Words

As the "postmodern" or "emergent" church develops, there is this recurring conversation about what we call ourselves. Andrew Jones recently blogged about Emergent Vocabulary This is a needed conversation, but I hate the way we grasp on to words. This has frustrated me to no end. I sometimes feel that there are those of us who have a desperate need to label what we are in order to gain some kind of legitimacy. The fact is that many emergent churches don't follow a prescribed way of doing things. I have viewed words in this context as fences. They tend to be placed around a concept and then the concept has to be defined by the words used. Postmodern church,in many peoples minds, must involve candles, Lecto Devina, and ancient/future worship. That is not and never has been true. Fences are for management. They are a way to manage what is in and outside of them. I have never liked fences. I do not want to build a fence around what God is doing.

However, yesterday, I was having coffee with some like-minded souls and one of them suggested another way of looking at words. He suggested that we treat words like vines, rather than fences. If you are Tarzan, swinging from tree to tree, you use one vine to get from one tree to another further down the line. Then you switch vines to go further. The Vine/word we are on now, will, down the line lose its relevance and we will need to change. If we don't, we will end up swinging back. This whole picture appeals to me, however, the challenge will be helping people to understand that we are using words as vines, not as fences. The big problem here is, we like our fences.

Peace,

K

Church Planting Meetings

I just got back from Ottawa. I met with some other church planting wackos for 2 days. It was a great time. We have some fun and encourage each other with what God is doing. We met at Ecclesiax, an "Artist" church in Ottawa. The church has an art gallery that local artists display their stuff in. It is an awesome way to connect with the community.

Chris and Dave have a thing going on in Peterborough called The Third Space. Here is a pic of Chris ' back after a skateboarding mishap.



He is truly a crazy man.

God is doing some amazing stuff in these churches He is growing.

Peace,

K

Lose Your Life

Matt 10:38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

I have been stuck on this statement for the past week. Especially as I see how we view life. What does it mean to lose your life for Christ. Many people think this is about literally losing your life, and that would be true. However, in our context, I can't help but see it as an encouragement to put God above family, friends, ambition, money, possessions, tv, etc.

How are you changing your world for Jesus? How do you take the sacrifice of Christ and the "Good News" to the street each day? Are you interested in the things Jesus was interested in? Making disciples, taking care of the poor, etc.

Sometimes I think we talk too much. Talking only matters if your feet are moving in the direction your lips are.

Peace,

K