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Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Jesus vs Culture?
I just started reading Tim Stevens' book and so far (the introduction) is GREAT! On his blog, there is a fantastic discussion going on about Jesus, the Bible and culture.
This is my favorite topics of discussion. The reason being is because in the urban church, this debate is ongoing in the context of hip-hop. Should we run from culture? Should we be just like the culture? Should we use the culture to reach the lost?
Its especially been a strong debate in the context of musical styles for a long time. Should the church use instruments? Should the church use rock music? Should the church use r&b music? Should the church use rap music?
Now, with churches like Willow Creek, Northpoint, Granger Community Church, Life Church, Fellowship Church, NewSpring, Elevation and others- the debate has increased. These churches use all out cultural references to preach the gospel. Want to do a sermon series about sex, have a series called "Sex in the City" and have each week titled after one of the women in the show. Want to do a series about idolitry? Do a series called "American Idols" - Simon Cowell impersonations included!
Now, before you get judgemental - read here for some Biblical examples I brought up at Tim Stevens' blog.
So what do you think? Have we become too "worldly" in reaching the world?
This is my favorite topics of discussion. The reason being is because in the urban church, this debate is ongoing in the context of hip-hop. Should we run from culture? Should we be just like the culture? Should we use the culture to reach the lost?
Its especially been a strong debate in the context of musical styles for a long time. Should the church use instruments? Should the church use rock music? Should the church use r&b music? Should the church use rap music?
Now, with churches like Willow Creek, Northpoint, Granger Community Church, Life Church, Fellowship Church, NewSpring, Elevation and others- the debate has increased. These churches use all out cultural references to preach the gospel. Want to do a sermon series about sex, have a series called "Sex in the City" and have each week titled after one of the women in the show. Want to do a series about idolitry? Do a series called "American Idols" - Simon Cowell impersonations included!
Now, before you get judgemental - read here for some Biblical examples I brought up at Tim Stevens' blog.
So what do you think? Have we become too "worldly" in reaching the world?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A journey of Culture
Well, my world has OFFICIALLY been rocked! Not like Wanda from "In Living Color"
but my world has been rocked in a different way.
I've recently become a fan of Erwin Raphael McManus. I like his communication style and all that. Plus, anybody chill enough to refer to himself by his FULL name is worthy of some attention. Not his 1st two initials - but his full name - he's a "g." (Retro 90's hip-hop term for those not in the know. To be a "g" is a good thing, just trust me.)
Anywho, I read one of his postings about broken people and he mentioned the concept of our "ethos" in our local churches. So I got to researching the word ethos and found a profound definition of the word.
e·thos [ee-thos, ee-thohs, eth-os, -ohs] –noun
the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period: In the Greek ethos the individual was highly valued.
WOW! The fundamental character or spirit of a culture! That REALLY got me thinking "what is the fundamental character of the culture in my church? What is the culture of my church?" Now, when I say culture, I don't mean color or economic background. In the context of my church and youth ministry, those barriers aren't there. Our church and youth ministry has bypassed the barriers of color and even denominational history to allow people to come together under the banner of Jesus! So when I mean culture I don't mean black or white or even hip-hop or rock. I mean the values, the closely held beliefs that influence the regular decisions. Is the culture of our church inviting for people who are messed up with tons of baggage and want help? Or are closed to just the people who already have it together? Are we a culture of authentic expressions of faith or do we as whole promote the ideas of just going through the motions? Do we genuinely love people or do we just tolerate them until they cross us? Are we a culture of servitude and generosity or are we selfish Christians and the world can suffer for all we care? Can people come in with problems and see people getting free and being whole or are we just a gathering place for hurting people making no progress? What kind of culture do we promote? What kind of culture do we live in and (as leaders) create in our church?
For me, this was earth shaking. So, I have begun to explore my own culture. As a leader, its my job to create the culture that I want see in my setting. If I leave it to the people, I may have a culture that I don't want. A culture that doesn't promote the fullness of God in the lives of people. A culture that doesn't encourage people to "get into the presence of God, to grab hold of His plans, purposes and promises and to go show every race and culture a living picture of God's love."
The next year will for me, my leaders and my youth ministry will be a year of a journey. A journey of culture. A journey to define culture and in many ways defy culture at the same time! This will be exciting!
but my world has been rocked in a different way.I've recently become a fan of Erwin Raphael McManus. I like his communication style and all that. Plus, anybody chill enough to refer to himself by his FULL name is worthy of some attention. Not his 1st two initials - but his full name - he's a "g." (Retro 90's hip-hop term for those not in the know. To be a "g" is a good thing, just trust me.)
Anywho, I read one of his postings about broken people and he mentioned the concept of our "ethos" in our local churches. So I got to researching the word ethos and found a profound definition of the word.
e·thos [ee-thos, ee-thohs, eth-os, -ohs] –noun
the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period: In the Greek ethos the individual was highly valued.
WOW! The fundamental character or spirit of a culture! That REALLY got me thinking "what is the fundamental character of the culture in my church? What is the culture of my church?" Now, when I say culture, I don't mean color or economic background. In the context of my church and youth ministry, those barriers aren't there. Our church and youth ministry has bypassed the barriers of color and even denominational history to allow people to come together under the banner of Jesus! So when I mean culture I don't mean black or white or even hip-hop or rock. I mean the values, the closely held beliefs that influence the regular decisions. Is the culture of our church inviting for people who are messed up with tons of baggage and want help? Or are closed to just the people who already have it together? Are we a culture of authentic expressions of faith or do we as whole promote the ideas of just going through the motions? Do we genuinely love people or do we just tolerate them until they cross us? Are we a culture of servitude and generosity or are we selfish Christians and the world can suffer for all we care? Can people come in with problems and see people getting free and being whole or are we just a gathering place for hurting people making no progress? What kind of culture do we promote? What kind of culture do we live in and (as leaders) create in our church?
For me, this was earth shaking. So, I have begun to explore my own culture. As a leader, its my job to create the culture that I want see in my setting. If I leave it to the people, I may have a culture that I don't want. A culture that doesn't promote the fullness of God in the lives of people. A culture that doesn't encourage people to "get into the presence of God, to grab hold of His plans, purposes and promises and to go show every race and culture a living picture of God's love."
The next year will for me, my leaders and my youth ministry will be a year of a journey. A journey of culture. A journey to define culture and in many ways defy culture at the same time! This will be exciting!
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