May 2011
1 post
1 tag
Unbelievable Christianity?
From the still-smoldering debates over hell, to the ordination of homosexuals, to the relative importance of one’s position on Ronald Regan’s legacy, if the evidence points overwhelmingly to any fact it’s this: Christianity is a big tent with a diverse voices and views.
Or is it?
While there are many perspectives on the theology and practice of Christianity, what seems to be...
April 2011
0 posts
March 2011
6 posts
1 tag
Hope
Hope is channeling despair into proactive transformation.
We hope when things are not okay. When things fall apart. When we lose something we can’t imagine living without. When we hope, we do things that may seem erratic or out of character. We pace. We plead. We bargain. Sometimes we even pray.
But true hope is also a step beyond all that. Hope doesn’t stop with wishing and praying...
8 tags
Slate
The world is aching.
Last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan sent shock waves throughout the earth as we marveled over images of nature’s awesome power to destroy. In an instant, entire villages were wiped from the earth and swept into a vengeful, untamed ocean.
Even as we grapple with the very real and immediate issues of economic, energy and humanitarian crises, it appears that...
5 tags
Chewing On...
I’ve been thinking a lot about how churches were the primary engine of cultural synchronicity during a critical period of European/American history, mostly because of advances in printing technology. With every subsequent advance, churches have tried to keep up with technology without changing their role as cultural hub. Now technology allows niche markets and cultures to thrive - take...
February 2011
1 post
December 2010
2 posts
November 2010
2 posts
October 2010
3 posts
1 tag
Faith Like an Avocado Pit
Once upon a time, there was a young, better-than-average-looking family with a planter box and a dream. They wanted to learn the art of backyard agriculture, so when making guacamole with a delicious California avocado one day they had the brilliant presence of mind to produce their own plant from the pit. And so, the family painstakingly went through the process of immersing the pre-avocado in...
July 2010
1 post
Eat This Flag!
Serena came up with this great idea of making American flags out of waffles, fruit and whipped cream. Is it a federal crime to eat the flag? Happy Independence Day! Posted via email from John O’Hara is… | Comment »
April 2010
3 posts
Be Here Now!
Be here now!In this time and placeIn this dance of graceIn the lines and contoursOf your neighbor’s face -Be here now!In the beatIn the heat Move your feetHit the streetBreak breadBow your headCome on, let’s eat,Be here now! For the lost ones,For the wayward sons, For the daughters caged and filled with rage,For children with guns -Be here now! With this bodyWith this blood,Be a torrent of...
1 tag
Simple: Why We Left ChurchWorld
My decade-long career in professional church work could be divided cleanly into two parts. Part I of the story would be called “Living the Dream,” in which the character played by me is found writing sermons, preparing slide show presentations, putting together volunteer teams and enjoying the fringe benefits of pastoral ministry: long, meandering lunch meetings, followed by long...
1 tag
Punk'd By God
I should begin with an April Fool’s disclaimer: this is a true story. Years ago, before I became an idealistic, slightly confused adrenaline-seeking spiritual artist, I was an idealistic, slightly confused adrenaline-seeking teenager. A very generous portion of my teen experience was immersed in what is known in the evangelical church world as a “drama team,” an evangelistic band of willing...
March 2010
3 posts
1 tag
Be Here Now: Multifaceted Leadership
“So, do I still call you ‘Pastor’ John?” My eclectic and unorthodox friend stood across from me in the church’s crowded breezeway. We were surrounded by people who, only six months ago, registered my name and face with an Associate Pastor at the place I now occasionally visit when not working at Starbucks. Just as I was about to offer an over-analyzed response, my...
1 tag
Consider the Monkey: Big Ideas
The other day I suggested that Influence = Big Ideas + Multifaceted Leadership + Strategic Connectivity
Let’s start with big ideas. There are plenty of interesting ideas, and even a few good ideas. But the difference between a good idea and a Big Idea is how effectively it seeds real, lasting transformation.
TEN LITTLE MONKEYS: A CAUTIONARY TALE
If you’ve ever been a parent...
1 tag
How YouTube Killed the MegaChurch
Many of today’s large evangelical churches gained prominence on a wave of video technology. Programming, lighting, dress, behavior - even the language of these churches (and by extension, those they influence) have been deeply marked by the medium. In my own experience on church staffs, a high priority was consistently placed on the audience experience: entertaining segments, clean and crisp...
February 2010
2 posts
Great quote on tribal leadership in the digital...
“The Beatles did not invent teenagers! They merely decided to lead them. Most movements, most leadership that we’re doing is about finding a group that’s disconnected but already has a yearning, not persuading people to want something they don’t have yet.” - Seth Godin at TED2009 Posted via email from oharaville’s posterous | Comment »
January 2010
1 post
Count the Cost
Before you set out To build a road, Count the cost. Discern the curves, The twists and turns God gave to you, Your sojourn And birthright, Your path to completion. This proving ground Is fraught with danger Yet filled with hope, For we take shape As the road ends And the horizon begins. Peace, John O’Hara The Renew Project http://www.therenewproject.org blog |...
December 2009
2 posts
daybreak
daybreak at Broadway at 8th green light run across empty streets footfalls echo the stacatto beats Posted via email from oharaville’s posterous | Comment »
Waiting (Praying for the Cat)
together we pray for the mouse. “dear lord, take care of the little mouse - take care of the cat,” we add to pray, since that’s where the lord’ll have to do his work. - jack kerouac, visions of gerardHow often do we pity the mice of the world - the left out and let down, the hung up and thrown away - instead of doing something about the cat? “dear god please bless...
November 2009
10 posts
Ritual Coffee Break
Napa Posted via email from oharaville’s posterous | Comment »
December Event: Make Something! Parties « The...
As the holiday season looms, many of us are seeking more hopeful ways to celebrate. The Renew Project is sponsoring four Make Something Parties, two with Project Peace East Bay and two at our home, as part of a worldwide movement called Advent Conspiracy. We invite you to join us for one or more of our upcoming parties in December: Saturday, December 5, 2-5 PM at The O’Hara House, Castro Valley...
8 tags
Renewing Our Minds About... Church
I went to church for the first time last Sunday. One of the pastors approached me and asked about my experience. I didn’t like it.
My dislike wasn’t stemming from anything that was wrong with the service. The music was great, the preaching was well executed. The people were friendly. I simply didn’t enjoy sitting there and taking it all in. It felt… dirty.
For my entire...
7 tags
Renewing Our Minds About... Food
I realize I’m late to the table on agriculture, urban renewal and the mind-body connection, but a few Spirit-inspired encounters have really turned my heart toward the potential for urban farming collectives to transform local economies, create access to nutrition, and develop an overall sense of reality in a virtually-enhanced world.
One of my first encounters with agriculture-based...
October 2009
21 posts
Waiting for his close-up
Josh can’t stop eating leaves and acorns. Endearing, except when trying to take portraits. Posted via email from oharaville’s posterous | Comment »
Untitled
Posted via email from oharaville’s posterous | Comment »
NYTimes op-ed: More Schools, Not Troops
Adding momentum to a shifting paradigm, NYT offers this piece suggesting that communities invested in kids’ future is more effective than force. From The New York Times: OP-ED COLUMNIST: More Schools, Not Troops A compelling argument against more troops in Afghanistan rests on this trade-off: For the cost of an additional soldier stationed in Afghanistan for a year, nearly 20 schools...
Two Cups at a Time.
If you’re looking for a simple way to demonstrate your support for our project, look no further.
We’re estimating that it will take roughly 100 face-to-face meetings to reach our personal financial support goal. Most of these meetings will take place at coffee shops. You can help us keep our support-raising costs down while at the same time providing a delicious, caffeine-laden...
WatchWhat is Missional Community Formation?
I get this question a lot when describing our work with The Renew Project. Here, some friends describe their experiences. Are you looking for a risk-filled adventure in missional formation? Join the Renew Project development team.
2 tags
What He Said.
Imagine yourself sitting in the Synagogue at Nazareth 2,000 years ago when the carpenter’s son stood up, opened the Isaiah scroll and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the...
1 tag
Me and Alexander Get Accosted by God
Alexander, it turns out, isn’t the only guy who experiences terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.
Today, I’m with Alexander.
I was interviewing for a job that would help our family while we raise support for the Renew Project, when SUDDENLY my brain turned to mush and I channeled the vocal stylings of Moses himself, stuttering and guffawing and “uhhh”-ing....
