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richard
burley
founding
pastor at the branch in austin texas
1. I ask
this question of everyone, because I believe it is a
good starting point - what do you feel is the most
important part of the postmodern movement?
I'll probably end up
repeating this in answering another question, but I'd
have to say that being accessible and real is most
important. Sure, artistic things are important.
But if we aren't genuine and willing to put in the time
to get to know people, on their level, we're done for.
Generation X for example, was raised largely in homes
with absent parents (both physically and emotionally).
Their need for belonging is powerful. Do you think
they care one iota about glitz, and polish, and
programs? Heck no! They can smell schmooze a
mile away. We need to be ourselves, love them in
Christ unconditionally. Now, admittedly, this is
easier said then done. And I'll be the first to
admit that some of these folk scare the weezles out of
me! But, Jesus was always hanging out with the
unclean of that day, and openly declaring His love for
them. We should do the same. After all, not
many of us were saved at birth. We were all lost
once.
2. how
do you see the truth of Christ in a world of "no
absolute truth?"
I think my biggest
surprise lately is how important it is for us to cling
adamantly to the absolute nature of what Truth is.
In an age where universalism has become the most common
mode of thought, preaching Jesus as "the way, the
truth, and the life" is so very important.
That means really sticking to our guns and not being
wishy-washy about what we believe and yet relating to
lost people in a gentle and respectful manner. I
read a great quote from Mark Driscoll (from Mars
Hill in Seattle) awhile back. Mark said something
like(and I am paraphrasing...sorry if you are reading
this Mark!) "When people come to Mars Hill, they
shouldn't be surprised that we talk a lot about Jesus. If
you go to the super market, are you surprised that
there is a lot of food there? Mars Hill
is a church. So, don't be surprised when we
talk alot about God."
The beauty of
postmodernism is that it really is an open forum.
The greatest taboo in society today is
"intolerance". So, our views as
Christians (in theory) by unwritten pomo law are equally
valid. We should really push this! I have
found that, if we deal respectfully with non-believers
and really listen to them, they will usually return the
favor.
Also, I think its
essential that we be really sensitive to the Holy
Spirit. We may be called to do or say some really
surprising things to get through to people! In the
end, it is God's operation, we're just the
messenger/servants. It is God who has been calling
these people since before they were born, and only He
knows their hearts and where they are at. I think
that if we will humble ourselves continually before God,
not try to be too hip and pretentious, we will be amazed
at what God ends up doing in our midst!
3. the
branch is a new community of faith in austin tx, how do
you "get out into the community" and let
people know about your community of faith?
From the very beginning
the Branch has been a God-thing. And though we are
scarcely a year old, and quite small, God has already
done some pretty amazing things with us. For
example during Easter, we hosted an art show at a coffee
shop where a lot of postmoderns hang out. We
invited artists (saved or not) from all over Austin to
create and show works (of various mediums) on the theme
of "Christ's view on the cross". In the
end, we had several paintings and a couple sculptures
that were really amazing! The show was so well
received that the owner of the coffee shop (who was
pretty abrasive towards organized religion) wanted us to
do an art showcase every week! In addition to
that, our worship team not long ago played at
a secular "biker" rally (which amazingly well
received) and several of our members were heavily
involved in co-sponsoring the "Epicenter"
worship conference (with ministry people coming as far
away as Europe all the way to Austin). And, in the
future we are planning to do some servant evangelism
type stuff in the community around where we are meeting
now. Also, we continue to explore ideas on how to
make our website more interactive and content filled.
A lot of this is kind of experimentation. Like I
said, we are still pretty young.
Finally (and most
importantly) I just want to say that, though
projects and activities are cool, its no replacement for
seeking God with our whole beings. The branch
is gifted with some amazing people who are humble, real,
and give generously of themselves. That's is what
drew my wife Deb and I to the Branch. People
will want to know Christ IF the Gospel becomes real to
them. That's what we are striving for.
4. what
do you see as the hardest challenge the church will face
in the coming decades?
Wow, that's a tough
question. Tough because there are so many
challenges. But, I'd have to say the biggest
challenge to the church is division. Sure there
have been a few times in history when separation was
warranted. But lets face it, there have been some
really silly separations! We can't agree on
anything it would seem. And anyone who thinks that
this doesn't have an impact on the lost...think again!
They are watching us like hawks! No wonder people
have such a jaundiced view of organized religion.
The Bible says that we shall be known by the love we
have for another. If we could just get that one
down, we will have accomplished a great deal and we will
probably make a real difference in advancing the
Kingdom.
5. what
do you see is the role the church will play in those challenges
over the next few decades?
As an optimist, if the
Lord should tarry, I'd have to say that the church will
likely overcome most of its major division problems.
What I am guessing is that the real stiff-necked,
legalistic side of the church will die out due to sheer
lack of relevance to the culture. They simply
won't survive. Equally, the more liberal
churches that don't want to believe in the full
authority of God's Word and who consequently accept
various evils will naturally remove themselves from
the church. So, what we will likely be left with
is a more unified Body of Christ with denominations
meaning less and less. After all, this clearly
God's heart. On top of that, we will probably see
more of the church becoming experience and artistic
in orientation. It will likely continue to explore
numerous creative ways to reach out to do ministry.
How this will be done
will depend on the local culture. In some areas
maybe house churches will be most effective. In
others maybe neo-liturgical gatherings. Maybe
Charismatic renewals. Who knows? The sky's
the limit with this sort of creativity.
6. what
role do you see culture has in the church?
I recently read The
Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III.
I am not wanting to do a cheesy plug here, just to say
that this book really has revolutionized the way that I
am beginning to see how culture relates to church in a "pomo"
context. Given that postmoderns define
"truth" through experience (and
co-validation), culture is EVERYTHING. For
example, the Celtic Christians developed a culture that
was both inviting, relevant, and real to the surrounding
barbarians. These Celtic missionaries did something
radical: they accepted pagans into their communities and
honored and loved them. The Celtic Christians
lived the Gospel. Their whole lives were living
testimonies to Christ. Therefore, there was no
reason for the Barbians not to accept what these Jesus
followers were saying.
Isn't it interesting
that now, we find ourselves surrounded by a largely
"barbarian/pagan" culture? In this way,
the Church culture is what is going to speak loudest to
the chaotic barbarian cultures and turn people's hearts
back to their Creator-Sustainer God.
7. what
do you see as the future of cowboys in the nfl?
LOL! What happens
to old cowboys? Do they just fade away like
old soldiers? I wish I could say that I am much of
a football fan, but I'm not. But the skinny from
my fellow Austinites seems to be a general feeling of
disinterest. I'm afraid to say that it's darn hard
to find a true Cowboys fan these days. Too many
disappointments I guess.
your closing thoughts - anything
you desire to share with us?
Hmmmm, I think I've
pretty much worn out my welcome. I do want to
thank everyone at the www.ginkworld.net for giving the soap
box for awhile. Its so encouraging to see the love
in the Body so alive like this. I look forward to
working along side of Y'all as the world becomes smaller
(and decidedly less solid).
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