Style, Content, and Context

I have been frustrated. Better stated, I have had a frustration. I could not clarify what the frustration. I knew it when I saw it. I could say, "that's it!" I couldn't tell you the root of my frustration. There were plenty of reasons I could be legitimatly frustrated by these things. But I could identify the cause, my belief. My lack of understanding was leading me to become hypersensitive to the "thing" that I was seeing all around me, in my church, among fellow youth workers, in Christian leaders I look to for wisdom and in myself.

A month ago, I began to get some clarity.

Good communication has style and content. Most do not master both style and content. A pastor must first be concerned with content. A sunday school teacher, youth worker or anyone delivering a message (Christian or other) needs to be concerned with the content first. "So faith comes from what is heard" (Romans 10:17a). By definiton content is the substantive or meaningful part.

Style is important. How we say something or present something has an impact. There is a robust discussion with in the church in regards to style. What can we do to enrich the message, to engage the recevier and perhaps provide additional meaning? Style.

Part of my frustration is I see far too many folks running around wanting to be "style" people. People concerned about how things look and how they are preceived. Some are legitimate. Some are what I call the "cool kids" (cool for the sake of cool). Most are those responsible for content.

Sidetrack: I declared the word "cool" dead in my vocabulary about four months ago. The word is over used and has lost it's meaning. If I say we are doing something "cool" what have I communicated? What does it say about us that we want "cool" leaders? If you hear me use the word "cool" I am describing the weather, the forehead of my child or I'm on a rant.

For months I have been confronted with content people that want to be style people. I have found myself desperate for content. Grown weary of "style" being the higher priority. As I mentioned before most of us can do one or the other (content or style) well. So, a content person spending their time concerned with style, while neglecting content is bad, bad, very bad.. It has affected my worship, forced me to examine my ministry, become the focus of relationships and left me exhausted.

This morning driving to work it became clearer. Context has to enter into the mix. Jesus had content down. He was the Word (how's that for content). I know there books about teaching the way Jesus did, but none I know of about dressing like Jesus. Adopting the look of Jesus isn't going to help any more than me dressing like (insert name of coolest Christian you know). Jesus made things relevant. Even if we are too stupid, proud, or sinful to see it.

"So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

So I'm focusing on staying true to the Word and finding ways to be relevant to the community.

Help me out. What are your thoughts?

Test me!

I met Meghan on our summer mission trip last year. She was one of the many amazing people I met and shared a week with. Meghan posted this the following on her facebook and I'm shamelessly ripping it off. So play along!

Comment on this post and I will reply with one of the following:

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you which song or movie you remind me of.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to eat with you. =]
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.(if possible. If not, I'll say something that only makes sense to me.)
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
8. I'll tell you my favorite thing about you.
9. I'll tell you my least favorite thing about you.

I should have called in gay...

I almost missed that across the nation today, folks are “calling in gay” from work to show how much this country relies on a certain group of people who is often discriminated against.

A really interseting story already is unfolding here.

If someone has "called in gay" and is looking for a place to serve I'm sure they can use a hand getting ready for "An Evening in Old Bethlehem".

pauvre mardi

Tuesday has largely been overlooked in the world of song writing. Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday get all the glory.

Here's a list of songs about the day, Tuesday:

"Tuesday Afternoon" Moody Blues,
"On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago" Counting Crowes
"Tuesday Heartbreak" Stevie Wonder
"Tuesday" Spyro Gyra
"Sun Comes Up It's Tuesday Morning" Cowboy Junkies
"Church on Tuesday" Stone Temple Pilots
"Groovy Tuesday" Smithereens
"Another Tuesday Morning," Jim Brickman
"Tuesday Morning," Melissa Etheridge


Are there others? (besides "Ruby Tuesday" by the Rolling Stones...not about Tuesday)

I feel compelled to give mention to Til Tuesday, Aimee Mann's project in the 80's. "Hush, hush even down, down, voices carry"

What's your favorite Tuesday song?

National Youth Workers Convention

After a long drive filled with great discussions, Karen Annie Gipson adn I arrived in Nashville last night just before 10 pm. We are all excited to be here.

I love NYWC for many reasons:
::a chance to get new ideas ministry
::practical suggestions
::being with thousands of people that understand what I do
::connecting and reconnecting with friends
::getting tons of free stuff to support ministry

I can promise you that you won't be reading any blogs from me this week. Internet costs $10/day and the convention center.

If you want to keep up with ideas I encounter or sessions I'm attending then you should consider being my friend on facebook or follow me on twitter. Honestly, I'm better in smaller more managable sizes, right?

The Weepies

How can you NOT love this band?
SPOILER: Last video has puppets!

eye of the beholder

I'm always intersted in how people view my church. There are some strong stereotypes of this place in the community. I struggle, at times, to confront these missperceptions. I believe that confronting a misunderstanding about the church isn't what we are called to do. Instead we need focus or accurately representing the Gospel and strive relevant to our community.

So why mention it?

Story one: There are youth in the community that have shared with me that they don't want to come to my church because "Name of a specific youth" goes to FUMC Lufkin. The student has come to one event ever! Not a member. Sighs...

Story two: Olan Mills has been on campus taking pictures for our church directory. They have display photos they set up to encourage you to buy pictres afterwards. These display photos have people, families and couples of all ages and races (I know this beacuse if you leave something out and open at the church I'm bound to peek into it to either identify its owner or satisfy my curiosity). Here are the display photos that were set up on the final day of the photo shoot. What does it say about this church?