This sounds like a good idea…
Considering how much trouble I have doing at least a posting a month on jonloch.blogspot.com, all the DNS problems I’ve had with jonloch.com, my weekly post and site maintenance for oxfordyouth.org, how behind I am in properly launching oxfordkidz.com, and my new commitment to begin a regular blog on the yet to be designed Atlantic NYI page, why on earth would I start up another blog?
Well, that’s a decent question, even if I did ask it. In fact, why would I start anything new considering the heaping pile of stuff that is continually on my plate? Well, it’s a matter of philosophical and spiritual journaling. You see, my original blog was started as a place to unload my thoughts. Then it was converted into a college assignment. Then it became the typical mix of rant, idea, and day to day that most personal blogs tend to be (with my own messed up style and humour, of course). And, really, I’m not sure I’m going to shut down that blog yet. So, where was I? Oh yeah…
You see, I’ve been thinking a lot about my role as a pastor and my perspective and experience of Christian faith & community, and I’ve realized a few things: I think differently from my proximity but I’m not entirely isolated in my conclusions (which are never entirely conclusive). In fact, I am convinced that the traditional Christendom way of “doing church” is not only tired and ineffective, but extra-biblical and detrimental to the discipling ministry passed down through the burgeoning Church.
What does this mean? Well, frankly, it appears to me that a missional approach to life and faith(not that those two should be dichotomized–I’m just expressing spectrum) is an appropriate response to life in Christ. ie: I’m not going to retire in a typical pastoral role. You see, missional living requires a submerged (and subversive) engagement with culture that, realistically, can’t be achieved in “attractional” or “traditional” churches. “The church has left the building,” as some of our more insightful church members have made their motto.
That’s pretty hypocritical, eh? A pastor claiming that the church is called to leave the building and dive into the community… But that is exactly what I’m saying. Regular church isn’t a bad thing if the members are actively missional in their contexts. It’s just that those churchgoers are the exceptions.
And here comes the reasoning behind this blog–in particular, its title: “first to the pews…” It’s an alteration on Romans 1:16 (& 2:10) “first [to the] Jews…” You see, just as Christ’s ministry on earth was first for the Jews, and as Paul modeled this by preaching in the synagogues first, it is the “religious” that should get it. If anyone has the doctrine, dogma, religious practice, tradition, and familiarity with scripture and theology, it is the church as it was Judaism approx. 2000 years ago. So it is with this mindset that I now approach my role as pastor. If anyone should be living missionally, it’s the church! My goal, then, is to encourage and cultivate such living and ideal among the church(es) I serve first, all the while developing mission in my own life. Eventually, just like Paul, I’ll simply have to let go of the “religious” and dive into the culture around me.
I’m going to begin fleshing out some of these concepts in more detail and thorough thinking through this blog. I would actually like this to become a place of discussion for these issues, a resource regarding the missional paradigm, and a journal of where my life tracks on these concepts. I certainly welcome any questions, comments, and concepts any reader may have who stumbles upon this blog. Backgrounds and perspectives matter, so if you’re a Christian who thinks I’m out to lunch, tell me why. If you’re an atheist with insight into my ramblings, please share. If you’re of another faith/religion/spirituality/philosophy and have something to say, please say it. The only comments I don’t welcome are spam and flaming. Otherwise, hit me.
Now I go to play with the format and outline of this blog as well as contemplate how to manage the rest of my “online life.” I bid you adieu.
~Jon
"First to the Pews..." 