thanks to Melanie for sharing this with our community yesterday.  simple, direct, not too long

First, I should begin by saying that I am part of an awesome reading group – all practitioners and thinkers who are really wrestling with the challenging ideas Bosch presents.  Every time we meet, our discussions are always personal and meaningful, never purely philosophical.  Yes!  As such, no need to give  abook report of the chapter.  Rather, just want to offer a few thoughts on two quotes/idea from this particular chapter on the Church’s thoughts on mission in the Greek Patristic era.  They aren’t necessarily even major points of the section, but ones that jumped out at me.  Can’t wait to hear what Tom has to say on this chpater, as this era is where he has been studying.

“In the final analysis, it was not the miracles of the itinerant evangelists and wandering monks that impressed the populace – miracle workers were a familiar phenomenon in the ancient world – but the exemplary lives of ordinary Christians” (p. 191, referencing Kretschmar).

Is this true, or do I just want it to be?  I DO believe that the greatest witness is a transformed life.  But where we live, miracle workers sure do get a lot of press, and there are plenty to go around.  I suppose part of the argument is that miracles draw crowds, but changed lives keep them coming.  But what about revolutions?  Isn’t there always some spark – generally a person or a few people – who exemplify, demonstrate, and propagate something new?  To be fair Bosch continues to spell out what these changed lives looked like and how this was so counter cultural at the time that people couldn’t help but notice.

Maybe that’s the better measure – lives transformed not just to “good” – but to radically different from and prophetic to – the culture around us.  I can get behind that.  Sadly, when we envision a life changed by Jesus, it is generally so pedestrian that I don’t think many people notice at all.  I don’t mean that we all have to become John the Baptist types, but I do think we have exceptionally low understanding and expectation for the life God would hope for us… that He has made possible for us…. that could indeed transform our world.

Are you with me people?

Second quote:

“…For a while, the church had to forfeit its opportunity for rapid growth ; it devoted its time and energy to finding clarity on crucial theological issues and to consolidating internally” (p. 200).

Hmmmm.  Can it be that all those eras of Church history that I look on with disdain, the ones where we spent more time arguing with ourselves than extending God’s love to anyone else, might have actually been necessary?  Granted, Bosch is not justifying all the crapola in Church history.  But he does give me reason to pause and drop some of my judgmental attitude.  I do believe in seasons of rest, rhythms of life – maybe that applies [and should/must apply] to the Church itself?

Case in point – the Church today.  Are we still seriously arguing about the rapture, emerging church, and original sin?  Yes we are.  And I have so little time for it.  BUT, maybe we’re in one of those times of regrouping.  Makes sense.  We’ve come off a long run of being the big influence in culture and are now faced with our loss of voice.  I don’t think anyone still tries to argue that we are in the middle of massive paradigm shift.  Everything is changing.  So, maybe we do need to get our act together.  I still don’t think that means endless arguments over trivia to the neglect of partnering with God’s Kingdom, but maybe it’s not that either/or.  And MAYBE we actually do need to get it together to address whatever our world will look like tomorrow.  Not the message, but certainly how it is presented lived.

That’s a beauty of Bosch’s work.  He makes such a good case that the Church has indeed approached mission (and it’s own self-understanding) quite differently over the ages.  No need to fear change, or think we are being unfaithful to the Church of the ages.  Rather, this is how God has always worked, and presumably will continue.

How will we respond?

May your life be transformed today, even if it means resting a bit.  I find that sometimes, this is when God does the most work in us.

• Tyler Savage – wasn an apprentice with NCSA.  Now part of forming a missional community in Germany.
• 2009 NCSA apprentices – Adrienne Mickler, Chris Kamalski, Curtis Love, Melanie Lorenz
• Old Jews telling jokes – hilariously jokes on tuesdays and thursdays
• Tim Brown – friend in CA
• Tony Jones – was the coordinator of Emergent US.  Good mind, insights, questions
• Julie Clawson – probably my favourite blogger right now.
• Christine Sine – as in Mustard Seed Associates.  Not to be confused with her husband Tom

Hey, I like these, you might as well.  Check out the links, possibly subsribe yourself.

Added some good local news sights.

Added some good Jesus resources.

Added all the NCSA bloggers.

Added some sites for musicians we like.

Check out the links – you may find something you enjoy!

The Pentecost Project is an experiment towards a more true and loving economy. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed an economic stimulus package that the President then signed. Beginning in May, most Americans will receive a rebate check that they are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to stimulate America’s sagging economy.

What if, instead of becoming greater consumers, we encouraged people to move towards an even better economy, an economy of abundance? What if, instead of accumulating more stuff, we encouraged people to give things away? What if, instead of the possibility of making a down payment and opening new credit, we encouraged people to pay down their debt?

Why the connection to Pentecost? On the day of Pentecost, after the Spirit descended on the apostles, and after Peter’s fiery preaching and the conversion of 3,000 people from all nations and races, the book of Acts goes on to tell us,

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)

Later, in the 4th chapter, we learn,

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NIV)

In this Spirit, we undertake the Pentecost Project: invest in others, share possessions, reduce debt.

http://pentecostproject.wordpress.com/

- Scot McKnight in Embracing Grace

1. What do you think of this picture?
2. What would be implications for you?

Comments please!

Dion Forster’s blog – Dion is asking all the right questions here in South Africa and I am hoping to learn a lot from him.

Tim Keel’s blog – met Tim at the Amahoro conference in Uganda last year.  Tim is pastor at Jacob’s Well in KC and just had a book – Intuitive Leadership – published.

Jackson Pollock – when you want to blow off steam or have fun drawing, check out this site!  You get to create Jackson Pollock style.

Photosensibility – my friend Andrew Gray in Japan is an excellent photographer and posts pics daily.  Beautiful.

Here are the rules:

- Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog eight random facts about themselves.
- They need to post these rules.
- At the end of the post, they need to tag some people by listing their names.

Here are my random facts:

1. My response to most/many questions is, “in my pants.” Ex. – Arthur where did you put the scissors? “They’re in my pants.” Where should we got to see a movie tonight? “In my pants.” You get the idea. Good for hours of fun.
2. I have trouble answering where I’m from. I was born in Colorado. Lived 22 years in Fresno, 7 years in Pasadena, 1.5 in Oxnard, and now 4.5 in South Africa. Do I go with where I was born, where I lived longest, the place I like best, the place I think of when you say “home”?
3. My favorite color is black. No, I haven’t grown out of that phase. I like to wear black. I like accessories and appliances that are black. When I was a lad, apparently some teacher or school counselor was a little concerned about me coloring EVERYTHING black and talked to my mom about it… I wear black on the outside, because black is how I feel on the inside?
4. I nickname people – generally funny or clever nicknames. If you are reading this, odds are I have a nickname for you, whether you know it or not
5. I am ok with some nicknames people have or me, not ok with others. OK: arthdogg, candyman, daddy (what all my kids call me. NOT OK: art, a-train, jerk-face.
6. I like black liquorice. No, I LOVE black liquorice.
7. I have played many instruments over the years, none of them well. Clarinet, baritone, harmonica, trumpet.
8. I went to preschool AND jr. high with the woman who would become my wife at the end of university. Melissa is a good way to finish this list

Here is my tag:

Barbonne, Cobus, Roger, JJ, Chris

I find myself compelled to do this.  Not sure if the idea grabs at your heart as well, but would love for you to join me.  In any event, would love some feedback