The freedom to ask questions

New series begins at our church community this Sunday, June 7. Polled our church to discover what questions they have related to God, faith, life, etc. Here are the top 5 themes:

1 - Why ... SIN? (Why can't I stop, etc.)

2 - Why ... SUFFERING? (more specifically "Why do some suffer more than others?")

3 - Why ... PRAYER? (How does it work? Does God hear me, etc.)

4 - Why ... IS GOD (HIS WILL) SUCH A MYSTERY?

5 - Why ... HYPOCRISY IN THE CHURCH or Why ... ISN'T THE CHURCH ACTING LIKE THE CHURCH?

Jon and Kate Thoughts

My wife and I have twins. So one of the TV shows that has been interesting to us is "Jon and Kate Plus 8" on TLC. At first I was hesitant to comment on this family's situation because I think they need their privacy, etc. However, at the same time, they have opened their lives to our culture by having a television show chronicling their family's life together. I believe their current situation (marital struggles) deserves voice - especially since they are Christians.

First - I exhort Christians to pray for them if we are going to do anything. Not to destroy them with our words, gossip, etc. The Body of Christ is called to love and work for reconciliation of relationships. Pray for God's healing in their relationship and marriage and family.

Second - Learn from this family. One of the things they have said publicly is that they place their children first. While this is admirable, I don't believe it is biblical. In Genesis we learn that the marital relationship is the most important human relationship we have. Many people will debate this point - I pray we do it in love - about whether or not the marriage comes first or the children come first. But I believe that God has designed the world in such a way that in a family - the marriage relationship must come first. A child's greatest need is to know that mommy and daddy love each other. They need to see it. To say that we can separate or divorce and not affect our children is not possible. My pray for Jon and Kate is that they place their marriage first. Their children want and need this. If we truly desire God's best for our children, we should always work to reconcile our marriages.

Third - I'm a man. I approach life and marriage as a man. Biblically and experientially, I have learned that it is my responsibility to "own" my stuff and my shortcomings, and to work to be a better man/husband and to fulfill my wife - in other words ... make her happy and secure. Now I realize that she has responsibility to receive this ... but I have the responsibility to give it. I believe so many men in our culture do not own our problems in our marriages AND we don't take it as our responsibility to fulfill our wives. We blame them. So my final thought is that we as men need to do everything we can to love our wives and fulfill them. How far does that go? Biblically it says we are called to "love our wives as Jesus Christ loves the church." We'll quote this verse, but will we live it out? I'm not trying to be all "pie in the sky" here. I know life can be bad, real bad. Marriage can be tough, real tough. But that doesn't negate God's call on husbands to love our wives as Christ loves.

_____

I pray my words aren't seen as criticism or gossip. They are not meant to be. I hurt for this couple and for all couples struggling in their marriages. Let's be the Body of Christ and lift them up and encourage them and even hold each other accountable to Christ's call to love sacrificially.

How we THINK

New series at our church this Sunday - about the MIND and how we THINK. Don't think (no pun intended) I've ever done a series like this. Should be challenging.

As I've been studying I've been looking at OT Jewish thoughts on the "mind" and also how the Greco-Roman world perceived the "mind." Interesting stuff. Won't go into it in detail here, but Biblical teaching infers that Jesus-followers are given a new mind/way of thinking - but that it is something we must submit to. What I mean is that it doesn't just "happen" to us. We must participate in the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2).

I think this is one of the most difficult things for us as Christians. Actually BELIEVING in our minds/thinking that we are changed/new. Our hearts like the idea, but our minds battle against it. Like a tug-of-war in our heads.

Looking forward to teaching on this. Good stuff we all need to hear and apply.

"WHY?" series

Starting a new series in a few weeks @ Quest. Wanting to know what questions people in our church community have. So we're asking them to finish this question: "Why ______________?" If you have a "why" question, and would like to submit it, feel free to leave a comment with your question!

The best thing

There's so much I love about being a part of my church community, but nothing beats watching people's lives forever changed. 2 Sundays ago at our late worship gathering, 7 people came forward to be baptized for the very first time. Totally spontaneous. Wasn't planned. 6 others reaffirmed their faith and made a recommitment to follow Jesus. The last person baptized was a little girl named "Hope." Beautiful day.

I'm back!

Took about a 3 month sabbatical from blogging here.... but I'm back!

Discipling Morgan

Just passed the one year anniversary of Friday Discipleship Times with my oldest daughter, Morgan (I call these "Father Daughter Times"). What a great year. We've missed a few Fridays due to school stuff, vacations, etc.... but we've met about 40 times over the last year. Morgan has read the entire Gospel of John, part of Genesis, and now we're finishing Genesis and getting into the Psalms as well. She's also read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," "Prince Caspian," a biography of "Corrie Ten Boom," and now we've started a kid-version of "Pilgrim's Progress." In addition she has memorized scripture, created dozens of prayer lists for weekly prayer, and served many people with a "serve challenge" we do each week. But the greatest part for me is just being with my daughter and watching God move and work in her life.

I encourage all parents to disciple your children. I'm committing to do this with each of my kids - and having these one-on-one discipleship times when they turn 8. With four kids - that will be alot of time and energy - but so worth it!

Disappearing Generations

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the Church as a whole is increasingly blind to the reality that younger generations are largely "missing" from our local church communities. Certainly there are some pockets where this is not the case, but by and large the statistics demonstrate this reality. Much of the problem, in my opinion, lies in the fact that we are unwilling to do what it takes to connect with emerging generations. We want them to CONNECT WITH US ... but we are not making the effort to CONNECT WITH THEM. As a young pastor, I challenge my generation as well as older generations to wake up to the need around us. And I challenge us to pick up the missional mandate from Jesus to connect with these generations. We must be willing to change and to do whatever it takes to CONNECT WITH THEM. And we must seriously ask ourselves if we care enough to do something ...

Denominational Paralysis

Becoming more and more convinced that the Church suffers from denominational paralysis. In our efforts to maintain and grow the institution of the Church, we've largely lost the single focus of remaining Kingdom-driven for the purposes God calls us to in our world. Simply put - I feel like we're asleep. But while I believe this to be true, I don't believe simply complaining about it is the answer. I pray that God keeps me and so many others from this. Instead, we must seek God and the Kingdom together and pray that He will move the body as a whole to return to Him, and once again pick up His Kingdom-agenda for our lives.

Can we be Christian without being like Christ?

In my reading this morning was challenged with a thought - the author mentioned that for many Christians today being like Jesus/following Him is not required to be "Christian." Instead we can say we "believe" in Jesus, making that an intellectual assent to a set of core beliefs "about" Jesus, but leaving the actual following/behavior part behind. The author referenced this to the way Jesus hung out with the poor and marginalized of society. 8 of 10 Christians believe Jesus did this (the other 2 must not be reading the Gospels ...), but only 2% of this 80% say they do the same thing.

Can we be Christian with being like Jesus?

(I'm not pointing fingers here ... I'm concerned with my own life of discipleship!)

Personal Jesus

Remember the song "Personal Jesus" (Depeche Mode, also Johnny Cash's rendition)? Lyrics have been rumbling through my head as I think about my message this Sunday during a series my church is in called "American Jesus." Series is exploring the cultural version of Jesus in America with the Biblical version. Similarities, differences, etc.

Anyway, it's interest that one of the key phrases of the Church has been "a personal relationship with Jesus." Yet - this phrase is not found in the Bible. Now I believe in the concept of a relationship with God (creation/Creator), but there is a huge danger in our culturally formed idea of a "personal Jesus." For one, He becomes anything I want Him to be. We each have our own Jesus, and my version is valid, your version is valid, etc. Another danger that is rampant, in my opinion, is that we abandon the Gospel message of COMMUNITY. We say things like "I have a relationship with Jesus, I don't need the Church community." But this kind of thinking is anti-Gospel. In fact, the entire message of the Bible is COMMUNAL in focus. This is radical for our time. Because if we take it to the extreme (which I believe we should) it means that MY LIFE impacts YOUR LIFE and vice-versa. Because we are a BODY, as the Bible suggests. Jesus speaks communally about the Church, Paul does, as well as the other NT writers.

Something to think deeply about ...

Connectivity

We live in a such a "connected" world these days. Yesterday as I was picking my kids up from school was listening to a podcast from a author/culturalist I really vibe with. So weird how I've only met him a couple times, read several of his books, etc...but through a podcast I feel connected to him in some way. Like we're "friends." Am I fooling myself? Are we really "connected"? What does it really mean to be connected today?

Just a few rambling thoughts in the middle of my day ...

Kingdom Theology

Been camping out in "Kingdom" theology as I'm preparing for an upcoming message this weekend at my church community. Talking about the "now" and "not yet" of the Kingdom and how the American church seems to focus most heavily on the "not yet" (future reality of "heaven") ... missing out on the realization of the Kingdom in the now/every day. But the thing that has grabbed me this week - more than anything else - is that THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF JESUS' PREACHING AND TEACHING IN THE GOSPELS IS "THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Man - I've missed this. The Church has missed this. How often do we hear the Kingdom preached and taught? How often do I teach and preach it directly?

Heavy week ...

Twittering

A friend introduced me to "twitter" the other day. So now I'm twittering (the verb form of twitter, of course). Go to twitter.com to find out more. My twitter name is JohnKenneyQuest (all run together...no spaces). Twitter is a micro-blogging site ... pretty cool.

Jesus is my ticket to heaven

Started a new series at our church called "American Jesus." Talking about the cultural version of Jesus that exists (there are many more than one version, but we're exploring some of the basic characteristics of American Christianity).

This Sunday we're talking about the concept of a "Jesus" who gives us heaven through a prayer and one-time decision. Although I believe a decision must be made to follow Christ, and that this does happen in a moment in time, the Gospels demonstrate a Kingdom-theology that goes far beyond an easy prayer and a future reality (heaven). Jesus demonstrates a radical call to a PRESENT recognition of the Kingdom demonstrated through the LIVING OUT of our "belief" in Jesus. So there exists a tension between the "now" and "not yet" of the Kingdom. We tend to focus on the "not yet" of the Kingdom. While heaven does exists and I hope to be there someday, Jesus calls me to Kingdom-life NOW. And the Kingdom is demonstrated in living out the mission of Jesus. Love, peace, justice, etc.

The Church needs to move from a static view of salvation and the Kingdom to a process view. Where the Kingdom is worked out in every day life.

American Jesus

Been thinking a lot about a series coming up in my church community early in 2009. We're going to be exploring the "American" version of Jesus and Christianity. I know this is going to be controversial and shake people, but it's needed. Because America has domesticated the Jesus of the Bible. I'm not pointing fingers - I am guilty of this as well. And it's time the Church in America take a very serious look at what we've become and what we've done to rob Jesus of His real message and mission.

Some may ask - what have we done to Jesus? How have we domesticated Him? Well...bottom line ... we've made Him to look like us. He's our skin color. He's our political party. He agrees with our worldview. In addition to these things - Jesus is safe. Jesus is easy. Being His follower requires only that I attend church some and do some good things once in awhile.

Who is Jesus, really? This is the question I am wrestling with as I prepare for this series.

I Own Nothing

Starting a new series at The Quest this Sunday. Focusing on "Biblical perspectives on ownership." This is a "stewardship" series. I've always struggled with "stewardship" series' in the past - and I'm a pastor! The problem with them is that they have an end destination in mind - getting people to give money toward a budget that the church is trying to raise. Is that really a worthwhile destination? Is is lasting? Or is it self-serving? Don't get me wrong - we have a budget, too. But shouldn't the destination in a series like this be for people to make a paradigm shift - from thinking we OWN our little world/life/story to understanding that God OWNS it all? And then trying to figure out how my story fits into HIS story?

Why do we settle for such small expectations of people - just getting them to give to a budget? God wants so much more - He requires so much more - He wants ALL of us. We are HIS.

Corrie Ten Boom and my daughter

Corrie Ten Boom has always intrigued me. Amazing woman who was a Dutch holocaust survivor and who helped many Jews escape the Nazis during WW II.

My daughter, Morgan, just finished the book "Prince Caspian," and we went looking for a new book for her to read during our Friday "Father Daughter Times" together (we read the Bible, another book, pray, etc --- intentional discipleship time). I saw a biography on Corrie Ten Boom's life and thought that Morgan needed to read about her.

So my daughter - who is just 9 and living in 2008 - is about to meet Corrie Ten Boom through this book. After this biography we may go on to read "The Hiding Place" - written by Ten Boom herself - telling her story in her own words.

I have a passion to raise my kids to know Christ and to see authentic models of what it means to follow Him in the real world - even when it is difficult. Ten Boom's story is certainly an example of that.

Looking forward to reading this incredible story together!

Dead Preachers

I'm learning something about preaching. Simply put - to be effective as a preacher/teacher - I must be dead. Many will argue with this statement and use personal opinion and our fleshly desires to "be somebody" to tell me that God wants to "use ME," etc. Heck - I've even said that before - many times - in my preaching. But Biblically, it cannot be supported. The only way for Jesus Christ to be revealed and to become FAMOUS in my own life is for me to die, so that He can live. I won't quote one verse here to support that - it's the entire message of the Bible - especially in the New Testament. The way to LIFE is through the door of DEATH (just look at Jesus and the cross).

Anyway, praying that God will help me to die, so that He can truly live in my preaching and teaching to my church community. My community needs God, not me.

I can't "stop"

"Sabbath" is a biblical word and concept meaning "to stop" or "to cease." My church community began a new series yesterday exploring the biblical concept of sabbath. I asked my church to acknowledge if they led crazy and chaotic lives that were costing them in some way. I think everyone raised a hand in acknowledgment - including myself.

We just don't get it. As Jesus-followers we often have the "right answers" - but our living is often, very often, out of sync. Not pointing fingers - I'm the worst.

God help us. How will we ever know God if we don't heed the call to stop and know Him?

Psalm 46:10 'Be still and know that I am God.'

Update on Discipling My Daughter

Awhile back I mentioned that I was starting something called "Father Daughter Time" (FDT) with my oldest daughter, Morgan. We meet weekly for a time of spiritual growth and for me as a father to pass on faith to my child. We've met about 16 or 17 times so far (we missed a week here or there - but have been consistent for the most part). It's been amazing, really. We're almost through the gospel of John for our Bible reading, we've already read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and now are reading "Prince Caspian." In addition we make out a prayer list every week and talk about prayers that have been answered, are ongoing, etc. Finally, we come up with one thing Morgan can do to serve someone for the week (this is always the toughest thing for her). And last week - we decided to add a memory verse for each week. I want Morgan to "write God's Word on her heart" - what better way than memorizing it.

Loving these times together. Thinking of doing it until she's 13 or so. We'll see after that.

I'm going to do this with all four of my kids (starting at age 8)! Going to be busy, but worth it!

Missional Church

Reading a challenging and thought-provoking book right now called The American Church in Crisis by David Olson. You can view it here. It's based on massive amounts of research and study and is full of great stats/charts/etc. But bottom line, it demonstrates how the church in America is in decline - and has been for some time. It also projects how on our present course the church faces a major crisis. It challenges us as church leaders, denominations, etc. to be bold enough and willing to pay the price for what it will take to change, impact culture, and experience growth. Olson calls for a missional approach to church.

I'm waking up. Olson's findings resonate deep within me. I pray other church leaders are experiencing this as well. We have been complacent for too long. It's time we take a serious look at ourselves, our motivations, our structures, everything. We need to be willing to change for the sake of the Kingdom. Not sure what all this means, but I do know that the Church needs prophetic voices willing to focus the center on Jesus Christ and His teachings and His mission in our world.

Presence

I don't know why I'm always amazed at God's presence. But I am. Last night we had worship gathering called "Remedy" - which is an intimate worship time centered on prayer and healing. Usually have an intimate crowd, and keep it real simple --- some prayerful worship music, prayer, sharing. Last night as we shared and prayed together, people struggling and suffering opened up . And the great part was that others then gathered around them to support them and help them carry their burdens (Galatians 6:2). I said to someone afterwards - that I need to be very careful not to "plan God right out of worship." God was so central in our gathering last night, I realized that sometimes I make the "worship event" central instead of Him. It may seem like a little thing and some may call it semantics - but it's not. If our worship event is central - then we are central. If God is central - then we're worshiping the only One worth worshiping.

Last night is a challenge to me to be sure that Christ is the center of all we do.

Wired

Said something yesterday that really hit me hard - during my message at my church - I said that "we are wired by God for friendship." I've said something similar many times before ... so not sure why it hit me in a different way this time ... but it did. I guess it's sinking in. You and I - are made for each other. To be in community together. To know each other.

So why is this so hard? Especially in the church community? Why do we wear masks and put on facades? What are we afraid of? If I'm honest - I am afraid of real relationships. Because then I'm really putting myself out there. To be known. And to know others. And this is not clean and easy. Relationships are messy and difficult.

But how else can we have community? It doesn't happen by just putting it into the title of our church or something like that. It doesn't happen by writing it into a vision statement. It happens when we know we're wired for it ... and when we enter into the crazy, messy, beautiful process of being a community.

Just some stuff I'm thinking about today ...

My new nephew

The world is officially larger. Isaiah Kenney Carr ("Zay") was born last week to my sis and bro-in-law out in CA. Cute kid.

The Bible says to "be fruitful and multiply." David and Maria are fulfilling the mandate. Welcome to the world of parenthood!