Building Missional Community

My wife and I have set out on a new ministry together. Being an Assistant Chaplain at the Elkhart County Jail I have been listening to many inmates opinion of the church and have some of the same reservations that many of us do with the church. I have consistently told these men that there is no such thing as the perfect church. Recently I was asked to come to Elkhart and start a Bible study with an inmate that had been released. I thought it over and I had decided that I was unable to set another time to start a Bible study with all that I was involved with at the county jail. One Monday night at my regularly scheduled Bible study, a couple of the inmates asked me if I had a church that I pastor. I told them no because God had not opened those doors for me but had instead opened my doors at the county jail. I had a vision that one day of starting a ministry for inmates, possibly a church, but had never had any of those doors open. I continued this discussion with those inmates to see why they thought that it was something that had been on their minds. I took everything that they were saying and decided that I would consider it and pray about it. That night I saw my pastor at a banquet that we were attending and mentioned it to him. He looked at me and said, "Why don't we just do it" I was in a little shock but decided to explore this further. He mentioned to start this as a house church, missional community. I talked it over with Staci and proceeded to find a house. I started with the ex-inmate that had wanted me to come to Elkhart and do a regular Bible study with him. Things fell through with that plan to use his place so I turned to another ex-inmate named John*. He agreed to use his place and with a little help from my church, we have launched a gathering that meets every Friday at 7pm in John's house. I have read on how to lead a missional community and am starting a book on how to develop am discipling community. We divide the evening between a time of fellowship while sharing a meal and Bible study. We had three people the night of the launch with just me, my wife, and John. The second time we had a couple more people show up to see it.  I had a great conversation with Cory who is trying to move to this area and is struggling with walking the right path. I encouraged him to continue to come on Friday's and to participate in everything we do. The other person Matt does not want any part of God and was afraid that we would say something to him if he just ate and decided not to participate in the Bible study. His experience with Christians in the past has lead him to believe that they are judgmental. That night we all showed him that we were there to share Christ's love and he was in the room where we were doing the study for a while and when he got up to go to another room no one said anything. I later got the chance to tell him that I enjoyed meeting him and invited him to have a meal with us each week. There are seekers in this world that have had some very bad experiences with what they perceive to be the "church". Our goal as a ministry right now is to provide a place for ex-inmates to come and participate in fellowship and Bible study (if they want) in a place where they never have to worry about being judged. I am so grateful for what God has done already. This ministry is in God's hands and we are just going to see where it takes us. It is my hopes that it will grow and multiply and that the ex-inmates will be leading other groups. The vision that I have is that one-day inmates and their families will be able to be ministered to by those that have gone through the same experiences. I hope to start writing in this blog about those experiences on a regular basis.

* - I will be using first names only and at most first names and first letter of last name in cases where there are multiple people by the same name to protect the privacy of those I write about.

Obedience to God

Have you ever wondered what the number one thing that God wants from his children? You parents out there what is the one thing that you desire from your children? Well I will bet that obedience is at the number one spot or at least number two. This is what God desires from all of his children. God is looking for obedience from us. The life of King Saul can be an example of what God does not desire and that is partial obedience. In 1 Samuel 15 God gives very clear instruction to king Saul that he is to utterly destroy the Amalekites. He was to wipe them off of the Earth all human and animal life of these people was to be destroyed. Now I am not going to explain here the idea of wiping out a whole race of people and what constitutes a holy war because that is not the point of this post. The point is Saul only half obeyed God. He spared their king and the animals and what was the reason? So he could offer sacrifice. Samuel makes it clear that God desires obedience more than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22-23). God wants our obedience. Now before we go and pass judgment upon Saul are there areas in your life that are not 100% yielded to God? How often do we offer up our sacrifices of time, money, and praise on Sunday, when we have not been obedient throughout the week? The point is that obedience is the only way to please God. He would rather have us obey him than attend church. I am not saying that church is not important but obedience is more important than our worship. God wants us to obey him and not make excuses for our actions. This week try focus on obedience more than worship.

Lessons from King Saul - Following God

In 1 Samuel 13:1-12 Saul is faced with the dilemma to either follow God's instructions or to give into the people's wishes. As Samuel tarried  waiting on Saul, he was left to wonder if God was with him. Saul had the problem that many of us do from time to time. When God does not answer right away we often get anxious and act at times without making sure that it is God's plan. God often acts outside of our time frame and we need to remember that God is with us no matter what happens. I have come to realize that God answers our prayers with yes, no, wait, and my personal favorite I am not going to tell you. Saul teaches us that it is more important to wait on God than step out without him.

It has been a long time since I have made a post to this blog but I am going to try and blog more of my thoughts and studies.

Book Review

A great representation of Jesus and his Old Testament connection. Enjoy.

Review

Book Review

Here was an interesting book on the Anabaptist Movement. Hope you enjoy.

Review

God's Grace in Genesis 1-11

Today I was reminded that God showed grace in each of the episodes where mankind sinned. After the fall in chapter 3 God showed grace by holding off the punishment of death. Adam and Eve were told that if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they would die that day (Genesis 2:17). That is not what happened though they were spared for a time. The second came after Cain killed Able God showed grace by marking Cain so that everyone would know that he was protected and was not to be killed (Genesis 4:15). God also showed grace to the human race in the flood first in not wiping out the whole race because of the sins but also in the promise that he gave Noah that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood or water (Genesis 9:11). At the tower of Babel God had grace in not destroying the nations but here we see something that has not been in the other accounts. God scatters them by confusing the language and then leaves them in that condition. The question begs is God now through with the nations? Well the answer is no he simply shifts focus to creating a people through Abraham so that they will be the blessing to the nations. Gods grace did not start in the New Testament, it began at the fall. Gods grace is all around us and he just asks that we seek him and let him transform us into the image of Jesus. Gods grace comes at the highest price of all the death of his Son Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for allowing grace to flow. Your grace still amazes me.

Salvation

In preparing my work for teaching the theological concept of salvation I was reminded that the concept of sanctification is an event and process. There was a time in every believers life that they were sanctified in God's sight and then started the process of becoming more like Jesus. I would like to say that it has been easy or is easy to be sanctified but the truth is because God is holy and we are not it makes it difficult for us to become holy. The fact is though that is exactly what must happen. Thank God he has made a way for us to accomplish this and it is not left to our own devices to become holy. The fact is God helps us to become more like Jesus every day. We merely need to look to Him for guidance and help.

The concept of sin and the affect on our lives

Today I walked through the Biblical teaching on sin. For me it is the least favorite topic in theology for me because it is here that all my failures come out. The enemy reminds me of all the times that I fail and have failed but the great thing is that my failures are covered by Jesus' blood. It is amazing to me that the fall recorded in Genesis is not seen by many in the church as more than a simple fall to the ground. This "fall" was catastrophic in the fact that it separated us from God. This separation was a death blow to our soul. It makes me appreciate exactly what Jesus did on the cross for us that much more. I can only imagine what it was like to walk with God in the cool of the day. To feel God's presence at all times. One day the sin that is in the world will be eradicated and we will once again have the relationship with our creator that we were meant to have. Praise God for this marvelous gift.

The Need for Theology

As I sit here on Wednesday evening I am anticipating my time tomorrow when I get together with a friend and discuss theology. I am sort of using him as an alpha project to hopefully launch a class in the church this fall. I have really enjoyed the time that I have been able to spend with him discussing these issues. It has really challenged me in my thinking again to live a life that reflects what I know to be true from scripture. I am also reminded that even if one does not think they have a theology they do. It shapes the way that we see our world. Some use scripture to form their theology and others deny the existence of God. Either way there is a theology that shapes the way that person sees the world. Tomorrow I look at sin and its affects upon the world and upon us as Christians. This is the one topic that I would just rather skip because it reminds me of all my short falls. The reality is though that it is needful to remind me that I can do nothing to remove myself from my situation and that I am in need of God's help.

Working out ones salvation

I must admit that I like a good friend of mine are very terrible at blogging but I would like to get better. Recently I was asked to do a series on different religions for the Sunday school class that I attend. It has been going slow but the one thing that I have found is that all the other religions have a common theme of false gods or works orientation. They all seem to have a push that one must work out their own salvation and failure to do so they will not achieve heaven. Now some of you may be saying that Paul made these very same words come to life in Philippians 2:12. There is one major difference here though and that is I do not believe that he is really referring to the idea that one can somehow obtain salvation by doing works rather that one should not take their salvation lightly but should be examining it and making sure that it is not false. When we stand before an almighty God one day I do not believe that he will be interested in what good works we did but rather what good works we did because of the good work Jesus did for us on the cross.

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up

There used to be this show on TV called "To Tell the Truth" in which 3 people claimed to be the same person and it was up to the contestants to decise who was telling the truth by asking them questions. I feel like that with the life and ministry of Jesus. There are so many imposters it is difficult at times to tell who the real Jesus is. My wife Staci recently took a religion class from a Christian school that taught that there are multiple ways to get to heaven. That the Jesus of the Bible was mostly just a good teacher and profit. The problem that I have is that is not the pcture that one gets when they read the scriptures. John 14 clearly claims that Jesus is the only way to the Father and that except through him o one can see the father. The president of Liberty Seminary Dr. Caner said something today in one of his updates that I believe needs to be repeated he said, "Over 20 religions consign Jesus to being a good man and a servant. Too bad. He said He was the God-Man and the only Savior!" Well said. It does not matter if you or I believe that Jesus did or did not say these things the fact that the Bible claims them makes it fact. In the end it will matter if you or I believe what he said but if one choses not to believe the Bible it in no way negates the truths contained within it. The book that Staci had to read is The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg. Marcus Borg is a member of the Jesus Seminar that had as a goal to set out and discover the real historical Jesus and the real historical actions that he did. They took the Bible and discounted 82% of the words of Jesus as not being said by him. They reduced Marks Gospel to just one verse. His book opens the door to pluralism and the door to many other things like alternate lifestyles being accepted because God made them that way. It is truly sad that this is the type of thing that is being taught but in the end the Real Jesus will stand up and he will show the world that he was who he claimed to be.

Forgiveness

As I write this today I am puzzled by this concept. In my Christian walk I have always wanted to believe that accept for the unpardonable sin then everything else can be forgiven. I have been proven again that this must be the central core to our belief. Unfortunately I have seen today again that there are those in my circle of fellowship that have found a reason that has allowed forgiveness to go only so far. Now I know many believers would say that there is nothing that can not be forgiven (except the unpardonable). My question is do we really live this out or do we harbor things that do not allow us to forgive. In my life I have seen much pain and one of my old wounds was opened today and I am struggling to understand where forgiveness comes into this. I know that God wants and even requires me to forgive and I will. The struggle that I have is in the continued fellowship with those that have set limits on forgiveness. I wonder what those that set limits would think if Jesus would do the same. I thank my God that Jesus has forgiven all that seek it. It never ceases to amaze me though that some can see limiting forgiveness as somehow as being christian. I hope that God will help me to understand this because it is a real struggle for me.

Galatians 5-6

Here in these passages a real danger is spoken about by Paul. This is often the case when one reads the scriptures that one will read about danger on a cosmic level. The danger here is the fact that we can fall into the sinful nature. Paul directs us to follow after the fruit of the Spirit.

These passages here remind me just how easy it is to get wrapped up seeking after things that are not of Christ. I too look at the fruit of the Spirit as being the key to keeping on the right track. The idea being that one that follows after the fruit of the Spirit will live by the second greatest commandment to love one another. If the fruit is evident in our life then we will fulfill Christ’s commandment to us to love one another and by that love, people will know we are his disciples. It is my prayer that God will help each of us to become more like Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit will permeate our lives.

Galatians 3-4

Today's passage was on Galatians chapter 3-4 where Paul really gets after the Galatians for being so easily lead astray and taken up in their old ways instead of embracing the new covenant that is Jesus Christ below is one of the thoughts running through my mind.

As I read these passages I looked at the Galatians as being so easily lead astray and how could they so easily give up on the promise that Jesus gives by establishing the new covenant. How could they want to be under the law and have to abide by it to find righteousness. Then as I contemplated further I realized what Bart wrote about today. I may not return to the law but there are times that I return to what I consider more comfortable. I have to remind myself daily that my life is one of being part of the promise and I am not a slave to the things in my past. May the Lord help us to realize daily all that Christ has provided for us and paved the way of the new covenant. My prayer is that through this NT90 adventure we will grow in our faith and rely upon Jesus more and more.

My reflections on Galatians 1-2

Yesterday in our church service we read the first two chapters of Galatians as a congregation. I have written my thoughts on the passages below.


The thing that spoke to me the most in these passages was the fact that we should be looking to please God and not man. Peter was fearful of what his fellow Jews would think about his eating with gentiles that caused him not eat with them when the Jews were around. I think about all the times that I have chosen not to do something because I was afrai9d of what people might think. Even though I knew it was what God would want me to do.

John 18-21

Here is the entry that I made for the end of John's Gospel. As I reflect on these passages it is hard to pinpoint any one thing that sticks out because so many things stick out. As one reads through the passages let the words flow over you and transform you.


In these passages I could go a lot of places. I am intrigued by the final word of Jesus on the cross. John records that the Lord said it is finished. At first glance it appears that Jesus might be referring to his work on earth and that would be so. I wonder though at these words if there is a deeper meaning in that the work of salvation is complete. The work of defeating the devil is finished. Now that brings a whole new meaning into the picture. Jesus defeated the power of Satan on the cross so the work is done for that and now it is our job to share this wonderful work with those around us. Jesus made a way for us to get to God and brought us back into proper relationship with Him. So when the world seems to be full of evil and there appears that there is nothing that we can do we need to remember that Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. May God always remind us of the work that Jesus did upon the cross.

NT 90

My church has embarked upon reading through the New Testament in 90 days. I will try to keep my posts that I am blogging on the church site here.

John 4-6
I am struck at how Jesus always seems to get at the true problem and face it head on. Take for instance the woman at the well, Jesus knew that she was not living a righteous life but wanted her to see the need that she had. Isn’t it like that today, Jesus wants us to realize our need of him so that we will come to him asking for the “water” that we so desperately need. My prayer is that each of us that has the Lord will look for the opportunities to share the living water with the “Samaritian’s” in our lives. Jesus was about kingdom work and so should we be today for the fields are ready for the harvest we need only go to work.

John 7-9

In my life I have played all three parts I am ashamed to say. I have been the one wrapped up in my sins and I have been forgiven. There have been times though that I have been the one wanting to accuse and I must always balance that out with being like Jesus and be the one that can show compassion to those that are wrapped up in their sins. All of us need to remember that Jesus has forgiven us and so he can forgive others no matter what. We need to be about telling people or reminding those that know that Jesus is about “Second Chances”.

John 10-12

I am struck by the good shepherd story and how Jesus says that his sheep hear his voice and follow it. I am struck at how often in my own life that I have heard his voice and then not followed it right away and it has always lead to heartache. I have also found that when I really listen to his voice and do what he wants me to there is always enough provision for me to get the job done. My prayer is that through this adventure into Gods word that we will take the time to hear the voice of Jesus and follow after him. The kingdom work is ready to be done he is just waiting on us to accomplish it.

John 13-15

When looking at these passages here in the final days of Jesus you can sense the urgency to show his disciples that he cares for them now and will continue to care for them. I agree with Tom that he is pleading with them to finally get it but they don’t. I am sure that if I was one of the twelve I would have gotten it (lol). I find it hard at times now to get it let alone being there in the moment. I have the benefit of looking back and understanding but I can see a lot of similarities between me and the early disciples. God at times has had to hit me over the head to get my attention. I pray that each of us in this walk together will draw closer to the one that can give us life.

John 16-17

I am struck by the fact that Jesus makes a point to tell us that he has overcome the world. At times in my life it seems that all is going wrong and everything I do seems to backfire. There have been times at work that I seem to be spinning my wheels. It is in these times that I just want to check out and go home to be with the Lord but these words are comforting to me because in them I remember that Jesus has already overcome this world and has prayed for me that I can get his work done in it. I pray that as each of us walk out this life here that we will remember that we are not alone and that Jesus has already overcome this world no matter what it looks like.

That catches us up to the point that I am at. I will post more as I go.

The Christmas Story

Where would my blog be if I did not take time out to talk about the greatest single event in all of history? I know what you are thinking what could be more important than the cross and Easter and in some respects I would have to agree but if Jesus had not come as a baby then there would be no cross. When you think of the Christmas story what sort of things come to mind? (Shepherds, Wise men, Angels, Star, Mary, Joseph, A baby) All of these would be correct but I like to think a little deeper which I am sure to all who know me this comes as no surprise. You see I think of the separation that we had from God and the expanse would have separated us from him forever if it had not been for Jesus coming across that expanse and dwelling among us. I think that we can sometimes look at this birth as just another birth but when we really think about what it took for God to not merely direct history but enter into our history it should give each of us a pause. It was no small thing for Jesus to lay aside part of himself and take on flesh to save us from ourselves. That is right Jesus took on flesh to save us from our own selves. He gave up his rights so that we could have rights. He came to set us free from our own prison that we created. I know what you are thinking it is Adams fault for our condition but think about what you have done in your lifetime that has been worthy of Gods judgement but instead God knew that we needed him so he broke into our history and saved us. So when I think about Christmas i do not just see a baby but I see a God that intervened to help rescue me from myself. So when I think about the birth of my savior, I reflect upon what it cost him to come here to save a wretch like me. May we each remember that this little baby was God incarnate coming to rescue us from our condition making a way for us to reach God and be with him forever. So if you do not know this Jesus I implore you to get to know him and let him rescue you from yourself so that you can experience a freedom like no other. May God bless you all during this Christmas season

Intimacy with Christ

I have often wondered just exactly how one goes about becoming intimate with Christ. How does one become so close to Jesus that there is a solid connection all the time. We are told in scripture to draw close to him and he will draw close to us. The problem is that there is no set formula to make this happen. In Terry Wardle's book Outrageous Love Transforming Power he addresses this issue in chapter 3. He states "The goal of our faith is a dynamic relationship with Jesus, not an accumulation of facts and beliefs." How you true of a statement and one that probably goes without saying but does it. I know that in my own life there are times that I have rated my relationship with Jesus and my faith to nothing more than that of a creed. Intellectually I know all these facts about Jesus and hold to certain beliefs, but that does not equate into a relationship with him. For me to have that dynamic relationship or for anyone to have it means that we will need to spend quality time with Jesus. Terry gives some suggestions on how to make it work but in all his suggestions he never tells anyone that if you follow these then somehow you will be intimate with Jesus rather this experience has taught me that if I follow these suggestions then I have a greater chance of establishing an intimate bond between us. So just how does one establish intimacy with Jesus by spending time with him and allowing the Holy Spirit to make the connective bond.

Identity

I have to admit that this topic intrigues me greatly. I am currently reading the Book Outrageous Love Transforming Power by Terry Wardle. I thought that I would blog on this book a little to spark some deep thinking to hopefully deepen my walk and hopefully yours as well. I must also admit that I at present do not think that my walk toward maturity has passed the infancy stages at times, let me explain. There are times that I think that my walk with Jesus is so far off course that it will never get back on course at other times I feel so close to Jesus that I do not see how we could be any closer. The book covers what it means to be mature in Christ. The key areas involve identity, intimacy, community, character, brokenness, ministry, empowerment, and authority. The author dedicates one chapter to each of these. In the chapter on identity the author relates that Jesus' identity was secure in that he did not find it in position or in what he did but allowed God to give him his identity. Apart from his identity in the Father he was nothing. The author makes the comment that identity that is based upon position or power is in essence the wrong place to build ones identity. I often struggle with this because I am a person the likes to compete to be the best and I have often found myself fighting the idea that my position in management or teaching somehow defines me. I must constantly remember that my identity is in what God says I am not in what I do. Another part that struck me in this opening chapter was that Jesus was so secure in his identity that he could serve others. The author brings up when Jesus washes the disciples feet. How humbling here the Son of God gets down on his knees to wash the feet of those that should have been doing that for him. I have really been thinking about what that means to me as a leader. Am I willing to lay everything aside and let someone else do my job or am I so insecure that to do so would jeopardize my identity. I would like to say that every day I can pass this test but sadly there are those times that I fail at this miserably. I will write more on this book in future posts.