CONVERSATION VERSUS EXPERTISE

There is an expert trap in the blogosphere that is all too easy to fall into--–especially for those of us who are in academia (as a student, I sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that learning is the same as knowing--–it'’s not). Added to that is the tendency to let people'’s voices stand, even when their reasoning and support are lacking. If we are to engage in true conversation, then there must be space for critiquing, questioning, thinking outloud. It is all too easy for bloggers to pontificate--to act as if our opinions or experiences are the way things are everywhere. The blogosphere has such capacity for engagement--for conversation. When I get caught up in hearing my own voice, that capacity is thwarted. So, how do we--how do I--word my statements in a way that invites conversation, rather than playing the expert.
[modified from my comment here.]


Join the discussion at:
Unveiling Facades of Expertise and Critiquing the Emerging Church

"People of God beware of claiming too much expertise for yourself, and beware of following others non-critically who lack the true authority and expertise necessary to lead the church aright."

THE BODY-SNATCHERS

Posted a short response to The Body-Snatchers. This is a great story that asks an excellent question about people's response to their own evil acts.

Tag(s): books

BECOMING A RABBI?

100_3662
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

I was having breakfast this morning at Bristol Farms (two eggs and a pancake) wearing my new Talbot t-shirt. Two older ladies were seated at the table next to me. As I prepared to leave, one asked me if I was preparing to be a rabbi. Apparently "Talbot" sounds Jewish. I told them that, No, I was not preparing to be a rabbi--I was a protestant preparing to be a professor. After doing some speed-shopping (the bus was coming...eek!), I walked to the bus and realized, maybe I am preparing to be a rabbi--a protestant Christian rabbi. After all, a rabbi is a teacher of the faith of Abraham and that is what I am preparing to be. Funny.

Tag(s): university rabbi university professor

1YR BIBLE QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Why do you want to read the Bible in 2006?

Because I am in seminary and teach in the college ministry I spend lots of
time in the bible, but this time has ulterior motives--homework or
curriculum. I spend very little time listening. I also tend to concentrate on a few areas--what I'm learning or teaching--and this will get me out of that box.

2. Do you think that reading the Bible in 2006 will grow your relationship with God? With Jesus? With the Holy Spirit? In what ways?

I do. But some of the growth will depend on my attitude. If I'm
mailling it in--checking the reading off my todo list--then it probably
won't. I'm hoping that interacting with others will help keep such things
at bay.

During the past semester I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about what God is trying to say in the bible as a whole. I need to develop my ears and learn to listen to his voice in the word. I need to see Jesus in the stories and poems and laws. I need to see the Spirit move, even when he is not mentioned or recognized.

3. When do you plan to read the Bible each day in 2006? In the mornings? Lunch break? Evenings? Do you plan to set up a regular time each day to read the Bible for 15 minutes?

I plan to read first thing in the morning in one sitting.

4. Will you pray before and after reading the Bible each day in 2006? Will you ask God to clear your mind of preconceptions that you might be bringing to the Bible and allow the Bible’s Words and teachings to transform your heart and mind?

Yup.

5. Do you think that you will potentially change your behavior in 2006 based on the daily Bible readings? Why or why not? Will you be open to changing your behavior if you learn something in the Bible that is different from how you are living your life today?

I would think so.

6. Do you expect to learn more about God and his character and his story as you read the Bible in 2006?

Yes, but I think the biggest part of the learning will come from interacting with others and getting a glimpse of their perspectives.

7. Will you discuss your daily Bible readings with others in 2006? Is there a friend or pastor or family member that you can discuss the Bible with?

I teach the collegians at TFB, so they'll get many earfuls. I also attend seminary, work at a Christian college, have a Christian roommate, and have Christian blogging buddies, so there should be many opportunities.

8. Are you looking forward to reading the Bible in 2006? Why?

I am looking forward to it, but also am hesitant. Because I teach twice a week, work full-time, and will be starting a Th.M., I'm do fear that I have bit off more than I can chew. Of course, remembering that this is about 15 minutes per day, it should not be a problem--if it is I probably have no good excuse.

9. Are you ready to start a new daily habit in 2006, beginning this Sunday, January 1st by reading from the Bible each day for 15 minutes?

I am--at least as far as I know.

10. Do you believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word?

Most assuredly! (and inerrant, infallible, inspired, and a host of other things that slip the mind.)

11. Do you believe that the Bible can equip you for righteous living?

Yes.

12. Do you agree with Paul’s teaching about the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16-17? “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”

Yes (see #10).

Tag(s): one year bible

PLANNING TO TAKE THE PLUNGE

I've dipped into the one year bible pool before--didn't last very long. This time I've commited to it by signing up at the One Year Bible blog and group. I'm hoping for the best, but we'll see.

Thanks to tallskinnykiwi for the challenge.

Tag(s): one year bible

BOOK BLOG UPDATE

I posted a 'review' of sorts on John Milton Gregory's The Seven Laws of Teaching. It's a classic and if you teach--or if you're a student--you should read this book. It's short and an easy read--though it's a tough do.

Tag(s): books

GOD REST YE MERRY

This Christmas our band noticed a well-placed comma. Now, the comma has been there for quite some time, but the rhythm of the song hid it:

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay

The rhythm of the song makes it sound like merry gentlemen are resting, but that well-placed comma tells us that apparently dismayed gentlemen are being encouraged to rest merry. The question is, what does it mean to "rest merry"? There seems to be some difference of opinion.

One source says that in the English of the time, 'merry' meant 'mighty' (as in Robin Hood's Merry Men). So, the dismayed gentlemen are being encouraged to be mighty. A quiz by Zondervan agrees.

The etymological entry for 'merry' in the American Heritage Dictionary says, "Middle English merri, from Old English mirige, pleasant." This seems to disagree with the previous statements.

Any English language experts out there??

Tag(s): christmas lyrics

TOTALLY RANDOM

Walking out of the Christmas Eve service this evening, one of the high school students noticed this totally random event: two jars of peanut butter stashed in the fire extinguisher/fire hose cubby in the narthex of TFB. I have no explanation. It may just be one of the mysteries of the universe.












Tag(s): random

A LIMINAL MOMENT

plant flower white 4
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

Incarnation (by LK Springer (C)2004)

You laid your glory down
Took my flesh
My bones

You
Who stood
Before the worlds began
Who spoke this very stuff
Into existence
An infant
Small and weak
Like me

Human
Yes!
But God
Very God!

This thing this
Incarnation
It is
Too large
Too deep

If words were enough
Then why come?

But you came
You came
In my flesh
My bones
You came

And I
I stand wordless
Mere flesh and bone
And you
=============================

Christmas 2005

There are moments in the journey when everything changes. The change may be subtle or stark, but you know that after this, nothing will be the same.

2005 has been such a moment. This year completed an important leg in my journey. It began in fall 1999 when I entered the Master of Divinity program at Talbot School of Theology. Six and one-half years later, it is complete. December 16, 2005, I walked across the stage in Chase Gymnasium, was hooded by Dr. Dennis Dirks, dean of Talbot, and received my diploma from Dr. Clyde Cook, president of Biola University. With ninety-eight units of seminary training behind me I entered this liminal moment.

Ceremonies are liminal moments. They are steeped in tradition; everything means something. Professors and students draped in the colors of their disciplines—education in light blue, business in drab, philosophy in dark blue, and theology/divinity in scarlet—march to a tune repeated in commencements across the country. That afternoon the music, the marches, the hooding, the handshake became a wash of sound and sight, proclaiming that one thing was over and something else was about to begin.

Then again, maybe it is a matter of viewing life from a new perspective. Who knows? I do know that even with the changing perspective, the people remain.

Most often despite myself, my life has been rich with people. God has enriched me with friends who willingly give the gifts of time and understanding, even when faced with the prospect of many more years of, “I can’t. I have homework.”

God has enriched me with students who bear with experimentation and tangentizing, and allow God to speak though (or despite) this weak vessel.

God has enriched me with fellow-seminarians who are not afraid to love God with intellect and emotion.

God has enriched me with ministry partners in the band and in the other ministries at TFB who constantly point me to Jesus and remind me that it’s all about God not us.

God has enriched me with daily people. He gives Starbuck baristas who politely take my order when I’m suffering from the morning grouchies. He gives bus operators who remember the regular riders, even when they see hundreds of us every day. He gives servers who remember that I take half-and-half with my iced tea. He gives people at the bus stops who have become friends-in-passing.

So, running through the middle of this odd, liminal moment are people and it is the people who remain. The moment itself is merely a transition from one program to another. Such things are temporal and temporary.

Life is much richer and deeper than school. Too often I forget. I thank God for putting people in my life who help me remember.

Tag(s): christmas

SEEN ON THE STREET

Rev. Billy and The Church of Stop Shopping

Not by me (bummer), but by Ann. Apparently SoCal is part of THE SHOPOCALYPSE TOUR (November 27th to December 25th).

Very interesting.

CHURCH MODEL QUIZ

Vacation has made blogging rare, so here's the extent of today's deep thought:

You scored as Sacrament model. Your model of the church is Sacrament. The church is the effective sign of the revelation that is the person of Jesus Christ. Christians are transformed by Christ and then become a beacon of Christ wherever they go. This model has a remarkable capacity for integrating other models of the church. Sacrament model 84% Herald Model 67% Mystical Communion Model 56% Servant Model 45% Institutional Model 28% What is your model of the church? [Dulles] created with QuizFarm.com

ht: nelmezzo

Tag(s): ecclesiology

IT IS FINISHED...

100_3658
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

Well, here I am happily holding the folder containing the form to fill out in order to receive the diploma. It has been a long six and one-half years--the last one and a half being the longest. Near the end of my program I began to long for the opportunity to narrow my focus. The M.Div. is necessarily broad--I have taken a class from every discipline at Talbot (except Spiritual Formation--bummer that--and Moral and Philosophical Theology--which I'm okay with). The next degree is considerably more narrow. Of the 26 units in the Th.M., 6 are off-topic and 20 are on-topic.

One person has expressed some concern that I'm not taking much of a break. This is true, but honestly, I'm so ready to study ecclesiology, that I would do it even if I weren't taking courses. So, I might as well take courses.

BTW, from now until who knows when, I'll be blogging on ecclesiologyat Who in the world are we? )about weekly).

Tag(s): graduation ecclesiology

OH MY GOSH

...I'm graduating!!!

Pix from the baccalaureate (taken by biblechickann) are on tangentrider's flickr

I am sure more pix will be gathered at the commencement today.

Tag(s): graduation biola

NOTHING AND A BLITZ

DSCF00461
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

I have about 8 hours of work left for 2005. School was over Tuesday. Nothing left but baccalaureate tonight and commencement tomorrow (except for the next degree...yes...I'm nuts). So for the next two weeks I have two priorities. One is illustrated by the picture. That's my coffee mug from Starbucks. I plan on sipping lots of coffee and doing lots of nothing--in the scheduled nothing time.

The other plan is the blitz. The blitz is that process by which one gets the house ready for visitors. Yup. Monday bright and early starts the blitz. After the scheduled blitz time, though, is the scheduled nothing time. Both are necessary. Both are good. But, honestly, the nothing time will be much more enjoyable (though the blitz has better rewards).

It's all about balance.

Tag(s): cleaning vacation

FULLY EARTHED & FULLY HEAVENED

place bus stop at 6
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

This is a pic of my neighborhood sometime around 5:30 am. It's an earthy place. What does it mean to be church in this place, to be fully-earthed?

Posted initial ruminations over at Who in the world are we? on the notion that humanity is creationally linked to the earth, to itself, and to God.

Tag(s): ecclesiology

NOW TO PONDER

people self portrait 3 wc
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

Today was the last day of my Master of Divinity coursework. The last paper is turned in. For the next six weeks, I have no degree program.

So, the question for today: what shall I read/do/write on my transit travels tomorrow?

Ideas?

Tag(s): graduation

FOUR DAYS

diploma frame 2
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

Yup. In four days, I will have the piece of paper to turn in to get the official piece of paper--diploma!!!--that goes in my fancy frame. Dang!

By the way, in case your wondering, it's only 901 days until the expected conferral date for my Master of Theology in Systematic Theology. Not that I'm counting or anything...

Tag(s): seminary

SEEKING FREEDOM

ocean life-escaping ray
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

A ray attempts to escape its tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. Now, I love the fact that we can touch these beautiful creatures and see them up close, but rays were not created to live in tanks. They were created to fly the open ocean. The ray know that this is not its home.

What is it that we are created for? What does freedom look like for humanity? How does our original design relate to what church is supposed to be?

Just some stuff I'm pondering right now.

Tag(s): church

BY DESIGN

plant cactus 1 wc
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

A discussion of satellite church planting (as in sermon via satellite) is happening over at Heart Soul Mind Strength: "Church" growth. I posted my two cents on that topic in the comments. It got me thinking about growth and plants.

No one would think it a wise idea to try to grow a plant with pictures of leaves or flowers. The notion is patently absurd. Plants must have real leaves and flowers to survive; images will not do.

While it is true that learning and spiritual growth can happen via satellite, a gathering of individuals around the image of a preacher may be a learning environment but it is not church. Church is about relationship. The very notion of church involved inherent interconnectedness with Christ and with each other (see Body, Building, Bride). As Susan said over at Heart Soul Mind Strength, "This is not church that is being replicated. It is some other kind of organism; it looks like a church, and even does church-like things...but it does not function like one."

We cannot redefine church. She has been defined by her Creator and Lord. We can only translate the definition so others can understand. If the essentials of the definition are changed, we no longer have church; we have something else. That is the way of things.


Tag(s): church ecclesiology

THE INTERSECTION OF HISTORY AND TODAY

intersecting stained glass
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

The building where my church meets is a very traditional building, complete with stained glass windows--including the ever popular Jesus window. This is fitting.

The gathering now known as Torrance First Baptist has been gathering for 91 years. During those decades much ministry has been done. People have been trained. People have met God. Lives have been changed.

During those decades resistance--sometimes selfish and sinful--has raised its often ugly head. This is one of those times.

For those who walked the earth during many of those 91 years, the changes proposed by our leadership make little to no sense. For those whose lives are more recent, the changes seem almost too late.

Somehow, we must walk in both worlds: integrating the rich history and the rich present. History--tradition--is important. It gives us language to understand and explain what is going on. But we do not live in history. We live now.

God calls us to live now. To expand his kingdom now, here, in the place where we are. This does not discount the great need in other places of the world and we can certainly partner with others to reach those places. But only one congregation is right on the southeast corner of Manuel and Carson. We are that congregation and we must be where we are.

This is what I will tell the detractors any chance I get. This is what I will tell my students. This is what I will tell myself.

We do and must live at the intersection of history and today. And each must have its proper voice.

Tag(s): church

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR PERSISTENCE

plant century plant 1
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

According to Nature Songs, century plants bloom only once in their lifetime. The rest of their life is about waiting and growing.

In a mere 9 days I will be walking across the platform in Chase Gymnasium at Biola University receiving a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology. It has taken me 6 1/2 years to complete the 98 semester unit program (not bad for someone working fulltime). If I were a man, I would be preparing to seek ordination at my church. Frankly, if I were in another American Baptist church I would be seeking ordination. But I'm not a man and I'm not in another American Baptist church. I'm at TFB.

Oddly, my church's reluctance (refusal) to ordain me is not a major concern. It's not that I agree with this position. I don't. It's that I don't need to be ordained to do what God has called me to do. Of this I am thankful.

Of course the sad thing is that their reluctance is based upon a misunderstanding of ordination. They think this gives the 'pastor' special powers. Now, they and others holding their position, will deny this charge, but if you listen to the arguments they put forth, the assessment holds water. The sad thing is ordination has nothing to do with this. Ordination is the church saying they agree that God has called and equiped an individual for ministry to the whole church. No special powers. So, though such things are of interest to me and one day I may seek ordination, it is not my issue now.

A bigger issue for me is cultural compromise in how local congregations make decisions. The business model has infected our ministries, scripture has been set aside, and theology is considered useless to things like budgets and administration. Meetings are run by Robert's Rules of Order, with a bible no where in sight. Brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.

Now, things are changing at TFB--slowly--but there are many miles yet to cross and many detractors standing in the way. So, I must ask myself the same question Ann asked (regarding egalitarianism) over at Thru a glass darkly, Why do I stay? My answer is the same as hers: "for all its warts, my church is my home and God has not moved me anywhere else."

Like Ann, I have hopes for change. The changes are different, but related. I know that when we get back to relying on scripture as the only rule for faith and practice, honest exegetes will see that God calls and equips both men and women for ministry. I know that when we focus more on worshiping God that we will begin to see his priorities in expanding his kingdom. Our frankly petty issues will slip into obscurity. I know that there will come a time when the voices of the detractors are lost amidst the worship and work of a people following hard after God.

So, for now, I can wait.

After all, there is something to be said for persistence.

Tag(s): church egalitarianism ordination

DEATH, AT LEAST FOR NOW

plant bird of paradise 3
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

Found this dying bird of paradise flower behind Franklin Covey. I shot it for the reality of the whole thing. Most flower pictures are full of life and beauty, but that is not the reality of life here. Life here is tinged with death... at least for now.

STRANGEST PLACES

Pink Thistle 2
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

I found this thistle at the Harbor Freeway Green Line station, in one of the "planters" in the parking lot. The planters at this station mostly resemble barren wasteland or swamp--depending on the weather--and is peppered with various bits of trash. Yet here, in this place, was this thistle.

Beauty happens in the strangest places. Yesterday on the way to church we passed a storm drain and there on the lip of the drain was a tiny meadow. Creation is determined to be seen, to show the beauty of the one who created it. It can't help it. This is part of its nature. All of life was designed to reflect the beauty--the glory--of the Creator.

MAKING SPACE FOR WORSHIP

tenebrae04 crown of thorns station 2
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

Today at collegium we looked at the question, "How does a worship planner/curator go about making space for worship in a gathering? Especially, how can the worship be kept corporate rather than individuals who happen to be in the same room?"

While a one-hour session cannot answer this question, there are a few insights gleaned:
- Notions of style, idea, and intention all go into creating flow.
- the structure tells worshipers what to do, why to do it, and how to do it. This can be mechanical, but it should not be.
- Make space for response after teaching times.
- Use time to help worshipers journey to worship. Do not expect them to be able to focus on God straight away.
- Know what you intend before trying to figure out how to get there.
- People cannot focus solely on God for extended periods (maybe once in awhile, but humanness mostly gets in the way). So, worship must ebb and flow between worship and other movements like praise, thanks, confession, petition, learning, reflecting, etc.
- Especially for Christians in the west, individualism come very easily. Make space for it in worship times, but focus on corporate worship and how to make that happen.

Next Sunday (12/11) we'll be looking at Psalm 29 as a possible core for a worship experienc we're planning in January.

Articles on worship on tangentrider's del.icio.us: http://del.icio.us/tangentrider/worship

Tag(s): worship

JUST PASSING THROUGH

place union station front 2
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

A few years ago when MTA drivers were on strike, I had to take an alternate route to work. This route involved taking a Torrance bus to Union Station, catching the Metrolink to Santa Fe Springs, and then catching a Norwalk bus to campus. It was a hastle, but there were benefits. One of those benefits was a coffee and fresh bagel from Union Bagel every morning. Another was the station itself. I love Union Station; it is beautiful, historical, and full of people just passing through.

There is something about a space like that. The great majority are just passing through. Some pass through nearly everyday, commuting to and from work or school. Others may pass through only once. Their voices echo through the grand halls of this space. The memory of them is seen in the worn floor tiles and seats. Yet, the space itself remains much as it has been for years. It is the strange intersection of past and present. It is beautiful, yet worn.

The world is like that.

RESTING BEFORE TEACHING

walkway1
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

In August 2004 , I spent a few days at the Retreat Center of San Luis Rey mission--a great place, by the way. During those few days I read Torah, Samuel, Kings, Luke, Acts, and a book of Christian history (see Laura's Mind for the resulting splat poetry). The center is beautiful and quiet. The reading reminded me of who I am and what I am a part of--the people of God.

I loved having time to reflect and to fill my soul with the stories of the people of God. It's amazing how ministry and seminary take up so much space that reflection and filling get set aside. This ought not to be so.

This term, part of the assignment in Exegesis of Ephesians was spending 20 minutes praying through each section of the book (once the exegesis was complete). It is a sad thing, but I found this hard to do. Once I began, though, the fruit of it was clear. All the exegesis in the world cannot replace a soul resting in God's presence and listening to his voice. Now, I am not saying that one should set exegesis aside. In fact, I find that placing prayer after exegesis helps me listen more closely to God's voice. Exegesis bridges the gap in time, language, and culture, helping me translate what God said then into what he is saying now.

All that being said, though, in the end one MUST put down the lexicons, grammars, and commentaries, and spend time--yes, time--resting in God's presence and listening to his voice. So, from now on, this is my intention: for every passage I study and every passage I teach, I will pray through it and listen to the voice of God. This means starting the study process earlier. It means not waiting until the day before and pulling a rabbit out of my hat (even though I actually do have some fairly cool rabbits). Why? I cannot teach what I do not know, and I cannot know what I have not reflected upon. Reflection takes time.

So, I challenge you, whoever you may be, to take time, to not wait, and to rest before God in his word before you dare teach others.

FLOOD

place compton flood mta125-2
Originally uploaded by LauraS.

I don't remember which winter, but a year or so ago Compton CA flooded. I happened to be riding home on the MTA125 Rosecrans bus that night and we drove through it. I realize this is nothing compared to floods in other places, but I was awed by the close-up view of the power of water.

The culprit here, if I remember correctly, was poor drainage. The water was coming in fast and leaving very slowly. Life gets that way much too often. Stressors come quickly and leave slowly. We fill our days and nights with as many things as we can. Sabbath gets set aside--there is no time to rest; nevermind that rest is a command. Spending time with fellow believers gets set aside or programmed into dutiful gatherings. Good intentions get set aside and too much of service and ministry remains in an unfulfilled dream state. In our busyness we neglect each other and our lives are less.

Over at Da'ath,, Jeff asks an excellent question on christians working together: Da`ath: Believers Working Together. I work at Biola, I lead the college ministry at TFB, I play in the worship band, and I attend Talbot, and, honestly, I haven't seen very much working together either. Has the busyness of our lives so disconnected us? And, being so disconnected, can we still say that we are ecclesia--the gathering? Maybe not.


A quote from today's Advent devotion at Following the Star raised a question for me:

"I want never to forget that your coming created a home for righteousness that will never let me feel ultimately at home in this world again. Amen."

If Christ's coming created a home for righteousness, why do we so marginalize righteousness that it becomes 'special behaviors' instead of living together before God? If we are not at home in this world, why does it distract us so?

What follows from this, I do not know, for I too am distracted from the dailies of life. Time flies away and the flood of routine stress remains.