Wednesday, May 02, 2007
"Blue Like Jazz" has got me Confused...like bad!
A lot of people have been talking about Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz. I finally decided to jet over to Amazon.com (of course clicking through the link at 90&9 to push some proceeds to them) and purchase this book. I also bought Searching for God Knows What. I'm in the middle of Blue Like Jazz, and so far I've agreed with most of Miller's thoughts. However, this one exert didn't follow with a hearty amen. I'm not sure if I agree with what he says.
My problem with this passage lies in the part about trendy music and cool web pages. I wouldn't say that either of those are tools of Satan. If that was our only focus, then yes, I would agree. But a church that believes in "Jesus and the power of His gospel" is not focusing on the music and websites, but simply using that as a lure. Is that not a way to "go out in the highways and hedges and compel them to come?" How more relevant can you get??
Maybe I just interpreted Miller wrong, but I'm a bit confused with his theory there. What do you think??
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!
"A friend of mine, a young pastor who recently started a church, talks to me from time to time about the new face of church in America - about the postmodern church. He says the new church will be different from the old one, that we will be relevant to culture and the human struggle. I don't think any church has ever been relevant to culture, to the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and power of His gospel. If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing." (emphasis mine).The discussion has been tackled by many people; it was even discussed here at 90&9. Where does the church stand in today's postmodern society? Can we remain relevant? Will we? I think many A/P's are moving in a new direction when it comes to making the church relevant. I know personally, my church is doing more community service, and breaking out of our 4 walls to see that people's needs are met not just spiritually but physically.
My problem with this passage lies in the part about trendy music and cool web pages. I wouldn't say that either of those are tools of Satan. If that was our only focus, then yes, I would agree. But a church that believes in "Jesus and the power of His gospel" is not focusing on the music and websites, but simply using that as a lure. Is that not a way to "go out in the highways and hedges and compel them to come?" How more relevant can you get??
Maybe I just interpreted Miller wrong, but I'm a bit confused with his theory there. What do you think??
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!
# posted by 99 Blogger @ 5:45 PM 
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As you may know, I LOVE Don Miller. Okay, that's beside the point. lol. I think what Don was trying to say is that churches who are banking on "trendy music and cool web pages" to reach people are missing the point. Of course, those things are fine--they are tools to reach out to a younger generation--I don't think he was knocking it necessarily. I just think he was saying that the power doesn't lie in that.
If Jesus was anything, he was definitely counter-cultural. That was why He upset so many people during his lifetime and why people like Paul were persecuted while spreading His message. Jesus didn't attract people because he was cool. He attracted them by being the Truth, telling people the Good News, relating to them where they were. And perhaps part of relating to people nowadays is having the cool websites and trendy music. But if your whole basis is that, then you are, like Don said, getting people to be "passionate about nothing."
If Jesus was anything, he was definitely counter-cultural. That was why He upset so many people during his lifetime and why people like Paul were persecuted while spreading His message. Jesus didn't attract people because he was cool. He attracted them by being the Truth, telling people the Good News, relating to them where they were. And perhaps part of relating to people nowadays is having the cool websites and trendy music. But if your whole basis is that, then you are, like Don said, getting people to be "passionate about nothing."
I TOTALLY agree. Jesus went wherever there was a need present. If people get trapped into "keeping the church relevant" rather than "keeping the church involved in the LIVES of people," then their passion will be of null effect. What most people don't understand is, "relevance" = "what people relate too" = "what's going on in their lives at the moment" (just a thought.)
# posted by 
: 12:16 AM, May 04, 2007
: 12:16 AM, May 04, 2007
I completely agree with your comments. I'm almost done with the book now, and I'm beginning to understand his writing more. I think just the blunt wording kinda threw me at first, but I'm with ya now.
Chantell and Billiam, great points. I know that for us a webpage has become a part of who we are. A huge percentage of our visitors come through that. But if a website is the only thing that we do to remain relevant then we are missing the mark.
The book's fresh & challenges our traditions in a good way.
Mark Pryor, you wrote, "A huge percentage of our visitors come through" our web site. That's interesting. There might be an article in that as I'm sure that's not the case of most churches. So what are you doing different? Contact me at the Editor email please!
kdc
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Mark Pryor, you wrote, "A huge percentage of our visitors come through" our web site. That's interesting. There might be an article in that as I'm sure that's not the case of most churches. So what are you doing different? Contact me at the Editor email please!
kdc
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