stand against the wind

another great book by mcmanus...i like the servant aspect...discovering that people learn to care by going out beyond the comfort zone...into the wind so to speak...it takes humility to acknowledge we need to see from God's perspective...and humility to say we need him in every existing moment, and an amazing amount of grace to live a life like him...

Phil 2:5-8NCV
In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.

But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.

And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death -- death on a cross.

i often think that we are the Jesus people see...i often wonder if people can see/sense the Christ in me...as i learn to serve better, kinder, with more love... i'm believing His presence will be the fragrance that flows through my life...practical outworking...of an inworking...

i must decrease, he must increase... is a life long goal to be the Jesus people can see...

get on the bus...a treasure

back on the bus today with many newbies...great to see kids, mom's and dad's sowing kindness...

one lady was grateful for the groceries and looked out the door and saw a treasure of furniture that was being discarded...her mom had been sleeping on the floor and she spied with her eye a suitable bed...some of the team helped her drag the bed to her house...what is one persons trash is an other persons treasure...(perhaps i'll return with a better bed)

tonight...i think i'll voice a prayer of thanks for my bed, my family and the basics that are provided...

in our south people are still sleeping in tents...

inward outward...seize the day

had an interesting experience today with a lot of pastors meeting to seek how to bring inpact world tour to dayton over the next few years the speaker laid down the lines"
most of our churches are inward rather than outward
the generation emerging is captured by passionate and costly call to follow...
come follow me and i will make you fishers of men
if anyone wants to follow me let him deny himself take up his cross daily...
he spoke of the power and presence of Jesus is always linked to go reaching the lost, the least and the lonely...

i agreed with the thinking and the worldview he was presenting...however...most are far from outward focused and are in the humanist view...what's in it for me...and my church

having attempted to work with several groups over the last few years most are content to stay in the church status quo ... a come to rather than a go to group of believers...and don't have a clue that the church culture is repelent rather than attractive to the seeking on looker.

it reminded me of some conferences i've spoken to where the movement, the grouping, were seeking to survive rather then abandon comfort for change....i've thought to late, to little and much self seeking...sad

also noticed that the para church people are at times mad at the church for the churches undeniable inward focused tradition...again sad

what to do ... what to do...

i think and hope somehow change will come...it has to...or we are just going through the motions...


last thought

the speaker spoke about the emerging generation needs challenge, purpose, and power to be different and to change the would as a authentic represention of the kingdom of God...interestingly...this is true for every generation... it was for me in the 70's 80's 90's and 2000's generations...

david served the purpose of God in his generation and fell asleep...

while encouraged I am at the same time think...the same old...the same old...

outward focused...is a choice...a way of life... a desire to change the world one person at a time ...

...seize the day...

they are gone

just been looking at some info on the net a blog...brought up all kinds of feelings...you know, the feelings and thoughts that spring from knowing someone well, and being wounded...thoughts like:they don't have a clue...where are they living?...wow talk about being self-absorbed and an attempt to impress others with self...

i realize the issues i'm seeing are not really their issues but my issues...bottom line i've been wounded and i'm still recovering... the reality, healing just takes time and choosing to forgive is sometimes a process...what to do?... i just need to let go and continue to move forward...forget and walk out forgiveness...





one guy speaking said, 'if you drop your keys into a lava stream they are gone!'



there is a better stream... the stream of life...if i choose to drop your stuff into that stream the stuff is removed and the by product.. i become the healed...

interesting to think you are over something but discover you are not...

live like you were dying...

great day yesterday...my friend john did an excellent job communicating live like you were dying...living life around the things that really matter...seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you...he had some great illustrations one with rice a jar and tennis balls...he relayed the ammount of hours per day we needed to complete our daily lives by pouring rice in to the jar...then the things that mattered the tennis balls were then added...only problem...with all the rice in the jar the balls didn't fit...then he moved on...talking about 4 life elements that mattered...he poured out the rice inserted the tennis balls and then poured in the same rice into the jar over the tennis balls amazingly the rice fit in the jar along with the tennis balls...point made...

ended the talk with a video live like you were dying by tim mcgraw...very good vibe and communication...

for the free notes and message see daytonvinyard.com/media

gym

got back to the gym yesterday...a goal to loose 5lbs and to walk daily...my back is feeling better...i jumped into the hot tub and let the jets do the work...pattie is walking daily and doing great.

we have a kidless house this weekend...it's different...nathan is now going to a methodist church youth night called rush...it sounds interesting and we are glad he is interested in spiritual things and is thinking...

check out this link chasing the light...
www.mosaic.org click chasing the light...

i'm reading erwin mcmanus stand against the wind it is a small paged... thought provoking book. i mentioned to our men's guy that a lot of people are writing shorter books...this one is short...very creative i like how they use film, dance, drama, art and environment to connect to the participants in their meetings.

emerge

training and encouraging young leaders is an interesting ride and view...we have a good leader who is leaning and exploring...open...teachable...a servant...leaning to view tasks and people differently...setting goals and going forward...and processing...open to help...honest...pressing into passion...

my style of leading is listen, coach, get feedback, help problem solve, encourage, affirm and watch, model, let them stretch wings and learn to fly...

others i've notice in life seek to control, mess, dictate, smother, point out faults, see glass half empty, don't understand learning is an experience, and the school of life is the best teacher...are hands on, which means they are the important person etc.

i'm leaning that some people always want to meddle, point out the negative, instead of affirming the positive, it's like a never good enough you'll never measure up attitude...

which is really an issue of self importance rather than humility, seeking to make others succeed...if all you are going to care about is yourself then that's all you're going to have mcmannus stand against the wind...

pause

Thai 9 lunch

ate lunch with a friend today...we talked about his roles my roles here at the vineyard....i'm in a good place...

we discussed the pressures of working with others and how many times churches lay a huge load of responsibilites on people with no thought of personal assistants, support staff and volunteers etc...it is like hey let's set this person up for failure...at some churches the responsibilites for one person are overwhelming to say the least:


the church we were thinking about is well over 1000 people...the pressure is immense... and we wondered how a person in that position can aviod burn out...it is impossible i think...the danger is that those people who eventually leave are in great danger of ever returning to ministry...some stats show that 12000 people leave the ministry a week...that's a lot of leaving...

if we are major players and leaders i think it is up to us to ensure our loyal, faithful hard working players are set up to succeed...compensated well, vacation time planned, recharge retreats are encouraged, conferences attended, and time on the job limited, family time expected...

I think over the long haul the leading leaders will produce more lasting fruit...

flowers everywhere

just completed the flowers everywhere outreach at U.D. campus with AIA...huge fun and connection with the students on campus...more than received well...we are just chipping away at redefining christians to the students there ... AIA just finished their retreat and loads of students attended and several made decisions to begin the journey of faith...Colby and Sarah have really done a great job and it is really a joy to serve with them as they reach out to the campus...

yesterday i purchased peoples coffee at Boston Stoker coffee shop in centerville...had some great talks and connection...lot's of big smiles and thanks for the coffee and who are you?s and what kind of church buys coffee for strangers...ans...the kind of church who values the thought it is more important to give than to be on the receiving end.

monday...for the birds

monday after sunday is always a challenge for people who speak to lot's of people...looking at miss-said words, things shouldn't have said, illustrations missed and some reflection wondering if people were motivated to think and more importantly do...

3 out of the 4 services went well ... 9am was a struggle... looking back we did the same prep... songs... etc... flow was stinted... i don't know if people were tired or if i was attempting too much so early in the day... i think if i speak again i will have an shortened presentation...

all services like pixars for the birds see at itunes down loadable for $2... a great ill for church life...not to be a bringer and an includer...yet a great way to start a small group...

mri

fun last night i had an mri which means i had to lay still in a tube for 30mins...it was an amazing experience...a small space plus buzzes and pops...reminded me of star trek...i felt like being readied for a blast into outer space...i drove home and felt wierd...

today i made ready for our annual flowers everywhere outreach on ud and wright state campus next tuesday...grabbed the flowers and kissed some ladies with the you've just been kissed! packs...purchased some more buckets...my buckets always leave the area an vanish into thin air...like the sock monster that always gobbles one sock most of us have in our basements...

went over notes for message on the weekend...interesting thing doug will be chipping in from his home via video feed...

that should spinn some people...i'm using huge video clips that i think will catch the interest of the vineyard people...you never know...

the hound of heaven

interesting feedback from my son...we kissed sam's club a few days ago...the staff room was buzzing about who we were...my son said oh that's my dad he is a pastor at a pretty good church...then yesterday 3 people came up to him and said tell your dad thanks...it made our day...

in a situation where a friend is being pursued by God's love and probably doesn't know it...they just found out their roommates are both vineyard people...my friend is reading cs lewis...and having some thought provoking conversations with another friend of mine...i would think they must be wondering what's going on?

i'm always amazed how much God goes all out to grab our attention...not a happenstance but a planned pursuit of individuals on good ole terra firma...one guy called these connections grace links...over a period of time i think everyone could look back and say...yep, He was after me...and is still after me...amazing

Steve's take away menu...

Talking about Worldview…To redefine Church / God / Jesus to the unchurched, we have to learn to become fishers of men and serve our way into the heart of our community. . . it's a process...using

Active kindness

How to points?

Steve’s take away menu: the how to…
make the most of every opportunity by:

1. learning to care
we begin to care by praying and asking God for His heart for people...many believers are not taught how to care about outsiders...sadly at times, outsiders are viewed as our enemies rather than those we are called to reach.

2. opening your eyes
noticing the needs of others is the first place to start...seeing a need and meeting it can create dialogue through our active caring...serving, listening, and asking wondering questions.


3. becoming a bringer and an includer
many churches need to shift to inclusive rather than exclusive… check out pixars for the birds available at itunes as an example for being exclusive rather than inclusive...it makes the inclusive point in a fun upbeat way...Billy Graham also pointed out most people would come to a christian happening if they were invited...one teacher at U.C. invites his students on field trips...where they go to a church service...explore and talk about how they felt, what they could relate to, what they thought of the message, what they couldn't relate to etc.

4. becoming a friendly opened hearted person
… this is committing personally to active participation in active kindness...having a determination to be friendly and open hearted toward the people we meet...it is interesting that next week will be random acts of kindness week in the USA...something about serving others with no strings attached will be embraced that week...the organizers hope people will pay it forward, and that thousands of people will be touched and that kindness will prevail...at least for a little while

experiment

1st saturday outreach...
what a hoot! 4 of us went to cross point shopping center to hit the shops with carnations and you've just been kissed packs to see the response...we paired up one guy and one girl(girls give the outreach cred)

every shop we went to we asked how many ladies are working today? we have a free flower to celebrate the run up to valentines day...huge smiles, laughs, giggles and you're kidding followed by who are you? we'd say we're the vineyard church as we grabbed the appropriate amount of kiss packs we popped on the counter we said you've just been kissed...huge vibe and fun...

one lady mentioned she had just had dinner with a few friends the night before and had been talking to them about the cincy vineyard and heard what a good church it was...she was interested in what we were doing and if we(the vineyard) were the same flavor...good talk...at a high end hair studio the ladies working there were blown away by kindness...at a woodwork shop mainly guys...the workers were spinned by the whole attitude and vibe of the outreach, one of our main volunteers was there purchasing some woodworking stuff and was able to listen to the conversation he said it was electic...it's great to be caught doin the stuff...

the one hour experiment worked...great talks, hundreds of people touched with God's love in a practical way...can't wait until Kiss Dayton Weekend...

uptight

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders: make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5

recgonize both insiders and outsiders are up tight about their view of evangelism...

If we are both uptight yet we still want to be a positive reflection within our sphere of influence...

What can we choose to do?
1. Bury our heads in the sand? Not an option... i don't think this is an option if we truly hold a biblical worldview..there is an urgency from the heart of God to touch his world...


2. Respond to The Call
this is the main reason i attempt to reach the people within my sphere of influence..believers are called to be outward focused...Andy Stanley has a great new series out called go fish..Based on the call come follow me and I'll make you fishers of men..If we are followers..Jesus wants to make us fishers...So responding to the call is the central point...Other thoughts..Disciples make disciples..Fruitfulness, fruit bears fruit..Sow and reap..Etc


3. Check our motivation?(or what should be our motivation?)

He wants to make us fisher of men we should be motivated by:

o Obedience to God's word (great commission etc) should motivate us...the above thought


o Understanding the compassionate nature of God... He has always been an all peoples God, compassionate, caring, pursuing us, and full of grace...His nature has not been packaged very well...Bono at the national prayer breakfast made this clear See Luke 6 for three pictures of the father's heart...Lost by the way means to be away from God's presence...He seeks those who are lost, away from His presence, in order to bring them near to be found.

o Faith Hope and Love expressed by our actions.it is more of show and tell than tell and tell... these three remain after everything else fails Faith, hope, love is seen in our actions not just spoken...Actions often speak louder than words John Wesleys Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. sums it up. True believes are motivated by these three action words.

a side thoughtA..a good definition of an evangelist...
An Evangelist is a friendly open-hearted person...

o Time waits for no one.Time is a real motivator...being on the downhill side of life...i'm aware more than ever time is running out for many people...this reality moves my heart to take risks, throw caution to the wind and be all i can be



for a great 60 second Video go to http://www.sermonspice.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=520

more thoughts later.

worldview

developing an outward focus
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders: make the most of every opportunity. —Colossians 4:5

been thinking about worldview... how we see our world through our lense / filter...the lense or filter is how we were raised, our experiences, our education, media, travel and other influences that have touched our lives...i'm thinking many people live life with a narrow worldview...

many christians in the usa have such a worldview especially when speaking about evangelism or ourward focus...

most have limited their outward view by accepting what is 'normal' in their particular flavor/background of church...

ie. visitation on one night a week with a planned series of questions to guide the conversation to the point of accepting Christ is one flavor...street confrontaional preaching is another...and what we see on t.v. another... our past experiences both positive or negative are our influences.

I now call this the 'insider view' of evanagelism...how christians view outreach, evangelism...the images/models we have experienced, embraced and methods we now promote.

for example:
when i lived in scotland i worked with ywam...our model of evengelism was mainly, street preaching, mixed with singing, drama and story(i later began to call this russion front or us vs them evangelism, we speak you listen, little direct contact and diologue)...this model was the norm and continues to be their main method of outreach...

later, when training and encouraging the ywamers to look to other cultural current outreach methods like servant evangelism they found it hard to shift from what was the norm/had always been, to embrace other expressions of evangelism.

outsider view...
all people have a worldview...so outsiders have a view of God, church, christians and Jesus viewed through their lense...this "outsider worldview" of christianity, and especially how people have attempted to evangelise them, is primarly fashioned by their experience of media, and direct contact with believers...

i.e. their contact and observation of christians/church...the things they have experienced both positive and negative from christians who have attempted to communicate the good news(packaged in various forms). to be honest some of the forms/methods of evangelism probably has been the bad news instead of the good news...the message good but the packaging flawed.



this moves me to the question, how do we/can we communicate the good news...and develop an outward focus that can effectively touch the outsider and communicate the good news we seek to share?

Action words like:
serve
dialouge
care
love
listen
ponder
ask
encourage
expalin
model
live

come to mind.