Nice and Shiny

Yeh I know, it's been a long time between posts. A lot going on though. Since posting last my family went to India for 3 weeks to visit missionary parents, I've been to NZ to speak and do worship at a prophetic conference (which was an amazing conference might I add!-and I dont mean because of my part) and I've started working as the morning announcer on the local christian radio station! This has had some real challenges and has put me in the position of once again questioning and fighting against the status quo (story of my life!)

One of the pictures that I believe God gave me recently, and at the least communicates where my heart is at on an issue, was the picture of a sword.

The church has been given a sword and it's like we've become so concerned with polishing the sword and making it all shiny to be displayed over our mantle pieces, but we've forgotten what the sword is designed for. It is a weapon, a weapon that must be wielded. It is designed to get dirty, to get bloodied!

Its also like recently when I was in a Hard Rock Cafe and there was a beautiful Harley Davidson motorbike up on display. Now of course its a beautiful bike, but this baby is designed for the highway, not for a display cabinet! What a tragedy to have it sitting there... slowly dying, and not out on the open road, throttle open and burning fuel!!

It's time to get dirty church, time to get your motor running and head out on the highway!

I'm tired...

Ok, this may be because I'm tired today after not sleeping due to tossing and turning all night wrestling with these questions about church...but here goes...

The culmination of all our 'experiences' with church life and leadership has really caused us to ask the question "what is church?" What is it really sposed to look like? We have seen too much...spent too long behind the big curtain watching the little old man pulling the strings (wizard of Oz reference). Its just not working...or at least "its not working enough". What impact is being made on the community?

I'm tired....

I'm tired of people being entertained and not being discipled (not suggesting these HAVE to be mutually exclusive)

I'm tired of the poor not being fed? (I couldn't tell another person asking for some money to feed their children that we cant give them anything (because its policy) when we have 6 plasma screens hanging on our stage - I know the story of the costly perfume etc but I don't think this means thats it ok to have expensive toys and NOT look after the poor).

I'm tired of hearing/talking about how to "DO" church and want to start hearing/talking about how we "BE" the church.

I'm tired or having to wonder if these very senior Christian leaders are even saved.

I'm tired of evangelism and missions 'not really being the thing that we do'.

I'm tired of controlling leadership.

I'm tired of leadership 'controlling' everything to protect our 'brand'.

I'm tired of legalism.

I'm tired of people being used, abused and spat out, all in the name of 'serving the house of God' (I thought that we ARE the house of God?)

I'm all for giving generously, but I'm tired of being charged for everything and then asked for a sacrificial offering, after I've already sacrificed everything I have to be there, pay the registration and 'serve' my ass off.

I'm tired of Gold VIP rooms and Silver VIP rooms.

I'm tired of the boys club.

I'm tired of not being able to go to the senior pastors breakfast because the church at which I'm the senior pastor doesn't quite have enough people for me to be considered a 'Senior Pastor', until then I'm just a 'pastor'.

I'm tired of labels and positional authority rather than God appointed, anointed, respected and servant hearted authority.

I'm tired of Christian Celebrity.

I'm tired of 90% of the congregation not being 'engaged'

I'm tired being of being sung at in 'worship'

I'm tired of paper work and just want to get my hands dirty!

I'm tired of being judged.

I'm tired of people thinking that my wife has a chronic illness because she doesn't have enough faith.

I'm tired of people thinking that my wife has a chronic illness because she said “I'm feeling sick”

I'm tired of 'faith' being a mask for fear.

I'm tired of people making crap up that is not in the bible. For crying out loud, Jesus did not turn the water into 'grape juice' and David and Jonathon were not gay!

I'm tired of christianity only being accessible to the intelligent.

I'm tired of preaching where its all about me.

I'm tired of preaching that suggests that Jesus died so that I can have a Ferrari. (I mean what's wrong with a porsche? ;)

I'm tired of preaching that creates discontentment (in a materialistic sense).

I'm tired of christianity being 'Sunday-10am-centric'.

I'm tired of people thinking that I'm backsliding if I skip a service.

I'm tired of the mindset that I have to dress up to honour God when I go to meet him at the church at 10am on Sunday. Do they not realise that God was with me all week, when I woke up, when I had breakfast and even when I farted?!

I'm tired of being tired.

Happy New Year!!

Well 2008 is here... who would've thought. I think I was about 16 in the early 90's when end times was all the rage and Jesus was coming back at any moment - the question was if it was going to be 1997 - three years before the tribulation in 2000 or during 2000 for the mid tribs (thats if we weren't all destroyed by the Y2K bug ;) I remember saying to myself at the time - well if Jesus isn't back by 2005, I will be very dissappointed!

Hmmm...

One last thought. 2007 just flew by didn't it?
How come a year goes so fast but three minutes in the microwave is forever!

"I'd rather see a sermon"

For my first post I have a great little poem from a book that I am currently reading by Stuart Gramenz called "I've Got You Covered - Cutting Through the Bull Part 2" Don't you just love the title?! Anyway, here tis - enjoy!

www.spiritled.com.au

I’D RATHER SEE A SERMON
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put into action's what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I knew that friend to be.
And all the travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

Edgar Guest (1881-1959)