imagining how the church can reorient around mission

One of the most befuddling (when I say befuddling, I mean I just can’t figure it out) things about Christianity for me is the juxtaposition between Jesus’ holy and our holy.  When Jesus, the most holy and pure person ever, rubbed shoulders with the non-religious (“sinners”) they were amazingly attracted to him, but when most Christians come in contact with the non-religious (“sinners”) there are adverse reactions.  You’ve seen the reactions toward Christians – they are haters, homophobes, judgmental, bound up – all reactions to Christians trying their level best to be…you got it, holy.

There is consistent and strong evidence that suggests that most people still find Jesus incredible attractive, at least intriguing.  The evidence is even stronger that people don’t find Christians that way. Christ followers are to be holy yes, but there must be something different in the balance here. read more

There has been much talk recently (at least in the Missional conversation) about the apostolic.  It's function is a critical and needed piece to reforming the church into what it is supposed to be in the world, a beautiful and radiant bride. A community of followers who actually look and act like Jesus. Unfortunately, like much of what happens in the church (particularly with the American, commercialized, hyper-entrepreneurial version) it looks like it may soon be overdone.  Similar to how the term “missional” has grown to mean almost  everything and almost nothing, it appears that the term "apostolic" may quickly move from the arena of being overly stigmatized to over-used (which usually translates to misused). 

Why do I say this? One of the main reasons is seeing how many people now self-identify as “apostolic.”  It’s a veritable contagion.  It seems like any one who actually cares about the world and the gospel fancies him or herself as apostolic.  I am not persuaded.  Case in point: While consulting with a large-ish church recently I had their entire leadership team (staff and elders) take the APEST test (found here).  The APEST is a test constructed by Alan Hirsch, et al that attempts to identify a persons location within the 5-fold leadership functions of Ephsians 4 – Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher. One of the key leaders from this church whose sole role is to teach tested out as apostolic.  When the rest of his team were asked what they saw as his primary calling, to a person, they all cast him as shepherd/teacher.  If this were an isolated example, I would have just chalked it up to a “fluke,” but it hasn’t been.  There are more apostolic folks running around then ever.  You can hardly go to the Grocery store these days without running into an apostle (note sacrasm). Can this really the be?  Has it become the sexy…wanted gifting?  I’m just gonna say it; the church is often simply crazy in it’s panting for the new (or old in this case). read more

Today's post is by Julie Jones.  Julie is a collegue of mine at Christian Associates. Her and her husband, Darrin have ministered in France and Morroco and are amazing people.  

Brennan Manning in his book, Lion and Lamb takes a look at two views of life and theology. As I read this chapter I was struck with the powerful reminder that the way we see life and interpret theology greatly influences how we plant churches, what kinds of churches we plant and ultimately what kinds of lives we lead. read more

Easter was a very complicated and multi-layered holiday for me this year.  There is a reason for this complication.  This year three important events took place for me.  The obvious is it is the day that the Christian church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Another, a few years ago my  mom died rather unexpectantly.  Lastly, it is the day my beautiful daughter was born.

A death, a birth and a resurrection.  Wow!  One, I still grieve over…the loss.  I still miss my mom like her passing happened yesterday.  She was such a humble and devoted lover of her husband and her sons. The second, I wept and still weep over, only with sheer joy.  Being a father of such a remarkable young woman is one of the greatest wonders and privileges this life has offered.  The last, Christ’s resurrection, I celebrate its reality and hunger for its fulfillment in me.  I literally quaked yesterday as I heard the story once again told of the Christ event, culminating with his grand rising from the grave. As Russ Davis proclaimed yesterday at our community gathering, it literally changes everything!  I couldn’t agree more! read more

Kentucky < Kansas…

Kansas < Kentucky read more

In Psalm 102:14 it says, “For your people love every stone in her walls and cherish even the dust in her streets.”

Do you love your city? read more

I am speaking at the Crossroads International Church of Amsterdam this next Sunday.  I had the treat of visiting there and teaching a seminar on the missional church this last Sunday.  It is the second church that was planted by Christian Associates (the first being Crossroads Geneva) and stands as arguably one of the most innovative and impactful churches in Europe. The worship is passionate and the new teaching pastor, James Paton is clear and insightful in his exposition of the Bible (with a wee Scottish accent as well).  It truly is a tremendous sign of the Kingdom of God in Western Europe.

Here is a shot of the service I attended – one of 3  read more

(A blog I wrote before coming to Europe – a bit late, but better than never)

I got the chance to go to a couple of lectures a couple of weeks ago by Peter Rollins.  His latest book is entitle, Insurrection and has of late caught much of a certain stream of Christianity by storm. read more

The video below was produced by one of my colleagues in Madrid, Spain, Kelly Crull.  Their project (called Decoupage) seeks to reach out and live out tangible gestures of love to the artistic community of that amazing city.  Kelly shared the same story at our last event and I am so please to be able to push it out a bit.  I really think you'll be amazed!

read more

So sorry about being so dormant on my blog of late.  It’s like I have gone underground.  In a way, I have.  I have been traveling and busy and blah, blah, blah.  You get the idea.  Anyway, I hope to start logging some of the things that have been piling up in my heart during my recent globetrotting. 

Just so you know, I am in Europe at the moment (Rotterdam) staying at the Bos hotel (my friends Sophie and Rogier Bos’ house).  They are remarkable hosts and incredibly generous with their lives and home.  I have been traveling for some time and have hit the collision wall between the romance of travel and the reality of travel.  Only those who do it for a living “get it.”  Just so you know, I left Spokane on Feb 22^nd, to Denver, to DC, to London, to Nice and Grasse, FR, to London again, to Amsterdam (Rotterdam, The Hague) NL, to Leuven, BE, back to Rotterdam and today to Antwerp, BE and back to Rotterdam.  Tomorrow I migrate back to Amsterdam until the 19^th, when I return home.  Awesome…not awesome!  J read more