Big Announcement!

Hello blog readers and subscribers!

I told you in a recent blog update that I’ve been seeking to pastor an Anabaptist congregation since I joined the Mennonite USA back in June. I also told you that I was going to preach “in view of a call” over Labor Day Weekend. I’m happy that I can now share the good news with you.

I’m the new lead pastor of Christiansburg Mennonite Fellowship!

CMF is a Mennonite church in the New River Valley region of Virginia. The church is situated between two university towns (Radford & Blacksburg), surrounded by mountains, and filled with awesome people.

We are hoping to be able to move to Virginia next month, and so we would really appreciate your prayers as we work out all the details for a major transition. We can’t wait to make the big move and begin another chapter of life and ministry. We’re very excited about the road ahead.

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Thank you for your prayers and support. From David, Lanna, and Kainan.

D.D. Flowers, 2013.


Faith, Doubt & the Idol of Certainty

Greg Boyd has a new book being published this month. It’s called Benefit of the Doubt: Breaking the Idol of Certainty (Baker Books, 2013). I’ll be reviewing the book in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned if you’re interested.

Greg’s ministry ReKnew is putting together its second event this year. This time it is to engage with the issues raised in his new book. Mark your calendars. On September 27-28th at Woodland Hills Church, ReKnew is hosting Faith, Doubt & the Idol of Certainty Conference.

Here’s what ReKnew previously posted on the book and conference:

Based on Greg Boyd’s new book, Benefit of the Doubt, Greg invites you to embrace a faith that doesn’t strive for certainty, but rather for commitment in the midst of uncertainty. Instead of assuming that your faith is as strong as it is certain, discover how your doubts can enhance faith and how seeking certainty is harming many in today’s church. Wrestle with your faith and experience a life-transforming relationship with Christ, even with unresolved questions about the Bible, theology, and ethics.

You may remember that ReKnew put on their first ever conference this past April in St. Paul. I was able to attend Open 2013 and connect with many like-minded folks. It was a great weekend!

If you’re looking to getaway for a stimulating conference, don’t miss this opportunity. You won’t be disappointed. Listen to Greg talk about the upcoming Faith, Doubt & the Idol of Certainty Conference.

Click here for more information and to register for the conference.

D.D. Flowers, 2013.

You may also be interested in the following posts:


Is God the Future of Rock Music?

Is God the future of rock music? Billy Corgan thinks so.

Corgan was the frontman for the popular 90’s rock band, Smashing Pumpkins. I actually remember the first time I heard the band was on the way to youth camp. No, the youth pastor wasn’t playing it. It was a few of the older kids letting me listen to their Walkmans. Remember those days?

Billy Corgan and his band were popular in an era when rock music was largely about expressing inner suffering, indifference to the suffering of others, all while raging against the machine. It was the decade of grunge.

Young “Christian” rock tried to offer an alternative to the hopelessness celebrated in the culture. I remember as a teenager that Christian alternative bands never did quite penetrate my soul like the emotional explosion of bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots.

I can’t say much about rock music in the last decade. On the whole it’s just not that good, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. And that’s one reason why Corgan believes rock music must now explore God.

In the following video, Corgan talks about the need to explore God in rock music, and how Jesus wants better “Christian” bands.

What do you think about the evolution of rock music? Where do you see rock going? Do you agree with Corgan? Is God the future of rock music? 

D.D. Flowers, 2013.


Blog News & Update 8/30/13

Hello blog readers and subscribers!

You have probably noticed that I haven’t posted much this Summer. I have received emails and messages from some of you through social networking inquiring about my silence. I wanted to tell you what’s been going on and what you can expect here at the blog for this upcoming Fall.

As most of you know, things speed up in the home (traveling, vacations, etc.), and slow down online during the Summer. After blogging for several years, I’ve noticed that blog traffic comes to a crawl during this season.

I honestly don’t want to work so hard when the majority of readers are outside in the sun. So, I’ve tried to join you… though going outside in the Texas heat isn’t advised. I would be fine living in Antarctica.

And there’s the matter of me being a “closet” introvert. I need times of retreat to think, mediate, pray, rest, etc. I suppose it’s my way (or the Holy Spirit’s way) to sift through the mail, so to speak. Gotta get rid of the junk!

It helps me gain fresh perspective on life and ministry for the future.

There’s also been a deterrent from writing this Summer. As my regular readers know, I found myself unemployed from my teaching job at the end of May. This left me without my personal laptop. (For the time being, I’ve been using my wife’s laptop when it’s available.) Needless to say, but I’m going to say it, I’ve had to learn to live without it. Ugh!

All of this happened just as I was seeking to plant a church in the near future. When no doors opened for teaching jobs or church planting, it caused me to consider pastoring an already established church.

So, here’s what I can tell you right now. Back in June I officially entered into the Mennonite USA. In case you haven’t been trekking with me, I’ve shared my journey into Anabaptism here, here, and here.

I’ve been working with the denomination to find a good fit for a pastorate. In July I met with a church that for the moment must remain anonymous. We had a great meeting together. Very exciting!

My family will be visiting with this church over Labor Day weekend. I’ll be preaching and engaging in some Q&A and fellowship. I plan to let you know the outcome later next week. In the meantime, your prayers are greatly appreciated.  Pray for me, my family, and the church. Thanks!

Please stay tuned. Regular blogging will resume shortly. I can already feel the creativity bubbling up and the writing springs about to burst.

Blessings,

David