What Time Is It?

Understanding Our Age

Men of Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel should do – 1 Chron. 12:32

26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. – Acts 17:26,27

What Time Is It In the West?

Pre-Modern (Traditional) Period: 500 AD to 1800 AD (exists both before and after as well)

• Belief in supernatural as the guiding reality
• Transcendence through connection with supernatural
• God is preeminent – man derives his identity through God and community
• Supernatural is most commonly defined through belief in Judeo-Christian God
• One form of Truth as revealed through Holy Scripture
• Institutional Church wields power over temporal affairs (Christendom)
• Unified system of government – Monarchy/Nobility – Sovereign Right of Kings
• Heaven/After-life more important than this life
• The Community/Village/Family/Tribe is most important. You only exist as a part of a larger whole
• Much superstition still abounded – mixed with Christianity
  
  What is the result of this view of life (worldview) on morals? On the family? On how one should live? On authority?

Modern (Contemporary) Period: 1700 AD to present (began in the Renaissance in 1400’s and is beginning to die out)

• Science is the guiding reality
• God is no longer needed and is considered a hindrance or superstition
• Individual Reason is needed to ascertain Universal Truth (it is possible if we all use our Reason)
• Education is the means to using your Reason
• Man becomes preeminent – humanism
• Community is broken down – we are all just parts in the machine
• If man is the center, and there is no guiding force beyond our reason, we are free to determine our own laws, morals, social customs
• Age of experimentation scientifically, socially, relationally
• Technology is King – solves many of the world’s problems/creates new ones
• Democracy becomes the prevailing government because political/social power is derived from a social contract with the people
• Capitalism is the prevailing economic system – people become useful as consumers
• Family and community becomes optional as individual choice holds sway (the center has broken)
• We are on the dawn of a Golden Age (optimism through technology and human ingenuity)
  
  How does this worldview affect the family? Individual morals? Community morals? Government? Sexuality? Faith?

Postmodern Period (1917 to present - began in intellectual circles, popularized in 1960's)

• Realization that promises of Modern Period are empty
• Recognition that we will not come to Universal Truth through use of Reason
• Everyone has their own Truth because of differing experiences and perspectives. All truths/paths are equal (mirrored by shift from Newtonian Physics to Einstienian Physics - Quantum – Theory of Relativity)
• Language is used by those in power to twist arguments – it is about persuasion more than truth (power of advertising)
• Deep spiritual void discovered
• Extreme pessimism – desire for escape into emptyness (nihlism)
• Hyper individuality, yet desire for relationships with others like you
• Tribalism emerges as people join together in racial, sexual, religious, and other special interest groups to fight for their cause – no longer majority/minority, but many minorities who all fight for power
• Continual hostility toward traditional religion, although spirituality begins to be affirmed
  
  How does this view affect our view of life? Of the future? Of the individual? Of institutions? Of authority? Of the family?

Post-Postmodern Period (Emerging Worldview – 1965 to present – esp. since 1991)

• Global world/community emerges
• New embrace of spirituality and religion (hostile to Christianity – seen as authoritarian and closeminded)
• Interconnectedness of humanity – global Truth
• Free flow of ideas and information because of the Internet and global communication (flattening of the world)
• Emergence of China and India
• Young, Urban, Non-Anglo culture will dominate
• Decentralized authority - many to many communication
• Empowering of the individual
• Security becomes preeminent (terrorism, biological issues)
• Use of technology, not mastered by it
• Individualized community
• Traditional social structures reformed
• Interchangeable identities
• Deification of the environment – seeking to restore damage
• Idealism and community enhancement and involvement
• Tolerance for other viewpoints is affirmed
• Giving over of rights to protectors to ensure safety and security
  
  What does this view mean for the individual? For Christianity? For the idea of Truth? For the Family? For Morals?

This is obviously a simplistic rendering, full of generalities and assumptions. Although true historical and cultural analysis is always far more sophisticated and full of nuance, I still find approaches like this helpful to begin to get a grasp on difficult subjects for those who are not familiar with all the intricacies.

The implications of understanding these competing perspectives are vast. If we live in a pre-modern worldview, doesn't it make sense that we would struggle relating the gospel to post-post modern people? The answer is not to try harder at what we've always done, but to step back and learn from others how to speak in a way that our audience will understand. Sometimes, it is as though we are going to China to speak to Chinese people, but we only know English instead of Mandarin. When they do not understand us, we just speak louder. When they still do not understand us, and reject us, we then condemn them. This is what the Spanish Conquistadors used to do. They would arrive on an island or amongst a Native American tribe, and in Spanish, read an announcement from the King of Spain, commanding them to convert to Christianity. If they did not do so immediately, they would be taken into slavery or killed. They were told that the fault would be their own. The confused natives would not understand a word they said, but because the Spaniards "warned" them, with a clear conscience, they would then take control. We're kind of like that sometimes. We warn the world to repent, but we never take the time to relate to them or speak to them in a way they understand. Then, we shrug our shoulders and say they get what they deserve.

Thom Wolf says that there is a global conversation taking place and everyone in the world is asking how they can best live life on this planet. May we take part in that conversation for the glory of Christ.

The Cooperative Program and Medium Sized Churches

These thoughts come from a conversation I was having at the convention with a friend of mine who serves as a missionary with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Southern Baptists have the Cooperative Program (CP), where every church pays a certain amount in to help do missions together. The idea is that through cooperating, we can do far more together than we can by ourselves. The subject of the Cooperative Program was HUGE at the convention. There are some problems, however. It works great for really small churches (under 100 members) I think, because most churches that size are not necessarily thinking about local, much less global transformation (many are, but the majority is probably not). Therefore, the CP is a great tool to allow them to have a stake in reaching the world through cooperative efforts.

It works pretty well for really large churches (over 1000), because they often pay enough in to have a voice in the system, to be able to contribute, and to be heard. They swing a larger stick, so to speak, and they benefit from giving to and taking part in a system that appreciates them, and in a sense caters to their desires for participation. They also have enough left over to initiate their own ministries so that they have ownership over the mission to reach the world that God has given each local church. Part of the recent controversy is that some larger churches were directing all of that money and not sending very much of it to the CP. The smaller chruches felt that was unfair. However, the CP could conceivably work very well for them.

Here's an example of how mid-sized churches do not fair as well. Our church is planting a mission/church on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina (pathfindermission.org). We pay 10% in to the Cooperative Program (which comes to between $25,000-30,000), but when it comes time for us to initiate mission ourselves as a local church, it is very difficult to receive any reciprocal help because what we are doing might not fit exactly into the plans of the associations/conventions/mission boards that we have to work through. To do the work, we are forced to build relationships with other churches in the same boat, pool our resources, and create networks (which we have done with several other churches). That is fine, and I think it is a great thing, but it becomes a bit difficult when we send in our money to the CP, and we find out that when we want to do Kingdom things, there is no one to help us from the denomination (at least yet).

Like I said, I think that this is primarily a problem for medium sized churches who want to initiate their own work. Large churches are able to initiate their own things and still give a great deal to the CP. Small churches cannot initiate as much, but are able to take part by being a part of a larger whole. Medium sized churches, who maybe have heart, vision, and resources, are often times forced to choose between being faithful to what God has put in front of them, and giving to the Cooperative Program. We should not have to make that choice. There should be some type of way for local churches to be the initiators in taking part in "baptist causes," and still be considered faithful contributors to the CP. Maybe some type of voucher program?

Basically, the whole system needs to be revamped. As it exists right now, there is a disincentive for a medium sized local church to take initiative and be a church planting church. It is often an either/or thing in relation to the CP. You can only cut the pie so many ways. Our church gives faithfully to the Cooperative Program and we will continue to do so. We also are very involved in local and global missions and support work all over the world faithfully (approx. 40% of every dollar that has come into our church in 2006 has gone to missions). But, these are problems that need to be addressed in some way.

The Cooperative Program is/was a good thing. The bureaucracy it has created is not needed in the same way it once was because of advanced communication. There is a great deal of overlap and middle management that could be taken out and a great deal of money could be saved. There could be equipping with churches on stewardship and greater awareness of where your CP money goes. There could be greater accountability and a return to a position where the denomination works for the churches, as opposed to the churches working for the SBC (which is the position in which you are placed when your local church cannot fund church planters and you have to send them to the SBC, who really cannot fund adequately either). There just seems to be a lot of overlap and not much response for medium sized churches who want to work with the SBC, but also want to initiate what God has laid on their heart.

Here are some concrete ideas:

• What if NAMB and the state conventions created a fund out of which they gave out grants to local churches who were taking part in activities that were consistent with NAMB or the state conventions overall vision? That way, instead of creating waste through state and national bureacracy and building in disincentives for local churches to carry out the Great Commission, the CP could come back and enable the churches to be the ones carrying out the mission through support and encouragement.
• Through the emergence of best practices and practicioners, what if much of the training that NAMB and the state conventions provided was supplied by pastors and ministry leaders who worked together in networks to accomplish missional purposes? These leaders could volunteer their time to do seminars/trainings for other pastors/churches that were practical, but also tangible in that you would provide platforms for learning groups to emerge. In a way, this is what has been happening through the blogs. You would not need as much in the way of staff in the state conventions and NAMB if we did more of this than we do.

When our outgoing SBC President, Bobby Welch complains about bloggers (see here and here), he really ought to take these situations into account. This predicament is what is driving us to create our own networks for support, funding, and personnel. Unless it is addressed, it will be the slow death of the Cooperative Program, and more cheerleading and guilt tripping will not save it. I really do think it is a great concept and I want to see us support it. I just want to see our denominational entities more responsive to the INITIATIVE of local churches in mission and to have more accountability. That is a great deal of what the bloggers are talking about.

Grace and Peace

Philippians 1:1-2

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote to the whole church, not just the leaders. All the other letters, he does not even mention leaders – breaks down wall between clergy and laity.

Servants: doulos
doulos (doo'-los); a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):
KJV - bond (-man), servant.

Saints: hagios
hagios (hag'-ee-os); from hagos (an awful thing); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):
KJV - (most) holy (one, thing), saint.

Basic Way that Paul starts many of his letters: Peter and John as well – 16 letters of the New Testament start this way.
· Romans 1:7
· 1 Cor. 1:3
· 2 Cor. 1:2
· Gal. 1:2
· Ephesians 1:2
· Col. 1:2
· 1 Thess. 1:1
· 2 Thess. 1:2
· 1 Tim. 1:2 (adds mercy)
· 2 Tim. 1:2 (adds mercy)
· Titus 1:4
· Philemon 3
· 1 Peter 1:2 – Peter had the same practice
· 2 Peter 1:2
· 2 John 3 – John as well – adds mercy
· Rev. 1:4 - John

Grace: charis
charis (khar'-ece); graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):
KJV - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
Receiving God’s favor that we do not deserve – it is a free gift

Peace: eirene
(i-ray'-nay); probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:
KJV - one, peace, quietness, rest, set at one again.
Hebrew idea of Shalom: Prosperity and total life peace

What Does Grace Have to Do with Peace?

Rom 5:1-2
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Through Jesus, and by faith, we gain access to God’s Grace (His unmerited favor and Divine Influence upon our Heart). This brings justification before God and causes us to be at peace with God through the work of Jesus Christ.

Rom 8:1-4
8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

We are free from sin and we are completely forgiven. Jesus took all of God's wrath for sin upon Himself. We are established in the Lord through God's grace, His divine favor towards us because of Christ. Nothing can remove us from His hand. Nothing can take us from His family. We are His. We live the Christian life as a response to His divine initiative as an act of worship, praise, and adoration. Receive the grace of God and be free. To quote Charles Spurgeon, "Believe it and be happy!"

A Picture of Grace. How Does Jesus extend it to us?

John 8:1-12
8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11 "No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

This is a picture of Grace – Receiving what we do not deserve. Do you think this woman lived in peace with God after this? How was her life changed? How did she see herself differently? Her relationships with others? Did she need to go from man to man anymore, or had Divine Love changed her? What did she do with this Grace?

Matt 18:21-35 – Comes right after Matt. 18:15-20, church discipline scriptures

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

But, how can we do this? Where is the judgment? How can we just let people sin against us? How can we allow this to go on? Even Jesus said that He did not come into the world to condemn it (John 3:17), but to save the world through Him. Leave judgment to the Father who knows our hearts. Forgive.

A way that this practically plays our in our lives and relationships: Colossians 3:12-25
· Clothe yourself with the character of Christ
· Forgive as you have been forgiven – totally
· Put on love
· Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts
· Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
· Proclaim who God is
· Do everything as unto the Lord
· Wives, submit to your husbans
· Husbands, love your wives
· Children, obey your parents
· Fathers, do not embitter your children
· Slaves, obey your masters
· In everything, work for the Lord

Without Grace and Peace, we cannot be in relationship with God or Man. We must receive Grace and Peace from the Lord and extend it to others, unconditionally. Do you want your life to be full of Grace and Peace? Look to the Father who gives liberally through His Son, Jesus Christ. Then, extend what you have received from the Father to those around you, so that your life, home, workplace, relationships, and world will be full of the Grace and Peace that comes from above.

Freely you have received, freely give – Matt. 10:8

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.