Who is Jesus to You?

"I think one of our problems is that we forget to ask ourselves this question when we set out to start churches. The consequence is weak churches. We speak more about our church "style" and "model" than about the Lord of lords who reigns within it. We tell people why our church is different from or better than other churches in town, thinking they will be attracted to it, but instead they are uninterested. If only we return to our first love and let Jesus be our focus, then many will be drawn in. They will be compelled to gain Christ rather than attend a religious service."

~Neil Cole

Shedding Religion

Here is a lengthy post by Jim Palmer. It is well worth the read - read it!

Sincerity of Heart

John has a great article that you can read in full here.

The following is a section from that article:

One of my favourite heroes of the faith is Oscar Romero. Whenever I get too preoccupied with church activities or the politics that come with working for a Christian organization, I take some time to read his words. Romero never fails to strip away all of the unnecessary church nonsense and remind me of the essentials of serving Jesus Christ. In The Violence of Love, Romero says:

Let us not measure the Church by the number of its members

or by its material buildings.

The Church has built many houses of worship,

many seminaries,

many buildings that have been taken from her.

They have been stolen

and turned into libraries

and barracks

and markets

and other things.

That doesn’t matter.

The material walls here will be left behind in history.

What matters is you, the people,

your hearts.

God’s grace giving you God’s truth and life.

Don’t measure yourselves by your numbers.

Measure yourselves by the sincerity of heart

with which you follow the truth and light

of our divine Redeemer.

We need to look beyond our walls and reach out to our communities. If we become too caught up in the activities we plan inside our churches, we will lose sight of the needs outside. And that leads to irrelevance and eventually empty buildings. We exist for the people outside our material walls, not for the personal satisfaction of those inside. What happens inside should prepare us for what could happen outside. When we lose sight of that, our church suffers. And then our community suffers, our nation suffers, and the world suffers.

All Aboard?

Institutional churches are a lot like trains. They are going in a certain direction and they will continue in that direction for a good long time even if all hands try to make them stop. As with trains, the options for turning the direction of institutional churches are limited at best. If a switch or siding is available, the train could turn. Otherwise, it just follows its tracks. So everyone aboard had best hope that he is on the right train headed in the right direction.

Organic churches, like those in the New Testament, are different. They are not trains, but groups of people out for a walk. These groups move much more slowly than trains--only several miles per hour at the fastest. But they can turn at a moment's notice. More importantly, they can be genuinely attentive to their world, to their Lord, and to each other.

Like trains, institutional churches are easy to find. The smoke and noise are unmistakable. Organic churches are a bit more subtle. Because they do not announce their presence with flashing lights at every intersection, some believe that churches like those in the New Testament died out long ago. But nothing could be further from the truth. Organic churches are everywhere. I personally have been part of one for more than twenty years. Still, groups like ours are quietly walking together, not bothering to call undue attention to ourselves. We are simply pilgrims together.

Once you learn how to spot an organic church, you will soon discover groups of people everywhere meeting just like the New Testament church--as bodies, families, and bridges, rather than as institutions.

Organic churches are groups of people walking with God. The trains pass them by all the time. Sometimes the people on board wave. Sometimes they cannot because the train is moving so fast that people going a few miles per hour just look like a blur. If you are one of the trains whizzing by, it may be a bit surprising to find out that some of those blurred patches of color outside your window are groups of people walking with God. That thing you just passed was an organic church.

by Hal Miller

The Shack

Mack paused, searching for the right words. "You're talking about the church as this woman you're in love with; I'm pretty sure I haven't met her." He turned away slightly. "She's not the place I go on Sundays," Mack said more to himself, unsure if that was safe to say out loud.

"Mack, that's because you're only seeing the institution, a man-made system. That's not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs."

Mack was a bit taken back to hear Jesus talking about "church" this way, but then again, it didn't really surprise him. It was a relief. "So how do I become part of that church?" he asked. "This woman you seem so gaga over."

"It's simple, Mack. It's all about relationships and simply sharing life. What we are doing right now--just doing this--and being open and available to others around us. My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can't build it. It's my job and I'm actually pretty good at it," Jesus said with a chuckle.

For Mack these words were like a breath of fresh air! Simple. Not a bunch of exhausting work and long list of demands, and not the sitting in endless meetings staring at the backs of people's heads, people he really didn't even know. Just sharing life.

Conversation between Mack & Jesus in The Shack (you have to read it to appreciate the above)

The Dream

Making omelettes for breakfast with Jake
Sitting in a cold rink on a hot day watching (with the other parents) as Joel & the kids play 3 on 3
Listening to God, as pointed out by Julia, in a Hannah Montana song (who knew?)
Walking a young couple through marriage prep over dinner
Spending the evening playing Trivial Pursuit with our friends while the kids play Disney Scene It

Does church get any better than this?

Does Organized Church do More Harm Than Good?

Jim recently made a post by the above title. If you have a few moments it's worth checking out here (don't forget to scan the comments). In this first post he answers that yes, organized church does do more harm than good.

He follows up the first post with a second post here. In the second post he responds with the comments of people who feel organized church has had a positive impact on their lives (again, don't neglect the comments).

Happy reading!

Jesus of Suburbia - Jamie's comment

Jamie made a comment on my previous post - his comment is worthy of a stand alone post especially if there may be those that skip comments and could miss it...

As someone who lives and serves in an inner city community, I couldn't agree with you more. I am a very strong advocate for increased Christian involvement in the inner city, but only because that it the context to which I am called and can see the need. However, I am not blind the broader needs.

I have said it many times before, but it is worth saying again: Suburbia is a far more challenging context in which to be truly missional than the inner city in so many ways. While the problems in the inner city are many, they are also largely out in the open for many to see. Further, because so few Christians genuinely engage the community missionally, there is a freedom to explore and experiment with creative ways of serving God and our neighbours.

In suburbia the culture of respectability and privacy means that the very real problems are often hidden behind a veneer of manicured lawns and smiling faces. Further, the culture is less forgiving about innovation in ministry. All this to say that, while many people pat me on the back for living and working in the inner city, my heroes are those who genuinely contend with the culture of suburbia for Christ without abandoning it or compromising within it.

Great comment Jamie!

Jesus of Suburbia

If you haven't heard, our community found out early yesterday evening that someone was found dead in their home between 4 & 6 p.m. that same day. The home is literally a hop, skip & jump from where I live.

As details unfolded today the woman found dead was strangled to death and it's a good possibility it was her husband who did it. It's sketchy but it sounds as though following the killing of his wife he drove out on the highway and took his own life as he drove into oncoming traffic.

Sad but not surprising. Prior to watching the 11 p.m. news last night I joked that people would be saying, "I can't believe it!" "I'm shocked." "Not in our quiet community, others but not ours." "They were good people, quiet, kept to themselves."

Sometimes in the church we're led to believe that real problems & real ministry happens where the obvious, visible issues are - downtown, inner city among the down & out ("that's where Jesus would be"). I don't dispute that there are some real needs among the homeless & the substance addicted, those people are close to Jesus' heart & He would be found among those marginalized. I know too that the greater church community has far too long been much too comfortable, complacent and neglectful of the less fortunate.

That said, there are issues in suburbia. Issues of: substance abuse and addiction, pornography addiction, debt, uncontrolled rage, many kinds of abuse, not the least of which is domestic violence - and the list continues. Add to that single parents, both male & female (but mostly single moms), attempting to raise healthy children without support. Plus the overwhelming sense of loneliness & isolation that many feel especially in a city like Calgary where many have left the comfort of close family support in other parts of the country to seek employment in a city & province bursting with opportunity.

Suburbia has issues that are close to Jesus' heart too. I believe you'd also find him here pulling up a chair at the table in the home of someone in Bridlewood.

The church isn't doing so well in Suburbia either. We live next door to people we don't even bother getting to know. Church is something we do on Sunday & we drive to get to it - away from real life in our immediate community and into the little 'once a week' compartment we've reserved for God, church & something we refer to as ministry.

There's a bigger world out there people. Someone in your neighbourhood needs a friend as much as you do - give it a whirl!

More than Personal Salvation

Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there

~ Depeche Mode

Remade recently by Johnny Cash & Marilyn Manson, Personal Jesus is a song originally by Depeche Mode. However, the thought process is one that dates back to the 19th century when revivalists like Charles Finney, D.L. Moody & Charles Fuller introduced the mercy seat, altar call & the invitation to accept a personal saviour.

Though I believe I recognize something of the intent, I see two issues with the invitation to accept a personal saviour:

1) Short sighting God's eternal purposes for humanity. Surely God has greater plans for humanity than just redeeming/saving individuals. Add to this the pressure of the eschaton and you miss out on the beauty of friendship & journeying together with someone respective of God's timing. Potential friends become potential kingdom projects and that's wrong. Have we forgotten to befriend someone for sheer companionship & enjoyment?

The first plays into the second:

2) Stunting the expansion of Jesus' Kingdom through individualistic ritual. If we focus on Jesus as a personal saviour we miss out on the deeper meaning of relationship as exemplified between Father & Son; and also, Father, Son & adopted sons & daughters (you & me). Salvation is meant to be an enjoyed corporate relationship among friends who share in Jesus life together while inviting others into that community!

I'm not saying Jesus doesn't want to redeem people. Nor am I saying evangelism is unimportant. Jesus does want to redeem & evangelism is important. However, God has so much more planned for the redeemed and it includes what He died for in the here & now! As well, when we focus on Jesus instead of evangelism, our methods & outlook will more accurately resemble the early church instead of stale religious obligation.

Home

Shifts

I've been asked to contribute to a discussion regarding youth ministry (more specifically addressing why youth are leaving the church & our denomination).

I've also been asked prior to the discussion to submit my vision for youth ministry. Below you will find some thoughts. I welcome your thoughts, additions and questions for clarification.

You can go here to fill out a survey that will help us along.

A Possible Vision for Youth Ministry:

1) A shift from youth pastor as church babysitter & social co-ordinator to missionary (from “in here” focused to “out there” focused).

2) A shift from short term bandage solutions to long term process (journey) requiring study of immediate context & culture as well as much prayer.

3) A shift from ‘I am an island’ mentality to embrace the larger movement of Jesus, transcending religious & denominational barriers and doctrinal differences (why reinvent – get on board with where Jesus’ Spirit is moving).

4) A shift in the way we measure success recognizing both the culture and the church are working against us. The culture because it believes church is for church people. The church because there may be less programs at the church for youth & the youth pastor may be spending less time at the church (this doesn’t go over well with some parents and church staff). Prepare for a lengthy process. (long term disciple making vs. short term attendance at programs/events with little or no fruit to show for it)

5) A shift from the youth pastor as the lone evangelist to teaching & equipping students to be missionaries too.

6) A shift from stale curriculum to cultural investigation & relevance.

7) A shift from the average 18 month life span as a youth pastor to longer stays that see a group of kids through Jr. High and/or High school.

8) A shift from large group focus to the few. From more, more, more (events, programs, kids getting saved) to scale things back to the few.

9) A shift from teaching using words to teaching by example. Inviting the youth into your home, running errands with you, etc. Letting them see how you live and how Jesus plays out in your real life.

10) A shift from the church and youth pastor as responsible for spiritual formation of youth to a greater emphasis & focus on home, family and parents/guardians as foremost responsible for spiritual formation of their youth with the church as a supplement.

I realize this is sketchy and I’m prepared to clarify any of these shifts for those inquiring. If nothing else, they represent good starting points for discussion.

That said, I don’t believe the mission of the church & subsequently youth ministry will ever be accomplished by just adding to the present structure. We need to scale things back to a foundation and begin again.

Organic

“An organic church is simply a church that is born out of spiritual life instead of constructed by human institutions and held together by religious programs. Organic churches are characterized by Spirit-led, open-participatory meetings and non-hierarchical leadership. This is in stark contrast to a clergy-led, institution driven church.” ~Frank Viola

Pagan Christianity?

Picked up a new book today. Visit Frank Viola's site here.

The teaser:

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles.

Now, go get the book!

Who Cares

Mike made a post about hearing Stephen Lewis & David Suzuki speak in Vancouver this past weekend.

In another post he says:

I'm tired of Stephen Lewis caring more about God's Children than do the People of God.

I'm tired of David Suzuki caring more about God's Creation than do the People of God.

Here was my comment:

I don't think it really matters where the caring comes from as long as there is care. Now ask me is it a shame that those who claim to be believers aren't modeling this care - definitely. I believe that's what God's judgment is reserved for - those who know better & have the means but don't care enough to act.

Here's a little more on my comment:

Instead of getting down on the lack of motivation by Christians to act Christian, why not celebrate the good no matter where or by whom it is expressed or what their beliefs are.

If 11 years of full time ministry have taught me anything it is run where God is moving, even if it means moving away from so called believers who should know better & act better but don't get it. Too much energy & emotion (supposedly all in the name of Jesus) has been expended trying to convince the crowd and they just will not (and likely may never) get it. If God is moving your spirit to some kind of action, I suggest you get on board with what He's doing - no matter its origin.

Closure

Our church had its last formal gathering today. It was a tough and emotional one.

This was our third church. We've moved on twice before leaving the church to the leadership of those who would succeed us. This however was different. It was much harder having the last word & searching for that last word to conclude with.

I hope the time we spent together this morning helped bring us a little further in the direction of closure. Of course I'm sure we will each wake up next Sunday feeling a little empty & displaced as it hits us that our corporate gathering no longer exists as it once did.

I have confidence that God is as much in this now as He was when He opened the door for us to come here three years ago. I have confidence that God has a plan now as He has been working it through the past few years. There have been times in the past 5 years where I had almost rushed God's timing; where with my impatience I was trying to push His hand. Looking back I realize how different things would have turned out if I had gone on emotion & my own personal steam instead of trusting God, even though I didn't know what He was up to.

I still don't fully know what's happening tomorrow. I can feel self doubt creeping in there. I'm looking for logical answers. Despite how I feel - at my core I am confident that God is doing something & right now I'm where I should be.

Love, gratitude & prayers go out to those who have journeyed with us these past three years as part of South Meadows. For some we were your pastors, for others you've gone beyond that to embrace us as friends. Thank you all.

‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
(Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)

Big Studly Tuna

Read the interview with Phil Vischer (Veggie Tales creator) here.

For now, I'll spoil the ending for you:

What advice do you have for pastors trapped in a false gospel of impact?

First, there is a danger in applying business principles to ministry. Businesses use numbers to measure success and ministries shouldn't. Using numbers to convince ourselves that we are doing God's will is dangerous. Second, remember that nothing is scripture except Scripture. We shouldn't look at a model another church is using and simply adopt it. Because God has uniquely led someone doesn't mean he is leading you into the same thing.

How are you employing these new ideas in your ministry now?

My new company is called Jellyfish Labs because jellyfish cannot choose their own course; their direction is derived from currents. As a Christian I should be thinking of myself more as a jellyfish than as a big studly tuna. I have a wall full of new ideas. But the moment I pick one and call it my dream—my big, hairy, audacious goal—I'm holding onto it too tightly. And that's a big change. God is now my dream, my deep desire, not what I can do for him.