e~mergent kiwi

where was God in the Mangatepopo River tragedy?

Church services today gave time for people to process the Mangatepopo River tragedy. One of our artists offered a painting, titled "What becomes of the brokenhearted?" People were invited to write a one word response on a bandaid and place it on the artpiece, and/or to sign a card. Sermonically, I wrestled with the topic of Where was God in the Mangatepopo River tragedy? I got lots, and lots, of grateful comments. So I place my thoughts here, in case others find it useful.

For those who like the highlights, I point out that we are not the first people to face grief. I worked through Psalm 69. Where is God?
- in the love of the community
- in honesty
- in those who honestly examine their own lives
- in the gift of free will
- in our willingness to take action

And I conclude that God acts not by stopping suffering … but by stepping into our suffering.

Sometimes the events of a week simply engulf a planned sermon. Today, I'm taking a break from my series on Biblical pictures of witness.

Because New Zealand this week has been a nation in mourning. First, the death of 6 teenage school kids - Floyd Fernandes; Portia McPhail; Tom Hsu; Natasha Bray; Anthony Mulder; Tara Gregory - who drowned in a flash flood that swept down the Mangatepopo River on Tuesday afternoon.

And their teacher Tony McClean. Tony's father is John McClean, and John is a Baptist Pastor. I went through Carey Baptist College with John and his wife Jeanette. And just last Saturday, 8 days ago, I caught up with John and we talked together about life and about ministry and how well things were going for him

As if these 7 deaths were not hard enough, on Thursday the body of missing teenager Marie Davis was found.

For me, I think this cartoon in The Press captures so well our feelings as New Zealand this week. We phoned and got permission to use the cartoon on our newsletter. And all around New Zealand we’ve been simply want to hug our children.

Which raises the question of where do we as Christians turn at times like this? How should we talk of God. Where do you open your Bible after such tragedy?

For me, I go to the Psalms. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Psalm 69:
1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
You start to read that in light of the floodwaters flowing down the Mangatepopo. Or the finding of Marie Davis in the waters of the Waimakiriri.

This Psalm, Psalm 69, is a psalm of lament. Written by someone who's in deep trouble. Who feels like they're drowning. And so when we grieve and when our nation grieves, it can be helpful to turn to the prayers of those who have grieved before us.

There are 150 Psalms. Some of them are happy psalms, the prayers of people who are thankful for good times. Some of them are special psalms, the prayers of people at weddings, at coronations, or on pilgrimage.

Lots of them are sad psalms. Prayers of lament, prayed by people in tough times. And these sad psalms, these psalms of Lament, generally follow a pattern. They have a
Call for help
Complaint
Confession
Curse of enemies.
Often, but not always, ends with confidence.

Note the title of Psalm 69. "For the director of music."

And so this personal psalm, this personal grief, has been given to the director of music. So the personal is becoming shared.

Which is the first response to the question; Where is God in the events of this week? God is in the love of the community.

God is present as we let our personal grief become a shared grief. As it says in 1 Corinthians 11:26, If one part suffers, every part suffers. And so in grief, we need each other.

And it's this, I think, that has become such a powerful witness to the media this week. To hear John Campbell on Wednesday nite thank Elim Christian College for the cups of tea and the use of fax facilitities. And to realise that personal grief was becoming a shared grief.

This week God has been in the love of the community.

Call for help (1-4)

1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.

And so here's a second response to the question; Where is God in the events of this week? God is in honesty.

In a Psalmist willing to say help. I'm not coping. In a school Principal who's willing to saying to his students on the Wednesday assembly at which the deaths were announced ".. be angry at God. God can handle that." God in our honesty.

Or as Bono from U2 says: "a lot of the psalms feel to me [like] the blues. Man shouting at God -- "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Psalm 22). … [F]or me it's despair that the psalmist really reveals and the nature of his special relationship with God. Honesty, even to the point of anger.

Confession (69:5-12)
Picking up at verse 5: You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

And so honest feelings lead to an honest reflection on one's own relationship with God. They allow us to look honestly in our mirror. Name our shame.

Where is God? God is with those who honestly examine their own lives.

Jumping to verse 9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
10 When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

And again we see this honest reflection on one's own relationship with God. Tragedy does this. It invites us to examine our commitment to God and to God’s church.

Complaint (69:13-21)
And so, picking up from verse 16,
16 Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

A key word is mercy; in v. 16; in your great mercy. The word is related to the Hebrew word for womb. The mercy that a mother experiences toward a child growing in her womb.

So this is the type of God we're pray to, this mothering God.

But to be honest, says v. 17, it still feels like God is hiding. This honesty appears elsewhere in the Psalms. 13:2, 22:25, 27:9, 88:15, 102:3, 143:7; I know God is like a mother, but I don't see it.

And so where is God? The Bible affirms God as the Creator. Creator of a free world. Creator of a world in which love is truly free to grow. Which always has a flip side. If love is truly free to grow, then it must also be truly free to die.

Yes, God as Creator can stop a flood. Yes, God as Creator can stop humans making mistakes. But if God does, the God is removing the free will at the heart of true love.

And so we live in a free world in which the laws of nature do not make exceptions. Whether you are Mother Teresa or Hitler, a flash flood is a flash flood.

And so Where is God? God is in the love of a community and God is in honesty. God is with those who examine their own lives. God is the gift of free will.

Which helps me make sense of Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Because we live in a truly free world. That our decisions matter. That when wrong choices were made, when freak weather patterns occur, innocent people suffer.

Curse of enemies (69:22-29)
Which takes us to verses 22-29. A harsh section.
21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

And so the Psalmist is starting to play the blame game. He's so angry that he wants revenge.

What's interesting is how this describes so well the events of this week. That by Thursday on National Radio the talkback lines are running hot, with people playing the blame game.

What I find fascinating is how here in Psalm 69 the Psalmist leaves punishment with God. We see this in V. 24. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

Psalmist can be honest and angry. But the ability to take revenge is given to God. That's very good therapy. Long before we had counsellors and anger management groups, we have a psalmist encouraging us to let it all out. Write it down. Express yourself. But leave the judging with God.

Which is perhaps why the Psalmist can then turn to

Confidence (30-33)
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me.
30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

So where is God? God is in our willingness to take action. The concrete actions by which the poor and needy, can experience life.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

Again, God is in action. Our actions by which pollution is stopped and water is purified.

35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

God is in the actions by which community is rebuild in our city. In the ways we express love and care for those who grieve, in the ways in which we work to make teenage girls safe in our streets.

And as Christians, we hear this as a hope for a new earth. Your kingdom come, here on earth, as in heaven.

So perhaps this is the special gift that emerges from hard times. We are reminded of God's desire for healing and wholeness. We are reminded that we are not here for our pleasure.

Rather, that we are here to restore God’s original intention for world. So that poor will have life and those in exile can rebuild.

So where is God when bad things happen to good people? In turning to the Psalms, to Psalm 69, we find
God in community
In honesty
With those who examine their own lives.
In the gift of free will.
In the ability to leave judgement with God
In our willingness to take action.

When tragedy occurs, we all want someone to blame. So often we blame God. The insurance companies even have a legal word for it; "acts of God."

Christian answer is that God has acted. Firstly in Creation, in giving us free will.

Secondly, in Jesus. In Jesus God acts not by stopping suffering. Jesus doesn’t rush around like some Superman stopping natural disasters.

Instead, in Jesus God acts by stepping into suffering. In Jesus we see a human who weeps. In Jesus who see a person, who, just like Psalm 69, cries "Why is God absent? Why am I forsaken."

At the cross we see a heavenly father who loses a son. And so this is the ultimate answer to where is God when bad things happen to good people?

God cries too. That God suffers too. I invite us to pray the prayer that we often pray on Good Friday, that day in the church when we focus on the suffering God.

Giver of life we wait with you.
to bear your hope in earth’s darkest places.
Where love is denied: let love break through
Where justice is destroyed: let righteousness rule
Where hope is crucified: let faith persist
Where truth is denied: let the struggle continue

Sunday services as New Zealand mourns

This week has been an incredibly sad week for all New Zealanders. We have been saddened by the loss of 7 lives at the Mangatepopo River. This includes Tony McClean, son of one of our Baptist pastor's, John and Jeanette McClean. We have been saddened and angered by the discovery of the body of teenager Marie Davis here in Christchurch.

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it." 1 Corinthians 11:26

Our Sunday morning service will allow time for us to pray together in the light of the events of this week. We will explore the question that must be on many lips - "where is God?" by using the Psalms of the Bible. We will have two large cards, for any who want to sign, and to send to John and Jeanette McClean and to Elim Christian School.

On Sunday evening, when more of our teenagers are present, we will allow time to pray together for the family of Marie Davis. Similarly, we will have a large card for any who want to sign, and to send to her family.

Steve Taylor, for Opawa Pastoral team

where is God today? reading everyday culture

I have on my desk 3 post-graduate assessments. One is titled "Theology of Desperate Housewives." Another is exploring the extent of Incarnation and community in Second Life. A third is exploring re-enchantment in contemporary film. All are from Universities and are demanding my marking attention. All are part of a new discipline, that of the relationship between theology and popular culture.

All this is important given the discussion going on in the comments in relation to my post on the theology of U2/Bono, questioning both the validity and how one might go about reading popular culture. I have found three resources useful in my thinking.

Understanding theology and popular culture, by Gordon Lynch, suggests three potential approaches to reading Bono or TV or a film. One is to focus on the author, much as I have done with Bono, using his explanation of the song Waves of Sorrow. Another is text-based and this would involve exploring the lyrics and words. Another is an ethnographic approach, to ask people what they are hearing as they listen and engage.

Everyday theology, by Kevin Vanhoozer, has chapters with titles like The Gospel according to Safeway, A theological account of Eminem, The Business of Busyness, Welcome to the Blogosphere, Weddings for Everyday theologians. It has an excellent introduction and then 10 examples. Quite practical and accessible.

Thirdly, there is an excellent article by Gordon H. Matties titled "On Movies as a Spiritual Discipline," which offers five sets of questions, which can help structure the way we engage with popular culture. These are:

1) Where are we? What kind of world does the movie depict and do I identify with it?

2) Who are we? What does it mean to be human and in relationship?

3) What is wrong? How does the movie portray the human condition?

4) Is there a remedy? Is there hope, a better future? Can problems be solved? By whom?

5) What time is it? How are we to read the times? Is it like our past, present, future? Are we running out of time, or gaining on it?

I am constantly using these three resources, whether in Gospel and film classes, or when exploring how emerging church is engaging gospel and culture issues, or when helping leaders become listeners (good exegetes of culture). They give me frameworks to think by.

guiding boy racers or How Would Jesus Drive

Following yet another high profile road death over the weekend here in New Zealand, and yet another "boy racer" headline, I got to wondering: If you were doing a Bible study for boy racers, what Bible stories might be a helpful guide?

And HWJD? Not What Would Jesus Do, but How Would Jesus Drive? What would your print on the HWJD bracelet that you could give to a young male when they got their license? Here's my first draft:
1. drive as if your father in heaven owned the car
2. drive as if your mother Mary was sitting beside you
3. drive as if your kid brother James was in the car seat
4. drive as if the Spirit was always clocking your km's.

What about you? Does the Bible have any resources that might shape the way young people drive?

a PR day

Today has become a PR day; 2 media agencies rang requesting interviews. One was interested in the place of religion and spirituality; the other in the emerging church.

And then the phone call from a government social service agency. Ringing to compliment Opawa on the way it cares for one of it's parishioners. "It must be great to be part of a church like your's". Well. Thankyou!

You can't timetable media and PR work. You just have to push aside your appointments and your lecture prep. You just have to pray that soundbites will indeed become a "true and accurate record."

ouch :)

At the door of our Sunday morning congregation, as my hand is shaken. "I pray for you every day pastor. I pray that God would deepen your teaching ministry among us, so that we can hear the Word."

Ouch. So amidst all the change, there is (inevitable) unease.
Ouch. Isn't this the use of prayer as a Trojan horse to deliver a message to a person, not to God?

living theology and boundaries

The focus of my PhD research was on living theology (what an emerging church was actually praying and preaching) in relation to boundaries (relationships between society).

Today I am working with a group of 40 chaplains. I said yes, because it seems to me that chaplains are a fine example living theology in relation to society. I've been asked to nourish them with some biblical metaphors that will help them better process their boundaries.

I was going to haul the "pastoral ministry" books of the shelf when I suddenly thought, "what are the biblical images that nourish me." They are not pastor as prophet or preacher, but minister as midwife, gardener, storyteller and DJ. So I'm going to see how they "fly" in a chaplain context.

I'm really looking forward to it. The downside is that it's 5 hours of input (not all talk, there's group work and art and case studies and storytelling and creative prayer stations), and then I have my usual Bible College of New Zealand lecture - gospel and film - 2 hours. 7 hours will be a long day.

what are the theological models that guide chaplaincy? Steve Taylor will lead a workshopping seminar to identify one's theology of chaplaincy, reflect on one's theological bottom lines and how to walk with others of different faiths and persuasions.

beyond religious trappings - Chaplaincy course. Wednesday, 6th April, 4 hours, Community of sacred name, Christchurch.

blah blah blah

i am spending more and more of my life talking to groups of people. i often wonder if there is any point ... you speak to groups who say nice things, but does anything change ... is it worth the energy ... how to bring about change ... is it worth the cost to family and to personal time spent smelling the roses.

today is my 5th day of speaking in a row. i am speaking on a theological response to the foreshore and seabed issue. it is a hugely explosive issue in new zealand today, with big implications for identity and culture and reconciliation. i am nervous.

i get out of the car and a person walks over. "i have a bone to pick with you" he announces, "from the talk you did on future church last year"

"oh dear" i think.

"that talk changed our life" he says, and shares some of his story. oh well, going blah, blah, blah has been useful for at least one person.

update: while I do appreciate all the nice comments, I wish to emphasis that this post was done with a note of glad surprise, not a depressed funk seeking pats on the back.

Destiny marches and some questions need asking

On Monday a new church group in New Zealand, Destiny Church, marched in protest against the Civil Unions Bill. They marched in black, they shouted in unison, and they caused a lot of media attention. For a report on the march, go here. I would not have marched in the march and my views on the Civil Unions Bill are expressed here and here.

However the march did raise for me the following questions;

does the fact that most of Destiny are Maori alter one's views on the march? are people not actually concerned about angry, black men, but about angry, black, Maori men? are there in fact some levels of racism involved in responses to the march?

is it inconsistent for the counter protest-marchers to talk on the news about tolerance and diversity, when in fact any protest march should be applauded as an expression of diversity? or does tolerance only mean certain types of tolerance?

similarly, was not the shouted statement by Georgina Beyer; "your hatred is intolerable" also a contradiction? again, does tolerance only mean certain types of tolerance?

is it inconsistent for the news media to express concern about the use of children in the march, and then for the media to then ask children why they marched? did the news media gain parental consent? or are their different rules for media using children than religious groups?

church is people

At the carpark before church I met B. who has been a Christian for about 3 months, and C. who has been a Christian for 2 weeks.

At the door we were greeted by A, a local community kid, roped in by D. to help welcome people.

In worship we thanked God for C.P.'s first haircut since recovering from leukemia. T. thanked God for her rest home, a milestone for her as she has struggled with this particular life transition. A. wanted to thank God for her parents. She is 8, so neat to have her voice shaping our worship. S. who is also 8, re-told a Bible story on the hot text seat.

After the service S., another community kid, faced smudged with tears, needed a sticking plaster for a grazed army.

This blog spends a lot of time re-imagining church. All good stuff. For me, the re-imagining has one main point; to connect people with God and each other.

Or the Maori proverb says so eloquently: What is the most important thing? It is people. It is people. It is people.

Taylors commissioning

My welcoming and commissioning today. Friends are flying down from Graceway to hand us over to Opawa. That is a great honour and it will be neat to catch up.

Other guests are meant to include local MP's like Tim Barnett (best known in New Zealand for this) and also Ruth Dyson.

I've shaped the service which will include writing heart prayers and a big communal welcome.

I'm nervous.

NZ impacts UK anglicans

café church 'is an approach that originates in New Zealand. It's particularly aimed at young adults who might want to explore their spirituality in a welcoming environment. It's much more about dialogue.' from UK Guardian

ez on by

Yesterday Graceway, the emerging/ent church I planted and then pastored until late last year, welcomed it's new minister, Mark Barnard.

Mark is 26 years old and is married to Bridget. He has a background in social work and community development, a love for the poor and was the lead singer of a band. Bridget works in promotion for a Christia n Aid agency and is really good value. They have both been part of Graceway for the last 3 years.

I flew up to Auckland for the day to share in the celebration and occasion. It was a day of a huge range of emotions for me. I gave the best of 9 years of my life to Graceway. I developed an internship scheme to train leaders and Mark was one of the 6 emerging leaders I directly worked with. I am very proud of him.

The transition from founding pastor to new pastor is a fragile time for a church and a number of church plants in New Zealand have not made the transition. So there is huge relief for me to see a very competent leadership team at Graceway welcome Mark and Bridget on board.

I sat at the back, marvelling at the goodness of God. Half way through last year God ezed me out of Graceway. It was a hugely traumatic decision. 8 months later God is ezing a new leader into Graceway and I have become a cheering bystander.

A toast:
to the Graceway leadership team, who ezed in a new pastor
to Mark and Bridget, may they ez Graceway into a new season
to God, whom I love.

Induction

On Saturday February 21 I become the "Senior Pastor" at Opawa Baptist Church (part-time, alongside my teaching at BCNZ). I join to lead a staff team of 4 (possibly 6) and a congregation of about 150 people.

Induct v.
introduce someone formally to a post
from the latin inducere, 'lead in'

I get to shape the service and they have asked for "multi-media." So there's room for creativity. Any suggestions; of words, rituals, visuals, songs?