Church is for punks… at least, that’s probably what Jesus would say (and I’d be the first to put it in red). As a shout out to all my homies-of-faith (especially in Terra Nova), I present you with a Fox News clip from a spot they did (19 July 2005) on the Underground Graffiti Church located in the East Village of New York City. The founder, Austin Williams, is a punk (literally) and combined his newfound faith in Christ with his punk culture… I suppose it was either that or get a haircut, spend $5K for tattoo removal, call a blacksmith to surgically remove all the skin trinkets, buy $100 of cheap ugly ‘church’ ties, and toss out all of your musical preferences in favor of a more appropriate fervor for 17th century hymns written in ye God-breathed olde English. Here’s an article the NY Times did on the church (linked here from WeCareAmerica.org).
As I poked around the web I found a CBS News piece about this same church, and a cowboy-ish church and a biker church (as in Mr. Davidson).
As you can imagine from seeing some of these images, and as you heard from the talking suit at the trailing end of the Fox News clip, there is a tub of controversy revolving around what is worship and what is ‘Christ-like’. I can’t help but crack open the book and discern that outward appearance is not eternally important. Tonight in a small-group study we ate cereal with purple milk to prove exactly that point (I’m still alive but the Poison Control Center is on speed-dial).
I'm a Christ-follower, compelled by my faith toward reason, which points directly toward conservatism. This world's daily onslaught of lunacy offends my intellect and senses, so this is my venue to blow off steam.
I like it! thanks…..:))
Ahh, what fun. The East Village is grand.
Yeah, it looks it. I’m waiting for a Punk Sunday School class at LCC.
And they thought a certain worship leader was too extreme. I say bring it on!