I read a sharp article on the importance of community from a biblical perspective. The article was put together from a series of messages at the Vineyard national conference last year by Berten Waggoner. Read Building a Community of Hope in a Despairing World pt 1.
He said there was a trinity in modernity that was the ultimate in presumption. You had science promising to rid the world of disease. This false prophet told us given enough time even death would be conquered. Then you have technology which promised that any problem could be solved given the right tool, method, or technology. Then there was education. Education boasted that as ignorance was removed evil would be eradicated on the earth. After half a dozen wars, 9-11 and other terrorist acts, AIDS, weapons of mass destruction, poverty, and evils growing all over the world, it is obvious to this generation that the promises of these three were greatly exaggerated. They were in fact false prophets basing there pompous promises on the wisdom of men.
Berten proposes that the community of faith is the way to showing a despairing world there is hope in Jesus Christ.
Check out Bertens full article on the front page of Vineyardusa's site.
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
:: the move
Saturday, Chris and Kristi made the big move over to this area. The Lord has blessed them with involvement with the Apartment Life ministry. Basically they get their rent paid by Apartment Life to be activity coordinators for an apartment complex. We believe this is an awesome place for a church planting family to be.
I am glad Chris is a former youth director. We had lots of help on the move.
I am glad Chris is a former youth director. We had lots of help on the move.
:: Fuel 3 November
Monday night was the next step for our community. On all our journeys there are identifying points along the way. With your kids your remember first steps, first words, particular Christmases. I will remember last nights FUEL as the first cohesive coming together of the people in a community with a common sense of purpose. It is not that community hasn't happened before now, but there was some dynamic that has happened among us that has solidified this call of God from a vision God gave me to plant a church to a community God has brought together to pursue this purpose.
Mike did a good job of teaching no the life of Paul. We looked at the many influencers in Pauls life early. Stephen when he was stoned and asked the Father to forgive those involved. Paul was there watching Stephens Christ-like character. Ananias was obedient to God to go and pray for this controversial character recently converted named Saul of Tarsus. Then there was Barnabus, who risked his good reputation to bring Paul into the community of faith and stayed with Paul encouraging Him. Our lives are not to be to promote our individual ministries or even our community of faith for that matter, but to be those who will serve to see the kingdom of God extended whether through us or through others.
The aftermath of FUEL went into our next step as a community. We want to let people know we are here to gather people in, but at the same time don't want to lift our name up. We want Jesus to have the high place in all our doings.
On a practical level Mike pointed out how I might be too cautious in wanting everything to be just right and that we need to jump out and take some risks. I agree totally with this and am thankful as a community we already are seeing various people take roles that will see the whole community blessed.
As one old friend encouraged me at the beginning of this journey "Enjoy the ride". I like this ride called church planting, it is definitely an e-ticket.
Mike did a good job of teaching no the life of Paul. We looked at the many influencers in Pauls life early. Stephen when he was stoned and asked the Father to forgive those involved. Paul was there watching Stephens Christ-like character. Ananias was obedient to God to go and pray for this controversial character recently converted named Saul of Tarsus. Then there was Barnabus, who risked his good reputation to bring Paul into the community of faith and stayed with Paul encouraging Him. Our lives are not to be to promote our individual ministries or even our community of faith for that matter, but to be those who will serve to see the kingdom of God extended whether through us or through others.
The aftermath of FUEL went into our next step as a community. We want to let people know we are here to gather people in, but at the same time don't want to lift our name up. We want Jesus to have the high place in all our doings.
On a practical level Mike pointed out how I might be too cautious in wanting everything to be just right and that we need to jump out and take some risks. I agree totally with this and am thankful as a community we already are seeing various people take roles that will see the whole community blessed.
As one old friend encouraged me at the beginning of this journey "Enjoy the ride". I like this ride called church planting, it is definitely an e-ticket.
Thursday, November 20, 2003
:: Developing friendships and theology
As Shane was here this week, it seems we have had so many conversations that went toward our understanding God and His ways. There were many differing combinations of people and dialogues.
Shane and I have had long discussions this week on what are the basic elements of a church. We realized we both came at the subject from different ways. My way was to see the church as the people getting together and what they did. His way was more looking at the God purposed structure of a church to define it. We both gained a better understanding of the concept of the church as we discussed this for a couple of hours.
We also have been talking about our completeness in Christ and how that works out in our lives. It is that we are already complete in Christ but not yet. It is done. It was finished as Christ died on the cross, but we are still working out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is the already, but not yet of the kingdom that we currently live in.
Dialoguing with Shane this week has given me a much better view of where we are at as a community. We have equippers, worshipers, people who love children, people who are encouragers. I like the community God is building. Not that it really matters that I like it or not, but it is nice to be community with fellow travelers who work well together.
Shane and I have had long discussions this week on what are the basic elements of a church. We realized we both came at the subject from different ways. My way was to see the church as the people getting together and what they did. His way was more looking at the God purposed structure of a church to define it. We both gained a better understanding of the concept of the church as we discussed this for a couple of hours.
We also have been talking about our completeness in Christ and how that works out in our lives. It is that we are already complete in Christ but not yet. It is done. It was finished as Christ died on the cross, but we are still working out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is the already, but not yet of the kingdom that we currently live in.
Dialoguing with Shane this week has given me a much better view of where we are at as a community. We have equippers, worshipers, people who love children, people who are encouragers. I like the community God is building. Not that it really matters that I like it or not, but it is nice to be community with fellow travelers who work well together.
:: Fuel 3 November
Three guitars creating a very calm worship ambiance was a highlight of Fuel 3. It was a worship unplugged evening. We also were blessed with our friend Shane Kuhn joining us. It was a God send night. Shane brought a prophetic word to our budding community. It was centered in that our primary purpose needed to be listening for God and what God was up to and not taking the latest strategy we had read about and adopting it. I'll blog more in depth later on the prophecy.
Our discussion came from Luke 10 revolving around the story of Mary and Martha. It was a joy to hear many people fill out what God was saying to us through His word. We talked about possible obstacles for both Mary and Martha in sitting at the Lord's feet and focusing on Him.
Our discussion came from Luke 10 revolving around the story of Mary and Martha. It was a joy to hear many people fill out what God was saying to us through His word. We talked about possible obstacles for both Mary and Martha in sitting at the Lord's feet and focusing on Him.
Friday, November 14, 2003
:: Indie Allies
The Independent Christian thinkers meeting called Indie Allies was Tuesday night in Dallas. The meetings are made up of many emerging church folks from all over the metroplex. We have met people from existing emerging churches, traditional churches that having meetings that fit more of an emerging church environment, and people who just want to be in the dialogue.
Tuesday night we were at Standard and Pours coffee house in Dallas. Mark and I made the journey over. They make an awesome chai tea. I think Mark went for the frozen expresso with caramel and chocolate. Our conversation went many different ways, but we did rest on postmodern evangelism for a while. I think all of us agreed that relationships were primary. We also talked about how we live in community and how we live out the faith together is crucial for pre-christians. Pre-christians may even become part of the community before they embrace following Christ.
I have found Indie Allies to be not only a good dialogue but an important one as our community connects with the larger community of Christ in this area.
Tuesday night we were at Standard and Pours coffee house in Dallas. Mark and I made the journey over. They make an awesome chai tea. I think Mark went for the frozen expresso with caramel and chocolate. Our conversation went many different ways, but we did rest on postmodern evangelism for a while. I think all of us agreed that relationships were primary. We also talked about how we live in community and how we live out the faith together is crucial for pre-christians. Pre-christians may even become part of the community before they embrace following Christ.
I have found Indie Allies to be not only a good dialogue but an important one as our community connects with the larger community of Christ in this area.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
:: Fuel 2 November
Chris and Mark facilitated last weeks Fuel while I was away coaching church plant teams. It was our largest group yet. Chris directed discussion on worship and how our lives are wrapped around that concept.
This week we had basically our committed core. Our conversation went toward what we hear God saying to us. Much of our dialogue went toward the concept of community and how important that was. Chris came up with a great illustration. We have been talking about HOC lanes (High occupancy community). The freeways here have HOV lanes (high occupancy vehicles). Chris gave the analogy of these lanes. When you are in community you are moving much faster than the rest of the traffic. When driving alone you are stuck at a slower pace. We realize as we all are just moving here and forming our lives we have an opportunity to mold community in a way that God is calling us. We are not all stuck in the traffic of busyness that happens so often in our society. We are looking forward to see how God unfolds community for us.
Another concept that was brought up last night was the importance of inviting people we meet into relationship, not into an organization. Church for us is a web of relationships. Each person who we encounter is a possible relationship for us and or for our community.
Our prayer: Lord direct us in this postmodern age, this pre-Christian society to be the community of Christ followers you would have us be.
This week we had basically our committed core. Our conversation went toward what we hear God saying to us. Much of our dialogue went toward the concept of community and how important that was. Chris came up with a great illustration. We have been talking about HOC lanes (High occupancy community). The freeways here have HOV lanes (high occupancy vehicles). Chris gave the analogy of these lanes. When you are in community you are moving much faster than the rest of the traffic. When driving alone you are stuck at a slower pace. We realize as we all are just moving here and forming our lives we have an opportunity to mold community in a way that God is calling us. We are not all stuck in the traffic of busyness that happens so often in our society. We are looking forward to see how God unfolds community for us.
Another concept that was brought up last night was the importance of inviting people we meet into relationship, not into an organization. Church for us is a web of relationships. Each person who we encounter is a possible relationship for us and or for our community.
Our prayer: Lord direct us in this postmodern age, this pre-Christian society to be the community of Christ followers you would have us be.
:: Church planter fever
Last week I had an amazing opportunity to be a coach at a Church Planting intensive put on by the Foursquare denomination in which we are part of. There were seven teams from this part of the country. I truly had the sense of serving other people who are partnering in the harvest. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.
I appreciated Foursquares balance of the practical and the spiritual. Each team had times to discover the vision God had put in their heart, the values that were within them, the mission God had for them, and practical ways to reach others with the gospel. We also had times of worship and prayer. God showed up in powerful ways, speaking encouraging words to the planting teams, empowering them, healing them.
I consider it a privilege and an honor to be able to be involved in this opportunity. I pray even with our small community as it grows that we will never lose sight of serving other communities of faith in their attempts to spread the gospel of our Lord.
I appreciated Foursquares balance of the practical and the spiritual. Each team had times to discover the vision God had put in their heart, the values that were within them, the mission God had for them, and practical ways to reach others with the gospel. We also had times of worship and prayer. God showed up in powerful ways, speaking encouraging words to the planting teams, empowering them, healing them.
I consider it a privilege and an honor to be able to be involved in this opportunity. I pray even with our small community as it grows that we will never lose sight of serving other communities of faith in their attempts to spread the gospel of our Lord.
Saturday, November 01, 2003
:: Themes forming
As we learn to navigate living in a large urban area like the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex some themes are coming forth for our community.
The first is that of community itself. We understand that it is not enough to have a series of events each week to be a church. A true church is a true community where people are involved with one another and truly on this journey together, rejoicing with one another and crying with one another.
It seems to be community in this place we will have to eliminate busyness and other activities that keep us from community, we will have to consolidate our time with others who are in community. If you can travel with two, it is much better than traveling with one because community is happening. If your kids can participate in activities with others in the community, the community becomes stronger.
Inviting people into community is not inviting them into an organization. It is inviting them into friendship. Friendship with the community and friendship with our God.
Another them that is key is worship. Worship is a gateway to connecting with the kingdom of God here on the earth. Jesus asked us to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". It is our design to be those that extend the kingdom here on the earth and worship is a gateway that connects us with that design. Worship empowers us, encourages us and moves us. Most of all worship connects us with the maker of the Universe and invites our maker to direct us in His purposes.
The first is that of community itself. We understand that it is not enough to have a series of events each week to be a church. A true church is a true community where people are involved with one another and truly on this journey together, rejoicing with one another and crying with one another.
It seems to be community in this place we will have to eliminate busyness and other activities that keep us from community, we will have to consolidate our time with others who are in community. If you can travel with two, it is much better than traveling with one because community is happening. If your kids can participate in activities with others in the community, the community becomes stronger.
Inviting people into community is not inviting them into an organization. It is inviting them into friendship. Friendship with the community and friendship with our God.
Another them that is key is worship. Worship is a gateway to connecting with the kingdom of God here on the earth. Jesus asked us to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". It is our design to be those that extend the kingdom here on the earth and worship is a gateway that connects us with that design. Worship empowers us, encourages us and moves us. Most of all worship connects us with the maker of the Universe and invites our maker to direct us in His purposes.
:: Church Planter training
This week I will be an assistant trainer at a church planter training. It feels a little premature considering we are just a couple of months old and still in initial birthing stages, but I really sensed God saying go when the opportunity presented itself. Anyway we can encourage the extension of the kingdom of God fits for me.
Anyone that read this pray for 6 church planting teams that will be trained this week, that they would hear God and clarify their callings.
Anyone that read this pray for 6 church planting teams that will be trained this week, that they would hear God and clarify their callings.
:: Garage sales: divine appointments
God continues a trend for us in touching the community. This week I spoke with Ann Moore, she invited us to meet people at garage sales at her appointment complex which she was coordinating. We never know what relationships will develop from meeting various people. We pray God leads us and connects us to people who are not in the kingdom or are hungry for more of the kingdom of God.
My deluxe purchase this week was a stuffed quail. It may make a great Christmas present for someone. Don't tell if you read this post. We also found some CD's we liked for .75
A new suggestion to all Garage salers: put signs out somewhere beyond your property, preferably on major thoroughfares if you want people to come.
My deluxe purchase this week was a stuffed quail. It may make a great Christmas present for someone. Don't tell if you read this post. We also found some CD's we liked for .75
A new suggestion to all Garage salers: put signs out somewhere beyond your property, preferably on major thoroughfares if you want people to come.
:: Fuel 4 Oct
At Fuel our conversation went toward brokenness and pain in our lives. We read a portion from Henri Nouwen. The overview was that as followers of Christ we should embrace our brokenness and part of our existence. It is easy as a follower of Christ to push down any pain and brokenness in our lives and act like life is okay and we are okay when in reality we are wrestling.
Life is journey, and on the journey there is pain. It is inevitable. The world is not a redeemed world. It is still full of its own brokenness and sin. God is there though to guide us in our pain. Jesus even identified with all the sufferings that we deal with when He was on the earth.
I know in my own journey a welcome healing from pain and brokenness comes as my heart is turned toward God in worship. There is an encouragement that comes from Him in that time and space. Many times there is a calm that comes when I can worship Him admist the pain. A calm that doesn't take away the pain, but a calm that seems to say "It's okay, I'm there".
Life is journey, and on the journey there is pain. It is inevitable. The world is not a redeemed world. It is still full of its own brokenness and sin. God is there though to guide us in our pain. Jesus even identified with all the sufferings that we deal with when He was on the earth.
I know in my own journey a welcome healing from pain and brokenness comes as my heart is turned toward God in worship. There is an encouragement that comes from Him in that time and space. Many times there is a calm that comes when I can worship Him admist the pain. A calm that doesn't take away the pain, but a calm that seems to say "It's okay, I'm there".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)