broken eikon

So I was reading the Presbyterian book of confessions today. I came across the confession of 1967, and I have to say… I was blown away. In 1967, the Presbos adopted this confession of faith as a response to “racial discrimination, nationalistic arrogance, and family and class conflict”.  It was very responsive to biblical scholarship and  asks the church to read scripture with literary and historical context in mind. There are many really really cool parts, but this really stuck out to me is line 9.45, containing the following words…, “this search (for reconciliation and peace) requires that the nations pursue fresh and responsible relations across every line of conflict, even at risk to national security, to reduce areas of strife and to broaden international understanding… Although nations may serve God’s purposes in history, the church which identifies the sovereignty of any one nation or any one way of life with the cause of God denies the lordship of Christ and betrays his calling”.

“Even at risk to national security”?

Can anyone find me another statement of faith that states that nations should pursue reconciliation even at their own risk? That sounds too much like Christ for me…

And that last part about identifying any one nation or way of life with God’s will means denying the Lordship of Christ. Dang.

love it…

I have found facebook fairly useful. However, there is one thing that is causing me some confusion. I have friends that I have had for a long time. People I love very very dearly, that are now on Facebook. What I notice is that many of these people post purposefully inflammatory stuff, via status updates, links, videos, polls, etc… I am wondering what people are asking for when they post these things. Do they want those who agree to say so? Do they want dissenters to bring it up? Perhaps this is overly generous, but perhaps they want to invite public discussion? Given that when I see people who dissagree post, it seems to always end poorly, I can’t see discussion really being wanted.

When I post, I desire people to think. I try to not say “believe this”, or “X person is stone cold stupid”. I would like for people to get their hands on dirty, subversive little things called facts, wrestle with them in public forums, and see how things end up for them.  My problem is also thus, however: When i see someone make a comment, or insinuate something I consider erroneous or misleading, I feel the need to correct it, since these people posting as my friends makes me feel like I give passive assent to their comments by my own inaction.

I just get tired of picking on the same friends for posting the same agendized, non-helpful pot-stirring stuff. And actually, I just don’t like it when Christians do it. My other friends I actually don’t care. But Christ followers should know better.

And before you ask, Scott, I am not talking about you. I think you are funny in your passion. Plus, I agree a lot. But not always. But you are still funny then.

Been thinking about an Eikon Catechism. I know for a lot of folks that is intimidating, but I think it could be really cool, along with being highly beneficial. i was doing a bit of research and on the Vatican’s website, there is a table of contents here describing their catechism. That might be a little much for us. I am seriously thinking about something like a 12-week interactive deal, that would act as a form of pre-baptism initiation into the faith. Service projects? The story of God? Bible? Prayer? Spiritual practices? life? Which docterines, if any? God, naturally, Christology? Attitude? What would it look like to have an initiation about how to practically love your neighbor? worship? God and science? Church? Kingdom? Our purpose?

Also, what age would be most helpful? I think that around 16-17 would be the best time for children to make any commitments they might make. Any earlier than that, they are still at the whim of parents and don’t have the freedom afforded to them by cars. Getting your liscence is really the new American Bar Mitzveh. Not that I dissaprove of children making commitments earlier, I hope they do. However, I have been toying around with putting off any kind of confirmation until they have the most freedom with which to make that decision. Thoughts?

However, I would love to make a really fun meeting time for all ages of kids. Kids in ancient Hebrew schools learned appropriate parts of the Bible as they matured. Psalms and proverbs were very helpful for them as learners, age 5-8, getting their foundations formed.  The prophets didn’t come till later. Is there something to this?

I would love any input you have that might be helpful. Also any thoughts from parents who had/have kids having gone through a baptism/confirmation class, ritual, etc…. Thanks.

I do remember when I was younger, going to chapel midweek at private school. I was 5. I remember that being boring. What wasn’t boring was when I was caught climbing under the pews and dragged along the concrete all the way to the principle’s office where I was paddled for disrespect.

I can also remember attending a church when I was in 5th grade. I don’t recall much about it other than that it was boring. I sat in the service with my mother because the alternative was going to their Sunday school class for pre-teens. During one of such meetings I was asked which Bible story was my favorite. It seemed like an eternity that I sat in silence with everyone in the class staring at me, wondering what was wrong with the kid who had never heard of Adam or Noah.

Those were not regular experiences for me. The first time I attended church regularly was in college. I attended a community Christian church with my mom. The music was hauntingly familiar, sung by a guy who belonged in an opera house, backed up by mediocre singers and a staggeringly ok piano player. Downstairs was different though. The high school group played music that the kids listened to, or at least it sounded the same. Singing heartfelt songs to Jesus, and they even closed their eyes and raised their hands. I confess this last part made me cringe, and I felt embarrassed for them because they looked like cult members. Still, the music moved me, and I joined in.

Since, I have worshipped at black charismatic churches, Pentecostal healing services, with 10,000 other people at festivals, intimate times with 5 and a guitar, and everything in between. I enjoy Catholic services, and especially Episcopal ones. I currently worship at a Presbyterian church on Sunday mornings, while I secretly wish I could raise my hands and close my eyes.

There have been some amazing times where I have felt that the balance of people using their musical talents lines up with the heart of people desiring to be led in worship and it is magic. Joseph at his best is simply transcendent. At his worst he is like low quality pizza. Still pretty damn good. The times when our old Remnant community worshipped together, or now when Eikon does, the boundary between God’s kingdom and ours becomes incredibly thin for me.

Of course, worship is more than music and/or liturgy. And to that end, some of my deepest worship experiences have come from building homes, befriending homeless, teaching weekly classes at poor community centers, and having amazing Christ-centered conversations over Blue Moon and cheap cigars. I love to read and feel like God speaks to me very powerfully when a book and a highlighter is involved.

Please. Share with me some things that you have experienced in worship, for good or ill. Thanks.

Last night at eikon was cool. First off, it was really boss to worship with the Tedford’s, I dig those folks. Second, it was really cool to have Thomas there. He’s my boy (in the homeboy way, not the greek way). Third, Kris came. I love Kris. Of course, there is everyone else who makes eikon eikon, but the crowning moment of the night was not my preaching. It was not communion (although renewing my promise to Jesus and the church is always powerful). It was not even the Freebird’s afterward. No, what I will remember is when I actually got to sing the line, “I’m lost like Hurley” in a worship song.

Hey everyone,

If you are interested, this will tie into the Church history we have been studying lately. This was from a magazine (not sure which one), but I got it from a pal at school, detailing a few of the versions of Christianity that were around from 1st to 4th century, but for one reason or another is not what we ended up with. Proto-orthodoxy is what became our “orthodox” faith. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that we are right, just know that we won. There is a difference. Anyway, enjoy, its kindof fun.

Lost Christianities

Hey all, as per a request during Eikon’s mission group, I am posting some selected texts from Ignatius of Antioch (martyred, 110 C.E.). Pay attention to his comments regarding the bishop, and views on marriage.

If thou lovest the good disciples (rhetoric on the move!), no thanks are due to thee on that account; but rather seek by meekness to subdue the more troublesome. Every kind of wound is not healed with the same plaster. Mitigate violent attacks by gentle applications (very cool).

Be sober as an athlete of God: the prize set before thee is immortality and eternal life,of which thou art also persuaded. In all things may my soul be for thing, and my bonds also, which thou hast loved.

Let not widows be neglected.

Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires.

Flee evil arts; but all the more discourse in public regarding them. Speak to my sisters, that they love the Lord, and be satisfied with their husbands both in the flesh and spirit. In like manner also, exhort my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, that they love their wives, even as the Lord the Church. If any one can continue in a state of purity, to the honour of Him who is Lord of the flesh, let him so remain without boasting. If he shall boast, he is undone; and if he seeks to be more prominent than the bishop, he is ruined.

Give ye heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs that are submissive to the bishop, to the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God!

Over here at Brian McLaren’s blog, he posted about a conference he was attending this weekend. Check it out. This line however struck me as very very very encouraging (and if you have been in Bible study with me at all or heard me preach, you know why this excites me):

Speaking about the priorities that revelealed themselves in the emerging movement of Christianty, his first priority was this:

“1. A fresh vision of Jesus, rooted in the canonical gospels rather than in later theological debates. This fresh vision of Jesus and the kingdom of God brings a new perspective on Paul and the whole Bible as well.”

All I can say is right freakin’ on.

Paul questioned me on wearing a suit to church, and so for all of you who find it difficult to believe, here is a picture. Note: I did not pay for the shirt, tie, suit, shoes, or socks. I did however buy the belt at target.

wow, the picture turned out much larger than anticipated.

Q: Living large?

A: On more than one level.

Last night, we joined together Eikon and Eucatastrophe (another church plant in FW) and had a worship gathering together. It was such a good thing, to work together with Phil and his community, as there was such a lack of ego or ulterior motives when we were talking about it. During communion, Phil’s wife Stephanie asked everyone to take communion, and then take the elements and serve the next person. I was so blessed to see our community and another so in love with Jesus and each other and to see them serving each other in eucharistic harmony. I was moved to tears. Just a little. But powerfully.

One thing I didn’t expect was the pushback from some of our community regarding the theme of the night. We had decided that when we do Eukon, we would focus on different forms of missional activity and how people might get involved in helping. This time, we focused on human trafficking. I guess some who showed up were put off in some way because it wasn’t what they were expecting or they somehow felt that church should be about strictly singing and entertaining preaching, not about challenging people to get involved in real world issues.

Now, I don’t fault those who were put off by the night. Yes, it was mighty different than a typical Eikon gathering. Yes, Phil leading us in body prayer was new to us. Yes, the topic of human trafficking is uncomfortable. Yes, the songs were new. Yes, taking communion was different. Part of being a follower of Jesus (especially at Eikon) is to learn to see and worship God in everything. Even when we are uncomfortable. When we were planning the gathering, honestly, people being comfortable was not high on our priority list. If you belong to the community of Eikon, hopefully it is because of the people and thier trajectory in thier worship of God, not because it is entertaining. I have no desire to entertain people as my mission.

My personal mission and that of Eikon is to play our part in tbe redemtion of the world by being God’s people and following God’s son. I am dragging everyone I can with me. So to all of you who don’t understand why or what we did, or all of you who understand and didn’t like it, that is ok. You are still welcome. But know this: We are literally on a mission from God and no given person’s (or 4’s) uncomfortability  is going to deter us from our redemptive goal. Isn’t that why you came to Eikon in the first place? Because we are not like the others? Well, you can count on us to keep being different. Oh, and if you haven’t been offended yet, just wait, we are an equal opportunity offender. But we will love you through it.