LakePastor.com

Christ and Culture: Part 6, Christ the Transformer of Culture

 - Description: This group can be described as ‘conversionists’ who have a more “hopeful view toward culture” (191). There theological conviction comes from seeing God as creator, knowing that man’s fall was from something good, and the view that we see God’s dramatic interaction with men in historical human events (194). Thus about human culture they believe it can be “a transformed human life in and to the glory of God” through the grace of God (196).
In practice, this view means that we work in culture for its betterment, because God ultimately had some hand in human creativity, and it was good (and can be good). We also work for its transformation because while there is sin in culture, it is not all lost, there is hope through Christ, for redemption of cultures. Furthermore, we would defeat sin not by escaping it or fighting it directly (like focussing on the devil), but rather with our eyes on Jesus, our desire to be positive and God-oriented, will help to defeat sin (like focussing on Christ, thinking whatever is excellent).

Christ and Culture: Part 4, Christ above Culture

 - Description: This view does not make the ‘battle’ between Christ and culture (ie. Do not say either Christ or Culture), but rather it sees the ‘battle’ between God and man (Holy God vs sinful man) (117). The adherents stress that God orders culture, and thus culture is neither good nor bad. When man sins, his rebellion against God is expressed in cultural (actual) terms, yet that doesn’t mean that culture is bad. Culture, they say, is sustained by God, and they see the harmony (synthesis) between Christ and culture as the best way to address the ‘problem.’ Niebuhr notes, “They cannot separate the works of human culture from the grace of God, for all those works are possible only by grace. But neither can they separate the experience of grace from cultural activity; for how can men love the unseen God in response to His love without serving the visible brother in human society?” (119).
- Some positives: It attempts a fine balance between seeing Christ as part of culture (as the incarnation), and yet being outside culture (as God who sustains culture). Through this position, we can arrive at moral law for society, and even Christian involvement in society. Niebuhr explains saying that God created man as a social being and it is impossible for society to function without direction from God. The Church, therefore, while functioning for a spiritual purpose, has also an earthly purpose of being guardian/custodian of that divine law (136), and in that sense serves the world.
- Some negatives: One of the problems that bothers Niebuhr is that this position when pushed to its limit leads to the institutionalization of Christ and the gospel. This is evident especially when this position can draw attention away from the “eternal hope and goal of the Christian” towards instead the “temporal embodiment” in a “man-devised form” (147). Also, “they do not… face up to the radical evil present in all human work” (148).

Christ and Culture: Part 3, The Christ of Culture

 - Description: In this view, men/women ‘hail Jesus as the Messiah of their society, the fulfiller of its hopes and aspirations, the perfecter of its true faith, the source of its holiest spirit” (83). These people seek to maintain fellowship not only with believers with also with unbelievers. “They feel no great tension between church and world, the social laws and the Gospel,… the ethics of salvation and the ethics of social conservation or progress. On the one hand they interpret culture through Christ, where those aspects that are most like Jesus are given most honor. On the other hand, they interpret Christ through culture, selecting from his teaching that which best harmonizes with the best in civilization (83).
- Some positives: People tend to feel that only those who refuse to adapt to culture can make an impact on culture (blood of martyrs). However, history testifies that people were attracted to Christ also because of the “harmony of the Christian message with the moral and religious philosophy of their best teachers” (103) Also this group of people tend to attach themselves to many positions in society where they have the potential to make a deep impact in the lives of people.
- Some negatives: Niebuhr’s biggest problem with this view lies in distortion of Christ when seen with the intention to make Jesus conform to the best of society. We are left with a non-authentic view of Jesus.

Start Spreading the News!

Volunteers unload food truck for local groups

By Staff reports

lakenewsonline.com

Posted Mar 02, 2010 @ 06:30 AM

Last update Mar 02, 2010 @ 11:37 AM

Osage Beach, Mo. —

When all was said and done, nearly 200 volunteers turned out to lend a hand to those in need in a community-wide event spearheaded by Faithbridge Church in Osage Beach. 
The goal was to partner with Feed the Children to distribute food to as many agencies and families as possible. 
When the trucks loaded with the supplies arrived Saturday, there was no shortage of help as volunteers dispersed the food and sent it on its way. 
While some of the food and hygiene supplies will stock the shelves of food pantries, other supplies will be handed out through the Buddy Backpack programs at schools. 
The response was incredible, according to Faithbridge Senior Pastor Buck Cueni-Smith. 
Everyone was ecstatic with the outcome, he said. From the volunteers who showed up to unload the trucks to the others who were at the seven locations where the supplies were sent, everyone really helped out.
The food program was made possible through the church’s 2009 Christmas offering.  
“This was a service project people would really get involved with,” Cueni-Smith said. 

About the  drive 
Faithbridge is partnering with the international hunger relief organization Feed the Children to provide the items for the Food Drop.  
Other groups volunteering with the loading included Lake Ozark Fire Protection District, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Big Brothers and Rotary.   
The following organizations and neighborhood groups will help coordinate food distribution to individual families, in addition to receiving food for their own kitchens and pantries:
Eldon Eldon Food Pantry
Lake Ozark Hope House
Osage Beach School of the Osage
Camdenton Camdenton Schools, Lamb House, Citizens Against Domestic Violence
Greenview/Sunrise Beach  Share The Harvest
The Food Drop was timed this year for the tough months of January and February, when donations typically drop off and the need is greatest. 

About the church
Faithbridge Church is a new church. It is a ministry of the United Methodist Church.
Faithbridge meets every Sunday at 9:45 a.m. All are welcome to check it out, a membership not needed and no perfect people allowed. 
The idea behind the name, Faithbridge, is that the members want to bridge the gap between God to People, People to God, and People to People. Faithbridge’s worship is provided through scripture, music, media, and drama performances. The church also provides childcare via the Children’s Ministry, which has a program for children infant and older. 
Location 885 College Blvd, Osage Beach, MO, 65065
Phone 573-348-9454
Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sun: 8:30-11 a.m.
ONLINE www.faithbridgelakechurch.com

Good Press, Again!

This article was written in THE LAKE TODAY newspaper.  I thought it was worth sharing.  Once again, good press for Faithbridge.

Church, music ‘Come Together’

Beatitudes use Beatles’ songs to minister to wider audience

By Deborah Wolfe 
The Lake Today 

    “A lot of people put up the manger scene after Christmas and write the message of Jesus’ birth off as a cute story,” Faithbridge church Pastor Buck Cueni-Smith said, “but the birth of Jesus started a revolution and the Beatitudes are not only the way Christ lived his life but also the way he expected us to follow him." 
    Cueni-Smith was referring to the fact that many people don’t realize the Christmas season continues long after the giftwrap and garland are put away. In the coming weeks, Faithbridge church will recognize this process by incorporating Christ’s teachings in the Beatitudes with the music of the Beatles. 
    This may seem like an odd combination to some, but Cueni-Smith believes popular music can help people grasp the meaning of sometimes difficult Biblical teachings. 
    “The 12 days of Christmas are actually the 12 days after Christmas with Jan. 6 marking the epiphany, which is the beginning of Lent,” Cueni-Smith explained. “Epiphany literally means ‘to make known’ or ‘to reveal’ and our goal is to make Christ teachings known through the music of our culture.” 
Common thread 
    The idea of combining the message of the Beatitudes with the music of the Beatles came to Cueni-Smith after attending a performance of “Let it Be Christmas” at a fellow church. Taking a deeper look at the lyrics of other classic Beatles tunes, he found a common thread in the messages he felt could help him reach a broader audience. 
    “There is a Christian calendar that is established to go through the process of awakening,” Cueni-Smith said. “By incorporating Christ’s message with popular music, it magnifies our ability to enlighten a larger and more diverse group of people.” 
    This past Sunday’s introduction to the Beatitudes was supplemented by the tunes “Let it Be,” “Help” and “Revolution.” Cueni-Smith believes the story of Christ birth was the beginning of a revolutionary life that modern-day people should model their own lives after. 
    “People at that time were praying for a warrior king, but what God did in sending this little baby was revolutionary,” Cueni-Smith said. “God built a bridge through an infant in the complete opposite way that took everyone by surprise.” 
    Just as the song “Help” recognizes that you can’t do it by yourself, Cueni-Smith stressed the church should play a central role in assisting members of the community regardless of their religious beliefs. Through Faithbridge, he hopes to take the church back to being a center for community activities and he recently offered the use of the church as a shelter to families in need of refuge from the bitter winter weather. 
    “I like to wear out buildings,” Cueni-Smith said. “We have showers here and plenty of space for people in need. The church should be the hub of a community.” 
Entertainment Meets Ministry 
    Services and activities that combine ministry with entertainment play an important part in releasing people from the fear of entering a church full of foreboding and forbidding. While Faithbridge stays true to its Christian mission, Cueni-Smith said they try to keep the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming. 
    “Because church has gotten complicated some people are intimidated to go to a church building,” he explained. “We’re trying to produce events for the community that people won’t feel threatened that they are going to be preached at or judged.” 
    The church’s initial outreach attempt began in 2009 with a blues jam held on the Longest Night also known as Blue Christmas to recognize people who have lost loved ones through death, divorce or separation, those who are lonely and those who incurred a job loss or suffer from seasonal affective disorder. 
    Other activities have helped the young church rapidly build its open-door reputation throughout the Lake Area. 
    “We had an overwhelming turn out for our hog roast that included entertainment by a blue grass band,” Cueni-Smith recalled with a laugh. “And even though it rained during our drivein movie night, we had about 20 cars in the parking lot with people watching ‘Herbie the Love Bug.’” 
    Whether it takes Beatles tunes to teach the Beatitudes or 
employing the creative talents of tattoo artists to render chalk drawings of Christian tattoos they have etched in their customer’s skin, Cueni-Smith vows to continue to find innovative ways to reach out to the Lake community. 
    “It’s about being culturally relevant as a church,” Cueni-Smith said. “But we are committed to producing programs that will bring the outside world in.” 
    He stressed that music will always play a pivotal role in bringing seekers to Faithbridge. 
    “If you have an excellent music ministry, the preaching can be simply adequate and you will still get the message across,” Cueni-Smith said downplaying his abilities as a preacher. 
Concept Context 
The Beatitudes series began Sunday and will continue through the first Sunday in February. Though the concept has been well-received by most congregants, Cueni-Smith admits to a bit of consternation about a long-ago comment made by former Beatle John Lennon claiming the Beatles were more popular than Christ. Although later reports agreed Lennon’s remark was taken out of context, Cueni-Smith’s time spent as a circuit minister with the British Methodist Church outside of Birmingham, England, impressed upon him the enormous effect the group had on the English culture and left him wondering how the world would change if the church could have the same impact. 
“My biggest controversy with the Beatitudes series is from Christians because of Lennon’s remark but that was taken out of context and in a way he was right,” Cueni-Smith said. “If the church could gain the popularity that the Beatles had in England at the height of their fame, we could rival that comment.” 
More information about the Beatitudes through the songs of the Beatles and other Faithbridge sponsored events can be found online at www.faithbridgelakechurch.com or by calling the church office at 573-348-9454. 

FAITHBRIDGE CHURCH 
    For more information about the Beatitudes or Faitbridge events:     
• www.faithbridgelakechurch.com 
• Church office: 573-348-9454

    COURTESY OF BUCK CUENI-SMITH 
Beatitudes band members Mark McPheeters on guitar (left) and Larry Cox on bass (center) provide rhythmic background to Urban Poet Jeremy Shields as he raps to the congregation during the Beatitudes sermon series at Faithbridge Church in Osage Beach on Sunday.

Married 15 years, Pastor Buck Cueni-Smith moved to the Lake Area in 2009 to develop programs at the new Faithbridge church. The couple has 11-year-old twin daughters and a 6-year-old son.

The Church with a Drive-thru

  It has been a busy week for the church.  On Monday night, the church was crashed into by a car.  The car totalled my office, so I have spent Monday - Wednesday sifting through and moving my office to a room down the hall.  What follows is an article from the Eldon Advertiser, one of the local papers here.

I salute the Eldon Advertiser for being the only one of the newspapers to call the church by its correct name and being the only one that called the church to get our account of what happend.  The others just read the police report and put thier spin on it. Thanks.

Eldon Advertiser, Thursday, November 20th:

Right through the wall

Police sent in this photo highlighting the damage caused by a Chevy Malibu smashing through the window of Faithbridge Church, located off College Boulevard in Osage Beach, the evening of Monday, Nov. 17. The car's driver and passenger were transported to Lake Regional Hospital. No other injuries were reported. (Photo Courtesy of Osage Beach Police De­partment)

Chevy crashes into church building

Osage Beach police responded to the scene of an accident Monday, Nov. 17, as a motor vehicle crashed into the side of Faithbridge Church (formerly Cornerstone Methodist) building on College Boulevard.

According to police, at 9:35 p.m.. witnesses reported a 2000 Chevy Malibu, which had been seen  idling across the street, had jumped a curb and crashed Into the wall of the church. "The car hit our 10 foot plate glass window straight on," said Pastor Buck Cueni-Smith, who was preparing to leave at the time of the accident.

Cueni-Smith explained, how he was locking up after an organizational meeting when he noticed a running car parked in the middle of the street. Believing it to be unoccupied, Cueni-Smith, and a man leaving the nearby Columbia College, examined the vehicle closer. There they found two men passed out, with the driver's foot resting near the accelerator.

As Cueni-Smith pulled out his cellophane to call 911, the driver shifted, his foot coming off the brake. The Malibu screamed across the road,  jumped a curb and barely missed hitting a tree before plowing into the church's side window.

“It dodged two boulders and a tree to hit the windows and it was my desk, a big sturdy oak desk, that stopped it.” he said.

The car landed against the desk and continued to spin its tires,  accelerating against the back wall. The accident also caused the vehicle to become wedged and the doors would not open. According to witnesses, it was at this point the driver and passenger passed out again.

The police arrived a few minutes later to a see column of smoke, caused by spinning tires filling the air. Fearing the building would catch fire, officers were forced to break the vehicle's windows and remove the occupants. Both were transported to Lake Regional Hospital.

The driver, a 37-year-old Hispanic male from Osage Beach, was determined fit for confinement and transported to Osage Beach jail. Where he was placed with an INS detainer. He is facing charges of driving while intoxicated and care­less and imprudent driving. No charges have been listed for the passenger.

Workers, who hale already removed the burnt carpet and boarded up the hole, estimate a new windows should arrive in two weeks.