shacked up

I’m a literary snob. It can’t be blamed entirely on my private school English Lit degree; even as a child I eschewed Nancy Drew for Agatha Christie (thus learning words like “eschew”) and the passing years have only made me more selective. Life is too short to read bad books, so I usually avoid Christian fiction.

Thus I planned to skip The Shack, even when people I respect began endorsing it and my church in California invited the author to speak at weekend services. But when it escaped the Christian bubble and millions of secular readers launched its current climb up the best seller lists, it became more than a paperback–it became news, and a book I needed to read.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t change my mind about Christian fiction. As I skimmed the book this week I found myself mentally editing unnecessary phrases and tightening sentences. I thought back to meditations on vision by Annie Dillard (a Pulitzer winner who also happens to be a believer) just before stumbling across a pointless description of eating too much fiber on page 129 of The Shack. No contest.

But this isn’t the first acclaimed book (Christian or non) with subpar writing, and like many others in that category it’s the content, not the wordsmithing, connecting to readers. And I have to admit I liked much of the content: new slants on Jesus’ ability to work miracles, the nature of his life in ours, burdensome responsibility vs. joyful response in relationship with God—there’s some good food for thought here. And I love the author’s take on male and female—the woman was “birthed” from man, creating a circle of relationship between men and women to echo relationship in the trinity, then all males birthed through women in an ongoing cycle.

Theological insight, not fiction, seems to be Young’s talent, but if you’re looking for some new ways to think about God and his interactions with us the book is worth a quick read. Although you can skip page 129.

oops

My favorite piece of mail waiting when I returned from vacation yesterday:

Dear Jen: When you were a teenager I thought you were a really sharp young lady. Today I still think you are a sharp young lady. But why in the world did you steal my manuscript just before I preached at the North American Christian Convention? After all the good things I’ve said about you, Jen.

Seriously, I couldn’t let this go by without kidding you a little bit. I’d left the manuscript on the table back behind the stage when Cam Huxford wanted to go to the speaker’s room and talk for awhile. When I came back it was gone. That didn’t bother me too much because it wouldn’t have done me much good if I hadn’t been pretty well prepared anyway. But I was telling Doyle about it after we got back to St. Charles and he said, “Now I know where Jen Taylor found that manuscript.” So now we know, don’t we?

Hang in there, Jen. It’s always good to see you even when you are a timekeeper! God bless you.

Sincerely,

Ben Merold

Sorry, Ben. And yet you still managed to preach a magnificent sermon (which followed the manuscript exactly) and come in at precisely 30 minutes. I’d say you’re pretty sharp, too.

breaking news

Yesterday at lunch a friend and I were discussing the relativism of money. I remember feeling adamant, as a know-it-all, black-and-white teenager, that “real” Christians would not be wealthy because they would give the extra away. Of course, as an adult I realize defining “extra” is part of the problem; if someone I considered rich lived a comfortable middle-class existence and donated the rest, he (and I) would still be wealthier than most of the world.

I’m more comfortable with the grey area these days, and I’m very comfortable paying a few hundred bucks for a week at the beach with friends and family. So I’ll be taking a little blogging break, returning next weekend a little tanner, a little calmer….and a little poorer.

simply perfect

Although I’ve now worked as a “consultant” for several organizations, I’ve always hated the term. For one thing, so much of what consultants produce just seems like common sense. (“Oh, so if I never say anything affirming to my staff members, they might feel demoralized?”)

Consultants are also presumed to have the answers, when often I find the people within the organization already know the best course to pursue—they just need a facilitator (my preferred term) to help them realize it.

In any case, during some of my recent work as a facilitant (consultitator?), I read Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. The premise is, um, simple: Churches should resist the increasing complexity of modern life by designing a clear process for connecting people to God and helping them grow. This blueprint for discipleship should be easily communicated, easily understood and composed of sequential steps moving toward greater commitment. Staff roles and ministries should be aligned around the process, and anything extra should be eliminated.

Although I found much of the book to be just more common sense, I was fascinated by the authors’ boldness in calling for churches to say no to any program or “ministry” not reaching the ultimate goals of the church. Like many simple ideas, this is harder to do than to talk about.

“Your programs must be submissive to your ministry process,” the authors write. “They are tools to facilitate the process of spiritual growth.” Defining a spiritual growth process, then concentrating on the few initiatives truly nurturing people through that process toward maturity, may require tough decisions about the MOPS program or the Christmas extravaganza. Or it may require more work for leaders and volunteers; as an example of one way to remain focused, the book recommends emphasizing stewardship by offering the material through existing small groups rather than adding another weeknight class for already busy members. But this is harder: it requires coordination of curriculum and training of dozens or hundreds of small group leaders instead of just one teacher, and it presumes all of the church’s groups are already on an identical schedule.

Difficult or not, Rainer and Geiger are saying it. Jim Collins spends a chapter of Good to Great saying it. And as I review this blog, I’m even saying it. Perhaps I should be a consultant after all.

Thoughts on the 2008 NACC

–Some people really do read this blog! Thanks to those of you who made a point of telling me this week that you’re one of them.
–The cardboard testimony thing is just as powerful in person.
–I loved the audience’s spontaneous standing ovation for Ben Merold before his sermon yesterday morning……and I loved that, as usual, he then shared a great message. Because one of my tech crew duties was timing the sermons and signaling the speakers when they went too long, I also appreciated that, as always, Ben came in exactly on time. That deserves a little applause, too.
–On Tuesday night I got to hear Dudley Rutherford (2011 president) share his new “Dream of Destiny” program dedicated to finding, mentoring and developing pastors and leaders from diverse racial backgrounds. Look for more in a future Buzz.
–Does anyone read those long welcoming letters from the president, board chairman, etc. at the front of the program book?
–And does the Christian tie guy really make enough money to justify his expenses in exhibiting each year?
–When I grow up I want to communicate as effectively as Jon Weece and Jud Wilhite.
–It was great to see a clip from Binding Faith before Ajai Lall’s amazing message.
–Bible Bowl’s in Atlanta, but I still ended up with a room of rowdy teenagers next door to me at the Hyatt.
–I’m on the 2009 Executive Committee and we’re working with president Jeff Stone to develop the “Still Amazed” theme. We’re looking for “grace stories” we can video and/or present live at next year’s event. If you know someone whose life has been transformed by God’s grace, drop me a line at buzz@standardpub.com and let me know the details.
–Also, I know of two solid churches looking for tech/worship people; email me if you want to know more.
–Dierdre, who sang “There Will Come a Day” at the last service, has a better voice than Faith Hill, who originally recorded it. I am always fascinated by the directions lives take, and how one person becomes a wealthy superstar while another doesn’t.
–I want to do a two-week stint as a volunteer at TCM in Austria.
–Some people, events, and organizations never change, and their steady sameness is part of the fun.
–Some people, events, and organizations never change, and it makes me want to “live dangerously” by throwing a box of name tags.
–Valet parking seems like a good idea until Friday at noon, when you wait with 50 other people in the rain while three guys try to fetch everyone’s car. Next year I’ll pay more and park outside.
–Skyline chili still gives me heartburn.