A New Kind of Youth Ministry

I was at a coffee shop today waiting for my friend Frank to join me for a long overdue conversation. I was a bit early so I opened Scot McKnight’s latest book (I think it is his latest — it is hard to keep up with him) called, “A Community Called Atonement” and began where I left off a few days ago.

Before long I found myself weeping. I cry a lot at movies (you should have seen me, Mike King and Eric Venable crying a while back over a movie with Adam Sandler — Reign Over Me — I think it was called) and it doesn’t take much for me to cry at home with my family either. Today, as a matter of fact, my son Drew and I went out to run an errand and for a stopover at one of his favorite playgrounds. When we got home he said, “Daddy, this is the best day ever.” My nose is still a little drippy. I can usually keep it together over a theology book though…

Today, the words from “A Community Called Atonement” pierced through my thick false self and found its way right into my tender zone. I love McKnight’s works for a bunch of reasons. I find his writing to be bold, constructive, precise, rooted, absorbing, determined and incredibly teachable. Some of my friends find his writing to be mechanical and choppy — they are freaking crazy. The biggest reason I might love his writing, however, is there is usually a few dozen pages in each of his works that God uses to mold me a bit more into who he wants me to be… today was one of those days.

Anyway, here is what I read…

“Here is a statement by Jesus that few can contest (referring to Matthew 6:14-15). Jesus connects our forgiveness from God and our forgiveness of others — and they are so connected that if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us. However one wants to clarify this text, and it begs for some clarification, the connection of God’s work and our work is unavoidable. The atoning God creates a community of atonement.” (pg. 29)

He goes on to say…

“To be forgiven, to be atoned for, to be reconciled — synonymous expressions — is to be granted a mission to become a reciprocal performer of the same: to forgive, to work atonement, and to be an agent of reconciliation. Thus, atonement is not just something done to us and for us, it is something we participate in — in this world, in the here and now. It is not just something done, but something that is being done and something we do as we join God in the missio Dei.”
(pg. 30-31)

Thank you Scot. Your words deeply connected my heart with God’s intended will and way for my life!