November 2002 Archives

When I wrote an article called "Online Community as Required Reading" ,  I was thinking of the Church's "strategists"; the ones who try to discern "where the mission" should be focused; or what missions would address the needs. The Church of the Saviour derives these strategies out of waiting; they wait on reception of a call by any of its members, and then that member "sounds the call" to the corporate body. If any one other responds, then that is a "mission group". That group becomes the support structure for those involved. They are "on mission" into the world to impact it in some way, and they are accountable to each other for their personal journeys as they seek clarification, specifics, and guidance for that call. This is the basis of their "Journey Inward, Journey Outward" emphasis.

Today as I look into the immediate future of seeking a new spot in which to carry out my vocation of helping to enable Online Church communications, I desire a structure like this. In my own Church I have sought to test the waters among those people to see if any others find themselves called to a similar vision of what Church can do and be in an online setting. Perhaps I have not been direct enough; perhaps I need to describe the Journey Inward Journey Outward, call-centered approach and directly attach my Web vision to it and ask them point blank: Does anybody else see this? I think that this is the ultimate, ideal position I seek for a professional outpost of this mission. I need a true team; a "mission" group that is being payed to carry out a mission to help Churches "be church" on the Web.

I know that this is asking for a lot. Most people do not work at a job where they are doing what they are called to do. Even fewer get to do this out of the call that comes to them out of the corporate waiting and listening that is part of the mission of the Church structure: To enable and gather around the issue of call, and then to provide the incubator and the structures to carry out that call. I had thought that perhaps 5 and a half years ago I was zeroing in on this, but it seems that the only fruit born from this was technical skills. Very valuable , yes. Perhaps these 5 years were all still within the bounds of zeroing in and oreienting myself to the tools of the trade so that I might be a more accurate dreamer. Worthy cause , no doubt. And perhaps my prescence there planted some seeds.

I'm not saying that my vision was "business ready"; but it seems to me that for visions to work, there needs to be a variety of "gifts" applied, particularly in the business environment. There are the "project planners" and the "business plans" generated, and approval processes. I was never able to get my vision into the level where the business plans were generated. I feel a sense of failure there, that I did not cast my vision in terms sufficiently persuasive to get this going. I wrote an article akin to this one in Online Community as Required Reading 

I got no job,  but as I hug my little girl (4 years old) or hear my 13 year old son in his room laughing at his playbacks of all manner of adolescent goofy sounds (some of which the adolescent in me laughs at as well),  and my wife who has been marvelous and supportive through all this,  I have a lot to be thankful for.  And to a God who calls me to --- whatever is next

next reformation.com is a new addition to my blogroll. The author, Len Hjalmarson ,  commented a few blogs back

Further thoughts on "First Baptist Church on the Web" in "Churches with Flash"

I just saw a comment Larry posted to my post below. Wow.  That meant a lot Larry.    Here's a copy of the comment link

I just got a couple of emails from my friend Larry at Old St. George that I wrote some things about yesterday. 

"about the notes from Larry"

My observations about a Website of a very very large Baptist Church in "First Baptist Church on the Web".  There is a staggering difference in the impact;  the quality of the presentation on the Website is far less effective in communicating what the Church communicates in its face to face venue. 

I had been feeling pretty good earlier today.  Went to my parent's Church,  and heard a pretty good sermon.  Then we ate at my parent's house while watching football ,  and then came home.   I sent out some more emails to people that might know of some job leads,  and I had written some stuff this morning that had me feeling hopeful.  But a couple of messages tonight with "Sorry,  nothing I know of,  and I start getting a more full-fledged version of "I may be facing a long, hellish haul".  And so I'm on the downdip of the rollercoaster ride that is the process of trying to find something new.

I wake up each morning since Thursday and can't believe that I'm facing this.  Not knowing how long this is going to be.  Afraid that noone is needing to add people now,  or that if they were,  they don't want someone 46 years old,  or they can't pay nearly enough.  Oh, man,  I need a walk.  I might be back later if I'm not too exhausted from all the panic that seeps in and then goes underground --- only to surface inevitably when I wake up in the middle of the night or wake up in the morning and I'm not heading out to the office.

All you fellow webloggers and often also "Web Developer types":  If you know of something in Web development,  and more ideally in a theological/Church related setting,  please point them at me,  or give me a contact.  I'm in Nashville, TN,  but will go just about anywhere if the price and attraction and "mission" is right. 

See "My Resume Index"

"My Resume" as of Today

Links to my 'Non-Blog" version of the Resume Index,  so that you can download and see it and like, print it and stuff

"My Resume Index" Resume with related articles

This is a link to an index that includes my resume and several related articles,  some of which are links from the html version of my resume.  I'm going to convert these to weblog entries so that comments can be added to them by anyone who wishes to help me "think and reflect" upon how I might sell myself.  I'm certainly aware that I could use an agent,  but it's kinda hard to afford one.  But my online community is a start --- a support structure. 

This is a link to an index that includes my resume and several related articles,  some of which are links from the html version of my resume.  I'm going to convert these to weblog entries so that comments can be added to them by anyone who wishes to help me "think and reflect" upon how I might sell myself.  I'm certainly aware that I could use an agent,  but it's kinda hard to afford one.  But my online community is a start --- a support structure. 

Later this week (probably Wednesday),  I'll be talking to a friend of mine in Cincinnati who directs the operations of a place called "Old St. George",  which is housed in a former Catholic Church structure.  It operates now as a meeting place,  a coffeehouse/cybercafe,  and hosts weddings and concerts,  as well as the offices of a number of ecumenical organizations.   I still lived in Cincinnati when Larry began to be involved there,  when the first group of people got funding to buy the Church property and began renovating,  putting in sound and security systems,  and the like.  Larry once ran a coffeehouse/bookstore in the SanFrancisco area.  He is also a Seminary graduate.   We hooked up for the first time about a year before the Old St. George startup at a meeting of Ecunet users in Dayton, Ohio in October 1992.

More in "Where is the next Great Good Place?"

This has been a very wierd and scary afternoon. I've been emotionally shaky, contemplating possible dire financial straits and the stress incurred, and I've felt liberated and hopeful as people email me and offer suggestions. I have just finished emailing a resume to a denominational headquarters to be an Internet Production assitant - which is close to what I have been doing except different people, different place, different denomination. And the location seems to be nicely situated between Cincinnati and Nashville (Louisville - 3 hours from Nashville, 1.5 hours from Cincinnati). Just to find openings in Church related Internet-related work is something of an encouragement.

As of yesterday afternoon around 3pm, I am unemployed. .......still kinda numb about that. I'm trying to hook up with the outside world again and get some connections and feelers out. My weblog seems important to that.

For the past month or so, I had been using my VPN connection, and connecting remotely to my Radio application running on my work PC, since it had a better connection, and could keep gathering news and such. Yesterday, I was unable to return to my PC...and after having "my future open up" so abruptly, I plain forgot.

So I am editing my home page file and entering this entry. I can rebuild all the entries from my ftp site, all the ones since Oct.22 when I first began using the VPN to do all my work. Before that, it was emailing myself zipped copies of the www, DataFiles, and Tools directories, unzipping them over my home PC's RadioUserland Directories, and then reversing the process when I went back to the office. That got tiresome.

Anybody know of a way to update my home copy from just the www files? I wrote down all the blog ID numbers, and I have all the entries since my home copy was no longer being used (Oct.22). Hopefully I can get my files, but I'm not sure. 

Some examples of the many, including Jimmy, who could stand it no longer.

This is not to say that I feel that all Southern Baptists owe it to their conscience to leave.  There's such a thing as being "salt";  to be a light and a ministry to areas of darkness and disobedience.  Sometimes members of a family can influence one another when some have strayed.   It's even part of the human condition,  even in the Churches of those of us who are in "better churches" (said with tongue in cheek).   In the case of the Church,  it's difficult to say when the point of no return has been reached.

I ran across some mention of the discussion about Islam and the perception of it as a violent religion.  It was on Josh Claybourn's blog.  Josh is an extremely intelligent and a good writer too.  I was astonished to see how young he is.  I  followed this link to the article and went on into the comments,  and dove in with a few comments that were a little head strong (confrontive,  etc.)  I often have that knee-jerk reponse to theologically conservative assesments.  Anyway,  there were other posts there by people who stated things much more positively than I did.  I apologized for my inappropriate remarks,  but maintained my position on casting wide judgments on the Muslim faith based on selected passages;  how the same tactics can be used to cast Christianity and/or Judaism as a violent religion (and its present day adherents as represented in the nations of Israel and the U.S.)

Comments on this side are welcome (and anybody who wants to engage this topic from the point of view that Islam can be assessed as a religion that encourages,  predisposes,  or breeds violence.)  I consider it to be more of a matter of what adherents in this faith have experienced at the hands of nations which are associated with Christianity and Judaism.  I do NOT advocate or fail to condemn acts of vengance,  for this is not the way.  An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.  Gandhi faced crises of faith between Muslims and Hindus,   and was killed by fundamentalist members of his own faith,  who wanted him to take a more exclusionary stance toward the Muslims.  After all,  they were the ones who were "right". 

I was able to get a copy of VStudio via my role as a Church web developer,  through the denomination's Communication office, which gets software at non-profit prices (like educational pricing).   .NET seems to be a likely provider of features I will be able to use in implementing new features for the Church website,  not to mention getting us geared up to be able to provide some sort of web Services connectivity to wireless and handhelds.  

Looks like a pretty good DV video site

Salon.com alert from Scott:

Blog worthy
Steven Johnson's books -- "Interface Culture" and "Emergence" -- represent some of the most thoughtful and idea-laden writing on technoculture you'll find anywhere. Johnson, who was co-editor of the late lamented Feed as well, is now blogging away at www.stevenberlinjohnson.com. [Scott Rosenberg's Links & Comment]

1128 EMPTY

Looking at Google Hits on Church of the Saviour Washington , DC , yielded this link

From Sojourner's magazine,  where Jim Wallis,  just as he did during the Gulf War,  is a voice who speaks with a heart I consider to be "Christ-centered" and "Biblical",  in  stark contrast to the "God Bless America" Christians who seem to consistently say that "whatever the USA wants ,  God will approve" :

Saddam Hussein is an evil ruler, no doubt about it. But that is not enough for a war. Other heads of state have been evil, including some who have been allies of the United States (including Saddam during Iraq's war with Iran). Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. But that is not enough for a war either. Many other nations have them, too, including U.S. allies, and including both Israel and ourselves. The question is what Saddam's evil portends for the world, whether there is an imminent and urgent threat from his weapons, and, of course, what response would be both effective and consistent with Christian ethics........

.....Will we attempt to meet our security needs by mere short-term strategies aimed at killing terrorists—or will we take the long-term approach and seek to drain the swamps of injustice and hopelessness in which the mosquitoes of terrorism breed?|Sojourners

Getting Clued in as Web Churches continues this thread of thought

Most of my feelings of isolation these days comes from a sense that I am a Church Web Geek. 

more in : "church web Geek-ness"

I need to move into "Story Mode" as my geekiness begins to rev up -- Getting Clued in as Web Churches continues this thread of thought

 

Ire Toward Former SBC Leaders is an article that I moved to the story section,  about the present day SBC leadership commenting on one of the former leaders they exiled as a part of their witch hunts

A friend and former Seminary professor, Mary Olson,  wrote to me recently and told mew about a "Honoring Differences" grant her organization, AbrahamicFamily.net received from the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.   The prayer on their front page asks that there be no war against Iraq,  and ....well,  click the link above and read it and sign it yourself if it expresses for you the directions of your heart and faith. 

Much needed point made by Joshua at Blogs4God:

"Yesterday I wrote, "With control of the White House, House of Representatives, and probably the Senate as well, Republicans are entering a historic time in American history. For the most part, Christian bloggers are ecstatic." It was true yesterday, and it's still true now: an overwhelming majority of pundit blogs listed here are conservative/Republican. That does not necessarily mean it reflects the views of those who operate this site. Most importantly, it does not necessarily mean that is "the proper Christian stance." Indeed, many righteous, good natured Christians can disagree on all sorts of policy issues. And while conservatives outnumber liberal Christian bloggers, I still make every effort to recognize the minority. Such is the case with Steve Ross, who runs The Mountain Top. He outlines his many left-leaning positions, and for those of you interested, I urge you to take a look."

If only a large portion of the conservative people would realize those truths.  "Proper Christian Stance" is the key operation here.  More centric or liberal theological views are,  in fact,  derived from Biblical themes,  guided by extensive historio-crtical methods,  and enlightened by Sociological and Hiastorical data.  IN other words: "Biblical".  There are almost as many "Biblical" conclusions to be drawn about any topic  as there are number of Christians.

Thank you Joshua,  for your coverage of this and you represent for me that much-needed dose of "we're in this together" that has been largely lost on the Southern Baptist Leadership today.  They have forsaken the former sense of the denomination as a largely conservative but cognizant of the liberal contributions and work of the less conservative viewpoints.  Being a former Southern Baptist,  and having seen my own place in that community become "outcast" from the vantage point of itas present leadership,  made it impossible for me to continue to name myself among that group.   But I'm still hoping. 

Blogs4God reports on all the jubilation....

"With control of the White House, House of Representatives, and probably the Senate as well, Republicans are entering a historic time in American history. For the most part, Christian bloggers are ecstatic. Here's a rundown of what some of the pundits had to say..."

I'm glad they put in the qualifier "for the most part",  because the ones who aren't jubilant are downright disgusted.   My take on the Republical agenda,  put very simply,  is that they are pretty clueless about the social effects of their policies,  and in general,  they don't believe that concerns about environment, larger corporate control,  social programs , etc. are of myuch value when it comes to where their dollars go.  They believe that economic growth and social welfare are synonomous,  which is news to the poor.  They believe that the best government leaves things alone --- yet there on a very selective set of issues

(Sung to the tune of Cat Steven's Another Saturday Night )

Another Sunday Morning seeks to express some of my longing for a community around my sense of call to help enable Web and WebServices (Smart Mobs)  technologies to help us get our stories and calls out in the open so we can find one another.

The previous three entries I exhibited my disgust with what I consider the dark side of Christian theology.  I came across the story on Blogs4God,  which I have found to be a pretty well-rounded representation (after all,  they accepted me , didn't they?)  I have met some kindred minds via Blogs4God.   I do not oppose in any manner the aggregation of diverse Christian voices there.  It reminds me of what the Southern Baptists used to be like.   There was a representation of views from left to right.  That is probably still true,  but the difference today is that they are no longer allowing a voice to any view considered to be "off-right" (rather than "off-center").  The ones who would provide that alternative voice are "quarantined" or they have left the denomination. 

I saw an article by AKMA a few days ago from his archives where he expressed his misgivings about writing that is oft critical of the Church.  I immediately felt rebuked.  AKMA and I have corresponded recently on a few matters we have written about,  and we see eye to eye theologically on a number of things.  So I took this criticism to heart,  since I have a tendency to be critical.  It seems that I should take this anomosity of mine,  which is based on an idealism about the Church and what I think it should be,  and seek to write more about how to further this through the likes of Web technologies,  like I was yesterday in my thoughts about Smart Mobs. 

Janet is still fighting a cold that seems to have generated a sinus infection,  and so once again the question of attending Church today seems to be in the negative again.  I long to find a community where I can feel confident and challenged.  Perhaps I should seek out CBF-affiliated Church (Co-operative Baptist Fellowship,  a sub-group of Southern Baptists who seek the diversity of fellowship of the original Southern Baptists.) 

I am a member of the Church.  I have been captured by Christ and the Gospel,  and by the commitment of such communities as Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC.  They have spoiled me.  I find little satisfaction with what I have encountered since.  I often find myself turned away by the ineffectiveness of the Churches in providing much sufficient Christian community;   any real caring about where I am on my journey,  or anyone else's.  There seems to be less and less time "allotted" to the exploration of who we are,  knowing one another,  exploring and seeking our CALL,  and commitment to the idea of a radical community (radical in its devotion to the journey we share,  and our reponsibilities to one another to support each other --- which brings with it the requirement that we know something about that which we claim to support.)

 

World Net Daily seems to be a magazine devoted to portraying the Christian World as Republican.  I saw a promo for a book by Katerine Harris,  "one hated by the Democratic establishment".  David Kupelian is the managing editor,  the author of the two selections I commented on in the previous two entries.  "A Free Press For a Free People".  It's free as long as the boundaries are strictly observed,  and cover only those issues and views which support the Christian Right dogma.  But it is a free country,  and if you like this sort of thing (which disturbingly many people do).....then.....

The same guy from the previous note:

"Did you ever wonder why American founders like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin completely rejected institutional Christianity , what some call "Churchianity"? Maybe even back then too many of the churches were just too pale a reflection of Christ's true message for them to stomach. "

Did you ever wonder that what they may well have rejected was the pietitistic dogmatism of the likes of the Christian Right?  A faith that did very little to understand and work with the real social problems of the day.  A faith that considered saying prayers in school or "coming back to basics and adopting a simplistic theology was at the root of all society's ills.  I believe in prayer,  but one thing it is not is an institutional requirement to be acted out.  It's power is not in the recitation of some sort of "civic prayer",  any more than having a Bible on your coffeetable makes you a Bible believer.  And accepting a certain set of Bible interpretations as "the correct and only option for the TRUE CHRISTIAN" is not a recipe for actual obedience to the things in it,  many of which are conveniently ommitted from the typical Christian Right view. 

I don't know why I even pay attention to such nonsense from the Christian right.  Here this guy claims that a vote for Clinton or Gore was something a Christain could not do.  Like Nixon, Reagan, or Bush are examples of morality.  Like people even knew that Clinton had a sex problem the first go round.  Like lusting after war is not despicable in the eyes of what I would call a "Chrsitian morality".  Of course,  that never occurs to the likes of the majority of the Christian Right.  They support Republican politics becuase their leadership has fallen for the campaigns of those who would make promises and talk piously.   The same Christain Right that gives a low "Scrorecard" score to Tony Hall of Ohio,  who is outspokenly Christian and actually works within his Representative position to combat World Hunger. 

That's about enough of that.  I'll probably return to it again when someone says something as brainless as this again:

"Most Americans call themselves Christians. Twice they chose a.s their supreme leader Bill Clinton , a sexual predator and pathological liar who regarded the "religious right" as enemies and radical homosexuals as friends, and who by any meaningful and historical measure was a traitor. After that, millions of Christians came within a hair's breadth of electing Clinton's partner in crime, Al Gore, another pathological liar, a radical environmentalist who reveres "Gaia" but believes the internal-combustion engine should be outlawed (according to his book, "Earth in the Balance"). "

You know what, guy?    I have a lot in common with Clinton on the matter of "regarding the religious right" as enemy.  It's not their theology neccessarily,  but their marrying of their advocacy to one platform.  I am against abortion but also for environment and against war the vast majority of the time.  It is a means used to resolve conflict way too quickly.  As an opposer of much of the "Christian Right" platform and concerns (not all -- just most of the ones we hear them talking about) ---  I consider myself "pro-life";   which means CONSISTENTLY pro-life.  Abortion is almost always wrong.  But WAR is almost always wrong.  Both kill innocent children.

I find it very hard to listen to the likes of these people and hear them back "pre-emptive strike" and blame Islam for the likes of the BinLaden group.  It makes as much sense as blaming Christians for the Klu Klux Klan.  Actually,  as much sense as blaming the Christian Right for the KKK,  for these people used the langugae of the Christian Right to justify their stance.    So before you go accusing Democratic supporters of being non-Christian,  consider that it might have something to do with voting for things which try to lift people up and aid the needy (because nearly every person I know who works in social work type posistions are overwhelmingly Democratic).   If it depended on the so-called morality of the Presidential candidate,  we'd have elected an Independent long ago. 

Blogs4God points to an article on just war by Martin Roth,  which for me ,  contains several disturbing elements.  Scary Just War Arguments is a story I just created which explains some of my misgivings about what Mr.Roth says inthe above link.

Smart Church Mobs 2 is a post I just moved to a story,  inspired by further reading in Smart Mobs,  by Howard Rheingold.

e-church on "Hell House" evangelism.   Very good article by Tim.  This seems to me to be a "high-tech" version of the infamous Chick tracts thatI used to see during my college days.  Tim writes:

"This shock-evangelism tactic makes the same mistake I outline in The American Christian Industry. When they use secular tactics (Hollywood-style joltz), the medium overcomes the message. "

JOHO/Weinberger asks:

"An incident on Sunday. A US response on Sunday night. A war on Monday. An election on Tuesday. Just a thought on Saturday. "

That's a scary thought;  scary becuase it seems plausible for this administration.  I hope I'm wrong.  Wag the Dog, big time.