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karen
ward
emergingchurch.org
1)
how
would you define "postmodern culture."
i
wouldn't.
maybe
YOU would.
that's
fine… 4 YOU.
i'm
in solidarity with where, like, you're at on this…
so,
you go boy!
don't
fight the karma!
define
anything you like…
but
i'd rather not.
I
mean, come on?
DEFINE?
Rootword = de-finire.
= TO SET BOUNDS = a thinly guised will to power!
uh
huh… you may wanna go there, but I'm not coming with
(unless you just need a companion)
it
seems like an innocent question, right?
(said the spider to the fly)
didn't
mean any harm by it?
NO
ONE EVER DOES, so join the club…
scratch
that!
some
of us "middle passage" people were never
allowed in the club (unless to clean it)
you
may not have CHOSEN this POWER, but you BENEFIT from it.
COMPRENDE?
anyway,
vie du wilst…
it's
all good! isn't
it? (well,
if you believe in good. I have my doubts…)
you
defend the right to be BEAR ARMS.
i
defend the right to ARM BEARS.
WHATEVER
AND EVER. AMEN
one
"man's" definition is another persons
POWER-PLAY
let's
just
fuh-gahd-about-it
besides,
who has time to fight any LAME POWER…that's so
sixties, UGH!!!
better
to ignore it, Ay?
defining
culture?
can
we say JIHAD?
bor-ing…
why
try and define anything?
the
things that matter most to all of us can't be defined.
we
can't define the wisdom of the wise, or the love of a
friend, or what makes us laugh or cry…
all
we can do is experience those things and know in our
hearts that they are real.
instead
of defining our culture, let's just groove with some.
so
why don't you invite me out for sushi and grits?
afterwards,
we can go find a decent turkish hookah bar, chill to
some nusrat fateh ali khan,
or
israel kamakawiwo'ole and just chill.
p.s.
if you haven't heard kamakawiwo'ole's version of
"somewhere over the rainbow,"
use
your MORPHEUS and nab that KILLER tune.
2)
i
love your term "emerging ethos" can you unpack
that term for us? i
can't unpack it too much as it is still emerging! I like
to use the term "emerging ethos" when talking
about churches, church movements and networks that are
native (rather than immigrant) to the postmodern era.
the majority (not all) of such churches and networks are
being founded by members of native postmodern
generations (post 1960 born). such churches
(like www.seaq.org,
www.thebridgechurch.com
and www.vineyardcentral.com
) and networks (like www.emergentvillage.org
and www.theooze.com)
seem to have a discernibly different ethos that churches
and organizations founded previously. by
"ethos" I mean "footprint" or
"modus operandi," their way of seeing and
being that is native to the postmodern culture, so as to
communicate gospel (not culture) to postmodern people.
the
term "gen x church" is too limiting, as the
postmodern orientation and outlook overlaps with, but
goes beyond just age. and the term "postmodern
church" is also a misnomer, because the church is
not postmodern, we are. human epochs change and will
continue to change from pre-modern, to modern, to
postmodern, and post-postmodern… but god and gospel
are the same yesterday, today and forever. the
only descriptors that I find really useful for god's
church are "one, holy, catholic and
apostolic." these descriptors are not the newest
buzz words from some pomo guru's latest book, but come
from the nicene creed.
to
me, "emerging ethos" churches seem to share
many of the following traits:
a
flat and loose structure
a "plan/do" rather than maoist blueprint for
action
a non-interest in building huge "campuses" or
mini fiefdoms
a low maintenance meta, not high maintenance mega feel
a communal rather than programmed lifestyle
biblical, rather than self-improvement teaching
a respect for deep core tradition and symbols.
seeking
authenticity more than "excellence"
no fear of vulnerability in the world, and before God
a distaste for spit and polish
a comfort with technology as a tool (not a panacea).
a view that all are seekers
a
view that all need real worship (not entertainment).
a non-interest in parsing worship into
"styles"
a desire for cruciform, rather than self-actualized
living
a vocabulary devoid of the word "contemporary"
a need to know, more than to "know about" god
a focus on growth in the love of god
a orientation to faith as journey, not destination
a view of conversion as process not moment
a need to grow "into the stature of christ,"
more than to out-size a community
church growth (in numbers) that is sideways and not up
a
thirst for justice
a belief that the love of god is made real in love and
service to neighbors... which is our spiritual worship.
for
a more in-depth profile about such churches and why they
are sprouting up (mostly undetected, like holy weeds
growing beside mega and modernist church lawns), check
out the book "in search of authentic faith,"
by steve rabey. you can get it off my site at http://www.emergingchurch.org/resources.html
3)
how
do you see outreach being best accomplished in a
postmodern culture?
the
best "method" i can think of for doing
outreach in a postmodern culture, is basically, the
"jesus method." not necessarily in a "wwjd"
way, but in a way which realizes that in our postmodern
and post-chrisitan culture, it may not always be clear
to us what jesus would do in every particular situation,
but because god has gifted us with the holy spirit, we
have the capacity to discern what it is we are to do, in
harmony with the great and two-fold commandment that
christ has given us, "to love god, and serve
neighbor," as therein is all the law and the
prophets.
outreach
in the postmodern context needs to be relational,
incarnational, honest and just. it involves: sharing (without arrogance or proof texting) the story of what god
has done and is doing in the world through jesus christ.
embodying that story in how you live your life before god. accompanying
others as they enter the story and journey to faith
and discipleship, teaching new believers to observe the things, which the lord has
commanded (rather than marketing the faith or trying to
meet superficial "needs" ).
the
heart of outreach in the postmodern context is embodying
the faith, as st. francis said, "preach the gospel
at all times, and if necessary, use words." how you
treat others… how tread upon the earth…how your
conduct life… all speak volumes. the reason the
message of the early church was heard is because they
practiced what they preached. they cared for orphans,
widows and all in need, and had love for one another
that was obvious to the world.
outreach
in the postmodern context will also mean hanging up the
"bait and switch" and trying to lure people
into becoming "members." loving those who come
to us with god's own heart, means putting out to pasture
our "head-counting" agendas. it will mean
creating free and open space within our communities
where the spirit can blow where it wills and where
seekers can have the time and breathing room they need
to explore the faith, try on the christian way of life,
count the cost of discipleship, and discern for
themselves if the way of christ will become their own
way (or not).
out-reaching
churches in the postmodern era will be confident, loving
and brave enough
to provide for the exit as well as the entrance of seekers. real doors are thresholds. a door with a way in, but
with no way out, is not really a door, but a trap. the
church is not in the business of trapping, but of
flowing with the spirit as it moves in peoples' lives.
this kind of honest, relational, agenda-free and process
oriented outreach is nothing new, as it was practiced by
the early church.
for
more grist read robert webber's book "journey to
jesus- the worship, evangelism, and future mission of
the church."
4)
how
would you define authentic worship?
authentic
worship is god-directed, christ-centered,
spirit-infused, heart-felt, biblical, just, communal,
experiential, participatory and culturally accessible.
5)
community
is central for postmodern culture. how do you see
"home groups" helping develop community - or
do you?
i
believe that nurturing small, cell-based communities is
key to the well-being and mission of the 21st
century church. in the case of many true emerging ethos
churches, they will not just have home churches, they
will become a "network of home churches." it
only makes sense, as human beings are by nature "pak"
animals, and post-moderns especially are in tune with
this, as we of the "friends generation" don't
make a seriuos move without our posse in tow!.
when
people (especially when seeking, broken or hurting ) get
lost in a huge herd they can suffer, but when they band
together with a smaller intimate pak (even while still
belonging to a larger herd) they can prosper… the same
applies for the church. this is nothing new, its pretty
book of acts… so we are kind of going "back to
the future" by re-vamping this ancient christian
pattern for use in the future christian church.
6)
do
you see denominations working together and closing the
'we got it right" gap and working closer in the
future? why or why not? absolutely,
and it's about time. postmodern seekers are asking
primary questions about life and meaning, like "who
is god, and does god matter?" and "who am i,
and do i matter? they are not asking about who is a
presbyterian or non-denominational or pentecostal. not
that our distinctive gifts don’t matter…they are the
spice in the kingdom's soup. the point is, in our
pluralistic, postmodern and secular world, the only
title that truly matters for all of us is christian,-
that we really are, and that others can see christ in
us.
once
people hitch their lives to the reign of god, and give
their hearts to christ, they can then wander around the
kingdomspace to compare, ponder, evaluate and then
decide whose play-room in god's mansion they want to
hang out in.
i'm
pretty comfortable in my own lutheran room (as it has
the best beer), but i put my ear to the wall in the
pentecostal room, causes they have the kickin' music,
and I love to raid the adjoining anglican room when its
sherry hour.
7)
you
have got to be one of the most creative people i have
ever seen in a long time, what part does that creativity
play in your planting a church?
a
lot I hope. to me, the faith and the church are like
jazz. there is a central theme (god in christ) and
endless spirit driven variations that each person and
gathered community brings. and its not really about my
creativity, it is the creativity in the people who will
together to make up the body. I see my role as being a
talent scout, booking agent, curate and cheerleader of
what god is doing among god's people. i'll spend my time
hooking up and connecting the artists (god's people),
coaching theory and harmony, and scheduling practice
times … i'll help set up the regular weekly gigs, and
occasionally blow the pitch pipe to keep everyone in
tune. then I'll sit back, dim the lights, relax and
enjoy the kingdom jam.
any
closing thoughts?
"the
true measure of each human being is not in being
superior to other human beings, but becoming superior to
your former self."
for us christians, this means trusting in
god's mercy, doing justice, loving kindness, living
joyfully, and growing into the full stature of god in
christ.
each
week we strive to offer a different person from the postmodern christian world
answer
seven questions. these questions are designed for no reason except
to have fun and learn what is happening in the christian world with this
generation. if you would like to be part of this community
building activity, let us know. if you know of someone you would
like to hear from, let us know. if you have questions you would
liked to see answered by a certain person, let us know - this feature is
designed for you, with you in mind.
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