A friend of mine (thanks @m) sent this to me. It’s really a great, thought-provoking presentation that is certain encourage some good conversations.

“You cannot run a linear system in a finite planet indefinitely…”

Its about a 20 minute clip. So, grab a cup of joe and check it out. Then think about it…

Alan Hirsch, Director of Forge Mission Training Network, and author of The Shaping of Things to Come and The Forgotten Ways, spent a day with pastors at GRTS and the Grand Rapids Community was invited Chapel where he spoke.

The following are my brief notes of his lecture. It was also recorded and is available for download.

Four Essentials for the Western Church in the 21^st Century

1. The church must rediscover the absolute centrality of Jesus (Christology)

• We must (re)align ourselves with Jesus Christ
• We must go back to the roots of our faith
• The closer we get to Jesus… the more dangerous he is
• Has Jesus been subverted from the church?
• Jesus does not suit our middle class sensibilities

2. The church must rediscover the ethos of discipleship

• We need discipleship not entertainment
• Without discipleship you end up with a church that is less than Jesus intended
• The authority of the church to speak, comes out of our ability to embody the message

3. The church must rediscover a missional-incarnational impulse

• This exposes the very nature of God
• The church doesn’t have a mission… the mission has a church
• We must reframe around “sent-ness” not “come-ness
• Incarnation- into one’s world (Jesus- 30 years in the neighborhood and no one “noticed.” This is the opposite of colonizing people’s cultures or an “attractional” posture.

4. The church must rediscover the ethos of the structure of apostolic movements

• Consider church’s resources in the first 200 years contrary to the resources the church has today. Have our resources mixed our message?
• Movements are not elitist. Everyone is involved, everyone carries the potential for change (priesthood of all believers)
• “Movements” are reproducing and reproducible
• Movements avoid centralization of power
• We must broaden out our understanding of leadership as it is currently too narrow (Eph 4)

There are many ways to reflect on these comments. My initial thoughts stem from a more practical perspective: For church planters, I can see these ideals being inspiring. For congregations… and youth ministries… steeped in their own traditions (think of the programming you “have” to do), what does this re-discovering look like and is it truly possible?

Rediscover we must. It may be the difference between serving others or serving ourselves. One is Christian, the other is not…

Historically, adolescences has shifted from a time of “transition” from child to adult, to a significant life stage that some experience well into one’s mid-twenties. There are many developmental and sociological reasons for this phenomenon.

It has been perpetuated, not the least, by youth ministry that has (on plus side) responded to the needs of this population but may also be (on the negative side) perpeduated a delayed entry into adulthood.

More broadly, it might be said that the road from childhood to adulthood has lost its way as adolescence is desired, worshiped, and longed to be preserved.

The lack of “signposts” toward adulthood have left gaps for other rites to be adapted. I wonder if the 21 year-old drinking age has become one of these rites.  Maybe this rite has had to take on a flood of meaning that, on the surface, shows itself as binge drinking, but underneath calls for something more.

One solution comes from this article by Dan McFeely that reports that some college presidents are suggesting the legal drinking age be lowered to age 18.

Derek Melleby from CYPU and others have written opinion responses in USA Today, on the topic. 

What do you think of this?

The argument goes well beyond our own personal convictions about whether one can enjoy a cold one. Might there be deeper systemic issues that frame this discussion?

Kinnaman’ and Lyon’s research in UnChristian indicates that many Americans view Christians as “too political.” Maybe one of the reasons is that some expressions of Christianity have made demands on candidates rather than seeking to ask good questions, to listen in order understand, and then vote in good conscience.

My hat goes off to Rick Warren for taking a need first step toward a different relationship between evangelicals and politics (a move from “telling” to “listening”). I do think, however that David Water’s article in the Washington Post,  “What Rick Warren Should have Asked” offers insightful questions that takes the conversation either further.

If you haven’t seen this, it’s worth the read, and more importantly, worth deep consideration.

Given that 18 year-old adolescents will be voting this year, how do we guide them in thoughtful consideration of Christianity and politics? 

Interesting article by Stephen Prothero, chair of Boston University’s Dept of Religion and author of Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know.

Prothero states in this article:

“One of the biggest challenges to any ancient faith is to adapt to modern circumstances and then, as circumstances change, to adapt again. American religious institutions are, as a rule, doing a poor job of listening to and learning from this millennial generation.”

Maybe “trying to get young people to church” is missing a bigger point.

Check out the article here.

Walt Mueller always brings some good things for youth workers to think about. This one is on advertising, media, and worldview.

Ty Hogue at Harderwyk Ministries (Holland, MI) is putting this seminar on for FREE. Thanks Ty!

Looking for something to attend or take your youth min team to? This could be it. Check it out.

Check this out.

Here’s some ways you might consider expressing Advent with your faith community.

Advent Conspiracy is an international movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by worshipping Jesus through compassion, not consumption.

Worship more.

Spend less.

Give more.

Love all.

Baker Book House in Grand Rapids is hosting an “Emergent Roundtable Discussion,” next Thursday, October 18th, at 7.00 PM.

Those participating in the conversation are…

John Frye – serves as pastor at Fellowship Evangelical Covenant Church, Hudsonville, MI. He’s a great guy, a veteran pastor, and an avid blogger. John is one the first people I met in GR. I respect his ongoing pursuit of theological integrity and ministry innovation.

Andre Daley – serves as pastor at Mosaic Life, Grand Rapids, MI. Andre planted Mosaic Life and has been a significant mentor to me, especially regarding multiculturalism and the church. He’s a good friend and he’s even let me preach at his church!

Mike Wittmer – serves as Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. Mike is a friend and a colleague. I appreciate his ongoing commitment to ask helpful questions for the ongoing emergent conversation. Mike is the author of Heaven is a Place on Earth.

Sarah Cunningham- is the author of Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation. I found her book very meaningful and have recommended to many of my 20-something friends. A while back I felt compelled to blog her back with my own post called, “Dear Sarah.” I look forward to meeting her.

Steve Argue – i’m just trying to make meaning in the many worlds in which I feel I straddle. I’m glad to be a part of this.

If you’re in town, come and join in on our conversation. I’m looking forward to our time together and I’m grateful to Baker for setting this up.

My coffee friends have probably already picked up on the latest promotion from Starbucks.

They’re giving away a free iTunes song of the day, every until November 7th.

Wow. That’s a lot of songs. And a lot of coffee.

Beyond marketing, I wonder what this promo means symbolically?

Any thoughts?

Dust Press has their next latest and greatest issue- “The Blessed Curse.”

This is their second biblical graphic novel. I’ve met with Mark Carpenter, the managing director, and I’m excited about his vision for this project.

I really believe that this project brings a beautiful convergence of theology, art, and story telling.

Check these out.

Order some.

Pass them out.

Get feedback from your students.

Then tell Mark about it…