Mystic Evangelism – Joshua Graves: Exploring the Collision of Culture & Faith

Mystic Evangelism

October 19, 2009

I just finished reading Heath’s THE MYSTIC WAY OF EVANGELISM. This might be, under “theological reads of 2009″, the most important book I’ve read all year. It’s that good. Combining philosophy, mysticism, and the biblical text–Mystic Way provides a way forward for local communities seeking to embody the life of Jesus as the church now finds itself in “the dark night.”

I’d like to think this book is a cousin with THE FEAST, the new book I’ve just written.

—

This is a question for those of you who read this blog but never/rarely comment. I need your input on this question. If a local church was going to purchase a large housing facility (with 50-100 living units) for the sole purpose of helping women (single moms and victims of domestic abuse) transition into a healthier life, what would you call the project? The tension is that you don’t want it to sound so “religious” that you scare people off nor do you want it to be so vague that the mission is fuzzy.

The purpose is to create a healthy living space (with job placement, education counseling, mentoring, addiction coaching, etc.) for “at risk” women to be in relationship with people who’ve been swept away by the rescuing power of Jesus’ life and teachings.

So, bring it. Let’s get the creative juices flowing. Nobody gets to stay on the sideline for this post. Your idea could actually become a reality in the coming months.

Labels: Uncategorized

34 Comments

New beginnings community

Abundant hope

magnificat gardens

just a few I could think of at work…

by Justin (Oct 19 2009, 12:30 pm)

“Living Well”

It’s a double entendre.

1. Your 10/18/09 sermon comes to mind, when a well is mentioned in scripture, something is about to happen.

2. It sounds like the goal is to help women go from living poorly to living well.

If anything the vagueness of this title lies more on the religious side.

by Ben (Oct 19 2009, 12:41 pm)

New Beginnings

by Lisa Foreman (Oct 19 2009, 12:46 pm)

Grace House

by Danna Townsdin (Oct 19 2009, 1:10 pm)

I’ll have to give it some more thought to come up with something original, but in downtown Columbus, OH, there is a ministry that has done almost the exact same thing, though they have recentently expanded their reach. They go by “Lower Lights.”

by Brad S (Oct 19 2009, 1:24 pm)

Sanctuary House; Safe Refuge

by jim voorhies (Oct 19 2009, 1:55 pm)

I like the term “Project Life Support.” It’s a word used in everyday language, but it fits the
continual (discipling) assistance language better than the one effort assistance language.

by phil (Oct 19 2009, 2:36 pm)

An idea of starting over, but not alone. Looking toward a life of abundance when coming from a life of little.

Abundant Living Apartments…
Abundant Living Community…

Will keep thinking.

by Donna Lohr (Oct 19 2009, 3:16 pm)

A large baptist church here in town did this. They call the housing place House of Hope.

by Gilbert Kerrigan (Oct 19 2009, 3:25 pm)

To steal a bit from the description you provided: “Swept Away”. Its the initial action, of providing a rescue to an immediate crisis…and it’s the hope of an ongoing love story with God.

by Tim McKay (Oct 19 2009, 3:35 pm)

How about “The Feast House”?

Or more seriously, something like: Hope House, Shalom House, Siloam.

by Phillip (Oct 19 2009, 4:14 pm)

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions so far. Let’s keep the ideas brewing. We do our best work when we do it together.

by josh (Oct 19 2009, 5:01 pm)

That’s funny….I was thinking someting along the lines of the well as well. How about Wellspring?

by Scott Westerman (Oct 19 2009, 8:06 pm)

To take a Tolkein-esque spin, the House of Healing?

Or maybe just the Nashville House. Or maybe, the Thin Place?

by Phil W. (Oct 19 2009, 8:55 pm)

Beer Lahai Roi, or Ishmael House – See Genesis 16

by Mark VA (Oct 19 2009, 9:03 pm)

The Journey Home

by Mark (Oct 20 2009, 5:43 am)

First off, I like the idea that a church is willing to purchase housing units to help women/mothers of domestic abuse. That is a genuine kingdom investment that only God knows what sort of harvest can be yeilded from that investment.

As far as naming it goes… There is no name from a religious angle that you can give it which will not seem to overtly religious to some, so any word in the name like kingdom, hope, mercy, etc… would work. However, I would find some way to incorporate the local community that this housing unit exists in into the name. For example, if the housing unit exists in the “red apples” neighborhood then I might find someway of including “red apples” into the name.

Just some of my thoughts.

Grace and peace,

Rex

by K. Rex Butts (Oct 20 2009, 8:09 am)

Hope Cottage

by Jennifer (Oct 20 2009, 9:44 am)

Grace Care Community

…is all I got so far, maybe tomorrow.

by Pat Fox (Oct 20 2009, 12:50 pm)

This name came to me.

New Day Haven

by Jeri Heinz (Oct 20 2009, 6:00 pm)

SOAR

S – Safety
O – Opportunity
A – Acceptance
R – Rescue

by Jeremy (Oct 21 2009, 6:37 am)

Reset

…came to mind.

Not overtly religious, describes the mission.

Religious allusion to resurrection. Practical message of starting over.

By the way, whatever you call it…wow, good stuff.

by Josh Linton (Oct 21 2009, 9:36 am)

Ruth’s Place.

In Scripture, Ruth experienced a fresh start from a tragic life. It honors the legacy of the Ruckers as well, who have given so much to Otter Creek through the years.

by Lance Bennett (Oct 21 2009, 12:08 pm)

In Little Rock, it’s called Dorcas House. A little biblical, but subtle. (Maybe “Tabitha” reminded them of Samantha’s daughter in “Bewitched” …?)

Why not just call it “Haven”?

by Keith Brenton (Oct 21 2009, 8:17 pm)

Query whether or not this is a hypothetical question. If not, I’d suggest a better name might be found by asking the demographic of people that the project would assist. The church might find a better name from the target audience than it would ever find from within.

by david (Oct 23 2009, 6:34 am)

Brilliant point David.

by josh (Oct 23 2009, 7:31 am)

Call it what we call our church: “A Place to Start Life Over.”

by Rick L (Oct 23 2009, 9:43 am)

How about “Mizpah”?

THE MEANING OF MIZPAH (found on Google)

MIZPAH means hope and light in more than one language of old.

Through the ages people drew courage and strength from the wonderful MIZPAH blessing.

According to a secret legend an angel conveyed the MIZPAH message to mankind as a gift from heaven, touching hearts and souls so deeply that MIZPAH also signified as a symbol of romance, love and fidelity.MIZPAH goes back thousands of years, symbolizing a sanctuary and place of hopeful anticipation, a place where seemingly the impossible may happen as of divine intervention or an inspiration.

MIZPAH is mentioned for the first time in the Bible ( Genesis 31) as a powerful watchword, when Jacob and Laban agree at Gilead to a godsent peace. They built a memento of stone and named it like their wise covenant MIZPAH, saying: The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another”. Mizpah of Gilead became the “blueprint” for more places called MIZPAH in the Scriptures.

Building MIZPAH monuments was an ancient tradition in the promised land. MIZPAH signified a striking humane, tolerant and solution orientated approach to human issues, (a thought and act more than becoming to certain corners of the globe today).

Before MIZPAH, and sadly until today too everything was about material possessions, hatred, power – the holy scriptures alone are full of it, let alone history. MIZPAH introduced the clearly defined moral qualities of GOODNESS, KINDNESS and the courage of UNDERSTANDING to a time so very tough that we can hardly imagine it now. Yet everything, any obstacle can be overcome with good will and determination. That was, is and always will be the heart of the true meaning of MIZPAH.People through the ages were fascinated by the mysterious word and the message alike. As not everone could just set up a MIZPAH monument wherever they pleased, however good the reason, MIZPAH began to develop beyond the wise benediction.

Serving as protective and endearing expression, written in letters, engraved on lucky charms and protective amulets, the wearing and giving of MIZPAH talismans became a heartwarming tradition in the anglophone world and ultimate gift to beloved, friends and family alike.

In time MIZPAH matured into the universal symbol of affection, trust and human(e) values.

The mystical word MIZPAH bears many messages, e.g. :
I am thinking of you
Take good care
Forgive me
I like you a lot
All will turn out well
Do not give in
There is hope
You mean so much to me
You are a wonderful person
God’s speed
You are so special
etc. , etc. …

MIZPAH says all in one single word.

by Paulette (Oct 24 2009, 3:21 pm)

Hmmm…my wheels are turning.

by josh (Oct 24 2009, 7:02 pm)

I really like several of the suggestions. I was thinking “Homes of Hope.”

by Pilgrim (Oct 25 2009, 7:42 am)

Oh man, there are some great ones, but I was immediately sold on Ruth’s Place, because of the connection to the Ruckers. I wish you had known her. Those are some good people.

by Carrie Brock (Oct 26 2009, 9:22 am)

I don’t think anyone will beat Mizpah, but I’ll toss this one out anyway: Turning Lane Lodge

by Rob Woodfin (Nov 7 2009, 2:26 pm)

Wow everybody, it’s Thanksgiving Day! I’m enjoying my extra day off, and I am planning to doing something fun that will probably involve a car trip and seeing something new in Palm Harbor I haven’t seen yet.
You write something new at Thanksgiving?

by Azim Gilberte (Nov 28 2009, 12:40 am)

The response level to national disaster is great but it’s a damn shame that so many people take advantage of the negative situations.

I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill – there’s always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers.

This is in response to reading that 4 of Oprah Winfreys “angels” got busted ripping off the system. Shame on them!
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/19/crimesider/entry5251471.shtml

by Ethergetave (Feb 27 2010, 6:14 pm)