The Wired Wanderings of a Postmodern Pilgrim
Nov 8th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
Skye Jethani: Megachurches: When Will The Bubble Burst?.
“… for younger church leaders who value mission, social activism, and innovation, the thought of maintaining the mega-institutions built by their parents generation may prove to be a tough sell. No matter what happens, the next 10-15 years are going to be critical ones for the future of the American megachurch movement.”
Nov 8th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
Apple Newton. Commodore Amiga. Leisure suits. And now Second life. How do we tell fads from social shifts? Good examination of this.
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists – Trailer – YouTube.
This is a fascinating trailer to a movie I’m going to have to check out. I’ve been watching the whole Occupy movement evolve in all its variety and settings – peaceful and violent; articulate and sarcastic; authentic and anarchic. The outcome politically? I’m not sure. The outcome for the organized church/religion? That’s worth a podcast.
Oct 24th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
No real surprise here.
“The study managed to isolate six main reasons why Millennials (age 18-29) tend to leave Christian churches as they grow up: a sense that young adults were receiving an unsatisfying or “shallow†version of Christianity, feelings that the church was overprotective, the perception of judgmental attitudes around sex and sexuality, churches’ unfriendliness to members grappling with doubt, the sense that Christianity was too exclusive, and finally, the tense relationship between Christianity and science… Perhaps most important, Millennials felt that churches should “focus their engagement on actions that serve the common good or speak up for the oppressed rather than opposing a controversial issue because of theological objections.â€
So Millenials are more interested in relationship than doctrine, forgiveness than judgmentalism, creativity than traditions now stagnant, and a faith connected to real life? And too many Christian leaders today say those Millenial values and critiques have nothing to do with Jesus, who, according to them was all about avoiding damnation by a loving God.
Really? So all those healings of the sick, confronting hypocritical religious leaders, love your neighbor, and forgive your enemies stuff wasn’t the main point.
No wonder they are leaving.
Oct 10th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
Sarcastic Lutheran: Sermon on the worst parable ever..
Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Yeah, this is a tough one to preach one. One most pastors would prefer to avoid. Nadia looks at it from a perspective I had never considered before – both the terrorizing party of the king as an ongoing threat to his subjects and the possibility of the man without a robe as a hero.
The idea of God as an outraged tyrant who annhilates those who will not do what he says is certainly popular in certain fundamentalist circles. It is key to those who are still caught up in the hell and salvation debated triggered by Rob Bell’s Love Wins. Make your decision for Jesus, accept the invitation, or God will destroy you, all you have, and cast you into hell because you didn’t love him enough back.
Hard to connect with Jesus the suffering servant. But the parable is there nonetheless and this is a good honest and new view of it that has me thinking. Enjoy.
Sep 30th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
Youcef Nadarkhani, Iranian Pastor Faces Execution For Refusing To Recant His Christian Faith.
The pastor was found guilty of apostasy last year, and the conviction has been upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court. If carried out, the execution would mark the first time since 1990 that an Iranian pastor was killed for his Christian faith.
“Despite the finding that Mr. Nadarkhani did not convert to Christianity as an adult, the court continues to demand that he recant his faith or otherwise be executed,†said Leonard Leo, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. “The most recent court proceedings are not only a sham, but are contrary to Iranian law and international human rights standards.â€
Author and megachurch pastor Rick Warren went to Twitter to ask his followers to join in protesting Nadarkhani’s possible execution.
Sep 30th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
Brandon G. Withrow: Can Evangelical Theology Evolve with Science?.
Newest column by my friend and neighbor, Brandon Withrow. Just as there is an evangelical crowd invested in hell, there continues to be a group that prides itself for war on science and its necessary literalism as badge of honor. Brandon does a good job in addressing the issue and the reality that perhaps, just perhaps, the Gospel does not rest on the historical identification of a single human ancestor named Adam who never had a belly button.
Sep 30th, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
After an unintentional summer hiatus, I’m back with a new postcast to start the fall. After a series of friends finding themselves in crisis in their local congregations and some of the shifts that are taking place nationally, here’s a reflection on the future of pastors, congregations, and the how the mainline church is having to choose between remaining as a unsustainable care station for members only or retooling into something new, missional, and at odds with our congregational traditions of the last few decades. Likewise, the traditional mainline expectations of pastor as congregational caretaker/employee instead of visionary leader is now at odds with the new economic and mission realities. So, pastor people, this one is for you!
Links:
Bowed Radio
Ten Happiest Professions by Forbes
ABC story on Atheist Pastors
The Nines Video Conference
There May Be A Reason For Atheist Pastors
A story on small congregations now closing in the suburbs.
Wall Street Journal On Laid Off Pastors
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Sep 2nd, 2011 by Tom Lyberg
Church Attendance Falling Among Less-Educated Whites: Study.
It really is no surprise. You look at Europe and the erosion has already occurred there. Martin Luther had a saying – “God is that thing to which you look toward for your highest good.” Lots of other things out there to rely on and trust and its more like a Santa relationship than any kind of faith. The prosperity gospel of TV has no answer for this economy and the government’s best answer is to try and extend benefits by raising taxes. The local congregation? Well, you will have to listen on your own but if this study is right, its a growing silence.