I interviewed Ed last Friday. I have something that might help men and women find the right Valentine’s Day gift that would last for a lot longer than wine, roses and candies.Ed Galisewski joined me for my Friday conversation. I will write, shoot, and record the interview for DEE and I wanted to let you in on what I will ask him. Watch Ed in action: http://vimeo.com/34869799
Hope for people who struggle with…
…church in this case. There have been books that identify the problem why “men don’t go to church.” Ed is a Jersey guy who pumps iron. This helps with a debate over the subject of Apologetic and I apologize a lot because Ed is in really good shape and I will agree with him- no problem! There is no steroid use in his work outs and he is against any additives in food, fitness, work, home or church. In fact that is what a simpler faith is all about. Ed steps into a conference room totally at home. We hit it off famously since we both like East coast food, were brought up Catholic and have a dificult time with admiiting that we're wrong. (but delight in when we're right)
Too many add-ons
We already have add-ons, ad-nauseum in our culture. With millions of messages competing for allegiance from political campaigns, to car ads and even into our churches. Ed was brought up a Jersey Catholic boy, who went through the Sacraments. But like many others Ed had enough and gradually stopped going to Mass. Yet he still valued his relationship with God. He just craved simplicity. Like the Facebook relationship box gives you, the ins and outs of what state of love you are in, Ed never figured that he would need or want to check the “it’s complicated” box in his relationship with God.
Today the questions will be brief and uncomplicated
What are the main religious add-ons that have turned people away from the church?
Doctrine and denominational-ism has hurt the church more than anything else. Vatican councils, The Book of Mormon and hoops to get through to get in the church have left many saying "Why bother?" Ed explains that when it comes to the small and big stuff "community matters," not religion.
What are some of the obstacles in our culture that keep people from connecting with on another?
The lack of community. We live in a city that is less pedestrian friendly and more garage to garage. There's more privacy fences than front porches; there are more covenants from neighborhood associations than there are back yard Bar-B-Q's. Legalism is anti-community and it shows in our development.
Our big command is what Ed asks us to picture. It is the Last Supper. Jesus is giving final instructions before going to the cross. His instructions are simple.
“My prayer is not for you alone. I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to lety the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23 with emphasis added.) That’s it. That’s simple faith- “Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself.” It’s the basis of everything. You have in this verse the mandate for the common union at the last supper and the birth of community. No additives or small print, no extra credit for theological mastery or extra curricular doctrine.
Meet Ed (AKA Joe Palooka)
As a new author and a long time business man Ed has written a book that convinces men and women everyday the “Whats in it for you?” aspects of the church. We know what drives people away but here are some of the questions our readers have had about evangelism and church:
We are bombarded by brand statements and that is fine, except people want to experience relationship with God and other people. How does the church offer that valuable resource? "We make it too complicated," Ed says with a cautious smile. "Being invited and feeling welcomed when accepting is key. Then doing life together for coffee, or dinner, without a rule book is helpful."
In the above verse we are called to two things: 1. Don’t forsake the fellowship and 2. Don’t miss or screw up community. Why are we called to these two things and where does a reader, listener and viewer find it? Ed pauses and thinks about this and says, "Fellowship should be meeting people where they are despite their orientation, their social or economic status or even their past. The "common-union" is the relationship they seek with the Creator, the Savior and the Guide." There is a connection to being open to going to a deeper level. All of us can improve our serve and our relationship with God and the people we do life in. When we are correctable, when we can be challenged then God works on ways to mold our gifts and talents into a sculpture that includes our weaknesses. There are a lot of testimonies out there that show that in people's weakest moments, God compells them to change.
There will be the veterans at church who say “Because we’ve always done it that way,” or better yet, ” “We’ve never done it that way.” What do you say to newbies at church in ways of handling the Old Guard? Ed will be helping church leaders guide people in their church to be more open to evangelism and sharing the love of Christ and for Christ with their communities.
How many people don’t go to church because they are simply frustrated with the political ad-ons inside the church? Ed shakes his head, "Too many to count. That is why the House Church movement is being so succesful. People who won't set foot into a church building are finding community in a house down the block."
What are the best ways to go church shopping? What do people look for?
"Simpler Faith" can do this, with a criterium for finding the right church for you."
There’s the classic line from Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” He’s right and he’s right-How can they both be right?” What’s your answer and why must we (mostly men be right?) Ed actually started singing "Tradition." That is why he says, "people don't know why we do these things but we know that it is right...or do we?"
What makes us afraid of being wrong? "Backlash. We head for the doctrinal baggage and we never unpack it."
If you would like to comment and answer any of these questions for you, please do so in the comment spaces. After the interview this morning I will fill in Ed’s answers. But I think these are good questions for our readers, listeners and viewers as well as Ed Galisewski. We will be posting the video interview on DEE at http://vimeo.com/34869799.
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