The Giraffe

John 13: “Who said my Feet Smell?”

Let’s face it , feet are smelly and dirty, especially after a long walk in sandals in a hot and dusty climate, so I’d rather you washed your own.  Come to think of it, why don’t you take a shower, you’re looking  a bit sweaty and its starting to ‘hum’ in this room!

My guess is that any  guest would protest at this point in the proceedings and if I’m honest  I wouldn’t blame them. What is Jesus up to, cleaning people’s feet? Is this the custom in the local culture or did he have a foot fetish? We get a hint of an answer in an earlier passage in Luke 7: 44-46. It appears it was the custom to at least provide a bowel of water and a towel for guests to clean their feet, but Jesus imbues it with greater significance. 

The foot washing is a drama of Jesus’ act of sacrifice on the cross  on our behalf. .

The example that Jesus gives the disciples in washing their feet is the pattern of sacrificial and costly service. In our loving service to others we witness

to them  the pattern of Jesus’ in making us  “clean” through his costly love.

It’s a prophetic act that signifies the Master’s identification with our humanity and how that love makes us more human. A kenotic act of self-abasement, where the ego is held in abeyance.  The story involves both rejection, and betrayal exemplified in the lives of Peter and Judas and fidelity in the guise of the “beloved disciple”  We are invited to respond and we can identify our own pattern of behaviour in relation to our following in the way of Jesus. 

I believe that foot-washing is sacramental and through it’s re-enactment this Maundy Thursday, the presence of Jesus is known.

Will I let Jesus wash my feet and cleanse me? Will I pattern my lifer after his own? 

Emerging Church /Avant Church –What is it?

Here’s an entree to get peoples taste buds activated! I was wondering how we  would describe the emerging church. I’m in good company given the Tall Skinny Kiwi’s articles this week. Is it a conversation, stream, movement, mood, condition, brand? I have seen all of these cited by various emerging gurus but I am still not convinced. I will no doubt be accused of wanting to foist my own label on something that is free-flowing and organic. Nevertheless, just what does the label mean?

It’s Only A Label !

I went for a pre-operative consultation last week at the hospital and was asked by the nurse how I would define my religion ? I had to think about this but eventually plumped for the epithet “Christian” I wanted to say follower of Jesus and then go on to explain this more fully. I felt embarrassed by the designation Christian because it has become an offensive term in some quarters and its meaning has so often been  diluted. The term “evangelical” similarly has many negative connotations, such as fundamentalist, bigoted, dogmatic, whacko . Who do we allow to define us? Which voices do we listen to?  How come words are vested with such  power to bless or curse ? 

I don’t like labels as they can become like prison cells- very confining! . If you had asked me ten years ago how I would  describe my faith I would have said I was a charismatic evangelical Christian , because that was the appellation given to my church tradition. Now I do not want to be tied down by such definitions, restricted by belonging   to a particular denomination .”Oh you belong to the Vineyard don’t you and they believe such and such” No, thank-you, that does not define the totality of my life and faith . In no way am I being dismissive of the particular tribe I belong to, but I value insight and practice from other  traditions.

But surely it’s only a descriptive term that helps people to communicate, to get a handle on things.? There in lies the problem,  people want to fit me into a particular mould and I want to break out of this . I don’t want to be branded like specific commodities. I range over a broader canvas and my theological thinking gives me wings to fly .On the other hand, I cannot escape my heritage, I’m thankful for it , I was brought up in a certain family but I refuse to be limited by it. I do still have to honour my particular roots, but  I have choices. . People’s stickers will not stick any longer, because I am beginning to change and I am feeling more confident about challenging these labels  You continuously get asked where do you fit in, and I’m content not to have a fixed  answer .

A label can provide a lot of comfort and re-assurance, build confidence, offer certainty. Labels are also social constructs, coming from a particular perspective, and culture, so are subject to differing interpretations. It is the freighting of these labels with prejudicial and prescriptive meanings  that I object to. I like the term post-evangelical, it has a certain affinity for me but that in itself engenders negative criticism – liberal, relativist, unbeliever.  I deplore this! Words need to be reclaimed and de-toxed  of any negative connotations. Labels come attached to a certain amount of baggage and it is this baggage which I am most uncomfortable with. But none of us comes from a neutral position and we have to be honest about what we bring to our faith and life commitment.

I aspire to be a faithful disciple of Jesus, come from an evangelical, charismatic tradition and attend a Vineyard Church. I am a companion in the Society of St Francis , a devoted husband to Liz and a soon to be registered Social worker. That is a description,  not a label that attempts to tie me down, to pigeon- hole me. It is a provisional statement open to change. and subject to further candour.