Viral Faith

" So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Character of Gandalf in response to Frodo's desire not to carry the ring of power Lord of the Rings, Part I Ok, I admit it.  I am a Lord of the Rings junkie.  I can watch Lord of the Rings over and over again, and I still find quotes and allegories that inspire me.  As I was watching the Lord of Rings, Fellowship of the Ring, which is the first part of the trilogy, I was reminded of the quote given by the wise Gandalf to the young Frodo above. For those unfamiliar with the story, there is a ring that is incredibly powerful and incredibly evil.  The ring literally transforms the person who owns it into evil.  Many powerful people and nations seek it.  The ring falls to a young, small man (Frodo) who seems to be unaffected, at least initially, by the rings effect due to his innocence.  HIs job, is to carry th...

"We don't care and we don't care that we don't care" Brenda Salter-McNeil I love the Church, but I know that she is sick. As an image, the Church (universal body of followers of Jesus) has taken some serious blows.  The image has been distorted by her actions and contorted by the very people who help to define her reality: the people of the church.  This is not new, after all, the institution of the church has been involved in some of the most heinous crimes (think crusades, inquisitions, persecutions, torture, slavery, war, racism, sexism, etc) beginning in the middle ages and persisting today.  Yet, the Church, at times and in diverse places, has also shown her beauty through providing amazing acts of love and mercy (think humanitarian care, peacemaking, developing hospitals, educational systems, missions outposts,etc). If you study history, you will find that God does not allow His bride to go off track too long.  Renewal movements, revitalization m...

"Love is the call.  Love is the transforming power of God... Love is the highest aim, the greatest practice you can cultivate in your soul." St. John of the Cross, 16th century Spanish Mystic Jesus was clear.  The Bible is clear.  The Apostle Paul was clear.  The Apostle John is clear. They are united in their clarity regarding the primacy of love.  Jesus would state that the highest priority of life is love (Matthew 22:36-40).  Its not only important, but it is the sign of our authenticity as followers of his (John 13:34-35).  Paul would expand this principle by showing that without love, every other virtue is empty (I Corinthians 13).  Love is not only to be a manifestation of our walk with Jesus, but also our motivation.  John amplifies our understanding of the nature of God by showing us that God is love and that to have fellowship with God, is to have fellowship with love itself (I John 4:8). Its as if the weight of revelation has be...

"Proclamation of the "Good News" supposes a witnessing community" Prof. Howard Snyder, in "Community of the King" I have been asked by quite a few people to recommend churches where they could visit or potentially attend.  One of the troubling aspects of church shopping is that we approach it like we are buying a car.  We compare the features of a church, take it for a test spin, kick its tires by asking a few questions, determine its cost/benefit ratio (what is expected from me versus what do I get out it), and then ultimately compare the experience with other experiences until I find the church that meets my needs most effectively.  Interestingly, that pattern of selecting a church is neither Biblical or effective.  In the same way that we feel guilt when we buy a car that is supposed to meet all of our transportation needs, only to find another car that is faster, more fuel efficient, more aesthetically pleasing, or more technologically sophisticated, ...

"A Lion can not tell the Giraffe's Story" Nigerian Proverb Yesterday, I was reminded of the need for authentic testimony in the development of a Godly movement.  I was asked to preach at our afternoon service in which the liturgy is done in both Kirundi and Swahili.  While in attendance, I had the privilege of having my Associate Pastor Heritage Munyakuri, interpret the songs, prayers, and most importantly, the testimonies.  I was moved, inspired, and challenged on many levels. The role of testimony in American liturgies has been reduced an even eliminated in most worship services.  Yet, in this African service, Testimonies were at least a third of the entire service. These testimonies were not like the canned testimonies that I grew up with.  (I praise the Lord that I am saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost, closed in my right mind, fire baptized, etc).  No, these testimonies told a story.  Stories of death, despair, abuse, brutality, ho...

"Do we really allow ourselves to draw near to the consuming nature of the Divine Lordship [of Jesus]. Christopher Heurtz, from his book, Simple Spirituality The essence of a practical faith is to truly experience God.  Not to know about God, but to know God and be known by God.  The gospels tell the story about a woman who had bleeding problems for over twelve years (Lk 8:42-48).  In the midst of a huge crowd that is described as nearly crushing Jesus, this suffering woman dared to reach out and touch Jesus.  The result of our bold and trusting move was a healing connection.  Others were close to him, but few actually touched him.  This is what can happen in our faith communities where we talk about Jesus, discuss Jesus things, see Jesus moving, but never develop intimacy.  We instinctively know that healing and intimacy is possible, but render the practical experience as impossible. I believe that we all struggle with this tendency to want to ...

"40 Million Adults will view online pornography today" Statistic from www.xxxchurch.com We smerk about it.  Its hardly ever preached about. Its insidious to the American Culture.  It makes more money than Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA, and NHL put together.  The average American child will be exposed to it by the age of 11.  The average American 17 year old has been exposed to nearly a thousand different pornographic images.  35% of all website visits to adult websites were by women in 2004. Pornography is the problem that no one wants to talk about. Yet, it is a problem.  Steady exposure to pornography can lead to changes in neurological pathways (literally rewiring how we think and experience things), social relationships, and spiritual health.  Those are the interpersonal effects, however, watching pornography also contributes to the exploitation and dehumanization of millions.  The money made in the porn industry fuels further exp...

"We simply must stop giving excuses for not doing what God wants us to do for the city.  Repentance comes to mind.  Anything that keeps us from going from a Church in the city to a Church for the city, must be discarded." Scott Sittig, member of New Hope leadership team. The church I have the privilege of leading is called New Hope.  This multicultural, 21 yr old church has been located in the city of Rochester since its inception.  It was founded as an outreach to city dwellers in all of their diversity.  It is average in size, generous in giving, diverse in appearance, and hospitable in character.  Within the New Hope leadership has been this Holy discontent.  There has been an uneasiness that has been stirred.  Its not a programatic problem or a resouces issue, but something more profound and soulish.  It is echoed in the subversive questions that our leaders and ministry coordinators are asking.  "Who are we called to ...

American celebrating the Death of Osama Bin Laden on 5/1/11 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:43-45 Yesterday, we learned that the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 coordinated attacks on America was killed after a near-decade search.  Billions of dollars have been spent in attempts to locate him, neutralize him and the organizations in which he oversees.  The news of his death via a sucessful military operation was met with immediate celebration and joy in many parts of the US. While I, along with many Americans, despise the viciousness and the hatred expressed by Osama and other terrorist organizations, we must wrestle with our responses to his life and his death. While many Christian columnists speak of this as an act of justice and celebrate his death, I am more cynical and suspicious.  I am not cynical regarding whether he is ...