recording with adam
Originally uploaded by jasonevans.
Looking for a job sucks. I'm averaging about 10 resumes sent out a week. Sometimes more. And usually at least 5 "networking" meetings a week. Still nothing. To add insult to injury, this is the last month that I get paid by the CAL. I never imagined that it would take this long. I have to admit that there are moments when I feel as though leaving construction over a year ago was a mistake. We thought it was the right thing to do–and of course, we had not idea that the economy was going to tank like this–but, geez, what timing, eh!?
I should stop there before it gets uglier. I'm having a bad day... clearly.
I should stop there before it gets uglier. I'm having a bad day... clearly.
Response to Bird's List
I took issue with Warren Bird's post on Leadership Network's site on church innovation. He emailed me asking for some explanation. Warren's key ideas are in bold. The rest are my responses:
The first issue I take with this: you title it as Kingdom. None of these seem to connect with the biblical ideas of kingdom to much depth at all. Rather, they are about sociology.Your thoughts?
Regarding each item:
• Externally focused churches as key idea for evangelical churches
This might be the only one that holds water. But speaking to folks that are on the inside of the "movement" called Externally focused church, it seems to me that most of these churches are not externally focused, simply needing a new spin on an old idea: church growth. You said this isn't the 90's yet this idea is simply another spin on "seeker" church. Which as we can see from recent innovative research hasn't worked as well as we thought. Read Reveal for one.
• Shifting opinions on social issues in the 18-35 year old demographic that are shaping the emphases of the church
This is an age old reality. Nothing new. Young people always have more progressive view points on social issues than their parents. And unfortunately, it isn't shaping the church enough. The Church, and the evangelical church (which I consider myself one of) is still firmly rooted in a power structure that does not allow it to see it's own misgivings (hence, a list such as this).
• Multi-site churches
This is innovatite? Or a theological dictatorship? I live in the same county as Larry Osborne and I believe this to be one of the most detrimental ideas we've come up with in recent history. Nothing exposes more how consumer-centric we have become.
• The rise of networks as the key focus for church planting and resourcing in other ways
This isn't innovation. This is the response of evangelical churches who cannot get their denominational agencies to work with them on church planting and mission. And it also exposes our common habit as evangelicals to splinter and fragment when we're unhappy rather than confront and stick with it for the long haul.
• Open source content freely given away for church resources via computer
Consumer-centrism. Not innovation.
• The rise of church websites/pastor blogs/podcasts and videocasts as church communication tools
How long has the internet been around, Warren? This is new? I just can't believe that this is tagged as one of the more innovative things we're doing.
• Social networking tools (facebook/twitter/myspace/custom tools) being utilized by churches and parachurch groups
Above.
• Bringing management and leadership focus into church in a fresh way
This isn't innovative. It's vague. What does this even mean?
• Greater awareness by U.S. megachurches and others to international missions and humanitarian efforts around the world
This isn't innovation. This should be a confession.
• From “marketplace to ministry” as strong source of staff members of churches. Emphasis on “homegrown”
Bringing people in from the marketplace has not commonly had the greatest impact on discipleship but the greater commodification of how we do church.
• Deeper penetration and shifts in small group models (life groups, cells, etc.) into a broad variety of churches
This is an age-old reality. Nothing new. It's just that Neil Cole's books are now getting attention. Mega-churches have been talking about small groups for a long time.
1 Kings Reflection
Mennonite Mission Network is preparing a series of sermon "prompts" for Mission Sunday in November. They asked me to write something on 1 Kings 17:8-16. Here's my reflection:
In this passage, Elijah is instructed to ask a poor widow for assistance. She has barely enough to feed herself and her son. She believes they are on the brink of death. Yet, God prompts Elijah to ask the widow to make him a meal. Can you imagine asking someone in a bread line to make you a meal?! There is a profound lesson for people of privilege to learn from this passage of what it means to be with people in need. Conversely, there is a profound lesson for people in need to learn from this passage of what it means to be with people of privilege.Would love your feedback.
It is often assumed–at least within Christian circles–that the have’s ought to offer charity to the have-not’s. I don’t want to disregard this instinct. But there is more to the relationship between those with and those without than charity. We do not simply serve people on the margins, we serve with people on the margins. God sees within all people something of worth, something to contribute to the work of his Kingdom coming on Earth. For this to happen, people of privilege must move beyond hand-outs and risk asking those same people who would commonly receive to give. It requires us to recognize our own shortcomings, our weakness, our own need. In short, it requires humility.
How many times have young people returned from service opportunities and shared of their personal transformation? As a poor, migrant worker receiving clothes and food from young, bubbly teenagers once told me, “I think they are receiving more than me.” We must recognize how much we receive from giving. And that it is only part of what God is doing when people from both sides of the economic scale come together.
On the other hand, those that receive assistance from others often assume a passive posture. It isn’t an easy place to be in. It is often not simply humbling but humiliating. Yet, in this passage–as said above–God believes all people have worth and reason to contribute to his work in the world. In the passage in 1 Kings, the widow served even when she had so little. She trusted Elijah which may have not been an easy thing. The down-and-out are often taken advantage of, their vulnerability abused. But this woman continued to do what is right, to put other needs before her own. The lesson here is not to continue giving away what we don’t have, but to acknowledge the value we have even when we feel without value in the lens of the world. Remember, it has always been the hands that held so little worldly power that have made the most radical changes throughout history. From the Hebrew slaves of Egypt to the farm workers of California in the 60's. It is the empty handed who God seems to most commonly empower for the continued preparation of Christ's Kingdom come.
really great night
It was a really great night. Thanks to everyone who came out. Thanks to everyone who bought artwork. Thanks to Brooke for the great homemade Sangria. Thanks to Adams and Eves for their wonderful tunes, mustached guitars and nice ties. Thanks to Plant with Purpose for sharing their work with everyone... And thanks to Jon for the photo.If you couldn't make up your mind on Saturday night, visit our shop and purchase something.
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More pics here.
new pieces
Children I (12"x12")
Originally uploaded by jasonevans.
We have a few new pieces up in the gallery. We hope to have a few more up in the next couple of days. Check it out and don't forget the art and music show on the 18th!
Street Art in South Park
Street Art in South Park
Originally uploaded by jasonevans.
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snake babies pics
SnakeBabies6
Originally uploaded by greg_or.
My buddy Greg took some pics at our last show...
Thanks, Greg!
new pieces
Development I (12"x12") $60
Originally uploaded by jasonevans.
A couple new pieces up at fireandflowers.com. Check it out!
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