Recreational Discipleship

Dear PoC Family,

Doing discipleship the wrong way is . . . EXHAUSTING!  And I’ve been tired for decades! 

There was a gentleman at one of the churches where I worked who would pop in from time to time to see me during the week.  I first met him when he was lurking around the perimeters of an outreach event we had while he was waiting for his wife and kids to return to the car so they could go home.  It was clear he was very unsure about “church” and didn’t want to be approached.  I should say that it was probably “more clear” to others, but I have never been the sharpest knife in the drawer.  Plus, I was up for the challenge.  By the time he began to surprise me with unplanned visits in my office, we had talked about 6-7 times and I could tell that the Lord was working on him.  Each interaction was very short and it was hard to gain much ground.

Typically, I’d be working hard trying to get projects done when my receptionist would come in or buzz me to say that he was here to see me . . . again.  I didn’t mind meeting with him at all, but it was almost always while I was busy.  The thing that bothered me the most was that it was taking forever.  It was grueling.  I really wanted him to give his heart to the Lord, but it just wasn’t happening as I would have liked.  It was as if we were trying to have this highly relational moment without much of a relationship at all.  Weeks and weeks, months and months went by, with only the smallest baby steps.  Plus, I could tell that he wasn’t having much fun either.  He was miserable.  I was miserable.  It felt so forced, so unnatural.  So sterile and cold.  I’d push.  He’d pull.  I’d press.  He’d run.  I’d go for gold.  He’d change the subject.  Honestly, by the time he finally gave his life to Jesus Christ, I was exhausted.  So was he.

Discipleship is intended to be this beautiful and highly relational “on the way” relationship that is hard to duplicate in our modern church culture where the most popular understanding is I’m too busy for you and you’re too busy for me, so we best get this done in the next 5 minutes.  It felt odd, because it was odd.  It felt frustrating because I tried to regulate and schedule this high-touch activity with minimal time and minimal touch.  Discipleship is messy, but my whole ministry was so baby-proofed that there wasn’t room or time for messes.

I look back on it now and think, “Man, that was SO not the right way to disciple someone!”  While I’m THRILLED that he became a Christian, that he still loves the Lord today, I can’t help but think that the entire process could have been so much more enjoyable and purposive if I had just recreated with this man to the point that “on the way” discipleship could take place naturally.  I think it would have been more enjoyable.  I think his conversion would have been quicker and with less resistance.  I think it would have been more consequential for both of us.  I think that it would have been a better reflection and representation of Jesus’ method of discipling.  Plus, my guess is that it would probably still be taking place today, but without “relationship”, it felt “done” at conversion.  So so so so NOT the way to disciple.

My family and I went to watch the PoC Softball team play tonight.  It was a great game.  While I was there recreating with family and friends and having a great time, I got to enjoy and be totally refreshed by some “on the way” discipling.  I got to joke with one couple who is having typical young relationship struggles, which ended with me gently encouraging the young man to “step it up”.  I got to walk with a dear friend for a bit to hear what Jesus is saying to him.  I got to get an update from another blessed friend who told me how God is blessing.  I got to pull a gentleman aside and encourage him to keep walking humbly.  I got to cheer on the team and enjoy some fantastic plays.  In the parking lot, a couple called me over to ask a question about the park.  My friend and I talked to them and found out they just moved into the area.  The lady is from Puerto Rico, like me.  We got to invite them to PoC.  It was great.  It was fun.  It was, dare I say, rejuvenating.  It just felt right.  Even this morning as I was at the gym I met and got to talk to a guy about the Lord.  It was easy.  It was nice.  It was energizing and I’ll see him again Wednesday.  We have an appointment to recreate again.

This week at PoC we’re going to talk about the 6^th Holy Currency that God has given us so that we can recirculate all of His blessings to all of our brothers and sisters (lost and found).  This week’s currency:  Recreate, takes place when we take time to rest, play, create, and restore beauty in ways that reflect God to others. 

By the way, you’ve never seen anything quite like what we have planned for this Sunday’s service!!!  It’s going to be a very very very fun type of recreating with the PoC family.  Don’t even think about missing it because it’s going to be EPIC!!!!  Thinking of inviting fun-loving friends?  This is the week to do it.

Your Pastors Are Praying For You,

Pastor Todd

LEVEL - Laymen Engaged in Varied Evangelistic Labors

LEVEL is a missions giving program unique to the Northwest Illinois District of the Church of the Nazarene. Its goal is to help offset costs for NWIL teams going on Work and Witness mission trips. Becoming a LEVEL member is a great way for those who are unable to actually go on a trip to still be a part of the team.

Level Members may either pay membership fee all at once or on the ”5^th Sunday” plan. That is, payment is due when a month has five Sundays in it.

 

Giving levels are:

Bronze - $10 each 5^th Sunday month or $40 per year.

Silver - $20 each 5^th Sunday month or $80 per year.

Gold - $30 or more each 5^th Sunday month or $120 or more per year.

 

LEVEL months in this church year are: June, August, November, March

It's Time To Eat, Regularly - A Message from Pastor Todd

Dear PoC Family,

When you think about it, “irregularity” is a funny word.  Ok, so maybe you shouldn’t think about it for very long.  It is, however, a word that’s been on my mind a lot lately.  No, not for personal reasons, though now you’re wondering.  But, for spiritual reasons . . . Kingdom reasons . . . PoC reasons.  Let me explain . . .

In Acts 2: 44-47, we see the result of “regularity”.  “All the believers kept meeting together, and they shared everything with each other.  From time to time, they sold their property and other possessions and distributed the money to anyone who needed it.  The believers had a single purpose and went to the temple every day.  They were joyful and humble as they ate at each other’s homes and shared their food.  At the same time, they praised God and had the good will of all the people.  Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group.”

One of the problems that we can have with a sermon series like the one we are in presently is that as we go through the list of the 6 Holy currencies (Story, Listen, Eat, Bless, Celebrate, and Recreate) that “Dad” has given us to recirculate His blessings to all of His children (both lost and found) is that it can feel a lot like a “word of the day” calendar.  It highlights a word for that day or even that week, but before you know it you move on to another word, another day, another week.  Our minds move on so quickly.  It’s not a recipe for regularity.  It feels more occasional than regular.  The currencies aren’t meant to be a weekly focus, but are intended to be a collection of tools that are regularly added to our daily rhythms.

I think one of the reasons that so many believers experience such an up-and-down relationship with Jesus and enjoy such infrequent joy and effectiveness in ministry is because of irregular patterns and rhythms in their spiritual walk.  There was a day when the church met together daily (that’s cool) and even in my lifetime, I remember the church meeting multiple times during the week.  I know you would agree that meeting together in each other’s homes and on the temple courts (wherever we “hang out”) would be one of the most powerful secrets to helping believers be more regularly “on point” regarding our mission and purpose, our calling and focus.    

I wonder how long it took before “all the believers” began to feel and live out the “do something” urgency that we read in Acts 2.  I, for one, need time to “get my head around” big changes and “missional living” is a very big change.  I think God has given PoC our combined stories along with this 8-week sermon series along with our 6-week Sunday night “conversation” so that we can all get our heads around missional living.  If we are not careful, this sermon series will come and go along with “the conversation”.  Because of this, we need to add “doing something” to our consideration, conversation and contemplation.  In other words, we need to “do something” WHILE we are getting our head around it.

That’s why I’m writing today.  This week we will be learning that God has given us the Holy Currency of Eating:  Regularly eat meals with others as a way of inviting them into the family of God.  Why?  Because eating meals with others not only shows care and inclusiveness, but the meals themselves embody love in community.  They put flesh on the phrase “You’re welcome here anytime.”  Meals turn outsiders into family.  I want us to get our head around this rhythm.  I want us to do something while we are getting our head around it.  Make plans now to open your home and/or you schedule to others this week.  It’s time to eat.

Finally, there are three ways the New Testament completes the sentence, “The Son of Man came . . .”:

1. The Son of Man (came not) to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many”.
2. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
3. The Son of Man came eating and drinking.

Consider this:  the first two are statements of purpose answering the question, “Why did Jesus come?”  He came to serve, to give life as a ransom, to seek and to save the lost.  But the third statement is a statement of method.  HOW did Jesus come?  He came eating and drinking.  His “excess” of food and “excess” of grace are linked.  Jesus did not go around merely talking about eating and drinking:  He went around eating and drinking.  Jesus ate with others – a lot – regularly!

Can’t wait to see you Sunday.  Your Pastors Are Praying For You,

Pastor Todd

jtoddkeller@pointofchange.org

3098269944

The Conversation - What does it mean to be INCARNATIONAL?

The Conversation was so encouraging today!  We had 46 PoC hearts gathered into the prayer room (even on Mother's Day!), talking about where God is leading us.  It was impossible to record every single thought and comment, but here's a tiny taste of what was discussed this afternoon... 

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Discussion questions upon arriving...

1) Can you name the 6 Holy Currencies from memory without looking? What is a holy currency?

2) How often do you set aside time to listen to "Dad" (God)? What does this look like in your life?

3) Listening is doing something.  How has listening to Dad "saved the day" in your life?

4) In your opinion, why don't we use our unlimited access to God more often?

5) What would happen if we scheduled more regular time to listen to God?

6) What U-turns and distractions most often frustrate your listening to God?  The community?

"There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. - John 16:12-13 (NLT) 

7) In your opinion, and according to the above verse, what "something more" do you believe Dad has to say to us?

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Report on last week's homework assignment: 
(Do something to bless or simply converse with one neighbor on your street or someone you don't know well this week.)

• I talked with neighbors instead of being in task mode.
• God brought neighborhood child and grandmother to my workplace. We had a good talk about safety in our neighborhood.
• Got to meet 2 of my neighbors. We're new in town and hadn't met them. We know each other's names and faces now.
• Someone I work with called me about issues, and said he was going to be gone from work to take care of health issues with his parents.  I've just done this with my own, so I was able to share my experiences and tell him things to look for because symptoms were similar.  I told him I'd be praying for him.
• My son had gone across the street to play at the neighbors.  Instead of calling just to ask them to send him home for supper, I called and asked how the family was doing, asked about recent travel, showed them I'm interested in their lives.
• At work, I noticed a customer's car had a Christian radio station playing. We chatted and I invited her to PoC.
• Got together for good conversation with new church friends.

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What does it mean to be INCARNATIONAL?

There is a fleshly tug-of-war between "just being" and "just doing"... 

Q: What kind of posture do you think our community sees most from Christians?

A: Stuck up, pushing religion on others, snooty, overbearing, pushy

A: Judgmental

A: Hypocritical

A: Inclusive

A: Intolerant

A: Not a way of life

A: Sunday morning life

A: Nice people

A: Politically conservative 

A: Social club

A: Isolating

A: Cliquish

A: Territorial

A: Open, warm, kind

Q: Jesus was called a friend of sinners.  What does that tell us about his posture in the community?

A: He walked and ate with the homeless, healed people, spent time with people that others didn't want to spend time with or be near.

A: He was the opposite of all those things we listed above.  

A: He invested in relationship.

A: He cared.

A: Pharisees saw him as the troublemaker.

A: Sometimes our trying to live the way Jesus wants us to makes people feel convicted and they think we are judging them.

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Q: What do you think Jesus was like for his first 30 years of his life before his ministry?

A: Observant, influenced by culture 

A: Traveled quietly

A: Hard worker

A: Fun, kids wanted to be around him

A: Compassionate

A: Magnetic people were drawn to him--happy, with convictions 

A: Lived under submission to his parents

A: Cultivating the habit of listening to his father

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Some ideas about what it means to be INCARNATIONAL...

"Like harsh words spoken without tact, or a fire burning outside a fireplace, missionality by itself can hurt the cause of Christ more than it helps. This is why missional has an inseparable twin. The word is incarnational. It means "to take on flesh." If missional means "sent," incarnation is about how you go and what people see as you go. It encompasses your posture, your tone, your motives, and your heart. Incarnation is critical because it will eventually determine whether or not people will want to know you or your God." - The Tangible Kingdom Primer

• As a body of believers we are now God in flesh on the earth.
• Proximity--If we are going to flesh out the love and redemption of Jesus in the world, we need to be close to people who are not yet close to God. We need to live and be among them in places where we can touch them and they can observe us, and we can love them without ulterior motives. We love them as Jesus does.
• Presence--Jesus identified with and advocated for those he was called to. As we love and care for those around us, love will propel us to action.  God is calling us to actively love and serve ALL people.

Am I in close proximity to those to whom Jesus has called me?

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Ministry as you go

Acts 3:1-7

Peter and John healed the man ON THE WAY to church!  (Not AT church!)  They made time for accomplishing what God had for them to do.  It doesn't happen at church!  It happens in the rest of life, while we are on the way to other things.

Look up these stories of Jesus miracles: 

John 2:1-10 *  John 3:1-4 * John 4:4-10 

Luke 4:33-44 * Luke 5:1-8 * Luke 7:11-19 * Luke 9:10-17 * Luke 17:11-19 

Q: What is significant about the context in each of these Biblical events?

A: NONE of them happened AT CHURCH! 

A: Jesus was ON HIS WAY to somewhere else.

A: Jesus wasn't the focus of the event.

A: Jesus wasn't planning on doing this significant thing; He made the time to minister to others, even when it wasn't convenient or on his list of things to do.

• What are some of the events that happened or people you met along the way this past week?
• What was it about these people and events that drew you in?
• Based on this, where is God most likely to show up along the way in your daily life?

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Belonging influences believing...

Church in America is focused on Sunday morning. Our standard of living as American Christians matches that of everyone else in America. 

What we are talking about in The Conversation is more like the church in Acts 2. What is it going to take to reach the people as the hands and feet of Jesus? How can keep less to give more? It's tremendously and wonderfully unsettling! Living more like the New Testament church is counter cultural, but we must actually BE the church. Why should that be counter cultural?!

Many people will push back from the idea of living like  Jesus, because it is difficult to change from the cultural norm.

I've visited a lot of churches lately, and this kind of discussion is going on I our community. It's coming down from heaven!  The body of Christ is here to make a difference for people in need, across, among, and between churches.

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Q: Recognizing that this thinking is something God is stirring up in the body of believers, what thinking needs to change in our culture?

A: That our life is ours

A: We have more to give; we are not tapped out.

A: Tithing our time

A: Living respecting our bodies as God's temple

A: That we are too busy to stop and help our neighbor

A: We need to recognize that everyone is important.

A: That I am the main character in the story

A: Spending time with each other, like in the book of Acts.  They were ALWAYS together, eating, walking, talking.

A: We need to stop thinking that this is a foreign and weird idea that we can't change.

A: "We've always done it this way."

A: Churches do need to work together, not just be their own entity.

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It's funny that a lot of Christians spend so much time wondering what God's will for our lives is when the New Testament spells it out so clearly. He gave us one commission and two commands.

If each of us learns to listen to the missional impulses God gives us, and follow those on our own individually, we then can identify our shared missional impulses, the needs of the community as a whole.

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Self-assign your homework for this week based on today's conversation:

• To be more observant
• To talk with John about how I can be involved in prison ministry
• To listen to my coworkers interests and get involved in their lives
• To be consistent and liable
• God will bring me something as I'm going somewhere, I will be observant and obey.
• To be obedient and fearless, not nervous and shy.
• To develop friendships at the gym.
• To not just have intentions!

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Apologize for poor posture:

Think of times when you've had "bad posture" (represented Jesus and the church poorly or wrongly) with someone. If you have the ability to communicate with any of these people, consider sending a card, an email, or even better, making an appointment to have coffee with them simply to apologize for not representing God's unconditional acceptance and love for them.

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Often we can have false guilt as a church, but God has a way of honoring good intentions. Do the best that you can and be refreshed.

The church needs to be the place where we can be, and be refreshed. Let's reach across the table and spend time together and get to know each other, church.

Holy Currency, Batman!

A new sermon series is beginning on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014!