|
|
|
| charlie wear | "I am more ready than I realized" |
I’ve always enjoyed reading
books. My father was highly motivated to teach me to read, because he had
never been taught to read well. By the time I reached elementary school I
was an avid reader and not much has changed over the years. Books can drop
one into a new world, move one to tears, and invoke passion and humor. I
learn from books and I am challenged by them.
|
 |
|
A little over a year ago I had the opportunity
to meet three authors who have impacted me with their writing:
Leonard Sweet,
Steve Sjogren, and
Brian McLaren. Dr. Leonard
Sweet’s writings on the emerging cultural shifts and their impact on
Christian faith overwhelm me with the author's grasp of current trends and
their applications. I learned that he reads dozens of books a week in his
search for knowledge. From this research, done with the benefit of speed
reading, he synthesizes the material that has found its way into
Soul Tsunami,
Aqua Church and
Soul Salsa, his trilogy on emerging culture and its impact on
Christian faith, leadership and living. Steve Sjogren, founding pastor of Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, is the father of the "servant evangelism" movement which encourages Christians to perform small acts of kindness in the name of Jesus. Steve’s living example of the servant lifestyle in the aftermath of personal hardship (he nearly died a couple of years ago in a medical procedure gone awry) challenged me to realize that perseverance is an important Christian virtue. Brian McLaren is pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Maryland. His books, The Church on the Other Side, Finding Faith, A New Kind of Christian, and most recently, More Ready Than You Realize have challenged me to think about my own faith in new ways.
Brian’s example of being involved in less religious activity, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and what not, in favor of being a friend and a neighbor challenged me to think about my own life. I have lived a compartmentalized, fragmented life. When I was younger, I was mightily pursuing wealth, without much success, by the way. I frequently chose work over family life, to the detriment of my children. In later years, I pursued ministry in much the same way. And now, a few years in the wake of my "pastoral" ministry, I realize that along the way I could have used more spiritual friends. Somehow, in the midst of church leadership, programs, building relocations and pastoral ministry, I managed to miss out on the Jesus purposeful promise: "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10 (NLT) For a few years now I have not been an active part of a "normal" church. There’s a lot about "normal" church that I don’t miss: trying to get "ownership" for the latest leadership initiative; charismatic calisthenics; or the search for the latest greatest idea that will make your church grow, whether it’s being seeker-targeted, seeker-friendly, seeker-sensitive, or purpose-driven. If I never attend another conference or class on how to achieve "whatever" it’s ok with me. I know that my situation is not unusual. There are many trying to "have it all" and as a result, they end up not having much. Life is just one no-fat sugar-free vanilla latte after another. They drop their children off at day care at 6:30 a.m. in order to make it to their job that pays for the monthly minimum on their Visa card. And church attendance and involvement becomes one more activity that tends to crowd their already-too-busy schedules. I read a book about "margins" a couple of years back and realized that in order to live a "full" life, one has to leave a little room at the top of the cup. Room enough to hold hands with your wife, hug your children (or grandchildren), and pray to your God. Room enough to be a friend and a neighbor. Brian’s book helped me to realize that I am more than ready to live a full life that includes having and being a spiritual friend. |
||
|
For a great article by editor David Hopkins about making room for the important stuff click here. December's publisher's notes, January's publisher's notes. My friends at Easum-Bandy are
facilitating discussions about missions to North America. More information
below.....
|
||
 |
||
