Tangible Kingdom
After some bugging from a friend (thanks Martin) I recently bought two books (The Tangible Kingdom and Church Unique). I began reading the Tangible Kingdom on Monday night and finished it last night. It isn’t a long read. It was a good one though….another needed reminder to be missional and incarnational wherever I am.
So I was reading the book and came across some really good quotes all throughout the book, but the one that caught my attention the most, as it states my issues very well. is from Henry Nouwen.
“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them. ”
So that got me thinking of ways of living this quote out in my daily life. So here is what I am committing to do:
1. To visit the local Starbucks between 2-3 per week. Hang out there. Do work there. Meet with youth and others there. Seek to have a presence there.
2. Host a neighborhood picnic either during the remainder of summer or during early fall.
3. Learn how to say no. A quote from the book spells out more about this, “Since the word missional theologically means to be sent, leaving is where living like a missionary really begins. Leaving isn’t just about going overseas. It’s about replacing personal or Christian activities with time spent building relationships with people in the surrounding culture.”
4. Be outside more. Play in the front yard with my kids. Take more walks around the neighborhood. Pray as I am walking around the neighborhood. Start up more conversations.
These are just some commitments that I am making in order to be more missional. Keep me accountable by asking how I am doing with these things.
24 Jul 2008 RyanBraught
How are you doing with your commitments BRO?
Seriously Ryan….
That is AWESOME that you read the book! Now you see why I was saying the whole time I was reading it that you MUST read it!
Keep us posted on your progress!
Here is my favorite quote from the book…. (p. 125) “In order for us to change the incorrect assumptions that people have about God and his followers (their programmed responses), we’ve got to get to the point where they consider us one of them. To do this is not a matter of “evangelism” or “outreach” or “missions”. It’s a matter of living out like Jesus did.”
Another thing I like is the 5 questions they ask of the Bible … In fact I am thinking about using them or adaptations of them in a Sat. p.m. Worship Gathering geared for young adults….1. What did you like about what you just read? 2. What didn’t you like? 3. Was there anything you didn’t understand? 4. What did you learn about God? 5. Regardless fo where your faith is at right now, if you were to apply what we learned about God to something in your life this week, what would that look like?
Sounds good, Ryan! I especially like your need to learn to say, “no”. That seems difficult to people serving in ministry, who think they need to say “yes” in responding to everyone’s needs.
I enjoy prayer walking quite a bit in my neighborhood. I’ve had interesting conversations with neighbors as I do this. Also, its fun to compliment their yard, flowers, etc. People like to know that they are noticed in positive ways.
What about mentoring as one way to engage others outside your world? Are there any whom you might mentor, who could help expand your understanding of life as you pour yourself into them? Just a thought. . .
Jeff
Ryan and I discussed last night how there is not a lot of new ideas nor material in Tangible Kingdom from what you read in Forgotten Ways/ Exiles/ and Shaping of Things to Come…. however the BIGGEST plus for Tangible Kingdom is that it is highly accessible information for lay folk. You could easily give the book to your leadership teams to read and everyone would come away with a grasp of what we are working toward. Understanding is one of the first steps to change!
Alright, you folks got me interested in The Tangible Kingdom during our conversations at conference, and now after reading some of these quotes I think I’m going to have to get myself a copy. That Henri Nouwen quote is phenomenal.
As I begin to establish my roles and routines as a new pastor I’ve begun to do a lot of thinking about how to reflect my theology and ecclesiology in the way I go about my work.
I think that you make some really great suggestions with your commitments. And while I’ll more likely be at the locally-owned coffee and bagel place downtown rather than Starbucks, I feel called towards a similar path of living out my ministry in the world and not always hiding in the church office.
Hey Matt,
While you are at it… you can get Church Unique and Tangible Kingdom from amazon and get free shipping… they will both bless you!
I am with you on the local coffee shop vs. starbucks… my choice would be the same.
Thanks for joining the conversation! This is what this blog should be about!
Totally interested in the Tangible Kingdom. . .speaking of living with the people. . .went to hear needtobreathe in concert last night (love their song called Washed by the Water-http://www.myspace.com/needtobreathe) . Turned out that one of my former students (from public school teaching) was the concert organizer– he had heard a lot of criticism from church groups about having the concert at a place that served alcohol– the bar was roped off so it could be an all ages event.
Go to where the people are?! Amen.