Wednesday, May 20, 2009

So Much To Say, So Little Time

My brains about to explode. OK, I can hear all the comments 6 hours away (what brain, will probably be a small explosion etc.)

Today has been overwhelming. Ken Davis made us laugh til we cried this morning - his definition of humor, "A gentle way to acknowledge human frailty." he reminded pastors of our need to be "honest" with the gospel - in our relationships. I will have to work on that - I seem to battle with the desire to be liked too much - some people I need to be more honest with.

Part of the message needs to be directly related to a reminder that in regards to our culture people respond in one of 4 ways;

#1 - condemn it
We define ourselves as Christians by what we don't or won't do.

#2 - critique it
All we do is analyze - kind of like the paralysis of analysis

#3 - copy it
When all we do do is copy our culture, we then end up looking to our culture for what we need.

#4 - consume it
We've become culturally mainstream as Christians and the church and not necessarily culturally discerning.

None of these are going to change the world for the Kingdom's sake! All of those postures are reactionary. The biblical posture is to "cultivate"; keep something going that is already good and "create" ; by creating good culture - making good movies, good music, not always trailing behind the culture.

So what does this all mean for The Grove. I hope further discussion will clarify more.

Sorry for this random flow of thought - like I said too much to absorb - hope this has some meaning to your life. More later tonight or tomorrow.

3 comments:

Jason Schedler said...

dude, unfair teaser. I'm not used to you writing episodes that are "to be continued". Are you trying to make me thing?

I'm anxious for your return and hoping some of the great stuff you've been taking in can rub off!

Jeff Sivyer said...

I am trying to make you thing!

I am anxious to get back in the trenches - God has been awesome to me this week and has revealed many things to share!

Vince said...

Jeff, I was reminded this AM...I went to the funeral for Brian and Mia Moore's daughter a month or so ago and recall how much the firefighters stuck together to support one of their own...they cancelled vacations, did shift changes and their sacrifice and sticking together was very evident to anyone who was around this event.

Their care for one another was remarkable and had an impact on both my and my wifes view of how firefighters care for one another and stick together. Their behavior would cause most people to want the same things...

Sadly, when was the last time you heard anyone say the same thing about Christians or the Church?

When Jesus said, the world will know you are my disciples by the love you have for one another, I believe that is what He meant, but even more so because we can not only share life things, but also spiritual...

I agree that the four things you mentioned are typical reactions to cultural and we are mired in them as Christians...I hope revival happens to the church that we may not react but be the people we are called to be and therefore define or influence the culture...you know, be salt and light...Vince