Friend

I've got a million things to do today and no time to do them. That being said, there's something stuck in my brain that won't let me go until I do something about it.

This morning I am overcome with a powerful sense that I need to be focusing, praying, meditating, vibing (pick your favorite) on, about and for Brian McLaren.

I remember back in 2001 when a friend gave me a copy of A New Kind of Christian (and ruined my life, as I like to joke with him.) The reality is that book was my red pill, and I will be forever grateful. Since then I've read just about everything Brian's written, I've heard him speak several times, and I even flew down to Maryland a couple of years ago and let him buy me burritos while we talked. He's been an important influence on my journey, and I know that goes for many of you too.

I could ramble on about blogs, reviews, books, and who's said what... but I won't .

Suffice to say I think the heat is going up for Brian, and it will probably get hotter still. I'm going to do my best to remember him daily, and I'd like to encourage you to do the same. If you feel so inclined perhaps you could add a comment and we'll let Brian know that there are a lot of us holding him up.

Comments

[steph]

Mike I will add to your prayer for Brian. I have found whenever this happens it is essential to listen to the wind of the Spirit and go where you should with it.
Thanks for sharing and inviting us to join in this sacred mission.

[J.R.]

Good call, Mike.
You're right. I don't pray for my leaders as often as I should. He certainly is a leader that merits and deserves our prayers, not because of him demanding them from us, but because our respect for him as a leader demands it.

Thanks for the reminder. I think of others, too, who need our prayers as well: Pagitt, Keel, Jones, Billy Graham, the President (whether you like it or not, Mike, we SHOULD be praying for him, too), etc.

Good post

J.R.

[Mike]

Agreed.

[Lisa]

ANKOC was my life line. I will be praying as well.

[bobbie]

i agree with steph - those impulses are sent from god. i will add him to my daily prayers and would add that i have felt the same impulse to pray for jim wallis - i think both of them are and will be taking a lot of heat for their courageous stands.

ironically both of those men were raised in the denomination stephanie and i were raised in... weird.

[Caroline]

Hi having read this post, I clicked the link to Compline, and said the Cuthbert Compline for Tuesday. (By the way if you haven't used Mike's links to the Celtic office, do give them a go)

I just found myself thinking of Brian more and more as I said the service, it seems most appropriate:

* His faithful promises are your armour.
You need no longer be afraid of any terror by night,
or the death-arrow that flies by day.

* The Lord Himself is your refuge;
you have made the Most High your stronghold.

* Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for You are my crag and my stronghold.

[Sivin]

I was thinking about him too today and though we've never met. Exchanged email probably only once years ago. I suddenly felt the need to pray for him too. In some ways, he became my "friend" through his writings.

[Sue]

Thanks Mike -- I'm reading "A Generous Orthodoxy" right now -- and I am so inspired by Brian's writing and theology. Finally, someone who "gets it"!!!

I will keep him in my prayers...

Sue

[Wes]

Mike...thank you! I've heard whispers that some unfortunate "guns" are being aimed at Brian. I hate that for him...and for the kingdom. This is one more evidence of you being a good man with an ear and a heart for what is right for a brother like McLaren. With you...prayers are going up.

[ron]

You get the impression that Brian is bigger than life. But having met him, at a conference a couple of years ago, he is very genuine, very personable. I too, will be holding him up in prayer. Thanks Mike.

[jason smith]

Mike,

Right on....I'm with you in the prayer dept.

I'm in a particular context that displays a constant love/hate relationship with McLaren - Seminary. Some profs love him, some think he's an heretic of the highest order.

All I know is I've met him, heard him speak, and worshiped with him and he's the most gracious, generous person. In my book, that stands for something.

Jason

P. S. It was great to finally meet you last week.

[David]

Mike: catching up a little, more so when we see you at Easter. I will certainly add Brian M. to my prayer energies. Isn't it sad: the degree of inertia in what goes on as evangelical is so profound that when something non status-quo/challenging/original/refreshing comes out it must be heresy. Look at the price Tony C. is paying as mentioned in his recent book "Speaking My Mind". (And was he - and his challenging views - ever well received last month in Mississauga!) These publications simply have to get out! Why? Because they convey truth and are life-changing!! Example: You are well aware that I have always had a problem with Christian Pacifism. (Relatives who fought in both WW1 and WW2, attendance at a military boarding school as a kid etc.) I just went along with Augustine and his "Christian" just war theory. "Shoot the buggers if you have to". Where does it lead? An unjust war in Iraq. I am in the midst of a complete turn-around on the conventional "redemptive violence" theory as being completely contrary to the life and words of, you guessed it, Jesus. How come? I am in the middle of Walter Wink's "The Powers that Be" in which he clarifies so skillfully what Jesus was really getting at on issues such "turn the other cheek" etc. Quite different from what is generally pumped out today. So Wes, Brian and Tony stick with it: The "Church" of that day in its ignorance tried to shut down Copernicus and Galileo and we all know who was right.

[Julie Anne Fidler]

People are afraid of what they don't understand, and since McLaren is challenging the way we "do Christianity", people don't yet know what to make of him.

Personally, I think he's bringing freshness and new purity to the Christian walk, which is something my generation (I'm 25) desperately needs.