• Archive of "living hope" Category

    From faith (as an idea) to Faith (as a way of life)

    June 2, 2008 // 2 Comments »

    This past Sunday I had my first opportunity to address the Living Hope community. I must have had a thousand different thoughts on what to share. Ultimately, I really wanted to share some of my story and highlight something that I found relevant for where we’re at as a community of faith.

    What I decided on was the way in which God used grad school to change me from someone who placed their faith primarily in a system of belief, to someone who tried to practice faith as a way of life and to put my trust in God as one who could never be contained or exhausted by my ideas or beliefs.

    We looked at the Exodus story and the way in which even after being rescued and redeemed by God, the people of Israel wanted to relate to God from a distance, wanted to avoid the fear and unknown of continuing to follow God, and opted to worship a idol created by their own hands rather than worship the living God by living in the way he had directed them.

    These were all reactions I was tempted to embrace during some of the tumultuous times of grad school and more importantly, reactions which I often fear the average church in the United States facilitates.  To be a church which refuses to allow for a two-tiered model of discipleship (leaders and the rest of us), which constantly asks, “what’s the next fearful and risky adventure God is calling us into,” and is more concerned with passing on a way of life than a system of belief, doesn’t exactly lend itself to our individualistic, consumer-driven, instant-gratification-seeking, culture.  Yet, this exactly the sort of future I hope for our community.

    Over and above merely having the opportunity to share my story and what was on my heart and mind, I also enjoyed being able to invite some friends to participate in the service along with me.  Liz led a responsive reading, and Mike and Zach led the congregation into the Exodus story, by reading Scripture.  I shared an excellent quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that my friend Eric reminded me of, and offered our community some questions to stew on as we concluded.

    Anywho, it was a great time.  Thanks Living Hope for being awesome.

    Posted in Fuller Seminary, living hope, preaching/teaching, questions, quotes, sermon, stories

    7 Kinds of Smoke

    May 27, 2008 // 2 Comments »

    Besides being a gratuitous reference to Dupree’s Self-Help spiel in “You, Me and Dupree,” it’s the best title I could come up with for a post full of randomness and fun linkages. You’ve been warned, no coherency is to be found here!

    Listen to this song, it’s awesome.

    I hurt my knee last week and it is bad enough that it’s preventing me from running and playing sports, basically making me miserable.

    Even though I missed out on being with some of the most important people in my life,

    I had a great weekend with some of my newest friends. Most importantly, I am pleased to announce that at 29 years of age I am still a back flipping fool!

    1799291123_942d6d63c3.jpgMy friend Julia is one of the coolest people in the world. She’s an excellent writer, isn’t afraid to be honest with people, and was kind enough to be my conference wife in the Bahamas at Soularize. But all of that is eclipsed by her commitment to the reality of God’s Kingdom in the world. She is so committed to ending the the global trafficking of people for sex and slavery that she had the words “until the last lock breaks” tattooed on her forearm. Julia, the church could stand a few more men and women with your sort of heart.

    I am definitely mourning the loss of a community where the sharing of life amongst people of diverse seasons of life was the norm. Note to Canton friends: Don’t forget that our experience is not that of most.

    As someone whose mind is basically consumed with the idea of spiritual formation on the personal and corporate levels, I am really excited to have made the decision to seek out a spiritual director/counselor that I think might be an important piece in that process for me.

    I have the opportunity to address the Living Hope community this Sunday. I am definitely excited for the opportunity to share some of my story and heart, but also nervous as someone who has only lived among these folks in this new place for 2 short months (not to mention the nervousness which always accompanies the prophetic element of my personality).

    That being said, I have really enjoyed reengaging what it means to be a pastor in the context of a missional church community. Challenges around every bend, but I love the team I get to be a part of.

    I really miss my house church and Anabaptist friends. There was a connection there on a deep level that I am yet to discover here in Memphis.

    I have come to the conclusion that relationally speaking there is probably nothing more frustrating to me than trying to engage with people who can’t communicate deeply. I hate how little patience I often feel in this regard.

    My friend Jason and his family are in the process of joining an Eastern Orthodox church and he has been blogging about it. As I was sharing my my friend Emily, another brilliant and articulate lady, the Eastern Orthodox church has a tremendous amount to offer in terms of its theology and ecclesiology, though few realize it.

    OK, think that’s enough randomness for one evening.

    Posted in blogging, church, community, living hope, memphis, missional, music, preaching/teaching, prophets, random, songs, spiritual formation, theology

    Doing and Sharing Life Together

    May 22, 2008 // 1 Comment »

    I grew weary of the term and idea of small groups years ago. In most of my experience, church based small groups served mainly to isolate people in affinity based relationships. Interestingly, small groups are a relatively new concept and practice for churches in the south. Most folks down here who have been part of church culture for any length of time are used to Sunday School.

    In a church like Living Hope however, where everything we aim to do is designed to aid in the process of truly making disciples (those who actually look to Jesus’ life as a model for a way to live), there is perhaps more of a chance for small groups to really look and function differently than I have gotten used to. Loads of people that I have met have shared stories of the way in which their participation in a Living Hope small group has, for the first time in their lives, opened them up to the idea of truly doing and sharing their lives with others. More then this, for most of our small groups, finding ways to serve the body and the world around us is on the forefront of their minds and imaginations.

    Within my first month or so of being here there was a certain group of folks that it seemed I was having the most conversations and doing the most stuff with. So, I decided that this probably ought to be my small group – the folks that I try with more intentionality to do and share life with as we think about how to bless others. It’s an awesome group full of more potential that anyone even realizes and I am thrilled to be a part of it. The group, except for myself, is all young married couples. Here’s what my friend Liz said about the group yesterday on her blog (she’s is pretty awesome photographer by the way)…

    Tonight, we’re meeting with our small group… a group of AMAZING people who are consistently teaching us how to live in community and know God better. This group has become our family over the past few months and I cannot imagine my walk with God without them. Each person has taught me so much, and I am eager to learn more. Zach and I have a better marriage because of this group. My walk with God is better because of this group. Honestly, I don’t know how I managed to get through life before joining a small group. I haven’t posted too many pictures of them simply because I don’t want to freak them out with my obnoxious picture-taking, but tonight we’re getting together for a “game night.” I think it may be a good time to introduce them to my dark side. Hopefully, I’ll have pictures tomorrow.

    She does have pictures, they are here. You should also check out Mandy’s blog.

    Posted in friends, living hope, missional

    A Gathering of Young Adults

    May 21, 2008 // 3 Comments »

    This past Sunday was great. Aside from out Sunday morning gathering being its usual awesomeness, a big group of young adults got together to play Ultimate Frisbee. We have had a few games already over the past few weeks, but we had some new folks show up this week and the two teams were really evenly matched. It was a beautiful day and I just loved it.

    Then, later that evening we had our first Gathering of Young Adults. SOS, one of the groups we have a partnership with in urban Memphis, allowed us to meet at their building (since we don’t have one) and it was a great environment for us. It was a great blend of some married and single young adults as well as some college students and even a few of those who are just graduating from high school. I was really excited about some friends who helped to lead us in our time together by offering prayers, leading communion, a responsive reading, etc. More than that, it was a time where people really got to participate in all we did by way of dialog, sharing, asking questions, etc. Aside from that, I really enjoyed how organic the evening felt. By that I mean that I basically knew everyone there. It wasn’t some sort of abstract event attended by a bunch of nameless faces. It was, for the most part, a gathering of all those I have had the opportunity to get to know over the last few months who in turn had more of a chance to see and get to know each other.

    For those Living Hope young adults who read this, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the evening and any suggestions you might have if we ever decide to do another one of these.

    Posted in friends, living hope, memphis, young adults

    10 Ideas for Living Missionally in the Suburbs

    April 21, 2008 // 6 Comments »

    A full half year ago, I caught this over on my buddy Todd’s blog – 10 Ideas for living Missionally in the Suburbs (by Chris Smith) and have been meaning to blog about it ever since.  I now have 2 great reasons to finally do so.

    First, I find myself smack dab in the middle of the affluent suburbs of Memphis, TN as a pastor on staff at a new and aspiring missional church community.  

    Second, Todd will be hosting a conference with Al Hsu, author of, “The Suburban Christian,” in August, and I promised him I’d spread the word.  I can’t wait to be there and if you find yourself in a suburban context and you are wanting to really think about what it would mean to engage that context missionally, this is really something you should try to be at.

    Anyway, here’s Chris’ list and a few of my thoughts at the end.

    Ten Ways to be the People of God in Suburbia – by Chris Smith

    1) Live with others from your church community

    Whether you share your home with another person or family, or whether you have several families that have homes in close proximity or both, sharing life together is perhaps the most powerful (i.e., going against the grain of suburban culture) way to be the body of Christ in suburbia. If you can’t live together, at least find a way to share resources (power tools, lawn mowers, children’s clothes/toys, etc).

    2) Work Less!

    One of the major powers that enslaves suburbia is the idolization of the career. There are many ways to pay the bills that do not involve a 9-5 job, and even within a 9-5 job, there are ways to work less (turning down promotions, taking unpaid leave, etc.) Working less will free you to serve your church community, your family, your neighbors, etc. It will also spur creativity: finding a solution for working less, finding a way to “make ends meet” financially, etc.

    3) Throw out the television

    Another (and perhaps larger power) that enslaves suburbia is consumerism. You’ll be amazed at how your desire for things ebbs as you take the TV out of the picture. If you can’t bring yourself to kill the television, at least take steps to lessen its influence (get rid of cable, only use it for movies, put it on a cart that can be wheeled in and out of a closet, etc.) Throwing out the television will also stimulate your creativity.

    4) Drive less

    Suburban culture is also enslaved to the automobile. Find ways to loosen those bonds (much more difficult in suburbia than in urban areas). Share a vehicle with others in your church community (much easier if you are doing #1 above). Invest in a good bicycle. Walk. There was a segment on “60 minutes” a few weeks ago about how much we miss when we zip around in automobiles. Walking and/or biking will help you be more attentive to your surroundings

    5) Have a garden / grow food

    Suburban life is often very shut off from the food cycle (Food comes from the grocery store, of course!). Homegrown food is more healthy, it gives you a good excuse to be outside (see #7 below), and it provides you with a resource to share generously with your church community and your neighbors. Phil Kenneson outlines a number of horticultural lessons for the people of God in his intro to LIFE ON THE VINE that are additional benefits of this practice.

    6) Get to know your neighbors / listen for their needs

    To be human is to be poor. Or in other words, everyone has needs. The challenge of suburbia is that there are many more ways to conceal that poverty, and similarly that it will take more effort to get into a position where a neighbor can reveal their needs. Be intentional about building relationships. Share meals, play poker, have block parties, whatever it takes.

    7) Be outside as much as possible.

    Another temptation of suburbia – fueled by individualism – is that of the house as an impenetrable fortress. Dissolve this temptation by eating, playing, relaxing outside. This practice is also one avenue to interact with your neighbors.

    8) Do not fence in your yard

    All apologies to Robert Frost, but fences do not make good neighbors, and in fact they often keep us from making good human neighbors. This is a corollary to #7, the fence is a major component of the impenetrable fortress syndrome; it protects our privacy and keeps out our “evil” neighbors. It often is a statement of distrust. If you must have a fence (to corral a dog for instance) make it as low and as permeable (i.e., not blocking off the view) as you can get away with.

    9) Take a stand against the greed of mega-corporations

    Whenever possible, resist buying from domineering mega-corporations (e.g., Wal-mart, McDonalds, Starbucks, and others). These corporations destroy local economies and have little or no concern for the environment. Buy as much as you can from businesses that are as local as possible (family-owned businesses are preferable to local chains, local chains are preferable to regional chains, and regional chains are preferable to global corporations.)

    10) Utilize and support non-commercial public spaces (parks, libraries, colleges, etc.)

    This point is another corollary of #7 above. We must utilize and show our support for these public spaces, lest they be conquered by the powers of individualism (by becoming private property) or by consumerism (by becoming commercial or industrial property). This is also a wonderful way to foster relationships with our neighbors.

    These are some helpful ideas and hopefully a good starting place for thinking even more creatively and specifically about whatever context you are in.  The idea is subversive, incarnational living.  It’s saying, we are going to live out an alternative reality, but we’re going to do it in this place, among these people, in a way that makes sense to them, but at the same time calls into question some of the broken systems which oppress (often without them even knowing it) the people there.  

    My friend Gib, the teaching pastor at Living Hope, spoke yesterday about the need for the church, like our exiled ancestors in Babylon, to pray for, and seek the prosperity of the city in which we find ourselves.  We tend to think of “the city” as “inner-city,” “downtown,” or where the urban poor live in general.  This is a deficient notion of modern cities however. Suburbs are part and parcel of the infrastructure of cities, it’s just that they primarily consume rather than invest or replenish goods and services.  They tend to be the gluttons of the cities resources and the sins which follow gluttony flourish in the suburbs.  As such, the suburban church faces no small task when it seeks to live out its missional nature in suburban contexts.

    Posted in blogging, books, church, community, consumerism, individualism, living hope, memphis, missional, suburban

    Welcome to Memphis

    March 24, 2008 // 6 Comments »

    I haven’t had time yet to take my own shots, but here’s a great one of downtown Memphis that I found.

    (ht: piwojasne)

    I made it down to Memphis this past Thursday and my stuff followed closely behind me on Friday morning. Most of it is experiencing the lonely existence that is a storage unit.

    This past Sunday, Easter, was officially my first day with Living Hope. It’s been about 4 years since I worshiped regularly with more than 10-15 people, so it was quite the (re)experience. Everyone I met was tremendously friendly and the services were a refreshing celebration of the new that comes in Christ.

    I have had some time to tour the city. While Living Hope is a church community primarily situated in the suburbs of Memphis, it is also close to a lot of interesting segments of the city like Cooper-Young, Binghampton, Midtown, etc. I am currently staying with Greg, the student pastor at Living Hope and his roommate Russell and am trying to figure out where I might want to be on a more permanent basis. But, between trying to factor in where the majority of the congregation seems to be (Germantown/Collierville area), where the folks in whatever small group I end up being a part of are at, where young adults seem to spend their time, what I’ll be able to afford, what section of town I personally might enjoy most, and the fact that I would love to try and putt off some sort of intentional community sort of situation, it’s seems to be quite the task.

    I am tremendously excited to start connecting with the young adults of Living Hope and asking together what it is that God may want to do in and amongst us. This promises to be an interesting task for a few reasons.

    First, Living Hope is not really a programmatic community. That is to say, we have no real desire to offer every program under the sun to in order to appeal to everyone’s various felt needs and desires. As a result, we really emphasize a life lived in community which worships and serves together. Anything else that happens really flows out of that.

    Second, Living Hope is vitally concerned about making disciples and not merely Christians. This was one of the most attractive things about the church to me. For our community, everything hinges on whether or not people are actually becoming more like Christ. All our discussions, plans, and prayers as a staff revolve around this.

    I say that these reasons make for an interesting task regarding young adult ministry because most young adult ministries are primarily predicated on programs specific to young adults and doing those things which attract young adults.

    So, if I had been doing this job some years ago, the main question I would have been asking myself would have been, “What sorts of programs do we need to offer to get young adults involved in the church?” And I feel like I could have answered and executed that pretty well.

    But now what I am asking is more like, “What will it mean and look like for young adults to participate in the life of this community aimed at serving the world?” That is a very different question and one that I don’t feel like I have quite so easy answers for – which is why I’m so thrilled to be asking it!

    Posted in living hope, questions, young adults

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