Is Empathy Enough

As I am preparing for teaching and coaching missionally minded people, I can't get a story Jesus told out of my mind. Jesus is telling those around Him that there will be a time coming where we will give account for our relationship with Him. He tells us that he will separate us from those who think they are following Him and those who actually are following Him. If we truly follow Him it will result in living as he lived. The passage reminds us that the way we view those in our society who are struggle is directly tied to our treatment and attitude toward Jesus...the question that keeps coming to mind is how do we treat them?

37 ... 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Matthew 25

We as Christians are great at empathizing, feeling bad, for them. We may even pray for them or give our money to care for them. This story cuts straight to the heart of "missional living".

It tells us we have the personal responsibility to feed them, clothe them, house them, care for them when they are sick. When was the last time you did something to go beyond just empathizing for them. Other passages talk about the early church using everything at their disposal including personal items in order to make sure that everyone was taken care of.

Just recently I have come across some people who are taking this passage literally and doing something about it. Let me tell there story.

TWO DOLLAR CHALLENGE

Most of the world lives on two dollars or less a day. The church has decided to live as most of the world for two weeks. They are eating for two dollars a day. Rather than just empathizing, they are buying and taking groceries to needy families that they know with the extra money they saved from the week.

Check out what this guy is doing in Ohio.

http://30dayshomeless.wordpress.com/

I want to challenge you. What are you doing to live out Jesus teaching. Do you find yourself empathizing? Let me challenge you to do more than just empathize. Get out and live it.

MissionSHIFT: Discussion

I was asked to take part in a blog discussion put on by Ed Stetzer of Lifeway. For those who may not know, I am on staff of a church plant. My responsibilities include the “missional” ministries. I am thankful that a discussion is being on missions in the next generation.
In the first essay, Charles Van Engen gives his view of a definition and description of mission. It is as follows
* Contextual: A missional church understands itself as part of a larger context of lost and broken world so loved by God.
*Intentional: A missional church understands itself as existing for the purpose of "following Christ in mission."
*Proclaiming: A missional church understands itself as intentionally sent by God in mission to announce in word and deed the coming of the kingdom of God in Christ.
*Reconciling: A missional church understands itself to be a reconciling and healing presence in its context, locally and globally.
Sanctifying: A missional church understands itself as a faith community gathered around the proclamation (my word) of the Word, thus personally living out its truth and serving as a purifying influence to society.
*Unifying: A missional church understands itself as embracing, enfolding, gathering community of faith, anxious to recieve people into fellowship.
Transforming: A missional church is "the salt of the earth," a transforming presence as the body of Christ in mission called to be, embody, and live out in the world the following biblical concepts of mission, among others: koinonia, kerygma, diakonia, martyria, prophet, priest king, liberator, healer, sage."

I love that in the course of the essay he addresses the core of missional living/missions as having the idea of “sent ones”. The history of missions lends itself to the professionalization of missions. It focuses churches and organization as sending individuals with others supporting b y finances and prayer. This has led to the view that “missions” is something only for a few select.
As I look at missions/missional living I understand that we all who choose to follow Christ are “sent ones. If we apply his definition to this paradigm of all being sent, we can then begin to see missions begin to take off. There will no doubt be those who we send and support, but we must realize that this process does not alleviate us from our responsibility in the process of missions.
This first section has been helpful to me as I continue to struggle with putting together a “missional community” that seeks to live as sent.
Thanks for including us in the discussion Ed. If you would like to join us, pick up the book MissionSHIFT and join.

New Year Investments

The start of this New Year has caused me to reflect more than normal. Reflecting on my past as well as dreaming about our future. This past year has been a difficult year and an exciting year all in the same.
Our year began by leaving a ministry that we believed would change the world. It is always difficult when our dreams and plans don’t occur the way we plan. God used this time to teach us more about Him and that He desires His best for our life.
Shortly after that, we were contacted by Gilbert Thurston to consider coming on staff to help plant a church in Harrisburg PA. After meeting with them, praying and discussing the future with my wife, we are convinced that this is what God has for this season of our life. We love serving with ExponentialChurch.tv
I have been able to do what brings me joy in ministry, helping people discover their dreams and passions and using them to expand the kingdom of God. It has been fun to meet with other organizations and dream about what a community wide partnership could look like. People have come who truly desire to use their gifts, abilities and resources to make a kingdom difference. It has been fun to watch a community of believers begin to actually do life together for the purpose of the kingdom.
As I ponder the future, I turn 37 in a few days. I realize that I am entering the second half of my life. I ask, how can I make the biggest difference for the kingdom of God? As I thought about this I realized it is about investments. Over the next year and the rest of my life I want to invest myself in…
FAMILY…
My kids have the potential to change the world. In each of them I see gifts that God can use to turn this world upside down for the kingdom. I want to invest in helping them reach their potential. I want to coach them and help them turn their passions into reality. Investing in them can change the world.
My wife is one of the most gifted people I know. Her ability to talk with those hurting and love them, her ability to practice hospitality and her ability to sacrifice for the well being of other are traits that I want her to use. I want to learn from her as well as help her become all that God desires her to be.
MINISTRY…
I want to multiply people. Helping others achieve maximum results in their life as they strive to live for God and his kingdom. I am so thankful for people who have coached me along the way and helped me develop ministry and personal skills. I want to invest in others who strive to change their corner of the world for the kingdom.
I want to help the church big C. I want to take the tools I have gained and help other pastors and ministry leaders become all that they can be. I want to see churches working together effectively and release leadership who will reach a new generation and a different culture in a different way.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are the foundation to life. I want to continue to develop a forever friendship with God, a relationship where I am willing to give up all to follow Him. Talking about making Him famous is one thing, but living it out in my daily life while I go to where those who need Him live, work and play. I want to develop relationships with people who are far from God. In today’s society relationships need to be built in order to begin the discipleship process. I want to look for opportunities meet and leverage those relationships to bring Christ to them.
I have given up on New Year’s resolutions. I usually give up on them, change them or think of things later that are more pressing or require greater attention. So this year I am choosing not to make promises I can’t keep but rather I will choose to invest wisely.
Investing wisely is more than doing, it is evaluating the outcome. As I build this relationship, am I investing in it for the kingdom? As I pour time and energy into this activity, is it for my benefit or the kingdoms? As I invest financially, is it bringing kingdom results?
In 564,500 minutes, what will your investments return? Will it matter for eternity? I pray that my life will long outlast the minutes I have spent on earth. I am committing to investing my life in a way that will make a difference in expanding God’s kingdom.