Simple and to the point

Sometimes all the trimmings takes away from the main meal! This is it, isn't it?

A great video to watch - leadership as dream not plan!

I have watched this short (TED talks are generally short, around 20 minutes) video a while back and kept it - why? Because it walks about one of the functions of the gift of leadership - the ability to inspire. Denny and Denny talk about this often - how easy it is to reduce ministry and Body life to a function of management instead of a releasing of a God-given and empowered purpose! I think if you take a little time and watch the video, you will understand exactly what they mean...what we need to do is to rely on the Holy Spirit to move people into action...people are not inspired into action via our plans and management "products" but rather by a dream - a dream of faithfulness to Jesus and a deliberate living out of new life in Him. In addition, to function, according to the videos language, in the "what and how" spheres essentially reduces Kingdom work to methodologies, programs and consumeristically-driven techniques where we as disciples become "peddlers of church products" not participators in a redemptive movement of God. I could go on and on about this...I have some other ideas...for now, it is best to let the video speak for itself and you "do the math"!

TEDTalks Simon Sinek-How great leaders inspire action - Simon Sinek (2009) from Roofcamp on Vimeo.

Tracking the Spirit - What the Holy Spirit is DOING!

I ran into this the other day. In fact, I was so "impressed" by it, I copied it for posterity...in other words, this list works because it is true. Right from the scriptures, you and me have a chance to see just "some" of the things the Spirit is up to. Besides tracking what the Spirit is up to in our communities of faith, there are plenty of other things that the Spirit is doing:

50 Things the Holy Spirit Does - from Reimagining Church by frankaviola

1. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
2. He guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
3. He regenerates us (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5).
4. He glorifies and testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 16:14).
5. He reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16:14-15).
6. He leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18; Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1).
7. He sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 5:16).
8. He empowers us (Luke 4:14; 24:49; Rom. 15:19; Acts 1:8).
9. He fills us (Eph. 5:18; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17).
10. He teaches us to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 1:20).
11. He bears witness in us that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16).
12. He produces in us the fruit or evidence of His work and presence (Gal. 5:22-23).
13. He distributes spiritual gifts and manifestations (the outshining) of His presence to and through the body (1 Cor. 12:4, 8-10; Heb. 2:4).
14. He anoints us for ministry (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).
15. He washes and renews us (1 Tim. 3:5).
16. He brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14-18). Here He plays the same role that He plays in the Godhead. The Spirit is the life that unites Father and Son. He plays the same role in the church. When He is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love. Therefore, a sure evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a group is Love and Unity.
17. He is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5).
18. He seals us unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
19. He sets us free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).
20. He quickens our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:11).
21. He reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10).
22. He reveals what has been given to us from God (1 Cor. 2:12).
23. He dwells in us (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; John 14:17).
24. He speaks to, in, and through us (1 Cor. 12:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:11; Heb 3:7; Matt. 10:20; Acts 2:4; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2; 16:6,7; 21:4,11).
25. He is the agent by which we are baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).
26. He brings liberty (2 Cor. 3:17).
27. He transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).
28. He cries in our hearts, “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:6).
29. He enables us to wait (Gal. 5:5).
30. He supplies us with Christ (Phil. 1:19).
31. He grants everlasting life (Gal. 6:8).
32. He gives us access to God the Father (Eph. 2:18).
33. He makes us (corporately) God’s habitation (Eph. 2:22).
34. He reveals the mystery of God to us (Eph. 3:5).
35. He strengthens our spirits (Eph. 3:16).
36. He enables us to obey the truth (1 Pet. 1:22).
37. He enables us to know that Jesus abides in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13).
38. He confesses that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:3).
39. He says “Come, Lord Jesus” along with the bride (Rev. 22:17).
40. He dispenses God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5).
41. He bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Rom. 9:1).
42. He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13; John 14:26).
43. He gives us joy (1 Thess. 1:6).
44. He enables some to preach the gospel (1 Pet. 1:12).
45. He moves us (1 Pet. 1:21).
46. He knows the things of God (1 Cor. 2:11).
47. He casts out demons (Matt. 12:28).
48. He brings things to our remembrance (John 14:26).
49. He comforts us (Acts 9:31).
50. He makes some overseers in the church and sends some out to the work of church planting [through the body] (Acts 20:28; 13:2).
Summary: The Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ and to His body. He reveals Christ to us, gives us His life, and makes Christ alive in us. The Spirit takes the experiences of Jesus … His incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension … and brings them into our own experience. Because of the Holy Spirit, the history of Jesus Christ becomes our story and experience.

Subscribing to Blogs, etc.

Good resource below...if you like to read blogs and keep track of sites you frequent, this is a great and indispensable resource:

You gotta smile when you watch this...we should be showing this daily to the people who are the Church!

When We Say Church from Doug Peterson on Vimeo.

Len Sweet and some thoughts on "Evangelism"...

Below is a video that I watched a bit ago - Len Sweet is someone I've followed for a long time in my journey not only as a leader but also as a follower of Jesus. I find his writings extremely exciting...he's been used by the Spirit to shape many of the aspects of life and discipleship (disciple-making as well) over the past years. This video gives you a snapshot of Len's new book on Evangelism...now, I come to that topic with a "rich history" of all sorts of different "techniques" of doing evangelism. But my heart and mind has been transformed over the years in this regard. I don't "do" anything in sharing Jesus with others...I simply try to find out what God is doing and join HIM there...I look for the fact that God is arranging Divine Appointments for me throughout my day...helping me see that there are relationship bridges that can be built...that God is already at work in the world and I attempt to do what Jesus did...join God is HIS mission of love, power and grace in the context of the world and story that He is writing in and through my life. That's a different perspective friends...that's a shifted paradigm...so I would encourage you to take a peek at the video. Then think about your life as a disciple...you live the mission of God...you join God in what He is already doing through His Holy Spirit in the lives of people you meet.

By the way, here's what my SoCal friend Spencer wrote about the video that he produced in this regard...it is a helpful intro to the video as well:

Leonard Sweet calls us to make an impression—a God impression—a nudge, a dent on everyone we meet. But how we do that is to listen to discern what the Spirit is already doing, and to nudge that person toward understanding that God is working in their life. And by doing so, by recognizing and naming those nudges, we are nudged as well. We discover incredible ways that God is working all around us. We observe His creativity and imagination in all our senses—hearing, tasting, seeing, touching, smelling.

The subtitle of Nudge is “Awakening each other to the God who is already there.” Every person you meet is a divine appointment, says Leonard Sweet as he talks about his new book, Nudge, with Spencer Burke, host of ThinkFWD. The overarching premise is that we don’t “take” Jesus anywhere, but that wherever we go, God is already there and our job is to find out what He’s doing and join in.

This thinking takes a different approach to evangelism. Rather than thinking of evangelism and discipleship as two distinct “tasks” of followers of Christ, Sweet suggests that they are bound together. Whereas in the past, evangelism was touted as “go and tell,” Sweet says we need to “shut up and listen.” Our role is not to come into a situation and tell our story, but rather to listen, to hear, to study what is happening in another person’s life, or in the community we are in. By doing this, we are recognizing that God is already there and we are following His lead. Sweet quotes John Wesley’s life-changing words, “Go and see the poor in their hovels, for Jesus is already there and He will be with you.”

Very likely, it was not just one person that helped nudge you in your journey to faith in God, but it was many people’s influence in your life. Many impressions that moved you to faith in God. And this is the part we can play for each other, awakening each other to God who is already at work all around us.

People's creativity astounds me...

I think we have alot more creativity in the "church" that goes untapped. We have our ways and our traditions sometimes cherished at the expense of great ideas many of which get squelched in the name of "we've always done it that way before". Here's a video that I just watched on the blog I read daily...it is one produced by a local faith community to alert people to the teaching that is coming from the pastor in week's ahead - I don't know if it was done for JUST children (since it is one a children's ministry blog) or whether it came in the midst of an entire congregation...all I know is that it got my attention! What creativity can we unleash to not only bless those with those gifts by giving them a forum to offer their gifts to God but also by having their gifts bless others? Your call! Here's the video:

Bewitched Intro from redeemer.tv on Vimeo.

And now a moment of humility...

It's been a long time...but how about this?

Yep, even blog editors have to take some time away for real life...recently, I (Robin Dugall) moved and accepted a call to Peace in Monroe, Washington. So, give me another week or so and I'll get back to regularly posting. For now, here's a jpg/powerpoint slide that spoke to me about the type of life God is calling us to live!

Reggie McNeal and an important, thought-provoking video

What is a Disciple - Video AND Audio version!

See below for the description of the video - this includes the audio track of the presentation giving Robin Dugall's comments on the slides/concepts presented during the teleconference.

What is a Disciple - Video and Audio version from Robin Dugall on Vimeo.

What is a Disciple?

This is a presentation video - this includes keynote slides and background music from a recent presentation given by Robin Dugall to a group of pastors/leaders - the teleconference was sponsored by the Tracking the Spirit initiative of the Northwest District of the LC-MS. If you want more information, downloadable version of the slides, etc. contact Robin @ rdugall@apu.edu

This is absolutely fascinating!

Past, hedonistic "time" perspective vs. future-oriented time perspective. Interesting video with profound implications! Care to discuss?

"Loving your enemies"...

A Canadian children's ministry pal, Henry found this video - here's what he had to say about it as well as giving an encouragement on how to use it especially with kids (although adults need to think/pray through this just as much if not more):

"thought it was pretty cool and a powerful way to jump start a conversation with children on loving your enemies. Any ideas on how you would use it? Here’s one idea that takes a transformational approach rather than an educational approach which could be easily adapted to whatever age group you might be teaching: Show the video to the kids without telling them what it is about or what topic you are talking about. After the video is done, have them tell you what it is about. Don’t correct or lead. Simply listen and allow children to give their input. Ask questions about how they felt about the video. Ask them what they thought about the person throwing stuff. Ask them what they thought about the person building the bridge. Ask them what they would have done if they were in the video. Have them imagine themselves in both roles. Read Luke 6:27-36 and/or Matthew 5:43-48 (HT:EC). Have the kids tell you what they think Jesus is saying in those verses and how those verses might relate to what they just saw. Finally, have the kids come up with ways they can follow Jesus in what he said in those verses. Have some sort of response time whether that be silence, prayer, an art project of some sort… be creative."

Bob Roberts' post on Evangelism...man, is he right!

Bob Roberts is a smart guy! He not only has invested his life in Kingdom living but also he is attempting to embrace ministry is a changing world. His books have inspired many of us to rethink ministry and mission. We (that would be the Tracking the Spirit team) would encourage you to read any of the books he's written...you can check them out by clicking HERE. Below is an article that Bob wrote for his blog...I believe it summarizes what has occurred within Western Christianity over the past decades. Although this is happening in our own back yard (European Christianity experienced this far earlier than we), it should not be a source of discouragement, fear, or yearning for the good 'ole days that never will come back...it is rather a call and challenge for a fresh expression of the Spirit's leading in our lives. So...

How Evangelism is Different in the 21st Century - By Bob Roberts Jr.

I know that many people read my blog that are not pastors and Christians, and for that reason I want to differentiate a couple of words that most of the time the media and others miss. One is “evangelism” - that is the practice of sharing your faith. It is tied to the word “evangelists” - which companies use to describe enthused salesmen - it comes from the Greek and it has to do with Christians passionately sharing what they believe in - Jesus Christ - and inviting others to follow him. The other word is “evangelical”. Notice the ending of the two words - “ism” and “cal”. The evangelical is one that is a more conservative Christian. They believe in the Divinity/Humanity of Christ and also the authority of the Bible unlike any other book. There are many other things I could say about both - but one is a practice - evangelism - that all Christians are to perform and the other is a tribe - evangelical - of conservative Christians. I’m writing today about evangelism. How is it different today than even 25 years ago?

First, evangelism was a presentation of who Jesus was. It was like giving someone their own personal “sermonette” be it the Four Spiritual Laws or the Roman Road, and at the conclusion you would ask a person to pray a prayer asking Jesus to forgive them of their sins and come into their heart. Evangelism has moved from presentation to conversation. I rarely witness (share my faith, do evangelism) the way I was trained when I was a teenager. It just doesn’t work in the current context. We talk about things, and I share Bible verses that I’ve memorized and the conversation evolves to where the person wants it to go and I attempt to answer questions to challenging things along the way.

Second, evangelism has moved from primarily a decision about eternity to a decision about a lifestyle. The objective of evangelism used to be to get people to heaven - in one sense it still is - and always will be. On the other hand, getting someone to get fire insurance (not going to Hell), is insufficient for a passionate faith. They have to love God for who he is as our Savior & Father, to live in relationship and community with him. Until people want to be transformed by Jesus, they are just being more religious - I want people to be far more than just religious - I want them to have a passionate relationship with Jesus that is changing their lives.

Third, evangelism that led to conversion was the end game of every person. Today, and in a Kingdom of God context, conversion isn’t the end game but the starting point of walking with God. There is nowhere in the Scripture it says we know that we know him because “we prayed the prayer.” But the small epistle of 1John says, we know that we know him because . . . . and he gives seven things. When you read those 7 things they all have to do with behavior, lifestyle, relationships, and servanthood. Those things don’t make a Christian, they merely point to the fact that people who have accepted Jesus - those things follow them. (It’s 5 short chapters - and in Biblical length like 3 pages - my communist and atheist and Muslim friends would like reading the little book - it’s near the back of the Bible in the New Testament - it’s 1 John, not John, look in your table of contents - it also talks about how we know that we know him because we confess that God has come in the flesh - another reason we believe Jesus is God.)

Fourth, evangelism was about the person you didn’t know. Today, evangelism is about the person you do know. All sharing of the Gospel involved knocking on doors and people waiting for us to show up and give them their own personal sermon. Our culture has changed. Relationships are the key to people coming to faith in Christ. I loved what a friend said recently at a meeting I was at, “I don’t want someone hitting me over the head with their religion. But as I’m grilling burgers with Chris I want to be able to say, hey what’s with this Trinity thing.” Recently someone asked me “why do you care about Muslims so much?” The truth of the matter is, I never did my whole life until the past few years, but then something happened I got to know a lot of them and became friends with them and they with me. What’s cool is, when you’re friends you can discuss your faith without debating it, you also listen with respect to one another even if you disagree.

Fifth, evangelism is as much about the impact it is making in the life of the one “witnessing” as it is the set of theological beliefs. You can’t just “share the presentation” anymore. The question is, “Does it work in your life?” But it isn’t enough for you to see it work in your life, do “THEY” see it work in your life. Keep in mind being called a “Christian” or being “Christ-like” was something the people in Antioch called the Christians, not a title they chose for themselves.

Sixth, evangelism was about passing on information and truth. Today, we share our faith not just with words but actions. Matthew 25 was always there! As we serve others, it opens massive doors to be able to share our beliefs. I don’t believe we should serve to convert, but those of us who are converted will serve and when people ask us why, at that point, we can tell them because of our faith.
Seventh, evangelism was about me telling and you listening. Today, evangelism is more about me listening to your story than me telling you mine, me listening to your view of God and what you believe and responding.

Eighth, evangelism is about presenting the Gospel and they accept Christ or I move on to someone else. That wasn’t the model of Jesus - but somehow we failed to realize we needed to have ongoing relationships with people. The people that I’ve seen come to faith in Christ generally had a long and ongoing relationship with them. I might add - they last as well. When we’re friends with people - and they truly accept Christ - it’s not like a fast food decision.

Good picture...not "perfect" but worth a peek!

Enjoying the Struggle to define "disciple"!

Enjoying the Struggle to Define what a Disciple is...

Ok - here's a good one for you...how would define the word, "Disciple"? Most of us when we think about the word "Disciple", innately click into prescriptive mode - in other words, we prescribe what a disciple is by what a disciple does. In other words, a Disciple is defined by Discipleship...the actions of a Disciple. In this instance, actions would be focused primarily on things like worship attendance in a local church, bible reading, prayer, a person's devotional life, financial giving, etc. Now, don't get me wrong - all these activities are good and can even be used as "measures" in assessing discipleship.

Yet, what is a Disciple? What is a Disciple in a descriptive perspective? Well, try this one on for size - a Disciple is one who is alive in Jesus Christ. In other words, a Disciple is a person who has the life of Jesus implanted by the Holy Spirit and manifested by the Holy Spirit in their life that they are now alive in Jesus. Again, a Disciple is defined not by what we do but by the life of Jesus in us. Before there is any "doing" as a Disciple, there is an essential "being" that comes from the life of Jesus alive in the heart.

Here's where this is all coming from...many of us have seen people come alive in Jesus Christ. Without training, extensive study, without commissioning or titles or degrees, many of us have witnessed disciples supernaturally discipling others. We have seen people transformed from being dead bystanders to being active and alive, passionately sharing the life of Jesus with all that come in contact with them. For many of these people, being a disciple is not what they are aspiring to be or trying to pull off in the habits of their life...rather, it is something they know they are because they know the life of Jesus. In this instance, the Holy Spirit is producing fruit..they are not trying to be better people, attempting to be moral and upright and loving...they just are because of the power of God residing in their lives. If you were to type their blood, they would bleed Jesus. For a disciple, Jesus is not a cause to be understood and/or represented..Jesus is life, pure and simple.

Where have many of us missed the boat? Why all the discipleship ministries and programs and studies in the local church and few actual disciples? Why do we have to do hand stands and heroic efforts to convince people to share their life, tell their God-story, live out their faith with Kingdom courage? Could it be that we are a bit confused when it comes to being a disciple? Could it be that we are finding it extremely difficult to paint a compelling picture of the experience of being a disciple? Could it be that we have succumbed to drafting a legalistic, "doing" vision of what a disciple is that has actually not brought life to people who desire to follow Jesus? Could it be that all of our efforts have led people more into sin management and shallow spirituality that remains an addendum to an already busy and culturally defined life (through narrowly defined spiritual exercises like the infamous "10 or 20 minute quiet times) than into the very life of Jesus in and through them?

I'm working on this...so allow me some latitude. The truth is that the Tracking the Spirit "staff" has rolled up sleeves and pantlegs and waded into this water intentionally. Here's what we have worked on - A Disciple is alive in Jesus...as Denny Lorenz just stated in an email yesterday, "A Disciple is one resurrected from death to life in Christ, by the Holy Spirit, and daily lives out that life." In other words, the Holy Spirit is drawing out what is true, right, holy and pure within their heart because that's where Jesus resides. Good works? They are not something that they are trying to do because they are attempting to be like Jesus...good works are what the Holy Spirit is doing through them. They are happening because of the life of Jesus in and through them. Good works happen almost effortlessly, quicker than you could have ever imagined because they happen not by sheer will power, guilt, or even training/mentoring but because they are being released through the work of the Holy Spirit. A Disciple, to allude to something I read in a new book by Len Sweet and Frank Viola, The Jesus Manifesto, doesn't ask "what would Jesus do" as if they could match up their actions with the actions of the biblical Jesus...but rather a Disciple asks and seeks to know/discern what it is that Jesus is doing and wants to do in and through their life? There is a difference! You see, the Holy Spirit wants to release what is already there in the life of Jesus in the disciple's life...in this manner, a Disciple is more than a noun - it is a verb, implying action and life.

You would think that we would have had this down...but the more I think about it, the more I feel like we need to reengage and enjoy the struggle to define what a disciple of Jesus is...any thoughts?

Don't you see a difference between these "two"?

An Important Quiz for Ushers!

I didn't write this...but I did rip it off from a blog that I read regularly. It brought me a smile today and as we move more and more into those "dog days of summer", smiles are coveted! Fact is, how many of us could do what we do without good ushers! Enjoy!

So You Think You Can Ush?

Are you qualified to be an usher? No, not the Usher. Those qualifications include: Is your outfit ridiculous? Are you in the club lookin’ so conspicuous? Do you refer to Hotlanta as “A-Town”? If so, you might be qualified to be Usher. If you’re wondering more about becoming an usher at church, read on.

This is a serious job in the Sunday morning volunteer lineup, and for years, I’ve lost more than a few hours of sleep pondering if push came to shove, would I have the necessary chops to get my ush on? Well, to put my mind at ease, and maybe yours too, I’ve written a guide called “So You Think You Can Ush?”

If you can simultaneously shake hands, hand out bulletins, and give Jolly Ranchers to kids (+2 points)

If you banter so well your friends call you “Banter Claus” (+5 points)

If you shake hands so strongly, guys in the WWE created a submission hold based on it called “The Usher Crusher” (-2 points)

If you have ever dislodged an offering train wreck (+3 points)

If you like to throw the offering plate like a Frisbee (-3 points)

If you have your own custom-molded earpiece for your walkie-talkie (+4 points)

If you’ve never ever looked into the offering plate to see how much your friend gives, for fear you might turn into a skeleton like in Indiana Jones with the Ark of the Covenant (+10 points)

If you can signal to the pastor he’s out of time and he wraps it up (+5 points)

If you can signal to the pastor he’s out of time and he gets his second wind (-5 points)

If you are currently keeping your points tally on last weekend’s bulletin (+3 points)

If you can simultaneously make latecomers feel guilty and welcome with one look (I’ve heard Blue Steel does the trick) (+11 points)

If you can get people to sit on the front row (I’ve heard this is just a legend, but my cousin’s good friend’s younger sister saw it happen once) (+10finity points)

If you can balance 5 trays of grape juice cups without spilling (+5 points and +1 for each extra)

If, in an effort to “go green”, you decide to re-use the tiny grape juice cups next week (-5 points)

If you stay in on Saturday nights to memorize Sunday’s bulletin (+8 points)

If you stay in on Saturday nights to draw pictures in Sunday’s bulletin (-8 points)

If you think sitting down is for wimps (+4 points)

If you fantasize about ushing on a Segway (-4 points)

If you fantasize about ushing on a horse and giving people pony rides to their seats (+16 points…I’d love to experience this firsthand…if your church does this, let me know and I’ll come)

If you make a sign that says “You must be this tall to experience big church this week” in an effort to limit the number of crying baby disruptions (-3 points, but your head’s in the right spot)

Okay, you’ve tallied your score, so let’s see how you did:

0-10 points: You probably don’t like people. You would make a disastrously bad usher even at an online church.

11-20 points: If it came down to it, you could fill in without anyone noticing, but you may want to have some hand warmers on standby.

21-30 points: The head usher should watch his back, because you’re gunning for the #1 spot. You can almost see your name embossed on a magnetic nametag with the words “LEAD WELCOMER” under it.

31+ points: You ushering would be like if Chuck Norris played soccer…totally overqualified. I mean, that guy can KICK.

What did I leave out? What are some more usher qualifications?

Lord please, don't let us do this!

If you don't "hear" voices like this, you need to!

Hi TTS and NW district ministry partners!

There are many voices in the culture that are talking about "church". Some of simply and purely critical or cynical - they have either been hurt or are intellectually arrogant...some voices are irrelevant because they are not "insiders"...they don't have the experience, love for "the church" or interest in engaging in constructive dialog of how God can "reform" and renew what He has desired to do since the beginning of time - unite all in Christ. But occasionally there are voices that do have some credibility that need to be heard. I read this article today...read it twice before I decided to post it here...it is important. I would love to hear what you think if you choose to post a comment. Listening and entering into relationship with those who are brothers and sisters in the Lord who share similar passions but have divergent journeys is important to do..here's a voice and concerns that you and I need to know about...it isn't easy to read this at times but, trust me, I'm running into more and more people these days who feel and think of these types of things.

Dear Fellow-believer,

I do appreciate your concern for me and your willingness to raise issues that have caused you concern. I know the way I relate to the church is a bit unconventional and some even call it dangerous. Believe me, I understand that concern because I used to think that way myself and even taught others to as well.

If you are happy with the status quo of organized religion today, you may not like what you read here. My purpose is not to convince you to see this incredible church the same way I do, but to answer your questions as openly and honestly as I can. Even if we don't end up agreeing, hopefully you will understand that our differences need not estrange us as members of Christ's body.

Where do you go to church?

I have never liked this question, even when I was able to answer it with a specific organization. I know what it means culturally, but it is based on a false premise--that church is something you can go to as in a specific event, location or organized group. I think Jesus looks at the church quite differently. He didn't talk about it as a place to go to, but a way of living in relationship to him and to other followers of his.

Asking me where I go to church is like asking me where I go to Jacobsen. How do I answer that? I am a Jacobsen and where I go a Jacobsen is. 'Church' is that kind of word. It doesn't identify a location or an institution. It describes a people and how they relate to each other. If we lose sight of that, our understanding of the church will be distorted and we'll miss out on much of its joy.
Are you just trying to avoid the question?

I know it may only sound like quibbling over words, but words are important. When we only ascribe the term 'church' to weekend gatherings or institutions that have organized themselves as 'churches' we miss out on what it means to live as Christ's body. It will give us a false sense of security to think that by attending a meeting once a week we are participating in God's church. Conversely I hear people talk about 'leaving the church' when they stop attending a specific congregation.

But if the church is something we are, not someplace we go, how can we leave it unless we abandon Christ himself? And if I think only of a specific congregation as my part of the church, haven't I separated myself from a host of other brothers and sisters that do not attend the same one I do?

The idea that those who gather on Sunday mornings to watch a praise concert and listen to a teaching are part of the church and those who do not, are not, would be foreign to Jesus. The issue is not where we are at a given time during the weekend, but how we are living in him and with other believers all week long.

But don't we need regular fellowship?

I wouldn't say we need it. If we were in a place where we couldn't find other believers, Jesus certainly would be able to take care of us. Thus, I'd phrase that a bit differently: Will people who are growing to know the Living God also desire real and meaningful connections with other believers? Absolutely! The call to the kingdom is not a call to isolation. Every person I've ever met who is thriving in the life of Jesus has a desire to share authentic fellowship with other believers. They realize that whatever they know of God's life is just in part, and only the fullest revelation of him is in the church.

But sometimes that kind of fellowship is not easy to find. Periodically on this journey we may go through times when we can't seem to find any other believers who share our hunger. That's especially true for those who find that conforming to the expectations of the religious institutions around them diminishes their relationship with Jesus. They may find themselves excluded by believers with whom they've shared close friendship. But no one going through that looks on that time as a treat. It is incredibly painful and they will look for other hungry believers to share the journey with.

My favorite expression of body life is where a local group of people chooses to walk together for a bit of the journey by cultivating close friendships and learning how to listen to God together.

Shouldn't we be committed to a local fellowship?

That has been said so often today, that most of us assume it is in the Bible somewhere. I haven't found it yet. Many of us have been led to believe that we can't possibly survive without the 'covering of the body' and will either fall into error or backslide into sin. But doesn't that happen inside our local congregations as well?

I know many people who live outside those structures and find not only an ever-deepening relationship with God, but also connections with other believers that run far deeper than they found in the institution. I haven't lost any of my passion for Jesus or my affection for his church. If anything those have grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.

Scripture does encourage us to be devoted to one another not committed to an institution. Jesus indicated that whenever two or three people get together focused on him, they would experience the vitality of church life.

Is it helpful to regularly participate in a local expression of that reality? Of course. But we make a huge mistake when we assume that fellowship takes place just because we attend the same event together, even regularly, or because we belong to the same organization. Fellowship happens where people share the journey of knowing Jesus together. It consists of open, honest sharing, genuine concern about each other's spiritual well being and encouragement for people to follow Jesus however he leads them.

But don't our institutions keep us from error?

I'm sorry to burst your bubble here, but every major heresy that has been inflicted on God's people for the last 2,000 years has come from organized groups with 'leaders' who thought they knew God's mind better than anyone around them. Conversely, virtually every move of God among people hungering for him was rejected by the 'church' of that day and were excluded, excommunicated or executed for following God.

If that is where you hope to find security, I'm afraid it is sorely misplaced. Jesus didn't tell us that 'going to church' would keep us safe, but that trusting him would. He gave us an anointing of the Spirit so that we would know the difference between truth and error. That anointing is cultivated as we learn his ways in his Word and grow closer to his heart. It will help you recognize when expressions of church you share life with becomes destructive to his work in you.

So are traditional congregations wrong?

Absolutely not! I have found many of them with people who love God and are seeking to grow in his ways. I visit a couple of dozen different congregations a year that I find are far more centered on relationship than religion. Jesus is at the center of their life together, and those who act as leaders are true servants and not playing politics of leadership, so that all are encouraged to minister to one another.

I pray that even more of them are renewed in a passion for Jesus, a genuine concern for each other and a willingness to serve the world with God's love. But I think we'd have to admit that these are rare in our communities and many only last for a short span before they unwittingly look to institutional answers for the needs of the body instead of remaining dependent on Jesus. When that happens do not feel condemned if God leads you not to go along with them.

So should I stop going to church, too?

I'm afraid that question also misses the point. You see I don't believe you're going to church any more than I am. We're just part of it. Be your part, however Jesus calls you to and wherever he places you. Not all of us grow in the same environment.

If you gather with a group of believers at a specific time and place and that participation helps you grow closer to Jesus and allows you to follow his work in you, by all means don't think you have to leave. Keep in mind, however, that of itself is not the church. It is just one of many expressions of it in the place where you live.

Don't be tricked into thinking that just because you attend its meetings you are experiencing real body life. That only comes as God connects you with a handful of brothers and sisters with whom you can build close friendships and share the real ups and downs of this journey.

That can happen among traditional congregations, as it can also happen beyond them. In the last seven years I've meet hundreds if not thousands of people who have grown disillusioned with traditional congregations and are thriving spiritually as they share God's life with others, mostly in their homes.

Then meeting in homes is the answer?

Of course not. But let's be clear: as fun as it is to enjoy large group worship and even be instructed by gifted teachers, the real joy of body life can't be shared in huge groups. The church for its first 300 years found the home the perfect place to gather. They are much more suited to the dynamics of family which is how Jesus described his body.

But meeting in homes is no cure-all. I've been to some very sick home meetings and met in facilities with groups who shared an authentic body life together. But the time I spend in regular body life I want to spend face to face with a group of people. I know it isn't popular today where people find it is far easier to sit through a finely-tuned (or not so finely-tuned) service and go home without ever having to open up our life or care about another person's journey.

But ultimately what matters most to me is not where or how they meet, but whether or not people are focused on Jesus and really helping each other on the journey to becoming like him. Meetings are less the issue here than the quality of relationships. I am always looking for people like that wherever I am and always rejoice when I find it. In our new home in Oxnard, we've found a few folks and are hopeful to find even more.

Aren't you just reacting out of hurt?

I suppose that is possible and time will tell, I guess, but I honestly don't believe so. Anyone who is engaged in real body life will get hurt at times. But there are two kinds of hurt. There's the kind of pain that points to a problem that can be fixed with the right care - such as a badly sprained ankle. Then there's the kind of pain that can only be fixed by pulling away - as when you put your hand on a hot stove.

Perhaps all of us have experienced some measure of pain as we have tried to fit God's life into institutions. For a long time most of us hung in there hoping if we tweaked a few things it would get better. Though we could be successful in limited ways during moments of renewal, we also discovered that eventually the conformity an institution demands and the freedom people need to grow in Christ are at odds with one another. It has happened with virtually every group formed throughout the history of Christianity.

Are you looking for the perfect church?

No, and I don't anticipate finding one this side of eternity. Perfection is not my goal, but finding people with God's priorities. It's one thing for people to struggle toward an ideal they share together. It's another to realize that our ideals have little in common.

I make no secret of the fact that I am deeply troubled by the state of organized Christianity. Most of what we call 'church' today are nothing more than well-planned performances with little actual connection between believers. Believers are encouraged toward a growing dependency on the system or its leadership rather than on Jesus himself. We spend more energy conforming behavior to what the institution needs rather than helping people be transformed at the foot of the cross!

I'm tired of trying to fellowship with people who only view church as a two-hour a week dumping ground for guilt while they live the rest of the week with the same priorities as the world. I'm tired of those who depend on their own works of righteousness but who have no compassion for the people of the world. I'm tired of insecure people using the Body of Christ as an extension of their own ego and will manipulate it to satisfy their own needs. I'm tired of sermons more filled with the bondage of religion than the freedom of God's love and where relationships take a back seat to the demands of an efficient institution.

But don't our children need church activities?

I'd suggest that what they need most is to be integrated into God's life through relational fellowship with other believers. 92% of children who grow up in Sunday schools with all the puppets and high-powered entertainment, leave 'church' when they leave their parents' home? Instead of filling our children with ethics and rules we need to demonstrate how to live in God's life together.

Even sociologists tell us that the #1 factor in determining whether a child will thrive in society is if they have deep, personal friendships with nonrelative adults. No Sunday school can fill that role. I know of one community in Australia who after 20 years of sharing God's life together as families could say that they had not lost one child to the faith as they grew into adulthood. I know I cut across the grain here, but it is far more important that our children experience real fellowship among believers rather than the bells and whistles of a slick children's program.

What dynamics of body life do you look for?

I'm always looking for a people who are seeking to follow the Living Christ. He is at the center of their lives, their affections and their conversation. They look to be authentic and free others to hurt when they hurt, to question what they question and to follow his voice without others accusing them of being divisive or rebellious. I look for people who are not wasting their money on extravagant buildings or flashy programs; where people sitting next to each other are not strangers; and where they all participate as a priesthood to God instead of watch passively from a safe distance.

Aren't you giving people an excuse to sit home and do nothing?

I hope not, though I know it is a danger. I realize some people who leave traditional congregations end up abusing that freedom to satisfy their own desires and thus miss out on church life altogether. Neither am I a fan of 'church hoppers', who whip around to one place after another looking for the latest fad or the best opportunity to fulfill their own selfish desires.

But most of the people I meet and talk with are not outside the system because they have lost their passion for Jesus or his people, but only because the traditional congregations near them couldn't satisfy their hunger for relationship. They are seeking authentic expressions of body life and pay an incredible cost to seek it out. Believe me, we would all find it easier just to go with the flow, but once you've tasted of living fellowship between passionate believers, it is impossible to settle for anything less.

Isn't this view of church divisive?

Not of itself. People make it divisive when they demand that people conform to their revelation of truth. Most of us on the journey are accused of being divisive because freedom can be threatening to those who find their security in a religious system. But must of us aren't trying to recruit others to leave their congregations. We see the body of Christ big enough to encompass God's people however he calls them to gather.

One of the things often said about traditional church is that Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in American culture. We only meet with people who look like we do and like things the way we do. I've found now that I have far more opportunity to get with people from a broader cross-section of his body. I don't demand others do it my way and I hope in time that those who see it differently will stop demanding we conform to theirs.

Where can I find that kind of fellowship?

There's no easy answer here. It might be right in front of you among the fellowship you're already in. It might be down the street in your neighborhood or across a cubicle at work. You can also get involved in compassionate outreaches to the needy and broken in your locality as a way to live out his life in you and meet others with a similar hunger.

Don't expect this kind of fellowship to fall easily into an organization. It is organic, and Jesus can lead you to it right where you are. Look for him to put a dozen or so folks around your life with whom you can share the journey. They may not even all go to the same congregation you do. They might be neighbors or coworkers who are following after God. Wouldn't that kind of interconnection among God's people yield some incredible fruit?

Don't expect it to be easy or run smoothly. It will take some specific choices on our part to be obedient to Jesus. It may take some training to shake off old habits and be free to let him build his community around you, but it is all worth it. I know it bothers some people that I don't take my regular place in a pew on Sunday morning, but I can tell you absolutely that my worst days outside organized religion are still better than my best days inside it. To me the difference is like listening to someone talk about golf or actually taking a set of clubs out to a course and playing golf. Being his church is like that. In our day we don't need more talk about the church, but people who are simply ready to live in its reality.

People all over the world are freshly discovering how to do that again. You can be one of them as you let him place you in his body as he desires.

---

Wayne Jacobsen is an author and publisher. He is the son of a farmer, husband of Sara, father of Julie and Andrew and grandpa to two delightful girls—Aimee and Lindsay! This article is republished by permission from Body Life, a regular collection of articles from LifeStream.

Sometimes it is just "Fun" to post something like this!

Eugene Peterson on "Why Pastors?"

Eugene Peterson continues to surprise and amaze me. Not only is his literary journey astounding (over 30 books NOT including the Message edition of the bible) but his pastoral sensitivity, spiritual depth and prophetic ministry impacts my heart and professional awareness on a regular basis. I've read most of his work...his latest series of books on spiritual theology is excellent. Below is a quote that means something to me...it seems to pierce through the confusion and the multiplicity of voices that are always out to define our lives and work in the Kingdom. See what you think!

Why pastors? by Eugene Peterson

"We are there for one reason and one reason only: to preach and to pray (the two primary modes of our address). We are there to focus the overflowing, cascading energies of joy, sorrow, delight, or appreciation, if only for a moment but for as long as we are able, on God. We are there to say 'God' personally, to say his name clearly, distinctly, unapologetically, in proclamations and in prayers. We are there to say it without hemming and hawing, without throat clearing and without shuffling, without propagandizing, proselytizing, or manipulating. We have no other task. We are not needed to add to what is there. We are required only to say the name: Father, Son, Holy Ghost. All men and women hunger for God. The hunger is masked and misinterpreted in many ways, but it is always there. Everyone is on the verge of crying out “My Lord and my God!” but the cry is drowned out by doubts or defiance, muffled by the dull ache of their routines, masked by their cozy accommodations with mediocrity. Then something happens — a word, an event, a dream — and there is a push toward awareness of an incredible Grace, a dazzling Desire, a defiant Hope, a courageous Faithfulness. But awareness, as such, is not enough. Untended, it trickles into religious sentimentalism or romantic blubbering. Or, worse, it hardens into patriotic hubris or pharisaic snobbery. The pastor is there to nudge the awareness past subjectivities and ideologies into the open and say 'God.'"

Some good "jewish" words on Pentecost...

This is an article that I received from a "Messianic Jewish" teacher that discusses Pentecost. I not only found it interesting but inspiring:

Fire on the Mountain By D. Thomas Lancaster

Before tongues of fire ever fell upon the believers in Jerusalem, there was fire on Mount Sinai.

The ancient Jewish Sages considered the biblical feast of Shavuot--also known as Pentecost--to be the anniversary of the day God spoke the Law at Mount Sinai.

"Three times a year you shall celebrate," the Bible says. (Exodus 23:14-17) For as long as the Temple stood in Jerusalem, all the men of Israel were commanded to make pilgrimage there and worship God on the feasts of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks) and Sukkot (Tabernacles).

Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. (Deuteronomy 16:16)

This explains why there were so many Jews from all over the world in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts chapter two. They had come to celebrate the feast of Shavuot.

Shavuot, a harvest festival, was celebrated with the first fruits of the wheat harvest, brought to the Temple in Jerusalem and baked into two loaves of leavened bread. In addition to the wheat, the pilgrims celebrating Shavuot brought the first fruits of all their crops and offered them before the altar. They converged on Jerusalem from all nations, carrying baskets of their produce. Those who lived near Jerusalem brought fresh figs and grapes; those from a distance brought dried figs and raisins instead. A sacrificial ox with its horns bedecked with gold and its head crowned with olive leaves led the procession to the Temple. Walking in front of the ox, a flute player played the melodies of the psalms while the pilgrims sang along.

We can imagine the disciples and followers of Yeshua joining in the midst of this procession as they wound their way through Jerusalem's streets. The Shavuot festival already carried extra significance for these believers, because it was 50 days after Messiah had resurrected. He was the first fruits of the Resurrection, and they were the first fruits of His ministry.

Jewish tradition hails the Feast of Weeks as the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Surely, the disciples and most of the First Century Jerusalem Jews would have known the traditional Jewish folklore of this mo'ed. They themselves would also have believed it to be the anniversary of God stepping down from the heavens and onto the top of Sinai. (Exodus 19-20) On that day there was wind; there was lighting; there was thunder; there was smoke; and there was fire. The voice of God was audibly heard by the entire nation when He spoke the Ten Commandments. According to the Rabbis, this event took place exactly 50 days after the day of the Exodus from Egypt. Historically, it was the original Shavuot.
Thunder and Lightning

The English translation concludes the Ten Commandments story, "And all the people saw the thunder and lightning." (Exodus 20:18) But the original Hebrew of Exodus 20:18 says something quite different. In the Hebrew, the verse literally reads, "And all the people saw the voices and the torches." Most translations smooth out the Hebrew by translating the word 'voices' as 'thunder,' which agrees with the context of the thunder and lightning at Mount Sinai. But the Hebrew really says, "They saw the voices and the torches." What does it mean, "...the people saw voices"? How does one see a sound? How does one see a voice? What are the torches and from where did they come?

In Deuteronomy, Moses retells the story of hearing God's voice at Sinai. In ten different passages, he reminds Israel that they heard God's voice speak to them "from out of the fire." Repeatedly he says, "You all heard the voice speaking from out of the fire." One ancient Jewish legend explains that as God's voice spoke, it split into a multitude of sparks going forth. His voice came to them as fire. Therefore, the torches of Exodus 20:18 are explained as the fiery words of God that came to each person individually. Consider the following passage about God's fiery voice from an ancient Jewish legend:

On the occasion of [the giving of] the Torah, the [Children of Israel] not only heard the Lord's voice, but actually saw the sound waves as they emerged from the Lord's mouth. They visualized them as a fiery substance. Each commandment that left the Lord's mouth traveled around the entire camp and then came back to every Jew individually...7

Careful Bible students will remember that Mount Sinai was not the first time God used heavenly torches of fire in making a covenant. When Abraham made a covenant with the Lord, God appeared to him as fiery torch. (Genesis 15:17)

Another intriguing piece of Jewish, interpretive folklore explains that Israel not only saw the voice of God, they also heard it in every language. According to that explanation, the Bible says, "All the people saw the voices..." because God's voice spoke in many different voices [languages] at Mount Sinai. It is believed that as God spoke from Mount Sinai, His voice spoke simultaneously in all the languages of the world.

The Wedding

For thousands of years the Jewish people have been celebrating the biblical feast of Shavuot as the 'Festival of the Giving of the Torah.' The remembrance of the Mount Sinai event is treated like the wedding anniversary between God and Israel. On Pentecost in the Synagogue today, a wedding contract between God and Israel is read. The actual Torah scroll is dressed in white like a bride's gown. The whole congregation recites the Ten Commandments together. The story of Exodus 19 and 20 is read aloud to the congregation. Pentecost is celebrated as a wedding anniversary for God and His bride--the anniversary of the fire on the mountain when God's voice spoke in all languages of the world and was visible as torches of fire that came to 'every Jew individually.'

The Spirit of the Law

In Acts chapter two, Peter and the other disciples were gathered to celebrate Shavuot. The Holy Spirit fell upon them in the form of flames of fire, and these torches of fire came to rest on each individual disciple. To the average Jew familiar with Jewish tradition, the miracle would clearly point to the legend of God's fiery voice at Mount Sinai! In addition, after receiving this fiery spirit, the disciples found themselves proclaiming the Gospel in every language. (In Hebrew, the same word is used for 'tongues' and for 'languages'.) The miracle of speaking in all languages is another definite allusion to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Whether or not one can prove Sinai's legendary 70 languages or the fiery words as actually happening is not important. It is important, however, to remember that Peter and the disciples and followers of Yeshua were all very aware of the Shavuot legends. They would have known the story of the giving of the Torah. They would have known the story of the words of fire resting on each individual. They would have known the story of God's voice speaking to all mankind in every language. Therefore, the miracles, signs and wonders that came upon them in Acts chapter two carried deep significance. The tongues of fire and the speaking in every tongue were both direct allusions to the Mount Sinai wedding experience and the receiving of the Torah.

Shavuot draws a line of connection between Exodus 19 and Acts chapter 2. The festival superimposes the giving of the Spirit in Jerusalem over the giving of the Torah at Sinai. The two events are forever inseparably linked. This link creates a profound theological implication for believers.

Ezekiel the prophet foresaw this when God declared through him, "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." (Ezekiel 36:27) Jeremiah the prophet foresaw this when God declared through him, "Behold, I will make a New Covenant...I will put My Torah within them and on their heart I will write it, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jeremiah 31:33) Thus the Spirit of God within us and the Torah of God must agree. Both are from the same, unchanging God. The Holy Spirit was given to us in order to place the Torah within our hearts. He is at work within us, transforming us into a bride worthy of her betrothed. As our hearts ache for righteousness and yearn after the commandments of God, we can be confident that His Spirit is at work within us.

Another interesting article for your consideration!

“Screwtape on Four Easy ways to kill a Church Plant” By David L. Watson
An article originally appearing on the Church Multiplication Associates Website
Adapted by Robin J. Dugall

“Ok, they are not from Screwtape, but they sure sound like they are.” That’s the opening statement of the author of this article from the CMA. “Screwtape” is a reference to CS Lewis’ masterful book, The Screwtape Letters in which a “senior tempter” gives advice to his “junior tempter nephew” on how to trip up followers of Jesus (individually and collectively). In reading this article, it occurred to me that some of the principles/truths communicated could make good fodder for contemplation and reflection in terms of how we communicate and teach disciples of Jesus about how God calls them to a lifestyle of mission. Truth is - what “kills” a church plant is what kills a church…maybe we need to take a peak at these points and take them seriously.

1. Establish a "Come To" environment, instead of a "Go To" environment.

Many church-starts (ed. Note – and churches/congregations) begin by going to a new community, but then set up a building for people "come to" in order to find God or Community or ... you fill in the blank. Going doesn't stop until we are staying in homes, transforming individuals, families and communities. See Matthew 10, Luke 9, and Luke 10.

2. Make Converts, instead of Disciples.

Most churches are concerned with convincing people to believe like they do and adopt the church's peculiar doctrine - making converts. A disciple is one who believes like Jesus does and gives his or her life to be like Jesus and help others to find Jesus and become like Him. Converts are about a brand of church or denomination. Disciples are about obediently following the Master regardless of consequences. No one wants our religion, or our style of worship, or our doctrines. Almost everyone wants to be a follower of God, a disciple of Jesus without the crud we have added in the modern church. Yes, there are some who will come to our churches. What about the 80-90% who will never darken the door of a traditional church? They will refuse to become converts. They may respond to the becoming disciples of the Creator of the Universe.

3. Grow Churches, instead of establishing new churches.

I am frequently asked to consult with churches who are interested in starting new work. The first question I ask is, "Are you interested in growing your church, or in reaching your community for Christ?" Many people see these as the same. They are not. Growing a church is about getting more people to come to the church. The reality is that no single church appeals to even a miniscule part of society. Churches have personalities, and these personalities click with only a few. So, if you start out to simply grow a church, there is a limit to how many people can be reached, simply because most people will have zero interest in the church.

On the other hand, if you start out to reach a community, regardless of whether or not the new believers will come to any particular church, numerous churches with just the right personalities for new believers will be initiated. In the course of all these new groups being starting, the catalytic church or churches will grow.

One can't reach a community by trying to grow a church. But, if one reaches the community by all means available, the church that does this will grow.

4. Teach stuff, instead of obedience to all the commands of Christ.

One of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages of the Bible is Matthew 28:18-20. Ask people, sometime, what this passage tells us to teach. I think you will be surprised by the number of people who will not say, "to obey." Most of our churches, and most of our doctrines, are about teaching facts or knowledge about the Bible or theology or doctrine, or our own particular brand of church.

We will not see significant church planting until and unless we are willing to teach everyone to obey all the commands of Christ, our Creator and God. How does one teach obedience? By being consistently obedient in public and in private, in word and in thought. Obedience is taught by an obedient life that supports daily life decisions from the principles of God's Word regardless of the consequences. A faithful life is an obedient life in all situations and circumstances regardless of the consequences of being obedient.

The Great Commission is one commission with four parts or commands. If any one of these commands is not obeyed, then the commission is broken and will not produced the fruit that God intended - obedient Disciples and Churches.

An interesting article on the "De-Churched"

If you are like me, you are curious (if not simply frustrated) about the statistics you read regarding the state of the "Church" (especially in our denomination). Numbers aren't looking good...I was told that in 2010 the NW district is anticipating the closing of 10 congregations. Most congregations are losing more members than gaining. In many of my conversations with friends, acquaintances, and people I meet in the community, I am sensing and hearing that there are more people who "confess" some level of spiritual interest (if not out and out commitment) but NO interest in the organized church. Well, many others from a plethora of Christian backgrounds are asking similar questions as we - who are these "Un-churched" types? Are there things we need to hear from them regarding how they perceive the Church? And is there critique valid?

A friend of mine from Canada is pursuing his doctorate in missiology and recently wrote an article on his blog regarding the "De-Churched". I thought you might find it interesting and that it might provoke you to some new thoughts, prayers and discussions:

“Church leavers” by Len Hjalmarson

On March 16, 2010 Skye Jethani posted at Out of Ur on the De-Churched. Who are they? What is this all about anyway? How come so many believers are suddenly not attending meetings on a Sunday morning? Are they just a bunch of self-centered, disloyal, unsubmissive, I’d-rather-watch-football, un-disciples of Jesus?

Having been a de-churched believer myself for an extended period of time, but never having stopped following Jesus, I have my own take on the answer. But I’ve also had many helpful conversations over the years, and picked up small tidbits here and there. About four years ago I met Barb Orlowski, a Jesus-follower processing her own thoughts and feelings around all this. Barb was in the doctoral cohort a year ahead of me at ACTS. It was only a year and a bit before that when I had come across Alan Jamieson’s research work on church-leavers in New Zealand.

In The Present Future, leadership and spirituality author Reggie McNeal wrote, “A growing number of people are leaving the institutional church for a new reason. They are not leaving because they have lost their faith. They are leaving to preserve their faith.”

What in the world? Talk about cognitive dissonance. Why would someone leave church to “preserve” his or her faith? In the same book McNeal opined,

“I say we have a church in North America that is more secular than the culture. Just when the church adopted a business model, the culture went looking for God. Just when the church embraced strategic planning (linear and Newtonian), the universe shifted to preparedness (loopy and quantum). Just when the church began building recreation centers, [or theaters], the culture began a search for the sacred. Church people still think that secularism holds sway and that people outside the church have trouble connecting to God. The problem is that when people come to church, expecting to find God, they often encounter a religious club holding a meeting where God is conspicuously absent. It may feel like a self-help seminar or even a political rally. But if pre-Christians came expecting to find God. sorry! They may experience more spiritual energy at a U2 concert or listening to a Creed CD.”

If this is true, then, “Houston, we have a problem!” Could it be that one of the dynamics we are seeing in this new exodus has to do with a broken human institution and many broken leaders? Could it be that our typical assumption that God is active within the fortress but absent in the culture around us was just plain mistaken? Sure it could. These are some of the dynamics operative in the huge and growing exodus. But it doesn’t fully explain what we are seeing, and it certainly doesn’t offer a clear sense of the implications. We have to scratch a bit harder to clarify this fuzzy picture.

On the “Out of Ur” blog in March and April of this year, Skye Jethani (of Leadership Journal) wrote two articles on the “De-Churched”. Skye makes a nice beginning for us in his March article. He starts out by making a critique that Tozer would have strongly approved. He uses a video clip from Matt Chandler, who attributes the exodus of young people to the proclamation (explicitly or implicitly) of a false gospel of “moralistic deism.” This is essentially the “health and wealth” gospel, but founded on moralism. If you obey God’s rules he will bless you with what you desire. But as Skye points out, this becomes a problem when the blessing doesn’t come—or doesn’t come in the form we want. Moreover, the theology here is deeply skewed. It makes God into a mechanism and faith into a technique. I do A so God will do B. No personal majestic Creator necessary in this formula.

Skye agrees with Matt, but only partly. There is at least one more group of de-churched Christians. They haven’t walked away from faith in Christ, but have lost confidence in the institutional structures and programmatic trappings of the church. For them the institutional church is distracting, a drain on time, resources, and energy better spent on mission. Instead of supporting incarnational attempts, it extracts people from their missional contexts into endless meetings and political wranglings. It provides religious goods and services (see the first complaint above) without teaching us how to really worship. It bids us come – but not come and die (Bonhoeffer).

Skye breaks this group of de-churched down into two groups. I’ll use his terms but then characterize then my own way. Skye sees the relationally de-churched (“The church is a machine; it doesn’t know what to do with people”), and the missionally de-churched (“The church bids me come when I think I’m actually supposed to be ‘going’ out on mission.”) He breaks this second group down one more time into the “transformationally de-churched.” This third group would be closer to the group that make up the urban mission that is at the core of our METRO community. We have seen the enemy, and it is us. When we get involved with people in recovery, we discovery a raw edge to faith that makes it very difficult to sit through the heavily programmed, neat and tidy, everything by the timer, sanitized approach to meetings that is typical of large western churches.

But Skye leaves out one group in his exploration and misses one of the nuances. At least one more category is needed, and Alan Jamieson supplies it in his research and interviews among de-churched believers in New Zealand. This additional category relates to the quotes from Reg McNeal, which I offered above. It has some elements in common with the relationally de-churched and the transformationally de-churched in that there is just something about the institutional and programmatic approach to meetings that has stopped working for these people. But the problems go deeper than that. Alan identifies this group as only a sociologist would (shades of the work of James Fowler) as “reflective exiles.” Here is his description.

“For this group of leavers.. leaving is typically a process which occurs over a long period of time, perhaps 18 months or more. This process of moving away from the church begins gradually with feelings of unease, a sense of irrelevancy between church and what happens in other important areas of their lives, and a reducing sense of fit and belonging to the church community and its ‘faith package’. The gateway through which this group leave the church I have called Meta-grumbles. They are [questioning] the deep rooted foundations of the faith itself. The faith of the Reflective Exiles can be characterized as counter-dependent. When I asked this group of leavers what nurtures their faith now the most common response was “It certainly isn’t . . . ” followed by some description of aspects of [established church]. Secondly, the Reflective Exiles are engaged in a deconstruction of their previous faith. That is, they are engaged in a process of taking to pieces the faith they had received, accepted and acted within for so many years. To do so is personally a very destabilizing process for them, as their faith has been an important part of their worldview, the foundation of important life decisions and an integral part of their sense of selfhood. They are involved in an ongoing reflective process which involves a reevaluation of each component of their faith.”

What is striking about this description is that it frames the church leavers as people on a journey. Historically and in the tradition of Christian spirituality, we might use the term “desert journey” or “pilgrimage” to describe the movement that has placed this group outside traditional structures. This begs the question of whether this journey is actually a response to an inner call, a response to the Spirit? (I asked Alan Roxburgh about the inner journey in its relation to disengaging from traditional forms in an interview in 2007).

Alan describes a second group that is similar to Reflective Exiles, calling this group “Transitional Explorers.” He writes that, “The transitional faith interviewees displayed an emerging sense of ownership of their faith. This is shown in a confidence of faith, a clear decision to move from a deconstruction of the received faith to an appropriation of some elements of the old faith whilst giving energy to building a new self-owned faith.”

It doesn’t take a psychologist or therapist or a Scott Peck aficionado to recognize that both the Reflective Exiles and the Transitional Explorers are on a faith journey, an individuating process that was somehow restricted by their involvement in a faith community. Like adolescents, they had to somehow “leave home” in order to make their faith and their lives their own. Some of these will complete this work in a new setting (transitions require liminal space) and then reengage at a different level. This describes my own process in the last ten years quite accurately. From here Alan describes a final category that is also part of this journey, “Integrated Wayfinders.” But it’s probably more useful for me to move on and make another connection.

One of the surprising results of the research for Alan was discovering that for the majority of leavers (65% of those interviewed) this was not a solo journey but one which involved them in groups of people in similar faith transitions. Even more interesting is the possibility that leaving church can be a step in healing and growth for some. Andrew Pritchard runs the de-churched through the grid of Fowler’s “stages of spiritual growth”.

The classic work on “spiritual stages,” (other than perhaps the Enneagram) is Fowler’s work. He describes the third stage of faith development as “Synthetic-Conventional” faith. The transition from this stage to the next, “Individuative-Reflective” faith, is described like this: “”For a genuine move to stage 4 to occur there must be an interruption of reliance on external sources of authority. The ‘tyranny of the they’- or the potential for it – must be undermined. In addition to the kind of critical reflection on one’s previous system . . . of values . . . there must be . . . a relocation of authority within the self.” According to Fowler the strength of stage 4 has to do with its capacity for critical reflection on identity (self) and outlook (ideology).

Pritchard’s article is helpful. It reframes at least some of the process of leaving church with the hope that God is active here too. God father’s us not only in traditional structures, but on the road, on the journey, wherever it takes us. As I close this short reflection, I am thinking of the wisdom of Bonhoeffer in Life Together.

“Let him who cannot be alone beware of being in community.”
“Let him who cannot be in community beware of being alone.”

New book I'm looking forward to reading...

I have a friend who is a professor at a seminary...no, not one that is located in St. Louis or Ft. Wayne...one of those "others". He told me about a new book on pastoral ministry that I've ordered and look forward to reading - he said to me, "if you are total pragmatist when it comes to ministry, you won't like this book. If you are a theologian-pastor type, you may well love Andrew Purves, The Resurrection of Ministry: Serving in the Hope of the Risen Lord." Well, that alone got me curious! He said this one takes us from Good Friday, coaxes us away from dwelling in a Holy Saturday ministry, and invites us into a Resurrection theology that can reshape ministry. Interesting! He told me, the book must be read slowly to savor the theology, but then he did me a favor and highlighted the steps that Purves walks through for the pastoral theology that dwells in the resurrection...frankly, looks like some steps that I might want to visit! What do you think? Here is the list...

• Focus on Jesus
• Rewrite the roadmap of ministry
• Become a theologian
• Learn how the Lord works
• Put ascension day back in place
• Sharpen the edge (use present tense for Jesus etc)
• Come to terms with a risen, but hidden, Jesus
• Become martyrs
• Turn your eyes upon Jesus
• Insert Trinitarian words into your liturgical expressions
• Trust in the resurrected Lord that your ministry is accepted by God
• Let resurrection faith resist evil
• Declare in your preaching; preach with conviction
• Ministry practices the atonement
• Ministry moves also from Easter into Good Friday: crucifixion is praxis.
• Intentionally celebrate joyfully
• Ministry is a joy
• Celebrate funerals in the mood of Easter
• Liturgies of forgiveness can be reshaped

And now a quote from someone you wouldn't expect...

His father died of the plague during the 17th century in England...he was a leader of the "non-conformists" (a.k.a. the Puritans)...he was an ordained Presbyterian clergyman...his name is John Flavel. Here's a quote of his I ran into the other day when I was doing some reading. It is quite good and has very practical implications:

"Would you like to test whether this or that doctrine is from the Spirit of Christ or not? Examine it by this rule: whatever doctrine you find to encourage and countenance sin, to exalt self, to be accommodating to the world’s designs, and that bends to the humors and lusts of men, you may safely reject. Whatever doctrine makes those who profess it to be carnal, proud, and sensual, you may safely conclude never came from Jesus Christ. The doctrines of Christ lead to godliness; his truth sanctifies. Do not swallow anything, even if it comes ever so dearly, that does not have some relish of Christ and holiness in it."

Discipleship...read and then jump in!

I think we have gotten discipleship wrong and it is time to regain and then unleash the forgotten ways of what it means to follow Jesus. When some people talk about discipleship, they define it in primarily "privatistic" terms...as if being a disciple of Jesus is epitomized in a person's life as "private territory". Some describe discipleship as something that exclusively emerges out of a person's belief system, or that which is seen solely in an individual's devotional life (prayer, bible reading, quiet times, etc.)...for others it has to do with what a person "learns" about Jesus via doctrinal, apologetic, or theological exploration as if the more knowledge one has about God the more of a disciple they become. There is a problem with that though - cognition, mental assent, and doctrinal sophistication where never meant to be measurements of discipleship. Trust me...there is nothing wrong with knowing more about God and knowing God more. That should be one of the prime passions of every Christ follower. Rather what did (at least biblically) define discipleship was how the follower of Jesus responded in and through their lifestyle to the invitation to participate in the movement of God’s life in the world. Make no mistake about it - there is a difference between being a "believer" and a "disciple"...they are not synonymous. Belief does not necessarily mean action...belief can lead and should lead to action. Discipleship assumes belief but primarily means action. Because of that, discipleship is best clarified in our lives by how much of the life and passions of Jesus are imitated in our daily experience. Jesus defines the disciple’s existence as we share in his divine nature and lifestyle. In many respects, it is the role of the Holy Spirit to call, choose, empower, "bless with every spiritual blessing" and then UNLEASH the disciple that exists within each follower of Jesus.

Below are some "ideas" of what discipleship can "live like" in someone who claims Jesus as Lord:

"So then, you will know them by their fruits" (Jesus in Matthew 7)

* Disciples don't necessarily just have principles that they are willing to die for...they also have a list of practices that mark their lives.
* Disciples see each moment as one with an opportunity to be filled by Jesus - they sacramentalize each moment.
* Disciples receive with a thankful heart and know what it means to worship God by giving things away.
* Disciples are gripped by the things that are gripped by grace.
* Disciples live out the significance Jesus placed on the gathering/community of His people, what is called the Body of Christ, as being the hope of the world.
* Disciples know the difference between a "please, God" and "please God" prayer.
* Disciples approach living for the Kingdom of God not as obligation but as an adventure.
* Disciples know the difference between their effort, knowledge, experience, and energy and the potential that fills them when they are able to tap into the ultimate power-source, gift-releaser - the Holy Spirit.
* Disciples are not into volunteerism because they know that Jesus calls them into servant leadership and dedicated, humble service to God.
* Disciples understand the mystery of God and knowing that only by living the mystery will they understand what life is all about.
* Disciples know that having "eyes to see and ears to hear" has to do with being on the lookout for the movement of God in every moment of life.
* Disciples know that Jesus calls them to be the Church more than He does to go to church.
* Disciples know that God is not through with them yet and that their life would be best lived with a sign around their neck, "under construction".
* Disciples know that listening and loving is just as powerful, if not more powerful, than sharing their faith.
* Disciples realize that prayer has more to do with their transformation than it does with getting God to do something.
* Disciples know that when they are in the presence of one or more other disciples that the power of God is waiting in the wings.
* Disciples know that there is a difference between being hearers and doers of the Word.
* Disciples know that in the midst of every human contact there is the potential of a Divine appointment.
* Disciples live out the reality that discipleship for them means discipling others who will in turn disciple others who will in turn... In other words, Disciples understand that every person they come in contact with is "fair game" for discipling.
* Disciples love expressions of worship but understand that true worship is embodied in the phrase, "living sacrifice".
* Disciples know in their heart the cost of discipleship and that discipleship continues to cost.

How about you? You have any additions? How about some phrases that YOU can add to the list? Post a comment and we'll continue to build on what it means for us to be Disciples/Followers of Jesus.