It looks like the comments are turned off for the posts. I find it much easier to follow a conversation if the comments are on. Otherwise, we will be trying to answer each other's questions, but have to backtrack through pages of posts to figure out what's going on. For a good example of how the comments work in a conversational blog setting, you can look at this discussion on the Emerging CGGC blog.
Anyway, turning on the comments would keep the questions and answers all neatly together for us. Of course, I'm thinking we use the comments for just the follow-up questions, not the original weekly reflection posts.
Just a suggestion ...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Question
Dr. J,
I am an infant when it comes to this blogging thing, especially compared to Tammie (she has her own page). Therefore, when you pose questions to one of our posts are we all suppose to respond? Is it meant only for that person? What if I don't get to read the posts for a couple of days? I just want to make sure I am doing enough. Thanks.
Jason
I am an infant when it comes to this blogging thing, especially compared to Tammie (she has her own page). Therefore, when you pose questions to one of our posts are we all suppose to respond? Is it meant only for that person? What if I don't get to read the posts for a couple of days? I just want to make sure I am doing enough. Thanks.
Jason
Session #2, Assessing Our Culture
*Analyze the church you attend in terms of Van Gelder's typology of churches in American Life.
*What is your response to Shenk's thesis that the church in Christendom is not missional?
*Discuss your reflection on Kaiser's proposal that secularism is not a permanent worldview in our culture.
*Flowing with Van Gelder's discussion of Postmodernism, how do we participate in God's mission in our current culture? What is the worldview of the gospel? Premodern, Modern, or Postmodern? How does conversion relate to postmodern deconversion?
*Hiebert provides a systems grid to analyze our culture. What is the mission of the church to the systemic powers human and spiritual?
*Reflect on the symbols you encounter in your culture, local church, and the gospel. Discuss their meaning and identity in your life. For example, I come from Amish background; a horse & buggy symbolize a worldview and lifestyle that means faith and faithfulness for me. Today, my DeRosa bicycle, contemplative pottery and candles, and Taize music symbolize some similar values, identity & worldview as an Anabaptist "Resident Alien."
*What is your response to Shenk's thesis that the church in Christendom is not missional?
*Discuss your reflection on Kaiser's proposal that secularism is not a permanent worldview in our culture.
*Flowing with Van Gelder's discussion of Postmodernism, how do we participate in God's mission in our current culture? What is the worldview of the gospel? Premodern, Modern, or Postmodern? How does conversion relate to postmodern deconversion?
*Hiebert provides a systems grid to analyze our culture. What is the mission of the church to the systemic powers human and spiritual?
*Reflect on the symbols you encounter in your culture, local church, and the gospel. Discuss their meaning and identity in your life. For example, I come from Amish background; a horse & buggy symbolize a worldview and lifestyle that means faith and faithfulness for me. Today, my DeRosa bicycle, contemplative pottery and candles, and Taize music symbolize some similar values, identity & worldview as an Anabaptist "Resident Alien."
Exploring the gauntlet. . .
Thanks Tammie for your interesting post; I am glad you were able to join our blog.
* I have several reflection questions for the class to consider. As you review the 18 missiological questions, which issue is the most vital for you? Why?
* I had asked Jason about a recurring theme in the text; you already touched on it. These themes will continue to emerge in our discussions. The issue of ecclesiology, the incarnating 2,000 year old body of Christ--the church is a key issue. Community/church are key kingdom issues, see page 47. What are your reflections on a kingdom-oriented ecclesiology? The missio Dei becomes central to our purpose and focus, in other words, joining God in His mission is the main thing. What is the main thing in your kingdom community (church)?
* I have several reflection questions for the class to consider. As you review the 18 missiological questions, which issue is the most vital for you? Why?
* I had asked Jason about a recurring theme in the text; you already touched on it. These themes will continue to emerge in our discussions. The issue of ecclesiology, the incarnating 2,000 year old body of Christ--the church is a key issue. Community/church are key kingdom issues, see page 47. What are your reflections on a kingdom-oriented ecclesiology? The missio Dei becomes central to our purpose and focus, in other words, joining God in His mission is the main thing. What is the main thing in your kingdom community (church)?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Weekly Reflection #1: It just begins with baptism ...
The use of words is fascinating to me, so I loved the way Newbigin used both senses of the word "gauntlet" to describe the challenge facing the North American church.
In the first sense, that of a medieval challenge (as in to throw down the gauntlet), Newbigin challenges the church to not only see its own backyard as a missionary field, but also to be as diligent about its outreach to it as we have been in efforts to evangelize other nations.
In the second sense, Newbigin uses the word gauntlet (as in running a gauntlet), to describe the high-wire act that comes from balancing public "facts" and private "values" which is complicated yet again when we consider our own culture as a mission field. We need to walk a line between striking out against the culture and being completely absorbed in it.
In Newbigin's model, culture rests as a corner of a missiological triangle in which gospel and church for the other points. On the axis between gospel and culture, we see the gospel being presented in a relevant manner in the culture, precipitating conversion. The culture point is also connected to the church along an axis of the triangle, creating a place for missionary dialogue and witness to the community. The final axis of the triangle exists between the gospel and the church. It is on this axis that discipleship happens as the Bible is studied, leading the church to better understand its own history and the story of God.
To see the gospel as just being about people being saved and baptized is to see an incomplete picture of both the gospel and the people to whom it is being presented. Being saved and baptized isn't an end goal, it's a beginning and helping the new believer make their way in this crazy culture of ours should be as much a priority as the initial presentation of the gospel. Suddenly, the assumptions they grew up with may no longer be valid and they need to learn how to view a variety of issues through the lens of Scriptures.
We also have to realize that culture shapes the attitudes into which we are trying to speak the truth of Christ's love for sinners - all sinners - and his atoning death on the cross. Our culture tells us there has to be a reason for someone to love us, especially to love us to the point of death. Christ tells us we just have to be who we are. Our culture is full of broken families and imperfect parents while we talk of God as the perfect Father. Our culture tells us we have to do something in order to receive. Christ just says come. We need to be aware of this baggage that people are carrying lest they turn down the volume on our presentation of the gospel because we have shown an amazing lack of sensitivity to their situation.
Presenting the gospel will, in some cases, make us the real revolutionary in the world. Where the rest of culture is presenting a me-first attitude, the message of Christ puts others first. Where our culture tells us to make a lot of money and retire early, the message of Christ tells us to keep working to make His kingdom happen on earth.
Looking back at Paul's address to the Athenians on Mars Hill in Acts 17, we see that the apostle found common ground on which to begin a conversation about the gospel. It is the same way in our culture as we might find something as simple as a popular song or movie as an entryway to a conversation about the gospel.
We need to remember that Christ said we were to be in the world, but not of it. We are to be aware of what is happening so that we can speak his truth into it; yet not hold the things of the world so closely that there's no room for his truth.
And, so, another balancing act is begun ...
Dr. J,
Another way of saying people are at the center would be to say what is not at the center. I mean, ultimately Christ is at the center. And we can see numerous times through out the Bible where Jesus did things because of people. Not because it was convienent, or easy or culturally right, but because it was the will of His father. Jesus came to earth and met us where we are at. All He asks in return is that we meet him half way. Since Jesus is no longer here in the flesh, we as the church must take his invitation to the masses who are impacted by the culture.
Another way of saying people are at the center would be to say what is not at the center. I mean, ultimately Christ is at the center. And we can see numerous times through out the Bible where Jesus did things because of people. Not because it was convienent, or easy or culturally right, but because it was the will of His father. Jesus came to earth and met us where we are at. All He asks in return is that we meet him half way. Since Jesus is no longer here in the flesh, we as the church must take his invitation to the masses who are impacted by the culture.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Class Discussion
Rock Daddy, thanks for responding to the questions on Part 1. Follow-up questions for the class to discuss as they post: What is another way of saying that people are at the center? What is the recurring theme the authors are raising that needs to be addressed in relationship to culture and gospel?
Part 2. I believe that through all of Van Gelder's issues, the center of the NA church is its people. In every issue he talks about how "we" need to do something or change something or look at something in order to bring the Gospel to the culture and the people living in it. I feel that this is right on and that we as a church truly do need to readjust our way of thinking and how we present the Gospel so as to increase God's numbers. However, humans by nature tend to not want to change. We are creates of habit and don't like to have to change things, especially how we think or act towards people. Therefore, the boundaries are then the world or the limits of the culture that your church is in. If you are part of a Hispanic church, your cultural lines will run differently than the cultural lines for a Catholic church. Not to mention that at times the cultural lines can and will cross. When this happens it tends to intensify the resistance to change and the uneasy feeling we feel.
An example is my church. During the past year or so, a fellow church found out they had water problems that essential closed them down due to safety concerns with the foundation. In brotherly love we offered for them to use our building. They gladly accepted. Several months after that our pastor, in an effort to connect the two churches set up a joint service with them. The church was excited and attendance was very good that day. What I have not told you is the fact that my church is primarily white and the church we extended a helping hand to was black. Obviously, a case for the cultural lines crossing. For the most part the service went well, however, as the other churches choir got up to sing that is when you could feel people from my congregation get uneasy and nervous. I mean they didn't sing like we did. They actually moved and showed emotion while praising God. What would they do next raise their hands? Sure enough. I want to say that I was laying on the sarcasm very heavy just then and am ashamed and upset by the way people from my congregation reacted, in that some actually walked out of the service.
I am a child of the 80's and love the music from that generation and love to quote songs from there. Having said that, Depeche Mode had a song in the 80's titled "People Are People". In it they ask the question of why do people "get along so awfully?". I agree. Why do we have to judge? Why do we have to treat others differently? If we are truly following Jesus as the perfect example then maybe we need to relook at the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
In conclusion I feel that the mission of the Church is Matt 28:19-20. Go. Make. Baptize. Teach. The mission of the NA church is to figure out how to reconnect to the culture and society that we live in and bring the Gospel to those of us we interact with on a daily basis, from the clerk that rings us out at the grocery store to our neighbor. Jesus said, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35) "Amber waves of grain" (America the Beautiful, Bates). Its all here all we have to do is open our eyes, open our ears, open our hearts and open our minds.
An example is my church. During the past year or so, a fellow church found out they had water problems that essential closed them down due to safety concerns with the foundation. In brotherly love we offered for them to use our building. They gladly accepted. Several months after that our pastor, in an effort to connect the two churches set up a joint service with them. The church was excited and attendance was very good that day. What I have not told you is the fact that my church is primarily white and the church we extended a helping hand to was black. Obviously, a case for the cultural lines crossing. For the most part the service went well, however, as the other churches choir got up to sing that is when you could feel people from my congregation get uneasy and nervous. I mean they didn't sing like we did. They actually moved and showed emotion while praising God. What would they do next raise their hands? Sure enough. I want to say that I was laying on the sarcasm very heavy just then and am ashamed and upset by the way people from my congregation reacted, in that some actually walked out of the service.
I am a child of the 80's and love the music from that generation and love to quote songs from there. Having said that, Depeche Mode had a song in the 80's titled "People Are People". In it they ask the question of why do people "get along so awfully?". I agree. Why do we have to judge? Why do we have to treat others differently? If we are truly following Jesus as the perfect example then maybe we need to relook at the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
In conclusion I feel that the mission of the Church is Matt 28:19-20. Go. Make. Baptize. Teach. The mission of the NA church is to figure out how to reconnect to the culture and society that we live in and bring the Gospel to those of us we interact with on a daily basis, from the clerk that rings us out at the grocery store to our neighbor. Jesus said, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35) "Amber waves of grain" (America the Beautiful, Bates). Its all here all we have to do is open our eyes, open our ears, open our hearts and open our minds.
Part 1. The first gauntlet Newbigin talks of is the challenge that the modern day church and Christians face in bridging the gap between "appropriately public facts and essentially private values." (pg 6). The second gauntlet Newbigin talks of is the daily battle believers face due to the fact that we are dealing with a "cross-cultural missionary situation." (pg 7) right here in our own backyard, meaning North America.
The missiological triangle is made up of the Gospel, the Church and the Culture. Each corner of the triangle is important in that without it we would not have a triangle, therefore the fact that these three items are identified tells us that they are significant. Newbigin tells us that the Gospel interacts with the church in that it provides the basis or groundwork from which we as the church should go to for answers, direction and help. It is also used as a sounding board by the culture in that it represents an unwavering truth and so causes people to compare themselves to it. The next corner that Newbigin looks at is the Culture. He tells us that the culture interacts with the church in that it serves as a a means to how the body of the church is shaped and molded. The culture is there to provide the worldly view of things and to challenge the "traditions" of the church. As stated above the culture looks at the Gospel as yet another way of thinking.
As far as the importance to culture, we as the church can not ignore it lest we isolate ourselves even further and in essence push ourselves away from the people we are trying to "save and baptize". In Matt 28: 19, Jesus tells his disciples to "go and make". In order for us, the current disciples to do that we have to actually leave the safety and sanctity of our churches and go out into the neighborhoods and communities. We have to outreach to those around us who are not believers. One of my favorite sayings is "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Until we recognize and are willing to be accept the culture, we will never be able to "make disciples". I am not saying that we need to approve or condone the behaviors of the culture, but we need to be open and receptive so as to allow the Holy Spirit to do his work.
The missiological triangle is made up of the Gospel, the Church and the Culture. Each corner of the triangle is important in that without it we would not have a triangle, therefore the fact that these three items are identified tells us that they are significant. Newbigin tells us that the Gospel interacts with the church in that it provides the basis or groundwork from which we as the church should go to for answers, direction and help. It is also used as a sounding board by the culture in that it represents an unwavering truth and so causes people to compare themselves to it. The next corner that Newbigin looks at is the Culture. He tells us that the culture interacts with the church in that it serves as a a means to how the body of the church is shaped and molded. The culture is there to provide the worldly view of things and to challenge the "traditions" of the church. As stated above the culture looks at the Gospel as yet another way of thinking.
As far as the importance to culture, we as the church can not ignore it lest we isolate ourselves even further and in essence push ourselves away from the people we are trying to "save and baptize". In Matt 28: 19, Jesus tells his disciples to "go and make". In order for us, the current disciples to do that we have to actually leave the safety and sanctity of our churches and go out into the neighborhoods and communities. We have to outreach to those around us who are not believers. One of my favorite sayings is "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Until we recognize and are willing to be accept the culture, we will never be able to "make disciples". I am not saying that we need to approve or condone the behaviors of the culture, but we need to be open and receptive so as to allow the Holy Spirit to do his work.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Session #1, January 25, Focusing the Mission
Greetings Tammie, Jason, & Jon,
You may have read 1984, Future Shock, or other futuristic novels. During the next several months we will exploring the matrix of Christ's Gospel, Culture, and the Church. There will be some carryover from the Emergent Church Movements course that Tammie & Jason are also taking with me this spring trimester--you may melt down from the reading or my humor;-)
I want you to enjoy this exploration party into theology above the treeline. The nuances of culture will be explored to stretch our paradigms or even deconvert. I am looking forward to learning with you as we dialogue on these issues. Please feel free to ask any questions, provide suggestions, and express concerns and insights that you may have that arise during this term. The goal of this course is to begin answering several basic question of the subversive kingdom of God: What is the gospel, church, and it's mission? How does all this connect to the students' ministry context?
This blog will provide the format for our weekly postings and discussions. You are invited to make as many posts as you want to each day/week, a minimum would be your responses to each of the questions listed in the "Weekly Reflection Post." This blog is intended to be for our class only, and if you want to invite your mentor, friends, and pastor into this blog, please request permission from me prior to sending the link for this blog to your desired blog associate member.
Course Projects:
1) Weekly Reflection Worksheets, are posted on this blog. They are due 11 pm on each Thursday of our class sessions. I will be available to respond to your daily/weekly blog posts, except one week in March (3/19-23) when I am in Canada at an ATS Conference may pose a problem. Another event on the horizon is the arrival of our grandson sometime in early February??
2) Integration Paper, may be sent to me via e-mail file at: jnissley@winebrenner.edu, due by midnight April 30th.
3) Oral Exam, will be completed on April 19th via a phone call at a convenient time. All assigned phone conferences will be at a convenient time and on the WTS tab as I will initiate the phone calls. You may call me anytime during the day at WTS: 1-800-992-4987.
Shalom,Dr. John Nissley
Weekly Reflection Worksheet #1, Hunsberger & Van Gelder, parts 1-2 (Two pages per worksheet would be acceptable practice. Your responses to this worksheet will be due by next Thursday)
Part 1, Describe the Newbigin gauntlet. Explain the missiological triangle on page 9. What's so important about this cultural stuff, I thought the gospel was about getting people baptized and saved?
Part 2, Van Gelder discusses 18 issues facing the NA Church. This is a buffet line of missiological issues. It can be overwhelming. Let's boil this down a bit. What is the center of the NA Church? What are its boundaries? We will discuss centered and bounded sets after your posts. This is missiological jargon that helps to analyze global dynamics of the church. You may want to step back to develop a bigger picture of missiology, and you may reflect upon several universal questions. What is the missiology of the Church? What is the missiology of the NA Church? Your congregation?
You may have read 1984, Future Shock, or other futuristic novels. During the next several months we will exploring the matrix of Christ's Gospel, Culture, and the Church. There will be some carryover from the Emergent Church Movements course that Tammie & Jason are also taking with me this spring trimester--you may melt down from the reading or my humor;-)
I want you to enjoy this exploration party into theology above the treeline. The nuances of culture will be explored to stretch our paradigms or even deconvert. I am looking forward to learning with you as we dialogue on these issues. Please feel free to ask any questions, provide suggestions, and express concerns and insights that you may have that arise during this term. The goal of this course is to begin answering several basic question of the subversive kingdom of God: What is the gospel, church, and it's mission? How does all this connect to the students' ministry context?
This blog will provide the format for our weekly postings and discussions. You are invited to make as many posts as you want to each day/week, a minimum would be your responses to each of the questions listed in the "Weekly Reflection Post." This blog is intended to be for our class only, and if you want to invite your mentor, friends, and pastor into this blog, please request permission from me prior to sending the link for this blog to your desired blog associate member.
Course Projects:
1) Weekly Reflection Worksheets, are posted on this blog. They are due 11 pm on each Thursday of our class sessions. I will be available to respond to your daily/weekly blog posts, except one week in March (3/19-23) when I am in Canada at an ATS Conference may pose a problem. Another event on the horizon is the arrival of our grandson sometime in early February??
2) Integration Paper, may be sent to me via e-mail file at: jnissley@winebrenner.edu, due by midnight April 30th.
3) Oral Exam, will be completed on April 19th via a phone call at a convenient time. All assigned phone conferences will be at a convenient time and on the WTS tab as I will initiate the phone calls. You may call me anytime during the day at WTS: 1-800-992-4987.
Shalom,Dr. John Nissley
Weekly Reflection Worksheet #1, Hunsberger & Van Gelder, parts 1-2 (Two pages per worksheet would be acceptable practice. Your responses to this worksheet will be due by next Thursday)
Part 1, Describe the Newbigin gauntlet. Explain the missiological triangle on page 9. What's so important about this cultural stuff, I thought the gospel was about getting people baptized and saved?
Part 2, Van Gelder discusses 18 issues facing the NA Church. This is a buffet line of missiological issues. It can be overwhelming. Let's boil this down a bit. What is the center of the NA Church? What are its boundaries? We will discuss centered and bounded sets after your posts. This is missiological jargon that helps to analyze global dynamics of the church. You may want to step back to develop a bigger picture of missiology, and you may reflect upon several universal questions. What is the missiology of the Church? What is the missiology of the NA Church? Your congregation?
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