Sunday, June 12, 2005

speaking atop 4 video players

So I arrive in Nelson to talk to 20 curates (1st and 2nd year minister’s). All bright-eyed and Anglican. It’s “connecting with film” and so I have armloads of resources; film trailers and videos –
Lord of the Rings
American Beauty
Shawshank Redemption
Rob Bell’s Nooma
Whale Rider
In my Fathers Den

I insert the 1st video in the video player. Nothing happens.

They find a 2nd video player. Nothing happens. Not even eject. My LOTR is stuck fast forever.

They rush out and return with a 3rd video player. It proceeds to eat Shawshank Redemption and gobble a 2nd copy of LOTR.

This is getting ridiculous. A 4th video arrives. This is placed on top of the other 3 video’s. It’s like a preaching stand. At last, somewhere to place my notes. Even better, at last, a video player that works.

4 video players later, “connecting with film” can really get visual. An unforgettable day.

PS The 4 hour session was videoed. I talked about – different Christian approaches to film – WWJW (what would Jesus watch) – 6 ways to use film in church – getting practical with film church. Drop me a line if you want the DVD (and want to see the 1st ever preaching stand made out of video players!)

Posted by steve at 02:00 PM

Thursday, June 09, 2005

gospel and film; djing gospel and culture

Friday (tomorrow) I’m with the anglican curates and priests in the nelson diocese. They’ve asked me to speak on “priests connecting with film.” The notes are photocopied and the videos are ready to go.

Then Saturday I’m with various anglican youth leaders, exploring the DJing gospel and culture.

I’m really looking forward to it. I always enjoy new connections and new conversations but for some reason I am really, really looking forward to this. If I can pin down why, I’ll let you know.

Posted by steve at 10:02 PM

transitional church

I am in transition, working among a 95 year old church. The story of this church in transition seems to strike a chord with people, at seminars and by email. It suggests a new term, not emerging church but transitional church.

Transitional church suggests that the culture is in transition. The post-modern is a signifier of flux, rather than fixidity. The culture has still not found what it’s looking for. Transition honours this.

Transitional church recognizes that the past is important. Future is important. That we still have not found what we’re looking for, but that we have paths and traditions and wayfarers that have walked with us until now.

Transitional church stands against the anarchical, arrogant disrespect potential in the nu and the neo.

Transitional church honours the now of the in-between. It welcomes metaphors of wilderness, dessert and exile. It will not rush for quick how-to’s, simple solutions, revival prayers,

Anyhow, yesterday I got this email (part of being a virtual pastor?) asking me some questions about the transitions at Opawa. Some of you might be interested in the questions and the answers.

(more…)

Posted by steve at 09:57 AM

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

redemption is all around us

The movies I’m watching seem to be stuck on facing the past. They’re all asking the same theological question – can a past, can my past, be redeemed?

The Interpreter – how will Sylvia respond to the present pain of her country? Can she be redeemed from her experiences of ethnic cleansing?

Whale Rider – as Paikea asks her grandfather about her past. Can she take those ropes that define leadership as masculine, and redeem them, so that her village can face its future with courage and hope?

In my Fathers Den – as Paul Prior faces the pain of his past and secrets of his father’s den. Can he move on from unresolved guilt and shame? Can he find a space to mourn and grieve?

Our culture is busy discussing redemption. What gospel resources can we offer into the bitterness of ethnic cleansing, post-colonialism and incest? So I’m also re-reading Exclusion and Embrace by Miroslav Volf and The Faces of Forgiveness by LeRon Shults and Steven Sandage.

Posted by steve at 09:56 PM

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

can you be my virtual pastor

I like your courage
fueled by the web

but can I?
really?
can I be a virtual pastor
when I can’t see you
I can’t read your body language
know whether your arms are crossed or open
know whether your eyes shift as you talk

can I be a virtual pastor
in the midst of life and family and work
phones and memos and deadlines

but can I?
really?

dedicated to no-one in particular,
so please don’t take it personally

Posted by steve at 11:15 PM

Thursday, June 02, 2005

in heaven

A while ago I was given a financial gift – a thankyou for an act, given as a prayer for my inner renewal. Some of it went on a Thomas Merton journal. And some of it nearly went on this; View image – I mean the beautiful images, the narratives of creativity.

But the price. I put it down.

This week I saw it at a local bookshop. It was a Monday. A day off, but my 3rd day off in the month of May that would be interrupted by work in the evening. The images, the narratives of creativity, a book that I could pour over, could be renewed by. And reduced in price.

It’s mine now. I’m taking away tonight for a long weekend of holiday.

Posted by steve at 01:26 PM

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

the DNA of mission

Getting Mission into the DNA of the Church – a discussion hosted by Lindsay Jones and Steve Taylor, with input from Chris Chamberlain, Fraser Campbell and you…

Opawa Baptist Church, Christchurch

Wed July 13th, 6-9pm aimed at church leaders and interested persons

Thurs 14, 9-11am aimed at pastors

Note: I certainly don’t feel that Opawa fully has mission in its DNA, but there are some stories of beginnings to tell.

Note: I love the fact that we are talking about mission in relation to an Opawa church that is 97 years old. Re-emerging is a word I find increasingly helpful.

Posted by steve at 12:14 PM