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richard burley

 founding pastor at the branch in austin texas

(not a pic of richard)

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1. I ask this question of everyone, because I believe it is a good starting point - what do you feel is the most important part of the postmodern movement?

I'll probably end up repeating this in answering another question, but I'd have to say that being accessible and real is most important.  Sure, artistic things are important.  But if we aren't genuine and willing to put in the time to get to know people, on their level, we're done for.  Generation X for example, was raised largely in homes with absent parents (both physically and emotionally).  Their need for belonging is powerful.  Do you think they care one iota about glitz, and polish, and programs?  Heck no!  They can smell schmooze a mile away.  We need to be ourselves, love them in Christ unconditionally.  Now, admittedly, this is easier said then done.  And I'll be the first to admit that some of these folk scare the weezles out of me!  But, Jesus was always hanging out with the unclean of that day, and openly declaring His love for them. We should do the same.  After all, not many of us were saved at birth.  We were all lost once.

2. how do you see the truth of Christ in a world of "no absolute truth?"

I think my biggest surprise lately is how important it is for us to cling adamantly to the absolute nature of what Truth is.  In an age where universalism has become the most common mode of thought, preaching Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" is so very important.  That means really sticking to our guns and not being wishy-washy about what we believe and yet relating to lost people in a gentle and respectful manner.  I read a great quote from Mark Driscoll (from Mars Hill in Seattle) awhile back.  Mark said something like(and I am paraphrasing...sorry if you are reading this Mark!) "When people come to Mars Hill, they shouldn't be surprised that we talk a lot about Jesus.  If you go to the super market, are you surprised that there is a lot of food there?  Mars Hill is a church.  So, don't be surprised when we talk alot about God."

The beauty of postmodernism is that it really is an open forum.  The greatest taboo in society today is "intolerance".  So, our views as Christians (in theory) by unwritten pomo law are equally valid.  We should really push this!  I have found that, if we deal respectfully with non-believers and really listen to them, they will usually return the favor. 

Also, I think its essential that we be really sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  We may be called to do or say some really surprising things to get through to people!  In the end, it is God's operation, we're just the messenger/servants.  It is God who has been calling these people since before they were born, and only He knows their hearts and where they are at.  I think that if we will humble ourselves continually before God, not try to be too hip and pretentious, we will be amazed at what God ends up doing in our midst!

3. the branch is a new community of faith in austin tx, how do you "get out into the community" and let people know about your community of faith?

From the very beginning the Branch has been a God-thing. And though we are scarcely a year old, and quite small, God has already done some pretty amazing things with us.  For example during Easter, we hosted an art show at a coffee shop where a lot of postmoderns hang out.  We invited artists (saved or not) from all over Austin to create and show works (of various mediums) on the theme of "Christ's view on the cross".  In the end, we had several paintings and a couple sculptures that were really amazing!  The show was so well received that the owner of the coffee shop (who was pretty abrasive towards organized religion) wanted us to do an art showcase every week!  In addition to that, our worship team not long ago played at a secular "biker" rally (which amazingly well received) and several of our members were heavily involved in co-sponsoring the "Epicenter" worship conference (with ministry people coming as far away as Europe all the way to Austin).  And, in the future we are planning to do some servant evangelism type stuff in the community around where we are meeting now.  Also, we continue to explore ideas on how to make our website more interactive and content filled.  A lot of this is kind of experimentation.  Like I said, we are still pretty young.

Finally (and most importantly)  I just want to say that, though projects and activities are cool, its no replacement for seeking God with our whole beings.  The branch is gifted with some amazing people who are humble, real, and give generously of themselves.  That's is what drew my wife Deb and I to the Branch.  People will want to know Christ IF the Gospel becomes real to them.  That's what we are striving for.

4. what do you see as the hardest challenge the church will face in the coming decades?

Wow, that's a tough question.  Tough because there are so many challenges.  But, I'd have to say the biggest challenge to the church is division.  Sure there have been a few times in history when separation was warranted.  But lets face it, there have been some really silly separations!  We can't agree on anything it would seem.  And anyone who thinks that this doesn't have an impact on the lost...think again!  They are watching us like hawks!  No wonder people have such a jaundiced view of organized religion.  The Bible says that we shall be known by the love we have for another.  If we could just get that one down, we will have accomplished a great deal and we will probably make a real difference in advancing the Kingdom.

5. what do you see is the role the church will play in those challenges over the next few decades?

As an optimist, if the Lord should tarry, I'd have to say that the church will likely overcome most of its major division problems.  What I am guessing is that the real stiff-necked, legalistic side of the church will die out due to sheer lack of relevance to the culture.  They simply won't survive.  Equally, the more liberal churches that don't want to believe in the full authority of God's Word and who consequently accept various evils will naturally remove themselves from the church.  So, what we will likely be left with is a more unified Body of Christ with denominations meaning less and less.  After all, this clearly God's heart.  On top of that, we will probably see more of the church becoming experience and artistic in orientation.  It will likely continue to explore numerous creative ways to reach out to do ministry. 

How this will be done will depend on the local culture.  In some areas maybe house churches will be most effective.  In others maybe neo-liturgical gatherings.  Maybe Charismatic renewals.  Who knows?  The sky's the limit with this sort of creativity.

6. what role do you see culture has in the church?

I recently read The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III.  I am not wanting to do a cheesy plug here, just to say that this book really has revolutionized the way that I am beginning to see how culture relates to church in a "pomo" context.  Given that postmoderns define "truth" through experience (and co-validation), culture is EVERYTHING.  For example, the Celtic Christians developed a culture that was both inviting, relevant, and real to the surrounding barbarians. These Celtic missionaries did something radical: they accepted pagans into their communities and honored and loved them.  The Celtic Christians lived the Gospel.  Their whole lives were living testimonies to Christ.  Therefore, there was no reason for the Barbians not to accept what these Jesus followers were saying. 

Isn't it interesting that now, we find ourselves surrounded by a largely "barbarian/pagan" culture?  In this way, the Church culture is what is going to speak loudest to the chaotic barbarian cultures and turn people's hearts back to their Creator-Sustainer God.

7. what do you see as the future of cowboys in the nfl?

LOL!  What happens to old cowboys?  Do they just fade away like old soldiers?  I wish I could say that I am much of a football fan, but I'm not.  But the skinny from my fellow Austinites seems to be a general feeling of disinterest.  I'm afraid to say that it's darn hard to find a true Cowboys fan these days.  Too many disappointments I guess. 


your closing thoughts - anything you desire to share with us?

Hmmmm, I think I've pretty much worn out my welcome.  I do want to thank everyone at the www.ginkworld.net for giving the soap box for awhile.  Its so encouraging to see the love in the Body so alive like this.  I look forward to working along side of Y'all as the world becomes smaller (and decidedly less solid).