So That's Where That Came From

Occasionally you read a book, or see a movie or play, or even hear a song that really does change your life. Sometimes it influences you so deeply that over time the lines start to blur. "Did I know that before I encountered this work?" You may even forget completely what the source of these thoughts, beliefs, or feelings was.

I've had several such influences. I remember hearing I Am The Walrus for the first time. It didn't just change my idea of music. It changed me. Suddenly you could say anything in a song... anything. And if you could say anything in a song then you could literally say anything... just... talking. It was quite freeing actually. Interestingly, the last movement of Sibelius' 2nd Symphony had a similar effect.

I was reminded a few weeks ago of a book I read back in the 70's. It has the arresting title Brethren, Hang Loose, by Robert Girard. The only thing I really remembered about it was how much I liked it. It seems that it came up in some discussion about the so called Emergent Church. I purposed to find my copy and revisit it.

After several times combing through the attic and various boxes of books I finally reached the conclusion that my copy no longer was in existence. I went to Amazon and there it was, out of print but available as a used book. I ordered it and when it arrived it was like jumping into Doc Brown's DeLorean and going back in time. It looked just like my old copy. It even had the $1.95 price printed right on the front cover. Actually, that was about what I paid for it now, plus considerably more in shipping and handling.

Is there a number greater than infinity? Yes, infinity plus shipping and handling. But I digress.

As I began to reread this book for which I held such fond memories it was like going down the rabbit hole. These ideas about ministry, about what a church should really be, did I...? Were they...? Did I know these before I read this book? Did I get these from this book? In either event it was clear that this book had become an integral part of who I am as a pastor. The only thing I really remembered about this book was that for years I had the feeling that if this teaching had taken root in the major moves of the 70's rather than the hyper-faith teaching and mind-control discipleship movement the church would be in a much healthier state than she is presently.

What really blew me away was a list of seven things Robert Girard had concluded about what a church should really be. I agree 100% with them all! It's what I've been trying to lead us toward at Smyrna Assembly for the last 21 years. It's the true emergent church without all the "you don't need church" and "he hurt my feelings" baggage.

If you're interested, stay tuned. I'm going to cover each of the seven points in the next seven blog entries. Some are indisputable. Some are, "Really?" This should be fun.