The Arts in Imagination

By On November 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In The Opus Project

The following is a guest post from Stephen Addcox, a PhD student in the English Department at UF. The Opus Project on Faith, Work and Culture launches in 15 days. Learn more here.

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Is there a difference between imaginary and imaginative?

Two weeks ago the Sunday morning class Houses, Gardens, and Children read an essay by Marilynne Robinson which suggested that imagination is a key component in how we relate to our communities. According to Robinson, “Community, at least community larger than the immediate family, consists very largely of imaginative love for people we do not know or whom we know very slightly.” A key question that developed during our discussion was precisely what to make of Robinson’s use of the word “imaginative” in this moment.

For many of us the idea of imagination or being imaginative often connotes a sense of childish pretense or fiction, and yet Robinson believes that imagination plays a vital role in our lived experience. An example of the kind of imaginative work that Robinson describes might be found in the story of the Good Samaritan, itself an imaginative fiction, in which the Samaritan takes compassion on the beaten traveler. Without knowing anything about him, the Samaritan loved in the same way that he would have wanted to be loved had their positions been reversed–that kind of love takes imagination. It isn’t imaginary; on the contrary, such love is as real as it gets.

In only a few weeks, on November 16, the Opus Project launch event will explore several areas of faith, work, and culture. Part of that exploration involves our consideration of and involvement with the arts. If imagination can impact how we enact love of neighbor, surely the arts, through which imagination is used to probe the depths of human experience, also speaks to us as Christians. As a way to begin our conversation on the arts, we will be offering a screening of the 2012 Academy Award winning animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Afterward, I will be leading a discussion on what this story specifically, and imaginative creativity through the arts as a whole, contributes to our understanding of the role that Christians can play in the arts, not just as consumers but as creators.

We like to draw a line between the imaginative and the imaginary, but perhaps they are closer than we realize. Through the Opus Project, I hope that we can foster a community of artists who envision and enact a deep intertwining of their faith with creativity. Jesus himself told imaginative stories, and we can do the same.

 

Staff Appreciation in November

By On November 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In Current Events

From Rebecca Schackow:

Church Staff Appreciation in November
This month, let’s take the time to express our gratitude to the dedicated staff that has served us so well this past year.  The staff appreciation committee invites you to write a “thank you” letter to one or more of our staff members letting them know how they have impacted your life by their hard work.  You may mail the letters directly to the recipient via the church office at 1603 SW 122nd Street, Gainesville, FL 32607 any time within the next week.  Your kind words are appreciated!  Contact Rebecca Schackow with questions: rebeccaschackow@gmail.com

Our Church Staff includes:

Senior Pastor – Rob Pendley
Church Administrator – Debbie Staples
Creative Director and Facilities Coordinator – Chris Hiatt
Children’s Ministry Administration Coordinator – Harmony Smith
Children’s Ministry Education Coordinator- Holli Best
Youth Director- Drew Donovan
Pastor’s Assistant – Leslie Marshall
Former Office Assistant – Emily Walker
Cleaning Personnel – Christina Medlin

 

Men’s Breakfast

By On October 31, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Tomorrow–and every 1st Thursday of the month–the men of Christ Community are invited to share a meal together at Cracker Barrel.

 

Multiply

By On October 31, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In Current Events

UPDATE: The simulcast event at Christ Community has been cancelled. We encourage anyone interested to visit another location in Gainesville: www.multiplymovement.com

From Jonathan Berry:

“Jesus’ command to make disciples in the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) was not intended solely for the early disciples, nor is disciple-making the responsibility of a special class of Christians.  Rather, all followers of Christ are called to make disciples, to fish for men (Matt. 4:19).  Many don’t actively make disciples simply because they don’t know what it means to be a disciple.” – David Platt

We want to invite you into an opportunity to connect with Christians from around America and around the world in hopes of exploring the depths of what it means to make disciples on a daily basis.  In the process of unveiling the practical ramifications of the Great Commission in our own personal spheres of influence, we will join David Platt and Francis Chan, at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL, via webcast to seek God’s direction for us through His Word, prayer, and communion with fellow believers.  The Multiply Gathering is a new event for Christ Community Church, but one that falls right in line with the 360 Apprentices program – as we desire to know better what it means for us to follow Christ as a disciple and apprentice, we naturally desire to share that knowledge with others and so share in God’s joy in calling people to a greater knowledge of Him.

We will be meeting in the office complex on Friday, November 9, with the webcast starting at 8 P.M. and would love to know if you will be joining us.  If you’re planning to attend, you can let us know with a brief registration form at http://tinyurl.com/CCCmultiply.  If you have any questions about specifics of the event or would like more information, the website for the Multiply Movement (out of which the Multiply Gathering comes) is http://www.multiplymovement.com/.  Alternatively, or for CCC-specific information, you can email Jonathan Berry at jberry.09@gmail.com. We will meet in the church Multi-Purpose room adjacent to the offices.

We hope that this will be a great opportunity for our church to come together and achieve a better understanding of what disciple-making is, and that through this night, we will be spurred onward to joyfully live this is out in our daily lives.

 

Evangelism in Acts

By On October 30, 2012 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

Reading Acts Together

Chapter 8, verses 4 through 40

Tim Keller on what we can learn about evangelism from the account of Philip & the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40)

First, God guides us into “divine appointments” (v.26). We need to look around us, for the people God brings into our paths are people we are to share our faith with. Second, we must not be put off from talking to someone who is extremely different from us. Obviously, an African official was very different than a Jewish commoner! Yet God can use us in the lives of people who are utterly different. Third, we must not be prejudiced. Isn’t it amazing that one of the first conversion stories we have in Acts is the story of a Jew leading a black man to Christ? In Christ, these divisions dissolve. Philip did not let prejudice keep him from being a warm, respectful witness. Fourth, Philip started by asking a question. Instead of giving a “canned” presentation, he discovered what was on the eunuch’s mind and heart. Philip essentially asked him “what is your point of interest and need right now? What is your main question?” Philip did not answer questions that the eunuch was not asking! He made sure to present the gospel as an answer to the particular concerns of this man. Fifth, Philip evangelized through a small group Bible study! So often, this works well. It is natural, it gives the Christian the “backing” of the Bible’s authority, so it is clear that the gospel is not just something you have made up. Often this is one of the best ways to share your faith–to have both Christians and non-Christians discussing a passage of the Bible. Sixth, Philip did not just talk in general terms, but he helped the eunuch to the 

point of decision. The only reason the eunuch would have asked for baptism (v.36), is if Philip had been explaining it to him. We must encourage people to a point of decision. (Keep in mind that Philip was a public speaker (8:4), and not everyone can do that. But here we see Philip evangelizing in a way we all can do.)