Just been having a discussion with Simone about this little offering from a 'worship' leader in the US. It's a cringy take off of Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah. And it raises the question, is it a sin to lack cultural sophistication?
I'm not sure that it is. I don't think there is anything less Godly about the football compared to the opera or watching 'funniest home videos' compared to reading Tim Winton. And we need to make sure that we don't give the impression that converting to Christ is converting to high or low culture. It's converting to a new view of Christ's supremacy in whatever culture you're engaged.
A great example of a church trying to reach a 'high culture' group is the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. I believe they have members of the New York Philharmonic orchestra playing in their church services, and the sermons engage with all kinds of elite thinkers. By contrast the Mars Hill Crowd are reaching the tattoo artists and torn jeans demographic, and it's popular culture all the way. Both cultures need the Gospel and Christians can grow to maturity without changing to the other culture.
The one area I do want Christians to grow in sophistication is their theological reflection. It's important to challenge people to stretch themselves with reading and/or discussing more significant intellectual issues than they otherwise might. A by-product of this might also be a growing appreciation of more intellectually challenging culture. But it really isn't a problem if it doesn't.
So I think in the end the Hallelujah take off was unwise - it was always going to lead to a lot of annoyed Loenard Cohen fans! But it was only a real issue of Godliness in so far as the words misrepresented the Gospel by either straight out inacuracy or over-simplicity.
Go on then all you cultural snobs - shoot me down....
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Running Diary
Ran 62 km in total last week. On Saturday I did 29 km in 2hr35min. I have to admit that somewhere after the 2 hour mark I did ask myself for the first time 'why the heck do you want to run a Marathon....' But I was pleased to add 35 mins to my longest run over the last two weeks. And according to my training diary I now have 4 weeks to consolidate at 2hr40mins before I have to move up to 3 hrs.
On a different running subject, I checked out the winning time for last years Gold Coast Marathon. About 2hrs 14 mins. That means approximately 1km every 3.5mins. My mind just boggles at people running that fast for that long. Even my 3km time trail wasn't that fast!!!
On a different running subject, I checked out the winning time for last years Gold Coast Marathon. About 2hrs 14 mins. That means approximately 1km every 3.5mins. My mind just boggles at people running that fast for that long. Even my 3km time trail wasn't that fast!!!
Missiological or personal preference: Why do contemporary church?
Is Contemporary really more Missional when it comes to church, or at least is the primary motivator in changing to a contemporary style of church missiological? That is the question raised by Michael Jensen at The Blogging Parson, who has another provocative suggestion :
1. A contemporary style indicates to people that you are on about something different from what they expect. It gives people a surprise when the service isn't the formal jargon they remember from their childhood and opens a door for the real gospel message. I had just such a positive expression from a newcomer at church yesterday who said he had grown up in our area and had thought our church was very traditional and full of old people, and that he was very pleasantly surprised that we had something for his young family.
2. It's easier to express relational warmth in a less formal service - and MOST newcomers are attracted by relational warmth. I know people might want to argue about this - but name me one other setting where relational warmth is expressed through formal interaction in our culture. It's the difference between a family gathering and a sitting of Parlaiment. And I know which one most people will find attractive.
3. Contemporary services are easier to understand. The traditional presbyterian liturgy is so full of long technical theological words and sentences with more than 5 clauses it's completely indicipherable. I know anglican liturgy is slightly better. But it's still tough to understand. Most concepts can be put into normal language that makes it much easier for people to engage with the truth, especially those who are unfamiliar with the Gospel. Hymns also fall into this category - plenty of great content, but they are hard work. There are some helpful phrases and concepts in traditional liturgy, but they need to be reworked into simpler more contemporary prayers. You can check out one of my efforts in this earlier post.
4. Most unchurched people like contemporary style music. We have boarders from a local denominational school visit our church a couple of times a year. And consistenly the feedback is that all the girls want to come to our church (as opposed to the other local church they visit) because they like the contemporary music. We consistently have positive comments from visitors about the music. I admit that I do also get positive comments from visitors about our organ (which is an extremely prominent feature of our church building), but I think these are because of the novelty factor, not because they want to come and sing hymns every week.
5. Strange clothes for clergy are not understood. When we were younger my sister invited a friend to our (traditional) church. And this friend left some notes of the service in our car. I will always remember her comment about the minister - 'then the man in the batman suit got up to speak'. You want people to think you're batman. Go for the robes. You want people to think you've got something relevant to say for the 21st century. Wear something normal. My understanding is that traditional presbyterian robes were originally the ordinary clothes of any university graduate anyway. So wearing them today seems completely at odds with the reason they were adopted.
To finish this post I just need to make a couple of concluding comments. First, these arguments are based on a well prepared, well lead contemporary service. Lack of preparation and skill have an especially negative impact on less formal services because more depends on the leader/participants. The second important thing to say is that while missiological concerns are important for church, they are not the central concern. Perhaps I need another post on why contemporary less formal church is better for the building up of believers as they meet to praise Christ and encourage one another.
The reason we eschewed formality in church services was because that was what WE on the inside wanted (or some of us, anyway) - the missiological reason was in fact only a justification for it.As someone who has spent the last 6 years working at a church revitalisation, I am convinced that our shift to a contemporary less formal style, is not just a matter of my personal preference but is one of the things that has helped make our church more attractive to outsiders. It's not the only thing. But it is essential, and here are 5 reasons :
1. A contemporary style indicates to people that you are on about something different from what they expect. It gives people a surprise when the service isn't the formal jargon they remember from their childhood and opens a door for the real gospel message. I had just such a positive expression from a newcomer at church yesterday who said he had grown up in our area and had thought our church was very traditional and full of old people, and that he was very pleasantly surprised that we had something for his young family.
2. It's easier to express relational warmth in a less formal service - and MOST newcomers are attracted by relational warmth. I know people might want to argue about this - but name me one other setting where relational warmth is expressed through formal interaction in our culture. It's the difference between a family gathering and a sitting of Parlaiment. And I know which one most people will find attractive.
3. Contemporary services are easier to understand. The traditional presbyterian liturgy is so full of long technical theological words and sentences with more than 5 clauses it's completely indicipherable. I know anglican liturgy is slightly better. But it's still tough to understand. Most concepts can be put into normal language that makes it much easier for people to engage with the truth, especially those who are unfamiliar with the Gospel. Hymns also fall into this category - plenty of great content, but they are hard work. There are some helpful phrases and concepts in traditional liturgy, but they need to be reworked into simpler more contemporary prayers. You can check out one of my efforts in this earlier post.
4. Most unchurched people like contemporary style music. We have boarders from a local denominational school visit our church a couple of times a year. And consistenly the feedback is that all the girls want to come to our church (as opposed to the other local church they visit) because they like the contemporary music. We consistently have positive comments from visitors about the music. I admit that I do also get positive comments from visitors about our organ (which is an extremely prominent feature of our church building), but I think these are because of the novelty factor, not because they want to come and sing hymns every week.
5. Strange clothes for clergy are not understood. When we were younger my sister invited a friend to our (traditional) church. And this friend left some notes of the service in our car. I will always remember her comment about the minister - 'then the man in the batman suit got up to speak'. You want people to think you're batman. Go for the robes. You want people to think you've got something relevant to say for the 21st century. Wear something normal. My understanding is that traditional presbyterian robes were originally the ordinary clothes of any university graduate anyway. So wearing them today seems completely at odds with the reason they were adopted.
To finish this post I just need to make a couple of concluding comments. First, these arguments are based on a well prepared, well lead contemporary service. Lack of preparation and skill have an especially negative impact on less formal services because more depends on the leader/participants. The second important thing to say is that while missiological concerns are important for church, they are not the central concern. Perhaps I need another post on why contemporary less formal church is better for the building up of believers as they meet to praise Christ and encourage one another.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Christian ethics and public policy
I really appreciated Philip Jensen's contribution to the abortion debate which appeared recently in the smh. He doesn't shy away from calling it a matter of life and death, and the taking of human life. But he also does what is often missing in these kinds of debates. He confronts the question of why abortion should remain in the criminal code in a democratic society where many people think abortion is morally fine.
This is absolutely vital, because the reality is in a democracy it's not enough to argue for public policy on the basis that 'X is wrong because God says so'. This might be the ultimate truth of the matter. But in arguments about public policy you'll just end up in a stalemate with people who say 'I don't believe in God and I think X is right'. Instead you have to try and argue from widely agreed truths. You have to consider general social outcomes from your position, and you have to consider how those who disagree with you might be accomodated or dealt with. Philip Jensen's article does all of these things and is therefore a very constructive Christian argument.
This is absolutely vital, because the reality is in a democracy it's not enough to argue for public policy on the basis that 'X is wrong because God says so'. This might be the ultimate truth of the matter. But in arguments about public policy you'll just end up in a stalemate with people who say 'I don't believe in God and I think X is right'. Instead you have to try and argue from widely agreed truths. You have to consider general social outcomes from your position, and you have to consider how those who disagree with you might be accomodated or dealt with. Philip Jensen's article does all of these things and is therefore a very constructive Christian argument.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Who am I voting for
I'd love to tell you - but unfortunately since I think it's not a gospel issue at this time I'm going to keep it to myself. It would be a shame if anyone wrote off the Gospel because a minister voted this way or that.
The choice is between the guy with a son in our son's class at school or the guy who sent me a christmas card.....In State politics it's sometimes hard to find really serious issues to vote about.
The choice is between the guy with a son in our son's class at school or the guy who sent me a christmas card.....In State politics it's sometimes hard to find really serious issues to vote about.
Training is working
This morning's run 26km. 2hrs10mins. And I was able to stand up comfortably to take a wedding service this afternoon. Another 1:30mins of running and I've done my marathon.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Connect, Engage, Love, Tell
Seems you can't have a blog post about church planting without a quote from someone, so here's a nice one from Al Stewart about the core message from the Acts 29 church planting conference:
Two questions I have though, about some of the other comments Al made:
...the message from over here is ‘get out there, connect with unbelievers, engage with them, love them and tell them about Jesus. Just do it!’That's the kind of thinking we need more of in every church context - although I can see how this attitude is forced to the front in church plants, where more established churches can get slack.
Two questions I have though, about some of the other comments Al made:
- Can we really replicate the Assemblies of God church planting success in the 70's and 80's? They would have been coming off a very low base of existing churches, whereas established denominations often have a whole bunch of existing churches full of christian people who still need to be acknowledged. Mobilising them as evangelists is often tough, but bypassing them has problems too. I guess denominations are going to have to make some important decisions if they want to be in on this church planting thing in a big way.
- Are the skills needed in church planting that different from the skills needed in other ministry? I see evangelism, teaching and personal ministry being central for both.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Another quote from Instruments in the Redeemers Hands
I'm still slowly working my way through the book on personal ministry 'Instruments in the Redeemers Hands' by Paul David Tripp and I'm finding it thought provoking and I'm already finding a positive impact on my personal ministry. Here is another quote:
But having just studied James 5 tonight in Bible Study, I think his description of church, or should that be Christian fellowship is really helpful. James, in the midst of a situation of much conflict, encourages confession to one another, prayer for one another and helping to restore one another from sin.
I'm increasingly convinced that bringing a bunch of flawed people together is inevitably going to be messy. The joy of Christian fellowship is that we have a common saviour to grasp on to and God's spirit to help us muddle through painful and difficult situations.
My challenges are firstly not to ignore conflict and problems in the vain hope they'll go away, and secondly not to see mess simply as a distraction from real ministry, but a real opportunity for love and growth in Godliness.
'The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness and sanctification centre where flawed people place their trust in Christ, gather to know and love him better, and learn to love others as he has designed. The church is messy and inefficient, but it is God's wonderful mess-the place where he radically transforms hearts and lives.'Ok, so I'm not so keen on his dismissal of the theological classroom. Good theology is life changing, and in fact that is a key point he makes early in the book. Our problems and our sin will not be seriously addressed by proof-texts, only by a deep understanding of the key themes of the Bible.
But having just studied James 5 tonight in Bible Study, I think his description of church, or should that be Christian fellowship is really helpful. James, in the midst of a situation of much conflict, encourages confession to one another, prayer for one another and helping to restore one another from sin.
I'm increasingly convinced that bringing a bunch of flawed people together is inevitably going to be messy. The joy of Christian fellowship is that we have a common saviour to grasp on to and God's spirit to help us muddle through painful and difficult situations.
My challenges are firstly not to ignore conflict and problems in the vain hope they'll go away, and secondly not to see mess simply as a distraction from real ministry, but a real opportunity for love and growth in Godliness.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Gambling on Good Friday
Heard Tim Costello (head of World Vision) on the radio this afternoon attacking the decision to allow TAB's to open on Good Friday in New South Wales and Victoria. His argument was that it is important for our society to have some 'sacred space', and that this move is blatant greed on the part of the gaming corporations.
Clearly Costello is 100% correct about the greed of the gaming corporations. Apparently they have suggested they are just supporting multiculturalism and respecting those who aren't Christian - rubbish. From that point of view I feel a lot of support for his call for TAB's to be closed on Good Friday - the last thing we need is more gambling in our society, with all its terrible side effects. And there is something symbolic about allowing TABs to open on a day they were previously shut.
But I'm not comfortable with the 'sacred space' argument. Good Friday is after all just a tradition that has developed over the years and to elevate it to the level of a 'sacred space' suggests that it is a religious observance required by God, rather than a traditional opportunity to remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
A better argument, to go along with the social arguments, might be that Good Friday celebrates the ultimate act of selflessness - Jesus giving his life for our sins - and it's a great shame to introduce a socially damaging, fundamentally selfish, greedy activity on a day set aside to remember this amazing event.
Anyone got any other approaches to this issue, is it worth Christians addressing or is it just a distraction?
Clearly Costello is 100% correct about the greed of the gaming corporations. Apparently they have suggested they are just supporting multiculturalism and respecting those who aren't Christian - rubbish. From that point of view I feel a lot of support for his call for TAB's to be closed on Good Friday - the last thing we need is more gambling in our society, with all its terrible side effects. And there is something symbolic about allowing TABs to open on a day they were previously shut.
But I'm not comfortable with the 'sacred space' argument. Good Friday is after all just a tradition that has developed over the years and to elevate it to the level of a 'sacred space' suggests that it is a religious observance required by God, rather than a traditional opportunity to remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
A better argument, to go along with the social arguments, might be that Good Friday celebrates the ultimate act of selflessness - Jesus giving his life for our sins - and it's a great shame to introduce a socially damaging, fundamentally selfish, greedy activity on a day set aside to remember this amazing event.
Anyone got any other approaches to this issue, is it worth Christians addressing or is it just a distraction?
Time trial
Ran a 3km time trial this morning. Had to get up before Simone went to the gym, so it was pretty early - lots of time to write blog posts after I got back:0 My time was 11:50, which leaves my lots of room for improvement. Hopefully with my new speed focused training program it'll come down. Next Time Trial is scheduled for 14th April.
Church planting vs church revitalisation
While I'm in the church planting zone, another related subject I'm interested in is church revitalisation. In our area there are plenty of very small congregations of 30-50 that have declined over the years due to poor leadership and traditionalism. These congregations require a renewed focus on the Gospel, and leadership to help them become evangelistically effective in the 21st Century This is essentially the kind of ministry we've been involved in at Scots Presbyterian church over the last six years. And it's the kind of ministry that is in high demand in our denomination. We have friends already involved in this kind of ministry in a neighbouring parish, and two other neighbouring parishes which have recently become vacant (ie their ministers have moved on) are also in desperate need of revitalising.
It's my observation that growth through revitalisation is a fair bit slower than growth through new church planting. Your energy and focus is divided between change management and evangelism and inevitably there is more compromise. And yet at the same time there is a real joy, both for ministers and congregations, in seeing plants that have wilted springing back in fresh growth.
The question is, of course, whether church revitalisation bows too much to the needs of existing congregations who often find change difficult, and whether it would be more effective for the gospel to shut down existing congregations sell the valuable (but sometimes impractical) property, and start from scratch. What do you think?
It's my observation that growth through revitalisation is a fair bit slower than growth through new church planting. Your energy and focus is divided between change management and evangelism and inevitably there is more compromise. And yet at the same time there is a real joy, both for ministers and congregations, in seeing plants that have wilted springing back in fresh growth.
The question is, of course, whether church revitalisation bows too much to the needs of existing congregations who often find change difficult, and whether it would be more effective for the gospel to shut down existing congregations sell the valuable (but sometimes impractical) property, and start from scratch. What do you think?
Monday, March 16, 2009
On the church planting bandwagon
With so much blogging on church planting at the moment I thought I'd give my two cents worth. Some people are feeling frustrated by the focus on church planting (yes in case you're wondering, Simone and I do talk as well as blog!) but I have to say I'm excited about the serious discussion of church planting that's been happening, and in particular the plans for an Australian church planting network (details here).
For a start I'm involved with the Home Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. We're responsible for providing some leadership and resources for church planting in the denomination, and we need all the help we can get. The opportunities for church planting in Queensland are huge, but as with many older denominations we're not exactly well connected with the 21st century or flexible (the name 'Home Missions Committee' says it all!). To link in with a wider church planting network could give us some extra clarity and confidence when it comes to making the hard decisions about the changes that will be needed for widespread effective church planting to take place.
The second reason I'm excited about the idea of a church planting network, and discussion about church planting more generally, is that hopefully it will put evangelism on the agenda for all ministries. And I think this is vital. The reality is that the majority of churches are not going to be church plants, at least for some time to come, and after a few years even church plants become established churches anyway (our church was planted - in 1896!). So if we're serious about reaching Australia for Christ we're going to have to work long and hard at helping our established churches become more evangelistic and church planting is kind of like Formula 1 racing - a breeding ground for innovations which find their way back to the average cars most of us drive. The exciting, intense context of new church plants are going to throw up lots of new, effective strategies for gospel growth in all churches.
I think it would be naive to think that a church planting network is a silver bullet that will suddenly solve all our problems in effective church planting. But I am hopeful it will be an important peice in the jigsaw that will assist in stacks of new churches being planted (especially around Queensland) and promoting a new enthusiasm and creativity in evangelism in more established churches. I'd certainly like to be a part of that!
For a start I'm involved with the Home Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. We're responsible for providing some leadership and resources for church planting in the denomination, and we need all the help we can get. The opportunities for church planting in Queensland are huge, but as with many older denominations we're not exactly well connected with the 21st century or flexible (the name 'Home Missions Committee' says it all!). To link in with a wider church planting network could give us some extra clarity and confidence when it comes to making the hard decisions about the changes that will be needed for widespread effective church planting to take place.
The second reason I'm excited about the idea of a church planting network, and discussion about church planting more generally, is that hopefully it will put evangelism on the agenda for all ministries. And I think this is vital. The reality is that the majority of churches are not going to be church plants, at least for some time to come, and after a few years even church plants become established churches anyway (our church was planted - in 1896!). So if we're serious about reaching Australia for Christ we're going to have to work long and hard at helping our established churches become more evangelistic and church planting is kind of like Formula 1 racing - a breeding ground for innovations which find their way back to the average cars most of us drive. The exciting, intense context of new church plants are going to throw up lots of new, effective strategies for gospel growth in all churches.
I think it would be naive to think that a church planting network is a silver bullet that will suddenly solve all our problems in effective church planting. But I am hopeful it will be an important peice in the jigsaw that will assist in stacks of new churches being planted (especially around Queensland) and promoting a new enthusiasm and creativity in evangelism in more established churches. I'd certainly like to be a part of that!
New training plan
I've started using the official Gold Coast Marathon Training Diary. This plan involves more 'speed' training (for example doing six 2min runs as fast as you can with a 1min break in between), but probably less distance overall than I've been doing. It will be interesting to see how it compares.
Last Thursday I did the 6 by 2min repetitions and it felt easier at the time, but I've suffered from a bit more delayed onset muscle soreness (got that fancy title from a running website - it just means I felt stiff the next day or two).
I missed my long run on Saturday because we were at our church weekend away but I did a 50min run then and again this morning. I need to try and squeeze in a 3km Time trial tomorrow - it will be interesting to see what time I can do.
Last Thursday I did the 6 by 2min repetitions and it felt easier at the time, but I've suffered from a bit more delayed onset muscle soreness (got that fancy title from a running website - it just means I felt stiff the next day or two).
I missed my long run on Saturday because we were at our church weekend away but I did a 50min run then and again this morning. I need to try and squeeze in a 3km Time trial tomorrow - it will be interesting to see what time I can do.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A nice birthday
A very nice day for my birthday which included
- a good run
- a special breakfast
- a phone call from Mum and Dad
- a new T-shirts
- two new books to help with my next series of Bible Talks - 'Acts for Everyone' by NT Wright and 'Teaching Acts' by David Cook. They both look good, although the second is so applied that I'll need to do a lot of my own preparation or I'll end up preaching David Cook's series not my own.
- curry for dinner
- lots of birthday greetings on facebook - thanks everyone.
- I'm about to go out and have a birthday beer with a couple of guys from church and look an 'Introducing God' dvd to help one of them get a firmer foundation for his faith.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Nerdy post
Ok, I know this is a bit nerdy, but I like playing round with my phone (which for those that care is a dopod d810 running windows mobile 6).
My top 3 applications at the moment are:
point ui home2- The normal windows mobile interface is quite ugly, and has extremely small buttons so you can't just use your fingers on the screen. Point ui is a finger friendly interface (more in the iphone style) to help you manage your data, diary, messages and applications. It's free, and I've found it easy to use. There is also a good community who are writing applets to help extend the features.
gps cycle computer - another free program, this one logs your cycling or running using the phone's gps. The writer has been busy over the last month or two and has been adding all kinds of extra features, including live mapping, where your phone will upload your details to a website and people can follow your progress online.
Olivetree Bible Reader. This one costs, but I think it's a good investment. The English Bible reader is pretty standard with plenty of versions available - I got the esv because it was cheap. The thing I really like though, is the 'Gramcord lite' version of the Greek New Testament you can get. It's great for reading a bit of Greek on the go, or for checking a translation issue when you don't have a Greek NT and/or lexicon handy. I suppose it could make you lazy, but for me even lazy Greek is better than the alternative - no greek!
I've got a few other applications I'm keen on as well - but they can wait for another post.
My top 3 applications at the moment are:
point ui home2- The normal windows mobile interface is quite ugly, and has extremely small buttons so you can't just use your fingers on the screen. Point ui is a finger friendly interface (more in the iphone style) to help you manage your data, diary, messages and applications. It's free, and I've found it easy to use. There is also a good community who are writing applets to help extend the features.
gps cycle computer - another free program, this one logs your cycling or running using the phone's gps. The writer has been busy over the last month or two and has been adding all kinds of extra features, including live mapping, where your phone will upload your details to a website and people can follow your progress online.Olivetree Bible Reader. This one costs, but I think it's a good investment. The English Bible reader is pretty standard with plenty of versions available - I got the esv because it was cheap. The thing I really like though, is the 'Gramcord lite' version of the Greek New Testament you can get. It's great for reading a bit of Greek on the go, or for checking a translation issue when you don't have a Greek NT and/or lexicon handy. I suppose it could make you lazy, but for me even lazy Greek is better than the alternative - no greek!I've got a few other applications I'm keen on as well - but they can wait for another post.
That's better
12km run in just under an hour this afternoon. Managed to slot it in between rain showers. Felt pretty good the whole way. No idea why it was so much easier than Saturday.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
An encouraging morning at church
A good crowd. Some of my favourite songs (yes, I know I choose all of them, but I particularly like 'Let Your Kingdom Come' from the Sovereign Grace people). Pete Kutuzov our student minister did well challenging us from James 4 about our pride and evil desires which cause conflict with God and others. And it was one of the best morning teas I have seen in terms of fringe people being looked after and included. Thankyou Lord.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
As 'non-toxic' as it can be
Another article on porn in the Sydney morning Herald today. It explores the damage pornography does in relationships, both in terms of the way it makes women feel betrayed and unloved and also, interestingly, the way it makes men feel guilty and out of control. I don't think I've seen this second aspect discussed much in the media before.
As expected however, the author could not bring themselves to label pornography wrong, and having spent the majority of the article spelling out the problems it causes there is a bizarre final section called 'the good side of porn'. This section gives the opportunity to put down 'fundamentalist christians' who, unlike 'the experts,' think that porn is wrong in all situations.
This final section also had a classic quote from one of the so called experts who advised that if couples are going to use porn in their relationship it should be "as respectful and 'non-toxic' as it can be". I think that says it all about the reality of porn. It's always disrespectful and toxic in some way.
And I would have thought this expert sets the bar way to low as to what anyone would want to have in their relationship. Surely any wise counselor would be advising couples to avoid anything with even a hint of disrespect and toxicity. That's certainly what Jesus would want - But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:3.
As expected however, the author could not bring themselves to label pornography wrong, and having spent the majority of the article spelling out the problems it causes there is a bizarre final section called 'the good side of porn'. This section gives the opportunity to put down 'fundamentalist christians' who, unlike 'the experts,' think that porn is wrong in all situations.
This final section also had a classic quote from one of the so called experts who advised that if couples are going to use porn in their relationship it should be "as respectful and 'non-toxic' as it can be". I think that says it all about the reality of porn. It's always disrespectful and toxic in some way.
And I would have thought this expert sets the bar way to low as to what anyone would want to have in their relationship. Surely any wise counselor would be advising couples to avoid anything with even a hint of disrespect and toxicity. That's certainly what Jesus would want - But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:3.
Slow and Painful
My long run was hard work this morning. 21.5km at 10.7km/h. Slower and shorter than last Saturday, but for some reason much more painful. My legs and feet are still feeling quite sore. It's funny how the body works, because my training was much lighter this week. After a fairly slow run on Wednesday and no run on Thursday (I was slack), I thought I'd be raring to go. Hopefully next week will be better.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hot and slow
On Monday I went for a very hot run at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Took me about 50mins and I think it was about 10km. Fortunately it ended at my parents place and they have a pool!
This morning my legs were feeling pretty tired so I went for a slow run. Did about 9km in 50mins
This morning my legs were feeling pretty tired so I went for a slow run. Did about 9km in 50mins
No longer moderate!
Last night I finished my year as Moderator of Presbytery. For those non-Presbyterians, that's like the chair of the local synod/committee which oversees the work of churches in our part of Brisbane. All members take turns as the moderator.
I have to say I didn't really enjoy the year. The whole system is quite formal and archaic and I don't think I really had the energy or the skill to make a big change.
What is exciting in our Presbytery is that a couple of churches are in the process of looking for new ministers. That always means the chance for them to reassess what they are doing and perhaps call someone with a view to revitalising their ministry. I'm praying that over the next year there will be some exciting things happening for the Gospel.
I have to say I didn't really enjoy the year. The whole system is quite formal and archaic and I don't think I really had the energy or the skill to make a big change.
What is exciting in our Presbytery is that a couple of churches are in the process of looking for new ministers. That always means the chance for them to reassess what they are doing and perhaps call someone with a view to revitalising their ministry. I'm praying that over the next year there will be some exciting things happening for the Gospel.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Preparation and pastoral ministry
Great quote from the book 'Instruments in the redeemers Hands' by Paul Tripp.
'If you were asked to teach a Sunday school lesson, preach a sermon, or lead a Bible study, you would immediately ask yourself, "Do I have the time I need to prepare?" Yet often we respond to [the pastoral concerns of] our neighbor, golfing buddy, or church volunteer with little preparation, reflection, or prayer. Why do we spend hours preparing to teach while we offer important personal direction without a second thought?'
I'd have to say I'm guilty as charged! For some reason I assume personal ministry will just come naturally on the spot - and I feel discouraged when it doesn't.
I know some people do just have great people skills and personal insight and can do this stuff off the cuff. But I think my preparation for pastoring should be more like my preparation for preaching.
Anyone got any good tips for preparing for pastoral conversations?
'If you were asked to teach a Sunday school lesson, preach a sermon, or lead a Bible study, you would immediately ask yourself, "Do I have the time I need to prepare?" Yet often we respond to [the pastoral concerns of] our neighbor, golfing buddy, or church volunteer with little preparation, reflection, or prayer. Why do we spend hours preparing to teach while we offer important personal direction without a second thought?'
I'd have to say I'm guilty as charged! For some reason I assume personal ministry will just come naturally on the spot - and I feel discouraged when it doesn't.
I know some people do just have great people skills and personal insight and can do this stuff off the cuff. But I think my preparation for pastoring should be more like my preparation for preaching.
Anyone got any good tips for preparing for pastoral conversations?
A great way to start the week
Last night as we were leaving church, our student minister asked me when I would like to see the first draft of his Bible talk for next Sunday. That was a nice surprise because I'd forgotten that I'd asked him to preach this week!
It will give me a chance to start some serious thinking about our next series in Acts, and also to do some organising for our church weekend away.
It will give me a chance to start some serious thinking about our next series in Acts, and also to do some organising for our church weekend away.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Lord's Supper in the 21st Century
Something I've struggled with for a while is that the Lord's Supper often doesn't fit easily into a more contemporary informal church service. Everything else is done in normal understandable language and with an eye to helping outsiders fit in. But then the Lord's Supper suddenly reverts to a very formal style that uses sentences with way too many clauses (this is particularly a problem with Presbyterian liturgy), white table cloths and funny little cups. It's hard not to seem ritualistic and either be boring, or reinforce those unhelpful misconceptions that it's a bit of magic mumbo jumbo instead of rejoicing in the death of Christ and feeding on him in our hearts by faith.
Sorry it's a bit long - but here's some liturgy I wrote for our Lord's supper today (with a bit of help from the book of common prayer). We still need to work out what to do with the white table cloths. But I thought this worked pretty well yesterday. Any thoughts or comments appreciated.
The death of Jesus is the KEY MOMENT in the history of the world. And today we have this special opportunity to focus on the cross. And to reflect on it's significance for. The Lord's supper is different from the things we normally do at church. Most of what we do at church involves just speaking and singing or listening. But with the Lords Supper we get to ACT OUT our faith in Jesus death in a very tangible way as we eat the bread and drink the grape juice.
We celebrate the Lords Supper because Jesus himself gave it to us as a way of remembering him. In Mark chapter 14 when Jesus is sharing the passover meal with his disciples just before he dies on the cross we read
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
24"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
The bread represents Jesus body, which he sacrificed for us. The wine represents his blood being poured out to wash away our sin and to mark a new covenant...a new kind of relationship with God where we could be forgiven and be his friends. And eating the bread and drinking the wine is a symbolic way of saying 'Yes, I need your sacrifice Jesus. I need to be washed clean of sin. I need you to open the way for a new relationship with God.' Eating and drinking this meal is a symbolic way of expressing your faith in Jesus.
And so I want to invite you today to join in this supper with humility and gratitude. I want to invite you to be HUMBLE in admitting that you are'nt worthy to be God's friend. And I want to invite you to be GRATEFUL that Jesus' death means unworthy people can be God's friends.
Sometimes people can get a bit confused about the Lord's supper. And they think they haven't been good enough to take part. As they look back over the last week they realise their tongues been out of control. Or they know they've done things God wouldn't like. And they feel guilty. If you're in this situation, PLEASE PARTICIPATE in the Lords Supper. The Lords supper is not about coming to God in your Sunday Best. It's not a best and fairest awards ceremony for people who think they've behaved particularly well recently. The Lord's supper is about admitting your need. And trusting Jesus' death to forgive you and wash away your guilt.
And that means there's just one sort of person who SHOULD NOT take part in the Lord's Supper. Anyone who thinks they don't personally need Jesus death should not take part in the Lord's supper. If you don't think you're unworthy of a relationship with God. If you don't feel you need Jesus sacrifice to wash you clean and give you a new friendship with God. Don't eat the bread and drink the wine. It would just be a hollow Religious Ritual. If you don't think that you personally need Jesus' death, the honest thing to do is to let the plate go past and come and have a chat to me afterwards. And I'd love to have a chat about why the Bible says WE DO Need Jesus to die for us. Because it's the absolutely central massage God wants us to understand.
And so to prepare to eat the Lords supper together we're going admit our sin and look to Jesus by saying a prayer of confession together. The prayer will be up on the screen and you can all join me in praying.
Having confessed our sin, let's now express our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus by eating the bread and the grape juice together. We'll begin by passing around the bread, and if you'd like to wait until everyone has been served we'll eat it together
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for You. Let's eat this remembering that Christ died for us, and let's feed on him in our hearts by faith and with thanksgiving.
We'll now pass out the grape juice. And again we'll drink together after everyone has been served.
The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for You. We drink this remembering that Jesus's Blood was shed for us. Let's be thankful.
I trust that sharing in this meal has said to you in a very clear way that God loves you, that he has done everything needed to forgive your sins. And that you can fully rely on him. Let me lead us in prayer.
Almighty and everliving God, We thank you with all our hearts for feeding us with the spiritual food of the precious Body and Blood of Jesus; Thankyou for the reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Thankyou for the chance to express our faith in him. And thankyou for the reassurance of your love and kindness towards us.
We pray that as we make our way into a new week that you'll help us to continue to be confident in the death of Jesus, and that we'll be able to do the all the good works which you have prepared for us to walk in;
And we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Sorry it's a bit long - but here's some liturgy I wrote for our Lord's supper today (with a bit of help from the book of common prayer). We still need to work out what to do with the white table cloths. But I thought this worked pretty well yesterday. Any thoughts or comments appreciated.
The death of Jesus is the KEY MOMENT in the history of the world. And today we have this special opportunity to focus on the cross. And to reflect on it's significance for. The Lord's supper is different from the things we normally do at church. Most of what we do at church involves just speaking and singing or listening. But with the Lords Supper we get to ACT OUT our faith in Jesus death in a very tangible way as we eat the bread and drink the grape juice.
We celebrate the Lords Supper because Jesus himself gave it to us as a way of remembering him. In Mark chapter 14 when Jesus is sharing the passover meal with his disciples just before he dies on the cross we read
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
24"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
The bread represents Jesus body, which he sacrificed for us. The wine represents his blood being poured out to wash away our sin and to mark a new covenant...a new kind of relationship with God where we could be forgiven and be his friends. And eating the bread and drinking the wine is a symbolic way of saying 'Yes, I need your sacrifice Jesus. I need to be washed clean of sin. I need you to open the way for a new relationship with God.' Eating and drinking this meal is a symbolic way of expressing your faith in Jesus.
And so I want to invite you today to join in this supper with humility and gratitude. I want to invite you to be HUMBLE in admitting that you are'nt worthy to be God's friend. And I want to invite you to be GRATEFUL that Jesus' death means unworthy people can be God's friends.
Sometimes people can get a bit confused about the Lord's supper. And they think they haven't been good enough to take part. As they look back over the last week they realise their tongues been out of control. Or they know they've done things God wouldn't like. And they feel guilty. If you're in this situation, PLEASE PARTICIPATE in the Lords Supper. The Lords supper is not about coming to God in your Sunday Best. It's not a best and fairest awards ceremony for people who think they've behaved particularly well recently. The Lord's supper is about admitting your need. And trusting Jesus' death to forgive you and wash away your guilt.
And that means there's just one sort of person who SHOULD NOT take part in the Lord's Supper. Anyone who thinks they don't personally need Jesus death should not take part in the Lord's supper. If you don't think you're unworthy of a relationship with God. If you don't feel you need Jesus sacrifice to wash you clean and give you a new friendship with God. Don't eat the bread and drink the wine. It would just be a hollow Religious Ritual. If you don't think that you personally need Jesus' death, the honest thing to do is to let the plate go past and come and have a chat to me afterwards. And I'd love to have a chat about why the Bible says WE DO Need Jesus to die for us. Because it's the absolutely central massage God wants us to understand.
And so to prepare to eat the Lords supper together we're going admit our sin and look to Jesus by saying a prayer of confession together. The prayer will be up on the screen and you can all join me in praying.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of you Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
Having confessed our sin, let's now express our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus by eating the bread and the grape juice together. We'll begin by passing around the bread, and if you'd like to wait until everyone has been served we'll eat it together
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for You. Let's eat this remembering that Christ died for us, and let's feed on him in our hearts by faith and with thanksgiving.
We'll now pass out the grape juice. And again we'll drink together after everyone has been served.
The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for You. We drink this remembering that Jesus's Blood was shed for us. Let's be thankful.
I trust that sharing in this meal has said to you in a very clear way that God loves you, that he has done everything needed to forgive your sins. And that you can fully rely on him. Let me lead us in prayer.
Almighty and everliving God, We thank you with all our hearts for feeding us with the spiritual food of the precious Body and Blood of Jesus; Thankyou for the reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Thankyou for the chance to express our faith in him. And thankyou for the reassurance of your love and kindness towards us.
We pray that as we make our way into a new week that you'll help us to continue to be confident in the death of Jesus, and that we'll be able to do the all the good works which you have prepared for us to walk in;
And we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
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