Is It Really Worth It?

In the lifelong search for meaning, it is inevitable that once in a while you must stop and rethink, reflect. What difference does anything make?

Postmodernity has killed the Grand Narrative, so meaning can only be construed individually. Sometimes that’s a good thing, giving you options and freedom. But other times, especially in the case of breakdowns, there’s no place to turn to—or so we believe.

For a melancholic like myself, this often leads to the consideration: is it really worth it? Seldom does this consideration actually lead to behavioural change, but there are few things that escape the potentiality of being given up altogether. Things I’d sometimes rather be without include:

• Blogging
• Studying
• Work (not in general, but particular jobs)
• Music
  
• Church
• Believing in God
• Ethics
• Love
• Friends
• My Danish citizenship
• Life

I’m not depressed, or No. 1 would have negated this very post. I’m not suicidal, either, in spite of the last one. Confused? Yes, very. But hey, who isn’t?

Turkey Time

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone for whom this means something–and to the rest of you, too.

Today I am thankful mainly for the fact that I get to take time off to celebrate this holiday. Over the course of a few years I have managed to create a tradition that must not be missed, regardless of stress-levels. Which, incidently, are high at the moment, wih moving and studying and all. But the 4th Thursday of November is time for friends and good food, and nothing will change that.

So, here’s my menu for tonight. Most of them courtesy of allrecipes.com, some of them tried before, som of them new. We’ll be 9 people.

• Grilled Turkey Tenderloins. This year, for once, I ‘ve decided against the whole roasted turkey. That will save lots of time, and hopefully taste almost as good.
• Green Bean and Potato Casserole. A smart mixture of two dishes: this will be the main potato course.
• Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole. It wouldn’t be a real Thanksgiving without at least one dish containing marshmallows.
• Sweet Stuffing. In a casserole, obviously, as the turkey isn’t whole. Containing cranberries, raisin bread, sage, and other good stuff.
• Lime Gelatin Salad. With pineapple and nuts.
• Buttermilk Cornbread. Making it myself for the first time.
• Pumpkin Pie. Apart from the turkey, this is what it’s all about.

So, in stead of sitting here blogging, I’d better get started

New Host

As others before me (Lars, Andreas) I have decided to make the move to WordPress. Several issues influenced my decision, notably the options for categories and static pages. Fortunately, WordPress’ import feature makes it easy to import archived entries, so my old posts are all here, with comments and everything.

The switch will make it possible for me to maintain only one presence online; instead of previously having both a blog and a static website. Thus, www.kennethbirch.dk is a merger of the former kb-adventist.blogspot.com and elefantpost.dk. Those pages will no longer be updated.

In Opposition to Small Groups

In modern churches, ‘small groups’ has become somewhat of a buzzword. Nothing new, really, but hardly the Holy Grail, either.

By writing this, I know, I may be letting my own resignation on the matter guide my judgment. I hope that no one will take this as a personal criticism. But I feel some perspective is important, given that pretty much everyone is touting small groups as the solution to everything that’s wrong with the church. I don’t think it is (I don’t think it’s from the devil, either – that’s a whole other issue that I won’t waste my time on).

Having experienced a number of small groups, of which I deem no more than half actually successful, I have to ask the inevitable question: Is it really worth it?

A lot is said and written about the ideas, the different types, the how-tos, and the merits of small groups. I know there are good sides to the story. But in my opinion, not enough is said about the pitfalls. So here are a few observations, rants, or just some things to be aware of:

• Small groups can consume valuable resources. The most valuable one being: Time. People may get so involved in their small group that they abandon other things in church. Now this may be a good thing if you’re a cell-based church and all you do revolves around small groups. But if you’re not, it is necessary to take a healthy look on how you prioritise.
  

• Small groups can create or enhance divisions within a church. As stated above, if people ‘get too much into’ their small group, it may be at the cost of the rest of the church. So what happens to those people who are not in small groups? Or to the not-so-perfect groups? What ever happened to the ‘body of believers’? A good-working group may be reluctant to reach out to other members, since they’re doing quite all right, thank you.
  

• Small groups force you into community. Often it seems like a matter of luck wether you end up in a good group or not. With small groups, the church puts you in a group of 10 people, and you must be friends with these people and no-one else. Really? So what if you’d like to hang out with friends from other small groups? Tough luck – they’re probably too busy, since they’re spending all their time on that wonderful small group.
  

• Small groups don’t (always) account for different types of people. Many small group how-tos tell you that when you start a group you should decide on what you want from the group and everyone should agree on its values, how they’d like it to work, etc. Right. When was the last time you found 10 people with the same wishes for… well, anything? In stead of forcing some model on people, wouldn’t it be better just to let it be known which types are available, and let people choose the group that best fits their ideal?
  

• Small groups are not everything. Some people will tell you that small groups are not just another thing we do in church, it IS church. I respectfully disagree. If a small group grows to be too well-working, too all-encompassing, too harmonious, too close friends, it should be shut down. For one, this often leads to exclusiveness. But more importantly, it feeds a utopian illusion which will be my last point.
  

• Small groups are not your best friends. They can be a circle of friendship, yes. But they should never become your personal circle. If this happens, two things may and will result: 1. It is hard to enter the group. 2. Splitting the group (which should be done, as the group grows) becomes not just difficult, but excruciatingly painful. You may never want to join a small group again.

Let me repeat: the above listed are, fortunately, not all things I have experienced in their extremity. But I felt a need to put some perspective into the otherwise often one-sided discussion about small groups.