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April 26, 2006
I believe..
I belive in encouraging the contextual practice of mission in various places around the world. I believe that there is something to be said for local people understanding the questions of the local context. I believe also however, that in many places around the world those who have been sent out from their local contexts have a very different view on them (the contexts) as they do life from the outside looking in. Problems in one place have a very different twist than in another. People in different places have different solutions to the same conflicts. Working together or alone may be favored in one place and thought weak in another. And yet, the new perspective can not be changed. This isn't some higher view or even some better view, but is definitely a different view.
So what must one do? An aversion to colonial methodology would keep one from wanting to impose "new knowledge" or "new understanding" on any culture, and yet, when those discovered things are proven to be freeing and liberating, one wants to share the good news of them! But what of the clash? What of the mixed messages?
Recently I've come to see that in the West, its not so much about the baby and bath water being thrown out as it is a process of allowing the experiences of the global church abroad to give shape to the practice of mission locally. Maybe for me this is different than for others; however, I am learning that I must encourage the healthy practice of mission in various contexts using various languages and various tools provided in sucha way that very simply, the good kingdom of God is established! It is in the establishing that the real diversity comes out. In the practice of a glocally-minded missionary communities willing to be shaped by the free market of Christ-birthed ideas and experiences. These are not the ideas and expereinces that are laid out in some sort of a "super highway towards building a better church", but rather in the real "back road" lives of real people trying to love others in the Spirit of Christ.
This is the great challenge of Christianity today: not to build bigger churches filled with more people, but to connect real people with a real creator who love them and is calling them towards participation in planting the good seeds of the good creation they have alsways longed to be a part of. In these spaces, Christ is made known and lives are healed, loved, transformed, and given a purpose greater than what they can do or hope to be!!
Posted by joshuacase at 10:07 AM | Comments (1)
April 22, 2006
In Berlin and reflecting
As the service project 2006 comes to close, we've stopped in Berlin for the day. As expected, I've found myself sitting in the Starbucks at the Brandenburg gate updating the website for the trip and reflecting over a Kenyan bean. I may not have spelled "brandenburg right...my apologies.
As i begin to reflect back on the trip, I must confess it has been quite an amazing experience. A brief outline of the highlights might go something like this (at least for now): relational fusion changes all of us; those of us who grew up under capitalism can never begin to imagine the way that communism shaped the lives and values of people for ages (in the past and to come); neither can we ignore the fact that those who live closest to "the wall" when it fell benefited the most (those 2, 3, or 4 hours away, have less to celebrate even today); people long to be called towards the relational activities that enable the plotting of goodness in the world; people matter more than projects.
Once again, I've been struck by the way people in community truly can give shape to each others lives; especially when they are focused on the same mission. Our SP06 team, came on a mission, discovered a dream, and are returning to Geneva having experienced the defining simplicity of service.
Posted by joshuacase at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2006
Wifi in Poland
Just to update those of you who are following, I have been able to get wifi in Poland which is making the updating of not only the SP06 site possible and faster, it is also allowing me to have greater access to internet than i expected.
Trips like this are always so refreshing. The stories, the connecting of experience with life lessons, and even the lack of sleep all create a unique experience for any youth (or otherwise) worker! Just this afternoon as I was transporting a group of students to their work site, it was so refreshing to hear them saying how this experience was just, "great as we've never had any experience like this before".
What fun! What an opportunity!
Community always brings out the best in people I find. Regardless of difference, or age, or experience...plotting goodness is a community effort and brings all involved together...in unity!
Posted by joshuacase at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2006
The next 10 days
For the next ten days I'll be off to Koszalin Poland with our team from YFC Geneva. Us plus around 60 young people will be working with a local association on development projects in some of the most rural areas! If you want to keep up on the trip, you can check here for photos and bloggings.
Look forward to being back and leading in to the Emergent conversation in Geneva during the 9-10 May.
Talk to you then! jc
Posted by joshuacase at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2006
Recent UK Visit
I just returned from a visit with my friends at the National office of British Youth For Christ. One of the most amazing things about the visit for me what the diversity of ministry that the have within their ministry programs. Specifically, the way the national ministry is capable of keeping thier eyes focused, as national director says, "on the mission of God". The diversity of ministry and particularly "evangelism" is quite interesting. There seems to be the gamet of evangelistic methodology within BYFC and they seem to be good with embracing that diversity.
All in all, it was a great trip. I stayed with some friends: Clive, Sylvia, and Alex. They are a great family! Very encouraging people to be with!
Posted by joshuacase at 10:55 PM | Comments (0)
Judas a plus..
My question about the recent release of the Gospel fo Judas is really, "Were John and Judas confused?" Is it possible that the one we've always thought to be the beloved really Judas? And what if? What if Judas was the most loved? What if the cannonical gospels missed this aspect of Christ's relationship with Judas? Is that really the end of it all?
Thoughts?
Posted by joshuacase at 10:48 PM
April 03, 2006
My friend the adventurer
My friend Jared Waits has had another run-in with the grand adventures of life! Its amazing the things that some people get to experience. Check this article that gives a good (even painful) descritption of his recent snow ski "vacation" in Utah, USA.
Jared, take care of your self man! Live well, live wise!
Posted by joshuacase at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
Geneva in spring
This photo was taken just last week from teh top of the Cahedral in Geneva. We were doing a mini tour with our team and discussing issues of reformation in our world today! Great times and greater conversation potential!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2006
Shema Community
Tonight we had one of our Shema gatherings and we discussed Crosses of the Bible. It was a great time for reflecting on the "black" Saturday experience of the early church. I hope to post the recording of the talk here in a few days, so check back.
It was a rich time of sharing!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:59 PM | Comments (1)