Interactive Sermon

Cyber Confession?

The internet has brought us a lot of good things.  This blog for instance (shameless self-aggrandizing plug!).  But we all know that it has brought many bad things - internet predators for instance, a term no one knew a mere decade ago.

One of the real downsides of the internet, I am convinced, is the ease with which anonymity can enter into relationships.  For a few years now Pastoral Counseling professionals have been dealing with a sharp increase in extra-marital relationships, now of the 'cyber' variety.  In other words, spouses are turning to internet relationships to have their relational and emotional needs, and many times even in an attempt to have their physical needs met.  It can all be anonymous.  On the internet you can be tall, dark and handsome even if you are really short, pale and rotund - who needs to know?  On the internet you can look like Barbie; or you can be Barbie; and sometimes you may think you're talking to Barbie and it might actually be some twisted Ken!  You get my point.

Taking a step away from romantic relationships, consider even relationships in the work environment.  I now know several people who never personally (face to face) interact with their supervisors or managers, but rather have all of their communications through internet technology.  Some of you are thinking that this is a benefit, and indeed there may be cases where it is.  But, the de-personalizing of society has its ills associated with it too.  It's much easier for corporate America to view an out-of-sight-out-of-mind workforce as numbers and not lives.

Now this: a new wave of websites catering to the burdened hearts of sinners - cyber confessional sites.  Check this article from the Miami Herald.  I'll admit that one of the links caught my eye - the IScrewedUp.com link was begun by a church in South Florida that I know very well, Flamingo Road Church.  I have friends on the staff there and family members of mine have attended there.  I looked around their confessional site for a few minutes.  I read a lot of brokenness and remorse.  I also wondered if the internet is the proper venue for these confessions.

Here are a few of my initial thoughts: (1) I worry that there are many times when we want to simply get something off our chest, rather than make a genuine confession and follow through with repentance and perhaps facing the consequences of our action.  I wonder if this type of a cyber confession doesn't make that short-sighted relief, rather than confession, likely.  (2) I worry about the desire for spiritual anonymoity.  I am not advocating the blanket public confession of all deep, dark brokenness issues, but rather that having brothers and sisters who will stand with us in our battle, to encourage us, and even to confront us, is a key tool the Lord gives us in this life.  I don't think an internet community can adequately replace the Body of Christ.  (3) I think it feeds into the human tendency (or would temptation be a better word?) for voyeurism.  This is why the society we live in loves watching Jerry Springer-like television.  If we see someone whose life (sin) is more dysfunctional than ours, we can look at our own life (sin) in the mirror and see it as a little more palatable.  I'm not sure that's a good thing.

What do you think about this manner of confessing sin?  Is a cyber confession effectual?  Are there instances where you might see this as a useful tool?  Is it a harmful thing or the wave of the future?

Technorati Tags: Confession, Sin, Cyber-Confessional, Culture, Christianity

Robert Webber 1933-2007

Seminary Professor and Author Robert Webber entered glory on Friday.  He had been battling pancreatic cancer for many months.

Webber coined the term 'Ancient/Future Faith', and in his writings gave me much thought provocation on the subject of living and sharing my faith in a post-modern setting.  His book 'Younger Evangelicals' is one of the better reads I've completed in the last few years.

Here's a touching post from Christianity Today about Webber.

Heaven rejoices to receive another of God's sons!

Technorati Tags: Robert Webber, Younger Evangelicals, Ancient Future

Preparing Our Hearts

As we prepare to gather to worship the Lord in the morning, Shari and the music team are getting a song set ready that includes some Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Shane & Shane music, as well as a couple great hymn arrangements.

If you would like to give an advance read to the text we will consider together in the morning, give Matthew 6:1-18 a read.  Pay particular attention to the repeated phrase 'But when you ...'.  We will be considering the motives behind our devotions.

Whether you are out for the 9AM service or the 11AM service, I look forward to sharing in worship with you.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Matthew 6:1-18

And With The Fourth Pick

... of the first round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Calvin Johnson, wide receiver out of Georgia Tech.  There it is.  Mark my words.  Unless*

The Raiders have the first pick.  Everybody knows that they need to choose a quarterback.  But, the Raiders have an uncanny way of shooting at their own sails.  So, there is a possibility they will choose Johnson over either of the quarterbacks on the board.  If that happens - allowing for the Raider-factor - that pick will sound like this:

... of the first round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Joe Thomas, offensive tackle out of Wisconsin.

There you have it.  The Pigskin Preacher hath prognosticated!

Technorati Tags: NFL Draft, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pigskin Preacher

What's On My Mind?

A mind is a terrible thing to waste!

Shari & Me ~ To celebrate our birthdays together, we have planned a little time away today.  In mere moments we will set out for destinations unknown.  The girls will have a great day arguing with one another and going into each other's rooms, fighting over the television remote and whose turn it is to walk the dogs - and Shari and I will be carefree!  So, children: try not to draw blood until Mom and I get back.  We've got a rainy day drive to nowhere planned!

My Blog! ~ Thanks friends for sharing another milestone with me.  Over the course of the last few days (most likely on Monday when I launched the new blog, though I can't be sure because the counter transition took me a few days) Interactive Sermon crossed the 25,000 views threshold.  WOW!  I am humbled and very grateful for your sharing this journey with me.  You'll have to let me know what you think of the new look and new features.  There is still more on the way, but I am having to learn as I go, and ... (insert technology-challenged Darin joke here).

Writing ~ I managed some real progress last night on my Parson To Person project, a small portion of which I posted yesterday, and I'll put some more up in the coming days.  I've also made some progress on two other projects (recall the 'living with one foot in my dreams and one in reality' comments in yesterday's Dreams piece?).  For those of you who continue to pray for me and encourage me in these dreams, thank you!

The NFL Draft ~ "And with the fourth pick of the first round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select ... ." Do you want me to tell you?  Well, I will.  Saturday. 

My Car Keys ~ I'm outta here.  Hot date with a fine blond! 

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Blogging, Writing, Football, Marital Bliss

Cooperative Christian High School?

Over the last few months there has been a lot of talk among the local pastors about the possibility of starting a Cooperative Christian High School in the area.  I've been invited to a few of the meetings.  I'm really up in the air about it.

First of all, after 25 years, Milford Christian Academy is closing its doors at year's end.  It's simple math.  They have been losing money for years.  It's time to stop the bleeding.  In fact, I'm aware of several other Christian Schools in our immediate area that are annually on financial life support.  Each of these schools has a fair amount of students.  The problem hasn't been a want for students, but rather a want for students whose parents can pay their tuition.  Many are needing financial help or paying reduced tuition.  Still, many of my peers argue, "there is a market for a Christian High School in our area".  Is there?  The financial realities I've mentioned suggest to me that there might be an appetite for a Christian High School but not a market for it.

I also struggle with those who are of a militant mindset that Christian kids should go to Christian schools.  Perhaps Christians should only drink milk from Christian cows.  I look back over the last few years at Christ's Church and I'm proud of all our graduates.  The fact is that most of them are the products of public schools.  They received their Christian education growing up in solid families and by being a part of an authentic church family.  They learned to live and practice their faith in the real world.  I am not convinced that this is a bad thing.

Finally, at our last Cooperative Christian High School meeting, we were joined by a Christian School consultant.  He alerted us to the reality that, in order for a Christian Secondary School to offer a comprehensive education program, the tuition for a student would need to be on the order of $9000 a year.  I have four girls.  $36000 a year for a Christian School education for my family?  I have to be honest.  I'll never be convinced that is the best decision for me to make as a father.

I'm interested in your opinions.  Were you raised in public or private schools?  Your children?  What are your thoughts on the market, the philosophy and the advantages of Christian schooling?

Technorati Tags: Christian Education, Christian Schools

Parson To Person

This is a part of a 'fictional/creative non-fictional' series.  Previous posts in the series are available as a document in the right panel under the heading Parson to Person.

I watched through my office window as the ‘pack’ assembled in the parking lot for the meeting. They gathered around Jay Dukes as if they were receiving marching orders. After their little huddle they turned to walk for the building. This is it. I gathered my Bible, my notes and a sharp pencil and headed to the sanctuary.

Gathered for the fun were the members of the Covenant Church Board, Lois Acre my secretary, Dan Hiles from the denomination, and a man named Eric Neal whose title was ‘Church Conflict Specialist’. When everyone had made their way in from the parking lot, Eric began with prayer. During the prayer Eric used words like ‘reconcile’ and ‘healing’. I had a difficult time with his words. I don’t think I want reconciliation. The healing that I desire is for these people to leave – and to leave me and my family alone. Eric concluded his prayer and transitioned into setting some ground rules for our meetings.

The door in the back of the sanctuary opened, piercing a darkened corner of the room with a ray of light. Two figures slid in the door and sat in the back row in the shadows.

"Uh… wait just a minute", Jay Dukes interrupted Eric’s introduction. Directing his voice across the room, he began, "Uh, you there… this is a private meeting." There was no response. Jay rose to his feet and spoke more emphatically, "You there! Did you hear me? Do you have some business here?"

The two shadows leaned closer together as if they were conferring with one another, but didn’t respond to Jay. Assuming they might have some need – being a church we pretty regularly have visitors drop in looking for help – I stood up and walked up the aisle towards the men. "I’m Pastor Brian Haas. Can I help you?" As I approached, the two abruptly stood up and retreated out the same door they had come in. I glanced back to the gathering, "Give me just a minute. I’ll be right back."

I got to the second door just in time to watch the two men slide into their car in the parking lot. One man was a rather large man with a pony tail and covered with tattoos. The other, was Jesse Gerry.

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Creative Non-Fiction, Parson To Person

Dream A Little Dream

We do it many times every day.  We have a desire and we take steps to meet it.  Take that burrito in your hand, for instance.  You were hungry.  You thought briefly about your calorie count for the day.  You did some quick math: Just how many calories is a nasty old burrito worth?  How's the cholesterol?  You checked your pulse and determined that your arteries aren't hard yet.  So, it was off to Taco Bell.  You wrapped your lips around that burrito and you were satisfied.  (There's a bit of sour cream there on your chin.)

Desire.  Action.  Satisfaction.  You do it all day long. 

Realizing your dreams is similar - but also a little different.  You knew the burrito existed.  You knew there was gas in the car and money in your wallet to pull off the next steps.  You knew the road to take, the drink that would accompany your burrito and even that there would be a recycled napkin for that sour cream.  It was a sure fix.

With your dreams, we're not dealing with the physical and practical, but with the potential.  With dreams, what could be isn't yet. 

As a child I had a thousand futures ahead of me.  I was a fire fighter.  I was a professional football player.  I was a lawyer.  In fact, I was such a good lawyer I was undefeated in jury trials as a kid.  My dog was the prosecutor.  I was an Olympic tether-ball player.  I know that tether-ball isn't an Olympic sport, but we're talking dreams here, okay?  The point is that it never entered my mind, as a kid, that I needed to ask questions like 'is it possible?' or 'is it appropriate?'.  I simply enjoyed the dream and lived it in my mind.

Now, it is rumored that I'm a grown-up.  I still don't believe it, but I will admit that my dreams have matured a bit.  I no longer want to be a lawyer.  Tether-ball Olympian... maybe.  But what I really want to do now is be an amazing husband and father.  What I really want to be is an authentic follower of Jesus.  I want to be a good preacher.  What I really want to accomplish is some genuinely good writing.  And I really want to enjoy life and laughs surrounded by people I admire.

And, in all my remaining immaturity, I am asking why my dreams can't become a reality.  What if I approached my dreams like you tackled that burrito?  What if I forgot for a moment that the steps to Taco Bell were all in the practical realm, and the steps to accomplishing dreams aren't?  What if I began to dream up the steps that lead to my dreams being accomplished?  What if I decided to walk with a foot in each world - one in the here-and-now, and one in the potential?

What are your dreams?  Do you have the courage to dream anymore?  Are you too mature? 

I'm not.  Where is the nearest tether-ball pole?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Dreams, Dreaming

Ask A Read-A-Holic pt. 2

In part 1, I waded into the 'how', this time I'll share the 'what' of my reading habits.  I've crafted the 'what' of my reading along the lines of the habits of Leslie Newbiggin (Google his name and read all about him!). 

First of all, I always try to have one big book underway - maybe just a few pages at a time.  These kinds of reads usually require me to read and re-read sections to really let it soak in.  These books sit on my bedside table and they're often the ones that I doze off reading.  At the moment, there are two books in this category - Emerging Churches and a biography of Thomas Jefferson.

Next I have a pile of books that I call my 'interest' reading.  These are books that somehow grab my attention, either by title, subject, recommendation or something.  Recently I've been enjoying reading some fiction.  I've been reading some short stories by O Henry and James Joyce.  At the moment I'm reading a book called 'Fart Proudly'.  No, I'm not kidding.  It is a collection of essays written by Benjamin Franklin.  Shari just got me a history of the Wild West for my birthday.  I cannot wait to get to that one, just as soon as I've exhausted the one on flatulence (I couldn't pass on that pun!).

At this point you may have noticed that much of the reading I do is 'secular'.  You might say that.  I never would.  I take sacred exception to the designation of secular, but that's a topic for another blog post.  Here's what Newbiggin says: "Salt needs to be in the food, and our theology needs to be in contact with the secular.  Have some secular interests of your own which you keep up and develop.  Your theology will be kept fresh if you do this."  Okay, so he used the 'S' word.  I'll forgive him, because I understand the point that he is trying to make.  In fact, I experience the point he is trying to make.

Then there's my Bible reading.  I do spend time each day in God's word.  I enjoy a daily 'devotional reading' of the Scripture (something I will share more about in a later posting - a method I've gleamed from the habits of guys named Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Henri Nouwen) and regularly participate in a couple of Bible study groups that have me studying through passages with others.  Then there is the time I spend reading and studying the Bible in preparing messages each week.  That process usually amounts to between 10 to 12 hours or so a week.

Lastly, there is my web reading.  I generally set aside at least a half hour a day to visit blogs and aggregates that I really enjoy (some of which you will find listed in the left column of the blog).  This is a primary source of news and information for me and also often a means of that slow start to my days that I mentioned in part 1 of this post.

So there you have it.  That's pretty much the 'what' of my habit.  What are you reading?  What do you enjoy?  Fiction?  Non?  Any particular genre?  Does anyone read poetry?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Reading, Fart Proudly, Emerging Churches

Not Old, Just Older

Nothing like growing old with the one you love!  As of today, Shari is a little bit closer in age to me.  Why, statistically she is catching up.  Think about it.  Do the math.  Today she is exactly 95% of my age.  In just another 25 years she will be nearly 97% of my age.  In fact, when I am 200 years old, she will be a perfect 99% of my age.  Do you see the progression here?  The girl is going to catch me!  It's a mathematical certainty.  Someone who does statistics will have to explain it.  All I know is she's closing in.  She's coming fast.  If we were in a stock car race, my crew chief would be yelling at me on the radio, "Stand on it, man!  She's gaining a second every lap!"

Happy Birthday love. 

I like the bed I'm sleepin' in; just like me it's broken in; it's not old, just older.  Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans; the skin I'm in is alright with me; it's not old, just older.