J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
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Archive for June, 2009
I Choose the City
Dr. Francis DuBose, seminary professor and missiologist, died last week. You probably don’t recognize this man’s name, but he contributed much to the current shift in the Church today. Dr. DuBose will probably best be remembered for coining the oft-used terms “missional” and “mega-church.”
But he was more than an inventor of new words. He lived it. He was an urban missions professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in San Francisco. His heart embraced God’s missionary heart for the world – and his life reflected it. He was so impacted by the heart that God had for the city that he wrote beautiful poetry.
Here’s one of his moving “missional” poems.
I Choose the City by Francis DuBose
I choose the city…
Not simply to live in it,
to see it,
to hear it;
But to touch it;
yes, to embrace it,
to hold it,To feel the wild glory of its
pulsating soul,To move over its wide,
hurried broadways,To stand stilled and sobered
at the nowhere of its dead-end streets,To be trapped with it in its
pain and problems,To be at once chilled by its ill
and covered with its confetti.I choose the city because I choose God,
Because I choose humanity,
Because I choose the divine-human
struggle–The struggle which will be won
Not in the serene path through
meadow and wood,
among the bees and birds, and flowers,But in the city street
Made by the hand of man
Through the gift of God–
Main Street: the final battle field,
The scene of the ultimate struggle,
Where man chooses right
Because he is free to choose wrong.Babylon, dirty and daring–
Babylon, yes–
Babylon today–Tomorrow…
The New Jerusalem!Francis DuBose, Mystic on Main Street, Chapel Hill, NC: Professional Press, 1993, pp. 78, 79.
Grace: a thought that changed the world
One of my favorite bands is U2 (don’t hate me). And one of my favorite U2 songs is “Grace,” because it so poetically captures the heart of Jesus and his work on earth. Indeed, grace does find beauty in everything. Everything.
Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her nameGrace
It’s a name for a girl
It’s also a thought that
Changed the worldAnd when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness
In everythingGrace
She’s got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She’s got the time to talkShe travels outside
Of karma, karma
She travels outside
Of karmaWhen she goes to work
You can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty
In everythingGrace
She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips
Between her fingertipsShe carries a pearl
In perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stingsBecause grace makes beauty
Out of ugly thingsGrace finds beauty
In everythingGrace finds goodness
In everythingA prayer of St Francis de Sales
Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life. Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow.The same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
-a prayer of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Significant links that you need to see…
From time to time, I like to include random links on this blog – they have been informational, educational, entertaining and sometimes downright silly. But this series of links is different. The following links are significant (knowledge, news, intriguing thoughts, tools, resources, etc) that I’d want anyone who is a follower of Jesus – or considering being a follower of Jesus – to know:
A memoir about learning to follow in the ways of Jesus. I have a lot of respect for Ed Dobson. He’s a life-long learner and one who authentically is striving to live out the ways of Jesus. He is now learning to deal with a life hampered by ALS. His yet-to-be-released book is on learning to live “Jesusly” looks fascinating. Check out this video.Also, check out this clip of an interview with him on ABCNews. I can’t wait until this book comes out in October.
Eight Ways to be Missional Without Overloading Your Schedule. Ben Sternke, pastor of Christ Community Church in Ft. Wayne, IN has become a new friend through the Ecclesia Network. His thoughts are important and practical.
Keeping Holy Ground Holy. A new study shows that people searching for Jesus desire Gothic-style buildings over modern, utilitarian ones.
ChristianAudio offers a free audiobook download. This month: Eugene Peterson. Get it. Now.
Resources from missiologist Ed Stetzer: Stetzer is someone who we should all be listening to – well-researched, passionate, honest, intelligent and right on when it comes to understanding God’s mission. His blog should be frequented.
[1] Keys to Understanding the Church and the Kingdom (Desiring God) :: Audio
[2] National Congregations Study: An expansive study on churches across the country.
[3] The Southern Baptist Convention: A Denomination (Continuing) In Its Decline. This is a very, very honest and insightful look at all denominations and the need to change – soon. Read this carefully and slowly. Lots of implications for Christian leaders to consider. Also see related post called A Year is Not a Trend.
Hartford Institute for Religion Research: Check out this Profile of the People who attend megachurches. Those who attend are much different than people have always thought.
Bob Roberts, as I mentioned earlier, is a great thinker. Check out his blog post: What Your Not Being Told About Church Planting Could Kill You
Ecclesia Church Planters Training: Bob Hyatt gives the best talk on “Why Plant Churches?” I’ve heard. If you are thinking about church planting this worth your time.
Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos and Compassion International partner together to create a video about generosity and poverty. It’s worth 12 minutes of your time.
Amy Spiegel: Some Benefits of Life Without Television. Before you think that people who claim “Kill Your TV!” are whackos, suspend your judgment and read this.
CNN reports on a search for a mattress containing $1M life savings. This is a modern-day kingdom parable. After reading this news story, read this passage.
The Top Ten Ways To Ruin Young Pastors. Yeah…I’d agree with these.
I Am Second. This high-quality website shows dozens of people’s faith stories via video. Check out former Korn band member Brian Welch’s faith story. Then watch Major League Baseball star Josh Hamilton’s story of his faith journey to Jesus.
If I were starting a church…
Pastor and author Bob Roberts is not only a great leader and thinker who possesses a global passion for the gospel, he’s a doer! He and his church are doing some great things around the globe. I first heard of Bob when my brother let me read his book The Multiplying Church on vacation last August and it invigorated me and challenged me to (re)think some areas of our global elements of Renew. We’ve interacted briefly with his staff regarding how Renew could practically go about discerning how we “adopt” a country or region of the world for focused and purposeful global engagement.
Bob recently wrote a great post on his blog titled: If I were Starting a Church Today. He has some great thoughts.
1. I’d get off in a room alone with God and maps of the world, verses God has given me, words he’s given me, pray and seek God radically BEFORE reading any books on church planting and/or going to conferences. I’d get his will in my heart first before finding mentors, teaching, and training. I’d ask him to break my heart for the world and his kingdom.
2. I’d then develop a small prayer team of no more than 5 people – of different races, etc. praying for me.
3. I’d write out everything I sensed God saying and things that resonated with me that I’d heard others speak and write about.
4. I’d find the person emulating ministry in the most similar way I sensed God speaking – and another person in the most opposite way I heard and ask them lots of questions off and on.
5. I’d begin to ask God to pull the team together to begin by engaging the local community beyond religious work.
6. I’d go to a multi-ethnic area and pull a multi-ethnic team together. That means if I was in DFW – south Irving.
7. I’d have my discipleship model in place before we began and lead our initial leaders through it before we did anything else – then have them multiply it throughout the church.
8. I’d pick a hard place in the world to work before “going public” or “going native” in the neighborhood and everyone who came on board would know that’s part of who we are up front.
9. I’d worship a minimum of an hour a day from Day one – so I’d recognize all God was doing and be ready to respond.
10. I’d expect and get excited on the unexpected.
Check out more of his blog here. It’s one of my favorite blogs.
doubt :: night tonight
Renew is hosting another doubt :: night this evening at 7:30 pm at Third and Walnut Bar and Grille (corner of Third and Walnut Street in Lansdale near the train station).What is doubt :: night? It’s a laid-back relational space created with intention to allow us to air out our doubts, questions, concerns and longings about life, God, faith, Jesus, the Church, the Bible, etc. We rent out a room at the bar once a month and encourage dialog. It’s a chance to process through the spiritual journey we’re on. Life’s greatest, most significant questions are worth wrestling through with other people.
No question are off limits.
No pre-set views are required.
Skeptics and dreamers are welcomed.
No perfect people are allowed.
Just honesty and a desire to listen and learn from others.
The wisdom of Eugene Peterson
Many of you know that Eugene Peterson has been a mentor of mine for the past six years. We’ve written dozens of letters to each other. No one has marked me more in pastoral ministry than Eugene. See earlier post on one of his letters he wrote to me and the Renew Community here.
A few days ago I received a letter from him. I’ve read it about a dozen times and I am still digesting it. I asked him: What are the non-negotiables of being a church planter?
“The one great advantage you have as a new church pastor is that you are forced to start small. Nothing is imposed on you. Determine that you will know every person, their names and whatever of their lives they are willing to let you in on. Be in their homes. Invite them into your home in small groups for an evening or lunch. The killing frost in too much new church development is forming programs that will attract people or serve their perceived ‘needs,’ getting them ‘involved.’ The overriding need they have is worship and that is the one thing that is lowest on their ‘needs’ list. Insist on it: keep it simple – learn to know every last one of them relationally. And call them to worship – and not entertainment worship, but a community at worship. Americans these days are not used to being treated that way, personally and apart from promotional come-ons. Religious entrepreneurism has infected church planting all over the country. When it is successful numerically (and if you are a good salesman and smile a lot it probably will be) you will end up with a non-church.”
I then asked: what is the greatest temptation when planting a church – and how do I avoid it:
“I’d say ambition. Church planters are tempted to do what it takes to succeed. Most of us grow up as competitors, competition is bred into our bones. And most of us are good at it. But the very nature of church – the Christian life – is to stay close to the ground that you are given, the people you are given, the Jesuw ho comes alongside of us. The temptation is to look for ‘leaders’ or ‘winners’ or look at people as ‘resources.’ That is not a mindset that cultivates patiences with losers and the mediocre. Not that we don’t want to do our best, but unchecked ambition cripples us for dealing with the people who are right under our noses, the left-out and ignored. If we hold our competitive instincts on a short leash, we will probably stay small for a considerable time.”
Eugene is one wise man. His words, teachings and life are a gift.
What question(s) should I ask him in my next letter?
New stuff on the Renew website
There are a few new posts up on the Renew site that I think you might want to check out.
1. Pictures from our first public gathering
3. Thoughts from Jess. Wow, is she articulate.
Kingdom Living: Putting all our eggs in one basket
Recently, I’ve been struck by the incredibly radical claims of Jesus. As I’ve been pondering this quote on the Renew website I’m also struck by two kingdom stories Jesus tells back-to-back in Matthew 13.
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
In these stories I’ve always focused on Jesus’ emphasis on the hiddenness, the irony, the cost, the worth and the surprise of the kingdom (i.e. the rule and reign of God in the world). But recently I was struck with two similar phrases that I’ve skimmed over when I’ve read these verses before: “sold all he had” and “sold everything he had.”
What is Jesus saying here? He’s stating very clearly that the kingdom life is worthy of putting all of our eggs into one basket. This notion is complete contrary to what our culture says: keep your options open, diversify, be well-balanced, always have something to fall back on, don’t get too risky. Jesus’ approach to the kingdom is about being all in.
And so, the challenge remains: am I willing to be all in for the life of the kingdom?Not just in the big areas of my life, but also (maybe especially) in the little areas?
The shows we watch.
How we spend our time.
How we spend our weekends.
How we spend our money.
How we utilize the time in the car.
What job/career we choose.
Jesus’ invitation to Kingdom living is about putting all of our eggs in one basket. That’s about as counter-cultural as it gets.
Create-a-caption is back
The create-a-caption is back.
And, wow. I can’t wait to read your captions for this one..
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