There’s so much excitement going on in the Church right now.  Too bad, just like in the media, that the stories that often get passed along have to do with the negatives–”society is degrading”; “homosexuals are taking over the church”; “we’ve got to save our children from this corrupt generation”.  I live in Florida, which is a generous mix of cultures, politics, social stratospheres and the like.  If you can think up some name for a church, we probably have it within a stone’s throw.  What is easy to see is that there are many things that divide us, but as a Presbyterian, I’m always looking for ways that we are connected.  Doing some community work to bring folks together has not been easy, especially when a few want to highlight the divides. I’m one of these who is pretty certain we’re going through a time of Reformation once again, and as Phyllis Ticklemight say, it’s not just the church that’s reforming, but every aspect of human society.  Everything is being brought into question and everything is on the table.  The appeal of Emergence is evidence of this as well.  If everyone were satisfied with the state of the Church, then there wouldn’t be such a movement of new ideas, questions and challenges.  I think the Presbyterian Church (USA) is slow to change and transform.  In some ways this has served us well, but when it comes to thinking about the future, we are either stuck in the present or trying to reclaim the past.  We are tied to some methods and systems that are antiquated, and yet the traditions of our faith don’t necessarily need to be re-written.  How can we learn from the emergent community how to let go and untie ourselves from the things that bind (imprison) us rather than seeing what might bind (unite) us together in the Spirit of Christ?

The Emergent church, at the same time, is asking questions to make us all a bit uncomfortable.  In many ways I appreciate being dislodged from the “zone”, but I also wonder if we lose something of Jesus in the midst of our questioning of all things faith.  What, within our tradition, is worth preserving?  I see so many (mostly out of fear) trying to preserve a Church that simply cannot remain static any longer.  In this regard, the emergent conversation has helped a great deal.  But what the emergent church can probably gain from the PC(USA) is the idea that we are not set apart from one another, but we are willing to persevere through times of difference and disagreement.  I’m extremely saddened by the congregations who leave the denomination because they don’t want to go through the marriage counseling.  Yes, it’s hard.  Any relationship is hard.  But in the end it’s worth the effort.  It’s how Jesus draws us together, I think.  Those of us who are Presbyterian have witnessed the Spirit at work within our bodies when we disagree.  Clarity does not come quickly, or even in our time, but it does come.  We could all stand to live with a little more patience.  We could also stand to gain by listening and not talking.  Just one pastor’s opinion . . .

The thing I love most about being Presbyterian (if you know me you know you I REALLY love being Presbyterian) is the connectional nature of the church. I LOVE that we have devoted members and faithful Christians from all walks of life, from a wide spectrum of theologies and politics who are willing to sit at table with one another and be in relationship.

One of my criticisms of the emergent conversation has been it’s (IMHO) “throw the baby out with the bathwater” approach to orthodoxy, tradition and institution. Certainly there are things that that need to be reformed, need to be thrown out, need to be shaken up, however, if all you’re doing is shaking things up there is no base, there is no foundation. Now, I’m not one to stand on the soapbox of “right” doctrine or “truth” there are however things that I believe are important to retaining our authenticity as Christians, as members of the Reformed tradition and as Presbyterians that go farther than “I’m OK, you’re OK”. It is those things (I don’t have a list at the moment but I have some thoughts…love is high on that list) that I believe are necessary that will hold us together through the tough times.

To use the analogy of a marriage used by Black, My wife and I might not always agree, everyday isn’t sunshine and roses, at the end of the day I love her, I know she loves me and that is bigger than whatever disagreement or miscommunication that is getting in our way at the moment. I’m not going to run out on her if she hurts my feelings, I don’t like dinner (on her night to cook…easy on the gender stereotypes) or if we disagree about who they should vote off of the Biggest Loser. I know that when the sun comes up she will be my wife and I will be her husband and I’m committed to working it out and living together even if it’s hard sometimes.

I believe it is incumbent for ALL in the current church (PC (USA) and otherwise) to think more about how they can contribute positively to the conversation, to get involved, more importantly to stop writing blogs, sending tweets or waxing philosophical at the local coffee shop, go out and be with people you disagree, don’t try to change their minds, listen, learn, respect and I will do the same.

Every time I think about disagreement, especially in the church I think about this passage (Romans 12:9-21)

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Blessings,

Greg

UPDATE: Before I posted this I wanted to make sure I got my facts straight (funny thing…I didn’t get it right and am now more enlightened…who knew?). So I (gasp!) asked Adam to check out the post and see if I misrepresented him in any way, shockingly I did get some things out of whack and (honoring my statement about correction) I changed them, but also leaving in the original so you can see where I was misled.  I even went as far as to *embarrassingly* misspell the name of someone I call “a friend, colleague, fellow ultimate frisbee player, and guest in my home” TWICE!  Adam, a thousand apologies.

Last Friday someone I would consider a friend, colleague, fellow ultimate frisbee player, and guest in my home, Adam Walker Cleaveland Cleveland, posted about his latest frustration with his ordination process.  Since Adam’s post countless other posts and enumerable comments have being flying through the internet with everyone (including me, and me) doling out their opinion on “sinful institutions”, “deconstructionalists”, “emergents”, etc., etc.

I figured I would help out those of you who read my blog (Hi Mom!) and give you a one stop shop to find posts that I think are relevant, thoughtful, and meaningful in this debate: (There is even a back and forth between “de-facto emergent church bishop” Tony Jones and an old friend of his, Rev. John A. D’Elia.)  I will try to put them in some reasonable order:

The match that started the blaze: When an M.Div. from Princeton isn’t Enough… by Adam Walker Cleaveland Cleveland

The fuel that fed it: Let’s Ordain Adam by Tony Jones (including Tony’s “ironic” online petition to ordain Adam)

The forest that began to smolder around the blaze:

• Out of Ur: Tony Jones: We Ordain Everyone
• Dancing on Saturday: An Emerging Mess
• The GA Junkie: What Does It Take To Get Ordained Around Here? (this guy knows his stuff)
• Notes From Off Center: on denominationalism
  • on ordination and social control

The brush fire that caught along the way: (i.e. the “debate” between Tony and John)

• From John to Tony: An Emergent Discussion
• Tony’s response to John’s response:  Reconsider Ordination. Now.
• Tony’s response to John’s response (continued): Reconsider Ordination. Now. (Continued)
• John’s apology to Tony for a personal attack: An Apology Along the Way
• John’s response to Tony’s response to John’s response: My Attempt at a Collegial Rejoinder with Tony Jones

I am sure there are many other blogs, comments, tweets, emails, snail mails, etc. out there but I think you get the idea.

I almost forgot to add my own little nuggets of wisdom…from what I know about Adam’s situation (I am very welcome to correction if I am telling tales outside of school) is that Adam is serving in United Methodist Church in Livermore, CA as the youth director/minister/pastor/whatever, Minister for Youth and Young Adults.  He completed all of the requirements for Kendall Presbytery to certify him ready to seek a call (MDiv, ordination exams, CPE, etc.) he then hit a snag when he asked a friend of his to preach at his ordination service.  Kendall Presbytery CPM balked at his selection and he was then not able to stand for examination in front of the presbytery “after a 4-hr meeting with CPM, they decided the best possible situation would be to transfer me  (Adam) down to SF presbytery.” Adam then decided to went along with the transfer of his membership to San Francisco Presbytery (transferring presbyteries in the middle of your process is a notoriously bad idea, and Adam knew that).  San Francisco Presbytery then told Adam that he need to take a lot more classes before he could be examined.  Knowing the process of ordination in the PC(USA), I am surprised that Adam did what he did, but it’s his process and who am I to judge his decisions that I am sure were prayerfully considered and discerned.

Here’s I think a very important point that no one is talking about (or at least no one I’ve read)…Adam is currently working in a NON-ORDAINED position at a UNITED METHODIST church, not a Presbyterian church.  If Kendall Presbytery had ORDAINED Adam it would have been to “service to the larger church” (think missionaries, professors, publishers, camp directors).  The ordination as a minister of Word and Sacrament in a traditional church/pulpit is hard enough, but when you add extenuating circumstances on top of that it makes it that much more difficult.  The PC (USA) holds ordination in very high regard so it makes since that not just anybody is ordained to anything. (That is not a statement on Adam’s gifts or skills. Adam is a great guy with lots of things to offer.  I’m just saying it was always going to be more difficult than your “standard” ordination.)

As the polity goes (strictly speaking for better or for worse), Kendall Presbytery was doing Adam a favor was going out of its way to even consider him for ordination.  The fact that Adam was theologically on the fringe of the presbytery that he was under care of and the fact that most people don’t like it when you air their dirty laundry business, this was always going to be difficult.

Another thing to keep in mind…while there are many people like Adam, Tony, and, for that matter, me that value transparency, the PC (USA) is a very diverse denomination (age, economics, theology, politics) and there are many others that don’t understand why anyone would post “everything”, so it stands to reason that keeping your opinions to yourself or to a small group of friends and confidants would be the wiser course of action.  Maybe I should be listening to my own advice…who knows?

I say all of this to say that Adam is a good guy and a influential voice and I hope and pray that through this Adam will learn and grow in his pastoral identity and his ministry.  I also hope that the we all can learn and listen for God’s will and in our lives.

Just for the record…the service of ordination that includes the laying on of hands is for me one of the most powerful “occasional” services that I have seen in the PC (USA) (services I’ve seen include my dad (elder), my mom (elder), my wife (minister of Word and Sacrament)).  I also believe that when I sit in the pew watching (I am not ordained…yet…fingers crossed) the other ordained persons lay hands on the newly ordained I find hope and joy.  It will be a glorious day for me when I can kneel in front of those that have guided me through the ordination process and my faith life as they can affirm my call.

Blessings,

Greg

[Photograph by Raymond Gehman]

Now after many moons of waiting I am finally posting the video of the presentation that I did at Ignite Bend #1 on February 12. This was an opportunity to reclaim Christianity from the media and the talking heads we see on TV (or at least that is what my wife said). The title of my presentation was “You May Have Heard It Said…But“. Apparently, these events that have happened in several other cities and have attracted mostly techie presenters. I appreciate this group allowing me to crash their party.

I have received nothing but postitive response from people who saw this presentation, both live and on the live stream (which is still up if you want to see all eight presentations) over the interwebs. I thought I would put it here and see what other people thought. From this interaction I been able to make connections with some great folk in and around Bend, both in the context of ministry and on a personal level. I hope that I am able to continue my involment with these type of events and I hope that my relationships in the community will continue to grow. Another wonderful thing that happened while preparing for this event was that I sent out a call to help me with the language that I should use which garnered an overwhelming response that I blogged about here.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Matt and JoAnn at Pinnacle Media for there wonderful set up of all things media. (He also put together a DVD of this event that he is letting me rip and edit so I can post it here and here.) I would also like to give a shout out to Colin, Jen, Sarah, Julie, Melinda, Cassondra, Ryan, Owen and all of the other folks who made this happen. I also would like to give a plug for twitter because if it weren’t for that wonderful new medium I would have never known about this super awesome event.

Blessings,

Greg

PS There will be another Ignite Bend in May, that is already in the works and one scheduled for some time in September. Check it out it was fun.

I am spending this week in Louisvile with 35 or so Emerging types all of the Presbyterian pursuasion.  I was wondering, what questions or comments would you make to this group?  What would you like to know about the people who cling to a denominational structure who are also very committed to the emerging church dialog and process?  What would you like to see a group like this take on as goals and tasks that would further the Kingdom in our neck of Christianity?  This will be a very interactive, open-space type of gathering so any idea or topic is open to discussion.

Bob

Also, on Monday, Feb 9th, at 7:00 pm we will be gathering at the Bend Brewery for the monthly Pub talk. Music will be provided by the Gladden brothers. If you want to engage with other postmodern thinkers in an open, non-judgmental conversation then this is the place to be on Monday. Great Beer and food are available for purchase.

I think this is interesting, however using Hitler and Nazi Germany as spoof may be a delicate line, this seems to toe it nicely.

I wonder about your thoughts on this video.

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving,

Greg

Also, this might be a good place to look: Tall Skinny Kiwi, Emergent Village, whatever you do

Flame on…?

Bob

Post-Modernism and the Death of the Western World
 
POST- MODERNISM really isn’t a culture, but an anti-culture. It’s what people do in the absence of authentic culture…it is a downward spiral into the abyss. 
 
At the opposite end of the spectrum lies what I call “ORGANIC CULTURE.” Organic cultures are typified most importantly by a “chain of being.” In such cultures an individual sees himself as one link in a family that extends back through innumerable generations. Such an individual also looks to the future and adjusts his time preferences to account for the needs of future generations. Respect of one’s ancestors and concern for one’s descendants are thus wrapped together in a religious and culture milieu that is of profound importance in everyday life. 
 
The Western world, beginning with the French Revolution and culminating in WW I is now drowning in the cesspool of post-modernism. Our intellectual and cultural elites have long since abandoned whatever remnants of organic culture they may have had and now totally embrace this new, dysfunctional cultural World view. 
 
This is of importance for several reasons. In particular, like Alexis de Tocqueville, I don’t believe a system of self-government can exist in the absence of an ethical people. A society of self-indulgent, cosmopolitan vagabonds cannot maintain a free republic. Our system is, in fact, breaking down all around us. The post-modern worldview, and its attendant self-destructive contradictions, is causing much of the decay we are now experiencing.
 
Specifically, post-modernism suffers from three major flaws that are leading to its (and our) demise.
 
1. ETHICAL RELATIVISM
Perhaps the most important task of any civilization is to develop a single, coherent system of morality (and to transmit that system to its youth). A functioning society requires almost continual interaction between citizens. And that, in turn, requires a high level of trust. Without that trust, and without a common set of principles on which to base it, the entire system unravels.
 
Post-modernism is marked by extreme relativism, secularism, and multiculturalism. In fact, post-modernism prides itself in its disdain for any system of ethics, believing this disdain represents “liberation” from oppressive social structures. We can see the results of this philosophy all around us. Sexual (im)morality, a decline in standards of dress, language, and behavior and a political leadership based on lies and deception, are some examples. 
 
2. AUTO-GENOCIDE
Post-modern culture treats children as an expensive and peculiar hobby, something like a curious fashion statement. If children are seen as a mere fashion accessory or an emotional indulgence, then one will do just as well as two (and much better than three or four). This attitude reveals itself in the demographic statistics of all societies that have adopted post-modernism. Across the Western world there has been a catastrophic collapse in birthrates. Over the next few decades, parts of Europe may see their populations fall in half. 
 
Organic culture views children in a radically different fashion, which was summed up brilliantly by Oswald Spengler in his seminal The Hour of Decision:
A woman of [tribe] does not desire to be a “companion” or a “lover,” but a mother; and not the mother of one child, to serve as a toy and distraction, but of many: the instinct of a strong tribe speaks in the pride that large families inspire….A man wants stout sons who will perpetuate his name and his deeds beyond his death into the future and enhance them, just as he has done himself through feeling himself heir to the calling and works of his ancestors.
 
Since the West has adopted the post-modern world model, it has only two choices: It can throw off the yoke of post-modernism and reestablish an organic culture that is capable of reproducing itself, or it will be colonized and overrun by other, more prolific cultures.
 
3. THE DEATH OF THE SACRED.
Post-modernism is a materialist philosophy to its very core. By “materialist,” I don’t mean greedy (though Heaven knows there is plenty of that), but rather I refer to the Marxist sense of the term. Post-modernism is anti-spiritual. It recognizes nothing beyond the immediate, concrete world. It has no higher aspirations and provides no spiritual sustenance to its adherents. 
 
Despite these materialist assertions, mankind needs a “reverence for the sacred” to inspire him to loftier heights. One need only walk into the Sistine Chapel or enjoy a Bach requiem mass to see the results of an artist’s soul being touched by the divine. 
 
The increasingly ugly and vulgar creations of our contemporary artistic world are, on the other hand, more likely a manifestation of post-modernism’s degeneration to its ultimate endgame: Nihilism. 
 
CONCLUSION:
It is difficult for contemporary generations to even imagine what has been lost. One of the reasons I enjoy cinematic productions of Jane Austen novels is for precisely this reason. It is fascinating to see what Western culture actually looked like before the collapse and to see how the people thought and acted. I’m fascinated by their complex manners, their vibrant sense of right-and-wrong, and their organic connection to their history (in Sense and Sensibility, even the bad guy, a total cad, carries a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets in his pocket). Western culture has been withering since the early 20th Century. Those of us born during or after the sixties social revolution have no living memory of even a vestigial remnant of Western culture, but rather have experienced only the degenerate post-modernism, drenched in stifling humanism, absurd universalism, and fatuous egalitarianism, that has dominated ever since. 
 
Post-modernism has led us down the primrose path to decadence. This system of decadence, however enticing and delectable it may sometimes be, is unsustainable. It cannot go on. It will ultimately end in bankruptcy, demographic implosion, or Road Warrior-style chaos. 
 
If one believes in Spengler’s view of civilization as akin to an organic life form, then the West cannot recover its earlier, more pristine self any more than a senior citizen can be reborn as an adolescent. In that case, the die is cast and we are finished. But if Spengler is wrong, then the possibility of a rebirth exists. Only time will tell. 
 
-Steven LaTulippe

The Emergent Village has finally responded to the survey they conducted last summer.

The letter is very wonderful as a statement of emerging values and future directions.

I suggest you read it and comment.

http://tinyurl.com/5pzwgt

Bob