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See you there!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
When Faith & Love Converge, There is Hope
Getting ready for the final message in our No Perfect People Allowed Series - the message is titled: Creating a Culture of Hope and Healing. I was led to 1 Corinthians 13 - the love chapter. As I was reading, I caught myself wondering why I was wasting time reading the "love" chapter when I should be preparing for a message on "hope." Then it hit me...
1 Corinthians 13:13 (the last verse of the great love chapter) "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Our world needs hope. And where is hope found?
Answer: Where faith and love converge.
Where do faith and love converge?
Answer: The Church (Or, at least, they're supposed to)...
Why are not more people discovering hope through the community of the church? Perhaps it's because there's a lack of either faith or love. Faith forms the foundation for hope, yet hope is experienced in love. Love for God, love for one another. If faith is absent, how far can hope reach? Without faith, there is no hope at all. If love is absent, perhaps the only hope that remains is the hope of being loved. And that's what we were created for: to love and to be loved.
So, this is the hope of the church - where faith and love converge through the Body of Christ, as we re-present Jesus as His church, people find and experience hope.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (the last verse of the great love chapter) "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Our world needs hope. And where is hope found?
Answer: Where faith and love converge.
Where do faith and love converge?
Answer: The Church (Or, at least, they're supposed to)...
Why are not more people discovering hope through the community of the church? Perhaps it's because there's a lack of either faith or love. Faith forms the foundation for hope, yet hope is experienced in love. Love for God, love for one another. If faith is absent, how far can hope reach? Without faith, there is no hope at all. If love is absent, perhaps the only hope that remains is the hope of being loved. And that's what we were created for: to love and to be loved.
So, this is the hope of the church - where faith and love converge through the Body of Christ, as we re-present Jesus as His church, people find and experience hope.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saved by Grace; Judged by Works
We're heading into week 3 of a 6-week series called The Hole in Our Gospel. The series is based off of a book by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision US. Of course, the series is actually based on Scripture ... some of the most challenging passages of Scripture in our Bible.
Many of these Scriptures, like Matthew 7 and Matthew 25, are challenging not because they're difficult to understand, but because of how easy they are to understand. In Matthew 25, for instance, Jesus tells the "Parable of the Sheep and the Goats." In this parable, which is more of a snap shot of the final judgement than anything else, Jesus separates the sheep and the goats - sheep and goats being metaphors for the righteous and the wicked. On one hand, the righteous "sheep" are set to Jesus' right, and invited to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Likewise, the wicked "goats" are set to Jesus' left and damned to an eternity separated from God and tormented in hell. Miserable thought.
Clearly, upon reading Jesus words in Matthew 25, the criterion for dividing the sheep and the goats is not that the sheep have confessed faith and belief in Christ while the goats have not, but that the sheep acted in loving and tangible ways toward the poor, the oppressed, the imprisoned and the weak, while the goats did not.
The troubling take-a-way from this passage, and from passages like Matthew 7 and Revelation 20, is that the goats were not rejected by Christ because of the evil things they had done, but because of the good they did not do. And that's troubling. Which brings me to address a great concern: Where's the security of our salvation in that? Certainly there must be, because Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 are just a few of the passages of Scripture that make it abundantly clear that our salvation is not based on works, but on the grace of God alone.
After Sunday's message, I was asked by someone if I thought that someone making a decision to follow Christ on their deathbed would be accepted in to heaven. The question was asked because, clearly, every time the final judgement is spoken of in the New Testament, we are judged by our walk, not our talk. Saved by grace, judged by works. So what if someone gets on their mark while on their deathbed, and has no time to do the good things that we are called, according to Ephesians 2:10, to do? Is it too late for them?
I remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus. Luke 23:42-43 records these words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Surely, if Jesus will take in a thief on his cross, he will take in anyone who genuinely calls upon him, no matter what the time or circumstance. Perhaps the key here is, genuinely...
Ephesians 2:8-10 says that we are saved by grace, through faith, in order to do good works. Surely Jesus didn't die simply to save us from our sin. He died to give us new life. He died as an open invitation to join Him in His Kingdom work, right here, right now. Certainly, the tangible results of a genuine faith in Christ is that we do the things He has called us to do. Surely, Matthew 25 and other Scriptures like it suggest not that salvation is attained by works, but that an authentic and genuine commitment to Christ must be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life - a life engaged and surrendered to the will of Christ.
Philippians 2:12 tells us to "continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling." When is it that we're allowing Christ to use us most - when we are comfortable and collected, or when we are working out our salvation with a healthy fear of God - struggling to make sense of our calling, His calling, and what we are here on this earth to do? It appears we've not wrestled with verses like these enough, because it appears we've not fully invested our lives, our talents, our treasures, to reach the lost, minister to the hurting, take hope and healing to the sick and poor and needy and oppressed. It appears we're not doing enough to reach the unchurched, the spiritually restless, those without the Hope of Salvation that we celebrate every week within the four walls of what we call "church".
Maybe, if we really payed closer attention to what Jesus said, and stopped wasting time with theological murmurings, we'd find ourselves closer to the God of the universe, more on track with the Savior and Hope that is Jesus, and closer to completing the final work He's called us all to be a part of - reaching every lost man, woman and child on the planet with the message and hope of the Gospel that is Jesus.
Let's get on that, shall we...
Many of these Scriptures, like Matthew 7 and Matthew 25, are challenging not because they're difficult to understand, but because of how easy they are to understand. In Matthew 25, for instance, Jesus tells the "Parable of the Sheep and the Goats." In this parable, which is more of a snap shot of the final judgement than anything else, Jesus separates the sheep and the goats - sheep and goats being metaphors for the righteous and the wicked. On one hand, the righteous "sheep" are set to Jesus' right, and invited to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Likewise, the wicked "goats" are set to Jesus' left and damned to an eternity separated from God and tormented in hell. Miserable thought.
Clearly, upon reading Jesus words in Matthew 25, the criterion for dividing the sheep and the goats is not that the sheep have confessed faith and belief in Christ while the goats have not, but that the sheep acted in loving and tangible ways toward the poor, the oppressed, the imprisoned and the weak, while the goats did not.
The troubling take-a-way from this passage, and from passages like Matthew 7 and Revelation 20, is that the goats were not rejected by Christ because of the evil things they had done, but because of the good they did not do. And that's troubling. Which brings me to address a great concern: Where's the security of our salvation in that? Certainly there must be, because Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 are just a few of the passages of Scripture that make it abundantly clear that our salvation is not based on works, but on the grace of God alone.
After Sunday's message, I was asked by someone if I thought that someone making a decision to follow Christ on their deathbed would be accepted in to heaven. The question was asked because, clearly, every time the final judgement is spoken of in the New Testament, we are judged by our walk, not our talk. Saved by grace, judged by works. So what if someone gets on their mark while on their deathbed, and has no time to do the good things that we are called, according to Ephesians 2:10, to do? Is it too late for them?
I remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus. Luke 23:42-43 records these words: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Surely, if Jesus will take in a thief on his cross, he will take in anyone who genuinely calls upon him, no matter what the time or circumstance. Perhaps the key here is, genuinely...
Ephesians 2:8-10 says that we are saved by grace, through faith, in order to do good works. Surely Jesus didn't die simply to save us from our sin. He died to give us new life. He died as an open invitation to join Him in His Kingdom work, right here, right now. Certainly, the tangible results of a genuine faith in Christ is that we do the things He has called us to do. Surely, Matthew 25 and other Scriptures like it suggest not that salvation is attained by works, but that an authentic and genuine commitment to Christ must be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life - a life engaged and surrendered to the will of Christ.
Philippians 2:12 tells us to "continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling." When is it that we're allowing Christ to use us most - when we are comfortable and collected, or when we are working out our salvation with a healthy fear of God - struggling to make sense of our calling, His calling, and what we are here on this earth to do? It appears we've not wrestled with verses like these enough, because it appears we've not fully invested our lives, our talents, our treasures, to reach the lost, minister to the hurting, take hope and healing to the sick and poor and needy and oppressed. It appears we're not doing enough to reach the unchurched, the spiritually restless, those without the Hope of Salvation that we celebrate every week within the four walls of what we call "church".
Maybe, if we really payed closer attention to what Jesus said, and stopped wasting time with theological murmurings, we'd find ourselves closer to the God of the universe, more on track with the Savior and Hope that is Jesus, and closer to completing the final work He's called us all to be a part of - reaching every lost man, woman and child on the planet with the message and hope of the Gospel that is Jesus.
Let's get on that, shall we...
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The 5 Agreements
This past Sunday, we had the incredible honor of hosting Lee Powell, Pastor of CedarCreek.TV. For the past several years, CedarCreek has been listed by Outreach Magazine as one of the top 100 fastest growing and largest churches in America.
When Rock City was no more than an idea, CedarCreek came along side of us and our team. They believed in us and in the vision of Rock City Church while still in its infancy. They've become a true and trusted friend. They've supported us, mentored us, and continue to stand beside us as we navigate our way from launch to a healthy and growing church.
On Sunday, Lee shared with us 5 Agreements that have, over the years, helped to guide them and keep them on course. I think they are worth mentioning here. The commentary after each Agreement is my own.
First, We Agree that the cause of the church is our greatest cause on planet earth. If you believe this, it changes everything. It only takes a few to ignite a movement. A few who are willing to sacrifice, to serve and commit themselves wholly to the cause of Christ, to faithfully support the mission of the local church... If it's the greatest cause on planet earth, what are you waiting for? What's our cause, you ask? Taking the message and hope of Jesus to the lost, the hurting and the oppressed in our cities and around the world. That's it.
Second, We Agree to do anything short of sin to reach people who don't know Christ. We're not bound by some rigid set of rules or tradition. The Message never changes, but the method by which the Message is delivered has to change in order to reach an ever-changing culture. What exactly does this look like? Watch Rock City, and you'll see.
Third, We Agree that the church can never get to big. What does big mean? Why focus on numbers? Well, for starters, there's an entire book in the Bible called "Numbers." And God uses numbers over and over in scripture. Pertaining to the early church, read Acts 2:41. Three thousand people were added to the church that day. Someone must have been counting. Someone must have been measuring that kind of growth. Numbers are a good indication of health. If we believe the church is the greatest cause on planet earth, and we're telling people about Jesus, the church grows. It has to. Healthy organizations, healthy churches grow.
Fourth, We Agree to be an example of Jesus' love behind and beyond the walls of our church. Simply put, we're not inward focused. At least, not totally. If our heart breaks for what breaks God's heart, we won't stay confined to our four walls. We'll be in our communities, in our cities, making a difference. Our hands and feet, our dollars, our work will be on foreign soil as in our own backyards. People are people. And people matter to God. And where there are people, there is the mission of the church.
Fifth, We Agree to do more with less. Nobody wants to throw money away. Nobody invests in something that isn't producing results. We are committed to being financially frugal, to make every dollar stretch. To do more with less.
Thanks Lee, for casting that vision for us.
When Rock City was no more than an idea, CedarCreek came along side of us and our team. They believed in us and in the vision of Rock City Church while still in its infancy. They've become a true and trusted friend. They've supported us, mentored us, and continue to stand beside us as we navigate our way from launch to a healthy and growing church.
On Sunday, Lee shared with us 5 Agreements that have, over the years, helped to guide them and keep them on course. I think they are worth mentioning here. The commentary after each Agreement is my own.
First, We Agree that the cause of the church is our greatest cause on planet earth. If you believe this, it changes everything. It only takes a few to ignite a movement. A few who are willing to sacrifice, to serve and commit themselves wholly to the cause of Christ, to faithfully support the mission of the local church... If it's the greatest cause on planet earth, what are you waiting for? What's our cause, you ask? Taking the message and hope of Jesus to the lost, the hurting and the oppressed in our cities and around the world. That's it.
Second, We Agree to do anything short of sin to reach people who don't know Christ. We're not bound by some rigid set of rules or tradition. The Message never changes, but the method by which the Message is delivered has to change in order to reach an ever-changing culture. What exactly does this look like? Watch Rock City, and you'll see.
Third, We Agree that the church can never get to big. What does big mean? Why focus on numbers? Well, for starters, there's an entire book in the Bible called "Numbers." And God uses numbers over and over in scripture. Pertaining to the early church, read Acts 2:41. Three thousand people were added to the church that day. Someone must have been counting. Someone must have been measuring that kind of growth. Numbers are a good indication of health. If we believe the church is the greatest cause on planet earth, and we're telling people about Jesus, the church grows. It has to. Healthy organizations, healthy churches grow.
Fourth, We Agree to be an example of Jesus' love behind and beyond the walls of our church. Simply put, we're not inward focused. At least, not totally. If our heart breaks for what breaks God's heart, we won't stay confined to our four walls. We'll be in our communities, in our cities, making a difference. Our hands and feet, our dollars, our work will be on foreign soil as in our own backyards. People are people. And people matter to God. And where there are people, there is the mission of the church.
Fifth, We Agree to do more with less. Nobody wants to throw money away. Nobody invests in something that isn't producing results. We are committed to being financially frugal, to make every dollar stretch. To do more with less.
Thanks Lee, for casting that vision for us.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Hole in Holiness
Kevin DeYoung, pastor of a church in East Lansing Michigan, wrote an article that I thought was worth sharing...
FIVE REASONS WHY YOUNG CHRISTIANS OFTEN NEGLECT PERSONAL HOLINESS by Kevin DeYoung
I have a growing concern that younger evangelicals do not take seriously the Bible’s call to personal holiness. We are too at peace with worldliness in our homes, too at ease with sin in our lives, too content with spiritual immaturity in our churches.
FIVE REASONS WHY YOUNG CHRISTIANS OFTEN NEGLECT PERSONAL HOLINESS by Kevin DeYoung
I have a growing concern that younger evangelicals do not take seriously the Bible’s call to personal holiness. We are too at peace with worldliness in our homes, too at ease with sin in our lives, too content with spiritual immaturity in our churches.
God’s mission in the world is to save a people and sanctify his people. Christ died “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor. 5:15) We were chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” (Eph. 1:4) Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her…so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:25-27) Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)
J.C. Ryle, the Bishop of Liverpool from the nineteenth century, was right: “We must be holy, because this is one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world…Jesus is a complete Savior. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer’s sin, He does more—He breaks its power (1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:10).” My fear is that as we rightly celebrate, and in some quarters rediscover, all that Christ saved us from, we will give little thought and make little effort concerning all that Christ saved us to.
The pursuit of holiness does not occupy the place in our hearts that it should. There are several reasons for the relative neglect of personal holiness.
1) It was too common in the past to equate holiness with abstaining from a few taboo practices like drinking, smoking, and dancing. In a previous generation, godliness meant you didn’t do these things. Younger generations have little patience for these sorts of rules. They either don’t agree with the rules, or they figure they’ve got those bases covered so there’s not much else to worry about.
2) Related to the first reason is the fear that a passion for holiness makes you some kind of weird holdover from a bygone era. As soon as you talk about swearing or movies or music or modesty or sexual purity or self-control or just plain godliness, people get nervous that others will call them legalistic, or worse, a fundamentalist.
3) We live in a culture of cool, and to be cool means you differentiate yourself from others. That has often meant pushing the boundaries with language, with entertainment, with alcohol, and with fashion. Of course, holiness is much more than these things, but in an effort to be hip, many Christians have figured holiness has nothing to do with these things. They’ve willingly embraced Christian freedom, but they’ve not earnestly pursued Christian virtue.
4) Among more liberal Christians, a radical pursuit of holiness is often suspect because any talk of right and wrong behaviors feels judgmental and intolerant. If we are to be “without spot or blemish,” it necessitates we distinguish between what sort of attitudes, actions, and habits are pure and what sort are impure. This sort of sorting gets you in trouble with the pluralism police.
5) Among conservative Christians, there is sometimes the mistaken notion that if we are truly gospel-centered, we won’t talk about rules or imperatives or exhort Christians to moral exertion. To be sure, there is a rash of moralistic teaching out there, but sometimes we go to the other extreme and act as if the Bible shouldn’t advise our morals at all. We are so eager not to confuse indicatives and imperatives (a point I’ve made many times) that if we’re not careful, we’ll drop the imperatives altogether. We’ve been afraid of words like diligence, effort, and obedience. We’ve downplayed verses that call us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12) or command us to cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit (2 Cor. 7:1) or warn against even a hint of immorality among the saints (Eph. 5:3).
I find it telling that you can find plenty of young Christians today who are really excited about justice and serving in their communities.
You can find Christians fired up about evangelism. You can find lots of Generation XYZ believers passionate about precise theology. Yes and amen to all that. But where are the Christians known for their zeal for holiness? Where is the corresponding passion for honoring Christ with Christlike obedience? We need more Christian leaders on our campuses, in our cities, in our seminaries who will say with Paul, “Look carefully then how you walk.” (Eph. 5:15)
You can find Christians fired up about evangelism. You can find lots of Generation XYZ believers passionate about precise theology. Yes and amen to all that. But where are the Christians known for their zeal for holiness? Where is the corresponding passion for honoring Christ with Christlike obedience? We need more Christian leaders on our campuses, in our cities, in our seminaries who will say with Paul, “Look carefully then how you walk.” (Eph. 5:15)
When is the last time we took a verse like Ephesians 5:4—“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving”—when is the last time we took a verse like this and even began to try to apply this to our conversation, our joking, our movies, our YouTube clips, our TV and commercial intake? The fact of the matter is if you read through the New Testament epistles, you will find very few explicit commands that tell us to evangelize and very few explicit commands that tell us to take care of the poor in our communities, but there are dozens and dozens of verses in the New Testament that enjoin us, in one way or another, to be holy as God is holy (e.g., 1 Peter 1:13-16).
I do not wish to denigrate any of the other biblical emphases capturing the attention of younger evangelicals. But I believe God would have us be much more careful with our eyes, our ears, and our mouth. It’s not pietism, legalism, or fundamentalism to take holiness seriously. It’s the way of all those who have been called to a holy calling by a holy God.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Stories that Matter
As we celebrate the launch of Rock City, and people celebrate this church, I want to share with you just one story that is worth celebrating 1,000 more times over.
As I began reading through the hundreds of Connect Cards on Sunday night, one in particular caught my attention, and quite honestly, brought me to tears. I was overwhelmed at what I read. Overwhelmed at the power and love of God at work.
On the top of the card, under Prayer Requests, it read: "I wrote this before your service: I pray that I find God. I live in fear and worry and I want faith to guide me in the right direction. I haven't been to a church in over 15 years."
On the bottom of the card, under Questions/Comments, it read: "It was a blessing I came today. Awesome! I love it. A great experience. I can't wait to come back. Thank You."
To top it off, she made a first-time commitment to follow Jesus!
As I read that, I couldn't help but cry. That is the power of our God. And it was as if God so purposefully gave us that specific day's message just for this one. Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:25-31, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:6 - all direct answers to this woman's prayers!
Here's the email I received on Monday evening:
"I heard about Rock City Church through a post card I received in the mail last Friday. I read it, put it back down on the counter, read it a few more times and told myself, 'This is it...I'm going to church.' Sunday morning came and I was lying in bed, looked at the clock and said, 'If you're going to go to church, then get up!' I don't know what it was but something was calling me to that post card.
I'm a fairly shy person and by me coming to church by myself was a big accomplishment. I wanted to thank you for making it such a great experience for me. I loved it. I was telling one of my friends about it and she wants to come with me on Sunday."
Thank you, you know who you are, for allowing me to share your story. This is why we do what we do. This is why we are here. This is what happens when people get on their mark with God - follow Jesus - and love people!
And this is just the beginning!!!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Life Giving Church
Once again I've encountered a life-giving Church.
How can you tell if you're in a life-giving church? Thanks for asking. You know you're in a life-giving church because a life-giving church gives life.
A life-giving church GIVES.
I've been fortunate to experience a few life-giving churches this past year and a half. And to be honest, before having experienced one, I wouldn't have believed they existed. After all, I've grown up in the church. I've worked in the church. And like most, I'm a bit jaded. Thank God, He has allowed me to not only experience a life-giving church, but be a part of a growing network of life-giving churches -
Churches that aren't in it for themselves. Churches that genuinely want to see us and others succeed. Churches that have secure leaders. Churches that genuinely love people. Church that give their resources away, for FREE. Churches that share. Churches that give life.
That network is ARC - The Association of Related Churches. I've met dozens of ARC church planters and ARC pastors, and still have not found one that was unwilling to lend a helping hand or give generously of their time and energy and resources.
This past weekend I took a team to benchmark iTown Church in Indianapolis. What a great church. What a great team. What a great leader they have.
Life-giving churches give. They are selfless. They aren't in it for themselves. They want to see you and me and others succeed. They serve rather than wait to be served.
God, please, continue to lead us in your way. Help us to be the kind of church that gives life. Help us to be the kind of church that genuinely loves and cares and gives. Help me to lead selflessly. Give me the courage and confidence to surround myself with better and stronger leaders than myself. May we know your life-giving Spirit. And may we be a church that gives life.
How can you tell if you're in a life-giving church? Thanks for asking. You know you're in a life-giving church because a life-giving church gives life.
A life-giving church GIVES.
I've been fortunate to experience a few life-giving churches this past year and a half. And to be honest, before having experienced one, I wouldn't have believed they existed. After all, I've grown up in the church. I've worked in the church. And like most, I'm a bit jaded. Thank God, He has allowed me to not only experience a life-giving church, but be a part of a growing network of life-giving churches -
Churches that aren't in it for themselves. Churches that genuinely want to see us and others succeed. Churches that have secure leaders. Churches that genuinely love people. Church that give their resources away, for FREE. Churches that share. Churches that give life.
That network is ARC - The Association of Related Churches. I've met dozens of ARC church planters and ARC pastors, and still have not found one that was unwilling to lend a helping hand or give generously of their time and energy and resources.
This past weekend I took a team to benchmark iTown Church in Indianapolis. What a great church. What a great team. What a great leader they have.
Life-giving churches give. They are selfless. They aren't in it for themselves. They want to see you and me and others succeed. They serve rather than wait to be served.
God, please, continue to lead us in your way. Help us to be the kind of church that gives life. Help us to be the kind of church that genuinely loves and cares and gives. Help me to lead selflessly. Give me the courage and confidence to surround myself with better and stronger leaders than myself. May we know your life-giving Spirit. And may we be a church that gives life.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Rock City has a home, after 61 Days of Fasting...
Okay, so just in case you're wondering, it wasn't 61 days in a row. But it was 61 days nonetheless! Saturday night, as I was getting ready for bed and looking forward to waking up on Sunday morning for two reasons - ONE, I got to spend time with our launch team and meet several new faces - and TWO, I got to break a 21 day fast - Both were exciting - It hit me.
You know how God sometimes just pokes at you or whispers something so quietly in your ear but it hits you like a ton of bricks? Saturday night that kind of thing happened to me.
As I began to think about the 21 day fast that was ending, and the BIG announcement I was preparing to share the next morning, I was reminded of the last time I was led to fast, just a few years ago. That time it was a 40 day fast. And here's what I wrote down at the start of that monumental fast...
"In order for me to take you to a place you've never been before, you must first begin to do what you've never done before." -God
It wasn't like God showed up and spoke that to me in a loud voice, but I knew that's what He was saying - to me in particular. Looking back, I remember rounding the corner of day 41. I literally hadn't eaten ANY food for 40 days. I lived on juice and water. I lost 40 pounds. Physically it took a toll on my body. Spiritually, I'll be honest, I didn't really feel that much closer to God. I was a bit surprised. Nothing extraordinary happened. So I thought.
Having been far removed from that time in my life, I've often looked back and shared that that season of my life marked a significant milestone. Clearly, as that 40 day fast ended, circumstances and events took shape in my life that would, in less than a year's time, take me from a secure ministry position in a church I thought I'd live and die in, to a desert road experience that made absolutely no sense, to a hotel conference room on the night of January 1, 2010 gathering with a core group of people consecrating ourselves before God and to each other with a commitment to plant a church in Columbus, Ohio.
Clearly, God made good on His word. I did something I had never done before - fasted, 40 days nonetheless. And the result was that we were literally transported to exactly the place that God intended for us to be. Columbus, Ohio.
And sure, I'm making it sound so easy and simple. It wasn't really. Actually, it was painful. It hurt. We got a lot of sand in our teeth and our feet blistered from the long journey, but the result was the same. When God leads, it's not always easy. But He'll get you there. He'll get you to where He wants you. Whatever it takes!
What struck me Saturday night was that the same exact thing has resulted in this 21 day fast. I was astonished. We've been trying to secure a location to launch Rock City for months. Several plans had fallen through at the last minute. We were honestly beginning to feel a bit desperate. We had put in an offer to the AMC Lennox a month earlier and hadn't heard back. I'd followed up regularly, but the answer was always the same. There was no answer. Then, I think around the 18th day of our fast, we got the news. They had accepted our proposal. And on the 20th day, I was sitting in the middle of Theater 13 at the AMC Lennox, filming the video I've posted below.
This isn't to say there's some magic formula to fasting. It's a purely spiritual thing. But one thing I know is this, these last 61 days of fasting have produced a whole lot more than spiritual blessing in our lives. I can clearly see the how the hand of God has literally and physically moved us, not a day early and not a day late, right to the place where He can use us. For us, that's Columbus, Ohio. For Rock City Church, that's the AMC at Lennox Town Center, where we'll be launching on April 3, 2011!
You know how God sometimes just pokes at you or whispers something so quietly in your ear but it hits you like a ton of bricks? Saturday night that kind of thing happened to me.
As I began to think about the 21 day fast that was ending, and the BIG announcement I was preparing to share the next morning, I was reminded of the last time I was led to fast, just a few years ago. That time it was a 40 day fast. And here's what I wrote down at the start of that monumental fast...
"In order for me to take you to a place you've never been before, you must first begin to do what you've never done before." -God
It wasn't like God showed up and spoke that to me in a loud voice, but I knew that's what He was saying - to me in particular. Looking back, I remember rounding the corner of day 41. I literally hadn't eaten ANY food for 40 days. I lived on juice and water. I lost 40 pounds. Physically it took a toll on my body. Spiritually, I'll be honest, I didn't really feel that much closer to God. I was a bit surprised. Nothing extraordinary happened. So I thought.
Having been far removed from that time in my life, I've often looked back and shared that that season of my life marked a significant milestone. Clearly, as that 40 day fast ended, circumstances and events took shape in my life that would, in less than a year's time, take me from a secure ministry position in a church I thought I'd live and die in, to a desert road experience that made absolutely no sense, to a hotel conference room on the night of January 1, 2010 gathering with a core group of people consecrating ourselves before God and to each other with a commitment to plant a church in Columbus, Ohio.
Clearly, God made good on His word. I did something I had never done before - fasted, 40 days nonetheless. And the result was that we were literally transported to exactly the place that God intended for us to be. Columbus, Ohio.
And sure, I'm making it sound so easy and simple. It wasn't really. Actually, it was painful. It hurt. We got a lot of sand in our teeth and our feet blistered from the long journey, but the result was the same. When God leads, it's not always easy. But He'll get you there. He'll get you to where He wants you. Whatever it takes!
What struck me Saturday night was that the same exact thing has resulted in this 21 day fast. I was astonished. We've been trying to secure a location to launch Rock City for months. Several plans had fallen through at the last minute. We were honestly beginning to feel a bit desperate. We had put in an offer to the AMC Lennox a month earlier and hadn't heard back. I'd followed up regularly, but the answer was always the same. There was no answer. Then, I think around the 18th day of our fast, we got the news. They had accepted our proposal. And on the 20th day, I was sitting in the middle of Theater 13 at the AMC Lennox, filming the video I've posted below.
This isn't to say there's some magic formula to fasting. It's a purely spiritual thing. But one thing I know is this, these last 61 days of fasting have produced a whole lot more than spiritual blessing in our lives. I can clearly see the how the hand of God has literally and physically moved us, not a day early and not a day late, right to the place where He can use us. For us, that's Columbus, Ohio. For Rock City Church, that's the AMC at Lennox Town Center, where we'll be launching on April 3, 2011!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Where's the Salt?
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus says, "You [we] are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
I was reading a book called The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott and was completely halted upon reading the following statement:
"When society does go bad, we Christians tend to throw up our hands in pious horror and reproach the non-Christian world; but should we not rather reproach ourselves? One can hardly blame unsalted meat for going bad. It cannot do anything else. The real question to ask is: Where is the salt?"
Take a minute and reflect on that.
I was reading a book called The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott and was completely halted upon reading the following statement:
"When society does go bad, we Christians tend to throw up our hands in pious horror and reproach the non-Christian world; but should we not rather reproach ourselves? One can hardly blame unsalted meat for going bad. It cannot do anything else. The real question to ask is: Where is the salt?"
Take a minute and reflect on that.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Quit Hijacking Christmas
Last week I read the status update of a friend of mine. It said, "Jesus was born in a smelly stable, which could be a picture of when Jesus comes into our hearts - it's like that stable, smelly and dirty."
It got me thinking. Isn't it amazing that the God of the universe, perfect in every way, spotless and pure beyond imagination, would choose to be born, to indwell in each of our hearts - us, being dirty, sinful and undeserving in every way - Jesus, choosing to offer his unmerited love and grace and mercy unconditionally to absolutely any man, woman or child who asks...
I think we too often forget that. It's like we've separated ourselves from everyone else. We wear labels like chosen, saved, Christian, righteous...and we label the world as unsaved, unChristian, unrighteous, unholy...It's as if we've hijacked the Christmas story - hijacked Jesus' intention for ever coming to this dirty, sinful, messed up world.
Luke 19:10 says that "the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."
Rather than focus on our pithy Christian labels, perhaps if we, as undeserving, unrighteous, smelly and dirty and shameful focus on this great God, this amazing Christ who loves us nonetheless, who has offered to us his unmerited love and forgiveness - perhaps then, we will begin to view the world, not through the lense of self righteousness, but through the lense of grace and mercy. And we'll be compelled to go and seek and save that which is lost.
After all, God so demonstrated his love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8 NIV).
It got me thinking. Isn't it amazing that the God of the universe, perfect in every way, spotless and pure beyond imagination, would choose to be born, to indwell in each of our hearts - us, being dirty, sinful and undeserving in every way - Jesus, choosing to offer his unmerited love and grace and mercy unconditionally to absolutely any man, woman or child who asks...
I think we too often forget that. It's like we've separated ourselves from everyone else. We wear labels like chosen, saved, Christian, righteous...and we label the world as unsaved, unChristian, unrighteous, unholy...It's as if we've hijacked the Christmas story - hijacked Jesus' intention for ever coming to this dirty, sinful, messed up world.
Luke 19:10 says that "the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."
Rather than focus on our pithy Christian labels, perhaps if we, as undeserving, unrighteous, smelly and dirty and shameful focus on this great God, this amazing Christ who loves us nonetheless, who has offered to us his unmerited love and forgiveness - perhaps then, we will begin to view the world, not through the lense of self righteousness, but through the lense of grace and mercy. And we'll be compelled to go and seek and save that which is lost.
After all, God so demonstrated his love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8 NIV).
Thursday, December 2, 2010
It's a Beautiful Thing
These last 6 weeks have been full to say the least. If you've been following Rock City at all, you'll know that we ended THIRTYinTHIRTY with a win. We met our financial goal. Grew our launch team. Received a ton of traffic on Vimeo and the Rock City Blog. It'd be worth it to take a look back at some of our posts, as every day we added something new, including 12 new videos. After THIRTYinTHIRTY, we hosted our biggest launch team night yet, Katie and I spent Thanksgiving in Sandusky with our families, then she and I spent the last week in Washington D.C. with my grandparents. They had the time of their lives.
After blogging every day for 30 days, I guess I needed the last couple of weeks to just unwind and let loose a bit. God is good and Rock City Church is on its way. It's a beautiful thing.
After blogging every day for 30 days, I guess I needed the last couple of weeks to just unwind and let loose a bit. God is good and Rock City Church is on its way. It's a beautiful thing.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Follow Rock City's THIRTYinTHIRTY
Why THIRTYinTHIRTY? from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Every day, from October 17 - November 15, follow the Rock City Blog for videos, updates and stories that will encourage you and challenge you to take a closer look at yourself, the church and the God we live to serve. THIRTYinTHIRTY is a 30-day campaign of prayer, fasting and fundraising with a goal to raise $30,000 in 30 days! And the kicker - we've secured a full 2:1 match - that's $60,000 in matched funds on the line. Follow THIRTYinTHIRTY, and step into the movement by giving a tax-exempt generous contribution today! CONTRIBUTE HERE
OTHER VIDEOS FROM THIRTYinTHIRTY
30in30 Day 8 - Sunday Morning in a Coffee Shop from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
30in30 Day 4 Randall Newman from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
30in30 Day 6 - I Love This City from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
30in30 Day 10 [Marvin Gee] Be the Church from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Molly's Story 30in30 Day 12 from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Halfway Update 30in30 from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Meet Ben & Jenn - 30in30 Day 18 from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
That's Rock City from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Jeromy's Story - 30in30 Day 21 from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Katie Fisher - 30in30 Day 24 from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
An Invitation by Big V - 30in30 Day 26 from Rock City Church on Vimeo.
Monday, October 11, 2010
How America Sees God - USA Today
Am I the only one who thinks that one of the best parts of staying in a nice hotel is the USA TODAY paper that they set right outside your door every morning? As if to say, "Mr. Fisher, we greatly value your choosing our mid-priced hotel and accepting a room on the 5th floor next to a room with a crying baby and not the 6th floor where everything is much quieter. We know you need to stay connected to what's happening in the world, so we went out and got you this - the USA TODAY.
Well, I think it's awesome.
Anyway, one of the cover articles caught my eye.
How America Sees God
Here is what it said. Surveys say that 9 out of 10 Americans believe in God, but the way we picture that God reveals our attitudes on economics, justice, social morality, war, natural disasters, science, politics, love and more (say Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, sociologists at Baylor University). Their new book, America's Four Gods: What We Say About God - And What That Says About Us, examines our diverse visions of the Almighty and why they matter.
The study concludes that Americans have four Gods. They are...
The Authoritative God (28%)
The Distant God (24%)
The Benevolent God (22%)
The Critical God (21%)
And of course, there are those who don't believe in God at all. Atheists and Agnostics make up about 5% of America's population.
What's striking about this study is that only 22% of Americans who believe in God believe that God is all-loving. Whereas 73% of Americans who believe in God believe Him to be Authoritative, Critical, and Distant.
As I contemplate this current reality, I am drawn back to the groundbreaking research presented by the Barna Group just a few years ago, in the best-selling book, UnChristian, revealing the top six perceptions that 16- to 29-year-olds have of Christians. Those perceptions are anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, too political, sheltered, and proselytizing.
I have to ask, if this perception of Christians is shared by a majority of Americans, how then could we expect Americans to have a different, more positive view of God?
Well, I think it's awesome.
Anyway, one of the cover articles caught my eye.
How America Sees God
Here is what it said. Surveys say that 9 out of 10 Americans believe in God, but the way we picture that God reveals our attitudes on economics, justice, social morality, war, natural disasters, science, politics, love and more (say Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, sociologists at Baylor University). Their new book, America's Four Gods: What We Say About God - And What That Says About Us, examines our diverse visions of the Almighty and why they matter.
The study concludes that Americans have four Gods. They are...
The Authoritative God (28%)
The Distant God (24%)
The Benevolent God (22%)
The Critical God (21%)
And of course, there are those who don't believe in God at all. Atheists and Agnostics make up about 5% of America's population.
What's striking about this study is that only 22% of Americans who believe in God believe that God is all-loving. Whereas 73% of Americans who believe in God believe Him to be Authoritative, Critical, and Distant.
As I contemplate this current reality, I am drawn back to the groundbreaking research presented by the Barna Group just a few years ago, in the best-selling book, UnChristian, revealing the top six perceptions that 16- to 29-year-olds have of Christians. Those perceptions are anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, too political, sheltered, and proselytizing.
I have to ask, if this perception of Christians is shared by a majority of Americans, how then could we expect Americans to have a different, more positive view of God?
Catalyst 2010 - The Tension is Good
The Catalyst Conference is always a worth-while investment. This year was no exception. Something incredible happens when twelve-thousand leaders converge in one place - God speaks. For instance, just standing during one of the many times of worship, looking across the convention center at nearly every hand raised, twelve-thousand church leaders crying out in one voice,
"There is no one higher, no one greater; no one like our God! There is none more able, Christ our Savior, Great and Glorious."
The hair on my neck stood straight in the air. God was speaking in that moment.
"You are not alone. Look around you. I am raising up the next generation. I am with you. There is none more able. There is no one greater, no one higher. You are not alone."
It's always something when God speaks. It's something to think that, this vision that He has given Rock City is part of something so much greater, so much bigger...that Christ Himself is building His church, placing all of the pieces in perfect order, in perfect harmony.
God also spoke this year through the theme of the conference - through every speaker and guest that graced the stage -
"The Tension IS Good; The Tension IS Necessary."
Every wish the tension would just "go away?" Ever wonder what life would be like, what ministry would be like without the tension? Listen to what Reggie Joiner says of tension -
There is not one aspect of life where tension doesn't have critical value. Tension between the parties and branches of government creates a needed system of checks and balances. Tension in science can lead to remarkable insights and discoveries. Tension in the family provides an opportunity to demonstrate commitment and unconditional love. Tension within a team pushes them to better perspectives and deeper relationships.
Tension is good. It is absolutely required if you want to have an authentic faith. It is critical if you hope to engage in God's story of restoration and redemption. Tension compels us to respond to a higher calling. Tension helps us face our doubts. Tension challenges who we think we are. Tension clarifies what we believe about God. Tension prepares us to live our lives with a deeper message as a part of a bigger story.
So invite it. Create it if necessary. If you avoid tension as a leader, you are potentially robbing yourself and your team of the kind of defining moments that shape their character, stretch their faith, and clarify powerful insights. So choose to embrace it, even pursue it. By doing so you add an essential ingredient to your team that will give them the potential to change the world around them.
So here we are...living in the tension. We love the church, but at the same time, we want to reclaim it, redefine it. We want to build a community committed to loving and serving one another, but at the same time, we want to build a community that is focused on taking the love and message of Jesus to the lost, the hurting and the oppressed in our cities and around the world. We want the Spirit of God to lead us, but at the same time, we resist Him when it disrupts our schedule or becomes too uncomfortable. We want change within the church, but at the same time, are we willing to do what it takes, to sacrifice everything, to have skin in the game?
It's the tension that makes us. It's the tension that creates our need to rely on God.
Andy Stanley says that "there are problems that shouldn't be solved and tensions that shouldn't be resolved. Progress depends not on the resolution of those tensions, but on the successful management of those tensions."
The Tension is Good.
"There is no one higher, no one greater; no one like our God! There is none more able, Christ our Savior, Great and Glorious."
The hair on my neck stood straight in the air. God was speaking in that moment.
"You are not alone. Look around you. I am raising up the next generation. I am with you. There is none more able. There is no one greater, no one higher. You are not alone."
It's always something when God speaks. It's something to think that, this vision that He has given Rock City is part of something so much greater, so much bigger...that Christ Himself is building His church, placing all of the pieces in perfect order, in perfect harmony.
God also spoke this year through the theme of the conference - through every speaker and guest that graced the stage -
"The Tension IS Good; The Tension IS Necessary."
Every wish the tension would just "go away?" Ever wonder what life would be like, what ministry would be like without the tension? Listen to what Reggie Joiner says of tension -
There is not one aspect of life where tension doesn't have critical value. Tension between the parties and branches of government creates a needed system of checks and balances. Tension in science can lead to remarkable insights and discoveries. Tension in the family provides an opportunity to demonstrate commitment and unconditional love. Tension within a team pushes them to better perspectives and deeper relationships.
Tension is good. It is absolutely required if you want to have an authentic faith. It is critical if you hope to engage in God's story of restoration and redemption. Tension compels us to respond to a higher calling. Tension helps us face our doubts. Tension challenges who we think we are. Tension clarifies what we believe about God. Tension prepares us to live our lives with a deeper message as a part of a bigger story.
So invite it. Create it if necessary. If you avoid tension as a leader, you are potentially robbing yourself and your team of the kind of defining moments that shape their character, stretch their faith, and clarify powerful insights. So choose to embrace it, even pursue it. By doing so you add an essential ingredient to your team that will give them the potential to change the world around them.
So here we are...living in the tension. We love the church, but at the same time, we want to reclaim it, redefine it. We want to build a community committed to loving and serving one another, but at the same time, we want to build a community that is focused on taking the love and message of Jesus to the lost, the hurting and the oppressed in our cities and around the world. We want the Spirit of God to lead us, but at the same time, we resist Him when it disrupts our schedule or becomes too uncomfortable. We want change within the church, but at the same time, are we willing to do what it takes, to sacrifice everything, to have skin in the game?
It's the tension that makes us. It's the tension that creates our need to rely on God.
Andy Stanley says that "there are problems that shouldn't be solved and tensions that shouldn't be resolved. Progress depends not on the resolution of those tensions, but on the successful management of those tensions."
The Tension is Good.
Rock City Lifegroups Launch
Almost a year ago, we sat with a group of friends dreaming about the day we'd launch Rock City Church. We hadn't yet entered into a partnership with ARC. Our relationship with CedarCreek was just beginning. We were fresh on the trail of church planting - learning as we went along, dreaming and praying with a small group of friends who believed in us, in the vision for this new church, in taking risks and believing God for the impossible...
I remember writing a date on the white board. 10-10-10. That was launch day - at least it was back then. It was a goal. And it came as a surprise. I mean, we chose that date pretty much by accident. It was only after we checked the box on the calendar that we realized we had selected such a "buzz worthy" launch date - we called it The Perfect 10. It brought us focus and a sense of excitement and thrill. We were moving toward something big. God was up to something.
Needless to say, the further we continued onward - after forging a partnership with ARC and working closely with the leaders of CedarCreek, launching on The Perfect 10 seemed a bit premature. So we pushed it back. We set our sights on Spring 2011.
Then yesterday happened, 10-10-10. I hadn't thought about that date for almost a year. As a matter of fact, I didn't even realize it had arrived. I was just getting back from the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta with John Ransom and a friend of ours and thinking through some of the last minute details for our lifegroups that were launching in just a few hours.
Then Katie walked down stairs. I was sitting at my computer using Facebook and she said, "You know, we were gonna launch the church this weekend. We're launching lifegroups instead. We launched our website this weekend too."
Whoah! I was stunned.
Some people might look at that and think, so what? What's the big deal? But I say, no way! It's a huge deal. In reality, we launched the church on the very day that a year ago we marked on our calendars. We haven't thought about The Perfect 10 in almost a year. Yet, perhaps the most vital and life-giving part of our church launched, right when it was supposed to. Again, catching us off guard - surprising us. But isn't that God! Isn't that how He works?
God is up to something. He is preparing the way. He is building and connecting a new community. He is stirring in the hearts of many a vision for a new church in this city. He is building His church - on His time, in His way, by His might! And He is using us - by His mercy, according to His grace, through His strength!
By the way - we've launched lifegroups on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights...If you're interested, here's your invitation. Join us. Make a difference. Be the church.
Chad
btw, check out our new site at RockCityChurch.TV
I remember writing a date on the white board. 10-10-10. That was launch day - at least it was back then. It was a goal. And it came as a surprise. I mean, we chose that date pretty much by accident. It was only after we checked the box on the calendar that we realized we had selected such a "buzz worthy" launch date - we called it The Perfect 10. It brought us focus and a sense of excitement and thrill. We were moving toward something big. God was up to something.
Needless to say, the further we continued onward - after forging a partnership with ARC and working closely with the leaders of CedarCreek, launching on The Perfect 10 seemed a bit premature. So we pushed it back. We set our sights on Spring 2011.
Then yesterday happened, 10-10-10. I hadn't thought about that date for almost a year. As a matter of fact, I didn't even realize it had arrived. I was just getting back from the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta with John Ransom and a friend of ours and thinking through some of the last minute details for our lifegroups that were launching in just a few hours.
Then Katie walked down stairs. I was sitting at my computer using Facebook and she said, "You know, we were gonna launch the church this weekend. We're launching lifegroups instead. We launched our website this weekend too."
Whoah! I was stunned.
Some people might look at that and think, so what? What's the big deal? But I say, no way! It's a huge deal. In reality, we launched the church on the very day that a year ago we marked on our calendars. We haven't thought about The Perfect 10 in almost a year. Yet, perhaps the most vital and life-giving part of our church launched, right when it was supposed to. Again, catching us off guard - surprising us. But isn't that God! Isn't that how He works?
God is up to something. He is preparing the way. He is building and connecting a new community. He is stirring in the hearts of many a vision for a new church in this city. He is building His church - on His time, in His way, by His might! And He is using us - by His mercy, according to His grace, through His strength!
By the way - we've launched lifegroups on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights...If you're interested, here's your invitation. Join us. Make a difference. Be the church.
Chad
btw, check out our new site at RockCityChurch.TV
Monday, September 20, 2010
They Smell Like Sheep
I read a great book this week - They Smell Like Sheep, by Lynn Anderson.
It's about leadership.
Leading like a shepherd.
Leading like The Shepherd.
Leading like a shepherd.
Leading like The Shepherd.
The shepherd metaphor is referenced more than 500 times in scripture. Throughout the Bible, the cause of Christ to rescue a fallen humanity is illustrated in terms of a shepherd rescuing his lost sheep. Isaiah used this metaphor by saying that, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way (Is 53:6)," clearly eluding to the coming Christ, the Good Shepherd, Who would love us so much as to lay down His life for us.
In Jesus' day, the concept of shepherding was widely understood. It was a familiar way of life for many of the people to whom Jesus spoke. It's easy to understand why the concept of shepherding is viewed, by many, as equally as totalitarian and dictatorial as the leadership encountered most in today's culture, as in, a shepherd mightily ruling over his sheep, however, that view of shepherding is improper and inaccurate.
To the contrary, a shepherd is one who deeply loves and cares for his sheep. Anderson says that, "for the family of a shepherd, the food on their tables and the clothes on their backs, not to mention the family honor, was inexorably linked to the way they cared for their flocks." To that end, a shepherd is not one who lords his power over the flock; rather, he is one who intimately shares his life with his flock.
A shepherd knows each sheep by name; he nurtures the young, bandages the wounded, cares for the weak, and protects them all.
A shepherd smells like sheep.
What's intriguing is that Jesus led in stark contrast to what's normally defined as leadership. His definition of leadership is one who is last and servant of all (Mark 9:35). Jesus' definition of leadership is servanthood. Try typing in servanthood once and you'll see that it isn't even a recognized word in our dictionary.
Jesus definition of leadership, and His revolutionary display of power through servant leadership, is apparently why many of the Jewish people did not recognize Him as Messiah. While they waited for a messiah who would physically restore Israel and lead them into a messianic age of global peace, Jesus, The Messiah, presented Himself as a suffering servant and not as the conquering king they were expecting.
It begs the question, have we embraced the wrong kind of leadership?
As the church of Jesus, rather than embracing shepherd-like leadership, have we somehow been drawn to, eerily attracted to an authoritarian, totalitarian form of leadership rather than the shepherding-style servant form of leadership modeled by Jesus?
Israel longed for a leader who would cast down their enemies and redeem their place in the world. They were looking for, in their leader, a physical display of strength, of power and of might. I have to ask, do we look for the same in our leaders? In our pastors?
Have we embraced the wrong kind of leadership in the church?
People long for pure leadership, an honest and caring shepherd. Servant leadership shines in stark contrast to the leadership of modern American culture, and quite frankly, the leadership of most modern day churches.
Gene Edwards, in the preface of A Tale of Three Kings, speaks of what I believe we have come to not only embrace, but expect of our leaders, inside and outside of the church:
"I noted some years ago a growing number of letters from Christians devastated by the authoritarian movement that had become so popular with many evangelical groups. A reaction to this totalitarian concept eventually set in. A mass exodus was soon under way. The stories being told by these spiritual fugitives are often terrifying and sometimes unbelievable...I have never seen anything that has damaged so many believers so deeply. The wreckage appears to be universal, and recovery from it is almost nil."
So it was in Jesus' day, as it was in 1980 when Edwards wrote those powerful words, and it continues to be true even still today. Jesus modeled for us the purest and most powerful and effective form of leadership the world has ever known. It is the responsibility of the church to not only study Jesus' methods and model of leadership, but to adopt it and institute it.
The church should be known for its strength, but not the kind of strength that has created this mass exodus.
Jesus said they will know you are my disciples by your love.
Jesus smelled like sheep. His hands and feet were always dirty because of His lifestyle of engaging people, particularly those who were considered the least. He modeled leadership in the form of a humble servant and loving shepherd. He did not lord His power over people, rather, engaged them with a caring, gentle and loving spirit. Jesus met the needs of those to whom He ministered. Out of His deep love and compassion for people, He equipped others to do the work that He was physically unable to do Himself.
The message of Christ continues to this day. His healing and hope continues to bring light and life to a dark and broken world. Jesus modeled strength through servanthood, power through sacrifice. His selfless love, His willingness to be intimate and serve the least, and His enthusiasm for suffering loss for the sake of rescuing even one lost sheep, makes Jesus the perfect model of leadership, standing above all who have come before and whoever will follow.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
You're Not Fit to Lead!
You're not fit to lead. There. I said it.
Did you think you ever were fit to lead? Really?
What is it with us who think we have something to offer? What is it with leaders who think that they are where they are because of something that they've done?
You'll have to admit that Paul was a model leader. If anyone could think something of himself, it'd have to be Paul. But listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians:
"God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, 'Let the ones who boast, boast in the Lord'" (1 Cor 1:27-31).
I got a message from someone today who was a part of a ministry I led a few years back. Here's what he wrote:
"It's amazing to see how faithful I was and willing to give then, and where I have fallen now. I'm so sorry I disappointed all of you who put an investment in my faith with your time, energy and prayer."
Disappointed? Is that the message I've been sending? Is that what people think my response will be if they fail to measure up? Judgment? Who am I to judge? I'm not the measuring stick. Far from it, thank God!
What is the message we're sending as leaders? As Christians? Is the message that we've arrived? Is the message that we have it all together, all figured out? Is the message that we are where we are based on something we've done? Is the message one of a snub attitude toward people who don't measure up? And measure up to what? Us?
Look at what Paul says as to why God chose him to lead: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life (1 Timothy 1).
God sent His Son Jesus into the world to extend His mercy, grace and love on failed people. On top of that, the people God chooses to lead in His work, apparently, are the most failed and weak of all. Look back to 1 Corinthians as to what words God uses to describe those He chooses: foolish, weak, low, despised, things that are not... Why? So that none can boast of what we have done, but only of what God has done for us.
So, to the one who is feeling shame and guilt, who has fallen short and feels like you just can't measure up - perhaps you are a lot more like Paul than you think. Perhaps you are a lot more like every other great [insignificant] leader God has chosen to carry out His work! Get up, brush yourself off and breathe in the mercy, grace and love that is specifically for you...
And, to the leaders of the faith, you great [foolish] and mighty [weak] men and women so valiantly [only through the power of the Holy Spirit] carrying out the work of Christ, remember why you've been chosen. Remember Who it is you're working for. Remember Who it is that deserves all of the glory, honor and praise and every ounce of the credit...
Did you think you ever were fit to lead? Really?
What is it with us who think we have something to offer? What is it with leaders who think that they are where they are because of something that they've done?
You'll have to admit that Paul was a model leader. If anyone could think something of himself, it'd have to be Paul. But listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians:
"God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, 'Let the ones who boast, boast in the Lord'" (1 Cor 1:27-31).
I got a message from someone today who was a part of a ministry I led a few years back. Here's what he wrote:
"It's amazing to see how faithful I was and willing to give then, and where I have fallen now. I'm so sorry I disappointed all of you who put an investment in my faith with your time, energy and prayer."
Disappointed? Is that the message I've been sending? Is that what people think my response will be if they fail to measure up? Judgment? Who am I to judge? I'm not the measuring stick. Far from it, thank God!
What is the message we're sending as leaders? As Christians? Is the message that we've arrived? Is the message that we have it all together, all figured out? Is the message that we are where we are based on something we've done? Is the message one of a snub attitude toward people who don't measure up? And measure up to what? Us?
Look at what Paul says as to why God chose him to lead: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life (1 Timothy 1).
God sent His Son Jesus into the world to extend His mercy, grace and love on failed people. On top of that, the people God chooses to lead in His work, apparently, are the most failed and weak of all. Look back to 1 Corinthians as to what words God uses to describe those He chooses: foolish, weak, low, despised, things that are not... Why? So that none can boast of what we have done, but only of what God has done for us.
So, to the one who is feeling shame and guilt, who has fallen short and feels like you just can't measure up - perhaps you are a lot more like Paul than you think. Perhaps you are a lot more like every other great [insignificant] leader God has chosen to carry out His work! Get up, brush yourself off and breathe in the mercy, grace and love that is specifically for you...
And, to the leaders of the faith, you great [foolish] and mighty [weak] men and women so valiantly [only through the power of the Holy Spirit] carrying out the work of Christ, remember why you've been chosen. Remember Who it is you're working for. Remember Who it is that deserves all of the glory, honor and praise and every ounce of the credit...
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Church Re-Presenting
Groundbreaking research by the Barna Group several years ago revealed that, among 16 to 29-year-olds, the perception of Christianity is anti-homosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, too political, sheltered and proselytizing. Statistically, of the emerging generation of Americans, the percentage of people claiming the Christian faith is a mere 4%. Wondering about the drastic decline we're witnessing in the American church and these overwhelmingly negative perceptions, what should the church look like? How should people perceive us?
I think Jesus was painting a picture of what the church is supposed to look like when he was speaking to his disciples in John 6. Jesus said,
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
What's he saying? He's saying that he came to show people the love and grace of God. And he's painting a picture of the church. The church exists to re-present Jesus to the world, to show people the love and grace of God. Why then, when people look at today's church, do they see judgment and hypocrisy? Abuse of power and arrogance?
It's easy to say that it's not our problem, but theirs. It's much more difficult to listen to what Jesus says here,
"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day."
He takes ownership for every single person who looks to him. He understands that the will of his Father is that anyone who looks to him would not be lost. And sure, the church isn't Jesus. But it is his establishment. It represents him. It re-presents him.
Monday, August 9, 2010
When Words Fall Short
In a well-meaning attempt to spread the gospel, often we've stockpiled for ourselves an arsenal of information and one-liners to combat anyone and anything that could possibly pose a threat to, or disagree with our core beliefs. What gives then, when two people can't agree. For instance, an atheist and a Christian trying to agree on the creation and purpose of creation for all of mankind. Any evidence provided by either side would be quickly discounted by the other. That's an argument going nowhere fast. Yet, both are loaded, heavily armed with facts and figures to prove their point and convert the other. But there's something terribly wrong with that, particularly on the part of the Christian.
I learned something, something that I actually already knew but hadn't quite yet learned, from a book I'm reading called The God Delusion, written by atheist and scientist Richard Dawkins. In his book, on page 130, he makes the following statement,
"Believing is not something you can decide to do as a matter of policy. At least, it is not something I can decide to do as an act of will."
And there it is!
He says that in response to a very popular argument made by a man named Blaise Pascal, an argument I've heard used, and have used myself, on many occasions. The argument goes something like this:
However long the odds against God's existence might be, there is an even larger asymmetry in the penalty for guessing wrong. In other words, so what if God isn't real? What do you have to lose if you convert to Christianity, believe heart and soul in Jesus as God, and then find out there is no God? Not much apparently. But, on the other hand, if God is real, and your denial of Jesus as God means you'll be eternally punished for your disbelief, why not just believe?
Thus, Dawkin's honest answer.
Which brings me to the point. It's never been about our facts and figures. It's never been about our eloquence or ability to persuade. It's not about us at all. It's about the Holy Spirit.
It doesn't matter how hard we try or how noble our attempt. It doesn't matter how persuasive our speech. It doesn't matter how impassioned our plea. Without the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit, Dawkins is right. One can not believe as an act of sheer will. That's when persuasion fails and words fall short.
Jesus said in John 14:26, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things..." In other words, it's not our job (completely), but His.
And in John 16, Jesus said, "When he comes, he (the Holy Spirit) will convict the world of guilt in regard to their sin and righteousness and judgment...But when the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will guide into all truth."
That should be welcomed news to us all. When words fall short...
I learned something, something that I actually already knew but hadn't quite yet learned, from a book I'm reading called The God Delusion, written by atheist and scientist Richard Dawkins. In his book, on page 130, he makes the following statement,
"Believing is not something you can decide to do as a matter of policy. At least, it is not something I can decide to do as an act of will."
And there it is!
He says that in response to a very popular argument made by a man named Blaise Pascal, an argument I've heard used, and have used myself, on many occasions. The argument goes something like this:
However long the odds against God's existence might be, there is an even larger asymmetry in the penalty for guessing wrong. In other words, so what if God isn't real? What do you have to lose if you convert to Christianity, believe heart and soul in Jesus as God, and then find out there is no God? Not much apparently. But, on the other hand, if God is real, and your denial of Jesus as God means you'll be eternally punished for your disbelief, why not just believe?
Thus, Dawkin's honest answer.
Which brings me to the point. It's never been about our facts and figures. It's never been about our eloquence or ability to persuade. It's not about us at all. It's about the Holy Spirit.
It doesn't matter how hard we try or how noble our attempt. It doesn't matter how persuasive our speech. It doesn't matter how impassioned our plea. Without the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit, Dawkins is right. One can not believe as an act of sheer will. That's when persuasion fails and words fall short.
Jesus said in John 14:26, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things..." In other words, it's not our job (completely), but His.
And in John 16, Jesus said, "When he comes, he (the Holy Spirit) will convict the world of guilt in regard to their sin and righteousness and judgment...But when the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will guide into all truth."
That should be welcomed news to us all. When words fall short...
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