Mark Waltz | ...Because People Matter

The Prodigal God: Our Story of Control

I had a college professor who taught that the parables of Jesus had one and one point only. It was wrong to try to read too much into the details of Jesus' stories. Take the ever-popular story of "the prodigal son". Point: God the Father is a forgiving, unconditional loving God. According to my prof, the story's elder son character was merely added in to round out a great story. I think he may have missed a point or two in the parable.

Tim Keller's, The Prodigal God helped me gain fresh appreciation for the genius story-telling of Jesus. In fact, he helped me see Jesus in fresh light. I'll not try to give a book report on Keller's fine work - you should read the book for yourself. Here are a few of my takeaways...

• The story is about two sons, not one. And both brothers have issues of control. They long to control their own destiny, make life work they way they believe it should work. The younger son leaves his father to own his own way. The elder brother seeks control through his moral uprightness, doing what he believes his father expects. By doing so he believes he'll gain the outcome he desires from his father. The father's role is then to "bless", coroporate, make life happy for the son. 
• • I've had my share of elder brother syndrome. Blaming God for not making it work. More proud of my rule-keeping, than humbled by God's grace.
• Churches are unfortunately filled with elder brothers. Elder brothers who seek God's favor more than they seek relationship with God. Elder brothers who self-righteously criticize, ignore, and reject younger brothers. Jesus' primary audience when telling this story were "elder brother" Pharisees. Keller writes: "...the main barrier between Pharisees and God is 'not their sins, but their damnable good works.'
• • Even now, I'm more prone to think with some level of disgust about the "other people" I know who behave like elder brothers. In doing so I wonder what amount of "elder brother" still lives in me.
• The younger son made a laundry list of his sins to own and confess to his father upon his return home. The elder son - in his arrogance - had no such list. Keller observes, "To become Christians we must also repent of the reasons we ever did anything right. What makes you faithful or generous is not just a redoubled effort to follow moral rules. Rather, all change comes from deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out of the changes that understanding creates in your heart. Faith in the gospel restructures our motivations, our self-understanding, our identity, and our view of the world. Behavioral compliance to rules without heart-change will be superficial and fleeting.
• • I first became aware of this sin of idolotry - sins of ill-motivation - several years ago. The fact that it was years ago doesn't make me a saint today; it only means I have more experience being aware. My motivation matters. And I'm too easily motivated by selfishness. I've done lots of "right" stuff over the years - not always for the right reasons.
    
• Jesus knew the Torah. He understood the Jewish concept of being "my brother's keeper." Keller points out that a compassionately motivated elder brother would have gone to look for his younger brother. Jesus leaves out of this story the character he actually was in flesh and blood - the true elder brother. The elder brother who gave up what was his; who didn't bemoan the Father who reinstated the younger brother (thereby giving away what was now rightfully the elder brother's share of the estate); the elder brother who lived, died and rose again to point the way Home to the Father.
• • My elder brother, Jesus - he paid the price. He came after me. He was - and is - the way home to the Father. I want to know more of this intimate relationship with God. I want to continue to capture the fresh, simple complexities of scripture, including the parables with all their points.

I needed this read. I still have control issues. I'll bet you'll uncover a couple of your own.

Read Keller's book - then tune into Willow's Leadership Summit: he's a featured speaker.

Confused by the Critics

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.

30 Days of Sex | Love & Lust

If you experienced this past weekend, and you're married, you might have thought the service wasn't for you. After all the topic was lust. That's for all the single people or, I suppose, married people who are flirting with an affair. It might have been easy to check out (except for that stunning interview with Satan...watch it here).

Hold up. Let's consider this: Is it okay to lust for your spouse?

I admit it, I've told my wife that I'm filled with lust for her. What I'm saying is, "I think you're hot. You're making me hot. Let's get hot together  I 'lust' you. (blush... this is getting way personal.)" I don't intend to be one-dimensional. I intend it in the context of celebrating our multi-dimensional relationship. But, in the heated moment, it's pretty focused. It's about sex. Pure and simple.

Is that okay?

Absolutely (especially when she says, "yes"). I want her to know that I treasure her...and her "Wonderland" body (thanks, John Mayer... I think he borrowed the eroticism from Solomon). I want her to know that after 27 years of marriage I still find her attractive and sexy. God designed sex between a married man and woman to be filled with pleasure. Highly erotic. Charged with sensual energy. Intimately romantic.

BUT. (one T)

But, if all I do is really lust for my wife, if all she hears from me is "I lust for you", then I'm only singing Cheap Trick: "I want you to want me, I need you to need me, I'm beggin' you to beg me." It's one-dimensional. "I want one thing from you - keep me happy sexually." That's lust - and even within marriage it's way short of God's ideal of Love.

This weekend Rob Wegner clearly defined Love that is God-honoring, other-treasuring (watch an excerpt here).

• Love is relational - interested in the family, friendships and human interactions of the other.
• Love is intellectual - interested in how the other thinks, reasons, and processes.
• Love is emotional - concerned with how the other feels.
• Love is spiritual - interested in who God made the other to be and their relationship with him.
• Love is physical - enjoyed by sexual chemistry and desire.

Men, you love your wife with that kind of love and "lust" will be a playful, mutual expression of appropriate physical desire. Women, you love your husband with that kind of love and desire, and his tendency to "lust" after other women will be minimized. But note the distinction between a playful "lust" in marriage and a selfish expression of lust.

Play the video above again. By definition lust is reductionary. It always wants more, never satisfied with the present pleasure and connection. It is self-absorbed. Lust will hurt - even destroy - your marriage. Love will ignite the spark and cause your marriage to burn hot.

• Read the 30-Day Sex Challenge ... and Sex God. Then talk about it. Not just the sex. But where your ideas of sex come from. What hurts, fears and misgivings you have about sex - from past or present.
• Read the Song of Solomon together (read it in the Message)... in bed.
• If you've given up on 30 days of sex, then plan an overnight. Send the kids to Grandmas and stay home if you can't get a hotel. But, think honeymoon. Plan. Be creative. Give yourselves  to each other again: fully - relationally, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Which will it be in your marriage? Love or Lust.

I choose Love.

30 Days of Sex | An Interview with Satan

I had the unusual and unexpected opportunity recently to interview Satan about... yes, sex. Any surprises?

From weekend service, Granger Community Church, March 21/22, 2009. Watch the entire service here.

30 Days of Sex | Rob Wegner on Lust

Here's a clarifying clip about the contrast of lust from Rob Wegner's message: Just Lust from this past weekend. This is great teaching. Jump here to read more about: "Lust in Marriage"

If you want more from Rob, watch the entire message here (click the "watch" icon for "Just Lust").

30 Day Sex Challenge | Is Sex the Point?

I know, I know. It seems like a crazy question to ask a week into this month-long sex challenge: Is sex even the point? It is, obviously. But maybe not.

• What's the point of a football player spending hours in the weight room? To bench record weights? To sweat a lot? No, the point is to play ball better on the field.
• What's the point of studying for an exam or doing daily homework in school? Merely the grade? No, the point is to be equipped for life experiences, including the workforce.
• What's the point of spiritual practices? To know more about the Bible? To be an expert "pray-er"? Hardly. The point is to live a transformed life after the Way of God and his agenda.

Maybe sex isn't the point. If you thought it was and it's created tension in your marriage and bedroom. Call a timeout.

The point is not to merely get to the end of a month and be able to say, "We did it for 30 days!" The point is not to set new records in skill, frequency or creativity (although there's nothing wrong with that, I'm sure). The point is to journey toward intimacy. And intimacy isn't just about the physical act of sex.

Intimacy is about connection.It's about listening. It calls for selfless denial. It involves changing your agenda, your priority, your behavior. Intimacy may culminate in the bedroom, but it doesn't start there. Intimacy starts in the heart. It's a mindful, willful decision. It shows up in phone calls, non-sexual touch (that might mean you don't expect anything after giving the back rub, guys), doing the dishes, and parenting the kids. Intimacy, romance... foreplay. It starts way before the bedroom.

Is sex the point?

Kinda. It will be a helpful practice.

Here's what my wife and I have discovered over the past week:

• We've had more intentional conversations about our shared life, goals, and sex.
• We've been more careful to speak positively into each other.
• We've flirted more.
• We've listened better.
• We've ... (you don't need to know everything).

So, ask yourself: Do I want to love my spouse better at the end of this 30-day journey? Or do I just want to look back on a month of great sex?

Answering that question could be a challenge.

Some of you would do well to start over with a 30-day Romance Challenge. Yeah, romance.

By the way, there's a good chance you'll still have sex this month.

(Missed getting the book from our bookstore? You can order it here from the authors, Paul and Susie Wirth.)

(Curious about where you can get your own bedroom door hanger and other tools for the journey? Check 'em all out here.)

Get Your Head Out of the Sand!

At Granger Community Church we're committed to meeting people where they are. We've discovered that most people who are unchurched aren't too concerned with Levitical law, Jewish ceremonial cleansing rites, or how to parse a Greek verb. Most people are trying to navigate challenges related to parenting, a flailing sense of self worth, how to make a living, and even personal sexuality. So, that's where we want to meet them. Right where they are.

We just finished up week two in our weekend series, Sex for Sale. The Bible has a lot to say about sex. God created it. So, we're not afraid to talk about it.

But it seems some people are very afraid for us - the church - to talk about it. Ironic, I think.

I'm speaking specifically about churched people who consider themselves to be Christians. I don't understand them. I want to. But I don't. I don't want to be unkind. But this might sound a bit frank.

Get your head out of the doggone sand!

I've heard parents in our office, at our guest services desk, and on the phone - angry, rude, unkind, scathing - sharing a piece of their mind because their sixth or seventh grader will be expected to sit through the service (Our age appropriate ministry that runs concurrently to the adult service only goes through fifth grade.) Are you kidding me?

I'm shocked that any parent would choose to not talk with their child about sexuality before middle school. In fact, with no suggestion of the "right" age, conservative Christian parenting expert, James Dobson's Focus on the Family website calls parents to "get started now" with the sex talks. Parents who have decided not to talk with their children, especially delaying past third or forth grade, have merely decided to bury their head in the sand while their child's peers and the media "educate" them on sex. Such education is certain to be distorted at best, perverted at worst.

I wonder:

• Does this topic open too many wounds, scratch too close to personal distortions connected to parents' own sense of worth? Is it just too difficult to face the truth inside their own life?
• Does the discussion of sex in church present a risk of guilt and shame, because parents feel unable to speak with any sense of moral authority to their own kids? (God offers forgiveness. You can start again.)
• Do some Christians think "spiritual life" is about believing the right stuff, having a great "worship" experience, with little to no integration to real life - like relationships, sexuality, finances, or attitude?
• Do some parents not want the church to "force" the conversation they're not willing to have with their kids?

I just wonder...

By the way - when your head is in the sand, it's dry and suffocating. And when you spew on others who refuse to bury their head, all they can see is... well, your back side.

Hillsong London @ Granger Community

Jason Miller, my friend and fellow pastor at Granger Community Church, just announced that our church will be one stop of 10 cities for Hillsong London. Their coming next month!

For all the details - read Jason's post here.

(I know - some of you hate following the link off this site, but you should be reading Jason's blog anyway. Enjoy!)

Meditation & the Cross

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.

• Thurs, March 12: Matthew 21.1-11
• Fri, March 13: Mark 11.12-14
• Sat, March 14: Mark 11.15-18
• Sun, March 15: Luke 20.1-8
• Mon, March 16: Mark 12.1-44
• Tues, March 17: John 12.2-11
• Wed, March 18: Matthew 26.14-16
• Thurs, March 19: Mark 14.10-11
• Fri, March 20: Luke 22.3-6
• Sat, March 21: Matthew 26.17-29
• Sun, March 22: Mark 14.12-25
• Mon, March 23: Luke 22.7-20
• Tues, March 24: John 13.1-38
• Wed, March 25: John 14.1-16.33
• Thurs, March 26: Matthew 26.36-46
• Fri, March 27: Mark 14.32-42
• Sat, March 28: Luke 22.40-46
• Sun, March 29: Matthew 26.47-27.26
• Mon, March 30: Mark 14.43-15.15
• Tues, March 31: Luke 22.47-23.25
• Wed, April 1: John 18.2-19.16
• Thurs, April 2: Matthew 27.27-56
• Fri, April 3: Mark 15.16-41
• Sat, April 4: Luke 23.26-49
• Sun, April 5: John 19.17-30
• Mon, April 6: Matthew 27.57-66
• Tues, April 7: Mark 15.42-47
• Wed, April 8: Luke 23.50-56
• Thurs, April 9: John 19.31-42
• Fri, April 10: Isaiah 53

30 Days of Sex | Announcement or Next Step?

I'm posting this video clip from this past weekend for two audiences, two purposes.

First, Granger Community Church attendees and members:

• If you missed the weekend, you missed this unapologetic recommendation from our senior pastor, Mark Beeson. Interested in an approach to your sexuality and relationships that honors God and the people closest to you? Then, get these resources. Today. There's a limited amount of each title. The bookstore will be open prior to and following Journey Bible Classes this Wednesday - beat the weekend rush, get the book(s) while you can!
• If you're married and you've picked up the book, 30 Days, A Journey To Intimacy, then, just remember: "the Beesons are with you!"

Second, friends of Granger Community - church leaders and pastors:

• Mark Beeson's recommendation of these resources is a great example of what an intentional promotion looks like. This is no mere announcement.
• Church services are cluttered every weekend across the country (the globe) with announcements that few people pay attention to because it's just more noise, another menu item among dozens.
• Stop making announcements. Offer "next steps." Next steps are practical, doable steps that many if not all in your weekend service can take on their journey toward and with God. More than just one more thing to do, next steps help people actually apply the teaching that was so helpful to them when they heard it.
• Next steps help people take the message of the weekend into their world of relationships and activities. Next steps help people engage the process of discipleship in every area of life, integrating Jesus' way as the norm for living.

Pay attention: this is good stuff - 

Beeson's Recommended Reading from Granger Community on Vimeo.

30-Day Sex Challenge | Week One

If you're married and you attended the first week of our new series at Granger Community Church this weekend, you know about the 30-Day Sex Challenge. If you picked up the book (over 500 copies were sold), you know a little more about the challenge.

Personal conversations, Facebook, and Twitter-world were marked with a variety of thoughts about the challenge. Mark Beeson announced during weekend services that he and Sheila were taking the challenge, doing the 30-days, something like that. Others commented that they were "working on the challenge - the reading part, that is." I overheard one man say that his wife asked him to do the reading and give her the summary. I don't know if she'll make a similar request of the sex part or not: "just give me the summary."

I've heard a female or two suggest that the whole challenge must be a "man's idea." I silently agreed, but defended the challenge as "mutual."

The temptation for every married man will be to declare "day one" of every-day sex as soon as possible. The likely temptation for many women will be to read the book first, looking for any loopholes to the challenge that's become very personal.

Here are some considerations as you embark on week one of the challenge:

• Read the Wirth's (they authored the book) story in part one (pages 1-36), including a sneak peek at the book's 4-part challenge (spiritual, emotional, sexual, and physical). This will give you context for this intimate journey of rekindling and enhancing your marriage relationship, not merely a 30-day check-off of sexual obligation.
• Review the Granger Notes from the weekend message. Specifically, use the "Questions to Ponder this Week" on the back page of the notes. Identify at least two to three questions to discuss with each other. They're all great questions, but I personally recommend question #3, #4, #6 and #10.
• Spend a little time this week remembering what drew you to each other in the dating season of your relationship. Remember the butterflies in your stomach, the all-day consuming thoughts of seeing each other again, the little, special things you did for each other to say "I'm thinking of you" and "I think you're special." Practice a couple of those things this week. Open the car door for her again. Cook his favorite meal - with candlelight. Send a card - in the mail. Call on the phone and ask her out - for a real date that you actually plan.

It's week one. Seven days. Don't put it off. The reading, I mean. And make time to talk about it. What you read, of course. And, really, it is a 30-day sex challenge. Don't put if off. Yeah, I mean the sex. Just do it.

What Forgiveness is Not

A couple week's ago Mark Beeson invited our weekend crowd to send him live text questions during the services that he would then answer. As you can imagine, he received hundreds of questions. Only about thirty were answered live (to watch or listen go here). Over the next several weeks, Mark has invited me and other teacher / pastors on our team to address one of these remaining questions.

There were more than a couple interested in knowing how to forgive someone else. Here's my response to this question: "What does true forgiveness toward someone look like?"

Answering this question in the space allotted in a blog is a challenge at best. So, let’s start with what forgiveness is not:
   • Forgiveness is not forgetting. Generally, our attempts to forget amounts to denial. Whatever the offense was: betrayal of a trusted friend; abandonment of a parent or spouse; abuse from a relative; embezzlement of funds – whatever the offence, it did happen. It was damaging. It hurt. It is forever a memory. It will not be forgotten.
   • Forgiveness does not always lead to reconciliation. Often our offender has already died. Sometimes they don’t want to reconcile. In many cases the offender claims a desire to reconcile, but isn’t willing to honestly own their responsibility, allowing for authentic reconciliation and relationship. A genuine relationship must be built on truth between two people. It simply takes two to reconcile.
   • Forgiveness is not a one-time event. There’s simply not a blanket approach to forgiving someone. Because we remember, because there are triggers that take us back to the offense, forgiveness is cyclical. Actually, as I’m typing this very point, I’m remembering an offense that made me so angry this past fall. And, I have a choice. I can allow myself to relive it, mull over it, justify my anger and their stupidity… or I can choice to forgive, again.
   Forgiveness says, “I will not hold you responsible for my choices in dealing with the pain. I will not allow you and the hurt you caused to control my life. I choose to not be held hostage to anger, bitterness, and vengeful thoughts.” Forgiveness opens a door to new levels of relational connection with God – who demonstrates his grace and forgiveness through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Recommended resource: Getting Rid of the Gorilla: Confessions on the Struggle to ForgiY (Brian Jones)

You can read Mark's original post, including is fine photography (that marks every post he makes) here.

Thanks, Mark, for the invitation to guest author on your blog. I'm honored!

Discipleship, Relationships & On-ramps

It's a core value at Granger. We believe life change happens best in relationships.

Life change, that is, transformation. It is facilitated by biblical teaching. It is inspired in worship. It happens through everyday life experiences. It is nurtured and developed in accepting and honest relationships.

Relationships are scary for many people. Groups are even scarier. People have had weird experiences in church small groups. Friends have betrayed confidences. People tend to be leery of other people getting too close. And yet, God designed us for friendship, for relationships where we can know and be known. Where we can experience grace because someone accepts us... anyway. And loves us too much to leave us there.

We're still learning how to help people experience safe spaces for relationships. Transformative relationships.

So, beginning this month there are three (or four) entry points for adults to connect with others and move toward God.

• Some people want to meet others. They want friendships. Friendships that share some basic stuff in common: new to the experience, taking steps toward Jesus, and willing to build some rapport. That's Starting Point.
• Others have identified that their current life strategy isn't working. They may have experienced divorce or want to improve their current marriage. They may be wanting to address their style of relating with their kids or set adult boundaries with their parents. They want to take steps toward Christ; they want to live differently. And they're willing to step into it with others. That's Turning Point.
• Many people fear that group life holds the threat of being too vulnerable too soon. They're frightened that they'll be coerced to reveal and repent. Engaging a Bible study makes the topic or book the focal point, rather than the fear of their "exposed" life. Still others want to recalibrate their life through the lens of scripture, and it makes sense to do that with the help of others. That's View Point.
• Many adults - singles and married individuals are realizing now more than ever, that their central felt need is to improve or redirect their financial plan and practice. That's Financial Peace University.

None is more "holy" than the other. Each of these group venues invites people into safe spaces for relationships. Each of these group environments is about discipleship, growing, integrating Jesus' agenda into one's life.

And as of this month at Granger - Monday Night is Group Night. Each of these groups happens on Monday evenings. The cafe is open early and still open at the end of the evening. Space is available for groups who want to come hang out at the church - even if their launch group is complete (By the way, Kathy Guy and her growing teams of volunteers are responsible for these tremendous environments, led by adults who love Jesus and believe that people matter to God. Read more from Kathy here.)

I know, not everyone will be in a "group" at Granger. But we want to see everyone in relationships. Relationships that lift toward Christ. Relationships that lock elbows in acceptance and grace. Relationships that call out the best, God's best.

Monday Nights are Group Night.

What are you doing Monday night?

Don't Read This Book: The Fine Line

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...

• Kary simplifies "relevance" ... right down to the personal daily rub. He doesn't allow us to keep the topic of "relevance" limited to our church talk.

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."

• Kary messes with the fine line between culture and Christianity.

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.

• Kary holds up a mirror with an often painful reflection. I saw my own life image as he talked about being a recovering Pharisee (that's his card-carrying title). I winced at the notion that I've spent too many years of my life as a separatist. I recoiled at the revelation that I've been guilty of swinging the pendulum in the opposite direction, happy to live as a conformist. I hate the fact that there's such a fine line between the two.

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."

• Kary writes with an honest vulnerability that compels an equally honest and vulnerable look into your life. You'll find yourself wrestling with questions of relevance related to your ministry, and you won't escape the illumination of your internal motives as you interact with God and people on a day-to-day basis.

Finally, I'll make it really simple:

• If you don't want to wrestle with buzz topics of church world like relevance, pop culture, and relationships - don't read this book.
• If you don't want to re-read scriptures that you've sewn up and put behind you - don't read this book.
• If you want to stay comfortable in a separatist mindset that keeps you safely in a sterilized, Christian bubble - don't read this book.
• If you want to stay comfortable in a conformists mindest that keeps you immersed in culture with no balance - don't read this book.
• If you don't want a layman's guide to Dallas Willard's, The Divine Conspiracy - don't read this book.

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.

16-Year Core

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.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1.17-23)

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?

Baptism, Significance & Salvation

Photo by Gene Kaiser, South Bend Tribune

It's an annual event at Granger Community Church. And every year hundreds enter the water to be baptized, declaring their commitment to follow Jesus as his disciple. For years we traveled to a nearby lake; last year we met at Coveleski Stadium, using portable pools.

This year we brought the celebration to our campus. After every service people were given the opportunity to exchange their burden of sin, guilt and shame for a different burden. The biblical call to salvation. A call to pick up the burden of every Christ-follower: own his agenda, his kingdom work to redeem, to restore, to recreate the world. To bring justice, love and mercy to every inch of the globe. Salvation. Not fire insurance. Not a transaction, but a lifestyle.

Hundreds have responded all weekend. I'm on my way back out to baptize some more people who are going public to follow Jesus!

Random Stuff

Here are some quick random notes about some happenings and observations that I haven't spoken to over the past few weeks:

Happenings:

• I've been reading Erwin McManus' new book, Wide Awake. It's an encouraging read about living life to the max. Sort of Erwin's take on "if you wanna walk on water, you gotta get out of the boat."
• Also reading N.T. Wright's Following Jesus. One of his shorter books with communion sermons built around the call to follow Christ, lifting central themes and books of the Bible.
• The prep for the launch of our midweek Journey classes has been a rush. My team, the arts team and the communications team have all risen to the challenging opportunity to support the many facets - registration, class notes preparation, journal printing, AV, promotion and a gazillion other details they know that I've not mentioned. They're awesome! My assistant Julie Smies is flat out amazing!
• My family and I got away for a holiday weekend get-away, camping with our friends, Greg and Susan Chipman. Loved the time with the Chipmans and my family. Verdict is still out on tent camping.

Observations:

• I believe Joel Hunter's prayer at last week's Democratic National Convention demonstrated the difference between mere tolerance and respect. The interruption he inserted in his own prayer, inviting people to end the prayer they way they would normally end their prayer showed respect without condoning every faith in the room. He showed the difference between praying in a national, political venue vs. praying in his own church or any other evangelical church. Watch it below... He lifted up the name of Jesus without expecting those who do not yet trust him to pretend to do the same thing. I respect you, Joel!
• We have 600+ people signed up for the Journey classes that begin next week. I think this fresh approach to teaching, learning and connecting is going to rock! We'll know - not merely as we watch the attendance, but as we watch people become more loving - toward God and others. That's the ultimate success measurement.
• My family and I got in on an evening of the Stewart family reunion - my mom's family. If I age like my aunts are, I may live to be over 100 - and look dang good!
• I observed a passenger in a car next to where I was pumping gas light up a cigarette and hang it out the window. I didn't think it was a good idea. I asked her "for the safety of us all" to pay attention to where she was. Can you say, "Kaboom!"?

 

Journey Bible Classes: FAQ

Here are some common questions I've been asked lately by people in our church and from other churches:

• Who will be teaching the classes?   
  
  • The classes are being developed by individual teachers. This term all the teachers are pastors or scholars from within our local church. We may invite guest teachers/pastors in the future.
• Are these the only Bible studies offered at GCC?
  • Scores of groups within our church have been studying the Bible as they meet in homes and will continue to do so. I suspect many will decide to study in one of the Journey class settings for short-term experiences, using the study as a launching pad for their continued study.
• Will classes be rotated?   
  
  • Within the first year of Journey Bible Classes we'll determine which classes will be offered on an ongoing basis as baseline studies for foundational footing for new and growing Christians.
• Are the classes like a "small" group?   
  
  • While we'll encourage conversation among class participants, we're not treating this class space as a "small group". This space will be highly interactive between the teacher and the participants, participants will have exercises to practice at home, and some discussion will occur between participants. However, we're not setting people up for levels of vulnerable sharing they didn't sign up for.
• Will people be told which classes they should take?
  • Our people will have three options to choose from each month. While occasionally a particular class may be recommended to new believers, people may choose based on their "next step".    
    
• Will these classes be the only place GCC people can get Bible teaching at the church building?
  • No, we'll still offer impactful, Bible-centered weekend celebration services. This hasn't changed in over 21 years. Every weekend we preach and teach from the focal point of the Scriptures. We will raise questions and identify common needs, using current music and other media from our culture, but we will do on the weekends what we've always done: we will lift up Jesus, we will point to the authority of the Scriptures, and we will invite people to trust their very lives to him.
  • In fact, beginning this weekend we'll experience more space on the clock to experience Jesus Christ through teaching and the arts.    
    

I'm ramping up. Our people are enthusiastic. God is all over this.

Another Side of the REVEAL Stats @ GCC

Tim Stevens and I were talking yesterday about some of the outcomes we're praying for as we launch some key changes at Granger this fall based on our recent REVEAL study. When Tim told me what he was thinking about posting, I decided then I'd probably just link to his post. It's really good stuff. So good, that I've just ripped it and dropped it here for you to read in case you missed it at his site. Enjoy.

Why I'm Glad Some at Granger Don't Believe in the Bible

A few weeks ago, Mark Beeson shared with our church some of the findings from the Reveal survey that our church took in January. He told the church that we aren't happy with some of the results.

For example, the survey revealed that 57% of those attending Granger do not believe in the authority of the Bible. Ouch. I mentioned here that the results were jarring to us. And they were.

But I can think of some worse statistics. I would much rather be in a church where 57% don't believe in the Bible than in a church where 100% of those attending do believe in the Bible. That would be awful!

Imagine a church that was completely filled with those already convinced...where no one invited an unchurched friend...where the Christians had grown stagnant in their pursuit of knowledge and stopped putting the gospel into practice...where the church had made Jesus so unattractive that no one on a search for purpose or meaning would consider coming. If I found myself in such a church, I would be weeping.

Our survey found that 56% of those attending Granger do not believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life. We aren't happy with that, and we are making some changes to bring that percentage down.

But you know what? If it decreased all the way to 0%, we would be much less happy than we are today. If we make all these changes, and the end result is that one year from now we have a church where 100% of our people believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life--we will have failed miserably.

You might not know that 15% of the people who attend our church every weekend are still exploring Christianity. That's awesome! We don't expect pre-Christians to believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life. In addition, another 42% in our church are baby Christians. They've given their life to Jesus, but they are still very young in their faith. Most of them didn't grow up in church, and for many of them, Granger is their first and only church experience. They come, make a decision to follow Christ, and then begin to learn and become un-programmed from the values and philosophies of the world. So I'm not surprised that many of them don't have their theology straight yet.

No, we aren't happy that 47% of those attending don't believe in salvation by grace. But in a community steeped in Catholic traditions, we're pretty jazzed that hundreds are coming and learning and taking steps. Yes, we want to see that percentage come down, but we'll be very sad on the day that we find everyone at Granger comprehends the grace of Jesus.

The bloggards* will tell you that these stats prove we aren't a church. They are partially right. When anyone asks me, "How many are in your church?", I typically answer this way: "That's a good question, but there are around 5,000 who attend each weekend." We've believed and taught for years that a crowd is not a church. At Granger, we build a weekend experience to draw the biggest crowd possible, because we believe that if more people hear the gospel, more people will respond. But we don't for a minute believe that a crowd is a church. But we are leaning on Jesus AND working our butts off to turn the crowd into committed congregation of believers who are serving, giving, growing, and inviting their friends to join them on the journey.

I will cringe if the day ever comes when only the church gathers on the weekend...or when the supposed mature Christians stop inviting their friends to hear the good news...or when we have a church filled with people who ace their theology exam but flunk their practice-ology test.

My name is Tim Stevens. I'm a pastor at Granger Community Church. And I couldn't be happier.

Bloggards = Bloggers who hide behind their keyboards shooting verbal arrows from afar but are too cowardly to go to the source. (Yes, I made this term up.)

And by the way - My name is Mark Waltz. I'm a pastor at Granger Community Church. And I couldn't be happier. Thanks, Tim.

Wednesdays @ GCC

With the final New Community Service a grand, historical celebration behind us we're looking toward September with a great deal of anticipation. Our monthly First Wednesday worship/communion night launches September 3 and our Journey Bible Classes commence the following week, September 10 (read more here).

Here's a class summary for September:

	The Radical Jesus The Bible says God is love. But is He soft? Jesus said, "My burden is light." But is He easy? Explore a call from Jesus that is challenging, even demanding. Meet the Radical Jesus.
	Spiritual Practices: How to Study Is the Bible a book only teachers and scholars understand? What if you could read the Bible and find yourself in its story? This class helps you get started.
	Overcoming Failure Failure can grip us with the fear we’re destined to repeat the same mistakes. Discover the hope for future success as you overcome shame and behavior attached to the past.

For a complete class outline through December, go here.

It's just around the corner - I can hardly wait!