Pat and Al

Hey! Have any of you seen the commercial or advertisement of Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Pat Robertson sitting on a couch together? It's a commercial about climate change and the point these two pastors make is that regardless of your political/theological/social or financial views this is something we all should be acting on. I like the commercial. Individually, I'm not a big fan of either one of these guys, but together, they make a compelling point. That point, of course, is that there are some things, there are some issues that should unite us - that are bigger than our differences. I like the fact that they acknowledge that they do indeed have major disagreements among them, but that doesn't stop them from working towards a common good concerning an issue as pressing as climate change. And I thought to myself...whoa!...I think I see a glimpse of the kingdom of God here. Ya see, this is what Jesus was constantly doing. Jesus was finding common ground with people and helping them work toward something better. Remember the woman at the well (John 4)? She was a Samaritan. Samaritans were an ethnic minority that Jews tended to despise (does this sound familiar)? Jews didn't associate with Samaritans and certainly a Jewish man wouldn't have been caught dead with a Samaritan woman. But here Jesus was, in broad daylight at a well, engaging this woman in some rather robust conversation. What was Jesus doing? He was finding common ground. They both were descendants of Jacob and as a matter of fact were standing at Jacob's Well, so Jesus starts talking about water and their common need for water and this new kind of water that the Messiah (Jesus) could offer. This woman was thirsty for something more than the well offered. She had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband. This way of life was looked down upon even among Samaritans. This woman was an outcast of outcasts. But Jesus invites her to come and drink the water anyway. When Jesus' disciples returned, they were surprised to see him talking to a woman (for reasons I mentioned above). But no one says anything, because they realize something is happening. They realize that the grip of nationalism and elitism and oppression and sexism are being confronted. They're beginning to understand that this kingdom that Jesus speaks of is different than the kingdoms of this world. Apparently, in the kingdom Jesus talks about, Samaritan women "living in sin" are invited to the table. Apparently, in the kingdom Jesus talks about, Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton can find something good to agree upon and work towards making that thing a reality. Apparently, the kingdom that Jesus talks about doesn't pose people and groups against each other but instead invites them to come together to work towards the good of all people. Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson...working together??? Democrats and Republicans...putting their own agendas behind them to serve the common good??? Liberals and Conservatives...understanding there are more important things than being "right" (or "left")??? I never thought I'd say this about either one of these guys - but when I see Pat and Al together, I see Jesus working. I see the Kingdom of God. Now, that, is amazing.

It's about time

First of all, I want to apologize to the four people who read my blog...I'm still new to this blogging thing and haven't made it a regular part of my day yet..I'm working on it, I promise. I want this to be worth your while. Anyway, on to some content...

I had an absolutely wonderful, thoughtful response to my last blog. I was particularly enticed by his/her question: How does the power of the presidency (and any elected position for that matter) intersect with our striving to work with God in the redemption of all things? What is the role of the government (if any), and ours as citizens who vote, in making God's kingdom a reality? I think this is the question that we have to wrestle with. Recently, Shane Claiborne and Greg Boyd wrote a book called Jesus For President. The book rightly points out that as followers of Jesus our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus Christ regardless who the president or prime minister or dictator is or what form of government rules the land. It seems that the authors are encouraging followers of Jesus to work outside the political system to bring about the kind of change we are called to make. The point seems to be that it really does not matter who is in power - that does not change our job as Christians. Having said that, I truly believe that certain candidates and certain platforms are worth voting for. Although these candidates are not perfect and have to play the political game to get elected (which may or may not cause them to lose their soul in the process) I feel strongly that if they are promoting a better way of life for people with real needs and have a means to bring about real change for these people, then we would be foolish not to vote for them. God has often worked through kings and governments to serve his purposes and to make his kingdom a reality on earth. There's no such thing as a perfect candidate but I think we miss out on a God-given opportunity not to vote for the person that we feel most closely aligns with God's values. In that way, I believe the power of the presidency (or any other elected position) intersects with our striving to work with God in the redemption of all things. For instance, I believe that the poor, oppressed, sick and broken are at the top of God's priority list. If there is one candidate who will increase relief to AIDS victims in Africa and those who are in poverty all over the globe and one candidate who would decrease that spending but spend more on weapons and defense, I think we are working with God and with the president/government to use our resources wisely, restore our world and bring God's kingdom to the darkest corners of the globe by electing the candidate who aligns more closely with God's vision for the world. I believe God can and will work through any and all people. We have to be on the look out for what God is up to and jump on the opportunities that are before us. Personally, I think this election provides our nation with a very important opportunity. It will be very interesting to see how our country, and those who call themselves Christians, will respond.

Rise Above This

Before I got my driver's license, I was a typical teenager: generally bored out of my mind with nothing to do (I am now 36). Growing up, we didn't have cable, so T.V. was a real drag during the day (I detest soap operas and game shows). There was no internet, so I couldn't waste my days away in that manner. I could only hang out with my friends for so long until that became more boring than being by myself. Since I couldn't get anywhere with speed and efficiency, that left me with one viable option (for me): read. Up until I was sixteen years old, I loved to read for pleasure (that pleasure would return again after college and Seminary). I ate up anything that had to do with history. And simply by association I would also read much about politics. I became very fascinated by history, politics and how the two engaged to form the world we live in today. I was a political science major in college and even considered at one time (very fleetingly) a life of public service (in the political realm). I grew up putting on a pedestal men like George Washington, John Adams, John Jay, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, etc. These men were heroes to me. They were creating a nation and a way of life that I have come to love dearly. Each one of these men understood inherently that in order to create a nation of unity, prosperity and equality that there would be a substantial level of personal sacrifice required of its leaders to make that happen. Our nation is not what it is today (even with all her faults) without great personal sacrifice from her leaders when the foundation was being laid. Personal sacrifice, however, does not seem to be a part of the skill set of the majority of our national leaders today. It seems that even the best of our leaders are in some way, shape or form in the pockets of powerful lobbyists and corporations who, it seems, steers the direction of our nation. In my most cynical moments I wonder, is it possible to reform the system? Will there ever again be grassroots politicians who can rise through the ranks and make a difference on a national level without selling out and losing their soul in the process? I honestly don't know. I think it's possible, but our political process is one of those things that will have to be chipped away at over the years. I don't see any short term solutions. This is where our leaders are going to have to be very far-sighted. We need a visionary or two to stand up and show us a better way to do politics. A way that benefits all Americans. We need a system where everyone's voices are heard - not just the one's with the most Washington's, Lincoln's and Jackson's.

We'll talk more about moving toward a possible solution tomorrow.

pumped

I love being a part of a community of people. I am reminded of that constantly - mostly through my great failures in life. I need people to pick me up, brush me off and help me get back on the path that God has called me to walk. I need people to love me, encourage me and believe in me. I need people to "get my back", to serve me and allow me to serve them. I need people. Which is why I'm so pumped that the church I help lead, The Journey, had so many people in worship yesterday. I know that the same need I have for people, ever other person has as well. And so when I see people coming together and sharing community under the banner of Christ's love, it makes me smile. As a person who follows Jesus, I am just as convinced of the human need for community as I am of the human need for God. That's just the way God created us. He intended for us to live in community and even modeled that kind of living for us. Even before there was human life, God enjoyed rich relational community (The uniquely Christian doctrine of the Trinity points to this. This doctrine can sometimes be confusing - three separate but unified entities, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that are distinct yet wholly the same). Just as you and I were meant for God, we were also meant for each other. We need each other to live the kinds of lives God hopes we might live. To find any kind of fulfillment, any kind of meaning, any kind of purpose we find that we need a community of people. And The Journey is becoming that community for me. We are a group of people that gathers on a regular basis and struggles together with what it means to follow Jesus with our lives. And we do this by loving, sharing and encouraging one another. With God's help and with the support of those around us, we are learning what it means to truly live. So, where are you finding support? Who is the community of people in your life that will help you become all that you can be? You need it, I need it, we all need it. So, let's go and find it...together.

The Equation

So I'm talking with my friend Nick yesterday about lots of stuff. I hadn't seen Nick in a month. He just got married last month and had spent the last week at church camp. Church camp is a funny thing. I used to think it was so cheesy until I began working as a counselor and realized that many of the kids that go to camp live in some pretty messed up situations. So, really, it's a great opportunity to impact the lives of young people. And so when Nick told me about how impacting his week at church camp had been, I assumed he meant in the lives of the campers. But he was actually talking about himself. Ya see, church camp is also a place to hang out with friends and talk about life and love and eternity until 6:30 in the morning. And that's what Nick did. And as he talked with other counselors and with campers, he began to realize that the Christian "formula" under which he came to faith in Christ (and which I came to faith in Christ) just didn't make sense to these campers. And not just to the campers, but to this entire emerging generation. It doesn't ring true. Now, DON'T mishear what I'm saying (or writing) - I'm not saying the Gospel of Jesus doesn't ring true, I'm saying the way evangelical Christian churches have presented it for the last several decades doesn't ring true. We're products of the modern era, which was dominated by scientific fact. The equation 2+2=4 gives us great comfort. This is a known fact. We know it is certain and that's why we like it.

For a long time the Church has tried to present the Gospel of Jesus like a formula: Do x, then do y and poof - you're a Christian. We've reduced the gospel to formulas and steps and pithy sayings when all along our faith has been about one thing: Following Jesus. Our faith is about a Way - not about checking off items on a "to do" list. I am a follower in the Way of Jesus. That's it. That's what I've been called to. Jesus said, "Come, follow me". He didn't give us a to do list or a formula we had to follow. There is a mystery to our faith. There are things no formula can explain. Let's embrace the mystery. Let's leave room for the gray areas of life. Let's follow Jesus and pursue him instead of the laundry list of ideas, beliefs and values that we tell people they must assent to before they can be a Christian. Let's reclaim the mystery in our faith and die to the equation once and for all - for our own good and for the good of this world that Jesus died to save. If we do this, I think we'll be surprised at the people who start coming around when we are able to affirm their journey and affirm their search for truth. We might even start a revolution...

Simple

I had a conversation after worship yesterday with a guy we'll call Jim. Jim wanted a chance to respond to what I had said in my message during the service. Jim is a middle-aged, recovering addict. He has recently begun attending services with his family. Jim had been turned-off and burnt-out by the church and religion in general in the past. As an addict, and even as a recovering addict, he has never felt welcome in a faith community. So Jim has responded whole-heartedly to the message of love and grace and acceptance that we try to communicate at The Journey. I am currently teaching a message series on seven passions that help to define the lives of Christ followers (I do not claim this is an exhaustive list, but I believe that it is an important one). Yesterday I spoke about the practice of service and how that practice really communicates who we are and what we believe. Jim was very excited about the message and as we spoke after the service he said: "That's it - that's the Gospel of Christ. I know theology is important but I'm going to leave that to the theologians (paraphrase). People shouldn't have any problem knowing what I believe when they see how I live. I'm going to stand for Jesus. I'm going to stand for love" (paraphrase). Could it really be that simple? Can the gospel of Jesus Christ be communicated without words? Admittedly, as a preacher that makes me nervous. On the other hand, I was so excited because Jim gets it. He gets the gospel. Remember when Jesus said the message is so simple that children can understand? I'll tell you this - my kids don't understand a lick of theology - but they sure know love when they see it. And I think about how powerful the love of Jesus is and how much of an impact the church can have when our emphasis is on love - not on condemnation or judgment or who's right or who's wrong - but on love. I think it's easy to talk about love and to talk about doctrine and to talk about who's right and who's wrong. I like to talk because it's easy. What's not so easy is figuring out what my words look like when they are put to action. So, here's the question - what does the Gospel of Jesus look like? I know what it says...I know what the words are...but what does it look like? In a culture that is dominated by visual images we better figure that out. And in the meantime, maybe we should stop talking and start serving. There really is no better way to show the world that God loves them. More tomorrow...(That's right, I said tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!)

Peace and Towels,
Dan

They Used To Call Me The Seeker: Thoughts on Politics

First of all, much thanks to Joyce in the office who pushes me to write. For whatever reason, I often hesitate to write. I think it has to do with the fear of my work not "measuring up" to someone else's. Also, I feel pressure to be creative and for me being creative is hard work. Whatever the reason I'm always glad when I finally sit down and do it.

I live in Indianapolis where we just had our big primary yesterday. It was certainly a weird feeling for all of us Hoosiers to actually matter in the race for president this early in the year. I have really enjoyed the watching the race since late last summer. It all started for me when the three democratic presidential hopefuls (remember John Edwards??) had a debate in August that was sponsored by CNN and Sojourners, which is a Christian social justice group. Just having the debate in that format was a big deal. Who could have imagined the day that DEMOCRATS would be debating in a forum sponsored by a Christian organization? Jim Wallis, the leaders of Sojourners, and other influential spiritual leaders across the country (including Dr. Joel Hunter, former associate pastor at Southport United Methodist Church, where I am currently serving) were able to ask some serious questions to the candidates about faith, the issues our country is facing, and how the two intersect. Hearing these three democratic hopefuls talk openly about their faith and how it affects their policies and decision-making was a breath of fresh air. This debate made it abundantly clear - faith matters to people in America (Republicans and Democrats alike) - and Americans want a leader who leads by conviction.

As a leader of a faith community, it excites me that these conversations are beginning to take place. In college I majored in political science and minored in religion. People used to always laugh when I told them this because they felt there was such a disconnect between the two. Well, not anymore. This is a new day people. As a follower of Jesus, I understand that my faith should absolutely saturate my life. There is no decision I should make, no action I should undertake that does not (at least subconsciously) take the lordship of Jesus in my life into account. That includes politics. Will my faith influence my voting? Absolutely. Will my voting cross party lines? Absolutely. America doesn't need anymore politicians. We need leaders. Bold leaders. Leaders that truly have the welfare of our country, and our world in their heart. And as a follower of Jesus, I would pray that my leaders would seek to lead in the example that Jesus set. That's something that I can get behind. It's a new day people!

new day

Hey everybody! I am writing this a few days after Easter. My body and mind are tired but my spirit is alive and well! I am so excited about the things that are happening at The Journey and I feel truly privileged to be a part of the creative process as we dream of the future together. What will the future of The Journey look like? How about the future of the Church in general? When I think of these things, I see interconnected lives. I see housewives and accountants and custodians and teachers and physicians and artists all connecting and sharing and loving and living together. At The Journey, we are trying to be intentional about building our church on relationships. There is a real beauty in true community. Most of us at The Journey come from traditional church backgrounds or no church background at all so we don't have a good idea of what true community looks like. But we realize that God has called us to something more than what church "looks" like in America today. We have a desire in our collective gut to be something more than we are. We really want to affect change: in our schools, in politics, in our communities and in the world at large. But we've realized that the first step towards change is to reach out and connect. We truly want to be a church with the wider community at its heart. And so as we try to become this different kind of church that really invests in people's lives, we realize that things will get messy. Relationships are messy. People can be offensive. But we believe that this is what God is calling us to. We love people because God loves people. We will continue to reach out and love and accept and challenge all who come across our paths. We are a community of people who are trying their best to live out the way of Jesus. Things are happening as a result of this. A movement is beginning to grow. It is a new day.

Slacker

The End of an Era - Brett Favre

Here's how you know you're getting old: When you begin losing your hair, when your body creaks as you get out of bed, when your kids are embarrassed by you and when the athletes you looked up to for so long leave the games that they loved. Today Brett Favre retired. Today I feel old. Brett's rookie year was my junior year in college. I've always loved his passion for the game and his free-spirited nature. He was a cowboy. A gunslinger. He made the game fun for everyone who played with him and for everyone who watched him play. Now, those games are memories that will go straight to the Hall of Fame. But I think we can learn something about life from the way Brett played football. There was something about his free-spiritedness that was downright contagious. I mean, people wanted to be Brett Favre. This was a guy who left it all on the playing field. And as I creep up in age; as my daughter becomes old enough to be embarrassed by me and as my body continues to get creakier and creakier, I think I want to live life like Brett played. I want to live with zest, I want to live with passion, I want to love what I do, I want to do the best job I possibly can and I want to have fun!! In playing the way he did, Brett made his share of mistakes (during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, he threw a ton of interceptions) but he never would have become the player he was without taking those chances and having no regrets. I'm pretty sure that's the kind of life that God intended each one of us to live. So, let's do it! We'll fumble around, we'll make mistakes, but there's nothing like the feeling of walking away from something knowing that you've given your all. So, thanks Brett. Thanks for a great career. Thanks for helping us see life a little bit more clearly through the game that you loved so much. Thanks for the memories.

Peace,
Dan

Blowing My Mind - C.S. Lewis

So, we're reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis in our staff meetings. I had read the book once before in Seminary twelve years ago. It just amazes me how Lewis can just absolutely blow my mind. The man is an absolute wordsmith who can take the reader to new places with his words. Of course, he is also an amazing theologian (I am using the present tense because his words and theology continue to profoundly affect the world we live in). He brings clarity to questions about theology and spirituality like none other I have ever read. I wouldn't say that I agree with everything that he has ever written, but he has brought deep insight to my own like few others have. If you have never read C.S. Lewis, do yourself a favor and pick up one of his books. If you haven't read one in a while, reacquaint yourself with an old friend. Lewis seems to never disappoint but he always challenges. I really need to be challenged from a faith perspective right now and I'm so thankful that Lewis is back in my life to do just that. So grab a cup of coffee and sit down with Mr. Lewis and be prepared for a challenge. Be prepared to think. Won't that be nice for a change?

P.S. What is your favorite Lewis book and why?

Condoms and other random thoughts

This is why I love my job: On Sunday morning, as a music stand was placed in front of me that I would use to preach from, I quickly noticed that their was a foreign object on the stand: it was a very small, colorful package and on the outside was the word: Trojan. Now, it took my mind a few moments to really process what was going on. I mean, it's not everyday one sees a condom in church. Of course, once I figured out what was going on, I could hardly contain my laughter. Whoever had placed the condom on the music stand had accomplished their goal of getting my focus completely off the matters at hand. But it was good to laugh. I am just so thankful that I am surrounded by such a good group of people who felt comfortable doing something like that.

The back story to this incident is that the college group at The Journey is going through Rob Bell's book Sex God. For whatever reason, they chose to bring in props this Sunday and they thought it would be a good idea to place one of those props in my way right before I began preaching. As I was laughing in front of the congregation, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of pranks the disciples played on Jesus as they went along together. Whatever they did, you know they had a good time. You know they partied. I'm so glad that our God has a sense of humor and that we do too. I just think that we as Jesus followers should use ours more often. Let's laugh, love and enjoy life together. In closing, I want to thank Ryan and the rest of the class for that very lovely gift. I'm just glad that it was still in the wrapper!!! Until next time...

Dan

What's on my mind...Heath Ledger

I'm sitting in my office trying to talk myself into Eli Manning and the New York Giants when I saw that Heath Ledger had died. It was one of those surreal moments where you don't really know what to think or feel. I never knew the guy. I liked a few of his movies. And yet, somehow, it really got me down. Here's this gifted young man in the prime of his life: looks, talent, money, fame and yet authorities suspect that he died of an accidental drug overdose. I couldn't help but wonder why Heath needed drugs. Honestly, we can ponder all we want about why he might have taken all those pills. We probably will never know. But I expect that Heath knew there was something beyond the fame, fortune and women. There was a hole in his heart that none of those things could fill. There was something that he was looking for that he couldn't quite find. That makes me very sad. I believe strongly that God created us to live fulfilling and satisfying lives. Most people would have looked at Heath and concluded that his life was fulfilling his wildest dreams. Apparently it wasn't. Apparently there was something more that he was longing for. What do you think that "thing" was? What was it that was missing from his life that would have caused him to want to numb the pain to the point that he could die? What do you think?

P.S. I'll have more on Eli and the Giants in the days to come...