This blog is about giving voice to a different perspective on what it means to follow Jesus. This blog is a conversation challenging how Christians do “church.” It is about exploring what the kingdom is and how we live it out. It is about emerging from fundamentalism. It is about staying true to the kingdom of God and the Bible, yet embarking on a radically different way of living. It is about learning from the story of those on the margin who get it right.
All are welcome. In fact, I hope atheists and those who consider themselves outside the church will share their perspective. It is sometimes shocking when we “Christians” realize how we are actually perceived based on what we actually do.
My Context
Aaron
I am Aaron. Husband of Crystal. Father of Micah and Joel. Marketer at a large software company in the northwest. Follower of Jesus.
I am Evangelical, but I find myself confused by the current state of Evangelicalism. I am becoming something else – something beyond Evangelical. I am in community at a decidedly non-emergent church. I find myself called to challenge the status quo rather than abandon it.
Tim
I’m Tim, a member of a growing Emergent Church in Southern California. I found my faith profoundly impacted by “The Divine Conspiracy” by Dallas Willard. A couple of years later, I found my self starting to figure out how to live it. This was greatly aided by marrying a woman with a heart for the poor and a strong “Strengths Finder” score in belief, which means she’s compelled to practice what she preaches (and my butt gets kicked if I don’t keep up).
I’m a graphic designer, a husband, a parent to whatever foster child is currently in my home, a ministry leader at my church, an active blogger and a fan of the Anaheim Angels. Most of all, I’m committed to the long struggle of figuring out how Jesus would have lived my life if he had the chance.
July 2, 2007 at 11:45 am
Well, this should be quite interesting . . . guess I would call myself a little ‘confused’ too. Or maybe ‘undecided’ is a better word. When I compare my opinions to many other evangelicals, I wonder HOW they can be so sure they know the right way to live out this Christian life.
July 2, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I think this is a very interesting topic. I’m hoping to see people write a lot on this. I won’t be much of a contributor unless you don’t mind my naiveté and simplemindedness. After years of “church” you’d think I’d know a lot.
Bah. I feel I know very, very little more than the fact that Christ died and rose again for the remission of my sins. To which I accepted at a young age.
As of late, I’ve been breaking out of my comfort zone about church. We started attending a larger church lately. Although I do have trouble with the show called music, the services and bible studies have been great. The people really seem to want to learn the bible and apply it to their lives. I like that. I like that a lot.
Sadly, I’m not sure I saw it a lot in some of the other churches we tried around here. And a woman from the church coming up to a stranger and say hello? forget it. Sad. But in a “sadder” way…I understand. It’s that comfort zone: “It’s our church and we don’t know you.” My mom’s husband calls them clicks.
Okay, that is it for now until I can polish up a few other words about the perception of Christians.
July 2, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Thanks for the comment, Cabcree. I hope you will contribute. I think a variety of perspectives is helpful, and I’m glad you found a community you can worship and grow in.
July 3, 2007 at 5:14 am
Karen, your comment…I’m working on figuring out why I believe what I believe. There is no doubt in my mind that Christ died for my sins. I believe that and I’ve accepted that. But what about some of those other things I believe? The things fed into my mind from a sermon or a Sunday School class. I’m enjoying this blog and a couple others that I’ve found from this one.
May 25, 2008 at 5:32 am
Very good points… I’m here in the South..the “Bible belt” in a church wanting to become “missional” and relevant to the 20-30 age range without compromising the gospel one iota. This is very difficult in this area, but not impossible. With a three churches at every intersection, there’s no lack of “Jesus”… or at least mention of him, but a lack of genuine bible study and expository preaching.
July 22, 2008 at 6:13 pm
It’s funny what you discover when you randomly push the little grey arrow at the top of the screen revealing random blogs…anyway, might I suggest the book “The Mission of God” by Christopher Wright.
An interestedly deep read on what it means to “be the church”. While I’ve not finished the book as of yet, I’m finding it challenging, enlightening, and affirming my long held beliefs about Church.
Give it a read if it’s new to you.
Thanks for allowing me to share my 2 cents.