A Post-Denominational Church

WARNING: You are about to enter the Twilight Zone of Ben's mind. All thoughts and opinions found within the following text are purely speculation and the musings of a young man's mind. In addition, the length of this post is undetermined, enter at your own risk.

For some time now, I have been considering going to seminary. In all reality, I have felt the call to be a pastor since the summer before 6th grade. I have been on that track the whole time, I just haven't always realized it. I went to Wartburg College to pursue a Religion major with a seminary prep emphasis. It was at this Lutheran college that I fell out of love with my Lutheran denomination. I was also during this time that I was introduced to something called "the Vineyard."

The concept of the Vineyard remained elusive, despite all of my attempts to understand it. This was, in part, because the denomination itself was newly formed and didn't have a strong central leader to cast a vision after the death of John Wimber in the early to mid 1990's. The other reason the "Vineyard" was so elusive is that it was never intended to be a denomination. John Wimber's original goal was to create a movement which would impact the larger Church and bring together classic Evangelical theology with biblical Pentacostal experience. This movement also emphasized low-key worship, intimacy with God and contemporary music.

Wimber's death in 1993 galvanized the movement into a denomination in order to maintain some sort of control over the name "Vineyard." In all fairness, the man who assumed responsibility of the Vineyard after John Wimber's death, Todd Hunter, explored many ways of keeping the movement alive without resorting to denominationalism. It is one of those ideas I wish to explore today.

A man by the name of Wayne Grudem counseled Todd Hunter to adopt a style of organization called "apostolic networks." The following definition of Apostolic Networks is taken from Bill Jackson's book, The Quest for the Radical Middle, "this new area of research recognizes that we are entering into a postdenominational era where apostolic men are rising up in America's free market religious economy to gather around them clusters of churches, either through church planting or adoption."

In other words, we are entering a time in Church history where denominational boundaries are blurring or falling away altogether. Arising from these ashes of Christendom is an ancient and modern mode of governance - the apostolic bishop or overseer. These men are appointed by God, and accepted by men, to oversee various clusters of churches. As esoteric as this may sound, it is already happening in post-modern America.

For instance, think of how Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Rick Warren and Bill Hybels influence churches throughout the nation. How many millions read their books and apply them to their churches? How many churches pipe in their sermons via webstream? How many churches now have multiple campuses, but remain under one larger church's covering?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think this is all a good thing. I am, and always will be, a diehard proponent for the small local church and a pastor who ministers to the immediate needs of the people. But there is something about Apostolic Networks that grips me. I haven't yet thought through all of the ramifications and implications of such a move, but we, collectively, as well as me individually need to start doing so because it is happening around us.

A few parting thoughts that are of a more personal nature. I mentioned earlier that I have been interested in pursuing seminary. The main issue I have been struggling with is, which one? Since I work in a Vineyard church and have been actively involved in the Vineyard for some time, it seems natural that I would choose their seminary program. But I found myself asking, what is unique about the Vineyard that is worth saving, that is worth advancing by becoming a pastor in it? That is what has lead me to start researching the movement more thoroughly and to start asking questions of the regional leadership. But then I got to thinking, what is unique about any denomination that is worth saving and advancing? All of the good movements that became denominations were successful because they brought something to the larger church.

Contemporary worship is not a Vineyard thing, it is a Church thing. Prophetic ministry and the laying on of hands is not a Vineyard or a House of Prayer thing, it is a Church thing. Salvation by grace through faith is not a Lutheran thing, it is a Church thing. The gifts of the Spirit are not a Pentecostal thing, the belong to the Church.

And so I find myself continuing to stew, dwelling on the idea of a postdenominational Church and what that means for me. But the larger question, the one that supercedes all is, "God, what are You up to?"

Snow and Sore Fingers

There is a lot of snow around Waverly. A lot. Looking around, it doesn't seem that way, but I don't measure snow in inches. I measure snow in the number of times I need to shovel. Thus far, there have been four shovel outings and another needs to happen.

Please don't misunderstand. I am not complaining. I absolutely LOVE suiting up in my Carhart coveralls and getting some fresh air and exercise. I go stir crazy in the winter and generally end up picking on my wife, so I am thankful for this snow.

The snow I am NOT thankful for is the snow that is keeping my sister imprisoned in London. I want to hang out with her this Christmas so I am working my connections. :) But, wether we celebrate on the 25th or not, we will still have Christmas as a familiy at some point.

Now, for the sore fingers part. I played my first two-hour worship set last night and my fingers HURT. (BTW, I am sorry for all of the caps, but I am using a laptop at work and my usual italics and bolding functions don't seem to work well. My apologies for yelling at you.)

It was a ton of fun, except for when my fingers started to bleed a little. Ah well, war wounds right? It was a full band and a snowy night, it was glorious. I really enjoy playing the bass and I look forward to joining Amy's worship band on Sunday mornings as soon as I can find some people to take over the AV job that I am doing now.

Well my friends, I don't know how many posts will come in the next few days, so in case I don't get the opportunity at any other point... MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I pray that you have a very blessed and enjoyable holy day with your family and friends. I love you all!

Last Sunday's Sermon

Hey friends, I thought I would upload my transcript from last Sunday's sermon. Our OT reading was Isaiah 35 and our NT reading was James 5. I thought I would let you know since I mention them in the sermon but don't give reference notes. Sorry for the book.

Dec. 12 (Third Sunday of Advent)

Gospel Text -- Matthew 11:2-11

As I reflect on the texts for today, two related themes jump out at me.

The first is the coming of the Lord and the second is our patient endurance

until He comes. One one hand we eagerly expect Jesusʼ return and the

ushering in of His Kingdom. On the other we realize that He has not yet

returned and that His Kingdom is not here in its fullness. John Wimber

described this as the “now, but not yet” of the Kingdom.

Isaiah gives both a beautiful and startling account of “the great and

terrible Day of the Lord.” He begins by speaking about the desert and

wilderness becoming fruitful and glorious once more. The dry places will

have abundant water and the wild places will become well tended gardens.

We are want to keep reading about the glorious things to come - the blind

eyes see, the crippled legs dance, the mute tongues sing for the very first

time and on and on it goes. But before we get to all of those wonderful

things that will happen in the Millennial Kingdom and beyond, we must first

experience the coming of the Lord.

In verses three and four, Isaiah speaks prophetically to the people

who will see that great and terrible Day of the Lordʼs return. He encourages

them to strengthen their feeble hands and steady their weak knees. He

encourages them to be strong and not fear for the Lord is coming to save

them. All of this sounds great until Isaiah describes how God is going to

save His people. “He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He

will come to save you.”

I cannot think of a single thing so opposite of the “Christmas spirit” as

the idea of divine retribution. I mean, come on, what is a text like this doing

in the readings for Advent? Arenʼt we supposed to be focused on love and

joy and good will towards men? Isnʼt that what Christmas is all about?

No, its not. Christmas is about Christ - Jesus - who, though He was

and is fully God, chose to come to earth as a baby so that He might take on

our frailty and redeem a people for Himself. Jesus inaugurated the Day of

the Lord over 2,000 years ago when He was born in Bethlehem. When He

returns it will be the full consummation of all that He has planned.

Christmas is the time when we focus on Christ, when we focus on who He

is and what He came to do. Jesus is the full expression of God, who

revealed Himself to Moses saying “I am who I am and I will be who I will

be.” Christmas is the time when we take Jesus at face value, when we try

to understand Jesus as who He has revealed Himself to be, not the Jesus

we try to make Him be to fit our own needs and wants.

John the Baptist tried to pressure Jesus into being who John wanted

Him to be. That is the Gospel reading for today.

John is in prison and starts hearing stories of what Jesus is doing.

Now John was very well aware that Jesus was the Son of God, the Christ,

the Anointed One - after all, John baptized Jesus in the Jordan and saw the

heavens rent, he saw the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove and John

heard the audible voice of God say, “This is my Beloved Son, with Him I am

well pleased.” So why on earth would John send his disciples to ask Jesus

“Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Quite simply, Jesus wasnʼt living up to Johnʼs expectations. John

knew Jesus was King, and yet he was still in prison. John had his own

ideas about how God should run his Kingdom - and those ideas didnʼt

involve personal suffering in the least!

John wanted Jesus to be an earthly king. He wanted Jesus to storm

Herodʼs palace, kill the trouble maker and set John free. John wanted

Jesus to run things the way John would have run them. And that is the

foolishness that you and I battle every day. We forget that we were made in

Godʼs image. He was not made in ours.

Jesus gently reminds John of this in the answer He gives to Johnʼs

disciples. He says ʻYes John, I am the One who was to come. The blind

see, the lame walk, the diseased are cured and the dead are raised - my

Kingdom is breaking into this world. But John, I am not coming for you. My

plan for you is that you will die by Herodʼs hand. You will be blessed if you

do not fall away on account of me.ʼ

Phew, what a response. How hard that must have been to receive.

How hard it still is to receive. Jesus is not like us. He is for us, that is, He

works everything for our good, but He does it in His own way. He is

Sovereign, He is Lord of all. He will be who He will be and He will not be

chained by our own expectations of how things should be. I think C.S.

Lewis said it best in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - “Heʼs not a

tame Lion, but He is Good!”

And it is that Goodness that we trust in most dearly. To come face to

face with an unpredictable God is a terrifying thing, but He reveals Himself

to us in ways that cause us to trust Him, even as He maintains His mystery.

To Moses God said, “the Lord, the Lord, (I am, I am,) the

compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and

faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness,

rebellion and sin. Yet I do not leave the guilty unpunished.”

So even as God declares His independence to “be who He will be”

He also reveals to us His character, the motivations of His heart. He is

compassionate, He loves grace and mercy, He is slow to anger and

overflowing with love. He is faithful and also just. God says to Malachi, “I,

the Lord, do not change!”

Praise God for that, for it means that in every circumstance God is

good and merciful and caring and just and compassionate and loving and

faithful. And it is those qualities, God very character, that we trust in, even

in difficult and trying times. That is what Jesus was trying to tell John. That

is what Jesus is trying to tell us, even now.

James confirms this in our New Testament reading. “Be patient

brothers... do not grumble, the Judge is at the door! My brothers, as an

example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke

in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have

persevered. You have heard of Jobʼs perseverance and have seen what

the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

This is the heart of the matter: even while we eagerly anticipate the

Day of our Lordʼs return, we must patiently bear with our present

circumstances. And if those present circumstances are undesirable

(sickness, persecution, suffering, death) then we trust in the character of

our God who works all things for our good. There is a statement I want to

unpack and then we will close.

God will use the least severe means possible, to reach the greatest

number of people at the deepest level of love while still maintaining human

free will. How do we know that?

God is merciful, He does not delight in the destruction of the wicked

so He will use the least severe means of reaching people that He can.

Godʼs desire is that everyone will be saved. Therefore, He wants to

reach the entire world with the Gospel of salvation.

God is loving and compassionate. He wants people who will be His

bride, His friend. He wants people who will voluntarily respond to His heart

in love. That is why He wants to reach people at the deepest level of love

possible. It is also why He so valiantly protects human free will. He does

not want robots nor does He want people who cower before Him and are

too afraid to come near. God is a gentleman, He will not force Himself upon

anyone.

And so we trust in Godʼs character, who it is that He has revealed

Himself to be, in every circumstance. We trust that in everything - pain,

trial, temptation, persecution, blessing, abundance - God is working all

things for our good. We trust that in everything He is Good and gracious,

merciful and compassionate, just and righteous, faithful and loving. We

trust that He is using the least severe means possible to reach the greatest

number of people at the deepest level of love while still maintaining human

free will.

This is who God has revealed Himself to be, this is the God we serve.

This is the God whom we anticipate this Advent season. Even as we

remember His first coming, we anticipate His second. And we hope to say

with the Apostle Paul, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth

comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” To the praise and glory

of God our Father, Amen.

Humility and Meekness

I am in a refining period. This is a good thing, I did ask for it after all, but it is incredibly painful at some points. As I become more aware of my own sinful tendancies, I grow more and more dissatified with my current spiritual state. Now I realize that there is a time to look around and recognize how far I have come and to celebrate my successes, but this is not one of those times. This is a time to look at my life and say 'God, I want more! There has to be more than this, make me more like Jesus.'

I have been studying meekness and humility lately. They are two of my favorite characteristics of Jesus and they are some of the most valuable for us as Christians. In my searching I have come across a great definition of meekness. I don't have my reference handy, but I will give the definition as best I remember.

"Meekness stands in the middle of two extremes. One extreme is getting angry for no reason. The other extreme is never getting angry at all. Meekness takes into account the frailty of the individual and seeks repentance and restoration. Meekness is getting angry at the right time, in the right way and in the right measure."

Yeah, I can buy in to that. Cultivating meekness is not to go about being a doormat. Cultivating meekness is cultivating a spirit of wisdom, long-suffering, humility and righteousness. Cultivating meekness is learning when to leave things in God's hands and when to act in a very decisive manner - a manner that will show oneself or others the error of their ways and draw them back to Jesus in repentance. Meekness is really trusting God when He says, "It is mine to avenge. It is mine to repay." So much of my time and energy is spent defending my name, character and reputation. I constantly interject comments into conversation to quantify, qualify or interpret statements that I make. I want to persuade people to see me in the best light possible.

That all sounds fine until I start measuring my life to the life of Jesus. Jesus was so sure of himself and his position before his Father that he didn't need to go about defending the things he said. Jesus simply said the things that the Father wanted him to say, in the way in which God wanted him to say them, and let people deal with it in their own souls. When he was accused of immoral bahavior, he told stories which pointed out the intentions of those accusing him and how he had acted in accordance with God's will. He didn't do this often, only when he was publically challenged. Even then it was a rare occurance. When he was before Pilate, Jesus was completely silent. He could have spoken and aquitted himself for the case against him was weak. Instead, he remained silent and submitted himself to the will of his Father. He was obedient unto death.

That simply amazed me. How I long to be like that. I wante the daydreams of my heart, those things I think when no one is looking, to be about how I can glorify God. I want to daydream about how I can become less so that God can be more in me. I want to imagine ways in which I can submit myself to God's will so other people can see God clearly through me.

I am not at that point. I am not even close. But that is where my gaze is fixed. That is what I am aiming for. I want to be a tool God can use with joy. I want to be a tool that God wants to use again and again.

And so, Lord, my prayer is that You would continue this refining process in my life, that You would even accelerate it - that You would do more in a shorter amount of time than You had even planned. I want to partner with You. I want to submit to You. I want to be more like Your Son, Jesus. Amen

Perspective

Do you ever have those moments when God expands your perspective and you are completely taken off guard? I do. I start looking at my life and thinking 'OK, I kind of have a handle on this. This is a pretty cool plan God has for my life.' Then God brings me up a little higher and I start seeing more and more of the picture. The only thing I can liken it to is hitting the minus (-) button of Google maps or something like that. What was big and in focus suddenly becomes very small in the grand scheme of things. And I am overwhelmed.

God! Your plan is this big? Whoa! And He just smiles, knowing that the plan is so much larger than even that.

This scene has played out at least four times in my life and seems to be happening with more regularity. This is very cool, very exciting and very humbling. Gaining God's perspective on things really makes life start to make sense. Things that were huge to me before are suddenly shrunk down to their proper size. Conversely, things that I thought were relatively unimportant prove themselves to be part of a far larger picture than I ever imagined.

I realize I am being rather vague in this, but I promise I will share more in time to come. I am just very excited for how things are shaping up with IHOPE and the Vineyard. God is moving (He always has been and always is) and we are just trying to grab a hold of His coattails and follow along. Blessings to you this Advent season!

Amana Colonies

Amy and I just got back from a weekend away to the Amana Colonies. This is an annual tradition for us and we meet up with Amy's mom and step dad to do some shopping, relaxing and pigging out on sweets. It is always a restful time, which I appreciate in the midst of this busy season.

The thing I like best about the Amanas is the religious heritage. The settlers of Amana were religious immigrants from Germany. They were staunch Lutherans who dreamed of a better world. Part of the separatist movement, the Inspirationists (as they called themselves then) tried to live apart from the world. They founded their own self-sufficient communities and needed little from the outside world. I admire their independence and hard work, but what I like best was their commitment to being the Church in the world.

The Amana people met for worship and prayer 11 times throughout the week. They based their lives around it. And it was this devotion that allowed them to prosper. It maintained unity in the community even though there were over 1,500 members and it allowed them to go after God with one heart and mind. God blessed their work and they became prosperous and even reached out to the community with free meals, hostels and medical care.

It is looking back at such a rich religious tradition that gives me hope for the future. People can work together for a greater cause, people can live in the world but not be of it. The Amana way of life only lasted 80 years and I do not know the reasons for its demise. Even still, I hope that the Church can reclaim some of that heritage. What would our communities look like if we had churches that were empowered by the Spirit and united in purpose like the Church was in the book of Acts? I don't know, but the very though excites my spirit. Lord, may Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.