<Theofragen>

I attended the ordination service for my dear friend, Andy, a couple of weeks ago and I have been thinking about my experiences there ever since. As one involved in postmodern modes of ministry and committed to the historic Baptist principle of the priesthood of the believer, I am curious about the whole ordination process. My friend was ordained to "the ministry of word and sacrament." That means that he is now able to officiate the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. In my friend's denomination, he MUST be ordained in order to be the pastor he is called to be. However, in my denomination I can already offer the Lord's Supper and Baptism due to our less-stringent polity regulations. So, should I seek ordination? Is ordination the equivalent of passing the bar exam for lawyers or gaining LPC credentials for counselors? Is it just another way to let other people know that we are official? Is it a furtive checks-and-balances program for denominational bureaucracy?

Furthermore, in ministering to folks who pooh on institutionalism and decorum in general, does ordination serve any purpose other than making it harder for would be ministers to fulfill their calling? For the record, I deeply respect all of the work that Andy went through to receive his ordination. It is a tribute to his fortitude and resolve to Gospel ministry. I am asking these questions more for myself--as one who is called to a non-traditional ministry to the un-churched and over-churched. Any thoughts?

posted by Jake at 7/29/2005 10:06:00 AM

Old School/New School Community

Today I attended two very different worship services and it spurned me to ask a few questions about the way one is welcomed into an existing community. This morning Abby and I worshiped at Wieuca Road Baptist Church. Wieuca is a moderate Baptist church aligned with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The sanctuary was enormous and brought back memories of the Rococo-style rooms we saw at the Prince-Bishop's palace in Wurzburg last summer. (Any comments Millinerd?) When we entered this colossal 1000+ member sanctuary, I was skeptical about any prospects of fostering authentic community. We ended up being pleasantly surprised. I was blown away by the number of different people who went out of their way to introduce themselves to Abby and me. Many, having heard a bit of our own story, took it upon themselves to find someone else in the church with whom they thought we would connect. After the service, we were bombarded with folks eagerly waiting in line to escort us to a Southern Potluck (Ahhh...the South). Amidst the partaking of the traditional southern Sunday sacraments of fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad and sweat tea, we were ensconced with a community teaming with love for one another and God. I felt more a part of their fellowship than many churches I have attended 1/50th of Wieuca's size. To say the least, I was dazzled with their display of community.

This evening Abby and I attended my new-found friend Troy's community in Capital View, which is one of the few areas of town resisting the turgid throes of gentrification. Troy's community is one of the few communities in Atlanta that I would identify as "Emergent." (BTW: Troy wrote this, which is worth reading if you have time). They live in community (literally, with three families living together in the house where we joined for worship) and are attempting to be an incarnational presence in an impoverished corner of Atlanta. When we entered Troy's house, we were immediately greeted by the small, intimate gathering. Here the sacraments were aged cheese, red current, and beer. The service was anything but "traditional," with an eclectic ensemble of guitars, a jimbe and two 1-year-olds beating a set of congos with wooden spoons. But surprisingly, the community we were able to experience rivaled our earlier experience at Wieuca.

So how does our worship style, size, composition, worship setting, atmosphere, music and church-philosophy impact our sense of connectedness or belonging? How can ministers foster an environment that is conducive to building significant relationships? I welcome ya'lls opinions. Peace.

posted by Jake at 7/10/2005 08:03:00 PM

And So it Begins

Today I received an official endorsement from CBF Global Missions as a church-planter in Atlanta, GA. I submitted a 15 page proposal to CBF a few weeks ago. Here is what I wrote on the first page:

"I have a vision of a church. That church is called “trinitas.” It is a missional, organic, holistic, eclectic Christian community that seeks to love God, bless the world and make disciples. To that end, we will be committed to presenting the gospel to the whole community, including the poor and oppressed, following Jesus’ mode of kingdom proclamation. We will create and sustain a thriving refuge for the unchurched and over-churched people in Atlanta to experience God in profound and creative ways.

I want to establish a space where the uncertain and confused can comfortably ask honest questions. I want to provide a setting where people can freely worship God with their artistic and expressive gifts. I want to provide an opportunity for individuals to live missionally in community; ensuring that social and ethical justice is valued. To this end, I am seeking the support of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship."

Over the next months and years I look forward to sharing trinitas' story with you all. I am also excited about the friendship that has developed thanks to the generosity of The Well as well as the support of her pastors: Brad, Todd and Phil. I covet your prayers. Peace.

Ordination Fragen

Old School/New School Community

And So it Begins