I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New Hope
In my work at a mental health center I have built relationships with people in the community who seem to have lost all hope. They live in the margins of society, struggling through poverty and despair. Their families are broken and divided by divorce and torn relationships. Children write letters to their parents in jail. Teens are forced to become adults because their mothers are too drunk to care. Fear, anxiety, and depression grips their lives. Chaos is the only lifestyle they know.
Yet, in the midst of this darkness, I see clearly the light of God. Let me share a few of these stories:
A few months ago I was visiting with one of my clients, a 15 year-old girl. Her mother is an alcoholic who is unable to maintain a job, and her relationship with her father is nearly non-existent. This girl and her mother eek a living from monthly child-support and welfare checks. One day as I as visiting with this girl, I listened as she vented her frustration and anger towards her mother, her father, her older brother, her grandmother, and even her friends. Her life has been filled with so much disappointment and broken promises. She has never had a relationship in which she felt fully loved and accepted. In fact, she firmly believes that she, herself, is a disappointment to everyone she knows because they do not love her, and that she can depend on no one but herself. As I listened to her story and her pain, I began telling her about Jesus and how much He loves her. Tears sprang to her eyes and for one instant I glimpsed the possibility of hope. But, nearly as quickly, the doubts took over. "How do I know?" She could not trust that Someone would truly love her and accept her just as she is.
I have not returned to this conversation since then, but I know that hope is blooming. We talk often of her dream to go to college and become a writer. You see, even though she has grown up in a home of pain and brokenness, God is creating her to be a beautiful young woman. I am sure that He will use her for a special purpose some day.
Another of my clients is a 13 year-old girl. She just recently moved into a new apartment with her mother and younger sister after living for several months in a homeless shelter. Previously the family had been living with her step-father and younger step-brother until her mother and step-father separated. She visits with her biological father often, but has never had a relationship with a steadfast, positive, father-figure. She constantly battles depression and low self-esteem. She attempts to gain attention and acceptance from males through very inappropriate dress and behavior, and unfortunately she has learned this from her mother. Yet, the family has now turned to the church to find the meaning for their lives that they've been seeking.
One more of my clients is an 12 year-old boy who lives with his mother and two half-brothers. This boy and his 15 year-old brother have been court-ordered to attend therapy after they broke into a local convenience store several months ago. He aces all his classes at school but has been placed in a constricted classroom because he can't sit still for more than 10 minutes and refuses to accept any authority. During the summer he stays at home by himself while his mother and older brother work. In the evenings he either helps care for his 2 year-old brother or runs freely around the neighborhood while his mother drinks until she can't stand up. His visits with his father are normally spent frequenting the local bars. And he thinks this is normal. But last week this boy was able to go to a week-long camp hosted by a church. When he returned he could barely contain his excitement to tell his therapist and I of everything he did, even singing some of the hymns he learned.
These are just three of many, many stories of lives shattered by pain. And yet there is hope. There is new life blooming in the midst of the brokenness. There is light shining through the darkness. That light is the unfailing love of God reaching out to bring his children home. It is my dream to one day build a sanctuary for these people. A place where their physical and emotional needs are readily met. A place where they can come and find hope and healing. A place where they will be loved and valued. But most of all, a place where they will find Jesus.
Yet, in the midst of this darkness, I see clearly the light of God. Let me share a few of these stories:
A few months ago I was visiting with one of my clients, a 15 year-old girl. Her mother is an alcoholic who is unable to maintain a job, and her relationship with her father is nearly non-existent. This girl and her mother eek a living from monthly child-support and welfare checks. One day as I as visiting with this girl, I listened as she vented her frustration and anger towards her mother, her father, her older brother, her grandmother, and even her friends. Her life has been filled with so much disappointment and broken promises. She has never had a relationship in which she felt fully loved and accepted. In fact, she firmly believes that she, herself, is a disappointment to everyone she knows because they do not love her, and that she can depend on no one but herself. As I listened to her story and her pain, I began telling her about Jesus and how much He loves her. Tears sprang to her eyes and for one instant I glimpsed the possibility of hope. But, nearly as quickly, the doubts took over. "How do I know?" She could not trust that Someone would truly love her and accept her just as she is.
I have not returned to this conversation since then, but I know that hope is blooming. We talk often of her dream to go to college and become a writer. You see, even though she has grown up in a home of pain and brokenness, God is creating her to be a beautiful young woman. I am sure that He will use her for a special purpose some day.
Another of my clients is a 13 year-old girl. She just recently moved into a new apartment with her mother and younger sister after living for several months in a homeless shelter. Previously the family had been living with her step-father and younger step-brother until her mother and step-father separated. She visits with her biological father often, but has never had a relationship with a steadfast, positive, father-figure. She constantly battles depression and low self-esteem. She attempts to gain attention and acceptance from males through very inappropriate dress and behavior, and unfortunately she has learned this from her mother. Yet, the family has now turned to the church to find the meaning for their lives that they've been seeking.
One more of my clients is an 12 year-old boy who lives with his mother and two half-brothers. This boy and his 15 year-old brother have been court-ordered to attend therapy after they broke into a local convenience store several months ago. He aces all his classes at school but has been placed in a constricted classroom because he can't sit still for more than 10 minutes and refuses to accept any authority. During the summer he stays at home by himself while his mother and older brother work. In the evenings he either helps care for his 2 year-old brother or runs freely around the neighborhood while his mother drinks until she can't stand up. His visits with his father are normally spent frequenting the local bars. And he thinks this is normal. But last week this boy was able to go to a week-long camp hosted by a church. When he returned he could barely contain his excitement to tell his therapist and I of everything he did, even singing some of the hymns he learned.
These are just three of many, many stories of lives shattered by pain. And yet there is hope. There is new life blooming in the midst of the brokenness. There is light shining through the darkness. That light is the unfailing love of God reaching out to bring his children home. It is my dream to one day build a sanctuary for these people. A place where their physical and emotional needs are readily met. A place where they can come and find hope and healing. A place where they will be loved and valued. But most of all, a place where they will find Jesus.
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Church
Tonight the Vision Team of my church met to process how we've heard God calling Glade (quite loudly too) to move forward. A large part of our discussion was centered around the strengths of our outreach and the importance of small groups in the growth of our church. Several examples were mentioned of churches who were based on small groups, rather than the gathering of the larger body for Sunday morning worship, and how they've grown. One example was the Meserete Kristos Church (previously Ethiopian Mennonite Church) in Ethiopia. The church began out of a Mennonite missions work and was forced to go underground when the communists took power over Ethiopia. The church met in homes in groups no larger than 7, worshiping, praying, fellowshiping and communing together. After 20 years what had been a church of 5,000 became a church of 50,000. In 2004 MKC was a community of nearly 250,000 with an annual growth rate of 12.5%. (Wikipedia.org) It is churches like Meserete Kristos who embody the community of the first century Christians, and even the early Anabaptists. In these churches Christ is clearly alive and moving.
I'm wondering what a 21st century church would look like if it were completely shaped around the model of the church described in Acts. The key quality seems to be small groups, or house churches. The first Church met primarily in homes in smaller groups, and then met in a larger gathering to celebrate the life that was occuring in the house churches. The Church was not a place, but a people.
Another key aspect was that their small groups were centered around discipleship and spiritual formation. These groups prayed together, walked together, learned together, and grew together. New members were taken under-wing and adopted into the family, and rigorously discipled into the community of faith. Their time together was not only about fellowshiping together or even worshiping together, though both were a very large part. These groups met together to learn this new way of life that Jesus had taught, and how to walk with God in the world they were in.
A third key was their attention to the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs. The book of Acts tells how the congregations shared all of their possessions and resources, keeping nothing for themselves. Everyone was equal and no one went without a need met. The Church was a family, rather than an institution.
A fourth element was their tradition of sharing the Lord's Supper together at every meeting. The church consiously created a space for Christ to enter into their worship, just as they would another member of the group coming to join them. It was habbit to seek out the presence of God in their lives and in each other.
So what would Glade look like if the First Century church became the new 21st Century church? Rather than having the primary worship gathering on Sunday mornings in the churchhouse, the church would worship, fellowship and disciple together separated in small groups. And the members of these groups would come with a desire to learn and grow together.
What if the Church became a place where people knew that their needs would be met, no matter what they were? Glade is already providing for a need through the Angel Food ministry. How can we continue to meet needs? Maybe opening a community sharing table for garden produce, or a store where you can buy something you need with something you don't need. With the rising gas prices, why don't we carpool to church? I can almost guarantee that that would also lead to the return of the old tradition of sharing Sunday dinner with church families. The need for a nursery ministry during the worship service was mentioned tonight at our meeting. Imagine, if you will, a Church where not only did people bring ministry to their work, but they brought their work to the Church. This may just be a crazy idea, but what if the Church was where people came to see the doctor, or to get their car fixed, or to build their house, or to get their education? What if the Church was not a place, but a community?
And what if at the center of this community was the light of Christ, shining brightly to reach the world with His love and grace? I can guarantee that this church would not be contained within the walls of a building on 5011 Accident Bittinger Road. And I can guarantee you that this church would change this community. This is the Church of Christ.
A few months ago I wrote a paper on the topic of the Church for a scholarship application that ran along these same ideas. I'd like to conclude this entry with the conclusion of that paper-
As in Jeremiah’s vision of the potter shaping the clay as it seemed best to him, molding it, changing it, even breaking it, so too is Christ shaping His Church. He is calling the Body to return to the image of the first Church, a community of passion, grace, hope and service. The Church is called to remain steadfast in the mission to preach the Gospel until all peoples and all nations have had an opportunity to know salvation. The Church is called to embody Jesus’ teachings and live in righteousness, in “right relationship” with God. A renewed movement is needed to call the people to Truth. The Body of Christ is called to be the hands and feet, the ears and eyes, of Christ, to humbly kneel in order to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. The Church is called to stand as Jesus did, with open arms ready to love and walk with all who accept Him. The Church is called to be a sanctuary for the lost and broken, lighting the Way to the fulfillment, purpose, and joy of an intimate, personal relationship with Christ. The Church is called to be united once again as one body, serving one purpose, living one faith, and fulfilling one mission. And with Christ as the head, this Body will continue eternally as the Bride of Christ.
I'm wondering what a 21st century church would look like if it were completely shaped around the model of the church described in Acts. The key quality seems to be small groups, or house churches. The first Church met primarily in homes in smaller groups, and then met in a larger gathering to celebrate the life that was occuring in the house churches. The Church was not a place, but a people.
Another key aspect was that their small groups were centered around discipleship and spiritual formation. These groups prayed together, walked together, learned together, and grew together. New members were taken under-wing and adopted into the family, and rigorously discipled into the community of faith. Their time together was not only about fellowshiping together or even worshiping together, though both were a very large part. These groups met together to learn this new way of life that Jesus had taught, and how to walk with God in the world they were in.
A third key was their attention to the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs. The book of Acts tells how the congregations shared all of their possessions and resources, keeping nothing for themselves. Everyone was equal and no one went without a need met. The Church was a family, rather than an institution.
A fourth element was their tradition of sharing the Lord's Supper together at every meeting. The church consiously created a space for Christ to enter into their worship, just as they would another member of the group coming to join them. It was habbit to seek out the presence of God in their lives and in each other.
So what would Glade look like if the First Century church became the new 21st Century church? Rather than having the primary worship gathering on Sunday mornings in the churchhouse, the church would worship, fellowship and disciple together separated in small groups. And the members of these groups would come with a desire to learn and grow together.
What if the Church became a place where people knew that their needs would be met, no matter what they were? Glade is already providing for a need through the Angel Food ministry. How can we continue to meet needs? Maybe opening a community sharing table for garden produce, or a store where you can buy something you need with something you don't need. With the rising gas prices, why don't we carpool to church? I can almost guarantee that that would also lead to the return of the old tradition of sharing Sunday dinner with church families. The need for a nursery ministry during the worship service was mentioned tonight at our meeting. Imagine, if you will, a Church where not only did people bring ministry to their work, but they brought their work to the Church. This may just be a crazy idea, but what if the Church was where people came to see the doctor, or to get their car fixed, or to build their house, or to get their education? What if the Church was not a place, but a community?
And what if at the center of this community was the light of Christ, shining brightly to reach the world with His love and grace? I can guarantee that this church would not be contained within the walls of a building on 5011 Accident Bittinger Road. And I can guarantee you that this church would change this community. This is the Church of Christ.
A few months ago I wrote a paper on the topic of the Church for a scholarship application that ran along these same ideas. I'd like to conclude this entry with the conclusion of that paper-
As in Jeremiah’s vision of the potter shaping the clay as it seemed best to him, molding it, changing it, even breaking it, so too is Christ shaping His Church. He is calling the Body to return to the image of the first Church, a community of passion, grace, hope and service. The Church is called to remain steadfast in the mission to preach the Gospel until all peoples and all nations have had an opportunity to know salvation. The Church is called to embody Jesus’ teachings and live in righteousness, in “right relationship” with God. A renewed movement is needed to call the people to Truth. The Body of Christ is called to be the hands and feet, the ears and eyes, of Christ, to humbly kneel in order to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. The Church is called to stand as Jesus did, with open arms ready to love and walk with all who accept Him. The Church is called to be a sanctuary for the lost and broken, lighting the Way to the fulfillment, purpose, and joy of an intimate, personal relationship with Christ. The Church is called to be united once again as one body, serving one purpose, living one faith, and fulfilling one mission. And with Christ as the head, this Body will continue eternally as the Bride of Christ.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Standing on the bank of the river Jordan (part 2)
My last post was part of a journal entry I wrote a week ago. After hearing comments from several people, and thinking more about the parallels between the Israelites and our church, I feel compelled to post the rest of my journal entry and even add to it.
...And as I stand here, on the bank of the river Jordan, I ask myself "Which of these am I?".
At first I think I am one of those who are ready to go and cross the river. I am on the Vision Team, working to discern the future of the church. I am one of the leaders of Glade. I have a dream for this people, and have spent hours talking with others about how God is leading us. I know what awaits us on the other side of the river (or at least I can imagine it) and I want to go there.
Or do I? As I stand here looking down on these waters, I realize that I am not ready to take that step forward. I, too, hold back. I am afraid, mostly, that we will not be able to cross the river. Some may. But not all. I am afraid that we will become separated. Our family, our people, will become broken by the changes and the ensuing hurt and conflict. I am afraid that we will stumble and fall,. we will lose our way, and we will fail. So, I think, that I would rather stay here where I am comfortable, and where I will not have to endure that pain and conflict, where I will not fail.
But then I wonder, will we remain comfortable here? Will we avoid completely pain and conflict and failure if we stay here? Or will we continue to wander in circles, and continue to return to the bank of the river Jordan, until we are ready to follow and cross over into the land that God is leading us? And I wonder if we are making this too difficult for ourselves. Why don't we just forget our fears and lay down our burdens, and cross the river? A little like taking off a Bandaid. You know it's going to hurt and you really don't want to do it. But if you do it really fast and don't look, it doesn't hurt as bad and it's soon over. But crossing a river is not like taking off a Bandaid. You can't do it fast and you do have to watch where you are going. To cross a river you have to move forward one step at a time.
Are we able to take that first step? Are we ready to look away from the waters and rocks, and keep our eyes on God? Are we ready to step out of our comfort zone and leave behind our fears and burdens to go to the land God has promised us? Can we trust God completely to lead us and care for us? Can we trust him to heal our pain from the past? Can we trust him with our fears and doubts and uncertainties? Can we trust that we are not grasshoppers, but that we are created in God's image and that we are great, because in Christ all things are possible? Can we trust that if we do stumble and fall or lose our way, for we are not perfect, that God will be there to catch us and lead us back to His way? Can we take that first step into the river Jordan?
Can I? Can you?
As I have continued to walk with this story this week I have been repeatedly reminded that standing on the bank of the Jordan was not the end of the story. The people of Israel did take that step into the river to cross into the Promised Land. And the moment that the priests placed their feet into the rushing waters was the same moment that God revealed His power. The roaring waters were stopped, the river was dry until the foot of the last Israelite to cross over stepped onto the ground of the Promised Land. Yes, taking that first step was difficult. They spent 50 years getting up the courage to stick their toes in. But after Israel chose to trust and follow, God did all the rest. And so he will do with the people of Glade.
But notice what stood in the middle of the Jordan as the people crossed- the Ark of the Covenant. And notice what guided the people each day as they journeyed to the Promised Land- the pillar of God. The Israelites were able to cross the Jordan only when the presence of God was at their center. When they looked at the river and the giants on the other side, they failed miserably. But when they looked fully on the Spirit of God moving before them, that was when they were able to follow.
And so too is the Spirit of God moving before Glade. Over the course of a month we have joined together in a visioning retreat, welcomed eight new brothers and sisters in baptism, called a woman to serve as elder through the lot, and installed a new pastor. I have listened to, and joined in, vibrant conversations dreaming about what our congregation can become. God is indeed moving among us, stirring things up, and calling us to break camp and move forward. I no longer believe that we are facing a question of "if", but "when". And perhaps we have already taken that first step of faith into the river.
But in order to become the Church that God desires us to be we must create a church where Christ is the true center, a church who is guided solely by the Spirit of God, and a congregation who seeks the living presence of God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. That is not to say that Christ is not the center of Glade, or that we do not follow the Spirit of God, or that we do not seek the presence of God. But I believe God is calling us to become more, else we would not be hungering as we are.
Like the Israelites, we are looking at the giants and the river we must cross. And we are afraid. Yet if we would move our eyes to the living presence of God moving among us, we would see that the river is already dry and the giants are already defeated. As a congregation we must first create space to listen to the voice of God, to see the hand of God, and to feel the everlasting, overwhelmingly powerful love of God, in our worship, in our fellowship, and in our service. This must come before forming the new programs, or starting the new projects, or beginning the new buildings. For it is only when our eyes are filled with the face of God that the fears, doubts, worries, and uncertainties fade away. It is only then that we are able to take each step and walk faithfully. It is only then that we are able to cross the river Jordan into the land that He has prepared for us.
...And as I stand here, on the bank of the river Jordan, I ask myself "Which of these am I?".
At first I think I am one of those who are ready to go and cross the river. I am on the Vision Team, working to discern the future of the church. I am one of the leaders of Glade. I have a dream for this people, and have spent hours talking with others about how God is leading us. I know what awaits us on the other side of the river (or at least I can imagine it) and I want to go there.
Or do I? As I stand here looking down on these waters, I realize that I am not ready to take that step forward. I, too, hold back. I am afraid, mostly, that we will not be able to cross the river. Some may. But not all. I am afraid that we will become separated. Our family, our people, will become broken by the changes and the ensuing hurt and conflict. I am afraid that we will stumble and fall,. we will lose our way, and we will fail. So, I think, that I would rather stay here where I am comfortable, and where I will not have to endure that pain and conflict, where I will not fail.
But then I wonder, will we remain comfortable here? Will we avoid completely pain and conflict and failure if we stay here? Or will we continue to wander in circles, and continue to return to the bank of the river Jordan, until we are ready to follow and cross over into the land that God is leading us? And I wonder if we are making this too difficult for ourselves. Why don't we just forget our fears and lay down our burdens, and cross the river? A little like taking off a Bandaid. You know it's going to hurt and you really don't want to do it. But if you do it really fast and don't look, it doesn't hurt as bad and it's soon over. But crossing a river is not like taking off a Bandaid. You can't do it fast and you do have to watch where you are going. To cross a river you have to move forward one step at a time.
Are we able to take that first step? Are we ready to look away from the waters and rocks, and keep our eyes on God? Are we ready to step out of our comfort zone and leave behind our fears and burdens to go to the land God has promised us? Can we trust God completely to lead us and care for us? Can we trust him to heal our pain from the past? Can we trust him with our fears and doubts and uncertainties? Can we trust that we are not grasshoppers, but that we are created in God's image and that we are great, because in Christ all things are possible? Can we trust that if we do stumble and fall or lose our way, for we are not perfect, that God will be there to catch us and lead us back to His way? Can we take that first step into the river Jordan?
Can I? Can you?
As I have continued to walk with this story this week I have been repeatedly reminded that standing on the bank of the Jordan was not the end of the story. The people of Israel did take that step into the river to cross into the Promised Land. And the moment that the priests placed their feet into the rushing waters was the same moment that God revealed His power. The roaring waters were stopped, the river was dry until the foot of the last Israelite to cross over stepped onto the ground of the Promised Land. Yes, taking that first step was difficult. They spent 50 years getting up the courage to stick their toes in. But after Israel chose to trust and follow, God did all the rest. And so he will do with the people of Glade.
But notice what stood in the middle of the Jordan as the people crossed- the Ark of the Covenant. And notice what guided the people each day as they journeyed to the Promised Land- the pillar of God. The Israelites were able to cross the Jordan only when the presence of God was at their center. When they looked at the river and the giants on the other side, they failed miserably. But when they looked fully on the Spirit of God moving before them, that was when they were able to follow.
And so too is the Spirit of God moving before Glade. Over the course of a month we have joined together in a visioning retreat, welcomed eight new brothers and sisters in baptism, called a woman to serve as elder through the lot, and installed a new pastor. I have listened to, and joined in, vibrant conversations dreaming about what our congregation can become. God is indeed moving among us, stirring things up, and calling us to break camp and move forward. I no longer believe that we are facing a question of "if", but "when". And perhaps we have already taken that first step of faith into the river.
But in order to become the Church that God desires us to be we must create a church where Christ is the true center, a church who is guided solely by the Spirit of God, and a congregation who seeks the living presence of God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. That is not to say that Christ is not the center of Glade, or that we do not follow the Spirit of God, or that we do not seek the presence of God. But I believe God is calling us to become more, else we would not be hungering as we are.
Like the Israelites, we are looking at the giants and the river we must cross. And we are afraid. Yet if we would move our eyes to the living presence of God moving among us, we would see that the river is already dry and the giants are already defeated. As a congregation we must first create space to listen to the voice of God, to see the hand of God, and to feel the everlasting, overwhelmingly powerful love of God, in our worship, in our fellowship, and in our service. This must come before forming the new programs, or starting the new projects, or beginning the new buildings. For it is only when our eyes are filled with the face of God that the fears, doubts, worries, and uncertainties fade away. It is only then that we are able to take each step and walk faithfully. It is only then that we are able to cross the river Jordan into the land that He has prepared for us.
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