emerging mosaic

Well I don’t know how I represented the emerging/post-emergent/missional world view at the Baker forum two weeks ago. It was fun to hear the thoughts of the other participants all of whom I know; including my friend Steve Argue, who argued articulately for the need of the church to look again at how we practice what we preach. A colleague John Frye, who spoke with some pastoral compassion about the important contribution of the emerging church to the church. And Michael Wittmer who was brilliant in raising an appropriate cautionary question about what we do believe. I spoke about my experience with emergent and what is means to be embracing missional values pastoring an urban emerging church. I talked about the false dichotomy between belonging and believing. orthodoxy and orthopraxis, and the lack of diversity in the conversation. It was cool to have a recently connected couple from Mosaic Life there. The moderator Sarah Cunningham did a great job guiding the conversation.

One the one hand the folks at Baker thought it went well. (thanks for the pics guys). On the other hand someone who attended, warned a student working with me that they should careful working with me with me because I do yoga. I don’t know if much changed as a result I only received one letter about what I said I supposed there could have been more. The strangest thing was the one person who came up to afterward to tell me that he had friends who were Muslim and Indian who were good people but they were lost. I’m not sure why he thought that was important to tell me but so be it.

Popularity: 51% [?]

Technorati Tags: baker-books, conversations, emergent_church, emerging church, faith & culture, forum, urban-church

So for about three to four years (intentionally for about the last two years) now I have been practicing yoga. I got into it because I was looking for something to help with my chronic back pain (caused by my scoliosis). After some frustrating days I discovered that practicing yoga helped relieve my lower back pain. In fact I am now pretty much pain free in my lower back. However there were two unanticipated benefits.

1. I lost weight (30 pounds in fact)
2. Yoga helped me to center my mind in a way that allowed me to better connect with God.

Now most everyone who is a regular part of my church Mosaic Life knows I practice yoga. But recently with the launch of our new ministry Awaken: contemplative living 24/7 I decided to pursue training to teach yoga as my contribution to that ministry. So I got level one teacher training from yoga fit and I’m pursuing registered teaching training with Brooke Boone of Holy Yoga. Next month I will start teaching a free weekly yoga practice. I know there are some Christians who think that the two are incompatible (check out the video below.) But there is something powerful that happens when I bring my Christian spirituality to my yoga mat. Any other Christians yogis care to comment

yoga and christianity

Popularity: 36% [?]

Technorati Tags: body-prayer, conversations, faith & culture, holy-yoga, my life, spiritual-practice, yoga, yoga-prayer

For a new voice in the conversation check out the Inclusion Café a friend of mine, fellow Jesus follower and diversity trainer Steve Robbins has launched this site social/professional networking web site for those pursuing diversity and an end to racism and unintentional intolerance in a sector of society. 

I want to encourage those of us in the religion sector to check it out, sign up cross post your blog and get in the conversation with a wide range of people for other social sectors

Popularity: 35% [?]

Technorati Tags: conversations, diversity, inclusion

Recently person whose  church hired an African American pastor to ”help” them reach out to diverse community was distressed to learn that the pastor was frustrated by the lack of awareness in the mostly white church about what was happening in Jena. There was a a real question as to how to get the members of this church to become more racially sensitive. It was as if the church had done it duty by hiring a black pastor now it was the pastor job to get those folks to church.

This situation is another example of why I think that racism and racial reconciliation needs to be a front burner conversation for every church and every Christian, Though few churches are talking about the problem of race in America there are a few Christians who are beginning to take the risk.

9 marks ejournal the starts by asking some BIG questions

Let me ask my fellow white readers a question: do you think of yourself as “white”? If not, may I suggest that you are racially insensitive?

Now a question for any African American readers: to what extent does “blackness” define the way you think of yourself? To whatever extent it does, may I suggest that your thinking is impeding reconciliation?

And a question for any Asian or Hispanic readers: to what extent does race shape your identity? If it doesn’t, is that because of acculturation, assimilation, or alienation?

To some degree the questions miss the point that racism is about power and privilege and race is just a construct for pursuing those things. But at least the are asking the questions.

 Here are responses form some  pastors and theologians

Ed Stetzer author of Planting New Churches in a Post modern age chimes in his blog.

We found that race matters in scripture. Even though few Anglo churches seem to notice, Scripture frequently demonstrates God’s concern for race and ethnicity.

Luke illustrates the coming of the Spirit with diverse expressions of tongues (Acts 2), even identifying the languages being spoken. And a glimpse of eternity in Revelation shows that men and women from every tongue, tribe, and nation make up the choir of eternal praise (Rev. 7:9). If the writers of Scripture take notice of ethnicity, so should we.

Here are some responses to  his  post from people who I assume are Christ followers

Could someone please define “racism” and “diversity” for me?

Maybe I live in a bubble, but I do not see the race problem. I am 27, and attend a predominantly white church

Maybe we do decide to change our worship style, dress, etc. Maybe we allow our minority church members to help plan so we have a style that reflects the diversity in our community. Maybe we intentionally plant gospel preaching churches in unreached areas in our community with ethnic and racial segments that are not being reached.

I have formed a long range partnership with a small African American church in a community that needs help. We are constantly partnering with that church and a nearby community center to minister to the people in that community.

It ranges from the ridiculous to the same ole same ole white hero on riding in to save those “black” folks. This is why race matters in this conversation about what the church is to be do and become.

Popularity: 29% [?]

Technorati Tags: african_american, african_american_church, diversity, racial_reconciliation, racism

OK everywhere you look it seems there are nooses being hung. First Jena then a long Island police station, then the door of a Columbia university professor. Note that two of these are in the north where it is suggested racism is long gone.  SO why aren’t more Christians talking it about. I don’t know but I know the church can’t be the church until we deal with this uniquely American sin.

Popularity: 29% [?]

Technorati Tags: church, conversations, diversity, inclusion, race, racial_reconciliation, racism

Popularity: 26% [?]

Technorati Tags: conversations, jena, john-mellencamp, racism

Topic: The Emerging Church and Urban Communities
ME
Topic: The Emerging Conversation is Good for the Church.John Frye. Pastor of Fellowship Evangelical Covenant Church, Hudsonville, MI.