Calling All Peacemakers
I guess the medicine going directly into my knee — medicine that runs out sometime today! — is responsible for keeping me awake through the night. So far I’ve had LOTS of time to read. Watch for coming blogs about books by Lawrence Wright, Sam Harris, and Greg Boyd.
But I also had time to listen to a message that was recommended to me by a blog reader who had heard me preach on some of the themes in the sermon.
Find 50 minutes and listen to this incredible message by Rob Bell. Go to this site, and find message #411 (December 10, 2006).
- – - -
I haven’t yet gotten to listen to Rick Atchley’s three lessons on “The Both/And Church” (explaining their decision to add an instrumental service), but they are found here.
- – - -
Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn made it easily into the Baseball Hall of Fame. But here’s my question: what 13 people voted AGAINST Gwynn? The man played two decades with the same team, and retired with a lifetime .338 batting average. He’s among the very best the game has ever seen.
“what 13 people voted AGAINST Gwynn?”
He also was multiple Golden Glove winner and batting champion several years, a great moral role model for any kid, as well as for his work ethic and great sense of humor. Love his laugh! So yes, great question. Who would vote AGAINST Gwynn?
You knew that question would draw me out, didn’t ya’, dear pastor/teacher/preacher/friend of mine.
I’m having a good laugh, Kathy. I don’t even know who Tony Gwynn is. I will try to redeem myself a bit and say that I have at least heard of Cal Ripkin, though I probably could not pick him out of a line up.
Am looking forward to listening to the Rob Bell sermon, Mike. I’m unpacking boxes today and that will be a nice distraction for mindless work. Thanks for recommending it.
Rick Atchley’s messages about the Richland Hills decision are simply outstanding. I recommend that anyone with an interest in restoring unity in the Restoration Movement churches should study these messages.
I’ll definitely make time to listen to Rob Bell’s message.
To take it further, I am bothered that more people voted for Ripken than Gwynn. Cal Ripken was a good player, never the best at his position, and he went to work every day. He is a good man (seemingly); yet I would rather have someone with Rickey Henderson’s records on my team. As selfish and self-centered Henderson is, all of his records help his team win games. Ripken’s record is a selfish, self-centered, “look at what I can do” record. Although this reveals part of my bias, the fact the Ripken is in the Hll while Jim Rice is not is just one of the many reasons the Baseball Hall of Fame is the worst of the major sports halls. (Another reason is that known cheater Gaylord Perry is in the Hall and McGwire who never broke a rule will not be.)
The only thing that is more amazing than 13 not voting for Gwynn is that crazy Terry Rush wanting McGuire in.
Senate Panel: “Mr. McGuire, have you ever used steroids?”
McGuire: “My lawyers have told me not to answer”
Senate Panel: “So you’re pleading the fifth?”
McGuire: “Uh…….er……. I’m not here to talk about the past.”
We may need to do an intervention to bring Terry back from the dark side.
Make that McGwire.
Glad your surgery went well! I just got around to reading “Velvet Elvis”, so I for sure want to hear the Bell sermon. He is pretty amazing.
The 13 idiots had some kind of prejudice to leave Tony off their ballot. End of story. I just want to know when Willie McGee is going in!!
Love you bro,
DU
Last night we were hanging out with the children in their room and my Ghanaian friend Araba was translating stories back and forth for us about things the children had been through, and what all they liked about the Village of Hope. At one point, Mark, who is 6 and the youngest, hit his brother Kofi, and Araba got onto him. Of course, as any other 6 year old would…his heart was broken and he began weeping. I took him outside and just rocked him as he cried. I would ask him about every ten minutes if he wanted to go back inside and he keep shaking his head no. As I continued rocking, tears just streamed down my face. This little boy had been on a boat as a slave scooping out water since he was four years old, and there he was, so peaceful just in my arms and melted into my chest. God is so good.
I just listened to Rick’s first message in the “Both/And” series. It’s excellent. Be sure you don’t skip the beginning and the end!
In the beginning, Jon Jones, one of the elders at RH and their preacher before Rick, says such powerful things about the church, the leaders, and the study.
In the end, Rick talks about seven fears people have as they make this step. I’ve heard him tell the story of his father and the yellow pad a few times before, but I’ll never get tired of it!
Mike,
Will Highland be adding an instrumental service in the future? Oak Hills, Richland Hills, is Highland ready or are they still are they still a little to conservative to make that kind of transition? Would it be a seeker service be the way you would introduce it? Are seeker services the way to do it? I know that is the way they did at Oak Hills.
Preacher Man – Too conservative? No. I don’t think that’s the spectrum where this fits in — at least in our context. But no, that is not something we’re looking at. What’s important to me is that we honor the spiritual journey of this good congregation (RH). Others may follow; many will not. But we’re just as connected to them as we were before the decision. (I’m thankful that this is how we’ve been treated since the decisions made about women in our assemblies a couple years ago. At this point, we can’t imagine an assembly without faith-filled men and women leading in prayer, communion, scripture, and singing.)
Crista – So glad to hear the stories from Ghana. What a blessing that those children are out of slavery. We look forward to hearing many more stories when you get back to ACU.
Others – Here’s a picture from Ghana of the “magnificent seven” I wrote about a couple days ago.
I love everything Rob Bell has ever done. He ALWAYS makes me think of things in a whole new light. (which I think is what good “preachers” are suppose to do, right?) Glen and I both love his Nooma DVDs. He’s just awesome!
Mike,
I think it is wonderful that you are and the leaders of Highland honoring and following the spiritual journey of a great congregation. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Mt5:9
Loved your response to preacherman about the spiritual journey of RH. Rob Bell is very insightful. Thanks for the link. I’ll make time to listen, though I’ve yet to do the same to listen to Rick’s lessons. Hope the knee recovery goes well.
“what 13 people voted AGAINST Gwynn?”
How about 13 people who aren’t old enough to remember him?
I don’t know anything about the process of voting people into the Hall of Fame. Are the voters limited to a certain number of votes they can cast? Or is it more like a menu of names where you vote yes-or-no?
Mike,
Another question is why would 13 vote against Gwynn and some of your readers bash me for being for McGwire? Don’t your readers know I am uncontrollably, irreversibly biased? I like McGwire because I like him….I don’t have another reason.
I am headed to Cardinal camp in Jupiter, FL. in two weeks and still struggling over the recup of knee surgery from last year’s camp. Plus, I’m scared the media will discover I’ve been on altoids. Once that happens, there goes my hopes for the Hall.
From experience, rest well and really enjoy the pain medication!
Looks like they can pick as few as zero and as many as 10. So, how many were on the ballot this time?
The postmodern prissies who did not vote for McGwire were practicing pious group think. Accusations weigh more heavily with them than stats. They feel empowered because they can control who gets in and who does not. They will do the same thing to Bonds after he retires. They reek with self righteousness. Now, ask me how I really feel about it, Mike!
OK, Terry and Victor need an intervention. They’ve been drawn over to the dark side by the little tweetie bird on a stick. Fellas, it’s for your own good. You’ll thank us later. Move toward the light!! Move toward the light!!
I normally have little if anything to say about sports, but I think the only reason why the vote was not 100% is that there were a few sports writers that just will not vote for a person the first time they are up to get in. They point to baseball history and I believe the fact that no one has gotten in with a perfect score on the first ballot. That makes no sense to me, but I listened to Ripkin on my way to work and he seemed not in the least bit bothered. I have listened to Rick’s lessons. There are well researched, and of course well presented. I thought the first two were far better than the third, and I think that in many ways this series this is really going to force the issue in many congregations even though I know that is not the intention of Richland HIlls. I think that there ought to be some format for discussion for people who have actually listened to him. I think most of us could discuss the matter in a civil way. What I hate, and it has already started, and that is an attack on Rick with no mention of his arguments. Why in the world would a person attack Rick? You might not agree with him, but you just cannot deny his deep love for both the Lord and Scripture. I am more concerned with the whole Saturday night thing as a substitute for Sunday than I am the instrument. I just wish we had a better track record for our civility. About your knee. Just wait until the pain pump runs out. I remember going from no pain to agony in a matter of minutes. Again, I know I am a source of great encouragement.
Richard – Thanks for the words — on both topics. The little bubble of fluid in my pain pump is getting very small. It could be a long Wednesday night!
Mike,
I assume you are going to talk about Sam Harris’ Letter to a Christian Nation? Please do!! I’m very interested in your take on it–if that’s what you’ve been reading–I just finished it on the recommendation of a friend. I was stunned… not surprised. Stunned only because I knew exactly what he would have to say. I’m grappling with it now… and the reasoning behind it… and the reasoning behind what makes it both a very valid indictment and an indictment that misses the point.
Bla bla bla–I’ve been more cryptic than I meant to be… just comment on it soon–please.
Why do CoC people get so excited about instrumental music in worship service? I prefer accapela but that is just because I prefer it.
There is not one word in scripture against the use of instuments in worship. In fact we are told that many of the great people of the old testament worshiped God with harp and lyre and drum.
Yes I know that people say “but that was the old testament”. So my response to them is “When did our unchanging God change”. If he is unchanging and he accepted that worship then, why would people say he does not accept it now?
Richard,
You make a great point. It happened even with Jesus…When you can’t make your point against truth, or defend truth. Attack the messanger! If those who oppose Ricks view believed the entire bible they would love him as a brother in Christ. Build Him up. Listen. Be Civil. Love above all thing. LOVE. Again Mike reminds us blessed are the peacemakers…for they wll be called sons of God!
Scott – You’re right. Tomorrow’s blog will be about Letter to a Christian Nation
. We’ll enter into that discussion then. Thanks.
Great!!!
Victor Knowles….preach it, brother!
Glad you’re going to discuss Harris’ LTACN tomorrow. I nearly bought it in the Austin airport last weekend, before choosing simplicity and opting to borrow it from the library (which I have yet to do). But I am thoroughly intrigued with what he has to say. Looking forward to the dialogue tomorrow.
About Tony Gwynn, I think that people could point to his power numbers and say, “well, a lot of people could have hit a lot more if they were only concerned about hitting singles.” Tony was not a hitter who was trying to drive the ball, he was really more concerned about hitting it. His lifetime OBS is .388 which is only 50 points higher than his hitting percentage, and and slugging percentage of .459. Frank Catalanatto is a good hitter, but not an all-star and certainly not a HOF player, and his numbers are OPS .362 and slugging of .454.
I would have voted for Tony, though.
Gwynn was the master of hitting the opposite way to what he called the 5.5 hole (between SS and 3rd). I remember reading what George Will wrote in Men At Work: that Gwynn had the purest swing in baseball.
And Greg Maddux would tell you that Gwynn was the toughest out in the game of baseball. Gwynn faced him more than any other single pitcher and hit .429 against him. Amazing.
reJoyce,
Tony Gwynn was the San Diego Padres baseball team’s right fielder for all of his 20 years playing baseball. He retired 5 years ago, and as was expected way before his retirement, he has been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Good man, long-term marriage, good father, a practising Believer in and follower of His Savior – one of baseball’s greatest hitters and fielders.
and from another responder – “How about 13 people who aren’t old enough to remember him? – Huh? He only retired 5 years ago.
Also Paul, “yet I would rather have someone with Rickey Henderson’s records on my team. As selfish and self-centered Henderson is, all of his records help his team win games.”
I agree wholeheartedly – rather than Ripkin or in addition to Ripkin, Ricky Henderson HAS to be in the Hall of Fame. How many records does Ricky hold? Most hits as lead off, most home runs as lead off, most stolen bases – what else? And to top it off, it’s a hoot to watch him talking to himself at bat, on base, in the outfield, always talking to himself in third party voice. A hoot!!
P.S.
As far as instrumental music or not, IIRC I’ve expressed my beliefs and POV on this the last three times it came up. My opinions have not changed, except to say, how nice, how peaceful it will be when it is no longer an item of dispute between fellow Believers. Yeah!!!
Those HOF voters – consistency is not their forte’; how about Goose Gossage being 12 votes shy? And, I don’t care for Yankees – but Please. Rob Bell and Don Miller speaking on mp3! – and some say the internet is evil. Almost as good as Cope, Taylor and Atchley. Get well Mike – baseball is just around the corner!
I left the coc two years ago after 34 years because a vocal core of the church would crucify Atchley for what he taught. I don’t have the Bible degree or experience that Atchley does, but I was teaching the same thing for the last 10 years, beginning with my parents. Dead ears.
The coc will continue to divide because of the worship of tradition over a focus on the work of Christ. That would be fine with me. Maybe then those churches that call themselves “Churches of Christ” will get back to the business of being a church where Christ reigns and not a few voices of conservative morality.
As usual, I’m getting in on the comments at a late hour, but I want to reenforce Mike’s remark about Rob Bell.
I listen to Bell’s talks on the Mars Hill site just about every week, and he is getting better and better all the time. The Calling All Peacemakers series, his most recent, was phenomenal.
Download it. Burn it to a CD. Put it on your Ipod. Listen to it on your computer. Do whatever you can. If you don’t know how, get the tech junkie in your life to do it for you. It will be well worth the effort.
I’m also working on listening to all the both/and sermons. It seems that Richland Hills put a lot of prayer and study into their decision. I really appreciated their transparentness in what they’re doing. I’ll look forward to hearing what you think about Bro. Atchley’s lessons.
Rob’s series “Calling All Peacemakers” has been really good to listen to in light of the things we have learned from the Amish, and in wake of all the junk at Harding. Its been encouraging to hear, and I am glad to see that it is making waves elsewhere.
Mike, I don’t get too many chances to post comments on here, but I want to say I really appreciate your blog and like seeing what you have to say about the issues.
Cole Yoakum
Make sure and get all 3 of Rob Bell’s sermons in the series. [Also conveniently available as a podcast subscription via iTunes.]
Here is the Tony G. stat that blows my mind – 434 career stikeouts. He never struck out more than 40 times in one season. That is unreal. He had almost twice as many walks (790) as strike outs. Wow
So, what’s more difficult? Hitting a 95 mph fastball on a consistent basis, or preaching like Bell does every week? I get much joy from watching people with extraordinary gifts use them to their fullest potential like these two guys.