The Relational Mission

I had a disturbing conversation with another pastor this week. This person expressed admiration for a book that has become quite popular right now. His words to me were, "This book really kicks people in the pants so that they will get up and do something." I walked away disturbed for two reasons. First, for the life of me I cannot understand why people think this particular book is so great. It's more of the same message that I've heard all my life in the church: God loves you, you should love God, now show God how you love him. Of course it is a little more nuanced than that, but that was the basic message I got out of it. The second reason for my disturbing feelings is much greater. I began asking myself if the people in my church really need another kick in the pants. Then I reflected on my church in Houston where I led as an elder for eight years, the people in the church in Vancouver where I served on staff, or the various people in many other congregations with...

Since I was a child, the theme of the cross, the death of Jesus and the experience of salvation that results has been the focus of my church experience. Every week, I would either sing about, discuss in Sunday School or hear a sermon about how salvation came through the sacrificial death of Jesus. However, as I look back, the way we talked about these things assumed that they actually made sense to our way of thinking. And honestly, nothing about the way of the cross, the sacrificial death of Jesus or why his death has anything to do with why I might be saved makes any sense. What bearing does the violent death of an innocent man 2000 years ago have upon me and my relationship with God? I think we are so accustomed to hearing about the cross that we really don't know much about what it means. This is no less the case for those who did not grow up in the church, as the cross is such a common symbol that we assume that its meaning is clear. With even a simply cursory reading of ...

This post is part of a series entitled "Theological Conversations." These are short writings that address key theological topics and questions in a way that invites your feedback and interaction. These conversations are "in-development" and we appreciate the dialogue you might offer. Everyone is a theologian. Even you. No one gets to opt out of thinking about the questions regarding God even if you don't believe in God. You might not think much about God or what God does and doesn't do in our world. Your Bible might be weighted with dust, your prayers might be rusty from neglect and church might rate alongside paying taxes. Even still you are a theologian of some sort because your actions reflect some perception of God. The question is not whether you will be a theologian but whether you will be a good one. Good thinking about God depends not so much on having advanced degrees in theology, memorizing lots of scriptures or our commitment to God's ca...

Life in the Kingdom of God is about living in revolt against the "principalities and powers of this world" that do not line up with God's ways. Greg Boyd identifies some of these principalities and powers in his book The Myth a Christian Religion. They include patterns of this world like individualism, nationalism, sexism, racism, etc. These are patterns that are ingrained into our thinking and being as most of us have been raised to breathe this air as if these patters are natural and necessary healthy breathing. To be transformed by the renewing of our minds means that we are revolting against these patterns. We are revolutionaries, those who stand against the norm and offer an alternative pattern. The question this: How do we revolt in a way that actually brings lasting, deep change that results in transformation of individuals and systems? Let me start by posing how I do not think it happens, however too many times we assume that it does bring change. Too often w...

Today I proof read a book that I wrote for my family. It's actually a revision of the blog posts I wrote for the Scandalous Love series we did a few months ago. It's been a while since I read these and in some ways it felt like I was reading them for the first time. I felt like I was having a new revelation of God's love and I wrote these words. Either it is pretty good stuff or my memory is waining. This reminds me of just how much we need a fresh encounter with God's love on a regular basis. It's too easy for me to miss this reality with all that is going on in my life. Getting stuff done or just making it through the day can consume my life. And all the while God is walking nearer to me than my own breath. Last week I got the new iPhone 4. It is always with me. Its my flashlight, my novel, my dictionary, my email, my news source and even my Bible. I'm even writing this post on it now. I use it so much that when it's charging I feel like something is...

I've learned to see that following Jesus is not about arriving at the right destination but about journeying toward a new future with the Spirit. If we conceive of our life in Christ as destination then it might be easy for some to see life on earth as waiting until their ticket is punched to go to the other side. But if life is a journey with Christ through the Spirit then each day is a new opportunity to take unexpected steps with Jesus and experience God in a relational way. I spend a lot of time praying, imagining and preparing for future events and strategies as a part of my role on the church staff. This week I'm putting the final touches on some things we are doing this Fall. This made me think about the Fall and how it is the time to take new steps after a summer of enjoying the Minnesota sun. I began to reflect on my journey with Jesus and pray about the next leg. Some might think I'm talking about big decisions or life altering questions. And while that might ...