Missional Church
There is a lot of talk today about “missional” vs. “attractional” church. This short video gives a bit of a synopsis as to the difference. Not that attractional ministry is wrong or ineffective overall, but evidence does seem to indicate that, the attractional model is struggling amongst younger generations who are looking for something authentic and relational. If anything it demonstrates that attractional event driven ministry is not the only way to do church.
After the Rapture Pet Care
No matter what your beliefs regarding eschatology this should make you laugh and then cry…this is absolutely crazy on so many different levels. After the Rapture Pet Care…seriously? This is precisely the kind of stuff that makes all of us look bad – we are now enlisting non-believers to care for our animals after we get seized off the earth. If dispensational eschatology is correct our pets will have much bigger problems after the rapture than who is going to dole out the kibbles and bits and fancy feast.
At first I thought this was a Lark News joke, and if it wasn’t so sad it would be hilarious…well one thing is for sure, somebody is laughing all the way to the bank.
What say you?
Theology Pub – Can a Christian Smoke Pot?
The embedded video is part 1 of a series of videos that can be accessed here.
Earlier this month Missio Dei hosted an event, as part of our monthly Theology Pub, where we discussed the Biblical position on marijuana. It was a fascinating discussion that was not only provocative but challenging and fruitful. There were over 50 people at the event, many of whom did not share our worldview, but left pleasantly surprised as to how the discussion was led. If you weren’t able to attend the event we have provided some video footage of the discussion that can be accessed here.
Join us next month for Theology Pub as we discuss the Biblical position on homosexuality.
Was Jesus Macho?
There is a lot of talk in Christian circles today about how the Church has emasculated (in the figurative sense of course) the men. And while I absolutely agree with that assessment, I’m not sure our idea of masculinity is all that accurate either.
Cole NeSmith wrote an excellent article for Relevant Magazine that I would like to share here. (more…)
What does it mean to be missional?
Ed Stetzer briefly explains the concept of missional…it’s pretty simple really.
What Does It Mean to Be Missional? from The Resurgence on Vimeo.
Building a Missional Workplace
Jim Tyson who blogs at Redeemer’s City to City blog wrote this article about living missionally at work – it’s worth your read. (more…)
Can a Christian Smoke Pot?
Each month Missio Dei hosts an event called Theology Pub at Mulligan’s Pub (a local Irish Pub).
If that wasn’t controversial enough, we’ve chosen one of the more polarizing topics facing the Church presently for next month’s discussion:
Or maybe a better question is, “should a Christian smoke pot?”
Many Christians will immediately declare, “absolutely not, it’s illegal!” Which is a great point, for the Bible is clear that we should honor the governing authorities because those authorities have been placed there by God (Romans 13:1).
But what about the 13 states (including Colorado) that have now legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes? What about cities like Breckenridge, CO. that have legalized the use and possession of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use?
In those cases, which will quickly become the norm rather than exception, it’s not illegal and therefore the only grounds for prohibition would be the mind altering effects that follow marijuana consumption – God’s Word commands us to be sober minded (1 Peter 1:13) and to abstain from drunkeness (Ephesians 5:18) which would certainly apply to the use of drugs. But what about marijuana use in the case of treating various illnesses and chronic pain? How is that treatment any different than mainstream prescription medications like Vicodin and Oxy-Contin? Certainly those drugs produce serious mind altering effects and carry with them debilitating side effects and result in tragic addictions, as was the case for famous radio talk show personality Rush Limbaugh.
The Church (at least in large part) does not prohibit the use of prescription pain killers, but without blinking an eye Christians forbid the use of marijuana in any instance.
Is it really that cut and dry?
It’s our desire at Missio Dei to think through difficult issues like this from a Biblical perspective, divorcing ourselves from tradition or preconceived notions.
As people who view life through a Christian worldview and a gospel grid – what should our position be on this topic?
Missio Dei Schedule
Here is a Sunday service schedule for Missio Dei from January through our Easter launch date -
All Sunday Evening gatherings are held at the Evangelical Covenant Church
All Sunday Morning pre-launch services are held at the TR Paul Academy of Arts and Knowledge (more…)
Why Don’t You Go To Church?
In our latest video we asked Fort Collins residents why they don’t go to church (or why they do if they attend). This video will aide in our discussion about the Church and it’s Relevance for our next Theology Pub on January 6th at 7pm at Mulligan’s Pub.
You can subscribe to Missio Dei’s YouTube Videos here
How ‘Not’ to be a Missional Church
Jonathan Dodson (Acts 29 Pastor in Austin, TX) has written a series of articles called “How Not to be a Missional Church”.
I think they are well worth the read if you have a desire to understand the missional church and it’s heart to reach the culture for the gospel.
Seasons of a Church Life
Mark Driscoll (Pastor of Preaching at Mars Hill Church in Seattle and President of Acts 29) wrote a great article about the different seasons in the life of a church. I liked it so I thought I would it post here for your reading enjoyment. (more…)
New Logo
Here is the updated logo for Missio Dei. We will integrate this into the new website, and all of our marketing materials.
Let me know what you think.
The Scoop
Just wanted to give you a heads up regarding what is going on with The Bridge church plant.
In June I was contacted by Aaron Santini, a church planter planting “The Crossing” with CrossWay Chapel (a local church planting network associated with Mountain View Com. Church in Fort Collins), he wanted to meet like minded church planters and he had heard about me through Acts 29. After meeting a few times and discussing our vision, goals, and plans we began to discuss the idea of joining our efforts for the sake of the Kingdom. It is almost uncanny how similar Aaron and I are in theology, philosophy, and vision. So after a few months of praying and getting to know each other Aaron and I have decided to join The Bridge and The Crossing…in fairness to one another we have decided to change the name of the new church (which was really difficult for me because I absolutely love the name The Bridge =)
That is however a small sacrifice for what this joining of efforts is going to bring to the Kingdom. The new name will be “Missio Dei” which means mission of God in Latin. Both Aaron and I felt that this name encapsulates our theology and the vision of our church plant very well and will also create some great opportunities to share the gospel when people ask what in the world “Missio Dei” means. =)
The Crossing has been meeting in Aaron and Rita Santini’s home for about 6 months and they have about 40 adults and 20 children attending. Starting this Sunday evening we will begin meeting together at the Evangelical Covenant Church at 6pm. We will continue with our plan of holding a series of preview services (third Sundays of Oct, Nov, and Dec) and launching on Sunday January 17th at 10am at the TR Paul Academy of Arts and Knowledge. The joining of The Crossing and The Bridge will instantly give both groups critical mass and great momentum as we will now have approx. 60 adults and 30 children to launch the church with, not to mention the multiplication of servants, gifts and leadership abilities that both groups will bring each other.
Aaron and I are a lot alike but we are also very different in our gift sets. Aaron is passionate about small groups (we will call them Life Groups), discipleship, and pouring into men (the ground war). I am gifted as the big picture guy and overseeing things like administration, media (website, audio video stuff), marketing, and our mission will be my responsibilities (the air war).
Aaron and I will share the preaching duties and work together to formulate a preaching schedule ahead of time. We will teach through books or passages of Scripture so it will be very easy to keep continuity while also creating some variety in preaching style and perspective.
Aaron and I are both passionate about church planting and our vision is to plant churches up and down the 1-25 corridor and beyond. There are approx. 4.5 million people in the front range region and we believe that church planting is the most effective method in reaching these people with the gospel. In order to make this vision happen we must train young men to be pastors and leaders and therefore Missio Dei will have a Pastor’s School where men can be equipped to lead as elders both at Missio Dei and elsewhere as church planters.
Please keep Missio Dei and all that is involved here in prayer. We have some other big decisions to make in the near future and we are excited about all that God is doing and is going to do!
Are you a Church Planter?
Those that read this blog with any regularity know that I am passionate about church planting. And while that is true the reality is that I am passionate about the local church in general, and its mission to glorify God and make Jesus famous in whatever context she finds herself.
In order for the local church to function properly it needs strong male leadership. Without qualified male leaders the church will flounder and fail to achieve its mission of being a powerful gospel influence in its city.
The article is entitled Ten Qualifications of a Church Planter…and while its focus is church planting, the principles therein apply to all men who desire to lead God’s people. (more…)
Bringing Masculinity Back
I was reading an article on The Resurgence and had to share an excert from the article here.
“Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was asked publicly why the churches of his day had so few young men in the pews. He instantly shot back, “Because there are so many old women in the pulpits.” Preaching should either send men away angry or turn them in heartfelt repentance. The one thing it must not do, but too often does, is dull them.”
Love it…
Speaking of masculinity…you can download Mark Driscoll’s e-book called “Pastor Dad” here for free.
Ed Young on Cussing Pastors
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I would be interested to hear your take on this video. I don’t know a lot about Ed Young, other than that he pastors a giant church in Dallas. I do know that he recently ran a campaign at his church called “The 7 Day Sex Challenge” (a program where he encouraged married couples to have sex for 7 straight days) in the midst of a series he taught on sex while sitting on a bed on stage. It seems rather disingenuous to rant against “cussing” from the pulpit because it might offend, but then use the pulpit to dictate the bedroom affairs of your congregation.
Personally I don’t have a problem with either one (within reason) I just think it’s fairly ironic that Ed Young, who is a pretty controversial pastor in his own right, would be so passionate about something that is fairly innocuous. Besides I’ve never seen unbelievers get offended by words like “crap” or “pissed” as Ed alluded to, by saying “the gospel is offensive enough.” Ed Young is a very progressive, innovative pastor who I’m confident is being mightily used by the Lord but I think he misses it here.
Marks of a Healthy Church
Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preaching at the recent Advance Conference gives us 5 marks of a healthy church from Hebrews 13:1-8.
1. Consistently love one another (vs. 1)
2. Care for those in need (vv. 2-3)
3. Honor marriage (vs. 4)
4. Unshakable faith in the providence of God (vv. 5-6)
5. Respect for those in authority (vv. 7-8)
Go here for the complete manuscript of this message.
Go here for the rest of the Advance Conference messages
Something I've Noticed
I have had the privilege of late to meet several Calvary Chapel pastors who are being transformed in much the same way I have been over the last several years.
I see this trend developing in three main ways -
1. Openness to divergent views - It is easy as a pastor to become locked into a stream of thinking at the expense of learning from gifted people outside your own tradition. This has certainly been the case in the Calvary movement, but I have noticed recently that God is really broadening the horizons of many of our men and I’m looking forward to watching the fruit blossom in the years to come. Clearly we need to use discernment and wisdom in what we are reading or listening to but as a lead pastor you should be able to sift through the rough to glean the diamonds. If you are only being influenced by those you completely agree with you are limiting God from teaching you new things that are outside your perspective.
2. Dedication to the text – As Calvary Chapel pastors we have been given a wonderful legacy of simply teaching the Bible simply. However many of us were never given the tools to teach the Word accurately which has resulted in many sermons that simply are not faithful to the text. The end result is not heresy but it’s not rooted in the text either. While it’s certainly creative to twist John the Baptist’s beheading into a charge against “getting ahead” in life, that was definitely not the author’s intended meaning. The text cannot mean today what it didn’t mean when it was originally written. It is the duty of the preaching pastor to determine what the text originally meant then, so that they can tell their listeners what it means to them now. I am absolutely stoked to see many Calvary guys getting this; forsaking the creative, allegorical, “I’ve never seen that before” sermon for simply teaching the text and bringing the Spirit’s intended application from it.
3. Giving up control – One of the weaknesses of our movement has been the abuse of the Moses Model. The Moses Model essentially states that the Senior Pastor is in full control of the church and that his assistants and elders are simply there to implement his vision. He hears from God and then disseminates this revelation to the people. This model (which many men have exercised with no abuse) has lead to some controlling pastors who are running rough shod over their people. However it has been a great joy for me to meet several Calvary pastors lately who are sharing leadership with their elders and allowing these men to help shape the vision and direction of the church. As lead pastors we should simply be a leader among equals. If our leadership simply exists to rubber stamp our plans and serve as a buffer to blame hard decisions on; then we should be honest with the church and let them know that we are an autonomous pastor with no accountability. Of course this sounds ridiculous which is precisely why I’m advocating that more Calvary pastors relinquish their grip on the church and allow God to speak to them through the men He’s raised up around him.
Church Names
I am kicking around a few church names for the church plant in Ft. Collins, CO.
1. Prodigal Church – The word prodigal actually means “reckless spendthrift” and defines not only us as sinners who have ruined our lives by spending all that we have with reckless sin but also our God who gave everything to redeem us.
Our youth pastor, Chad Carpenter, has a custom t-shirt business called Prodigal Threads – MySpace and Facebook but I actually thought of this name before he named his business…weird.
2. The Bridge or The Bridge Church – This name is much more common and not nearly as creative…of course it speaks of the fact that Jesus is the bridge (Mediator) between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5)
3. Missio Dei Church – Again not original but I love the meaning (Mission of God). This is one of those Latin church names that either labels you Reformed or Emergent for which I’m neither.
4. Mission Church – Could go with the English version…there are churches everywhere with this name including a new church in Bend.
5. Restoration Church – The whole point of God’s mission…to restore mankind to His intended purpose (Genesis 1:26).
6. Refuge Church – The word refuge means…shelter, aid, protection. All things that describe Jesus and the gospel as He shelters us from judgment, aids us in our greatest need (forgiveness) and protects us from the consequences of our sin by taking God’s wrath upon Himself.
7. Paradigm Church – A paradigm is a something that serves as a pattern or model and also it defines the worldview of a community; both of which have great implications for the purpose of the church.
*Updated Names -
8. Emmaus Church or Community (Bob Sweat) – Jesus showed the disciples that the Bible all points to Him on the Emmaus road.
9. Regeneration or Regeneration Church (Bill Walden) - speaks of conversion and the work of salvation
Let me know which one you like best or if you have a better idea let’s hear it.
Staying on Mission
Over the last several weeks, in our series in the gospel of Luke (9:1-26 “Our Mission” and 9:27-62 “Things that Derail our Mission”), I have been preaching about our mission as believers. The theme of the gospel of Luke is found in 19:10,
“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Jesus, the first missionary, humbled himself and condescended to our culture filled with sin and all its repurcussions (Phil. 2:1-11). Unfortunately many churches that claim to follow Jesus are not on His mission but have settled for a pseudo-mission of moralism and isolationism which has resulted in an impotent Church that cares more about picketing, the anti-Christ, the timing of Jesus’ return, and conspiracy theories than it does about the lost people Jesus’ explicitly called us to convert into disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
Because Jesus knows we’re not that smart He made our mission pretty simple,
“Go make disciples…”
In standard fashion we have convoluted this command and in the process we have veered off of our mission of taking the gospel to everyone who is living in separation from God.
As Mark Driscoll so often says, it’s about “taking the timeless truth of the gospel to the lost using timely methods.”
Jesus, Paul, and every effective missionary since has understood contextualization. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Paul makes it clear that he was willing to do anything apart from sin to bring the gospel to his context in a way that resonates with them.
“Contextualization is about making the church as culturally accessible as possible without compromising the truth of Christian belief. In this, what is sought is timeless truth and timely methods. In other words, contextualization is not making the gospel relevant, but showing the relevance of the gospel.” (Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears ,Vintage Church, p. 228)
Why is it that certain segments of Christianity are so afraid of this concept? Why are so many churches, pastors, and Christians content to isolate themselves in their Bible bubbles when we know full well that Jesus engaged His culture? Why do we insist on hanging on to our tried and true “methods” of ministry when we can clearly see they are failing?
Oh and why are those “methods” acceptable but anything that doesn’t fit into our little box labeled “philosophy of ministry” aren’t?
Weekend Services
We had a great weekend of celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On Friday night we gathered for a time of worship, testimony, communion, and contemplation of the fact that our sins killed Jesus. Besides the nasty buzz we were getting from our sound system and some other logistical issues (lights going on and off when I wanted it dark the whole time) we had an awesome service that left us thinking about how wicked we are but how perfectly God loves us and how thankful we should be that we don’t have to face this righteous wrath.
On Sunday we had two services and both of them were really full. We began the services with this video and then incorporated a one man drama (the life of Peter) into worship. The drama written by our worship leader, Stewart White, and performed by a man named Blaine Jensen, from church, was abosolutely phenomenal. I then taught a very pointed and direct message from Acts 2…I probably offended some people but I cannot stand in front of all of those unbelievers and not deliver a candid call for salvation.
I know of at least one lady, who was previously a Mormon, who received Jesus yesterday. I didn’t do a formal altar call yesterday but I did clearly call people to respond to the gospel and I hope that many did.
If you would like to listen to either or both of these messages they are available for download or streaming in the media player on the home page of this blog.
Jesus Wants the Rose
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of Village Church in Dallas, TX. He is one of the hottest pastors going right now…not hot as in good looking (well maybe he is but that isn’t for me to say because that would be weird) but hot as in everybody and their brother is podcasting his sermons. His church is blowing up and he has a lot to offer the Church at large.
This video is a snippet from a larger message he gave at the most recent Desiring God Conference.
You can also blog about it here at the Phoenix Preacher.
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Evangelical Untouchables 2: Seeker Sensitivity
I have been doing some writing for the Internet Monk, a very well read Christian blog ran by Michael Spencer. The series of articles that I was asked to write for is called the “Evangelical Untouchables.” It’s basically a group of pastors from a cross section of Christianity that are answering a common question posed by Michael 3 or 4 days ahead of time. He then posts the answers on his blog and you can read 6 or 7 different guys giving their responses to a question that is relevant to modern Church life.
The second of this series of questions was…
“How has the “seeker” emphasis affected your perception of your congregation’s worship services? Are there changes you have made to accommodate and bring back seekers? Are there changes you would never consider, even if it would put more non-Christians in your service?”.
Check out the answers and the subsequent readers comments here.
Also Mark Driscoll blogs about Easter preaching here.