Church Ingredients

At our leadership meeting last month, I mentioned an article series by Skye Jethani. He was asked that if he were to serve at another church, what kind of church would it be. It got him to thinking about the ingredients he’d like to see in a church. He started on a “thought journey”, making a receipe for church. He is calling this experiment “Church 365.” I have found it informative and I think can help broaden our persepctive and thought on what it means to be (and do) church.

Here are the linkes to the first four parts. I will add the others as he posts the articles.
Part 1: http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/09/skye_jethani_re_2.html
Part 2: http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/09/skye_jethani_re_3.html
Part 3: http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/10/skye_jethani_re_4.html
Part 4: http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/10/skye_jethani_re_5.html

What “ingredients” would you put in a recipe for church?
Make sure you include chocolate morsals.

PMark.

Pastoring VS. Running a Church

Here is a link to an article about Eugene Peterson. He struggled with the two sides of being a “full-time paid professional” pastor. The two sides are: being a “pastor” and “running a church.” In a nutshell, the article tells of his longing to pastor the church and have his leadership team run the church. I can relate to what he has gone through – but for me it is the converese of the issue. I feel my gifting, desires, talents – dare I say, “calling” has me longing to run the church and have the leadership pastor the church. As a side note, I really think we all should pastor each other. It is not just a special set of people who can or should pastor. But perhaps that can be for a later blog, asking: Just what is a pastor? Can we all be pastors? What does pastoring mean? At any rate: If you desire, read the article and slide me into the the place on the other side of the coin as Eugene.

http://www.buildingchurchleaders.com/articles/2007/070214a.html

Making Space, Pt. 2

Here are the spiritual practices that I participated in while doing my class assignment from the book, “Spiritual Disciplines Handbook – Practices that Transform Us” by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun ((c) 2005 IVP Books, Downers Grove, IL) .  There are many more amazing ways to make space for God.  I am sure that many of you have your own special, inspiring and life-giving ways you make space for God.  All spiritual practices are worth doing. Some, though can be challenging and take you out of your comfort zone.  Some are easy because they mesh with your personality. Whatever the case, I hope you are making space.

Calhoun takes the well used acronym or acrostic approach to laying out her book and outlining the spiritual practices.  She chose the acronym WORSHIP to structure the path through the book and categorize the practices.  W stands for “worship”; O stand for “open myself to God”; R stands for “relinquish the false self”; S stands for “share my life with others”; H stands for “hear the word of God”; I stands for “incarnate Christ’s love for the world”; and, P stands for “pray to God.” She gives no less than four and as many as twelve practices for each category. She uses the word “worship” because she “believes the root of all desire stems from our innate need to open our lives to God in worship.” (Handbook p. 19)

I had to choose two disciplines / practices from each category in the book.  I participated in: Rule of Life, Sabbath, Journaling, Teachabilty, Detachment, Solitude, Small Group, Spiritual Friendship, Bible Study, Devotional Reading, Compassion, Care of the Earth, Breath Prayer, and Prayer Walking (running).

If you are looking for new, exciting, challenging and rewarding ways to make space for God in your life I highly recommend this book.  It is only $12.24 Amazon.com. Remember, these practices, by themselves, will not transform us.  They are practices that put us in a place where we meet God, where we make space for God to transform us.  This Christmas, may we make space for God in a special way.

Making Space

“Who has time for that?”   “Nope, sorry, my schedule is full.”  “I can’t squeeze you in.  Looks like we will have to do it some other time.”  In this crowded, cramped and crazy life it seems we don’t have time for anything new.  Nor do we even really have enough time for what is already on the calendar, our to-do lists or our overflowing blackberry. Too many plates are spinning already (and some, quite honestly, are crashing to the floor and exploding into thousands of ceramic shards.)

What do we make space for?  Take a moment – a short one, I promise – and think about what you spend your time doing and what it is that is important to you.  Ask yourself, “What do I make space for?” 

I have just finished my GCI online seminary class on Ministerial Leadership.  A lot of the class was self-analysis and self-assessment.  A hard but healthy thing to do.  One of the required  texts was Spiritual Disciplines Handbook – Practices that Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun.  She gives a very good yet fairly simple definition of spiritual practices (some call them disciplines or spiritual formation.)  She refers to spiritual practices as “ . . . making space for God in my life.” (Handbook p. 16)   That is going to be a question I ask myself often.  “Am I making space for God in my life?”  I’d like it to become a mantra, “Making space for God.”

God is everywhere so it’s not like he needs us to invite him into our home, our work place, our classroom.  But are we aware of his presence there?  He won’t force himself into or onto our plans,  pain, problems, parties, parades or psyche. We have to “make space” for him there, in our lives, thoughts, relationships and hearts.  I learned and was reminded of the many ways we can make space for God.  They are intentional practices that open ourselves up to seeing the desire God has put in our lives to desire an ever-deepening relationship with him.  Yes, they are intentional, they take time and effort.  But we can’t view them as “just another plate” that we have to keep spinning around.  They are the gravity that keeps all the other plates up in the first place.

Tomorrow I will list some of the practices that help to “make space” for God in our lives. Until then . . . drink good coffee.

PMark

Growing Spiritually: Am I driving or is God?

I am about half-way through my online course in “Ministerial Leadership” with Grace Communion seminary. (I have been working toward my Master’s one class a year at a time! But now that I am not working at Starbucks I may be able to do two a year. At any rate . . .)

I would like to share with you some quotes and insights from one of the books I am reading for the class.  The book is “Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation” by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.  It is one of the best and most fascinating books I’ve read on spiritual formation/disciplines/practices.  Here is the quote:
“I do not know what your perception of Christian discipleship might but, but much contemporary Christian spirituality tends to view the spiritual life as a static possession rather than a dynamic and ever-developing growth toward wholeness in the image of Christ.  When spirituality is viewed as a static possession, the way to spiritual wholeness is seen as the acquisition of information and techniques that enable us to gain possession of the desired state of spirituality.  Discipleship is perceived as “my” spiritual life and tends to be defined by actions that ensure possession.  Thus the endless quest for techniques, methods, programs by which we hoe to “achieve” spiritual fulfillment.  The hidden premise behind all of this is the unquestioned assumption that we alone are in control of our spirituality.  In brief, we assume we are in control of our relationship with God.” (pg. 12)

How do we view our spiritual journey and our relationship with God?  Do we tend to try to conform God to our agenda and purpose or do we submit to his?  I think most of us know that our relationship with God is the most important thing we could concern ourselves with.  All too often, I’m afraid, we take steps to control or drive the relationshp rather than letting him take control.  We participate in diciplines or practices (prayer, bible study, going to church, etc.) so that he will do what we want him to do. “God will you do this for me? Take me out of this problem.  Make it go away. Give me a new job.  Heal me.”  So we “do” things that we think put God in our debt.  “See God, I prayed three times a week for a month so now you have to deliver.” “God, I am doing all the right things so now it is your turn to do your part.”  And usually “God’s part” is pretty well defined and outline by us.  We have in mind that if we do certain things then God will do certain things – and it better look like and come out the way we want it too.  These are faulty assumptions and is not a very healthy way to approach a relationship with him (or anybody else for that matter.)  This kind of thinking and intent puts us in the “driver’s seat” and trying to control the relationship.

Holistic spirituality is a journey, a pilgrimage of ever-deepening responsiveness to God’s control of our life.  Spiritual disciplines are things we offer to God, they are places we put ourselves for God to work on us to transform us, to mold us into the image of Christ, not things we do so we can work on God and change him into our image.  But this takes the control our of our hands.  It is hard to give up isn’t it?

Let’s view spirituality as a journey and see spiritual wholeness as an increasingly faithful response to God, his purpose and plans for us.  Let’s give control over to God.  Today, ask yourself, “Who is driving?”

PMark

“New Year” In October

So a lot of you have heard that I no longer work at Starbucks.   My last day was Friday, October 1, 2010.  I worked there for 3 years and 1 month.  What an experience. Amazing and challenging.  I will tell stories, share thoughts and write about some of the wonderful times and also some frustrating ones.  But all of that in due time.

I call this post a “New Year” in October because I do feel as if this is a new beginning, a fresh start, a time to make (and keep) resolutions.  My schedule will be different.  My energy and time will shift focus.  I really look forward to this new chapter.  One goal, as you might have guessed, is to consistently blog.  At least once a week.

I think one of the main reasons I want to blog is so that my friends, family and church can get a glimpse at what is going on inside of my head.  I can share what I am experiencing, wrestling with, and reading.  I can open up my journey with Jesus to others and invite them along.  It will be good for me to give a part of my self away like this.  As much as I think that I will like blogging more often, I will have to be disciplined to do it.  I see that it could be one of the first things that goes out the window if I am too busy.  But I think it is important for my church, Cornerstone, so get a peek at what is in my heart, on my mind, in my soul and what makes me tick. 

The nice thing about blogging is that it is here for others to look at if they want.  No pressure. No obligation.

Here is me.  Welcome to my “New Year.”

Belong, Believe, Become

At Cornerstone we desire to be an accepting and welcoming church.  God includes us.  Who are we to do anything less for others?  One of my favorite people is Craig Gross.  He recently wrote a book with Jason Harper titled “Jesus Love You . . . This I know.”  Here is an excerpt from an article adapted from the book.

 “For a long time Christians have been taught a three-step approach to God. It starts with belief. Essentially, if you believe the right things, it will lead to a change in behavior. When you have changed your behavior, you will be accepted by the church. Believe, Behave, Belong.  If you believe this way, you will behave this way, and if you behave this way, you can belong here. This is preached, modeled, and affirmed in thousands of churches across America.

 It’s time to flip this. The Jesus of Scripture reached out and loved people regardless of where they were. It is essential to show people that they can belong in your world even if they don’t act, think, behave, or believe like you.

 Imagine a church or community where Jesus was communicated in such a way that everyone belonged. They were included. And from this feeling of belonging, over time the message of Jesus made an impact on their belief. And from that newfound fullness of God, their behavior changed. If this practice won out over religious dogma, rooted in rules and regulations, more people would find hope in the authentic Christ.”

Cornerstone strives to be such a community of faith – where we communicate that everyone belongs.  We seek to live the message of Jesus so that he can overwhelm us and others with his grace and love.  We can’t change anybody.  We sure can’t save anybody.  But we can offer a space and a place for people to experience God and let the reality of his love sink in.  With his love filling us, how can we not change?

 Craig Gross’s full article title “Jesus Got Hijacked” is on YMtoday.com and can be found here:
http://www.ymtoday.com/articles/article.php?aid=2479
More about Craig Gross can be found here: http://xxxchurch.com/

“Understanding God as Trinity” Seminar

Hello Cornerstone! I pray your new year has started well. We really feel 2010 is going to be a great year at Cornerstone. No matter what comes our way, if our relationship with God is strong we can grasp many wonderful opportunities and weather any storm. A good way to deepen and strengthen our relationship with God is to understand Him better. On Sunday, Jan. 10th we are offering a seminar on understanding God as He is known – Trinity. It is being presented by Dr. Dan Rogers (Superintendent of U.S. Ministers and Director of Church Administration and Development for our denomination, Grace Communion International). We would love it if you could make it to both the worship gathering (10 – 11:30am) and the seminar (12:30-3:30p) but if you can only make one – please come to the seminar. I know that many of you desire to know more about God, what we believe and the history of theology, namely the Trinity. So unless you are severely incapacitated or have an unbreakable commitment, then there really is no other place to be but at Cornerstone on Sunday, Jan. 10. We highly recommend you come and be ready to dig deep into the majesty and mystery of God. The material covered serves as a foundation for what we believe as a denomination and a local congregation. It will help us understand the basis of our relationship with God and is the soil from which our sermons, preaching and teaching at Cornerstone emerges and grows. (Can you tell I REALLY hope that you come!?)

 Here’s the schedule:
Sunday, January 10, 2010
10:00 – 11:30 am – Worship Gathering (Sermon by Dan Rogers)
11:30 – 12:30 pm – Lunch Provided
12:30 – 3:30 pm – Seminar (“A Brief Introduction to Trinitarian Theology)

See you on Sunday!
~Mark

Long Time, No See

So,  I was reminded today that on the front page of the church’s website there is a link to my blog.  Hah!  I haven’t blogged since July 2009.  I guess  I had better catch up.  I really owe it to those who are interested (my family and church) to share my thoughts, ideas and opinions about stuff.  I share with passion and intention at the worship gatherings, but there is only so much time in sermon (and I’m sure some who rather it be less time. So in order to help me to think and express with clarity I will post more often.  Thankfully, I don’t have to open at Starbucks tomorrow morning, so I can hang-out here for a bit to get it cranked back up again.  Until we meet again . . . mws

A Holistic Gospel

Here are some links I mentioned at the worship gathering on Sunday.
From Scot McKnight:
http://www.christianvisionproject.com/2008/03/the_8_marks_of_a_robust_gospel.html

From our denominational website:
http://wcg.org/lit/gospel/goodnews.htm
While you are there PLEASE take time to read a new (online) booklet, “A Brief Introduction to Trinitarian Theology.”
http://www.wcg.org/lit/booklets/theology.htm

A good podcast from Jonathan Pennington, a professor at Southern Seminar, about the Kingdom in the gospel.
http://extendingthekingdom.org/?p=175

Great books on a more vibrant and holistic gospel include:
“Secret Message of Jesus”, Brian McLaren
“The Lost Message of Jesus” Steve Chalke & Alan Mann
“Storm Front-The Good News of God” Brownson/Dietterich/Harvey/West
“Kingdom Come” Allen Misuo Wakabayashi
“The Tangible Kingdom” Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
If you really want to read any of these, let me know and I’ll gladly lend it out.

Living the Gospel,
Mark