Reflections on Christopraxis

Reflections on Christopraxis -- Mission, Vision, and Practices

This post is a defining document for this blog and the blog topic.  Is represents my attempt to reduce the idea of practicing Christ to a basic mission, vision, and some key practices, which I use to help me toward this goal. It is my intent to elaborate on each of these practices in separate posts.  Permalinks to those posts are linked to in this post.  New links will be added as I complete my commentary posts.

Mission Statements

He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:37 – Matthew 22:40

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:13–17 

Vision Statement

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1–2 

Practices of Christ

Abiding Love

To practice abiding love by taking time to be with God through daily prayer, scripture reading (including lectio divina), reflection, and worship (Deut. 6:4-5; Ps. 42:1-2; 119:12-20; Matt. 6:33; Luke 6:12; 10:38-42; John 15; Eph. 3:14-21; 1 John 3:18; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 John 4:13-17).

Holy Spirit Led

To walk in the Spirit by practicing holy listening and the Sacrament of the Present Moment, where we say “yes” to God, moment by moment (Isa. 58:11; Ezek. 36:26 – 27; Matt 6:10; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 6:19; 12:11; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb 3:15; Phil 2:13). 

Fasting

To practice sacrificial living through fasting at least one day a week, and by putting other’s needs before my own, remembering the fast the Lord desires is to for us to do works of justice, compassion, mercy, and righteousness (Matt 6:16-21; 16:24-26;Isa. 58:6-12; Acts 13:2-3).

Holiness

To practice holiness by walking out the Sermon on the Mount, remembering that holiness is the work of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.  To pay particular attention to practicing sexual purity in our relationships and private lives, seeking accountability relationships, and utilizing accountability tools available on the Internet, where appropriate  (Matt 5-7; Phil 4:8-9; Heb 12:10; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:19; 5:3-5; 1 John 1:8-10; 3:3; 1 Pet 1:13-15).

Sabbath

To practice taking one day a week as a day of rest and to keep the Sabbath holy (Ex. 20:10-11; Isa. 58: 12-14; Mk 2:27-28; Heb 4:9-11).

Giving

To live simply and to give generously (Ps. 62:10c; Matt 6:19-21; 13:22; Luke 16:13; 1 Tim 6:6-10; 6:17-19; 1 Cor 9:7).

Community

To love God by loving others, which includes our neighborly associations, and as Jesus taught us, our enemies. To participate in the fellowship of believers in Christ. (Matt. 5:44; 22:39; John 13:34-35; 17:21; Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 2:21-22; 1 John 4:10-11; Heb 10:24 – 25; 1 John 1:3-4).

Ministry of Reconciliation

To boldly proclaim the Christian hope in Christ Jesus (Isa. 61; Matt 28:18-20; Luke 24:27; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Gal. 3:28-29; Rev 5:9-11).

 

In addition to the above practices of Christ, I have written about Spiritual Formation Discipleship, which is a relational discipleship model that leverages spiritual formation principles.  The "practices" in this post and the Spiritual Formation Desicpleship posts are different, but related in purpose.  Another model that I personally follow is the International House of Prayer's "7 Committments of a Forerunner."  This too embodies the principles and practices reflected in this blog, though it is defines differently.

 

Theology Geek

There is no getting around it.  I am a theology geek.  Today I received an order from Amazon.com -- it is so exciting!   I quickly opened the box, like a kid on Christmas morning, announcing each item as I pulled them out.

The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann.  This is a book that my youngest daughter, Sarah, told me about, where the author explores the Biblical prophets and their reaction to, and impact on society.

The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel.  As mentioned this book is being quoted extensively by Marva Dawn, in her book on the subject, which I am reading.  Heschel's book was given 5 stars by all its reviewers on Amazon.  I was also drawn to another book by Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism.  Theology is the study of God, and it seems appropriate to read about God from the Jewish perspective, since Christianity came from those roots.

Finally, I pulled out the ultimate book:  A Broad Place: An Autobiography by Jürgen Moltmann.  Moltmann is perhaps my favorite theologian.  He has lived through much of the history that has shaped the world we live in now.  His writings engage the whole spectrum of the Judeo-Christian tradition, as well as other western philosophies influencing our time.  In addition, he seeks to bring theolgy out of the ivory towers into the experience of the common person.  I am anxious to learn more about the person behind his many works.

As I finished going through my list of books, my wife Janet said, "Well, those are five books I will never read."  What can I say?  I am a theology geek.

Yes, I am still alive, In Christ

Greetings!  It has been a while since I have posted.  One reason was that I was in South Korea and China on business for much of November.  That could be a long post.  Suffice to say that I enjoyed my first visit to Asia, and it was also very productive from the perspective of my job.

I continue to keep up on my reading.  Most recently I have been reading Scot McKnight's Jesus Creed, and Shane Claiborne's The Irresistible Revolution.  (See the full list of books I am reading, which I maintain in a post under the Books category.)

McKnight and Claiborne have parallel themes --- that of what it looks like when we love God and love others.  McKnight explores what it means to Love God and love our neighbor, and Claiborne talks about people who live our Christ's teachings in much the way they did in the second chapter of Acts.  Claiborne is one of the primary writers on what is called "the New Monasticism."  Both books are challenging, and I have not yet figured out how to respond to their message.

My heart goes out to those who lost their lives in Colorado this last weekend.  Having one daughter who has gone to a YWAM DTS (Discipleship Training School) and another daughter that is considering doing so, it all lands somewhat close to home!  By most accounts I have heard, no one has questioned the fact that the church has armed security -- a fact that saved many lives!  Still, I am sure that some might raise the question of whether Christians should have security.  I suppose it depends one whether you prefer to read Luke 22:36-38 or Luke 6:27.  It seems to me that these random killings neither give one a chance to love one's enemies, or to be a witness to Christ in the World.

As I mentioned previously, I recently returned from Asia.  I spent some time in South Korea, and the Shanghai area of China.  Two very different countries, though I enjoyed both.  It has given me a chance to learn about different cultures and languages, which I enjoyed.  It helps to put one's life into perspective.  With many of my projects at work, it is likely I will be going back again.

Stay tuned.  I will be taking some time off over the holidays, so I will likely have some time to reflect here in the blog.  May God bless you! 

 

September Thoughts

Greetings!  This will make my second post in 24 hours.  Be sure to check out my Book Review on The Coming of God, posted yesterday! 

It is a cool September day.  Last week, temperatures hit 90 degrees F, and now we are in the 60's, with the possibility of a frost just North of here.  It is not likely we will see 90 until next summer.  Funny how fast the weather changes here in Minnesota.  In the summer it gets dark around 10:00 pm, and by December, it will be getting dark by 5:00 pm. 

I have not posted much recently because I have been very busy at work, and have been studying for the PMP certification exam, which I passed on August 31.  Yippee!  My oldest daughter started work at the Mayo Clinic on September 4, and we moved her down to Rochester on Labor Day weekend.  Since then we have been doing house cleaning, partially because with Katie's stuff out of her we have found some corners to that needed attention, and partially because I now have time to do that kind of thing.  Alas, work continues to be busy.

With the change of season, I typically go through some changes myself.  This fall I am feeling like some kind of change is taking place, though I do not know what it would be.  It seems I might have time to start something new.  Even better, maybe God will start something new!   Later this fall I hope to do another retreat at Pacem in Terris.

I sense that I will be writing in this blog more frequently, so please check back soon, and comment if you feel inclined to do so.

A personality Test

Here is a "DNA" personality test I took. I found this on Jan Bros' Sacred Threshold blog.  Click on the link to take the test.  Mouse over the bar to see my results.  They give you more details at the end of the test.