TallSkinnyKiwi (aka Andrew Jones)

Dan Wallace has written some great thoughts about Dr Joe Aldrich who has Parkinson's Disease and is "slipping fast". Joe was the President of Multnomah when i was a student there. Once he pulled alongside me in his car as i walked back from chapel and asked me if i wanted a ride. I was really impressed that he was not above hanging out with students. We chatted for about 3 minutes and then we were back at the College. I thanked him for his great book "Life Style Evangelism" and encouraged him on his upcoming book that would later be called "Gentle Persuasion". At the time, I thought the second book was a little wimpy and should have been tougher. But I had just come from 2 years of intensive overseas work with Operation Mobilization, and had been a street preacher for 3 years before that so I leaned towards the more confrontational side of things.

Looking back, Joe was right and his book was a fantastic gift to the church. - It really is about relationships, loving people, eating meals and spending time and being there to make the good news known when the time is right.

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Talk about David and the Web Goliaths. Look at me on the New York Times!

When I first discovered the internet in the mid 90's, the New York Times was my website of choice. Reading it for free, from my little cyber cafe in San Francisco, was an absolute blast. When I went on the web today, I found my blog headline on their paper [thanks to Blogrunner] and a stream of NYT readers coming over to my humble TallSkinnyKiwi blog. Gotta love it! God bless those NYT editors for their impeccable taste and faultless wisdom. God blessem, every one!

What post did they pick? They chose the post called Without God - which was a short Facebook message Alana Hurst from Portugal sent me today and asked me to pass it on.

PASS IT ON? HAH! I can do better than that . . .

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If you had a million dollars (and only a million), what would you do to help alleviate the pain of the current economic crisis?

Paul Watson asked this question on his blog a week ago. This his how I answered it.
I would "probably find a way to help the churches and mission organizations retool with an eye towards microbusiness and social enterprise in order to emerge from the recession equipped for long term sustainability. What about a million for 100 10k micro-loans for that purpose? Track all 100 of them and create a community blog so everyone can cheer them on and learn from them.

The need for churches and mission organizations to move from dependence to sustainability was one of my teaching themes in 2008 (Australia, Netherlands, USA, UK). Some of my thoughts can be found here. Cooperatives, Mission and the Fourth Sector, On Going Fourth. I don't think my sustainability message was taken very seriously during year, before the economic downturn, but am hoping that the new circumstances will create more openness to think again about how we do mission.

Technorati Tags: recession

If you had a million dollars (and only a million), what would you do to help alleviate the pain of the current economic crisis?

Paul Watson asked this question on his blog a week ago. This his how I answered it.
I would "probably find a way to help the churches and mission organizations retool with an eye towards microbusiness and social enterprise in order to emerge from the recession equipped for long term sustainability. What about a million for 100 10k micro-loans for that purpose? Track all 100 of them and create a community blog so everyone can cheer them on and learn from them.

The need for churches and mission organizations to move from dependence to sustainability was one of my teaching themes in 2008 (Australia, Netherlands, USA, UK). Some of my thoughts can be found here. Cooperatives, Mission and the Fourth Sector, On Going Fourth. I don't think my sustainability message was taken very seriously during year, before the economic downturn, but am hoping that the new circumstances will create more openness to think again about how we do mission.

Technorati Tags: recession

Thanks everyone for last week's discussion. I have collated the best ideas below on how to get over the recession and added, as I usually do, my own thoughts.

- Seek God. (Mike Lane) Maybe this recession is an opportunity for a midcourse correction, a time to reconnect with God, retool and get ready for the next season.

- Restructure training and gathering events to make them accessible and sustainable (Becky Garrison, Charlie Boyd) Give preference to local leadership for teaching over long-distance celebrity speakers (Rob Karch) In your thinking, think about houses instead of hotels, kitchens instead of restaurants, festivals instead of conferences, joining something larger rather than starting your own.

- Start micro-businesses (Zack Newsome, Bill, Mike, Bill Cummings). Start something. Start a few things. Its a great way of becoming financially sustainable and it also opens new doors into the community. Social enterprise and micro-business has been a normal activity for overseas mission for many centuries.

- Move in together. (Mike Todd, Andrew Jackson) Intentional Community is a wonderful way for a small community young people to mature together. Its ridiculous that we all need big empty houses for one or two people. Fill up those empty bedrooms. Maximize what you already have, or think about downsizing. And no . . . I am not suggesting you move in with your girlfriend.

- Live frugally - (Jordon Cooper). Beware of credit. Learn from the monks who took vows of frugality and poverty. Borrow stuff instead of buying it (Luke 10). Learn to cook. Learn how to do all kinds of stuff you don't know how to do. Walk instead of drive.

OK - heres the next question. How would you invest a million dollars to help the church get over the recession? Its not rhetorical - there are people out there who have a million dollars to invest and a little bit of crowd wisdom would go a long way. Start here.

Without GOD, our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday & Shatterday.
Sent by Alana Hurst on Facebook

Sorry if the previous post on exorbitant Christian conferences in a time of crippling recession was a little gray (sorry David). But I do want to ask the question:

Where we gonna find the eyes to see a brighter day?
Where we gonna get the wisdom to find a more sustainable way?
Where we gonna invest our time, talent and money in the Great Commission so that it will . . . pay?

Ok - that last one was a little forced. I'm a blogger, not a songwriter. But if you have a good idea on how we can respond to this global financial crisis, leave a comment below. Maybe we should compile a top ten list or something . . . .?

Technorati Tags: puppy, recession

Really helpful discussion in the comments of the previous post [Recession: How bad is it?] about the recession and how its affecting our non-profits and ministries. I want to continue it here by picking up on some of the comments and questions that have emerged.

Its obvious that the recession is having a huge impact on all of us. On the negative side, budgets are cut, events are cancelled, and job security is soooooo 2007. On the positive side, organizations are forced to reexamine strategy, expenditure, and use this current recession as an opportunity to retool where necessary.

"This is helping us clarify what we are really all about and how to spend not only our money, but time, energy, prayer, and talent." Michael Kaspr

One of the culprits, as Becky pointed out, are these extravagant Christian conferences (PreacherFests) where participants are asked to pay an exorbitant admission price to go and hear their favorite speaker. Add to that a flight, meals, and a hotel room and there's not much change from A THOUSAND from which to buy the speaker's book to support this weird cottage industry.

Thats a heckofalot! Its also out of reach for many young struggling missional entrepreneurs and it sets an unsustainable example for the rest of the world who try to mimic the West.

Technorati Tags: conferences, recession

The unsustainable lifestyle of some [a small minority] of professional Christian circuit riders is also on the chopping block. I heard about a well known Christian speaker that was invited to fly overseas to share at at an emerging church event in a particular country [not USA]. They managed to appease his life-style choices by putting him in a four-star hotel but he checked himself out and into a five-star hotel down the road . . . at their expense. I wont repeat the word they called him [rhymes with "banker"] but I will say that in today's climate, God's five star conference speakers will either have to suffer some two or three star inconveniences or struggle to find gigs at all.

Even better if we totally rethink this conference thang.

Our conferences? Over the past ten years, all of the events we (Boaz Project) have hosted have been free of charge. The only was to do this was to have teachers who could speak with little or no honorarium, invite participants from a smaller geographical location, parasite ourselves inside existing festivals, ask local churches for buildings and personnel, have zero promotional budget and request funding from foundations. Once or twice we partnered with another organization or seminary and there was a minimal charge. And quite often we have hosted roundtables inside existing festivals and the cost of that festival is usually (but not always) met by the participant.

In 2009, I expect to host events [and partner with others to host events] in at least a dozen countries. I am hoping the recession will have less impact than other more high-profile, high-budget events than depend on a high price of admission. Our events are usually smaller, more local, more invisible, especially if they are embedded inside other bigger festivals [like SXSW, Freakstock, etc]. As a rule, I like festivals more than conferences, as I said in a recent post called Festivals as a Way Forward, because they are much cheaper, leave a smaller carbon footprint and are not dependent on one or two Superstar Christian Celebrities who insist on fancy hotels and a hefty honorarium at the end - thus raising the price of admission and reducing accessibility to the people who really need to be there.

I try not to give preference to conferences that reimburse my travel and offer an honorarium over the more organic "emerging" events where there is no budget or funds. At least I don't think I don't. And when I am asked to speak, I accept whatever accommodation I am offered. Either sleeping on a couch, some tent space, or sometimes a hotel room when offered. Again, I accept the offer of hospitality and don't ask for an upgrade. Luke 10 comes to mind.

As a missionary, I occasionally have enough funds to help me travel and teach. Most of it has to be raised from others so I can do my job. So please don't take this as an insult to those who teach at conferences as a career. But be encouraged when I say that God is faithful - and some of the best opportunities are sometimes the scariest. You might not get home as soon as you want, and sometimes you might not get home at all, but its always worth it.

Sometimes I have been invited to speak at a conference where the admission cost is high and inaccessible to everyone except church and mission executives, but I have gone along anyway. Other times, I have turned down the offer because the conference is so expensive, inaccessible and unsustainable as a model. I figure that most missional entrepreneurs can't afford to be there anyway and the only people who will attend have an institutional/corporate budget behind them.

Honorariums? I have been speaking in Christian conferences for over 20 years. Probably hundreds of them. I have never once asked to be paid. I have never requested an honorarium. I have never suggested a fee. Highly unusual . . I know . . and maybe a little anal . . but I have felt led by God to do it this way. Yes, I happily receive gifts and voluntary honorariums but I don't request them nor do I have a "suggested honorarium" figure. In my reading of the New Testament, the financial responsibility lies more on the apostle/teacher than on the students.

Many of you reading this post have invited me to speak at your events and you know that what I am saying is true.

But enough of my whinging and whining about conferences . . . .
- What else can we do to enable training and teaching and gathering during this recession without resorting to unsustainable models?
- What else about the way we do church and mission can we change to be more sustainable and emerge from this recession in better shape?
- Where should we be funneling resources during these lean times in order to keep obeying the Great Commission?

My wife and daughter Abigail are the lead story on the Orkney Today website. This is related to an unwanted HPV jab a few months ago that made the news. This time, a member of Scottish Parliment is upset that Scotland has no minimum age for consent for medical treatment and sexual health services. Our story is the one she is using to push her case. God speed!!!

Heres how it looks in today's newspaper. Click on it to enlarge.

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An enemy has done this. But its really funny so I have to show it. Matt, who posted the video, said it was made by Randy Brandt. Nice job! I must remember to greet him when i see him and SLAP HIS FACE WITH MY LEATHER GLOVES! I am still trying to figure out the identity of that "scrawny kiwi" named Andrew.

This video ranks second in my Top 3 Graphical Slams on Emergent Church of all time:
1. Phil Johnson's Motivational Posters for Emerging Free-for-All
2. Hitler and the Emergent Church video
3. Emergent Collector Cards

Related: Emergent Criticism (2004)

Technorati Tags: emergent, emerging church

Is the recession kicking your butt around like it is mine?

Most of our ministry proposals for 2009 were regretfully turned down. That means there are networks and movements in over a dozen countries that we will not be able to support financially next year. It also means we need to tighten our belts and achieve the same goals with less than half our budget. Which I feel confident we will do - I will share our plans in a little while, along with some ideas that might be of use to others in getting over and through the recession.

But first, let me ask the question:

How bad is this recession for you and your ministry or non-profit or church or organization or seminary or charity or tele-evangelist program or whatever you are attempting to lead?

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"Instead of "mission-al" we're going to use "mission-y". Its a bit shorter . . . a little bit more informal . . . and I think it will feel a little warmer to people."
Michael Toy, self-appointed National Director of Emergent Village.

Big revolt going on at Emergent Village with the loss of their National Coordinator Tony Jones. The castle is now being stormed and national coordinators are popping up like daisies. Marko lists a few of them including Michael Toy's brave and brilliant attempt.

Technorati Tags: emergent, emerging church

Yeah! The New Zealand team won the Rugby League World Cup!

I am in London. somehow. I was viewing a motorhome conversion yesterday which didnt work out and am about to get back up to Scotland. Had an enjoyable brekkie with Jonny Baker this morning at St John Bread and Wine and Juli was able to come also.

I really love London. We walked past the place where Salvation Army had their first indoor service in the 1800's.

Blind Beggar: NT Wright on the future of the church in Western society
Steve Knight on stopping Google becoming evil
David Brenham on Seminary emergency
Internet Monk presents Iain Murray

Why were Pentecostals were ignored in the early emerging church movement? My Assembly of God friend Earl has some answers in his article Can We Be Pentecostal and Emergent?

Reason Number One: "Origins: Early and influential EmChurch authors, webbers, and speakers were almost all from outside the P/C [Pentecostal] movement. Many were Reformed. Lots of the EmChurch plants were actually SBC [Southern Baptist Church] under the hood, including significant amounts of low profile capital investment."

Reason Number Six: 6. "No show: Pentecostals tend to be doers, while a lot of EmChurch influencers tend to be thinkers (this is my patronizing reductionism—sorry). Result: we simply didn’t show up for work when the EmChurch was gaining momentum, largely loosing our opportunity to have a voice in the dialogue." Link

I met Earl about 6 years ago in Seattle (I think) and he interviewed me for something he was working on. I try to keep up with his writings and journey as a leader in the Assembly of God. His article is good but comments elsewhere show that there is a lot of confusion still out there and there is still much work to do. I am also thankful to Phyllis Tickle for including the Vineyard and others in her synthesis of the key streams and influences in The Great Emergence.

Why am I mentioning this? Because I heard there is a group of Assembly of God leaders coming to my meetings today so I am reading up on what they might want to ask me.

Technorati Tags: assembly of god, pentecostal

Just heading off to the airport. I am going to Galway, Ireland for the weekend for 'Emerge' - the final installation in a series of conversations and trainings regarding the church emerging. And the speaker for the final session is . . . uhhh . . ME . . actually.

Not sure if there are spaces available but it might be worth asking if you live in Ireland. For details on this Church of Ireland sponsored event which is called "Emerge Gatherings for Todays Leaders" talk to Shane Tucker who is throwing the party and tell him you subscribe to my blog.

I really love Ireland - the music, the laughter, the craic, the spirituality. On previous visits to Ireland I have taught on Celtic spirituality in Glendalough, emerging church and Celtic spirituality north of Belfast, and about whatever came into my head at a house church meeting in Dublin. No, actually, it was one of the stories of Jesus.

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The subject of Fresh Expressions came up yesterday in the classroom. Cliff is a Methodist college and the Methodists have joined hands with the Anglicans in this project. We talked about the full spectrum of emerging church, with Fresh Expressions being on the more structurally conservative side - with many Fresh Expressions still having paid positions and using church buildings for services. Although even in the Fresh Expressions world, there is a lot of variety as this presentation by Graham Cray at Wycliffe will show. HT: Shane Tucker

Technorati Tags: fresh expressions, graham cray

Hey - thanks to all the students for a fun time and for being so nice. One person said it was the best lecture EVER! Thanks. I will put that on my business card . . . if I ever get one.

Heres a link to some of the emerging church stuff i was talking about - and it has quite a number of links to other people I mentioned that have tried their best to summarize the emerging church. Some doing a much better job than me because I am quite subjective and get bored easily and always want to move on to the next thing. Sorry. What was I saying? Ron and I are debriefing right now at the Devonshire Arms and we just read an old blog post of mine that weaves the Princess Bride movie with a defense of postmodernism. Thanks for turning up and asking good questions. Love to keep in touch with you and hear what you get up to in your efforts to serve what God is doing in the emerging culture. Blessings.

One thing from the talks - The emerging church movement is a sustainable church movement and as the country enters recession, as budgets tighten, and as creativity is ignited, the emerging churches have already learned to start off without a budget, without buildings, without paid professionals and can offer the wider church the gift of their experience - which means that the mission of Christ can still go forward and even thrive, despite the economic woes around us.

I just had a peek at the top ten UK Christian female bloggers in the previous post and noticed a few things:
- half of these blogs are PINK!
- most of them deal with theology
- most are creative in the comments section - one uses French language and a few of them have hacked into the instructions for a more personal touch.
- most use the blogger platform
- most come from a conservative evangelical background.

Maggi Dawn should probably be there somewhere. Maybe next time around. Her blog is really popular and full of good content, esp. regarding worship.

A few months ago at GodBlogCon, I met La Shawn Barber who has a fantastic blog and is really one of the best female Christian bloggers I have met. She doesnt consider herself a political blogger but her blog does seem to focus on politics, at least recently. Politics in the USA is a hot topic for the blogosphere and the audience is massive - much bigger than "religion" or "theology" or "mission". Helps with the blog traffic, doesn't it La Shawn?

And there are plenty of other killer bloggers out there who are not male.
- Cynthia Ware (American) at The Digital Sanctuary rocks the blogosphere.
- Becky Garrison [also American - yeah - the Americans are finally catching up] is all over the web but never on her own page.
- Cathryn Thomas [the Texas 'pomo charismystic'] blogs at Love Fiercely. She is an absolute scream and I visit her blog a lot.
- Kerstin Hack from Berlin - everyone should know Kerstin.
- Gabi Ngaboca from Hungary has an exciting life following God and her blog reflects that. Some blogs are boring because the blogger's lives are boring. Not Gabi!
- Barbara from Portugal is an blast. She lives off-grid in a Christian community and blogs at Shantii Pilgrim. Baba recommends Lisa's blog from Tanzania.
- Wendy Cooper from Canada has been blogging as long as any other woman I know. Her husband Jordon has been a blog superstar since last century but Wendy is a great blogger in her own right.
- Rachel Cunliffe [yeah New Zealand!] is an award winning blogger and blog designer.
- Amy Chapman is a gifted writer and blogs with her crazy husband Derek at The Bearable Light.
- My wife Debbie had a well known blog on motherhood called MumJones but gave blogging a break for a few years as an attempt to reign in her husband's blogging addiction. I could probably mention a new blog that she and my four daughters have started called A Van Down By The River but then you would discover some secrets about our family plans that i have not revealed yet.

I could go on, and talk about Whitney, Bea, Jen, Kristin, Juli, Maggie, Cindy, Shannon [when she feels like blogging] and obviously, i have ignored many many more who will no doubt give me a hard time in the comments. But what about you? Which female Christian bloggers do you read?

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