trash talkin’ about emergent folks, or tony jones ain’t worth keeping around

We live in a time in history when “talkin’ trash” is accepted and even expected. But, this was literally a ridiculous example.

Kim and I went out to eat tonight. We met after work for dinner at a national chain neighborhood grill. I got there early so I took a book that I’ll be using in a college-group study later this week. The book was The Sacred Way by our Emergent national coordinator and friend Tony Jones. I’ve read it and it’s a great resource for those seeking to learn about spiritual practices. Evidently, someone on the staff (or a group of co-conspirators) thought much differently.

After dinner, we decided to ride together to get a few things for home. We returned to her car later to go home, but I realized that I had left the book and my cell phone on the table. I went inside only to discover nothing had been turned in. When I asked the host about my stuff, he got visibly nervous. He left and came back empty-handed saying, “I asked my manager and she said that we only found a book.”

“Well, where’s the book?”

“Oh, do you want it?”

“Ummm. Yeah. And my phone too. It was on top of the book.”

“Well, I’ll have to talk to the manager.”

“Why don’t you do that?”

He came back with the book in hand. But no phone. I tucked the book away and the manager and I then checked with the folks sitting where I had been earlier. Curiously, the guests told us that the host in question had picked up a phone and a book “that looked quite interesting” (in her words) when they had been seated.

The short version of the story is that they brought me my phone from the back. The SIM card had been taken out which the “honorable” host ran out to give me a few moments later. I wonder about all that.

But, the part that’s noteworthy is what I noticed on the way home. As I selfishly pondered what was going on with my phone for a hour or so, I glanced to the dashboard and there it was. The book. Front cover face down on the dashboard and Tony Jones looking right at me…sort of. I realized they had thrown the book in the trash. A mayonnaise-soaked lettuce leaf coming from Tony’s ear and smeared across his chin was what I could only hope was the sauce leftover from someone’s Honey BBQ Baby Backs.

And I thought, this was no accident. This was intentional! They couldn’t preach against Emergent because they had no pulpit. They couldn’t leave unchristian comments on his blog because they were too busy stealing cell phones from unsuspecting customers. But, when they found The Sacred Way left on a public table like an evangelistic tract, all impulses led to defamation.

So, I am calling for a nationwide boycott of the Applebee’s in Garner, North Carolina on every Monday for the rest of the month or until an Emergent cohort gets free drinks and appetizers from Applebee's for the next 490 meetings. Who is with me?

anyone else sick of this?

Greg Laurie 07.

I finally saw a poster upclose which said the theme was something like "making God known." But, I've only seen bumper stickers bearing the name "Greg Laurie." Who is it that needs knowing? God or Greg? This seems to be another place for people who are already "christian" to get together and talk about being MORE Christian than everyone else who doesn't attend. I think I'll pass on the piety parade.

a buckhead eucharist

Last night, we ate with some friends in Atlanta. I joined my wife with two of her friends from work along with one of her friend's partner. The five of us enjoyed a great meal...a couple of snapper specials, the salmon, grits of some kind, prickly pear margaritas, a dos equis, a stella artois, and a pint of guinness. Desserts came too.

But, nothing tasted as good as the conversation.

For three co-workers, it seemed wonderful (and necessary!) to commiserate and celebrate about work. The two "significant others" sat quietly, for a little while at least, in support of this make-shift group counseling session. But then, the attention bounced in my direction. What was I up to these days? With genuine interest, affirmation and support, my new friends listened to the tale that is my journey. They also listened to our trials and triumphs of being parents of young children.

We listened to a sense of loss and grief of one whose father recently died and how she's getting away to put her toes in the sand on this "father's day" weekend.

We all then listened to the other couple's struggles at their church. And of course, I offered my take on the problems that arise when folks working for the Kingdom get bogged down trying to run it as a business. Then we all comiserated that something's just not right in the world of Christianity.

And so, a single Episcopalian, two gay Methodists, and two Baptists of some sort gathered at the table giving thanks in a communal sense. Had I known how the night would have played out, I probably should have started by saying, "On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he gathered in an upper room...he took bread...he took the cup...do this in remembrance of me."

update

For those interested in the what's up with me since leaving Campbell, here's a brief post with that info.

I finished a unit of CPE at WakeMed at the end of April. This was truly a profound experience for me, both personally and professionally. So much so, I wanted more and signed up to be the "on-call" chaplain for every Tuesday in May. This was tough, but I still want more. I'm not sure where this will take me. Stay tuned.

After finishing CPE, the Director of Spiritual Care at WakeMed offered for me to be a "contract chaplain" through August 31. If you haven't gotten it...meaningful stuff, folks.

Prayer and discernment has led me to accept an offer to serve Zebulon Baptist Church, as interim associate pastor. I help with pastoral care, worship leadership, and some other stuff ("as assigned by the pastor.") This is a good place and these are wonderful people. I know what some of you are thinking..."I can't believe TM is working for a church again!" A future post might let you in and why I would do this. In short, this is a great church, somewhere between mainline and evangelical (depending on who you're talking too) with good worship opportunities. It's a wonderful staff. And the office space isn't too shabby either.

I'm not enrolled in a counseling program (yet.) More on this in the future. Suffice it to say, I still want to pursue that, but I'm working through some logistical things before taking that leap.

All this means, I commute. And the gas prices aren't great for that. Nonetheless, I am gainfully employed for the time being.

On a spiritual note, I must say (to both of you reading this!), that taking this drastic journey in my life was right. I can't tell you the affirmation I have received since the day I resigned. God is good and my wife is much too gracious for a wretch like me.