No answers, just a journey

I’ve been reading a great new book by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger called Emerging Churches ~ creating christian community in postmodern cultures. One of the things about it that I have found affirming are the stories the authors relate of others that have remarkable similarities to the journey we have been on over the past few years. Essentially Gibbs and Bolger set out to listen to the concerns and insights of emerging church leaders, “recognizing that they do not claim to have the answers by are prepared to embark on a journey of faith, trusting God to give them insight and strength in the course of their pilgrimage. They demonstrate a strong commitment to the Bible as their guide for the journey but are seeking to read it with fresh eyes as they shed the constrictions of modernity and endeavor to apply the story of God’s redemptive engagement with humankind in a cultural context that raises new questions and poses fresh challenges.” (Emerging Churches, p.11)

One of the aspects of that quote that resonates with me is not claiming to have the answers, but being prepared to embark on a journey of faith. It has been frustratingly wonderful to make the move that we have for the purpose of catalyzing a community of new believers in this urban neighborhood, but moving without a plan how to do it. In fact, we purposely avoided a preconceived ministry agenda because we felt they would be founded on misconceptions and inaccurate assumptions about the community we were coming to. Looking back on the last 2 years, I see there have been pro's and con's to this, but over all I think this is one thing we did right.

When we were discussing with other Christian leaders the challenges and opportunity in downtown Vancouver, the assumption that was often expressed was the need for a “long-range plan” and a “high-powered team” - almost a militaristic paradigm. This would be something that they would endorse and consider supporting financially. Well, we don’t really have a plan, and from all appearances we probably look pretty weak – at least that is how we feel. But perhaps in our weakness He will show himself strong, and in our willingness to be like Abraham and wander without a map, God will take us to a good place that we couldn’t have gotten to on our own. All I know is that it has been an adventure!

It’s not a journey to find the answers ~ the answer is to embark on the journey.

More Election Thoughts

Last night's election result just highlights one more time why we have to be missional in our approach to church. Much of our denomination (er, fellowship...) is rural, small 'c' conservative in heritage and geography, even if the Hebden Mission in Toronto and other cities like Winnipeg were centers of Pentecostalism - almost 100 years ago! But our cities have moved on. We have to move with them.

Siggy Urbanite Gets To Vote

Well, an election night that is more interesting than most in recent memory. When the TV coverage hit the air waves in BC the first words out were still the news that the government had already been decided long before BC polls closed. Oh well... People out here whine about that to a ridiculous extent, but aside from realigning the country on a vertical axis, not much can be done. (If we're going to do that, I vote to put Ottawa up at the top where it is the coldest.)

We trudged out through the mist and fog to exercise our democratic franchise about 10 minutes after the polls open at 7 AM. It was a relatively painless procedure marking the X, and then we were off to work to wait the results at the end of the day.

Our riding is Vancouver East, probably the safest NDP riding in the country. True to form, our incumbent Libby Davies was returned with a huge landslide. And that's even without my vote. (Sorry Libby...)

NDP - 56%
Liberal - 24%
Conservative - 13%
Green - 6%
Canadian Action Party - 1%

This is where I live. The numbers will likely change a percentage here or there as the final polls come in, but that is a snap shot of my neighborhood.

Living on the edge of the poorest neighborhood in Canada, I understand the popularity of socialism in the riding of Vancouver East. But what I don't understand is why the rest of Vancouver insists on voting Liberal. I understand it, but I don't get it. I guess being born and raised on the prairies skews my brain and addles my thinking.

What strikes me most is the polarization of our Country - not the east / west split, but the rural / urban split. The Toronto, Vancouver, most of Montreal, and even some of Winnipeg went Liberal, with a smattering of NDP (or Bloc). The rest of the country (and the key word is 'country') west of Quebec went Conservative. (Edmonton and Calgary are the exception...but there are other key issues at play there.)

The issues in the urban centres are moral, especially abortion and to some extent, same sex marriage. I know that some of the elected Liberal MP's are outspoken pro-life advocates, but I believe that if Stephen Harper was pro-choice, or if there was some push in the Conservative Party to be softer on this issue, they would have appealed to more voters and probably won a majority government. But too many in our country are fearful of the social conservativism of the Conservative Party, especially on the key issue of abortion. Thankfully the new Prime Minister of our nation and many of his caucas are pro-life, but I'm deeply saddened that the government of our country hinges on this tragic issue.

Re-Mix with Mike Frost

Saturday was a treat. Paul Moores and I hit the re-mix.ca conference to hear Mike Frost of The Shaping of Things To Come fame. Having read and loved his book, I wasn’t too shocked by what he had to say, but what did impress me is that as good as his book is, he’s an even better speaker. His presentation was dynamic! If you ever get a chance to catch him, it will be worth crossing the street.

Frost's message is that we need to let go of the paradigm of church that isn’t working. We were never meant to be a religion, an institution, or an organization, but a movement of missional, actional love. God is love, and if I realy love you with God's love, I will extend myself into your world so that you may become more of what God desires. The primary movement of the Christian experience is the movement outwards into the lives of others. As ‘sent ones’, it’s not about us or about you coming to us! Church is not about what we do when we gather together – do that however you want, but understand it’s not just about “alternative” ways of doing church. It’s about being sent, abandoning our own issues / needs / self-interests and GOING and seeping into the cracks of society and being with others.

I guess that’s what we’re trying to do. Our understanding of church has grown as we experience church in a way I could have never imagined even a year ago. Church without pulpit & pew or stacking chair & video projection. It’s not about the meeting, the music, the preaching. It’s about going and being with others who are not yet at 'the meeting'. Our experience of Worship and The Word is very different. I'm not sure churchaholics wouldn’t get their fix. But having been in detox from the drug of Churchianity, the freedom to focus on GOING and OTHERS is very satisfying.

Another frantic week

Well, another frantic week at the Siggelkow household. Maryn's in swimming twice a week now, so Tuesdays and Thursdays are a race to get home get fed and get to the pool by 6 PM. But it's cool to see the fish in her natural environment!

The BIG EVENT was Daleena’s 14th birthday. Wow – why is it that when the kids have a birthday it’s the parents that feel so much older? And then Daleena has the audacity to say “You know Dad, in two years I’ll be sixteen…” Argh!!! What next? Boyfriends, university, marriage ~ GRANDCHILDREN!!!! It’s as if I see my life passing before my eyes in an instant. (I guess I’ve got to readjust my self-concept – I’m not just a newlywed kid out of college anymore!) But life is good. Daleena is an awesome person and has been such an incredible blessing to us.

Thursday was a morning spent with my Emerging Leader’s Cluster, a small group of young-ish-but-not-really Pastors from the area who meet several times a year to track with each other’s lives and learn from each other’s journeys. We were missing a couple of guys to the flu etc., but it was still a great morning. I must say that I did experience considerable whiplash when I went into Oak-Way for a couple of hours later that afternoon. Sometimes it seems like the world of the pastor and the world of commercial furniture and millwork are light years apart. The longer I am out of the church scene, the harder it is to relate…but the guys I hang with are true friends that make it an exceptional experience not to be missed. And I think that my weird life and experience does bring something unique to the table.

Okay, who's been praying for us?

Wow, what a week! Life can get to be such a blur.

Sunday night we had our gathering at our place which was great. Reuben and Connie came with another big announcement - not only are they going to have a baby, but they are moving to Calgary in a few months. So that was kind of sad - but I'm glad for them...it's the right thing...

Monday: AM was work, PM was with the James' - a fun time had by all with great friends.

Tuesday: AM was work, PM was a very, very long French Immersion meeting at Churchill Secondary for students looking into the program for next year. Maryn was looking, Daleena was a presenter and did a great job!

Wednesday: AM was work, PM was a very, very, very long meeting a Gordon School for Maryn's school trip to Quebec that tragically has been downgraded to a camping trip to Powel River.

Thursday: AM was work for Aileen, a Section Pastor's prayer thing in our neighborhood for Darcy and then off to work, PM was rushing home from work just in time to drive Maryn to the pool for swimming lessons ~ Wanda made us supper! Wow, what a treat and blessing!

Friday: AM was work, PM was picking up Daleena from a friends place and then collapsing on the couch exhausted...Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Part 1 was a great escape.

On top of that, my neck / back has been stiff and sore most of the week, especially when I'm sitting at a desk - which is much of my life...

Also, Aileen is in the middle of a frantic time at work and is feeling mentally and physically fatigued. And when life doesn’t stop after work and you just have to keep marching till bedtime it can be overwhelming.

Having said all that, here is my point: we not only survived, but thrived! Somehow in all of this frantic living, we were able to keep putting one foot in front of the other and journeying on. That's not a comment on our stubborness, but a tribute to God's grace, which somehow we felt and extra portion of this week. I have a sneaking hunch that someone - maybe you - have been praying for us abit extra over that past few days... Thank you.

Aileen says "I take comfort though in knowing that when God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. I know that in my head and heart from many encounters with Him and experiences that show His sovereignty in our lives. We serve an amazing God! It feels great to talk about Him and I feel His close connection with my spirit. I know He is right here, beside me."

Vancouverite develops mark of the beast

Okay, here is further proof for all you appopalyptic escatological fanatics that Vancouver is closer to hell than most places on earth. One of our own is obviously working for the 'other side'. (Anybody know where you can get a DVD of 'A Distant Thunder' or 'Thief in the Night?')

"Implant Turn Humans Into Cyborgs"
"Computer chips get under skin of U.S. enthusiasts"

What it means to be missional

"Missional refers to those congregations who see Western culture as a field ripe for mission engagement, thus acknowleging that the period known as Christendom is over." Gibbs, Emerging Churches, p.11

Okay, I'm in... This definition may not make sense where you live, but it sure fits my neighborhood.

Atheist Marketing Consultant Hired by Church

Here's some food for the thought

The atheist who's Selling Jesus
By: Pete Horsley on: 04.10.05


You've probably by now seen the article from the Australian Newspaper telling of one of Australia's top Marketing consultants hired to update the image of the Church. Tough job? Absolutely. After considering the options Angus Kinnaird, Melbourne strategy director of FutureBrand decided to drop the church altogether and focus instead on Jesus. "I've had lots of clients wanting to update their image, but I don't think I've ever come across one that has quite as many problems as the church." The article goes on to say..."The research shows that the church is almost an insurmountable obstacle to the campaign. "The church was seen as the problem, not the solution," he says. But research also reveals people see value and power in what Jesus taught, such as peace, forgiveness and acknowledgment of the sin of pride. Some in the focus groups thought Jesus would be disgusted by the way the churches carried on."

All very interesting. It has obviously gathered momentum amongst churches around Australia. While some credit must be given for using the "smarts" of marketing agencies. Still some questions linger...Have we reached a place of outsourcing mission? Will it work? Is $250 000 best spent on 140 TV ads, 200 radio spots, seven newspaper ads and about 30 billboards?

Jesus strategy still amazes me. He slipped in the "back door" - totally unassuming, no billboards, no fanfare, as a baby. He spent 30 years working up to his public launch and then he did it to an audience of 12. Very strange chap. But then again, he is God...