Nowadays you can frequently hear from people “I am not into religion, but I am a spiritual person.” Wording may differ, but the meaning is the same. People have given up on religion, but not on spirituality.
How can it be? Are you spiritual or religious? In fact you your answer is first, then why bother with any religion? I’ve seen banners “God hates religion” in places that people would consider a church, but they themselves prefer calling it a “meeting place.” What do we have here, a church, a religion, or spirituality?
Let me clear possible misunderstandings by defining terms: RELIGION is a set of boundaries, a set of rules and regulations, to protect, guess what! - a SPIRITUALITY. There is an Islam, a religion, defining Muslim spirituality, then Buddhist religion and spirituality, and the list goes on. There are different spiritualities!!! We have our human spirit that expresses self. Just having an attitude does not make one right. The question is “to what is the attitude tuned in?”
Christian spirituality is uniquely defined by Christian religion, as it invites the human spirit for a connection with Divine Spirit. Romans 8:16 is a beautiful illustration of such dialogue.
So, “How spiritual are you?” is really a question about “what spirit are you tuning into?”
Here’s the essence of Biblical Spirituality: the Bible, both Old and New Testament, define spirituality credo as Love!
The shema of Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and Jesus’ Rule (Mark 12:29-31) “The Lord our God is the one and only Lord! And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind, and with ALL thy strength…thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Spirituality is a passionate love, a relationship with God and people! How spiritual are you is determined by how “hot” is your loving relationship with God and godly people. I must pause here for a moment, because we often hear one-sided focus on loving people. Notice, it comes only, and is possible only, after truly loving God, and not only loving God partially, either with some of our mind, or just our heart, but with ALL heart + ALL mind + ALL will, if anything is missing, or partial we do not love God enough.
Partial does not mean we do not think about God enough, or we do not do ethical things of holiness, or we do not feel the joy always, it simply means we do not LOVE God enough. And without that, the second aspect of loving people becomes impossible.
Adventism is not a religion, it is first spirituality, of loving God and loving people. The “religious” part of it is protecting our relationships to always be passionate, real, and ever growing.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Building the Culture of Excellent Relationships
It is incredible how God works in my personal life. Sunday morning we had the most candid meeting about our purpose for being. As I sat and listened to people share their hopes to see church growing, it was very evident that we are aware of “enemy within,” of people who are hostile and abrasive, and when such a toxic environment exists, it endangers not only pastor, who may run to another district, but it also pushes away people who God may have added to this family.
Monday night there were tears at our Board meeting, not because of what took place among the Board members, but recognizing that there is lack of forgiveness outside, in the community, where people’s hurts are crippling them emotionally to love, to smile, to laugh, to enjoy life.
Tuesday morning I was at the First Baptist church downtown with many city pastors visiting with William Paul Young, the author of THE SHACK novel, sharing the concept behind the best-seller that stirs so much controversy in religious circles. Then as I drove to a visit at 11 am, I listened him being interviewed by Shauna Rae on 1290AM. I have not read the book myself to make the judgment. But from what I heard him share, and the answers he gave to numerous questions – I heard the Spirit speak to me about the colossal need for forgiveness among us.
Un-churched people are giving the book about God, the Trinity, to their churched friends saying “you need to read it!” One person asked the author this question: “How can we enter in such a deep relationship with God?” He answered simply “we cannot do it outside of entering into deep relationships with each other!” Why do I bring up this book? Because it’s main purpose is to challenge us on understanding God’s purpose of forgiveness in our lives.
Forgiveness is an obligation of tremendous significance. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we ask God to forgive us as we have forgiven others (Matthew 6:12) and if we do not forgive others then God does not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15).
Now, forgiveness is more than a duty; it is an entrance into the circle of divine life. It is an expression of divine life itself. We experience the heart of God when we forgive. We know the nature of God as an insider through forgiving others.
But forgiveness is not reconciliation yet. It only takes one to forgive, but it takes two to reconcile. Forgiveness is something that happens in our souls without respect to who the offender is, what they have done, or how they feel about what they have done. Forgiveness is a gift to ourselves by the power of the Spirit who enables us to exercise the love of God in our own hearts. To forgive is to be free. To forgive is to be like God and share his love.
The “miracle” of reconciliation begins with the “miracle” of forgiveness, and it moves to change another through a relationship.
Monday night there were tears at our Board meeting, not because of what took place among the Board members, but recognizing that there is lack of forgiveness outside, in the community, where people’s hurts are crippling them emotionally to love, to smile, to laugh, to enjoy life.
Tuesday morning I was at the First Baptist church downtown with many city pastors visiting with William Paul Young, the author of THE SHACK novel, sharing the concept behind the best-seller that stirs so much controversy in religious circles. Then as I drove to a visit at 11 am, I listened him being interviewed by Shauna Rae on 1290AM. I have not read the book myself to make the judgment. But from what I heard him share, and the answers he gave to numerous questions – I heard the Spirit speak to me about the colossal need for forgiveness among us.
Un-churched people are giving the book about God, the Trinity, to their churched friends saying “you need to read it!” One person asked the author this question: “How can we enter in such a deep relationship with God?” He answered simply “we cannot do it outside of entering into deep relationships with each other!” Why do I bring up this book? Because it’s main purpose is to challenge us on understanding God’s purpose of forgiveness in our lives.
Forgiveness is an obligation of tremendous significance. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we ask God to forgive us as we have forgiven others (Matthew 6:12) and if we do not forgive others then God does not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15).
Now, forgiveness is more than a duty; it is an entrance into the circle of divine life. It is an expression of divine life itself. We experience the heart of God when we forgive. We know the nature of God as an insider through forgiving others.
But forgiveness is not reconciliation yet. It only takes one to forgive, but it takes two to reconcile. Forgiveness is something that happens in our souls without respect to who the offender is, what they have done, or how they feel about what they have done. Forgiveness is a gift to ourselves by the power of the Spirit who enables us to exercise the love of God in our own hearts. To forgive is to be free. To forgive is to be like God and share his love.
The “miracle” of reconciliation begins with the “miracle” of forgiveness, and it moves to change another through a relationship.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Building the Culture of Excellence
At the table in our foyer you will find a document, four pages long, entitled “Dynamics of work to become a Prevailing Church of Jesus.” In it are the Biblical standards of excellence as recommended by our elders, reviewed by the Board of ministry directors, and advised for members of the Nominating Committee to consider as they are selecting leaders for the future of our church.
Jesus Christ dreamed of the church that would be victorious and the gates of hell would not prevail, the Prevailing Church. He was warning his disciples that the enemy would plant his tares, and they would grow until the end, until the harvest, in the field. But one should not compare the general field and the Church as the Bride, which is meant to be spotless and without wrinkles, prepared for her Husband, like an army under banners.
It is our dream to be such a church, where the culture of excellence is embraced. One thing in common is observed among churches that prevail and breakout from the cycle of status quo and mediocrity – they all have high expectations of excellence and provide high freedom for participation.
The high expectations are outlined by the compelling vision, setting the direction and destination, and the freedom is invited within parameters of the directional vision.
So, in this time of planning and strategizing for the future growth I invite you to consider 3 factors that determine our vision. These are three, because they reflect the Trinitarian Model of Ministry of co-working with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
First there are Community Needs, very similar, if not the same for those within and without. God is the Father of us all and he cares for the needs of all His creatures.
Then there is Leadership Passion, those who are Definitely Devoted Disciples of Christ, following His example of commitment and service, leading and organizing ministries.
Finally, we must include the Spiritual Gifts, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that connects the network of the Body, and provides support and functionality for all efforts.
Only when these three are present, then the Vision is true and will lead to meaningful ministry. Consider if your ministry has the VIP factor.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Functional Leadership process
Once every month your elders, whom the Bible qualifies as pastors-bishops, or in simple English – “nurturers-overseers,” meet together to pray for community needs, to debrief, to encourage each other, and to plan for the future directions.
It has been our practice to read through a book together. We are still working on the book “Spiritual Leadership” which we’ve started in 2007, we are just few pages away from completing the reflections. This past week we talked about contributions we each make. And one particular element was of highest importance in my mind – contribution to Organization.
While our personal contributions to people are important, and we talked about the fact that when we minister in the word through preaching, or visiting, or offering an advice, we must be intentional about people benefiting by growing, maturing, moving forward, it is by investing in our corporate organization that our influence can last and impact future generations.
Think about it – nothing is made without men, nothing lasts without institutions. The reason family exists – is to establish a future legacy, succession, continuation of name, purpose, and identity.
So, it is normal to expect that a functional organization can do more than any individuals can…. WOW! Did you get this point? If an organization has lesser influence, or can do/achieve less than any individual that is a part of this organization – then who needs such an organization? I hear often complains that the church can do this, that, or the other. But, so-and-so, if asked, will be able to.
If that’s the case – we are one dysfunctional organization. No individual, no matter how gifted, how capable, and how willing is above the community in which he lives and works. And if cases occur, where individuals use their position of trust, given by the community, to develop their personal influence – they are not contributing to the Organizational wellbeing and growth.
As we are moving into the Nominating Process, prayerfully considering the work that is needed to build up the Church of Christ, I invite you all for a time of introspection – examine the contribution you’ve made to our community, has it added value and power to the Church? Has your presence, being member of this church, added significance, legacy, and resources to this family we call Church? |Have we made people around us better? Have we made this place a better place? Examine your contribution…
It has been our practice to read through a book together. We are still working on the book “Spiritual Leadership” which we’ve started in 2007, we are just few pages away from completing the reflections. This past week we talked about contributions we each make. And one particular element was of highest importance in my mind – contribution to Organization.
While our personal contributions to people are important, and we talked about the fact that when we minister in the word through preaching, or visiting, or offering an advice, we must be intentional about people benefiting by growing, maturing, moving forward, it is by investing in our corporate organization that our influence can last and impact future generations.
Think about it – nothing is made without men, nothing lasts without institutions. The reason family exists – is to establish a future legacy, succession, continuation of name, purpose, and identity.
So, it is normal to expect that a functional organization can do more than any individuals can…. WOW! Did you get this point? If an organization has lesser influence, or can do/achieve less than any individual that is a part of this organization – then who needs such an organization? I hear often complains that the church can do this, that, or the other. But, so-and-so, if asked, will be able to.
If that’s the case – we are one dysfunctional organization. No individual, no matter how gifted, how capable, and how willing is above the community in which he lives and works. And if cases occur, where individuals use their position of trust, given by the community, to develop their personal influence – they are not contributing to the Organizational wellbeing and growth.
As we are moving into the Nominating Process, prayerfully considering the work that is needed to build up the Church of Christ, I invite you all for a time of introspection – examine the contribution you’ve made to our community, has it added value and power to the Church? Has your presence, being member of this church, added significance, legacy, and resources to this family we call Church? |Have we made people around us better? Have we made this place a better place? Examine your contribution…
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