Redeeming Wide Right

Wide Right
Hard to believe it's been twenty years since Scott Norwood's fateful kick on a tense January night in Tampa. On that night a 7 year old boy in Orchard Park, NY watched and prayed that a field goal with 8 seconds remaining would win Super Bowl 25 for the team he loved. Instead, the kick sailed wide right, the Bills lost 20-19, and an entire town, along with the little boy, had dreams crushed.

Dramatic? Ya. Why should such an event trigger such pain? I mean, it's just a game! Even on that night a clear perspective was offered. January 27th 1991 was the middle of Desert Storm. The pregame was complete with flyovers of both F-16's and Apaches. Fans who were divided in team loyalty were united in patriotism, waving American flags as Whitney Houston delivered such a powerful Star-Spangled banner that players, coaches, fans, and even referees were brought to tears. A remarkable scene for a sporting event - and it was stark reminder that there are more important things in the world...

...so why then, when traveling on I-20 in Georgia between Atlanta and Augusta do I still get fresh pangs of defeat when I pass exit 160 for the town of Norwood, GA? Welcome to the psychosis not only of a town, but of me.

I've had an inferiority complex for years. I first recognized it in college, and there I first connected it to watching a sports team get sooo close, four times in a row in fact, on to fail at the moment of triumph. Not that I blame a football team for a struggle with self doubt, but it is great description of how I feel at times when I am at my worst.

During this 20th anniversary of the trauma, it has been healing to read how the players have dealt with the "what-ifs" and questions - how they have moved on - and how they are finding perspective while doing amazing work building communities both in the States and in developing nations. (see article here: http://www.buffalonews.com/topics/super-bowl-xxv/article326641.ece).

One thing that always gets me is how the entire Buffalo region seems to suffer from the 2nd place mindset. Reading of how much the players loved the city, loved the team, and loved the people somehow offers a balm to the wounds. They weren't just millionnaires passing through...they didn't just leave a town to wallow...they loved this place too. they rejoiced when it rejoiced and mourned when it mourned. I can't say it better than that, but to know they cared somehow helps...

...wow, and I'm still talking about a football game! Why does sports do this to those who allow it? What idolatry have I committed by so turning my heart over to the god of "glory for my team?" My head realizes the irrationality - but my heart still has some catching up to do at times.

To help me see the foolishness of it all I imagine how I might be different if they had won just once. Would I be more confident today? Let's say I was. So in the one case I feel inferior because of a football team and the other other I feel confident because of a football team! And that, my friends, is idolatry - basing self-worth on something other than what my Father in heaven thinks of me.

The True Self
What does He think of me:

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Rom. 8:15-17

Or do you not know that your body is a 1temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price...
1Cor. 6:19-20

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph. 2:8-10

I am a redeemed child of God, bought at a price, and His workmanship intended for a good purpose. Allright heart - my head gets all this - now catch up! Be turned from stone to flesh...

Redeemed
Scripture is a great ally - but unless we act on it what's the point? We are called to be not just hearers, but "doers" of what we read (James 1:22).

So here is are some thoughts for all those in Buffalo, Cleveland, heck, the Netherlands...wherever there are those suffering from a 2nd place inferiority complex.

1. Face the Pain. What does this look like? it's different for everyone. For me, one small thing is that Virginia and I pray for confidence whenever we pass exit 160. Leverage the source of anxiety for good. What is it for you?
2. Repent. Giving your heart to football team - or anything other than your true image - is idolatry. Turn back to the loving Father who is waiting heal our inferiority with mercy, grace, and a new identity - a child of God.
3. Pray. Pray for what? Not for field goals! Pray that our hearts would be broken by things worth having a broken heart for. We are given grace that we may do good works. God loves broken people - he loves them because in this state He can heal them in His image. Being broken does not mean being 2nd place though - that is being sick. All the injustices and hurts in the world will not be addressed by a people wallowing in an idolatrous inferiority complex. We must pray that our hearts would be broken by that which breaks god's heart.

What is it for you? You've gotten a glimpse into my heart...and it's almost a little embarrassing. But it feels good to talk about it. So what hurt do you carry that you would like to see redeemed? God is in the business of working all things for good...

Catalyst 19: Gabe Lyons

From 1/28/07

This was a great interview with Gabe, founder of Catalyst and former host of the podcast. Gabe Lyons is passionate about reclaiming not just the counter-cultural identity of the church, but a culture creating one as well. Like many other discontented next generation Christians, Lyons sees the contemporary Western church as defined by their critique, condemnation, and copying of culture through the past century. While he agrees that there is a time and a place for these actions, the church has largely missed the vital role of "creating." And since we are created in the image of a creator God, creating should be in our nature...

To promote this vision, Lyons has founded a movement called "Q Ideas." For those familiar, the best I can relate it to is that Q Ideas is the Progressive Christian equivalent of TED talks. I can't recommend the website qideas.org enough for any number of people: if your a Christian leader, if you're a Christian discontented with Western pop-Christianity, if you're passionate of seeing both the proclaimed and social Gospel of justice held in beautiful tension, if you're seeking to learn more about the Christian faith but are turned off by billboards and "big hair channels," in you have any position of leadership in your church - you won't want to miss the essays, blog posts, and videos. Please do you and your community a service by checking this out and sharing it! I have and it's provoked some challenging thoughts...

New Beginnings

Though we are still in a state of transition, home is now Atlanta. We will miss the friends and house we leave behind in Augusta - I can't believe I spent over 4 years there (6 for Virginia)! I haven't written for a while but now that we have graduated, moved, and somewhat settled, I expect to be back at it. In the meantime, here's a passage from Jeremiah that is our meditation and prayer for this transition...

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Jeremiah 29:4-7

For us, this passage is all about laying down roots. A generation raised on instant gratification isn't too keen to take the time for this sort of thing but there are countless examples of the blessings the arise from doing so. We're excited to learn our part in living this out in Atlanta. How cool that this is the type of community involvement that God intends?!

Happy New Year!

Love,

Dave, Virginia, and Hannah

Catalyst 18: Craig Groeschel

From 1/14/07

Craig Groeschel is pastor of the innovative Lifechurch.tv, based our of Oklahoma but beamed to satellite locations worldwide. They are truly pioneers and on the cutting edge of the multi-site model. Groeschel is quick to mention, however, that this model works for them but is not by any means "the" way to do it. He laments churches who try to copy what is being done at Lifechurch out of fad, not need. Multi-site still needs to be authentic!

Online Church
Speaking of authentic, I was skeptical listening as he described "online church." It is what it sounds like, complete with online pastors, whose congregations live in cyberspace. It seems natural that if the church is going to meet people where they are, and considering that so many live socially online now, she would attempt something like this.

But can it work? According to Groeschel authentic community indeed takes place as through the chat lobby users arrive early and stick around longer than they would at live church. Users and online hosts pray for one another before, after, and even during the service. Oh, and you can even attend the worship style of your liking first before seeing the message. Folks who have met in the lobby have small group studies throughout the week with webcams and even organize and go on mission trips!

For Lifechurch, the target audience is those who would never come to church, as well as those who can't go because they are home with sick kids or other responsibilities. I can see that. But, it's hard to lay hands on someone without being there! It's hard to argue with this though; according to Groeschel, Online Church has more decisions for faith per capita than any of the live locations. I appreciate how the Gospel is being proclaimed innovatively through this medium, however I feel it should be intentionally acting as a temporary home for those who can't attend while encouraging all to get face to face.

Open Source Church
As Lifechurch grew rapidly, others noticed and inquired about their resources. The church had a choice, do we market our resources or make them freely available? To the benefit of thousands, they decided to post all their resources for sermon series, kids, youth, small groups, etc, on line with free access here http://open.lifechurch.tv/.

Purity
Craig Groeschel is a big advocate of pastors having accountability. He wrote a revealing book, "Confessions of a Pastor" that goes even into his struggle in the past with porn among other things. He in fact uses xxxchurch - it seems all these influential leaders use it!

Home
"I will not sacrifice my family on the alter of ministry." Craig picked this quote up along the way and lives by it now. He is home @ 5:15 6 days a week and in family mode and promotes a church organizational culture that does the same. He mentioned Stanley's "choosing to cheat" as a big influence in this area.

Each year, in Jim Collins fashion, he adds to my "to don't" list. He's a huge advocate of leader development saying, "if you build others up there is no limit to what you can do." In other words, the American cultural model is to do as much as we can and receive praise for it. If we pour into others, and let the take credit, our mission will have no limit. After all, especially in the church, it is never "our" mission.

Finally, at home he praises his wife as his biggest asset in ministry. They homeschool their six kids and she sees her primary ministry as ministering the kids and supporting Craig. And she does this by challenging him often, affirming him, yes, but also asking point blank, "how's your time with God, I haven't seen you pray much?" and things like that.

Confession
A few years back Lifechurch did a series called "My Secret" that received national attention as thousands uploaded video confessions when invited through their online church. Incredible healing took place through this even that blew the leadership away. A cool example of the church leveraging technology and culture to promote reconciliation, to offer forgiveness, and to foster redemption.

Waiting on an Opportunity

Tough questions to ask yourself when waiting on that next step in life. I got this from a great Andy Stanley sermon that I highly recommend and can be found here. Honest answers should should be revealing and challenging...

The Questions:
Based on your current performance, would you trust you with a better opportunity?

Are you preparing for the next opportunity or just waiting for it?

What can you begin doing where you are now to prepare for the next opportunity?

Is there an opportunity where you are now that you are ignoring because the income doesn't match the workload?

The Meta-Application
Fully engage with your current opportunity while you wait, pray and actively look for the next one.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

~ Colossians 3:23-24

Catalyst 17: Dave Ferguson

From 1/2/07

Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church in Naperville where is well known for creating an sustainable healthy culture of leadership. They are one of the pioneers of the multi-site church model where they're attendance went from ~800 to upward of 5,000 within a short time of expanding to other satellite locations. He has a heart for facilitating not only church planting, but for creating whole networks of reproducing churches. Dave does this through the NewThing network that supports, resources, and catalyzes church planters and leaders of young churches.

DNA of Growth
When asked about what contributed to the growth of their church, which was planted in 1989, Ferguson cited Two Critical Decisions:

1. Identifying Apprentice Leaders. Specifically this happened within the context of their first small groups. From the start, groups had a leader and an apprentice who was being trained to eventually lead their own group. In this way, multiplication was built into the DNA of the church...sounds like 2 Timothy 2:2, eh?

2. Being Proactive about Growth. This is in contrast to waiting for growth to happen. Or, better said, "If you build it, they will come." Essentially, they didn't wait for the people, they waited for the leadership. When leaders were ready, they created space for a second service...and the people came! Proactive...

Multi-site
Ferguson offered an interesting and compelling reason to consider the multi-site model. With multi-site, the limiting factor is no longer real estate, rather it is the presence of leaders and artists. An entire new building and land need not be purchased, space needs to be rented to accommodate the technology. And, of course, the people, which are available because of intentional apprenticing and proactive growth.

Change
I thought this was a perspective on confronting "change" in a church or organization. The context is of a young church planter creating a new experience from that of the sending church, that may have traditions that will not be incorporated. He notes that it's easy to rationalize the need for change by pointing out what is wrong with the current situation. Instead, perhaps a more tactful approach is to frame the new direction as "building on the positives of the past." Keeping this perspective in mind just might save a bridge from being burned while maintaining a healthy and productive relationship with an established partner in taking part in what Ferguson calls the Jesus Mission!

One Big Idea
CCC intentionally strives to broadcast a single unifying message each week. This is similar to Stanley's "one point sermon" in "Communicating for a Change." CCC integrates this theme from top to bottom, centering not only the sermon, but small group curricula and kid's church teaching around the One Big Idea as well. With families all on the same page, the gears for transformation have been well-oiled.

Moving Forward
If the 80's were the decade of the mega-church, Ferguson sees this generation as being one of the "reproducing" church. As distinctives, he sees a shift away from "territoialism" and a move toward networking across denominations, cultures, and generations to reach culture with the Jesus Movement.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Review of The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I knew Dietrich Bonhoeffer to be a martyr and great theologian but not until reading his work did I come to truly appreciate him as a great hero of the faith. Born in Germany in 1906, he spent much time in the academy outside his homeland, only to return when it became evident that the Nazi party was successfully co-opting the church for its own ends. When others may have stayed abroad, Bonhoeffer went into the fire to lead an underground movement of evangelical churches in opposition to the state’s maneuvers. This was a subversive and thereby dangerous task, and indeed it cost him his life in a concentration camp just days before allied liberation in 1945. Why did he return? He knew God had called him there. Did he know it would be costly? Yes. And thus the theme of this book: a true disciple obeys his call understanding that it costs sacrificing our will to God’s, and that this may indeed cost us dearly, even our lives.

The book itself is divided into 4 main sections, Grace and Discipleship, The Sermon on the Mount, The Messengers, and The Church of Jesus Christ and the Life of Discipleship. Working primarily from the Gospels, The Cost of Discipleship reads more like a series of theological commentaries than a linear themed narrative that was meant to be read as a whole. Indeed, each section and really even each chapter, could stand alone as a commentary on an individual portion of scripture or doctrine. Each chapter is tied directly to a certain text or theme (eg baptism), often quoting text at the beginning, with the exegesis and commentary following. The handy scripture index at the back of the book makes referencing The Cost of Discipleship as a resource for study very easy.

Grace and Discipleship, the first section, is five chapters of commentary on primarily four texts: Levi’s call in Mark 2:14, those questioning to the call to be a disciple in Luke 9:57-62; The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-22; and the Lawyer in Luke 10:25-29. Throughout, a contrast is made between “cheap grace” and “costly grace”, a key idea for understanding the entire book. He takes great care to define each as the definition of “grace” would seem to say that it is free; to add a cost would be to add works to grace. In no way does Bonhoeffer support works based salvation!

According to Bonhoeffer, “cheap grace” is salvation offered as forgiveness without repentance and discipleship. In this way, “the justification of the sinner in the world degenerated into the justification of sin and the world” (p50). In other words, when we offer solace to sinners, simply offering forgiveness without repentance or a call to discipleship, we enable them to continue in sin because we don’t call their sin “sin”, we simply give comfort without calling for life change. We have not rooted out the source of evil without a call to follow Jesus...and that call will cost us something, thus “costly grace.” To Bonhoeffer, “cheap grace” is the “bitterest foe” of discipleship when in fact “grace simply means discipleship.”

Bonhoeffer is ahead of his time, noting the ill effects of offering “cheap grace” in society, noting how just as in the time of Constantine, the nation of Germany “became Christian...at the cost of true discipleship.” This is a prophetic reminder to us today, in a nation that many believers consider to be “Christian”, to examine our churches for the signs of true discipleship. This is an especially poignant call as he predicts the downfall of what constitutes the mainline denominations due to an offering of “cheap grace” at the expense of discipleship. Indeed, this is playing out even as we speak.

While the first section lays the theological foundation for “costly grace” and true discipleship, the following three sections of The Cost of Discipleship, expound on its implication for the believer and the church. Section two offers a 100 page, section by section commentary on the Sermon on the Mount with challenging ethical and societal implications of discipleship. Section three focuses on Jesus’ call and commission of the disciples to be workers for the harvest in Matthew 9:35-10:42. Here, many of the true costs of obeying the call as an individual are laid out. Finally, section four deals with implications for the church, as a visible community, living out costly discipleship, not as an isolated kingdom, but as a transformational body within the world as proclaimers and partakers in the Kingdom of God.

Instead of speaking of strengths and weaknesses, it is more helpful to speak of what audience would most benefit from this read. The Cost of Discipleship is dense philosophically and theologically! Especially having the first section in mind, I feel I need to re-read several chapters to get the full sense of Bonhoeffer’s thoughts. This, combined with the fact that much of the exegesis uses arguments based on the Greek, in fact printing the Greek words directly in the text, suggests that the expected reader be somewhat learned in hermeneutics. And so, as a whole, I would recommend this book to a mature leader as a tool and resource for discipleship. That being said, certain sections, taken individually, would provide great material for discussion within a new believer’s discipleship class. Further, well read and erudite outsiders might connect with Bonhoeffers excellent literary skill and thorough exegesis. Specifically, I would recommend the Sermon on the Mount section to my non-believing friends for its well articulated presentation of the Kingdom of God. Who knows, maybe this could be the doorway to encouraging conversations about the Gospel?

Overall, The Cost of Discipleship is an incredibly encouraging, though extremely challenging read. Knowing the story of the author further adds to its authenticity and persuasiveness. The Cost of Discipleship is not for those who knowingly ignore the tension between Ephesians and James; that we are justified by our works as they testify to the fact that we have first been truly saved by grace, through faith. Faith without works, what Bonhoeffer would call the effect of “cheap grace” is truly dead. However, though self-denying, it is only through “costly grace” that we find the true and joyful life as it was meant to be, in communion with our creator and savior, who paid a great cost for us.