reflections #2

Some reflections on Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley

Communicating for a Change is a good book for those who have/get to teach/preach. I would guess this book would be of little interest to most people but I found it helpful. The first part is written as a modern parable about a preacher who is struggling and ends up being mentored on how to better teach by an unsuspecting truck driver. I have observed a growing trend on communicating by the use of story but sometimes when authors want to make a point and use story to express it, the point comes across as awkward and contrived. I think that is the case here.

However the second half Stanly breaks down what he believes is the best way to communicate. He emphasizes the need to make a sermon around one crystal clear point. Everything else should support that point. My first reaction when I read that something should be done a certain way is to want to rebel. I think that is my anti-authoritarian crap coming out. And yet as I read through Stanley’s ‘Imperatives’ I found myself persuaded.

His seven steps in putting together a clear presentation are:
Determine a goal: What am I trying to accomplish?
Pick a point: What am I trying to say?
Create a map: What’s the best route to your point?
Internalize the message: What’s my story?
Engage my audience: What’s my plan to capture and keep their attention?
Find my voice: What works for me?
Start all over: What’s the next step?

I believe that the gift of teaching is an imperative one for the health of the church, just as all gifts are. I am determined after this reading that I need to work and work hard on improving as a teacher. There is so much I can learn and I find it motivating to think about what Christian communities could look like if each person worked at improving what they believe they are good at for the sake of those around them.

reflections #1

Some reflections on The Rise of Christianity

The Rise of Christianity is an examination on how the movement of Christ followers went from being an unheard of group of Jews to the officially endorsed religion of the Roman Empire in less than two hundred years. The author is a sociologist by training and brings that approach to his analysis of history. Here are a few things that jumped out at me.

If the author is correct then the Christian faith grew largely because of logical reasons that seem to take the focus away from the Holy Spirit needing to work in supernatural ways. In other words, becoming a Christian appealed on a number of levels.

Christianity appealed to woman at the time because it granted them a better place in society and within the faith than anything else had to offer at the time. In most parts of the Roman world, women were property or either their father or their husband. To become a Christian was a liberating thing for most women.

Christianity spread primarily throughout the cities. The cities of the time were overpopulated on the same level as Bombay but without the skyscrapers. This meant that the quality of life was extremely low and the introduction of a faith that offered hope was very appealing. The hope offered was more than what was to come in the next life but it was hope in a better way of life in the here and now. The Christ followers were known for their care for each other and in a time of no public health programs filled a significant need.

Christians stuck around when others left during two plagues that wiped out a significant percentage of the population throughout the Empire. According the studies cited in his book, Stark argues that Christianity spread rapidly during these plagues because Christians cared for the sick and in doing so decreased the mortality rate. In other words the Christians were more likely to live and the non-Christians who did survive often had Christians to thank for it.

As I was reading this book I was initially threatened by explaining the growth of the Church void of any reference to the Spirit. It sounded so scientific and lacking any involvement from God. I guess I do have a bit of a bias against science at times. I will have to work on that. But then the more I thought about it, the more I was encouraged by the fact that a community of people trying to follow Jesus’ teachings and put their hope in his death and resurrection has naturally appealing elements.

Christianity can provide care for those who have no one else. It can provide community when it starts to feel that everyone is disconnected. It can value those who are marginalized in the rest of society. It can meet the deeply felt needs of all kinds of different people. In fact it seems like it needs to by its very design. If it is not doing these things something is wrong.

I believe God has created us with certain emotions, desires and passions and it is comforting to know that his desired structure of how his people should live on earth as the Church should fulfill those needs. The Christian faith grew rapidly during the first couple of centuries because it met felt needs. Shouldn’t it do much the same today?

a short break

I am now a little over 24 hours into my personal retreat here in the middle of nowhere Minnesota. A few months back I finally sat down and put a couple of retreats into my calendar for the purpose of prayer, reading, writing and relaxation. I have been looking forward to this time for a long time. And now I am here.

I was afraid that the lack of contact with other people would be hard. I pictured that I would start talking to myself shortly after Mary dropped me off and would be borderline insane by the time she came back to pick me up. This may still happen but so far I love this opportunity.

Last night I started reading The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark while enjoying some tea and then switched gears and wrote in my journal and read part of Acts. The night was capped off with Everything is Illuminated which is an excellent movie with a rare touch of redemption. Thanks to Cory for pointing me to it.

So far today I have read, eaten, napped, run and walked around the farmland I am staying at. This has been food for my soul and I am thankful. I know that everyone tends to project and assume what is good for them is good for everyone so forgive me if this is the case but everyone should take the times like this.

I am thankful for the chance to pause. I have been challenged as of late to learn to live in the moment and be thankful for it. It can be easy for me to get caught up in ideas and ideals. I tend to be consumed by the fact that the Church is not who she should be, especially it seems, in America. I dwell on what needs to change in the ministry I lead, how our church should be different, how I have so much to learn about how to love. Sometimes these convictions are a good thing but not when they drown out my ability to appreciate the good that is all around me. There is so much to be thankful for.

I live in a fallen world and I am surrounded by the results of sin and at the same time by glimpses of the Kingdom. Visions of what one day will be but can already be enjoyed at least in a small ways. I am off to go see if I can look at the stars and then maybe indulge in the not so guilty pleasure of 24 – season 3.

if only we could show this on sunday

For those of you who enjoy some good church humor check out this video. They are all worth watching but this is my personal favorite.