Here's what has been on my mind for the last week or so. I'd like to hear a brainstorm of thoughts on what the first step might be for a church who wants to change the world! No answers are wrong, no answers are silly, no answers are off limits, if you genuinely have some thoughts on what the first step is then we want to hear it! Leave a comment to this post and everyone can see them.
I have my own thoughts about this, but I'm really excited to hear all of yours! I've always believed what our former State Minister Bob Moss says, "We do better together". So while my thoughts or Jeremy's thoughts are good and helpful, all of our thoughts and ideas together should help us zero in on a decisive first step! So get those creative juices flowing and share them with all of us!
I don't know about all of you, but I'm a little weary of just talking about making an impact in lives and in the world. I want to actually risk DOING IT! And it is a risk. We are in a battle! The enemy of our souls does not want us to succeed. But the God who spoke this universe into existence DOES want us to succeed! And with His help...WE WILL!
So let's hear your hearts about this! I'm looking forward to hearing them!
In His Grip,
Pastor John
7 comments:
The experiences that God has brought me through in these past several weeks make me believe that a solid first step is to get people (congregation and community) to know God's love. And by "know" I don't mean academically...in their heads. I mean intimately know it in the depths of their heart...the place where they operate from daily...the place where their decisions are made.
It's not only a matter of knowing God's love but knowing it accurately...for lack of a better word. The type of love that seems so often promoted in the church to describe God's love is from the Greek word "agape." Which is a self-sacrificing "in spite of" love. It is an amazing love to be sure and one that very much a part of the character of God. But how much power is there is just that type of love alone? If you told your spouse that you loved them in spite of all of their flaws and imperfections, I'm sure you'd get some evil looks...like you were holding your nose at something smelly.
There is another greek word translated as love...Eros. Yes, that's where the word "erotic" come from, but in C.S. Lewis' book "The Four Loves" he describes it as much more than mere sex. It is a passionate love with desire and longing. To quote Lewis, "Sexual desire, without Eros, wants it, the thing in itself; Eros wants the Beloved." This understanding of Eros combined with Agape love gives God's love an amazing, compelling power. Yes, God loves us "in spite of" many things, but he also passionately desires us and delights in us. He sees our value because he created us. He WANTS us. He CHOOSES us.
If we can get this passionate love from God deep into the hearts of the congregation and community, I can't imagine it not spreading like wild fire. In a world hurting as bad as this one is, how could it not? And what better source to love others than from the love from God living in your heart?
BTW, another book recommendation: "Love Beyond Reason: Moving God's love from your head to your heart." by John Ortberg. -Phenomenal book!
This is more of a tool to help us how figure out how we can change the world, rather than a change itself.
I think that learning about and knowing each of our "Chazown"s would help us understand what it is God wants us to do.
I first learned about the concept a couple of years ago when Pastor Joshua led a (large) Sunday school class about it. It was an amazing experience for me, and I my growth in my relationship with God and my understanding of Him is much better because of it. This doesn't do it justice, but it was an eye-opening experience.
Dustin (I believe) led another Chazown Sunday school class recently, too.
I'm not really saying what we should do about it (yet), I'm just pointing it out as a great educational tool and enriching concept.
Some information:
http://ldp.lifechurch.tv/jsp/main.jsp
http://www.amazon.com/Chazown-khaw-ZONE-Different-Your-Life/dp/1590525477
One idea I've had for a couple of years was to offer a financial counseling (maybe there's a better term for that) service from the church.
Ever since I discovered Dave Ramsey (see Pastor Jeremy's blog post for information about him) a few years ago and read his book, "The Total Money Makeover", I've been focused on becoming debt-free. In a broader sense, I feel very much in tune with Dave Ramsey's philosophy (in short: have savings, no debt) - I mean to say, I feel very knowledgeable about it. I've advised a few of my family members on Dave Ramsey's techniques, and it's working for them! (No one ever listens to me, so that's a big deal!)
And now, one of the biggest concerns that I have about society in general is our indebtedness. As Dave Ramsey (and Pastor Jeremy) puts it, we should be in debt to Jesus Christ only. As Pastor Joshua put it in a sermon about finances a couple of years ago (and, as the Bible puts it, paraphrased), we are enslaved to our lenders. Any time I hear a credit offer (like, a commercial), I grimace. Any time I see someone buy a new car (which I have done twice), I want to step in and say something (whether I could/should is a different discussion). Dave Ramsey (and others) is reaching many people with his debt-free message, but not enough people understand it – and to be sure, a lot of people couldn’t do it on their own.
Think how different the community would be if people (households) had budgets and were out of debt. In a selfish? (but righteous?) way, think of the tithing the community could give to the church(es)! Think of the good work the church(es) could do with that money!
So, I thought it would be a useful service/tool to offer to the church and (more importantly, with regards to changing the world) to the community. The service may consist of me and (hopefully) some other like-minded folks (Pastor Jeremy- I'm looking your way!) being available to have private financial planning/counseling/education sessions with anyone. It could even dovetail with the pre-marriage counseling a couple goes through before being married at the church (building) - as in, it could be required to meet with one of the church financial counselors (separately) along with the pre-marriage counseling. Or, it could be a requirement (or a strong recommendation) for anyone who comes to the church for benevolence (help with bills).
There is also a class that Dave Ramsey sells called “Financial Peace University”. A lot of churches (including some in this area) offer it, so it might be a place to start. Dave Ramsey’s company also offers financial counseling training (they have a ministry-specific certification), so that’s a consideration too (i.e., sending someone there so we have a trained counselor). I’ve been thinking about offering to split the cost with the church if the church was interested in sending me. More information about the training is here:
http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/counseling/index.cfm?FuseAction=dspBecomeACounselor
By the way, if anyone wants to read the "Total Money Makeover" book, let me know. I'd be happy to lend it out. It's a simple and quick read (that's how I was able to read it), and very inspiring (with personal success stories).
Justin, we did a finance class several years ago. It was a day-long event (I believe offered twice) and we met in the fellowship hall and took the class via satellite. I don't remember the course, although I know it wasn't Dave Ramsey. It came with a workbook and we worked through a lot of things in small groups and with our spouse if we had one there. I think we did lunch, too. It was a pretty good course, although now I am a fan of Dave Ramsey.
I agree with what you are saying, I just wanted to let you know about this previous course. I believe it was probably in 2004 or 2005. It was actually pretty successful so I do think it is something that would be well attended, especially in today's economy when people are looking for answers.
As another tool suggestion, what do you all think about having a church-wide survey regarding what problems/issues the church sees in the community, and/or what the church thinks that we should do? This is possibility similar to one or more of the surveys done by the search committee - if so, we should probably take a look at those results (again) for ideas.
(And yes, I do realize that Pastor John's blog post is a sort of church-wide survey, but of course, there are a lot of people at worship on Sunday that aren't reading or posting to the blog.)
Justin, I told you I wanted to borrow that book months ag o. What's up with that? :) The simulcast we did that Sarah mentioned was called "Good Sense Budgeting" and was a Willow Creek program by Dick Towner. I know that the Board of Directors has talked about having financial These are great ideas.
In our staff meeting, Kathy mentioned that the first step in changing the world would be to change one's self. I thought his is very true. Pastor Ron said that church needs a greater presence in the community. I was thinking that we've got like a pallet of bottled water with our church logo on them. We should plan a big outreach event in early summer and pass them out.
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