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Year: 2008
Three Films from 2008
Here are several films I am pleased to have watched in 2008. I’m not predicting any Oscar winners or suggesting that these films are for everyone, but I am saying they made an impact and were well-done. Two foreign, one domestic.
Man on Wire – A documentary about, Philliipe Petit, a frenchman who walked a tightrope between the two Twin Towers before they were completed and destroyed. He prepared for the clandestine ascent and daylight walk for six and a half years. His remarkable resolve would have been fruitless, were it not for his accomplices who were quickly forgotten as Petit moved into the post-walk limelight. The documentary is existentially compelling, artistically stirring, and subtly disturbing. Art meets pride, a Promethean story that tells more than it shows.
Tell No One – Part thriller, part love story, this French film based on the book by American author Harlan Coben both entertains and shocks. Unlike most thrillers produced in Hollywood, the characters possess believable depth, evoking empathy and interest. Ethical dilemmas abound and so should your conversation afterwards.
Transsiberian – a sleeper for 08. Ben Kingsly, Woody Harrelson, & Emily Mortimer. Suspense stretched across the siberian tracks, this film occurs primarily on a train. Without giving the plot away, the film takes a Christian goodie two shoes and a bad girl gone good, pairs them with shady criminals, and subjects them to personal and ethical scrutiny. There are some uncomfortable scenes, especially the torture. Another great conversational film, especially if you want to discuss the importance of truth.
Austin City Life in the Austin Statesman
The Austin Statesman ran a piece on downtown churches that are committed to renewing the city. The cool thing is that Eileen connected it to other church planting efforts in our local network PlantR.org. About a third of the article covers our church, Austin City Life . Here’s an excerpt:
Some are part of a local church planting network that includes about 40 leaders who aim to spread the message of Jesus throughout the city — not just within the walls of already established churches — and to be a renewing presence both socially and spiritually. These churches are cropping up all over the Austin area, but for some leaders, downtown venues hold a particular appeal.
Similar efforts are happening in cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle where church leaders have established sanctuaries in downtown bars, coffeehouses and warehouses.
Jonathan Dodson, pastor of Austin City Life, said his congregation chooses to worship on “common cultural ground,” the idea being “the church goes to the city. The city does not go to the church.”
Read the rest here.
Methods Debate, Gospel, and Neil Cole
In an effort to extend church planting discussion beyond model-based debate, I wrote this Wrong Debate: Attractional vs. Missional. Neil Cole has weighed in consistently, offering some insight on Organic Church and hopes to post on the Gospel soon. At his blog, he is running an Organic series. Check out the discussions in the comments here for some insights.