August 07, 2008
The New Conspirators & Tom Sine
Today I did a podcast interview for an upcoming release on the Nick & Josh Podcast. I am continuing my duties with the fellas even as the transition continues. And to be honest, I love the gig as much as anything!
Today I had the privilege of talking to Tom Sine of Mustard Seed Associates and The New Conspirators (US-web). Over the course of about 3 hours, Tom and I got to talk several times while both trying to connect with the other. Just when it seemed as though all hope was lost, hope prevailed and the interview happened. No Barack Obama didn't jump in a save the planet, but it sure felt like it;) Tom really is a great guy.
I just wanted to put out the info that this podcast is coming soon. As much as anything, I urge you like Andrew Jones, 'If you cant make the conference, at least buy the book.'
Kester also has pretty impressive plug on the book. He writes, 'When the great book of life is opened, some would see it that it’ll be the stellar Christians like McLaren, Baker, Rollins and Wallis who should get all the plaudits. I wouldn’t want to take anything away from any of them, but quietly, ‘one mustard seed at a time’ Tom has been actually inspiring people to do the stuff. It’s a quiet, background role, perhaps, but I think if you could trace the significance of his words and actions through all the things that have happened because of them, you’d have quite an amazing list. Vaux certainly owes him its existence in many ways.'
So yeah, it was an honor to speak to Tom. And watch out, there will be another postcast after this one on life in community during major economic recession...with Tom. Yeah, the man has some great ideas for emerging, missional, mosaic, and monastic community in the global era.
Wait for interview...but check out the book!
joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
June 30, 2008
engaGE!
Last year engaGE Geneva was all the rave. International people in the Geneva community coming together to learn the art of blossoming where you are planted.
This year the engaGE has a new range of projects for people to participate in. If you are interested in participating, click here to sign-up for the projects and help make a ripple effect of goodness in Geneva.
engaGE!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2008
Bono, Brian McLaren and the Archbishop of Canterbury
Recently at the God Politics Blog, Brian McLaren posted some thoughts on his time at Davos in conversation with a few Muslim friends. While the thoughts are quite refreshing and the kind I have come to respect and admire from Brian, they strike me as deeply curious today as the Archbishop's thoughts on Sharia law in the UK seem to have created such a fuss. He is quite frankly be accused of everything by the lawyers, clergy, politicians, and by the the media. But the man is, more than just rambling here...he is protestifying to a greater reality with even bigger questions about who God is and where God comes into politics within the diversified unity of nations.
Now, I am no Englishman (Sting's song in my head), but I really can not get what all the fuss is about. As one of the Spiritual leaders in the kingdom, he is merely reflecting back 'facts' to a country about itself and, quite possibly, about 'how' it can continue to exist as a whole nation, under God or, maybe even a different reality, under Gods. Though he doesn't say this, it seems to be implied not merely by his role in the life of the Church and the nation, but by his mystical understanding of Christian unity.
I feel like these conversations are just the beginning of what is going to prove to be a long debate among countries where there have been long held religious and cultural values, which begin to need to flex or die. As a mystic, I feel that Rowan is trying to lead the way on a discussion that has sensitivities which are beyond the body politik and which, as a spiritual leader, he understands. For this, it feels he is very much on the leading edge of the dialogue. Maybe, almost shockingly so, the church is there for the first time in a while?
I hate to say it, but in many ways, I fear that this is the same reason why Brian and others get such criticism. Why? Because they too are asking questions as spiritual leaders who professionally have thought about certain issues in certain ways that others might not have. With Brian and others, of course, the even greater challenge lay in the realities of the landscape of America's existing democracy. Not to mention the fact that most Americans, probably more than admit it, have some sense of fear about anyone who is Muslim because of the way in which the media has been used for the last 8 years to portray them. A portrayal which has unfortunately been reinforced by a politic and policy.
And Bono, what of him? Where does he come into this equation or conversation? One word: COEXIST.
Now what we should not hear in the words of the Archbishop are we need to all become a weird a-typical sort of religious body which is neither Christian nor Muslim. But, what Bono and other continually call us to, is to asking the question of how in a multi-religious society, we must be able to live and habitate together. Not as inferior or greaters, but as equals. This is the essence of coexistence. We hold in tension not merely our disagreements, but the autonomy of our similarities.
There are lots of others who have thoughts on this discussion now. But just you wait. The discussion is really, only beginning.
i am an alien...
joshua
Posted by joshuacase at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2007
World AIDS Day 2007
(HT: IUSY)
International statistics
Last Updated: November 2007
People living with HIV
33.2 million people worldwide
30.8 million adults
15.4 million women
2.5 million children under 15
New HIV cases in 2007
2.5 million total new cases
2.1 million adults
420,000 children under 15
AIDS deaths in 2007
2.1 million total deaths
1.7 million adults
330,000 children under 15
HIV by Region 2007
Sub-Saharan Africa
22.5 million adults and children living with HIV
1.7 million adults and children newly infected with HIV
5 % adult prevalence
1.6 million adult and child deaths due to AIDS
South and South-East Asia
4 million adults and children living with HIV
340,000 million adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.3% adult prevalence
270,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
East Asia
800,000 adults and children living with HIV
92,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.1% adult prevalence
32,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
Eastern Europe and Central Asia
1.6 million adults and children living with HIV
150,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.9% adult prevalence
55,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
Caribbean
230,000 adults and children living with HIV
17,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
1.0% adult prevalence
11,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
Latin America
1.6 million adults and children living with HIV
100,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.5% adult prevalence
58,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
North America
1.3 million adults and children living with HIV
46,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.6% adult prevalence
21,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
Western and Central Europe
760,000 adults and children living with HIV
31,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.3% adult prevalence
12,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
Middle East and North Africa
380,000 adults and children living with HIV
35,000 adults and children newly infected
0.3% adult prevalence
25,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
Oceania
75,000 adults and children living with HIV
14,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.4% adult prevalence
1,200 adult and child deaths due to AIDS
-------------------
You don't have to be or know a person who is HIV positive for these facts to make you sick. AIDS is a global pandemic and as people of this age we must do something about it.
Yesterday I suggested a couple of things we could do to get our heads around AIDS in our communities. In hindsight, maybe our heads are the problem. Maybe, less than knowing the issues, we need to know the people. Maybe, less than facts, we need hearts of compassion. Maybe, more than the out of giving, we need to discover the art of caring.
AIDS hasn't happened emerged in a vaccum. Societies, people, global economies, health structures, and religions have all aided and encouraged its spread through the last century. No one is innocent.
Watch this story about a group in Kenya working within a community of AIDS victims. Combining care, practical health, and important medicine, this group is seeing change happen. It's not the only story out there, but it is one.
commit to care and be changed!
joshua
Geneva, Switzerland
1 December 2007
Posted by joshuacase at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2007
World AIDS Day ACTION!!!!
My friends in Geneva at the Anglican UN Office Geneva have just released a report entitled, "Working Together!? The Anglican Response to HIV & AIDS in Africa". It is a good comprehensive read. If you click on the title, you can down load the pdf. Here is the article about the article.
The report took quite a bit of work and was complemented by not only CAPA, but UNAIDS as well. My friends Mike, Paul, and Ruth (among countless others) will have invested deeply in this report!
As we approach World AIDS day tomorrow, it is very important that we as a fragile humanity continue to keep this pandemic squarely in front of us. After the first 40 million people died, AIDS surpassed the Black plague in deaths. This isn't a disease that plays around, and it will not be eradicated through passe answers or shouting to people infected with the disease from the couch to change their lifestyles. No, this disease needs the attention and affection of us all.
So tomorrow, on World AIDS day do something. Take 30 minutes and do some research on how you can help people who are being effected and infected by this disease. Sure, Africa is great place to start, but why not ask how many people in your local community are affected by the disease? What's being done in your neighborhood, city, province, state, canton, or country ? Do people feel free to tell others they have the disease? Do people who have it have to live in shame or is there a place of sanctuary and care for them? Has the outbreak of AIDS been on the rise in your community or on the decrease? Why? Who is caring for those infected and their loved ones...really?
All of these are just questions that are on the tip of the iceberg. Regardless of where or how you live, AIDS is effecting the world in which you live. We can make it such that this disease does not become, as Bono suggests, 'the crisis by which we will all be judged by God and history'. We must act now.
Here are a few organizations to look into:
UNAIDS
AIDS Alliance
International Coucil of AIDS Service Organizations
Take a breath. Take an action. Care.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2007
Thursday is for Greg, and Thomas..together!
Greg Boyd has been getting loads of feedback apparently about his entry entitled, "Washing Osama's Feet". Here is a link to his most recent entry, which is a follow up entry, entitled, "The Worst Heresy Imaginable".
On Tuesday I didn't manage to get up a Tuesday is for Thomas, but maybe, that wasn't so bad. The question of 'who is my neighbor' and 'who is my enemy' is one that Jesus continually wants us to ask. In fact, from generation to generation, the answer to this question changes quite often. The portrait and conversation that Greg is having is quite a tough one in light of the person that Osama represents; however, we must ask the question, who is my enemy and how would Jesus ask me to treat them?
Thomas Merton, in 1961, was facing quite a different enemy. In fact, in his journal entry of 12 November of that year, he begins to wrestle with the way the enemy is illicting response from people within America..where he is living as an monk in Kentucky. He writes:
"I must pray more and more for courage, as I certainly have neither the courage nor the strength to follow the path that is certainly my duty.
With the fears and rages that possess so many confused people, if I say things that seem to threaten their interests or conflict with obsessions, then I will surely get it.
It is shocking that so many are convinced that Communists are about to invade or destroy America: "Christians" who think the only remedy is to destroy them first. Who thinks seriously of disarming? For whom it is more a pious wish, beyond the bounds of practicality?
I need patience to listen, to learn, to try to understand, and courage to take all the consequences and be really faithful. This alone is a full-time job. I dread it, but it must be done, and I don't quite know how. To save my soul by trying to be one of those who spoke and worked for peace, not for madness and destruction."
Indeed, knowing how to love as Christ would in this age of madness will be confuddled at best. People who choose to follow Christ's call to love extravagantly will be persecuted for their sense of passionately offering grace as Jesus modeled. People who work to provide humanitarian kindness as Christians might be misunderstood as trying to replace the gospel with works. Neighbors will become enemies, enemies are already our friends, and maybe most confusing of all, which religion or nationality one possesses won't mean squat.
As we move increasing towards the advent season, I hope that we will rediscover a ancient way of active longing. A longing that is described in Isaiah 2 as 'for the last days'. A longing that led Jesus Christ to live in a particular way; a way which is a way of goodness, and mercy, and justice for all. A way of living which leads others to that discover that deep longing for the time when,
"The mountain of the LORD's temple
will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore."
Indeed, may we reflect this season how Christ's humble coming and practical demonstration has prepared us to live differently for our age. And how this living will call out to others, 'there is another way,' 'we can achieve peace for our time.' May we who can, do. May we who pray, seek. May we who love, love extravagantly.
may peace and grace be yours today as you seek to love all, and to serve all...
joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 08:37 AM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2007
Brian McLaren's New Book: A (Positive) Review
Tomorrow, Brian McLaren's new book gets released. Over the course of the last few weeks I have been working through it, or rather, devouring it and being challenged by the way it is forming the way i see the world.
Here are my thoughts, my plug, my endorsement:
In Brian McLaren's newest book, Everything Must Change, Brian connects the dots of the days' largest global crisis and shifts in global thinking with the heart of the message of Christianity. Brian's careful weaving of story and reality happens in such a way that it will make everyone from his friends to his greatest critics pause and reflect.
In what maybe his most accessibly comprehensive work yet, Brian tells his story of wrestling with the nature Christianity as we have it today, and why it must not merely change, but learn to confront the 'suicidal framing stories of our day.'
Whether you are new to Brian, read every one of his works, or a staunch critic...READ THIS BOOK!
Theologically, politically, spiritually, and economically this book might just be the straw that breaks the back of the camel of colonial, modern, daulistic thinking in every religion. Many who have left the church will read this book and again experience a revolution of hope welling up inside of them.
The message of Jesus as explored in Everything Must Change is good news for all who have the capacity to read and who choose to understand it. But maybe more importantly, it is GREAT NEWS for those who will experience this compassionate, loving, truth-telling, non-violent shift in their communities, in their families, and in their nations.
In the end, its simple: if what Brian puts forth is true, not only can everything change, but everything must change because of Jesus!
buy it, read it, share it!!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 05:53 PM | Comments (1)
August 26, 2007
Boyd and Cizik: Jesus' friends
Here is a video of Greg Boyd much like the one i posted the other day with the extention of Richard Cizik. Cizik is a vice-president for the National Association of Evangelicals (USA) and one of belief.net's nominee's for 'Most Inspiring Person of the Year'.
See both video's here:
Greg and Richard
Cizik's nomination
Lammert and I are both reading a book which Cizik wrote the forward for. It's written by Matthew Sleeth and is entitled, 'Serve God Save the Planet'. One word: WOW.
check it out...read it...be changed...be challenged...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 09:46 PM | Comments (3)
August 17, 2007
Suicide and 'Reactivity and Iraq'
Yesterday the US military released a report stating that suicide among servicewomen and men was the highest in 26 years. Today, the number of coalition force deaths reaches 4000 with over 3600 US casualties. These numbers apparently do not reflect the deaths of Iraqi government or police forces.
Wednesday, Brian McLaren also posted these blogged thoughts at Sojourners/God's Politics. I thought the two are interesting side by side. Frighteningly so.
'In his July 20 commentary, James W. Skillen of the Center for Public Justice struck a non-partisan note of honesty and balance that I wish I heard more often.
He summarized the basic narrative of the Iraq War that both our president and his party and many Democrats seem to share:
... first, America liberated Iraq from Saddam Hussein; second, we returned sovereignty to the Iraqi people; third, sectarian violence tragically increased; and now, in the fourth phase, we are "deploying reinforcements and launching new operations to help Iraqis bring security to their people."
The elegant word Skillen chooses to describe this narrative is "delusional."
He counters:
U.S. forces did not liberate Iraq; they wiped out its government, and the Bush administration then failed to exercise American responsibility to govern the country so it could be rebuilt and eventually governed by Iraqis themselves. We opened the floodgates to chaos, civil war, the death or flight of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and a continuing influx of terrorists whom our 'war' was supposed to destroy. That is not liberation.
He follows with a withering critique of both the "stay the course" proposal of the executive branch and the quick withdrawal plans increasingly popular in Congress. Both lines of reasoning, he says, lay the blame for our dilemma on "the nearly powerless Iraqi government for not climbing out fast enough from the hole we dug for it." We may well criticize the Iraqi government for taking a long summer vacation in the midst of its crisis, but that doesn't negate our culpability for them being in this particular crisis in the first place.
He chooses another elegant word to describe a nation that creates a crisis and then blames the victims for it: "immoral."
Delusional and immoral are strong words. Whether you believe the invasion was an ill-conceived and badly-planned mistake or you believe that the invasion was justifiable but the problems have been in the execution, either way, we're in a mess. We need a way out.
A friend of mine says that we're only as sick as our reactivity. If our reactivity to Sept. 11 played a part in getting us into this terrible situation, we will not be well served by reacting to the status quo with still more reactive behavior.
For those of us who supported the war, and for those of us who opposed it but failed to stand up and speak up strongly enough, this is not a time for reactive behavior. It's an opportunity, as Senator Obama recently said, to be as careful in planning our next steps as we were careless in planning our steps in the past. With more foresight and forethought, with less blame-gaming and partisanship and more deliberate collaboration, we can take the next steps—whatever they will be—with more honor, intelligence, sanity, and responsibility, and less reactivity than we have employed so far. Voices like Skillens' can slow us down to indulge in second and third thoughts, perhaps breaking the cycle of unwise and destructive reactivity into which we have plunged the Iraqis and ourselves.'
be less reactive...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 09:54 AM
August 13, 2007
Pretty dang interesting...'i' think
Reformed Heart posted this video on youtube , and apart from a wrongful linking of Brian McLaren and Rob Bell to the message that is being spoken in the background, it is pretty interesting. I am not sure who the voice is in the background, but the only other person I have heard talk 'like this', meaning in person, is John Piper. And as my friend Nicholas Fiedler said of the same talk which we later found out we were both at, 'it was scary!' (paraprhase). Nicholas, clear me up on what you really thought...
So yeah, its interesting, but if it leads to a theological processing likened to what Piper has been saying about the Minnesota bridge collapse, ummm...umm..well, just look at Greg Boyd's blog response here. Not advocating..just processing. It is a tragedy in the community of each Pastor. Yet each seems to have handled it differently from their understanding of God. Isn't the diversity beautiful?
What do you think, is this a fair treatment of Brian and Rob? I can't speak for Olsteen and Meyer; however, i guess it was good for me to see that Rick Warren has personally focussed even more on mission in a 'different way' in Africa, and he thanks is wife for that. Plus, he is also a friend of Obama;) and has had to defent it. YES!
let me hear from you..what do you think about the video..or the bridges...or..?
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:33 AM | Comments (9)
June 26, 2007
Sign-up for engage today!!!
Just another plug. We're all working hard here on enabling people to engage with the city! Lots of projects are coming together and we are confirming partners and projects with lots of support from the community. As an association, movement and initiative...engage is coming to life!
For instance, we have help from:
Rohan Throssel, golf professional
Theren Bullock, former Head coach for the Geneva devils
Mr. Pickwick Pub, for hosting our closing event (and possibly our kick-off)
Stop the Traffik (international)
Carrefour Rue
Geneva Online, for promotion among their community
....and many many more!
We're all getting excited to see the way the projects are coming together. So if you are in Geneva, sign up here for engage. You can make a difference. You should blossom where you are planted!
peace....engage...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2007
Obama and A Prayer for America (Voters & Policies)
If you are not an american, its still worth a watch. And by the way, I believe your voice matters!
As one friend pointed out in a recent discussion, 'the presidental election matters to the world because the election has the capacity to influence lives that have no say in who gets elected'. Oh the beautiful tragedy of global politics and policies.
A Prayer for America, American Voters, and American Policies
Dear God- Let the American people understand the importance of their policies and politicians. Let them come to understand how to vote responsibly in Presidential and local elections. Let all who can vote, act justly in voting even if it means going against long held family convictions about 'party'. Let America once again understand how to bless the world even if it means not being the best, most talented, largest, most economically rich country in the world. May America humbly empower through policies of selflessness and sacrifical acts of globalized empowerment.-Joshua Case, Geneva, Switzerland 2007
peace, grace, and justice for all...
joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 03:45 PM | Comments (1)
June 14, 2007
Team life and Leadership
The last few days I have been away with our team at YFC Geneva on a year-end retreat. It was good, healthy, painful, exciting, and reflective. We were in Ovronnaz. Small, but good.
Everyone in leadership knows the experience of group reflection.
Everyone in leadership understands the critique of work that is different from the evaluation of self.
Everyone in leadership has epiphonal moments of 'wow' i am glad i am learning this now.
Everyone in leadership knows that you are not perfect, and neither are others (but you can never say that out loud).
It was good, and forming. It was good to have team there, but also, it was special to have Laura, Phil, Bethany, and Lammert to process with. As people who will be around the organization for the next few years, It's good to be on the same page together.
Leadership is the ultimate test of self. Agree? Disagree?
peace...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2007
Micheal Frost on 'Jesus Etiquette'
Here is a video of Micheal Frost. Pretty good examination on Jesus' model of etiquette. It's pretty good.
enjoy...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 03:10 AM | Comments (1)
May 27, 2007
A quick bike trip around lake Geneva
Over the course of the last few days, the team at Interyouth, put on a Bike ride around lake Geneva. Lammert was with us as one of the key bikers as was Sebastien and Aaron from Shema. It was good fun.
Over the course of the two days, four teams competed in a Road Rules type event which also enabled them to raise money for a good cause.
There was a blind-folded Kayak race, a giant slip-in' slide, riding in the rain, and a great bbq at the end before more rain set in. Watch this video for some fun photos that sum up the experience pretty well; well, apart from the rain, the broken down support vehicle, and the sunset on lake Geneva. It was a good time and many lessons were learned!
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:24 PM | Comments (1)
May 25, 2007
Shema Community's EngaGE
Lammert has put together a great teaser video on the Shema engaGE week. Similar to a Serve the City project, engaGE will provide people from all over, and of all types, to plug into the city of Geneva through practical service.
Make sure to check out this website to register in the next few days (or early next week). If you would like to bring a group, or just come to Geneva to engaGE as an individual please email me here.
We look forward to engaging with you!
Watch this video...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:15 PM
May 20, 2007
Shema tonight...
Tonight at shema was special. We've really been exploring a lot with story lately and the way that story can form community! Tonight we retold the story of Esther in the spirit of Purim as part of our engaGE series.
As part of the evening, with 'hilighting' being the theme, we joined with lots of other people to highlight the issue of slavery that still exits today. As Mike Morrel puts it, we sought to join with other abolitionist communities to stand against today's slave trade. Morrel has highlighted the book 'Not for Sale' as a rallying point.
Also during the evening we watched this video...it was our call to community...our call to worship...our music for the evening...
stay tuned on the shema page for more!
peace...jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
Here are this week's conversations. There is a bit of a variety here, but i am increasingly amazed at the way we can discover threads all across the web that form and give real shape to practice locally. Good stuff here this week. Some hard stuff. But some really really good stuff here!
Gregory Boyd on 'Is the Kingdom Invisible?'
Prodigal Kiwi's 'Spiritual Direction, Being Church, Being Mission-Shaped'
Armand Frasco's at moleskinerie on the 'Anatomy of a System for Getting Things Done'
Nicholas Fiedler's Good new/Gospel/or Links that give Hope
Mike Clawson's 'American Exceptionalism or Imperialism?'
Posted by joshuacase at 10:00 AM
May 14, 2007
Drew Barrymore, documentaries, and the World Food Programme
I have to admit it, my wife knows it, and I'm happy to talk about it: I've always liked Drew Barrymore. Maybe this isn't going to win me any cool points, but i thought she was the best of the Charlies Angels, I thought she was a star in ET, and well, Riding in Cars with Boys made me cry. Yep, I like her.
And now... i have a reason to talk about it because Drew is teaming up with the World Food Programme. As the offical 'Ambassador Against Hunger', Drew says she has finally found something to be passionate about and she is making every effort to raise awareness and make change happen.
If you don't know about the WFP, here are a few facts:
-they spend on 7% of donations on administration,
-last year, the WFP fed 19.4 million children in 71 countries through school feeding programs,
-the WFP proports that they work with people who 'who don't have any food, (and) boil stones in the hope that their children will fall to sleep while waiting for their "supper" to cook.
But helping the WFP isn't all Drew is doing. She has also does documentary film making. Recently she released a film on voting and will also release one on the worldwide hunger dilemma after her work with the WFP in Kenya.
This will be interesting to watch. After all, to say this, one needs to be in it for the long haul..we can hope at least.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 04:26 PM | Comments (2)
May 07, 2007
'Christian' in all sorts, colors, and practices
I've been thinking lately about what it means to be a christian and maybe even more so what it means to see the world as Christian. And while this blog isn't about to be an exhaustive, i hope it stirs up some conversation about the diversity in what it might look like to be a christian in the world, or maybe even, how we can see people and activity in the world as Christian.
I must admit, I far too often hear people say, 'to be a christian, you need x" and yet, when i look around the sorts and colors and practices of Christ in the world, they seems to be made incarnate in all kinds of people and activities. And isn't it the spirit of God working in and through people for the redemption of all things that defines 'Christian in the world' and/or even the world as Christ's cosmos?
Three (potential) ways of seeing 'Christian' in the world as I've been thinking:
1. Sacremental- Those communities or persons or activities who would say they practice and participate in regular community that is shaped by the distinct practice of ritual and sacrement springing from the tradition of the church throughout history. These kinds of christians or christian activity mayb e 'high' church (catholic, orthodox, anglican, episcopal) or 'low' church (baptist, methodists, vineyard, etc) but the disticntiveness lay in the practice of sacrement at the center of the community.
2. Sociological- These are newer forms and practioners of the church who would by and large say their primary desire is to be christian in the world 'relevantly'. Many of the shapes that these forms of christian in the world might take will be very different. Theologically and philosophically they may be quite varied on the place of sacrements in community or even the place and appearance of worship in community. However, the activites and beliefs of these people and activites still have the proverbial 'christian flag' waving about them. And while they may not say it, these activites still struggle with how God is working to 'redeem all things'? Is it enough to give bread in Christ's name? Or should we not also make sure they get Jesus too? Or is the even a false dichotomy?
3. Ethical- These would be people who for the most part would not want to be affilitated with Christianity, or are not affiliated with it, and yet find themselves living out the Good News of the Kingdom of God in their culture and context. The Spirit of God in the world compels them forward working for issues of justice, goodness, and change. They practice a different-but-similar value set with those things at the heart of christian goodness; however, this message of hope, justice and peace for all mankind is rooted firmly in the heart of their lives.
It was interesting for me to think about this topic and then read one of Ryan Dueck's posts on 'The Ethical Imagination'. Similiar kinds of processing here in some ways; not to mention he was one of my Seriously Good Conversations from two weeks ago.
What do you think? Does this kind of seeing the world as 'Christian' make sense? Or is it rather about seeing who in the world is not 'Christian'?
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:13 AM | Comments (100)
May 05, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
Conversation at Obama.com's The Gospel is a message of Hope. This is one of the conversations that demonstrate many people are pro-Obama, and you should be too!
Tallskinny Kiwi's Mark Driscol and Paris Hilton and Banned Video Rumors.For a funny and yet sad view of the skinny. There was another article i found on this too, but lost it. It was pretty seriously good too. Sorry.
Brian T Murphy's steve malone.A great honest reflection on life in ministry, transition, and 'church' as job.
John Smulo's Not Against For. and Rethinking Education
Jason Smith's Consequentialism.
Posted by joshuacase at 12:07 PM | Comments (245)
April 05, 2007
Kosovo thoughts so far
As you will know, you can really follow the porjects that I am involved with the is week over at the Interyouth blog; however, I wanted to take a couple of moments and post here as well.
As you may remember, I did a video blog over at Jason Clark's site a while back on 'Ethical good news'. The conversation was great, and the interaction fun, but this week I am experiencing a bit of the reality of the world of developing economies and strucutures that I hadn't experienced to this degree before. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some of this before..but it feels a bit different this time.
Maybe it is the post war nature of the place? Maybe it is the Albanian culture? Maybe it is Islam? It is a deep sense of good discomfort, and I am glad i am experiencing it.
Couple of messages that keep coming up:
1. What the media by in large has presented about much of the situation here, is disconnected from the reality of what is actually going on.
2. Hospitality is a gift and to be a guest, an honor
3. We must be diligent in putting ourselves into situations that will stretch us to experience the realities of others. If we do not, we will only live in the world of the pretend West. People need to know, as some would say, 'how the other half lives', and that is one thing i am excited about doing!
These young people are great. Responding well to difficult conversations, experiences and cultural misunderstandings. But they press on. As we all must, and seek to plot goodness as we go! Afterall, if humanity must prioritize, then we must seek to prioritize the actions of good for all.
Posted by joshuacase at 01:30 PM | Comments (1)
April 03, 2007
Tuesday is for Kosova
Today, i am coming to you live from Kosova. I do not have much deep to say today, only that there is a real sense of hospitality in this place that really puts to shame any other hospitality i have ever experienced (no offence to anyone).
This morning I met with the head of the Police forces for the region. A truly gentle man who seems to be highly esteemed in the area. He was/has been the first one in this position since the conflict. As we met, he said to me (translation) 'In all my years of putting on this uniform, being here with all of you from Geneva and the international community, welcoming you to this city and to this place, is the most honored/proud I have ever been'.
No Fadil, we are honored. Thanks for welcoming us.
Check out more on the trip our blog here.
Posted by joshuacase at 02:26 PM | Comments (0)
April 01, 2007
I'm (we're) Off!!
Laura and I are off with a group to Kosovo. Make sure to follow us here. Although, i hope to post some reflections here as well!
peace and safe keeping...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 07:29 AM | Comments (2)
March 31, 2007
Seriously good conversations...
This week's SGCs (and there are a few) are (in no particular order):
The Evolution of Faith at Danutz
Subversive Syntax by Tony Jones at Church and Postmodern Culture
John Smulo on Capital Punishment and the Bible
Brian T Murphy- March 25
Ryan Bolger on 'Continuing Jesus' Mission Into the World (Part Two)'
How Might Scripture Read Us? by Prodigal Kiwi
Hope you enjoy this week's seriously good conversations! I know i did!
Posted by joshuacase at 08:23 AM | Comments (1)
March 29, 2007
Missing Video Blog...and preparation for Kosova
Well, I missed a video blog yesterday (Wednesday)...ahhhhhhhhh.
Yeah, yeah I know i heard it from here. But things have been slammed lately. With our preparations for Kosova well under way, and our departure date a mere three days away...time has been in rather short supply.
And while i am not really feeling antsy about the trip, these things do build up. Think about it: 50+ young people, on a bus, for 28+ hours, en route to Kosova...yeah if you are not a youth worker..you are probably at this point thinking..what the he+)(*&&()_ are you thinking.
Well, we're thinking it matters and it will change things. Time will tell how much, but these trips always change things: leaders, students, the place where we go, their leaders, their students. Yep, change happens.
Make sure to subscribe to the rss feed for the SP07 blog. I'll be keeping it updated once we depart with videos, photos, and stories from each day!
Thanks for tuning in here...and do tune in there!
This is a little Ben Harper..and the theme song if you will for SP07.
Posted by joshuacase at 06:17 PM
March 21, 2007
Collision Course Theologians?- A Video Blog
Please feel free to respond with video blogs and/or written ones. Looking forward to hearing from all!
Also, sorry if it is a bit jumpy at times. You can close your eyes if the out of time nature messes with you;)
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 02:37 PM | Comments (6)
March 19, 2007
The Conversation Over There..
As you may have seen, or not, I have been a part of discussion over at Jason Clark's blog on "Ethical Good News'. It has been a good conversation with several different voices involved. I would highly recommend you take the time to read through some of the things being said there..and respond when/if you are able.
In a similar vein I wanted to take the time to highlight a story i came across via a friend. It is an article about some churches in Sydney that posted the below sign outside. It turns out, it has caused quite a conflict among some of the press and parishioners of the area.
My friend, Ian, when telling me about this article made a comment to the effect, that this upheaval was just further evidence of how the message of Jesus isn't always the messsage Christians want to hear. For years it has been..for years the itching ears were given what they wanted to hear...but not so much any longer.
I know it sounds scary to some people, but i think this is great news!! Jesus really was about upseting the privileged, the religious...the normal!
Posted by joshuacase at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
Helping young people participate in change
As many of you will well know, aside from these processings here on issues of mission, leadership, politics, theology, and philosophy, I am also the Executive director for a youth work organization in Geneva Switzerland. Today, while doing a radio interview about our upcoming project to Kosovo, I had a re-epiphany: I do believe that through empowering youth, we can see the world become a better and more diffferent place for the future.
In my interview, I discussed how at the heart, our objectives as an organization was enable young people to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, the world around them, and to begin to think practically how who they are could make a transforming difference in the world.
Leaving the interview (which if I can get a copy of I will post here), i really felt even more conviction to work hard at helping teens to make it through the adolescent years by forming healthy and sustainable habits for life in the ages to come. For some, these include all matters of habits (social, physical, mental and spiritual), for others, it will mean just being a healthier more responsible person.
If you know of anyone interested in partnering with us as Interyouth, YFC Geneva, Altitude, or Link please let me know by emailing here.
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
And I can clean up the earth
Oh- with my own two hands
And I can reach out to you
Oh- with my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
Oh- with my own
Oh- with my own two hands
Ben Harper
Posted by joshuacase at 01:13 PM
February 17, 2007
Shema Community- Prayer, Rioting, and Mission
Over the course of the last several months Shema has been growing. Growing in our understanding of community, in our formation of team and vision, and in our understanding of blessing others as we've been blessed. Indeed as we have found that we can not help as we grow in our understanding of life in community and in following Jesus, that we must (imperative) grow out. The message and mission of Christ to love God can not and must not be separated from loving others. And, as Rob Bell has said before, if the good news of Christianity is not good news for everyone, its not good news at all.
This weekend we have the opportinity to finish our series on 'How to Start A Good Riot'. We'll be looking at "Upsetting the Privileged'. One of the things which has come about this week which has upset some of us within the community (as privileged people) is that Conny Vrieling has answered a call for the need for doctors in Sudan. You can see more of the story on Lammert's blog.
As a core community (photo above: few people are absent) we spent much of our team gathering on Thursday night praying for and processing with Conny and Lammert. The decision is not to be taken lightly. There have been 11 deaths in the village where she will be going to help over the last couple of days. Please pray for her. And if you can help, email she and Lammert after checking out his site. The irony, the organization that she will be going with, (Make Way Partners) is based in Birmingham Alabama. We asked for prayer in our recent prayer newletter, and had responses from people who worked with/for the organization! Small world! Small world!
Posted by joshuacase at 10:30 AM
February 16, 2007
Another article pro-Bono and pro-leadership
A Humanitarian Leader on the World Stage
by Jim Citrin
People all over the world recognize Bono. The Irish musician turned diplomat and philanthropist has transcended his rock-music roots to become a driving force in global economic policymaking, and a world leader in the war against AIDS in Africa.
How did he transform himself from musician to humanitarian leader? And what relevance does his experience have for you?
A Musician's Calling
Bono is a powerful role model due, in large part, of course, to the impact he makes through his dedicated efforts around the world. But Bono's influence extends beyond the causes he embraces and the work he does.
While many people would like to help solve the world's most important and intractable problems, such as curing a raging epidemic or eliminating poverty, it's not immediately obvious how exactly to do that. So what's the relevant lesson from Bono's example? Simply put, he sets an example for making the utmost of the hand he's been dealt.
We all wonder how, given the context of our work and lives, we can most creatively, energetically, and effectively apply our natural talents to make a positive impact on others. I don't think I've ever met anyone who so thoroughly addresses this question and utilizes his skills and station in life as Bono (or, to use his given name, Paul Hewson) does. "All of us want our lives to count," he told me in a private conversation recently. "Music for me was always about changing the world."
Taking a Different Path
From the start, Bono's band, U2, has been committed to addressing important issues facing the world. Starting in the early 1980s, the group's tours had cause-related sponsors -- Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Nelson Mandela to name a few.
In 1985, U2 played in the Live Aid concert to raise money for famine-stricken Ethiopia. While that wasn't unique -- just about every other major band played the concert -- Bono actually wanted to understand the real problem around which they were rallying. So later that year, he and his wife, Ali, traveled to the African country and spent several months living and working in a refugee camp.
This is where Bono's path diverged from that of other well-intentioned celebrities across the entertainment landscape. While they made cameo appearances and public-service announcements, Bono immersed himself in the economics and policymaking apparatus of debt relief.
Bono's never been shy about leveraging his fame for access to the world's most influential people, including James Wolfensohn, a former head of the World Bank; Paul Volcker, onetime leader of the Federal Reserve; and Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economics professor and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. What impresses these leaders most is how deeply Bono understands capital markets, debt instruments, and who the key decision-makers are.
A Red-Hot Initiative
The latest product of Bono's creative energies is Product (RED), an innovative approach to fighting AIDS in Africa developed with activist Bobby Shriver in 2006.
Designed to find a new approach outside of traditional philanthropic channels to engage the private sector and consumers and raise cause-related funds, the project has resulted in a proliferation of products sharing a deep crimson hue. These include the Red Apple iPod, Red Motorola Razr, Red Gap Jeans, and American Express Red Card.
Just as he did with debt relief, Bono schooled himself on the science and pharmacology of HIV and the AIDS epidemic for Product (RED). Medical and health-care experts comment that he knows as much on the subject as any scientific journal editor, and when Bono talks about Product (RED) his insights about marketing budgets, consumer demand, and the business model are as sound as any chief executive or venture capitalist.
Bridging a Divide
When asked how such a project could possibly work, Bono explains that it's a function of where the science has progressed regarding AIDS treatment and the power of the marketplace to channel resources. "AIDS is no longer a death sentence," he says. "Just two pills a day will bring someone who is at death's door back to a full life. These pills, which are available at the corner drugstore, cost less than a dollar a day."
But since the poorest people in Africa earn less than a dollar a day, they can't afford to buy the medicine and they die, at the alarming rate of 6,500 people a day. "It's unnecessary," Bono says. "It's insane."
A key part of the motivation for picking the issue of AIDS in Africa is that it's an entirely winnable "war" -- the medicine is inexpensive and readily available. But while people want to help, they aren't necessarily prepared to go out of their way or spend extra money to do so.
On the flip side, companies would like to wrap their brands into the conscientious consumerism that's driving billions of dollars of purchasing power, but competition and shareholder activism are so acute that they can't afford meaningful corporate contributions to even the most important causes.
Bono's leadership genius is in devising a way for consumers to go about their normal lives and make purchasing choices that meet their needs while appealing to their desire to help, and for companies to win more business thereby funding the dollars they direct to pay for inexpensive medicine to solve Africa's AIDS crisis.
Indisputably Inspiring
Both times I met with Bono, I mused that if he weren't a rock star and diplomatic world-changer, he could easily be a great corporate chief executive officer.
He leads by example. No one works harder or delves as deeply into issues and data as he does. He surrounds himself with the best people, is an extraordinary listener, and takes advice extremely well. He understands economics, markets, consumers, media, and regulation. And he has a dynamism that attracts and inspires just about everyone he meets.
Some may question the efficacy of Product (RED). Can a for-profit enterprise really do good? How much money will ultimately be generated to pay for medicine for the people in need?
Others may question Bono's motives. After all, he's already been a Time magazine Person of the Year -- maybe he's simply interested in winning a Nobel Peace Prize. While that may be, it's indisputable that his passion for curing AIDS in Africa is genuine. One only has to spend time with him to appreciate how devoted he is to this cause.
The key lesson to take away from Bono's example is this: If an individual with a sharp mind, a dynamic personality, amazing musical skills, and a desire to make the world a better place can have such a far-reaching positive impact, it makes you wonder what else you can do.
Posted by joshuacase at 09:12 AM
February 13, 2007
McLaren to Obama
Brian McLaren has posted a little advice for Barak Obama on the Sojourners blog. Since i greatly appreciate both, here is the article:
Thanks for entering the 2008 presidential race. I know a lot of people feel as I do: After several elections where we felt we were left to choose between tired and uninspiring candidates with little fresh to offer except new twists on old electioneering techniques, it seems that in the upcoming primary elections, at least, we will have several exciting options. In both parties, in fact, we may get to choose between a number of fresh, creative, and substantial candidates instead of settling for the lesser of famliar disappointments. I hope that we will feel the same way when it comes down to two candidates in the 2008 presidential elections as well.
No doubt you'll be getting a lot of advice and requests from a lot of people in the coming weeks, and the only reason I think mine deserves to be heard is that I know I'm expressing what a lot of people feel. So I would like to make this request at the beginning of your campaign.
Please don't lie to us. Please forego both the repulsive, deceptive, and twisted lies and also the flattering lies we like to hear. For example, I heard a fellow candidate recently trot out the tired old line, "America is the greatest country in the history of the world." This makes Americans feel good and gets applause. Maybe it wins votes. But it is a lie.
Yes, we are the richest country. Yes, we have the most weapons. Yes, we dominate in many fields, from sports to pop music to movies to pornographic websites to resource consumption and waste production. But the seductive lie of superiority is bad for any nation, including ours. Any nation that keeps telling itself that it is the greatest will become a proud nation (if it isn't already), and pride, I have it on good authority, comes before a fall. Pride makes nations, as
individuals, unpleasant and ugly neighbors, and so candidates make a bad long-term decision when they seek to coddle pride in exchange for votes. If they win, they will preside over a country that their rhetoric has made more ugly and more likely to fall.
Instead of telling us this lie of American superiority, please tell us the truths that we need to hear. Tell us, as you just did in your campaign-launch speech, inconvenient truths – that we and our leaders have a habit of making mistakes and blaming others – whether it's in New Orleans or Baghdad. Tell us the truth about our past – from our own original genocide and ongoing apartheid regarding the Native peoples of this land, to our profoundly unacknowledged and unhealed legacy of slavery and racism, to our failure to care properly for this beautiful part of God's green earth, to our desperate and shameful violations of our own principles and ideals around the world, from Congo to Chile, and from Central America to the Middle East.
Those who say, "Those things are in the past, we should just move on," would never say that about, say, September 11, 2001. Tell us the truth that we have unfinished business, recalling the old proverb that says the one who hides his transgressions will not prosper, but the one who confesses and forsakes them will find mercy. South Africa discovered how a different future is possible when a nation tells the truth about its past, and you could help us have our own time of truth and reconciliation.
And of course, please tell us the truth about the hope that comes through truth-telling. You and John Edwards and several other candidates have already begun inspiring many of us with your hope – audacious hope regarding poverty, environmental healing, and peace. Because, as you say, another world is possible. Many of us dare to hope that, and if you don't tell us the old political lies and instead tell us the inconvenient truth, then our shared emerging hopes
can become a dynamic new reality.
All of us are cynical at times, but in the launch of your campaign, I feel more hopeful and inspired than I have in a long time. Thank you.
Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, Red Letter Christian, and serves as board chair for Sojourners/Call to Renewal. His most recent book is The Secret Message of Jesus, and his next book, Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope, will be released later this year.
Posted by joshuacase at 04:36 PM
February 08, 2007
A tribute to bono...
While many people out there acknowlege that Bono is out to save the world as a rock star, or at least to try to make it a better place. A few people are really trying immortalize him..for better and worse.
Here is a tribute video that someone did. I put this on here because a few of the images really moved me. There is one in particular....it will move you. No question. It's powerful. I am not sure exactly what all this knowledge does for us. What it does for me. But i do know with knowledge comes responsibility and somehow, each of us who gain knowledge of various things in the world are ultimately responsible with what we do with this knowledge. We must do something. We must work towards reversing the wrongs we know of, towards working for justice..we must..
Thanks Bono. And by the way...i know you don't read this blog...but i am still going to drown you out!
Posted by joshuacase at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2007
Report on Global Climate Change
So tomorrow it happens. A new report on global climate change will be released. In Paris, the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower will go out for 5 minutes to highlight the effects of energy consumption.
While there is much speculation on what will or will not be said during the day, the good news is, more and more people are concerned with the state of the environment than ever before. Thanks to real changes in weather patterns and the dramatic experience of the more than poor, people are choosing to listen to mother nature at last! Of course, Al Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth didn't hurt matters. Thanks Al!
Throughout the ages, Christians have played an important role when it comes to effecting social change. While often they have been late in waking up to the issues at hand, they have still none the less chosen to engage. And while over the last century evangelical Christian theology has had little good to say about how to promote sustainability or clean energy, at last, more and more Christians are caring, acting, and calling others to be play a role in caring for the environment.
As we enter into tomorrow, i leave you with this reflection by Thomas Merton entitled, The Climate of My Prayer:
Our mentioning of the weather-our perfunctory observations on what kind of day it is-are perhaps not idle. Perhaps we have a deep and legitimate need to know in our entire being what the day is like, to see it, and feel it, to know how the sky is grey, paler in south....I have a real need to know these things because I myself am part of the weather and part of the climate and part of the place, and a day in which I have not shared truly in all of this is no day at all. It is certainly part of my life of prayer
Have you thought today about your part in the climate? Why not ake a couple of minutes now...
Posted by joshuacase at 02:34 PM
Why I Like UNICEF...
UNICEF really appeals to me. I have board member here at YFC Geneva that works for them. They work hard at empowering young people, and overall...they seem to just be about good things.
I found this article about how UNICEF is working to use Second Life in innovative ways to bring education and empowerment to adolescents (something they do well) about issues that really matter.
If you have some time, look around their site. If you have extra money, consider them as a place to give!
peace...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 07:01 AM
January 27, 2007
March for Peace- Virtually
I get a newletter that let me know about a virtual and literal 'march for peace' happening today on Washington DC.
Why march? "To demand peace and justice in Iraq and the Middle East. The global partnership Avaaz is working to raise a worldwide voice of solidarity through an international virtual march."
In the words of the organizers, "this could signal the rebirth of the US peace movement. We need to show them the world is on their side. Let's bring our call for peace to the streets of power in Washington."
Apparantly you will be representded as, "Avaaz supporters in Washington have offered to carry real banners and placards at the US demonstration—showing how many internet marchers from all round the world are joining in. We will carry the flag of each country that generates more than 500 internet marchers."
Join the global peace march and tell your friends today!
Posted by joshuacase at 12:19 PM | Comments (1)
January 26, 2007
Who will get to heaven? Look who has the power now!
Scott McKnight highlighted the recent article in USA Today entitled Saving the E-Word. While i think the article is interesting, the link to another article entitled Who will get into heaven was slightly more telling. The article incorporates the voice of Phyllis Tickle who, very interestingly, points out the importance of the semanitics used when conducting the survey. I wonder if the exact survey were conducted in Europe, what the percentages would be or how many people would say, 'heaven?' Or maybe Africa or India. Geez, how about China??
Even more interesting though, is the other link in the side bar which simply reads: Women: More Open to Paranormal
If this is true, shouldn't women be allowed greater portion of spiritual authority within our communities of faith? Shouldn't those who are more in tune with the spiritual realm be given that voice in the authentic community seeking to follow after a practical and yet deep spiritual God? How can we continue to empower those in our communities who have different gifts with different forms of headship/authority? If this happens, will man get upset with God for his loss of power in the traditional religious setting? Will the once in power be upset with the newly empowered? Might the below image be how a man feels like responding to an image of God who once gifted him with total authority, but now seems willing to distribute spiritual authority to others? And might this too be the image of how traditionally "E" Christians want to respond to a God who distrubutes the power and place of heaven to other religions? Or could it be the way that so many within Christianity treat the image of God in other Christians who question thier preconceived notions of how to get to heaven? Indeed, regardless of who is right, should we treat each other with such contempt? With such hatred?
Either way, the perceived axis of power in the world of Christendom is changing...and I thank God for that. Lead on global South! Lead on Belle! Lead on deep science! Lead on Jesus!
Posted by joshuacase at 01:29 PM | Comments (3)
January 24, 2007
Leaders Arrive in Davos, Switzerland
Well, they are arriving. And, its still snowing.
Yep, just as the leaders arrive in Davos for the World Economic Forum, the Snow just keeps on coming. Maybe this is global warming's way of saying, "do something"!! I guess time will tell.
Not heard yet if Bono will be there; however, Bill Gates will be speaking on the 27th. See the full list of speakers and presenters here.
Posted by joshuacase at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2007
Lammerts, Alans, and Jonnys, OH MY!!
I first heard about Starfish and Spider from Lammert. We've been looking at this text as well as discussing the nature of decentralized leadership in structures that are missional quite a bit recently as we have been forming the core team of Shema. Then, just recently, Jonny came out and started talking about it as well as John Smulo. And now (or maybe even and now i found out), Alan Hirsh seems to be discussing it.
Could this be another example of "birds of a feather flocking together"? Yet it hasn't just been them but several others over the last several months who have in different ways explored it; people like Jase, Paul and Molly. Not to mention Josh Brown and Nicholas Fiedler.
In fact, I have to admit that I've done more follwoing than leading on the blogging front when it comes to these things; however, the struggle has been the same: do we need hierarchies of leadership, or not? That is the question!
Posted by joshuacase at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 30, 2006
"Drown me out...drown me out"
Over the course of the last three days I have been doing recruitment at the Urbana conference in Illinois. I have been very pleasantly surprised by the amount of justice and enviromental talk that has been going on. And while I came into the conference excited about recruitment, but not sure what to expect about the conference, I have been pleasantly surprised to the real prophetic voice many have had in front of this crowd of 22'250 people. CRAZY!!
Just a couple of minutes ago, we were greeted with a special message to Urbana from Bono about HIV/AIDS. At the end of his talk he said, "i am not much of a preacher, thanks for listening to me. You know, I'm just a rock star, its my job to make a bunch of noise. But if you hear me, and if this emergency (HIV/AIDS) calls you to action....then drown me out....drown me out."
Bono made several other very prophetic calls to the crowd about our reaction towards this emergency. Saying other things like, "this is our abolitionist moment; this is our civil rights moment".
Ajith Fernando of YFC in Sri Lanka has been the morning speaker. Tonight we heard from Ray Bakke about urban ministry; that is ministry in the city. It was great. But the most amazing talk i have heard so far was by Oscar Muriu. If you are able to get some of his talk from the evening of 28th, DO IT!!! I'm trying to get it so i can use bits of it. Amazing talk about the shoft of the centers of the church to the global south and what that means for the mission of the church in the west. AMAZING!!
A new goal: to drown him out. Bono...I'm coming for you...I'm coming for you!
Posted by joshuacase at 05:13 AM
December 11, 2006
Introducing Fernando Gros
Fernando Gros is one of those global citizens you just love to follow. Posting on everything theological and post-colonial, he really tends to have a fresh perspective rooted in his many travels and passions.
To say the least, his most recent post entitled, "Thank God For Our Testosterone" will really give a taste of Fernando. In fact, I've waited for such a post as this to let the proverbial "cat out of the bag"; however wrong it might be to filter, you still have to follow people for a while...you know...to get to know them before you just communicate to the world about them...or do you? Hmmm, makes you wonder.
So, if you haven't heard of him, you now have...and i hope you'll be thankful. Do be sure to check out the most recent post. It talks about Godmen, a more masculine version of Christianity, Jesus, and of course, the Killers. It is by far an amazing piece of blogging. In fact, I think I'll recommend it to the skinnykiwi as a "best post" though it really has very few "emerging church" overtones.
happy reading...jc
Posted by joshuacase at 06:32 PM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2006
The Rick I Never Knew
So, I am not hiding that I like Barack Obama. I've got the copy of Time with him on the cover, I've got his two books on my amazon Wish List, and I like that fact that his grandmother is Kenyan.
But one connection i never expected to make, was the one I am about to: Rick Warren and Barak Obama. According to Scot McKnight's blog, Warren has invited Obama to a AIDS summit. And while i know that Rick's tone and posture towards missional practice in the world has changed in recent years, this really is a Rick Warren i've never known.
Yes I know, I shouldn't be such a skeptic; however, from time to time it still comes out in me. My only hope is that Warren is really inviting Obama to participate with him in life and real conversation. I know he is gfetting some flack for it, but we get that when we are interacting with the right people. I guess my real hope is that as Warren chooses to participate with him, America may too wake up to the new kind of politics that Obama represents. A politics that some are calling...PURPLE?
Posted by joshuacase at 07:20 PM | Comments (1)
November 07, 2006
No Bandwagon Here
I certainly do not want to jump on any bandwagon of posting in the blogosphere; however, I do want to take the time to put a few links out there to the people who are discussing both the issues surrounding the Ted Haggard situation and Saddam ruling. Both of these situtations are monumental things for this season of life in our world. How we respond to them now, may give shape to who we become in the future.
In both cases, there are real issues for us all to deal with. Issues of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and justice. The biggest question for us may actually remain found in the (regardless of the pejorative overtones) now over-used and over-commercialized cliche: What would Jesus do?
Blogs on Ted Haggard:
Alan
Will
Jim Wallis
Blogs on Saddam Verdict:
Josh Brown
Jamie Arpin-Ricci
believing that Grace is true....
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2006
America's Enduring Injustice
It's always weird coming back to the US. I'm not sure why, but I always see and experience the place differently upon returning. Sometimes its good, and others its bad.
Just yesterday I had one of those good experiences. While seeing students and leaders at the campus of Seattle Pacific University I was gifted the opportunity to join up with the on-campus Mosaic club. It happens to be the intercultural studies club and it was quite a treat. During the meeting three people from SPU shared about a trip that they had gone on that was coordinated by their church. On trip, entitled the Sankofa journey, each traveler is paired with another of a different race — on this trip, mostly whites and blacks — to room together, share meals and talk about their experiences. Movies are shown on the bus, such as "4 Little Girls," Spike Lee's documentary about the church bombing. It's a trip to highlight the ongoing need in America for Racial reconciliation.
As a person from the South who graduated (though many do not know this) with a minor to my degree from the University of Alabama in African American studies, listening to the stories of these three women (two of Caucasian descent and one of African America/Chinese descent) talk about the difficulties they experienced emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as they visited the South and explored its history was quite amazing. It really is amazing how far America has not come as nation. Sometimes i see it and I want to weep. Other times others see it, and they choose to weep.
All in all, the need to racial reconciliation in America lives on. The continued need for justice and grace and reconciliatory systems in America which represent true justice, true mercy, and true equality is as necessary as ever. And be not mistaken oh friends, this will not come by finding the next crisis to engage or the next war to fight. No, now as ever is time for the Church in America to engage in authentic racial reconciliation which disrupts the tragedy of segregation which happens every Sunday in America. It is sad that it is the most divided day in the America. It is sad.
I hadn't realized how the experiences of my college lay dormant in my heart and passion until this Mosaic gathering. Now that I have experienced it a fresh, I know i too must act. From Switzerland...or India...or England....or Denver!
To the people who presented about their Sankofa, I say thanks. To those who experience the reality of racial injustice in America daily I say you are not alone. To those who believe Jesus truly provides good news to the downcast and the oppressed, I say now is an opportunity in America to move on these issues a fresh. They will not go away. They will not change. They will only endure until we who follow the master of true reconciliation join in living the freedom of this great story! Its time to act and this november to vote for those who will and can create change in a system that has too long endured.
Joshua Case
Denver, Colorado
October 2006
Posted by joshuacase at 10:48 PM | Comments (11)
October 10, 2006
Christianity and the "Pride of Power"
By Brian McLaren as posted on Jim Wallis' blog.
I recently came across this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from his sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:9:
"Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong."
These words struck me all the more because I just returned from a five-week, seven-country speaking tour of Latin America. This follows tours of Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand earlier this year - twenty countries in all.
In each country, I heard Christian leaders - Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Traditional Protestants, and Roman Catholics - express amazement and dismay at the relative silence of the church in the USA. They see us, by and large, as a prime example of Bonhoeffer's lament about Christendom "adjusting itself far too easily to the worship of power." We are giving offense, but sadly, the wrong kind. For example, they hear frequent defenses by Christians in the USA - not of the weak and poor, but of the strong and powerful. About torture and violence, about "pride of power," they hear too little protest from too few of us. They know we are against terrorism, but they don't know if we are against American empire and domination.
I tried to tell our fellow Christians in Latin America that many of us are speaking out against these things, but I had to admit that doing so feels like an exercise in going against the current, not only in the culture at large, but in the Christian community as well.
The degree to which Christianity in the USA has capitulated to a neo-Constantinian compromise with empire is disturbing to our Christian brothers and sisters around the world ... and it should be to all of us in the church in the USA. Perhaps these powerful words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer will catch fire among more and more of us in the US, and perhaps we will see afresh that we can not, indeed, serve two masters - whether those masters are Greed and God, Caesar and Christ, or the Sword and Spear of violence and the Basin and Towel of service.
Brian is posting letters to Christians in America from their counterparts in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. You'll find them on his site, brianmclaren.net.
Posted by joshuacase at 06:37 PM | Comments (30)
October 03, 2006
Brian McLaren's tribute to the Crocodile Hunter
Here is Brian McLaren's tribute to the Steve Irwin (as first posted on Jim Wallis' blog. Brian makes some very interesting points about Irwin's missionary-esque love and care of God's creation. Very interesting to think about indeed.
Within hours of the Crocodile Hunter’s death on September 4, 2006, I started receiving sympathy emails from friends who knew that I was a big fan of Steve Irwin. They knew that I am one of those strange Irwinesque people who use words like habitat and riparian and substrate, who think rattlesnakes can be beautiful, who are intrigued by spiders, who find it as interesting (though in a different way) to watch a tortoise plodding along as to watch a football game, who can’t hear a bird singing or notice a leaf in the sunlight without needing to know its name – including its scientific name if possible. They think I’m a little strange, and they think Steve was a little weird, but they wanted to express their sympathy anyway. I have nice friends.
I confess, I’ve shed a few tears thinking about Steve’s stingray-induced death at 44, about his classy wife Terry and their beautiful kids Bindi and Rob; about what they’ll miss, and what we’ll all miss.
I know this might sound strange, but I think the man was a kind of missionary. He knew why he was put here on this planet; he knew his mission, and he knew it was more than a job. It was a vocation, a truly spiritual calling, an invitation and solemn duty to join in the care of God’s sacred creation.
What characterized Steve’s mission? Saving love – and especially for the creatures that are often misunderstood, despised and hated - crocs, sharks, snakes, spiders, and their kin.
Saving love, I’ve noticed, is at the heart of most good things in the world – musicians with a saving love for an almost forgotten genre of music, archeologists with a saving love for the artifacts of ancient civilizations, citizens with a saving love for their city, doctors with saving love for at-risk patients, teachers with saving love for at-risk students, social workers with saving love for at-risk families, pastors with saving love for at-risk sinners.
There seems to be a clue there, perhaps even a revelation, that saving love is in the heart of everything. Steve’s saving love was for wildlife, and based on the words of Jesus – about God’s care for sparrow and wildflower – in Steve’s consuming passion his heart was resonating with God’s own.
He had a zealot’s passion for saving wildlife, and he had a childlike freedom to let his passion show. Somehow, he managed to grow up without ever outgrowing the unabashed wonder and unedited enthusiasm that all of us probably had at one time.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Steve as missionary tonight (a re-run was on TV, and I couldn’t help but watch it, even though I’ve seen it about four or five times before). I was struck in a new way by how Steve took the high road, the positive road. He didn’t spend a lot of time attacking multinational corporations and the way they plunder the environment (as I do). You didn’t hear him fuming about clueless governments with whacked-out priorities (as I do), or ranting against complacent publics (ditto), or whining about what’s gone wrong with modern western culture (repeat ditto). Maybe in private he vented sometimes, but not in public.
Instead of damning the sinful ugliness of humans who lack saving love, he chose a different strategy, a better one, I think: he simply, consistently, passionately, and naively demonstrated saving love by praising the beauty of God’s creatures – confident that he could inspire that saving love in others if they could just see the beauty too. He called himself “a wildlife warrior,” but his only weapons were enthusiasm and love. I think all of us – whatever our mission – could learn a lot from him. (The previous point was understated, but you probably already noticed that.)
In our saving love for children (unborn and born), in our saving love for cities and farmland, in our saving love for justice and peace and the oppressed and the war-ravaged, we have to remember the irreplaceable value of celebrating their beauty with Irwinesque wide eyes and face-breaking smiles.
I don’t recall Steve speaking of God much. But every time he said, “Isn’t that a little beauty!” I think he was speaking for God, the One who notices and loves the smallest goodness of every created thing. The look on his face when he sat with an orangutan or swam with a green sea turtle or let a lizard perch on his finger – that look in itself was a sign and a wonder. Sure, some people think he was over the top, but with millions of other fans, I miss him, and with them, I’m inspired to live life a little – no, a lot - louder and freer because of him … playing my own unique part in the sacred mission of saving love. Rest in peace, Steve-o. Well done.
Brian McLaren is an author (brianmclaren.net), most recently of The Secret Message of Jesus, and leader in emergent (emergentvillage.com). He is also board chair for Sojourners/Call to Renewal.
Posted by joshuacase at 06:44 PM | Comments (1)
September 27, 2006
Brian McLaren on Values for American Voters
On Jim Wallis' blog, Brian was asked to respond to a conversation between Jim and Ralph Reed. In his response here, Brian makes three suggestions as to "what three values voters should value the most." Check it out.
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 10:39 AM
September 18, 2006
Working together in Africa
I follow the updates of this network. I have found it to keep me quite informed about the way things are being handled on the treatment, prevention, collaborative medicine front concerning HIV/AIDS. There are several networks out there which do this.
I wanted to highlight this article entitled, "USAID Issues $15M Grant to Ugandan Religious Coalition" because it demonstrates the way that groups are working together in Africa to make a difference. As you would see from reading the article, the Anglican church, the Muslim Supreme council, the Seventh Day Adventist church, the Catholic church, and the Ugandan Orthodox church are all involved in the initiative.
In a world marked by non-collaboration, I find it always healthy to celebrate the places where I see collaborative goodness plotting taking place. We need to celebrate it. Otherwise, we'll forget it happens...it does you know!
blessings...
jc
Posted by joshuacase at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2006
Response to "stones and cursing"
I was reading this morning when i came across a story in the Bible that gave me a possible insight into right responses to the throwing of stones and dirt and of cursing. It's found in 2 Samuel 16.1-14 and is a story of King David as he was on his way to Jerusalem, as his son, had turned his kingdom against him.
As he reached Baruhim, a man named Shimei meyt he and his men and began cursing and throwing stones. David's response: "suppose the LORD has told him to curse David, who then will dare to say, "why are you doing this?"...Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to...Perhaps, the LORD will look upon my infliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day. All the while Shimei kept abreast of them, cursing and throwing stones and dirt as he (King David) went" (vs10-14 paraphrased).
Not sure who is throwing stones, or cursing, or even dirt at you, (and of course you know i mean that in a more non-literal sense; however, if it is literal, that could be interesting as well) but i pray we may know the capacity to walk through the acts in hopes of the real benefits that might come from them. If not tomorrow, and not the next, maybe in a month or more.
walk on.....jc
Posted by joshuacase at 07:39 AM | Comments (1)
September 07, 2006
An increasingly interesting conversation...among friends
Recently, a group of friends in the US started a comversation together on christianity and the church. Leslie, Eric, Nick, Josh and Anna have been blogging over the last week about their struggle with the American church's expression of christianity. As much as a struggle with the "church", theirs seems to be a struggle with the way leaders have treated them, practices have been passed down, and bridges have been burned in the name of tradition. From firings, to bait and switch; from the gift of plastic leadership, to the soulful longings for community, this group of friends is processing what i think is found in a question(not to be simplistic or reductionistic): "what in the world do we do when it seems like the Christianity we've always known...and been told looks like "x"...doesn't work in our real lives....or even in those who lead us?"
And, just so they aren't just names or blogs...and we remember they are people, here are photos....because the moment we forget people are behind words..and feelings...and thinking...and healing... is the moment we feel more confident in our capacity to respond with words...and not love...or grace...or time...or process...
Sorry Anna- couldn't find a photo...
Posted by joshuacase at 04:54 PM
September 05, 2006
Tiger Woods and the dilemma of greatness...
"Yeah, yeah," you thought. Tiger won again and Joshua Case is going to post about it. And, well, you are right. So here goes.
Tiger Woods has done it again. A few years ago a book came out which i've blogged about before, discussing the "dilemma of greatness" that Tiger was going to have to deal with. In many ways, it seems as though he is handling this dilemma very well. However, I wonder for many of us (as his contemporaries) how we are dealing it. Afterall, every generation only has a certain number of "great ones". And, we hear about so many great things that people are doing, or have done. I kind of begin to wonder, what is this thing called greatness and why is it, that a few in every generation, and in certain fields stand out as indeed being great.
For instance, this past weekend, there was a new world record set. For what, you might ask? For the "longest amount of time laying on one's back with hands behind your head in a swimming pool". Yep, that's right. The new time was just over two hours. Is that great? Is that what people ought to be striving for? Is that what i'm up against?
And then you have to ask, should we strive for greatness? Is it achievable? Or gifted? Or inherited? And for that matter, is our fascination with greatness just another symptom of our daily fresh expanse of knowledge in world of seamless communication?
I don't know, maybe its me. Maybe this whole dilemma of greatness is a normal processing of who one is and who one wants to be. But Tiger, without a question, is great at the game he loves to play. Sure, he makes an ok living; but that seems to be the farthest motivation from his mind. And maybe, maybe that is the key to greatness: that we do things we love to do, in the places where we love to do them, because we and others feel gifted with a fresh sense of life from their being done. Maybe, we each do those certain lovely things in life in order that those who interact with our lives can see clearly the beauty of greatness in our victories, our losses, our perseverance, our attitudes, and most of all...our smiles. If this is greatness, sign me up. If this is greatness, may we all pursue it, with all our hearts and minds, and lives. For if this is greatness, may we each become...to bless.
Posted by joshuacase at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2006
Dialogue through Monologue
Incarnate Me
If you had never met me, except through the words on this page, or another,
would that mean for you,
in the beginning was the word?
If you then met me, face to face,
would that mean for you,
the word became flesh?
If i then moved to your neighborhood or town,
would that mean,
I made my dwelling among you?
But what if, you never read this, or any other writing of mine?
Would that mean we'd never dialogue?
Would that make this only a monologue?
And if this were a monologue, then who are you but I?
____________________________________________________________
The blogosphere has made a world of monologuers who are hoping desperately for people who are willing to listen. Even more so, it has brought new definition to the word becoming flesh. The capacity of individuals to leap from city to city, country to country, room to room, bed to bed all through digital technology has made a mess and a reality out relationship management. Many people seem desperate on getting people to listen to to their voice. It's everywhere. And in many cases, like my blog for instance, there are endless posts where there are just no comments. Its almost as if...no one is listening.
But people are listening, and watching, and that's part of the issue. In the world we live in today, I am not sure there is anything such as a monologue. Sure we like the illusion of the monologue, but in reality, whether we realize it or not, we are forcing dialogue.
I've entitled this post, dialogue through monologue because i am increasingly convinced that most people prefer the illusion of monologue to the reality of dialogue. In decision-making, in consensus building, in religion, in politics. It is almost as if many people, having been formed by the age of individualism, believe and say what they think is right such that they have no regard for the way that this information is giving shape to the world.
So what's the point? The point is this, if, as Friedman suggests, The World is Flat, then we need to recognize the following(these are just a few ideas i sketched out):
1. Dialogue through monologue is not merely something that happens, but it is something we are responsible for- Every monologue we think we are having, is effecting the world around us! Yep thats right. There is no monologue that doesn't give shape. C.S. Lewis once said (paraphrase) that he prefered the written liturgy of the church over the free liturgy of other churches because he knew what was coming in the written liturgy. He knew the parts he could give mental ascent to. He knew the parts he disagreed with. And he could participate as he chose. One of the most difficult things about the free market of idea exchange is the degree to which we have to ebb in and out of agreement with people who are giving shape to our lives. People are listening. We must be deliberate. We must speak with intention. We must recognize our words call people to both follow along, and agree or disagree all at the same time. Most of the time, this happens without any input from us.
2. The words we use reflect our willingness to pass through the monolgue-myth (i am talking and everyone is listening because I am worth listening to) towards active mono-dialogue (ie, we are deliberate that what we say gives shape, definition, and calls others to action)- I actually think i am ok with people sharing their opinions on things; however, the way we act in the web of the technological communications reflects a great deal. There are numerous bloggers who seem bent on stirring the pot of conflict. Who seem fixed on using this tool of connectivity as a means for defending what they think is the truth they possess. In these cases, the words they use: hurtful, vindictive, hateful, are not reflective of a posture of "active dialgoue", but merely as the proverbial wooden soap box from which to preach. What we need today, is people wise enough to recognize the way through the myth that: "you are worth listening to". We need people humble enough to enter into dialgoue with the posture of their words, not just their willingness to barge into any old "chat room" or "message board".
3. At some point, we have to get out from behind our computers, and really talk to people face to face- The hardest part of the dialogue through monologue reality is that it is still so often dependant upon people sitting in different places around the world, out of real touch with one another. I still believe that the great influences on our life are the ones in greatest proximity to us. Now I agree, the way proximity has come to be defined has changed with technology; however, we are still humans. We are still unable to reproduce other humans through wireless internet..i think.. and we still need touch even from a small age. All this is to say, our most powerful mono-dialogues happen in proximity to the people with whom we live, work and play. It is the posture of the words we use with those closest to us that really forms. Maybe the internet is just a mirror we hold up to ourselves to think about the way we treat those we are in the greatest proximity to. And if I'm honest, i think some people need to hold that mirror up more often. Including me.
It was once said, all we need is love, love, all we need it love. And although i tend to be a skeptic from time to time, i do think we need to remember the basic need of many for love in our world. If we are able to start with love as the preamble to any and every monologue we create, maybe the dialogue that results will give a deeper, gentler, and more healing shape to those who actively choose to join us.
in the name of love.....joshua c
Posted by joshuacase at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)