We Are Jonah

A Snapshot...

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Yeah, I've been a little slow lately, but that's because I signed myself up to list all the people that have influenced me, and then I thought how biiiiiiiiig a list that would be... So yes, I wimped out, but it will come soon. I promise...

Instead, though, I thought I would offer a snapshot of where I'm at right now:

Wednesday 22nd August, 2007

I am feeling:

Meh. Still not quite well, but it seems that Marianne is getting over her cold, which makes me happy.

I am wearing:

My new funky jacket from JAG!. It's trenchcoat colour (yes, that may be the technical term), and Richard pointed out that from the waist up I look like Columbo or something, but I like it! It is seriously so cool to have a sister-in-law that works at a clothing store - I get to have nice looking clothes without spending the money that the horrible money-grubbing corporations ask for them - yay!

I am thinking:

About gender, creation, headship, submission and Corinthians 11. We're coming up to the good ol' controversial "Headship passage" in a few weeks, and I want to be thoroughly read, thought and prayed up.

As to where I land on the whole issue, I'm beginning to see more and more that in God's Kingdom, as in all of God's world, there are indeed relationships of authority and submission (as much as some may want to refute that, you really can't get out of it...), but the way that they play out is very different from the wisdom of the world.

So, we can't just throw this portion of inspired, divine Scripture out because we're uncomfortable with it. It doesn't work that way. What we must do, instead, is look at the "why's" of Paul's instuctions regarding head coverings and such. We must see what timeless truths these culturally-sensitive practices were symbolising and proclaiming, and then creatively and sensitively set about demonstrating the same truths to the world that we live in. Easy, right :) And FTR, thoughts are definitely welcome!

I am struggling:

To work out -- still! -- what we should do with regards to Church. Where to call home. Who to commit to building community with and working alongside. Honestly, it is driving Marianne and I slowly insane! We are craving community and belonging, but strangely reluctant to commit to anyone or anything. We are cynical and skeptical and lonely and more than a little scared >:(

Here's my current thoughts:

Williamstown Church of Christ, which we have been going to quite often, have asked me to join their "Experimental Design Team", which is all about taking stock of where the Church is and finding creative ways of moving into a more missional stance. It is admittedly a "long-term" solution, and I definitely do understand - major large-scale cultural change is a long process...

There are obviously people there who are passionate, aware of their problems and willing to change to see the community impacted with the Gospel, which is awesome! But on the downside - not counting us there are *TWO* people under 40 there! They realise that what they need is a surge of young, passionate, active, Jesus-lovin' young people, but I don't know whether it is even *possible* for a bunch of 40, 50 and 60-somethings to reach out, embrace and get along with young professionals and families... But then again, impossible is God's middle name (well not literally, but you know what I mean...)

On the other hand, John Jensen has told me about all the awesome things happening in Footscray and Ascot Vale, which is not just one Church doing alright, but his bunch, and Footscray Salvo's, and Footscray CoC, and people from Urban Seed in the city, all working together to take the Gospel to the kinds of places that need it most... They seem to have the right idea about spreading out and networking, and basically they seem to be actually *doing* what I've only found myself talking about.

I don't agree with all of the "emerging-ness" that I've seen, and I can see the potential in these sorts of situations to easily (and sometimes gladly) slip away from the historic, orthodox Christian faith for something a little more hip, accepting and modern. But honestly, sometimes, compared to some of what I've seen and heard, the EC can look like the freakin' doctrine police! And they don't always get it right, but at least they think about it...

I think that given a little time, I could fall absolutely in love with the passionate chasing of community, social justice and living differently to the cookie-cutter mold that the world bombards us with. I mean, younger people that actually love Jesus and are reaching for a better world? You don't see that everyday (unfortunately...) I think that, even if we go with Willy, I will be keeping in touch with John and his peeps. The opportunity to talk, learn, debate and argue with a real guy that loves and follows Jesus, and walks in his footsteps no matter how radical it may look, is far too much to let it slip by. And the creative ideas and opportunities for service that hooking up with these guys presents is amazing, especially in the oft-creatively burned out state that I find myself in quite a lot right now...

I'm Reading:

Not a lot of books, actually, though I'm really wanting to get my hands on "Colossians: Remixed". As I said before, we're going through 1 Corinthians right now, so I've been reading over that for the millionth time (which is excellent, difficult, challenging and really enlightening), and I'm reading Ezekiel and a little Hebrews in my own time... I just finished reading "Fallen", which is a novelisation of the Fall, told backwards from Cain's death to Eve's apple-biting. It's really good, kind of weird, excellently written and a little angry at God... =/

Finally, I am listening:

To a lot of free stuff on MySpace. I am, unexpectedly, really getting into The Killers and The Strokes, as well as the current crazes of Muse, Copeland and Dashboard Confessional, though they've recently replaced all their songs and I'm really missing "Stolen".

Just yesterday I even found myself listening to Panic! At the Disco and 30 Seconds to Mars (two bandnames that I really love, actually), and on the rare moments that I'm away from the computer, I'm listening to Switchfoot's "Oh, Gravity" and "The Beautiful Letdown" albums on repeat.

Labels: church, life, snapshot

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