the    sides

The very first sermon I ever heard of Erwin McManus was “A Barbarians Way Out of Civilization.â€?  It ended up being the basis of his book.  It also ended up being a flag on the hill for me – no more sissification of Jesus.  The felt-board Jesus might not have died that day – but the sermon delivered a fatal wound.

And if you are clueless as to what I’m talking about…read the book.  Spend some time with Erwin.  And join the revolution.

My heartbeat is be a part of building authentic communities of faith where real people with real problems can meet the real Jesus.  

To do this in this context, here are some value battles that we’ll have to fight and shifts we’ll have to make.

1. Uniqueness from standardization

People are created uniquely and the cookie cutter approach to discipleship and all the classes and books that we’ve created to jump through might not really be discipleship in the first place.  But a unique person, God will deal with uniqueness – the importance of small communities of authentic faith.

1. Creativity vs. Utility

It is part of God’s DNA to be nauseous at mediocrity.  He is creative and unique.  Status quo is revolting.  Joel 2 – a movement of dreamers and visionaries.  The Spirit prompted Peter to use that metaphor to describe the revolution of the followers of Jesus.  

3.  Diversity vs. Homogeneity
Reach people different than you by having friends that are different than you.  Like people that are different than you.  If you don’t like them – you aren’t going to “reachâ€? them.  

1. Mysticism vs. Pragmatism

The church has become the biggest self-help organization on the planet.  Where is God in all of that?  Do you know God?  Do you listen to him?

1. Passion vs. Conviction

We minister and move out of compassion, placed by God.  Not out of ‘ought’ or conviction or guilt.