Read the Book; Be the Book

According to George Barna, one of the roles mothers have is that of spiritual energizer. Paul in 2Timothy highlights how both Eunice, Timothy's mother and Lois, his grandmother played such a critical role in his spiritual formation. They were the spiritual energizers of his home. They taught him the scriptures as an infant but they also lived their faith before him. To be a good spiritual energizer for children, you have to read the book, and be the book. That applies not just for mothers and grandmothers. Timothy's mother and grandmother shaped Timothy's faith in part because his father was an unbeliever. Had his father been a follower of Jesus, he would have played a greater role in Timothy's faith formation. Regardless, Timothy's story is a great reminder that the faith of children is best shaped in the home. If Eunice and Lois had not laid such a strong foundation, then Timothy might have left the ministry and the faith altogether. Having said all that, reading the book and being the book, does not guarantee anyone success as a spiritual energizer,as one mom said to her old college roommate, "I remember before I was married that I had three theories about raising children, now I have three children and no theories." We all know of children who do not have the sincere faith of their moms, or grandmothers living in them, even though their parents and grandparents did their best to read the book and be the book. All we do know is that children stand a better chance of becoming and staying followers of Jesus as adult if their moms- grand moms and other people of faith do read the book and are the book. Parents should never underestimate the role they play in shaping the faith of their children.

The Power of a Smile

I am big. Six feet one inch isn't that tall. My son is six feet five. Standing next to him makes me feel small. I have to reach up to hug him. Yes I am over two hundred pounds, but that isn't that heavy now a day s either, and yes I have to lose a few pounds. On average I am not that big, but put me in a room with two year olds and I am huge. I am a Goliath to their David. And for some just as intimidating particularly when I am wielding a guitar. Friday mornings I sing to the two year olds at Trinity Treasures, our Trinity's wonderful day care. Some of the twos are used to Pastor Joe invading their space, but not all. The look of terror shows up on their faces and some start crying before I even sing a song. She did not quite cry this morning, but her lips quivered and fear filled her eyes. She backed away slowly as I sat down in the chair putting the guitar across my lap. I am big remember. So I did the only thing I could do, smile. I smiled at her from ear to ear while looking into her eyes. Then it happened. A crease appeared across her lips, her eyes lit up, and her body relaxed. Her world was safe again. This giant sitting in front of her was rendered harmless by a smile.

Descriptive vs Prescriptive

I recently returned from the Emergence Christianity Conference or EC13 subtitled a salute to Phyllis Tickle. Phyllis could be described as a ball of energy. She opened her mouth and facts, figures, names, dates, and places poured out of her nonstop for an hour without notes. Most of us preacher types who labor for hours over a manuscript listened with amazement. According to Phyllis, Brian Mclaren is the theologian of Emergence Christianity, which would make Phyllis its historian. At the conference Phyllis, was more descriptive than prescriptive of Emergence Christianity. She does see Emergence Christianity historically as a part of the Great Emergence that is occurring globally. She also sees it as a movement. Then there are the subsets or labels of the groups within Emergence Christianity-such as Emergent, Emerging, Neo-monastics, House churches, Missionals, and the Hyphenated; such as Presby-mergent. Nothing like swimming in a bunch of labels with many folks who resist labeling period. In her recent book and in the lectures Phyllis sees the necessity to label because these group are not all birds of the same feather. Some of the distinctions between Emerging and Emergent have the look and feel of the Berlin Wall. Most of those present for the conference were of the Emergent, Neo-Monastic, Hyphenated, Missional type. The fact that Brian Mclaren was present was probably enough to keep some Emerging folks away. According to Phyllis' labels I find myself a sort of Hyphenated, Emergent, Missional, type in sympathy with Emerging folks. How about that for being ambiguous. What I do find is that over the past 10 years or so, my paradigm of the Christian faith and the church has shifted, and once the shift hits the fan, there is no going back. Sadly some folks do not acknowledge any shift or fan. In hanging around with other like minded folks I felt encouraged to keep finding fresh expressions of the faith and practices of Christianity. What exactly those will be, I do not know, only time will tell.