Where’s John Piper When You Need Him?

By Chaplain Mike

MOD NOTE: I’ve gone back and weeded out some comment threads that got off track. BTW: this post is not about John Piper, egalitarianism, homosexuality, or who goes to heaven and hell. It’s tongue-in-cheek, humor, folks, about a “striking” incident (insert groan here). Oh yeah, and please do buy the book!

Last August, a tornado struck during the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s convention. At their meeting, the ELCA adopted a sexuality statement opening the door for homosexuals in ministry, and the timing and peculiarity of this tornado brought forth comment from Christians who thought they discerned divine messages in the whirlwind.

Most prominently, Pastor John Piper, whose Baptist church is just down the road from the convention center, thought the storm sent a clear message. “The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction.”

Receiving special attention was the fact that the tornado broke the steeple at Central Lutheran Church, leaving an unforgettable image for the chastened to ponder.

(On the other hand, few reported that at the moment the motion passed and the sexuality statement was adopted, the sun broke through the clouds.)

Fast forward to last night and today. Here in the Midwest, we’ve had yet another week of powerful storms. Strange things have happened, and we need to hear from folks like John Piper again to discern what our current weather means. Or maybe, since Piper’s on sabbatical, Pat Robertson might want to chime in.

But, I’ll warn you: this time it’s a little trickier— one event in particular might be harder to interpret.

Continue reading “Where’s John Piper When You Need Him?”

IM Book Review: Mere Churchianity—Time to Get Real

By Chaplain Mike

It is here, the day we’ve been waiting for here at Internet Monk. Michael Spencer’s book, Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way Back to Jesus-Shaped Spirituality has been released! Today, I will give you my initial review and reflections.

I can easily summarize its main message: It’s time for Jesus’ followers to GET REAL.

This is the manifesto for post-evangelicals. Anyone out there who thinks, “Jesus has left the building”? Michael thought that was the case too often in our American evangelical churches. After decades of working in congregations and Christian organizations, he observed these ironies:

  • We didn’t know what Jesus was like.
  • We assumed that church would make us like Jesus.
  • We didn’t read the Bible with our focus on Jesus.
  • Unlike Jesus, we were often ungracious and unloving to others.
  • Beyond his death and resurrection, we didn’t grasp the meaning of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
  • We assumed that Jesus stamped his approval on our way of life.

“Here is the truth,” writes Michael Spencer, “Far from being Jesus-shaped Christians, we were church shaped” (p. 7).

Continue reading “IM Book Review: Mere Churchianity—Time to Get Real”

It’s Here!

When Michael Spencer and I first discussed the book he would write, I asked him, “If you could only write one book in your life, what would it be?’ He never hesitated.

“I would write about Jesus-shaped spirituality.”

As it turned out, Michael was only able to write one book in his life. And today, that book–about Jesus-shaped spirituality–is out. Waterbrook, a division of Random House (one of the largest book publishers in the world), has done a great job editing, designing, packaging and distributing Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way Back to Jesus-Shaped Spirituality. And today is the release day.

If you have not ordered your copy, you can do so by clicking on the links above. Or, if you prefer, head out to your favorite bookstore–they should be available in most all book retailers.

I am not going to offer a review of the book, as I am just too close to it. I read it chapter-by-chapter as Michael was writing it. When he became too ill to do the final edits, I took over and worked with Waterbrook’s Ron Lee (one of the best book editors in the business) to get it in its final shape. I think it is fantastic, but as I say, I am just too close for an objective opinion.

Chaplain Mike will have some words to say about this work, and you can find plenty of reviews at other blogs and on other sites if you want a more “objective” look. Or you can just buy it and read it for yourself. I then ask you to report back in the form of comments as to how the book touches you. For that is its whole purpose. Michael did not write this to make himself into a superstar author. He had only one goal in mind: To help form Jesus-shaped Christians.

So today we celebrate with Michael the release of Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way Back to Jesus-Shaped Spirituality

You done good, Michael. Real good.

Reds Roundup–Oh Were Those Good Ribs!

The first annual Internet Monk Day At The Reds was a rousing success! Well, except for the fact the Reds lost to the Kansas City Royals. (Did you know everything’s up-to-date in Kansas City? They’ve gone about as far as they can go…) The Reds’ bullpen melted down in the seventh and eighth innings, no doubt due to the heat and humidity. (That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it.)

We started our day at the Oaks Community Church in Middletown, Ohio. The service was combined with Faith United Methodist, the church the Oaks shares a building with. An African-American congregation and a young, white congregation may seem to be odd pew-mates, but it worked, and worked very well. All I can say is that Faith UMC’s children’s choir was incredible. Great voices, but even better lyrics. (“You say you are my sheep, so why don’t you follow?”) Once again, I was really taken in by the Gospel-centrality of this service. Kevin Jamison and his staff, as well as that of Faith UMC, made our morning very enjoyable.

We then made our way to Great American Ball Park for the Reds-KC game. Great seats on the third base side. It was rather warm, so we encouraged the players to play quickly. They did. Game over in just a bit over two hours. Unfortunately, it ended with the Reds on the short side of the score, 7-3. But Joey Votto hit two homers, so we did get to see some fireworks.

Several iMonk loyal readers joined us in this first venture to be more than virtual friends. Anna Abell, Duane Young and John Simpson joined Chaplain Mike and his wife Gail, and the Spencer family: Denise, Clay and Taylor, and Noel (Spencer) and Ryan Cordle. Oh, and your faithful publisher, me.

Dinner was at the world-famous Montgomery Inn Boathouse. Ribs were eaten with great abandon. Tummies were rubbed in satisfaction. Bibs and napkins all around.

Plan to join us next year for another IM Day At The Reds. Unless we can’t wait until next year. Is anyone up for a Bengals game?

Sometimes It’s Just Plain Hard

Editor’s Note: One of the things that makes the Internet Monk such a strong community is our desire to be real at all times. Sometimes that reality takes us to painful places. Denise Day Spencer, the wife of the late founder of Internet Monk, Michael Spencer, relates her experience with her husband’s death. Be forewarned: This is not an easy read. There are graphic details of a dying person’s last days. But we will not yield from our attempt to be real. After all, Jesus only deals in reality.

By Denise Day Spencer

I’ve been reading and hearing lots of death stories since Michael passed away. I’ll share a few anonymous examples.

First, one that I heard long ago but will never forget. “Jim” was dying of cancer at home and had been in a coma for days. One evening he regained consciousness. His wife was thrilled. She called the two adult daughters, who arrived with their young families. Wife, daughters and grandkids all piled up together on Jim’s bed. For a couple of hours they enjoyed a joyous time of holding one another, saying “I love you” and sharing their goodbyes. Finally Jim’s eyes closed. He sank back into a coma and died later that night. But the family will be forever grateful for that gift of precious time they were given.

Then there was “Sam.” Also dying of cancer and unresponsive, Sam suddenly opened his eyes wide and focused his gaze on a spot near the ceiling with an expression of wonder just before passing on. His daughter was there and later said to me, “I don’t know if Daddy saw Jesus or an angel, but I know he saw something.”

Continue reading “Sometimes It’s Just Plain Hard”

Denise Spencer: Sometimes It’s Just Plain Hard

Editor’s Note: One of the things that makes the Internet Monk such a strong community is our desire to be real at all times. Sometimes that reality takes us to painful places. Denise Day Spencer, the wife of the late founder of Internet Monk, Michael Spencer, relates her experience with her husband’s death. Be forewarned: This is not an easy read. There are graphic details of a dying person’s last days. But we will not yield from our attempt to be real. After all, Jesus only deals in reality.

By Denise Day Spencer

I’ve been reading and hearing lots of death stories since Michael passed away. I’ll share a few anonymous examples.

First, one that I heard long ago but will never forget. “Jim” was dying of cancer at home and had been in a coma for days. One evening he regained consciousness. His wife was thrilled. She called the two adult daughters, who arrived with their young families. Wife, daughters and grandkids all piled up together on Jim’s bed. For a couple of hours they enjoyed a joyous time of holding one another, saying “I love you” and sharing their goodbyes. Finally Jim’s eyes closed. He sank back into a coma and died later that night. But the family will be forever grateful for that gift of precious time they were given.

Then there was “Sam.” Also dying of cancer and unresponsive, Sam suddenly opened his eyes wide and focused his gaze on a spot near the ceiling with an expression of wonder just before passing on. His daughter was there and later said to me, “I don’t know if Daddy saw Jesus or an angel, but I know he saw something.”

Continue reading “Denise Spencer: Sometimes It’s Just Plain Hard”

Rethinking the Text: God’s “Still, Small Voice”?

By Chaplain Mike

Sometimes, as people of faith, we think we know the meaning of a Biblical text. By sheer repetition over the years, it becomes a reliable tool in our vocabulary, a cliché of our faith. We stop thinking about it; we simply utter it at times we think appropriate. We don’t have to analyze it or explain it. And our friends smile and nod their heads. “Insiders” know exactly what’s being said. Familiar language forges connections between us, brings a sense of assurance about our place before God and in the world, and defines the boundaries for our lives.

Speaking the “language of Zion,” we fit comfortably among the citizens of Zion.

Except sometimes, we get it wrong.

And then we have a problem. For if we simply presume our perception is the final word, we stop studying. We stop thinking. We no longer seek God for further understanding. We fail to grasp that the matter requires ongoing contemplation. We think we’ve arrived. There is no more mystery. God and his Word fit just right in the compartments we have created for them by our assumptions. We go on repeating our clichés, we continue nodding our heads.

Sometimes this leads to theological misunderstandings that seriously pervert our comprehension of the faith. At other times, it leads to personal misreading of the Bible, causing us to miss a message that might enrich our walk with God.

How many times have you heard this: “God speaks to us in a still, small voice”?Continue reading “Rethinking the Text: God’s “Still, Small Voice”?”

Sunday’s Gospel: Teaching One Another

By Chaplain Mike

I’d like to start a new feature on Internet Monk today. We’ll call it “Teaching One Another.”

Each Sunday, I have been posting the lectionary readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Then I have taken one of the passages (usually the Gospel reading) and given a devotional message from the text. I will continue to do this on some Sundays.

On other Sundays, I will give YOU the opportunity to read and comment upon the passage. As a community, we will ask God to help us “Let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly;” to “teach and admonish one another in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). I’ll introduce the text and then it is your turn to add your observations, interpretations, and applications.

My only request is that you be as brief as possible. Don’t think you have to do a full Bible study or sermon for us here. Give us one or two pertinent points from the Biblical passage that you think would be edifying to the iMonk community.

We will begin today with Luke 7:36-8:3.Continue reading “Sunday’s Gospel: Teaching One Another”

iMonk Classic: Why Aren’t We Doing Inner City Church Planting?

Classic iMonk Post
by Michael Spencer

NOTE: This was originally posted on February 17, 2009 as an “Open Mic” discussion. I thought it would be good to revisit this question today, especially in the light of recent posts dealing with suburban evangelicalism, materialism, and cultural diversity.

I’m not dogging any churches here. I love my brothers and sisters in the suburbs. But this is a question that needs to be discussed. No blame, but thoughtful consideration. If you want to rant, go away.

I drove around Lexington yesterday, looking at suburban church after suburban church after suburban church after suburban church…..

Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Why Aren’t We Doing Inner City Church Planting?”

Saturday Ramblings 6.12.10

What a wild and wacky week it’s been here at the iMonastery! You all have kicked up quite a bit of dust–which means we have some cleaning up to do. So if you will pardon me, I will get the broom and dustpan to sweep up the leftover Saturday Ramblings.

You may have heard that there is a sporting event starting this weekend in South Africa. Some kind of soccer thing. A small church in South Carolina wants to take part in this event. They have started an initiative to raise money that will then be given to various missions organizations who have plans in motion to reach out during the World Cup events. What a great idea–raise money here, give it to those already there to proclaim the Gospel. (And where can I buy a USA jersey cheap?)

A Canon in the Church of England has come out against those who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” He also takes to task those who say “you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” What old-fashioned ideas he has! Imagine, telling young people they are selfish for reducing spirituality to a “personality trait,” instead calling them to the tradition of community. He will never build himself a big ministry like that.

Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 6.12.10”