two photos …
This is a photo from the recent RUN conference in the UK ... The theme was "More Than This: Breaking the Mould [Mold in the US] of Mission."
This is a photo from Burundi - one of the many exciting outcomes of our amahoro-africa.org gathering this year is a project to help the Batwa people in some important ways. (I wrote about my visit with the Batwa here ...) This is the team - convened by Claude Nikondeha - that have some amazing possibilities ahead of them.
If you'd like to help support this and other good works at amahoro - go here.
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these things happen …
In case anyone caught Philip Elliot's AP story that mentioned me ... it was a good article, but not quite accurate in at least two details. These things happen.
It said,
Meanwhile, Obama's campaign is aggressively reaching out to evangelicals.
The Illinois senator dispatched former 9/11 Commission member Tim Roemer to meet with fellow Roman Catholics. He sent Brian McLaren, one of the country's most influential pastors, to meet with fellow evangelicals. And aides have conducted more than 200 "American Values Forums," soon to be followed up with house parties and town hall-style meetings aimed at young Catholics and young evangelicals.
Of course, we all know that I'm not one of the country's most influential pastors. Nor was I sent to meet with fellow evangelicals on Obama's behalf, although I'd be happy to share with anyone of any faith persuasion my hopes, concerns, and commitments regarding the presidential election.
I was invited to speak on faith and politics at one of Senator Obama's "faith and values" forums in Iowa last year. And I am an enthusiastic supporter of The Matthew 25 Network, which is supporting Senator Obama, and which you can read about here and here. And I plan to be more outspoken about the election in the coming months, here and elsewhere - not as a spokesperson for any organization, but as a responsible private citizen. In fact, I just said good-bye to a CNN crew who was here filming a story about Evangelicals who support Senator Obama, tentatively to be aired on Tuesday.
For many years as a pastor, I never was public about my political commitments because I didn't want to cause conflict in the church I served. Instead, I tried to promote respectful dialog and responsible political engagement among my fellow Christians. Now as an author, I will continue to try to promote respectful dialog and responsible engagement. But I also feel more freedom - and responsibility - to speak more personally about my political commitments, always, I hope, with civility and respect for those who differ.
So, inaccuracies happen. To say I was sent by Senator Obama wasn't accurate. To say I hope he will be our next president rather than Senator McCain is accurate.
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see you tomorrow night in dc?
My friends Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw bring the "Jesus for President Tour" to DC Friday, 27 June, at 7 PM here ...
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-347-8355
I'll be playing some original music (with friends from Harp 46) during the intermission.
It will be fun and otherwise joyful!
PS - It's free, but you're advised to arrive early ...
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Q & A
Here's a question that I thought would be worth sharing ...
I want to first thank you for your willingness to publish, speak, and be an effective church leader. I remember reading "A New Kind of Christian." ... I can remember being like Dan Poole, wanting to swing a stick at you... trust me that is not the case anymore, for the most part. I have heard you speak at YS Conventions, Willow Creek (Shift 2008) and appreciate you generous nature you bring to the pulpit, and gracious spirit you have for those who have criticized you.
Ok, to my question. I find myself in trouble in my local congregation because I have read and taught from your books. I was recently called a heretic recently ...
HOW, does someone who finds herself as "emergent" exist in a local congregation that is more comfortable with closed systems, black and white answers, rigid orthodoxy and legalistic orthopraxy? I love my church, but feel I am no longer a fit, the problem is, in searching for another system, there are not many churches that have progressed, if I may use that term, to this more "generous orthodoxy."
I have now read all of your books, and while I don't always agree with you, I always respect you. What does someone who is "generous" do with a church that is "ungenerous". Basically, what I am asking, how does someone who thinks like you, agrees with you (mostly) and wants to dialogue more than dictate exist in the modern church in America?
OK. For a reply ...
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For Preachers, Pastors and Teachers … and others
If you've read Everything Must Change, I think you'll agree that we all need to be agents of peace, especially those of us who influence others.
My friend Michael Hardin is organizing an important gathering this summer for people who want to improve their peace-making skills. It's called Preaching Peace ... It will take place August 12-14 at Messiah College in Southern Pennsylvania.
Here's a draft of speakers and workshop titles ...
I hope to see many of you there!
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