Friday, March 28, 2008

Francis of Assisi and the missional church

A couple weeks ago somone handed me a book to read. I was excited until I heard that it was a novel. I am not a big novel reader. I think this one was my fourth in my adult life. The book was called "Chasing Francis" by Ian Morgan Cron. It was one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. I hardly ever read books twice, but this one I plan to read again and do the Study Guide in the back of the book.

The book is a story of a minister who goes on a pilgrimage in Italy with an Uncle who is a Franciscan Priest. The journey is based on the heart of St. Francis of Assisi's ministry. His mission statement was based on the rule of 1221 which said that Franciscans were to "proclaim the Word of God openly, calling on people to repent, believe and be baptized."

The book talks about how Jesus followers should live out their faith. They are to focus on the life of Jesus reading the Gospels not as nice stories or teachings, but as books that teach us how to live. We should promote peace in our families, our church, our community, our neighborhood and throughout the world. We should not only help those in poverty, but we should help them gain their dignity. This comes from a willingness to touch people who may make us uncomfortable. Assisi saw the importance of authentic commnity with God and other Jesus followers.

Everyone could learn something from this book. But if you are a minister who is wondering why you may have some frustration in your church. If you wonder if this is really what you signed up for when you went into ministry. If you are thinking about getting out of minsitry. If you need new vision for the church you lead. Then read the book!

The book is also a great book to describe the missional church. It is amazing to see that Francis of Assisi was pursing to turn the church into a missional church back in the 12th century. And through this pursuit he is known as the one who saved the church and kept it alive. The church in the 21st century needs the same boost today. It needs to become a place where people can be a part a something that has real meaning.

May prayer is that I can begin a journey to have the passion, the love for God and the love for people that Francis of Assisi learned from Jesus. I also pray that I have the courage to follow Jesus' lead and that Northwest can truly become a missional Church.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Lousy Tee-Shirt

Lastnight I finished Vince Antonucci's book, "I Became a Christian and All I got was this Lousy Tee-Shirt." The point of the book is that when we walk into most churches across the county we do not see the same passion that existed in the first century church. Vince talks about walking into church for the very first time after reading the New Testament. He was excited to meet people (Christians) like the ones described in the book of Acts. People who were filled with joy, excited about worshiping God and people who were ready to make an impact in the world around them.

When he walked in his experience was less than what he expected. He walked in disappointed. The church did not have the passion that was described in the book of Acts.

Why? I believe it comes from years and years of chruch histroy where we have difted from what Jesus desired for the church to be. We have become inwardly focused and self-centered. We have forgotten the mission of Jesus, which is the same mission he passed on to his followers. We are to be seeking lost people and connecting them to the one who can save them.

Vince's book shares the excitement that we can find by abiding in Jesus and touching people who need the gift of grace. It is a very inspiring book and is worth picking up.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Cell Phones and Coffee

This morning I was meeting a couple guys at a local coffee house. We always have great discussions about a real God who has done everything He can so that we can have a real relationship with Him.

I am new to the coffee scene and do not know all the etiquette. I walked in talking on my cell phone and got in line to order. Keep in mind that I hate it when I see people try to order something while still talking on the phone. I think it is rude and impersonal. So the guy in front of me is finished and the barista goes to the guy behind me. I motion to him that I was next and he pointed to a sign and turned his back on me. The sign explained how they would not wait on you until you were off the phone.

I was a little miffed at first. Then I realized I was doing exactly what I criticize other people for doing. That was lesson one for the morning. Isn't that just like us. We get frustrated with something someone does. Then we get upset when someone points out the same behavior in us. Bravo, for the barista in Angel Falls Coffee (http://www.angelfallscoffee.com/). It reminded me that I need to be careful before I pass judgement, if I am not willing to live by the same standards. I was being rude and impersonal and I deserved the response that I got.

There was another lesson I learned this morning. I walked in not knowing the rule the owner of Angel Falls had concerning cell phones. While I was still in the wrong, it made me think about the times we are not clear with people who are new to the church. We place expectations on people who walk into the church, without them even knowing the expectations. Then when they don't live up to the expectations, we turn our back on them as if to make a point. I know this may sound stupid, but I felt some guilt as if I needed to apologize for my mistake. I wondered if this is how people feel when they make a mistake, not knowing that they have done anything wrong. Probably. So as Christ followers we need to be careful how we point out mistakes others make. We need to ask ourselves if they knew the rule before they broke the rule. Especially if we were not clear about the rule in the first place.

I had one of the guys I was with order my coffee for me while I closed out my conversation. This is where I learned my final lesson. I would have ordered it in a to go cup instead of a house mug. But because I was pre-occupied with my phone I did not get it exactly the way I wanted (John, if you read this, it is my fault). This is probably one of the reasons they do not take orders from people on the phone. If it's not right, then the person ordering probably blames the Barista. But it's not the Barista's fault. When we do not give others our full attention then communication breaks down.

I hate cells phones.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Tomorrow Is Easter!


I wanted everyone to see how we are celebrating the day before Easter. This is the first Saturday of Spring. I will not give in-I will live as if it is spring not winter.
It is somewhat appropriate on the day after Jesus was buried. Winter is a symbol of death. It is a time when there is no life. It can be depressing being shut-up in a house with nothing to do.
But tomorrow, we celebrate! Even if there is snow on the ground, we celebrate the FACT that Jesus rose from the dead. That he conquered death and this gives us the hope of eternal life!
So much for the Easter Dresses tomorrow and the only hats we will see will be winter hats.
Happy Easter!

Friday, March 21, 2008

"Good" Friday?

It's Good Friday. Have you ever thought about that title before. "Good" Friday. What's so good about it? A man, Jesus, was arrested, beaten and hung on a cross to die. He sacrificed physically-his life was taken. He sacrificed emotionally- he was stripped and put on display for Jerusalem to see. He sacrificed spiritually- he was separated from God. Meaning God's presence was absent from Him. And we call this "Good" Friday? Not for Jesus. He even knew how bad it was going to be for Him. He prayed in the garden to have the cup (of wrath) to be lifted from Him. Followed by a promise to fulfill God's will.

Was it a "Good" Friday for God? Think about it. He watched his only Son die an agonizing death and was separated from him as he payed our penalty of sin. And we call this "Good" Friday? Not for God the Father.

Here are some others that may not categorize it as "Good" Friday. How about Mary, the mother of Jesus? "Good?" How about Jesus' friends? "Good?" How about the disciples? "Good?" I do not think it was a "Good" Friday for any of them.

Sometimes I wonder if calling it "Good" Friday is selfish on our part. The reason it is a "Good" Friday is because it is a day for us to remember when our penalty of sin was paid. It is "Good," for us, because His death is what allows us to have eternal life. Calling it "Good" Friday is like the prayer I heard a woman pray one time. We were praying for someone who had a terminal disease. The woman's prayer was, "God, thank you that none of us have what she has." What a selfish prayer. Someone Else's pain reminds you of how lucky you are.

The Friday before Easter is "good" because it reminds us how important we are to God. It reminds us of how much he loves us. It reminds us that if we believe in Jesus, we will never be separated from God's presence.

But in what makes this Friday "good," we should never forget the sacrifice that was made on our behalf to make it "good."

On this Friday ask your self this question, "What can you sacrifice to bring goodness to the world around you?"

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Be Careful What You Say

Without getting too political I would like to share a little of what I have learned from the Jeremiah Wright issue. I have some mixed emotions about what has occured over the last week. Being the preacher at a church it makes me want to make sure that what I say on Sunday mornings has a focus on God rather than my own personal opinions. But this does not just apply to preachers, it applys to every Christ follower. When we mix our own incentives, desires, opinions and political views with religion it can do great damage to the kingdom of God.

My concern is not with what this does to Sen. Obama, it is the damage it does to what Christ established when He walked this earth. The fact is, this is not just about Jeremiah Wright, it is about Christ followers throughout the world that give a false impression of what Christianity is all about. And before we lash out against Jeremiah Wright, we all better look at how we portray the gospel to the world. I am not defending what Jeremiah Wright has said, as a matter of fact it is quite bothersome to me. But I do worry about how I portray the gospel message to the world around me.

I ask myself often if this is what I want or what God wants. I mean, do my political views dictate how I interpret the gospel? Do my own personal desires get in the way of presenting the real Jesus to those around me? Do I let personal incentives dictate how I approach God? If I do, and I know I do sometimes, how does that affect the Kingdom of God?

Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). Notice what Jesus said, we are to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness," not ours. What seems "right" to us, may not line up with what is "right" when seen through the eyes of Jesus. We can not let our feelings dictate how the gospel is presented. We are to present the gospel that Jesus wants us to present in its purest form. We should measure what we say and what we do with what God's word teaches us. We should be careful what we say and what we do, because there is always someone listening and watching. And it can make a difference in how people view the kingdom of God.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

"No. But I did stay at a . . ."

Ok, it has been a week since I posted. I have felt awful for the last six days. I do not even remember what I said Sunday morning, it had to do with Jesus heading for Jerusalem on his way to fulfill his mission, "to seek and save that which is lost."

Friday morning I was home with Seth. He had been up all night with a stomach ache. I went to Walmart at 1 am and what I got, he couldn't take. So, Friday morning I took him to Rite Aid to get some children's antacid. I spent a long time looking over the various products on the shelf. Seth was great, he was very patient through the whole process. A guy walked up to me and aksed me if I needed any help. I told him what I was looking for and he said that what I had in my hand would work fine. I thanked him and then began to walk away.

Out of curiousity, I turned back around and asked the man if he was the Pharmacist. He said, "No. But I did stay at a . . . " No, he did not say "Holiday Inn Express." It would have worked. It would have been funny. But instead he finished with, "That's probably what I would give my kid." For all I know he was the cleaning guy and here he is giving me medical advice. Medical advice he was not even sure of, He said, "probably."

Look, when I am sick or when someone else in my family is sick, I don't want a "probably." I want a sure thing. I want something that is going to work. I want something that is going to bring healing. I want something that is going to give me rest. I want something that gives me peace.

That is why I love Jesus, he doesn't give me a "probably." When it is chaotic and stressful, he says, "Peace be still." When we are tired and weary, he says, "Come to me and I will give you rest." When we are sick, he says "your faith has healed you."

And you know what? He never stayed at Holiday Inn Express. He is the real deal, someone we can recommend to everybody. Even if we are the cleaning guy.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

From Barstools to Baptism

When I went to the church planting bootcamp with Scott Pugh last October, I got the opportunity to spend some time with Vince Antonucci. Vince started a church in Virginia Beach and is one of the most passionate people I have ever met when it comes to reaching lost people. He is not afraid to try anything to connect someone who is far from God to Jesus. Forefont Christian Church where he ministers has three sites. They have the Virginia Beach Campus, the Chesapeake Camus and the Tuesday Night Campus. It is the Tuesday Night Campus that is one of the most unique places for a church. Forefront's website is: www.forefront.org

The Tuesday Night Campus meets at The White Horse Pub (view). I know this may make some of you uncomfortable. Some of you may think how can they have church in a pub. Well, remember what Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them" (Matthew 18:20). Also remember Jesus went to the margins of society, where those who were far from God hung out. Before you get to critical, remember the religious leaders of Jesus' time questioned why he would hang out with sinners. He once responded by saying, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. . . For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:13-13).

Listen to some of the stories Vince shared about the fruit after 6 weeks of having church in The White Horse Pub. A guy came up to him one week with a Bible in his hand and said, "Last week I came to drink. This week I came to go to church." Another guy asked if they could come and do this at his house. He was going to throw an outdoor party and invite a bunch of friends. He wanted the band, the preaching, communion and I assume the offering. How about that, people who want the church to come to them.

When we take the gospel to those who are far from God, there is no telling how the Spirit will move.

Since that trip to Nashville, I have been praying about a place where I can meet people who are far from God. I have also been praying for a place where Northwest can meet people far from God. As we move to be more missional, we need to pray that God will lead us to some uncomfortable places. So do not be surprised if we try to take the gospel to those who are far from God. As Christ followers it is our responsibility.