Missional Spirituality

Book Review.

Helland, Roger.  Hjalmarson, Leonard.  Missional Spirituality.  Embodying God’s love from the inside out.  IVP Books, 2011.

R.H.-district executive coach of the Baptist General Conference in Alberta.                    L.H.-lead pastor at Aylmer Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church, Aylmer, Ont.

Comment.  Henry.

Roger and Len have provided us with an excellent resource that is relevant to the culture of the day when it comes to really being salt and light in an environment that is hostile to the traditional, evangelical approach to evangelism.  They have been thorough in substantiating their presentation with valid ‘research’.  I see this resource as an effective ‘text’ for some valuable interaction in a study group.

Right off, we are introduced to a word that is key in understanding the environment in which missional spirituality is applied: “liminality- a threshold, an in-between place of ambiguity and uncertainty, disorientation and transition.” (14)   Both Roger and Len went through a period of personal ‘liminality’ that is reflected in their materials that they are presenting.  To be ill-prepared for the future is to invite some form of annihilation, e.g. Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated search for the Northwest Passage.  “Missional spirituality- feeds mission.” (27)  Living by the Book can make the Bible a fixed document rather than the living Word of God.  

“An excarnational, knowledge-based approach to spiritual formation” (40) is a major challenge for missional spirituality.  There is often a high level of consumerism and entitlement evident in church culture that is destructive. 

The Trinity, the incarnation, the priesthood of believers and “shema” spirituality are the theological foundation of spiritual missional spirituality. 

“Classic Pietism” (78) as observed in the Moravians and Christian and Missionary Alliance is presented as “missional spirituality in action.

Loving God with all our heart and soul will not happen without the practice of obedience and humility.  It is further ‘enhanced’ by the practice of “missio and prayer”. (112)  Worship is an expression of loving God.  It is public with private being an extension of the public.  “We can venture into a wonder-filled world of worship through the practice of enchantment.” (124)

“To love God with all your mind is a willed choice.  He must occupy your thoughts.” (141)  Theological reflection, an exercise of the mind, is a practice of loving God.  It helps us to make a spiritual connection with our culture, art, music, literature, etc.  “Theological imagination” (148) can be helpful in understanding spiritual (biblical) truth.  The practice of gratitude is a practical application of loving God with our entire mind.  We use our talents and our time in the practice of loving God with all our strength.

Loving our neighbor (part two of shema) calls for the practice of “presence” (181), “refuge” (183), and “hospitality” (185).  “Exegeting culture” (198) must be part of our approach to being an effective missionary.

Appendix 1 provides a practical help for “equipping for a missional spirituality in the church and academy”. (214)  Appendix describes a model church that is “missional spirituality in action”. (229)  The church is Gateway Community Church in Hinton, Alberta.

henrydirksen.blogspot.com 

Divine Hunger

Book Review

Emberly, Peter C.  Divine Hunger.  Canadians on spiritual walkabout.  Harper Collins Pub.  2002.

P.E.- professor of political science and philosophy at Carlton University.

Comment. Henry.

Peter has focused on the ‘boomer generation’ of Canadians and done an evaluation of their spiritual interests based on 350 interviews and many exposures to experiences related to specific spiritual interest groups.  Based on this research he maintains that there is indeed a “Divine Hunger” demonstrated by the boomer generation.  This resource would be relevant for leaders of any religious (spiritual) groups.  Peter includes many different religious ‘persuasions’ in his research.  The validity of his conclusions must be tempered by the extent of his research (only 350 interviews).  

Note:  A good compendium to this resource would be a more recent book (E-book) by Reginald Bibby, “A New Day”, Project Books .com.  2012.

Peter begins with a comparison of faith and modernity as he seeks to answer the question, “Why is there a renewed interest in the sacred?” (15)  He focuses on baby boomers.  They “may be leading the rush for overcoming modernity”. (16)

There are elements of traditionalism that some boomers are attracted to.  Specifically, Peter gives ‘Promise Keepers, Billy Graham crusade, and Airport Vineyard’ as examples.  From this group he goes on to First Nation spirituality, Mormonism, traditional Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy and their attractions for boomers.  “Traditionalism is guilty of taking us nowhere.” (95)  Peter gets into all the ‘faiths’ that he is aware of in Canada and explains how they are attracting boomers. 

Peter gets into something he calls “Fusion Faith”.  “Fusion faith is a medley of traditions, forms of worship, devotional practices, spiritual experiences, and religious beliefs.  It takes the best from each tradition and blends all these prime ingredients into a new concoction.” (195)  (Sounds like New Age.)  Almost as an afterthought or perhaps his own preference, Peter spends some time talking about the attraction of Eastern religion.

By way of conclusions, Peter is optimistic about “divine hunger” in Canadian baby boomers and their new experiences.  They give pause to a ringing endorsement of modernity.  “The spiritual searches of baby boomers restore an insight previously submerged under modernity’s indefatigable optimism”.

henrydirksen.blogspot.com

I Am A Follwer.

Book Review.

Sweet, Leonard.  I Am A Follower.  The way, truth, and life of following Jesus.  Thomas Nelson.  2012.

Comment.  Henry.

As so often is the case, when a writer focuses in on a particular topic it comes at a ‘cost’ of other comparative topics.  Sweet focuses on ‘followership’, a word that he seems to have invented.  The leadership that he sees in churches and church organizations is in his opinion not biblical and/or is not demonstrated in Christ’s model of leadership.  There are some very strong endorsements of this book by strong, well recognized “leaders” of the evangelical community.  When Sweet declares that we are first and foremost followers and leadership must happen within that mindset, his message is clear and forceful.

Following Jesus is portrayed as a dance where we imitate Jesus and his ‘moves’.  “Following is the most underrated form of leadership in existence.” (14)  Sweet makes followership the thesis of this presentation.  “Followership is an identity.” (34)  Leadership within a followership culture is totally different from leadership within a leadership culture.  Jesus chose us.  That choice needs to be kept in perspective when we wax eloquent about our God-given ‘freedom of choice’. 

Discovering what it means to follow Jesus begins with an in depth look at what Jesus meant when he declared; “I am the way, the truth, and the life”.   The ‘way’ implies a pilgrimage alongside Jesus.  It is characterized by a discipleship that lasts a lifetime.  “Disciples of Christ can only be made –life on life, follower following follower.” (84)  A follower bears fruit, primarily the fruit of love in the form of “love casting”. (109) 

“Jesus is Truth” (142) and “Truth is the only way to life”. (149)  Our ‘way’ leads to the cross where we count the cost.  “We bless others naturally through our strengths.  But we bless others supernaturally through our weaknesses.” (162)  Categories e.g. clergy cf lay, that place some followers above other followers violate the unity of the body of Christ.

“Incarnational living (Followership) is a relational art.” (193)  The life of a follower should demonstrate a “spirit of trust” (228) more than a life of strategic planning.  The Spirit can be trusted at all times.  Joy should be the overwhelming mark of a Christ follower who is living incarnationally.  Joy to the world!  “In Christ, you become the music.” (259)

henrydirksen.blogspot.com   

The Mentor Leader.

Book Review.

Dungy, Tony.  Whitake, Nathan.  The Mentor Leader.  Secrets to building people and team that win consistently.  Tyndale Publishing.  2010.

T.D.- “has always learned from others on his path to success as a son, a football player, a winning coach, and an Emmy-nominated studio analyst.”

“Leadership is not an innate, mystical gift; rather, it is a learned ability to influence the attitudes and behavior of others.”  (intro)

“Relationships are ultimately what matters- our relationships with God and with other people.” (5)  “Doing the right thing at the right time in the right way” (16) requires a foundation of a strong faith.  “If you do it right, as a mentor leader, you may make it impossible for other people to give you credit.” (27)

It is important for leaders (mentors) to have visions and goals but they must be kept in perspective with the journey towards those goals.  Vision, mission and values become key factors in a successful organization.  A “service-directed leadership” (39) enhances these factors. 

The path to maturity involves “self-examination”.  (46)  “Character is the foundation on which all leadership is built.” (69)  Attributes of successful leaders are disgust.  There is no insignificant opportunity for mentoring.  Actions must always be consistent with words; the message.  “The culture you create permeates everything you touch.” (142)

There are seven “steps of progression” (166) that will cause a team to reach its potential; “Engage, educate, equip, encourage, empower, energize, and elevate.” (166-187)

“The mentor leader adds value to the lives of others.” (193)  “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson.

henrydirksen,blogspot.com

The Hunger Games.

Book Review.

Collins Suzanne.  The Hunger Games.   Scholastic Inc. 2008.

Comment.  Henry.

The reading of novels is a relatively recent addition to my reading ‘hobby’.  Friends have loaned me their copies.  This novel was recommended and I got a copy from the library after waiting several months for my request.  So it is a very popular book.  I have heard comments about the movie version.

The reading of this novel was endurance for me and upset me more than I would normally be prepared to admit.  I abhor violence.  Commercials for horror movies are muted immediately.  To have violence as a major theme is bad enough but to have children at the centre of that violence and have the viewing of that violence mandatory for the general population is a totally unacceptable plot for me.  This is taking the immorality of the Roman arena slaughterhouse to an insane level.  My guess is that the movie is an animation.  (I don’t need to know.)  That raises my level of concern.  Children are being conditioned (brainwashed) to violence through video games and that should be a concern for parents and grandparents.  Killing should never become a spectator sport no matter what level of communication.    

So there you have it!  It is very unlikely that I will read the other books of the series.  Now if there is someone out there that is exercised about helping me with my “prejudice” I welcome your responses.

henrydirksen.blogspot.com

The Old Man And The Sea

Book Review.

Hemingway, Ernest.  The Old Man And The Sea.  Charles Scriber’s Sons Pub.  1952.

Comment. Henry.

A (retired) friend loaned me his copy of this book that he had as a text book in his high school days.  I enjoyed reading this classic.  The struggle of the old fisherman to do one more fishing excursion (by himself) to catch the really big fish makes for a pleasant reading experience.  The fact that he lost the fish to predators on his way back to shore does not take away from his accomplishment as a fisherman.  His relationship with “the boy” adds a meaningful cross-generational element to the novel.  Hemingway is an author that I have added to my book-search hobby.

henrydirksen.blogspot.com

The Long Ride

Book Review.

Tyson, Ian.  The Long Trail.  My life in the West.  Random House Canada (Pub.) 2010.

I.T.-  One of North America’s most respected singer-songwriters.  A recipient of the Order of Canada.  A legitimate working cowboy with cowboy skills.

Comment.  Henry.

As a kid and teen-ager I loved books about cowboys and I loved cowboy songs.  As an adult may reading and music tastes changed.  I have no memory of the music of this ‘famous’ cowboy, Ian Tyson.  When I saw this biography on the library shelf I had to read it ‘for old times’ sake’.

Ian’s story is typical of those who seek for fulfillment and meaning in the life they have been given.  His story is unique because he was a working singing cowboy.  His life style is also considered typical as a tough hard living cowboy.  (There actually were, are, Christian cowboys also.)    It would probably be fair to say that Ian is a self-made man.  Unfortunately as so often happens, self-made men tend to worship their creators.  

Ian’s life reflects the wholesomeness of a strong work ethic and a commitment to doing what he knows to be right.  He exemplifies how a relatively small amount of talent can be maximized through hard work. 

Ian sums up his philosophy of life as follows.  “Life is a series of mistakes and corrections.  The best you can do is honor the truth.  That sounds easy, but it isn’t.  We all have different interpretations of the truth and we all mould truth to suit our needs. It’s part of the human condition.”