Friday, February 17, 2006

Fantastic Reading

I stumbled upon a great book that I had read a while ago. It is Doug Paggit's book, "re-imagining preaching". In it he argues for less "speaching" and more progressional dialogue. I really love this concept from beginning to end. One reason is that I know Doug practices this every week. Another is that I think we've got to find ways to re-think (re-imagine?) how we share the story.

The easy part is agreeing with the model. The hard part is making this happen on a regular basis where we live. The harder part is transitioning a community to understanding the heart of this kind of progressional dialogue (not to ruin the book, but you do have to assume that everyone has something to offer). The hardest part may be figuring out how to do this with 10,000 teenagers in week long event.

This kind of thinking leads us to a place where we must confront the question: what is community really? It is obviously more than just being in the same place. It is also more than being in the same room as some other good things are going on. It definitely requires time and energy in listening to one another. It definitely isn't easy. It challenges the notion that we should listen to someone just because they have a title. It challenges the notion that a leader can be someone that we do not know personally.

I wonder if any of you have read the book? I also wonder in what ways some of us have tried some of this progressional dialogue.
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4 comments:

Josh Kleinfeld said...

Brian,

While I have not yet read this book by this fantastically good looking red head, I wonder if it is a skills thing.

Like I wonder if Doug just has mad conversation facilitation skills, but other preachers only have mad lecture skills.

I haven't read this, but I sometimes try dialogue within my teaching to hear what others have to say. Not just asking questions to set up my point (which is a form of teaching, but more controlled), but actually listening and learning from the teens and adults...

Also, what does this have to say to a church of 2000? Maybe the sermon on sunday is only the starting point (rob bell's theme) for more discussion and action...

1:12 PM
Josh Kleinfeld said...

Brain. You haven't responded to my response.

1:55 PM
Brian said...

Josh I think you hit on two main truths in this approach:
1) It really only "works" (brings value to everyone) if people are in community with one another. For example if you stand up in front of your folks on a Tuesday and you start telling them to never lose their temper and to be kind with their mouths, but you are in truth oftentimes a hot-head with a nasty tongue, then someone who knows you would say... yeah, but you don't really do it. And then you could say, you're right but I'm working on it. and there is this reality check that avoids the "superstar" authority who can tell every one what to do. It elevates everyone in the community to co-teachers/authorities and turns the "preacher" into a facilitator. Different skills, some what, different values and purpose, definitely.

2) So yes, there is no doubt a cap to the number of people you can be in community with and do this kind of thing. 2000 is more than I can socially handle. I'm not sure there is a set cap, but certainly it relates to the time/energy for relationship of the leaders.

Finally, I wonder what it means for communities of a larger variety. Perhaps the future is 1000's of churches of 10 or 20. But to get there we've got to figure out how to better embrace the "priesthood of all believers".

7:48 AM
Josh Kleinfeld said...

yay...i love it when you respond.

i like the reality check that the pastor/preacher/facilitator is open and honest and has no bones about being the guy with problems like everybody else. do you think that can happen in the normal lecture style?

i'm not sure about the whole big/small church stuff. Do you think that matters as much as whether or not people are entering the kingdom and spreading it to their friends and family?

11:33 AM

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