iTimewaster
Live from the Green Hills mall, where hundreds of people are waiting in line for an iPhone.
Apparently I’m not the only one in Nashville without a life.
Last night I attended Kairos, a midweek gathering for 20 and 30-somethings in Nashville. In addition to the regular lineup of sermon and loud Chris Tomlin medley, the evening also included a testimony from an older lady about the Senior Link program.
This program connects young people from Kairos with “seasoned” adults in the church and helps them develop a one-on-one relationship. In her short talk, the Senior Link representative discussed meeting her “mentee” Shannon, their movie nights together, their long talks on phone and email (with Shannon teaching her to use instant messaging), and even their joint efforts to eat healthier. “We decided on a diet plan that works for both of us,” she shared. ”I’m retired and have time, so we agreed that I would shop and cook and Shannon would eat and pay.”
What a fun and healthy example of Titus 2 and of Christian community in general. As I’ve written before, I’m skeptical of the enforced bonding and artificial community created by some small groups, but this kind of personal relationship, in which two people agree to do life together, really appeals to me. Although I am more blessed with female role models than most young women my age, I would benefit from participating in something like this, and I’m a little jealous of Shannon.
59% of Americans do not believe in a Messiah who will return someday.
33% believe nothing happens (either way) after we die.
Only 30% believe God communicates with some of us directly, and only half of those folks believe they’re one of the chosen.
I know these statistics, and many more, because today I discovered BuzzDash, a website full of polls gauging—and presenting in pie-chart format—opinions on everything from sports to celebrities to philosophy.
Each poll also shows how many votes have been received (so you can somewhat contextualize the results) and how much longer it’s open for voting. The numbers change as you’re watching, and it really does live up to its own hype as “a real-time forum where people can solicit, measure and share opinions on nearly any issue.”
If none of the current polls interest you or pertain to the service you’re working on this week, you can also create your own and get feedback right away. For instance, Krispy Kreme received 57% of the “Who’s rocking your world when it comes to doughnuts?” vote—so now you know, and you can at least have good treats in the foyer.
Tonight I got to attend a wonderful service at City Church. In addition to great music (often present in Nashville services, but especially in a congregation which includes Derek Webb and many other pros and semi-pros), a meaningful communion time, and the best sermon I’ve ever heard on Genesis 2, the service also included something I’ve never witnessed at any other church.
After the singing and announcements and before the sermon, the pastor spoke for a few moments on the vision of City Church. He briefly explained the reason for this emphasis (“we cast the vision, celebrate the vision where we see it happening, and ask people to commit to the vision”—why must everything be in alliterative sets of three?), and then asked the congregation which part of the vision they wanted to hear more about this week. The consensus was culture (I don’t think all the vision elements started with C) and he shared a concise but very thoughtful explanation.
All of this is unusual enough, but what I found even more refreshing was that he paused after his comments and asked, “Does anyone have any questions about what I just shared?” He waited for at least 45 seconds (which doesn’t seem like a long time until you’re in front of a group asking for feedback) and then, amazingly, received a good question (“How do we continue to celebrate Christ and keep from focusing inwardly to just feel good about our own healthy culture?”) which he answered quite well.
Then the process repeated: “Does anyone want to respond to that question?” And, amazingly again, two more people offered helpful questions and comments which he restated for the benefit of the whole group and then responded to briefly but thoroughly. The whole thing took about six minutes.
The pastor, who then launched into a brilliant sermon on the biblical definition of maleness and femaleness, probably didn’t think much about this dialogue. It seems to be the norm for two year-old City Church. But his willingness to devote weekly service time to communicating the vision, and the respectful, open way he facilitated the moment, says more about the church culture than even the well-spoken answers he gave.
For once, a discussion about culture actually built culture. Corporate America should be hiring this guy.
You’ve heard of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” God and I have our own version of this agreement, which we call “Ask until you’re blue in the face and I still won’t tell.”
My reading of scripture reminds me I’m in good company with this—many of the heroes of the faith received answers late in the game, if ever. So I suppose it should be encouraging that God treats me the same. But some days the military version seems the way to go–if there’s going to be “no tell,” I’m tempted to stop asking.
I love action movies. But I also love kids, good teachers, and laughing, and this slow-paced, reflective movie is full of all three.
To Be and To Have is a documentary which follows a small classroom of students and their wonderful teacher George Lopez throughout the seasons in rural France. The big ones learn geometry while the little ones practice their numbers—all in the same classroom.
It sounds idyllic, and it largely is because of Lopez’s skill at keeping the fifteen or so students quiet and on task whether he’s giving them personal attention at the moment or not. He accomplishes this by communicating high expectations and treating the children with respect—as a result, the kids don’t want to disappoint him. When the inevitable squabbles happen, he models conflict resolution. And he finds the teachable in every moment.
I highly recommend this if you have kids, teach kids, or want to do either one. Your Blockbuster should have it, and if not, impress the Netflix people with your savoir faire. (It’s in French with English subtitles. Don’t be scared. You forget after a few minutes.)
To Be and To Have is a great example of the impact of one life—plus there’s JoJo, the delightful 4 year old who needs help washing his hands and sticks pencils up his nose.
From LarkNews.com
Edgy church breaks old rules, insists on new ones
ROCHESTER, Minn. — At The Circle, a young, innovative church which meets in a renovated bus depot, there is no pulpit, platform, or pastor, as such. The congregation rejects the labels “Christian” and “congregation,” preferring “followers of Jesus” and “friendship community.”
There are no ushers, but rather “helpers.” There is no worship team, but rather “God artists.” And woe to anyone who affixes traditional church labels to any of it.
“God’s doing a new thing here,” says Mitch Townsend, the leader of the church. He shuns the “pastor” label and insists people call him, “Hey, man,” or simply “Dude.” If someone slips and calls him “pastor,” he bristles and gently rebukes them.
“We got rid of all those old labels,” he says. “There’s no going back.”
At the church office, which they never call a church office but rather “the Hub,” secretaries, or “community action facilitators” as they are called here, tap-tap on computers (which they still call computers) and take calls.
When a visitor slips up and refers to The Circle’s “sanctuary,” Dude Townsend cuts him short.
“Listen, it’s not a sanctuary, it’s a meeting place, a gathering place,” he says, flushing red.
“Sorry, pastor,” the visitor says.
“Not pastor,” says Townsend. “Dude, or friend. Or just hey, Mitch.”
“Sorry, Dude Mitch,” the visitor says uncomfortably, and slinks away. Mitch quickly goes to him and hugs him.
“We’re all about love and freedom here,” he says. “I know it’s hard to get used to.”
At a Sunday morning “gathering,” as services must be called, people sit in chairs arranged in circle around a “focal point” (not a platform) and listen to the team of God-artists play instruments and sing “songs of adoration and devotion to the Creator,” as opposed to praise and worship music. The gathered “posse of Jesus followers” is free to sing along and to express themselves in any way that seems “real and authentic.”
“We strive to be genuine here,” says non-pastor “Hey, Jim” Richards, who in another setting might be called an associate pastor. “It’s about being who you are, not fitting into a pre-determined box.”
Before Dude Mitch’s personal sharing time (which markedly resembles a sermon), one visitor raises her hand and says, “Is there going to be an altar call? Because I really want to give my life to Jesus today.”
Dude Mitch answers quickly, “We don’t have altar calls here; we have ‘God moments’ or ‘Creator re-connects.’ And we don’t say ‘give your life to Jesus,’ but you may begin a lifelong love relationship with the Creator-Friend, if you like. But please wait until we are done with sharing time.”
After the service, “new friends” join in the “kick-back hall” for refreshments and conversation with the Dudes and other Hub personnel. They may also join a mid-week “hang-out crew” of 10-12 people which meets in a home, and which is steadfastly not referred to as a “small group.”
“Anyone who wants a break from normal, rigid church life is welcome at The Circle,” says Townsend.
Jennifer Taylor
My Other Sites
Twittering @seejenwrite- seejenwrite: Looking forward to hearing @susanisaacs and @donmilleris tonite. Flexing my fingers in preparation for copious note-taking.
- seejenwrite: Buying tix for trip to Orlando in January!
- seejenwrite: Here are my thoughts about the Twilight craze, from earlier this year: http://ow.ly/E3Vc
- seejenwrite: @FlowerDust See you there!
