Read a great book yesterday!

It was one of those reads that sneaks up on you then kicks you right where you sit down—but in a good and positive way.

My friend Jimi Calhoun wrote “A Story Of Rhythm & Grace” which intends to import God’s values of live, acceptance and inclusion from the world or Rock & Roll into the church.

Importing biblical values from the world of Rock seems like a difficult task until you read the book. In many ways the secular arts are more concerned about brotherly love than your average evangelical church—white, black or otherwise.

Jimi played with most of the great names of the 60s and 70s including Stone, Hendrix, Dr. John and even John Lennon. He tells their story and those of many others… like the night he took Mick Jagger into black clubs to listen to the music. The important thing about that story is that Jagger was never “out of his element.” Here was white rock royalty hanging out with people not only different, but decidedly lower on the totem pole—yet he was there as a friend and a learner.

Jimi is pretty open with his feelings. He tells stories from growing up that will bring tears to most eyes. When you are done with the book you’ll feel frustrated and warm and fuzzy at the same time.

You’ll remember good, perhaps great, friendships you’ve had with people from other cultures which is a definite feel-good. But you’ll understand how your view of the friendship may have differed from theirs. You come away understanding the importance of understanding (of the mutual variety).

I remembered the day my black friends showed up to defend me from a white bully who menaced me after school. And I remembered the day I “remembered” that my best friend at work was black—I had simply seen him as a friend and brother. Those are good memories.

I also remember a friend saying the mountain where I took him snow-skiing was “too white” for him. I first thought he was talking about the snow. I’ve heard people say the same thing about a church I pastored even though we prided ourselves in reaching out to all peoples. The book caused me to re-assess lots of things about our church and ministry.

In the end it caused me to think institutionally and intentionally. Admit it, your church is an institution and as such it can expand its love base. But only if you are intentional about it. Not intentional as in quotas, but intentional as in creating opportunities for understanding what the other person feels.

I am biased because it was written by a friend. But this is a good read!