huh...

yeah, so I just posted this new blog below.

I am not near as depressed as it sounds.

I promise.

I am in the middle of something SO MUCH BIGGER than me...

...and I dig it...

-rc

when life and job intersect...

I was thinking.

I was thinking about the fact ministry is a strange animal. There are vocations in the world that you go and do and then when you're done, you flip the switch off and you go home. Some jobs aren't like that. Ministry is not one of those jobs.

A former colleague said once that they loved ministry because you enter into the lives of people, sometimes at extreme ends of the spectrum, and they let you. God allows us all to be parts in each other's story. My lot in life is no different...and then some. I've performed a wedding, been part of funerals and committals, walked with kids through crud when their parents divorce...walked with kids when a parent dies suddenly.

I live my life along side the very people I serve, and when things get sticky or daunting, the line gets blurry.

For some reason, it feels like pockets of my life are heading on some collision course. Not necessarily a bad thing. Just different. I think that we all have different circles where we see people. For instance, I've got church people. Then there's family. Then there's my jOURney life. College friends/life. In fact, there's even a certain set of people that I only see at the chiropractor.

They all seem to be converging. It's strange. It's kinda like if a college friend married a family member. One side of the room people know you one way, and the other side have seen your bare butt from when you were a baby.

The more I think about it, the more I'm gaining confidence that we weren't meant to live compartmental lives. It's all converging at a time where God is teaching me that being the body is not about learning with your head about something, it's about conforming to someone. Perhaps I, we, whomever need to quit relying on our mouths so much and conform our lives to that of Jesus. (see jOURney january newsletter)

And I don't know where the line is between Ryan and Pastor Ryan...

I think God's erasing it...

...hmpf...cool...

I thought this was a good way to spend a few minutes. It made me laugh.

juggling act

So, these last few days have been crazy for me. Between a ski trip being planned and the jOURney launch just a few days away it's been crazy. I find myself in a strange place (kinda). I know that I am living a life, but it doesn't feel like mine. But whomever it belongs to...it rocks!!

Never have I been involved in such a widespread...well...whatever it is you call what I'm in. I can say that there is going to be a tremendous outpouring of God sometime soon. All roads in my life are heading in some general direction, and that's good...I just don't know where that is.

I have been spending the last few days getting re-connected with lots of folks from different 'pockets' of my life. It's been great and surreal all at the same time. I miss everyone I don't see with any amount of regularity. That's the truth.

I am awed by the breadth of God's scope and plan. and God's faithfulness. and God's love.

the support of my family. A. and the boy, they rock.

this is short, introspective, ramble-ish...

...and honest

peace out, yo

a couple of new additions

I wanted to take the time and update some of the links on the bottom left of the page. Some of the newer links are jOURney's home on facebook and a link to the Journey Newsletter, which gives a great look at what we're about and who we are.

If you are reading this and find the time, I'd invite you to check them out as well as the other links listed.

later...

Thanks for everything...

Most overused statistic (in my opinion)

I heard it again. Tonight, I heard it again. I heard what I think is the most overused statistic that 'church folk' use to plea for the those in the flock to 'reach the world for Christ.' The stat? Polls show that a majority of Americans are open to spirituality more than they have been in for some time. It's true. The stat, I mean. Many folks are.

Why is it then that most people that quote this particular piece of info often follow it up with some statement about how the world needs Jesus or that we need to preach the good news to everyone in our de-Christianized society. I heard it spoken again tonight. That exact same stat with that exact same line to follow it. I found myself asking...what exactly does that mean? If I told you to preach the gospel or the good news, what does that mean?

People may be interested in spiritual things, but I'm sure they're NOT open to the pre-packaged answers that accompany our efforts to 'reach the lost.' I think the mainstream church has lost the ability to desire even to embrace the mystery of the gospel. Even our mystery is pre-packaged.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to teach a world religions class, and the first thing I had the students learn were the major factors that make something a religion; one of the key components was mystery, that is to say that there are elements of a belief system that simply cannot be known. We haven't taught people how to be okay with mystery, or even more how to embrace it.

I think that folks are ready to explore the mystery of spirituality, and our church speak is confusing. Why? Because it sounds like an answer. There comes a point in time when we have to be okay with having frank and open conversation about matters of faith. Our doubts, fears, the things that make no sense...all those things and more. We are going to have to live in the tensions of human minds trying to articulate something that we simply can't.

We can only articulate what God is like. Anyone that has encountered the one, true, living God knows what god is like. The only ways we can begin to articulate the way that God is, is by emulating what God is like. It doesn't even really help, or at least it never helped me, to simply say that I'm 'messed up.' What does that mean? We all are. Messed up people don't need folks to reciprocate their wording. We talk about being 'messed up,' but we never actually say to what extent we're 'messed up.'

Not that we have to know that about each other. It's the mystery of our existence, our lives with each other, our lives as Christians that the world is interested in. How does my doubt and the things I don't get fit into God's redemptive purpose in the world? That's a mystery...

May we be a church that embraces rather than seeks to eliminate the mystery of God and God's church...

Repeated blows to the forehead for 3 hours straight

Just watched my guys lay an egg in Glendale, AZ.

Might have been the worst game I've ever watched from beginning to end.

How long until pitchers and catchers report?

A little less and a little more all at the same time...

Remember my inner conflict? Well, in some ways it's dwindled and in some ways it's become stronger. I am relatively unsurprised that many of Oprah's critics have begun to talk. Most have gone with the 'why didn't she do this in US?' Honestly, I can't blame her for going overseas with this whole idea. For two reasons:

1. Less red tape after the school is open. My hunch is that the South African government would be more hands-off than any type of governing body in the States would be. I'm not saying that's a good thing (or a bad thing), it's just likely the case.

2. Frankly, why should we should we in the US have to rely on people like Oprah's benevolence. It speaks to a fundamental issue, at least it does for me. That is, how did the most wealthy and resourced nation in the history of the world become so crummy at taking care of its own? Any educator can tell you (in great detail I might add) the many holes we have in the ways we fund our schools. In fact, the Ohio supreme court has declared our system unconstitutional and our best solution in recent years has been legalized gambling and the lottery. Great...

So, needless to say for any number of reasons, our government needs some help on this one.

My question, is there any reason that our churches haven't stepped up in overseas efforts to educate people. It seems that we 'educate' people about Jesus (and rightly so) but our efforts in helping people become citizens of the world are falling short. It seems that efforts to educate people about the needs of the 'least of these' worldwide should be higher up on the list than it is.

Don't we have some sort of calling to do something preventative? Isn't that what the teachings of the Bible are? Aren't they on some level efforts to prevent us from going down paths that aren't God-glorifying or efforts to keep us safe in one way or another? Couldn't we look at funding things like abstinence education in Africa, OR putting our massive amount of dollars together to do what Oprah did with no other agenda other than to make people better citizens of the world and to understand how to be someone's NEIGHBOR?

I have an idea why...because we can't agree on how we tell people about Jesus when they get to where they're listening. Some folks think you do it one way or maybe with a tract or even with a megaphone. I happen to remember that there were times when Jesus did things for people and didn't want them to tell who had done it. Education, in this sense, doesn't need a big 'Jesus' sticker plastered on it. People just need educated about some very important things.

Our ability to be unified (or lack of unity) is the single biggest challenge facing the church. We focus more on being right than being Jesus...and being Jesus is inherently right...

Conflicted, but I don't really know why...

This morning on the way home from the Y, a story came across NPR. They were doing a story on Oprah and the $40 million school she built in South Africa. I must admit, I often have a knee-jerk reaction to Oprah and it's often not great. I can't decide how I feel about the school.

Actually, I know how I feel about the school. It's a fantastic thing. Educational opportunites for 150 7th grade-aged girls in Africa. Fantastic. Did I mention that another criteria for this school is that the family has to be under a certain income level. No doubt this school will be a great thing, and since Oprah owns...uh...earth maybe, it's great to see someone doing something with such a possibility of impact.

It's all the peripheral stuff that was in the report (and article in the local newspaper) that stirred the pot a little bit for me. The NPR reporter interviewed a couple of the accepted girls. Yup, Oprah hand selects all of the students in the school...all 150 of them. So, the girls get into the school and are asked a series of questions by the NPR reporters and their responses sounded so canned. Sounds insensative, I know, but they did. Each of the girls interviewed had aspirations to the presidency of South Africa.

On some level, it sounded like the girls knew what to say to Oprah to get in, and what to say to the reporters who were there at the opening. It almost reminded me of being in Mexico and having every person selling something, every child selling something even, saying the same thing. Even when one started to haggle with the owner of one of the markets, the verbage and pace and tone and everything was the same from person to person to person.

From all reports the facility has state of the art everything, and the idea for the place came from a conversation Oprah had with Nelson Mandela. Oprah even said in her speach upon opening the school that its opening was 'her destiny realized.' Of course, a new school should have state of the art everything. The library has books and computers and learning centers for the students to study...and fireplaces for them to read and study by...and a beauty salon...in the library. The rationale was that when you look and feel your best, you do your best. I can buy that...but not in a library. It toes a little too close to Starbucks in Barnes and Noble because people like to read with a hot drink in tow.

So, I'm conflicted, but not sure why. We should all expect a gazillionaire to give a little back, especially an American one since our great nation monopolizes so much of the worlds resources. Oprah gave back, and gives back time and time again. Shouldn't we in our own little corners of wherever we are?

Part 2 comes tomorrow: Why the church in its current state wouldn't probably be able to build something like this...

By the way, you can listen to the NPR report here or you can read the article here.

What then should we do...

A response. The response of those listening to John the Baptist. Forgive me as I have to have somewhere to get some thoughts out for consideration. This blog is going to be my place for it today.

An interesting question, a response to John's preaching. John is merely doing his job, pronouncing the coming of Jesus. He talks about the obstacles that Jesus is going to overcome. Hill and mountains (depending on the translation) made low. Valleys being lifted up...words describing the leveling of the playing field so to speak.

Repent, the Kingdom of God is near. John uses the imagery of fire and water. "I baptize you with water, but one is coming who will baptize with fire..." Water makes things clean, fire can change the nature of something. It transforms. I've never heard this as an allusion to 'repent or you'll go to hell.' Think about it. When is the last time you heard those words? Probably the last time you saw bullhorn guy (thanks Nooma). I don't think Jesus came to burn us up...he came to change our nature. Good thing too...he showed us what nature to turn into.

There are three major times in the NT when the 'what should we do' comes into play. First, here in Luke 3...I'll get back there in a sec. Next, Acts 2:37, and the listeners are told to repent. Repent=say I'm sorry and work at allowing God to change your nature on _______ issue. Next, Acts 9:6...Saul's conversion to Paul, Saul can't see and is told to go into the city and he'll be told what to do. Jesus doesn't threaten him (never really thought of it this way until now) just asks why he's persecuting him. Paul is not burnt up with 'fire,' the fire of Jesus changes his nature.

Next Acts 16:30, Paul and Silas in jail. Big earthquake, doors opened but nobody leaves. Jailer: 'What must I do...' Paul: believe on Jesus. Jailer gives Paul a meal the next day (and some medical attention). No fires, no hell, just a penitent heart.

Finally, back to Luke. John uses all his repentance stuff. The people respond, 'what should we do?' Answer? Give away your extra clothes, treat people fairly, do your job honorably...someone is coming who can and will change your nature, I mean come with fire. It seems that firey hell wasn't part of the plan, and doesn't sound like Jesus came to send us there. Doesn't even really sound like Jesus came to keep us out of there.

Seems that Jesus wants to change our nature into his. You light something on fire and pretty soon it's all fire and you can't tell the difference between what was and wasn't on fire to begin with.

John? A social activist? No, not John. He uses that fire language...

Hmpf...turns out you can be both, and be better for it...

See, he's crazy, not stupid...

it's late...

...after our first family Christmas gather of the season. My Dad got me a wireless router for Christmas, and now I can sit on my comfy couch and blog away. Tonight, I found my way to the God's Politics blog and have done some reading. I wanted to share a little bit; I have thoughts and here they come...

Labels just stink, don't they? The more I think of it, the more it seems like labels emerge because we just don't have the time to get to know a broad base of folks. Some of the labels that have been re-occurring in my path over the past few days:

Christian Right- label given to anyone that voted for Bush based only on issues of abortion, same-sex union, and even Iraq since Hussein was (at least for a period of time) the anti-Christ. If this is you, you tend to think that James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson are the 21st century names of guys like John, Peter, and Phillip. Can't you just hear it in the text? "Simon, who is called Dr. Dobson." You may think that homosexuality is a communicable disease, and of all the stuff God said that God didn't like, this is the worst. Not because that thought ever came out that ever came out of a mouth, it's just the impression that I get.

Progressive Christianity- If you're a coffeehouse jumping, post-modern, almost social activist, than this you. You may or may not like it, but progressive is just another word for liberal and you might feel like the people at church might lynch you for voting for Kerry. After all, if you're not conservative than you must be liberal, right? (see above description) The dualism of the established church just ticks you off--or as I call it either/or-ism; you're more likely to sip your latte and be ticked with your friends than do anything about it.

Red Letter Christian- you're a baptist that might actually talk to someone who's had an abortion or sex with a partner of the same gender. In an effort to distance yourself from an intolerant bunch of folks, you've given yourself a whole new name to be known by. The Jesus Seminar has categorized you folks (basing this next statement on color alone) as the one's who follow what we are most certain Jesus actually said...so good then, I guess.

Homosexual- your life revolves around sex. Your orientation is the sum total of your personality and personhood, so you've got that going for you. The crusade to legalize same sex unions are more about proving a point than love for your 'partner' and to make those crazies on the right squirm. That's precisely why we see footage of two guys getting married and see them SWAK the marriage with a little tongue. You hate Eminem, are more likely to be a member of PETA and are a better dancer than me.

And the list could go on and on...

Ticked off yet? Labels suck, don't they?

Anyone besides me ready to stop using them to refer to people?

John Burke, in his book, No Perfect People Allowed, says that we must all live in the tension of the Scriptures...that there are things in the bible that don't add up in our minds. The only way to live 'in the tension' is to create an atmosphere of dialogue and be ready to admit your own struggles and shortcomings and that you may have to say 'I don't know' in a conversation about Jesus.

I am committing to try to eliminate the labels from my lexicon and enter into relationship and conversation with people...

...who's in with me...

Oh, yeah...Merry Christmas, friends...

Interesting discussion

Jim Wallis- one of this days most prophetic progressive Christian voices has one of the more interesting blogs I've run across. This video is on it:



Love to hear your thoughts on it...

today...

Yeah, so not really in a good mood. Just finished teaching Sunday school, and I am finding myself having less and less patience. And, no, I'm not losing patience with the kids...it's their parents. Actually it's really not the parents either. I think it's the bubble of mediocrity that people have pitched their tents in.

I just finshed up spending an hour with kids...didn't mention Jesus. Not that one has to mention Jesus to have a good experience, but I don't know how much longer I can go on feeling no support from several of the families here. Don't get me wrong, there are some great things and great people here, but when it comes to values expressed in words and values expressed in actions (as in what the people value in a youth ministry)...yeah, so not quite equal.

I really feel like I'm doing all that I can, and I don't want to blame stuff on other people because I know what that looks like and sounds like. Like I DO NOT want to come off as 'I could do better if the rest of you gave me a little help here.' But that's how I feel. Like I feel the words, but not the arrogance that statement portrays.

Is this what youth ministry really feels like? Was I on some utopian youth ministry planet until we moved here?

I will persevere. We have a white elephant Christmas thing this afternoon. Doesn't sound like anyone's coming, but we'll see.

We'll see...

hee hee hee

made me smile. there are several of these on youtube (thanks DG) I shall post some more at a later time...

-rc

Warm and Fuzzy

All of your well wishes as I step in Mac world are much appreciated. I LOVE that thing already. I will never go back...unless I win some sweepstakes, but you've got to play to win, right?

Now that everything is official, I'd like to be less cryptic about my life over the past couple of months. God has been doing some mighty crazy stuff and there have been a few of us that have been privileged to be part of what God's doing here in this community. Two churches, mine and one from down the street (literally!) have put their trust in God and their young, dare I say, post-modern leaders. If you read my blog with regularity, you may have noticed the links on the right. Two such links are Five02 and Journey. Five02 being the 'post-modern' (dang it I hate labels!!) community effort of St. Marks UMC and Journey, the 'post-modern' (did I mention I can't stand labels) effort of St. Paul's UMC have co-op'ed into a new relationship.

It's still called Journey and their link remains the same. Five02 has merged into Journey...which is in the form of a church plant. The cool thing is that...

(it should be said that I just took at 10 minute break to read the boy books and put him to bed. tonight's selection? Walter the Farting Dog goes on a Cruise)

...there are several other of these communities springing up in town. Some have spaces, some are meeting in homes, and for the most part many of us are keenly aware that there is something much bigger going on than any of us have ever been a part of. It's a very exciting time.

Now, over the past few weeks, you have read some of my laments about the ways that some aspects of church get it wrong. Conversations happened that I would've much rather never have been a part of. In the midst of prfound peace I experienced moments of despair--thinking that it MIGHT be possible for something to go nuts and have bunches of people collectively turn their backs on God and stick a fork in the whole idea. But they didn't.

For my wife and I, these are very exciting times. Even the boy, now nearly two, can distinguish between 'church' and 'new church' as I straddle the line as youth director in place and worship leader in another. I have went to bat for God, God's vision, and for my Mac (which is a deeper seeded issue than one might think). I am at the same time exhausted and energized.

My partner, Journey's founding pastor, is in Europe right now and will be there for the next several weeks going thru an adoption process. Pray for him, his wife, and his kids...one he's met and is now 4 and one they'll meet there and bring home. I have never felt so comfortably polarized.

So, if you want to, visit us online by clicking here

-rc

Oh...my...WORD

Someone got their MacBook a couple days early!!

While I am still adjusting to the mac life, I couldn't be more excited about actually having the thing in front of me.

Yeah, so I'm not sure if I can convey the sheer, pure, excitement I'm feeling...

Yay for my mighty mouse too...

Rock on!!

Mac Watch: Day 3

The Mighty mouse has indeed arrived...woo hoo!

Backpack: en route...should see it tomorrow...

The MacBook...has shipped FINALLY!! ETA? Monday...grrr

This is why you listen to the wisdom of the the guy that says 'it'll will be fine and if we wait much past Thanksgiving, all the shoppers will be buying stuff and our precious 1-3 day shipping becomes precaiously 5-7 day shipping'

BUT...it is coming, and I'll be waiting with open arms...

Mac Watch: Day 2

The mighty mouse and the back pack have shipped. Mighty Mouse may be here today. The Applecare Plan is to be here already though I've not heard anything about it.

The MacBook hasn't shipped yet though...argh!

My frustration runs deep on this one...

..deeper than FedEx anyway...

Mac watch

Day 1...nothing...

My mighty mouse shipped, but no word on the mac...

That thing needs to get here today

For real