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KNEE
JERK REACTIONS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Momx4
i think part
of it is that we don't see that part of the truth when it is portrayed
can get people talking and asking questions. we feel like if the
whole gospel message isn't portrayed in its entirety, including
the altar call, then we haven't done our job. this has only been
a recent discovery for me and it has really freed up how i express
my faith. i am much more ready to hear the truth of what people
are saying and encourage them in that hoping for continuation
of the conversation later and trusting that God can continue to
work in their lives. films and books can be great conversation
starters for this and not everyone will go see a blatantly christian
film right away in a relationship. we need to remember that all
truth is God's truth no matter whose mouth it comes out of.
Response:
Some one recently wrote, "I'd rather have R-rated truth than
G-rated lies." Thank you for your contribution. I like how
you think, you are on the right track. -David
GEN
X PASTOR SPEAKS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 19:49:12 EDT
From: Rev. Chad Irving
David,
Thank you for Hollywood Jesus, I enjoy it very much. I am a Gen
Xer and an Associate Pastor. I believe your comments regarding
the Boomers are by and large true, although I have had a Boomers
in my life who have done exactly what you're asking them to do
for me. Nevertheless, most have been the type that you have described.
Most of my Christian life I have felt the need to be apologetic
about my "love" for the media, i.e. movies, television, and radio.
Only recently have I truly come to understand how much value there
is as a Christian to be current on these things. I like to watch
t.v. and movies, and I am finding it is more of a help then a
hindrance in my ministry. I've found that people in my church
enjoy my sermon illustrations from t.v. and movies. People can
relate, because they enjoy the media, too. Anyway, I appreciate
what you do and wanted to respond.
God bless.
Rev. Chad Irving
Response:
I am glad you know a few enlightened Boomers. Good help is hard
to come by these days. The Boomer detest of the media is typical.
They are in the linear world and have little concept of what being
postmodern is all about. Sadly, they do not even want to know.
PASSING
THE BATON TO GEN X
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Sue Sailhamer
David:
Your apology to Gen X was interesting. The worship style problem
exists in most large churches. Here is one way to see it:
Worship is
the language of the church. And we are now like Babel--we speak
different languages. Don't confuse traditions with traditionalism.
(traditionalism, the dead faith of the living; tradition, the
living faith of the dead).
Tradition
is faith that has been handed down through the ages. There is
much we can learn from the saints who went before us. Have you
read the stories behind the writing of great hymns of faith? Amazing
Grace, It Is Well With My Sould, Children of the Heavenly Father,
etc. These and many other hymns are testimonies to God's sustaining
grace amidst great adversity. They have withstood the test of
time far more than contemporary choruses of late or Gen X tunes.
The music/style
problem is much more than personal or generational preference.
It is a great divide that needs a bridge. We need to bring people
together, not separate them in contemporary or traditional compartments,
gen X or boomer. The Gen Xers have more to learn from the Boomers
than vice versa. That's always the way it goes. And the Boomers
have much to learn from "The Greatest Generation. " We need to
keep the conversation going between generations.
With this
in mind, the only style of worhip that makes sense is a blend
that includes the entire spectrum. If you want to see this at
work, visit the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton. We
don't have it perfected, but we are trying.
Sue Sailhamer
Response:
Thank you Sue. And you are right. Multigeneration community is
what the kingdom is about. And indeed, we learn from each other.
"Amazing Grace" will always be with us. I would like
to hear how Gen X would perform it. I am tired of the Boomer monopoly
on doing these great traditions in their fashion. The problem
as I see it is that Gen X and Gen Y have been excluded from participation
in Boomer worship services. I am glad you church is open to Gen
X and Y. -David
100
BEST MOVIES
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Janet
How about
"Shadowlands"., my favorite.
Janet Renfro jkrenfro@wans.net
Response:
You are right. How about Shadowlands? There are so many that I
left out. I really just limited myseld to 100. -David
BABY
BOOMER/GEN X
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Trey Harris
Dear Dave,
I loved your comments concerning Boomers and worship styles. Unfortunately
most main-line churches have not even experienced "contemporary"
worship yet, much less Gen-X. Most of the control in these churches
is still with the Builders of WWII. I am a United Methodist Pastor
and can think of only one or two churches in our entire conference
(Louisiana) that are doing relevant worship to reach Gen-X. I
am told that we need to also concentrate on the generation behind
Gen-X, the Millennials. Seems we are two or three generations
behind and wonder why we still loose members each year. I wonder
if we will ever get it?
Peace and Grace,
Trey Harris
New Orleans, LA
Response:
Yes, lets hear it for the Millennials! You are right, the church
is behind. One wonders why it still exists! It has one important
saving grace, and that is GOD! -David
THE
PASTOR
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Christy
Hi. I was
just wondering if you really sent your letter to that pastor.
If so, are you going to post his response? It's sad that pastors
feel confident in making such statements, and even sadder that
non-thinking congregations simply internalize what pastors say
without consideration. Sometimes I wonder if pastors are aware
of the power they hold when they speak from the pulpit. Love the
newsletter!
-Christy, San Diego
Response:
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I sent the letter to my pastor
friend. And yes the pulpit is a real power thing. It is kind of
scary. I will publish his response. I will probably paraphrase
it however. -David
WHAT?
WHERE'S...
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Marcus McFaul
Where are...
Babette's Feast ?
Chocolat ?
The Spitfire Grill ?
-Marcus W.
McFaul
First Baptist Church, Lawrence, KS
Response:
You are so right. Like I said I could easily post a lot more.
I like those you mentioned, thank you. -David
COMMON
GROUND
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Leslie M
Dear David,
Good topics in this newletter. I found this question that you
posed especially interesting:
Why can't
Christians admit to common ground with unbelievers?
As a recovering
alcoholic, I hear a similar theme expressed in AA meetings (though
its founders never intended for such duality to take root): that
alcoholics have little common ground with "earth people," or "earthlings"
--- unofficial AA jargon for non-alcoholics. Whether it's Christians
versus non-believers or alcoholics versus non-alcoholics ("An
earthling could never understand what it's like"), it seems to
be about one-upmanship. And I'm just as bad about it as the next
person. I hope that over time, by remembering humility, I'll be
a better example of a recovering alcoholic whose higher power
is Almighty God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Sincerely, Leslie M.
Response:
Thank you Leslie. I thank God for your recovery. I loved the "erthling"
thing. -David
KNEE
JERK
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Betty Hamm
Good newsletter
David.
About the knee jerk to Hollywood. I believe it is fear. Fear of
falling into a worldly trap, fear of being too close to sin. It
is legalism. And unfortunately it smacks of works. In other words
if I only watch, read, do the right things I will be the right
kind of Christian. It is the reason why Christians have a very
hard time making friends with non-believers, unchurched, pagans,
whatever you want to call them. Many of us are very much interested
in saving their souls, but that is it. We don't really want to
get to know them. It is not just Hollywood. It really is all the
arts or the media if you will. A friend told me she was worried
about joining a neighborhood book club because she didn't know
what kind of books they would choose. Time and time again, I have
heard people slam secular music, esp. rock, without having heard
it. Or grouping all rock with gangster rock. I was listening to
Marilyn Manson the other day, yes I did say Marilyn Manson. Now
I will tell you, I cannot watch the man and I listen to a song
of his that is censored (why don't they offer this with movies?).
His lyrics go God is in the TV. Well, I have to say, Marilyn is
not far off. America's god is in the TV. Most of the rock music
is really saying be authentic and fess up to what you believe.
If Christians allowed themselves to be authentic around non-Christians,
I believe we would see a lot more conversions. I'm off my soap
box. Thank you for all you do.
Betty
P.S. There
is a song called "Fragile" by a group I think is called the McCallisters
or something close to that. It was heart-piercing. It is not Christian,
it is very much Gen-X, it is very real. You would love it. A pastor
I know calls Gen-X music God-haunted music.
-- Mrs. Betty
T. Hamm bhamm@efcn.org
Fine Arts Director
Evangelical Free Church,
Naperville Il
(630) 983-3232 http://www.efcn.org
Response:
Thank you so much Betty. I really like the way you think! -David
100
FAITH AFFIRMIMING FILMS
Subject: 100 Faith Affirming Films Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: RickKristi@aol.com
David, Interersting
list you offered. (David's responses in blue)
Frist of all,
I would like to add a couple of films to your list. In fact I
am kinda surprised I did not see them. However, with a large list
such as that and my inability to see Magic Eye paintings in the
past, I may have completely missed them. I felt that a few of
your films would not fit the Pastor's criteria ("Hollywood never
portrays Christian believers favorably. If you can find one film
that does I'll watch it."), so I offer my alternatives:
Magnolia
(of course). This film fits the criteria because it offered a
Christian character and he was one of 2 completely postive, if
not heroic, characters.
Deep Cover, with Laurence Fishburne offers a wonderful potrayal
of a Christian Police Officer who acts as a conscience for Fihburne's
character as he heads deep undercover. This character acts a Christ
figure, sacrificing himself for Fishburne.
Kingdom Come, new film.
SpitFire
Grill, funded by nuns offers very strong view of forgiveness.
Shadowlands
(come on, this fits the Pastor's criteria perfectly)
The Last
Crusade, which you may have meant instead of Raiders of the
Lost Ark. Although Raiders is still very affirming to faith. The
Last Crusade deals directly with many issues relating to the Christian
faith.
The Pastor's
Wife, did you forget? If you add Michael and Life Less Ordninary
you must have this.
Stigmata
if you have some you put in, this is no mosre of a stretch, althoug
I would not have it in such a list.
Blues Brothers.
If you offer Blues Brothers 2000, you must include the first.
I would differ
with many based upon his criteria, including (just a few)
56. Traffic (although the best film of 2000 in my opinion,
this dealt with issues of faith no more or less than 3 Kings,
which offers a positive Christian character and deals with ethical
issues as openly as Traffic) Closing scene
has father and augther in Church, with dad listening to daugther,
powerful scene.
59. Alien Resurrection
(stretch) Holy Bible viewed as high importance.
63. Armageddon (I must of
missed it in the mdst of the tacky Bruckheimerisms) Bruce
actually prays in this one, in a positive manner.
74. Ghost ( I think it is a little bit of evangelsm for
other worldviews and is a def. stretch- if you add it you must
add Malcom X and other faith affirming films of different
"faiths" which are better made and deal with faith issues better).
Positive
to religious faith, however.
82. Left Behind (not a Hollywood
film at all. This cannot be part of the discussion since it is
made by Chrisitans who feel the same as that Pastor. Plus it is
poorly done.) True, I through in Christian
Independent films that made it to the popular cinema
84. A Life Less Ordinary
(great flick but angels don't make it positive to Christianity)
Positive to religious faith, however.
87. Michael (come on, you must be
kidding- horrible theologial views. One of the only movis Ihave
seen in past few years that actully offended me. It was hokey
and the "Christian" characters are not even close to "positive".
This film would fit into your pastor's arsenal) The
reporters start out as unbelievers and end up as believers.
88. The Omega Code (see Left
Behind- might as well add Judas Project to this list).
True, I through in Christian Independent films
that made it to the popular cinema
91. Powder (see comments on Michael)
Powder as a Christ-figure is a positive figure.
Well thank
you for reading this. Good list for the most part. I think most
Christians are concerned with behavior, rather than worldview
. Because of this, they will miss films, music, tv that deals
seriously with faith issues in the midst of immoral behavior or
questionable action (i.e. language). We are more informed by James
Dobson than we care to admit. We see nothing wrong with a sweet
film with a dangerous message (i.e. Titanic
or many Disney films) or sweet song with same message (i.e. WhitneyHouston's
Greatest Love of All a few years ago). This focus on the biggies
(language, sex, etc.) causes us to miss God's hand in films such
as Magnolia or Three kings. As a Christian
Culture, we are mre concerned with morality and behavior than
Truth and redemption. There is my 2 cents.
in His grip,
Rick Bennett
Pastor
City on a Hill
Boston, MA 617-438-0851
Response:
Thank you, Rick. Your response was well thought out. I would love
to meet you some day. Warmly, David
I'M
THINKING
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Cathy Anderson
I have a
myriad of reactions to your newsletter proclaiming freedom for
the church from Boomers. Let me start by saying I am a very old
Xer married to a very young Boomer, so I'm a little biased, I
suppose. But I'm also a worshipper of Jesus. I'm not in a "Boomer
focussed" church. I'm in a very alive, vibrant church whose worship
is solidly traditional. We don't have a praise band, but we certainly
do praise. We don't have a uniform - dress ranges from suits and
ties to jeans and t-shirts. The ministers (of whom I am one) wear
robes on occasions to fit the seasons of the church's life. Here
are just a few things to think about in response to your letter:
1) no, there
is precious little green hair or rap music in our worship service.
I'm just not convinced that this is the only way to reach gen
X. We have a 90 voice youth choir that regularly leads in worship.
Their friends come to hear them. On youth Sunday ( a p.m. service)
the youth do drama and sign language and even black-light interpretive
pieces. Youth groups from around the county come to see us. Frankly,
I don't want my two little girls growing up thinking the church
must accommodate their every whim as to style and taste. I want
them to understand that the God of the universe is worthy of their
worship and allegiance and service and love - even if there is
NEVER a truly contemporary piece of music played in the Sanctuary.
2) I recognize
a familiar preconception in your call for boomers to let go of
the church - all you really talked about was worship style. There
is so much more to church life than the 1 hour a week we spend
in corporate worship. Ask the gen Xers in our church what is the
most important hour of the week for them and they'll likely tell
you it is on Sunday night in their weekly Bible study.
3) There are
eternal truths of faith that are passed down from generation to
generation. I don't ever want to miss what the generation ahead
of me has to teach me because they can't sing my music.
4) Yes, we
must find more effective ways to reach gen X AND gen Y. Let's
just be very careful in calling for any generation to "let go
of the church." I believe God's plan is for us all to worship
together and learn from each other. Just my thoughts.
Blessings
on you and what you do. I enjoy your voice and your creativity
in finding the spiritual in unexpected places. Keep it up.
Cathy P. Anderson
Associate Minister of Children
First Baptist Church 5 Oak Street
Asheville, NC 28801
828.252.4781 www.fbca.net
Response:
You are right, the church is about community. Multigenerational
congregations are healthy. It's never one style over another,
rather the idea is inclusiveness. We need to incorporate the outcast
and the out sider. And, yes 3 cheers for Gen Y. Thank you Cathy
for your wonderful thoughts. -David
BOOMERS
WON'T LIKE YOU
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Andrea
Hey David,
Wow! I never thought ANY Baby Boomers would ever see the light.
I do not believe your generation will agree with you. But as a
Gen Xer, may I say thank you. I love Hollywood Jesus
--Andrea
Response:
I hope I will not be disowned by my generation. -David
CHRISTIANS
AND HOLLYWOOD
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Joyce Chasteen
Jesus said,
"all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me", I don't
recall Him saying in that sentence "except Hollywood."
The Church
also confuses "religiosity" with the "Holy Spirit." They can find
scriptures and then judge the world when they act opposite of
what they read. Go figure, the spiritual "blind" do not act as
though they can "see." Jesus was sinless and did not judge, but
He came to save, yet the Church spews judgment on non-believers
on a daily basis. The apostle Paul REBUKED the church when saying
"who are you to judge!".....he then said we are to judge the Church,
and let God judge the world. I have been kicked out of a few churches
when I show them what I see that isn't "Christ-like".
I remember
while full time in the ministry, after speaking with several people
and getting frustrated, I remember praying (thinking I was praying
a good thing), "Father, just help me love the lost the way you
love them." No sooner than I was on to pray about something else,
God rumbled through my spirit powerfully saying, "These are my
children, not yours!!!" Get rebuked by God and it changes your
perspective on dealing with non-believers. I was immediately put
in "servant" mode. When Jesus sent out the disciples to witness,
in parables and the like, I noticed He used the word "servant".
We are here to say, "your Father loves you, He misses you, He
wants you to come home." Not convert someone to dogma. Show Him
in our own lives, that they will see something different, that
connection they may have once had and maybe have forgotten. I
watched on preacher talk about nose rings and was sarcastic..."oh
yea, I got Bible for that." I had a nose ring and didn't care
what he said because I know Jesus, but think how much this angers
the Father when He wants His lost children to come home, but they
are insulted as soon as they walk in the door of a church or begin
searching. I laughed at the preacher. He was going into the old
testament when it talked about body piercing...I laughed as I
watched his congregation get up and shout their amens as they
were wearing their ear rings. Maybe I'm dense but aren't the ears
a part of the body? Oh, and I wondered how many had bacon for
breakfast before service, notice the Old Testament mentioning
something about pork.
The Church
attacks Hollywood because they see Hollywood and the world through
eyes of religiosity, not the eyes of Jesus.
God has set
apart different people in Hollywood that you may not even hear
about. He is there. Michelle Pfeiffer when she was married, had
her adopted daughter christened, and then was married by a Presbyterian
minister........not some Hollywood big name spiritual guru. The
DreamWorks team are different than other studios. On wordplayer.com,
a screenwriting site, in their old newsletters these guys talk
about what it's like pitching in front of Katsenburg or Spielberg,
(they are now with DreamWorks and happen to have written Shrek).
One question Katsenburg asks before the pitch, "does it have a
universal message." Not all are slimeballs in Hollywood. I remember
passing a location set where they were filming, I prayed it would
be neat to work on a set, but I had no experience. The next thing
I know I get a call a week later, "you don't know me, but you
interviewed at my mother's restaurant, you put screenwriting down
as a hobby....I'm working on a film and need an assistant." There
I was wardrobe assistant, and then assistant to the First Unit
Director. Next thing I know (because of my relationship with Jesus,
not religiosity and judgment, something was different about me),
they put me in control over the petty cash. (Look how God raised
up Joseph).I was anxious to leave the set because I needed to
get to church (transportation was going to give me a ride). A
famous actor asked me where I was going, I said "church, you want
to come?" He said, "no, I meditate and it helps my mind." Immediately
the Holy Spirit responded, "what about the heart?" He didn't say
anything, but I could tell it planted a powerful seed. Because
of who I was in Christ, not what I said, the director went with
me to Church. I shared my faith with virtually everyone on the
set. They didn't "hate" me for it. In fact another project was
being filmed, I walked by the set and heard my name being yelled
by different people, they came and grabbed me and hugged me. Yea,
Hollywood hates Jesus.
The Father
has put it on my heart to eventually move to California. Screenwriting
is a passion (not writing "religious" but real). Who knows more
about 3 dimensional characters then the Holy Spirit. Visuals,
creativity. I had one religious person say, "oh, are you going
to write for Christian Production companies?" Not!! I don't get
into preaching to the choir. God is going to do a powerful thing
in Hollywood and I intend on being a part of it. Sorry for the
long rant. I am passionate about this subject.
Love in Him,
Joyce Chasteen
Response:
Thank you Joyce. I really appreciate your words. -David
WHAT
GIVES BOOMERS THE RIGHT?
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: bob
Thank you
David. I am blown away my your newsletter. I have had these thoughts
for a long time. So what gives the Boomers the right to control
the church as they do. I MEAN WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT?
Response:
Exactly. What gives Boomers the right, indeed. -David
PASTOR'S
STATEMENT
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Dan Locke
I believe
you said the pastor said, "If you can find one film that does
I'll watch it." You said, "I will let HJ Newsletter readers know
if you come through with the money. Or, if you do the typical
"Boomer Pastor in authority" thing, and not pay." If you are going
to be accurate, payment would include watching 1 film.
-- Dan Locke danlocke@ntelos.net
Response:
You are right, And you have given my pastor friend an out. I hope,
however he will go be the spirit of the thing and not by the letter
of the law. -David
FRIENDS
DON'T LIKE BOOMER CHURCHES
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: dale
david, your
are right. all the so-called "fellowship" churches are
the same. 30 to 45 minutes of boring so-called "contemporary
music", followed by 45 minutes of a how-to-be-a better-person
sermon. none of my friends at school like boomer churches. there
are some good youth groups, however. thank you for speaking up
for my generation.
god bless
--dale
Response:
Yes I think youth groups tend to be right on. The church would
do well to learn from these post-modern groups. And thank God
for all the right on Youth Leaders! -David
ABOUT
THAT PASTOR
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 22 May 2001
From: Pastor Dean
As a pastor
I can tell you that we need to be very careful about what we say
from the pulpit. It can be a power thing. Few will argue with
what is said from the pulpit. It is a powerful position. The pulpit
should never be used to drive wedges between the culture that
we are trying to reach and the congregation. I trust your pastor
friend will apologize and donated to the youth camp fund. I love
the idea of a Boomer giving to youth.
Response:
You are right. Pastors need to be very careful. -David
Newsletter
#25
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