(e)mergent Voyageurs

Today is the big day for our YWAM ministry here in Winnipeg. We are moving our office out of the mission house into a storefront in the neighbourhood. This will give us a better space for our ministry and programs, as well as a more visible and public presence, which we really needed. I will try to post some pictures of the new space next week, but for those locals to Winnipeg, it can be found at 522 Sargent Ave (south west corner of Sargent & Young).

I am also performing my first wedding this weekend for one of our former staff members. It is a daunting resposibility, but I am honoured to have been asked. I'll let you know about that next week too. However, given this busy schedule and the long weekend that follows, the blog will be going quiet for a few days. Scroll down and check out some of the great people I link in my blogrolls if you are interested. Otherwise, see you soon!

P.S. Can anyone name the comic heroes above and their ridiculous connection to Canada?

I was quite excited to get to Part III of of the book, which is entitled "Dangerous Criticism", as the chapter headings promised to address the issues of injustice, the environment and persecution/oppression.  Each of these three topics are important areas for the Body of Christ to address, especially in the Western world, where the means to do so are readily available and the guilt of complicity is significantly present.  However, while each chapter was excellent, it was the first section of the book where I was disappointed.  Let me go through each chapter:

Affirming the quick and admirable response of millions of people worldwide to the crises of the 2004 tsunami or Hurricane Katrina, Frost challenges that these bursts of generosity, while important, do not replace the greater responsibility of coming against the systemtic injustices that are so rampant in our world which victimize millions daily.  Spending much of his time on the demonic (my word, not his) systems of massive corporations, we are introduced how many of us unwittingly (though often knowingly) participate in vast injustices.

My criticism of this chapter is that the emphasis on corporate or govermental advocacy takes too central a position at the expense of exploring other systems of injustice that we all so often contribute to.  One example would be the incredible racialization of Western Christianity, which impacts us on a bredth and depth few of us realize.  (As I have done many times before, I cannot be strong enough in my endorsement of Anthony Smith in this regard.  His is, in my opinion, one of the more important voices in the church to hear).  So while I feel Frost failed to engage the topic on a more grassroots level, the approach he tooks was valid, practical and necessary.

10. Exiles and the Earth - The Critique: You Have Not Cared for God's Creation

In this chapter, Frost challenges the shallow rejection of the environmental movement that so often is used in Western Evangelicalism and politics.  He rightfully points out that the dangerous disregard for Creation often stems from a negative eschatology where everything is bound for destruction anyways, exposing the weakness of this premise.  He calls Christians- all people- to examine the history and evidence of our destructive behaviour towards Creation and make changes on every level in response.

However, on a subtle level, Frost falls prey to the very eschatology he critiques, even if only slightly.  By framing the call to care for Creation largely as a response to the abuse against it, environmentalism become yet another battle or cause on an increasingly growing list.  Rather, I had hoped Frost would have spent more time developing a theology of Creation, one in which the importance of Creation in our spiritual (and even missional) formation was central.  This is why I continually advocate what I call "sacramental ecology", as the motivation to fight the abuses will be directly connected to the level in which we paricipate with and relate to Creation as God intended.  That being said, the chapter still offers an excellent introduction to the realities of what we are facing and some ideas for change.

11. Comforting the Oppressed - The Critique: You Have Not Protected God's Children

Of the three chapters in this section, this was probably the best.  In a time when Christians often live in the cushioned bubbles of our own cultural and national realities, Frost challenges to see that millions of people, very often Christians, are suffering and dying unjustly around the world.  He call us to become globally minded and locally active to affect real change.  As he did in all of the chapters of this section, he warns us that this may come at a very real and personal cost, but that this is what we "signed up for", so to speak.  A good introduction to the global issues of of human rights and religious persecution.

Later this week I will finish my review of the book.  The time it has taken me should reflect on the quality of book, except that I wanted to read it carefully and fully, as it is so rich and full.  Additionally, our ministry is moving to a new office in the neighbourhood which will not only consume time, but also limit my access to the internet while the service is changed over.

Emerging Church

Due to the unexpected fullness of my schedule of late, I have not had time to post the articles I had slotted for this week. I hope to get back on schedule soon, so thanks for hanging in there. In the mean time, here are a couple of articles that came across my virtual desk today. What are your thoughts?

Analysis: What is the 'Emerging Church Movement'?

I actually appreciated this article as largely fair and balanced. Most of the "emerging church" Googles News searches turn up less thoughtful and informed critiques. This one is worth the read.

Contemplative service taps wellspring of calm

"A nondenominational Christian worship group uses art, serene music and congregants' feedback on sermons in its gatherings." This article is a more traditional news piece on one expression of "emergence", but still worth the read.

Peace!

Emerging Church

Previous Post - Keep Kim In Canada Update

I just couldn't resist...

For all of you who have been following, giving and praying for Kim's (my wife) immigration challenges, I have some good news. As of this week, the last of the paperwork we needed to apply for her Permanent Residency arrived from Australia, allowing us to finally send in the application. Thanks to the generosity of so many of you, we were also able to send the payment along with it. Things are tight, but we were able to avoid the debt that seemed inevitable. We will have to wait several months while it sits in a pile for consideration, then go in for an interview. So, at this stage, things are out of our hands. Thanks so much to every one of you have gave so generously and to those who prayed so faithfully. We'll keep you posted.

As many of you know, I have been trying to work through the specifics of my vocational purposes in our ministry here in Winnipeg's West End.  In my desire to create a missional community for the neighbourhood, I have been studying and considering a church plant.  While much of the communal and pastoral aspects have rung true for me, the pieces were not coming together.  I began to despair as to figuring it out how to walk this calling out.

Recently I have been reading and reviewing Michael Frost's book "Exiles: Living Missionally In A Post-Christian Culture" (see parts 1, 2 & 3 of the review).  In this excellent book, Frost focuses a great deal on the need for Christians to engage in and create third spaces, those places in our culture where natural community forms- such as pubs, cafes, etc.  Throughout the prime of Christendom, churches shared this welcoming status of a third space, but with its demise, they no longer qualify in most cases.  However, most Christians still see their churches as their exclusive and highly demanding third space, thus cutting them off from the world like never before.

As I considered this, I wondered if there was a way to build those missional relationships in the creation of such a third space.  If so, it would have to be something that would come out of my passions and giftings.  I have tried for so long to fit into forms that didn't fit who I was.  While this is something we all have to live with in varying degrees throughout our life, I have been dealing with depression and risk of burn as a result.  So what to do?

After a great deal of thought, prayer and discussion with my wife, I decided on something that, for me, is very exciting.  My plan is to open a used book store in our neighbourhood, one heavy on seating, inexpensive coffee and books, and regular events to invest in the community and those into it.  As a non-profit project of YWAM, we will avoid many of the overhead costs and allow our prices to be competitive, even ideal for our neighbouhood.

To that end, I have begun to set the stage for creating this exciting little venture.  I will be spending the next 8 months or so collecting titles (I'm already at 200 after only a few days, but need to start with a minimum of about 4,000/5,000 titles.  IF any of you, especially those of you in Winnipeg have books you are willing to part with, let me know, as I need as many as I can get my hands on.

I'd love to hear what you think of this idea.  Also creative suggestions for a name might be a fun project.  Let me know!


Emerging Church

Living in a world of hyper-reality, where that which is declared to be "real" is often the farthest from it, the needs for exiles to live lives of authenticity, vocational integrity, missional community, generousity and righteousness.  Frost clearly and boldly challenges our allowing ourselves seduction by the lure of reality TV, virtual identities (and thus virtual relationships) and other such influences.  I have seen, both in myself and those around me, the ease at which we fall into this rut.  While his cautions are warranted, I think he may take a more distrustful stance towards the capacity for genuine relationships and community via the internet.  However, he is right that they are the exception, not the rule.

Out of this, movements of exiles, both within the Christian community and outside of it, have begun to emerge, seeking to live counter to these trends and values.  Out of the church, these movements hold to some clear values, such as: rejection of denominationalism & authoritarian hierarchies; seek Jesus-centered lives; committed to missional living.  Again drawing from inspiring stories of such examples, Frost reveals that some of the most successful effort are done without the benefit of the resources most churches have at their disposal.

Like myself, Frost was challenged and inspired by M. Scott Peck's book "The Different Drum", which engages the ideas and practices of true community.  Our similarity of experience also extended to our sense that book seemed to stop short, as though something was missing: mission.  For me, Peck's process of community growth paralleled the Gospel message, but forgot about Pentecost (see post on this topic here).  When exiles come together behind a common missions, something bigger than themselves, they transform from community to communitas.

Birthed out of the limality of the unique community, the group experiences a connection with the possible, engage the world around them accordingly, and become communitas.  I have seen this again and again throughout my years in YWAM.  While we experience powerful community together, it is heightened in passion, intimacy and authenticity when we went together on outreaches.  Especially when we were immersed in a cross-cultural experience, forced out of the comfort of our own experiences (liminality), and even in the midst of the inevitable conflict that results, we achieved communitas in true beauty.  Many times, long term vision for these creative missional endeavours are birthed out of these times.

But what exactly are these examples?  As I wrestle with responding to God in forming new missional expressions in my neighbourhood, wondering what it would mean to "plant a church", Frost's criteria are generous and exciting:

1. Trinitarian in theology: For me this translates into our being created in God's Trinitarian image, importantly individual, but ultimately truest in relational unity.

2. Covenantal in expression: There is something powerful about people living according to values, not because they are told to, but because they cannot help it.

3. Catholic in orientation: The beauty of diversity and the formation it requires of us is an essential quality of an embracing community.

4. Missional in intent: Again, that "something" bigger, that God-sized impossibility that draws us together and forward, is a must.

The generousity that grows out of these communitas' finds its richest expression in hospitality.  YWAM has maintained hospitality (and generosity) as core, foundational values to our mission.  I am often moved by how open and welcoming YWAMer's the world over are when we drop in.  This needs to extend to every person, with open doors reflecting open hearts.  Again, centered around the table, the power of breaking bread together (not in religious ceremony, but actual relational mutuality) is central to these emerging missional communities.

Again mirroring a central value of YWAM (if not always well practiced), Frost illuminates the shift away from the dualism of "sacred vs. secular" that the church has too easily swallowed towards to more integrated approach to seeing the divine in every activity.  This shift has and will continue to require rebuilding, reimagining, renaming and re-birthing (born again, perhaps), bring forth forms and expressions of missional activity that looks entirely different than what we are used to.

Bringing these ideas together with the very important concept of "third places" have been revolutionary for me in the past few weeks.  I have reconsidered the more "traditional" approach to church planting, being drawn more and more towards building a communal hub for missional community, drawin from my deepest passions, interests and giftings.  While I won't make any announcements yet, I will say that I owe Michael Frost a great debt for writing this book.  For the first time in many months, I am excited and hopeful for what God has for ahead of us.

Thanks for your patience with the review.  While my writing retreat slowed the process down, I have also been reading the book far slower than I would with others, soaking in every idea carefully and intentionally.  More to come in the near future!


Emerging Church

Over the last couple of years, my wife & I have been trying to start a family. Once we started trying, we became pregnant almost immediately. We were so excited. However, our excitement was short lived, as we lost the baby to a miscarriage. Many people experience this loss and each couple, each individual handles it differently. For us it has been one of our most devastating experiences ever. I posted on it here.

While we continue to hope and pray, we have also looked at alternatives, such as adoption. We were told by several people in the field that doing a local adoption through the system is a trying experience, as the long process often ends with the child returning to it family. After the miscarriage, we knew this would not be something we were yet ready to face. We started looking into international adoption, specifically from Ethiopia. Everything looked promising. We have been so excited about this option.

This past week, after paying a fee to receive an application package to start the process, we received the first of the paperwork. Upon opening the package we learned that the company had only advertized a portion of their expenses online, keeping the bulk of the cost undeclared until after the application had been received. We were suddenly faced with an increase of nearly $10,000. And so another bit of hope died.

Needless to say, bot of us have been struggling with our inability to have children, to start a family. My heart aches for the chance to nurture a life in that role. I long to be a father. I want to help contribute to the creation and formation of something new, something outside myself that would become something more than I could imagine. Something that I could love and care for, even lose sleep over. When so many other seems to so easily have children, even those who treat such a gift with flagrant disregard, it is difficult not to feel anger and resentful.

As many of you know, I have been prayerfully considering developing a church plant out of our ministry here in Winnipeg. I have been studying and researching the possibilities for months, working through ideas with others, seeking input from those in the community. It has been a passion interest for some time now. However, with the recent disappointment with the adoption and the resulting emotions, someting occurred to me. Was I seeking to create this new ministry out of this paternal desire? Was my longing to "give birth", to bring something new into the world, to invest in, love and nurture, a reflection of my deeper desire to be a Daddy?

The more I considered it, the more I realized that it was, at least in large part, very true. I still don't know if it entirely healthy or not. At the very least I need to give a great deal more time to praying and wrestling with this vision. It is not something to undertake out of misguided emotion, but neither is a paternal instinct the worst foundation for such a venture.

Please pray for us. Pray that I would discover the clarity and vision I need to move forward in my vocational and missional visions. Pray that God will intervene to allow us to form the family we so deeply desire, whatever way that might happen. The pain of this longing increases daily. We do not want to lose hope, but it is hard not to fall pray to such despair. Thank you for your prayers.

I've been tagged by Ted Gossard (a friend and a blogger worth reading).  So, here goes:

1. One book that changed your life: "Streams of Living Water" by Richard Foster.  It provided such a generous embrace of diversity.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: "Ockham's Razor: A Search For Wonder In An Age Of Doubt" by Wade Rowland.  LOVE it.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel.  It would be fitting to be stranded with the book.

4. One book that made you laugh: "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller.

5. One book that made you cry: "The Long Loneliness" by Dorothy Day.  She is a hero to me like none other.

6. One book you wish had been written: "How To Discover Your Vocation and Be Sure You've Got It Right"  Enough said.

7. One book you wish had never been written: "Wild At Heart" by John Eldridge.  I know many people love it and benefit from it, just NOT ME.  Ok, I'm over-reacting... a little.

8. One book you’re currently reading: "Lust For Life" by Irving Stone.  A fictional biography of Vincent Van Gogh.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: "School(s) for Conversion: 12 Marks of a New Monasticism" by Rutba House.  It's up next.

10. Tag 5 others: Kyle Mason, Kim Arpin-Ricci, Paul Martinson, Bill Millar, Gerry Michalski

As I drove the three hours home from my writing retreat this past week, I knew I would need to download something onto my iPod Shuffle to keep me focused.  What better option was there than the Nick & Josh Podcast (Nicholas Fiedler and Josh Brown), which has quickly become my favourite (yes, Nick & Josh, that is how we spell it up here in Canada).  And to prove how much I love their regular casts, I had to download their most recent edition on dial up, taking me 2.5 hours!

To celebrate their tenth podcast (aka Nick & Josh Podcast 2.0), the guys bring us an excellent interview with none other than Brian McLaren, who discusses his recent book "The Secret Message of Jesus", his recent arrest during a protest and a Christian response to the politcal realities of our world.  SUBSCRIBE TODAY!  The cast also includes some news about Nick & Josh's book project, which I highly endorse you donate $1 (or $5) towards.  I have!

Now, one issue I will take with this episode is when they gave a quick spot to fellow Canuck blogger James Kingsley.  All was going well until they attempted to impersonate a Canadian accent.  Listen you hosers!  We won't be belittled by your stereotypes, eh?  Now we can work this oot over a cup of hot maple syrup, that is if we aren't snowed out, eh?  Seriously though, to answer your question:

First, Canada was founded as a union of British colonies, some of which had earlier been French colonies. Canada peacefully obtained independence from the United Kingdom in a process spanning from 1867 to 1982- thus British.  The explorations of James Cook in the 1770s and George Vancouver in the 1790s, and the concessions of Spain in the 1790s established British jurisdiction over the coastal area north and west of the Columbia River- thus Columbia.  Ta-da!

Emerging Church