I may not appease too many with this article, including some friends. All I ask is that no matter where you are on the political spectrum that you read with the hope of finding common ground where there are divergent cultural and religious views. Christians should be thinking people, as is our history from sciences to art. When it comes to politics we run to the right or left. I suggest we do not always have to make that choice. As the photo presents, our President made a very polarizing and political statement. I am attempting to actually have a discussion that is a bit less rhetorical and more practical and from my perspective as an evangelical Christian.

Civil rights are already given to gays who want to marry in most states. I am not sure it is fair to exclude those rights in a free society such as ours. What does anyone have to gain by that? Domestic partnership with all the legal rights of marriage exist and perhaps is a worthy middle ground. Non-traditional views of family and marriage are en vogue, and yet some insist expanding the use of a word that really is reserved for faith-birthed traditional views of family. The state should preserve rights and protect all of us from intrusive or prejudicial treatment under the law. For the most part, we have accomplished this for race and gender, even though attitudes cannot be legislated. At least the law says that your race or gender or religious affiliation are invisible and protected.

As a person of faith, my belief as a Christian is that marriage is between one man and one woman. This comes from historical teaching out of the Bible that reaches further back than our great nation. The importance of rearing children and having an institution is practical and in the interest of the general welfare of all. People who are non-traditional and non-religious usually agree on this point. Time has changed the family experience in recent history. Some choose to raise children on their own. My family of origin was single parented for a period of time. Whether this style of family was by choice or not, we legally protect that family. From the message of my faith, orphans and widows are especially protected and valued. Vulnerable people need such protection.

For this reason, I believe that even though a gay couple should not marry in my religious view I am for the state and society in general protecting the children that may be part of that or any other family. Orphans should never be created. It is a worthy compromise to simply find a way to legally establish civil unions. However, why do some insist on using the traditional word “marriage” for such legal protection on the liberal left? And, why do my friends on the right insist on state-legislating the word marriage while saying their faith is the issue? Both are missing the boat in my opinion. It is easier to polarize people than synthesize solutions.

Here are some bullets-for-thought:

• The state does not (nor should not in our nation) determine my religious belief about marriage. So, why would it matter what they say? It matters if it oppresses. It matters if it excludes. It matters if it interferes.
• Liberals want to change what is traditional rather than define something “new” which in a pluralistic society is wrong on this issue. Come up with a new term or embrace the attempts of this with “civil unions” or “domestic partnerships”.
• Conservatives in some circles want a theocracy legislated about marriage. As a person of faith, I do not want the state to interfere with my beliefs. Period.
• Liberals would do well to appreciate the religious, historical, and practical existence of family. It is not just about choosing who to love, but being sure children and the vulnerable are protected under law. Selfishness is never a good selling point.
• Conservatives would do well to accept that the very small minority of people who might ask for these rights do less harm than the divorce rate of traditional families. Hypocrisy is true of us all. So, be more humble.
• Granting or protecting civil rights should be more important than a word. Emotions want us to define marriage a certain way. Emotions are warranted but not the whole picture for either side. It is not truly “progressive” to destroy an idea that in our society should still be allowed to thrive. It is not “conservative” to marginalize people when religious liberty is the fight.

I am wondering if anyone else out there is in the middle on this. This means you are neither for redefining the word marriage or denying rights to same sex couples.

This past weekend I was honored with the task of guest leading worship for a brand new church plant’s third public worship service. Venia Church is a new church in Murrieta, CA that has been meeting in a pizza parlor. Pastor Tim Thompson used a trash can for a pulpit to deliver the sermon in a room full of local sport team banners and shirts that celebrate the community gathering that takes place in such a locale. If Jesus can be birthed in a barn, I think birthing a church in a pizza place simply rocks!

Right off the bat, this group of people sang. These committed worshippers did not need coaxing to sing. There is nothing fancy here, just people there to worship, so all I had to do was kick off the music. Everyone serving to set up and make the room ready were eager. Sometimes, as a worship leader you have to gently prod or woo to get folks to even pay attention. But, this was not the case. I will not easily forget this sweet time of singing and the memorable message the pastor delivered. If you were there, “Tic Tacs” and the movie “Dumb and Dumber” will actually have a redeemed spiritual connection. If not, excuse the insider lingo.

I had a small team with me: myself on guitars and keys with friends on cajon box and bass guitar. My daughter sang backing vocals and some lead while laying down acoustic guitar. Putting this together was like guerrilla warfare, as is anything to do with church planting. Just for reference, my wife and I have been part of two church start ups over the years. It was fun to see my wife smile in the second row of pizza tables knowing she had that context in her heart and mind. I must mention that the audio guy Taylor was amazing handling what was thrown at him. Worship leaders cannot do their thing effectively without guys like Taylor.

Here are the tunes we sang together:

• Awesome Is The Lord Most High – Chris Tomlin
• Taste And See – Brian and Jenn Johnson
• God Is Able – Hillsong
• Forever Reign – One Sonic Society
• How He Loves – John Mark McMillan
• Beautiful Things – Gungor

Come worship with us next week (May 6). We are actually going to be in a High School auditorium at Vista Murrieta HS. Check here on Venia Church Facebook for details!

How was your worship weekend?

[Set lists from all over the world here! http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-197/]

I am excited about teaching a 4-week community class at Rancho Community Church in Temecula, CA. It starts this Wednesday and runs from 6:30 to 8:00 PM (April 11, 18, 25 and May 2). The class is FREE. REGISTER

How to navigate the maze of social networking, video gaming, and online entertainment.

Bring your iPad, Laptop or Smart Phone to interact with the class live!

Consider the following situations:

A local school has police investigating a fake Facebook account where a teen threatens to hurt himself.  A college student jumps off a bridge, then his roommate faces jail time for webcasting his illicit encounter. An employer looks at a social networking site, then chooses to not hire a candidate based on pictures posted.

Social networking, video gaming, and our real lives all intersect with the smart phone in our pocket, our living room cable boxes, and our laptops.  Families need to be equipped to protect themselves and their children from the real threats of the “online” world in which we now live.

Key topics covered:

• Intro: A primer to online life in 2012.
• Online manners: what are they and how to have them!
• How to…
  • Protect your family from online threats.
  • Write an online “code of ethics” and live by them.
  • Use basic online tools to streamline your online time.
  • Leverage online activity for good — making a difference.
  • Keep Video Gaming, Cable, and Satellite TV in balance.
  • Help your family to make better choices online.
• What should I really be afraid about? (This might surprise you!).

Trayvon Martin, Kony, and almost anything you see on the 5-o-clock news and cable news outlets, blogs, and twitter prove to me you must think critically. Well, if you want to react to the drama of skewed narrative like Pavlov’s Dog, just eat the buffet of fast-food news. Media requires us to be skeptical. But, that is not always fun. In fact, it actually is not politically correct and may cost you. Of course, Jon Stewart is amazing in his facility. Are we keen to learn, as well?

The tragedy of the killing of teenager Trayvon Martin has captivated us. Hoodies are being worn, even in Congress. However, it seems like some critical thinking might caution us to consider there is more to the story. This may be in conflict with the soundbite-laden story sold to us. Every frame of film is being analyzed by “media specialists” and, “news contributors” are available to pontificate on all potentialities. A tragedy occurred. Yet, we know little of the final results of the investigation. However, we are asked to cry foul as if the case is solved!

In looking at this critically, we need to understand that getting on a bandwagon might be popular, but is it honest? Being empathetic for the family involved surely is appropriate. Who would want this to happen again, anywhere? However, there is something we are missing. We have passed over in our media coverage the actual context of the alleged crime. The self-defense claim by the alleged criminal set off a sequence of events.

The Florida law that allowed the alleged perpetrator to not be held and officially arrested is the real problem here. The view of handguns and the ethics of when we are free to use them are also a real problem here. But, we wear hoodies and call for unlawful retrieval of the guy who pulled the trigger rather than look at the soil that grew this inevitable tragedy. Critical thinking would ask deeper questions and end up saying, “CHANGE THE LAW!” Bashing law enforcement for attempting to deal justly with a flawed legality is naive, and shows how we and our media today love to create a scapegoat. To the Left, Zimmerman’s 2005 arrest photo is the image of the child killer. To the Right, articles about Trayvon’s school work and suspensions become fodder. Shame to all y’all!

Race is not the actual issue here, is it? The young man who committed the act is apparently Hispanic. The neighborhood on closer examination is not truly a “white” neighborhood is it? Even Lionel Richie on CNN attempted to bring sanity to that incendiary narrative. But, we are always looking in our media to reduce things for us. It is like the strainer that takes a whole chicken through a sieve, creating a chicken mush that becomes nuggets of chicken at our favorite fast food joint. We cannot stop the addiction however gross it is. Or, can we?

Christians need to model critical thinking, instead we end up criticizing just like a political opponent does during a re-election bid. The Evangelical minds have not spoken out against many clear injustices, because we limit what things are injustices. Abortion is clearly one of those. But, why do we cower from the death penalty? Human trafficking is an injustice. But, why do we still stumble to foster the rights of the oppressed immigrant child? Remember the Bible’s word to us about how to treat foreigners?

Sometimes, the law is the issue of injustice. Had Florida valued human life enough to not keep a law as it is on the books a young man might be doing his homework this afternoon. But, we would rather demonize another young man who was foolish to act as he did and excuse millions of people in the state of Florida for their view of guns and low value of life. So, you see why the news outlets would rather myopically look at this. The real issue calls too many of us people out. And, we would never want that, would we?

The following is from the official press release:

LINK to pdf: PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
Temecula, California
March 13, 2012

Contact: 

Worship Leader/Blogger Rich Kirkpatrick of Temecula, CA Releases 5-Song EP “Drink The Divine”!

Singer-songwriter, blogger, and worship leader Rich Kirkpatrick of Temecula, California releases on March 15 a five-song EP titled “Drink The Divine” produced by On Being Human. After traveling with the non-profit Doma International to Ethiopia last Spring, Rich was inspired to donate the online profits from this recording to help this organization that is about “empowering women and embracing children” in some of the most vulnerable situations from sex trafficking to orphan care.

Rich has been an effective worship leader, songwriter, blogger and pastor serving the local church. His music, deep in theology and musically cinematic, comes from the context of leading worship. Modern worship music today has the potential to tell stories, express our creeds, and bridge the generations but rarely dares to go there. Rich’s music strives to do this against the odds. In “Drink the Divine” Rich artistically explores telling the story of our faith’s history, authentic experience, and wrestling with grace.

“I wrote these five songs in the context of being a worship leader and worshiper. What is true religion and how does that come across in what we sing to God? My journey is not complete, but I am learning that much of what I thought was “true” was just a hollow piety, starving my life from the one who is my life. Jesus. I hope you discover with me the sacred place where the help that we need exists. Grace.”

- Rich Kirkpatrick

Here is what some of have been saying already about this recording:

“…I am struck with the depth of the lyric and the emotion, but even more so with Rich’s courage in releasing a project that simply is what it is. The songs range in style and influence, with a thread of the theatrical woven throughout. In a culture where art is measured almost exclusively by its “commercial” viability, this music dares to demand the listener to actually listen…”

- Trent Smith, Worship Pastor/Recording Artist

“… It seems this EP was written from the heart of someone discovering more and more the beauty and the depth of loving and being loved by Jesus. I was encouraged by the lyrical truths & heart behind the EP “Drink the Divine”.”

- Adam Herod, Worship Pastor/Songwriter/Blogger

“…Through his heartfelt lyrics, Rich boldly asks us all to think harder about serving each other as a our religion, rather than having religion as our religion. Through his extensive musical experience and ability to command the emotion of the instruments he directs, Rich boldly asks us all to feel deeper the love surrounding us…”

- Page Lynch, Filmmaker/Recording Artist

“With conviction in his voice, Rich pours out his heart into every melodious line and lyric.

As I continue to listen intently to each song, I’m captivated by the mature – yet humble – approach to follow Jesus in faith and action. This EP inspires me to not only continue to nurture my passion for songwriting, but more importantly draw me closer to my Redeemer and King.”

- Anson Sexton, Worship Leader/Youth Pastor/Blogger

“What I love about this project is – it feels very honest. It’s not contrived. Beautiful melodies, cool production, solid lyrics and a lot of heart. …this is just great to listen to, it lifts me up. “Grace Found Me” is gorgeous, love the vocal. “Sacred Place” really does take me to a sacred space. I dig the whole project…”

- Rob Still, Worship Leader/Producer/Blogger

References:

• http://rkweblog.com
• http://domaconnection.com
• http://www.facebook.com/richkirkpatrickmusic
• http://www.facebook.com/onbeinghuman
• iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/drink-the-divine-ep/id508803972
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Drink-The-Divine/dp/B007I9LCF8/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331407953&sr=301-1

Besides rain in Southern California, the news of my blog (Rich Kirkpatrick’s Weblog) winning “Best Religion Blog” from the World Media Awards was a surprise. Some of you nominated me for this and the panel of prestigious bloggers and media people who chose this blog make it a humbling and affirming moment. The real value of this blog is the fact that I get to have a conversation with real people that otherwise might not be facilitated.

Thank you readers, stalkers and fellow bloggers for being a part of this conversation on faith and culture for creatives, leaders, and influencers!

What an honor to be among some very talented and thoughtful bloggers who were also nominated in the category of Worship Blogger.

Here is the list:

• DavidSantistevan.com
• Ragamuffinsoul.com
• RKWeblog.com
• Worshipmatters.com
• RobRash.us
• VickyBeeching.com

Go vote there for this category as well as others such as worship band or favorite worship song. And, thanks to you my readers for continuing the conversation about faith and culture which worship surely encompasses!

Forgive the tongue-in-cheek response I have to this scene on the corner of Ynez Road and Rancho California in Temecula this past weekend. There is something to make one chuckle at seeing a “Occupy Temecula General Assembly” sign placed on an empty set of chairs. Really, there is.

So, it appears that the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread. After reading in the Los Angeles Times front page about how the lawn and grounds near city hall are in disrepair due to the inhabitants I went for a short drive through Temecula, California–an Inland Empire suburb of 100,000 people. Surely, I would not expect this “movement” to be here. But, I was wrong.

I would not call three empty camping chairs an occupation, but this IS the suburbs. And, any “general assembly” would seem to be populated beyond this, but I could not visibly see them. However, on the other corner Ron Paul demonstrators were not getting along with those holding “Corporate Greed” signs, even though these groups may have more in common than they know. But, alas I am confused. Is Ron Paul part of the occupation, too?

So, my question to my reader, both the 1% to 99%-ers, is this: what issue with the economy is going to influence your voting this political season? Is it corporate greed, stopping bailouts, balancing the budget, job creation or a new taxation code?

The “Occupy Wall Street” protests have been getting a lot of press. One has insinuated that it is a “moment” not a “movement” since there is no vision, just protest. Others, may say it is a swelling populist movement against what is know as corporate greed. I disagree with both statements or ideas. First, there is more than a moment happening since a vision for a more equitable and accountable business culture is being forged in the conversation. Second, I believe the whole idea of “corporate greed” is a myth. People are greedy, not corporations. 

Whether we can agree on the vision or not, there is a huge shift in our thinking when CEOs of large companies can make huge sums while failing at running these financial institutions. We have been failed in trust because of seedy operations such as lending money to people who should not have been given home mortgages in the first place. And, there are worse things as well. The vision is to see accountability. Perhaps, the vision is to see equitable redistribution of wealth or a more “socialist” bent in either regulation, taxation or both. People are mad. I admit that I am, too. I am not for giving money away to redistribute wealth as an ideal. However, I am for accountable practices. One thing hard for some to understand is that today’s movements are not top down affairs. They are tribal and viral and very real.

Now the idea of a corporation being greedy is just not true. People are greedy. The financial barons, CEOs and board members who oversee these institutions in many cases have enriched themselves at the cost of hard working people. Wall Street was bailed out, and the average home owners who pay their bills were not. We lost. They were too big to fail. But, we also have our pensions, 401Ks and investments in these very same companies. Think of the teachers, firemen and shop keepers who have money in mutual funds. Are we greedy, too? Perhaps.

Occupying Wall Street is an effective symbol at getting attention, but who is the real enemy? Are not we all? We buy the iPhones and the Tom’s Shoes and shop at Target. We are employed a lot of the time by these greedy corporations. So, are we not as part of these institutions culpable for the behavior as well as the guys and gals at the top of them? Perhaps.

I am not ready to cheer the protesters on, but I will not discount them either. I am not ready to cry foul that corporations are greedy, but I will not allow status quo to persist. If we are going to protest then lets do it to those who can really make a difference. Might that include an honest look at ourselves as well as the logo bearing yet faceless corporation?

What do you think: are the corporations greedy or could it be all of us?

When there is a government budget deadlock, which is rare by the way, we all have our villain spotted in the mess. Our villains include Fox News if you are lean one way or MSNBC if you are on the other team. With the economy we can blame big banks for the loss of our home value, our realtor for the bad price we paid for it or either the current or former president for not doing the right thing.

Villains are always right there in front of us and the media of all kinds from broadcast to Facebook gladly feeds our shark like hunger 24-hours a day in every time zone. The noise from this screaming drives the media. There is no better way to get an audience or reaction than to point out flaws, blame a loser or complain about bad service on twitter, blogs or even the local news.

Even worse, we decry “fundamentalism” because I believe it is nice to categorize villains and extremists in some other class than the rest of us. It is either the radical Islamic plot to take us down like 9/11 or, in Norway, a Christian fundamentalist bomber bent on saving his culture. Could it be that you and I are really not that different from these people? Could our views be extreme to someone and make them feel the same emotions we feel about them? We claim their insanity, but perhaps we are naive. Perhaps. Maybe, there is a fundamentalist lurking within each of us.

Am I the villain? Think about it. Congress is voted in by us. We chose to overextend our living using homes as ATM machines. Fox News or MSNBC exist because of you and I. As you and I enjoy and praise the prices of Walmart we also may be enslaving a child who makes those $10 shoes across the planet. As we hug a tree, we may be ripping away the job of an honest blue collar logger. Either way, I am a villain to someone and so are you.

With all the villains we see, a hero cannot win with the cards we have dealt. We all understand there are winners and losers in economic as well as social issues. So, we draw a line in the sand. Then nobody wins. Like with our doomsday nuclear arsenal, we make sure of that. No reasoned conversation can exist. It means that improving the environment is not acceptable if it at all slows jobs. It means that certain groups demand rights with disregard of the historical context of thousands of years.

Freedom of and from religion does not have to mean its abolition. Even many of my fellow Christians claim to be “non religious” in order to be more palatable. Recently, a large organization removed “crusade” because of course those were bad in history. We want to not offend. Fundamentalists are the ones who offend, so you and I better not be one of those.

People of faith have it in their hands to deal the best cards today. Our restraint is not in neutering our message or marketing the distinctiveness from our lingo. It is in having the belief that evil exists in us all and that good is possible–with God’s intervention in and through us. If we leave it to media, the talking heads and our politicians than we are left with too much spice and no substance. If we leave it to the elites who fuel these and other institutions to think for us, then we cannot be people who see change that can better all of us.

You say, “But I am not a fundamentalist!” Really? The reason fundamentalists scare you and I is because we cannot see ourselves believing anything strongly enough to sacrifice our lives to see it come to pass. This is true even of most people of “faith” today. We live small and fear what price anything more requires of us.

But, we do believe! We believe in our materialism, our kid’s suburban soccer league, or in the freedom to watch TV for hours on end. We choose our path with a cost, whether or not we are cognizant of it. Living for self is our God. We completely recoil in terror from anyone who lives differently. But, it is not about being selfless, it is about being beyond self. This what a hero is, right? The hero gets the wound or worse as he fights for more than his flawed self.  Are not heroes as crazy as we think “fundamentalists” are? Perhaps.

So, do you have a fundamentalist lurking inside of you waiting to get out? All it takes is a Pearl Harbor event to awaken. Do you agree?