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Coffee House #5

This episode of Coffee House Confidential is brought to you by
Chic & Gumbo Coffee Creamer,

the coffee creamer that tastes just like coffee!

This week takes me to "The Same Ol' Grind", a coffee shop located in Beanbag, Colorado. I had my mini-recorder microphone hidden at a table where two Christians were conversing.

Ray: Our church attendance has increased exponentially since our pastor started preaching from the local TV guide!

Ben: This is a joke...right?

Ray: No! I'm dead serious! Last Sunday he preached a sermon based on "Lost". I think he called it "The Gospel According To John Locke". You should have heard his series on "The Fringe"! It was powerful!

Ben: What about the Bible? Don't you think that would be a better source for truth?

Ray: Hold on Ben...don't get all "fundy" on me. He uses the Bible! It's just that since pastor Nick is basically an evangelist at heart, he will use any and everything to win the lost. Just like Paul. He brings out the redemptive truth that is hidden in every TV show listed.

Ben: Sounds like he feeds the goats more than the sheep!

Ray: So...what's wrong with that?

Ben: Jesus said "feed my sheep"! He didn't say "feed the goats"!

Ray: Pastor Nick said if Paul lived in this century he would use the most popular medium to communicate the Good News! ...namely, capital T capital V.

Ben: It obvious he doesn't know Paul! Paul Shaffer maybe...but not the Apostle Paul.

Ray: You're much too critical, Ben. Pastor Nick is the most creative pastor I have ever listened to. His sermon on "The Twilight Zone" changed my life!

Ben: Let me ask you a question. When you leave church, do you think, "What a creative sermon that was!" or do you think, "What a great God and Savior we serve!"

Ray: Well, I can see through your trick questions! I'll be honest...I usually can't wait to see what he will do next! I mean, there is excitement in our congregation! Our bulletins even have a TV Guide Crossword Puzzle...we call them "Word Cross Puzzles"...get it? And he is working on a new TV Guide Study Bible that will premiere the day of the final episode of "Prison Break". His new book, "Stay Tuned", will be out around Christmas. If I give you a copy, will you read it?

Ben: Sure...if you'll read a book I have for you.

Ray: It's a deal! What is the book?

Ben: "Tell the Truth" by Will Metzger.

Ray: Was he on "Boston Legal"?

Interview with Pug Dagitt - Emergent Church Leader

The Calvinistic Cartoon Blog Interview

1. Pug, What gives with the new look...why all the tattoos and piercings?

Pug: "I want to be all things to all men. This is my way of crossing all bridges at once in an attempt to win all. My tattoos have illustrated bits of conversations from many different "religious" leaders such as Ghandi, Morpheus, Johnny Appleseed...and, oh yeah, Jesus. My piercings witness to the fact that man suffers from low self-esteem and "Holy" dogma.

2. What is your method of preaching?

Pug: "I like to call it "Starbucks skyscraper sermons", let me explain...Imagine if Starbucks had an 86 floor skyscraper in Montego Bay. Now imagine U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" being played by a sitar in the background. You get on the elevator with a candle and a copy of my latest book, "Why I Greet Men", ("greet men" is "emergent" spelled sideways)...anyway, if you have followed me so far, you know that a skyscaper is just one story stacked upon many other stories.
That's the way I roll.

3. Who are the biggest influences in your life as a leader?

Pug: "Jonah, of course, then there is Jose Feliciano, Alexander the Great, Barry Gibb, James Dean, and SpongeBob Squarepants.

4. What books have changed your life?

Pug: "Not sure I would say any books have changed my life. I have never thought about books in that light. It kind of sounds like the question from Junior High School, "what is your favorite song". (which is "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by the way) But maybe books have changed my life, there are so many that I recommend and love reading, I will give some time thinking of books in that way and see what comes to mind...wait a minute...I would like to mention "Doc Savage Man of Bronze in The Land of Terror" as one that made a impact on me at an early age."

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?

Pug: "TV Guide Crossword Puzzles. I can never complete one no matter how hard I try. Most of my sermon material comes from those that are published in the New York Times."

6. What goals do you have as a leader?

Pug: "My goals are simple. Try to maintain my sanity. In fact, I have a 'sanity clause' in my verbal contract here at Solomon's Balcony. You may not believe in a sanity clause but, try and tell that to all the children here around Christmas."

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Pug: "I hope to have my own movie company and a TV show, a situation comedy for sure. I have already written the pilot. It will be called, "Harry Tick and the Hinder-sons".

8. One last question. What does the WWJD on the back of your head stand for?

Pug: "What Would Jonah Do."

Thanks Pug for taking time for an interesting interview.