We, They, I

How easy it is to make strong distinctions between the three. We are the church. It sounds bold and powerful. Like a bunch of football players gathered in a circle before a big game. Nick's football team was the "Warriors" last year. So they would gather in a huddle. The team captain would shout "Who are we?" to which the others would shout passionately "Warriors". On my most optimistic days, that is the picture I get when I say "we are the church". "We" is about unity despite diversity. They are the church. It has a bit of an accusing tone. They, not we, are the church. That is a good description of our best "critical" look at the church today. It provides a great vantage point to identify what's wrong with the church. It's a very popular subject today. The bookstores are filled with "they" books right now and I have read my share of critiques. Though much of the criticism I read today is accurate, I quickly wade through the "they" language to find a "we" heart. Finally, we get to the rub. I am the church. If "we" is about unity and "they" is about criticism, "I" is about responsibility. When I read Acts 4, I discover that Peter was an "I" who reached out and touched a beggar at the Eastern gate of the Temple. Peter was the church. The fruitfulness of Peter's love is magnified before we reach the end of the chapter.

Reformission reflections

We are three weeks into 2009 so it's time to reflect. I have started the new year recognizing the need to "reform" some ways of thinking, particularly as it relates to Mission. The need for reform brought me to Acts 1:8. The definition of mission is clear in the words of Jesus. We are to "be witnesses" for Him. Mission is a life, not a project. Witness takes place every day, not just when we share the Gospel verbally. Now my attention has moved forward a few chapters. Acts 4 takes us on an interesting journey. It begins with the ordinary and ends with the extraordinary. Peter and John walk to the temple for a time of prayer, encounter a man in need and respond "in the name of Jesus". The man's healing sets in motion strong reaction from the religious establishment and it brings the disciples back around to prayer. If you like action and drama Acts 4 is a great chapter. How does this story speak to our need for reform? It hinges on a simple response of love to the need of a man who would be easy to pass by on the way to church.

Inauguration Day

Today Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States of America. It is a historic day that comes the day after a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Obama's inauguration is a reminder of the changes that have been made since Dr. King. These changes have occured in my lifetime. The election of a Obama also reaches back to the Emancipation Proclamation. Obama will take his oath of office utilizing the same bible that was used in the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Today my reflection reaches back much farther. When I think about inaugural events I think back to the coronation of Israel's first king as recorded in 1 Samuel 12. The words of the old prophet are a great reminder of our journey forward. America faces great challenges today. None is as great as our need to turn to God. Two admonitions stand out to me from the coronation of King Saul. First, the call to prayer: Samuel told the people "far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and right way". Second, Samuel reminded the people of the key principles of any journey forward: "fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."

Defining Health

One of the interesting aspects of being a diabetic is the need for daily monitoring. Because I have been a diabetic for nearly 40 years I have seen some major changes in the methods of measuring blood sugar. Now, even the most basic methods of electronic measurement allow for downloadable data to analyze and study trends. What trends should we study in order to check the pulse of church health? I am convinced that we overlook many of the best indicators. Sunday morning attendance is important, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee Monday morning worship. How about day to day witness? It's hard to devise a tangible measure of whether or not we are salt and light - but, we need to be asking the question. A healthy church is a church that shares the light and love of the gospel in diverse and creative ways. I should be just as diligent to monitor whether I am living a Christ-like life as I am to check my blood sugar.

Is witness a noun or a verb?

In the first chapter of the New Testament book of "Acts" Jesus disappeared from His followers. But, before He went away, He told them that they would receive power to be witnesses. In Christian circles we think of witness as a verb. Witnessing equates to a shared testimony about Jesus. Even though that is an accurate picture of witnessing, it is incomplete. Jesus intended for His followers to understand that witness has to do with our existence, not just our words. In order to be witnesses of Jesus we must think in terms of how we reflect and represent His identity. Every day and everywhere we are witnesses. Some days we are good and faithful witnesses. At other times we do not reflect the true character and identity of Jesus. Either we reveal Jesus to others or we damage their understanding of His character. The challenge for us is to live every moment "in Jesus name". That has caused me to examine daily actions. The verbs in my life, my actions, create the noun, my witness.

Optimistic

Lay aside the ecomomic prognosticators that fill the news media for a moment and think about your own personal forecast. Sometimes it can be a bit discouraging to begin a new year with an awareness of the things that you would like to change or improve. The danger of discouragement is that it always paints an inaccurate picture of what can be. I was reading the Old Testament account today of God's promise of new life to an old couple: Abraham and Sarah. You might recall that Sarah's response was laughter/disbelief. It's a great metaphor for the new year. God promises new life to each of us. Discouragement is rooted in our "old life". Like Sarah, we can let our discouragement bring about a smirky laughter that feeds our doubts about the prospects of positive change in our lives OR we can remember God's response to Sarah was a question: "Is anything too difficult for me?" Great question.

Looking ahead

One of my favorite definitions of "vision" is that it is the story you want your life to tell. I love to think in terms of that kind of vision for me personally and also for the church. What is the story I want to tell with my life? One reason that definition is so powerful is that it is easy to see that Jesus was the greatest storyteller ever. Not only did His life tell the ultimate story, but he interjected timeless truths into story form. The result? We are pulled into the story. We are allowed to examine our lives with new perspective. We become the "sower" who does or does not throw seed out for a harvest. We become the "good samaritan", or not. Every day is a paragraph, every week a page, every month a chapter.

New Year

New Year New Me? As I arrived at the gym this morning, I was reminded by the full parking lot that it is the first week of January. I saw a few new faces wondering around with fresh resolve. Don't get me wrong, it's never a bad time to make good decisions about improving health. Every habit begins with the first step. Whether it is our physical or spiritual health it's a good time to make plans for a better year. However, beware the quick fix. It's not likely nor healthy to lose 10 lbs. this week. Likewise, I doubt that my spiritual character will change dramatically this week. But, I plan to be more spiritually mature, more like Jesus at the end of 2009 than I am today and today is an important part of that journey. Be encouraged and heed the advice of the writer of Hebrews. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. As long as we keep our focus on Him we will continue to move toward Him.