"Oh, you made us laugh at life!"

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. ~ Helen Keller

This post is primarily for our friends in Holland and at Crossroads Amsterdam. I want to tell you a funny little interaction I had with Jodi Holzhausen in 2003 or 2004.

       Call this, "Behind the scenes between a pastor and elders!"
       Every year I met with two elders to do a performance evaluation/development review on me, i.e. how I was doing as pastor, areas of strength, areas of weakness.
       One year I met with two of our elders who are more on the "business" side of things. That review went well but it was a bit hard on me personally because it felt kind of "black and white" about what I did well and where I needed to grow.
       The following year I asked if Jodi could be one of the elders doing the review, along with Nico or Yvonne or another elder. So we met in my office at the ministry centre. Jodi was 5 or 10 minutes early and came into my office. She was clearly nervous about the meeting, kind of pacing around my office.
       A few minutes before Nico (the other elder) came in Jodi says to me, "OK, I have to be serious now. We're doing a performance evaluation on you." And she tries as hard as she can to get the smile off her face! She puts her hand over her mouth to hide the smile. And then she starts giggling quietly, and then louder.
       I look at her and ask what she is giggling about. She yells out, "I just love you and Susy so much!" And I just smile and laugh with her! It was a classic "Jodi moment" as only Jodi could be.
       We eventually sat down and had the evaluation and it went really well. Jodi smiled throughout, gave some input, laughed a lot, and just made me feel at ease.
       I look back at that meeting and what lasts is two things - first, Jodi lived fully into life, she seized every moment. The second is how much Jodi loved God and was filled with Jesus. That's really what lasts.

The Thread of Passover - Easter

Passover Seder at the barn in Lakewood with 50 or so friends.
Every year we do a Passover seder with friends just before Easter. I was reminded this week from friends on Facebook that I have facilitated seders for a long time and in a lot of places - from Geneva to Budapest to Pasadena to Amsterdam and now Denver.

       For many of us who follow Jesus this is the most important, poignant week of the year. Over time my understanding and "worldview" about "holy week" has filled out and hopefully matured.

       Most important is that I see the thread from the exodus from Egypt to an empty tomb as one story, rather than fragments to piece together. Here's why I say that:

       The Israelites were enslaved, in bondage and they sought an exodus from it. I believe deep in every human soul we are all seeking an exodus from the things that enslave us. We may look to a support group or a spouse or a counselor, but we all are seeking an exodus from our sin and brokenness.

       For many years I have understood that the exodus from Egypt was a foreshadowing of Jesus coming as the Lamb of God whose blood is shed for His people. None of that has changed for me. What has grown is that a PEOPLE was delivered from slavery, not just individuals. And so Jesus died for His PEOPLE, and that is both Jew and Gentile and the "ta ethene" (all nations) that he references in Matthew 28.

       Last year I finished writing a Passover Haggadah and we used it again this year. At the very end of the seder I recount how the father or grandfather proclaims to his family, "Next year in Jerusalem!" And with that statement is this deep pathos - yearning, ache for peace and rest and to be in God's presence.

       I wrote in the Haggadah that I have come to realize that such a yearning is God-implanted in us. And then I quote the book of Revelation in the New Testament which I believe is the fulfillment of that cry of the grandfather at the seder. Here is what I wrote:

"The tradition is for the head of the family (usually the grandfather) to proclaim to those gathered, “Next Year in Jerusalem!” with a hopeful and expectant voice. I have come to realize this is a prophetic voice, one that yearns to return to God and to fully be His people.
   Thus, in the book of Revelation the final glorious scene is of the NEW Jerusalem coming down from heaven. “I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the thrown saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and will be their God!’” (Revelation 21:2-3)
   And so we declare: Next Year in the New Jerusalem!

   

38 Congressmen with Cojones

A bipartisan budget bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. It offered something no Democrat or Republican is willing to do - dramatically cut spending and also raise taxes. It projected $4.2 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years.
       The bill was defeated 382 to 38. Yes, you read that correctly. Only 38 Congressmen had the cojones to seek a bipartisan solution to the absolute mess of this country's finances and debt.
       A total of 16 Republicans and 22 Democrats voted for the bill. Sources said that another 100 or so Congressmen wanted to vote for it but then they were met by fierce opposition from lobbyists from the political left and the political right.
       I would like to publicly acknowledge the 38 congressmen with the sense to do what is right, even if not popular. Here is a list of the 38 representatives voting in favor:

16 Republicans:

Charles Bass, N.H.

Ann Marie Buerkle, N.Y.

Charlie Dent, Pa.

Robert Dold, Ill.

Chris Gibson, N.Y.

Timothy Johnson, Ill.

Steve LaTourette, Ohio

Cynthia Lummis, Wyo.

Patrick Meehan, Pa.

Tom Petri, Wis.

Todd Platts, Pa.

Tom Reed, N.Y.

John Shimkus, Ill.

Mike Simpson, Idaho

Frank Wolf, Va.

Don Young, Alaska

22 Democrats:

Robert Andrews, N.J.

Dan Boren, Okla.

Leonard Boswell, Iowa

John Carney, Del.

James Clyburn, S.C.

Jim Cooper, Tenn.

Jim Costa, Calif.

Henry Cuellar, Texas

Chaka Fattah, Pa.

Jim Himes, Conn.

Ron Kind, Wis.

Rick Larsen, Wash.

Dan Lipinski, Ill.

Ed Perlmutter, Colo.

Collin Peterson, Minn.

Jared Polis, Colo.

Mike Quigley, Ill.

Kurt Schrader, Ore.

Allyson Schwartz, Pa.

Heath Shuler, N.C.

Pete Visclosky, Ind.

Mel Watt, N.C.

A Bailey Blog

I have another, temporary blog for the puppies we are raising. I'm doing a "Photo of the Day" each day that we have them. Go to www.baileypups.blogspot.com to check it out.
     Here is today's photo, called, "Puppies Lounging."

Bailey had Pups ...

I was awakened last night by Susy's voice downstairs: "Brian!" she called out. It was about 2:45am and I was in a sound sleep.
       I staggered down the stairs and there was Susy leaning over the whelping box as our three-year-old Lab Bailey was giving birth to the first of NINE puppies. In all it took 5 hours for bailey to give birth. Susy and I stayed up with her the whole time.
       At 8:30 am I went into the office because I had work to do. I kept thinking to myself, "I feel like I did 20 years ago when Carly was a baby and I did not have a full night's sleep." Then I realized that that's EXACTLY how I feel because it is reality! And then I thought to myself, "I'm too old for this stuff!"
       Welcome to the nuttiness of our lives for the next 8 weeks as we have 9 puppies and two adult Labs in the house! How fun!

"What do you DO?"

I have heard the question regularly in the past weeks and months. A friend who lives in Europe and serves an immigrant community is asked the question by people quite a bit. My friend and I joke with each other and ask the question to one another:
       So, what do I DO?
Here is my somewhat unconventional answer:

I help people confront their prejudices about people unlike themselves.

Huh? Ok, ok. So what do I really do?

       I really try to help people confront their prejudices about people unlike themselves.

       Most especially I desire to help Christians - those who follow Jesus - deal with their own "stuff" toward people they would otherwise dislike, or even despise.

       Some Christians have a "naive realism" towards certain cultures - for example, perhaps they believe that because the Jews are God's "chosen people" they are above correction. Or perhaps they believe that because someone is a Muslim he is "beyond hope."

       This is all about the walls we build between those who are very different than us. We can think that the walls protect us (high fences make good neighbors), but in the end they only isolate us.

       The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is our peace, and that he is all about breaking down walls of hostility between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2). But this can only happen because of Jesus - the prince of Peace - and not because of some well-meaning humanitarian efforts.  The walls are simply too strong for that.

       So as my friend in Europe and I ask each other, What do you do??? 

Oh, the Church, the CHURCH!

This photo captures something of what I believe the Church is to be - joyful, vibrant, fully alive, attractive. This past weekend I visited a church like this - and I came home jazzed about The Church.
       Flying back to Denver on Monday I reflected on what makes that church so alive. A few things struck me:
1. They are fully bought into God's mission in the world. This church was "missional" long before the word existed!
2. The only person this church is about is Jesus. It's not about a pastor and how good his sermon is or anything like that;
3. The church is extravagantly generous. They understand well that it's all God's anyway, and they have the privilege of investing His money;
4. They are innovative and risk-taking, not satisfied with success or the status quo;
5. The are corporately self-less. it's just not about them - not about a program or a building or survival or reputation. It is all about God and serving others for the Kingdom sake!

Oh, what a living-giving church!

The Launch of Brain-Pain

I am thrilled that my friend Brad Klingenberg has launched Brain-Pain here in Denver - a new initiative to help those who are battling mental health issues in one way or another.
       I love the tagline of Brain-Pain ... Where Grey Matters! Is that great or what? I just love it!
       I love that Brad is not a professional counselor; he is just a pretty ordinary guy who has struggling with Bipolar and has done so with honesty, integrity, and a realness that is contagious.
       I love the down-to-earth nature of this movement. It's not flashy or "cool" in a sense.
       I love that it's raw ... and practical ... and birthed out of the very real-life experiences of Brad and his family.
       It is a privilege to walk alongside Brad as a friend and colleague. Brain-Pain is part of a network of groups which I am part of that seeks to reach out to and come alongside people who are often overlooked and marginalized.
       So here's to Brain-Pain and my friend Brad - Grey really DOES matter!

Passover is in TWO Weeks!

The first night of Passover is in two weeks - on Friday, April 6th (it just so happens to be Good Friday). If you are interested in doing a messianic seder with your family and/or friends, I have written a Passover Haggadah (order) for the evening which you could use.
     Contact me at bnewman5280@gmail.com if you would like to order copies. They are $4 each which includes postage.
     Don't miss this great opportunity to enrich your faith and introduce others to the greatest redemptive story ever!


Blessings,


~ Brian Newman

Going on the Record: Peyton Manning is a No Go

I am disappointed that the Denver Broncos will sign Peyton Manning as their quarterback and will thus release Tim Tebow.
While it is predictable that John Elway (VP of football operations for Denver) would make this move, I think it is wrong for a number of reasons.
       First, it gives no value to Tim Tebow's character as a person and player. In the end I don't think Elway had a clue how to deal with a player such as Tebow who refused to complain or attack critics. Tebow's class as a person freaked out Elway, and Tebow's popularity with fans caused Elway to feel stuck with him,
       Second, Peyton Manning has had a very serious injury related to his neck. I doubt that he should ever play again. If he gets hit hard by a defender he could be paralyzed. Does John Elway want to carry that risk? I suppose he does.
       Third, Peyton Manning will get a 5-year contract which will take him to 41 years of age as a quarterback. Really? 41 years old with a guy who has had three neck surgeries.
       I realize that professional sports is all about competing and winning a championship. I think the Denver Broncos chose a guy who used to be able to throw a football and may still be able to, and gave up on a guy who has not been able to throw a football well but may be able to learn. Both of these men are winners - I just think Tebow is a "winner" in so much more than football.

Today I have 2 Adult Kids!

Carly and Steven at the White House, summer 2011.
An utterly classic photo of the two of them!!!

Today Steven turns 18 years old. Carly is 20 and soon-to-be 21. Susy and I have two adult children today! WooHoo!

       I could not be more proud of these two offspring of ours! They are so unique (and way different from each other) and have so much to contribute to the world! I am excited for the opportunities they have before them, and I am so proud to be their dad.
       So here is to Steven - aka Ishti Pisti in another life - Happy Birthday, my son. May you soar like an eagle!
As Aaron said to the Israelites, may this be true for you:

The Lord bless you and keep you,

The Lord cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you Shalom.

I Live Between Worlds

I live between worlds – between faiths, and cultures, and worldviews. And now I find myself ‘fitting in” less and less.

     I am a Jew who follows a rabbi – Jesus. I don’t “just” follow him; I have given my total allegiance, reputation, life, eternity to him.

     In the Western World people who follow Jesus are called “Christians” and are often Gentiles. I am not a Gentile, but I am a Christian.

     I spend time with people from Muslim backgrounds and people who reach out to Muslims; in every encounter I must weigh whether it is wise to tell the person I am Jewish. For some it is a great offense to be in the presence of a Jew, for a handful they are moved deeply by meeting a Jew for the first time and sensing some kind of kinship relationship.

     I spend time with people from Jewish backgrounds; to them I am an insider, one of their own … until they find out who I follow. Then they want to know when I stopped being Jewish and started being Christian.

     Symbols often mark a person’s identity. A yarmulke says you are a Jew, a Bedouin head dress that you are a Muslim. Neither of them indentifies whether you follow Jesus Christ or not. I enjoy wearing a variety of head coverings. They help me live between worlds I suppose.

Modernity Meets the Middle Ages

Grasse, France (March 2012)

My friend and colleague Rogier took this photo of me two weeks ago when we were in France.
       I purposefully set up the photo with a subtle, but profound contrast. I am wearing a Nike shirt (thus the swoosh on my chest if you look closely) and have an ancient Palestinian-inspired headdress draped over my shoulders.
       Welcome to the clash of world views and time periods, which also reflects the tension and divide between European (modern) cultures and Islam (a Pre-modern world view).
       We do well to study and understand how the secular, Enlightenment-inspired European state collides with people from countries dominated by Islam - and a distinctly Middle Ages type of worldview. Granted, Islam is changing and morphing in Europe as people move from North African nations to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and elsewhere. Nonetheless, it will continue to be a source of great tension and conflict for the coming generation in Europe.

End of a Fruitful Trip

My friend Vincent lent me a head
covering during meetings in Grasse.
Never mind that it is PLO colors!

I am sitting at Heathrow Airport waiting for a flight from here to Washington Dulles and onto Denver. It has been a fruitful, exhilarating, and tiring trip and I am ready to go home and to see Susy and Steven.
       I spent 5 days in France with a community in Grasse which is led by our friends Vincent and Nicole. 12 of us gathered to consider ministry to and with "the others." It was a rich and intimate time in many ways, as we had the privilege of walking alongside a community of "others" there.
       After our time in Grasse a group of us headed to England and the Christian Associates leadership summit. Susy and I have journeyed with CA for many years now, these folk are "the tribe of our youth" as it were.
       CA is a group in transition and is changing in many ways from what it once was. That has its plusses and minuses, its ups and downs. Overall I think CA is on a good path, and I am grateful that its leaders have allowed us space to form and incubate the Isaac-Ishmael Initiative.
       Here is my major takeaway from the past couple of weeks in Europe: I have a greater sensitivity to the need for PRESCENCE and PROXIMITY for ministry amongst the "other."
       This was so evident to me when I decided to go from London to Amsterdam on Wednesday to visit a long-time friend who is battling cancer. She is not well and I felt that it was right to be present in her home with she and her husband and kids. We sat around the table for several hours eating American pancakes and sipping good Dutch coffee. It was a precious time, but it took me getting on a plane and spending the day traveling to do it. It required INTENTION.

APEST Backlash

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ~ Ephesians 4:11-13
       When I became a Christian in the early 1980s the role of shepherd-teacher was the "be all and end all" in the Evangelical Church. It was embodied by role models such as Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, and John MacArthur. Churches grew based on the teaching ability of a central figure who "preached the Word."
       Many of us eventually reacted strongly to that, jettisoning this over-emphasis on head knowledge and the internal focus of shepherding and teaching.
In graphic form, we rejected this version of APEST:
A P E S TEACHER
       Alan Hirsch and others have sought to take a new look at Ephesians 4 and the five-fold ministry of the church, an attempt to recalibrate these inter-related callings.
       Interestingly enough, it seems to me that history is repeating itself. In reaction to the church's poverty in regards to the apostle and prophet we have apostolically minded people who... do the very opposite of 30 years ago. Now APEST looks something like this:
APOSTLE P E S T
       I am wondering if it is possible to have a more integrated approach to this five-fold ministry, wherein the APOSTLE and the SHEPHERD are not only valued in words but live in dynamic tension as they both lead.