Feed back from the McKnight Book

Hey,
Here is what we sent to Scot McKnight in regard to his book manuscript we read together. The recording didn't work (my fault) so this was based on my notes. If anyone wants to make corrections, post away!
Peace,
Dixon

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Nashville Cohort
Reflections and responses to Scot McKnight's forthcoming book A Community Called Atonement, 10/5/06.

We had lots of conversation and sifting through it all I think there are about 5 salient points.

1.) Is Atonement the best word to use in all this? We talked for a long while about the Biblical connections to atonement and how atonement of sins in Lev 16 is different than the forgiveness of sins on the cross. Jesus linking of the Cross and Passover further complicate the matter. So, question asked – what if a new word should be coined? Maybe you could borrow one from Doug;)

2.) The emotional highpoint seems to come in the middle. At some point McKnight tells an incredibly poignant story (it's from a woman's email; she is a nurse who washes the feet....) that is the emotive high point of the book but it comes just past the mid-point. We couldn't help thinking sermonically at that point - that the climax came but there were still pages and pages to read.... anyway, worth a thought

3.) Golf is Good. Loved the golf metaphor of needing “every club in the bag”. So helpful. AS was his whole emphasis on finding an atonement theology that “works”. We felt it was a good via media between the academy and the parish. He nails it there.

4.) Atonement Wars, Really? Tim (West) asked if we experienced the Atonement Wars referenced by McKnight at a “street level” in our contexts. Most of us agreed that we did not. We all experience the fights about other stuff in our protestant traditions (which are broad, Non-denom to Episcopal), but not that. However, we know the fights are going on (you don’t need to look too hard on the net to find the fray) and that’s where his offering of a missional implication for the theology really helped. If the fight is not your concern, the book still really matters.

5.) The Kingdom gets back burner-ed. Some felt that the book read as though McKnight thought the atonement made possible the coming of the Kingdom of God, in Jesus. So, basically, the Kingdom wasn’t really happening in Jesus life and ministry until the cross and the atonement happened. I know this isn’t what he believes, but the group thought this should be pointed out.

Compiled by Dixon Kinser

Cohort Gathers This Thursday October 5

Greetings all,

We have our next cohort gathering this Thursday, October 5 from 11:30-1:00 at the Flying Saucer in the pool room.

Our conversation will revolve around the idea/theology of the atonement in a postmodern context. We will be discussing Scot McKnight's new book that deals with this subject and record the conversation in order that he can make changes based on our feedback. You do not "have to have read" to come and be part of the conversation. We will have someone summarize McKnight's argument so we can all participate.

If you have any questions email me at dkinser@stbs.net and if this is your first Cohort, you have to fight...I mean your lunch is free. Sorry, too much Fight Club;)

See you there,
Dixon

Cohort Gathers This Thursday September 7

Greetings all,
Our next Cohort gathering is this Thursday September 7 from 11:30-1:00 at the Flying Saucer.

It sounds like this season might be one of continuing some conversations that we began last year, so, this gathering will focus on issues of race, racism and justice. A friend of mine, Jud Laughter (PhD candidate at Vandy in critical race theory), will be presenting some perspectives on race and it's social and cultural dynamics. We'll then be pursuing a missional response together in the conversation. Jud's stuff is really excellent and provocative (for example - race is a socio-cultural designation - it has nothing to do with skin tone) and should be excellent.

Likewise, if you like to read, Tim will have manuscripts of the new John Franke and Scott McKnight books for us to read and discuss for next time in order to help the authors tweak the material before it's published. He'll give us more details this Thursday as well.

Finally, if this is your first time to visit the cohort we would like to buy you lunch. Please, allow us the honor.

If you have any questions hit me back.

Peace in Jesus,
Dixon

Emergent: Defined and Criticized

Last time we met, one of us asked "what is emergent"? Quite a question. Are you emergent? Am I? What is "it," what is "us"?

So, I stumbled (in a weird, weird way) across this article on-line. It is written from a conservative Baptist perspective, and both defines and criticicizes Emergent and the emerging church movement. I found it informative, interesting, and a bit infuriating.

I hope you do to:

http://9marks.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID314526%7CCHID598014%7CCIID2249226,00.html

Lots of Love:
Thomas+
ThomasMcKenzie.com

"What You Win Them with Is What You Win Them To"

Considering the conversation yesterday and with Gavin's encouragement, I'm posting my blogpost from today here for the consideration of the group.

"What You Win Them with Is What You Win Them To"

This statement, spoken by Randy Harris at the Lipscomb Summer Celebration, is an idea that has stuck with me, in my craw since I heard it. I realized in listening to it the bald faced truth of it.

Many churches over the last generation or so have adopted an "attractional model." In other words, offer enough programs or special services or cool teaching (or teachers) or hip worship, and people will come into your church. Once you've got them there, you just keep offering those things enough because you have to keep the people there. This is ESPECIALLY true in a place like Nashville where churches are like lobbyists in Washington; you can't swing a dead rat without hitting one. If you don't offer someone what they like, they'll just go somewhere else. So, following the title of this post, if you offer someone a great children's program and then children's program changes or goes away, then they just leave or stay and complain about it.

The focus then needs to become in our congregations, not the attractional model, but the missional model. I've talked before about how "missional church" or "missional Christian" should be absolute redundancies, but the sad fact of the matter is that our congregations have become more like affinity-based social clubs, rather than organizations with the mission that Jesus gave us in Matthew 28. What we have to be clear about is the purpose we are here for. We are to be a blessing to the world, recalling God's call to Abraham in Genesis 12. We are to work with God in bringing His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, creating disciples of Jesus not simply admirers of him or adherents to some beliefs about him.

The challenge comes in working within an existing church to do this. I think Otter Creek is starting down this road. You can listen to some of the recent Sunday sermons (last week's Purpose of Membership, specifically) and hear a greater calling to discipleship, that our elders will be asking us the questions about our discipleship walk. Undoubtably, there have been people who have come to Otter Creek for our children's programs and/or our worship and/or whatever else (not being like other Churches of Christ). I hope those people will join with the elders and other members in this push toward greater discipleship (even though statistics apparently show that churches that begin this kind of transition from attractional to missional/discipleship focused lose 50-70% of their attendance).

I firmly believe that a congregation that devotes itself whole-heartedly to following Jesus could make a change in its community. I pray God gives me the strength and perseverance and patience to walk through this with my brothers and sisters, and that Otter Creek can be a place where disciples of Jesus are formed and matured and grow in the faith with a mind toward Jesus and a heart for the world.

Cohort Returns August 3rd

Greetings friends,
The Nashville cohort, which has been off for the summer, will officially reconvene on Thursday August 3rd, at the Flying Saucer from 11:30-1:00. The agenda will be simple, hang out, reconnect and make new friends. The inimitable Sam Davidson will be hosting the gathering and fun should be had by all.

Be thinking about anyone you know who might be a good "guest speaker" at a cohort this year. I've met a few folks who I've asked to contribute and spur conversation but I'm sure I'm not the only one. If you know anyone, of have a particular area of expertise yourself, let me know as this get put in place for the fall. As for honorariums...we can at least offer to buy them lunch:)

I look forward to reconnecting with you all soon.
Peace in Jesus,
Dixon