I'm Digging Jay Bakker
Last night I watched One Punk Under God (hooray for Comcast On Demand), and I really like Jay. I didn't always. Once, a couple of years ago, he was a speaker at the National Youth Workers Convention, in the evening slot, and I was hosting a late night deal. He went long--really long--and that meant I had to start late and stay up later. I was pissed.
What's funny is that, on the first episode of the show, his wife talks about a speaking gig where he went way over his time, and she was in the front row making the finger-across-the-throat sign. I'm about 90% sure that was the YS convention.
I've never met Jay, but I've heard he's a good guy. The show portrays his as really gentle, a bit insecure, and totally likeable. His wife feels about pastoral ministry about how mine does. And he is totally overshadowed by his Dad, the fallen televangelist (although I know how documentarians can shape things to look a certain way).
In any case, I think the show is good, and I think Jay is a good guy. I hope to meet him.
What's funny is that, on the first episode of the show, his wife talks about a speaking gig where he went way over his time, and she was in the front row making the finger-across-the-throat sign. I'm about 90% sure that was the YS convention.
I've never met Jay, but I've heard he's a good guy. The show portrays his as really gentle, a bit insecure, and totally likeable. His wife feels about pastoral ministry about how mine does. And he is totally overshadowed by his Dad, the fallen televangelist (although I know how documentarians can shape things to look a certain way).
In any case, I think the show is good, and I think Jay is a good guy. I hope to meet him.
Labels: jay bakker, sundance, youth specialties
posted by tony at 6:07 PM
9 Comments:
I downloaded the show from iTunes last week, and really enjoyed it, as well.
I was struck at how driven he is by his past. I truly felt the pain of his youth, as he shared his heart and struggled with his vision.
His forgiveness of those who betrayed his family is heart-wrenching. But it is important for anyone who is hurting to tune in and watch the emotional healing as Jay finds his voice...
Yeah, I was at that YS. It was the one right after Yaconelli passed in St. Louis. I have to say, he was my favorite speaker in my three years of YS. And I was convinced he was talking about that YS too.
I heard Jay speak at the Urban Youth Workers Institute a few years back and he was amazing. He really connected with my idealistic college thinking when he told of how he held church services in a bar in Atlanta. He was very bold, a boldness that comes from finding your own Jesus, not your parents bling bling Jesus or religion, but one that you've really struggled to find... really cried and suffered to accept. After he spoke I found him in a back room with some of his friends, introduced myself and just told him that I really appreciated his message. He was really nice, gave me one of his cards, and told me I should come to Georgia sometime. He felt really genuine - I was nervous when I introduced myself, but I think he was more nervous. It was like talking to someone at a party, if that makes sense, who is looking for friendship - in other words, it wasn't like talking to someone who thinks they are super important.
anyway...I haven't seen the documentary, but in his talk at UYWI, he did mention the time he went over at YS - in fact he said that's why he was there, because they wouldnt let him back to YS ^_^
I caught Jay at Cornerstone years ago. I enjoyed his talk. I liked his honesty about his mom. He said something like, "Yeah, I know there have been lots of jokes about my mom and that she makes mistakes.... but, she's my mom". It was a reminder to me that some of these people we critique from a distance have lives and families.
Tony
I know Jay ... he is a grace giant ... Manning is his hero. I hope you saw his interview on CNN. I am very impressed with his grow over the years.
The fun thing for me was watching him and Amanda get married by his father. Enjoy!
Tony,
I have watched the episode from itunes and found it refreshing. Although I have heard rumors that the reason the show is on is because of his stance that homosexuality is not a sin and the Bible doesn't make that clear. Do you know anything about this? I don't know about these thoughts and I get frustrated with the church and their love for the homosexual community but just wondering if this show will mess with minds to much about truth or what.
Let me clarify my previous statement. I want the church to do more for the homosexual community. Just wanted to be clear in my statement.
I recently visited his "church" in Brooklyn. His take on the gospel is refreshing. I recently posted about it on my blog at www.morefire.wordpress.com, if you're interested.
I subscribed to this show through iTunes and have been enjoying it. It is great to see someone who has lived a life like that so openly embrace God and others.
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