Category Archives: observations

Now and Later

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We live in a tension. We’re supposed to I think. I think health comes when we live in a constant tension between the now and the later. No, I’m not talking about those candies that are way too hard to even eat. I’m talking about the fact that we are often in a position of balancing what we’re doing right this very moment: school, current job, looking for a job, getting married, having children, depressed…fill in your own blank…with what we’re looking toward on the horizon: starting a business, moving cross country, running a marathon, getting in shape, retiring…fill in your own blank…

Right now I find myself in the very center of this tension. I’m looking ahead toward planting a neighborhood church in downtown Vancouver in 2011, but I’m currently passionately committed to my work with Renovatus church. Now…later. East Vancouver…downtown Vancouver. Suburbia…neighborhood. I’m doing my best to value the tension and to find value in the tension.

Jesus preached that tension didn’t he? When he spoke about the kingdom he would say things like the kingdom of heaven can be seen in someone who gives his money to the poor while in the same breath saying that the kingdom of heaven is something that you’ll one day experience when your time on earth is done. He spoke very clearly about joining the kingdom today while at the same time saying that the kingdom will be experienced later. Now and not yet. Now and later. Tension. Jesus would say that the kingdom is at hand, which is translated usually as “near” or “here”. In other words, now and not now.

Some people are stuck in the now. All they can see is their current struggle, their current excitement, their current hill. Your job is your life. Your current struggle is all consuming, everything. You can’t see past today.

Others are stuck in the future. This is where Jess and I tend to land. You’re always looking toward the next big hurdle, the next hill to conquer. Your job right now is an afterthought to the job that you’ll one day have. Your kids are just babies, but once they’re toddlers they’ll be a lot fun. You tend to devalue today because you’re always looking toward tomorrow.

Neither is completely healthy. Health comes when balancing the tension between now and later. Proverbs warns against worrying about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough trouble of its own: all we have is today, so we’ve got to find the joy in it. But Jeremiah speaks of God knowing the plans he has for you, plans for great things: God’s taking you somewhere, somewhere beyond today.

Tension.

And that’s why life is all about Now and Laters.

A Video Worth Watching

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I know its Conan. I know it’s some random comedian. I know it’s on the evil television. But this video clip is dead on right (from my opinion) and can teach each and every one of us a lot. Sorry ’bout the poor quality.

Thanks Cone-Bone (that’s Conan’s nickname, not just some random awkward statement I’ve thrown in here).

Birthright and Catholicism

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If you are not familiar with Birthright, you need to be. I have strong feelings about abortion. I think it is terribly destructive to kill unborn children, I think it destroys the people who do it and I think it is unhealthy for a culture to accept it. But I also have strong feelings about people who oppose abortion at every point but do very little to support women who are in the scary position of a unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. It’s that whole grace and mercy thing right?
So the great thing about Birthright is that they know what they are not. They are not a group that fights politically to stop abortion. They are not a group that pickets abortion clinics.They are not a group that scares women away from abortions. It’s just not what they do. They support women, they walk alongside women, and they work within the context of relationship.

So I’m on the board of Vancouvers Birthright chapter and last night we had a board training meeting. As expected it was enjoyable and fun. What was amusing to me, however, was that I was the loan protestant there. Every other board member is an active practising Catholic. It’s amusing to me because there were times in my life where I was being taught that Catholics were the Antichrist spoken of in the Bible. I remember specific lessons from teachers showing how the false teaching from the Catholic church has brought condemnation to millions. Don’t get me wrong, I do not agree with much of their theology, nor do I try to defend some of the things they’ve done in the past. But here I was working beside all these “God forsaken” Catholics praying for the Spirit of God to send women into Birthright so that they can find love and support.

It was amusing to me at least.

The Difference Between Good and Best

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I won’t attempt to give a template for figuring out this blog titles dilemma, but I do have some reflections concerning that idea. I get so tired of how people have politicized some of the discussi0n between good and best. It’s not just relegated to politics though…well…let me just attempt to explain.

Conservatives say that global warming is a myth. Many conservatives (and I thought it pretty funny…but for reasons different than them) planned to “stick it to the liberals” by leaving all their lights on and racking up the electricity bills on earth days while many more liberal folks were shutting off their lights by 8:30 or so. I find this incredibly odd. I wish I was more up to date on some of the politics concerning endangered species, oil drilling, protecting old growth forests, etc. because my guess is that I’d have more to say concerning some of that, but as it is I’d come off most ignorant of the facts. Anyway, concerning conserving electricity, why has this become a political issue? Conservatives (and undoubtedly Christians) should be all for conserving energy, it’s just smart. It’s best. It’s not mandatory, it’s not obligatory, it’s best. It’s best not to waste. Duh. I know it’s blasphemy in our American culture, but it’s best not to be wasteful. Being wasteful is foolish. Do you have the freedom to be wasteful? Of course! But you’re choosing to settle for less than best. And it shouldn’t even matter if global warming is a hoax or not should it? Screw global warming! If there were no such thing as global warming, if Al had never made his smug video, shouldn’t we still be concerned with how we treat our environment? Isn’t our environment a gift from God? When I give my children a toy and I notice that they are not taking care of it, that they are destroying it, in my mind I have two options. Take away the toy before they ruin it or be very cautious about what toy I give them next (knowing that it will probably get destroyed). So lets depoliticize all of this and just start taking care of what God has given us. Let’s not disrespect the creator by destroying his creation. Anyway, I think or hope that this point was made without laboring too much. I don’t want to bore you because I really think that this next idea is where its at…

Many people worry when pastors or churches talk about green living, sustainability, simplicity, etc. And for good reason. They worry that pastors and churches are teaching something that is not gospel (that is, not the life saving, hope giving message that you’re loved by Jesus), that they are adding something into the simple message of Jesus that does not belong. This is a very valid point to make because I think that often Christians do get caught up in some of this stuff and forget that Jesus didn’t die so that we could recycle. But here is my strong belief, I think that there is and should be a place for churches, Christians, and ministers to talk about sustainable living, simplicity, and frugality within the context of following Jesus. As Christians we have the gift challenging each other and the world around us to always pursue what is best. To pursue that which embodies beauty. To pursue that which embraces truth, wholeness, and perfection. Jesus talked about some of this and tended to use the word Kingdom. The kingdom of God t is Christs transforming presence among us in real and tangible ways. His presence frees us to always choose what is best for our lives even when it isn’t easy or fun. But the most important distinction that must be made is that we are freed to make these choices not required. The danger comes when Christians, churches, or pastors teach that you must take care of the environment to be a Christ follower, or you must live sustainably, or you must cloth diaper, or you must…fill in the blank to really be the type of person that Jesus likes. This is called heresy. What if we viewed it like this: God has given us the gift of being able to make new choices, of being able to make better choices. And the blessing associate with that gift is not a better place in heaven, a better standing in his church, or more jewels on your ruby encrusted crown in heaven. The blessing is more similar to the “blessing” Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5 where he says

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall possess the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

The word “blessed” that Jesus uses isn’t someting that is bestowed on his audience, rather it is a state of blessedness. Catch the difference? The reward is found in the blessed state itself. It’s blessed to mourn because when you mourn you’re able to really experience comfort. It’s blessed to be a person who desires justice or rightness because if you’re someone who pursues it, you will find it.

Ok, wait, I’m cutting myself off right now ’cause I’ve already typed on way too long and I could go so much longer.

peace.

My Observations on Being a Visitor

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I’ve been excited all day about writing this post. I thoroughly enjoyed my time this morning visiting three different churches. My purpose was simple, I want to see how the churches in our neighborhood (the neighborhood that we will be planting a new church in) were connecting with the community. I tried very hard not to go in ready to make a judgement, as if I would be able to have a clear understanding of what this specific church was all about based on one visit (and it’s obviously not my job to judge these churches anyway!). In the end I visited an established Lutheran church, an established Presbyterian church, and a 10 year old church plant (which is actually out of our neighborhood).

I’d like to tell you a little bit about me before I share my observations. I’ve always gone to church. Always. And I’ve always enjoyed church for the most part. I’ve visited a few churches before, but generally it was with other people I knew and it was at a church that I felt very comfortable with or already knew what to expect. So with that said, a few observations…

  • It’s a scary thing going to a new church where you don’t know anyone. I know that’s kind of a “duh” observation, but I’ve never been in that situation before (I’ve always at the very least had a wife or friend with me). I’ve always know this but it’s been a more cerebral understanding than a heartfelt one. We’ve got to invite our friends to church and meet them for coffee beforehand so that they can walk in with us!
  • Being a welcoming place starts at the parking lot. At two of the churches I visited I was uncertain as to where the entrance was. I didn’t know where to go and had to sit and watch people for a second to figure it out. One of the places actually had signs pointing to the sanctuary entrance, but as I started heading there I realized that I was the only person using that door. Everyone else went to a different side entrance. Apparently that door (where the guest stuff sits) is a way to know if you’re a regular or a visitor. We’ve got to be careful about orienting people as soon as they drive on the lot!
  • Planned “meet and greets” during the church service are horribly awkward! The two established churches did formal greeting times during the service and at both I shook hands with about 8 individuals. But in both I then awkwardly stood there as people talked all around me. It’s just awkward. I’m sure in some settings it works better. And I’m sure if people make a point to have a conversation with you it might feel different. But my situation told me that it was time to pretend to read the bulletin again.
  • Guest care (welcoming/greeting) is important. It sounds boring, its pretty routine, but it’s crucially important. And there is a difference between just greeting people and actually welcoming people. Greeting people means that you hand them a bulletin and tell them good morning. Welcoming means that you make them feel welcome. This might include giving them a tour of the place, telling them what will be happening that morning, pointing out the bathrooms, having a genuine conversation, or at times just giving them space because they obviously prefer that.
  • At only one of the three churches the following things happened: they talked to me enough to find out I’m a minister, I’m going back to school, and I’ve got a wife and kids. They invited me to lunch. I learned the names of two different people. I was oriented as to what was going on that morning and where I could sit. Guess which of the three churches it was? Yup, the church plant.

Please don’t come away from this thinking that I’m harping on the two traditional churches while heaping praise on the church plant. The reality is that the two established churches were very warm feeling, seemed like a very loving environment, and seemed to have a heart for Jesus and sharing him with the world. But the reality is that those two older churches do not really have the dna and structure in place to serve the needs of unchurched visiting people. They had many great ministries aimed towards helping people who don’t know Jesus, but it seemed to me that it it was still an us and them mentality. From my brief observation I think that it would take a lot of personal energy and initiative for someone to come to know Jesus and become a core part of those two churches. They just are not set up for it. They’re set up to feed their members. And that’s ok.

The church plant I visited, however, is completely and (pretty much) solely aimed toward reaching unchurched people. So when a visitor, like me, comes into their church they take priority. It’s a different starting place, a different purpose, and I think the differences are ok.

I could be way off in my observations, but this was just a few of my thoughts. I have so many more thoughts that fall under the “they did what!?” category, but those are inappropriate for sharing here. I look forward to visiting more of the churches in my neighborhood over the next month or two. What a blessing to worship with Renovatus in the evening!