To Thine Own Self Be True

These words, spoken by Polonius and written by William Shakespeare in Hamlet, have done some significant damage to our world.

This phrase, one of Shakespeare’s most famous, implies that what matters most is to be true to yourself.

First, what is your true self? Is it when you are fervently bashing abortion clinics? Is it when you refuse to attend church because the pastor isn’t giving you enough attention? Is your true self the guy/girl who lashes out at his family in hostility and anger? Is it your true self when you openly divide ministries and attempt to disrupt a church family by displaying your critical and angry heart?

Furthermore, was Hitler his “true self?” How about Stalin? How about the guy who recently shot up Fort Hood in Texas?

This narcissistic and individualist obsession has plagued our world today. More than ever, we are witnessing people simply doing things because they want to be “true to themselves.” When Madonna makes up her own religion, she is doing so in individual truth. When The Bachelor has to follow his heart and break off his engagement, he is being true to himself. When athletes complain about not getting $6 million a year rather than $5 million, they are just “being true.” When leaders are caught in affairs and scandals, they are just being true, they’ll say.

The point is this: We can’t rely on our “true selves.”

Instead, we need a compass, a guide, a master.

Jesus.

We need to embrace his humility. We need to follow his courage. We need to live up to his righteous anger and compassionate love. We need to soak in the life and love of Jesus Christ THROUGH the Spirit he left for us.

Want to know what your true self should like that? Look no further than Galatians 5:22-23. The “fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL.”

That’s the SELF to be TRUE to.

Today, take a moment to breathe in the fruits of the Spirit. If you haven’t looked like any of these lately, repent, embrace forgiveness, and embrace Jesus.

Soaking ~ The Energy Bus ~ A New Kind ~ MI

It’s been too long since I’ve blogged.

For those outside the blogging world, the practice can appear a bit narcissistic. Essentially, person X thinks that persons A, B, C & D want to actually read the random, scattered reflections of his/her mind.

However, this is not why I do so. Why do I blog?

1. To reflect on my own journey individually or communally. Writing is another step in the thought and learning process.

2. To pass along thoughts, advice, messages, or challenges via mass medium.

3. In all I do, I attempt to do in the name and glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I would not blog if I deemed it is totally unnecessary or without purpose. The challenge for each waking moment (between me and God) is, does your life matter if it “JUST” affects one person? The answer, without question, from God is YES, YES, and YES!!! Who gets to keep score? Not me. Not the world. Just God. One life matters to God.

Therefore, here are my latest thoughts, readings, and reflections on life, God, and the practice of following Jesus Christ.

Soaking

Soaked

Ryan, my older and much cooler older brother, recently attended a conference led by Paul Yadao. He passed along a few of the CDs and resources he picked up. Yadao heads a powerful healing ministry based out of the Philippines.

Yadao’s words have impacted me the last few weeks. He has coined the term: Soaking.

Soaking is the practice of simply dwelling in the presence of God. It is allowing ourselves to be still, to listen, to SOAK in the affirming love of the Father.

This is not innovative by any means. But the term has had a powerful affect on my life.

When we go to Soak, we aren’t going to ask, to do, or to get. Instead, we are simply THERE. We allow the Father to speak His love to us. We allow the Holy Spirit to soak into our core. We don’t go to absorb power (like a boost or recharge). We simply go to SOAK.

During these times, I might put on some quiet music or turn off the lights. Whatever the scenario, I simply imagine (imagination is key – there are no “accidents” in your imagination) the face of Jesus. Lately, God keeps giving me images of playing catch with Jesus in a wheat field (ala Field of Dreams) or simply taking things from my soul and floating them down a river.

If we don’t allow ourselves to soak in the Father’s love, the work of the Father will not be as powerful in our lives. If we don’t sit still and simply dwell with God, what can we hope to accomplish?

For the “anonymous Christian” (a new term I picked up for those who know the grace of God but don’t have words for it), this practice can be applied by simply sitting still for 15, 20, 30 minutes a day and setting your mind on things above (love, hope, grace, mercy, justice). If we’re always running on half a tank, what can we hope to do? Let yourself be still. Pray that God would speak love to you. It’s incredible.

“Soak in the Presence. Lead the People.”

The Energy Bus

The Energy Bus

The Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon, was given to me by one of my mentors, John Hogenson at St. Andrew’s. I’ve read a few books similar to this fable-style of writing. However, despite the simplicities of the stories, they always profoundly impact my current life thoughts.

The Energy Bus centers on the story of George and his disastrous work life, family life, and inner turmoil. As he experiences a flat tire and is forced to take the bus, he encounters Joy and she teaches him the 11 rules of The Energy Bus.

I won’t highlight all of them, but here are a few that made me feel good about the past year and the upcoming one.

Rule #1: You Drive Your Own Bus

This is similar to recent conversations I’ve shared with Dr. Kathy Arai. The message is this: We are in control of our bus. Before anyone freaks out, I still believe that God is in control ultimately. He is Creator; I am created. But I am not a puppet. I believe that we partner in this life with God to bring hope, justice, and peace to this world. The credit never goes to us (always to God), but we are still God’s Plan A to bring healing and hope.

How does this apply? It means we don’t have to be passive bystanders as the “bus” of our life moves in directions we don’t want it to go. It means we have a say in our life, our family, and our work. A passive mindset leads to complaining. An authoritative, I’m in control view, leads to an active participation in bringing about change.

Rule #3: Fuel Your Ride w/ Positive Energy

Feed the positive dog! I love this phrase. Each moment, you face a choice: See the bad or see the good? We must teach ourselves to feed the POSITIVE DOG! I love it.

How does this apply? I tend to lean toward a critical spirit. My greatest strength (seeing what needs work) is also my greatest weakness (being too critical and never feeling like I’ve done enough).

Rule #5: Don’t Waste Your Energy On Those Who Don’t Get On the Bus

This was an affirming reminder of the previous year. My first year at CLC faced much difficulty with some who refused to get on the bus. I will NEVER say that I did everything close to perfect when it came to figuring out what the bus was, where it was going, and how to get people on.

However, there will some (actually, there will always be some) who refuse to get on the bus. God has faithfully removed several of those who didn’t want, try, or desire to get on the bus.

At first, I took it personally. But as I’ve learned over the course of the year, you simply can’t waste inordinate amounts of time trying to convince those who will never get on.

There is always a place for second (third, fourth, and fifth) invitations, but after a while, it becomes clear some won’t get on. What are you supposed to do other than wish them well and hope they find another bus to get on!

Rule #6: No Energy Vampires Allowed

How true is it that some people suck life and others give life! Some spark energy and creativity and others spark dread and fear. On the bus, energy vampires are those who are ALWAYS taking energy away! I feel that for the first time there are truly NO ENERGY VAMPIRES in my life. It’s a freeing and incredible feeling! A leader must always give people a chance to change, but if they don’t, what else can you do other than let them go or force them off?

Rule X: YOUR POSITIVE ENERGY and VISION MUST BE GREATER THAN ANYONE and EVERYONE’s NEGATIVITY. Your CERTAINTY MUST BE GREATER THAN EVERYONE’s DOUBT.

Enough said. This is plastered on my wall. I fail at this often, but I’m committed to improving on this today.

All in all, a great fable. A must read for all leaders.

A New Kind of Christian

A New Kind of Christian

I won’t go into much detail, but I was a bit hesitant to read “A New Kind of Christian” by Brian McLaren. McLaren’s reputation is that of extreme left, extreme liberal, and potential universalist. Therefore, like all bad people, I tried to not listen to opposition voices (we should always listen to those who oppose our views!)

However, I found the story refreshing and insightful. Most of all, the story is a conversation between a conservative, traditional pastor who is questioning the powers that be and a more liberal, out of the box thinking teacher who is deconstructing every practice of Christianity.

Despite some theological questions, the book is a GREAT example of the kind of conversation that is occurring in our world today.

Some highlights include the questions of God’s expansive grace, the heaven/hell debate, and church practices.

Master’s Institute

I am attending Fuller Seminary. I love it. However, they are moving out of Las Vegas which I’m super bummed about.

However, God (honestly, GOD) had introduced me to The Master’s Institute a few years back. Based out of St. Paul, I couldn’t start seminary there because I had moved to Las Vegas. After a few prophetic voices had told me I was going to attend an “out of the box” seminary, God again slapped me in the face with this one. As soon as those voices spoke into my life, I received an email about a Southwest extension starting THIS YEAR out of The Master’s Institute.

Essentially, MI is a Lutheran-based, but not solely, seminary started 8 years ago. MI takes a more holistic approach to learning and seminary. Instead of pure academia, they combine relational, experiential, and mentoring with academic training. Instead of focusing on mere knowledge, they understand that knowledge alone does not make Kingdom-minded, Spirit-filled pastors or leaders. They are attempting to train people to lead ministry, not simply teach theological truths.

The downside is it is non-accredited.

However, in typical John style, I managed to ask 10-15 pastors/leaders of different denominations and churches what their opinion was of someone who would graduate from a non-accredited seminary.

All of the people I asked (and I managed to ask some “big names” in ministry world) were concerned very little with seminary education. In a few cases, they actually would prefer someone from a place like MI. The reality is: Traditional seminary (I won’t include Fuller in this, because I love Fuller) isn’t training Kingdom-minded, Spirit-led who can lead a congregation and a staff. Instead, many of these seminaries are operating in the modern way of academia (Prof. X takes knowledge and pours it into Person A and hopes transformation occurs through this knowledge dump).

All in all, I’m pumped. God is bigger than accreditation.

Your Identity in Christ

In Christ you are…

•    God’s beloved child (Jn 1:12:  Eph 1:5)
•    Christ’s dear friend (Jn 15:5)
•    Declared perfectly righteous (“justified”) (Rom 5:1)
•    Free from condemnation (Rom 8:1; Col 2:14-16)
•    United with Christ, “one spirit” with Christ  (I Cor 6:17; Eph 5:31)
•    A member of Christ’s body (I Cor 6:15/ 12:27)
•    The Temple of God (I Cor 6:19)
•    Filled with the “fullness of God” (Eph 3:19)
•    A “holy one” [saint] (Eph 1:1)
•    Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3)
•    Holy and blameless (Eph 1:4)
•    Bought with an infinite price and forgiven (I Cor 6: 20; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14)
•    Bathed with wisdom and understanding (Eph 1:8)
•    The recipient of an eternal, infinitely rich,  inheritance (Eph 1:11, 18)
•    Possessed with the mind of Christ (I Cor 2:16)
•    Inseparable form God’s love (Rom 8:35-39)
•    One who will NEVER be abandoned (Mt 28:20)
•    The beautiful bride of Christ who “ravishes” the heart of God (Song of Songs, 4:1ff; 6:4ff).
•     One over whom the Lord rejoices, sings and claps his hands(Zeph 3:17)
•    One for whom the Lord throws a party (Zeph 3:17; Lk 15:7-10)
•    A recipient of God’s own peace (Jn 14:27)
•    Filled with the peace and joy of God (Rom 14:17)
•    One in whom Christ’s joy is fulfilled (Jn 15:11)
•    Given direct access to the Father by the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)
•    Seated with Christ in heavenly realms (Eph 2:6)
•    Seated “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” with Christ (Eph 1:21).
•    Hid in Christ in heavenly realms (Col 3:1-5)
•    Crucified, Buried and Raised with Christ (Rom 6:1-11)
•    Made perfect forever (Heb 10:14)
•    Made complete in Christ (Col 2:10)
•    Indwelled  by a fearless Spirit (2 Tim 1:7)
•    One of God’s precious works of art (Eph 2:10)
•    Indwelt by a spirit of power, love and stability (2 Tim 1:7)
•    A citizen of heaven (Phil 3:20)
•    Predestined to look like Jesus and see him in his glory (Rom 8:29; I Jn 3:1-5)
•    One in whom God is working to bring good out of evil (Rom 8:28)
•    Salt of the earth (Mt 5:13)
•    A branch chosen to bear fruit (Jn 15:16)
•    A co-worker with God (I Cor 3:9)
•    An ambassador of Christ and  minister of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17-20)
•    A priest of the most high God ( I Pet 2:5-9)
•    More than a conqueror in all things (Rom 8:37)
•    One who knows Satan is a disarmed laughing stock (Col 2:14-15).
•    One who knows the truth and is set free (Jn 8:32).
•    One who can do all things in Christ (Phil 4:13

Earn This

Earn this...

Emily and I recently watched “Saving Private Ryan.” The primary plot centers around Tom Hanks and a group of 7 or 8 soldiers on a mission into enemy territory to locate and bring back Private Ryan (Matt Damon). As the group gets deeper into trouble and loses a few lives, they question their mission and ask: “Is this worth the sacrifice?”

At the end of the movie, Tom Hanks and what is left of his men find Private Ryan and decide to fight alongside him as they defend a bridge against the enemy. During the battle, only few survive, including Private Ryan. Tom Hanks is one of the men who loses his life.

As the battle has ended and Tom Hanks is dying, he pulls Private Ryan close to him and whispers, “Earn this. Earn this.”

The story then jumps ahead 60 years or so and shows Private Ryan, an 80 year old man, at the gravesite of Tom Hanks’ character. With tears in his eyes, he asks his life: “Have I lived a good life? Tell me I’m a good man. Am I a good man?”

As I fought to hold back tears, this scene powerfully illustrates a truth about being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. His death and crucifixion was God’s payment for our sins. As God’s son, he was the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life so that we could live. “For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith — this not on your own doing — but it is a gift from God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

Truth #1: We didn’t earn or deserve that gift.

However, I’m going to be real honest — A lot of Christians stop there. They receive the gift and do nothing with it. They fail to live a transformed life with a regenerated heart. They say: “Oh, but God’s grace is enough and there isn’t anything I can do, so I’m not going to do anything about it.” They receive the gift, and like a ungrateful child, fail to show true appreciation by living a life that “earns this.”

We love to talk about Grace. I love it too. The gift is the best gift anyone could give or receive in this world or the next.

However, I want the cross and what Jesus accomplished on it to matter in the here and now. And it should — with more than just an acknowledgment.

Every week, I face criticism — people questioning my heart, my motives, my actions — and at the end of each day, I’ve usually attempted to accomplish one thing — to set the captives free, to release the oppressed, to make the blind see, and to give good news to the poor — all through the blood and healing redemption of Jesus Christ. In summary, I want nothing more than for people to experience the liberation and freedom that Christ can bring.

But, in order to get there, people need to understand the sacrifice involved in “earning this.” If people want to swipe their salvation card and not let Christ affect the here and now, forget it…I’m not interested in talking with you because ultimately, you don’t understand the complexity and awesomeness of this gift.

A life lived in Christ has potential to unleash us from the vicious cycles of apathy, greed, selfishness, and sin management. But you have to understand the meaning behind these words: “Earn This.”

Earn This means we fully comprehend the depth and breadth of the gift. Earn This means we live a life where at the end, God says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Earn This means we wake up and commit to not continuing the vicious cycles of greed, selfishness, violence, criticism, and apathy. Earn This means we engage in the practices God has laid out for us and commit to making a difference now. Earn This means we understand what it means to be transformed in HIS likeness and to not be conformed to the patterns of this world. Earn This means we live a disciplined life that fully engages in worship, service, and love for one another. Earn This means the ideals set forth in the Sermon on the Mount aren’t “idealistic” but transformative initiatives intended to release us from the chains of despair and meaninglessness.

Truth #2: In order to become more LIKE HIM and live a transformed life, we must engage in the practices and rhythm of life that Jesus outlines for us. Therefore, we must not JUST accept the gift — we must do something withit.

Earn This.

Earn THIS.

EARN THIS!!

I want to weep at the end of my days knowing that I’ve given my all to my God and Savior. I want to know that I’ve attempted to live a life worthy of the sacrifice paid for me. I want to know that I’ve attempted with all that I am to shed light on and uncover the Kingdom here and now.

May God give you the courage to EARN THIS. May we understand that the gift isn’t meant to just be accepted. May we EARN THIS!

THE TRUTH

Jesus said: “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE — No one COMES TO THE FATHER except THROUGH ME!” John 14:6

If you profess to be Christian, let’s make something very clear — You MUST believe that Jesus Christ was the concrete, full reality of God in the flesh; that he was crucified and resurrected to atone for our sins; and that there is no other way. Take Christ, in this understanding, out of the equation and you are not a Christian. Period.

We live in a relativistic world aimlessly flailing about for truth. It is nice, cuddly, and friendly to say we are all going to heaven or all religions lead to God. That’s nice, but frankly, it lacks any authoritative foundation for truth. We can’t just “decide” what is true. (On a side note, some “universalists” have done some very well-grounded research on God’s redemptive grace through Jesus Christ covering everyone. They may not be that far off and I would not put them in the NON-Christian category. However, other “universalists” that entirely take Christ out of the equation or place him on the same level as other major prophets — Joseph Smith, Muhammad, etc. — these people would be considered NON-Christians).

Paul’s instruction to Timothy applies today: “Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.”Without question, I am “liberal” when it comes to discussing most issues surrounding the Christian faith. If Jesus didn’t command it as a rule or live it as a principle, I am open to talking about any contemporary issue. However, I refuse to deny the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ. How can one say they are a Christian when Christ isn’t central?

Based on “Vintage Church” by Mark Driscoll, here are some central truths that we MUST profess our faith in if we consider ourselves Christians.

1. Jesus repeatedly and emphatically declared himself to be God: “Again, the high priest asked him “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Also read Matt 26:63-65, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33)

2. Jesus came as God in the flesh to dwell among us: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and ONly, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (Also see Phil 2:5-6, Col. 2:9, 1 John 4:2.

3. Jesus existed as fully human — which was added to his divinity. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2:5

4. Jesus forgave sins, which only God can do (Read Mark 2:1-7) and lived a sinless existence.

5. The Spiritual realm (demons) often were the first to recognize that Jesus was the Son of God.

“Sadly, it is too common for churches not to speak of Jesus, which is a tragedy akin to a wife rarely uttering the name of her own husband. In our day when there are innumerable contradictory beliefs about who God is, Christians must be clear that their God is Jesus Christ alone so as to communicate the same central truth that Scripture does. No matter how many verses are used, the Bible has not been rightly understood or proclaimed unless Jesus is the central focus and hero.” — Driscoll.

Jesus is central. Jesus knew so. His disciples knew so. Paul knew so. But it is not enough to just provide a lashing on those who deny this claim. We need a positive spin, a way to actually discern truth and ethical decisions as “Christians” and not just as practical atheists (those who deny centrality and supremacy of Christ).

I love this quote by Glen Stassen: “Jesus sifted and interpreted Scripture and understood his role in God’s redemptive plan, in light of the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a warm, disciplined relationship with God.”

Or, another summary. To be a Christian is to be confessional (Rom 10:9), to experience a regenerated heart and a new life as a Christian, and to be missional, seeking to bring about change into the world.

Or how about this one from Paul: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:5-11

So, if we profess to be a Christian, we can determine truth through the following framework.

First, our basic, core conviction must be in agreement with the above truths about Christ. If you deny that Jesus Christ is the only way, truth, and life, forget it. Not a Christian. I just can’t understand how you can be a CHRISTian and not believe CHRIST is central and supreme and God in the flesh.

Second, we can look to the principles that Jesus professed or embodied. To say that we must “love our enemies” is not a specific rule, but a principle. To determine truth or how to come to an ethically sound decision, we must look to the principles that JESUS lived or embodied.

Third, we look to the RULES that Jesus taught. Certainly, there were specific rules Jesus commanded. For instance, he quoted a Commandment: “Thou shall not kill.” That’s a hard and fast rule. Another one: “If a Roman soldier asks you to carry his pack one mile, I tell you to carry it two miles.” This is a specific rule for a specific situation.

Fourth, we look to the Immediate/Gut response. As followers of Christ, we will begin to reflect and mirror His glory in ever-increasing ways (2 Cor: 3:18). Thus, there are times when are immediate response need no reason and we should consider these.

Where does Scripture fit in? Jesus viewed the Hebrew Scripture through a prophetic lens. Specifically, he used and viewed scripture as an authoritative voice, reading the Law through the lens of the prophetic tradition (especially Isaiah). Therefore, I disagree that tradition is equal to scripture. If we are to follow Jesus, he often scoffed in the face of tradition (or human work) with the backing of scripture, so we must view scripture as the “Sun” or final moral ground of all decisions.

With that being said, here is a simple and easy framework to discern truth.

1. Look to scripture and everything Jesus said, embodied, lived, and pointed towards.

2. Look to other scriptures through this prophetic lens. Examine all other scripture the way Jesus might have or how he addressed it.

3. Last, read and look to other authorities on scripture.

All of this, it should be mentioned again, should be done GUIDED by the HOLY SPIRIT and in a warm, disciplined relationship with God. If it is NOT, scripture and TRUTH just become cold and hard.

With all of this being said, I am imperfect. I am still learning how to give words to the truths I feel so passionate about — and that is the supremacy of Jesus Christ as Lord God, Priest, Prophet and King. I find it so incredibly disheartening to see Christians across the world water down this basic, foundational truth of the Gospel. I refuse to put my faith into something that lacks hard and fast authority. And I’m learning, through this process, that scripture MUST play the role of the “Sun” in this search for truth. If it does not, we act like we are blindfolded playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, aimlessly spinning about.

Again, I’m imperfect. I’m not that smart and I certainly don’t claim to ever know the fullness of God. Ultimately, I realize that “The Lord knows those who are His.” (2 Tim 2:19).

However, there are some things we must call ourselves back to. But we’re going to do this through the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit. We aren’t going to do this through right doctrine or arguing for truth. This is too difficult of a pursuit in our postmodern, experiential-based world. Instead, we must pray ceaselessly for God’s Spirit to descend and BLOW through His people. We need miracles. We need the supernatural. We need unexplainable healings. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. That alone is going to change lives and change opinions.

May the Spirit of God blow. May we simply pray fervently. May we decrease so He must increase. May we not argue “truth” but simply experience “truth.” May the Spirit of God make it known that Christ is alive — today and forever.

It’s Gotta Be More?

It’s Gotta Be More?

I recently read this quote in “Death By Church” by Mike Erre: “As long as people are coming and excited, most of us assume that God is moving. But NASCAR races and NFL games draw big crowds too.” — Mike Erre.

What is following Jesus all about? What is “success” in being a Christian?

For many years, CHURCH has equated success with big crowds, entertainment, and excitement. This type of CHURCH was made popular by a massive, amazing community called Willow Creek in Barrington, Illinois (which 1000s of churches copied). Willow Creek, for all its “success,” (over 20,000 members), has recently repented of this brand of ministry. Literally, the staff and pastors apologized to the people for the type of church they built.

Led by the leadership of Bill Hybels, Willow Creek has recently undergone a transition from majoring in entertainment with a minor in God to majoring in God with a minor in entertainment.

In the CLC Emerging Generations ministry, we will NEVER equate success (following Jesus) with pure entertainment. We certainly desire to “entertain” and be “attractive,” but this is not “success” in God’s eyes.

What is “success” in being a Christian? I think it is the following characteristics based on the attributes of the Kingdom of God:

1. Redemption/Forgiveness (Others, Ourselves, God — Both Giving and Receiving)
2. Justice/Righteousness (Seeking Justice for Others)
3. Peace (Knowledge and Faith in this life and the next)
4. Joy (Not just temporary, but real, permanent joy)
5. Presence of God (The Spirit is clearly present in your life and you’ve allowed the Spirit in your life)
   

In our ministry, we use “farther in reach, deeper in Christ, stronger in relationship, higher in purpose.” If we continually push these areas, we will be “successful” in following Christ.

To sum the above, I just finished watching “Valkyrie.” The men who opposed Hitler stood up for principle rather than personal gain. They stood for something more.

Following Christ, being the Church, is so much MORE than drawing crowds, taking trips to Magic Mountain, going to Soaked, going to Leadership Lab, or doing Lock-Ins. These are all a PART of being the church, but it is about SO MUCH MORE than those things. I refuse to believe that Jesus died and said: “I was crucified so that you can go to Disneyland.”

It’s gotta be more, doesn’t it?

No More Church Workers!!!

Wake Up

“Some people believe that if they work in the nursery or sing in the choir, they are fulfilling their area of ministry. But this is not really ministry. It is merely housekeeping. Your work as a choir member, nursery volunteer, or usher is what we all must to keep the church functioning, but it is not necessarily fulfilling the Great Commission. The Great Commission happens outside the church. Ministry is what you do to bring your life and your sphere of influence under kingdom rule.” – Pastor Sunday Adelaja

Time after time, as a “Youth Director,” I get asked to supply the church with able-bodied young people to serve as ushers, communion assistants, pie servers, kitchen help, etc.

In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with serving your church community these ways. In fact, I know some truly amazing people that have a “gift” in this area and use it to the glory of the Kingdom.

Typically, however, by asking people to serve the church in these ways, they end up equating this kind of service with what it means to be a Christian. Becoming a “Church Worker” is not what Jesus came and died for — At least, in my humble opinion, I truly hope he didn’t.

God didn’t say, “Go and build your church.” He didn’t say, “Go and save individuals.” What he did say was “Go and make disciples of all nations.” To me, this doesn’t mean that you put “disciples” in pie-serving roles. Instead, God is concerned about the Kingdom. If we are always putting “disciples” into self-serving roles to maintain our community, what purpose do we serve? As Pastor Sunday mentions in his book “ChurchShift” how is this expanding the Kingdom? Don’t you think Jesus died so that the Kingdom could reign, not so Churchland could serve itself?

(By the way, as challenging as these words are from Pastor Sunday, he heads a church of 25,000 in Kiev, Ukraine. He’s black. Ukrainians aren’t.)

If our role is to not serve ourselves but instead to expand the Kingdom, what is the Kingdom? I’ve always used the definition that the Kingdom is “God’s dream for the world.” It’s the way life should be. It’s both accessible here and now; it’s also awaiting us in more perfection after death. The Kingdom is justice, love, peace, patience, self-control, servanthood, and humility. It’s righting wrongs, serving others, caring for the least of these, and seeking justice. The Kingdom is not “Pie Night,” or “Usher 101,” or “Choir Members.” While these are without question all awesome ways to serve your church, it isn’t our ultimate destination. Our ultimate destination resides outside the walls of our church body.

Within the ministry I attempt to serve (The CLC Emerging Generations Ministry), we do everything we can to protect our young people from becoming just another Church worker. I think God has so much more in mind for their lives. While I certainly enjoy seeing them serve in the church in these various functions, I believe God wants so much more for them.

May God continue to open our ways to the expansion of His dream. May we all be used in ways more significant than simply Church work. May we come to a place where we realize that we must seek to expand the Kingdom, not build the Church!

Create-Ing Story

Frequently, I hold up the Bible and tell young people: “You are living in this. You are living after Genesis and before Revelation.”

What does this mean? It means that God’s Story is both complete and incomplete. More on that later…

Recently, I met with a young person who told me he had “heard things.” Some good, some bad. Throughout our time together, we were able to discuss the “rest of the story.” What he knew – the story – was incomplete. Now, it isn’t.

Whatever the case, it got me to think about how often we make decisions, judge others, criticize people, hold onto the past, and shape JESUS based on an INCOMPLETE STORY!

I can’t tell you how many people do this. They STOP learning, STOP seeking after Jesus, STOP trying to figure out God, STOP trying to gain understanding because they think they have the COMPLETE STORY.

Life is a “complete-ing story.” We are on a journey. We won’t reach our destination until death and beyond. Therefore, we must pray heartily and strive mightily to get the WHOLE STORY even though we never will.

* With others, we must seek to gain a more complete story before passing judgment.
* With ourselves, we must never stop learning and never stop working to complete God’s Story.
* With Jesus, we must never stop seeking after the Real Jesus. We must never ARRIVE and never COMPLETE.

I’m passionate about this idea because the more I follow Jesus, the more I try to give young people a better STORY to live in, the more I go about completing my story, the more criticism I receive from people who don’t have the complete story, the more people who write off Jesus because they have an incomplete story — the MORE I realize how incredibly IMPORTANT it is to give people the tools to continue to pursue COMPLETE-ING the STORY in the ways of Jesus!

May God give you eyes to see and strength to live in the tension of a “Complete-ing Story.” May God give you a heart to seek a full understanding. May God give us all the courage and strength to work on uncovering a more complete Story!

A Young Woman’s Thoughts

Written by our very own Natalee Graham. She gave this talk at our Youth Sunday during worship services. Needless to say and read for yourself, this talk was inspiring and literally brought people to tears. Read and enjoy…

Every once in a while a commercial will come on the television advertising a worship cd. Pictures flash across the screen showing a group of adults with eyes closed, raising their hands. Now imagine, this same commercial comes on, but instead it shows high schoolers, or even junior high students. Would it suprise you? It isnt something people see very often.

Watching young people worship is unlike anything else. They are focused. Happy. Comfortable. Uninhibited. They belt out the words as if no one else is around and raise their hands as high as possible. They connect together, and sway arm in arm whether they know the person next to them or not. They clap and dance and choreograph actions to go with the lyrics. For them, worship isnt a chore or a habit, its a celebration. On the outside i admit, this celebration looks ridiculous, childish, and maybe even a little out of control, but if you are a part of it, suddenly you get it.

For a week every year, a group of us get to worship with some of our best friends. Leadership Lab is almost indescribable. I can show you pictures and tell you stories, but trying to capture the feeling that fills centenial hall is hard. A room packed with people from different places and best of all different age groups, come together twice a day to worship. Everyone is together, singing along, clapping their hands, bending backward, and walking like an egyptian. Its only one week, but i think i can speak for all of us when i say we spend the next fifty-one looking forward to it. Even though it is my personal favorite, I know Lab isnt the only place where that can happen.

Worship at soaked was probably the most suprising experience. I had grown accustomed to my friends worshiping, so I dont really think much of it, but to watch the newer and younger students get wrapped up in their own moment was quickly becoming one of the most amazing things I had ever seen. I dont know if it was the words, the feeling, or the atmoshpere, but something clicked. People cried. People laughed. They all danced and sang and didnt care what others were doing. They had their own experience. It was a small room, but I think it made a big impact.

So the next time you see us going “higher than the mountains” or singing about a friend like you…and you, and you, and you, and you, it isnt all fun and games. we’re worshiping. just as if we were standing, with arms high and heart abandoned.

Science v. Religion

CLC Emerging Generations:

Link to article on Science v. Religion