The Hermeneutical Circle

Class is in session and we are discussing the hermeneutical process.  Hermeneutics is a big word, but simply its about applying an ancient text in a modern world.  The bible was written many years ago, in different cultures, and addressed different social issues than what we face today.  So how do we take what was written then and apply it to today? That is the task of hermeneutics.  C. Rene Padilla wrote an article and created a diagram (I like pictures) and here is what he calls the hermeneutical circle.

Tags: hermeneutics, rene padilla, bible

Summer Session at Calvin Theological Seminary

I've been in Grand Rapids for a few days now.  I'm staying in Eastown with some friends.  We have a great place to stay at Doug and Lisa's house. 

Classes started today and we had Hermeneutics this morning and now I'm in Reformed Theology this afternoon.  The two classes are taught by fabulous profs and the students are good thinkers.  This will be a rich two weeks of reflection, learning and conversation.  I'm looking forward to the lectures and conversation that follows. 

I'm glad the wireless range is bleeding into the area where the classroom is. Even though the signal is weak, I'm online. 

If any of you have any reformed theological questions or questions about hermeneutics, I can ask them for you live online in class.   Email them to me or post them in the comments and we'll get some good conversation going.

Tags: reformed theology, calvin theological seminary

Back To EMPC at CTS and Yesterdog

I'm sitting on the stairs in the front entry of our home with my suit cases in front of me. I'm leaving in about 20 minutes for Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MIchigan to take two courses over a span of two weeks. One on Hermeneutics and the other on Reformed Theology. I'm hooking up with Dale, Dan and Aaron and we'll be staying in Eastown. Look our Yesterdogs!

Be Like Jesus

Dan Wilt put up a great post about being like Jesus today:

... It is my deep conviction that we as the 21st century Church are in just such an inside-out transition. To change in dress or appearance is the least form of change – to change utterly in personality and soul is a far more dramatic, and costly, enterprise. Jesus has always required this of his disciples – why would we be surprised that he invites his Church into the same womb? ...

Mom

It's been 18 years since Mom's suffering from cancer ended and her ultimate new life began.  I'm very glad for her.  My hope is that she is with our Father today.  I know she is.  She must be having an amazing time. 

I stopped by her grave yesterday and thanked her for the life she gave me and my sibblings.  She mothered us well. She loved me only like a mother can.  She accepted me.  I remember her always loving me and being my biggest fan.  She had a way of blessing me where I was at, yet speaking further hope in what I could become.  My love for new things and adventure I think comes from her.  She gave me grace when I needed it and correction when I needed it - just in the right doses. The times that I think at the time I got away with something,  I'm pretty sure she knew all along.

She never met our kids.  She would love them.  If they were all at her house, I'm sure she would  hold her ears from the noise and cringe at the wear and tear kids did to the house - but when we left, she would continue to  knit them all a sweater, one of her love languages. 

Thanks Mom.  We'll see each other again.  I can't wait. 

I miss you.

Tags: mothers day, cancer

The Post-Small Group era

Heartland has a proud history of  being a church of small groups.  The church was planted using small groups about 10 years ago.  The focus was on relationships and including new people.  Groups started and people enjoyed amazing personal growth and many others came to experience the church for the first time.  This was during the hayday of Carl George and the meta-church movement.  Remember the meta-globe?  Who is your coach?  Did you go to the VHS? Want to be an Xa?  What zone are you in?   I digress. 

Heartland enjoyed a wonderful ministry run that included small groups as the primary ministry building block.  After a few years, the church, like many other church plants began to experience significant conflict.  Many people left for other churches.  Heartland was  exposed and vulnerable.  The church went through a very difficult time.  She almost closed the doors. 

But prayer,  perseverance and a no quit attitude of the ones left behind,  the church continued.  Things were different though.  Small groups took a hit.  People were tired and leaders were stressed and the groups slowly began to end their meetings.  One after another.  Today there are only a few groups meeting. 

Our council just came back from a retreat at Lindell Beach to talk about how do we care for each other.  How do we promote community at Heartland, and what is going well.  We were surprised to notice that in the absence of a small group ministry, caring and community was happening more than we first thought.. 

Those of us who were involved in the small group era,  believed that authentic biblical community (willow term) could not happen without small groups and that if you didn't have groups, you didn't have much. 

We discovered the opposite.  People have been connected in rich ways.  People are caring for each other spontaneously, friendships are rich and yes, there is authentic biblical community happening.  There is life after small groups. 

Has anyone else found that there this life after small group ministry?  If so, I'd love to hear from you and to learn from you.  Let us all know what's working. 

Yes, we maybe post-modern, perhaps we are also post-small group.  Imagine embracing being a church with groups instead of a church of small groups. 

Tags: small groups, heartland fellowship

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