Just finished a podcast interview with Gabe Lyons.
So excited about the book, unChristian, that releases today! Gabe and Dave Kinnamen are the authors and driving engine behind it, but I was privileged to be one of the contributors. The book is a great compilation of what's wrong with the church. And I really loved the humble tone. The church has a serious perception problem. But it is more than a perception problem. Sure, there are lots of unfair characterizations by the media. But we need to look in the mirror and admit our mistakes! All I know is this: I'm not called to be a Christian. I'm called to be Christlike. And those are very different things. And the more Christian and less Christlike we are the bigger turnoff it is.
For what it's worth, the book really helped us prep for The Elephant in the Church series! Definitely a must-read if we're serious about engaging culture.
Here's an amazon link.
So excited about the book, unChristian, that releases today! Gabe and Dave Kinnamen are the authors and driving engine behind it, but I was privileged to be one of the contributors. The book is a great compilation of what's wrong with the church. And I really loved the humble tone. The church has a serious perception problem. But it is more than a perception problem. Sure, there are lots of unfair characterizations by the media. But we need to look in the mirror and admit our mistakes! All I know is this: I'm not called to be a Christian. I'm called to be Christlike. And those are very different things. And the more Christian and less Christlike we are the bigger turnoff it is.
For what it's worth, the book really helped us prep for The Elephant in the Church series! Definitely a must-read if we're serious about engaging culture.
Here's an amazon link.
14 Comments:
Mark,
Can't wait for your lab at Catalyst. I hope that you aren't speaking 1st session because my plane gets in at 1pm. I'll miss it if it is then.
very much looking forward to the unChristian lab too.
see ya there.
peace,
micheal
the media isn't all bad ...
Don't take it personally, Amy :)
I try not to make generalizations. Media is definitely some good, some bad sort of like the church! There are definitely unfair characterizations, but many of them are justified and there are lots of good characterizations as well. And we've been the recipient of lots of them! We've gotten such positive press and I'm grateful for the media coverage :)
PM
Sounds interesting, though it raises a question: Are solutions offered?
Nathan,
Absolutely! I really feel like it not just identifies the issues. I really helps us find solutions!!!
Mark
I appreciate your blog and the ministry of NCC,(and your podcasts) :-)
But really...don't you think we get hung-up over semantics a bit? Christlike vs Christian vs Christfollower vs ____________.
I certainly understand what you are driving at, and agree with the sentiments in large part, but what happens when the next moniker or "Christlike" gets a bad name (pun not intended...sorta). At any rate, I agree with the heart of your post, semantics issue aside. 1 John 2:6 all the way.
jb
i've been looking forward to this book too. knowing how gabe works, i know this book will do more than just poke the wound but present a healing perspective.
Jeff,
I hear ya. And I agree with you on one level, but I do think semantics are pretty important.
For what it's worth, Dick Foth is speaking about "the Christian elephant" at NCC this weekend. I think it'd be worth tuning in.
This I know for sure. I'm not always proud of all the connotations that come with the word Christian. But "Jesus" is another story. Personally, I'd much rather be labeled as a Christ follower than a Christian. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill...
Mark
thanks Mark, I'll be listening in.
I understand where you are coming from; really I do. I suppose more than anything, I feel the frustration of nominalism, false advertising, and misrepresentation with the semantic debate. I also recognize your point and the truth that it holds. In another life I worked in a technical support call center. Often, my attitude and intent was to help the customer. My focus was not always on pleasantries, but business. That attitude was sometimes translated and construed as curt, and on occasion, rudeness. It wasn't my intent, but since the perceived impression was me being rude...the translated reality was: me/rude...no matter my intent. So, long and short...perceptions and semantics matter.
Because communication is constantly evolving, semantics really do matter. "The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch." (Acts 11:26) They were disciples first, and called Christians apparently out of mockery and because they were trying to be little Christs. As I understand it, to be a "disciple" was considered a pretty good thing, but to be called a "Christian" was an insult (or at least it was intended that way).
In this day and age, to be a "Christian" is - again - not necessarily a good thing. So we look for a different label to hang on ourselves to set ourselves apart from the nominalism that "Christians" have become known for (whether or not that is an accurate stereotype).
90% of Americans consider themselves Christians, but how many would call themselves Christlike, or followers of Christ?. I like your distinction.
Blessings to you and your ministry,
David
Thanks for answering my question. Sounds like a helpful book! I look forward to seeing it.
BTW, interesting turn this thread has taken. Or should I say "yarn," or "string." Different nuances. Heheheh....
I tend to agree with Randy Ehle that the term "Christian" isn't necessarily a positive thing nowadays. But I wonder if instead of trying to find a different label to hang on ourselves, we should be making a concerted effort to change that negative perception of being a Christian.
At what point does it just become running away from the problem once we keep renaming ourselves?
Looking forward to reading that book. And thanks for the tip on the NBC piece.
Post a Comment
<< Home