Welcome friends! Beginning the week of January 19, 2009, (and for each week afterwards for the next 10-12 weeks) I will offer up a small chunk of Brian McLaren's book entitled, "Everything Must Change", a brief reflection of my own, as well as a couple of questions to begin the conversation. Then, you are invited to reply.
There are a couple of simple ground rules for this discussion: First, we ask that you keep your posts relatively brief, so that others will WANT to read them! Second, we suggest that all comments to focused on the topic at hand. And most importantly, we ask that you be respectful of others! McLaren's book is provocative. Some of what he says will likely create a negative reaction in you. Some of what others say here may have the same impact, or worse! Within some boundaries, some of this conflict will be good for us all, because we will all grow! Please try to listen to people's words and try to understand their perspective before you respond. When you respond, please refrain from attacking, name calling, or demonizing those who disagree with you! Feel free to share your beliefs... but be respectful of another's right to disagree!
If you would like to take part, please order McLaren's book, read it with us, and jump in whenever you have a thought, a question, or a reaction of any kind to share.
Our goal is to be learning together as we listen well to Brian, to the scriptures, to one another, and through it all, to God. We believe that God will speak to us through you! So, please do not be shy. Buy the book. Read alongside us. And speak up! We are glad you are here!
Dave Masland
1 comment:
Although I have not started the book yet, I would like to respond to crisis #4. I was watching a show the other day about a family who had lost a son. They had been church goers, but said the church did not answer their questions or calm their anger. They went outside the church to find peace. This made me sad to hear and re-evaluate, as a minister, whether I am doing my job! It often seems like people are thirsting for more than what Sunday morning offers. To keep the spirituality crisis from getting worse, we need to be asking the tough questions, praying deeply with members of our church and inviting folks to grow in deeper relationship with God. We often get caught up in the day to day tasks without stopping to ask the members of our congregations...How goes your soul? For real, I want to know!
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