Today is the last day I am 27. It’s been a great year, in fact, one of the best years of my life.
I am extremely blessed to be where I am at and who I’m with in life.
There is just too much goodness in my life that I don’t deserve and I am so thankful for everything.
Below is a reflection I wrote after reading Introducing Postmodernism, a non-Christian work which describes the origins, infuence and implications of postmodernity.
Introducing Postmodernism was an extremely helpful book, which enabled me to reflect upon many areas of my life currently, as well as in the future as well. I will focus on three key areas in which I was challenged: how I view parts of life through postmodern lenses, how I imbibe postmodern forms of entertainment, and how I need to tailor my ministry to reach to postmodern thinking.
I have never really viewed myself as being influenced by postmodern thinking. Part of that is because I do not recall hearing this term until 2000, and subsequently finding out a rudimentary definition of the word, but still I never truly view my thinking as being postmodern in any sort. I primarily think it is because I believe in objective truth and kept postmodern thinking as that alone. As I have been recently challenged, I see that postmodernity has influenced my thinking. I can be skeptical when confronted with ideas whether I agree with the ideas or not. I take bits and pieces of history and incorporate them into my life whether it be the ancient Roman coins I use as ornaments in my living room, or the vintage looking record player I own, which plays Compact Discs.
With regards to my imbibing of postmodern entertainment, I believe it stems from an innate desire to regard entertainment as a way of escaping reality. This can be evidenced by my affinity for the “mockumentaries” of Christopher Guest, as well as my supposed need of a good laugh from The Simpsons, or playing any of my Playstation 2 games, from Star Wars: Battlefront to Deer Hunter. I also enjoy some remakes of so-called classic songs, and am fascinated by the technology of sampling because it feeds my enjoyment of today’s style of music with a healthy dose of nostalgia, as well. I have a tendency to be a consumer of entertainment, and use it as a way of entering into another dimension in order to escape the realities of Greek, Hebrew, my job, or homework.
As I incorporate the realities of postmodern thinking into my ministry, I believe I am now better equipped to minister to people who are influenced by postmodern thought. One idea which comes to mind, is that of facing cynicism. Many today are cynical about trained ministers, and can be skeptical of the historicity of interpretation or doctrine. Many today are consumers of time, entertainment, work, and activities. They fill their days with activities, reality TV, or shopping, in order to escape reality, or just make time go by more quickly. These types of people fill pews on Sundays, and need a real Gospel message with content that can speak to their everyday lives and point them to Christ. I need to be able to build a bridge with my preaching in order to communicate timeless truth to them in such a way that they are able to formulate a comprehensive, Christian worldview, which does not base itself in moral or spiritual relativism, but is grounded in the truth of God’s Word.
Catchy title eh?
This afternoon I was driving along I170 in St. Louis and my windshield was dirty with grime, dead bugs and whatnot. So I twisted the “washer” handle and immediately cleaner was dispersed on my windshield and my wipers cleaned it thoroughly. I had a better vision of what was in front of me.
Many times in life, we go along our paths with a clouded vision of things which are right in front of us. As we are on the move to our goal, we become distracted by the fallen-ness in our lives, or the world around us. We need something to clear our vision. That’s the beauty of grace and forgiveness. Grace is that cleansing agent we so desperately need in our lives to overpower our sin. We all need grace in order to be forgiven of our sin and failure. And just like that forgiveness comes like the wiper blade to wipe our “windshield”, if you will, and give us a clearer vision for our lives and what we can do to glorify God.
May we continue to go forth in the grace and forgiveness of our Lord.
I was talking with the other intern at the retirement center where I intern about how hard it is to get others to come and help us.
Here’s the deal. We are students at a large seminary, which has 500 plus full time students and a total enrollment of over one thousand, so you think it would be easy to get another chaplain intern to come once a week or so.
Well, it’s not and I told Brian why I thought this. I said, “It’s not sexy like youth or college ministry.” He agreed.
Now, I am not saying youth or college ministry are lesser than what I do, but they have lots of help, at least in St. Louis.
Some of the reasons I think are barriers to people wanting to enter senior ministry are as follows:
Dealing with sickness. This is tough because in my area, most of the people I counsel and visit are sick and will be sick for the rest of their lives. And it is hard “to have the right words”, but they are not looking for that. They are looking for someone to just give a little.
Dealing with death. I know a few people who have died in just three months I have been there, and by the end of the year there will be more people whom I learn to love and know who will die. Death is painful to deal with and, again, is hard to confront, but there are those times where someone who is dying ends up blessing you more than you blessed them.
Dealing with bridges. It is hard to build bridges and relationships with people who are 50-70 years older than you. But there is a reward when you learn to listen, and speak loud enough for them to hear you. You get the wonderful opportunity to enter a world that you have never been to and are able to learn and find ways to share with one another.
I know it sounds lame, but I really think that younger folks like myself should at least make an attempt to reach out to the older generations, while they are still here. It may not be as hip and sexy as ministering to post-moderns and all their oddities, but it might make a difference in someone’s life too.
This past Sunday and next Sunday are the annual missions conference Sundays for our church. It’s been interesting this year to watch how giving is emphasized, but one thing really struck me this year over and beyond last year. As I was listening to the sermon, which obviously is designed to emphasize involvement in missional activities through giving, the preacher did not only hone in on the idea of giving money, but several other things as well.
I think this is a good, convicting way of dealing with missions. I must confess that I have been one of those people who think that writing a check will take care of it on my end. To be honest, I have no desire to be a foreign missionary and I don’t feel bad about it because I do not believe I am called to that task in life. However, in my support of missionaries, I must admit that I have been dismal at best. Sure, I made a point that our family pledged a certain amount of money for missions 2004-2005, and we met the pledge, but I don’t think I thought about it beyond that, and maybe a simple prayer every now and then.
To be honest, that’s pathetic of me since I am in seminary (supposed to be “holier”, right??), I have missionary friends (I do pray for you guys!!), but I don’t think about missions much beyond that.
Yesterday seemed to change things for me, I think. This year, I am going to make a point of doing more than writing checks. Thankfully, I have a good wife who can keep me honest!
I heard a man on the radio this morning talking about a problem within American Evangelicalism, and I think it bears repeating.
The problem he was talking about, he termed “solo scriptura”, which obviously is a word play on “sola scriptura” (scripture alone), by making the point that many believe all they need is their Bible and their brain in order to formulate doctrine, etc.
While, I am a person who wholeheartedly affirms the teaching of the priesthood of all believers, I will also affirm the notion that no one is an island unto himself.
What do I mean by that?
I mean that I cannot possibly expect myself to be engaged, alone, with just my Bible and when I am done studying my butt off, I suddenly have complete mastery and understanding of everything the Bible teaches. Some of you may be snickering because you see how ridiculous it is to think that, but there are many who practice this in a less forceful manner. We think that we do not need to read what others say about passages in order to interpret them, we think that we do not need to have an understanding of ANY tradition at all. We tear down others because we believe that our ideas are our own, and because we derrived them from our personal interpretation, then it does not matter what others say.
This is something that can cause isolation for a couple of reasons.
1: If you do this and derrive a contra-Biblical understanding of any teaching, it can lead you down the road of teaching and believing error to an extent where no one else is worthy of your fellowship.
2: It can cause an isolation from others whom we see go down a contra-Biblcal path. By that I mean, we think that because we “have no say” on what others may believe, we allow them to continue in their ideas and beliefs without showing them, in a loving fashion, their error.
We must always be open to the idea that there are some areas where we can be wrong in our thinking.
We must not dismiss those who have gone on before us, and we must not dismiss those who give their lives over to the study of Scripture.
That does not mean that we will come to a complete 100% correct view in all areas, but it can build unity, even with those whom we may have a disagreement because we have a willing, teachable spirit.
Here is an interesting article from Christian History Magazine on the shape of “sola” scriptura.
Yesterday, I witnessed some benefits of denominationalism. Yes, I know that structure and, dare I say, authority, can be a viewed as a bad thing because people have an eglitarian notion of ecclesiology, but I do think there are benefits to denominationalism.
I will list a few.
1. Accountability: There is a sense of accountability in matters of practice and doctrine. If I, as a denominational pastor, begin preaching things which are contrary to the denomination I belong to, I can be held accountable to that. For me, being a member of the Presbyterian Church In America, I would first be accountable to the congregation, then the elders, then presbytery. If there is ever the issue of a heresy, or unorthodox teaching rising, it can be dealt with, and by more than just one church. This is a good thing because there is indication in Acts that when faced with important decisions, leaders from the churches came together, not just one church.
2. Structure: There is a definite way of getting things done in a macro-sense, as well as a micro-sense. Churches are able to band together in order to plant other churches, or have a network for pulpit filling, as well as a network of pastors and leaders with whom they have a commonality. (I am not suggesting only “hanging out” with likeminded people)
3. Identity: Of course there will be various flavors of “church” within any denomination, running from a contemporary feel to more traditional feel of worship, to the styles of ministry and so on. However, being in a denomination does tend to add to the identity of a local congregation. One can look at a phone book, select the denominational heading of a church and have a fairly reasonable idea of the teachings to expect.
4. Resources: Missionaries can be taken care of better with a larger support base. (that is not to say that a local church would not have specific missionaries they support) There is the opportunity to band together for large causes in the face of disaster, or in the outworking of a missional strategy, domestic and international. Also, denominations can provide a good way for pastors and others who work within the church to share a retirement fund or plan, and have it managed professionally, and in a group fashion. And there is the benefit of being able to develop Sunday School and other teaching materials for publication and usage by the churches within the denomination, which will enable in training and knowledge.
Needless to say, nothing is perfect, and maybe I can post some downsides to denominationalism like politics and so forth, but I really believe that it is an effecient, Biblical way of operating.
I am writing a research essay on Jonathan Edwards and his reversal of the communion practices begun by his grandfather decades before he became pastor at Northampton. My main thesis in the essay is that Edwards reversed this practice, (which was anyone could be a communicant member, to communion had to be taken on the basis of a credible profession of faith) even after agreeing to it for several years, because of the sensitivity of his pastoral heart as his theology developed and he put his beliefs into practice.
Most of the research I have conducted seems to focus on this being a theological issue, but as I read Edwards’ essay explaining his reasons, I see P A S T O R written all over it.
I think when it comes to Church History, we often forget to add the human element into what we’re reading, probably because we’re so far removed from the situation. But it seems to me, that a healthy injection of humanity and thinking about what it would be like for us in that situation, may give us better perspective.
When people read Edwards, for instance, they mainly read his essays, but neglect the fact that he was preaching several times a week. And when you read Edwards sermons, especially the ones related to ministry, you see a man who is more than just a theologian, but a shepherd who tenderly desires that those he preaches to have experienced “divine and supernatural light” that changes lives and creates joy and happiness in this present life and the life to come in the presence of Christ.
If you ever have time, ponder this.
Once I was in a conversation with some people who were discussing the differences between faith and belief. This, of course, is within the context of God and whether or not faith comes before belief and so on. At the time, I was early in my seminary career, so I really did not feel comfortable in answering the question, “So what is it? Belief or faith? Which comes first?” It felt like a chicken and egg type question, so I muttered that I would answer it when I studied it and “figured it all out.”
Silly me, I should have known that we English speaking folks have it all confused.
Why do I say that? Well, in studying Scripture in the original language, the word we translate faith, is the same as the word we translate believe, or belief.
Now, I thoroughly understand that “pistis” (the greek for faith or belief) is used in varying degrees with nuance in the New Testament. But nevertheless, in my mind, there really is no distinction between faith and belief. We’ve just made it that way.