I don't generally do insider baseball re: denominations.
However, since my work is linked with the PowerPoint that Episcopalians are discussing, I would like to clarify a couple of things.
1) The claim about belonging and music on p. 18 is NOT mine:
However, since my work is linked with the PowerPoint that Episcopalians are discussing, I would like to clarify a couple of things.
1) The claim about belonging and music on p. 18 is NOT mine:
I have repeatedly, publicly, and loudly disputed the claim that contemporary music = church growth.
It is a stupid idea that my larger arguments have challenged for almost two decades.
It is a stupid idea that my larger arguments have challenged for almost two decades.
2) I like Ted quite a bit personally - and respect his concerns. That said, I am not - nor have I ever been - interested in numerical church growth.
Since I was a student in SoCal in the late 1970s when the church growth movement began at Fuller, I've found it all offensive....
Since I was a student in SoCal in the late 1970s when the church growth movement began at Fuller, I've found it all offensive....
...and have NEVER urged anyone anywhere to pursue a numerical church growth strategy.
Frankly, I just don't care about the size of any church.
I care about deepening the spiritual life and theological vision of churches.
Frankly, I just don't care about the size of any church.
I care about deepening the spiritual life and theological vision of churches.
I'm a "church depth" person, if you will. If we pay attention to the depth of the things that matter, other things take care of themselves.
You can probably find me saying this on about 1000 podcasts and videos.
You can probably find me saying this on about 1000 podcasts and videos.
What does my work say?
1) That intentional Christian practices of faith - both devotional and ethical practices - are the point of formation for individual Christians and well-formed congregations.
1) That intentional Christian practices of faith - both devotional and ethical practices - are the point of formation for individual Christians and well-formed congregations.
2) That theology must be re-articulated in post-Christian contexts speaking to postmodern (and post-postmodern) conceptions of human nature and knowing.
3) Tradition is an argument over what constitutes the goods of tradition (not my original thought) and as such, tradition is a fluid, ever-creative process.
Every generation is called not to preserve tradition (like a museum piece), but to craft it anew (like clay).
Every generation is called not to preserve tradition (like a museum piece), but to craft it anew (like clay).
4) Beauty is central to both Christian spirituality and theology. That we communicate the Word with attentiveness to poetry, arts, writing, architecture, and in our relations with nature and our neighbors.
5) There is a canon w/i the canon:
Love God & love your neighbor
Faith, hope, love: the greatest of these is love
There is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male & female
Love God & love your neighbor
Faith, hope, love: the greatest of these is love
There is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male & female
Also above: In all things, give thanks.
6) Embodying God's love and justice in the world is the entire point.
(Not freaking church growth 😡)
(Not freaking church growth 😡)
7) The church is the organic body of Christ in the world, not an institution. In the organic sense, it is always growing. As an historian, I know that institutions come and go.
8) The institutions we currently have are the products of late 19th century western social and economic structures. They don't work. I've consistently said this - and have never believed they can be fixed.
So, those all the things you can say that I've said. Put those 8 things on my tombstone. They summarize my work. (And I've said a good deal more, of course - especially about Christian spirituality and theology).
Slide 23 is an ok-ish summary of my 2004 book, Christianity for the Rest of Us --
With caution: I'd NEVER suggest "improving parish performance" or insist that numerical growth is a measure of spiritual practice. NEVER.
I actually think that's a misuse of my work.
With caution: I'd NEVER suggest "improving parish performance" or insist that numerical growth is a measure of spiritual practice. NEVER.
I actually think that's a misuse of my work.
Again, I have repeatedly, loudly, and even angrily disputed and ridiculed the suggestion that Christianity for the Rest of Us is a "Ten Steps to Mainline Church Growth" book.
It is an ethnographic journey to lovely, quirky churches who were experiencing surprising new life...
It is an ethnographic journey to lovely, quirky churches who were experiencing surprising new life...
...and whose experience suggests to keen readers and hope filled Christians that their congregations could be different if they were attentive and intentional around rich practices of faith.
I am grateful to Ted & the continued support and attention that the Episcopal Church has given my work (and I am a member of said church) but I beg you:
GET IT RIGHT.
I've given you a gift of reflection-in an entire series of books-that speak toward vibrant Christian faith.
GET IT RIGHT.
I've given you a gift of reflection-in an entire series of books-that speak toward vibrant Christian faith.
Although this thread is directed toward Episcopalians because of the viral PowerPoint, it has obvious implications beyond TEC.
I'm so grateful to the MANY readers who have understood the nuances of my work, the complexity of questions I've raised, and the hope I've pointed to.
I'm so grateful to the MANY readers who have understood the nuances of my work, the complexity of questions I've raised, and the hope I've pointed to.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
