How religion draws us away from God

Alan Hirsch, missional leader and author of The Forgotten Ways, has an excellent post in which he cites Paul Minear, author of Eyes of Faith.

Hirsch explains how we seek to escape the overarching lordship of Christ in all of our lives, including religion. Hirsch comments on this, quoting Minear:

"We try to escape God by attempting to '...preserve mementoes of God’s former visits in ritual and law, to idolize these, to substitute legal observance and cultic sacrifice for ‘knowledge of God…The religious person is also inclined to speak of God in the third person, albeit with apparent reverence, and thus to remove himself from the magnetic field of divine compulsions. Man can forget God in the very act of speaking of him.' Religion is one of the biggest cop-outs known to the human. It objectifies God and thus seeks to control him."

http://www.theforgottenways.org/blog/index.php/2007/09/07/50-ways-to-leave-your-lover/#more-268

It is much easier to follow a rule than to love one's enemies or pursue justice, mercy, and the greater matters of the law. It makes one feel secure, righteous, even while pursuing an unrighteous life. The evidence of this is overwhelming, particularly in the way that people may deal with doctrinal disagreements. In following "religion" (human rules and conclusions), many resort to mean-spiritedness, entrapment, destruction of unity, gossip, and more to destroy their "opponents" (fellow Christians), with behavior that shows they believe the ends justify the means.

This is a danger that we all face in "religion." We should always check ourselves and make sure that pursuing justice and mercy are our primary acts of "religion," not any minor point of doctrine or personal preference.

Do you think that "religion" can draw us away from God?

Here is a link to Minear's book. http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Faith-Study-Biblical-Point/dp/1432555782/ref=sr_1_3/104-8325819-3760765?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189176369&sr=8-3 Thanks, Alan, for the reference.

Bringing About Missional Transformation in Your Church

I sometimes get questions about how to bring about missional transformation in an established church. The best work on this by far is Becoming a Missional Leader by Alan J. Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk. http://www.amazon.com/dp/078798325X/ref=s9_asin_image_1/104-8325819-3760765?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1WG4YGJM98HGJ3TBG69W&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=288448601&pf_rd_i=507846 Here is an excerpt of a missional change process from their work (p. 105).

Missional Change Model

Stage 1: Creating Awareness--Through intensive communication events, both one-on-one and in groups, leaders take people through dialogue and discussion about the need for missional transformation of the church; a 4-6 month process

Stage 2: Creating Understanding--The dialgoue and discussion serve to bring thinking and feeling modes of understanding together into a coherent pattern of understanding; a 3-5 month process

Stage 3: Evaluation--What is currently happening in the congregation is evaluated in light of awareness and understanding; a 3-5 month process

Stage 4: Creating Experiments--People begin to identify actions that they believe will move them toward becoming a missional church. The critical word is action. People will experiment through action

Stage 5: Commit--People commit to getting others involved in the process of moving through awareness to understanding, to evaluation, to experimentation, and finally to commitment.

A key on this change model, however, is beginning from the ground up. Most real change begins at the grassroots level, and then bubbles up to the top. Seeking to get top down change initially is both difficult--there is often resistance--and if accomplished, rather superficial. A better path is to start at the edges of the organization and let others see the success of the missional experiments.

The authors state: "Given that only 10-15 percent of any group has low resistance to change and are ready to adopt innovation, an attempt to innovate missional culture in a congregation that tries to begin with universal agreement (usually around some unknown and ill-defined concept) is headed for failure from the start. The key to initiating missional change is to begin with that first 10-15 percent of innovators. Leaders should direct change efforts for the first eighteen months at getting about 10 percent of their churches or system members through the stages of the Missional Change model and into the commitment stage. It's difficult and rare to reduce this time frame."

So if you want to start a missional movement in your church, begin by living a missional lifestyle. Then invite others into this lifestyle. Then start putting together some "ministries"--probably unofficial--that are missional. Then let others see the success, teach them further, and move towards greater adoption.

What questions do you have about this change process?

Recommended Blog-Ben Witherington

My friend John alerted me to a good blog, http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/. Ben Witherington is an interesting author, with strong opinions that are sure to generate discussion. The following quote from his post on Biblical Illiteracy in the West is alone worth the visit:

"The church has ceased almost altogether to be what it was at its inception-- an evangelistic movement, that also did some nurture and training of converts. Instead we are nurture institutions that might have a missions committee. Talk about placing the emphasis on the wrong syllable as the culture becomes increasing less Biblical."

I've added Ben's blog to my list of blogs below. Check it out!

Christ is the only hope for "family values"

A recent news article highlighted Sen. John McCain's campaign stop at a New Hampshire high school. The article said that McCain was booed when he said that he would work to fight against discrimination against gays, but supported traditional marriage.

We really live in a different world than the one that I grew up in. I can remember someone at my high school who was in the music program writing on an anonymous note, saying that he was considering suicide because he was gay.

We certainly should not want anyone to commit suicide because of any sin. All sin can be forgiven, and God wants all to come to him. Today, however, we live in a world where homosexuality is accepted as a normal lifestyle, and where upholding traditional marriage is booed.

The solution to this is not laws. No law can change any heart. And the support for homosexuality is so strong amongst young people that it will only be a matter of time before this lifestyle is accepted--and not even questioned--by the majority of Americans. I hate to see this, but it is coming.

Only Christ can change hearts. If we are really serious about "family values," we will put our time and energy into reaching the lost, rather than Supreme Court justices. This includes loving those who are engaged in a homosexual lifestyle, spending time with them, serving them, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with them. Paul said about homosexuals, adulters, and many others, "Such were some of you. But you have been washed . . . " This is something which no law can do.

See the article reference at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070904/ap_po/mccain_students_1;_ylt=AooXcVpfcvDVe3eG4s243BME1vAI

Children banned from playing "tag" on playground due to harrassment charges!

Probably as far back as civilization or families have existed, children have played "tag." I can remember playing this repeatedly at school, at home, at the grounds of the church building as a child. It is a fun, harmless game that costs nothing and expends a lot of energy--perfect for children.

Now, however, some schools are banning "tag" from the school playgrounds. See the news article on this:

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000005367.cfm

Unbelievable. I love my children dearly, but we now live in an overprotective society. My daughter, Gina, will have to be in a car seat until she is 80 pounds--which for her, might be high school. Parents my age have sometimes never spent a night away from their children. All risk of injury, whether emotional or physical, is sought to be eliminated, no matter how remote or how expensive.

Could someone get hurt in tag, or "not want to play"? Sure. But the great benefit that is gained from playing far outweighs the cons.

The same mentality is found in the workplace, where sexual harrassment laws--good ideas to a degree--have gotten out of hand. If a guy asks a girl out twice, he is harrassing her. Good grief. If every guy gave up after getting one no, 75% of the marriages in America would not exist! These rules and laws are seeking to eliminate the natural differences between sexes, and the natural inclinations of children (to run and play!).

Unfortunately, Christian parents often take an overprotective attitude as well. Rather than watching television shows with their children and helping give them guidance about the messages being portrayed--something my parents did with me--they indiscriminately ban all sitcoms or movies. Then the child gets out on his or her own, mom and dad are not around, and they "freak out" because they have been over-sheltered all of their lives. Look, there is material I would never let me young children see, but let's not go overboard. If my daughter hears a curse word or two, I would rather her hear it first in my presence and help her deal with it, than on a playground.

This overprotectiveness is found in churches as well, where incredibly positive initiatives are resisted on the mere possibility that someone might do something doctrinally incorrect. Correction is not to be feared--it is part of a learning process. Paul could have shared the gospel only with Jews, and then he would not have had all the mess that we see in churches like Corinth. But because he did share faith with these people, many were reached who were not if he had stayed amongst a "safe people." And Paul thanked God for the church there, despite their problems.

I thank God for tag, despite the "risk" involved!

Are zero tolerance policies a good idea?

A recent article highlighted an auction of Michael Vick sports cards that had been chewed up by dogs, an item that went for $7500.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-vick-chewedcards&prov=ap&type=lgns

Another politician who had touted family values was caught up in a sex scandal this week, Senator Larry Craig. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-08-28-2144436792_x.htm Republican Senators John McCain and others who called for Craig's immediate resignation were hailed this week in the press.

Because of actions from Michael Vick, Larry Craig, and other high-profile figures, many schools and companies are adopting zero tolerance policies. Any violation warrants an automatic firing. Certainly, the public is tired of hypocrisy, and these fearful policies may help curb behavior.

But again, we are back to enforcement through rules, rather than heart change. And do we really want a zero tolerance society? In a world in which all sin, I suppose that we are for it until we do something wrong and are on the other end of "justice."

Are you for or against zero tolerance policies? Why or why not?

Decentralization and empowerment are keys to growth

The book of Acts tells us that "those [Christiasns] who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4). As the church faced persecution, it was forced to decentralize. And Luke, the author of Acts, cites this as a major source of growth in the church.

Acts 2:42-47 paints a nice cozy picture of the early church fellowshipping and studying together, pooling resources and the like. However, this was a temporary situation, as the Jews were gathered together in Jerusalem for Pentecost.

We should equip people to reach out and share their faith. However, too often we try to control this process. No one was standing over these early Christians as they shared their faith, and they did not have to get "approval" to do so.

The need for control and approving every decision by church leaders cripples churches' outreach, particularly as a church grows larger. One of the best things we have done with our life groups at Liberty is to hold out the goal of each group having a monthly outreach/service to the community, but giving them free reign in how this is done. If every group had to get approval for these things, they would never happen. And no one sitting in an office can possibly be informed enough to make these decisions for every group. Decentralization--which was evident in the early church--must happen if a church is to experience explosive growth.

One of our life groups that meets in Kearney decided to fill 5o back packs with school supplies. We were doing this in Liberty, but they wanted to provide for kids in their own schools. Because it was local and they were invested in their community, they did far more. And they came up with this idea on their own. That is exactly the kind of inititative that is needed to reach a whole community.

Train and equip leaders. Hold them accountable through relationships (not reports). But give them free reign to reach out to the world.

The basis of decision-making in churches needs to change

How are decisions made in most churches? To me, it seems that they are made on the following criteria:
1. Personal preference--people argue for what they personally want
2. Lowest common denomenon--anything that is upsetting to anyone is ruled out
3. Biblical basis

Biblical basis should, of course, be on the list. Unfortunately, it usually ranks third. There are many things that would be biblical that are ruled out because of personal preference or because somone might be upset (even though non unbiblical).

The basis of decision-making ought to be this:
1. Is it biblical?
2. Does it help fulfill the church's mission to seek and save the lost?
3. Rather than personal preference, preference ought to be given to others, particularly those who are youngest and weakest in the faith.

Paul said, "4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4)".

The pastoral concern of not upsetting people is a legitimate one, and yet should not overrule the church's mission. Eph. 4:11 speaks of a five-fold gifting--apostolic/missional leader, prophetic leaders, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The missional, "prophetic" (calling people back to God), and evangelistic voices must provide a counterbalance to pastoral concerns about upsetting people.

When people ask about changes, they need to be educated that changes are being made in order to reach lost people and to help those who are younger and weaker in the faith. Otherwise, selfishness will be promoted as people insist on having their own way, rather than reaching others.

What patterns in decision-making have you noticed that need to change?

James

Is God still at work today?

Is God still at work today--this is the question I'll be asking Sunday. The obvious answer ought to be yes, and yet many times we live our lives as if he were not at work. Worse, some actually believe that God wound up the world and no longer "intervenes."

To this I respond--why would I want to believe in this kind of God?

What makes you believe that God is at work in the world today?

MTV/AP poll shows youth value family and God

MTV and the Associated Press recently did a poll of youth in the US and asked them about what made them happy. The results surprised a lot of people, because family, parents, and God ranked at the top of the lists. Note the following links to this news story, as well as some key quotes below.

http://www.newsbull.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=50773

"Nearly 1,300 young people aged 13 to 24 years old were interviewed in late April. When asked what one thing in life makes them the most happy, 20 percent said family, the top answer. Nearly three-quarters said their relationship with their parents also makes them happy, and most of the respondents listed their parents as their heroes."

"Two-thirds of respondents say religion and spirituality is important in their lives. And about a third go to church at least once a week. An overwhelming majority (87 percent) see marriage in their future, with 61 percent of those saying they are likely to stay married to the same person. Nearly 80 percent want to have children."

http://www.usatoday.com/money/2007-08-22-youth-poll_N.htm

"The survey of the nation's young people found only 1% name money as the thing that gives them the most joy. Twenty percent name spending time with family, and 15% cited friends."

I'm praying for 30 baptisms this year

Let me tell you that I am excited about what God is doing this year in the Liberty church. We have had 17 baptisms so far this year, with 13 of these coming from the community. We have 5 more evangelistic studies going on right now, and other potential ones.

So I am being bold in my prayer life, and asking God to let us baptize 30 people this year. We have four more months. Here is my prayer:

"Lord, thank for all those that you have brought to us this year. You truly are at work! Before we open our mouths, you have already been touching people's hearts. You have also been moving the hearts of our members, to help us reach out to our circle of friends. And now, if I may be so bold, I ask that you help us to baptize 30 people this year. Lord, we know that you desire this, and we ask that you allow us to partner with you to accomplish your will. Use us! Help us to be bold, courageous, kind, loving, serving, so that we can reach many for you. In Jesus' name, the only hope of salvation, amen."

What were the characteristics of the early Christian witnesses?

As a movement, we have sought to continually go back to the early church for our example of how to be God's people. I am fascinated by the early church because of its phenomenal growth rate, even in the face of being illegal, surrounded by paganism, generally poor, having no Christian colleges or church buildings.

In his book Thirty Years that Changed the World: The Book of Acts for Today, Michael Green speaks of the characteristics of the early Christians, particularly in their proclamation of the Christian message. Here are his basic points.

1. They passionately believed their message, and went about their task with great seriousness.

2. They refused to compromise their message, despite living in a pagan culture.

3. They had a great flexibility in their methods of sharing the good news.

"The relative fixity of the kerygma [the gospel message] they preached is in striking contrast to the flexibility with which they went about it. They had no desire to keep talk about Jesus to the synagogue. They did it on the streets, in the court rooms, on board ship, in prison, in front of the high and mighty or the beggars by the kerbside . . . The western church at large has lost the certainty and New Testament content from its gospel: but it always does its 'preaching thing' in much the same way. It will be done in church, as a monolgue, for between fifteen and thiry minutes, by a clergyman. Our Christian forefathers would be amazed . . . that we have become so unimaginative and inflexible in its presentation."

4.They witnessed about an encounter with Christ, sharing their personal story.

5. They proclaimed Christ, first and foremost.

"We have seen that the person of Jesus dominated their sermons. It was him they proclaimed, with all the conviction, intelligence and passion of which they were capable."

6. They challenged men and women.

7. They spoke with conviction and confidence.

Which of these seven characteristics do you think the church is most missing in its proclamation? Which do you think we do best?

God is already at work on the hearts of non-Christians

Today one of our members called me and then came into the office to share a wonderful story. She has a friend who has recently experienced both family and financial crises. This member mentioned one little detail about God and her child, and all of the sudden found herself in a whole discussion about God with her friend. And when she told her that the church could help her by providing food, her friend was overwhelmed.

Stories like this are very confirming for me about God being at work in the world. Jesus said that he would send his Spirit into the world to convict people: "When he [the Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (Jn. 16:8). So when we share our faith, we are not doing this alone. God has already been working on people's hearts. So we need to just say something about God or our faith! God will do the rest. And either they are interested or they are not. This takes the pressure off of us.

Just wanted to share this great story with you and give you hope and encouragement in reaching your friends for Christ.

Rules and conduct codes replacing morality in US

It is tough time to be a professional sports commissioner. Today's USA Today ran a story about Goddell, the new NFL commissioner, and the difficult player conduct cases that he has had to decide since taking over for comissioner, including "Pacman" Jones and Michael Vick. David Stern is dealing with the betting scandal from Tim Donaghy. And baseball commissioner Bud Selig recently had to deal with steroids scandals surrounding Jason Giambi, Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, and others.

In response, the sports leagues are putting in new get tough conduct policies. The same thing has happened in the business world, as companies set similar conduct policies and toughen accounting standards. Perhaps this will work to improve behavior, as people live in fear of losing their jobs.

But all of this is a poor substitute for moral values such as integrity, honesty, goodness, and hard work. As we become a nation that is less and less familiar with the Christian story, we increasingly lose our moral compass. There was little crime in the totalitarian regimes of Saddam or the USSR. But this was due to fear, not goodness of heart.

Rule and codes can never change hearts.

Why pray?

Sunday I'll be speaking on the power of prayer. Prayer is a practice which continues to be of great interest to Americans. Philip Yancey, author of Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference, says, "According to Gallup polls, more Americans will pray this week than will exercise, drive a car, have sex, or go to work."

Prayer always raises as many questions for me as it provides answers. I'll be talking about some of these questions on Sunday. One question for prayer is, why pray? Various answers are given by authors, theologians, Christians, and non-Christians (yes, non-Christians and even atheists pray). People pray:

• Because they don't know what else to do.
• To change God's mind.
• To change themselves.
• As self-help therapy.
• Because it is commanded.
• To get material things.
• To develop a relationship with God.
• Because it is a habit.
• To receive guidance and help.
• To get through personal crises.

Which of these do think are good reasons to pray? The best reason? The worst reason(s)? Why do you pray?

Jason Bourne--Today's Cool Anti-Hero

I recently saw the Bourne Ultimatum, and I thought it was quite good. I loved the first installement, thought the second was okay, and was glad to see the third installment come back to the level of the first.

I read a newspaper article recently that compared James Bond to Jason Bourne. On the one hand, they have some surface level commonalities--action genre, same initials, strong male roles. But the differences are striking.

Bond is squave, never nesses up his hair, is after women, is loyal to his country, and has rather witty, if unlikely, one-liners. Borune, on the other hand, is raw, bloody and wounded, has only one woman (who is dead), is working against his country's intelligence agency, and speaks rarely.

The Bond saga is rather dated in its worldview, even if I like this genre too. The Bourne saga, on the other hand, very much fits today's worldview, including:

• Individualism (Bourne always works alone)


• Distrust of institutions


• Authenticity, which includes rawness and the "not so pretty"

Well, that may be too much analysis for you, but I like to analyze culture.

Which series do you like best--Bond or Bourne? Do you see other differences?

Participatory Worship

In the seeker movement, worship was very much performance centered, with a super star minister and highly proficient worship leaders. This also led to megachurches, which could offer the absolute best performances.

There are positives from this movement, such as doing things with excellence. We work extremely hard in our jobs, but then often just throw worship together. This should not be. And having godly, gifted people leading worship is a good thing.

However, worship in the NT--from what we can tell--seems to be both led--preachers like Timothy--as well as participatory (1 Cor 14), with many different people contributing. This can be done by asking questions, by testimonials, or by video. Not only is this biblical, but it is culturally appropriate. We have moved to an interactive world, from the Internet to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (which has audience participation). Young people in particular find it difficult to sit through a service without substantial interaction and direct participation.

In their work Emerging Churches: Creating Community in Postmodern Cultures, authors Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger speak of this shift to more participatorial worship.
"By turning from consumers into producers, worshipers feel a sense of ownership, and in the process of being actively involved, they are more likely to be significantly affected by the worship experience. People are more engaged when they are part . . . rather than members of the audience . . . This alternative model has to be taught, experimented with, and demonstrated, but it is an understanding of church that arises directly out of the New Testament."

What ideas do you have about how to make worship more participatory?

Gay Issues

Below is a link to an article entitled, "Democratic candidates weigh in on gay issues."

Here is an excerpt . . . "Former Sen. John Edwards found himself discussing whether he is comfortable around gay people — he said he is. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson appeared to struggle with a question about why people become gay or lesbian. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton ended up defending the record of her husband, former President Clinton, on gay rights . . . "

"Clinton said she made a mistake in March when she steered around a question on whether homosexuality was immoral. She was asked about it after Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he considered homosexual acts immoral and similar to adultery. He later said he should have not expressed his personal views. Clinton later issued a statement saying she did not think being gay was immoral."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070810/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_gay_rights_16;_ylt=AmFT5mhFgZD_81.U51rmd6gE1vAI

If I find any similar articles on Republican candidates' views on this issues, I'll post it. I do not think that we should seek to change the world through politics--Jesus is the only hope for the world, and "morality" without Christ will save no one. But this article does point towards the huge shift in understanding on this issue in the last 30-40 years.

James

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder

I saw a sign today at a local pub over by Kansas City hospital that says, "Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder." Clever, I thought. And true. Men have been known to find women attractive while in a drunken state that they otherwise would not have, and vice versa. It seems to me that this is a warning against drunkenness, in which people make poor decisions.

Another aside--one of the shift managers at Back Yard Burger here in Liberty was involved in a car accident last night. His "friends" left him bleeding on the side of the road, and they called his girlfriend to tell her that she needed to take care of him. Unbelievable. With friends like these, who needs enemies? I tried to go and see this fellow in the hospital. He wasn't in his room, but I left a note.

Whenever we do down the wrong path, it seems that the wrong choices keep piling up, from the friends we chose to the lifestyle we engage in. But God is at work in our lives as well, pursuing us with all of his heart. And that is a comforting thought.

James

Is Jesus Worth It?

On Sunday, I'll be preaching a sermon entitled, "Is Jesus Worth It?" In this sermon, I will try to give some stories and reasons why following Christ is worth it.

And so I'll ask you--is Jesus worth:

• Forgiving when you don't want to?
• Getting strange looks when talking about your faith?
• Giving money away rather than buying what your heart desires?
• Getting up early to go to a discipleship group?
• Turning off the TV and praying?
• Not flipping off the guy who cut you off in traffic?

This is the question we answer everyday, though usually unconsciously. Our decisions show whether or not we believe Jesus is worth living the Christian life. In other words, choices equal actual belief, not what we say in Bible class or even to ourselves.

Do you have any stories to share about Jesus being worth the choices you have to make? I would love to hear them.

Faith Sharing and Personality Type

I continue to be fascinated by how differently God has made all of us. This factors into every aspect of our lives, including how we share our faith.

In his book Becoming a Contagious Christian, Bill Hybels and Mark Mittleberg give different

• Peter's Confrontational Approach--This person, like Peter, tells it like it is. They have no problem being direct, calling people to a different lifestyle. Most today are turned off by confrontation, due to the stereotype of Christians being judgmental and mean-spirited. However, there are some people who will only respond in this way, so we should value those with this personality.


• Paul's Intellectual Approach--Those with this personality/ability are able to answer difficult questions about faith, and have a good grasp of the faith. Usually a teacher type, who can do a more extensive Bible study with seekers.


• The Blind Man's Testimonial/Storytelling Approach--This person is great at telling their own story of faith, how God or a church has worked in their lives. This personal testimony is very much valued today, and can gain a hearing where others approaches may not.


• Matthew's Interpersonal Approach--This person is very good at relationships, is able to bring people together, and may be very hospitable or able to throw a good party. By bringing together non-Christians and Christians, this person helps others come to faith.


• The Samaritan Woman's Invitational Approach--This person is able to invite others to come and hear or see or experience a speaker, event, small group, or worship service. Their invitations seems pretty natural, and they are not afraid to invite.


• Dorcas' Service Approach--This person loves to do things for others--writing them cards, making things, buying things for others, serving them in some way. This service approach helps to break down stereotypes of Christians, letting others know that they are truly loved.

As you see, these approaches are very different, and each is valuable. My natural default in faith sharing is the intellectual and the interpersonal. I do a lot of service outreach not because it is natural, but because it is very helpful in reaching people today. I depend a lot on others who have invitational and interpersonal skills to reach others. They will often bring them into a church circle, and I will study with them. We need one another!

It may be that you have served someone for a long time, but struggle at inviting them or socializing with them. Hook up with a Christian who has an invitational or interpersonal approach, and let them use their skills to bring the person further along in the faith.

What approach(es) come most naturally to you?

Spiritual Shaping

In Kyle Stobel's book (referenced below), he says that we are shaped by three things: Scripture, community, and the Spirit. Not a bad trio. Scripture keeps us grounded. Community helps us work truth out in relationships. And the Spirit gives us guidance, discernment, and works on our character.

I grew up without much knowledge or awareness of the Spirit. He simply wasn't talked about, or was relegated to a book or a "force." But I now try to become more aware of the Spirit's presence and guidace in my life. This is a subjective process, which is why it must be informed by Scripture and helped to be interpreted by close friends in the Christian community.

What do you think of Stobel's proposed model?

Toxic personality traits to avoid

In his book Social Intelligence, Karl Albrecht gives many "toxic" personality traits that we need to avoid. All of this is part of becoming more socially aware of how we are bothering, irritating, or driving away those around us.

Some of these things we do unconsciously. Others we actually consciously do. In most cases we do these things because we get something out of them--approval, attention, etc. But if it drives people away, is this really helping us?

For instance, as a learner and achiever I often like to talk about things I have discovered, and I enjoy accomplishing things and take pride in this. Some of this is natural and good. But I have found that too much of this makes one come across as a know-it-all who shows off or as someone who is intimidating. I have had to learn to downplay these things--like the number of degrees I have--oh, wait, forget I said that :)--unless I am around someone or in a situation where "credentials" are very important. Seriously, some of these things come so naturally--we just think like this--that it is what comes out. Like the analytical person who is always poking holes in everyone's arguments, and irritating everyone around him. Or the person who talks on and on, causing people to never want to ask them a question. Or the super sensitive person who is always waiting to be offended.

Well, here is the list. As you read this, I encourage you not to think of other people who have these traits (which is what I did!), but at yourself. If you know someone that you really trust who is kind as well, you could ask them what personality traits you have that irritate others, and then seek to correct these. Not a fun process, but it might cause us to have people like us better.

These are the toxic behaviors:

• Withholding "strokes"
• Throwing verbal barbs, "zingers"
• Giving non-verbal put-downs
• Patronizing or "parenting" a person
• Seeking approval excessively
• Flattering others insincerely
• Losing one's temper easily
• Playing "games" with people
• Disagreeing rountinely
• Speaking dogmatically, inflexibily
• Bragging, scoring "status points"
• Violating confidences
• Breaking promises and agreements
• Joking at inappropriate times
• Monopolizing the conversation
• Interrupting others frequently
• Changing the subject capriciously
• Complaining excessively
• Giving someone the "hard sell"
• Insisting on having one's way
• Attacfking or criticizing others
• Inducing guilt in others
• Ridiculing others
• Shooting down ideas
• Giving unwanted advice

Not only can avoiding these things help others like being around us more, but it can help us in sharing our faith. This is part of being "wise" in how we speak with unbelievers, letting our conversation be seasoned with salt--not putting salt in someone's wounds.

James

Getting past our discomfort level with non-Christians--what about homosexuality?

I often point to the fact that Jesus spent time with those who were non-religious and far away from God, including those who were shunned by religious people--prostitutes and tax collectors.

Who are those shunned by religious people today? Anyone who is engaged in sexual immorality--adultery, pre-marital sex, or homosexuality. While most Christians struggle to spend any time with non-Christians, they might be able to conceive of hanging out with non-Christians who do not engage in behavior which makes them uncomfortable.

But how well do we do in reaching out to those living an "alternative lifestyle"? Not well at all. We usually stay as far away as possible. Our ministry to this community and to those who have AIDS has been terrible. But Christ has called us to go to all peoples, and he died for everyone. The problem is that we rank sins, not recognizing that our sins--such as pride, materialism--are just as abhorrent in God's eyes, even if they are socially acceptable. We have no problem inviting over the rich young ruler, but the prostitutes don't get invited in. Remember, Jesus ate dinner with prostitutes. This was no less scandalous among religious people then than having a gay person over for dinner in today's time.

This weekend we have a high school reunion of some of our music friends that we are going to. I have been looking forward to seeing old friends and re-connecting. Some of those from the music program, however, are now living alternative lifestyles, and they will have their same sex "spouse" with them. This group won't be going to the "official" reunion, but will be getting together with some of us in a different setting. I'm sure they are fearful of judgment and condemnation amongst the larger group.

As much as I seek to follow Jesus' example in loving all people and taking them where they are, I have to admit that I had a bit of angst when I found out about the situation. We do not believe that homosexuality is morally okay. But Becki and I are going to find a church friend in Edmond to watch the kids, and we will go and seek to be Christ to this group. We will not feed into stereo types of Christians being harsh and judgmental. They know that I'm a minister now, and I'm sure they are looking to see how I will react. We need to love people regardless of circumstance and share Christ with them. We can't do this without spending time with people. And we must love them before ever calling them or inviting them into a different live.

Well, it should prove for an interesting time! Please pray for us that God would guide us in our words and actions, that we will help people along their spiritual journey and not hinder.

Getting Out of the Christian Bubble

In his book, They Like Jesus But Not the Church, Dan Kimball speaks of the "Christian bubble" that the vast majority of Christians live in. Here is what he says:

"During this phase, we stop praying daily for those who don't know Jesus and instead pray for our church's latest building project or latest program. Other than maybe at an office Christmas party that we have to go to, we rarely ever hang out with non-Christian firends or go to moview with them. For the most part, only Christians are in our circle of peers.

We begin buying little Christian stickers or put metal fish symbols on our cars, and we even have a few Christian T-shirts. We set our radios only to our favorite Christian radio shows, and most of the music we listen to is Christian. We make a trip to the amustement part that has the special Christian day each year featuring Christian bands.

We find ourselves regularly used Christian words and phrases and cliches, such as backsliding, prayer warrior, fellowship, quiet time, traveling mercies. The transformation is complete. We have become citizens of the bubble."

This description is no exaggeration. It accurately describes the lives of most Christians. We must get out of this bubble, and be the kind of people that hang out with non-Christians, love them, befriend them, get to know them on a real level. This can't happen in a Christian cocoon.

Here is the link to Dan Kimball's book: http://www.amazon.com/They-Like-Jesus-but-Church/dp/0310245907/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3852808-5347201?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185832811&sr=8-1

Do you think most Christians live in a Christian bubble? How can this change?

Spiritual Growth Requires a Commitment

I always make fun of those commercials that promise dramatic weight loss from pills or absurb diets. I recently heard an ad for "the cookie diet." Sounds right up my alley. I love cookies.

But despite my resistance to these ads, I have to admit that I like the thought of improving myself by just taking a pill. (Come to think of it, that may be the roots of addiction, but that is a subject for another post.)

But the reality is, most good things in life come as the result of hard work. Is this really different for spiritual growth?

Kyle Strobel, author of Metamorpha: Jesus as a Way of Life, says this:

"A lot can be learned about the church's current worldview by examining the way it has neglected the Christian life as developmental journey. As a culture we avoid anything that requires a lengthy commitment of our time; we want our food fast, our dieting easy, and our entertainment now . . . Not only does this approach [to spiritual growth] fail to take reality seriously, but it fails to take the reality that Jesus wants to walk with us, teach us, and show us around his kingdom. That requires an investment of emotion and time."

Spiritual growth is the work of the Spirit. However, the Spirit works best when we make a commitment to opening ourselves to him, committing time, energy, emotion, and effort to growth. We become spiritually fit not by taking a pill or lying in our bed, but by actively purusing spiritual things--prayer, meditation, Scripture reading and meditation, service, and self-denial.

Here is the link to Strobel's book, which I have just begun. I'm looking forward to reading it.

http://www.amazon.com/Metamorpha-Jesus-as-Way-Life/dp/0801067731/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1900719-6006556?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185551195&sr=8-1

How do you think that we grow spiritually?

Great Things Happen When You Eat Together

I continued to be amazed at the power of food to bring us together. One of the weekly missional practices that many of us at Liberty have adopted is to eat together three times a week: once with Christians, once with non-Christians, and the third time can be with either.

This emphasis upon table fellowship is patterned after the life of Jesus, who frequently was found eating with his disciples and lost people. In fact, the gospels seem to be the tale of one eating after another!

It seems that Jesus knew what he was doing here. Through his table fellowship, he opened doors with people. You see, table fellowship tells people that we accept them, that we are open to them, and that we are no better than them. It opens the door to genuine friendship and the sharing of the gospel.

It is hard to get in these meals each week, but each time I take this seriously, good things happen. This past Sunday night I went out with some Christian friends, and someone who was searching was there as well. To make a long story short, he and I were able to have some meaningful conversation, and we will be getting together soon to talk about his spiritual questions.

Let's find time to share fellowship with others, particularly those outside of our Christian circle of friends. If we do, great things will happen.

How well do you delegate?

In his book How to Break Growth Barriers, Carl George gives several questions that we can ask ourselves in determining whether or not we are good delegators. Here they are:

1. Are you afraid your people will make mistakes?

2. Do you frequently take work home or work late at the office?

3. Does your operation function smoothly when you're absent?

4. Do you spend more time working on details than you do on planning and supervising?

5. Is your follow-up procedure adequate?

6. Do you overrule or reverse decisions made by those on your team?

7. Do you bypass others by making decisions that are part of their jobs?

8. Do you do several things your assistants could, and should be doing?

9. If you were incapacitated for six months, is there someone who could readily take your place?

10. Will there be a big pile of paper requiring your action when you return from a trip or absence?

To score yourself, add one point for each "yes" answer to numbers 3, 5, and 9, and one point for each "no" answer to numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10. A good score, according to George, is 8 or above.

Sometimes we get focused on tasks, and forget to empower people. Sometimes we are obsessed with control, and don't want to let others make decisions or micromanage the ones that they make. Sometimes we want to feel indispensible, and want people to think, that guy does everything around here. Without him, we would be in trouble.

We should not underestimate the importance of leaders. They are vitally important. But one of the best signs of a good evangelist, Bible class teacher, minister, elder or other role is that in his or her absence, the church continues to function and grow. If everything falls apart without us, then we have failed to equip others.

Should the US miltary be used to prevent genocide?

Here is an interesting story from Sen. Barak Obama, a presidential candidate.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070720/ap_on_el_pr/obama_ap_interview_9;_ylt=As4S17F7vF68zLgNqFzPtd0E1vAI

In this article, Obama says that preventing genocide is not enough of a reason to stay in Iraq. He goes on to point out other places in the world, like the Congo, where genocide is happening and the US has no presence.

The use of miltary force is complicated politically, and even more so when viewed from a Christian perspective. I understand Obama's point, and the US cannot prevent every atrocity. But by the same reasoning, Hitler was given free reign over Europe and over Jews. The movie Hotel Rwanda showed how the world did nothing as hundreds of thousands of people were slaughtered in Rwanda due to ethnic cleansing. It was terrible, and you look back and wonder how this was allowed to happen.

I pray that a slaughter of our own making does not ensue.

Healthier Eating

I am now 34, and I am beginning to realize that I cannot eat the same way I used to eat. At least, this is what our scale is telling me. So I have cut out fast food, except for healthy stuff.

I have been going to Subway, but last week I checked out Sub Planet, which is right down the street from the church and close by to Starbucks. They have a great menu. I also discovered today that the day after a Royals win, you can get a 6 inch turkey sub for $2. Now that is a great deal--and it is less than 10 grams of fat. Unfortunately, Royals wins aren't that common . . . But I am rooting even harder now for the home team!

Any thoughts on healthy or unhealthy eating? Has anyone seen "SuperSize Me?"

Prayers for non-Christians

Whenever I ask for prayer requests for the lost in a class or a life group, I usually get one response and 20-30 blank looks. Obviously, lost people are not on our hearts most of the time, or we would not struggle so mightily to come up with a name.

However, two Sundays ago, I told our Contagious Christians class that we would be praying for the lost the following Sunday, and asked them to come prepared to pray for people by name. I passed out short forms which listed friends, family members, co-workers, or neighbors that we could pray for. I am glad to say that our class really responded. I don't know if it is because people are given time to come up with people, or it is the written format--probably a combination of both--but this approach seems to work well.

I believe in prayer for the lost. We have seen some amazing progress in the faith journey in some of those close in our lives who are non-Christians. This can only be God at work.

Do you find or it easy or difficult to pray for the lost? Why?

Funerals, Surround Sound Basements, and other matters

Well, sorry for the blogging delay. Last week was a catch up week from being gone, and then we had an unexpected death in our church family. Funerals always present opportunities to minister to people, and to show Christian love and kindness. This held true last week as well, and I was glad to be able to help the family. The church really came through as well, as they always do. This church is so loving and servant hearted. Despite another busy week this week, I should be back on daily blogging status now.

Personal tidbit--we are about finished with our basement. They laid carpet on Friday, and I have the surround sound going. It turned out very nice. Should make for a great fellowship room. We had some neighbors and friend over on Saturday for Emily's birthday party. They watched a movie scene or two, and were excited about some movie and devo nights in the new room. Pretty cool.

Yesterday AM I spoke on the explosive growth found in the early church and in China, and last night I spoke on letting God be judge, rather than us. Both seemed well received, which is good, for they both had challenging elements on how we have thought and practiced.

No wisdom to offer right now--still a bit tired from the long week. But looking forward to this week. We have many visitors from the community signed up for VBS--thanks to all those who invited friends and passed out invite cards! Later.

How do non-Christian young people view Christianity?

Here is an excerpt from a blog post by Kurt Frederickson. Kurt and Eddie Gibbs are at Fuller Theological Seminary, and they write a blog together. Kurt provides some interesting research on how young people who are not Christians perceive Christianity.

-------------------------------------------------------------

David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group, shared the results of new research that investigated how young people (16-29 years) who are not Christians perceive Christianity. They wre asked “What is your current perception of Christianity?”
- 91% said antihomosexual
- 87% said judgmental
- 85% said hypocritical
- 78% said old-fashioned
- 75% said too involved in politics
- 72% said out of touch with reality
- 70% said insensitive to others

What do you think of these stats? How can we overcome these perceptions? Check out Kurt's fuller post at http://www.netbloghost.com/tiggertalk/?p=75.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Becki and I got back in on Saturday. We had a good trip.

To all those who emailed or called us while we were gone, we will be catching up on our messages today.

Here is a passage from James that I stuck out in my mind this past week:

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:12-13).

For some reason, despite having taught the book of James 2-3 times, I had never caught the phrase, "mercy triumphs over judgment!" This really has application today, doesn't it? There are all kinds of publications that regularly pronounce judgments on other Christians. Any time we do this, we risk bringing judgments down on us.

Where is the patience? Where is the kindness? Where is the humility that we might be wrong on some issue of worship, structure, leadership, or other issues? Does mercy triumph in our publications?

At the Beach

Here are a few pictures I made up from our time at Ventura Beach. These are low-resolution pictures, but the originals on these are simply stunning. Many of these will make for great background slides for ministry, but a lot of them will probably end up framed in our house.

Vacation Time!

Well, I finished up my class, and my Becki flew out to California to join me last Wednesday. We are spending some time together on vacation. Yesterday we went to Malibu beach, and tomorrow we are going to Ventura. I won't be blogging much this week, but I'll catch you guys when I get back. Please pray that we and our children have safe trips this week. Check you later.

James

Talking About God with Non-Christians--Be Upfront With Who You Are

My D.Min. teacher, Dr. Richard Peace, has written a book called Holy Conversation: Talking About God in Everyday Life. In this book he advocates that Christians need to pick someone outside of the church to be their "conversation partner" about Spiritual matters.

In this, he says that Christians should be upfront about what they are doing--trying to learn how to talk with non-Christians about their faith. Furthermore, he says that we should be honest and tell them that of course we would love to see them come to believe in Jesus.

We need to be more upfront about who we are with our non-Christian friends. This may spur conversation and interest in Spirituality, and it is disarming. Too many times we don't talk about our faith at all.

Here is the link to his book:
http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Conversation-Talking-About-Everyday/dp/0830811192/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2351964-9998862?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182899372&sr=8-1

What struggles have you had in talking about God with non-Christians? What triumphs have you had?

Missional Church Seminar Review

I finished up my seminar work this weekend at the Glendale Church of Christ. There is a good young core there that really has taken the concept to heart (thanks, Brice, for your passion!). They are scoping out gathering places for the church to engage in mission.

Fortunately, the Burbank area, which is nearby, has many such places. It is a neat urban area, with many coffee shops, a theater, and shopping. They pointed out the Starbucks and street where a scene from Jurassic Park 2 and Fun with Dick and Jane were filmed.

I reorganized some material for this seminar, dividing the presentations into the following sections:

• Session 1: The Biblical-Theological Basis for the Missional Church


• Session 2: Developing a Missional Church Strategy


• Session 3: Making Disciples Through Mission (includes Missional lifestyles)


• Session 4: Impacting Every Ministry for Mission


• Session 5: Evangelistic Methods and Messages to Reach Today's Postmodern Culture


• Session 6: The Story of Redemption (my Evangelistic Bible study for Postmoderns; see http://www.storyofredemption.com/)

The second session on develping a missional church strategy was reorganized material which emphasized the comprehensive process involved in evangelism, and the many entry points needed. Other new emphases included picking target groups and evangelistic small group process. I hope to pick up some additional tips on the latter in my D.Min. class this week.

I love helping churches become more missional and outward focused. It was a good experience, and the group talked about the concepts long after both the Friday night and Saturday sessions.

On Sunday, I spoke on the lordship of Jesus Christ, emphasizing discipleship in all areas of life. Again, this seemed to be well received.

Signing off for the night. Tomorrow!

My run-in with a cop

Thursday night at about 11:00 PM I returned to the apartment that I am staying at, having spent a late night working at Fuller. There is no parking in this city. I had to drive for forever, up and down the streets, looking for a spot.

Finally a spot opened up. It was on the other side of the street, and a car was behind me. I zipped in as quickly as I could, got out, went inside and went to bed.

On Friday morning when I got up and went to the car, I saw that there was a cop beside the car. He asked me if I knew whose car this belonged to. I said it was my rental car. He said it was parked the wrong way. I told him my story, how it was late, I was tired, etc. Then he said, "So you were drunk, and you parked on the wrong side. You left the lights on."

I said, no, the lights were flashing because I was hitting the find button on my keyring, trying to figure out which of the 15 white cars on the street was my rental car. I said I was a D.Min. student taking a class at Fuller, and that I was from Missouri and not used to this parking problem. (You know it is bad when even Denny's offers Valet parking!). He said, They have laws in Missouri, don't they? I said yes. I then apologized repeatedly, and he let me go.

Wow--talk about assuming the worst! Why do cops always assume people are drunk? That is the second time in my life that has happened. I guess it is easy to get jaded in that line of work. Thought you might find that story interesting.

A Movie, A VBS Card, & A Missional Church Seminar

Yesterday after class I worked on designing our VBS postcard/flyer (see picture). Then I went out and saw Oceans 13. Lest you think I'm a heathen, on Tuesday night I went to a mid-week small group meeting. We had some good singing, and we then studied about envy. It was a good mix of older and younger, as well as a good mix racially. It is so wonderful to meet with God's people wherever you go.

Oceans 13 was pretty good. But I missed the last scene because I got a phone call that I had to take at the end. I guess I'll catch the ending on DVD.

Tomorrow and Saturday I'm doing a Missional Church Seminar for the Glendale Church of Christ. Glendale is a suburb of LA that is 40% Armenian, and more than half of this group speaks Armenian at home. A missional approach to outreach is even more important in this type of multi-cultural setting, for a "build it and they will come" mentality simply does not work well when people have to cross socio-economic and cultural lines.

I am looking forward to working with this church to help them in their outreach. A multi-layer strategy will be necessary, for the types of things which will reach affluent white, English-speaking families will not work as well with the Armenian population. There is a good core at the church who really have a heart for outreach. It should be a good dialogue.

Music, the Arts, and Spirituality

I'm reading a good book right now called "All in Sync: How Music and Art are Revitalizing American Religion" by Robert Wuthnow. In this work, Wuthnow shows how those who engage in musical and artistic interests have a heightened interest in spirituality. And this flows the other way as well.

Some items of note on this:

• 61% of Americans say that "listening to music" has been very important or fairly important in developing a closer relationship with God. The same proportion give these responses for "reading literature and poetry."
• The memory of religious pictures and music from childhood often play a powerful role in helping someone re-connect with God.
• There is considerable evidence that crisis in one's life, such as divorce, leads one to greater interests in music and the arts. These often have a healing effect, and lead people to greater interest in spirituality.
• Among those who say they have experienced illness, loneliness, or grief, 70 percent report that music was helpful during this time, and 77 percent say this about activities such as sewing, woodworking, or painting.
• 30 percent of those in small groups discuss art or music; those that do are better able to connect with young people; art and music seem to foster the small group's ability to grow spiritually
• Music or art help a great number of people to pray or meditate.

We have underestimated the ability of music and art to impact our lives. This morning I arrived at class about thirty minutes early. I stayed in my car and turned on classical music that was soothing. I have to say that this was a very spiritual experience, allowing me "space" to think about spiritual things.

What role has music and the arts played in your spiritual life?

Here is the link to this book:
http://www.amazon.com/All-Sync-Revitalizing-American-Religion/dp/0520246853/ref=sr_1_1/105-2351964-9998862?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182358338&sr=8-1

A Root Canal, Pie & Burger

This morning I got to class and checked my email, and I found an email from Becki saying that she had to have a root canal yesterday. Her tooth had been aching, and when she went in to see the dentist they diagnosed it and did the procedure right away. Ouch! Please give Becki all of your sympathy. And us. It was $1300. Ouch again.

I went to lunch today with Kurt, the D.Min. director, and one of the D. Min. office staff, Julia. We ate at "PIe and Burger"--real subtle advertising. I got the spagetti. Just kidding. No, I got the burger and a piece of coconut creme pie. It was very good.

Growing up in suburbia, you always gravitate to safety and security--and name brands. This goes for food too. Suburbanites eat at "safe" chains like Chilli's. Very boring and very pre-packaged. I learned about real food from Chuck, my preacher friend, who took me around to all of the "holes in the wall" in OKC. That is where the good eatin' is.

What percentage of churches convert 5 adults a year?

Well, I arrived last night safely in LA. Going from the airport to Pasadena, where I am staying, I got into the wrong lane and lost about an hour. Not fun.

I began my class in evangelism today with Dr. Richard Peace. One interesting stat I learned was this: of 30,000 mainline denominational churches, only 150 had five or more adult converts for three years (for a total of 15). Wow. That is really bad. Last year we had a down year on conversions; however, so far this year, we have had 11 converts from the community.

The reasons for the decline in the mainline are many, including bad theology and poor adjustment to culture. Hopefully, with God's help we can avoid these problems and share God's love with our world.

Do mission and you get a church

I wanted to give a caution for the previous post. The sending action of the church is primary, and it is through this mission that all else is achieved.

This is what I mean. The church is called to go out into the world and 1) seek and save the lost; 2) proclaim the good news; and 3) serve. When it goes out and does this, then it makes possible everything else it is called to do. Jesus called his disciples to follow him, and it was on the road that they were shaped into his image. The Sermon on the Mount happened on their missional journey. As they journeyed together, they bonded with one another. Mission enables discipleship, fellowship, and brings glory to God.

Those involved in our Starbucks outreach have gotten a glimpse of this. Our mission is to engage non-believers in this place, sharing the good news in subtle ways and blessing the lives of those who come and those who work there. Those involved in this mission have grown very close, and it is a time we very much look forward to. We are excited about those outside the church who have come and are now a part of the group. As we have met, we also have been shaped--learning to be respectful, being patient with one another, and praying for our times together.

When you do mission, you get a church. If you try to "do church"--sitting around--you never get to mission.

20 Characteristics of the Missional Church

What is the missional church? It is the church that is sent out into the world, taking up the mission of Christ. By looking at the narrative of Christ's life and ministry, his statements about his mission, and passages which detail the fundamental mission and nature of the church, I have come up with the following 20 characteristics of the missional church.

1. The missional church loves God and neighbor.
2. The missional church views itself as a missional community.
3. The missional church lives incarnationally amongst the people whom it seeks to save, and thus its mission is contexualized for its community.
4. The missional church follows the Spirit who has preceded them into the world.
5. The missional church engages in table fellowship.
6. The missional church actively seeks and brings salvation to the lost.
7. The missional church serves the world and one another.
8. The missional church provides ministries of healing to the world, ministering to the brokenness of humanity.
9. The missional church proclaims the good news of Jesus and the kingdom of God.
10. The missional church lives under the reign of God and witnesses to this reign through its lifestyle.
11. The missional church ministers to the poor, needy, and outcasts of society.
12. The missional church is being made holy, transformed into image of God.
13. The missional church emphasizes heart over ritual, continually seeking to shed itself of burdensome rules that are oppressive.
14. The missional church challenges all structures and powers, both religious and political, which fall short of the kingdom of God.
15. The missional church brings glory to God through its worship, its being, and its service.
16. The missional church seeks to keep all believers faithful.
17. The missional church offers repentance and forgiveness of sins.
18. The missional church reaches out all nations/ethnic groups.
19. The missional church is an agent of reconciliation, breaking downs all barriers.
20. The missional church forms disciples of Jesus Christ (as it goes out into the world), baptizing them and teaching to obey.

All such lists are by nature reductionary. This list could be expanded or reduced further, based upon need. It could even be divided into traditional categories of evangelism, discipleship, service, fellowship, and worship. However, these categories alone fail to capture the essential missional (sent) nature of the church. These things happen in the midst of the world, in the public sphere so to speak, not primarily in a church building. The church should be thought of as being rather than as a place.

What do you think of these characteristics?

Shopping--A Spiritual Quest?

Well, I am working hard to finish my paper on missional engagement in suburbia. Below is an exerpt on the "spiritual" nature of shopping.

In the materialistic worldview, shopping itself becomes a spiritual quest and an all-important religious ritual.

In his book Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, Paco Underhill details the shopping habits of both men and women. In one section about women and shopping, however, he upholds the spiritual nature of women and shopping, stating that there is nothing superficial about the female relationship with consumption:


"In fact, it’s women, not men, who plumb the metaphysics of shopping—they illuminate how we human beings go through life searching, examining, questioning, and then acquiring and assuming and absorbing the best of what we see. At that exalted level shopping is a transforming experience, a method of becoming a newer, perhaps even slightly improved person. The products you buy turn you into that other, idealized version of yourself. That dress makes you beautiful, this lipstick makes you kissable, that lamp turns your house into an elegant showplace."[1]

This endless consumptive cycle—for both men and women--can only bring emptiness.[2]

Have you ever tried to find purpose, meaning, or identity when buying clothes, cars, homes, or the like? I have. In that new shirt, I'm that hip young dude. In that home, I have arrived and find respectability. And so on. What about you?

[1] Underhill, 117

[2] While Americans have made the pursuit of material things a spiritual exercise, at the same time, religious expression has been commodified. Obvious examples of this include televangelists who promise prayers of healing in exchange for money, but religious consumerism is prevalent throughout America. Spiritual seekers will buy religious t-shirts, pictures, videos, pens, bookmarks and much more religious “stuff.”

Those religions that are most visual and therefore most marketable will be most popular in a consumeristic society. Note the popularity of the Catholic religion—which is rich in visual imagery--in movies. As Vincent Miller says rather wryly, “Sales and rentals of videos of Quaker prayer meetings have been disappointing in all markets.” Vincent J. Miller, Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture (New York: Continuum, 2005), 73-106.

A Giant Leap of Faith

Some personal reflection today . . .

For those of you familiar with the Strengths Finder test (http://www.strengthsfinder.com/), I am an Achiever. Achievers work long and hard to accomplish their goals, and they want to do their jobs well. They find great value in this, and enjoy working alongside other hard workers.

I also have strengths in Ideation (concepts and visualization), Learner, Futuristic, and Input (research). These are all very strong as well.

I think that God has used these strengths in me to accomplish some good things. However, it is easy for me to overly rely upon my ability to work hard to achieve, to learn, to plan for the future, in order to "achieve" some spiritual goal.

Sometimes, though, God leads us in ways that we cannot prepare for. We cannot study our way into, nor work our way out of. Abraham's call to go to some land that God would lead him to, for instance, fits this bill. Abraham could do no research on the place to which he was being called--God didn't tell him. He could not envision the future--there were no hints. He could not work hard to do the job better--he didn't know what he was supposed to do.

I am good at having faith in God when I can be a partner, working as he has made me. And I can have faith that God does great things in others, and that he is active in the world in ways I cannot understand. I believe that the Spirit has gone out into the world before us.

I suppose I have not been often tested on trusting God in my own life when I cannot see the way forward, when I cannot achieve or plan. Dropping out of medical school, with some vague idea of doing ministry, was the closest thing to this. I wonder what God has in store for me . . . Whenever we have not been tested in an area, watch out! God will shape us.

Small Group Evangelism

I am getting excited about an upcoming D.Min. class that I have at Fuller Theological Seminary, beginning next Monday. It is a class on evangelism with Dr. Richard Peace.

Peace has written several books on evangelism. I wanted to highlight one of his books, Small Group Evangelism. Here is the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Group-Evangelism-Training-Reaching/dp/1881266206/ref=sr_1_1/104-3613242-1630310?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181595588&sr=8-1

Too often we rely upon mere personal witness and conversation in sharing our faith. People are drawn to community, and the most effective evangelism happens in a community or small group setting. As people witness the love in the group, this testifies to the truth of the gospel and is appealing to non-Christians.

Peace gives several practical steps on how to set up an evangelistic small group. A few good pointers:
1. Be up front in this invitation. Tell people that it is a group that will have some Christians and non-Christians, designed for those who are interested in exploring faith and spiritual issues. Ask someone if they are interested in being a part of this type of group.

2. Choose a topic that fits a felt need or seeks to provide an answer to something non-Christians are asking about.

3. Give specifics on how long the meeting will last. Tell people it will be 4 or 8 weeks, so that they can see that it has an ending. People find it difficult to commit to something without a potential stop date.

4. Hold the meeting in a location that is comfortable with the target group.

5. Have a target group, and make this group fairly homogenous. People with similar backgrounds and experiences find it easier to share and form bonds of friendship, which will keep them going to the group.

Do you like the idea of small group evangelism?

Coming Back from West Texas

Hey guys. I'm sitting in the airport in Midland, Texas, about to fly back to Oklahoma City. There we will meet my parents, pick up our kids, and drive back to Kansas City and preach tomorrow (on the Lordship of Jesus). I'm tired already!

We had a good time with my aunt and uncle and cousin out here. They live in exurbia--those big country estates outside the outer suburban ring.

This kind of living has its appeal for Americans who love their space. In fact more than 60 million Americans now live in exurbia. But this kind of living is also very isolating and lonely. I lived in an exuban area until I was 14. Our country estate was nice, but I missed having friends. I wonder how the church can connect to those living in these areas.

I've been without email access for a week now, and for some reason, I can't access it right now either. So if you guys have sent me messages and I haven't responded, this is why.

Check back in with you on Sunday or Monday.

Democratic candidates talk about their faith

Well, I don't know how many of you on this blog are interested in politics, but I found the following news story interesting. In a special forum, the democratic candidates talk about their faith. Hillary Clinton shares how her faith helped her through her husband's affair, and John Edwards talks about how his faith helped him through his teenage son's death in 1996.

Read the full story here.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_religion_10;_ylt=AgThCjHdx1LHJ17LXawfhlUE1vAI

In general, Americans want their candidates to have a strong faith, but for them to be governed by American principles first and foremost.

Do you think candidates should talk about their faith? What are you looking for faith wise in a candidate? Should Christians put their hope in politics?

Also, Edwards talks about poverty in relationship to his faith. Where do most Christians place this concern in their assessment of candidates?

Ten Facts About TV Watching

Here are some statistics on TV watching that I thought were interesting.

1. Time per day that TV is on in an average US home: 7 hours, 40 minutes


2. Amount of television that the average American watches per day: over 4 hours


3. Time spent daily with screen media for U.S. children age six and under: about 2 hours


4. Percentage of US families with children age 0-6 with at least one television: 99


5. Percentage of US households with 3 or more TVs (2003): 50


6. Percentage of parents who say that if they have something important to do, it is likely that they will use the TV to
   occupy their child: 45


7. Percentage of Americans who always or often watch television while eating dinner: 40


8. Percentage of Americans who say they watch too much TV: 49


9. Time per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5 minutes


10. Percentage of 4-6 year-olds who, when asked, would rather watch TV than spend time with their fathers: 54

See the full list of TV watching statistics at http://www.tvturnoff.org/images/facts&figs/factsheets/FactsFigs.pdf

Which of these do you find most troubling?

Poverty in Suburbia

We usually associate poverty with the inner city, and affluence with suburbia. Indeed, they often go hand in hand. However, a new phenomenon has surfaced in the last couple of years--poverty in suburbia.

In December of 2006, The Brookings Institute reported that “by 2005 the suburban poor outnumbered their city counterparts by at least 1 million,” and that the poverty rate in the suburbs was 9.4 percent. This poverty rate held steady in the West and Northeast, while increasing in the Midwest and South.[1]

One surprising example of suburban poverty is found in Rockford County, New Hampshire. Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in Rockford County, was identified by Money Magazine as the fifth place to live in the United States. And yet, the Red Cross in Rockford County had nearly 7000 people visit its food pantry last in 2006, up nearly sevenfold since 2000. Many of those seeking help do not have cars, and with the high price of gas and the lack of public transportation in the suburbs, it is difficult for those needing help to receive it. Many suburban areas do not even have organizations in the area that provide assistance for poverty-stricken families.

One Red Cross worker said, "Public hospitals, nutrition assistance programs--most of these things are still overwhelmingly urban. You see small-scale operations in suburbs getting inundated. They just can't deal with the demand."[2] Affordable housing for the low-income workers who provide the service jobs in suburban areas is difficult to find, and foreclosures in suburban areas are increasing dramatically.

This shows that despite Liberty's affluence, we have great opportunities to reach those who are poor among us. Our "Children's Outreach Ministry" has been attempting to do just this, as we seek to provide school supplies for needy children and help them financially throughout the year--at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and VBS.

Do you find suburban poverty surprising?

[1] Alan Berube and Elizabeth Kneebone, Two Steps Back: City and Suburban Poverty Trends 1999-2005(Brookings Institute, December 2006, accessed 6-03-07 2007); available from http://www.brook.edu/metro/pubs/20061205_citysuburban.htm.

[2] Eyal Press, The New Suburban Poverty(The Nation, April 13, 2007, accessed 6-03-07); available from http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070423/press.