Church Planting Series, Part twenty-nine
Is there room for a new generation of leaders in the church? Will we welcome younger leaders with their fresh voices and inexperience? Will we help shape, mentor, and form them in a way that allows them to have a meaningful voice in Christ’s mission?
But what about current leaders? What about experienced voices?
We are living in an in-between time. Technology is changing rapidly, but not everyone has e-mail. Social networking is sweeping the world, but you can’t reach everyone through Facebook. The outcry is, “Let’s do away with paper and go all electronic!” Yet, reams of paper keep coming our way.
It’s an in-between time.
It’s an in-between time for churches. But we’re designed to be really good at this.
As the times started changing in the first century, believers were led by the Holy Spirit to realize that there is room for both old and new—-as long as God was being served and glorified. God gave Peter visions to show him the way. Finally, he was able to say, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35). In Acts 15 the Jerusalem Council made the declaration: “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” The council then instructed the Gentiles in some key teachings of Moses that would help lift up the Jewish believers and create unity in the church.
The Church has always been about bringing old and new together, living lives of reconciliation, doing change well, and harnessing everything for the mission of the Gospel.
This remarkable self-sacrifice is rooted in the remarkable action of Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:6-7a).
As redeemed people, this is what we do—-joyfully and willingly, founded on the unchanging Word, for the sake of reaching out with the Good News of eternal life.
Are you willing to make extra sacrifices and expend extra effort in order to reach out during these in-between times? What will it mean?
• Flexibility in communication methods
• Flexibility in how people are involved in church
• Flexibility in mission outreach
• Flexibility in accepting “outsiders”
• Flexibility in listening to and honoring “insiders”
• Flexibility in governance style
• Flexibility in worship methods and tools
You get the idea. As the Church, we have the opportunity during these in-between times to live out the self-sacrifice of Jesus. When everyone gives, everyone will receive. Founded on the truth of God’s Word, how do you need to be flexible to make room for effective ministry?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Making Room
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-eight
Where will new Kingdom leaders come from? Are we developing them? Are we making room for their ideas and mistakes? Do they have a significant place around the leadership table? Two observations make this question even more urgent.
Observation #1: I was on a run in Florida recently and saw a group of 70-year-olds whiz by me on road bikes. Each was dressed like Lance Armstrong. These guys were flying.
I turned a corner and saw a man in his eighties dressed in his technical running gear, adjusting his playlist selection on his iPod.
These guys are not like my grandparents were. They’re still center stage, grabbing the gusto, and living life to the full.
The result? A good number from the late Builder generation and early Boomer generation still hold strong places of leadership in the church. They will be actively leading for a long time. The key questions are:
Will they make room for the leadership voices of new generations?
Will they intentionally identify and mentor new leaders?
Observation #2: My older brother is like many in our generation. He and his wife waited to have children. He is now 50-years-old and has a 5-year-old child.
A significant number of people in the U.S. are getting married older, waiting to have children, and having fewer children.
The result? The age gap between parents and children is growing. Instead of 30 or 40-year-olds succeeding their parents’ generation in leadership roles, many 20-year-olds will be in that position. The key questions are:
Will these 20-year-olds have access to a faith-maturing, leadership development process from their parents’ generation?
Will these young leaders be given a chance to reach their generation for Christ in new ways that fit who they are?
If we don’t make room for a new generation of leaders, share leadership and Kingdom lessons with them, and allow them to have a meaningful voice, they may find themselves alienated from the church and ill-equipped to bring Jesus to a broken world.
Are you actively making room?
Next Time: Making Room for the older and younger, together in the church.
Where will new Kingdom leaders come from? Are we developing them? Are we making room for their ideas and mistakes? Do they have a significant place around the leadership table? Two observations make this question even more urgent.
Observation #1: I was on a run in Florida recently and saw a group of 70-year-olds whiz by me on road bikes. Each was dressed like Lance Armstrong. These guys were flying.
I turned a corner and saw a man in his eighties dressed in his technical running gear, adjusting his playlist selection on his iPod.
These guys are not like my grandparents were. They’re still center stage, grabbing the gusto, and living life to the full.
The result? A good number from the late Builder generation and early Boomer generation still hold strong places of leadership in the church. They will be actively leading for a long time. The key questions are:
Will they make room for the leadership voices of new generations?
Will they intentionally identify and mentor new leaders?
Observation #2: My older brother is like many in our generation. He and his wife waited to have children. He is now 50-years-old and has a 5-year-old child.
A significant number of people in the U.S. are getting married older, waiting to have children, and having fewer children.
The result? The age gap between parents and children is growing. Instead of 30 or 40-year-olds succeeding their parents’ generation in leadership roles, many 20-year-olds will be in that position. The key questions are:
Will these 20-year-olds have access to a faith-maturing, leadership development process from their parents’ generation?
Will these young leaders be given a chance to reach their generation for Christ in new ways that fit who they are?
If we don’t make room for a new generation of leaders, share leadership and Kingdom lessons with them, and allow them to have a meaningful voice, they may find themselves alienated from the church and ill-equipped to bring Jesus to a broken world.
Are you actively making room?
Next Time: Making Room for the older and younger, together in the church.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Fame or Service?
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-seven
My nephew is really good at basketball. He’s in fifth grade and scores most of the points for his team. He’s a good sportsman, has lots of fun, and absolutely loves the game.
I suspect you know, however, what every parent, coach, and observer says to his parents:
“He’s really good. You should sign him up for an AAU team.”
“He’s got talent. He may be able to get a scholarship to a major university.”
“With his skill, he may make you rich one day by playing in the NBA.”
I understand that it’s good to think about goals, plans, and using your gifts. I understand that you need to look ahead. But I also see a great danger in always dwelling on the next step. If my nephew gets too far ahead of himself, he’ll become miserable. He’ll end up hating basketball.
The same issue exists among servants of the church. When using gifts, talents, imagination, and initiative to serve the local church, the devil whispers:
“Hey, you’re really good. This might make you famous.”
“You know, you shouldn’t waste your talent here. You should hit the conference circuit.”
“With abilities like yours, you should stop messing around in your insignificant ministry. You should cash in on your talent.”
The temptation to fame attempts to replace the dedication to service. And if the desire for notoriety takes control, the servant of the church will become miserable, empty, and ineffective. Glorifying God will be replaced by trying to make an impression. Serving people will be replaced by lusting after personal prominence. Transforming lives will be replaced by gaining approval.
It’s a dangerous trap.
The answer? A renewal of faith. Jesus didn’t count equality with God something to hang onto. He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2). And what happened? His humble, short-term ministry in a little corner of nowhere saved us.
Do you believe that your humble ministry in a little corner of nowhere will bring salvation to people in need? Do you believe that God has you there on purpose for His purpose? Do you believe that your gifts will not be wasted there, that the purpose of your energy and talent is for serving God’s precious people, not for getting your name on a marquee somewhere?
Do you believe in THIS step—-not just the NEXT step?
It’s wonderful when God lifts up servants to reach many people. It’s a blessing when we can reap the benefits of people’s great talents on a large scale. Renown can bring the result of widespread ministry impact. But let’s not miss the here. Let’s not miss the now. Let’s not allow a lust for fame to dilute the high calling of serving God's people in a local ministry that the world may never see…until that day!
My nephew is really good at basketball. He’s in fifth grade and scores most of the points for his team. He’s a good sportsman, has lots of fun, and absolutely loves the game.
I suspect you know, however, what every parent, coach, and observer says to his parents:
“He’s really good. You should sign him up for an AAU team.”
“He’s got talent. He may be able to get a scholarship to a major university.”
“With his skill, he may make you rich one day by playing in the NBA.”
I understand that it’s good to think about goals, plans, and using your gifts. I understand that you need to look ahead. But I also see a great danger in always dwelling on the next step. If my nephew gets too far ahead of himself, he’ll become miserable. He’ll end up hating basketball.
The same issue exists among servants of the church. When using gifts, talents, imagination, and initiative to serve the local church, the devil whispers:
“Hey, you’re really good. This might make you famous.”
“You know, you shouldn’t waste your talent here. You should hit the conference circuit.”
“With abilities like yours, you should stop messing around in your insignificant ministry. You should cash in on your talent.”
The temptation to fame attempts to replace the dedication to service. And if the desire for notoriety takes control, the servant of the church will become miserable, empty, and ineffective. Glorifying God will be replaced by trying to make an impression. Serving people will be replaced by lusting after personal prominence. Transforming lives will be replaced by gaining approval.
It’s a dangerous trap.
The answer? A renewal of faith. Jesus didn’t count equality with God something to hang onto. He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2). And what happened? His humble, short-term ministry in a little corner of nowhere saved us.
Do you believe that your humble ministry in a little corner of nowhere will bring salvation to people in need? Do you believe that God has you there on purpose for His purpose? Do you believe that your gifts will not be wasted there, that the purpose of your energy and talent is for serving God’s precious people, not for getting your name on a marquee somewhere?
Do you believe in THIS step—-not just the NEXT step?
It’s wonderful when God lifts up servants to reach many people. It’s a blessing when we can reap the benefits of people’s great talents on a large scale. Renown can bring the result of widespread ministry impact. But let’s not miss the here. Let’s not miss the now. Let’s not allow a lust for fame to dilute the high calling of serving God's people in a local ministry that the world may never see…until that day!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
When the Earth Shakes
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-six
The earth shook. 7.0 on the Richter scale. Haiti is in crisis. What is the response? Walls of self-centeredness have crumbled. People are scrambling to help. People want to help. People are hungry to make a difference.
When the earth shakes, people take notice. People look away from themselves and reach out to help those in need. It’s refreshing, isn’t it? Suddenly we are moved from a culture of consumption to a culture clamoring to care.
Even churches are awakened to the greater need, to think about the reason for their existence, to awake from slumber and move forward with ears that hear, eyes that see, and hearts that are softened by the call of the Holy Spirit.
When the earth shakes, people take notice.
It happened before. As Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross, Matthew 27 tells us, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” (vss. 51-54)
The walls of unbelief crumbled. The curtain of separation was removed. The centurion confessed the truth of what he saw. And the world changed forever.
What shakes your world? What shakes your church’s world? What reawakens you to the mission, the core, the purpose of your life in Christ?
People are hungry to make a difference. This is a deep need for unbelievers. It is also a Holy Spirit fueled desire in believers. It is the intersection of all humanity as people yearn for significance. As a church, you can give people real purpose. You can lead people to making an eternal difference in the lives of others. It’s Biblical. It’s God’s deep desire. It’s the reason we are here.
Haiti may help remind you of that. It may help you re-prioritize what’s happening in your church. It may be a reality check. The earth has shaken. Will you and your church take notice?
The earth shook. 7.0 on the Richter scale. Haiti is in crisis. What is the response? Walls of self-centeredness have crumbled. People are scrambling to help. People want to help. People are hungry to make a difference.
When the earth shakes, people take notice. People look away from themselves and reach out to help those in need. It’s refreshing, isn’t it? Suddenly we are moved from a culture of consumption to a culture clamoring to care.
Even churches are awakened to the greater need, to think about the reason for their existence, to awake from slumber and move forward with ears that hear, eyes that see, and hearts that are softened by the call of the Holy Spirit.
When the earth shakes, people take notice.
It happened before. As Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross, Matthew 27 tells us, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” (vss. 51-54)
The walls of unbelief crumbled. The curtain of separation was removed. The centurion confessed the truth of what he saw. And the world changed forever.
What shakes your world? What shakes your church’s world? What reawakens you to the mission, the core, the purpose of your life in Christ?
People are hungry to make a difference. This is a deep need for unbelievers. It is also a Holy Spirit fueled desire in believers. It is the intersection of all humanity as people yearn for significance. As a church, you can give people real purpose. You can lead people to making an eternal difference in the lives of others. It’s Biblical. It’s God’s deep desire. It’s the reason we are here.
Haiti may help remind you of that. It may help you re-prioritize what’s happening in your church. It may be a reality check. The earth has shaken. Will you and your church take notice?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Incremental Progress
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-five
I admit it: I’m goal crazy. I set all kinds of goals. By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, I’m figuring out goals for physical fitness, spiritual fitness, writing, relationships, and more. I even develop an annual theme for my personal year along with key Bible verses. Yes, I’m goal crazy.
But one thing I know: if I never plan it, it doesn’t get done.
Sure, things can get done without planning. The serendipitous life can be a wonderful thing. Many experiences and accomplishments may happen to happen. I’ll take those with gratitude and joy.
But I know that I will not make intentional progress in key areas of life without setting goals. This is especially true of the challenging areas of life.
If I don’t set a goal for running 20 miles each week, it will be very easy to let my cardio-vascular fitness slide.
If I don’t set a goal to study the book of Daniel, my Bible reading will revert to a lazy approach.
If I don’t set a goal to write another book this year, the hard work of writing will keep me saying, “Maybe tomorrow.”
Goals push me to do what I would not naturally want to do. Goals also help move me to make incremental progress in life’s big challenges.
And incremental progress is a big deal.
I’ve participated in big-picture strategic planning and goal setting meetings. I’ve been facilitated through multiple day brain bending and post-it note posting exercises. I’ve been given voluminous binders filled with plans for the next ten years. But all of that usually ends up in a file drawer or high on a shelf somewhere.
The planning question that has impacted me most has everything to do with incremental progress toward identified priorities that are in line with the big vision (where mission, values and all the “stuff” of your organization are pushing you). The question is this:
“What can you do in the next 90-120 days to make 25% progress in this area?”
In other words, can you think of and actually accomplish one or two things that will move you forward toward a big goal?
This is called incremental progress. It never gets put in a drawer. It’s always doable. It has urgency. It moves you toward the goal. AND it allows you to begin to see more clearly where you are headed.
As you face 2010 in your life and ministry, ask these two questions: “What three to five things do we really need to do?” “What can we do in the next 90-120 days to make 25% progress in those areas?”
Get ready for progress.
I admit it: I’m goal crazy. I set all kinds of goals. By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, I’m figuring out goals for physical fitness, spiritual fitness, writing, relationships, and more. I even develop an annual theme for my personal year along with key Bible verses. Yes, I’m goal crazy.
But one thing I know: if I never plan it, it doesn’t get done.
Sure, things can get done without planning. The serendipitous life can be a wonderful thing. Many experiences and accomplishments may happen to happen. I’ll take those with gratitude and joy.
But I know that I will not make intentional progress in key areas of life without setting goals. This is especially true of the challenging areas of life.
If I don’t set a goal for running 20 miles each week, it will be very easy to let my cardio-vascular fitness slide.
If I don’t set a goal to study the book of Daniel, my Bible reading will revert to a lazy approach.
If I don’t set a goal to write another book this year, the hard work of writing will keep me saying, “Maybe tomorrow.”
Goals push me to do what I would not naturally want to do. Goals also help move me to make incremental progress in life’s big challenges.
And incremental progress is a big deal.
I’ve participated in big-picture strategic planning and goal setting meetings. I’ve been facilitated through multiple day brain bending and post-it note posting exercises. I’ve been given voluminous binders filled with plans for the next ten years. But all of that usually ends up in a file drawer or high on a shelf somewhere.
The planning question that has impacted me most has everything to do with incremental progress toward identified priorities that are in line with the big vision (where mission, values and all the “stuff” of your organization are pushing you). The question is this:
“What can you do in the next 90-120 days to make 25% progress in this area?”
In other words, can you think of and actually accomplish one or two things that will move you forward toward a big goal?
This is called incremental progress. It never gets put in a drawer. It’s always doable. It has urgency. It moves you toward the goal. AND it allows you to begin to see more clearly where you are headed.
As you face 2010 in your life and ministry, ask these two questions: “What three to five things do we really need to do?” “What can we do in the next 90-120 days to make 25% progress in those areas?”
Get ready for progress.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tiger and Integrity
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-four
Although our culture cries out, “Anything goes! There is no truth! You have a right to do what you want!”, advertisers aren’t so sure about that.
By now you’ve been inundated with news about Tiger Woods. He is in the difficult position of dealing with his infidelity. He must face his own flaws. He bears the weight of inflicting deep hurt on his wife and family.
Tiger was not exempt from the expectation of integrity and faithfulness. Society’s voice may play fast and loose with morality, but advertisers serve as a social conscience. People won’t buy duplicity. The lack of integrity doesn’t sell. Just ask his sponsors who are ending their relationship with Tiger. The reason? Tiger doesn’t represent the qualities the advertisers are trying to convey.
No one is exempt from integrity.
Church planters, servants of Jesus, missional workers take note!
It may be exciting to ride the challenging and entrepreneurial wave of reaching out for God’s Kingdom. You may enjoy seeing people hang on your every word as you teach and lead. You may revel in the life-change you witness as you serve. But a lack of integrity will make your message hollow. A lack of integrity will destroy God’s work through you. Where do you need to watch carefully for integrity—-an integrated, whole, and truthful life?
Body integrity: This includes sexual purity. It also means you take care of yourself.
Soul integrity: This means you practice what you preach. You’re a person of the Word and prayer.
Heart integrity: You’re called to be a person of peace, kindness, and compassion. You speak the truth—always with a loving spirit. You refrain from being mean.
Thought integrity: What images and ideas are you letting dominate your thinking? You are called to dwell on whatever is pure, right, praiseworthy, etc.
Tongue integrity: You keep promises, don’t tell lies, refrain from gossip, and do not speak profanely.
Family integrity: You honor your wife; you actively parent your children. Family does not get leftovers after ministry.
Communication integrity: You answer phone calls and e-mails. You respond to people as best you can. You don’t ignore people whom God has placed in your life.
Work integrity: You live an industrious life, serving faithfully and going beyond the base expectations of those who entrust you with tasks.
Relationship integrity: You practice impartiality, not playing favorites. You don’t intimidate or abuse your position of authority. You build others up as a mentor and encourager.
What additional areas of integrity are we called to as followers of Christ, redeemed by Him, new creations in Him? Let me know your thoughts.
Although our culture cries out, “Anything goes! There is no truth! You have a right to do what you want!”, advertisers aren’t so sure about that.
By now you’ve been inundated with news about Tiger Woods. He is in the difficult position of dealing with his infidelity. He must face his own flaws. He bears the weight of inflicting deep hurt on his wife and family.
Tiger was not exempt from the expectation of integrity and faithfulness. Society’s voice may play fast and loose with morality, but advertisers serve as a social conscience. People won’t buy duplicity. The lack of integrity doesn’t sell. Just ask his sponsors who are ending their relationship with Tiger. The reason? Tiger doesn’t represent the qualities the advertisers are trying to convey.
No one is exempt from integrity.
Church planters, servants of Jesus, missional workers take note!
It may be exciting to ride the challenging and entrepreneurial wave of reaching out for God’s Kingdom. You may enjoy seeing people hang on your every word as you teach and lead. You may revel in the life-change you witness as you serve. But a lack of integrity will make your message hollow. A lack of integrity will destroy God’s work through you. Where do you need to watch carefully for integrity—-an integrated, whole, and truthful life?
Body integrity: This includes sexual purity. It also means you take care of yourself.
Soul integrity: This means you practice what you preach. You’re a person of the Word and prayer.
Heart integrity: You’re called to be a person of peace, kindness, and compassion. You speak the truth—always with a loving spirit. You refrain from being mean.
Thought integrity: What images and ideas are you letting dominate your thinking? You are called to dwell on whatever is pure, right, praiseworthy, etc.
Tongue integrity: You keep promises, don’t tell lies, refrain from gossip, and do not speak profanely.
Family integrity: You honor your wife; you actively parent your children. Family does not get leftovers after ministry.
Communication integrity: You answer phone calls and e-mails. You respond to people as best you can. You don’t ignore people whom God has placed in your life.
Work integrity: You live an industrious life, serving faithfully and going beyond the base expectations of those who entrust you with tasks.
Relationship integrity: You practice impartiality, not playing favorites. You don’t intimidate or abuse your position of authority. You build others up as a mentor and encourager.
What additional areas of integrity are we called to as followers of Christ, redeemed by Him, new creations in Him? Let me know your thoughts.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Attraction of Mystery
Church Planting Series, Part twenty-three
In Luke chapter 7, a centurion sent messengers to ask Jesus to heal a valuable servant. Jesus agreed to pay the centurion a visit. The text says that when Jesus drew close to the centurion’s house, the Roman leader sent friends to say to the Savior, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof…Say the word and my servant will be healed.”
You know how the encounter ended. Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith. The friends returned to the centurion’s house and found the servant well.
Isn’t it interesting that at a time when the centurion could SEE Jesus, during a season of history when Jesus was visibly present, the man asked Jesus NOT to show up?
This strange twist runs counter to what we think we want when it comes to Jesus. We get frustrated with his invisibility. We want to see Him—or at least a lightning bolt from heaven or two. We think that his invisible presence is a handicap to a doubting and straying world.
I wonder if we’re missing something.
The centurion felt he was completely unworthy to have Jesus as a house guest. Do we act sometimes as if Jesus is our “sleepover buddy”? In our efforts to not only be truthful, but to be right about God, do we act as if we know Him inside out? Do we systematize the mystery out of the Holy Lamb of God? Do we act as if God is in our hip pocket, an explainable entity that we dole out to people in need?
What about the unpredictable nature of God? What happened to our fear and trembling? Aren’t there times we need to say, “I have no idea”? The living Word, the awe and mystery of Jesus’ presence in Holy Communion, the mysterious work of the Spirit in baptism, the confounding nature of answered prayer, the absolute grace of sin-dead lives enlivened—-who can really explain any of it?
Of course we need to proclaim what we know, have seen, and have heard. But have we lowered what God wants our expectations of Him to be?
In the state of Texas, only 19.8% of the population believes it is important to go to church. I wonder if the 80% who believe church is an unimportant part of their lives see Jesus as formulaic, boring, and predictable. I wonder if the 80% see NASCAR or the NBA as more exciting and unpredictable than the Lion of Judah. I wonder if the surprising and unimaginable work of God is waiting, yet we are communicating as people of little faith.
What’s the answer?
First, it may be that we need to regain a healthy spirit of unworthiness before Christ. Instead of pretending that we can explain everything, package God neatly, and make ministry happen according to our plans, we may need to echo what the centurion said: “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.”
Second, instead of relying on our slick marketing of Christianity, we may need to bow before the Savior and await His mercy. After the centurion incident, Jesus came upon a widow whose son had died. Luke 7:13 tells us, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her.” He then did something nobody planned on. He raised her son. How did the crowd respond? “They were filled with awe and praised God.”
If we really believe Jesus is alive, maybe it’s a good idea to let Him blow us all away with His merciful action. I have a feeling that the response to His mystery just might top 19.8%.
In Luke chapter 7, a centurion sent messengers to ask Jesus to heal a valuable servant. Jesus agreed to pay the centurion a visit. The text says that when Jesus drew close to the centurion’s house, the Roman leader sent friends to say to the Savior, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof…Say the word and my servant will be healed.”
You know how the encounter ended. Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith. The friends returned to the centurion’s house and found the servant well.
Isn’t it interesting that at a time when the centurion could SEE Jesus, during a season of history when Jesus was visibly present, the man asked Jesus NOT to show up?
This strange twist runs counter to what we think we want when it comes to Jesus. We get frustrated with his invisibility. We want to see Him—or at least a lightning bolt from heaven or two. We think that his invisible presence is a handicap to a doubting and straying world.
I wonder if we’re missing something.
The centurion felt he was completely unworthy to have Jesus as a house guest. Do we act sometimes as if Jesus is our “sleepover buddy”? In our efforts to not only be truthful, but to be right about God, do we act as if we know Him inside out? Do we systematize the mystery out of the Holy Lamb of God? Do we act as if God is in our hip pocket, an explainable entity that we dole out to people in need?
What about the unpredictable nature of God? What happened to our fear and trembling? Aren’t there times we need to say, “I have no idea”? The living Word, the awe and mystery of Jesus’ presence in Holy Communion, the mysterious work of the Spirit in baptism, the confounding nature of answered prayer, the absolute grace of sin-dead lives enlivened—-who can really explain any of it?
Of course we need to proclaim what we know, have seen, and have heard. But have we lowered what God wants our expectations of Him to be?
In the state of Texas, only 19.8% of the population believes it is important to go to church. I wonder if the 80% who believe church is an unimportant part of their lives see Jesus as formulaic, boring, and predictable. I wonder if the 80% see NASCAR or the NBA as more exciting and unpredictable than the Lion of Judah. I wonder if the surprising and unimaginable work of God is waiting, yet we are communicating as people of little faith.
What’s the answer?
First, it may be that we need to regain a healthy spirit of unworthiness before Christ. Instead of pretending that we can explain everything, package God neatly, and make ministry happen according to our plans, we may need to echo what the centurion said: “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.”
Second, instead of relying on our slick marketing of Christianity, we may need to bow before the Savior and await His mercy. After the centurion incident, Jesus came upon a widow whose son had died. Luke 7:13 tells us, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her.” He then did something nobody planned on. He raised her son. How did the crowd respond? “They were filled with awe and praised God.”
If we really believe Jesus is alive, maybe it’s a good idea to let Him blow us all away with His merciful action. I have a feeling that the response to His mystery just might top 19.8%.
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