Thanks for clicking in. Always a pleasure.
So this online issue is full of seasonal offerings, focusing on the events of the the cross and resurrection. In 'reconciling all things' we have pictures of a restored creation, a loving community, and a people looking towards Him and engaged in bringing His kingdom to the ends of the earth:
Message for Easter Sunday
Here Randy reflects on the continuing power of the resurrection to rip into our lives and change everything.
Review of "Keeping Earth in Common"
A few months back, A Rocha (Canada) and Regent College put on a wonderful conferenece. For those of us who could not make it then catch up on Heidi's summary.
Love (advent reflection)
One of our favorite long-lost writers, Matt, brings us this piece on Love, infused with experiences from his present cultural setting.
Three Days draws nigh
The first of two poems from a new poet, Miles, at the Place. This one looks towards easter morn.
Who is really being deceived?
From a 'resident' at Wilkie hotel ;-) this is a deep, honest reflection on life.
A Prayer
On Sunday night, we value community prayer, and here Launa helped puts words in our mouths as we sought communion with God.
Unseen
Miles' second piece: picking up on the theme of God calling out to us.
"Home" church
If you attend multiple communities during the week, where is your home and what would it look like? Justin confesses.
Jen's infamous rap
Anyone at the Place retreat 2005 would remember Jen's performance at the Open Mic. A rap that picks up on the social ills of abusive driving.
Reflections on mission trip to Disney World
James could not come away from this Florida kid-haven without being impacted by what it could be saying about salvation and heaven.
Friday, April 14, 2006
From the editor
Sunday night prayer (Jan 29 2006)
by Launa K - Based on 1 peter 2: 1 – 5, 1 john 3:18-20, and 1 Corinthians 13: 4- 7
Father by your holy spirit rid us of all malicious behaviour and deceit. Teach us how to not just pretend to be good! Remove in us hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing. Make us thirsty so that we will crave pure spiritual milk which will help us grow in the fullness of your salvation. Soften our hearts so that we cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk. Remind us of the sweet taste of our Lord’s kindness.
Father we bow before Christ who is the living cornerstone of Your temple. He was and is rejected by people, but to You he is most precious. Father strengthen us and build us, as living stones, into His spiritual temple.
We repent of all the times we have just said we love one another. Help us to stop this and inspire us to really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before You, even if our own hearts condemn us. For you are the almighty God who is greater than our hearts, and you know our motives and our actions and will judge accordingly.
Mentor us in patience and kindness. Discipline us so that we are not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. Remove in us our selfishness, our irritability, and our grudges. Break our hearts at injustice and teach us to celebrate whenever the truth wins out. Instruct us in the ways of perseverance, faithfulness, hope and forgiveness so that we can know what Love really is.
Amen
"Home" church
by Justin W
In a world where trashing the church became so common that people no longer even bother to do so; where Ghandi claimed that were it not for Christians he would be one, and others have assumed his mantra; where churches are often warned and even chastised by their teachers and pastors for too closely resembling those who would have stoned the woman caught in adultery, this often-cynic (known, I'm sure, to my shame by many in Christ's church at Lambrick for pointing the finger and much worse, even) begs the opportunity to laud this community.
Quite recently, Randy Hein voiced to me his compassionate concern that I had no fellowship I could call home. Was this true, I wondered? I have always considered the Place to my "home" church--my community in Christ--yet of late I had been venturing to new communities as well. Perhaps I misunderstood his concern. Perhaps he misunderstood me. Perhaps not. Regardless, in the week following this brief conversation, I was twice blessed with unsolicited understanding of the true meaning of a 'home' fellowship in Christ. And those were just the catalysts God used to bring me to an even fuller understanding: Home is where I go when I'm tired; home is where I go when I need to be loved; home is where I end up when I've been stumbling around, lost; and home is where I go to celebrate. Home is made up of people who look forward to seeing me, and love me. Home is a place I can be away from nearly forever, and still return to a warm embrace. Home is where I find forgiveness and sanctuary. In this community are individuals who defy Ghandi's stereotype and challenge the world's definition of "Christian"; people who offer unbridled hope and faith unwaivering; people who offer grace, love and encouragement to me, me!, a child of many harsh and cutting words, who truly has not one redemptive quality save for Christ in me. In the veins of these people pump the very life that Yeshua, Messiah gave and was resurrected to two-thousand years ago. This church is my home; these people my fellow members in the Body. Thank-you for being my home. Praise the Lord for His abundant blessing on me, that I should be one with you.
Love
by Matthew H - an Advent reflection for the Place 2005
In winter, the only thing to do on the Korean peninsula is wait for spring, for the dragonfly season, when thousands of the insect oil-slicks stutter-buzz above, trippin’ the light fantastic on translucent wings in pursuit of mosquitoes. As I write this, the dragonfly season is at least 120 days away, and the air is frozen under an impossibly blue sky- a prairie sky, for those of us who speak Canadian. And I’m thinking about the West Coast of Canada, missing the slap-clatter of hockey sticks on asphalt, Randy’s bald head, and yes, the theme music at the beginning of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.
I’m trying to write about love and I’m stalling. The topic’s scary. You should have seen the first five drafts of this. First I wrote about how love was hard work and compared it to climbing a mountain. I’m in the middle of planning a trip up Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo, and I couldn’t get mountains out of my head. After I deleted that paragraph I wrote about how the symbol of the advent candle isn’t enough, and that the church, by which I just mean you, needs to get past its symbols and actually do something. But I deleted that too. Then I wrote about the problem of symbols in general, how they’re never enough, and how words are really just symbols, but that just led to two days of depression because I’m a writer. When I came out of that, I deleted everything I’d written and wrote an email to Janet Doherty telling her that my head was too far up my, er, up in the clouds to write about love at all. But before I sent it I realized that I’d be really disappointed in myself if I didn’t at least keep trying, so I didn’t send the email. Then I decided to write about my marriage, but that’s just relational suicide, since examining things that work well often leads to them getting broken- just imagine me taking apart my dad’s laptop computer to see how it worked… I figured I could write about the ways that the church loves people, but that was too easy. And I considered writing about how the church fails to love people, but that was even easier. And that’s where I ended up. I mean, you can look at the advent candle and think about love, or not, and I can write to you about things that will make you feel good or things that will make you feel bad, but in the end, you’ve probably heard it all before. In the end, it’s up to you.
So this is a test: Will you please love me?
Sounds kinda strange eh? I’ve noticed that the longer I think about a piece of writing the more it leans towards confession. I guess once I sort through all the crap I start to take a look at myself.
Did you know that I stole three candy bars and a package of mints from Thrifty Foods when I was four?
Will you please love me?
Or that often I don’t believe in God? In fact, I’m not sure that I do as I write this. Maybe I’ll have faith tomorrow.
Will you please love me?
I’ve spent more time playing video games, watching sports on TV and looking at porn than reading the bible.
Will you please love me?
I’ve only been proud of Canada twice. Once when we won the gold medal in hockey at the Salt Lake City Olympics, and once when we made gay marriage legal.
Will you please love me?
I’m worried that as this is read out loud, most of you will be thinking about what a horrible person I am, and not about my question. I’m worried that I do the same thing everyday to people around me. I’m worried that the candle of love will burn out and that this Christmas season will be over and that we’ll go back to hating or forgetting about each other. I’m worried about a lot of things, really. I’m worried about how I can’t tell a lot of the people in my life that I love them. I’m worried that I don’t love them. I’m worried that I don’t know what love is.
But in thinking about writing this, I’ve discovered something that I do know without a doubt. I really want you to love me. I want to be loved. I doubt that I’m alone. Do you know that I even researched the history of the candle making process just to try to impress you? And in the end, this is what I wrote! A confession and a request for love that sounds kinda pathetic- sounds far away and strange even as I write it.
And so here I am, sitting in a small apartment on the Korean peninsula, thinking about love, about how to talk about love, how to write about it, and I’m worried, and I’m unsure of myself, and I’m starting to wish that I’d refused to write this at all. I’m just so human. But then, maybe that’s really what this Christmas thing is all about. Christ didn’t come to show us how to be gods, he came to show us how to be humans. And maybe wanting love is something that a lot of us have in common, and common ground is worth meditating on.
It’s not much to hold onto, I know, but it’ll get me through the winter to dragonfly season at least, and it’s better than a sappy love poem, which, by the way, I also considered sending.
ps. The history of candle making isn’t very interesting.
pps. An out-of-season dragonfly landed on my shoulder the day after I wrote this. I sat still until it took off, disappeared from sight above the mumble-drunk traffic, like an idea or inkling that you glimpse for a second and then lose- at least until spring.
Pedestrian Outrage vs. Road Rage
by Jen (Kung) P - performed at the Place retreat 2005
Some drivers don’t obey da traffic signs and rules. They think they’re so hot, yo I think not! I hope one day that da bad driver’s get caught! Yeah, those crazy fools!
I’m walking across da street, drivers won’t stop! Almost, running over my feet. Where da heck is a cop?
Marked by da white paint, not chalk, there I was using a crosswalk. I finally get across to da sidewalk. There was my friend, we met up to talk.
I was waiting for da pedestrian signal, my turn to go. Da driver turning right, from behind me, not paying attention that I know! They were on da cell phone, probably with an annoying ring tone, not obeying da speed in a school zone. Cuts me off, I nearly drop my ice cream cone, with in the other hand a cheese scone!
Da speeder in da dam Trans Am, caused a big traffic jam. Got into an accident, BAM!
That maniac weaves in and out of lanes, as if they’re da boss. Who steps on da gas. Out da window, a cigarette toss. What a pain in da....well you know what! Gets caught, serves them right, ha their loss!
Yo, driver! This is a pedestrian traffic light, I’m crossing here! Da light is red, I go instead, check ya eye sight! It’s not ya turn, when will ya learn! Sometimes a driver stops when da light is still green, honking at me to go, but I wait for the pedestrian light, awe yeah, that’s right! I guess they don’t know how da light works, or what it means. Yeah, they’re real bright!
Drivers, as I’m wanting to cross da road, beep and yell at me. They don’t know da right of way, people young and old. I ‘beep beep’ back, words I shouldn’t say, but I don’t let this ruin my day.
Emergency vehicles driving through town, with lights and sirens on, drivers not slowing down. Pull over you moron!
I’m walking in da rain, here comes a speeding bus. Da driver thinks they have to dash, I get an overhead splash! I’m soaking wet, I almost cuss. That bus driver is insane, what a big discuss!
Two cars in a road race. As da lights flash, soon follows a police chase. One of racing cars crash! Da driver is OK, but will need some cash, because da cop writes a ticket, with a mad look on his face!
Da cyclist is cut off by a car with a loud bass. Gets knocked over, smash! Was given no space, on da leg suffers a big gash. Da driver didn’t stop, what a disgrace!
What a show off! That motorcyclist swerving in a fast pace. Pop-a-wheely, bails, ends up with a road rash. Why did it happen in da first place? At least, da motorbike isn’t trash. Yeah, what a basket case!
A driver shows road rage, by being aggressive and swearing. Tailgating another car, how very daring. What outrage, what helter-skelter! Why don’t they act their age? Their foul mouth should be rinsed out with Alkaseltzer!
That fool, thinks they can drink and drive. Gets pulled over, da cop takes a breathalyse, hoping to save a live. When will they realize, da innocent want to survive?
Why do they call it rush hour? There’s no move with da traffic flow. Don’t these vehicles have any horse power? Da crawl is way too slow. Impatient drivers looking sour, who have places to go to, ya know!
Like I said in this rap. When will they learn? That’s my concern! It’s all a bunch of cr*p!
Yo, word to ya Fatha!
Reflections on a “mission trip” to Walt Disney World…
by James Prette
I recently returned from a trip to ‘Walt Disney World’ in Orlando, Florida. This was a “mission” trip, as I was the speaker for an outreach camp for teenagers from Southern Ontario. I arranged to bring my thirteen-year-old daughter, Rebekah with me on this trip. I wanted to share the fun of Disney with her and I wanted to have her hear me proclaim the basic good news of Jesus Christ to these Ontario teens each evening.
There were so many ways that ‘Disney World’ helped me proclaim this good news. First, I used Walt Disney’s unique creation as a picture of God creating the world: Mr. Disney didn’t just stumble upon a fully functioning park in Florida and start charging people to attend. He meticulously planned his dream park and then built it from the ground up. Likewise, God meticulously planned and executed his creation and his salvation plan in his perfect timing.
Then I utilized scenes from several Disney cartoons to illustrate the story of Jesus’ work in saving us. In ‘Toy Story 2’ Buzz asks Woody to recall who he belongs to. Woody looks on the inscription on his foot. It says, “Andy”. Each of us has been engraved with God’s signature. We are meant to be his. In ‘The Sword in the Stone’, Merlin changes Arthur into several animals to familiarize him with his future realm. Likewise, Jesus became one of us to familiarize us with the triune God. In ‘The Lion King’, we see Simba abandoning his true identity as a child of the King to live like a warthog. Because of sin in our lives, we have each abandoned our true potential identities as children of God and live in sin and depravity. In ‘Pinocchio’, the little puppet runs from his maker and lands in progressively worse trouble. But, the creator, Geppetto pursues his creation to the ends of the earth never giving up on his dream that Pinocchio could become “real”. God pursues us with his love and his desire that we become a “real” child of his. In the newest Disney movie, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, the lion, Aslan dies for the sake of the rebellious child, Edmond. He silently accepts cruel torture and death at the hands of the White Witch in exchange for the life and freedom of Edmond, though Edmond knows nothing of it. Then Aslan rises from death because of the “stronger magic” that dictates that when a truly innocent one voluntarily dies for the guilty, death cannot hold him. In fact, “death would start working backward”. In the same way, Jesus’ death and resurrection destroys the power of sin and death, though we knew nothing of it. Finally, in ‘Aladdin’, the hero holds out his hand and offers a ride on his magic carpet. “Trust me” he says. Jesus holds out his hand and offers us a new life. And he can truly show us “a whole new world”.
I also saw in my daily experiences in the parks a picture of the Heaven that Jesus is preparing for us. I mixed with strangers of every walk and shape and language. We enjoyed the fun and spectacle of the parks together. For brief moments, we were all family as we laughed and cried and screamed on rides and in lines and at shows together. Jesus has saved us and is preparing “a whole new world” for us to experience that will include all of the true love and beauty and joy and fun and adventure and family that God invented and originally intended for his creation. We get to get in on it! I joked with some people that when Jesus said he was going away to prepare a place for us, I hope he gets some help form Mr. Disney. Of course, what Jesus is preparing for us in the resurrected new heaven and earth will be far more than even Walt could ask or imagine.
Who is really being deceived?
We struggle for years on end to acquire a disciplined method of living. We have a picture in our minds of what we are striving for, what we believe we are accomplishing, and we believe that we are fulfilling ourselves with sincerity and humility.
But all of this is erroneous from the onset. Not only are we unable to cope with the difficulties we experience in striving each new day to be spiritually ‘on top of our form’, we are also misled by the fiendish independence of the tool we use to achieve this – our intelligence. We think we have it under control, yet more often than not it conditions our thinking and inveigles us - thanks to its own magnetic attraction - into pursuing goals that are very different from the goals we had originally set for ourselves.
Thus I believed I was in control of my life, whereas in fact my choice of lifestyle was very much in control of me. As the weeks went by the outside world grew fainter – the world on which, once again, I had turned by back, though with no feeling of hatred. My own memories, even the ones that mattered to me most, seemed like an ice flow vaguely glimpsed through the fog. If I tried to focus on a specific incident in my youth, even only a decade ago, I would finish up like a marksman who’s staring so hard at his sighting notch that his vision is clouded by tears.
Anguish never becomes a stylistic exercise. I did whatever I needed to relieve my pain, preferring unbearable existence to greatness, and the guarantee of a little warmth to the risk of desolation. No, anguish never does become a stylistic exercise, but squalor can become habitual.
Less than half a year ago I decided to consensually leave this world that I found so hateful. At that time everything that happened brought me further proof that it was ludicrous to put any faith in the human race. Little by little, having once believed that life is endlessly renewed in the pursuit of perfection, I started loathing the human race. I started loathing myself. I personally had lost any desire to save myself from the annihilation that had been my lot from the outset, and my life had been a failure.
During that time I watched as my ideals fell about my ears. One after the other, all my hopes crumbled and my vision of man was transformed into something quite horrific. Rather than let the abyss come to me, I had elected to go willingly to the abyss myself. To quote St. Paul, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Something happened to me then. Somehow the Grace of God saved me from a situation that I could not even imagine my way out of. I’ve come to realize that I was going through great lengths to mask my pain, preferring a bearable existence to one of greatness, and the guarantee of a little warmth to the risk of desolation. I am through sacrificing my future for a familiar, and thereby comfortable today. I have utilized my period of incarceration in very much the same way as a caterpillar uses its chrysalis state, to undergo a period of fundamental transformation.
Although I cannot hope to restore the sense of security that I have robbed from so many communities, it is my hope that perhaps my writing will give you some insight into my mindset during my thirteen year run as an addict, and offer a glimmer of hope that change is not out of reach for anybody, even a long term addict.
Unseen
Today that guy was at the door
He comes everyday
Always demanding more
I said there is nothing more to give
You took it all
Just let me live
Please now just go away
You are unwanted
I don't want you to stay
Your life is mine he said to me
I won't leave you alone
You will never be free
All he said was just a lie
My life is my own
Until the day I die
That guy he tried to play his game
He would ring the doorbell
Each day he left in shame
Today that guy wasn't at the door
He never came again
Never demanding more
Three Days Draws Nigh
It was his words that killed him
That brought him such disgrace
He said he was the Son of God
Such blasphemy
Claiming equality with God
His blasphemy is such a lie
And by our law
He must die
He will die for all
Not our nation
Our people will not fall
Here he is upon that cross
Dying in pain and agony
Is it really such a loss
The end has come to his time
Look at him suffer
Paying for his sinful crime
Approaching now is the hour of death
The sky is getting darker
Closer to his final breath
It is finished he screams aloud
He is dead at last
To the amazement of the crowd
There is still one more lie
The one we most fear
Three days draws nigh
Easter Sunday message
by Randy Hein
Reflecting on the qualities of what makes a story a good story, Aristotle said that every good story has a beginning, a middle and an ending. The Gospel according to Mark has a clear beginning, it has a clear middle … but when you get to the end, you get the sense that the ending is to be found beyond the gospel somehow. If the gospel of Mark were translated into music, it’s as if Mark plays the first seven notes of the scale and then just waits … why would he do that? Why would he leave his gospel open and, if I could be so bold, unresolved?
Hopefully my message tonight will answer that question …
If you ever read all of the gospels – one after another – you will discover that each writer, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, has their own particular way of telling us about Jesus. Each one of them has certain themes that they wish to articulate and emphasize. One thing that has become very clear to me in our study of Mark. One theme he wants to emphasize is this: that, in Jesus Christ, God is on the loose.
It begins at the beginning. Mark spares no time emphasizing this. Right there, in Chapter one, right after Jesus gets baptized in the river Jordan we have this scene … he emerges from the water and heavens part, the Spirit descends like a dove, the Father speaks … “that’s my boy”. At least that’s how I’ve always pictured it. But this isn’t what Mark says.
But unlike the other gospel accounts, Mark doesn’t simply write, “The heavens opened”. He writes that, “The heavens tore open”. Why does he add that? What is opened may be closed, but what is ripped and torn? Well, that’s a little more permanent. “The heavens tore open” … the Spirit descends, the Father speaks … and Jesus goes forth. The veil between heaven and earth has been broken. God has penetrated our world and he is on the loose.
Now understand, very key to understanding Mark, the heavens have not torn open so that we can get to God, they have torn open so that God can get at us. We are the runaways, but God is pursuing us and coming after us and nothing can hold Jesus back.
Fast forward fifteen chapters, and you will find the only other place in all the gospels where this verb “to tear apart” occurs. It happens in the temple at the very moment Jesus dies. Now remember, it was believed that the temple was the place where God dwelt. It is the place where his presence was to be experienced. So there was a scared – “set-apart” – holy distance between that ground and the ground you and I are now standing on.
It is recorded that when Jesus breathed out his last breath, that the heavy temple curtain that separates the very holiest of places from you and me was ripped in two.
I was always led to believe that this event signified that I have access to the Holy of Holies. That, because of what Jesus did on the cross, if I want I can “walk in and out” – so to speak – anytime I want. But it’s more than that.
God is not a passive agent here. It is God that is “tearing through” and “bursting forth” from the confines that we have placed on him. He can’t be contained. It ripped from top to bottom and inside-out.
The curtain was torn not so we could get to God – not from bottom to top, but from top to bottom – the curtain was torn so God could get at us. We are the runaways, but God is pursuing us and coming after us and nothing can hold Jesus back.
Nothing can contain him. Not even death.
I love how the gospel accounts show the women disciples arriving on the scene first. Typical. The boys are off hiding cuz their scared … or sulking.
It speaks to the authenticity of the event. If Mark was trying to fabricate the story to convince people of the truth of the event he would have had the men arrive first. Because, culturally, women weren’t considered credible witnesses. To the first century ear, this doesn’t have the ring of great drama. It has the ring of reality. There is no skill to this writing, no fanfare, Mark is simply telling it the way it was.
The women arrive at the tomb. Obviously have not anticipated his resurrection: they are there to anoint a dead body. They’re probably grief-stricken; with no hope … the only thing motivating them is loyalty and devotion to the one they loved. They come across the tomb and the stone has been rolled away and there – in the entryway – was a messenger …
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "Is the gospel story now resolved? Have we heard the last note of the scale? Does it end with the resurrection of Jesus, or does it begin with His resurrection? Jesus is still on the move.
“He’s going ahead of you into Galilee.”He is still on the move and God is still ahead of us. The heavens have ripped open, the temple curtains have tore in two open, the stone has been rolled away and God is on the loose
These things happened, the heavens, the temple curtain, the resurrection, not simply so we could get to God, but so that God could get at us. We are the runaways, but God is pursuing us and coming after us and nothing can hold Jesus back.
He has broken through every boundary and taken down every wall to get into our lives.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Keeping Earth In Common: A Just Faith For A Whole World
reviewed by Heidi F
The focus of this year’s Regent/A Rocha conference (February 24-26th, 2006) was the link between people and the land. Noting that if the land suffers, the people suffer, and if people suffer, the land suffers, the conference explored the link between ecological and social justice. Featuring five speakers and a selection of five workshops, the conference was an opportunity to counteract misinformed theology regarding concepts of redemption which has pervaded the Church for some time. From previous contact with Regent and A Rocha, I know that the emphasis in the title of the conference of “a whole world” refers to the fact that “world” in Scripture often refers to human and non-human Creation—animals AND mankind (see John 3:16—the Greek word means Jesus died for the whole created world, not just people.) One thing I love about those I’ve come into contact with at Regent and A Rocha, is that even though they’re passionate about Creation care, and are concerned with the abuse, they are very gracious in not being fundamentalist or dogmatic about it. It’s an invitation to become part of Creation care, not an imperative command. So I invite you to join me in my journey towards earth + people keeping (you’ll learn more about this below).
Here’s my breakdown on the workshops and speakers whose lectures I attended. Please feel free to leave any comments to this post as I would love to help clarify any questions and keep this conversation going.
Speaker 1 - Iain Provan “The land is mine and you are only tenants: Earth-keeping and People-keeping in the Old Testament”
Iain Provan (the fantastic OT professor with a beautiful Scottish accent and dry sense of humour) started the weekend with a response to Lynn White’s criticism of Christianity and its role in Creation destruction and disrespect during the 1960’s. Dealing specifically with the concepts of “Earth-keeping” and “people-keeping”, Provan shared a theology which asserts that we are stewards of the Earth, and it is our job to take care of it; hence we are “Earth-keepers.” Likewise, the term “people-keeping” comes from the same concept; with social justice in mind Provan described (using Matthew 25:35 + and Isaiah 58:7) that we indeed are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in that we are our neighbours’ keepers – and our neighbour is anyone thirsty, hungry, naked or in danger.
Having established that both earth-keeping and people-keeping are the Christian’s responsibility, Dr. Provan pointed out some OT scriptures that show how closely the two are linked. Hosea 4:1-3 is very explicit and powerful, saying that lying and adultery cause the land to mourn and animals to die. I love the line in Deuteronomy 20:19 where the author is talking about war and how Creation is an innocent victim, “Are the trees of the field people, that you should besiege them?” (I can’t help but think of the Ents in Lord of the Rings.)
From there, Dr. Provan addressed the issue of anthropocentrism in Biblical Creation Theology, showing that Creation has a purpose of its own apart from people. The created order and male-centrism was also addressed, showing that people-keeping in the Bible is not about hierarchy but about mutuality. Before concluding, Provan continued on to say that just government is important in the OT as is justice among neighbours. He also touched on the concept of Jubilee and the link between the land and tenants and stewardship and social justice - but that’s a whole other issue that’s too big to get into here!
His final statement sums up the theme of the weekend: “People-keeping and earth-keeping are not different options. They are both part of the same Christian calling.”
Speaker 2 - Dave Diewart “The People Cry Out & the Earth Mourns”
The second speaker is a favourite professor of mine from Regent: Dave Diewert. His call is to live in solidarity with the poor of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside; he’s only on staff part-time at Regent. An incredibly humble, courageous, gracious but challenging man, he called us to consider an alternative perspective to the dominant view of our world today—to challenge the status quo and listen to the cries of the poor and the mourning of the earth. A major point was that God hears the cries of his Creation (e.g. Israel under Pharaoh). Since Creation cries out (Rom 8:22), God will listen to its cries too. In Isaiah 24: 4-6, God judges Creation because the Israelites broke the covenant. Oppression of people is a huge offense to God, and oppression of the Earth is also offensive.
Speaker 3 - Alfredo Abreu “Justice, Earth and Heaven, According to the Beatitudes”
The third speaker on the day was Alfredo Abreu, a sociologist from Portugal with some Regent training who threw in some New Testament theology as he introduced the Beatitudes in terms of counter-cultural values and social justice. For example, meekness was described as being anti-power, position, possessions and violence. So much factors into our personal theologies of the role of Creation in our lives! Including exploitation and consumerism. Peter Harris (director of A Rocha) expanded on this by pointing out that facts aren’t enough—our attitude to Creation is rooted in choices which come from belief (which is why our theology is so important when it comes to Earth-keeping, and why bad recent theology has led to so much of Earth’s destruction). One example of underemphasized theology is the fact that when Jesus was resurrected (the first manifestation of the ‘eternally material’—of what we will be like in heaven in our resurrected bodies), he was flesh—he had scars and could be touched, and even ate.
Abreu focussed less on direct Scriptural examples of social and eco-justice, but on attitudes that cause inequality and oppression such as the desire for ‘relevancy,’ popularity, recognition, and power (apparently drawn from one of Nouwen’s interpretations of Jesus’ three temptations).
Speaker 4 - Stella Simiyu “The Word, Conservation and a Human Face: An African Perspective
Stella Simiyu, a biologist from Kenya involved with plant conservation asked about the role of those who worship the Creator considering “the global community has recognized the link among people, poverty, environmental conservation, economic growth and sustainable development.”
Speaker 5 - Peter Harris “Connecting Up”
The final speaker spoke very simply about basic Christianity and a just faith for the whole world. Much injustice in the world is due to selfishness and exploitation, which I think any Christian would agree is completely contrary to the values Jesus demonstrated. Another basic concept was brought up: Creation-care as worship. Very simply, we care for Creation because we love the Creator.
Workshop - Matthias Stiefel - “Political Security and Ecological Stress”
War was also talked about in the workshop I attended in the afternoon, which was directed by the president of Warn-torn Societies Project International (involved specifically in conflict resolution in Rwanda and elsewhere in Africa). He gave specific examples of how destructive war is to the land (acres of landmines making land unusable, refugees draining local resources out of need), and how control and use of resources leads to war. His suggestion is that Africa needs reconciliation, not justice (which leads to more war).
_________
editor's note:
For those interested/intrigued: An mp3 of the conference is available in full from Regent's online bookstore here
Sunday, January 15, 2006
From the editor
by Simon
So this is our first foray into the online journal world. This is ecologically sound, a far easier and more cost effective production, enables nice productive commenting/ feedback / conversation starters, and hey... it's a new year, let's try a new thang.
So, thanks to Kingsley for the stylin' header image, all our wonderful contributors, and of course of Lord, for enabling us to explore His created works. To finish my oscar acceptance speech I should mention all the old commonplaces which are available here for the first time (ever). Take a gander, unless you have a dial-up connection, in which case sell something and get broadband, or click and make a cup of English tea.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Table of Contents | January 2006
Mark: The Story So Far...
~James P gives an overview of our weekly study of "the Good News According to Mark"
Mysterious Dimensions
~Paul T takes a look at how inner formation, authentic community and journey combine to create a dynamic kinetic faith.
Theodicy and Salvation
~Narrowgate questions the profileration of apparent injustices and rampant evil
Sonnet - "Little Song"
~Sherry O offers a sonnet.
11 Commandments for a Healthy Spirit of Consumption
~An avant garde list straight from the pages of a book you might want to read.
Place Retreat Refelections I
~Katie S muses on social barriers and their aversion to Thetis Island
Place Retreat Refelections II
~Tally H recollects the defining moments of...
Mini-Miracles
~Kristjan B reflects on the little things and the Big Guy
An Honest, Creative Church for a New World
~A blast from the not-so-distant past: A visitor chronicles his introduction to the Place circa 2003.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Mark: the story so far...
We are almost in the middle of our seven-month journey through “The Good New According to Mark”. Mark shows us Jesus bursting on to the world scene establishing a new Kingdom. This Kingdom is not based on the values of this world. In fact, it clashes with every other kind of rule one might find in this world.
In chapter three, Randy showed us that there is a profound picture of the Kingdom in the very group that Jesus called around himself to be the first members of his new community, the twelve disciples. His choosing of twelve men was an obvious, deliberate sign of a renewal of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. There were twelve sons of Jacob (who’s name became “Israel”). This new community, the Church of Jesus Christ, is a new tribe, a new nation, a new race, and a new family.
One does not choose one’s birth family. One finds oneself growing up among these strangers whom one may or may not like. There is a common feeling among human beings when one thinks, “Maybe I was adopted” Some people think, “Please tell me I’m adopted!” But we are in the family we are in, whether we like the other members of our families, or are like the other members of our families.
These disciples, these first members of this new family, called “Christians”, were a community like a nuclear family. They were a community not based on being alike or necessarily liking each other. This new family included Peter (the rough country fisherman who was always making brash mistakes) and Nathaniel (the refined, intellectual Israelite snob). There was Matthew (the rich, big city tax collector capitalist) and Judas (the radical Zealot agitator). There was also James and John (the impetuous “Sons of Thunder”) as well as Thomas (the cautious doubter). I like to imagine them being at some of their early gatherings. Maybe Judas the Zealot sidled up to Matthew around the campfire. They are wearing their “Hello. My name is…” stickers. Judas says, “So, you’re one of those Roman collaborator, eh? You know, we killed a lot of you guys back in ‘04. Are you sure Jesus meant to pick you?”
This new community was not based on anything we might associate with a group getting along. It was not based on them liking each other. It was not based on them agreeing with each other. It was not based on a common morality. It was not based on them all being good at following Jesus. It was not based on their never making mistakes. It was not based on certain shared qualifications. It was not based on them looking alike. It was not based on their common age or economy. It was not based on their shared taste in worship music.
This is a picture of the Kingdom of God: A bunch of people who do not naturally belong together, being together, actually loving each other, because they are circled around a common centre. We are circled up around our common centre of Jesus Christ. This is what makes us God’s children - receiving Jesus Christ. This is what makes us brothers and sisters - believing in Jesus Christ. This is what gives us our common tribal calling - to circle up around Jesus Christ, learning to know, love and serve him together.
After Christmas we will circle up back around Mark’s portrayal of our Lord until Easter, that other great recognition of his work of revealing himself and reconciling the world to himself. Remember, we are doing this to get to know him better, and learn to be his family better as we learn to love and obey him more, and learn to love each other more.
Mysterious Dimensions
My thoughts on faith in the past have been quite linear. Sure, we say that our faith is in Jesus Christ, things hoped for... not seen ( Heb 12: etc ). But what do you think that means, how do you envision that to help you live a life of faith ? We have Scripture that conveys a lot about it. But I think that due to various reasons we lose the impact and connotation that was obvious to the original readers. Sometimes I think we need the stories in Scripture to be re-DJ'd in a sense. Remixing familiar elements of our cultures, theologies, sciences, histories, and 21st century daily life. Use those elements to season Scripture and create new interesting juxtapositions of understanding and depth. The following are some non exhaustive postures or dimensions that I hope will inspire toward a more dynamic kinetic faith.
The first dimension has to do with our inner formation. Someone once said that, " in-' FORMATION ' is more important than assimilating data for later regurgitation ". One beautiful picture of that is Mary the mother of Jesus, the vessel of the incarnation. This is a great picture for both men and women because if we are the bride of Christ, then, as my friend Doug Farr postulates, " are we not all, in a sense, ' female ' in Christ " ? We have Mary who had Christ conceived in her, growing, changing, invading her space, rearranging her insides, creating times of periodic illness. Her body's chemistry fluctuating to accommodate a new life that would eventually be birthed. The term Christian means ' little Christ ' but I wonder if it would be useful also to think of ourselves as ' little Mary's ' ? Where Christ has been conceived in us, impregnating our lives with his goodness, rearranging, invading, fluctuating our inner regions, the womb of our being. Periodic times of dis-' ease ' is to be expected, vomiting out that which we don't need. It's not always comfortable but eventually comfort comes. What kind of Christ are we birthing in to the world ? Is it attractive, peaceful, vibrant, something that makes people pause with wonder ? or is it sickly, deformed, irritable, suffering from a kind of worldly withdrawal syndrome ? Spiritual fertility verses religious barrenness, do you know the difference ?
The next dimension has to do with community or as I like to convey ' biotic* community ', metaphorically speaking. I'm not talking so much about going to church, people do that all the time and are not necessarily experiencing community. I'm also not talking about being in a group that's ' circling the wagons ' adopting a defensive posture and creating a ' them ' and ' us ' thing - producing exclusive, conformative cliques. I'm exploring the idea of faith communities being more like tribal hunter gatherers as opposed to settled, castle building, compartmentalized suburba-rites. Tribal individuals grow (mature) from dependence to independence to interdependence as a goal in creating a healthy fluid society. Everyone has a role to play in the survival and well being of the community. They're always exploring and relying on what the environment will give accepting that danger is never far away. In contrast, suburban attitudes tend to seek its own space, security, and privacy. Where individual rights and rigid legal strata bylaws are more important than communal 'give and take' for the greater good. Where neighbourhoods can have a more exclusive nature than inclusive and independence is more the norm, in fact the goal. I'm intrigued more with the hunter gatherer's way of life when it comes to my understanding of faith community - Hunting for the truth and gathering those who are lost or just lonely. In the past we've talked about 'relationship' as being most important in Christianity. I think that we need to take it a step further where corporate words like 'accountability' and slogans like 'unity not uniformity' fade into communal intimacy ( in - to - me - see ) in our pursuit of Christ like tribalism. Does the idea of commonality scare you ? If so, are your communities of Faith more corporate/organized or biotic/kindred, Legal ( strata ) or fluidic, more suburban or tribal in nature ?
My final dimension has to do with journey. Faith is more about journey then it is about destination, In fact I would speculate that journey is the destination. It's more about asking questions than having the answers, taking risks than seeking security , exploring faith not squelching with inquisition - things hoped for but not seen...yet. When Bono of U2 sings out, ".... and I still haven't found what I'm looking for !" It resonates to me of faithful nomadic pilgrimage, not settling for the here and now but always understanding there's more to learn and re-learn, more to imagine. Let the pursuit of faith lead you to a kind of undiscovered country. New possibilities and perspectives, where the valleys lead us higher and the peaks make us a little deeper - the 'Terra Nova' that you didn't know about. Oh, by the way, I'm not explicitly talking about geographical movement or change but at the same time I'm not ruling it out as part of the Itinerary either.
So, we have Inner formation, authentic community and journey as destination. It's a kind of triune posture of being, they are interlocked or overlapping each other. Inner formation would be hard pressed to occur without the midwifery of authentic community. Community without journey would become stagnant, self centred, inbred. It would have a tendency to pollute its own environment. It must continue a nomadic life of hunting for truth, gathering the lost, gleaning from others and exploring new frontiers. And journey without a people incarnated with Christ would be more like a crusade motivated by fear, hatred, indifference and religious bigotry. So these are some of my ponderings that are more inspirational than directional. These thoughts don't give practical, formulaic, step by step applications. But are meant to inspire diverse expressions for people who embrace a life of Faith.
* n : (ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
Theodicy And Salvation
“The Lord hasn‘t forgotten His promise to return like some people think. He‘s just waiting patiently, because He doesn‘t want anyone to go to hell; He wants everyone to turn to Him. But, He is coming.....” (Letters To Street Christians - 2 Peter 3: 9)In 1710, Leibnitz, a theologian, created the word “theodicy” for something that most of us have battled in our minds at some point. The Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary defines the word as: “the justification of Divine providence by the attempt to reconcile the existence of evil with the goodness and sovereignity of God.” To put that in simpler terms, it is “the defense of God’s goodness, and nature of being all powerful; in light of the existence of evil.”
When we read the newspapers or watch the telly, we are bombarded with a world gone beserk. We can easily get upset at God when we see the pedophiles preying on young children, violent abuse of others - even for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, wars, AIDS and HIV epidemics, or global warming. Most families in North America either have someone affected by some sort of cancer, or know others that do. The papers this week are talking about the cross between crystal meth and ecstacy hitting the streets, one of the scariest drug combos yet. Where is this all going to end? Why doesn’t God reach out and do something about this? How can God, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving, tolerate such apparent injustices and rampant evil?
Maybe God is even more upset about it than we are! Since God is omnipresent (everywhere at once), He can see when some young child is taken and abused; a girlfriend or wife that is beaten up; children becoming orphans because of disease, war, or starvation; people affected by other’s greed and lust; and the results from temptations young people find themselves in as the result of peer pressures. If God was sick of the Israelites after He led them out of Egypt, and wanted to wipe them off the planet (Ex. 32: 9-10), what must He feel about our generation? He wants to destroy the earth and bring judgement because of what people do to others. Yet, He holds off. And people keep suffering and dying.
As you nod your head in agreement, here is something for you to consider. Both you and I owe our salvation to Him for holding off!!!
God has been ready to wipe out the human race longer than any of us have been alive. It is only because of His mercy that any of us are still here after so many decades of evil. I became a Christian on August 10 (a few years ago). But, what if His patience had run out on the world on August 9? What if His patience had run out the day before YOU became a disciple of Jesus? One day He is going to pull the plug. He is going to draw a line in the dirt, and whoever is on the wrong side of that line is going to be in BIG trouble. I was raised in a Christian home, went to Bible camp every year, and attended church three times on Sundays. Yet, I balked at making a committment until I was nearly 15 years old. What if God had pulled the plug before I’d committed to follow Him?
When I hear of thousands in China becoming Christians every week, and whole villages turning to Christ in India, Africa, and Indonesia, I know that there are millions of people out there who might come to Jesus is they were given just “one more day.” When we hear about terrible things and we throw up our hands and wonder why God didn’t intervene, we need to thank Him for everyone who has heard the good news and found Him - today.
I am against making “New Year’s Resolutions,” as I am very aware that they last a few hours at the most. However, we daily need to ask God to mold our lives, making us more like Christ in our language, our conversations, work ethics, and inteaction with others. In doing so, we will be reaching others for Christ - while there still is time.
Sonnet - “Little Song”
That you will listen and accept my heart,
Or perceive in the pulse behind its thrust,
The intent it stammers to impart,
And what strength it takes to dissect
The meaning from a lifetime spent - afraid to speak,
For this sensitive soul still yearns to connect,
But sharp edged words have spliced too deep,
More safe then, to carefully sketch and try
With soft lines to express each small gift of choice,
To come to a place - to one day imply
On your ear; the shape that will become my voice,
That if patiently tuned to my attempts to learn and be clear,
Will return in pure song the compassion you’ll hear.
11 commandments for a healthy spirituality of consumption
Consume No Logo.
Consume Ad Busters.
Consume no meat.
Consume fair trade.
Consume using your own shopping bags.
Consume recyclable packaging.
Consume second hand clothing.
Consume at sales.
Consume no pirated software.
Consume no CFCs.
Consume the body and blood of Jesus.
Place Retreat Reflections I
The longest Place Retreat ever! To be honest, I didn’t really notice the extra hour, but I think I slept through it so that may be why. The place retreat is always an interesting experience. It’s a place where you feel socially awkward, surrounded by people you don’t know but wish you knew because you see them every Sunday and they seem really cool but you’re just too scared to talk to them. In my case that might be a direct result of me being a dork and knowing that if I talk to those cool people they’ll find out. But that’s a different story all together. Then there are the people who you swear you’ve never seen before and you find it hard to believe that you’re members of the same community. And if you’re like me and you’re scared to go anywhere without someone you know, one or many of your good friends are there too. With these people you laugh, learn and act just plain crazy. You’re a mixing pot of creativity and enthusiasm.
The thing that is most amazing to me about this annual event is that social barriers are torn down. Our community is a giant farrago of people who come from different places and are passionate about different things. That’s something that makes the Place beautiful, but I personally find it challenging. I’ve heard more than a few times that our community can come across as exclusive or cliquey. It’s outright scary to walk through those doors for the first time on a Sunday night, into a motley mass of unfamiliar faces. I’ve been going to the place for over five years and sometimes it still freaks me out. But in a group of people as large as us, it’s impossible to really feel a sense of community if you don’t break up into smaller units. The Place Retreat proves to me, and I hope others, that we are an accepting and welcoming community. When there’s a slightly smaller number of us from all different social circles, making yourself vulnerable to people you don’t know by letting them know you is so much more tangible. I wouldn’t say that the retreat makes fewer yet larger Place pods; our social groupings don’t necessarily change. But it sure creates a lot more friendly faces on a Sunday night, and that in itself makes the Place feel more like home.
Place Retreat Reflections II
Imagine a place where ocean, trees, and mountains meet, where time is set aside for conversing over coffee and for canoe rides and jaunty forest strolls, and everyone pitches in to help clean up at the end of the day. The soundtrack is amazing, and all join in doing the Lord's work feeding the season's last mosquitoes.
Such was the Place retreat. To spend a weekend among friendly and interesting people eager to talk, to listen, and to raise their voices in every kind of joyful noise imaginable (the cowbell had not previously occurred to me as an instrument of praise) was a delight and a privilege. Much time was spent in conversation over mugs of hot caffeinated beverages, the only drawback of this being that one was also prone to spend a great deal of time in the washroom. But even there I found opportunities to meet people!
And the craft - that's when I knew I was among like-minded folk, when the adults were given an opportunity to do a craft. It was like getting to be in Sunday school all over again, but this time with fingers better coordinated to handle the scissors. (Tissue paper never gets any easier to deal with.)
All in all it was a fantastic, restful experience. I came away from the retreat praising God for putting such great people in my life - in all of our lives - and for coffee, music, Amy Grant, and even tissue paper.
Mini-Miracles
I got a daily devotional calendar from mom and dad this past Christmas. You know, like the Dilbert or Far Side ones where you peel away the previous day’s witty retort or cynical insight to reveal your next chortle. Only these ones are about inspiration…
I’ve never been very comfortable with open devotion or spiritual inspiration. I smiled and thanked mom and dad kindly (no kiss or hug like for a big gift) and thinking, “Now for the real gifts…” started digging under the tree like a schoolboy, without another thought about the calendar.
Turns out, it was the best gift of all. Can’t even remember the other ones right now. I’ll get back to you on that.
But a little talk at The Place on a recent Sunday (not the sermon, though it was great) got me reflecting on the little things. The mini-miracles. The stolen moments from other commitments and pressing engagements. The odd happenstances when the little neck hairs jump up and tingle and you know The Big Guy is saying something.
The moment hits you. And it can be easier to push it down. “I’ll deal with this later…maybe…” you think. And maybe you will. Not everyone does. Nor are you necessarily ready at the time.
…grade 5 art class and the teacher, whom I had the equivalent of a 10-year-old boy crush on with her resplendent, swollen belly asked me to whip up to the Zellers on Shelbourne for a can of black paint.
With vigour and freewheeling speed I pedalled my heart out wanting to impress, but missed the turn and tumbled out into traffic smacking my noggin on the blacktop; seeing a brilliant white light. I opened my eyes and was staring at the underside of a chrome bumper with a women crying on her knees next to me.
With embarrassment and not a word, I remounted and fulfilled my duty…carefully. Took me a long time to figure that one out.
…early years of university and feeling black and lonely, I visited my childhood church on a weekday, when I should have been doing something else. With no one around but the secretary, who smiled and recognized me but said nothing (though I hadn’t shown my face in ages), I wandered into the sanctuary and randomly chose a seat.
I noticed a Bible in front of me, directly in line with my sternum. I picked it up and flipped randomly to something in the Gospels, then simply read the passage where my eyes fell and was immediately awash in a message that spoke to me at that moment.
With a prayer and a smile, I replaced the Bible. Looking left and right, I noticed it was the only one in the pew. I smiled, thinking that's silly. Then, with an odd suspicion, stood and walked the length of the aisle checking the other pews. It was the only Bible in the whole church not carefully returned to its resting place on the shelf at the front.
…a couple of years ago, picking up some photos of a just-done motorbike trip, I parked next to a bike of the same make and model line as mine. Stopped to admire it (it had a larger displacement than mine), then walked in to get my photos.
When I came out, the rider of the other bike was admiring mine. “Nice bike…good brand…picking up photos of your last bike trip, eh? Me, too.” We had a good chat then exhanged business cards with personal numbers quickly written on the back.
He said, “I don’t usually do this,” meaning exchanging his actual business card without knowing me first. Turns out he was a cop and they are shy about letting on before getting to know you. But he had a good feeling about me. He’s one of my best friends, now.
The day after that little, non-sermon talk at The Place that got me thinking about mini-miracles, my daily devotional calendar had the following message: “Blessed are those who learn to see the finger of God in the conpsiracy of accidents that make up their daily lives; they shall be rewarded with daily miracles.” Ronald Rolheiser, 21st C.
Well, thanks Ronnie, and mom and dad, and Big Guy. That’s just what I needed. Oh, and that other gift? It was a shiny European football jersey. Just what I wanted, though I hadn’t asked, and mom and dad got their big-gift hug and kiss. But I bet they’d be more pleased with this story…I think I’ll tell them soon.
An Honest, Creative Church for a New World
The church leaders flocking to Willow Creek to learn new ways of doing church from its corporate-style approach may be missing the mark for the next generation of souls. The polished, suit-and-tie performances of the seeker services may attract affluent boomers, but they do not appeal to the more earthy busters.
"The Place,", not far from the University of Victoria, is no grand show, but it is hard to find a seat. This "community within a church" is hosted by the non-denominational Lambrick Park Church, and uses their sanctuary space for weekly Sunday night gatherings. If there is a dress code, it is jeans and a shaved head. The music is up-beat: a mix of Christian, mainstream (eg. U2), and home-grown. Everything from announcements to sermon is relaxed and unpretentious.
One of the announcements on this February Sunday night is regarding a documentary on drug abuse that is showing in a local theatre. "I think we should go," says the pastor, "and check out the discussion forum afterwards." There are a few more announcements and then someone says, "Check out our web-site for details, and please turn off your cell- phones."
The sermon is on Exodus 15 and 16, and the topic is "tests". After a short comedy-routine on the speakers’ many failed drivers’ tests, he launches into a story-by-story exegesis of the Israelites sojourn in the wilderness. Regarding the manna and quails, he says, "God provides for us in some pretty bizarre ways." Regarding all the wilderness tests, he concludes, "This is the purpose of the test of life: God is fitting you for a promised land. Will you trust and obey him?"
Pastor as Jester in Jeans
What attracts this standing-room only crowd of 600 twenty-something young adults? The web site lists four core values: orthodoxy, engagement (with broader culture), community, and beauty. But the front of their introductory brochure sums it up best: "exploring authentic faith." The Place accepts you as you are: broken, searching, sinful. "The gift this congregation has given is that I’m allowed to be myself," says Randy Hein, one of two full-time staff at the Place and generally known to be the visionary although "reluctant" pastor. "Some pastors are lonely, but I want to do, play, and be church with my friends. Some pastors are dishonest— not allowed to be vulnerable—but I want to lead out of weakness and vulnerability. I want to take God seriously, but not ourselves. I’m not the authority. I’m more of the jester."
You would not know Hein was the leader of this Christian community experiment. His name is hard to find on the literature. He does not always preach. When he does come up to make announcements his unbuttoned flannel shirt and goofy antics grate against all ministerial stereotypes. He has degrees in philosophy and theology, but he does not advertise them. He only mentions his inspirations as Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Jacques Ellul, and Brian McLaren when pressed. "The emphasis must be on the community," he insists. "The Place is not just that Sunday night service," he explains. "It’s the drink and fellowship afterwards at the pizza joint. It’s the small groups, the Koionia Garden that harvests vegetables for the poor." He adds that the mix of church kids, drug dealers, addicts, anarchists, single mothers, and navy personnel that make up the community would not come to just a conventional church worship service.
One of their original songs puts it this way:
Might not fit in anywhereGenerationally Exclusive?
Might be tired of being scared…
But grace is for the weak
Rest is for the weary
And Solace for the freaks
And the best is for the needy.
When asked about the lack of generational diversity in The Place (the average age is @ 25), Hein says they never promote this community in age-specific terms. "In fact," he defends, "we deliberately communicate a value for the elderly. They know I have mentors who are over 60. We know we are young in faith and maturity, and we have to be careful."
The Place may not wave the banner of youth, but they do certainly promote and celebrate the gift of creativity. Art exhibits, special concerts, and open mike evenings are part of the regular venue. The Place has also produced its own worship CD entitled "Under the Rubble."
Additionally, they have just come out with the second issue of their own journal of poetry, art and writing called Disclaimer. "Café Suburbia" is a warm, candle-lit space down the hall where one can enjoy a specialty coffee, pizza, or piece of home-made cake after a service or concert. "I was at a conventional church this morning," says one man in a Hawaiian shirt with a mocha. "It was dry and boring. I come here because its uplifting." "Yeah," says a Navy man beside him. "This place is alive."
Away from Christian Sub-culture
The Place isn’t all novelty, though. They read scripture, pray, take an offering, baptise, provide childcare, and celebrate communion every other week. They have two leadership teams, one is the vision leaders (the "elders") and the other is the core leaders (the "deacons").
Their web site www.theplace.ca gives a clearer picture of what is behind this movement: its begins with a deep dissatisfaction with the church today, and more specifically, the Christian sub-culture the leaders grew up in. Writes Hein, "They had TV, we created ‘Christian TV’ They had rock, we had ‘Christian rock’. We just imitated everything that the world did. Only it wasn’t as good. It was just more sanitary." The Place grieves the cultural life of the church, "where everything seemed so second rate… almost dishonest."
This is their vision: "We desire—we are striving—to be relevant. To show Jesus is real and accessible to this post-Christian generation. We desire to engage the culture that we live in… We are sceptical—irreverent— but it has made us uncomfortably honest. We are willing to take risks and explore…"
The Place is an eclectic mix of the loud and celebratory and the liturgical. It wants to be a safe place where questions can be asked. It strives to be a community of love and dialogue. In one sentence, this is the difference with the corporate-style churches: "We are more interested in
something that is honest than something that is polished."
Dissatisfied with Dissatisfaction
The Place is a risky venture that does not attract every demographic in town. Another young Navy man in town declines the invitation to check it out. "The fact that they are ‘dissatisfied’ with the church says everything," he explains. "That’s not me. I like the hymns and the organ. And that they are self-described as ‘irreverent’—I don’t like that."
One may question many aspects of this endeavour: whether it is centred on a personality or entertainment, what deeper theological tradition it expounds, and how discipline, accountability, and stability are valued and implemented. Its future is uncertain, but no one questions the organic nature of this new community. Organic, after all, is culturally savvy. And dissatisfaction? That’s where church reformers like Calvin began as well, both vocationally and theologically.
"We want to engage the culture in its language, we want to be a beacon of light in a dark place," muses Hein. "Anything that perpetuates that light, no matter how little, we want to continue that."