Lent

After a stress-filled Ash Wednesday, and leading a small Ash Wednesday gathering for some of our folks last night, I logged in this morning and discovered that one of my old friends has taken up the discipline of writing for Lent. That was inspirational to me, so I have decided to try and follow suit.

I posted a small comment on his blog to commend him for his discipline, and as I was preparing to sign off my comment, I was struck with a thought...what kind of greetings do you bring someone during the season of Lent? It doesn't really seem appropriate to wish someone, "Happy Lent" since this is not really supposed to be a season of joy and frivolity.

I decided to just wish him, "Lenten Blessings" which may seem like a similar moniker to "Happy Lent," but I see it very differently. If we are really willing to embrace the ideas of repentance and discipline during this season, there is a sense in which we can discover blessing in the discipline.

One of the passages we read together last night at the Ash Wednesday Service was from Hebrews 12:1-14. In this text, the writer expresses the sentiment that our Heavenly Father offers us discipline because He loves us as His children. He acknowledges that no discipline is pleasant at the time, but later can be seen as a source of growth and blessing in our lives. Perhaps there is even a way for us to see the beauty and blessing in the midst of Lent, simply because the discipline we may be receiving from our Heavenly Father is coming to us from His pure heart of love for us, His children! What a blessing to be so considered God's child that we are recipients of his discipline!

Lenten Blessings!

The Keys to 21st Century Church Leadership

I have felt for a long time like the things I am learning here in my present crucible of ministry are lessons so valuable that they need to be shared with others. I have had thoughts of writing a book perhaps, or of somehow going out and sharing my ideas, but it always seemed like a monumental task - one that was relatively unattainable. Or it was an elephant that was so big that I know you're supposed to eat it one bite at a time, but where do you start?

However, early this morning it seems like the seed of an idea began to crystalize in my mind - there is not one key to church leadership in the 21st century, there are several. What if I began to write and document those keys here as a way to try and help my own mind begin to crystalize these ideas further? Perhaps it is a whole series of short, reader friendly books that a person could get and read in byte-size chunks? Maybe that is something that better fits our 21st century minds anyway as we constantly switch from one byte of information to another at the speed of light?

So in an attempt to allow the crystalization process to begin, I offer this initial post.

Honoring the Past

Much has already been written and communicated about us living in the postmodern world right now. Everyone seems to agree that we aren't in the modern realm anymore, but we don't really know what is actually coming next, so we are living in the post-modern world - the world right after modernity, but before . . . ? Since that is true, we have to understand that one of the keys to postmodern church leadership is honoring the past.

We live in a world where many of the modern people who helped create what exists today, are still here! Too many times we forget that we are standing on the shoulders of the giants who have come before us and that many of those giants, are still here! The people who have built our churches and laid foundations of leadership in our lives, are still here!

Those of us who are in the new era of postmodern leadership often act as if we know exactly what needs to happen as we move forward into the days ahead, and in many ways that is very true. But often we forget that we are here today because others have blazed a trail before us. These leaders have successfully navigated the church through the era of modernity so well, that we are now able to help lead the Bride of Christ into this new era.

Good, holistic, healthy leadership in the 21st century recognizes that past and is willing to honor and celebrate it. In fact, I think we could actually say that we must be willing to embrace it in many ways. We don't need to buy into the modern mindset or thinking because it won't help us in the new world, but we do need to understand that if we want to get where we are going, we must be willing to honor the past as we go. Here's why:

• There is still viable ministry left among these giants. If we are willing to embrace them and allow them some of the same space and freedom to worship and live in relationship with God that we so desperately want, we will discover there is wonderful vibrancy there. And since I am getting older and grayer myself, one of the things I hope happens in my life is that the leaders I am trying to help raise up will help me finish well when they are the new leaders.

• There are still people in this modern world who don't know Jesus. In our rush to get moving into postmodernity, we can't forget that God so loved the whole world. Sure it may be true that generally they don't have as long to live, but since when did God ever care about that? I could be dead from a car crash this afternoon, but that doesn't stop God from still reaching to me with his love and grace.

• These modern giants have a heart for God's Church. They would not have invested the blood, sweat and tears they did over the years, if their hearts weren't in it. And that hasn't changed. A passion to see God's Church not just survive, but thrive, still burns deep within many of them! If we are willing to honor them, and embrace that passion, we can actually tap into it as a source of great power and encouragement for us.

• There's a lot of bankroll in their pockets. Now that may seem crass at first, but sometimes the truth can sting. One of the characteristics of the postmodern worldview which seems to get a lot of attention is how passionate they can be toward their causes, so if you can get them on board with your cause, you've got some great champions. The problem is, sometimes their causes are so niche focused, that if your deal doesn't hit them just in the right spot, they are really not that generous of spirit. Not so with the giants of our past. It's true that everyone is willing to give of their resources to something they believe in (and we aren't just talking about money here). But I think the modern world helped to create a more general atmosphere of generosity. We would do well to not only tap into that generosity as we move forward, but to learn from it and discover how to help it spread in the postmodern world too.

So there it is. My first cognitive dump to try and unload all of these thoughts swirling around in my head and my heart.

Is it finished?

Nope.

But it's begun.

Worthwhile

This week we are studying the life of Moses and considering the discovery he went on throughout his life to find worth.

One of the first things that intrigues me about his story is his name.  Pharaoh's daughter named him Moses because that sounded a lot like "drew out" because she drew him out of the water.  The intriguing thing to me about that is initially he was also drawn out from among his people, and brought into the privilege of the Pharaoh and all his world had to offer.  That was something that God used to rescue him from death, but did that also lead to great confusion about who he was during the early years of his life?

I also think it's interesting that Moses is observing his people from a distance.  He was a Hebrew, but he was living in the Egyptian world.  In many ways it seems like perhaps he was a man without an identity.  He isn't a full participant in the Hebrew community, and he is ousted by the Pharaoh when the murder is discovered.  Could this be another issue that caused confusion about who he was and where he fit in the world?  Maybe he was confused about where real worth comes from in his life?

Moses then goes away and ends up marrying Zipporah and they have a son and name him Gershom.  They name him that because  Gershom sounds like the Hebrew for "an alien there," because he felt like an alien there in a foreign land.  Once again he seems to be confused about his identity.  Could this theme of confusion be a contributing factor to him not knowing where he gets his worth?

As Moses and God are talking by the burning bush, Moses keeps referring to the Hebrews in the third person (the Hebrew people, the Israelites, etc.).  It's only after he has gone through all of his excuses and God has gotten angry at him, and then he goes back to talk to Jethro that he says, "I want to go back to my people."  Does this mean that Moses didn't really find his identity until he had personally encountered God?  Does it mean he didn't find his true worth in life until he had gotten to the end of himself and found his value in God?

How does this relate to us finding our worth in life?  What impact does this have on our learning to live worthwhile lives?

Anti-Erratic

So Esther....

As I read through the story of this woman and all the circumstances that were involved in her life, I was intrigued by several things:

1 - The process of choosing the new Queen is quite involved.  These young women are placed into a harem of virgins and then given 12 months of "beauty treatments."  Then when they are ready to go into the king for their "tryout."  After that night, if he seems impressed, he can make her the queen.  Otherwise, she is transfered to the second harem, and is now apparently one of his wives. What a fascinating ritual, that certainly keeps the king in charge!

2 - The turning point in the flow of the story seems to come when Esther makes her decision about going to see the king and she calls everyone to 3 days of prayer and fasting.  What must have transpired during those three days?  Did she waver in her decision during that time?  What must she and Mordecai have felt as they were praying?

3 - After those three days, it seems like Esther takes control of making the decisions.  She is now telling Mordecai and the king what to do.  What happened to her during those three days?

4 - Where is God?  There is not one instance of the mention of God anywhere in this book!  Was that on purpose by the author?  What might the author been trying to say by not mentioning God?

5 - There is an amazing amount of irony involved in this story.  The way some of the circumstances "work out" seems to set up and create multiple "ah ha" moments along the way.  Perhaps this is part of the reason there isn't any mention of God in the book?

Sometimes I am amazed at how much natural drama is involved in the naked scriptures!

A Deliberate LIfe

This week we are considering the life of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and how they portray a very deliberate life for us.

Some preliminary thoughts and questions:

• These guys were some of the brightest and best from the land of Judah.  King Neby brought them into the palace in Babylon (along with Daniel and others - they were a part of the first wave of the exile) in order to retrain them.  He wanted to reshape their lives and their identities to make them into the best and the brightest in Babylon.  But right away they take a very deliberate stand against this system of "re-calibration."  They knew they had to maintain their identity as Hebrew men of God.
• Does this mean that they were able to be so deliberate in their actions later because they maintained this identity?

• 3:6 - They obviously knew the consequences ahead of time for their actions if they didn't bow down to the statue.  Later in 3:15 King Neby once again makes the consequences very clear, and even challenges their god in the process.  In other words, it was clear they were headed for the furnace if they didn't comply.
• What does this say to us about the way we live our lives?  Do we recognize that sometimes in order to be obedient, or do what is right, we will know we are walking right into the furnace?

• 3:16-18 - I am fascinated by their very deliberate response to Neby.  They don't argue with him or get into some kind of power struggle.  They say they don't even need to defend themselves, that God will be their rescuer, so they obviously believe in His power and ability to do that.  But even beyond that, they acknowledge that even if he doesn't rescue them, they will not bow down and worship!  They are so determined in their faith in Him, and perhaps they are so secure in their identity in Him, that they are completely willing to face the flames no matter what the outcome may be.
• This raises to me many questions about the source of this very deliberate strength and response.  What was the source of their great strength and determination?  What caused them to be so deliberate and so bold in their response to King Neby, clearly knowing the consequences of their actions?

• 3:20-25 - Within these few verses the text references 4 different times the point about them being bound or unbound.  Their being bound prior to being thrown into the furnace, and then being unbound once they were in the furnace, seems to be quite significant.
• What is the point of the mentioning of this fact?  What conclusions might we draw simply from thinking about them being bound and then unbound?  And how does that relate back to our idea of deliberate?

• 3:25 - The fact that King Neby saw a fourth man in the fire with them, and that he looked like "a son of the gods," seems pretty important here too.
• Was this Jesus himself who came and walked through the fire with them?  What it a heavenly being of some kind who was sent by God?  Is it so obvious that this is God being present with them in the crucible of fire, or is there a deeper level of meaning we can take from this?

Well, those are some of my initial thoughts on Rach, Shach, and Benny as the Veggie Tales so eloquently put it.  I am very open to your thoughts, comments and explorations too!

Deliberately Posting,

Stephen

A New Day - Eastertide Week 1

I offer some starter thoughts and observations here which I have made from the texts for this week. I welcome your thoughts, input, and observations too!

Matthew 28:1-10

1 – “as the new day was dawning” Maybe this is the phrase to key in on for the whole message this week? The basic idea that it’s a new day, a new world, a whole new approach to life now, because of the resurrection. The Hebrew people measured days from the moment of sundown, but this seems to indicate a new way of even measuring time, from the moment of sunup.

2 - Earthquake – a result of the kingdoms colliding together?

4 – The guards shook with fear then fell into a dead faint. How do we know this? I initially had the impression this happened before the women arrived, but if it had, how would we have known that? Then I saw that since it says the Marys went to the tomb in verse 1, that perhaps they witnessed this happen, which is also what contributed to their great fear. Especially since verse 5 gives the impression that the angel immediately spoke to the women?

5 - “don’t be afraid.” – first words of the angel to the women

10 - “don’t be afraid.” – first words of Jesus to the women.

8 – ran, were very frightened, but filled with great joy.

9 – “as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. Jesus came to them, right where they were.

9 - They grasped his feet and worshipped him – totally collapsed in a pile on the ground in front of him.

John 20:1-18

13 - “Dear woman, why are you crying?” – first words of the angel to Mary

15 - “Dear woman, why are you crying?” – first words of Jesus to Mary.

14 – She turned to leave and saw Jesus (even though she didn’t recognize him). He met her right where she was.

16 – She recognizes him when he says her name.

16 – she also turns to him when he says her name, which means she wasn’t looking directly at him. I sort of pictured her standing there talking face to face with this “gardener” but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

17 - “Don’t cling to me.” Why would Jesus say this to Mary?

I get the impression that she has also collapsed into a pile on the ground in front of him. I wonder if “don’t cling to me” was about him presenting her with a task? He had a job for her to do and she wanted to stay there?

17 - “Don’t cling to me, for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father.” Does that mean that once he had ascended she could cling to him?

Mary is in deep sorrow and wanting to find him (thinking he was still dead) in order to continue to mourn. The angels and Jesus both ask her why she is crying. Is this because they want her to realize there isn’t a reason for mourning anymore?

Eastertide - The Present Kingdom

The main idea behind this series is to look at the various passages where Jesus appeared to people between the time He was resurrected and the time he ascended into heaven. When you begin to examine the texts you discover that Jesus does not tell people that he was raised from the dead in order to get them to heaven. Instead, he addresses a present reality in their lives for that moment - for this life. So the main thrust will be to see how the resurrection is intended to provide us with life now, not just life later.

So far the working title I have is The Present Kingdom, but I am super open to suggestions on that. Obviously this about the Kingdom of Heaven being real and present for right now, for life today, so any ideas you have about a series title would be great.

For those of you who are a part of The Door service, you know how we are working to give people a more artistic outlet connected to our services. As a result of that dynamic, we are also planning to use this time as a medium for some of our people to express their ideas through some type of art. I am including the people who have agreed to help with various texts so far, and would welcome any suggestions about other people who may be willing to participate.

#1 - March 23 (Easter Sunday) Matt. 28:1-10, John 20:11-18 Mindy Bohlin (artist)
This is the story of the two Marys and the account of Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus in the garden. We will be looking at how Jesus met them in their moment of grief, providing them with exactly what they needed in that present moment.

Week 2 - March 30 Emmaus Road Story Luke 24:13-34 Lyn Rosten (artist)
In this text Jesus joins these two travelers as they journey back to Emmaus from Jerusalem. We will mainly be focusing on how Jesus joined their journey and wants to do the same thing with us, come and walk beside of us.

Week 3 - April 6 Easter Evening John 20:19-23, Luke 24:35-49 No Artist (yet)
This is the evening of Easter. Reports have already been coming in (from the Marys and the Emmaus travelers) that Jesus is risen. The disciples are gathered together and this is the first time Jesus appears to them, even joining them for dinner. In both of these texts Jesus repeats two ideas "peace be with you," and "the holy spirit is coming." Because of these statements we will be thinking about Peace & Promise.

Week 4 - April 13 Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20 No Artist (yet)
The disciples have traveled to Galilee at Jesus instruction and he meets them there where he provides them with the great commission (Go into all the world and make disciples...). One of the things we will be focusing on is the Greek nuance from the text which could literally render this passage, "As you are going along, make disciples...." This will result in our looking at how we have a role to fill now, in this life. Maybe the idea of a job to do?

Week 5 - April 20 Doubting Thomas John 20:24-29 Jen Klein (artist)
Apparently Thomas was absent in the previous encounters Jesus had with the disciples, so he now appears to him and confronts Thomas' doubts. This will present us with a powerful opportunity to see how Jesus embraces us in the midst of our doubts.

Week 6 - April 27 Lots-o-Fish & Peter John 21:1-25 Kallie Markle (artist)
In this passage Jesus provides for a miraculous catch of fish and then takes a stroll with Peter along the seashore. This is the text where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and then tells him to "feed my sheep." Here we will be examining the fact that Jesus is offering Peter complete restoration from his past transgressions (his denial the night of the trial). The main thrust of this message will be focused on how the resurrection means we don't have to be defined by our past.

Week 7 - May 4 Great Commandment Acts 1:1-11 No Artist (yet)
These are the final words of Jesus, moments before his ascension into heaven. In this passage we discover the phrase, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you...." This will enable us to discover that the resurrection provides us with Power for Life.

If you have not been a part of this process with me before, let me say that nothing is off limits as far as I am concerned, as long as you are kind. I welcome your input because as we interact together, this can only get better. God has not given me a corner on the preaching market. I am a better preacher because of your willingness to wrestle through the text with me.

Thanks Friends!