secret update
I've been out of town the past week due to the holiday and all, so I've been slow posting.
But I do have an exciting update I will post later this week.
I can't yet... it's a secret.
Labels: personal
mult-site corporations
*Disclaimer: I believe in the multi-site church movement, but maybe not how some places are doing it. This isn't a bash post, but hopefully is one that will help us to question our motives and intentions in building something big. It demands that we answer the question, "Are we being truly effective?"
It is becoming more and more common to go multi-site with your church. And a lot of churches have followed the principles of major corporations such as Starbucks, Home Depot, etc.
Churches are created with the same look, feel, and culture, though they are planted in completely different cultures and communities.
I read a post this morning at Out of Ur kinda talking about the negatives effects that are starting to be noticed. I think it calls into question the motives behind some of these churches. Is is just another church to be bigger or to be "multi-site" because it's the buzz thing to do? Or is to with the purpose of reaching a community where they are at with their own culture?
People don’t necessarily want to be connected to a massive corporate identity. An increasing number want to identify with local, accessible, and human-scaled institutions. My own experience affirms this. I am writing this post in a local coffee shop. At 8am there is not an empty table in the house. This is where community happens in my town. Directly across the street is a Starbucks. That store sees a steady stream of people pass through to get their morning fix. But the tables are empty. It isn’t a place people gather, converse, or write blog posts.
Church is ever changing and is a tough issue. But we can never stop questioning our motives. Are we just creating churches that attract the crowds, serve as a spiritual pick-me up, and provide the spiritual fix? Instead, our churches should be authentic communities where people feel the freedom to hang out, converse, and discover God together.
Labels: christianity
sy rogers
The past month at Seven, we have been covering a series called "Sex Files." It's been really powerful as the groundwork for godly sexuality has been laid and students have responded to get right with God and really gain strength to overcome the temptations we all face.
Last night we had a guest speaker-Sy Rogers. Unbelievable. A quick version of his story is that he was molested as a child, abandoned by his dad, and ridiculed for his lack of masculanity until he believed the lies.
He embraced the gay lifestyle and lived as women for a few years and was preparing for a sex change until he found God.
What I loved about Sy was his eloquent presentation of hope. A hope that is only found in God's character. The issue of homosexuality wasn't addressed as much as the problem of human sexuality being sin was addressed. Because we live in a fallen world, we all struggle with tendencies and sexuality just happens to be one of the most powerful struggles.
After getting saved Sy said he still struggled and didn't understand why God didn't instantly change him.
"However, in reading the Bible I learned that temptation was to be expected as part of life - but my identity wasn't defined by my struggle."
I loved that he presented the hope of being "born again" in Christ. We may all have struggles, but as we give our lives to Christ, he makes us new and gives us a fresh start. He then gives us his grace to overcome anything in our past. This may include lust, obesity, alcoholism, homosexuality, anger, pride, etc. He will help us to make the right choices, but ultimately we are the ones that have to choose.
Isn't that what we are called to do? Be motivated by his grace to change our lives to conform to his. Scripture says, "Be holy as I am holy." The closer we get to God, the more we will want to be like him. But it's a process, whatever sin we are struggling with. Nothing is too great for God though. God would rather have us "messy than not at all."
Labels: christianity, seven
selfishness
Confession time...
My assumption is that all of us are selfish... in some way or some form, I think it's true for all of us. Some of us would deny that vehemently, even I would most of the time, but then I see myself in a different light when I truly examine my heart. And it's the part of me I hate, even though generally this is not how I am viewed or I view myself.
The ironic thing is that we hide our selfishness with seemingly good intentions. We want to be used of God to reach more people, but is the reason to truly reach people or to level up to the next rung on the leadership ladder? We want to be in a position to grow, but is it to truly grow or be seen as a great leader in other's eyes? And I think this is the trap where we miss our hidden attitude.
I'm not suggesting these aren't good intentions. Reaching more people for God is what we are called to do. God also calls us to grow in our faith. But good isn't always best. We too often stop at good instead of going deeper to the best.
And I realize this is a balance post, but I think it's something that we should all continually examine our hearts over. I check my motive regularly, but instead of just checking to see if they are good, I need to see if they are the best godly motives possible. I think we are complex beings, and our motives go a lot deeper than we want to give ourselves credit for.
The story of John has always resonated with me in my heart when he says that he must decrease and Jesus must increase. I love this, and I try my best to live by it. But I find myself having to continually come back to a place of humility before God, who in his goodness and grace, has given me every ability and gift. I can do nothing without God. My responsibility is to honor God with the gifts, reach people with my abilities, but also show a good measure of humility in my stewardship of my gifts.
Leadership is temporary. It comes and goes as God wills. But my heart is eternal, and I must do whatever I can to guard it with all my strength. Otherwise, it's all too easy to fall into a trap of selfishness and self-centeredness.
Guard your hearts. Check your motives. Recheck your motives. And live in humility of God.
Why do you truly do what you do?
Labels: christianity, personal
weekend changes
I was supposed to be here this weekend watching this and this.
Instead I had two tickets fall through on me. Geez.
But I can't do anything about it, so I'll just have to watch at home. Labels: personal
dealing with other's sin
When people make mistakes, I think one of the easiest things to do is to quickly judge and condemn. But we all make mistakes. Granted, some are on a much larger scale and affect more people. I think this is one of the reasons pastors are targeted... their mistakes have a big impact on people following Christ under his direction.
But the Bible compels us to forgive others... and yes this includes even if we aren't directly affected or involved. Who are we to be the judge? Public fallouts and scandals should force us to look into the mirror and examine ourselves. The Bible describes satan as a lion seeking someone to devour, but we are told to be sober and alert... and to take every thought captive.
God is a God that is full of mercy and reconciliation. He still gives grace to the humble and is faithful to forgive us our sins when we confess our sins to him.
Christ came to restore man's broken relationship with God. We are all undeserving, yet God, in his love and grace, extends forgiveness to bring us back into communion to walk with God. As we have freely received, now we should freely give. Our job is provide a message of hope to even the worst of sinners and understand that we, as believers, were once lost but brought into God's family by his love through Christ.
Labels: christianity
final push
I've been a slow blogger the past few days. I'm on the final push before all my work is complete and I graduate.
I've had a couple of papers and projects, but I'm close... real close.
Now to mix in a leadership lesson to write and a Razorback game to attend this weekend.
Labels: personal
seth henderson
I had a Myspace request today from Seth... Seth Henderson.
Obviously I didn't request myself, so there's another Seth Henderson.
He's from Massuchusetts. That's a long ways away from Arkansas.
It turns out there are quite a few of us around, even though I had never "met" one until today."
Labels: personal
I was supposed to be here this weekend watching this and this.
