Comments on: “Insider” language… or something else http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/ Building bridges, connecting community, village alchemy . Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:42:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Nate http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-28 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:26:55 +0000 http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-28 Sally, thank you so much for stopping by and for your always insightful comments. I have put Donovan’s book on preorder, so perhaps I’ll be reading it soon.

I struggle still to see what you mean about the insider language. I am even struggling to use the words church and Christian. The words I am choosing to use are very different than what I grew up with… those in the past were thrown out without having any concept of the implication or much understanding for what they stood for. Anyway… I shouldn’t get too angsty about all that.

God does want us to have 6 people right now. That is the difficult thing. It is so tough to be okay with that. And yet… it is my total desire to really respond to those that show up in my path. God has made me a person who wants to heap value on people. One evening can change someone’s life… So if it 6 or 10 or 55, I am going to make sure those people feel value. But there is always at least one.

I am thankful for your insight all these years. Please don’t stop. You are helping me see more clearly. Much love.

]]> By: Sally http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-27 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:43:01 +0000 http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-27 Nate, Sweetie, I’m “hearing” just as much “insider” talk from you about what you do and want to do with your new attempts at church, as the ones you grew up with. Yours is just more hip and contemporary. :)

I know you’re trying so very hard and I applaud your heart and effort. God will honor it. But maybe 6 people is what He wants you have right now – or maybe more, or, maybe none at all. Can you accept that if He desires such? Can you live as if that’s okay? In other words, your efforts are in obedience to Christ, but unconditional offerings to people otherwise.

I still think Vincent Donovan’s “Rediscovering Christianity” might help you find another path to getting on the other side of your monocle.

Ooh, and another book you should read? “The English poor law 1531 – 1782.

]]> By: Nate http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-26 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:04:10 +0000 http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-26 M,
Thanks for the reflection. I know what you mean about having a separated life. Whether we swear or whether we don’t, whether we are postmodern or not, I think the words we chose (especially with how we talk about religion) should come from our deepest understand of who Jesus was and what he stood for. Who are we supposed to be talking to? Who is the kingdom for and how do we speak their language?

Bridging is so important… especially when the bridge looks like something that is drivable for those who we want to travel it.
Peace,
Nate

]]> By: mrdcbrush http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-25 Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:46:19 +0000 http://natebettger.com/2007/10/26/insider-language-or-something-else/#comment-25 I grew up in a Christian home, went to my Dad’s church. I went to public school. When I was at home church I would talk a certain way that I would never talk at school, and when I was at school I would talk in a way that I would never talk in Church or School unless I wanted a diet of dial or ivory soap.

As I moved into adolescence, and then to post-adolescence and now adulthood I have finally seen the false premise of living a separated life. That is not to say that I am a bible-toting sailor-mouthed post-mod. I am instead very mindful of my language not only within the context of being a potty-mouth, but also within the context of using big theological presumptive words like Gospel, Saved, Born-Again, etc.

All that said, I search to be at a centered point between that assimilates culture so that like Paul I am a Jew to the Jews and a Greek to the Greeks. Not in search of social acceptance, but in hopes of bridging the cultures.

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