In my post “To be or not to be…” I talked about being a student/follower of Jesus without being a Christian (or at least our common Western/European understanding of Christian). There is train of thought right now in emergent/next generation/postmodern Christian thought that takes that idea even a step further.
The idea that is batted about by those who think and write postmodern Christian thought is: a person can become a follower of Jesus and yet remain true to their culture. The meaning is that a person could chose to become a student of Jesus and still remain culturally Buddhist or Muslim or Navajo. It can be confusing and extremely challenging to allow yourself to travel to those kinds of thoughts. We’re trained to think that becoming a Christian, a follower of Jesus, means giving up all our “past” life to become a new creation, even giving up part of their culture. Virtually all of our culture, however, has been influenced or out right created in a Christian context. So it’s difficult for us to imagine giving up all of our culture and yet we ask others to? If a person becomes a follower of Jesus and still hangs Buddhist prayer flags, is that o.k.? What if someone chooses to become a student of Jesus, yet still teaches that idea in the context of the Great Spirit? More challenging… what if a new follower of Jesus from Syria, still honors Mohammed by quoting selected sections of his writing to draw people back to God? As I said these are difficult thoughts but I believe acceptable to God.
It’s very arrogant of us as Western Christians to think that “true” Christianity is our version. Our style. Our form of public worship. Our structure of organization. Our tradition. And yet that is exactly what much of our missionary heritage is. Those of us from a European heritage have the horror of the “missionaries” to the new world. The message was essentially “choose our form of religion (Christianity (often Catholic or Lutheran or Anglican) and our King, or else”. From the depths of South America to the wilderness of Canada, we subjected native peoples to virtually the same amount of horror as stories of redemption. We (Americans) in turn became to missionaries to the much of the rest of the world in the 19th and 20th centuries. But what we often brought was an American version of Christianity and tried to implement it wherever we were (and we wonder why many of these endeavors failed?).
We do not have the corner on the market of what it means to follow Jesus. People all over the world geographically and historically have been following Jesus for about 2,000 years in many different cultures and many different contexts. Believe it or not it’s not always looked like this. The oldest rituals we have a Christians today (be it Catholic or Orthodox) are not the same as they were even 500 years ago. At different times Christianity has been contemplative, apostolic, private, flamboyant, quiet, exciting. All good and perfectly applicable in their context. Even our most cutting edge ideas today will one day be replaced by newer ideas.
So why can’t a Christian in India or Thailand come to understand the saving grace of God through Jesus and yet remain culturally relevant as a Buddhist. Please understand, I don’t believe you can follow Buddha and find the truth that will lead to eternity with God. I believe that Jesus is the way to salvation, the only true way. But I don’t want someone to be turned away from pursuing Jesus because they think that he is an American or European idea. Jesus is beyond and above all of that. He is God. And as God he can transform any culture just like he can ours.
So I say again. I want all people (of the whole world) to become student followers of Jesus. Even if that means (maybe especially if) they never claim the name “Christian”.
26 February, 2006
23 February, 2006
Are you an Evangelist?
As part of my business life I read a blog by Guy Kawasaki. I love his writing and his thoughts. I also have a suspicion that he's a follower of Jesus (very encouraging that someone as successful as him also has his priorities in order). You can read all about him on your own (I've linked his blog to mine) but in one of his past work lives he was the major "Evangelist" for Apple computers. "Preaching" or selling the idea of businesses using the Mac.
He just started blogging late last year. Late to the party, like me. Early on he wrote this blog http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/01/the_art_of_evan.html about the art of being an evangelist.
I love point #7. It must be easy for people to take a first step. To sell them something. To sell them an idea. To let them start following Jesus. So many times we as Christians have made the first step hard. Join our church. Walk down the aisle to the alter. Be sure to follow these rules. None of those are easy. The first step should be easy. Start Following! However you can. Whatever way that makes sense to you. The easy first step to being a follower of Jesus is to start.
I find it fascinating how the very same ideas that followers of Jesus can use to tell/share with others about who Jesus is can also be used to sell another idea. I think it's because they are universal principals. People want to belong. They want to feel like they are "in". That they are in the "know". That's how we sell them things. That's how we "sell" the idea of Jesus. Folks want to belong, to be known, to be in. Jesus provides the ultimate answers to those desires. The final answer to belonging. I hope I'm a good evangelist. I've got a great idea to sell.
He just started blogging late last year. Late to the party, like me. Early on he wrote this blog http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/01/the_art_of_evan.html about the art of being an evangelist.
I love point #7. It must be easy for people to take a first step. To sell them something. To sell them an idea. To let them start following Jesus. So many times we as Christians have made the first step hard. Join our church. Walk down the aisle to the alter. Be sure to follow these rules. None of those are easy. The first step should be easy. Start Following! However you can. Whatever way that makes sense to you. The easy first step to being a follower of Jesus is to start.
I find it fascinating how the very same ideas that followers of Jesus can use to tell/share with others about who Jesus is can also be used to sell another idea. I think it's because they are universal principals. People want to belong. They want to feel like they are "in". That they are in the "know". That's how we sell them things. That's how we "sell" the idea of Jesus. Folks want to belong, to be known, to be in. Jesus provides the ultimate answers to those desires. The final answer to belonging. I hope I'm a good evangelist. I've got a great idea to sell.
22 February, 2006
A boy named Su...
My best friend died on December 10, 2005. I don’t know how else to start this post. It’s just what it is. Song Su Shin died of lung cancer after fighting for a year and a half. He left behind his beautiful wife Cheryl and two boys, Ryan and Isaac. I’m still not sure what to do with this.
I’ve known Song since the first grade. We grew up together. Found this idea of following Jesus about the same time. Graduated high school the same year. Got married within 4 years of each other. Had our children just months apart. We served in youth ministry together for 6 years. He took over leadership of that when I left to work in Colorado. I find it very difficult to describe how close Song and I were. Neither one of us had a biological brother. We were each other’s brother. We also shared this desire to follow Jesus. To make that real and a living part of our lives. We wanted to make studying Jesus make sense. Not just for the students we worked with but for ourselves.
There are a few things I still struggle with. Some are pretty deep but this one is pretty surface. I didn’t get back in time to say good-bye to Song. I got the call about 5:45 a.m. that Saturday. I got on the first plane I could. I got there by 2 p.m. but Song had left about 11:15 a.m. It still bugs me. We talked all the time, weekly usually. But this time we hadn’t talked in about 10 days. Just got busy. We did have time to share over the year and a half. Time to tell each other “I love you”. But we never said good-bye. We never admitted to each other that the end was either near or here. I wished for that. I would have liked to say good-bye to my friend.
The other things that I struggle with are deeper. I’m really having a hard time understanding why. Why Song? Why now? Why wasn’t Song healed? Why did he have to die? I want to blame God to be honest, even though I know that doesn’t make sense. Even though I’ve taught so many others it doesn’t make sense. But why Song, God? I hurt. I miss him. I want him back. I want to pick up the phone again and call him, I can’t. I want to be able to complain to him, laugh, tease, pray… but nothing. He’s gone. I want to know what it’s like to meet Jesus. I want to know what it feels like to be complete. There are so many things I want...
Or do I believe what I’ve been selling (so to speak)? Do I believe? And the only answer I can come to is, Yes! A resounding, Yes! I have nothing else to hold on to. God makes the most sense. I believe that as a student of Jesus, Song is with Him. I believe that because Song followed Jesus, accepted what he offered – he’s with Jesus. I believe. I believe.
I still miss my friend. Sometimes I’m just pissed he got through all this before me. He knows the ending.
To paraphrase The Choir…
Now I feel the gravel under my feet
I suppose you’re walking down golden streets
Everybody always forgave you, a child of mystery
And I remember you were merciful to me
Hey Song, we remember you, yea, we laugh when we think of you Song.
Hey Song, we remember you, yea, we cry when we think of you Song.
Hey Song, we remember you , yea we love you, anyway
Give Jesus a kiss for us.
Hey Song, Flap your wings, flap your wings.
I’ve known Song since the first grade. We grew up together. Found this idea of following Jesus about the same time. Graduated high school the same year. Got married within 4 years of each other. Had our children just months apart. We served in youth ministry together for 6 years. He took over leadership of that when I left to work in Colorado. I find it very difficult to describe how close Song and I were. Neither one of us had a biological brother. We were each other’s brother. We also shared this desire to follow Jesus. To make that real and a living part of our lives. We wanted to make studying Jesus make sense. Not just for the students we worked with but for ourselves.
There are a few things I still struggle with. Some are pretty deep but this one is pretty surface. I didn’t get back in time to say good-bye to Song. I got the call about 5:45 a.m. that Saturday. I got on the first plane I could. I got there by 2 p.m. but Song had left about 11:15 a.m. It still bugs me. We talked all the time, weekly usually. But this time we hadn’t talked in about 10 days. Just got busy. We did have time to share over the year and a half. Time to tell each other “I love you”. But we never said good-bye. We never admitted to each other that the end was either near or here. I wished for that. I would have liked to say good-bye to my friend.
The other things that I struggle with are deeper. I’m really having a hard time understanding why. Why Song? Why now? Why wasn’t Song healed? Why did he have to die? I want to blame God to be honest, even though I know that doesn’t make sense. Even though I’ve taught so many others it doesn’t make sense. But why Song, God? I hurt. I miss him. I want him back. I want to pick up the phone again and call him, I can’t. I want to be able to complain to him, laugh, tease, pray… but nothing. He’s gone. I want to know what it’s like to meet Jesus. I want to know what it feels like to be complete. There are so many things I want...
Or do I believe what I’ve been selling (so to speak)? Do I believe? And the only answer I can come to is, Yes! A resounding, Yes! I have nothing else to hold on to. God makes the most sense. I believe that as a student of Jesus, Song is with Him. I believe that because Song followed Jesus, accepted what he offered – he’s with Jesus. I believe. I believe.
I still miss my friend. Sometimes I’m just pissed he got through all this before me. He knows the ending.
To paraphrase The Choir…
Now I feel the gravel under my feet
I suppose you’re walking down golden streets
Everybody always forgave you, a child of mystery
And I remember you were merciful to me
Hey Song, we remember you, yea, we laugh when we think of you Song.
Hey Song, we remember you, yea, we cry when we think of you Song.
Hey Song, we remember you , yea we love you, anyway
Give Jesus a kiss for us.
Hey Song, Flap your wings, flap your wings.
16 February, 2006
To Be or Not To Be...
There is much talk lately about what it means to be a Christian. Who are we as Christians? What defines a complete/real/true “Christian”? And I too have struggled in this area. What does the word “Christian” mean for me?
Two writers have helped me tremendously when it comes to thinking in this area. Charlie Peacock and Brian McLaren. Mr. Peacock’s book “New Way to be Human” and Mr. McLaren’s book “A New Kind of Christian” have influenced much of my thought in this area. But first a little about me…
I’ve served as a pastor. For 9 years of my life folks referred to me as pastor or even the dreaded (at least for me) reverend. I served in the role of youth pastor most of the time I was working with churches and I served in a variety of ways. Professionally (full-time position in a church) through to volunteer leader in a small church. These were good times, even great some of the time. But I struggled with things often. I served within a group of churches that had some very specific expectations and even rules for what it meant to be a part of the group and especially what it meant to serve in leadership within the group. (stuff like "don't drink, smoke, swear, dance, or go with girls that do...) I committed myself to these rules (mostly) and even believed in some of them but I always questioned. Why the emphasis on outward signs of my inner life? Essentially the communication was… if you’re a “Christian” you won’t do this list of things.
I’m now not so sure that’s a good way to go. Actually I’m pretty convinced it’s not even quite what Jesus had in mind. I’ve come to a different, well maybe not different, maybe deeper understanding of being “Christian”.
Actually I don’t really refer to myself as a Christian much anymore. I am whole-heartedly, completely committed to living a life as someone who is following Jesus. That means Christian to most folks. But not to me. I’m totally committed to the local church (yes a Christian church) but I don’t like many of the things the “church” in the United States stands for or has stood for. I can’t claim Christianity like you would a membership in a club or society or association or political party (especially a political party). Being someone trying to follow Jesus is so completely more than those kinds of ideas or labels.
How I think of myself now, comes from prayer and thinking and reading. Charlie Peacock suggests that the new way to be human is to be a Student/Follower of Jesus. And that’s who I am. I follow Jesus as I would a master or a leader. Where he’s going, I want to go (please notice I use the present tense, Jesus is guiding today, actively). I’m a student of Jesus as I would be of a teacher or professor. He is teaching me today (through the Bible, through other reading, through people, through prayer). I can think of no greater description of whose I am. I am a student/follower of Jesus. Christianity, being a Christian has so much baggage for so many people, including myself. I want to follow Jesus. I want to be a student of Jesus. I want to do that seriously. Completely. I want to raise my children to pursue after a life of being a student/follower. I want my friends. I want everyone (quite literally) to be a student/follower of Jesus. Even if (maybe especially if), they never identify themselves as “Christain.”
Two writers have helped me tremendously when it comes to thinking in this area. Charlie Peacock and Brian McLaren. Mr. Peacock’s book “New Way to be Human” and Mr. McLaren’s book “A New Kind of Christian” have influenced much of my thought in this area. But first a little about me…
I’ve served as a pastor. For 9 years of my life folks referred to me as pastor or even the dreaded (at least for me) reverend. I served in the role of youth pastor most of the time I was working with churches and I served in a variety of ways. Professionally (full-time position in a church) through to volunteer leader in a small church. These were good times, even great some of the time. But I struggled with things often. I served within a group of churches that had some very specific expectations and even rules for what it meant to be a part of the group and especially what it meant to serve in leadership within the group. (stuff like "don't drink, smoke, swear, dance, or go with girls that do...) I committed myself to these rules (mostly) and even believed in some of them but I always questioned. Why the emphasis on outward signs of my inner life? Essentially the communication was… if you’re a “Christian” you won’t do this list of things.
I’m now not so sure that’s a good way to go. Actually I’m pretty convinced it’s not even quite what Jesus had in mind. I’ve come to a different, well maybe not different, maybe deeper understanding of being “Christian”.
Actually I don’t really refer to myself as a Christian much anymore. I am whole-heartedly, completely committed to living a life as someone who is following Jesus. That means Christian to most folks. But not to me. I’m totally committed to the local church (yes a Christian church) but I don’t like many of the things the “church” in the United States stands for or has stood for. I can’t claim Christianity like you would a membership in a club or society or association or political party (especially a political party). Being someone trying to follow Jesus is so completely more than those kinds of ideas or labels.
How I think of myself now, comes from prayer and thinking and reading. Charlie Peacock suggests that the new way to be human is to be a Student/Follower of Jesus. And that’s who I am. I follow Jesus as I would a master or a leader. Where he’s going, I want to go (please notice I use the present tense, Jesus is guiding today, actively). I’m a student of Jesus as I would be of a teacher or professor. He is teaching me today (through the Bible, through other reading, through people, through prayer). I can think of no greater description of whose I am. I am a student/follower of Jesus. Christianity, being a Christian has so much baggage for so many people, including myself. I want to follow Jesus. I want to be a student of Jesus. I want to do that seriously. Completely. I want to raise my children to pursue after a life of being a student/follower. I want my friends. I want everyone (quite literally) to be a student/follower of Jesus. Even if (maybe especially if), they never identify themselves as “Christain.”
14 February, 2006
All beginnings are hard...
Don't I know this to be true...
I had a professor in college that would start every semester with this thought. Beginnings are messy. They have starts and stops. You don't end up where you thought you would...
This is my second attempt at blogging. Maybe for no other reason than I need to. A lot has changed for me in the last year. Crappy stuff. Real stuff. I (my family also) made the desicion leave a group of friends for new things. (i.e. we left our church). My best friend in the world died of cancer. We grew up together. We tried to follow Jesus together. We led a group of teenagers in following Jesus together. He's gone. And sometimes I don't understand anymore...
But following Jesus. Being a student of his, this is all that makes sense. So I begin again. And it's hard...
I had a professor in college that would start every semester with this thought. Beginnings are messy. They have starts and stops. You don't end up where you thought you would...
This is my second attempt at blogging. Maybe for no other reason than I need to. A lot has changed for me in the last year. Crappy stuff. Real stuff. I (my family also) made the desicion leave a group of friends for new things. (i.e. we left our church). My best friend in the world died of cancer. We grew up together. We tried to follow Jesus together. We led a group of teenagers in following Jesus together. He's gone. And sometimes I don't understand anymore...
But following Jesus. Being a student of his, this is all that makes sense. So I begin again. And it's hard...
13 February, 2006
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