OK, I’m working on the template…. the date header is broken and the styles are messed up. I’ll attempt a grand fix/update soon…. Hope to have www.aaronklinefelter.com set up soon.
nice.
I’m trying to set up www.aaronklinefelter.com having some trouble though… hopefully I’ll figure it out soon.
Awhile back I mentioned a couple papers I was working on for class. Thought I’d post them in case anyone needed some reading material to help them fall asleep at night or if you get really bored in the bathroom. Really though, I’d love feedback on them if anyone is so inclined.
The Emerging Evangelicalism: From 1947 to present
Humm…. I’m up late. Just finished winning a game of Monopoly (which is sorta unusual – my bro. usually wins). I’m AIMing with John Trent, who is just getting over being grounded. Ah, the life of a teenager in high school – SO glad that I’m not there anymore!! I was so clueless in high school, not that everyone is, but I was. It would take entirely too long to explain, I’m just glad I’m not a teenager anymore.
In one week we’ll be in Cincy at Vineyard Central. I need to call Kevin this week to confirm stuff and figure out what time to show up on Sunday. In some ways Cincy seems like a million miles away, in others it’s right around the corner. Weird. Looking forward to getting settled into this next step on the journey.
Oh, it’s Christmas Eve. We have the wierd tradition around our house. We clean. It’s really not anything planned, we just do it. Like we’re preparing for important guests – no one comes, it’s just us (well, there IS Santa Claus).
This has been an odd Advent/Christmas season for me. I’ve been so wrapped up in moving, school, new baby, etc… that I don’t feel like I’ve really entered into this season. It’s a very odd feeling.
Saw Return of the King today. WOW!!! Probably one of the best films I’ve ever seen. WOW!!
Went to my home church today – Paris First United Methodist Church. I grew up in this church from infancy through high school. It was an interesting experience. Not sure how to describe it. A blend of traditional United Methodism, American entrepreneurial-ism, and good ole’ folks and good memories. I don’t intend any of it as a criticism or even a critique, but it got me thinking (again) about cultural influences on the church/gospel. Obviously, the church (all of the church) is significantly culture-bound. How does the core of the gospel get translated? What is the authentic core of the gospel – is there an authentic core? I believe that there is, but getting at it seems exceptionally tricky. We are so much beholden to our cultural status and situation.
Not sure where I’m going with this, but something bugs me about all this. It seems like the church that I know in the US is so out of touch with what is going on in the world around us. And yet in other ways it seems that the church is so enamored and embedded in the culture of Americanism. How can we engage the world around us as pastor and missionary and still speak a prophetic word of justice and freedom? How do we live as an alternative community that still relates to those outside of us?
Been reading The Emergence of the Church and The Da Vinci Code both interesting approaches to how culture plays itself out in the church. Of course, they wind up with drastically different conclusions!
Oh, the really cool thing about visiting my home church today was reconnecting with those spiritual forebearers that so influenced my life. Especially David Turley – he was my youth minister when I was in high school. Great guy – pure heart and a very real person.
And finally – Getting really excited about moving into VC Community House. It’s sort of a weird feeling – I haven’t met “face-to-face” with anyone in the community or the church, but I have a good feeling about it. I feel like I’m at this point where I’m tired of looking for the ideal, the perfect situation and rather I’m eager to allow myself to grow into the place God has for me/us. I don’t know who will be in my circle of close friends in this coming year, but I trust that I will have one. I don’t know what sort of ministry I will being doing, but I trust that I will be doing involved with some life-giving, kingdom-enhancing work. We shall see, we shall see.
Well, it’s Friday. This has been quite a week!! We’re all at my parent’s house in Paris, KY now. It took us a few days to get all gathered up, but we’re making it – slowly. This has been a more stressful transition than we had hoped. Sarah is sick (again) – bronchitis or something similar. No fun at all. On top of that we think Cloe Anna has hit another growth spurt and is eating all the time – also taxing on Sarah. Hopefully these next couple days will provide rest for all of us and we can get on a new schedule.
YIPPEEEE!!!! We made it!! 2194.1 miles, got here at 2:45 PM EST today. Brad got connected with Missy and Anna and we were off to Paris, unloaded the car, saw my mom, drove back to Lex. to see Sarah and “The Cloester”. They are doing well. I’m blogging from Sarah’s Dad’s computer then I’m going to bed!!! I’ll post pics tomorrow. Got a couple good ones today.
The bed awaits!!!
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