Thanks to Jonny Kendall for pointing out this sermon by Donald Miller who wrote Blue Like Jazz.
posted by Stephen at 8:52 PM | |

 
Today's (Upper-Middle Class, White) Christian Woman
Somehow, my wife and I got a subscription to "Today's Christian Woman," which apparently is a subsidiary of "Christianity, Today." It contains all kinds of wonderful tidbits in it, such as how to find a hobby as a young mom, and interviews with celebrities like Kathy Lee Gifford, telling us how Jesus helped her not to punch Frank right in the face. Most of the articles seem geared toward upper-middle class women in the conservative christian culture.

Our new issue arrived today with an article on how to find a church home. Should be interesting, right?

Five questions to ask:

1) Does the Church preach the right message?

Don't go to a place that "waters down" the gospel just to put butts in pews. You can do this by making sure the pastor QUOTES, not paraphrases, scripture, and taking careful notes so that you can check up on the sneak at home.

2) Make sure it's a caring community.

Right on! Now we're getting somewhere. You can make sure they do this by 1) checking if the people who sit around you introduce themselves, 2) seeing if a pastor or a visitation team offers to visit you, 3) people your age or stage of life (however you choose to categorize yourself) invite you to participate in events, and 4) the church offers programs to meet "special needs," like divorce programs or 12-step programs. So why am I not so excited anymore?

3) Does the church provide meaningful worship?

You can tell this if 1) the "worship" doesn't feel forced, 2) when your mind AND HEART are engaged during a service, 3) when you feel welcome to participate in a way that MAKES YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE (this is verbatim, folks!), and 4) when the tone focuses on who God is rather than on human talents and personalities.

4) Is the church location convenient?

Ways to get this one right: 1) When your kids see some church kids at school, 2) When driving to an evening or mid-week event doesn't leave you exhausted, and 3) When a church small-group is located in your neighborhood.

Finally...

5) Can you "plug-in" to this church's serving opportunities? (Wasn't this covered in number 2?)

How do you know? 1) When you read the bulletin and see programs that fit your spiritual gifts and interests, 2) Once you've located one of said programs and you contact the appropriate minister, you are given a "concrete, welcoming invitation to participate, and 3) when a ministry leader ACTUALLY INITIATES contact with you to invite you to participate in a ministry. They used the word "actually," not me.

So there you have it, guys. Those of you who've been lolligaggin' around on Sunday morning, it's time to wake up and smell yourselves. Armed with the 5 questions, you have no excuse. Get out there and get busy!
posted by Stephen at 12:55 PM | |

 
"Unseemly Access"
More from DeZengotita's Mediated

DeZengotita describes a critical moment in his formulation of some of his ideas about how media shapes our lives. He says he was at a convention about applying new technology to education. The keynote speaker was showing videotape of a multi-million dollar deep sea submarine that could be controlled from a remote by 12-year-olds in a classroom. He said that, throughout the entire presentation, he had an uncomfortable feeling, but that feeling turned to full-blown indignation when another guy stood up to make a comment about how THEIR group was working on a project that would allow 12-year-olds to control the Hubble telescope for their collaborative science projects.

I was morally aroused. I was thinking, "NO! NO! -- stop, twelve-year-olds just shouldn't be able to do that.
It's just wrong.
What had hit me was how horrifyingly out of proportion it was. Enough already with this access! People shouldn't have such access, it's unseemly, this access to anything and everything, access from anywhere, access on demand, access so smooth and fluid, so effortless--and, so inevitably, bound to be taken for granted eventually.
It should be hard to access the extraordinary. Unless you want to make it ordinary?

Later he says:

Is there anything you haven't seen? Anywhere you haven't been?
The whole of history, the whole of nature, striking poses -- just for you.
Is this right? Are you entitled to this access? Who do you think you are?

So I'm back in my Sunday School classroom at the age of 7. We have puppets and felt-boards that tell us stories of Noah and the flood, and of Moses and the plagues of Egypt... much simpler and much more cheerful versions than in the ones in scripture. Why is Noah always smiling in these children's versions? It's like he's oblivious to the fact that the rest of humanity was wiped out.

Then I'm at the Christian youth conference I used to attend when I was in middle school. The music is up-beat. The speaker's tone and inflection perfectly capitalizes on the mood set by the confessional video of a seventeen-year-old former drug-user, which follows the video confessional of a sixteen-year-old whose best friend overdosed. The emotion flows freely. It seems like, at that moment, God is so easy to touch that an entire convention hall of 5,000 can do it all at the same time.

Do we have unseemly access to God? Is this what explains the look of dead apathy that I see so often in my students. Jimmy and I often comment to each other that words won't do it for them anymore, because they've heard it all. Have they seen it all, too? Have they experienced it all in this sanitized atmosphere that vaccinates them to the real deal? Did they get just enough of Jesus when they were young to keep him from infecting them in their future?
posted by Stephen at 10:01 AM | |

 
Monday Night...Zedler's House of Zen
Okay...so here's what we're doing. Instead of Doyle's House of God, prayer, and pancakes (which may still be in the works for Sunday mornings), we're having our Scripture conversation/fellowship thing at Zedler's on Monday night, June 27. Drop me a line if you want details. I'm not sure what time...say gather at 6:30? Finish up 8:30 or 9ish?
posted by Jimmy at 1:30 PM | |

 
.9 of X
As usual, great stuff over at Real Live Preacher.


posted by Stephen at 12:46 PM | |

 
I Grew Up 300 Miles From Lubbock
by Butch Hancock via Bob Carlton
posted by Jimmy at 4:47 AM | |

 
Democrats Hate Christians
and Jesus, and Christianity, and anything good, like steak and guns


Someone needs to tell Representative Hostettler that he's reinforcing too many stereotypes.

From the Washington Post:
GOP Congressman Calls Democrats Anti-Christian
"'Like a moth to a flame, Democrats can't help themselves when it comes to denigrating and demonizing Christians,' he said."
posted by Stephen at 12:41 PM | |

 
Bishop Spong Sunday Night in Tulsa:

I'm going with Jimmy. Anyone else interested?

6pm Sunday night.
Higher Dimensions Church
posted by riddle at 8:40 PM | |

 
This has nothing to do with Jesus or Christianity or anything, but I need a sounding board because I have to say that...

...I AM FREAKING SICK OF HEARING ABOUT TOM AND KATIE!!!

There. Much better.
posted by Stephen at 1:30 PM | |

 

Live Music at Joe Momma's Tonight
starting at 9:00 PM

Greg Hyde will be playing.

61st and Highway 169...next to All Star Sports.

Here are a couple of links to bands Greg is involved with: Zombie Zoo and SkyBlynde.
posted by Jimmy at 12:17 PM | |

 
The Gospel According to John?
The other day I ran into John, one of the many street people in downtown Tulsa, at lunch. After a short conversation I ended up buying his lunch at a Chinese Buffet. I ran into him again today, and we talked again. I asked him about his story...how he ended up on the street. He told me his story...how he lost his family after being incarcerated on drug charges and how he now lives here in Tulsa to keep from being near his ex-wife whom he might hurt.

I asked him if he still had a drug problem. He smiled and hesitated, then told me, "Yeah...I guess it's what fills me up." I wondered, "What's the Gospel, the good news to John?" I asked, "If there was someone who was willing to help you, to help you get private professional treatment, would you do it?" He didn't know how to answer. I told him, "You don't have to give me an answer today. We'll see each other around." He said he'd have to think about it. I invited him to lunch on Monday at the Coney Island downtown. We'll see what happens. I don't have solutions for him...certainly not the money to help him, but maybe the contacts. He may not want any solutions. Maybe the good news for both of us is just getting to know each other over lunch. We'll see. In his words as we discussed meeting at lunch, "God willing...God willing."
posted by Jimmy at 11:05 AM | |

 
Cookout..pt 2
Last week I had mentioned getting our grills together and having a cookout in downtown Tulsa next weekend. Several of you mentioned you'd like to be involved. After having a full week of work (and very little sleep) I realize it's coming up quick. Amy mentioned that maybe father's day weekend isn't the best time. I'm still game though if there are other people. It may be good to get some kind of a list as to who is actually going to be there and not. I'll just set a date for this coming Saturday, June 17th. Who's game and what can you bring? Here's items we need to think about:
1. Grills...I've got one, who has a truck to help me get it downtown? We'll probably need a few.
2. Food
--Meat items (hot dogs may be easiest...although we can buy a package of pre-made burger patties at Sam's.
--Condiments and garnish (ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes?)
--Side items (chips, beans, pototo salad...any ideas?)
--Desert?
3. Paper and plastic items (plates, spoons, forks, trashbags)
4. People

If this weekend isn't a good time, that's no sweat. We can just do it later. This isn't a guilt trip or pressure kind of thing...it's a celebration kind of thing.

Also, if any of you are the organizational types (if you enjoy that kind of thing), feel free to jump in. Drop me a comment with your email address and I'll send you my mobile number.
posted by Jimmy at 8:56 PM | |

 
This guy needs help. Read this story. It'll rip your heart out. Then, if you can, do something for the guy. He's going to have a pile of debt for doing the right thing by his wife and child.

Here is a list of addresses and URL's that might help:

The Susan M. Torres Fund
P.O. Box 34105
Washington, D.C. 20043-0105

Here is the website.

This is a Knights of Columbus website that is helping with the effort:
http://www.6292.kofcva.org/news.cgim?news_id=377
posted by Stephen at 9:08 AM | |

 
That's what evangelical stands for...
Great responsive reading in reference to a quote from Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, in "Inside America's Most Powerful Megachurch" in the May 2005 Harper's.

Excerpt:

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." -- Acts 2:44-45

"They're pro-free markets, they're pro-private property. ... That's what evangelical stands for."-- Pastor Ted Haggard

"Thou shalt not turn away from him that is in want, but thou shalt share all things with thy brother, and shalt not say that they are thine own." ---- The Didache

"They're pro-free markets, they're pro-private property. ... That's what evangelical stands for." -- Pastor Ted Haggard

posted by Jimmy at 8:10 PM | |

 
Chef Barna's State of the Church 2005
article by Bill Dahl at Next-Wave.

Excerpt:

In 2005, the Chef states, “Nothing is more numbing to the Church than the fact that it is mired in a rut of unfathomable depths. The various creative approaches attempted over the course of this decade have drawn much attention but produced little, if any, transformational impact.”

The bottom line is that the spirituality served up in the name of Christ in the U.S. is distinctly unproductive and unprofitable. Some churches have remained largely unchanged while others have changed the ambiance, the music, the lighting, added video screens, pastors, elders, and websites. Others have embraced bigger buildings with different architectural features. Some have turned to new delivery systems, serving up their products via seminars, books cd’s, dvd’s, live television and training by subscription satellite broadcasts. According to Barna, no matter what the Christian retail outlets have done to attract customers and change them by virtue of how or what they consume, there appears to be no measurable transformational effect on their behavior, after dining in these establishments over a period of time.

It’s expensive to run a business like this, particularly when what one is serving up has eternal consequences. If the “church” in the U.S. was a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ or NYSE, there would be a shareholder revolt, SEC and Congressional investigations the likes of which would dwarf the outrage we witnessed over Enron. We would be toast.

Diners don’t revolt over the appearance of the menu. They simply stop coming in because of existing management, the fare, the help, the other diners or the atmosphere. Word of mouth kills restaurants. They tell their contacts about their last supper. The friends, co-workers and acquaintances of diners avoid these places without ever having set foot there. Are you getting steamed yet?

posted by Jimmy at 4:43 PM | |

 
2 Straw Men

Anyone who reads the comments on this blog need to remember two things. They've been said before, but they need to guide your interpretation of almost everything that you read about on this blog and, thus, assume about us as people.

1) This blog does not represent the sum total of our belief systems. This represents the sometimes, but rarely, and somewhat, but hardly, organized thoughts of four people who spend most of their days raising and enjoying children, loving wives, eating, working to bring home money for families, reading books, etc. We don't go from our computers to some coffee house and start telling everyone how horrible churches are. This happens to be our sounding board, and they do not, and should not be taken as, the sum total of our spiritual lives or walks with Christ.

2) We live in Tulsa, Oklahoma... enough said. Many people who read this blog do not live in the buckle of the Bible belt, where the evangelical, conservative politi-church still exercises an almost puritan-like grip over society. Most places in America don't identify with the level of control that exists here, and so they misinterpret our criticism as being universal. It is not. We have some friends who live in a "blue state." They've actually had people get hostile toward them when they say they're Christians. About the only place they meet other Christians is at their local church. That's very different from how it is here in the midwest, where everyone is a Christian (but, in the words of Keith Wheeler, "In the place where everyone is a Christian, no one's a Christian"). The institution doesn't play the sustaining role here that it does in other places, so "taking the good with the bad" isn't necessarily the only option.

Just thought I'd tell ya.
posted by Stephen at 1:08 PM | |

 
Yin and Yang and the Manic Emergent Church

Mark, I get where you're coming from. Don't think I don't. But....

I notice this is a trend with the Emergent stuff. I see it even in that response from McLaren, et al. "Comment, critique, deconstruct, whatever... then feel guilty about it and try to regain the 'nice guy' ground by saying things like, 'They're both right!' or 'I'm just sick of criticizing.'" Then something happens to restart the cycle.

Part of the problem, here, is that we want to be the complete embodiment of Christ in ourselves. I suppose this is not an ignoble goal. We are to strive to be like Christ. At the same time, we are made the way we are made.

I find the eastern concept of "Yin and Yang" quite comforting sometimes ("Run for the hills! He's citing pagan philosophies!"). Not as an all-encompassing view of life, but in certain circumstances. I think it makes abundant sense that things have an uncanny way of balancing out.

Example: Jimmy and I tend to be pretty critical of things at the school at which we teach. A lot of people don't like that. They see it as divisive and insubordinate. However, I had one teacher comment to me: "We need people like you to make sure that we don't get to thinking that we're so great." There is enough positive thinking and flag waving in most institutions. Many of them need some critical voices.

This isn't to say that we should completely succumb to being negative and critical all the time. Obviously, there is a certain personal balance that needs to be attended to along with the cosmic balance. But, at the same time, I think it's dangerous to slip into a Christian relativism that says "Since I don't know all the answers, and these guys are Christians, and I sort of feel bad for being so harsh, then maybe I should not be critical." Okay, maybe if you think you should be less critical of the preferential stuff (worship music might be cheesy, but there's nothing "wrong" with it), but there are some things that I will never stop being critical of (like the compartmentalization of the sacred and the secular, or the continued mangling of the teaching on the tithe for self-interested reasons). Unless you're going to admit, with the ardent relativists, that nothing is really wrong (unless you're Hitler), then you have a duty to keep criticizing. It can't all be right. And there is a difference between having humility and saying that anything these institutions do is okay.
posted by Stephen at 12:30 PM | |

 
Pride and Prejudice:

I am guilty of often exchanging one bad idea for another. This exchange takes place when I have a positive or negative experience that leads me to change how I view the world, God, family, friends, and organizations.

I have underlying assumptions about a lot of things... or .... pretty much everything.
These assumptions are conclusions I've come to regarding things I think are true... but are likely not absolutely true. In other words, regardless of my experience, making absolutes from my past will leave me alienated from God and others. or I'll be absolutely sure i'm right, but be wrong most of the time.

These assumptions inform my behaviour, and my life. How I view my kids, my wife, my dog, my car, my friends, the church, Jesus, God etc...

It goes something like this. I take a piece of information and I look at it from every angle. Then I make the jump to conclusion. There is generally a gap between the facts of my life and the conclusions I come to. The more arrogant I am.. the bigger the gap.

Looking at my assumptions right now here are a few.

There is a dicotomy between the church and the church inc.
(I'm beginning to think this is not true)(but don't get hung up on this one.. keep reading)

I'm finding myself more a pharasee than a christ follower in my critique of the church and the assumptions I make about life.


Is my uninvolvement in a local church is somehow more pleasing to God than going to church.
Does my life reflect my answer?
What does my answer say to understanding the character of God?
How are my generalizations and specific perspectives of the church and church leadership practically helpful? (Do they need to be?)

Are our views and generalization more benefitial to us, or to the people we are writing to?

Assumptions are little more than prejudices built on pride. We all have them.
I wonder if the way of Jesus is giving up our own prejudices and taking a more humble stance on issues, even to the point of submitting to our lack of full understanding on issues regarding the church. I think that's the way of love as well. I'm not saying we submit to just any opinion or prejudice but I am saying that walking with Jesus may mean I deal with burning issues less and love people more. Maybe I'm saying less finger pointing. Maybe I'm somehow judging you by writing this! If so I'm sorry. I am just feeling more and more if I want to live a new expression of church then I must let go of the control the expressions of church I'm prejudice against have over me. I must bless them from a deep place in my soul and wish the best for them and even accept that they may be right more often than I am. THEN. move on my way.

Not to do so is carrying a heavy bag we are not made to carry. It is not freedom to be tied to prejudice in these ways.
I can't help but think the way of Jesus is in some way accepting each others prejudices and assumptions and dipping into the pool of grace.

Of course... these are my assumptions... i could be wrong.. but I am choosing to live in light of these as best as I can.



mark
posted by the fly at 6:35 AM | |

 
Daniel is Funny

Daniel Miller adds his thoughts to the Emergent Response to Criticism and they are very funny. I will add that I'm friends with all but a couple of the folks who wrote the response and I am deeply appreciative of their hard work in this kind of stuff. It's also a sign of a healthy person to be able to laugh at yourself.

Link

Here's and excerpt:

Emergent Doc:
We continue to be amazed by the enthusiastic interest in the work of emergent, a conversation and friendship of which we are a small part.

Daniel's Interpretation:
Get-in-paid! This job is better than white-collar! Somebody pinch us! We're practically rockstars!

Emergent
This conversation is bringing together a wide range of committed Christians and those exploring the Christian faith in wonderful ways, and many of us sense that God is at work among us.

Daniel Interpretation:
You can't argue with us when we say we "sense that God is at work among us." Go ahead, say "No it's not!" "Yes it is!" See?

E:It is our hope and prayer that even our disagreements can bring us together in respectful dialogue as Christians, resulting in growth for all concerned.

D:
If you can't stay cool, you can hardly call yourself a Christian, dude!

E:
First, we wish to say thanks to our critics for their honest feedback on our books, articles, speeches, blogs, events, and churches. We readily acknowledge that like all human endeavors, our work, even at its best, is still flawed and partial, and at its worst, deserves critique. We are grateful to those who help us see things we may not have seen without the benefit of their perspective. We welcome their input.

D:
You hurt our feelings but we're bigger than that.

E:Second, we have much to learn from every criticism -- whether it is fair or unfair, kindly or unkindly articulated.

D:Ya'll were jerks. You hurt our feelings.

E:
We pray for the humility to receive all critique with thoughtful consideration. Where we think we have been unfairly treated, we hope not to react defensively or to respond in kind, and where we have been helpfully corrected, we will move forward with gratitude to our critics for their instruction and correction.

D:
We want to tear you new kegholes, but we're bigger than that.

E:
We especially thank those who seek to help us through cordial, respectful, face-to-face, brotherly/sisterly dialogue.

D:
Nobody did this, you assholes.

E:
As we have always said, we hope to stimulate constructive conversation, which involves point and counterpoint, honest speaking and open-minded listening. As a sign of good faith in this regard, we have invited and included the voices of our critics in some of our books, and as far as we know, have always treated these conversation partners with respect. We have also attempted to make personal contact with our critics for Christian dialogue. Even though most of these invitations have not been accepted, we hope that the friendly gesture is appreciated.

D:
We're bigger than you are. And much, much more intelligent, thoughtful, kind people. And the fact that you won't talk to us or at least go tit-for-tat with us proves that we're right.

E:
Third, we regretfully acknowledge that in our thought, writing, and speech, we have at times been less charitable or wise than we wish we would have been.

D:
We've been assholes too, but we're past that now.
posted by the fly at 6:08 AM | |

 
While I'm Thinking About Food...
For those of you near the Tulsa area, everyone should go grab a pizza and a beer or two over at Joe Momma's (directions here). I was over there last night and it's a cool place. Pizza by the slice, big screen, outdoor stage for bands...Blake is all about making his dream a reality. Let's help him be successful.

Note: I feel like we (I) kind of didn't follow through on this type of thing very well with Third Place...I want to do better at supporting my friends. I feel like sometimes I get so focused on what the Kingdom of God should be for the "others" that I forget those closest to me. Sometimes the Kingdom is just helping those in the family experience the good news. You know, "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
posted by Jimmy at 6:02 PM | |

 
Cookout?
Any one up for a biblically frivolous cookout. Setup our grills downtown, cook burgers and dogs. Just hang out and feed people (and ourselves)?

Weekend after next sound good? Saturday?
posted by Jimmy at 5:47 PM | |

 
Feathered Swine are Snow Skiing in Hell
Believe it or not, I'm looking at doing something somewhat organized ecclesiologically (the anarchy thing is good, but we miss people). Amy and I were thinking about maybe having a Bible discussion night at our house and/or maybe a breakfast/brunch/communion/fellowship thing on Sundays. Doyle's House of God, Prayer, and Pancakes?

Anyway, it may just be Amy, me and the Zedlers...or at least Stephen...maybe. Anyone would be welcome. We're thinking about it anyway...
posted by Jimmy at 8:29 PM | |

 
Well...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8119504/
posted by Jimmy at 3:37 PM | |

 
Jimmy's WebCam
For you voyeurs.


posted by Jimmy at 9:44 AM | |

 
Interesting Morning
Well, I got to work this morning and the next three blocks from our building downtown were blocked off by the fire dept and the police. I jokingly said to Darsh, "Probably a jumper." Well, I was right. There's a guy hanging his legs over the top of a 11-12 story building. The police are trying to talk him down. He's been there for several hours.

The other odd thing is that we walked down to Arby's (the fanciest I've been in) which is right across the street from the "jumper" to eat breakfast. If he had jumped, all the diners would have seen it.

How casual and disconnected we are.

Update: The guy didn't jump. We continue our normal lives just like we did while he was up there.
posted by Jimmy at 8:04 AM | |

 
Movies I want to see:

St. Ralph
Milwaukee, Minnisota
Flightplan
posted by riddle at 2:32 PM | |

 
Response to Recent Criticisms
Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke, Brian McLaren, Dan Kimball, Andrew Jones, Chris Seay have written a response to Emergent critics:


posted by riddle at 4:01 PM | |

 
What Classification Is Your Friend?

Intro to this article:

Authors Note: Our two-year research project involved asking unchurched men and women numerous questions. One primary issue we sought to discern was the level of receptivity to the gospel of these we interviewed.

We classified their receptivity on a scale from one to five. U1, or unchurched 1, represented the most receptive group to the gospel. U5, or unchurched 5, were the least receptive. In this article we highlight our research with the U4s.

After reading such an article one wonders if receptivity to "the gospel" is miscontrued from the participants rejection of the Christians presenting it. Of course, I could be wrong. I guess there are tons of people who like to be lumped into groups like "u4" and "u5" instead of being valued as individuals. I especially like the closing paragraphs:

When speaking of those who will enter the kingdom, Jesus spoke in the parable of dinner to "Go out into the highways and along the hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled" (Luke 14:23, NASB).

Though the analogy between the kingdom and the local church is not perfect, the principle is close. We have been mandated by Christ to urge people, to invite people, even to compel people to come to church and to hear the gospel.

What have you done to obey the Savior?

posted by Jimmy at 6:59 PM | |

 
Lull in Christian Pop Culture
Have I been so removed lately that I just haven't noticed, or is there actually lull in the Christian Pop Culture "new cool thing" market? No 40 Days of Purpose, Prayer of Jabez, Passion, WWJD-type things? What am I to do for humorous posts?

Am I missing the next big thing?
posted by Jimmy at 6:54 PM | |

 
A Great Uneasy Post About Church
[thanks to Bob Carlton for the link]

http://smallritual.blogs.com/small_ritual/2005/06/uneasy_emerging.html

Excerpt:

i feel like a lot of the show atm is being run by the church-fixers [witting and unwitting] rather than the church-dissolvers. people want to fix the church because they can't imagine a resurrection after its death. the bible [and bruegemann!] say otherwise - that that is the only route to god's new thing, sometimes. we used to say that, in our 'angry outsiders' phase. i wonder if it was a more truthful position.

it's funny putting it this way, because i don't hate the church. but i think that church is what you are - you can't help it. so you have enormous freedom to reinvent. church isn't an organization. maybe it's an ecology of relationships. there's a story to live by, not a checklist. and the canonical story stops before anything gets to be an institution - maybe to save us. it's interesting to imagine, if all forms of church were extinguished [though not belief] and we had to start again from scratch, what would we bring back?

posted by Jimmy at 6:44 PM | |

 
It's supposed to be about politics, but...


An excerpt from Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your World and the Way You Live In It
by Thomas De Zengotita
"In concrete terms, this simply means that making presentations of some kind, and turning actual events into presentations of some kind, becomes what institutions are for. You can see it happening to some degree or another in whatever institution you are involved in, I'm sure, but it is especially true of political institutions. A random case in point, from a New York Times op-ed on December 8, 2003, by Phillip Bobbitt. Struggling to account for why the consequences of our invasion in Iraq were not anticipated, he wrote, 'It is an open secret that the National Security Council's strategic planning directorate is really devoted to communications tasks and the State Department's policy planning staff is actually a speech writing office.' An empirical study would expose ramifications this little snapshot only suggests. The question would be: how much governmental time is spend preparing, giving, receiving, and responding to presentations today as compared with, say, thirty or fifty years ago? And the answer would be: lots."
posted by Stephen at 10:21 PM | |