I have been reading a book called The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch and there is a section on consumerism that has got me thinking. Just after I read this section, I saw a t-shirt in Montreal that said "Consumerism is the new religion". It was $35 so I didn't buy it and I didn't have my camera so I didn't take a picture... but it was a cool shirt. So here is a quote to get you thinking. There is a House of Roc talk about this coming soon to a House of Roc near you. Here's a start:
"I have come to the conclusion that for we who live in the Western world, the major challenge to the viability of Christianity is not Buddhism, with all its philosophical appeal to the Western mind, nor is it Islam, with all the challenge that it poses to Western culture. It is not the New Age that poses such a threat; in fact, because there is a genuine search going on in new religious movements, it can actually be an asset to we who are willing to share the faith amidst the search. All these are challenges to us, no doubt, but I have come to believe that the major threat to the viability of our faith is that of consumerism. This is a far more heinous and insidious challenge to the gospel, because in so many ways it infects each and every one of us."
I have been challenged over the last few years to look at the ways that I have consumed religion, ways that I have looked for it to serve me and meet my needs, catering to my own likes and dislikes, but the real conviction comes in the every deepening realization of how pervasive this mentality is not only in our culture, but in our churches. It is maybe the greatest source of discouragement for me. I don't know how we even begin to challenge change in this area, but I know it has to start with me.
C Ya Cake
Farewell
Seder '08
Hand washing
Seder '08
Preperation
Seder '08
St. Aidan work day
St. Aidan work day
St. Aidan work day
Advent Eucharist
Repentance station
Advent painting
Seder preparation
Advent wall
Advent painting
Power of God
Power of this world
Power of Weakness
Chillin' at the YMCA!
Dale and Leanne
4 comments:
I wish House of ROC was near me! I believe this is a major threat as well. At least for the church in NA. The others are threats and major ones but if we can't get over this one then the others don't even matter.
Okay, so I'm sitting here looking at this entry, thinking about ROC and am wondering how the other ROC'ers describe us to the rest of the world. What makes us different.....in terms of consumerism we do not own a building (there are others that don't own a building either), and we give a good percentage of the offering away to others in need (as do other churches)....but I find myself defining ROC to people who ask me (for some reason I got a lot of people asking me this past week) in terms of what we don't have or don't do (Sunday School, Bible studies, small groups, prayer groups etc.). This can be good sometimes but what do you guys tell people who ask you? I have felt lately that I am defining ROC in the negative and that isn't always going to cut it. I need ideas. I can say we have great music, fabulous teaching and some creative services that differ from week to week, but so do a lot of other churches. The Dialogues in the Pub seem to be unique to people in this area so that has been a good positive, but describing ROC in terms of what we don't have or do isn't very creative on my part. Anyone have some ideas to help me with the explanations? Thanks guys!!
Auugghh. I just typed a really fabulous comment and then lost it. I'm sure this one won't be as good, but here goes:
I have certainly struggled with this as well sue. I have defined Roc for all the things it isn't and doesn't but only lately have I begun to deeper understand some of the simple and understated things it is and does.
Mostly what I come back to though is community. I know we have a lot to learn about this, but I do think this value fuels a lot of what we do. It takes time, energy and commitment to build the trust needed for community, but when that happens there is a depth and and growth that emerges that I don't think can happen in a programmatic environment.
I have a hard time articulating House of Roc to people, especially Christian people, especially if I am trying to convince them that it is interesting or impressive, because..... well, we're not. My prayer is that the people who God desires us to connect with will encounter House of Roc through community, building relationship, and desiring to grow in faith because somehow through knowing us, they have encountered God. This approach just makes so much more sense to me.
A "church service" on a Saturday night with some "cool" distinctives just isn't going to cut it in the long run I think. It takes a group of God lovers, living together in love, embracing those around them in love, to reflect God's love to those who just don't believe they are lovable. I am such a hippie, and I feel naive for saying it, but I believe this is foundational to who we are, and I have faith it can happen.
Cool Jackie! I think maybe one of the things I see you doing at ROC is modelling your beliefs. You say you want to evangelize by friendships and relationships and you are doing that and having new people come hang around ROC as a result. When the BBQ happened last week you called our special friends from the group home to let them know, you contacted people I wouldn't have had any clue how to reach and out they came. Cool! I need to do more modelling with people who would fit into ROC's ways.
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