charlie wear Asking the right questions?
Next-Wave is all about asking questions....what is the nature of Christian ministry in the new millennium? Do we need to challenge the ways we think and do things in order to be more effective in reaching others with the message of God’s good news? What does it mean to be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God where I live, and work? I think these are good questions....Jim Henderson, of Off-the-map, is one of us who is asking questions, here’s an article he wrote that is challenging.....

 
Help me convert my mother
By Jim Henderson, Off-the-map.org
My mom isn't a Christian. She's an AA-Higher Power kind of person. The problem is that her higher power is the "personal-relationship" type rather than the doorknob kind. Consequently she prays and expects him (she calls Him- him) to take care of her needs. Jacque (that's my mom's real name) is 75 and still needs to work. She counsels elderly alcoholics how to quit drinking and find a personal relationship with God (god?). She asks God to provide for her and frequently tells us (testifies?) about his faithfulness in doing so.

The fact is that my Mom is more open about her relationship with God and her dependence on Him than most Christians I've met over the past thirty years as a pastor. If I introduced you to my mom—and you weren't theologically savvy—you probably wouldn't be able to detect that she wasn't "born again."

But she isn't—I've told her so, and she agrees.

I tried for about twenty-five years to convert her using all the standard approaches. She would graciously listen and then change the subject. I finally gave up (sold out / compromised?) and started asking her to pray for me. It seemed to help our relationship. Maybe I gave up too soon.

I had to take a test the other day and my mom being my mom, wanted to encourage me, so she called and said, "I just want you to know that when you are taking that test, I'm going to be sending tons of white light your way."

Huh? White Light? How was I supposed to deal with that? What does the Bible say?

  • The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (John 1:9)
  • And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (II Cor 11:14)

Was I supposed to reject /block her light sending efforts since it came from a non-Christian? Was I supposed to receive it as a sign that Jesus was working through her. Should I have told her that Satan put those thoughts in her mind, and I couldn't let her do that? What?

I said, "Thanks, Mom." (Hey, she's my mom...)

What do you think I should have said to her?

Jim Henderson is one of the directors of Off-the-map, a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping Christians in practical skills and thinking in order to genuinely love their neighbors towards faith in Jesus. He is currently living and working in Seattle, WA. E-mail him at jim@off-the-map.org.

For a great article by editor David Hopkins about getting to know one another in the internet age, click here.

December's publisher's notes, January's publisher's, February's publisher's notes. My recent review of Brian McLaren's latest book is below.
I am more ready than I realized
By Charlie Wear

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.

More Ready Than You Realize is about the "dance of evangelism." It outlines a two year history of spiritual friendship between Brian and Alice using Alice’s emails to Brian to explain the shifts that need to occur in Christian thinking if evangelism is to be effective in the emerging cultural context. I heard Brian speak on this material at a conference at Steve Sjogren’s church and was moved by the gentle respect that Brian brought to his relationship with Alice.  

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.