Spiritual Parenting - 2

GRADUATING FROM HOUSE CHURCH

So it has been about eight years now since we left the institutional church world and stumbled into the house church world - and I think now we are graduating from house church.

First, I have recently started preferring the term "Organic church" over house church - anyone can have a house church, and it can look like dozens of different things. There are as many flavors of house church as there are denominations out there. I want organic church - a local expression of the family of God existing and functioning in a completely natural way. Organic - as in, the seed of Jesus Christ is planted in the soil of an oikos, it sprouts naturally, the resulting plant grows to maturity freely, takes the unique shape of - and also functions unique to - the local environment in which the Lord planted it. A vibrant family of Jesus untouched by the religious traditions of men, completely consumed with Jesus Christ, and constantly led and shaped by the Holy Spirit. And this doesn't have to happen in a particular house. I think that often it will - but it might also take root in a school, a workplace, a restaurant or bar, a park, a mall, or just about anywhere else.

Ive had conversations about this with at least three different parties from the larger house church community in the last few weeks. One said something like, "Yes, we've never been 100% committed to house church - what we are fully committed to though, is listening to Jesus in all things and obeying." They are fully committed to His active and present leading and direction. Another said, "Yes I am almost as frustrated with house church at this point as I was with traditional church." The third said, "I feel like the Lord is not done speaking to us and leading us regarding our form of 'church'".

One root of this topic in my heart is that I have looked back over the last several years (almost 8) spent co-leading and helping oversee house churches, and examined how much spiritual growth has actually taken place in those under my care - and the answer is, not much... A sad and startling realization. As I discussed this with Bruce, one of my 'partners in crime' in Aurora, I said, "I don't care so much if it's house church or not, I just want to be a part of something that works!" By 'something that works' I meant primarily something where true discipleship is taking place. I want to see spiritual babies turning into spiritual grownups and being able to then parent spiritual children of their own. That's how the church (and churches) will grow and multiply.

Now granted, another 'form' of church is not going to fix this problem. Where the church regularly gathers to share a meal and worship together is not the problem (at least not the main problem - granted there are obvious problems with the financial burden, centralized nature, and programmatic nature of churches who are trapped in church buildings) . The true limitation lies in the 'body life' of the church (for lack of a better term) - what goes on among the members of the body during the gatherings and throughout the week (regardless of where they meet). And the 'body life' is modeled by spiritual moms and dads - spiritual grownups in the body who join CHRIST, THE HEAD OF THE BODY (pardon the all caps :), in leading the way for the entire family into healthy, holistic, vibrant and growing church life.

We're graduating from mere house church - and I think even following His present leading - into something that really 'works'.

Spiritual Parenting - 1

Welcome to some of my journey of spiritual parenting - the art and discipline of nurturing, teaching, and equipping spiritual children. God has birthed this blog in my heart because we have been on a learning curve - and recently that curve has started in an upward motion at a much faster pace than ever before. The Lord seems to be leading us into a more holistic understanding of what it means to lead, to pastor, to mentor, to parent, spiritual children - all in the context of a vibrant family of Jesus (an organic church).

A few important stops along the way over the years thus far:
-About 8 years ago the Lord led us out of the institutional church of my youth and into worshiping in our homes and outside of the context of institutional Christianity. One of the first questions in our minds was, "What about teaching in the house church?" We did not know what that should look like - and in a way, still don't.
-2 and a half years ago, we learned about CO2's - churches of two - through John White and Luke 10. That became a powerfully formative tool that we have used ever since in our marriages, ministry partnerships, households, and during our house church gatherings each week. As of this day when we gather together we usually follow the CO2 pattern for our church family gatherings.
-About 9 months ago, an elder brother in our house church sat down with me and my ministry partner Bruce in our church family (my co-pastor for lack of a better term), looked us in the face and said, "What you are doing right now will not grow the saints!" He said that we had some wonderful things going for us (the discipline of checking in, the meal and communion and intimacy we share during gatherings, the sharing what the Spirit is saying on a consistent basis together), but that a few absolutely essential things were missing - among them was vital teaching, or feeding, of the saints. We took that and pondered, discussed, and prayed about it.

Well over the last several months I feel like the Lord has been giving us revelation on that topic (feeding and nurturing of the saints) and answering that question (What place does teaching have in the house church) more and more - forming a more holistic picture of what place, what purpose, and what form the teaching, feeding, and care of the saints can have in the life of an organic church family.

I look forward to unpacking that journey going forward piece by piece on this blog, Lord willing. I want to share our process of learning and discovering new territory, through our high points and low points. We don't have it figured out yet - far from it - but I do believe that as we share our journey and share what we are learning, anyone else out there who has a heart for healthy churches and growing saints will benefit. Welcome to the journey!

Organic Church - 2

Organic church -what the heck does that mean?

When you think of the term organic, what do you think of? Something earthy, natural, and healthy - something that is left to grow and develop on its own. Perhaps something that came straight from the earth, or is made up of ingredients that all did. Something that has no added preservatives, additives, unnatural coloring or flavors. Have you ever bought your produce straight from local farmers - say at a farmers market or organic foods store? Its not as pretty as the stuff at the chain stores, and doesn't keep as long - but it is much healthier - and that's the way God created it from the beginning.

Organic church is a similar concept - the body life of the church - without added preservatives, additives, coloring or flavors. The communal life and practice of the Christian faith - without nearly two thousand years of religious tradition, practice, and bias. What would the church look like if it was given Jesus in all His glory, fulness and life - and nothing more? How would local churches operate if none of their members were tarnished by the modern American version of religious Christianity? What if its people knew nothing more than the vibrant inner life of Christ, and simply started living as a community together by the Spirit's leading? How would that look and function? What would the gatherings, the leadership, and the finances be like?

The early church knew this - they were not bogged down by centuries of religious Christian tradition, debates, and systems. Their struggle was actually Jewish - what they had to un-learn as they grew together in Christ was the religion, practice, and old mindsets of Judaism. For us though, I believe that we must un-learn the religion, practice, and old mindsets of traditional Christianity. They are sometimes hard to see but they are there - constantly shaping the ways that we think about our faith, how we interact with one another, and how we practice church. Dear Jesus, reveal them to us that we might sift through what is natural and God-made, versus what is manufactured and man-made!

Just like the totally natural produce at your local farmer's market, organic church life doesn't look as pretty as the institutional version. It doesn't have the same finished shine, the same pretty shape, or the same smooth textures. No, if often doesn't keep as long and yes, it usually costs more - but take one bite - and you'll taste the difference.

I - along with a growing number of American Christians - am becoming increasingly disinterested in our modern American version of the church... and I don't want to come up with another updated version or flavor. I want whatever and however Jesus meant it to be from the beginning - and whatever He is saying and doing and How He is leading today. Lord, grant that we may enter and remain in the totally organic experience of your living presence and Lordship - and in the totally organic, natural, and vibrant organic life of the local church.

Organic Church - 1

You can take the person out of the institution, but you can't take the institution out of the person.

At least - not very easily.

From my eight or so years on the journey outside of institutional church, I have learned that the only way for someone to graduate from an institutional church mindset, when they've grown up in it, is for it to be a divine work of God. Anything less, and the person either reverts back to the old mindset, or just gives up on church completely. It's like taking a lion who grew up in the zoo and trying to teach them to survive out in the wild. Out in the wild is the way God meant it to be for the lion - but if they've only ever known captivity, their chances of survival out in the open are slim. They don't know what to expect, and they are very ill-equipped.

Saints who have only ever know institutional church systems and methods are usually marked by the following:

-They are used to being spoon-fed the word of God on a constant basis, rather than laboring to feed themselves and on the feeding of one another

-They are used to a pastor or other leader seeking God on behalf of the whole church, rather than each member of the whole body seeking Christ together on its own behalf

-Used to leaning on a traditional church service order of events when the body comes together to worship, rather than leaning on the spontaneous and often subtle moving and directing of the Holy Spirit and on one-another

-Their kids receive the vast majority of their spiritual training from Sunday school and youth groups, rather than the parents being the main source of their kid's discipleship and spiritual training

-They are accustomed to sending any new converts to new convert classes or to a paid minister to care for, nurture, and teach them the ways of the Lord- rather than each saint shouldering this responsibility together with the living Christ for those the Lord has sent their way

-To paying a pastor to do the teaching, preaching, counseling, planning, church budget, raising up of leaders for the church, baptizing, preaching funerals, marrying folks, etc - rather than shouldering these responsibilities together as a body as the various members use their varying giftings and callings in these areas

-They are used to knowing exactly what to expect every Sunday, and there not being any surprises - when in fact the divine shared life of the body is anything but predictable, and full of surprises (as well as hard conversations, long nights, crises, frustrations - as well as a lot of joy)

To take a tame lion - and nurture and teach them into being a wild one - is virtually impossible.

Unless the Lord is doing it.

I believe that this is what the Lord is doing in us, and I challenge you to stick it out as we boldly hack through this new wild and unexplored jungle called organic church.

In coming blogposts (as the Lord leads and blesses me to do so), I will start talking about what this thing that I am referring to as "Organic church" really is, as well as what it is not, and why it is worth fighting for. As we do, we will be looking at the natural and organic life of the first-century Christians - through their history and letters in the New Testament. Stay tuned!

Jesus Speaks at "Sauce"

So my wife Jessica and I and our baby girl were sitting at "Sauce" the restaurant in the DTC - a great little thin crust, wood-fired pizza joint. It was really busy - we had arrived there at noon when the business lunch rush was on, and every single table was filled. We sat and waited for a table to open - I enjoyed a beer and we entertained our little Gracie. Eventually we were seated, and served, and we were really enjoying our lunch together (a little date-lunch, since our 7 and 10 year old boys were in school). I felt the Lord speak to me as we sat and ate among the busy crowd. "I want you to start a church in the DTC." I sat and listened, thinking, Lord, was that you? He spoke again - "I love these people". This is the first time the Lord just outright told me to start a church, and it was very unexpected.

Since then I have been praying and waiting about that, not quite sure of the next move...should I just go and start talking to folks? Or is there a specific spot or place or group that the Lord would have me to go toward? Am I supposed to do it alone or with others? Questions, questions. This past Sunday morning, I found myself at Southlands, walking and spending time with Jesus, who out of nowhere told me to pray for the shopping area (he doesnt often tell me stuff like this either). So I did, and ended up praying fervently for and toward the neighborhoods all around this area... soon I felt myself desiring to "prayer-walk" not only there, but also at the Aurora mall and at Park Meadows mall... This morning as I was driving past the DTC on my way to work, my mind and heart began to be open about reaching that whole area, and the whole South-East side of Denver... especially the area within the three points of those three malls, which also includes DTC area.
Anyway, I feel that God is moving here - and I would like to ask you guys to join with me in discussing, praying, and listening about this vision I feel. I dont believe that God wants any of us to be "lone rangers" in what He is drawing each of us to do - and I tend to think that He also doesn't just give one individual member of his body in a certain area a vision, but probably many of those in a certain area (who are attuned to his voice).

God is moving in SE Denver, and we are following where He leads, whatever He wants - let it be, Lord. Your kingdom come and Your will be done.

Escaping dead religion. The tyranny of works.

A common trait of dead religion - of man's religion - is the unnatural focus on works. Usually when an individual is heavily involved in a works (performance) based religious system, they don't realize it. Only when freedom from that tyranny comes can one look back and see how works-based their religion truly was. This dangerous way of thinking has always been a common difference between man's way and God's way. Man tries to earn God's favor, but he cannot. Jesus Christ offers freedom from that hopeless state. He says that favor with God is free, and it doesn't require more religious exercises, but faith in His finished work as the God-sent savior of our souls.

However, many (if not most) Christian religious groups have fallen into the age-old trap of performance based religion. It may be subtle, but is present nonetheless. For those of us who were in a system like that for a good length of time, the process of re-learning and changing ones way of thinking is lengthy and difficult.

For example, just yesterday I noticed remnants of that old way of thinking while I was working. I was feeling far from God, and my relationship with Him had seemed distant for a few days. Frustrated, my mind started going down one of those old paths. Maybe I need to read my Bible more. Maybe I haven't been living out the great commission enough. Thankfully, I caught myself almost immediately, all glory to Him.

No. No -- Rightness with God doesn't come from those things. Closeness with God is not a result of working harder. Those things are a result of healthy intimacy with God, they are not what gives me intimacy with Him. So instead I went for a walk and and spent some time talking with Him.

That old way of thinking is like saying, "I feel distant from my wife, so I need to make more money, or I need to work harder around the house." Yes those things are important in keeping a household running, but they have very little to do with intimacy with my wife. If I want that, we need to spend more time together. True intimacy only comes from consistent and healthy communication.

Intimacy is not the result of right works, rather it is the root and seed of them. True kingdom work must be built upon a strong foundation of intimacy and walk with God.

Man's religion says: Work hard to reach God. Deny the body, deny enjoyment. Change your ways and do penance. Pray, fast, and read your Bible more. Go to church more. Yet God's grace says: Come to me. Sit at my feet. Seek to know me. Stay with, and in, me - and I in you.

So man's religion is backward. It says work harder and do more, and rightness with God will result. But Jesus has taught us the opposite: Get right with God, know Him. Then He will clean up your act, and right works will follow.

Escaping Dead Religion. The mystery of God's life.

I continue to be baffled by the life that God gives to us His children.

Today started great but since has gone a bit downhill. I have been caught in this funk for the past few hours. Frustrated with work, feeling incredibly impatient and annoyed by little things. Feeling trapped. Feeling tired. Feeling far from Him. In fact, the last few days have left me feeling distant from my Lord...

Life just gets busy, especially when working full time and going to school part time, and marriage and kids and chores and finances and church family - oh boy - perhaps you can relate. Sometimes it feels like a grand juggling session.

At least without Him it does.

But then during my afternoon break at work I take a long walk in the sun, and pour out my heart too him bit by bit. Even praying and connecting with Him seems hard right now. But I press through. I've been through this before, and I trust Him enough to know that He has a purpose, even in this. I know that walking with Him is all about faith, and faith requires less-than-par circumstances. Faith wouldn't be faith if circumstances didn't require faith in the first place. As I struggle through my broken conversation with Him I remember this.

About 1 min before I make it to my desk, heading back inside, my countenance begins to change. Frustrated goes to freed and tired goes to peaceful. I feel a freedom in my spirit from Him. I suddenly feel like singing his praises and quoting Psalms about His wonder and goodness and life. His uncreated life which he gives to those who seek to know Him.

I don't understand it and probably never will, how God imparts peace and life into my innermost being. Without realizing it, after spending time with Him, even frustrating, hard time - trying to connect with Him and feeling like I'm not - He pours life into me. He rubs off on me and I can't put my finger on it.

Wonderful mystery. Glorious King.