You may have noticed the new link on the sidebar for The Daily Scribe. This week I was informed that Perigrinatio was included into their community of blogs. I am excited by the honor of being included into this community of Christian writers who span the spectrum of Christendom from Anabaptist to Evangelical to Missional to eclectic mutts like me!

What is The Daily Scribe? Here is a part of the description from the website/feeder:

The blogosphere also plays host to some of the very best writing and thinking available today. Religion, philosophy and political writing by bloggers is improving by the minute, consequently demanding the attention of the more traditional and the much larger media outlets, institutions, and organizations. The fact that vocational professionals are forming blogging niches relevant to their academic training and life expertise has much to do with this improvement. A new found respect is being directed towards blogs and bloggers who exhibit a passion for this new medium with which they express their life’s hard work and study.

The Daily Scribe is one such niche. Only the highest quality Christian writing and expression is aggregated on the pages of The Daily Scribe. All of the writers featured are dedicated professionals in their respective fields and faiths. Theirs is a passion which is obvious, mature and tuned - well tuned. Each aggregated member represents quality and honesty. Each of these individuals bring much of value to the craft. So, rather than searching for hours for quality content regarding Christian ministry, theology, philosophy, design, technology, culture and praxis, just swing by “The Daily Scribe” and do your research! Here you will find more than you can probably process in one sitting. So, research it, find it, and take the knowledge with you!

So head over and check out some of the blogs who make up this blogging community.

Buddy Miller is someone I first became familiar with via Emmylou Harris and Pattie Griffin. He has made some fine music himself and along with his talented wife Julie Miller. I came across this beautiful new song (so new it has yet to be named) and had to pass it along. (That Phil Madeira is one talented organ player!)

Help us find “home!”

ht Rustin

Last week I began this series I so innovatively (a doug-ism, apparently) entitled, “wisdom for wednesday” - if you haven’t a clue - you can catch up by reading last weeks post, here.

This week our wisdom is again taken from The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton (p. 25-26).

“A brother asked one of the elders: ‘What good thing shall I do, and have life thereby?’

The older man replied: ‘God alone knows what is good. However, I have heard it said that someone inquired of Father Abbot Nisteros the great, the friend of Abbot Anthony, asking: what good work shall I do? and that he replied:

Not all works are alike. For Scripture says that Abraham was hospitable and God was with him. Elias loved solitary prayer, and God was with him. And David was humble, and God was with him.

Therefore, whatever you see your soul to desire according to God, do that thing, and you shall keep your heart safe.’”

As summer approaches (culturally it is here - with Memorial Day behind us, school ending and AC’s humming all around) I return every year to meditate on the season of heat. With the earth rotating so that the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun - we have longer periods of sunlight, hotter temperatures and unpredictable storms. Growing up in Florida I have come to enjoy the changing of the seasons (in Florida there is one season - hot - okay two: hot and HOTTER & Humid). And it has taken me some time to “warm back up” to Summer. In the past few years I really have come to appreciate the warming of our days (It is still probably my least favorite season - but I appreciate it none-the-less).

With Summer we see the explosion of color - the grass and trees find the greenest of green and the flowers bloom with vibrant yellows, “radish-y” reds, plum-like purples and fiery oranges and every shade in-between. It seems to happen so quickly - one day you plant this tiny plant and it seems overnight what once was so fragile and on the edge of life has blossomed into a vibrant and vital flowering factory. It never ceases to amaze me. Now - I don’t go wild at my home. We are no burgeoning plant nursery or anything - but we plant a few annuals and try to keep up with a simple, tidy garden or two - but the bit we do does me good. It forces me outside. I am connected to soil, air, and water; pulling me from the artificial and controlled environment of my plaster and plastic world. It calls me to the now of watering, weeding, tending and noticing that is essential even in elementary gardening. It reminds me of God: The Gardner, the One who causes growth, the Creator, the Sustainer, and in a mysterious way - Life itself.

The seasons. Summer. Heat, light, sweat, thunder storms, wind, laughter, bright colors and nights full of stars - don’t miss it huddling next to the Air Conditioner, grumping about electric bills and the price of gas to take a vacation to the beach. Get outside your own four walls and put your toes in the soil and water a daisy. I have found getting outside in the summer time is not only fun, but it is good for our insides, as well.

It is no secret that I am sort of a freak when it comes to a particular band. Those who know me, know me as one who is more than a fan - more like a fanatic for the Seventy Sevens. For more than 25 years I have enjoyed in both the highest highs and the lowest lows their tunes as the “unofficial, official” soundtrack of my life. The vibe, the words, the emotion all tied up in their releases has collided well with the events that have propelled me through my adolescence, young adulthood, marriage, family and now near empty nest years. In many ways (even mysteriously) the themes and struggles of my life I have seen mirrored and even addressed in each subsequent 77’s release over these past 25 years.

I share all this to say… I am looking forward to adding some new tunes to the 77’s lexicon (aka my life soundtrack)!! They will arrive in my grubby greedy little fanatical hands with the appropriate autographs on June 28th!! I will buy it from Mr. Roe himself as I accompany my bride to see one of their (nowadays) rare live performances in Dayton Ohio at the infamous Canal Street Tavern (an adult beverage AND hearing the 7’s live… now that is a rare treat!) The new tunes are coming in the form of a new release entitled, Holy Ghost Building! It is a disc of standard blues and gospel numbers given the classic Seventy Sevens treatment and I can’t wait to hear this stuff! From the earliest days, old blues standards have been a 77’s staple - their very first release included an old blues tune, Denomination Blues by Washington Phillips - and the seven’s take on Phillips song is a fan favorite that is constantly requested at their live gigs (and this trend has continued through the years - a heavy dose of the blues has always been a strong suit of a 77’s recording). The ensuing blues & gospel fest soon to be released fits very well with the 77’s modus operandi and is highly anticipated (dare I say the older fans have been clamoring for this recording!!). A press release about the new recording follows, as well as their short tour dates (with Mike Roe, Mark Harmon & Bruce Spencer - and a special treat 7’s alumnus David Leonhardt!)… if you are anywhere near (say within 200 miles) any of these shows - do yourself a favor and grab a loved one and enjoy!!

And whether you make a live show or not… do yourself a favor and line the pockets of some great independent musicians and spend a few pennies (okay dollars) and get this recording!

————— for immediate press release ————– from low fidelity & the 77’s ———-

Lo-Fidelity Records and The 77s are proud to present the highly anticipated release of their new studio recording, “Holy Ghost Building.” Recorded over a 2-year stretch, the initial sessions were done quickly, much like Johnny Cash or Elvis recorded their early records at Sun Studios in Memphis. Mike Roe comments, “Those guys would choose a song, play through it to get the feel and arrangement, and while it was all fresh they would just roll the tape. Drawing from literally the same sources they did, we did the same thing….choosing old gospel, blues and bluegrass tunes that said something to us as a band, and then recording them on the spot with no rehearsal….the only difference was we spent a couple years putting the finishing touches on the songs!”

While “Holy Ghost Building” could be called a “return to form” for the band, saying so would also sell short the new depth the band has found in playing these songs. The record has The 77’s touchstones of rock and blues, but they have also included folk, slide guitar, Byrds-era jangle electric 12-strings, and vocal harmonies previously unheard on any 77’s record. Mike says “When folks ask me what this record sounds like, I like to say ‘Elvis, Scotty, Bill & D.J.’ because we did it exactly the way those guys did the early Elvis recordings. It even sounds like them sonically here and there, but thankfully none of that was planned either, which of course makes me very happy. You can’t plan those things without them often sounding planned, and I’m so glad we didn’t. Even the one original tune we tacked on at the end of this project as a bonus treat for the fans was made up on the spot: music, lyrics, melody and all. Talk about risk! But that’s how you end up with records like the ones I loved as a kid, and this one’s got that sound and feeling.

“For a preview off the record, visit the 77’s myspace to hear “Working on a Building,” the first single. The band will feature three new songs off the record leading up to its release.

The first pressing of “Holy Ghost Building” will feature limited edition digipack packaging and is scheduled for release beginning Friday, June 20th to coincide with The 77’s brief return to the road.

The CD will be available online from www.77s.com and www.lo-fidelity.com beginning June 20th as well, although orders will not begin shipping until the following Monday, June 23rd. Please note all dates are subject to change.

Mike Roe, Mark Harmon, David Leonhardt and Bruce Spencer will make a brief return to the road leading up to Cornerstone.

You do not want to miss this tour! Tour dates are as follows:

Friday, June 20th - Marietta GA
3 Bears Cafe
105 North Park Square,
Marietta GA 30060
Green Bracelet will open the show.
Showtime: 8:00PM
Must be 18+ years to attend.
Ticket Price: $12
Tickets available online at www.myspace.com/annemarieperry
(**Advise to buy in advance…this is going to be a full room) Your paypal receipt will be your ticket, please print out and bring to show.

Saturday, June 21 - Hendersonville TN
“The Living Room” at First Baptist Church Hendersonville
106 Bluegrass Commons Blvd.
Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075
Doors: 6:30pm
Showtime: 7:00PM
Lewis and Mary Lea will open the show…
Ticket price: $5.00 at the door.

Sunday, June 22, 2008 - Litchfield, IL
First Baptist Church of Litchfield
608 N Van Buren Street
Litchfield IL 62056
Doors: 6:30pm
Showtime: 7:00pm
Tickets: $8 in advance through itickets, $10 at the door
Litchfield is located off hwy 55 in southern Illinois, 46 miles south of Springfield Illinois and roughly 55 miles north of the Greater St. Louis Metro-East area.

Tuesday, June 24th - Ames IA
Zeke’s (Live Music, Performing Arts, Community Center)
3329 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
Doors: 7:00pm
Showtime: 7:30pm
Tickets: $15
Ticket info at www.zekesames.com
For more info contact Scott Hanson, hansonscott@mac.com (subject 77’s show)

Wednesday, June 25 - Rock Island IL
Comedy Sportz
1818 3rd Ave
Rock Island, IL 61201
Doors: 7:00pm
Showtime: 7:30pm
Ticket Prices: $15-if you purchase by June 13. $18.00 from June 14 - June 24th, $20 on day of show at the door.
Call District Drugs & Compounding Center, Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 5PM to Purchase Tickets. Call @ 309.786.8431 or Toll Free @ 866.842.3351 (Credit Card Payment- Visa/Master Card/Discover)- all sales final. Tickets will be issued “will call” at Door.
For more info contact Jim Perry @ jperry68@mchsi.com (subject 77’s show)
Website for more info: www.districtdrugs.com

Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lo-Fidelity Presents the 77’s at BACKTHIRD AUDIO
www.backthird.com
No tickets will be sold at the door.
This concert is being held in the beautiful “live room” of the studio at BackThird Audio in downtown Aurora.
40 seat capacity.
For more info and to purchase tickets, please visit:
www. lo-fidelity. com/77s

Friday, June 27 - Livonia MI
Trinity House Theatre
38840 W. Six Mile
Livonia, MI 48152-2605
Doors: 7:30pm
Showtime: 8PM
Ticket Price: $18, $15 for members
Contact 734-464-6302 or trinityhouse.org to reserve tickets

Saturday, June 28 - Dayton OH
Canal Street Tavern
308 E. First Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Doors: 8:00pm
Showtime: 9:00pm
Opening band TBA
Ticket Price: $15 in advance, $17 at the door
Advance tickets can be purchased at Canal Street Tavern (cash only), or can be charged online & by phone through iTickets. com or 1-800-965-9 324 (service charge applies)
Contact “Hear The Light” at 937-426-5400 or email deb@hearthelight.com (subject 77’s show) for more info.
Please note, you must be at least 18 or accompanied by parent or legal guardian to attend this concert.

Thursday, July 3 - Cornerstone
Gallery Stage
8:15pm - 9:15pm

Friday, July 4 - Cornerstone
Main Stage
7:15pm - 7:30pm

Once the Cornerstone dust has settled, Mike, Mark, and Bruce would like to continue their “Holy Ghost Building” tour on the West Coast/Pacific Northwest. Perspective show dates would begin July 11th, and end….??? For more information and to book the 77’s, please contact jeffrey k. ASAP at booking@lo-fidelity.com

from the sayings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers (a paraphrase by Merton)…

The Desert Mothers and Fathers sayings have been gathered in numerous anthologies by the Orthodox and Roman church. These hermits of the Egyptian desert formed the basis for the formation of formal monasticism and give us a glimpse at a literal following of Jesus’ teaching. The sayings of our spiritual ancestors which I will share on Wednesdays for the for-seeable future are primarily taken from the hermits of Scete who fled the “worldly” habitation of the Roman Empire during the 3rd and 4th century.

————————————————

“Once two brothers were sitting with Abbot Poemen and one praised the other brother saying: ‘He is a good brother, he hates evil.’

The old man said, ‘What do you mean, he hates evil?’

And the brother did not know what to reply. So he said, ‘Tell me, Father, what it is to hate evil?’

The Father said, ‘That man hates evil who hates his own sins, and looks upon every brother as a saint, and loves him as a saint.’”

[from The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton p. 70-71]

For many years I focused on believing. Throughout college and seminary and the ensuing 5 or so years of “full-time” ministry I was enamored with and focused on presenting correct belief. What are the right ways to conceive of and discuss and comprehend the subject of Christianity.

I think this is pretty normal. No, I would say this is important and it is appropriate.

But the day comes when what we believe and the faith as understood in our head faces a crisis. Our faith diluted down to individual categories and systems looks great on paper but under the scrutiny of a full-blown crisis sometimes our beliefs can ring a bit hollow. The complexities and perplexities of life enter the picture forcing us to reconsider or even alter our belief system.

In my life it was at this point that a new realization hit. Christ came not only sharing a belief system (what I put my faith in) but also a way of life (priorities, practices and performance).

The Christian life is both a belief system and a way of life. I not only develop my faith by getting the “Story in order” but also by finding myself “in the story.” My faith is fed and tested and nurtured by both right believing and by right living. Both are needed. They feed each other and they stimulate one another growing us up into God’s image. (When I learned to live in congruence with my intellectual understanding of my Christian faith it moved me from a posture of arrogance about my rightness to a position of humility as I attempted to stumble forward in the way of Christ and his followers.) On this basis I propose it is not about believing as much as it is about be-living. The sense that we need to be concerned about who we are (being) and this is certainly understood as we ascertain our identity and our heritage. There is also an equal concern about how I am behaving and representing myself (living) and this comes into focus as I follow after Christ’s way of life. [Isn’t this the purpose of the final parable of the Sermon on the Mount? Doesn’t this twin focus capture the essence of James admonition, “be do-ers of the Word?” To be a do-er of the Word, necessitates a correct understanding of the Word (belief) and appropriate behavior (way of life)].

In youth ministry it seems that during the summer as we accompany kids through life and share experiences at camp or conferences or on a missions trip - it is a great time to remind ourselves and the students that the Christian faith is more than the acquisition of right thinking. The message of Jesus was one which affirmed both a belief system (Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is One) and a way of life (Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength… and your neighbor as yourself). As you go through this summer think of ways that you can call your students to nurture their faith as a way of life. Maybe even introduce a new word into their lexicon, be-live. Calling ourselves and those we lead and love to have a congruence between our beliefs and our way of living. Believing and following in the way of Jesus is finding that harmony between right thinking/believing and right living/priorities. I call that be-living.

Yesterday I began a review on reTHiNK by Steve Wright - you can read what I thought of the first third or so of the book here.

In the second half of the book (2/3rds to be fair) Wright takes up his prescription - co-championing the institution of the Family and the church. A partnership between parents (the primary discipler of Children) and the church (purpose to exalt, edify (disciple?), and evangelize). He then states that the key is to strike a balance where we are focusing our efforts in helping our churches be more family-centered (a good word!). His prescription goes on to help reshape our model of youth ministry helping set up parents as the primary influencer/discipler for their children.

Here is my struggle. This sounds great. It plays into the focus on the family agenda of many Evangelical churches. It even “sounds” biblical. From my understanding of culture, ancient stuff and a few years of studying the Bible - this is more of a programmatic reaction than a precise scriptural reading. I think my perspective on reTHiNK is that there is a lot of helpful suggestion (REALLY) but I don’t think it is a more “biblical framework” than many other newer ideas out there which also have the same premise* but different (equally biblically grounded) prescriptions (say Folmsbee’s “New Kind of Youth Ministry,” M. King’s “Presence-Centered Youth Ministry” or Yaconelli’s “Contemplative Youth Ministry“).

I think where Wright sells a bit too hard is in his conviction that parents are to be the primary discipler of their teen. I believe that a case can be made for this idea as it relates to children (I think their are a number of scriptures which would point to this), but to carry this idea over to one who is beyond puberty is not something that I think you can argue from scripture. In the ancient world (actually up till the middle/late part of the 19th Century) there was no appreciation of this “time between.” There was no time between childhood and adulthood. The Bible doesn’t have a word for those after puberty - other than adult. The Bible has words for infant, young child, and child. The Bible recognizes young adults, adults and older adults. The Bible writers know not a teenager (the term adolescence doesn’t appear in English till 1904).

It is anachronistic and reading our world into the text to suggest that parents are to be the primary spiritual care-taker of their teen. In biblical times once a youth goes through puberty - they had a party and ushered the “now adult” into the world of work, child-rearing and becoming contributers to the larger community. This meant the young adult often left their parents home (the ancients understood the fireworks that often occur between parents and their post puberty offspring) to enter an apprenticeship, a relationship with a “master” or Rabbi/teacher, or into the home of a new spouse (and their extended family).

In fact their seems to be more precedent from the lessons of the ancients that what human beings who have crossed over the threshold of puberty need is not more influence from their parents (they should have gotten that from the previous 11-13 years); but reinforcement and new perspectives from other experienced adults.

Wright does a good job with diagnosis. His prescription for championing the twin towers of parents and the church sounds good - but I don’t think it is the winning combination long term in most churches that he envisions it to be. The church does need to champion/help/serve/equip parents to negotiate the new relationship they have with their teen - but not as primary discipler - it is a moving slowly from being the authority to over time acknowledging each others adulthood while still being the parent - no easy task (as their young person struggles with independence, identity, and intimacy). Parents need to help their teen find other adults who can reinforce how they have been “training up their child” and move from being a primary discipler to being a primary modeler (actions over words). I think Wright does a great job identifying some of what I think are critical values for a healthy youth ministry; but I think he really focuses on one of those values far more than the others. I would have probably focused on another one to the detriment of the others - that being the value of “championing the church.” But, I probably mean something different than Wright when I say that. I think Youth Ministry must become an advocate for the integration of all ages into the life and purposes of the church. It is here that more genuine relationship and mentoring and “discipling” can take place. It is here where I see a more wholistic and Acts 2.42 kind of picture of how what we call adolescents can be best cared for.

It is worth a read. Wright is to be commended for raising the issue. I am sure it will cause many a healthy discussion in classrooms and family rooms among youth ministry practitioners trying to do their best for “their kids.” If you haven’t read it - give it a go - and then as Wright challenges us, “decide for yourself.”

*I read Wright’s premise as - those in youth ministry must rethink about the values and priorities of youth ministry because our current way or approach in ministering to teens is fundamentally flawed.

So I came across the book, reTHiNK (is student ministry working?) by Steve Wright on the recommendation of a friend. Have you seen it? I think it is worth considering. It is a book that has gotten me thinking about new approaches and new priorities in the field of ministry to adolescence. His basic premise - those in youth ministry must rethink about the values and priorities of youth ministry because our current way or approach in ministering to teens is fundamentally flawed. His prescription: create a true church/parent partnership for the purpose of spiritually impacting young people (ala Deuteronomy 6)

In this portion of my review I want to focus on what I think Wright has done well.

1. He has raised a fair argument to suggest that youth ministry and it’s current dominant models of attractional evangelism, event oriented programs, and being an alternative to secular society aren’t working (as seen through numerous studies.) He also shows that youth workers are not adequately trained or prepared to carry out the demands that the current dominant models of youth ministry (as seen through studies that suggest youth worker retention, satisfaction and health are poor).

2. Wright does a good job identifying and evaluating the current values that inform the dominant models of youth ministry operating in the Evangelical Church of the West. He then offers alternatives. Here I think Wright is at his strongest. He suggests the following values as a correction:

moving from separation from parents to partnership

moving from student ministry to student development

moving from cultural relevance to biblical faithfulness

moving from internalized ministry to championing the church

Now - to be fair Wright sets these up as “either/or” options. Which probably is not realistic in every case. And the terminology does need some explanation - but here is my perspective (probably diverting a bit from Wright) on his 4 youth ministry values (revalued):

Family Ministry - a reframing of our purpose to embracing the whole family unit

Spiritual Formation - we must reconsider our role moving from program directors and communication specialists to spiritual directors and mentors who accompany youth through life.

Immersing Teens INTO the Story - adolescents don’t need bleeding edge technology (they may want it or it may be hip initially) what they are looking for ultimately is a story or narrative that makes sense of their past, present and future. Young people need to find an embracing epic that inspires, informs and is worthy of their investment. What students need is what we all need - not facts, figures, and statistics about the Bible - what we need is to be read by the Bible, to be immersed, caught up in, to find ourselves in the story.

Youth Ministry as a ministry OF the Church - no more is youth ministry done in isolation in the church. Youth ministry must be integrated into the life of the church allowing for a natural process of intergenerational ministry; mentoring; “on-the-job” training; and real-life experience of the ways, joys, and struggles of Christ’s Church. Young people need to both give and receive as vital members of the church - youth ministers need to be advocates for integrating young people into the life and ministry of the church.

To be fair, I am not sure if I have fairly represented Wright’s values in the four points above. But after reading the book and reflecting on it - this is my “reTHiNk.” What do you think?

So the first 1/3 or so of this book is what I have presented - Wright’s research on the dominant models of youth ministry (they aren’t working) and a revaluing of what youth ministry should be about. I think much of what he suggests in this part of his book is worthy of consideration. The book is a helpful read for this alone. His remodeling of youth ministry follows over the remainder of the book (I have mixed feelings about it) and I will look at that tomorrow.

“a long loving gaze at the real…”

photo credit from Mike Raether.com