While reading through the gospel of Mark the last several evenings, I’ve been amazed at how Jesus went about leading others in the way of the Father. In many ways, one can actually see Jesus redefining who the Father is to a people who made God into their own image. The way he shared the Father’s love with the broken, marginalized, despised re-presented God to the masses; that God wasn’t an abstract idea limited to the legal experts, but that he could be touched, heard, petitioned, trusted.

In our day and age, especially in the modern church, we oftentimes derive our model of leadership from so many places other than the life of Jesus. Granted, there are numerous helpful principles to learn regarding leadership from corporate execs, nonprofit organizations, etc. But at the heart of “Christian” leadership has to be the life and ministry of Jesus – a life lived under the influence and power of the Spirit. And it’s this Spirit-led leadership that is essential in expanding God’s Kingdom amidst this war-zone of a world.

In the gospels, such leadership is flexible enough not to be insensitive to the ever-changing challenges persons face. Yet, it’s not without purposeful direction and inflexible resolve. Taking priority is the love of the Father being shared by the power of the Spirit. We do well to face up to the reality that the Spirit-led, Jesus-like leadership that we need in the church will stand over against those who are not about the Father’s business. A broken, worldly system no doubt has leaders that spearhead movements that go with the current of selfish ambition. However, among those living under the reign of Jesus are brothers and sisters who cry out for the Spirit’s empowerment to lead others in the ways of God in a manner that doesn’t undermine the message they proclaim.

These leaders may not make the covers of magazines or win the applause of many; yet, they lead people in a new way of life – real life – where they discover what it means truly to be a human being. And the only way that we can show others what true humanity looks like is to look at the life and ministry of Jesus who is the first fruits of a new humanity. He shows us what it means to be genuinely human. His relationships with others help us understand what it means to do the will of the Father and lead by the power and presence of the Spirit.

Yesterday, things got quite eventful in front of the Hill University Center at UAB.  While I was finishing up a book by NT Wright, a friend spotted me in a nearby foyer.  He and I chatted a bit until finally it was time for his class.  As he was packing up, he asked if I had heard the “street preacher” who was outside.  Intrigued.  I walked out and spotted a growing crowd surrounding a young gentleman who was holding a sign which read – “JESUS CHRIST will cast ALL SINNERS into the LAKE OF FIRE on the DAY OF JUDGMENT.”

Hmmm… let’s see what the “preacher” is preaching.

A few quotes by the “preacher” (Jesse Morrell) that stand out:

- “If you voted for Obama, you need to repent of your sins… you are not born again.”

- “The bible says, ‘Thou shalt not be a socialist.’”…

- “God is a capitalist.”

- “I serve the ‘real’ Jesus.”

- “You all are sinners!”  “I’m going to heaven!”

- “Obama is an anti-Christ!”

Well, there were other similar statements made, as well as numerous rebuttals offered by onlookers.  Yet, after about 15-20 minutes of listening to the young man, I was still listening for the “Good news.”  Granted, he was definitely “preaching” his opinion of things.  But was it “biblical preaching”?

Furthermore, how effective is such “evangelism” which proclaims the love of God in a manner that seems to contradict the message.  Understandably, the judgment of God is a grave and oftentimes neglected truth.  However, do such methods of “sharing God’s love” invite others to forsake their sins and turn to Christ by faith?  What are your thoughts?  Might this method of “evangelism” win the lost?  Or does it do more harm than good?

Also, I imagine Jesse isn’t alone in folks who consider God to be a Capitalist.  But is this the case?  What if God is not the capitalistic, democratic god that many in the western world have devised?  Might the Kingdom of God exemplify a different politic?  Does it matter that Jesus Christ offers a way of life that stands over against the fallen powers by which our world’s governments function?

Still thinking about things,

Shannon

Dee and I hope to have everything packed up and ready to move by tomorrow.  We’ll be moving most everything on Saturday morning (with the help of a few friends).  We’re excited to say the least about the new place.  It’s a bit closer to the church and still has good access to the interstate for Dee to commute to UAB.  All in all, the entire thing is a miraculous display of God’s provision.

Last night, we had drama practice at the church for the kids, as many of them will be participating in a drama this weekend for Father’s Day.  There were five kids who were not in drama practice with whom I had an opportunity to discuss a lesson from Mark 12.28-34.  The lesson was called “Jesus Rules Myspace.”  We discussed the popular (mis)understanding of compartmentalized Christianity.  So many times, we are tempted to view Christianity as our “spiritual” commitment which has no bearing upon practical, everyday life.  Yet, Jesus’ response to the scribe who asked what was the most important commandment of all was twofold.  First, he quoted the “shema” (Hear, O Israel) from Deut 6.  Many translations (e.g. ESV, NIV, NKJV, etc.) have “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  In this, he was addressing a polytheistic culture which worshiped many different gods (as it is today), and echoed the importance of living all of life in sole allegience to God.  A viable (alternate) translation of Deut. 6.4 which is brought out in the NRSV is “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”  Meaning, the crux of the text isn’t simply the oneness of God’s being, as it is a call to live under the one true God’s lordship.  Alan Hirsch does a great job of bringing out this point in his work – The Forgotten Ways.

The second aspect of the command was to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  Here, we spoke of the implications of our commitment to Christ.  If we say that we love God, but treat others like dirt, then we do not rightly understand what it means to live all of life under Christ’s lordship (cf. 1 John 2.9).  We must (re)define salvation as living life under Christ’s lordship by the presence and power of God’s Spirit rather than simply seeing salvation as a “get out of hell free card” (not trying to be crass).  I think Hirsch (and others; e.g. Eugene Peterson) is right when he discusses the trouble that our “sacred/secular” divide has caused many in the church.  That if we “master” the sacred space (which is usually defined by buildings, religious mannerisms, inflexible liturgies, etc.), then the ethic by which we live can be different in the “secular” space (which we often call “the real world”).  Yet, in light of Christ’s (called-for) lordship, all of life is sacred.  There is no space which should be outside the influence of God’s love.  And the ethic of the Kingdom, by which all Christ followers are to live, is one which looks like that of our Lord (total love for God and others).  Thus, as a Christian (Christ follower), we are in process towards total surrender to the Spirit of Christ.  That is, Jesus is to rule “myspace” (my heart, soul, mind and strength).

Blessings,

Shannon

I was reading through Mere Discipleship tonight after our Bridge meeting (the young adult meeting that we’re having at ACoG) and came upon this quote by Lee C. Camp:

When the word of God was made flesh, ‘all hell broke loose,’ and we should expect no less when the body of Christ continues its work of faithful discipleship. (p. 118)

Camp explores a bit how the Church serves as an extension of the ministry of Jesus.  Meaning that if we look at the ministry of Christ as found in the Gospel accounts, then we find the model of how the Church should operate.  The same Spirit who led and empowered Jesus also empowers the Church to be, as my good friend Jason Toole says, “Jesus with skin on.”  When Christ was here on earth it was as if there was a big bulls-eye on his life, set there by the devil and his imps.  And since the resurrection of Jesus and the empowerment of the Church, the bulls-eye has been transferred onto those who follow in the Way of the Lord.

As we have mentioned in the past few posts (as well as in the comments of our readers), discipleship is by no means an “easy” task.  It costs everything.  However, the return is that we have Him.  And in having Him, we have each other.  In pledging our lives to Jesus, by faith, we turn our back on the ways of the rebellious worldly system.  In doing so, we participate in the Kingdom of God – a Kingdom which is not here yet in its fullness but, nonetheless, is here.

What are some ways that you think discipleship should be re-centered into the local church?  How does your church go about training folks to follow in the way of Jesus?  If your church has “discipleship programs” in place, please describe the programs a bit and tell whether these are sufficient in your estimation?  Is the church building the place where the heart of discipleship occurs?  Why or why not?

Peace,

Shannon

I would like to unpack a bit further the issue of our last post (Sunday-Monday divide).  I appreciate the comments shared thus far.  The replies have been very helpful.  Sonny brought out a good point concerning the transition that occurred in the church’s identity during and after the time of Constantine.  For those who are unfamiliar, Constantine (ca. 272-337 CE) was a Roman emperor who allegedly had a vision that instructed him to draw the symbol Chi Rho (the first two letters of the word “Christ” in Greek, as seen in the picture above) on his soldiers’ shields during the battle of the Milvian Bridge, Oct. 312 CE.  It is said that in the vision Constantine was instructed, “By this sign you shall conquer.”¹

After emerging victorious in this battle, Constantine attributed the victory to the God of the Christians.  Thus, he and his co-emperor at the time, Licinius, issued what is known as the edict of Milan in 313 CE, which called for religious toleration throughout the empire.²  Until this time, as Sonny mentioned, the Christians were a suffering, persecuted minority.  However, after this edict, Christianity began to take on a more respectable, prominent role in the empire.  That’s a good thing, right?  Not necessarily.

Slowly but surely, the church, in her identity and purpose, began to merge with the empire.  And by the end of the 4th century CE, “the emperor Theodosius finalized the conquest of Christianity, making the faith of the Christians the only legal religion in the empire… The Church had arrived, or so it appeared.  Thus arose ‘Christendom’ – an alliance between church and empire.”³  After this transition, the church began to define the faith in a more compartmentalized manner.  If the empire is understood to be “Christian” and many of its members, for the most part, live in an un-Christlike manner, then discipleship (living under Jesus’ lordship) is emphasized less and less in teaching what it means to be “saved”.  And when one falls prey to the myth of a Christian “religion,” acknowledging proper teachings/doctrines takes precedence over entering a new way of life (now lived in allegiance to Jesus).  Thus, we divorce what we “believe” from how we live.  And as Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”

As Jeremy, Mike, Dee and Jason have also alluded, salvation entails more than simply claiming to be a “Christian” by title, church membership, and/or experience (e.g. saying the “sinner’s prayer” however many years past).  Not to belittle the relevance of admitting to others (verbally) that we are “Christians,” being part of a local assembly, or surrendering one’s life to Christ in prayer – at the heart of “salvation” in the New Testament is “to participate in the kingdom of God, that long-awaited rule of God, in which the rebellion, with its corollaries of lust and violence and greed and self-seeking, is undone.”4  And, in order to participate in God’s Kingdom, there has to be a change brought about in a person’s life.  He or she must “repent” of the old world order and, by faith, pledge his or her life to Christ.

Such a faith-commitment means that one no longer lives in accordance with the rebellious worldly system (cf. Rom 12.2).  By the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, we surrender each area of our lives to Jesus’ lordship.  Meaning, all of life is sacred or lived out “as unto the Lord.”  As followers of Christ, it is important to realize that our relationship with God is inextricably connected with our relationship with others (even our enemies!).  That at the heart of being witnesses of Jesus is living and loving as Jesus did.  We enter into a Christlike, Spirit-empowered life of love for God and others.  And, of course, we don’t do this by our own strength or smarts.  It is through the empowering grace of God that we enter into this new order; a way of life inaugurated by our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Shannon

¹ Lee C. Camp, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2008), pp. 25-27.

² See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I

³ Camp, Mere Discipleship, p. 26.

4 Ibid., p. 81.

I’ve been doing some soul-searchin’ of late, particularly concerning the lordship of Jesus.  I’m sure you’ve heard ministers admonish men, women, boys and girls “just to receive Jesus into your heart” or “all you have to do is believe in Jesus.”  My question is whether our neatly encapsulated message is the proper way to go about inviting others to faith in Christ.  Does Christ need acceptance?  Or does our acceptance of Christ equate to a blase confession of being “Christian” which entails little to no change regarding day to day living?

As many of you know, I’m still working on People of Bread by Vondey, but since our pastoral transtition at ACoG, I’ve zeroed in on The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch and, now, Mere Discipleship by Lee C. Camp.  Quite honestly, Hirsch’s work is one of the most challenging reads I’ve encountered in a while.  Not regarding its style and readability.  Challenging – as in driving me to question (in a good way) the motivations and fruitfulness (healthiness) of the way/s we go about “doing” church.

One of the questions that has come to mind over the last few weeks is whether there is scriptural warrant to the understanding of a sacred/secular divide.  Are there certain parts of life (e.g. “church” on Sunday or Wednesday) which are particularly “holy” or “sacred,” while other parts are “secular,” outside the influence or scope of one’s spirituality?  If there is a sacred/secular divide, where do we find Scriptural warrant for such?  If there is not, then why do we oftentimes succumb to this notion in our assemblies?

With Jesus being Lord & Savior of my life, what impact does this have upon how I live?  Is it simply a matter of his saving my “soul,” whilst understanding that my thoughts and actions can never be tamed?  Or is there something more to my professed surrender to the lordship of Jesus whereby every aspect of life is impacted and thus transformed (or being transformed) unto Christlikeness?

What are your thoughts?  Does such a divide exist as evident in our understanding of church here in the West?  Is this helpful or harmful?  What can we do in response?

Thinking out loud,

Shannon

³²Moses said, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: “Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, in order that they may see the food with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.” ’ ³³And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord, to be kept throughout your generations.’ ³⁴As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the covenant,^* for safe-keeping. ³⁵The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

(Exod. 16. 32-35 NRSV)

For 40 years, God provided for Israel while they wandered in the desert.  Due to unbelief and disobedience, Israel did not immediately enter into God’s desired blessing of the Promised Land, “a land where you may eat bread without scarcity” (cf. Deut. 8. 6-10).  Yet, God still provided for his people in the midst of their wanderings.  Isn’t this an amazing display of God’s gracious intervention in our lives in spite of our less-than-ideal circumstances and/or response?  As a gracious Dad, who longs for his children to have the very best, he provides for us even when we don’t quite understand his provision (remember that “manna” literally means “what is this?”).  However, as we’re making decisions each day at home, on the job, at school, in the hospital, at the church, in the jail, etc., we’re not left alone in the process of things.  God, by his Spirit, calls, beckons, woos, encourages, convicts us toward unreserved surrender in our relationship with Him.  But must we have everything figured out (even the Bible) before we say “Yes” to God’s purpose for our lives?

I don’t think so…

If you feel like you’re wandering somewhat aimlessly in a desert land, know for a surety that God loves and cares for you in the midst of your reservations, doubts and fears.  That you don’t have to have everything figured out in order to trust Jesus (who is God revealed to us).  What our enemy (satan) doesn’t want us to do is to slow down and take inventory of God’s goodness in our lives (even while we’re wandering in limbo regarding faith in Jesus).  The one who provides the bread in the wilderness (a sustaining nourishment to make it through the day) is he who calls you to trust him with your heart and life.

Peace,

Shannon

Entering the room, I didn’t know exactly what to expect.  I knew that it was a wonderful opportunity to be able to meet and talk with some fellow ministers concerning what it means to follow Jesus Christ and lead others in this path.  Young in ministry and in my overall walk with God, there is so much of which I am unaware. Programs, leadership styles, methodologies, conflict resolution, vision casting, spiritual guidance, family nurture, spiritual warfare, biblical exposition, mentorship, communication, time management, ecumenical perspective, organizational facilitation, and the list goes on and on. So many things to consider in the direction of pastoral ministry.  

In many ways, and oftentimes, the how tends to overshadow the why. To me, the why is a given.  God loves us and made a way for persons to be restored to Him.  By faith in Jesus, we enter into a relationship with God.  This relationship is empowered by the Holy Spirit (God), so it is a matter of trust and obedience as opposed to simple will power and personal piety (although both are involved).  As we grow in this relationship, God calls us to a life of influencing others to enter his Kingdom, thereby embracing his lifeline to rescue us from eternal sin and death.  The why seems much clearer than the how.  Thus, in my mind I think I was more focused on learning the latest info pertaining to the how of ministry.  You know, that which makes things more “effective.”

And as I’m walking into the room, I see an older lady who appears sweet and hospitable, yet somehow firm and resolved.  

“Hello, my name is Shannon.”

With a gentle smile, she replies, “Hello, Shannon.  I’m Margaret Gaines.”  

My mind considers the name somewhat familiar.  However, it doesn’t fully dawn on me until we’re all seated and the meeting begins – Margaret Gaines…(trying to remember)… She is the missionary to the Arabs of whom I have heard tremendous accounts of miracles in ministry.  In a short while, Sis. Gaines is asked to share with us some things on her heart concerning ministry.

Of all the things which she shared, the one thing that resonates in my mind pertains to the simplicity of walking with God.  We must be willing to walk with God.  And in walking with God, his love draws us into a loving relationship (with Him and others).  Such a relationship entails a sincere trusting God with our lives that finds expression in faithful obedience to God’s Word.  So, beyond novel methods, models and means, the word shared was one that called us back to the simplicity of faith – as a child lays her head upon the shoulder of her father, we can trust our Father to take care of us in spite of the storms.  

Arriving home later that evening, I thought of the many wonderful things learned throughout the day.  However, some things slipped through… They slipped through the note-taking, concept-oriented rationality which is definitely a necessary component, and they began to percolate in hidden places of my heart.  No matter how well versed I am in the methods, models and means of ministry, the heart of my influence stems from walking with God.  Am I walking with God, day by day, place by place, conversation by conversation?  Have I pledged devotion to Him, even when I don’t fully understand life, death, the world, the church, salvation, sin, people, pain, etc.?  For it is in walking with God that I find myself joined hand in hand, heart in heart, gift in gift with other brothers and sisters of like surrender who know that without trusting God, we are left to our own devices.  Such a picture underlines the gravity of being disconnected from God (by sin) and the gracious redemption offered by a loving Father determined to rescue his children.

Pondering her call to walk with God,

Shannon

I’ve been a Christ follower for just over ten years now.  When I first surrendered my life to God, through faith in Jesus, a friend of mine (the fellow who led me to the Lord) kept reminding me over and over – “Shannon, you’ve got to be ‘in it to win it’.”  At first, I was like, “I know, I know.  Of course, I’m in it to win it (the good fight of faith that is).”  A bit later (not that long really), I soon discovered why my friend was constantly reminding me of this. It’s because no matter the elation of one’s present, there come times when we are tempted simply to quit – on God, on others, on goals, on ministry, on and on and on the list could go…

I’ve heard various sermons about persistence, resilience, stick-to-it-tiveness, encouragement, etc. (and I love the picture above, D’s parents have it on their refrigerator).  Also, the Scriptures are replete with evidence of God’s persistence and determination.  Yet, sometimes God even seems to draw the line. 

When I got home tonight from church, I was standing at our kitchen counter flippin’ through a book that a friend recently gave me. I haven’t read the book as of yet, but one particular story in it jumped off the pages as I skimmed through.  The story was of a young minister and his family who recently accepted a ministry position.  The couple was so excited about graduating bible school, working hard to provide for their family, ardently seeking God’s direction for their lives (as to where they were best to advance God’s Kingdom), and finally being appointed to a very promising ministry position.

Upon working there for a short while, the book said that the couple met much resistance in the ministry.  None of the exuberant hope-filled dreams with which they began seemed to come to pass.  One thing led to another, until finally, the couple was removed from their position of ministry (because they did not meet people’s expectations).  Shortly afterwards, the family gave up on God and, over a period of time, gave up on each other.  

I remember thinking (praying) while I was reading this – God, please don’t let this happen to us.  My question is, for those who are following the Lord, do you ever struggle with just giving up? When times like this come your way, what do you do?  Are there folks in your life whom you trust enough to share this?  Are there certain things which help you during “dark nights of the soul,” wherein you feel like you’ve reached bottom?  Now, of course, the standard responses might be – pray more, believe more, just be positive, etc.  And each of these definitely has its place.  But, if you will, please be a bit more specific as to what you do when faced with the temptation to quit.

For my friends, don’t worry, I’m not in this season right now.   The story in the book just brought this to mind.  And although the skies are bright and currently clear.  I’m old enough to realize that the storms are sure to come.

Blessings,

Shannon

Recently, I read a thought-provoking article by John Ortberg called, “Your Hidden Curriculum,” found in the winter 2009 volume of Leadership Journal (a good journal I might add that can be found at Barnes & Noble). Below the title, Ortberg asks – “What do people learn from you about the Christian life?  Sometimes it’s what you never intended to teach.”  The author contends that if there ever is a contradiction between our “formal curriculum” (small group studies, sermons, lessons on prayer, etc.) and our “hidden curriculum,” folks always believe the “hidden curriculum.”  He describes the hidden curriculum of a church as

“Who gets fawned over, and who gets ignored?  How do the staff and leaders get along when they’re off the platform and think nobody’s looking?  How does a small group respond when someone shares a problem that is untidy and unresolved?  Do leaders respond with panic or irritation or confidence or gentleness when a problem strikes?  When there is a conflict, do people face it head on or go into avoidance mode?  Does the church staff run on fear?” (p. 50) 

A few months back, some dear friends of ours visited from Georgia. We were hanging out in the living room for some good ole’ conversation over coffee (or soda for some).  Knowing that the couple recently relocated, I asked if they had yet to find a local church.  The young lady shared with us how she and her husband visited several churches.  One particular congregation (of the same denomination of which they were part in their last locale) seemed to be very promising at first.  However, after the announcements were given before the congregation, our friend said that she was greatly dissatisfied with how inwardly-focused the church was.  

Now, if you took a sweeping glance in the bulletin, there seemed to be no way to arrive at such a conclusion.  There were all kinds of “ministry groups,” “community projects,” etc. that had the trappings of a “successful” church.  But our friends heard and observed something different than what was listed in the bulletin (or on the church website).  They observed folks talking about various fellowships, get-togethers, luncheons, trips, etc. that centered around the satisfaction of those attending.  What was missing was a missional message laced within the conversations and actions of those attending, particularly the leadership.  

Thankfully, our friends did in fact find a local assembly in which to participate; one whose body-life looked more like that of Jesus. However, this conversation, coupled with Ortberg’s article, sparked some questions in my own mind about the traditioning (discipleship) of the church.  What exactly are we passing on?  What legacy of love are our children learning?  If we slow down a bit and prayerfully observe our attitudes, actions, conversations and vision, are we leading people in the way that Jesus is the Way?  Eugene Peterson’s excellent work, The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way, highlights the ways by which Christ embodied the way of salvation.  It’s an interesting and helpful critique.  

• Do I affirm undying love for Jesus but treat others around me in an unChristlike manner?
• If I claim to love all persons, do I surround myself with friends who are only like me?
• Do I profess that all persons are important and then rush past everyone without slowing to hear their concerns?
• Do I preach reckless abandon in worship and then hoard my resources and satisfy my own impulses for stuff?
• Am I undermining God’s love for all by my negative conversations and snide remarks concerning others?
• Do I pray at home with my family or only at church when called upon?

Asking myself these questions and more,

Shannon