Today’s workplace brought to you by Mammoth Cafe in Newport, KY. Met with a couple NKU students about our Spring Break Mission Trip and going to meet with the Illustrative Isaac Karns in a bit about a Worship Experiment we’re scheming. Also wrangling emails and social media and blogging.

So here’s the thing.  I know there are faithful campus ministers on each of those campuses.  I’d take time to list them, but it would be a long list (if you need a connection to one on a particular campus, let me know and I’ll hook you up).  Most of those campus have multiple leaders, ministers, and missionaries serving on them.

We in the church spend, it seems, a lot of time wringing our hands and worrying about where all the young people went.  We fret, “Why aren’t they in church on Sunday morning?”  Justifiably older members tend toward fears of whether their beloved local church (or denomination) will even exist in the next 20-30 years.  They reason, understandably, that if the next generation aren’t in the pews there won’t be people to carry on once they’re gone.

My friends, them there colleges and universities are filled with young people!  In fact, taken together just the campuses I selected (ones where I know one or more campus ministers/ministries) would total a population of more than most cities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky or the Greater Cincinnati metro area!  Only Lexington, Louisville have more than 134,532 in Kentucky and, in Ohio, Cincinnati.

If we gave up on our campus ministries at these institutions of higher education (AKA “mission fields”) it would be akin to abandoning a major metropolitan area.  (Not that I’m expecting that to happen…. I’m just saying)  I know we must continue to re-envision what it means to be effective and successful in our ministry endeavors – much less faithful – but we mustn’t stop trying.  Whether or not our job is to get those young people into the pews on a Sunday morning (and I’m pretty sure that’s not our main job) or however we define success.  We must keep being creative, innovative, and experimental in our mission to be a sign, instrument, and foretaste of the Kingdom of God.

Finally, I think there’s work to be done on how we understand our role on each of these campuses.  I’ve written before about conceiving of success ecologically in a ministry/mission environment and I think there’s more to delve into there.  Likewise, if we consider network theory (social networks both digitally and geographically contrived) we might begin to see our role as a campus minister as more of instigator and seed distributor than as only a chaplain or shepherd.  This is where 5-fold ministry, the empowerment of the laity, and flexible structures of mission come into play in a big way…. but that’s for another post.

2008 Hugo Awards : Best Novel

• The Yiddish policemen’s union : a novel by Chabon, Michael. (winner)
  
• The last colony by Scalzi, John, 1969-
• Halting state by Stross, Charles.
• Rollback by Sawyer, Robert J.
• Brasyl McDonald, Ian

2007 Hugo Awards : Best Novel

• Rainbows end by Vinge, Vernor. (winner)

2006 Hugo Awards : Best Novel

• Spin by Wilson, Robert Charles (winner)

Like I said, it is good.  Just a process.

But what I’m really missing is reflection.  I feel like I’m constantly juggling and adjusting.  Always thinking through what I should/could/might do next.  I know this will pass in time, routines and habits will be established, but for now it is not only draining (and not really that bad) but it is sapping me of the emotional energy to reflect.

These few minutes at 9:42 PM after I’ve gotten the kids in bed are about it and I’m forcing myself to do it now.

So, just what am I doing in this new job of mine?  Well, good question.  I’m getting to know the campus, the culture, the atmosphere of NKU.  I’m attempting to enter into relationships (or attend to the ones I already have) with NKU and UMC folk.  I’m working on designing and building a NKUWF(.org) website and get biz cards printed.  Those are the main things at present.  Events, programs, bible studies, service projects, worship experiences, etc… those may come in time, but I’m intentionally not putting my energies there.  I need to enter into this community (NKU) as a good missionary – listening, ear to the ground, prayerfully, contemplatively listening.  I need to truly hear people and structures and systems and cultures.

We will build in time.  I do deeply believe that there is a Kingdom movement at work on campus.  A Mission that God has called us to.  I sense a budding insurrection of sacrificial love and service.  I pray, God, help us to attend to that!

My prayer is that God’s Kingdom would come to NKU as it is in heaven.  I keep coming back to this and I truly believe it is as simple and as profound as that.

Come Holy Spirit, Come.
Come Blessed Jesus, Come.
Come Dear Father, Come.

Bring it.

Thy Kingdom Come.
Thy Will be Done.

in me.
in us.
on campus.

Which brings me to my own mental wanderings on the topic.  How then shall we live?  For me this question assumes a few things (which, I submit, that you – dear faithful blog reader – may or may not agree) …

1)  the present way in which we “do ministry” is less and less effective and not sustainable given the increasingly complex, pluralistic, and shifting society in which we live.

2)  the current funding approach for ministry and ministers is beholden to a system that is built on a modernism (industrial, mechanistic, “cog in the wheel”) that is increasingly non-functional or a postmodernism that is highly consumerist (“what have you done for me lately”, “have it your way”).

3)  the expectations placed (internally or externally) on leaders is often unhealthy in the current system (whether that system is accommodated primarily to modern or postmodern sensibilities).

If I am correct in these assumption (and I may not be) then I am caused to wonder if perhaps God is leading some into a new mode of ministry.  A ministry that is born out of a relationship and Relationship rather than a program established in order to produce relationships (human or divine).  Certainly such a ministry would be more sustainable in the long run, because you already have the final product of the ministry – the relationship – when you begin.

Nurturing, fostering, tending that relationship would of course require transformation (no relationship with God involved could do otherwise), but it would not intend for something wholly different to result in the offing.  In other words, a program initiated (either one based on one’s “felt-needs” or a theological maxim) in order to draw one into relationship with fellow humans or with Christ is only successful if a relationship is the result.  But the input into such a program is not “relationship” (or at least not necessarily) it is “method”, this “method” may or may not result in “relationship”.  If it does not have the intended resultant relational outcome then we call it a failure, or we say that God is not “blessing it”, or that we’ve done something wrong, or that “those people” don’t get it and they are wrong.  I don’t know of any ministry that isn’t intending some relational outcome (divine or human).  That “relational outcome” may be defined as – people in the seats, decisions for Christ, baptisms, confirmations, leaders in committee positions, percent in small groups, number of people serving “in ministry”, etc….  The problem with beginning with something other than relationship is that you often end up with only more or less of that with which you started.  So if you begin with the intent to start really great programs (so that people would know Jesus or love others) you may only end up with a lot more programs – and a bunch of people that may or may not actually know Jesus or love others.

What if ministry was defined as beginning and ending with the relationships that already exist in our lives?  Of course, we would begin new relationships – some intentionally so – but they are not a means to an end.  We take on the role of friend as opposed to director, parent or mentor as opposed to expert, brother or sister as opposed to business partner.

Such a ministry would necessitate a different understanding of finances.  Since the intent is not to build a mechanism by which to get Jesus (or get people to Jesus) or a commercial by which to promote Jesus, then we are freed to use our funds for community growth and development.  By which, I mean, of course – “Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”.  The growth and development of the community of faith blessing and serving the world is an inherently relational project.  However that community of faith is by its very nature bound by the laws of relationship (i.e. knowing and being know).  The result being that the need for managers and administrators for that community is decreased.  Whether or not it is decreased to the point of zero may be open to debate, but it is at least decreased to a sustainable number.  By “sustainable”, I mean something that the community can support for a long, long period of time.  Note I didn’t say anything about leaders – I’m pretty sure that is a whole different issue all together.  The point I’m attempting, probably unsuccessfully, to make is that money IS important within the life of a community of faith.  It is important how we spend our money, how we serve with our money, how we save our money – in sum, how we steward our money.  And not 10% of our money with which we pay our obligatory membership dues – no, 100% of our money, which really isn’t ours but belongs to Jesus just like the rest of our lives.

So, the money issue is truly a discipleship issue.  And it becomes more than about how we pay (or if we pay) a pastor.  How does the life of our community get financed by the resources (consumer credit is not a resource) of our community?

Lastly, the assumed expectations we have for leaders moves from providers of “spiritual goods and services” (thank you, GOCN) or programmers or constructionists.  As leaders we move into the role of spiritual parentage.  Or, to use another metaphor, we become gardeners in the plot of God (get it, double entendre…).  Maybe we’re sowing, watering, or reaping (thanks, Paul) – God does the growing bit.  Our role moves from one of control to openness and stewardship.  A steward doesn’t hold on to things tightly because she knows it doesn’t ultimately belong to her anyway – she will care for it, tend it, nurture it, and release it when the time is right and the owner calls.  As such, the expectations we place on ourselves and our leaders moves from one of demanding success as a matter of course to a relational accounting of faithfulness.

I’ve surely gone on way too long.  But I am compelled to say that this is not mere idealistic theory bubbling in my brain (at least I hope not).  This has real, lived implications for how Sarah and I are choosing to live.

One of the prevailing themes of this blog has been our discernment process on planting a church.  Sarah and I finally had some time to chat about such things last week (part of the problem – but that’s another conversation, though a related one).  We feel like we’ve gained a bit of clarity on the matter.

The long and short of it is this:

- I continue to believe that God is up to something in Cincinnati and in Pleasant Ridge (our neighborhood) specifically.

- I continue to believe that whenever God is up to something (i.e. the Kingdom is breaking out and in) that God will form a people, a community, a church (1 Peter 2:10).  And I believe that something like that is/will form in Pleasant Ridge.

- What I’m growing to believe (or what is growing within me) is the conviction that starting a thing (a church) is not my job.  It might be somebody’s job somewhere (I’m not making an absolute statement), but for our present context and the mission to which God is calling our family, I’m convinced that we are to tend and attend to the relationships we are cultivating.  I would not at all be surprised if a church forms in the process, but the intent is Kingdom-mission.  In other words, we don’t have a mission to plant a church so that the church can have a mission, rather we are part of God’s Kingdom mission (missio dei) that births communities of mission.  The financial off-shoot of this is that we are not bound by our amount or mode of income.  We don’t have to do fund-raising for this ministry.  We already have what we need.

For me, this last point has been terribly liberating and terribly unsettling (funny how those 2 go together).  It is freeing to step back from the producer mentality and pressure of thinking it is my job to “make something happen”.  But it is unnerving to consider the sacrifice and unknowing-ness that this implies.  What does it imply?  For me it implies not being noticed as “legitimate” in the world’s eyes, being small and seemingly insignificant, being slow and painful (because we’re dealing with real people and real life), and being tossed into uncharted waters.

Ok, enough already!  Comment as you see fit.

Via Crucis :: Immersion 2008 is over. Really it is. You’ve probably moved on into new and exciting (or same-old and boring) things, as have I. But we need to put Via Crucis 2008 to rest and to do so I wanted to share some reflections and illicit yours. Check out these blog posts and quotes…

Blog Posts:
http://hopehasreturned.blogspot.com/2008/03/via-crucis.html
http://www.captivethoughts.net/?p=1736
http://thewholepeace.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/

The reflections of one of my students:
“It was amazing to see what something so simple as this event could do to bring together different denominations, and people who otherwise would probably not meet, or be friends with each other. It was a chance to lay aside stupid technicalities and minute differences in belief, and take up one uniform task of bringing the passion and love of Christ to people in a different light than usual. …. An event like Via Crucis really brings into grasp the audacity of Christ. This is far more powerful an experience than drinking half and ounce of juice and eating a piece of stale bread. Overall Via Crucis was an amazing experience, from planning and not really knowing what it was about, to it being done and knowing on a more personal level of what Christ went through for each and every one of us.”

The reflections of a youth pastor:
“I took a drive down to Norwood today to experience via crucis immersion 2008 with two of my 8th grade students. As we left the church and began to process the experience one girl stated that she now understood what Easter was all about. Wow! We were all deeply moved by sharing together in the journey.”

I would love to gather your reflections and thoughts (evaluations, critiques, or ideas for next time). Feel free to send me links to blog posts, email me, or call. I’m already getting ideas for 2010 Via Crucis :: Immersion and I would love for you all to be involved again! We have 2 films being created about Via Crucis and I will share those as they become available. The music is still available from Opening Night – http://www.viacrucisimmersion.com/music.html.

Blessing upon you all and Thank You for how you followed Jesus in the Via Crucis,
ak

Via Crucis 2008

Originally uploaded by **CRT**

Click this photo to view Cindy’s Flickr set of Via Crucis :: Immersion 2008 images. Like DG she’s a great photographer and captured the event well. I love the warm colors of many of her photographs, which I think evoke the atmosphere of the event at night. I particularly like this photo of the crown of thorns… not sure I can describe it well, but Charlie Levine created it out of nail and glue and other “industrial-type” items. So, it’s kinda like a 21 Century dystopian crown of thorns… very cool.

Originally uploaded by D.G.Flickr

Click the photo to go to DG’s Flickr set of Via Crucis :: Immersion 2008 photos. He has a great eye and sense of color. I think he captured the tone of the experience well.  Plus he played with some cool new featues on his camera, so there you go.

——

Here are DG’s words that he posted about this particular image:

“the most senses filled station, the Death of Christ. They had this cross on the floor and all around you was videos on each wall, and sound surrounding you. The video was filled with images and videos of Christ dieing and other painful events from all over the world. Amazing! I wanted to keep the color of the picture of the same as the time I took it (lots of blue in the videos being played above.”

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.”

- John 19:28-29

Surely Winston Churchill’s oft quoted phrase applies to this scripture, “It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key.” Perhaps there is a key. And perhaps we can uncover a bit of that today.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ gathered on this Good Friday of 2008, I want to speak a great truth to you – Jesus was thirsty. I know, you were expecting more, surely there are more profound things being said today. “Jesus was thirsty” Hopefully though, the simplicity of the statement won’t undermine the depth of the intent. First we must examine the parameters of this text, then we can ponder Jesus’ thirst in the appropriate context.

Let’s examine some questions…

What was “now finished”?

- In John 17:4 Jesus prays “I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do. And now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began”. That mission is now complete. He has completed his divine agenda. The Father has been glorified in his acceptance of the cross.

What Scripture was fulfilled?

- Of this there is much ambiguity. There is no clear indication which scripture the gospel writer is referring. However, the most compelling connection can be draw to Psalm 69 – a psalm the writer John refers to on several other occasions.

“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.”

- Psalm 69:21

To this it begs the most interesting question:

Why would Jesus say, and even more, why would John specifically record, “I thirst”? Given the whole cacophony of physical ailments that Jesus had at the moment why would he focus exclusively on his thirst? I must admit it seems almost comical! It’s as if Jesus looks down from the cross and says, “I seemed to have skinned my knee when I fell back there. Would you happen to have a Band-Aid handy?”

If Jesus knew he was about to die, if he was further convinced that his mission was completed why would he be concerned about feeling parched?

** update (3/24/08) – after an enlightening conversation with my neighbor and friend Ben (who happens to be a doctor), I stand corrected – one of the experiences of a dying person is an acute feeling of thirst.  So, that makes sense (now) from a medical “this guy is dying” point of view, what I continue to find intriguing – and it works with my line of reasoning – is why would John the gospel writer include it and what does it have to do with fulfilling scripture.  What is his driving concern, beyond telling a true story, what is he evoking from us as readers? ** 

Was a sponge of sour wine helpful or slap in the face? Some have suggested that the sour wine of vinegar would have acted like a stimulate giving Jesus the stamina to cry out “It is finished” in the proceeding passage. Others have viewed the giving of sour wine as pour substitute to nourishment, a slap in the face of a dying Christ.

Was the hyssop branch a subtle reference to the Exodus story where the Hebrew slaves are instructed to use hyssop branches to paint their door frames with the Passover lamb’s blood?

And so we return to our Great Truth – Jesus was thirsty.

Perhaps John is drawing us as a readers to earlier in the narrative when Jesus speaks of drinking his blood (John 6) or when he tells the Samaritan woman that he would give Living Water (John 4) or even when he turned water to wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2). Jesus seems to be dealing with liquid and thirst throughout the Gospel of John. But in all those other instances, Jesus was the one offering the drink and quenching the thirst. Here we find Jesus himself thirsty.

What are we to do with this oddity? I believe Psalm 69 gives us a clue. Perhaps it is even the key to unraveling this mystery….

In Psalm 69 – to which John refers several times – we find a righteous person being mocked and humiliated by enemies. (vv. 19ff) Into this dilemma God shows up as Divine Rescuer. In this context we see Jesus as the Suffering Servant, in submission to the will of the Father. This is not the Nietzschean super-man. His life is lived – and he dies – in accordance to the Father’s design.

This is not the Gnostic envisage of Christ – the disconnected spiritual being who eschews the material world. No, this is Jesus who suffers. He shares our pain, our weakness, our humiliation. This is Jesus who receives an unjust sentence, an unfair accusation. This is a Jesus who bleeds, who falls, who needs help carrying the cross. This is a Jesus who thirsts.

Jesus was thirsty.

And by his stripes we are healed.

Jesus was thirsty.

And we receive him as a drink offering poured out for many.

Jesus was thirsty.

And he is for us living water by which we will never thirst again.