Author: Wick

Whether due to a busy summer, a large amount of books I’ve taken on all at once, or simply wanting to spend more time working through it….I’ve finally completed “After You Believe” by NT Wright.  I don’t think I’ll surprise my 2 readers by saying…..I enjoyed just about every page of it.

As a quick side note, I found myself wondering if people around me (because the world revolves around me, right?) notice the title of my book, and think perhaps I’ve just recently become a “believer” in whatever the topic is.  Sometimes I’d purposefully flash the book, in hopes that an energetic evangelical would strike up a conversation about how great Jesus is.  No such luck, this time at least.

I’ve already posted some thoughts while reading the book, and it’s important call to reclaim the activity of Jesus in our world as the Church.  So much of what Wright has said, is painted wonderfully in such a context that to remove it from, would be like taking a single star from “Starry Night”, and wanting you to see how beautiful it is.  I encourage you…if you’ve ever found, or find yourself in a place where you want “more” from Christianity, and church shopping isn’t quite filling what you thought it would…..or whatever method you’ve explored to bring personal revival…..allow God to use this book in your journey.

God is doing some pretty incredible things, and I want the language, song, and dance of my life to be something that I’ve practiced so often when it felt unnatural – that when moments requiring the response of someone genuinely following Jesus to bear God’s presence into the world in a transforming way….I am able, by the Spirit’s presence in my life.   That my very mind would be transformed/renewed, so that Faith, Hope, and Love would be virtues I’ve not only practiced in the grace of God…but are also becoming my very “New” nature.  That the fruit of the Spirit (all 9 aspects of it) would be obvious both as difficult decisions, as reflex actions, and as truly supernatural gifting as my life seeks the coming together of heaven and earth.

I’m thankful for Wright’s words on the work of humanity that has begun, and will continue into New Creation.  The gathering of creations’ praises to present before God, and the bearing God’s image and nature into that same creation.  I pray that God will be with me, as I desire these things not only for myself, but for my marriage, my family/children, and the church community I’ve been blessed to be called to serve God among.

Yes…it’s a bit dense at parts.  The fact that he talks about Aristotelian themes of virtue, etc…can be intimidating and discouraging to some of us who would prefer an easier-to-swallow pill.  But just as the spiritual “disciplines” can lead to some pretty amazing transformations toward New Life…..taking the time to invest in the words on these pages…can open the Word and Life that Jesus Christ has inaugurated…may you be blessed as well….and if you wanna borrow my copy – just let me know. 🙂

The 2nd primary speaker mentioned in yesterdays’ post was Mark Van Valin, from Spring Arbor, Michigan.  Whereas Barna talked to us mainly as ministers and churches, VanValin spoke to us as children of God; and offered new insight in our conversations on “Holiness”.

He began by offering 3 main “traditions” of salvation:
 – Proposition – we believe the right things
 – Behavioral – we do the right things
 – Relational – we know the right person.

Obviously, his desire for us was the third understanding.  That we might come to know an intimate experience of Jesus Christ.  From John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  We see the trinity relating to each other in places like Jesus’ baptism, exhibiting Love and Joy and Family.

Many of us have been asked the question “If God is complete, in need of nothing, why did he make us?”  Mark reminded us it was out of His fullness, not loneliness, that God created.  A fullness that He desires to share with us.

Van Valin compared our approach to our lives in regard to holiness like an island with overgrown plant life.  That holiness is not simply “weed-wacking” around our island, taking care of the small manifestations of outward sin.  Sin generally comes from some sort of “self” focus:

 – Self-promotion – “what about me?” mentality
 – Self-protection – “always being safe”, “not me!” mentality, disguised as humility
 – Self-indulgence – “please me” mentality, easier to spot this one, seeking pleasure/avoiding pain, addictions
 – Self-sufficiency – shies away from mystery, “let me” mentality, not willing to be broken/vulnerable

 These fear-based “larger issues”, destroy relationships and our ability to relate well…to God, or others.  All of this pointing to the real enemy often not being satan, but ultimately myself.  Van Valin offered reminders to yield ourselves to Christ for each of these areas, in order:

 – Humility
 – Obedience
 – Suffering/Intimacy/Self-control
 – Trust

These 4 things not only deepen, enrich, and help build relationships…they also REQUIRE community.  Church is much more than an hour on the weekend that you can choose whether or not you’re interested in attending this week.  It’s a community experiencing life-transformation together, and transforming their world as those lives are lived out together in mission and God’s presence. 

May we invite those around us to participate in the intimacy of genuine life together in the same way we’ve been invited to participate in what the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are actively doing…

Last month I was privileged to attend conversations on the topic of holiness at the pastors’ day hosted by the “Wesleyan Holiness Consortium“.  The two primary speakers were George Barna, and Mark Van Valin.  Today’s post will focus on the message from Barna.

He was speaking on the topic of “How to partner with God more effectively toward genuinely transformed lives.”  Toward lives that naturally bring about the virtues of faith, hope, and love…and yield the 9-fold fruit of the Spirit.  Statistically speaking (which is Barna’s forte), we currently have some very unhealthy churches.

Barna gave us the important reminder, that no matter gifted we are…no matter how well prepared the sermon is, and no matter how tight/seamless the service goes….WE cannot transform lives.  We need the Spirit of God to move in New ways.

He talked to us about his current research journey, that will be released as a new book, focusing on the “Journey” most believers (or communities of believers) experience.  He found 10 primary stages, or “stops” on that journey:

1. Ignorance (of sin)
2. Indifference (skeptics, etc.)
3. Concern (so what do I do about this?)
4. Ask for initial forgiveness. (often “fire insurance” type decision)
5. Involved (developmental, service, “what’s next” questions begin to be asked)
6. Spiritual Discontent (been involved a while, but realize the change is outward, wanting more)
7. Recognize the need to be broken (by sinful nature – need for God’s work)
8. Healing (once we’ve surrendered to God, restoration & growth can come)
9. Love (from and for God)
10. LOVE (for others – a very distinct step apart from #9)

Some important notes on the above:
 – These are not always sequential…especially the first 5.
 – Most people stay within the first 5 stops.
 – #6 is often the place where people want to “change environment” (go church shopping), but retain the issue at heart.  Often seen in young adults who are used to age-segregated “youth group” mentality consumer-driven church experiences…and now find themselves without a section on the menu for them specifically.
 – #7 is crucial, and often missed.  Majority of believers say they accepted Christ without brokenness.  The consumer-driven (avoid hell, or gain better life) models of salvation miss out on what Jesus is up to!

Barna then gave 4 important “next steps” for us as churches/ministries:
1. Recognize that EVERYONE is on this journey somewhere.  Where are you?
2. Reflect on what “transformational ministry” means?  We are reminded the “endgame” is NOT “heaven”.
3. We need to invest more church resources in steps 1-4 than we do currently.
4. We are called to be vulnerable in realizing these things.  To partner together, and find fellowship with others seeking a better understanding as well.

May we find ourselves on the journey, and locate those we love as well….as we seek the Wholeness that Jesus Christ is offering even now…