Chris Bean

There is no Gospel which allows one to be reconciled to God while unreconciled to neighbor.

That statement sums up the content of this challenging book on racial reconciliation. Since day one of my ministry at the University of Cincinnati, I have felt the Gospel compulsion to pursue relationships with students of all culture groups on our campus. So far, I’ve had the great privilege of connecting with a young female African-American student who has a tremendous passion for music, worship, and serving God. I look forward to more opportunities to connect with Darienne and her friends from choir, church, UC, etc.

As I move forward toward that goal, however, Perkins & Rice have challenged me with the basic structure of their book: Admit, Submit, and Commit.

Although, as a nation, we have elected our first black president and made many advances towards racial equality, in the Christian community we have certainly not come as far as we might think. Admitting that we have at least some biases (if not outright prejudices) is a crucial first step in the reconciliation process. And whether this is with the black, Latin, Asian, Native American, or any other community…we must remember that the Gospel can never be reduced to “me and God.”

That was Jesus’ point when he responded to the religious lawyer who wanted Jesus to pick and choose for him: loving God or loving neighbor. We cannot pick and choose when it comes to the very nature of the Gospel, which is a ministry of reconciliation as Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. We can’t even pick and choose which neighbor we do or do not want to be reconciled with.

Intentionality. At one point the authors challenged me with this statement, “We must be intentional, relentless, and forceful.” Now I believe as that progresses from intentionality to relentless to forceful…there must be a good bit of discernment and Spirit-guided actions. But it will certainly take action (not just loving with words and tongue–1 John 3:17-18) if we are to pursue reconciliation and model what the Gospel actually calls us to in our own relationships and ministry.

Over this past weekend, I got to spend some time with a great crew of young adults on a retreat. We’re calling this thread of retreats and experiences for 18 to 20+’ers Element. 

Our hope is to connect the various college students and young adults in our Nazarene network of churches here into a community. As we connect and build relationships we also want to challenge, equip, and send these students into the world to make a Kingdom-sized impact on their world.

Element…

It’s about the basic elements of faith. In ancient times there were thought to be four basic elements which constituted the physical universe. We sometimes refer to someone or thing as being in their element. Perhaps you think of a heating element which connects and conduces heat or electricity. All of these ideas could contribute to or illustrate the purposes we have in mind.

JR Forasteros shared some insights from Matthew 25 which I found to be quite helpful. Recall the parable of the talents in which three servants were given a sum of money by their master. After some time the master returned (key point) and found two of the servants as faithful and productive. The third servant (out of fear, or laziness, or some other inhibition) buried his potential in the ground.

JR made the connect between this idea and the fact that most young adults are desperate to know what God’s will is for their lives. In fact, regardless of age and phase of life, we often want to ask the wrong questions. Our questions usually focus on specific felt needs or future developments in our life. God wants us to ask the kinds of questions which would lead to our transformation in the present. What are we doing with what God has entrusted to us right now?

As my mind was wandering a bit (not unusual) I began to think about how easily we bury ourSELVES in the ground. Often, we have a tendency in the church to bury ourselves in the world of church, programs, “ministry”, serving (the church/ourselves) and fail to see how God would have us invest our lives into others…especially those who are far from Christ. Instead of burying the master’s resources in a mayonaise jar in the ground…pour yourself out…and into the lives of those around you.

There were many times over the past few years that I was glad to say “I work at a coffee shop” or “I’m a personal trainer.”  It’s not that I’m ashamed of God or anything…just Christianity.

Whenever the conversation on the plane, bus, etc veers towards the topic of vocation my creative juices would start flowing…”What can I say that I DO this time?”

The baggage that often comes with “I’m a pastor” or “I’m a campus minister” or some similar declaration would often prove to be more pressure that I wanted to put on the conversation or relationship.

In my reading of Unchristian (by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons) I found a very relevant discussion of the issues which make identifying oneself with evangelical American Christianity problematic.

So the gist of the book is (in my opinion) coming to grips with the fact that Christianity in America often looks Unchristian (not like Christ) to outsiders. Two specific  groups of people are particularly scrutinized in their opinions, beliefs, perceptions, and values…Busters and Mosaics. Kinnaman describes Mosaics as being born between 1984 and 2002 and Busters between 1965 and 1983. Here’s a quick overview of some of the main themes representing the most common points of skepticism and objection: (p.29)

• Hypocritical
• Too focused on getting converts
• Antihomosexual
• Sheltered
• Too political
• Judgmental

Again, in the research presented, these themes represent the general perceptions of outsiders towards Christianity.

Now in terms of application (especially as I interact with college students) I believe that the future of Christianity in America is looking up. Being aware of these issues and knowing that a more biblically informed worldview is necessary, the stage is set for engaging in the right kind of ministry (so to speak). For me, this completely reinforces an approach to ministry which challenges college students to engage the scriptures, commit to lifelong discipleship, and join Christ his restoration of all things.

Being on staff with the CCO provides some great opportunities for fellowship with other campus ministers as well as professional development.

First of all, I will comment on how enjoyable and encouraging it is to hang out with other CCO staff and campus ministers in general. People who work with college students tend to be, well…cool. Obviously I’m biased. I remember thinking similar things during my years of youth ministry and, yes…youth workers are usually quite hip and cool as well. But out of the hundred or so campus ministers that are here…seriously…there’s not one person I’ve met who I would avoid in a social situation! 

The theme of our little gathering this week near Ligonier, PA has been transformative opportunities.

Evan Hunter, with the Ivy Jungle Network for campus ministry, presented some statistics and key elements which they’ve discovered in research over the past 10 years. Basically, they have found that the most significant kinds and amounts of lifechange tends to happen when students are given opportunities like a mission trip, a retreat, spring break trip, etc. These opportunities tend to provide the following experiential elements:

• Intensity of Time (it’s more than just a block of time here and there)
• Intensity of Experience (encountering disequilibrium…experiences which challenge worldview…e.g. poverty, disease, human trafficking, etc)
• Intensity of Community (significant relationships develop…also barriers between student and leader are often broken down)

Another component of the research which Evan presented indicates an increase in the interest that college students have in service-oriented experiences and justice efforts. We are serving the “justice generation.” Many college students want to have a significant impact on a community or culture and might even be reluctant to participate in something which isn’t outwardly focused. How does all this impact our ministry at the University of Cincinnati? What kinds of opportunities can we provide for students which will optimize their impact and transformation? I have some ideas, but these are definitely some questions I need to ask (and answer) as the plan for this and the next quarter emerge.

Hope…

Hope has been a key word and reminder for me during this Advent season. Now the things that have been hoped for and realized in the coming of Christ also provide great hope for the coming year.

Gospel…

Paul points out in Romans 1 that the Gospel is the manifestation of God’s saving power in the world…for everyone who believes. That is certainly reason for hope. Regardless of economic, political, financial, and cultural upheaval…God’s mission is one of reconciliation, restoration, and redemption. And I’m on the lookout for ways to partner with God in Christ through the Spirit…engaging in any possible opportunity to live out the Gospel.

Twelve…

Specifically, in terms of ministry at the University of Cincinnati, I am hoping for spiritual influence and transformation in the lives of at least twelve students. If I could have the blessing of sharing life, friendship, and a discipling journey with a dozen college students this year I know I’d be well on my way to seeing a whole new trajectory of hope and Kingdom living.

My first quarter at UC is mostly a blur now, but this two to three week “break” has given me a great opportunity to bring some clarity to the previous few months of life and ministry.

Actually, I have felt inclined to include an significant opportunity for reflection, planning, and spiritual refreshment at the end of the calendar year. I had originally planned for that to take the shape of a 2 or 3-day retreat/sabbath get-a-way starting this past Sunday. But due to some poor planning and some back pain, I post-poned for a few days.

Along with this 2-3 day end-of-the-year reatreat, I am adding two more similar spiritual pilgrimages to my calendar in order to maintain a good rhythm of rest & reflection. My next one will probably be at the beginning of Spring quarter and then another in late August or early September.

As I look forward to planning and setting a good trajectory for the journey in 2010, that playful impulse to just poke my head out the window and enjoy the ride is definitely getting the best of me.

This word “secular” has been giving me fits recently.

As I was reading a good post over at Jesus Creed here, I found this question.

How do you integrate your Christian faith with “secular” life and discipline?

The question itself reinforces the great chasm.

It’s one of those words the church came up with to talk about everyone/everything else and the idea works against a biblical worldview of integrating our faith with all of life.

Apparently, I’m a sucker for a re-made TV series which must have aired during my media-sensitive formative years.

Although I missed the pilot when it originally aired a couple of weeks ago, I just caught up with it on ABC.com and was mildly intrigued by a couple of things.

Religion…I’m always interested in the portrayal of religion and spiritual subjects when it comes to TV, film, music, etc. Jack, (hmm…what’s the obsession with “Jack” and hero characters for ABC?) is a priest who quickly becomes aligned with the resistance movement.  In the final scene with Elizabeth Mitchell (also of Lost fame), “devotion” is identified as the great weapon which the reptilian visitors have on their side.

It reminds me a little bit of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters and some of the ways in which the appretice demon was learning to thwart God’s purposes in the lives of Christ followers.

That scene certainly prompted me to think of ways in which my own devotion might be misappropriated. St. Augustine called it disordered love in our lives.

We’ll see how the Visitors’ attempt goes for gaining viewership and entertainment devotion. But this idea obviously begs the question on a spiritual level, have we lost our identity as subversives and champions of resistance?

Is our devotion rightly directed…or has it been hijacked by a reptilian or somewhat sinister system of living?

No one’s saying that isn’t an alluring option. 

Just finished a short bike ride around campus. I was hoping to meet up with a student at his frat house but didn’t catch him in.

What I did see, however, was campus life beginning to flicker back on after the summer breaker switch was flipped.

As I pedaled past a couple of students enjoying an evening smoke, one guy held out his hand and yelled “High five me, man!”  As I slapped his hand he yelled to everyone on McMillan…”You da’ man!!”  He had obviously started drinking a little early tonight.

I stumbled across an intense game of cricket down by Sigma Commons. After a few minutes observing, I realized I need to do some research on the game…learn a bit of Hindi and/or Arabic and maybe I can join in next time.

As I road back through Burnette Woods park I contemplated crashing a little Ultimate Frisbee action…but they had an even 5-on-5 so I didn’t stop.

And now I’m back in front of the Edge House…looking forward to the next______.   Maybe the next bike ride…the next conversation…the next latte…the next bible study…the next forum on faith and culture…the next cookout…who knows?!  But it’s a pretty exciting place to be.

One of my favorite spaces in the Edge House is definitely a room we’re calling the “Cloister.” It’s an upstairs study center where we will be housing a book collection and space for conversations regarding faith and the lack thereof.

If you’re a student at the University of Cincinnati… please stop by anytime (3007 clifton ave) especially during Welcome Week.

We’d love to meet you and share a little life at the Edge House.