moving along--literally

CELEBRATING

It looks like we may have sold our house in TX. Just in time for the close in NC. PRAISE GOD! Of course all the details still have to be worked out but we are hopeful all will move forward. Our closing in Asheville is August 7th!

THEOLOGY

Michael and I are studying together once per week a particular relevant social issue and the biblical principles associated. This week was on poverty. The three articles we read contend there is much to be done to care for the poor from praying for them all the way through to economic leveling advocated by some Christians as a biblical mandate. This sparked MUCH discussion and reading of the scriptures.

There is no question that Jesus spent a great deal of words and time with the marginalized of society. I don't however see anything in the New Testament that calls for economic leveling. There is the Jubilee of the old testament where every 50 years all debts were forgiven, land returned, etc.... I personally continue to feel more and more compassion for those less fortunate (I wonder if that coincides directly with my own parting with riches in this new season of ministry life?). I think of the command to care for orphans and widows and think of all those children we left behind when we got our girls from those Russian orphanages and my heart aches. Our own comforts really do blind us to the suffering of others.

There is a big difference between being sad about it and doing something about it. Social justice is one of the values we have for our new church. I have been a little concerned to see all the press about Jolie/Pitt, Buffett and Gates doing for the poor what Christians have been commanded to do for centuries. It is easy to rest on it being much easier for them with the sums of money they have. God isn't financially strapped and there are marginalized right in each of our neighborhoods.

I don't think the scriptures should be twisted to press any one issue in front of all others but the whole discussion was a good reminder, especially collectively as a faith community, to be conscious of where we can reach out to those in need.

patria360

Michael got some of our thoughts down regarding the mission and values. Check out his blog for this information. We are interested in your feedback, questions and prayers. We continue to have opportunity to share more about ministering in a postmodern culture and our particular ministry passions. Certainly getting to Asheville in early August will help us move things along. We have secured a web address and will be seeking to get a site set up soon.

POSTMODERNITY AND THE CHURCH

Many churches seeking to reach a postmodern culture are considered "emerging" churches. I like this definition of emerging churches from Gibbs and Bolger:

"emerging churches are missional communities arising from within postmodern culture and consisting of followers of Jesus who are seeking to be faithful in their place and time."

This is our heart.