tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-289646612024-03-13T06:29:55.817-07:00Leaf-blogErikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-55297424556186783702008-11-03T07:29:00.000-08:002008-11-03T07:31:56.496-08:00Death, then lifeTo any who still read this: I've decided that I needed a fresh start if I was going to ever get in the rhythm of blogging. So, to that end, I've decided to kill this Leaf-blog, in order to start another one at wordpress. So, please update any links, and head over to <a href="http://eleafblad.wordpress.com">The New Leaf-Blog</a>. Thanks!Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-34099561761715627632008-10-23T14:33:00.000-07:002008-10-23T14:35:20.683-07:00Quick ClarificationI just spoke with a good friend, who misunderstood what I wrote in my last post about support, and I understand why. I meant to communicate that my salary and livelihood comes 100% from people's generosity and support, not that I'm at 100% support. We're close, but not there yet.<br /><br />Sorry for the confusion (to the one person who's probably read this).Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-10536464771483103502008-10-20T09:12:00.000-07:002008-10-20T09:24:48.934-07:00I suck at blogging...nonetheless<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8mFHNskuhQ/SPyvhmNhqJI/AAAAAAAAAEc/agJpcv3UZzE/s1600-h/DSCF1404.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8mFHNskuhQ/SPyvhmNhqJI/AAAAAAAAAEc/agJpcv3UZzE/s320/DSCF1404.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259271456589719698" /></a><br />Five months ago I started another series. Yeah, five months ago. All 8 of you that probably read this blog already know what's going on in our lives, but I'll give an update anyway, along with a reason why I might, just might, start keeping this thing updated.<br /><br />I resigned from my youth pastor position at the end of June, and joined the staff of YouthFront, a youth ministry, church-assisting organization in Kansas City. I am now funded 100% by support, so that has meant a busy summer and fall of meeting with people almost daily and inviting them to partner with us in ministry. Never thought I would do this in ministry, but its actually pretty fun to share our story with others. Maybe I'll post on the theology of support-raising sometime. Anyway, in the midst of raising support, almost a month ago now, Amy and I had our second child, Svea Joy Leafblad on September 24. She's beautiful and Soren loves her. Hence the picture above. <br /><br />Amy and I are moving to KC in November, and can't wait to get started with the daily routine of ministry at YouthFront. This is a reason why I think I might start posting more often. We have committed to keep our supporters updated by a newsletter every other month, but I'm thinking it'll be good to post some thoughts from ministry on here for supporters, and others, to interact with. Part of my role is to be in conversation with various youth pastors and youth workers, so I'll be thinking a lot about ministry and theology, so this might be a good outlet. But, then again, I've said that before, right?<br /><br />If nothing else, visit me later this week as Zondervan Press kindly sent me a review copy of Scot McKnight's soon-to-be-released book <span style="font-style:italic;"></span>The Blue Parakeet<span style="font-style:italic;"></span> so I'll be posting a review of that shortly. So maybe this blog lives. Maybe.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-31384868764459243622008-05-12T14:47:00.000-07:002008-05-12T15:00:11.828-07:00Intuitive Leadership Series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_i8mFHNskuhQ/SCi7gAGkEZI/AAAAAAAAAEM/sfNGWcyxnx0/s1600-h/Intuitive.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_i8mFHNskuhQ/SCi7gAGkEZI/AAAAAAAAAEM/sfNGWcyxnx0/s320/Intuitive.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199611928256975250" /></a><br />Today I finished probably the best book I've read in over a year, <span style="font-style:italic;">Intuitive Leadership</span> by Tim Keel. It is a book rich with metaphor, story and insight into church leadership in our changing context. I am still not sure I have adequately taken in all that this work has to offer, and so to that end, I begin a series on this book. I'm not sure how many posts it will cover, but I plan to work my way through this book again, slowly and intentionally, highlighting important themes, ideas, and implications. As a way of introduction, let me offer one general insight.<br /><br />It bears noting that Keel does not seek to offer a leadership manual for the Emergent church, or postmodern context. This is crucial for in so doing he offers, in large measure, an implicit ecclesiology that is deeply conversant with sociological, cultural, and scientific research; a truly interdisciplinary based theology of leadership. Throughout, I remarked in the margins how at the core of Keel's analysis and proposal was an unspoken question of ecclesial identity: who are we church? <br /><br />This may seem somewhat passe, yet the incredibly rich context of Keel's own church, Jacob's Well in Kansas City, enlivens what on the surface could appear to be a somewhat mundane question. To be fair, Keel never directly asks this, but my read is that this question is constantly hovering in the background. And because his ideas are embedded in his own local context, Keel calls forth fruitful possibilities and genuinely new horizons for the church and her leadership. All throughout I continually found myself asking how this would play out in my own context, precisely because I was invited into Keel's. This put flesh on the question of identity, and forced me to consider how leadership ought always to be attendant to this question.<br /><br />For the systematicians there is probably a prior question, I'm sure (Christological in nature...never fear Barth still casts a long shadow over my thinking). Yet, it is with this basic ecclesiological question that I wanted to begin as I look forward to unpacking this book more thoroughly. If you have not read it, please pick up a copy. I'd love to hear your thoughts as I wade through it.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-59452424600170236352008-03-12T07:43:00.000-07:002008-03-12T07:53:40.529-07:00Princeton... that TemptressSo somewhere Jesus talks about the devil masquerading as something good, an angel of light or something like that. Makes discernment kinda tough sometimes. I get that passage a whole lot better today.<br /><br />I'm in Princeton. Amy, Soren and I flew in to Philly last night, and spent the evening with our good friends, Raymond and Heidi Bonwell (and their three kids). This morning I met my other good friend, Jonathan, for breakfast at <a href="http://www.pancakes.com/home.htm">PJ's Pancake</a>s, a wonderful little establishment on the famed Nassau St, that I did frequent enough during my three years here. After a delightful breakfast, we made our way to <a href="http://www.smallworldcoffee.com/">Small World</a>, the best coffee in Princeton. Then I walked the few blocks over to campus, and my academic senses perked up. I miss this place. I miss the conversations. Right now, I'm eavesdropping on a conversation about the canon. Some may think such conversations are mundane, unnecessary, a waste of time. To me they are invigorating and help fuel creativity for ministry. I feel this lure, a seductive beckon, to return. <br /><br />"Come, walk among the endless shelves of books again, Erik," she says. Enthralled with her beauty, I am tempted. Someday, I am sure, but not now.<br /><br />P.S. I don't think Princeton is the devil.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-88466640400442087682008-02-14T08:46:00.000-08:002008-02-14T09:08:02.357-08:00The Spider and the StarfishI recently completed an interesting book geared toward business leaders, entitled *The Spider and the Starfish: the Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations.* Anyone reared in the Internet age knows the ascendency of Napster, the consequent legal wrangling with major record companies, and then the subsequent development of more open source, file-sharing networks like Kazaa, and eventually (one I've never heard of) eMule. The authors of this book use this recent history as a foray into the world of open-source, decentralized and networked leadership within business. Their argument, which was quite compelling, was that when the big boys (i.e. hierarchical, CEO-driven companies) try and take on the up-and-comers that have little to no centralization, they may win small battles, but ultimately lose the war.<br /><br />The decentralized, starfish organizations self-replicate. If you cut off a leg, another starfish is born and it actually leads to further decentralization and thus is harder to stop. They used Al-Qaeda as an example. The hardest part of fighting this so-called war on terror has been trying to actually find an enemy. Contrary to perception, bin Laden is not the leader, but merely a catalyst for terrorist cells, and if you root out one cell, others quickly fill in the gap. They also looked at the unsuccessful attempts by the Spanish to control and overtake the Apaches in the Southwestern United States. As a decentralized community of Native Americans, you simply couldn't attack a chief or leader like the Spanish were able to do with Montezuma and the Aztecs. The Apaches were too fluid, too able to adjust their ways and continue. It wasn't until they introduced cattle into their culture, thereby eliminating their nomadism and creating a type of hierarchy that the Spanish were able to stop them. <br /><br />They also looked at the way in which this flattened approach to reality was built upon the idea of community. They used Wikipedia as their example of this (along with craigslist). Here the members care about one another, so that when things that are detrimental to the organization start to happen, self-policing takes place and the problem is quickly remedied. Of course there are drawbacks, and so these authors were not suggesting completely leaderless approaches to business. Businesses still want to make money, and there is not much money to be made when there is complete decentralization. Instead, they argued for a hybrid organization, like Amazon, Google and Ebay, which have done a remarkably successful job of implementing decentralized ideas and elements within a bounded framework. This creates a feeling of that there is direction and some leadership, but it is a leadership concerned with creating contributors. That is, the leadership is flexible and responsive to its community members, and the success depends less on their final decision-making power and more on their ability to catalyze its members to make decisions which build the community.<br /><br />I'm not all that interested in business, but what drew me to this title were the parallels to how many Emergent and younger generation churches approach their communities of faith. I saw considerable overlap with the picture of church painted by Acts and the hybrid organization. There were leaders, but they were about empowering their community to be Christ's witnesses in their world. They made less decisions, and instead equipped their community to make decisions within a guiding framework. <br /><br />I am less interested in simply importing these ideas into the church, as if we only need to take our leadership advice from the business world. I think a robust theology of the laity and a better understanding of what we as the church have been called to do will lead to the same structural insights and developments as this book points out, within a more theological framework. But, in a world where, for some reason, business leadership ideas tend to hold more weight than theological visions of leadership, this may be a nice conversation starter. The idea that we don't need church CEOs and it won't destroy our ability to actually get something done is foreign, it seems to me, to many church leaders. Here now are some business leaders saying the same thing, and arguing it might be more effective in our emerging world. Perhaps this could serve as a catalyst for renewed thinking on how we can be a decentralized church, mobilizing the people in our churches for the calling that is theirs in Christ. Its definitely scarier because we as pastors have less control, but, to quote Bill Parcells from my favorite Coors Light commerical, "That's a good thing. Not a bad thing."Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-1049914098499987502008-01-26T06:57:00.000-08:002008-01-26T07:15:33.745-08:00A Relaunch of sorts...I've really been thinking about this blog for awhile now. What do I want to use it for? Do I want to maintain it anymore? Do I want to use it constructively, that is, as a way of constructing new ideas? I don't think I have the time or energy to dedicate myself to a series, unless I really put some structure in place and managed it that way. I don't want to do that, though. Ergo, the missional theology for youth ministry series. I started reading Thomas a Kempis, and thought about offering thoughts on my readings. I have decided I'm not a fan of this either. As I've been reading, I quickly realized when I read with the idea of posting something about it, I didn't read to absorb the words, to be challenged and convicted by them. Rather, I read with the idea of posting something insightful or meaningful. This completely defeats the purpose of why I was reading Thomas a Kempis. I've shared random thoughts on experiences from ministry. I'm sure some of these will still make their way onto the blog from time to time, but I'd like to give a little more focus to my postings. Again, the question, what is the point of this blog, or how ought I to use it?<br /><br />I read quite a bit. I spend at least an hour everyday with my nose in a book. I am thinking, then, that I'll start to use this blog to interact more publicly with those books. I still don't think I'll post everyday. With a family, a job in youth ministry, and frankly a life, I'm not sure I can make it happen in the substantive fashion I imagine (or maybe I'm not that substantive, but I'll pretend anyway). I'm guessing that as I go a significant amount of my comments and summaries will somehow pertain to youth ministry, but that makes sense, doesn't it?<br /><br />So, anyway, there you go. I'm trying to bring a little focus and purpose to this blog, and if it doesn't work, I'll probably shut it down.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-82737024770367443722008-01-23T07:27:00.000-08:002008-01-23T07:38:05.014-08:00Why a Mobile Ministry Office is a MustOkay, so it may not be a must for every pastor, but it certainly has some significant advantages over the traditional church-based office. Let me give you some background: I have an office at our church buliding. I try and get work done there, but it is stuffy and distracting. However, those are things easy to deal with. I decided, though, to spend the majority of my mornings at a coffee shop nearby, using my Mac as my primary computer, checking my email, and doing other various menial tasks throughout the morning. In the process, I frequently run into members of our congregation (probably 3-4 a day), and have developed a relationship with some of the coffee shop workers. <br /><br />Because of my mobile office, I have developed a friendship with a 73 year old man from our church. He is an active 73 year old, a great personality, and committed to following Christ today (meaning he respects and values where he has come from but is excited about where he is going). He and I spent the last hour chatting about prayer as lived theology, what it means to be the church in a post-Christian world, and how a new building will not magically bring people into our fellowship, but must be used to send our people into the world. His friendship over the last month, and specifically the last two weeks, has been a source of immeasureable encouragement. I am convinced that if I spend all my time at the office during the day, where I'm *supposed* to work, I would have missed out on this friendship, and thus missed out on the work of the Spirit using him to encourage me in my calling. <br /><br />I am in the middle of some fairly significant revisioning and reculturing in our youth ministry, and I believe that God is orchestrating this relationship as a pivotal source of encouragement and even vision. I ask you, especially those friends in ministry, if we are the church for the world why do we spend so much time in our offices removed from said world? I understand some people cannot work in a coffee shop environment, and so need a quiet office setting. But, for those of us who can, why do we not spend more time out here?Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-24582752635647467542008-01-21T05:21:00.000-08:002008-01-21T05:31:45.550-08:00The Spirit of ChristThomas a Kempis begins his treatise with a brief paragraph. We are encouraged to meditate upon the life of Christ, to then act accordingly, that is to find our life therein. Knowing the difficulty of such a task, Thomas insists that it is by the Spirit of Christ that we are empowered for this life. Hearing and understanding lead to action in the Spirit of Christ.<br /><br />Thomas' words are very simply understood. They are often taught. Are they often taken to heart? How many times do we understand the words of Christ, know who he is, and yet never fully give ourselves over to those words by following him? What if we did so? How would our churches look different if we understood Christ and "endeavored to conform our life wholly to the life of Christ?" How would our lives look different? How would our world view us? Is it really that simple, or in its simplicity is this calling quite difficult? May the Spirit of Christ be our guide as we seek to faithfully be conformed to the One who teaches us and calls us to his way of life.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-632268247034062952008-01-17T08:33:00.000-08:002008-01-17T08:34:41.259-08:00The Imitation of ChristLest we all think the book meme taggy thing is just an excercise in complete uselessness, it has inspired me to engage Thomas a Kempis' classic, *The Imitation of Christ.* I have been meaning to read this book for a while, and now seems like a providential moment to begin. Let me explain.<br /><br />Our youth are going through series this spring called, "The Way." We are looking at what it really means to follow Christ, to enter into his way of living in world. It has been a convicting beginning for me, recognizing that I often fall woefully short in my own life of living in the Jesus Way. To then challenge our youth community to do so, and invite them in on that journey, well let's just say I had better be journeying myself. I think this book could serve as a beginning point everyday for listening afresh to the call of Christ.<br /><br />Secondly, I have been seeking to live a more intentional life, in my own spiritual formation and in how I engage people. I have taken to do most of my work beyond my office, in coffee shops for the intention of being known and getting to know our community. Amy and I have invited a college student (and my wonderful JH director) to live with us, not as a favor but because we value sharing our lives with other people. Part of this little experiment includes creating an intentionally communional (a word coined by Mark Ostreicher at Youth Specialties...I love it) environment and life. We are all getting up together to begin our mornings in prayer together, followed by breakfast together. We have opted (most nights) to shut off the television and engage one another in life, conversation, and laughter. We have spent most evenings bringing others into our little community, and it has been wonderful. Part of this intentionality for me includes devoting more set aside time to spiritual practices, hence the morning prayer and breakfast. I want to bring Thomas a Kempis into this. <br /><br />Since I have fallen pretty far short on virtually every series I've endeavored to start here on this blog, I'm only going to say this. My hope is to read just a short paragraph everyday (Thomas breaks each chapter into two or three short paragraphs) and offer a short reflection on each one. If I miss a day on the blog, that may mean that I missed a day myself, or it might just mean that I didn't have a chance to post. However, I'd like to invite you all into my conversation with Thomas.<br /><br />Finally, I'll also be posting some of my reflections on our youth blog at church. My hope is that students will be intrigued and maybe even inspired to take a peek at The Imitation of Christ themselves. Would you care to join me? I'll be starting Monday, January 21. Anyone?Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-11984169205013945802008-01-16T09:44:00.000-08:002008-01-16T09:58:21.183-08:00Tagged by Josh, called out by JonathanSo I got tagged by Josh, and got an email from Jonathan calling me out for not posting in over a month. So, I'm back, I guess.<br /><br />1) One book that changed my life: I find it exceptionally difficult to choose just one, as many books have influenced the direction of my life. I'll say that Barth's Church Dogmatics IV/3.2 most recently redirected my life. Without reading his section on the church for the world, I don't think I would have rethought my vocational direction and I would not be in youth ministry right now. That's a pretty big change, I suppose.<br /><br />2) One book you have read more than once: Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Every one should read it once, and when you do, you'll read it again.<br /><br />3) One book you would want on a desert island: Chronicles of Narnia (all combined in one volume so its one book). <br /><br />4) Two books that made you laugh: Irresistible Revolution and Grudem's Systematic Theology<br /><br />5) One book that made you cry: Irresistible Revolution<br /><br />6) One book you wish you'd written: The Brother's Karamazov. So honest and real and true. A close second would be Life Together by Bonhoeffer. To be able to write from such an experience of genuine Christian community with the brilliance and passion and discipline that Bonhoeffer does makes me long for something similar.<br /><br />7) One book you wish had never been written: Mein Kampf.<br /><br />8) Two books you are currently reading: Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry by Andrew Root and Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel. There are others too.<br /><br />9) One book you've been meaning to read: The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis (or Imitatio Christi)<br /><br />10) Five people that I tag: Jeff Lee, Josh Johnson, Don Coleman, WTM, and Jenell Paris.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-62144122096480921342007-12-08T14:47:00.001-08:002007-12-08T14:58:02.763-08:00My Connection to the Indie SceneIndie music is not something I pay that close of attention to. I like the music, generally, but just don't make time to keep up with who's who and what's good. Laziness on my part, really. But, I do have a connection.<br /><br />My childhood friend, Justin Vernon, has been an indie musician in Deyarmond Edison until they broke up. They were a big deal in my hometown, and then replanted in Raleigh, NC and quickly gained a reputation. Then, through a variety of events, they split up (check out Megafaun if you liked DE's sound). Justin headed off to the NW Wisconsin woods to his dad's hunting cabin to figure some things out. He discovers some music in the pit of his soul, cuts a very rustic and different sounding album, releases it on the web, and there is this meteoric rise. Check out www.virb.com/boniver to listen. He eventually signs with a pretty major Indie label, is touring with some fairly big names, getting great reviews from Patchwork, NY Times, and the Boston Globe, and basically gaining a pretty decent following. It seems like it happened all of sudden, which it kind of did.<br /><br />I'm not blogging to let the rest of the world in on his music (though check it out if you haven't). Enough of the Indie blogging world has done that. I'm writing to brag about my friend. I remember him always wanting to be a musician, about wanting to live in that world and be noticed for it, and not in some rock-star-I-want-to-be-famous kind of way. He loves his music, and wanted to always invite others into it, as many as possible. He dreamed about it from like 5th grade on. When I stumbled across all the press a few nights ago, I literally teared up for him. It was like watching a dream come true. We don't stay in touch, something I regret. I'll probably give him a call. But I wanted to post about him, just in case he stumbles across it to let him know how happy I am for him, and how proud I am to always call him friend. Well done, JD.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-35329812215094954602007-12-04T14:46:00.000-08:002007-12-04T15:07:36.781-08:00Inter-religious DialogueToday I had the opportunity to participate in an inter-religious dialogue (though there wasn't much dialogue, more like different monologues) at Minnesota State University - Mankato in one of their classes. I was invited as the "evangelical" voice, which I didn't realize until I got there. I tried to clarify what was meant and gathered they wanted a theologically conservative voice in the mix, to which I happily obliged. We were asked to reflect on how we as different religions could harmoniously live together in our pluralized world.<br /><br />First a Catholic lady spoke. Not much to write home about. She basically said we need to learn about each other and then just get along. Not terribly constructive. She had to leave, which was unfortunate because there were many questions I wanted to ask her. Next a Jewish gentlemen spoke, and he was quite good. He basically shared about the hardship of living as one of 12 Jews in Mankato, and the covertly prejudicial ideas he confronts daily. This was helpful for me to challenge the class, who predominantly described themselves as Christian, to self-critically reflect on the way in which they interact with people in general. Then I spoke. More about that later. Then a Muslim student spoke.<br /><br />The basic tenor was that we need to respect and accept one another, what could be called the least common denominator approach to inter-religious relationships. I took a different tact. I challenged us to genuinely meet each other in our difference, to enter a truly I-Thou relationship with each other. I argued that respect needs to be embodied in difference, and mitigating difference in the name of respect is not dialogue, but acquiessence to a specific ideaology, which unfortunately permeates way too many of these discussions. This seemed to challenge some of the assumptions of the classroom, and provoke some interest.<br /><br />I also had the opportunity to talk about distinguishing between evangelism and conversion. The Muslim gentlemen heard me saying that in actually addressing difference we are trying to convert one another. I argued this is out of bounds for any Christian, and entered into a brief theology of evangelism and conversion (mission, if you will). I explained that I understand the calling of Christ for the Christian to mean that we are called to proclaim the good news of God's Kingdom come near in the person of Jesus Christ, and that this is good news for the world. This is that point of distinction from which real dialogue can grow. However, I argued that in this act the Christian is not trying to convert another person for that is the work of God alone. The conflation of these two categories leads to Christians intent on making everyone believe just like them, thereby eliminating any real hope for dialogue and friendship with a religious other. A truly robust theology of the Incarnation, on the other hand, recognizes that in this relationship with a religious other, where the Christian actually talks about the good news, Christ is present, and God may, in God's freedom, convert another. But, this is not my calling nor my task. <br /><br />This led me to discuss why, for instance, when the Muslim or Jew talks about Jesus as prophet we are not actually on common ground. True, I believe Christ was a prophet, but he was also priest and king, God in the flesh. For me to lay aside this central conviction is to embrace a different Jesus, and let go of the real me, thereby obliterating any hope for true dialogue, indeed relationship with the religious other. I may be heartened by their admiration of Jesus, and we may agree on Christ's social teaching, but the Christian cannot stop at that, not even in the name of inter-religious dialogue and harmony, because it is disingenuous to who they truly are, and therefore is dishonest, which undermines a centrally important feature of any inter-religious conversation, honesty. <br /><br />In sum: it was a fantastic experience, but once again affirmed one of my central concerns about inter-religious relationships, which is that they are easy. Living in a pluralistic world in peace, with respect and understanding of other religious peoples takes considerable effort and care. It is not, as it were, as easy as saying we are all worshiping the same God with different names.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-70999043589115501302007-11-18T14:58:00.000-08:002007-11-18T15:03:45.675-08:00Youth SpecialtiesSo I'm in ATL right now at YS. It has been a very engaging, uplifting, challenging, and worshipful conference. As usual, YS has done a remarkable job at bringing in a variety of presenters, and by far the best has been Phyllis Tickle. She made a compelling case for a new Reformation currently in emergence, which I'll blog about once I'm home. I'm surprised by how drawn I am to emerging or even Emergent youth ministry leaders and models. Being in practice, rather than seminary, leads one to ask different questions. Emerging and Emergent youth workers seem to be the only people asking the same questions I am. More about that in days to come. In any event, this has been exactly what I needed for this season of life. I am grateful to my church for making this possible.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-81953597918186572962007-11-02T10:32:00.000-07:002007-11-02T10:38:04.445-07:00An Interesting OfferI've made no progress on my missional theology series. I suppose that's come to be expected here. I'm thinking about giving myself a deadline, and trying to produce one post a month. Maybe that would make me get it done. In any event, I have been blogging, just not here. Our youth group has a blog and I post daily thoughts on Scripture passages for our students. <br /><br />Speaking of deadlines, I just got an interesting offer. Apparently the fine folks at "Word and World," a journal published by Luther Seminary, got my name as a highly recommended reviewer of books. How that came to be, I have no idea. In any event, they want me to review Andy Root's new book, "Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry." I happily accepted. I have great admiration for Root's work, and look forward to this new book. I need to complete the 900 word review by February 1, so I think I can manage that. <br /><br />Just thought I'd let all five of you who read this in on my happy news.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-70406621407345008182007-10-06T11:42:00.000-07:002007-10-10T07:36:51.346-07:00A Missional Theology for Youth Ministry: SeriesThis is my second attempt to devote myself to a project here on Leaf-blog. We'll see how it goes the second time around. This first post is an introductory post. Before I lay out where I'm going with this series, I want to give a little background on why I'm attempting what I am. <br /><br />In my M.Div. program I was introduced to missional theology, and have been interested in exploring its terrain since (I'm using missional as an organizing category, but will be including theology that doesn't necessarily refer to itself as such). Through the process of discerning my call, I ended up in youth ministry, and wrote an admittedly entree-like thesis on youth ministry in the missional church. I want to revisit some ideas from my thesis, but taking a different approach, somewhat. Rather than simply theoretically imagine how youth ministry might be reconceived for the missional church, I'm going to try and develop a practical missional theology for youth ministry in conversation with my current practices of youth ministry. Hopefully this will be rewarding for me, as well as for others. I will take a look at the various elements to our youth ministry, and critically interact with each by bringing missional theological analysis to bear on them. My hope throughout this series is that it will spark some discussion about how we might faithfully be the church, especially in youth ministry, and, a bit more personally, it will hopefully provide me a needed outlet for theological discussion.<br /><br />By way of introduction, I will point out that I will avoid using the category "Missional Youth Ministry." One of the problems now inherent in the word missional is that it has come to mean almost too many things to too many different people. However, I think that if you really take a strong look at the theologians influencing those who kind of started this whole "missional" discussion, it is a way of organizing a theology, a way of talking about the church. In other words, I'm not sure its appropriate to talk about missional youth ministry, missional small groups, etc. That is why I'm titling the series "A Missional Theology for Youth Ministry." This part of my argument I hope will become more clear as I go.<br /><br />So, if there's anyone out there, I hope this can be a fruitful dialogue for all of us. Later this week, look for a provisional outline for the series.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-71312083556934351122007-10-02T18:55:00.001-07:002007-10-02T19:03:33.540-07:00The Simplicity of JesusAnyone who knows me well knows that I am convinced that thoughtful, intentionally theological planning is part of the process of youth ministry. Learning how to most effectively do this as a youth pastor is a skill I'm still trying to hone. Then there are those nights where the simplicity of the gospel, the purity of Jesus of as God's great and gracious yes to all of us, is all that is needed. Last night was one of those nights.<br /><br />We've been in the middle of a series on community, and last night I just wanted to help students understand that at the center of our community is a God who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, and this God is passionate about them. We looked at Romans 8, and I simply told them about the God who says that nothing can separate them from his love. I then opened up the opportunity for students to pray with leaders. The response overwhelmed me. <br /><br />Often we get so caught up in what we are doing, that we forget to clear our schedules and programming and just look for what God is doing. Last night, maybe even inadvertantly, we got a glimpse. I was able to hear about friendships being restored after a loss of trust. Students expressed doubt about God, but in the Psalms kind of way, where their doubt was genuine seeking. The light of the cross broke open their hearts and minds, and ours too. I am continually amazed that God invites us in on what he is doing, and last night was a tangible reminder of this.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-66421275777768570202007-10-01T20:38:00.000-07:002007-10-01T20:44:29.731-07:00My new toy<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_i8mFHNskuhQ/RwG-kY1lBsI/AAAAAAAAADE/qXog0_JRBrk/s1600-h/Photo+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_i8mFHNskuhQ/RwG-kY1lBsI/AAAAAAAAADE/qXog0_JRBrk/s320/Photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116580184021337794" /></a><br />About a week ago my laptop was stolen. Very depressing. Considering Amy and I didn't really have the money to replace it, we were concerned. I enjoy the freedom of being able to work anywhere, be it a coffee shop or sometimes from home. Beyond that, we need a computer at home, and this was our only one.<br /><br />Some parents of students in our youth group found out about our misfortune. They banded together and raised enough money for us to purchase a new laptop, so I am now the proud owner of a new Macbook. I just got it today, and it is brilliant. I'm so amazed at the way this thing is so easy to use and figure out. I'm still learning all the new features, but very excited about the potential things I'll be able to use this toy for, not the least of which is innovative ways to communicate with students through video and such. Mac just makes it so easy. <br /><br />So, thanks to the amazing parents who pulled this off for us. We were both overwhelmed. Now, I need to go figure out how to use more of this thing.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-4500237136229413372007-08-26T07:09:00.000-07:002007-08-26T07:13:37.525-07:00Whither the Series?I've taken some crap about not actually starting the series I had said I would attempt (then again, I only said it was an attempt, and so maybe it just wasn't a good one). The real issue is that I haven't been reading that book enough to post on it. I've been spending time with other material as I gear up for fall. That is my excuse as to the series.<br /><br />I have not abandoned the series, nor the book. I do hope to return to it in due course, but cannot make any promises now. I realize there are only about three, maybe four people who care, and at that very little. But, to those few, I thought I owed at least an explanation. Do not give up on Leaf-blog.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-34490784873453790052007-07-18T06:14:00.000-07:002007-07-18T06:22:29.040-07:00Attempting a SeriesWe finally are situated in our new home, which consequently means I finally have my office set up and a place to (sort of) call my own. This being the case, I am going to attempt to undertake a series on a book that I am reservedly excited about. It's called <em>Jesus Centered Youth Ministry</em>. I am excited because this is the approach to youth ministry that I (hopefully) employ. Everything I do and say needs to point others to Jesus Christ. I am reservedly excited because I'm not sure how theological the book will end up being, and what the underlying Christology is that forms the framework for the argument. I've barely started the book, but it might be the case that to be Jesus-centered might simply mean somehow relating everything we do some teaching of Jesus, which in itself is not entirely bad. However, to be completely Jesus-centered, we need to locate those teachings in who Jesus was, and therefore relate all of what we say and do in youth ministry not only to the teachings of Jesus, but also to his person and work. Therefore, I am going to blog my way through this book, offering some critical feedback as I go. The purpose of this series is twofold: 1) I hope to develop a discipline of getting up early in the morning, doing some reading, and thinking theologically about what I'm reading. When the grind of ministry starts, its very easy to lose touch with things that most energize you about being a pastor, and this, frankly, is one that energizes me. This leads to the second purpose. 2) I hope this series will help clarify some of the vision that I have for what I will be doing this fall and beyond. My challenge will be to move from theological articulation to practical implementation, and I am hoping this series will be an integral part of that process. If anyone reads these anymore, feel free to offer feedback and advice.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-16583605770901141212007-07-06T06:49:00.000-07:002007-07-06T07:10:02.582-07:00A ReminderHaving returned from Mexico a few short days ago, dragging my sleep-deprived body along this week has been an arduous task. I spent the week, along with 24 incredibly gifted students, leveling dirt, moving rock, and stacking cinder-block in order to help in whatever way we could a camp and church in Reynosa, Mexico. In the evenings we put together VBS for children in these churches, and I played more soccer than I have in my entire life. By the way, after playing with these 6-10 year olds, I have no idea how our US soccer team managed to beat Mexico. They far outclass us in skill, a lesson I learned when an 8 year old named Ramon put a move on me and I lost my balance and fell. I'm no soccer player, but I'm a decent enough athlete to have been completely embarrassed. The memories of these events and people will last long in all our minds, I'm sure. As we have eased back into life here, I'm reminded of what Christ means when he calls, "Follow me."<br /><br />I had the opportunity to see students come alive in service, embracing other people in love, and bearing witness to Christ as their lives pointed away from themselves to the One who had called to them, "Follow me." I saw them called again through the same service some of the Mexican people extended to us. I witnessed one young man, perhaps for the first time, truly understand how much God loves him, and through such an awakening, his shell began to crack and the joyous and beautiful kid who was trapped inside began to emerge. And all of these were reminders.<br /><br />As I return home, trying to figure out how to capture the love and unity we experienced as a group and build it into our entire youth group, I'm reminded that I cannot. Mexico didn't do this to these students. It was merely the setting, the stage if you will. On this stage, in the midst of serving, God was faithfully who God always is -- the One who calls in love to his people, claiming them for his service in the power of His Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ. How's that for a reminder?Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-47011194830564389972007-06-21T09:59:00.000-07:002007-06-21T10:02:19.590-07:00Pandora's BoxA few days ago, I was clued into a music-site (www.pandora.com) that allows you to enter the name of an artist or band that you like, then it will arrange a randomized play-list of groups/artists that are similar in style and sound to that artist. It is a fantastic web-site, and their name is especially apropos. I have found that once I opened this Pandora's box I have been unable to close it, only I completely enjoy what streams out. If you haven't already, check it out.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-64872777336493015292007-06-18T10:47:00.000-07:002007-06-18T10:56:56.021-07:00SettlingI've often been told not to settle, demand more of yourself, and never lower your expectations. As the Leafblads arrived in Mankato, I began my new job, and life begins to normalize again, I think all that advice is bunk. I need to settle. If I don't, life will settle for me, and I'll quickly find myself stretched and pulled beyond all expectations, burning myself out faster than the shortest of matches. I've decided I'm settling.<br /><br />The nature of being a youth pastor is that there is always something more to do, another place to be, or another student with whom I should have lunch. The pace begins to quicken and suddenly I'm engulfed in three or four straight 14 hour days, and I begin to forget the sound of my son's cooing, the beauty of my wife's welcome-home smile, or the sanity of just stopping to watch "Deadliest Catch." When do I find time to read? To pray? To study? Am I a program director or a pastor?<br /><br />Let me be clearer. The church is not forcing me into this pattern. I'm doing it. As this week begins, I'm writing out a schedule and settling in, demanding less of myself, and lowering the standard. Nothing less than that -- rather nothing more -- is required.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-85980350582076466312007-05-23T10:39:00.000-07:002007-05-23T10:45:48.968-07:00DecisionsMany life decisions are hard. What career will I choose? Whom should I marry? When should I marry? Is it the right time to have kids? Paper or plastic? All of these, among others, are difficult decisions, some of which left me near paralysis in terms of making them. Today I am faced with another question which leaves me feeling perplexed, frozen, and altogether unable to choose: which books do I take to my church office? You see, I have limited shelf-space. So, do I bring Barth's Dogmatics? The obvious answer is yes, but what if I need him at home for something. Then what? Of course, I should bring my commentaries, but those who know me well also know that I work best late at night, so I may actually need them at 2:00 am, and how will it look to the cops if I am heading into the church building at that time? A no-brainer would be my youth ministry texts. But again, as I start writing articles for various youth ministry publications, as I hope to do, might those too be more well-served at home? I've narrowed it down to these two for sure: my Bible (of course) and my greek NT. Otherwise I've packed two boxes full of the aforementioned books for a trial run. I've never felt so uncertain about a choice in my life. Pray for me.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28964661.post-26175107706366683002007-05-22T07:05:00.000-07:002007-05-22T07:12:47.918-07:00What Comes NextMany of you already know, and the discerning reader caught the allusions in the last post, I'm sure, but I thought I'd make it more official: I have accepted the call to be the next high school youth pastor at the Evangelical Covenant Church of North Mankato in Minnesota. I will start June 6, officially, and am incredibly elated to be joining such a great church. The vote went well, or so I was told, and the church has been amazing in their outpouring of support for Amy and Soren and me. I look forward to figuring out how to keep my academic and intellectual side stimulated as a youth pastor. I'm sure it will take some intentional effort, like reading instead of watching the same Seinfeld episode for the 35th time, but I think I can do it. Along those lines, I have a request for the few people that read this blog.<br /><br />I'm of course going to continue to read theology. No matter what I end up doing, that will always be a part of what I do. But, I'm also interested in reading a little more sociology, especially as it pertains to youth and youth culture (if there is such a thing). I have a few books in my cue, but I'd love some suggestions from those out there that might have some ideas. So if you know of anything, send the title my way.Erikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16166738993661018152noreply@blogger.com8