Provocative, Organic Church

I’m reading this phenomenal book called The Provocative Church by Graham Tomlin.

It’s redefining evangelism, lending shape and form and words to things I have been feeling but didn’t know how to express. The idea that being a Christ follower is about living life under the rule of God. It’s about experiencing the restoration and fullness of life that he designed us for—experiencing love where there once was bitterness, forgiveness where there once was revenge, beauty where there once was ugliness, community where there once was lonliness, creativity where there once was conformity. It’s about engaging in our contexts and bringing these things to our worlds. It’s about offering explanation when this provocative way of life stimulates questions, and inviting others to experience life under the rule of God for themselves.

I was just reading some more of it, and this one particular sentence grabbed me: “Paul viewed the Christian community in Corinth not in mechanical but organic terms” (The Provocative Church, 147)

What would it look like for church leaders to create structure & conditions for church community that is more organic than mechanical?

But what is organic? What does this look, feel, taste like?
It makes me think alive.
Natural.
Growing.
Following predictable rhythms.
But with variation and moments of unpredictability.
Hopeful.
Beautiful.
Strong.
Delicate.

Mechanical seems to evoke the exact opposite sort of words:
Cold.
Hard.
Dead.
Rigid.
Unchanging.
Unfeeling.

So what would it look like for our churches to be places of organic life?

What kinds of conditions are vital for organic life in the faith community? What kinds of structures?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

a must listen podcast

matt & i have been listening to the fermi podcasts lately. crazy name, i know, but fermi project is doing some sweet stuff with bringing key cultural influencers together to talk about how the church can be engaging & bringing good to our world. they do a periodic podcast you can subscribe to--interviews with some movers & shakers of our day. people who are engaging the world around them and being kingdom bringers in creative ways.

i highly recommend it.

you can check out more of what their doing and also get to the podcast through their web site:

www.fermiproject.com

Creating Culture

Matt & I hopped on the train to NYC Friday to spend two days celebrating Matt's birthday. We both love taking trains, so this was a super fun experience all by itself. There's just something about having hours to watch scenery go by, think, read, watch movies. They just feel so adventurous. So romantic (and not in the guy/girl sort of way).

So Friday night we went to see the Blue Man Group live at their Astor Place Theater (first theater they ever performed in!). Seeing them was a dream of Matt's, so he was stoked, and I was pretty excited myself. They are this peculiar blend of band/comedians/artists/culture commentators. It is BEAUTIFUL. The creativity literally makes me cry as they bring beauty, reflection, and creation to the work around them. It's something that resonates deep inside of me.

Maybe because this is what we are all called to: to bring our unique art to the world around us. To not just react to things, but to create what we desire and hope for. To be fully engaged in the culture we find ourselves in, but reflecting on it, responding to it.

What is your art? Are you creating the culture you want to see rather than just reacting to what you don't want to see? How are you doing this?

It would take a while to put words to it, but it's amazing.

If you want to read about all our other super fun adventures trekking around the city, I'll let you read Matt's extensive blogs on it, complete with pics. His blog is the "matt" one in my links.

Hilarious story involving taxes & a puppy

Matt blogged about it, so I won't duplicate the entry--picture of the evidence and all. Check it out! http://ponderingloudly.blogspot.com/

Tribute to an Honest Person

There's a guy I know who continues to inspire me with his raw & genuine faith. I just wanted to say thanks and tribute him for it:

Thank you, Peter.

Thanks for always being yourself w/out hesitation.
Without fear of judgement.
Without fear of what "looks good".

Thanks for really engaging your faith.
For not giving pat answers.
For not being content w/ status quo.

Thanks for asking good questions.
Questions that don't have easy answers.
Questions that make us all think.

Thanks, Peter, for being honest--you add some good to the world around you for it.

Itching for Spring

so i was in georgia last weekend visiting with family. it was in the 70s saturday. beautiful. mild. clusters of daffodils were bright yellow all over, and a few cherry trees were coming out with their cloud of blossoms.

i'm officially ready for spring now.

so i broke out the flip-flops yesterday,and opened the sun roof today, enjoying the milder weather that seems to be on its way here as well.

i can't wait to get out in the garden!