Being Called from the periphery in to the heart of it

Not that I believe that one theology is just as legitimate or important as the next,  but I also believe in the idea that wherever we are in the journey --- as long as we are on one---- that we get called to a particular ministry through a variety of contexts and means---- and therefore it is difficult for us to judge where a particular "theological place" will take a person.  It remains wide open.  

It helps tremendously,  if one is exposed to some radicalizing influences.  My own Southern Baptist, large "First Church" experience brought not only a typical "mild mannered,  non-culture challenging,  politically neutral"  approach,  but included with it a Youth program and youth minister who exposed me to such models as COS and Clarence Jordan.  That youth program opened a coffeehouse partly out of inspiration from the Potter's House and also out of the "Serendipity" emphasis.   The youth minister took a group of us to Koinonia Farms in the summer of 1974,  and I read the story of Clarence Jordan and heard hours and hours of his talks with his "Cotton Patch Gospels" flavor.   When I was later serving in youth ministry at a large Lutheran Church in Phoenix Arizona (1984-85) ,  the Church hosted the Synod meetings one of those years,  and had Jim Wallis come and speak during his trek to Arizona during the Sanctuary movement (which had brought him to Tuscon during the federal trials there).   I have been a Sojourners subscriber almost non-stop ever since.  I had previously seen one issue of their magazine at Potter's House when I had brought my youth group there in 1984-----something about "Ronald Reagan is lying about Nicaragua"---- now the US government was seeking to prosecute people who were giving "illegal" aid and sanctuary to refugees from Nicaragua and El Salvador",  for since our country was supposed to be on the side of right,  and our government was not willing to admit that these people had something bad to flee from,  giving them sanctuary was considered a serious offense.  

Tony Campolo appeared on my scope in the summer of 1980 when I heard him at another event to which I took a youth group from Cincinnati.   After hearing him speak,  I bought some tapes.  Later (when I was at the Arizona church), Campolo came out with his "You Can Make a Difference" video/film series,  which I later convinced our Church in Cincinnati where we had our membership to show to the congregation. Campolo,  a Sociology prof at Eastern Baptist (American Baptist) College in St.David's , PA near Philadelphia.  Campolo was instrumental for me in further cementing my theology with the cultural issues upon which much of my theology came to bear.  Having been a Sociology major,  and known a few extremely intelligent and articulate Sociology teachers,  and being fascinated with the "Sociology of Religion",  I was tuned into what Campolo presented.   I expect that Camplolo may be one of the most prevelant "radicalizing" influences on a good number of formerly "culturally complicit" Christians who grew up in the faith not knowing any better,  but all the while sensing that there was something missing.   

© Copyright 2003 Dale Lature. Last update: 9/23/2003; 3:35:56 PM.