John and Olive Drane
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Theology
I’ve just finished a week’s intensive Masters/DMin class for my BMin (Honours) and wanted to post a few things that have been ticking in my mind that have come up this past week, that I will aim to unpack more over the next of weeks as I start the research for my assessment for the class.
At this stage, I see the following things as areas worth exploring in working out the ‘way forward’ for the church in the 21st Century.
- Many churches’ worship and gatherings are based on a model that comes from the Agricultural Age
- People are replacing ‘religion’ with ’spirituality’
- Rather than having the culture directly influence ecclesiology, culture, along with our understanding of Jesus, should influence our missiology, which should determine our ecclesiology - so often we get it around the other way (culture determines ecclesiology, which influences our missiology, which shapes our Christology)
- we need to unpack what ‘in the world’ as opposed to ‘of the world’ means. Often we spend too much time focusing in quite insignificant interpretations of this phrase (being in church on Sunday makes sure we’re not of the world) and ignore significant ways we could show we’re not ‘of the world’ (Western Christians’ adoption of consumerism, seen easily by visiting your local Christian bookstore).
- the division between ’secular’ and ’sacred’ needs to be seen as unbiblical as it is not an idea derived from the New Testament idea of church and mission
- this dualistic division impacts the church significantly in areas such as women in ministry, adopting a holistic lifestyle, and incarnationality
Much more was covered, but these are the points that I see as most relevant to the future direction the church needs to take. One lucky last point is:
- we need to aim at being incarnational, not relevant
- ALR
Accountability – Developing a Godly Character, part 3
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Books, Theology
I thought before I move on to the next chapter of Who You Are When No One’s Looking, I’d share some further thoughts on Christian accountability. While it’s not a character trait as such, I think it is a deeply important part of our character. The Mike Foster article I referred to in my last post at first glance seems to disagree with the idea of Christian accountability, but once you read it through you realize that really he’s talking about a radical vision for what Christian accountability should look like, and his preferred term for this is ‘Christian advocacy’. I think he is really on to something here, for in acting as someone else’s accountability person, you really do need to be their advocate, being prepared to show them grace above all else. Otherwise, how can a person be able to be genuinely open to sharing their struggles with you?! I also agree that there’s the tendency to ‘game the system’ by trying to promote how good you are to those you’re accountable to, or how hard you’ve had it, rather than owning up and taking responsibility for your actions.
The biggest pitfall I see in accountability set-ups is in their usually forced nature (someone needing to have security checks to make sure they are staying in line), and usually these will be from the bottom up, rather than the top down. The problem with this is that I think we should be focussing on who we model ourselves to, and when we become aware of the enormous responsibility that comes with, it forces us to be accountable to those people. I think that’s why Paul can confidently say stuff like:
I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.
(1 Cor 4:16)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
(1 Cor 11:1)
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
(Phil 3:17)
I used to think that this was very arrogant of Paul, but in reality, I think he is setting up accountability self-checks because they are to imitate him as he imitates Christ. I think this is the tell-tale sign that you are being open and honest about your character and actions, if you are confident enough to say to others that they can/should imitate you as you imitate Christ. If you’re not able to do that, well, then I think there’s work to be done (keeping in mind I haven’t reached that state yet myself). - JRR
Tags: accountability, advocacy, Bill Hybels, character, grace, Paul, Who You are When No One's Looking
John Drane - The McDonaldization of the Church
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Books, Theology
I have just finished reading this book as part of the pre-reading requirements for an intensive I’m planning on taking in November with the author and his wife, Olive. I’m planning on recording my notes for each chapter as blog posts over the next week or so (hopefully!).
I was reflecting last night on how much my views have changed, particularly regarding ecclesiology, over the last 5 years or so. I think the ‘me’ 5 years ago would think the ‘now’ me was a heretic! This book has been another that has helped fuel my new-found heretical beliefs - I highly recommend it!
Tags: Church, John Drane, McDonaldization
Courage – Developing a Godly Character, part 2
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Books, Theology
Bill Hybels is spot on in suggesting that people need to work on courage as part of their character, especially Christians (Ch 2, Who You Are When No One’s Looking). In the section ‘Courage to Be Vulnerable’, he writes that in order to become a Christian, one must have courage to own up to their sins before a holy God, but not only that, being a Christian takes courage, to be openly repentant when we slip up (p15-16). I think this is a very important point, and something that we so often fail to do as the Church. I sometimes wonder if our model of Christianity is just a way of masking our sins behind judgmental attitudes. I’d love to write a book on ecclesiology sometime and call it, Naked and Unashamed, and maybe subtitle it: Who You Are When Everyone’s Watching. I think we really need to restore true accountability into Christian living (ie ‘transparency, authenticity, and brutal honesty’ – see very good article by Mike Foster) and get away from our individualism, only being accountable for the easy stuff, or else becoming better liars.
Really, my only gripe with this chapter comes with the personal examples Hybels provides. I think it takes far mare courage to admit our sinful tendencies and open ourselves up for correction and seek forgiveness, than it does to learn to drive a semi-trailer, fly a plane, and sail a boat (p19-20). Again he seems to be talking outside my level of understanding - I don’t need to be a thrill seeker to have courage, nor the financial means to do so. I wish he would’ve come up with some better examples because I think it takes any action points in having courage in our own lives into the direction of thrill-seeking or bettering our social statuses, rather than truly be open and vulnerable. - JRR
Tags: accountability, Bill Hybels, character, courage, Who You are When No One's Looking
Developing a Godly Character
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Books, Theology
Semester 2 is well and truly under way now and one of the requirements for my Theology course is to take part in a Supervised Experienced Based Learning (SEBL) unit each semester. Last semester I was in a group on “Discipling and Mentoring Women” and it was by far the most enjoyable learning experience of its type that I’ve had here at Bible college. So this semester I’m in another women’s group on “Developing a Godly Character” with most of the women who were in my group from last semester (except the facilitator who is on sabbatical), plus a new facilitator and some women from her group last semester. We’re going to be working through Bill Hybels’ book, Who You are When No One’s Looking, each week looking at a different character trait he identifies in order to fill out the picture of what a Godly character looks like and how to develop ours more fully. So, I thought for a bit of fun, I might take the opportunity to share via a series of posts my thoughts and reflections as I work through the book.
But firstly, we were asked to prepare for the unit by completing this questionnaire on “Assessing Your Christian Character”, and my results made me feel, quite frankly, horrible, thinking I must be a very negative person and not very Christian. But then, having compared my results with the traits listed in Hybels’ book, I noticed there seems to be no place for appropriate anger or lament for a Christian (something that was a major theme in my Psalter class last semester and has opened my eyes to its absence in the Church). I think sometimes these sorts of books can be so ‘pie in the sky’ and so divorced from the reality of the here and now, a world of fallen human beings where bad things happen and are experienced, which concerns God and should concern us.
I’m not sure how I’ll feel by the end of this book, but right now I have my qualms about it been too ‘seeker sensitive’ (as Hybels notes in his Introduction that it for both Christians and non-Christians, p10) that it won’t be that applicable to our Bible college setting. The reviews of the book on Amazon.com contribute to this initial impression. Of special concern was the comment in one review that this book can help you achieve the things ‘which lead to a successful and contented life’. On the contrary, I think we need to have ‘holy discontent’ – sure we have the good news, but that doesn’t separate us from the reality of a fallen world. We’re not on that side of eternity yet. We can’t just put on our blinders and pretend all is right with the world. I think one of the ways the Holy Spirit guides us is by clueing us in to the injustices of the world, ways in which we can contribute to building God’s kingdom now. I agree with Hybels when he says our character is who we are when no one’s looking (pp7-8), but I also think that Christians need to constantly be on the lookout to ensure we’re not being dualistic. - JRR
Tags: anger, Assessing Your Christian Character, Bible College, Bill Hybels, character, dualism, holy discontent, injustice, lament, SEBL, seeker sensitive, Supervised Experienced Based Learning, Who You are When No One's Looking
A bit of pre-reading with Caleb
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Books, Family
Noah was always keen to sit and read with me from the time he was a toddler. Caleb, however, now a preschooler, has only recently taken any real interest in reading, but has picked it up really quickly. As with Noah, his favourite book by far is The Cat in the Hat, by Dr Seuss (we’re already onto our second copy, having worn out the first one). How I recall reading The Cat in the Hat to Noah no less than 7 times a day before he was 2 years old, especially when I read it to Caleb now, being able to easily recite the whole book off by heart.
In this post, however, I want to mention two other books that are very popular with Caleb - I Went Walking, by Sue Williams and Where is the Green Sheep?, by Mem Fox – because they are great examples of books that develop a preschooler’s pre-reading skills. The thing that makes these two books particularly good is the repetitive and easy vocabulary and the 
corresponding pictures, helping a child who can’t read yet remember which words go with which pictures, allowing them to practice ‘reading’ the book to themselves. In fact, the book is rather an optional add-in when it comes to reciting the book, as Caleb demonstrated the other day when we were walking home from the shops by reciting pretty much verbatim I Went Walking (only steering from the script where I do as I read it to him).
I highly recommend these books for your toddler/preschooler and it’s my hope that reading these books over and over again to Caleb and having him ‘read’ them to me will help him gain the confidence he needs to take the leap when he starts school in 2011 to real reading. - JRR
Tags: Dr Seuss, I Went Walking, Mem Fox, parenting, pre-reading, reading, school, Sue Williams, The Cat in the Hat, Where is the Green Sheep?
Derek Webb - What Matters More?
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Music
I blogged about Derek Webb’s album Stockholm Syndrome earlier and have had more of a chance to listen to the album and read a bit more of the ‘controversy’ this song has caused.
Scot McKnight blogs about this song - mainly asking what people have heard and think about the song. McKnight doesn’t know much about Derek Webb so for that reason was asking what other people thought about the song/artist etc. A number of responses to McKnight’s questions seemed to be directed at Derek Webb’s artistic ability and not directly at the questions of whether the song was appropriate etc.
I’ve also read elsewhere opposing views as to whether or not the issue of homosexuality is in fact still an issue. A number of people at both McKnight’s and Burnside Writer’s blogs believe that “What Matters More” is a little bit too late. I don’t think this is the case…I think, maybe on paper some Christians attitudes towards sexuality have changed, but I’d say in practice there is still a hesitation towards acceptance of people regardless of sexuality.
I think that Webb is asking the question about what matters more to highlight that instead of trying to correct other peoples’ behavior, we should focus on things that we can make a difference with, such as loving others, justice, and worrying about our own walk. - ALR
Tags: Derek Webb, Scot McKnight, sexuality, What Matters More
Two-Line Vocabulary
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Family
If you’ve ever watched the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”, you may be familiar with one of the games they play called Two-Line Vocabulary. There are three actors and they are given a scene, but two of the characters have to act out the scene each being given only two lines they are allowed to say, while the third actor is allowed to say anything. It’s amazing how many ways the actors can inject different meanings in to the two lines they are given, but also how every time they play this game, the actor that can say whatever they want to ultimately acts it frustrated.
Well, it occurred to me the other day that Caleb has been playing an ongoing game of Two-Line Vocabulary for months now. The two lines he’s working with: “Look see” and “Is that right?”. The thing is, like the character that can say whatever they want, I often find myself frustrated with Caleb after the 50th time he’s said “Look see” or “Is that right?” as it gets to a stage when I feel like our conversation is going nowhere. I constantly need reminding that he’s still learning, and these are opportunities for me to expand his vocabulary as I offer different responses.
Caleb, at 3 1/2 is very strong-willed, (a child that refused to be weaned until 2 1/2, and who although quite capable of using the toilet, is still in nappies), and keeps us constantly on our toes (he’s got ‘tude). But we love him to bits! He’s been a bit sick the past couple days, and he’s just so snuggly and sweet. In fact, just before I was colouring in for him (being forced), yet every time I finished a task for him and asked him how it looked, his response, “That’s beautiful!”. How could you not adore that (especially since I wasn’t even staying in the lines)?! - JRR
Tags: Breastfeeding, humor, parenting, Toilet Training, Two Line Vocabulary, Weaning, Whose Line is it Anyway
Simon & Garfunkel Concert
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Music
On Saturday, 20 Jun 09, Jen took me to see Simon and Garfunkel in concert at Acer Arena in Sydney for my birthday present. It had been years that I had wanted to see S&G in concert, and never thought it’d happen, especially in Sydney, so there was no question that we’d have to get tickets to go see them. The 20th of June was their first of three Sydney shows (two were originally advertised, with the show on the 23rd added after the first two shows all but sold out) and was sold out (although we did have spare seats either side of us).”
The show started late as people were still arriving after the start time, but when they finally took to the stage, most seats were filled and we were all ready for a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and hear two of the most influential recording artists over the last 50 years.
The show opened, after a long round of applause from us fans, with the tour title “Old Friends“. It was amazing to hear how good S&G still sound. They played about 27 songs (click here for the complete set list), with at least one of them on stage for the entire 2 (and a little bit) hour concert. Paul Simon left for Art to sing “Bright Eyes”, “A Heart in New York” (which I was hoping to hear!) and a song he wrote himself called “Perfect Moment”. Simon returned to the stage to play guitar for Art while he sang “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her“. They then performed “Late in the Evening” which included one of their guitarists playing a saxophone solo, followed by a guitar solo, which was quite incredible. Art then left for Simon to sing “The Boy in the Bubble” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”. Art returned for Paul to sing “The Only Living Boy in New York“, which Paul told us he wrote while Art was down in Mexico filming “Catch 22“.
I was very impressed with their backing band - all incredible musicians. After the concert Jen and I were discussing songs we would have liked to have heard that they didn’t play and soon realised that the concert would have had to have been twice as long for them to have sung all the songs we wanted to hear.
All up, it was a sensational concert and an amazing experience to have finally gotten to see Simon and Garfunkel in concert! - ALR
Tags: Acer Arena, Art Garfunkel, Old Friends tour, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel
Creamy Peanut Butter Dip Recipe
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Recipes
I came across this peanut butter dip recipe on FitSugar a couple weeks ago, and just had to share it because my boys LOVE it! It recommends serving with slices of apples, bananas, and pears, but we’ve also tried it with Ritz crackers/Jatz biscuits and celery sticks. It is super easy to make, low fat, full of protein, and very creamy.
It is also very satisfying for those hard-core peanut butter fans, like our 3 1/2 year old Caleb, who likes to nick jars of peanut butter when we’re not looking and cleans it out in a manner that can only be described as Joey Tribbiani’s ‘peanut butter fingers’ (for those Friends fans out there). Our almost 6 year old Noah loves it so much that last week when he got his school report and we told him we would reward him by letting him decide what we have for dinner one night that week, he replied, “I know what we haven’t had in awhile – peanut butter dip!” (not only not dinner, but also, as I mentioned above, a recipe that I’d only first tried the week before). Team Rose highly recommend this one!!! - JRR
Tags: FitSugar, Friends, Joey Tribbiani, peanut butter dip
