We Need One Another - Message Notes, 5.28.06

Redwood Trees
From a seed no bigger than one from a tomato, California's coast redwood (Sequoia semperviren) may grow to a height of 367 feet (122 m) and have a width of 22 feet (7 m) at its base. Imagine a 35-story skyscraper in your city and you have an inkling of the trees' ability to arouse humility.

Redwoods have a strong regenerative ability, with a ring of trees able to sprout from the base of a damaged giant and use the old, established root system to insure survival. Even a fallen tree may serve as a nursery for new sprouts, as well as a host to many animals and other plant species.

But, how can they grow so tall and not tip over? The redwood trees often grow close together, and in many cases may have arisen as descendents of the same original tree. They may also have interconnected root systems as a a result, which also help them maintain stability despite their great height and shallow root system.

We Need One Another

Rom 12:3-5
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body , and each member belongs to all the others.

1 Cor 12:4-27
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Some of the “One Anothers” of the New Testament

· We Have Fellowship with One Another if we walk in the light – 1 John 1:7
· We Are to Accept One Another – Romans 15:7
· We Are to Bear One Another’s Burdens – Galatians 6:2
· We Are to Care For One Another – 1 Cor 12:25
We Are to Encourage One Another – 1 Thess 5:11
We Are to Greet One Another – Romans 15:3; 16:22 – to greet one another "Christianly,” means to greet them by “seeing them” for who they are in Christ – to recognize them – it goes beyond the superficial.

aspazomai - greet
NT:782 aspazomai (as-pad'-zom-ahee); from NT:1 (as a particle of union) and a presumed form of NT:4685; to enfold in the arms, i.e. (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome:
KJV - embrace, greet, salute, take leave.

How are we to do all of these things if we live in isolation, or according to our own desires and time schedules?


Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If this lifestyle was good enough for the 1st Century church, are we to be beyond it? Does this type of living mark our lives, or do we feel that we have everything we need?

Maybe, we just take part in fellowship with people just like us? Well, then how are others discipled? How do others grow?

Maybe, we just hang out with Christians? Then how do others hear the Good News of Jesus Christ?

1 Peter 2:4-5
4 As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

We are to come together, to sacrifice our lives in worship to Christ – TOGETHER.

We are to be priests who declare the praises of the Lord.

What is the role of the priest?
To worship God and offer sacrifices to Him
To represent God to the people – we declare who God is among one another and among those who do not know Him
To represent the people before God – with all kinds of prayers, we lift up others before the Lord (Eph. 6:18-20)

Emerging Network Theory

Dwight Friesen under writings and essays, has some really good essays on scale-free networks that are worth checking out.
Another great resource on starting and sustaining movements/networks is Jay Lorenzen's and Campus Crusades, Onmovements.com.
Andrew Jones at Tallskinnykiwi has a series of posts on emergent theory as it relates to the emerging church and everything else, really.
A great book on the topic is Linked: How Everything is Connected to Everything Else by Albert Laslzo-Barabasi.

As for me, here are some thoughts on how networks function and their possible role in missions for the 21st Century.

Network Theory: Organizational Structuring for the 21st Century

What are Networks? How do they work? How do they function? What defines them? What causes them to spread and grow, seemingly out of control and without cause? How do you organize networks or movements? Much has been written about network theory, and a definition of the social and organizational aspects can be found on the ultimate example of the fruit of network theory, Wikipedia, here.

Some Aspects of Networks:

No obvious leader or center
No familiar structure
No easy diagram to describe them
They self-organize
They morph and change as they react to interference or breakdown

“Networks are the language of our times, but our institutions are not programmed to understand them.”

Networks are extended groupings of likeminded entities, individuals, or organizations that interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.

Emerging Values of Networks:

Communication – “The most important shift is away from broadcast (one to many) towards conversational (many to many).” This shows the importance of communication that is dialogical, open ended, and creative. Proper application of this would be to construct websites, presentations, conferences, and resources that allowed for feedback, creative construction of ideas, and collaboration. In fostering communication, it is important to find the ‘gatekeepers’ or ‘hubs’ through which information must pass to reach the widest possible audience. It is similar to the Person of Peace in Luke 10. He was a hub of a network of people that were influenced by his testimony and acceptance of the gospel.
Transparency – “The dynamic of information in a network is one of openness.” Because of the speedy flow of information across networks, it is important that networks foster transparency and honesty. It is also important that information be open and accessible.
Knowledge – Knowledge is passed along and created through the collaborative efforts of humans as they engage in network behavior.
Innovation – “(Innovation) is itself a network endeavor. Good ideas are dependent on an environment that is supportive of collaboration.”
Accountability – “In an interconnected world simple chains of cause and effect are difficult to establish. Most organizations are nodes in a whole series of complex networks, some of which they may not even realize they belong to. The impact of those networks and the outcomes they produce is rarely the result of any one organization but rather the interactions between them . . . In the future, our conception of accountability seems likely to evolve away from simple lines of answerability towards something more complex and messy with lines of accountability that are:
- Multiple, so that any one actor was accountable to a number of other actors in a number of different ways- Overlapping, so that at different times in different circumstances one source of accountability might take priority, but at no point could there be no accountability at all
- Based on deliberative as well as procedural processes – generating opportunities for genuine discussion and learning, rather than fostering defensive mindsets or going through the motions.”
Citizenship – “Networked citizens will participate in the creation of new decision making capabilities as well as understanding their informal power and responsibilities.”
Power – “power no longer resides in individual institutions (even states), but in the ‘switchers’ through which networks regulate terms of entry and privilege or exclude particular interests or positions.”

Thus, we see that networks, through access, collaboration, and the development of critical mass have the capacity to create ideas and to speed the flow of resources and information exponentially faster than hierarchical organizations.

Implications for Ministry Networks in the 21st Century

Networks exist as platforms for interaction, communication, and best practices to rise to the surface among groups who are moving in the same direction with the same core values and purpose. The establishment of the network serves to facilitate greater effectiveness and innovation among the participants. It expands by empowering all of its members to spread the idea around their own edges, thus inviting others to connect with them. It is not controlled as much as it is influenced by the flow of information, vision, and ideas as directed by the influential “gatekeepers” or “switchers” of the network. These “gatekeepers” are the hubs of relationships within the network, around which participants seem to gather.

Practical Keys to Establish and Lead a Ministry Network:

1. Lead through ideas, words, and vision.
2. Create interactive experiences where network participants are able to share their story and shape the future of the network.
3. Instead of “one to many” communication, create “many to many” conversational environments where best practices are discussed and adopted.
4. Use the internet through interactive web sites that create community and participation, such as blogs.
5. Use regional conferences/get togethers for the purpose of sharing information, building relationships, and learning about what others are doing that is successful.
6. Create a community of like-minded travelers that is reciprocal. Once interdependence is created, the bonds within the network are strong enough to provide for greater innovation and growth.
7. Connect people relationally and spiritually through prayer, communication, and ministry partnering. Much of this globally can be done through the web site if it is interactive and constantly renewing itself through the creation of feedback loops.
8. Ideally, you want to enable each participant to become an expert who is fully empowered and equipped to take the concept of the network to another likeminded person or organization. In a sense, the network is not controlled from the center, but rather it is moving among the edges by the push and flow of ideas, energy, and relationships. It morphs and changes and is constantly innovating as new participants take it further than before as they bring their own experiences to bear. Remember, it is about movement, not management.
9. Embodiment of the idea: the network stays true to it’s original DNA because the idea that brought people together in the first place is embodied in the relationships that are formed. What are we about? Why are we in relationship? The mission stays central and thus drives innovation and experimentation. The network exists to facilitate this process through coaching, encouragement, relationship building, and through creating learning and sharing environments where people can come together and grow. A good example of this is The Intersection Conference that was sponsored by Global Spectrum in April-May 2004, http://www.globalspectrum.org/intersection/. This conference featured a myriad of presenters who met with small groups of participants and engaged in discussions, presentations, and conversations on the issues at hand. It was extremely participatory and allowed for the creation of new ideas, strategies, and practices to emerge as experts come together. I participated in their conference in October of 2005 in Seattle and had the same experience. Excellent.
10. Create contributors instead of consumers. We often want people to consume our idea or talent, so they have to continue to come to us. This validates and perpetuates our importance and role. Instead, we should help people connect with God’s plan for their life and ministry in the context of relationship with others. Each participant has a role to play and has something to offer the movement. When each participant is communicating, giving, and taking based on their relationships in desire to see the network succeed, then the network functions correctly.

In conclusion, Network Leadership is about facilitating relationships and the flow of ideas in order to benefit all involved and to spread the movement quickly and with great range.

My Power Shows Up Best in Weak People

That is a quote from 2 Corinthians 12:9 in The Living Bible. Paul had asked that God would take away the thorn in his flesh. We don't know exactly what the thorn was, but it was obviously some type of physical or spiritual attack that weakened him. Paul prayed three times and the whole verse goes like this:

Each time he said, "No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite happy about "the thorn," and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong - the less I have, the more I depend on him. - 2 Corinthians 12:9,10.

How true that is. I often feel so weak, like I have absolutely nothing to offer anyone. Does anyone else ever feel that way? That's actually a stupid question because we all get to that point regularly. Just last night, I was supposed to lead worship and teach a bible study on Galatians for our Wednesday night gathering. I had had a "not so great" day and had absolutely nothing to give. My prayers were hitting the ceiling and I just wanted to go home and go to bed. I kept asking for strength, but nothing happened. I finally got desperate enough to confess to God my total weakness and that if He wanted anything good to happen that night He had better show up - I was His. Well, I really feel like He did show up during my teaching of Galatians 4, and though I was dry to begin with I encountered Him as I stepped out and let Him speak through me. He is so faithful to do that if we just trust Him and step out anyway. When we are weak then He is strong. I'm glad that I know a God who doesn't want or need my strength or my best. He just wants my weakness and my dependence so that He can receive the glory. Yeah, that fits just right. That's the kind of God that I can give my heart to.

The Normal Christian Life

I have been encouraged over the years to read the writings of Watchman Nee, a Chinese Christian from the mid 20th century. He led a house church movement in China and was greatly persecuted and ended up dying in prison around 1970, but many of his words are powerful and have had a great impact on my life. Here is something that I was reading this morning that I felt was profound:God makes it quite clear in his Word that he has only one answer to every human need - his Son, Jesus Christ. In all his dealings with us he works by taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God died instead of us for our forgiveness: he lives instead of us for our deliverence. So we can speak of two substitutions - a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures our victory. It will help us greatly, and save us from much confusion, if we keep constantly before us this fact, that God will answer all our questions in one way and one way only, namely, by showing us more of his Son.The Normal Christian Lifepage 12This is a powerful truth. In everything, it is all about Jesus and He is the One who holds my life together. How often I forget that fact! How often I run to other things or just try to be good or live a good life and forget that He is my strength, my power, my peace, and my life. The prevailing world view of this age is that life is all about me and all about what makes me happy. That God's greatest desire is that I be happy and that I do what makes me happy. This is a lie and it leads to much misery and ruin. If we are all doing what makes us happy, what if my "pursuit of happiness" starts to run into your "pursuit of happiness"? Then, one of us takes action against the other to get our own way and we end up hurting one another. God's way is for us to find our life in Him and allow Jesus to meet our needs. Then we will be free to serve and bless one another instead of trying to get our needs met from each other. We each serve one another and our life on this planet is enhanced by love and service instead of being destroyed through selfishness and competition. Only Jesus can provide what we need since He is our Creator and only He knows what we need, which is to be forgiven of our sins once and for all, and to be delivered from the power of sin that enslaves us. Then, we are free to love God and to love one another.

It sounds simple, but in reality it is pretty hard because we are sooooo selfish and because we feel like we are all alone and HAVE to get our own way. If we do not satisfy ourselves, we fear that we will never be satisfied. That is why the whole Christian life and all of the satisfaction that it brings is only accessed through faith in the unseen God who really can satisfy us with Himself. Faith is what pleases God because when we believe Him and His promises we are saying that He is enough - that He is all we need. This is a hard truth for us, because the world tells us that we need a million different things from a new car, to a new spouse, to a new pair of shoes. If we just had that thing, then we would be satisfied. If we would only turn to Jesus and let Him do in our life what only He can do, then we would cease striving and searching and finally be at rest.

Flavors and Colors

Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here be to light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Jesus, Matthew 5, from THE MESSAGE

I love this passage. We are to bring out the God flavors and God colors of this world. That sounds so beautiful and exciting. However, most Christians don't come close to doing this because we don't experience it ourselves. Whether it is because we are beaten down by the world, others around us, our past, or our own sin, Christians often are miserable, defeated, and tired. I think that we are more prone to introspection and despair than others because we become aware of our sin and how we are supposed to be. Unfortunately, we know little about how to get there. We try harder and harder, or we give up, compromise, and rationalize all of our our failures and issues. Both solutions are futile and entirely unnecessary. We have a Savior in Jesus Christ who wants to bless us, to show us His beauty, and to give us life abundant (John 10:10). But this life is attained through faith and the question of our lives is, "Do you believe?" If we believe, truly believe that God loves us and wants to bless us, then we can, by faith live the life that He has for us. If we believe that we are on our own, or we have to find satisfaction in the things of this world, then our flavor and color fades and we aren't worth much of anything to ourselves or anyone else.

THE MESSAGE says in Matthew 6:33,34 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Why Is Forgiveness So Hard?

Everyone says that forgiveness is important. I used to think that it was really easy. I guess that all of us think that the virtues of life are easy in the abstract, until you really have to face the challenge of living them out head on, even when it is hard. The truth is that if we do not forgive, the person or the event will continue to control us and eat us alive. It will then spread to others and destroy them as well. Unforgiveness is the chief culprit in the devastation of relationships, communities, and society as a whole. It is the Devil's Symphony of human relational pain.

But, knowing this doesn't make it any easier. It is hard because when you have been hurt, wounded, and put down, to forgive almost says that you don't matter. People can go off scot free and you just have to deal with it. Everything in you wants vengence and to at least know that others understand and commesurate with you. But, life is not found there. You can never get back the moment, recover the hope and innocence that was lost, or restore the joy that you had before your heart was ripped out. You can never go back. It is what it is. Someone, Some Other, has to step in, because it is past you. This is why true forgiveness is only supernatural. God must intervene and you must let Him. You must see that the pain was taken by Jesus on the cross and only because of what He has done can you forgive. Forgiveness takes faith in the One who gave His life to forgive you. The pain does matter. The lost hope is significant, and it matters most to the One who created you, to the One who gave you life and knew you before you were born. True forgiveness flows from the heart of God to us and through us. We receive it because of His love and we give it because we are transformed by His amazing grace. To withhold forgiveness to someone who has hurt you can only mean that you have not received or experienced the forgiveness of a loving Father for your own sins. We have all hurt people. We have all caused pain. It is universal in the human condition and is why we all need a Savior. Let Him heal your heart. Let Him speak to the broken places and restore the shattered image of God that He placed there. You are important. You do matter. You matter to God. Let Him be your shelter and defender. Let Him be the One who heals. Let Him be the One who loves and forgives through you. Let Him be God.