"Out of Church" experience
I have a little maxim that I throw out every once in a while: change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. Definitely experiencing that this week!
One of my great fears is that NCC would become a closed-system. I want us to remain an open system--we need to keep learning, keep changing, keep experimenting. This week has been a great "out of church" experience for me. Great to hear other perspectives, other voices, and other models. Every pastor needs an "out of church" experience!
Honestly? Sometimes it is a little scary how little we have figured out. But I guess you never outgrow the basics. Muscians always come back to scales and athletes always come back to drills. I feel like I'm wrestling with some of the basics this week. How do we help people cross the line of faith? How do we disciple people? How do we engage culture? How do we fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment?
All I know is this: we have so much to learn! But whenever I feel overwhelmed by how little I know I am encouraged by I Cor 8:2: the man who thinks he knows does not yet know as he ought to know.
A lot to learn!
One of my great fears is that NCC would become a closed-system. I want us to remain an open system--we need to keep learning, keep changing, keep experimenting. This week has been a great "out of church" experience for me. Great to hear other perspectives, other voices, and other models. Every pastor needs an "out of church" experience!
Honestly? Sometimes it is a little scary how little we have figured out. But I guess you never outgrow the basics. Muscians always come back to scales and athletes always come back to drills. I feel like I'm wrestling with some of the basics this week. How do we help people cross the line of faith? How do we disciple people? How do we engage culture? How do we fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment?
All I know is this: we have so much to learn! But whenever I feel overwhelmed by how little I know I am encouraged by I Cor 8:2: the man who thinks he knows does not yet know as he ought to know.
A lot to learn!
3 Comments:
Was reading your post and enjoyed reflecting on how little I have figured out too. Sometimes, I have moments where I think I do and then a curve ball comes my way to remind me I don't. A couple years ago, I was "hit by the ball" and man did I have to just sit and go - what exactly is happening here? I found great clarity in James 1 and made verse 2-4, my life verses and thought it would be a great one to share with you. I'm sure you know it...
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
That's the ultimate encouragement! So, when I feel like I don't know what I'm doing, I just take a second to realize that God wants to teach me another thing to develop me and deepen my joy. And what a blessing it is to learn!
Dan Kimball talks about getting out of the church in order to stay connected with emerging generations...officing in a coffeehouse 1 or 2 days a week...hanging out where non-Christians will be, etc.
I believe that your maxim can hold true for both church leaders who are seeking new insights for their ministry and church leaders who are seeking to engage the culture at large.
Dean
Pastor Mark,
My world ahas turned upside down.Right now I am in Rochester Minesota, My mother has unexpectedly has slipped into a coma and suffered significant brain damage. As a family we are grapling with whetther or not to pull life support. She seems so close to heaven's gates to seems cruel to rob her of meeting Jesus face to face. Prayers in this regarg would be apprecaited. Boz
Post a Comment
<< Home