Nonconformist Chronicles

To Blog or Not to Blog?

I started blogging in 2006 to add my voice to the cries for reform. I believed the church needed reform in a number of areas, some doctrinal and some practical. I still do. I believed we especially needed reform in terms of congregation and minister relations. I saw the entire “professional minister” system as flawed from the hiring process, involving search committees, to the “hireling mentality” that gave preachers too much responsibility and very little authority, all for a highly inadequate pay and benefit package.

I wrote a series called “Before You Enter the Ministry” in the fall of 2006 to let young ministers know what they were getting themselves into. Many elders completely missed the point of these posts, assuming they were simply descriptive of “the nature of the beast.” But preachers who read it understood it as the call to reform that it was intended to spark. The beast needed killing.

I then did a series on prayer (“Can God Be Persuaded to Act?”) in early 2007 which resonated with many people and grew out of my personal frustrations in a difficult situation. When I did ‘”escape” the situation it was out of the frying pan and into the fire. From a short-lived and even less happy situation our family came to where we are now. We’ve been here six years and we love it here. We hope to stay many more years, Lord willing.

I also started blogging to hopefully expose the legalistic sectarianism that I perceived in the church (and still do). But readers’ comments to some early posts challenged me to change the whole approach I was taking. The original intent was to show parallels between “Pharisaical legalism” and a derailed “Restoration Movement,” with a large dose of the “law/grace” and “faith/works” contrast from an “old perspective” or “Lutheran” understanding of Scripture. Thanks to the comments of readers who pointed me to authors like N. T. Wright and to E. P. Sanders’ book “Paul and Palestinian Judaism” this blog has done one of its jobs. I hoped to learn from the give and take discussions found in the comments section and my readers sharpened me. I never intended to suppose I had the last word on anything, but expected to learn from others.

My reasons for blogging have evolved. I’m no longer writing from a place of frustration (at least not usually). I’ve also started to reframe the church’s ills in light of a more narrative and theological reading of Scripture I’ve been doing for the last six years. While spending over twenty years as an exegete of passages it was time to consider the metanarrative of Scripture. The past few years have seen my redefinition, or at least more robust nuances, of terms like gospel, kingdom, glory, liberation, redemption, and salvation. I’m currently tackling law and covenant, which aren’t synonymous by the way.

The blog has given me a platform to share some things that don’t always fit into my program of preaching and teaching. Many thoughts posted here were either still in the embryonic stages, a bit controversial, or at least not-yet-ready-for-prime-time.

The anniversary date of this blog is in May and I’m deciding if I should renew it or retire it when that date comes. Not only have some initial reasons for writing changed, but the comments and traffic have largely ceased as well. This could be because of the long hiatuses I’ve had between posts or series or it might just be because blogs are going the way of the dinosaur. Probably both.

Blogger Michael Hyatt recently wrote that most discussion forums have migrated to Facebook, which led him to shut down the comments on his still-popular blog. Other bloggers simply post articles on Facebook, but I cannot get excited about cluttering the newsfeed of friends who care nothing for this type of content. I’ve tried to steer clear of religion and politics on Facebook.

I do know that some blogs are still going strong with regular discussion, but I would have to really be committed to make that happen again. Moreover, not everyone who reads likes to comment. I read several blogs, but rarely comment.

So what to do, what to do?

A Revolution in Churches of Christ

A revolution has been occurring in churches of Christ. It's presence is strong in the pulpit, as evidenced by the blogs and facebook posts of my preaching colleagues. The revolution has trickled down into the pews (or chairs), but isn't nearly as widespread there. Or maybe it is, but fear of conflict and strained relationships keep many in the closet. So a host of frustrated preachers have waited many years for the rest of the church to catch up. 

This revolution rejects the past legalism and sectarianism that sadly characterized our movement for many years and still does in some places. The revolution is critical of a hermeneutic that employs command, example, inference, and arguments from silence as the last word on establishing biblical authority. It refuses to read the New Testament as a legal text, pattern, blueprint, or checklist recognizing that the literature is far richer and more multi-nuanced than that. The revolution is not a rejection of biblical authority, but an approach to establishing it that respects the diversity of genres, cultural contexts, and the occasional nature of the New Testament documents.

I first heard warnings about the so-called "New Hermeneutic" back in the early 90s. While a gross misnomer, the term was a label given to "change agents" who employed a non-legalistic reading of the Scriptures. From the start of the controversy I felt that I had come into the Stone-Campbell Movement for such a time as this. I accepted the legalistic and sectarian approach in the earliest days of my Christian walk, but soon rejected the approach once I learned to think for myself. It has been a most liberating shift. 

Perhaps "Reformation" is a better word than "Revolution." Every movement, like a family who lives in the same house for decades, should periodically sift through accumulated clutter and discard excess baggage. In churches, this is called Reformation, the term most commonly used by the Campbells to describe their nascent movement. 

This blog began over seven years ago as yet another voice echoing the call to reform. Since then I have posted only sporadically about whatever topic struck my fancy at the moment. My blog traffic and reader interaction has gradually suffered. 

So I now return to the beginning as I chronicle the journey of a nonconformist. I not only promote nonconformity to secularism, but to traditionalism, legalism, and sectarianism. Some changes will include posts that are more autobiographical, shorter posts, more frequent posts, a more accessible prose, fewer protracted series, and hopefully more attention to spiritual formation. So join me as one more voice heralds the reforming of hermeneutics, vocational ministry, and our own lives.  

Blogging, Books, and Assorted Ramblings

Blogging

I've taken very little time to blog lately so I thought I would check in to let everyone know I'm still alive and that life is good. Hopefully someone still reads this. While I have no intentions to quit blogging, I do wonder if blogging is a passing fad. It seems that three or four years ago everyone was blogging and reading blogs. But now I find that many of my friends and cyber friends have either given up the practice or have been on a very long hiatus. The more popular blogs that once received anywhere from 15 to 30 comments a post are now getting about three to four per post.

I think facebook and twitter have largely displaced blogging as the online means of social networking. But blogs will continue to be written by aspiring writers who have something to say and want to bounce some thoughts off others. I have personally learned a great deal just from those who comment. I've learned about resources and perspectives I would otherwise not know about. So blogging has kept me somewhat connected.

Books

With the holidays just behind us, I've naturally received books and gift cards for Christmas. Then, lo and behold, I learn that one of our local bookstores is going out of business. I was the first customer this morning at their storewide 50% off sale which has not yet been advertised. I'm on the inside track since the proprietor's in-laws are members at our congregation. A going-out-of-business sale is always a bitter-sweet event for me. The bitter part is that one more opportunity to browse real books in an actual location is going away. The sweet part is---well--50% off.

A good portion of my library has been built from going-out-of-business sales, library sales, flea markets, used book stores, and warehouse and outlet stores. I've discovered many gems, some of which were on my ongoing want-lists and others that I would not have discovered if I had not been in the right place, at the right time, intrigued by a book at the right price. So in addition to the nine books I got for Christmas (including the gift card purchases) I came home with four more this morning.

The gift card, by the way, was to a place called Ollie's. I believe it's pretty much a northeastern chain since I've only found them in Ohio, New York, and Maryland so far. In each store is a large section called "inspirational books" with bargains galore. And don't let the category fool you. The books aren't always the popular level donut devotional and self-help stuff. My latest Ollie's finds include the categories of church history, philosophy, and world religions.

Preaching and Assorted Ramblings

Having wrapped up 20 or so weeks in Joshua, I'm about to start a sermon series on Genesis, dealing primarily with chapters 1-11 as I attempt to lead the congregation toward an understanding of the Judeo-Christian world-view. As with the author(s) of Genesis, I also intend to contrast this world-view with it's competitors, both ancient and modern, with parallels that demonstrate there really isn't anything new under the sun. I'm reading a ton of stuff on Genesis, most notably books by Nahum Sarna, a Jewish scholar, whose book Understanding Genesis is one of the best advanced introductions you will find. (I picked it up for $4.00 at a flea market in Tulsa when the Workshop shopping wasn't much to blog home about).

I've also just begun writing a new class curriculum on the origin, inspiration, and authority of Scripture, which I'll be teaching through at least February while the teen class studies the same material. I'm also doing a lot of study on American history, Church History, Restoration History, Philosophical trends, and how they all overlap.

Put this together with my "pastoral" and evangelistic efforts and as you can see, I've been rather busy. Sure, I could blog about some of the stuff I'm studying, but I haven't even had the time to convert much into a blog-post format. As always, I'm going to try to write more here, but just haven't got to where it's flowing real naturally these days. But I'll get there again. So stay tuned. In the meantime, if there is a topic you'd like to request that I blog about, I've taken suggestions before and it's gone really well (judging from the comments at least). But keep in mind that this blog's niche will continue to be biblically related topics. I probably won't be talking about my kids' basketball games, the latest Youtube video, or what I had for breakfast. But who knows?                           

Tulsa Musings, Part 1

Our family recently returned from three days at the Tulsa Workshop. It's one of my favorite annual Christian gatherings. 

Pictured are my kids sitting on the Big Driller's foot at Expo Square, the venue for the Workshop. I unfortunately cut the top of the driller's hat off this year. For a better picture of him, see my post from last time we attended in 2007.   

There are three things I've traditionally loved about the workshop: fellowship, lectures, and shopping. These first two posts will focus on the fellowship.

The fellowship this year was especially good since I got to meet several of my fellow bloggers. I feel that I've known these people for years, but finally met them face-to-face.

Chris Gallagher

is the same in person as he is online. He is outgoing, easy-going, and fun-loving. These are great ways to be. (His far right position in the picture is not a reflection on his theology).   

Paula Harrington is a living example of grace, love, and unity. She cannot be pigeon-holed into any one faction within the church. Her heart's desire is to help the downtrodden, edify believers, and reach the lost. Read her blog and see.  

Brian Nicklaus

This guy claims to be an introvert, but I'm not sure there is enough evidence to convict him—at least not by the world's definition which mis-uses the term to mean shy or backward. Brian is neither, but one of the most personable and cordial guys I know.

The photo is of Brian (left) and me (right). I got it from his facebook, so if you want to use the photo for any commercial purposes send Brian the royalties. He'll share them with Paula who took the photo.   

Now Brian does drink decaf, but I won't hold it against him. I simply marvel at those who so quickly desert real coffee for another coffee which is really no coffee at all. But my joke about Brian's “unleaded” coffee was completely lost on our college-age server at Cracker Barrel. She was likely a baby when they sold leaded gasoline. I sometimes date myself when I forget how old I am.

But seriously folks, I have a great deal in common with Brian in terms of our like passions for preaching and scholarship. I expect a long rewarding friendship.

Trey Morgan taught classes this year and he is as good a speaker as he is a writer. He is also an all-around great guy.

John Dobbs I had met before. It was good to be with him and to hear him speak again. What a heart of compassion.

Darin Hamm I have known since 2002 long before we were blogging. We both preached in western Kansas back then. A highlight of the week was having lunch with Darin who truly views ministry as servant-hood. He also lives it.

Tim Archer It was good to finally meet the great thinker from the kitchen of half-baked thoughts. Tim works with Herald of Truth to spread the good news. (Pictured is Tim with Paula and Chris).  

Steve Tucker who farms out in the middle of nowhere and whose use of social networking technology has made him a celebrity. It was great to meet this servant of the Lord in person after previously having spoken with him on the phone.

Carl Feril I had met several years ago at a preacher's retreat. He is a preacher, counselor, and blogger.

I met other bloggers only briefly and ran into my wife's Uncle Karl and his driver, Chris. The fellowship is really the highlight of this annual event. Stay tuned for more posts about our Tulsa trip.

Ready for Relaunch

I began this blog in 2006 with the original intent of posting at least weekly for the purposes of expanding my teaching ministry and learning from others who cared to exchange comments and ideas. The first year was very encouraging with many well received posts and a couple of fairly popular series. I've made some good friends through this endeavor, some of whom I've since met in person or spoken with by phone.   

The last couple of years have seen a decrease in my posts and in my readership. I've been removed from the sidebar of several bloggers, others admit to rarely or no longer checking in, and the number of hits and comments have slacked off considerably. My own lack of commitment can be blamed for this. So I've thought about giving up blogging altogether. In the near future I'll share some highlights (and low-lights) of the past two years that have kept me from the blog.  

But the random thoughts that I'd like to bounce off you are becoming more frequent again and I'm thinking my writer's block might be over. So today I intend to relaunch myself into the blogosphere. In celebration of this relaunch I've thought about redesigning the blog, kind of like when TV shows replace the theme song for a new season. But honestly, I like how the blog looks now. Blue is such a calming color and so easy on the eyes.

But I still want to do some things differently that might improve this blog. More frequent posts for sure. Possibly shorter posts. Maybe more of a balance between the popular level and more scholarly types of posts as opposed to getting bogged down in a long series on one theme for several months.

I don't blame those who might have given up on this blog, but I do appreciate those who've hung around: Lisa, Preacherman, Bobby, Frank, and others. Thank You! I have a variety of ideas in mind for the near future. I would love to hear any suggestions you might have for future posts. 

(Photo credit: NASA)

An Uncle Again and Blogging Again

Some of you may recall a prayer request I made several months ago. My sister and her husband were expecting their second child, twenty years after the birth of their first one. Their second one was a total surprise after having been told that they would never have children again.

Well, my niece, Emma, was born on December 7, 2007. Her mom turned 40 on the 24th, but this was not on her list of forty things to do before turning forty. In fact, some of those things have been postponed. While little Emma was being born, her sister, Amber, was taking a college final.

So thank you to everyone who prayed. Things went well and Emma is healthy and happy.

On another note, I appreciate all who read this and I apologize for not always responding to comments and for the long hiatuses between some posts over the last six or eight months. I'm still learning the ropes of a new ministry, new place, new everything. We're gaining on the transitional business, but don't quite have it all done yet. And now it's getting to be tax time. ARRGGGH! We also have some personal challenges that have been frustrating, but I'm optimistic.

So from here on I do intend to blog more. Can that be a New Year's resolution or with most people is blogging one of the addictions they want to cut back on? But here are some of my good intentions:

• Post at least once a week, if not more often
• Respond to comments more frequently
• Keep up with my reading of others' blogs and post occasional comments
• Intersperse some lighter and more personal posts with the other stuff

In addition to blogging, I hope to settle back into some other regimens now that the holidays are behind us and we've been in Ohio for six months. My reading has been very sporadic over the past year, so I hope to make it through more books in 2008. I usually try to balance my reading among topics that will help me to grow personally, professionally, and intellectually. I'll share what I'm currently reading in a near future post.

In congregational ministry, my mission for 2008 is to get connected, with the priority being connection with the congregation. Not that I haven't done any of that and I've done more than most of our members could know since no one sees me all the time. But in addition to my reading regimen, I'll be getting back to a visiting regime that kind of fell by the wayside over the holidays. Not many want visits between Thanksgiving and New Years. Since some are so busy, formal visits aren't always possible with everyone. So I'll have to be creative about how to connect with young and busy families.

But for the record, I am very happy to be in my current location. It has not been a disappointment by any means. This is a rare kind of loving and accepting congregation that few ministers (or members) ever manage to find. Gretchen and I were just talking today about what this congregation has to offer:

• When we come away from worship we feel like we've really worshiped enthusiastically as a body.
• We are confident that newcomers to this congregation will be accepted and not needlessly offended.
• We have no doubt that we are loved.

We are blessed.

A New Series

Well, here it is over a month since my last post. Since our thousand-mile move I've only posted three times. I never intended to be one of those guys who posted only sporadically with months of hiatus in-between. On the other hand, I want to write because I have something to say, not because I feel that I have to say something. Life is still busy, but we're finally gaining on the transitional business (although there is still more to go) and I'm beginning to learn the ropes of this new job and my way around the area. So back to blogging before everyone takes me off their blogroll or sidebar links.

I do find value in blogging. I've said before that it's a great way to keep up with friends, make new friends, expand one's teaching ministry, and learn from others. I feel a bit defensive when I hear people (usually in a condescending tone) say "Must be nice to have all that time to read and write blogs. Wish I had all that time to waste"--as if to imply that the person saying this is far superior in their use of time. But I can think of ways these folks don't exactly spend their time the way I would either. So there!

Anyway, this time I really intend to be back (I know. I've said that before). But I have a few ideas for posts and series of posts floating around in my head.

My days in full time ministry have so far consisted of two conservative/traditional congregations and two more progressive/non-traditional congregations. There is no question that the church has changed and is changing--in some ways for the better--but there remains wisdom in the old cautionary adage about not throwing the baby out with the bath water. So in the coming weeks I'll be offering some of my observations regarding "The Changing Values of the Church."

How do I perceive the church's values to be changing, or to have changed, in regard to attendance, scripture, preaching, or worship? I may even think of other categories or maybe there are some you'd like me to cover. The first installment should be posted within the next twenty-four hours. Stay tuned. This should be fun.

(Disclaimer: The church building pictured is NOT where I preach--just in case you were wondering.)            

Sidebar Update: Books, Blogs, and Bible

The sidebar is the blue column on the right side of this page with categorized links. Here are some comments regarding my sidebar content, including a few recent changes.

1) Books. Whenever I touch base with my preaching brothers, two questions are often exchanged: "What are you reading?" and "What are you preaching?" A blog gives its readers a look at what others are reading. I like to know what friends and others I respect are reading. I feel more connection with them if I know where their thoughts have been lately. It also helps me to fine tune my reading list with exposure to what is influencing the great minds.

2) Bible. You might have noticed a recent link I've added called "Texts I'm Studying." It is a link to Bible passages. The first passage will usually be what I'm preaching on next. Exodus 20 has been there for so long because I'm currently doing a series on the Ten Commandments. Some of that study is overflowing to this blog. I like knowing what my fellow preachers have preached so I can compare notes with the findings of their studies. Perhaps someone cares what I'm preaching as well.

Additional texts will be listed that I am studying for whatever reason. I am currently teaching a Sunday morning class on 1 Samuel.

3) Blogs. I have added some new names to my list of "Interesting People." These include Frank Bellizzi, Mike Cope, Matt Dabbs, Chris Gallagher, Brian Nicklaus, and Ben Witherington. These guys are all great thinkers whose blogs deserve a visit. The priority for my blog list are those which are theological in nature. Some of the names are people with whom I've had a personal connection. Some I've discovered either through the link on another's blog or because they commented on mine. My heart rejoices to see that some of my friends are exchanging thoughts because they've discovered one another on my blog. Who says technology makes us more impersonal? Not always.

4) Sermons Online. To this category I have added a link to Rick Atchley's sermons. He is one of the best preachers anywhere. If you haven't heard him, click on the link and listen to one of his audio sermons. You will be very glad you did and you'll want to do it again.

5) My Wishlist. This link takes you to books I intend to purchase over time unless someone gives them to me for Christmas. Books will be removed as they are purchased or acquired. I certainly didn't post this so my readers would buy me books. It's just another insight into who I am by seeing what I plan to read.

6) Book Lists. I'm excited about this new category (just below "Interesting people"). It's a list of books I've read and resources I've used. By clicking on "Books Read in 2006," you will see thumbnails and links to these books on Amazon as well as a short synopsis (a line or two) that I've written about each one. I would welcome your comments or questions regarding anything on this list. I love to talk books.

These book lists will be updated as I read more books. I intend to add other lists in the future including "New Testament Commentaries" and "Books for Christian Living." If there is a Book List you would like to see, I'll add it if I've read in that category.

7) Profile Page. The Book Lists can also be accessed by clicking on the "Your Profile" link at the top of my Amazon wishlist page. The profile page also lists my recent Amazon purchases and may later include some favorite music or movies (in case anybody cares).

(Photo courtesy AarinFreePhoto.com).

      

Why I Blog

The purpose of this blog is multi-faceted.

1) Blogs are a great way to stay connected. Since we have friends all over the country, it's impossible to stay in regular contact with everyone. Reading the blogs of others, I've kept up with what and how they're doing. I plan to occasionally have personal updates in addition to theological reflections and book reviews.

2) Blogs are a way to reconnect. Darin Hamm snuck out of Kansas when my back was turned, but I found him again through his blog.   

3) Blogs are a way to make new friends. I knew John Dobbs only through his blog before meeting him at Tulsa. I have since been introduced to Danny Dodd and Ben Overby by following links to their blogs when they left comments on mine.

4) The fellowship of preachers unites through blogging. Ministry can be a lonely vocation since preachers often work as a staff of one--or few. I had such a great time "talking shop" with my preaching brothers at this year's Tulsa Workshop that I didn't want the discussion to end, which is but one reason I started blogging.

5) Blogging is a way to expand my ministry. While there will be much here to interest preachers, I don't want to write exclusively for them. My prayer is that a broad range of people will find some bit of encouragement or edification in my musings. I know that people have read this blog in Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Have I missed anyone?

6) Blogging is educational. I am always glad to receive bibliography from those whose perspectives I highly value. I used to pay a long distance fee to find out what my friends Jim Martin or Bobby Valentine were reading. Now I just look at their blog. Through blogs we discover many resources through sidebar links in addition to reading the posts.

7) Blogging provides a relatively safe forum for the voices of reform. Every generation should reexamine the lines between scripture and tradition and between the essential and the negotiable. Wesley, Luther, and Campbell would have used this technology if it had been available.

8) Blogging is interactive. Blogging allows me to run my ideas by the cyber community. Learning and spiritual growth are interactive and interpersonal. The feedback helps me to grow.

So what benefit have you found to either blogging or in reading the blogs of others?

(photo courtesy AarinFreePhoto.com)