VBS = Very Boring Summer

How many have ever attended a Vacation Bible School? I did, once. That was all I needed.

Not really, but for some reason my parents did not send me back. I may have had something to do with the nature of the teaching and the emphasis on conversion.

As a pastor I have had the opportunity to lead a couple of VBS - a couple were a little heavy on the blood of Jesus stuff, but I wasn't in charge.

VBS used to be a major form of neighborhood evangelization, but not so much any more. It used to be a well attended program, but not at all any more.

So as I think about VBS (we will be doing an episode on that in a couple of weeks) I wonder if it is still alive and if so, should we allow it to die. Is there any current relevancy to VBS?

-Jonathan

Take This Brother May It Serve You Well

It only seems fitting that on Maundy Thursday I refer our many, many readers to our podcast on ritual (the most recent podcast). It will obfuscate and bog down everything you thought you understood about ritual and church life. Happy Maundy Thursday?

We're a Social Butterfly

Written by Jonathan

Starting to consider and work on our next podcast - Social Medial. Obviously I am not against the use of social media (see: podcast, blog, facebook page, twitter feeds, etc.). I don't know if I ever stopped, stepped back, and took a look at what was happening.

One of the big reasons I am engaged in social media is to kill time. What better way to spend the afternoon then to browse facebook and read everyone else's status update? And it is ministry!

I tell myself that it is for the sake of ministry and spreading the gospel; I am sure there is some truth in that. Personally, I have been using various types and forms of social media for different types of discourse. My own blog is snarky and academic. My church facebook page is light and pastoral. Different discourse. Just like we are different with different people.

I have a little more to consider, but it is still nascent and I don't want to spill everything before we even record the podcast. I am looking at Foucault and his approach to institutions, power, education, and truth. Consider, if a church does not have a presence on facebook then does it exist on facebook?

Super, Super, Super Heroes!

Have you ever wondered if the Thing (from Fantastic 4) is Jewish? Curious about Batman's religious upbringing?

In our last episode (on the Garden of Eden) we promised to post a link to a Super website. This website has gone through just about every superhero you can name and have found evidence to suggest a religious background.

I wont get into the conundrum of having a God and super powered beings. What does this do to Jesus? For now, just check out the website and enjoy!

Religious Affiliation of Comic Book Characters

You thought we were dead

Finally, a new episode - many, many complications. We look at the story of the Garden of Eden - the sound quality goes through a number of interesting stages

As always, enjoy it thought the following link, or via iTunes under 12enough... you know this!

Why does it hurt so much?

This post corresponds with Season 2, Episode 1

We went over a number of different things in our last episode dealing with the issue of suffering. I (Jonathan) mentioned Process Theology and Predestination. Look them up, they are fun. Charley mentioned a number of very good books (see below). Overall, please give this some thought. Our theology is so important when we suffer and it is so often so weak and ill fitting to the suffering we face.
Check out:
When Bad Things Happen to Good People - Harold Kushner
A Grief Observed - C.S. Lewis
Our Greatest Gift - Henri Nouwen
God and Human Suffering - Douglas John Hall

We didn't mention "Open Theology" which may have some bits to add to the conversation.

From Watcha' Reading:


The Girard Reader, edited by James G. Williams

The Reader's Digest Bible: Illustrated Edition


Sorry no pictures this time - under the gun with other things!

Stop That Yelling!

This blog post corresponds with Season 1, Episode 12 - Parenting

Sometimes I wonder if everyone has the right to be a parent. Perhaps it isn't a matter of right but more of calling. Parenting is a ministry; you are supposed to raise these little people in a way so they will know God and be able to make responsible decisions about their faith on their own when the time comes. We make a big deal about people hearing their calling to ministry and mission work. Sometimes we talk about individual's callings to different vocations. How often do we talk about someone being called to parenting?

I think it is something we should consider. I am not suggesting that we should tell people who can and who cannot be a parent. What I am suggesting is that we take seriously the decision to become a parent (if a decision is involved) and ask ourselves where God might be in this ministry. That would be a great first step.

Here are some of the books mentioned in the podcast:

The Encouraging Parent: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids and Start Teaching Them Confidence, Self-Discipline, and Joy 

by Rodney W. Kennedy

Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

From Watcha' Reading

The Great Influenza by John M. Barry

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer