conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

the world is flat...beginning thoughts

I am working through my texts for tomorrow morning's sermon. One of my usual online haunts for sermon prep is Dylan's site. This week, however, she has posted her musings elsewhere. I have heard of taking one word from the reading and preaching upon its possible implications, but this was outstanding. It also helps me in some of my thinking this week.

I want to try and connect Friedman's book, The World Is Flat with the Acts passage and Easter season. I think it can work.

I will draw our attention to the visiting Chinese President and the news surrounding the economic shifts between our two countries. It is a great example of what Friedman is speaking of in his book. You know, Washington state industries (read: Microsoft etc) have invested 20 billion dollars toward expansion in China. There is that much trade. Incredible.

This is one example of Friedmans' flattening world. There are others that he illuminates in his book. But what I am interested in for the sake of the sermon is how the Church might respond to such economic shifts.

Essentially my claim is that the world has always been flat. If there was ever an event which has flattened the world it was the Life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Acts community is as much a sign of this flattening as 20 billion dollars in trade with the state of Washington.

Can we rest on this knowledge in some way that can respond to economic insecurity in the face of increasing competition, of our children being one of a million and no longer one in a million? As industry moves to other nations more and more quickly, can our understanding of a Risen Lord, and the "flattened" creation that is renewed influence how we meet these challenges?

I know. It is an insane number of questions. But I think that this sermon might start some good conversations.

Posted by tripp at April 22, 2006 03:12 PM