Twirling Umbrellas In Our Own Little World

Fall in central Ohio means rain and lots of it. I own an umbrella that gets rarely used. For at least a year, my umbrella rested under my desk collecting dust. Sure, there were times I could have benefited from using it, but I only realized this when I needed it the most. And by that time, I could do nothing about it. Often, I would be kicking myself when I was in the middle of a down-pour, because I realized that the possibility existed of a wet-free scamper to indoors. This was a snapshot of my relationship with my umbrella, that is until recently.

I was at work, and it had been raining all day. I was about to go on my lunch as I glanced at the weather outside. I was in no mood to fight the elements just for a bite to eat. As I peered down at the floor below my desk, I was reintroduced to my umbrella-friend that was still neatly housed in a plastic sleeve. Perhaps one of the reason I never utilized the umbrella is the 6 inch blade on the end. (It is actually just a metal point, but I can just envision a run in with security guards about the potential "danger", especially in these times.) Either way I made the decision to utilize the umbrella for the first time.

I grabbed the umbrella and took off down stairs. As I reached the bottom of my building, I just realized that I had forgotten my badge, which serves as a clearance to renter the building from outside. Reluctantly, I decided it to be a good idea to go back to my desk on the 7th floor to retrieve my badge. Instead of taking the stairs back up 7 flights, (it is a lot easier to go down, then going back up), I decided to take advantage of the open elevator. As I entered the elevator with two other individuals, I have to admit, I was in my own little world. (In all reality, I was way to excited to actually use my new friend the umbrella.) I was in the front of the elevator looking down at the pointed end of the umbrella and I just twirled the end against the floor. As I was doing this, for some unexplained reason, I decided that the plastic sleeve that housed the umbrella needed to come off. Still in my own little world, I slowly lifted the end point on the umbrella and I placed my hand around the plastic sleeve and pulled it off revealing the full glory of the umbrella. (Dangerous point and all.)

To my surprise and humor, the other two individuals had been watching me the entire time. Actually, as I pulled the umbrella from the plastic sleeve, I am positive that they may have been thinking that I was going to attack them with the metal point. Their eyes were as wide as can be, and of course looking back, I can see their concern. I pulled that umbrella out they way you pull a knife or gun out of the holster. I started laughing as I realized how this might of looked to the other two individuals. I reassured them that as ominous as my pointy umbrella looked, I had no plans for any attack on them. Once we arrived at the fourth floor, the two individuals jetted out of there without looking back. (I admit that this made me laugh out loud as I reached my stop at the 7th floor.) It is amazing how when we get caught up in our own little world, we become very unaware of what is going on around us.

If we are not careful, followers of Christ can get caught up in the sub-culture of Christian religiosity. This sub culture is much bigger then we sometimes realize. When you have Christan music, Christian apparel, Christian bumper stickers, Christian talk-radio, Christian television, Christian News, and even Christian magazines, we can get swallowed up by our own little Christian world. This isn't even considering the fact that we have built Christian buildings, Christian Schools, and even Christian sports leagues. Is it no wonder that we can loose sight of what our mission can and should be within this world.

I remember in my short stint in youth ministry, there was a point where I felt very convicted about the fact that I did not have one meaningful relationship outside of church, not one! How is it that I can connect with God's mission to be a blessing to the world (Light on the hill) when I didn't even have one relationship with anyone out side of the church building. How many of us that follow Christ can be convicted in the same way?

In the same way that I got caught up twirling my umbrella in my own little world in the elevator that one day, I believe that the danger exists as Christ followers that we too can get caught up within our own sub-culture, to the point where we are in danger of becoming irrelevant to the world around us. It can be possible to be swallowed up completely in our own world that we may not have any meaningful connections in a postmodern culture that values authenticity. Maybe we need to infuse this culture in which we exist with the kingdom living that is "not of this world" but very much within this world.

-Dan Jones

Man-cation and Conversion

As I dropped off my family to the airport, I realized that my life for the next couple weeks would be interesting. Meghan and Jacob were going to spend the week with my in-laws in Mass. This left me two weeks to celebrate my Man-Cation (If you haven't figured it out that is "vacation" but since I am a Man...well hopefully you can connect the dots.)

I already had made a tentative schedule. My plan was to watch as much of the Bond films (including the extras) as I possibly could. My food situation was going to be fulfilling in not such a good way. My menu has shaped up to be fairly unhealthy. After two pizzas, several outing to McDonalds, soda, and a daily dose of cereal at awkward times, I am beginning to feel the results. That aside, it has been a week of a whole lot of nothing. On Friday night, I went to bed at 1:00 am, and woke up at 2:30 pm the next day! I have not slept that much since the good 'ol' days of college.

The house is a little crazy too! The dishes still need to be done, the bathroom needs cleaned. my laundry needs to be folded. Just last night, I realized I needed to do something soon to maintain a happy second week to this man-cation.

I have noticed something else very interesting. It seems that my behavior has slowly changed, as the days go by, since the man-cation started. If there were a couple more weeks of man-cation, I am convinced that I would turn into a bachelor in all its glory. (If you knew me in college, this is not a good thing.) I will leave the specific changes to the imagination. The point is that, for the good for my family, I need to change back into a responsible human being before the week is over.

It is amazing how change can creep in over time without one noticing any change at all. Being in the Christian heritage, we talk about this process a lot, especially in the context of sin. Casting Crowns penned the lyrics to "Slow Fade" which speaks about this;

"It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade"

It's so easy to see change as a painstakingly slow process in this context. Many times we do not just wake up in a lifestyle of sin. Rather is starts slowly and over time it overtakes our lifestyle. Even though many of us in our Christian heritage see this, is it possible we can see "conversion" in the same way?

In the modern world, conversion was the answer to a proposition. It was difficult to see that it may be more of a process. "Converts" were the result of good preaching, and a conviction by the modern standards. I am not suggesting that this does not happen today. This is not my point at all. What I am suggesting however, is that more and more people are skeptical of the modern way. Easy and and pat answers for life's toughest questions are becoming less relevant. Authenticity and purposeful living are becoming more and more convincing to the world around us. Conversion has been looked at in many ways as an event. Is is possible for this "changes" to creep in through the Holy Spirit as we choose to follow in the ways of Jesus? I do know this. Not all of us had the "Damascus" experience. It is only of late in my life that I am truly learning how to follow Jesus in today's world. And to be honest, I am a far cry away from a polished product, nor do I think I ever will be one. Yet, my "conversion" occurred over 13 years ago.

Invitation and alter calls were the way to go at one time. I do wonder how effective this will be in the future. My gut tells me that shared experiences and life with relevant purpose will allow others to join in and try this out. Through this process, perhaps conversion takes place.

This concept of slow change should not be foreign to us. As my man-cation experience shows, I believe we all have times where this makes sense. Casting Crowns shares this same process in "slow fade", and I think we can all agree that sin can creep into our lives over time and change our lifestyles. I am only asking that we may look at the conversion as something similar. Let us not limit the Spirit's work in hearts as just an event. I think it may be possible that we will see conversion as an ongoing process more and more as the world around us is drastically changing.

-dj

Thoughts on "Transformational Architecture" by Ron Martoia; Conclusion

This is my attempt in concluding the series of posts on my thoughts of Ron Martoia's book Transformational Architecture. I am going to be hitting the remaining book (which is a lot of book to cover) in 4 very high level points. I will purposely leave out some of meat in the remaining, not because it is unimportant to the book and its direction.

1. Little Gods

This chapter presents the idea that God has entrusted us to carry out his image to the world around us. In essence, he wants our flesh , our actions , and our words to represent God to a world that is looking for him. An interaction between Martoia and a student of his brings a nice summary of what this chapter entails;

"If we are little gods, so to speak---if we are the ones called to carry the look and feel and flavor of God in this world----then that’s a pretty cool place for the story to begin. That means the point of the whole story is quite different. Now it isn't about fixing something that’s screwed up; it's about fulfilling God's original reason for creating us and the world in the first place." (Page 108)

This is truly a different take on our purpose. But I do believe that Martoia is getting to something here. This is a message that I believe people are willing to align with. Instead of just sharing a proposition with someone, you invite them to be an ambassador for God and his presence to all those around us.

2. The Infectious Judger Gene

This is an interesting chapter on how sin creeps into God's story and how we play a role in it. Martoia connects the Genesis narrative to our tendency to carry judgment to those around us.

"Enter Mr. Serpent into the story. Adam and Eve decided the temptation to become like God was too great. In eating the fruit from this tree, they would have the ability to know good from evil---and they just couldn't stop themselves....Were they tempted by eating from the forbidden tree so that in addition to naming and separating they would also have the ability to know whether something was good or evil? It appears from the text that they would acquire the ability to make pronouncements, that only God... would be able to make." (Page 122-123)

Again, Martoia presents something that I have never really thought before. It does seem that we can trace our tendency to judge back to the garden. Is God the only one that decides on who is “in” and who is “out”? Martoia's presentation on this is convincing, and it does make sense to me. It’s something to be chewed on, that is for sure.

3. Yearning for Wholeness

Martoia explains that within all of us, we have inner cravings for connection. Specifically we have a desire to believe, to belong, and to become. Martoia explains that you will find these inner desires in all humanity.

In my experience these 3 desires seem to be true. Everyone wants to believe in something bigger then themselves, belong in relationships with those around them, and to have a hope for the becoming of something better for tomorrow. I think that Martoa wants us to be able to see these 3 desires in people. Allow those three desires to shape conversations and guide them in God's narrative.

4. Spiritual Cartography

This chapter presents the concept of that (in part) our job as followers, is to function as a sign for others to follow as we reconnect with our story that God has graciously invited us to be a part of.

"We need a spiritual cartography for the conversations we are in engaging in. We need to be incremental and directional, as we engage people in the story of their lives and its intersection with God's big story." (Page 205)

This can be tough! Church has told me for years that there are steps to "conversion". This goes far beyond steps. Martoia is presenting a process, as someone aligns there lives with God's desire for them. This is less of a "click of a switch" and more of a "road trip". This is very important to understand as we invite people to hear the story. It will take time. Our patience will be necessary. Our relationships with that person need not to be the victim if no clear indications of "conversion" is seen.

My hope for this review is that you will pick this book up and give it a chance. This has personally shaped the way I have interacted with those around me. This brought a new appreciation for the journeys that people are on, and where they are going. Martoia has really shaped conversations that need to be shared. So if you have the chance, and you are willing to rethink, pick this book up and really challenge yourself.

-dj

Old High School Pictures, Puberty, and a "Post Restorationist" Perspective

I will never forget when my wife, Meghan, found an old high picture of mine at my parents house. It was slightly embarrassing at the least. I am sure that there are many that can resonate with having to identify with a very awkward time captured in a nice little photo, for our loved ones to see.


How awkward could it have been? Let me just put it this way, I had spiked hair that had way too much gel, a nice layer of oily skin on my forehead, braces, and a goofy version of facial hair that is known as peach-fuzz. I think it was fair to say that I was a disaster at best. So as my wife gazed at this picture of me, then her eyes gazed at mine, I knew exactly what she was thinking. She was probably attempting to understand how that could have been me!


I tried explaining to her that my eyes haven't changed that much, my hair is still brown. I also explained to her that I haven't gained too much wait, and if you look closely you can still see what you see in me today. I don't think she bought it. As of a matter of fact, she explained jokingly (at least I hope) that if she would have known me in high school, things between us would be much more different.


This awkward phase is an amazing time of transition. Puberty, as the text books call it, is a sign of emerging adulthood. And how cool is it to experience the ups and downs, the joy and frustrations of so much change. I will never forget when my voice could not decide to stay deep or not. It was an experience to see my spotted peach-colored facial hair come in. It was also absolutely frustrating to tame the oily skin, to harness desires. The excitement of it all came with mixed emotions and a lot of self examination.


I would like to think that I have emerged out of puberty as more of a whole person. I sometimes look back and cringe at my old pictures, while still having fond memories. The ultimate satisfaction of the puberty process, isn't so much the process, as it is what I've become because of it.


I am very much proud of my Restoration heritage. It brings me such joy to see the spirit of this movement, where it all started, and where it is going. With my whole life, rooted in this movement, I am very much aware of the areas that absolutely frustrate me in many ways. With that said, there is much I am excited about as well.


I am tempted to say that the Restoration movement is in some sort of puberty stage. There is a natural tension and joy within our movement because of the transitions, not only within our culture, but within our churches as well. I feel very blessed to be living in such a time of self-examination and progress. With this, there will be pains and frustrations. But even more then this, it is a time of great hope within our movement.


I am still coming to grips with the "post..." terminology and theology that is floating out there. To be honest, I don't know if I ever will understand the complexity of these conversations. I, myself, still believe I am in this "puberty" stage in Jesus. There is still a lot to be learned. With that admission, I would be happy to share my limited knowledge and thoughts on these conversations.


I want to thank Adam Ellis for introducing me to a whole new world within our heritage. He is a powerful whiteness to the hope of an emergence of a "Post Restorationist" perspective. I would also like to thank him for the opportunity to share within this context.


Let me end with this.


As we dust the old restoration photographs and peer into the eyes of the the church today, let us find hope in our high school snap shots. It is powerful what can be done through awkward times of transition. But just maybe, God will allow us to see a glimpse of what it means to enter in adulthood. If we look closely, I am confident we will begin to see glimpses within this forum as we share and discuss together on what exactly does it mean to be apart of a Post-Restorationist perspective.

-dj

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