Because Relationships Matter

...the less I know

There have been occasions when people have said to me, "I feel like so much of what I've been taught about God from my church is a lie." Those are pretty strong words, but I've heard them often enough to make me notice them.

They may be referring to a Catholic church, a Baptist church, a small church, a mega-church, your church, or my church. I don't think it's the fault of the Church itself. The beliefs of the Church are taught and lived out by the people of it. Some are leaders and some are followers, but what they have in common is the nature as humans. 

Human nature gravitates toward predictability, control, methods, etc. We feel more secure when we know what to expect.

Jeff & I were talking with some friends about what we all have been taught about salvation. There were a few variations, but the steps pointed to the same methodology. There was a time when having an exact process was comforting to me. It's no longer the case.

The day after that conversation, I saw this blog post by Donald Miller in which he wrote of "our drive to define God with a mathematical theology". Beyond knowing that we're loved by God, and he wants us live out our days loving one another, the continuing knowledge strengthens my perspective of God as wonderfully mysterious. There's a beautiful tension in those words.  

I don't think a specific church or the Church has lied to me. I think it's a process of understanding that the more I learn about God, the less I know.  

Miracles, Guest Blogger, Stephanie Johnson

When we read about miracles in the Bible, we get lost somewhere in all these questions about whether God really does THAT any more. Maybe He did things like that back then, but He seems to work differently now (if he in fact does still work among us).

And maybe there’s some basis for miracles that can be explained scientifically in retrospect – that would make sense of these so-called miraculous occurrences. And maybe, we try to infuse our own experiences, our own perceptions, with supernatural meaning – and we’re never really sure if we can trust our own experiences and perceptions. And maybe it would just be easier if we could have some hard cold facts and concrete proofs. And maybe it would be even easier if we just took the Bible as literally as possible – and didn’t question at all. I'm tired already and we haven't started!

We will have to begin by admitting that there is no proof.

We will have to begin by admitting that there are no easy answers.

It will never be answered in a way that could be convincing to a skeptic.

While we can't understand miracles fully, we're gonna see what we can learn about God and what he communicates inside the miracles that we or others experience.

Steph is leading our Bible Study Groups that launch on Monday, January 24, for 3 weeks. Register here!

When Religion Gets Real

One benefit to the AMAZING privilege to walk beside people through difficult times is the chance to see how active and present our God is. When they also recognize it, well...I'll let you read it.

There is so much going on (in me) with not only what is happening in my family, and basically "life" right now...but within all of that I see God at work. Not in dramatic gestures, but in changing who I am within these circumstances. Being able to feel and accept the sorrow, grief, fear and yet hold on to my ultimate hope in Christ. Finally being able to see that my foundation and worth is in Christ.

What others are doing - whether it's my kids or my family (who are being real jerks by the way) - is not a reflection of who I am, and is really not about me. I know that you get it, but it's one of those things I'd love to be able to put into words.

How do I describe what it's like to finally be able to truly bring all my fears and sorrow to God, to cry and feel pain that all of my life I blocked and hardened myself to...and yet at the same time know that God is with me, that even if my very worst fears come true (which there are plenty of), God will sustain me.

To believe that God IS good and regardless of the circumstances, choices others make, or how truly lost this world can seem...I know God has ultimate authority and victory through Christ. I can even trust that if I don't see the results in my lifetime...the healing that I was so hoping for in my family and children....that I can still trust that God is greater, there are things I can't see or won't understand or can't answer, but I can trust that victory means victory. The resurrection was God's victory - whether I see it or not.

I know that all sounds very religious...but I think it's pretty amazing when religion gets real.  

Yeah, me too. I think they found the words quite beautifully!

The Irony of Relationships

We are wounded in relationship.

Their words hurt us. Our words hurt them. So, why bother with relationship at all?

We are healed in relationship.

God's love heals. Their words heal us. Our words heal them.

Helping people take their next step toward Christ...together. It's what we're about. Relationship with God. Relationship with others. Spiritual Growth.

Spiritual Growth Groups launch Monday, September 13, 6:30.  

Motivation for Change

"I go to church. Pray. Read my Bible. Tithe. Volunteer. Have a group of Christian friends. Feed the poor. Go public with my faith in baptism. I've done it all! No change. I'm still the same. I've had some moments, days, weeks or even months of improvement, but I still struggle with the same stuff."

"What do you think is in your way of change?"

"I don't know. I'm tired of this. I hate feeling this way. I want to change. I do't know what else to try. I'm really trying."

They aren't lying. They are trying. They do want it. Spiritual activities, disciplines, are critical to spiritual growth; however, the motivation for the change is what makes the difference.

People often turn to God when life sucks. They want to stop feeling the pain (shame, anger, hurt, guilt) they feel. They want to be a better person. 

What's your motivation?

• I want to be a better me SO I FEEL BETTER ABOUT ME! Woohoo!! I am AWESOME!
• I want to be a better me SO I HONOR GOD WITH MY LIFE! Woohoo!! Jesus is AWESOME!

In Matthew 10:39, Jesus said, "If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."  

Hebrews, by Guest Blogger, Stephanie Johnson

Stephanie is a phenomenol volunteer who leads View Point Bible Study groups, which launch Monday, July 12 for 4 weeks. Please register here. I'm grateful for her leadership, her friendship, and the intellect God has gifted her with to relate to the Bible.

 

There was a time (for thousands of years) when society was dominated by religious beliefs. Whether it be worshipping pagan gods, superstitions, rituals, Judaism, Christianity or any other form…it was natural to understand what you believed, why you believed it, and fight and die for it if necessary.  There was a time when what you believed REALLY MATTERED. 

 

Today, for much of western society, what you believe has become a private, personal thing that has very little to do with anything or anyone else – unless maybe it makes you a little bit nicer person, then it’s cool to at least acknowledge it. Actually making an effort to convince someone of your beliefs is beyond intrusive; it’s a surefire way to commit social suicide.

 

So we now have “safe places” (like View Point) to come together and discuss our religion.  Some of us have taken this to the level of creating as much safe space as possible – only associating with others who believe what we believe so that we can have endless discussions about our beliefs and why our beliefs are right and the outsiders are wrong. 

 

And what does all of this have to do with spending the next 4 weeks studying the book of Hebrews?

 

It's this; an amazingly brilliant (yet anonymous) man of God labored intensely to lay out the foundations of a faith in Christ as savior of the world. As we come to this incredible work, we come as ourselves. When I read through this rather complex account – I sense that the author is struggling with what we all struggle with:

• How do I tell you what I believe?
• How do I tell you why I believe it?
• How do I tell you why it matters?

What does a disciple look like?

I've resisted using the word disciple and discipleship.

One reason - I just don't think normal people use the word much. If someone doesn't follow Jesus, what good does it do to talk to them about being a disciple of Jesus or telling them that I am? The word can become a barrier. 

A second reason - churches often speak of assimilation when they talk about discipleship and spiritual maturity. This just makes me crazy because it's exactly why many people appropriately fear church and Christians. "I don't want to become your project to save. I don't want to lose myself inside your religion." 

This cartoon that I found here describes what I'm talking about. 

Since many come with the assumption that we want to change them to look, act, and think a certain way, or many come with the assumption that they need to change in order to belong, we have a HUGE responsility!

There is freedom in Christ for how we will demonstrate our maturity as disciples. Jesus had some things to say about it in John 15:5-8. 

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples."

Measuring spiritual growth

I'm frequently asked by leaders of other churches, "How do you know if people in your groups at GCC are growing spiritually?" The answer is "we don't." This question follows, "Then, how do you know if your groups are working?"

Replace "groups" in that question with: sermons, Bible classes, mission activities, prayer meetings, or church. How do we know if any of it is working? Are people becoming more like Christ? 

Spiritual growth happens in the heart. The heart is equivalent to the "Holy of holies" in the temple. Only you and God can enter your heart, and the Bible says that we are often confused by the condition of the heart.

My first instinct: measuring spiritual growth through a formulaic process or with a tool seems like we are trying to control something we can't control. It has the potential to promote legalism. It also communicates that the church is responsible for the tools to tell people how they're progressing. God, grant us serenity to let go. 

I said that was my first instinct, but it's not my last. Spiritual growth can be assessed through personal reflection and God-honoring relationships. We've experimented recently with a tool that has been very effective at identifying specific inhibitors to spiritual growth.

When people get stuck and frustrated at trying to follow Jesus, they quit! Notice that pattern of people who seem to be 'on fire' and then they disappear from your church? Is this what's happened to at least some of them? Recognizing what has them stunted from moving forward, so that they can grow - well, that is HUGE!

Through comtemplation and conversation, we can observe our levels of faith, goodness, knowledge of God's kingdom, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. People are responsible for their own spiritual journey. God, give us courage to change what we can.

Our responsibility to be good stewards of what God gives us is huge. As church staff, we have limited people and time to do a bunch of stuff that's honoring to God. We have to choose. 

God, give us wisdom. Psalm 139:23-24, Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life.

More Religion or More Jesus

It's widely accepted that lack of self-worth or self-esteem, how we see ourselves, leads to many life mistakes. It is not widely accepted, but I believe it's true, that accepting how Jesus sees us improves our self-worth or self-esteem, which often leads us toward great life choices. 

"I want to be committed to God. I've tried so many times. What's wrong with me?"

A while back, Mark Beeson taught about a cycle that many of us go through. I call it the practice of More Religion. We feel guilty about our relationship with God, we try harder, fatigue happens, and we quit...and at some point, we again feel guilt and the cycle continues.

It happens again, and again, and again. People generally say things like, "Why can't I commit to God? Why can't I trust God? I need more faith. I need more trust." It's often accompanied with a comment, "I just don't undertand."

A lack of understanding is in fact the problem. People look for a relationship with God through the practice of More Religion. 

A relationship with God comes through the practice of More Jesus. We have a need, we seek Jesus, we find hope, and we follow. The result is changed lives.

Unfortunately, many people find hope, life gets better, so they stop following Jesus. They return to old patterns. It explains why people keep coming back. Here's how one person recently described it to me in an email.

"I will definitely start bringing God back into my life. I was so much happier and just better when I was going to GCC. Someone gave me a cd from 2007 of a service at GCC. I realized how much I miss Mark Beeson and everyone at GCC. I'm so excited to get myself back to church."

When people learn that church is helpful because it helps them find Jesus, we then hope they'll decide to follow. As people come to Turning Point on 2.22.10, we'll be pointing them to More Jesus patterns of living. 

3 Most Important Questions

GCC Teaching Pastor is only one title for Dr. Bob Laurent. All descriptors fall short. You have to experience him. When you do, you better have something to write with. I did! Here's some of my notes from sitting under his teaching at the December Journey Class, Giving Yourself Away in Every Season.

When is the most important time?

- Now. It's the only time when you have power. It's a crazy world; that's why I need God to hold onto hope.

Who are the most important people?

- Whoever is in your life right now. You can't pray difficult people out of your life.

- Christianity is all about others. It's not about us. God didn't create hell. Sin created hell; there has to be a place where life is all about you.

- I want to be a part of a church that isn't here to meet my needs. I am glad to be in and want to be part of a church that gets me ready to go out to meet the needs of others. All holiness is social holiness.

 What is the most important thing to do at all times?

- Serve others. Have the mind of Christ. Take captive every thought. Don't have that silly fight, or say those nasty words. Don't play their game or use their weapons. There's a perspective that can help you have the mind of Christ.  

- If you see God at the top of the pecking order, the top rung, you spend your time worrying about being good enough, measuring up; you are focused on yourself, you're own behavior. This perspective can ruin your life.

- If you see God as a servant, you will be so humbled, you'll only focus on him.