Central Ohio Emergent Cohort

Central Ohio Emergent Cohort

1. Back from EMC
   Hey everyone! We've made it back safe and only a little damp from Goshen. It was a blessed weekend in many ways, with exciting opportunities opened up, challenging conversations, and new books to read. Most of all, I think the members of our cohort genuinely enjoyed spending time together, and we realized that we have something really special in Columbus! This includes all of you reading this right now, and I'd love to invite everyone (whether you came to the conference or not) into the conversation of how our cohort can continue to live out God's call for us in Columbus. For now, here are some pictures, and look for more blogs about the conference to come this week.
   
2. Hungry for Justice - Part 2
   The daily readings have been seriously challenging to me. I just wanted to share a few quotes that stuck out to me and that I have been mulling over throughout the day, and then ask for responses of others. What ideas, concepts, Scripture passages, quotes have been significant to you? How do you see our community being shaped, "converted," brought into God's kingdom and being an agent that brings about God's kingdom?
   
   Quotes:
   

   
   "No longer preoccupied with out private lives, we are engaged in a vocation for the world."
   "Conversion is ultimately dying to self and becoming part of something that is larger than any of us."
   "Through it all, the most profound change is finally the most simple: discovering the meaning of love."

   I have noticed a distinct difference between how I have always conceived of "church" - joining an organization with which I agree in order to receive the spiritual services I crave - to a new understanding of joining God's kingdom. As Jim Wallis says, "the beginning of active solidarity with the purposes of the kingdom of God in the world..." I can no longer be concerned with my needs above all, but have to always ask the question, what is God doing in the world? How can I join alongside?
   
   I think those are powerful questions for our cohort to explore, attempt to answer, and try to fulfill in our lives and our community.
3. Global Gallery International Dinner
   
4. Is anyone else tired of 'Narnia?'
   
   Please forgive me for this blog-complaint. I try not to be one who takes out my petty frustrations on my keyboard. But with the upcoming release of "Prince Caspian," I have been overloaded with Narnia advertising. First, the full-length preview before the movie "Ironman" (which, by the way, was more than tolerable). Then, ABC is replaying the "The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe" complete with interviews with the characters, clips from the upcoming movie, and way too many commercials (I think the broadcast went for 3 hours). Today, as I peruse the blogosphere, I run into at least three separate websites that have Narnia video clip advertisements.
   
   To be honest, I'm not exactly sure why this turns me off so much. Perhaps it is my deranged need to always be "different" or not following the crowd. Ever since high school, if something was popular, I hated it. And I'll admit, my disdain could be just that juvenile. But I get the sense that there is something more...
   
   It seems to me that the Christian pop-culture dollar is very easy for Hollywood to lure and attain. Certainly not the first, but perhaps the most infamous, "The Passion of the Christ" showed us that Christians will spend millions on a movie they fully endorse - including booking entire theatres for their congregations to be ensured a seat. I still still movie posters for Mel Gibson's interpretation in pastor's offices and youth rooms. What will happen after six installments of Narnia?
   
   I was a little young, but I certainly remember the day when Disney was labeled "evil" by the Christian community. The cartoons had subliminal messages; the corporation supported the gay-rights movement and Pocahantas worshiped trees and "mother earth" instead of Jesus. But now, with Narnia, the Christians are back on board without a second thought! I see more advertisements on "Christian" webpages (Sojourners, BeliefNet) than anywhere else. Obviously, the Christian dollar has power in the media market.
   
   And I think that is what bothers me. The blatant targeting of my money sends an implicit message that, as a Christian, I will only buy Christian books, DVD's and movie tickets. It tells me that I'm too dumb to know the difference between a good movie, and a movie that should never have been made (I'm pretty sure C.S. Lewis would have more than a few issues with his books being mass-marketed like this). The saddest part of all is that the media market implicitly tells Christians this message through extensive and blatantly targeted advertising, and we confirm that message by making the movies multi-billion dollar successes.
   
   So bring on the cereal boxes and the action figures. Jesus loves Narnia. Because we all know - C.S. Lewis was a Christian, right? And whoever who wrote "The Golden Compass" hates Christians (doesn't she?), so we better be sure that Narnia makes way more money to prove to the world that God always wins!! And thank God that evil Harry Potter mess is behind us - all of that "magic" talk is straight from the gates of hell.....
5. Celebration of the Faithful
   This weekend we will be meeting at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (aka Zach and Jesse's dad's church) at 5:30p. I'm working on a godfocused liturgy (any musicians who could help out, please, let me know!) for us, and hope that it will be the spiritual communal experience we have been looking for.
   We will be eating afterward at Zach's house. We've had a mexican theme suggested, so post what you will bring that may or may not be theme related! Clean up will be extra appreciated as Zach and Jesse's parents return this next week.
   If you want to carpool, post here, and we'll make it happen!
   Can't wait to see you there!