Thoughts on "Transformational Architecture" by Ron Martoia; "The Human Text"

This will be a presentation of Ron Martoia's "human text" that he uses as apart of his "three texts". Again, the premise of these "three texts" is that we must understand these three texts, and grapple with each, in order to effectively share God with those around us. Before Martoia fully unloads this "human text", Martoia effectively summarizes the previous texts as he ties in the human text by sharing this,

"The biblical text has to be intelligible in the cultural context in which we are called to do ministry. It is in the context that the human text or story is shaped. The text we live in and the shape of our story are functions of our personal experiences and the contexts into which we were born." ( Page 75)

Martoia further argues that since there has been no compelling story that religious communities have found, that the west has embraced another story. This story is "the American dream". I cannot agree more that this is indeed is an overarching narrative in which the west has fully embraced. This "American Dream" drives many stories in our everyday life including religion, politics, and even our personal motivations. This is not to say that "the American dream" is not in itself completely wrong. I think what Martoia is trying to say is that ultimately what we do as individuals and communities should embrace the larger of story of God. And within that story, we will find that there are niches within it, which coincide with "the American dream" narrative. However, the parts of God's story that are much different (and there are major differences) we will need to recognize, and differentiate ourselves.

Martoia builds his argument that "the American dream" really does find itself in our every day lives, and it mainly goes unnoticed. Everything from marketing, schools from a young age, and personal relationships, Martoia argues that these can be, and will be infected by "the American dream". As Martoia presents the case for this, I find myself resonating with much that he says. Much what I do daily, is in some way, related to my desire to move up the corporate latter. I wake up when I do, to be on time to work, and to impress the higher ups. These are all small ways in which this "American Dream" shows up within my life. Has this “American dream" found itself within our churches? This is a question in which Martoia explores as he recalls a personal experience with "the American dream" within his own ministry.

"I was slowly being enculturated in the 'American Dream: Church Edition.' With big numbers, great creativity, ample budgets, and 'coolest buildings' status comes bigger ego, bigger ego, and --- yeah ---bigger ego." (Page 79)

I must admit, in my limited experience in professional ministry, it is very easy to be caught up within the midst of our own egos and others as well. The "mega church" syndrome drives smaller churches into an "American Dream" hysteria as they try to adopt plans to become the next biggest thing. Why is this "American Dream" important to understand? I am glad this question is addressed in this book, because Martioa is convincing in the answer to this question.

"We need to hear the story of the American Dream so we can get in touch with how its lure worked on us and then how we can apply our insights to the arena conversations." (Page 82)

With Martoia, as he presents these "texts' and including this one, it all comes back to our personal conversations within our everyday relationships. It would be silly not to recognize that this "human text" does not influence the larger western narrative, which includes us. This is a missional mindset that Martoia is presenting. Missionaries spend times in preparation as they embrace the culture they will be working in. They learn languages and customs. And as our world in the west is shifting into a postmodern context in midst of this "American Dream'", would it be safe to say that an adequate recognition of this is important as we share Gods' story with others? I would like to end with with Martoia's conclusion with American Dream. I believe this to summarize the folly in chasing this American Dream.

"Instead of the American Dream realized, it will be the American Dream frustrated. And in our fragmented and episodic life experiences, the idea of a continuity that brings some measure of order to our narrative is a relic of yesterday." (Page 86)

As we engage in today's culture with "the human text", let us realize what we are working with in this "American Dream" as well. And if Martoia is right (And I think he is) then will be living within a very frustrated culture and this "American Dream" will never be fully realized. This will be important to consider when evaluating our full engagement with the world, as we try to plug people into "God's Dream" instead of the folly of the "American Dream."

-dj

http://audaciousliturgy.blogspot.com/

Will Tomorow Always Be Better?

I remember when I was young, I felt that if I could just be in high school, life would just make sense. I could not wait to be one of the "big kids". Once in high school, I learned that it wasn't what it was cut out to be.


I began to wrestle with the idea that college would be this promised land. I knew that once I started college that the stars would just line up. Life was going to be what it was meant to be, once I entered into college. But guess what? I went into college, and as great as it was, there was still an itch for the future.


I then moved on to my new hope for the good life in finding a girl that would put up with me. I met that girl too. I met Meghan Delargy and we are married now. We have experienced many ups and downs. I can certainly say that my life is very blessed being in a relationship to the woman I am married to. She is nothing but wonderful and great. Here is the kick, I still find myself eager for the future so that I can find fulfillment.

There are houses to purchase, more kids to have, more money to be made, being debt free, finding new music that speaks to me, promotions to be had, more Wii games to play, more books to read, going on vacations every year, traveling the world, and the list just goes on and on. It amazes me that I tell myself over and over that tomorrow will be better only if i can.... (fill in in the blank). It all just seems like those hamsters that run on the wheel, the faster they run, the faster the wheel goes, and the hamster still goes no where.

I am learning that I need to live for today. And this is where the church can come in and make changes. The church presents a message of Jesus that exemplifies this message. It is all about heaven, and until then, just try to be moral and good little Christians. That is the 'hamster wheel hope'. I wonder what it means to have an every day hope. What would a church look like if a church carried this 'everyday hope' out to the world? I believe this to be questions that we need to start asking. We have no promises for tomorrow and how it will go. Let us live for today and see realize that today can be as good as any other day. Will tomorrow always be better? The answer may be yes, if we continue to live within that mindset. I am reminded by U2's song Stuck in a Moment, here are the lyrics;

I'm not afraid
Of anything in this world
There's nothing you can throw at me
That I haven't already heard
I'm just trying to find
A decent melody
A song that I can sing
In my own company

I never thought you were a fool
But darling, look at you.
Ooh.You gotta stand up straight,
carry your own weight 'Cause tears are going
nowhere baby
You've got to get yourself together

You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

I will not forsake
The colors that you bring
The nights you filled with fireworks
They left you with nothing
I am still enchanted
By the light you brought to me
I listen through your ears
Through your eyes I can see

You are such a fool
To worry like you do.. Oh I know it's tough
And you can never get enough
Of what you don't really need now
My, oh my
You've got to get yourself together

You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Oh love, look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Oh lord look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment
And you cant get out of it

I was unconscious, half asleep
The water is warm 'til you discover how deep
I wasn't jumping, for me it was a fall
It's a long way down to nothing at all
You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if your way should falter
Along this stony pass
It's just a moment
This time will pass

-DJ

http://audaciousliturgy.blogspot.com/

Thoughts on "Transformational Architecture" by Ron Martoia; "The Biblical Text"

In an effort to continue my review of "Transformational Architecture" by Ron Martoia, I wanted to present the next portion of my thoughts on Martoia's second text titled "the Biblical Text". This is one of the most fascinating parts of the book. Martoia basically says that in order to effectively share God with others it is important to examine the Biblical narrative that we reference.

Martoia explains that Christians have always presented at least a portion of the "Biblical Text".

"Most Christians...know an abbreviated CliffNotes version of the biblical story. It is important to realize this, because it is precisely a miscue at the story level that causes a nearly complete failure at the spiritual conversation level." (Page 51)

Is it possible that Christians have been telling just a portion of whats important in God's story? Are we willing to question this at all? At the core of this question is an evaluation of our humility. If there is any possibility that we have might of gotten it wrong, is it possible that we can become to prideful to move in another direction? I think this is a question that Martoia forces us to ask ourselves.

There are two directions you can go with this question. The first is to embrace the possibility to see if we are in any need of repentance. The second is to embrace a prideful mindset, and go into this with no willingness to engage in any form of doubt. The second possibility is a mistake, and I truly believe truth will not change in the environment of doubt. With this being said the traditional story as Martoia explains goes something like this;

"'...you are broken, messed up, heading to hell---and you need to fix it.' The story continues: Jesus has come and lived a perfect life, so that when he died, he could die the death you should have died. If you will trust him and his death, you can now live the life he lives and someday have a seat forever with him in eternity."- (Page 51)

This message sounds awfully familiar to me in my tradition, as it probably does in many traditional evangelical circles. So to question the message can be a tough one to embrace. At the same time, I wonder if we have missed something as Martoia suggests. Are we using the watered down gospel? If this isn't the full story then what is it? Martoia does explain this, but not in totality within this chapter, Martoia does offer this though,

"Here is the rub: Did Jesus go around offering the propositional distillation...?Was this what constituted following him? Jesus, it seems, had a fundamentally different mission. He wanted to broker shalom. Jesus was interested in imparting wholeness to people, and while eternity in fellowship with him is in fact a part of that wholeness, it wasn't a primary part of the conversation he had with people" (Page 55)

This is a message that I can follow, and not just believe. And that is exactly what the problem is in just telling part of the story. It becomes tempting to limit faith just to belief. But, the Jesus message invites us into mission and movement. It is a call to partner with God and His desires for an abundant life for all. Is it possible that when we offer the CliffNotes version of the story we miss this central theme. I think it is very possible and Martoia is right in pointing this out.

Martoia uses Luke 4:16-21 to point to a possible "mission statement" of Jesus. If you read the passage, does it at all resemble our mission within most churches? Martoia rightly points out that we will "spiritualize" portions of this text to make it fit with our belief. Does the text allow this freedom? It is is a tough argument to say 'That's not what Jesus meant...he really meant this...'.

Martoia ends with thoughts on our modern approach to scriptures. He says this about that approach,

"We have been co-opted by the same game rules of the modern world and we have reduced the Bible to a set of propositional principals to apply. We even call it 'owners manual for life'." (Page 61)

This happens too often in church circles. If we string enough random verses to prove a point, we then win people to Christ. At least that is what we tell ourselves. I think that we intimidate others in our attempts to throw verses at others. I have known others in which this proved to be more harm then good. What is the alternative though? Is there a better way?

"When we understand the entire story, starting with creation rather then the fall, we start with God's intended purposes for the world. When we start with creation, we start with the very reason we exist and the basis of our yearnings. When we understand creation, we have a clear picture of what the whole world is headed back toward as all things are ultimately restored in Jesus. " (Page 66)

The central concept that Martoia is saying that we should embrace is the narrative. To see the biblical text as it was intended, and that is an ongoing story, as Martoia calls it "meta-narrative". In order to do that, we should not start off with the "sin problem" as we often do. Instead we must look at the beginning of our story in creation. This is where we will find our purpose within the story. Martoia will pick this up further in the book.

It is a challenge to ask ourselves if we are sharing the full message of God. I personally do believe that Martoia is on to something when he suggests that we are leaving out very important aspects of the story. I believe that embracing the message as a narrative we have room for a true sharing experience with our friends. By embracing narrative, we can plug ourselves in this ongoing story that is still being written. I would rather invite someone in this ongoing story, and invite them to participate in this partnership with God, rather then convincing them to believe a set of propositional truths. The only question becomes, is this a narrative that the church can embrace?

-dj

http://audaciousliturgy.blogspot.com/

Finding God in Unusual Places; "Everyday Sacredness"

My wife is fixated on purchasing a legitimate camera. I first saw her passion for taking pictures and in capturing this world through a lens, when our friends Joe and Monica had a Nikeon. Every time we would go visit them, my wife would take the Nikeon and shoot everything in sight. While taking pictures with this camera, I could not help nut notice the glow and her obvious enjoyment she received in doing so.

I have finally gave my wife the "go ahead" in purchasing the camera. We are just waiting on gathering the necessary funds to make the purchase. In her excitement of the "go ahead" from me, we began to talk about her growing passion of picture taking. The conversation went something like this;

Me: So...why do you like taking pictures anyway?

Meghan: I don't know, I have to think about that...

Me: I guess before we just throw a substantial amount of money toward a camera, I would like to understand why this is something that you want to pursue.

Meghan: Well... I guess I love the challenge of capturing, the sometimes fleeting, beauty in a still form.

Me: Fair enough, that sounds like a God thing. What do you think?

Meghan: Oh, here we go...You can't stop doing that can you? Ya know, the whole 'everything going back to God' thing...(I must admit this is a familiar tangent that I often go on, but Meghan loves it...at least I think she does.)

Me: Now hear me out, I think it is a God thing, there is beauty all around us all the time, but it is so easy to get caught up in the ugliness of it all, and forget about beauty. I think its cool that you want to capture that, and maybe refer to that, when things get ugly. Is this true or am I just looking to hard at this?

Meghan: Nahh, in all seriousness I think there is truth to that. But taking pictures isn't just about the capturing of beauty for me. It is sorta like...um, kind of like meditation. There is something about it that calms me, it brings a new pace and rhythm to my life.

Me: Really, now that is interesting! Its kind of like a discipline then. You find yourself drawn closer to God when you take pictures. Some people find quite places to think, pray, and to just slow life down. But, you take pictures. That is interesting!

Meghan: I guess you can say that. Buy why is that so interesting.

Me: Well I was reading the book, and the name of the book slips me right now, but the author suggested to allow the everyday events to become sacred. Instead of adding more and more "disciplines", just allow what you already love to do to be Holy. This author enjoyed brewing coffee and he talked about how he allowed God to show up in this brewing process. It was rather fascinating.

Me: And I think that's what it sounds like you are doing when you take pictures. You are allowing God to show up in something that you already love to do.

Meghan: Sounds good to me, its your turn to take the boy out of the car, I did it last time.

(I think this was a hint to move one, so that's what I did.)

This conversation is so important today. Many think that religion is nothing more then a "to-do" list, and there is substantial guilt for you, if you are unable to meet this list. But what if we could begin to find God in what we already love to do.? Instead of filling our lives with more and more "stuff", what if our "stuff" became sacred? And here is a crazy thought, what if God doesn't want you to snooze through a traditional discipline, but He loves us so much that He is willing to unveil Himself in what we already find interesting. Isn't this what we find in Jesus? Instead of barking orders from "way up there" God expressed His love for His Creation by showing up in our world.

This is not to say that prayer, fasting, and the study of scripture is not important. But if we can hand the keys over to God in our passions and let Him make those passions sacred, maybe we will find our relationship with God in a place where it never has been.

-dj

http://audaciousliturgy.blogspot.com/