lambs leaving the ghetto

May 8, 2006

Today we are going to tackle the next value for relevintage: roaring lambs as the negotiators. But before I move on to this, I need clarify a few things about the previous entries on relevintage’s core values.

In brainstorming about what this blog would be about, I felt it was important to zero in a few ideals that would serve as a filter for the content on relevintage. In no way are these principles an exhaustive list. They are purely launching pads for conversation.

The vision for relevintage will not be static; rather it will evolve as we move along. On this journey, I’m sure the full revelation of relevintage will continue to crystallize.

Also, in no way do I feel like I am a premier authority on the issue of engaging with a postmodern culture. I do feel like I have a certain balance of passion and expertise in this area. This blog is only one voice in a SEA of voices [and do I mean a sea] in the blogosphere trying to discover how to best connect with society.

When I examine my life and consider what I should be ‘spending’ my time on [after of course my relationship with God, my wife, and my children], this seems like a natural progression in this season of my ministry.

I have a deep yearning to see individuals come to know Christ personally and because I know it is not going to happen strictly in my Christian subculture, I feel I need to try to motivate believers to move from the fringes and into the fray of culture.

This is not an attempt to be ‘hip’ or ‘relevant’ for the sake of those things; this is an honest reaction to an honest enthusiasm that has ‘bubbled’ up on the inside.

Okay, now on to the value #4: roaring lambs as negotiators for cultural redemption

First, what do I mean by ‘roaring lambs’?

The term was coined by the late Bob Briner, who was an Emmy Award-winning producer and wrote a book by the same name. According to Briner, ‘roaring lambs’ are “followers of God who know how to fully integrate their commitment to Christ into their daily lives.”

More specifically, he says that ‘roaring lambs’ are informed citizens who are entering into their community’s dialogue on social and political issues or local congregations who are developing strategies for making sure they are always part of their community’s policy-setting process

In my estimation, Briner makes no distinction between the magnitude of impact that those both in secular and the sacred professions can have. But I do think that he feels that the church has abdicated its role in culture-shaping venues. He says this:

We feel we are making a difference because we are so important to ourselves. We have created a phenomenal subculture with our own media, entertainment, educational system, and political hierarchy so that we have this sense that we’re doing a lot. But what we’ve done is create a ghetto that is easily dismissed by the rest of society…

In short, our subculture is healthy. It doesn’t need more attention. It’s the world that needs help.

So why say that ‘roaring lambs’ serve as negotiators to culture?

Well, if Christians take seriously their role in engaging with society, I believe there will be an undeniable opportunity for us to ‘negotiate’ with that very society. ‘Negotiating’ presumes a belief that society will engage in dialogue with Christ-followers about the things of God, after those Christ-followers proven they care and/or are competent and if done with kindness and regard.

1 Peter 3:15 says this:

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

Culture is looking for hope. We have that hope. I believe as we ‘negotiate’ with society and that hope transforms unbelievers into believers, there is a strong likelihood that a dent can be made in culture. In fact, author Elton Trueblood, in his book The Company of the Commited, says that “the test of the vitality of a religion is to be seen in its effects on culture.”

The ‘negotiation’ will play out in different ways and means in society. On relevintage, we will highlight ‘roaring lambs’ that are ‘dialoguing’ with society through their lives; serving as legitimate agents of change.

Actor and author, Paul Johnson, says:

The arts, media, and the entertainment industry, in all its forms, are the loudest megaphones to speak to our culture. I can affect them somewhat with my boycott, but I can affect them more powerfully and permanently with my presence-the presence of a lamb, but the internal power and impact of a lion.

And might I add, it’s time to for those roaring lambs to leave the ghetto.

Posted in relevintage, vision