An Elbow In the Ribs

In the old days truth-telling prophets were ignored or beaten and burned at the stake for their unpopular proclamations against hypocritical hierarchy in the religious institutions. Nowadays they are unceremoniously shown the door, which is what happened to me a few years ago. This is where I vent about it. Reader warning: Some days I am really pissed because the religious conservatives who crucified Christ are still at it today, releasing a spirit of Barabbas into the streets.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Re-constructing the Brownies

  I just finished reading a wonderful re-constructive book by Reggie McNeal titled, The Present Future, Six Tough Questions for the Church (2003). I found a bit of hope in this book, because McNeal lists many possible strategies that could help the church adapt to the changing culture.
  But first he assures us that "...it's later than you think. The missional renewal of the North American church is essential to its future. I am convinced that most expressions of the institutional church in America will not survive the emerging world. If that sounds threatening to you, then you may be more in love with the church than you are with Jesus. You need to take this up with him."
  He continues, "I believe Jesus is the hope of the world. I believe God has called out a people to make sure the world knows this. These people are the church. Jesus has promised that hell will not be able to stand against it.
  "I just wish hell were the problem."

  Here are the six New Realities that McNeal cites:
1. The Collapse of the Church Culture
2. The Shift from Church Growth to Kingdom Growth
3. A New Reformation: Releasing God's People
4. The Return to Spiritual Formation
5. The Shift from Planning to Preparation
6. The Rise of Apostolic Leadership
  In his chapter on Releasing God's People the author beautifully describes the postmodern world and the New Reformation that is engaging the emerging realities in this world. McNeal says, "The first Reformation was about freeing the church. The new Reformation is about freeing God's people from the church (the institution)."
  I'm ready for that. I think I'll help with that. I think that's what my blog is for.
The Present Future is a keeper; I think I'll be referencing it a lot, because sure enough, Reggie McNeal speaks for me.

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Favorite Books

unChristian, What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity ... and Why it Matters, David Kinnaman, head of The Barna Group. Christianity has an image problem with 16-to-29-year-olds who think of it as anti-gay, judgmental, critical and too political.
The Normal Christian LIfe, Watchman Nee. A real awakening into what the Christian life should be - apart from the church.
Rob Bell, Love Wins, A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived. 2011, Harper Collins Publishers. A fresh look at some old theological ideas. Millions of Christians have struggled with how to reconcile God's love and God's judgment: Has God created billions of people over thousands of years only to select a few to go to heaven and everyone else to suffer forever in hell? Is this acceptable to God? How is this "good news"?
Searching For God Knows What, by Donald Miller. Read this to gain perspective and objectivity. My short review: "The realities of life and the universe clearly defined in anecdotes." Really, I feel I understand the human condition much better after reading this book.
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. This book demonstrates the organic, incarnational mission of believers these days to reverse the previous generation's exodus from the inner city to the suburbs, now intentionally migrating back to the areas of deepest need. See www.thesimpleway.org
The Present Future by Reggie McNeal. A very helpful book, not only in understanding the current Reformation, but also offering hopeful strategies for adapting to the emerging culture.
Punk Monk by Andy freeman & Pete Greig. New monasticism. The first 10 years of the 24/7 Prayer Movement.
Mere Churchianity by the late Michael Spencer (the Internet Monk). Finding your way back from church-shaped spirituality to Jesus-shaped spirituality.
Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola & George Barna. Exploring the roots of our church practices. Don't read this if you are comfortable with traditional church and like it that way.
The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll. If everybody lived by the message of this book there would be peace in the world.

Favorite Quotes

"When you get close to God you don't become more spiritual, you become more loving." --John Fischer
"Love God, then do as you please." --St. Augustine
"People are more important than stuff. Always." --Bob Sims
"Judging is the very essence of gracelessness and goes counter to the grain of the Cross." --Anthony Ferrell
"What if evangelism in our time is more about listening than speaking?" --Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter, and Craig Spinks, in their book The Outsider Interviews.
"Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom. No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from." --Jewell
"Christianity can be built around isolating ourselves from evildoers and sinners, creating a community of religious piety and moral purity. That's the Christianity I grew up with. Christianity can also be built around joining with the broken sinners and evildoers of our world crying out to God, groaning for grace. That's the Christianity I have fallen in love with." --Shane Claiborne
"The Truth of God is here in Christianity, but it is heavily disguised by religion." --Bob Sims