Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Writing's on the Wall

Over the weekend, our home church at First Baptist Kenner was vandalized. Someone painted graffiti on the fellowship hall just in time for folks to see on Sunday morning. Naturally, some people were upset by this. Whether it was because of the act itself or the fact that it had been done to the church's building, I don't know. I don't think anyone was particularly outraged but everyone was surprised and taken aback. First Baptist Kenner is surrounded on three sides by a moderate to low-income community. In fact, its at the bottom quarter of the economic scale in Jefferson Parish. For years the church building has literally cast a shadow on this community but rarely, if ever, darkened their doors. As we began to transition in the absence of a pastor, opportunities for service that had always existed began to be taken advantage of. Hands nervously reached out to people who didn't look like us, dress like us, or make as much money as us. It was subtle and often unnoticeable but God blessed as a result. New and different faces began showing up at worship and wide-eyed, skateboard loving, video game junkies started participating in the youth ministry. After years of being ignored by the community because of our apparent apathy, cold hearts were being stirred by the slightest tough. First Baptist Kenner was doing more than taking up real estate, it had begun to seriously consider this Great Commission thing. To my friends and fellow church members who read this, let me submit that had we remained in our apathy there's a good chance that not one mark of graffiti would have marred our walls. Churches who are ignored by their community pose no threat. Push back the darkness and the darkness will push back. Satan doesn't give us an inch nor does he accept a consolation prize. Personally, I see this graffiti episode as a positive sign. We've done only a little but its enough to get The Enemy's attention. Let us commit to boldly exalting Christ in this community and offer those who live there proof after proof of His undying love and relentless endeavor for their salvation.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

My Second Car is a Desk


I hate being detached from the field. Yes, this is going to be one of those open and honest entries. You don't live in a bubble and neither do I. However, I seem to work in one these days. Its me, a desk, a computer screen and endless phone calls, emails, reports, paperwork, and meetings. Since when did being a missionary stop being about reaching a lost world? At least that's how I feel. I love the world. Its dirty and tangible and it scrapes your knees when you fall down. Being attached to a desk in an office with Christian co-workers, working on church projects for church people creates a warped view of reality. Its sterile and has a completely different set of problems from the outside world; problems that seem petty when compared to the suffering brought on by sin. I sit bathed in the dim light of the computer screen and wonder how dim my light has become as a result. I know that I could walk outside and not lose count of my steps before encountering a person that needs Christ. This knowledge eats away at me constantly during the day. Much of my time with God is spent asking for the wisdom to make decisions that will bring balance to my day. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have the opportunity to help churches reach their communities. I know how important it is and I pray that they will see an abundant harvest as a result of their efforts. It really is exciting stuff. But, I know how I'm wired and what drives me. I love the way God made me and I desire to honor Him by not squandering that which He has given. I know a time is coming when I can trade in my desk for beautiful feet. Until then, I will honor God through obedience and determination to do my square peg best for Him in this round hole. After all, its not about me.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Vintage - Better When Authentic


This story is from Andrew Ogea, worship and discipleship pastor of Vintage Church in Uptown. This recent church plant has been on a mission to impact culture with the truth of Jesus Christ and see the spiritual transformation of their community and beyond. Read how God is working through their efforts:


"The greatest compliment our church has received lately came from a local coffee shop owner in Uptown. He said, "You guys are changing the culture around here!" Unfortunately, he did not say this out of his love for the church or for Jesus Christ, but rather out of his disdain for the mission groups that have been coming down to join our church in servant evangelism work. This month, one particular group was handing out free water in front of his shop to individuals driving by or walking down the sidewalk. As a result, the "compliment giver" came out of his shop and began to chastise the group for stealing his business. Apparently, handing out free water to people in the summer heat negatively affects the economics of local coffee shops.
Following the outburst, the compassionate leader of the mission group instructed all fifty of his students to go into the coffee shop and buy coffee on his ticket. The owner, shocked and embarrassed, did not know whether to thank the group or go into the back of the business and hide in shame. Throughout this entire ordeal, the mission group had no idea that I had been building a friendship with this man for the past month. The next day, I went to the coffee shop, and for the first time we spoke about Jesus and the work of the church in the community. "


Three things:

1. a willingness to serve (even in something as simple as passing out water)

2. a willingness to show compassion (even in the face of hostility)

3. a willingness to not give up (even with the possibility of a broken relationship)


Simple - not easy - always effective


To learn more about Vintage Church visit them at www.vintagenola.org

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Just Do It

A question that I often get in my work is "what's the key to effective ________." In that blank may be evangelism, follow-up, community ministry, or any number of other outreach related topics. The question came up frequently enough that I decided to rethink my answer. Before, when asked, I started right into the traditional pre-packaged response about this program and that emphasis and acquiring such-and-such material. It didn't take me long to realize that this convention appropriate response created a crisis of duty in our churches. The vast pool of resources available to churches today, although very useful, can easily become a substitute for the actual work with which they are designed to assist. Not to mention the fact that much of what's available is financially out of reach for many churches especially in the New Orleans area. With that in mind, I began thinking about Peter, Paul and the early church. They had no programs, no special emphasis, no bright colored material but yet they reached the people through out the Roman empire and beyond and they did it while being hunted and killed like animals. They were equipped with the only three things needed to radically advance the gospel; the Holy Spirit, The Word of God, and their own story. To these three they added one crucial ingredient, the determination to do what Christ had commanded. Long before Nike used it as a slogan, the early church decided to just do it. No excuses. No procrastination. No dropping back to punt or waiting for someone else to do it for them. They just did it and did it until they left this world by natural means or were expelled at the hands of godless men. For them, the key to effective missions was to take what God had given and then just do it. Obedience, what a concept! Now when churches ask their familiar question, I'm sure to include this important lesson I learned from the early church. Its not an easy lesson to apply because it takes much time and effort but it gets the job done. Don't just give the appearance of sharing Christ, do it.

Top 10 Reasons I Had Fun at Girls Mission Camp

10. Two words - Tether Ball

9. Knowing Ben was out of Iraq

8. Duct Tape Man

7. Debi's outstanding staff and counselors

6. The Creek

5. That kitchen crew makes awesome coffee

4. Watching Beck and Gay Ann cut-up

3. Silly skits

2. Being called "Batman" all week

1. Three girls putting their faith in Jesus