faithREVOLUTION

Sunday on Monday (3.13.2011)

2011-03-14T09:00:00.003-04:00

Some thoughts about this past week (not just Sunday!)....

* Kicked off the season of Lent last Wednesday with an "Ash Wednesday" service @ Quest. Kind of a different kind of service for many people. We always have folks at that service who tell me they've never been to an Ash Wednesday service - so cool! Glad they can experience something new and meaningful at Quest. Powerful service. Talked about pausing and RE-ORIENTING our lives toward Christ and the Cross. That's what the season of Lent in the church is all about.

* This past Saturday was the much anticipated "RISE ABOVE" Mental Health fair @ Quest. Purpose was to explore the role of spirituality in mental health. Our group organizing this event hit it out of the ball park! It was really incredible. Over 100 people showed up - most from outside in community - and a few who ended up coming back and worshiping with us at Quest yesterday morning! Many thanks to Jennifer Reynolds and her entire team for organizing this event. Phenomenal!

* Started a new series yesterday in worship --- called "DANGEROUS FAITH / pursuing an unsafe God." That whole theme really has gripped me in the past couple years, and we're exploring it in this series. Really talking about how we want safe, easy, comfortable Christianity .... but God is calling us to step out into an unsafe, radical, uncomfortable life where we die to ourselves so we can live for Him. Nothing comfortable about carrying a cross. We so need to hear this message in the American church. We've made Christianity something far from what the Bible teaches. Praying this series makes a big difference in my own life, and the lives of those in our church community.

* 16 young people are on a journey right now at Quest --- we call it "Confirmation." A time where these young people "confirm" the choice to follow Jesus that their families have raised them in. Year-long process.... but really looking forward to November when these young people will stand before our church community and say "YES" to Jesus! Doesn't get any better than that, does it? We as a church are called to invest in this generation and pass our faith along to them!!

* Over 70 women from our church went to a local concert last night! So thankful to Cindy Wilson and her team for organizing this. They had a great time and I'm sure there were alot of relationships formed and deepened!

* Excited about our upcoming mission to Belize. We commission the team in worship on March 27. Can't wait! Sending over 40 people to Belize the first week of April to continue building the relationship we've establish with German Gallardo and The Evangelical Quest Church there (yes, they took our name! How humbling and cool is that!!??)

I am so excited about the movement of God's Spirit at Quest. Thanks for being a part of this incredible journey with me!

Sunday on Monday (2.27.2011)

2011-02-28T09:04:00.002-05:00

Some thoughts from The Quest yesterday....

* Was so excited headed into worship yesterday. Knew that God was going to move and change/transform people when we entered into His presence yesterday! Could just "feel" it. Others felt it to before we even started. Awesome stuff!

* Music is SO POWERFUL. Did a new song yesterday by Jesus Culture called "Your Love is Everything" and I was so impacted by that song! Singing to Jesus that His love is everything to us - whether things are good or bad -- His love is everything!

* I just love our band and the way they serve God and our church community through their spiritual gift of music/worship! They were incredible yesterday.

* Hearing a TON of feedback about the message yesterday. Preached 2 Cor 10:3-5 about capturing our thoughts/words and making them submit to Jesus Christ. That message got in me this week and I just had to release it! So glad that many many people heard the message. Now let's let it CHANGE and TRANSFORM us! Can you imagine life where we don't listen to what the world says about us, but only to what God says? Imagine it.... it can happen!

* One more week on the STICKS AND STONES series. Been a very practical and life-changing series for me and so many others. So thankful that God led us into this series!

* Met with the Imagine Team Leaders yesterday to discuss future land/property options. Pray for us - this is an incredible team of people who take very seriously their responsibility to be sensitive to God's leading as it relates to facilities. More information will be coming soon....

* Great Worship Design Team meeting yesterday. What an incredible group of people who meet and plan and design worship! So thankful to them! Things are changing in that group - but it's all good and God will use it to grow Quest even more!!

* Had a couple premarital counseling sessions yesterday. I absolutely LOVE meeting with these young couples and speaking into their lives as it relates to the incredible covenant they are making. What a privilege!

* So thankful for the 40 something people headed to Belize in a few weeks! They met again last night and the excitement is growing as they look toward GOING to Belize in April. I'm praying for you all and look forward to what God is going to do!!

* Had another "GroupLink" last night at Quest. Several folks and families showed up to learn more about community groups and connect with groups. I LOVED being able to spend a few minutes talking to folks. Love the relationships at Quest. GroupLink nights are always great!

Big week and month coming up at Quest. Lots of stuff going on, missions to prepare for, weddings, etc.

Love our church community! Honor to serve as the pastor of this incredible community!!

Don't be a jerk

2011-02-19T21:00:00.003-05:00

Pastor Eugene Chou on speaking/preaching the Gospel in Love.

Resolve NOT to Gossip

2011-02-19T20:40:00.002-05:00

In a series @ The Quest Church right now called STICKS and STONES....

Tomorrow I'm preaching on "gossip." Defining it as --- "speaking or hearing anything that can hurt another person" --- and of course, that person is not in your presence when you are speaking or hearing something that would hurt them if they were.

I've realized this week that this one issue is so TOXIC to both our relationship with God, and with others. Gossip erodes our intimacy with our Creator because it is a SIN. It is listed in Romans 1 among sins like murder, etc. Obviously, when we say or hear things that can hurt others, God takes it very seriously (even if we don't). In addition, it erodes our relationships. Certainly with the person we're speaking about (or hearing about - as we begin to think differently about them after hearing negative things about them), but in addition - it erodes our relationships with the whoever we're talking to or listening to (the gossip itself). Think about it - when you hear someone talking about someone else - don't you realize that they will do the SAME THING to you? So we put up walls, etc ... to protect ourselves ... when God would have us taking walls down and striving for more depth and intimacy in our relationships.

I cannot think of one positive reason to gossip -not one. Yet I have participated in it - by speaking about and hearing about others. In doing so, I have sinned against God and people.

I am resolving to NOT gossip. I will not speak hurtfully about others. I will not listen to conversation that could be hurtful to others.

Won't you join me in resolving to NOT GOSSIP? Can you imagine what kind of world we could live in if we made the resolution?

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death....

2011 Book list

2011-02-16T14:27:00.002-05:00

"Leaders are readers." --- Charles Jones

I've always heard that, but didn't practice it. Decided to change that and really get into reading over the past year. Love hearing what others are reading, and sharing what I'm reading as well.

Here is my completed list so far for 2011:

1. RADICAL by David Platt

2. COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE by Andy Stanley

3. THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL by Richard Stearns

4. BLINK by Malcolm Gladwell

5. THE NEXT CHRISTIANS by Gabe Lyons

6. CHAZOWN by Craig Groeschel

7. THE MILLENIALS by Thom and Jess Rainer

8. NECESSARY ENDINGS by Henry Cloud (actually in middle of this one)

-----What are you reading these days?

"The CALL" Conference

2011-02-08T16:41:00.003-05:00

Working on an idea for a one-day conference entitled "The Call". Thought behind it is that there are a lot of young people out there being called by God to mission and ministry - in the church, outside the church, etc.

As a United Methodist pastor, I'd like to host this event, but make it ecumenical in approach. Meaning I don't just want people to come who have an interest in the Methodist Church. In reality, those who come could be called to many different denominations, missions, para-church ministries, or secular vocations where ministry is lived out every day.

Been thinking on this for some time and hoping to launch later this year or next year.

Thoughts?

Sunday on Monday (2.6.2011)

2011-02-07T17:00:00.002-05:00

Some reflections from yesterday @ The Quest:

* Was back in the preaching "saddle" yesterday. Great to be away the Sunday before with my wife for a wedding and some sabbath time, but I always miss preaching! Was busting to share the message yesterday as we began our new series called "Sticks and Stones" ....

* Our band was incredible yesterday. They always are, but just really felt the energy yesterday as they led us in worship. Such talented musicians who share their spiritual gifts with our church community. We are so blessed to have such great worship leaders!

* Record attendance the last 4 Sundays at Quest. On average, largest worship attendance we've ever had 4 weeks in a row. Love that people are connecting with God and relationships in this community. That's why we exist.

* Had over a dozen new folks come to "Starting Point" yesterday - a one hour "get to know Quest" lunch thing after worship. Love love love being able to sit down and talk with visitors about their experience at worship. They have such valuable things to say and we have things to learn from them!

* A highlight for me personally was my oldest daughter being in the first 30 minutes of worship for the music. She and the other "tweens" sat right behind me and loved hearing them sing and be a part of the worshiping community before they headed down to the Tween Extreme space for spiritual teaching.

* Had a couple other great meetings yesterday in the afternoon. My favorite part of the church environment is getting to know people and sharing life together. Such a privilege!

* I LOVE our church community. It is such an amazing group of people who come together to love and serve God and our community and world. I and my family are so blessed to be a part of what God is doing at Quest!

Sticks and Stones

2011-02-03T09:05:00.002-05:00

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

Yeah, right.

The reality is that words hurt much more than we realize, and cause long-lasting pain and destruction in someone's life that can paralyze them from becoming who they were really created to be.

Ancient wisdom literature challenges us by saying:

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

What a challenge! To think that every word I speak bring death or life (and I would say in our tech-savvy culture - every word I write, text, email, blog, facebook, etc).

Starting a series this week at The Quest to explore this idea - that our words are powerful and can build up or tear down. Very practical series. One that we all need to hear and grow from.

May our words be words that build and heal and encourage. May our words be filled with love and compassion. May our words challenge and convict, but not condemn. May our words be His Word.

Sunday on Monday (1.30.2011)

2011-01-31T16:59:00.002-05:00

Some thoughts from yesterday @ The Quest:

* I wasn't in worship yesterday morning! Was actually traveling back from a wedding I officiated in Orlando. Shauna and I went a couple days early and just spent some time together by ourselves. After 16 years of marriage I still encourage all couples to get away and spend time together - for a few days once in awhile - but even more than --- date your spouse every week! It will only make your marriage better. Dare you to try it!

* Was telling my wife, Shauna, yesterday - I love it that we can be away and things just roll on as normal! Demonstrates the strength of our leaders and team at Quest. So thankful for so many who serve so sacrificially to make Sundays happen. Was a big day --- 2 morning worship services, a Belize Training meeting, kids and youth ministries, and a prayer service to end the night. Awesome!

* In worship yesterday we gave away thousands of dollars! One of my favorite things to do (really missed not being there for that part!). So thankful and consider it a real privilege to be able to partner with amazing organizations like The Golden Harvest Food Bank, When Help Can't Wait, UGA Wesley Foundation, Mike Freace and his Mission to Africa through Westminster Schools of Augusta, and our on-going Belize Mission. Thank you for giving regularly to The Quest Church ---- your offerings are making an impact locally and around the world - enabling us to give to such great Kingdom minded missions like those we had in worship with us yesterday!

* Started working on first message of new series while flying home yesterday from Orlando. Series is entitled "Sticks and Stones... the power of our words." It's going to be incredible ... but in the sense of challenging us to think about how every words we say (or text or email or put on facebook or blogs, etc) have the ability to bring LIFE or DESTRUCTION to others. Been thinking about this series for months. Very passionate about it. Seeing my own failures in this area... and know that we all need to hear from God's WORD about our WORDS. You need to be here for this!

* Lastly, ran by the Belize Training event last night for a few minutes and prayed for our 44 Quest missionaries headed to Belize in April. What a privilege!

I Love Servants!

2011-01-19T10:37:00.003-05:00

Doing a stage renovation @ The Quest this week. Gotta admit - just blown away by the team getting this done. They have worked tirelessly this week to build this new stage, add artwork to our walls, etc. I AM SO THANKFUL for those who love God and demonstrate that love through sacrificial service like this. The Church would not be what it is without servants, following in the footsteps and example of Jesus, the Greatest Servant of all.

IRRESISTIBLE

2011-01-13T14:10:00.003-05:00

Beginning a new series this coming Sunday (1/16) at The Quest. Been thinking and praying on this series for some time now, and stoked that it is finally here. Just really feel like this is a series we need to hear and respond to. Calling it "The Irresistible Invitation." Must give props to the idea being sparked by another pastor named Steven Furtick doing a message called "The Invitation" last year. Loved the idea of God issuing us an "invitation" to know Him.

The series will have three themes - one each week for the next three weeks:

Jan. 16
The invitation to know an irresistible God

Jan. 23
The invitation to become a part of an irresistible community

Jan. 30
The invitation to live for an irresistible mission/purpose

I've said it before and will say it again --- This series can be life-changing. It truly can. If we will not only listen to what it being said, but cooperate with God's Spirit to make it true in our everyday lives.

I'm praying for everyone who comes, that we'll be open to hear from God in a fresh way and to apply His Word to our lives.

See you around!

Sunday on Monday (1.9.2011)

2011-01-10T14:58:00.002-05:00

Thoughts from yesterday @ The Quest ...

* Seriously amazing day in the life of our church community. Celebrated God's FAITHFULNESS to our church over the past 5 or 6 years since we began! So many great stories to tell of all God has done and is doing. If you missed it, you can check it out here.

* Loved listening to the Steele's share their story of life transformation! A testimony to God's faithfulness and moving in the life of this church community!

* Our band is simply amazing. Great worship yesterday.... as it is every week. So thankful for an amazing group of dedicated and gifted musicians who share their gifts and talents with our church community!

* Bob and Beth Farris showed up for one of our services. Bob is our consultant for the Imagine Building Campaign we are in. He and I have established a close friendship. Joy to have them worship with us yesterday!

* Grand opening of our new facility "The Gathering Place." This facility is incredible and a huge blessing. We are very excited about its use for our youth and other groups, and also to be a place of outreach to the community around us. Join us this Friday night, Jan. 14, for our UNPLUGGED CONCERT SERIES, 7 pm. Bring a friend, especially if they don't know Christ or have a worship community they are a part of. Great opportunity to introduce them to an informal and safe environment to connect with others.

* Speaking of our new facility - we have an amazing team that serve so selflessly and pulled off our grand opening and day of celebration. I am SO THANKFUL for servant leaders who love God and people and do whatever they can to demonstrate that!

* Mentioned to the church about a new series that begins this coming Sunday, Jan. 16 - called "The Irresistible Invitation." I am STOKED about this series. It is going to be powerful, beyond just hearing, though ... it is going to challenge me and our whole church community to become more IRRESISTIBLE to the world around us ... as we live out our lives for Jesus. The Gospel is missional and outwardly focused. Our lives must be the same. Don't miss this series!

Have a great week!

JOHN

Sunday on Monday (12.12.2010)

2010-12-13T11:33:00.002-05:00

Thoughts from yesterday...

Preached on "peace" from Luke 2. Talked about the PATH OF PEACE being 1 - peace with God, 2 - the peace of God, and 3 - becoming a peace-maker. Challenged everyone to move along the path of peace towards God.
Had a couple join The Quest at the early service. Loved the words shared when they joined. They talked about finding God through community. That's what it's all about!!
Great worship design meeting. Stoked about some upcoming series at Quest!
Belize Celebration last night was pretty incredible. Hearing people share stories about God's work in them through this experience was amazing. So thankful for this partnership!
Went home very tired. Long day of great ministry!

Sunday Thoughts

2010-12-05T14:45:00.002-05:00

Noticed that several pastors/leaders blog about random thoughts on Sunday afternoons. Kind of free flow thinking. I like that and am getting in on the action! So here are some thoughts about the past day ...

Was great to be back in my regular routine today. Haven't preached to my Quest community in 2 Sundays in a row! Love Forrest Page and Mike Freace and so thankful they brought incredible messages in my absence. But man, good to be back today!

I need to practice what I'm preaching! Slowing down and "rethinking Christmas" is way easier said than done. I'm working hard on creating space in this season for what God wants to do in my life.

I love our staff at Quest. They are amazing people. They love God and they truly love people and being in ministry with people. Quest is what it is because of amazing visionary leaders who want to see God do even more!

I'm excited about Christmas Eve. Going with a whole different spin on the Christmas story that a friend shared with me the other day. Blew me away, and hope to blows you away as well! Bring a friend!!! Christmas Eve is the one day - more than any other - that people outside the church are most open to invitations to come be a part of a church community. We need to take this opportunity to truly love and care about the people around us!

Leadership requires vision. I'm learning this more in the past year than ever. And that vision can only come from God. My conjuring up vision is worthless. I need God's vision. We all do. And along with this - leadership can be lonely. Sometimes we feel like we're out on the front lines and like no one is following. It is those times that we must trust in God and surround ourselves with accountability and people who will continue to walk the journey with us. We cannot do it alone.

Hoping you have a great week!!!

John

Upcoming Series at The Quest

2010-09-14T06:54:00.003-04:00

Beginning a new series at The Quest this Sunday, Sept. 19. Join us at 9 am or 10:30 am as we explore how to have healthy relationships by establishing "boundaries" in our lives.

New Series

2010-04-19T16:47:00.004-04:00

QC begins a new series this Sunday - April 25 - "The Simple life / live for what matters most." Join us at 9 or 10:30 am!

Mediocrity

2010-03-22T16:38:00.002-04:00

Recently I've been struggling with mediocrity as it relates to my own personal life, church life, and even denominational structures. It seems that so often I am willing to settle for less than God's best for me personally, in my church, and even in the Church at large.

Mediocrity keeps us from the things of the Kingdom. In our personal relationships with God, our marriages, our families, our churches, etc. God is not a God of mediocrity, but of passion and vision and advancement and growth of His Kingdom. His Spirit is ready and willing to move in our lives and churches if we will but wake up to Him.

May we be people who do not settle for mediocrity. May we be people who are ignited with a passion to see God's Kingdom on earth.

Belize

2010-03-13T21:21:00.002-05:00

Spent about 5 days in Belize just over a week ago. My church was exploring long-term missional relationships that we can set up. Planning to take teams to Belize twice a year beginning this Fall.

The picture above is me with guy named German Garraldo. Very excited about the potential relationship we are setting up with him and his ministry in Belmopan (the capital city of Belize). German owns a garage/road repair business. He is turning his business facility into a church facility, where he can hold worship gatherings, community events, as well as house young people with no other place to go. He literally taking "church" to the people in his city. Pray for him and for his ministry. Pray for our church as we explore the potential relationship we might have with his church.

Very excited about the next steps of this endeavor!

Drink Coffee. Do Good.

2010-02-10T15:15:00.003-05:00

Drink Coffee. Do Good. Really? Yes - it's true. "Land of a Thousand Hills" coffee is Rwandan coffee where a good bit of the money used to purchase the coffee goes right back to Rwandan coffee growers to help them and their communities. Rwanda is a country that just a decade ago was torn apart by genocide. This coffee company is doing what they can to help bring financial stability and even reconciliation to the people groups of Rwanda. And you and I can help .... all the over here in America ... by just buying and drinking this coffee. Check out more about it at www.drinkcoffeedogood.com.

My church just started using this coffee last week. Good cause. Good coffee.

Father Daugther Meetings

2010-01-30T15:17:00.002-05:00

My 10 year old, Morgan, and I have been have "father daughter dates (or meetings)" every Friday for about 2 years now. Time is spent reading the Bible, discussing it, praying, etc. This past week we added a new dimension to our times together. I'm seeking to help her establish a regular and consistent "devotional time" with God every day. So now one of her goals is to read the Bible and pray every night before bed. She only got 2 of 7 days last week ... but it's a start! Very excited about this. Can't think of anything more important I can do as a father than to love my daughter and to help her learn to love and be loved by God by spending time with Him consistently.

We're going to say it

2010-01-05T16:43:00.002-05:00

Starting a new series this Sunday @ The Quest. We're going to SAY the things that many of us are THINKING, but for whatever reason we're just not saying. For example - "I'm not the person you think I am" or "I need help" or "I'm mad at God for (fill in the blank)."

The church has created a culture where we're just not permitted to say some things that really need to be said/addressed.

I love addressing controversial things!

Big Boys

2009-11-30T13:11:00.002-05:00

Last night as I was putting my twins to bed (Drew and Ty - just over 3 years old) I had them kneel down beside their new "big boy" beds to pray. We've never done that before. I usually just lay with them in their beds, say a quick prayer for them, and that's it. But for whatever reason, decided to switch things up last night. It was crazy! By that I mean - they did it - and did it so well! They knelt there, folded their hands, and repeated line after line that I prayed - probably for about 2 minutes or so. I was absolutely blown away.

Made me realize something important that relates to all of us. We need to be pushed spiritually. If we just settle for the same old stuff - we will never grow. When I pushed my boys to grow spiritually - they did - even at 3 years old.

I'm 37. I've gotten comfortable with my spirituality. Have you? Let's push each other to grow.

Sabbath

2009-11-24T20:30:00.002-05:00

Wow. Forgot how much I need "sabbath" - the Biblical concept of "rest" (instituted by God Himself in Genesis). Been in Pennsylvania visiting family for a few days. Staying through Thanksgiving. Been a great time to relax. Refocus. Find my center in God again. Makes me realize that I need this more in my life daily. No matter "where" I am. Need to take the time to "be still" / Sabbath.

Don't come to church this Sunday

2009-11-19T12:07:00.003-05:00

I'm feeling like I need to tell folks not to come to church this Sunday .... unless they want to be confronted with the truth and the need to change. We're doing a "Thanksgiving" theme ... but we're talking about American consumerism as it compares with world hunger, poverty, etc. Just one of the stats I'll be sharing is that a child dies every 6 seconds from hunger in our world. During the course of my sermon/message Sunday - about 350 children will die around the world. Because of lack of food. I wept as I wrote that statistic into my message this week as I sat at a local coffeeship drinking my more than $2 cup of coffee (by the way - half the world's population lives on $2 per day). I wept because I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY TO ME. How can children dying not be an emergency to me? It would be if it was my child. I would never allow it to happen to my child. But as followers of Jesus Christ and His Way, we are called to view all children as His children. Our children. The reason children are dying is because we are not responding to the way and the call of Jesus. It doesn't matter enough to us. I must change. God help me to change.

So I hope and pray no one shows up Sunday. Because if they do, they will never ever be the same again. They won't be able to be.

Relevance

2009-11-18T15:59:00.002-05:00

Just ran into a guy outside our church facility with a backpack shouting out something as he walked by - something like - "down with the new world order." I was inquisitive, so I walked over to him and asked - "what are you saying?" He said it again and then proceeded to talk about "the new world order," another group called "the illuminati," and a couple other groups I can't recall. He talked about how they are trying to take over the world, etc. I asked him - "Brother, what do you believe?" He told me he believed "in Jesus, the Christ." I said - "well so do I." I asked him why he didn't just talk about Jesus and His love if he's going to walk around shouting stuff, and he told me that Jesus is going to come back to this earth "angry" and full of "judgment" for these groups. I challenged him, asking if that is really what he believes the central message of Jesus was - judgment for a few select groups of people. He said "yes." I told Him I believe Jesus' central message was of the Kingdom and of love. I challenged him again saying that his speaking just didn't seem to be relevant, and because of that, people wouldn't listen. He then murmured a few things and turned and walked away. Interesting conversation.

It makes me realize that each of us is a "picture" of Jesus Christ to the world. What we say and how we say it reflects Jesus Christ, if we are claiming to follow Him. Man, we need to be responsible with this message and really be sure we are reflecting Him. Running into that guy today was a good thing for me. I'm challenged to look at my own life and ask myself - "What am I saying about Jesus with my life?"

Daddy Daughter Dates Update

2009-11-10T19:13:00.002-05:00

One of the coolest things I started doing as a dad over a year ago is taking my oldest daughter, Morgan, out for a "date" every Friday. Actually, it's a very intentional discipleship time where we talk about God, life, etc. Got the idea from a guy named Mark Batterson, pastor of NCC in DC. He had blogged about doing something like this with his son. I started this when Morgan was 9 --- now she is 10. I'm planning on doing this with each of my children when they turn 8 (I have 4 kids --- going to be busy!). Not sure at what age it may end. Just want it to be natural. Over the past year Morgan has read a couple books of the Bible, as well as several other books, she's learned more about praying, and serving, and even learned some pretty deep Biblical concepts/words. I believe that it is my job (along with my wife) to invest in my children and share with them God's truth, etc. It an awesome responsibility.

Wanted to share the "system" Morgan and I have developed over the past year. We spend the same time every Friday out at a local cafe or restaurant where she gets a "treat." Her favorite place is Starbuck's (some of you are like "sure" - you think I brainwashed her - but I'm serious - not that I complain when she chooses it!). We spend about 30-45 minutes together. The first 10 minutes or so is just talking about life, etc. Then we get into her Bible reading assignment. I have her read 2 chapters of the Bible a week. She handles it just fine. Right now she is reading the Gospel of Matthew and Psalms. She did all of Genesis already, along with a couple shorter books. I have her underline stuff in her Bible (I let her pick out any Bible she wanted when we started all this) that she thinks is cool or makes her go "wow." I have her put question marks by stuff she doesn't understand. Lots of question marks at her age - but makes for great conversation. After the Bible section, we talk about a second book she is reading. I have her read another book along with the Bible - one chapter a week. She's read several this year - 2 CS Lewis Narnia books, a kid's version of "Pilgrim's Progess," a book about Corrie Ten Boom, one about Esther, and several others. We talk about that for a bit. Then we make go over the prayer list she made out the week prior. We talk about the prayers God may have answered, or didn't, or if we aren't sure if He did. Then we make a new prayer list for the coming week. Anything she wants to pray for. After that - we discuss what we call her "Serve Challenge" - every week she decides something she will do for someone else. Could be someone in our family, a friend, anyone. She has to accomplish that thing during the week. We talk about how that went, then think up a new creative thing to do for someone the next week. Just recently we've also added either scripture memorization (key Bible verses about God's love, her identity - girls can struggle with that, etc) or we have a Biblical word/concept she learns about. For instance - right now she's learning about the word "Trinity" and how that relates to the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Sounds like alot, but she has pretty easily worked this into her life and has become much more disciplined. Two things I'm praying come of all this ---- 1)She falls in love with God her Father and learns the discipline of spending time with Him that will last a lifetime, and 2) She knows her earthly daddy loves her and spent time with her consistently. She definitely won't remember everything we talked about. That's not the point. But to know she is loved by God and by me is something I'm praying desperately for.

How do we measure effectiveness in the Church?

2009-09-15T08:44:00.002-04:00

I admit it. I struggle with numbers in the Church. A crammed house on Sunday mornings and I feel great. A less than full worship attendance on a Sunday and I leave feeling like I'm less than God has called me to be. WHY? Because we've been taught and conditioned by THE CHURCH to measure effectiveness almost completely in terms of numbers. Oh we talk a good talk (I include myself in this) about the true measure of effectiveness being about way more than numbers - with things like actual changed lives, people serving, people becoming "missionaries" to the communities we live in, etc.... but the reality is this is far less true than we make it out to be. If we're honest, we'll have to admit it's mostly about numbers. Leave the changed lives and other stuff for other churches.

But I can't help but think about Jesus in the Gospels. Here's a church planter who couldn't rally but about 12 close disciples, and maybe a hundred or so beyond that --- in THREE YEARS! Didn't Jesus read our books? Doesn't He know what an effective church looks like? Doesn't He know it's all about Sunday morning worship attendance?

Wow. I long for the Jesus-experience. Where the focus is God's will for changed lives and the building of relationships that eventually truly change the world.

Some will argue (I've done it) that numbers are important because they demonstrate people "attracted" to the Gospel, etc. I believe that. I think numbers do demonstrate health. But my point is that THIS is all we really focus on.

Really think it's time we re-evaluate what EFFECTIVENESS really means in the Church today.

Upcoming Series

2009-09-12T21:42:00.003-04:00

Starting a new series tomorrow at The Quest Church. Talking about how men and women are created differently by God ... on purpose. Going to be a great series. Looking at what God's purposes are for the sexes - as it relates to simply living in the world, being a husband/wife, father/mother, etc.

Missio Dei

2009-07-09T10:49:00.002-04:00

"Missio Dei" is a Christian/Latin term meaning "the sending of God" or "the mission of God" (I like "sending" better). Preaching on that this Sunday at QC (Quest Church). The term was coined by Karl Hartenstein in response to Karl Barth and his emphasis on "actio dei" ("the action of God") --- all of this according to wikepedia.com.

In 21st century American church culture, we tend to speak of "mission" as something we "do" (example - we have "Missions Committees" or we go on "Missions trips", etc.). However, the Biblical concept of church and mission has much more to do with WHO WE "ARE" ... not in what we "DO." The term "missio dei" places emphasis on the reality that mission is born out of the very nature of God. It is WHO HE IS. And because of WHO HE IS, God acts be "sending" (Missio). Think about it - God SENT His Son ("missio dei"). And now because of this, Jesus invites the Church to participate in the "missio dei" --- we are invited to become part of the mission of God in the world we live in. In this sense, Church IS a mission. We don't DO missions. We are participating in the very nature of God in the world. We are the hands and feet of Jesus to the world.

This is revolutionary for the modern American church. But if we are to become the Church we are called to be ... we must seek what God would make us... and not what we want to simply become on our own. I pray that we would be SENT to participate in the "missio dei" in the communities we live in!

Michael Jackson

2009-07-08T14:00:00.002-04:00

The Michael Jackson phenomenon has been very interesting to me. So much is being made of his life, his music, his impact on culture. I even heard one person - an official spokesperson for him - say that his was a life of "love" more than any other life there ever was. Interesting.

From the outside I see his life as very sad, really. He was a young boy who seems like he was forced to grow up so fast (being thrust into the entertainment world at such a young age). But when he became an adult, he seemed so childish. Almost a reversal of how life is supposed to be lived. I have to imagine that much of this was a "retreat" into himself because he was unable to relate to the world in a mature way. His childish act was just a way to cope.

We are an interesting culture. Why do we get so obsessed with this kind of stuff?

I'm just wondering....

The freedom to ask questions

2009-06-01T11:53:00.003-04:00

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

2009-05-26T10:48:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-20T10:00:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-13T14:48:00.001-04:00

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

2009-05-12T14:19:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-05-12T14:18:00.000-04:00

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

Discipling Morgan

2009-02-26T14:10:00.005-05:00

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

2009-02-24T13:11:00.004-05:00

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

2009-02-02T15:04:00.002-05:00

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?

2009-01-23T09:17:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-21T10:38:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-13T14:46:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-09T08:35:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-08T14:26:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-06T14:05:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-10T09:49:00.003-05:00

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

2008-10-30T10:05:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-01T08:48:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-25T10:11:00.002-04:00

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"

2008-09-08T17:15:00.002-04:00

"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

2008-08-21T15:21:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-21T08:54:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-04T11:06:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-28T16:30:00.002-04:00

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

2008-07-16T12:55:00.003-04:00

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!

Job series

2008-07-15T12:52:00.003-04:00

Began a new series at our church this past Sunday - exploring the theme of pain and suffering in our world. We're looking at the book of Job to discover how he dealt with the incredible pain and suffering in his life. We began by asking a question: "Does God allow suffering?" We said that He does, but that the deeper question that the book of Job probes is "How does a person deeply suffering respond?" That's a more difficult question if you ask me.

Gotta admit - this has been a tough series so far. But love dealing with the true realities of life instead of dancing around the issues.

Swimming

2008-06-25T10:10:00.002-04:00

My oldest daughter Morgan just finished her first ever "swim season" last night - with her final meet of the summer season. She did well - swimming backstroke, freestyle, and breaststroke. Had a cool moment last night after she finished her last race. I went over to tell her how proud I was of her for giving this her all, and my mom happened to see me talking to her. She mentioned how cool it was for her to see me doing this, and how it reminded her of me growing up and the things I used to do (cross country and track races, etc). Later I thought - what a neat LEGACY moment. My parents being proud of me for who I was becoming ... and now me passing that on into my own children.

LEGACY is something often forgotten these days. We're so busy and so worried about so many other things that we forget what is most important. Passing God and the good stuff of life on...

Parables

2008-05-13T13:38:00.002-04:00

Beginning a new series in our church community in a couple weeks. The focus is on the parables of Jesus and how they "reveal" God and the Kingdom to us. The longer I follow Christ the more I realize that the Kingdom is "here and now," as well as "future/not yet." My struggle is reflective of the Church's struggle in general - we turn the Kingdom into some future only reality (get saved and go to heaven someday). We focus so much on life after death that we forget about life before death - which is where we are right now. Jesus' parables revealed God and His Kingdom in the present in such a way that we ought to be changed/transformed. We cannot stay the same. If we do, we have missed the Kingdom entirely.

Jesus-led Worship

2008-05-06T16:02:00.002-04:00

Once a month my church has a prayer and healing gathering we call "Remedy Worship." Last week had a small crowd (they are usually pretty small and intimate), and it was one of the most refreshing worship experiences I've been a part of in awhile. These gatherings are always very peaceful and flow pretty freely. Been reading a book lately called Pagan Christianity? by George Barna and Frank Viola. Here's a link to it on Amazon. Pretty tough book to read because it challenges so much of what we "know" as Christians and the Church - especially church practices. Anyway, the authors advocate what I would basically call Jesus-led worship where all in attendance at the meeting/gathering participate and minister. This, they say, is the first century model for worship. It's not something new to me, but I have been drawn to more of this in worship at my church. We try to be participatory, but this is even more radical. So at our Remedy gathering, I took a back seat and simply led the community in a time of worship through music (led by a couple), and then we discussed Galatians 6:2 for a few moments - focusing on bearing each other's burdens. Then I asked if anyone had a burden to share. Someone immediately spoke up. After they shared, I asked if anyone had words to share with them .. and someone immediately spoke up and shared what to me seemed like very God-inspired words. Then many of us gathered around the person and someone else prayed over them (I put the sign of the cross on their forehead with oil). This went on for several more people, we sang some more, prayed some more, etc. After about an hour or so it ended. Gotta say - it truly felt like Jesus led the worship. Quite an experience.

Do you like Jesus but not the Church?

2008-04-29T14:34:00.004-04:00

My church is starting a new mission/ministry in our downtown community. You can check it out here. We're asking a question that many of us in the Church don't ask enough - "Do you like Jesus, but not the Church?" Many Christians/church people get offended by a question like this. We wonder how it is that people don't like the Church. We also may be offended by a church going out and getting into conversations with people about this question. But it's reality and something the Church must begin to face. There are many people in our culture who have serious struggles with us and "church." And avoiding these real people or just saying they are "lost" is not the answer. Jesus calls us to radical evangelism. I say radical because we in the Church have pretty much turned evangelism into a "committee" that plans events, etc ... but doesn't do much to get out into the real world where real people are. Radical evangelism is the evangelism of Luke 15 - where Jesus hangs out with the people of society that the Church of His day ignored. I for one have been like the Church of Jesus' day and ignored the world around me for too long. Maybe it's time we really think about who we are and what we're called to. Maybe then we'll be able to begin a real conversation with people Jesus loves - who exist "outside" our church walls.

LOUD LIVING

2008-04-14T11:50:00.004-04:00

Starting a new series at Quest this Sunday. Been challenging as I've begun to study and prepare for it. The premise is that everyone's life speaks/says something. But when our lives say something for God they speak LOUD to the world in such a way that others are drawn to Him. Thing about it is ... in culture today this is best accomplished through our LIVING (instead of our words). The Church culture still has alot to learn about this, in my opinion. We tend to think the best thing to do is to SPEAK about God instead of simply LIVING for Him.

Looking forward to this series ...

3 in 1

2008-03-24T17:05:00.003-04:00

Beginning a new series @ our church this Sunday - called "3 in 1" where we'll be exploring the mystery of the Trinity. Our concept of God can become so "boxed up" sometimes - meaning we think we have God and this faith thing all figured out. Truth is - God cannot be contained by our boxes. He's bigger than our thinking. He's more mysterious than our thinking. Just look at the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. 3 distinct "persons" (although not a "person" in the way we think about it) but still only ONE GOD. It blows the mind just to think about. The box becomes way too small. Anyway - looking forward to exploring our BIG God.

The Hardest Thing about Church

2008-03-04T08:33:00.003-05:00

I used to think the hardest thing about being a pastor and "doing church" was preaching, teaching, administration, etc. But the longer I'm at it, the more I think it's something else. That something else is creating a real sense of "community." We talk about community and relationships alot at my church, and I do feel we have a genuine sense of community - but it's still not where I would like to see it be. And I know there are others in our church that probably struggle with it as well. I believe most of the struggle for community centers in our fears of really opening up and being who we are. I can't tell you how many times I hear people say they longed for community, but still said they hold back themselves in really opening up and being real, etc. Sometimes I feel like we're all walking around longing for community, yet we still lack the very thing we want because we're waiting for someone else to take the first step/make the first move.

I've been challenged in my own faith to be the one that steps first/makes the first move. When we do it - it's amazing what sometimes happens. We find a new friend, or a friendship goes deeper than we ever thought possible. Just this week I shared a deep wound with a friend (I became vulnerable) - and he in turn shared one - and our relationship has become more Christ-centered and what I'm looking for in relationships. We are developing more of a sense of "community."

So be challenged - step out. Make the first move. See what God does.

Peace my friends...

Discipling my daughter

2008-02-21T15:08:00.002-05:00

Was inspired by another pastor and blogger awhile back to begin discipling my own children. By this I mean I'm spending intentional one on one time with them where we focus on specific spiritual "challenges" (I'll explain). I have four kids - so this will be a alot for me! However, I've decided I would start when each one turns 8, and continue until the 13th birthday. So this will help spread it out for me since my kids span different ages. Have met with my oldest daughter (who is 8) twice now. It's been really cool. Let her pick out her own Bible (she had a kids type one - but I helped her pick out a new one in a modern translation - it's pink!). She also picked another book to read. I pick her up from school on Fridays, we go to a donut/ice cream place, and we spend an hour together. During this time we discuss 4 challenges each week - 1) Bible challenge - where she reads at least a chapter of the Bible and we discuss what she learned (we're doing John right now), 2) Prayer challenge - where she decides on things she wants to pray for during the week, 3) Serve challenge - where she decides one thing she will do to serve another person during the week, and 4) Intellectual challenge - where she reads another book and we discuss it. Right now we're reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. She keeps a journal of what we're doing. Gotta say - over the next few years I'll spend 200-250 times with her like this AND I love what it will do for our relationship and her relationship with God.

Cool Image

2008-02-13T16:49:00.000-05:00

This is a large "sign" we have hanging on our stage area at our church. Just thought it looked so cool I wanted to post it on the blog. It's for a series we're doing right now called "vintage FAITH" where we're looking at the ancient teachings of Jesus and how they relate to our world today. We're studying the 8 Beatitudes in Matthew 5.

Post-denominational

2008-01-31T13:18:00.000-05:00

The world has changed. But has the Churched noticed? Culturally it is becoming more and more apparent that people are "post-denominational." By that I mean that people are less likely to choose to connect with a church community because of denominational affiliation than they've ever been before. Simply put - people just don't care alot about this anymore. In many ways, I think this is refreshing. Instead of a focus on institutional moorings, people are interested in God and community and being missional. But this new post-denominational culture is rocking the Church world/culture. In so many ways we don't know how to respond because we have attached ourselves so closely to things that culture just isn't interested in (at least anymore). The Church of the 21st century is faced with a challenge - understanding and moving toward a post-denominational mindset, or risk losing our voice with present and many future generations.

Personally, I'm excited about the challenge and the opportunities. Denominations don't have to die in this wake, but have the opportunity to be re-born. God help us, we pray.

Churches don't compete

2008-01-28T15:18:00.000-05:00

Just put a billboard up in our city. The idea behind it is that so often churches and Christians can be divided. The image we present to the world is fractured and broken because of our denominational and institutional disagreements. I'm not saying we shouldn't join a certain "tribe" or whatever (I'm connected to a denomination), but so often it becomes more important to us than relationships with each other and our common mission.

Love a quote from Charles Spurgeon on this (From "A Divided Heart," 1859):

When the differences are of such a character, that as people of God we can still love each other, and still unite in the common battle against the cause of evil and in the common end of building up the church, then there is but little that is faulty. When when our doctrinal divisions grow to so great a head that we cease to co-operate; when our opinions upon mere ordinances becomes so acid towards each other, that we can no longer extend the right hand of fellowship to those who differ from us, then indeed is the church of God found faulty.

Stuff we don't talk about @ church

2008-01-23T15:56:00.000-05:00

We're in a series at our church where we've been discussing issues the Church doesn't like to face/talk about. The series has been based on a couple new books that research perceptions people outside the Church have about Christians/the Church (UnChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons and They Like Jesus But Not the Church by Dan Kimball). We've been inviting questions and dialogue during the message/teaching time - which has really been incredible. The series has been very challenging as we've been looking at the following perceptions: 1) Christians are hypocrites, 2) Christians are homophobic, 3) Christians are sheltered, and 4) Christians are divided.

You can check out the series on our website's "watch/listen" page.

TV Preachers

2007-12-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

Before I tell this story, let me say I think there are some GREAT TV preachers. I watch a few an am challenged in my faith journey. They hope me grow spiritually. I also watch several on the internet. But the other day I was flipping through some channels on TV and came across a religious station and particular preacher was preaching. My 5 year old was sitting with me on the couch. She asked, "Daddy, why is that preacher so mad?" I asked what she meant. She responded, "He's yelling at everyone." I quickly flipped to another channnel.

But it got me thinking. My daughter is 5. Her faith is being formed right now. Her image of God is being formed. And she's probably thinking - "God is mean. He's mad at me." Why do I make this jump - from the preacher to God? Because it's true. Kids images of God are formed by their parents and other adults.

I don't know what the guy was preaching about. Maybe there is even a time to express God in this manner - although I struggle with that. But wow. It makes you realize that the way we represent God to all people - especially the next generation - is an awesome responsibility. One we should not take lightly. One we should really consider.

PERSPECTIVE

2007-12-11T16:09:00.000-05:00

Gotta admit - death gives perspective to life. Last week a long-time friend and member of our church community went home to be with the Lord. Being a part of his life, even his death, has given me renewed perspective. I worry about little stuff. I get bent out of shape over little things. It's not worth it. It's really not. We spend so much time in the minutia of life that we sometimes miss life itself. My real fear is that this renewed perspective will simply fade as the days go by and the little stuff becomes the "big" stuff again. Man, I hope that doesn't happen.

Christmas series

2007-11-26T09:32:00.000-05:00

Can't believe Advent starts this coming Sunday (Dec. 2). Our church starts a new series in worship this Sunday for the Christmas season. Wanted to do something a little different this year. Sometimes as a pastor I feel I get stuck in a rut doing the same thing every year during Christmas. So our creative/design team worked hard to come up with a series we're calling "BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ... the story of Christmas." Basically we're telling the Christmas story by talking about how sin has made our world ugly and how Jesus Christ came as flesh to make the world beautiful again (a return to Eden, if you will). We'll also be discussing how we should see the beautiful potential in all people - through Jesus Christ.

Looking forward to this Christmas season.

Legacy

2007-11-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

Our home/sponsoring church (Aldersgate UMC) hosted a worship gathering where we celebrated Quest's birth as a new church. At the end of the gathering the first Methodist Church in Augusta (1700's) gave Quest a HUGE Bible that can be displayed at our church home. As I walked up to receive it and was charged to "pass on the news of Jesus" I was overwhelmed at how the LEGACY of Jesus is passed from one person to the next, one generation to the next. Now that Quest has received this legacy, we must pass it on as well.

Beyond

2007-10-26T21:49:00.000-04:00

Starting a new series in November at my church. It's been a tough one to think through. We're calling it "beyond" and exploring how Jesus calls His followers "beyond" the place we are now/today. And that's uncomfortable. We like where we are. We don't want to move or change or get uncomfortable. Will be focusing mostly on how the place God wants to move us to is a place of service. Humility. Washing the feet of the world. For most of us - true service is way "beyond" where we are. We're willing to call ourselves Christians, and even do a little bit for God - but only as long as it is "comfortable" for us. This series will definitely be a challenge - for me personally, and for our church community as we explore what living like Jesus really means.

Worship

2007-10-03T10:28:00.000-04:00

Studying for our new series (worship [re]defined) coming up at Quest Church is wearing me out. The reason is I'm realizing I have a warped view of what "worship" really is. I think most of us probably do. Let's be honest - for most of us - worship is an "event" we go to. We go to a "worship service" or "worship gathering" (as we call it at our church). But is that what it is? Because when it's that, we tend to focus on the "externals" of it - the setting, the music (loud or soft, organ or guitars, hymns or contemporary praise stuff, good preaching or bad, etc.). I've been checking out the Bible this week as it pertains to worship - and do you know that there is NO PRESCRIBED WAY of doing the "external" stuff I just mentioned? None that I can find. All you'll find is the word "worship" being used to convey the idea that WE as humans are to ASCRIBE WORTH ("worship" comes from the old English "worth -ship") to GOD. It's about having an OBJECT of our affections - God. This means worship is not really an event - it's an attitude of the heart. It's love for God. It's surrender to Him.

Thank God He gets ahold of me sometimes and rocks my world. It's what I need.

What is worship?

2007-09-27T09:35:00.000-04:00

Got a new series/theme coming up at our church. The focus will be on "worship." We realize that all of us have our ideas about what this is - so we're calling it "worship [re]defined." Because we believe that worship/faith should never be static. It should always be moving, changing, evolving. This isn't to say that there aren't foundational/absolute truths about these issues - it's just that sometimes we make what is secondary foundational and primary. When it comes to worship, we can really get bent out of shape. I've seen it happen. And we tend to get bent out of shape on secondary/non-primary issues related to it. In this series we're going to try to keep it focused on what's primary/most important as it relates to worship. It's going to be a great journey as we explore God and what it means to worship Him! Can't wait!!

The world's a changin'

2007-09-25T09:03:00.000-04:00

I continue to be amazed at how our world is changing. Having kids today makes you realize just how much things have changed - especially in the realm of technology/culture. Here are a couple examples. I have a 7 year old. She thinks a "mouse" is a computer apparatus. And just the other day, she wanted to set up her own "blog." So now she 'journals' online on her own. And it's for all the world to see. She's 7!

Like I said - the world is changing!

Coffeeshop blues

2007-09-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

The coffeeshop I have hung out at for over 2 years closed last month. That's tough. Not because of the coffeeshop itself - but because of the atmosphere, relationships, etc. I mourned a couple weeks and then decided it was time to find some new friends/a new shop. Love meeting new people and being in a new environment.

Reminds me of how we can get pretty comfortable as Jesus-followers - with our faith, church, etc. Sometimes we have to venture out, shake things up, do something different. Ritual and all that is great to a point - but it needs to be balanced with stepping out, too.

Just some thoughts ...

Disconnected

2007-09-13T09:25:00.000-04:00

Starting a new series at our church this week. The main text for this series is the beginning of John 15 where Jesus basically says "I am the true vine ... you are the branches ... remain in me and you'll produce fruit ... apart from me you can do nothing." Gotta admit - I've heard it dozens, if not hundreds, of times before. But for some reason this time it is grabbing me and not letting me go. It's getting inside of me in a way it hasn't before. And I think the reason is that if I'm honest with myself - I feel pretty disconnected from Jesus Christ. To "remain" in the Greek means to "live" or "dwell." I think I live/dwell in myself most of the time - not in Jesus Christ. I'm not trying to be hard on myself (I've been accused of that) - it's the truth. Learning to "remain" in Jesus is not easy. It's just not. I think the "Church" has made it too easy. We've made it about coming to church an hour a week, doing a little for God, etc. Jesus made it about a relationship with Him that changes your core/soul in such a way that you die to you and live for Him, and in doing so produce fruit that impacts the world. I'm rambling - but just some thoughts I'm having ...

Family "Vision" Statement

2007-09-04T08:51:00.000-04:00

Thought I'd post some preliminary thoughts on a vision statement my wife and I are creating for our family. A vision statement suggests a "destination" you are aiming to go. We are also developing goals and an action plan to get there. But so far, this is where we're at:

Kenney Family Vision

"Because of God's great love for us in Jesus Christ- we will demonstrate a great love for God, for each other within our family, and for the world around us."

It's basic - which I think vision statements should be. It starts with God's love for us, which requires a response. We want our children to understand and experience the love of God FIRST, then allow that to help them RESPOND to Him, our family, an dthe world they live in with LOVE as well.

For each of our kids, this will look somewhat different - because our kids are unique and different. We're currently looking at ways to make this more specific and practical for each child.

This statement is really giving my wife and I more direction and intentionality in the way we live as a family, raise our children, etc.

I'm back, mon!

2007-09-03T10:13:00.000-04:00

Just got back from Jamaica Saturday night/Sunday morning. My wife, Shauna, and I spent about 5 days in Negril at a beautiful resort there. We had decided just before our twins were born that when they turned a year old - we would take vacation - just me and her. Well our twins turned one just a few weeks ago - and we made good on what we said we would do!

I learned something about myself in Jamaica. When we first got there - I had the hardest time relaxing! I just couldn't do it. I felt like I should be working, producing, etc. But there was nothing I could really do. My cell phone didn't work there and I left my laptop at home (intentionally!) - so there was no checking email, etc. After about a day, though, I began to relax. Then by about the third day - I was relaxing pretty well! Then, on the last 24 hours there - I began stressing more. Even though I had a day left to relax in such an amazing place - I just couldn't do it. Knowing that I was headed home soon, I began thinking of everything that awaited me.

So I have a tough time relaxing/taking a break. But I've decided to try to import that lesson to my daily life. If I have to go to Jamaica to relax - I'm going to go broke! I have to learn to work it into every day life somehow - even in the midst of the busyness and craziness of it all.

Getting ready to start a new series at our church that
talks about how to exist in a crazy/busy world. Looking forward
to studying and learning more in John 15 and how remaining
connected to Jesus (the "vine") is the key to living in our world.

Sabbath

2007-08-16T10:07:00.000-04:00

The concept of "sabbath" is all over the Bible. It begins with God taking "sabbath" on the 7th day of creation and goes all the way to Jesus teaching about it in the New Testament. Sabbath is basically "rest." But not just rest for no reason. Rest "on purpose." Intentional rest for the purpose of renewal, rejuvanation, etc. Here's a confession - I stink at sabbath. I've learned that about myself over the years. So I've really begun to work on it. Isn't that funny? I'm WORKING on RESTING. Seems kind of backwards/ironic. But if you're like me you have to work on things like sabbath. I'm trying to have a small bit of sabbath every day now. And I'm also trying to take bigger chunks of it at times. In a couple weeks my wife and I are headed out of town for 5 days - no kids, just me and her - for the sole purpose of sabbath. When I get back I know that I'll be ready to go at it again - with the church, kids, and life in general!

Tattoos - signs of change

2007-07-30T21:17:00.000-04:00

Check out this manequin at a local department store - with a tattoo on his left arm. Tattoos are becoming more "accepted" in our culture today, and that is reflected even in some of our large department stores. I like it. They are stretching ... taking risks. Thoughts?

Vision

2007-07-26T14:37:00.000-04:00

Vision is an amazing thing. I'm realizing more and more that without vision and dreams that lead to real goals - nothing much gets accomplished in life. This is true personally, in marriage and family, in business, in the Church, etc. People with vision are proactive and set goals and seek to attain them. Those without vision seem to wander aimlessly, just kind of reacting to life. Lately I've been creating vision and goals for my family life - with my wife and kids. My wife and I are creating a "vision statement" for our family right now. I'll post it when it's done. Just some random thoughts ....

Remembering ...

2007-07-26T14:31:00.000-04:00

Was looking back at some old pictures today of when The Quest Church actually began. Here's one of our community just beginning to form in our very first year. We were meeting in small groups and then gathering once a month at a local restaurant (after hours) for worship and community building. There are a dozen and a half people in this gathering I think. Sometimes I struggle with where I am RIGHT NOW. But when I LOOK BACK it reminds me that God has been faithful and has been with me every step of the way. Remembering how God has grown The Quest community into what it is today is incredible. It shows me how small I am and how big God is.

Bloom

2007-07-18T15:16:00.000-04:00

Excited about a new series we've got coming up soon at QC. It's called "Bloom" and we'll be looking at how God plants us in certain places at certain times so that we can be used by Him. It makes me think of people in the Bible like Moses and others, who felt so inadequate to be used by God, but once they just accepted that God could and would use them - they bloomed where God planted them.

We've been in a Proverbs series this summer - that has been great - but sometimes a series can get long and even I'm ready to move on! Can't wait for "Bloom" to start ...

Reds Game

2007-07-10T10:42:00.000-04:00

Went to a Cincinnati Reds game during a family reunion this weekend. Haven't been to a pro sports game in awhile - forgot how much fun these can be!

A couple things about the game that made me think about my spiritual life:

1) There were only a handful of people actually "playing the game." There were thousands of us watching other people play. Made me realize that as followers of Christ, we're called to do both, really. Sometimes we play - and sometimes we cheer on others who are playing. Both roles are important if you think about it.

2) The Reds were playing San Francisco - the team Barry Bonds plays for. At the game I was at, he was just 4 homeruns away from breaking the all-time homerun record set by Hank Aaron. This is a big deal. But here's the thing - every time he stepped up to the plate to bat - he was "boo-ed" in a big way. No clapping. No cheering. Just boo-s. I asked my dad what was up (I'm not a big sports follower) and he told me about his alleged use of steroids. People were yelling things like "Juice-man" and "Cheater," etc. It made me think - that's pretty much how real life is. You make a mistake and it follows you like that. It also made me think about how being a Christian, though, is often counter-cultural. By that I mean that we're called to forgive each others' offenses/wrongs.

Never knew baseball could be such a spiritual experience.

Discipline

2007-07-03T12:07:00.000-04:00

We've been in a series at our church this summer - exploring the ancient book of Proverbs. There are so many amazing and practical themes in this book. This past week we talked about what Proverbs says about money and resources. The word that came to the surface as I studied this theme in Proverbs was the word "discipline." Proverbs teaches that it takes discipline to handle money wisely, etc. I've been thinking alot more about discipline the past couple of days - and realizing that discipline relates to every area of life. Think about it - anything you want to do, and want to do well at - takes discipline. Whether it's being a friend to someone, a good spouse, a great father or mother, playing a sport or instrument, getting in shape, learning to cook, whatever. And I've been thinking about how this is so true of our spirituality and walk with God as well. It takes discipline. The root of "discipline" has the word "disciple" in it. Perhaps discipline and discipleship are related - I think they are/must be. Maybe that's why being a follower of Christ is so hard. Because it takes discipline - getting up every single day and committing to this life again. And again. And again. Just stuff I've been thinking about ...

Books I'm Reading

2007-06-25T09:01:00.000-04:00

Recently, I decided I needed to read more. Reading energizes me. So I just thought I'd mention a couple books I'm currently reading:

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna. Incredible book so far. Very challenging and potentially life-altering for parents (and kids - b/c if parents change the way they parent - kids change!). Main thing I'm learning is that it takes a lot more than most parents (including me) realize to pass on their faith to their children. Status quo "religous parenting" is just not enough. It takes "revolutionary parents" to raise children who love God and make an impact for Him in the world.

They Like Jesus but Not the Church by Dan Kimball. I've read several books by Dan before (he's the pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA - www.vintagechurch.org) and this one is as good as the others. If you really want to break outside the "church bubble" and see the world from the perspective of someone outside the church - read this book. I'm only about a quarter of the way into it, but I've been challenged once again.

Got a couple other books I'd like to start soon, too. Just need to get through these first!

COOL JULES

2007-06-18T16:33:00.001-04:00

This is my 4 year old daughter - Julia (we call her Jules). Just thought she looked cool/hip in these sunglasses. She was sporting them at my ordination worship service last week!

A BIG DAY

2007-06-18T16:23:00.000-04:00

Last Monday was a big day for me. I was ordained an "elder" in The United Methodist Church (UMC). Basically, this means that after completing seminary and then a 3 year process of examination, The UMC affirms my call to be in mission and ministry as a pastor. In many ways this process has felt like jumping through "hoops" ... if you've ever had to do anything like that. But I was surprised at how meaningful the day ended up feeling to me. It was pretty overwhelming, to be honest. It made me think that this might be how it feels for a marathon runner - you know - running and running and running - never feeling like the finish line will arrive - but then it finally does. I've never run a marathon, but I think I kind of know what it must feel like.

Note: I don't usually wear a "robe" - but it was required for this day and so I did. Just wanted to let those of you know who don't usually see me dressed like this, what I was wearing! The robe has been around for a significant period of time and has certain meaning. However, I have chosen not to wear the robe in my ministry and context.

Celtic Christianity

2007-06-13T14:08:00.000-04:00

Saint Patrick's Day is every March. But ask most folks about him, and you'll find that people connect him with Ireland, the shamrock, and the color green - but that's about it.

Awhile back I read a book that caused me to really appreciate Saint Patrick and his contribution to faith-sharing. Hundreds of years ago, a large percentage of Ireland became Christ-followers during the lifetime and ministry of Saint Patrick. I believe that a huge part of this can be attributed to his approach to people and faith-sharing with them.

In the book - The Celtic Way of Evangelism - author George Hunter describes how Saint Patrick's approach to faith and community (and specifically the process of sharing Jesus with others) was revolutionary for the time. It marked a changed from the older "Roman" model of evangelism/faith-sharing. The two models (Roman vs. Celtic/Saint Patrick) are:

ROMAN MODEL
- Presentation
- Decision
- Enter the fellowship

CELTIC MODEL
- Enter the fellowship
- Ministry and Conversations
- Belief, Invitation to Commitment

You'll notice that the processes are basically reversed. One model made "community" (fellowship) the final step of evangelism - following the linear pattern of someone presenting the Gospel, the hearer then making a decision, and finally entering community/fellowship.

Saint Patrick believed that the process should begin with inviting any and all people into community FIRST. He believed and demonstrated that this led to openness and conversations, and in many, many cases finally led to belief and a life lived for Christ.

I really believe that Saint Patrick was on to something ... and onto something biblical. One of my favorite sections of Scripture is Luke 15, which begins by saying that Jesus was hanging out with (ie, community and fellowship) people who were "outside" the Church community. Luke describes how the religious leaders of His day condemned Him for this. But Jesus didn't budge. He loved people. All people. Invited them into community and fellowship for the purpose of loving and serving them and showing them God.

Saint Patrick has been gone from this world a long time, but I believe we could learn alot from Him in the in the 21st century Church.

Remembering the Past

2007-06-04T12:12:00.000-04:00

Last night I spoke at "Fountain" Campground near Camak and Washington, Georgia. It was founded in 1822 - almost 200 years ago. These are a couple pics of what they call the "tabernacle" (Old Testament idea of God dwelling in "tabernacle"). As I sat there before speaking, I was somewhat overcome with an awesome realization of history. What I mean is that for almost 200 years, people have been gathering in this same tabernacle and sitting on the same benches - singing, praying, and listening to people talk about God and life. It made me feel "small" - in a good sort of way - and that I ought to approach life a little more humbly, if you know what I mean. There have been other people who have come before me, and there will be plenty that come after me. I have an opportunity to live for a short time and be a part of history and what God is doing in the world. Pretty profound if you really think about it. I'm glad I had the opportunity to speak at the tabernacle last night.

"COMPASS" video link

2007-05-31T10:40:00.000-04:00

This Sunday we're beginning a new series on the ancient book of Proverbs at our church. We made a video to introduce this series. You can check it out on our YouTube site by clicking here.

Supra-cultural Christianity

2007-05-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

On the way home from the gym last night I heard a preacher on the radio using a term I don't think I've heard before - "supra-cultural." He was talking about how there are biblical principles that are "supra-cultural" - and that these principles are the ones that are most important. By this he meant that these principles are not tied to a certain time and location in the Bible (occasional or situational principles) but transcend time and place. There are biblical principles that work in America in the year 2007, as well as in a remote African village 100 years ago, and so on.

I only had a 5 minute drive home, so I only heard a little bit from this preacher. But it got me thinking over the past day - that I like what this guy was saying. I like it because it really seems to make sense if you think about it. But if you go on thinking about it, you'll begin to realize that some of the things we make "biblical" aren't really biblical at all. For instance, today in the Church in America there's alot of talk (or arguing) over worship/worship style/etc. There's also much discussion over things like leadership and church structure, etc. And what happens is that we find a way we "like" it to work - and we make that "biblical" in a sense. I know I do. When in fact, it's more occasional or situational. It doesn't mean what I like isn't good, etc ... It's just that I need to be careful to say MY WAY is the right way/the biblical way. Because when I say that I'm saying your way is not.

"Supra-cultural" - probably not a word I'll add to my vocabulary. But a good word.

Proverbs Series Video

2007-05-23T08:49:00.000-04:00

I've had several requests for a link to our "Proverbs ... real direction for real life" video that introduces our 2007 Summer Series at The Quest Church. Click here to view this video.

Extreme Room Makeover

2007-05-21T15:29:00.000-04:00

This past weekend my kids were gone with grandparents and my wife and I "made over" our girls' room. I spent the day hanging shelves, putting down a new carpet, and even "stamping" (at least that's what my wife told me it is called) butterflies all over the walls. What suprised me about this whole experience was how excited I was for my little girls to come home and see their new room. I wanted to see and hear their reaction. In a strange, but real way ... it made me realize how much I love them. I didn't want a "thank you" or anything like that from them ... I just wanted them to enjoy their new room.

This has caused me to think about the reasons I "do things" for people. Is it because I really love them in this same way, or is it because I just want to be noticed, thanked, etc. Kind of sobering and humbling to think about really. Causes me to question my motives, etc. If I'm honest, I will have to admit that I often do things to be noticed and praised - not simply to demonstrate love.

It's funny how little things like an "extreme room makeover" can challenge you spiritually.

Coffee

2007-05-10T19:39:00.000-04:00

I noticed something about coffee this week. Not about the taste or anything like that ... but about the way it can be a cause for relationship-building and conversation. For example, this week I can think of five great conversations I had with people while drinking coffee. It may seem like a coincidence, but could there be more to it? In the ancient world (during Jesus' time) community and relationship-building almost always centered around the "table" - ie. meals, drink, etc. So maybe it's no coincidence that sitting at a table with a friend or friends drinking coffee (or anything else for that matter) builds community. Maybe that's why "coffeeshops" are doing so well. Maybe it's not just about the coffee, but about the community that exists there. It makes me think that coffeeshops may be doing a better job than churches at creating a sense of community. I don't know. Interesting to think about though ...

PRAYER

2007-05-08T16:32:00.000-04:00

Been studying Jesus and prayer this week for a series called "VERTICAL" we're doing at our church, The Quest (www.theQUESTonline.com). In my study I'm amazed at the number of times the Gospel writers talk about Jesus going off to be alone and "pray." I don't know how I missed it before, but it's everywhere! Here is God's Son making SPACE in His own busy and crazy life for time alone with His Father. I feel like my life is busy and crazy, too. I don't know a person who doesn't feel this way. The problem for me is - I don't create this SPACE in my life for the kind of time alone with God (prayer) that Jesus did. Yet I feel that I can somehow survive without it, I guess. I'll don't know what it's going to take for me to "get it." Even as I'm writing this blog, a book just popped in my mind that my wife gave me several years ago - called "Too Busy Not to Pray." Guess what? I haven't read it. Not a page. I guess I'm too busy. I've got to find that book.

I've got to be honest - sometimes I struggle with preaching. The reason - it's too convicting/challenging to my own life. But I guess that's the point. If it doesn't speak to me, it won't speak to anyone else. I'm really dealing with that this week - centering in this issue of prayer. It just won't let go of me.

"God help me create SPACE in my life for You. Amen."

GO

2007-05-01T14:29:00.000-04:00

I hate red lights ... unless I'm munching on a burger or something and I need a little extra time to get a bite down. Usually at a red light I'm sitting there saying "Come on, come on, let's GO!!!" You know the feeling, don't you? Just sitting there, waiting, dying for the red light to switch to green?!

We're a "go" kind of culture. Except for one place - the Church. Man, the church has become a "red-light" community. What I mean by that is we're all about just sitting around, waiting, feeding ourselves ... and that's about it. I know that sounds harsh, and I may be overemphasizing it, but I really believe that for the most part it's true. Just ask someone who isn't a part of the Church community what they think. Could be enlightening.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the light is GREEN and God is calling the Church to GO. By that I mean we're supposed to have a passion and desire to get out into the real world where people live and breathe every day ... and in that world we're supposed to have a hunger to live out the radical message of God's love in such a way that people are drawn to it. I'll be the first to admit this isn't easy, and even though I'm "supposed" to want these things ... sometimes I don't. But even so, I just can't get away from this growing conviction and passion inside of me to do it. To get out. To Go. To live out the message of Christ ... not just inside the walls of a "church" building, but outside the walls.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this? Your experiences?