Integrating Missionally

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Looking over google trends recently, i saw where the hottest trend was a search for Kari Ann Peniche. Apparently, she, a former beauty queen from Oregon, was in a drug-induced sex tape with Eric Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart. I did doctoral work in emerging brain research, particularly in the areas of neuroplasticity and unlearning behavioral patterns. Part of my research focused on the best way to communicate in order to facilitate behavioral change. When I saw this trend, I did a little research into the science behind pornography.

What I discovered was when the brain receives sensory inputs, it transforms them into images. In other words, the brain learns, adapts, and is literally re-wired through images. In fact, according to Judith Reisman, Ph.D., President of The Institute for Media Education, Scientific Advisor to the California Protective Parents Association and the Subcommittee on Junk Science for The American Legislative Exchange Council’s April 2004 report, “Brain scientists tell us that ‘in 3/10 of a second a visual image passes from the eye through the brain, and whether or not one wants to, the brain is structurally changed and memories are created’we literally ‘grow new brain’ with each visual experience.’” (1)

This brings us to the idea of pornography. Pornography is a series of images, whether just a series of pictures or a complete video, that literally transform the brain with each image seen. In addition, “sexually explicit images trigger another part of the brain, the pleasure centers. In them, pleasure and pain are experienced. This part of the brain is the most primitive part that is in both humans and animals, Weight said. It triggers an appetite for the necessary things of survival — such as food, anger and sex.” (2) As the images re-wire the brain, the pleasure centers of the brain reinforce that new wiring by strengthening the connection between the synapses. These pathways are the conductors for our behavior.

Since we are emotionally driven, this is of greater concern. The images produce memories that power emotions. Overcoming the emotional triggers, particularly of wired pleasure & pain paths is extremely difficult. Rewiring is a complex process.

So what does this do for ministry?

1. We need to warn our congregation of the dangers of images. We need to understand their image ont he brain and speak to those we minister to about how this works. It may seem boring to deal with synapses and neurons and neurotransmitters, but if people can learn how the brain works and how behavior is wired into our brain, people can be prepared.

2. We need to communicate in images. Whether it is video clips, or images in our sermon or verbal images, if we want to communicate for behavioral change, we need to communicate in images. This was a profound revelation for me in  my doctoral work. It is important to realize that this is one reason (not to mention the Holy Spirit) that the Bible has such impact: it speaks in images. Whether its parables or poetry or stories, the majority of scripture is full of these. Consider using more imagery in your preaching.

(1) http://www.drjudithreisman.com/archives/2005/12/senate_subcommi.html
(2) http://nn.byu.edu/story.cfm/13911

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We are the World! Today!

Three years ago, I started my doctoral work at George Fox Seminary. At the time, I told my wife that when I finishd my degree she could go next. I meant it, and now that I’m done, we are trying to figure out how to finance a PhD in Education through an accredited program that she can participate in from anywhere.

When people ask me what’s next, I always mention that and then say, “If and when Brenna is done, I want to go back and get a degree in global business.” I believe that the church in USAmerica needs people with a global perspective because the world is coming here and they are not melting into the pot but congregating in their own communities. We need people in the church that understand GLOBAL leadership, not Western church culture.

I found out today that the school where I got my doctorate is starting a Doctorate in Global Missional Leadership. The Global Missional Leadership DMin program “focuses on equipping Christian leaders in church, non-governmental organizations, and mission communities to confidently, to constructively, and to effectively carry out the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ in an increasingly connected world.”

“Students engage in theological/biblical, historical, and sociological analysis of the emerging global culture to gain cultural and theological self-awareness. They do specialized research in topics such as consumerism, colonialism, the enviroment, and social justice. They gain skills in the use of online and mobil social media tools and they develop an international network of scholarly relationships through real-world experiences in Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.”

The lead mentor in this cohort-based program is Jason Clark. Jason Clark serves as a full-time pastor of Vineyard Church Sutton in Sutton, London (UK), which he and his wife planted in 1997 while he was an investment broker in London. That church has grown to around 300 adults and 120 children, in an area of London where 1 percent of the population are connected to a church.

Dr. Clark also coordinates the Emergent UK online resource network. This network serves alongside Emergent in the United States and several other countries. He also directs the deepchurch.org.uk project and writes a blog that has a 2,500-member mailing list and has over 250,000 visits per year, that arises from his research area, teaching, and church experience.

He is a council member of the Evangelical Alliance UK.

Dr. Clark is an adjunct professor at George Fox Evangelical Seminary for the MA/MDiv modules on “Missional Ecclesiology.” He also lectures and teaches in other countries on a regular basis in the areas of church and culture. He is currently working on several book- writing projects and articles. These include two chapters in a book titled, “Christ and Postmodern Culture” for Baker Academic’s Church and Post-Modern Culture Series and a book coauthored with Dr. Andrew Walker on ‘Deep Church’ for Paternoster UK’s Faith in an Emerging Culture Series.

Jason completed his DMin at George Fox, and is now a PhD candidate at Kings College London, researching theological assessments of consumerism and secularism and the implications for ecclesiology.

The degree starts in January 2010, with the first advance (not retreats, we advance) to be held in Nairobi. Other advances will be held in Malaysia and Europe.

There is no other school in the country, maybe even the world, that is pursuing this kind of vision.

I have nothing but great things to say about George Fox and their leadership. Truth be known I would love to teach there! I would suggest that if you really want to get a handle on global ministry, you consider this option. I believe it will be well worth your investment, and that the kingdom may be impacted greatly by this endeaver.

For more information, go here: http://www.georgefox.edu/seminary/dmin/gml/index.html. It will be the begining of a journey that will change your life!

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Doctoral Hood

Today my wife and my parents are in Portland, OR for a few days. For the past three years, I have been working on my Doctor of Ministry, Leadership in the Emerging Culture at George Fox Seminary. I was in a cohort led by Dr. Len Sweet which ended with 18 students from various denominations and various parts of the world. It has been a transforming journey.

My work focused on understanding behavioral change through the integration of emerging sciences and theology. I looked at emotional intelligence, neuroplasticity (how the brain functsion and changes), identity, and socialization to understand how we were created, how behavior is formed, how behavior is changed, and the role of the Gospel, the Godhead, and the Church works in it all. It was extremely enlightening.

Tonight, about half of our cohort gets hooded and tomorrow night we graduate.

Out of this work, I’m almost finished with a manuscript for a book that will come out of this research. It’s going to be entitled, Wholly Rewired: Science, the Gospel and the Journey towards Wholeness. I’ve shared parts of this work on this blog over the past couple of years. It will finally be all in one place. I’m extremely happy of the work that I have done.

People call this point in the education process either graduation or commencement. But I have chosen to call it the End of the Beginning. I am finishing one part of my life but beginning another.

I want to thank you for following me on this journey. I hope we’re together for many more years to come. When I return, you can call me Dr. Phillips or just David or Dave. But please don’t call me Dr. Phil!

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On 60 Minutes last week, CBS did a feature on recent brain research trying to determine if science could read a person’s mind. This is a fabulous feature. Since I’m using this kind of research as part of my dissertation, I thought I might share this with you.

Watch CBS Videos Online

If you can’t see this in the feed reader, please come to the blog.

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Dissertation

Just a few moments ago, I finished up the major pieces of my dissertation.  My parents provided some resources so I could come to Rehoboth Beach, DE and spend three nights in a hotel and finish this up.  I have emailed everything to my professors and a professional editor I have been using.  Hopefully, I will only have to work on minor edits, expanding some thoughts, and tweaking some ideas.  Anyone who has ever written a dissertation knows what a pain it can be.

I also discovered late this afternoon that there was a problem in posting comments.  That issue has been resolved.  If you have had something to say, and couldn’t please try again.

Now, I’m off to get some supper and relax before heading home tomorrow!

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