Planting Sexy Churches

[Before you read, please know that I'm not attacking a church model.  We need all types of churches to reach all types of people.  But I am challenging a certain mindset among some church planters and leaders. Should you disagree, leave a comment and let's reason this out biblically. Thank you.]

Luke 15 is hands down one of my favorite sections in all of Scripture.  If you recall, Jesus is “caught” by the Pharisees getting his grub on with sinners and tax collectors.  Oh, the scandal! As they criticize him for the company he keeps, Jesus hits back with three stories that reveal his heart as he talked about a lost son, a lost coin, and a lost sheep.

In the parable of the lost sheep, you’ll see the shepherd leave the ninety-nine sheep to go find the one that is lost. When he finds it he throws it over his shoulders, carries it back, and throws a party.  Something valuable was missing and now is found.  Then Jesus tells us that in the same way, Heaven celebrates over one sinner (like you and me) turns a one-eighty than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need to.

There are many layers to this passage but when I read it I can’t help but think about church planting and how there is a easy way and the right way to build churches.

The easy way is to start a sexy church for the ninety-nine.  All you have to do is be more attractive than other churches in your area.  Soon enough, you’ll have lots of Christians from other churches joining.  You’ll grow quickly and be heralded as the next big thing in church planting world.  Blogs subscribers, Twitter followers, and speaking invitations will come.  Success for your church is breaking attendance records and your mission is to keep that attendance chart rising.  Congratulations Mr. Church Planter, you are an excellent event planner and your sexy church can put on a great show.  At least until something sexier comes along.

Hear my heart- I’m all for inviting environments and I do believe numbers matter. I want as many as possible to follow Jesus.  I’m just wondering which numbers matter most. The ninety-nine or the one?

All churches agree that Jesus should be at the center of any healthy church.  He is the object of worship.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  We love Jesus and want to do what he says and be more like him.

I find it interesting that God could have entered human history as a sexy beast, but he didn’t according to Isaiah 52:2.  I suppose if Jesus was incredibly good-looking, people could have said his disciples followed him because of his movie-star looks.  But that wasn’t the case. Instead, people were drawn to Jesus because he was Jesus.  People were added daily to the early church because Jesus is Jesus.  Today, people are still compelled to Jesus because he is still Jesus.

If Jesus is right (and he is), then the right way to start a church is to share his heart for the one who’s lost.  And if Luke 15 is any indication, we don’t wait for them to find us.  We go find them!

If our churches are like Jesus, we don’t prepare a fancy table for the ninety-nine.  We go and sit at the table of the one(s). The point isn’t for the ninety-nine to come to our sexy church show, it’s for the one to come to Jesus.

As many as possible.

And we can party like mad when they do!

Tags: attractional church, Church, Church Planting, missional church

Project Church Reflections (video)

Some reflections following Saturday night’s gathering at Project Church.

(RSS readers: Click here to view the video)

Tags: Church, Church Planting, missional church, project church, video

Project Church Weekly Update (11.14.08)

Saturday Nights @ Six | Alternative Fuel Coffee House | Downtown Rapid City

We’re changing things up this weekend at Project Church and you don’t want to miss it!

The first thing we’re changing is this week’s message.  We’re going to pause our current series, “True or False” and this week we’re going to look at the vision of Project Church. Where are we going? How are we doing? Why do we do what we do?  If there’s ever been a week to check us out for the first time or invite friends/family who might dig us, this is it.

We’re also adding a new element to our weekly gathering called, “Stories.” It will be a brief Q & A between me and someone with a story to tell. This week, we begin with story from a dude who’s recently connected with Project Church.   We’ll chat and then he’ll share his story with a song.  I’m really looking forward to it. If you or someone you know have a story you think others should hear, shoot me an email.

Some other items to note.

• Be a Facebook Fan of Project Church here.  There are some special goodies there so check it out.
• This Christmas season, we’re taking part in something called The Advent Conspiracy. More to come.
• There will be no gathering on Saturday, November 29 due to the Festival of Lights parade downtown.  This is a great city-wide event and I hope to see you there. We’re back in action on December 6.
• If you’re interested in helping out this weekend, be at Alternative Fuel at 5:30pm on Saturday.

So join us Saturdays night @ 6pm at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City (next to the Firehouse Brewing Co.).  Bring a friend, grab a coffee, enjoy some live music, and discover more about Project Church.

Tags: Church, project church, Rapid City

Misunderstanding Missional Church

I know for some, the missional church seems like the trend du-jour.  As I read through articles, blogs, and books, I’m noticing that there are strong opinions about the missional church from many church leaders.  And while I don’t pretend to speak for every missional leader, I would like to address a handful of these common misperceptions.

The missional church is a new idea
Perhaps the word, “missional” is a recent discovery to our vernacular, but it’s been around for a while (since the 1800’s).  However, the command to “Go and make disciples…” has been around for a couple of thousand years.  And the missio dei, the mission of God, has been around since the fall of humanity.   It’s not a new idea.  It’s a return to an ancient call to be the church Jesus had in mind. No trend here, just obedience.

The missional church believes gathering for worship is unnecessary
The misunderstanding here is the shift in thinking, “it’s all about Sunday” to “it’s all about everyday including Sundays.”  A church that doesn’t worship Jesus is no church at all.  But let’s not limit worship to an hour a week.  That kind of dualistic thinking and lifestyle is a dangerous pool to swim in and doesn’t mesh with Scripture.  The truth is missional churches do worship Jesus by assembling together- it just doesn’t end there.

The missional church is about raking leaves and hanging out in homes
Well…actually…that’s true.  But it’s incomplete.  The missional church intends to advance the gospel abeit through public gatherings, house parties, loving thy neighbor, serving their city, or having coffee with a friend. Whatever it takes to love God and others.  Missional church doesn’t need a leaf-raking church program to help the elderly couple across the street.  They just do it.

The missional church isn’t attractional
Imagination flows heavy in missional church. So does creativity. I’m not sure where the idea came from that missional church can’t (or won’t) have compelling environments.  Perhaps the notion came from the correct rejection of reducing the church to being a big show or a building.  Maybe it has something to do with replacing language like “we go to church” with “we are the church.”  Nonetheless, missional church believes the most attractive environments are created when they are filled with compelling people.

The missional church isn’t concerned about church growth
Any missional church that doesn’t intend “to go and make disciples…” isn’t missional.  Any missional church that intends to be a holy huddle (i.e. us 4 no more) isn’t missional.  Actually, the opposite is true. All missional churches want to reach people far from God.  As many as possible.  And if that’s happening, the Church will grow.  You can’t make disciples without people believing in Jesus in the first place.  But with missional church, it doesn’t end there.   Missional church is about two things: first steps and next steps.   Getting thousands to an event isn’t church growth (concerts can do that), but making thousands of disciples is.  That’s what missional church is committed to.

The missional church is a church model
Cookie cutter approaches are rare in missional church.  What works in one city, may not work in another.  True missional churches know their context.  They’ve studied their culture and the rhythms of the people in their city.  They look at the streams of people who aren’t connected to Jesus (or a church) and ask, “How can we meet them where they are?”   The answer to that question will result is various methods, approaches, and styles.  And the missional church has to continually pay attention to the ever-changing rapids of their culture- which means their methods will change as well.  That said, my hope is that missional churches not just change with culture- but that we change culture.  That’s our challenge.

If you’re a church leader, you may have noticed that some of this describes your church.  Congratulations, you might be missional. The question is whether it’s by accident or intention.

You see, missional churches are simply biblical churches.  The ones who “go and make disciples…”  The ones who are centered on Jesus.  The ones who love God and love people.   The ones who are sent on mission by Jesus to reach the whole world with the greatest news to ever hit the planet- the gospel of Jesus Christ. That should be the mission of all biblical churches regardless of how we’re labeled.

That’s what being missional is all about.

One Church, Under Jesus,

Jason

Tags: attractional church, Church, Jesus, missional, missional church

If Starbucks Marketed Like the Church

Check out this video by beyondrelevance.com

Funny, sad, and true all at the same time.

Tags: beyondrelevance.com, Church, marketing, starbucks

The Story So Far

It’s been almost two months since we kicked-off gatherings for Project Church and the question I’m asked most is, “How are things with Project Church?”

Overall, I’m pumped about Project Church.  It’s humbling to be a part of something special.   We set out to be a church for people who don’t dig church (at least church as usual).  And week by week we’ve had explorers join us and some even come back.  All the while we’ve been true to the Gospel.  That’s what we wanted to do.  Be big on Jesus, big on people, and for us all to live the lives we are meant to live.  I’ve definitely been blessed and have had some profound high’s.

I’ve also felt the low’s.  And since one of our values at Project Church is authenticity, I’m going to share some of them with you.

My heart breaks more now than it used to
I want so badly for people (and myself) to live full lives by following Jesus and it breaks me to see us choose otherwise.  I truly love my church and have quickly seen the need for prayer and have had the fuel for loving yet strong teaching.  This weight isn’t a bad thing but it’s a reality that I live with because I want to see people live the lives they were meant to live.

I take things more personal
Not saying it’s right or wrong, but I’ve definitely been bummed when people don’t return to our gatherings.  Not so much the churchy people, but the ones who really need a church like ours. I don’t want to lose missed opportunities and I think we have. And when our strongest supporters can’t be there, I find it’s not quite the same.  There’s something about their support that really encourages me.

Momma said there would be days like this
Pretty much all of the things I’ve been told I would experience as a church planter have come true.  The week we had a $2 total offering followed by a $0 offering was tough. Especially with a $750 rent payment to the coffee shop.  Thankfully, God provided.  I’m also getting used to criticism. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear of some false rumor about me and my church by other Christians.  That really ticks me off and is often followed by discouragement.  Thankfully, my wife is there to cool me off and stand by my side.  I’m learning to deal with it, but again, it’s not easy.

But don’t feel sorry for me.

The truth is I love starting and leading this church.  I’m so blessed to not just have a calling but am able to live it.   Seeing the person who crossed the line from explorer of Jesus to follower of Jesus makes it all worthwhile.  Seeing people step into a church gathering who never would otherwise makes it all worthwhile. Watching people grow into the people God meant them to be makes it all worthwhile. The growth I’m experiencing personally makes it all worthwhile.  And knowing that I’m part of something much bigger than me makes it all worthwhile.

If you’re leading another church (or preparing to) please know that you’re not alone in this.

If you’re a part of another church, please pray for your pastors and do whatever you can to help and encourage them.

If you’re a part of Project Church, I love you and am so thankful that you’re a part of this with me.  God’s called us to reach a community and become a community.  We need you to help make Project Church the church Jesus had in mind.

The story of Project Church is just beginning…

Tags: Church, Church Planting, project church

A Divine Conversation

A Divine Conversation
You are in a divine conversation with God.  He talks to you through Scripture, you talk to him through prayer. And when God speaks something into your heart, it will never contradict Scripture.

The Bible is personal and is evidence of a relationship with God.  1 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that Scripture is breathed out by God. That through it, God prepares us for the life we are meant to live. He teaches us what’s right (such as loving God & people). And should we believe in something bogus, Scripture can set things straight, contradict us when we’re wrong, prevent us from following lies, living like idiots, and even from following some nutjob false teacher.  We don’t make Scripture, Scripture is making us.

We worship God. not the Bible. But we love the Bible because it’s God’s letter to us. And because of that, we study it.

There are two ways to look at Scripture:
1) You stand in authority over it.  You sit as judge and jury. You cut and paste what you like.
2) Scripture stands in authority over you because it’s God’s word.  It is your supreme court.  You are shaped by it.

There’s one throne.
Who sits on it?
You or Jesus?

I encourage you to search your heart and see who sits on that one throne. That center from which you live your life.

If Christ is the center of your life, and if Scripture truly contains the very words of God to us, then it changes everything.  We study Scripture not because we have to but because we get to. To not just know about God but to know God. That’s huge!

As you pursue God through Scripture, I urge you not to read it for information- study it for transformation! As you do, you might just find that it is God who’s been pursuing you.

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a starter kit to become a good Bible student. I hope you find it helpful in your divine conversation with God.

Essentials

• Humility (Okay, this isn’t a resource but it is crucial. If we don’t humble ourselves under Scripture, then our studies will be in vain.)
• A good Study Bible (ESV or NIV)  If you get nothing else, get this.
• A good notebook (I prefer a Moleskine) and a writing utencil.

Other Resources

• Word-for-word (ESV, NASB), thought-for-thought (NIV), and paraphrase (NLT, The Message) versions of Scripture.  In that order.
• An Exhaustive Bible Concordance (Helps to dig into the original meaning of words in Scripture)
• A Bible Dictionary (So you can look up words like wormwood)
• A Topical Bible (Naves NIV Topical Bible is a good choice)
• Bible Handbook (Good info about culture of time, geography, etc. paints a picture of the context)
• Commentaries from trusted and theologically-sound writers (Here’s just a few)
• Solid systematic theology books (ones by Grudem, Packer, & Sproul are sound and readable)

Some Free Online Resources

• YouVersion (Great Social Bible Study Tool from our friends at Lifechurch.tv)
  
• BibleGateway (Straight Forward, good for multiple translation)
  
• E-Sword.net (Downloadable resource with concordance, commentaries, and more)
  
• StudyLight.org (Lots of resources like dictionaries, atlases, articles, and much more)
  
• CCEL.org (Christian Classics from Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Edwards, and tons more)
• TheResurgence.com (theological resources from our friends at Mars Hill Church in Seattle)

Where to Start

• Start in the book of John
• Commit to read at least one chapter a day or you can follow a read plan here or here.
• Helpful study/devotional method: S.O.A.P. (by Wayne Cordeiro in The Divine Mentor)

S-Scripture: Write out the verse(s) that stood out to you.
O-Observation: What is this verse(s) saying?  Why did it pop out to you? Write it down.
A-Application: What do you think God wants you to do with this verse(s) today?  Write it down.
P-Prayer: Write out your prayer to God.

The Best Question
When reading Scripture, always be asking this question: “How does what I just read point to Jesus?” That’s the key to studying and understanding Scripture.  Jesus said it was all about him. (Luke 24:27, John 5:39)

Community
Scripture is not meant just for us alone but also for us as a community. None of us know it all, but others can help shed light or ask questions that cause us to dig further.  For Project Church, we have Missional Communities where, among other things, we explore Scripture together.

A Promise
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” - GOD  (Jeremiah 29:13)

Tags: Bible, Christianity, Church, God, Jesus, Scripture

Project Church Musings

• I heart Project Church!
• We began our “True or False” series by looking at the question, “Does God exist?” Incredibly humbling to teach on that but I got some very good feedback from some explorers saying it helped them.
• Next week we tackle the question, “Is the Bible true?”
• One of our Projectors fell 50 ft. in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado a couple of weeks ago and broke her back and wrist.  Yet she made it to our gathering on Saturday night.  That’s pretty amazing.
• We will begin our missional communities soon.  I’m very excited about that and the fact that we have a few leaders for them.  More to come on that.
• Went to a pub on Friday night and determined that it would make for a sweet 2nd venue for Project Church.
• I think I’m the oldest person at Project Church and I’m 30.  I take that back, my parents are.
• We have so many needs its not even funny.
• I have a lot to do so I suppose I should stop blogging for now…

Tags: Church, Church Planting, project church

True or False: Exploring Christianity’s Most Common Questions

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” - C.S. Lewis

This weekend, Project Church begins our new series, “True or False” as we explore Christianity’s most common questions.

No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, there are some major questions most all of us wrestle with.  And beginning this weekend, we will explore some of these together.  Here’s the rundown:

October 18 - Does God Exist?
October 25 - Is the Bible True?
November 1 - Why Does God Allow Suffering and Evil?
November 8 - Who is Jesus?
November 15 - What’s the Deal with Heaven & Hell?
November 22 - Why Don’t Most Christians Act Like Jesus?

Also, immediately following the gathering this Saturday (10/18), we are having a special after-party for those wanting to discover more about Project Church and how to get plugged in.

So join us this Saturday night @ 6pm at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City (next to the Firehouse Brewing Co.).  Bring a friend, grab a coffee, enjoy some live music, and explore Christianity’s most common questions with us.

Childcare is available for children 3 & under, baristas are ready to serve you up a delicious beverage, and when we say, “come as you are” we actually mean it. Wear a hat, wear your comfortable jeans, or get all dressed up. All we ask is that you wear something.

Tags: Christianity, Church, project church