Modell or paradigm?

Hi,
again and again I meet people who discribe my and our lifestyle as a modell of doing “church”. Well, It is acutually no modell it is a diffrent paradigm. How to talk to a fish about water? How to talk to people who are so convinced in modell-thinking that it maybe makes some sense to reflect on ones paradigms? The more I walk down the road I am on, the more I become totally helpless with this kind of people! At the same time I have wonderful conversations on following Jesus with people who never would step in a setting that is labled with “church”. Crazy world!

Have a great weekend!

I met Fred*

Hi,

today I met Fred. As I was writing, I was wondering what he was doing. So today was the day to find out I thought. He still looked very tired and sad. I told him, what I was thinking. He did not comment on that, but started to ask me questions on what I was doing. So I told him. New Job, Family, my journey with Jesus etc…

Then he told me. He told me his journey and I was simply perplex to find out, that he was solidly integrated in the empire. Wow! I never thougt that. He was very strong on his biblical standpoints and the everything was has to grounded in the word of God, etc…

The thing that confused me was not that much his standpoint, but the way he expressed or showed me his convictions was rather disappointing. He behaved like a guy from the spiritual elite. It was not really possible to connect with him. I felt, that I was in one of his boxes and not able to jump out.

Well, I thought this was a god thing and it maybe was. But I do not really understand what happend. After a hour or so, we said goodbye. He was very bussy…

*Personal data changed

emerging something…

Hi,

I recently was part of a seminar that tackled with the subject of the so-called emerging church. My part was to introduce cultural shifts in our society along the 7 cultural institutions each culture has (Language, Family, Religion, Economics, Technology, Arts&Leisure, Government).

The participants came mainly form a churchy background. It was very funny to see how some tried to fix the contents of the seminar into their system of thinking or their concept of church or what ever. Phrases like “we are doing that for 10 years already…” were heard sometimes. Or “Our young poeple do not fit in your description…” . Well… how do you talk to a fish about water?

I realised for my self two things in that.

1. It is hard to learn and to develop when one is BELIEVING in his system

2. In order to develop, one has to let go of some things (the question then is how to choose the “right” things…).

Goodbye

Hi,

Last night I was sitting with Jim* in the “Weinerei” We had a fine Meal and some good Wine. A lot of really nice people where there. Everyone seemed to be in a good mude. A lot of laughter, a lot of “deep conversation” was going on. Friends met, lovers where cuddling on a couch. Aaah, just the right environment to relax from an intense Weekend.

While we were talking a man came into the resaurant. He walked from table to table, offering one of these “Newspapers” made by homeless people. As I could see it, no one bought an issue. I did not buy one either. Our table was the last one before he left the restaurant. He opened the door, turned around and said quite gentle “goodbye” into the restaurant -not to a person directly- and rushed away.

I was sitting there wondering, when this man had his last meaningful conversation. Everyone just nodded (including us) their heads when he was approaching a table.

It is a hard job to sell something that the most people buy, if at all, out of charity. You must feel worthless when you are dependent on someones charity. (I know it is good that these people can actually DO something with their talents and time etc. there is value behind projects like these).

There is a lot of information exchange and information flow in Babylon. But to it seems like there is little dialogue between people. How can we overcome the deadlocked channels of information flow which exclude so many people? I have no answer to that. I simple think that it is really odd when a person says goodbye that no one hears that, and that the person himself is not expecting a respectful answer.

*All personal data changed!

Unexpected encounter

Hi,

I came from a meeting the other day with a potential client. It was a good meeting. We discussed problems on a very high level (hugh). Happy as I was I wandered through my city. We had a fine meal over lunch and so I was looking for some fruit. I passed one of these fruit shops, where they offer you fresh-pressed juice, fruit-salad and all that stuff. So I decided to by an apple and paid. It was just then, that I realised that the guy behind the desk is Fred*. He looked really tired. No, somehow empty and sad. He did not identify me, so I asked him: “Hey you are Fred!?” I am Marcus! He looked at me and then it dawned on him. Then silence for a moment!

I came to know Fred around 10 years ago. We worked together at a youth camp. He was so on fire for Jesus, so full of energy and passion. We met one more time and discussed all the stuff on revival etc… then we lost sight of each other. Years later, he contacted me. Meanwhile he was living in Berlin. He wanted to meet but it did not work out. We lost contact again. Now I meet him again. In his job environment. Surrounded by empty bottles, fruit and a lot of dishes he had to clean in the kitchen.

No energy, no passion but empty eyes, sadness and with a deep sigh he said: “Hey, I have to tell you my story”. “lets meet next week”. Sure, I said. We exchanged mobile numbers. We said goodbye and I left.

As I was walking to the station I saw a lot of people, a lot of emptiness and a lot of sadness.

And I was wondering whether all these people have someone they can turn to and say: “Hey, I have to tell you my story!”

Have a good night.

Marcus

*All personal data changed!

New concept for this blog – TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN!

I got it. For a while I thought of a new concept for this blog, as I said here. So, now I think I have got an Idea that could work out well.

Maybe every other week, or at least once a month I will write a letter. A letter from Babylon. A letter is normaly addressed to someone. In my case the letter is directed “to whom it may concern!” There will be no other categories. Just the letters. for orientation, content-wise, I will keep the tags.

Thats it. I am looking forward to this journey.

Ah one more thing: names and all personal data are chanched!!

What do you see?

I see my city suffering. It is longing and yearning for life and love. I see an economy that is on the ground, I see young people who leave because there is no reason to stay – there is not enough room for development and work. The Citycouncil announced that they will focus on the elderly, because that is where the future market will be. That is right, but what shall we do, if the goverment is giving up on the youth? Can we turn that arround? And yet through al of this I see the potential of my City. There is a lot of creativity, new cafes opend during the last 1-2 years and… yes and what else. This place develops so slowly that it is hard to see it some times.As Martin is writing, we need to develop a spirituality, a way of following christ, IN this situation of creation. We are no sphere for our own sake.

By accident…

… I found this Post. Just without comment.

Go!

Here I am, writing my first post on this blog. I started to write some english posts on my other blog, but I came to the conclusion that it makes more sense to start an extra one for my english-speaking audience. First of all I ask for patience regarding my english. Sometimes I really struggle with the grammar. Nevertheless I would like to Introduce two posts to this blog, which are the reason for me to start this blog. These Post are the starting point of some of my reflections on some subjects.

•  I kissed church goodbye and
•  I kissed movement hello!

If you read those post, you are on track with this blog. 

Well what should I say? It is good to stay where we belong, in Babylon (Jer 29,5-8). We have to live were we belong, and we have to find ways to…

…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. 

 For that we need the guidance of Jesus and the friendship and fellowship of his followers. The church as it is, is not the answers to that task. Maybe it has not to be the answer. Maybe it is about a whole new understanding of creation. That is my journey, that is my way so far.