Emerging Atheist

The number one search phrase that has brought folks to this website is, "I believe, help my unbelief." It links to a post from May 2006.

One thing that has always been attractive to me about the emergent conversation is the willingness to openly question ideas and thoughts about how we view God and worship.

Here authenticity is sacred.

In that spirit of authenticity, I find myself questioning many of the truths I’ve inherited and those I’ve adopted as well.

I’m not sure if this is the place to work through those, so I invite any who are interested to journey, question and struggle with me through the questions of life and faith over at
Church Going Atheist.

Have I become an atheist? Yes and no. Do I still go to church? Yes. Have I lost my faith? No, but it is different. It is a long story and I’m just starting the “first chapter.”

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)

You Doth Protest

You know, no matter how you feel about the war in Iraq, surely we can all agree the government should get out of this man's ovaries!!

(Picture from the U.S. Out of Iraq Now, anti-war march in San Francisco over the weekend.)

Has anyone ever protested anything? (I mean actually marched.)

Free China

Apparently, emergentHouston is not welcomed in China.

We failed the censor test. It is possible it is simply for technical reasons, but given what is discussed here, I doubt it.

Globalization and Christian Symposiam

(Via Nate)

While American Christianity busies itself with its own culture wars, Christianity is growing by leaps and bounds in Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. Turning the tables on Western colonialism, this religion has begun to send missionaries and priests to Europe and the United States. If its growth continues, this "globalized Christianity" will be the dominant force in institutional Christianity within a decade. Is the American church ready for this challenge? Are we?

It is predicted that in the next 5 years we will see more missionaries being sent into the United States then sent from the US. How do we make space for these new voices? Do theologians in Africa have as much to say to us as we do to them? What effect will the rise in communication that the Internet is driving have on the localisation of theologies, of church praxises? What effect does the deterritorialization of religion have on our ability to follow the way of Jesus?

Bering Academy will be hosting postmodern philosopher of religion and cultural critic Carl Raschke for a weekend symposium on globalized Christianity and American culture next weekend, March 16 th and 17th. On March 16th, Dr. Raschke will give a lecture and presentation on the subject from 7PM to 9PM. On Saturday morning from 9AM to noon, Dr. Raschke will host a workshop on the same subject during which we'll be able to cover the subject in depth. Both of these sessions will be held at Bering Memorial United Methodist Church ( 1440 Harold St, Houston, TX 77006 ).

On Saturday afternoon, a reception for Dr. Raschke will be held at the home of Gregg Farris. There is no charge for any of these events. For those who can afford it, a $25 donation requested to help cover the travel costs of Dr. Raschke.

Disfellowship

Having practically grown up in a church building, I've heard plenty of 'war stories'. Everything from church splits to scandals to you name it. The one that always fascinates me the most is disfellowship. This is the point where a church says to a member, you can no longer come here and worship God with us. I would say it is the most serious action a congregation can take.

I've never known anyone personally this has happened to until recently.

I was wondering from those who are in conversation here, what are your thoughts on disfellowship/excommunication?

Stations of the Cross Exhibit

From our good friends at Xnihilo:

The Artist reception for The Stations of the Cross installation will be this Saturday (3.3.7) 7-10pm. Direction and show info here.

To Commemorate Lent, Xnihilo Gallery Will Exhibit Art Based on Christ’s Journey to the Cross. The Stations of the Cross exhibit is a series of 15 devotional works of art, each representing one step in Christ’s journey to the cross. This mixed media show opened on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 and feature sculptures, paintings, photography, poetry, and videography by local artists. While the traditional Christian meditation based on Christ’s journey includes only 14 stations, concluding with Jesus being laid in the tomb, this exhibit will feature an additional resurrection piece to be unveiled on Easter morning, Sunday, April 8, 2007.

Andrea Rosselle, 2005 exhibit coordinator, says, “This exhibit is an extremely contemplative and personal experience. We really want to make the gallery a place people can come to meditate and enter into the story in a way they never have before. Even those who are familiar with the Christian faith will be surprised by the depth of their response to this unique depiction of a familiar story.”

Traveling Anne

Anne Lamott is coming to town in April. (More here.)

If you are not familiar with her, pick up Traveling Mercies.

Tickets are $20 (and up) and they benefit a great ministry, Lord of the Streets.