You know it’s going to be a crappy day when you wake up like this.

And it didn’t get much better for Sadie. Sarah needed the car today, so I rushed her off to a Vet where you could drop her off for the day, and we left Sadie there, hoping she’d get better. They gave her some shots to get the swelling down, and that finally helped a little bit but her eye is still pretty swollen.

Perhaps she got stung or bit by something last night? Whatever it is did a real number to her. The swelling has now moved down to her paws and there was some other questionable stuff, so they took blood-work and we’ll know more by by tomorrow morning.

However, because her eye was bothering her so much, she kept pawing at it and rubbing it on the carpet. So, we didn’t have a choice - we had to get her one of those funky dog E-collars. She absolutely HATES it and refuses to move or walk when she’s wearing it. So we had to carry her and place her on the couch for the night. We took it off for a few minutes and she ran around, went to the bathroom, etc., but as soon as we put it back on her, she just froze. Very bizarre. Anyway - you can tell she doesn’t like her photo taken (below) with the E-collar on. We’re hoping to know more tomorrow - and hoping that it’s nothing too serious. At any rate, you can imagine that Sadie had a really terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (more photos here).

I’ve just spent the past day listening to a new CD by Nashville based folk singer, Caroline Brewer. Caroline is a good friend of Sarah’s from her days at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. I’ve heard Sarah mention Caroline before, and then I heard that she had a CD coming out. While I totally trusted Sarah, there’s always part of me that knows that lots of people have friends who have CDs coming out, and you’re never really sure what the quality of the CD is going to be. Well, as I said above, I’ve spent the past day or so listening to the tracks on Caroline Brewer’s “A Me-Shaped Hole” and I’ve been really enjoying it.

According to Caroline’s Facebook Fan page and her MySpace Music page, she’s in the Folk Rock/Americana/Indie musical genres. Considering the fact that I really enjoy listening to Patty Griffin, Indigo Girls, Ryan Adams, Ben Harper and others, it’s not surprising that I really enjoy Caroline’s music. She has a really beautiful, strong voice, but it’s never over-powering. She’s got a great group of musicians playing with her on this album, and it’s definitely an album that you can just sit and listen to in its entirety. After listening to it for a day, my favorite track on the album is “Blackbird” (listen to it here or on iTunes), and I also really like Sally, Paper Airplane and Let it Go.

I think you’re definitely going to start Caroline Brewer’s name more often - and I’m guessing that “Blackbird” will get picked up some stations as a great single for the album. Caroline’s got a great sound and her album “A Me-Shaped Hole” is a really soothing, delightful album to listen to. Here are some places where you can find Caroline and either grab the album or stay updated with her music:

• Buy album on iTunes ($9.99)
• Buy album on CD Baby ($11.99)
• MySpace Music page
• Facebook Fan page

It’s good to see that Dr. Dobson and the crew in Colorado Springs at Focus on the Family really does put families first…well, maybe not those whose family members actually work at Focus on the Family. There was an interesting article in The Colorado Independent entitled “More layoffs at Focus on the Family” that told the story about how 202 jobs will be cut from Focus on the Family. However, the article focused on how Focus on the Family was one of the largest out-of-state financial backers for Prop 8 in California. In fact, the organization gave $539,000 in cash and $83,000 of non-monetary support to the fight to “protect marriage.” Over half a million dollars spent to “protect” families from the dangers and evils of gay marriage. Unfortunately, they didn’t do a good job of protecting their own; how 202 families will be suffering a loss and needing to find work elsewhere. Sure, the current state of the economy is playing a major role in these layoffs, I’m sure. However, the articles points out that this may simply be a good example of the true priorities of Focus on the Family, and other like organizations. Are they really trying to put families first? It’d be interesting to hear from some of those who are going to be laid off, especially after Dobson and crew spent their salaries trying to prevent gays in another state from getting hitched.

Welcome to the next stop on the Coffeehouse Theology Blog Tour. This is a blog book tour for Ed Cyzewski’s book entitled, “Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life.” Given that I am toward the end of the blog tour, there have been many people who have written some really wonderful reviews of the book, including a couple of my friends Makeesha, Adam and John. I encourage you to go and check out their thorough reviews if you have time.

I think that this book could be a great one for the right type of person. As the title suggests, this is a book about theology - “coffeehouse theology.” This is theology that is done in the coffeehouses, in the streets, in the office cubicles, on the buses and in the classrooms. I think this is a great way to think about our “God-talk.” And I really appreciated Ed’s definition of what he thinks coffeehouse theology is: “a way of reflecting on God in everyday life that takes our context seriously” (p 52). I know some folks who think that theology should be left to those who have had the education necessary to have those deep theological conversation - that theology is “for the elite.” That is not a view I hold, and clearly not one that Ed holds either.

What I believe is probably the greatest gift of “Coffeehouse Theology” is that it puts the power of theological reflection back into the hands of the lay-person. It’s not something that just pastors do, or academics, or those trained in seminary. While those gifts can help and those of us who have that training should share with others what we learned in seminary - theology is something that everyone should feel that they can engage in.

Crucial to Ed’s thesis and idea of coffeehouse theology is the backdrop of contextual theology. If this is a new concept to you, then I’d highly recommend giving his book a read and immersing yourself in one person’s understanding of contextual theology and the way it will help us think about theology today. I agree with Adam, when he writes:

“For those of us for whom these ideas of context, social-location, and different world perspectives are a new concept the book would be really great — perhaps someone who grew up with a very strict black/white faith but who, after whatever experiences, is beginning to feel some cracks in the foundation of that sort of faith.”

Yet, for those who already have a rich background in thinking about theology from different perspectives and contexts, some of the book may seem a bit basic - since Ed hammers home the theme of contextual theology throughout the book.

Lastly, one of my favorite chapters was 11, “Our Love of God Unites Us in Theology.” In it, Ed lays out the complexities that come within contextual theology, and puts forward a hopeful way forward:

“Contextual theology has the potential to become pretty messy when we run into doctrines that unsettle beliefs we consider important. Other Christians might possess a broader understanding of salvation, a greater reverence for tradition, or a higher regard for the gifts of the Spirit. How can we learn from these believers and at the same time prevent further divisions?

The answer lies in what all Christians have in common: a love for God…Far from fragmenting Christians over their differences, the ongoing process of theology should draw diverse Christians together under the common goal of understanding this God of love.” (207-8)

Ed also points out that the work of coffeehouse theology is never done. He says that “While the core beliefs at the center of our theology - at the center of our web of beliefs - might never change, we will always be open to change” (209). I think I might be more open to the fact that we should remain open to the possibility that even some core ideas should be re-formed if the Spirit leads us that way, but I still appreciate Ed’s openness to the possibility of change, or progression and allowing ourselves the freedom to follow the movement of the Spirit.

I appreciate the work that Ed is doing through his book, and I would recommend it to the right group of people. It wasn’t a book that I found especially enthralling, but I think it is a good introduction to the ideas of contextual theology and the way that we think about our thoughts of God.

You can continue to follow the blog tour here, and here are some other links you might find interesting:

• Coffeehouse Theology - buy it here
• Coffeehouse Theology Bible Study Guide
• Coffeehouse Theology Contemporary Issues Study Guide
• Sample Chapter 1
• Deep Church article

I’m hopeful. I voted for Barack Obama. I doubt that is any surprise to you if you’ve been following my Twitter/Facebook comments throughout the past few weeks. It was never a question for me that Obama would get my vote. I first heard of Barack Obama during a family reunion in Illinois, summer of 2004. My grandpa (and all of my other Mennonite cousins and aunts and uncles) were talking about how this was a politician that we could actually put some hope in - that he was someone who cared about social justice, the poor and was someone to keep an eye on. I figured if he’s good enough for my Mennonite relatives, he’s someone I should try and keep up on.

Of course, I forgot about him a few months after that until his name started coming up for the Presidential race. Once he received the nomination, there was no question in my mind, I would vote for Barack Obama.

And yes - I think I did fall into the category of Obama-supporters who asked the question (mainly in my head and with my wife): “How can you be a Christian and honestly vote for McCain/Palin?” I’m sure I have friends who did vote for McCain/Palin and I don’t mean them disrespect, but it really did seem that a vote for McCain was simply a vote for the continuation of the leadership that Bush gave this country, four more years of the Bush Doctrine (err…what is that again?), etc. Obama was clearly the candidate who rallied a whole segment of the nation behind him and his desire for change, for hope and for a new way of doing politics in Washington.

Now, clearly Obama IS a politician and as he himself said, we won’t all be pleased with every decision he makes. But I think that watching the aftermath of the election, and the overwhelming international support for our choice of Obama, this was the right decision for the United States at this time in our history. It’s funny - I have this shirt I bought back in 2005 that says “America is Scary” on it. One of the first thoughts I had after the election was, “Do I still wear the shirt…?” Part of me does really feel different about the United States now that we have a President who embodies such a radically different worldview than President Bush. Is America still scary? Well, I’m sure it depends who you ask. I think that having Obama as our next President sure doesn’t change everything - obviously. But it does set the stage for a new shift in our politics and a new shift in the way America is perceived.

I’m angry. And I’m more angry at Christians than anyone else. It’s pretty clear that Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the state of California, was passed because of the amazing capability of the conservative evangelical churches in California (as well as the LDS and the Roman Catholic churches) to fuel a massive fund-raising and awareness campaign of lies, close-mindedness and perversions of the truth. Christians all over California thought they were “protecting marriage” by voting YES on Prop 8. They thought they were protecting their children from being taught about gay marriage in schools - even though the California Teachers Union denied that it would have that type of impact at all.

It’s extremely frustrating - especially since I know some people for whom Proposition 8 has direct affects. Since when does it make sense that an entire state of citizens should have the right to vote for whether two people of the same sex who love one another can do so in the context of marriage and receive the same rights as heterosexual couples? It really doesn’t make any sense to me, or to any of these folks. I’m hopeful that, and confident, that in the future, this issue will no longer be an issue. The church will have to come to an understanding at some point that discrimination of this kind of antithetical to the message of the Gospel. I’m sure that as younger generations keep getting older and are able to vote, these types of questions won’t be such big issues, as the culture is definitely moving towards one of openness and inclusivity. I’m just sad and angry that it isn’t happening sooner.

I’m filled with mixed emotions. As Obama said in his speech, not everything he does, not every decision he makes, will be something that we are all supportive of. While I’m sure everyone will have their own issues, it seems that one of Obama’s first choices, Rahm Emanuel for White House Chief of Staff, is not a popular one with those invested in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. You can read a detailed bio of Emanuel here, but many sources cite his extremely pro-Israeli position and his volunteer service with the Israeli army.  Rabbi Michael Lerner wrote a not-so-flattering piece on Emanuel at Religion Dispatches and argues that “The Rahm Emanuel selection is an early warning that the peace and justice agenda dropped by Obama after he won the Democratic nomination may be permanently on hold…”

Everyone has their own issue that they were personally invested in, and after my experience in the Middle East, this is a situation and issue that I care deeply about and would hope that Obama might be able to work toward a peace agreement. I’m not saying that’s impossible with Rahm Emanuel, but it seems that with someone who comes across as so clearly pro-Israeli, it’s hard to imagine that Obama will hear much more than that side of the story concerning the conflict.

At any rate, as I reflect back on the election results, I am hopeful for the change that may be coming. I am angry of the barriers that were erected by California citizens. And I’m filled with mixed emotions about the way in which possible staffing in Obama’s administration might affect certain issues and conflicts that I care about. But, I’m guessing those are all pretty normal feelings after an excruciatingly long campaign season. How do you feel about the election when you look back on it?

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
that our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a decree in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments;

I don’t know about the rest of you, but last Tuesday evening, at about 8.01pm, I felt like breathing a deep sigh of relief…The election season was finally over. While I was invested in the issues and certainly have my own set of feelings and emotions about how everything turned out, I’m really glad that the Presidential election is finally over. Throughout the past few months, we’ve heard SO many stories – from the story of Barack Obama and his family background, to the stories of John McCain’s commitment to the military and to this country and so many more. And regardless of how you feel about the outcome, we all will remember and be able to tell our children where we were when the United States elected its first African-American President. This race has been FILLED with stories.

I’ve spent the past few weekends with some good friends from college. Two weeks ago one of my closest college friends came out to visit Sarah and me here in Livermore, and last weekend, Sarah and I were in Chicago at a conference, and we stayed with another close college friend of mine. One thing I notice when old friends get together is that we often spend a lot of time telling stories. And while Sarah might disagree, at least for me, telling the same stories over and over again never gets old. There are a few stories with these friends that always seem to come up whenever we’re together – because there is such meaning and memories behind these stories, we enjoy reliving these moments through the stories.

The same might be true for many of you and close friends or during family get-togethers. Every family has that one story that always gets brought up at Thanksgiving or Christmas – perhaps because it embarrasses one member of the family, or because it’s just one of those moments when the entire family begins to roar with laughter.

For whatever the reasons – stories are powerful. While the power of stories is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s culture – this isn’t a “new” thing.  Cultures throughout the history of the world have used stories, myths and urban legends to communicate meaning, morals and truths.

Stories were also important and crucial to the survival of the Israelite people – as their culture was primarily an oral culture. However, because faithful men and women passed down stories from generation to generation, today we have the wonderful stories of the Hebrew Scriptures. Not only stories, but also the beautiful poetry that exists in the Psalms, like we have heard today. Now, I have never preached using a Psalm as my primary text before, but this morning’s Psalm seemed a natural choice as I was thinking about this Sunday having a focus on Youth Ministry amidst our month of Stewardship.

“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and God’s might and the wonders that God has done.”

This morning we heard just the beginning of the second longest Psalm – next to Psalm 119. Psalm 78 is basically a history lesson for the people of Israel – as you can tell from the subtitle of the Psalm: “God’s Goodness and Israel’s Ingratitude.”  Not really what Israel probably wants to hear, but they needed to be reminded often of God’s goodness and the ways in which God had been working in their lives. This Psalm basically works through the history of the Israelites and gives them many stories they can continue to pass down from generation to generation. This was the way in which they handed on their faith – by telling these stories. They had a culture of memory – memory that was cultivated by the telling and retelling of these stories of faith – and stories of un-faith. But the focus was on God and the ways in which God was at work in their lives.

One of my favorite lines in this Psalm is when the Psalmist writes, “I will utter dark sayings from of old…” The phrase “dark sayings of old” basically means riddles. So, here is this Psalmist saying that we must share these riddles, these parts of the story of God that we really don’t understand…but we don’t hide them from our children, we pass them on, and we trust that somehow, God is at work in those sayings and in the other parts of God’s story that we just don’t get.

“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and God’s might and the wonders that God has done.”

So what does this Psalm have to do with youth ministry?

Everything – I think, I hope. There are many different philosophies about youth ministry – the ways you should organize your ministry program, the kinds of things you should focus on, the type of atmosphere you should try to create in your ministry. But in the end – it’s not about the program. It’s not about how many youth show up for a lock-in, it’s not about the fun & games. Sure, these might be components of a youth ministry program, but in the end – we want the youth of our church to know the “glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders that God has done.”

That is done in a variety of ways, but probably most effectively through the continuing tradition of storytelling. The author of the Psalm for today proclaimed the importance of passing on the teachings and stories of their people to their children. The Psalmist says that we cannot hide these stories and that it’s important for children to hear these stories “so that they should set their hope in God, not forget the works of God and keep God’s commandments.” We continue to tell stories for many reasons…

We tell stories because we are forgetful. Much like the Israelites as they wandered throughout the desert on their way to the promised land…we find ourselves forgetful. We don’t remember the amazing ways in which God brought us through the Red Seas of our own lives.  We need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness.
We tell stories because it is through the stories that we cultivate our faith. We learn about the faith – and faults – of great characters in the story of Scripture. We see the many ways in which God worked through the lives of so many people throughout Scripture – and we hold onto the hope that God can work in our lives in similar ways – and that deepens our faith.

We tell stories in order to find out where we fit into God’s story. Each and every one of us has our own personal story – no one’s story is the same, and that is part of what makes up this amazing thing we call the body of Christ. And while we each have an individual story that has meaning in itself, and while our stories gain deeper meaning when we come together as a community, they gain an even deeper meaning when our personal stories find their place in the greater story of God.

And so – for all of these reasons – we continue to tell stories.

“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and God’s might and the wonders that God has done.”

Over the past couple months, many people have asked what my “goals” are for the youth ministry here at Asbury. My initial response to that question is to start thinking about what my goals aren’t before saying what I hope happens…My goal is not provide a ton of activities to keep the youth of this church busy; it’s not to create “Christian” alternatives for all the other types of activities youth could participate in; my goal isn’t too convert anyone. It’s not to grow our youth ministry program exponentially, so our numbers reach mega-church proportions…

No – I see the goal of the youth ministry here at Asbury to continue on with the ancient Hebrew tradition of storytelling.

We share stories of the ways in which God was active in Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

We share stories of the ways in which God is active right now in the world – in our lives.

And we’ll share stories of how we might imagine God active in the world in the future.

As we share these stories, we’ll start learning how to see God in the world – perhaps even in surprising places – and we’ll start learning how to see God in our own lives – in the ways in which our stories intersect with the great stories of God, passed down from generation to generation.

AMEN.

Update: Okay - I’m still a fan of Incase. Someone from Incase left a comment here and followed up with emails and a phone call. Unfortunately, they don’t have this Matte Black Slider Case anymore, but they are sending me two other ones - brand new - for free. So - while this one might have been a fluke - their customer service totally made up for it. Thanks Incase!

Photos are below:

The great folks at Dechant-Hughes sent Sarah and I both copies of The Green Bible a few weeks ago. When they told me they were going to send me one, I was a little skeptical - like we need another type of Bible out there, advertised and marketed to a specific group. But, I have to say, I really like it. You can find out more information about the Green Bible at their website here, and watch an interesting video about how the Green Bible came about. I’m encouraged by the partnerships with The Sierra Club, The Humane Society and the NCC’s Eco-Justice Program - wonderful to see such a diverse group come together to put their energy behind the Bible - which has so much to say about the earth and how we should be interacting with it. Here are some of the “specs” on this Bible from their website:

• Green-Letter Edition: Verses and passages that speak to God’s care for creation highlighted in green
• Foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
• Essays by Brian McLaren, Cal DeWitt, Barbara Brown Taylor, Pope John Paul II, Ellen Davis, N. T. Wright, Ellen Bernstein, Matthew Sleeth, James Jones, and Gordon Aeschliman
• Inspirational quotes from Christian teachings throughout the ages
• A green Bible topical index
• A personal green Bible trail study guide
• An appendix with information on further reading, how to get involved, and practical steps to take
• Recycled paper, using soy-based ink with a cotton/linen cover

If you’re looking for a new Bible, or if you’re really interested in learning about what the Bible specifically has to say about the earth, creation and how we can be a part of healing and sustaining God’s work, I’d suggest checking out The Green Bible.

[I'm here in Chicago at the American Academy of Religion's Annual Meeting - this year I'm the trailing spouse - a second-class conference member who doesn't even receive a free tote, and had to lie to get a schedule for the weekend. Oh well. It just means I don't feel guilty about sitting in Caribou Coffee while sessions are going on...which works for me.]

I first heard Eboo Patel on NPR’s Speaking of Faith a year ago. Patel is the Founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago and writes and speaks across the country on the topic of religious pluralism and youth. It was good to hear his thoughts on such an important issue - especially in today’s world. I often find it interesting when I hear the question, “So, what do you think about pluralism…?” In some ways - it’s really like asking the question, “So, what do you think of air?” What do we think about pluralism? Well - like the air we breathe - it just is; we live in a pluralist and multicultural world. This is the position that Diana Eck takes, and is where the Interfaith Youth Core finds itself.

Yet, Patel wants to define religious pluralism a little differently than Eck in the end. Patel gave us his definition of pluralism: Pluralism is about building societies where people from different backgrounds live in equal dignity and mutual loyalty. As they work toward building these societies, there are three main questions that they focus on:

1. Is there respect for identity in that society? Can you wear a head scarf or cross if that’s important to you? Can you build a synagogue as easily as you can build a church?
2. Are there positive relationships between different communities in a pluralist society? Having religious freedom does not equate to having positive relationships between people from different religious traditions.
3. Is there a broader society - a ‘community of communities’ - is there a common good? Just having a diverse group of people living and working with one another isn’t enough - there needs to be some “common good” that people hold together. He gave the example that folks in a mosque shouldn’t be just thinking about their own particular good - but that in order to ensure their own well being, they have to ensure the health of the whole.

The Interfaith Youth Core works to help young people reflect on these issues and questions related to religious pluralism; they are concerned that there are groups of people who are trying to reach youth using religion - and many of these groups are religious extremists. The Interfaith Youth Core, however, is attempting to create Interfaith Leaders. Patel made an interesting case trying to create a new identity category in culture - the identity of being an interfaith leader. They want to create a core group of emerging adults who are comfortable living with the religious pluralism that exists in our world today - and can help create, develop and sustain relationships with people from other religious and faith traditions.

If you’ve read my blog much, you know that I’m very sympathetic to this view of pluralism, and it is one in which I think the youth of today are much more comfortable with than previous generations. That is probably for a variety of reasons, but clearly the fact that we live in such a diverse world, and the fact that through the Internet we are more easily connected to so many different people from different cultures and faiths, play into why this generation of emerging adults is much more comfortable with living with this difference.

I wonder, sometimes, about how I can be doing more with the youth ministry at Asbury to help youth think about these issues and reflect on their place in the diverse world we find ourselves in. I have some ideas, and will share those in the future if they materialize.

View the October Fast Materials
Sign up to participate
Join the “Presbyterians Respond to Global Food Crisis” Facebook group
Read the General Assembly action on the global food crisis
Give to the Global Food Crisis Fund

Previous Youthworker: “So - then at the end - we pass around the Pig of Truth…”

Adam: “Really? What…is…it?”

Previous Youthworker: “It’s just a little tea light in a plastic pig candle holder.”

Adam: “O—kay.”

The “okay-I’m-the-new-guy-let’s-change-things-up” part of me immediately thought, “Sweet, now I know what the first thing I’m going to get rid of is…the pig of truth.” So, the first youth group night came a few weeks ago, and I figured, “What the hell, I’ll bust the pig out - and give it one last final hurrah.” It had been a pretty crazy night, and I didn’t think we were really going to settle down, but as soon as the lights were lowered a bit, the pig of truth was present and the tea light lit, everyone just stopped and listened. The rule with the pig of truth is that you can’t talk unless you’re holding it; and everyone honors that rule.

Then we pass the pig. Sometimes there is a theme, or a question (”Where did you see God at work this week?” - something like that). And I was amazed. People were sharing deep things, listening to one another, laughing and really experiencing some authentic community. All because of a stupid plastic pig.

A similar thing has happened the past few weeks with the middle school group. At the end of the evening, I got everyone to sit around a candle that we light and then did a version of ‘popcorn prayer.’ And again - I was absolutely amazed. These middle school students - who had been exhibiting tons of energy throughout the night - really sat down, quieted themselves and they prayed. They prayed a lot - they each had significant prayer requests and people who they prayed for.

So, perhaps it’s the plastic pig. Or an open flame. Or just the fact that something represented the presence of the holy in their midst. Whatever it is — I certainly have no plans on getting rid of the plastic pig. For now - for us - it’s one thing that allows God to speak into the lives of our youth. What about your ministry? Do you have any rituals that might seem odd but seem to really resonate with your youth?

Vote NO on Prop 8 on November 4th.

So as you can see, I’ve slimmed down the sidebar content with the hopes of getting to be cleaner and simpler. But I would love to know what everyone thinks? Is there anything here that you miss from the previous design? What do you like better about this? Is there anything you don’t like? (And yes, I know my Archives page is a little messed up right now - still have to fix that). I’d love your feedback - so let me know. Thanks!

In previous generations, there was a mantra that asked “Why should the devil get all the good music?” While I’m not making any parallels between evangelicals and the devil, the question persists today: “Why should the conservative evangelicals get all the good music?” It’s been four years since that post, and I haven’t run across any sufficient alternatives to the “modern worship” movement (the Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, and Passion worship movement…). Many progressive mainline churches have turned to the Taize and Iona communities for more meditative music - which is great, and something that I resonate with. However, if the church wants to reach out to those who really do jibe with the modern worship style (yes, complete with the chorus that repeats 10x in a row…), there really isn’t any good music.

At least that’s what I thought. I first heard of Dana Decker a few months ago when he got in touch with me about his recent CD, “When We Sing.” Dana is part of the Unitarian Universalist faith community and he has put together a CD of “music for liberal worship” that will appeal to the exact crowd I was mentioning above. I have to say that when I initially listened to it, I wasn’t sure that the music style was exactly what I’m normally into - I was hoping for more of a progressive/liberal David Crowder Band style, but after listening to more of “When We Sing” - it really does have something for everyone. It has a great variety of musical tastes; according to the CD’s description on CD Baby, the musical style is pop, rock and funk. I think if people check it out and give some of the songs a shot in worship, it could be a great gift for the church.

So, maybe now, we will start to get a crop of new liberal songwriters like Dana Decker, writings songs for the church that employ a musical style that many enjoy, while allowing worshippers to still proclaim a faith that they can believe in.

You can listen to some of the songs here and then you can purchase the CD from CD Baby for $12.97 or buy it on iTunes.

This is something I struggle with a lot - my desire to really rethink youth ministry and what it could look like. There is part of me that feels the weight and burden of having two Princeton Seminary degrees, one being in Youth Ministry; I feel that with all my training and education, I should be doing some really creative new form of youth ministry. Right now, I feel like I’m just doing youth ministry as it’s always been done and as I’ve always led it. Yet, whenever I sit down to think about how to put together a new type of youth ministry - a youth ministry ‘out-of-the-box’ - I end up just thinking about programs. “What new program can I start up?” or “What new type of program can I add to our youth ministry…what would be cool?”

My real desire is not to create additional programs for the youth of our church, but that’s where I typically start when I try to think about how to re-do things in our youth ministry program. I’m not interested in creating a youth ministry that is so full of activities and cool things to do that youth just have “one more thing” to try and schedule into their already crazy lives.

So, I’m trying to think “outside-the-box.” I was talking to some friends this weekend about this, and I started to wonder, “What would a program-less youth ministry look like?” I don’t want a youth ministry that is focused on programs - so what would it look like for a youth ministry to be program-less? Is it possible? What would it look like?