In an interesting move, PCA general assembly headquarters in Atlanta released a statement today declaring, "They are no longer interested in ordaining new candidates". The move was unexpected and took a number of people by surprise.
One parishioner in rural Tennessee was overheard by a local pastor saying, "Good, all these kids going off to seminary wantin' to be changin' things won't be able to now".
A middle age pastor in Jackson, MS said to the local paper, "We have began implementing a policy that will make it next to impossible for anyone to get ordained. The only real chance you have is if you are transferring in from a sister denomination or have a rich father paying your way through seminary."
When an Atlanta official was asked about seminary, he said, "We will continue to operate our denominational seminary [Covenant] and encourage our churches to support local seminaries like RTS and CIU. The difference will be that these institutions will exist solely to make money and tease young men with the idea that they will be able to move towards ordination. They will be so heinously expensive, that we will really only cater to the rich."
It seems oligarchy was all the rage as established pastors throughout the denomination tipped back over-priced glasses of champagne with their wives; smiling and knowing they were on the inside.
All the fuss boils down to two policies: High seminary costs, and low support for seminarians.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A Prayer for the Stark Wedding
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of
salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the
world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life,
and especially upon Nathan and Julie whom you have now
made into one flesh in Holy Matrimony
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will,
and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful
and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair
As we celebrate this beautiful union and mystical picture of your love for the church, may we, Nathan and Julie’s friends and family enjoy this good food and good drink which you have graciously provided for us.
We ask all this in the holy name of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
GravesEnd Podcast #3: Playtime and the Kingdom
The latest edition of the GravesEnd Podcast is up and you can listen to it by clicking here. In this episode Tim and I discuss the place of fun in the Christian mission and the way that the church has neutered the Kingdom's call to enjoying life.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Montana De Luz
One of my good friends is a documentary film producer in Vancouver, B.C. He and his wife's latest film, Montana de Luz has been accepted into the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
"Montaña de Luz" trailer from matthew leahy on Vimeo.
Matthew and Elisa do incredible work and you should check out more of their films here.
"Montaña de Luz" trailer from matthew leahy on Vimeo.
Matthew and Elisa do incredible work and you should check out more of their films here.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Morning Devotion #5
We often come back from camp feeling great. Like we could take on the whole world, but by the time school rolls around, it is back to business as usual, so on the ride home today, do something different.
Get in a group of 3 or 4 people, but at least one of them has to be someone who you wouldn’t normally be in a group with. Each of the following areas ask you to think outside the box. The idea is that you are going to do something radical, crazy even. The more outlandish and unexpected the idea is, the better. Remember, the jihad of love is all about surprise.
What are some of the ways that you, in this group, could uniquely and explosively love your school, neighborhood, or church? List 3 or 4 cool ideas for loving others...
What are some of the ways you could promote peace and reconciliation between cliques and groups at your school and church?
How can you be outrageously kind to those in your school and church? Who could you include that no one else will?
Get in a group of 3 or 4 people, but at least one of them has to be someone who you wouldn’t normally be in a group with. Each of the following areas ask you to think outside the box. The idea is that you are going to do something radical, crazy even. The more outlandish and unexpected the idea is, the better. Remember, the jihad of love is all about surprise.
What are some of the ways that you, in this group, could uniquely and explosively love your school, neighborhood, or church? List 3 or 4 cool ideas for loving others...
What are some of the ways you could promote peace and reconciliation between cliques and groups at your school and church?
How can you be outrageously kind to those in your school and church? Who could you include that no one else will?
Morning Devotion #4
Jesus gives us, not just a high calling to respond in radical kindness when others do us wrong, but also to those who we despise day in and day out.
Who is your Arch-nemesis? That one person who in every way possible drives you insane. Who do you hate more than anyone else?
Read Matthew 5:43-47
The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now, and we have been called to rip windows open between this world and the next. We are invited to tear the fabric between our world and the world that is to come. We do this in a fascinating way.
We do this through love.
We detonate charges of hope when we love others. In what ways have you shown love today?
Those acts of love are windows into the Kingdom. But when we only love those who love us, we aren’t even scratching the surface of what Christ is calling us to.
Jesus Kingdom is best shown in the extremely difficult act of loving our enemies. Think about your arch-nemesis. In what ways can you plot a random act of kindness towards your enemies?
How can you make moves that will create peace between you and your enemies?
How can you scheme to do something that shows that you love, not hate, your enemy?
Who is your Arch-nemesis? That one person who in every way possible drives you insane. Who do you hate more than anyone else?
Read Matthew 5:43-47
The Kingdom of Heaven is here and now, and we have been called to rip windows open between this world and the next. We are invited to tear the fabric between our world and the world that is to come. We do this in a fascinating way.
We do this through love.
We detonate charges of hope when we love others. In what ways have you shown love today?
Those acts of love are windows into the Kingdom. But when we only love those who love us, we aren’t even scratching the surface of what Christ is calling us to.
Jesus Kingdom is best shown in the extremely difficult act of loving our enemies. Think about your arch-nemesis. In what ways can you plot a random act of kindness towards your enemies?
How can you make moves that will create peace between you and your enemies?
How can you scheme to do something that shows that you love, not hate, your enemy?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Morning Devotions: Day 3
So if Christ Kingdom is real, here and now, how are we supposed to act? Jesus actually lays out exactly the kind of Kingdom agents we are supposed to be. We are to be splinter cells of hope, anxiously awaiting our opportunity to throw kindness grenades and explosive love.
Read Matthew 5:38-42
What is your typical response to someone who wrongs you? When some mocks you, what do you do?
Do you respond by firing back? I know I do. But what does Jesus say in this passage?
This is one of the most difficult things that Jesus ever taught. EVER. Turn the other cheek. If someone asks for your lunch, give them your drink too. If someone wants to borrow your new CD, give them your iPod too.
Wait a minute. My iPod? Jesus doesn’t seriously want us to give away our iPods does he?
What would your school be like if you willingly gave away what people asked of you? The reason the idea of giving away your iPod (or whatever it is that is valuable to you) is so bothersome is because you are more concerned with that, than with living the way Jesus calls us too...
What things do you love more than your enemies?
Read Matthew 5:38-42
What is your typical response to someone who wrongs you? When some mocks you, what do you do?
Do you respond by firing back? I know I do. But what does Jesus say in this passage?
This is one of the most difficult things that Jesus ever taught. EVER. Turn the other cheek. If someone asks for your lunch, give them your drink too. If someone wants to borrow your new CD, give them your iPod too.
Wait a minute. My iPod? Jesus doesn’t seriously want us to give away our iPods does he?
What would your school be like if you willingly gave away what people asked of you? The reason the idea of giving away your iPod (or whatever it is that is valuable to you) is so bothersome is because you are more concerned with that, than with living the way Jesus calls us too...
What things do you love more than your enemies?
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