I'd like to give you all a quick update on a new opportunity for ministry that has been presented to me, and ask your prayers for it. I have been contacted by some people from Mars Hill in Seattle and asked to consider working with them on a project that would explore ways to combine some of Exile Pres's Reformed distinctives with the missional and urban focus of Mars Hill and Acts 29 more broadly. I don't have a lot of details just yet, but the position would entail doing a fair bit of speaking and teaching in various forums on the topic of how to integrate Reformed theology and a style of worship that is authentic, postmodern, and outward focused. I've been told that this is a project that has been on the heart of the Mars Hill leadership for some time, and they are excited to see where this joint venture might lead. I'll update again when I know more.
With friends like Mars Hill, why bother fighting Federal Vision? You're opposing sacerdotalists only to aid Anabaptists.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Mars Hill is in desperate need of learning how to "integrate Reformed theology and a style of worship that is authentic, postmodern, and outward focused."
ReplyDeleteTheir version of "Reformed theology" is sadly incomplete.
Dude- what's there to think/pray about. So many benefits that can't be ignored. You'd make more money. Those guys are loaded and all your new members will be Apple employees! Also, you won't have to leave the church to do missions. You can be incarnationally missional TO THE OTHER PASTORS! How sweet is that. You can be indie on so many levels.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents- but I think I have the Spirit.
I am not sure why you would want to. My wife and I have been praying about coming back to Exile as our studies over the past several months are leading us to a harmonized view of reformed theology and a mutual distaste of postmodern worship. In going over the sacraments I listened to Mark Driscoll where he called infant baptism magic and mysticism. In my opinion he is a dear brother in the Lord but their views of ecclesiology in all of its ramifications are redically different from historic reformed theology. They are not even historic calvinists. In his sermon series on the cross of Christ he labeled himself a calminian. Sounds very calvary chapel to me, although he does claim to embrace unconditional election. Anyhow, my wife and I have discovered that in the entire seattle area Exile is the only old school confessional church we know of where the confessed theology matches the order of worship,etc. The benefit you now have is being a light and example of not compromising. Just my thoughts and how we have recently come to really appreciate and miss what your church is all about, and would hate to see it devolve into a neon crossed hipster club with live sermon tweeting. Again I consider Mark a great brother but one with radically different ideas which do not harmonize with the fullness of reformed ecclesiology.
ReplyDeleteFor a more upbeat, missional image, perhaps you should change the name of your church from Exile to "inTents". (You see what I did there? A little bit of fun with Heb 11:9?)
ReplyDeleteIn other news, I hear you are now shepherding my friends the Sledges. Take good care of them for us!
Wait . . . they asked you too?!? And I thought I was special. :-(
ReplyDeleteApril Fool, eh?
ReplyDeleteDude! The asked me to lead their worship services!
ReplyDeleteSeattle?
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't even rain properly.
Michael Horton doesn't have a problem with teaching at mars hill and has been featured many times on the resurgence. 2k confuses reformed theology more than neo-calvinism. That's why doug wilson and mark driscoll are having a conference together later this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused. Your thesis that "2K confuses Reformed theology more than neo-Calvinism" is supported by the fact that both Horton and Wilson speak at Mars Hill?
ReplyDeleteI don't get it.
JJS, My question is, would you teach at MH if you were invited? Michael Horton has contributed, and endorsed your book, and this blog post suggests that you wouldn't do so.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I totally would. The "joke" of this post is that I would be a part of a project to re-configure Reformed worship in such a way as to make it authentic, postmodern, and urban.
ReplyDeletePS - Mike Horton wouldn't do this kind of thing either.
JJS, okay, that helps. I'm glad you wouldn't re-configure reformed worship either.
ReplyDeleteBut reformed thought has been urban, authentic and postmodern for 500yrs
ReplyDeleteJason, I would strongly encourage you to consider this opportunity. It seems as if we in Reformed circles have significant difficulty figuring out how to live and work with our brothers in Christ, even those with whom we share much common ground. How do you help your brothers grow and learn from them if you remain isolated? I know many Reformed people think there is nothing to learn from the less Reformed, but is scripture is true, one part of the body cannot say to another, "I don't need you." There is an opportunity to love your brothers and contribute to their effort to grow in a Reformed perspective. Think of it this way, "Though you have all Reformed knowledge, but don't love your brothers, it profits you nothing." This is a great opportunity. They are willing to listen to you. What more could you want? If you want to have an influence on the direction and undestanding of the church, this is a providential opportunity. It seems you are going to catch more flack from those who are struggling on how to labor with a kingdom view of things, rather than a just-like-us-or-else theology. If we don't take opportunities like this, how can we improve the overall health of the church? I agree that your FV fight is important, but it is not the only fight in the church. If you have to multi-task, pray for grace and do the work my brother. And may God richly bless your labor!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! They just asked me to be head of shirt designs for M-Hill 2011. Lots of dragons and squiggles and the like. I'll send you a couple samples. But please dont button the top two buttons as I will be sending a chocker necklace to go with it made of hemp, tiger stone and lead. It rocks, believe me. Wear it together with skinny jeans and some sort of boots...now we are on our way.
ReplyDeleteBut the hair, we need to somehow get you hair...I'll brainstorm. I heard the A29/MTW warehouse might have some in the bins with the standard issue spectacles, I'll check.
If you like shirts with dragons and squiggles and the like, you should check out this little online T-shirt company run by a couple of (Reformed) dudes in my (PCA) church...
ReplyDeleteHey praying for you Jason.
ReplyDeleteGrace!