Category Archives: church and culture

September 17, 2007 · 10:23 am

Research that brought me to tears


I confess, the other day I got teary over someone’s research (we New Englander men don’t really cry–its a disorder caused by enculturated individualism). Truth be told, I didn’t get choked up by the research but by the man who was reporting it. Mark Yarhouse closed out the annual conference of the Society for Christian Psychology by reporting the history of his research in the area of sexual identity (and its change) and sexual orientation. 9 years ago he began explore these areas. First he and Stan Jones critiqued the pro-gay psychological research and pointed out serious flaws. At the heart of the matter he was concerned about those who acknowledged same sex attraction but because of their deeply-held theological beliefs, did not wish to identify with the gay identity. Mainstream psychology has argued that these folks are suppressing their identity or being suppressed by fundamentalist culture. Isn’t it possible, Mark wondered, that these seemingly healthy individuals could acknowledge their sexual desires and choose not to make their identity or behavior based on desire. In the talk he told us of his attempts to dialog with pro-gay psychologists and psychiatrists. He took some heat, of course, but also gained the respect of others. Most recently, he has been constructing a model for helping clients explore the many facets of their sexual identity and changing what is in their power (how they interpret and respond to same sex attraction) and allowing what they cannot change to be.

Okay, you are probably wondering why this moved me. I was moved because here was a man showing great compassion to these faithful, struggling christians–double minorities in both the world and in the church. He has done this at great cost to himself and has had to hang on to the Lord under significant spiritual warfare. Here is a man not willing to get stuck in the political speak but willing to dialog with those many would consider enemies and to try to hear and understand–even when he knew it wouldn’t change the world. Here is a man willing to explore how people remain faithful to God while trying to understand their brokenness. Finally, I was moved by the love and wisdom shown to Mark in a letter from his sister. She encouraged his faith and reminded him what was true in language fitting of a classic pastoral care author.

Okay, I still can’t express why I was moved. But I wasn’t the only one. The speaker who came up to close the conference was also choked up. It is possible that scientific endeavors show us the hand and face of God. 

Mark’s latest book, Ex-gays? A longitudinal study of religiously mediated change in sexual orientation (IVP) is hot off the press (first author is Stanton Jones).   

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Filed under christian psychology, church and culture, counseling science, sexual identity, sexuality

June 26, 2007 · 8:57 pm

Serious Mental Illness and faith: what to do?


Had a meeting today with two people from UPENN (one a prof) who are working to break down barriers for those with Serious mental illness (SMI). They have found that folks with SMI are quite likely to acknowledge spiritual or religious beliefs and identity. And yet, these folks say there are two serious roadblocks for finding support. First, the church does not seem particularly open to folks with SMI. Second, mental health professionals are either unsupportive or downright negative about the faith/beliefs of those with SMI.

Actually, the UPENN folks said they had more hope that the church would be open to developing policies and systems for supporting the mentally ill than they had hope in influencing the mental health professionals that paying attention to one’s faith is an essential part of their healing and rehabilitation.

One of the church’s challenges is that they need to develop strategies for the long haul. If the church is going to do well with someone with bipolar or schizophrenia, then they need to realize how best to pace the response. I think some churches are willing to throw lots of resources at the person in an effort to try to solve the problem. And if the person is not progressing as they had hoped, then the interest in helping dies off. Hence you have folks with SMI making serial connections with the churches in their area.

Any thoughts on what a helpful church strategy to help someone with SMI be a key member of the community? What kinds of help should the church offer for the long haul?

I suppose we ought to start with making it okay to admit struggles with mental illness…

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May 9, 2007 · 5:07 am

Does Christ trump culture?


How can the answer to this question be anything but yes? Of course being united to Christ should trump everything else about us. In Christ there is no Jew nor Greek, male nor female. In Christ our differences are (should be) smaller than our unity in the Body.

But there is something very wrong with my initial question. Continue reading →

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Filed under church and culture, Cultural Anthropology, Doctrine/Theology, Race

May 8, 2007 · 10:35 am

Who do you represent? Race, identity, and the cost of being a minority


Has anyone ever asked you to speak for a whole people group? If you represent a racial or cultural minority, you have undoubtedly been asked to explain, defend–even apologize for–your group’s ideas, thoughts, beliefs, practices. I suspect most Christians have had that experience some time in their life. Some well-known Christian blows up his life and you are asked to explain how someone could get up on Sunday and say Christian words but in private be having an affair. You are asked to explain why, “you evangelicals talk about grace but hate homosexuals” or something similar.

So how do you feel when you have to speak for a whole people group? Continue reading →

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Filed under church and culture, Cognitive biases, Cultural Anthropology, Identity, Race

May 3, 2007 · 5:18 am

Here’s a ministry that needs your support


Last Sunday night I attended a function at Epiphany Fellowship which meets at 16th and Diamond in N. Philly (a very economically depressed area near Temple U.).  FYI, their web-page today was extremely slow in loading. Anyway, the function was a kick-off for the campaign to raise enough money to buy the building they now rent. This is a covenant community seeking to connect with the Hip Hop generation and reclaim every area of life for Christ by focusing on Christo-centrism, Commitment, Community, Communion, and Culturally Relevant Ministry.

Please consider giving your prayers and dollars to help them in their endeavor. Pray for co-pastors Eric Mason and Duce Branch (who is part of Cross Movement). Pray for their protection, courage, and commitment to the glory of God in all things.

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Filed under church and culture, cultural apologetics, Missional Church

March 30, 2007 · 9:31 am

The art of disagreeing in public


Continuing from the previous post, I think we ought to consider how we deal in public with differences in theological viewpoints, biblical text meanings, views on Christianity, etc. Its not hard to listen to another person’s opinions and beliefs. But then what do we say to our friends? What do we say in public when describing this other person’s viewpoint? Here’s a few ideas: Continue reading →

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Filed under Christian Apologetics, church and culture, conflicts, Doctrine/Theology

March 6, 2007 · 12:39 pm

On-line missional theology course about to begin…


oHere’s a ad I got from our VP for student advancement asking if I would post a note here. Since they pay my salary and since Todd Mangum, the teacher, is fabulous I’m happy to do so. If interested in learning more about missional theology, consider…

Your First Course at Biblical Seminary Could Be The Course That Gives “Feet” to Theology:

Missional Theology 1

Instructor: Biblical’s own Dr. Todd Mangum (www.biblical.edu)

This link will take you to the syllabus:

http://www.biblical.edu/images/equip/PDFs/2007springsyllabi/TH521S-Mangum.pdf

Or see our website (www.biblical.edu) and click on “equip”

Limited cyber-seating. Register Today:  800-235-4021 Ext 106

Q: Can I use this course in my program at another seminary?

A: Very likely…please contact us for more information

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Filed under church and culture, cultural apologetics, Doctrine/Theology, Evangelicals, missional, Missional Church

January 26, 2007 · 3:34 pm

Buzzword watch: Let’s have conversation


In every good movement and cultural shift, there are words that signal these changes. However, just as quickly, the word gets picked up and used so frequently that it begins to mean absolutely nothing.
“Conversation” has become a buzzword of this present cultural moment. I heard Hillary Clinton invite listeners to join the conversation in the launch of her presidential campaign. Emergent/missional church leaders use the phrase.

Originally, the word signalled the change from hostile fights focusing on declaring the TRUTH of one’s position to that of dialogue and discussion, of understanding others rather than labeling them. Sounds good. But labeling and stereotyping others is a part of what it means to be human this side of heaven. And so, “join the conversation” quickly morphs into “join our conversation if you want what we want”. Pride and arrogance kill most catch phrases. WWJD (a phrase I never really liked anyway) may have had value to some but it also became meaningless to most.

My school uses the phrase and I think it is a good thing for seminaries to find ways to enter the world of those they serve. If we do it well, it looks like conversation (read John 4). And if we do it well, we learn so much from other cultural perspectives. But, I find myself not wanting to use the term because it sounds so superficial and bland. 

Not sure what I’d replace it with given that any good catch phrase will have the same problem.  

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Filed under church and culture, Cultural Anthropology, Missional Church

January 25, 2007 · 5:07 am

Do you qualify as an evangelical?


Barna research group sends me teasers of their latest research. They recently did a survey to see who qualifies as an evangelical. According to their research, 38% of Americans (84 million) self-identify as evangelical Christians. However, this survey finds only 8% (17 million) actually meet their 9 point criteria of true evangelical faith, criteria apparently developed over the last 2 decades in concert with the NAE.

What are these criteria? Well, the teaser doesn’t give the exact verbiage of the questions but here’s the content areas in my words: Continue reading →

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Filed under church and culture, Evangelicals

January 22, 2007 · 10:22 am

Signs of stigma in the church?


Our church puts names of people needing prayer on the back of the bulletin at least once a month. There’s a section for those suffering chronic diseases which lists names and specific maladies. There’s a section for those who have family members who suffer illnesses; another section for those who recently lost a loved one; yet another for those who are in the military. Then there is this line: Pray for those who struggle with mental illness. Not surprisingly, no names are listed there.

Just a reminder how its okay to let people know you have cancer, chronic fatigue, family members who are not believers, etc. But it is still not okay to let people know that you struggle with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, schizophrenia, and the like. While the largest explanation for this is how society as a whole treats individuals with psychological problems. But, I also think we don’t put names there because we don’t want to be identified as spiritually weak. We don’t list those who are faithless, who are fearful, who are struggling with bitterness, pride, pornography, marital conflict, etc. Those struggles aren’t for the public to know about. We keep those to ourselves until it is too late to do something about it. And though I’ve just been somewhat sarcastic here, I must admit I don’t think we’re ready to put the names of folk in the bulletin who struggle with mental and relational illnesses. We’re too prone to gossip and treat them differently than those who struggle with physical illnesses–even those maladies that are caused primarily by gluttony and hard living (as my mother would call it).

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