As I opened up my hotmailbox tonight, I had this nervous anxiety over what I might read. As I read over comments from James, Brandon, and Jason, I was reminded of what gracious and Godly friends I have. Thanks to each of you for the good insights (except for the Caribou reference!) and ways in which you help me re-examine and re-direct my often irrational knee-jerk blog'bursts.
(Just kidding Jason...I can even respect your affection for Caribou. Half of their employees in Columbus were prior Starbucks partners I think! I just hosted a coffee seminar at Starbucks today for about a dozen java lovers and it's really bizarre how much I love to explore, taste, and share coffee with others. Regardless of what kind of coffee it is and where it's grown...there's such a great story behind each coffee bean, the hands that harvested it, and the final fortunate recipient of the brew. I'm sure there's a spiritual analogy here, but I'm fighting the urge to spiritualize everything.)
To James, I'd just like to say blessings on the exploration ahead and the redefining of your role in the tribe, denomination, and community. I celebrate alongside you guys over the path your family is now traveling. Wish I could join you to hear JW.
To Brandon...let's definitely get together soon. We're looking at the Norwood area as a potential place to put down some new roots. One of the reasons would be proximity to Xavier and a chance to do some studying there. I completely respect all that you're saying about staying, learning, and working through the issues of church where the "grind" definitely adds more flavor to the cup from which you're drinking.
To Jason...thanks for clashing the iron together for me and revealing a blind spot in my critique. I definitely don't think two wrongs make a right...but your point is well taken. I'd like to think we would personally be much more generous with our abundance than we have in the past. Of course, it may be awhile before we know "abundance" again. Starbucks doesn't pay me HALF of what BCN did!
To the rest of you...Shalom!
May the peace of Christ be with you
2 comments:
Hey Chris,
Don' know if you remember me or not, but I'm on the NWO Dist. with James. I just happened to come across your blog via his and wanted to comment here. I resigned from my position as YP at my church back in January for what seems like some of the same reasons you are describing in your posts. I was/am tired of the local churches that spend the vast majority of their resources on buildings and salaries. I found myself feeling extremely guilty for taking a paycheck each week all while the church was on a spending freeze. We couldn't spend any money on ministry. I have also struggled with the question of do I stay in our denomination (primarily the local churches that I've pastored at) or not because of what seems like it's unwillingness to emerge or evolve out of it's apathetic response to the needs of our community and culture. I guess I tell you all of this to let you know that you are not alone in this process. I believe that God has begun shaping many of us in new challenging ways. I don't know how far you are in this process, but my advice would be to be patient and allow some healing to take place in your life. You may not even feel hurt, but I discovered over time that though I didn't realize it at first, I did need some time to get my thoughts and my heart in a place away from the "ministry" for some healing. Anyway, God bless you as you continue this journey.
chris,
i'll be in town tomorrow and will have some time in the morning before, say 12:30 if you'd like me to stop by your store or anything.
I'll be there thurs morning as well. and friday night, saturday morning.
call me
614.354.0276
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