Romans 10 sends out a plea for help:
"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why the Scripture exclaims, 'A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!'" (vss. 14-15, The Message)
As a Missional Worker, you're the grand procession. As a Missional Worker, you're the one who is sent.
But what are you supposed to do out there? How can you share Christ in such a confusing and opposing culture?
Let me share three tools with you as you work in the harvest fields of God:
First, listen. That's right. The key to sharing Christ is to listen to people. Understand them. Establish a relationship. Show you care. God will open remarkable doors for you as you discover the real needs and questions of a person in your life. Listen and let God show you how He wants to use you as an instrument of Christ's love.
Second, read God's Word. Please don't dismiss this as a pat answer. If you are reading the Bible regularly, you will be filled up with Good News to share when the time is right. I'm reading the New Testament in the Message paraphrase for my devotional reading. I'm amazed at how much God gives me to apply to my life and to share with others. Stay fueled up with the Word!
Third, if you're looking for a book that describes how God's people, the Church, can break out of navel-gazing and paralysis, read "Transformational Church" by Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer. The book is filled with practical advice and important attitude shifts that will help God's people do their mission.
Dear Missional Workers, you are the grand procession of God, bringing the light of Jesus into a world in need. Keep going!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Margins
When I was the editor of my high school yearbook, I learned a lot about margins. Our editing team was sent to a workshop at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. We learned the ins and outs of making a publication look good. One key to a great publication was not what was ON the page. It was what was NOT on the page. We were taught to make sure there was enough "white space" for the reader. If there was too much clutter, the reader would be overwhelmed, become frustrated, and give up on trying to navigate the content of the page. Margins made for effective communication.
Do you have "white space" in your life? Do you have margins that allow for flexibility, rest, creativity, spontaneity, and deep communion with God? Or are you cramming everything in, running out of time to do what's important, and stressing about how crazy and unpleasant life is?
A few years ago Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a book called "Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives." In it, he highlights the absolute clutter and mire we experience in this broken world. He calls us back to a life that allows God to work His plan for us. Dr. Swenson offers refreshment and restoration.
That's what Jesus did when He summoned His disciples away from the hubbub in Mark 6:31. The Apostle tells us: "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"
God created the world and established margins--a rhythm of rest that defined the healthy and soul-growing rhythm of His people. God wants you to be a healthy servant, a shining light of balance and godliness to a broken, fragmented, cluttered, and distracted world.
If you need to grow in discovering good Spirit-led margins, come hear Dr. Richard Swenson speak at the 2010 Professional Church Workers' Conference, November 21-23, 2010 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX. If you're a Missional Worker in South Texas, you can register in the "Emeritus or Vicar" category. Register online or download a registration form at the Texas District, LCMS PCWC conference site. Hotel info is also available at the website.
Find some "white space" on the pages of your life. See what God will do with your margins!
Do you have "white space" in your life? Do you have margins that allow for flexibility, rest, creativity, spontaneity, and deep communion with God? Or are you cramming everything in, running out of time to do what's important, and stressing about how crazy and unpleasant life is?
A few years ago Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a book called "Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives." In it, he highlights the absolute clutter and mire we experience in this broken world. He calls us back to a life that allows God to work His plan for us. Dr. Swenson offers refreshment and restoration.
That's what Jesus did when He summoned His disciples away from the hubbub in Mark 6:31. The Apostle tells us: "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"
God created the world and established margins--a rhythm of rest that defined the healthy and soul-growing rhythm of His people. God wants you to be a healthy servant, a shining light of balance and godliness to a broken, fragmented, cluttered, and distracted world.
If you need to grow in discovering good Spirit-led margins, come hear Dr. Richard Swenson speak at the 2010 Professional Church Workers' Conference, November 21-23, 2010 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX. If you're a Missional Worker in South Texas, you can register in the "Emeritus or Vicar" category. Register online or download a registration form at the Texas District, LCMS PCWC conference site. Hotel info is also available at the website.
Find some "white space" on the pages of your life. See what God will do with your margins!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Could Grandpa be a Postmodern?
The phenomenon of postmodernism has been the subject of lectures, books, and many conversations over the last several years. Postmodernism is seen as a reaction against the structures of the modern culture. It is seen as a deconstruction of traditional systems, beliefs, morals, and practices.
Some observers identify the "millennial" generation as postmoderns. Crowd mentality has shifted to individualism. Efficiency has lost its luster, while authenticity has become a priority. Being connected in relationships has superseded the importance of belonging to groups. What is important to "me" shapes life instead of what others say we're supposed to do. Making a tangible difference is more important than making a contribution to a cause from a distance.
I am convinced that this postmodern outlook has saturated the culture and is oozing from every generation. From twenty-somethings to retirees, a postmodern mindset is evident. This has its advantages and disadvantages.
Some disadvantages:
- In some cases, veteran believers are insisting on being comfortable and having their preferences accommodated in the church. Instead of maturing in faith and sacrifice, glad to welcome change in order to reach the lost, these believers are hampering the movement of the church by making that which causes them to feel good the standard of their support.
- Veteran believers, who possess a larger percentage of resources, have veered toward shifting fund allocation away from general ministry support to ministry niches that fit their individual preferences.
- In some cases, veteran believers hold onto ministry leadership positions for long periods of time, viewing these positions as career climbs up the ladder instead of opportunities to mentor and multiply new leaders, giving authority away to new servants for Kingdom growth and development.
Some advantages:
- Veteran believers are moving away from the institutional model of church and mission, becoming involved in personal mission action in the community and around the world.
- Instead of being content to attend church and delegate ministry to professionals, veteran believers are seeking authentic relationships in the church and community in order to be transformed and effect transformation for Christ.
- In some cases, veteran believers are realizing that their experience is a gift to give away as they enter into relationships with willing younger generations, pairing up in some unlikely ways to disciple new believers.
Are you leaning toward postmodern selfishness or postmodern Kingdom transformation? Even grandpa needs to ask that question.
Some observers identify the "millennial" generation as postmoderns. Crowd mentality has shifted to individualism. Efficiency has lost its luster, while authenticity has become a priority. Being connected in relationships has superseded the importance of belonging to groups. What is important to "me" shapes life instead of what others say we're supposed to do. Making a tangible difference is more important than making a contribution to a cause from a distance.
I am convinced that this postmodern outlook has saturated the culture and is oozing from every generation. From twenty-somethings to retirees, a postmodern mindset is evident. This has its advantages and disadvantages.
Some disadvantages:
- In some cases, veteran believers are insisting on being comfortable and having their preferences accommodated in the church. Instead of maturing in faith and sacrifice, glad to welcome change in order to reach the lost, these believers are hampering the movement of the church by making that which causes them to feel good the standard of their support.
- Veteran believers, who possess a larger percentage of resources, have veered toward shifting fund allocation away from general ministry support to ministry niches that fit their individual preferences.
- In some cases, veteran believers hold onto ministry leadership positions for long periods of time, viewing these positions as career climbs up the ladder instead of opportunities to mentor and multiply new leaders, giving authority away to new servants for Kingdom growth and development.
Some advantages:
- Veteran believers are moving away from the institutional model of church and mission, becoming involved in personal mission action in the community and around the world.
- Instead of being content to attend church and delegate ministry to professionals, veteran believers are seeking authentic relationships in the church and community in order to be transformed and effect transformation for Christ.
- In some cases, veteran believers are realizing that their experience is a gift to give away as they enter into relationships with willing younger generations, pairing up in some unlikely ways to disciple new believers.
Are you leaning toward postmodern selfishness or postmodern Kingdom transformation? Even grandpa needs to ask that question.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Social Networking
No doubt, you've heard plenty about Facebook and Twitter. You're probably sick of hearing about social networking sites. But what if you decided to stay locked inside your house, completely disconnected with the outside world? That would make you non-social and non-networking, wouldn't it? You'd be called a recluse or a hermit.
Do you realize that a church can live a hermit existence? Are you aware that it is possible for God's people to become reclusive?
Social networking is nothing new. When Andrew found out about Jesus, he "posted a message" to his brother Peter: "We have found the Messiah!" When Philip started to follow Jesus, he immediately "tweeted" Nathanael and told him the scoop about the One the Scriptures foretold. After the demon possessed man was healed in Luke 8, he made sure the whole town knew how much Jesus had done for him. The woman at the well did the same thing in John 4. After Matthew started to follow Jesus, he got his friends list out and invited all of them to a party with the Savior. It's social networking. It's all about relationships. It's reaching new people who don't know and who aren't included, so they can know and be included. There's no limit to a friends list. No one refuses to allow more Twitter followers. The more, the merrier. If more people are connected, more people hear the news.
Sometimes followers of Jesus forget that they are still on earth in order to be all about social networking. Sometimes the local church forgets that fact, too. Instead of sharing the news with as many people as possible, followers of Christ get comfortable with a finite list of friends. They meet and sit with the people they know, never thinking about who might still need to hear the Good News of Jesus. Instead of actively pursuing open doors of service in the community, a church busies itself with in-house activities and programs, not realizing that new relationships may create opportunities for a great harvest of souls.
Followers of Jesus are called to be--and happy to be--social networkers. With every new encounter, in every new relationship, during every chance meeting, a follower of Jesus thinks, "What might God have planned? How might this lead to an expansion of His Kingdom?" As churches get involved in the community, serve in schools, volunteer at nursing homes, visit hospitals, participate in the chamber of commerce, host community events, and get mixed into the community in a thorough and effective way, they need to be on the watch for new believers, new leaders, and new possibilities for the advance of the Kingdom.
The Church was not created to be a hermit or recluse. It is to be the ultimate social networker. The cascade of relationships resulting from the efforts of God's people will bear the fruit of lives saved for eternity. This is God's will and desire.
How are you and your church social networkers? How are you bringing Jesus outside the walls of the church?
Check out some ideas in the excellent article from Christianity Today.
Do you realize that a church can live a hermit existence? Are you aware that it is possible for God's people to become reclusive?
Social networking is nothing new. When Andrew found out about Jesus, he "posted a message" to his brother Peter: "We have found the Messiah!" When Philip started to follow Jesus, he immediately "tweeted" Nathanael and told him the scoop about the One the Scriptures foretold. After the demon possessed man was healed in Luke 8, he made sure the whole town knew how much Jesus had done for him. The woman at the well did the same thing in John 4. After Matthew started to follow Jesus, he got his friends list out and invited all of them to a party with the Savior. It's social networking. It's all about relationships. It's reaching new people who don't know and who aren't included, so they can know and be included. There's no limit to a friends list. No one refuses to allow more Twitter followers. The more, the merrier. If more people are connected, more people hear the news.
Sometimes followers of Jesus forget that they are still on earth in order to be all about social networking. Sometimes the local church forgets that fact, too. Instead of sharing the news with as many people as possible, followers of Christ get comfortable with a finite list of friends. They meet and sit with the people they know, never thinking about who might still need to hear the Good News of Jesus. Instead of actively pursuing open doors of service in the community, a church busies itself with in-house activities and programs, not realizing that new relationships may create opportunities for a great harvest of souls.
Followers of Jesus are called to be--and happy to be--social networkers. With every new encounter, in every new relationship, during every chance meeting, a follower of Jesus thinks, "What might God have planned? How might this lead to an expansion of His Kingdom?" As churches get involved in the community, serve in schools, volunteer at nursing homes, visit hospitals, participate in the chamber of commerce, host community events, and get mixed into the community in a thorough and effective way, they need to be on the watch for new believers, new leaders, and new possibilities for the advance of the Kingdom.
The Church was not created to be a hermit or recluse. It is to be the ultimate social networker. The cascade of relationships resulting from the efforts of God's people will bear the fruit of lives saved for eternity. This is God's will and desire.
How are you and your church social networkers? How are you bringing Jesus outside the walls of the church?
Check out some ideas in the excellent article from Christianity Today.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Who Are You Trying to Be?
As a worker in the harvest field, you will be confronted with the issues of success, ego, and status. You'll wonder if you're really producing anything, if anyone notices how much you're doing for God's Kingdom, and if your skills are noticed and valued. Once you have entered the harvest field, you will be drawn toward the culture's siren call of stardom. Are you the greatest life-changer ever? Can you pack a building? Will people know you and want to hear more from you?
It's a strange and dangerous trap. You enter into God's service for the purpose of helping people. The lost need to be found. The "least of these" need to be noticed and cared for. The hopeless need prayer and comfort. The straying are in need of the Word that is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. But then you want more. You want recognition. You want wealth. You want to be adored as the expert and authority--so wise and smart.
Paul summed it up well in Romans 7:24 when he said, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
We turn the Gospel into a tool we possess, into a message that makes us the star, into a means for popularity and personal gain. Sometimes this sinful twistedness is blatant. At other times it is in the form of hidden yearning beneath a humble veneer.
What is the answer? Romans 7:25 reveals it: "Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Jesus opens a way through the ego-driven, personal recognition seeking, sinful enclosure we build. Philippians 2:7 reveals Jesus' pathway through the celebrity sensationalizing culture and the prominence enticing church: "[He] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant."
The answer to chasing the call of self-aggrandizement is to know who you are really trying to be.
Are you trying to be a star? Are you trying to be a guru? Are you trying to be popular? Are you trying to get rich? Are you trying to get attention? Or will you follow in the steps of the One who became nothing, taking the very nature of a servant to save you? Who are you really trying to be?
What if you tried to be nothing so that all the ego-rooted worries and inner battles could be stilled and Jesus could be completely seen and glorified in your life and ministry?
What if you gave your ministry your all--every ounce of your energy and dedication--but let ulterior motives and fears melt away into Jesus' great promise, "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it" (Mark 8:35)?
What if you became determined to live a mustard seed and leaven life, allowing God to make much of the little you offer without trying to inflate it yourself?
What if you decided to be still before God as you serve Him and let Him make the noise needed in the church and in the world?
It's a strange and dangerous trap. You enter into God's service for the purpose of helping people. The lost need to be found. The "least of these" need to be noticed and cared for. The hopeless need prayer and comfort. The straying are in need of the Word that is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. But then you want more. You want recognition. You want wealth. You want to be adored as the expert and authority--so wise and smart.
Paul summed it up well in Romans 7:24 when he said, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
We turn the Gospel into a tool we possess, into a message that makes us the star, into a means for popularity and personal gain. Sometimes this sinful twistedness is blatant. At other times it is in the form of hidden yearning beneath a humble veneer.
What is the answer? Romans 7:25 reveals it: "Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Jesus opens a way through the ego-driven, personal recognition seeking, sinful enclosure we build. Philippians 2:7 reveals Jesus' pathway through the celebrity sensationalizing culture and the prominence enticing church: "[He] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant."
The answer to chasing the call of self-aggrandizement is to know who you are really trying to be.
Are you trying to be a star? Are you trying to be a guru? Are you trying to be popular? Are you trying to get rich? Are you trying to get attention? Or will you follow in the steps of the One who became nothing, taking the very nature of a servant to save you? Who are you really trying to be?
What if you tried to be nothing so that all the ego-rooted worries and inner battles could be stilled and Jesus could be completely seen and glorified in your life and ministry?
What if you gave your ministry your all--every ounce of your energy and dedication--but let ulterior motives and fears melt away into Jesus' great promise, "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it" (Mark 8:35)?
What if you became determined to live a mustard seed and leaven life, allowing God to make much of the little you offer without trying to inflate it yourself?
What if you decided to be still before God as you serve Him and let Him make the noise needed in the church and in the world?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Big Event
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is in convention this week. We pray that God is glorified and that all the actions of the conventions lift up the name of Jesus and His love. This convention, however, will not be a significant Kingdom expanding occurrence. You read correctly. Sometimes we make the mistake in believing that the big events make big differences, when, in reality, it's the little events repeated over and over for an extended period of time that make the real difference in people's lives.
In 1998 we took our daughters to Disney World. It was a big deal. We saved our money. We read books about how to make the most of the trip. We sought advice. And we had a blast. But twelve years later, even though they were ten and eight-years-old when they took the trip, my daughters have just vague memories of their Disney experience. The big event was fun, but it didn't shape their lives.
What DO they remember? They remember our repeated trips to a humble little cottage in a small town in Michigan. These were not fancy vacations. They were free. There were no attractions. An exciting day meant taking a walk to the grocery store to get some milk and donut holes. But this simple vacation, this little event repeated for many years, transformed their lives.
Significant life memories are connected with their trips to the cottage. They still yearn to be there. They hope to take their families there one day.
Big events, for the most part, do not make a significant difference in people's lives. Little events, repeated over and over for an extended period of time, make the real difference.
So, what really expands the Kingdom of God? How is someone won for Christ? What develops a praying, worshipping, witnessing follower of Jesus? How does someone grow as a self-sacrificial and repentant servant of the King? What facilitates love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in a redeemed soul? How is a spirit of zealous mission developed?
Is it through one big event?
No. It's when you befriend someone, listen to her hopes and fears, and bring her regular doses of Jesus. It's when you pray with your kids and tell them over and over that Jesus cares and that Jesus loves them. It's when you serve steadily in the community as the hands and feet of the Savior, and, over the testing period of time, people take notice, wonder what you've got, and want to be just like you. It's when you read the Word of God day after day and do what it says over the long haul. It's when you join forces with a small band of believers and combine your resources to transform a community and to reach out to the ends of the earth.
It's the little things repeated over and over for an extended period of time that make the biggest Kingdom difference.
That's why you need to be a faithful worker in the harvest field. That's why you need to keep pressing on. That's why you need to remember your first love and not get discouraged by the world's antagonism. That's why you need to realize your value in the Kingdom of God and refuse to stop sharing the Good News of Jesus.
The little things you do over and over again in your small corner of God's Kingdom will change people's lives forever.
In 1998 we took our daughters to Disney World. It was a big deal. We saved our money. We read books about how to make the most of the trip. We sought advice. And we had a blast. But twelve years later, even though they were ten and eight-years-old when they took the trip, my daughters have just vague memories of their Disney experience. The big event was fun, but it didn't shape their lives.
What DO they remember? They remember our repeated trips to a humble little cottage in a small town in Michigan. These were not fancy vacations. They were free. There were no attractions. An exciting day meant taking a walk to the grocery store to get some milk and donut holes. But this simple vacation, this little event repeated for many years, transformed their lives.
Significant life memories are connected with their trips to the cottage. They still yearn to be there. They hope to take their families there one day.
Big events, for the most part, do not make a significant difference in people's lives. Little events, repeated over and over for an extended period of time, make the real difference.
So, what really expands the Kingdom of God? How is someone won for Christ? What develops a praying, worshipping, witnessing follower of Jesus? How does someone grow as a self-sacrificial and repentant servant of the King? What facilitates love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in a redeemed soul? How is a spirit of zealous mission developed?
Is it through one big event?
No. It's when you befriend someone, listen to her hopes and fears, and bring her regular doses of Jesus. It's when you pray with your kids and tell them over and over that Jesus cares and that Jesus loves them. It's when you serve steadily in the community as the hands and feet of the Savior, and, over the testing period of time, people take notice, wonder what you've got, and want to be just like you. It's when you read the Word of God day after day and do what it says over the long haul. It's when you join forces with a small band of believers and combine your resources to transform a community and to reach out to the ends of the earth.
It's the little things repeated over and over for an extended period of time that make the biggest Kingdom difference.
That's why you need to be a faithful worker in the harvest field. That's why you need to keep pressing on. That's why you need to remember your first love and not get discouraged by the world's antagonism. That's why you need to realize your value in the Kingdom of God and refuse to stop sharing the Good News of Jesus.
The little things you do over and over again in your small corner of God's Kingdom will change people's lives forever.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Real Enemy
At a recent conference, I heard a speaker discredit two popular Christian pastors. The speaker was making a theological point and wanted to make sure we knew where those high profile pastors were going wrong.
During a planning meeting at an area church, a member spoke up and indicated that his church had to get moving if it was going to keep up with two other Christian churches in town that were gaining quite a following.
I couldn't respond to the conference speaker, but I was able to ask a question of the person at the planning meeting: Who is the real enemy?
Too often, we in the Christian Church get confused. We drift toward fighting an easy battle instead of being clothed with spiritual armor for the difficult warfare. In other words, we take potshots at fellow members of the body of Christ instead of unsheathing the sword of the Spirit against the Evil One.
It's important to remember who the real enemy is.
What are some key strategies for workers in the harvest field?
First, your job as a believer is not to cut down fellow believers, but to build them up. We may not see eye to eye on everything, but there is no place for slamming fellow servants of Jesus. Kind and gentle one-on-one conversations may be needed to clear up issues, but speaking the truth in love must prevail. Jesus wanted it that way.
Second, your goal is not to outdo other churches or be in competition with fellow workers in the harvest field. There's simply no need. There is no shortage of people who don't know Jesus or who don't have an active relationship with Him. No one has to worry about running out of people to reach. Give praise to God for successful ministries and try to work faithfully in the corner of the Kingdom God has given you.
Third, your goal is not to exalt your church or ministry. Your goal is to glorify God and build His Church. Your effort is about the big picture, God's Kingdom. Your church or ministry is a tool God has chosen to use for His gracious outreach.
Fourth, you must stay vigilant to use your time, energy, creativity, and resources to fight the real fight of faith and not to become preoccupied by faith in-fighting. The devil is prowling around, seeking someone to devour. May it never be said that you were so busy battling fellow believers that you missed an opportunity to snatch someone from the fires of hell.
Please know that it is very important to work with fellow believers so that our proclamation is faithful and true. There is internal work that must be done. But our time, our conversation, our attention, our study, our practice, and our focused efforts can never be diverted from the real enemy. If they are, he wins.
During a planning meeting at an area church, a member spoke up and indicated that his church had to get moving if it was going to keep up with two other Christian churches in town that were gaining quite a following.
I couldn't respond to the conference speaker, but I was able to ask a question of the person at the planning meeting: Who is the real enemy?
Too often, we in the Christian Church get confused. We drift toward fighting an easy battle instead of being clothed with spiritual armor for the difficult warfare. In other words, we take potshots at fellow members of the body of Christ instead of unsheathing the sword of the Spirit against the Evil One.
It's important to remember who the real enemy is.
What are some key strategies for workers in the harvest field?
First, your job as a believer is not to cut down fellow believers, but to build them up. We may not see eye to eye on everything, but there is no place for slamming fellow servants of Jesus. Kind and gentle one-on-one conversations may be needed to clear up issues, but speaking the truth in love must prevail. Jesus wanted it that way.
Second, your goal is not to outdo other churches or be in competition with fellow workers in the harvest field. There's simply no need. There is no shortage of people who don't know Jesus or who don't have an active relationship with Him. No one has to worry about running out of people to reach. Give praise to God for successful ministries and try to work faithfully in the corner of the Kingdom God has given you.
Third, your goal is not to exalt your church or ministry. Your goal is to glorify God and build His Church. Your effort is about the big picture, God's Kingdom. Your church or ministry is a tool God has chosen to use for His gracious outreach.
Fourth, you must stay vigilant to use your time, energy, creativity, and resources to fight the real fight of faith and not to become preoccupied by faith in-fighting. The devil is prowling around, seeking someone to devour. May it never be said that you were so busy battling fellow believers that you missed an opportunity to snatch someone from the fires of hell.
Please know that it is very important to work with fellow believers so that our proclamation is faithful and true. There is internal work that must be done. But our time, our conversation, our attention, our study, our practice, and our focused efforts can never be diverted from the real enemy. If they are, he wins.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
First Impressions
Bad news from Summer Camp came my way the other day. The first lunch served to hundreds of young people ages 5-10 was "beanie weenies." Yes, it's a soupy mix of hot dog slices and beans. Your mouth may be watering at this point because you love this gustatory delight. But I'm pretty confident that a survey of grade-schoolers' food favorites wouldn't show "beanie weenies" even in the top 25.
Proof of my gut feeling is that several kids wept openly when they found out about the lunch menu. In tears, one growing boy who could probably polish off a whole pizza, decided he would rather subsist on a couple of crackers than torment his taste buds with the dish of the day.
I felt badly for the summer camp crew. The lunch selection wasn't a winner. What really bothered me, however, was that this was the FIRST lunch. Can you imagine the terror in virtually every camper's psyche: "I've got FIFTY more lunches to go!"?
First impressions make a difference.
As workers in God's harvest field, you will make many first impressions. Every day, you have opportunities to give small previews of Jesus and the life He gives. In relationships with others, you show people what the menu of life in Jesus looks like. What impressions will you make?
Peter, the brash and bold apostle who failed many a first impression test, reflected on his life in the book of 1 Peter in the Bible. He spoke about some first impressions harvest workers need to give to people walking in darkness:
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." 1 Peter 1:13-15
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." 1 Peter 2:1-2
"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12
"Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
Will the people God puts in your life be repulsed by the menu you display? Or will they crave the delightful and delicious fare you bring as you represent Jesus? Will they line up for more as they feel hunger pangs for the Bread of Life?
Read Peter's words again and let your first impressions do wonders in the name of Jesus.
Proof of my gut feeling is that several kids wept openly when they found out about the lunch menu. In tears, one growing boy who could probably polish off a whole pizza, decided he would rather subsist on a couple of crackers than torment his taste buds with the dish of the day.
I felt badly for the summer camp crew. The lunch selection wasn't a winner. What really bothered me, however, was that this was the FIRST lunch. Can you imagine the terror in virtually every camper's psyche: "I've got FIFTY more lunches to go!"?
First impressions make a difference.
As workers in God's harvest field, you will make many first impressions. Every day, you have opportunities to give small previews of Jesus and the life He gives. In relationships with others, you show people what the menu of life in Jesus looks like. What impressions will you make?
Peter, the brash and bold apostle who failed many a first impression test, reflected on his life in the book of 1 Peter in the Bible. He spoke about some first impressions harvest workers need to give to people walking in darkness:
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." 1 Peter 1:13-15
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." 1 Peter 2:1-2
"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12
"Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
Will the people God puts in your life be repulsed by the menu you display? Or will they crave the delightful and delicious fare you bring as you represent Jesus? Will they line up for more as they feel hunger pangs for the Bread of Life?
Read Peter's words again and let your first impressions do wonders in the name of Jesus.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Durability
I had to replace the string in my weed-eater the other day. It struck me that I bought a package of replacement string six years ago and I still haven’t used it all! I’ve faithfully cut and trimmed the grass for six years. I haven’t skimped on using the weed-eater. I haven’t held back in my trimming activity. I’ve pushed the trimmer to its limits and replaced the string faithfully, yet, here we are six years later, and I’m just now thinking about purchasing a new supply.
That’s durability. That’s long-haul resource faithfulness. My weed-eater string has outlasted several of my neighbors, a hamster, and half-a dozen goldfish. I’ve been able to count on my weed-eater string.
In John 15:16 Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last.”
The word for “last” means “to remain,” “to endure,” “to abide,” and “to continue.” Jesus used the word ten times in John 15:4-10. He remains in us. By His grace, we remain in Him. We remain in His love and show we’re His disciples.
Jesus was making a major point. A foundational component of being in relationship with Him is durability. Jesus is a long-haul Savior. He remains in us. He abides with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. His love and grace have staying power.
He transforms us into long-haul people. We bear each other’s burdens. We show kindness and compassion to one another. We press on in mission.
But there are obstacles to our durability as Christ’s servants. A few are:
Distraction – Being busy with many things can pull us away from what is most important.
Fatigue – Life is draining. We are finite. We get very tired.
Spiritual defeat – Everything does not always go our way. Sometimes battles are lost and we get discouraged.
Incorrect vision – We plan on short term fixes when God calls us to endure over the long-haul.
Frustration – We try to fix the problem instead of trusting God with it.
Mission Forgetfulness – The temptation to BE God overtakes our calling to serve God.
Running out of Fuel – Neglecting our personal faith dries up the spiritual overflow in our lives that leads to balanced and faithful service.
Selling Out – It is tempting to place personal comfort, recognition, and perks over faithful Kingdom sacrifice.
Are you growing in durability as Christ’s servant? Are you becoming a stronger, long-haul, worker for the Kingdom? Are you increasing in endurance as a disciple? What obstacles do you face in bearing fruit that will last? How will you abide in Christ, continue in His mission, and finish strong?
That’s durability. That’s long-haul resource faithfulness. My weed-eater string has outlasted several of my neighbors, a hamster, and half-a dozen goldfish. I’ve been able to count on my weed-eater string.
In John 15:16 Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last.”
The word for “last” means “to remain,” “to endure,” “to abide,” and “to continue.” Jesus used the word ten times in John 15:4-10. He remains in us. By His grace, we remain in Him. We remain in His love and show we’re His disciples.
Jesus was making a major point. A foundational component of being in relationship with Him is durability. Jesus is a long-haul Savior. He remains in us. He abides with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. His love and grace have staying power.
He transforms us into long-haul people. We bear each other’s burdens. We show kindness and compassion to one another. We press on in mission.
But there are obstacles to our durability as Christ’s servants. A few are:
Distraction – Being busy with many things can pull us away from what is most important.
Fatigue – Life is draining. We are finite. We get very tired.
Spiritual defeat – Everything does not always go our way. Sometimes battles are lost and we get discouraged.
Incorrect vision – We plan on short term fixes when God calls us to endure over the long-haul.
Frustration – We try to fix the problem instead of trusting God with it.
Mission Forgetfulness – The temptation to BE God overtakes our calling to serve God.
Running out of Fuel – Neglecting our personal faith dries up the spiritual overflow in our lives that leads to balanced and faithful service.
Selling Out – It is tempting to place personal comfort, recognition, and perks over faithful Kingdom sacrifice.
Are you growing in durability as Christ’s servant? Are you becoming a stronger, long-haul, worker for the Kingdom? Are you increasing in endurance as a disciple? What obstacles do you face in bearing fruit that will last? How will you abide in Christ, continue in His mission, and finish strong?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Unintended Consequences
I was reading my latest issue of “Road and Track” magazine and stumbled upon some unique perspectives about innovation:
1. LED traffic lights are very popular these days. They use 90% less energy than the old incandescent bulb traffic lights. Unfortunately, there’s a downside. LED lights produce very little heat. When ice and snow hit in cold climates, the precipitation builds up on the light housings and cause the lights to fail. This has resulted in traffic accidents due to malfunctioning LED traffic lights. It was an unintended consequence of a new innovation. Solutions to the problem have ranged from installing heating elements in the new lights to hiring work crews to clean the lights regularly. The expense of these solutions may be eliminated if communities go back to incandescent bulb traffic lights!
2. The increase in biofuel production in Europe has resulted in a population explosion of the European wild boar. With more corn and crops being grown for biofuel needs, wild boars have been on a feeding frenzy, attacking innocent villagers, smashing into living rooms, and terrorizing village streets. It’s an unintended consequence.
Clearly, good things can lead to unintended consequences.
It’s true of the church, too.
1. God instituted the Old Testament priesthood and the New Testament office of the pastoral ministry. As the church grew, professional clergy proliferated. As the church became more and more institutionalized, professional clergy began to gravitate away from being missionaries in their communities. Instead they became comfortable, started to settle for the status quo, began to exclude the people of the church from the work of the mission, and used extra time to create an argumentative and internally focused environment. It was an unintended consequence.
2. As “church” began to be defined in terms of membership at a place where there was community, discipleship, and fellowship, a “club” mentality that overlooks the central mission of the church began to form. Reliance upon the “professionals” to do what was supposed to be normal for every believer (prayer, witness, creating relationships with unbelievers, discipling others, growing in the Word, caring actively for each other), caused church members to become consumers of ministry that met their needs. It was an unintended consequence.
What can you do about these unintended consequences? Like the traffic light issue, you may have to look back to the original and recapture the warmth of the purpose of ministry. Like the wild boar issue, you may have to set up some clear boundaries that protect the church from lapsing into selfish indulgence.
Overall, we are called to be accountable to God and to become realigned with His true mission, his purpose, and His intent for His Church. According to Him, His church is described with words like: Ambassadors, Salt, and Light. God expects us and calls us to share the resurrection life of His Son with people. If you’re mired in unintended consequences, it’s time to repent, step away from cold boarishness, and embark upon the most exciting and worthy mission ever.
Need some help? Check out www.missionalworker.org.
1. LED traffic lights are very popular these days. They use 90% less energy than the old incandescent bulb traffic lights. Unfortunately, there’s a downside. LED lights produce very little heat. When ice and snow hit in cold climates, the precipitation builds up on the light housings and cause the lights to fail. This has resulted in traffic accidents due to malfunctioning LED traffic lights. It was an unintended consequence of a new innovation. Solutions to the problem have ranged from installing heating elements in the new lights to hiring work crews to clean the lights regularly. The expense of these solutions may be eliminated if communities go back to incandescent bulb traffic lights!
2. The increase in biofuel production in Europe has resulted in a population explosion of the European wild boar. With more corn and crops being grown for biofuel needs, wild boars have been on a feeding frenzy, attacking innocent villagers, smashing into living rooms, and terrorizing village streets. It’s an unintended consequence.
Clearly, good things can lead to unintended consequences.
It’s true of the church, too.
1. God instituted the Old Testament priesthood and the New Testament office of the pastoral ministry. As the church grew, professional clergy proliferated. As the church became more and more institutionalized, professional clergy began to gravitate away from being missionaries in their communities. Instead they became comfortable, started to settle for the status quo, began to exclude the people of the church from the work of the mission, and used extra time to create an argumentative and internally focused environment. It was an unintended consequence.
2. As “church” began to be defined in terms of membership at a place where there was community, discipleship, and fellowship, a “club” mentality that overlooks the central mission of the church began to form. Reliance upon the “professionals” to do what was supposed to be normal for every believer (prayer, witness, creating relationships with unbelievers, discipling others, growing in the Word, caring actively for each other), caused church members to become consumers of ministry that met their needs. It was an unintended consequence.
What can you do about these unintended consequences? Like the traffic light issue, you may have to look back to the original and recapture the warmth of the purpose of ministry. Like the wild boar issue, you may have to set up some clear boundaries that protect the church from lapsing into selfish indulgence.
Overall, we are called to be accountable to God and to become realigned with His true mission, his purpose, and His intent for His Church. According to Him, His church is described with words like: Ambassadors, Salt, and Light. God expects us and calls us to share the resurrection life of His Son with people. If you’re mired in unintended consequences, it’s time to repent, step away from cold boarishness, and embark upon the most exciting and worthy mission ever.
Need some help? Check out www.missionalworker.org.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Unleashing Missional Imagination
A precious friend of ours died a few days ago. He was a crusty New Jersey thoracic surgeon. My wife worked in his office twenty-five years ago. Whey she met him, he was a disillusioned, de-churched, Roman Catholic who dismissed Jesus as an institutional tool for power, control and fund raising. But change was on the horizon.
We lived in New Jersey for only one year. During that time, the doctor took a shine to my wife’s kind heart and cheerful attitude. She was like a granddaughter to him. My wife appreciated his intelligence, compassion for patients, and humor. They became friends. I was able to meet him and develop a friendship, too. Though he hadn’t darkened the doorway of a church in decades, we invited him to our farewell Sunday when we left. He surprised us by coming.
When we left, the friendship continued and the outreach began. My wife kept in touch with the doctor. She sent him cards on his birthday, for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day. She wrote notes that expressed the heartfelt desire that Jesus would bless his special celebrations and his family. The cards always had special Bible verses in them. My wife cared about this person and told me that she wanted to see him in heaven one day.
Years went by, and my wife never stopped her faithful notes to him. One Christmas, something completely unusual and surprising happened. The doctor, who sent us regular Christmas cards—always secular and generic, sent us a card with a manger scene on the cover. Inside was a short note that recognized God’s blessings in his life.
I would have never created a strategy for outreach that involved sending greeting cards and notes. But the love of one person, her deep care for one who was lost, and the relentless effort to connect with him, prepared fertile soil for the Holy Spirit. And a life was changed forever.
Several years ago a woman approached me with a ministry idea. It was to form a network of people who cared for each other with the love of Jesus. They would step up to cook meals for those in need, do chores, drive to doctor’s appointments, and send cards—all in the name of Jesus. I told her to go for it. And she did.
Years later, many care teams exist in this ministry. The largest team is called “team cheer.” The team’s job? To send cards to people. Hundreds of people belong to team cheer. They reach thousands of people on a consistent basis every year. Many people have come to Christ through this ministry. Many people have experienced Jesus’ love. Who would have thought of such a ministry? But the missional imagination of one follower of Christ can change lives forever.
A doctor, a friend, is in heaven today because of God’s Word and the love of Jesus communicated through cards and notes over a twenty-five year span of time. In what ways is the Holy Spirit leading you to reach out? To whom is your missional imagination leading you? Jesus didn’t tell everyone to start an organization. He told us to make disciples as we go about our lives. His desire is that all people know Him and are saved. Where will you start today?
Get training and ministry ideas at Missional Worker Training on May 15 in San Antonio, Texas. Go to www.missionalworker.org for details.
We lived in New Jersey for only one year. During that time, the doctor took a shine to my wife’s kind heart and cheerful attitude. She was like a granddaughter to him. My wife appreciated his intelligence, compassion for patients, and humor. They became friends. I was able to meet him and develop a friendship, too. Though he hadn’t darkened the doorway of a church in decades, we invited him to our farewell Sunday when we left. He surprised us by coming.
When we left, the friendship continued and the outreach began. My wife kept in touch with the doctor. She sent him cards on his birthday, for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day. She wrote notes that expressed the heartfelt desire that Jesus would bless his special celebrations and his family. The cards always had special Bible verses in them. My wife cared about this person and told me that she wanted to see him in heaven one day.
Years went by, and my wife never stopped her faithful notes to him. One Christmas, something completely unusual and surprising happened. The doctor, who sent us regular Christmas cards—always secular and generic, sent us a card with a manger scene on the cover. Inside was a short note that recognized God’s blessings in his life.
I would have never created a strategy for outreach that involved sending greeting cards and notes. But the love of one person, her deep care for one who was lost, and the relentless effort to connect with him, prepared fertile soil for the Holy Spirit. And a life was changed forever.
Several years ago a woman approached me with a ministry idea. It was to form a network of people who cared for each other with the love of Jesus. They would step up to cook meals for those in need, do chores, drive to doctor’s appointments, and send cards—all in the name of Jesus. I told her to go for it. And she did.
Years later, many care teams exist in this ministry. The largest team is called “team cheer.” The team’s job? To send cards to people. Hundreds of people belong to team cheer. They reach thousands of people on a consistent basis every year. Many people have come to Christ through this ministry. Many people have experienced Jesus’ love. Who would have thought of such a ministry? But the missional imagination of one follower of Christ can change lives forever.
A doctor, a friend, is in heaven today because of God’s Word and the love of Jesus communicated through cards and notes over a twenty-five year span of time. In what ways is the Holy Spirit leading you to reach out? To whom is your missional imagination leading you? Jesus didn’t tell everyone to start an organization. He told us to make disciples as we go about our lives. His desire is that all people know Him and are saved. Where will you start today?
Get training and ministry ideas at Missional Worker Training on May 15 in San Antonio, Texas. Go to www.missionalworker.org for details.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Neighborhood Genius
I’m writing this blog at the Exponential Conference in Orlando, Florida. No, I’m not writing during the sessions. I’m writing while I play hooky at Disney World (just kidding!).
As I wander through the hallways at the conference, I’ve noticed that a lot of church planters and missional leaders are injured. An oddly high number of people have casts on their arms or legs, are wearing slings, and are moving around on crutches. I’m beginning to think that living out a missional life is really dangerous!
A missional life is, in fact, daring and risky. Instead of living for yourself, serving your own interests, and being protected in your bubble, you decide to really care about people. You take time to engage with your family. You take steps to get involved in people’s lives. You venture into the community to serve others. You ask God and yourself, “How can I live out Jesus’ love in public today?”
I was having lunch with a few colleagues recently when a fellow church member approached our table and introduced us to a friend of hers. The friend had experienced all kinds of tragedy and hurt. She was barely scraping by. The church member had been doing a great job introducing her to the care and love of Jesus. There was one problem, the friend mentioned casually. She didn’t have a driver’s license and couldn’t visit our faith community.
You could see everyone thinking, “Hey! We’ll give you a ride!”
I had another thought: “What if she were to help start a gathering in her own neighborhood? There would be no pressure for a driver’s license and she could invite a whole bunch of her friends. She’d be able to explore with people in her life who God is.”
That kind of invitation was extended to my wife recently. A neighbor invited her to gather with a group of ladies to explore who Jesus is and do life together. They would meet in her home, just a few blocks away.
This is nothing new or earth shattering. People met in homes in Acts chapter two. But it really works. It’s close in proximity. It’s convenient. It involves natural relationships. It causes life-sharing and Christian conversation. It leads to mentoring and caring. It even creates groups that serve others. It is the church in action. It’s very meaningful. It’s what people yearn for. And anybody can do it.
The gathering my wife attends isn’t part of a small groups program at a church. It’s simply being the church.
I call it neighborhood genius. God put you in the middle of a whole bunch of people—in your family, at work, at school, in your apartment complex, at soccer practice—you get the idea. It’s your neighborhood. Then, in your neighborhood, you get people together. You talk and care and live and bring Jesus there. He’ll show you the way. And lives will change. People will be lifted up. People will receive God’s love. People will band together to bring that love to more “neighborhoods.”
At the conference I’m attending, I heard the story of a water skiing instructor who worked on Sunday mornings. He didn’t feel good about missing church, so before he took people out on the water, he asked if he could read some Scripture and pray for them. This caught on. Soon he had 60 water skiers gathering for breakfast, the Bible and prayer each Sunday before they all went skiing. A group of locals joined in to help people with their boats in case they needed some repair and help. The ski instructor said to his pastor, “You know what, I think I accidentally started a church!”
Neighborhood genius! It sounds like what God told Abraham in Genesis 12, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." What a plan! Genius. How are you working in your neighborhood?
As I wander through the hallways at the conference, I’ve noticed that a lot of church planters and missional leaders are injured. An oddly high number of people have casts on their arms or legs, are wearing slings, and are moving around on crutches. I’m beginning to think that living out a missional life is really dangerous!
A missional life is, in fact, daring and risky. Instead of living for yourself, serving your own interests, and being protected in your bubble, you decide to really care about people. You take time to engage with your family. You take steps to get involved in people’s lives. You venture into the community to serve others. You ask God and yourself, “How can I live out Jesus’ love in public today?”
I was having lunch with a few colleagues recently when a fellow church member approached our table and introduced us to a friend of hers. The friend had experienced all kinds of tragedy and hurt. She was barely scraping by. The church member had been doing a great job introducing her to the care and love of Jesus. There was one problem, the friend mentioned casually. She didn’t have a driver’s license and couldn’t visit our faith community.
You could see everyone thinking, “Hey! We’ll give you a ride!”
I had another thought: “What if she were to help start a gathering in her own neighborhood? There would be no pressure for a driver’s license and she could invite a whole bunch of her friends. She’d be able to explore with people in her life who God is.”
That kind of invitation was extended to my wife recently. A neighbor invited her to gather with a group of ladies to explore who Jesus is and do life together. They would meet in her home, just a few blocks away.
This is nothing new or earth shattering. People met in homes in Acts chapter two. But it really works. It’s close in proximity. It’s convenient. It involves natural relationships. It causes life-sharing and Christian conversation. It leads to mentoring and caring. It even creates groups that serve others. It is the church in action. It’s very meaningful. It’s what people yearn for. And anybody can do it.
The gathering my wife attends isn’t part of a small groups program at a church. It’s simply being the church.
I call it neighborhood genius. God put you in the middle of a whole bunch of people—in your family, at work, at school, in your apartment complex, at soccer practice—you get the idea. It’s your neighborhood. Then, in your neighborhood, you get people together. You talk and care and live and bring Jesus there. He’ll show you the way. And lives will change. People will be lifted up. People will receive God’s love. People will band together to bring that love to more “neighborhoods.”
At the conference I’m attending, I heard the story of a water skiing instructor who worked on Sunday mornings. He didn’t feel good about missing church, so before he took people out on the water, he asked if he could read some Scripture and pray for them. This caught on. Soon he had 60 water skiers gathering for breakfast, the Bible and prayer each Sunday before they all went skiing. A group of locals joined in to help people with their boats in case they needed some repair and help. The ski instructor said to his pastor, “You know what, I think I accidentally started a church!”
Neighborhood genius! It sounds like what God told Abraham in Genesis 12, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." What a plan! Genius. How are you working in your neighborhood?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Taking a Chance
A very scary thing took place as I lived in a neighborhood for fourteen years. I saw little kids grow up and learn to drive!
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Little Andrew, just a toddler when we moved into the neighborhood, was suddenly given the keys to the family Expedition. Up the street he went, windows rolled down, radio blaring, exceeding the speed limit, a smirk of coolness on his face. How could this be?
Sweet little Emily, just into kindergarten when we arrived on the block, was driving her sister to school! When did she get such authority?
This was frightening. But it was a fact of life. After all, we’re going to need these drivers to take us to our hip replacement doctor follow-ups one day.
It’s terrifying, but there is no way we can shut down driver training. We can’t cap the number of drivers on the road with our generation.
The same is true of Kingdom work.
It may be scary, but God is giving many people the mantle of Kingdom service. It can be frightening to Kingdom-work veterans, and it can be frightening for new Kingdom workers! But we can’t shut down Kingdom-worker training and sending. We can’t cap the number of people who serve Jesus with our generation or our geography or our genetic makeup. We must take a chance.
Throughout millennia God has raised up new people to reach out with His Good News. Somehow, we who serve got into this business. Each of us was new at one time. And each of us makes a unique Kingdom difference. We need to let God do the same with others. We need to mentor, support, teach, be flexible, welcome new ideas, guide with sound Scriptural foundations, and let go of our own fear and pride. We need to see how God will reach new generations with new workers who are sent into a chain reaction of new relationships.
And new workers need to be ready. Getting behind the wheel can be nerve-wracking. It can be intimidating. You may not want to head out into traffic. But there comes a time to drive! God is sending you because there are people in your life who need to know Jesus. There are people you will enter into relationships with who need to see His genuine love. You need to learn, practice, be humble, and take risks.
God’s courage leads the way. Let’s take chances with Him so that many will come to know their Savior, Jesus who lives!
You can register for the latest Missional Worker Training in your area at www.missionalworker.org.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Little Andrew, just a toddler when we moved into the neighborhood, was suddenly given the keys to the family Expedition. Up the street he went, windows rolled down, radio blaring, exceeding the speed limit, a smirk of coolness on his face. How could this be?
Sweet little Emily, just into kindergarten when we arrived on the block, was driving her sister to school! When did she get such authority?
This was frightening. But it was a fact of life. After all, we’re going to need these drivers to take us to our hip replacement doctor follow-ups one day.
It’s terrifying, but there is no way we can shut down driver training. We can’t cap the number of drivers on the road with our generation.
The same is true of Kingdom work.
It may be scary, but God is giving many people the mantle of Kingdom service. It can be frightening to Kingdom-work veterans, and it can be frightening for new Kingdom workers! But we can’t shut down Kingdom-worker training and sending. We can’t cap the number of people who serve Jesus with our generation or our geography or our genetic makeup. We must take a chance.
Throughout millennia God has raised up new people to reach out with His Good News. Somehow, we who serve got into this business. Each of us was new at one time. And each of us makes a unique Kingdom difference. We need to let God do the same with others. We need to mentor, support, teach, be flexible, welcome new ideas, guide with sound Scriptural foundations, and let go of our own fear and pride. We need to see how God will reach new generations with new workers who are sent into a chain reaction of new relationships.
And new workers need to be ready. Getting behind the wheel can be nerve-wracking. It can be intimidating. You may not want to head out into traffic. But there comes a time to drive! God is sending you because there are people in your life who need to know Jesus. There are people you will enter into relationships with who need to see His genuine love. You need to learn, practice, be humble, and take risks.
God’s courage leads the way. Let’s take chances with Him so that many will come to know their Savior, Jesus who lives!
You can register for the latest Missional Worker Training in your area at www.missionalworker.org.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Reformation and Missional Communities
When Martin Luther was ousted from the church, the struggle of being the church became a new challenge. Were the Reformers really the church? The Roman Catholic authorities told them that they were most certainly not. They weren’t church; they had no real pastors; and the people were apostate outsiders cut off from God’s grace.
The Roman Church possessed the authority to be church. The understanding of the Word was theirs. The administration of the sacraments was under their control. The outsiders were a sham, fake, inauthentic.
So the struggle began. What were these little communities of believers in Jesus to do?
As they searched the Scriptures they discovered something. They WERE the church!
Thus began the development of the Reformation Church as missional communities.
The Lutheran Confessions express this joyful discovery of the reformers. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession says in Articles VII and VIII: “In accordance with the Scriptures, therefore, we maintain that the church in the proper sense is the assembly of the saints who truly believe the Gospel of Christ and who have the Holy Spirit” (Tappert, p.173).
Article XII of the Smalcald Articles declares: “We do not concede to the papists that they are the church, for they are not. Nor shall we pay any attention to what they command or forbid in the name of the church, for, thank God, a seven-year-old child knows what the church is, namely, holy believers and sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd. So children pray, ‘I believe in one holy Christian church.’ Its holiness does not consist of surplices, tonsures, albs, or other ceremonies of theirs which they have invented over and above the Holy Scriptures, but it consists of the Word of God and true faith” (Tappert, p.315).
Based on the Bible, the Reformers saw church as the body of Christ, “holy believers and sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd,” bunches of redeemed people gathered by and gathered around the Word of God.
The Reformers resisted the assertion that church could only be church when papist authorities deemed it to be church by their control and decree.
The church was more than an institutional entity. It was living, fluid, vibrant, and reaching. Article IV of the Smalcald articles comments on the Gospel: “We shall now return to the Gospel, which offers counsel and help against sin in more than one way, for God is surpassingly rich in his grace: First, through the spoken word, by which the forgiveness of sin (the peculiar function of the Gospel) is preached to the whole world; second, through Baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of the keys; and finally, through the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren” (Tappert, p.310).
God was moving among His people. His movements were not limited to the authoritative outlets that the Roman officials allowed.
The church of the Reformation established itself as missional communities: assemblies that were fully the church, filled with and utilizing the gifts God bestowed upon the church, reaching out with a life-transforming Gospel for the expansion of the church.
Under the heading of the Mass, Article XXIV of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession states: “As for outward appearances, our church attendance is greater than theirs [the papists]. Practical and clear sermons hold an audience…The real adornment of the churches is godly, practical, and clear teaching, the godly use of the sacraments, ardent prayer, and the like” (Tappert, p.259).
Real church—the body of Christ—was reaching real people in real, practical and completely Scriptural ways. The Reformers successfully “bucked the system” to defend that fact that they were really the church—more real than the dead, Scripture-forsaking opposition.
I wonder sometimes if the church today is squelching the spirit of the Reformation church. Do we discourage anything outside of our institutional controls, our human structures, and our personal plans, or do we really believe that the church is the body of Christ, missional communities that gather around, and fill the community with, the Gospel? Are we opening the floodgates of Gospel by recognizing and encouraging the mutual conversation and consolation of God’s people for a lost world, or are we, like the Pharisees in Luke 19, commanding the followers of Jesus to quiet down, organizing them in ways that make them a harmless and benign group of near-sighted lemmings?
I hear people say that our denomination needs to define its ecclesiology better. From what I read in the Scriptures and Confessions, our ecclesiology seems very clear. Perhaps we look for a better one because our current one is risky, entrepreneurial and uncomfortable.
We need to do better as stewards of the church. We need to take risks, to live up to the Reformers, let alone Jesus Himself. Through the master in the parable of Luke 19, Jesus said, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag” (vs.26 The Message).
I’m for Reformation style risks. How about you?
The Roman Church possessed the authority to be church. The understanding of the Word was theirs. The administration of the sacraments was under their control. The outsiders were a sham, fake, inauthentic.
So the struggle began. What were these little communities of believers in Jesus to do?
As they searched the Scriptures they discovered something. They WERE the church!
Thus began the development of the Reformation Church as missional communities.
The Lutheran Confessions express this joyful discovery of the reformers. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession says in Articles VII and VIII: “In accordance with the Scriptures, therefore, we maintain that the church in the proper sense is the assembly of the saints who truly believe the Gospel of Christ and who have the Holy Spirit” (Tappert, p.173).
Article XII of the Smalcald Articles declares: “We do not concede to the papists that they are the church, for they are not. Nor shall we pay any attention to what they command or forbid in the name of the church, for, thank God, a seven-year-old child knows what the church is, namely, holy believers and sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd. So children pray, ‘I believe in one holy Christian church.’ Its holiness does not consist of surplices, tonsures, albs, or other ceremonies of theirs which they have invented over and above the Holy Scriptures, but it consists of the Word of God and true faith” (Tappert, p.315).
Based on the Bible, the Reformers saw church as the body of Christ, “holy believers and sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd,” bunches of redeemed people gathered by and gathered around the Word of God.
The Reformers resisted the assertion that church could only be church when papist authorities deemed it to be church by their control and decree.
The church was more than an institutional entity. It was living, fluid, vibrant, and reaching. Article IV of the Smalcald articles comments on the Gospel: “We shall now return to the Gospel, which offers counsel and help against sin in more than one way, for God is surpassingly rich in his grace: First, through the spoken word, by which the forgiveness of sin (the peculiar function of the Gospel) is preached to the whole world; second, through Baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of the keys; and finally, through the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren” (Tappert, p.310).
God was moving among His people. His movements were not limited to the authoritative outlets that the Roman officials allowed.
The church of the Reformation established itself as missional communities: assemblies that were fully the church, filled with and utilizing the gifts God bestowed upon the church, reaching out with a life-transforming Gospel for the expansion of the church.
Under the heading of the Mass, Article XXIV of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession states: “As for outward appearances, our church attendance is greater than theirs [the papists]. Practical and clear sermons hold an audience…The real adornment of the churches is godly, practical, and clear teaching, the godly use of the sacraments, ardent prayer, and the like” (Tappert, p.259).
Real church—the body of Christ—was reaching real people in real, practical and completely Scriptural ways. The Reformers successfully “bucked the system” to defend that fact that they were really the church—more real than the dead, Scripture-forsaking opposition.
I wonder sometimes if the church today is squelching the spirit of the Reformation church. Do we discourage anything outside of our institutional controls, our human structures, and our personal plans, or do we really believe that the church is the body of Christ, missional communities that gather around, and fill the community with, the Gospel? Are we opening the floodgates of Gospel by recognizing and encouraging the mutual conversation and consolation of God’s people for a lost world, or are we, like the Pharisees in Luke 19, commanding the followers of Jesus to quiet down, organizing them in ways that make them a harmless and benign group of near-sighted lemmings?
I hear people say that our denomination needs to define its ecclesiology better. From what I read in the Scriptures and Confessions, our ecclesiology seems very clear. Perhaps we look for a better one because our current one is risky, entrepreneurial and uncomfortable.
We need to do better as stewards of the church. We need to take risks, to live up to the Reformers, let alone Jesus Himself. Through the master in the parable of Luke 19, Jesus said, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag” (vs.26 The Message).
I’m for Reformation style risks. How about you?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Missional Worker Inspiration
Are you a missional worker? In Luke 10, Jesus appointed seventy-two people and sent them. He said, "I am sending you." Into the harvest fields they went. Jesus didn't say, "Some of you are only spectators." He didn't tell a group, "You stay inside the building while other go out into the world." No. Believers were sent.
I was sitting next to a firefighter recently. We were at a meeting of a Mission Society. This full-time firefighter coordinates and leads mission trips to Brazil. He told stories of medical journeys that changed people's lives as the love of Jesus was lived out and proclaimed. He described the way he helps local church members make a global difference. The firefighter is a missional worker. In the midst of his busy life, he has a mission focus and is being used by God to make Kingdom gains.
What about you? What's your mission? It doesn't have to be in South America. It can start at home!
Reggie McNeal, the articulate mission strategist, gave a talk recently that contained nugget after nugget of missional wisdom. For every missional worker, I'd like to share those quotes so your soul can be stirred to action as we ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers:
"We need to be apostolic, to share the faith with people who have no spiritual scripting."
"The culture is having a God conversation while we get distracted with church conversations."
"The Church is a who, not a what. If I am a believer, then everywhere I am is the Church, the sent ones. This expands the bandwidth of the Christian movement in the world."
"You run into Jesus where there are people in need."
"Apostolic preaching happens in the streets, marketplace, all the world. We made preaching an inside church thing."
"If we're the bride of Christ, what's on His heart needs to get on our hearts pretty quickly."
"The church's scorecard should be the measure of missional agents, not church attenders."
"The apostolic model is to deploy then debrief."
"Apostolic leaders make heroes of the right people."
"The best leadership releases you to bless people."
"You are a viral agent of the Kingdom."
Dear friends, you are sent! You are a missional worker! There is no failure for one who brings the blessing of Jesus to others.
If you're interested in Missional Worker Training, click here for information and registration.
I was sitting next to a firefighter recently. We were at a meeting of a Mission Society. This full-time firefighter coordinates and leads mission trips to Brazil. He told stories of medical journeys that changed people's lives as the love of Jesus was lived out and proclaimed. He described the way he helps local church members make a global difference. The firefighter is a missional worker. In the midst of his busy life, he has a mission focus and is being used by God to make Kingdom gains.
What about you? What's your mission? It doesn't have to be in South America. It can start at home!
Reggie McNeal, the articulate mission strategist, gave a talk recently that contained nugget after nugget of missional wisdom. For every missional worker, I'd like to share those quotes so your soul can be stirred to action as we ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers:
"We need to be apostolic, to share the faith with people who have no spiritual scripting."
"The culture is having a God conversation while we get distracted with church conversations."
"The Church is a who, not a what. If I am a believer, then everywhere I am is the Church, the sent ones. This expands the bandwidth of the Christian movement in the world."
"You run into Jesus where there are people in need."
"Apostolic preaching happens in the streets, marketplace, all the world. We made preaching an inside church thing."
"If we're the bride of Christ, what's on His heart needs to get on our hearts pretty quickly."
"The church's scorecard should be the measure of missional agents, not church attenders."
"The apostolic model is to deploy then debrief."
"Apostolic leaders make heroes of the right people."
"The best leadership releases you to bless people."
"You are a viral agent of the Kingdom."
Dear friends, you are sent! You are a missional worker! There is no failure for one who brings the blessing of Jesus to others.
If you're interested in Missional Worker Training, click here for information and registration.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
New Missional Worker Training Dates!
Missional Worker Training is moving forward in South Texas!
Two training sessions are now scheduled:
Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Brownsville, TX
El Calvario Lutheran Church, 1157 E Monroe St., 78520
Saturday, May 15, 2010 – San Antonio, TX
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5323 Blanco Road, 78216
Childcare will be provided at Christ Our Savior.
Please reserve your child’s place by May 10th.
Call 210-732-7223 and speak with Lynn Linkes.
Schedule for each seminar:
8:30am registration, 9:00am-3:30pm training.
Registration fee: $15 for lunch and materials.
Be part of the excitement! Invite friends who have a heart for serving Jesus and His people!
For more information, Ministry Ideas, FAQs, Bulletin/Newletter information, and a downloadable brochure, please take a look at the Missional Worker website and the MissionalWorker.org Resource Page.
Two training sessions are now scheduled:
Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Brownsville, TX
El Calvario Lutheran Church, 1157 E Monroe St., 78520
Saturday, May 15, 2010 – San Antonio, TX
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5323 Blanco Road, 78216
Childcare will be provided at Christ Our Savior.
Please reserve your child’s place by May 10th.
Call 210-732-7223 and speak with Lynn Linkes.
Schedule for each seminar:
8:30am registration, 9:00am-3:30pm training.
Registration fee: $15 for lunch and materials.
Be part of the excitement! Invite friends who have a heart for serving Jesus and His people!
For more information, Ministry Ideas, FAQs, Bulletin/Newletter information, and a downloadable brochure, please take a look at the Missional Worker website and the MissionalWorker.org Resource Page.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Missional Worker FAQs
Missional Worker Frequently Asked Questions
1) Are we creating a new “office” for the Missional Worker? To create an entirely new category of worker may cause confusion regarding our current list of ordained and commissioned ministers.
A Missional Worker is not a new ministry “office.” A missional worker is a Christian servant—a lay person—who is being trained and sent into service by a pastor. The goal is to allow lay people to be equipped and sent to their “harvest fields” in order to bring the Good News of Jesus there. This is equivalent to training a small group leader to facilitate a small group study or equipping a lay-leader for visiting people in the hospital.
2) Missional Workers will be sent into new “ministries.” Our confessions speak of Ministry in the context of Word and Sacrament (i.e. Congregations). Is this training meant to be another pathway to ordination? What do you mean by new “ministries”?
The term “ministry” is used in reference to an opportunity to serve (parallel to the Greek word “diakonia”). Of course, under the direction of a pastor, if a group of people gathers steam and develops into a church plant, then the faithful steps would be taken toward a Word and Sacrament ministry.
3) Why is it necessary to train these folks to lead people in prayer, study, serving and worship? Is this a substitute for what our confessions reference when they discuss being “rightly called”?
These folks would be trained to understand and communicate sound Biblical truth, to pray for and with people, to grow in listening skills, and to live lives of godly integrity. It’s the discipleship of lay people to be salt and light in the world—-not apart from the church, but as the body of Christ. Missional Worker Training is not an attempt to subvert the office of the ministry or to ignore the rite vocatus principle rooted in the Scriptures. This is an effort to increase the active outreach work of God’s people as the church, leading more people to rejoice in Word and Sacrament in the Biblical structure of Church and Ministry we hold to.
1) Are we creating a new “office” for the Missional Worker? To create an entirely new category of worker may cause confusion regarding our current list of ordained and commissioned ministers.
A Missional Worker is not a new ministry “office.” A missional worker is a Christian servant—a lay person—who is being trained and sent into service by a pastor. The goal is to allow lay people to be equipped and sent to their “harvest fields” in order to bring the Good News of Jesus there. This is equivalent to training a small group leader to facilitate a small group study or equipping a lay-leader for visiting people in the hospital.
2) Missional Workers will be sent into new “ministries.” Our confessions speak of Ministry in the context of Word and Sacrament (i.e. Congregations). Is this training meant to be another pathway to ordination? What do you mean by new “ministries”?
The term “ministry” is used in reference to an opportunity to serve (parallel to the Greek word “diakonia”). Of course, under the direction of a pastor, if a group of people gathers steam and develops into a church plant, then the faithful steps would be taken toward a Word and Sacrament ministry.
3) Why is it necessary to train these folks to lead people in prayer, study, serving and worship? Is this a substitute for what our confessions reference when they discuss being “rightly called”?
These folks would be trained to understand and communicate sound Biblical truth, to pray for and with people, to grow in listening skills, and to live lives of godly integrity. It’s the discipleship of lay people to be salt and light in the world—-not apart from the church, but as the body of Christ. Missional Worker Training is not an attempt to subvert the office of the ministry or to ignore the rite vocatus principle rooted in the Scriptures. This is an effort to increase the active outreach work of God’s people as the church, leading more people to rejoice in Word and Sacrament in the Biblical structure of Church and Ministry we hold to.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Possibilities
South Texas will grow by over 600,000 people over the next four years. Population will climb from 6,091,795 people to 6,696,291 people.
How can we bring the Gospel to all who live with no hope in the living Savior, Jesus? Is the challenge impossible? Is the task too great?
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jesus wants us to ask for workers.
What if 10% of everyone who worships in an Area C LCMS congregation steps up to be trained as Missional Worker? That would be over 1600 people.
What if each of those people recruited 3-5 people to become Missional workers after the one-year training? That would result in up to 8000 people reaching out into neighborhoods, schools, nursing homes, moms groups, work-places and more. What if those 8,000 people raised up 3-5 more workers each? Do you realize that in 3-5 years 40,000 people in South Texas could be reaching nearly half a million people with the love of Jesus Christ--reaching people we may have never imagined reaching with the Gospel?
What if the Lord of the harvest sends workers? What if God's people unleash a movement of mission that saturates our state with the transforming news of Christ crucified and risen?
In Luke 10:3 Jesus said, "Go! I am sending you!"
If you're interested in Missional Worker Training, go to www.missionalworker.org.
How can we bring the Gospel to all who live with no hope in the living Savior, Jesus? Is the challenge impossible? Is the task too great?
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Jesus wants us to ask for workers.
What if 10% of everyone who worships in an Area C LCMS congregation steps up to be trained as Missional Worker? That would be over 1600 people.
What if each of those people recruited 3-5 people to become Missional workers after the one-year training? That would result in up to 8000 people reaching out into neighborhoods, schools, nursing homes, moms groups, work-places and more. What if those 8,000 people raised up 3-5 more workers each? Do you realize that in 3-5 years 40,000 people in South Texas could be reaching nearly half a million people with the love of Jesus Christ--reaching people we may have never imagined reaching with the Gospel?
What if the Lord of the harvest sends workers? What if God's people unleash a movement of mission that saturates our state with the transforming news of Christ crucified and risen?
In Luke 10:3 Jesus said, "Go! I am sending you!"
If you're interested in Missional Worker Training, go to www.missionalworker.org.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Profiles of Missional Workers
What is a missional worker?
Elsa was a resident in a senior housing center. After receiving communion from her pastor for a few months during monthly visits, she asked him if she could invite others from the housing center to join her for worship in her apartment. The pastor agreed. Soon, ten people were gathering with her for worship each month. Elsa asked the pastor if they could move to the chapel and invite more friends. The pastor happily agreed. Elsa publicized the gathering, made personal invitations, and recruited friends to spread the word. It didn't take long until two-dozen people were worshipping. Residents volunteered for music ministry, ushering, and serving on the altar guild. People were confessing their faith and taking new steps to follow Christ. A satellite church was born--from the zeal of a missional worker.
Jo Ann was passionate about reaching people who were suffering. After some training she launched a "care network." She recruited people to give rides, help with yardwork, cook meals, and send cards to people in need. It didn't take long before hundreds of people were involved. They were reaching thousands for Christ. The card ministry alone transformed the lives of young and old, single people and families. The love of Jesus was spreading far and wide--because a missional worker was sent into action.
Mike wanted to reach 20-something young men. Too many, he noticed were overlooked by the church. Too many were distracted by other things. After some training and sending, Mike invited seven young men to get together with him twice each month so they could talk about life. Five agreed. Every Tuesday evening from 9-11, Mike met with the guys in a local bar--that's where they wanted to gather. They used the time to get to know each other and to talk about what really mattered. Mike made his way into their lives as a friend and helper--in the name of Jesus.
Vianey wanted desperately to reach the children in her neighborhood with Jesus. After going to her pastor for training and support, she began a ministry for children in her home. The outreach developed into ministry to the moms and older siblings as well. Groups meet at her house three times each week to study, sing, fellowship, and serve. Vianey is now taking classes to become a deaconess!
Are you a missional worker? Do you know one? Go to www.missionalworker.org for more information.
Elsa was a resident in a senior housing center. After receiving communion from her pastor for a few months during monthly visits, she asked him if she could invite others from the housing center to join her for worship in her apartment. The pastor agreed. Soon, ten people were gathering with her for worship each month. Elsa asked the pastor if they could move to the chapel and invite more friends. The pastor happily agreed. Elsa publicized the gathering, made personal invitations, and recruited friends to spread the word. It didn't take long until two-dozen people were worshipping. Residents volunteered for music ministry, ushering, and serving on the altar guild. People were confessing their faith and taking new steps to follow Christ. A satellite church was born--from the zeal of a missional worker.
Jo Ann was passionate about reaching people who were suffering. After some training she launched a "care network." She recruited people to give rides, help with yardwork, cook meals, and send cards to people in need. It didn't take long before hundreds of people were involved. They were reaching thousands for Christ. The card ministry alone transformed the lives of young and old, single people and families. The love of Jesus was spreading far and wide--because a missional worker was sent into action.
Mike wanted to reach 20-something young men. Too many, he noticed were overlooked by the church. Too many were distracted by other things. After some training and sending, Mike invited seven young men to get together with him twice each month so they could talk about life. Five agreed. Every Tuesday evening from 9-11, Mike met with the guys in a local bar--that's where they wanted to gather. They used the time to get to know each other and to talk about what really mattered. Mike made his way into their lives as a friend and helper--in the name of Jesus.
Vianey wanted desperately to reach the children in her neighborhood with Jesus. After going to her pastor for training and support, she began a ministry for children in her home. The outreach developed into ministry to the moms and older siblings as well. Groups meet at her house three times each week to study, sing, fellowship, and serve. Vianey is now taking classes to become a deaconess!
Are you a missional worker? Do you know one? Go to www.missionalworker.org for more information.
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