Deep Church

Jim Belcher's book, Deep Church, came out last year from IVP. I obtained a copy as soon as I could. I was excited by its premise, and by its promise. I was not disappointed.

I have read several books promising a "third way" or a middle ground between the "emergent" and "traditional" ways of seeing and doing church, and have been largely disappointed. So much misunderstanding and miscommunication exists, on both sides; I have been uniformly saddened by the ungrace that characterizes so much of the church's speaking and writing--even when the subject is grace! Belcher's book is the first I've read that truly understands where both sides are coming from, and doesn't condescend or demonize anyone. He exhibits admirable depth (go figure) and grace in listening to, grasping, and addressing the key issues in the discussion. In short, it is clear that Belcher loves and respects those he quotes, and even those he corrects, a truly "Christ-ian" and biblical attitude, which far too many apologists, pastors, preachers, writers, and "defenders" of the faith seem to eschew.

Belcher's sorting of "emergent" churches into three categories (relevants, reconstructionists, and revisionists) was insightful and helpful, as was his identification of the major issues (and the solution, so to speak, or "third way" which he prescribes) into seven well-defined topics: truth, evangelism, Gospel, worship, preaching, ecclesiology, and culture.

Because of his evenhanded treatment of disparate views, I was shocked by his characterization of those with an egalitarian view of women in leadership as "revisionists" who are "open to questioning key evangelical doctrines on theology and culture" (p. 46), particularly since he seemed to display some knowledge of the excellent biblical scholarship being performed by many in the egalitarian camp. As faults go, however, this is an easy one to overlook.

I highly recommend Deep Church.

Illuminated Gospels Project

I learned on the Crossway blog (the blog of the Christian publishers, Crossway Books) that Makoto Fujimura, one of the century’s most highly regarded artists, has illuminated the Gospels. Fujimura is known for his use of traditional Japanese Nihonga techniques and his passion for reconnecting Christian faith with fine art. This will mark the first time in nearly 400 years that an illuminated book of the four Gospels has been undertaken by a single artist.

Fujimura - 4 Holy Gospels from Crossway on Vimeo.

Editions of the book, The Four Holy Gospels, will be available January 31, 2011. An exhibition of the works featured in The Four Holy Gospels will take place from December 9 through January 9 at the Dillon Gallery in New York City. In the meantime, you can download the preview PDF here.

First Impressions Fail

A Pastor Prays for His People

Few books appeal to me more than a book of well-written, well-prayed prayers. This is that.

A Pastor Prays for His People (A Collection of Wise and Loving Prayers to Help You through Life's Journey) by pastor Dr. Wendell C. Hawley arranges dozens of pastoral prayers by month and occasion. In addition to the usual holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc.), there are prayers for a church business meeting, prayer for a new pastor, weddings, funerals--even a Christian prayer for Ramadan.

Drawing upon years of experience composing prayers for public worship, Hawley eloquently helps the people of God bring joys and struggles, problems and praises, hopes and fears before God. A Pastor Prays for His People is a gold mine for pastors and church leaders, and a solid theological model for anyone. An example is Prayer Number Thirty-Seven:

Most glorious God, God of compassion, God of forgiveness,
I need your presence.
Great Physician, I need healing.
I am spiritually lukewarm
and unbelief mars my confidence in trusting you--
brokenness and repeated failures occupy my attention.
It astounds me that I continually try to battle life's issues on my own.
Sin makes me forget you.
Too long I have neglected the closet of prayer...
Too long I have forsaken the refreshment of your Word...
The cobwebs of indifference and the dust of life's cares choke my soul.
Broken relationships and shattered trust have prevented the health and healing of your Word.

But now--this moment,
I turn from absenteeism to the mercy seat.
I praise you for permission to approach the throne of grace.
Here, I pour out my confession of sin:
neglect,
pride,
willfulness,
arrogance,
self-sufficiency,
foolishly questioning your providence.
Divinely sweep away my soul's clutter.
Pour down upon me streams of needful grace.
Engage my heart to live more faithfully for you.
Your presence alone can make me holy,
devout,
strong,
happy.
I praise you for forgiveness--
real,
comprehensive,
enabling.
Accomplish in me your eternal purposes, through Jesus Christ, my only hope, my only Savior.

Because most of the prayers employ corporate language ("we," "us," etc.), however, they are not as personal or intimate as, say, John Baillie's A Diary of Private Prayer, but this volume deserves a place alongside that classic, among others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Church of the Week: Far Hills Community Church, Centerville, OH

I had the honor last July of presenting a workshop for Christian writers at Far Hills Community Church, in Centerville (outside Dayton), Ohio.

Just a couple blocks off I-675 on Clyo Road, Far Hills is a great big, sprawling church with apparently thriving children's, youth, Christian education, and worship ministries, among many others.

On entering the building through the front center doors, the visitor is greeted with a spacious and welcoming coffee and snack bar, and the second floor (where our conference was hosted) has well-equipped classrooms and youth worship area.

The auditorium (below) is large, and about what you'd expect. The cross on the left marks the baptismal.

Strategically placed inside and outside the auditorium were these (below) offering receptacles, with pencils and envelopes ready at hand on the side.

The day of our conference there, a crew of volunteers was apparently preparing the parking lot for a fresh coat of blacktop. We were almost left without any visible means of escape...but we made it out, past the three crosses that adorn the easternmost entrance and exit to the church:

Not Lost in Translation

You may remember the story of President John F. Kennedy's famous 1963 speech in Berlin, when he uttered the words, "Ich bin ein Berliner," to a thunderous reaction.

Many Americans still are not aware that his pronunciation of that now-famous phrase had an unintended meaning, since the German word, "Berliner," refers to a jelly doughnut.

President Kennedy's words provided the background for another thunderous reaction at the recent "Jesus Im Fokus" conference in Herborn, Germany, where I was the speaker and my new friend, Friedrich Trops, was the translator (that's him on the left in the photo below).

Speaking on 1 Kings 19, and referring to Elijah's episode under the broomtree, when he was revived by food and drink, I emphasized to my listeners the importance of self-care in ministry, and how eating right is important. Then, mentioning that in America we have an expression, "You are what you eat," I said, "If that is true, then I am a big fat cinnamon roll."

Frieder, seizing the opportunity, played with my words a little bit for the bigger laugh, and said, to great effect, "Ich bin ein Berliner," which of course, surprised me as I heard it, and delighted the audience.