Reflections on Evangelism 1: How the message got separated from the medium

Tonight I’m joining my friend Todd Hobart, who is an adjunct and PhD student at Luther Seminary, in his course on evangelism. He’s asked me to share my thoughts and experiences about evangelism.

I wrote down some thoughts in the past day or two–most of which I won’t share in class–that I want to share with you, my readers. If they strike you as comment worthy, I welcome your feedback. I’ll share them over the next three days.
* * * * *

In the West, we see an enculturated Christianity up until the late middle ages, where we see a shift away from enculturation to ascent to privately held beliefs. Evangelism is the process of enculturation–call it catechesis.

With the Reformation we see the rise of nation-states. As William Cavanaugh suggests, these nations used religious divisions and exploited them to break themselves free from papal authority…the so-called Religious Wars weren’t really about religion at all; religion was simply the thin veneer covering a thirst for power.

As nationalism rose, religion became privatized. The Church no longer had claim over earthly affairs and was left to be caretaker of an inner faith that has no direct political implications.

As religion becomes privatized, and abstracted from regular practices, religious fidelity becomes more about a set of privately held beliefs instead of the shape of one?s life.

This is modernism at its best-ideas separated from culture, things abstracted and fragmented, put into little boxes for analysis. During the Modern Era, religion continues to fragment and the Gospel is reduced down to a set of core propositional truths ABOUT Jesus Christ. Evangelism becomes about conveying this sets of propositional truths. Religion in the West has, therefore become a set of beliefs-rather than a way of life.

This takes on an interesting aspect as the West approaches the consumer age, where this boiled down Gospel is further reduced and abstracted-it is commodified and marketed.

In the modern era, the Gospel was abstracted and evangelism was purely about communication of propositions. In the late modern climate of consumerism, the Gospel is commodified and evangelism is purely about marketing of a message. Consumerism accelerated and brought a greater degree of “consumer choice” into the process of evangelism. It isn?t simply that one must decide whether or not to believe in Jesus; instead smart shoppers take their time to figure out which Jesus they want to believe in, and which church or ministry they ought to patronize for that ideal Jesus.

In our fractured, abstracted, consumeristic religious culture, evangelism is taken on by the marketing department of the Church. And if your church lacks the resources to handle marketing yourself, you can outsource it to one of hundreds of organizations that exist to customize their marketing materials for your church or ministry.

Thank God there has been a shift happening in the way in which we think about things like “church” and “gospel” and “evangelism” that seems to be genuinely critical of the commodification of our faith. The missional church movement and the emerging church movement, the Ekklesia Project-these movements are trying to de-commodify our faith. We?ve recognized that the message has been divorced from the medium. And therefore the message is reduced down and is communicated in profoundly trite ways-each one going for the “sale.”

Missio Dei Book of Prayer: Beta Version

I said in an earlier post that I wouldn’t make an electronic form of the Missio Dei Book of Prayer available until after it is finished. I’ve got some hard copies of what we are calling the “Beta Version” coming in the mail, but I could only really afford 10 copies. I’ll be giving them to people at Missio Dei, and a few others, for use during our “reboot” season at Missio Dei. My hope is to have a final version for everyone at Missio Dei (as well as for friends and supporters of Missio Dei) before March. March is when we enter the last phase of our “reboot” process.

Here’s the thing: I want more feedback than what I can get from 10 hard copies. This is why I’m revisiting the idea of distributing an electronic version. Your feedback can help make the Missio Dei Book of Prayer better. Not only better for Missio Dei, but also for our “generic” version. We want to have a version of our prayer book available to all missional communities (especially ones that tilt in the Anabaptist direction) that are interested in having a breviary for their community…more about that later. So, if you’d like a pdf of our book of prayer, I’d love to give it to you, provided:

1) That you don’t distribute it all over the place. You can do that with the final version, but I don’t want our beta version distributed all over the place (though I’m not sure that many people would be interested in it anyways).

2) That you promise to read it and give honest feedback. Any feedback is welcome–about spelling, grammer, theological concerns, use of particular Scriptures, formatting, etc.

Ok. Now I want to make a case for our prayer book–why it would be useful for other missional communties. Obviously, the Divine Hours is being rightly used by many people. But the Divine Hours isn’t a breviary–in other words it isn’t contained within one book. The Missio Dei Book of Prayer is mobile.

Unlike most books of prayer the Missio Dei Book of Prayer is easy to use. Everything you need for your morning or evening prayers is printed out–no need for an additional psalter, no need to flip pages.

The Missio Dei Book of Prayer is also shorter and includes prompts for spontaneous prayers. Some folks in our community were overwhelmed by praying through long formal prayers–they wanted a bit less of the formal prayers and readings, as well as built-in room for spontaneous prayers. We’ve tried to keep a tension between high church and low church with our prayer book.

Finally, the Missio Dei Book of Prayer reflects a missional neo-anabaptist sensibility. In other words, many prayers are directed towards one’s neighborhood and the people there and at the same time a strong commitment to Jesus’ way of peace and justice.

We hope to have our “generic” version edited and ready this spring–a month or two after the current version, which focuses on the West Bank of Minneapolis is finished. I don’t think there is a big enough “market” for this to be published through a publishing house, so I’ll probably have it available through a print-on-demand website, where copies will probably be available at about $10 a copy.
So, if you’d like a pdf version of the current beta version, send an email to markvans [at] gmail.com and I’ll send you a copy, provided you agree to the two things I mentioned above.

neo-monastic wisdom from Kevin Rains

Kevin Rains has a great blog post, which I include in its brief entirety. Please go to his blog and comment.

Joan Chittester writes that Benedict intended to “…”to create a way of life immersed in the scriptures, devoted to the common life, and dedicated to the development of human community. It was simple, regular and total, a way of living, not a way of serving; it was an attitude toward life, not a church ministry. Benedict, in other words, is not trying to create a clerical system. He is trying to create a human family. He is not out trying to collect priests though he does recognize that a priest may well have a monastic vocation.”

Simple. Regular. Total. A way of living. Not a way of serving.
This nailed me with particular force this morning. Monasticism (the old or the new, cloistered or friar-ed) was never intended to be a program or an add-on. It is total. It is baptism. It is immersion… in a whole new way of being. This is a major part of the reason it has so much power to form us. It is what Gladwell calls the “Power of Context” in his book The Tipping Point. (Dave Nixon pointed out that connection to me - credit where credit is due) Context is powerful.

We can read all we want and study all we want and write all we want and blog until we are blue in the fingers but unless we have an environment that supports our formation we might as well be trying to push a boulder up a hill with a spoon.

+++ Lord, give me courage to create environments and contexts that will naturally transform those who enter them and engage with them. Amen +++

Here’s what I commented:

YES! This is my prayer.

The challenge of what you are saying here is that, while many people certainly crave and long for such a way of life, many of us struggle with consumeristic ways of seeing Christianity. We have a bad Enlightenment hangover–”religion” and “spirituality” were successfully disembodied and privatized. Faith is something for which one shops. And while many are deeply longing for a way of life, their often too willing to settle for “an experience”–a facsimile of embodiment that carries us over for a while, but doesn’t satisfy.

We long for a lived-in faith, but we are like children building a rocketship–we often lack the imagination, tools, and discipline for the task. This is where I desperately cling to the Author of my faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit of God can indeed resurrect dry bones.

some self-indulgent pop psychology

I took the Personality DNA test (some friends have done this recently and I gave into the urge):

According to My Personal Dna Report, I am and Advocating Creator. I generally agree with the assessment, which I include below (I’ve included some of my own comments):

I am a creator:

• Your imagination, confidence, willingness to explore, and appreciation of beauty make you a CREATOR.
• You are independent, and you enjoy your self-sufficiency.
• Defying convention, you are very innovative, and you have a vivid imagination.
• The look of things is important to you, and you have a keen eye for aesthetic beauty in multiple arenas.
• You have a strong interest in what is new and exciting-and that includes forging ahead with new ideas, not simply discovering what is already out there.
• Your eagerness to seek new and varied experiences leads you into many different situations.
• You’re not set on one way of doing things, and you are creative when it comes to finding novel solutions to complex problems.
• You trust yourself to be innovative and resourceful.
• Your confidence allows you to take your general awareness and channel it into creativity.

This definitely fits me, though I have to say that I’m a bit troubled by how much I enjoy my independence and self-sufficiency–which indeed I do. I want the Lord to cultivate a greater desire for interdependence and reliance upon others in my life.
I am an advocator:

• Being social, empathic, and understanding makes you ADVOCATING.
• Some people find being around others exhausting-but not you! You are energized by spending time with friends, and you are good at meeting new people.
• One of the reasons you enjoy conversation as much as you do is that you often learn about yourself while talking things out with a friend; you realize things about your own beliefs while discussing them with others.
• You have insight into what others are thinking and feeling. This ability allows you to be happy for others, and to commiserate when something has gone wrong for them.
• You are highly compassionate, and being conscious of how things affect those close to you leaves you cautious about trusting others too hastily.
• Despite these reservations, you are open-minded when it comes to your worldview; you don’t look to impose your ways on others.
• Your sensitivity towards others’ plights contributes to an understanding-both intellectual and emotional-of many different perspectives.
• As someone who understands the complexities of the world around you, you are reluctant to pass judgments.

I’m not sure how empathetic I am. I think I can sense how others feel, but I often feel a bit immobilized about how to respond or show compassion. I guess that is part of being Dutch and growing up in Scandinavian country. I do genuinely care about people, I just have a tough time showing it.

I do enjoy meeting new people, but I have a shy streak. Sometimes it is a big issue for me.

That last bit about me being reluctant to pass judgements–yeah right. I can be very judgmental sometimes…especially towards the Church (though not so much about others. I think this ties into the “inclusion reaction” post.

Your Best Life Now: The BOARD GAME?!

What the duce? I kid you not: Joel Osteen’s bestseller is now a board game.

Excellent McKnight Post: Inclusion Reaction

Check out this excellent post by Scot McKnight on what he calls “the inclusion reaction.” Here’s a snippet:

…There is an instinct among emerging Christians to defend those who were “othered” by evangelicals and an instinct to “other” evangelicals, even though many emerging Christians truly are moderate or progressive evangelicals (and nervous about that term).
The irony of it all sometimes amuses me: most of us in the emerging movement are more than committed to including women in traditional “ministerial roles” though we may also not even like such categories any more. But, here we are at times standing up for the ecclesiology of Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox, when (if you haven?t observed) they have not made any genuine progress toward untying traditional knots that have excluded women from traditional ministerial roles…Why do we do this? The answer is simple and two-fold: we want to include those whom we have “othered” so we are especially sensitive to critique of Roman Catholics and the Orthodox. And, we want to develop an ecclesiology that gets “beyond” the old divisions and that means we have to work hard at inclusion - especially making room at the table for those whom we have othered.

Here’s my response:

Amen! I will now adopt “inclusion reaction” into my vocabulary. I think you are dead on. I am guilty of it, to be sure. Part of this may also be an issue of familiarity-I take my evangelical background for granted. It no longer excites me. The newness of other traditions is oh-so-appealing (all the more so because it was forbidden fruit in the church of my youth).

Although I recognize my reaction against evangelicalism alongside my defense of Catholicism, Orthodoxy, etc. (though I must say I don?t defend liberalism that often), I?m not sure how to make peace with my evangelical roots. I?ve stubbornly clung to my identity as an “evangelical” and as a “charismatic” even though many of my friends have dropped such affiliations. The stalwart evangelicals and charismatics I know aren?t impressed or honored by my desire to stick with them, however.

In order to foster my appreciation for evangelicalism (and to move beyond my reaction against evangelicalism), here is a list of 10 things I enjoy about evangelicals and their (our?) tradition (in no particular order):

1. Evangelicals are centered on Jesus Christ and insist upon a vital relationship with him.
2. Evangelicals try to take the Bible seriously.
3. Evangelicals have a genuine passion to proclaim the Good News throughout the world.
4. Evangelicals recognize the need for innovation and adaptability of forms in different contexts.
5. For the most part, their movement is large and inclusive. Any movement that includes such profoundly different people as Mark Driscoll, Ron Sider, and James Dobson can’t be called narrow and exclusive.
6. Evangelicals value orthodoxy.
7. Evangelicals seek revival and renewal–they aren’t satisfied with cold tradition.
8. Evangelicals are statistically more charitable than most other sorts of Christians.
9. It could be argued that evangelicals are less likely to rank some Christians above other Christians–beliefs like the priesthood of all believers and the shared ministry of all believers are taken seriously by many evangelicals.
10. There is something powerful about the evangelical emphasis on conversion–repentance isn’t something to be taken for granted, and transformation is something that all evangelicals are encouraged to experience.

Upcoming Engagement: December and January

A few people always ask me when and where I’ll be preaching or presenting in the future. I want to share such information because 1) I’d love to have friends show up and support me and 2) I want to have more engagements in the future–right now I need the honorarium money and I also feel like I’ve got some things worth saying.

December 18: I’ll be joining a class at Luther Seminary on Evangelism, sharing my approach to evangelism and related experiences at Missio Dei.

January 18: I’ll be part of a panel discussion at 1pm at a YouthWorks conference (that is being held at Christ Presbyterian Church).

January 29: I’ll be speaking at Bethel Seminary’s Community Life Gathering at 12noon about the Postmodern Church in the 21st Century.

January 23rd: At 7:30pm, I’ll be speaking at the InterVarsity Chapter at Winona State about the “Myth of Religion.” I’ll be talking about the myth that religious practices can save apart from faith in Jesus Christ by explaining the basis for different religious practices.

February 12: I’ll be preaching at the River Church in Chaska. Topic to be determined, but I’ll probably talk about “The Kingdom of God and the American Dream” a sermon contrasting the two competing “Christian” stories about freedom and fulfillment.

It is finished!

I’ve been spending most of my time during the past two weeks working on the Missio Dei Book of Prayer…I just finished the first draft! It is 115 pages. I don’t want to distribute it electronically just yet–at least not via this blog. If you’d like a copy, let me know, so that when I run off copies, I can make one for you.

The book of prayer covers morning and evening for 28 days–four weeks. The first week focuses on chapter 5 of Matthew. Week two focuses on Luke’s parables. Week three emphasizes the signs and “I am” statements found in John. Week 4 follows Mark’s account of Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem through his trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.

The themes and prayers have an anabaptist flavor–here we were inspired by the Anabaptist Prayer Book. Also, there is a focus on the West Bank, giving the Missio Dei Book of Prayer a missional quality. I’m going to work on a “generic” version that can be used by people for their own contexts.

The morning prayers include a set of opening prayers (borrowing from the Eastern Orthodox tradition), a reading, the Lord’s prayer, and a closing prayer. The evening prayers are similar, but have a call to praise (based around the “Jesus Creed”) instead of an opening prayer and have one of seven canticles instead of the Lord’s prayer. The evening prayer also includes a psalm.

Next, I’ll read and re-read it for errors. Then I’ll do a quick, inexpensive print-out for myself and a handful of others, asking them to make suggestions for changes. After that, we’ll add some simple artwork and have it bound. We’ll bind two versions: 1) The book of prayer with the Missio Dei Rule of faith included and 2) a “generic one” with just the book of prayer and without specific references to the West Bank.
After each reading there is an italicized prompt for prayer or reflection. Here’s an example:

Week 1: Saturday Morning

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

The Tax Collector?s Prayer

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:38-42

You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

1 Peter 2:13-17

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of the foolish. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Ephesians 6:11-12

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Pray for the courage to live as a peacemaker and reconciler. Pray against the principalities and the powers. Pray that you may live humble lives, submitting to authority for the Lord?s sake.

The Lord?s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Father, may we live as bold citizens of the Kingdom. We pledge our allegiance only to you. You are the King! Babylon has fallen! Lord, as we follow you, help us to wage war against our enemy. Father, we know that our enemy is not flesh and blood, so let us wage war as you do. Father, you overcome evil with good. Help us to overcome evil with good. You are the Peacemaker. Make us peacemakers. Help us to turn the other cheek. Help us to resist evil with love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

top ten up-and-coming theologians?

In the spirit of my last post, I want to ask, “who do you think are the top ten up-and-coming theologians?” In other words, who is going to be hugely important in 10, 20, 30, or more years?
Here’s the rules: Your list must be 10 people or less. They have to be published and already showing influence. They don’t have to be academic theologians–theologically-minded practioners, ethicists, theologians, etc. are accepted. You have to have read something of theirs.

Here’s my list:

LeRon Shults
William Cavanaugh
Vincent Miller
Amos Yong
Miroslav Volf (I know I included him in my influential list, but I think his best work is still ahead)
Christine Pohl
Richard Hayes

Top Theologians?

For you theology nerds out there…

Thanks to Graham, who directed me to a recent blog post trying to determine the top living theologians. The rule is that you can only pick up to 10 global theologians and 5 from your own country. I found it difficult, quite frankly, picking five worthy American Theologians. Here’s my list (not in any particular order):

GLOBAL:

Rene Girard
Alasdair MacIntyre
Jurgen Moltmann
NT Wright
Gustavo Gutierez
John Milbank
Leonardo Boff
John Zizioulas
Wolfhart Pannenberg
Oliver O’Donovan

USA:

Stanley Hauerwas
Walter Bruggemann
Miroslav Volf
Harvey Cox
Denny Weaver

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