homebaked cookies: July 2006

Emerging Churches

I'm interested in Church progression and do feel an uneasiness with many aspects of modern Church. Although this book didn't answer all my questions or take away all my unease, I did find many aspects helpful and compelling reading. I don't belong to an emerging church, however have been challenged by many aspects and do consider that in many ways, some of these churches are demonstrating a real 'alive' Body of Christ.

I believe Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K Bolger have written one of the best books concerning the emerging church (at least of which I have read), years of work has produced a well researched, well written and most challenging book.

The book begins its study looking at the changes in culture - from modern to postmodern, admitably alot of this does have a UK context - however it’s not too hard to convert this into a Aussie context. This leads into a lengthy and detailed discussion defining ‘what is the emerging church’, ending with the following definition
“The emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures”.
This definition encompasses three core practices:
1. Identify with the life of Jesus
2. Transform the secular realm
3. Live highly communal lives
From these three core practices follow six resulting practices – not necessarily found in each separate emerging church
4. Welcoming the stranger
5. Serving with generosity
6. Participating as producers
7. Create as created beings
8. Lead as a body and
9. Take part in spiritual activities.”

The book looks closely at each of these nine practices. To be honest, many of these did make me consider my current opinions of Church and to some extent did help explain some of my frustrations I currently feel associated with the Church.
There are many gems hidden in this book, it takes a strong stance that churches should be missional and community/culturally based. It describes the need for the direction of church to be changed from a centripetal (flowing in) to a centrifugal (flowing out) dynamic – leading to a shift in emphasis from attracting crowds to equipping, dispersing and multiplying Christ followers.

Although I have developed and stretched my view of church gatherings/functions I still do not feel 100% happy with the result by the end of the book. I’m not surprised by that as I’m not really expecting to feel 100% peace about such issues while I’m living in these times.
I do look forward to reading The Shaping of Things to Come, Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church (Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch) plus Don Carson’s Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church.

TEAR - Beyond Survival Dinner

I like TEAR, I think it's an organisation that places the great commission – (to make disciples of all people) alongside the great commandment – (to love ones neighbour as oneself)…it’s the merging of these together I value. TEAR seem's to by driven by love, service and sacrifice, values that reflect the Love of God and share it with those who communities/we often seem to reject. The sharing is more than words, but its also not just empty actions. It encourages sharing Gods love, demonstrated through practical giving to build relationships that work towards lasting and relevant social development and the expansion of God's Kindgom. There are many other ministries out there that are good at the commission, or good at the commandment - but it's working these two together that seems the best to me.

So anyway, Sat evening I went to dinner provided by TEAR for sub-30's to encourage young people with what it means to respond to poverty and injustice in a Biblically shaped manner.
Ben Thurely (TEAR's National Advocacy Coordinator) was the guest speaker, he spoke of the Gospel being more that tracts and bible studies. That the Gospel is central and the way of life, understood through the word, but acted upon in life and thoughtfully in lives around us. We looked at the early church in Acts and considered the role individuals, church's and communities take in sharing this Gospel and our tendancy to rely on words and theoretical discovery without showing it practically and lovingly to our neighbours. Often in the West, our neighbours don't seem to live with the poverty and injustice experienced elsewhere - but Christians should not use that as an excuse to exclude them from being active in these roles. Rather it's both an oppourtunity to demonstrate the Gospel (commission), plus it's also N essential part of loving others (commandment)...

RAIN needed

The Avon Descent is approaching fast, and with the driest winter on record - We need rain!
Not to mention the farmers!
I don't like the idea of destroying our K2 on exposed rocks, or paddling for hours in shallow water generating pressure waves...grrr..
Can anyone do a rain-dance???

Voting for Jesus

My reading of Voting For Jesus - Christianity and Politics in Australia, came about very unintentionally. As I have been thinking about a Kingdom focus on life and its workings/applications in my life, I have realised it should shape my thoughts on politics. I always knew this, but was and still am VERY ignorant of politics in Australia.
After a party in Leederville, I saw this issue of Quarterly Essay at Oxford St Books and decided it might give me a much needed push to learn more about the relationship between politics and Christianity.
So... I began reading it with enthusiasm - sure this remained as I did find sections interesting and helpful - however to be honest much of it went over my undernourished 'political' understandings! Amanda Lohrey's style is easy to read and informative.
It is an essay concerning the use and abuse of religion in politics, to summarise - Christians in politics have far less influence then they would like/realise and that the Government uses them if and when it's convenient.
Nothing suprising there!

Darwin Holiday

I've just got back from a lazy 4 day holiday in Darwin - went up for a mates wedding. I was expecting a small backwards country town, but I must say it was an excellent place to spend a few days in the middle of winter. Hello warm and sunny days!!! The city was much bigger than I expected, very multicultural and very friendly. We checked out Litchfield National Park - swum in pools known for croc attacks! visited the 'biggest outdoor markets' in the Southern Hemisphere, hunted Cane Toads and spent the rest of the time doing 'wedding' things.
Firstly not only was I impressed with the city but also the thought that went into making the bridal party feel welcome. We were given a 4WD to use free, taken around to do the 'touristy' stuff and spent lots of time getting to know the bridesmaide's before the wedding. I thought this was excellent, as many times before I had been a groomsman and not known the bridesmaide and felt akward/bored througout the evening. Now we are all friends and had three excellent days together - so thats sweet, thanks P and K for your thoughtful planning. Also the ceremony and reception was great - I do like outdoor receptions.

Please Just F... Off

Hmmm, the title should give a few hints....

Ryan Heath is a 26yr old Australian writer, born in Sydney, but for reasons made abundantly clear in this book, now chooses to live in London, working as a public servant.

"The 1960's ended 35 years ago. It's time to get over it"

First read and one would easily be mistaken for assuming this book is nothing but a harsh attack at baby boomers. It seems to undermine all the values and work accomplished by this generation and simply tries to prove that younger generations offer more and better options for everything. Second read and you realise your first read was an accurate description.
I can say that I do see some accuracy in several arguements and being the same age, I have seen and experienced some of the generational inequalities. The book does highligh some issues I had not thought about and does construct some clever arguements. However, I don't agree with all Ryan's thoughts and don't see him as an accurate representative of our generation.
Lot's of the assumptions are based on worldy perspectives and society driven goals - and yes I do understand he has different beliefs to me. Yet the book is still is a good launching pad for further thought if you are into the generational thing. Personally I'm interested in ways the structures of older generations just dont seem to meet the needs of younger generations - and the book does offer some food for thought on this topic.