Buzz word bingo!

I've just returned from an amazing refreshing but surprisingly exhausting time at Together on a Mission 2010. For the uninitiated (and so I don't completely contradict what I think I am going to write later)Together on a Mission is an annual conference for those involved in leadership within the NewFrontiers group of churches. 

It is the 3rd time I have attended, but the first time that I have had the added distraction of an iphone and a blog. Not entirely sure whether the benefits of this outweighed the distractions, but still was good to be able to see and reflect on how other people were experiencing the conference as  it took place.

I heard some truly gifted people preach and thoroughly enjoyed worshiping with people from many nations. The diversity and depth this brought to the worship was truly awesome. However I can't help reflecting on, particularly in the international context of the conference, the range of terminology  and buzz  phrases we are prone to using as a group  of churches. Whilst I am sure this is not only true of our group of churches, or indeed the wider church, the phrases we adopt and allocate meaning to over the years that become so easily part of our praise, worship and discussions are prone to misinterpretation by not only those outside the church but those within it also.

The terminology used at this years conference, was prolific to the point where it became a bit of a joke, with a tally being kept of the frequency of certain key phrases. I am not for a second being critical of the underlying meaning and intent of these phrases, but we need to consider the fact that references to 'apostolic spheres', 'extension of apostolic spheres' and 'trans-local ministry' may be interpreted, understood and applied differently by those within and those not connected with church. These phrases are based on fundamental principles, so surely then it is  vital that they are understood and applied accurately. Yes, the conference I  attended was a leadership conference, so there was a certain level of assumed understanding. However if these phrases or the principals  they are designed to illustrate are to be passed on to others  in a church context, particularly those new to a church environment ,then I think consideration needs to be given to how accessible they are. I feel passionately about accessible church, and whilst we are good at certain elements of this I think we could benefit from looking at the things we say and the phrases we use to communicate fundamental concepts. 

By way of an illustration and in a bid to end this post with a smile ............please follow this link for a  spot of buzz word bingo. Thanks  to @jammiedd for this link.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2603633/Newfrontiers%20Bingo.pdf

Helmet of salvation

Helmet of salvation - you have been saved and you are continually being saved.
The actual experience of salvation is getting nearer.
Salvation in it's fullest. Entering into eternal glory.

Sword of the spirit

Sword of the spirit - only offensive weapon. Not for protecting a specific part.
Thinking biblically.

Sheild of faith

Shield of faith - able to extinguish fiery arrows. Being busy can mean that the fiery arrows shock us.
Reminds me of the police riot shield we used to demonstrate this protection in a family service recently.
Faith is an activity.

Shoes!!

3) shoes-stability and mobility.
Here I stand I can do no other. Martin Luther.
Chase after relevance can lead us to being irrelevant due to lack of identity and misguided purpose.
Mobility - we are rooted but not stuck in yesterdays battles.

Breastplate of righteousness

2) Breast plate of righteousness. Heart and emotions!
There will be days when you lack confidence. That's when you need a new righteousness. His righteousness has been given to us. It is not the breastplate of performance.We have nothing to offer except the righteousness of God.

Sermon blogging #1

Going to attempt to blog a sermon! This may not end well :)
Terry Virgo preaching on Ephesians 6.
1) belt of truth. Need to deconstruct peoples world vision.this truth is meant to shape our thinking. It is not cold theology but an active behavioural response.

endings (hopefully)

I am currently still trying to finishing the epic battle that is my doctorate. It has all taking rather longer than I anticipated, but can actually see the end now, which is both exciting and terrifying. I am in the process of needing to cut out about 4000 words, which is a fairly painful process given the blood, sweat, tears and chocolate which went into them in the first place.
Not wishing to draw painfully tenuous parallels but this feels a little like the approach I need to take in my life as a whole at the moment. The doctorate has been such a huge part of my life (to the extent that I considered naming my thesis) that it is hard to see beyond that. Life has been very very busy, which I love but I really want to use the time post doc in the best possible way. I love to be challenged and stretched but getting the balance between that and doing what I do well has recently been a challenging one. Am starting to think about what to do next, am excited about being able to spend more time doing what I love doing, hanging out with an awesome youth group, but first things first I need to finish this thing! The way ahead should be an interesting one :)