Kaleo Church

The following is a post by Greg Boyd from the Q blog.  Do you agree with Boyd’s perspective?  Should followers of Jesus think more critically about how we express patriotism?

In Colossians 2:7 Paul encourages Christians to be “rooted and built up in [Christ] and established in the faith.” The American Patriot’s Bible, edited by Gerald Lee and published by Thomas Nelson, connects this verse to part of a speech by John Quincy Adams, America’s sixth president, concerning the significance of the Fourth of July. Adams says that “next to the birthday of the Savior,” the “most joyous and most venerated festival” is Independence Day. For “the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior.” Indeed, Adam’s contends that “the Declaration of Independence…gave to the world the first irrevocable pledge of the fulfillment of the prophecies announced directly from heaven at the birth of the Savior….” The birth of America, in other words, is the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission in the world.

Several things are interesting about this passage. For starters, it’s a little surprising that the Fourth of July beat out Easter for second place in Adams’ rating of “venerated” holidays. One might have thought American Christians would find Jesus’ resurrection a bit more “venerable” than the fact that we violently emancipated ourselves from British rule. In fact, while I fully appreciate that many Americans are grateful to no longer be subject to the throne of England, I’m puzzled about how the Fourth of July could appear anywhere on a Christian’s list of “venerated” holidays. How can a holiday that celebrates one group of mostly professing Christians violently overthrowing another group of mostly professing Christians be venerated by people who are called to love their enemies and to be peacemakers, even if they happen to find themselves on the side that won?

But the most remarkable aspect of Adams’ speech is undoubtedly his depiction of the violent birth of America as the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission. Let’s overlook for the moment the systemic and barbaric injustices done to Native Americans and Africans by Europeans as they conquered and developed this land. And let’s agree that the political freedoms to enjoy “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are among the noblest in history. Still, on what basis could Adams or anyone else claim that the birth of this nation has anything to do with the mission of the Savior?

As he made clear to Pilate, Jesus came to establish a kingdom that is “not from this world.” The kingdom Jesus came to establish is not a “new and improved” version of the systems of the world. It’s something altogether different. For example, while all versions of the kingdoms of the world resort to violence against enemies when they deem it necessary, citizens of Jesus’ kingdom are called to imitate him by sacrificing themselves out of love for their enemies.

As noble as America’s ideals are, followers of Jesus must never buy into Adam’s delusion — repeated throughout history and still widespread today — that political ideals are a formula for the Kingdom of God. For the Kingdom is not about enjoying “life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness.” It’s about looking like Jesus, dying out of love for the very people who crucified him.

We arrived in Cap Haitien on Thursday around 11AM local time, after a brief refueling stop in The Bahamas. That afternoon we hiked up a mountain to investigate a series of rock terraces that a group of local men had constructed as a response to serious erosion. Their work was simply amazing, artistic, and captured the essence of something that we’re learning.

Jeremy summed it up best when reflecting on his initial thought upon arriving. “This can’t be fixed.”. Everywhere you look you see brokeness. Systems. Buildings. Roads. People. The people themselves are amazing, hospitable, and a pure delight to be with. But the layers of poverty and dissaray seem daunting when you first step onto them.

So back to the terraces and the local men who constructed them, as well as our host Dave Graffenberger who is spearheading the project. As we hiked with these men, saw their work, and the work that needs to be done we also heard a Haitian proverb. “Little by little the bird builds it’s nest”. The initial shock we experienced and ongoing problems facing this area will not be solved quickly. They will not be solved by mere policy or money. But they will be solved little by little. With men like the ones we hiked with. With partnership and collaboration at the local and daily levels. With a willngness to be friends, to learn with and to co-labor with our brothers and sisters here for the long haul.

And that is the essence of our Jesus following way. Eugene Peterson called it “A long obedience in the same direction.”. Our Haitian friends talk of “little by little…”. May we learn to see the world, one another, and our true calling as children of God and co-workers in his mission through this lens and act accordingly.

In just a few days Jeremy and I leave, along with Dave and Josh from The Porch, for Haiti.  As we’ve prepared for this endeavor two books have been very helpful for me.  The first, Paradise Lost: Haiti’s Tumultuous Journey From Pearl Of The Caribbean To Third World Hotspot, is authored by Phillipe Girard and is a very helpful work in terms of getting a sense of Haiti’s history, struggle, and what has led it into the issues it currently faces.  The second, Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest Of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure The World, is authored by an author I’m growing to enjoy more and more, Tracy Kidder.  It chronicles Farmer’s work in Haiti and beyond, giving a glimpse into the medical and social need that exists in Haiti while also putting us in touch with the resilience of a people too familiar with death, power plays and the like.

I have both of these if you find yourself interested and wanting to take a deeper look at the context where we’re entering this long term friendship and partnership in mission.

Finally, to all who have invested in this work, thank you!  In the last week we have brought in somewhere around $1,200 – $1,500 (and this doesn’t count the amount brought in by our co-conspirators at The Porch).  Any money brought in beyond the amount mentioned for the water project will go to other needs that arise, such as one that we just found out about this week.  Our friend to be, Herod, who pastors in the village of Godin, is involved in the development of the school, water project, agricultural initiatives and beyond wrecked his only transportation last week, a motorcycle.  For Herod, this is a hard loss as the bike enabled him to mentor other church planters and develop projects in villages beyond Godin.  If you’d like to give towards the Haiti work in general, or Herod’s transportation, you can do so during this Sunday’s gathering.

To stay up to speed on this partnership, be sure to check in with The Haiti Collective site.

Here’s a tune for this beautiful rainy day.  It comes from Sandra McCracken and can be found on her New Old Hymns project, In Feast Or Fallow.

This past Sunday we continued our journey through the New Testament book of Acts as Chad Kimberly led us through Acts 4:23-38.  One of the questions he posed while exploring this scene was how we might share our lives and stuff with one another and those in our neighborhoods, work places, etc. as an expression of the Holy Spirit’s work in us.  So what’s your take?

What kind of conversations, experiments and such are you having related to this?

What kind of larger initiatives do you care about to the point of being willing to live more simply in order to live more generously?

Three weeks from today will find a small collection of folks from Kaleo and The Porch on their way to Haiti.  The trip is a starting point.  A starting point for friendship, collaboration and mission.  You can find out more about this partnership at The Haiti Collective.  And you can also participate.  Here’s a post from our friend Dave Wilkinson that will tell you how.

Most of us are hooked up to a municipal water supply or a well. We turn on the tap and water comes out. We flush the toilet, and yep, there it is, water. We rarely even think about it unless something breaks. In Godin, water is difficult to come by. One of the projects we hope to help out with in June is a water collection project. Tanks, gutters, and fittings will cost about $1500. You can help by going to Kaleo or The Porch and donating. Will you help us?

During our gathering yesterday we explored Acts 3 , followed by a bit of dialogue.  The following questions aided our discussion and I hope will continue to do so…

Who / What are we looking at each day that is need of redemption?

Who / What are we coming into physical contact with as an expression of our faith in the redemption that Jesus has accomplished?

Are we seeing wonder and amazement grow in those we’re connected to because of our gospel centered lives?

What kind of response, or story, are we verbally sharing with those who are filled with wonder and amazement?

The following video is by The Work Of The People and features Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove.  We watched this together yesterday as we, along with countless others, celebrated our mothers and the ladies among us, while also continuing our journey through the New Testament book of Acts.  And we continue the celebration today, of mothers, sisters, brothers and fathers, because of the kingdom come and coming in Jesus.

This morning I read a post from John Stackhouse, who teaches at Regent College, that contained the following quote by Philip Doddridge (1702-1751).  May we have ears to hear…

How does your mind stand affected toward those who differ from you in their religious feelings and practices? I do not say that Christian charity will require you to think every error harmless…. But to hate persons because we think they are mistaken, and to aggravate every difference in judgement or practice into a fatal and damnable error that destroys all Christian communion and love, is a symptom generally much worse than the evil it condemns.

Do you love the image of Christ in a person who thinks himself obliged in conscience to profess and worship in a manner different from yourself? More than this, can you love and honor that which is truly amiable and excellent in those in whom much is defective–in those in whom there is a mixture of bigotry and narrowness of spirit, which may lead them perhaps to slight or even to censure you? Can you love them as the disciples and servants of Christ who, through a mistaken zeal, may be ready to “cast out your name as evil” (Luke 6:22) and to warn others against you as a dangerous person?

As we continue to explore and practice a way of living that is re-imagined through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we are compelled to compare and contrast the most basic and mundane aspects of our days with the ultimate reality of the reign, or Kingdom of God.  Here’s a short piece on “How To Keep From Wasting Time On The Web” that I recently read that reminded me of that.  It’s short, to the point and offers up a variety of ways on how to best utilize time spent on the web.

In addition to being a good resource on productivity, it also provoked me to once again think about living a life that is fully aware, fully present and fully given to stewarding the time, resources, relationships and beyond that I’ve been given; to once again embrace all of life, including my work and leisure, as worship and mission.

This Wednesday, May 5th, is the monthly gathering for a network of mission shaped churches in the Spokane area known as Ecclesia Spokane.  We meet to share good food, friendship and conversation intended to resource our efforts to live and serve as those given to partnering with Jesus on his mission of love and redemption.  This month’s gathering will include conversation on missional community.  My friend Steve Hart, pastor of The Vintage Faith Community in Browne’s Addition, will be facilitating the conversation and poses the following question, which I’d love your input on. I have added the parentheses.  As you read and consider, please be aware that this is happening among us and is to be celebrated.  At the same time, how do we continue down this path with increasing awareness and action? (Also, if you ever want to join us we meet on the first Wednesday of each month from noon until 2PM.)

What needs to happen in your church community (also, your houseplant) to move people out of the seats and into their neighborhoods and workplaces, living in deep community together as servants of Christ, joyfully talking of (and demonstrating) the greatness of their Savior to each other and to the world?

Craig Goodwin, master gardener, pastor of Millwood Community Presbyterian Church and blogger extraordinaire, has posted the opening day schedule for farmers’ markets in the Spokane area.

May 15
Saturday Downtown Spokane Farmers’ Market (New Location)
Saturdays (8 am to 1 pm)

Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market (Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter)
Saturdays (9 am to 1pm)

May 19
Millwood Farmers’ Market (Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter)
Wednesdays (3 pm to 7 pm)

June 9
Wednesday Downtown Spokane Farmers’ Market (New Location)
Wednesdays (8 am to 1 pm)

June (Need to confirm exact date)
South Perry Farmers’ Market
Thursdays (3 pm to 7 pm)

Faith without works is the faith of demons, which causes them to tremble, but never love.
—Antonio Carlos Costa

From the recent Q gathering in Chicago.  Antonio Carlos Costa is a pastor and practitioner of justice in Rio De Janeiro Brazil.

Why is it that only times of “American styled blessing” do we say it’s a ‘God Thing’? I know that the Bible says “every good and perfect thing” comes from God, and I would agree with that statement. But what about the suffering? What about the sacrifices we often have to give and live through? Couldn’t those also be ‘God Things’? We don’t like to say that because we can never imagine a God who asks us to sacrifice, but isn’t that just what Jesus asked us to do if we truly want to follow him? Without sacrificing our own desires and way of life preferences, we can’t truly pick up our cross and follow him.

Friend of Kaleo, Jason Thomas, posted these words, and more, over at his blog today.  You can read the entire post there.