This used to be a community blog, now we just use it for a podcast feed for our weekly worship gatherings (but we left the old stuff here in case you want to browse).
Email us if you want to know more, come for a visit, invite us your way, or just gab. Our website has a lot of information and some pictures of the people, places and things that make up the VC tribe
Our sometimes-updated podcast feed for Weekly Worship Gatherings:
Archives
Monday
A Liturgy for Simple Churches
Here's something I've been working on for VC. It's a Simple Church Eucharist Rite. Taken and adapted from the Book of Common Prayer. It is a liturgy in process. I welcome any feedback, ideas, suggestions, or affirmations. Feel free to use it too, if you find it helpful. We're going to experiment with it here and see how (and if) it helps in forming us to be the People of God. We'll be trying it out at this weekend's VC AllGroup for starters.
Download here - A Liturgy for Simple Churches.pdf (44 kb) --------------------------------
Download here - A Liturgy for Simple Churches.pdf (44 kb) --------------------------------
Upcoming Stuff
October 2nd - VC AllGroup @ The Brownhouse, 6:00 PM, Potluck, Worship, Conversation, and more.
November 12-13th - Regional AllGroup - hosted by VBCC in Lexington, times and places tba.
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November 12-13th - Regional AllGroup - hosted by VBCC in Lexington, times and places tba.
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Tipping Point
Been thinking a bit about Tipping Point:
"little changes can have big effects; when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached, changing the world. Gladwell's thesis that ideas, products, messages and behaviors "spread just like viruses do" remains a metaphor as he follows the growth of "word-of-mouth epidemics" triggered with the help of three pivotal types." From Publishers Weekly
Well, if you're looking for an emerging example of a coming tipping point..... (i.e. how do you recognize one coming), perhaps this is one:
From Joi Ito's Web: Wikipedia reaches one million articles
Wikipedia has just announced that it has reached one million articles. Congratulations Wikipedians! Wikipedia is in more than 100 languages with 14 currently having over 10,000 articles. It is ranked one of the ten most popular reference sites on the Internet according to Alexa.com (trumping Reuters, the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times). At the current rate of growth, Wikipedia will double in size again by next spring.
I suspect that few "regular" folks, outside of nerdy folks (like me), who spend too much time online, have heard of, or use, Wikipedia. But I wonder if that is about to change.....
What could this mean for simple churches in Cincinnati?????????????????????
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"little changes can have big effects; when small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached, changing the world. Gladwell's thesis that ideas, products, messages and behaviors "spread just like viruses do" remains a metaphor as he follows the growth of "word-of-mouth epidemics" triggered with the help of three pivotal types." From Publishers Weekly
Well, if you're looking for an emerging example of a coming tipping point..... (i.e. how do you recognize one coming), perhaps this is one:
From Joi Ito's Web: Wikipedia reaches one million articles
Wikipedia has just announced that it has reached one million articles. Congratulations Wikipedians! Wikipedia is in more than 100 languages with 14 currently having over 10,000 articles. It is ranked one of the ten most popular reference sites on the Internet according to Alexa.com (trumping Reuters, the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times). At the current rate of growth, Wikipedia will double in size again by next spring.
I suspect that few "regular" folks, outside of nerdy folks (like me), who spend too much time online, have heard of, or use, Wikipedia. But I wonder if that is about to change.....
What could this mean for simple churches in Cincinnati?????????????????????
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Saturday
Part and Parcel
The Problem with Sola Scriptura. Ties in with the recent posts and discussions in the comments. Happy thinking.
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Thursday
Cores and Edges
I was really trying not to post today, really! I've said enough lately. Kevin has really important stuff that you should read - its over here and here. If you care about VC you should read both of his posts (that's not meant to guilt you into it, but to say that I think what he says is extremely important to our journey).
That said, I do have something to post - it ties in with previous posts on the idea of a "Core" within VC. I discovered this book today:
Cores and Edges: How you can shape your church
by: Peter Renner
Paul Fromont talks about it in an article on TheOoze: Belonging and Not Belonging: The creative margins.
This other guy, Jerry Hampton, has this to say about it:
"Cores and Edges - is a guide book for every Christian to take with them as their church is reshaped by either deliberate restructuring or by relentless forces and pressures placed upon it. Whatever your church is becoming it must face the need to deal with its Cores and Edges. A core is that vital shape around which all the rest must hold together. The edges are the interface with the world. The core is the only really important structure a church must have. If it is mushy, or soft, or rotten, or scared, or hard, it will not produce the edge that Jesus showed to the world. The author maintains that a solid core and soft edges is the 'Jesus shape' for you as a Christian, and for your church."
Seems applicable for VC, huh? We've done a good job of having open edges, I think we need to spend a bit (not an inordinate or obsessive amount) of time on our core. What does hold us together (see Chad's post below)? What are the identifying marks of our community of faith?
by the way, you can buy the book from Potter's House Books (though perhaps Bill could hook you up as well). --------------------------------
That said, I do have something to post - it ties in with previous posts on the idea of a "Core" within VC. I discovered this book today:
Cores and Edges: How you can shape your church
by: Peter Renner
Paul Fromont talks about it in an article on TheOoze: Belonging and Not Belonging: The creative margins.
This other guy, Jerry Hampton, has this to say about it:
"Cores and Edges - is a guide book for every Christian to take with them as their church is reshaped by either deliberate restructuring or by relentless forces and pressures placed upon it. Whatever your church is becoming it must face the need to deal with its Cores and Edges. A core is that vital shape around which all the rest must hold together. The edges are the interface with the world. The core is the only really important structure a church must have. If it is mushy, or soft, or rotten, or scared, or hard, it will not produce the edge that Jesus showed to the world. The author maintains that a solid core and soft edges is the 'Jesus shape' for you as a Christian, and for your church."
Seems applicable for VC, huh? We've done a good job of having open edges, I think we need to spend a bit (not an inordinate or obsessive amount) of time on our core. What does hold us together (see Chad's post below)? What are the identifying marks of our community of faith?
by the way, you can buy the book from Potter's House Books (though perhaps Bill could hook you up as well). --------------------------------
Wednesday
WinnNotes: Missional Church Forum
Good stuff here (see below). Thanks Winn for the notes. I think what Alan says applies well to VC. Leadership, Theology, Structure - all the stuff that we are dealing with in our life together.
"Leadership is not a person with a plan or vision for the future, a leader is one who forms environments in which the people of God, among whom the Spirit resides, can get in dialogue with others and narratives of Scripture. Alan suggested that theology happen in liminality and in the liminility there is an interface of structure and anti-structure and that both are needed for the other to exist.
It is sometimes apparent that the emergent climate is somewhat anti-structural: undifferentiated with a lack of form or order and position. However, any group that comes together forms structure. [My comment: It may be a panacea to think that there should be a formless church.]
In the panel time Alan suggested that the emerging church was in a somewhat adolescent period and should find a way to grow up."
--------------------------------
"Leadership is not a person with a plan or vision for the future, a leader is one who forms environments in which the people of God, among whom the Spirit resides, can get in dialogue with others and narratives of Scripture. Alan suggested that theology happen in liminality and in the liminility there is an interface of structure and anti-structure and that both are needed for the other to exist.
It is sometimes apparent that the emergent climate is somewhat anti-structural: undifferentiated with a lack of form or order and position. However, any group that comes together forms structure. [My comment: It may be a panacea to think that there should be a formless church.]
In the panel time Alan suggested that the emerging church was in a somewhat adolescent period and should find a way to grow up."
--------------------------------
Re-Posted for your reading pleasure
Just read Chad's blog and thought it should be spread around a bit. The things of which he speaks are important and essential for VC. This is where we start - singular allegiance to Jesus. Not an ideology, not a doctrine, not an ethic, a politic, or even a worldview - but a Person. As we are in relation to that Person all those other things are effected and infected - but we start with Jesus and radiate through life together from this point.
VC is in a funky place. It may seem that we have lost our way (I don't think we have, but it may feel like that at times). It may seem that we've made mistakes (and surely we have and will continue to do so). Leadership is in flux. Worship is being reimagined. Mission is questioned and challenged. Discipleship (Learning) is a struggle and confusing. Lives are in transition. Roles are being shuffled. BUT .... AND YET ... NEVERTHELESS .... our hope is in the Person of Jesus. It is HE who makes sense of our lives - individually and corporately. With Jesus as our starting place these other things may seem funky, but will resolve themselves in time. We claim and proclaim our allegiance to Jesus.
Chad's post reminds us of that.
Capturing Some Late Night Thoughts...
It's late and I should be in bed, but I needed to get a few things off my mind and typed out before I forget them and they're lost forever. Nothing terribly profound, but some things that are worth thinking about.
Coming out of some conflict that I've witnessed recently in the midst of some fellow believers, I began to ask myself the question, "How does a body of believers made up of imperfect people coming from so many different backgrounds and perspectives stay together...unified...of one mind...live in peace?" (Moreover, how does something like that grow and mature and multiply?)
I started to think of the first disciples that Jesus called -- a motley crew, no doubt about it. But what the Lord, I think, was leading me to see was that here was a diverse group of people, made up of salty fishermen, a doubter (Thomas), a turncoat (Judas Iscariot), a tax collector (Matthew), and a political revolutionary (Simon the Zealot), but they somehow got past their differences and stuck together (minus Judas, I guess). And not only did they stick together, God used them mightly, empowering them to spread the Gospel even under intense persecution and spark a spiritual movement that has lasted nearly two millennia.
Amazing when you really think about it, really. Particularly when you look at two of these characters who were definitely like oil and water -- Matthew and Simon the Zealot. You cannot have two more divergent political persuasions. Matthew was in bed with the Roman government, using his position to skim funds from the public who despised him. Simon, especially, would've seen him as a traitor and thief. And Simon was, as his title suggests, a member of the Zealots, a Jewish nationalist party ardently opposed to the Roman rule. Those folks were serious about revolution; overthrowing the government -- and doing it by any means necessary.
So what holds these guys together? What keeps their individual ideologies in check?
I want to suggest that it was Jesus -- a singular allegiance to Jesus.
Jesus had called them. He had changed their lives. And He was now their focus. He was who they were following. Allegiance to Jesus was what that group of misfits was about -- not their pet ideologies. Everything else came second to Jesus as they were learning to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.
I dare say that we all have our own pet ideologies, ideas and opinions that, given too much emphasis, will inevitably vie for our allegiance over and above Jesus. Our ideologies can too easily become our idols. And when this happens, division within a church is, sadly, just around the corner.
This all just impresses upon me that when we get together as congregations or churches or small group fellowships, that we ought to be focused singularly on Jesus and becoming his apprentices. Let's lay aside our own agendas and seek His agenda for our life together.
Ok, I'm off to bed. Peace.
posted by Chad | 2:31 AM
Thanks Chad. We needed that. --------------------------------
VC is in a funky place. It may seem that we have lost our way (I don't think we have, but it may feel like that at times). It may seem that we've made mistakes (and surely we have and will continue to do so). Leadership is in flux. Worship is being reimagined. Mission is questioned and challenged. Discipleship (Learning) is a struggle and confusing. Lives are in transition. Roles are being shuffled. BUT .... AND YET ... NEVERTHELESS .... our hope is in the Person of Jesus. It is HE who makes sense of our lives - individually and corporately. With Jesus as our starting place these other things may seem funky, but will resolve themselves in time. We claim and proclaim our allegiance to Jesus.
Chad's post reminds us of that.
Capturing Some Late Night Thoughts...
It's late and I should be in bed, but I needed to get a few things off my mind and typed out before I forget them and they're lost forever. Nothing terribly profound, but some things that are worth thinking about.
Coming out of some conflict that I've witnessed recently in the midst of some fellow believers, I began to ask myself the question, "How does a body of believers made up of imperfect people coming from so many different backgrounds and perspectives stay together...unified...of one mind...live in peace?" (Moreover, how does something like that grow and mature and multiply?)
I started to think of the first disciples that Jesus called -- a motley crew, no doubt about it. But what the Lord, I think, was leading me to see was that here was a diverse group of people, made up of salty fishermen, a doubter (Thomas), a turncoat (Judas Iscariot), a tax collector (Matthew), and a political revolutionary (Simon the Zealot), but they somehow got past their differences and stuck together (minus Judas, I guess). And not only did they stick together, God used them mightly, empowering them to spread the Gospel even under intense persecution and spark a spiritual movement that has lasted nearly two millennia.
Amazing when you really think about it, really. Particularly when you look at two of these characters who were definitely like oil and water -- Matthew and Simon the Zealot. You cannot have two more divergent political persuasions. Matthew was in bed with the Roman government, using his position to skim funds from the public who despised him. Simon, especially, would've seen him as a traitor and thief. And Simon was, as his title suggests, a member of the Zealots, a Jewish nationalist party ardently opposed to the Roman rule. Those folks were serious about revolution; overthrowing the government -- and doing it by any means necessary.
So what holds these guys together? What keeps their individual ideologies in check?
I want to suggest that it was Jesus -- a singular allegiance to Jesus.
Jesus had called them. He had changed their lives. And He was now their focus. He was who they were following. Allegiance to Jesus was what that group of misfits was about -- not their pet ideologies. Everything else came second to Jesus as they were learning to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.
I dare say that we all have our own pet ideologies, ideas and opinions that, given too much emphasis, will inevitably vie for our allegiance over and above Jesus. Our ideologies can too easily become our idols. And when this happens, division within a church is, sadly, just around the corner.
This all just impresses upon me that when we get together as congregations or churches or small group fellowships, that we ought to be focused singularly on Jesus and becoming his apprentices. Let's lay aside our own agendas and seek His agenda for our life together.
Ok, I'm off to bed. Peace.
posted by Chad | 2:31 AM
Thanks Chad. We needed that. --------------------------------
Friday
Partners for Sacred Places
Seems like there is some renewed energy around reviving St. Elizabeth. Here are some links that may help to that end:
Community Outreach Guide
A Guide to Serving Families in Sacred Places
Fundraising Guide
What does God want to do with this building? It has been called "a beautiful albatros". Should we tear it down to not be burdened and distracted from ministry to the neighborhood? Should we restore it as a center for art and neighborhood ministry?
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Community Outreach Guide
A Guide to Serving Families in Sacred Places
Fundraising Guide
What does God want to do with this building? It has been called "a beautiful albatros". Should we tear it down to not be burdened and distracted from ministry to the neighborhood? Should we restore it as a center for art and neighborhood ministry?
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Thursday
Pandora's Box - it has been opened!
Warning: If you see Julie Gross - Watch Out!! - she's thinking some pretty life altering things lately. Here's a sample from her blog:
"Luther's idea of vocation brought the work of the Kingdom to the people, not just the priests and monastics. He said that even a milkmaid could milk cows to the Glory of God. Much of what he says boils down to the idea that we are all gifted differently and called to use those gifts in his service in many arenas in our everyday life. Yes, there is still the idea of the priesthood in that there is still the function of the pastor, but he really brings into light the priesthood of all believers. The congregation of the ELCA I grew up in has this on it's bulletin every week: Ministers: the whole congreagation. Then it lists the Pastoral staff. Just this one simple line on a piece of paper never fails to move me when I get to worship there. It is a weekly reminder and admonition to the congregation that we're all called to use what we have been given. By confessing our Faith, we accept His call to acknowledge that we belong to God and by His command we must move what we confess out into the wide world to minister to his children, our brothers and sisters. Heavy, heady stuff.
So how does this all gel? How do I get to the answers I am looking for? I pray. I read. I look to others who have travelled this road much longer than I. I step out in faith with this community to serve our neighbors here in West Norwood. I share joy and stress and all the things which come with living. I look for signs and take unmarked roads. I continue, even when the path is unclear. I give thanks. I praise His name. I wait upon the Lord. Amen. Come Lord Jesus."
Good stuff! You know she really should blog here, on this community blog (*hint,hint). It seems that a question is emerging in our midst.... this is how I heard it articulated today: "What do you see is the future of VC?"
Its a good question. One that I would love hear how people respond. I think Julie's post on Call is an essential part of all that - What is GOD calling us to as VC? And as important as our coming together to share our ideas is, it is nothing unless it is part of hearing what God is calling us to together - which means that we have to listen together. --------------------------------
"Luther's idea of vocation brought the work of the Kingdom to the people, not just the priests and monastics. He said that even a milkmaid could milk cows to the Glory of God. Much of what he says boils down to the idea that we are all gifted differently and called to use those gifts in his service in many arenas in our everyday life. Yes, there is still the idea of the priesthood in that there is still the function of the pastor, but he really brings into light the priesthood of all believers. The congregation of the ELCA I grew up in has this on it's bulletin every week: Ministers: the whole congreagation. Then it lists the Pastoral staff. Just this one simple line on a piece of paper never fails to move me when I get to worship there. It is a weekly reminder and admonition to the congregation that we're all called to use what we have been given. By confessing our Faith, we accept His call to acknowledge that we belong to God and by His command we must move what we confess out into the wide world to minister to his children, our brothers and sisters. Heavy, heady stuff.
So how does this all gel? How do I get to the answers I am looking for? I pray. I read. I look to others who have travelled this road much longer than I. I step out in faith with this community to serve our neighbors here in West Norwood. I share joy and stress and all the things which come with living. I look for signs and take unmarked roads. I continue, even when the path is unclear. I give thanks. I praise His name. I wait upon the Lord. Amen. Come Lord Jesus."
Good stuff! You know she really should blog here, on this community blog (*hint,hint). It seems that a question is emerging in our midst.... this is how I heard it articulated today: "What do you see is the future of VC?"
Its a good question. One that I would love hear how people respond. I think Julie's post on Call is an essential part of all that - What is GOD calling us to as VC? And as important as our coming together to share our ideas is, it is nothing unless it is part of hearing what God is calling us to together - which means that we have to listen together. --------------------------------
How People Learn, How We Worship, Why a Network, and Women in Leadership
These things have been on my these past few days. I don't have time or mental capacity to go deep into any of these right now, but a few thoughts on each:
How People Learn - Lately I've heard the criticism (?) that VC needs more "teaching". Or I've heard that people like going to "regular church" to get "regular teaching". These have provoked the question - how do people learn? What are people expecting/needing in terms of teaching/learning? I think part of the issue is a misconception of learning (and teaching, for that matter). So how (probably from 12+ years of "formal" education) we have become conditioned to live by the paradigm of passive learning. We assume that the "correct" way to learn, (especially!?) the Bible, is to receive instruction from an expert (i.e. Pastor). I take issue with this belief. Not only is it theologically suspect and eccelisiastically dangerous, but it is incomplete psychologically. In other words, I don't think that lecture-hall presentation of information (a "banking-model" of education) is a sufficient way to learn anything. People don't learn that way! Now before the lovers o' lecture get all hot and bothered, let me say that I think good lecture (sermon or otherwise) has a place. I have learned quite a bit from this, but it is NOT complete and MUST happen in the context of ongoing dialogue and action (i.e a community of learners and practitioners). Here are some quotes and a web that are informative:
"New developments in the science of learning also emphasize the importance of helping people take control of their own learning."
"Participation in social practice is a fundamental form of learning. Learning involves becoming attuned to the constraints and resources, the limits and possibilities, that are involved in the practices of the community."
from: How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School
So, when I hear that people want more "teaching" I interpret that as two things. 1) they honestly desire to learn and grow in their faith (a good thing), 2) they assume that this can only happen if an expert tells them the "right" answer (not a good thing).
Again - I'm not eschewing indepth study, formal education, or those who know more teaching those who know less - these are all good things, but they are not complete. Learning - true, deep, and transformative - happens when a group of people interact corporately and individually with a subject from multiple angles over a period of time that results in a change of behavior (both as a result and as a process of experimentation which aids understanding and internalization).
How We Worship - Been thinking about how and why we worship. Especially for our House Church, but also for the network in general. What's the point of worship? Surely it is not so that we can feel warm and fuzzy. And I'm not sure I like the idea that we're giving God "strokes" - surely he doesn't need them, I doubt he's that insecure. True, I think he enjoys our worship of him, it makes him happy - like when I buy flowers for Sarah. But I think worship is more than that.
If faith is really a proclaimation of allegiance to God, then worship is the public declaration of that allegiance. It is the (primary?) way we say to the world - "we belong to a different Kingdom and a different King".
That said - how do we do this thing called "worship"? I'm not entirely sure, but two things that I would like to recapture are corporate song and eucharist. Singing together does something to us (and to the Watching World). It knits us together, it focuses us, it centers us, it simmers us down, it revs us up, it moves us, it stills us - all that is necessary and needed. Very often I enter into our house church gathering feeling disjointed and disconnected. I feel like I stumble and bump my way into our time together. I don't like that. I would like to see us (again, this is primarily for our HC, apply to others as needed) sing more together - songs that we all can learn and know. I want us to wait on the Lord together, to truly pray together, to listen together. Music helps those things to happen. It seems to act as some kind of grease that helps things move more fluidly.
Eucharist functions similarly. Theology of Presence aside, it speaks volumes to one another and the world. It says, "I pledge allegiance to the One whose body was broken and blood was shed, I belong to this body of Christ". I like that we take Communion together at the end of each of our HC gatherings. But I want us to be more attentive to the Presence. I like that we are casual about it, that we use same cups and plates for other meals. I like that children are welcomed at the table. I would like, though, for us to recapture more of a sense of preparation and participation in the Eucharist. I like the liturgy for it, as it keys us in to what we are doing and why we are doing it. I'm not sure about open vs. closed communion or if we should always take it, but it is important to our life together and I want us to recognize that.
Why a Network - Because I think it opens up what God wants to do in us and our neighborhood. Centralization pulls everything together - like a funnel. Which means that there is only one, centralized, small opening through which stuff can flow. A network works more like a colander, a sieve, lots of stuff get through. God is doing stuff all over the place so if it all has to be approved by one person, team, or body then it breaks down. Its the whole "priesthood of all believers" deal.
Any corporate functions (meaning all network) should be secondary and supportive to the primary function of the little bands of believers gathered together on mission. So an AllGroup, any kind of "Core" whatsoever, Pastoral Council, Leadership Community, Community Houses, etc... give preference to house churches. Why? Not because House Churches are sacred! Because 1) that is how this community has chosen to live its life together, and 2) more importantly, transformation and Kingdom-ward action takes place more effectively in small groups of people. Its just plain true. I'm trying not to sound dogmatic or something. But 10ish years of ministry have shown me time and again that people become more Christ-like in groups where they are actually known (accountability and vulnerability) and that people are empowered to do more together when they have the responsibility and authority to discern God's call together and then act on that call.
Women in Leadership - Yes. Its part of my theology of creation - man and woman, both made in the image of God. Sure there are natural giftings and roles that men and women differ on, but I think there is a place for women in leadership in VC - pastoring house churches, on the pastoral committee, teaching, etc.... If God isn't male or female, and if he has the attributes of each, then we need both genders in positions of influence for a healthy body.
Ok, hopefully that wasn't too much of a rant, it wasn't suppose to be. Just stuff that has been on my mind of late. I guess I went on more than I thought I would (not surprising, I usually talk too much!). I would love to know your thoughts (whoever reads this!) on this stuff or with where God is leading VC.
Peace to all tread these waters.
--------------------------------
How People Learn - Lately I've heard the criticism (?) that VC needs more "teaching". Or I've heard that people like going to "regular church" to get "regular teaching". These have provoked the question - how do people learn? What are people expecting/needing in terms of teaching/learning? I think part of the issue is a misconception of learning (and teaching, for that matter). So how (probably from 12+ years of "formal" education) we have become conditioned to live by the paradigm of passive learning. We assume that the "correct" way to learn, (especially!?) the Bible, is to receive instruction from an expert (i.e. Pastor). I take issue with this belief. Not only is it theologically suspect and eccelisiastically dangerous, but it is incomplete psychologically. In other words, I don't think that lecture-hall presentation of information (a "banking-model" of education) is a sufficient way to learn anything. People don't learn that way! Now before the lovers o' lecture get all hot and bothered, let me say that I think good lecture (sermon or otherwise) has a place. I have learned quite a bit from this, but it is NOT complete and MUST happen in the context of ongoing dialogue and action (i.e a community of learners and practitioners). Here are some quotes and a web that are informative:
"New developments in the science of learning also emphasize the importance of helping people take control of their own learning."
"Participation in social practice is a fundamental form of learning. Learning involves becoming attuned to the constraints and resources, the limits and possibilities, that are involved in the practices of the community."
from: How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School
So, when I hear that people want more "teaching" I interpret that as two things. 1) they honestly desire to learn and grow in their faith (a good thing), 2) they assume that this can only happen if an expert tells them the "right" answer (not a good thing).
Again - I'm not eschewing indepth study, formal education, or those who know more teaching those who know less - these are all good things, but they are not complete. Learning - true, deep, and transformative - happens when a group of people interact corporately and individually with a subject from multiple angles over a period of time that results in a change of behavior (both as a result and as a process of experimentation which aids understanding and internalization).
How We Worship - Been thinking about how and why we worship. Especially for our House Church, but also for the network in general. What's the point of worship? Surely it is not so that we can feel warm and fuzzy. And I'm not sure I like the idea that we're giving God "strokes" - surely he doesn't need them, I doubt he's that insecure. True, I think he enjoys our worship of him, it makes him happy - like when I buy flowers for Sarah. But I think worship is more than that.
If faith is really a proclaimation of allegiance to God, then worship is the public declaration of that allegiance. It is the (primary?) way we say to the world - "we belong to a different Kingdom and a different King".
That said - how do we do this thing called "worship"? I'm not entirely sure, but two things that I would like to recapture are corporate song and eucharist. Singing together does something to us (and to the Watching World). It knits us together, it focuses us, it centers us, it simmers us down, it revs us up, it moves us, it stills us - all that is necessary and needed. Very often I enter into our house church gathering feeling disjointed and disconnected. I feel like I stumble and bump my way into our time together. I don't like that. I would like to see us (again, this is primarily for our HC, apply to others as needed) sing more together - songs that we all can learn and know. I want us to wait on the Lord together, to truly pray together, to listen together. Music helps those things to happen. It seems to act as some kind of grease that helps things move more fluidly.
Eucharist functions similarly. Theology of Presence aside, it speaks volumes to one another and the world. It says, "I pledge allegiance to the One whose body was broken and blood was shed, I belong to this body of Christ". I like that we take Communion together at the end of each of our HC gatherings. But I want us to be more attentive to the Presence. I like that we are casual about it, that we use same cups and plates for other meals. I like that children are welcomed at the table. I would like, though, for us to recapture more of a sense of preparation and participation in the Eucharist. I like the liturgy for it, as it keys us in to what we are doing and why we are doing it. I'm not sure about open vs. closed communion or if we should always take it, but it is important to our life together and I want us to recognize that.
Why a Network - Because I think it opens up what God wants to do in us and our neighborhood. Centralization pulls everything together - like a funnel. Which means that there is only one, centralized, small opening through which stuff can flow. A network works more like a colander, a sieve, lots of stuff get through. God is doing stuff all over the place so if it all has to be approved by one person, team, or body then it breaks down. Its the whole "priesthood of all believers" deal.
Any corporate functions (meaning all network) should be secondary and supportive to the primary function of the little bands of believers gathered together on mission. So an AllGroup, any kind of "Core" whatsoever, Pastoral Council, Leadership Community, Community Houses, etc... give preference to house churches. Why? Not because House Churches are sacred! Because 1) that is how this community has chosen to live its life together, and 2) more importantly, transformation and Kingdom-ward action takes place more effectively in small groups of people. Its just plain true. I'm trying not to sound dogmatic or something. But 10ish years of ministry have shown me time and again that people become more Christ-like in groups where they are actually known (accountability and vulnerability) and that people are empowered to do more together when they have the responsibility and authority to discern God's call together and then act on that call.
Women in Leadership - Yes. Its part of my theology of creation - man and woman, both made in the image of God. Sure there are natural giftings and roles that men and women differ on, but I think there is a place for women in leadership in VC - pastoring house churches, on the pastoral committee, teaching, etc.... If God isn't male or female, and if he has the attributes of each, then we need both genders in positions of influence for a healthy body.
Ok, hopefully that wasn't too much of a rant, it wasn't suppose to be. Just stuff that has been on my mind of late. I guess I went on more than I thought I would (not surprising, I usually talk too much!). I would love to know your thoughts (whoever reads this!) on this stuff or with where God is leading VC.
Peace to all tread these waters.
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