I have a dream of a church in which the presence, power and work of the Holy Spirit abounds
I carry within myself a vision of a congregation that strips itself of anything that detracts from a full and meaningful encounter with the transcendent and all-powerful God that we serve
I dream of a people that make the most of every corporate worship encounter – running to God as a response to the hunger for him that he has placed inside each one of us.
The time has come, and is upon us even at this moment, where personal preference is stripped away in the face of a desire to reach an emerging and increasingly skeptical post-modern generation, hungry for spirituality, but put off by the disunity and subsequent hypocrisy of a church divided over triviality.
I have a dream of a church that recognizes the difference between being Canadian and being Christian; a church that recognizes that although we are IN the world, we ARE NOT of the world; a people that are determined to make our corporate worship experience more than a gathering of apathetic Canadians, but rather an explosive encounter with radical Christ followers
I carry within my heart a vision of a congregation that distinguishes itself in its desire for the work and power of Jesus, so much that the churches of this city, region, nation and even of the world come to us to be inspired by what we do
I dream of a time when the most important concern of the church is whether people have met with God and not anything else of lesser importance; a time when we can truly say that we are comfortable with the implications of existing in a multigenerational, multiethnic congregation and the inevitable varying expressions of worship and corporate gathering.
I have a dream… a dream… of Woodvale pervaded by the presence of Almighty God.
Therefore…
We must always strive to have a worship encounter that pays tribute to our heritage while at the same time refusing to create sacred cows out of expressions of worship that have run their course and are no longer useful or meaningful in worship except for nostalgic reasons
We can never settle for the lack of excellence and preparation that leads to a sacrifice of worship that does anything but honor God
We must never be satisfied to attend weekly services and ministry meetings that are devoid of the work, power and pervading presence of the Holy Spirit
We can never be satisfied with an apathetic approach to experiencing God and his power
We have to continue the relentless pursuit of God’s picture for our preferred future and always remember that each one of us holds within us a piece of what it looks like and is vital to the completion of his vision for Woodvale.
Revelation 5: 11 - 13
11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
self examination
I’ve been thinking about Jesus’ triumphal-looking entry to Jerusalem as recorded in the gospels when people who had heard about Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead went nuts about his entry to their city.
The things that people said and sang about Jesus were actually true, but the perspective that they had about him in that day was most definitely different than we have come to understand it as a church that has been grafted in by his death and resurrection. This was because at this point in the history of the Israelites, there was an oppressive imperial power, which had bred seeds of rebellion and dissention in the region in Palestine. The history of the region shortly after Jesus’ death, and resurrection shows an active rebellion against the imperial powers of that day confirming the fact that Israel was brewing an active rebellion against Rome and looking for somebody to spearhead it.
I’m inclined to believe that the reason why the crowds then got so mad with him and called for his crucifixion was because he did not live up to their expectations and proceeded to rub salt into a sore spot with his teachings about giving to Caesar what belongs to him and tearing down the temple which was not only a worship venue, but a relic from a time when Israel was the dominant military and imperial force in the region.
Jesus was trying to help them understand that his kingdom was not of this world… and though a few eventually understood what he was talking about, he must have dashed the hopes of hundreds of people that were probably looking to rally behind him in an active revolt.
I’ve been through a period of self-examination and thinking about my role as a facilitator of an encounter with Jesus and have had to come to the realization that sometimes I create an impression about Jesus that is not entirely accurate. All too often I have stressed the fact that he is all powerful and all knowing – which he is and make no mistake about it – but I have neglected to put that message hand in hand with his own thoughts and teachings about taking up my cross and following him or being yoked with him… It may be an EASY yoke and a LIGHT burden, but it still is a yoke AND a burden. Following Jesus and living for him as an individual and as a community is no simple task!
It would be like describing one dear friend (lets call him Sam) that I would like another (who we shall call Russ) to meet and talking a lot about Sam all the while forgetting to mention his ethnicity or some other distinguishing characteristic. The most obvious outcome of the meeting that I would have tried to facilitate would be that Russ would absolutely not recognize Sam. Or perhaps Russ would be put off that I would forget to mention something about Sam especially if the characteristic could be construed as offensive. Or as a less drastic outcome of the meeting, it would be an awkward encounter in which Russ would be trying to verify whether Sam was who I really said he was.
In retrospect (and I may be wrong), I think that sometimes I have been trying to facilitate a meeting between people and Jesus and it is completely botched because I misrepresent him - Jesus. I’ve had to return to re-examining the things I say in order to build the expectation of the congregation as we gather on a weekly basis so that I am painting an accurate picture of the savior that rebukes, chastises, but also revives, loves and restores me. Jesus that challenges me to live in the world, but not controlled by the worlds systems, desires and inclinations. Jesus who DEMANDS my soul, my life, my all and who rejects the notion that I should come to him as a miracle and gift-giving dispensing machine.
My prayer is that moving forward, God would help me (and us) to paint a more accurate picture of who he is so that his people will recognize him, long for him and run to him.
-----------------------------
Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
The things that people said and sang about Jesus were actually true, but the perspective that they had about him in that day was most definitely different than we have come to understand it as a church that has been grafted in by his death and resurrection. This was because at this point in the history of the Israelites, there was an oppressive imperial power, which had bred seeds of rebellion and dissention in the region in Palestine. The history of the region shortly after Jesus’ death, and resurrection shows an active rebellion against the imperial powers of that day confirming the fact that Israel was brewing an active rebellion against Rome and looking for somebody to spearhead it.
I’m inclined to believe that the reason why the crowds then got so mad with him and called for his crucifixion was because he did not live up to their expectations and proceeded to rub salt into a sore spot with his teachings about giving to Caesar what belongs to him and tearing down the temple which was not only a worship venue, but a relic from a time when Israel was the dominant military and imperial force in the region.
Jesus was trying to help them understand that his kingdom was not of this world… and though a few eventually understood what he was talking about, he must have dashed the hopes of hundreds of people that were probably looking to rally behind him in an active revolt.
I’ve been through a period of self-examination and thinking about my role as a facilitator of an encounter with Jesus and have had to come to the realization that sometimes I create an impression about Jesus that is not entirely accurate. All too often I have stressed the fact that he is all powerful and all knowing – which he is and make no mistake about it – but I have neglected to put that message hand in hand with his own thoughts and teachings about taking up my cross and following him or being yoked with him… It may be an EASY yoke and a LIGHT burden, but it still is a yoke AND a burden. Following Jesus and living for him as an individual and as a community is no simple task!
It would be like describing one dear friend (lets call him Sam) that I would like another (who we shall call Russ) to meet and talking a lot about Sam all the while forgetting to mention his ethnicity or some other distinguishing characteristic. The most obvious outcome of the meeting that I would have tried to facilitate would be that Russ would absolutely not recognize Sam. Or perhaps Russ would be put off that I would forget to mention something about Sam especially if the characteristic could be construed as offensive. Or as a less drastic outcome of the meeting, it would be an awkward encounter in which Russ would be trying to verify whether Sam was who I really said he was.
In retrospect (and I may be wrong), I think that sometimes I have been trying to facilitate a meeting between people and Jesus and it is completely botched because I misrepresent him - Jesus. I’ve had to return to re-examining the things I say in order to build the expectation of the congregation as we gather on a weekly basis so that I am painting an accurate picture of the savior that rebukes, chastises, but also revives, loves and restores me. Jesus that challenges me to live in the world, but not controlled by the worlds systems, desires and inclinations. Jesus who DEMANDS my soul, my life, my all and who rejects the notion that I should come to him as a miracle and gift-giving dispensing machine.
My prayer is that moving forward, God would help me (and us) to paint a more accurate picture of who he is so that his people will recognize him, long for him and run to him.
-----------------------------
Psalm 97
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Prayer life...
I do not know about you, but I have struggled with my prayer life frequently. It goes without saying, though, that through prayer we build our relationship with God and our expectation of what he can do through us and in us.
How is your prayer life?
Be blessed!
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