All Hallows’ Eve

Guess I’d better work on my carving skills….

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The Future of Christianity and The Church – Ecumenism

A fascinating discussion between an ecumenical group comprising N.T. Wright, Father Richard Rohr and Brennan Manning.

Is this what we mean by the emerging church?  Something that is grounded in tradition and a lineage… and yet still operates around that… what Brian McLaren calls a ‘generous orthodoxy’.  I certainly think that’s the future.

What amazing words from Fr Richard Rohr.  From my UK perspective, I wonder if this is what Rowan Williams was trying to express when he coined the phrase “the mixed economy church”?

NT Wright made a passing remark later on that I think is worthy of a revisit.

It’s frustrating that we can’t share the Eucharist together…officially.

A point that is double edged.

Pimp My Church

David Male has put an interesting overview of his book Church Unplugged on Share.  He makes an interesting contrast between Fresh Expressions of church and Pimp My Ride from MTV.  Please have a read of the article.

My worry sometimes with all that is happening under the banner of fresh expressions of church/church planting is the danger that it can be simultaneously spectacular and superficial. I am by nature an optimist, but I worry we are too easily entranced by what seems to be spectacular. Often people tell me about some amazing church plant that now has 300 people within a year, but then when you start to ask some hard questions of how many of those are truly unchurched people who are now becoming disciples of Jesus the answers look far less convincing. The growth, I am afraid, is often the success of the marketplace, attracting Christians from other churches and the de-churched back.

Do Fresh Expressions run the risk of moving the passengers on the ship from cabin to cabin rather than inviting more people to get on board and come for the ride?

Changing Education Paradigms and The Church

The little teacher inside my head started to nod and hasn’t stopped.  So how does this apply to or affect the church?  What can we learn from this?  What do we do as a church when it comes to facilitating collaboration?  Using the metaphorical people churning production line from this animation, what “product” do we churn out*?  What are the inherent flaws with our production line?  Are we as community a place that empowers people of all backgrounds to flourish and become an agent that transforms the world in which we live or are we the anesthetic that disengages our brains from the both the creation and the creator?

*My initial typo was “What ‘product’ do we church out?”  Perhaps I should have left it.

What is a fresh Expression of Church?

The Fresh Expressions email sent a link to this video.  The issue it highlights was the focus of the keynote address by Graham Cray at Sheffield Diocese day of workshops looking at Fresh Expressions.  His most poignant remark was along these lines (I type from memory):

My advice for people who want to set up a fresh expression is ‘don’t’.  Spend a year or two praying with a group of people about where God is working in your place.  Don’t just try to transplant something from somewhere else.  See what grows out of the area in which you are.

Alternative Hymnal – “Every Day” Ten Second Epic

You said, there’s no way the days should feel this short,
As soon as one ends, the other starts.
You said, all day I feel you playing a part,
When all you ever want to do was leave a mark.

Every day, Another one wasted.
Every day, You get up and face it.
Every day, is a chance for redemption.
Every day, Every day.

You said, Time moves fast but you’re still staying in park.
As every chance takes off… you don’t depart
But it’s just the defense for all the moments that name and define what we do.
Well how about you? We’re all scared of breaking through.

Every day, Another one wasted.
Every day, You get up and face it.
Every day, is a chance for redemption.
Every day, Every day.

Every day, Another one wasted.
Every day, You get up and face it.
Every day, is a chance for redemption.
Every day, Every day.

There’s gotta be that something more
That gets me through the night.(Gets me through the night)
I’m out of touch, It’s obvious.(It’s obvious)
I’m out of place and over this.(Over this)
There’s gotta be that change
That takes my path from wrong to right.(So…)

You said life is way to short,
As soon as one ends, another starts

Every day, Another one wasted.
Every day, You get up and face it.
Every day, is a chance for redemption.
Every day, Every day.

Every day, Another one wasted.
Every day, You get up and face it.
Every day, is a chance for redemption.
Every day, a chance for redemption
Every day, a chance for redemption
Every day, a chance for redemption
Every day, a chance for redemption
Everyday, Everyday.

Worship Idea – The Prodigal Son

The good news is that I have nearly cleared my email inbox.  The bad news is that I made a note of this video resource when I stumbled upon it on the 9th of July and have only just got around to posting it.  Sorry.

Natwivity

For those of you who remember Easter live, you will be pleased to know that there is going to be a natwivity that you can either follow on Twitter or on Facebook.

The Manga Jesus

I did a quick search and it would seem that I have been a little remise.  A minister and a comic book nerd and I haven’t ever blogged about the Manga Bible.  Of all the different reinterpretations that I have mentioned before you would have thought I would have mentioned this sooner!

There are all sorts of different editions.  Of the many attempts to make a comic book out of the Bible and many fall short.  However, I have found the manga bible to be a faithful not only to its genre but also to the biblical texts.  As always, not a replacement for the original texts but a way of reimagining them.

Today, Church House Bookshop have announced the Manga Jesus.  No doubt this will be just as good.

Tutu Today

This was on BBC1 just now.