:: M squared T ::

:: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 ::

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 :: ::
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