I'm typing this from the plane heading home from Wichita, Kansas. Shane Claiborne and I spoke together at 3 events in the heart of Kansas over the past 2 days. We were at 2 different universities and also at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. We did the same thing at each of the 3 places, where we each presented about 15-20 minutes about change happening in future generations and what we are doing and observing in the ministries we are part of. Then they had a moderator who then led discussion and an "open forum" for at least a solid hour. Skip Johnson put these events together and designed it this way intentionally for as much interaction as possible. I love having open forum discussion and questions like that.
It was great getting to know Shane better as well as Chris Lahr who was there with Shane from The Simple Way. Hearing more about what The Simple Way is doing and their impact in Philadelphia was quite inspiring. I had a general understanding of what they do, but got to hear many stories of significant and beautiful ways they are serving the people in the neighborhood of Philadelphia they live in. We got to talk a little about hair too, as Shane has quite a distinct style and what we use in our hair even became a quick part of one of the Q and A open forum times. These are some photos from my cell phone as we were on one of the panels and that is Shane's shoe. My friend Erik who was at one of the events and sent me a photo from his cell phone to my my cell phone while I was sitting up there with Shane and the moderator.
In between the events we got to see quite a bit of the Kansas countryside and roads driving from place to place there. We got some fascinating teaching about bulls from a cattle farmer who hosted us for a dinner at his ranch. I never felt more like I was truly in "Kansas" than at that moment on the cattle ranch way out in the open fields of Kansas somewhere.
The parts I shall remember from this trip is the incredible warmth of the people in Kansas. Seriously hospitable and friendly. I also will remember the earnest desire to try and figure out what God wants them to do in their churches to impact emerging generations. From young to old, there was a genuine sense of passion for the gospel being known and experienced to future generations. There is tension however. How do denominations who are very focused on being the denomination and all that goes with it make change? I didn't realize how important denominational loyalty isin certain parts of the country. But it raises a tension as denominations are slow to change and if a church wants to be missional it means that change and fluidity become a normal part of things.
At the events there were quite a few younger college age people and one girl sticks in my mind with her questions and what she shared. She shared with visible angst about the tension she feels having grown up in a certain denominational church and her parents still are part of the church. She shared that the people are wonderful, but the church is a traditional church in it's format and practice. She shared that she can't relate to the culture and way the church functions anymore. She is torn, as she is faithful to the church and does not want to disappoint her parents, but she no longer feel she fits within that church. So it created a dilemma for her.
I got to talk with her after the formal event was over and she shared that it isn't the theology of the church as she isn't changing her theology. But it is the vibe of the church and the traditions and styles which she cannot relate to. She wants to be part of a church that is more vibrant, outward and missionally focused, engages the arts, speaks to her more personally and encourages her to be the church, not go to church. I sensed that this was somewhat a theme for many there. A lot of denominational pastors were there and there is a growing tension between what the traditions of the denomination practice and do but it isn't speaking or connecting to the hearts of many younger people. During one of the Q and A times I made a comment how we must not put tradition ahead of mission. If we do that, it is death. I mean that tradition started for a purpose and if the purpose is not longer valid or matches what the church needs today or even blocks mission - then mission must be put ahead of tradition. As long as it does not compromise Scripture or the gospel. But most traditions are simply traditions which were formed in a certain cultural context and time period, but not prescribed in Scripture. So there is a dilemma as some traditional churches are literally dying out and wanting to change but it is very difficult to change.
It was cool hearing about Eastminster Presbyterian Church as they sure seem to be making changes well and thinking missionally and innovatively. They have a very sharp youth and young adult leader named Casey who is doing some wonderful things there and they are starting a Sunday night gathering soon as well called Ekklesia. I will be interested to follow how that goes. But I got to chat with the senior pastor and some other staff that seemed like they were really serving in innovative and missional ways for Kansas and making changes as needed.
I will try and nap now, I didn't sleep much on this trip. Chap Clark was originally scheduled to also be with us, but his dad died the day he was going to travel to Kansas. I know that experience and canceling speaking at events well..... It has been over a year since my dad died and I think of him every day and am impacted by missing him all the time. So prayers for Chap and family.
