Reconstruction
OK… I know that Christmas is over and everyone is thinking about the New Year, I just wanted to end Chritsmas with some thoughts and a great Nativity scene created by Kel who lives in the Gippsland region of Victoria.
Personally, I think this is a great expression of Christmas.
I have been reflecting of late about my own Spiritual Journey. I’ll spare the details, but suffice to say I think over the past year - I have been through a needed ’spiritual deconstruction’ and have got back to a much ‘rawer’(?) faith.
‘(Spiritual) Deconstruction’ is freeing when a decaying old building that you have been living in has been pulled down all around us to reveal space for something better.
Over the past few years my spiritual worldview has imploded. I am much wiser for the experience.
I have seen a dark and seductive side of the Christian faith. Now, I will be more diligent with what teaching I allow to go into my mind and where my money goes. I am more open and tolerant to the struggles of others (esp. Gay Christians). Lance, I never thought that I would write that last comment! I have learned that a groovy Church is not we are called to build. Rather His Knigdom.
Whilst there is a place for a Church Building and giving to the Church, the criteria for the Great Judgement will not be based upon faithful tithing to the Church or obedience to a Senior Pastor - rather by the way that we have responded to the poor, they hungry and the thirsty. This is, to me, liberating.
I am also more appreciative of the ’slowness’ and the grounded doctrines of the mainline Churches from where I came. (By slowness, I mean they do not jump on the Bandwagon of every Christian fad that comes along).
But after ‘deconstruction’ what comes next?
Reconstruction…?
It’s much easier and takes less time and resources to pull something down than it does to build something.
I am expecting the journey of ‘Spiritual Reconstruction’ not to be easy. This coming year, I hope to get involved in a community again. I guess once you have tasted the ‘goodness’ of God - you cannot let go.
Have a wonderful New Year.
December 28th, 2006 at 11:46 am
I too have gone through a kind of faith deconstruction. Actally I think faith is about continually decontructing and recontructing, how can we know answers without questions? And the more questions we ask the less there seem to be solid answers. Faith is messy and awkward it is not about having a pat, glib answer for everything.
This year Signposts, http://www.badchristian.com, Ed Gungor’s “ Religiously Transmitted Diseases: finding a cure when faith doesn’t feel right” have helped me form questions, given me less answers yet made me feel less alone in my search for understanding.
December 28th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Also http://www.stupidchurchpeople.com/ amonst others
December 28th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Sounds like a thrilling year. Bless you brother, hope your journey continues to get more and more exciting, and practical.
rev
December 29th, 2006 at 7:13 am
Grace Required’s post evokes the words of one of Michael Card’s songs for me:
Could it be you make your presence known
So often by your absence?
Could it be that questions tell us more
Than answers ever do?
Could it be that you would really
Rather die than live without us?
Could it be the only answer
That means anything is you?
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Lionfish,
You maybe interested in reading the book at http://www.jakecolsen.com/
Grace Required
January 6th, 2007 at 4:54 am
Perhaps what we all need is not a new set of practices or priorities, but something more fundamental - posture. Matt 5, Phil 2, Isa 57:15…
January 6th, 2007 at 8:53 am
I found the following itenerary for Wayne of jake colson fame. Though I haven’t read the book or really much more than his website about why he doesn’t go to church - i found it amusing that he has a travel schedule announcing where he goes to speak…. kind of like an inverted non conference speaking tour thing maybe.???!&&&
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January 6th, 2007 at 8:55 am
My new book is coming out soon - “Why I don’t surf the web anymore” You can read all about it at my website http://www.surfingsucks.com
January 7th, 2007 at 12:17 am
I am writing a book as well… A kevin on the web is worth less than a George W Bush
January 7th, 2007 at 12:40 am
Sounds like a best seller, it’s obviously based on a true story.
January 8th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
You could just shorten the title to “akevin …Who Cares???”
January 8th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
or AHHHHH
January 9th, 2007 at 12:30 am
How about “Life in the Slow Lane”
January 9th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
or AHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHHHAHAHAHAHA
January 9th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
he’s stuttering ..
January 9th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
am nnnnnnnnnot
January 9th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
maybe your keyboard stutters all on its own
Obviously it’s stuck and needs counselling
Send us 105 of everything you own and we will come and pray over it ..
January 9th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
nnnnnnnnnnnnoooooo wwwwwaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy