“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, not a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord,” (Amos 8:11).
Most of my life in the natural, like most Americans, I have lived off processed, refined foods, not organic, real foods. Foods, with the nutrients sucked out through processing and packaging. Some very wise friends in learning the benefits of good, right, healthy, real foods are helping Jane and me right now. For years others have tried to share with information with us, but I don’t think we were ready.
But I also think this has been the sad state of our spiritual diets as well. We have given most of our lives to the consumption of spoon-fed teaching. And as good and admirable as many of these fine teachers were and are, we were, in fact, being fed and have learned to live off processed or refined theology. Someone else’s recipe, someone else’s mix, someone else’s diet.
Once again, I repeat Bill Hybels apology to thousands of Christians. (Bill Hybels is the Founder/President of The Willow Creek Association).
The Willow Creek Association has undoubtedly had some of the greatest influence on the evangelical church in America as a movement in the last 30 years. In response to the experience-based environment of programs and participation so prevalent, Bill recently said, "We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have ... taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."
While some use the Amos 8:11 text for their personal reinforcement of more teaching, more preaching, I personally believe it is just the opposite. It is a famine for the personal nourishment when the Lord speaks to you. When He speaks to you personally, out of the heart of hunger and His heart to respond and fill.
John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name. He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.”
Outwardness and Inwardness
We all have two sides. Calvin Miller in his classic, “Table of Inwardness,” reminds us that outwardness as a Christian has for its greatest strength and greatest weakness the same thing: visibility. Outwardness has great appeal to all of us, even as it did in Christ’s day, but misused is fatal. “Beware of practicing piety before men in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). You have heard me for years refer to leaders who have a public identity without a personal/private history.
But likewise, the strength and weakness of inwardness is the same: invisibility. Inwardness draws us to that unseen reality. Inwardness says there is always more than what we see, always more than what appears or appeals to the eyes.
Outwardness too quickly denotes modern Christianity: going to meetings, doing things, teaching, preaching, testifying, praying for others, all in front of the rest of the world, or at least in front of other Christians, and many times in front of the room. And if we do these things well, man, the kudos will come, the pats on the back, the applause, even more to do these outward things more, which unfortunately has been too much of the motivation to keep on being better at being outward.
Man has always been addicted to outwardness, as God speaks to the prophet’s heart in the OT when He says, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,” (I Samuel 16:7).
When it comes to inwardness, only you can tend that garden, and you tend it alone. Your guardianship of your inwardness is utterly crucial, since out of the heart come “the issues of life,” (Proverbs 4:23). And again, if you would survive the famine, it will be because you have tended your own personal inward garden well.
As someone pointed out we are like a ripe fruit which, when squeezed, displays its real contents. To this Jesus commented, that it is not what goes into our mouths, or even what we eat or drink, but what comes out of our hearts that defiles us, (Matthew 15:11).
What comes out shows or reveals what is in us, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). There is and will be an increased hunger to meet with God and be fed by God as we move into these difficult days. The world will also get a sense of who we have been with, somehow they will just know we spend time with Poppa, because of the individual sounds, the individual appeal we will carry. Our culture is already so skeptical of the canned, processed church. The one hour and fifteen minutes (the average meeting time of the successful, evangelical services) we devote to God has not produces health, nor hungers, except maybe in us.
Three Paradoxes of Inwardness
Aloneness-is-presence - However you find it. Spending time completely alone with God is really about the ultimate increase of His presence. Inner silence comes when you beat those demons that too often clutter and distract and fill us with you with every other sound. Inner silence only comes when there is true outer silence, and this only comes when you and God are alone.
Retreat-is-advancement - Go ahead, leave the “To Do List” behind, knowing that most of those screaming assignments will take care of themselves if you address the “tyranny of the urgent,” and go on a retreat with the Lover of your soul. Luther’s attitude was, “I have so many things to do today, I dare not ignore my time with God.
Beyond-is-within - No, you can’t do life in God, without God’s life in you. You must constantly be making room for more of Him. You must always be pressing out in order to press in. He is ready and willing to enlarge your capacity to receive more of Him. Yes, the “heavens do declare the glory of God,” (Psalm 19:10), but we get to be possessed by a transgalactic Omnipotence who comes to indwell us.
A DVD Diet
I am almost tempted to encourage everyone to lock up their CD’s, their DVD’s, shut off their podcasts, and maybe even leave some of the new books on your shelf. Just dedicate this new season to private meals between you and the Father. Go after God in the secret place, and treat each day as a steward by giving Him sacred space.
If we want be a people who survive the famine and even learn to help others survive, it will not be because we feed them, but because we model, by our own appetites and our own insatiable hunger for the fresh, full word directly from the Lord.
It won’t be easy, it is always war to shift our priorities towards Him, so remember, He will even, “prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies,” (Psalm 23:5).
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Living In God’s Economy
When everything is shaking, as it is all around us, it is a good time to get into discussion about the things that matter. As financial markets worldwide have gone askew we get to take a good hard look at how God has called us to live in His Kingdom economy even during these volatile financial times.
From the earliest days God was saying something to us about our giving, and how different it would be. First through books, like the one by Al Houghton, “Purifying The Altar,” then by deliberate acts of moving away from the funding of facilities and programs, not charging at conferences and/or events, releasing, resourcing and empowering leaders based upon their callings, not their social status or their educational system, and giving generously to the poor, the needy and the oppressed of the nations.
As we have been assigned to address the subject of “doing church differently,” that includes “giving differently.” It means confronting those so-called “financial laws,” that exist in the church today that are actually a part of the old religious system tying people to false realities and expectations in the areas of giving.
Confronting Old Financial Laws
* Compulsory (Malachi 3 - Storehouse) Tithing Laws- tithe to this or that ministry and receive grace for enough, withhold those tithes and be cursed.
* Mandatory Prophetic Offering Laws – pledge and give this prophetic amount or this monthly percentage that usually correlates to some prophetic number over a period of a year above and beyond the tithe and break the financial curse, and if need be even charge it to your credit card.
* Selective and/or Directive Sowing Laws – direct your seed to this ministry, instead of that ministry, if you really want to get a good return on your investment.
Financial Reformation in the 21st Century
About 500 years ago in 517, the church encountered a radical confrontation that would become known as The Great Reformation. We heard much about the call to the return to the authority of Scripture and the return to “simple salvation by grace through faith.” But that is not all that was addressed.
What we don’t hear as much was about the call for reformation in giving. In the movie "Luther", Martin Luther is contending over the practice of "paying indulgences" to the Roman Catholic church in order to "free a soul from sin and purgatory.” Martin asks the religious authorities this question; "If God will forgive sin for money, why won't He do it for love?"
If salvation by grace alone was restored to the church, what about God's grace for physical provision? Aren't these provided by grace as well? The way many Christians still give today, it seems as though we continue to "pay indulgences" to religious institutions in order to receive God’s grace for finances.
Grasping Kingdom Finances
We need to be asking the same question Luther asked. "If God will supply our needs for money, why won't He do it for love?" Of course, the answer is, we know He does. Jesus set this straight with His words about the Father’s care for us.
“Therefore take no thought,” saying, “What shall we eat?” or, “What shall we drink?” or, “Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:31-33
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
Not a bit of religious performance or duty here. Real faith and trust, just like receiving salvation, just like receiving healing. We are invited to believe in the Father’s love and receive provision from Him. In these stressed times, we have good financial news. Jesus purchased it all at the cross.
Jesus satisfied all (including financial) religious obligations. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4
Jesus took all (including financial) curses. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Galatians 3:13
It begins and ends in His love. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10
1) Realms of Supply - The Natural Order of Investing - Sowing and Reaping
All that God has created in the natural world operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. It is the process of life, and increase. God is at work in the world supplying seed to the sower, the sun and rain for growth. Because of the fall sowing and reaping includes the process of sin and of death. We can sow to the flesh or the Spirit in our human activity. The Spirit brings life, and the flesh brings death.
Man sows into the natural order in everything he does, whether seed in the ground or helping others. Paul was talking about this when he said, "he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully." (1Corinthians 9:6) in referring to the Corinthians financial gift. Furthermore, Paul says that God supplies grace so that we have the seed to start with.
God’s Kingdom invades the natural order when He gives to us, or we give to others. Sowing and reaping is how God made things to work. Romans says that Christ Himself upholds the whole universe. It is the created order that operates on the principle of sowing and reaping.
So even when the odds are against a certain outcome of your sowing process, weather goes bad, crops spoil, everything is bad and nothing works, our God still supplies. Even when the stock you invested in under what you thought was good counsel fails, God does not fail you.
2) Realms of Supply – The Natural Order of Marketing - Buying And Selling
The order that man creates or operates on is the basis of buying and selling. Because of the fall, man judges and sets value on everything. We trade value for value. We sell our labor for money. We buy the product of labor with money.
We all see that the present financial crisis was created by greed in buying and selling. Men borrowed to speculate in building, buying and selling for a profit. On it went with houses, stocks, commodities, oil, and food. Prices were driven upwards until it went beyond our ability to pay the interest on the money borrowed. Buying and selling collapsed because there is no confidence in the artificial values. Sadly, Christians have also been a part of this, but God wants our heart for the Kingdom.
“Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” Matthew 22:19-21
Buying and selling isn’t a bad thing, as log as usury and manipulation is not behind a spirit of greed, and even when we end up “losing money” in an unfortunate transaction, God is still your supply.
3) Realms of Supply – The Kingdom Order of Generosity - Giving and Receiving
The Kingdom of God operates best through the principle of generosity and giving and receiving in obedience to God’s leading and direction. It begins with God’s love for the entire world, His giving nature and continues through His people receiving His nature and giving to others.
Giving and receiving begins with God loving and giving to us. He created the world for man and put us in it to enjoy it and fellowship with Him. He loved us even while we were still sinners, and gave Christ that we might receive life and freedom. He puts His love in our hearts (Galatians 5:6). He invites us to freely receive His grace. (I Corinthians 2:12). Then in turn He urges us to give,
"...Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8
As we learn to “pray and obey,” and learn to “receive and to give in obedience,” we are set free from the fear of lack and receive changed hearts, so we can liberally give out of God’s direction, and our delight, because it is all God’s, it all belongs to the King who gives liberally, so we can give and release liberally.
That is Kingdom Finances. Giving and receiving in the Kingdom of God is not a law and never under compulsion, other wise it is not giving, it would be taking. He gives, we receive, and we then “pray and obey,” giving intentionally in His nature.
This is why Paul says:
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. " II Corinthians 9:7
As Kingdom Citizens:
1. We love the King – Giving to Him
2. We love other Kingdom Citizens – Giving to Them
3. We Love non-Kingdom citizens – Giving to Them
Jesus was condemned because he hung out with the sinners, and prostitutes. He poured grace on the cultural outcasts, the undeserving and rejected. We participate in the Kingdom when we give to others with the heart of the Jesus. Jesus told us in being like the Father we even get to bless the wicked.
“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them, which despitefully use you. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Luke 6:28, 35
Evidentially, the Heart of the King is that, "He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."
Apparently, blessing the ungodly extends to finances as well. A little later in this passage Jesus tells us that being like His Father we will abound in His mercy and grace and giving.
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” Luke 6:36-38
This passage is not just about giving to the saints, giving to the ministries. Giving to Kingdom citizen, but also it’s about giving to those outside the Kingdom of God. It's invading man’s order with Kingdom giving. “The men shall give into your bosom.”
As Kingdom Finances comes from the Heart of the Father:
-Be merciful
-Judge Not
-Condemn Not
-Forgive
-Give To Those Who Don't Deserve It
-Give To The Poor
-Give To Those Who Cannot Repay
Acts as stewards of all the good things of God.
God is fully willing and able to supply His people with more than enough. As sons and daughters of the Father, blessing with the same heart of compassion and love as the Father, we will give to His Purpose and His People, with His Passion.
When all the institutions and kingdoms of men crash, the auto industry, the stock market, Wall Street, these do not affect God’s Kingdom. In the days to come, we will have more to give, and more to give to. God’s value system will take over our dependence on man’s system.
In times like these it is imperative we operate according to His Kingdom economy concerning our receiving and giving. As believers living in God’s Kingdom, by God’s Kingdom realities get ready for a year of abundance preparing to receive abundantly and give extravagantly.
Nine means Fullness, nine spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12, nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, a woman carries a child full-term for nine months. In the worst financial market in our lifetime, God is ushering us into a year of Fullness.
His Kingdom is real and His Kingdom is here, so we can give and receive freely and generously.
Go ahead and get lean, as many are giving away extra baggage, getting out of debt, etc. Get lean, but not mean, instead get and stay very generous.
From the earliest days God was saying something to us about our giving, and how different it would be. First through books, like the one by Al Houghton, “Purifying The Altar,” then by deliberate acts of moving away from the funding of facilities and programs, not charging at conferences and/or events, releasing, resourcing and empowering leaders based upon their callings, not their social status or their educational system, and giving generously to the poor, the needy and the oppressed of the nations.
As we have been assigned to address the subject of “doing church differently,” that includes “giving differently.” It means confronting those so-called “financial laws,” that exist in the church today that are actually a part of the old religious system tying people to false realities and expectations in the areas of giving.
Confronting Old Financial Laws
* Compulsory (Malachi 3 - Storehouse) Tithing Laws- tithe to this or that ministry and receive grace for enough, withhold those tithes and be cursed.
* Mandatory Prophetic Offering Laws – pledge and give this prophetic amount or this monthly percentage that usually correlates to some prophetic number over a period of a year above and beyond the tithe and break the financial curse, and if need be even charge it to your credit card.
* Selective and/or Directive Sowing Laws – direct your seed to this ministry, instead of that ministry, if you really want to get a good return on your investment.
Financial Reformation in the 21st Century
About 500 years ago in 517, the church encountered a radical confrontation that would become known as The Great Reformation. We heard much about the call to the return to the authority of Scripture and the return to “simple salvation by grace through faith.” But that is not all that was addressed.
What we don’t hear as much was about the call for reformation in giving. In the movie "Luther", Martin Luther is contending over the practice of "paying indulgences" to the Roman Catholic church in order to "free a soul from sin and purgatory.” Martin asks the religious authorities this question; "If God will forgive sin for money, why won't He do it for love?"
If salvation by grace alone was restored to the church, what about God's grace for physical provision? Aren't these provided by grace as well? The way many Christians still give today, it seems as though we continue to "pay indulgences" to religious institutions in order to receive God’s grace for finances.
Grasping Kingdom Finances
We need to be asking the same question Luther asked. "If God will supply our needs for money, why won't He do it for love?" Of course, the answer is, we know He does. Jesus set this straight with His words about the Father’s care for us.
“Therefore take no thought,” saying, “What shall we eat?” or, “What shall we drink?” or, “Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:31-33
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
Not a bit of religious performance or duty here. Real faith and trust, just like receiving salvation, just like receiving healing. We are invited to believe in the Father’s love and receive provision from Him. In these stressed times, we have good financial news. Jesus purchased it all at the cross.
Jesus satisfied all (including financial) religious obligations. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4
Jesus took all (including financial) curses. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Galatians 3:13
It begins and ends in His love. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10
1) Realms of Supply - The Natural Order of Investing - Sowing and Reaping
All that God has created in the natural world operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. It is the process of life, and increase. God is at work in the world supplying seed to the sower, the sun and rain for growth. Because of the fall sowing and reaping includes the process of sin and of death. We can sow to the flesh or the Spirit in our human activity. The Spirit brings life, and the flesh brings death.
Man sows into the natural order in everything he does, whether seed in the ground or helping others. Paul was talking about this when he said, "he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully." (1Corinthians 9:6) in referring to the Corinthians financial gift. Furthermore, Paul says that God supplies grace so that we have the seed to start with.
God’s Kingdom invades the natural order when He gives to us, or we give to others. Sowing and reaping is how God made things to work. Romans says that Christ Himself upholds the whole universe. It is the created order that operates on the principle of sowing and reaping.
So even when the odds are against a certain outcome of your sowing process, weather goes bad, crops spoil, everything is bad and nothing works, our God still supplies. Even when the stock you invested in under what you thought was good counsel fails, God does not fail you.
2) Realms of Supply – The Natural Order of Marketing - Buying And Selling
The order that man creates or operates on is the basis of buying and selling. Because of the fall, man judges and sets value on everything. We trade value for value. We sell our labor for money. We buy the product of labor with money.
We all see that the present financial crisis was created by greed in buying and selling. Men borrowed to speculate in building, buying and selling for a profit. On it went with houses, stocks, commodities, oil, and food. Prices were driven upwards until it went beyond our ability to pay the interest on the money borrowed. Buying and selling collapsed because there is no confidence in the artificial values. Sadly, Christians have also been a part of this, but God wants our heart for the Kingdom.
“Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” Matthew 22:19-21
Buying and selling isn’t a bad thing, as log as usury and manipulation is not behind a spirit of greed, and even when we end up “losing money” in an unfortunate transaction, God is still your supply.
3) Realms of Supply – The Kingdom Order of Generosity - Giving and Receiving
The Kingdom of God operates best through the principle of generosity and giving and receiving in obedience to God’s leading and direction. It begins with God’s love for the entire world, His giving nature and continues through His people receiving His nature and giving to others.
Giving and receiving begins with God loving and giving to us. He created the world for man and put us in it to enjoy it and fellowship with Him. He loved us even while we were still sinners, and gave Christ that we might receive life and freedom. He puts His love in our hearts (Galatians 5:6). He invites us to freely receive His grace. (I Corinthians 2:12). Then in turn He urges us to give,
"...Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8
As we learn to “pray and obey,” and learn to “receive and to give in obedience,” we are set free from the fear of lack and receive changed hearts, so we can liberally give out of God’s direction, and our delight, because it is all God’s, it all belongs to the King who gives liberally, so we can give and release liberally.
That is Kingdom Finances. Giving and receiving in the Kingdom of God is not a law and never under compulsion, other wise it is not giving, it would be taking. He gives, we receive, and we then “pray and obey,” giving intentionally in His nature.
This is why Paul says:
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. " II Corinthians 9:7
As Kingdom Citizens:
1. We love the King – Giving to Him
2. We love other Kingdom Citizens – Giving to Them
3. We Love non-Kingdom citizens – Giving to Them
Jesus was condemned because he hung out with the sinners, and prostitutes. He poured grace on the cultural outcasts, the undeserving and rejected. We participate in the Kingdom when we give to others with the heart of the Jesus. Jesus told us in being like the Father we even get to bless the wicked.
“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them, which despitefully use you. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Luke 6:28, 35
Evidentially, the Heart of the King is that, "He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."
Apparently, blessing the ungodly extends to finances as well. A little later in this passage Jesus tells us that being like His Father we will abound in His mercy and grace and giving.
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” Luke 6:36-38
This passage is not just about giving to the saints, giving to the ministries. Giving to Kingdom citizen, but also it’s about giving to those outside the Kingdom of God. It's invading man’s order with Kingdom giving. “The men shall give into your bosom.”
As Kingdom Finances comes from the Heart of the Father:
-Be merciful
-Judge Not
-Condemn Not
-Forgive
-Give To Those Who Don't Deserve It
-Give To The Poor
-Give To Those Who Cannot Repay
Acts as stewards of all the good things of God.
God is fully willing and able to supply His people with more than enough. As sons and daughters of the Father, blessing with the same heart of compassion and love as the Father, we will give to His Purpose and His People, with His Passion.
When all the institutions and kingdoms of men crash, the auto industry, the stock market, Wall Street, these do not affect God’s Kingdom. In the days to come, we will have more to give, and more to give to. God’s value system will take over our dependence on man’s system.
In times like these it is imperative we operate according to His Kingdom economy concerning our receiving and giving. As believers living in God’s Kingdom, by God’s Kingdom realities get ready for a year of abundance preparing to receive abundantly and give extravagantly.
Nine means Fullness, nine spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12, nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, a woman carries a child full-term for nine months. In the worst financial market in our lifetime, God is ushering us into a year of Fullness.
His Kingdom is real and His Kingdom is here, so we can give and receive freely and generously.
Go ahead and get lean, as many are giving away extra baggage, getting out of debt, etc. Get lean, but not mean, instead get and stay very generous.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Liminal Leadership
Something feels deeply "new" about this upcoming year for me. It could be out of my hope, because 2008 was such a tough year for everyone. But this new year and this new season doesn't feel routine to me by any means. It feels radically different, and potentially very exciting.
My friend Len in Canada (www.nextreformation.com) continues to challenge me about leaders finding their "space," in this new shift of leadership for the next generation. Len wrote the article, "Leading From The Margins," that was so influential in pressing me to write my new book. The book, "Where Would Jesus Lead?" is with Graham in concept edit mode, going to more edit next week. The whole book is built around this idea of leaders finding new places and new spaces to lead.
Len sends along Alan Roxburgh's following proposal concerning leadership: The primary work of leadership is to continually stand in the place (space) where it is compelled to ask the question of what God is about among this group of people who comprise this local church in this specific context at this particular time. Obviously, this definition is thoroughly conditioned by a larger story we describe as Missio Dei.
What is particularly helpful to me about this definition is this concept of "space."
Roxburgh writes,
"This descriptor of leadership suggests that one of its primary metaphors is spatial. Leadership functions in a certain kind of space rather than out of a set of definitions, formulae or assumed Biblical types. The understanding of this special metaphor is crucial for the formation and practices of a missional leadership. Without attention to this matter of the space in which leadership dwells, it is impossible to understand or shape a missional leadership in our late modern context. The questions we need to ask about being missional, therefore, are not drawn from the world of business or the social sciences, nor are they about how to apply supposed New Testament patterns to the contemporary church. Questions about what God is up to in the world require us to ask what kind of space church leadership must indwell at this moment in late modern societies. If leadership indwells this axis of God's activities in the world and the local context, then its primary location is in what we will call the "spaces between." The basic metaphor describing and assessing Christian leadership is spatial - it is about indwelling a space between." http://archives.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=960
Liminal Place and Space
"Liminality" is from the Latin word līmen, meaning "a barely perceptible threshold," or a place in between two worlds, or a place of transition. It is a mysterious place, a bridge place, and a unique place of balance between the people you are leading and the God you are both following. It is destined to be more of a prophetic place than a pastoral place and definitely more of an obscure place than an obvious one.
It is a strategic cooperation with what God is telling those you lead and what God is telling you. It is in this new tutoring place that we act, as a guide and a coach, a fellow traveler on the same journey without become the focal point of the excursion. It is so mysterious the Irish used to say, "It is the place between the foam and the sea."
The questions we need to ask about being missional, therefore, are not drawn from the world of business or the social sciences, nor are they about how to apply supposed New Testament patterns to the contemporary church. Questions about what God is up to in the world require us to ask what kind of space church leadership must indwell at this moment in late modern societies. If leadership indwells this axis of God's activities in the world and the local context, then its primary location is in what we will call the "spaces between."
It asks the big question. Is your leadership style all about you and your ministry and what you get from leading? Or it is about serving those you lead, helping to get them going on the God journey they are destined to trek?
Next Generations of Leaders
The hunger most evident in the next generation is for fathers and mothers, not even close friends. Fathers and mothers that will forego their own controlling preoccupations with how things used to be done, giving space to their willingness to enter into the experiment, stepping off the map to go where God might lead the next generation.
A relationship is required, but a script is not. Times of resting, times waiting in prayer and times of silence represent more of this new adventure than the exhausting attempts at pre-research to make sure every step is sure-footed. Like mountain goats, the instinct of where to step and where to go comes in the moment, and not the pre-planned staff meetings. It is a journey with forward movement at its goal, and not just another dress rehearsal that ends in disappointment.
So, find those you are called to lead, especially the leaders you are called to rise up. This time don't over-lead or over-feed. Get into the journey with them, and see how God will use you both. He will use your tested experience and obedience and as well will turn up the pace as He capitalizes on the speed of the younger leaders you are running with. It is a new pace, not tried; it is a new direction, not learned. It is the excitement of a new trip for both of you.
Some Ideas On Learning To Lead In This New Place
1. Ask God who are the specific ones in the next generation you are to come alongside.
2. Don't spend too much time referring to the past, make it clear where you come from, but get quickly to what God is doing now.
3. Listen a lot. Both to God and them.
4. Do some treasure hunting to see if the one you are to coach and lead has a sense of gifting, destiny and passion. Ask a lot of questions.
5. Does the one you are leading already have a sense of footprints and knows where to go?
6. Begin with times of prayer, silence, listening to God, writing down what the Father whispers, and doing prophetic acts.
7. Always be reminded that this is a divine appointment. Don't worry about quick fruit, enjoy the whole process.
My friend Len in Canada (www.nextreformation.com) continues to challenge me about leaders finding their "space," in this new shift of leadership for the next generation. Len wrote the article, "Leading From The Margins," that was so influential in pressing me to write my new book. The book, "Where Would Jesus Lead?" is with Graham in concept edit mode, going to more edit next week. The whole book is built around this idea of leaders finding new places and new spaces to lead.
Len sends along Alan Roxburgh's following proposal concerning leadership: The primary work of leadership is to continually stand in the place (space) where it is compelled to ask the question of what God is about among this group of people who comprise this local church in this specific context at this particular time. Obviously, this definition is thoroughly conditioned by a larger story we describe as Missio Dei.
What is particularly helpful to me about this definition is this concept of "space."
Roxburgh writes,
"This descriptor of leadership suggests that one of its primary metaphors is spatial. Leadership functions in a certain kind of space rather than out of a set of definitions, formulae or assumed Biblical types. The understanding of this special metaphor is crucial for the formation and practices of a missional leadership. Without attention to this matter of the space in which leadership dwells, it is impossible to understand or shape a missional leadership in our late modern context. The questions we need to ask about being missional, therefore, are not drawn from the world of business or the social sciences, nor are they about how to apply supposed New Testament patterns to the contemporary church. Questions about what God is up to in the world require us to ask what kind of space church leadership must indwell at this moment in late modern societies. If leadership indwells this axis of God's activities in the world and the local context, then its primary location is in what we will call the "spaces between." The basic metaphor describing and assessing Christian leadership is spatial - it is about indwelling a space between." http://archives.allelon.org/articles/article.cfm?id=960
Liminal Place and Space
"Liminality" is from the Latin word līmen, meaning "a barely perceptible threshold," or a place in between two worlds, or a place of transition. It is a mysterious place, a bridge place, and a unique place of balance between the people you are leading and the God you are both following. It is destined to be more of a prophetic place than a pastoral place and definitely more of an obscure place than an obvious one.
It is a strategic cooperation with what God is telling those you lead and what God is telling you. It is in this new tutoring place that we act, as a guide and a coach, a fellow traveler on the same journey without become the focal point of the excursion. It is so mysterious the Irish used to say, "It is the place between the foam and the sea."
The questions we need to ask about being missional, therefore, are not drawn from the world of business or the social sciences, nor are they about how to apply supposed New Testament patterns to the contemporary church. Questions about what God is up to in the world require us to ask what kind of space church leadership must indwell at this moment in late modern societies. If leadership indwells this axis of God's activities in the world and the local context, then its primary location is in what we will call the "spaces between."
It asks the big question. Is your leadership style all about you and your ministry and what you get from leading? Or it is about serving those you lead, helping to get them going on the God journey they are destined to trek?
Next Generations of Leaders
The hunger most evident in the next generation is for fathers and mothers, not even close friends. Fathers and mothers that will forego their own controlling preoccupations with how things used to be done, giving space to their willingness to enter into the experiment, stepping off the map to go where God might lead the next generation.
A relationship is required, but a script is not. Times of resting, times waiting in prayer and times of silence represent more of this new adventure than the exhausting attempts at pre-research to make sure every step is sure-footed. Like mountain goats, the instinct of where to step and where to go comes in the moment, and not the pre-planned staff meetings. It is a journey with forward movement at its goal, and not just another dress rehearsal that ends in disappointment.
So, find those you are called to lead, especially the leaders you are called to rise up. This time don't over-lead or over-feed. Get into the journey with them, and see how God will use you both. He will use your tested experience and obedience and as well will turn up the pace as He capitalizes on the speed of the younger leaders you are running with. It is a new pace, not tried; it is a new direction, not learned. It is the excitement of a new trip for both of you.
Some Ideas On Learning To Lead In This New Place
1. Ask God who are the specific ones in the next generation you are to come alongside.
2. Don't spend too much time referring to the past, make it clear where you come from, but get quickly to what God is doing now.
3. Listen a lot. Both to God and them.
4. Do some treasure hunting to see if the one you are to coach and lead has a sense of gifting, destiny and passion. Ask a lot of questions.
5. Does the one you are leading already have a sense of footprints and knows where to go?
6. Begin with times of prayer, silence, listening to God, writing down what the Father whispers, and doing prophetic acts.
7. Always be reminded that this is a divine appointment. Don't worry about quick fruit, enjoy the whole process.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Chicken-Little Christianity
I am asked a lot about the end times. Everything from where is the United States in prophecy, to is Obama the antichrist? To answer most of the questions requires little effort. I personally have never found the United States listed as a specific nation in the Bible, and quite frankly, concerning the antichrist, they said the same thing about Khrushchev and Kissinger.
The real issue for me has more to do with the fact, “Are we ready for His coming?” One of the most penetrating questions I believe that Jesus ever asked in found in the Parable of the Persistent Prayer in Luke 18, when He asks, “nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Don’t quote me, because I don’t think I am a prophet, but I do wonder about that question in Luke, and several others that point to our readiness rather than Christ’s. In fact these are what I pray about and what I wrestle with these days. “Is the bride ready, is she spotless, is she ready.” And, “Are we more anxious to get out of here or to see revival before He comes.”
I will never forget what a friend said to me many years ago, when he challenged me by asking, “How can you disciple a planet you are so intent on leaving?” That one rattled my cage and shifted my paradigm then, and still does.
I have always heard that Christ would return when man would be in the process of destroying himself. I can honestly say it sure feels like that is happening most of the time. But on the other hand I have never felt such open doors and such clear invitations from the Holy Spirit to be bold about the proclamation of the Gospel and the discipleship of the nations.
Sure times are tough. And as Americans, we have never seen things exactly as they seem right now. But to the world, all of these shakings seem to mean something different.
Muslim Ministry
Having just returned from parts of Asia that are becoming, if not already extremely Muslim, instead of feeling oppressed and overwhelmed, I felt so empowered, so impassioned and prayer-filled to preach, proclaim and persist in my faith in Yahweh, not Allah, and to be ready to “give an answer for the hope that lies with me.”
In Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, which is a Muslim nation, I heard the voice of Islam, loud and clear. The mosques, that seemed as big as the mega churches in America, broadcast their calls to pray five times a day on their speaker systems. It was so loud it sounded like my neighbor’s stereo in Ocean beach where I live.
Yet, I also met so many Christians who know of Muslims that are coming to faith in Christ, and I even heard this one radical statement from one brother, “imagine the harnessed prayer power when revival comes to their nation, and the followers of Islam come to God and pray to Him using their disciplines of prayer, in their prayer centers currently known as mosques.”
Chicken-Little Christians
It seems like too many of us are waiting for the worst to happen as a prerequisite for the return of Christ. Waiting for more “doom and gloom,” and the proverbial “boot to drop,” we seem to be anxious for everything to fall apart as some kind of deeper motivation to make Christ come back.
Maybe there is another way to expedite the return of Christ. Matthew 24:14 states, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
There it is! Let’s worry more about getting the message out, rather than hoping the mess we are in will get messier. Let’s throw ourselves into the preaching of this incredible message of the kingdom. Let’s commit to take the gospel to every man, to every people, to every tribe, to every tongue, and to every nation, and then Christ will return.
The real issue for me has more to do with the fact, “Are we ready for His coming?” One of the most penetrating questions I believe that Jesus ever asked in found in the Parable of the Persistent Prayer in Luke 18, when He asks, “nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Don’t quote me, because I don’t think I am a prophet, but I do wonder about that question in Luke, and several others that point to our readiness rather than Christ’s. In fact these are what I pray about and what I wrestle with these days. “Is the bride ready, is she spotless, is she ready.” And, “Are we more anxious to get out of here or to see revival before He comes.”
I will never forget what a friend said to me many years ago, when he challenged me by asking, “How can you disciple a planet you are so intent on leaving?” That one rattled my cage and shifted my paradigm then, and still does.
I have always heard that Christ would return when man would be in the process of destroying himself. I can honestly say it sure feels like that is happening most of the time. But on the other hand I have never felt such open doors and such clear invitations from the Holy Spirit to be bold about the proclamation of the Gospel and the discipleship of the nations.
Sure times are tough. And as Americans, we have never seen things exactly as they seem right now. But to the world, all of these shakings seem to mean something different.
Muslim Ministry
Having just returned from parts of Asia that are becoming, if not already extremely Muslim, instead of feeling oppressed and overwhelmed, I felt so empowered, so impassioned and prayer-filled to preach, proclaim and persist in my faith in Yahweh, not Allah, and to be ready to “give an answer for the hope that lies with me.”
In Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, which is a Muslim nation, I heard the voice of Islam, loud and clear. The mosques, that seemed as big as the mega churches in America, broadcast their calls to pray five times a day on their speaker systems. It was so loud it sounded like my neighbor’s stereo in Ocean beach where I live.
Yet, I also met so many Christians who know of Muslims that are coming to faith in Christ, and I even heard this one radical statement from one brother, “imagine the harnessed prayer power when revival comes to their nation, and the followers of Islam come to God and pray to Him using their disciplines of prayer, in their prayer centers currently known as mosques.”
Chicken-Little Christians
It seems like too many of us are waiting for the worst to happen as a prerequisite for the return of Christ. Waiting for more “doom and gloom,” and the proverbial “boot to drop,” we seem to be anxious for everything to fall apart as some kind of deeper motivation to make Christ come back.
Maybe there is another way to expedite the return of Christ. Matthew 24:14 states, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
There it is! Let’s worry more about getting the message out, rather than hoping the mess we are in will get messier. Let’s throw ourselves into the preaching of this incredible message of the kingdom. Let’s commit to take the gospel to every man, to every people, to every tribe, to every tongue, and to every nation, and then Christ will return.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Dead Bread
“When the waitress came to take our order. One of my friends, when asked what kind of dressing he wanted on his salad, abruptly stated to the startled server, “And I don’t want any ‘dead bread’ on my salad.” After letting the comment sink in, the sweet but stunned girl replied, “Oh, you mean croutons!” To which my friend simply nodded in confirmation.
That analogy has stuck with me all these years, and I remember it every time I order a salad that comes with “dead bread.” I actually don’t mind croutons that much, and have even purchased a bag when passing through the salad isle at the supermarket. There are so many flavors now: herb, parmesan, bacon-ranch, etc; all so conveniently located that I just reach out and take them as I pass by while filling my cart.
However, when applying my friend’s unflattering adjective to preaching, my heart is stirred over a phenomenon, which has gripped America’s pulpits in recent years.
I recall opening my mail one morning some years ago and reading my first advertisement for “dead bread”:
“Pastors, are you too busy to spend hours of preparation on your sermons? Tired of feeling the stress of having to come up with original ideas week after week? If so, for just $199.95 you can have 52 weeks of quality sermons crafted by homiletical masters, complete with illustrations! Your congregation is guaranteed to be thrilled with the results or your money back!””
CROUTON CHRISTIANITY
As you know, in Third Day we have felt and discussed this pain about “dead bread,” for years, maybe because I spent so many years thinking it was my job to feed others, to sermonize every week, sometimes several times per week. I do know that for most of those years I took my study and research too seriously. For over three decades as a teaching pastor, I became a well-oiled vendor at dispensing “dead bread.” It was even said back then, that any true handling of the Scriptures or honest preparation meant an hour of study for every one-minute of delivery of the sermon in the pulpit. By the time you had studied, researched, word-smithed, digested, and then double-digested the message you didn’t even know that the bread you were getting ready to serve up was such simply” dead” information that it produced little or now nutritional value.
Obviously, I still get chances to speak, teach, recant, rant, cajole, whatever, a lot in different places all over the world. But the thing that has changed in me, rather than my need to impress or “WOW the crowd,” with my anointed knowledge and teaching. I would really rather just genuinely connect with people, exposing them to my passion for a personal God, and hopefully stir their own personal appetite for them to go after Him.
For you guys who still teach on a regular basis, this is a subtle shift. First, please don’t take yourself or your gifts too seriously. Please handle all of your sermons and all of your preparation lightly or loosely. Keep in mind at all time, God may just have surprises and suddenlies for any meeting you might have called.
Quite frankly, by the time your group gets to your study or your service, they have already tasted the best. They have read the latest Charisma Magazine, the last top two best sellers from Destiny Image Publishing, have read The Shack and have listened to the last three podcasts from Bethel on their iPod.
That may not be a totally bad thing. Maybe their increased appetite for God has stirred them to consume all of that stuff. But it is just a matter of time, until they will get dissatisfied with the stale “day old manna” dispensed by others and want some of their own “fresh bread,” from the Father. And when that happens watch out.
Getting into a life of solitude with God without any religious props will ruin you for any one else’s food. Even as Israel was warned to not even try to keep a “crumb” of manna until tomorrow, God continues to promise us daily “fresh bread.” The late Henri Nouwen emphasized most of his life that we will never have true community until we first settle the issue of solitude and develop our own secret life with the Lord.
VISITATION OR HABITATION
I think what the Father is pursuing in His people these days is the revelation that their life in God is to be a habitation. Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The word “abide” there means to spend the night, or as The Message says it, “spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow.” In the NT, in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” And of course the word “abide” there means to live, to dwell indefinitely.
So, we no longer, “go do” devotions, anymore that we “go to meetings.” We enter into a life style of delightful communion and connection with our Heavenly Father. For years we “conference junkies,” were caught going from meeting to meeting to find the newest thing, when all along He was offering us “fresh manna,” spoon-fed to our needs.
I even knew of families who packed up everything and “moved” across the state and/or the nation in an attempt to position themselves where “God is moving,” or where they had heard a prediction, or prophecy that “He would soon be there.”
If it is time for anything, when everything is shaking, it is time to hotly pursue the face of God, and when heaven touches earth, we will not only want to spend time in His presence, it will become even become your “magnificent obsession,” and your “dangerous delight.”
MENTORING THE MESSAGE
I am involved in a several small groups in San Diego, and currently help facilitate a men’s mutual mentoring type group. What I am enjoying is the whole process of simply getting the guys to talk, releasing them and coaching them to openly discuss their journey with fellow travelers. So refreshing and so exciting is to witness when they even surprise themselves by what comes out of their mouths, such great insights and revelations and wisdom.
I find these kinds of settings do several things. When people are allowed and encouraged to openly share, they discover the treasure that is within all of them. Again, this is a deep process of self-enrichment when you are sharing a message with others and feel like you really have connected with the group and God and receive the amazing pleasure that comes from that.
When people are in gatherings where they can openly share, they also get encouraged to steward their own gardens or reservoirs more diligently, in order to get more, so they can give more. And then of course, the wisdom pools that are created as several people unpackage a Scripture or a concept, rather than all of the insight coming from one or a few individuals. It is literally stuff to write about.
One of the best ways to mentor this message that God wants to spend time with us, speaks to us and communes with us, it to keep facilitating these open “third day” meetings, where the DNA is about the potential, participatory “priesthood of all the believers.”
DAVID’S DETERMINATION
We are all getting the same passion David had for a habitation of God. “O God, remember David, remember all his troubles! And remember how he promised God, made a vow to the Strong God of Jacob, “I’m not going home, and I’m not going to be, I’m not going to sleep, not even take time to rest, until I find a home for God, a house for the strong God of Jacob,” (Psalm 132:1 – 5, The Message).
Where do you think He lives? What are you building Him? Let me pass along some thoughts from another Third Day brother, Brad Nelson in Oakhurst, CA:
“In Him, we live and move and have our being.
We actually exist in Him. When we invite someone to meet Jesus we are inviting him or her to consider living in Him. This makes more practical sense than inviting Him into our Hearts. We are not inviting them into an organization or into the ministry of someone.
Buildings are made of stone cannot exist within Him. Corporate institutions and man made organizations cannot exist within Him. Living stones are the only structures that can exist within Him. Our membership in Him is direct and real. We get to know Him and not about Him. Because knowing Him, "is" to know about Him. Jesus said to His followers I do not have a place. That is because He is the place.”
IN THESE TOUGH TIMES
Making a commitment to follow Jesus is a lot like the commitment we make when we enter into marriage, it is the commitment we signed up for when we said our vows. And when the going gets tough, sometimes just remembering the vows is the only things that keeps you going.
My second book, “Where Would Jesus Lead?” is at the publishers. Pray all goes well for an edit deadline and the publishing of the book. Also, the next book, “Welcome Home: Church as a Way of Life,” is being pieced together through a cooperative effort of some of my old mentors and what we wrote through the years about the church as a family and a “way” of life.
I am committed to "buy up my time" in these all important days and keep looking for and living off of "fresh bread."
Gary Goodell
May 2009
That analogy has stuck with me all these years, and I remember it every time I order a salad that comes with “dead bread.” I actually don’t mind croutons that much, and have even purchased a bag when passing through the salad isle at the supermarket. There are so many flavors now: herb, parmesan, bacon-ranch, etc; all so conveniently located that I just reach out and take them as I pass by while filling my cart.
However, when applying my friend’s unflattering adjective to preaching, my heart is stirred over a phenomenon, which has gripped America’s pulpits in recent years.
I recall opening my mail one morning some years ago and reading my first advertisement for “dead bread”:
“Pastors, are you too busy to spend hours of preparation on your sermons? Tired of feeling the stress of having to come up with original ideas week after week? If so, for just $199.95 you can have 52 weeks of quality sermons crafted by homiletical masters, complete with illustrations! Your congregation is guaranteed to be thrilled with the results or your money back!””
CROUTON CHRISTIANITY
As you know, in Third Day we have felt and discussed this pain about “dead bread,” for years, maybe because I spent so many years thinking it was my job to feed others, to sermonize every week, sometimes several times per week. I do know that for most of those years I took my study and research too seriously. For over three decades as a teaching pastor, I became a well-oiled vendor at dispensing “dead bread.” It was even said back then, that any true handling of the Scriptures or honest preparation meant an hour of study for every one-minute of delivery of the sermon in the pulpit. By the time you had studied, researched, word-smithed, digested, and then double-digested the message you didn’t even know that the bread you were getting ready to serve up was such simply” dead” information that it produced little or now nutritional value.
Obviously, I still get chances to speak, teach, recant, rant, cajole, whatever, a lot in different places all over the world. But the thing that has changed in me, rather than my need to impress or “WOW the crowd,” with my anointed knowledge and teaching. I would really rather just genuinely connect with people, exposing them to my passion for a personal God, and hopefully stir their own personal appetite for them to go after Him.
For you guys who still teach on a regular basis, this is a subtle shift. First, please don’t take yourself or your gifts too seriously. Please handle all of your sermons and all of your preparation lightly or loosely. Keep in mind at all time, God may just have surprises and suddenlies for any meeting you might have called.
Quite frankly, by the time your group gets to your study or your service, they have already tasted the best. They have read the latest Charisma Magazine, the last top two best sellers from Destiny Image Publishing, have read The Shack and have listened to the last three podcasts from Bethel on their iPod.
That may not be a totally bad thing. Maybe their increased appetite for God has stirred them to consume all of that stuff. But it is just a matter of time, until they will get dissatisfied with the stale “day old manna” dispensed by others and want some of their own “fresh bread,” from the Father. And when that happens watch out.
Getting into a life of solitude with God without any religious props will ruin you for any one else’s food. Even as Israel was warned to not even try to keep a “crumb” of manna until tomorrow, God continues to promise us daily “fresh bread.” The late Henri Nouwen emphasized most of his life that we will never have true community until we first settle the issue of solitude and develop our own secret life with the Lord.
VISITATION OR HABITATION
I think what the Father is pursuing in His people these days is the revelation that their life in God is to be a habitation. Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The word “abide” there means to spend the night, or as The Message says it, “spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow.” In the NT, in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” And of course the word “abide” there means to live, to dwell indefinitely.
So, we no longer, “go do” devotions, anymore that we “go to meetings.” We enter into a life style of delightful communion and connection with our Heavenly Father. For years we “conference junkies,” were caught going from meeting to meeting to find the newest thing, when all along He was offering us “fresh manna,” spoon-fed to our needs.
I even knew of families who packed up everything and “moved” across the state and/or the nation in an attempt to position themselves where “God is moving,” or where they had heard a prediction, or prophecy that “He would soon be there.”
If it is time for anything, when everything is shaking, it is time to hotly pursue the face of God, and when heaven touches earth, we will not only want to spend time in His presence, it will become even become your “magnificent obsession,” and your “dangerous delight.”
MENTORING THE MESSAGE
I am involved in a several small groups in San Diego, and currently help facilitate a men’s mutual mentoring type group. What I am enjoying is the whole process of simply getting the guys to talk, releasing them and coaching them to openly discuss their journey with fellow travelers. So refreshing and so exciting is to witness when they even surprise themselves by what comes out of their mouths, such great insights and revelations and wisdom.
I find these kinds of settings do several things. When people are allowed and encouraged to openly share, they discover the treasure that is within all of them. Again, this is a deep process of self-enrichment when you are sharing a message with others and feel like you really have connected with the group and God and receive the amazing pleasure that comes from that.
When people are in gatherings where they can openly share, they also get encouraged to steward their own gardens or reservoirs more diligently, in order to get more, so they can give more. And then of course, the wisdom pools that are created as several people unpackage a Scripture or a concept, rather than all of the insight coming from one or a few individuals. It is literally stuff to write about.
One of the best ways to mentor this message that God wants to spend time with us, speaks to us and communes with us, it to keep facilitating these open “third day” meetings, where the DNA is about the potential, participatory “priesthood of all the believers.”
DAVID’S DETERMINATION
We are all getting the same passion David had for a habitation of God. “O God, remember David, remember all his troubles! And remember how he promised God, made a vow to the Strong God of Jacob, “I’m not going home, and I’m not going to be, I’m not going to sleep, not even take time to rest, until I find a home for God, a house for the strong God of Jacob,” (Psalm 132:1 – 5, The Message).
Where do you think He lives? What are you building Him? Let me pass along some thoughts from another Third Day brother, Brad Nelson in Oakhurst, CA:
“In Him, we live and move and have our being.
We actually exist in Him. When we invite someone to meet Jesus we are inviting him or her to consider living in Him. This makes more practical sense than inviting Him into our Hearts. We are not inviting them into an organization or into the ministry of someone.
Buildings are made of stone cannot exist within Him. Corporate institutions and man made organizations cannot exist within Him. Living stones are the only structures that can exist within Him. Our membership in Him is direct and real. We get to know Him and not about Him. Because knowing Him, "is" to know about Him. Jesus said to His followers I do not have a place. That is because He is the place.”
IN THESE TOUGH TIMES
Making a commitment to follow Jesus is a lot like the commitment we make when we enter into marriage, it is the commitment we signed up for when we said our vows. And when the going gets tough, sometimes just remembering the vows is the only things that keeps you going.
My second book, “Where Would Jesus Lead?” is at the publishers. Pray all goes well for an edit deadline and the publishing of the book. Also, the next book, “Welcome Home: Church as a Way of Life,” is being pieced together through a cooperative effort of some of my old mentors and what we wrote through the years about the church as a family and a “way” of life.
I am committed to "buy up my time" in these all important days and keep looking for and living off of "fresh bread."
Gary Goodell
May 2009
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Could Christianity Survive Without the Bible?
72 say No 81 say Yes
Here are just a few of the comments I will provide more who say yes and more who say no in future posts...
The following are not necessarily my views, but they are reprinted here, to give you a chance to comment and add your views to the question. Could Christianity survive with the Bible?
A better question might be from my perspective is "Would the congregation you attend survive if you no longer had a church building? You are welcome to comment below on either or both questions.
No by Norma Budden
Christianity could never survive without the Bible. Christianity is based on Christ and the only place we read His story is in the Bible.
Today, while there are a multitude of denominations claiming Christianity, there is one common denominator between them: the Holy Bible. While people may interpret parts of Scripture differently than another, there are several statements which cannot be interpreted in any other way than as they are stated.
For example, the Bible states that, while good works are important, they will not grant us eternal life.
Unbelievers know how to treat people with respect. They help people who are facing a crisis, they donate to charities, they are hard-working, dependable, and honest people.
In summary, they can be all around "good" people but, unless they choose to follow Christ, Heaven will not be their final destination.
If the Bible was removed from the human race, good works may still abound for a while but, without having the knowledge of Someone watching over us, whether we do good or ill, how long do you suppose those "good works" would be in practice?
Humans need a guiding force to help them through the various situations they find themselves in. They struggle and sweat and basically need Someone more powerful than they are; Someone who can see what lies ahead and guide them in making the best decisions for their lives. Humans need Some one to share with. When times are bad, they need Someone to lean on (in secret, sometimes, so their sense of pride can remain in tact.) When times are great, they want to share with someone who understands just how they feel; how much they've sacrificed to get to a certain point, and the person standing next to them may not always fit the bill.
If the Bible was removed from society, Christ would be removed and, without Christ, there is no Christianity. Christ is already being eradicated from many schools and work place environments. Students and workers are not allowed to bring up His name and it's tragic because now we deal with the chain of events which has ensued: children bringing drugs and weapons to school while those around them live in fear, and workers cheating and killing their co-workers, to name only a few consequences.
When we turn on the news, regardless of the network or station, we receive so much bad news because people have gotten away from what is important to a moral existence: they've gotten away from the Christ-child and the Bible is still the number one selling book in the world. Imagine if it went out of production! Fear, pain, heartache, sorrow, sickness, and disease would abound like never before. There would be no faith, no hope, no joy and no reason for triumph. No one would want to live on the Earth ever again because, in essence, it would be a living Hell.
Yes by Ebey Soman
The Bible is the word of God. From the very Beginning God was here, before earth, moon and the stars. In John Chapter one, verse one it says "In the Beginning was the word and the world was with God and the Word was God." Thus it is impossible for the Bible to completely disappear from Earth.
Before the Bible as we know it was compiled, The "word of God" existed in the hearts and minds of the people. Abraham did not have the Bible, yet he was able to find God. So was all the patriarchs and the people that lived on this planet before the
Yes by Priscilla Cruz
My teacher told me that we read the bible because it is food for our souls and that it keeps us close to God and I believe her. Christians need to constantly feed their souls by ready the bible; it helps them grow and better understand God's work and plans. I personally read the bible when I feel alone and need to hear or feel God's presents. When you read the bible it is like being close to God; it is our door way to communicate with God and yes Christians need that or we will be lost. The bible gives christians us guidance from God; he had his followers write this book for us to refer to and study so that we will survve this world
Yes by Melissa Fineout
Of course Christianity could survive without the bible. Lets face it, most Christians today do not even read the bible. When a Christian does read a bible, oftentimes it is because a pastor or priest told them to, or it's the pastor doing it himself. Furthermore, the words of the bible have been skewed so many times by so many people that they hardly matter anymore-Unless of course you are running for presidency. Also, most Christians that read the bible these days are doing it to write their own Christian books, and if that is so, Christians could read those, more interesting books instead of the Bible.
Christianity could indeed survive without the Bible, it already does!
Ok, reader "What do you think?"
Here are just a few of the comments I will provide more who say yes and more who say no in future posts...
The following are not necessarily my views, but they are reprinted here, to give you a chance to comment and add your views to the question. Could Christianity survive with the Bible?
A better question might be from my perspective is "Would the congregation you attend survive if you no longer had a church building? You are welcome to comment below on either or both questions.
No by Norma Budden
Christianity could never survive without the Bible. Christianity is based on Christ and the only place we read His story is in the Bible.
Today, while there are a multitude of denominations claiming Christianity, there is one common denominator between them: the Holy Bible. While people may interpret parts of Scripture differently than another, there are several statements which cannot be interpreted in any other way than as they are stated.
For example, the Bible states that, while good works are important, they will not grant us eternal life.
Unbelievers know how to treat people with respect. They help people who are facing a crisis, they donate to charities, they are hard-working, dependable, and honest people.
In summary, they can be all around "good" people but, unless they choose to follow Christ, Heaven will not be their final destination.
If the Bible was removed from the human race, good works may still abound for a while but, without having the knowledge of Someone watching over us, whether we do good or ill, how long do you suppose those "good works" would be in practice?
Humans need a guiding force to help them through the various situations they find themselves in. They struggle and sweat and basically need Someone more powerful than they are; Someone who can see what lies ahead and guide them in making the best decisions for their lives. Humans need Some one to share with. When times are bad, they need Someone to lean on (in secret, sometimes, so their sense of pride can remain in tact.) When times are great, they want to share with someone who understands just how they feel; how much they've sacrificed to get to a certain point, and the person standing next to them may not always fit the bill.
If the Bible was removed from society, Christ would be removed and, without Christ, there is no Christianity. Christ is already being eradicated from many schools and work place environments. Students and workers are not allowed to bring up His name and it's tragic because now we deal with the chain of events which has ensued: children bringing drugs and weapons to school while those around them live in fear, and workers cheating and killing their co-workers, to name only a few consequences.
When we turn on the news, regardless of the network or station, we receive so much bad news because people have gotten away from what is important to a moral existence: they've gotten away from the Christ-child and the Bible is still the number one selling book in the world. Imagine if it went out of production! Fear, pain, heartache, sorrow, sickness, and disease would abound like never before. There would be no faith, no hope, no joy and no reason for triumph. No one would want to live on the Earth ever again because, in essence, it would be a living Hell.
Yes by Ebey Soman
The Bible is the word of God. From the very Beginning God was here, before earth, moon and the stars. In John Chapter one, verse one it says "In the Beginning was the word and the world was with God and the Word was God." Thus it is impossible for the Bible to completely disappear from Earth.
Before the Bible as we know it was compiled, The "word of God" existed in the hearts and minds of the people. Abraham did not have the Bible, yet he was able to find God. So was all the patriarchs and the people that lived on this planet before the
Yes by Priscilla Cruz
My teacher told me that we read the bible because it is food for our souls and that it keeps us close to God and I believe her. Christians need to constantly feed their souls by ready the bible; it helps them grow and better understand God's work and plans. I personally read the bible when I feel alone and need to hear or feel God's presents. When you read the bible it is like being close to God; it is our door way to communicate with God and yes Christians need that or we will be lost. The bible gives christians us guidance from God; he had his followers write this book for us to refer to and study so that we will survve this world
Yes by Melissa Fineout
Of course Christianity could survive without the bible. Lets face it, most Christians today do not even read the bible. When a Christian does read a bible, oftentimes it is because a pastor or priest told them to, or it's the pastor doing it himself. Furthermore, the words of the bible have been skewed so many times by so many people that they hardly matter anymore-Unless of course you are running for presidency. Also, most Christians that read the bible these days are doing it to write their own Christian books, and if that is so, Christians could read those, more interesting books instead of the Bible.
Christianity could indeed survive without the Bible, it already does!
Ok, reader "What do you think?"
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