Dear Robert,
Dateline NBC this evening will feature a special update on IJM undercover work in Svay Pak, Cambodia that resulted in the rescue of 37 girls. The Dateline NBC story, entitled “Children for Sale,” originally aired in January 2004 and has received significant airtime as well as two Emmy awards.
Tonight’s update will include a new interview with Gary Haugen as well as interviews with several of the young girls rescued by IJM in the original raids.
9pm EDT/PDT
Dateline NBC
Please watch and spread the word to friends who may be new to IJM!
Gratefully–
International Justice Mission
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Jim Putman - Real Life Ministries
So far they have over 7000 people in small groups, over 8000 in attendance on weekend in a community of 100,000. They have planted several churches, and the majority of their leadership is home grown.
Quotes:
You must quit focusing upon conversions and start focusing upon making disciples in everything you do.
A better show does not attract unsaved people. Unsaved people don't like us. A better show attracts people from other churches.
In the last three years 31 million Americans have left the church.
2-3% of churches are growing by conversion growth.
80% of Christians say that they are not experiencing God in the church that they attend.
We need to quit talking about what isn't working, and start focusing on what Jesus wants us to do.
Will come along side churches in order to mentor them in implementing a plan to make disciples.
Quotes:
You must quit focusing upon conversions and start focusing upon making disciples in everything you do.
A better show does not attract unsaved people. Unsaved people don't like us. A better show attracts people from other churches.
In the last three years 31 million Americans have left the church.
2-3% of churches are growing by conversion growth.
80% of Christians say that they are not experiencing God in the church that they attend.
We need to quit talking about what isn't working, and start focusing on what Jesus wants us to do.
Will come along side churches in order to mentor them in implementing a plan to make disciples.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Bob Russell - How to implement change without alienating old timers
Observations:
1. Revolution in worship is more than music
2. My preferred style of music is not the majority
3. The conflict does not decrease in intensity with time
4. The disagreement is usually generational, but not always
5. Flexibility is necessary on both/all sides
6. Motivations are positive and negative
7. It's possible to make changes, and not lose harmony
7 Ways to make change
1. Include a hymn or two in every service and sing one in original arrangement.
2. Respect different expressions of worship and don't demand someone change, ie don't ask everyone to clap.
3. If involved in leading worship dress modestly and mute suggestive movement
4. Keep amplification and volume reasonable. There is power when people on stage can hear congregation and vice versa.
5. Avoid repetition. Edit songs, old and new, so that they aren't too repetitive.
6. Leave people wanting more. Limit singing and standing to 10 minutes. "When a member of the body suffers we all suffer."
7. Take time to listen to people. Even schedule meeting times with multiple generations.
1. Revolution in worship is more than music
2. My preferred style of music is not the majority
3. The conflict does not decrease in intensity with time
4. The disagreement is usually generational, but not always
5. Flexibility is necessary on both/all sides
6. Motivations are positive and negative
7. It's possible to make changes, and not lose harmony
7 Ways to make change
1. Include a hymn or two in every service and sing one in original arrangement.
2. Respect different expressions of worship and don't demand someone change, ie don't ask everyone to clap.
3. If involved in leading worship dress modestly and mute suggestive movement
4. Keep amplification and volume reasonable. There is power when people on stage can hear congregation and vice versa.
5. Avoid repetition. Edit songs, old and new, so that they aren't too repetitive.
6. Leave people wanting more. Limit singing and standing to 10 minutes. "When a member of the body suffers we all suffer."
7. Take time to listen to people. Even schedule meeting times with multiple generations.
My Way News - 345 arrested, kids rescued in prostitution busts
345 arrested, kids rescued in prostitution busts
Email this Story
Jun 25, 6:59 PM (ET)
By LARA JAKES JORDAN
(AP) FBI Director Robert Mueller, center, with Ernie Allen, president and chief executive officer of the...
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WASHINGTON (AP) - Hundreds of people have been arrested and 21 children rescued in what the FBI is calling a five-day roundup of networks of pimps who force children into prostitution.
The Justice Department says it targeted 16 cities as part of its "Operation Cross Country" that caps off five years of similar stings nationwide.
Many of the children forced into prostitution are either runaways or what authorities call "thrown-aways" - kids whose families have shunned them. Officials say they are preyed upon by organized networks of pimps who lure them in with shelter or drugs, then often beat, starve or otherwise abuse them until the children agree to work the streets.
"We together have no higher calling than to protect our children and to safeguard their innocence," FBI Director Robert Mueller said Wednesday. "Yet the sex trafficking of children remains one of the most violent and unforgivable crimes in this country."
(AP) FBI Director Robert Mueller speaks during a news conference at the FBI headquarters in Washington,...
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In all, authorities arrested 345 people - including 290 adult prostitutes - during the operation that ended this week. Since 2003, 308 pimps and hookers have been convicted in state and federal courts of forcing youngsters into prostitution, and 433 child victims have been rescued, Mueller said.
The cities targeted in this week's sting are: Atlanta; Boston; Dallas; Detroit; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Montgomery County, Md.; Oakland, Calif.; Phoenix; Reno, Nev.; Sacramento, Calif.; Tampa; Toledo, Ohio and Washington.
The problem of child prostitution has taken on a new urgency in recent years with the growth of online networks where pimps advertise the youngsters to clients. The FBI generally investigates child prostitution cases that cross state lines.
The cases aren't easy to convict.
In April 2006, for example, charges against a Nevada man resulted in a hung jury after his 14-year-old victim refused to testify against him. Months later, however, a second jury found Juan Rico Doss of Reno, Nev., guilty of forcing two girls - ages 14 and 16 - to sell sex in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Oakland.
A University of Pennsylvania study estimates nearly 300,000 children in the United States are at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial uses - "most of them runaways or thrown-aways," said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
"These kids are victims. This is 21st century slavery," Allen said. "They lack the ability to walk away."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Rick Rusaw - The Externally Focused Church
Externally Focused Churches
Are not defined by size, location, or denomination.
Are defined by perspective and purpose.
5 Characteristics of an EFC
1. They believe that the community cannot be healthy without the church.
2. They believe that Christians cannot grow until they serve. (Growth will not happen in a 101, 201, 301 system.) Ephesians 2:8-10
3. They understand the power of service. Lenin didn't outlaw Christianity in USSR but outlawed acts of service by the church. You have to rake a lot of leaves before the community begins to ask your opinion.
4. They are evangelistically effective.
5. They partner with other entities.
Micah 6:8...Acts of mercy allow you to get traction in order to do justice.
Rick's Comment: The American Church has lost the ability to speak into the culture because we have withdrawn from it...because it's dirty. We've got to get close enough where we can whisper into people's lives.
Robert's Digestion: PCA should be finding ways to help public schools along with educating children in a "protected" system. They need to be building up kids so that they can direct culture. Harmony should think about doing as much for public schools as it is for PCA.
The question we always need to be asking, "How do we take the unchanging message of Jesus to the always, rapidly changing world?" We always need to be evaluating the delivery, and looking or creating new kinds of delivery options.
Are not defined by size, location, or denomination.
Are defined by perspective and purpose.
5 Characteristics of an EFC
1. They believe that the community cannot be healthy without the church.
2. They believe that Christians cannot grow until they serve. (Growth will not happen in a 101, 201, 301 system.) Ephesians 2:8-10
3. They understand the power of service. Lenin didn't outlaw Christianity in USSR but outlawed acts of service by the church. You have to rake a lot of leaves before the community begins to ask your opinion.
4. They are evangelistically effective.
5. They partner with other entities.
Micah 6:8...Acts of mercy allow you to get traction in order to do justice.
Rick's Comment: The American Church has lost the ability to speak into the culture because we have withdrawn from it...because it's dirty. We've got to get close enough where we can whisper into people's lives.
Robert's Digestion: PCA should be finding ways to help public schools along with educating children in a "protected" system. They need to be building up kids so that they can direct culture. Harmony should think about doing as much for public schools as it is for PCA.
The question we always need to be asking, "How do we take the unchanging message of Jesus to the always, rapidly changing world?" We always need to be evaluating the delivery, and looking or creating new kinds of delivery options.
Bob Russell - Wise words
Wise Words...
When problems surface in the church and confession is not made but someone is confronted then it is highly likely that there is more to the story.
Whoever wrote, "A picture is worth one thousand words." used words. So, preach the Bible it will always be relevant.
Key Preaching Principles
1. Preaching will always be relevant.
2. The Bible is the ultimate source of power - rely on it. MEANING: preach fewer "eye catching" topics, make edification main purpose not evangelism, don't be obsessed with innovation, preach through books of the Bible or on its characters.
3. Study time should be scheduled. MEANING: 20 hours a week in preparation by reading, developing examples, and condensation.
4. Consistency is critical in building a healthy church - maintain it. MEANING: If you can't bring the sermon with the same energy the week after Easter as you did Easter weekend then get someone else to preach.
5. A sense of passion/intensity is essential for an effective delivery
6. Sharing the whole counsel of God takes courage - preach it!
When problems surface in the church and confession is not made but someone is confronted then it is highly likely that there is more to the story.
Whoever wrote, "A picture is worth one thousand words." used words. So, preach the Bible it will always be relevant.
Key Preaching Principles
1. Preaching will always be relevant.
2. The Bible is the ultimate source of power - rely on it. MEANING: preach fewer "eye catching" topics, make edification main purpose not evangelism, don't be obsessed with innovation, preach through books of the Bible or on its characters.
3. Study time should be scheduled. MEANING: 20 hours a week in preparation by reading, developing examples, and condensation.
4. Consistency is critical in building a healthy church - maintain it. MEANING: If you can't bring the sermon with the same energy the week after Easter as you did Easter weekend then get someone else to preach.
5. A sense of passion/intensity is essential for an effective delivery
6. Sharing the whole counsel of God takes courage - preach it!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Rick Rusaw - At LifeBridge Christian Church
At LifeBridge Christian Church
At LifeBridge they focus on saving the lost and serving the least. They do that by helping the lost discover grace, then encourage people to grow in grace and to live gracefully(serve the lost).
All of their staff is required to volunteer 15 hours a week either in the community or church or both. "How can you lead where you aren't willing to go?"
Often when we say service we mean serve us, but it needs to transition to serve others - Ephesians 2:10. LifeBridge values inside and outside service. They value the Little League coac as much as the children's worker. LifeBridge is trying something where they took four small groups and are giving them back half of their giving to find some service to do.
Start with people who are already doing it.
Use big events as an entry point into consistent service. (painted three middle schools one summer)
If big events are the only thing you do for service then stop.
At LifeBridge everybody does something externally focused. Mens, womens, childrens, youth, small groups have an externally focused arm.
Greg Nettle - Evaluate weekend
It's key to determine the tipping point of a room, or the point at which a room will not feel empty. If it feels empty people won't come back.
This weekend was a simple acoustic set. Reasons include it's all the musicians that were available, and they try to simplify once every 4-6 weeks. They are trying to move away from a performance driven worship service.
Greg's personal opinion: If the American church doesn't shift dramatically it will shut down.
1980's-present churches have used the attractional model to grow. However, Greg believes it's outlived it's usefulness as the area becomes more postmodern. We need to transition to a missional model. I agree.
So, RiverTree is trying to transition from a program driven church into a people development driven church. Three years ago they did away with membership, and now they ask people to partner with them.
This means you move from standardized to customized. You may need to write your own material or purchase customizable curriculum.
You move from scripted to Life Coaching.
You move from the goal being participation to Life Transformation.
You move from didactic teaching to debriefing life experiences.
You move from curriculum guided to life centric (relates to what is really going on in people's lives)
You move from getting people "plugged in" to getting people "pushed out." So , you run into challenges on keeping the organization going.
You move from growing into service to growing through service.
You move from generational segmentation to integrated. So, there may be a youth mission trip but grandparents go too. Youth are in worship bands. Children will lead prayers. They have moved away from "children's or youth specials."
You move from building the organization to changing people's lives.
There are three ways people are transformed:
1. Information
2. Experiences
3. Relationships
The American church is heavy on Information yet only two people could in the room could come up with five sermons that have changed their life. Almost everybody came up with five relationships and experiences in half the time.
Relational and experience takes TIME.
Recommended Book: American Church in Crisis by David T. Olsen
This weekend was a simple acoustic set. Reasons include it's all the musicians that were available, and they try to simplify once every 4-6 weeks. They are trying to move away from a performance driven worship service.
Greg's personal opinion: If the American church doesn't shift dramatically it will shut down.
1980's-present churches have used the attractional model to grow. However, Greg believes it's outlived it's usefulness as the area becomes more postmodern. We need to transition to a missional model. I agree.
So, RiverTree is trying to transition from a program driven church into a people development driven church. Three years ago they did away with membership, and now they ask people to partner with them.
This means you move from standardized to customized. You may need to write your own material or purchase customizable curriculum.
You move from scripted to Life Coaching.
You move from the goal being participation to Life Transformation.
You move from didactic teaching to debriefing life experiences.
You move from curriculum guided to life centric (relates to what is really going on in people's lives)
You move from getting people "plugged in" to getting people "pushed out." So , you run into challenges on keeping the organization going.
You move from growing into service to growing through service.
You move from generational segmentation to integrated. So, there may be a youth mission trip but grandparents go too. Youth are in worship bands. Children will lead prayers. They have moved away from "children's or youth specials."
You move from building the organization to changing people's lives.
There are three ways people are transformed:
1. Information
2. Experiences
3. Relationships
The American church is heavy on Information yet only two people could in the room could come up with five sermons that have changed their life. Almost everybody came up with five relationships and experiences in half the time.
Relational and experience takes TIME.
Recommended Book: American Church in Crisis by David T. Olsen
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Londen Institute Day 1
I've already stated the "Why people stay and why they leave." in a previous blog tonight.
Here, because it is late and I have to be up at 6am, I will just plainly state that Paul stated basically the characteristics of an effective minister in one of his sessions and in a third session he defined leadership in the new millennium and compared it with the modern era's context.
I can share more on it when I return.
Here, because it is late and I have to be up at 6am, I will just plainly state that Paul stated basically the characteristics of an effective minister in one of his sessions and in a third session he defined leadership in the new millennium and compared it with the modern era's context.
I can share more on it when I return.
Why people stay and why they go.
Paul Williams, CEO of The Orchard Group - a church planting organization in the North East, was the presenter today.
What we did: Took the DiSC test, which is a leadership style profile. Talked about the results, and then talked about leadership.
What I learned:
1. 80% of the people who return for a second visit say they identified with the pastors spiritual journey.
2. 72% of the people who come the first time do so because they were personally invited.
3. 50% of the people who return a second time say they liked the worship.
4. #1 reason why people don't come back is because they perceive the children's ministry to be inadequate.
5. #2 reason they don't return is because of the condition of the facility.
Conclusion: Connections to Dean's story are why people will return, and even though advertising is necessary it cannot be divorced from personal invitation. Worship style is not as big of a deal as was once thought. In fact, many church plants that will reach a younger demographic are instituting "High Church" symbols back into worship (ie. robes, incense, etc.). If our children's ministry is not a priority then we will fail to attract and keep families. If the facility is not kept clean, neat, and in a state of continual repair or expansion then new comers will not be back. They will notice the stain in the carpet, crooked pictures, misspelled words, etc. that church people will overlook.
What we did: Took the DiSC test, which is a leadership style profile. Talked about the results, and then talked about leadership.
What I learned:
1. 80% of the people who return for a second visit say they identified with the pastors spiritual journey.
2. 72% of the people who come the first time do so because they were personally invited.
3. 50% of the people who return a second time say they liked the worship.
4. #1 reason why people don't come back is because they perceive the children's ministry to be inadequate.
5. #2 reason they don't return is because of the condition of the facility.
Conclusion: Connections to Dean's story are why people will return, and even though advertising is necessary it cannot be divorced from personal invitation. Worship style is not as big of a deal as was once thought. In fact, many church plants that will reach a younger demographic are instituting "High Church" symbols back into worship (ie. robes, incense, etc.). If our children's ministry is not a priority then we will fail to attract and keep families. If the facility is not kept clean, neat, and in a state of continual repair or expansion then new comers will not be back. They will notice the stain in the carpet, crooked pictures, misspelled words, etc. that church people will overlook.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A response from Mars (makers of M&Ms)
In response to your email regarding M&M'S CHOCOLATE CANDIES.
Thank
you for sharing with us your thoughts regarding working conditions on
cocoa farms. Mars takes very seriously our responsibility to the cocoa
farming families who provide us with this important ingredient. Our
privately owned company's heritage is based on a genuine commitment to
the communities that are touched by our business.
At Mars,
Incorporated we invest significant resources in both manpower and
funding to help ensure the sustainability of the cocoa supply chain.
Our support is designed to ensure future supplies of cocoa and promote
a responsible approach to its production so that the communities and
the environment in which cocoa is grown can thrive.
Since 2001
Mars has played a leadership role in the global cocoa and chocolate
industry's efforts to address allegations of child abuse on the cocoa
farms of West Africa. Mars is working with the national governments of
Cote d'lvoire and Ghana (the world's largest cocoa growing countries),
labor experts and community-based organizations to support the
establishment of a certification process to ensure that cocoa is farmed
free from the worst forms of child labor.
We recognize that
achieving real change requires working in partnership with others who
have skills complementary to our own. To support that approach the
International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), an independent voice dedicated to
eradicating abusive child and forced labor in cocoa production
worldwide, was established in 2002. As a registered charity, the ICI's
Board of Directors represents a wide range of stakeholders: human
rights and child labor organizations, trades unions, local groups in
the cocoa growing countries, and the cocoa and chocolate industry. We
are proud that one of our senior Mars executives had been chosen to
serve as co-president of the ICI. The ICI is making great strides
towards improving labor conditions in the cocoa growing regions of
Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. For more detailed information on the programs
of the ICI, please visit www.cocoainitiative.org.
We are also
working to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their families
through our participation in the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP),
a public-private partnership between the cocoa and chocolate industry
and government supporters. This program, operating in West Africa, has
successfully promoted farmers' organizations and co-operatives leading
to improvements designed to help farmers achieve better prices for
their cocoa. Through its Farmer Field Schools Program, the STCP also
helps farmers gain increased yields by improving farming techniques.
For more information on the STCP, please visit www.treecrops.org.
In
addition, Mars is a member of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), a
global organization of cocoa and chocolate companies, processors,
traders and others who are dedicated to improving the conditions of
cocoa farmers and the communities in which they live. WCF programs
raise farmer incomes, encourage responsible, sustainable cocoa farming
and help strengthen cocoa farming communities. Members provide
financial contributions as well as technical expertise and guidance to
partners in West Africa and other program locations.
Education
is key to the sustainability of rural livelihoods. Working alongside
Winrock International - an organization skilled in implementing rurual
education programs - and others, Mars is helping children from cocoa
farming communities as they learn to become the farmers of tomorrow.
Programs offer access to vocational skills that will be relevant for
the children and their communities now and in the years ahead.
These
steps to address cococa growing conditions in West Africa are the
continuation of a long-term commitment Mars began in 1998 to improve
the well-being of millions of small farmers who grow cocoa. To learn
more, visit www.cocoasustainability.mars.com.
For information on
the programs of the WCF and for an update on progress made towards the
certification process for cocoa growing, please visit
www.responsiblecocoa.org.
Sincerely,
Consumer Care
Mars Snackfood US
MM/YESUJOHN010646578A
Please do NOT reply to this email. If you would like to respond to this message, click on the link below.
http://www.econsumeraffairs.com/mars/ContactUsFollowUp.htm?F1=010646578A&F2=ZZ
Friday, June 6, 2008
I love M&M's
I love M&M's! They are by far my favorite candy. I like them with peanuts, almonds, peanut butter, dark chocolate, or just plain old M&M's. I take them with me on mission trips, vacations, or eat them while studying or writing...especially late at night.
A couple of years ago I was made aware of the slavery problem that the chocolate industry has basically been hiding for years (STOP THE TRAFFIK). Over 10,000 children have been sold into slavery to work in the cocoa fields of Western Africa, namely The Ivory Coast from where nearly half of the world's chocolate comes. The guy who started this foundation recently spoke at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids. I'd encourage you to listen to Steve Chaulke (12 Weeks - Mars Hill).
I kind of divorced myself from any responsibility because fair trade chocolate was so impossible to find. However, in the time since then, it's now more readily available and even stores like Target are beginning to make it available for consumption. Now it is time for the rubber to meat the road.
For every time I go to purchase my precious M&M's I will hear a child say, "With every bite of chocolate you eat, you eat my flesh." I'm going to send Mars a note to let them know of my conviction. Hopefully they will begin to make moral choices about who is supplying them their raw materials. I encourage my chocoholic friends to do the same.
A couple of years ago I was made aware of the slavery problem that the chocolate industry has basically been hiding for years (STOP THE TRAFFIK). Over 10,000 children have been sold into slavery to work in the cocoa fields of Western Africa, namely The Ivory Coast from where nearly half of the world's chocolate comes. The guy who started this foundation recently spoke at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids. I'd encourage you to listen to Steve Chaulke (12 Weeks - Mars Hill).
I kind of divorced myself from any responsibility because fair trade chocolate was so impossible to find. However, in the time since then, it's now more readily available and even stores like Target are beginning to make it available for consumption. Now it is time for the rubber to meat the road.
For every time I go to purchase my precious M&M's I will hear a child say, "With every bite of chocolate you eat, you eat my flesh." I'm going to send Mars a note to let them know of my conviction. Hopefully they will begin to make moral choices about who is supplying them their raw materials. I encourage my chocoholic friends to do the same.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
An exegesis of our culture
The following are thoughts provoked by an email reply by Brett Oliver, friend and elder of Harmony Christian Church.
His reply was "It all boils down to the individual relationship with Jesus. That individual must seek the risen Christ – in fact, Scripture says that if someone is not seeking Jesus, he will hide his truths. We’ll never develop a plan or curriculum that will be successful in that – because it focuses on someone else telling us what Jesus wants and the emphasis is on the external transforming the internal. I’m convinced that the transformation you all are talking about, and should be our goal, comes from that individual seeking God and being transformed by the Holy Spirit. We can provide that environment and opportunities – but, I would caution too much structure and too much planning ahead…been there, done that – been rebukedJ!! I would simply look for that next step that God is calling you all to and be obedient to that – my prayer for you all.
Our culture is not only addicted to consumption, but it is equally addicted to entitlement. This, in my mind, is symptomatic of the fact that we hate to be in want. So, when we see something we want we either find a way to get it, or if we are unable to obtain it, then we complain that somehow it's somebody else's fault that I can't have it. We see barriers as unjust, when in reality maybe they are intended to protect. We want a promotion. We go to our boss. We don't get it when we think we should have it, and we automatically begin to blame those we see as responsible, namely our boss. We want a new TV. We go to Best Buy, but can't afford to buy it so we either go into debt in order to get it, or we complain that we can't get it because we haven't got the promotion we deserve. The barriers to the promotion or TV seem unjust when we feel like we deserve them, but in reality the promotion may come with additional costs that we haven't considered: more responsibility, more time at work, more weekends at work, or more travel. In failing to count those costs, because of our love of progress, we may find ourselves "wanting" things like they used to be.
Let's transition this philosophy to church. We want to feel closer to Christ. We want to feel like we're moving forward, becoming more like Christ. So, we go to the Jesus Gettin' Place, aka church. We recognize our want for spiritual things as being good, but we fail to recognize that it's a want that should never be fulfilled. So, when the preacher doesn't deliver the goods in a way that fulfills my want, a want that I deserve to have met, then the preacher is at fault and so is the church for not giving me what I want. So, I become dissatisfied and I will either look for another church, stay and complain about the one I'm in, or drop out altogether.
Although plans and systems can change with time I do believe that God ordains plans and systems for a time to build His Kingdom. Just look at Old Testament worship and law. What an incredible and intricate plan for Israel to follow. LifeTeams is a plan for building community. We need a plan to help people become more reliant upon the Holy Spirit who through study and practice of the Scripture will eventually bring the comfort. There is nothing inherently wrong with desiring to learn from a teacher, but we can't continue to blame a teacher unless they are a false teacher and even then you don't blame them but rebuke them.
So, I agree that people need to recognize their need, their want for Jesus. They must desire to seek Him and serve Him. However, we as the leaders of the church must devise a process and renew a focus on how we train people to overcome their uncomfortableness with want, and to realize that how they pursue Jesus is paramount in determining their comfort.
Case in point on wanting and consumerism Engadget reports that a line formed at the Apple Store in downtown New York for no apparent reason. Rumors of a new 3G iPhone have been leaked recently with a late June timetable.
His reply was "It all boils down to the individual relationship with Jesus. That individual must seek the risen Christ – in fact, Scripture says that if someone is not seeking Jesus, he will hide his truths. We’ll never develop a plan or curriculum that will be successful in that – because it focuses on someone else telling us what Jesus wants and the emphasis is on the external transforming the internal. I’m convinced that the transformation you all are talking about, and should be our goal, comes from that individual seeking God and being transformed by the Holy Spirit. We can provide that environment and opportunities – but, I would caution too much structure and too much planning ahead…been there, done that – been rebukedJ!! I would simply look for that next step that God is calling you all to and be obedient to that – my prayer for you all.
My 2 cents-
Brett"
I think the article in Christianity Today (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/june/5.13.html) and the Reveal study does not encourage adopting a particular plan. Instead it reveals that Willow Creek thought that once they started people on their journey with Christ that growth would be perpetual, but in reality I think the study reveals that by removing barriers to following Christ people fail to count cost or realize responsibility.Our culture is not only addicted to consumption, but it is equally addicted to entitlement. This, in my mind, is symptomatic of the fact that we hate to be in want. So, when we see something we want we either find a way to get it, or if we are unable to obtain it, then we complain that somehow it's somebody else's fault that I can't have it. We see barriers as unjust, when in reality maybe they are intended to protect. We want a promotion. We go to our boss. We don't get it when we think we should have it, and we automatically begin to blame those we see as responsible, namely our boss. We want a new TV. We go to Best Buy, but can't afford to buy it so we either go into debt in order to get it, or we complain that we can't get it because we haven't got the promotion we deserve. The barriers to the promotion or TV seem unjust when we feel like we deserve them, but in reality the promotion may come with additional costs that we haven't considered: more responsibility, more time at work, more weekends at work, or more travel. In failing to count those costs, because of our love of progress, we may find ourselves "wanting" things like they used to be.
Let's transition this philosophy to church. We want to feel closer to Christ. We want to feel like we're moving forward, becoming more like Christ. So, we go to the Jesus Gettin' Place, aka church. We recognize our want for spiritual things as being good, but we fail to recognize that it's a want that should never be fulfilled. So, when the preacher doesn't deliver the goods in a way that fulfills my want, a want that I deserve to have met, then the preacher is at fault and so is the church for not giving me what I want. So, I become dissatisfied and I will either look for another church, stay and complain about the one I'm in, or drop out altogether.
Although plans and systems can change with time I do believe that God ordains plans and systems for a time to build His Kingdom. Just look at Old Testament worship and law. What an incredible and intricate plan for Israel to follow. LifeTeams is a plan for building community. We need a plan to help people become more reliant upon the Holy Spirit who through study and practice of the Scripture will eventually bring the comfort. There is nothing inherently wrong with desiring to learn from a teacher, but we can't continue to blame a teacher unless they are a false teacher and even then you don't blame them but rebuke them.
So, I agree that people need to recognize their need, their want for Jesus. They must desire to seek Him and serve Him. However, we as the leaders of the church must devise a process and renew a focus on how we train people to overcome their uncomfortableness with want, and to realize that how they pursue Jesus is paramount in determining their comfort.
Case in point on wanting and consumerism Engadget reports that a line formed at the Apple Store in downtown New York for no apparent reason. Rumors of a new 3G iPhone have been leaked recently with a late June timetable.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A theology of the church
What sparks this essay is a lunch conversation that I had recently that included some evaluation of where our local congregation is headed, and although it wasn’t said directly I believe I can say that there was an uneasy dissatisfaction with how things are going and with where we are heading. Most of it seemed to hinge on the big gatherings on the weekends, but I have begun to wonder if we place too much stock in that and it has caused me to ask, “Why is the weekend worship service the focal point?” The success of a church is largely measured by the numbers of people who come on a weekend. The majority of the energy of a staff is primarily focused on the weekend. We define whether or not a church is right for us based upon the weekend service. A majority of our personal satisfaction is bound up in our experience on the weekend in corporate gatherings. Is our condemnation of how consumer driven weekend gatherings have become really a condemnation on how consumer driven we are?
Can we honor God in corporate worship by providing some sacred space, some Holy Ground, and still be relevant or at least communicate the truth with relevance? Have we erred on the side of removing barriers to the point that we also keep people from counting costs when it comes to following Jesus? In essence by ignoring or minimizing the sacred have we just made a person's decision to follow Christ much like a risk free trial of a new Nabisco cracker?
We need to battle, on one hand, with the balance of being the church who relates a message of hope, love, compassion, justice, mercy, and righteousness to people in such a way that they understand, and on the other hand being the church that looks so completely different from the rest of the world that it sticks out like a sore thumb. I think we quit asking hard questions about why we do what we do because we've become entertainment. Instead we should be trying to find a way to cut through the entertainment expectation with life changing words.
Where is the tension between helping people feel at home, and yet also helping them feel like being with Christ is nothing like home on earth? Where is the tension between having reverence for the King of Kings and feeling the love of Abba, our heavenly Daddy? Where is the tension that, in my mind, has been sacrificed on the alter of experience?
Have we lost sight of the fact that we are not supposed to save the world, but just tell the world. I wonder what church might look like if we began to measure progress by how many people to whom we clearly presented the truth.
I wonder...
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