Hi Everyone! This is Carolyn, writing from the mountains! One reason (among many) I cherish this time each year is that I have the opportunity to read much more extensively than usual.
Right now I am reading Brian McLaren’s A Generous Orthodoxy in preparation for our “Change the World” Conference where Brian will be speaking in October. I am fascinated by the rumbles of controversy surrounding Brian’s writings and decided to find out for myself what this is all about. So, with much anticipation I opened the book and found…
Affirmation of Jesus as center of the Christian faith and as center of Brian’s life. He says, “I am a Christian because I have confidence n Jesus Christ – in all his dimensions (those I know, and those I don’t). I trust Jesus. I think Jesus is right because I believe God was in Jesus in an unprecedented way. Through Jesus I have entered into a real, experiential relationship with God as Father, and I have received God’s Spirit into my life. I have experienced the love of God through Jesus, and as the old hymn says, ‘love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my life, my all.’” (p. 70)
Affirmation of Jesus as Savior of all and acknowledgement that the entire world is waiting in expectation of this rescuing, healing salvation. A willingness to take an honest look at how we have presented Jesus to the world and evaluate how we can do that better. An open heart and mind to learn from others so our belief system allows others to embrace Jesus in ways they understand within their cultural context.
A humility that is willing to say, “Here are my ideas and what I have heard from God. Can we explore those and move forward under the Lordship of Christ together?”
I am uncovering nothing that has not been taught or done at Ginghamsburg already. We live out the reality that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and hold Jesus out to a hurting world with compassion, humility, charity, courage and diligence. We put right practice to our commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord. We are willing to generously customize how we do that in ways that the people we are addressing can recognize, understand and receive.
I am so thankful I took the time to do serious reading and find out for myself what Brian is saying. It’s easy to let others do the information gathering and thinking for us as we buy into serial emails or Internet reports. As followers of Christ, we have the responsibility to use our minds and delve into the important issues ourselves. And whatever judgments or decisions we make based on what we learn, we are always to be generous in grace as we express them.
Blessings,
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Aug 11, 2008 01:31PM
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Carolyn and I drove to our North Carolina mountain cabin Friday where we will spend the month of August. Besides spending time with each other, family and friends, I will use this break to focus on future projects that are almost impossible to fit into a routine week. I am working on a next book project (Right Religion: Reclaiming the Message and Mission of Jesus). My goal is to finish a rough outline before I return next month. I will also work on my presentation for the “Change the World” Conference, October 24-25. I would encourage you to register if you have not done so. The line-up of speakers is one of the best I have experienced. I have brought a bag full of books to catch up on my reading (both professional and just for fun). The Senior Management Team will join me here the week before we return for a team-building retreat. We will hike part of the Appalachian Trail, boat on Lake Chatuge, study and pray together. We are reading Alan Hirsch’s book, The Forgotten Ways, in preparation. Please pray for us as we continue to pray for you!
I was driving west on I-70 coming from Columbus, Ohio with my son and future daughter-in-law Stacy the week before last. I had not seen this billboard before and made the comment that even though it was true, it was trite. We Christians have mastered the art of benign slogans without demonstrating the sacrificial lifestyle of the true meaning. The world will not understand the truth of Jesus by our billboard and bumper sticker slogans. There is a better way. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
I have seen the reality of Jesus in the tireless sacrificial practical ways that so many of you continue to demonstrate in serving your global neighbors. From Dayton to Darfur, New Orleans to Kingston, Jamaica, countless numbers of you continue to demonstrate the practical reality of Jesus' redemptive love. Carey Smith, a businessman in our church, just emailed me about 11 micro-businesses that have been started in Jamaica with two more primed to be launched in the near future. A medical team, under the direction of Dr. Steven Guy, is serving in Jamaica this week, and our own Lisa Sowry preached this past Sunday at a church in the town of Friendship. Newspaper columnist Bruce Nolan, who writes for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, wrote a great article that well illustrates the reality of the resurrection being demonstrated through the hundreds of you who have made the sacrifice to serve in the gulf region (check it out here). Many other newspapers from around the country have also carried the article this summer including The Washington Post. I see the reality of Jesus through the practical demonstrations of your love! I would like to use the blog this week to make a living billboard that testifies to ways Jesus followers are witnessing through their service to others. Please take a moment to name an example of a serving-saint.
God bless...
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Jul 29, 2008 01:31PM
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This past Sunday I had the opportunity to do something that I have not done in almost three decades--celebrate Jesus and bring the Word to 139 sisters and brothers in a small, urban sanctuary without air-conditioning. It was 90-plus degrees, and sweat was running down my back! It gets even better. I am privileged to be the pastor of this church. Fort McKinley United Methodist is Ginghamsburg's new urban campus, where we will be working in an area that has been economically one of the hardest hit communities in Ohio. We are in a partnership with Belle Haven elementary school just three blocks away. Our New Path (social services), Next Step (recovery ministries) and New Creation Counseling will begin to offer the full array of programs and services. Our Clubhouse program had its official start in June, celebrated with a kick-off block party. (Check out the fun had by all at the party and then meet Rickianna, one of our star Clubhouse students, by clicking on the photos). Eighty-plus Ginghamsburg servants have made the commitment to worship and serve the Lord with their families at the Fort McKinley campus.
Jesus announced the beginning of his ministry in Nazareth by reading from the book of Isaiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor." Why are we moving to the Fort in uncertain economic times? If what we are committed to as a church is not good news for the poor, it is not the gospel!
God bless...
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Jul 22, 2008 01:31PM
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Wow! I don’t remember this ever happening in my lifetime. Inflation and recession are occurring at the same time. June price jumps were the worst since 1999. Inflation is running over 5%. The stock market hit a new two-year low on Tuesday. General Motors also announced further cutbacks on Tuesday and will decrease salaried employee cost by 20%. The price of fuel has increased 36% in the first six months of 2008. Our 401k’s have taken significant hits and the American banking industry??? Where is the silver lining in this scenario?
Jesus' words to the Church in Laodicea carry great significance for the American Church and the U.S. today. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm--neither cold nor hot--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see" (Rev. 3).
God’s people have always struggled to live faithfully in times of great blessing. Americans (including those in the Church) have long worshiped at the altar of bigger, better and more. In 2005 Americans reached a negative savings rate and began to spend $1.22 for every dollar earned. The fruits of materialistic, self-focused idolatry have ripened and are now rotting. We have forgotten our great need for God!
The prodigal son moved to a distant land far from his father. It was when the bottom fell out of the financial market that he began to come to his senses, ask eternal questions and courageously seek first purposes. For God’s people the worst of times precede the best of times. Courage saints. Jesus Is Lord!
God bless...
Posted By: Pastor Mike Slaughter on Jul 16, 2008 01:31PM
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Hi Everyone! This is Carolyn, writing from the mountains! One reason (among many) I cherish this time each year is that I have the opportunity to read much more extensively than usual.
Carolyn and I drove to our North Carolina mountain cabin Friday where we will spend the month of August. Besides spending time with each other, family and friends, I will use this break to focus on future projects that are almost impossible to fit into a routine week. I am working on a next book project (Right Religion: Reclaiming the Message and Mission of Jesus). My goal is to finish a rough outline before I return next month. I will also work on my presentation for the “
I was driving west on I-70 coming from Columbus, Ohio with my son and future daughter-in-law Stacy the week before last. I had not seen this billboard before and made the comment that even though it was true, it was trite. We Christians have mastered the art of benign slogans without demonstrating the sacrificial lifestyle of the true meaning. The world will not understand the truth of Jesus by our billboard and bumper sticker slogans. There is a better way. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
A medical team, under the direction of Dr. Steven Guy, is serving in Jamaica this week, and our own Lisa Sowry preached this past Sunday at a church in the town of Friendship. Newspaper columnist Bruce Nolan, who writes for 
Wow! I don’t remember this ever happening in my lifetime. Inflation and recession are occurring at the same time. June price jumps were the worst since 1999. Inflation is running over 5%. The stock market hit a new two-year low on Tuesday. General Motors also announced further cutbacks on Tuesday and will decrease salaried employee cost by 20%. The price of fuel has increased 36% in the first six months of 2008. Our 401k’s have taken significant hits and the American banking industry??? Where is the silver lining in this scenario?