The Parson's Table

[richard-rhoads]

Enchanted Gardens

It was March 1st, 1997.  I had just said, "I do!" to Naomi, who was now my wife.  It was an amazing day filled with family, loved ones and great friends.  Just as special, was our next day walking to our terminal at the airport.  See, being the hopeless romantic I decided to surprise my wife with a special honeymoon in the Caribbean, particularly Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  Not until we walked up to our gate did she know where we were heading.  As we sat, Naomi was out of her mind excited after having just learned where we were spending the next seven days.  Then the call came, "It is now time for first class to board!"  I jumped out of my seat and said, "That's us."  Naomi said, "Yeah right."  No, seriously, I booked first class tickets.  If she wasn't already hooked, which she was, she had to be after this moment.  Once on the plane I pulled out brochures to show her our destination, the Enchanted Gardens.  Enchanted Gardens was a five star all inclusive resort located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  The resort boasted of having more than 20 natural waterfalls on their property and was considered one of the top paradise destinations in the Caribbean.  It was amazing!  Not long after arriving to the resort, a host gave Naomi and I a basic tour of the property.  After having seen our third set of waterfalls, Naomi looked at me and said, "It's amazing what God can make."  No sooner did she  finish her statement, when the host blurted out, "Who needs god, when you have all of this?"  Below is a picture of one of the pools we enjoyed during our stay at the Enchanted Gardens.

This past week while reading Culture and the Death of God by Terry Eagleton I was struck by how the enlightenment's assault on religion, then, was at root a political rather than theological affair.  More importantly, the goal of the enlightenment was to oust a barbarian faith for a more civilized one.  In the end, civilized became the norm by which people lived, breathed and even pursued their faith.  Civilized!  The following are three key insights which emerged in regards to the civilized and their need for God.

Who needs god, when you have all of this?

Super becomes natural...  In a world where the super becomes the natural, a subtle yet distinct loss occurs in our need for the super natural or God.  When all is civilized, who needs God?  Though the natural world is powerful while reflecting it's creator, it does not replace God.  Yet, for all of us, it's quite easy to depend on the natural rather than the super.  Subtly we begin to trust in the church program to change people, rather than God.  Subtly we begin to believe our curriculum is irreplaceable, and that God could not work without it!  You get where I'm going.

Luxury becomes comfort... That first day in Ocho Rios was amazing.  We climbed Dunn's River Falls, kayaked in the Caribbean and snorkeled on a coral reef.  As a 24 year old, having traveled very little at this point, I was blown away.  18 years later, having traveled many places around the world, I no longer see the same luxury.  If I'm honest, what was then luxury is now simply comfort.  For most humans, the more we experience, a subtle numbing takes place which causes us to no longer see great gifts from God as luxury, but rather comfort necessities.

The Gardener is no longer needed...  When God is no longer needed, the gardener is told to go away.  From our souls.  From our marriages.  From our relationships.  From our ministries.  When the super becomes natural and luxury becomes comfort, there is ultimately no longer a need for God.  In this silent admonition we shout to God , I'm good, I can take care of my own soul, as well as my relationship with others.  In this moment the Gardner is sent away.

A few months ago, Naomi and I were reminiscing about our honeymoon and the Enchanted Gardens.  After a quick Google search, I learned that during the financial collapse of 2008, the Enchanted Gardens fell into bankruptcy and has sat ownerless since that time.  Below is a current picture of the same pool from above which Naomi and I enjoyed on our honeymoon.  The gardener went away!

 Remember, who needs god, when you have all of this?

[richard-rhoads]

The Power of Story

Stories are powerful!  Embedded in story is the ability to touch another soul.  Story goes beyond communicating facts at a purely intellectual level, rather, story communicates by touching the intellect, emotions and the soul of another.  For myself, most of my upbringing was filled with story.  My dad, the great fisherman, would at least once a week take my brother and I fishing to the Susquehanna River.  While fishing we would here great tales of the fish previous caught and more importantly the monster which inevitably got away.  Some were more than likely true, while yet others were simply tales.  Either way, they were compelling and captured our full attention.  I remember one evening while fishing my dad telling us about the great Agnes flood of 1972.  Just as we passed under the great stone railroad bridge in our boat, my dad pointed up and said, "In the flood of 1972, the water level raised to a point that was 30 feet above the bridge."  Engineers, in attempts to save the "oldest, longest, stone bridge in the world", decided to place a 100 locomotives and another 200 full train cars on top the bridge prior to flooding.  Their goal was to secure the bridge by weighting it down.  Two days later the water peaked 30 ft. above the rail cars.  Not till the water receded did they know if there plan had worked.  Just as my dad was telling the story, a train whistle blew.  Well, you know the end of the story.

This past week while reading  Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, I was struck by the rivals similar awareness of each person having an unusual talent.  Lincoln in particular faced longer odds then his counterparts, yet had an uncanny ability for storytelling.  This storytelling bloomed and was refined at Knob Creek farm as Lincoln grew up located along the Cumberland trail.  In his raise to greatness story would propel him to be one of the greatest leaders ever to be recognized.  The following are three concepts which emerged in regards to story while reading about Lincoln's longing to rise.

Three Concepts

Sovereign Beginnings...  Exceptional story telling doesn't just happen.  It takes years of refinement.  Sitting at the feet of other great story tellers, refines one's ability to tell story.  Lincoln refined his story telling by listening to the journeyman coming off the Cumberland Trail.  It was later in life that Lincoln realized the power of story.  Once realizing this strength, he was then able to rest on his sovereign beginnings and training as a child.

A Deeper Influence...  Story provides the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with those listening.  A good story moves beyond the facts, capturing a listener by engaging the emotion and the soul.  When one hears a story, they automatically place themselves into the situation.  Once captured, the individual no longer processes information from mere fact, but rather from a positional embodiment.  They are now in the story, or for you as the speaker, now in your message.

A Gift to Steward...  Stories are powerful.  So powerful, that it is a gift which should be stewarded and used with care.  If story has the ability to shape, capture and change another, then it must used with wisdom.  Embedded into story is the need to be honest and truthful.  Some who have been known as great story tellers, often feel the need to embellish, expand or gently manipulate the facts.  Story tellers must be wise in learning how to steward their gifts while maintaining integrity and character in their craft.

As we passed under the bridge that day, "I asked my dad why the bridge was so important?"  He looked at me and said, "Because it's one of the bridges Abraham Lincoln passed over, while riding the train to make the Gettysburg address!"

[richard-rhoads]

Making Space

Over the past two weeks, I've had the privilege of leading a Travelearn study tour throughout Israel and portions of the West Bank.  During our time we were able to see, experience and participate in many life changing events.  Often, the most change came in areas we would not have expected or from people we would not have expected as well.  In particular, mid trip we planned an entire day in Bethlehem.  Our itinerary included lectures at Bethlehem Bible College by Palestinian Christians, a tour of a refugee camp, seeing the Church of the Nativity and an adventure in some shepherd's caves.  Before leaving for Bethlehem, our Israeli guide made the statement, "I'm not sure why you're spending a whole day in Bethlehem!"  After leaving our Israeli tour guide behind, passing through the checkpoint at the wall, we were then introduced to our Palestinian tour guide, Raf.  Raf, a 28 year old Palestinian Christian took us on the experience I will not soon forget.  After having toured a refugee camp, Raf shared with us that many Christians once given access to leave the occupied territories, depart never to return.  Raf, on the other hand, having dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., has chosen to live in the West Bank for the purpose of being a missional representation of peace and the gospel.  Separated from his family living in the States and Canada, Raf is not allowed to leave the West Bank.  I learned more about sacrifice from Raf in 6 hours, then I had learned in my previous 41 years on earth.

This past week while reading Over Coffee: A Conversation for Gay Partnership and Conservative Faith by Dave Thompson I was struck by the need for faith based communities to create space, which in turns allows the existing faith community as well as those who are different to have a deeper faith formation.  So, if creating space is so important for the communities faith formation, why isn't this simple act practiced more?  Below are three main concepts which emerged during my reading this past week.

When we Create Space

Fears must be dealt with...  When I use the word "Palestinian", what comes to mind?  For most Westerners, they immediately drift towards PLO, terrorist, etc.  However, sometimes our fears keep us from learning valuable lessons from dear Christ followers who because of their title, nationality or even positions, are not given space to be present or heard.  It is when our communities lean into their fears, deep and profound formation growth happens, often coming from those least expected.

Assumptions are challenged...  We all have assumptions.  Some we now about and many that we do not.  When we create space, we open the door for assumptions to be challenged.  Once challenged, we find that many of our preconceived assumptions are inaccurate, or simply just wrong.  Through this sharpening we begin to see more as Christ sees.  Feel, more as Christ felt.  We begin taking on His heart and mind for others.

We see with new eyes...  Standing in a Shepherd Cave, Raf shared a story that his grandfather shared with him as a young boy.  He went on to tell us about how shepherds would twist the leg of a sheep, when the sheep won't stay close to the flock.  Once twisted, not broken, the shepherd would place the sheep around its neck an carry the sheep.  It is during these times that the sheep learns to be close to the shepherd's voice.  Separated by mere inches, the shepherd and the sheep, form new levels of understanding and connection.  After long pause, Raf said, "Choosing to live in the West Bank, for many Christian Palestinians is choosing to be close to the Father's voice."  When we make ourselves available through creating space, we begin to see with new eyes.

Have you been creating space for those who are different?  Remember it's essential for their faith formation as well as yours.

[richard-rhoads]

Land Mines and Hebrew

In May of 2008 I was able to take my first tour of Israel, I was hooked.  From the biblical sites to the modern culture, I loved everything about traveling and experiencing the Middle East.  Not long into the trip I realized there was much to learn.  Culture, contexts, foods and most of all the language.  I remember saying to myself, "I need to learn Hebrew."  Well, six years later and multiple trips under my belt I have still not learned Hebrew.  I know a few words but overall am still fairly ignorant of the language.  This past week while traveling through the Galilee, I decided to learn 20 new words in Hebrew in accordance to The First 20 Hours by Josh Kaufman.  The First word I learned was land mine, as you can see.

Throughout the following day I was able to learn 20 new words in Hebrew.  Here is a list of the words I learned and am now using in Jerusalem.  Rosetta Stone will be next...

afikomen... a small piece of matzo that is hidden by adults and hunted by children at the Passover seder.

aliyah... the Jewish word used for the act of returning or making immigration to the land of Israel.

arabah...desert region in the Rift Valley between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Elath/Aqaba.

bas mitzvah... ceremony that ushers a Jewish girl into adult religious responsibilities.

beer... well or cistern.

beth... house or temple.

boker tov... good morning.

challah... braided, sweet bread served on the Sabbath and some festivals.

diaspora... the Jews living outside the land of Israel, especially applied to those scattered after the exile.

har... mount, or mountain.

havdala... the short but meaningful service that brings Sabbath to a close.

kefar... village.

kreplach... a pastry pocket stuffed with meat.

lox... smoked salmon.

narthex... a hall in the church which leads to the naive.

pesach... the term used for the festival of the passover.

sabra... the word for the fruit of the prickly pear.

shouk... the Jewish marketplace.

sukkot... word for the one week Feast of the Tabernacles.

todah... thanks.

Since using these words, I have found even more connection to the special people of Israel and more specifically Jerusalem.  Here is a picture of me sitting under our bus, having tea with our Jewish bus driver Nissan.  Three cups of tea and an hour later, I am now more nimble in the Hebrew language.

[richard-rhoads]

Rice Cake Pudding and Jello

Shortly after my college days I interviewed and was hired at a church roughly two hours from where I grew up.  When I originally heard of the open position and the town it was located in, I remember thinking, "I've never heard of this place."  In my first attempt to visit this large town/small city, I found myself following the most bizarre route in getting to this place.  Geographically separated by two mountain ranges, no highways, no airport this small city was simply a blip on the map.  Throughout my life  I had traveled within an hour of this place almost in a complete circle around this city, but never having gone to this city.  Now, for the first time I found myself in this bizarre place.  After having been on staff for one week, a significant family in the church, invited me to their home for dinner.  The evening began with some odd conversations and even more bizarre food.  As I sat waiting for my meal, the family sitting around the table explained that what we were about to eat was a regional and family favorite, "rice cake pudding!"  Never having heard of rice cake pudding, I was intrigued.  However, not for long.  As the rice cake pudding was placed on the table, its look was like something you clean up in aisle ten at the grocery store.  Being the good guest, I tasted and ate.  Fighting to hold back the gag reflex I endured through the main course.  Thinking I was home free, dessert came next.  Now before my eyes, was a Jello mold containing embedded rice and pickled pig's feet.  Wow, I had no idea I left earth and went to a different planet.

This past week while reading Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared M. Diamond, I was struck by how geography has played such a significant role throughout history in the forming of a society, it norms and even more so it's food production and culturally relevant food consumption.  The following are three keys which emerged while reading Diamond's seminal work.

3 Keys To Geography and Food

Accessibility... Geographically all societies have strengths and limitations.  Take the modern state of Israel.  Their strong in the fact that they have two major ports in Haifa and Elat, located on the Mediterranean and Red Seas.  Their glaring weakness, fresh water!  In fact, due to their geography fresh water is almost nonexistent. Raining approximately only one week of the year during January, the average yearly rainfall is less than an inch.  Most cultures, due to their limitations gravitate towards what is plentiful.  And remember, if you go to Israel, Baklava is a strength!

What We Know... Humans by nature can often be creatures of habit.  Geographical and cultural norms can carry strong societal peer pressure, subtly influencing the traditional norms.  Change can be difficult for many.  Parallel to these norms is the reality that many simply enjoy the existing forms.  I few years ago, I had the privilege of studying in South Korea.  During my time in South Korea I was able to eat their cultural dish known as kimchi.  Now, I know there are some of you who love this food, and I certainly don't want to offend you... but, wow.  After a few days in South Korean culture, I realized, it's what they know. 

Location, Location, Location...  Your location and geography is essential to the amount of outside influence and exposure to crop possibilities and culinary options.  While serving in this first ministry, restaurant options in town were few and far between.  The Chinese buffet in town was considered an exotic experience.  Geography provides opportunity or creates barriers.  Where we are located matters.  It's significant in the amount of cultures we rub shoulders with, different languages we hear and even the types of foods which are culturally acceptable.

That night at the table of these people from  the church, I learned a small distance in geography on the map can make a large difference in how society has developed.  What are your geographical limitations where you live?  How has it shaped you?

[richard-rhoads]

The Tour Guide and the Citadelle

Over the years I have come to love reading and books.  Throughout my life many books have had great impact on the way I think, process and even the way I live.  A few books which stand out as great refiners are, The Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen; Sabbath  by Dan Allendar; The Bible; Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero; Being Consumed by William Cavanaugh; The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg; Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and The Shallows by Nicholas Carr.  Each of these books have played significant roles in my development and over all decision making.  However, while reading this past week one writing rose to the surface, this was On the Abolition of Slave Trade by William Wilburforce.  For me, the significance of this work returns me to a hill I stood on in Haiti in the late 1990's.  Having lead a small missions trip to Haiti for a period of three weeks, mid trip we decided to give our team a break.  During that break we decided to take in The Citadelle Laferriere.  The Citadelle Laferriere is one of the largest stone structure forts in the Americas.  This massive structure was built by over 20,000 workers between the years of 1805 and 1820 in an attempt to protect the newly formed nation of Haiti from the French incursions.  While on the tour that day, our guide began to lay out the history leading up to the creation of the fort.  He began with William Wilburforce and his and his writings in 1789.  Wilburforce's greatest obstacle was the French Revolution which was also taking place in 1789.  The combination of these two forces at work sparked a slave rebellion in St. Domingue (Haiti) in 1790.  During this rebellion liberated slaves turned on their former masters, punishing and executing in many cases.  I now stood on the very spot outside the Citadelle where many of these acts took place.  It was surreal.

This past week while reading 12 Books That Changed The World: How Words and Wisdom Have Shaped our Lives by Melvyn Bragg I was struck by the significance of how Wilbur Williamforce's words have shaped my life.  More particularly on how his words have shaped my understanding of slavery issues throughout time.  During my reading, three key ideas emerged on what I learned about slavery then and how it applies to our global digital society.

Three Emerging Ideas

Alive and Well Today...  The effects of slavery are alive and well today.  Having lived in South Carolina for four years, I saw the after effects of third generation slavery.  Though slavery has been abolished in the United States, certain areas and cultures still feel the after affects in decisions, governmental structures, class values and even corporate opportunity.  During my time working in this environment, I realized very quickly that most upper middle class and white collar jobs were only afforded to those who were white.  Though some African American individuals were afforded these positions, most simply took lower paying or lower valued work within the organization.  Generational position, organizational mindsets and holistic lack of education were all factors, giving the affects of slavery the ability to be alive and well.

Still exists...  Though slavery has been abolished in North America, various forms of slavery still exist around the world.  Indentured servants, family debts, race related slavery all still exist in various forms around the planet.  Where ever the idea exists that one human is superior to another for any reason, slavery has the opportunity to flourish.  Behind this abuse of power, one human places themselves in the position of control, devaluing another who is created in the image of God.  Regardless of the form or reason, it is less than what God intended.

Comes in other forms...  Though the slave trade existing for hundreds of years in the Americas' has come to an end, many other forms are alive and well.  Today, sex trafficking of woman and children has risen in epic proportions.  Often, individuals seeking a better life, find themselves being taken advantage of, enslaved and losing their subsequent freedom.  These individuals aren't all in distant lands, but rather in your own neighborhood.  A few weeks ago, a large sex trafficking ring was busted here in the Lancaster area.  Those arrested consisted of doctors, lawyers, business men and one city official.  All to common in many of our home towns.  Same issue as the late 1700's, just a new look.

That day standing at the Citadelle I was captured by the loss of value a slave may have felt.  Hopeless, de-valued, shamed... I began to sit with just a small portion of the need to always stand against slavery in any form, regardless of the cost to oneself.  What forms of slavery are around you?  What books have you read, which shaped your understanding of the oppressed? 

[richard-rhoads]

Demolition Derbies and The Divine

I love family traditions.   Some of our traditions include, attending Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, watching fireworks on the 4th of July and going to our family cabin each summer.  However, one tradition stands out as our favorite is, “The Buck Demolition Derby”. Each year, around the  4th of July weekend, a local motor sports venue named “The Buck” holds a crazy out of this world demolition derby located smack dab in the middle of Amish country.  To say this event is a melting pot of cultures would be an understatement.  It’s kind of like, 21st century white collar suburbanite meets 19th century Amish agricultural person over cars smashing.  In our first trip to “The Buck”, we began noticing some interesting patterns.  First, the demolition derby was the hang out for young Amish teens to pick up another from the opposite sex.  Very interesting!  Second, though Amish are not allowed to drive cars for normal usage on the roads, somehow they were allowed to drive for the purpose of smashing into one another (Demolition Derby).  Third, and most bizarre, was the young Amish teenagers who had confiscated cell phones.  Not technically allowed by the Amish community, these young people would hang out under the grandstands trying to conceal there talking on the phone. 

This past week while reading New Media by Lisa Gitelman and Geoffrey B. Pingree I was struck by the authors unpacking of competing meanings of the telephone in Amish Country.  More specifically I was intrigued by how Amish individuals or clans would interpret the telephone as a sinful network or a divine service.  While reading the following three insights emerged.

Three Key Insights

The position of a phone…  Most Amish families in 2014 have telephones.  Yet, the century old tension between a sinful network and a divine service is still evident.  Though these families have phones, they typically have them installed in the barn, rather than their homes.  From this position, Amish who typically rely on farming as the family business use simplistic capitalistic terms to justify the divine.  A phone hooked to the house, would be considered… “Devil Wires”, but a phone run to the barn is just good business.

Divine service…  Technologies of our present day are allowing us to experience God like attributes.  What I mean by this statement is, technology frees us in some ways from our limited capacities.  The light bulb freed us from only seeing in the day.  The airplane freed us from being geographically bound.  The internet freed us from only learning through what was assessable to us.  Now all is assessable.  Facebook delivered us from only knowing about a few things going on in a couple friends’ lives at the same time.  Each of these technologies is allowing us to experience God like characteristics.  Some we can handle and others at times we may not.

Facebook and beyond…  If it hasn’t been said yet, please let me say it.  Something will replace Facebook shortly.  It will be profound, more integrated and problem unnerving for some.  Yet, when this new medium comes onto the market, will we react with extremism?  Either an extremism which says, “It’s the devil” or simply adopt the medium as the “new divine”?  Too often we simply adopt blindly, making the new medium what we worship.

An Amish Phone Booth Located by The Barn...

As I read the pages of New Media by Gitelman and Pingree, my heart craves a new understanding of formation in the digital age.  One that understands culture, embraces technology, and operates from a deep sustainable position of formation.  This position would allow the modern day leader to be deeply formed, using the “divine service” for relationship and influence, while at the same time not being consumed by the unlimited effects of this God like attribute.  How have you been using new technologies?  Is it in your house, the barn or better yet under the grand stand?

[richard-rhoads]

Water Slides and Plato

Ever since my days in youth ministry I have always enjoyed a good slip and slide.  A little soap, a good long sheet of plastic, a steep hill and a whole lot of water is all you need to have a whole lot of fun.  So when I heard of the "Crazy Insane Water Slide" video posted on YouTube a few years back, I had to check it out.  That night as I pulled up the video, a group of friends who were enjoying a meal at our home began to watch with me.  As we began watching  the supposed class experiment by a few college physic majors we couldn't believe our eyes.  Upon watching the video, half the crowd was shocked, amazed at the risk and the shear audacity that these college students had pulled off what seemed near impossible.  The other half of our guests that evening immediately called foul, stating succinctly that the video had to be a hoax.  Watch and decide for yourself.

This past week while reading A Brief Guide To Ideas by William Raeper and Linda Edwards I was struck by Plato's understanding that the world is divided into "reality" and "appearance" (the one and the many).  More specifically, Plato's theory on knowledge being what we seek, but opinion is usually what we have.  The following are two key insights which emerged while processing through Plato's divided reality.

Keys to Reality

The visible world... The visible world can quite often be deceiving.  A few days ago my daughter Grace and I went to a large Fish store located in our area.  Inside the store there are many exotic fish and tanks.  One of the most unique out of all the tanks is their Sting Ray tank.  While standing beside the tank the other day, a sting ray piercing through the water caught my attention and made me jump back from the wall of the tank.  Now, I know it wasn't close, but all the same, it looked real.  Grace immediately began to laugh, while stating, "Dad, from my vantage point, you weren't even within 10 ft. of the stingray."  Sometimes what we think we are seeing isn't fully reality.

The intelligible world...  A world beyond.  The intelligible world is one that moves beyond the senses.  This is a world in which all is fact, provable knowledge.  Not just a hunch, or I believe I saw!  Those who live by an intelligible world mindset have the need to confirm, question and pursue alternative solutions.  Once questions have been formed and answered a more concise understanding can be arrived at for the cognitive questioner.  Within this reality one is not just comfortable with seeing, but rather validation through concrete rational processing. 

The next day I began a quest to unearth whether the "Crazy Insane Water Slide" was real or a hoax.  After researching for a period of time, what I came to find was the video was truly a fake.  And not only that, it was produced by Microsoft as a promotional piece.  Yet, many still watch and believe all the same.  Are you a believer?  How quickly do you assume all is reality? 

[richard-rhoads]

There He Was!

As a young college student paying my way through school, I worked in a foods warehouse for Hershey Park.  It was a great place to work, and even better, there were some great benefits which came along with the job.  First, you could get into the park for free at any time when off of work.  Second, you could golf for free (if into that sort of thing) on the world renowned west course which often hosted PGA events.  And lastly, working in the foods warehouse often meant running into celebrities.  Well, they weren't technically visiting us, but rather Hershey's Star Pavilion and summer concert series would often park the celebrity buses beside our loading docks.  One afternoon, while taking a break and eating my brown bag lunch on our old picnic table, a new bus began to park.  Unlike most, this bus did not have any branding or logos painted on the outside.  Once parked, it only took a few minutes until someone emerged. All of a sudden, standing before me was Gene Simmons, from the band Kiss.  With apple in hand, Gene made the fifteen feet walk from the bus door to my old picnic table while asking, "Would it be alright to sit and eat with you?"  The next 20 minutes of my break was interesting to say the least.  Talk about the “it” factor!

This past week while reading Making Room For Leadership: Power, Space and Influence by MaryKate Morse, I was struck by what the author speaks of as the "it" factor, or more specifically the art of presence.  While sitting and talking with Gene Simmons that day, I knew there was something different, yet as a twenty year old, I wasn’t quite sure how to articulate his presence.  While reading the “it” factor on presence and body power this week the following three principles began to emerge in regards to my meeting that day with Gene, as well as, key understandings I need to be aware of in any  leadership setting for myself.

3 Keys to “it”

Personal History…  The 6 ft. 2 inch Israeli born Gene Simmons did not speak of his band Kiss that day.  In fact, after asking him where he was from, he went on to passionately talk about his homeland Israel.  Not long after birth was moved to New York City, where as a young boy learned Hebrew and studied the Old Testament scriptures.  It was fascinating to say the least.  He spoke with passion, resolve and great clarity.  He also was quick to ask about my background and life.

Body Presence…  How we carry ourselves communicates a great deal about who we are and what we have to say.  As Gene walked up to the table that day, I noticed his height.  Though he is tall at 6ft. 2 inches, he also where another inch heel on his shoes.  Once seated, he sat straight with confidence, no slouching.  He was fully present in physicality and the conversation. 

Eye Contact…  For many in 2014, eye contact is a rare commodity.  On that day in 1993 talking with Gene, he looked me straight in the eyes.  For a person I just met, I was impacted by his intentionality of interest, questions and most of all, eye contact.  Powerful then in 1993, I sense the “it” factor power of presence through eye contact in 2014 could even be more powerful.

My shift wasn’t over, but my lunch was.  In parting I thanked him for the time.  One which I’m only beginning to understand with more clarity all these years later.

[richard-rhoads]

Getting Caught Up

As we feel ourselves going under, drowning in the impossible multiplication of activities, responsibilities, relationships, and requirements, we end up all but abandoning the pursuit of happiness.  Our new goal isn't so much gentle, authentic happiness, nor are we apparently seeking joy, ease, pleasure or delight.  Instead, when I ask people how they are, what they are doing or creating with their life, how they are using their precious time, their heart's best attention, their response is invariably the same: I am just trying to get caught up.  Wayne Muller in, "A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough."

I am just trying to get caught up!  How often have we used this phrase ourselves?  A few weeks ago, while landing a significant proposal with the President of our College, the President looked at me and said, "I appreciate your innovative thinking."  He then went on to express his frustration with the busyness of the organization and the lack of innovative creative ideas which are being brought to his desk.  Good for me, not good for our organization.  What is it about getting caught up, which ties us down and restrains our greater potential from being released?  The proposal was approved, yet, if not careful the very futuristic vision which brings hope and energy to my soul may simply get consumed by the everyday demands of simply keeping up.

This past week while reading Consider: Harnessing the Power of Reflective Thinking In Your Organization by Daniel Patrick Forrester I was struck by the concept of, "One Day Without Email."  Specifically how Scott Dockter, a CEO of a 30 year old family business decided to implement "no email Friday" within his organization due to the demands of employees always feeling the need to catch up.  While reading Scott's case study, three key areas began to emerge as to the effects of never stepping out of, "the get caught up syndrome."

Three Diminishing Factors

Our Souls... When consumed by getting caught up, we are often driven by fear.  The what if...  What if I don't respond to this person's need, what if this person thinks poorly of me, what if my delayed response?  You can fill in the blank.  Being driven by the "what if", is exhausting.  Our best energy is often given to others demands which have no connection to the greater vision of how God wants to use you within your organization.  Often in this drain our souls become tired, weary and functioning from a position which is less than human.

Our Reflective Thinking... Getter done!  Check it off!  Let's rock and roll! Each of these statements reflect a hyper production mode in which human potential may be limited through the shear amounts of tasks which need to be accomplished.  Once volume overtakes quality, the space for creativity and reflective engineering is no longer possible.  Reflective thinking and creative potential gives way for the quick fix.  Organizations trapped in trying to get caught up, hire quick fix leaders.  According to Edwin H. Friedman in his book, Failure of Nerve, these leaders often demonstrate immaturity and a lack of deep reflective thinking.

Our Creativity... Getting caught up is almost never creative.  Creativity takes time.  Space needs to be provided.  To be creative, means to dream.  Dreaming takes time.  Yet, the emails are calling.  And after a three hour session of trying to bang out a couple hundred emails, we often feel numb, not creative.  Creativity takes space.  Our organizations need time.  Time to rest.  Time to think.  Time to create.  Once we free ourselves from the "what if" fear, we actually free ourselves up to be more creative and productive.

After an initial detox time for Scott Dockter's employees, the organization found it's people healthier, less email traffic being needed, employees who knew each other deeper and an overall hope in the general employees. 

How much have you been working at getting caught up?

[richard-rhoads]

A Rare Commodity

You need to talk with Larry; he is a man of humility and great wisdom.  These were the words my Pastor spoke to me after asking him, “Who would be a good person to seek out for mentorship during my time in seminary?”  To be honest, his words surprised me.  I’m not quite sure what I expected, but I didn’t expect a non-staff person by the name of Larry.  Regardless of my issue with the name Larry, over the next four years I was able to watch and be cared for by an incredible model of humility.

A few days ago a student stopped me after class and asked me, “What does it mean to be humble?”  Wow, great question.  I began to think about a modern day example I could share with my student.  My mind immediately went to Larry.  I began to tell my student stories about Larry.  See, Larry was one of “those guys”, he simply embodied wisdom and humility.  The way he conducted himself, his gentle manner, his ability to listen, and his simple presence always carried weight.  When you were around him, you felt as if you were with a holy man.

One day Larry shared with me his story.  He was very clear to point out how God used the simple things of life to shape his soul.  No flash, no lofty ministry positions, no seminary, just simple life to refine his soul.  He shared about;

Getting married

Having kids

Learning how to discipline kids

Marital struggles

Loss of parents

Loss of job and finances

Releasing children to adulthood

And significant times of isolation

To Larry, life was the ultimate tool for producing humility.

This past week while reading Isolation: A Place of Transformation in the Life of A Leader by Shelley Trebesch a was struck by the inward transformation which takes place before and after isolation.  Primarily, a movement from performance orientation to freedom in humility.  And to be frank, no one in my life has ever demonstrated this better then Larry.

In fact, the very meaning of the word humility has its root in the Latin humus, meaning “of the earth”.  You could define the term as “staying grounded.”  During our time, Larry shared with me a key model of humility from church history that became a guide for his formation.  It was called St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility.

Benedict who lived in the 16th century has provided us with some great wisdom in the area of staying grounded.  Well known for his love of God and care for others, Benedict had at his core the idea of staying grounded through the pursuit of humility.  He created the following ladder to act as a guide to help serve as we pursue transformation.

St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility

Step 8 – Transformed into the Love of God

Step 7 – Purposeful to speak less

Step 6 – Deeply aware of being chief of all sinners

Step 5 – Radical honesty to Others about our weaknesses

Step 4 – Patience to accept the difficulty of others

Step 3 – Willing to subject ourselves to direction of others

Step 2 – Busy doing God’s Will

Step 1 – Fearful of God and Mindfulness of Him

  Simple Questions

After Larry shared the previous ladder with me, he would simply ask the following questions.  (Every time we got together, he asked the exact same questions):

How are you doing in your journey toward humility?

Where on the ladder would you currently place yourself?

What practices or people would you need to invite into your life to continue on the journey?

What would you need to eliminate to continue on the journey?

I remember the last words Larry spoke with me. He said, “Rick, remember, humility is a rare commodity.  Tend to your soul, your wife,  your family, and don’t miss out on the simple things of life.”

I have come to learn that Larry and humility are both rare commodities.

Who is the Larry in your life – a loving voice continually encouraging you to stay grounded? How would you respond to Larry’s questions?  Have you embraced isolation as a formative practice, or have you tried to escape it's grip?

[richard-rhoads]

The Grieving of a Life Well Lived

This past week a good friend of Naomi and I lost their mom to cancer.  In preparation to go to Costa Rica for a wedding, she wanted to have some upper chest issues looked at by her family Dr..  From that first appointment, hospitalization and diagnosis till today, it has been less than a month.  As a tribute to Lauren Charles and her dear family we honor her earthly life, as a life well lived before God and others.  Throughout this past month, her daughter Nicole used facebook  to celebrate, lament and grieve a life well lived.  The following is a post Nicole placed on facebook this past week.

From my beginning to her end on this earth, she honestly & truly was my biggest cheerleader....I love you mom, it's going to be so hard without you. You are so, very missed...

This past week while reading selected articles by Stephen Garner I was struck by his concept that emerging technologies are convergent spaces where lament, grief and formation can be shared with broader communities for our own growth as well as the growth of others.  While reading, paralleled with the loss of our good friend's mom, I was able to observe Garner's key points in word and life.  The following are two keys which emerged during this time.

2 Keys to Healthy Lament

A Space For Healing...  When a great loss has occurred  in our lives, space is important.  With great loss, comes pain, and in that place it's difficult to verbalize emotions and even thoughts.  New social media platforms provide space where one can communicate thoughts and feelings, yet not have to be in proximity to those who will read.  For all who've gone through loss, having to explain the same thing over again 100 times, is even more draining to the soul on top of the loss.  Social media allows the one who is grieving to express their highs and lows, and allows the freedom for those who read, to choose engagement or silence.

A Platform For Community...  Grief, pain and healing has classically been reserved for close family and friends.  Only a select few could or would be invited into the inner circles of lament and healing.  Though this is still physically true, social media has created a space where a greater community can take part in the celebration, remembrance and healing from the loss of a loved one.  This greater community may now take place throughout the duration of the grieving process and not just on the day of the funeral.  Embedded in this concept a new reality is given to the Acts 2 community.  They were together as one.  The following is an excerpt from Nicole's facebook page and their greater grieving community.

Flowers and kind words from a new friend...totally unexpected, absolutely perfect & tear inducing...

This weekend we will attend the memorial service of  Lauren Charles, along with her family, friends and the greater community which has been part of the social space lament

[richard-rhoads]

The Ten Percent Rule

It was a cold raining night in the ER. I had just worked two back to back shifts at the trauma center and was entering into a third. On top of an exhaustive day, it was full moon. Now before you say anything, nights at the hospital in which the moon was also full, were simply crazy. Not long into the early morning hours the paramedics brought us a person who thought they were Jesus. Shackled to their stretcher, with a police escort the person went on to tell our whole team how they died for our sins, conquered death through resurrection and am now residing in Columbia, South Carolina. It couldn't be true, are you kidding, Jesus would never live in South Carolina! Anyway, while working on our lively entertainment for the night, one of our residents made a statement, "I believe this patient is only using 10 percent of their brain." A classic myth, yet even in a hospital setting many believed that most of humanity only uses a small portion of their brain, while the rest simply sits going untapped. The truth is each human uses 100% of their brain all the time. In a 2008 study done at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, neurologist Barry Gordon states, "Our research through functional imaging demonstrated that all our participants use 100% of their brain, yet very few ever take the time to develop their mind and thought processes, pushing them into new realms of processing and capability."

This past week while reading The Sandal Of The Evangelical Mind by Mark A. Noll I was struck by the concept that American Evangelicals, though known for their activism and virtues, are not exemplary for their thinking. In doing so, often leaning hard into pragmatic practices, allowing their minds to be numbed by velocity. This velocity of life, meeting needs and even giving into ministry demands has caused a truncation in the development of the evangelical made. A great potential has been forfeited or even lost. While reading and processing Noll's work on the "Evangelical Mind", the following concepts emerged in how evangelicals often fall into the 10% brain myth.

3 Keys for Moving Deeper

Fear of the unknown... Most humans find comfort in that which is known. Certainly in all cases there exists some pioneers, but most enjoy safety, routine and even the warmth well worn slippers. In a similar way, pushing the envelope on studying different cultures, ideas, philosophies and even theologies can leave a person unsettled. Unsettled from the norm, and often facing the reality that what they have known and practiced for most of their life, may be inconsistent or wrong. Sometimes fear keeps the evangelical mind from experiencing its full potential.

The unhealthy thinker... We've all known "that Guy"! You know, the one who has to show everyone how much he knows. After having grown up and experienced American Evangelicalism for the past 41 years, I witnessed a form of intellectual relational abuse. Those who had intellect often used it to tear down rather than build up. The effects of the unhealthy thinker and their subsequent use of that knowledge, gave many in American Evangelical circles an unhealthy picture of the thinker. Subsequently, many avoided this pursuit all together.

I'm not capable... I've heard students say it for years, "I'm not as smart as..." And though at some level this may be true, we as humans can often compare for the purpose of giving ourselves permission to stay where we are comfortable. I have a good friend who seven years ago experienced a massive stroke. After all was said and done, he lost his ability to walk, speak and perform basic functions of life. Over the next year and half after the stroke, I watched him begin to walk, learn to speak and eventually return to the classroom as a Professor. All of our minds are capable of almost anytime if we take the time to develop them.

That evening at the hospital, we all had a good laugh, myths were debunked, Jesus was scanned and our first year resident had his mind expanded. Maybe our minds need expanded as well?

[richard-rhoads]

His Name Was Ian

I was 21, wet behind the ears and serving in my first youth ministry.  Not long into my tenure I met a young man by the name of Ian.  Ian had just turned 16 and was moving from the Jr. High into the Senior High ministry.  Now, for years I had heard stories about Ian, but never had the privilege of getting to know him myself.  One of my first experiences with Ian was a winter retreat.  Nestled into the Appalachian mountains in Central Pennsylvania, I and ten adult leaders along with 100 teens went on retreat.  Our housing for the weekend was a large building called the barn.  The barn was unique, upstairs were two individual bunkhouse bays for the boys and girls.  Downstairs contained a meeting space, game room, lobby play area and the showers.  Mid weekend during a free time for our students I found myself in an intense game of Monopoly in the common area situated between the two shower bath areas.  In the middle of the game, Dana who was sitting directly across from me, stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes becoming bid as saucers and looking past my head, and saying, "Oh my word".  As I slowly turned my head to see what Dana was reacting too, I turned to see Ian having just walked out of the bath area in a towel.  And only a towel.  As my eyes focused from the blur of moving my head, Ian stood with one arm poised on the wall, still dripping wet and trying to have a conversation with a teenage girl who wanted to run for the hill.  Believe me, I and the other 60 people in the room were shocked.

This past week while reading The Social Animal by David Brooks I was struck by the concept of how children are programmed into social acceptability or social isolation.  Foundational to all of humanity, the family of origin and heritages become the playing field where relational and social cues are learned.  This form of secondary education follows the person throughout life, setting the stage for acceptability or isolation.  For Ian, the son of an alcoholic and having been raised in an abusive situation, the cues were simply missed.  The following are three key areas of social development  which emerged while processing the growth of the social animal in regards to life and ministry.

Social Development  - Three Key Areas

How to work with others...  Have you ever worked on a team where at least one of the individuals was impossible to work with?  I think I know each of your answers.  When an individual is not taught to work with others when young, as an adult the same dysfunction rears its ugly head, often with even more complexity than a child.  The fear of be vulnerable, out of control or even known, can sometimes make a person near impossible to serve alongside.

Social Cues...  My son Eli just turned 14.  Yes, he is officially in the Jr. High years.  A few weeks ago, I took Eli and three of his friends on a birthday weekend getaway.  Three days, two nights, 6 hours in a car and all Jr. High boy's social cues, or maybe better said... no cues.  Watching the four of the them made me laugh.  Laugh at remembering those days for myself, but also seeing similar traits in many adults and leadership teams I serve within.  Though our adult forms are a little more evolved, often our responses look very similar to those long gone days of adolescents.

How to disagree...  Disagreeing well takes a high level of differentiation.  Yet, for most of us, our families of origin  taught us that disagreements lead to fights.  Not all families teach those in the system to disagree or fight well.  When these young children grow up, they either flee conflict all together or pounce on it, like a tiger smelling fresh meat.  It is rare that ministry leaders enter adulthood with a healthy well differentiated understanding of disagreements and handling conflict well.

Over time, Ian became a healthy young man.  For Ian, emotional development and simple life training was needed for his overall development.  In order to go forward, Ian needed to go back.  Healing from our past, unearthing  unhealthy patterns and leaning hard into a new reality is key for all of us as we walk the journey of life.

[richard-rhoads]

When Caring Hurts

I have a good friend named Marilyn.  Marilyn is one of the kindest and most gentle humans I know.  For years Marilyn has worked as a message therapist.  In fact, one of the best I know.  In her free time she cares for a significant HIV community in our local area.  Her passion always inspires me.   While off duty from her practice, you can bet that Marilyn is tending to and caring for the needs of the sick.  Often, messaging frail dying souls who most often have been written off by society.  It is truly inspiring.  Yet, every time I talk with my good friend, she is simply exhausted.  When I suggest taking a break, she often responds with a litany of, "If I don't, who will, and how are they....".  Well, you fill in the blank.  Marilyn is amazing, yet she struggles giving herself permission to rest.  I fear she is on the edge of burnout.

This past week while reading Active Hope: How To Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, I was struck by the concept that personal energy and enthusiasm can be classified as a renewable energy.  Alongside of this concept, I was also reminded that most use their energy and enthusiasm in the opposite fashion.  Primarily as a limited resource.  While studying this concept five key strategies emerged, yet one in particular moved me.  This key strategy for maintaining energy and enthusiasm  was, "Seeing success with new eyes and savoring it."  The following are three practical convictions I experienced when contemplating this strategy.

The One...  Could you be happy with a church or ministry of one?  Somehow, many of us have attached production, amounts and the thought of not having enough to our own fragile egos.  Yet, while we strive for more, like an actor playing the part in a  grand illusion, we drain the very energy from our own soul.  In doing so we give to many, rather than just a few.  Why is it we are more willing to give little bits of ourselves to so many, rather than most of ourselves to just one?

Slowing To See...  When was the last time you slowed, savored and delighted in the presence of another?  I've heard it said, "If we slow to see others, this is reflective of how we slow to see God."  Similar to Brother Lawrence, who spent much of his time working in a monastery kitchen.  There surrounded by food and pots, Brother Lawrence discovered that circumstances don't determine God's proximity.  It didn't matter whether Brother Lawrence was dicing tomatoes, repairing sandals, or praying alone in his cell: anytime and everywhere God was nearby.  Do we slow to see others, and God?

Less Is More... Could you imagine if we did everything in life with integrity?  I am slowly coming to the stark reality that I can only due few things well in life.  When I attempt many things, I often do them poorly.  The reality being, if I am going to be an activist who does not overshoot, leaving renewable energy for the task at hand, I must slow, realizing that less is more.

For us demonstrating the gospel in our activism, remember...

A life lived out of balance could quite possibly be one of the most tragic examples of the gospel being misrepresented on this earth.  This disproportionate lifestyle ignores the need for rhythms, rest and so subtly denies the very limitations we have as human beings. The effects are holistic and far reaching impacting your own physical, emotional, spiritual, and social interactions and well being.  

[richard-rhoads]

There is nothing we can't accomplish!

A few weeks ago after a long day at work, I sat down to take in a episode of Build it Bigger on the Science Channel. Now, before you make any judgments, let me just say I am a Science Channel junkie. That particular evening Build it Bigger was doing a special on the Burj Khalifa Tower located in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world peaking out at a mere 2,722 ft. tall. Seriously, that means this building is over half a mile high. As far as buildings go, this structure is one of the most impressive structures I have ever seen. Not long into the program that evening, the project manager of the site build made a statement that caught my attention, "There is nothing we can't accomplish!" Similar to many great engineering projects of history, such as the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Tower of Babel... once created, those who took part seemed to believe all is possible by their own hands. In doing so, a sense of buffered identity from the divine occurs.

This past week while reading A Secular Age by Charles Taylor I was struck by the concept of the buffered identity. A buffered identify occurs when humans seek a personal safety through the creation of comforts, machines and modern conveniences. Through these creations a subtle disengagement occurs creating what both Burke and Kant describe as the sublime. This sublime serves as an appeasement to the difficult reality that we control very little in life. The following are three key concepts which emerged from the sublime.

A Distancing... Once the sublime has captured ones perspective, a natural distancing occurs. In the creation of comforts, one's overall need for God and the divine are distanced. Removing pain, hurt, poverty, death and disease from proximity causes a false reality to be born. In this sublime reality, decisions are made for self preservation as well as upholding the pseudo world comfort.

A Lifting Up... Builders of great structures often take on reflective attitudes of the structures. An employee of the White Star Line, just prior to the launch of the RMS Titanic declared, "Not even God himself could sink this ship." Not long after, this great engineering marvel rested at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Yet for many involved in these great projects, a subtle but lifting of position occurs. Is it possible that through the creation of these sublime objects, that humans quite often mistake the creation talents given by God for their own attempts in becoming like God?

A Lack of Need... The sublime blurs, creating a softer gentler reality. In the creation of our objects, we have less need for God. Subtly the created object becomes what holds our attention. Maybe even our heart and our money. The more we add in life, the more consumed we are by complexity. A few years ago a remember watching the opening game in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. One of the announcers said, " Being inside makes all forget about the reality of this land outside, which is currently 115 degrees Fahrenheit." Our objects stand as monuments of our own achievements often creating a lack of need for the divine.

When I heard the project manager for the Burj Khalifa make his statement with such emphasis, I could help but think of Genesis 11:3-6 - They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

[richard-rhoads]

American Evangelicalism and Nuclear Energy

When I was a young boy, my dad loved taking me fishing.  In fact, I loved the time with him as well.  Often we would travel approximately 20 miles and launch our boat on the Susquehanna River.  One of our favorite fishing holes was located about two miles from the launch, it was known as Three Mile Island.  Yep, you heard me right!  Three Mile Island, the nuclear power plant.  The one that on March 28th, 1979, had a partial nuclear meltdown.  It was the worst accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history.  A partial meltdown occurred because a simple pilot-operated relief valve was stuck open.  What was once a great place to fish, be with my dad and enjoy life, now became a very toxic place.

This past week while reading article submissions on "Respectful Conversation" A Project Hosted by Harold Heie I was reminded of my heritage growing up in American Evangelicalism.  These writings along with my memories emerged a few key strengths as well as weaknesses immersed within the framework of this movement.  While reading, I couldn't help but draw upon the parallels between nuclear energy and American Evangelicalism.  Mainly in its potential for good as well as disaster.  The following are a few key weaknesses and shifts which are occurring.

Key Weaknesses

Lack of Contextualization & Diversity...  We live in a globalized world.  Global realities find their way into our homes, workplaces and the everyday life.  Some regions in the U.S. are known for their global trade, impact and diversity, such as New York and Los Angeles.  Yet, much of the U.S. is made up of smaller communities locked into very specific heritages and cultures.  Living in New York City, your neighborhood street may contain people from 10 varying ethnicity and all you need to do is walk out your door to understand a broader global perspective.  While another living in Iowa, the center of the country, may need to drive 1000 miles or two days to find someone who is not immersed in the exact same culture.  American Evangelicalism  thrives in the second of these two.  Often in places where traditional norms are not being challenged and diversity is seen as something to avoid.

American Pride...  Alive and well in American culture is still an imbedded principle that what we do is better.  Or, some would even say, right.  Now, this idea is completely wrong and a false belief.  However, this same mindset is parallel in American Evangelicalism.  A subtle pride within this movement often approaches matters of theology and methodological practice as there is only one right way, and that way is theirs.  Growing up, I watched hateful church meetings, multiple church splits and families divided over absolute non-sense stemming from a truncated formation in American Evangelicalism which often left its followers operating from an emotional adolescent or childlike state.  While at the same time saying, "We're doing this for Jesus."  I heard it said before, "Pride keeps us from truly seeing ourselves for who we are, who God is and loving our Neighbors as ourselves."

Key Shifts

Phase One... Over the past nine years of teaching, I have seen three major shifts in the North East within American Evangelicalism.  In the fall of 2005, students were jaded.  Having watched the last 10 years of American Evangelicalism fight, follow poorly contextualized rules and marginalize disciple making and missional living, they were simply done.  They loved Jesus, but hated the church.  And they hated American Evangelicalism.

Phase Two... Shift number two brought about another type of student.  In this movement, students weren't jaded but they also weren't connected.  This group was known for their ability to love others well and live missionally minded.  This group unlike the last group didn't hate American Evangelicalism, they simply didn't care about it.  The movement was largely seen as marginalized and non effective, so why bother, just go do your thing.  During this season, I could have taught Jesus came from Mars, handpicked his disciples from Venus and was eventually crucified on Earth, and no one would have had a problem with it.  As long as I said, "Go live missionally."

Phase Three... Shift number three is my current season. This season is reflected by an adamant return to the tradition stances and views of the American Evangelical movement.  Not subtle in any way, a reactionary form of American Evangelicalism is trying to regain their place of prominence.  Two key characteristics of this modern movement are the same weakness I've seen from the past.  A lack of contextualization and diversity within the overall understanding of theology and methodological issues, as well as, a very overt pride lacking compassion towards fellow brothers and sisters in the faith.

What I am coming to understand about our Global world is that shifts are beginning to happen faster and faster.  The lifespan of any movement has a shorter half life in this global fast paced society.  Hyper American Evangelicalism will give way to another trend.  My question for each of us is, "How will we plant the seeds for the next shift, guiding our little portion of the kingdom towards a healthier balance of Mark 12?"

33 years later, my dad and I went fishing by Three Mile Island last year.  It's all safe and clean again,  but we certainly don't forget what happened.