My friend is serving the needy in Belgium (with video)
When you get to know students in college or seminary, you are often saying, “Goodbye.” A few years ago, I remember saying, “Goodbye” to a friend named Josh – actually, we called him by a nickname, but I won’t get into that.
Josh was a roommate of a close friend of mine, and he often came to visit our office at work. He wanted to move to Europe. After graduation, he went through several relational and travel issues. But, he is now in Europe.
Occasionally, Josh will send out an email so friends and family will know what’s going on in his life. In his recent email, he also included a link to a video. In the video, we see Josh and some friends caring for homeless people on the cold streets of a city in Belgium.
Here is the video: (Josh is the young man with a beard and glasses.)
A Cold Day in Belgium from Clay Sandoz on Vimeo.
It is so encouraging and challenging to see Josh serving the homeless! And, I love the end of the video where another young man says that next time they will bring others with them. That’s the way to make disciples of Jesus Christ!
Community and Mission result from doing what Jesus says
The title of this post comes from a great blog post by Felicity at “Simply Church: A House Church Perspective.” Her article is called “Mission versus community? 3 random thoughts.”
Lately, Felicity has been writing about both community and mission from the perspective of simple or organic church, and this article falls within that context.
Her three “thoughts” are all very good, but I want to focus on the third “thought”:
Both community and mission should result from listening to Jesus and doing what he says. Jesus lived in community with his disciples–they shared the ups and downs of everyday life together. Â But Jesus was compelled by love–the heart of the Godhead–to reach out to the world.
When I read the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, I can’t help but notice exactly what Felicity points out. Jesus demonstrated both community and mission, and he taught the importance of both mission and community.
When we look at our lives, we should see both community and mission. If not, then we are either not listening to what Jesus says, or we are not living what Jesus taught.
Going back to Ethiopia?
Friday, Dave Black told me a little more about their Ethiopia planning meeting that they held Thursday evening at his home. (See his blog post on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 11:34 p.m.) From what I understand, he and BeckyLynn are very excited about the directions that the plans are taking. (See the picture to the left of some of the men, women, and children who are part of the planning team.)
I’m not going to write too much about the plans. Instead, I will leave that up to him. He says that he will write more later.
But, for now, I need to begin praying. Should I return to Ethiopia? Does God have another trip to Alaba in my near future?
I can tell you that I’m very concerned about my friends there, especially Nigussie. He is currently being chased (yes, literally chased) by some people who want to harm him physically, perhaps even kill him. I would also like to spend more time with some of the church leaders that I taught last Summer. I think there is more that I can help them with, and I think that I can still learn much from them.
This is a picture of me with Nigussie, who served as my primary translator and who gave up his home for Danny and me while we were in Alaba, Ethiopia last July.
So, will I go back to Ethiopia? I don’t know. But, I’m praying. Please pray with me.
Examiner.com article: Food banks provide more than food
My first Examiner.com article is posted here: Food banks provide more than food.
I’m writing as the “Raleigh Practical Christianity Examiner,” so my goal is to help Jesus’ followers to live out what they say that they believe.
My article begins like this:
Jesus told his disciples that they should be recognized both for their love for one another and for their care for “the least,” that is, for those who are hungry, sick, imprisoned, or homeless. In today’s struggling economy, more and more people find themselves among those needing help.
Since this is a new medium for me, I would appreciate any feedback.
Living Sent
Dave Black pointed us to an old post by Jonathan Grubbs. On his blog, Jonathan answers “An Honest Question about ‘House Church.’”
What question? Well, apparently a friend asked him on Twitter, “How does a house church not grow into a “Sunday morning church” so to speak?”
Jonathan explains how he answered that question in 4 “tweets.” Then he adds a few more sentences of explanation. (You can read the entire “answer” in his post.
Then, Jonathan adds this final paragraph:
But, I have also learned that God has commanded us to make disciples as we are going and “living sent” in the world that God put is in. I have learned that God can work through us much better when we are learning to “be the light” in the darkness, instead of only gathering to shine our lights with other lights. I think the key to not growing into a “Sunday morning church” as the original question is asking is for us to be very intentional about being outward focused and multiplying and not inward focused and simply growing in numbers.
As many of my readers know, I am not part of a “house church,” although I would say that we exhibit traits that are often used to describe simple or organic churches.
However, I think Jonathan’s description of “living sent” is important for all of Jesus’ followers to consider. In fact, I really like the idea of “living sent.” What do you think?
A Day I Saw Jesus
This post is part of the January 2011 synchroblog on the topic “The Manifestation of God.” Now, when I first read about this synchroblog – and the fact that it would fall around the celebration of the Ephiphany – I again thought about not participating.
As most of my readers know, I did not grow up in a liturgical tradition. I mean, obviously, we had our “liturgy,” but it didn’t follow the traditional Christian calendar.
Then, I thought more about the description of this synchroblog topic:
This month’s synchroblog’s theme is inspired by the season of Epiphany which begins on January 6 and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. The word “epiphany” is rich in meaning. Epiphany is derived from the Greek epiphaneia and means manifestation, shining forth, revelation, or appearance. In a religious context, the term describes the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form. It can also indicate a sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. An “epiphany” might refer to those times in life when something becomes manifest, a deep realization, a sudden recognition that changes one’s view of themselves or their social condition and often sparks a reversal or change of heart. In the spirit of Epiphany we invite you to share stories, experiences and/or thoughts about “The Manifestation of God.”
I realized that while I did not celebrate “the season of Ephiphany” annually, the idea of epiphany is central to my understanding of who I am in Jesus Christ.
In fact, it all goes back to Jesus’ statement to Peter upon Peter’s confession that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17 ESV)
I believe that all who are God’s children have such an “epiphany” – that is, such a revelation from God that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we have salvation, a place in God’s kingdom, and a restored relationship with God through him.
So, I began to ask myself, when have I seen Jesus Christ revealed? Immediately, so many examples popped into my mind. But one episode stood out clearest. So, I decided to share about this one particular day that I saw Jesus revealed.
Rhonna was a friend of ours. We had met her several months before in “the Neighborhood” – a government assisted housing project in our city. She was a single mother with four children who was both working and going to school to try to make a better life for herself and her family. Over those months, Rhonna had begun to share part of her story with my wife, Margaret. She had had a rough past.
Once, when we were out of town, Rhonna called us. She had gotten into some legal trouble when she tried to break up a fight. Now, because of the legal trouble, she was being kicked out of her duplex.
After several weeks of trying to get the decision reversed, the government organization gave Rhonna and her family an eviction notice. She had to move out; there was not further recourse available.
We told some of our friends about Rhonna and her situation. She had to move out of her duplex, and she had to move right away. Could anyone help?
Several of our friends showed up at Rhonna’s duplex with a couple of trucks and willing hearts. Together, we loaded the family’s belongings into the trucks and a few cars and made several trips to a local storage facility. Rhonna had decided to store her belongings and move in with her mother in a nearby city.
That night, I saw Jesus several times. I saw Jesus in the humility of a single mother who was willing to ask for and accept help – even from strangers. I saw Jesus when Rhonna began to weep and share with my wife about her struggles and her past experiences with domestic abuse. I saw Jesus in the faces of my friends who were willing to give up their evening for a complete stranger who could never repay their kindness.
I saw Jesus that night so many times and in so many ways. As our lives intertwined with his, I knew that our Father in heaven was revealing something special to us. That night, the kingdom of heaven was close.
You see, it’s very possible for God to reveal himself to us in the form of dreams or visions. But, God is present with his children every moment of every day. We should look for and expect to see “revelations” from God when his children are following him.
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Here is a list of other posts that are part of the January 2011 synchroblog “The Manifestation of God“:
Beth Patterson – A Robust Universe Includes The Botched and Bungled
Jeff Goins – The Manifestation Of God
Jeremy Myers – Pagan Prophecies Of Christ
Mark Smith – Manifestation Of God
Ellen Haroutunian – Stories of Epiphany
Liz Dyer – God Breaking Through Moments
Josh Morgan – The Manifestation Of God
Steve Hayes – Theophany: the manifestation of God
Sarah Bessey – In which Annie opens the door of her heart
Christine Sine – Eve of Epiphany – We Have Come, We Have Seen, Now We Must Follow
Tammy Carter – Paralysis In His Presence
Peter Walker – Epiphany Outside Theophany (Outside Christianity)
The Whole Church = All Church Leaders?
I’m reading the book To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams as part of a “blog tour” sponsored by Zondervan.
The book, as the title suggests, encourages churches in a city to work together in order to “transform” their city. I agree with many things in this book (as I will write about in a later review), and I think the author’s points about the kingdom being bigger than any particular localized and organized group of believers is a very important lesson for today’s church to learn and practice.
There is one point in this book that is causing me to struggle. Throughout the book, the authors call for churches to work together. In fact, one of the chapters is named “The Whole Church.” In that chapter, the authors point out that God sees the entire church in a city as a single church, even if they meet in various locations and at different times. They call for these different churches to put aside their differences and seek to serve others in their city in the name of Jesus.
But, this is where I’m concerned. In every example (unless I missed one), the authors describe church leaders (primarily “senior pastors”) getting together in order to work together. But, senior pastors are not the church in a city any more than a single localized, organized group of believers (local church) is the church in a city.
Why must we limit “working together” to pastors and other leaders?
Why not encourage all believers in the city to work together?
Instead of groups of pastors coming up with ideas to help the community, why not include the people that are actually in the community?
Encourage neighbors to work with other neighbors (who are part of different churches) in order to transform their neighborhoods. Encourage employees to work with other employees (who are part of different churches) in order to transform the people in their work places. Encourage students to work with other students (who are part of different churches) in order to transform other students in their schools.
I’ve noticed something similar in other books on this subject. Cooperation between local churches is almost always focused on pastors and other leaders working together. Then, each pastor/leader gets his or her people involved (if the pastor/leader so chooses).
It’s almost as if we do not trust the people to work together themselves. Perhaps there’s another reason that I’m missing.
What do you think?
Pick a need
Do you see a need in Ethiopia? Then work towards meeting that need.
Is there a need for shut-ins to receive meals? Then deliver meals to them.
Do you recognize a need among orphans in Haiti? Then start helping the orphans.
Are there needs in a local food pantry? Then spend your time helping them.
Are there elderly people in your area who need help? Then help them.
If you see a need, then work towards meeting that need. Invite others to work with you, but don’t wait for them before you start obeying God.
If God is not calling you or gifting you to meet that need, then he will make that clear. Often, though, he reveals your calling and gifting in the midst of you serving others.
I cannot tell you exactly how God is calling you or how God has gifted you. I can tell you one thing that I know with complete certainty. God is NOT calling you or gifting you to do nothing or to only do for those who can love and serve you in return. God is NOT calling you or gifting you only to care for your friends or other believers.
Look around you. Do you see a need? If yes, then start working towards meeting that need. If no, then look again, because you are deceiving yourself. If you still can’t find a need, then join one of the people linked to above in serving others.
Community or Mission?
There is a natural assumption that building community decreases missional activity or that increasing missional activity decreases the prospects of community.
In Christ, our fellowship with one another must include both community with one another and common acts of service, love, and mercy toward others. Without both mission to others and fellowship with one another, we do not actually have community in Christ.
Fellowship with one another in Christ leads to mission. Missional activities with one another in Christ builds community. The two (community and mission) go together.
The church is both gathered by God (into community) and sent by God (into the world). We can’t have one without the other and still be God’s people in Christ.
So, what should a group of believers do if they realize that they are focusing all (or most) of their energies, resources, and times on themselves and are not reaching out to others? What should a group of Jesus’ disciples do if they realize that they are reaching out to others, but they are not building community among themselves?
The Christians support not only their own poor, but ours as well
While I was doing some research, I ran across this quote from Julian (the Apostate). (I’ve published the quote before, but decided to do so again.) History (primarily Christian history) has given Julian the name “the Apostate” because he attempted to move the Roman Empire back toward paganism after Constantine.
What alot of people may not know is that the Roman emperors following Constantine fluctuated between Christianity (of differing forms) and paganism. Julian was one of those who wanted the empire to return to the pagan religions of Rome’s past and thus remove the curses of the gods and return to their favor.
Anyway, at one point, Julian complained about the Christians (“Galileans”). I thought you might like to read his complaint:
Why do we not observe that it is their [the Christians’] benevolence to strangers, their care for the graves of the dead, and the pretended holiness of their lives that have done most to increase atheism [unbelief of the pagan gods]?… For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. Teach those of the Hellenic faith to contribute to public service of this sort.
It is too bad that most Christians have since given up caring for their own poor, much less caring for poor unbelievers. Perhaps more would have this same complaint if we turned back to “the Way” taught by Jesus.
But, hey, at least we have better doctrine now.