Who Do You Think You Are by Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll uses Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus as a outline for exploring our identity in Christ.  This book seeks to dispel some of the myths that we might form about ourselves based on our experiences by detailing Biblical truth as a foundation for how God see's us

I really appreciated the structure of this book, being based on scripture it moves from a sentimental 'God loves us' book and moves to a book of foundational truths that can free you and I in areas of our lives where we may have been bound in the past

This book was really interesting, I enjoyed the mix between stories and doctrine. It's a book that you could use as a bed time read, but it also includes some really good sections that helped me to describe my doctrine more clearly (The section on spiritual gifts). In that sense, If I were to sum it up, I'd say it balances inspiration and theology really well.

I didn't agree with everything that Pastor Mark wrote, but I did agree with most of it. I felt it was conveyed really effectively. It has kept my attention and has re-iterated some of the things that I am free to do and be through Jesus

One particular area that has blessed me is the reminder that I am a child of God, a co-heir with Christ. That is my identity and I should be secure and safe in that identity regardless of what other people say, do or think

I recommend this book, it's definitely worth a read

Worship is a language

I came across a great quote from a guy called Peter Fink.

"Worship is a language, and the church must always question itself if it is using the language honestly. To the extent where the living members of the praying church back by their lives what they say in ritual, to that extent their ritual will be honest and credible"

What a great way of thinking about worship. A language that we all speak and Christians speak in reference to the worth of their God. Is that language being used honestly?? If it was the result would be radical living, faithful obedience and a life where Christ is truly first! Indeed if we were truly speaking the language of worship we would be displaying in our lives what we profess through the ritual of the weekly "worship service". In turn, as a result of a Christ centred life we would become more authentic in our ritual.

Let's be people who display in their lives what they pray and say on a Sunday!!

Worship as theology

I'm quite excited about what I think will be my next assignment for my masters.
This module entitled: Theology, Church and Worship has been really interesting.

The assignment title that I am thinking of doing is:

"Discuss whether or not liturgical theologians are justified in designating worship as theology, and outline the implications of your argument for the practice of worship."

In thinking about this I have been challenged to think much more broadly about worship and indeed about the place of liturgy in the free evangelical church. In truth, I believe that we all do liturgy, and as a result all do theology in and through worship, it is just displayed in different ways.

What do you think?

- When we strip it all down - what is worship?
- From this definition - is worship theology?

And for the youth workers out there - how can we re-educate young people so that worship does not become all about music?