Barnabas File

Most of us were introduced to Brian McLaren with his fiction trilogy that began with   A New Kind of Christian  that challenged us to a new vision for the Christian faith. His story of a pastor trying to find his way forward despite burnout and doubt struck a chord with many Christians.    Since then, he has become a prodigious writer with books on spirituality, theology, and social action.   McLaren’s latest offering is in the science fiction genre.   The Last Voyage is the first volume in a new trilogy that explores what it means to be human and what would we choose to bring with us or leave behind, if we were to start all over again.   Drawing on his considerable knowledge of theology, literature, philosophy, and natural science (he is talking turtles again), McLaren addresses the hopes, fears, and barriers of establishing a new human civilization on Mars.  His characters are complex, flawed, and emotional.  The conversation...

In an interview with Faith and Leadership, Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, the Episcopal Bishop of Texas, made this comment: “So as judicatory heads or diocesan ministers, we have to cast a vision for the things that we think are needed for the future clergy, which is a capacity to fail and pick themselves up and do the work, the ability to be adaptive in circumstances, the ability to preach, to talk to and captivate people.” He also said, “We need vision people; we need people who can communicate well; we need people who are using social media and are digital immigrants at the very least, and are digital natives at the very best.” These are interesting comments that reflect the reality of contemporary parish leadership.  I would insist, however, that these are skills not just for future clergy but for those who are presently in congregational leadership.  I believe that anyone can learn these skills. First, leaders can learn how to cast a vision based upon the ad...

This is challenging time for the church, but I submit this is not unusual.   In its two thousand years of existence, whenever the church attempts to be faithful to the mission of God, there have been both difficulties and blessings.   Each challenge provides the opportunity for a breakthrough. In the next week, I want to share some positive words about the church in the 21 st century--signs of hope. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said: We must face the fact that in America, the church is still the most segregated major institution in America. At 11:00 on Sunday morning when we stand and sing and Christ has no east or west, we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation. This is tragic.  While a Lifeway survey shows the desire for diversity in the church is still more of a hope than a reality, the research also shows more openness to racial diversity in congregations both from pastoral leadership and church members. What...

Developmental psychologists and sociologists have observed that adolescence lasts longer than it did in previous decades.   Twenty-five year olds may still live at home and lack a clear vision for their future.   Even those involved with jobs, advocacy, and education are still not sure “what they will be when they grow up.” This could describe the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is as it completes the celebration of its 25 th year.  In response to my recent blog about the Baptist Diaspora, friend Andrew Bennett observed (shared with his permission): In its early days the CBF was struggling with its identity.  When Keith Parks was hounded out of the SBC and came over we immediately became a missions delivery organization.  There seemed to be little hesitation or reflection it was just like a switch was flipped.  The difficult process of examining what we are and what our future should be has been an ad hoc process as time has gone b...