Andrew Jones, wanted for questioning in the death of the Emerging Church

Andrew Jones, AKA “Tall Skinny Kiwi” is a person of interest in the possible death of The Emerging Church. He is wanted by the Minneapolis Police Department for questioning. “This is merely a discussion,” says Police Spokesperson Frank O’Reilly. “We are not ruling out natural causes, but due to some public statements on the part of Mr. Jones, we would like the opportunity to talk to him in our office, with his lawyer present.”

Mr. Jones, a native of New Zealand (and not a personal friend of Peter Jackson, apparently the only Kiwi that doesn’t actually know Mr. Jackson and has not worked for Jackson), was last seen in Europe with his family. Jones has no fixed address, but considers himself a friend of the Emerging Church. In fact, through public statements he has intimated his presence at the birth (or conception) of the Church. At this time it is unknown if Mr. Jones is related to the church (some say he is a parent) or was a doctor in the room at the time of its birth.

Mrs. Church, born in 1989, had many enemies and was rumored to have been suffering from a possible terminal illness. However, close friend Tony Jones of Edina, states that Mrs. Church was in fact only suffering from frayed nerves brought on by the stress of the impending divorce with The Origins Project. He said, “She was not feeling well, but I do not believe The Emerging Church was needing anything besides rest. In fact, should any foul play be found, I think there are other suspects in the case, including the Southern Baptist Convention and any of John Piper’s followers. However, I think she is not really dead. In fact, I think this report is premature. Yes, it seems as if someone has drugged her and left her for dead, but she will recover. I must believe that.”

Tony Jones, who is not related to Andrew Jones, but describes himself as a friend of Andrew, says that he is worried about Andrew Jones, who has had to live in multiple worlds for too long. “Eventually the stress may have gotten to him,” says Tony Jones, "In fact, while I don’t want to implicate him in anything unsavory, if anything has happened to the Emerging Church, I would look at Andrew as a suspect in a possible misguided mercy killing.”

Reached for comment, a lawyer for Andrew Jones stated, "my client would not participate in a mercy killing. In fact, he has very, very orthodox opinions on such issues. He is completely against euthanasia. In fact, he believes exactly what he is supposed to believe on all issues related to orthodoxy. Really. He does. However, Andrew did state to me that he was concerned for the life of the Emerging Church. Anything you have read from him is merely his attempt to show his love for a relative.”

Mr. Jones was last seen in with his family. He is very white and very tall. If you have any information related to his whereabouts, please contact the Minneapolis Police Department or Interpol.

Dangerous Blogging

I have not been blogging as much lately, but it is not due to having nothing to say. I have found myself self censoring a lot lately. There are some things I just don't want to put out there, or think that I will suffer some sort of consequence* if I relate them, especially on some sacrosanct and politically correct topics. There is so much consensus in the world in which I sit that an alternative view seems dangerous, especially related to groups/ issues we are supposed to support, political and theological opinions we are supposed to have and ways we identify ourselves.

It is one thing for me to be controversial on pop culture topics. It is quite another to put myself out there on other things. And I have found myself holding back a lot lately. To be honest, I have held back on many things in the past, especially things that I don't hold dear and that I am ambivalent or agnostic about. But, I feel like I am in bit of a no man's land right now on some things (I could piss off both sides of some issues with my real opinions).

I am sure I am not the only one in this boat. Do you find yourself favoring too much or too little potentially dangerous opinion in your writing? Do you try to walk a middle ground? If so, why? Just making sure I am not crazy:)

* not sure what the real consequences are beyond pissing people off, garnering negative comments, losing readership, becoming a pariah or losing a chance at a position or career option. I am sure there are other consequences, some of which are worse than others.

Does twitter make us lazy? (some limits of social networking)

is it just me, or does the social networking cause relational passivity?

I am speaking as a user, not an outside critic but as a user so slow that I just realized something the critic probably complain about all the time.

I know... we think that, because it brings us into connection with hundreds of people, social networking ties us together (which it does on a certain level, especially if I have something to promote). However, I have noticed on facebook, the blogs and especially through twitter, an allowance for relational passivity. No longer do we (the Imperial we?) call a friend to see how they are doing and tell them something important. Heck, we no longer even email people. Instead we update each other via twitter, which is fine for those following us, but not for deep friendship. I like knowing what Billy Joe in NYC that I read daily is up to and he should not email me (or even DM me) about his impending marriage.

However, there are some things my former roommate from college and best man in my wedding needs to tell me in person (or via phone/ email). Yes, we can use twitter and fb for personal messaging, but I don't want to tell the world in general that I have a disease or someone close to me died (neither of which have happened) before sharing it with those whom I value for their personal connections, those I am loyal to and are loyal to me. they deserve personal attention.

Along these same lines, people think that a mention of you in a posting is as good as a personal thank you, apology, phone call or email. This is relational laziness. Eventually people notice (kinda like the open letter).

However, my biggest issue as a twitter user for a while is this. It makes us passive and lazy relationally when we are in need of help, advice or support. Too many times I have seen on twitter a need/ want just laid out there with no context (how can we give context in 140 characters? I know this).

Her is how it works: I need an answer to a simple question, so I tweet and someone gives me the answer. Awesome for me.

or, I want to know how to solve a problem, so I tweet and someone give me an answer. Awesome for me.

or, I need a ride to the airport, so I tweet and someone says, "I will take you." Awesome for me.

But, all of this makes me passive and lazy. I have a need, desire or want and I do nothing relational. I put it out there and wait for you to contact me with an answer or salvation for my problem. You, as the one with the help have to do the work and I get all the benefit.

I must say, I do not like this equation, especially as a follower of Christ. It is not good for personal relationships.

Does this mean I will no longer tweet? No. But, it may mean I will pick up the phone or email someone when I need something, before I get passive and let everyone else come to me with the answer... and I may not fall into the trap of affirming and enabling such relational passivity. It may also mean that I don't just use social networking when I have a need, or when I want something done. I may try to connect with people for the purposes of getting to know them, not just using them.

But, probably not.

rattling on and on about why I don't talk much about theology

a few friends have been asking me why I don't blog much about theology, spirituality, the Bible and Jesus any more. I have thought about this and given plenty of answers, one of which is implied here. 

While part of it lies in my love of sports, music, food, film, politics, humor, sarcasm, and me, there is another reason. I don't care about, have a strong opinion on, or think some things matter as much as many who put some much stock in certain issues do. I feel (or don't feel) this way about homosexuality, gay marriage and unions, who is in an out of heaven and hell, atonement theory, denominations, who is right and wrong about theological matters (not entirely true- there are 3 or 4 subjects I feel strongly matter- and they are not what you probably think), Calvinism (I have strong opinions but they would piss off both sides) and who is in and out of orthodoxy and Emergent (just to name a few). Also, although I was an early supporter of Obama (04 Baby), I don't genuflect at his image like many I read. However, to be part of the theological conversations out there you must have strong opinions on these subjects and I have been around this stuff for a long time and am pretty laid back on some matters others take WAY too seriously. 

I think there are many good theologically astute blogs out there, much better than mine with much sharper minds on these subjects, and my strengths lie elsewhere. If I blog about theological matters, I feel I could be parroting what others are saying or getting myself into such controversy my wife will ask me to make this blog anonymous once more. You see, lately I have been thinking a lot more about theological issues, but some of those thoughts are not mainstream (in Emergent or Evangelicalism). This is after a few years in which I have not put as much work into theological/ spiritual matters as I had in the past. Why?

For one thing, I have had jobs which do not allow such thought. So, my reading has tended to come from other disciplines which can either relate to what I have been working on, or are for simple pleasure (of course, my idea of pleasurable reading would make some people think I am weirder than I really am). 

Also, we are not presently active in a church (not due to lack of trying), so I do not have much to react to, beyond my thoughts and those of friends, blogs or books. When I have led a church or been active in a church, I have blogged about those things I (we) were dealing with or discussing. I guess this could be an outlet for those theological reflections not expressed in ministry, but I find myself drawn to lighter subjects because they take less energy.

I do engage in theological conversation that I have thought of sharing here. I am in serious discussions with friends and family and among some friends in blogdom and on a discussion board. However, I tend to get sick of the exclusionary tone and lack of honest discussion I see out there. I tend to get tired of each person sharing their theological or Biblical opinion, thinking (left and right), they are right. 

There is too much self assurance and self righteousness (especially among those in official ministry*). There is too little reflection and humility. Sadly, I have seen that lately among former friends and colleagues (much of it in the comments sections and on social networking sites). So, I stick with things in which strong opinions do not matter and have no real world implications (food, culture, sports, etc.). In other words, I tend to stay away from theological reflections online because I take them seriously and do not take myself (and you) seriously at all.

Also, I am a little concerned with publishing some of these thoughts in a public setting (even such a small niche). I am in the midst of some redefinition of terms and theological growth that I have not defined well enough to share in a setting that may offend my readers or demand clarification I am not ready to give (and defend thoughts I do not hold dearly). In fact, some of my ideas have very little to do with defined theology and much more to do with neuroscience and psychology (which are not my strengths). I am emerging left on some issues, right on others and into very new territory on others, all of which would make people question my salvation (as a good Emergent Christian or EE-vangelical).

As I think about ministry, church and pastoral work (still like the idea and would like to jump back in someday- on my terms), I may try to share some of these thoughts in this public forum. I may get back to social justice issues (which have always concerned me). I will try to get back to subjects that actually matter, but don't hold your breath. I am not there yet (and the Cardinals still need my undivided attention).**

*people have gotten quite bold bragging about their ministry, their accomplishments, their service and their actions (especially in forums like twitter and facebook- "look at me, I am better than you").

** did I mention that I need tickets to the Super Bowl? Help a brother out. 

Conservative Fratricide

this was to be merely a link to an excellent article by an Conservative Independent that has left the Republican Party behind and thinks it is doomed to destruction. Link Here

_____________________________________________

As you may have noticed, evidenced by Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama, over the past few weeks,* the Republican Party has been breaking apart under its own weight, due in part to fiscal mismanagement, incompetence from a Republican Administration, an ill conceived and ill managed war, misanthropic behavior towards those outside the fold and the ill conceived VP nomination of Sarah Palin. This has caused the exodus of many PBRs (pre-Bush Republicans), Conservatives with conscience, Libertarians, Independents, Moderates and Religious Folk (those that care about issues broader than abortion** and gay marriage). While McCain could win in the case of unpolled racism or an October Surprise (like the Bosox coming from 7 down in the 8th in game 5), the party is still in pieces.

The Democratic Party, through no effort of its own, beyond nominating someone appealing has been the beneficiary. The victims have been the Republicans and Conservatives that dare speak against the President, the Party line or the potential VP, some of whom are shining lights of the movement or true believers. Many have left of their own accord, while others are unceremoniously dumped, metaphorically fragged by teammates, or called RINOS (Republicans In Name Only). 

What many ultra-conservatives do not understand is that they are the cause for the dismantling of their movement. They supported Bush's incompetence, DeLay's crookedness, along with issues like torture, big government for their benefit and borrowing and spending-drawing a line in sand that many conservatives of good conscience (especially Religious ones) had no choice but to cross. They took a movement and turned it into a racket. 

It is not a coincidence that many smart conservatives are questioning their party, considering a vote for a Third Party or a Democrat. It is not a coincidence that Right Leaning newspapers are lining up to endorse Obama and Reagan/ Bush I era Republicans are leaning towards Obama or away from McCain/ Palin. It is not a coincidence that many reliably Republican strongholds are breaking blue and many Evangelical church members are speaking up about once secret party affiliations. This is an indictment of the Conservative movement and the Republican party, not an endorsement of Democrats and Liberalism.

In fact, I think the best thing that can happen to the Republican Party for the sake of America is to lose big. Such a loss can be cleansing.

Sadly, many in the Christian Right are among the last vestiges, valuing personality and profession of belief over competence and intelligence, assigning their names to non-Christian attitudes on torture, race, hospitality to the other, war and truth speaking (among others). They support a candidate for VP that would not qualify to lead many of their churches (not just because she is a woman). 

Does this make the Democratic Party good? No. It makes it the only option in town for many since the Republicans started this friendly fire campaign and closing the tent.*** The Democratic Party is doing nothing besides opening its arms to people it might disagree with if the conversation ever got too deep. It is growing, not because of new ideas, but because the Republican Party is seen as bankrupt, the party of DeLay, Foley, Cheney, Bush and all things bad during the previous 8 years. 

Instead of blaming Democrats and Liberals, closing ranks ever more narrowly, trying to find any dirt possible on Obama,**** and shooting their wounded (killing the messenger is never a good idea), each Conservative/ Republican should look inside themselves, seek guidance from the smart conservatives with a conscience and take time to clean their own house instead of pointing out how dirty the Democratic House is (I think there is a Scripture about this). 

They should stop reading, watching or listening to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity (seriously the guy is a joke), Hugh Hewitt, Bill Kristol, the guys at Townhall and Fox News. They should not start listening to Rachel Maddow and Kieth Olbermann. They should find conservative voices that are questioning assumptions, listen to them and ask similar questions (see list below).

Some of the bad Conservatives and Republicans- those that must be either misguided, stupid, or not following God:

Peggy Noonan,George Will, Christopher Hitchens, The Chicago Tribune and 25 other papers that endorsed Bush (and counting), Christopher Buckley, Colin Powell, Rod Dreher, Kathleen Parker, K Lo, Andrew Sullivan, Ross Douthat, Reihan Salam, Daniel Larison, David Brooks, some of the guys at Culture 11, even Charles Krauthammer and an Eisenhower. not all these support Obama, but they all question the direction of the Republican Party, McCain and/or Palin.

For a list of prominent Republicans supporting Obama, click here. While much of this support for Obama is due to his talent, vision and temperament, if there was a credible Republican alternative (and party) this would not be the case. Note that much of Powell's decision to support Obama revolved around his feelings regarding the Republican lurch to the right (as it dies).

Some thoughts on the Civil War brewing in Conservatism and the Republican Party: 

The Civil War

The Next Right on what the Right needs to do

the excellent blog posting that got this going

a previous article on the historic underpinnings of modern conservatism's fall. 

Andrew Sullivan, Rod Dreher and Ross Douthat are obsessed with this subject. Read any of their blogs.

* the breakup actually began in the aftermath of September 11, followed closely by the Iraq War, Mission Accomplished, the lack of WMDS, no Osama, vilification of John Kerry's Vietnam record, Katrina, DeLay/ Foley, financial mismanagement, Obama coming on the scene, no good Republicans in the primary, the McCain campaign, the financial meltdown and Sarah Palin. It will continue in the aftermath of the Nov 4 loss of McCain and subsequent blame shifting and scapegoating.

**many of whom that are still very Pro-Life.

***full disclosure- I registered as a Democrat at 18, became and Independent in 1994 (after working on a Republican presidential campaign). I became a Democrat this year to vote in the primaries. I will become unaffiliated once again (Independent) after the election. I have voted for Republicans as often as Democrats (if not more) in state and national elections. I have even voted for 3rd parties on occasion. I am not a Liberal (though, if I were, I would proudly wear the label- as I would if I were a Conservative. I find nothing wrong with principled conservatives and liberals).

 ****I heard 1 on the radio complaining yesterday about Obama's 2-faced support of both World Series participants as reason to vote against him.

new look

this is the blog's new look. I hope you like it. I was trying something cool, which failed due to my lack of technical prowess and its lack of user friendliness.

All the cool old links are gone, but I am trying to simplify and clean them up. I still have some work to do. It could all change tomorrow.

R

No I Can't... express the frivolity of this blog

To My Dearest Readers (those still with me),

You may have noticed the frivolity on my blog lately and lost interest due to the lack of depth, whether personal, spiritual or political. While I may consider music, film and sports deep on a number of levels, I understand I am in the minority unless at a sporting event, independent record store or (God forbid) a comic book convention (but, I will never set foot upon the ground of a Renaissance Festival- there is an important distinction between comic fans and those that cross over to the Dark Side of Renaissance Festivals and Sci Fi/ Trek Conventions).

Lately I have not had the blogger energy for such endeavors. For 1 thing, I have been working on an important project I hope to make public in the near future. It is a non-profit that focuses on systemic issues and I am very excited. I have put so much serious energy on that, I have found little such energy to blog about the same issues I am hoping to deal with with this NGO.

Also, I have forced myself away from the political blogs for a few weeks due to the fact that they conjure up strong emotions. My feelings for unnamed candidates and their surrogates are better left in the dark recesses of my mind. My feelings for another candidate must be tempered by my training as a political scientist and theological ethicist (I focused upon ethics rather the theology, Biblical scholarship or philosophy).

I have had a hard time not joining the movement of the masses and find myself fighting against my very nature as he rises in the polls. I am more drawn to him than any other candidate for higher office during my lifetime and think he could change the world for good. Yet, I still think he has too much confidence in the empire building which I oppose and question the cultish rapture he engenders from many of his followers. I am weary of religious language from politicians, even though he uses it better than most. The dangers of America as "City upon a Hill" or "redeemer of the world" do not change because of political affiliation.

I have always been skeptical (like Wendell Berry) of movements and the Cult of Personality (I say this as a U2 fan). I may blog on this issue in more depth in the coming weeks or months, depending upon how the campaigns go and what the political landscape looks like in the near future. That said, my vote stays the same. Yet, I will just continue to stay aways from campaign contributions, signs, bumper stickers and full on endorsements , so as not to "contaminate" myself.*

At a time such as this, I am drawn back to the seminal book Coercion, Why We Listen to What "They" Say by Douglas Rushkoff and its cautions. Also, I have been reading Shane Claiborne's and Chris Haw's Jesus for President, which may have as much to teach the Christian left as it does the Christian right as we find our own Ronald Reagan/ George W. Bush to follow (oh the irony on so many levels).

Anyway, I will try to stay away from rock star/ lent jokes (although I still have many) and move towards the things you come here for (you who are left).

peace,

Rick

*;)

to be continued????????

So, I am reevaluating my web presence. I have had plenty to blog about lately, but found myself not running to the computer to offer up my opinion on a number of matters. I am not sure if it is due to busyness in general, desire to spend more time with the family or the fact that I cannot get my head out of a couple of books. Spending time in professional ministry and a church daily bears much of the blame for my lack of blogging, which is not a bad thing.

Plus, whenever I am on the computer, I should be spending time looking for long term employment options. So, there are a number of reasons...

Plus, coming to the realization that only a few people come by to read the blog (I blogged a lot more when the traffic was high) and that these things are cyclical (or blogging has just lost its allure). I am not sure what it is.

Maybe I am not that interested in my own opinions on political or cultural matters or find that more of blogging is just an excuse to be a windbag for most of us, hoping to show how smart we are and how insightful our thoughts are, when most of our thoughts are run of the mill, garden variety boring and lacking in any real insight (especially when compared to what we can get from real writers). I have also found myself spending much less time on the blogs of others, coming to the realization that very few of us have original voices and have much to say in the end.

I may change my mind tomorrow. Heck, I may not even agree with this assessment in a few minutes (considering the fact that I have felt similarly in the past and it has not shut me up). Maybe I am looking for a more constructive way to add to the conversation 9whatever the heck that means- BTW, what is this "conversation" we are having on the web).

For now, I will let everyone else debate Michael Vick, Christian behavior, angels dancing on needleheads, the latest debacle from the Bush administration* and the theological and social implications from the latest treacle from Hollywood or the publishing world. I am going to find a new career path and spend time with my newborn.

I may be back (maybe tomorrow)....

TBC?


*I just heard that Alberto Gonzales is resigning as Attorney General. Just remember as you get older that he is the answer to the following future trivial pursuit and jeopardy questions...

1. Who is the most inept Attorney General in US History?
2. Who is the worst AG in US History?
3. Which Attorney General politicized the office in creative manners no one before had thought of?
4. Which Attorney general made John Ashcroft look moderate and level headed?
5. Why should presidents appoint only qualified people to head up the Justice Department instead of loyal friends and followers?

family pictures online

as we make final preparations for the expansion of the Bennett clan (car, furniture, buying last minute kid things, checking insurance), I have updated our Bennett photo blog in anticipation of using it much more with a new one on the way.

Check out some great photos of our kids (going back to last December). Here is a taste...

Kristi has a blog

My wife (who is very pregnant and rearranging the house) has finally decided to join the blog world.

Here is her site (btw- it is a Faulkner quote).
http://carryingawaysmallstones.wordpress.com/

my dirty blog

Considering the lack of time I spend on my blog and reading the blogs of others, I should not be bothering with such time wasters (when time wasters such as Facebook are calling my name). However, I stopped by Steve McCoy's blog* earlier today to get another update on his wife, who is recovering nicely from surgery.

I noticed that he had found out his blog was rated PG, which disappointed him because he wants to write for an adult audience and get a PG-13. Well, according to this engine, my blog is rated R. That is correct. I hardly ever cuss and tackle some political and religious themes and issues. However, I steer clear of many controversial topics (especially sex).

According to the site my rating may have been moved towards the nether reaches due to the inclusion of words such as abortion (3X), death (2X) and my favorite... the word missionary (1X). What a bunch of freaks that made the site. Their heads are so in the gutter that you cannot mention the word "missionary" without them thinking of sex. I bet all of the blogs of Southern Baptists in other nations are banned by NetNannies because they use such a dirty word (which makes me smile a slight bit).

I think I might start using adult language a bit more since talking about anything political or church related gives me an R. See your rating here.



* read the comments on his blog to see other bloggers complaining about their rating, especially due to dirty words like "missionary"