Sunday, September 30, 2007

Christian vs. Christ Follower

The most popular resistance to my faith seems to be the argument that many Christians are hypocrites...or judgmental...and there is the popular stance against organized religion.

They are currently playing a short comic video series at church. It is the "Christian" vs. the Christ follower. It pokes fun in a resemblance to the PC vs. Mac commercials. The "Christian" painting the perfect exterior picture of what being a Christian should look like...while the Christ follower is more concerned with actually following Christ.

Many times when these arguments are brought up...my frustration lies in the fact that I agree with them...but lack the words to explain...it is in this agreement for which my faith stands.

Some people get it wrong...some churches get it wrong. Often people get caught up in the exterior...and don't realize that God is looking at the interior. Some churches preach a doctrine so far from the Bible that I wonder if God recognizes Himself as they pray to Him. And yes some Christians are hypocritical and judgmental.

But I wonder...when I'm in front of God on judgment day...what he's going to say any of this had to do with me...and my faith. You see...when we get up there...it's not about them anymore...and truthfully...it never was.

Some people get it wrong...some churches get it wrong...it is more important...that you get it right.

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Since this entry was semi-controversial – I’ve edited it for clarity.

I do not want to take away from my love or importance of the church. Instead I hope these thoughts simply help shed a different light on faith for those whose may have been tainted.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

They were supposed to stay

It seems the families are always looking for a way out...a better solution...a better life. They tend to move around a lot. Typically these moves are not across town...but down South...or Chicago...or today...it was California. They move to family...escaping this life...to find...I don’t know what...perhaps a new start...a different reality...a better life. Aubrey and his sister Kayla moved a few weeks ago...to stay with family in Chicago. This reality hasn’t set in yet...my first buddy at CF is gone and I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.

Today while picking up the twins for small group...Tyvon wheeled up on his bike and gave me a hug...followed by the dreaded words,“I’m moving”. “No you’re not” I argue for the sake of denial. “Yeah I am, in October, to California with my sister to live with our grandma.”

This one breaks my heart. Tyvon holds that special place...that I’m not sure how to fill when he’s gone. I didn’t expect this in this job. The kids were supposed to stay. I might see them through heartbreaking situations...but they were supposed to stay.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Then we could give it to Africa

I'm thirsty...I'm hungry...when is this going to be over? Three impatient children sit next to me as we wait for the Watoto Children's Choir to take front stage. Watota which means "The Children" in Swahili, performed a Concert of Hope under the stars outside a church in Rock Island. Beautiful Ugandan orphans dance and sing to a soulful blend of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music and ethnic dance. These children lost one or both of their parents to AIDS and through their performances raise awareness and support for their country. The energy they exhaust is unbelievable.

The entire time I watched it, I wondered how I could get a group of our kids in a choir, tailored to their culture. Afterwards my Executive Director's wife who has a dance/choreography background ran up to me..."I’m ready to lead a choir like that...you find the kids and line up the details...and I’ll do the choir."

Over Taco Bell later that night (kids can only hold out for so long)...I inquired, "Would you guys be interested in being in a choir like that...and if you practice enough, maybe you could do some performances to raise money" "Yeah...and then we could give it to Africa!" they responded with excitement in their voice and a taco in their hand.

That’s enough of an impact for me.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Something Big

How am I supposed to lead others and motivate others when I myself have been deflated? This is the question I've been wrestling with for the past few days. Life in ministry has its definite highs and lows. When you feel so passionately about what you are doing...the lows sting that much more.

As I started to wallow in my own misery...feeling sorry for myself...justifying my mood...I round the corner in the center..."Brandy" Tyvon cheerfully greeted...and ran into my arms. Instantly the anxiety that I'd been hauling around for three days...allowing to consume me...drained.
I started another Beth Moore bible study this week "Believing God". In all of my frustration...and desire to give up...I keep hearing Him say...don't you believe me? And the truth is...I do. That's what drives me through the troughs...He dreams bigger than I dream. He's capable of more than I'm capable.

John Waller's song, Something Big is the melody playing in my heart.

I want to see something I’ve not seen
Something so big
I want to be a part of something great
Greater than me
It's time to dream big dreams...
to see your vision become reality

Cause its for you...and by you...and those who love you...
want to do something so big...
it's destined to fail without you Lord

It's gonna fail without you Lord

Something so great...
it takes a miracle to do
Yes we your children want to do something big for you.

Something so big.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Staff Days '07

We've all heard of those companies...organizations...and churches...who came to a point when they realized they could no longer continue as they had been and still accomplish their mission. Usually if we are hearing about them...it is because they used this moment to redefine themselves...get to the grass roots of what they stand for...and break the mold into new territory. We've seen businesses climb out of the trenches...and churches grow to the thousands.

It humbles me to be in one of these moments at Christian Friendliness. An organization founded in 1936 by a woman I don’t even know...but love...because the moment you enter CF...you know her heart.

I don’t know if we’ll grow to the thousands...I don’t know if we’ll climb out of any trenches...but I do know we are getting back to what made Miss Betty cross the wrong side of the tracks...open her Bible...and change a life. We’re getting back...to hope.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Coexistence

We attended a church service, the Sunday morning we awoke in Minneapolis. The church holds a Hip Hop service every 3rd Sunday of the month...and we were visiting on the 4th. We still went in with high expectations...as the pastor is known across urban ministries as a powerful leader with cultural relevance...and Pastor Efrem Smith did not disappoint.

I still remember quite vividly the church service I attended in Romania...in the Gypsy village...amongst the poorest of the poor. It was held outside, under a vine roof...with a message that required translation...in a town without running water...homes without doors. Yet they gathered...in gracious harmony...praising God. And I remember thinking...of all the grand churches I've seen...the different services I've attended...this one...speaks.

I had the same feeling walking out of the Sanctuary Covenant Church that Sunday morning. Color...age...sex...income...deemed irrelevant. A picture of the multi-cultural body of Christ.

So many hopes were born in us during that trip...most of all...the affirmation...that it is possible.

Yesterday Christopher and Ebony (Teen Staff) and I strolled downtown Davenport. We meandered outside the Figge Art Museum, the sunlight on our shoulders. As we walked, large billboards caught our attention. We stopped and took in the peculiar piece before us...and drew closer to read the excerpt below:

“White against black, Christian against Jew, Moslem against Christian, human against human. So much hatred and so little coexistence. We have come to a time in the history of the world where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war! This pathway is lined with the concept of coexistence and co inhabitance of the world.” ~Archbishop Desmond Tutu

We weaved our way throughout the exhibition. Some pieces humored us...some confused us...others captivated us...but in the end...they all spoke of coexistence.

I would encourage all who have the chance, to visit this exhibition while it remains in the QCA.