Monday, 31 March 2014
Thursday, 20 March 2014
A Response to Brent Curtis’ “Less-Wild Lovers”
Please consider reading Curtis' article, though it is long it is incredible profound, it can be found at the follow link:-
http://www.leaderu.com/marshill/mhr08/curtis1.html
In this article by Brent Curtis we are presented with the idea that we all have a deep desire for “Sacred Romance” which can only be satisfied by relationship with God. Sadly, as fallen beings, we all-too-often turn instead to less-wild loves, prostituting ourselves to fleeting fakes and substitutes, all of which can be considered addictions. Curtis uses the classic example of the road, straight and easy (away from God) and the less traveled, more challenging road (with/toward God).
Curtis certainly speaks great truth in this article, presenting a clear and poetic picture of the human condition. I confess, I have often chosen the temporary anesthesia, suppressing my longing for intimacy with my Lord. When troubles and concerns come knocking at my door it seems far easier to switch on the TV and vegetate, drowning out the monotony of the unwelcome caller with the warm comfort of my subtle addiction to seemingly innocent entertainment.
I look down the road and I see a bend which holds nothing but mystery, and this is concerning. What will the road less traveled bring me to? What are the dangers? Will I be comfortable? Will I be able to provide for my family? These are concerns which may appear valid, but really, when set against the backdrop of the glory of God, why do I doubt my future? Why would I choose another road? Curtis does a beautiful job of expressing the human desire to follow the straight road, away from God, and into the arms of less-will lovers. We have to ask ourselves, Will we confess as Israel did in Jeremiah 2:25? Will we admit that our hearts long for foreign gods? Or will we relent in our adultery and commit ourselves to the sacred romance which is union with God. Personally, I long for “...the place where God holds out his hand and asks us to give up our lovers and come and live with him in a much more personal way” I long for it every moment of every day, and I think God honors that longing. When I take the initiative to shut off the distractions all I hear is God’s calling. When I turn away from the garish shouts of the less-wild lovers, the subtle addictions that woo me into submission, that is when I hear God’s gentle whisper, and walk into his sacred romance. Indeed, as Curtis states,“We come to a place in our spiritual life where we hear God calling us... he is calling us to give up the less-wild lovers that have become so much a part of our identity, embrace our nakedness, and trust in his goodness.”
http://www.leaderu.com/marshill/mhr08/curtis1.html
I look down the road and I see a bend which holds nothing but mystery, and this is concerning. What will the road less traveled bring me to? What are the dangers? Will I be comfortable? Will I be able to provide for my family? These are concerns which may appear valid, but really, when set against the backdrop of the glory of God, why do I doubt my future? Why would I choose another road? Curtis does a beautiful job of expressing the human desire to follow the straight road, away from God, and into the arms of less-will lovers. We have to ask ourselves, Will we confess as Israel did in Jeremiah 2:25? Will we admit that our hearts long for foreign gods? Or will we relent in our adultery and commit ourselves to the sacred romance which is union with God. Personally, I long for “...the place where God holds out his hand and asks us to give up our lovers and come and live with him in a much more personal way” I long for it every moment of every day, and I think God honors that longing. When I take the initiative to shut off the distractions all I hear is God’s calling. When I turn away from the garish shouts of the less-wild lovers, the subtle addictions that woo me into submission, that is when I hear God’s gentle whisper, and walk into his sacred romance. Indeed, as Curtis states,“We come to a place in our spiritual life where we hear God calling us... he is calling us to give up the less-wild lovers that have become so much a part of our identity, embrace our nakedness, and trust in his goodness.”
A Response to Mark Driscoll's "A Blog Post for the Brits" an old blog revised
On Jan 12, 2012 Mark Driscoll published the following blog:-
http:///2012/01/12/a-blog-for-the-brits
Please take the time to read Mark Discoll's blog post and compare the appropriate points to my responses.
In his blog, Pastor Driscoll makes various comments on the state of the church in the UK. While his comments seem to be intended to encourage, it would also seem that the dear pastor has overlooked a great deal. The following is a response I composed and sent to Mark Driscoll.
As of yet there has been no reply, and I do not expect there will ever be one. I originally posted this response to my old blog back in April of 2012, however as I have now migrated here I felt it prudent to regurgitate history. My letter to Pastor Driscoll is as follows. (Look for my updated comments in parentheses).
My background:
Dear Pastor Driscoll, I am a 22-year-old (now 24-year-old) Evangelical-Christian who has been in ministry since the age of 15. I have worked full time and formally in (English) churches, schools and youth ministries. I have also studied Theology at Capernwray Bible School, The University of Gloucestershire, Trinity College Bristol and - more recently - The Moody Bible Institute (which is now coming to a close). Most importantly, I am a passionate believe in Jesus Christ who saved me from my sin. Furthermore, and if it even matters, I’m a British male. Oh, P.S. I’m currently living, studying and ministering to young people (now college age adults) in America.
Response to point 1:
With respect, the cultural context which you describe is no (much) different from that of the United States (when considering religious matters especially). In my early years of ministry I served near Manchester and Liverpool, later for a year in Exeter then another year in Bristol, all of these in youth ministry. In my experience of young people, (including myself) they are more receptive and evermore desperate for God than one can ever begin to imagine. Your snap-shot of the Great Britain is, in some ways accurate, it is, as the Bible promises, difficult to be a minister of the Gospel (as it is says in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you", we were never promised it would be easy). However, having lived here in America since July, and being engaged to an American citizen (to whom I am now married) who would agree whole heartedly, I cannot ignore Americas condition. I find myself attempting to present the gospel to a people who believe they know it. To them it is ‘live a good life, eat well, don’t smoke, and die rich’. I find myself fighting to be heard, but it would be ignorant to say it is much different in my own country. Dear Pastor Driscoll, I urge you to seek the tough soil in your own city. Offer your gospel to the rich, challenge the three car household, for it isn’t just other countries that have issues.
Response to point 2:
Thank you for this observation, there is certainly truth to it, however it isn’t as bad as it may seem. Dear Pastor I would encourage you to look for these aspects in your own nation. Growing up it in England made it painfully clear that the UK’s media learns - and learns quickly - from that of the American. Let us together face this issue, but never forget it, and never be blind to our own logs (that massive chunk of wood in our eye, Matthew 7:5) as we deal with the others speck.
Response to point 3:
I studied at Trinity College Bristol, possibly one of the most liberal Church of England school (not in the US sense of the word liberal, but liberal in the context of the Church of England). However, I studied under some of the most respected theologians and scholars in the world. At Trinity you will find David and Gordon Wenham, the well respected sons of the late great John Wenham. John Noland. Furthermore, even N. T. Wright lectured to the whole school for a full week. Dear Pastor, if these men are compromising in doctrine please inform us of it (not just in passing comment but in intellectual challenge). These are the men training the next and current generations of Church of England Vicars. While it is easy to recognise issues within England’s churches, remember (as you must) the faithful and encourage them, and again, do not be blind to the issues within the church of America. It is, in fact, the blessed child of American-Evangelicalism (Rob Bell) who wrote “Love Wins”, a book which you have been so clear in dismissing as heretical (yet it awaits an academic challenge from you - not that I am a supporter of the book).
Sir, my dear mentors and influences throughout the years have never once neglected the gospel, and have encouraged many to follow suit. There are many great and blessed gospel initiatives throughout the UK, I would encourage you to seek them out. However, we always, always, need to increase on this, as do all in the Church of our Lord the Christ.
Let us not be timid, let us not be the wimps of the Kingdom, pointing fingers at those who are doing a worse job then ourselves (or so our pride might tell us).
Response to point 4:
No, they are not, you are right to ask us to ask ourselves this. But as a youth worker in America I would like to offer my perspective. Do the same. Of course, no matter what any of us do we are never doing enough, we always need to do more, God willing we can change a generation.
Response to point 5:
Honestly, no, always no. We need to do more. I myself was trained through discipleship and then formal education, however, it is not enough. It is my hope that God would use me, however, to fulfil this category of Christian men to lead the church. I am here, and nothing more than a servant to my Lord, and I give him my life and pray he will use it as he wills. And if he wills toilet cleaning then I will do that the same as though I were leading Mars Hill. Dear Pastor, let me ask you, again, to look upon yourself and your country and your church in the same manner as you have asked us to. Sir, if you can, and I know you are in a position to do so, consider doing more. Why not start a ministry that helps the UK or even America to do so. Why not model such a practice on that of D. L. Moody who made Christian education accessible to people like myself.
Response to point 6:
Dear Pastor, I know these young Christians you seek. They are real, they exist, and they long for God’s call. They are ready for a spiritual battle, to fight the good fight, to lay down their lives in service to God and others. Don’t discourage them. Don’t disregard what you haven’t been able to see (for whatever reason, be it blindness or distance). Sir I urge you to seek these young Christians out, find even one and encourage him, and that will be your Spurgeon. I tell you now, if a great servant of my Lord came to me, and in his own humbled way edified my spirit, built me up for ministry, then my dear Pastor, then I would never turn away from such a bold calling (indeed the power of a godly person speaking into your life such as this is hard to resist). Allow God to use you to edify these young Christians. Do the same in America, they need it, I know it, I’m here, I live with thousands of young Christians who believe they will die without having impacted the world for Christ in any great measure. I long for a Spurgeon in my generation, I pray that God would challenge me to be even a fraction of what that man was (and greater, a fraction of what Christ was). I long to allow myself to be broken each moment at the alter of Christ and reformed by the potters hand, and so do countless more in the UK and the US (as indeed all over the world).
Closing remark:
My dear Pastor Driscoll, I have no comment to make about your reporter friend, he is not familiar to me, nor do I have the right to address him as such. I thank you that you have taken the time to address these matters, and I pray that you will look at them further, all the while looking at your own nation in the same light.
Disclaimer: As I am in Ministry I feel it is necessary to state that everything stated in this response is my own work and thought. I make these statements in my own name and do not impose them upon the church which I attend and serve at. Nor do any of my statements directly reflect the position of any of the above listed academic institutions nor any of which I am associated with.
http:///2012/01/12/a-blog-for-the-brits
Please take the time to read Mark Discoll's blog post and compare the appropriate points to my responses.
In his blog, Pastor Driscoll makes various comments on the state of the church in the UK. While his comments seem to be intended to encourage, it would also seem that the dear pastor has overlooked a great deal. The following is a response I composed and sent to Mark Driscoll.
As of yet there has been no reply, and I do not expect there will ever be one. I originally posted this response to my old blog back in April of 2012, however as I have now migrated here I felt it prudent to regurgitate history. My letter to Pastor Driscoll is as follows. (Look for my updated comments in parentheses).
In response to Pastor Mark Discoll’s blog: “A Blog Post for the Brits”
My background:
Dear Pastor Driscoll, I am a 22-year-old (now 24-year-old) Evangelical-Christian who has been in ministry since the age of 15. I have worked full time and formally in (English) churches, schools and youth ministries. I have also studied Theology at Capernwray Bible School, The University of Gloucestershire, Trinity College Bristol and - more recently - The Moody Bible Institute (which is now coming to a close). Most importantly, I am a passionate believe in Jesus Christ who saved me from my sin. Furthermore, and if it even matters, I’m a British male. Oh, P.S. I’m currently living, studying and ministering to young people (now college age adults) in America.
Response to point 1:
With respect, the cultural context which you describe is no (much) different from that of the United States (when considering religious matters especially). In my early years of ministry I served near Manchester and Liverpool, later for a year in Exeter then another year in Bristol, all of these in youth ministry. In my experience of young people, (including myself) they are more receptive and evermore desperate for God than one can ever begin to imagine. Your snap-shot of the Great Britain is, in some ways accurate, it is, as the Bible promises, difficult to be a minister of the Gospel (as it is says in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you", we were never promised it would be easy). However, having lived here in America since July, and being engaged to an American citizen (to whom I am now married) who would agree whole heartedly, I cannot ignore Americas condition. I find myself attempting to present the gospel to a people who believe they know it. To them it is ‘live a good life, eat well, don’t smoke, and die rich’. I find myself fighting to be heard, but it would be ignorant to say it is much different in my own country. Dear Pastor Driscoll, I urge you to seek the tough soil in your own city. Offer your gospel to the rich, challenge the three car household, for it isn’t just other countries that have issues.
Response to point 2:
Thank you for this observation, there is certainly truth to it, however it isn’t as bad as it may seem. Dear Pastor I would encourage you to look for these aspects in your own nation. Growing up it in England made it painfully clear that the UK’s media learns - and learns quickly - from that of the American. Let us together face this issue, but never forget it, and never be blind to our own logs (that massive chunk of wood in our eye, Matthew 7:5) as we deal with the others speck.
Response to point 3:
I studied at Trinity College Bristol, possibly one of the most liberal Church of England school (not in the US sense of the word liberal, but liberal in the context of the Church of England). However, I studied under some of the most respected theologians and scholars in the world. At Trinity you will find David and Gordon Wenham, the well respected sons of the late great John Wenham. John Noland. Furthermore, even N. T. Wright lectured to the whole school for a full week. Dear Pastor, if these men are compromising in doctrine please inform us of it (not just in passing comment but in intellectual challenge). These are the men training the next and current generations of Church of England Vicars. While it is easy to recognise issues within England’s churches, remember (as you must) the faithful and encourage them, and again, do not be blind to the issues within the church of America. It is, in fact, the blessed child of American-Evangelicalism (Rob Bell) who wrote “Love Wins”, a book which you have been so clear in dismissing as heretical (yet it awaits an academic challenge from you - not that I am a supporter of the book).
Sir, my dear mentors and influences throughout the years have never once neglected the gospel, and have encouraged many to follow suit. There are many great and blessed gospel initiatives throughout the UK, I would encourage you to seek them out. However, we always, always, need to increase on this, as do all in the Church of our Lord the Christ.
Let us not be timid, let us not be the wimps of the Kingdom, pointing fingers at those who are doing a worse job then ourselves (or so our pride might tell us).
Response to point 4:
No, they are not, you are right to ask us to ask ourselves this. But as a youth worker in America I would like to offer my perspective. Do the same. Of course, no matter what any of us do we are never doing enough, we always need to do more, God willing we can change a generation.
Response to point 5:
Honestly, no, always no. We need to do more. I myself was trained through discipleship and then formal education, however, it is not enough. It is my hope that God would use me, however, to fulfil this category of Christian men to lead the church. I am here, and nothing more than a servant to my Lord, and I give him my life and pray he will use it as he wills. And if he wills toilet cleaning then I will do that the same as though I were leading Mars Hill. Dear Pastor, let me ask you, again, to look upon yourself and your country and your church in the same manner as you have asked us to. Sir, if you can, and I know you are in a position to do so, consider doing more. Why not start a ministry that helps the UK or even America to do so. Why not model such a practice on that of D. L. Moody who made Christian education accessible to people like myself.
Response to point 6:
Dear Pastor, I know these young Christians you seek. They are real, they exist, and they long for God’s call. They are ready for a spiritual battle, to fight the good fight, to lay down their lives in service to God and others. Don’t discourage them. Don’t disregard what you haven’t been able to see (for whatever reason, be it blindness or distance). Sir I urge you to seek these young Christians out, find even one and encourage him, and that will be your Spurgeon. I tell you now, if a great servant of my Lord came to me, and in his own humbled way edified my spirit, built me up for ministry, then my dear Pastor, then I would never turn away from such a bold calling (indeed the power of a godly person speaking into your life such as this is hard to resist). Allow God to use you to edify these young Christians. Do the same in America, they need it, I know it, I’m here, I live with thousands of young Christians who believe they will die without having impacted the world for Christ in any great measure. I long for a Spurgeon in my generation, I pray that God would challenge me to be even a fraction of what that man was (and greater, a fraction of what Christ was). I long to allow myself to be broken each moment at the alter of Christ and reformed by the potters hand, and so do countless more in the UK and the US (as indeed all over the world).
Closing remark:
My dear Pastor Driscoll, I have no comment to make about your reporter friend, he is not familiar to me, nor do I have the right to address him as such. I thank you that you have taken the time to address these matters, and I pray that you will look at them further, all the while looking at your own nation in the same light.
Disclaimer: As I am in Ministry I feel it is necessary to state that everything stated in this response is my own work and thought. I make these statements in my own name and do not impose them upon the church which I attend and serve at. Nor do any of my statements directly reflect the position of any of the above listed academic institutions nor any of which I am associated with.
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