:: M squared T ::

:: Thursday, February 27, 2003 ::

Just got back from the Metro in Chicago where Evanescence played. I was down on the floor the whole time, in the middle of the crowd. A few different times a mosh pit started up all around me, and I got into it a couple times. It was really cool. At one point I got knocked down, but the whole crowd was really friendly - any time anyone fell or got knocked down everyone backed off and helped them up. Everyone was friendly after each song, congratulating each other on the events.

One of the amazing things about it was that Evanescence's lyrics have a Christian worldview, and a lot of them are kinda like conversations between the singer and God. And the crowd really got into them. They weren't particularly Christian, that I could gather. Some were. Probably most weren't. But this band is well-liked by all. I can't wait to get their CD next week.

I'll have to go do that sort of thing again soon. It was loads of fun. And Evanescence, you rock!!!

:: Matt 2/27/2003 11:13:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Go Illini!!! The Basketball team smashed Indiana 80 - 54. I didn't get to see the game... I was in Theology class discussing the nature of Humanity (Theological Anthropology), but I'm still excited that they rocked out the Assembly Hall like they did. Looking forward to a win in Ann Arbor! Go get 'em!!!

:: Matt 2/26/2003 01:14:00 AM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I received all three of the Nooma DVDs in the mail today. I have only had time to look at the second one. I showed it off during the break in the middle of my preaching class this afternoon as an example of the kind of preaching I want to do.

The preaching is very conversational - like we're just walking along together, discussing a topic. It had a bit of resemblance to the Platonic dialogues (like, for instance, The Republic) where the learning takes place along the journey. Yet, in a way, it was very different: the journey itself is a part of the story, integrally connected so that without the journey (which is merely a foil for Plato's discussion in The Republic) it is no longer a story.

I find that this is reflective of the image of Jesus that I have. It seems that the disciples were "with him" to such a degree that they learned in the down-and-dirty times and the basic stuff of life with Jesus. While his object lessons were probably not nearly so dramatic in their setup as this one by Rob Bell, he made much of the opportunities he had to share himself with them as they went through daily life.

I have come to the conclusion that our typical Christian worship is truly outside of our daily existence. That is not just unfortunate; that makes ministry nearly impossible. The Nooma DVDs point to a kind of preaching that moves beyond their slick packaging and well-produced filmmaking: they point to a relational style, a "being with" that is the true personal ministry to real persons producing real growth in Christlikeness.

:: Matt 2/26/2003 12:53:00 AM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I'm really impressed by the band Evanescence. Check them out!

:: Matt 2/25/2003 12:53:00 AM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I chanced, or better, was led by the Spirit, to read "The Inner Ring" by C.S. Lewis yesterday afternoon. It is in the collection called The Weight of Glory, originally published in 1975, and reprinted in many different editions.

"The Inner Ring" is highly convicting to anyone who has observed that he/she is on the outside of what would seem like an "inner circle" and who wants in. It is even more convicting to anyone who has made any attempt to act on that desire of being "in." It would be the rare American who would not fall into this category; this of course applies to myself. The essay describes how that in any situation that there are probably at least two structures of authority in play - the official structure and the structure built on personal relationship that can oftentimes be highly manipulative.

This is highly recommended reading, along with the titular essay of the collection, "The Weight of Glory." "The Weight of Glory" is the theological basis for "The Great Divorce" and is yet another convicting essay on how one ought to treat others.

Pick these up, read them, and tell me what you think...

:: Matt 2/24/2003 11:48:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (1) ::
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Well, well, well... I must relate a very strange experience from, well, early this morning.

So I'm laying in bed at 4:30 this morning (about) and the phone starts ringing. It rings and quits four or so times... I don't remember exactly (I was attempting to be asleep, you know?) Turns out it's the Village of ----- PD trying to buzz in to our apartment from downstairs. One of my roommates had been answering the phone, and thinking that it was someone drunk and or trying to break in, he kept hanging up on them. Good and bad idea at the same time. They were pretty upset when they got here.

By the time the cops get up to our 7th floor, all of my other roommates are awake and up (all 3 of them), and I'm still sorta half to 3/4 asleep. But I can hear them having an animated conversation with one of my roommates who has a non-standard name of Eastern European extraction. They thought he was making it up. C'mon guys.

So they roust me out of bed, 'cause I'm the one they're wanting to talk to. The first thing the cop asks me is, "Did you call your mother tonight?"

I answered, "No..." (and wondering what they were getting at) "Should I have?"

They question me regarding my name, hometown, and mother's name. They ask me if I am sure of all of that. "Do you go by _________ as well?" No. Finally, we figure out that they're looking for someone with the same last name who lives in the building across the road. They say "We're sorry to bother you guys." Somehow they got the name and address mixed up with us. At 4:30 AM, little wonder. But what the heck, y'know?

Yes, I have a strange life. Does this happen often?

:: Matt 2/23/2003 01:59:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Chicago weather can be so dramatic, you know?

Yesterday it was in the 40s and sunny; football was played outside (both with the round ball and the pointy one), didn't need a coat to go outside.

Today it's in the 20s (at best). Gray. Windy. Really windy. As I sat in the library reading for one of my classes, I was facing a window through which I could see the ice thickening on the lake in front of the library, and the naked trees dancing in long slow movements as they were buffeted by the near-gale force winds. For all the Canada Geese we normally see around here, not one was out on the lake today. It's probably too cold and windy for them, too.

:: Matt 2/22/2003 05:16:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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So what's the deal with these nightclubs burning? It's, like, two in one week! Geez!

God, protect us! Be with the injured and the families of those who died, both in Chicago and Rhode Island. Amen.

:: Matt 2/21/2003 04:02:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Alright, so I've been in front of my computer a long time tonight. But I've been bold enough to post to Next-Wave, too. The article that I responded to is on Sunday-Centeredness.

You probably don't know how frustrating it is to say that you are going to Seminary so as to be better equipped for ministry, and for people not to get that "full-time ministry" isn't just the professional, paid staff someplace, but everyone who is a Christian. For goodness' sake! When will we get it that we are all ministers, and all in full-time ministry? When will we quit paying people to do the praying and visiting of the sick and the rest of the Matthew 25:35-36 list and begin to do it ourselves? Are we saying that the only "righteous" are the "pastors"? If they're the only ones living it out, then maybe that's closer to the truth than we'd like...

We've got ourselves so into the "sunday-centered" paradigm that it takes real, intentional, consciencious discipline for even someone like me, for whom this rant is very familiar, to perceive life as ministry.

We don't get it that Jesus made death holy. He made suffering holy. He made everyday life holy. And we still don't get it. I wanna worship God every minute... every day...

God! Help me to see that you have made life holy, if we are willing to receive it!
Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

*End of Rant*

:: Matt 2/20/2003 11:31:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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So I posted to the discussion board at The Oooze again... I think it's a bit more germane to the discussion this time... and I've pointed them back here... :)

I'm in the process of putting together what will either be a long paper or series of essays or a whole web site containing some thoughts about various practical ministry topics, which is the precursor to me writing about a real vision for ministry that I have involving some new organic communities. Pray for me as I reflect, pray, read, seek, etc. I just finished the module on discipleship. I don't have a way to post it to the site, but if you're interested, I'll e-mail you a working copy.

:: Matt 2/20/2003 10:52:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I have had a request to try to come up with a positive definition of community. In my reflections over the last couple of days, the "why" question of community (which I answered by a somewhat negative appraisal of "accountability") has led to a reflection upon the nature of humanity. I'm not sure yet if I'm comfortable "landing" anywhere yet... but here are some aspects to community that are very important, if not essential.

-Identity: People in a community share a common identity that even if not verbalized is recognized at some level by all.

-Boundaries: Identity naturally leads to a definition of boundaries. Defining a "we are" (even non-verbally or implicitly) necessitates a "they aren't." How flexible and fluid and porous these boundaries are, indeed, where the boundaries are, is up to the group.

-Commitment: People in a community have a level of interest or commitment that creates staying power.

-Common Life: Communities have some sort of collaborative aspect to life - at the very least, working alongside each other in parallel.

These are all weak definitions, and require more elaboration. Neither is the list complete. Input would be appreciated.

:: Matt 2/20/2003 12:18:00 AM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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So I finally got around to spending my gift card I got for Xmas today... yeah, it's been nearly two months... but I got what I wanted, eh?

Delirious' "Touch"
ColdPlay's "A Rush Of Blood to the Head"
POD's "Satellite"

So yeah, nothing really "brand spankin' new," but they grew on me - I like that better than a really new impressive song that disappears after a short period of time.

:: Matt 2/19/2003 08:59:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Hi folks - just added a comment link to my site... If you want to do this, too, you can get it here. So please, tell me what you think!

:: Matt 2/19/2003 02:06:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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On a lighter note...

I was handed an article this afternoon written by Stephen Katz called How to Speak and Write Postmodern. It's downright hilarious.

It's especially funny when one considers the fact that the most common usages of the term "postmodern" come from "evangelical Christians" (whatever that means) and that your run-of-the mill American (who, incidentally, would not probably self-identify as an "evangelical Christian" [gasp!] ) has very little grasp of what this postmodern thing is and why certain people are getting so compulsively verbal over it.

Let's just quit trying so hard to market to "those postmoderns" and get back to the basics: Loving God with our whole being and Loving our Neighbor as ourselves. And this probably means more of a "working it out" than a "figgering it out". When we do that, it seems that the whole relevance question gets worked out without nearly so much "sound and fury."

:: Matt 2/19/2003 01:46:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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This afternoon, I had the opportunity to chat with a couple of my classmates regarding the use of technology in churches. It is unfortunate that many churches reject technology not because they can't afford it (always a valid excuse in my book, as long as they really can't afford it) but instead because they dislike its application to church in some way or another.

Unfortunately, if we choose to keep technology out of the church, we will find ourselves becoming Amish - at the best, quaint and isolated from the rest of society and the church. We will choose to hold our use of technology at a certain place in history, and not move beyond it. Computers, and especially the Internet, are here to stay for the forseeable future. Why not incorporate them as we have the various forms of print and broadcast media? Granted, the Internet is not a panacea; it is a tool which may be used to further the mission of God in the world.

:: Matt 2/18/2003 11:50:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Class got cancelled tonight... Dr. S---- had food poisoning. Get well soon, Dr. S----! We're praying for you!

I must say that I benefited from this cancellation to watch the Illinois-Michigan State game, where the Illini won 70 to 40. At one point (before they put in the bench) they had a 41-point lead. Dee Brown was absolutely awesome tonight. Something like 5 steals! Check out the Illini at http://www.fightingillini.com.

I posted to The Ooze a couple of days ago, and I've been totally ignored. Read the discussion, and look for the post by "seeker79." For now, I'll withhold comment as to why this might be. And yes, there is a bit of a case of Multiple Personality Disorder going on here. I've got several different logins for several different places. I figure that I'll have to narrow it down again soon. :)

:: Matt 2/18/2003 09:52:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Another post on the subject of community:

I was reminded last night by one of my roommates that "it is not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18) precedes the account of the fall. I suppose that this could apply to community in general, as well as a description of marriage. This gives a nice Biblical basis for the idea that community is somehow essential. But why is it not good for people to be alone?

It seems that being an "individual" is an incomplete notion of what it means to be a human person. Individuality is part of being a person, but individual and person are not synonymous. There is something inherently lacking in being a solo individual. But the essential nature of community is still mysterious to me.

:: Matt 2/17/2003 11:46:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Well, just got out of 2:40 of class this afternoon in a classroom where the temp dropped dramatically (as it has every week this quarter) about an hour - hour-15 into the class session. We all had coats on by the end of the session. Other'n that, it was a good class.

I've got a load of work to do now... so updates will be slow until tomorrow night.

:: Matt 2/17/2003 04:23:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I've been told that my argument is unclear in the two posts earlier on community. So I'll try to clarify.

1. Yes, I'm saying several things at once.
2. Just occupying adjacent space simultaneously does not make for real community. (The airplane thing & the kind of worship prevelant in many churches.)
3. One of the main arguments I have heard for why Christians should be in community (other than "that's just the way it is") is "accountability." This means that we share in community so that we don't go astray, stay on task discipleship-wise, and don't fall into serious sin. I find that this rationale, while useful and descriptive of the benefits of community, is still lacking something essential about community.
4. I argue that "Accountability" is not the primary reason that Christians should be in community. I base this on the fact that Jesus Christ, theoretically, would not have needed accountability, and therefore wouldn't really need community. Sin (including wandering from the faith and heresy and "big sins") cannot and should not be our primary reason for community.
5. I plead ignorance regarding a succinct and positive definition of community. I'm working on it. Need your help.

That's the short summary.


:: Matt 2/17/2003 12:03:00 AM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Just returned from a concert featuring Jars of Clay and Caedmon's Call. Caedmon's opened, and really rocked the place out. Unfortunately, Jars really misread the audience and kinda crashed and burned. Too many slow, depressing songs all in a row. Besides the fact that it was in a basketball gymnasium. It was a bit hard to hear, they were having sound problems and we were sitting on hard bleachers.

I came away with a new appreciation for Caedmon's Call - especially for their song "Only Hope." It was inspired by Charles Wesley's hymn, "Depth of Mercy". The first stanza will suffice for here:

DEPTH of mercy! can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear?
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
I have long withstood his grace,
Long provoked him to his face,
Would not hearken to his calls,
Grieved him by a thousand falls.

2 I have spilt his precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!
Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesu's face,
Now before the throne of grace.

Keep up the good work, Caedmon's! And Jars, guys, well, the picking the song out of the hat thing didn't work at all tonight. Sorry.

:: Matt 2/16/2003 11:50:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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Yeah, so those last two posts were supposed to be one... but I guess that they were too long or something... I'll have to check on that... but read them in chronological order (bottom one first) and you'll get the point, I think.

:: Matt 2/16/2003 03:27:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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It seems that in some ways, our own desire for community to be "accountability" may be aggravating the problem that we are trying to address. When asked why church attendance, (or small group, or home meetings or whatever) are important, many of us give an accountability answer. "Well," we say, "we can't just strike out on our own; we need other people to keep us from wandering away from the faith and keep us from falling into sin." Or something like that. Which is all well and good.

But underlying that statement lies a persistent hint that says, "If I were only perfect enough, I wouldn't need community." If we didn't risk "falling away" or "falling into sinful behavior", we wouldn't be in community. We would go it alone. This "community" is not essential to our lives as believers. Community is merely the place that individuals achieve greatness. Moreover, we have made "community" a necessity because of sin - which leaves us with a bad taste in our mouths.

This, however, is not the Biblical model. (We can discuss at another time why an argument from the Bible is useful and necessary). The Gospels portray Jesus as living in unbroken community with his Father in heaven. This community is so tight that he is in the Father and the Father is in him (John 14:10). Somehow, community is essential to the life of Jesus, which is the eternal life we are interested in participating in.

Somehow, in our reflections upon community, we should not rest in a definition or expression of community that makes it undesirable and / or nonessential. Furthermore, we should not make community a necessity only because of sin. What could we do differently?

I would like to discuss this idea. I will keep posting on this topic periodically as my thoughts begin to gel. Feel free to join the discussion. I pray that God may lead us into the kind of community that He desires.

:: Matt 2/16/2003 03:26:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I just got done talking with a couple of friends about what it means to be community. It seems that much of what we perceive to be community is merely a periodic gathering of an aggregate of individuals - not really community at all. A group of people who get on a plane for a flight from Chicago to LA, and all participate in the takeoff, the in-flight movie, the food, the dinky restrooms and the landing are not for that reason a community. Sure, they all were in the same place at the same time; they all went from Chicago to LA; they all participated similarly in the same event. But no one would label your average domestic flight an experience of community. Actually, most of the time, we just try to ignore everyone as much as possible so we can do our thing.

Yet, week after week, many people expect community in churches that are very much analogous to the flight. We gather in a group with people we don't know, participate largely in parallel with these strangers (singing hymns, hearing a sermon or message or talk or whatever the current fad word is, take communion/eucharist, etc.), and then we leave. Usually we are at least civil and exchange some sort of greeting. This, in and of itself, is not community. Changing the order or the colors or the meeting place or using candles doesn't make a lick of difference as far as that goes. (Personally, I like candles. Incense, too.)

:: Matt 2/16/2003 03:25:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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So I just finished typing and typing and typing on a response to Kevin A. Miller's article that has caused such a ruckus on a lot of the blogs and sites that I look at regularly. But it blew up in my face... the blogger thing didn't like what I had to say or something and it gave me an error message. And there's no save button on this interface.

And so for now it's close to one in the morning. My eclectic mind wants to pull insights from all of them and also respond to some of their comments. But for now, I'll need to set that aside. I have to be up bright and early for participation in a service of worship. And there will be another hot article soon that we can all rant about. And maybe I'll be the one to write it someday.

:: Matt 2/16/2003 12:57:00 AM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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So I'd like to make a second blogsite to discuss matters theological among friends. I hope that some of you whom I have pointed to this site will register accounts with blogger.com so we can all chat on a new up-and-coming site for which I have yet to find a name. And then contact me (either e-mail address is fine...) and we'll set something up.

Cheers

:: Matt 2/15/2003 11:13:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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I was reading Thomas G. Long's Witness of Preaching for one of my classes... got to the chapter where he was talking about adding sermon illustrations. And i got to thinking... it seems that the most appropriate sermon illustrations don't come from those books of jokes or illustrations or even preaching websites. There's a lot of better stuff. Most of the stuff on the radio (and no, i don't mean Christian radio) speaks to a lot of the issues i want to preach about. That music, along with other stuff, seems like it would make better connections with those around me than the "little boy and his dog or his grandfather" stories told by most preachers. Even if i'm never in a "pulpit" (even if "pulpit" doesn't involve a music-stand-like paper holder) it's more useful to be able to illustrate the faith through an interaction with the fiber of our society than with these quaint, clean and incredibly FAKE stories.

:: Matt 2/15/2003 06:35:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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...so... i've decided to take the plunge and start blogging... should be a good time. Introductions are not all that worthwhile yet i think i'll say something by way of introduction.

I'd like to engage whoever wanders through on whatever topics that get posted. I like to see myself as a bit of an amateur theologian, so a lot of what i want to put here will probably relate to that. But it won't all be head-y stuff. U of Illinois Basketball and Football will show up at the proper times, as well as other random stuff. So enjoy!

:: Matt 2/15/2003 06:01:00 PM :: permalink :: comments (0) ::
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