GlocalNet

Brian Hook
City Catalyst – Vision360DFW
A few months ago, I heard a great comment by Omar Reyes, leader at Northwood who gave credit to Ray Alford, another member of NorthWood. I want to make clear that his comment was way too scientific and deep for me to come up with on my own, but it did get me thinking about the church. Omar said, “an atom is 1. Common in its foundation, 2. Infinite in it’s manifestation 3. Unique in its application.” I began to do a little research to refresh my memory of science. There are foundational principles of the atom – protons, neutrons, electrons. But even though the atom has foundational principles, the atom is infinite in its manifestation. Atoms are present in rocks, trees, copper, air, men, women, and the list goes on and on. Within these infinite manifestations, there are unique applications of the atom. I am amazed at the unique beauty of God at work through His creation. A Rembrandt painting, Hoover Dam, the Empire State Building, the Grand Canyon, the Sistine Chapel, you, and me. 
The Church is more than a Sunday Event. The Church is a Holy Body, and is common in its foundation. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of His Kingdom. He redeems all things by His blood shed on the cross. He reconciles all things back to him through His Church. Jesus says, I will build my church.” The Church is also 2. Infinite in it’s manifestation. In Ephesians we read “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I am amazed at God’s creative power through His Church.  I see the cell church, Mutli-site, Mainline, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, House, Charismatic, Purpose-Driven, Seeker Sensitive, Emerging, and the list goes on and on. Here is just an observation. When we see a manifestation of His creative power in His church, we need not copy the manifestation and say this is the only way. Many churches through the past few years have tried to copy the manifestation rather than hearing what God is calling them to do. I Corinthians 12:4 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds …

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In the Church today we talk a lot about movements of all kinds be they church planting or discipleship or whatever.  Society talks a lot about movements - healthcare, environmental, etc.  I’ve been reflecting on this a lot and my conclusion is that a lot of what we call movements is really franchising.  Nothing is wrong with franchising - but in the end, it gets lots of customers but never goes viral.  McDonalds is a franchise - not a movement.  Fast food is movement.  Even in Istanbul and China I’ve seen “fast food” written on signs and billboards.  We define fast food globally in very different ways country to country - but the concept of getting food fast is very much alive.  So, what are some of the differences:

1.  Movement is decentralized and takes on many forms and is very narrow and clear - burgers and fries.  Franchising is the packaging, processing, and marketing of the products from the movement:  McDonald’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Chik-fi-a, Bob’s Texas BBQ & BB.

2.  Movement has many ways of doing a single thing - franchising has one way and process for doing a single thing.

3.  Movement is driven by many leaders, players, actors - as in Iran - who is the head of the democratic movement?  Franchising has one big dog calling all the shots - as in the religious and secular leader of Iran. 

4.  Movement is driven by people to people relational marketing and communication.  Franchising is driven by global marketing and brand strategies. 

5.  Movement has a vision that changes life.  Franchising has a product that makes someone rich. 

We could go on and on and on - and there are many things we can and should learn from franchising in structure and communication.  To throw it all out the window would be stupid- but to not see the bigger picture of where something could be going and not be in line with that and facilitate that - for those of us that are dreamers - is the end of our dream.

There are more, these are just some things in the differences - what differences do you see?

John Esposito from Glocalnetblog on Vimeo.

I’m really excited that John Esposito of Georgetown University in D.C. will be joining our Global Faith Forum November 11-14.  He has written best seller books like Who Speaks for Islam and more recently The Future of Islam.  He is the hands down global expert on Islam and it’s geopolitical place in the world - as well as how muslims and others relate to each other.  This is what his books are about, this is what he lectures about . . . . BUT . . . . do you know what he is most passionate about?  I do.  How do you know a persons passion?  You know it by what they talk about at the breaks, what naturally spills out when they are speaking, by what their eyes brighten about.  He is passionate about . . . . . . . his WIFE!!!! 

He really is!  I’ve been around him, that’s what he always talks about.  I’ve never met her - but I know her name.  Jean.  They have been married for 45 years.  I love my wife as well.  We sat in the airport at Istanbul and I began to ask him how they met, what their life was together, how they made it so long, and why he is so passionately in love today nearly 70 years of age.  Here are my observations . . . . and good lessons for all of us . . . .

1.  They work out together.  John is an avid runner and so is his wife.  He was a lazy slob in Istanbul and didn’t run - he also ate like a horse - but, it was because of traveling light so I’ll cut him some slack.  Intense exercise deals with the endorphins and keeps your mind fresh.

2.  They do fun stuff together.  They go on dates, travel, they’re regular party animals.

3.  They have a wide range of interest - they are always reading, learning, talking about stuff.

4.  They both have had careers - and though at times that could be challenging they would celebrate one anothers success and took turns helping each other. 

5.  They’re loyalty is primarily to one another more than anything or anyone or …

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If you heard the interview on my previous blog with Prince Turqi then you may recall that at the end he said, “Bring this camera along, I have many questions for you.”  Our relationship started with questions and it will continue in them.  I ask him just as many questions as he asks me - the same of my other friends like Shamil, Suhail, Zia, Long, Oliver (a real live Catholic!) and a host of others.  I think one of the reasons people stay in their own sub-groups is because the more you get to know someone, the more vulnerable you are to their questions.  There is a level of politeness that, if I don’t know you that well, then you shouldn’t ask me any potentially controversial question - and if you do - I don’t have to answer them. 

How do you deal with all the questions?  First, stay calm and listen to the whole question.  Second, don’t feel like you have to give a dissertation.  In the early days I gave way too much material way to fast.  The simpler and more succinct the better.  Third, don’t be afraid to say I don’t know, or I’m not sure but will get back to you on it.  Fourth, be as prepared as you can be before you meet with people.  If I’m going to a new part of the world, I read books and visit with people from that part.  You’re never the first to meet with people - someone has already been where you are.  If you can meet with them and ask them questions it helps.  Fifth, have a spirit of adventure and a love of learning.  It will not only give them answers, but you will grow as well in your own understanding.  Finally - be honest in your answer - but also kind.  Truth is known not in arrogance but in humility. 

Here are some questions from the last week:

Do you really believe Jesus is the only way?  from a Muslim friend

What do you Christians believe about the second coming?  from a Muslim

Am I not worthy or have enough faith to see my daughter healed?  from a mother

Can God really forgive someone like me who’s done so much bad?  from a young man debating the question of Jesus

What is your opinion about the young man who became a …

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Prince Turqi of Saudi Arabia from Glocalnetblog on Vimeo.

One of the people that I’ve come to know the past couple of years and thoroughly enjoy being around Is Prince Turqi of Saudi Arabia.  He is a very engaging man to talk to - he is incredibly sharp and quick.  We have had some fascinating conversations.  The first time we met - he asked me why some Christians viewed him and his family as the anti-Christ.  We wound up spending that first meeting with him asking me questions about what evangelicals believe about the second coming of Christ.  He is living proof of someone who has been wounded by speculative theology on the second coming.  To personalize aberrant views by putting modern names to metaphorical figures does massive damage to the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - NOVEBMER 11-14—he, and a host of other high ranking global leaders that are Muslim, Atheist, Communist, representing domains of government, business, media, and other domains along with religious leaders will all be converging at NorthWood.  I’ve been asked by many people to do this for years - it will be a conference on globalization and faith.  In a sense a “missions conference” for Christians with non-Christian speakers that get the world.  It will be for Christians to be able to get a picture of the world and visit with many of the gatekeepers.  Don’t know what we’ll call it yet - keep your calendar open and watch glocal.net for more info.

Concluding this group blogging project, Bob gives his thoughts on what Real Time Connections is about, his thoughts on the book, and his insights into why he wrote it when he did.  You can go HERE to read Bob’s closing remarks.

Today Mike Kress writes his thoughts on Chapter 10 “Stop Subverting the Message” of Bob’s Book Real Time Connections.

Today, we take a look at Chapter 9 “Making Space for Everyone” where Laura Boggess says,

“Bob Roberts, Jr. was thinking these concepts too, just from a slightly different angle. I was thinking of accepting differences inside the church–or at least showing love to people with differences. Roberts had a bigger picture in mind. Well, duh. The title of the book we are reading is Real-Time Connections: Linking Your Job with God’s Global Work. So small-minded me gets a lesson in Big Picture thinking, and I’m all the better for it.”

Take a look.

The group blogging project on http://www.bibledude.net continues!  Today, Bradley J. Moore takes on Chapter 8 “Sweating the Work”

Bonnie Irving takes on Chapter 7 of Bob’s newest book, Real Time Connections - “Serving Together”

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