The tickets have been ordered, immunizations are being done. This is really happening! We are watching God provide. Currently, we are $1,100 short of our goal. Not a plea for money, just an update. We believe God is going to git'er done! Whoa!!! While writing this entry, $275.00 was handed to me for the Haymaker's! That means we need $825.00! Wheww!
Western Reserve...whoa!!!
We are hanging onto God's rope my friends. He's swinging us around, and we are loving the ride! Reports have come to me saying that we have upwards of 30 people getting dunked on Saturday night! I have wall art in my office that says, "We do not remember the days, we remember moments". Western Reserve is and will continue to be a church that seeks to capture the moments of God's movement. I'm tellin' ya', you will not forget this weekend's event! I cannot wait! Be here at 7:00 for Night of Celebration.
Haymaker's
Much going on. In prayer last night, Marcie and I were thanking our Lord that we are beginning to see gifts and abilities come out in Caleb. He is becoming "Caleb"...secure enough to stand on his own, with a humorous view on life. He had us on the floor laughing this week!
Thought for the Week
Thought I would take a few lines and weigh in on the whole relevancy and depth discussion.
I believe in offense. Defense may be the best offense, but if you can't put the ball in the hole...you're not going to win!!! The gospel, by its nature is offensive. Jesus came to defeat sin once and for all by being offensive. The gospel continues to be that way. The gospel is offensive because it is counter to our human nature. Now, all the law people are saying, Awesome...preach it! All the grace people are saying, easy big fella'!
The gospel IS offensive, but the only thing that should be offending people is the cross...not the people who wear them. The church should be preaching Jesus and His Word in the context of the culture. It should be in church that we talk about the reality of hell, sex, pornography, money, marriage, parenting. I believe the pendulum has swung back from "non-offensive" teaching to "lay it out and let me choose". Thirty years ago there was a cultural acceptance of truth, primarily guided by biblical principles. Now, there is "no" truth but your own. Unfortunately, the church alienated culture by judging and arrogantly assuming "turn or burn messages" would change lives.
Extremely wise (and I believe chosen by God), leaders began to move the church back toward people by helping them understand that the Bible was the source of hope for their lives. Praise God for these leaders. It was a sorely needed re-connection of the church with the culture . These trends impacted me greatly in my ministry. In these ministries, all the "difficult" truths were handled, but were placed in environments other than public weekend services. (ie. small groups/Bible studies etc.). Not wrong, just different.
The pendulum has swung again. People desire these things from the leader...and from the platform. In fact, if you handle a critical topic like hell, then back off, you are seen as inauthentic, lacking guts and integrity, because you don't have the "kahuna's" to say what you believe the Bible is teaching.
My conclusion. Be real. Be honest. Have courage. Show grace. Be clear. Raise the bar. Hold believers accountable and show the seeking...truth. Then...let them decide. Hold exciting, spirit driven gatherings, that display an authentic movement of God in the lives of those attending.
By the way, the environment of weekend gatherings should kick-it. All people (including christians), listen to loud music in the car, secular music on the radio, have conversations about sex, immorality, the after-life, relationships...and Jesus. And their is no dress code. Authentic people should come into authentic environments of Christ followers who are considering all styles of music/media, connecting to as many as possible in order to fully represent Jesus.
The people of Western Reserve are getting this! May God be glorified!
For the week,
Jason
NO comments yet???! I thought I'd see 100 after an entry like that ... well, I'll start. I love the balance you have - strong but true - not wishy washy or shallow but relevant and loving. You're a wise and wonderfully unpredictable man!!
ReplyDeleteMarcie
This church is not the same church I came to 4 years ago. And Jason, from my perspective, is not the man I met 4 years ago. God has refined him and fined tuned him and as a result of him (Jason) being willing to be obedient to God's plan, we as a church are changing and (I think) reflecting more of who God is to those around us. I can say, without doubt and with no intent of false flattery, that I have grown more as a Christian while being at Western Reserve in the last 4 years than in all the years prior. Not only as a result of the teaching from the front but also from the WR family members that I am in contact with.
ReplyDeleteWe are growing because of the high bar that has been set. Because of the authenticity and because of the desire to see God glorified and lives change more than the want to just be comfortable. People are attracted to authenticity and as long as our priority is to glorify God I believe we will remain authentic. Growth will not be probable it will be inevitable. It will not be ‘if’ but ‘how fast’.