Sitting here on Monday of reading week from school, trying with every ounce of mental will power to not open my books until I absolutely have to.
Spending this week doing nothing with Lindsey, which is EXACTLY what I want to be doing. And, cleaning and packing my current domicile for a move this Saturday. My new place is the top floor of an old Pony Express era, Victorian style house closer to downtown St. Joe. I have not played my drums in over a year because I moved too quickly into a house with no room to set them up and I realized as I sat down behind the school's drumset that, well, I kinda suck now. The new place is bigger, has a perfect place for my music room with the drums, guitars and keyboard, a place for my kitchen table I haven't seen in three years and a shower that doesn't make you feel dirtier as you use it. I'm pretty excited, but its gonna be a hell of a moving day. Top floor of a big old house+big screen tv=not so much fun.
Getting excited about concerts coming up: The Police with Elvis Costello in May, Swell Season (the couple from the movie Once) coming up, and summer jams with Jack Johnson.
Well, sorry to bore you with my so-called life. I'm actually bored writing this, so I think I'll stop. All St. Paul have a great break. Mary Alice, stop reading right now, close the book and go outside.
Peace, B
Monday, March 24, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Young Adults
Here is the original comment I was going to post in response to my brother's young adult post, but then realized it was longer than the post itself. Bad blog ettiquite.
I would absolutely love to abolish "us and them" language and thinking, but, sadly, it's not the reality right now. I hate to use the word nieve, partly because I don't know how to spell it and partly because my brother is much older and much wiser than I. I will say this, I have never felt as voiceless within a system as I do right now. I have daily conversations with classmates and colleagues concerning the state of the UMC and mainline Christianity, but they simply don't leave the classroom, because I haven't progressed far enough in the process. One the other hand, AGL told me of recieving heart-felt and standing applause along with other 35 and younger clergy people in the Mississippi conference. So, is it either be largely ignored or singled-out. I don't like either. A world without "us and them" is always something to work towards and something for which to hope and strive. But, I don't feel it, I don't see it happening. (you probably knew the pessimistic side would come from me)
I know that of all my gifts and graces the thing that was considered above all else in my current appointment was my age. They need a young pastor, here's a young pastor (who happens to know nothing about the context of farming communities, hates country music and feels called to urban ministry) but, hey, he is young. *I love the people of my congregations more than I love myself and will serve them as faithfully as I can for as long as I'm here* So, while my brother and my friend Jenn are both correct in hoping for to end the language and attitude of "us and them", it's not the reality I feel right now.
Point two: young people ARE different. The world has changed. Younger generations speak a different language, know a different reality than older generations. Here's a fact: (you also might have known that the absolute generalizations would come from me) if a congregation is in a context where there are young adults in the population and does not have an online presence, your capacity for inviting young adults to share in the ministry of God through that congregation goes down. If a pastor who desires to create messages that are meaningful to young adults does not know what The Office is or who Bright Eyes are or what the God Delusion is or what issues are facing the music business right now or what the hell the Colbert Bump is, the illustrations in the message will be less meaningful. The stories in the front of Christian Century and The Upper Room are wonderful resources for certain contexts, but maybe not for most young adults.
Point three: the problems and issues facing the church right now ARE NOT generational. They have nothing to do with age. They are cultural, contextual. The world has changed, the church has not. Questions of authenticity, relevance, community and application-take a deep breath for all the buzzwords-are questions each individual church, each conference, each denomination, each CHRISTIAN should ask constantly. Is what we are doing most faithfully serving the message and ministry of God in today's world? For example, there's a current conversation going on in my Early American Methodism class about the itineracy process. Yes, for early America, itineracy was the best method of placement for local ministers. It served a purpose, it was effective in that purpose, it worked within the context of that world. The question for us today is, what is the purpose of itineracy, the mission, and is it, in its current state, serving that purpose? We should always be in conversation with each other, across generations and demographics, asking each other if we are serving God the best we can. It is not a every 50 years question; it should be constant. Are we providing genuine and authentic and powerful worship experiences? Are we using language and media and subject matter that is relevant to the context in which we serve? Are we creating and atmosphere of true community, of acceptance, respect, support and love for the congregation and the context of our churches (btw, community is very different nowadays!)? And are we constructing worship, preaching and learning experiences that people leave from and act on that very day? These are the key questions, no matter what your context is.
No group of people, no Signs of Fruitfulness worksheet, no special taskforce is the secret key that unlocks the floodgates holding back young adults from participation in the church.
I can hear the questions: Brad, you complain a lot, but what should we be doing about this.
1. The clergy and lay leaders of the church must be in constant connection and conversation apart from the constraints and divisions of THE PROCESS. I was actually insulted by not being invited to a young adult clergy conversation with the bishop. BTW, I heard the meeting was great and the right questions were asked and the conversation has begun. But when you consider the earliest age of possible ordination, 29, restricting the participants in the conversation to commissioned and ordained clergy only isn't wise. I'm 25 right now!
2. The candidacy process is twice as long as should be and the difficulty of your interviews and papers depends on which group of board members you get on which day. I've heard wonderful stories of affirmation and respect and I've heard horror stories that remind me of cocky seniors taking stuff out on the freshmen because somebody did it to them when they were freshmen.
3. Why isn't there an Office of Contextual Young Adult ministry at the conference level? I know I just said the problem wasn't generational and there is no formula, but for a conference that is so concerned with YA's, it seems odd that this hasn't happened. I would love to sit in my office in Columbia, pick up the phone and explain to someone what an MP3 is. "Brad, I've got a new batch of 14 yr old girls, who in the world is Avril Lavigne?"
Just a few ideas, (I don't have time or inspiration or words to talk about what should happen to the itineracy process).
Look to Andy's blog for an optimistic sign off. I believe in the power of God to change lives in today's world. I believe in the connection of the UMC and mainline Christianity as a part of God's ministry in today's world.
And as far as "missing the mark" with the Rock Church stuff. That is just one idea for a particular context within the connection of the church. It is the beginning of re-shaping and re-defining worship in my own head. My big bro's just jealous that I rock harder than him. jk, i know what you're saying RAB, and we're on the same page, believe it or not.
Imperfect man in an imperfect world trying, imperfectly, to serve our perfect God, BB
I would absolutely love to abolish "us and them" language and thinking, but, sadly, it's not the reality right now. I hate to use the word nieve, partly because I don't know how to spell it and partly because my brother is much older and much wiser than I. I will say this, I have never felt as voiceless within a system as I do right now. I have daily conversations with classmates and colleagues concerning the state of the UMC and mainline Christianity, but they simply don't leave the classroom, because I haven't progressed far enough in the process. One the other hand, AGL told me of recieving heart-felt and standing applause along with other 35 and younger clergy people in the Mississippi conference. So, is it either be largely ignored or singled-out. I don't like either. A world without "us and them" is always something to work towards and something for which to hope and strive. But, I don't feel it, I don't see it happening. (you probably knew the pessimistic side would come from me)
I know that of all my gifts and graces the thing that was considered above all else in my current appointment was my age. They need a young pastor, here's a young pastor (who happens to know nothing about the context of farming communities, hates country music and feels called to urban ministry) but, hey, he is young. *I love the people of my congregations more than I love myself and will serve them as faithfully as I can for as long as I'm here* So, while my brother and my friend Jenn are both correct in hoping for to end the language and attitude of "us and them", it's not the reality I feel right now.
Point two: young people ARE different. The world has changed. Younger generations speak a different language, know a different reality than older generations. Here's a fact: (you also might have known that the absolute generalizations would come from me) if a congregation is in a context where there are young adults in the population and does not have an online presence, your capacity for inviting young adults to share in the ministry of God through that congregation goes down. If a pastor who desires to create messages that are meaningful to young adults does not know what The Office is or who Bright Eyes are or what the God Delusion is or what issues are facing the music business right now or what the hell the Colbert Bump is, the illustrations in the message will be less meaningful. The stories in the front of Christian Century and The Upper Room are wonderful resources for certain contexts, but maybe not for most young adults.
Point three: the problems and issues facing the church right now ARE NOT generational. They have nothing to do with age. They are cultural, contextual. The world has changed, the church has not. Questions of authenticity, relevance, community and application-take a deep breath for all the buzzwords-are questions each individual church, each conference, each denomination, each CHRISTIAN should ask constantly. Is what we are doing most faithfully serving the message and ministry of God in today's world? For example, there's a current conversation going on in my Early American Methodism class about the itineracy process. Yes, for early America, itineracy was the best method of placement for local ministers. It served a purpose, it was effective in that purpose, it worked within the context of that world. The question for us today is, what is the purpose of itineracy, the mission, and is it, in its current state, serving that purpose? We should always be in conversation with each other, across generations and demographics, asking each other if we are serving God the best we can. It is not a every 50 years question; it should be constant. Are we providing genuine and authentic and powerful worship experiences? Are we using language and media and subject matter that is relevant to the context in which we serve? Are we creating and atmosphere of true community, of acceptance, respect, support and love for the congregation and the context of our churches (btw, community is very different nowadays!)? And are we constructing worship, preaching and learning experiences that people leave from and act on that very day? These are the key questions, no matter what your context is.
No group of people, no Signs of Fruitfulness worksheet, no special taskforce is the secret key that unlocks the floodgates holding back young adults from participation in the church.
I can hear the questions: Brad, you complain a lot, but what should we be doing about this.
1. The clergy and lay leaders of the church must be in constant connection and conversation apart from the constraints and divisions of THE PROCESS. I was actually insulted by not being invited to a young adult clergy conversation with the bishop. BTW, I heard the meeting was great and the right questions were asked and the conversation has begun. But when you consider the earliest age of possible ordination, 29, restricting the participants in the conversation to commissioned and ordained clergy only isn't wise. I'm 25 right now!
2. The candidacy process is twice as long as should be and the difficulty of your interviews and papers depends on which group of board members you get on which day. I've heard wonderful stories of affirmation and respect and I've heard horror stories that remind me of cocky seniors taking stuff out on the freshmen because somebody did it to them when they were freshmen.
3. Why isn't there an Office of Contextual Young Adult ministry at the conference level? I know I just said the problem wasn't generational and there is no formula, but for a conference that is so concerned with YA's, it seems odd that this hasn't happened. I would love to sit in my office in Columbia, pick up the phone and explain to someone what an MP3 is. "Brad, I've got a new batch of 14 yr old girls, who in the world is Avril Lavigne?"
Just a few ideas, (I don't have time or inspiration or words to talk about what should happen to the itineracy process).
Look to Andy's blog for an optimistic sign off. I believe in the power of God to change lives in today's world. I believe in the connection of the UMC and mainline Christianity as a part of God's ministry in today's world.
And as far as "missing the mark" with the Rock Church stuff. That is just one idea for a particular context within the connection of the church. It is the beginning of re-shaping and re-defining worship in my own head. My big bro's just jealous that I rock harder than him. jk, i know what you're saying RAB, and we're on the same page, believe it or not.
Imperfect man in an imperfect world trying, imperfectly, to serve our perfect God, BB
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I Read the News Today, Oh Boy...(hattip Mark)
Three articles caught my attention this week in the news:
1. There is a bill making its way through the government of Jamaica to legalize maryjane. Old people-that means pot. WHAT? The only thing I know about Jamaica is that its the most spaced-out, laidback, stoner country in the world. Smoking pot is part of the Rastafarian religion! I just couldn't believe that it wasn't legal already.
2. On the View yesterday, yes the View was on while I was getting ready for class, they were talking about a ligit article from the Washington Post about whether Jesus would vote Republican or Democrat in our election this year. Seriously?? This is a real article from a real newspaper that made its way to the discussion table of the second most watched daytime show in America. And they were actually answering it. "Oh, I think he'd be an independent," says Elizabeth Hasselbeck. I got news for ya'll, if you think for one instant that Jesus would take any part in the political system of the United States, or any other country, you are seriously delusional. How arrogant to think that Jesus would care at all for the governmental systems of this world!
3. From NPR this morning, there are more slaves in the world today, and more in the United States, than in any other time in history. The slave trade is alive and well and better than ever. With $100 American, you can go to Haiti and buy a human being to work for you under the threat of violence for no pay other than subsistance(the official definition of slavery, illegal in every nation on earth); this includes cleaning, cooking and sexual partners. (now go back and reread the question of number two. really, America?!?!) This is an unbelievable story to me. Hey, General Conference, when you're down there talking about whether or not gay people should be married, why not take ten minutes, maybe after a lunch break on some day, and talk about something that really matters in this world. Something that actually hurts people, something that's actually evil! But, no no no, gay people must be stopped. Gay people are destroying marriage, Barack Obama is a Muslim and, oh woe is us say it ain't so, our membership is down!!! Come on, people! THERE ARE MORE SLAVES RIGHT NOW IN AMERICA THAN THERE EVER WERE IN PRE-CIVAL WAR AMERICA!!!!
Slaves, AIDS, war, genocide, failing economy, homelessness, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress in our soldiers. But, no, the number one story yesterday was that some rich guy went to a hooker. WAIT, actually he didn't go to hooker, he agreed to pay a hooker, he DID nothing.
What are your priorities, what are mine, what are the priorities of the United Methodist Church, what are the priorities of the followers of Jesus?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? BB
1. There is a bill making its way through the government of Jamaica to legalize maryjane. Old people-that means pot. WHAT? The only thing I know about Jamaica is that its the most spaced-out, laidback, stoner country in the world. Smoking pot is part of the Rastafarian religion! I just couldn't believe that it wasn't legal already.
2. On the View yesterday, yes the View was on while I was getting ready for class, they were talking about a ligit article from the Washington Post about whether Jesus would vote Republican or Democrat in our election this year. Seriously?? This is a real article from a real newspaper that made its way to the discussion table of the second most watched daytime show in America. And they were actually answering it. "Oh, I think he'd be an independent," says Elizabeth Hasselbeck. I got news for ya'll, if you think for one instant that Jesus would take any part in the political system of the United States, or any other country, you are seriously delusional. How arrogant to think that Jesus would care at all for the governmental systems of this world!
3. From NPR this morning, there are more slaves in the world today, and more in the United States, than in any other time in history. The slave trade is alive and well and better than ever. With $100 American, you can go to Haiti and buy a human being to work for you under the threat of violence for no pay other than subsistance(the official definition of slavery, illegal in every nation on earth); this includes cleaning, cooking and sexual partners. (now go back and reread the question of number two. really, America?!?!) This is an unbelievable story to me. Hey, General Conference, when you're down there talking about whether or not gay people should be married, why not take ten minutes, maybe after a lunch break on some day, and talk about something that really matters in this world. Something that actually hurts people, something that's actually evil! But, no no no, gay people must be stopped. Gay people are destroying marriage, Barack Obama is a Muslim and, oh woe is us say it ain't so, our membership is down!!! Come on, people! THERE ARE MORE SLAVES RIGHT NOW IN AMERICA THAN THERE EVER WERE IN PRE-CIVAL WAR AMERICA!!!!
Slaves, AIDS, war, genocide, failing economy, homelessness, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress in our soldiers. But, no, the number one story yesterday was that some rich guy went to a hooker. WAIT, actually he didn't go to hooker, he agreed to pay a hooker, he DID nothing.
What are your priorities, what are mine, what are the priorities of the United Methodist Church, what are the priorities of the followers of Jesus?
What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? BB
Monday, March 03, 2008
I Was There...Concert History
Well, another concert is in the bank and on the way down to Springfield, MO, my concert experiences kept rolling through my mind. Sit back, relax, and scroll through Brad's concert memory lane...
My first concert was an MC Hammer show in Columbia when I was no more than 10 or 11. I gotta say...it...was...AWESOME!!! 50 dancers, tons of lights, tight band. He sang "You've Got to Pray Just to Make it Today" right after "Soft and Wet."
Next, my parents drove me and Tom Gibson to see Dave Matthews in '96 or '97. Unbelievable show! Funny story: somehow we're found in the expanse of the lawn by our friend Scott and two older girls from our high school, both of whom I loved with the heat of a million suns: Jaclyn Whitaker and Kristin Johnson. So, two 14 year old, big-headed, awkward kids share a blanket on the lawn with two beautiful older girls...AND THEIR PARENTS...Awesome.
The next show of any note was Ozzfest with Tyler O'Banion and Mike Elsberry. Saw some bands by the name of Taproot, Mudvayne, Disturbed, Marylin Manson and, oh yeah, the ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF BLACK SABBATH!!! That's right, Geezer, Tony, Bill and Ozzy together again. I saw Black Sabbath play Iron Man. Great day, drove the wrong way down an exit ramp, saw a crazy drunk guy dancing by himself to Disturbed and got to see my friend Larynn from CMC.
Some time in here my brother and I saw Chuck Berry at the Blue Note in Columbia. The godfather of rock 'n roll and public restroom voyuerism can still duckwalk and solo like a pro.
Next up is DMB again in St. Louis this time. Every time I've seen Dave has been better than the last.
In college, Wayne Kerr came and played a show in our church on campus. Wayne Kerr isn't a star, I don't even like him that much, but that show was awesome. It was intimate and personal. Good stuff.
Also during college, I saw Pearl Jam for 20 minutes. If you really want to see me get mad, ask me why sometime.
Toward the end of college, Mustoe, Diffie and I drove the windy road to Columbia to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band. I had been looking forward to this having heard RRFB's live album and they did not disappoint. We got there early like I like to do and got a place up front. This band really is unbelievable and everyone who reads this should see them if you ever get the chance. BUT THEN, they ask if anyone knows how to play guitar and Mustoe raises his hand and they call him up on stage. I got down on all fours to get Mustoe big behind up there. Adam Mustoe played a solo with Robert Randolph and the Family Band!!! Awesome, great show.
In 2003, Tyler calls me and says that the Summer Sanitarium Tour, Metallica's then annual trip around the country, was coming to St. Louis and that we WOULD be going. The show, featuring Mudvayne, Deftones, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Metallica, started at 4pm. We got there at 1, went straight to the front and took our place against the railing five feet from the huge stage. And for 12 hours, we didn't move more than 10 feet, no food, water or bathrooms. Mudvayne, makeupless for the first time and unbelievably musically talented as usual. Deftones, the only band in the world that has ever made heavy metal music sound beautitful. Now, through Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, Tyler and I and about 50 others toward the front, turned our backs to the stage and raised our middle fingers for the duration of each of their sets for what they have done to metal music. (which is ruin it, by the way) And then Metallica takes the stage. There are no words to describe seeing the most powerful live band ever from no more than 15 feet away.
In the summer of 2005, I met a girl named Lindsey. Since then we have seen Jack Johnson, a show at which I fell in love with that girl named Lindsey, Dave Matthews again, a young guitar player named John Mayer, a older guitar player by the name of FREAKIN' ERIC CLAPTON, discovered our love for Trevor Hall and Martin Sexton, saw RRFB again, and Martin Sexton again, Modest Mouse with Band of Horses. Many, many times we've seen an Irish singer named Bob Reeder both at Weston Irish Festival and at his weekly gig at Kyle's Taproom in N. Kansas City. We love him. Great memories with my girl and many more to come.
Went to Tool in 2007 with friends Tom and Jeff. Laughed through most of the show out of sheer awe of the power and skill of the best drummer in metal Danny Carey.
And Friday night, I drove to Spfd, MO, met with Tom and Tyler and went to Clutch, a band I've loved for more than a decade with my two oldest friends. This was a true blue, down and dirty, sticky floor rock show. Broke up three fights, couldn't talk or hear the day after. Clutch is a balls to the wall rock band but their talent amazed me. Great show, rock 'n roll memories.
Coming up, The Police with Elvis Costello in May and Rush is coming to Starlight Theater this summer. Two of the best drummers in music history, Stewart Copeland and Neil Peart, and I will see them this year. Legendary.
Support Local Music, BB
My first concert was an MC Hammer show in Columbia when I was no more than 10 or 11. I gotta say...it...was...AWESOME!!! 50 dancers, tons of lights, tight band. He sang "You've Got to Pray Just to Make it Today" right after "Soft and Wet."
Next, my parents drove me and Tom Gibson to see Dave Matthews in '96 or '97. Unbelievable show! Funny story: somehow we're found in the expanse of the lawn by our friend Scott and two older girls from our high school, both of whom I loved with the heat of a million suns: Jaclyn Whitaker and Kristin Johnson. So, two 14 year old, big-headed, awkward kids share a blanket on the lawn with two beautiful older girls...AND THEIR PARENTS...Awesome.
The next show of any note was Ozzfest with Tyler O'Banion and Mike Elsberry. Saw some bands by the name of Taproot, Mudvayne, Disturbed, Marylin Manson and, oh yeah, the ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF BLACK SABBATH!!! That's right, Geezer, Tony, Bill and Ozzy together again. I saw Black Sabbath play Iron Man. Great day, drove the wrong way down an exit ramp, saw a crazy drunk guy dancing by himself to Disturbed and got to see my friend Larynn from CMC.
Some time in here my brother and I saw Chuck Berry at the Blue Note in Columbia. The godfather of rock 'n roll and public restroom voyuerism can still duckwalk and solo like a pro.
Next up is DMB again in St. Louis this time. Every time I've seen Dave has been better than the last.
In college, Wayne Kerr came and played a show in our church on campus. Wayne Kerr isn't a star, I don't even like him that much, but that show was awesome. It was intimate and personal. Good stuff.
Also during college, I saw Pearl Jam for 20 minutes. If you really want to see me get mad, ask me why sometime.
Toward the end of college, Mustoe, Diffie and I drove the windy road to Columbia to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band. I had been looking forward to this having heard RRFB's live album and they did not disappoint. We got there early like I like to do and got a place up front. This band really is unbelievable and everyone who reads this should see them if you ever get the chance. BUT THEN, they ask if anyone knows how to play guitar and Mustoe raises his hand and they call him up on stage. I got down on all fours to get Mustoe big behind up there. Adam Mustoe played a solo with Robert Randolph and the Family Band!!! Awesome, great show.
In 2003, Tyler calls me and says that the Summer Sanitarium Tour, Metallica's then annual trip around the country, was coming to St. Louis and that we WOULD be going. The show, featuring Mudvayne, Deftones, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Metallica, started at 4pm. We got there at 1, went straight to the front and took our place against the railing five feet from the huge stage. And for 12 hours, we didn't move more than 10 feet, no food, water or bathrooms. Mudvayne, makeupless for the first time and unbelievably musically talented as usual. Deftones, the only band in the world that has ever made heavy metal music sound beautitful. Now, through Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, Tyler and I and about 50 others toward the front, turned our backs to the stage and raised our middle fingers for the duration of each of their sets for what they have done to metal music. (which is ruin it, by the way) And then Metallica takes the stage. There are no words to describe seeing the most powerful live band ever from no more than 15 feet away.
In the summer of 2005, I met a girl named Lindsey. Since then we have seen Jack Johnson, a show at which I fell in love with that girl named Lindsey, Dave Matthews again, a young guitar player named John Mayer, a older guitar player by the name of FREAKIN' ERIC CLAPTON, discovered our love for Trevor Hall and Martin Sexton, saw RRFB again, and Martin Sexton again, Modest Mouse with Band of Horses. Many, many times we've seen an Irish singer named Bob Reeder both at Weston Irish Festival and at his weekly gig at Kyle's Taproom in N. Kansas City. We love him. Great memories with my girl and many more to come.
Went to Tool in 2007 with friends Tom and Jeff. Laughed through most of the show out of sheer awe of the power and skill of the best drummer in metal Danny Carey.
And Friday night, I drove to Spfd, MO, met with Tom and Tyler and went to Clutch, a band I've loved for more than a decade with my two oldest friends. This was a true blue, down and dirty, sticky floor rock show. Broke up three fights, couldn't talk or hear the day after. Clutch is a balls to the wall rock band but their talent amazed me. Great show, rock 'n roll memories.
Coming up, The Police with Elvis Costello in May and Rush is coming to Starlight Theater this summer. Two of the best drummers in music history, Stewart Copeland and Neil Peart, and I will see them this year. Legendary.
Support Local Music, BB
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