Comments on winncollier: Jokes on Me

ok, coming back to this a little late (i wish ther...

2009-06-30T12:51:28.964-04:00

ok, coming back to this a little late (i wish there was a way for me to know about follow up comments...cough, intense debate, cough :) )

anyway, i love this:

"So, mainly I'm poking fun at myself. I mean, I have been Wyatt's pastor (and helped design the spaces he's worshiped in) for pretty much his whole life"

man i hope i get to see you guys in person sometime soon.

I was speaking to a small group about the ancient ...

2009-06-06T09:33:16.890-04:00

I was speaking to a small group about the ancient traditions in the part of the Church where we use prayerbooks and liturgies and bells and smells and such and a young woman said to me that her church was so traditional they still used hymnbooks. If you run into her at Starbuck's, tell her I said hello.

And tell Wyatt I really like the way he thinks.

Namaste —

R. Benson
thelongpew.com

5:00 this week, Tia.

2009-06-05T20:41:43.218-04:00

5:00 this week, Tia.

the "emerging" christian culture reminds me of the...

2009-06-05T15:44:30.347-04:00

the "emerging" christian culture reminds me of the green movement.. both are kind of trendy. Describing them as such can make them seem overhyped and a little shallow, but I don't think it is necessarily the case. Both movements are kind of in transition so that's expected..

The few times I'm annoyed with both I call them trendy ;)

btw I'm in Charlottesville right now! Just came up for the night (en route to DC). What time is your church on Sunday? If I play my cards right I may be able to go before I head back to Blacksburg.

Kristen, that's hilarious.

2009-06-05T09:47:02.144-04:00

Kristen, that's hilarious.

I love the stuff kids pick up on. I grew up going...

2009-06-05T09:33:41.559-04:00

I love the stuff kids pick up on. I grew up going to whatever the version of "emergent" church was 20 years ago. We went to visit my Southern Baptist grandmother when I was about Wyatt's age and I told her I wasn't allowed to sing Hymns anymore!

You could see it as promoting a negative stereotyp...

2009-06-04T17:42:42.198-04:00

You could see it as promoting a negative stereotype, or you could see it as speaking the truth in a funny way. Isn't it true that often "those who claim 'emerging' are fascinated with a meaningless label and often have just an empty sense of authenticity as those who they revolt against?" I sure think it is. Not always, but often.

Winn did take care to use the words "mainly," "often," and "can be." Just sayin'.

yes, probably. however, that was why I purposeful...

2009-06-04T17:24:59.021-04:00

yes, probably.

however, that was why I purposefully described it as an "annoying" stereotype - it is annoying in that this is the stereotype (though, as they say, things are stereotypes because...). And that is probably my main beef with the word - it means 100 different things to 50 different people. I didn't mean to say that people who love the word are inauthentic, just that anything can get overdone and become a shtick (and in many cases, has).

mainly, this is all tongue-n-cheek. My problem was I didn't know any other word for how to describe the culture that has been created by the aesthetic sensibility to which I belong and which Wyatt has subconsciously identified. Emerging is the only label I could think of - and yet some of my blog friends wouldn't have the foggiest clue what an emerging church is or why this would have been funny.

having said all that, a word to all "emerging-ers" (dang, did I just coin a new one??): I know you care about more than comfy couches and bw photographs on the walls. I did not intend to offend - I mean, I'm often told I'm one of you. And I like the aesthetic, a lot. But, you have to admit, Wyatt's reaction is funny."

So, mainly I'm poking fun at myself. I mean, I have been Wyatt's pastor (and helped design the spaces he's worshiped in) for pretty much his whole life.

clever footnote. but aren't you also promoting a ...

2009-06-04T16:58:55.695-04:00

clever footnote. but aren't you also promoting a negative stereotype with it as well? as in those who claim "emerging" are fascinated with a meaningless label and often have just an empty sense of authenticity as those who they revolt against?

That footnote is FANTASTIC. Similar story: In my ...

2009-06-04T15:33:16.428-04:00

That footnote is FANTASTIC.

Similar story: In my former life as a mega-church attender, a visitor once quipped that the first time he arrived in our auditorium he wondered where the cup-holders were on the seats.

Wait until they ask for a shot of espresso in thei...

2009-06-04T14:22:54.364-04:00

Wait until they ask for a shot of espresso in their communion glass!

Oh wow, love it. Not to mention a great definition...

2009-06-04T14:22:38.418-04:00

Oh wow, love it. Not to mention a great definition of "emerging" in relationt to the modern church.