I was once asked by a younger leader, "how can I teach or lead someone in something that I haven't figured out? I would be a hypocrite!"
Now, the truth of this statement should not be ignored! It is quite true that we cannot lead someone where we have not been ourselves. It is quite true that we cannot teach what we do not know. It is quite true that we cannot give away what we do not have. However...
...my response to my friend was this, "when we preach Jesus, we will always be preaching something that is beyond ourselves. This is not hypocrisy, but faithfulness to the Scriptures. If we were only preaching what we had ourselves mastered, then we would not be faithful to the whole counsel of the Kingdom."
So how do we reconcile these two opposing truths?
==========
I was taught by my pastor to preach to 'us,' and to rarely if ever preach to 'you.' I have learned that there are rarely appropriate times to speak in the language of 'you people' but they are most certainly not when speaking difficult truths. Even though I am a preacher, I am myself included in the congregation who is being preached to. I must hear the words pronounced; I must receive the revelation, correction, admonition, challenge, encouragement, teaching, blessing, and wisdom. Are you a teacher or a leader? Number yourself among those who are taught and led!
Hearing my pastor preach this way modeled for me a humility before Christ, and before the church that I hope to emulate. It also, however, provided an open door to hear the difficult call to carry the Cross of Christ. The posture of humility from the preacher, including himself in the challenge, allowed me to be challenged as well.
==========
Then we come to the three magic words...
...I will never forget them. I heard them often on the lips of my pastor, but the first time I heard him say them, he was standing in the pulpit. I had never heard a pastor utter these words before. I don't think I had ever heard a Christian speak them, certainly not about spiritual or theological matters. They were a shock to my system, but a good shock. Like cool water on a hot day, or the unexpected arrival of beautiful music that perfectly matches the mood of the moment, or a word of encouragement when rebuke was expected, came these words:
"I don't know."
Again, the posture of humility allows for our walls to come down, and for Christ to be revealed before us in all of His glory, all of His mercy, and all of His judgment. We can hear the difficult words of challenge, when they come with a recognition of our common need for His grace, His wisdom, and His Kingdom.
5.06.2015
4.30.2015
Structure
Here is what I would say about the 'organization' of the church, and its relative importance to keeping the church on mission, and to advancing the kingdom in the lives of individuals, in communities, and in the world...
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/03/broken-tomato-cages-pt-i.html
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/03/broken-tomato-cages-pt-ii.html
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/05/broken-tomato-cages-pt-iii.html
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/05/broken-tomato-cages-pt-iv.html
The posts above are something I wrote several years ago, and they express my frustration at the rigid structures of church that kill the life within it. However, the metaphor works the other way too, as I have come to see in recent years...
Acts 6 is the tipping point where the early church discovered a need for tomato cages. But here is where I continue to hold the line. While the cages may be necessary at times, they are ALWAYS a means to an end. The point is the life in the garden, and the structures must serve that end. We must be ruthless in this.
What this means is that the 'spontaneous expansion' that results from people falling madly in love with the Kingdom and the King, and then selling everything for that cause, is the life of the church. We can build structures and strategies around that to support, nurture, and foster this central vitality, but we must always prioritize the life of the Spirit, and never the supporting structures...
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/03/broken-tomato-cages-pt-i.html
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/03/broken-tomato-cages-pt-ii.html
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/05/broken-tomato-cages-pt-iii.html
http://damascus9.blogspot.com/2010/05/broken-tomato-cages-pt-iv.html
The posts above are something I wrote several years ago, and they express my frustration at the rigid structures of church that kill the life within it. However, the metaphor works the other way too, as I have come to see in recent years...
Acts 6 is the tipping point where the early church discovered a need for tomato cages. But here is where I continue to hold the line. While the cages may be necessary at times, they are ALWAYS a means to an end. The point is the life in the garden, and the structures must serve that end. We must be ruthless in this.
What this means is that the 'spontaneous expansion' that results from people falling madly in love with the Kingdom and the King, and then selling everything for that cause, is the life of the church. We can build structures and strategies around that to support, nurture, and foster this central vitality, but we must always prioritize the life of the Spirit, and never the supporting structures...
4.29.2015
4.28.2015
Unity
Efforts at Christian unity across denominations and ethnic groups fall into several categories, it is helpful to distinguish them from each other, and to categorize them in a spectrum. Having done so, we find that efforts at unity often remain at levels 1 and 2, occasionally rising to level 3, but rarely entering into levels 4 and 5.
Level 1: Having business together
It is in our mutual interest to share resources or to provide services to each other. i.e., sharing a building.
Level 2: Symbolic acts of ecumenicism
Public declarations of Christian unity and affection. i.e., worshipping together.
Level 3: Enjoying relationship
Private fellowship and intimacy.
Level 4: Strategic partners
Strategizing together, giving each other 'veto power.'
Level 5: organizational unity
Where we simply come under the same leadership structure.
This need not be the goal of efforts toward Christian unity,
although, it shouldn't be kept off the table either.
Level 1: Having business together
It is in our mutual interest to share resources or to provide services to each other. i.e., sharing a building.
Level 2: Symbolic acts of ecumenicism
Public declarations of Christian unity and affection. i.e., worshipping together.
Level 3: Enjoying relationship
Private fellowship and intimacy.
Level 4: Strategic partners
Strategizing together, giving each other 'veto power.'
Level 5: organizational unity
Where we simply come under the same leadership structure.
This need not be the goal of efforts toward Christian unity,
although, it shouldn't be kept off the table either.
4.26.2015
Yeast, Salt, Seed, and Light
“This then is what I mean by spontaneous expansion. I mean the expansion which follows the un-exhorted and unorganized activity of individual members of the Church explaining to others the Gospel which they have found for themselves; I mean the expansion which follows the irresistible attraction of the Christian Church for men who see its ordered life, and are drawn to it by desire to discover the secret of a life which they instinctively desire to share; I mean also the expansion of the Church by the addition of new Churches.”
― Roland Allen, The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church: And the Causes That Hinder It
4.05.2015
Easter: You are Worth Fighting For!
We watched this recently, and, while I thought the movie as a whole was 'good' this scene was 'great.' God ministered to me through it; helping me to experience the brokenness of humanity, and the power of the gospel.
3.30.2015
Prayer Reflection
Stillness:
Relax; be still
let the tensions of the day slip away from you. Know that you are in
God's presence. He rejoices that you have come to him, however
forgetful you may have been of him during the day or week
Thankfulness:
Remember with
thanksgiving the gifts of God to you today. A meeting with a friend:
a glimpse of deep joy or sadness in a passing face; a flower at the
wayside; a babys first steps; a grandparents smile; a friendly shop
assistant; a considerate driver; a moment of insight; a job done; a
problem solved; a child's hug; a lovers touch; a warm memory; a
rising moon; a falling leaf....Be still in the memory and offer God
your thanks in your own way.
Lightseeking:
Ask God to help
you see and understand how his love has been working within you
today. This is a gift of the Spirit, and it has been promised to all
who sincerley seek it.
Reflection:
Reflect
peacefully on what has been happening to you and in you today or this
last few days, trusting that your prayer for the light of his Spirit
has been granted. Let him show you whatever he may want to show you.
The questions that follow are only suggestions to prompt your
reflection, if you feel drawn to particular question stay with it,
and let God speak to you heart about it.
How were you
drawn to God today: by a friend, the beauty of nature, a book...
-Did you meet
him in fears, joys, work, misunderstandings, weariness or pain?
-Did you sense
the presence of God in the wider world, perhaps in what you saw on TV
or read in the paper? can you bring him your feelings..your anger,
your compassion
-Did anything
happen to make you feel loved ? Were you able to show love to another
person today?
- How were your moods today, what made you feel peaceful? where did you experience turmoil? What seemed to cause you to react with these feelings, open them up to God for affirmation or healing.
Sorrow:
With hindsight
you may realize that much of your reactions to the events of the day
has been centered on your own kingdom. This may have led you to fail
to respond to the cry of another person, or to allow your own
preoccupations to take the center stage and crowd out other people's
needs. Your day may have left little space for an awareness of God or
of his creation. Whatever inadequacies you find in your day's living,
let them be there before God now, not for judgement, but for his
Spirit to hover over the mess, bringing wholeness out of brokenness ,
as once that same Spirit brought creation out of chaos. Express your
sorrow to God, and confidently ask for his healing and forgiveness.
Hopefulness:
Look forward to
tomorrow. Ask him to open your heart to whatever surprises it may
bring; to open your eyes to notice him in unexpected places; to open
your ears to become tuned in to the unceasing song of his kingdom.
Pray for sensitivity to recognize the Lord in whatever ways he may
greet you or call you. Something of God lies still concealed for you
in tomorrow”s journey. Look forward to discovering it.
*This reflection was lead by Tamy during our Sunday worship gathering as a part of her sermon this past Sunday. Several people asked to see a printed version of it. This was taken from the book Inner Compass by Margaret Silf.
3.09.2015
3.04.2015
2.18.2015
Opportunity Knocks
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
-Thomas Edison
-Thomas Edison
2.15.2015
Celebrating Black History?
Why would a White man write an article celebrating Black History?
...thats a fair question, but I think the answer is obvious enough. A better question, however, is why would anyone want to read an article from a White man celebrating Black History?
Hopefully that question is answered in the next paragraphs.
Permit me an observation. Some of the most articulate African-American voices I interact with are often given a platform to speak to White people about issues of race and racial reconciliation. White culture, and in particular, White Christian culture, is coming to terms with the fact that the gospel demands that we share meals with Christians of every cultural background (see Galatians 2). In light of this, articulate African American voices are sought after by some White Christians... but those voices are quite often only invited to speak about one thing: race and racial reconciliation.
The White Church will have a panel discussion around issues of race, and invite a multi-cultural group to speak, or will have an event focused on the issue and invite an African-American scholar to present some ideas the topic. In and of itself, this is a good thing. We need people of all cultures speaking to the issue of a reconciled and reconciling church. In particular we need the voices of the Black community to share their perspectives and their pain regarding the racial history of our world and the Church. The problem lies, however, in the fact that this is often the only space where White Christians are willing and able to hear Black voices.
Back to Galatians.
Paul's argument is not that Jews and Gentiles must resolve past hurts for the sake of the gospel, but rather, that Jews and Gentiles must eat together for the sake of the gospel! Indeed, the entire point of resolving past hurts is precisely so that we can enjoy fellowship in Christ!
What this means to me is that, while it is indeed vitally important for me to hear Black voices explain the history of race from Black perspectives, it is equally, if not more important, for me to hear Black voices speaking about worship, poverty, Christology, prayer, Ecclesiology, discipleship, addiction, Missiology, evangelism, technology, leadership, business, philosophy of ministry, socio-economics, etc. from Black perspectives!
The Church needs the wisdom of the Black community's voice, not just on issues of race and racial reconciliation (although this is one of the great gems that the Black community has to offer the global church!), but on all issues. The Body of Christ needs every member healthy and fully engaged for us to be healthy as a whole. If we belong to Christ, then we belong to each other. While this must be asserted when one part is suffering, it should also be asserted when there is no suffering! Should we only give attention to our hands when they are injured, or might we consider using them for work, and play, and art when they are healthy as well!
So... back to the question at the top; why would anyone read an article celebrating Black History that is written by a White man?
Simply put, if we are to ask for the African-American voice to speak to every facet of life in God's good creation, then we ought to expect to hear the White voice speak to issues of race and reconciliation. If I have asked African-Americans to speak about the breadth and depth of life and ministry, then perhaps I ought to speak to the issue of race and reconciliation.
Admittedly, this article has not actually been much of a 'celebration' of Black History or Black culture, so much as a push in the direction a multi-cultural future! So I will end with a few practical thoughts that might help:
1) Recognize our failure at a multicultural church as a failure at believing the gospel (Galatians 2:14); as a failure at Christian maturity. We must begin to talk like this and think like this. "I won't eat at the table with 'them' because I won't trust in the power and truth of the gospel."
2) Start with eating together with those different from you. Jesus scandalized his contemporaries precisely by who he chose to eat with. This is because table fellowship builds intimacy. Let us learn to eat the bountifully diverse fare of the Lord's Wedding Feast!
3) Look for collaborative projects with Christians of different cultures and traditions. The word conspiracy literally means "to share breath with another." This is the definition of intimacy. Let us find conspirators amongst Christians of all cultures!
4) Move towards giving away control, power, and influence. This means you will get things that you dislike and disagree with. Do so anyway, for the sake of the gospel.
5) Be true to who you are in Christ, don't hide yourself or pretend to be something you are not. But be humble and accept others as they are in Christ, allow them the same luxury to be themselves!
6) Expect this to be a painful process. Don't be afraid to communicate your pain, but be even more attentive to the pain of others! Think of it like a poodle dating a gorilla, it surely requires a great degree of sensitivity and creativity!
...thats a fair question, but I think the answer is obvious enough. A better question, however, is why would anyone want to read an article from a White man celebrating Black History?
Hopefully that question is answered in the next paragraphs.
Permit me an observation. Some of the most articulate African-American voices I interact with are often given a platform to speak to White people about issues of race and racial reconciliation. White culture, and in particular, White Christian culture, is coming to terms with the fact that the gospel demands that we share meals with Christians of every cultural background (see Galatians 2). In light of this, articulate African American voices are sought after by some White Christians... but those voices are quite often only invited to speak about one thing: race and racial reconciliation.
The White Church will have a panel discussion around issues of race, and invite a multi-cultural group to speak, or will have an event focused on the issue and invite an African-American scholar to present some ideas the topic. In and of itself, this is a good thing. We need people of all cultures speaking to the issue of a reconciled and reconciling church. In particular we need the voices of the Black community to share their perspectives and their pain regarding the racial history of our world and the Church. The problem lies, however, in the fact that this is often the only space where White Christians are willing and able to hear Black voices.
Back to Galatians.
Paul's argument is not that Jews and Gentiles must resolve past hurts for the sake of the gospel, but rather, that Jews and Gentiles must eat together for the sake of the gospel! Indeed, the entire point of resolving past hurts is precisely so that we can enjoy fellowship in Christ!
What this means to me is that, while it is indeed vitally important for me to hear Black voices explain the history of race from Black perspectives, it is equally, if not more important, for me to hear Black voices speaking about worship, poverty, Christology, prayer, Ecclesiology, discipleship, addiction, Missiology, evangelism, technology, leadership, business, philosophy of ministry, socio-economics, etc. from Black perspectives!
The Church needs the wisdom of the Black community's voice, not just on issues of race and racial reconciliation (although this is one of the great gems that the Black community has to offer the global church!), but on all issues. The Body of Christ needs every member healthy and fully engaged for us to be healthy as a whole. If we belong to Christ, then we belong to each other. While this must be asserted when one part is suffering, it should also be asserted when there is no suffering! Should we only give attention to our hands when they are injured, or might we consider using them for work, and play, and art when they are healthy as well!
So... back to the question at the top; why would anyone read an article celebrating Black History that is written by a White man?
Simply put, if we are to ask for the African-American voice to speak to every facet of life in God's good creation, then we ought to expect to hear the White voice speak to issues of race and reconciliation. If I have asked African-Americans to speak about the breadth and depth of life and ministry, then perhaps I ought to speak to the issue of race and reconciliation.
1) Recognize our failure at a multicultural church as a failure at believing the gospel (Galatians 2:14); as a failure at Christian maturity. We must begin to talk like this and think like this. "I won't eat at the table with 'them' because I won't trust in the power and truth of the gospel."
2) Start with eating together with those different from you. Jesus scandalized his contemporaries precisely by who he chose to eat with. This is because table fellowship builds intimacy. Let us learn to eat the bountifully diverse fare of the Lord's Wedding Feast!
3) Look for collaborative projects with Christians of different cultures and traditions. The word conspiracy literally means "to share breath with another." This is the definition of intimacy. Let us find conspirators amongst Christians of all cultures!
4) Move towards giving away control, power, and influence. This means you will get things that you dislike and disagree with. Do so anyway, for the sake of the gospel.
5) Be true to who you are in Christ, don't hide yourself or pretend to be something you are not. But be humble and accept others as they are in Christ, allow them the same luxury to be themselves!
6) Expect this to be a painful process. Don't be afraid to communicate your pain, but be even more attentive to the pain of others! Think of it like a poodle dating a gorilla, it surely requires a great degree of sensitivity and creativity!
1.25.2015
Local Church
"Go to the nearest smallest church and commit yourself to being there for 6 months. If it doesn’t work out, find somewhere else. But don’t look for programs, don’t look for entertainment, and don’t look for a great preacher. A Christian congregation is not a glamorous place, not a romantic place. That’s what I always told people. If people were leaving my congregation to go to another place of work, I’d say, “The smallest church, the closest church, and stay there for 6 months.” Sometimes it doesn’t work. Some pastors are just incompetent. And some are flat out bad. So I don’t think that’s the answer to everything, but it’s a better place to start than going to the one with all the programs, the glitz, all that stuff."
Eugene Peterson
See more at: http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/09/27/faithful-end-interview-eugene-peterson/#sthash.aZIKrRqe.dpuf
Eugene Peterson
See more at: http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/09/27/faithful-end-interview-eugene-peterson/#sthash.aZIKrRqe.dpuf
1.21.2015
Marriage
Marriage is about 'two becoming one.' Two lives becoming a single life. A common home, a common purpose, a common dream, common finances, common responsibilities, a common reputation… you get the picture! A single life, with two persons.
So here is whats required:
Communication:
Firstly, sharing yourself with the other person, and secondly, learning to receive from that other person. Learning that what motivates you to say and do certain things, is not necessarily what motivates them to say and do those same things. Understanding and sharing what you are at the core of your personhood with your spouse, and allowing them to share with you as you seek to understand them.
Reconciliation:
Repenting of sin and offense on your part, over-and-over-and-over-and-over…
Forgiving sin and offense on their part, over-and-over-and-over-and-over...
So here is whats required:
Communication:
Firstly, sharing yourself with the other person, and secondly, learning to receive from that other person. Learning that what motivates you to say and do certain things, is not necessarily what motivates them to say and do those same things. Understanding and sharing what you are at the core of your personhood with your spouse, and allowing them to share with you as you seek to understand them.
Reconciliation:
Repenting of sin and offense on your part, over-and-over-and-over-and-over…
Forgiving sin and offense on their part, over-and-over-and-over-and-over...
1.04.2015
Conformity
“The test of character posed by the gentleness of God's approach to us is especially dangerous for those formed by the ideas that dominate our modern world. We live in a culture that has, for centuries now, cultivated the idea that the skeptical person is always smarter than one who believes. You can be almost as stupid as a cabbage, as long as you doubt. The fashion of the age has identified mental sharpness with a pose, not with genuine intellectual method and character. Only a very hardy individualist or social rebel -- or one desperate for another life -- therefore stands any chance of discovering the substantiality of the spiritual life today. Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as wildly individualistic and unbearably bright.”
― Dallas Willard
― Dallas Willard
1.03.2015
Chili Recipe Redux
This is my second attempt at writing down a chili recipe (after my first attempt was probably 2 out of 5 stars). I would personally add more seasoning, but my wife didn't want me to, so I left it the way it is. It can use a little more salt, but that can be added at the table.
Start by chopping the following (food processor for all but the onions) and sauté over medium heat in the bottom of stock pan in olive oil:
3 large carrots
3 large celery stalks
2 bell peppers
3 large onions
3 large bay leaves
Once they start to get soft add the following:
2 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 beer
24 oz corn (can or frozen)
24 oz pinto beans (can)
24 oz black beans (can)
24 oz red beans (can)
Once the meat is fully cooked add the following:
24 oz tomato puree (can)
24 oz diced tomatoes (can)
Once the chili begins to bubble turn down heat and add the following:
4 medium cloves of garlic (crushed)
1 1/2 oz molasses
5 teaspoons of chili powder
3 teaspoons of cumin
2 teaspoons of paprika
2 teaspoons of oregano
2 teaspoons of black pepper
3 teaspoons of salt
Let simmer over low heat, if the chili is too thin, thicken it with tomato paste, corn starch, or other thickener.
Start by chopping the following (food processor for all but the onions) and sauté over medium heat in the bottom of stock pan in olive oil:
3 large carrots
3 large celery stalks
2 bell peppers
3 large onions
3 large bay leaves
Once they start to get soft add the following:
2 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 beer
24 oz corn (can or frozen)
24 oz pinto beans (can)
24 oz black beans (can)
24 oz red beans (can)
Once the meat is fully cooked add the following:
24 oz tomato puree (can)
24 oz diced tomatoes (can)
Once the chili begins to bubble turn down heat and add the following:
4 medium cloves of garlic (crushed)
1 1/2 oz molasses
5 teaspoons of chili powder
3 teaspoons of cumin
2 teaspoons of paprika
2 teaspoons of oregano
2 teaspoons of black pepper
3 teaspoons of salt
Let simmer over low heat, if the chili is too thin, thicken it with tomato paste, corn starch, or other thickener.
12.17.2014
Racism Means Many Things...
In talking about racism, I believe it would be helpful to distinguish between the following things:
#1 Systematized Racism (Bigotry):
#2 Individual Racism (Bigotry)
#3 Systematic Racial Injustice: Social/political/
#4 Racial Pride: Being glad of one's own heritage. Examples: Celebrating our culture through holidays. Promoting the values of our culture to those of other cultures. Learning about historical events from the perspective of our culture.
#5 Cultural Privilege: The reality that our society is made up of people groups from many cultures, but only one culture can be the dominant culture. For those individuals within the dominant culture, they are both privileged, and often ignorant of their privilege. Examples: The white, middle-class values of punctuality, industry, and self-reliance are a standard by which all people are expected to live up to, while the values of other cultures are downplayed and ignored. Images of white people are considered 'normal,' images of anyone else are considered something 'less normal.' The structures necessary for our society to function are created with implicit reference to white cultural norms. The fact that #4 is indiscernible to our society when the racial pride of whites are on display, but somewhat radical when other groups do the same thing.
#6 The Legacy of Racism: The generational legacy of #1 (which no longer exists) and #2 (which is socially unacceptable, although still existent in plenty of individuals and communities). Examples: Different racial groups have different correlations with poverty. In particular the descendants of individuals who have suffered from #1 and #2 have passed down their pain, their anger, their legacy of deprivation, to their own descendants. Additionally the family unit was greatly disintegrated in some communities which has lasting negative effects generationally.
(I don't know what the best labels are for the above, suggestions are welcome.)
Along with the above categories, I would add these thoughts:
1) The reason for the above categories is this, the honest* debates surrounding racial issues in our culture are often exercises in miscommunication. One side is talking about #6 and #5 and #3, but the other side thinks they are talking about #1 and #2. Or the other side sees #4 or #2 happening and equates it to #1. I do think we need to be able to distinguish between these various realities as an aid to understanding what is actually happening, and as an aid to communicating about what is actually happening. Bluntly, misdiagnosing a situation radically decreases your credibility to speak to people about these issues.
2) Race (as opposed to ethnicity, or country of origin) is a social construct, that is not rooted in any scientifically discernible reality. That doesn't make it less 'real,' but does point towards its roots in xenophobia and ethnocentrism. This is true for all peoples…
3) Perhaps most importantly, we need to be able to distinguish between those responsible for creating these realities intentionally, those responsible for creating the realities unintentionally, and those responsible for dealing with these realities. All human beings should be responsible for dealing with these realities (certainly all those who claim to follow Jesus). Almost every human being is responsible for these realities in the sense that they have tacitly participated in them without any real reflection (this is true regardless of race and class). But very few people are directly responsible for intentionally creating any of this. Assigning blame to people who are not guilty of what you are accusing them of not only decreases your credibility, but actually hinders the process of finding and pursuing solutions.
4) Perhaps even more importantly, we need to make clear that many of the categories above continue to hold sway over our culture, and negatively influence the lives of whole communities. As Christians we must not only acknowledge that these forces exist, but we must work to bring the light of the gospel into these dark corners of society.
*Many public debates around race are simply political posturing by people of all colors trying to gain power. These are not miscommunication (i.e. failures at communication) because there is no real attempt at communication taking place.
#1 Systematized Racism (Bigotry):
#2 Individual Racism (Bigotry)
#3 Systematic Racial Injustice: Social/political/
#4 Racial Pride: Being glad of one's own heritage. Examples: Celebrating our culture through holidays. Promoting the values of our culture to those of other cultures. Learning about historical events from the perspective of our culture.
#5 Cultural Privilege: The reality that our society is made up of people groups from many cultures, but only one culture can be the dominant culture. For those individuals within the dominant culture, they are both privileged, and often ignorant of their privilege. Examples: The white, middle-class values of punctuality, industry, and self-reliance are a standard by which all people are expected to live up to, while the values of other cultures are downplayed and ignored. Images of white people are considered 'normal,' images of anyone else are considered something 'less normal.' The structures necessary for our society to function are created with implicit reference to white cultural norms. The fact that #4 is indiscernible to our society when the racial pride of whites are on display, but somewhat radical when other groups do the same thing.
#6 The Legacy of Racism: The generational legacy of #1 (which no longer exists) and #2 (which is socially unacceptable, although still existent in plenty of individuals and communities). Examples: Different racial groups have different correlations with poverty. In particular the descendants of individuals who have suffered from #1 and #2 have passed down their pain, their anger, their legacy of deprivation, to their own descendants. Additionally the family unit was greatly disintegrated in some communities which has lasting negative effects generationally.
(I don't know what the best labels are for the above, suggestions are welcome.)
Along with the above categories, I would add these thoughts:
1) The reason for the above categories is this, the honest* debates surrounding racial issues in our culture are often exercises in miscommunication. One side is talking about #6 and #5 and #3, but the other side thinks they are talking about #1 and #2. Or the other side sees #4 or #2 happening and equates it to #1. I do think we need to be able to distinguish between these various realities as an aid to understanding what is actually happening, and as an aid to communicating about what is actually happening. Bluntly, misdiagnosing a situation radically decreases your credibility to speak to people about these issues.
2) Race (as opposed to ethnicity, or country of origin) is a social construct, that is not rooted in any scientifically discernible reality. That doesn't make it less 'real,' but does point towards its roots in xenophobia and ethnocentrism. This is true for all peoples…
3) Perhaps most importantly, we need to be able to distinguish between those responsible for creating these realities intentionally, those responsible for creating the realities unintentionally, and those responsible for dealing with these realities. All human beings should be responsible for dealing with these realities (certainly all those who claim to follow Jesus). Almost every human being is responsible for these realities in the sense that they have tacitly participated in them without any real reflection (this is true regardless of race and class). But very few people are directly responsible for intentionally creating any of this. Assigning blame to people who are not guilty of what you are accusing them of not only decreases your credibility, but actually hinders the process of finding and pursuing solutions.
4) Perhaps even more importantly, we need to make clear that many of the categories above continue to hold sway over our culture, and negatively influence the lives of whole communities. As Christians we must not only acknowledge that these forces exist, but we must work to bring the light of the gospel into these dark corners of society.
*Many public debates around race are simply political posturing by people of all colors trying to gain power. These are not miscommunication (i.e. failures at communication) because there is no real attempt at communication taking place.
12.13.2014
The Trinity Prayer
Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth:
Set up your kingdom in our midst.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God:
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Holy Spirit, breath of the living God:
Renew me and all the world.
Set up your kingdom in our midst.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God:
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Holy Spirit, breath of the living God:
Renew me and all the world.
12.11.2014
Responsibility
Leadership is responsibility.
Responsibility, however, has two definitions:
1) Responsibility is having an obligation to do something about a particular situation.
2) Responsibility is being the primary cause of a particular situation.
The first definition of responsibility is what we mean when we ask, "who is in charge?" whereas the second definition of responsibility is what we mean when we ask, "who broke the lamp?" or "who built the fence?" One definition has to do with the present and the future, and who has the authority, the mandate, the charge, to make something happen in a particular way. The other definition has to do with the past and the present, who is to blame or credit for the way a particular thing happened or is happening. In some ways the first definition of responsibility is actually about accepting blame/credit before the fact!
Leadership is about both kinds of responsibility.
A leader takes the blame for whatever happened on their watch. Although a good leader will pass along the credit to those around them, a good leader doesn't shirk blame. But assigning and taking blame and/or credit is actually not the primary way in which leaders take responsibility.
Leadership is ultimately about the first kind of responsibility.
To be a leader is to see oneself as the primary person tasked with accomplishing something. This doesn't mean a leader does everything themselves, (creating teams and delegating tasks are encouraged) but the leader is the one who says, "Yes, I am responsible to see it done. If it doesn't get done, and done right, I will be to blame."
Responsibility, however, has two definitions:
1) Responsibility is having an obligation to do something about a particular situation.
2) Responsibility is being the primary cause of a particular situation.
The first definition of responsibility is what we mean when we ask, "who is in charge?" whereas the second definition of responsibility is what we mean when we ask, "who broke the lamp?" or "who built the fence?" One definition has to do with the present and the future, and who has the authority, the mandate, the charge, to make something happen in a particular way. The other definition has to do with the past and the present, who is to blame or credit for the way a particular thing happened or is happening. In some ways the first definition of responsibility is actually about accepting blame/credit before the fact!
Leadership is about both kinds of responsibility.
A leader takes the blame for whatever happened on their watch. Although a good leader will pass along the credit to those around them, a good leader doesn't shirk blame. But assigning and taking blame and/or credit is actually not the primary way in which leaders take responsibility.
Leadership is ultimately about the first kind of responsibility.
To be a leader is to see oneself as the primary person tasked with accomplishing something. This doesn't mean a leader does everything themselves, (creating teams and delegating tasks are encouraged) but the leader is the one who says, "Yes, I am responsible to see it done. If it doesn't get done, and done right, I will be to blame."
12.10.2014
Levels of Partnership
In partnering with other organizations, I have come to see that the word 'partner' means different things to different people. There are actually multiple 'levels' of partnership:
Level 1: Having business together
It is in our mutual interest to share resources or to provide services to each other. i.e., sharing a building.
Level 2: Symbolic acts of ecumenicism
Public declarations of Christian unity and affection. i.e., worshipping together.
Level 3: Enjoying relationship
Private fellowship, trust, and intimacy.
Level 4: Strategic partners
Strategizing together, giving each other 'veto power' over each others decisions.
Level 5: Organizational Union
Merging together and becoming the same organization.
Level 1: Having business together
It is in our mutual interest to share resources or to provide services to each other. i.e., sharing a building.
Level 2: Symbolic acts of ecumenicism
Public declarations of Christian unity and affection. i.e., worshipping together.
Level 3: Enjoying relationship
Private fellowship, trust, and intimacy.
Level 4: Strategic partners
Strategizing together, giving each other 'veto power' over each others decisions.
Level 5: Organizational Union
Merging together and becoming the same organization.
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