like a fire

So I have been blogging about this for a while. Christians are just annoying. They are rude, sometimes pedantic and occasionally stupid. So why not me. I mean, this mostly started with the word “missional”. What is missional? It’s a made up word that means following the mission of the church. What that mission is depends on who you talk to, btw.

So today I heard the response from the leader of the Episcopal Churchin America to the statement issued from GAFCON (Could there be a worse name for a meeting?). It is evasive and equivocating and just plain annoying. In other words, perfect for this post. Her response:

“Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON. Anglicanism has always been broader than some find comfortable. This statement does not represent the end of Anglicanism, merely another chapter in a centuries-old struggle for dominance by those who consider themselves the only true believers. Anglicans will continue to worship God in their churches, serve the hungry and needy in their communities, and build missional relationships with others across the globe, despite the desire of a few leaders to narrow the influence of the gospel. We look forward to the opportunities of the Lambeth Conference for constructive conversation, inspired prayer, and relational encounters.”

That’s right, he refers to the statement as an “emission” which, since it doesn’t come from a car, can only mean flatulence. She does however throw in the word “missional”. Forget the thought that she thinks a “few leaders” is actually the majority of the leaders in the Anglican Communion, let’s focus on words.

Emission -

1 a: an act or instance of emitting : emanation barchaic : publication c: a putting into circulation2 a: something sent forth by emitting: as (1): electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body (2)usually plural : substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine) b: effluvium

Missional -

adopting the posture, thinking, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in order to engage others with the gospel message.

So for the sake of me being annoying, I submit a new word for Christians.

Emissional -

Radiating the part of the gospel that is completely true and right, but offends some people who don’t want to hear the truth and in fact try to cover up the truth when it reveals things they don’t like to admit. This word will surely become very useful in the present church, especially in America, where the gospel has been corrupted by so many. Just look back a couple of posts to the Obama/Dobson debacle. Use it in a sentence - Obama, in an emissional statement about his faith in the role of government, clearly believes the the place of government is not to endorse any one faith.

I am really excited about the future of epistemology in the church.

I have just stumbled upon a new site and group that I am really loving called - Deadly Viper. It takes a bit to capture my attention but they definitely have. How is the best part of it.

1. Their site looks amazing. I know all the common wisdom about judging a book by its cover, but I just disagree. Good design equals confidence, and these guys get that.

2. They are committed to radical grace and radical integrity. Enough said.

3. They are … quirky… and that is enough to make them remarkable (thanks Seth Godin).

Nest week they start a series on the S word. I can’t wait to hear how they tackle it. I highly recommend it.

I was emailed a link to this (thanks Brian) earlier in the week and skimmed the highlights of the Evangelical Manifesto. My gut reaction was that I wished they hadn’t used the word Evangelical. I understand that the word Christian is so misused that it is almost pointless to use that title for followers of Christ, but the word Evangelical isn’t much better. Also, I just can’t join the Hybels camp and call myself a Christ-follower. It just seems too long and too trendy.

My second reaction was “Why?” I don’t question the need to clarify what we believe and understand to be they way, but aren’t there already a bunch of creeds and confessions out there that do that? I wonder if we need another. I certainly applaud the effort and would probably agree with what it declares. I probably won’t bother to sign it though. It doesn’t really mean that much to me to align myself with it. I know who I am and what I believe and I am pretty sure of those around me. So I don’t know if I will go beyond skimming it.

Two parting thoughts though.

1. Why weren’t there any emergent people included?
2. Why not create a new word that helps understand who we are that isn’t so loaded with meaning already?

More than just a REALLY cheesy song, Greg Stier is tackling the now hockey phrase to redeem its meaning in the church - and doing a pretty good job of it from where I sit. The idea is as simple as it sounds (we are supposed to be both) but this is beyond that concept into a Biblical model that is easily communicated and understood. Check it out and be blessed.

nt: Tim Schmoyer

I must be grumpy, because I seem to want to rant about the things going on around me. First, I offend most of my staff with the “conspire” post and now I will probably offend most of the youth ministry blogging community with this one. Well call me grumpy, but I really just don’t like this:

“You’ve committed yourself to more Bible reading plans than you care to admit and you’re 187 chapters behind in your latest attempt. If this sounds familiar, then the One Minute Bible for Students is what you need to get back and stay on track.” - blurb for the book

I definitely understand the need for baby steps in taking on new disciplines, but this seems to say to me that I am really asking too much of myself or my students to commit to reading the Bible more than a minute a day. This really fits the attitude of, “C’mon, that’s really asking a lot of someone to do something like that and actually be committed to it.”

Honestly? I spend more time than that brushing my teeth everyday (well almost everyday). I spend more time bathing, more time looking int the mirror, more time wondering if I like carrots, or just day-dreaming. I certainly spend more time doing the “important things” of life, like watching TV and listening to music and updating my Facebook page. How could I be expected to keep up with that too?

OK, this is a rant, and I certainly understand and appreciate what Doug Fields and his staff are trying to do by making the Bible less daunting and more accessible to people. It’s not really their fault that we are lazy, unappreciative, uncaring babies who can’t feed ourselves. This one just stuck in my craw. Thanks for listening. It took me about 5 minutes to write this so I guess, with continued effort, I could write the 5 minute Bible in 365 days. Wait for it… wait for it…