The Vineyard Genetic Code and black culture

I have taken the task of actually thinking about the Vineyard Genetic Code and how that can be or whether it can be contextualized for the African American worship experience and culture. In order to do that I think it is important to really get a handle on the Vineyard's particular genetic code.

-clear, accurate, biblical teaching

-contemporary worship in the freedom of the Holy Spirit

-the gifts of the Holy Spirit in operation

-an active small group ministry

-ministry to the poor, widows, orphans, and those who are broken

-physical healing with emphasis on signs and wonders as seen in the book of Acts

-a commitment to missions-church planting at home and world missions abroad

-unity within the whole body of Christ; a relationship with other local churches

-evangelistic outreach

-equipping the saints in areas such as discipleship, ministry, serving, giving, finances, family, etc.

These are very biblical values. So biblical that you cannot even imagine why they would not fit any culture. I think one thing to digest is that although these words on the page seem very clear they are meant to be lived out and practiced and once they are practiced the tendency is to make the practice the value and the meaning of it gets muddled up. So one of things we have to make clear is the meaning of these different values. That's a hard thing to do and I don't know if I would be qualified for it.

A baby boy, gender, and personhood

I am happy to announce that in august a testosterone filled Mayo will be arriving to us. That's right we are having a boy. We are still figuring out the names. It's kind of hard because we were really sure the baby was a girl. I am feeling a little more weight now that we know the gender. Partly because now the fact that we are having a baby seems more real. I think this has to do with gender defining alot of our personhood. You don't really know how to address the baby until you find out the gender. Calling the baby "it" seems wrong and now that we say "he" it makes it more definite that this is a real person coming into the world. Another reason I feel the weight is because now that I know he is a boy I feel more responsible for his development and growth in being a man. Well I guess this gives me a good motivation to get back into sports and physical stuff :)

Black people in the Vineyard church

Will black people ever truly fit in the Vineyard church context? In my opinion this is a very tough issue. Black people are kind of not hard to miss anywhere by virtue of our physical appearance. That was one of the advantages of using us as slaves-easier to catch the runaway. If a black person put on different clothes and talked differently there was still the hair, the lips and nose, the skin tone that made us stand out like George Bush in a Ludacris video.

Physical appearance aside is there something in the DNA of the Vineyard movement that totally does not fit the black culture? Can the black culture with it's appreciation of wearing the best gear (clothes) and being emotionally expressive (particularly pentecostal church culture) fit and gel with the Vineyard? These are just some of the issues that need to be unpacked. Share your thoughts with me

Seize the Day and can't we all just get along!

We have been preparing for a conference called Seize the Day! It is focused on already existing or those who desire to become multiethnic multicultural churches and ministries. Also in line with that is our preaching series at Vineyard Xtreme called "Can't we all just get along?" This is a huge issue considering our current presidential election. My question is how come this topic didn't become "hot" any sooner? An even better question is How come the church is not tackling this issue in a more intentional way with the gospel?

A mad mad month

It's been a hectic season for the Mayos and their madness. Filing taxes. Going on vacation. Applying for Fuller Seminary. Yes I said applying for seminary! I am applying for special student status at Fuller. That means somebody who does not have a bachelors (like myself) can go to seminary provided they have substantial ministry and work experience. So getting that done as well as being away in Philly for vacation has been a wild ride! I will blog more regularly now that things have calmed down.