(e)mergent Voyageurs

Hey there,

As you can probably see, I have not regularly blogged at this address for some time.  However, I am still getting a fair bit of traffic here.  I am now blogging at my new site A Living Alternative, Our Missional Pilgrimage.  I would greatly appreciate it if you headed over there to take a look.

Also, if you have a blog, I would appreciate any linkage.  Believe it or not, by doing so, you will be helping support our inner city ministry & church plant.  Thanks!

Peace,
Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Several years ago, while attending a Biblical training school with YWAM, I read through the entire Bible in just over two months.  As I reached some of the Old Testament geneaologies, I was tempted to skim.  However, rather than take the easy way out, I read every line, then spent some time waiting on God in prayer for understanding.  Frankly, I didn’t expect much, which is why I was surprised that it turned into one of the more important lessons of my faith journey.

Consider Exodus 3, as Moses approaches the burning bush.  Here we have a classic and powerful example of God revealing Himself in power.  He begins by calling Moses by name, then commands him to take off his sandals, as he was standing on holy ground.  It is here that God identifies Himself:

He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob ” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”

-Exodus 3:6 (NASB)

In one of the most dramatic and powerful displays of His presence that we find in Scripture, in a moment of calling one the most important leaders in history into his missional vocation, God chooses to identify Himself by the relationships He had established throughout generations before.  Of course, it is an affirmation of the continuity of the covenant God made with Abraham.  However, I think there is more to it than that.  Here are a few things I’ve learned:

First, God identifies first with being the God of Moses’ father.  After revealing Himself in power, inviting Moses into His holy presence, He identifies with Moses’ father, Amram (which means “friend of the most high God”).  While never diminishing His holiness, His power and His authority, God identifies with us very personally.  We should never forget that the very foundation of human value, the seed bed of human rights and the healthy celebration of individuality were are all born out of the richness of the Judeo-Christian tradition.  God values each of us. (Note: For more on this topic, I highly recommend Thomas Cahill’s “The Gifts Of The Jews”).

Second, He identifies with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs of Judaism, of the great faith.  As I already said, this reflects a foundation in His covenant with His people.  More than this, however, is revealed that God related to each of these men as representatives of their people in their time.  He related to them as men representing very specific and unique generations and circumstances.  God, while being holy and eternal, and while relating to us where we are today, does not forget (nor does He want us to forget) the very unique relationship He had with those who have come before.  He values them, recognizing that which each generation brings to the great narrative.

Third, God neither ignores nor tolerates the failures of each generation, but rather, while He clearly brings punishment when needed, He does not dissolve the covenantal relationship.  His commitment to His people is as constant as His love.  Even in the face of great judgment, such as exile in a pagan land, God makes way for His people to return to His purposes for them, as well as to relationship with Him.  Each generation is intentionally made aware of the failures of previous generations as reminders not only of the consequences for disobedience, but also about God’s unfailing grace.

So what can we learn from these lessons?  More specifically, what does this say to those of us involved in the emerging/missional church movement?

First, in an age where individualism has so rampantly swept through our culture (the church culture included), leaving a wake of devastating consequences, we must be so intentional and cautious not to swing to an opposite extreme.  While we need to rediscover our shared identity as a missional community, now more than ever, we must never underplay the significance of a God who deems individuals worthy of not only relating to us, but identifying Himself in terms of that relationship.

Second, we must remember that as we seek to follow God, we must recognize that He chooses to relate to us uniquely as a people in a specific time and place in history.  This is a significant aspect of what the emerging/missional movement is all about.  However, we cannot forget that, as true as this point is for us, it also stands true for previous generations.  Whether we are referring to the Medieval or the Modern expression, God was (and is) in active, covenantal relationship with them.  As we relate to those from different traditions and expressions of the faith, we must do so as God does, with grace and love.

Third, without question each of these expressions are fraught with failures (as is and will be the emergent/missional/postmodern expressions), but this does not dissolve the eternal connection between God and His people.  Each generation brings unique dynamics to the people of God- some are specific to their era, while others are universal that following generations would do well to respect.  The emerging church conversation has in fair part been made up of a critique of the negative impact of an uncitical embrace of aspects of modernity, etc.  No matter how valid these concerns may be (and I believe they are VERY valid), we cannot forget or diminish that, if God is the God of both the established and emerging church, then we are inexplicably connected- one Body, one Church.

I would love to hear your thoughts.  What do those of you who identify with the emerging church most appreciate about the established church?  And what do those of you who identify with the established church most appreciate about the emerging church?

Emerging Church, Missional

As many of you are probably not aware of, Winnipeg is the coldest city in the world with a population over 500,000. While we have just hit a “warm” break after a bitterly cold stretch At any rate, perhaps growing up in this climate and region accounts for the following being my favourite poem (and the only one I have committed to memory). So, as the emerging church is often characterized by its different approach to eschatology, I thought this would be a fitting, contextual piece to share- for fun.

Fire and Ice
by Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Emerging Church, Missional, Eschatology, Poetry

As a teenager, my father & I joined a travel group from our home town to tour through Spain, Portugal and Morocco. While in Spain, we had the chance to visit the city of Toledo. Declared a World Heritage Site, entering this ancient city was like stepping back in time. We travelled through the city to the Catedral de Toledo, a 13th century Gothic cathedral which is a masterpiece of stone, space and light. With a sense awe, I enter this sacred space, grinning internally at the humour of the fact that I was entering “Holy Toledo”. Nevertheless, it was a powerful experience.

Years later, while sitting in a discpleship class, the speaker made an offhand comment about these great churches. He asked the students why so many North American churches had high peaked roofs, then when on to explain to us, with unhesitant confidence, that they were copies of the high vaulted roofs of cathedrals whose roofs were designed primarily as a means to keep the copious European snow from building up and collapsing through. I sat flabbergasted at the ignorance of such a statement, but bit my tongue as no one else seemed to think anything was amiss.

While I still believe his comment to be ignorant, I have come to realize that the role of architecture as a tool and/or medium of the faith is not as simple as I once thought. As I consider the great Catedral de Toledo, I also remember the massive amount of gold that gilded the statuary and encrusted candelabras, chalices and the like. As I took it all in, our tour guide explained how much of the funding for the building came from the commoners, poor by most standards. Likewise, the cathedral took many generations to build, consuming he meager wages of families for nearly three centuries, not to mention the many lives lost in the construction of the building. How much more could have been done with the money, the labour and the vision? Was the unargubale beauty of this place worth the price paid?

Given the diversity of locales for church gatherings today, this question becomes increasingly complex. The Old Testament reveals that God demanded a wealth of resources, energy and beauty to be invested into places of worship. Some might argue that this ended when the temple curtain was torn at Christs death, further finalized at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. However, I think this is too quick a dismissal.

In my opinion, the intentionality of architecture in churches (and by this I mean everything from the actual structure of the building to the layout of furniture and use of other implements, such as candles, etc.) is something that can be important to the experience of worship, even formative in our understanding of God. The high vaulted ceilings of the cathedral inspired in me a sense of the greatness of God, the timelessness of a God who transcended my finite perspective. The intentional incorporation of iconic images and statues acts as touchstones to nature and character of God and His interaction with humanity through the great narrative of history. Candles, incense and vestments acts as beautiful symbols, whose meaning infuses our worship with something deeper than an articulate propositional understanding (important as that is).

I am deeply committed to serving the poor, investing our time, energy and resources into issues of justice and compassion, rather than them all being consumed in other self-serving reasons. However, can we become so pragmatic that we fail to honour God in beauty? Should we miss an opportunity to engage in the divine through the experiential encounters that art and architecture offer? Where do we draw the line? How have you been inspired or offended by architecture in your faith? Join the conversation in the comment section.

Emerging Church, Missional, Architecture, Art

After several months of work, I now have a functional book proposal for my new book, which I’ve tentatively titled “Lost In The Barrens: Thriving & Surviving In The Missional Frontier”. It sets out to explore the reasons for the growing internaldisparity of  a generation that is simultaneously distancing itself from the local church while demonstrating an unprecedented passion for God and missional community. I seek to chart a path to growth and reconciliation, drawing from my own journey of faith, one that saw me leave the local church only to be increasingly drawn back again. It is a call to both the established and emerging church community to work towards understanding, if not unity. Nearly half of the first draft is done, with the rest outlined. It still needs a lot of work, but I am excited. Here is a general outline:

Introduction – Reflections of an Emergent Voyageur

Beyond The Birds And Bees:
Towards A Celebrated Sexuality

Father, Son & Holy… Bible?:
Towards A Balanced Approach To Scripture

One Body, Many Parts:
Towards An Intentional Diversity

It Ain’t Easy Being Green:
Towards A Sacramental Ecology

Where Mercy Triumphs:
Towards A Restorative Justice

No Church Is An Island:
Towards Missional Community

There Is No “Para” In Church:
Towards A Broader Ecclesiology

More Than Words Can Say:
Towards Incarnational Faith

Sons And Daughters Of God:
Towards An Inclusive Worldview

Retracing The Suburban Exodus:
Towards Urban Renewal

Conclusion – From Colonialization To Community

I would love to hear your feedback. What do you think of the topics? Any thoughts or stories in regards to any of them? Any additions you might suggest? I value your opinions, so let me know.

Emerging Church, Missional

Just over three months ago, I share with you all my vision for creating a missional third space in our neighbourhood here in Winnipeg, “The Dusty Cover”. (See both posts Part 1 & Part 2) The Dusty Cover will be a small used bookstore designed to encourage community (i.e. comfy seating, free coffee, low prices, etc.). In addition to being a safe and welcoming public space, where relationship will be developed, the space will also be used to serve the community through various projects, like reading programs, the Urban Seminary (see Parts 1, 2 & 3), perhaps even (in time) a church plant.

Since August we have been collecting books, studying the used book market and feeling out the community. While we still need at least 3000 more books donated before we open our doors, we are off to a great start. However, in order for us to see this exciting venture take off and remain sustained, we are going to need to see a support system set up. Already, many people have stepped forward offering to serve as regular volunteers in the store, which is amazing. That is going to be one of the biggest challenges we face, so we are off to a great start.

In order to maintain the low cost of the products, the complimentary coffee, materials for the programs, etc., having a financial support team is also going to be essential. One of the strengths of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is its decentralized organizational structure held together by a relational network of support and accountability. As a result, however, we do not have the financial backing of the larger organization that you might find in a denominational church plant or other similar project. All of our programs (as well as all of us as staff) must raise every dollar through the support of family and friends.

To that end, we are excited to introduce an initiative that will not only help launch The Dusty Cover successfully, but also sustain it through out its ministry- The 50/50 Campaign. Through it we are seeking to raise 50 individuals and/or groups to partner with us by committing to support this project for $50 a month for at least one year. These tax deductible donations will used to acquire and subsidize products, furniture, coffee, program materials, facility rental, community development, etc. Whether you are willing to personally get behind this as an individual (or family) or a church group or even a collection of friends pooling your money, we want to ask you to prayerfully consider being a part of the 50/50 team.

We will be tracking the progress at The Dusty Cover blog using the book chart (see below). For every time someone takes on one of the 50 slots, we will symbolize it by replacing a closed book with the open book logo. We know this is a big challenge, but we are confident God will bring the right people who want to get behind this. So, given it some thought and prayer, talk it over with some friends, and give us call. Help get the word out. Whether it is to hear more details, offer up some encouragement or to sign on, we’d love to hear from you.

Should you decide to join up, please make your cheque or money order payable to Youth With A Mission and include a separate note saying “YWAM Urban Ministries Book Project”.  Send cheques to our Donor Office (see below info). If you are interested in giving on a monthly basis you can send in post-dated cheques or use our pre-authorized payment method. If you are interested in receiving a pre-authorized payment agreement form please email or call our donor office with your name and address.

They send out income tax receipts to donors monthly or annually.

Donor Services
PO Box 57100
2480 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5K 5G6
CANADA
Ph: 604.436.4433 Fx: 604.436.4466
Email: donorservices@shaw.ca

P.S. Money isn’t the only way you can help. We are still in need of many more books for the store, keep ‘em coming.

Emerging Church, Missional, Books, Third Space

I had heard a great deal of buzz surrounding Pete Rollins’ book “How (Not) To Speak Of God”, but intentionally steered away from other reviews until I had a chance to read it myself.  Unfortunately, the book came in the busiest time of my year, and given the thorough and “meaty” content of the book, I am still wrestling through it (I say that fully as a positive remark).  Having finished “Part 1 – Heretical Orthodoxy: From Right Belief To Believing In The Right Way”, I thought I had better review in two parts, as I wanted the material fresh in my mind.

I should start by saying that I am no theologian.  Beyond my high school diploma, my education has been through my own reading, which has been excellent, but not at the same level as I might have had with further education.  As a result, reading Rollins’ book was a true labour and education in and of itself.  I learned so much through reading it, for which I am very grateful.  However, given the lack of prior engagement with some of the theological and philosophical material in the book, it is quite possible I have missed aspects of it.  I say this, not to be self-depracting, but to encourage you to read the book yourself.

That being said, I believe that Pete Rollins offers most thorough formational a/theologies (you’ll have to read the book to know what that means) for the emerging church I have ever read.  While I might disagree on aspects, usually only by small degrees, I was challenged, excited and inspired to hope as I read.  He artfully allows postmodernism to inform his engagement with theology and praxis without allowing orthodoxy to be co-opted by it (thus the teasingly “controversial” phrase ‘heretical orthodoxy’).

The next section of the book, which represents about 2/3′s of the book, is entitled “Part 2 – Towards Orthopraxis: Bringing Theory To Church” reflects on how this a/theology plays itself out in the context of Pete’s community Ikon.  I am really look forward to getting into it.

P.S. Don’t forget to keep voting for me this week.  Thanks!

Emerging Church, Missional, Books, Peter Rollns

I recently began rereading one of my favorite Canadian novels, “Crow Lake” by Mary Lawson. As during my first reading, one particular chapter struck me as revealing a stunning truth. Let me set up the story, then share an excerpt. It may be a tad long, but I promise you that it is well worth it. The story is told from the perspective of Kate Morrison, a micro-biology professor in Toronto who grew up in a small community in northern Ontario. Reflecting on her past, she remembered the close relationship she had with her older brother, Matt. It was one such remembrance that I want to share with you:

I’d been explaining the hydrophobic nature of the hair piles of specific arthropods to a lecture hall filled with third-years, and I suddenly had such a vivid flashback that I completely lost my train of thought. What I remember was Matt and me, in our usual pose, flat on our bellies beside the pond, our heads hanging out over the water. We’d been watching damselflies performing their delicate iridescent dances over the water when our attention had been caught by a very small beetle crawling down the stem of a bulrush. He was about six inches above the surface when we spotted him, trotting purposefully downward. Where did he think he was going, we wondered, and what would he do when reached the water? Did he realize it was there? Matt said insects don’t have noses as we do but they can smell and detect damp with their antennae, so probably he did…

But we were the ones who got the surprise. When he reached the water the beetle didn’t so much as pause. He just kept walking. The surface of the water dimpled for a moment as his head butted into i, and then it wrapped itself around him and swallowed him up.

I was alarmed, I though he’d drown, but Matt said, “No- look! Look what he’s done!”

I peered down into the water and saw that our beetle, still marching steadily downward, was surrounded by a glistening silver bubble.

“It’s air,” Matt said, craning forward, shading the surface of the pond with his hands cut down on the reflection. “He’s got his own submarine, Katie. Isn’t that something? I wonder how long he can stay down.”

I know how the beetle did it now of course- there’s no mystery about it. Many of the creatures who live on the water-air boundary carry down an air bubble with them when they submerge. The air is trapped in a velvety puile of hairs, so densely packed that they are completely waterproof. As oxygen is used up, more diffuses in from the surrounding water. As to the length of time our beetle could stay down, that would depend on the amount of oxygen dissolved into the water and how rapidly he was using up his supply. Generally, the more active the insect and the warmer the water, the less time he can remain submerged.

It was the composition of the hair pile that I was explaining to my third-year students when the memory of that day suddenly floated across my mind, momentarily dispersing my thoughts and causing me to stumble and come to a halt. I pretended to study my notes while I got myself together and carried on with the lecture. The third-years, who had roused themselves briefly in the hope that something interesting was going to happen, settled back in their seats. In the front row a girl yawned so massively that she seemed in danger of dislocating her jaw.

It was the yawn that got me. I’d been yawned at before- all students are chronically short of sleep and most lecturers have had the experience of looking over a sea of snoring bodies- but for some reason I suddenly found I couldn’t go on.

I stood speechless, staring out over my audience. Inside my head, my inner ear played back to me the sound of my voice. The drone of it. The flat, monotonal delivery. And overlaid on top of the drone, like a film joined up wih the wrong soundtrack, I kept seeing my own introduction to this subject: Matt and I, side by side, with the sun beating down on our backs. The beetle sauntering along under the water, safe in his tiny submarine. Matt’s amazement and delight.

Matt thought it was miraculous- no, there is more to it than that. Matt saw that it was miraculous. Without him I would not have seen that. I would never have realized that the lives which placed themselves out in front of us every day were wonderful, in the original sense of word. I would have observed, but I would not have wondered.

And now I was putting an entire class to sleep.

Having grown up in northern Ontario, discovering the wonder of the natural world is something I identify with. Some of the most profound moments of clarity in my life were drifting in my canoe in a secluded bay, the water teeming with life. Waterskaters gliding through the swirl of my paddle, a beaver swimming beneath the hull, a bald eagle perching on a giant oak on the rivers edge. I know, it sounds overly idyllic, but it was truly that remarkable. I get chills just thinking about it.

Shouldn’t our relationship to God be filled with this kind of awe and wonder? Shouldn’t our proclamation of these realities, our overflowing excitement to share it, be born out of the greatness of the God we encounter? Like Kate, so often I find myself talking to people about God- truthfully, accurately and rightly- but with the formal technicalities of theological terminology.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that we should foster such an experience through ignorance. Far from it! Rather, we need engage our own faith, as well as introduce it others, first and foremost through the mysterious wonder of the divine. Theological explanation and complexity should serve that end, not become the central thrust of religion. At times I feel as though the vast majority of my energy and time is invested in developing and presenting a thorough apologetic for faith- NOT to unbelievers, but to other Christians more worried about my adherence to their dogma than my faithfulness to Jesus Christ!

Where has the wonder gone? How do we rediscover it? What can we do to better show the beauty and mystery of God to those who do not know Him? These questions are not rhetorical, so let’s have at it!

Emerging Church, Missional, Crow Lake, Mary Lawson

My friend and fellow Canadian blogger, Pernell Goodyear, is bringing together several Canadian bloggers to engage the excellent book “The Out Of Bounds Church?” by Steve Taylor of e~mergent kiwi fame.  The great thing about this project is that, in addition to posts exploring the content of the book, many of us will be participating in further conversation in the comment section, specifically looking at our Canadian context.

Pernell will be offering several other exciting aspects to the conversation that you don’t want to miss.  Head over there now and jump into the conversation.

Emerging Church, Missional, Pernell Goodyear, Steve Taylor

As I was sorting through some books donated to our used book project, The Dusty Cover, I came across “From Beginning to End: The Rituals Of Our Lives” by Robert Fulghum.  Flipping through the book, I came across some basic ideas he puts forth about rituals:

The propositions

• To be human is to be religious
• To be religious is to be mindful
• To be mindful is to pay attention
• To pay attention is to sanctify existence

• Rituals are one way in which attention is paid.
• Rituals arise from the stages and ages of life.
• Rituals transform the ordinary into the holy.

• Rituals may be public, private, or secret.
• Rituals may be spontaneous or arranged.
• Rituals are in constant evolution and reformation.

• Rituals create sacred time.
• Sacred time is the dwelling place of the Eternal.
• Haste and ambition are the adversaries of sacred time.

Is this so?