TheOOZE.TV

	Name	Description	Released	Price
1	Video Nick Fiedler	We need to acknowledge, even embrace, both the doubts and the hope of our faith, says Nick Fiedler, author of The Hopeful Skeptic. Thinkfwd host, Spencer Burke, and Nick talk together about some of the topics that Nick wrestles with in his life and book?like scripture, church structure, and prayer. A year into his marriage, as he was packing to leave his desk job and travel for a year, Nick was debating what to take with him and what to leave behind. He thought, ?What if I leave behind the label ?Christian?? And if I don?t take that label, what DO I take? What do I call myself? He came up with the idea of the Hopeful Skeptic, believing that even the most secure in their faith have doubts. The historic figures of great faith and great minds dealt with issues of doubt, pride, and problems with religious systems. With this in mind, he began that year of journey into both faith and doubt.	2/5/10	Free	View In iTunes
2	Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP06 - Pete Rollins - Resurrection as Insurrection	What we believe emanates from who we are. And who we are is not about dogma, or even about moral behavior, but about dying to ourselves. This is part of the conversation between ThinkFwd host, Spencer Burke, and Pete Rollins, author of How Not to Speak of God and The Orthodox Heretic. They explore the ideas of truth and God, of resurrection and insurrection. Truth, says Rollins, is not one extreme or the other; it?s not the middle of the extremes. Truth is at both extremes. While traditional Christians say, ?God is present. God exists, and Christianity is true;? atheists say ?God isn?t there and Christianity isn?t true.? These two extremes push Rollins to explore a 3rd position and he likens it to the story of Jesus on the cross, when He felt forsaken by God-- God not present--and yet God was completely present. And so the 3rd position dwells in the very place in between. Rollins says Christians are called to dwell not on one side of the other, but in the very split that Christ opens up: between old and new; between Judaism and Christianity.	1/29/10	Free	View In iTunes
3	Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP05 - Brian McLaren	ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke drives the streets of Santa Monica with author and activist Brian Mclaren, discussing Brian's new book, A New Kind of Christianity. In it, Brian lays out 10 questions people seem to be wrestling with universally, which he has observed as he as criss-crossed the country	1/18/10	Free	View In iTunes
4	Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP04 - Tim King	Transcendence beyond our belief systems. Inclusion. Mystery. Humility. These are the topics as ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke catches up with Tim King?author, activist, and President/CEO of The David Group International (a peace and reconciliation Non-Governmental Organization). Spencer kicks off the conversation with a potentially controversial question, ?Why is Christianity (and many religions) so fraught with doomsday theology?with a catastrophic end to the world a primary focus?? Tim thinks it is because we let our belief systems become the end point, rather than simply being pointers toward the mysterious, toward God. When we read the text as a map with pointers (rather than literally), just as Jesus points us toward God, then we will recast the future in a constructive rather than a catastrophic story. The present moment is all we really have. The past is gone and the future is not here yet. Let?s not become overly obsessed with the future so that we waste the present moment. At best, Tim says, our belief systems are pointers, not our identity. If we move to this way of thinking, then we can meet others at a place ?beyond our belief systems? in an area of mystery and humility. We can transcend our belief system and be inclusive. The mentality is not one of ?all or nothing.? We do not have to forfeit our beliefs to contribute to the lives of others. If we believe that God is reality, a presence, the unnamable, who dwells in mystery beyond us, then we can believe that we are ?beyond our belief system.?And we can celebrate together with others of many different belief systems. On the other hand, if we have a conversion mentality that believes we have to convert people to our belief system, then it is as if we?ve drawn a line and said, ?We can only fellowship with you if you come over to our side.? Spencer asks Tim what he hopes the future holds for people of faith. Tim?s reply: ?Lay down our conversion mentality and take up a contributing mentality. If this happens, there?s no end to the global ills that can be taken care of in our lifetime.?	12/7/09	Free	View In iTunes
5	Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP03 - Jesse Rice	Fear not! These are Jesse Rice?s words of wisdom about virtual tools and the Church as he and Spencer Burke, host of ThinkFWD, talk about Jesse?s new book, The Church of Facebook. Jesse sees Facebook (and other virtual communication) as a great way to begin a conversation with someone. Let?s face it, he says, it?s not always easy to connect with other people?to have and maintain a relationship. Online tools like Facebook are a very simple way to make a connection. At the same time, he acknowledges it can feel like a disembodied tool, and ultimately, we need our conversations to be embodied, enfleshed. The Church needs to think harder about how to embrace virtual communication tools. We can have a genuine, loving concern for another person?even if it is through a digital connection with them. So rather than fearing digital connections, we (the Church) should be learning how to be human, and how to be the church in the virtual environment. When asked about what he sees on the horizon as related issues, Jesse repeats the encouragement to not be afraid of or scared off by technology?instead approach it with curiosity and have fun with it. Figure out a way to reach people for Jesus through these new tools. Also, start thinking now about how to create intentional rhythms for disconnecting with technology. Again, he sees it as a balancing act. We are called to be available for people, but soon we will ALL be available to people ALL the time . . . and we will need to be purposeful with our time and with staying in the ?present? rather than constantly being distracted by the incoming messages.	11/30/09	Free	View In iTunes
6	Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP02 Generate Magazine	They could have created an e-zine or a blog, but intentionally made a printed magazine, Generate Magazine, as a platform to bring together the many voices of the church and to show what is happening in the church and all the many streams of emerging Christian thinking and practice. The creators of Generate Magazine talk with Spencer Burke, host of ThinkFWD, about the inaugural edition which has been at least two years in the making. Their desire is to include art, articles, poetry, and other media and to flatten the playing field. ?There have been many great books written about emerging Church, but only a very few voices are heard through books,? say the magazine?s creators. ?A lot of contributors in this first edition have never been published before, and a magazine format allows many more people to participate.? What are they looking for in terms of art and articles for future magazines? They want voices from communities of faith that have a Kingdom hope. Many of these stories are local or regional and so their stories may not get a wide audience. This magazine is a place to tell those stories. It is also a place for art, simply for art?s sake?not as illustration of something else, or as a supporting element, but just for the value of the art. If you are an artist, a poet, a thinker, Generate Magazine is a forum for you. Its creators say, ?Look for the gaps in this magazine, and in the larger conversation. When you see them, fill them. If in a year, this magazine only represents one voice, one perspective, then it has failed. Because when we have many expressions of Christianity, many voices, many streams of emerging faith?then we represent the body of Christ, and the bigness of God.?	11/24/09	Free	View In iTunes
7	Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP01 Julie Clawson - Everyday Justice	Spencer Burke talks with author Julie Clawson on her new book, ?Everyday Justice.? Julie Clawson takes us on a tour of everyday life and shows how our ordinary lifestyle choices have big implications for justice around the world. She unpacks how we get our food and clothing and shows us the surprising costs of consumer waste. How we live can make a difference not only for our own health but also for the well-being of people across the globe. The more sustainable our lifestyle, the more just our world will be.	11/3/09	Free	View In iTunes
8	Video ThinkFwd: EP021 Matt Soerens - Immigration	Immigrants are more than what they can contribute to our affluence,? says Matt Sorens. Made in the image of God, they are people like you and I who demonstrate the beautiful diversity of God?s creation of humanity. ThinkFwd host, Spencer Burke, talks with Sorens in the Chicago suburb where he lives. His neighbors are a very diverse population including immigrants from Mexico, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Sorens has co-authored a book about the church and immigration called ?Welcoming the Stranger.? He says his goal with the book was not to convince anyone of a particular immigration policy but rather to look at the issue Biblically and ask?as Christians?what do we do with this complicated topic of immigrants and immigration? To Matt, the issue of how we live with immigrants is a personal one, because many of Matt?s neighbors have become his friends, with whom he visits, shares meals, and tutors their children. But we can easily de-humanize people just with our language, using terms like ?aliens? and stereotyping immigrants as ?those lazy people who are stealing our jobs, draining public resources, and are criminals.? No one chooses what country they are born into. Yet somehow there is a strange sense of entitlement with country of origin. If you are born in Wisconsin, you have a right to a life where you will likely get a good job and live 10 years longer than if you were born in a third-world country. Matt says, ?We are brothers and sisters, God?s creation. If my brother or sister is fleeing poverty, needs a job, needs their family and community?how should I respond?? Most immigrant families come to America for a better life for themselves and their families, or to join family already here. They are driven by economics, and are following jobs. (In fact, given the current economic condition says Matt, the flow between the US and Mexico right now is toward Mexico, not the US). Matt believes there is fear, misperception, and misinformation about immigrants and immigration. He believes immigration law is important, but that in addition to keeping the rule of law, we need to ask, ?Are our laws are just?? As Christians, we can inform and change policy and law, and help create laws that are more compassionate, more just, and more sensible. Personal Reflections: Take a moment to role play?what would you be feeling if you were in a foreign country, didn?t know the language, didn?t know the customs, you saw law-enforcement as an enemy and it was criminal to work, yet the conditions in your country were worse? Moving beyond policy to personal, what has been your first-hand interaction with immigrants? Small Group or Staff Questions: Throughout history we?ve used language to de-humanize people we don?t want to deal with. How have terms like ?alien? influenced you? As a Christian, how do you feel about evaluating people solely on their economic impact to our organization, city, or country? Follow us on Twitter @theoozetv Become a fan on FaceBook.com/theoozetv Subscribe on YouTube.com/theoozetv Resources and downloads at TheOOZE.TV	9/16/09	Free	View In iTunes
9	Video Philip Clayton	Spencer Burke catches up with Philip Clayton as they discuss emergence being co-created by God and man and the influence it will have on the church.	8/27/09	Free	View In iTunes
10	Video Episode 019 Jay Baker - True Love and Restoration	Can Christians be marked by love, grace, and inclusiveness instead of fear, legalism, and exclusivity?	8/27/09	Free	View In iTunes
11	Video Gabe Lyons	The skill of listening needs to be regained, says Gabe Lyons, co-author of UnChristian and guest of this week?s ThinkFwd interview hosted by Spencer Burke. Lyons believes this generation is ready?open to learning from each other at a heart-level without expectations of immediate results, and without needing to control the direction of the conversation. How do we learn? Gabe believes that exposure is the key to learning. If we don?t expose ourselves to new ideas and to people with differing opinions, and become aware of their thoughts and how they arrived at those thoughts?we can?t learn. We need new experiences and new places to open up our brains so we can hear and learn from others. Spencer and Gabe talk about the motivators for conversation with others?is it fear? Protectionism? Gabe suggests that we must come from a place of humility and not try to be protective or assume that we?ve got it all figured out. ?God made a lot of smart people,? says Lyons. ?I don?t need to fear listening to other ideas and opinions, because at the end of the day, my confidence is in Christ, and the fact that the gospel is true.? A self-righteous viewpoint is not consistent with the gospel. Spencer asks about funding?how is Lyons able to fund his various projects?and what is on the horizon for new projects? Gabe responds that what they do has to have real value to people. The resources and experiences they provide must be quality, excellent and needed?so much so that people will pay for them. As for new projects, he?s working on a new book about what it means to be a Christian in the West. He is exploring what it might look like to be a western Christian that is credible to their neighbors and friends, and at the same time faithful to the gospel.	8/19/09	Free	View In iTunes
12	Video ThinkFwd: EP017 Phyllis Tickle - Beyond Denominations, the Hyphenated Church	If scholars are rightor even in the ballpark-- by 2050, emergence Christianity will be the largest group among church cultures, says Phyllis Tickle in an interview with ThinkFwd host, Spencer Burke. That means larger than any particular denomination, and this change is occurring fast. Phyllis says she became aware of the emergence church only about two years ago, and the phenomena of emergence-, emergent-, emerging-church has only been around about four years. But Tickle believes that traditional churches have only about 18 months before the window of opportunity to reach out to emergence churches changes into a door of urgent, mandatory response to the changing paradigm of church as we know it. The emergence churches that are coming out of the various protestant denominations are called hyphenated churches: Presby-mergence, Bapti-mergence; Luther-mergence, etc. Phyllis recently participated in the first gathering of hyphenated church leaders, who came together to worship and share experiences and then broke off into their own denominational/emergence groups. Tickle is askingwhat will be the interface between the emergence and the traditional? How will they come together, or will they, can they or even should they? She likens the interactionwhich, granted, has great tension at timesto the Biblical churches of Jerusalem and Antioch. The Jerusalem church is like the traditional denominations, and they wrestle with the emerging church in Antiochsending scouts to check it out, to see what its about, and to ultimately extend a hand of faith and support to them. Protestantism brought universal literacy, along with the divisiveness of split upon split within denomination. What gifts will emergence Christianity bring to the faith? Spencer and Phyllis agree that it remains to be seen and theyd like to meet up in five years and see how the hyphenated churches have grown and developed, and how theyve interfaced with their traditional roots.	8/4/09	Free	View In iTunes
13	Video ThinkFwd: EP016 Ben Lowe - Sustainable Creation Care	Look at the major world crises and you?re likely to find their roots in the environment, says Ben Lowe, author of Green Revolution, in a recent interview with ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke. Whether it?s a food, water, or energy crisis, natural disaster or disease?these significant problems likely stem from environmental issues, and affect much more than the environment?they affect the lives of people in our neighborhoods and around the world. Lowe was born and raised in Singapore, the son of missionaries from a conservative Christian background. Although he heard many sermons about God and creation, he never connected caring for the earth with his faith until he was in college. There his thinking crystallized when he realized that caring for creation and for people go hand in hand. ?I can?t love God and my neighbor if I don?t care for what God made (the earth and all creation) and what my neighbor needs for survival,? says Ben. You can become overwhelmed if you think of the world?s problems, for example, the number of children who die each year from water born diseases which are entirely preventable. But caring for the earth is doing something about it, and this has become Ben?s passion. Spencer and Ben discuss how science and faith have been at odds with each other, and how the debate about creation versus evolution has sparked a divide between the two which didn?t used to exist. But Ben is seeing scientists and spiritual leaders working to repair the relationship between faith and science. He is encouraged by unlikely partners coming together for creation care. He recently participated in an advocacy effort in Washington D.C. which brought together the Christian Coalition of America, the National Wildlife Federation and the Evangelical Environmental Network. The coalition of these three unusual partners ?freaked congress out,? said Ben. He saw that these politicians care about the earth?because of their faith and because they want to make a difference. And they need the support of all constituents?conservative and liberal Christians?to tackle environmental issues. So is ?green living? just a fad or can we create something that is longer-lasting? Ben believes that if we are living green because it?s the popular thing to do, it will fade. But he believes it is a matter of faith and of community. If we realize the scriptures are full of encouragements and commands to care for creation, then we will do it not because it is popular but because it is right and that won?t change over time. We need community and the work of the Spirit to keep us from feeling burdened, or isolated and lonely in that care. And in community, we can ask ?How can we lively sustainable in the city, in the suburbs, in our community???and pursue it together.	7/28/09	Free	View In iTunes
14	Video ThinkFwd: EP015 Soong-Chan Rah - White Captivity of the Church Pt 2	Part 2 of the conversation with Soong Chan Rah, Professor at North Park Seminary, on the future of the multi-cultural church.	7/22/09	Free	View In iTunes
15	Video ThinkFwd: EP015 Soong-Chan Rah - White Captivity of the Church Pt 1	Is the church culturally relevant or culturally captive? asks Soong-Chang Rah, author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity. He talks with ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke about the purported decline of American Christianity. In Soong-Chans view, it is not Christianity that is collapsing but rather the Western-, White-culture Christianity thats rooted in suburban, upper middle-class, politicized culturewhether the mega church or emerging church. But just the opposite, Soong-Chan sees incredible growth and strength in the multi-ethnic, immigrant, and second generation churches. Soong-Chan was born in Korea, but lived most of his life in America. In his personal life experience, his Korean and American cultures intersect to create a new multi-cultural experience. He suggests we need to hear the stories of the Native Americans, immigrants, and the many non-white cultures (many of them much older than the recent anci-future trends that only go back 200 years to European roots). I am not putting down Western White evangelicalism, and I dont want to throw out Christianity that has existed before us. But theres a lot more out there, and all the elements of all of our varied cultures need to be part of the discussion, he says. By interacting with people who are outside of our culture, something new emerges from our dialogue together. Its not that the truth of the gospel changes, but that seeing things from where Im seated (culturally) or where youre seated, we may have different and honestly valid views. We need to hear all the voices to see the full picture of what God is doing in our world.	7/20/09	Free	View In iTunes

1

Video Nick Fiedler

We need to acknowledge, even embrace, both the doubts and the hope of our faith, says Nick Fiedler, author of The Hopeful Skeptic. Thinkfwd host, Spencer Burke, and Nick talk together about some of the topics that Nick wrestles with in his life and book?like scripture, church structure, and prayer. A year into his marriage, as he was packing to leave his desk job and travel for a year, Nick was debating what to take with him and what to leave behind. He thought, ?What if I leave behind the label ?Christian?? And if I don?t take that label, what DO I take? What do I call myself? He came up with the idea of the Hopeful Skeptic, believing that even the most secure in their faith have doubts. The historic figures of great faith and great minds dealt with issues of doubt, pride, and problems with religious systems. With this in mind, he began that year of journey into both faith and doubt.

2/5/10

Free

View In iTunes

2

Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP06 - Pete Rollins - Resurrection as Insurrection

What we believe emanates from who we are. And who we are is not about dogma, or even about moral behavior, but about dying to ourselves. This is part of the conversation between ThinkFwd host, Spencer Burke, and Pete Rollins, author of How Not to Speak of God and The Orthodox Heretic. They explore the ideas of truth and God, of resurrection and insurrection. Truth, says Rollins, is not one extreme or the other; it?s not the middle of the extremes. Truth is at both extremes. While traditional Christians say, ?God is present. God exists, and Christianity is true;? atheists say ?God isn?t there and Christianity isn?t true.? These two extremes push Rollins to explore a 3rd position and he likens it to the story of Jesus on the cross, when He felt forsaken by God-- God not present--and yet God was completely present. And so the 3rd position dwells in the very place in between. Rollins says Christians are called to dwell not on one side of the other, but in the very split that Christ opens up: between old and new; between Judaism and Christianity.

1/29/10

Free

View In iTunes

3

Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP05 - Brian McLaren

ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke drives the streets of Santa Monica with author and activist Brian Mclaren, discussing Brian's new book, A New Kind of Christianity. In it, Brian lays out 10 questions people seem to be wrestling with universally, which he has observed as he as criss-crossed the country

1/18/10

Free

View In iTunes

4

Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP04 - Tim King

Transcendence beyond our belief systems. Inclusion. Mystery. Humility. These are the topics as ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke catches up with Tim King?author, activist, and President/CEO of The David Group International (a peace and reconciliation Non-Governmental Organization). Spencer kicks off the conversation with a potentially controversial question, ?Why is Christianity (and many religions) so fraught with doomsday theology?with a catastrophic end to the world a primary focus?? Tim thinks it is because we let our belief systems become the end point, rather than simply being pointers toward the mysterious, toward God. When we read the text as a map with pointers (rather than literally), just as Jesus points us toward God, then we will recast the future in a constructive rather than a catastrophic story. The present moment is all we really have. The past is gone and the future is not here yet. Let?s not become overly obsessed with the future so that we waste the present moment. At best, Tim says, our belief systems are pointers, not our identity. If we move to this way of thinking, then we can meet others at a place ?beyond our belief systems? in an area of mystery and humility. We can transcend our belief system and be inclusive. The mentality is not one of ?all or nothing.? We do not have to forfeit our beliefs to contribute to the lives of others. If we believe that God is reality, a presence, the unnamable, who dwells in mystery beyond us, then we can believe that we are ?beyond our belief system.?And we can celebrate together with others of many different belief systems. On the other hand, if we have a conversion mentality that believes we have to convert people to our belief system, then it is as if we?ve drawn a line and said, ?We can only fellowship with you if you come over to our side.? Spencer asks Tim what he hopes the future holds for people of faith. Tim?s reply: ?Lay down our conversion mentality and take up a contributing mentality. If this happens, there?s no end to the global ills that can be taken care of in our lifetime.?

12/7/09

Free

View In iTunes

5

Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP03 - Jesse Rice

Fear not! These are Jesse Rice?s words of wisdom about virtual tools and the Church as he and Spencer Burke, host of ThinkFWD, talk about Jesse?s new book, The Church of Facebook. Jesse sees Facebook (and other virtual communication) as a great way to begin a conversation with someone. Let?s face it, he says, it?s not always easy to connect with other people?to have and maintain a relationship. Online tools like Facebook are a very simple way to make a connection. At the same time, he acknowledges it can feel like a disembodied tool, and ultimately, we need our conversations to be embodied, enfleshed. The Church needs to think harder about how to embrace virtual communication tools. We can have a genuine, loving concern for another person?even if it is through a digital connection with them. So rather than fearing digital connections, we (the Church) should be learning how to be human, and how to be the church in the virtual environment. When asked about what he sees on the horizon as related issues, Jesse repeats the encouragement to not be afraid of or scared off by technology?instead approach it with curiosity and have fun with it. Figure out a way to reach people for Jesus through these new tools. Also, start thinking now about how to create intentional rhythms for disconnecting with technology. Again, he sees it as a balancing act. We are called to be available for people, but soon we will ALL be available to people ALL the time . . . and we will need to be purposeful with our time and with staying in the ?present? rather than constantly being distracted by the incoming messages.

11/30/09

Free

View In iTunes

6

Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP02 Generate Magazine

They could have created an e-zine or a blog, but intentionally made a printed magazine, Generate Magazine, as a platform to bring together the many voices of the church and to show what is happening in the church and all the many streams of emerging Christian thinking and practice. The creators of Generate Magazine talk with Spencer Burke, host of ThinkFWD, about the inaugural edition which has been at least two years in the making. Their desire is to include art, articles, poetry, and other media and to flatten the playing field. ?There have been many great books written about emerging Church, but only a very few voices are heard through books,? say the magazine?s creators. ?A lot of contributors in this first edition have never been published before, and a magazine format allows many more people to participate.? What are they looking for in terms of art and articles for future magazines? They want voices from communities of faith that have a Kingdom hope. Many of these stories are local or regional and so their stories may not get a wide audience. This magazine is a place to tell those stories. It is also a place for art, simply for art?s sake?not as illustration of something else, or as a supporting element, but just for the value of the art. If you are an artist, a poet, a thinker, Generate Magazine is a forum for you. Its creators say, ?Look for the gaps in this magazine, and in the larger conversation. When you see them, fill them. If in a year, this magazine only represents one voice, one perspective, then it has failed. Because when we have many expressions of Christianity, many voices, many streams of emerging faith?then we represent the body of Christ, and the bigness of God.?

11/24/09

Free

View In iTunes

7

Video ThinkFwd: SE02EP01 Julie Clawson - Everyday Justice

Spencer Burke talks with author Julie Clawson on her new book, ?Everyday Justice.? Julie Clawson takes us on a tour of everyday life and shows how our ordinary lifestyle choices have big implications for justice around the world. She unpacks how we get our food and clothing and shows us the surprising costs of consumer waste. How we live can make a difference not only for our own health but also for the well-being of people across the globe. The more sustainable our lifestyle, the more just our world will be.

11/3/09

Free

View In iTunes

8

Video ThinkFwd: EP021 Matt Soerens - Immigration

Immigrants are more than what they can contribute to our affluence,? says Matt Sorens. Made in the image of God, they are people like you and I who demonstrate the beautiful diversity of God?s creation of humanity. ThinkFwd host, Spencer Burke, talks with Sorens in the Chicago suburb where he lives. His neighbors are a very diverse population including immigrants from Mexico, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Sorens has co-authored a book about the church and immigration called ?Welcoming the Stranger.? He says his goal with the book was not to convince anyone of a particular immigration policy but rather to look at the issue Biblically and ask?as Christians?what do we do with this complicated topic of immigrants and immigration? To Matt, the issue of how we live with immigrants is a personal one, because many of Matt?s neighbors have become his friends, with whom he visits, shares meals, and tutors their children. But we can easily de-humanize people just with our language, using terms like ?aliens? and stereotyping immigrants as ?those lazy people who are stealing our jobs, draining public resources, and are criminals.? No one chooses what country they are born into. Yet somehow there is a strange sense of entitlement with country of origin. If you are born in Wisconsin, you have a right to a life where you will likely get a good job and live 10 years longer than if you were born in a third-world country. Matt says, ?We are brothers and sisters, God?s creation. If my brother or sister is fleeing poverty, needs a job, needs their family and community?how should I respond?? Most immigrant families come to America for a better life for themselves and their families, or to join family already here. They are driven by economics, and are following jobs. (In fact, given the current economic condition says Matt, the flow between the US and Mexico right now is toward Mexico, not the US). Matt believes there is fear, misperception, and misinformation about immigrants and immigration. He believes immigration law is important, but that in addition to keeping the rule of law, we need to ask, ?Are our laws are just?? As Christians, we can inform and change policy and law, and help create laws that are more compassionate, more just, and more sensible. Personal Reflections: Take a moment to role play?what would you be feeling if you were in a foreign country, didn?t know the language, didn?t know the customs, you saw law-enforcement as an enemy and it was criminal to work, yet the conditions in your country were worse? Moving beyond policy to personal, what has been your first-hand interaction with immigrants? Small Group or Staff Questions: Throughout history we?ve used language to de-humanize people we don?t want to deal with. How have terms like ?alien? influenced you? As a Christian, how do you feel about evaluating people solely on their economic impact to our organization, city, or country? Follow us on Twitter @theoozetv Become a fan on FaceBook.com/theoozetv Subscribe on YouTube.com/theoozetv Resources and downloads at TheOOZE.TV

9/16/09

Free

View In iTunes

9

Video Philip Clayton

Spencer Burke catches up with Philip Clayton as they discuss emergence being co-created by God and man and the influence it will have on the church.

8/27/09

Free

View In iTunes

10

Video Episode 019 Jay Baker - True Love and Restoration

Can Christians be marked by love, grace, and inclusiveness instead of fear, legalism, and exclusivity?

8/27/09

Free

View In iTunes

11

Video Gabe Lyons

The skill of listening needs to be regained, says Gabe Lyons, co-author of UnChristian and guest of this week?s ThinkFwd interview hosted by Spencer Burke. Lyons believes this generation is ready?open to learning from each other at a heart-level without expectations of immediate results, and without needing to control the direction of the conversation. How do we learn? Gabe believes that exposure is the key to learning. If we don?t expose ourselves to new ideas and to people with differing opinions, and become aware of their thoughts and how they arrived at those thoughts?we can?t learn. We need new experiences and new places to open up our brains so we can hear and learn from others. Spencer and Gabe talk about the motivators for conversation with others?is it fear? Protectionism? Gabe suggests that we must come from a place of humility and not try to be protective or assume that we?ve got it all figured out. ?God made a lot of smart people,? says Lyons. ?I don?t need to fear listening to other ideas and opinions, because at the end of the day, my confidence is in Christ, and the fact that the gospel is true.? A self-righteous viewpoint is not consistent with the gospel. Spencer asks about funding?how is Lyons able to fund his various projects?and what is on the horizon for new projects? Gabe responds that what they do has to have real value to people. The resources and experiences they provide must be quality, excellent and needed?so much so that people will pay for them. As for new projects, he?s working on a new book about what it means to be a Christian in the West. He is exploring what it might look like to be a western Christian that is credible to their neighbors and friends, and at the same time faithful to the gospel.

8/19/09

Free

View In iTunes

12

Video ThinkFwd: EP017 Phyllis Tickle - Beyond Denominations, the Hyphenated Church

If scholars are rightor even in the ballpark-- by 2050, emergence Christianity will be the largest group among church cultures, says Phyllis Tickle in an interview with ThinkFwd host, Spencer Burke. That means larger than any particular denomination, and this change is occurring fast. Phyllis says she became aware of the emergence church only about two years ago, and the phenomena of emergence-, emergent-, emerging-church has only been around about four years. But Tickle believes that traditional churches have only about 18 months before the window of opportunity to reach out to emergence churches changes into a door of urgent, mandatory response to the changing paradigm of church as we know it. The emergence churches that are coming out of the various protestant denominations are called hyphenated churches: Presby-mergence, Bapti-mergence; Luther-mergence, etc. Phyllis recently participated in the first gathering of hyphenated church leaders, who came together to worship and share experiences and then broke off into their own denominational/emergence groups. Tickle is askingwhat will be the interface between the emergence and the traditional? How will they come together, or will they, can they or even should they? She likens the interactionwhich, granted, has great tension at timesto the Biblical churches of Jerusalem and Antioch. The Jerusalem church is like the traditional denominations, and they wrestle with the emerging church in Antiochsending scouts to check it out, to see what its about, and to ultimately extend a hand of faith and support to them. Protestantism brought universal literacy, along with the divisiveness of split upon split within denomination. What gifts will emergence Christianity bring to the faith? Spencer and Phyllis agree that it remains to be seen and theyd like to meet up in five years and see how the hyphenated churches have grown and developed, and how theyve interfaced with their traditional roots.

8/4/09

Free

View In iTunes

13

Video ThinkFwd: EP016 Ben Lowe - Sustainable Creation Care

Look at the major world crises and you?re likely to find their roots in the environment, says Ben Lowe, author of Green Revolution, in a recent interview with ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke. Whether it?s a food, water, or energy crisis, natural disaster or disease?these significant problems likely stem from environmental issues, and affect much more than the environment?they affect the lives of people in our neighborhoods and around the world. Lowe was born and raised in Singapore, the son of missionaries from a conservative Christian background. Although he heard many sermons about God and creation, he never connected caring for the earth with his faith until he was in college. There his thinking crystallized when he realized that caring for creation and for people go hand in hand. ?I can?t love God and my neighbor if I don?t care for what God made (the earth and all creation) and what my neighbor needs for survival,? says Ben. You can become overwhelmed if you think of the world?s problems, for example, the number of children who die each year from water born diseases which are entirely preventable. But caring for the earth is doing something about it, and this has become Ben?s passion. Spencer and Ben discuss how science and faith have been at odds with each other, and how the debate about creation versus evolution has sparked a divide between the two which didn?t used to exist. But Ben is seeing scientists and spiritual leaders working to repair the relationship between faith and science. He is encouraged by unlikely partners coming together for creation care. He recently participated in an advocacy effort in Washington D.C. which brought together the Christian Coalition of America, the National Wildlife Federation and the Evangelical Environmental Network. The coalition of these three unusual partners ?freaked congress out,? said Ben. He saw that these politicians care about the earth?because of their faith and because they want to make a difference. And they need the support of all constituents?conservative and liberal Christians?to tackle environmental issues. So is ?green living? just a fad or can we create something that is longer-lasting? Ben believes that if we are living green because it?s the popular thing to do, it will fade. But he believes it is a matter of faith and of community. If we realize the scriptures are full of encouragements and commands to care for creation, then we will do it not because it is popular but because it is right and that won?t change over time. We need community and the work of the Spirit to keep us from feeling burdened, or isolated and lonely in that care. And in community, we can ask ?How can we lively sustainable in the city, in the suburbs, in our community???and pursue it together.

7/28/09

Free

View In iTunes

14

Video ThinkFwd: EP015 Soong-Chan Rah - White Captivity of the Church Pt 2

Part 2 of the conversation with Soong Chan Rah, Professor at North Park Seminary, on the future of the multi-cultural church.

7/22/09

Free

View In iTunes

15

Video ThinkFwd: EP015 Soong-Chan Rah - White Captivity of the Church Pt 1

Is the church culturally relevant or culturally captive? asks Soong-Chang Rah, author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity. He talks with ThinkFwd host Spencer Burke about the purported decline of American Christianity. In Soong-Chans view, it is not Christianity that is collapsing but rather the Western-, White-culture Christianity thats rooted in suburban, upper middle-class, politicized culturewhether the mega church or emerging church. But just the opposite, Soong-Chan sees incredible growth and strength in the multi-ethnic, immigrant, and second generation churches. Soong-Chan was born in Korea, but lived most of his life in America. In his personal life experience, his Korean and American cultures intersect to create a new multi-cultural experience. He suggests we need to hear the stories of the Native Americans, immigrants, and the many non-white cultures (many of them much older than the recent anci-future trends that only go back 200 years to European roots). I am not putting down Western White evangelicalism, and I dont want to throw out Christianity that has existed before us. But theres a lot more out there, and all the elements of all of our varied cultures need to be part of the discussion, he says. By interacting with people who are outside of our culture, something new emerges from our dialogue together. Its not that the truth of the gospel changes, but that seeing things from where Im seated (culturally) or where youre seated, we may have different and honestly valid views. We need to hear all the voices to see the full picture of what God is doing in our world.

7/20/09

Free

View In iTunes

iTunes is the world's easiest way to organize and add to your digital media collection.

By TheOOZE.TV

Podcast Description

Viewers also subscribed to

Customer Ratings

Links

iPod & Apple TV

iTunes

Partner with iTunes

More iPod + iTunes

iTunes Store