Playing politics

Living and growing up on the gravel road out in the country, politics was something that you were aware of, TV ads and all, but it never seemed like something anybody was too concerned about. Maybe it was just being a kid. Maybe it was because it didn't seem to matter who won because farm policy was always about the same anyway. No matter, most of life was pretty removed from politics...at least the ones where votes were taken and somebody got elected and somebody didn't.

There was of course another kind of politics evident in family dealings, especially at the extended family level, the politics of who likes who, who is mad at who, and how one might 'get back' at someone else. Be sure to smile and pretend like everything is OK on the outside, but 'play politics' behind the scenes to get at or get what you want.

It seems to me that life in the church of Jesus Christ can be like playing politics. It must not be that way. When a person is self seeking, or selfish, and by the way who isn't to some degree, we tend to do and say things to manipulate people and settings to our advantage. We tend to smile on the outside while we seethe with revenge on the inside just waiting for our opportunity to get back, or slyly working the angles to arrange things to our advantage, or laying low to try to find out who is on 'our side' or to give people a test to find out 'if they love me'.

It turns out that no matter how deep the pity party we allow ourselves to wallow in, Jesus followers are called to something different. It isn't playing politics at all. Think for a minute about some of the things Jesus had to say and see how much it sounds like he is talking like a politician. Turn the other cheek...go the extra mile...do not judge...leave your gift at the altar (the gift for God) and go be reconciled to your brother...blessed are you when men heap insults upon you...you cannot serve God and money...how can you love God whom you can't see but not love your brother who you can...

This world and the people we intersect with will never be a better place by playing politics and deftly maneuvering. It will be changed as people become Christ followers, disciples of Jesus Christ and invite others into that life changing relationship. Vote for who you think is best, but live for Jesus!

Enough

Is Jesus enough for you?

That question is one of those questions that sounds a bit laughable up front (the obvious answer being of course, yes) but then it begins to penetrate after a while. As I sit here plunking away it has been what may be considered a historic week in terms of the economic realities. Then again it is a normal week with all the business that life brings with it, relational tweaks, and 'must do to do lists'. The penetrating part of the question, which I heard from a speaker earlier in the week, is that upon reflection in the midst of the realities of life, it is a fair question. And, a question that isn't so easily answered in the affirmative. Not so easy because in the realities of life we do seem to want what we have our sites set upon, whatever that may be, and not on the Savior of our souls.

The question turns out to be like being on that gravel road again. You know, the one that is going to get you from where you are to where you really want to be. But the one that has a lot more interest off to the sides than what is right straight ahead. I know I have nearly driven off the road, actually have if you count the edges of the ditch, in my peering off into the corn/bean fields, or watching deer out walking in the field. So it is in life that we tend to know in our heart and mind that we want to stay on the gravel road, the path toward Jesus, but we get so dog gone distracted. They are lesser things to be sure, but so tangible compared to the invisible Jesus.

Well, I don't know what else to do. I just have to pause and ask myself the question again every so often...and be honest with the reply in order that I make amends as necessary. Jesus is enough.

Church Stew

No question about it, the highlight of my week was the Shepherd Group I attended this past Wednesday. The official program says that we are studying Colossians, but the group understands that before we get to that and our parallel study on being a Witness, we would all come prepared to share what God is doing in our own lives. We never got to the 'official' study, and I loved it! What we did instead was to have a great discussion on things going on in people's lives and how that intersects with God and His Word. While it of course doesn't mean that a leader shouldn't be listening to what the Lord wants to speak through them, it is refreshing and meaningful to be in the circle talking about significant stuff that will impact the way we think/live the Christian life from that point on.

Does the format of a group of people coming together to share what the Spirit is doing feel strange? It is good tasting stew when everybody contributes something and we together sense the Spirit's leading. Does it feel disjointed just because there is no 'talking head' leading the discussion? I suppose it is a more difficult group to belong to because it requires a level of authenticity and God activity in our own lives.

1 Corinthians 14:26...when you come together everyone has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or and interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. That to me is church stew, can't happen at the Sunday morning event, but it is a very satisfying meal with friends and children of God.

Giving Credit to the Guys

Now that we are solidly into the football season we are also in the midst of listening to the stars get interviewed about their greatness. Often, the big star will make some comment about the guys on the team to the effect that he didn't do it alone, it was a team effort. Of course all of us listening in believe that he doesn't mean what he says but that rather it is the polite thing to do so that he doesn't look like some arrogant cocky kid. The only thing is, what he says, whether he believes it or not, is absolutely true. Just ask a superstar who isn't doing so well now that the teamates around him aren't so good.

I think of that need for team every time I get together with the leadership team at Harvest Community Church. I am privileged to work with a group of guys that has great relationships and great relationships that continue to grow. In an earlier blog I suggested that churches tend to be led by guys with similar giftings to their own detriment. After reflecting on the group of guys I get to work with, I realize that one of our strengths is the differences that exist among us. We are not the same, do not have the same background, do not share the same interests, do not view problems and opportunities the same, and just do not have the same giftings or abilities. Yet, at the end of the day, we are lock step together heading in the same direction. If I had one gift to impart to anybody out there in business or sport, and of course especially those pastoring new church startups, this blessing of a varied leadership would top my list. May God's kingdom grow, no matter the individual effort, as healthy teams strive to be all that God has called them to, for His glory, and His alone.

Man, I have a great team surrounding me and all the credit for our wins goes to them! And I mean it!

Catching the Plague

I was doing a little driving this week and heard a short quiz on the radio station I was listening to. The answer to one of the questions was that the black plague still infects approximately 200 people per year around the world, but that with modern medicine there almost no deaths because of it. Quite a difference from the near 75 million who are thought to have died from this back in the 1300's. It is said to have wiped out from 30-60% of the European population of the time. Which leads me to reflect on another thing I heard this week. President Hamel of the Evangelical Free Church of America suggested in a panel talking about reconciliation that we need to 'get over the idea that to be with sinners is to catch what they have. If that is a problem then the problem is with us, not with them'. (Not a word for word quote, but close)

I'm not sure there is need for much comment, just reflection. This is a relevant topic to think upon because the church is the place where people seem to feel judged, and by that I mean Christians seem to be very aware that other Christians are watching and that therefore they have to be very careful who they associate with lest they be thought to be partaking in the sinful lifestyle of the 'others'. Can we please have a discussion about that so that we can get over it? Jesus got accused of all kind of sinful associations and it didn't seem to bother Him. I still let it bother me and affect me, but to the degree that it prevents me from reaching out and making a difference it is wrong. Eternally wrong.

Teams that don't agree

I have been reflecting this past day on the leadership team that Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:11, and it occurs to me that this will be a team that doesn't agree on everything. If you have an Evangelist type person who is always on the go looking for new ways to see the gospel expand, and you also have a Pastor who is looking to heal brokeness, you may have a meeting where the only we can agree upon is that we have different goals in mind. The thing is, they will always find there legitimacy in the Scriptures. The Evangelist will be able to point to the activity of Paul and the Great Commission passages. The Pastor will counter with all those ideas of discipleship and healing wounds and growth toward maturity. Of course, the right answer will be yes. Both are right and necessary...but I wonder, would we allow for that much diversity? After all, we only pay pastors, and pastors typically only allow on their team those who are team players, those who will subordinate their desires to the will of the team, and that usually means the desires of the leader of the team. Yet, I think it is vital to being the church that God has called us to be about.

John Wooden was the coach of the UCLA Bruins and a man of God whom I admire. His thoughts on this topic of diverse opinions and approaches was that it was all a necessary part to having the best possible team. When the men stepped on the court they were not acting as individuals and they were never to 'do their own thing'. They absolutely had to play as a team. But practice and interaction off the court could be testy and tough because everyone comes from a different strength and perspective. Could we capture that mentality? Do we have that kind of interdependent/independent giftedness on our team? I am not sure it is optional...