Themediumisthemessage

.
Thisphrase,coinedby
MarshallMcLuhan,1
shapesmyministry.Wecommunicatenot
merelythewordswespeakbuthowwespeakthem.Iwanttosharemyfaithandmycalling
inawaywherethemediumandthemessageareone.And,atitscore,myfaith,believedand
embodied,isastory.Ibelieveandlive(orattempttolive)theJesusstory.Following
McLuhansstatement,Icanttalkaboutstorywithouttellingstory.
MyFaithIsAStory?
Inhisposthumouswork,2GrenzexploresthenameGodgivesGodsself:Yahweh.3 At
facevalue,Yahwehmeans:Iam.ButwhentheyaretakenintheircontextandHebrew
consciousness,Grenzsuggeststhosesyllablesreallymean:Iam
withyou
.4 Grenzsuggests
thatGodisessentiallyrelational.Henotestheveryactofnamegivingisarelationalact.
Withoutrelationship,neitheryounorIneedaname.Namesareinherentlyrelational.
Thistranslationof
Yahweh
connectswiththeconceptofTrinityasaperichoresisa
lovingdance.5 Genesis1showsusthatGodisonebutsomehownotone.GodsaysnotLet
me
makebutLet
us
make.6TheessenceofthisGod,beforetherewasanythingbutGod,is
relationship.And,astheconceptofthelovingdanceor
perichoresis
suggests,liketwopeople

MacLuhan,M.(2005).Themediumisthemessage.CorteMadera:GingkoPr.
Grenz,S.J.(2005).ThenamedGodandthequestionofbeing:Atrinitariantheoontology.Louisville,KY:
WestminsterJohnKnoxPress.
3
SomedonotsayGodsnameoutofreverence.Irespectthat.Ialsorejectthatasoneofthemostbeautifulpieces
ofGodgivingGodsselfanameandsharingitwithusisGodrevealingthatGodwantsarelationshipintimate
enoughtobeonafirstnamebasis.IcallGodYahwehbecauseGodextendedtheunfathomablegracetoaskmeto
callGodYahweh.WhoamItoturndownsuchaninvitation?But,again,IrespectthosewhosorespectGodsname
thattheychoosenottoutterit.
4

Grenz,S.J.ThenamedGodandthequestionofbeing:Atrinitariantheoontology.p137
5
Moltmann,J.(2000).Perichoresis:AnOldMagicWordforaNewTrinitarianTheology.InM.D.Meeks(Ed.),
Trinity,community,andpower:MappingtrajectoriesinWesleyantheology.Nashville,TN:KingswoodBooks.
6
Genesis1:26NRSV
2

soinlovetheirlovebirthsnewlife,outofGodseternallovingcommunityspillscreation.
BeforeGodisanythingevenCreatorGodisrelational,Godislove.7
UnderstandingGodasessentiallyrelationalchallengedtheprimarilypropositional
theologyIpreviouslyheld.Forexample,theimmutabilityofGod,ortheideathatGodcannot
change.Ifoneisincapableofchange,oneisincapableofrelationship.Beinginrelationshipis
tobeopentochange.Iwasrequiredtomemorizeandsupport18propositionsaboutGodin
seminary.But,asGrenzledmedeeperintotherealityofarelationalGod,propositionsno
longerfit.IwasleftwonderingwhoGodisandstruckbytheuttermysteryofGod.
Recently,Isatstaringatmynewbaby.Sheissevenweeksold.Ivespentnearlyevery
wakingminutewithher.Iknowherbetterthananyoneelseontheplanetknowsher.And,as
shewavedherhandsintheairandsmiledherbeautifulsmirkysmile,Iwasstruck:Sheisa
completemysterytome.Herstoryisbrandnew.Witheachinteraction,Ilearnhermore.But
Iwilllearnherthroughstory.Andeventhen,thereisalwaysmorestorytobelived.Shewill
alwaysbeamysterytome.Alreadymynotyettwomontholddaughteristeachingme
aboutGod:revealedinstoryandeveranunsolvedmystery.
GrenzcontinuestodevelopthenameofGodfrom
Iamwithyou
toI
willbehereforyou
.8
Essentially,GrenzexpressesthatGodisknownlearnedthroughstory.HesuggestsGod
setsthestageforongoingselfdisclosurethroughstory.ThereisalwaysmysteryaboutGod.
Thereisalwayssomethingnewtolearnbecause,aswithmydaughter,eachstorythat
unfoldsgivesusnewinsightandunderstandingofthismysteriousrelationalGod.

7
8

1John4:8

Grenz,S.J.ThenamedGodandthequestionofbeing:Atrinitariantheoontology.p144

IvetakenquitesometimetogettothreesimplethingsthatarethecoreofwhatI
believeaboutGod:
1)Godisrelational.2)Godismystery.3)Godisknownthrough
mutuallylivedstory.
Those18propositionsarestillsomewherefloatinginmy
understandingofGod.ButtheyswimwiththisrelationaldanceofgettingtoknowtheGod
whoexistsoutsideofpropositionsandembeddedinrelationshipandstory.
TheStoryWeLive
WhenGodsnamemeans
Iwillbehereforyou
,everythingaboutGod,aboutJesus,about
ourworld,thechurch,andmyselfistiedupinstory.BrianMcLarensuggestsGodsstoryisa
sevenchapter9 book.10 NTWright11 suggestsratherthanachapterbook,Godsstoryisafive
actplay.12 Myowntakemeldsthetwo:ActI,Creation,ActII,Brokenness,ActIII,Blessedto
Bless,ActIV:Jesus,ActV:Church,andActVI:Eternity.
Wrightsuggestsweareactorsinaplayofsorts,aninterestingtheatersport.Thefirst
fouractsarewritten.Welivethefifthwithoutascript.Thefirstfouractsarerecordedin
Scriptureandareauthoritativetousinthatwestudythemtoknowthestoryweareliving
intonow.Iaddthesixthacttothisguidingmetaphorbecause,notonlydoweliveinaway
thatiscongruentwiththestoryandstoryarcofthefirstfourchapters,butweliveinaway
thatguidesthestorytowardthesixthact.
WhoisGod?Whatismission?Church?Ourpurpose?ThesearethequestionsofActV;
theyareansweredbystudyingActsIIVandgleaningwhateverinsightwecanintoActVI.

Creation,CrisisorChaos,Calling,Conversation,Christ,Church,andConsummation.
McLaren,B.D.(2003).Thestorywefindourselvesin:FurtheradventuresofanewkindofChristian.San
Francisco:JosseyBass.
11
Wright,NT.HowCanTheBibleBeAuthoritative?RetrievedMay05,2016,from
http://ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Bible_Authoritative.htm
12
ActI,Creation,ActII,Fall,ActIIIIsrael,ActIVJesus,ActVUs,theChurch
10

ActI:Creation
Godexistedforever,perfectlovewithinthreemysteriouspersonslooselyandgently
knownas1)Creator,2)JesusChrist,and3)Spirit.13 Asthethreespenteternityexisting
togetherinlove,theydecidedtocreateourworld.Whetherthishappenedinsevendayswith
wordsliterallyspokenbyGodorwhetherithappenedthroughepochsofevolutionisless
importantthanthis:TheworldwascreatedoutoflovebyarelationalGod.Andspecialin
thatcreationwashumanity.Godmadeusin
Godsimage
.Somebelievethisimageisintellect.
IfindthatproblematicbecausethenthosewithmoreintellectaremorelikeGodthanthose
withless.Some,suchasBarth,suggestthatitisourcapacityofI/Thourelationship.14 Aswe
learnaboutourbrothersandsistersintheanimalworld,itseemselephants,whales,and
variousothershavecomplexemotionalrelationships.ItendtoagreewithBarthbutbelieve
itsbettertoletmysterythriveasweaskwhatitmeanstobecreatedintheimageofGod.15
WelllettheImagoDeiliveinsomemystery,remembering
itisimportanttothestory
.
ThereissomethingspecialaboutusthatisafterGodsrelational,creative,lovingimage.At
theendofthisact,Godinvitesustococreate,andtakegoodandjustcareofallGodcreated.
ActII:Brokenness
Thensomethingbroke.McLarensuggestshumanitychoseindependenceover
dependence.16 Somehowthisbroughtshameintotheworld.Shamebreddistrust.Distrust

13

Mytheology,andevenmyecclesiologyandanthropologyisdeeplyTrinitarian.However,theTrinityisnot
explicitlydescribedinHebrewandChristianscriptures,soIamhappytodisagreewell,listen,andwork/commune
withotherJesusfollowerswhodonotbelieveintheTrinity.
14
Barth,K.(1958).Thedoctrineofcreation.Edinburgh:T.&T.Clark.p183
15
Ibelievetheologyistobedonewiththerightcombinationofplayanddiligence;likechildrenlookingatthe
nightskyandmakingupstoriesofhowthestarsendedupthere.Fullofwonder.Nevercertain.Captivatedby
mysteryratherthantakingitcaptiveinattempttomalformtheunknownintothingswepretendtoknowinto
defensiblepropositions.
16

McLaren,B.D.(2003).Thestorywefindourselvesin:FurtheradventuresofanewkindofChristian.San
Francisco:JosseyBass.p7279

causesseparation.AswearecreatedintheimageofaGodwhoislove,insomeway
separationisdeath.ThisdeathspiralmarsthebeautyofActI;thestoryisbroken.
Aseriesofstorieshighlightthisbrokenness.EveandAdam.17 Theirsonandhismurder.
BabelandtheattempttoreachtheheavenswithoutGod.NoahandacreationsochaoticGod
regrettedit.Throughthisprogressionofscenes,weseeaninescapabletruthaboutthestory:
somethingisshattered.InLurianicthoughtwithinHebrewreligion,thereisthisconceptthat
GodpouredGodslightintovesselsthatprovedunabletoholdthelightandwereshattered.18
WeweregivenGodsimageandsomehowitandthestorybecamebroken.
Butthestorydoesnotendwithbrokenness.ActIIconcludeswithasenseofsorrow
lingeringbutGodmakesacrypticstatementthekindyouknowyouaresupposedto
rememberforthesakeoftheplotaboutgoodnesswinningoverbrokenness.19 Upstage,we
seeAbramandSaraitraversing.Andthelightscomeupforabriefintermission.
ActIII:BlessedtoBless
TheplotcontinuestounfoldasGodcallsAbram.GodmeetsAbramandcovenantstobe
knowninspecificityandweavesastoryofredemptionwithonespecificfamily.Godchanges
hisnametoAbrahamandturnshisworldupsidedown.Therearetomeswrittenaboutthis
actoftheplay.Forthesakeofwhoweareandhowwelive,threepointsstandoutfromthis

Hereiswheresomeintroducewordslike
totaldepravity
and
originalsin
.Ifindthesetobeharmfulterms.There
isasensethatthegoodnessGodcreatedhumanityinwassobrokenitisessentiallylost.Thesetermsinviteus
understandourselvesprimarilyinhowwearebrokenandnotprimarilyinhowwearecreated.Apastorwhouses
theseterms,whenspeakingofChristianunity,oncetoldmethatwearealloneinthatweareallbroken;wehave
thatincommon.Thisisadarkplacetofindourunity.Itsadarkplacetofindouridentity.Itsadarkperspective
fromwhichtounderstandthecharactersoftheplay.Brokennessisapartofus.Itsadefiningpartofthestorywe
livein,butitsnotwhoweare.Beyondtheirpotentiallyharmfulimplications,IavoidthesetermsbecauseIfind
themtobemissingfromthefirstfouractsandfromscripture.
18
Miller,M.(2010,July11).ShatteredVessels.RetrievedMay05,2016,from
http://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380568/jewish/ShatteredVessels.htm
19
Genesis3:15
17

act:1)
Godcallsonesmallfamily

inordertobless
allthefamiliesoftheearth
.20 This
conceptof
blessedtobeablessing
andthegrowinguniversalityofblessingisanessential
themetothestorywelivein.2)
ThefamilyGodpicksisinsignificant
andwithnothingto
showforthemselves.Thisthemeisrepeatedthroughoutthisplay.Itisanessentialthemein
thestoryGodiswritingwithandthroughusandhistory.
Inthisthirdact,thisfamilygrowsandhasmanymisadventures.Godinvitesthemtoa
holywayoflivingbenttowardcommunalequity,careforvulnerablepeopleandthose
experiencingpoverty,anddedicationtolovingandseekingGod.Thisisthethirdimportant
pointfromthisact:3)
theinvitationtoliveandloveasajustsocietyseekingcommunal
shalominthenameandwayofYahweh.
And,asActIIIunfolds,wefindthispluckypeople
groupfailingasanypeoplegroupwouldatlivingthiswayandultimately,goingintoexile
andwhatseemslikesilencefromGodafteraclearthemeoffailuretoliveasMicahextols:
doingjustice,lovingkindness,walkinghumblywithYahweh. 21
Thoughwedonotliveinthe3rdact,asactorsinthe5th,weinheritthreepoints:1)
Yahwehsblessingblessestheworld;2)Godcallstheinsignificantandbrokenpeopleand
places;3)Ourcallingistolivejustice,lovekindness,andwalkwithYahwehinhumility.And,
ofcourse,wealsoinheritthestoryofalmostalwaysmissingthatmark.
ActIV:Jesus
Thefourthactpicksupthosethemesasateenagerfromoccupiedpeoplebecomes
pregnant.22 SheremembersthepromisesmadetoAbraham23 andgivesbirthtoason.The

20

Genesis12:13
Micah6:8
22
Moreandmorepeoplearesuggestingthatmaybethisisnotanimmaculateconception.Forme,theScriptures
seemclearthatitis.Thisisalsohistoricallyveryimportanttothechurch.IholdtothebeliefthatMarybecame
pregnantwithonlyGodsSpiritascobiologicalparentinsomemiraculousway.WhileIholdthis,Idonotholditin
21

childbecomesaman.Butthischildandmanisnotjustachildandamanbutalsothe
Creator.HereGoddoes

somethingunprecedented:Godstepsontothestageintotheplay.
TherearemanypropositionaltruthsChristiansholdaboutthis:thathewasGod(
Howhewas
GodhasdividedandcontinuestodividetheChurch)
;hewaswithoutsin.Ihavethoughtson
thesepropositionsandthosethoughtsareimportanttome.Moreimportant,however,given
thatJesusprayedoneprayerforusanditwasforunity,24 isthatthesepropositionsdonot
divideusbutuniteusinwonderandconversation.Afterall,aswefoundinourprologue,God
ismystery.Whatthestorytellsusbeyondpropositionsisthismanwasgood.TheGodcalled
thismanGodsson.ThismanembodiedallthoseimportantpiecesofActIIIthatAbrahams
childrencouldntquiteget:1)hewasablessingextendingbeyondtheboundariesofone
peoplegroup;2)hecamefrominsignificanceandwascalledbyGodtoplayanessentialrole
inthisstory;3)hewasapersonofshalomwholivedjustice,lovedkindness,andwalked
humblywithGod.Jesusisthefulfillmentofallthatwevewaitedforsincethesecondact.
WeplayouttheseechoesofActsIandIIastheCreatorcomesandfulfillswhatthe
Creationwascreatedtobe.Andwe,again,choosenotGod.Jesusiskilled.Butsomething
miraculoushappens:Jesusresurrects.Countlessbookshavebeenwrittenaboutwhatthis
deathandresurrectionmeansandevenaboutwhetherornotithappened.25 Ibelieveitdid

awaythatwouldcausemetobreakcommunionwiththosewhodiffer.Infact,Ienjoylively,respectful,anddeep
conversationwonderingatthismysteryandwhetherornotitisatruepartofthestory.
24
John17
25
IbelieveJesusphysicallyresurrected.WherethereareotherpointsoftheJesusstorywhereIholdonebeliefand
someoneelseanotheranditdoesntreallymattertomebecause,asstatedearlier,weoughttoplayattheology
likechildrenguessingatclouds,Ifeelstronglythatthispointisessential.ThisisnottosaythatIwouldexclude
anyonewhodisagreesorthatIwouldjudgethemortakethenameChristianawayfromthem.Butthisistosay
thataphysicalresurrectionofJesushowevermysteriouslyithappenedandhowevermysteriouslyitmayhave
takenshapeiscoretomyfaith.Icandisagreewellandwouldlovetohaveaconversationoverthescripturesand
ChristiantraditiononthisonebutholdthisasanessentialtruthabouttheJesusstory.

and,throughit,sinanddeathweredefeated.Thebrokennessfromthesecondactisdefeated
asJesussurrenderstodeathonacrossandrises.Muchhasbeensaidabout
how
thisall
happens.Therearemanytheories:federal,moralexample,substitutionaryatonement,
cosmicvictory,etc.Deepandpainfuldivisionsexistaroundthesetheories.BrianMcLaren
offersandIvegladlyacceptedadifferentwayforward.Ratherthanarguingabouthow
thesetheorieswork,whatifwecollectthemlikewindowstowardsomethingthatisbeyond
onetheory.Hecomparesittoawindowinahighrise.Onewindowshowsthesky.Another
windowshowsaslightlydifferentsky.26 Andathirdwindowathirdsky.Ifyoudigyourheels
inonanyoneofthosepicturesasthetruesky,youlosesightofthewholesky.Ipreferto
collectthesetheoriesasofferinginsightintoarealitybiggerthanmycomprehension.27
Thenextpropositionweargueanddivideourselvesoveris
who
thisredemptionapplies
to.DespiteJesusprayerinJohn17,Christianstendtochoosedivisionoverunityonthis.My
beliefisinatheorycalledChristianUniversalism.Essentially,thistheorysuggeststhatthere
iseternallifeofsomesortattheendofthislifeand
everyone

willreceiveit.Nomatterwhat
youbelieveorpray.Everyonewillreceiveit.Basically,IholdthatJesusdeathand
resurrectionthoroughlydefeatedsinanddeathandthattheyaresoefficaciousthereisnot
onethingwehavelefttodotoreceivetheirtriumphantblessing.Istillbelievethatweare
happierandhealthierlivinginthewayofJesusthannot.SoIstillbelieveinsharingthe
GospeloftheJesuswholivedagoodlife,died,rose,andfreedustoalsolivegoodlives
leaningintoshalom,justice,kindness,andintimatehumblelifewithGod.ButIdontbelieve

26

McLaren,B.D.Thestorywefindourselvesin:FurtheradventuresofanewkindofChristian.p143
WhichisnottosaythatIdonotalsocritiquethesetheories.Forexample,substitutionaryatonementhassome
violentandabusiveimplicationsandmoralexampleseemstooweaktooffertruehope.Again,Ienjoyhashing
theseoutwiththosewhodisagreebutinawaywhereitismoreimportant
that
wearerestoredthan
how
weare
restored.
27

anyoneseternalsalvationisdependentonmesharingthisGospelortheirbelievingit.28 To
me,thestoryjustdoesntsuggestthatsomemightbesaved.Itsuggestsallwillbesaved.God
createdallinthefirstact.All
fell
inthesecondact.Abrahamisblessedinordertobless
all
in
thethirdact.HowcouldJesusnotsave
all
inthefourthactofthisplay?Storytrumps
proposition.TheessentialsoftheJesusstoryarethese:Helived.Hedied.Herose.Andsin
anddeatharedefeated.Theterrainoftheplayisutterlyaltered.
ActV:Church
Wellloopbackto
Church
onceweveexplored
Eternity.

ActVI:Eternity
Thesixthactiswhatisnext.IoftenusethephraseGodsgreatpartyattheendofall
things.Although,asShakespearewrote:Whatispastisprologue.29 MaybeActsIVare
simplyprologueforthe
true
playthatbeginsineternity.Wehavevastlymorequestionsthan
answersaboutthisact.Everystatementwemakeaboutthisactisheldwithhumilityand
playfulnessaswewaitforthedaystorywillteachusmore.
Wedontknowmuch,butwehaveglimpses.Thereisplentyofroomthere.30 Unexpected
peoplewillbethere.31 Therewillbescandalousequality.32Therewillbeafeast.33 Therewill
bepeace,34 newness,35 healing,36 thedryingoftears37 ,andanultimateendtodeath.38 There
willbegoodness.Aswelivethefifthact,weliveittowardthatend.IfjusticelivesinActVI,as
actorsinActV,wesowtheseedsofjusticethatwillflourishinthecomingscenesandact.

28

And,asalways,Iamhappytodisagreeinloveandunityonthistheory.

Shakespeare,W.,&Horne,D.H.(1955).Thetempest.NewHaven:YaleUniversityPress.ActII,scene1
30
John14:23
31
Matthew13:4750;13:33;25:3146,Luke13:2930;14:1424
32
Matthew20:115,Luke13:2930;16:1931;23:3943
33
Luke14:1524(literal,metaphorical,somethingmysteriouswedonotknowyet...butclearlyacelebration).
34
Revelation22:2
35
Revelation21:5
36
Revelation7:16
37
Isaiah25:8,Revelation21:4
38
Ibid
29

Weknowverylittleaboutthisact,butifwearetheactorslivingoutthefifthact,ourtask
istodeliverthestorynicelyatthedoorofthesixthact.Howweliveisinformedbyallwe
gleanfromscripturesandprayeraboutwherethisplayisheadedinthe6thact.Forthe
purposeofmypersonalcalling,itcomesbacktothosethreethings:
Livejustice.Love
kindness.WalkhumblywithGod.
Andtoafourththing:
Welcomeasmanypeopleinto
theprefunkgatheringfortheeternalpartyaspossible.
Or,welcomeasmanypeopleto
churchtoJesustableaspossible.AswesayeachweekatOurCommonTable:Whois
welcomeatJesustable?
AllarewelcomeatJesustable.
And,Ibelieve,asRobBell
suggests,theverylastwordsoftheplayarenot:
TheEnd
,but
LoveWins
.39
ActV:Church...again
IvetakenalongtimethebulkthispapertodescribeGodsstoryanddeliverushereat
theimportantquestions.WhatistheChurch?Whatismission?Howdowerelateto
Scripture,toCreator,toJesus,andtoSpirit?WhereisChurchheaded?Itmayseemlikethe
paperwouldhavedonebettertodiveintothesequestionsexplicitlyfromthestart.However,
tome,wecannottouchonthosequestionswithoutunderstandingwhereweareinthestory.
AsShakespearesays:
Theplayisthething.40 Thestoryiseverything.Myfaithandlifeare
definedbytheJesusstorythatstartswitharelationallovingCreator;detoursintopervasive
brokenness;callsbrokenpeopletobeblessedinordertoblessall;starsJesus,theGodman
wholived,died,androseallindeepandmysteriousgoodnessandshalom;andwillendwith
thatshalomforallpeopleandplaces.Inessence,thestoryanswersthosequestions.Still,in
theremainingpages,Illanswerthemexplicitlywiththestoryinformingmyanswers.

Bell,R.(2011).Lovewins:ABookAboutHeaven,Hell,andtheFateofEveryPersonWhoEverLived.NewYork,
NY:HarperOne.
40
Shakespeare,W.(1947).ThetragedyofHamlet,princeofDenmark(T.Brooke&J.R.Crawford,Eds.).New
Haven:YaleUniversitypress.Act2scene2
39

10

WhatisChurch?AndWhytheDisciplesofChrist?
Thefifthactoftheplayisatransitionalinbetweentime.Therealitiesofvictoryover
brokennessthatwereceiveinActIVminglewiththeremnantsofbrokenness,shardsfrom
theshattering,fromActIII;weparticipateintheworkingoutandspreadingofJesusvictory
overbrokennessevenaswecontinuetoexistwithinandexperiencebrokenness.Thisstory
oftheslowspreadoflifeoverdeathisthestoryweinhabitastheChurch.
TheChurchismadeupofthosewhohavestudiedthestorythusfar,whoareconnected
totheSpirit,orDirector. 41Werehearsethestoryeachtimewegatherthroughcommunion,
liturgy,sermonsthatproclaimandexplorethestory,songsthatnestlethestoryintoour
souls,andotherimportantremembrances42 ofthisstorysuchasbaptism.Inessence,our
roleintheworldistolearn,rehearse,tell,43 andlivethestory.
TheLordsSupperisattheheartofbeingChurch.AmainreasonthatIamseeking
ordinationwiththeDisciplesofChristisboth
that
werehearsethisacteverytimewe
worshipand
how
werehearseit.
First
,everyDisciplesgatheringforworshipisguaranteedto
studythestoryinwordsbutalsocreatethemuscleandsensorymemoriesofrehearsingitas
weengageinaphysicalinteractionwithbreadandwineorjuice,rememberingtheJesus
story.Bothourintellect
and
ourspiritsandourphysicalbodiesengageinarehearsalofthis
story.Tome,
this
isattheheartofwhatitistobeChurch.
Second
,Disciplespracticecommunionlikefifthactplayers.Thatistosay,westudythe
essenceofthestoryleadinguptothismomentandparticularlyoftheJesusstoryandofthe
first
LordsSupper.Thenwearefreedandencouragedtoapplythatstoryasimprovisational
41

MoreontheSpirittocomeinparagraphsbelow.
Purposefullymisspelledtohighlightthatinrememberingthesethings,weembodythem,bringthemtolife
again,
rememberthem
.
43
Inwordsandinouractionsandwayofbeingintheworld.
42

11

characterslivinginadifferenttimeandplaceadifferentactoftheplay.WhereJesustook
whatwasatthetable,wearenotlockedintothesameexactthingJesustook,butare
encouragedtotaketheanalogousthing.StephenGumbertalksofpizzaatcamp.ThisEaster
OurCommonTabletookcake.WhereJesustookwineweoftentakejuice.Winewasthe
healthiestoptionatJesustimebut,formanyofourfriends,wineisnothealthy.Thewords
arechanged.Theyincludethecoreofthestory:Jesus
took
thebread;he
blessedandgave
thanks
forthebread;he
broke
thebread;andhe
shared
thebread.Butwetakethesefour
pointsandchangethelanguagearoundthemasimprovisationalactorsoughttodo.
Third
,wewelcomeeveryone.Werehearsethestoryofblessingbeginningwithasmall
familyandextendingtoallpeoplewhenweproclaimthatJesustablewelcomesall.
Thewholestoryisthere:ActI)ThebreadandwineorjuicecomefromGodsgood
creation
.ActII)Weacknowledge
brokenness
aswecometoreceivereconciliationandaswe
recountthestoryofJesusdeath.ActIII)Wereceivetheblessingandaresentouttoshare
theblessing.ActIV)WeliveintothenewnessoflifeJesusprovidesintheendofthefourth
actthenaresentouttolivethestoryastheactorsofthefifthact.Icannotimagineabetter
familyoffaithtotraversethisfifthactwiththanthosewhorehearsethestorywith
imagination,careforcontext,andwelcomeallpeopletothatrehearsaleachgathering.
The
playisthething
andtheplayisallthereinthiscentralunifyingpieceofDisciplesworship.
Baptismissimilar.Itgrowsoutofstudyofthestoryandisaphysicalembodiment
rehearsalofthestory.WefollowJesuswhowasbaptizedandsenthisdisciplestobaptize.
Whenwearesubmerged,weareasthelightsofthethirdact,acknowledgingtheendofone

12

story.Whenwecomeup,likethelightsonthefifthact,weproclaimwhereweareinthe
story.WearetheChurch.LivingtheJesusstoryinthewayofJesus.44
Thesearerehearsals.Rehearsalsareclutchforanyplay.Buttheyareonlyrehearsals.
Churchhappenswhenwelivethesethemesinthegritandrealityofourlives.Whenwesay:
WhoiswelcomeatJesustable?
AllarewelcomeatJesustable
,atOurCommonTableon
aSunday
then
invitemarginalizedpeopletoaliteraltableMondayThursdayatOurCommon
Ground.Churchhappenswhenwearebaptized,dyingtoonestoryandborntoanotherina
worshipservice
then
standinthechocolateaisleandcontemplatethe$1Hersheysorthe$4
fairtradechocolateanddeclareinourhearts:Iliveinthefifthact.Ichoosetolivejustice
andlovekindness...andeatreallygoodchocolate.Ithappenswhenweeatsomethingwecall
thebreadofheaven
then
choosetoliveasthoughweareinheavenagain,injustice,
kindness,humility,andblessingforallpeoplethroughoutourlives.
Further,theDisciplesapproachtogatheredworshipistheperfectgardenbedfrom
whichtogrowthisfifthactlife.Therearecoreprinciplesrehearsedinourworshipbut
thereisalsofreedomforeachcongregationeachweektotranslatethosecoreprinciplesinto
theirtimeandcontext.Again:pizzahereandcakethere.Hymnsforonecommunity,taizefor
another,songsuniquelywrittenforthecongregationatstillanother.Servicesthatspeakto
oldergenerations,nurturedbytraditionandhighcultureinonecongregationand,atOpen
Gathering,servicesthatspeaktothoseexperiencingvariousdisabilities.Akeyaspectof

44

Iamnotentirelyopposedtoinfantbaptism.Thereissomebeautytosuggestingthatsomeoneisbornintothe
storywithouthis/her/zirdecidingathing.However,aswithmostDisciples,Ibelieveinadultbaptismbecauseitis
choosingthisfifthactchoosingtheJesusstoryasourstory.ItisrehearsingtheJesusstorypublicly.Also,infant
baptismseemstoodeeplytiedtoconceptsoforiginalsin.Idonotbelievechildren
need
tobebaptizeduntilthey
knowenoughofthestorytomakeadecisiontoidentifythemselveswithinit.ForthoseofusinWesternculture,
thisisanimportantriteofpassageinaworldthatislargelybereftofthem.

13

seeingmyfaithasthissixactplayandseeingmyselfasanactorinthefifthactisseeing
myselfasanimprovisationalactor.LikeinaChristopherGuestfilm,weknowroughlywhere
theplayisgoing,buthowwegetthereinvolvesbeingpresentinthemoment.Paying
attention.Adapting.MeldingthisancienttraditionthatbeganwithGodseternalloveandthe
creationthatspilledoutofitandwillend
LoveWins
toourtimeandplace.TheDisciplesof
Christpairthisrespectfortradition,commitmenttocommunionandbaptism,andstudyof
theScripturessobrilliantlywiththefreedom,playfulness,andevenencouragementtobean
improvisationalactorinthisfifthact.Asthesayinggoes:1,000churchesin1,000ways.
1,000churchesin1,000ways.Yetwe
letunitybeourpolarstar
.Asyouthinkofagroup
ofactorslivingthefifthactofasixactplaysansscript,disagreeingwellisclutch.Youllhave
notedthispaperislitteredwithfootnotesrepeatingacommontheme:Ibelievex,butI
respectandlovetoengagewithpeoplewhobelievey.Thisisanotherreason
whyDisciples
ofChrist
.Thisisanimportantaspectofwhatitmeanstolivethefifthact.Asweattemptto
figurethisthingoutanddoourbest,weneedasmanyvoicesatthetableaspossible.Diverse
voices.Voicesthatdisagree.Voicesthatcalloneanotherout.Voicesthathavetroublesitting
downatthetabletogether.Weneedtolistenforwhatweremissingandalwaysbeopento
conversion.Alwaysearnestlylisteningtootherstryingtheirbesttounderstandandliveout
thisJesusstory.Thisstretchesbeyondourcommitmenttounity
within
theDisciplesofChrist
toourcommitmentasadenominationtoecumenicism.WeneedtheBaptists,Episcopalians,
evenActs29Jesusfollowers.Dontgetmewrong,itcanbeinfuriating.Butitisessential.
Jesusoneprayerforuswasunity.Afavoritesongofminesays:Weneedeachothermore
thanweneedtoagree.Father,Son,Spirit,blessuswithyourlove,withyourgrace,and

14

peace.45 AndBartonStonesays
letChristianunitybeourpolarstar.46
Weneedeachotherin
thisworkoflivingthefifthact.
HowDoWeRelateToScripture?
AsNTWrightsuggests, 47scriptureistheplaythusfar(andIwouldadditisourloose
pictureofwheretheplayisheaded).Aswelivethefifthact,weliveinlinewiththefirstfour
orinresponseandcongruencewithScriptures.TheBibleisthestoriesthatmakeupthe
play.Itisthedirectorsnotesandcommandments.Ibelieveitistrue.Idonotbelieveitis
inerrantbecauseitdoesnotusethatwordforitselfandbecauseinerrantisanonsensical
wordwhenappliedtoastory.Ibelievesometimesthe
way
itistruemayvaryormaybea
mysterymuchlikesomeoftheearlylinesinawellcraftedplaywillnotmakesenseuntil
thecloseoftheplay.Ibelieve,likeaplaywrittenlongago,itrequiresdiligentstudyand
translationbothintolanguageandintoaction.
AstoryfromthehistoryofQuakersspeakstohowwerelatetotheScriptures:Early
QuakersbelievedtheBible.They,therefore,believedwomencouldnotlead.Butthenthey
sawwomenleading.TheybelievedtheSpiritintheBibleandtheSpiritinthesewomenwas
thesameSpiritandtheSpiritcouldnotdisagreewithherself.48 So,theyconcludedtheymust

45

PaulaBest.Peace.ChurchoftheBeloved,2008.CD.
Williams,D.Newell(2009,October).HistoricalReflectiononStoneCampbellSpirituality.CalltoUnity:
ResourcingtheChurchforEcumenicalMinistry,(10),518.p15
47

Wright,NT.HowCanTheBibleBeAuthoritative?RetrievedMay05,2016,from
http://ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Bible_Authoritative.htm

48
Generally,IamcarefulnottopronounGod.Jesuswasliterallyamaleperson,soIoftendousemalepronouns
withJesus.Yahweh/Creator/ParentGod,Iavoidusingpronounseventhoughtheyarelargelymaleinboth
HebrewandChristianscriptures.IdothisbecauseIfeel,atthispointintheplay,themalenessofGodhasbeen
overplayedinaharmfulway.Incontrast,IamoftenintentionalaboutpronouningGodsSpiritwithfeminine
pronouns.TheHebrewscripturesusefeminineterms.TheChristianscripturesuseneuterpronouns.Andyet,
throughoutthehistoryofthechurch,theSpirithasoftenbeenreferredtoinmaleterms.Atthisjunctureinthe
play,asacorrective,itfeelsimportanttometobeintentionalaboutgivingGodsSpiritfemininepronounsoutof
respectforsomethingGodhasrevealedaboutGodsselfthroughHebrewfeminineterms.
AndImincludingthis
caveatinafootnoteinthepaperbecausemydecisiontopronounGodsSpiritwithfemininepronounsis
46

15

beconfusedandcontinuedtostudyandprayuntiltheydiscoveredhowgoodinterpretation
allowswomentoleadevenastheSpiritempowersustolead.
Thisistosay,theBibleisauthoritative.Butitisanancientstory.Sowewrestlewithitin
lightofthecontinuingstory.WewrestlewithitwiththehelpoftheSpiritwhoauthoreditas
wellasusandourstories.Aswithactorspouringoverthefirstfouractsinordertolivethe
fifth,welistentoeachotheranddigdeepandwaitfortheguidanceofthedirectororGods
Spirittoleadusinbothknowing
and
livingtheBible.
HowdowerelatetoGodsSpirit?
WepreviouslydiscussedGodourCreatorandJesus.WhatofGodsSpirit?Steppingout
ontothestagewithonlythestudyofthefirstfouractsandsomevagueimagesofthesixth
actandbeingaskedtolivethefifthisterrifying!Anditshouldbe.Butthatsnotexactlywhat
weareaskedtodo.Wehaveadirector,theSpirit.Weholdourselveshostagetoherleading.
Sheknowsusandthestory.Andsospiritualpractices,slowingusdownandprovidingtime
tolistentoGodsSpirit,areessentialtoknowinghowtoliveinthisfifthact.TheSpiritisour
guide.We,however,arenotalwaysexcellentlisteners.BeforeweactonHerleading,itis
essentialtoholditintensionwithScriptureandtosiftouttheleadingthroughprayerand
consultationwithChurchhistory,thefirstfouracts,andwiththeotheractorsonthestage.
WhereisChurchheaded?
Simplyput,Idontknow.CourtneyE.MartinsaysofactivismthatitisAdaily,even
hourly,experimentindedication,moralcourage,andresilience.49 Livingthefifthactisan
experiment.Thejobofapastorinanyageisto,assuggested,studythestorythusfar
thoroughly,leanintowherethestoryisheaded,andalsobeastudentofthesettingofthe
anexampleofhowIallowscripturetobeauthoritativeinmylifeaswellasexaminingwhatiscurrently
happeninginthe
play
andallowingthosetwopiecestomingletogetherandformhowIlive.
49
Martin,C.E.(2010).Doitanyway:Thenextgenerationofactivists.Boston,MA:BeaconPress.pxviii

16

fifthact.Fromdiligentstudyofthepast,future,andpresentoftheJesusstory,andfrom
listeningcarefullytotheHolyDirector,pastorsandallChristians,butespeciallypastors
translatethestoryinthegivenmoment.Again,thisisasignificantpartofmy
why
forseeking
ordinationwiththeDisciplesofChrist:weholdtraditions;westudyscripture;welistenand
joinhandswithothertraditions;andweexercisefreedomintranslatingthistoourtimeand
place.Translationisessentialinthefifthact.Thistranslationisaprimarytaskofthepastor.
Inthistimeandplace(thePacificNorthwest),CourtneyEMartinswordsabout
activismseemparticularlytrueaboutchurch.Martinsaysthatt
heworldwillnotbesavedbut
itwillbechanged.50 IbelievetheChurch,asithasexisted,
willnotbesavedbutitwillbe
changed
.IbelievetheChurchwillbearoundin50yearsbutitwilllookdifferent.Spencer
BurkeisexperimentingwithsocialenterpriseasChurch.Housechurchesareontherise.
CommonCausecommunitiesareincreasinglypopular.JimHendersonisexperimentingwith
aonceamonthchurch.Likeneverbeforeinthehistoryofthisfifthact,weneed1,000
churchesin1,000ways,continuingtoapplyMartinsthoughtsonactivismtothechurch:
Churchinthisageis
adaily,evenhourlyexperiment
.Fiftyyearsfromnow,astheplay
progresses,theChurchwilllookdifferent.MinisterstodayneedtolistenforhowtheChurch
canchangeandisbeingchangedandweneedtoexperimenttowardthatchange.
Apartofthisworkisalsotoconsoleandencouragetheactors,castingavisionfor
howtheplaymightunfold.Olderadultsinthechurchtodayhaveseenculturechange
rapidly.Weallhave.Butpeoplemyageandyoungerexpectchange;itsallweveknown.For
ourolderfriends,thischangehasbeenunexpectedandcanbehardtocopewithbecause

50

Martin,C.E.(2010).Doitanyway:Thenextgenerationofactivists.Boston,MA:BeaconPress.pxviii

17

churchmaybetheonlycomfortingholdoutoffamiliarity.Meanwhile,youngerfolkswonder
whytheChurchislaggingbehindcultureinchange.And,notallchangeisgoodchange.We
needtimetolistentothestoryandtotheDirector,toseekwisdomasweseekchange.Itis
hardwork,butministersneedtotendalloftheserapidlymovingpieces.Aswepreachwith
ourwordsonSundaysandourlivesonalltheotherdaysweneedtonotonlyremember
andexegetethestorythusfar,butprememberandexegetethestorygoingforward.And,as
withanyworkrelatedtothefuture,wemusthavethehumilityandplayfulnesstoseeour
workasanexperimentthatmayfail.Inthistime,failuremustbeanacceptablesideeffectof
ministry.Likeanimprovisationalactoronthestage,youhavetobewillingtotrysomething
thatmaynotworkout;otherwiseyouwillstandtheresilentastheplaygoesbywithoutyou.
WehavetotrustourrelationalAuthorwill,asGrenzsuggests,
behereforus
aswe
experiment,fail,andfallforwardthroughaseriesofdailyexperimentstowardthesixthact.
Onethingthatiscertainaboutthefutureofthechurchisthis:Wemustremember
thatourtaskistoparticipateintheprogressionofthestorytowardthesixthact.Wemust
spendmoretimeandenergyengagingthosefourthemesoftheplay:1)Beinginsignificant
peopledoingsignificantthingsormoreaptly,empoweringthosefromthemarginstodo
significantthings,astheJesusstoryalwaysfindsandempowersherosfromthemargins.2)
Extendingtheblessingwereceivetoblessall.3)Tangiblylivingjustice,lovingkindness,and
walkinginpublichumilitywithGod.4)Welcomingallpeople.ThisquotefromMartinLuther
KingJr,whilehalfacenturyoldnow,isatimelycallforthechurchtoreachbackintohistory
inordertostepforwardintothefuture,or,ifwerefuse,toallbutdisappear:
ButthejudgmentofGodisuponthechurchasneverbefore.Iftoday'schurch
doesnotrecapturethesacrificialspiritoftheearlychurch,itwillloseits
authenticity,forfeittheloyaltyofmillions,andbedismissedasanirrelevant
18

socialclubwithnomeaningforthetwentiethcentury.EverydayImeetyoung
peoplewhosedisappointmentwiththechurchhasturnedintooutrightdisgust.51

TheStory
I
Live
Andthefinalunansweredquestion:Whatismyroleinthis?Iamapastor.Ivetriedto
outrunthatcalling.Itisnotaneasyone.Especiallyasthechurchlurchesintoachapter
whereprovidingforministersfinancialneedsisfading,possiblydisappearing.ThisiswhyI
dontsayIworkasapastor,butI
am
apastor.Mycallingistocreatively,diligently,and
attentivelyexperimenttowardthefutureofchurchaswereachouttothesixthact.Ilistento
theHolySpirit,ourGreatDirector.IlistentotheJesusstory,theHebrewstory,andthe
historicChurch.Ilistentomyneighborsandneighborhood.Ilistentoeventsandvoicesfrom
marginsaroundtheworld.Ilisten.AndItakethatlisteningandcreativelyapplyit.One
exampleisabookofdailyprayersforEverettthatIamworkingon.Preparingformaternity
leaveandbeingonmaternityleavepausedthatwork,butyoucancheckoutourAdvent
prayers.52 Or,Ihavereimaginedlabyrinthsonthestreetsofourneighborhoodtakingan
ancientpracticefromthestoryweliveandtranslatingittomyneighborhood.53
IdotheSundaypastorthing.Iloveit!Ilovepreachingandliturgy.ButIliveinthe
nonezone,wheremoreandmorefolksdontconnectwithorganizedreligionandSunday
gatherings.Weare,however,aspiritualregion.So,Itranslateintosocialmedia,blogs,
volunteeropportunities,alternativegatheringsetc,towelcomeeventhosewhoarenot
interestedintraditionalchurch.IlovethattheDisciplesofChristencouragesthis.

King,M.L.,Jr.(n.d.).LetterfromaBirminghamJail[King,Jr.].RetrievedMay05,2016,from
https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
52

http://www.ourcommontablechurch.org/prayersformorningandeveningineverett
53

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150530/NEWS01/150539938
51

19

And,iftheseexperimentsfail,Idonotworkasapastorbut
am
apastor.Illkeepatthe
workofleadingandinspiringmidwifingandcaringtheotheractorsonthestagetolivein
linewiththosefirstfouractsandtowardthesixth.Andallofthisisheldwithopennesstothe
futureasitunfoldswiththeGodwhoseverynameisIwillbehereforyouandwiththe
pluckypeoplewhofollowafterthatGodinastorythatisbentongoodness.

20