Evangelism Conference 09

I attended the Arkansas Baptist Evangelism Conference today at First Baptist Sherwood. I came with the great expectation of visiting with and listening to an old friend from OBU days. Wes Hamilton, now the teaching pastor at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas, did a fantastic job of communicating the desperate need to destroy the sacred-secular barrier by seeing all of life as sacred. 

However, I also heard two other dynamic teachers in Dr. Roy Fish and Dr. Robert Smith. Dr. Fish retired from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (my alma mater) as one of its most beloved and respected professors of evangelism. He has never failed to have a fresh word, and this afternoon was no different as he urged the gathered leaders to rely solely upon the power of the Holy Spirit in the work of evangelism. Dr. Smith is the professor of Christian Preaching at Beeson Divinity School. He too spoke with authority and passion as he communicated our great need to reach our children and young adults for Christ. I’ll try to blog my notes later this week.

Another powerful thing about gatherings such as these is the fellowship and renewed friendship that minister encounter together. I’ve blogged recently about the sweet spirit of camaraderie that pervades the hallways and restaurants around meetings such as these. Successes are recounted as well as failures, heartaches and praises shared. It’s hard to imagine a more misunderstood and underappreciated group of men and women than ministers. Listening to someone else’s problems does wonders for putting your own – and your peoples’ – into perspective.

The theme for this year in Arkansas Baptist life is “Reaching Generation Next Now,” and the Evangelism Conference sought to focus churches on the urgency of reaching their own children and youth. With study after study showing that 80% or more of churched youth drop out of church sometime around the age of 16, it becomes more imperative than ever not just to reach young people in their formative years but to impact homes holistically as never before.

I’m more convinced than ever that churches will not be able to effect and aid a spiritual transformation of the homes that compose their memberships by doing business as usual. Too many folks see the church as a drop-off center for ministry and even as a religious club with membership rights and privileges for us to effectively evangelize and disciple future generations. We must do more than reach youth. We must penetrate faulty and fatal worldly thinking in the homes of these same youth.

It will not be done by planning or strategy. I deeply respected all the guest speakers today for emphasizing our complete dependence on the Lord for the renovation of our hearts and our churches. The radical movement we seek must be engineered by God through His Spirit. As leaders who deeply desire to see people brought into our churches through regeneration and salvation, we must lead the church to a wholehearted, desperate dependence and reliance on God to do spiritual surgery on the church and our lost world.

As I continue to mull over the messages from today, I’d be interested in knowing what you think is required of God’s people to begin to authentically present the Gospel of Christ to our communities…

Building vs. Planting, Part 6

It’s been a while since I addressed the issue of whether churches should build more facilities or plant new churches. The trend in established churches is unfortunately, an unquestioned embrace that “bigger is better.” However, as I’ve said in previous entries in this series, it’s obviously not wrong to build or expand ministry facilities. What I’ve tried to advocate is a thoughtful, missional strategy for a growing church.

With that said, let’s look at the next reason why many churches choose building over planting:

• Desire for achievement, recognition, or status

While we see these selfish grasps for ambition more easily in individuals, they are just as apt to be present in a myopic organization. It’s the unspoken motivation of wanting other churches and ministries to “look how good we are…” What began as joyful response to God’s blessing in growth morphs into an unhealthy organizational self-love that devolves into self-promotion and neglect of assisting the development and extension of the kingdom of God in the world. Rather, it focuses only on what will make itself look good or earn other’s envy.

If church leaders aren’t zealous self-examiners, they may unintentionally begin using their church as a way to prop up their own ministerial resumes. Church growth becomes a means to earn the approval and respect of other churches and leaders.

Because the church itself benefits from this growth and activity in obvious ways (new facilities, new ministries, a wide range of social activities, and a feeling of success), its members too fall prey to this type of thinking and become mindless advocates for the progress of their own church.

It doesn’t matter that sister churches in the area might be blessed from some of their abundant resources. They are unaware of the urgent needs of missionaries overseas. Strategic thinking about how Christ might desire them to minister and connect with His larger body is conspicuously absent.

Money, time, and resources are invested and spent internally – and on projects endorsed or developed by that one church. If the idea doesn’t originate from within, it becomes unworthy of consideration or investment. It’s not that the church isn’t doing wonderful things, but in the long run, it is running a one-horse race to win achievement, recognition, and status.

One of the reasons that it’s exceedingly difficult for churches to consider starting a new church rather than building or expanding is due how exceedingly difficult it is to plant a new church. It will take resources, manpower, more prayer than ever before, the generosity of allowing current members to go with the new church plant, etc.

Most of us pastors don’t thrill at the idea of “losing” key leaders. But that’s what beginning a new church often does. In joy and grace, we lovingly release some of our best and brightest to ensure the health and guidance of the new plant. Of course, there are other folks that we’d love to “send out” to a new church, but that would bless the mother church and curse the daughter church. ;)

We also don’t get charged up about allocating significant resources from already-tight budgets to another church plant. It doesn’t “benefit” the main church. But perhaps that’s another precise reason why church planting should be done. It’s selfless. It’s a recognition that if previous leaders hadn’t invested in us, our own church wouldn’t exist today.

In short, church planting may actually be one of the primary tools that we can use to kill the sinful selfish desire for achievement, recognition, or status.

Video from CEE

This is the final promotional and summary video from my recent trip to Poland:

Come, Join us in Europe from CEE Admin on Vimeo.

For more information, check out hope4cee.org.

Worship services of significance

So far this week, I’ve had the joy and privilege of participating in two worship services that were not at Journey but were highly significant. Briefly…

Sunday morning, our church was invited by Revival Center Church to worship with them. RCC is a predominately African-American church led by a good minister friend of mine, Michael Jones. Michael and I have met and have prayed a few times now for the Lord to grant us favor and wisdom as we consider what a multiethnic ministry might look like here in our Delta region town.

I invited Mark DeYmaz and Stephen Weathers, pastors of Mosaic Church in Little Rock down a few months ago to help us being that dialogue. Mosaic’s church DNA is wrapped around the concept of every people, every tribe. Their vision is a multisite, multiethnic church.

At RCC Sunday, I was blessed to be able to preach to both our congregations about “Thankful for Joy.” You can listen to the podcast here. However, greater than the message proclaimed was the message of the Gospel in the pews. We loved meeting with them and worshiping our Savior together. We’re looking ahead already to the next time.

The second worship opportunity was last night at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at UAM. I served there from 1995-2003 as the director before resigning to start Journey. Last night was the final worship service of the semester. They call it “Refuge” these days. (We called it FIRE back in the day). What was significant is that it wasn’t just the last Refuge of the semester. It was the last Refuge in that building forever.

The BCM will be moving into a brand new facility built by love, faith, and vision in January. They will move in debt free after at least 10 years of prayer and fund-raising. Their current facility was built by Southern Baptist Churches back in 1954. In fact, the BSU (as it was known then) at UAM was founded in 1932.

It was deeply surreal for me to be able to stand in the back, listening to current director Tracy Reed teach and participate in the student-led worship time. I loved every minute of it and thanked the Lord for the generations of students that have been touched for eternity through God’s people ministering in that location.

As I reflect on both opportunities for worship, I’m confident of one thing in relation to each… it is not an isolated worship service that marks a ministry. It’s the overall direction of that ministry in relation to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In both cases I would say that the path ahead is bright indeed!

Grace Point Church

I haven’t made an entry in this series in some time now, and after stumbling on Grace Point’s website a few days ago, I was prompted to give them a quick shout out for their site.

First of all, I like that GP’s site is not too 2.0. These days, Flash sites with bells and whistles almost bore me. I’ll probably oooh and aaaah over one tomorrow, but I like the first impression of this site. While it first struck me as too busy, and all the rollover graphics were a little distracting, I immediately realized, “Hey, there’s a lot of stuff here to look at.”

Clicking on Virtual Church takes you to a site within a site that has the sidebar shown to the right. It offers all kinds of connections for those who may just want to check out Grace Point from a distance for a while. This is where you find the podcast, prayer requests, Facebook group, etc.

So much of GP’s site requires you to take that initial step of interest. From the main page (on the day I visited), I saw a Mother’s Day Out program, an upcoming concert with Natalie Grant, a missions endeavor and a baby dedication scheduled. Clearly, there’s a lot of fellowship and activity going on.

The only caveat to the site was the font and text style of many of the links. While many of the graphics were clearly Photoshopped and animated, the list of links on the front page that begins “I’m New” and continues through “FAQ” was just a little 1.0 for me. I noticed this same graphic disconnect on the sidebar on the Virtual Church page. 

I think the text of the links across the top of the page just don’t match the feel that the site intends to communicate. 

I was intrigued by the Need It/Got It page. It’s essentially a classified section for use by the church and its members and guests. Great idea!

I was impressed, however with the Global Missions link page. Seeing where this church is currently impacting and serving was a great encouragement.

Overall, it’s a very useful site that communicates and invites. One suggestion would be that the pastor needs to update his blog. It was over a month behind when I stopped by. For the time and effort this church has put into its site, he may be missing a great opportunity to connect with those who, like me, just stop by.

Renewal Gathering at Journey

What I’ll be doing the next 2-3 evenings…

Change in America = Change in the Church

One thing that no one can deny any longer. It isn’t 1950 any longer. America is not like 95% of our churches. At the massive Obama celebration party in Chicago last night, it was a multi-ethnic, multi-socioeconomic, and multi-cultural blend of Americans.

For most of our churches, they find themselves on November 5 wondering how they grew to such irrelevance. They find themselves out-of-touch with the larger population, most wishing for a return to yesteryear. In pockets of America, there remains an ambivalence about true integration in worship.

The church of Jesus Christ can not be HIS church and not reach out to all ethnic groups, socioeconomic levels, and cultures. It has been content, for the most part, in preserving the comfort of its existing members. It has done this primarily by only reaching out to those that would help undergird its existing values and allow its current leaders to remain in control.

Just as the leadership of our nation was jerked radically away from one group on November 4, the church needs a radical jerk away from its love affair with complacency and selfishness. 

The heart of the Father is for all peoples, everywhere, to know and love His Son Jesus Christ. Our churches need to seek humility, forgiveness and begin the journey of joy by actively reaching out to all with the gospel of Christ. It’s not Jesus that people in our country have rejected. It’s the church’s narrow proprietorship of Him.

Other’s Voices: Mark DeYmaz

Bentonville-bound

For those of you who know me, I’m sure there will be a grin stretching across your smarmy face right about now. I’m heading to the annual Arkansas Baptist State Convention – voluntarily. For eight years as a campus minister, I was required to go. For the past five years, I had no desire to go.

However, since Journey aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention in January – a very prayerful and strategic decision for us – I’ve been earnestly enjoying the extended network and blessing of working intentionally with like-minded churches and leaders. 

Every October, the state denomination gathers around the city of churches that give the most to the convention (ooops… a little sarcasm entered there) and holds its annual meeting. Many times it can be a snoozer. At other times there are fireworks shot off by those who love to shoot off at the mouth. All the time, however, there is genuine fellowship, laughter and renewal in the corridors, restaurant booths and coffee shops surrounding the convention. It’s as if we have to host a protracted series of self-important meetings to manipulate pastors and leaders into gathering – and then the good stuff happens outside of the meeting as friendships are made and renewed, broken hearts are mended, encouragement is passed and tears are shed.

This pastoring thing is hard – if you do it right. The toll of carrying responsibility for the spiritual growth of people is mentioned by Paul. In addition to all the physical torment that the apostle Paul suffered, he mentioned the incredible spiritual burden of seeking to lead a group of people into intimacy with Christ Jesus.

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11.23-28)

Perhaps it’s one of the most unnoticed responsibilities of spiritual leaders in the church today. As God’s called representative, we are responsible and empowered by God to bring His church to maturity in Christ. The joy comes when people are led there willingly – when they are hungry for holiness, for God’s Word and for witness in the world. The toil and pain comes when they embrace the things of the world rather than God and correction, rebuke or confrontation enters the picture. Yet the minister must not shy away from such things. The New Testament is replete with instruction about leading people to maturity and even dismissing them from church fellowship if need be.

And so at meetings such as this, you run into a lot of hurt, sorrow, and confusion. It’s amazing to hear about pastors who have been beat up and cast aside, who have been attacked and vilified, and whose personal and family lives are at the end of their proverbial rope. They come from all over – ostensibly to a meeting because they “should” – but in reality, they come for hope, help, and in desperate longing for just one ear that will listen, a mouth that will pray for them, and a heart that identifies with where they are.

I’m looking forward to how God will work in leaders’ lives over the next few days – and in mine. Please be praying for this group of outstanding shepherds as they gather. Pray for their encouragement, vision, and strength to continue serving the Lord of Hosts and His Church.

PhotoGenX

Here’s a nice website that encourages you to pray for the nations: PhotoGenX.com. Mission statement:

The vision of photogenX is to use photography as a tool for cultural transformation so that issues such as gender based injustice will be issues of history instead of the future.

HT: Kiki Cherry

Interview with Ed Stetzer

On Monday, Ed Stetzer interviewed me on the streets of Krakow, Poland about how churches like Journey could get involved in thinking missionally.

Last day in Krakow

I will be flying home from Krakow, Poland tomorrow after a week spent in discovery mode. I traveled here with Ed Stetzer and other pastors to explore ways that innovative churches can plug directly into the work of the Gospel in Central and Eastern Europe.

With majestic-ancient churches dotting every corner of this city which has everything from a 1000 year-old castle to a neon-resplendent Coffee Heaven, it has been a humbling experience to walk where 99% of the residents claim “Christianity” but know no personal relationship with its Messiah.

Especially after walking the sorrow-filled paths of Auschwitz and Berkenauer today, it’s difficult to stomach apathy in the church. I’m eager to embrace, encourage and equip people for the journey of a lifetime into the harvest fields of the nations. One of areas that I sense my church is uniquely equipped to relate with well is Central and Eastern Europe. 

Coffee House

Rick White and Sebastian Vasquez did a brief interview tonight before the coffee house that we had helped invite folks to all week. Seba shared ways that ordinary folks from churches like mine and Rick’s could discover quickly that there is a great need for them and their skills and experience and love for Christ in Central and Eastern Europe. For instance…

• The Krakow Tigers (a professional football team coached by one two of the IMB workers) needs players, incuding a quarterback. (I thought I wanted to apply until Mark related that one guy had his shoulder knocked out of joint just scrimmaging with the team.)
• Photographers, web designers and folks who know how to start a business could lecture, host seminars and built relationships that long-term workers here could cultivate.
• Anyone who can speak English or even Arkansaw can share in university settings about their town, culture, and American life experiences for conversational purposes.
• Businessmen and women can relate skills and know-how.
• Students can take classes for a semester or longer at some of Europe’s oldest universities and work to help start and encourage new campus ministries.
• Baseball coaches and sports lovers can hold clinics and play with Polish youth.
• Teachers can share principles of teaching from the American classroom and even speak in classes here.
• State troopers can speak about the dangers of drunk driving, alchohol and drug use and even relate with Polish security firms and law enforcement agencies on policing tactics in America.
• A team of young couples could host a parenting conference or even a game night to teach different American games.
• A videographer and Photoshop expert could host seminars and teach skills to Polish business people and collegians.

And the list goes on… In short, there is a way to build relationships in Central and Eastern Europe that will enable those who have given their lives to the harvest here to follow up, cultivate, and see many profess faith in the beautiful and all-sufficient name of Jesus Christ if we will but lay down our lives to do so.

I spoke with some upperclassmen tonight during the coffee house about an ancient legend that Krakow was founded by a knight after defeating a dragon by trickery. You can find knight and dragon figurines in most gift shops.

While young adults and Polish in general are easily able to discern legend from fact, they unfortunately relate religion to the status of legend as well. I drew the connection and asked two sisters, “Do Polish young people view religion as a real part of life or legend?” One young lady waved her hand dismissively and said, “No one cares about religion here.”

She went on to relate that while there are beautifully stunning churches everywhere, they have no relevance for her life. I wonder if that is the same for my community and nation? Religion is everywhere, but is it a real part of life? Or have we relegated it to the status of a good, old story with colorful characters but with useless import?

Observations

I’ll be back late Saturday night and will be teaching Sunday. I’ve seen cathedrals and concentration camps. I’ve heard Polish people assign religion to a category of irrelevance. But I’ve also spent time with an incredible team of God-saturated missionaries and strategic workers – in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

I’m hopeful, and I’m heartened. There is great work to do here in this war for the souls of Central and Eastern Europeans. And I believe that Christ-followers in Monticello and Arkansas will have a significant role to play in the near future.

Krakow Day 6

I had fun today, but it’s late, and I’m pooped. A quick summary:

• A Coffee Heaven run in the early a.m.
• Team Krakow meeting all morning
• Pizza (again) for lunch – because the place Joe and Becca wanted to take us was “out of food” due to a big order.
• Looking at potential properties for Compass International Christian Church with members of Team Krakow
• A quick shopping trip
• A long, hurried walk from Krakow Square back to hostel (tram was late) so I could meet with Shea about the ISC program.
• Bible study at Seba and Erin’s place with Polish friends
• Video uploads all night for Ed Stetzer’s blog and fixing video audio on my uploads
• ZZZZZ

Tomorrow, we’re off to Auschwitz in the a.m. and then have a major event – a Coffee House in the evening. Last day!

Krakow Day 5 – Free time

Wednesday in Krakow was a misty morning. Workers from the Czech Republic, Krakow, and Hungary all converged on the hostel at 10 a.m. to make some more informational and vision videos for help in connecting churches with the great need in Central and Eastern Europe. As we’ve all gotten to know each other over the past few days, it’s become quite the humor contest at times. It’s hard to stay with these guys and gals over here – they’re extremely fun, sharp, and connected. Not your father’s missionaries.

In addition, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my team that came from the U.S. – Ed Stetzer, Rick White and Jeremy Dane. Ed flew out today for another mission-vision meeting in Italy, but the crew from City View Church are still here, and we spent the rest of the day enjoying some relaxing downtime.

Steve Brown, Ron Brown (both in the Czech Republic) and Trey Shaw (Hungary) joined us for our first real coffee experience at a java center aptly named “Coffee Heaven.” Goodbye instant coffee. Hello steaming hot joe. Whew. Rick was down to one Starbucks 6 oz double shot, and he’s trying to save that for the last day. We sat around and laughed, visited and people watched before heading to the Krakow Square (Rynek). 

We watched the beer guy walk around and dreamed about picture opps with him some more. It’s a mascot-like beer costume that walks all over downtown Krakow with a “free beer” sign, handing out free beer coupons. This was intriguing to us, for different reasons. I mused about how it might draw crowds to a church event, especially in a dry county. Rick, I think, was interested in knowing if the coupon limit was one per person. Steve, Ron, and Trey related the different cultural attitudes toward “alkahole” (as translated in Polish) in Europe, and it became a cultural study and discussion. All because of the beer guy.

While eating lunch in an outdoor cafe that sat on the edge of the square, the contrast between modern and ancient blurs into the mind’s background. I had to keep reminding myself that 10-acre Rynek Square dates as far back as the 13th century. It’s the largest of all of Europe’s medieval cities, and its austere beauty and worn cobblestones lead one to embrace the slower, relational life of Europe.

We simply were …at lunch. No agenda other than each other. The conversation traveled between subjects with intermittent laughter faster than a shuttlecock at the Olympics. The elections in the States. Mission strategy. Family. An insanely absurd but appropriate comment from Jeremy (who has a gift for insight and humor at the same time). It was a relational buffet.

After a long lunch, we began walking down one of the many side streets, dodging horse-drawn carriages and trams – again a contrast in modern and ancient. We grabbed some ice cream from a vendor off the square and wound up in front of St. Paul’s Church in the shadow of the 12 stone apostles. It was there we sighted our golf cart tour guide from yesterday – Artur. He greeted us cheerfully, and so began the next hour or so of simply being. The joy of it all was that as Rick, Jeremy and Ron engaged Artur, they were also planting seeds and leading, coaxing, and cultivating the soil of spiritual curiosity in his life. Jeremy had planted seed yesterday as we careened through the Jewish section of Krakow. That seed was watered today as they invited Artur to the coffee house that Team Krakow is hosting Friday night.

Before all was said and done, Artur had invited us to watch football (soccer) in a pub with him tonight. As tempting as that was (after all, wouldn’t that be the ultimate European male experience – watching soccer in a pub together?), we had to rendez-vous back at the hostel (or so we thought). Steve and Trey were taking a train back to the Czech Republic tonight, and it was dinner time, after all that.

We’ve somewhat mastered the tram now, and as we rolled through the streets of old Krakow, Steve and Trey and I shared about our families, our joys, hurts and struggles. It was humbling to hear of the depth of pain – physical and emotional – their families have faced. I shared about Carolyn’s three-time bout with cancer, and we exchanged heartbeats, knowing that suffering and uncertainty are oftentimes what God uses as soul fertilizer for His people.

As we mounted the stairs to the hostel, we were continuing the conversation when Trey shared some warnings about spiritual warfare as it relates to the families of those who serve God in ministry. It left us speechless. We mounted the stairs in silence, and each was left to his own recollections and current prayers for his family. It was blatantly obvious that both of these servants of the living God had faced the painful reality of helplessness as fathers and husbands through difficult moments of illness and hurt. And this, far from family. And this, because they and others here have laid down their lives for the King and His Gospel.

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10.29-30)

Upon looking at our schedule, we found we were free for the night too – until the Czech team left. So we freshened up – which for guys is basically using the bathroom – and headed back out for supper. Destination: Chinese food. Another meal. Another long visit. We learned that the waitress doesn’t bring you your bill until you signal for it, because they are perfectly fine (and expect you to) with long, lingering meal times. It’s the European way; it’s not just the meal. It’s each other.

We made a quick visit to a local grocery store – almost like a 7-11 – and meandered back to the hostel. The topic of discussion was thoroughly masculine and most unmissionary-like – how to throw a fart. Now that’s my kind of missionary… Steve and Trey’s ride to the train station arrived soon after, and we bid them farewell. We have two more full days here in Krakow, but with their departure, I really sensed that our journey with them – and our churches’ – had just begun.

I know this has been an unusually long entry, but especially after the transparency of the day, and in an attempt to encourage new-found friends and Christ-centered workers the world over, I offer these thoughts from a sermon by George Whitfield on “Satan’s Schemes” and how to identify them:

• Satan’s Scheme #1 – Drive us to despair.
• Satan’s Scheme #2 – Tempt us to be proud, or to think more highly of ourselves then we should.
• Satan’s Scheme #3 – Tempt us to feel perplexed, and to begin to doubt God when our prayers seem to go unanswered.
• Satan’s Scheme #4 – Troubling the believer with blasphemous, impure, unbelieving thoughts.
• Satan’s Scheme #5 – Tempting us by our carnal friends and relatives.
• Satan’s Scheme #6 – Not tempting us at all, in order to “surprise” us when we least expect it.

Whitfield said in his conclusion:

“In the meanwhile, let me exhort my young fellow-soldiers, who, like myself, are just entering the field, and for whose sake this was written, not to be discouraged at the fiery trials that are to sure come their way, if they seek to be found faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

You see, my dearly beloved brethren, by what has been revealed to us, we know that our way through the wilderness of this world to heaven, is beset with thorns, and that there are enemies of the cross to be grappled with, on your way to the promised land. But do not let these, like so many false spies, discourage you from going up to fight the Lord’s battles, but say with Caleb and Joshua, “No, we will go up and fight, for we are able to conquer them.”

Jesus Christ, that great captain of our salvation, has in our place, and as our representative, confused the grand enemy of mankind, and we have nothing to do, but to fight under the banner of the Lord, and to go on from conquering to conquer. Our glory does not consist in being exempted from, but in enduring temptations.

“Blessed is the man, (says the apostle) who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him;” and again, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” And in that perfect example of a prayer that our blessed Lord has prescribed to us, we are taught to pray, not so much to be delivered from all temptation, as “from the evil one.”

St. Mary’s Basilica

It’s not often that I’m really proud of a shot, but this one was stunning. I got lucky, pure and simple. I had my Sony Cybershot on night mode, and propped it against a stone pillar to capture this image of St. Mary’s Basilica in Rynek Square in Krakow last night with the full moon behind the church. 

Interview with Mark

I love Mark’s name. Especially when Ed Stetzer is interviewing him. He is truly “Ed”-worthy. Mark is the interim Regional Leader for Central and East Asia, and he is one of our hosts this week. Mark and Ed sat down to discuss mission strategy.

Interview with Rick White

Ed Stetzer interviewed Rick White yesterday about how churches can engage in ministry in Poland. Part of our mission on this discovery trip is to seek to connect new churches with international mission opportunities.

Krakow-Day 4, the meeting, Czech Republic

Steve Brown stepped up to the plate (or leaned forward on the couch) and shared his heart and vision. He and his family have been living in the Czech Republic for the past four years. As he shared, he commented that what they need from churches in the U.S. is a long-term commitment. He said that those coming should not expect to see people led to Christ during their visit. Rather, they need to understand that they are supporting and undergirding the long-term ministry of the missionaries and workers already living there.

The biggest help is for those who will see themselves as contributing to the harvest process. He described numerous ways for people to be involved and underlined that the Czech people are hard to relate with for those who simply come for a one-hit wonder or for a “mission story” to tell in their church on a Sunday night.

Steve reiterated the great need for church’s who are willing to think outside the box. Strategist leaders need resources, workers and supporters who are willing to sink deep and commit long-term. 

Steve related that his team’s website gomoravia.org will be up soon.

Observations:

Listening today in this sharing of hearts and meetings of minds, I just kept sensing there’s a great disconnect between willingness in newer, missional churches and the workers on the mission field. At the same time, churches like mine and City View and a host of other missional fellowships need help and direction and resources to connect more directly with missionaries overseas. For a church of limited financial resources to go and be bodily present to assist – both short-term and long-term, there is currently no way to get Joe Willing or Suzy Able to Poland because of flight costs and financial limitations. The spirit is willing, but the wallet is weak.

I’d like to see a renewed vision and effort by the IMB and other mission agencies to set aside mission funds for short-term teams that will directly meet some of the requests that its own workers are submitting and needing.

From a country in which John Huss lived, preached and died for the Gospel to today where his church is simply a museum rather than a vibrant center of Christ-centered faith and practice. He was burned at the stake in 1415. The darkness needs to be lit up again by the light of the Gospel. While we hope earnestly it will not be the light of a martyr’s flame, it is urgently necessary for those to understand that Christ calls us to lay down our lives.

Krakow – Day 4, the meeting, Hungary part 2

Ron Brown and his family have lived in Hungary for 14 years. He studied and learned Hungarian history and culture during the first five years. He initially began doing student work but discovered that Campus Crusade was already doing great stuff in Segud. He then relocated to western Hungary – as close as you can get to Austria without hearing the Von Tropp family.

He began teaching an English class in the university, and at times he was able to share a Christian worldview that caught the attention of collegians. He said that his family kept looking for “glorious failures” so that once they’d had one, they would know what NOT to do the next time. 

He is now the Cluster Strategist for Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Part of the difficulty that he observes in ministering here is that even talking about religious matters brings a disconnect. Europeans have such a historic connection and have heard so much, yet there is no personal element, no identification with faith itself. Religion is seen as this “thing.” It’s as if they’ve received a vaccination against Christianity. When they encounter authentic Christianity, they genuinely have no filter for what is being presented and modeled for them.

“The best thing you can do is simply get a real conversation started,” Brown said. He said that you must get past the walls that are still up. However, once you get to a level of conversational intimacy, you’ll be on fertile ground to present the love of Christ and your own beliefs. Hungarians are very resistant to discussing personal matters until they know that they can trust you. They assume that if you’re telling them something important, you want something from them.

The distrust is so high in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland as a result of being considered the stepchildren of Europe and years of abuse and warfare. They describe themselves as contortionists in a circus. Even when trying to join the EU, they had to jump through all kinds of hoops to be considered. Even then, the EU calls them “Eastern” Europe, not Western Europe. So ministry and relationship-building must be intensively incarnational.

Trey Shaw chimed in and said, “In these countries, man, microphone and pedestal equals manipulation.” They want to see presence, someone who will be “around” – not someone who wants to preach at them. The greatest gift to Europeans is a consistent partnership. Don’t go one place one year and another the next. Keep coming and investing in one spot. They perpetuates the relationships.

In addition, many relationships have been kindled by visiting mission teams only to be squandered when American pastors or college students either don’t respond to emails or eventually quit responding. Europeans take relationships very seriously and view Americans as shallow in their relationships. 

One issue is that once an incarnational relationship is established, they have a tendency to “suck the life out of you.” They’re not used to getting healthy attention or relationships, and so once they begin to get that, it’s fuel for a fire that has almost gone out. Missionaries and short-term workers must be sensitive to the fact that once the masks come off, you’ll find a starving person underneath that can’t get enough of real love and joy and hope that they find in you and your family. Boundaries and open communication must be established in order to help them understand that you love them deeply – and you are still hoping to reach other people for Christ as well.

As others chimed in to help us understand the depth of religiosity in Hungary and Europe, Trey mentioned that the Hungarian translation of the Bible is older than the King James, and that is something they pride themselves on. Yet, less than 1% have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 60% would say that they are Christian – Catholic, Lutheran, or Reformed. But for many, this “Christianity” is as loose as a family connection (my grandmother is a Catholic).

There was a time when the Holy Spirit was working in this area heavily. There were six mission sending agencies in Budapest in the 1800s. So there is a deep history of God working in this area, but over the years, the churches have lost the effectiveness, vibrancy and place in their communities and hearts of the people. Now what passes for Christianity is not about a relationship with Jesus Christ through faith and love but about religion, power, control and status. Forty years of Communism in Hungary “decimated” Christianity here. During the oppressive reign, believers were pressured into “walking the line.” It was fine for them to continue meeting as long as evangelism and proselyting didn’t take place. Those leaders and pastors that did evangelize were arrested and removed from leadership.

Observation:

The condition of the church in Hungary is eerily similar to that of the U.S. I commented in the meeting that in the U.S., there is enormous pressure by society for Christians to keep what they believe to themselves. And many in our churches live that way without understanding how they have been forced into ghost living. For believers who know the Messiah, the Hope of all Nations to keep that to themselves is not a life of vitality but a shadow of reality – a ghost living.

Krakow Day 4 – the meeting, Hungary vision

It’s 9:00 a.m., and we’re off and running – or up and sitting. Packed into a 3-room hostel are six different strategy and mission leaders for Eastern Europe. They’ve converged him this morning from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland to share with our team about their hope and heart for the people of Eastern Europe to enter into a lifelong relationship with the Messiah.

It’s also an opportunity for these mission leaders to connect one-on-one with church leaders from the States who “get it” and are eager to mobilize a new generation of go-ers. Our team comprises churches and is connected to others who recognize that its not just up to “missionaries” to extend the glory of God in the nations but that every member, every church has been commissioned by Christ to bring people into the presence of God through a relationship with Christ.

The retiree, the college student, the career worker, the young family, the stay-at-home mom… there’s a place for every one of us in this glorious adventure of making the Lord of Creation known to His world.

Hungary

Trey Shaw is in Budapest, Hungary, a city of about 2 million people which represents about 20% of the rest of the country. What goes on in Budapest dramatically affects the rest of the country. He and his family have been there for almost three years. He was an English teacher with another organization before he embraced the call of God to live overseas.

Their team in Budapest consists of a journeygirl, a career missionary and his family. Thirty years ago, the Communist Party built the largest single area of single bloc housing – high rises, cinderblock – in Hungary. In a mile and a half, there are 65,000 people that range from blue-collar to middle class and a few upper-middle class.

There are only two evangelical churches in the area of Budapest he serves where there are approximately 65,000 people. Trey comments that the Protestant Reformation never really made it across the Danube River. In the past few years, he says, there were churches that had unbelieving pastors who have vigorously opposed the movement of revival and renewal. Some of those who left these churches turned to churches in the States for direction and leadership as they sought to create a church that would be faithful to Christ and His Word. There is a “megachurch” now in Budapest that is associated with Calvary Chapel.

“It’s not that Christians are ridiculed, but it’s almost… what’s the point?” Trey said. Hungarians are very intelligent people. They are thinkers and a 17 year-old recently told Trey, “You are a Christian?! I thought you were smarter than that.”

Trey shared that Hungarians need a “place of balance” – somewhere to go back to in which they can process. Inviting Hungarians to a new small group or a church service has not connected with them. Trey is now working with an existing church, because it is so crucial to work out of a point of connection. Simply being an isolated missionary will not leave a lasting legacy or healthy believers should the missionary leave.

“Living a life of sacrifice” is necessary to connect to and establish a relationship with these “walking dead people.” He described that underneath the intellectualism is a hopelessness – an attitude of “you only go around once.” The preponderance of litter and graffiti on ageless buildings is a sign that Hungarians simply view life as disposable. So his team has done service projects, beautification projects to communicate lives of service and sacrifice. As he communicates his passion to penetrate and connect with the hearts of Hungarians, he breaks up. As the tears rolls, he says that what he needs are “coworkers” – folks who “get it.”

There are three people groups – the arts community. He thinks a photographer, a painter, a designer would be able to be a candle in this people group in Budapest. Media relates well with this artistic community. A church could sponsor the worker, or they could apply through the IMB. By the time a person applies to the time they make it on the field is three years. He says they need people yesterday. While he understands the length of the process, it may be a prohibitive barrier.

The business community is another people group. Trey described that a strategic worker that has a business background, a couple that knows how to run a business and can help consult with others in Budapest who have their own businesses could make a huge impact. In Budapest, business and success is idolized.

Rick White chimed in and shared about a book called The World Is Curved in which the premise is that when the entrepreneurial spirit and business know-how is uplifted and encouraged, it does more to help a culture, a society than does charitable giving. This concept also undergirds the importance of marketplace missions.

Another great people group need in Hungary is college students. There are more than 100,000 collegians who desperately need a Christian witness. The right guy/girl or couple could be used by God to reach untold students and help create a movement in Budapest.

Trey described the importance of digging deep, embracing the culture and laying down your life. After three years in Budapest, he took a three month leave to visit the States. When he returned, folks said in surprise, “You’re back.” There is a perception that missionaries only live in Hungary to have the lifestyle that they couldn’t have in the States.

Observations: Churches are going to be the future of missions, not the IMB. However, most churches don’t have the connectional resources to be able to support a missionary or many on the field. The need to rethink and create new strategies with visionary churches is extremely crucial.

Again, anyone can be used by God to brings others closer to Jesus Christ. We need groundbreakers and groundskeepers. We need college students and business people. Every single person can be used by God to communicate and incarnate the Gospel to a people apart from Him. Yes, that can be done where you already live; however, where is the greatest need? Are there other Gospel-preaching, Christ-exalting churches in your area which you can entrust the people of your community to? Perhaps God is calling you to be involved in His world.

Another thought is just the little-mindedness that American believers have. They are more consumed with the NEXT event, pouring money into promotional boxes for events, t-shirts, CDs, etc. Yet, God created the world for our enjoyment and His praise. In Matthew 28.18, Jesus said He has been given all authority in heaven and earth. It is all HIS. You can be just “at home” in Budapest as (in my case) Monticello. You can worship, exalt, serve, discover the beauty and all-sufficiency of God in Poland because Jesus is here. Wherever you go, there He is. He is Lord.

It is an exciting day for the missional person, family and church. A revolution is afoot, and it’s more than tea being thrown in a harbor. For the U.S., the rally cry was “no taxation without representation.” For the Christ follower, we must see that the peoples of the world are crying “no salvation without representation.” We must re-present for them the life of Christ. We must live it in front of them. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation!

Krakow Day 3

It’s a visual paradox to step off an electric tram onto a cobblestone street in the shadow of a 1000 year-old castle. It’s even a great historic transport to speak with college students in one of the oldest universities in Europe who carry cell phones and ask about the U.S. bank bailout. Across the street is St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s churches – the former was begun in 1597.

The day in Krakow registered a cool 41 degrees when Scott Wood and I woke. He’s on the media team from the IMB here in Krakow to put together video to help encourage other churches and pastors to get involved in the mission of God in Poland. We were under the impression – falsely – that the other members of our team were going to rise early and go visit the Jewish section of Krakow, including Schindler’s factory. Didn’t happen.

We ate a breakfast of corn flakes (very small and flakey) and had milk out of a box, and into my second cup of instant coffee, I remarked, “I don’t think they’re getting up.” Sure enough, the Stetzers and the guys from City View slept in. Dangit. But that gave us a restful morning – our first moments of non-scheduled activity since we arrived. 

Just before lunch, we took the tram to Jagiellonski University – the second oldest university in Europe. It was established in 1364. Krakow was the capital of Poland then. The four of us – Rick, Jeremy, Ed, and myself were crammed into a smallish room with the media team (Scott and Natalie) and a member of the Krakow team – Sarah. 

For the next four hours, we engaged first year college English students (most had 8 years of English) in conversational English about cultural topics. They were initially bashful but warmed up quickly. It was a powerful example of how someone who is willing can be used by the Lord to build relationships that will be able to followed up by Team Krakow.

Several asked me about the current election in the U.S. Every student I talked to said they wanted John McCain to win. One referred to Barack Obama as a “popstar” and referenced an election in Poland in which a younger politician promised much but delivered little. 

Upon exiting, the media team set up cameras to do a quick interview in the street outside the university. Ed led the interview and asked about how a church formerly “disconnected” has been able to discover ways of embracing international mission strategy. 

We stepped inside both churches across from the university. They were majestic, ornate, shrouded in mystery. Like many European churches, it had a crypt below the nave that was open to view. The mausoleums of former bishops with simple framed papers – in English and Polish – listed their impact on the community.

With Poland being 90% Catholic, it doesn’t mean that only 10% of the population needs to be reached. Far from it. The deadness of Catholicism can be compared to the deadness of religion in the American South. Imagine a people who embrace religion and its trappings, programs and attendance at religious events. It has nothing to do with an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ that seeks the purposes of the Father in the world.

The evening culminated in a feast of roast, potatoes, green beans, coffee and pound cake at Mark and Suzie Edworthy’s apartment. They were gracious hosts, and we laughed and carried on for several hours as Ed and I sought to create Twitter converts. Of course, most of the more talented and good looking ministers and missionaries in the room were also Mac users.

One of the most humbling moments of the day was the blessing and privilege of welcoming a new family to Poland. Their plane had just arrived this evening, and they will be spending the next two years here in Krakow learning the language before they’re assigned to another city in Poland. Team Krakow was all there to welcome them to their new apartment.

Bleary-eyed and looking a little stunned, they were prayed over by the missions team and proudly welcomed to the beginning of a new faith journey. It was a high and holy moment for me to witness those who have laid down their lives to leave home, family and country welcome others into a fellowship of disciplemakers. As we bowed to pray, I wondered how many families and friends in my life would be experiencing similar moments in the years to come.