The Season of Lent | And Things Catholic/Ancient/Liturgical

First off – it occurred to me yesterday that I need to stop blogging for Lent. I know, I know Lent is half over, and this is not some lame attempt to have my cake and eat it too by only forgoing the blog for half of the time, rather I think it’s the case of me just being a little slow on the introspection/reflection side of things. It just simply did not occur to me that my computer time (which tends to be mostly blogging time) was getting in the way of my relationship with my wife and possibly God. Obviously, I’m not saying that blogging is bad (I’m doing it right now and will again after Easter), but for this brief season I need to step away from the blog! I find that it is too easily addictive and consuming, I need to refresh and reconnect.

That said, I do want to conclude the post from below about why the “emerging church” (EC) people like Catholic/Ancient/Liturgical stuff. Steve, who happens to go to church in Norwood (small world indeed!), commented below that the EC is eclectic and borrows Catholic stuff cause of its effectiveness. I think there is definitely truth to that.

I also think that there are a couple other factors involved (and probably a lot more that I’m not thinking of). One, being as a society we have grown up with a severe disconnect from history. Part of the Enlightenment project was a keen sense of progress and of leaving the past behind. Jung talks about the ideal type for “Modern Man[Woman]” as being always in the present, fully individualized (isolated) – the true autonomous, rational self. Our “heritage” of this sad state is that we have lost our connection to the past. Reclaiming our Catholic roots helps us reconnect. Sure part of it may be a vicarious history, but as the body of Christ/People of God it is still our family history.

Two, I also wonder if part of our penchant for liturgical stuff is drawn out as part of our overstimulization from consumerism. Many have grown up within a church that has practically prostituted itself in front of an unbelieving world in order to be noticed, taken seriously, or attended. But 1) it doesn’t work, 2) it’s sick, 3) it wears on you. Doing the morning daily office from Phyllis Tickle is nice because it is not about finding something that fits ME, that serves ME, that feels good for ME. It is rather something that forms me. I adjust to it. I submit to the liturgy as a formative function of drawing me ever closer to Christ and Christ-likeness. Obviously this can be perverted and can be the next “spiritual commodity” or fad that comes along.

I’m certain there are other reasons too – not least of which may be that this is just where the Spirit is leading the church – but for now (and until Easter) I will close.

Catholicism, holiness and spirituality: Discovering ‘Emerging Church’

This is a link from a Catholic fellow and part-n-parcle (is that the right expression) with a comment that Arnold made below. I.E. there seems to be a real penchant for things “Catholic” by “emerging church” (sorry Alan, I don’t like the catch-all either) folk. Don’t have time to post much now, but I would be interested in what you (oh, unsuspecting reader) think. Why do folk who are doing simple/house/organic/emerging/whatever church so draw to things liturgical, Catholic, and ancient. I have a couple ideas that I’ll share later, but any body else have some ideas (and you can’t say “because Robert Webber said so”).

Bloggin' from work

Waiting on X1 to index the hard drive and network, so I have some time for blogging.

We’ve got folk stay with us this week from Mad City Church from Madison, Wisconsin. Neat people with inquisitive minds and open hearts. Good solid folk.

Got turned down for the Xavier job that I wanted so much. Major Bummer. I was pretty PO’d on Friday when I found out… wanted to blog earlier, but its been busy lately. I’m not sure why I didn’t even get an interview… maybe not enough formal “education” experience (ie. don’t have a BA in Education). I thought I’d call and find out why.

I think the thing that frustrates me the most – not just about this Xavier job, but job hunting in general – is that I’ve been preparing for 10 years (TEN YEARS) for a job that I no longer want! Meaning I don’t want to work in “professional”, paid local church ministry. I want to be in ministry – both in a local church body and in the workplace – but I don’t want to get paid for pastoring. I’m not necessarily making a categorical statement – “paying any pastor is bad”, I sure there are healthy, life-giving situations out there. And there are those who God calls and uses in that way. But it is not for me. It creates a false distinction and “ownership” problems. In our consumer world, professional ministers can become just another commodity. Anyway, since I entered Asbury College in 1993 I’ve been on the track to be a professional clergy, I worked in a church for 4 years as a youth/Christian Ed., and I went (am going) to Seminary – all great things if you are jumping the hoops for ordination in a Old-line Denomination. But not so great if you want to work in the marketplace as a Christ-follower and minister along side sisters and brothers in a simple church. I really want/need to provide income and sustenance for our family, but its hard to get a well-paying job if your resume looks like a ministry vita. There’s a lot more here, I’m still processing it and trying to understand what God is doing in our midst and in my life. It seems obvious that he has me at P&G for several reasons. We’ll see what happens.

By the way, good stuff happening over here at vineyard central’s community blog

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American Catholic | saint of the day

American Catholic | saint of the day

Cool.

Connect + Develop Learning and Resource Center

Connect+Develop Learning and Resource Center

Camp!!

I’m helping lead this camp this summer. Should be fun! Let’s Party!

emerging technologies

IBM alphaWorks

P&G Connect & Develop

RISD : Rhode Island School of Design

some webs that I’ve came across while I was working at P&G

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Wanna come? Wanna help? Let me know.

Aaron's PhotoSite – The Fourth Month and such

Aaron’s PhotoSite – To all those who received our latest email life update – - Sorry! Not sure why it went out 5 times! Silly computer. The link above has new pics of our life to date.

I’m about to start paying bills and balancing the checkbook. I feel like I’m about to jump into a swimming pool that I just know is going to be cold….. brrrrrrrr.