Two Episodes This Week

We are continuing to release archive episodes of the podcast with our new free podcast feed. We've been posting one episode per week but this week we're in the Christmas spirit and are releasing two casts. If you haven't subscribed to the new feed, click here to get the goodies.

Free Archive Episodes

In addition to our newly released "lost" episodes, we are now beginning to post some selections from our old podcasts for free. If you haven't updated your Third Way Faith podcast feed, click here and get up do date. This doesn't mean we won't have new material. We'll post some new episodes as we go.

New Third Way Faith Episodes

Greetings all,

As you may have noticed, Shane and I haven't been podcasting at all lately. I've been busy on the road and Shane has been busy pastoring at Trinity Mennonite Church. But as luck would have it, we found some lost episodes deep in the dusty vault in the Third Way Faith secret lair. We've posted three new episodes on a new podcast feed so click here to update your iTunes with the new feed. These episodes are free so no subscription fee is required!

In these three episodes we discussed politics and faith and how the two relate. We figured that it would be timely to get these out now as we are all trying to make sense of being faithful Christians during this election season.

Peace,

Zach

Fermi Podcast

Gabe Lyons recently interviewed me for his Fermi Project podcast. There's also a link there to an essay I wrote for them called "Our Nomadic Existence."

Lost in Translation

On a recent comment Russell asks:

I can imagine that there's a huge leap between Porsche culture and Mennonite culture, but does any of what they do still stick with you and inspire you today?

This is one of my most frequently asked questions. So I thought I would answer it here. In short the answer is no.

I try my best not to translate any of the things I learned from advertising into the world of spirituality, faith, church, etc. The reason is simple. Advertising is fundamentally a form of coercion. Granted it is a playful manipulation that most people enjoy when it's done well. (See below)



It's fun and funny, can't be that harmful. Nonetheless, the primary task of my previous life was to try and highjack your imagination, brand your brain with a Porsche logo, and then feed you opinions you thought were your own. I can't think of a method more opposed to the process of deepening and evolving the spiritual life. So I'm very aware of intentionally not translating or using these methods.

In my experience, the best thing I can do to lead people spiritually is to show them love. At the heart of love is making space, honoring the free will of the other. This requires that I intentionally divest myself of their outcomes, decisions, and conclusions. Sounds counter-intuitive, but then again, most things in the life of faith are. When someone senses that I need them to grow to validate myself, it usually hinders their growth. When they sense that I love them and have no need for them to take my advice, they're more free to do so if they choose. This I've found to be the most fertile soil for spiritual evolution. And it is diametrically opposed to the tasks of advertising and marketing, which are driven entirely by outcomes.

Zach on Leno

My podcasting cohost and good friend Zach Lind also happens to be the drummer for Jimmy Eat World. He's going to be playing on Leno this Monday. Should be fun. Check it out.

"The Spirituality of the Cellphone"

I just returned from teaching at Mars Hill. It was incredible. What amazed me the most was the capacity of that many people (maybe 8,000 all told) to engage a 45 minute teaching on "The Spirituality of the Cellphone." Mind you, this included material not often found in the pulpit--you know, extensive McLuhan theory, cultural analysis, etc. Who are these people? It says a lot about them and what Rob Bell has helped create. Truly amazing. I was honored and blessed.

I also did a two hour teaching for the Mars Hill staff on "The Electronic Gospel: Why Changing the Methods Always Changes the Message." They were a delight, very bright people. Of course, by the end of it all I was spent. I don't understand how Rob (or anyone else for that matter) does three services at that scale every week. It renewed my appreciation for the simplicity of a single service. Looking forward to the more modest 20 minute sermons I get to do back home.

Mars Hill and Q

I'll be preaching at Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, MI on March 30th, and then doing a workshop on my book for their staff and some area pastors Monday March 31st. If you're in the neighborhood drop by.

Also, April 10 and 11 I'm speaking at Q in Manhattan.

Podcast Pause

I've had a number of emails wondering when the next podcast will be available. Thanks for the interest. We've had some technical difficulties that should be resolved very soon. Zach and I have several in the can which focus on the Media Ecology of Political Campaigns. They will be posted shortly. My apologies for the delay.

February Speaking

I'll be in the following locations in February. If you're in the neighborhood and would like to connect let me know.

- Feb 1 & 2 Keynote Mennonite Educators Conference 2008. Pittsburgh, PA
- Feb. 25-26 Staley Lectures at Bethel College. North Newton, KS