The Christian Atheist

Today I'm in Oklahoma City meeting with other pastors and leaders. This meeting is a meeting of delegates and leaders from the Covenant churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Our meeting is at LifeChurch.tv where Craig Groeschel is the Lead Pastor. Craig's church is a wonderful place and this morning I enjoyed reading his most recent book "The Christian Atheist". This is a wonderful and practical guide for anyone looking to deepen their Christian identity. Many in our culture think of themselves as Christians, call themselves Christians, and have a list of reasons why they are Christians. But the reality is that they live most of their day-to-day life as if God didn't exist. It's to this point that Pastor Craig writes. It's a thoughtful, simple, and encouraging book for anyone. You can order it here: The Christian Atheist

Disturb us

I came across this prayer today and felt it timely and worth sharing

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.
attributed - sir francis drake -1577

Assessment Center

Misti and I have been in the throws of being assessed as church planters over the last three days. This is basically a long interview process aimed at determining our personality, gifting, and ability to lead and plant a church. Nation-wide only 10% of church plant attempts will survive within three years of being planted. Conversely, 90% of those affirmed by the Covenant Assessment Center have self-sustaining viability after three years. This strong assessment process has flipped the national statistic. Though the process has been tough, it has been eye-opening and helpful. As of this afternoon we have completed all of the interviews, counseling sessions, and projects. We will receive our results in the morning.
For us the best part of this process has been the other couples that we've met who are also being assessed. This picture is of Julio and Katie Isaza and their little boy Samuel. Katie is 7 months pregnant with their second son. To their regret, they they nominated me to be the driver of our rental car. We've only got lost 3 times and amazingly they're still our friends. They live in Chicago right now while Julio finishes school. In a year and a half they return to Columbia where they will lead a church planting initiative. We have been blessed to make these new friends and look forward to a future relationship with them. We look forward to sharing more about our experience here when we return. We pray each of your are doing well. Thank you for your prayers and support. Pastor Bryan

Qualifications and Moldy Bread

Misti and I are preparing to attend the Covenant Church Planters Assessment Center this Wednesday through Saturday. The purpose for this assessment is to determine whether or not I am qualified and called to be a church planter. I have spent time reviewing the passages in I Timothy 3 and Titus 2 to remind myself of the specific biblical qualifications for spiritual leadership. These reflections reminded me of the significant emphasis that Scripture places on the qualifications for leaders. Sometimes in church, leaders are those that are either available or nominated, rather than qualified and called. One of the things the church needs most are those who that are qualified and called.
Those called to this office are not supposed to be spiritual rockstars, but servants to Jesus. The best church leadership begins with Jesus at the top. Ephesians 5:23 says that, "Christ is the head of the church." You may think it goes without saying, but I think it's important that Jesus be realized and recognized as our leader. He should be at the top of the organizational chart of every church. Leaders then submit to his authority and encourage others to do the same. Below are the passages from I Timothy 3. I pray that I may continually meet these qualifications as I hope to lead us forward. Throughout history some have questioned the necessity of these standards saying things like, "If Jesus is at the center, then doesn't he use flawed people." There are many responses to this kind of comment, but I think of it like eating a hamburger. The meat in the middle (Jesus) can be perfect, but if the bread is moldy then the burger is not worth eating. Moldy bread makes Jesus look bad. I know Jesus has got his part taken care of. Now the church must do our best to reflect him well. We are under grace, but we serve a King and Lord, and should not take this lightly.

I Timothy 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Missional

I have been guilty of throwing around the word "missional" a great deal lately. Unfortunately this word proves to be quite confusing. As with any word, the intent is wasted unless the meaning is common. The "term" missional began being used by Christians about ten years ago and has continued to gain steam in the Christian community. Some confuse this term as describing missionary work overseas. Others call this term liberal or feel threatened by its usage. The word is overused by some and completely avoided by others.
For our purposes I will seek to give clarity to a definition of missional in order to give us a point of reference for future use.
For the individual believer missional can be an adjective which views all Christians called to be missionaries. Growing up in a mainline denomination, I saw a select and rare few individuals surrender to a call to become missionaries. They would quit their jobs, sell their house, and stand before the church and explain why they were going to China or Eastern Europe. Whereas missional pictures believers becoming missionaries right her at home. Overseas missionaries immerse themselves in language training, make friends within that culture, and begin discerning how the gospel can fit into the context of the place they're living. The current missional call for North American believers is to do these same things right here at home. For most churches baptisms are down, churches are closing, and our culture is becoming more and more post-Christian. Some in the church are peering over the wall and finding the world has changed. The un-churched are not flocking into the North American church, instead the church is now having to go into the world. For many who have lived the last 20, 30, or 40 years inside the insulation of churchy contentment, this is tough. Spending money on creative marketing schemes, fancy presentations, talented staff, and big buildings is just easier. Instead the missional movement pictures believers having conversation with their un-churched neighbor, knowing him, loving him, and praying for avenues to bring the gospel and church to him; and not just him to the church. This is the beginning of the value of "missional"

Asking Good Questions?

In Genesis 15 God makes some significant promises to Abraham about his future and about the blessings of following Him. Through God's work and promise Abraham questions God. He is not condemned for questions, but instead he is reassured. Through this reassurance he grows in faith and trust.
A significant lesson to gain from this section of Old Testament narrative is the beauty of asking questions. Jesus often taught valuable lessons asking questions.
My encouragement to you today is to ask questions. Ask questions of one another. Ask questions of me. Ask questions in prayer. Ask questions of neighbors, friends, and relatives.
The absolute key to fruitful and healthy missional ministry is transparent and incarnational living. In order for this to take place there must be an avenue for asking and answering good questions. The interesting thing about a regular church worship service is that often looks more like a presentation than a conversation. I love worship, and as a pastor it's great because I usually get to do all the talking. But where are your voices? How are they heard? What are your questions? What do you hope for? What are your fears? Help me ask good questions and let me hear yours.
Let us stand together and ask questions and hope for the promises of faith that Abraham received, "Fear not Abram, I am your sheild; your reward shall be very great."

Obstacles to Community Part 3

Obstacle #5
Busyness
Many people object to church involvement because of the demands on very busy people. North Americans are very busy and work 8 more weeks per year than the average western European. Busyness has become virtuous and reflective of good character. But busyness is a relative term and reflects more of value than activity. North Americans are very busy watching TV and spending time on the Internet. We watch an average of four hours of TV each day. Busyness simply means doing things we think are important. Busyness is simply an issue of priority.
A well-developed church will give North Americans a reason to dedicate more time and energy and will incite them to a vision beyond themselves- "to expect more from God and to attempt greater things for God."
Some churches try to overcome the busyness barrier by promoting church life as easy and painless. "Come to our church and we won't make you do anything." Yet having a goal of Sunday attendance, large offerings, and occasional involvement in church programs won't win our city for Jesus, and will fail to move them further and in their walk with God.