Perks of the job

My new job is in Selkirk, which is a good 50 min. drive that I actually don’t mind this at all. It gives me time to listen to music and wind down after work so I don’t bring work home with me. Another positive is that 50 min is a perfect amount for a podcast/sermon. So I have the pleasure of listening to a lot of good conversations that have been quite thought provoking. I just wanted to share some of the highlights that have deepened some question that have I’ve been mulling over for quite sometime.
Emergent podcasts:
- Doug Pagitt from a recent emerging – mainline conference - A couple years back a friend asked me what would summarize Jesus’ message. My response was naturally ‘Kingdom of God’. This I found without any base is sort of a sell-out answer, mostly because it has no real understanding for too many Christians I’ve meet. As I described the Kingdom of God, it is obviously appealing to many with community, social justice, dignity, compassion, etc. (many of the reason why people say they like Jesus, but not church or Christianity) My friend then asks is this Kingdom of God only for people who believe in God or Christian—how can a non-adherent be involved in this kingdom? I think when we had this conversation I was stumped. The podcast begs the question why are is the church so concerned about keeping the lines of in and out so strict (sounds similar to many of the matter Jesus challenged the Pharisees about). I am no longer convinced that a need for commitment prior to inclusion is necessary or even congruent with Jesus’ message. I tend to align myself more with a Celtic model, which emphasis fellowship first and inclusion prior to any commitment. I can imagine many people from my evangelical past being wary of this model. However, I believe that Jesus was all embracing and to invite all to His Table because Jesus invites all.
- Scot McKnight: The Whole Gospel – McKnight is becoming on of my favourite authors/bloggers. For a long time the sinner’s prayer has been the cause of much frustration, mostly because it tells only part of the Gospel. McKnight begins his podcast sharing a conversation he has with a pastor of a mega church. The pastor asks why the college-age demographic is in constant decline. McKnight simply states because the sinner’s prayer does not really require it—Jesus’ has saved their sin—the church is nowhere in your gospel presentation. Not that no followers of Christ have come from a sinner’s prayer model, but I think it is a harder sell to go from say this and your sins are forgiven to well actually you have to give up all this and pick-up your cross. In a class on the emerging church last semester at Prov this idea of ‘hook and switch’ came up again and again. I think part of the problem is due to wanting to make the Gospel as appealing as possible, so we make it as simple as possible, which naturally takes away many central themes and stories found in the Bible.
- Mars Hill Bible Church – I have been a avid fan of Rob Bell and this community for about 2+ years now. I think the thing about Bell that is most appealing is his need to be authentic, which I tend to agree with. I want a faith that does not require me to neglect scholarship and affect my everyday life. Currently, they are going through a series called ‘God is Green’, which I am finding thought helpful on my journey. I continually identify with the sermons that emphasise how the bible continually talks about the redemption of all creation. The last preacher was Dr. Matthew Sleeth (http://www.servegodsavetheplanet.org/), who has an amazing story of making a huge lifestyle changes that include quitting his job as director of ER, after finding a link between the environment and various medical conditions. He questions that the rate of breast cancer in North America of 1 in 7 and in Northern China of 1 in 40 is purely a coincident. Give Mars Hill a listen I’m sure you’ll find it rewarding.

Theology by the Glass - Homosexuality and the Campolo's

As I continue on my journey at St. Benedict’s Table God continually challenges notions I have on various topics. During the summer St. Bens has ‘Theology by the Glass’ a meeting of people who discuss an article sent out a couple weeks earlier. In late July, Trisha and I attended a conversation where the topic was Homosexuality took centre stage. This is particularly timely with the recent discussion by the Anglican Church of Canada’s Synod in Winnipeg. The article is a conversation between Tony and Peggy Campolo discussing their differences on this matter. To briefly summarize the article- Tony takes the view that it is unbiblical for people to engage in homosexual activity. Thus, to abstain from sexual activity is a biblical mandate. Peggy takes the opposing view of the Bible never talks about homosexuality referring to a committed, monogamous couple.

I tend to agree with Peggy. Homosexuality is something that needs to be further discussed in Christian community. Not simply quoting the few verses that name homosexuality in an attempt to end the conversation. I think the matter is complex and Christian do a poor job knowing the dynamic of this complicated topic. Peggy’s view needs to be clarified—it is a monogamous relationship, not simply any relationship. I tend to think this would also be my view on any relationship and that sex should be reserved till a couple is willing commit to fidelity in front of people who will hold them accountable.

Some interesting points of the conversation:

- That most people in our group would not leave a community if they blessed homosexual unions
- That our actions need to be taken from the ‘Red Letter Christian’ perspective. Does our words/deeds reflect what we believe are central actions of Jesus.
- That we would prefer to err in the side of grace.
- That Christians need to have open conversation about sexuality, which I believe is part of the problem. Christianity has a awful history of engaging (or not engaging) matters of sexuality.
- That it is a hard to implement Old Testament imperatives to our time. The Old Testament talks about life in a drastically different way than Jesus. One of the group members mentioned that this could be due to the Old Testament dealing with matters of forming a distinct community. That possible the language of the Old Testament needs to be better understood for its implications for the 21st century so it does not look like a mere picking and choosing of the law we deem as important.
- Once we encounter people who identify themselves as gay or lesbian, they invariably do not meet the churches depiction of them (warning: paradigm shift needs to occur).

St. Norbert Farmers' Market...

Well on Saturday, Trisha and I got up early to check out a farmers' market just south of Winnipeg. Our trip was truly enjoyable as we were meet with many yummy veggies, breads, meats and other products. I am pretty sure the farmers' market will become a staple in our household during our stay in Winnipeg. Part of the reason we wanted to check out the market is due to an article that appeared in the Christian Week in May describing a 100 Mile Diet that they were organizing to begin in September. The idea is that you only eat foods that are produced within a 100 miles of Winnipeg. As I read the article something seemed 'right' about the idea of eating what is locally produced.

In the past couple years a couple of close friends have gone through quiet an ordeal in regards to health issues. I believe this is due to what goes into the fruits and veggies that we consume from the supermarket. As I thought more about this issues I think it is a justice issues to buy and support local business. I am looking forward to time at the market most Saturday mornings till Thanksgiving. My prize find from Saturday is a Cranberry Hemp Cinnamon Buns...so good..yummy

The two lenses of life.....

Well I got the latest issue of Geez (http://www.geezmagazine.org/). I always appreciate the perspectives that they present. As I was scanning the pages one image stood out immediately, a pair of glasses - each lenses with a list of views that dominate our world. I think the idea of consumerism is so prevalent in our society. I feel at I do an adequate job at fighting the urges and messages that the Powers That Be give. However, I wonder how much my success has to do with my debt that looms large over my head. Well here are the two lenses

Lens 1: 1. I need more stuff. 2. I will earn enough to fulfill every whim and avoid all things unpleasant. 3. I am defined by my stuff and my solid position. 4. I am an island. 5. The world is mine to use as I please. 6. It's all about what I want, I will only give if I get back. 7. I will do whatever it takes, no matter the cost. 8. Media is my tool to create want and make money. 9. Me and my country --we'll toss you some scraps. 10. It's not my problem. 11. What I want, when I want and where I want.

Lens 2: 1. I am content. 2. I will use only what I need and enjoy growth in community. 3. I am what I live. 4. i am part of the greater whole. 5. The world is a gift to be to be treated with care and shared. 6. I will only take what I need and give as much as I can. 7. I will work together with others to achieve a unified goal. 8. Media, is a way to share information and ideas. 9. My country and your are part of the same small earth. 10. What can I do to help? 11. I am connected and function in community.

New Job....

Well its been almost a month since my last post. I'm not sure if that is because of business, married, life. I think the most appropriate response is time, because I keep on meaning to blog event that have happened or something I read. I figure the best way back into the blog world is an update on my job.

On Tuesday, I started a new job, I think this one is a keeper. I am a Youth Treatment Worker at the Behavioral Health Foundation(http://www.bhf.ca) in Selkirk a treatment centre for males 12-17 suffering from addictions or from families with addictive histories. I am really enjoying the work so far, even though I am primarily reading policy and procedures manual. I think I will enjoy the challenges. Well that is my brief update....

All the best,

Chris