Holiness Today
is the magazine of the Church of the Nazarene, It's aimed at regular believers (not just clergy or academics). It's articles are usually practical, real and reflect this extraordinary life of radically following Jesus Christ. I recommend it!
http://www.holinesstoday.org/nphweb/html/nph/subscription.jsp
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Life in Haiti - now the rains have come, in pictures and sound:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8689434.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8689434.stm
Friday, May 07, 2010
There is no secular.
We often use the word 'secular' to denote something that is separate and discrete from the church - that is the sacred. It's a useful shorthand to talk about the differences and tensions between what the apostle John called 'the world' and the in-breaking Kingdom of God.
In a real sense however, there is no such thing as secular. God has created everything, and is in-process of redeeming everything, reconciling everything to Himself, including all people - if they will but turn and be reconciled. So, I will use the word secular with some care - realising that the whole Universe belongs to God, and all that is in it.
We often use the word 'secular' to denote something that is separate and discrete from the church - that is the sacred. It's a useful shorthand to talk about the differences and tensions between what the apostle John called 'the world' and the in-breaking Kingdom of God.
In a real sense however, there is no such thing as secular. God has created everything, and is in-process of redeeming everything, reconciling everything to Himself, including all people - if they will but turn and be reconciled. So, I will use the word secular with some care - realising that the whole Universe belongs to God, and all that is in it.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Integrity and Social Justice
There is much heat and perhaps not enough light being generated within the church at the moment, with passionate conversations around the Obama healthcare law and connected issues around freedom, the US constitution, and right versus left-wing world views. As the Pastor at Journey Church, I want to blog about some of the issues raised in various Facebook threads. It's important to step out of the intensity of some of these conversations/judgments and just think broadly and in a biblical, historically orthodox way about the issues of social care, individual and corporate response to need etc.
First it has been proposed that an individual needs to separate one's faith, social, political, scientific and even artistic thinking and acting. While I think I understand what the proposer meant, I gently disagree. Science, if done well, should indeed be free of any subjective influence - including worldview and faith assumptions. Of course 100% subjectivity in science is never practically possible, but it's a valid aim. Much of what passes for science in the popular media is sadly shaped by a 'secular humanism' faith/worldview that is so pervasive it is hardly noticed. But that's another blog post! As for every other category, I believe our God-view (theology if you will) should, must and inevitably does inform and shape every other sphere of the mind. Indeed to resist such shaping would be to detract from the integrity (one-ness) in which we live out faithfully our allegiance to Jesus Christ and His mission, vision and purpose.My art is informed by God - because art deeply expresses who I am - and that has been radically transformed by the Holy Spirit at my moment of initial salvation, and my ever-continuing sanctification.
My political views must be an extension of my new-creation identity - or else I am letting them be formed by some secondary identity. Now, let me quickly make clear that Christ-followers of good conscious come to very different conclusions about how to politically express the God-mission. That's OK and does not indicate an incongruity in the Body Of Christ (the church) because God chooses now (and always) to work through our humanity - in all its diversity. It does mean that I must engage with other Christ-followers (and secular people) in a spirit of mutual respect, restraint and good manners. After all, who am I, but someone given a second chance by Jesus? What right do I have to judge others? None! Therefore with humility and hesed loving-kindness, I will engage politically. For the record, I am a political independent. I will engage issue by issue as informed by my faith, rather than subscribe to any broad partisan systems of policy. That's just where I am. If you are a member of a political party - that's fine. As your pastor, I just want you to be fully convinced that your vote reflects Jesus' will for you and the resources and relations He is entrusting to you. Peace be ours.
Now, let me 'grasp the thorn' of so-called social justice and the social-gospel. These are not dirty words. They are beautiful words, because I am a Christ-followers who lives in a society. I am called to reconcile the world to Christ. My area of influence is my immediate society - including the people who read this blog. Of course I want justice for us all! God is just. I am called to be like God. God wants us all (society) to be like Him. So social justice is the aim of every Christ-follower. I am called to live in ways that focus on others as much as myself. ("Love they neighbor as thyself" - what else can it mean?). That means a socialistic impulse is expressive of a Godly worldview.
Church versus State: Some have fondly advanced the view that social justice is the role of the church not the State and that Christians have allowed this role to be delegated to the State, who do a poor job of it. Furthermore, some have even argued that social justice is not a goal of the church, but Christian Charity, as if somehow the two were effectively different. Maybe they have a point, but if they do, I think it may be predicated on a weak premise: that the State is influentially discrete from the church. I would say that one role of the church is to lovingly effect the culture around us with Christ, We are the 'aroma of Christ' - salt and light in a decayed and dark world. If the State has taken on the roles of social welfare and care, it is almost entirely so because the church has been phenomenally successful at influencing the State with Christ-like ethics. Hallelujah! We should rejoice at this, rather than fight against it!
Of course, the Gospel of Salvation and Sanctification (saving and discipling) is primary and social concerns are secondary. The social-gospel must never displace The Gospel. But also, The Gospel must never be an abstract truth, not expressed in lived-out lives that bless the world. John 3:16 tells us that God loves the world, and so must we - individually and collectively as the church and also as citizens in a republic. Even The Lord Jesus Christ cared for people's immediate needs as he shared the truth. Often before He shared the truth. Sometimes the only truth He shared was an act of social justice.
In essentials let there be unity. In non-essentials let there be liberty. Oh but so, so, so important - in all things let there be real Jesus-humble love.
There is much heat and perhaps not enough light being generated within the church at the moment, with passionate conversations around the Obama healthcare law and connected issues around freedom, the US constitution, and right versus left-wing world views. As the Pastor at Journey Church, I want to blog about some of the issues raised in various Facebook threads. It's important to step out of the intensity of some of these conversations/judgments and just think broadly and in a biblical, historically orthodox way about the issues of social care, individual and corporate response to need etc.
First it has been proposed that an individual needs to separate one's faith, social, political, scientific and even artistic thinking and acting. While I think I understand what the proposer meant, I gently disagree. Science, if done well, should indeed be free of any subjective influence - including worldview and faith assumptions. Of course 100% subjectivity in science is never practically possible, but it's a valid aim. Much of what passes for science in the popular media is sadly shaped by a 'secular humanism' faith/worldview that is so pervasive it is hardly noticed. But that's another blog post! As for every other category, I believe our God-view (theology if you will) should, must and inevitably does inform and shape every other sphere of the mind. Indeed to resist such shaping would be to detract from the integrity (one-ness) in which we live out faithfully our allegiance to Jesus Christ and His mission, vision and purpose.My art is informed by God - because art deeply expresses who I am - and that has been radically transformed by the Holy Spirit at my moment of initial salvation, and my ever-continuing sanctification.
My political views must be an extension of my new-creation identity - or else I am letting them be formed by some secondary identity. Now, let me quickly make clear that Christ-followers of good conscious come to very different conclusions about how to politically express the God-mission. That's OK and does not indicate an incongruity in the Body Of Christ (the church) because God chooses now (and always) to work through our humanity - in all its diversity. It does mean that I must engage with other Christ-followers (and secular people) in a spirit of mutual respect, restraint and good manners. After all, who am I, but someone given a second chance by Jesus? What right do I have to judge others? None! Therefore with humility and hesed loving-kindness, I will engage politically. For the record, I am a political independent. I will engage issue by issue as informed by my faith, rather than subscribe to any broad partisan systems of policy. That's just where I am. If you are a member of a political party - that's fine. As your pastor, I just want you to be fully convinced that your vote reflects Jesus' will for you and the resources and relations He is entrusting to you. Peace be ours.
Now, let me 'grasp the thorn' of so-called social justice and the social-gospel. These are not dirty words. They are beautiful words, because I am a Christ-followers who lives in a society. I am called to reconcile the world to Christ. My area of influence is my immediate society - including the people who read this blog. Of course I want justice for us all! God is just. I am called to be like God. God wants us all (society) to be like Him. So social justice is the aim of every Christ-follower. I am called to live in ways that focus on others as much as myself. ("Love they neighbor as thyself" - what else can it mean?). That means a socialistic impulse is expressive of a Godly worldview.
Church versus State: Some have fondly advanced the view that social justice is the role of the church not the State and that Christians have allowed this role to be delegated to the State, who do a poor job of it. Furthermore, some have even argued that social justice is not a goal of the church, but Christian Charity, as if somehow the two were effectively different. Maybe they have a point, but if they do, I think it may be predicated on a weak premise: that the State is influentially discrete from the church. I would say that one role of the church is to lovingly effect the culture around us with Christ, We are the 'aroma of Christ' - salt and light in a decayed and dark world. If the State has taken on the roles of social welfare and care, it is almost entirely so because the church has been phenomenally successful at influencing the State with Christ-like ethics. Hallelujah! We should rejoice at this, rather than fight against it!
Of course, the Gospel of Salvation and Sanctification (saving and discipling) is primary and social concerns are secondary. The social-gospel must never displace The Gospel. But also, The Gospel must never be an abstract truth, not expressed in lived-out lives that bless the world. John 3:16 tells us that God loves the world, and so must we - individually and collectively as the church and also as citizens in a republic. Even The Lord Jesus Christ cared for people's immediate needs as he shared the truth. Often before He shared the truth. Sometimes the only truth He shared was an act of social justice.
In essentials let there be unity. In non-essentials let there be liberty. Oh but so, so, so important - in all things let there be real Jesus-humble love.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Church of the Nazarene is a wonderful denomination because:
1) It has just enough centralized oversight to be healthy. Our hard working General Superintendants (i.e. arch-bishops) and District Superintendants (i.e. bishops) are very inexpensive to fund and provide just the right level of government to keep us on track and away from errors experienced by dectralized and congregational church models. Yet also we avoid the heavy centralized, expensive government that can tend to corruption sluggishness seen in some episcopal and heirarchical church models. Nazarene get that balance just right.
2) We fully fund our wonderful missionaries. We have a modern, intelligent, culturally sensitive missions body that is a force for good around the world, working tighly to develop nationals to provide spiritual, educational, medical and infrastructural care and blessinbg. Yet our missionaries do not have to fund raise - we do that for them as a church. This model is rare, insightful and effective.
3) We have a brilliant metholodology of gradually allowing people to explore a call to rdained Christian ministry. The approach is graduated with local, district licensing and then ordination - a wide funnel. This is in stark contrast to other denominations that seem to demand instant full commitment when considering ordained Christian ministry.
4) Our commitment to education. nazarene run dozens of Universities and colleges around the world. May we never become an anti-intellectual fundamentalist church! We value the mind as well as the heart.
4) Our commitment to education. nazarene run dozens of Universities and colleges around the world. May we never become an anti-intellectual fundamentalist church! We value the mind as well as the heart.
5) Our commitment to service - especially to the poorest and unenfranchized in society.
6) Our balanced view of gender: That we warmly embrace and uphold female believers in teaching, preaching, pastorates and leadership at the highest level. Truly we understand and live out the in-breaking value systenms of heaven, and a restored humanity!
7) Our tender, sensitive but firm line of rejecting from leadership in the church those in an ACTIVE gay lifestyle. While accepting and loving GLBT people as image bearers of God, and we do not follow the many crowds in recognizing an active gay lifestyle as normal or honoring of God. We applaud people who recognize themselves as being gay and who choose to live celebately - and gladly would welcome these people into leadership (just as we do for heterosexuals who reject sexual lifestyles that do not honor God). We live out a posture of brokenness and love towards the GLBT community and individuals - never falling into judgmentalism. We tenderly recognize this as an explosive and divisive area and approach our stance with intentional gentleness and authentic care. Few other denominations hold such a doctrinal position and such a Christ-like love for all people.
What a great part of the Christ's Church to worship and serve in!
Yesterday a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, epicentered just 10 miles from the capital, Port Au Prince, and with a depth of just 5 miles. Over 10 aftershocks registered magnitude 5.0. Devastation happened instantly.
1117GMT: Troy Livesay tweets:"Church groups are singing throughout the city all through the night in prayer. It is a beautiful sound in the middle of a horrible tragedy."
Now, more than ever, Haiti needs clean relaible water sources.
The Church of the Nazarene is a major presence for order, education and care in Haiti. Keep an eye on http://www.ncm.org/learn/disasterresponse/ as we respond. Pray for swift relief of those injured, grieving and materially needy.
1117GMT: Troy Livesay tweets:"Church groups are singing throughout the city all through the night in prayer. It is a beautiful sound in the middle of a horrible tragedy."
Now, more than ever, Haiti needs clean relaible water sources.
The Church of the Nazarene is a major presence for order, education and care in Haiti. Keep an eye on http://www.ncm.org/learn/disasterresponse/ as we respond. Pray for swift relief of those injured, grieving and materially needy.
Monday, November 30, 2009
2009 Top 5's
Here are my lists of some of my favorite things of 2009:
Top 5 Albums:
Paul Baloche - Glorious
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Laura Story - Great God Who Saves
Brooke Fraser - Albertine
Top 5 Films:
Up!
Gran Torino
Slumdog Millionaire
The World's Fastest Indian
Avatar
Top 5 People:
Cindy Tanuma, Community Caregivers of Greater Derry - extraordinary carer
Linda Frost - extraordinary teacher (I am objective - I promise!)
Dick Hook - quiet, faithful servant heart
Cathy Bailey - most patient and gentle person
Lewis Hamilton - brilliant Formula One driver.
Top 5 Companies:
Infiniti of Nashua - great products, service and attentionto detail
Amazon.com - ditto
Panera Bread, South Willow Street, Manchester NH - ditto
Dunkin Donuts, Crossroads, Londonderry - ditto - always get my order right
Lycos.com - stillprovide great web site hosting inexpensively
My Top 5 Pastors of 2009:
Kim Richardson, Beverley MA Nazarene - selfless, honest.
Paul Berube, Grace Fellowship Nashua NH - visionary, always has time to stop and say hi.
Geoff DeFranca, Community Chapel, Nashua NH - a pastor's pastor: wise and kind
Bruce Southerland, Manchester Christian Church - transparent helper
David Pinckney, River of Grace, Chichester NH - for moral courage.
Here are my lists of some of my favorite things of 2009:
Top 5 Albums:
Paul Baloche - Glorious
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Laura Story - Great God Who Saves
Brooke Fraser - Albertine
Top 5 Films:
Up!
Gran Torino
Slumdog Millionaire
The World's Fastest Indian
Avatar
Top 5 People:
Cindy Tanuma, Community Caregivers of Greater Derry - extraordinary carer
Linda Frost - extraordinary teacher (I am objective - I promise!)
Dick Hook - quiet, faithful servant heart
Cathy Bailey - most patient and gentle person
Lewis Hamilton - brilliant Formula One driver.
Top 5 Companies:
Infiniti of Nashua - great products, service and attentionto detail
Amazon.com - ditto
Panera Bread, South Willow Street, Manchester NH - ditto
Dunkin Donuts, Crossroads, Londonderry - ditto - always get my order right
Lycos.com - stillprovide great web site hosting inexpensively
My Top 5 Pastors of 2009:
Kim Richardson, Beverley MA Nazarene - selfless, honest.
Paul Berube, Grace Fellowship Nashua NH - visionary, always has time to stop and say hi.
Geoff DeFranca, Community Chapel, Nashua NH - a pastor's pastor: wise and kind
Bruce Southerland, Manchester Christian Church - transparent helper
David Pinckney, River of Grace, Chichester NH - for moral courage.
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