Sunday Wrap-up

• The weather channel said scattered showers.  Nope.  We had a "weather situation."
• By 7:30, 6 families on the hospitality team called in unable to make it…can’t blame them.  The rain was nuts.
• With a ton of people out, we still had 75 more people than we did 4 weeks ago.  Awesome.
• Setup was great.  All of the Kids Life teachers and volunteers were able to work with the kids without having to do setup stuff.  That’s super.
• Proud of Casey for pulling that off…really seeing him develop.
• Anne has done really well taking over the children’s ministry
• Paul was playing hurt today.  He had pneumonia this week and was in church today.
• I didn’t expect him to be there.  But, he has heart and ownership of the vision.  You’ve got it or you don’t.
• It was great to have Jesse back. 
• Singing the Doxology was a high point for me.  What a beautiful song, full of theology and richness and the band sounded awesome.
• All in all, today was a great day where we talked directly, looked inwardly, and worshiped upwardly.  Awesome stuff.
• Juan, Carlos, and Frank from Christ Fellowship were with us today.
• They are getting ready to launch a location at the movie theater on Kendall Dr. and the Turnpike.
• I value these guys (Eric, Jeff, and their crew) a ton.
• We are seeing God’s Kingdom coming to Miami-Dade.  It’s coming through Christ-centered, Scripturally faithful, culturally relevant, and mission-focused churches like us and CF.  Thank God for what guys like these are doing.
• Tonight, I’ll be at Cooper City COG to explore some opportunities for Life Pointe to build and develop a medical mission/ministry center in Sierra Leone.
• I’m very excited about this.  In the past 3 years, we’ve built two churches in Nicauragua, re-roofed a church in Punta Gorda following a hurricane, and sponsored 3 missionaries (Swaziland, Jerusalem, and Cuba).
• This will be the first time that we’ll attempt to do something that we build and take responsibility for getting started ourselves.  A lot of details still…but, super excited about taking the Gospel in a practical way to a people I’ve fallen in love with thanks to Jonathon and Lillian Mends, a couple of our life group leaders.

Saturday Night Brain Drain

• We watched "the Kingdom" last night at Flagship Cinemas.
• Its always weird watching a movie "in church," especially a shoot-em-up terrorism movie.
• The whole time I’m sitting in the theater, I can’t stop thinking about ideas for ministry in that place.
• It really gets annoying to be out of state, see a public meeting venue, and then wonder what a church could do in a place like that.
• I was so glad when it was Paul (and not me) counting tiles in a movie theater up the road.  I asked him if he was trying to figure out how big of a stage we could fit in there.  He just nodded.
• It is hot!  Only a couple more months until we hit our two weeks of winter (interpreted 60-70 degree weather).
• Kourtney celebrated her fourth birthday today in Minnie Mouse style.
• Went to Publix with her in her Minnie Mouse outfit.  Someone stopped her and sang the old Mickey Mouse Club song.  What a cutie.
• I didn’t get much sleep last night.  Kelly is really, really pregnant and more than a bit uncomfortable.  I’m starting to have thoughts about how long until THE moment.
• We still haven’t told anyone (not a soul) what his name is.  I still envision myself walking out on the ledge of a cliff, holding him up in the filtered sunlight and announcing his name like Mufasa in Lion King.
• Saturday nights have always tied my stomach in knots…can’t wait for Sunday morning.
• Our next message series is going to be very rich.  We’ll begin to promo it next Sunday. 
• I can tell you for sure, it may be one of the most personal and relationally rewarding and challenging things we’ve done on a Sunday morning.
• We’ve been working on this for a while.  It should be a great opportunity for all of us to step up.
• My mind has been racing with possibilities for the future, which just happens to be right around the corner.
• I’ve seen God do some great things this week…can’t even talk about it all except to say it is so good to see the church be the Church.
• I can also say the devil lost some ground this week. 
• I’ve also heard some tough news.  There are some real needs in the church.
• I’m glad we serve a Big God!

My Son

I dreamt about my son all night last night.  We are coming down the home stretch, maybe a couple weeks or a couple days…who knows.  I pictured him laying on my chest asleep.  I was skipping a day in the office to be with him.

Kelly is pretty amazing.  She’s so strong and beautiful.  She manages motherhood with so much grace.  Amazed.

God is incredible for allowing us the privilege of feeling the kind of love for our own children that He feels for us.  Simply amazed.

Pre-Order “Vintage Jesus”

I just pre-ordered Mark Driscoll’s and Gerry Breshears’ new book, "Vintage Jesus."  It won’t be out until
February 2008.  However, by pre-ordering, you get:

• 35% off
• a pdf manuscript months before it is published (this is why I pre-ordered)
• and an autographed copy (the only autographs I care for are on checks…guess I would take an autographed 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card but that’s different).

I’m looking forward to the book.

Who Do You Follow?

Do you follow Mark Driscoll, Rob Bell, Brian McClaren, Doug Pagitt, or Jesus?

1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to mature
Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as
though you were infants in the Christian life. 2 I
had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn’t
handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for
you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of
one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are
controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t
belong to the Lord. 4 When one of you says, "I am a
follower of Paul," and another says, "I prefer Apollos," aren’t you
acting like those who are not Christians? 

5 Who
is Apollos, and who is Paul, that we should be the cause of such
quarrels? Why, we’re only servants. Through us God caused you to
believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. 
7 The
ones who do the planting or watering aren’t important, but God is
important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. 8 The
one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same
purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own
hard work. 9 We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God’s field, God’s building not ours. 10 Because
of God’s special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert
builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this
foundation must be very careful.

11 For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have Jesus Christ.  

1 Corinthians 3:1-11

If Scripture is true and Jesus is who He says He is, I follow Him.  If Scripture is not true, then Jesus cannot be who He says He is and I will not follow Him.  Case closed.  There is no need to discuss social justice, cause, or being missional under the banner of the Church if the One who loves the Church is a fraud.

Just some thoughts in light of some of the discussions I’ve dragged myself into (or hae been dragged into) recently here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Passion for People to Know Jesus

I love to share the message of hope in Christ with people around me.  As long as I’ve really, really known Jesus, I l have loved to talk about Him.  I want to share some of my passion by first asking the question, "What does it look like for a follower of Jesus to share the Gospel of Jesus in 2007?"

CONFRONTATION
In days gone by, we have used confrontational methods.  We would knock on doors and ask questions like, "If you were to die to day and stand before God and He asked, ‘why should I let you into my heaven?’, what would you say?"  I don’t really advocate that, especially not in suburban Miami in 2007 where people (like me) are gated off and annoyed by people sneaking into their gated community and invading their privacy to ask a question about a God who they may or may not believe exists.

INVITATION
Another strategy is to simply invite people to church.  I’m a huge advocate of inviting friends and strangers to church.  In fact, you might be hard pressed to find anyone else at Life Pointe that does so with more frequency or enthusiasm than me.  I bring a lot of people to church as well.  I pray for my immediate neighborhood and have watched as not only have many of my neighbors (now 9 families) are in church (not all directly from me) but, they are also becoming really terrific friends and some are devoted followers of Jesus.  In the past year, I’ve sent everyone in my development 2 handwritten invitations to church with my cell number, address, and just an invitation to friendship.

However, simply inviting people to church cuts Jesus working through you out of the picture and casts too much responsibility on the corporate gathering of the church to share the grace of Jesus with the world.

INCARNATION
In the Message, John says:

"The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." John 1:14

We are to live among people and allow Jesus to live through us in the neighborhood, where people can see, hear, and experience the Jesus living inside of us.  It is not good enough to let our life speak for Jesus but, we must make sure our lives show a visible image of Jesus and that our mouths and words are congruent with what we feel on the inside and how we live on the outside.

Sharing the grace of Jesus should be natural.  It should be a normal part of who we are.  We don’t have to be insincere or put on some type facade of "Churchianity."  We simply need to look for natural opportunities to talk about who we are, who Jesus is, and how good He has been in us as we do life in the neighborhood.

I have found that sharing my story is powerful and irrefutable.  We can find many reasons to critique why we should not believe the Gospel of Jesus, though our arguments are all invalid.  But, no one can take our experience from us.  It is impossible to deny what has been experienced.

So, when I share that I used to be shy and was totally afraid of people but, Christ changed all that, I think that speaks highly of Jesus in me because people see who I am today.  When I share that my grandmother was healed of a huge melanoma cancer.  The doctors gave her 3 months to live.  But, Jesus gave her another 40+ years, I think that is compelling.  When I share that I was a Christian growing up but began to question the logic of my faith at age 18 and Jesus revealed himself to me in the Scriptures and in history, I believe that is significant. 

So, I share a part of my heart with people, becoming transparent about my spiritual milestones and my present-day spiritual questions as we do life together.

Of course, the old adage of "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care" rings true.  If the Gospel of Jesus is in us, we will have a love and passion for people.  If we are passionate for them, we will care.  If we care, they will open their hearts and minds.  This is no strategy.  This is a calling.

This is why I so much love the mission of Life Pointe in south Florida.  We are to love God and man with reckless abandon.  As we do, love inspires.  Love redeems.  Love heals and transforms.  As we love, we will see the grace and mercy of Jesus poured out into the lives of people all around us.  The Kingdom of God will be enlarged, our lives will be enriched, the world will be changed, and we will have been one among many who have been carriers of the transformational Gospel of Jesus.

89.7 WMCU sold

It was just announced that 89.7 WMCU was sold to American Public Radio for $20 million and will be a classical music station.  The proceeds will go to Trinity International University.  Jeff has the details and says to check out 91.9…agreed.

Bank Robbers at Life Pointe Church

I arrived at the Life Pointe office this morning around 8:15.  The northwest corner of our 2.5 acres was a crime scene complete with yellow tape and a couple police officers, one of which used to be a neighbor of mine in Kendall.  The FBI is on their way to take over the scene from Homestead PD.  There is an idling stolen backhoe perched over a busted up Bank of America ATM (I assume from two blocks over on US-1).  It looks like they got what they wanted.

I’m trying to picture how it went down.  A backhoe at the corner of US-1 and Campbell (superbusy) ripping the ATM out of the wall?  They drive two blocks over to our property and bash the ATM repeatedly until they get the cash.  Crazy.

How’s that for an interesting start for my day?

UPDATE:  Apparently, Paul deposited a check in that ATM last night.  LOL.

Steve Saccone at Mosaic Church

I just watched Steve Saccone teaching on the Mosaic vidcast from Sept. 2nd during the the Passages series (Philippians 3:7-10).  Steve was in my college ministry in Tennessee…pretty cool to bump into.  Really great guy.

Passion for the Scriptures

This weekend, Mark Driscoll was sharing how that his pastor in college discipled him.  Mark approached him with a Bible and a commentary and asked his pastor what he thought about the commentary.  His pastor told him to put it down and not pick it up until he read his Bible all the way through.  Then, he said: "Once you do that, pick a book in the Bible and study it thoroughly."

Too many of us are shaped by what people say about the Church, the Bible, and faith rather than what the Bible says about Jesus.

Sunday Wrap-up

• Too much went on between last night and early this morning to pull of everything like we wanted (setup-wise).
• Fall Ball rocked and Casey looked stoned by this AM.
• So, we eliminated my new gadgets and some extra things that make the theater a nicer space.
• Phil and Reina rocked the house.  We miss you Jesse while you are in Chitown.  But, "the replacements" were incredible!
• I found myself lost as we sang together…awesome!
• There’s some cool guys around these days: our own version of Jack Bauer (Zeke), a guy with a ton of cool exotic reptiles (enjoyed catching the game with you today), Tomas (looking forward to baptizing you, bro!), and all of the pregnant people (what the?!  It’s like a plague of frogs on Egypt, except we’re in south Florida and the frogs are babies).
• Speaking of cool guys, Paul turned 40 today.  Dang.
• The 9 am service was jammed…incredible crowd (great crowd at the 10.30 too).
• I thought last week was a super crowd for us with 292.  I think we just blew that out .
• Keep bringing your friends.
• Keep embracing the Scriptures!
• I’m seeing a ton of life change in people I love.
• It will be lasting if the change is a result of heart change and commitment to following Jesus.
• If it is just an outward discipline, It won’t take long before you scrap the moralism.
• Colada and pastelitos on the way into the 9:30 have now been called Cuban Communion.  Hmmm.  Whatever.  Just keep the cuban coffee coming, ok?!
• The theater has been really super to us.  Troy, Melvin, Omar, Sherman and all those guys are pretty phenomenal.
• We have 3 more weeks of sexual revolution.  All three of the next 3 weeks are going to be full of good stuff.
• Still, I can’t wait for our next series in Hebrews!
• I announced today that we just got a billboard on US-1 just north of Home Depot!  I got butterflies when I heard the contract was approved…been trying to get that for a couple years.
• I think this is more fun than its supposed to be.

Final Blogumentary on the Driscoll Firestorm

The Sunday Wrap-up is coming.  But, first, I give you my latest soap opera: 

I think that with this post and any ensuing comments, I’m done with the Mark Driscoll , Brian McClaren, Rob Bell, Doug Pagitt Convergent Conference blogstorm on my blog (even though my site meter is broken from excessive traffic).  My comments are being picked up and discussed by Bob Hyatt, Duncan McFadzean, Amy Welborn Dubruiel, Emerging Grace, and a few others.  I welcome that.  But, I don’t know what else there is to add.

Ultimately, you just need to listen to the podcast for yourself.  My final commentary (that final piece of opinioneering to add) is that if you deny the core components of the Gospel, you deny the Gospel of Jesus and you should expect to be called out. Maybe I’m too much of a simpleton and don’t question the integrity of the Scriptures enough to satisfy liberal theologians (who have largely been overgeneralized as wearing pajamas and living in your mother’s basement…do we all laugh at that?!) but, I don’t think that’s totally the case.  Actually, I have a brain, a decent IQ, a few accomplishments, and some decent failures to draw from.  I do believe the Scriptures are authoritative for our lives.  If I didn’t I’d go do something else with my time and stop wasting it on an impotent, lying, cheating, and manipulating god (little "g").  Get a freakin’ life.

Augustine said "If you believe what you like in the Gospels, it is not the Gospel that you believe but yourself."  He recognized even then that a lot of "the conversation" was nothing more than a load of self-satisfying babble. 

I would say that denying the virgin birth,a pretty core component to the Gospel is a big deal.  Seeing someone rejecting it or saying that the virgin birth is unnecessary is cause enough for me to agree with Mark Driscoll’s direct and timely comments.  Some of the comments on other blogs slam Mark for not following Matthew 18 for confronting a brother.  I have a couple thoughts there. 

First, I ask how is it that someone who denies Scripture as authoritative has the intestinal fortitude (or blatant hypocrisy) to inject a Biblical model for confrontation when they are denying that very Gospel as authoritative when it comes to claims that Jesus was born of a virgin and other pet liberal theologies?

Secondly, how is it they say Matthew 18 applies?  I see no one sinning against Mark.  I see sin against the Gospel of Jesus, a twisting of the truths of the Church of Jesus Christ, and a marginalizing of God-breathed Scriptures.  I would rather direct you to Titus 1:10-14:

“10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11who
must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching
things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:10-14; NASB)

We should be gentle with those who are victims of false teaching and denounce strongly those who freely teach doctrines that disassemble the Gospel principles.  Some of you need to be yanked up by your goatees and lovingly shaken.

Regardless of how good a minister communicates or how likable he is, how can we do nothing other than denounce that person or people as a false teacher(s)?  I see no other way if we are truly a Gospel-centered people regardless of what/who we like or dislike or what camp we come from.

I thank God for the good that is taking place at the hands of Scripturally unfaithful people.  But,  we are not in the business of solely doing good works and gathering like-minded people together.  We do good works as an outflow of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Getting the Gospel right in the essentials is key to the eternal value of our good works. 

Fall Ball

Casey and his crew hosted Fall Ball tonight and packed the place out with about 450 kids for some ear splitting music by a bunch of local indie bands.  From there, he does setup at the theater @ midnight and two services in the morning.  Every time I see him, he has an energy drink in hand and the shakes…I wonder why.

Convergent Conference Podcasts

I hear that the podcasts from the Convergent Conference will be available here soon. 

Convergent Conference

Paul and I hit the Convergent Conference today and will finish up tomorrow around 2 pm here in Raleigh, NC.  We did the trip on his frequent flyer miles (that’s a good deal for me).  The conference is on the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was great to meet up with Patrick, one of Paul’s friends and Jon Rogers, an old friend from Lee.

Ed Stetzer spoke.  He always shares a message that the Holy Spirit uses to convict me and focus me back to the main business of preaching Christ.  Ed always make me almost want to be a Baptist.  Since the conference focused on the emerging church, Ed shared how that:

• the emerging church exists because the church in North America is largely ineffective.
• evangelicalism is struggling for its soul.
• we are in this place because we have forgotten the centrality of the cross.
• we must look to Luke 24 and recapture a. the centrality of the cross, b. repentance and forgiveness of sins, c. the importance of the witness.
• we must live like missionaries.
• missionaries look like the world and live radically different.
• but, many of us live like the world and look radically different.

Then, Mark Driscoll spoke.  Excellent stuff.  I watch Mark’s Vidcast every week.  If I could pick a church as a backup church to attend other than Life Pointe, Mars Hill Church would probably be the place.  In watching, listening, and reading his stuff, I’ve had a mental picture that he is a 6′4" trucker looking guy.  I guess he’s about 5′6"?  So, my mental picture of his persona was off a bit…though he still comes off truckerish, engaging, funny, abrasive, and insightful.

With that said, he has HUGE words for the Church.  He talked about:

• the difference between the three streams of the emerging church (the relevants, the Emergents, and the confessional contextual calvinists).
• how that Brian McClaren, Doug Pagitt, Rob Bell are basically sell outs when it comes to Scriptural integrity.  He presented a strong case and held nothing back.  Interesting stuff.  Without a doubt, this is the most direct, I’ve heard Mark address these issues.
• He specifically cited their views on the Atonement, views on homosexuality,rabbinical study, their influences, and theology.
• There were some very vivid conversations and references to the virgin Mary and McClaren’s new organization, "Deep SHIfT".
• Most importantly, he spoke of how there is a generation of people on the scene now who have no historical knowledge of the Church and how we must engage them.
• If we fail to do so, the Church will continue to compete for an ever shrinking circle of angry children of liberal or fundamentalist religious people.
• Rather than embracing syncretism or sectarianism, we must practice the art of subversion.
• We must follow Paul’s example in Acts 17 and "Go and see" the world.  We must understand our culture and speak effectively to it whil remaining faithful to the message of Jesus.

At the risk of making this post go on longer than it needs to, I have to say that Driscoll and Stetzer are tapping into a lot of emotions and feelings I have about the Church.  It is encouraging to hear and challenging to practice.  Great stuff all the way around.

Music Gems (RSS feeds)

Below are some of the music feeds I subscribe to.  Great stuff:

• Mars Hill Church music feed (some real gems here that live in the ancient/modern tension)
• LifeChurch.tv Tulsa worship feed
• LifeChurch.tv Oklahoma City worship feed
• LifeChurch.tv south Oklahoma City worship feed

If you know of any other good music feeds out there, let me know.

Worth Reading

• Drew Goodmanson on Church planting as the most effective form of evangelism AND what an established church can do to recapture evangelistic intensity.
• "May God Bless You with Discomfort" from Scott Rogers on Swerve.
• Church Marketing Sucks: A Visitor’s Perspective part 1, 2, 3, 4 (5 more to go).  This is good stuff.
• The 10Q Interviews at Church Relevance.

Nothing Typical about This

Mute Math – Typical

Life Groups that Serve

Today, one of our life group leaders came into my office and chatted for a couple minutes about a project they wanted to do with their group in October.  It was brilliant.  Each group this semester will serve the community in some way of their choosing.  In doing so, they will become the hands and feet of Jesus.

In about two hours, Kelly and I will sit down with our group and talk about expectations.  What do we expect from one another in this group?  Then, we will hold one another to it for 12 weeks.  Our group is full of people that are new to us.  I’m looking forward to the new friendships and to growing in Christ with a family that I really haven’t had a chance to get to know yet.  This is what I really love about the Church. Its a beautiful thing.

New Gadgets Arrived Today!!!

We had some new gadgets arrive today in the office today!!  They will be in full force when you arrive on Sunday at the best church in a movie theater in Homestead.  Yeah, I know…there’s only one church in a movie theater in Homestead.  So what?!

Life Groups Vids and End of Registration

Sunday was our last official day of registration for our groups.  You can still call the office or email Anne to squeeze in.  But, that will only last for a few days and then you’ll have to wait until the Spring semester.  Here’s a recap of our videos and the registration catalogue.

The rest of our vids are at LifeTVmiami.

My girls have serious attitude

We shot some black and whites of Kelly and the girls.  It was a romantic idea…you know, they’d be kissing mommy’s belly and that kind of thing.  It didn’t turn out like we had intended.  But, I wouldn’t trade the moment for anything.

All three of my girls have attitude.  I was sarcastic when I asked Kelly out the first time and she told me off.  I knew she was the one.  The attitude continues with the Kourtney and McKenna as well.  This morning, Kourtney cornered one of her girlfriends in Kids Life and said, "Why haven’t you been in church?!?!"  Dude, these are cool chicks!

Sunday Wrap-up

• Today, was lights out awesome.
• I knew it was going to be good when Casey Watkins rolled up with his truck spilling over with guys, one of whom had a shirt that said "the party has arrived."
• There were some Big Commitments to following Jesus and Big commitments to have BIG SEX – being fully human, fully spiritual, fully physical.
• A great crew kicked off the 9 am service – 101 counting the kids venues!
• The kickoff of two services was a big success.  We had 292 people today, not counting hospitality and doubles.
• We announced that we will serve cuban coffee and pastelles in the 9 am service!  Dang! 
• We want as many of you guys to do the 9 as possible…great opportunity to get juiced before communion.
• In the 10:30, I lost track of time.  I actually thought I ended 10 minutes early.    That’s the one regret I have about today.  The 30 minute change in time threw me off when I was watching the clock.  Bummer.
• Following service, a guy gave me a list of questions – good questions.  I accidentally threw them away.  Sorry…I need a second chance on those.
• Group registration officially closed today.  I’m blown away by the sign-up rate!  You might have a chance to squeeze in a group still.  You’ll just have to call the office.
• Our teams simply rocked!  Clicked!  I’m totally impressed with how they handled so much transition all at once…really proud.
• I don’t think we could have pulled of the two services without Paul bringing some order to some of our Sunday morning systems. 
• Jesse rocked the house…best I’ve heard those guys yet.

Thinking through Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is a big day.  Tomorrow afternoon it will be old news and a part of our normal routine, at least for now.  What’s the big deal about tomorrow?

• We talk about sex. That makes the devil nervous.  He’d rather "personal stuff" like this be left in the dark and we continue in our dysfunction.
• We begin two services on Sundays. More options.  More seats.  More people serving.  All three are super important.
• We double our volunteer teams.  New leaders and new people are emerging as a part of the crew.
• We stretch a little farther in our mission to share Jesus with our community.

There are a few disappointments.  We had something really awesome for our entrance.  The production company made a mistake on Thursday.  We’ll have to wait until Monday to install it.  We also had a massive email campaign scheduled using a new promotions company.  Didn’t happen.  No biggie.  It was a nice-to-have, experimental type thing.  Now we know.

Personally, I’m excited because I got the word out to all my neighbors and have been an inviting fool.  How can I not be?  Life Pointe is just a heck of a church…really great people, worshiping an awesome God.

See you in the morning (9 or 10.30).

Perry Noble on Nice Christian Boys and Girls

WARNING:  This post by Perry uses graphic, straight-forward language that is not used in most church settings.  That’s probably why I like it and fully endorse you reading and living it, especially as we begin our own Sexual Revolution.

I haven’t had sex since 1983

We sent out some sexy postcards and phone calls today for our Sexual Revolution series.  I wish we would would have laid down a Barry White soundtrack on our phone calls.  That would have been awesome.  Oh well.

I know the postcards began hitting mailboxes today when we got a call from someone upset that we were talking about sexuality in church.  She kind of chewed us out pretty well, really well actually.  Then, she declared that she hadn’t had sex since 1983.  I believe her.

Why Should the Church Talk about Sex?!

10. Becuase the divorce rate in the church is the same as outside the church.  It seems like everyone is talking about sex BUT THE CHURCH!
9. Because 36% of marriages that have experienced an affair end in divorce.
8. Because of those marriages that stay together, only 78% describe the marriages as happy.
7. Because only 22% of people who have "casual sex" walk away feeling empowered or good about themselves.
6. Because 49% of high school students have had sex.
5. Because parents are more likely to think about divorce than non-parents.
4. Because all first marriages have an average duration of 8.3 years.
3. Because the net worth for married individuals near retirement is $420,000 while divorced individuals is $132,000.
2. Because 47% of fathers and 30% of mothers stop visiting their kids at least annually after a divorce.
1. Because the Bible is full of God-breathed wisdom on sex and we need a Sexual Revolution!

Thinking More about the Church

This is a BIG week for us.  This is the first time we will add a service, but not the last.  Some of the great things that have happened so far from the addition of this upcoming worship opportunity is:

• We have multiplied the hospitality and Kids Life teams significantly.
• We are providing another option for people.  The 9 am service will help a lot of people make it to church who can’t currently because of work and other responsibilities.
• It has already allowed people to step up into service by attending a service and serving in a service.  Thank you guys…this is great for the mission of Jesus and a great decision for you!
• It has opened up service opportunities that to some seemed full.  Since, it is impossible to imitate Christ if you are not serving Him and others, this was critical. 
• We have had to revamp the way we do setup and it has gotten 1000 times better.  We have a crew of night owls that meetup at the theater at midnight to bring the auditorium together.  They’re insane!  And, I don’t think they’d want to do it any other way.  The hospotality and Kids Life setup teams have gotten incredibly fast and have built a real sense of belonging.  I’m amazed.

I can’t wait for Sunday.  I have a day off coming this week.  But, I feel like I won’t be worth anything I’m so preoccupied with Sunday!  I expect to see people making decisions to follow Christ that will last.  And, that just fires me up.  Anyway, before we even get to what happens on Sunday, I see a lot of great things happening in the life of of church as a result.

Thoughts on the Church

• Some people think the Church is an event.
• Some people think the Church is a living organism on mission for Christ.
• Some people think the Church exists to anesthetize us from our dysfunction.
• Some people allow the Church to drag our dysfunction into the daylight and watch it shrivel in the light.
• Some people embrace the idea that we are all equal.
• Some people pray to God how thankful they are that they aren’t like the guy praying next to them.
• Some people ask God "what can I get away with and still follow Christ?"
• Some people forsake everything to follow Him.
• Some people experience redemption and want the world to know the same.
• Some people have a cultural church experience yet have never humbled themselves before the Creator.
• Some people find forgiveness and then run away to throw in prison those who owe them something.
• Some people are forgiven of much and demonstrate forgiveness to others.

The Church is a beautiful thing!  It is redeemed by the grace of God.  It is dispatched by the Christ of our salvation.  It is empowered by the Holy Spirit.  When I look at myself, I can’t believe that I have privilege of being a part of this Body.  Truly amazing!

Christ has no hands here but yours

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
     no hands but yours, no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
     Christ’s compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
     doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.

These are the words of Teresa of Avila.  They hang in our hallway on Sunday mornings.  Some people try to do, love, give, abstain, or serve just enough to get by.  I guess you can live life that way.  But, there is another way…a better way.

There is a way that gives more than it takes, that loves more than it is loved, and that experiences Christ in such a way that it cannot help but to extend itself practically so that people may actually catch a real glimpse of Christ by looking at us.  That’s the way I want to live.  When I arrive at the end of my life, I pray that I have spent myself in a mission that is worth more than my comfort or self interests.  Those are convicting words and a great challenge.  I hope to live up to them.