Church

In my first "official" act as a executive pastor at Mountainview, I led our staff in an off-site vision casting and leadership development day.  I am privileged to coach a dedicated, creative, and fun group of people. Here's a brief recap of what we talked about: Opening devotional: Nehemiah 4:1-15.  Nehemiah has multiple opportunities to grow discouraged and quit.  He faces opposition from outside and doubts from those on the inside.  Rather than give up, he rallies the troops with these words: "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." We, too, face many opportunities to grow discouraged.  That's why it's important we remember how great and awesome our God is ... and what we are fighting for. What is a church? Next I shared Alan Hirsch's definition of church:…

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This is the final night of Opportunity Camp 2010 and it has been a good week. Our staff arrived from various parts of California, Texas, Washington, Oregon, New York, and Colorado.  I'm continually amazed at the year-after-year loyalty that Opportunity Camp inspires among our staff.  Our executive director has served 31 consecutive years; others on staff have served 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Camp is also a good entry point for high school students on mission trips.  It provides them with a week outside of what they would normally experience at home -- the same goal we have for our campers.  It stretches, challenges, and encourages our younger staffers. For our campers, this week is one of ups and downs.  There is the usual tension of trying to figure out a new place, a new system, a new community.  Kids are kids and each has a certain amount…

In reading Alan Hirsch's material on missional communities, he asks the question: "What is a church?"  Here are the key elements of his definition: A covenanted community – a church is a group of people bound together in a distinctive bond. A covenanted community centered on Jesus – Jesus is the new covenant with God and he thus forms as the true epicenter of an authentic Christ-ian faith.  But, more is required to truly constitute a church.  A true encounter with God in Jesus must result in… A covenanted community that worships, defined as offering our lives back to God through Jesus. A covenanted community that practices discipleship, defined as following Jesus and becoming increasingly like him A covenanted community that is on mission, defined as extending the mission of God through the activities of his people.