I’m still in the thick of it in youth ministry, as it seems that my first book, Postmodern Youth Ministry has a long tail. And, I must say, I really do continue to enjoy it. Church youth ministry workers tend to be among the most open-minded, and methodologically progressive persons in the church. In fact, that’s what often gets them into trouble. So, thanks to my recent hosts at the Center for Youth Ministry Training in Nashville and Mid-America Nazarene... Read more

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As an Enneagram 8, I’m not naturally predisposed to be a sit-around-and-talk-guy. I’m naturally more of a get-er-dun guy. I also tend to not get things done on time — or, to be more accurate: I usually hit deadlines, but do so by massive amounts of work at the end, and at great emotional cost to those around me. My frustration around this has been growing, primarily because the number of friends I have has grown. That is, my procrastination... Read more

One of the reasons that I haven’t blogged much recently is that much of my life is taken up with meetings…. meetings with real people. I’ve met with critics of emergent, and fans, talked with some on the phone, met with others in person. And I just don’t think it’s appropriate to blog about such things. For instance, I met with Tim Keller last month. We had a great time together (at least I thought so), and I now consider... Read more

Craig Detweiler, erstwhile filmmaker, movie reviewer, and Fuller seminary prof and I went to Fuller together in the early 90s. We’ve kept in touch since then, and I really admire his work (especially The Duke 😉 ). Well, he’s got a new movie coming out, called Purple State of Mind, and you can see the trailer here. It looks like it’s going to be fantastic! Read more

So, in the midst of my digestive cleanse, my back has gone out. Twice. I can barely move, barely type, and am falling behind on many writing assignments (including the blog posts I’m planning). Read more

I’ll be fasting from e-communication this week, vacating with the family. That will include a day of gorging on fried goodies at the Minnesota State Fair. Then, on September 1, I’m commencing a month-long colon and liver cleanse, under the direction of Shelley Pagitt. This will be my third attempt at a cleanse — my addiction to coffee has derailed me the other two times. Talk at ya after Labor Day. Read more

Had a great day in NYC yesterday: a wonderful Vietnamese lunch with my friend (and church planter) Bowie; a leisurely and theologically stimulating cup of coffee with Tim Keller; time to rap with cohort-team-member Jeff Kursonis; a wonderful meeting with the NYC cohort; and a late-night dinner with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Thanks to priceline, I’m on the 28th floor of the Millennium Hotel U.N., overlooking the East River. In the blogosphere, Skye at Out of Ur becomes one of... Read more

This fall, I’ll be leading an online course through Andover-Newton Theological Seminary. It can be taken for seminary credit, or as an audit (which you can probably apply toward Con Ed requirements). I’d love to see you online! What’s Really Going On in Emerging Church WorshipCore Seminar: LS501, $275Project Option: LS501P, $75Instructor: Tony JonesDates: October 1-26Registration Deadline: September 21Description:What’s happening in worship? What is worship? These questions are being asked in the context of communities of practice in the emerging... Read more

I’ve posted on it at God’s Politics. Read more