There's more to the story (introduction)

Now, if you are still reading the second half of this introduction to my book, here’s my question to each of you: IF there is nothing to “sell” when it comes to living and doing Christianity, expressing and sharing the gift of God’s love “given freely,” then WHY are so many Christians spending so much time, effort and money trying to peddle it to everyone, everywhere like medicine hucksters of the wild, wild west?

Before offering the “rest of the introduction” to my book (yes, the last segment was only the first half), I want to be clear about my intent here. I am and will challenge some, not all, of the paradigms associated with Christianity and faith in general for that matter. I believe there is far more good in the world, than evil. I have far more hope, than despair. I am committed to being a part of the solution, not simply standing on the sidelines throwing rocks of generalization. Am I theologically qualified to challenge the church or its leaders’ intents or methodologies? Logically, no. Based on what I see and feel and experience within the context of my work and interactions, yes. They are my experiences, and as such I own them. I do not profess to say my point of view should be yours. I humbly set them out there more as questions, than answers. To challenge our thinking. To stir our pots of complacency. To ignite honest and vigorous dialogue.

 To anyone who feels insulted or personally attacked, those who honor me by reading my writings, I ask you to consider this: question your reaction. What is it specifically I have said that gives you this emotional uprising? Might this not be an opportunity to look inward and listen for the quiet whisper in your ears, instead of dismissing me as a heretic, kook or even worse? I certainly do not have the answers. I struggle with the same questions we all struggle with as we feel along the scary and jagged walls of the cave; looking to simply find our way.

 

BOOK INTRODUCTION, PART 2

The gift of God’s eternal and covenantal love has been here and remains here for all time.

 If it is given freely…there is likely nothing to sell.

 If the promise has been here since before time…there is likely nothing to sell.

 If Jesus’ twelve societal misfits could have bungled along, their hearts changed by and through his unconditional love, and then somehow helped change the world before Gutenburg, Zondervan, Powerpoint, and televangelists…oh yes, and before there were Christians (I believe the disciples first referred to themselves as Christ Followers)…there is likely nothing to sell.

 If what, in many instances, seems to be a few challenges with the Church’s customer service, customer-centric behavior and over-pitching so-called eternal guarantees… there is likely nothing to sell.

 If people are not lining up outside your door, like they do every time Apple launches a new iPod or iPhone… there is likely nothing to sell.

 If people are not buying….

In case you think this is going nowhere of any redemptive or hopeful value, let me reassure you through some proven, statistical facts: there has never been a time in mankind where so many people from every culture and societal level are hurting, scared, desperate, lonely, confused, hungry, wandering and apprehensively looking for answers to life’s most challenging questions… than today.

They want the story of their life to mean something. They want to join a story that enables them to play a meaningful part with their life, and woven together with the life of others they love. They want to be seen. Heard. Felt. Loved. To know that they matter.

As faith leaders, and more so merely as children of God we should consider seeking to glorify Him through the expression of our lives; opportunities to exhibit all that’s in store for other people by opening the doors of our heart, displaying the goods of our soul, listening to what they are looking for and offering (open-handed) some relevant options that are in store for them. And never, never forgetting that the final decision as to what to take away from being in your store… is theirs.

In reading the following pages, I ask you to consider an expanded meaning in one word: Transaction. My subtle enhancement: TransActional Communications. Even IF there is nothing to sell in living effectively as a Christ Follower/Faith-Full man or woman, I do believe that a healthy and rewarding life path does require exceptional trans-actions. Play this out with me: consider the genesis of my thinking, which came from working with a client whose ministry, Q Place, is helping people who are looking for answers to life’s most challenging questions; helping them address their personal questions by leading them to the answers in the Bible. Not in a church, but in casual and comfortable settings where people naturally gather. Here’s the way she conveyed their positioning to me:

 “Jesus went out into the open market, among groups of people and interacted with them in the real places they gathered. Their places. He asked great questions. He listened intently. And then he shared compelling stories that they could apply to their lives.

      Q Place is where people come together in small groups to ask great questions about life. In the real places they             gather. To listen intently. And then share compelling stories from the Bible that they can consider, and apply to             their lives.”

The key point to this, as I see it, is that Jesus and the disciples did go out into the business community. Where commerce happened. But, unlike the many people buying and selling their wares or services, they took the time to be fully present in the life of each person to whom they were speaking. Their TRANS (prefix: 1. Across, the other side of, beyond) – ACTION (noun: 1. Doing something toward a goal, 2. Something done, 3. Movement) led to people feeling seen, heard, encouraged and loved. As such, through the bridge that was built between each other, they were able to exhange their goods, were willing to exchange presence between each other, and consider a new way to move forward (a direction or way) with their life; one filled with a promise of hope, love and grace.

 I, too, believe we are each conducting life commerce in the marketplaces every day. We, too, come in contact with people who are looking to find good values and things that really matter. So many, most really, don’t know where to go to find them. What a great chance we have to let them browse our aisles and sample our goods at their time and pace. The trans (move across) action (a movement to the other side) will come when they’ve had the genuine experience and chance to try you on, kick your tires, take you out for a test drive, listen to a bit of your song, read a snippet of your story or watch the trailer for your film.

 What might “doing Christianity” look like in such an environment? In what type of location would you position your store? What would your front windows look like? How would you present your in-store displays? What would your store layout look like? What would your (no)sales staff say and do when someone comes through the front door?

      

The name of my book: “No thanks, I’m just looking.”

More to come…. 

For emphasis – (b)

Part II of book introduction. But first...

...I want to offer some clarification. After the following response to the first part of posting the introduction to my next book I thought I might offer a small clarification:

"So are u intentionally trying to tick people off?"  My response:

"I am intentionally trying to stir people in! The ones who are tired of the non-sense and heavy handed guilting and pushing and probing and...time for grace and being in a loving God. So...I step into the line of fire. Nothing to lose but my self."

After further thought about this "subtle" nudge from a close friend, I felt that just maybe it might warrant some further reflection. And then at dinner last night with a terrific "bro" named Mike from Berlin (with whom I am working on the development of a "business as mission" model along with a terrific "bro" named Mark from DC who has an awesome church, coffeehouse, mission outreach, team and a passion chasing geese & lions), it was suggested that I might want to let people know that I have a gentle and true heart of grace for people, a desire to share my raw and organic love of God, to not judge others but to share my perspectives to "stir them up a bit" into thinking outside the lines of (seemingly some) pre-packaged paradigms -- versus a "sometimes it reads like you are angry and judgmental and a bit militant" persona. Noted.

So, here's the deal: I have learned from my personal life experiences that all the books, and messages, and steps, and programs, and guides to and the like can never replace the amazing patience, grace, margin, embrace, forgiveness, love, compassion, like, understanding that is offered through our God. Toss out the "countless" denominations you have to choose from (much easier being Jewish -- you get three choices), the interpretations, the blunders, statement of faith debates, battles about this "pre ism" and that "post ism," "this millennial" and "that millennial," who this guy Herman Nutics is, really?"... and you still have this amazing Father who runs to you with open and loving arms...who wants to celebrate you even though you are covered with mud and pig crud (some might say crap, but not me)...if only you will come home to His forgiving, understanding and adoring embrace. 

Whatever you want to "label" that, I'm in!

So, all this is to say that I ask you not to confuse my fervor, with anger. My exuberance, with judgement. My passion, with compassion. My impatience, with grace. There are some historical examples of those who expressed "unpopular" thoughts and expressions to challenge and stir the pot of complacency and confined thinking. Ours is a life of creative possibilities. From hope, love and grace. A gift. The art of life. 

Stir it up. The paints are radiant.

(b) 

Throw the book at it!

By now, in response to my previous post many devout Christians have deleted this blog feed, asked to be removed from my update alerts (this is a fact) and grumbled after considering my portrayal of God’s only son. “Pagan!” “Heretic!” “How dare you!” Some maybe even think this is pornographic.  Some are raising an eyebrow. Some are dismissing this as farce largely due to my theological stupidity, likely a result of my being just a “messy” Messianic Jew; “What does he know?” Others, very appreciatively, are praying for my soul’s salvation as it faces an 80/20 probability of burning in hell. And then, there are the rest of you. This book is written primarily for you.

You see, I am taking what will be a widely unpopular position; that the impediments to a healthy, biblical, relevant and grace-full expression of the Christianity of Christianity…are mostly those Christians who are hell bent on selling an organized religion, versus a way of living that seemed to be pure, until, well until it got “organized.”  I expressed the early seeds of this thinking in 2005 when I was asked to consult on the brand image development for an established (albeit troubled) Christian organization. It was led by a prominent group of religious leaders (pastors and other ministry leaders) who had asked my opinion of what the greatest problem we face as leaders guiding the future for the Evangelical movement. “The greatest problem I see facing the essence of Christianity… is sitting right here in this room. It’s you.” After a silence (that reminded me of one of those great western movie scenes; an open, sun bleached prairie in Arizona. All  you hear and see is the moaning wind and one, lonely tumbleweed rolling by. And by.) I continued addressing 23 of the world’s most influential Evangelical Christian leaders. A few of them sat back, puffed up their chests and dismissingly listened to what followed:

“When I was asked to facilitate this session I was noticeably shaken and disturbed. I broke out into a cold sweat. You see, I formed this image of spending two days speaking to 23 of the world’s leading EV-AN-GEL-I-CALS (I gave extra emphasis to the word Evangelicals), speaking to them about my evaluation and recommendations for how they cold more effectively brand the Evangelical Christian movement in America. You see, my immediate perception was that I would walk into a room of white, middle-aged-and-older-males.” I paused and looked slowly around the room. “Hmmm, it looks like no women or people of color have joined us today; but hold onto that thought while I continue.”

“My perception was that this group of men would come to this session bringing  their right-wing-exclusionary-political-activist-beliefs; certain that if I did not agree with their point-of-view I was going to die and go to hell. But, hold onto that thought as I go on, please.” Eyes were opening a bit wider than when I had begun the session. Their puffed chests emitted a faint hiss as they began deflating...."

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To be continued...shortly. Still there? Testing, testing...

For emphasis - (b)