The Reverse Flow of Missions – Doing Church

January 28, 2010 in Church with 0 Comments

I was reading an article in the January/February 2010 issue of Relevant Magazine titled Bringing 2020 Into Focus. The article looks back on the past decade and several contributors write about what could happen in the next decade. In a portion titled The Reverse Flow of Missions (pg. 60), Jaeson Ma dissects the differences between the church in Eastern Asia with the Western church, primarily in America. He focuses on four areas of difference:

Doing Church

Denominationalism

Perspective On Money

Sacrifice

Jaeson’s article doesn’t appear to be critical at first glance, but when you take into account the fact that the American church is in decline, while the church in Asia is experiencing unprecedented growth, it makes one think. It makes one ask some tough questions.

What is the church in Asia doing that the Western church is not?

What is the church in Asia NOT doing that us Westerners are?

Are these cultural issues, or are they universal?

So, I figured why not address each area that Ma listed? Today I begin with Doing Church. Keep in mind, I won’t be republishing the entire article here so you should really check out the article yourself in the current issue of Relevant (the link is in the first paragraph, but you have to scroll to pg. 60).

Anyways, Jaeson points out the key difference in how “church” is done in the East and West. The West is based on a system of individualistic leadership while in the East churches are elder driven. Meaning that Western churches, even those with elders and/or deacons, are primarily pastor-driven.

While the traditional Western Church is focused on individualistic leadership, there are churches that are breaking from that. One example is Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. While Mark Driscoll founded the church, he is now only listed as a teaching pastor and elder. Not that he has sacrificed any influence, but if the other elders of Mars Hill overrule Driscoll on something, that’s it. He’s vetoed, overruled, whatever you want to call it. Another similar situation is North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. While Andy Stanley has a title that is familiar to most American Christians (Senior Pastor), he has made it known that when it comes to major decisions that affect the entire church he must go to the elders for approval. He has even come out and said in sermons that the elders have the power to fire him, should they deem him unfit as a pastor. And in my time at Four Points Church one of our pastor’s goals was to install elders as soon as suitable men were chosen and could be trained to take on the role of elder – not just for teaching and leadership roles, but also for accountability. Pastoral accountability was high on Brent’s (lead pastor at Four Points) list of priorities.

Now, I didn’t write all that to convince you that pluralistic leadership is better than individualistic. Like the cliche says, “Too many cooks spoils the broth.” If you take pluralistic leadership too far, you end up with the local church being pulled in so many directions it eventually wears thin. I simply wanted to give a few examples of American churches that have found a healthy balance between individualistic and pluralistic leadership models.

Coming tomorrow: The Reverse Flow of Missions – Denominationalism

Thirty-seven Years

January 22, 2010 in Abortion with 0 Comments

Today is the thirty-seventh anniversary of Roe v. Wade. If you don’t know what that is, here’s a link to get you caught up, but in short, it’s when the Supreme Court ruled “that a woman may abort her pregnancy for any reason, up until the ‘point at which the fetus becomes viable.’ The Court defined viability as the potential ‘to live outside the mother’s womb, albeit with artificial aid,’ adding that viability ‘is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.’” The court also added that, “after viability, abortion must be available when needed to protect a woman’s health, as defined in the companion case of Doe v. Bolton.”

I’ve already posted my thoughts on this subject back in May of last year (What’s More Important? – Religion Sucketh), so I don’t want to rehash them when you can just click the link are read them. But I read a post today from Jared Wilson and couldn’t resist sharing a couple points and the link to his full post – in my opinion, he nails it.

As Jared said of himself, if the government put overturning Roe v. Wade to popular vote, I’d be in line as soon as the polls opened. However, like Jared, I don’t believe legislation is the answer. Jared has a lot of great ideas, but I don’t want to just copy and paste them here because you wouldn’t have a reason to read his post. But one idea that really sticks out to me is throwing more support into crisis pregnancy centers. One popular belief as to why abortion statistics are dropping is the increase and advancement of technology. Thirty-seven years ago ultrasound wasn’t available until months into a pregnancy – now it’s available just a few weeks after conception. Women and couples are now able to see their child earlier than ever before, which makes them realize that’s not some “pre-human thing” on the screen – it’s a human child. So if technology is helping decrease abortions, why aren’t pro-life organizations and churches throwing money at crisis pregnancy centers to help them get this technology (since it isn’t cheap)?

I know when I lived in Atlanta I didn’t see one crisis pregnancy center. I know there was at least one because I had a co-worker who was doing a fundraiser for it, but the fact that I didn’t even know what part of Atlanta it was in, yet I can tell you where several Planned Parenthood offices are located is sad.

Even sadder – a friend of mine manages a crisis pregnancy center and has told me the hardest part of her job is getting support from churches. Yet I see churches all the time who donate large sums of money to political groups who claim to be the “pro-life voice in Washington”.

I’m not saying it should be either/or, but I’ve actually heard lay-people argue that legislation is the only option – that abortion reduction is an “admission of defeat”. Ten years ago, George W. Bush ran on a platform which included ending abortion (unless the mother’s health is in danger). Ten years later NOTHING has changed in legislation.

Anyways, this is getting a bit long, so here’s the links for Jared Wilson’s post, my original post and a post by ChurchRelevance.com.

A Missional Way For the Pro-Life Passion – Jared Wilson

What’s More Important? – Religion Sucketh

Abortion Statistics Are Changing – Church Relevance

Ooops… My Bad

January 20, 2010 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

So if anyone tried to view my blog over the past couple days they probably saw a message stating “this website is parked free, courtesy of GoDaddy!”. Apparently last year when I thought I was switching domain and hosting provider from GoDaddy to Media Temple, I only switched hosting providers.

For the non-geeks out there, that means my web address/domain (religionsucketh.com) was still hosted by GoDaddy while all the files for Religion Sucketh were hosted by Media Temple.

My bad.

On top of that, GoDaddy had an old (and unused) email address on file. So while I’m sure they tried to contact me to notify me of my impending due date, I never got those notices.

My bad.
Again.

So I apologize to anyone who was forced to look at the ugly mess that is GoDaddy’s website, as opposed to the not-so-ugly mess that is my blog. Should be getting my domain switched over to Media Temple soon enough.

Rediscovering My Faith

January 6, 2010 in Jesus with 0 Comments

We must rediscover our faith as a way of life, not simply a system of beliefs.

- Brian McLaren

For many, the system of beliefs has become, in itself, a way of life. Many of us become so consumed with the rituals and practices of the Christian faith we forget the reasons behind those practices. An example from my own life: lately, instead of reading my Bible to learn more about Jesus and how to become more like Him and to grow closer to Him, it becomes a chore to complete to be a good Christian. So yeah, I read my Bible, but I don’t really read my Bible. Or how about when I ask God to give me opportunities to love and serve people who are hurting, and then I completely ignore all the suffering I see on a daily basis. Sure, I’m doing and saying the right things to make others think I’m a Christian, but in reality I’m putting Jesus on the backburner. Kind of a shitty way to treat the creator of the universe, huh?

Kind of like the pharisees. They did all the right things and said all the right things, but when God revealed Himself to them in the form of Jesus what happened?

I wonder how many times Christ has revealed Himself to me and I ignored or even shunned Him?

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Matthew 25:41-45

The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield

December 31, 2009 in Reviews with 1 Comment

For those who’ve been following my Tweets you’ll know I’ve been reading The Search for God and Guinness, by Stephen Mansfield which tells the story of not only the famed Guinness beer, but also the story of the family behind that beer. From the history of beer to the history of the Guinness clan to the modern day Guinness, Mansfield weaves an engaging and informative narrative. Even if you aren’t a beer drinker there is something to gain from the Guinness story. I may be somewhat biased, as my favorite beer is Guinness Draught, but reading of how faith played such an important role in the Guinness family and how their faith in Jesus Christ permeated every aspect of their lives – even the way they brewed beer – was amazing. Arthur Guinness was a follower of John Wesley and, like Wesley, believed that worship was not limited to gatherings in church, but was something you lived out. He believed how he managed his brewery was an act of worship, the care he put into his beer was an act of worship, even what the company could do to give back to it’s employees and community was an act of worship. The stories of the Guinness family using their wealth over the last two and a half centuries to not only better the lives of their employees but their communities and more astounded me. Here I was thinking, “I just like the way Guinness tastes”. Ever since reading this book though, every time I buy a Guinness I feel as if I’m part of the story – part of the good that Guinness is doing. Samuel Adams may use the tagline, take pride in your beer, but now I believe Guinness actually deserves that line.

Free Will?

December 9, 2009 in Uncategorized with 4 Comments

Do we really have free will?

I heard an interesting take on that question a few days ago.

I can choose what to eat for breakfast. I can choose what to wear to work. I can choose to go to college.

But I can’t wake up tomorrow morning and CHOOSE to be the President of the United States of America.

So do I have free will, or limited will?

People of the Second Chance

December 9, 2009 in Culture, Jesus with 0 Comments

A few years ago Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite (Deadly Viper Character Assassins, Junky Car Club) birthed an idea that revolved around radical grace. That idea was People of the Second Chance (POTSC for short). What started as a sidenote to their other ministries has developed into a movement of it’s own. As Mike and Jud wrote on the front page of POTSC,

People of the Second Chance is no longer just a nice concept with some stickers and tee shirts, but the very story we are living out right now.

So take a few minutes to visit the new website and blog.

Become a fan at Facebook.

Follow POTSC on Twitter.

Follow Mike and Jud on Twitter.

Interesting Reads

December 5, 2009 in se7en with 0 Comments

I usually check Google Reader daily, but the past couple days I hadn’t had a chance, so this morning I checked and had quite a few posts to catch up on. Here’s a few that stood out to me:

Jason Boyett rants on not “standing” for Christmas. I have to say Jason puts into words some things I’ve been thinking for a few years now.

Carlos Whittaker discusses the idea of being TOO excellent in ministry. As someone who has felt the pressures of people who mistake perfection for excellence, or think more money = excellence I can say Los’ post definitely got me thinking.

Jared Wilson writes about fears that the Church has encouraged, and in some cases even created. I think everyone who grew up in church between 1970 and 2000 experienced at least some of these fears. And it was doubled if you went to a Christian school.

Last, but not least, NewSpring Church makes an announcement to their church family. While the announcement is directed toward those who call NewSpring their church home, it serves as a witness to all Christian communities that the more you do to spread Jesus’ fame, the more attacks will come. Possibly even from within.

Annoying Worship?

November 8, 2009 in Church with 2 Comments

Jason Boyett wrote a great post on things that annoy him about “worship” (the first being that people seem to assume that worship only happens during the singing portion of a church service). Anyways, one thing he mentioned has been eating at me for awhile.

Okay.

More like a few years.

Why are the lyrics to many worship songs (and many Christian songs in general) so thoughtless?

One example he uses that I can relate to is the line “Show me Your glory”.

Sounds good, right?

There are several songs with this line or a variation.

I mean, what’s wrong with asking God to show you His glory?

Oh, that’s right. Because when Moses asked God to show him His glory God warned him that it would KILL HIM! (Exodus 33:18-23)

Here’s another example – a song that, while not theologically incorrect, is still annoying because of it’s vagueness. It’s called You Are.

You are the love of my life.
You are the hope that I cling to.
You mean more than this world to me.
I wouldn’t trade You for silver or gold.
I wouldn’t trade You for riches untold.
You are, You are my everything.

I wouldn’t take one step without You.
I could never go on.
I couldn’t live one day without You.
I don’t have the strength to make it on my own.

You are the love of my life.
You are the hope that I cling to.
You mean more than this world to me.
I wouldn’t trade You for silver or gold.
I wouldn’t trade You for riches untold.
You are, You are my everything.

Until the world stops turning,
until the stars fade from the sky;
until the sun stops striving,
I’ll need You in my life,
and here’s the reason why.

You are the love of my life.
You are the hope that I cling to.
You mean more than this world to me.
I wouldn’t trade You for silver or gold.
I wouldn’t trade You for riches untold.
You are, You are my everything.

Could those lyrics be describing Jesus?

Yeah.

They could also be describing your prom date.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t sing songs that declare our love for Christ and dependence upon Him. But those songs shouldn’t be vague. Seriously – if the first time I’d heard that song had been on the radio, I would have never associated it with Jesus. I would have thought it was the latest Top 40 love song.

For Jason’s full post click here.

Got any examples of your own?

I Get It

November 5, 2009 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

I don’t agree with everything Joel Osteen teaches.

But, to be blunt, I haven’t listened to him in over two years.

A few of my favorite pastors to listen to are Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Brent Stephens and Andy Stanley.

Yet again, I don’t always agree with everything they teach. Or write. Or do.

I believe Donald Miller is one of the most engaging and insightful writers ever.

I still don’t agree with everything he writes.

Rob Bell has written two of my favorite books (I still have yet to read his third and fourth books).

And yet I don’t agree with everything he has written.

So, back to Joel. I used to find it easy to make fun of Joel. I mean, he does come across as kind of corny. Even his friends try to do their best Joel impersonations when they’re in Texas. Especially in Houston. And just like many who parody political figures, it’s usually harmless.

However, the other day I was reading a blog authored by someone whom I have a great deal of respect for and it disturbed me a bit. Their post was about Joel Osteen’s latest book, but throughout the entire post, every occurence of the letter (S) was replaced with the dollar symbol ($).

A$ in Joel O$teen i$ the pa$tor of Lakewood Church in Hou$ton, Texa$ and he ha$ ju$t relea$ed a new book entitled It’$ Your Time!

Get it?

Two years ago I would’ve been rolling. But over the last year I’ve really come to understand and embrace scriptures like Mark 3:25 where Jesus said “a house divided cannot stand”. I still find myself at odds with certain teachings and even people (and the evidence is all over this site); but when I am tempted to put it online or talk about it with friends I ask myself, “Will this do more harm than good?”

Any thoughts?

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