Brian's Blog
-
January 28, 2012
Another Major Announcement
In addition to recent news about my new partnership with Life in the Trinity Ministry, I want to let everyone know about the final title and release date for my upcoming book.
The title will be ...
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?
Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith WorldThe release date will be September 11, 2012.
We've had a number of advance readers respond to the book, and comments have ranged from "this is Brian's most important book yet" to "this is the book we have been waiting for." Stay tuned for pre-order information.
-
January 27, 2012
Q & R: A recovering Modern raising kids ...
Q & R:
I am a happily recovering Modern who is raising 6 children in a Post Modern world. They are asking different questions than I ever imagined as a young adult and I am looking for some recommendations on books that address parenting in the Post Modern Context. As a recovering religion junky I don't often feel I am parenting from a position of strength. My wife and I have always viewed our resources as gifts from God that we must steward and I believe have been model Kingdom Citizens. It is not my example I am concerned with but my ability to have conversation with my kids that aren't "Adventures in Missing the Point". The things they are facing as young adults demands that we find ways to talk about life in a way that is real and relevant. Any help would be much appreciated!
Sincerely,
“Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.” -Frederick Buechner
Here's the R:Continue reading Q & R: A recovering Modern raising kids ......
-
January 26, 2012
-
January 25, 2012
Veterans today have the highest suicide rate of any demographic group ... in US history
That's why I'm a big supporter of Centurion's Guild.
A group called Centurion's Guild is trying to move the Church toward deeper reflections on war and peace, as well as begin to embody a different way of journeying with service members, carefully but deliberately. They are currently trying to raise funds for a.) web presence from which to share resources and b.) materials for their care packages. They have set up a Kickstarter-like "crowd-funding" campaign at Helpers Unite. Check it out - and I hope you'll consider supporting them.
http://www.helpersunite.com/projects/76-centurion-s-guild
-
Q & R: Is Jesus more of a Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian?
Here's the Q:
I apologize I have about a page here... but there's much to say in order to get my question across. If you are unable to respond I understand.
Comment:
First, I want to thank you very much for your contribution to the Christian community. You have played a major role in causing me to see the scriptures a bit differently, and not be afraid to ask questions, to possibly be open to being misguided, as well as seeing the gospel of Christ through a new lense. I especially enjoyed your book 'A New Kind of Christianity'. Thank you!
Question:
Second, I wanted to ask a question on something that I tend to notice in the emergent church movement (which I consider myself to gladly be a part of). I've read many articles that Jesus would be for the 99% and would challenge the 1%.
This is said, understandably so, because Jesus had so much to say about the poor as well as the tendency for the wealthy to be greedy.
To a certain degree, I can understand that. Jesus, as revealed in the gospels, is clearly for the oppressed. And so ought we to be. But in my mind it doesn't necessarily mean that Jesus is against wealthy people per se. Or that he expects us to demand that government be the care-takers of the poor.
Without calling Jesus a 'libertarian', wouldn't constitional freedom be an ideal for the political world (as well as a Christian ideal)? In other words, to put limitations on government and to grant liberty to people to make their own voluntary choices rather than be coerced by government to do so? Abolishing income tax (as some candidates like Ron Paul propose) would propose more equal playing field in the business world, free market system.
I just find we tend to make Jesus a pro-socialist, anti-capitalist in many of the political discussions.
My question to you is - What do you think of all of this? And do you find that there is a tendency to make Jesus a bit more democrat than republican in emergent discussions?
Would love to hear your thoughts on this....
Here's the R:Continue reading Q & R: Is Jesus more of a Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian?...
-
Thanks, Catholic leaders ...
... for this:
And thanks to Jennifer Butler of FPL for this excellent commentary.
(note - link fixed)
-
January 24, 2012
-
how can a guy get discouraged ...
... with readers like this?
i just wanted to thank you for the way your work has played a role in my life.
i am 27 and was raised in the evangelical church. i am the typical story of not really connecting to my faith through that tradition. your writing has been a big part of the story of my life and faith. it has been a big part of my journey that has allowed me to stay connected to my faith and to the church.
i have read some of the critical reactions people have had to you and needless to say i know that your writing must come at a cost to you. i know there must be a lot of painful and dark experiences you know as a result of your work.
i just want to thank you for "paying that cost" and for the way you have helped to teach me to be a more loving, caring, and inclusive christian. your readings have helped me to look for unity and respect instead of conflict and dismissing.
thank you for the role you have played in my story and for being willing to endure some hard things to help those like me.
Thanks for this encouraging note. Really, if it weren't for folks like you letting me know that they're being helped, things would get a bit dismal sometimes. Which reminds me that each reader of this blog could - today - send a note of encouragement to somebody who has helped them ... so they won't "grow weary in well-doing," but will know their "labor in the Lord is not in vain." Encouraging someone might be the most important thing we do today.
-
Another reason theology needs re-formulation
This is from today's emergent village email (really worth subscribing here - with just one click.)
65% of the work in the world is done by women;
12% of the paid salaries in the world go to women;
2% of properties in the world are on the hands of women;
1 in each 6 women in the world is a victim of incest;
1 in each 4 women will experience some form of sexual violence in life;
75% of people that die of hunger are women and children;
In all the world, women do not earn the same salary as men;
In all the world, the education level of women is lower than that of men;
In countries where women have more diplomas than men, the tendency is for less educated men to hold higher positions, changing, therefore, the criterion of promotion;
98% of structural decisions are made by men;
In all the world, women are more dependent on the land than men;
In many places of the world, the majority of abortions is of girls.
Given that, the lesson the Feminist Theology teaches us is that before worrying about explaining reality, theologies must pay attention to an unjust reality that needs transformation.
This situation must be taken as a theological challenge that requires an urgent answer seeking changes.
Felipe Fanuel Xavier Rodrigues
Towards a daily theology: listening to the unheard voices
from "Teologias com Sabor de Mangostão". Isabel Aparecida Felix
Translation from Portuguese by Gustavo Frederico
-
January 22, 2012
A Major Announcement
This year, I've joined forces with a beautiful group of people called Life in the Trinity Ministry, based in Dallas, Texas. LTM was founded in 1985 by Rev. Joseph and Suzanne Stabile. LTM encourages civility, fosters personal growth, and works to create of community among all people. My title will be "theologian in residence." I won't be moving to Dallas, but will be on-site there several times each year to lead workshops, seminars, etc. We plan to record these seminars and make them available via download, cd, and dvd. Here's what's planned for 2012:
Sept 7-9
Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World: I'll preview my new book, exploring how Christian identity can grow more robust by becoming more benevolent towards other faiths. We'll look at historical, doctrinal, liturgical, and missional dimensions of multi-faith engagement. We'll explore the role of religion in violence and prejudice - and ways that Christians and local churches can become agents of peace and hospitality, rather than suspicion and hostility. (Suggested Prereading: Secret Message of Jesus, Everything Must Change, A New Kind of Christianity)
Nov 11-13
Four Stages of Faith Development: Drawing from my book Naked Spirituality, I'll present how the four-stage framework (simplicity, complexity, perplexity, harmony) can help in personal spiritual formation, pastoral ministry, preaching, outreach, and conflict resolution. We'll use role play, experiential learning, and interactive Bible study as well as lecture and discussion to become fluent in understanding and applying this framework. (Suggested Prereading: Naked Spirituality, A New Kind of Christian)
Nov 13-15
Spiritual Formation - Becoming Christ Like - Christ in You: We will explore the biblical theme of the image of God in us, integrating insights from Scripture, church history, and the monastic tradition, exploring how the church in its liturgy, preaching, and program can become a dojo, school, or studio of Christ-like feeling, thinking, virtue, integrity, and action. We'll consider the imitation/embodiment of Christ as the heart and soul of Christian living. (Suggested Prereading: Naked Spirituality, Finding Our Way Again, A New Kind of Christianity)
Dec 7 Pre-conference workshop - Worship Leaders and Songwriters Workshop
We will bring together gifted practitioners to assess the status of worship music, the areas where creative input is needed, and ways to develop and disseminate new worship resources. We'll experiment with some collaborative songwriting as well, culminating in a shared worship experience. (Suggested pre reading: Finding Our Way Again, Naked Spirituality, A New Kind of Christianity, Everything Must Change)Dec 8-9 Conference - details TBA.
Dec 9-11 Public Worship as Spiritual Formation
We'll look at ways that the form and content of gathered worship contributes to - and detracts from - formation for Christ-like character and mission. We'll wrestle with fidelity to tradition and fidelity to current and future generations, devoting special attention to the problems of religious language - including the word "God." And we'll use action-reflection to engage in liturgical practices and seek to understand them through experience. (Suggested prereading: Finding Our Way Again, Naked Spirituality, A New Kind of Christianity, Everything Must Change)
When I met the LTM team, I was deeply impressed: a positive and inclusive Christian community bringing together Protestants and Catholics, believers and seekers, to learn and grow together. I had some creative projects in mind that I knew I couldn't achieve alone, and LTM generously offered their experience and abilities. I look forward to what we can do together.
I've included the LTM press release below (after the jump). There are lots of resources available here:
http://lifeinthetrinityministry.com/Continue reading A Major Announcement...
-
January 18, 2012
Thank you, Mr. President
I'm sure there will be a lot of criticism against the President and Secretary of State for deciding against the Keystone Pipeline, but I'm among those who applaud his decision (included after the jump). I hope that our political climate will change so that we can constructively address the many issues facing our planetary climate ... because I believe with the Psalmist that "the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." I hope we will hear more about clean and renewable energy in the future as well.
Thanks also to all who participated in protests against the pipeline, especially those who were arrested. Those of us who couldn't participate are grateful to you!
Continue reading Thank you, Mr. President...
-
I was honored to learn today ...
... that the new Episcopal bishop of Washington DC, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, has recommended my book Finding Our Way Again as a resource for Lent. I've heard tremendous things about Bishop Mariann's vision and manner (and her interest in systems thinking), and I hope the book will be a helpful resource to all.
-
January 17, 2012
a week on the road
I had a great time speaking with Fr. Richard Rohr in the good company of January Adventure in Georgia last weekend. (By the way - here are the slides from the presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/brianmclaren)
Today and tomorrow I'll be in Kansas with Methodists, and then Saturday I'll be in the DC area with Lutherans. (The Friday night reading/dialogue in DC is sold out ... sorry!)
I can't believe how fortunate I am to meet and work with such amazing people all over the country - people full of faith, hope, and love.
-
Keeping sane in an election year
Friends have noticed that I have had little to say about the political primary season here in the USofA. That was because there wasn't a horse in the race that I was really enthusiastic about. But now there's a dog in the hunt I can really get behind. Here's the fish in the sea whose campaign I hope will catch on, someone who offers
a new hope!
-
January 16, 2012
What you could be doing in May ...
There are two worthwhile conferences in Minnesota, May 1-3 and 3-5, Funding the Missional Church and Church Planters Academy. For more information, go here:
http://fundingthemissionalchurch.com/
http://churchplantersacademy.com/
A number of my good friends are involved in these events, and I know they'll be excellent.Then May 7-10 in Washington, DC, there's Children, Youth, and a New Kind of Christianity - where I'll be giving the opening address (and attending all the sessions as an avid learner).
http://children-youth.com/
(By the way - registration goes up on February 1, so this is the best time to register. And full-time students - there's a special rate for you. More info here:
http://children-youth.com/register/register-now/)Important opportunities for people interested in the life, mission, and future of our churches!
