, Travels
I Need the Resurrection
I need the Resurrection
*
because my sister is sick
and can’t afford insurance,
because I’ve told a weeping Haitian mom,
“No, I can’t take your son home with me.”
Because I’ve exploded
in rage
and watched their tiny faces cloud with hurt.
because evil is pervasive
and I participate.
Continue reading
Filed under Readings, Relationships, Worship
I Was A Slave (Wasn’t I?)
By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger / haaretz.com
“In every generation, a person must see himself as if he personally left Egypt.” With these words, we begin to wrap up the “telling” portion of the Passover seder, having already extensively quoted the rabbis and their understandings of the exodus from Egypt. Continue reading
