There's no perfect church

There is a church on the opposite end of town from my church that has impressed me.  Of what I know of their history and their ministries and their vision, this church has been doing what churches should be doing.

Yesterday, it came out that the pastor was asked to resign because of extra-marital affairs.  We can all imagine what this means for the families involved and the church as a whole.  However, as I've read and watched the way the staff and board have initially responded to this crisis I'm impressed.  None of us can control the decisions of others, but we can control our own decisions and reactions.

I've seen plenty of cases where churches over-reacted and many churches in a similar situation that under-reacted by minimizing the sin.  If you're interested in learning from some brothers and sisters who are in the middle of a spiritual challenge you'll appreciate the sermon given by one of Mission Church's associate pastors.

http://www.mission68.org/mission-blog/statement-regarding-the-lead-pastor-resignation/

Mission from Worship

I love the story of the Magi... sincere worshipers who didn't fit the profile of the typical worshiper of Yahweh.  Their mission to find the prophesied Jewish Messiah was triggered by an unusual star but it was motivated by worship of the true God.

Without worship the sighting would have simply become fodder for interesting debates and discussions among the Magi about the Jewish God and the Jewish people along with conjecture as to what might become of this new Jewish King.  However, for these men included in Matthew's telling of Jesus' birth narrative, their worship became the fuel not for conversations but for action...for mission.  There is not a single ministry or act of service we should do out of duty.  God doesn't need our duty and serving Him to impress others will quickly lose its appeal.  Every important endeavor we undertake must start from a heart of worship.  Every worship service we attend, every service project we sign up for, every ministry we agree to help must begin with our love for God and our desire to glorify Him.

Of course the Magi's trip itself from Persia or Arabia or maybe even Africa was a long, dangerous, and expensive journey away from the comforts of home.  I'm sure the question arose at least a couple times, "Now why are we doing this?"  I've found myself in the middle of ministries and missions that God has called me to that caused me to question whether I wanted to continue.  During those times we remember that worship doesn't just fuel mission it also sustains it...otherwise it's just not worth doing.  Whether it's faithfully serving your church without recognition, or being a testimony to an unbelieving spouse, or unconditionally caring for a special needs family member, or being a foster parent, or starting a ministry for single moms...the sustaining power to endure the challenges of mission comes from a focus on doing it for God's glory.

When the Magi reached the logical destination to meet the new Jewish King, Jerusalem, I'm not sure if these far-easterners were more surprised by his not being there or that no celebration was taking place.  Regardless, they were undeterred.  They had come a long way and knew they were close and knew that God had set them on this mission, so they persisted in spite of what was undoubtedly an awkward interaction with Herod.  They found Jesus (a toddler less than 2 years old) by following a supernatural light (an angel?) from Jerusalem to Mary & Joseph's house in Bethlehem.  There they worshiped God some more by giving the valuable gifts they had brought (perhaps in the moment they wished they had even more to offer.)  The glad sacrifice of treasures preceded by the sacrifices of a long journey preceded by the decision to leave the comforts of home were each done not out of duty, but for worship of God.

Worship started their mission.  Worship sustained the mission. Worship was the climax of the Magi's mission.  Remember this Christmas that God is real and as you reflect on His character and power expect to feel compelled to do something sacrificial for Him.  The story of Jesus' birth is a story of how God's self-worship led him to do something sacrificial for us.  He left the comforts of home; journeyed a lifetime on earth, and the climax to the story was that He gave His greatest treasure.  He gave His life not out of duty but out of love so that in the end He would be glorified and worshiped.

Scheduling your priorities

I kicked off our new sermon series yesterday introducing the Feasts of the Jews.  What's interesting to me is that these feasts (parties) were appointed times BY GOD.  He required 7 scheduled parties each year (4 in the spring and 3 in the fall) all based on their agricultural growing seasons.  

We know that whatever makes it onto our calendars tends to be our priority and apparently God already knew that.  When I have something important to do I type it into my Outlook calendar.  In the same way that looking at last month's checking ledger (or credit card statement) will show our past priorities.  Looking at our calendar will show us our future priorities.

Do you have time with God and time with family on your summer calendar?  How about relationship building times with people in your Oikos.  Are you planning to serve this summer or to take a family vacation?  What about dates with your spouse?  Will you gather with your church family often?  The list goes on...working out,  chores, education, career, kid's activities.  

We live busy lives, so if you're not keeping a personal calendar, start today!  

Some results of your giving

I'm thrilled with the heart of generosity I'm seeing in our church as the 1Q of 2012 wraps up.  Our offerings have been trending in the positive direction and there have been some generous donations to our missions and outreach goals.  For the first time in some time we're not drawing on our reserves.

Recently, we've had some needs that if they had arisen just a few months ago we wouldn't have been able to do them.  

1.  Stacy wants to begin creating some fun backdrops for the children's ministry but we already are in a storage space crunch...so, we're able to get a second mobile mini and I was able to say Yes create away!

2.  Our worship service computer crashed a couple Sundays ago and Michelle wanted to upgrade it.  When she asked me a few months ago I had to say no...this time I could say Yes!

3. Tammy wants to do her usual classy set up for Easter Sunday (brunch, decor, updated signage)...I said yes! 

4.  Jon & I have been talking about re-doing our MVCC orientation for some time (Newcomer BBQ's became a "GPS Party.")  Sunday we were able to pull it off with quality...catered lunch for adults & pizza & bounce houses for the kids.

5.  I met wit Brian yesterday to dream a little about developing youth leadership and I didn't have to say...figure out how to do it with the 5 dollars in your pocket!

6.  When McKenzie came back from Haiti and talked to me about if we can begin to plan to adopt an orphanage, 3 months ago I would have said we have to get our own financial house in order before we can dream that dream...instead I said let's start praying!!

I could go on with other examples, but you see the impact of what happens when you make tithing a conviction in your life.  It's a win for you because you're learning to trust God and you're demonstrating Godly priorities in your life...and as a church we win because we begin to dream big!

Reaching out to broken people

Recently, I received an email from someone who had only attended our church a few times, but who appreciated the encouragement he had received from many at MVCC.  He also mentioned a comment that I had made that had really encouraged him.  That was yet again a reminder to me that we regularly have people coming to our church who are broken and needing God's grace.  I'm glad that I took the time to speak up since I don't always.  We all need to take every opportunity to share words of encouragement even with people we don't know...yet.

Last Sunday we held an important meeting to help people who want to be core players at our church to know who we are and where we're going.  It's my desire and vision that we continue to be a church that is reaching out to the broken and to the vulnerable around us.  Sometimes we meet people who are one or the other and sometimes people are both broken and vulnerable.  Sometimes these people are obvious to us, but sometimes they're quiet about their needs.  Sometimes these people are the obvious "down and outters."  However, sometimes they're even "up and inners."  So speak words of encouragement and pray for each other!

Philosophy of small group discipleship

Small groups are the key to disciple development within the local church.  There are three primary means of spiritual growth in the life of a Christian and all three will effectively happen through a healthy, well-led, and purposeful small group.

1.   Spiritual growth happens through Christian community.  The Bible describes numerous “one anothers” that require active and mutual service among Christians living in community.  Proverbs (27:17) describes this as “iron sharpening iron.”  Small groups are a place where this sharpening happens.

2.   Spiritual growth happens through circumstances.  James chapter one tells us that trials are to be expected and embraced for the purpose of spiritual growth.  We will never attain maturity without trials and we will never attain maturity if we give up hope and faith in the middle of a trial.  Small groups provide the support that people need to endure through their trial with faith and hope intact.

3.   Spiritual growth happens through the study and application of God’s Word.  This is the sign of wisdom and maturity described in many places in the Bible.  Without knowing the Scriptures we can’t obey, but knowledge without obedience leads to pride.  The small group can be an effective place for learning God’s Word and a place where accountability leads to application and spiritual growth.

In some groups, one or two of these elements may be identified as the primary purpose of the group, but all three should be on the mind of the well–trained leader who wants to see spiritual growth in his group.  Regardless of the stated identity of a given small group, a qualified and trained leader can intentionally integrate the three elements of spiritual growth into any group of disciples. 

I tend to classify small groups into one of three categories based on their distinctive issue or purpose that identifies and gathers them…Cause Groups (missional, or ministry teams, or support groups, etc.), Community Groups (neighborhood, age or life-stage specific, sub-culture, etc.), and Content Groups (Bible studies, leadership training, theology classes, etc.)  In each of these groups, the leader looks beyond the stated purpose in order to optimize the teachable moments for his members along the way.

For our leaders...Be Inclusive except for legalists

This past Saturday, I taught a seminar at a leadership training conference on being an “outward” focused church.  The reason I was invited to speak on this topic is because our church has become well known in our community (and among many of my peers) as a church that has been committed to being externally focused from our very beginning.  That being said, Mountain Vista Community Church has never been a “free-for-all,” or “the more the merrier” conglomeration of the masses.

As a leader at MVCC it’s important that you know that our openness and commitment to outreach stems from our desire to mimic the inclusive nature of Jesus Christ.  It was Jesus’ practice to take time to minister to those who were lost and knocked down by life.  However, don’t miss this very important next point. 

Jesus by his very choice of words “excluded” many.  He excluded all who were arrogant and self-sufficient.  That’s why he said it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom (Matthew 19:24.)  He wasn’t commenting on wealth per se as sinful, but the arrogance and self-sufficiency it often creates in us.

Wealth isn't required to make someone arrogant.  The overtly arrogant come in all shapes and sizes and they’re to be excluded from our fellowship by our choice of words…direct instead of passive, honest instead of accommodating, harsh instead of patronizing, anger instead of timidity.  At least that’s what Jesus did.  Now, Jesus’ intent was that his bold truthfulness would cause these people to realize their wrong attitude and come to him in humility and find grace.  However, many didn’t accept his harsh words and were subsequently excluded from fellowship by their own choice!

Did you know that there is only one unpardonable sin?  The Bible communicates amazing stories of grace and forgiveness extended by God to all who acknowledge their shortcomings and cry out to him for salvation...no matter how bad their moral failure.  That’s why our church has always been committed to reach out to people and welcome them in with whatever issues they have.  We know that Jesus will forgive them and redeem their life for his glory.  However, one sin He will not forgive. 

God will not and cannot forgive the kind of arrogance that rejects Jesus and the grace He offers to everyone (Mark 3:28-30.)  The Devil was the first to commit this sin…believing that he did not need God and that he could run his own life.  So, he became separated from God by his own choice.  In the same way, deep-seated arrogance in UNBELIEVERS is what keeps them from humbling themselves and asking God for forgiveness even though God offers every person multiple opportunities to repent and experience His peace.

If arrogance is at the root of the only unpardonable sin, what should be our attitude toward BELIEVERS who, although forgiven, continue to live with a overt disposition to this sin?  It’s to respond the way Jesus often did toward the religious elite – with brutal unapologetic honesty.  So, as a leader who has been raised up by God for a purpose, you are to love on those who humbly seek God and be brutally honest with those who arrogantly challenge your convictions, your motives, and your leadership.  If they leave your group that’s God's will but if they change, you’ve helped to save them.  In either case you've protected your ministry from being commandeered by legalists!