GlocalNet

You can have the best product in the world - but if you don’t know how to communicate it or you don’t understand your context - it isn’t going anywhere.  As followers of Jesus we often use language that “insiders” get - and then use that same language to the rest of the world and then are confused why the world doesn’t understand us.  Other times, we use “insider” language that was built for a world that no longer exists so there is a total disconnect on our part at the point of context. 

I’m off the Lusanne Swtizerland for 2 days where I’ll be meeting with a small group of leaders from 4 countries - Jews, Muslims, Christians, business leaders, political leaders - I think I’m the only pastor there.  I was thinking to myself about Billy Graham’s Lusanne meeting in 1973 when he brought together at that time the worlds top Christian leaders to talk about how the faith would spread around the world.  They meet about every 15 years and met less than a year ago in Cape Town, South Africa. 

In this meeting, though not as large, or exclusively Christian - some of what will be addressed is how believers of various faiths connect with each other in such a way that doesn’t put us in conflict with each other.  How do we hold on to what we believe, share it with passion, yet respect the cultures and people around us?  There is a far bigger question than even that - which is how do we in the West realize that we are no longer the only ones defining what following Jesus is - and let the rest of the world speak - and us not always speak for them. 

I believe there are two key issues that challenge our faith and our approach with the rest of the world that if we don’t understand them - we actually hurt our cause instead of helping it.  The first is tribalism.  By tribalism I mean that often our message is crafted more within out tribe (denominations, classifications, styles) and promoting our tribe than it is the gospel.  I’ve discovered that it’s rare that people are uncomfortable with the Gospel or followers of Jesus - they are often uncomfortable with our approaches and our approaches frankly are more for us to remind us of who …

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Watch this video to see how my son Ben and his wife Sara turned a horrible experience into an incredible opportunity in many ways.

The first time I left the West I went to Tanzania as a stand in for Rick Warren for 1988 - it was a great experience.  Over 20 couples have gone out from NorthWood to work in various places around the world.  Because of our emphasis on mobilizing the body of Christ to serve cities - often people aren’t aware of how NorthWood members serve vocationally all over the world.  I wanted to give you a chance to get to know one of these couples - Dan & Kelly Jones:

How long have you been at NorthWood?
We came to NorthWood 3 years ago after relocating from the Chicago area.

Why did you come?
We were looking for a church that was focused on missions both globally and locally, which we found at NorthWood.  We also wanted to find a place we could call home, where we could live in community with people who want to make a difference in the world by using their gifts and abilities.

How has it shaped you?
We immediately identified with NorthWood’s “glocal” approach to missions and the “Up, In, Out” philosophy that guides the church body.  Every Christian is a missionary, whether it is to a country on the other side of the world or in their neighborhood.  Through events like the Global Faith Forum, Building Community and Multi-Faith Weekend, as well as the many speakers and world leaders that have visited the church, NorthWood has helped us understand better how to live and work cross-culturally in ways that demonstrates God’s love and glorifies Him. 

What will you take from it?
In addition to all the great experiences we’ve had while at NorthWood, we love our cell family and we have so many wonderful relationships that we praise God for.  Many of our prayer and financial partners are members of our NorthWood family and we are grateful for the support and encouragement they provide.  We’re honored to be part of the family and we know we always have a home in DFW!

What does Wycliffe do and why have you chosen to work with them?
Wycliffe Bible Translators works around the world to make the Bible accessible to all people in the language they understand best.  Today about …

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I have never done this - and may never do it again!  But yesterday I had a lot of response from my message and people wanted not just the sermon they can get live on line but some asked for the manuscript so they can slowly read the passages and study.  The manuscript is publishable in any sense - it is my “talking points” so will be lacking in many ways - but if it helps people understand who Jesus is and why his birth was so radical have at it.  I know many of my friends that are Jews & Muslims will disagree - but it will at least help you understand how we as evangelicals think about Jesus.  To my other friends that are non-religious and other faiths - it will also help you understand us.  To you who call yourself Jesus followers or Christians - you should celebrate the awesomeness of what God did in that manger.  A great resource for this was Thomas F. Torrance - Incarnation:  The Person and Life of Christ.  Read on . . . . .

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES:  THE MIRACLE OF AN EARTHLY MOTHER & A HEAVENLY FATHER

TEXT:  Matthew 1: 21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us)

Man knows he needs more than himself – he’s lost – and we are looking for this superhero who is one of us yet beyond us.  Jesus in a very real way is GODMAN! So Matthew begins miraculously with divinity coming into humanity in a manger and putting on humanity – and concludes miraculously with that divine humanity returning miraculously back to heaven where it still is.  He comes only divine and returns human/divine.  This is why in the Great Commission he says all authority is given to me and power – we are to walk in that divine power.  John makes it clear he is God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not …

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Last night Nikki and I had Shabbot (Sabbath meal) with a Jewish Rabbi, his wife and 6 children.  They are an incredibly beautiful family in every way.  I’ve been to about 3 Shabbot’s - one with another Reform Rabbi in Dallas and another in Jerusalem with a family of writers. 

It was funny to me - we have the idea that it is a formal meal and everyone is orderly and in line - no way!  Kids act like kids - the holy intersects with the wild!  The Father (Rabbi) sang the songs and Nikki and I followed along reading the words in a little book.  The oldest son - 13 - I sat beside mumbled a little bit the words.  We washed our hands, ate the bread, ate the meal.  The Rabbi then had the kids share with him their homework from school - he praised them, and also asked them questions about the Hebrew Scriptures - they did very good. 

We got into the usual discussions of Judaism & Christianity, culture, global issues - faith as a positive force and how drive that - etc., - but what stood out most to me was his desire to change the world.  I asked him what his dream in life was, “To be a part of changing the world?”  “How would you do that?” I asked him.  “I want to live for God as a person, in my family, in my community in such a way that others also want to follow God.  I want to call my own people - Jews - back to God and as we live the life we are supposed to, then there will be hope for the whole world.”  He’s Orthodox - so the more conservative Jew.  I really enjoyed him and his wife and kids a lot.  He’s smart, kind, and very gracious.  He told us about his family coming from Europe to Galveston in the early 1900’s, she shared about her family.  They told us about various Jewish traditions. 

He got me the most incredible gift - I was like a little kid opening a present - It was an autographed copy of Jonathan Sachs latest book, “The Great Partnership - God, Science, and the Search for Meaning.”  Dr. Sachs even wrote me a message!!!!  His book the Dignity of Difference and The Home We Build Together are two …

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I’ve not fallen off the map - I’ve been super busy at NorthWood - at this time of year I read through my journal, we do a lot of critiquing and refocusing and then preparing for the next year.  We have been through a process of examining our communication, clarifying our messaging, aligning our ministries, budgets, and tracks to accomplish all our goals for next year.  I’m excited.  2010 was a challenging year for NorthWood and 2011 we reformatted and we’ve grown and laid some pretty major tracks. In addition, I’ve been speaking, and refocusing a couple of things I’m involved in outside NorthWood in the same way.  I also have a book to write this month!  Pray for me people!  The previous blog of Justin & Amanda . . . I want you to know they raised all the money for the baby and are waiting now for scheduling the travels!! 

Yesterday I met with a close imam friend of mine and another muslim leader in DFW to talk about possible things we will be doing next year.  It was fun to have Josh Daneshforooz in the meeting, he’s been invaluable the past few months for many reasons - but his multi-faith background has been a Godsend.  A good bit of the meeting we just horsed around and talked about everything from beards to “Muslims in America” - I told them I didn’t know any Muslims like those that were being portrayed on the special on TV - they said they didn’t either!  Oh well.  A Muslim told me that the Muslim lady on the show who’s opening a bar needs a hijab on her legs!  A lot of the talk of our meeting centered on how successful the events have been the past 3 years and the challenges we all face. 

Tonight Nikki and I will be spending the evening with an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi and his family.  I’ve done this with Reformed Jews, but not Orthodox - other than once in Jerusalem.  Without sharing his name or information - I thought I’d share the email - read it - and as you do - what stands out most?

“Hope all is well.  Just wanted to give Pastor Bob and Niki a brief guide as to what to expect in case this is their first attendance to a traditional Shabbat (Hebrew for Sabbath) dinner.  The dinner …

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I’ve known Justin since he was a very little boy and prayed with him when he accepted Christ - I’ve known him, and his entire family.  I’ve known his wife Amanda since she was in High School and she too loves God with all her heart.  God laid this on their hearts and I want to make you aware of them so you can help if you feel led.  Whether through prayer or financial assistance or simply encouragement - I want to share this with you.

Within the last year Amanda and I began to have serious conversations about growing our family through adoption. We didn’t know when exactly, but assumed it would be years in the future after we were done having biological children.

Several months ago we began feeling as if our child may already be born and we didn’t know it yet. Then in August, Amanda was connected through Facebook to a family that had just completed the adoption of a boy from Eastern Europe who had Down Syndrome. She read the mother’s blog and found out that they had found him through an organization called Reece’s Rainbow which advocates for the adoption of special needs kids, particularly Down Syndrome.  She went to the site and began to pray for the faces of the children listed there until she saw a picture of a boy named Broderick.  Broderick does not have Down Syndrome, but he does have special needs and health concerns. She immediately knew that was him; that he was our son.  She spent 3 days praying for him and for me, unsure of how I would react, before she showed me his profile.

When I saw him I knew. Still, we agreed to pray for 2 more days for any opportunity for denial. There was none. I have told many people that when I saw both of my boys after they were born there was no need for me to ask God if they were mine.  I knew. Amanda and I shared that same amazing feeling about this boy.

This is not what we would have chosen for ourselves.  We have no expertise in raising an adopted child, much less one who is older than our kids, has special needs, and doesn’t speak our language. This is not the …

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Recently, I was doing some study on the Great Commission - when you say that a lot of people think you are talking about Matthew 28:18-20 but in reality it is also at the end of Mark, Luke, John, & the beginning of Acts.  It’s at the end of the Gospels because this is what Jesus expects us to do.  It’s at the beginning of Acts because Acts will be telling the story of what that looks like.  Each one has a different emphasis - Matthew is writing more for Jews and Luke more for Greeks, etc.,  Its like explaining Texas history to an Anglo Texan, a Tejas Indian, or a Mexican - the events happened but each time they are interpreted differently.  The same is true for the Great Commission.  But there are 3 constants that are in each. 

Some people take the Great Commission back to Genesis 1 where we are told to be fruitful and multiply - some to Genesis 12 & 18 where God makes promises to Abraham that through him all nations will be blessed.  You see it in Psalms 2:8 and some passages in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Ezekiel - along with lots of other spots that speak of God’s “Immanuel” and glory filling the earth. 

The three things in the first 5 books of the New Testament that are all in common about sharing the Good News of Jesus are these - either explicitly stated or implied.

First - the coming of the Holy Spirit which is the power to fulfill the Great Commission.  It is present in all passages from baptizing in the name of the “Father, Son & Holy Spirit” to being “clothed with power from on high” to “signs and wonders” that go as the Gospel is spread.  The lesson for us is clear - no Holy Spirit - no Great Commission fulfilled.  Jesus makes all that clear in his guidance in John 14-16.

The second thing is “Go” - but it’s really translated “as you are going”, in other words the Great Commission should be a daily experience not simply a geographical experience.  Recently a Palestinian pastor spoke at our church and he said “I’ve come to the ends of the earth today to spread the Gospel!”  Everyone laughed but it’s true, it is his “ends of the earth.”  Spreading the good news of Jesus, loving others, building …

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I’m convinced we don’t know as much about the Holy Spirit as we think we do.  Leonard Ravenhill used to always get upset when people tried to force the Spirit into a box and knowing God into 3 steps to accepting Jesus, or being filled with the Spirit, or whatever.  If you look at history - God’s Spirit has always moved - but it moved in different ways throughout history - but the Spirit has never been absent.  You see the Spirit in the early church, the early church Fathers, Augustine in North Africa, Patrick in the British Isles, Francis in Europe, Luther & Calvin in the Reformation, Wesley, Edwards & Whitefield in the Great Awakennings, we saw the move of God in the 1900’s when the Spirit was moving and lots was being written and experienced that came from Andrew Murray, R. A. Torrey, and Azusa street.  We continue to see it in many different forms and manifestations.  The worst thing any group can do is to believe they invented, created, the Holy Spirit or that it showed up with them.  The Holy Spirit is God and has been and is present and is active and at work.  We must keep a global, historical, and eternal view of God - meaning the Holy Spirit.

I believe when you look at God’s Spirit and how it worked in the first century it was in everyone and everywhere.  After that, it would be seen in specific movements more than the others.  I don’t believe that’s how we will see the Spirit operate in the 21st century.  I think with the convergence of all knowledge, domains, and discipline you are seeing the Spirit spread virally through people and groups like never before in the history of humanity.  The Spirit is the broth in a soup mix that is covering the earth.  This is proven out when we realize the power of the Holy Spirit in the global church - its an undebated issue and reality. 

I LOVE Terry Virgo and highly recommend his book the Spirit-Filled Church.  Gordon Fee’s Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, along with other writers like Martin Lloyd Jones, Watchman Nee, A.W. Tozer, Leonard Ravenhill, and yes Bonhoeffer.  There would points with all of those men I would disagree and for a fact they would disagree with one another on - but here is where …

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Many Christians look for an event that will make them happy, their dreams come true, their problems go away, and they find freedom from various forms of bondage.  I see it all the time, sadly some people even present Biblical truth in commercial form so as to see people “join” whatever movement or tribe they are trying to grow.  I see it when people come to Christ - now that they’ve accepted Jesus, they automatically think they took the magic pill and now all of life is bliss.  It isn’t.  Others think once they experience a second blessing and are filled with the Holy Spirit, now it will all work - only to find out it doesn’t necessarily mean all their problems go away. 

Our experiences with God aren’t one time pills that fix everything but milestones that take us to the next level.  If anything, those experiences are beginning points that allow us to experience God in deeper ways and even learn to trust him more.  I once heard an African pastor say that he was one miracle short of people returning to old forms of religion and away from Christianity - as long as the miracles came he had a crowd, but the moment they stopped he was in trouble. 

When you have an experience with God, you should always celebrate what it did and its legitimacy.  The problem is our interpretation of that experience and what we think it means for us.  If we put our faith in the experience we are setting ourselves up for a huge let down.  If we put our faith in God, then the experience is part of connecting with God and not the end all event that makes all things perfect. 

The Spirit is like the wind that blows where it will and our job is to capture the wind and let wind drive us.  I love the story of St. Brenden, how he would get in a boat without a rudder, let the wind drive it to where it wanted, then get out and share his faith.  He was a pilgrim - and so are we.  This world is not eternal, it’s not our home, so we shouldn’t put all of our stake in it and think the point of the Spirit is to make all our problems go away in this life.

Here’s what I know, …

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