i did not come with lofty words
For all who are daring and preparing to speak to their communities in the next few days about the mysteries of cross and resurrection… you’re not alone… maybe you can identify with these words…
Read More »a big year
2016 is shaping up to be a big year for SmallTall Ministries.
I’ll be teaching in three countries in the next few weeks… Today we did the final tweaks to the audio master of the new CD that will be coming out very soon…I have been named an instructor in the new Anabaptist Learning Workshop, and a Teaching Associate with the AMBS Church Leadership Center…
Read More »reading isaiah
I wasn’t here
when the news came
of bombs and shots and
concert-goers on the blood-red floor.
Where was I?
In a cabin
in the woods
with grade 12 students
imagining the future
dreaming of the future
preparing for the future.
a messy Bible
I had an “aha” moment when reading this article, regarding why I seem to relate to the Bible differently than so many people that I know. I can honestly not remember a time when I thought (or “was led to believe,” as the article says) that the Bible is “neat, tidy and consistent.” From my very earliest memories, I remember experiencing that the Bible was (and is) deeply contested – that honest, sincere, passionate Jesus-following people understood (and understand) texts in different ways, and passionately disagree with each other. From getting into trouble with my grade 1 teacher to innumerable and often heated family mealtime discussions; from watching my friends’ parents go into my dad’s office to express concern about the things he was teaching at the seminary, to relating to dear friends who were (and are) conservative evangelicals, liberationist catholics, divergent-and-disagreeing Mennonites… Throughout my growing-up years I experienced the Bible as deeply contested space, and my faith has been (and continues to be) forged in the crucible of vigorous dialogue and debate, especially between committed, caring and passionate Christians who deeply disagree with each other. That’s where I have lived, and continue to live, my life. And that’s how I’ve come to have such a passion and love for Scripture. Not because it is “neat, tidy and consistent” (I have never known it to be that), but because it is messy and complex and rich and challenging and generative and confusing and contested and always-revealing-more. My experience is not one of having to grapple with being in a “wilderness” of doubt because of the loss of an earlier experience/assumption that the Bible is “neat, tidy and consistent.” I guess I’ve never known anything but this “wilderness” (if that’s what it is). I find the “wilderness” of the Bible as contested space to be a rich, fertile and life-giving (as well as dangerous) place. Braun’s article describes “elderly people who have deep-seated questions about Scripture and are glad for a space in which to explore them.” Reading the article makes me realize that what these “elderly people” are discovering is something that I have been blessed to experience my whole life – a space (in fact, many spaces) to explore such “deep-seated questions.” In fact, my experience has been (and continues to be) that Scripture itself provides and is such a “space” for wrestling with challenging questions together. I think of this as normal. But maybe I shouldn’t – maybe my experience is more unique (even weird?) than I realize. Anyway – today’s “aha” moment renews my passion and conviction to do all I can to help generate, curate, and moderate such “spaces” for others. This is a big part of how I have come – and keep coming – to faith. I hope you can find such spaces...
Read More »on reverence, silliness, worship, creativity and structure
Here’s an nice article that appeared this summer about a workshop I did at Camp Kintail last May. I feel like the writer captured well the dynamic of that day, and how my ministry functions… Click here to have a look.
Read More »lots of writing – just not here
For anyone keeping score at home, you may have noticed that it’s been a long time since I’ve written anything in this space. Oddly enough, this year I have probably written as much or more than in any other year of my life – just not here. My studies are moving along well (I wrote about that decision here), and big things are afoot in the development of my ministry… more will be posted here soon. I’d say “watch this space,” but based on past experience that would seem like an invitation to watch paint dry in slow motion. In any case, be forewarned – there’s a new year comin’ and a series of announcements and updates will be posted here. Not only is the paint drying, but new coats are going on fast – in fact, whole new walls and rooms are being built and readied for action. Looking forward to inviting you into the new “digs” soon! Peace be with you,...
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