Wonderings and Wanderings

Recently I posted some thoughts about the upcoming movie The Golden Compass after the many forwards and invites I was receiving requesting I join the boycott of the film due to the writer’s strong athiest agenda in his trilogy of books.

With the movie’s release day upon us, here is another review that I wanted to pass along to all of you.  The movie reviewer answers several questions that are very helpful as you do some critical thinking about your response to this film.  I especially want to share one of his responses below.  Hat tip to Carmen.

Why are so many people, including many Christians, drawn to this story of people who fight against the church?

People are drawn to stories about brave souls who stand up against oppressors. And, for a lot of people, whether we like it or not, the church represents fear, power, and condemnation.

The best way to make Phillip Pullman’s stories look like gospel truth is to respond by acting like the villainous Christians in his stories.

The best way to expose Pullman’s lie is to respond like Christ himself: With grace and truth, not hysteria and condemnation.

If we respond with wrath, condemnation, and protest, we play right into Pullman’s naive caricature of Christianity. I’m not saying we shouldn’t point out where he is wrong. His story is deeply flawed, and his religious bigotry is shameful. We should not ignore that. But we also should not ignore the excellence of his artistry. And should speak the truth in love, as Christ commands us. We should respond with truth and grace.

We should encourage people to compare the church of Pullman’s universe with the church in the real world, and how it is growing and ministering to so many needs — here, in Europe, in Africa, and around the world. We should remind people of the church that serves, and that Christ would not have wanted an oppressive church.

There are many things about this film to be commended and enjoyed – much like past Harry Potter films, Star Wars films, etc.  I think the strongest encouragement I can give echoes Overstreet’s caution that we not give credibility to Pullman’s caricature of Christianity by responding to the film like the Magisterium does in his books. It is expected of us.  So imagine the power when we respond in the way of Christ instead.

In August, I assumed responsibility for missions at the church where I have served the past 8 years as youth pastor.  Missions, evangelism, and strategic planning have been added to my responsibilities (in addition to the youth).  It is a load, indeed, but with excellent and willing volunteers and my commitment to the call to equip the saints, it is doable. I am in the prelimineray stages as I think big picture about missions and what that looks like for congregation.  I have been working with our Missions Committee the past few months to develop a strategic plan for guiding our mission endeavors – both fiscally as well as all other resources.  There are key ideas that are important to me and that guide my visioning for this particular congregation. 

The first is related specifically to our community. I want us to continually ask the question, "Would our community miss us if we were gone?"  Even beyond that – would they put up a fight to keep us here? In asking this question, we can assess the level of kingdom work we are doing in the community, the depth of relationships that have been formed, the amount of generosity that has been shown to our neighbors.  It is a very humbling question yet a question that truly gets at the heart of what it means to be church in the community.

The second key idea is related to partnerships.  I firmly believe that congregations should seek out partnerships with organizations and churches already at work.  What is God calling FBC to do? Where do we sense the Spirit leading our hearts and passions?  Who is already in the trenches and how can we partner with them?  Right now, we are evaluating some partnerships already in exsistence and evaluating our efforts, or lack thereof, to date.  We are also looking for other partnerships and ideas that will get us out of the pews and into the neighborhood with no other agenda than to love our neighbors, our peers, our community family.

I would welcome ideas, experiences, thoughts, etc, from any of you who have traveled similar journeys or have witnessed partnerships at work.  What did they look like?  Who did they involve?  What do you still dream of becoming reality in the future?

Here are some pictures from my new camera and my time with my niece and nephew.

I just purchased a new digital camera – a Nikon D40X.  With two amazing subjects (namely my niece and nephew) I wanted to have a quality camera with a fast shutter speed to capture those many precious moments.  I’ve been fortunate to have an incredibly nice 35 mm camera but discovered that the amount I was spending on film and development of all pictures would soon be better spent on a nicer camera.  So with a great sale at Best Buy I made the purchase and am learning all the new features. 

Here is a shot from a quick photo shoot this evening.

According to an online personality quiz which is HIGHLY credible, the "classic" movie that most personifies me based on MY answers to questions is . . .

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Today was one of my famous "No Talk" days.  Days where I don’t utter a sound.  I literally haven’t spoken since 6:45 pm last night.  I’ve been working around the house, putting up Christmas (its all done), cleaning (not nearly done),etc. and haven’t had the need to say anything.  No singing out loud, no telephone calls, no cussing at the television. 

When I realize that I haven’t spoken in such a long time there is a weird second or two where I wonder if my voice will still work.  Yet I don’t want to break the trend by testing it.  I’m weird, yes.

Browines are baking in the oven as I type this.  I will be speaking tonight as I leave shortly to attend a college get together for students home for the holidays.  It is always good catching up with them – some whom I haven’t talked with since they left in August. 

All the talk around here recently has been the MU-KU game happening tomorrow night.  With Arkansas’s win over LSU, the Tigers are now ranked number one (which is unbelieavable).  On top of that, KU is having an amazing season as well.  Add into the mix the HUGE rivalry between the schools and well, the area tomorrow night should be a ghost time as all are indoors watching the game.  My family will be over for some chili, cornbread, and apple pie and a little football.  Should be a fun night.

Go MU.