I met with a gentleman today who flew in from San Jose to meet with me. Gordon is a retired airline pilot who is passionate about helping churches experience the power of mission. He had attended several conferences I helped lead through the leadership center at Community Church of Joy. For a lay person, he really knows his missional church stuff. I was a bit jealous of some of the conferences he was able to attend.
He basically wanted to know if I was following the model I had written about in a book published back in 1995. It was actually one of my better books, I thought. Not many others did!
Much has changed since 1995 but the essence of what I wrote back then still motivates me today--that God through Jesus wants to invite and equip each of us to follow him back into this world that he loves, bringing grace, hope and love.
The essence of that 1995 book was more programmatic. Now, philosophically I think discipleship happens more in groups and community and in missional opportunities than in programs. Rather than forcing people down certain paths to grow, we need to create environments where people can learn with others what it means to follow Jesus.
But, in the end, while the implementation may be different, the passion behind the book is the same.
That's true of most of the books I've written. At the time I think they were helpful books. But their "shelf life" is over. Guess it's time to write another one.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Tuesday musings
Tuesday is usually fast day. Some of us from Community of Grace skip a meal or two, or a dessert, or a cup of coffee, and use the fast to pray for those who are hungry. We then donate what we would have spent on the meal, etc, to the Grace Hunger Fund. I'd love to have others join us. No sign ups necessary. Simply decide what you will fast and go for it. And as the cravings hit (I skip breakfast and lunch) use that as a reminder to pray for the poor, oppressed, and hungry.
Speaking of food, last night Jan and I had dinner with Al and Kaye Cassel. Al is the new pastor at Peace Lutheran Church (one of the congregations that gave us our new land). I'm looking forward to our continued partnership in ministry with Peace.
This morning I was interviewed on a Christian radio station. The topic was anxiety and panic. (Wonder why they picked me? Is there something wrong with me? I'm starting to feel a bit anxious!) It was a very good interview. The person who interviewed me experienced his first panic attack in April and has been working through his "stuff." One doctor told him that 60% of those who go to the ER for heart attacks are actually suffering an anxiety attack! Great conversation. It will air on Thursday, August 30, sometime between 8 and 8:30 am on FM 90.9. (By the way, from 10-noon, Hilary Griffith, the former Miss Arizona, does a daily show on that station!)
This morning we started talking budget stuff for our ministry for 2008. Not the most exciting part of following Jesus but important none-the-less. We have a great team who make sure we use the gifts we receive each weekend in a way that reflects our mission, and that demonstrates financial integrity.
Speaking of food, last night Jan and I had dinner with Al and Kaye Cassel. Al is the new pastor at Peace Lutheran Church (one of the congregations that gave us our new land). I'm looking forward to our continued partnership in ministry with Peace.
This morning I was interviewed on a Christian radio station. The topic was anxiety and panic. (Wonder why they picked me? Is there something wrong with me? I'm starting to feel a bit anxious!) It was a very good interview. The person who interviewed me experienced his first panic attack in April and has been working through his "stuff." One doctor told him that 60% of those who go to the ER for heart attacks are actually suffering an anxiety attack! Great conversation. It will air on Thursday, August 30, sometime between 8 and 8:30 am on FM 90.9. (By the way, from 10-noon, Hilary Griffith, the former Miss Arizona, does a daily show on that station!)
This morning we started talking budget stuff for our ministry for 2008. Not the most exciting part of following Jesus but important none-the-less. We have a great team who make sure we use the gifts we receive each weekend in a way that reflects our mission, and that demonstrates financial integrity.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sunday Musings
What happen to all the rain and the clouds we were supposed to have this weekend?
Jan and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary last night. We were married on Saturday, August 25, 1979 at 7:30 pm in Richfield, Minnesota. Jan's mom was very concerned about an August wedding in Minnesota but it ended up being a beautiful evening, matching the bride. The groom, on the other hand...
We didn't actually do much to celebrate yesterday so we'll have dinner at Carver's tonight.
It's been a good, refreshing summer (albeit hot) but I'm really ready to turn the corner and get back into the fall rhythm of life.
My brother Jeff was in a pretty serious car accident on Friday. Someone pulled out of traffic and ran into him, on the passenger side, totaling the car. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt although they put Jeff on a stretcher and took him by amubulance to the hospital just to be safe. He's pretty sore as you might imagine. Pretty freaky to see your brother lying on the stretcher, his head in a neck brace. Much worse for Diane and their kids.
As always, it was good to be with everyone for worship this morning. I've not preached on the Lord's Prayer for several years and I've really been enjoying it. I've been seeing it with a whole new filter this time around, looking at it more from the perspective of what the prayer says about God than what it says about how to pray.
My web-based weather icon says it's supposed to hit 113 on Wednesday and 111 on Thursday. Oi! Oi! Oi!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wrestling With the Church--Part 3 (at the staff retreat)
The Grace staff was on a two-day retreat this past Wednesday and Thursday. I've been on a lot of staff retreats in my 23 years of ministry but this was probably the best. In essence, we prayerfully wrestled with what it means to be the church. Usually, in "building" a church, most of the money and time goes into building the institution. But Jesus never really asked us to do that. Instead, he calls us to "build" disciples--to invite and teach and equip people to follow Jesus.
So with that in mind we fine-tuned our mission statement: Our mission is to follow Jesus on the bold, daring, reckless adventure of bringing grace to the world.
Then we began to ask the question--what would it really look like if all of our efforts and resources went into equipping each of us to do that--to follow Jesus--in our corner of the world rather than "building" an institution filled with programs and committees and general "religious busyness?" To see our new campus, not as another place where Christians create their own subculture--but as a training center that sends us back out on that reckless mission of grace?
Imagine--learning together to follow Jesus on the bold, daring, reckless adventure of grace! That's keeping it simple, significant, and fun.
More to come.
So with that in mind we fine-tuned our mission statement: Our mission is to follow Jesus on the bold, daring, reckless adventure of bringing grace to the world.
Then we began to ask the question--what would it really look like if all of our efforts and resources went into equipping each of us to do that--to follow Jesus--in our corner of the world rather than "building" an institution filled with programs and committees and general "religious busyness?" To see our new campus, not as another place where Christians create their own subculture--but as a training center that sends us back out on that reckless mission of grace?
Imagine--learning together to follow Jesus on the bold, daring, reckless adventure of grace! That's keeping it simple, significant, and fun.
More to come.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Tuesday musings
It is really hot outside! Really hot. Those who live in the Midwest get cabin fever after a long winter. Cabin fever is definitely settling in, at least in my life, as this record breaking heat continues.
We had our first young adult free for all on Sunday. Over 20 young adults encircled Pastor Brian and me and asked some very important, yet not so easy to answer, faith questions. For our first time, it went very well. I was extremely impressed with the depth to which our young adults want to go in their faith. I was not quite as impressed with the answers Brian and I fumbled to give. But the discussion was good. It will be fun to see where this thing goes.
Today, during our Pastor Buddies meeting, we looked at a story in which Jesus interrupted his sermon to heal a woman, and the flack he took for it. We all wondered what would happen if God interrupted our sermons and worship services with something like that! And shouldn't we really expect God to do that? At least occasionally?
It's really hot here.
Our Grace staff is on retreat for the next two days. I may or may not be able to "blog-in" during that time.
It's really hot here.
We had our first young adult free for all on Sunday. Over 20 young adults encircled Pastor Brian and me and asked some very important, yet not so easy to answer, faith questions. For our first time, it went very well. I was extremely impressed with the depth to which our young adults want to go in their faith. I was not quite as impressed with the answers Brian and I fumbled to give. But the discussion was good. It will be fun to see where this thing goes.
Today, during our Pastor Buddies meeting, we looked at a story in which Jesus interrupted his sermon to heal a woman, and the flack he took for it. We all wondered what would happen if God interrupted our sermons and worship services with something like that! And shouldn't we really expect God to do that? At least occasionally?
It's really hot here.
Our Grace staff is on retreat for the next two days. I may or may not be able to "blog-in" during that time.
It's really hot here.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Becoming Jane
That's right. I'm man enough to admit it. I took my wife and daughter to see Becoming Jane (a movie about author Jane Austin). I went willingly, by the way.
What can I say? I like English movies and English period pieces!
And I enjoyed the movie.
What can I say? I like English movies and English period pieces!
And I enjoyed the movie.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
What it takes to put together a worship service each week
As I was sitting in the Zuni gym-acafe-torium before the first service today, watching our various staff and volunteers putting the final touches on the service, I began to think through everything it takes to make worship happen. Worship is the most highly visible thing we do each week as a family of faith. A lot of time and energy go into ensuring a service in which we can experience the grace of Jesus. Here is a partial overview of the behind the scenes of worship:
*Planning starts months in advance when I create the sermon topics.
*The staff meets every Thursday to plan out the services. We talk though the theme for the day, we brainstorm possible creative ideas like videos or special songs, we choose the worship songs for the day, and put an order together. We usually plan a service 4 weeks in advance and constantly review it until it's ready to be experienced.
*Brian or I research the sermon and write the sermon for the week on Wednesday. The message is sent to Diane so she can create the visuals for it. From Wednesday to Sunday Brian or I internalize the message for presentation on Sunday.
*If a video is used it is probably being edited in the days leading up to Sunday. Diane is also busy creating all the graphics for the service.
*Tony sends out music to the band and vocals. The vocals rehearse every Thursday evening. The instrumentalists work on their parts during the week.
*Grace Adventure Club teachers prepare their activities for the children for Sunday morning.
*Friday or Saturday the signs directing people to Grace are set out on Williams.
*On Saturday, a group of us meet at Zuni to set up for worship. Floors are swept and mopped. Chairs are wheeled in and set up. Bathrooms are cleaned and stocked. Communion tables are put up. The sound system is put in place along with the instruments. Welcome folders are prepared. The hospitality tables are set up. And this, plus much more, is usually done without air-conditioning!
*On Sunday people start arriving around 7:15. The place is opened up. Gates are unlocked. Coffee is made. The hospitality table is prepared. Grape juice is poured into the communion cups and the wafers are put into the trays, and then set out on the tables. Various information is put out on the back tables. The parking lot crew set up their stuff. The band arrives to rehearse and do a sound check and the tech team rehearse as well. Ushers are recruited. Communion servers are recruited. The nursery is set up as are the Grace Adventure Club rooms. Name tags are created by Dave (some of which he does at home during the week).
*Then worship happens.
*After worship we clean up the place--putting away the chairs, the tables, the supplies, etc. Cleaning the floors and the bathrooms so all is well for school on Monday morning. Coffee pots are scrubbed. The communion trays are washed and put away. The Grace Adventure Club rooms are cleaned up. The doors are locked up as are the gates to the parking lots.
*On Monday morning a team heads over the Grace World Headquarters to count the offering. The totals are recorded. The worship folders are gone through, pulling out prayer requests, first time visitor names, new email addresses, questions, etc. and the information is farmed out to the appropriate people.
*On Tuesday I send out thank you emails to first time visitors. Our prayer team follow up with a phone call to our guests.
*Tuesday some of the staff meet to review the past Sunday.
*And it starts all over again.
Whew! And I've missed some important stuff I'm sure. It truly takes a community of faith to prepare worship for the community of faith.
Thanks to all of our staff and volunteers who make it happen every week, and make it happen in such a way that it seems effortless, allowing us to be caught up in the moment as we enter the throne room of God's grace through worship.
*Planning starts months in advance when I create the sermon topics.
*The staff meets every Thursday to plan out the services. We talk though the theme for the day, we brainstorm possible creative ideas like videos or special songs, we choose the worship songs for the day, and put an order together. We usually plan a service 4 weeks in advance and constantly review it until it's ready to be experienced.
*Brian or I research the sermon and write the sermon for the week on Wednesday. The message is sent to Diane so she can create the visuals for it. From Wednesday to Sunday Brian or I internalize the message for presentation on Sunday.
*If a video is used it is probably being edited in the days leading up to Sunday. Diane is also busy creating all the graphics for the service.
*Tony sends out music to the band and vocals. The vocals rehearse every Thursday evening. The instrumentalists work on their parts during the week.
*Grace Adventure Club teachers prepare their activities for the children for Sunday morning.
*Friday or Saturday the signs directing people to Grace are set out on Williams.
*On Saturday, a group of us meet at Zuni to set up for worship. Floors are swept and mopped. Chairs are wheeled in and set up. Bathrooms are cleaned and stocked. Communion tables are put up. The sound system is put in place along with the instruments. Welcome folders are prepared. The hospitality tables are set up. And this, plus much more, is usually done without air-conditioning!
*On Sunday people start arriving around 7:15. The place is opened up. Gates are unlocked. Coffee is made. The hospitality table is prepared. Grape juice is poured into the communion cups and the wafers are put into the trays, and then set out on the tables. Various information is put out on the back tables. The parking lot crew set up their stuff. The band arrives to rehearse and do a sound check and the tech team rehearse as well. Ushers are recruited. Communion servers are recruited. The nursery is set up as are the Grace Adventure Club rooms. Name tags are created by Dave (some of which he does at home during the week).
*Then worship happens.
*After worship we clean up the place--putting away the chairs, the tables, the supplies, etc. Cleaning the floors and the bathrooms so all is well for school on Monday morning. Coffee pots are scrubbed. The communion trays are washed and put away. The Grace Adventure Club rooms are cleaned up. The doors are locked up as are the gates to the parking lots.
*On Monday morning a team heads over the Grace World Headquarters to count the offering. The totals are recorded. The worship folders are gone through, pulling out prayer requests, first time visitor names, new email addresses, questions, etc. and the information is farmed out to the appropriate people.
*On Tuesday I send out thank you emails to first time visitors. Our prayer team follow up with a phone call to our guests.
*Tuesday some of the staff meet to review the past Sunday.
*And it starts all over again.
Whew! And I've missed some important stuff I'm sure. It truly takes a community of faith to prepare worship for the community of faith.
Thanks to all of our staff and volunteers who make it happen every week, and make it happen in such a way that it seems effortless, allowing us to be caught up in the moment as we enter the throne room of God's grace through worship.
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