An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Engage
The church must be understood as a catalyst for change and every process related to the church must be interpreted through this filter.
Spiritual leadership in the change process is not so much about being the primary advocate of change but being the primary example of change. When the people of God see in their spiritual leaders a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others and to be the first to change for the sake of the Gospel, they're more likely to make the changes that they need to make. The ultimate outcome of the change process is not the implementation of any one single change, no matter how significant. It is to move the people of God through a jouney that leads them from transition to transformation.
That's the end of the things that struck me in Chapter 9. Next will be Eiplogue, Chapter 10: a Radical Minimum Standard and that will conclude this book.
I've started reading Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I won't go through that book like I have this one, as it is more of a descriptive journey of Donald's spiritual walk, including doubt and disbelief. I would call the book colorful, from the first chapter. It think it is probably written more for men, as he explains what he thinks and feels about women, dating, etc. It's an interesting book, it catapults me forward as I read. It's a good break from the Church leadership books I've enjoyed reading lately.
After I finish Blue Like Jazz, or even simultaneously, I'll probably start on Greg's Perspectives book. Perspectives is a 4-6 month class, 3 hours a week, 1 night a week, and it is awesome for giving someone a perspective on God's missional heart for his church. You really get to see the big picture of Christianity from God's perspective, how it all fits together for the world, rather than just my little church in my little town with my Christian friends that I know. You can check out Perspectives here. I hope you continue to join me on my quest for becoming a better Christian today than I was yesterday.
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Nuggets #8
An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Chapter Three: Change Theology
(Just the title gets me excited to read!)
Generational Shifts
But many times the most difficult things to give up are those things that we have identified with God's blessing and presence in our lives.
From the beginning, God has raised up men and women who have had the power of seeing. They understood the times in which they lived. They understood the context to which they were called. They had the ability to understand change and create change. They could both perceive and foresee.
The Revolutionary Mover
...Jesus. His orthodoxy was measured by his willingness to conform to the established religion. Any expression or application of the Scriptures that did not conform to the already established policies and procedures was considered heresy.
Simply stated, if the Bible doesn't bring change, it is not being engaged. Jesus was merciless in exposing this reality. He condemned the people of God for forsaking the Word of God for the traditions of men. Through his life, he systematically negated their most sacred interpretations. He was accused of defying the Sabbath by healing on it. He became a glutton by celebrating life. He was accused of being a friend of sinners simply because he actually was their friend. He treated tax collectors as if they could access the mercy and God. And he chastised the temple-goers as an abomination to God.
What Are You Doing Here?
It appears that, if we are unwilling to move with the wind of God, we will be moved by the whirlwind of God.
Remember how fear of the world around him paralyzed the great prophet Elijah? He'd seen so many victories. He above all others, knew the power and authority of God. He had seen fire come down from heaven, the altars consumed by the holy presence of God. And yet, because of the rumors of Jezebel's intent to kill him, he lost faith, ran to the desert, and wished to die. God caught his attention by sending a great and powerful wind that tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks. God then sent an earthquake to shake the earth underneath Elijah's feet. God then sent a fire as a demonstration of his power. But as Elijah stood on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, he was reminded of God's gentleness, not his power. For in that moment, God spoke in a gentle whisper and asked the question that he always asks his people when they are hiding from the world around them: What are you doing here?
The church was never meant to hide. She was never supposed to pull the cloak over her face and hide within the darkness of a cave. We must hear the Lord say to us what he said to Elijah: "Go back the way you came" (1 Kings 19:15b). We must return to the world from which we ran. We must face the dangers and challenges that filled our hearts with fear and realize that God has called us to stand in the midst and call sinners to God.
The reality of change is the promise of miracle. The same God that changes our hearts and changes the world around us calls the church to change. When the church refuses to change, she refuses to obey. It is essential that we do not water down what is really going on. The church is God's agent of change through which his power is revealed.
We are not only called to be changed and to embrace change but to be the catalysts of change.
We'll stop there for today. What do you think about change? Are you changing? Is your church changing? I think when we refuse to change, not only are we refusing to obey but as a result we're choosing indirectly to not grow. I know some of you are changing and growing, I've read your blogs. That puts a huge smile on my face. Keep it up and keep sharing it. You're an inspiration to others, especially me!
Until tomorrow, let the winds of change move you!
Chapter Three: Change Theology
(Just the title gets me excited to read!)
Generational Shifts
But many times the most difficult things to give up are those things that we have identified with God's blessing and presence in our lives.
From the beginning, God has raised up men and women who have had the power of seeing. They understood the times in which they lived. They understood the context to which they were called. They had the ability to understand change and create change. They could both perceive and foresee.
The Revolutionary Mover
...Jesus. His orthodoxy was measured by his willingness to conform to the established religion. Any expression or application of the Scriptures that did not conform to the already established policies and procedures was considered heresy.
Simply stated, if the Bible doesn't bring change, it is not being engaged. Jesus was merciless in exposing this reality. He condemned the people of God for forsaking the Word of God for the traditions of men. Through his life, he systematically negated their most sacred interpretations. He was accused of defying the Sabbath by healing on it. He became a glutton by celebrating life. He was accused of being a friend of sinners simply because he actually was their friend. He treated tax collectors as if they could access the mercy and God. And he chastised the temple-goers as an abomination to God.
What Are You Doing Here?
It appears that, if we are unwilling to move with the wind of God, we will be moved by the whirlwind of God.
Remember how fear of the world around him paralyzed the great prophet Elijah? He'd seen so many victories. He above all others, knew the power and authority of God. He had seen fire come down from heaven, the altars consumed by the holy presence of God. And yet, because of the rumors of Jezebel's intent to kill him, he lost faith, ran to the desert, and wished to die. God caught his attention by sending a great and powerful wind that tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks. God then sent an earthquake to shake the earth underneath Elijah's feet. God then sent a fire as a demonstration of his power. But as Elijah stood on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, he was reminded of God's gentleness, not his power. For in that moment, God spoke in a gentle whisper and asked the question that he always asks his people when they are hiding from the world around them: What are you doing here?
The church was never meant to hide. She was never supposed to pull the cloak over her face and hide within the darkness of a cave. We must hear the Lord say to us what he said to Elijah: "Go back the way you came" (1 Kings 19:15b). We must return to the world from which we ran. We must face the dangers and challenges that filled our hearts with fear and realize that God has called us to stand in the midst and call sinners to God.
The reality of change is the promise of miracle. The same God that changes our hearts and changes the world around us calls the church to change. When the church refuses to change, she refuses to obey. It is essential that we do not water down what is really going on. The church is God's agent of change through which his power is revealed.
We are not only called to be changed and to embrace change but to be the catalysts of change.
We'll stop there for today. What do you think about change? Are you changing? Is your church changing? I think when we refuse to change, not only are we refusing to obey but as a result we're choosing indirectly to not grow. I know some of you are changing and growing, I've read your blogs. That puts a huge smile on my face. Keep it up and keep sharing it. You're an inspiration to others, especially me!
Until tomorrow, let the winds of change move you!
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