Dilbert

Posted on April 26, 2007
Filed Under blog, funny | 1 Comment

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Church

Posted on April 25, 2007
Filed Under church, faith, thoughts | 9 Comments

Yesterday Paul wrote an excellent post called The People Known As Christians, it is very honest and true, and I appreciated reading it. Prior to Paul’s post I had been thinking quite a bit during the day as I felt very convicted after I read a comment on my blog from Paul (yes the same one - he’s got a great heart!). His words made me realize that emerging/missional Christians seem to be constantly criticising institutional church (IC). I would like to apologise to anyone who I have offended with my words - I am not meaning to bad mouth IC at all. I have some wonderful friends who are part of IC, and who will probably always be part of it. IC has blessed me and my family in many ways over the years through friendships, Christian community, prayer, and indeed financially. If it was not for IC, then most of us would not have become Christians. There are some very beautiful things which have come from institutional church - it is part of our heritage and history and we should embrace it. I don’t want new forms of church - emerging/missional - to be about constantly knocking down IC. The IC is part of the Bride of Christ, and He will continue to work through it. We need to recognise what we have gained from our walk in the IC, but embrace the fact that to reach the next generations (and maybe for our own sanity!) we have to do something new. IC hasn’t got it right, and we probably won’t either, but we are all One Body.

This morning as I checked my daily reader I saw that John Smulo had written an excellent post on similar things to what I was thinking about yesterday. After reading John’s post I thought, either God is doing something here through some people to encourage emerging/missional folk to focus on their tasks and not criticize the past, or He is just trying to talk to me! The reason many of us have moved away from IC is because we are frustrated with the system, we are pained because, as Eddie Gibbs recently wrote, The Great Commission has almost become The Great Omission in most IC’s. The ways in which people have moved out from IC and have been church - when I write church here, I mean the Body of Christ, can look quite different. Some communities still have a weekly service - though nothing like a “traditional service”, they have a church building etc but they are engaging with their community, the culture around them and are being church (the Body of Christ) within their local area. Other communities are really engaging within their communities/cultures, being church (the Body of Christ), and they meet up as a community as and when - 2 - 3 times one week, maybe not at all the following - there is no set day or time, it just happens, like relationships do.

Wolfgang Simson wrote in his book Houses That Change The World, “instead of bringing more people to the church, we should be bringing church to the people.” As Christians within the emerging/missional community we need to focus on our relationships within our church community - being real, open and honest, sharing the journey. As well as this we need to get out there in our communities and really be, really serve, whatever the cost. Jamie Arpin-Ricci has a great post on this today.  Whilst people are detoxing from IC they will experience and be vocal about different emotions, hurts etc. As John wrote though, there needs to come a time for closure, so that we can productively move ahead.  (sorry, long post!)

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Stanley Cup

Posted on April 24, 2007
Filed Under current affairs | 2 Comments

Horay! The Canucks have got through the first round of play offs in the Stanley cup! They kind of reminded me of England playing rugby or footbball - well out in front, then they lose concentration, let it slip, and it all falls down to the final game!! Anyway, they now play the Mighty Ducks in the next round. I love this time of the year! (I like Ice Hockey in case you hadn’t figured it out!)

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What can women bring?

Posted on April 24, 2007
Filed Under blog, church, relationships | 5 Comments

 

Nearly two weeks ago I read Women in Ministry by Rachelle Mee-Chapman from Monkfish Abbey, which features in the latest edition of Next Wave News. Rachelle’s article has got me thinking a lot. I have been asking myself how women are involved in the emerging/missional conversation? And are our voices heard? Now let me make one thing clear, I’m not a feminist, but I do believe in women’s rights, in equality. There are a handful of women I can name who are really involved and respected within bloggoshere/ministry. Yet, I know that there are many women trying to get involved. One more thing I need to make clear is that my intention in this post is not to moan about men. I’m articulating a few thoughts I’ve had, and would love for both men and women to contribute with their thoughts as well.

My thoughts over the past few weeks have been on the differences between male and female approaches to things. I think men are more dominant, more pushy and, to be honest, more respected within the Christian arena. I think women, are generally more gentle, so, as Rachelle points out, people get upset when women become angry, frustrated, and assertive - therfore they are dismissed. I think more men have had theological training, therefore it’s easy for women to feel a little isolated in conversations when too many “big” words are used. It is also, as Rachelle highlights, not easy for women to go off to gatherings and conferences, as we have to think about child care etc. Whereas men can almost come and go as they please.

Another thought I’ve pondered on is whether women are not as prominent as men because of their institutional church (IC) experience? Within IC women are often an after thought, so have we unwittingly taken on this ideology in our conversations/ministry outside of IC? Deep down do we think that our thoughts, our contribution is not validated? Do we feel un-respected? I know from my own experiences I have received many promises from IC’s about how I could become involved etc, but once my husband is within their employment they seem to forget that I exist.

As women, how do you feel about your place within the emergent/missional conversation? Do you feel inadequate, dismissed, or are you happy that you thoughts are taken on board? Do women just need to shout louder? As men, how would you like to see women more involved with the conversation? Do you think women have anything worthwhile to contribute? Do you think women should become more vocal? And how can men help women to feel more included?

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Ryan Bolger Interview

Posted on April 23, 2007
Filed Under netcast | 2 Comments

There is an excellent interview, featuring Ryan Bolger from Fuller Seminary on Allelon. Click here to listen to it. It is part of their What is Missional Church netcast series. This particular netcast last approx. 30 minutes. Thanks to Rick Meigs for posting about this. If you haven’t been to Allelon before then do check it out if you’re exploring Missional Church, they have some great resources.

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