Genetic Code Feedback

Although I wasn't initially that keen to enter into the most recent sermon series at Jacob's Well (the reasons I explained in the opening sermon), I have been surprised by what it has evoked from me and some of the response I have received from others. "The Genetic Code of Jacob's Well" seems to be a good thing for our community. For that, I am grateful.

One of the most satisfying aspects of preaching for me is when our dialogue provokes further creativity and dialogue beyond Sunday. Let me give you a simple example. When talking about our "core identity" in week one as a holistic missional Christian community, I used this quote by Lesslie Newbigin to illustrate the necessity of a robust communal orientation for the purpose of mission.

“How can this strange story of God made man, of a crucified savior, of resurrection and new creation become credible for those whose entire mental training has conditioned them to believe that the real world is the world that can be satisfactorily explained and managed without the hypothesis of God? I know of only one clue to the answering of that question, only one real hermeneutic of the gospel: congregations that believe it.”

That quote provoked JWer Roger Strong to share this one with me from the deceased archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Suhard. Roger has this on his computer at his place of work.

"To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one's life would not make sense if God did not exist."

Rich.

Today I received another quote, of sorts, that inspired me. This comes to me via email from Brian Hull, another JWer and also a muckety-muck in the Nazarene denomination who works on a macro-level on issues related to youth. Brian sent me this prayer that I think serves to illustrate the posture we try to host as we go seeking after God as a community in the midst of this brave, new world. The prayer can be found in William Barclay's Prayers for the Christian Year.

O God, you are the fountain of all truth; we ask you to protect your church form all false teaching.

Protect the Church

From all teaching and preaching which would destroy men’s’ faith;
From all that removes the old foundations without putting anything in their place;
From all that confuses the simple, that perplexes the seeker, that bewilders the way-faring man,

And yet at the same time protect the Church

From the failure to face new truth;
From devotion to words and ideas which the passing of the years has rendered unintelligible;
From all intellectual cowardice and from all mental lethargy and sloth.

O God, send to your Church teachers,

Whose minds are wise with wisdom;
Whose hearts are warm with love;
Whose lips are eloquent with truth.

Send to your Church teachers

Whose desire is to build and not to destroy;
Who are adventurous with the wise;
And yet gentle with the simple;
Who strenuously exercise the intellect,
And who yet remember that the heart has reasons of its own.

Give to your Church preachers and teachers who can make known the Lord Christ to others because they know him themselves; and give to your Church hearers, who, being freed from prejudice, will follow truth as blind men long for light.

This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I think about this prayer especially as we had the opportunity to host 23 Korean United Methodist pastors last night at our evening worship gathering. Truly, we live in an amazing time.

Thanks to Roger and Brian.

Comments

[Chad J]

Tim, the series has been great and I am struck by the idea that if we are going to "lean into" life as a community this kind of clarification and orientation is just what people need (even if only a reminder for some). It also feels like most at JW embrace and treasure the idea that we "called as community" and get excited about the possibility of what we can do together. Thanks to Roger and Brian for their quotes. Good stuff. . .good stuff.

[Timothy Johnson]

Thanks again for the series. It's something that I think JW could have gone without and never missed. I've even argued with friends before as to why we didn't need something like it. But having it is such a boon to tot he community being able to share the vision of where we're going and why. I think the clarity far outweighs the fear of overdefinition and confinement.

I first saw the Cardinal Suhard quote in Philip Kenneson's essay 'There's No Such Thing as Objective Truth, and It's a Good Thing Too' in Christian Apologetics in a Postmodern World. And I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. It seems to me to be the quintessential apologetic for the world I find myself in. The classic apologetic I grew up with where you could convince someone purely through logic and reason has failed time and again.

Over the past few weeks, our community group has been struggling through this, trying to talk through what evangelism means to us anymore. I don't know that we're coming to any solid conclusions yet. We haven't seen any new converts lately, which is frustrating. But I feel like we're living more holistically in the gospel. So we've got that going for us, which is nice. Maybe we do just need to concentrate on living more mysteriously.

[matthew gallion]

i loved coming to see you in the midst of the community that is your home. thanks for leaving the doors open.

[Tim]

Thanks for the feedback, Chad. I agree.

Tim

[Tim]

I really appreciate the thoughtful comments, as always, Tim. I appreciate you and your faithful clan seek to live into the life and implications of the gospel. You are a blessing.

Tim

[Tim]

It was great to see you again, Matthew. Thanks for hanging with us.

Tim

[Stacy]

Tim,
I was particularly impacted by the ideas that you shared regarding formation and belovedness. You said something about how God is really into formation. EVERYTHING we do in our lives forms us, and most importantly that formation begins when we are named with the name of Christ - "the Beloved One." I would really like to hear more of your thoughts on this and also if you could recommend some resources to furthur immerse myself in these ideas. Thanks!!!