Soft-Sell Tacos

Note: This post is adapted from an e-mail about Socrates Cafe, that I wrote to a fellow leader at The Core.

Funny thing...

Somebody came into the print shop I work at yesterday afternoon talking about how he wanted to start an evangelistic hangout for youth, and he mentioned the Front Porch as a place kind of like what he wants to do, but without the FP's "soft sell". What's funny is, he was talking to me, but he didn't know I had anything to do with it. So I didn't tell him, because I enjoyed hearing his unguarded opinion.

The fact is, I don't think we have a "soft sell" because I don't think we have a "sell" at all. At least I don't want to have one. Should an outsider's experience with the church be more like getting invited to dinner with friends, or more like stepping onto a used car lot? Some of the things we do have a pointed spiritual emphasis, especially the worship gatherings, and also things like QAF, the Sisterhood and the Journeymen. And I actually miss the spiritual discussions I used to have with QAF.

But there also need to be non-spiritual things, to show people that that's not all "church" people care about, or know how to talk about. I think it makes a big impact on some people to be able to sit down with a group of Christians and talk about political or social issues without there having to be some underlying spiritual principle behind it, or an overwhelming conservative bias. I think an environment like that, one that welcomes them in and wants to hear their view, gives them a fuller picture of who Christ is. But Socrates Cafe could never stand alone... it needs the more spiritual activities around it to make sure we don't "de-spiritualize" Christianity altogether.

We've just started a series with Socrates called "pro-con", based on the website www.procon.org, where we can work through some hardcore social issues, and really hash them out together, but in a respectful and thoughtful way. Last night we talked about legalization of Marijuana, and it was a lively discussion to say the least. If you've got ideas for upcoming topics, make sure to let me know...



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The Bizarro Front Porch

I've been aware for some time of a coffeehouse church called The Freeway, in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, which opened in October of 2005. As you'll see in this thorough piece of journalism, it's a great place for building community and "hangin' oot".



I hope there are no hard feelings from our neighbors to the north about the "bizarro" bit... a title's gotta zing, don't it?

I Got Soul, But I'm Not a Soldier

This Sunday we're having our last Sunday-evening Merge gathering (starting October 28 it will be weekly, and take place on Sunday morning.) And for the occasion, I wanted to present a message/discussion called "I Got Soul, but I'm Not a Soldier", about basing our spirituality on Christ's love instead of a defensive, combative religion often presented to us by a majority evangelical sub-culture. When I really looked at the lyrics of the song by The Killers entitled "All These Things that I Have Done" I was amazed. I'm going to comment on them intermittently. Here goes...

When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son

Here's a man who's reached the end of his rope, and is asking to be let into God's family. Although he doubts if he'd be accepted as a child of God.

If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't

He's in a state of paradox. He wants to hold on to his life as he knows it, but even more, he wants to stand up and let go of everything, you know? No... you don't know.

I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I wanna mean it from the back of my broken hand

There's an overwhelming desire to escape the darkness... not only to live in the light, but bring that light to other people's hearts as well. There's also a longing for authenticity. To take what he knows (the back of his hand) even though it's broken and shattered... and to let that be his platform for vulnerability and healing.

Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no

His desire for redemption comes not only from his own condition, but from the pain he sees all around him. But he doubts his ability to really help, because he's old and worn out, because his love is inadequate and inconsistent. He's crying out for some guidance and support.

Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out

This is the desperate prayer of a man backed into a corner... begging God not to ignore him.

And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The gold-hearted boy I used to be

He used to be a good kid... probably raised in Church. But after "falling from grace" he hasn't heard any advice yet that's worked. All promises, no delivery. Some people have tried to return him to the ranks of Christianity... to recruit him back to the team, but what they're saying just doesn't ring true.

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

Still conflicted, he wants Jesus to come in and rescue him, but he knows that Jesus can't doing it without bringing himself down. In other words, his Savior will take his place at the guillotine.

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier [x10]

With an actualization of his own spirituality, he is proud to say he has a soul. He realizes that he's worth something after all. And yet, he refuses to join the ranks of the "us-and-them" subculture that raised him. Now that he's aware of his soul again, this time he wants to use it to bring love, joy, and peace... to "shine on in the hearts of men".

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you got to help me out
You're gonna bring yourself down
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
If you can hold on
If you can hold on

He's redeemed... he's rescued. Sin's grasp on him is fading fast. But the duality remains. Everyone around him is lost, but he feels a personal victory. He's no soldier, but he's won a battle in his heart against the multiplicity of wrongs in his past. And now, finally, he's got something worth holding on to.

M-R Ducks (the Missional-Relational Movement)

“Thank you for calling Pizza Shack, home of the Shack-a-Lackin’ Fat-Lover’s Extra-Greasy Giant Pizza Pie for only $19.99 delivered, this is Gigi, can I get your phone number please?”

Every time I hear one of these exhausting phone greetings I wonder how fast that must get old to people like Gigi. My guess is, by the fourth time or so.

I’m starting to feel the same way when people call The Core an “ Emerging Church ”. Granted, I don’t really blame them… we have a lot in common with that movement. And if it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck… well, you know. But really we don’t necessarily have any more in common with self-described Emerging Churches than we have in common with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Assemblies of God, or any random non-denominational church.

What I usually say is that we draw some degree of information and inspiration from the Emerging Church Movement, but the word “emerging” is far too broad and vague to be very helpful in understanding The Core (or any given church, for that matter.) Then I go on to explain about the word “Emergent” and how it is different. Namely, because it is not a simple adjective; it represents a proper nomenclature, being shorthand for “ Emergent Village .” The EV is a specific organization, with which we have made no effort to identify. This is not to be judgmental of them; it’s just that no real relationship exists between us.

So in other words, it is accurate to say that The Core has some emerging qualities. It is inaccurate to say that The Core is an “emerging church” and especially inaccurate to say that The Core is an “emergent church”.

But all this leaves me feeling a bit empty… as if I’ve appropriately said what we aren’t, but not what we are.

So I thought about how we could positively define ourselves, in a simple and clear way. Ultimately I settled on two words that seem to characterize us: Missional and Relational. I would feel safe to say that The Core is a Missional-Relational Fellowship. I know these are not very unique words, but I believe they are clear in their meanings.

We are Missional because we emphasize that every Christ-follower is called in one way or another to help make disciples in the context of his or her own mission field. This results in a much more active and interactive faith that understands that “belief” is not mere intellectual assent to a code of orthodoxy, but to “be” and “live” like Christ Himself.

We are Relational because we emphasize that relationships are the be-all, end-all of human life and God’s redemptive plan—first to enable and cultivate our relationship with Him, and secondly to do so in our relationships with each other. Ultimately, the value of every thought, word or deed is dependent upon its contribution to these relationships.

We are a Fellowship because it's better than saying we're “a church”. I believe that to speak of “The Church” in singular, local terms is to risk compartmentalization of the Universal Body of Christ, which can result in competitiveness and cliquishness. That’s why I prefer the word “fellowship” to define The Core as a local manifestation of the global Body of Christ, and fundamentally as a group of people, rather than an institution, building, or establishment. However, just because we don't prefer to say we're “a church” doesn't mean we are less than, or more than that. We are not simply a ministry, a charity, a para-church organization.

By writing this, I would like to encourage other believers and groups who share these sentiments to use the phrase “Missional-Relational” because it really says something about who we are. “Emerging” is like the terms “Modern”, “Post-Modern”, “Contemporary” and so on, in that it is not descriptive. It is based on time-frames and contrasts. In other words, once the “Emerging Church Movement” becomes more established, it is no longer emerging. But names stick, even after they have become incorrect. So why not strive to describe ourselves by actually describing ourselves?

[Here I must note that we don't want to obsess over describing ourselves. That’s far too narcissistic to be useful to the Kingdom of God . The reason I bring all this up is because of the prevalence of the word “Emerging” and how such a broad brush is really beginning to paint everyone the same color who has a new idea. Let’s keep all this in its proper perspective, but if we’re going to use labels (and there’s no getting around it) let’s strive to be as clear and accurate as possible.]

Within the Emerging Church Movement, I see plenty of people like us, who would be well-described as Missional-Relational. So perhaps we should call it the “Missional-Relational Movement".

Who’s with me? (I see that hand, thank you…)

Part 4 Continued: TIME article

As a continuation of the current thread on House Church, I want to direct everybody to an article from the February 27 issue of TIME magazine called "There's No Pulpit Like Home." It explores the House Church Movement in this country in a very favorable light, so I think it adds a lot to the discussion.

Part 4: House Church

Have I got the trend for you!

You know what everybody’s used to doing? So easy, comfy, predicable? No muss, no fuss? Well you can forget about that, because the latest fad is tough as nails! It’s messy and frustrating! It’ll invade your privacy and give you a lot of extra work to do! It’ll make sure you never have more than you need and take away any chance you have of coasting through life! It’s fussy kids and dirty dishes and late nights sitting on folding chairs! Let me tell you, this is a fad that’s here to stay!

Ready to sign up? Sure you are. By the title you already knew I was talking about House Church, or as we at The Core call it, Home Church.

People such as George Barna (in his book, Revolution) are calling House Church a trend. Naturally, this is a loaded word, since the 20th century church has been through dozens of trends, none of which seemed to result in much serious change. The word “trendy” even presumes a short life upon that which it describes.

The Anatomy of a Trend

So what is a trend, really? I didn’t study this because I think you can all agree with me here: A trend is a shift towards a new, more desirable product, style or method. Many times it is only more desirable because it is new and fresh, and not because the product, style or method carries any extra empirical value.

But I believe you would be hard-pressed to find a short-lived trend occurring toward that which is inconvenient, invasive and messy.

Nevertheless, Home Church is finding itself on the bleeding edge of Christianity. So is it a new paradigm, or just a flash in the pan?

Paradigm Shift

As King Solomon is famous for saying, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Those who are serious about Home Church know that as well as anyone. They take a hard look at all the shadows of “newness” taking place in the Church and realize that we can’t win that game. The Church will never have the money or the manpower to compete with MTV, Hollywood and Madison Avenue. And consequently it seems that every attempt to be edgy just ends up in a desperate attempt to be no more than two steps behind popular culture. But even if it were possible, would it be good?

The Apostle Paul says, “Don’t conform yourself to the styles and fashions of the world. Rather, let God transform you and renew your mind.” That doesn’t mean that we should ignore what the world is doing. But it should cause us to ask ourselves who is our model (see my post on the First-Century Church.) We have to shift our eyes from watching the world’s every move, to focusing on the guiding of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of His Word.

The Church Comes Home

Some people will read the book of Acts and conclude that God has set up a veritable constitution for Church form and function. Personally, I don’t think that position would hold up in court. But we can’t ignore the heavy emphasis on relationships. If the Church exists for no other reason, it exists to bring people closer to God and closer to each other. So we absolutely must ask ourselves if our church experience is accomplishing that. When you go to a large building and sit in a pew and watch a religious show, are you drawing closer to God and other people? Maybe you are. I know I have from time to time. But it always seemed like it happened more by accident than by design.

I will concede that there are probably many ways to accomplish the building of the kind of relationships championed by the book of Acts, and really, the whole Bible. But when it comes to vulnerability, intimacy, accountability and community, there is nothing like inviting others into your home to eat together, worship together, talk together, and learn together. It builds a binding strength that doesn’t lend itself to the flightiness and ambivalence of the typical local body. It allows everyone to play a crucial role in the corporate work of God. And it forces us to, slowly but surely, lay down our defenses and learn how to love others (even the unlovable) with the love of Christ.

Now I need to hear from you. What are the challenges you’ve anticipated, experienced and/or overcome in regards to Home Churching? What are other forms and methods besides HC that can build such powerful bonds as those seen in the First Century Church? Is there a case to be made for pew-and-pulpit ministry?

If I throw in the sales tax and extended warranty is there any reason why you wouldn’t want to buy this trend right now?

Part 3: Ancient-Future Church

Contenti n’andremo se un poco
Noie lo podessemo tocare
Lo podessemo toccar
E pero te nepregamo
Quanto noie, Siam pastori
De poco affare

Comments? Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller?

If you know what that little poem means, good for you. All I know is that they’re the Latin lyrics for a choral piece called (in English) the Shepherd’s Chorus.

It harkens us to an era when citizens were more or less coerced to come to mass on Sunday mornings and listen to songs and readings in Latin, which was completely foreign to them. Talk about irrelevant. We don’t know the meaning of the word anymore. On top of that, you might even describe the Medieval Europe religious experience with the words “malicious irrelevance.” The popes and bishops of the day preferred to have a corner on the scripture-knowledge market, just like any power broker. Thus, people like Wycliffe, who produced a huge chunk of what would later be known as the King James Bible, were promptly knocked off for putting Scripture within reach of the bourgeoisie.

Fond memories, eh?

I don’t accuse anyone of trying to take us back to it. But I do want to provide some perspective for those who foster a nostalgia for the time when western religion was sacred and mysterious. My phraseology should provide a hint as to what that perspective is… because I choose the words “western religion” carefully. I have no doubt that there was a certain number of true Christ-followers among the herds of Medieval clergy and laity. But the system as a whole, in my opinion, did not represent Christ at all.

Some will argue that today’s church establishment doesn’t, either. I would be tempted to agree, with caveats. But that’s a blog for another day.

My point is about the “Ancient-Future” movement, which has gone by many other names. If you refer to my recent post on Post-Modernism, you will understand the post-modern penchant for that which is Retro, Vintage. I personally think it’s great. So go ahead and sing the old hymns with a drum machine in the background! Go ahead and re-occupy some abandoned Victorian church house and breathe new life into it! These things are all fine, and there are many more. So don’t let me discourage anyone from finding and implementing the long-gone ideas that still hold value.

But just as Modernism proclaims, “If it’s new, it’s good!” it is tempting for those in the Ancient-Future movement to herald the opposite view. Old and mysterious and spooky—that’s where it’s at.

Congratulations to those who have seen through the veil of formulaic faith; the veil that claims that you, too, can have God all figured out and if you do x, y, and z then you’ll be His best buddy; the veil that conceals the majesty and mystery of Yahweh. But presented here is yet another opportunity to swing wide, sweet pendulum, and once again miss the point entirely.