What I Have Known

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. (I Corinthians 13:12)

I’ve known a lot of things in my life (I’m speaking about God here). Once, shortly after a prophetic revelation during my agnostic years, I randomly opened a bible and stumbled into I Corinthians 13. I don’t advocate the randomly-open-a-bible method of seeking the mind of God, but this time at least something came of it.

The words quoted above have stuck with me. To think how much more someone in the bible must surely know! Compared to me, quite a lot, and yet they are keenly aware of their present ignorance.

There’s a secret hope tucked away in those verses, though. Face to face, as I have been fully known. The hairs on my head have been numbered in heaven, as have yours. How fully then will we come to know our Lord in that place?

I don’t discount what I have known, because (I believe) each fragment is like a hair on the head of Christ. I simply must remember how few of them I’ve been privvy to, and both yearn for more and rest in knowing I have all eternity to search his depths and mysteries.

Yearn and rest. I hope you can do the same.

Living in Scripture

Reading the bible is among the closest we can get to God, as well as his saints who’ve gone before.  It’s something Christians need to do daily to walk close with God.  I try for at least a chapter before bed, but even a few verses of Proverbs or Psalms would be more than nothing.

Have you read any scripture today?   Why not read some right now?

But I Don’t Want to Grow! Part 1: Small Groups

Longing for Holiday asked in the comments what the single greatest factor was in church growth (besides God).  I want to expound on it here.  My answer is spiritually growing members (members meaning anyone who participates regularly).

The problem is: in traditional churches most members don’t want to grow.  There’s a few things you can do about this.

#1: Start a growth-based small group.  During the coffee hour or other social functions, ask people individually how the idea of growing spiritually with a handful to a dozen others makes them feel.  If they’re eyes light up, invite them.  If not, leave it alone.

Meet weekly, and steer conversation toward spiritual matters.  Ask questions like how has your prayer life been this week? or what scripture have you read in the last week that intrigued you?  Let the conversation wander, but stay on spiritual topics.  Pray often (especially on-the-spot prayer when someone brings up a personal struggle, concern or celebration), and always incorporate some scripture.  Encourage members to invite newcomers every week, and re-state the purpose of the group (personal spiritual growth) at least bi-weekly.

You can do book studies, play games, share meals… just keep the focus on personal spiritual growth.  Watch out for spiritual-sounding talk that doesn’t focus on personal growth – “you/they” instead of “I/me” pronouns is a quick tip-off.  If you’re intimidated by leadership, there are lots of resources to help guide you.  My group is reading Holy Conversation right now, about how to talk about faith without getting preachy.

The people who join you are already excited about small groups, so as the leader you want to stay in touch with them and look for new potential leaders.  Talk to those you’ve identified about their gifts and interest.  If they feel a call, let them lead as an apprentice for no more than a month and help them create a group of their own.  Members of the original can help seed it (they can keep attending the original, too!).  Make weekly contact with your new leaders (in person if you can, by phone otherwise), and mentor them in finding new leaders of their own.

Small groups start out slow, but as momentum builds with each new member growth will escalate exponentially as members spread the word and new groups are seeded.  Spiritual growth and discipleship will spread to every corner of the church.  Whatever comes next won’t be tidy or controlled, but it will be authentic and powerful.

Grace

I get really frustrated with my church.  I’m the secretary, so I witness a lot of what goes on.  I spend a lot of my time biting my tongue, because even if what I’ve got to say is valid criticism I know it’ll be poisoned by a lousy attitude.

Then I run into a person filled with grace.  It’s the only word to describe it.  They see the realities of things – successes and failures – but still maintain this affirming nature, even while leading change.

I don’t have that yet, and I have even less authority for anyone to listen to me.  Maybe this is a good combination for the time being, to help me grow.

The bible has a lot to say about division in the church.  It’s a blurry line between prophetic challenge and sowing discord.  If you’ve got doubts as to which you might be doing, I believe the virtue is patience.  If you can’t hold your peace, maybe it’s time to relocate.

A Wandering Church for a Wandering People

I saw an article on Christianity Today a while back describing two kinds of ages in the Bible, temple ages and wandering ages. Throughout the Bible, God’s people either have a kingdom and go to a temple to worship, or they are in exile wandering in the wilderness seeking God.  Abraham’s family, the Egyptian slavery and exodus, and the Babylonian exile are all wandering ages.  David’s kingdom, the post-Babylon rebuilt temple – these are temple ages.

Christianity does this, too.  Christ’s resurrection heralded a new wandering age as Christians were persecuted and scattered.  Constantine established imperial Christendom for a new temple age.  In the 20th century, Christendom fell apart somewhere in the 60s and gave way to a new wandering age.  Trouble is, the church is still in temple mode in most of America, including newer churches.

My favorite worship experiences lately are those in rented spaces – bars, theaters, schools.  Property ownership seems anachronistic to the wanderer.  Why not a new church?

• Gatherings are held either in public places like parks or in rented spaces.  You can’t become entrenched and insular if you have no permanent home.
• Church membership doesn’t exist, instead replaced by accountability groups who walk the same road together.  No affiliation demands emphasis on lifestyle.
• The larger church is better described as a network of smaller churches straddling the line between new church plants and house churches.  Rather than a unified congregation you have a training, support and accountability network for leaders to focus vision and discipleship, as well as promote shared experience.

This church in urban and suburban cities becomes like water, filling available space and time unhindered.  Find your “low points” in the area that need this kind of pilgrim church, keep them filled, and spread from there.  Maintain strong leadership connections, and have the core team do only three things: seek God’s vision, share the vision with leaders and train others to do the same.