commUNITY

So as you know I've been on a "community" kick, and will likely be there for quite some time.  The more I read and the more I write about it, the deeper I want to dig.  Call me an emergent thinker if you must, but I think there's something really special behind the idea of community.  As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure that Jesus thinks so too.

"My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:  I in them and you in me.  May the be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" -Jesus, John 17:20-23

I believe it all begins with our fundamental understanding that Jesus is exactly who He says He is.  He is God's son.  He sacrificed Himself that we may have a restored relationship with God the Father.  It is through Him alone that we may gain salvation.  Now we (the church) may have some conflicting views on things such as worship, baptism, communion, etc, but ultimately, Jesus is Lord and that's our message.  That's our gospel.  I find it rather interesting as I read that people invest so much time and thought into writing books and blogs in an effort to provide how-to's for churches around the world (ironically, most people are only writing concerning the American church).  I mean, is there really a cookie cutter pattern to follow to "reach the lost"?  Surely not, otherwise Paul would have had no need to say: "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings." 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Paul didn't have any patterns to follow when it came to sharing the gospel.  His goal was to do whatever was necessary that people may come to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.  Period.  He knew that what was most important was to first establish a relationship with Christ.

Rich Mullins once said "[other areas of the world] underline different parts of their Bibles than we do...but maybe there are some basic truths that are big enough that we can find unity in them...I'm not sure that truth is quite the way we understand it.  I'm not sure that truth has to do with statements of belief as it has to do with truth is alive, and that it is a person, and that person is Jesus."

Ultimately our focus must be on presenting the message of love and hope that is in Christ Jesus.  Let us be united in this fundamental belief that the world may know He is who He says He is...  After all, that's what He prayed for..


side note: In case you don't know anything about Rich Mullins, I'm sure soon I'll create an entire post (or series of posts) about him.

Environmentalist...

I've decided recently that I'd like to become an environmentalist.  Before you freak out and think I'm going to buy a Prius and start eating organic foods (not that there's anything wrong with that), let me explain.  I've learned under several qualified individuals the ins and outs in ministry.  For the most part, I've learned the importance of structure, discipline, and building relationships with both leaders and students.  I've learned to become organized and actually care about the calendar.  I've learned how to program events and ministries in order to get people involved.  I'm not, by any means, perfect at any of these aspects of ministry, but I get the idea.  If you haven't yet heard, I'm on a "community" kick.  That term, and it's Biblical  description (located in Acts chapter 2), have literally consumed most every conversation in my life for the past couple months.

I love math.  I love to have the answers and know how to make things work.  I like that 2 + 2 always equals 4.  In the same respect, I like knowing the right ways to do ministry in order to see people have genuine encounters with our living God.  The problem, as I see it, is that there is no program that's right for everybody.  Everybody will experience God in a slightly different way, whether that be in the stillness and quiet of their prayer closet, or in the midst of chaotic ping pong tournaments after midweek worship.  I want people to experience authentic, Christ-like community, but I can't make them.  I can't program community.  I can't structure community.  However, I can help create an environment that is conducive to generating natural (organic) community.  It all starts by shifting my focus from the health of the ministry and refocusing on the health of the people.  A healthy environment will promote healthy people.  I want a healthy environment.  Ergo, I'm becoming an environmentalist.  Oh and by the way, I'm hoping to get an F-150 in December :)

When it's time to change...

Yea, I know I JUST made a new post, but instantly I'm feeling compelled to write another one.  It has to do with the song from the last post.  To quote myself (at risk of feeling a little narcissistic),"I have since re-written the melody of this song but the lyrics are the same."  You know when I first read that song in a Hymnal I thought it had a great message.  Something that would apply not only today, and in the 60's, but until Christ's return really.  Then I took it to a piano-playing friend of mine who promptly busted out the sweet tune written on the page.  You know, what was once a sweet tune to someone in the 60's isn't all that sweet anymore, to an 80's kid.  I believe my classic "I'm unhappy" facial expression said it all to my friend.  I went home and tweaked it a little, and now I appreciate the song much much more.  I never thought it was without value from the beginning, but I needed to adjust the way I shared the message in order to appreciate and accept it.  Know where I'm going with this yet?

There will come a time in our lives when our message doesn't seem so sweet anymore to others.  It may, in fact, provoke the "I'm unhappy" face from them.  The problem is simple.  Our message is perfect, flawless, inspiring, hopeful, loving, compassionate, unequaled, righteous, powerful, and complete.  Our method of communicating this message is what becomes lost in translation.  Where it was once all the about singing alongside a giant pipe organ, maybe now a nice piano solo would do.  Where a nice piano solo was once the buzz of a generation, maybe now a full-on guitar solo is what's necessary.  Different people have different ways of hearing your message.  Maybe it doesn't seem as sweet because we haven't taken it off the page and made it our own.  The point is, Christ Jesus hasn't changed.  His unfailing love doesn't change.  His grace and salvation never change.  The method God uses to deliver His message.....well, read Exodus 3:1-21, Numbers 22, any of the gospels... and find out what He did to reach people...

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Rainy Day...

Yea, it's raining outside here in San Antonio....Actually, we are supposed to get winds up to 40mph here today.  It's kinda strange, maybe a little creepy, but more than anything, comforting.  There is an old hymn written by Barbara Fowler Gaultney in 1960 called "My Lord is Near Me All the Time".  Now I was born in 1985, so I'm not going to act like I'm a huge fan of it's original music styling, but I am rather fond of the lyrics:

In the lightning flash across the sky
His mighty power I see
And I know if He can reign on high
His light can shine on me

(I'll skip the chorus for now so you can have the full effect)

When the thunder shakes the mighty hills
and trembles every tree
then I know a God so great and strong
He can surely harbor me

When refreshing showers cool the earth
and sweep across the sea
Then His rainbow shines within my heart
and His nearness comforts me

(Here's the chorus)

I have seen it in the lightning
I have heard it in the thunder
I have felt it in the rain
my Lord is near me all the time
my Lord is near me all the time


You know, it's crazy how songs like this get overlooked because they're in that book that hangs behind the pew each Sunday.  I have since re-written the melody of this song but the lyrics are the same.  It may not be the most appropriate at all times, but I know every time I see lightning, hear thunder, or feel rain, I think of this song.  Then I'm reminded that He is, in fact, near me all the time.

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Salvation is Here...

OOOOOOOHHHHH BABY!  Am I excited tonight!  As of 8:42pm tonight, September 1st, 2010......I have....ehem, WE have, a new brother in Christ!  Special congrats to Zach on making the best decision anyone could ever make in their life!

It's exciting to be a part of what God is doing.  It's also humbling to think that all the time setting up chairs, testing sound and lights, and preparing worship set lists, pale in comparison to the 30 seconds of prayer that change a life forever...I'm reminded that there is nothing I can do to bring people salvation....that is His job.  My role isn't to bring people to the Lord, but help them to recognize that He's already here.  Salvation is already here, because He is alive, and He lives in me (thanks Hillsong).  Salvation waits the arrival of heart after heart of the people that have just been passing it by for so long.  What He has given to me ought to be a breathtaking billboard for those who have yet to know Him.  I love Jesus.  A lot.  I'm so excited to see what he continues to do through the life of the students at the church.  I'm excited to be used as an example of His love....His grace....His salvation.  I just pray for strength and courage to do my best to be an appropriate advertisement for my King.

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