What really changes things? (fb)

Do things need to change?  What things?  …poverty?  Racism?  Systemic injustice?  Ugly buildings?  Vulnerable communities?  The availability of Orange Julius?

What really changes things?  Government?  Getting better at getting more people to come to more meetings?  Political leaders?  Grassroots movements?  Ideas?  Technology?  Love?

Just returned from a few days in NYC spending time with guys in business, church, and non-profit who dream of transformed cities- guys who think lots about what really changes things.  And it’s so fun to be with people like that – people who don’t just think about it but are doing things about it.  They are doing amazing things in their worlds. 

A couple of editorial thoughts upon reflection…

First, the structures that are in place are massively inadequate to sustain real change.  What do you mean?   Well…like….what we call “church” for the most part wouldn’t know what to do if tens of thousands suddenly said Yes.  But the same is true for all of our structures – banking, health care, education, government – most of our institutions are totally incompatible with the change we long for and we should keep working like dogs to change those things.

Second, the only thing that will change cities is…one man, one woman who has an encounter with God.  An encounter where the immense power of God and his outrageous compassion become real in a way that that man or woman feels as if they might be alive for the first time- becomes so real that they can’t help but gather a few other hungry hearts – hearts who are overjoyed at the simplicity of listening and responding to a voice that, once so far away, is suddenly so near.

My hand is to the plow of structure, my heart aches for more hungry hearts- for my own heart to be more and more desperate for more and more of God’s presence.  

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

If you want it here it is come and get it  - Paul McCartney

Something to grieve, something to own (fb)

Something significant happened in the family called Church last week- maybe you missed it.  Early last week John Piper announced that he is taking "an eight-month leave of absence to address unspecified "sins" that have "taken a toll" on his marriage."  (http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2010/03/author-piper-takes-leave-to-ta.php) John Piper happens to be my favorite modern preacher and teacher.  Back when he started Desiring God Ministries I was on a first name basis with The person that you called to order preaching "tapes."  Until a few years ago I read everything he wrote- including his exposition of Romans 9!  I just love this guy so it's understandable that this would be huge news for me.  But here is why I think it's huge news for "you" and especially for "us."


The Western church, especially the American church, has embraced a structure that is found nowhere in the New Testament, burns out leaders, and generally hinders the mission for which this family was gathered.  I don't know the "sins" to which Piper refers to but I know this.  John Piper walking away from everything for 8 months is a radical step to address radical problems.  This is not a guy who is just tired.  He doesn't just need a sabbatical - he's had lots of those through the years- mostly used for writing.  Fortunately his problems will likely not disqualify him for future leadership in the Church.  But over the last few years I've watched several high profile Christian leaders and several low-profile leaders fall under the weight of a system that is not sustainable.  Specifically, I talked to a couple of guys a year over the past ten years that needed to do what Piper is doing- step away- but wouldn't, couldn't.  


When I was in seminary, the statistic quoted was that the average length of time in vocational ministry for seminary grads was 7 years.  I'll bet that number is less now.  The typical senior pastor is relationally isolated - meaning they have no close friends to share heart-level intimacy with.  Most are also relationally isolated from their wives and families- who often resent continually playing second fiddle to the "church family."  I've never met a senior pastor who didn't say that wife and family are "first" - neither have I ever met one that was at peace with the way that value practically is worked out in the rhythm of life.   The senior pastor carries the weight of maintaining balance in a "provider-client" system that rewards an incremental increase in maintaining the status quo.  Every social invitation becomes a "should," every request for meeting is accompanied with fear.  Mostly fear of inadequacy- inadequate to give that perfect word of wisdom, encouragement, counsel, or affirmation that is expected.  Each time the senior leader rises to proclaim God's word it is with the knowledge that the performance will be judged  in every car and at every lunch table.  Our senior leaders are the brand, they are the franchise, a part of our identity.  In an adolescent culture obsessed with the next hit, they are Christendom's rock stars.  In short, the senior pastor is asked to be Prophet, Priest, and King...Apostle, Pastor, Teacher, and Evangelist.  But why does that matter?


It matters first because my bible tells me that in Christ we are one- we are connected, we share the same spiritual dna, everything that a brother or sister does affects all of the brothers and sisters.  If John Piper is hurting I'm hurting.  If Ted Haggard flames out...we flame out!  It's not "him" it's "us."  We are a covenant people - one in Christ and one with each other.  We are a body, a house, an army, a temple, a bride.  We are watching our leaders walk up onto a stage as a lamb to the slaughter, then we turn our eyes as they fall away.  We wish them well, pray for them, say what a shame it is, point out their flaws, then prop up the next guy.


It matters also because my bible tells me that leadership in the church is not connected to titles but to discipling people.  It is to be done by a diverse group of amateurs that are radically dependent on the Holy Spirit for ... everything.    There is not one description of Church in the new testament that looks anything like what we call "church."  You won't find one senior pastor in the new testament.  What you find is groups of people in cities, in community with one another, radically committed to love their city towards Jesus and His Kingdom.  They meet in small groups a lot more often than they meet in large groups.  The one description of a gathering that we are given in the bible shows a group of people waiting on the Holy Spirit- one has a word, another a song, another a prayer- everyone gets to play- everyone has to play.  Church is the lifestyle of a community on mission together, not a place you go or a meeting to attend.  If you go to a place or attend a meeting it should be for the purpose of equipping and encouraging you to live the lifestyle, or... it should be a worship and prayer throwdown for the ages that serves as a tangible expression of who we are and who God is.  


So what do we do about it?  Radical problems require radical solutions.  Senior pastors will continue to fall under the weight of "ministry" unless the body "be's" the body by taking that weight onto itself.  That will require:
- a fresh dose of grace- where we begin to grasp in our hearts how loved we are and how free we are
- a fresh vision of Kingdom transformation- a heart cry to see our friends, families, cities, and nations loved toward a reflection of "on earth as it is in heaven" 
- a biblical view of Church and church leadership- an army of amateurs committed to encourage one another to go for it in every sphere of culture
- a dependence on the Holy Spirit that we have not experienced in this country since the frontier revivals- we probably will have to be taught by African, Indian, Asian and Latin American brothers and sisters
- a structure that empowers Church as a lifestyle and makes "church as a meeting" a thing of the past


Where can we start?  The local church community that my family is connected to is taking radical steps in the right direction- steps that don't feel radical to most people- which means people are much more willing to embrace change.  Here are a few of these steps that we are embracing:


1.  Multiple preachers and teachers- there is no one that is the visible senior leader
2.  Paid staff are all part time, bi-vocational leaders - this keeps people grounded in real-life and also makes it impossible to load them down with burdens that should be carried by us all
3.  The weekly gathering is appropriately de-emphasized and life-together outside of the weekly meeting is celebrated
4.  The theology of the Kingdom is preached again, and again, and again, and again...
5.  There is almost an "open source" sense of place and mission in regards to the Church in our city, it's mission, and our necessary connection to all of our brothers and sisters in the city, regardless of their label


So let's pray for John and Noel Piper- let's fight for and with them.  And let's listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Church- taking ownership for our own contribution to the repeated crash and burn of our leaders.  Everyone gets to play, everyone has to play.  Finally, we know the end of the story and are full of faith - the Bride will be the beautiful, world-changing girl she was made to be and all the created of all time will marvel at her glory.

To the sent ones (fc)

You are part of the most exciting generation in the history of the Church.  A generation set apart to be sent out into every network, neighborhood, and nation.  There is nothing special about you- in fact- it’s your ordinariness that is compelling.  Like the army in the book of Joel, the nations are shaking but they don’t see you they see Him.  Cities will be changed from the inside out, from the margin to the center.  No person, no church, no organization, no country, no leader gets the credit- a.k.a. the GLORY.  That will be reserved only for Him.  But where the sent ones are, EVERYONE will want to be.  If you want it you can have it- AIDS, Africa, human trafficking, extreme poverty, the marketplace and the arts- but it will cost you everything, beginning with your reputation.  History says you’ll quit.  If you make it it will be because you accepted the journey of character, courage, and community for a lifetime.  The good news?  You’ve got it- everything you need to go the distance.  You lack…nothing.

King and the Kingdom (fc)

The Martin Luther King holiday has become, for me, one of the most significant days of the year in a way I still don't fully understand.  Ben Nockles and I participated in the silent march this morning down 23rd street in OKC.  Why?  I would be overwhelmed to begin to answer that question, suffice it to say that I think Jesus wanted me to be there- standing more for a people and a person than an ideology.  Here is an excerpt from something I wrote years ago on this day...

Dr. King preached a message of hope rooted in the person of Jesus and the reality of His Kingdom.  The Scripture he most often quoted was from Amos chapter 5 verse 32.

Amos 5:24  ²⁴ But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

The context of this verse is the unlikely prophet Amos, son of a shepherd, speaking about God’s anger over the way his people are treating the oppressed among them. 

Amos 2:7  ⁷ They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed

Amos 5:14-15  ¹⁴ Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.  ¹⁵ Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.

Amos 5:21  ²¹ "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Amos 5:23   ²³ Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures we see a pattern.  Despite God’s blessings his people turn from him in their hearts even though they continue to practice religion.  Evidence that their hearts have turned is almost always systematic sin, injustice and indifference toward the vulnerable- the poor, the children, the hungry, the sick, the outcast.  So God would raise up a prophet to speak two things- judgment…and hope.  And the hope was always that one day God would restore justice and righteousness.  

King knew the source of the problem was not the government or the white majority but the human heart.

 The more I observed the tragedies of history and man’s shameful inclination to choose the low road, the more I came to see the depths and strength of sin…the glaring reality of collective evil 

(from Pilgrimmage to Nonviolence)

But he also knew where hope was found.  In the beginning of the Civil Rights movement King stood up and said the craziest thing.  

Those of us who live in the twentieth century are privileged to live in one of the most momentous periods of human history.  It is an exciting age filled with hope…

I am convinc4ed that the universe is under the control of a loving purpose and that in the struggle for righteousness man has cosmic companionship. (from Pilgrimage to Nonviolence)

The bible reveals for us the end of the story.  In Isaiah 60 we see it as the redeemed nations, cultures, economic structures coming into the Holy City.  In Revelation 21 it is also a city, where every tribe, tongue, color, and nation are united in joyful worship of their king and redeemer.  When we talk about the final chapters of the story we offer incredible hope. 

Martin Luther King Jr. looks eerily to me like an Old Testament prophet.  He called for people everywhere to stand for justice and he offered hope by painting a picture of a future Kingdom of righteousness.

King was motivated by a personal encounter with a living God. His message was a message of hope in the present and future of the Kingdom of God.   His method was nonviolence rooted in the ethics of Jesus and His Kingdom.

An Often Annotated "Best Of" 2009 (fb)

BOOKS

Francis Fukuyama   The End of History and the Last Man

I have wanted to read this book for years.  If a person can get the gist of End of History and Sam Huntington's Clash of Civilizations you'd have a pretty good understanding of what's happening in the world, why it's happening, and where it might be going.

Jacqueline Novogratz  The Blue Sweater

A beautiful story by a pioneer in the empowerment of women through social entrepreneurship.  There are plenty of thinkers, I want to hear from the doers- this book filled me with hope.

Bible: The Gospels and Acts 

My focus this year was on the relationship of Jesus and the Father in the Gospels and the relationship of the Church and the Holy Spirit in Acts.  This book just keeps getting better.

Clay Shirkey  Here Comes Everybody

I have an ongoing fascination with movements- this book is as good as any if you want to understand how communications technology is changing EVERYTHING

Andres Duany  Suburban Nation

Written by the father of "new urbanism," and the man who designed Carlton Landing.  There are a bunch of holes in "new urbanism" but generally, "I'm in!"

Cory Doctorow  Little Brother

If Shirkey is too heady, here is a fun novel about the same subject- the bonus is that it is written from the perspective of a teenager so it's an insightful look into the culture of the next generation

Peter Block  Community:  The Structure of Belonging

Evidence that the secular community often understands and applies the biblical principles of community building better than the Church.  

Robert Lupton  Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life

Here's a Christian who gets it and has been doing it.  The new manual for Christian community transformation.  All of my urban transformation friends were talking about this book this year (and Amy Newberry got to have breakfast with him!)

Jonathon Kozol  Amazing Grace

 Another book that I wanted to read for years.  It is a graphic description of life in the worst neighborhood in the country in the mid-90's from the perspective of the people who live there.  Now my friends the Biddys and the Pattersons both live near the area about which this book was written (Washington Heights and Harlem).  This book made me love people more.

Henry Drummond  The City Without a Church

This may end up being on my "top 10" all-time list.  A beautiful, concise, biblical argument for city transformation as a major expression of "Kingdom come."  

MOVIES

Last Chance Harvey w/ Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson

The last of about six movies I saw on planes to and from China.  I had forgotten how moving it is to see amazing actors tell a great story.  I was moved by this piece of art. 

The Blind Side

Yes- I cried all through it- it's the racial deal for me.

Avatar

Another piece of art that moved me not by the story or acting but by the sheer technology of it.  IMAX 3D may be the only "in theatre" movies I see in the future.

War Dance

Again, it's the racial thing.  Reality and hope.

Saints and Soldiers

Surprised me- a great film about leadership, community, and mission.

Good Hair

Again... 

THEMES

Humility

In America you are defined not by your family name, your gender, class or caste- you are defined by your vocation.  I started 2009 carrying five business cards, fumbling through the question "what do you do? a.k.a. what are you worth?".  I am a man who loves Jesus and I am a family man.  Sometimes I get to build communities.  At the end of '09 I'm really content with that.

Community Building

What do Church, New Urbanism, Sustainable Agriculture, Social Entrepreneurship, empowering women, and Young Life have in common?  Community building.

City Transformation through Church

Relationships with young Church leaders is a treasure the Lord let me continue to invest in '09.  Tim Ulrich, Ben Nockles, Brad and Mirella Watson, Eric Mixon, Graham Ripple and many others were ongoing joy, then I was blessed with new ones like the Bandys, Eddie Coates, Matt Lowery, Ray Sanders and the Newberrys- I could cry right now I feel so outrageously privileged.

Social Entrepreneurship

It's really happening and it's called Bloom.  Neil Boyd, David Ridgeway, Su Crawford and Kami Humphreys are world-changers and I get to hang with them.  80,000 women will be empowered in the next 7 years- Lagos here we come!

Racism

I used to believe that Islam was the greatest barrier to "Kingdom come" in our generation but it's not, it's racism- that's the bugger bear.  Racial reconciliation isn't "a" thing, it's "the" thing and it is definitely the fire that continues to grow in my heart.

Transition

Dave Helm says the journey is the destination- right on.  Was my heart softer toward God and toward people in 2009 than it was in 2008?  Yep.

Family

Time with Stacy and the kids is my treasure of 2009.  We made up for some lost time in the most fun ways- family became "lightweight, low-maintenance" again- love it.

PANDORA STATIONS

Rich Mullins Radio

The Weepies Radio

Nickel Creek Radio

Flowy Alt-Pop (based on the We Are Scientists song After Hours from the Nick & Nora’s  Infinite Playlist soundtrack)

Death Cab for Cutie Radio

TECHNOLOGIES

Iphone

If you don't think this is the best tech tool you've ever had it means you don't have one yet.  It is the tech hub of my schedule, networks, and critical information.  It "saved" me many times this year.

Garmin 305

Became my go-to gadget for training.  Like most gadgets, you just have to take the time to know how to make it work for you.

Evernote

I love organizational tools- this one is awesome- once again- if you know how to use it.

 PLACES

Carlton Landing

I was against this place when I first heard of it- now I feel so honored to help build it.  It will be the most special place in Oklahoma- at least for the people who spend time there.  It will be a place of vision, healing, connection, and community.

The Grove Park Inn and Asheville

Has become our "Lost Valley Ranch" of the east- the place that feels like home.  I could spend lots of time in Asheville given the time and mulah.

Low Country South Carolina

Has our favorite food, architecture, culture, and now many of our favorite people (Breens and Cockrams).

Lake Arcadia- Edmond

Discovered mountain-biking this year with Jake.  Also discovered trail running so this has become a special place.

China

 Finally- and it didn't disappoint.  Now I get it.

Year of Africa and Pacific Northwest to come?

 Will it be 2010 for Africa?  Which country?  Countries?  And what about the Pac Northwest esp Portland?  I'm connected at the heart to the Watsons, so it's inevitable that wherever they are will be a special place for me.

SONGS

This year I wasn't drawn to that touch-feely indie-folky emo crap (which I love:)), it was the year of the anthem- what Stacy calls "ooo-shaka" songs

I Run to You  Lady Antebellum

Fans  Kings of Leon

I Gotta Feeling  The Black Eyed Peas

I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight  U2

I Want to Know You  Phillip Rice

How He Loves David Crowder

Viva La Vida  Coldplay

Revelation Song  Kari Jobe

Breathe on Me Todd Fields

Favorite of the year, right up there with some of Charlie Hall's songs as an all-time favorite that says a lot about what I want to be about.  Forever, you are the God of my story, write every line for your glory, breathe on me

OKC history of racial segregation (fb)

Good article by Steve Lackmeyer on Roscoe Dunjee, Deep Deuce, and history of racial segregation in OKC.

Tulsa's Greenwood District (fb)

Good article today in the Journal Record.  You cannot understand Oklahoma without understanding this issue.  If we care about city transformation in OKC or Tulsa we have to understand that Oklahoma was the site of perhaps the most heinous act of racism in the history of our country.

Praying FOR city transformation means praying and working AGAINST some things.  To know what those things are requires that we become students of our cities/states/nations.  To be a student of Oklahoma is to see racism as THE primary obstacle to real transformation.

Change always begins with awareness- as we shed light on dark things we bring them into the arena where Kingdom comes.

Then I saw a new... (fb)

Then I saw a new Oklahoma City...

It's people were healthy- perfectly healthy, vibrant, playful
It was peaceful- there were no good neighborhoods, no bad ones
There was a tangible sense of joy in the neighborhoods, the market, the streets
The Myriad Gardens and Will Rogers park were green and the flowers were bright and fragrant- the trees like the cedars of Lebanon- a tall strong canopy
You could drink from the Oklahoma river and all of the waters were clear and beautiful and full of life- from the farm ponds to the lakes
The fields were abundant- the outdoor markets overflowed with the most gorgeous produce- I can't think of any other way to say it- beautiful abundance
The mayor and the city council and all of the leaders were humble and their actions were just...just
Flaming lips alley, every sidewalk cafe (yes- sidewalk cafe's- everywhere!), every building, every park, every bridge was a place of connection, a place of relationship
ABC and KRXO produced content with a level of beauty and creativity like nothing ever before seen or heard
Dance and drama and visual art were everywhere, continually celebrating both Creator and creation- even the Red Dog- full of light and life and families and a spirit of thanksgiving
And deals were done with a sense of justice and joy and collaboration- the Devon tower an amazing gathering place where right commerce was displayed in such a way that those who used to feel marginalized felt awe and ownership of the mechanism of provision and could marvel at the glory of work
The Health Science center and the Ralph Ellison Library and Quail Creek Elementary and Dove Acadamy and all of the institutions of learning held a continual sense of discovery in an environment of expectant cooperation
The east side was as wonderful as the north side was as wonderful as the south side was as wonderful as the west side
And everyone had a place to go home to, full of food and love and family
Every street had a warm, inviting glow and a sense of security- a sense of "I belong right here right now"
There were no places of worship, because the tangible sense of the presence of the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit created a continual atmosphere of praise, thanksgiving, life- spontaneous drum circles at Mitch park and slam poetry of praise on the capital steps and indie-pop-metal-alternative-classical-latino throw down everybody just jump right in barn dance PRAISE right there- right there- yes there- everywhere!
And every child was happy...

And then I looked and I saw Portland, Atlanta, Pawley's Island, Yucaipa...

What did you see?

New St. Anthony's billboard at 235 and 36th (fb)

What is God up to in OKC?

City Transformation (fc)