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"The season of Lent has not been well observed in much of evangelical Christianity," writes Dennis Bratcher. But things are changing. "Many of the churches that had originally rejected more formal and deliberate liturgy are now recovering aspects of a larger Christian tradition as a means to refocus on spirituality in a culture that is increasingly secular." More of us are discovering (or rediscovering) Lent.

I'm looking forward to observing Lent beginning tomorrow. I'm working through A.W. Tozer's book The Radical Cross. Tozer writes:

Though the cross of Christ has been beautified by the poet and the artist, the avid seeker after God is likely to find it the same savage instrument of destruction it was in the days of old. The way of the cross is still the pain-wracked path to spiritual power and fruitfulness.

So do not seek to hide from it. Do not accept an easy way. Do not allow yourself to be patted to sleep in a comfortable church, void of power and barren of fruit. Do not paint the cross nor deck it with flowers. Take it for what it is, as it is, and you will find the rugged way to death and life. Let it slay you utterly.

I'm also keeping a Lenten blog with a selection from the book every day between now and Easter. You can follow along at RadicalCross.info, or subscribe to the feed.

I remember finding a book in the church library as a kid way back in the 1970s. I noticed the book because the title didn't fit with the rest of the books; I'm not sure how this one got in. The title: Brethren, Hang Loose.

I heard again about this book last year and ordered it for myself. I'll be posting some quotes from the book over the next few days.

The author, Robert Girard, reflects on his experience of building a "successful" church (written back in 1972):

It cannot be denied...that the Lord used the early emphasis on programming to bring pagans to faith in Christ and into the church.

But all our programming could not bring about spiritual maturity. It seemed, rather, to encourage dependence on "the program." And it couldn't prevent the development of many of the old institutional diseases...

I began to ask, "Is this really the task we've been called to do: to build a large congregation of new Christians...and then just try to keep these spiritual babies dry and happy 'til Jesus comes?

"Or is there more to building a church?"

I'm sitting in Starbucks finishing my thesis - or at least the first draft of my thesis. It's time, I think, to get back to posting to Dying Church.

Some random items:

Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation is out. I haven't read it yet. Reports I've read say that the author manages to rise above merely complaining about the church by writing "love letters" to the church. If you've read it, I'd love to know what you think.

Just came across Stupid Church People, although it's been around for over a year. Some good posts, and some controversy occasionally as well, as you'd expect with a name like this.

Also reading The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne. Some challenging stuff here. I've heard of people who agree with the book but can't bring themselves to do something about it. Some provocative arguments here on how we function as churches. Read at your own risk.

I continue to look for and love those who are calling the church to die to itself, while also loving the church. If you know of other resources like this, let me know.