Beard and bonnet blogging

Travis has been doing some intensive posting about the various Anabaptist blogs out there on the web and I came across one that I did not expect to see at all.

Being somewhat raised in an Old German Baptist Brethren setting (my mother's side of the family) I wasn't shocked to find out that there are some "young folks" who are openly blogging under the heading Old German Baptist Brethren. Growing up in the 1980's and 90's, I can remember my cousin who is my age, showing me the radio that he had kept hidden from his parents and that was a big issue for them then. Those who defy the elders and Annual Meeting have always been around. The only disclaimer that I have in this post is that I have not attended and Annual Meeting for some time and am not sure exactly what changes if any have been made regarding computers in the home.

My only shock factor comes in the form of a question, how many of the elders know about this and whether or not they have done anything about it? I do not have a problem with members of the OGBB who want to blog or even own a computer (which Annual Meeting decided that you could own a computer only for business purposes). My concern lies in the very question that has kept me from deciding to become OGBB. At what cost do you forgo the technologies to become a part of the community of faith? And what damage to you potentially bring to the community of faith by choosing to not adhere to the rules? I realize that we are all subject to these "laws" in our own communities of faith, so it is not directed at any one particular sect.

I applaude those who have used their blog for useful purposes, I just hope they are doing so without compromising the strict beliefs that hold that small community of faith (only about 6,500 in the U.S.) together.

I actually hope that some of those bloggers get ahold of this post so that we can maybe start some helpful dialogue that I don't always get with my mother's side of the family.

(Thanks to http://www.schumann.com/journalism/baptists.htm for the photo credit. There are many more if you choose to visit this site.)

Rebuild My Church

For the better part of the last month I have been reading like crazy. Ok I am always reading, but not this much in so little time. If it isn't thriller novels that I have recently been captivated by again; they are books that have a common elemental theme running through them... change/rebuild the church.

Without making it sound like I am going on an Emergent Church kick, the books that I am reading or have read in the past month have had that slant to them. Though I don't particularly believe the movement has the solutions... the ideas behind them are propelling the kind of change that I want to see take place in the complacent church.

These books include:

• The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
• The Emerging Church and Emerging Worship by Dan Kimball
• Experiential Storytelling by Mark Miller
• Preaching Re-Imagined by Doug Pagitt

I find it particularly interesting that St. Francis had a similar calling from God in 1206 (note the year!) in which Jesus spoke to him saying to "repair my house." He then went on to turn the church on its heels by the manner of his and his followers living.

Maybe it is time for another such rebuilding.

It is time for the modern contemporary church (or better said North American Christianity) to understand that what we are doing no longer impacts society like we once did. If we are to be relevant in the coming century then we quite simply can no longer go about as we have. Everything must be looked at through the lens of authenticity and transformation albeit discipleship, evangelism, spiritual formation, social justice, preaching etc.

We must begin asking the kinds of questions that, up to this point, we have been afraid of asking because we were afraid of where they might take us. Now those very questions may hold the key to our survival.

...future instrument of Peace?

Pope Benedict XVI named 15 new Cardinals today. Among them Boston's Archbishop Sean O'Malley (pictured) who is a Franciscan.

I may not be a Catholic Historian (or even Catholic for that matter) but I for one would like to see the next Pope coming from a Franciscan background... it could change the world... although the history of Franciscan Popes hasn't been one to exactly smile on.

Getting inside my head

I want to give some insight as to what my vision of the church looks like (this is subject to be changed and added to as I dig deeper into the mystery of Christ's church). I know that there are probably some points that I am missing , if so don't be afraid to send me a comment so that I am not missing any important parts of Church life.

Ordinances:

• Eucharist – Time of intentional examination, confession & remembrance, open communion using unleavened bread and wine. Would be observed once a month for reconciliation and repentance purposes.
• Love Feast– Feet washing, simple Agape Meal, Eucharist, observed quarterly
• Believer’s Baptism – “age of accountability,” empahsis on conversion/transformation into the image of Christ, membership into the adult community of faith
• Anointing & laying on of hands for healing and wholeness where brokenness or illness has occured

Theology:

• No force in religion. Evangelism is a product of building relationships/community through servant work.
• The example of Christ becomes the guiding principle/creed by which we live
• Theologically moderate, socially liberal
• Radical Peace stance/Opposition to all war
• Emphasis on group bible study where scripture is a means to experience God.

Community Life:

• Racially, ethnically diverse & gender equality
• Responsibility is placed in the hands of community similar to Native American Council
• Rites of Passage for youth
• Communal – sharing the goods of the whole community
• Environmentally responsible/sustainable

Worship:

• Gather in homes during the evening for worship
• Worship is contemplative in structure using song, silence, dance, art and messages that use the narrative/storytelling form
• Holistic experience takes precedent over the message
• Music is a fusion of traditional and world expression

I'm still here... had you fooled huh?

It has been one year since I became a Blogger (which some folks still do not understand exactly what that is) and I find myself needing to use this as more of an outlet than I have. My hope is to start blogging every week (every day if I want to challenge myself) so that more of you can be up to date with my thinking and ramblings. Also don't forget to check out the other blog Sauer Grapes as well.

Until then, I reference you back to my first post to reclaim (or confuse) the original intent of this blog.