Jesus’ prayers were answered

John 17:20-21

20
“I pray for these followers, but I am also praying for all those who will believe in me because of their teaching.21 Father, I pray that they can be one. As you are in me and I am in you, I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me.

Think about this prayer offered up by Christ.  It’s amazing!  The context is that He is about to ascend back into heaven to be with His Father.  He had just been praying for His disciples, when He does something astounding in verse 20.  He prays for us…that’s right, you…me…us  If you have chosen to live for Jesus, He prayed specifically for you!  He prayed for all of those who would believe through the message of His disciples.  His prayer has been answered! Think about it:

 

Words That Work

I missed church today. My whole family has been sick this weekend so we all are home today blowing our noses and dealing with other bodily fluids (enough said) So, I turned on the TV this morning and watched a church service. I don’t normally do this…for many reasons…but today it was worth it. The Pastor spoke about the power of encouraging words. He primarily taught from the book of Acts and how Barnabas was a man whom greatly encouraged Paul.

 

He Preached His Own Funeral

“He preached his own funeral.”  This was a statement made by our Senior Pastor, John, at a recent funeral.  John was describing the man’s life, legacy and godly character.  This statement has haunted me the past several days.  Why?  Because I wonder what kind of legacy I am leaving.  Thoughts race through my mind, “Am I truly leading my wife?” “Do I spend enough time with Jace?” “Am I really home when I am home…or is my mind somewhere else?” “Do I truly care about the students in my ministry and invest in them relationally and spiritually, or does the program consume me?” “Am I truly Christ-like?” “Does my life bring and preach the Good News and the Resurrection?” “Am I learning enough?”

This funeral was amazing.  The stories shared were funny and touching at the same time.  Really, this man’s life proved to the world that he was a great disciple, husband, father, grandfather, church member and employee.  I was inspired at a funeral, but I also know the amount of work it takes to be true disciple and good husband and father.  May God grant me the courage to love God with all that I’ve got, love people, follow Jesus, love and lead my wife, invest in my children, and help lead the local body of Christ.

 

Excommunication? What is John Piper saying?

Here is an excerpt from John Frye which discusses some recent awkward statements form John Piper.

{Answering his own question, Piper writes: “Here’s my rule of thumb: the more responsible a person is to shape the thoughts of others about God, the less Arminianism should be tolerated. Therefore church members should not be excommunicated for this view but elders and pastors and seminary and college teachers should be expected to hold the more fully biblical view of grace.” (emphasis mine)

 “Do you separate from a denomination that allows pastors and seminary teachers to believe and teach this error? You can. We do. Oh, how we need discernment concerning how helpful you might be to the cause of
Christ and his truth.”}

You can read the rest of John Frye’s post here

Pretty crazy conversation huh?

 

XXX Church Youth Night

Last night, the guys from XXXChurch.com came to speak to our Middle and High School students about pornography. Let’s face it, pornography is a huge problem and too many churches do not talk about it. Brandon Piety spoke and did a great job of keeping the kids’ attention, explaining the purpose of XXXChurch, telling stories which illustrate the huge problems that pornography can create, sharing about the saving power of Jesus as well as practical ways to escape sexual sin. Without a doubt, pornography is something that enslaves many of our youth. Just this week, several students have shared their struggle with pornography and have asked me for accountability. When you see young men weeping over their sin, it is overwhelming. Many times this week, I silently prayed for guidance as the door of confession/accountability was thrown open. For those who struggle with pornography…and legitimately love Jesus…they hate this sin. They know that pornography enables them to act like animals…operating solely out of sexual urges/instincts (A great teaching on sexual sin and acting like an animal is Rob Bell’s Sex God) and ignoring the voice inside which says, “you shouldn’t be here” or “you shouldn’t watch that…she’s a daughter of God!” These kids don’t want to be animals. They hate the guilt, shame and secrecy involved with viewing pornography. Why? Because God created us to be free…to not hide. Think about Adam and Eve. After they ate the apple, what did they do? They ran and hid from God. They felt shame…they felt guilt. They acted completely opposite from who they were created to be. May God continue to use ministries like XXXChurch, as well as old-fashion accountability/mentoring to lead people to freedom from pornography. Thanks XXXChurch!

 

Connect — Jr. High Believe 2008

I just got back form the Jr. High Believe Conference in Cincinnati, OH. I have attended 5 of these conferences and this year was by far the best conference for the students we took. Why? Well, many people at the church were intentionally praying for the students who attended. God definitely answered some prayers. The conference was great…not because of the music, lights, video, drama or entertainment — those types of things are always well done at the conference — the conference was great because this year’s theme (Connect) actually came to life among our students. Steve Carter was the main speaker and focused on how God desires to connect with all of us and in order to connect with God we need to listen for His voice, look for Him and speak to Him. He did a great job focusing on the story of Moses and how he was able to connect with God by listening (to God’s voice on Mt. Sinai), looking (through the burning bush) and speaking (to God on behalf of Israel). Before the last session, I asked each student and adult leader to share what God had taught them, or how they had connected with God and others at the conference. Some of their answers were:

“If you’re not important, then why would God have brought you here” (this was expressed through art — at a painting station they had for students to express themselves). “I have felt important here.”

“If I wouldn’t have come to this conference, I wouldn’t have met Holly who has become a great, new friend.”

“Working with you students keeps me young. I love you kids.”

“When I am singing the worship songs, it just seems like it’s me and God. All I see are the words and I don’t hear anything. I am connecting to Him.”

“I decided I want to get baptized.”

“If I hadn’t had health problems over the past year, then I wouldn’t have skipped my basketball game to come to this. But, God used my health issues to bring me to this conference…it’s exactly what I needed to connect with God.”

“God hears me when I pray…that is amazing.”

“I don’t come to church very often…but when I come to big trips like this everyone makes me feel welcome and comfortable. This really helps my confidence.”

I am so thankful for how God moved among our students. There is nothing better than this. These conversations really confirm my calling to work with students. I wouldn’t want to do anything else! “Connect” was a brilliant theme because it is a basic human need. We have all been created to connect…with our Creator and with others. May we help the world to connect with the Father and the Body of Christ.

 

Story Teller Church

Well, I recently heard of a very cool expression of church called “Story Teller Church” which is set to open in California very soon. Turns out some friends of mine will be meeting with the visionary/pastor of this new church. Check out this post from Mandy.

Very enticed by Storyteller Church

Simply brilliant.  I love new, fresh expressions of church.

 

Change Without Compromise Conference 2008

I just got back from the 2008 Change Without Compromise Conference in Plymouth Michigan.  I was able to attend this conference with my senior pastor, a few elders and other church staff.  The conference was really designed to help lead churches through change.  As a church with a 100 + year history, obviously we have seen a lot of change. Here are a few notes I took from session # 1 and my comments to them (in italics):

What causes the church to move from a growing/missional church to a declining church? 

1.  Our enemy — satan

Without a doubt, we are quick to forget that the enemy loves to see the local church stagnant and self-centered.  Satan is terrified of what the body of Christ can do when it reflects the vision and love of Jesus.  After all, it was Jesus who said, “you will do greater things than these.”

2.  Our sinful nature

All leaders must battle the ego.  Without a doubt accountability, prayer, authenticity, godly relationships, constructive criticism and a way to keep ego in check are all vital to preventing the sinful nature from creeping into leadership.  

3.  Our culture’s philosophies and worldviews

The church must have to courage to operate out of love AND truth.  Satan currently roams the earth and would want nothing more than to keep Christians from growing…and remain to disobedient.  We must, in love, lead people to redemption.  People cannot be redeemed without the knowledge of sin.  

2 consequences of allowing outside forces to influence the church:

1.  Selfishness

How many churches struggle with this?  It is so easy to focus on our own comfort, desires and ideas when it comes to church.  Pastor Brad Powell (leader of the CWC Conference) said this, “People can fall in love with the wrong things.  It is easy for people to fall more in love with the church than Jesus.”

2.  Disobedience

A church is not a church unless it is obedient.  Obedience is simply an expression of love to the Creator and Savior of all.  If we spend too much time seeking selfish desires, the focus is lost and disobedience settles in.  

The conference focused on how many churches struggle with change.  Brad Powell said, “people see the church as Jesus, so when you change the church, they see it as changing Jesus.”

Personally, I am happy to have witnessed a lot of change in my 6 years of ministry.  It’s refreshing to be around visionaries who simply seek to help expand the Kingdom of God.  This conference really reaffirmed some things for me personally: that I am not necessarily interested  in attractional church.  I am more interested in the change needed to bring about missional church…and, as my friend Sean has said, “fresh expressions of the church.”