caffeine, please.

Ignited

In the past, when I would ever be responsible for planning a major event, the preparation would be so draining that when the event came, I wanted to run and hide.  I've always sort of dreaded event planning because the devil is in the details and details drain and distract me. 

So approaching Ignite, it was my goal from day 1 of planning to have people on board who lived, loved and could rock the details that make any conference great.  My goal was to focus on the big picture, theme and overall organization of the event in cooperation with Pastor Mark and our other pastoral leaders.

Our core Ignite planning team of EJ, Vilma, Mike, Vicki, Dwayne, and Joshua and a host of others they recruited, took all the pieces of this event and delivered on them in a big way!  Nate, our newest staff person, worked a 90 hour week (thanks, Jen for letting us have him!) leading up to the Summit to bring together all the printed, computer and promotional material 

And then our pastoral team, (the "pastronauts") who did the bulk of the training during the lab sessions, prepared and presented insightful material with passion and clarity. 

Pastor Mark, our combined worship team, and the step and drum line crews from Salem Baptist made our main sessions truly memorable.

Too many people to mention combined to make this summit happen.  And most importantly, over 500 people who minister on a weekly basis across the city of Chicago through New Life Community Church showed up to be Ignited! 

What a blast to be a part of a church that always looks to do ministry at a higher level as it grows and yet not lose the value of the personal and relational touch.

And what a privilege to be a part of a church that centers ministry and leadership on Jesus and His cross and wants more than anything to serve for His glory!

Thanks to all who served at and attended Ignite '07.  Looking forward to next year's ministry and leadership Summit.

Hear the sound, prepare to engage!

Yank it out, Dad!

I love to see the different ways my kids handle the same childhood growing pains.  Lena, our 5 year old and 3rd born has her first loose tooth.  She's in kindergarten and has yet to lose a tooth.

Now her older siblings have of course had many visits from the tooth fairy.  And neither Jaley or Tyce have ever, under any circumstances, even if the tooth was hanging by a thread, wanted anyone to touch the tooth let alone pull it out.

So I'm sitting next to Lena Wednesday night and she says to me, "I have a loose tooth dad.  I just want someone to pull it out!"  Now this has been my wish for a long time so I test-wiggled the tooth with a measure of delight.

"Let me feel it, honey."  I give it a wiggle--barely loose.  We're talking day 1 of looseness.  "Honey, that tooth is not ready to be pulled.  Its only a little bit loose."

She lets out a frustrated sigh and shrugs here shoulders.  Its as if I told her we canceled her birthday party. 

I'm pretty sure if I had pulled out a pair of needle nose pliers and offered to yank the tooth, she'd have happily let me.  She hates being behind and between her classmates and her older siblings, she feels like her teeth will never fall out.

Incentive is huge when it comes to attitude, isn't it?

Ignite

Our first all church ministry and leadership Ignite Summit is just two days away.  Really proud of the way the planning team has tackled this thing.  Our goal has been to put together a "bar-raising" training and motivation experience for all our core ministry and leadership partners at New Life.  Our planning team has done a great job and I'm expecting people to walk away really impacted by Saturday.

We have over 420 people registered and that was yesterday's count.  Hear the Sound, Prepare to Engage!

Church growth study highlights

One of my staff sent me a link to a massive study done recently on church/faith community growth.  The study surveyed 14,000+ faith communities (93% were churches) to discover what factors contribute most to growth.

If you want to read the entire article, I've included it here: Download CongGrowth.pdf.

Here are some facts that really stand out to me from this study:

• Geographically, the second most promising environment for a growing church is a downtown or central city area (first on the list is a new suburb).
• 61% of churches that are multi-racial are growing churches--seemingly, a multi-racial environment all by itself tends to grow.  That's pretty biblical.
• If a congregation is made up of more than 61% women, it is very unlikely to grow.  Only 21% of such congregations are growing.
• "Growing churches are clear about why they exist and about what they are doing...  They do not grow because they are internally focused.  They grow because they understand their reason for being..."  Namely, to reach people in Jesus name.  Not to create a safe environment for the current members.
• Churches were asked, "to what extent are your congregation's members involved in recruiting new members?"  Of the churches that responded "a lot" (not sure how many that is, but its, well, its "a lot")--63% were growing congregations.  In other words, the broader the ownership of personal outreach, the more the congregation grows.
• This last one just blew me away--67% of churches that identified support and recovery groups as a "key activity" of the church, were growing churches.  Get this--centerstage support/recovery ministry is the strongest single factor that corresponded with church growth.  It beats every other factor!

Studies like this are like gold to me.  They do two big things:  1) remind me of what I already know matters most so I don't let our team get distracted with side issues and  2) discover areas that I may have previously overlooked as key factors to reaching people and growing.

God's theology

Reading in Mark last night and this verse just stood out to me:

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

These words of Jesus come on the heels of a conversation with some religious people who's theology gets very confused by this supposed Son of God who hangs out with really icky, sinful people--biker dudes, con artists, criminals, cheats and IRS agents--and not with them--pastors, scholars, Bible guys, big donors to charity.

I'll admit, I get their confusion.  I mean it seems that if God is going to show up among people, He's going to look for the best available people.  The least sinful.  The ones trying the hardest to do what God wants.  That's what I would do.  Wouldn't it be less work?  Aren't they better candidates for some God-time?

Apparently not.

But wait, how fair is it that the people working hardest to be good without Jesus are the ones Jesus is least interested in pursuing?

But that's the scandal of Jesus' theology.  (BTW, if you're looking for good theology, a good starting point is theology from the man who is God-in-flesh--pretty reliable source.)  See, in God's theology (think about that for a minute), God looks for humble people who upon being confronted with their sinfulness cry out for God's mercy and forgiveness. And they receive it because of the Cross!

So Jesus looks not for the "gooderest" people--most likely to be religious, most likely to die with a bible in their hand, most likely to give lots of money to charity.  He's looking for the most self-aware--aware of my shortcomings, sins and distance from God--and most willing to seek God's mercy through Jesus.

I just needed that refreshing reminder.

In honor of the Bears win...

Go Lions!  Let's get ready for draft day!  We're going to draft a great guy (and by the end of his first season he'll wish he went into real estate instead...)

I just think this is funny...

...and a bit of touche to Karl Marx and communists everywhere.  (The  original quote translated is "religion is the opiate of the masses".  But hey, he got close enough to understand his point, right?)

Ignite--8 days away

Super-excited about our first ever all-church leadership and ministry summit on January 27 at our Midway location.  Its called the Ignite Summit--Hear the Sound, Prepare to Engage!  We're looking to impart, excite and direct the core of New Life so that we can experience high-impact ministry in this coming year. 

If you are a New Lifer, you need to register.   Don't miss it.  This Sunday is your last Sunday to register at your location.

Here's a copy of the brochure with more details on what to expect:

Download ignite-brochure-final.pdf

Insight

My cover-to-cover Bible reading friend, Bob, has been sending questions my way faster than I can answer.  Because of my delayed responses, Bob was forced to some conclusions on his own (probably a good thing.)  He emailed me this cogent summary of how he intends to approach some of the questions that his Bible reading is raising:

I suppose that a person could ask all sorts of "why" questions about what God did or did not do. In the Old Testament He seemed to be trying to get the people just to understand the basics, like worshipping only one God.  And being stiff-necked people, they weren't even getting that right, so advanced concepts like civil rights had to wait.

I've got to tell you, this one little statement is worth more than several books written to answer all the "why" questions.  Getting to the basics of the issue and seeing that clearly can give perspective on other secondary questions people have about the ways of God in dealing with man.

Bob's answer to his own question points to a root spiritual principle:

Until you deal with the core spiritual issue that God is showing you right now, you can't expect to move on to further or deeper spiritual lessons in your life.

That is a huge concept that I try to hit regularly when I'm communicating.

Gotta say, I really value the interplay and growth that happens in my life when I can engage in conversation about God with people who are coming from different faith angles.  I think that is the heart of good evangelism--healthy, honest dialogue about the Bible, the nature of God and the person of Jesus in the context of everyday life.

An OT question

A friend who is reading the Bible cover to cover for the first time ever, emailed me a couple questions today.  I'll tackle this one today and the other one tomorrow:

Kevin,
In the Bible, when people sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord, was that animal then eaten by anyone, or was that the point, that the animal was not to be eaten, but given to the Lord? It seems as if a lot of burnt offerings are being made, and I have that question in my mind every time I read that.

Leviticus 6 and 7 explain that most of the sacrifices offered by the priests for the people in the tabernacle and later in the temple were to be eaten by the priests.  The priests spent their time serving in worship and sacrifice 6 days a week which did not allow them time to tend animals and plant crops.  So they were provided for by the offerings of the people. 

Can I or can't I?

Continuing to read Reformission and receive and be challenged.  Highly recommended for anyone wanting to engage this culture effectively and biblically with the Gospel without being a wingnut for all the wrong reasons.

Driscoll gives some valuable questions (p. 104) to ask yourself as you make decisions about how to engage the world without falling into worldly and destructive behavior yourself.  In other words, these are questions that help me figure out how to "dance close to sinners" without getting spiritually destroyed.

• Is it beneficial to me personally and to the gospel generally? (1 Cor. 6:12)
• Will I lose self-control and be mastered by what I participate in?  (1 Cor 6:12)
• Will I be doing this in the presence of someone who I know will fall into sin as a result (1 Cor. 8:9-10)
• Is it a violation of the laws of my city, state, or nation? (Rom. 13:1-7)
• If I fail to do this, will I lose opportunities to share the gospel?  (1 Cor. 10:27-30)
• Can I do this with a clear conscience?  (Acts 24:16)
• Will this cause me to sin by feeding sinful desires?  (Rom. 13:13-14)
• Am I convinced this is what God desires for me to do?  (Rom. 13:5)
• Does my participation proceed from my faith in Jesus Christ? (Rom. 14:23)
• Am I doing this to help other people, or am I just being selfish?  (1 Cor 10:24)
• Can I do this in a way that glorifies God?  (1 Cor. 10:31-33)
• Am I following the example of Jesus Christ to help save sinners?  (1 Cor. 10:33-11:1)

Here's my thought...  If you believe that your "dance" is from the Lord then you should not be afraid of these questions and Bible verses.  If you are, then slow down--you're probably not hearing from God clearly enough yet.  If you ask yourself these questions and you find that several of your answers are negative, you also need to apply the brakes.   Don't be discourage--there may just be some needed maturing in your life and faith before taking the next step--in other words, it may be the right dance but the wrong season.

On the other hand, if you go through the list and find yourself getting more passionate and excited the more you see how your heart and the Bible line up together, then you should go for it.  In your case I say, "Happy dancing!"

Practical: Family Worship

My favorite worship experience of the week has become the time I spend worshiping with my wife and kids on Saturday night.  We've been doing it for the last several months on most Saturday nights shortly before the kids go to bed.  Its low key, Jesus-centered and the dress code is very casual--pj's are welcome!

I figure that most families struggle to make a time for family worship and many avoid it for fear that it will be a drudgery that the kids will hate.  I don't think that has to be the case.   I thought I'd pass along some descriptive (rather than prescriptive) ideas for family worship.  You'll need to do what will work for your family situation (i.e. roommates, married with no kids, blended family, married with kids, weekend visitation with kids, etc.)

• Be clear that you plan to worship as a family but don't be a bully.  It defeats the purpose.
• In advance, create CD or iTunes folder of singable songs.  This will take some work on your part but it will be worth it when your family can actually croak along to the songs you've picked.
• Read portions from the Scripture that you are reading in your own quiet time in between some of the songs. 
• When you read the Bible, make it fun and interesting.  Make short comments about things that might be confusing.  Try to capture the wonder of things. 
• Don't browbeat.  Don't use a family worship time to point out other family members failures and sins.  Let the Bible and the Holy Spirit work on the hearts of you and your family.
• Make time for confession, repentance and forgiveness when possible.  Lead the way in dealing with sin and your family will follow suit.
• Pray and let your family members pray as well.  Give short, attainable prayer "assignments" so that they can feel like successful contributors.
• Smile, rub your kids backs, hold their hands, encourage their good singing. 
• Keep it short.  Don't start by going a couple hours;-).  3 or 4 songs and a chapter of reading is pretty long.  Shorter is fine to start out with.  Longer should be worked up to over time and shouldn't compromise the spirit of participation.

Maybe you have some tips or ideas of your own.  Pass them along in comments.  We can all grow in our private worship time.

Good connection

Had lunch yesterday with Bob.  Bob is a gifted man with an extensive background in psychology and counseling, computer programming and church ministry—that’s about as common as a gecko in Chicago, frankly.  Bob and his wife and two older sons moved to the city recently feeling that God has called them to minister here.

He laid out a plan/desire to help equip churches with counseling skills and computer tools he’s developed to strengthen the Church’s counseling ministry.  (I use a big “C” because his heart is for all Northside church’s to have a quality counseling component to their ministry.) 

I’ll just tell you that from a pastoral perspective, this is the equivalent of offering me a million dollars.  One of the big challenges in ministry is having trusted, spiritually on-target counselors that I can refer people to for ongoing help in challenging areas of their life.  There are very few such Christian counselors who understand the spiritual elements of people and are committed to the Bible.

So we’re praying and continuing the dialogue to see where this might lead.  Could also have huge potential for connecting with those God is “still seeking” in our community.  I envision agencies, courts, and other counselors referring “hard cases” to New Life counselors because of a reputation for helping all people experience lasting breakthrough. 

Reformission

Reading Reformission by Mark Driscoll.  So far, great stuff as expected.  In the first chapter, Driscoll talks about reaching people by walking through John 4 where Jesus encounters a woman from Samaria while hanging out at a well.  Its coupled with a story about his escapades while a pastor with a gay cowboy at a gay honky-tonk bar.  (If that doesn't get you to buy the book, nothing will.)

Here's a nugget from page 39-40:

Reformission is ultimately about being like Jesus, through his empowering grace.  One of the underlying keys to reformission is knowing that neither the freedom of Christ nor our freedom in Christ is intended to permit us to dance as close to sin as possible without crossing the line.  But both are intended to permit us to dance as close to sinners as possible by crossing the lines that unnecessarily separate the people God has found from those he is still seeking.

That paragraph speaks volumes to me.  If there is one thing I am feeling acutely unhappy with as a pastor right now, it is the level of my interaction with people who need Jesus and with the level of the church's pursuit of people whom "God is still seeking."  There is this constant pull toward just taking care of the people who are already here rather than actively seeking lost and broken people.  I think it is my job to care about both.

I believe God gave me a word in September of last year.  I wrote it down (a good idea when you think God is speaking):

"Raise your eyes, Kevin.  (You're thinking inside the walls.)"

That was it.  I took it as both a rebuke and a calling.  It hit me full on that its time to invest effort, prayer and time into connecting with people in "Samaria".  People who I've forgotten, marginalized or overlooked.  That's what Jesus does.  To not get consumed with being a religious shopkeeper, tending  to the faithful and ignoring the broken and needy.

We're staffing in this direction.  I'm praying in this direction.  Will you join me?

Back to school

My kid's were back in school yesterday--mom says, "Yeah!"

I was back in school today.  Officially, I'm taking Church History at the Moody Grad School.  Unofficially, I may be pursuing a grad degree from MGS.  This is my second course at MGS and I'm seeing it as a ministry-enhancer.  I feel that God is leading me to jump in and pursue this.

To be honest, I'm excited.  To me, that's surprising.  When I finished my undergrad (in a mere 7.5 years), I just about swore off ever returning to school.  Then a few years ago I supervised an internship for an MGS student.  As a bonus they give me a free course.  One month before the free course expired I enrolled and took a course.  Now I'm on my second free course and as they say, the rest is history.

A couple of my friends on the pastoral team are finishing or have finished a grad degree at MGS and they've helped me see that it is possible.  We'll see what happens.

For now, I'm excited to see how my growing grasp of church history will help me be a better pastor.

A great way to pass the time

My wife was knitting so I read the Bible aloud to her tonight.  Led to some great discussion and just was a time for spiritual and emotional oneness.  We're on the same bible reading plan so we were able to spend some time with God together.  I was also able to give her a foot rub during... That was well received.

Mission statement

I spent some time at the end of last year working to clarify a personal mission statement.  I'd put it of in the past but I've come to realize how valuable a mission statement can be as a guiding light in my life.  Let me say it was a very valuable exercise and I'm happy with the results--my statement works for me.  As I head into 2007 I'm taking strong ownership of this statement as I consider my life and ministry.

I share it with you today as an encouragement to write your own statement.

Incite and Harness Transformation

Now here are a couple thoughts as you seek to write your own personal mission statement. 

First--mission statements are living things.  Don't be afraid to have to say the perfect thing the first time as if it is being etched in stone somewhere.  I've already made an edit to mine and its only a few months old.

Get some copies of other people's mission statements.  (C'mon--you can use Google.)  Reading other's statements will help fuel some ideas of what you like and don't like, the kind of length you prefer and may even give you some words you like.

Don't try to say too much.  Lots of words can get confusing and make people quit reading. 

Start by working through some preparation documents that help you consider what you are good at and what matters to you.  My best friend and life coach Matt Mason has a really good tool that I used to get me started.

When you move to start writing the statement, just begin writing.  It may sound silly to you at first, but you'll need to get something on the page if you're going to edit anything.  Give yourself permission to sound weird, have incomplete thoughts and not make sense for a while.  Things will clarify as you go.

If at all possible, work with a close friend.  Their input can be invaluable.  The way Matt and I worked was I spoke and he typed for me and then we switched.  Do what works for you personality but use a friend who is a safe sounding board.

Happy mission statement writing!  I'd love to hear your statement, finished or unfinished.  Post it in comments or email.

Reluctant Obedience

I posted this on our new small group leaders blog site earlier today but since I can't sleep tonight, I'm going to revisit this concept.  Here's the original comment:

Luke 5:5 says that even though Simon Peter was frustrated and reluctant, he chose to obey Jesus' command. Reluctant Obedience. I think this is an underrated category of obedience. What I appreciate about it is that it's often the state with which we enter into obedience. Rarely is our heart so convinced of the command of God that we simply plow ahead with an unqualified "yes".

Yet even though this obedience seems substandard, God has room for our reluctant obedience and He even honors it with His power! I don't think Peter would say he was proud of his reluctance, but I would bet that Jesus was pleased with his obedience despite his reluctance. I think such obedience is the stuff that builds faith and happy obedience.

I think reluctant obedience is what Jesus was talking about in the parable found in Matthew 21:28.  In it Jesus honors the actions rather than the words of the son's responses even though the honored son was the one who refused his father's request to his face. 

Reluctant obedience gives room for change of heart.  It admits that we are often stubborn, proud, unruly and unsubmitted but that given a chance, our hearts can relent, be humbled, become ordered and submitted and we can obey as the Spirit of God intervenes. 

Reluctant obedience happens when I forgive before I feel like it.  It happens when I bless while I wish I was cursing.  It happens when I give wondering why God can't just sell some cattle on one of those thousand hills instead. 

Reluctant obedience is just honest faith that gives God an opportunity to surprise us with His grace.

Growing Together

Coming into 2007 we've increased our small group leader care structure.  We've felt as a leadership that our small group leaders have been left out on their own for too long and that our core system of care and shepherding as church leaders should be directed toward our core shepherds--our small group leaders.

One part of our new small group leader care system is a shared plan for spiritual growth in 2007.  We're all embarking on a shared reading of the New Testament and a shared reading of The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard.  George, the architect of our care system, has also created a blog for dialogue and interaction over the Bible reading and the book.  (You can find the first installment of the bible reading plan listed there.)

While the site and system were created with our small group leaders in mind, we welcome anyone who wants to participate in the spiritual growth process.  Feel free to read along and submit your comments, questions and insights.  Looking forward to growing together in 2007.