A video reflecting on a recent lecture I attended on how to write a Christian Romance Novel. The women were sweet and gracious, but I had a tough time swallowing some of their instructions. Ok, I might have actually gagged a little.
Disclaimer regarding the segment at the end of this clip: Never leave two weird women alone in a film studio unsupervised. Their ideas are funnier in their head…as you will see should you proceed.
A video reflecting on a recent lecture I attended on how to write a Christian Romance Novel. The women were sweet and gracious, but I had a tough time swallowing some of their instructions. Ok, I might have actually gagged a little.
Disclaimer regarding the end of this clip: Never leave two weird women alone in a film studio unsupervised. The ideas are funnier in their head…as you will see should you proceed. (I rhyme without even trying.) Also, to potential casting agents: we work for cheap.
P.S. I haven’t changed the “game” photo in weeks because no one has given me the answer I am looking for. All great guesses but not close enough. I’ll give you a clue…I am looking for the name of a state. So no, the guess of it being Loch Ness is incorrect. Keep guessing–I am ready for a new photo!
On Sunday my pastor gave an overview of where we have been as a church and where we are headed. The story of our journey this last year actually gave me chills.
(Maybe there was just a draft.)
Our church has been known for it’s innovative heart to serve Portland, each other and the world. I enjoy being a part of a community that loves Jesus so much and lets it show. (see video below of my “oh so holy” friends Jason and Kieth.)
On Sunday my pastor gave an overview of where we have been as a church and where we are headed. The story of our journey this last year actually gave me chills.
(Maybe there was just a draft.)
Our church has been known for it’s innovative heart to serve Portland, each other and the world. I enjoy being a part of a community that loves Jesus so much and lets it show. (see video below of my “oh so holy” friends Jason and Kieth.)
One reason people are drawn to the church is because we have on occasion, been considered “hip.” Whatever that is. We have the cynics, the granolas, the families, the tattooed rockers, the hipsters and the preppies. Maybe that’s it—we are eclectic. We don’t “look” like a church of like-minded people.
My pastor shared that we are swapping buildings with an older church that realized our need for more space. Their numbers were declining so they offered the switch.
Hello generosity!
According to my friend, the church has a décor that is…uhh…quite neat. With a grin she described mauve pews, teal carpet and the ladies’ room linoleum flooring which dons a lovely large floral pattern.
Hello 1984!
“Sounds just like everyone’s childhood church.” I said with a smile.
“I know…that might be the problem,” she said.
I realize I am attracted to “hip” churches because they are the opposite of how I grew up. Most people my age go to churches that meet in a theater or an old abandoned warehouse. We are the “anti-establishment” Christians.
“Down with the man!” (Currently I have my fist thrown in the air and I’m typing with one hand.)
Obviously there is something to be said about churches frivolously spending money, building a Jacuzzi styled baptismal and not looking to scripture first for what a wise and intentional life would look like.
Because of the hypocrisy many of us have seen, we are prone to lean to the other extreme, ensuring we don’t look anything like what we’re “against.”
But if we are “against” something, we need to pick apart why we are against it. In my experience, cynicism has been cyclical. Sadly, I have a feeling that many people are going to see our church’s new “digs” and find somewhere new.
They probably won’t admit it, but they want something more “hip.” And “hip” in my opinion is what makes us comfortable. (Oddly enough we non-conformists do seek comfort.) I know I found a certain level of satisfaction telling the world that my church meets in a high school. People (churched and un-churched) usually respond with, “Oh, that’s so cool.”
So, I guess this blog is more about me realizing I had to keep in check where I was finding my identity.
Why do I go to my church? …Because of the way it looks?
Why do I love God? …Because He gives me something to believe?
Why do I want to serve others? …Because the world will think I am good?
It seems like it might be healthy to ask ourselves these questions and more. That way we are less apt to get in a tizzy when the church fails us or doesn’t act or look the way we think it should.
I wonder if we are more like-minded than we think? If we are honest with ourselves, we probably pick a church because we like how it looks, makes us feel and wouldn’t be too embarrassed to invite a friend.
That’s not necessarily bad. Paul says to “be all things to all people” right? But my thought is this: when “being all things” causes us to lose sight of the “main thing,” then why church? Do we not trust people will be attracted to truth over a pew? Do we think it has to be presented in a way that makes people feel comfortable because we fear their judgment?
Let’s face it. People who want to judge Christians are going to judge Christians. I don’t care how cool you package it.
I want to give grace to the people who built churches in different eras. I believe they really thought mauve and teal would bring the most appeal. (Read that sentence out loud…it’s a nice rhyme.) My hope is that the church and I can figure out how to be “Christ-minded” over being “like-minded.”
The funny thing I look forward to with this new building are the people who know nothing about our church. They will join solely because they assume a church with mauve pews and teal carpet behaves a certain way. Mauve and teal reminds them of their childhood church or something that makes them comfortable.
…The calmness transcended their words at times. It was neither arrogant nor falsely humble. If I could pretend and bottle this relaxed knowing and calmness into three sentences, I imagine it would be something like…
I have always had a thing for old men.
When I was about six years old, I would hang out with Mr. Wyke at Burcham Hills Retirement Center. As I would enter the automatic doors, I would see his tuft of white hair brimming over the high back of his lobby chair. I’m not really sure what we talked about, but I loved his company. He was calming to me.
Now, twenty years later when I am in Michigan, I return to Burcham Hills. My 95-year-old childhood neighbor Leroy is now a resident. An intellect and retired professor of Michigan State University, his mind never stops. We sit, talk and he reads an essay on the cap and trade bill or explains where our country is headed.
There is a wise calmness to him. A relaxed knowing.
This week I attended a writer’s conference. I went with friends who I consider real writers* and heard many great people speak. As I was listening to a lecture by Scott Cairns, I made a note in the back of my journal that said, “There is such a calmness to older people—often older intellects.” I wrote Scott Cairn’s name down and continued to add names of people who encompassed this calmness.
The calmness transcended their words at times. It was neither arrogant nor falsely humble. If I could pretend and bottle this relaxed knowing and calmness into three sentences, I imagine it would be something like this:
1) I have searched for truth and found answers.
2) I have searched for truth with no results.
3) I can rest because I have authentically searched for truth.
Oh how I long for this calmness to be part of my life…hopefully before I hit age 95.
A few quotes I enjoyed this week from lectures given by old, calm, secure men:
“Pursuit of art becomes vocation when its devotion is pursuit of making something of attention, not just doing what you know. It’s wholehearted pursuit, less an expression of what is known, and more of knowing.”
“This is Christ’s church…He could have made it perfect so we weren’t an embarrassment to the world, but the Holy Spirit doesn’t mind being embarrassed.”
Stephen Carter on the next generation’s lack of critical thinking and rhetorical training…
“We are strong in our convictions but we can’t defend it. And if someone disagrees, we are offended.”
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