Something to Do

If you're looking for something to do, tonight kicks off Downtown After 5 on Lexington Ave. at I240. There is food and drink and free jazz music.

Downtown After 5 is a monthly event sponsored by the Asheville Dowtown Association.

Many of our favorite restaraunt vendors will be on hand as well as a majority of our favorite local microbreweries.

Organic Community

Church planting for Missio Dei is not the development of a Sunday morning worship activity. Rather, it is the development of a community that is shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, we've been doing a considerable amount of praying and reading on the development of community.

In a very short time and in many ways, I've witnessed tremendous failure and moderate victory as God uses me to develop a gospel-centered community. But I am always looking for refinement and growth. This lead me to read the book Organic Community by Joseph Myers.

Overall, some very helpful questions were asked, but as is often the case in the "Emergent Village," when conclusions are made, they are often over-reactionary in nature. This treatment is no exception.

Myers has an either/or attitude that comes across as arrogant and downright untrue. He presents several false dichotomies in an attempt to welcome a new way of thinking.

While there were several helpful tools that I was able to pull from the book, I'd like to see a more synthesized approach to community. One that doesn't guarantee success if you follow certain prescribed methods, nor look at suspiciously every method prescribed as if it were evil and oppressive.

Tax Rebate and Good Stewardship

I am very disquieted in my soul about the Economic Stimulus rebate the US government is poised to disseminate beginning this week. Most of us (Christians included) are not thinking much beyond "What can I get for myself with this free money," and that troubles me.

I recognize that the purpose of the rebate is to give a boost to the economy by encouraging spending. Perhaps this will work, but perhaps not. If I decide to put the money in a savings account, am I giving to Caesar what he requires?

Yet, if I give to Caesar, and I put the money into the economy by spending on, say, a flat screen tv, am I giving to God what is God's?

Perhaps, the most Gospel oriented thing we can do is to buy something for another's sake and not be selfish and greedy, like we are most of the rest of the time. Or is there enough Gospel pictured by making an offering with the money and spending a portion giving thanks to God for the bountiful provision?

Thoughts?