Pop Culture Piety
Pop Culture is everywhere. It is implicit in what we read, what we watch, where we shop, even our choice of what brand of coffee to drink. Given this, Christ’s call to be ‘in the world, but not of the world’ can sometimes seem daunting to us. This blog will explore various topics within Popular Culture, and how we are called to live out our faith and ministry in these murky and ever shifting waters.
Rekindle the Joy
As of November 1st, frosted upon the glass doors of each Starbucks was this year’s Christmas theme: Rekindle the Joy.
Rekindle the joy of November?
Greeters or Gatekeepers?
As the visitor walks past and the greeter silently thrusts a bulletin toward them, what is communicated is a message of: ‘take this bulletin and sit down’ rather than ‘I welcome you to this church’. Continue reading
Community-Specific Language
The other day I received an e-mail from a friend studying philosophy at the University of Victoria. He wrote: “Kyle, I want you to help me prove the existence of God.” . My response to his question was:
“That depends on what God you are talking about. . . .
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That’ll Preach!!
Could this be a wake-up call to the Church, and in particular, to Preachers? While we try to squish the gospel message into a run of fancy phrases or 30 second clips, have people actually been calling out for something more? Could it be that it is time that we stop trying to inculturate the Gospel message and just give it?
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Let’s talk about SEX
Our culture likes us to think that purity is the last thing needed in any relationship. If a relationship is to be truly loving, says the culture, it must involve sex. After all why else would magazines like “Cosmo” and “Self” run endless articles of “10 ways to please your man’ and ‘Sexy secrets to heat up the bedroom!’ Continue reading
Tickle Pickles
My son held up the receipt and with excitement in his voice, asked for a happy face. Grinning widely, the employee asked my son ‘Now, what’s the magic word?” Dutifully, my son responded “Tickle Pickles!”
I am who I am
This trend toward self-criticism isn’t just damaging on an emotional level, but also on a spiritual one. Each time we compare ourselves to others, and find ourselves incomplete, we disregard the uniqueness of the person God has created us to be. Continue reading
The Reality of Witness
I was looking forward to seeing how a seminary student would handle the murky morality of Reality TV. How would his or her faith be presented in this show? More specifically, how would someone, presumably in their formative years of life, express their devotion to God and their call to ministry as they schemed, strategized, and battled their way towards one millions dollars?
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It’s like riding a bike
My son often looks at his feet when he is riding his bike. When this happens, his balance falters and he topples over. I remind him that he must keep his vision cast ever forward – to the horizon to which he aims. We in the church need to do the same. Continue reading
