Emergent Brethren

Brian McLaren is on a nation-wide tour this year and next promoting and talking about his new book, <strong>Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crisis, and a Revolution of Hope</strong>. Here in the Pacific Southwest District, we are organizing a group to hear him when he speaks in San Diego next March.

One thought has been on my mind the past few days. . . there are lots of people who drop-in on this site and some who write on the site. Would you be interested if I set-up one page on this site that would focus on blogging on a particular book?

Martin mentioned that he’s reading the above mentioned book. I need to read the book. Others in the PSWD will be reading the book for Brian’s appearance in San Diego. It might be interesting if we read the book together and posted comments on a new page for this site. If it would be helpful, I could set-up a reading schedule, so that we would be more likely to post comments on the same book section. Or, we could just post comments without any organization.

What do you think? If a few of you post comments to this post and like the idea, I’ll be happy to set it up!

Blessings,
Jeff Glass

Hi YOu all,
OK, I just foun you all and I promise to join in soon - I didn’t see the book blogging click place until just now. I’ll be back in a day or two when I caught up.

Ok, I’m just getting to writing my post for SECTION 2, “Suicide System”.

I found this part of the book to be interest, but depressing! Martin may take comfort in Andy Murray’s song, “What can one person do?”, but too often I can feel overwhelmed and that my single efforts don’t make much of a difference.

I find Brian’s writings on the 3 interlocking sub-systems of a society (prosperity, security and equity) to be informative. I’ve not thought about life in those terms. But as he develops his thoughts into how we’ve made seeking these securities in life into a suicide machine, that’s quite disturbing! It’s important for each of us to think about how we impact the planet with our lifestyles. But the changes that are necessary to truly bring prosperity, security and equity to everyone would take a revolution in our nation to consider that others should have these as much as our nation (or Western culture) does.

The idea of a “framing story” is also challenging to consider. Our founding fathers, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, certain began framing our story as a nation. This framed story guides our justice system, I think, more than the other two branches of our government today.

As I read more about the concept of a “framing story”, it made me wonder about congregations, and their framing story. How does their story get started? How does the original framed story impact their lives today? How do they work at re-framing their story, so that it remains relevant to their participants and inviting to new people? How many are aware of their congregation’s framing story? How can understanding their story impact their future in positive ways?

I think so often we follow the script of our framing story almost unconsciously. Thus, it guides us without our consciously reflecting upon, “Is this where we want/need to go?”. Sorry for this rabbit trail.

Jesus always have a message of hope for us. I look forward to continue my reading (although its coming along slowly), to see how Brian reframes Jesus and His message (see p. 73).

I also look forward to his Deep Shift weekend appearance in San Diego in late March.

Jeff

In Brian McLaren’s book, Everything Must Change, he writes about “framing stories” and the effects they have on groups and societies (Chapter 9, pp. 65-73). A framing story is that which we tell ourselves and follow in life. He writes on page 67, “If our framing story is wise, strong, realistic, and constructive, it can send us on a hopeful trajectory. But if our framing story is dysfunctional, weak, false, unrealistic, or destructive, it can send us on a downward arc, a dangerous, high-speed joyride through un-peace, un-health, un-prosperity, and even un-life.“.

I think another way to think about the definition of a framing story is, what is the vision that created the group and guides it today.

The idea of a “framing story” is challenging to consider. Our founding fathers, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, certainly began framing our story as a nation. This framed story guides our justice system, I think, more than the other two branches of our government today.

As I read more about the concept of a “framing story”, it made me wonder about congregations, and their framing story. How does their story get started? How does the original framed story impact their lives today? How many are aware of their congregation’s framing story? How can understanding their story impact their future in positive ways? How do they work at re-framing their story, so that it remains relevant to their participants and inviting to new people?

I think so often we follow the script of our framing story almost unconsciously. Thus, it guides us without our consciously reflecting upon, “Is this where we want/need to go?”.

One of the things that excites me about the Emergent Church is their passion for following Christ pushes them to reframe their congregation’s story. Or, in the case of church planting, frame a new story for people to be guided by.

If you’re in an established church, do you know your congregation’s “framing story” is? What are some of the ways that you think your congregation’s “framing story” guides it today? Are you satisfied with it, or desire a new story to follow?

What story does your congregation live by?

Jeff

This section between pages 77 and 118 is a very meaty section! In it Brian offers some contrasts between what he calls the conventional view and the emerging view… I need to read over those some more to get better grasp… but I find that I am drawn to the emerging view in most cases.

I have for many years sensed that the practice of Christianity in the Western world is not very close to the discipleship Jesus came to teach… but haven’t always known how to break out of that entrenched view. I agree with Brian when he says on p. 83, “I beleive we need to face the real possibility that the conventional view has in many ways been domesticated, watered down, and co-opted by the dominant framing story of our modern Western culture and, as a result, has become a gospel about Jesus but not the gospel of Jesus.”

As evidence of this, I see so many ways were what we do in our discipleship practices is more akin to helping people gain knowledge of Jesus rather than helping them live in a relationship with Jesus that transforms not only their lives but the lives of others and ultimately the world.

I like Brian’s idea of “framing story”… as one who sells art, I know that the frame we put around a picture can change the way it is perceived. One color of matting can bring out colors in the picture that a different color won’t. All this to say that I agree that it is important to look at the framing story of Jesus that guides our living.

I am excited to read on and think more deeply on this stuff… I really wish more of you would chime in! It would benefit all of us to be in dialogue around Brian’s writing. I am also considering going to a Deep Shift conference to be further stimulated!

THANKS Jeff for chiming in here… I hope others will also… or else this will be a very small conversation or no conversation at all!  Come on…. lurkers… you have something of value to add to the conversation… so add it!

Jeff, (and others) one thing in your writing that I find always strikes a chord in me that makes me sad is the perpetual need so many of us in the COB have to try to make others COB!  Often times, I don’t think we are aware of how this seems…. and since I know you, I know that this is not what you are doing…. but when we go that route… we often set ourselves up above others.  It’s true that Brian has lots of theological leanings that are consistent with Brethren theological leanings … that’s why many of us are attracted to his writings.  But, if he were Brethren… would he be having the influence he is having?  Not sure!  Regardless… my point here is to challenge us to see that being a follower of Jesus who puts into practice his teachings is far better than being Brethren!    I’ve never forgotten something I once heard Len Sweet say… “maybe we should renounce our Christianity and follow Jesus.”

And the interesting thing is that (in this 300th anniversary year) that is what got us our start!

Ok, I’m the one who set this up, and now I’m late in writing. . . I’m in the midst of a very busy travel month. Even as I write this, I’m sitting in a hotel room in Tucson.

So, I’m still on part 1 of the book. Like you, Martin, I’ve had to read through this twice. I’ve read some of Brian’s other books and heard him speak several times. But I find this book to be most captivating and I wish I could sit down with it for a full day instead of reading here or there for 15 to 20 minutes. Enough rambling!

So much of what Brian writes makes me think that he’s uplifting the best parts of our church and theology. It makes me wish that he were CoB!

As I’ve tried to think about what to write here, I first think about his question, “What did Jesus truly come to save us from?” (p.6) I think this question is the great debate between (dare I say) conservatives and liberals. Some love the personal message Christ came to save us from our sin, from our selfish nature so that we can go to heaven and do good things while we’re still here on earth. But what are the good things that we’re supposed to do? I like what Brian proposes, and that we, as a church, in little ways have worked on:
1. Environmental breakdown. . . prosperity crisis
2. The growing gap between the ultra-rich and the extremely poor. . . equity crisis
3. The danger of cataclysmic war. . . security crisis
4. The failure of the world’s religions. . . spirituality crisis (p.5)

In tackling these topics, he raises more questions like, “Why hasn’t the Christian religion made a difference (in the world) commensurate with its message, size, and resources?” (p. 12) What would it take for the Church to look outside of its self and look not just at the community around it (and its needs), but to our nation and world.

I’ve not done much travel outside the U.S. I’ve seen lots of news clips and other news pieces about conditions around the world. I’ve heard people that I trust, who have traveled to other parts of the world, say that we, in the U.S. are filthy rich compared to most of the world. How can we reverse this injustice?

The Bible says that the Kingdom of God is here and now (p.19), in addition to being someday in the future. When we pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. . . “, are we really praying for peace and justice to become more real to all on our planet? Or, are we more focused on our personal needs and hoping that God will see our “piety” and bless us?

In the CoB, I’ve always been taught that the message of Jesus was not just focused on the afterlife, but also focused on “personal, social, and global transformation in this life”. (p.22) Has our failure, as the Church, to be more focused and bring about more change in these areas influenced millions of young adults to drop-out and see Christianity to be a filed religion? (see p. 33) Those are tough words!

If we, as the CoB, can be the very best of what we say we are, then I think there’s hope. There’s hope that we will make a bigger difference. On the front page of the “Life Section” of USA Today (Jan. 15, 2008), is the story of Katrina volunteers who went to New Orleans to help and have ended-up moving there to make a more permanent difference. Who’s featured in the story? John and Mary Mueller, regional directors for Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministries. To show the local’s that they are serious about staying and helping, they are selling their home in Cape Coral, Florida and living in a 208 sq. foot trailer. What a great story and inspiration for us all!

WOW! I wonder what I’ll come-up with the next section. . . ?

Jeff

Second Entry on Second set of pages… through p. 73. I really resonate with McLaren’s suicide machine model that he is developing and think he is on to something… for a long time now, I have wondered how do we change the course of so much that seems to be out of control…. two thoughts keep me from being totally complacent… one is Andy and Terri Murray’s song about Anna Mow… “What can one person do.” And the other is Mother Teresa’s response to a person who asked her how she did what she did… she said, “If I hadn’t done it for the first one, I wouldn’t have done it for these thousands.” … Changing things takes one step at a time.

But with that said, I must confess that I am way too complacent about global issues… I find myself very much identifying with McLaren’s words on p. 59, “A lot of us are very happy to go through life knowing as little as possible about economics, politics, and ecology. As long as we can pay our dredit card bill, avoid going to jail, and enjoy a cold drink, we’d rather not deal with the complexities of the societal machinery around us.”

I am hopeful that once Brian gets finished with laying the ground work, he will offer some helpful insights as to how we make a difference in light of these global concerns.

I also like his idea of a framing story… so relevant for us to think about.

I am excited about this blogging together around Brian’s book.

I’ve now read this week’s pages twice.

Here are my thoughts…

I like Brian’s two questions…1. what are the biggest problems in the world, and 2. What does Jesus have to say about these global problems? I’ve been asking similar questions for some time… especially in relation to the implied question… why hasn’t the church made more of a difference in the world?

And I have been pushing us at Community of Joy to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To make a difference in the world.

I agree with Brian that everything must change! And have been working hard in the church that I lead to see that we live our lives in a way that makes a difference…not so that we can pat ourselves on the back, but so that we can help “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I’ve been encouraging people to live out of their giftings and to work at being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world 24/7 not just for an hour a week! We tell stories alot and lift up examples of how we are doing with this regularly!

I anticipate the next chapters as Brian digs deeper and pushes harder…. looking forward to this journey!

Hi everyone!

In November, I sent out a post asking if you would be interested in blogging on Brian McLaren’s new book, Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crisis, and a Revolution of Hope. Many of you have responded in a positive way. So, a new page is being added to this site just for blogging on this book. First, you’ll see the heading for this new page at the top menu bar. Secondly, I attempted to create a new page that the link above goes to. The new page doesn’t allow us to blog, like the home page does. It only allows us to “Reply” to the original post. So, I’ve contact my web designer to create a new page that will allow us to blog in a better fashion (with headlines, etc.) This will be up and running in about a week.

I’ve organized a system for reading to help keep us on the “same page” so-to-speak (or at least the same section of the book). I’m looking forward to being in Brian’s Deep Shift conference in San Diego (March). Reading this book with you will be a helpful way of preparing. It will also be a very helpful way of processing the information with each other.

Meanwhile, if you are reading the book and have some comments to make, please reply to this current page. The comments will be transferred over to the new page when its completed.

Also, if this reading schedule doesn’t match-up with your schedule, don’t worry about it! Please contribute to the conversation. The more who respond, the more challenging, inspirational and fun this venture will be!!!

If this book blogging goes well, we’ll have to try another one afterwards!

Blessings to you,
Jeff