While missional is a bit of a buzzword there really is nothing new, innovative, or sexy about the concept. In this short video filmed on break at work I talk about what we mean by missional living. Since I don’t get into specifics I will do a follow up piece in a few days & lay out some practical implications.
On Tuesday, August 17th, Adam & Kimberly Johnson opened up their hearts and home to throw John Johnson and the Bontrager and the Hanafee families a farewell party.
God has used AJ and Kimberly in our lives as a great encouragement since we’ve met in Hillsboro.
We were all very humbled by the turnout. People from our different connections in the community, and so many different churches came to show support for Restore Church. God’s kingdom is so much bigger than just any one church or community, and that was great to see at the party.
After a group picture, Mike and myself gave a little “speech” thanking the folks who were there for the influence they had in our lives. Adam asked whoever wanted to pray for us to do so, and hearing the prayers of God’s people for us and our new chapter was encouraging.
We know we are in way over our heads, but God has not asked us to do it alone or without power that He gives. He says the harvest field is white unto harvest. He has sent his Spirit to do what we cannot do and has sent us saints to encourage us in our journey. Thanks be to God for his kind gifts!
Chosen, heirs, adopted, redeemed, loved, forgiven, conquerors, reconciled,justified, sons & daughters, kings, priests, slaves, commissioned, living sacrifices, set apart. These are some of the hope inspiring realities true for every Christ follower that Susan & I penciled on the back of a comp sheet after hearing some difficult news about the last thing that needs to be done before we move to Detroit, sell our house. (OK, so we added the non-biblical expression “petrified” – see if you can find it in the list below;)
In the last 2 days we have interviewed about 5 realtors as we seek to relist our home with an agent who is closer to our community. Some of the recommendations put a lump in our throat & a sickly feeling in our stomach. In addition to losing the $60,000 we have in the house a few realtors have said that if we want to sell the house we need to bring $10,000-20,000 to the closing. We just don’t have the means to do so. Another kindly offered to lead us through a short sale. I just don’t feel right taking that course of action–as I follower of Christ I want to honor my financial obligation as much as is in my power rather than hit the eject button.
Right now I am waiting on the Lord & asking Him what He wants me to do, seeking to learn all that He wants to teach me in this (a blogpost in itself!), & opening myself to new ways He may want me to minister during this indefinite time period. Pray with us along these lines. And for the sale of the house.
God is good, glorious, great, & gracious! And He is ALL those things FOR us in the gospel!
In this 95 second video I share (with the supporting cast of my family!) what we mean by incarnational ministry.
Breaking down the “buzzwords” of Restore’s Vision statement in this 94 second video I explain what we mean by Gospel-Centered.
This means we are committed to:
• Reading and teaching the entire Bible in light of the gospel. All of the stories of the
Bible exist to point us to the hero of the overarching story of the Bible, Jesus.
• Preaching the gospel to believers, not just unbelievers.
• Leaders applying the gospel to themselves first; leaders must be lifetime repenters.
• Cultivating a leadership culture marked by ever increasing “gospel astonishment.”
• Being known for an atmosphere of grace; gospel‐centered churches are safe places for
seekers, skeptics and those outside of the faith.
• Producing people who don’t just know the doctrine of the gospel but who love the
person of Jesus Christ.
For a longer version (in which my daughter Carolyn braved a bug crawling over her while she shot the video) click here.
In between snowballs on Mt Hood Mike shares the vision to plant a gospel-centered, incarnational, missional, multiplying movement for all people through the discipleship & deployment of indigenous converts.
There are estimated to be 18,000 homeless people in Detroit. Many people say that is far too conservative of a number. A full 4,000 of the 18,00 homeless are veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Recently human services built a complex explicitly for homeless veterans. Piquette Square, which has 150 one-bedroom apartments, a common area and commercial space in a four-story brick complex, opened in June (2010) at 285 Piquette in Detroit New Center. It’s billed as one of the largest projects of its kind in the country.
A key component of the $23-million project is the support services offered, including mental health counseling, substance-abuse treatment, job training, computer labs and educational programs.
What do you do with all the other homeless?
The city seems to be trying to chip away at the issue, but it is such a large problem they can only do so much.
We are commanded to help the poor and needy.
“Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Matthew 19:21
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.” Luke 4:18
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” Luke 14:13
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
What do you gather from the verse above? Does not sound like my living situation.
As we go forth in Detroit we will be reminded of the homeless and poor. I pray they will not become a sight that we get so accustomed to seeing that it does not affect and break us to love them. May we never fail to see them as souls that need Jesus!
Piquette Square for Homeless Vets
Here’s an impromptu 55 second video clip shot yesterday (8/8) on my Iphone. Tag-teaming it!
