theo|digital

Shane Hipps, interview on the Out of Ur blog, saying this:

I make a distinction between three different kinds of consumerism. One is mainstream consumerism; the dominant hegemony that happens in our culture. Mainstream consumerism is mega. Walmart exemplifies this kind of consumerism, as does the mega-church. Boomer consumerism is mainstream consumerism.

Then you have counter consumerism, which is savviness. They are aware that Walmart and [Microsoft] Windows are trying to dominate, and they resist just like they resist mega-churches. But the odd thing is they’re no less consumers. They’re just counter consumers. A counter consumer buys Apple. It is absolutely consumer driven. They are consuming an identity that says we’re different; an alternative from the rest of you.

It’s youth rebellion. A reaction against what you’re parents like.

Yep. Instead of Starbucks you’ll go to the independent coffee shops. But it’s still coffee shops and it’s still consuming to form an identity. The emerging church is largely counter consumer. It’s really edgy, hip and trendy. But it’s no less consumeristic.

The third type is anti-consumerism. That is what I would call my context. Mennonites resist both the hip Apples and the hegemonic Windows. They would rather not have a computer. They’d rather make their own clothes, sow their own quilts, build their own homes. They’re very, very, very careful not to consume. That’s anti-consumer.

Read the rest of the short interview, including what type of consumer Hipps thinks Jesus was.

Finally got out to see a show this year. Credits to Nick, Ben, my sister, and others who kept bugging me to give Andrew Bird a chance. He wasn’t disappointing. Who knew a monkey-loving violin player could be so entertaining. Did I mention he’s got a knack for whistling and glockenspiel?

I saw the show at the Canopy, which thankfully is now smoke free (although not a ton less grungy than usual). Check out Andrew Bird’s new album entitled Armchair Acrophobia which I bought on iTunes on Monday and listened to non-stop in a rather determined effort to be familiar with the songs before I walked in the door. It paid off.

update 5.20pm – pastor and my friend JR Woodward will be giving updates on his blog from Blacksburg, he is not in LA, but is traveling down to the campus from DC. Also, GCM pastor Jim Pace is scheduled to appear on Larry King tonight at 8pm CST
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If you haven’t yet heard about today’s unbelievable campus shooting rampage at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA… hit up google news now.

V-Tech is home to New Life Christian Fellowship [nlcf] – a GCM sister fellowship to I-Life here at University of Illinois. GCM internal note from an hour ago (passed through a staff member at GCM Orlando office):

In case you haven’t heard, there was a shooting spree this morning on the Virginia Tech Univ. campus. According to local news, there are 32 dead at this time.

Mike Swann informed me that there are reports of NLCF member’s friends that had been killed. There is no word on whether any nlcf members were among those killed – the authorities are keeping a tight lock on those names.

Mike asked for us to pray for the students at Va Tech, that they would know the presence and comfort of God at this time. He also asked us to pray that their church would know how best to respond in the aftermath.

We’ll keep you posted as we receive additional information.

Mike Swann is a GCM staff member and worship leader just like I am. Pray for him, their church, their campus…

I’ve never heard of this author. She’s new. But Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) is recommending her. And, um, I like her low tech website.