AUSTIN — Nadia Bolz-Weber bounds into the University United Methodist Church sanctuary like a superhero from Planet Alternative Christian. Her 6-foot-1 frame is plastered with tattoos, her arms are sculpted by competitive weightlifting and, to show it all off, this pastor is wearing a tight tank top and jeans....
Bolz-Weber springs onstage to do a reading from her book, but first she addresses the language that’s about to be unleashed on the pulpit: “I don’t think church leaders should pretend to be something they’re not.”
The crowd erupts into applause.
Bolz-Weber pulls out a few kitschy items that she raffles off to raise money for a local charity. She waves a gift certificate for a free tattoo. Then she speaks to her new reality:
“You ladies over 70 dig deep, because you know you want it!”
Monday, November 4, 2013
The Future of Christianity in America
From the November 3, 2013 Washington Post:
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Don't know if this is the future of Christianity in America, but it is one part of the future of Christianity.
ReplyDeleteThe part most noticeable to news outlets in places like NYC.
(The bit about tattoos reminds me: I know a woman who leads a ministry, and has a few tattoos on her arms. However, she doesn't wear them as part of being counter-culture...or at least, counter-her-grandparents-culture. And she cares more about helping people who need to know Jesus than about bad-mouthing any particular part of the culture, past or present.)
my mistake...the newspaper article you linked is from the Washington Post, not the New York Times...
ReplyDeleteStill, I stand by my assertion that such reporters are more likely to pay attention to ministers who strike a pose than ministers who are helping people.