Running With God

The Beginning and End of the Story

Beginning with this entry, my posts will be intended to promote worship. One of the ways to MAGNIFY God is to appreciate the beauty, symmetry, and hope of the Bible’s storyline.

The following was used as a participatory reading in one of our recent corporate worship gatherings. It is a list of comparisons and contrasts between the first and last chapters of the Bible (adapted from Wilkinson and Boa, Talk Thru the Bible). I was unable to make the columns parallel, so read #1 from Genesis followed by #1 from Revelation as you proceed through the list.

Genesis 1-3

1. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (1:1)
2. “God made two great lights,” sun and moon (1:16)
3. Satan appears as the deceiver of mankind (3:1)
4. Shown a garden into which evil entered (3:6-7)
5. Initial triumph of the serpent (3:13)
6. “Cursed is the ground” (3:17)
7. Humanity is introduced to pain, sorrow, frustration, and death.
8. First paradise closed (3:23)
9. Access to the tree of life cut off (3:24)
10. They were driven from God’s presence (3:24)

Revelation 20-22

1. “I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1)
2. “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon” (21:23)
3. Satan is banished forever (20:10)
4. Shown a city into which evil will never enter (21:27)
5. Ultimate triumph of the Lamb (22:3)
6. “There shall be no more curse” (22:3)
7. “There shall be no more death or sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain” (21:4)
8. New paradise opened (21:25)
9. Access to the tree of life restored in Christ (22:14)
10. “They shall see His face” (22:4)

Magnify: Seeing God for Who He Is

If you came face-to-face with God, how would you respond? If you saw Him for who He really is, what would you do? Would your knees shake or your heart melt? We will be looking for answers to these questions as we explore what the Bible has to say about worship.

 

Here's what we can all do create space for God to work in our church during this series:

• Be in the room when worship starts knowing that the entire service is the message.
• Discuss the Digging Deeper questions found on the back of the bulletin with your small group or some friends.
• Come to our corporate worship service worshipping already. If you want to get a head start, read Isaiah 6:1-8.

Recall a time when you really sensed God’s presence in a close way. What contributed to that experience? What was going on in your life? Who was involved? What were you doing? I'd love to read your responses to any of these questions.

Looking Into the Future

If there was a telescope that could see five years into the future, what would we see at SPC? The following is my answer. It is the result of prayer, research, and interaction with staff, elders, and two focus groups representing varied generations.

 

Believing that a unified vision inspires faith-filled action, the following represents what I believe God would be pleased for our church to look like in 5 years as He blesses and provides.

 

Strong Foundation

It all begins with God—Father, Son, and Spirit—who invites us into relationship. We respond with deliberate prayer and passionate worship.

·        A corporate prayer team immerses us in prayer.

·        Corporate worship inspires awe and love.

·        Many generations enrich one another.

 

Healthy Relationships

We are a peacemaking church that partners with God applying the gospel to relationships.

·        Leadership models healthy relationships.

·        A Peacemaking Team is equipping us to be agents of reconciliation.

·        Families are applying peacemaking at home.

·        Guests notice the overflow of love.

 

Family Focused

We are committed to healthy families.

·        Children’s ministry fills the hearts and minds of children with the wonder of who God is so that in His timing they embrace Jesus.

·        Youth ministry prepares teens to own a faith that overcomes the pressures of the world.

·        Parents are equipped to disciple in the home.

·        Many generations build strong families together.

 

Nourishing Growth

Lifelong spiritual growth is nourished.

·        A menu of opportunities is promoted quarterly including first steps and deep studies.

·        Every member has a personal growth plan.

·        Membership class functions strategically.

·        Growth is encouraged through intentional mentoring relationships.

 

 

Warm Welcome

Relational evangelism and outreach events lead to regular spiritual rebirths.

·        First Impressions has removed every barrier to newcomers as possible.

·        An orientation process introduces next steps.

·        Every member is praying, caring, and sharing with at least 3 not-yet Christians.

·        Annual adult baptisms equal 10% of our weekend attendance.

 

Intentional Community

Supportive friendships are developed through small groups.

·        Groups function as small churches.

·        Commitments are deep rather than wide.

·        80 percent of weekend attendance participates.

 

Gifted Servanthood

Every regular attender is being equipped, empowered, and released to fulfill their God-given purpose.

·        A Gifted Servanthood team is facilitating discovery and placement year-round.

·        People are finding where their deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.

 

Globally Minded

We are educated and mobilized as global Christians.

·        Every SPC Outreach Partner has been adopted by a small group.

·        Hands-on involvement is pursued with a few Strategic Outreach Partners.

·        We support global relief agencies that are good news to the least, last and lost.

 

Functional Facilities

Our facility is maximized for ministry.

·        Navigation and people flow are intuitive.

·        Aesthetics and technology enhance worship space.

·        Our campus is a blessing to the neighborhood.

 

Proactive Leadership

We are proactive in recruiting and training next generation leaders for Kingdom advancement.

·        Emerging leaders from within our congregation and from local Christian universities are mentored and challenged to innovate.

·        A deep bench is developed for leadership roles and staff.

 

Above and Beyond

As God blesses this vision, we will not be able to contain the growth that results. 

·        Our radar is up in our region for opportunities beyond our walls.

·        We have a face and a place to support ministry beyond our campus.

·        This may result in the renewal of a struggling church, a multi-site campus, a daughter church plant, or something we can’t yet imagine.

 

This seems like a lot. But remember that we tend to overestimate what we can do in a year but underestimate what we can do in five years. And know that God is already at work in many ways to bring this vision to reality.

On Becoming Senior Pastor

The congregation of South Park Church voted to call me as their Senior Pastor this past Sunday. The outpouring of love and enthusiasm was humbling. The noise makers and firecrackers were over the top! I love you guys!

In the days that have followed, the weight of this responsiblity has sunk in. Since I was already serving as Interim Senior Pastor, I didn't expect to "feel" differently. But I've been aware of the seriousness of the commitment I've made to our church, our staff, my family, and God.

I returned this morning to something I journaled in July. It provides the perspective I want to keep. And I thought it was worth sharing.

As I candidate to become Sr. Pastor of SPC, it is such a blessing to be a steward not an owner. I am entrusted with God’s church. And I am stepping into a stream already flowing. If I was an owner, there would be tremendous pressure on my shoulders. And it would be profoundly personal for good and bad. But as a steward, I am accountable to God and elders and members. To me, that is freeing.

I do believe that God has set us free to run with Him. We've been rehabilitating and training in these past months. And now the race is about to begin. If you are a part of South Park Church, I hope you'll join that race in the following ways.

• Pray for our entire congregation to embrace God's future for us.
• Find a place to serve strategically.
• Invite friends and neighbors to our kickoff service on Sunday, September 13.
• Plan to attend our congregational meeting on Sunday, September 20, to hear our 5 year vision. 

Summer Highlights

We finally got away for vacation in late July, and I haven't blogged since. Here's a quick review of some of the highlights.

My girls just before a community theater presentation of Beauty and the Beast including Hannah's 4th grade teacher, Ms. Benoit.

 

Me and Hannah enjoying the "Shelebration" of Shel Silverstein in Millennium Park.

 

 

Becky and I celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary.

 

 

Tubing with friends in southern Michigan.

 

 

Visiting the Lincoln museum in Springfield, IL.

 

 

It's been a wonderful summer. And we are so grateful for these special times shared as a family.

What I've learned from 14 years of Marriage

Becky and I celebrate 14 years of marriage tomorrow, July 22. I've leared a few things along the way. Here are some of them:

1. If you try to win an argument, you'll always lose in the long run.
2. Regular dates may get expensive, but the alternative is more costly.
3. An annual getaway without kids can do wonders for recalibrating and dreaming together.
4. Proactive reading, learning, and mentoring pay off.
5. Conflict is normal in relationships. The key is to learn how to make it work for you so that understanding and intimacy result.
6. Seven years seems to be a milestone. If you can make it to that point, you begin to reap the dividends of the hard work you've done to that point.
7. No one--I mean no one--should be ashamed to visit a counselor. Visiting the right person can be a turning point.
8. Check in with each other daily. There is much joy in sharing the your highs and lows when done regularly.
9. Learn your spouse's love language and practice speaking it until you become fluent (quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, or touch).
10. Your house may not be a castle, but it should be a sanctuary.
11. Learn to talk about expectations ahead of time. Address and define success. This applies to holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, time spent with in-laws, etc. Be intentional.
12. Become a safe person. That often means seeking to understand before being udnerstood.
13. Don't leave home without a kiss.
14. Learning to apologize and to forgive are some of the hardest lessons to learn. And they are at the heart of a gospel-centered marriage.

What I'm Reading

I delight in a good book. Here’s what I’ve been feeding on this year.

 

Personal and professional development

·         Making Room for Life by Randy Frazee

·         What You Do Best in the Body of Christ by Bruce Bugbee

·         Surprised by Hope by N. T. Wright

·         Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

·         The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey

 

Bedtime reading

• The Odyssey by Homer
• The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
• A Boy's Will by Robert Frost
• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (one of C. S. Lewis’s all-time favorites)
• The Shack by William Young
• Walking the Bible by Bruce Feilor
• The Man Who Was Thusday by G. K. Chesterton

Books I read concurrently with my daughter

• The Cay by Theodore Tayler
• The Boggart by Susan Cooper
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• Sign of the Beaver by Elisabeth Spear
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Family experience on CD

·         The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart (this is the second in a series we love read by Del Roy)

 

Currently in process

• Preaching as Art: Biblical Storytelling for a Media Generation by Darius L. Salter
• The Message//REMIX Solo: An Uncommon Devotional by Eugene Peterson, Jan Johnson, J. R. Briggs, and Katie Peckham
• How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals about Personal Growth by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• Outliers: the Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

What’s on my short list

• The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World by Richard Stearns
• The Reason for God by Tim Keller
• Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon
• The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins

Why VBS Is So Important

It's Friday afternoon, and I'm surprised how energized I still am. Tomorrow morning may be a different story. Here are a few of the things I've spent my week doing:

• I've been the storyteller for half of the Kindergarten, First, and Second graders. Along with my fantastic helper, Sarah Hands, we have delivered God's word 27 times this week with 3 to go tonight.
• I've introduced the memory verse and given away 9 T-shirts during large group worship time.
• And many say I have a striking resemblance to a superhero named Australian Superman.

I am only one member of a volunteer army. Our Children's Ministry Coordinator, Iris Andersson, has set the pace for 400 volunteers and 800 children this week.

Yes, it is true that VBS takes tons of preparation, organization, and resources. But when you consider its importance as an outreach opportunity, it is more than worth the effort. Consider some of the benefits:

1. Many children make professions of faith during this week. Missionaries and other church leaders often report they made professions of faith at VBS.
2. Relationships are built among volunteers that may not regularly work together.
3. A wider spectrum of gifts and skills are put to use than normal--artists and craftsmen create sets, those with the gift of hospitality prepare snacks, athletes lead recreation, and people who love children build relationships in classrooms.
4. Some people discover their spiritual gifts by serving at VBS and then want to serve on a regular basis.
5. Memories are created that last a lifetime. Adults often talk about experiences they had at VBS as a child.
6. Many people experience the immense pleasure of being used by God.
7. We get to see God answer prayers for weather, safety, volunteers, and salvations.
8. We come into contact with families who want to find a church family.

So what's your VBS moment? Leave me a comment that describes it.

3 Years Plus a Lifetime

Some have asked, “Are we done with Peacemaker Ministries?” The answer is yes and NO. The team of Paul, Jeff, and Kristen completed their second visit last weekend. But our journey down the road of biblical peacemaking has just begun. Transforming our church will take deliberate, long-term cultural change. And that takes 3 years plus a lifetime.

 

At the end of last week’s service, I made a declaration. I wanted it to reverberate through our church, our homes, and our community. Here it is again:

• We will be a peacemaking church (Matthew 5:9).
• We will live at peace with all people as far as it depends upon us (Romans 12:18).
• We will serve our God as a God of abundance and not scarcity (Philippians 4:13).
• We will not fear man, but we will fear God (Proverbs 1:7).

The next mile marker on this journey is the development of a local peacemaking team. If you would like to participate or recommend someone, please let me know. I hope to assemble a team in the next month so that they can begin training and modeling peacemaking principles.

 

Living as peacemakers is not just a good idea, it is a biblical essential. It is the very essence of the Gospel that must be experienced then lived out. Pray with me that God would continue among us the good work He has begun.

Remembering Boston

Memorial Day is all about remembering. It is a time to remember sacrifices made for freedom. For some of you, this reflection becomes very personal.

I'm taking the idea of remembering a different direction with this post. I'm remembering the 2008 Boston Marathon. I've been meaning to post some of these pictures, and this seemed like a great time to do it.

With my family near our hotel on Friday.

 Sunset seen from our ferry ride after a walking tour of historic Boston on Saturday.

 

Monday is race day. I'm giving high fives to my family at mile 17.

 

Less than a mile from the finish line.

 

Post-race dinner at Maggiano's where my dad has the biggest serving of lasagna we've ever seen.