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What if real church didn’t look like your neighborhood church. What if real church was something completely unusual, out of the ordinary, and radical. This past weekend I used an illustration out of a book by Neal Cole called Organic Church. In this book he talked about a group of Christians that decided to go where people are, rather than waiting for them to come to us. They started establishing “churches” or groups in pubs, community centers, coffeehouses, and all different types of community gathering places. I have not been able to get this one particular instance out of my mind, though. One group went to a bar called Portfolios. They were more or less the Green Berets because Portfolios was a coven of witches, vampires, Satanists, and warlocks. This is Hell’s kitchen. After a few informal conversations, one of the guys, Tim, was able to make a connection with Manuel. Out of curiosity, several of Manuel’s friends came over to intervene. Undaunted, Tim continued to share the power of Romans 6:23 with Manuel. Within a week, Manuel was baptized nearby on a beach. Within three weeks, he had brought and baptized himself three more of his own friends to Christ.
The power of the gospel to break the darkest hold on the hearts of men is staggering to me in this story. However, this really should be the norm. Jesus told us that the gates of Hell wouldn’t withstand the forward march of the Kingdom of God. And yet, we seem so content with the status quo. I know that I have been guilty of putting God, the church, and His Kingdom in my box. What if each of us blew up our boxes (culture, self-expressions, and conveniences) and went to where the people really are? What if we got in a position that God was truly able to put His incredible power on display? I am challenged by this notion, and I hope you are as well. Surely God is sickened by the lukewarm, self-serving consumerism of the modern expression of church life. I don’t know if you’re ready to take on a Portfolios or not, I am not sure I am; but we could start small and work our way and our courage up to that! Look around you…what if God wants to use you to start a fire? Who knows, a whole community, business, school, neighborhood, might be changed!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Recently, a couple of our leaders and I went out to The George Foster Home. This is an incredible place that works with the Montgomery County system to find temporary housing for at-risk boys in the community. Some of them have had minor run-ins with trouble and they find themselves looking for answers. One of the great gifts given to our church by God is the partnership of adopting this home. One of our small groups of suburban couples has taken on this whole household of inner city boys to love on in the spirit and name of Jesus Christ. Amazing! It has transformed us as much as it has helped them. We have been focused over the summer on a series called “Undoing”. We have been Undoing the damage, Undoing the stereotypes, and Undoing the negative effects of our enemy and his stronghold on our community. We will culminate this by heading down to this and other sites to Undo some damage. This brings me back to my story.
As we were walking through the house looking at some of the ways that we could bless them with improvements and repair, we came across an extraordinary young man. Now, don’t get me wrong. It is not that every kid down there is not extraordinary in some way. Each has his own story to tell. However, there is one kid who grabbed my heart. As we walked in, this small, young black teenager looked up at us. He flashed an infectious grin our way. He greeted us politely. As we interacted with him, he respected us with polite responses…“Yes sir, and no sir.” When we finished, he handed his homework to the house leader to be graded. “You all done?” he asked. “Yes,” was the reply, “you can grade it, but they are all right.” “They are,” the answer, “how do you know?” “Because, I am good at math.” With that another grin. He grabs his bus token and is off for an appointment. Lorenzo, the 6’ 6” leader of this band looks at me and says, “Do you know what Decapolis is?” “Well,” I stammer, “I know it is a city in the Bible.” “That’s right.” he says. “That is that kid’s name. Let me tell you his story.”
He proceeds to tell us how this kid had come to them a few weeks back. He said he is one of the most incredible kids they have ever had. For the last eight months, he has been homeless. He got on the bus to go visit his father. His father is in the hospital dying of Lupus. His mother died about a year ago with Lupus. He has been living on the streets by himself. As a sixteen-year-old kid, he would still take himself to the free clinic to get treatments, hoping to prevent Lupus from coming his way. Stunned! I stood there thinking: I have two teens at my house within months of this kid. A third within a couple of years. I cannot imagine them living on the streets. I am going to get to know Decapolis. Hopefully, we can show him what loving support looks like. In the meantime, I am proud to be a part of a group of people so committed to caring, loving, and sharing. The incredible people Undoing things around here are leaving their comfort zones, leaving their stereotypes, and leaving the damage in their wake…Undone!
Experiencing Grace
John
Well, it happened again. Another extraordinary day. For a second time since our inception as a spiritual family, we used a beautiful summer day to go to Eastwood Lake (an outdoor public park) and have a baptism. We sat on a hillside and practiced what Christians for centuries have done. One by one people came to a temporary microphone and shared their commitment to Christ. A brother and sister, husband and wife, singles…all moved emotionally as were we by their boldness to follow Christ. Their stories echoed throughout the park as onlookers and people in the park were able to hear.
One by one and two by two we took them out into the pristine setting of the water’s edge and placed them in a watery grave, pnly then to bring them up to the new life that Christ offers each of them. It was like the early church. It brought tears to our eyes. One man in particular said this was a special day for him, because he was burying a lot of his previous life before Christ that had actually taken place in that park. Only Jesus can do that!!!
The day was gorgeous. After witnessing and sharing together the event of our Christian faith, we sat down together and had a picnic. Enjoying one another’s company, children running and playing, and just relaxing in perfect weather, it was almost like a Norman Rockwell painting. Only God however, could paint a picture like this one. The weather, the fellowship, the sunset over the water, and oh yeah…redemption!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It seems that our church has developed a theme of UNDOING. You might ask what does that mean. Well, I have been doing a series on the weekends throughout the summer focused on this very topic. Most people are focused on their doings. Quite frequently, the Bible deals with undoings. Undoing the past! Undoing the damage and the negatives of traditional church life and church people. These are the themes that have been adopted. And let me tell you, it has been a journey.
It has taken us down into the urban areas and the poor sections of our community. We aren’t doing the traditional “drive-by churching’s” we are saying to this community, “We sincerely care.” I like to think we have made a dent with our Victory Project, but I have to tell you that whatever changes we have made in their lives and community, it has been multiplied exponentially in our church. It has changed many of our stereotypes, many of our perspectives, and many of our conversations.
But here is the kicker; it isn’t just the inner city! Since we have been focusing on this, I have noticed conversation after conversation of well dressed, well manicured, educated and successful people needing the Undoing of Scripture. In reality, this is the place true connection begins. There are millions who think they are super spiritual because of the façade they are able to uphold in a church community, the façade of having it all together. The truth is God has His hands full working with us until we are undone. Moses, David, Paul, Chuck Colson, Franklin Graham are all examples of people who discovered the power of Undoing. When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.
As I listen to people tell me with passion and energy in their voices their reports of the opportunities to connect with God in an Undoing, it is thrilling to my soul. Do you give to others without expectations? Do you serve without a built in prospect of reciprocation? If so, then I will see you Saturday at our next Victory Project event at Rollandia. Another opportunity to Undo some things in the name and love of Jesus! By the way, we’ll be undoing some things at Eastwood Lake this weekend too. Thank God for His Undoings!
Experiencing Grace,
John
The other day, I got an email from a friend of mine. It was a great article about Athletes in Action. It was written by a national religious editor for USA Today, who had recently had exposure to this organization. Jaded and repelled by his past experiences with self-righteous, perfect, know-it-all Christians, the reason for his article was that he was disarmed by their gracious manner. He commented that in their dialogue, their commitment to their mission was clear. And yet, it was presented in a manner that was respectful to those who choose not to agree or believe as they do. There is a novel concept these days for Christians. Our staff is reading a book together, and we recently went through a chapter where the author reminded us that although Jesus never compromised His standards of holiness, it never made Him unapproachable or unsafe. Sinners of every walk of life strangely knew He was different, and yet felt comfortable around Him. They even felt drawn to Him. What does that say of the current condition of Christianity when poll after poll tells us that Christians continue to be thought of in a negative light, and churches are the last place that people who are broken and hurting would turn to for help?
Here is what the journalist said that grabbed my attention. “Several AIA staffers I met voiced a desire to change the way Christians are perceived. ‘Many Christians are uncomfortable with where our culture is going, so they retreat from it,’ said Doug Pollock, AIA's evangelism director. ‘Instead of being 'in the world but not of it,' as the Bible stresses, they lob truth grenades over the walls of the fortresses they've created.’” Wow! Way to go, Doug! What an accurate picture of why we are where we are.
Here’s my thought for you this week. Drop the grenade! Rather than thoughtlessly lobbing “truth grenades” at people we don’t take the time to get to know, rather than being “right” all the time, rather than giving no thought to the collateral damage of our grenades, what if we acted more like Jesus? Let’s work on ways of letting people know that we are different, that they will not be shot, beaten, or hurt by us. And by the way, if you’re holding a grenade…put the pin back in it!
Experiencing Grace,
John
I stand back in amazement of what God has done through the Victory Project. It has literally been a God-thing at God’s speed. We are seeing more results, experiencing greater favor, and walking through more open doors than some faith based organizations that have been in existence for decades. A church that is primarily suburban birthing a baby that possesses a passionate heart for the least, the last, and the lost!
I think the thing that is the greatest encouragement to me is what this is doing to us. I personally have been touched and changed by my involvement in the greater community. Without question, I have watched this change many others among us. Stereotypes are falling by the wayside. People previously separated by income levels, skin color, background, and all other types of barriers are coming together. We are learning about each other. We are finding out that we are not as different from one another as we may have pre-conceived.
To take hope into hopeless people and situations is one of the most thrilling prospects I have ever been a part of. It may be a small difference we are making; but for the first time in my life, I feel like we are a part of the solution and not just a part of the problem. Thanks to those of you at the Gathering for embracing this vision. Thanks to community leaders for partnering with us. Thank You, God, for creating such a rewarding partnership. Who knew…and who knows where this will end up!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Last night, I was privileged to be a part of a small group of people who enjoyed an extraordinary moment. Life has those moments that throw huge doses of perspective at you. For example, it might be pretty easy right now to feel stressed by gas prices or the economy. Perhaps your family is going through or has been through a tough time. I know that pain is pain. It doesn’t matter what someone else is going through if you are feeling torn apart. However, I have to tell you, this will at least cause you to think. It might even cause you to be thankful for your problems. We received a phone call the other day that one of the men in our church had been diagnosed with cancer. When I sat down to talk with him, I discovered that two months earlier he was in good health and taking care of his wife who was sick and in the hospital. In his late 50’s, he was looking forward to retirement and enjoying time with her. Now, he has been informed that unless God does a miracle, he has months to live. That is tough news for anyone to hear. They had called and asked if he could be baptized, along with his wife. I sheepishly walked into this not knowing his state of mind. How would you respond? How would I? I honestly don’t know! I have to tell you, it was not what I expected. He has the most extraordinary outlook.
This group and I regrouped at their home last night and experienced a worship service in their living room. We read Psalms together and prayed over them as a couple. We took communion together in a sacred moment of remembering our own Redeemer, and then we baptized them. That’s right. For the first time in over twenty years of ministry, I baptized a man in his recliner! J His wife as well in the chair right beside him. It was cool! We worshipped God and we grew together. I don’t know whether God plans to heal my friend in this body or to heal him in a perfect body…but heal His son He will!
The most amazing thing about this man to me is his perspective. He is one of the most extraordinary encouragers I have ever met. I keep trying to say the “pastoral things” you say in moments like these, and he won’t let me talk. All he can say…as he sits there apparently being eaten alive from within by cancer… are amazing words of encouragement to everyone else. I told him I need to come see him every day, because I go to be a comfort, and he sends me out on cloud nine. He greets me by saying, “It is an honor to have you in our home.” Wow! Rather than complaining, feeling sorry for himself, or lamenting his plight, he speaks life into everyone who walks into his living room. He has one of the greatest attitudes, perspectives, and outlooks that I have ever seen in something like this. To my friend, thank you for blessing us! You have encouraged me beyond words. I am praying for your healing; but whatever happens, what we started last night…we will do together for thousands of years!
Experiencing grace,
John
Here’s a thought…what if those of us who claim to follow Jesus Christ actually patterned our lives after Him? Two thousand years of church baggage has blurred the vision of many from Christ’s own actions and reactions. Have you noticed how forgiving God can be and how unforgiving His followers can be? An insatiable need to be right, to be more pure than the next group, to constantly reassure ourselves against the backdrop of others failures are all vivid departures from who Jesus really is. While I am not saying the church has lost its place in our culture, I am saying it has created a huge obstacle to overcome. That is the negative perception of His own followers by those to which we are trying to share His message. This is not new. Gandhi said, “I believe I would have been a Christian, were it not for Christians.” Enough! It is time to stop apologizing for our insensitivity and stupidity and start making fundamental changes.
This is not a rant about crazy Christians, or an angry backlash at stupid things done in the past. This is a heartfelt appeal for true God followers to become less focused on ourselves, and more focused on the people we are called to show Christ to in our lives. Non-spiritual people or unbelieving people are not stupid. They see through our shallow gimmicks and slogans. They recognize that often times our evangelism, our programs, and our Christianity is more about us than them. And they have walked away in droves.
Consequently, God has put it on our hearts, at The Gathering, to go after the Dechurched. The Dechurched are not people who have been unchurched; they have no relationship with God. Quite the contrary, the Dechurched have a spiritual relationship, believe, trust and a love for God. They are simply tired of the games that church people play to make themselves look better. They are tired of the stereotypes, judgments, condemnations and insensitivity of modern expressions of Christianity.
We can make a difference – you and I. We can show this world a different expression of Christ-following. I believe a more accurate one. To be absolutely clear, we are all flawed and imperfect. The sooner we all admit this beyond a cliché level, the better off we will be. The second thing is to be love. As soon as I say this, some truth protector is going to call me soft, liberal, watered down or some other insult to bully me to their position. Sorry, I can’t do it. I can’t be so far away from the pattern of Christ just so angry, self-righteous Christians give their stamp of approval. I want to share with you, anonymously, an excerpt from an email I received this week. The person writes… “I always thought church was a place to judge and form opinions about people that make mistakes. The Gathering has been a place for me that I see that is not true about church. It is a place that I can be honest and truthful. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your church family. I look so forward to becoming an active member of your fine organization! Broken people have a place at The Gathering and I am so glad that something led me to your church.” This may only be a dent, a pebble in a great ocean of commotion and confusion, but nonetheless it is one! And if more and more of us treated others the way that God has treated us…who knows what could happen?
Experiencing Grace,
John
I don’t believe a bar is the place to find the answers to life, but I understand why some people feel much safer there. This week I led a New Member’s Class at our church. At the end, one of the people who God has led to our family said, “The thing I love about this church is that you don’t judge people. Virtually every other church I have been a part of judges people, and feels vindicated in doing so.” It is time to stop the madness! It is time that thugs in the Christian community stop destroying other people in the name of truth. It is time to stop the senseless and hypocritical violence! I am grateful to finally be with a group of people who get this. We are ALL sinners. And to those who aren’t a part of this…to those who don’t get it with the ‘throw the first stone’ bit, please…just don’t tell anyone you’re a Christian. We have enough to overcome with the damage already done!
Recently, I had lunch with a friend and a leader in our church. Both of us have been around the block enough in the “Christian circles” to know the drill. And yet, the topic of our conversation casually over lunch turned to the fact that we never cease to be amazed at the brutality of Christian on Christian violence. Now, I hate violence of any nature. I believe it to be the antithesis of who Jesus Christ, my hero, is. The African American community for years has decried the Black on Black violence that seems so senseless and so destructive. Drive-by shootings, gang warfare, and random acts of violence has created unspeakable grief and pain in a community already coping with many institutional wounds as a community. Rather than closing ranks, and showing solidarity, love, and support, many within the community itself “hate” on one another. Senseless!
I don’t know that I will ever understand why then it is that Christians live out this kind of foolishness. Self-righteous gang violence, drive-by slandering, and random acts of harm are not the patterns of Jesus. I just wish we could stop the senseless stuff. Rather than reinforcing the negative stereotypes of an unbelieving world, what if we shifted our focus to “do no harm.” What if we tried to love people with the crazy, unexplainable, unconditional love of our model - Jesus? What if we were less worried about always being right, and more focused on setting broken things back to right? I hope to spend the remainder of my life making a positive difference in the lives of hurting people. I don’t want people feeling like they have to go to a bar to find the acceptance they are looking for in life. What about you? Are you willing to love people, accept them, and offer a healing and helping hand? Speaking of hands, your hand is either lifting people up or pushing them back down. Which is it? And as for all the finger pointing…how has that worked out for us so far??? Just something to think about!
Experiencing Grace,
John
We now have a running joke among our crew here that has emanated out of what God continues to do. It has been amazing…over-whelming, even at times mind-blowing to watch what God has done with our church and His mission in the world. By taking seriously His charge to care deeply for the least, the last, and the lost, we have seen him partner with us in extraordinary ways! He has opened doors that we could not have opened on our own. He has given us favor with agencies and institutions that normally don’t connect with faith- based organizations very effectively. He has changed the lives, the futures, and the fortunes, of hundreds of kids. And He has changed us in the process.
It has at times almost become comical how He is using The Victory Project outreach though. This past week, we had yet another call from now a federal agency that wants to investigate a partnership with their at-risk community. We don’t know them and aren’t quite sure how they got our name. (But we know why!) Last night, one of our small groups made our first attempt to connect with the kids at The Nicholas Youth Center. They went down to hang out with the kids, prepare the way for a bi-monthly bible study time with them, and to play volleyball in the rain. By the end of the very first night, the kids were saying, “When can you come back?!” One of the adult leaders said, “We have never seen our kids respond like this to anything.” As they offered hugs and high-fives on the way out of the door, we once again realized this as a divine appointment!
So, now…every time someone calls out of the blue, every time we have one of those God orchestrated connections, every time another kid pronounces their new-found hope, every time one of our groups has an emotion altering experience outside of our comfort zone, we simply say, “Well, of course they did!” Our God is a good God!
Experiencing Grace,
John
When was the last time God set an appointment in your life? You know, one of those moments you hadn’t really planned on taking place. It is rarely on a schedule or a calendar. More often than not, it shows up as an ambush moment. When you least expect it, it’s there. You are just walking through life trying to walk with God, and He says, “You know what, I can trust you. I will use you!” And He intersects two lives that have eternal benefits and results. Yet again, this week we have seen another of those at The Gathering. I had yet another phone call from one of our staff leaders that led with, “You’re not going to believe this.” God has continued to open doors for us, to make provisions for us, and to create a unique existence that far supersedes “church life.” I will be honest, having been burned time and time again by “church people” over two decades of pastoring; I had just about given up on the organized church community. God has restored so much of my faith with these amazing events that we have experienced over the last year and a half of The Gathering, that He is restoring my soul and my faith.
I have seen clearly that God is still working mightily in the world around us. It just takes getting out of the crusty, self-satisfied organization of church life to see Him move in mighty ways. So, I say, let them have it. Let those who are “perfect” and have “all the right answers” meet and have meetings. I want to continue to meet with God. His meetings usually take place at the crash site. And for those who are willing to go to the crash site, get their hands dirty, and care more about real people than their persona, chances are…you will meet Him!
One last thing for this week…these are exciting times for our spiritual community! A week from Sunday, we will announce our building objectives. It is going to be awesome to have a home base to continue to reach out to our entire community with grace! Let me encourage you to get in the habit of checking, BecauseWeBelieve.com for regular updates and progress throughout the building process.
Experiencing Grace,
John
Last week, I was having dinner with some friends. One of them was Monnie Bush, the Director of our Victory Project. His phone vibrated on the table. He picked it up and checked the message. While we were still having conversation, he started beating the table. I looked at him and said, “What is up?” He punched another button or two and handed me the phone. He said you have to listen to this. So, I did. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. On the other end of the phone was the recorded voice of a young man, about 17 years of age. This young man is incredibly sharp and full of personality. However, he is also a product of his environment. We met this young man through one of our Victory Project events. This means he had experienced some run-ins with the authorities. At this event I watched as he came to life as we handed him the camera and said, “Why don’t you video tape this?” Several times since then, we have been able to interact with him and his family.
Back to the phone call...on the other line his usually bubbly personality and voice were shaky. Rather than his usual cutting up, he was near tears. He said,”Monnie, I need to talk to you. I am tired of this life and I want to give my life to God. You are the only man I know to turn to right now, can you help me?” Needless to say, we were elated. Monnie did call him back that night. And later that night, Monnie sent me a text that said “We have a new brother!” What an amazing God we have! Only God could have made this type of connection that changes an eternity!!!
I am so grateful to be at a place where people care about what God cares about. Where the focus is on what truly lasts. I am grateful that God is expanding that, and allowing us to realize a new home. Because We have Believed, we are experiencing an amazing truth…Grace and people can really meet!
Experiencing Grace,
John
In the stories behind the story, there is always a gem. This past weekend, we celebrated Easter. It is the time that sincere followers of Jesus Christ celebrate the ultimate victory. We have life, the promise of eternity, and restored relationship with God because of the finished work of Jesus. For years, it has also been traditionally a time when people who don’t frequent church make a weekend worship experience a part of their observance. And traditionally, churches have made it a time to take a twice-a-year swipe of guilt at these guests. No wonder they don’t beat the door down to get back the next week. Hey, give me some more of that.
Consequently, churches are populated by two groups of people. Masochistic people who feel better after they have been emotionally beaten, and self-righteous, know-it-all, dogmatic types who elevate their plastic lives by pointing out others’ short-comings. Again, no wonder that daily the church is losing influence with the very people we are called to bring hope to in the message of the gospel. It has been my experience of late that the gospel has little to do with the mission and the message of Christ and has more to do with a culture that cultivates pride and pretense. Never the twain shall meet.
That is why this story means so much to me. This story, now added to the growing list of incredible stories at The Gathering, points out that the people of The Gathering are taking seriously the fact that grace and real people can meet. A mother and her daughter were invited by a friend to our Easter service. It just so happens that I happen to know them and the background of their story. When they arrived and the celebration began, they both sat and wept at their experience. Rather than a cold, ritualistic observance of Easter, rather than an emotional beating for all of their OBVIOUS shortcomings, they were introduced to a warm and loving God. They discovered that He was crazy in love with them. As life would have it, I heard through the grapevine that they are starting a new habit. They are coming back this weekend. They are coming to our early service and then go grab a bite together as a mother and daughter. A pretty cool new habit to add to life. I just hope that we can meet their new-found trust with the grace that it deserves. I hope that they see Jesus. Not the Jesus who is a good luck charm, or the Jesus who has been hi-jacked by American suburban Christianity, but the Jesus who is crazy, madly in love with them. I hope they see the Jesus who has big plans for their lives. Now that’s a habit!
Experiencing Grace,
John
To a follower of Jesus Christ, there is no greater or more intense week than that of Easter. Yes, it is true that our culture has hijacked the season…as have most of them through the ever increasing secularization of America. Most view it more as a birth of Spring, kind of like a second groundhog day. Others throw a religious spin on it and dress up for an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Still others market the time with Easter bunnies and the sell of candy. Now for years I have believed that the church has exactly the wrong perspective of this. Knowing these realities and beating people up with them are two different things. Rather than resenting people and brow beating them for only showing up “twice a year”, we should be grateful for the opportunity to share with them in creative ways the greatest news ever told. The other makes church members feel superior, but has really no positive effect. One of our greatest sins (beyond our condescending, judgmental attitudes) is that we are boring. No wonder they only show up once a year…it is the same ole grind every time.
But I digress. The point I am trying to make is that beneath it all, this is spiritually the most significant week of the year. Christmas is magical and inspires us with the amazing love of God. However, without Easter, Christmas would be a bedtime story for children. He was born one of us for a reason! He came into the world not just to teach us a new and better way or to dazzle with the power of miracles. No, He had a divine appointment! His whole life was headed for a specific mission. Almost certainly, the drumbeat of that appointment would grow stronger and stronger with each step that took Him closer and closer to the cross. The last week of His life was an amazing paradox of humanity. From “Hail, Him!” to “Hang, Him!” in a matter of hours only reveals the capricious nature of humankind.
This week, I want to encourage you to walk that path with Him in your mind. Listen to the cheers as He arrives, knowing that they will turn on Him. Look into the eyes of the disciples who will one by one abandon Him. Look at Judas at the end of the table. Follow him out to the cover of private corridors, all the way back to a kiss on the cheek in his last act of betrayal. Watch Him wrestle with the weight of the world in the garden. Listen to the lying, condescending lips of the religious elite. Feel the whip, the thorns, and the weight of the cross. Imagine the agony of the nails. Look out over the ingratitude of the very people He came to rescue. Try to imagine the blackness of His soul as He cries out, “Father, where have you gone?” Watch the demons dance as His life ebbs away. Listen to the sobs of His mother and dear ones. BUT THEN…get up on Sunday morning and go to the tomb! It is over! It is finished! Now listen to the shriek of the demons as they realize their ultimate demise. He is alive again, and now He is victorious…and so are we. Because of Him we are free! Let me encourage you to be amazed this week. Walk this path, and worship Him!
Most everything we do in life we do because there is some level of reward in it. We go to work because of a sense of accomplishment…and the paycheck helps with the necessities of life. J We establish relationships because we feel connected to other people. We protect our families because we love them. We participate in a hobby because of the enjoyment we receive from it. We eat for strength…and because we like to eat. J J Well, you get the picture. Just about everything we do, we do for a motivating reason. For people of faith, Because We Believe…we act in certain ways in our lives as well. We live with a sense that God is involved in our lives, that He is watching our lives, and that He is ultimately going to hold us responsible for the way that we have lived our lives.
These days at the Gathering, we are living Because We Believe…! This is a call to action. It is a declaration. And, this is a commitment which involves everyone’s personal participation. Too many people talk of believing, but never transfer it to action. Our belief demands a response. As a spiritual family, we are moving forward! Recently, God provided land for us to build a new and permanent home. Ten beautiful acres in a wonderful location are creating a magnificent future for the awe-inspiring, life-changing ministry He has started in a group of people called The Gathering. As the plans unfold, and as the future becomes more and more clear, we are all going to be called upon to share our resources, our time, our talents, and our gifts to watch the patchwork of what God is pulling together in us. Weekly, I hear stories of how God is changing people’s lives…the most incredible stories I have ever heard in twenty plus years of ministry. And, I believe, this is only just the beginning. The doors He is opening in the heart of our city, the safety He is creating for broken and wounded people to find hope and healing in renewed relationships with Him are amazing. Because We Believe…we are acting on our past. Because We Believe…we are acting on our future. Because We Believe in our message, our community, and our future, I can’t wait to see what is on the other side.
Experiencing Grace,
JohnI begin with an apology. For those of you who read this on a weekly basis, I have been “preoccupied” over the last three weeks. We have been incredibly busy taking care of buying property, securing zoning approval through our township, and closing through the bank on that property. Praise the Lord, we are so excited to finally be land owners! We have also been busy developing plans for a new facility. This is going to provide a permanent home for The Gathering. Without question, God has been directing our steps from the inception. We have tried on several occasions to follow other paths where many churches around the country have gone. We looked for buildings to convert. We looked at leasing in plazas. We have looked at all types of options. In every case, it seemed so clear that God was saying stay put.
So, we began to look for a piece of property where we could build a building. We thought we had finally found it. We began to take the necessary steps along the way to purchase the property. At the last minute, it became another of a long line of closed doors through the oddest of circumstances. The zoning director, who had suggested the property to us, called to inform us that it couldn’t be zoned for a church. Back to square zero. What was God doing? Why did every turn seem to be a dead end? What we knew in our hearts and discovered over time was that God was steering us where He wanted us to go. A property that we would have initially wanted, but was out of our ability from a financial point of view, had been sitting there all along. Because the time wasn’t right, neither were the terms. However, as God was teaching us, He was preparing our property. We were blessed to be able in the right point of time to purchase these combined properties in an even better location at a greatly reduced price – all the while making it fit into our budget. Yeah God!
As God so often does, He uses our journey…the joys and the pain, the problems and the set-backs, the victories and the valleys to teach us how to trust Him. He is always good and always provides for His kids. We are so excited and thrilled that He has shown uncommon grace to us. By the way, He has continued to change lives in our midst with some of the most extraordinary stories you can believe. What a mighty, awesome God we serve! See you next week. I am back on track now experiencing uncommon grace!
Experiencing grace,
John
For years I have used an illustration for teaching purposes that has to do with forgiveness. Here it is…‘When the first missionaries came to Alberta, Canada, they were savagely opposed by a young chief of the Cree Indians named Maskepetoon. But he responded to the gospel and accepted Christ. Shortly afterward, a member of the Blackfoot tribe killed his father. Maskepetoon rode into the village where the murderer lived and demanded that he be brought before him. Confronting the guilty man, he said, "You have killed my father, so now you must be my father. You shall ride my best horse and wear my best clothes." In utter amazement and remorse his enemy exclaimed, "My son, now you have killed me!" He meant, of course, that the hate in his own heart had been completely erased by the forgiveness and kindness of the Indian chief.’
I love this story because it is almost heroic. How could someone forgive so freely, so easily, and so completely. I love this story because it shows the power of forgiveness. Bitterness, pain, and hurt are all parts of broken relationships. Anybody and everybody can understand that. Sometimes life just happens, and sometimes we do things to harm one another…much like the story. In either case, it is incredibly difficult to forgive. Even sanctimonious Christians, who know we are supposed to forgive, use the appropriate words, but struggle like everyone else to let go of hurts. That is why I have been blown away by a heroic example of the process of healing beginning.
This is not a story or a illustration. This is the real thing. Last week I shared with you Michael’s story and his turnaround. (If you didn’t read last week, you have to go back and read it to get this week’s story.) I am amazed as I write this week. God decided to test Michael early. After a great experience last week, we received a contact from Amber, a parole officer in the system. She notified us that Tommy, the teenager who shot Michael’s brother, was being released. She notified us that he felt great remorse and wanted to do something to make it right with Michael. When Monnie, our Victory Project Director contacted Michael about such an offer, he got quiet. Monnie went on to tell him that she had discussed with Tommy how we had become involved in Michael’s life and some of the changes that had resulted. Tommy then asked if he could come to our church, too. To our utter amazement, Michael thought about it and then said, “That would be cool.” Now, we know that there is a road to walk here; but I am not sure I could do what this courageous kid is doing! I am utterly amazed at the power of God to heal and to forgive. “You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Col. 3:13 (NLT) This is much easier to quote than to practice, believe me! Yet, whenever we do, there is a power that releases a response that is really only one word…WOW!
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to be a part of an extraordinary moment. It was one of those times when God just brings things full circle. I am including it here, because several months ago I referenced the first part of the story. This story, or at least our initial involvement in it, has a tragic beginning. Because of our connection with “at risk” youth in our city, every story comes with a story. Michael’s is no different. When we received a call from our friends at Building Bridges, we were horrified by their background report to us. You may remember me sharing Michael’s story at the time. Last year, two weeks before Easter, Michael’s mother overdosed on drugs. At the time, he was only sixteen and left in the world with only one living relative…his seventeen-year-old big brother. As if this wasn’t enough to bear, two weeks later, on Easter Sunday, Michael’s brother was shot in a random drive-by shooting. A senseless act of violence had now taken Michael’s only remaining family in this world. He was soon placed in a less than desirable foster situation and left to sort all of this out. This is where The Victory Project comes in. Contacted by Michael’s Parole Officer, we reached out to him. Several guys grabbed him and took him to a ballgame. He was a part of our V.P. events (bowling, field day, etc.). We intentionally hooked him up with a couple of brothers: Michael and Aaron, who had experienced difficult backgrounds themselves. In their early twenties, they were able to make a generational connection with Michael. They went to a movie and dinner together. They hung out together, and they developed a friendship. This is not to suggest that it all turned around here. Michael had both some issues and some incidents. Understandably, His anger at God, life, and his circumstances had left him feeling desperate at times.
Michael is one of the very first kids we locked onto and determined to love with the love of Jesus Christ. He has taught us that that love has to be persistent and not just convenient. This past Sunday his new friend, Aaron, was baptized. Aaron shared his dramatic faith story of how he had made many bad choices in his young life, but that God had always been pursing him. He had been trying to get his attention through these events. One year ago, early in the morning, when he was care flighted from an accident for a second time, he gave his life to Christ. Since that time, Aaron has been on fire about his newly found relationship with Christ. Jesus has changed his life in dramatic ways for everyone to see. Michael sat and listened to Aaron’s story (which he had heard before), but this time he really listened. He watched as his friend was baptized as a fully devoted follower of Christ. I had already spoken with Michael that morning; but after the second service, Aaron walked up to me with Michael and said, “Michael wants to talk with you.” “I want to be baptized, too,” he said. “That’s great, Michael; but first let me tell you what this means.” I proceeded to talk to him about opening his heart, finding forgiveness of his sin, and turning his life over to Christ. I asked him, “Do you think you’re ready to do that now?” “Yes!” he said. Aaron, a new brother bringing a new brother to Christ; Michael, a weary soul looking for peace, and myself joined hands and Heaven threw a party with Michael’s name on the banner as he walked over the line of faith! I looked at Michael after we stopped praying and said, “Michael, where is Christ now?” He looked at me confidently and said, “He is in my heart!”
I cannot tell you the joy we have been experiencing around here this week. All the kids, all the changed lives (the kids and ours), all the incredible stories of the past year and this unbelievable thing called “The Victory Project,” have been so awesome, that we regularly just shake our heads and say, “Only God!” We have seen this story come full circle. From a potentially life-destroying beginning, to a new life and eternity with Christ. I looked at Michael after we prayed and told him how proud I was of him. Easily, he could have been bitter and angry for the rest of his life. He could have continued this ever-present cycle of crime and violence because of what had happened to him. Instead, he is now going to use his life for God and for good. What an extraordinary experience! At the end of the day…this is what it is all about. Loving people, changing lives, and leading people to a healing Savior…how long has it been since you took someone full circle? Look around you today; I bet there is someone God wants to love through you!
Experiencing Grace,
John
A friend of mine just called me. He said, “I gotta tell you a story.” So, I said, “Go ahead.” He proceeded to tell me about a lunch that he had just experienced the day before. An old friend from home roots had called him up and asked to get together. Over lunch, this long time friend began to reveal how his life had taken a long and wrong turn. In fact, he was now acknowledging that because of his pain, he had become an alcoholic. As they sat there talking through his life, he made a strange statement, though. He said, “You know, you have always been a good friend to me.” And he said, “I think one of the best things that ever happened to me was about a year ago, you gave me a Bible. Do you remember that?” My friend acknowledged that he did. And then the gentleman said, “I have been reading it. In fact, I have probably read the Gospel of John 20 times or so.” As the story further came to light, he said, “You know what? I’m in trouble. I got my second DUI. It was in violation of a probation.” My friend said, “Are you o.k.?” And he said, “You know what…for the first time, I am at peace. You see when I left the jail that day, I prayed that prayer you talked about.” “I don’t know why I am at peace, but I am. My wife was just laid off. The company I work for was bought out, so we are both without work. I am facing possible jail time, but I have peace.”
My friend grinned and told him, “You know what that tells me?” “No, what?” “It tells me that God has come to live inside of you! And all of your problems may not instantly go away, but now He will go through them with you!” So, my friend calls me and says, “Can you believe that!” We went on to discuss how we could get involved in their lives and help them out in tangible ways. The small group my friend attends has stepped up with some financial support. Our church is going to help them in some additional ways. And since we are so involved now in Montgomery County Corrections, we are going to see if we can get involved and speak on his behalf to those handling his case. My friend contacted his friend back and told him some of this. His response…you guessed it, tears!
Now, we have all shed enough tears from our pain. It is an incredible moment whenever someone sheds tears from joy and a sense of renewed hope. I feel that whenever we overwhelm someone with love and a response of compassion, we are helping them to experience grace. People who only have to be “a little forgiven” aren’t moved. Yet, whenever someone experiences tremendous forgiveness and is flooded with grace, compassion, and hope, they are overwhelmed. At least that has been my experience. I am grateful that I have a friend who acts like Jesus.
And I am grateful to be involved with a group of Christians who bring hope to people instead of taking it away from them. If there is one thing about this life that you can say for sure…people need hope!
Experiencing Grace,
John
One of the most exciting aspects of what God has done through a people called “The Gathering” is to birth a vision of compassion for broken and hurting people. We have been in the streets with the poor and homeless. We have been in the prisons with people who find themselves in trouble. We have bridged racial and cultural barriers to tell “different” people that we love them and care about them. Perhaps the most amazing experiences, though, have come from our connection with the Juvenile System of Montgomery County. In over twenty years of public life, I have never seen or experienced anything like this. In Rev. 3:8 (NLT) Jesus told the Church in Philadelphia, “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.” We certainly believe we are experiencing this. We are new and limited, and in some ways weak; but God had done what only He could do. He has opened door after unbelievable door.
Last week, Monnie Bush, our leader of Victory Project, got a call from one of our kids. His dad wouldn’t take him to court for his probation hearing. So, Monnie jumped in the car, grabbed the kid, and took him to court. They know him there because he has stood beside so many kids now. The leading judge in Juvenile Detentions looked at him and said, “O.K., Reverend, what do you think? Is he worth it?” To which Monnie was able to speak to our involvement in this young man’s life. To the young man’s amazement, he walked out of the courtroom. We are helping him with pulling his life together, getting a job, and taking responsibility for his own actions. He had never experienced anything like it before. So, Monnie began to explain to him what Grace is like. It really is getting kind of funny. One of the Parole Officers wrote him an email not long ago in another case and said, “It wasn’t you, and it certainly wasn’t the judge, but I’ve never experienced anything like that. God was in the courtroom.”
After twenty years, I have finally figured it out. The Parole Officer was right. Jesus was right where He said He would be. It isn’t with the snobs and do-gooders who think they are better than everyone else. It is with the poor, the broken, the sick, and the weak. Amazing! He said it all along; I was just too thick to see how simple it was. We have become focused on His priorities and He is opening door after door of opportunity. In fact, this judge has now called us and asked if he could meet with our leadership. Community leaders in every facet of the system dealing with these at risk kids are finding out that now, “God is in courtroom.” If you want to find God, hang out with some of these people, I can guarantee you will bump into Him!
Experiencing Grace,
John
As I am writing this, I am watching the snow blow sideways out the window. The wind chill is near 0. The only golf I am playing these days is in my imagination or computerized golf on a video screen. So, January in the Mid-West is an odd time to bring up the subject of golf. However, golf is something that I truly enjoy. Even when I can’t play because of the elements, I enjoy dreaming about the coming Spring that is going to provide the perfect weather. The first day that peaks into the low 70’s and reminds us of the beauty of the sunshine, I will be on the course battling for par here and there. Most of all, though, I will be taking in the outdoors. I love golf because it is normally a beautiful surrounding and a calming influence. I used to stress if I didn’t shoot well; now I just enjoy being away…taking it all in. I enjoy golfing with friends as well.
Most of my friends that I golf with are the kind that if one of us hits a really bad shot, we’ll volunteer the phrase, “hit another.” In golf, this is called a “mulligan.” And there are many, many stories about the birth of the golf term "mulligan.” It's quite possible that none of them are true, because nobody really knows how mulligan acquired its golf meaning (a mulligan, of course, is a "do-over" - hit a bad shot, take a mulligan and try again). All we have are urban legends. One such story is found in The USGA Museum. In this particular version, a fellow by the name of David Mulligan frequented St. Lambert Country Club in Montreal, Quebec, during the 1920s. Mulligan let it rip off the tee one day, wasn't happy with the results, re-teed, and hit again. According to the story, he called it a "correction shot," but his partners thought a better name was needed and dubbed it a "mulligan." Again, with the friends I hang out with, I can see this one being true!
I love golf because the friends I play with understand grace. Everyone of us needs a “do-over” at some point in our games. No one is threatening the PGA Tour. The truth be known, every one of us needs some “do overs” in our lives as well. There seems to be something fitting about the beginning of a New Year to imagine the possibilities of a fresh start. The powerful offer that God makes available to each of us is that “…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” 1 John 1:9 We frequently say to one another during this time of year, “Happy New Year!” It really is a greeting of the season with little thought or consideration given to it. This can be a Happy New Year, however, if we reconnect with God in a close and intimate way. Sometimes we may not even feel that is a possibility. We feel that we have drifted or moved so far away that we can never get back to where we need to be. One of the delights of this journey of The Gathering has been to watch so many people take a spiritual “mulligan.” God is like the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son. He is so thrilled to welcome us back that He throws a party. Forget about the resolutions to eat less, to eat better, to exercise more, to quit smoking or some other bad habit. Instead, why not plan this year to make a real change…get a fresh start and walk through ’08 in a closer connection to Him!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It’s hard to believe (and it usually is this time of year) that Christmas is just days away. It seems the older I get, the faster Christmas gets here. We all seem to go through this emotional roller coaster during this season of the year. We come out of our gratitude at Thanksgiving. That is like the clicking and clacking of the roller coaster climbing the hill; and once it crests … well, if you have ever been on a roller coaster, you know what happens next. You are in for hairpin curves and your body pulling all sorts of G’s. People are screaming around you and you’re holding on for dear life. That pretty well sums up the month of December, doesn’t it? Parties to plan, plays to attend, presents to buy, and bills to pay all add to the roller coaster ride of this season of the year. It seems that every year –the church, at least – says the same thing. We need to slow down. We need to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. We need to pay less attention to all the hustle and bustle, and we need to calm ourselves by a quiet manger. Sometimes we do a pretty good job of that, and sometimes it is just more of the tradition of the season to say it.
If we ever do slow down, the paradox of this great event…Christmas is one of the most staggering truths of all time. Who does such a thing? What Lord willingly gives up His throne? What dignitary becomes a commoner? What God becomes one of His own subjects? I am amazed by this on two levels. One, that He did anything at all. He had every right to walk away from the whole mess. Love wouldn’t allow it. And two, the way He did it. I mean a baby? Jesus being born a human being at all – genius. But not in a palace or among royalty – no; He would be born in obscurity to common unknowns. The One who created all that is with the power of His spoken word, would cry like a baby when He was hungry. The One who holds the universe in precise orbit would need a mother and father to sustain life. The name that is above every name would be unknown by those He came to rescue. The vantage point of Heaven must have been something else. All the angels looking at one another and saying, “They don’t know who He is! Can you believe that?”
More than a handful would soon know who He is. The angels declared His birth saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." Luke 2:14 (NLT) What an incredible realization. God has honored Himself by lowering Himself. And in doing so, He has brought peace to us. Peace – do we as the followers of Christ bring peace to this world? I hope so. I pray that is our mission, for it was His. To a world that is distressed, on a roller coaster, and about to give up hope, He is peace! We pray this season that you will know the peace of God which passes understanding. Why not get off at the next stop? Let someone else ride for a while. Perhaps you could use some peace and tranquility in your journey. I know just the thing – Jesus is peace on earth, good will to men.
Merry Christmas! May God bless you and your loved ones this year. And as you begin a new year in 2008, I pray that the baby who was the God-man, who grew to adulthood and fulfilled an even greater mission, will walk with you and in you!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Here’s a question for you. When is God good? We had a really great week around The Gathering last week. Incredible stories continue to roll in from the Victory Project. As doors of ministry and opportunity continue to open, our family has been reenergized by great news. After a year of searching for the right location, it seems pretty certain that God has provided a new home for us. Timing is everything. Because of the condition of real estate right now, we have been able to acquire property that is a fantastic location for our new church building; and we acquired it at almost half of the original asking price so that it fit in our budget. Last week, we took the single largest one day cash offering since I have been in Ohio. We received an above the normal gifts offering of almost $50,000.00. We received a check the next week from someone who wasn’t able to be there the week before, which sent us over the $50,000.00 mark. Incredible! We weren’t giving to buy land because we didn’t know we had any at the time. We weren’t giving to a picture or drawing of a building. One of our Management Team leaders spoke to our church that morning and said, “I have never felt more excited about my spiritual family, never felt more freedom and authenticity than we have together over the past year.” We just gave because God has been good to us over the last year, and God blessed us in that incredible way.
Now, I have to confess, it was fairly easy for everyone around here last week to be upbeat and celebratory with this kind of news rolling in. It is obvious on days like these that God is good. But what about the other days. I have a good friend who almost laughs when he says this, because he says it so much. `God is good…all the time. And all the time, God is good.’ I also have to confess I have had some days in recent memory where I perhaps struggled with that reality. My circumstances didn’t necessarily lead me to the conclusion in life that God was always good. Maybe you have felt that way, too, at least once or twice in your life. Someone you loved died prematurely (by our estimation), you lost your job at a terrible time to be without income, someone hurt you deeply or treated you unfairly, etc.., where was God on that day? The harsh realities of this world lead many to believe that maybe God is good all the time, but He just isn’t strong enough to get the good through to us all the time. Others might suggest that God is not as good as we say.
Here is what I believe I have learned and would suggest to you. God IS good all the time. We cannot evaluate His nature, character, and consistency based upon our fallen existence in this world. In other words, He isn’t good on the days that good stuff happens to us, and not so good on the days that bad things happen. Was God not good to us over the last year because we didn’t get property until now? Was He too weak to pull anything together before now? I rather doubt it. In fact, as I suggested earlier, I think He was just waiting for the right time. He was growing us in the process. And He was preparing us to be ready when the time was right. As for God being too weak to adjust my circumstances or yours, let’s not blame our mess on Him. He loves us, redeems us, and blesses us; but we are still pilgrims living in a broken world. It is a sin-stained world that each of us has contributed to. The fact that He shows His goodness at all in this place is a tribute to His grace and goodness. He really doesn’t owe us any explanation at all; but He gently shows us throughout scripture that He is far above our judgments, understanding, or perspective. So, we are left to choose. Some choose to disbelieve. Religion is just a mind-controlling opium to keep us in line. Others stay angry with God, because of the bad days. Me…well, I am going to choose to believe that God is good, all the time. I am going to believe that He is bigger than all of this messed up world, and that the fact that He dips into it at all is grace. I am not going to associate His goodness with the ups and downs of my personal journey. I am going, by faith, to link arms with a man whose struggle with this question may have been the greatest struggle in history….Job. Job 13:15 (NIV) “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…”
Experiencing Grace,
John
This past week, I had a phone conversation with a friend of mine who lives halfway across the country. He has been going through some tough times in his life, his marriage, and his career. We have known each other for years. So, knowing that he was hurting, I picked up the phone to call and check on him. He was in tears because of the call. In our conversation, he told me that he had truly discovered who his friends were in life. He had just finished having dinner with his aging parents; and he quoted himself as saying to them, “Going through this difficulty, I have discovered who my true friends are. When trouble comes, true friends walk in while everyone else is walking out.” He is a deacon in his church, one of the most effective people I have ever met at pointing others to Christ, and an outstanding follower of Jesus Christ. Yet, with pain in his voice, he told me of how many people had walked away from him in his time of trouble. An older couple who had mentored he and his wife, staff members in the church of which he had been a backbone member, even people he had helped to find Christ had slowly but surely walked away. Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
I couldn’t help but relate to his pain. Psalm 41:9 (NLT) “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.” There is perhaps no greater wound than the one that comes from the hand of a trusted friend, family member, or fellow believer. Yet, far too often this is exactly what happens. I have been amazed as we have lifted the banner of love, grace, and acceptance at The Gathering, how many wounded warriors have come forward. Too many stories to tell of people who had given up on the church, but are now so glad to be reconnecting with God in a “safe” spiritual community. We had two more mountain-moving stories like that just this weekend.
I discussed on Sunday the subject of grace; and as Martin-Lloyd Jones said, “Grace is risky…It brings grace abusers as well as grace killers out from under the rocks.” So why do I care so much about my friend now that he is wounded? Why not do what most people do in these situations and just walk away? Why do I care for the countless people who walk through our doors week after week, intrigued by the possibility that there really could be a church that was different, authentic, and accepting…“safe”? Why do I care so much about the poor, the prisoners, and the homeless in our community? I will tell you why…it is the ONLY honest duplication of the spirit and life of Christ. Whether it was Peter in betrayal, a woman caught in adultery, or the sick, lame, and possessed, Jesus was always a “safe” person. No judgment! No condemnation! Just forgiveness, healing, hope, and a new beginning.
Warning: Insecure and non-authentic Christians will pile on in these moments in life. In some twisted way, it makes them feel better about themselves to focus on someone else’s failures. However, I cannot find one case of this in the life of Christ. This is not maintaining a standard or following integrity. It is plastic hypocrisy, and it has wounded thousands upon thousands needlessly. Look at Jesus; His hand was turned open, it was soft, and it was healing and helpful. Most people experientially know there is nothing more dangerous than a self-righteous person armed with a sense of principled superiority. Boy, are they proud of themselves for defending truth, standing for what is right, and shunning others. The only problem is…they look nothing like Jesus! So, I will seek safety first. When people are wounded, broken, and repentant and looking for hope, I will seek to be a safe person - because He was. I will always be a part of a church which seeks to be a safe church for sinners - because He would be. I will call my friend again and often. I will seek to find and help wounded people every day. Anything else just isn’t right. Unsafe people will blog until Jesus comes; and they will argue endlessly, which just doesn’t help anyone!
Experiencing Grace,
John
This past weekend, some were still traveling home from the holiday. Trying not to fall asleep at the wheel, overcome by large doses of tryptophan, it appears that our friends have all made it home and back to school and work. For those who celebrated the power of our risen Savior in our weekend worship time, we looked at one of the most difficult things in the world to tackle – forgiveness. We are in a weekend series called Imagine. We are imagining the power of God to be supernaturally released into our lives by the introduction of the God-life. Forgiveness being one of the largest components of that life. Have you noticed how easy it is to look at someone else’s situation and conclude that they were making a big deal about nothing? You calmly, logically, and even biblically thought they should just forgive whatever it was that they were upset about and move on. Isn’t it strange how that whole calm thing gets lost when we are the ones under the magnifying glass? When it is our feelings that are wounded, all the emotions swirl and seemingly our sense of perspective is temporarily “out of order.” Since Sunday, I have had many people walk up to me and say, “Wow, that one really hit me where I am.” I just grin at them and say, “It hits everybody.” You cannot live in this life without bumping into other people. You are going to face conflict. What we do with that, and how we respond to it, has a great deal to say about us. Perhaps nothing reveals with any greater extent our emotional, spiritual, and mental healthiness (or lack thereof) than our willingness and our ability to forgive.
Forgiveness is not a difficult concept. Little kids on the playground can pick it up right away with the simplest of instructions. Kid A offends Kid B. Adult instructs Kid A to apologize to Kid B. Kid B whimpers and grimaces for sympathetic effect. Kid B then relinquishes and acknowledges Kid A’s apology. Five minutes later, Kid A and Kid B are playing again as if nothing ever happened. A case for forgiveness. Yet, when we begin to grow up our offenses become greater and our relationships far more complicated. Let’s be honest; forgiveness is easy to define. Just about any of us could even lay out appropriate steps to take in seeking forgiveness or seeking to forgive. Defining it, quoting scriptures about it, even instructing others about it is not hard to do. What is hard to do is to forgive. You see, there isn’t a one of us who doesn’t feel justified in our offense. We know how we have been wronged, and we know how it has hurt us. So, our pain, our emotions, and our wounds create a warm greenhouse for our resentments, our bitterness, and our desire for revenge. So much so that we are willing to act in otherwise uncharacteristic ways. Christians are the absolute worst when it comes to this. Our secular friends are not nearly so caught up in the plastic pretenses that Christians seem to be, so they just let it rip. Not Christians, we know that we are to forgive; but our pain is just as real as that of non-Christians. So, we quote Bible verses right and left, justifying our actions, our attitudes, and our aggression. All the while, trouncing dozens of other portions of scripture that we choose to conveniently ignore in our sense of rightness.
As one pilgrim who is on the journey of trying to forgive others who have harmed me, I tell you I understand how difficult and how elusive forgiveness can be. I now have dozens of messages on forgiveness in over twenty years of communicating God’s Word publicly. Trust me; it is a lot easier to stand and list the steps, the principles, the actions and reactions of scripture in forgiveness than it is to simply put it into practice. Yet, I can’t help but walk away with the simple principles that we looked at last weekend. I need to experience forgiveness from God, and so do you. I need to embrace His forgiveness in my life, and so do you. But my process is not complete until I learn to extend that forgiveness to others, and neither is yours. It isn’t easy. I don’t naturally want to forgive. I want justice, I want my apology, and I want restitution for the offense. In the middle of this brokenness, God says it doesn’t matter what I want. He knows what I need. So, I have to choose to forgive. I believe, if I sincerely choose that path, that eventually, my heart will follow. I am to forgive because God says to. I am to forgive because I have been forgiven myself. And I am to forgive because I don’t want to carry the bitterness and destruction of unforgiveness in my life and my future. Struggle with me, but let’s make a commitment to choose freedom: freedom from anger, bitterness, hatred, and destruction. There, I feel a little better already. How about you?
Experiencing grace,
John
My dad, who now lives with Jesus, used to say there are two things that God won’t share with anyone. Those two things are His glory and His revenge. Here’s how I have always pictured it: If any of us start to take credit for what God has done, or we start to settle a score that belongs to Him, He backs away. In other words, you can use all the Christianese you want to…all the usual phrases, but God won’t come anywhere near a group of people or an individual who have tried to steal His glory or seek His revenge. Just quickly, I will speak to revenge. It is best served, or sweet, or all the other things that people say. The bottom line… it is wrong. In Romans 12:19 (NLT) Paul told us, “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, `I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord.” Some may have tried to harm you, they lied about you, slandered your name, stolen things from you, abused you, tried to destroy you or any number of other things. Everything inside your human nature cries out to settle the score. Yet God says, “Leave it alone! Walk away and leave them to Me.” He does a far better job of settling the score than any of us could possible mention.
The first of these two items is why I am writing today, though … His glory. God is serious about people seeking to horn in, steal, or even share God’s glory. Now, Christians have become skilled at finding ways around this. Hiding behind phrases like, “He deserves all the praise,” or “Praise the Lord!” or pointing to the sky. While there may be nothing wrong with these expressions, they are often perfunctory and hide a true motive which is more deeply and carefully concealed. We should all arm ourselves at how subtle this can be in our own lives, where we want God on our side; and we want to share in the spoils of battle. Micah 6:8 (NLT) “No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” The only way to walk with God is to walk humbly before God.
This is the season of the year when we give thanks to God for His provision and His goodness to us. God has been so good yet again to us. If you have been reading this column throughout this past year, you know that God has blessed The Gathering in an unusual way. Our staff has talked about it many times … we must be so careful not to even hint that we have anything to do with it. We could have organized a church. We know how to do that. We could have drawn a crowd. We know how to do that. We couldn’t do God-sized things in God moments and in God-appointed ways, though. So, we stand back and we lift our applause to Him! Thank you, God, for your goodness to me, to us, and to your children in this world. We pray for our future that Your name will be lifted higher and higher for greater recognition. The applause is for You alone!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! May you experience His richest blessings on your life and your families.
Experiencing Grace,
John
I am still celebrating from this past weekend. With gray, overcast skies, and rain falling we were able to gather in the heart of our city and lift the name of our King for the city to hear. While we were celebrating what God has done in and through us over the last year, He was continuing to build and lay a foundation for what is to come. Early on the morning of the 11th, cars began to assemble in the parking garage. Eager worshippers, filled with excitement and anticipation, were scurrying about inside this great convention hall in preparation for a day of declaration. And what a day He gave to us! If you weren’t there, it is hard to express the genuine excitement that was in that room. We had a great number of guests - people coming to see if this is for real. Could it be true? Is there really a church out there that is freed up from traditional constraints, freed up from condemning know-it-all Christians, freed up from consumerism? The answer was a resounding YES!
I wish you could read some of the emails I have received this week. I cannot share them with you in deference to the confidentiality of what has been shared with me. However, I can tell you that people are coming out of the woodwork, finding a safe, spiritual environment where people are real and they are beginning to genuinely love and care about others. While others are discussing theories, strategies, theologies, and formations, we are simply helping people to make a connection in a genuine way with a God who loves them. Rather than making people feel unworthy and condemned, we joyfully offer hope. We are focused on building over-the-top small communities where people are now experiencing the joy of belonging and loving. As these groups are growing, loving and serving together, they are developing a sense of community that is beyond theory and definition. And compassion, well, you just can’t be a part of The Gathering without a heart for compassion. You see, the defining spirit of who we are is a genuine care and concern for the broken. Jesus lives with the poor, the broken, the hurting, and the prisoners. There are those who have been overlooked, neglected, and rejected. NO MORE!!! God is throwing doors open for us to minister His life, His love, and His healing. My whole life I have been in churches. I have rubbed shoulders with cultured and polished Christians. While these values were talked about, they were barely practiced or carried out by only a few. To see a whole community of Christ-followers embracing this spirit is extraordinary. I believe it is why God is opening doors for us in the community at large that we could never have believed.
Thank God for His gifts of mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness. He specializes in taking a broken leader, a broken group of people, and a broken situation to display His power, glory, and awesome power. I can tell you at this point, He is the only one who can take credit or applause for what is happening. The degree to which He has changed lives, and the stories of what He has done are eternal in nature. I am so grateful and so blessed to be in such a sweet and loving group of people. I want to thank The Gathering family for making the journey of the last year with me. What the enemy has meant for destruction, God has used for His good! He is an awesome God!!!
Experiencing Grace,
John
It is hard to believe all that God has accomplished in us in just twelve months. November 12, 2006, we began a journey together. The Gathering was born. We had no idea where we were going or what God was going to do. The last year has grown and changed all of us. What an experience. In many ways, this has been one of the most fruitful spiritual years I have ever experienced. We have seen people respond to a safe spiritual environment. Story after story sticks out to me of people who have come out of their reclusion to experience an authentic community focused on the healing power of Jesus Christ. 49 people followed Christ in baptism at two of the most moving experiences I have ever seen: one in an Olympic pool and one in an area lake. Both of these days were mountaintop experiences – hearing the stories of a former Buddhist, three generations, husbands and wives, fathers and their children being baptized. There ain’t nothing like it.
The Victory Project has been God-sized and at times staggering to watch. Door after door has opened for us to have the opportunity to reach people who have been hard-pressed and who are hurting. Tears have streamed down our faces as He has allowed us to stand and catch people who were falling. We have lifted them back up and offered hope! Cross-cultural worship experiences and ministry outreaches have forever changed our hearts. The spirit of love and unity and excitement has characterized our weekends. God has indeed been good!
When God was leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt and into a Promised Land of great provision, He told them to take reminders with them. These things would remind them for generations of the faithfulness of God. Joshua 4:19-24 (NLT) “The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month — the month that marked their exodus from Egypt. They camped at Gilgal, east of Jericho. [20] It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. [21] Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean?' [22] Then you can tell them, 'This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' [23] For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. [24] He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the Lord, and that you might fear the Lord your God forever."
This weekend, we will be gathering as one family at the Dayton Convention Center. Trust me; you don’t want to miss this day. It will be another stone…another marker that we won’t soon forget. As we look back over the last year and celebrate what God has done, we have much to be thankful for, much to remember, and much to commemorate. With video and song and life stories, we will see the proof of God at work. We will once again experience the mantle of His blessing. We also have much to do in the future. As He continues to open doors, we have unlimited opportunities in this coming year to tell our community that God has an incredible love for them. Thank you, God, for changing lives, especially mine!
Experiencing Grace,
John
Recently, I had the opportunity to help with a funeral. The man who had passed away was a fireman. It was awesome to watch the public service community respond to their fallen companion. Throughout the time of visitation, they took turns standing at attention around the casket. When the service began, with military precision they marched in and saluted two at a time. They waited in unison and then sat together in mass. Firemen, Policemen, and Paramedics. They were a community and they stood as one. After the service, they carried the casket and placed it on top of a fire truck. With honors, they paraded to the cemetery. Lights on, each branch of the community was represented and stood at attention. When we arrived at the gravesite, they had a special ceremony with fly over, a last call on the radio, taps, and bag pipes. It was amazing to watch and to be a part of this experience.
When it was over, the chaplain of the forces came to me and thanked me for my part in the service. I responded appropriately and then told him how impressed I had been by all that had taken place. His response was key to me. He said, “Oh yes, we are a very close group. We share common life and common risk. We ALWAYS have each other’s back. We do in life situations, and we certainly wouldn’t turn our backs on one another in death.” Wow! I walked away thinking we as the church need to take notes from these guys. What could God do with the church if we, as Christians, had each other’s backs? What if we had that level of commitment to each other, to our community, and to our mission? Unfortunately, the Christian Church is more characterized by a “gotcha” mentality. Make any statement at all…anything…and you will find somewhere a Christian that is closer to God and more right than you are. They then feel the need to straighten you and everyone else out. The Bible was intended to arm us for life, not for battle to destroy one another.
Recently, a friend forwarded me an article about Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. They have been one of the most influential churches in America and around the world in the last thirty years. What made news is that they acknowledge some of their strategy for growing mature beliefs wasn’t working as they thought, and they were looking at recalibrations. A few people rightly praised them for their honesty and integrity in living and learning. Most churches would never spend money to determine whether their ministries were actually working and having the desired effect. It would burst their delusional bubble. As expected, the usual bandwagon of know-it-all, pile-on, closer-to-God-and-the-truth Christians began pounding away at Willow. They are used to it, but I for one am tired of it. I am tired of Taliban Christians who sabotage and bomb others without conscience. Their perspective was, “See, we have known all along how wrong these guys have been.” When these guys baptize 1,000 people at a time, does it makes sense to listen to the nay saying, bitter and frustrated, pseudo-intellectuals rip apart from their self established platforms of truth and righteousness? Virtually every church I talk to right now is reeling from the attacks, blogs, and arm-chair quarterbacking of Christians who have nothing better to do with their own personal issues than throw up all over everyone else. Why is it that every frustrated, bitter, arrogant Christian feels the need to expose the world to their narrow-mindedness and ginsu tongue?
I am not saying that we should fall over dead. There is such a thing as truth. There is such a thing as absolute truth. And the truth is, none of us possess it absolutely! I have wondered for years why we Christians always feel like we are right and those who disagree with us are wrong. We are the biggest babies. If people disagree with us about ministry or worship style or church structure or leadership, we feel obligated…no compelled to expose them and demonize them. This only reveals a lack of security in who we are and a substitution of true intellect for a rote simplicity. As for me, put me with the firemen, the policemen, and the paramedics. If you are a part of the spiritual family, I have got your back. By the way, that is