GlocalNet

Today we had a very good meeting with our executive staff at NorthWood.  We prayed, evaluated, and examined how we are making disciples and how we can improve - lot of stuff like that.  We talked about next year, our focus, goals, the Spirit’s leading.  We came up with some crazy stuff - not sure what we’ll do with it but it was so off the wall I’m not even ready to write about it.  It would definitely be more of a week by week adventure in faith with a lot less structured planning . . . . . 
Our question was, “would people be ready for that?” We began to talk about what people are thinking deep down and what really matters to them.  I’ve definitely seen a move of things since the mid-80’s when we started NorthWood.
In the 80’s, the three big words were excellence, relevance, and anonymity, that’s how you would build the church.  Those three words mostly described the worship service. The sermon was the “how to” to happiness and fulfillment and success.  It wasn’t bad.  It was responding to what had been.  Church had been done so sloppily that excellence became expected.  It was so outdated that relevance became critical.  It was so much in everybody’s face that anonymity became everything so people would not be embarrassed.  But, those 3 words, in and of themselves, defeat the definition of church.  Excellence limits who and what can be done so that you only have time for the Sunday event.  Relevance can become so extreme that the core beliefs are pushed aside and real issues that call for courage to be addressed can be ignored.  How can community ever develop when anonymity is a key value?  So, church done in that way is on the way out.
During the 90’s to the early 2000’s the three big words were belonging, real, and community.  The next generation didn’t want anonymity they wanted to belong and matter to others not just God, their boomer parents couldn’t stay married and they felt the pain of a narcissistic culture.  Real became desired over what excellence had become, slick.  Authenticity and transparency, in a world that was screwed up and demanded reality, and now the sermon centered on why.  Friends replaced the family, because the family fell apart, so the community where you could share, …

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I was in some meetings with IGE this past week in Washington, D.C.  We made a visit to the State Department building.  I’ve seen this desk before but I love it.  It very well could be the desk that Thomas Jefferson used to write the Declaration of Independence back in 1776.  Right before getting on the plane I met Congressman Ralph Hall.  My sister is a friend of his.  He was on the same flight with us.  I love his Texas cowboy hat!!!!!  Jefferson and the original 13, then came Texas, the only State that was a Republic that fought for her independence!  Now more history is being made with the election of President-Elect O’Bama.  History is always moving.  It never stops.  The only question is, “who will shape the conversations and what they will be?” How will we as followers of Jesus participate in those conversations? What do we really have to say? 

I’m often asked myself, “how did I get so “global?” The answer is simple.  First, I became obsessed with the Sermon on the Mount and the Kingdom of God; you can’t get into that stuff and not be global.  Second, I began to realize that the Kingdom of God impacts our view of evangelism and engagement.  Is it just people being reconciled or is it all encompassing?  The answer is obvious, which led to an understanding of the comprehensiveness of the Gospel and redemption of all things.  Third, I began to travel the world and see different cultures and how they worked.  This was huge.  Had I not done this, I could have done the first two parts, but this never would have led to our Church and me personally, doing the kinds of things we are doing.  It’s one thing to read, think, and have your heart softened.  BUT, when it’s engaged with the world, well, there are no words to put it into reality.  Those of you who have been there know what I’m talking about.  Fourth, I came to know religious leaders and diplomatic leaders who were not of my own faith.  I grew to like them and became friends with them, even if they didn’t agree with my faith. That has made all the difference in the world.  It has made me sharpen my faith and even understand my faith in ways I never would have.  Without all four of those steps we would not, and I would not be doing the kinds of things I am. 

So many want to re-invent the church, yet I see little evidence of that beyond the style of worship and the place of gathering.  Nikki and I were on a plane this week on our way to DC for some meetings and I was just lamenting to her, “why don’t the guys in their 30’s do this stuff?  It’s so open.  They are so “contemporary” yet default to such old school when it comes to global engagement?” The more Nikki and I talked, the more I concluded that it’s not really about the American churches understanding of globalization and engagement.  It’s about something even deeper.  It’s about society and pastors and churches knowing how to relate to society.  Most do not.  For all the “missional” talk that goes on, little action is really taking place.  Where “action” …

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I’m writing an article for an Islamic geo-political magazine that is sent all over the world.  Pray for me.  It’s more of a technical article, still filled with my ideas of engagement along with stories.  Bobby Vaughn, the man in charge of church planting at NorthWood, sent me this article.  I really liked it a lot.  Read on.  Pray on . . . . . 

Take it like a Man
By Rick Spruill

Muslims

Posted November 8, 2008 at http://www.independentmail.com/blogs/take-it-man/2008/nov/08/take_it_man/

This evening after watching Clemson get so far behind the Seminoles it no longer mattered, I headed over to Target for some bibs for Ella.

Nothing spectacular. Just a random Saturday evening errand.

Little did I know I was in for a sight that very nearly knocked my flip-flops off.

As I was leaving the Target/Lowe’s ginormous parking lot area, I noticed a small man, curled up on a towel on the driver’s side of his small car.

At first, I thought the man was sick, or perhaps even injured. Or, perhaps he’d dropped his car keys and was groping around in the fading light in search of them. Pulling closer, I realized this small man was not sick, injured, or searching for his car keys.

He was praying.

He was facing east. It was dusk. And, he was praying.

Obviously, the man was muslim. The towel was his prayer mat.

He was following the muslim ritual of evening prayer, facing Mecca, before the sun fell below the horizon.

It was undoubtedly the fourth of five prayers this man will pray today before he turns in for the night. Muslims pray at first light, at noon, in the early afternoon, at dusk, and once again after full darkness.

As I sat in my car and watched him, I noticed he paid no attention to anyone, or anything else. Cars passed, gawkers gawked, and this simple man prayed until his prayer was done.

I was at Target to buy bibs. And, he had obviously been at Target to buy something, too. But, when the time came, he stopped dead in his tracks to pray.

I was just hoping to get home in time to watch …

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Last week I had fun hanging out with Dave Gibbons in San Diego.  We were mentors for a Leadership Network community of young Asian pastors.  I had an absolute blast.  Chinese, Korean, Japanese, no Filipino or Vietnamese, though!  We went and rode indoor go-carts.  They went faster, only because they were really skinny, plus Brian Kim disrespects the laws, rules, and others.  Brian is the guy standing to my right.  Seth, on the other hand, standing on my left, was a picture of a loving Jesus that Brian was not.  It was interesting listening to how they deal with life issues, family, ministry, etc.  The guy on the far left, next to the last, was praying for wisdom and courage to talk to his son about the birds and the bees.  His son is 12.  I told him he didn’t need to worry, his son already knew!  The other guys told him the same thing. It’s not the “Asian” way, but his son is second generation. 

The last thing I shared with them was how essential they were.  I’m not sure they truly realize the crucial nature of their role.  I told them their role was more significant in the leadership of the church in the West, than perhaps anyone else’s, if they’d only step up and see the moment.

First, Asians are incredibly successful in business, education, government, and other parts of society.  Why should it be different in the church?  The problem and challenge here is that many first and second generation believers see church as the primary gathering place to hold the old culture and values in check. This can make it difficult to reach out to others, but, they should be as fruitful and successful in the church as anywhere else.

Second, the world is global and they can do more to help us connect with the rest of the world than any other group in society.  We, in the West, frankly, don’t know how to relate to the rest of the world.  They live in our world, but also in their world, and in the global world.  No organization that’s global would do well without input from Asian Americans, as well as Asian American leadership.  The church should be no different.

Third, the church in the rest …

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Regardless of how you voted - Barak Obama is all our President now.  Some would predict gloom and doom - others hope and prosperity.  I don’t give in to either category.  God raises up who he will for what he wills - I sound a little reformed there!  I’m scarin’ myself!  But I really believe that.  God used David and Pharaoh.  I’ve also discovered all leaders at some time or another can be both David and/or Pharaoh depending on where they are in life.  I’m not a liberal; I strongly disagree with his position on abortion.  Life is the most fundamental value of all.  Having said all that - - - - here are some good things I’m happy about Obama.
First, he has a different worldview we desperately need.  He isn’t just African American - he has deep and strong ties to Kenya - a country on a continent we have to be able to both relate to and serve.  He’s lived in Indonesia for many years.  He was raised by a white grandmother.  These are things that you cannot learn in a classroom.  They develop your perspective and view in ways reading a book does not.  They provide you with a sense - a feel - for what’s going on in others unlike your own culture. 
For the most part our leaders have been in a deconstructing post WWII mindset.  We don’t need deconstruction - we need construction upon what now exists.  He will be able to frame it - if he will - in a fresh way.  The world is hungry for this - this is why they are so excited about him being elected. 
Second, he’s younger.  This isn’t always good - but in our current context I think it is good.  The millennial generation is far more global and change oriented than any generation in decades.  He will blaze a path for social engagement and responsibility like no one else who was in the primaries for either party.  The world is shifting - we need someone who is going to open up for our young people and give them a new way of thinking and engaging globally.
Third, it looks like he’s going to be putting some incredibly strong and exceptional people around him.  Let’s be real about this - he isn’t an economist or foreign policy …

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Northwood Church proudly welcomes a new daughter to our family. Vista Church, http://www.thisisvista.com, in Crandall, Texas, began Sunday with approximately 130 adults and kids.  Vista has a vision to be a church to the growing community of Heartland in Crandall and for the world. In partnership with Vision360 Dallas Fort Worth, Vista is one of many churches that are part of a strategic plan to reach the entire Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex over the next few years, with congregations that own and practice the DNA of glocal engagement and church multiplication.

In two weeks, Vista will participate in a Home Makeover for a family in their community. During a 24-hour period, they will build, paint, mow, and sweat their way towards completing a home renovation project for this family in need. The goal is to mobilize those attending Vista Church, as well as other interested community members, to impact their community.

In two months, Vista will take their first trip to Nigeria to begin working with the Fulani people.  During the month of December, Vista will aim to raise $5000 needed to drill a freshwater well for the Fulani people.

Vista, we are excited about your first worship service, and we are encouraged by your love for Christ as expressed in your community and to the Fulani people of Nigeria.  You are setting the example for future churches in DFW and throughout America. Enjoy all that God has for you during these early years! We are praying for you.

by Brian Hook

This is the team that is in Hanoi.  Nikki’s travels to join the team were an adventure of sorts.  She landed in the middle of the worst floods in Hanoi in 30 years, but she made it. 

The team had planned on going to the mountains to do health and hygiene training, along with many other domains and work, but the area was flooded. As we have learned over and over again, working around the world, you have to be prepared to do whatever needs to be done.  So far, the team has been able to work with the orphanages and meet with business leaders.  God is good.  I’m so proud to be part of a church that wants to touch the world and make a difference.

Whenever I speak with the teams when they return from one of these trips, it’s amazing what I hear.  They come back changed and have grown to love the people and culture of this country which seemed so far away, so different, so foreign, from anything they had ever seen. 

This group has waded through knee deep water, and for some, waist high water.  They have learned the meaning of the word flexibility.  They have worked, prepared, saved and planned for this time in Vietnam, and God has opened different doors and provided new opportunities for them to be able to show His love.  Check out www.glocaltrips.org to read more about their experiences as they are happening. 

It’s really exciting to think:  Here I am in San Diego, today, meeting with Asian-American pastors who have a different slant on everything, and my wife is in Asia.  It’s just fun the way God makes things happen and to learn from the back and forth of life.

I want to challenge you, NorthWood Church, if you’ve not been on one of these trips, to seriously pray this year about going with us, and then, hopefully, your experience will help you see the world in such a way that you will be willing to use your job to touch humanity and show the love of Jesus to the whole world. 

You know, there was a time when NorthWood Church’s Glocal Ventures primarily did all this, and now there are many churches working …

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When I was in Lisbon last week I visited this church.  It’s probably one that Columbus saw.  The Portuguese were explorers extraordinaire!  I saw this tomb holding the remains of just such an early explorer.  It was inside the Cathedral part of the church.  It was very ornate.  Here, recognized and revered by the church.  There, under spires and stained glass, hundreds and hundreds of years old, in an honored place, in a magnificent tomb, is the explorer. 

Then Omar and I begin to visit an archeological dig that had been there longer than anything. They unearthed the skeleton of a second century teen-age girl who was, for some reason, thought to be a martyr of the early church.  Her body had been in an ordinary tomb, but, for some reason the box her body was in had not collapsed, so her skeleton was still in tact.  Paul ends the book of Romans desiring to go to the farthest point in the world to tell the Good News of the love of Jesus.  He mentions Spain.  In his day that was the farthest reach.  So, 150 years after he’s gone, someone, a young 15 year old girl, followed Jesus.  It cost her her life. 

The contrast between the two graves and two people were incredible.  Inside a church building was an ornate tomb for an explorer called “Christian.” Outside in the mud was an unearthed body of a young girl, follower of Jesus, who didn’t die as an old man, but as a teenager.  For one reason, she was a “Christian.” The old man conquered with a sword, the young girl was conquered by love.  The old man was acknowledged and revered by the church.  The young girl was forgotten and unknown to the church.  The old man profited from following God.  The young girl lost all in this life, for following God.  The old man, got a lot of treasures in this life, a lot of recognition.  The young girl will have her treasure with God, now, and it will last eternally. 

I love the verse in the Bible that says the first will be last and the last will be first.  This has to be why, because God …

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When I was in Portugal I met a 21 year-old young lady that was very articulate.  Her name is Sondos.  I thought it would be fun to ask her some questions, post them on my blog, and invite college students and others to respond and ask her questions.  She’s smart and going places. 

I want to encourage everyone to ask questions.  If you don’t understand something in Sondos’ answers, ask her.  If you are curious about something, ask her a question.  If you have an opinion about one or some of her answers, add a comment.  Let’s get some really good dialogue going here.

1.  What is it like growing up in Egypt?

My status in Facebook this morning was “I LOVE Egypt”. I have been staying in Europe for a month, and I must say, although I loved it there, I could not stay more than that, away from my country, not only because it is my home, but because Egypt has something which attracts me to it.  Maybe it is the simplicity of people, the faith people have in God, the love people have for one another, and the tenderness and passion of our neighbors, our family, and the patience of people, despite the very tough circumstances they suffer.  Egyptians have good faith in God, but their problem is their rulers. We are not lucky, as far as our rulers are concerned, but as you may be observing from what you hear in the news, we are “on the brink of revolution,” or in other words, the people have had enough, and they have started to feel it is time for change.

I grew up in Egypt and I want to spend the rest of my life in it (of course I would like to travel every once in a while, but come back again), because I know Egypt needs me and needs every single Egyptian to stay in it and work for its welfare.

2.  What is your view of young people in the West?

I have many western friends from Europe and the U.S. and I love them all. That is because I love to know and make friends who are different than mine, because I …

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