Author: Wick

I just recently read the book “Starving Jesus“, because I signed up to help promote it in order to get a free copy. Here’s a few thoughts. (notice the capitalization of the letter “C”)

A large part of the book beats a dead horse over and over and over and over again. Basically, these guys have become upset with the Church, and everything they don’t like about it. But there is a section here and there that’s worth reading, enough to make the book worth a read. Basically a call to do more than sit in a pew, and get into each others’ lives.

Right towards the beginning, one of the authors decides to start going to church again, even though he realizes not much that’s going on in the church feeds him. Why? Because he wants to be a part of the solution. He realizes Church is not about how I liked the music, or how I liked the sermon, or how things looked, or how ______ treated me.

I can understand these thoughts, because many of the young adults I’ve known have similar feelings. They hear a Church that talks a lot about worship, love, grace, and serving the poor. But they see a Church that is focused on music style, selfish, that makes judgements about other people (always with good intentions), and that spends more money on furniture polish than they do feeding the hungry. If you’re looking for a church that spends more on feeding the hungry than furniture polish….check us out!

One of the messages of the book is…stop analyzing “how” to do Church…and go DO SOMETHING that Jesus talked about as the body. Serve one another. Serve without expecting in return. Share life with each other more than a simple “how are you this morning?” on Sunday.

Basically, if you enjoy Church…this book may rub you wrong. But maybe that’s good once in a while. Yeah, it beats a dead horse….but sometimes a dead horse deserves a good beating.

But if you or someone you know really has a tough time getting out of bed Sunday mornings because they’re sick of how they’ve experienced Church so far…or just because sleeping in is a whole lot more exciting than the Church they’ve known….check this book out. You may be stirred….

Wow. I know I’ve posted a lot this week, but I really gotta say something. Now, I don’t mean to offend anyone who has sent me a well-intentioned e-mail recently, warning me of “The Golden Compass”. But after about 10 of them, and seeing this pop up all over the internet, I wanted to say something.

Stop freaking out.

Yes, the author is a self-proclaimed atheist. Yes, this fantasy series involves an illustration of children “killing god”, or “combating the oppressive forces of a senile God”. But to think we need to “take a stand” against this horrible film that will somehow infect the minds and souls of our children like an atheistic virus if we watch the movie or buy the books seems to be a bit over the top.

The link that most often comes with the warning is to a website called SNOPES.com . I still highly recommend this website, it’s great for checking all the myths and rumors your grandparents forward to you. But even in Snopes’ article, the final paragraph reminds us this may in fact be a powerful tool we can use to discuss organized religion, and the difference between what it has done in the past, and the Heart of God, both with young adults and possibly even with children. Why is it that so many people would rather not be involved in organized religion? That is an important question for us to be discussing.

Ultimately, as with ANY movie with challenging themes (meaning any good movie)…it should be chewed on together, and discussed. I believe to watch a good movie, and never reflect on it again means it must not have been a good movie, or you must not be a good movie-watcher. This one is no different.

If you choose not to go to it…that’s fine. If you want to inform other people that this movie may bring up difficult questions….good. If you’re trying to fuel a mass hysteria that makes us look like a mindless horde avoiding a children’s movie because we’re afraid of our children asking questions….stop. The world is watching.

Looking over my post…I didn’t know how to translate it into a more loving statement. So know that I love each of ya’….sometimes my love is blunt. 🙂

Enjoying this book so far. Just finished section one, written by Campolo. It’s clear that he has a few areas he’s pushing personally, but ultimately his heart seems genuine. It’s a reminder that a heart that longs for God, usually shapes a body that is given life by his heart. Both on an individual and a communal level. Unfortunately, the Church seems a bit crippled compared to the body God’s heart should be giving life to…

Really looking forward to section 2, written by Mary Darling of Spring Arbor University. It’s about Fueling Intimacy, and she goes into describing and giving examples/words about Christian mysticism, etc…which John Wesley was very much involved in (the end of section one has a few pages on John Wesley and Methodism, and highlights moments where the church really did seem to be living from God’s heart). Section one does a good thing, in reminding the reader that we do not seek a mystical encounter/relationship with God in order to “feel good”, or that we can claim anything special about ourselves. We seek God for the same reason, and in the same heart as Jesus sought God. That we might be a part of His original design for creation, and we may be connected in what will be the “reign and rule” of God…both now, and forever.

Beyond all that mumbo-jumbo of christian-speak…presupposing that you’re one of many who need something beyond regular church attendance, and a potluck here and there…this is a good book to check out.

As a youth pastor, I’ve been to many “conferences” and “concerts”, etc. I’ve ridden the roller-coaster of a spirituality based on emotion. I believe God can and does use those experiences. I also know that I’m still hungry. Hungry for something not based on how well service went Sunday. Or Wednesday. Or Sunday Night. Or camp. Etc. Something not based on how the music was. Not based on how the preacher met my needs. Not based on who complimented my witness. Not based on how many times I’ve prayed “well”. Not based on how many teenagers I’ve gotten to say a sinners’ prayer.

I’m hungry for God, but I’m learning that too often I stop there. I focus on how hungry I am for Him, or an experience of Him. God is not hiding. God is not “withholding” Himself or His Spirit. God is here…now. God offers me a chance to love Him (others). To suffer with Him (others). To serve Him (others). To give to Him(others). To receive His Spirit (and be a “conduit” to others). To live towards His Kingdom on a daily basis (with others). To join in with a creation that is already worshiping Him, in living towards being restored.

But doing this….freaks me out a bit. What will I give up? Will I be embarrassed? Who will listen? Who will join me?

A great reminder came on page 38, “You will not ask yourself if you are noble enough to embrace these social “rejects.” Instead, seeing Christ, the King of Heaven, waiting to be loved in them, you will ask yourself, “Am I worthy to be their servants?” “

So on the other hand…I did say I was hungry…one bite at at time….

Anywhooo…if you’re bored…read it. 🙂