Questions at gigs...

I've just spoken at a day conference, think it went well. i always find it interesting/sad/bloody annoying that i get asked the same questions over and over again...it may be my style, but this conversation needs to move forward.

Question 1: You said that truth resides in the community, is there such a thing as absolute truth?

Question 2: How are you accountable?

Question 3: Are you just a homogenous group of people? (re Sanctus1)

I've started reflecting the bottom question back on people, i think i may start doing the same with the other two. I find the first two particularly sad as they're about power and control. I may start saying that no i don't believe in absolute truth how does that change you opinion of me? No I'm not accountable, I'm just like Chris Brian... It annoys me as it lacks generosity, it looks to judge rather than welcome, exclude rather than include.

Technorati Tags: Ben Edson

Comments

[Tony]

I wouldn't compare you to Chris Brain :p Or rather I missed the pole dancers at the last Sanctus service.

[julie]

the first question is one steve taylor is also wrestling with conference comments about today - i agree that those questions are ungenerous, judgemental and all about pulling the power - i think there is a lot of Jesus in your strategy - very gracefully subversive you are becoming ben !!

[Ben Edson]

Hi Julie, I posted this, then wizzed over to steve taylors blog and saw that he had encountered the same - strange!

[julie]

you guys are spookily connected - that is the absolute truth of the matter !!

[Fat Roland]

I WANNA BE THE SANCTUS POLE DANCER!!!

[Jo]

I would love to ask these questions of any Christian community - in fact, you are very welcome to ask them of my congregations in Yorkshire...

I wonder if there is a Jesus-and-the-woman-caught-in-adultery link here...let those without sin cast the first stone.

As people we can be all so ungenerous. I am really sorry that we all get comments such as these: which is ironic, given that 'emerging' seems to be more about truth, accountability and non-homogenous units than most.

Sorry you are frustrated, Ben.

[Lev]

I want Eyan to be the Sanctus1 pole dancer too!

Do the sort of people who approach you with the accountability question come from a position of curiosity, because they are in a traditional church with obvious lines of accountability?

Or are they asking because they think you're a freestyling (dangerous?)loner who could bring doom upon the church?

If I met you 10 or 12 years ago, I may have asked you that question, but from the former position, rather than the latter.

But thinking back, I'd probably be more inclined to ask you where and when Sanctus1 is next meeting!

...Lev