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

Show Notes: Smoking Cell Phones

In this episode I interview Read Mercer Schuchardt, professor of Media Ecology at Wheaton College, a good friend, brilliant mind, and publisher of metaphilm.com-- a site that doesn't review films, it interprets them. (I did an interpretation posted there a number of years ago on the film Magnolia for those who are interested.)

Read published an article in the journal Exploring Media Ecology called "How to Quit Smoking Using Nothing But Your Cell Phone." In it he observes the way in which cell phones are the new cigarette. We discuss what this means and how cell phones shape culture, faith, and the church in unexpected ways. I have a related entry about Read here.

For a free download of this episode visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Show Notes: Social Networking (part 3)

In this episode we explore how myspace is the new drinking for teens. We discuss the implications of this on faith formation.

Links:

IMing, Text Messaging, and Adolescent Social Network - A Study by the Department of Telecommunications of Indiana University. It shows more than anything else that myspace is lowering inhibition and bestowing a dangerous virtue of digital courage without accountability.

Show Notes: Social Networking (part 2)

Shane and Zach discuss how Myspace has emerged as new source of power for teens and how Adults are losing access to their world in unprecedented ways.

Links:

Generation Myspace by Candice Kelsey: For help to decode the new language of the teen universe.

Fall Speaking

Here are my upcoming speaking engagements for the fall. If your in the neighborhood let me know if you want to connect.

- September 24-29 Goshen, IN Goshen College
- October 21 San Diego, CA National Youth Workers Convention
- November 2-3 Philadelphia area “Navigating the Technological Storm"

Show Notes: Creative Worship

In this episode we discuss our favorite "Jesus-is-my-boyfriend" worship songs.

Links:
Jimmy Eat World studio photos. Our new podcast headquarters!

To subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Show Notes: Understanding Web Rage

You've heard of road rage, in this episode we introduce the emerging phenomenon of Web Rage. Perhaps you've witnessed, or participated in the remarkable decline of civil discourse in on-line forums and blogs-- even Christian ones. We discuss why this is happening, and what to do about it.

Links:
- Understanding Road Rage. This is the article I referenced by Read Mercer Schuchardt that shows us how the Internet gave rise to the sociological phenomenon of road rage.

To learn more or subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

The Tech Effect

Last year I served on a panel discussion at the National Pastor's Convention about preaching in an image-based culture. Leadership Journal published this conversation in their most recent issue. It's available on-line here.

Faith Visuals Interview (part 2)

Part 2 of the of the interview I did with Faith Visuals on the influence of visual media in church is posted here. You can read part 1 here. Or if you prefer a different forum, Out of Ur just posted it as well.

"...Not Confused with Passivism"

We just got word that Kristin Ventola, a member of our church, made it safely into Israel. She will be there, along with 14 others, for two weeks as part of a Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) delegation. CPT is not a learning group, they are sent to global hot spots and trained for non-violent direct action in war torn areas. Motivated by the way of Jesus, they are willing to give their lives for justice and peace, but unwilling to take any lives.

When asked why she wants to go to a conflict zone? She writes:

Pacifism is not to be confused with passivism. Pacifism is an action taken to create peace through non-violence, civil disobedience and civil initiative. Too often individuals think pacifism is inaction, apathy, or only prayer. We must look to the examples of Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., the Berrigan Brothers & Archbishop Romero, among many others, in order to understand the depth of pacifism. As Gandhi said, “We need to be the change we want to see in the world.”

Last Sunday we had a service of prayer and sending for Kristin. I regard her as a prophet in our midst. Like all prophets, they agitate, disrupt, and offend our sensibilities. And like ancient Israel, our faithfulness as the people of God depends on our ability to welcome them.

Show Notes: The iGeneration

In this episode we discuss the rise of iPods, iPhones, Myspace, Myyahoo and everything else "i" and "my". The consequence? We are seeing a corresponding rise of narcissism in the emerging generation. We try to answer the question how do we form followers of Jesus in a self-focused culture?

Links:
- Candice Kellsey's book, "Generation Myspace" that Shane referenced in the cast.

To learn more or subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Episode #25: Tony Jones Interview (part 4)

This episode is part 4 of a 5 part interview I did with Tony Jones, author of many great books, my good friend, and the Mayor of Emergent Village. In this episode we explore the shape of emerging theology on the other side of its adolescence. To learn more about Tony check out his blog. (15 minutes)


To learn more or subscribe visit wiredparish.com