Hockey Fights & the Institutional Church

If I may be permitted a truly Canadian moment here, I just want to ponder that timeless question:

Why is the dirty scrapper on the other team called a "goon" whom we loathe and despise... When the dirty scrapper on OUR team is the "enforcer" whom we all love and applaud?

What is it that makes us genuinely feel anger and offense when the "goon" beats up on one of our guys, yet we leap to our feet -- even in the non-combat zone known as "the living room" -- to triumphantly cheer when our "enforcer" gives one of the bad guys a bloody nose?
If bloody noses are being meted out in the publishing world, on what criteria are we judging who the "goons" are, and who are the "enforcers"?

Is it based on whether or not we like the one getting the bloody nose?

Just wonderin'...

Prophetic Word for 2008

Kingdom (formerly emerging) Grace has delivered a collection of prophetic words that get my vote. Have a look at The Prophetic Word for 2008 -- you don't have to be charismatic, non-charismatic, ex-charismatic or post-charismatic to be encouraged, challenged, or simply find yourself nodding in agreement.

Thanks for posting this, Grace!

Frank's World

Frank Viola's Pagan Christianity? is making the rounds of the blogosphere these past few weeks, and since I was one of those who dared to request a copy to review, I now offer the following:

I've read Frank's original copy of the same title, sans Barna lending his name, (although it's nice to see that the original exclamation points after every second sentence have been thinned out). I've also read Frank's Who Is Your Covering? and Straight Talk to Elders, and have noted the same pattern emerging in each of these books. Frank has some good ideas, and some of his biblical exposition is great, but then...

It looks sort of like this:

People hear tales of a new book coming out that will address issues surrounding church structure and leadership, and they imagine a rescue mission coming their way...

...only to realize that the focus of the mission was neither medicinal nor rescue, but "search and destroy" -- and everyone not currently living in Frank's World is in the crosshairs.

Many people were expecting something resembling a converation, an exchange of insights and ideas, a springboard for discussion and mutual learning...

...only to find themselves on the unexpected receiving end of a licking that left everyone not currently living in Frank's World unable to sit for a week.

And you'd think that when someone relentlessly and mercilessly comes at you with one of these...

...it would be strange to be labelled "pagan" for feeling the need to respond with a couple of of these.

And in Frank's World, church history -- as it relates to church structure and leadership -- looks like this:
The book is so over-hysterical in its assertion that absolutely everything in church history is a compromise with pagan culture, that many of Frank's insights -- which could have been helpful -- get lost in the hyperbole and selective use (or ignoring) of Scripture and church history.

One example: Frank claims that the Reformers are guilty of foisting sermons on the Body of Christ, and that the early church knew nothing of one speaker doing most or all of the talking. This would be a shocking revelation to those who heard Moses deliver the entire book of Deuteronomy (do we really believe that Moses photocopied it for distribution?), or Nehemiah reading the law to the entire population of Jerusalem, or those who sat listening to Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount, Peter preaching at Pentecost (we only have a record of part of Peter's whole sermon), Stephen's long speech just before being martyred, or Paul preaching so long that Eutychus fell asleep and was briefly dead, before Paul resusitated him and kept right on preaching. (Bob Hyatt has a great chapter-by-chapter series going, and the iMonk is clever and pointed when he feels the need.)

The most provocative -- and hilariously silly -- line that everyone has been jumping on has to be "The church in its contemporary, institutional form neither has a biblical nor a historical right to exist." Even though they're amending it say "...nor a historical right to function as it does", and despite Frank's claim that he's not against culture, you can't escape one very real conclusion: Frank's World is the only true Biblical way for the church to meet or organize, and anyone who disagrees is obviously hopelessly blinded by, enslaved to, and probably getting a paycheque from the Pagans.

Frank is obvious on a crusade, and is zealous for everyone to buy into his worldview, but honestly, his not-even-thinly-disguised and shrill agenda drowns out what could have been a thought-provoking discussion-starter (see Darryl Dash's Next-Wave book review for a better way to ask the same questions).

Familiarity, Contempt & the Way of the Barkeep

"I've missed this place!" exclaimed the Younger, as they doffed their coats and shook the snow from their shoes. "Not that the Rusty Parrot wasn’t, uh, an interesting place to hang out, but this place is still my favourite."

The Elder sighed contentedly as they settled into the welcoming booth by the window. "Yes, although I must say that I prefer the outdoor patio. Not that I'm suggesting that we go there now," he quickly amended, as the snow swirled by the windows, "but I've always enjoyed the outside setting the most."

The Younger glanced at the outdoor patio area, remembering the many times spent there the previous summer, and noting the now-barren trees and gathering drifts. "Yeah, I guess no matter how many other places we've been, this will always be my 'home pub' – after all," and his voice took on a mock radio announcer's tone, "this is our historic and traditional meeting place for all things theological and ale-related!"

The Barkeep stopped by their table at that precisely appropriate moment, delivering their usual choices without them even having to order. "Home is where they know ye," he quipped in his thick Irish brogue, almost under his breath, as if he were talking to himself, before retreating back to the bustling bar.

The Elder laughed, as they both took appreciative sips of their favourite brews. "There is something to be said for the familiar and traditional, isn't there?"

Noting a subtle change in the Elder’s tone, the Younger fixed a more studious gaze on his friend. "Why do I get the idea that you're not just talking about getting our beers hand-delivered by our crusty Irish Barkeep?"

"Because you're observant and discerning," the Elder replied, raising his glass in tribute, "or possibly I'm pathetically transparent and clumsy when it comes to subtle segues." Taking another sip, he continued, "But now that we've crossed that line, let's just dive in, eh?"

The Younger nodded, glancing briefly at the Barkeep as he continued serving those lining up at the bar. "So, let's not just dive in, let's dive deep, whaddaya say?"

The Elder paused, drink half-way to his lips, "Oh, so now who's lacking a certain sense of subtleness?"

"I want to hear more about your views on the five-fold gifts in Ephesians 4," blurted the Younger, leaning forward with elbows on the table, suddenly all business and seriousness. "You've mentioned that too many people 'air-lift' that passage to suit their own agendas, without taking the broader Scriptural context into consideration. You've got to admit, that’s a provocative statement."

The Elder took another sip, collecting his thoughts. "Well, let's just say that too many people look to that passage almost in isolation, and build scenarios that – even if unintentional – are power-based and hierarchical, which in my opinion does violence to what was intended."

"Violence?" The Younger drew the single word out slowly, eyebrows raised.

"What if we took Philippians 2 as a thesis statement on, say, apostolic ministry," the Elder continued, hearing but not acknowledging his friend's comment. "You know, that famously quoted section about having the same attitude as Jesus, the Servant? The Servant who gave up His power and position in order to do His Father's will. Would you say that is only about His life, or is it a pattern for us to follow?"

The Younger was ready for this question, "Well, didn't Paul start by saying that we were supposed to follow His example?" He paused for a moment, frowning into his pint, before continuing, "But wouldn't that mean that apostolic leaders were serving by just being apostles?"

The Elder beckoned to the Barkeep, "My good man, I think we should order some food – this is likely to be one of those nights." The Barkeep wiped his hands on a towel as he replied, "Two curry fries, coming up."

The Elder turned his attention again to their conversation. "Yes, you could say that apostles were serving just by acting as apostles, but you'd still have to define what 'serving' as an apostle would look like. Why would we assume that their service meant having a ruling function? Too many people want to define 'apostle' as a position of power and recognition. What if we look to the words of the Master and the original disciples – who of course would later become 'sent ones' or 'apostles'?"

The Younger caught on instantly. "Ah yes, your favourite leadership passage in Matthew, right? The one that says the rulers of the Gentiles 'lord it over' others but that disciples of Jesus must never imitate that?"

The Elder nodded with a smile. "Do I repeat myself that often? Well, some things are worth saying as often as it takes, I guess. I’d like to suggest that real 'apostles' don't need to trumpet their status or try to get people to agree to be 'under' their authority. They just serve and people recognize their authority based on character and not on their need to have people 'submit' to them. But if you want another potentially provocative statement, try this:

"Genuinely apostolic people might actually be held in contempt by those whose mindset is caught in an authority-based understanding and agenda."

The Barkeep suddenly materialized at their table, two aromatic plates of curry fries in his hands. "Hey y'go, gents," he said, placing the enticing dishes in front of each of them. "Curry fries like they serve in the Old Country. More ale?"

As they immediately nodded in affirmative, the Barkeep headed back to his bar to draw the ales. "Now, consider the ways of the Barkeep," intoned the Elder, imitating his friend's earlier approximation of a radio announcer. "He never asks or requires that we recognize his authority or that we 'submit' to his position. Yet would anybody in this place doubt – even for the briefest of seconds – that he is fully in charge of this bar, and rightfully so?"

The Younger watched as the ales swirled in their glasses. "No, I don't think anybody could miss the King of Crusty", he laughed, "but I don't think I follow you."

The Elder chewed reflectively on his helping of curry fries. "Well, does the Barkeep serve everyone? Does he come alongside and find out what would best aid his patrons in 'succeeding', and then give them what they need?" Receiving an affirmative nod from the Younger, he continued, "The Barkeep works hard to serve his patrons – his 'flock', if you will – and without his expertise and sense of business and social savvy, this place would utterly fail."

The Younger concurred, chasing curry around his plate with the last of his fries. "I'd say that the food just wouldn't be the same. Man, I love pub grub! But how does what you're saying fit with not recognizing or appreciating genuine apostolic ministry?"

The Elder now leaned forward, adding emphasis to his words and tone. "So we agree that the Barkeep is the authority in this place, who serves the people who come in here. Yet how many people would consider the Barkeep 'beneath' them socially, as if him being their servant puts him farther down the scale of worth?"

"Would their familiarity with him and his work actually breed a certain level of contempt for his position of servant-hood? How many people do you think would clamor for a leadership position that might result in being taken for granted, or worse, held in contempt? And yet they would be missing true servant leadership completely."

The Younger drew a deep breath, shaking his head with a smile. "Wow – you've just created a new metaphor for leadership: the Way of the Barkeep. What will that lead to, do you think?"

"A decent tip, maybe," suggested the Barkeep, once again materializing out of nowhere, their second round of ale now ready. "But that's just me thinkin' out loud," he added over his shoulder, as he threaded his way back to the bar. The place was getting quite full, and there was a great deal of serving that needed to be done.

2008

A big thank-you to all those who visit my little corner of greater blogdom -- over 350,000 visits last year (I don't trust the "hits" because out of the 2.9 million I got, there's no way of telling how many were spambots -- probably too many!).

Happy New Year's to everyone, and I hope all y'all enjoy the "new and improved" design of this here blog.