A couple of weeks back, Brian McLaren talked to a room full of missionally-minded church planters and lay people at the TransFORM East Coast Conference (which was free by the way).
I thought it was a great message and well worth sharing here.
Tag: Brian McLaren
A final What-A-Study
This morning I wrap up more than 3 years of Wednesday morning What-A-Studies.
What a great time we’ve had. Until last fall Brian (our pastor) led the group. The group then multiplied and some moved to Chick-Fil-A in Waxahachie and a few of us stuck around in Red Oak.
I’ve been facilitating most of the conversations and have richly enjoyed each and every Wednesday morning.
I can only think of a few Wednesdays I’ve missed in the past few years — as it’s a huge highlight of my week.
Continue reading A final What-A-Study
I am an atheist…
I am an atheist when it comes to the god of violent jihad.
I am an atheist when it comes to the lord who converts by the sword.
I am an atheist when it comes to the mission of politicians using religion as ammunition.
but
I believe in You – the Artist of trees and galaxies.
I believe in You – the Poet of oceans and rivers and streams.
I believe in You – the God of compassion who calls us to action
I can’t believe what they believe but I believe in You
I believe in You – Majestic Designer of space and time
I believe in You – Composer of beauty and music of life
I believe in You – The Holy Forgiver and Wild Reconciler
I am an atheist to the gods of the greedy ignoring the needy.
I am an atheist to the gods who make others torture and suffer
I am an atheist when it comes to view of the chosen few, who
judge and condemn all who differ them.
I believe in You – Mighty in meekness and gentle in power
I believe in You – The Word who has spoken good news to the broken
I believe in You – Transcending mystery, with us in history
What do you think?
A call to Ubuntu
…the call to transcend and include is a call that comes from the Holy Spirit, in whom all of us live, move and have our being. So we cannot escape. We can throw a temper tantrum. We can sit in the corner and pout. We can cower in the closet in fear. But then we hear music from another room playing faintly. Gradually, eventually, we are enticed and magnatized by the Spirit’s jazz, and we have to come out of our closet and dance, to join in the unending improvisation and lively rhythm of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
-Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity
Understanding the fine print
As part of our training to be foster parents, we were required to make a set of family rules. It seemed almost funny to come up with house rules, knowing we were wanting an infant or toddler at the oldest.
They’re broad and yet basic. Not super specific.
And of course, our first test of these rules, our first placement — two toddlers.
I considered reading all the rules to them (I think there are 7 or 8 rules) but in reality it wouldn’t make any sense to them.
Instead of focusing on the big picture rules, we have to daily remind them of the fine print.
Continue reading Understanding the fine print
A New Kind of Christianity
Brian McLaren’s new book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith, drops tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 9).
I received a free advance copy from the publisher late last week and have been devouring it every chance I get (which with two toddlers at home hasn’t been that often).
In it, McLaren offers the top 10 questions he’s been hearing from people about the Christian faith as well as 10 responses to those questions (as opposed to answers — which are simply statements — which lead to hate and debate… he expounds much more on this in the first couple chapters).
So far I’m loving everything I’ve read. I won’t say I agree with everything yet (especially since I haven’t the full book yet) but what I’ve read is definitely in line with a lot of other things I’m reading and thinking as of late.
Continue reading A New Kind of Christianity