Twitter Updates

The recent hoopla over Reid’s remarks about Obama: “light-skinned… with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one” are being met with an interesting response from Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, who is himself, African-American. The question is if there is a double-standard; why are Dems let off the hook relatively easily, when Republicans aren’t? I think the answer lies in track record, and in the case of Harry Reid I think his precedes him; Reid is no racist. And to me this drama stinks of political maneuvering; but still the question begs us: where do we draw the line over “political correctness”? Why are some crucified over racist remarks and others let-off relatively easy? Is political correctness the issue here?

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I’ve been having a stimulating convo about the Trinity w/ a colleague from school and it’s only been getting deeper and better. Clement Wen is doing his Masters thesis on the theme / doctrine of deification which is not far from some thoughts I’ve been formulating on a theology of ascension. So we’re contemplating taking it to the next level and videoconferencing some thoughts especially pertaining to social implications of the Trinity. The latest development at this point in the convo is: implications of the Trinity for women. While a technical discussion ensues, our tokbox convo will likely be more down-to-earth. We’re still scheduling a time.

Here’s the most recent convo: Read more…

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At the risk of sounding narcissistic, I’m posting my philosophy of ministry, kind of a watered-down self-evaluation I’ve been (begrudgingly) required to write over the break for class. So it doesn’t totally go to waste, I’ll also use it as a blog post. Incidentally I think it has helped to congeal some of my nascent thoughts on how I will “minister” when I’m done with school. Here it is (in snippets): Read more…

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Accompanied by one question I’d ask each. Apologies; yes I know this is yet another top-ten for the new decade ahead, but for me it helps as trajectory-setting. Also; networking / relationship is a life-long work-in-progress and so likewise I feel no compulsion to finish this post, nor the pressing questions I would ask. All I know is that I have been influenced, and hope to continue to be, by these folks. Alphabetized, by last name: Read more…

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I’ve received a few tweets about how lonely I seemed w/ my theology books over New Years; truth be told, I’m on a deadline. I’ve three classes to teach on a Biblical Mandate for mission in the coming months and with my last semester bearing in, I’ll have to finish it now, when i have the time. And sad and nerd-ish as it seems, I’m glad I’ve been thinking thru the Perspectives Course again and it has been re-stoking the fire for global mission in my heart that has gone a bit dormant in seminary. As an alum of 7-years working full-time w/ YWAM, the Perspectives Course launched my missionary work into exponential levels. I’m not kidding; everything changed, as if things came into focus with a pair of 20/20 spectacles. So if you’re fresh off the Urbana high (I know it and love it) you need to take the course in January to launch you into strategic directions and focus. I’ll be talking @ the Lynden course as well as the Korean language course @ Onnuri Church in LA.

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Two resolutions on my mind as the last hours of 2009 tick away. One is opening myself up to receive more pastoring – which means less reticence / privacy on my part and more openness. The second is to blog more often, if only as a means to reflect / regurgitate all this learning. Like still water putrifies, it’s necessary to stir up these abstract theological ideas into reality.

At any rate, here is the step-by-step plan for the year ahead, God-willing. I think it’s no secret anymore that we’re planning to Read more…

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I annually re-post this as reminder to fix my eyes on the prize:

Ten Things To Do Before I Die:

1. End genocide.
2. Stabilize the Middle East.
3. Master a foreign language.
4. Eradicate one disease, pathogen or virus.
5. Alleviate unnecessary human suffering.
6. Write one well-written and scholarly book.
7. Promote racial unity, diversity and reconciliation
8. Experiment with micro-loans
9. Provide clean water for those who don’t have it.
10. Finish school dang it.

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I’m just curious.

I have ideas and definite opinions on this attached to definite figures, but I’d like to hear from you whether versed or not in the whole business of starting new churches. How much money should be required to start a new church?

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I’ve been observing friends and colleagues who are planting churches around the country lately, from the suburbs to the city to what i’ll call the ‘hood. I don’t think “the hood” needs much definition; it’s usually neglected by the city, developers (unless gentrification is happening) and it’s often peopled by persons of color (although not always). Crime can be often an issue, and life there aint always easy, and poverty is common. At any rate, the question is, what are the implications of planting a church there? Read more…

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Had an interesting discussion with one of the profs here @ Regent recently, a mainline evangelical seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). The gist of it was: as a professional academic (or professional student for that matter) in at times hostile environments (I think of the demythologizing atmosphere of most liberal theological schools), how does one keep one’s evangelical heritage and faith intact? Now it’s not the losing of faith that I’m concerned with, but more so the maintaining of theological commitments and convictions. His answer was simple; remember. Remember your context, community, and charter, all the whiles being fully aware of your environment; (actually he didn’t put it like that I’m just synthesizing – he just said something to the effect of “remember”) but I think that’s a good reason why many of the strongest orthodox theologians stayed in the safe via media of orthodox thought; their contextual faith communities. And in my theory, most of these are largely pietistic in origin.

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