Posts from 2012 (Page 2)
DNA of NineSevenZero Church
DNA is the organic molecule that contains the hereditary material for a living organism. Nearly every cell in an organism has the same DNA yet there are many types of cells that look and function differently. The genetic information in DNA is stored as a code made from four chemical bases. Just as letters of an alphabet form words, words form sentences, sentences form paragraphs, paragraphs form chapters, and chapters form books, the sequence of these bases determines the information…
Lexicon (part 1)
A lexicon of common terms will be helpful to accurately communicate vision, strategy, and tactical plans. Many words have baggage associated with them or have had their meanings stretched by cultural usage. Instead of creating new terms, I think we can simply agree to a common understanding of meaning when we use them. A common vocabulary and consistant usage of terms will enable us to communicate and exchange ideas more efficiently and with greater accuracy. Here’s the first list of…
Look Out – We`re Contagious
If you examine the New Testament and church history, it is clear that there is no one “right” form of the church. Part of the church’s sustaining power and the mystery of it’s effectiveness is its ability to morph its form to reach a culture. There are several forms of the church that are present in North America today and we’re going to look at them to help us at NineSevenZero Church know who we are and how we fit…
Relationship – It`s the context
One of the questions that we must always be asking ourselves as we go forward in the process of launching NineSevenZero Church is, “Is what we are doing or intending to do promote a relational connection to God or people?” If the answer to that question is “No” then that’s also the answer to the question of whether we should do it. Relationship is the context in which life and mission is done. It’s the pot that holds the stew.…
The View from the Other Side of the Fence – Part 3
Through the Eyes of a Visitor This is the final set of observations from my recent foray on the other side of the fence. It’s a list of perspectives as a visitor that will hopefully help us create a church that that is inviting and welcoming. 1. How do I get there when you are there? It was surprising to me that in the www days that we live in how many churches do not have any web presence. I…
The View from the Other Side of the Fence – Part 2
While I have been out visiting churches it occurred to me that I am very much like someone looking for a new church home. I come to the church like a secret shopper with a checklist and an agenda. I’ve noticed that the things I am sampling are more of the objective, doctrinal, programatic part of the church. I take the temperature, measure the atmospheric pressure, and record the direction and the intensity of the wind. It’s not only like…
The View from the Other Side of the Fence – Part 1
I’ve had a couple opportunities in recent years to observe churches from a different perspective. The first was the two years I was in Springfield, Missouri attending seminary. It reminded me of when Sue and I moved to Massachusetts to start my professional career. We were like resident tourists enjoying the varied geography from the ocean of Cape Cod to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We delved into the historical events and people that were part of the formation…
Mission to Our Community
There is something amazingly powerful about extending no charge, no-strings-attached service that has no purpose other than to bless someone else. It never ceases to amaze me how profoundly people are touched by the simplest acts of genuine care and selfless service. First off, it is a clear witness to others of the grace that God has extended to us. A tangible unconditional love that not only is visible but is deeply felt. An extravagant love that was modeled by…
Wanted: Cruise Director
I’m beginning to notice something about our little band that is planting the church. Many (all right most) of us are pretty serious and quite intense as individuals. Loving, serving and living in community – not a problem. It’s just done with great purpose and intentionality. We like to have fun. It’s just that we don’t think to do that first (all right rarely). What we need is a Cruise Director, a Minister of Fun. Are there any party animals…
First Thing – Count the Cost
Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. -Jerry Seinfeld Despite what the purveyors of the prosperity gospel say there is no escaping the New Testament reality that following Jesus is costly. Jesus said it would be. He never hid this fact and laid it out plainly to all that might follow him. The cost involves death to self and total commitment to God. The demand is all encompassing including relationships, wealth, position, possessions and life itself…
Where do we want to go?
One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. “Which road do I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?” was his response. “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.” -Lewis Carrol, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Oh but it does matter! The cat’s question has been ever present as this thought of a church plant has been unfolding in my heart and mind. I…
Road Trip Anyone?
I’ve come to another of those forks in the road of life. BUT (whining) it’s only been a few years since we left a secure position, dear friends, and church family to follow the road to seminary. We would have been happy to travel with those folks the rest of our days but someone beckoned us down a path less traveled, less familiar, and definitely less secure. Every life can be charted by a series of turning points where decisions…
- 1
- 2