Money Grubbing Church!

Read the quote below - Forget what I have to say if you must!

Almost every passage in the NT we use for teaching giving, interestingly sees the giving to meet peoples physical needs. However, today churches do it the temple way; Throw your money in the "temple box" for the support of the temple functions and to support the priests who run and manage it all. Give and let the "Priests" manage it. We grew up and were taught we are to give "Tithes" to the LOCAL church, to support the church. 90% of which goes to pay staff and building etc, just like the OT temple structure.

What we do in church today is actually more reflective of OT "stuff", than NT church practice.
I have even heard it said that we have to "Give up Control" of what we give, to truly give it to God???? Wait, I get it! WE give it up, and YOU get to control it- church leaders. How about you giving up control too?

Where did this crazy idea come form? Not the NT! The people who gave in the NT passages always knew what they were giving to. They could gauge there level of generosity by the nature of the expressed, and KNOWN, need.

So here, frankly, is how it actually works! You give generously to the church, give up control, the leaders then control it for their purposes, to support their vision, whether you agree with that use or not, but no one asks you how they can help support your ministry to others, and that is just the way it is. Do you "have to" give up "control" of your kingdom generosity?
Let me just say this, NOPE! You always get to decide where to support the kingdom in the NT, its always voluntary, what you decide, where you decide to give. It's not like the "Temple" at all.

I noticed this after 20 years of ministry. I give sacrificially to the local church, and many times had little left to help people around me, the mission field around me. For example: I gave very generously to my local church one month and found out a family member was going to have their power shut off. But I had nothing left to give - I man nothing, notta, in the bank. There was no way I could have done both. I would have done both if I could have. Looking after family is required, and I would be worse than an unbeliever if I did not do that. But in "Christendom" the institution superseeds the the individual, and his family.

Are you still with me? So, we give to the church, thinking they use the funds to minister to the people around me.......... right........ well we know better than that. Simple fact for us all is that the local church does beans for the people around us. In that "temple" system of giving, it's about letting the leaders (Priests) decide, not what needs are before us, as the "Priesthood of all believers". Leaders want us to pay for their ministry ideas, but they don't even know, nor care, frankly, about our mission field. Why is that? It's all spent on the "Stuff". They can't afford to see what members give to help them live out missionally, because it's all spent.

If you want to live missionally, start investing your "offering" in the mission, your included. Service to people God is placing in front of you. If you attend a local church, you have an obligation to contribute there too, since you are benefiting from that. However, your ministry to people around YOU is no less valuable. You are a "priest" too! Act like it for the people you live among! Your leaders don't know them and will never have the same opportunity, ability or desire to reach them like you will.

WARNING: Your church leaders do not like this kind of talk at all. This is the kind of writing wil cause people to ostracize you. Dangerous concepts they mutter. But notice they have no NT answer rely. They will simply revert to OT Temple type talk, because they don't have any NT church talk passages to back tis model of giving.

My Advice, say nothing, just start living it!

How should I Live it? Start investing in your mission field - The peopel God placed before YOU.
How do I do that? Buy boxes of bibles for your business or home, and put them out on display for free. Put your phone number and names inside, "Call Grant or Rose if you have questions. We will help you!" Buy study guides for a group of interested people and lead them. Supply resources or books to help people asking questions.
Host a community BBQ and pay for it all.
Buy a ton of groceries for a single mother you know.
Give a stressed out young couple a night out for dinner, and free baby sitting.
Send the oil truck to deliver oil to that needy family, and tell him not to say who it's from.
Support Mission church planting in Africa, or community development to reduce poverty.

You are free to be generous in funding your ministry, and help others in their ministry too.

GIVE - GIVE ALL YOU CAN to this end. You will never lack for opportunities to talk about Jesus if you live like this. Here is something else Jesus said to do with your resources, money or wealth.

"Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home." Luke 16:9 (NLT)

This quote is insightful of how people are skeptical of the whole system, and church people are not even aware of the skepticism, because its automatic to us now, as we assumed this is always the way it's been done.

"Many people outside and inside the church are skeptical of where church resources are going.. . and for good reason. When people give faithfully for years and never see a church extending benevolence or making a genuine impact in a community, it’s quite natural to lose motivation. Yes, we should be able to trust our church leadership, but it’s also okay to measure the way we use our corporate resources against how the ancient communities did. Why were they so jubilant about giving? Simply, they got to see it change lives!........

If someone needed his car fixed, if someone couldn’t pay a medical bill, if someone wanted to move out of a bad living situation, or if someone needed a plane ticket to get home to help with a family situation, people just pitched in and did what needed to get done to alleviate the now problem. Once Matt and I realized what was going on, we found great solace in knowing that God’s heart was becoming the heart of our people.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s always a lot of room to help people excel more, and we wouldn’t be able to give flight to spontaneous giving without some infrastructure funding. But we’ve learned that eveything gets taken care of if you give people visjon and, permission to spend their money wisely on real people. So far, our general fund needs have always been sufficient to keep this practical needs co-op on the move.

This is a good time to ask some what if questions: What if every church was able to get every person to commit 5 percent of their income to the general church fund, but mobilized the other 5 percent to all the needs of their communities? How might that change how people view Christians? How can we give people more freedom and creativity in their giving? How do we help people’s giving become more closely tied to their hearts?
(Tangible Kingdom. Hugh Halter, pg 174-175. 2008, Jossey-Bass)

Churchill Was a Glow-Worm!

"We are all worms. But I do believe that I am a glow- worm." (Winston Churchill)

Why Can't We Keep It Simple As a Church? You Gotta Love the Name WolfGang....

Some would say that we can have healthy, effective, and growing churches without precise and well managed systems, and clearly outlines lines of authority and accountability...... We have no idea how uniquly American that perspective it.... The church is growing via simple means, ordinary people (Not elite professionals), rapidly, all over the world...

It seems God IS leaving behind our old systems, no matter how much we remodel, tweak, adjust, and re-image what we do.  People in our kind of churches have never heard of it.... And you will not hear our kind o churches talk about all this either... well maybe when it is in Asia, but not when it is in Canada or America.... Becuse they can't afford to let this simplicity expose their complexity, and the almost morbid amount of money our kind of church must expend on ourseves to maintain what we have.

Woldgang Simpson is an Indian form India, has been part of the Simple movemnts exploding there, and is now in Germany doing the same thing.
I encounter his writing about nine years ago. And This video series is amazing. Simple, clear, not judgmental... to the point. I recommended you listen to it..... and gather others in your home to listen to it.... From this video you can get the other eleven parts (10min each).

It's been how I have been building relationships with people in simplicity, and it has been behind the scenes of the current model of our churches... I learned early on, that talking about this stuf with current churches and leaders is DANGERIOUS.... You will be judged, and you will pay a price if you do. The best advice I ever got as I began this journey in 2000, came about 2006.... Andy Don't try to convince others about it, don't bother seeking their approval, just live it, and then share it with those who come to you seeking it.... I advise you to do the same.... 
You do not need anyone's approval, nor permission to live out the Kingdom of God and sow into others lives.
 Thanks Wolfgang for this little series.

Assumptions Really Drive Wedges

Assumptions are a killer to relationships. We assign certain thoughts, attitudes, or motives to a persons words, actions, or choices, that often are simply very incorrect. I know this because the assumptions people make about me are often very skewed. So that tells me that my assumptions about others are the same. We have too little information.... and even if we have a lot of tidbits, we can never really know anyone's mind, motives, or heart. We assign 'reasons' to people, that we have little reason to reason, from our reasoning. ;-) Assumptions are rarely favorable ones. And what happens is we interact with people via that pre-printed script that we have in our head, and therefore we never really hear or truly see the person in front of us. We are speaking, acting and reacting on that script.... We can't really let new relational/personal data it, nor process it, until we let go of the assumption and listen. So can we stop assuming so much? Can I stop setting myself up as a judge with limited information, and no vision into the mind or heart of another, and learn to love instead?

"...... when you assume you make an 'ass' out of 'U' and 'me.'.... "You don't really believe it's a coincidence that the word ass is contained within the word assume ...do you?"

(M. C. Lang. The Bastard Tree)

Simple Church Being Re-Defined?

Bless everyone's efforts to grow the kingdom, by any means and method, that retains the integrity fo Christ in the process. So Ya.... here it comes.... However, this week I noticed a church conference with pastors and leaders, and the theme for the leaders was simple church. There are things in the "Simple Church" concept of organizing church that I really appreciate. So I thought that this was going to be great thing coming to the church dialogue. A nice refreshing thing to see this entering the dialogue and conferences.... a refreshing balance to how leadership is portrayed, and churches that are programmed to death. Well here is what the seminar was described as

Simple Church – This “Q & A Session” will provide the participant with the specifics of a “Staff Led, Elder Protected” church governance model in a more conversational format. Participants will be invited to ask questions and get answers, leaving the sessions with a clear and detailed understanding of this critically important part of developing a successful church growth strategy. Simple Church … Embracing Healthy Systems – An important part of any church growth strategy is the identification and development of formal systems, processes, and methods that help staff to lead well through building a strong, effective infrastructure. But first, church governance and leadership structure must be setup such that ministry professionals have needed authority to make ministry decisions. From exploring the inner workings of a “staff led, elder protected” leadership structure to the specifics of a structured approach to organization and execution, this workshop will challenge traditional thinking and help the participant to view his or her leadership responsibility in a new, more effective way.

It certainly makes it easier to get things done.... But it goes back to the very lack of confidence in Jesus. That Jesus can shepherd his people, and move them in service to the world.... and we do not have to treat them like babies who can't hear his voice and follow his lead. And Common every day people can be part of this whole multiplication process..... it need not be in the hands of professionals. Is this Sinful? No..... is it rooted in NT scriptures.... no... its simply secular management philosophy brought to market the church. Is that sinful and wrong? No..... Can it help churches get better at management.... certainly! But I can't promote this to the body of Christ personally, and I certainly do not want anyone to set me up as that kind of leader, with that kind of power over the body. I don't trust my heart enough to be a good steward of this power enough that I would always keep Jesus's will at the forefront. Frankly I don't want to turn my ministry and service over to these kind of church leaders, or people to turn that over to me..... When that should be turned over to Jesus alone. I only know this.... Leaders only do what they want to do, only what fits their gifts, only what they are excited about, what delights them to do, and that suites their temperaments, and what fits their personal will and vision.... And we all pass it off as Jesus will for you too.... It can certainly honor Jesus, and do so well. However, leaders don't see the full picture, they see theirs... Not a criticism.. Just a reality, and you should be aware of this. did this for over 20 years. Good men, but normal men..... they are not super giants, and why are you letting men point you to do for christ.. Ask him yourself.... and do it. It's always possible that Jesus wants many other things done, other than the exclusive vision of one local church, and leadership. We don't have to put all our eggs in their visionary basket, nor should we. Some, sure.... All is not required. Is this simple church? Oh my word, No! This is what I'm running from actually. It is the opposite of "Simple Church"..... It's a Heavily structured, and a highly managed and controlled System, with a few making all the decisions. Which is fine.... But I personally I can't walk there. Nor can I teach, live or promote it. I'm not professional enough, gifted in management enough, and frankly I don't want that power over a group of people to be given to me. Give that to Christ alone. I'l help you, I'll walk with you as you try to figure it out. But I will not substitute my voice, and my vision for Christs, to you direct with no middle man me stuck in the way..... AJ

Living in Different Countries Changes You.... Forever!

After living and working in three west African countries, all I can say is this is so true. "It’s hard to deny that the act of living in another country, in another language, fundamentally changes you. Different parts of your personality sort of float to the top, and you take on qualities, mannerisms, and opinions that define the new people around you. And there’s nothing wrong with that; it’s often part of the reason you left in the first place. You wanted to evolve, to change something, to put yourself in an uncomfortable new situation that would force you to into a new phase of your life............... Walking streets alone and eating dinner at tables for one — maybe with a book, maybe not — you’re left alone for hours, days on end with nothing but your own thoughts. You start talking to yourself, asking yourself questions and answering them, and taking in the day’s activities with a slowness and an appreciation that you’ve never before even attempted. Even just going to the grocery store — when in an exciting new place, when all by yourself, when in a new language — is a thrilling activity. And having to start from zero and rebuild everything, having to re-learn how to live and carry out every day activities like a child, fundamentally alters you. Yes, the country and its people will have their own effect on who you are and what you think, but few things are more profound than just starting over with the basics and relying on yourself to build a life again. I have yet to meet a person who I didn’t find calmed by the experience. There is a certain amount of comfort and confidence that you gain with yourself when you go to this new place and start all over again, and a knowledge that — come what may in the rest of your life — you were capable of taking that leap and landing softly at least once. But there are the fears. And yes, life has gone on without you. And the longer you stay in your new home, the more profound those changes will become. Holidays, birthdays, weddings — every event that you miss suddenly becomes a tick mark on an endless ream of paper. One day, you simply look back and realize that so much has happened in your absence, that so much has changed. You find it harder and harder to start conversations with people who used to be some of your best friends, and in-jokes become increasingly foreign — you have become an outsider. There are those who stay so long that they can never go back. We all meet the ex-pat who has been in his new home for 30 years and who seems to have almost replaced the missed years spent back in his homeland with full, passionate immersion into his new country. Yes, technically they are immigrants. Technically their birth certificate would place them in a different part of the world. But it’s undeniable that whatever life they left back home, they could never pick up all the pieces to. That old person is gone, and you realize that every day, you come a tiny bit closer to becoming that person yourself — even if you don’t want to. So you look at your life, and the two countries that hold it, and realize that you are now two distinct people. As much as your countries represent and fulfill different parts of you and what you enjoy about life, as much as you have formed unbreakable bonds with people you love in both places, as much as you feel truly at home in either one, so you are divided in two. For the rest of your life, or at least it feels this way, you will spend your time in one naggingly longing for the other, and waiting until you can get back for at least a few weeks and dive back into the person you were back there. It takes so much to carve out a new life for yourself somewhere new, and it can’t die simply because you’ve moved over a few time zones. The people that took you into their country and became your new family, they aren’t going to mean any less to you when you’re far away. When you live abroad, you realize that, no matter where you are, you will always be an ex-pat. There will always be a part of you that is far away from its home and is lying dormant until it can breathe and live in full color back in the country where it belongs. To live in a new place is a beautiful, thrilling thing, and it can show you that you can be whoever you want — on your own terms. It can give you the gift of freedom, of new beginnings, of curiosity and excitement. But to start over, to get on that plane, doesn’t come without a price. You cannot be in two places at once, and from now on, you will always lay awake on certain nights and think of all the things you’re missing out on back home." (Chelsea Fagan)

When a 250 lb Fisherman Cries Too Much! Where In The World Transitions Again

I have no followers, and that is ok. Seriously, I get blog hits from all over the world. However, I have no consistent readers that I know of. Also, as far as I know, NONE of my friends follow this blog. Most don't even know it exists, and the few who might, certainly ignore it.

The church ministry "friends" I have, simply can't read it. It's too opposite of the Leadership Superstar Management church models they are being trained in. And to hear a dissenting simpler option, and a guy who transitioned form Paid Minister playing the game, to a free serving servant, not playing the game but just as kingdom active all over the world........welllll.... it just saps their already diminished joy for running their church machinery. Open this floodgate even a little, and they are lost to everything as they know it. So they can't crack this door at all. So I get it.

I am not into marketing this blog, building a fellowship, like so many blogs become and are able to do so masterfully. I have no desire nor clue how to do that. This is just my venting place, and a place to register and catalog interesting quotes I read, that made ME think and help me on my journey. It's an easy place to collect data I'm interested in.

So I feel quite safe writing about some transitions I have been going through. 

1. I transitioned from Full time Ministry to Fully Missionary.

Yes 5 yrs in pulpit ministry game (1990-1995). Five years church planting in Ivory Coast West Africa (1995-2000).

2. I transitioned into Fisherman/ Part time Ministry - to Fisherman/Tent making Team Leader of  a simple Church plant.

2000-2007 I served part time with a small church while fishing full time 6 monhs a year. Good folks, but I no longer fit the Western church pastor model well, or just did not want to, which was it????? Africa ruined me and opened my eyes to what the western church has become. Which became clear to me, that I was not to  be a pastor in that system. I was glad when they chose not to renew my annually voted on  contract in 2007. Yep each year I had to have 80% popularity vote, or my contract was not renewed for the next year. In 2007 I never made the 80%. Over those 7 years, I used all my vacation time to work in Africa, making four trips back to Africa to work in my old field, and scout untouched muslim regions for future work. Most in that church never asked me about it, or what I did in Africa, ever when I went. I came home to no interest. In fact I think some were apposed to be doing this on my vacation. 

So in 2007-2010 I agreed to be part of a simple church plant for no pay, and commercially fished for a living with my Dad. I wanted it to be a network of simple house gatherings. But it soon became the default. A rented hall, with a shingle out front (Not my choice but was a good team player in the group). It became something that I, not in any way, what I wanted to do.... but by all other standards was normal and good. It was good, just not for me is all. But it was a lot of fun to walk with this group. Some of the best in the box times of my life. But we were going to have the same results as every other rural church with a shingle. We played the "Excellence" game, and we had the models and worked them, and it never worked for us well. Never does for most churches i have come to see.   

3. I transitioned to Humanitarian NGO 2010-2013. Leading the first ever community development project for Man of Peace Development in Mali, West Africa. I work in a 100% Muslim community about 500km from the capital city. I love what I do there, and Africa has deep roots in my heart. This is a 6 months each year project. I just got home from there a few weeks ago. 


4. NOW.......I am Transitioning to Fishing Captain 2013:

I was always a high percentage partner in the family fishing business with my dad the last 12 years. We worked as a team, but he was to stay at the wheel until he was ready to not be at the wheel. I worked the deck and managed all the working details.

In a way, I never really thought of taking the wheel, ever. We get along well. I had seen other sons put pressure on their older dads to retire and the transition was hard on the "Old Man" as i don't think they were ready to retire, and made to feel like they were standing in the way of their sons progress. So they stepped down out of respect for their sons, but they themselves, were not ready to cut out a very important part of their being.... I've seen it happen over and over again.

So I never asked, it was not my place or desire. I wanted my dad to stay at the wheel until he was ready. I had a job, and I worked overseas in Africa too. So I was happy with not taking the wheel too.
 Also, I knew the day he did step down, I would need to make some hard decisions about Africa, my life in general. Managing a fishing business and being at sea 6 months a year is no small commitment I assure you.

I've noticed my dad really slowing down the last 5 yrs. Rightfully so, as he is 70 in May 2013. But when I got home after a winter in Africa a few weeks ago, I noticed something. My dad really aged this past year. And though he lifts gear etc, he is really having a much harder time to do it this spring. He is as thin as a pencil now. Since he was diagnosed with mild Diabetes a few yrs back, so he has to watch his diet.

Well Yesterday I finally got the talk. He said this will be his last year, and I am taking the wheel next season. He's going to get his business in order, and then I know where I stand, and I'll have to get my shit in order too. 

Most young men I know got real excited when they took over their first fishing gears as Captain.
How did the news make me feel? I hate to say it, but this 250lb solid old burly fisherman almost started to cry in the truck. My dad did not know, or see it. I just small talked saying, "you do what you need to do, and I'll take case of my end once we all know where we stand.". But a whole lot rushed at me that I did not know what to do with...
 
What does this mean? Thought I can still probably work in Africa each winter as a humanitarian NGO, the length of time will need to be shortened. And frankly right now I can't take off the table that I may even have to shut down that chapter of my life in some more serious way.
Am I ready for that? That is a dark tunnel I can't even consider looking at right now.

Then, there is the capacity too. Will I catch the fish, enough to make a go of it? I don't know the grounds like my dad who has now fished for 54 yrs. He has the bottom, every ledges, and every bump on the bottom or hump, on the ocean bottom memorized. He can take you there to each one, with no GPS, just a compass and water depth indicator.

I don't have all those humps and bumps memorized. Just as generalities. I'll be learning it all new for myself. I may make decisions of when to move gear and generally where... But it is he who is looking at the sounders and indicators we the gear is dropped, not me.... I'm the guy who puts it over the deck. And with prices being so low the last 5 years, you need to put the pounds of fish on the deck, or you can't survive this business.

Will I make a good fishing captain?  I don't know. I know the deck, I know when we should move gear and to where.... But I have so much more to learn.  

Also, though I have lived in my home town the last 12 yrs.... I have really felt like a stranger here, and have entertained the thoughts of moving many times...for a fresh start. My home church, the one that ordained me, and where I served for a few years is down the road, and I no longer can be part of that anymore. It's a small rural community and they don't get it... can't accept it.....
Well.......no moving now. This will be my home until I retire and pass this on to one of my sons. 

As if my church transition was not major enough. (From paid professional working on Masters in Churchy stuff - to no pay, being apart of simple organic home gatherings of people as a servant not a Leader - as we know leaders today.)  Now from NGO (Still so in some capacity) to a Fishing Boat Captain.

I find I cry a lot, over little things, these days. Anything, crazy things, but not about my life things.... Over the stories, events, and happenings in other peoples lives. I'm rarely broken hearted at my own affairs or life. Mine is pretty good. But just this morning, while coming home for the coffee shop with my dad early this morning, we were talking about something (I have no idea what now) But The tears started to well up in my eyes over the craziest thing that had nothing to do with me what so ever. That happens a lot these days. But I don't feel depressed or down. I can't explain it...

So my 70yr old Dad is stepping down. I did almost cry. But NOT because I feel some burden... It's not burdensome to me.... I never found anything about Africa or fishing to be burdensome.
The only thing in my life like that was, was being a "Clergy" a Pastor, a minister and managing church, playing the church game, and having those meetings about "Doin it better" to "Grow the church". Sunday gathering were generally stifling (In any Church I've been in). The whole System of church management, how we do it, function, operate, and the boxed role ministers are put in..... was burdensome, BIG TIME. It was not fun, I played by their rules for 20 yrs, their rules suck, and no amount of repacking of church, and leadership will change that. I recommended that service box to no one. But I recommend Jesus and being part of the body to everyone. Build the kingdom in freedom, not the box.
 
So a transition is coming... Yes I'm excited, apprehensive, contemplative, hopeful, sad, wondering, dreaming, doubting, accepting, and questioning just about everything now. I have depleted my "answer reservoir" over the last 5 years. I've never had less answers in my life than I do now at 45 yrs of age.

Frankly, I have no idea how it's all going to fit together. But notice I did not add to that list the word "worried...." Things will fit... it's just maybe the border of my puzzle, once put together, will not have square corners and straight line borders, in a box shape. Which is OK by me... But, as with most things in my now "Outside the Box"  Life, it will annoy the hell out of most people around me for not playing by their rules. When I think about that it makes me happy, I never cry over that.....never will!

AJ

Methods And Power as Accomplishment, Commentary as Distraction

I have no worthy commentary to add to this powerful insight within this "fictional" paragraph. This is why I quote so much on this blog... I've not much good to add to this great stuff I encounter. My commentary is a distraction Adam's conversation with Michael at the foot of the twisted bastard tree.....

"This is why authority and power are so alluring and so damaging in the world. When one is driven by selfishness and wields power over another, what is the inevitable result?" he asked rhetorically. "Not everyone can control. You share a world together. The unavoidable outcome is perpetual competition. And, ultimately, the only way to get anything done is to create structures where power and control are clearly defined. Think of kings and queens and CEOs and popes and senior pastors and presidents and managers; this is how the world is organized, and it is also why Gabriel spoke of the towers of Babel as he did; for there is a better way. "You see, religion is sometimes like the world: always trying to create a newer and better model. Constantly striving to fix all the problems the fall created with their own creations. Religion just spiritualizes this quest to justify itself; for it's all being done in the name of God, and for his sake. Can you not see that though they call it freedom, it can still be bondage? No matter how well the new model appears to work, the heart can remain dead within; for models are often mechanisms to manipulate the deepest longings and needs of men. No model can fabricate intimate communion. It requires mutual surrender, true abandonment. Only in communion with love, with him, will you begin to find freedom. At their best, systems can help clarify the work abandonment is already doing; but at their worst they impede abandonment altogether and create an illusion of progress; they can become a surrogate for vulnerability and intimacy. But it is in abandonment, vulnerability, and intimacy that grace is found."

(The Bastard Tree. M. C. Lang. Pg 239)

Conditional Love.... Conditional Forgiveness.....

"Forgiveness my boy. That is what you do with anger. Don't you see, if you choose not to forgive, you are hoarding your love. Your love is conditional. You've turned it into a weapon to punish the object of your anger, but mostly you punish yourself"

(The Bastard Tree. M. C. Lang. Pg 180) in Gray's conversation with Michael.......

Hiding The Inner Process

"The Bastard Tree', is an interesting read at 60% in.

A Christian fiction of sorts, kind of similar to, "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Any More.". Nothing deep.... but made me stop and look at some of the insanity performace, without connection.

I know, the titles really turn off judgmental, rabid, fundamentalist type people. Because, unlike most of us, they can judge a book by its cover. If any book even sounds like it will question anything, in the totality of their church experience, or view as is, hook line and sinker, with absolutely no modification....she's toast.

I'm not a fan of fiction, never have been. It should not drive our theology, but it should drive our imagination. Because imagination and encounter  causes me to wrestle with my theology. That, unbeknown to fundamentalist evangelicals, is a good "Borean" process.

"Therefore, as a coal mine breaks the body, so the hardening of Mike's heart—and the excessive maintenance required to keep it that way—had broken his soul. Mike was far from alone in this sort of predicament; in fact, his case was not particularly striking in any way- There are those who are contorted in extreme ways, driven by the uncontrollable need to hide the insidious process going on in their inner-most workings. (The Bastard Tree. M. C. Lang. Pg 170)

Anyway, this line was insightful, as I have been in a process too, and hiding it from "the box" church people. Not because I'm ashamed, or see any theological concerns with where I am. Simply put, this hiding is almost always mandatory, if you don't want to be slaughtered while you go through it.

Because to most fundamentalist evangelicals, the only reasonable and acceptable end resolution is for you fall back in line with them, conform to things as is in the church practice and life, and stop going down that other path. Just fall back in line, see and do church like this, be a good hard working servant robot of the church program system, because this it baby, this is what it is all about.

Is the process going on inside insidious? Depends who you ask. My theology has changed little in this process (is that good or bad). However, how I relate to the operation or management of the church program machinery, and church expression has changed dramatically. How I relate people now is very different. 

I'm growing tired of hiding my process. I no longer hide it. But neither do I talk about it freely to churchy people in the circles I once was deeply part of. They have colored glasses (Like mine), and little or no vocabulary to discuss this. What I find is that , they really have no theological issue with where i am.... However, if they take even a peak at this, it "undoes" them so much, they either have to slam the door shut for good (most common reaction) and not go there. As if they entertain this simplicity and freedom, while retaining doctrinal integrity they see in this life, it totally takes the wind out of their sails too. The wind is gone for the machinery management. And for those who's pay, and career is built on this system. Well, to look will undo everything for them. So they just can't go there. Or if they do....they admit this system is exhausting and out of balance. It undoes them.... Seems to be one or the other reaction. Not much in between.....

Bible Verse Napalm And Christians Acting Like Relational Dicks.

Arrogance is behind the attitude to expose another's perceived ignorance. You can talk truth, if you act like truth. Remember we have love that neighbor all the time. People are drawn to wisdom and truth, but they often judge it by what it does for, in and to the person claiming it, while sharing it with them. Bible diarrhea does not impress them much, your lips are still moving, but you lost them. But your friendship and attitude in conversation about it does.

"But don't be disappointed if you don't find me lobbing verses of scripture at them like live grenades. In my experience, I've come to find that people don't generally respond well to being bombarded with Bible Napalm. And, if you're that guy? Stop it! I know you're well-meaning, but you just sound like a dick... When my friends and I discuss the differences in our Faith, we do it respectfully, gently, gracefully. We speak with Love for one another. It takes us far..."

(Jamie The Very Worst Missionary blog. April 9th 2013. What would Jesus....blog)

Best Lack Conviction, Worst Full Of Passionate Intensity

"In short, we have not found a way to do the age-appropriate tasks of the two halves of life, and both groups are losing out. The juniors are made to think that the container is all there is and all they should expect; or worse, that they are mature and home free because they believe a few right things or perform some right rituals. The would-be maturing believer is not challenged to any adult faith or service to the world, much less mystical union. Everyone ends up in a muddled middle, where "the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity" as William Butler Yeats put  it."
(Richard Rohr. Falling Upward)

Only Great Power Checks Evil?

"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love."

(Gandalf the Grey The Hobbit)

The Perfect Mindless Heartless Christian Body

This cartoon just so nailed the, "treat them like mindless bimbo's who are soooo helpless" attitude the average church leadership treats people like. If we don't point the finger, they will never find their way. They need us..... ahem... ME.... 

Thinking people can't take the pain of being treated like helpless two year olds who need leading by the hand. It really is insulting......
 
We are no longer "Sheep without a shepherd". We have a Shepherd now. But,  by the way we speak and act in church,  it seems we forget that.

This cartoon is worth a look... It's blunt and raw.... but as a pulpit minister and overseas missionary for many years, I can't really argue with much of it... Unfortunately, It exposes a real truth of how we treat people, and I think why we have such a "feed me" mentality in the body..

The Perfect Christian Body

Keep Your Hands Off The Church!

Lottie Moon was a missionary to China in the mid to late 19th century. She was born to wealthy parents, well educated and left a teaching career in America to serve as a missionary in North China in 1873. She shared her finances and food with those in need and eventually died as a result at the age of 73. A friend of mine, Dave Clippard, recently shared a quote from Lottie Moon that I had not come across before. She said,

When the gospel is allowed to grow naturally in China, without forcing processes of development, the "church in the house" is usually its first form of organization. God grant us faith and courage to keep "hands off" and allow this new garden of the Lord's planting to ripen in the rays of the Divine Love, free from human interference! - Lottie Moon, Pingtu, September 10, 1890

House Churches And Others

Yep, meeting in a house can change little. 

"Those burned by conventional church will find no solace here. The authors believe that house churches started by disgruntled Christians fed up with the establishment are doomed. Only those at peace with the value of all types of church and leadership will be able to grow a healthy house church or house church network.

More importantly, to avoid the ugly pitfalls of ingrown, exclusivist house churches, McClung and Kreider insist house churches must be birthed with outreach firmly at the forefront of ministry, above and beyond the fellowship of believers."

 

http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/138857-starting-a-house-church.html

10 Gut-Wrenching Observations from a Former Church Insider Preacher

This is about how I feel about it all too...

Yes # 10 Is me too... (Insert your judgement here).....

#3 is the biggie for me too. #5 is alarming.... Number #2 makes me wonder why we have to figure it out for them.... push them to their spiritual work and seeking. They should be doing that spiritual work for themselves, and be developing that kind of spiritual outlook on life where they seek. Me taking that away from them, and replacing the Spirits voice for my guidance, I think is a huge part of how we silence the "Spirit" in church culture by running ahead to help....... I'm sitting here as a trained theologian.... I rarely understand the dynamics of what most other fields entail, I don't think i can tell them how can I decide how to best plug them in, and if I could I'm to the place I don't feel I should until they are hearing and sensing from Christ how and where to move on that stuff. .....????? And I agree with #1 Totally as well.

10 Gut-WrenchingObservations from a Former Church Insider

by Shaun King

A powerful look at church from the outside by a former pastor.

(This post has not been edited for errors.  These are my raw, honest thoughts. In a hurry?  Scroll down for my 10 observations.)

I didn’t grow up in church.

It wasn’t until I was assaulted in high school and required several spinal surgeries that I even knew I needed God.  But from 1996-2011, from the time I was 16 until I was 31, church was CENTRAL to my life personally and professionally.  I became a church insider almost instantly.  Here is a bit of my church history…

At the age of 16 I was baptized @ Antioch Baptist Church in Lexington, KY by my best friends dad, Willis Polk

At the age of 17 I was licensed to preach by Willis Polk at his new church, Imani Baptist Church

At the age of 17 I moved to Atlanta.  My first mentor in Atlanta was Howard Creecy, the chaplain of the city of Atlanta and pastor of an urban church – St. Peter Baptist Church.

At the age of 18 I decided I wanted to be like a man named Dr. Aaron Parker.  I revered this dude.  He was a religion professor @ Morehouse College and a local pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

At the age of 18 I started preaching all over the country and became active @ Zion Hill Baptist Church

At the age of 22 I visited Union Theological Seminary in NYC and thought long and hard about going there for my Master of Divinity.

At the age of 23 I started attending Total Grace Christian Center after several friends of mine from Morehouse and Spelman insisted it was an amazing place.  The pastor, Johnathan Alvarado, whom I have since spoken out against very strongly, was actually great to me during most of time there and put me on the fast track to leadership.  I was ordained as a pastor by him, became his personal assistant, and eventually helped launch a new campus of the church.

At the age of 25 I was approved and trained by the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination to become a church planter.

At the age of 28 I was approved and trained by ARC (Association of Related Churches) to become a church planter.

At the age of 29 I launched Courageous Church in downtown Atlanta.  I thought I’d pastor there forever. It sounds crazy to me now, but I loved that church and the people.  I’d do so many things differently if I could do it all over again. We had something special there.

In 2011 I stepped down from my role as Pastor of Courageous Church.  Man that hurt.

———

In the nearly 2 years since then I’ve visited a lot of churches with my family.

We’ve visited churches we’ve heard about for years, places we just learned about on the fly, we’ve sat in the balcony and down front, we’ve been to churches of all cultures and backgrounds, we’ve tried out all of the children’s ministries, we’ve seen church every way you can make it in America.

We’ve lived in California, Kentucky, and New York these past 2 years and have pretty much seen it all.  All of that considered, I have 10 observations that I’d love to share.

I like to always give this stipulation when I offer what may sound like a self-righteous critique of church. I love the Church. I love God. I am flawed. This is not me saying I’m perfect and that the church sucks. With that said, here goes…

10 Honest Observations of Church Now that I am an Outsider

10. This is going to sound terrible, but I’m surprised how little church means to me now that I’m not a church insider.

(Yep, it's where i'm at)

    When I was a church insider, I operated under the assumption that what we were offering people was going to fill some deep gap that they had and knew that they had, but now that I am a church outsider, I’m a perfectly content guy. I don’t feel like something is missing. Maybe it is, but it doesn’t feel that way.

    I think pastors and church leaders too often assume that people that don’t show up on Sunday are lonely or deficient in some way, but it’s just not the case in my world and probably isn’t the case with others. I listed this first because I think if I knew that people felt that way when I was a pastor I would have offered them something different and talked to them differently.

 It changes everything.

9. Most church nurseries stink. 

    I mean like outrageous funk hits you in the face right away type of stink. They smell like crap and instantly make me not want to drop my baby off there.

    Listen, I know diapers are changed there, but I’ve seen it done where it doesn’t smell like an old man crapped on the floor. Dropping a baby off to strangers is already a weird and difficult proposition – please dispose of the diapers in a close container and use air freshener.

8. I’ve gotten lost in every church I’ve ever attended. 

    I can’t find the bathrooms, I can’t find where to drop off the kids, and when I find the bathrooms and where to drop off the kids, I can’t find my way back to my seat.

    Directional signs are SO DOGGONE CHEAP. You can seriously go as cheap as laminating some paper and taping them on the walls or go super fancy and have them professionally done. Just do it.

    

7. The sermons are rarely memorable.

    This is a huge problem because in every church we’ve visited the sermon is clearly designed to be the crescendo/centerpiece of the entire service.

    I won’t tell you where we went last, but I can’t tell you even one sentence from the sermon and I listened the whole doggone time.

      

6. In my church training, I always learned that parents will go to a church that they like just a little bit if the kids LOVE it...

    But that parents will leave a church they like a lot if the kids don’t like it. 

    It’s true.  I preferred one church in New York personally but the kids didn’t like it at all.  We went back one time. The kids didn’t like it again. I love it. We never went back.

DOUBLE DOWN ON WHAT YOU DO FOR KIDS. Make it even bigger and better than what you do for adults!!

    

5. I honestly don’t remember if I acted this way when I was a pastor, but I’ve had a few pastors act really weird over their church members volunteering to help with something I was leading outside of the church. 

(I find this ALARMING, sick, and Sad. AJ)

    Each time it baffled me. Don’t act like you own your members. I’m not going to start a church with them. They can volunteer outside of your church.

    It’s healthy. Don’t be weird and don’t act so insecure fellas.

    

4. When I pastored Courageous Church we spent an outrageous amount of time on announcements. 

    I was slightly aware that we spoke of our announcements too many times. Now that I am on the other end of things, IT IS CRAZY. Don’t have an announcement video, then an announcement flyer, then have the pastor restate all of the announcements, then have a host come do it at the end. Cut almost all of it out.

 Do it once and have a flyer. If the pastor has to emphasize something, have them only say something about one thing, but my guess is that unless it’s urgent, let the pastor just preach. It goes in one ear and out the other, it drags the service on an extra half an hour, and it’s just not effective.

3. I feel like I’m going back in time when I go to most churches. 

 (Yep.... so out of touch with Modern Technology, some even ban it's use, and frankly even the hippest churches services seem contrived and out of date to me, because it comes across as so artificial, and it is as we are trying to fabricate something. AJ)

    Listen, I know God is unchanging, but the world changes.

    I hear pastors make illustrations with references from the 80s that go right over people’s heads.

    I hear music that was popular in the 90s (which is getting to be a long time ago).

    A ton of churches make zero references to social media during the services, but it’s a big part of people’s lives.  I hate to say this, but when I visited some churches, it felt just like it did when I visited them 10 years ago and gave me very little motivation to go back.

     

2. Most churches have NO IDEA what to do with the true skills and gifts that men and women have...

 (Da....they can't figure that out as highly skilled professionals with a thinking mind and a Jesus heart? Why do I need to figure it out for them. They know how best to help and love people with their skills Go do it, use it... Don't wait for me to create it for you in an artificial environment of the church. And I should not have to prod you to serve others in love. That is a sign of real spiritual lethargy. (Part of the issue is we think we have to reign what people to it into the church walls, and under that umbrella before it's "church service" ). This baby coddling approach to Spirituality is what makes us into little babies who can't think for ourselves, are not in touch with Jesus and the spirit enough to sense his movements and promptings in our life, so we take the easy road in church and ask a special human "God Agent" to tell us what to do. That is scarey to me actually.  AJ)

    if they don’t involve singing, doing camera work, or running lyrics on a laptop.

    I rarely feel challenged in church and rarely hear of any opportunities to use any of my skills, gifts, or talents in a remotely meaningful way. I am sure people felt this way when I was a pastor as well, but it totally went over my head.

    Your church is full of smart, experienced, skilled people. It’s OK for them to be ushers and greeters, but if somebody is an expert at something, take the time to figure out how to use that.

    It will engage them on a deep level and make the commit like never before.

     

1. All of that said, I’m still so proud of you pastors.  

 (Yep. The toughest job there is.... and MANY (MOST) pay a huge price for being one too. The way most people view their pastor and set him up as some super human, and what we expect him to be like, and do, at all times.... is impossible. It's killing them, and we have no freaking clue we are doing it, and don't care to change it anyway.... 99% of you reading this have no idea the burden your pastor bares. You certainly are not going to try and change it. Want to help your pastor? Grow up and take chare of your own spiritual life... you can do it... Jesus is right there in the room with you. 

Stop trying to do events to attract people to church, and go minister to the people you know outside of the church building where he does not have to be part of managing it. And treat him the same way you do any  Ho-joe Christian you know on the street... He is no more holy, no more gifted, and no more special.... and he will tell you that. He's tired trying to live up to your foolish fake image. He's tired of not being able to be himself, without judgment and consequences. He's been taught that to let his guard down on this means he will get shot too. Don't shot him. AJ)

    Your work is so important, but so hard and it can be nearly impossible to get outside of your bubble to know what the world truly thinks and feels.

 I am rooting for you in every way!

Revolutionary Honesty

"In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." (George Orwell)

How To Love....

"He invited us to come inside a reality that was his. But he didn't give out healings, or food , or words of encouragement, or life, or love based on whether someone was in insider or someone was an outsider. The kingdom came freely into the world, you get to taste the kingdom before you decide if you want to be part of it or not. ...... But I don't love them based on whether or not they're an insider to my way of doing things. Whether or not they get the lingo. Whether or not they believe or perceive life the same way I do. Whether or not their ethical lines are in the same place as mine  How are they going to be loved if we don't......? (Wayne Jacobson. Podcast The God Journey)

Stunned By My Limits

When life was certainly simpler...... I'm stunned at my limits too. I'm past thinking I have the answer for anyone.

"Dear Angela, I am tired of being vulnerable, of worrying about the villagers, of sharing myself with others, I want to be young and stupid and frivolous. My limits stun me....."

(Monique Schmidt. Last Moon Dancing: A Memoirs of Love and Slide in Africa. Pg, 160)

Change........

"He discovered that these people were not so much against change as suspicious of how it would be implemented."

(A Bed Of Red Flowers: In Search of my Afghanistan. Nelofer Pazira Pg, 48)

Foraging Wild Plants - Tips

"Only experiment with feed. Only experiment with and eat plant parts that you know to be edible, that are found at the appropriate stage of growth, and that you know how to prepare. If you do not know all three of these things about a plant, you do not know enough to be eating it."
(Edible Wild Plants. John Kallas )

I Planted Ten Churches..... Or did I?

I love this video.... we all would, if we are serious about Jesus..... It gets to the heart of what kingdom is all about.

However, most of you reading this have never really experienced it or actually seen it in action.  ....Ok, breath, suck in some air..... get past the "BUT BUT...... my church does.....!
No, your church is not any different. Each congregation if full of people who say, "But MY church does...." Part of the delusion we have to sell..........that we are more righter, more better :-) .

Church people mostly focus on the Sunday Event. Most of our time, resources and money are focused on the Sunday event, and it so over shadows that it keeps us from functioning much in the "Whole World"of even our own community. We is locked down pretty tight there and not doing much to get out. :-)

The main thing for us, frankly, is the main Sunday thing. The New Testament says surprisingly little about church gatherings and events. Why is that? No I'm not bitter... which church folks are taught to assign to anyone who exposes the silliness of some things we say and do as a group.

No, we just talk about this video stuff, we talk, and talk, and it's just talk. Sunday is still the main thing and promotion of our Sunday main thing service will continue to be our main thing. That is what we are saving people to.... to come to church, and make the church the main thing. We think kingdom work is our Sunday event, and recruiting people to the Sunday event is evangelism.
I see that as only a dot in the kingdom sentence. Making a church member is not the same as making a disciple. Good church members, can be lousy disciples. I know I've been one, and I have tried to lead them.... I'm down with "Sold out to Jesus" kind of people.

Gathering with other believers is essential.... but it need not have to be with that one group down the road only, most of the time. It can be with any part of the body, anywhere, anytime, and the field is the world so we need to get out there and sow the seed more than we gather here (We nod at the theology, but despise the practice of this truth). How can you build one big looking local church talking about releasing people like this, and letting them meet all over the place?

Frankly, I am not too sure where Jesus fits in to all this "Sunday is the main thing" apporach any more.
I know I don't need the corny stuff to prop up my faith. I love Jesus, and I worship him every day...... it's not limited to Sunday, nor is Sunday the Big day of my worship, it's just another day of my 24/7 worship. Also, I love Jesus so I love my brothers and sisters in my family and spend time together (Ahem.... when you can actually find anyone who has time).

Regardless of whether it's country and western or hip hop gospel band music on Sunday. Does not matter if people are excited or reserved in expression. Does not matter the style or the charisma of the preacher. My faith remains, and I can and I do grow with or without most of the distraction on Sunday. We sell the idea that you can't POSSIBLY grow if you don't immerse yourself in this stuff.  ..............Bla.... fooy. 
The truth is this busy stuff gets in our (At least my) way.  20 yrs of ministry exposed that truth to me. Run, run, tired, exhausted, event pushing business...

I worked it and worked it hard. Had some success too, and a little reluctant notoriety too. Planted  ten churches now, around the world.... and two more in the works....Yep.... I did.... Surprises you Eh!
You think I'm down on church, and have a negative view of church?  No, I love church in the biblical sense... But I don't love everything we do that has come to be called "church" today. Took me 20 yrs to be honest and brave enough to finally say it out loud.... as it comes with a cost from that community.


We are not growing because of this Sunday stuff (as people), we are growing despite it. The church does not grow us, Jesus does, and others can nurture what Jesus does or not. Some do, most don't contribute to the process at all (The process is  the 56 things we are to do for "One Another" in the New Testament. But we we are not focused on Jesus ourselves, other have nothing to nurture in us).
I've learned a long time ago, that I can prepare 1000 well thought out sermons, and preach them over years to a people, who never actually lift a finger to know Jesus, communion with him, to learn his word.... or nurture another faith...... I have to plop the gospel in front of them, and we say "Hey great folks, they come to church and listen every week.",   and the reality is they do nothing to nurture their own faith, let alone contribute to the "One Anothering" and certainly not discipling an unbeleiver......

Studies show (our eyes confirm it) that 95% of what I say on Sunday is forgotten by Monday, and that monologue is the least effective form of teaching and communication on the planet.  Yet we tell people they can't possibly get buy without coming to hear a Sunday sermon... Yes they can, and they do.... Because they take almost noting form it, home. Not because they are bad, our teaching method is bad.  And some of us, most of us church folks in fact,  have no communion with Jesus outside of Sunday..... we have no idea what it even means to live under the awareness of him every day.... to live in the reality of the constant presence of Jesus.No sermon or church event can replace that huge hole.

I want to be with a people who want to be with Jesus, and who want to do some "one anothering..." (Me for them and yes them to my family too). Sitting in a pew with others, silent, looking on stage, and then a brief chat after "service"  does little to fill my soul. And I don't pretend to believe my sermon, nor my little chat with you after church helps much either... the setting is too contrived and unnatural, artificial.

Jesus fills my soul, and good genuine time in relationships with people, and discussing the word as Iron sharpens Iron,  does. But stage shows don't help me much. And I know it makes some of you fume to hear me say it. I don't need your stage show, and I know mine "Don't impress you much"... . I need you.... you need me, and we both need Jesus and his word, lived out in the reality of life's context.

When will we get that through our thick heads? Relationship with Jesus, relationship with others in Jesus about Jesus. . It's the key.... the only key.... Jesus called it Love God, Love your neighbor.

A building with a shingle is not a success story for me anymore. With enough time, and enough money most people can pull that off.... trust me.... not hard to make a gathering. Making disciples is a whole other thing.  The truths out....But you can't fake a kingdom family...

Being Shaped By An Institution Is A Grim Thing

"You see I'm not saying that God isn't at work in the midst of these institutions or that some good isn't being done in and through them. I'm simply saying that the source of life is Jesus, not an institution; and no matter how useful you think your institution is, until you understand the difference you will be enslaved to it, and slowly, little by little, you will be consumed by it instead of finding life in him. To be shaped by an institution rather than by communion with him—well, that is a grim thing."
(Gray's conversation with Michael in “The Bastard Tree“ M. V. Lang. Pg 134)

When Your Hands Are Already Full

"You can't receive anything if your hands are already full."
(Gray's conversation with Michael in "The Bastard Tree". M.C. Lang)

This can apply to so many things.
To begin anything fresh and new, we need to drop the load that's already in our hands, before can pick up anything new. A new opportunity my be staring us in the face. However, we can't receive it because we can't bring ourselves to let go of what is filling our lives right  now.
I see it all the time in churches with church people. Having myriads of meetings about how to become vibrant, new and revived again.
But all the while holding on to all they do as if it's all sacred ( some is, most isn't). So, in the end we can not receive anything new. So, we rather settle with trying to stuff a few EXTRA things into the already heavy bags, in our already weary hands.

Oh, don't grow weary in doing good..... I don't grow weary of doing good. But a lot of what people are labeling "good", is not so "good" at all.

I did that for years with them trying to stuff more "good" into the bags we already have.
Until one day I started a journey of stripping away, that took time, but it took that before I had room to become something new.

This is what I see..... the most critically difficult phase is the willingness to let go of what we have in our hands now. I have learned that I can now only work and walk with people willing to empty their hands, or already have been through that process and can guide me through it.

Drop the bags, begin taking items out, one at a time if necessary, or just toss it at all at once if that is what it takes. Because you can't receive anything if your hands are already full.

I walked that road and I know......our hands are way too full.