One For Truth

On the iPod: Stupid Church People podcast

Yes, that's Stupid Church People. Still another capillary in the vein of counterpoint to the evangelical church in America, at least insofar as it practices "Churchianity". All smiles in the service, polished worship, conservative in its politics, and trending ever more towards the megachurch and six-figure (or even seven-figure) pastors, this churchianity, like every incarnation of it before, leaves wounded souls in its wake. Where once the church decapitated Muslims, drowned Anabaptists, burned Protestants, put Jews in the stock, burned witches, hung scarlet letters and excommunicated, it now merely burns out, alienates, demoralizes and drags down.

Among the detritus of our consumer church culture are the hosts of Stupid Church People, twentysomething Josh Shager and fourtysomething Steve Chastain. Living right here in the O.C., these two guys have put together a series of thoroughly entertaining and engaging podcasts. Definitely not "family-friendly", these guys don't mind dropping a little profanity or a few lewd comments in their side mission to poke a finger in the eye of the evangelical church.

But that's not all it's about, especially when you read the thoughtful posts on their blog. These guys, like many postmoderns, are struggling with how you follow Jesus when you can't stand to go to church. This is (at least in my estimation) what the emerging church dialog is all about. How do we remake church so that we can come up with a model that feels authentic, instead of merely authorized? Good question. Stupid Church People are asking it, and none too politely. Give it a listen.

posted by Zeke @ 8:36 PM