Chad M. Farrand

Brave girl

2007-06-04T15:36:00.001-07:00

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g8cmWZOX8Q]

Thanks Marcus for this video.

Practicing "Church"

2007-05-26T08:59:00.001-07:00

For years, I've been uncomfortable with phrases like "going to" church and "doing" church and so on. I think that a better phrase is "practicing" church. To me, this works in two ways.

1. Just like doctors "practice" medicine, we too are called to be experts in ecclesiology and continually refining our craft, pushing ourselves to grow as experts and to offer a healing, hope-giving, practice of faith.

2. Taken literally, we must "practice" church for we fall so short of "doing" that at best we practice.

As a drummer, I practiced daily, and I mean DAILY. In high school, there wasn't a class that I wasn't either practicing or writing. Then, I would spend hours at home honing my skills. I wanted to be the best that I could (truthfully I also wanted to be the best period, but I grew up). After high school, I continually learned and grew as a drummer. I added kit playing, hand drumming, xylophone, marimba, all sorts of percussion. Then, I dove headlong into learning to play jazz, the blues, country even polka. I knew that without being able to play in different modes/feels, I would never be able to rise above my limitations.

The church is more than what we do, it is who we are. We are the bride of Christ, we are the whore who continually rejects their husband for "far less affectionate lovers." We are (for good and for bad) one body that is Christ to the rest of Creation. I truly believe that we must move beyond programs and services and into "practice." Our organizations should feel more like hospitals than self-help seminars. They should be an oasis for the thirsty, a resource for the poor and a food pantry for the hungry. The church needs to be the welfare system of the world. It has been said that the church is the only institution that exists for its non-members. That is true.

We have forgotten our first love, and traded it for ourselves. Look at most "churches" today and you'll find 5 steps to ... but you'll rarely find a homeless person who has found a home.

Technorati tags: practicing church, church, christianity

Western Seminary

2007-05-18T14:39:00.001-07:00

I just got back from my time at Western Sem. It was awesome! To see my pictures, click on the web album on the right.

More soon!
Chad

Photos

2007-05-06T17:42:00.001-07:00

I have uploaded new pictures from our recent Emergent Cohort gathering with Doug Pagitt (I had to leave early because I was sick, so there's actually ony a shoulder picture of Doug, sorry bud).

Then, last night, the current leaders/potential leaders of Tapestry got together for a Cinco De Mayo party/dreaming meeting. So, here's a web album of these events.

Emergent/Tapestry

Affluenza and Stewardship

2007-05-06T07:34:00.001-07:00

The Rich Young Ruler - Luke 18

18A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20“You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’” 21And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25“For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Three insights: (summarized from Relevant Magazine, May-June 2007)

Donald Miller - "This guy had said 'I do everything right,' and Jesus said ' well, do this.' And he couldn't do it. Jesus was trying to say, ' See you aren't ok; you are sick just like everyone is sick.' Then He says, 'I'll heal you.' But the young man said, 'no thanks, I want to stay sick.' The real problem is addiction, and the addiction is money. We live in a culture that's addicted to money and to what money can buy us.

Tony Campolo - "There is no doubt that this story is about money. He goes on in the rest of the chapter when the apostles are asking Him about the meaning of what he just done. He says specifically about riches, "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Jesus asks us if we will settle for the material aspects of your life, or are you going to live for spiritual gratifications? Are you going to be My disciples?"

Shane Claiborne - "He says, 'Sell everything and give it to the poor.' He doesn't just say, 'Sell everything; He says, "Give it to the poor.' I believe that - from over and over in Jesus's teaching - Jesus is showing that our faith has to be connected to the poor." A certain posture is needed to make the connection. "I think it's so important to not get stuck in. 'Oh, I've got to give up everything out of duty.' Just as the Scriptures say sell everything you have and give it to the poor, they also say we can sell everything we have and give it to the poor, but if we don't have love, it's meaningless."

Money is the drug of our culture, and we are all addicts. And, just as addicts must detoxify and go through withdrawal, Miller believes that God gives us the principle of tithe to help us. Just as in the OT and God asks for the first fruits (10%), He also asked the farmers to let their fields die every seven years. This odd request actually benefited the farmers because it served to fertilize the land which ended up producing better crops. We too must learn that giving to church communities begins to teach us withdrawal and through it we begin to live life as givers rather than takers.

In the second chapter of Acts, this was evidenced in the lives of the first Church. They shared everything in common, selling all their possessions. This is the NT law that Jesus gives us, not just a hard 10% but a life of giving to others. Imagine our communities living life together in servanthood to each other, and to those outside of us! Where needs of the other take precedence over personal desires.

I Speak Standard English

2007-05-05T06:03:00.001-07:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
North Central
The West
The Northeast
Philadelphia
Boston
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I just that since I can't talk right now, I'd find out how I talk so what I can again, it will be with an intelligence that I had not yet afforded myself. Yes dad, "The South" is still in me as you can see on the chart.

Tonsillitis It is!

2007-05-04T21:17:00.001-07:00

3. Lingual Tonsil

(not actual photo of chad)

From Wikipedia: Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the mouth and will often, but not necessarily, cause a sore throat and fever. Symptoms may also include pain in the tonsil area and inability to swallow and/or painful swallowing. White spots may also appear on the tonsils. These white spots may be raised and they cannot be scraped off.

Ok, so Mel took me to the ER at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing per the recommendation of my local doc. I had gone in again this morning because the anti-biotic's he gave me were not helping, in fact, my throat had gotten worse. So, he gave me another cocktail of anti-biotic's and told me it was probably mono and pneumonia (pneumonio if you are from spring hill). Well, early this afternoon whilst I lie in bed barely able to speak, my fever came back again so I called Mel to come to the rescue. She called the doc who then said, "take him to the ER."

Now we all know that the show "ER" has little to do with reality, but the local ER in Ionia has more in common with the Red Neck Comedy Tour than a hospital. So, I insisted we go to St. Lawrence (which has 2x less wait than Sparrow).

I gave many a vile of blood for testing, had an additional throat culture (my local doc gave me one this morning), and a well deserved drink via the nice IV unit. Then, they sent me for chest and throat x-rays, and handed me a cup for a specimen. After a couple hours, they came back in to tell us that I did NOT have strep, mono or the flu. I did however have white growths in my neck and swollen tonsils.

They then injected some steroids in my IV to help the swelling go down.

At 8:00pm, the doc came in and confirmed that I did in fact have tonsillitis and that they don't hardly ever take them out of adults due to high risks for something he didn't go in to. They gave me 500 mg more steroids to swallow and sent me out with two scripts for a new anti-biotic and steroids.

At approximately 9:30pm, we were finally able to eat dinner (after missing lunch, I was too worn to make it) and I thought it would be a good idea to eat at Las Hacienda Amigos, my new favorite place in Lansing (plus w/ Cinco De Mayo only one day away, what the heck!). I had three tall icy glasses of cherry coke and some mexican food. The coke was from heaven. Gracias Amigo's, Gracias.

So, that's it, the long boring story of my medical day. I won't have a voice for awhile, which is good news for many people.

Buenas Noches.

p.s. Ice Cream Donations Being Accepted To Ease The Throat. Fried Mexican Ice Cream Acceptable.

House Passes Gay Hate Crimes Bill

2007-05-03T15:41:00.001-07:00

The OTHER big bill in the news that didn't get any press...

The house of representatives voted 237 to 180 to pass the Matthew Shephard Hate Crimes Act.

(news story)

After years of fighting for this act by Ted Kennedy, the bill passed. President Bush had threatend to veto this bill as well, but maybe the heat from the Iraq spending bill veto is so close.

Now, any American can't be threatened or beat up for just being who they are. Although it has a way to travel before becoming law, it is a huge step forward. The bill was named after a young man who was killed simply for being gay.

Technorati tags: hate crime bill, matthew shepard hate crime act, ted kennedy

Western Here I Come!

2007-05-01T08:57:00.001-07:00

George Hunsberger

I just found out that I've been officially accepted into Western Theological Seminary in their MDiv Distant Learning program.

The picture above is of my friend Dr. George Hunsberger, who is the main reason I wanted to attend WTS. His work with Journey Groups, aid in the writing of "Stormfront" and his friendship have been instrumental in the missional life that I try to lead.

I am thrilled about being a part of this community!

I just don't know if they are ready for me...

Cathedrals With Doors That Open Out

2007-04-30T18:47:00.001-07:00

"Cathedrals are a fist of faith in fear."

Len Sweet talks about a small cathedral in eastern Washington state. A man Dr. a. Caleb White has been creating something organic and new out there. One of the beautiful aesthetics of the structure is that they intentionally make their doors that open out rather than in.

He integrates the indoor and outdoors. He brings a garden indoors. But it's the image of a missional church who's doors can open outwards, rather than attracting people in.

The beautiful thing about cathedrals is that they point heavenwards so that our attention becomes distractive from the self to the divine. It's a beautiful thing.

As I re-engage Christians, I will be taking note of their architecture. Doug Pagitt told me to read a book years ago called "When Church Became Theater." It is an architectural book that studies the morphing of worship space. The author makes a remarkable proclamation in it, she says "everything inside your worship space says something about your theology."

How true.

It is rather telling to look around a gathering space a think of what that means about their image of God. Sitting at Mars Hill in Grandville says something different than sitting in a living room with Enoch's Path. Not that one is more "correct" or whatever, just different. Mars' shed is a box of a room that once housed a JC Penny (I believe) and has been painted white. In the center, they have a squared off circle with screens facing outwards at the roof. The worship band faces in rather than outward. There are twelve sections which represent the twelve tribes of Judah. Then, on each door frame is a Mezzuzah. It all says something about who they are, how they think of God and who they are becoming.

Similarly, at Enoch's Path gatherings, you will find typical furniture, living space. Not much different from any other home...yet, that's the point. At our gatherings, the focal point isn't aesthetic, it is our life's together that matters. That says something of our view (s) of God.

Next time you gather w/ other people of faith look around and ponder the theology of what you see. Do you see icons, crosses, paintings, sofa's, coffee, holy water, incense, bands, organs, choirs, high back chairs, pews, pulpits (and the size and position of them).

Then, I'd invite you to begin to see the world around you as your cathedral. Begin to take account of what the world around you says about God. The buildings, the businesses, the people, the clothing, the music, the trees, sky, clouds...

It's amazing what you notice when you take time to look around.

Robert Webber Dies

2007-04-28T15:18:00.001-07:00

Another leader in the conversation has passed. According to the Webber Institute, Robert Webber died on friday at 6:10pm. Webber had been fighting cancer for some time, but finally lost that battle last night.

Good bye Bob, we'll miss you.

Technorati tags: robert webber, ancient-future, bob webber

Kailey and the bee (or how do you spell YMCA?)

2007-04-27T15:21:00.001-07:00

This afternoon, Kailey participated in her first ever spelling bee. It was at the local ISD building and there were four area schools competing against one another.

After the first hour, it had wittled down to about 15. Then, they narrowed it down grade by grade (each grade had a top three). What was remarkable was that Kailey and four other 3rd graders couldn't be stopped. After a half an hour, the leaders went next door to the older kids room and took the 4th grade word list. They didn't stop! They kept answering them all right!

So, they went to the 4th grade bonus words, and finally one dropped off. Then, the remaining four battled it out. At almost three pm, one of the girls answered wrong, then another leaving Kailey and a boy at 1 and 2 positions. The girls went back and forth and finally settled on a tie at 3rd. Kailey ended up taking 2nd place!

It was a pretty nerve racking experience, but we are terribly proud of her. She got a nice big red trophy which she is thrilled about!

Oh, by the way. The YMCA thing is a joke about Molly who asked my mom how to spell "YMCA" a few months ago....

A Shift from the Macro to the Micro

2007-04-26T12:18:00.001-07:00

George Barna states in his book "Revolution" that in the United States there is this major shift happening inside and around the Christian Church. At one point, he refers to seven trends of society and how the modern church fails to meet the seven passions in their people's lives. This major disconnect is responsible to the decline of modern church forms. He calls these"macro" forms of Church: local church, "house" church, family meeting and cyber church. It is these "macro" forms of church that will see a 50% drop off in the next 20 years.

On the other hand, Barna predicts that we will see a boom in what he calls "micro" churches, or what he labels as distributed models of church. It is within these micro-movements that true Christian revolutionaries will be able to thrive in. These micro-movements include worship events (rather than weekly programmed services), marketplace faith groups, internet connections, and other viral forms of church.

It is within this tension that I live. Almost a decade ago now, a few of us began looking at the shift within the Church in Europe as a Geiger counter. I believe that places like England and France give us a glimpse at our faith's future. It is within those environments that people have had to reinvent their faith expressions. To this day, more people shop at Ikea than attend Sunday morning services at Westminster Abbey.

Some people within the modern Church have reacted much in the same way they've reacted to "An Inconvenient Truth," by barking out slanderous rhetoric and digging in their heels. Very much like children that hold their breathe till they get what they want. Recently, a friend of mine attended a seminar featuring D.A. Carson in Chicago. Needless to say, Carson was not flattering to Emergent. When my friend asked Carson about people who view his ideas as backward, he responded by saying, "If people don't agree with me it means that they haven't read enough and they are just stupid."

If the modern church is going to shift, it must relearn how to reform itself, again and again. It has forgotten that much of its hymns began as "contemporary" bar songs. It has forgotten that what Luther, Zwingli and Calvin were reforming against is in many ways what we are reforming from today.

Technorati tags: George Barna, Revolution, Emergent, Emerging Church

President Bush in Grand Rapids

2007-04-20T07:18:00.001-07:00

We are mere minutes away from Presidente' Bush's visit to East Grand Rapids. He is speaking at East Grand Rapids High School (trivia note: This is the same high school that the movie "American Pie" was based on. They called it, "East Great Falls High." Also, the hot dog place they ate at in the movie is based on famed East town place "Yesterdog." If you haven't been there, stop reading this and drive to East town, now).

I don't really understand why President Bush is coming to Grand Rapids now, and why he is speaking to the kids at East GR. The only thing I can figure is that they represent the most privileged teens in west Michigan (a staunchly Republican area) and that most of their parents helped pay for his re-election. Maybe he's priming the money pump so that his twin daughters can get elected later? Just kidding.

So, I hear that there are lawn chairs out on the car route already, and news 8 out of GR just talked about how this huge area around the school has been shut down so no cars can get through. Also, the entire school is roped off with police tape. Now, I totally understand Presidential security and all, but if you could see the size of the area they've shut down, it's fairly ridiculous.

I have also heard that there's a protest set up to greet President Bush as he arrives to the school. This is probably lead by the same group who protested his speaking at Calvin a couple years ago. I had a couple friends who participated in that, but left feeling like it did no good. There were so many people shouting different random protests, that the original anti-war message got muffled.

So, I look forward to hearing what exactly he is saying to these kids. I won't be shocked if he tells them, "go home and tell your parents to send another million. We are running out of money to pay for the war."

Technorati tags: Grand Rapids, President Bush

When the pastors fall

2007-04-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Here's a serious problem with many Christians, in particular mainline Christian pastors.

They hold their parishoners, and themselves up to such high "moral" standards that when they begin to go down a path of poor choices, they are left to suffer in silence. It's no wonder leaders like Ted Haggard ended up getting caught w/ meth. When we pretend to be morally superior than everyone else around us, we will fall hard.

I don't believe that this is the type of life that Christ imagined for us. I believe that part of our DNA is to realize that we are on an equal plane with the rest of humanity (all have fallen short...), not to pretend to be totally perfect while lying to our congregants that we are. There is power in transparency. Not power over others, but freedom with others. One of the biggest complaints about people who call themselves Jesus people is that their lives are so not like Jesus and everyone outside Church sees right through them.

I am not saying that I am so perfect that I can point fingers at anyone, I am in fact saying that I am so not perfect and don't pretend that I am.

Too much

2007-03-29T16:36:00.001-07:00

Lately things have been too much.

We've found out that too many people in our lives our sick. My brother-in-law has melanoma cancer so we are taking him to UofM hospital next Friday to get it cut out of his back. My great nephew is back at UofM hospital with heart problems, and was supposed to be released today but is backsliding. My mother-in-law needs a new hip, and to top it off someone very dear to me (who I promised I wouldn't mention their name) has vascular disease, diabetes and other complications.

Too many people have already died in this un-winnable war, and there doesn't seem to be a clear way to end it. It seems like we've lost our faith in our own government, perhaps for good reason.

It's in times like this that I have to ask God if He's forgotten us. I know that sounds heretical and all, but really, how much more? I know God loves everyone and all creation, I do. I also realize that He entrusts us to tend to all people and creation...but what about those in power who use their power to kill others? What about those who say that God has called them to kill Americans, for being American? It's too much.

I know that change starts with effort from myself to change things. I understand it, but feel powerless in the face of all that needs changing. Our state government is tedering on the brink of a shut down because two parties can't get along enough to approve the budget...which means that hundreds, thousands of people will be out of work, not getting pensions...and so on as of next Wed! That is too much.

Then, there's still an illegal slave trade in the world. There's a preventable AIDS crisis going on in the world. There are people in the world who don't have food to eat. Kids dying of cureable disease. There's so much consumption from the US that we are literally sucking poor countries ability to light their own homes, gas their cars, fuel their economy...and we don't change. This is all way too much.

But I have to believe that this isn't a surprise to God. I have to believe that this saddens the Creator and Sustainer of all things. I have to believe that God longs to intervene but can't understand (yet) why He doesn't. I choose to believe that the way of Jesus is a way to a better life for human kind...but I see Churches more interested in attendance and money than making positive change happen in the world around them. What good is it to fill a huge building with 10,000 people? What good does it do if all people see Church is a place of goods and 12 step programs to make them better rather than the arm of God for good in the world? If that's all there is than I'm out. To be honest, I've been "out" for many years. While I've started creating new space for spirit living and belonging, it isn't enough. There's way too much, but I have to believe as the Bride of Jesus, we could all make the war end, feed the kids, heal the world, and bring about a radical change to our land, and the globe.

Like Jeff Daniel sings, "If you're coming, Jesus...come on"

Greenhouse of Michigan

2007-03-27T19:36:00.001-07:00

I had a tremendous meeting with a group of new friends to talk about bringing Neil Cole to Michigan this year to launch a Greenhouse up here finally!

All in all, it was very encouraging. I know that many of us have been longing for this for a few years now. I can't leak any details or anything but I am way too excited not to mention anything!

More about Neil Cole and CMA on their website.

Technorati tags: Greenhouse, Neil Cole, Organic Church, Simple Church

Thy Mercy My God

2007-03-26T03:12:00.001-07:00

Thy mercy my God is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue.
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast.

Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live here.
Sin would reduce me to utter despair,
But through Thy free goodness, my spirit's revived
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart.
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And weep for the praise of the mercy I've found.

(Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
(Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah)

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine.

Well, Hallelujah
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Well, Hallelujah

I awoke this morning at 5am listening to this song. Today is tinged with sadness for me as tonight I am driving to my hometown to be with an old friend who just lost his mom to cancer. I am always at a loss for words in these moments. The loss of a parents leaves a person with a hole in their heart. What words could I ever say that could offer some type of salve to that kind of wound?

Nonetheless, we will make the journey and give the hugs. My heart breaks for my friend. I can't (nor do I hope to) imagine the sudden loss of my mother to this crappy thing called cancer.

Molly just woke up and crawled in bed with us. I'm going to go tell her I love her now...

Here's a Cute Video of My New Ministry Partner Paul

2007-03-21T23:02:00.001-07:00

Keep on rockin in the free world dude.

Dreaming Together

2007-03-19T21:15:00.001-07:00

It is midnight and I recently entered home. Why so late? Well, it's kind of a long strange trip. I don't want to devulge too much yet in order to protect a friend just in case, but I will reveal what I believe can't get anyone hurt.

Eric and I just drove up to the Flint area to speand a few hours talking with some new friends about our journey's and what Tapestry is all about. We shared some random ideas about faith, church, emergent and more.

It was great. I was thrilled to see some friends that I haven't seen in nearly 10 years. It was great to offer some ideas to further the dreams that have already started to become reality.

Again, I can't go into too much details, but for those who were there thank you for your time and your friendship. I can't wait to see what comes of this!

- chad

35 and Melancholy

2007-03-15T18:41:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow, I officially begin my 35th year on earth.

Having a rather melancholy day. Not that I'm not happy per se, just thinking back of my last 34 years and wondering what I've done to bless the world. In the face of our world's reality, one can really never do "enought" it seems.

I think that a better gauge of "worth" in a person is the company they keep (or better said, the company that wilfully chooses to keep them). In this regard, I must say that I am more blessed than ever before.

I've successfully stayed married for 11 years (this august) and stayed in love the whole time. I realize each day that I don't deserve my Melody. She is my heart, she is my dearest, my girl. When I hold her, I am complete. I've been able to watch my two daughters turn 8 and 5, and helped carry my wife through the loss of our third. (Thank God for spike the dog) I couldn't be more proud than to be Kailey and Molly's daddy.

I've been able to somehow keep the same 2 best friends since the 7th grade. No really, the 7th grade! Sure we have highs and lows, but our friendship will never go away. Jim and Brian (Les and Amy...and Elizabeth). I couldn't summarize our relationship in a paragraph so I won't. Thanks for always being there.

I've constantly re-defined my relationships with my brother and brother in law and sisters/siter in law. Through it all, we are family. We've now grown to having Rachie, Paris and Willy too, imagine our lives without them...

My heart has expanded to accomodate a whole other set of family in my wife's two sides, and the tight Aldrich/Waterman side stands strong through everything. Grandma Aldrich/Merritt is the glue holding us all together. I love you Grandma.

I get to work with my friend Eric, Kerrie and Braedon (the mini-eric) and Sawyer (who is a darling). It is always a treat to get together and laugh, cry and be real with someone who you share your dreams of the world with. Thanks man.

I get to be friends with Jes and Katie. That alone makes me the luckiest person alive.

I get to love Anna and her parents Dave and Manda. She truly holds the secret to my heart.

I get to be friends with Larry, Pam and AL (as always). What a dear family to us.

I get to be friends with Marcus and Melissa who challenge me to love deeper and imagine broader just by knowing them.

Sabrina is my friend too. I can't figure out why she likes me, but I appreciate her everyday.

I am still friends with my strange friend Mike who I love to hang out with.

I get to be Murphy's friend. We were friends, then we worked together and re-learned how to be friends.

I maintain a long-distance friend with everybody's friend Maury. He has taught me so much about being a friend, loving people unconditionally and what it means to live a life in the shadows rather than the spotlight , and that's enough.

Then there's all my Emergent friends/family. Doug, Tony, Brian, Lilly and Rob, Denise!,John O, Andrew, Jordon,Chris, Tim Keel, Holly, Geoff and Syd, Spencer, and so on and so on. You've all given me space to think deeper, grow stronger and somehow still love Jesus today. Thank you.

There's a special place in here for Randy, Joel and Brian. My west-michigan connection. Always wise, always instructive, always friends.

I got to be-friend Linford Detwiler last year. My life's complete.

My Spring Arbor mates. Bubba (the other Chad in Iowa), Tim, Eric and Barb, Laney and his wonderful family, what a great ride we had! Ron Kopiko - I can't imagine our life without you. Phil Owen, always been my mate.

My Owosso mates. Charles and Heather, Joel and Becky (baby Jonah as of yesterday), Gary, Eric...the other best band I was ever in three different times. Some of my best memories remain in Charles' garage. Paul Filan kind of fits in this place too...you know how much you mean to me bro.

My Spring Hill family.Kricks, Steph, Tony, Eric K, SuperCarl, Jason, Nick, Ben and last but not least the Vonderhar's.

The rock-star pastor Rob...keeping on rocking in the freeworld dude. Can't wait to see the next three books when they are done.

The new Reformed Church in America family. Ben, Tom and Doug you've been inspiring and amazing. The May's, The Daly's, The Wondergem's.

My youthpastor gang. John C, Jeremy Dowset, Dan and Erin Bannick, Slack, Aaron - Joel, Dan. You guys are amazing.

All the kids from youth groups gone by. You allowed me to be in your life, and I hope that your lives are better than you ever imagined.

Damon, my friend and mentor. The man I wish I could be like. Thank you for your wisdom, your guidence, advice, hugs and tears through it all.

My Dad and Ruth have grown closer and closer each year with me, a relationship that I am thankful to have.

My momma. The Queen of my world. I Love you.

(my apologies for anyone I left out. I will try to add to this list)

Hello from Michigan

2007-03-13T12:39:00.001-07:00

As you may have noticed, I've been limiting my posting lately. Partly it is due to lack of energy. The other reason is due to the fact that I'm trying to only post things that I care about (yes, and REM, the Police and so on are things I care about).

My life has taken a weird twist in the past week. I've been needing to take a sleep test for a LONG time, and I've finally taken it. I discovered that I have sleep apnea and now have a C-PAP machine to help me breate at night.

Another shift is coming in the broadening of my/our vision for Tapestry. At first, Eric and I felt God calling us to create a network of simple churches in Lansing. Then, we decided to create a community around some friends in Grand Rapids. Then, we decided that we were being called to also include creating some non-profits out of this new way of being Christians in our local context. Now, it appears as if God is continuing to stretch this vision to include Flint (an area I've had a burden for for a long time). This change, makes us scratch our head and say, perhaps we need to stop limiting the scope of this vision. Maybe we need to simply respond to WHEREVER God leads!

More details will follow, and I'm wanting to protect the people that we are in discussion with so that they can make their decisions privately as needed. But, we are thrilled with this prospect!

So, it looks like God has more up His sleeve. Now, only if I can have the faith to follow it.

I will talk to you all soon.

Chad

Bono in the Pulpit

2007-03-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

Wake Up Dead Man

2007-03-06T09:22:00.001-08:00

Last night, I began putting together a new liturgy that utilizes U2 music and lyrics for Tapestry's Good Friday gathering this year!

I've called it "Wake Up Dead Man" (after a u2 song). It follows all the events leading up to Christs death, and ressurection. It combines U2 lyrics with images, song, and Biblical text (adapted to fit the poetic feel of the night).

I will be adding artwork to it this week and have it ready by this Friday.

If anyone wants it, just email me and I'll send it to you.

Chad

Technorati tags: u2, liturgy, U2 Liturgy, Good Friday, Cross, Jesus

Community

2007-03-05T06:42:00.001-08:00

Last night at Enoch's Path, we discussed the nature of community. To illustrate community, we watched a clip from "Because of Winn/Dixie". If you haven't watched it, it is the story of a little girl and her dog named "winn-dixie." The girl had been moved to a small town in Florida with her dad ('the preacher' played by Jeff Daniels) and prays for a friend. She takes in this wandering dog and through the movie, the dog leads her into the lives of random people who are disconnected. The librarian tells the story of her distant relative who fought in the Civil War, and when he returned home found that his whole family had died. In response, he created a candy to put something sweet in the world. This town had flourished with the production of these "Litmus Losenges," yet when it shut down the town lost it's spirit.

While talking with the town "witch" (who was simply an elderly blind recluse named Gloria), the girl figures that what she needs to do is throw a party and bring these random people together.

I remember, a friend Andrew Jones once talked about learning to throw parties. Not to artificially bait people into your "church" but to create new relationships. It is this idea that I believe is needed for our churches, we must learn to share our joy and our sorrow together again.

In particular, Lansing is on a crash course. GM is pulling out (as they did in Flint) and the area is closing more and more small businesses. There are pockets of micro-communities, but in a large way the spirit of the community is being sucked out. I want our community, and our communities that partner and sprout up in the future to embrace Lansing. I desire that we seek to bring back the joy to Lansing. For too long, the well-meaning churches of Lansing have drained the economy rather than to bring a blessing to the community. This isn't to say that some churches have done some good, of course they have, it's just that many churches have replaced community involvement with drawing crowds to empty sanctuary's and "programs." This must sound a bit crazy for a pastor to say, to some, but believe me I do not believe that attendance of programs is the call of the church. I believe that the Church of Jesus is called to be broken and spilled out for the community it exists in. I believe that the church exists for the people outside of itself, not to keep the people inside happy, and ' nice.'