Saturday evening I had a rare opportunity to engage some Granger Community Church critics on our campus, in our weekend service. It was rare because often our critics (we seem to be in good company with Saddleback Community, Willow Creek Community, New Spring, and other similar ministries) post blogs, write articles, and air radio broadcasts without ever meeting our senior pastor, Mark Beeson, me, or any of our other pastors or staff. Typically, without a personal visit to our campus or a personal attempt to understand, shots are fired and sharp conclusions are drawn.
Not so last evening. Chris Rosebrough, host of Pirate Christian Radio, and blogger at Extreme Theology, and three of his friends from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne (Ryan, Jay, and Evan) drove over to tour our facility and experience the weekend service for themselves. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet them, answer their questions in a pre-service tour, then spend some time talking after the service.
It was apparent that my guests and I shared some common theological ground - we've missed the mark, fallen short of God's glory, our destiny is spiritual death and purposeless living... except for a Savior. Jesus Christ has done in his living, death, and resurrection all that we could never do on our own. We are the direct recipients of his grace - unconditional love, full of forgiveness, complete in Christ. And we did nothing to earn it.
It was also apparent that there are some disparaging differences between us. Just what are the far-reaching implications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Just what is our step or steps to experience life here and beyond as God intended for Kingdom-citizens? How exhaustive is his plan and work to redeem all of his creation for all time? How is salvation to be understood, taught, embraced, and experienced? I'm fairly certain we didn't find common ground on these questions.
If I understood a major concern expressed by my guests, it centered around a proper understanding of both the Law (we've missed it, we can't attain to God's perfection on our own) and God's grace through Jesus (undeserved, not earned, completely free gift of unconditional love from God). This is where it gets especially confusing.
This weekend my friend and fellow pastor, Rob Wegner, preached the most brilliant, biblically-centered message about the work of Jesus Christ to completely transform a human life. Rob painted both the painful picture of our try-harder cycle juxtaposed to our contentment to merely be an applauding fan of Jesus. Rob preached God's grace as our only hope. God's grace alone makes a personal relationship and Kingdom-citizenship possible. And yet, Jesus says, "Follow me." Apparently, there is a step we must make. There is an action required of us. While we do nothing to earn God's free gift, our commitment to follow Jesus, rather than merely be a fan, demonstrates our trust and willingness to obediently live his redemptive lifestyle and life mission. [Watch the entire service and Rob's message here - Go to "Mix It Up, click "listen" or "watch" when it's live by mid-day Monday]
Yet, upon leaving the service last evening, Chris twittered his conclusion of that message and service: "What we heard was depressing & sad. All law no gospel. Tragic!" I was in the same service, same message. I heard a clear message of God's grace and crystal teaching that our best efforts won't attain the life God calls us to live.
In a tweet posted Sunday afternoon, Chris noted: "Reconciliation with God does not depend upon our merits, commitments, decisions, or earnest sincere strivings." I couldn't agree more. However, upon being reconciled by grace to God - our devotion to God, our decisions to obey and honor him, our sincere strivings will demonstrate both God's work of transformation within us and our intentional cooperation with his transformational work.
Maybe the confusion is clearing for me. Maybe this isn't so different than the divisive debate that ensued after our senior pastor of nearly 20 years resigned (at a former church I served). Our staff and elders debated sharply for months the question of reformed theology: do humans have and exercise free will in being reconciled to God? The collective answer to that question had direct impact on who taught, what was taught and how. All the while our focus on people who mattered to God was weakened. The message of God's grace was tied up in a board room of men, duking it out with Bible sword drills, holding fast to their understanding of the scriptures. Tragic.
I agree with my guests: context of scripture matters. Which is why it is so critical to understand the audience Paul is originally speaking to in his letters. He speaks into the collision of two worlds in the new emerging Christianity: Jews and Gentiles. He speaks to the ineffectiveness of our efforts to keep the law. In Romans 10 he says it's this simple: it's not about keeping all the rules to be "good enough". What's "good enough" is that you believe in your heart and you speak with your lips - "Jesus is worth following...He's the Lord of my life." Nothing else is necessary - no sacrifices, no special ceremonies, no law-keeping perfection. The ground is level at the foot of the cross for both Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slave and free, Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene and Baptist.
I'm confused by websites and radio shows that put so much energy and time into criticizing fellow Christ-followers and churches who are preaching Jesus, inviting people to engage the Kingdom of God here and now, making their lives count in God's agenda to redeem all of creation for his glory and honor. I'm concerned for the confusion that's created for those who still haven't experienced the reality of God's grace - as they watch the feud, hear the sarcasm, left to wonder what grace must mean if it's not shared by those who preach it's message. Tragic.
I'm glad for the time I got to spend with my Saturday evening guests. It was one more step in trying to understand. In this visit Chris, Jay, Ryan and Evan were kind, respectful, and gracious. I sincerely appreciated our conversation.
I wish there was less confusion for me at this point, but I do have renewed clarity about this: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the ultimate Redeemer. Our very purpose for living is found in his purpose alone. Our mission at Granger Community is crystal: We will continue "helping people take their next step toward Christ... together." We'll celebrate every step, expecting every step to ultimately lead to spiritually transformed lives by the power of God's Spirit and the grace of Jesus Christ. Our failure to do so would be tragic.
(Photo by Mark Beeson)
God's original design for his creation was order, creative order. Harmonious. Rhythmic. In sync.
A selfish inclination to define identity and worth left humankind painfully disconnected, out of sync with God and his created purpose.
Jesus came on the scene, on our level, in our disjointed world of oppression, injustice, and poverty to create a pathway, a sense of wholeness again. He showed us what the Father's love looks like. He lived and died by values that are "other world", and yet, intended to be our world. In sync.
That's the EASTER message. And at Granger Community Church this weekend, it's boomin'!
Last evening was the first of three Journey Bible Classes I'm leading, Spiritual Disciplines: Meditation on the Cross. Thomas Merton notes: "True contemplation is not a psychological trick but a theological grace." The practice of meditation from a Christian world view centers on Jesus. It's not merely a pathway to relieving stress or sorting through anxiety (although the scriptures attest to the beyond-understanding peace that comes through Jesus).
As any spiritual discipline, the goal of practicing meditation is not to become "good" at meditating. As Richard Foster puts it, "What happens in meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart."
The goal is spiritual transformation. The goal is a paradigm shift that impacts our living, behaviors, thoughts and attitudes. It's intended to help us shift from our myopic focus on the stuff in our lives that so easily distorts and distracts and defines us to a focus on Jesus' kingdom agenda where we experience intrinsic worth and value; where we shift from self absorption to selflessness.
In the class we considered prayers from the passion of Christ, that can be used as centering prayers as we meditate on Jesus, allowing him to meet with us personally. For those who have not begun a regular reading of the passion week of Christ's betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and burial, here is a schedule of reading that will allow you focused meditation on the cross for these few weeks leading up to Easter.
Kary Oberbrunner's third book will hit the shelf in the next couple months. With the economic squeeze on, you may be a little more cautious about where your media/library dollars go. Or maybe you're making your reading decisions based on your schedule and the limited time you have with the holidays around the corner.
However it is you're making choices about your reading material these days, I offer this list of reasons to not read Kary's latest book. Don't invest your time or money. Here's why...
He says, "relevance isn't about the brand of clothing we wear or the music we listen to. It's not about our vocabulary or even the exact shape of our theology. These are externals. Relevance is fundamentally internal. It's having the courage and the grace to look at a wounded man and stop to help. From that internal decision flows our relevant actions. As depicted in the story of the Good Samaritan, what makes us relevant is our love for God and people."
He notes, "The perceived opposition between Christianity and culture stems from a dualistic, Western worldview that divides life into categories - categories like sacred and secular...God shows up in spiritual places, like church and nature; he is absent from secular venues, like sports arenas.
" This type of worldview is toxic on multiple levels." I'll stop there. Nuff said.
He observes, "Walking the fine line looks different for every person. God intends for you to wrestle with him through what it means to live in the world, not of the world. This is true especially of those "Christian liberty" issues where there is no standard answer that applies to all people, an idea that Separatists are none too happy about."
Finally, I'll make it really simple:
It hits shelves on December 5th. You can pre-order it for only $10.19. You can learn more here. Watch the video here.
I warned you. It's a fine line.
I posted this on Wednesday. Then I read Don Reynold's post. Don volunteers his time and gifts on our vocal team at Granger. He's a good friend with a heart for God and people. Don writes:
There is a fire burning. It’s smoke can’t be seen. It’s heat can’t be felt. It’s light won’t change a dark room.
Or will it?
Years ago - 16 to be exact - I landed on this passage at a prayer retreat on the Oregon coast. God seemed to drive this passage to my core as the essential purpose of my life - both in personal transformation and as a life mission in helping others experience their worth and significance in Christ.
It's fueled my ministry focus, centered my family life, and kept first things first with Jesus.
Well, it's done all that when I've lived from that central goal. Today I've been asking, "Am I still leading from that core? Am I connecting with my family from that prayer? Am I connecting with people from that core? Am I teaching for life transformation from that core?"
I don't want to live from an assumed past. An examined life is life experienced.
What's at your core?
Here are some amazing photos (a few among hundreds that were taken) from my friend, Jeff Petersen. Jeff is an extraordinary photographer and video producer as you can see below. The emotion is captured. The moment is frozen. The commitment to Jesus is resolved. These people were among hundreds baptized this past weekend.
Over the past three years our midweek New Community service averaged just under 1,000 people. A month ago we held our final New Community service to transition to Journey Bible Classes. The classes shift our midweek teaching focus from a single Bible teaching from a single teacher/pastor for 40 minutes to a 75-minute teaching time and 3 teachers with 3 respective Bible focuses. People have options for studies that they own; they have new handles in charting their journey with Christ.
And they have responded enthusiastically.
In contrast to our former New Community average attendance, over 1,400 people have preregistered for classes that begin this next Wednesday! I'm expecting over 1,600 people to arrive for 3 classes that barely seat 1,500.
Our teams are challenged with the likelihood that we'll not have enough seats. And our teams are crazy excited about the challenge.
GCCers are embracing more than change. They're embracing the journey; they're embracing Jesus.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12.1
In his book Wide Awake Erwin McManus notes that "while our imagination is not limited, our thinking so often is." I've observed the same thing. Our thinking gets contained, restricted.
...by our old tapes that inform our feelings and behaviors
...by our misinformed notions of God and life
...by our need for security, to keep things "normal", as we know it
Decisions are made, relationships are navigated, and time is prioritized based on what's in our mind. By what we think.
Even as Christians. We somehow forget that we are called to be more than merely a Westernized, nominal Christian. We have been called to be Christ-followers. Christian. We're called to live life as created beings, surrendered to our Creator. Pursuing his character, his wisdom, his agenda, his kingdom. Surrendered to whatever that means.
It's easier to let people, culture, "normal" patterns of living to suck us into the rushing flow of "feel good now." It's easier to restrict God's will to expecting him to make us happy with the right date, mate, job, or neighborhood. It's a tougher challenge to surrender to his will to transform our mind - to help us live from a core of truth about him, the world, ourselves, and others.
It's why people gather in groups to bring their life stories into the light of the Scriptures, God's story.
It's why we're launching an enhanced experience of God's presence in our weekend services. It's why we're introducing Journey Bible classes at GCC.
We're just weeks away. I can hardly wait.
Don't wait to let the word of God inform and transform you. Read it today for yourself. Again.
Saturday, I'll drive down to Camp Adventure with my nephew, Tyler, and Liv's friend, Tori to pick up Liv (who's been leading a group of girls all week as their counselor) and head to the airport. We'll meet Laura, her brother, Bruce, and his wife, Heather and head to Florida.
Our destination is New Smyrna Beach where we'll link up with my in-laws, Harold and Myra. Beach-side, we'll spend the next seven days riding waves (actually my in-laws probably won't), swimming, eating seafood, and relaxing.
Recreation and rest.
I'm looking forward to it for a few reasons:
I don't know that I'll have or find internet access to post often or at all while I am away (New Smyrna isn't your cutting-edge, technology town; people retire there). If you see a post related to church and ministry - I cheated and put it up in advance. If you see vacation pictures, I'm online - not to read email or engage work... only to post snapshots of recreation and rest.
See you soon...
I happen to be one of the pastors at Granger Community Church, but if I weren't, it would still be my church. My spiritual transformation and experience of God is wrapped up in the community and experiences in this group of people.
Every weekend is phenomenal at Granger Community Church. Still, I didn't expect what I experienced this past weekend. 4th of July weekend. It's a celebration weekend. A time for gratitude, hope and sober reflection. I didn't realize how impactful the service was on me until the very end. Every element had been appropriate and moving for many. From Mark Beeson's setup of the service and pledge, to the gripping media, drama, song arts piece, to Stephen Mansfield's hope-filled message ... it was all good.
Then we sang a song I wasn't sure even fit in the service. But "God of this City" punctuated every moment in the service for me.
I experienced the nearness, the wonder, the Lordship of Jesus this weekend with the flag flying high, Martin Luther King on the big screen, and Jesus lifted up as the hope of the world.
I listened to the song, God of the City, today on my Zune - in my office, in the car... and I experienced the wonder of the weekend moment all over again. I experienced God.
It's the kind of experience many others had throughout the service. It's the kind of moment we're praying for in every weekend. We want people to connect experientially with a relevant God.
Todd Rhodes over at Monday Morning Insight just put this up.
What do you think?
This past Thursday evening I had the opportunity to launch our midweek series: Bringing Up There Down Here Starts Here. The focus was "feeding myself." I find that it's a topic that's challenging to address for a number of reasons:
It's a perplexing...
Continue reading "Spiritual Transformation: A Question of Feeding" »
It's not linear. It's viral.
It's not one tells one. It's everyone tell everyone.
It was not a slow-spreading announcement, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It didn't travel one person to one more person. It was viral. Each person told everyone they knew. The Light caused ripple effects that impacted everyone and everything around it. All of history has been marked and changed by the resurrection of this One, the Light of the World, Jesus the Christ.
Observing the phenomenon of viral video and communication, where any one person on the planet - anyone - can communicate a message to the entire world about any topic, any time.
Mark Beeson, asked this simple question, "What if everyone told everyone, rather than everyone tell one?"
Using glow sticks to illustrate the power of viral over linear communication, nearly 9,500 people this weekend at Granger Community Church were invited to be part of the movement. To help bring up there, down here. To tell not just one, but everyone they knew. Reading aloud the resurrection narrative from Matthew's account where the disciples ran to share the news with others, Mark observed, "good news cannot be walked!" (For some great pics and early feedback see Mark's post here.)
The service will be uploaded soon (I'll update this link then), so watch GCCwired.com to see the entire service online. Until then, enjoy this clip that Mark used to illustrate the fun and wonder of each of us simply choosing to sing the song of the Good News to a world who may or not be expecting us to sing it. Watch this:
This past weekend is a must experience. And if you missed it live, then this web stream is the next best thing.
Jason Miller is my friend. I respect him, love his heart for Jesus and admire his tenacious pursuit of leading well and communicating effectively. He serves as our Pastor of Worship and College-age Ministry, but his impact extends well beyond twenty-somethings.
This past weekend Jason brought the cries of a palm-waving crowd from Jerusalem a little closer to home, as he unpacked the literal cry, "Hosanna", and helped us hear ourselves cry with them, "Save us... today... from the hell we are trying to escape." Today. In this life.
Jason vulnerably shared "A Pastor's Confession" and helped us look honestly at our need for a Savior.
You should watch and listen to this entire weekend service, if you:
Again, watch it here.
Friends of mine are trying desperately to find answers and care for their teenage, autistic son. I spoke this morning with a young father whose 10-year old daughter died unexpectedly last night. This quote from the late Mike Yaconelli is worth remembering.
I grew up experiencing something lots of Christ-followers experience in church. It's not about my Nazarene upbringing. I've experienced it in independent churches, Baptist churches and Methodists churches. It's well intended. And it's true.
I'm talking about that practice of dropping in personal pronouns or your own name into Bible verses to help us get that we matter to God. God loves me personally. It's true. But, we risk missing the point.
It goes something like this:
Our westernized understanding of our salvation has become so personalized, so individualized that we've risk missing our identity as kingdom partners, as image-bearers - together - because of God's redemptive love for his world. (See the works of N.T. Wright, one great resource in helping us get this truth. Also, for a great message and service that addresses the Christmas narrative in the context of the story of the Bible and God's redemptive plan for the world watch this from Mark Beeson.)
So, when we sing songs this time of year like Joy to the World, we tend to sing the words, but miss the words. Joy to the WORLD! The extraordinary, scandalous message of the "Word become flesh" and "moving into the neighborhood" is good news across the universe!
Perhaps the question is not limited to "how does this news impact my own life in terms of "my salvation?", but rather "how will this news that he came to the world change my view of the people of the world?" "How will I alter my life to care about the others who matter to God?"
Yes, I matter. But, so does everyone else.
If we're honest, if we really accept that truth, it just might mess up Christmas for us. Nuts.
Tale of Two Trips
I've been to India twice now. On both occasions I took in a trip to Agra to visit the Red Fort and the famed Taj Mahal. I was traveling with my family on the second tour and wanted them to experience all I had in my first Eastern adventure.
You see, my first tour was with a native travel guide who completely immersed herself in the history and legacy of her country. She told stories about the people and events that had inhabited the sites as though she had experienced them herself. She was connected with the story. She told it as if it was her own. I listened with keen interest, hung on every word. I was invited into her world, her history, her life. I not felt I knew her country and her heritage; I believed I knew her.
Eager for my wife and daughter to experience the same riveting interaction, we embarked on the two-hour ride to Agra from New Deli. My eagerness waned as
Kathy Guy, our Director of Community at Granger Community, has posted a couple of articles that celebrate the power of personal life stories - God's stories. Keep your eyes open; God's up to good stuff all around us. His story is fresh. It's life-changing. It's personal.
Read the stories here... and here.
Thanks for sharing, Kathy!
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