Here’s a site that contains some of my favorite things to talk about: congregations, systems, and design. First take some time to study the concept behind the graphic design of “this is not a church†by Steve Collins.
This is a terrific “visual metaphor†that effectively teaches a concept. Be sure to scroll the screen to take in the full impact and message of the image. Continue reading
An aspiring artist friend and I enjoy occasional conversations about art and aesthetics. One on-going philosophical conversation has to do with “what is art?†This, in the context of how current and emerging technologies are changing the practices, if not the nature, of the work of the artist. For example, a couple of days after moving into our new home I met the neighbor. When I asked him what he did for a living he replied, “I’m a graphic artist.â€
I asked, “Oh, what medium do you usually use?â€
He looked at me like I had a third eye growing out of my forehead before replying, “Computer.†Continue reading
Don’t miss CNN’s upcoming program “God’s Warriors”
Correspondent Christiane Amanpour presents a three part (Jewish, Muslim, Christian) documentary in the “God’s Warriors” series that will be airing on CNN at 9 pm Tuesday through Thursday evenings (Aug. 21-23) next week.
This can make for a great home Bible study. Invite some friends for viewing and discussion!
The following is from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction?
MYTH: Penicillin kills bacteria. Continue reading
So, what’s your TTL (Trinity Teaching Level)?
Do you avoid the Trinity at all costs? Only give the “water, ice, steam†analogy when asked about the Trinity? Do you try to pray at least once in the “Father, Son, Holy Spirit†formula during worship? Have nightmares about your theology professor standing at the gates of heaven telling you that you can get in as soon as one of your parishioners can explain the doctrine of the Trinity? Continue reading
At a recent consultation I ran into a scenario that has come to symbolize for me what is wrong with much of what passes for “education” in congregations. I was being given a tour of the educational facilities by the congregational staff member and the lay Sunday School Director. They were proud of their facilities, and rightly so. Modern, well-maintained, and attractive, the building and the classrooms showed how much they valued education. Looking around their Sunday School Office (spacious and outfitted with enough equipment that would be the envy of any small congregation struggling to maintain a church office) I spotted a large stack of papers—two and a half feet high (I’m not exaggerating). I knew immediately what that stack was. Continue reading
Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) seems to continue to grow in its interest to and influence among clergy, denominational leaders, and seminaries. I think this is a good thing, overall. Many have found in BFST a frame of reference that helps them understand the nature congregations, leadership, and relationships more accurately than what a “devotional” mindset offers. Theological and biblical metaphors have their place—but they often fall short in accurately explaining what it is that actually is going on in the messy and complex dynamics of human emotional systems. Continue reading
The following is excerpted from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction?
MYTH: Anybody can teach. Teaching is just communicating information, through effective verbal and instructional communication, skills that anybody can learn and master. Continue reading
A regular reader of the GRACE Writes blog sent a question. She’d like some advice from readers of this blog to the situation she describes below. This person is in her first ministry position out of seminary and serves as a pastoral associate in education. The issue she describes is a common one. In fact, just this past week I was talking to another recent seminary graduate who was interviewing for a job in a church with a similar situation. Here is the question: Continue reading
Every once in a while, at my former church, we’d break out the old (and I mean old literally) hymnbooks for a Wednesday evening hymn sing. People would call out the numbers of their favorite hymns to the songleader and we’d all turn to the page and sing the old favorites. As the evening went on the yelling got louder and more competitive as folks feared that we’d run out of time before getting to their favorite hymn. It was interesting to see “newbies,†and the younger generations at those events. They’d grown up after many of those hymns passed from favor, replaced by more contemporary hymns and tune, praise songs (don’t get me started) or revisionist PC versions that stripped the elegance, meaning, and dignity from the text. Continue reading
