A Third Response to Guest Blogger - Worth Reading Twice

Bill Lewis wrote a great article which is a recent blog called “Guest Blogger - Worth Reading Twice”. He has recently circulated some responses he received from this edition of his e-newsletter. I thought several were worth adding to the web site…

….Something is Going On
Marc Hausmann: France.

Again I appreciate your newsletter: Stiring thoughts, getting people to move. I would have troubles to discern about the evolution of the charismatic movement, because I grew up in a non charismatic church. But here are some thoughts, just reacting freely and without pretention to your letter:

All I can say is that each generation has to cross its own Jordan and I think the new generation has not done that yet. It is hard for sons to find their identity if the fathers have been giants. As my friend Jean-Pierre Charlet says … we have a generational problem in church: The grand grand grand fathers still try to tell the newborn how to live and behave in a world that has trumendously changed. Let me explain:

In a healthy family kids are born and raised by their parents. Sometimes the grand parents advice, sometimes they intervene, but its NOT their job to raise the kids. In Church we do worse. We choose / have leaders and expect them to do everything. From giving birth, feeding, to education, etc.. But sheperds don’t give birth, don’t feed the newborns, don’t even teach them! They discern what the whole flock needs. - Let’s face it: you and me (and our generation) are already too old to have a direct impact on the 15 - 25 year olds. They must be ignited and led by people of THEIR generation.

The church is guilty of not liberating new leaders (because the old ones take to much space) and even more guilty of telling them how they should do it. If we don’t allow them to be people of their generation and culture (I don’t forget Romans 12:2) rooted in Christ’s values and protected by loving parents they simply won’t be able touch their generation with the gospel. They won’t even impact this world because this generation won’t exist, or they will just survive being neither “of this world”, neither “IN this world”.

What we have to learn and impart is how to “function” through the generations. I’m sure you’ll understand the following illustration:

- Baby’s eat and learn (and hopefully grow),
- Parents make babies and feed and teach them,
- Grand parents give advice and watch over the parents,
- Grand grand parents can sometimes give wise thoughts if their ask for it, but concerning the parents and the babies most of the time they just “shut up”bacause it’s not their buisiness anymore!

Now, in church, things are not like that, why ??? That’s for sure the elephant in the room! By the way: how did he get there? I suppose it grew inside the house, never being allowed to run free. It will probably need some destruction of the building to get him out (Luke 5:36-38). Good idea - personally I’m not convinced of church buildings anyway…

Well, maybe all this is not as clear as it should be. It’s just, as we say in french: to “pour water onto your millwheel” (give food for thought)

So be blessed and read you soon !

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They Popped My Hood and Found Gravy on the Dipstick

A great book for a lazy summer night in the yard or around a camp fire in a camp ground. Todd Starnes, one of the anchors for Fox News Radio in the United States (and worldwide on satellite radio), host of “Fox on Faith” religion podcast, as well as a daily blog has done an excellent job of writing about a rather difficult time in his life.

Todd, a young and very overweight man, found himself facing a difficult operation. He needed open heart surgery to replace a valve that was failing. The operation was needed right away as this was a life-threatening issue even though he was still a young man. One major problem - his life-style. He was a very overweight man and so not only was he about to face open heart surgery but also the need to change his whole lifestyle and lose over 150 pounds.

This well-written and often humorous book is taken from his journal written during those difficult days of decisions and changes. Sharing from his heart about the struggles with his health and his weight - often in such a way that you literally find yourself laughing outloud and unable to stop - this journey for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Southern Baptist) is a great one night read as you will not be able to put the book down once you begin.

Todd has now lost over 150 pounds and continues his life-style changes (and weight loss) that have allowed him to go from the operating table to running in and finishing the New York City 26.2 mile marathon race. He is now in training to participate in his first triathlon.

An excellent summer read.

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Using Or Losing Time

I took it off the shelf in my study. A small, pocket-size copy of the Bible. Good for the summer months when I am outside a bit more and can grab a few minutes here and there to read some scriptures. So, it is with me all day - every day. It fits in the back pocket of my jeans. I also place it on my beside table when I arrive home for the last time each day. Then, as I head to bed for the night, I spend some time reading it as I sit on the chair in the corner by the bed.

And, I have to admit I have been very surprised, even amazed, at how much I have been managing to read as I take it with me … a chapter here, three chapters there. Add to that a few chapters most nights and I am feeling well fed spiritually. Refreshed. Even renewed. And, and I am not stealing time from other events, activities or relationships. Apparently instead of losing time I am now using time and moving forward spiritually all because I made a conscious decision to use the spare moments that use to simply vanish into thin air.

Fresh manna for the soul and spirit every day is good and refreshing. However, it does not happen by itself. It does take a little thought and effort - even a bit of planning. But, in our busy world of constant activity and perpetual demands on our time, it is possible to have that ‘pause that refreshes’ a number of times every day if we just work at doing so. May I encourage you to do just that. Of course that means you may be seen reading your little pocket Bible at a coffee shop, bus stop, at the dentist’s office, and many other places where people today simply no longer are seen reading the Bible.

Today - after two hours in the yard finally racking up the leaves and branches from last fall and spraying some weeds in the pathways - making ready for some nice evenings in front of the fire pit on nights I am actually home … I made a cup of coffee, sat down to rest and refreshed my spirit man at the same time. Felt good!

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Another Response to Guest Blogger - Worth Reading Twice

Bill Lewis wrote a great article which is a recent blog called “Guest Blogger - Worth Reading Twice”. He has recently circulated some responses he received from this edition of his e-newsletter. I thought several were worth adding to the web site…

From: Jim Mann, Denton, Texas

Hi Bill -
Just read your article “Let’s Face It” re. the end of the Charismatic movement…and I’m not sure how to respond. My mind is spinning and smoke is coming out of my ears - so I am thinking and ruminating on it. I recommend Phylis Tickle’s “The Great Emergence” if you have time. It describes the church remaking itself every 500 years - the last was the Protestant Reformation. That means we are due. So what replaces the movement??

Hi Jim - I think we are at that 500 year mark and something is coming our way. The day of enterprise Christianity has to give to a reality of a new kind. - Bill

good riddence! -Jim

The Death of Enterprise Christianity

Die Again

As Martin Luther walked the streets of Rome, he bought the relics and trinkets of Christianity of the 16th Century. Museums of artifacts, authentic and fake, were laid out for the pilgrims to look at, venerate, buy. The surreal scene finally repulsed him. He left Rome disenchanted with religion, but passionate for a real Christ.

Today, we are walking the streets of western culture and once again, we are inundated with the massiveness of the industry of Christianity. You can buy crosses, rings, books, t-shirts, and so much paraphernalia that supposedly makes you a Christian. We have malls in churches. The whole scene, even though it is modern and chic, is still a long way from the reality of Christ.

It is time for the enterprise to die again. Some move of God has to come and clear away the jetsam and flotsam of enterprise Christianity. It is said that a major change comes in church history about every 500 years. We are there. It is time.

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