Another Way Of Responding To Driscollgate

Brant Hansen’s blog, Letters From Kamp Krusty has quickly become a favourite. Today’s post, Great Artists are So Rarely Understood, makes a nice case for not letting Dricollgate get in the way of life,

“Fact is, I still don’t know my neighbors very well. The people in our church community have some serious problems. I struggle at my job. My kids are getting older. Our dog is missing a leg. I’ve got this corner, by my bed, of piled miscellaneous stuff I need to sort. And the beach is beautiful this time of year.

So hunt your heretics, heretic-hunters. It’s a big job. That’s got to keep you busy. I might join you, after I rid my life of the many mini-heresies that pervade it, daily. And finally clean the garage. I’m hoping my electric football game isn’t all mildewy.

We all have our lists: What’s Essential. Truths that Cannot Be Compromised. Absolutes that, if Not True, Would Undermine Everything. My list used to be pretty long. Real long.

Funny thing is, I’ve talked to several older believers about the whole list-of-essentials thing. Several of them had very long lists earlier in life. But those lists got shorter — all of them.

Never once have I talked to an older person whose list got longer. Never once.”

OK, I have met a very small number of people who lists, post-mid-life, have grown. But, the point is well-taken. The simple fact of living, in a relationally meaningful and connected way, with your work, family, friends and community has a spiritual dimension to it. This is why, historically, many churches and denominations have been reticent to appoint or ordain ministers who have not “lived enough” before joining the clergy.

So here’s to caring less and living more!

[tags] Mark Driscoll, Driscollgate [/tags]