Follow Up

We had a great time last Friday night reading and discussing the first "chapter" of Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Anna made some delicious desserts that Leslie mistook for "fish and loaves" because of their ever replenishing nature. And then Casey and I went into our little XBox world and didn't come out for a while. And we capped it off with Waffle House, although the group was only down to 4 by this time.

I just wanted to let everyone know I'm working up a tentative schedule for the next 3 or 4 months. Of dates, locations, and food. And I'll design something nifty and pass it out next time we get together on March 10th (location undetermined).

I also passed out a "message" by Doug Pagitt. If I forgot to give you a copy, you can download it here or I'll give you one the next time I see you.

Movement Three This Friday Night

I just wanted to remind everyone about this Friday night. We’ll be meeting at our house (I’ll email directions out later in the week) at 7:00 pm. Everybody will be on there on for dinner, but we will have coffee, hot chocolate, etc. And if you’re really adventurous, some of us may give IHOP or Waffle House a late night run when we finish up around 9 or so.

Remember to go out and purchase Velvet Elvis and read chapter one for discussion. As you’re reading, if you have a question about something or something makes you “uncomfortable”, just write it down we can discuss Friday. Or if something totally resonates with you, write that down as well and we can talk about that too. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email me. See you guys Friday!

Overview of Friday Night

Below is kind of a rough draft of some of the notes that I sketched out for our conversation. Feel free to add your thoughts from the discussion in a comment or email me and I'll be more than happy to add you to the administrative list so you can add your own thoughts. There are also some pictures attached below.

“We live in a pornographic culture.” – Eugene Peterson
Meaning we tend to objectify people. View people in terms of their content.

This objectifying of people, we turn people into the content of their actions or thoughts instead of their relational being.

In our culture, “content” dominates. In our churches, “content” dominate. So when disagreements arise, there is an inevitable clash. And at the expense of the relationship.

In the biblical texts, and especially with Jesus, the emphasis is on the relationship instead of the “content” or issue”. Whereas, we are terribly occupied with the “issue” at the expense of the relationship.

STORY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
The Father wasn’t concerned with the issue but with the relationship (Luke 15: 20-24)
The brother wasn’t concerned with the relationship but with the issue (Luke 15:25-30)

Both had to do with a lack of listening. I think that is where we really begin to understand and embrace the other in love. Hearing intently. More time should be focused on the character and interchanges of the relationship than on the disagreement on the issue.

“There can be no doctrinal orthodoxy without first being a good friends.” – Pope Something

And what we need in most issues of conflict is not a doctrinal statement but a relational statement. We have to realize that the other person is larger than the issue or the culture they symbolize. Even more so with our enemies.

As we negotiate these relationships we must do so with HEALING as the ultimate aim. Anything that doesn’t take into account this ministry of healing is missing it.