Uffizi Mission Project

I hear through the grapevine every now and then that my friends are worried about my theology.  I think I am a bit worried about that myself of course, but sometimes I am more worried about our “practice.”

I once had a conversation with someone in a coffee shop who found out I had become friends with Brian McLaren.  He was asked what he thought of Brian McLaren, and he stated that “Brian is a just a practitioner, not a theologian.”  Point taken, I don’t think Brian would argue it.  I would argue however, that it may be the time for practitioners who hope to stumble back to orthodoxy by doing the scriptures.  Theologians have lead the way - it may be time to pass the baton.  Maybe we could make it like a relay and pass it back and forth so everyone gets a shot.

If the bottom line of our orthodoxy is the simple statement that “Jesus is Lord,” then perhaps we had better start acting like it.  As Alan Hirsch would say, perhaps we think Jesus is “nice, but not that smart.”  What Alan means by the statement is that we feel the freedom to not do as He says precisely because we see it as good advice from the nice guy we know.  I have a tough time seeing Matthew 5, Isaiah 58, etc… as good advice.

This post may seem a bit of a defense, or an apologetic.  I feel it is more of a desparate cry - a call out “is anyone listening?”

When we practice our faith, like simply feeding, being with, sheltering, clothing the poor - we find out things about ourselves.  We learn we are not really that compassionate, we aren’t really good listeners, we are at our wits end with resources - we cling to God. 

I met with someone today in a family crisis.  This person is making crazy decisions that are leading to isolation.  But she told me know that she understands what people who are lonely and nuts feel now.  She has become in one moment both less and more human, both closer and further from God - but has learned how the lonely feel.

I went down State Street the other day before one of meal sharings at Pershing Park.  I stopped and talked with friends on the streets and invited them.  I tried to learn and remember names.  At least now I notice lonely friends who to many are “sub-human.”  I still am not sure what to do, but I can gracefully baby step.

I saw a bumper sticker one time that said, “Orthodox since 33ad.”  I won’t share the denomination, but I wonder how that statement can be made.  I will stay with the simplicity of Jesus is Lord, and aim toward orthopraxydoxy - I believe we can find a good foundation of who God is by the practice of loving God and others.  I believe love is complicated, but it is surely orthodox.

Who Wants to Follow Jesus?

I have been greatly challenged by Alan Hirsch, as far as the future direction of the church.  His main challenge is a return to “Christology.”  A rediscovery of who Jesus is and who He is not.  I think I have to admit that most of us in the United States have been challenged to follow a middle class Jesus.  He has some good thoughts for us, but not too much that would challenge the “American Dream.”  The question is - do you find the American dream in the gospels?  I believe you find a larger dream than our American one, but that is up for a discussion of course.

My life is more like an exodus now - I don’t have the same home but I have a promise of a new one.  Some will read this and understand what I am saying because they are experiencing it, and some will not because they still have a home.  I just speak from my current experience.   I think I am walking in a whole new Jesus gig - understanding the nomadic theme in the scriptures.

 I don’t think I can escape the gospel stories now.  Pershing Park with our Friends without Homes is a parable experience - clearly like the parables of the kingdom.  It does not fit a Greek mindset of order - it is more like Jesus meets chaos.  But that seems like exactly where the Holy Spirit would be, hovering over rough waters ready to create something beautiful.  At times we seem to be helping people, and at times they seem to be helping us.  I get the strange experience of knowing friends who don’t have food but live in a 3 millon dollar home.

Being at North Star, and living on State Street is something like one of the conversations Jesus might have with anyone and everyone.  I went by the coffee shop to drop off some International Justice Mission fliers, and while on the way out spent a half hour with some Westmont students who took spring break time to live on the streets.  They were offering free hugs to passers by - having a fun time while also being willing to embrace the life of their friends at Rainbow Park.  Several conversations occured throughout our time.

Being at the Village Apartments is always a unique experience too.  It can roam from me calling 911 to being with kids while they learn to use the computers.  I get to help families plant new gardens, deliver welcome baskets, and pray for men and women in the midst of crisis continually.

It is all wonderful, but it is not yet home…  And I am inviting you into this?  Do you yearn to follow Jesus into this as well?

Love God with all your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength.  And love your Neighbor as Yourself.  I do it because I can’t escape the grip that Jesus has on my soul (He owns it) and because I fell in love with these new friends. 

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I have arrived home from 10 days in Russia and another 6 in Portugal.  Both trips were fantastic opportunities to see how God is working throughout the globe.

 We visited two cities in Russia and met with the leaders of 5 different churches in both Moscow and Ryazan.  Soon I will add a link page with information on these churches if you want to pray or help financially in the future.  As the economy grows in Russia, their expenses increase as well.  Though they can now meet freely throughout the country, they are still perceived as “sects” for many in the culture.  But, they press on!  It is encouraging to see how they persevere, and are willing to be creative in order to reach their cities.  We were able to spend some time with them and pray for them, as well as teach some on incarnational mission.  Please let me know if you are interested more in the work in Russia.

Now, Portugal was a different deal.  We left the snow in Russia (it snowed every day we were there) and found sun!  Ericeira, Portugal was the site for our Christian Associates Leadership Summit.  Alan Hirsch, who co-authored The Shaping of Things to Come, and now his new book, The Forgotten Ways, shared with us during the entire event.  The main theme was on the Apostolic Genius, which for me, is a way of viewing the work of “church planting” as developing an organic set of healthy systems.  The body of Christ is, in fact, a body - everyone working together in unity is needed to build a healthy church. 

For those of you who know me, I have been avoiding the “church planting” term for a long while.  One of the reasons is honestly not wanting to reproduce a hierarchichal system (I do not ever want to be a senior pastor), and another is that I don’t want the responsibility.  My mantra has been, “I just want to do mission!”

Well, God had to change my heart and mind in Portugal.  I believe He did, even though I feel I am still a reluctant apostle.  For those of you who are scared by the term apostle - you shouldn’t be.  Without apostles and prophets, there cannot be a healthy church.  All you have to do is read Ephesians 4:11 and on for that news…  Part of the problem with the Western church has been its unwillingness to empower apostles and prophets, and to let all the power rest in pastors and teachers.  Apostles and prophets naturally press the kingdom out, while shepherds and teachers gather and teach.  Both of these are needed for a healthy church.  (Meanwhile, evangelists work well between both worlds!)

Alan Hirsch uses the term “Apostolic Genius” in The Forgotten Ways - and he would say that every believer actually has the church planting gene.  I am still considering this idea, but enough for now to say that I am willing to go forward with planting churches in Santa Barbara in existing cultures.  I have no training for this, so I have to rely upon this God given gene, the Holy Spirit, and others who want to be involved in these movements as well… which is you!  Thanks so much for reading this, praying for us, giving toward the ministry, and serving alongside us.

The work is some times on the razors edge.  This week I had to call 911 at the Village Apartments.  Our friends without homes are often teetering close to destruction themselves.  As we move more into a State Street movement, who knows what we will find in bars and pubs.  But, I strongly believe that Jesus is calling us to join Him there, where He has always been. 

 Comments?