Category: faith

New terminology

photo by Hryckowian

Ever wonder if the terms you’re using just don’t cut it?

Ever feel like you’ve been telling folks something over and over again and they have no clue what you’re talking about?

I wonder if maybe sometimes in our churches we use “outdated” terms or terms that have a whole new meaning outside the church and folks misunderstand what we want to communicate.

I think there are terms that maybe we should re-use and re-define – but maybe we need to work harder at defining them.

I love terms and phrases like “the insurgency of love.”

We all understand insurgency thanks to our recent world conflicts, and when you tag that idea of love on it – it gives a completely different meaning and idea.

But here’s one I’ve been struggling with and trying to define to others.

“Leader” – a person who rules or guides or inspires others

I think we get this idea that a leader is someone who says passionate things, gets everyone gathered around them for a common cause and then wins a battle.

But I think in a community or church setting: A leader is one who loves. One who serves. One who gives.

Being a leader in church doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It doesn’t mean you have a seminary degree. It doesn’t mean you’ve read the Bible 4 times and understand the Greek and Hebrew translations.

It just means you’re willing to serve and give. It just means you’re willing to say, “I want to give of myself and love others.”

Karl Barth said “laity” is one of the worst words in our Christian terminology. With the introduction of this word we suddenly have two classes of people – the clergy and the lay person. Yet in Christ, there’s no division between white, black, Jew and Gentile. We may gladly admit that, but somehow we’ve gladly accepted the division between clergy and laity.

How can we better (re)define “leader” so that others may step up and say “I’m willing to follow Christ. I’m willing to give my life for others. I’m willing to love the unloved.”?

“I have decided to follow Jesus… Though none go with me – still I will follow…. no turning back. No turning back.”

Greed

EMI gave us several of Shawn McDonald’s Roots CD for the Something Beautiful podcast. We’ll be giving 2 away over the next couple episodes.

Really digging this album.

Listening to Greed (click to see a video) while laughing at all the hub-bub over Apple’s WWDC today.

Here are the words… good stuff….

Well take a look around and tell me what you see
We are consuming everything
And I must confess that I fall
Oh, Isn’t this the story of us all?

Falsely advertised
Into believing we need this stuff in our lives

‘Cause what we got is what we need
And everything else is only greed
It’s greener on the other side, Oh why can’t we be satisfied, oh

I’ve seen some with a little
And they seemed to be doing just fine to me
And I’ve seen some with alot
And they don’t seem like they ever want to stop

Falsely advertised
Into believing we need this stuff in our lives

‘Cause what we got is what we need
And everything else is only greed
It’s greener on the other side, Oh why can’t we be satisfied, oh

‘Cause what we got is what we need
And everything else is only greed
It’s greener on the other side, Oh why can’t we be satisfied, oh

Changing roles in ministry

Mike Blythe writes about his recent changes from being a physician at the hospital in Jos, Nigeria, to helping oversee much of SIMS IT work in the area.

It’s interesting how sometimes God calls us from one ministry to the other. He may call us to the front lines, only to later call us to move into a background role – in support of others on the front line. And vice-versa. Sometimes we’re willing and ready. Sometimes we go kicking and screaming.

Sometimes we have to be pulled and pushed by those around us as well just to even get started in a ministry. What frustrations, issues have you found as God moves you from one direction to another?

Let your friends know they’ve been left behind

A new subscription service (only $40) a year lets you e-mail your friends and family members 6 days after the rapture!

With this service – “run by Christians, for Christians” – you can store up to 250mb of documents that will be e-mailed to up to 62 individual email addresses.

“Imagine being in the presence of the Lord and hearing all of heaven rejoice over the salvation of your loved ones. It is our prayer that this site makes it happen.”

Sure hope their team of 3 individuals, that are scattered across the US don’t forget to login, or don’t get thrown in the slammer all at once – otherwise your friends and family members might be very frightened to know that you’ve been raptured and they’ve been left behind.

Sign up today!

As for me… I’ll just send a message to Twitter as I zip up through the clouds – so be sure you’re subscribed to my Twitter feed if you plan on being left behind.

HT to Reformergent