The New/Old Way
Forming a relationship built on love
As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve taken on a new position at a new church here in NE Ohio. It’s been a season of transition and change for me and my family as we’re creating new rhythms and making new friends. It’s been a good change for us but change is often hard as you face the fear of the unknown.
Over the last few weeks I have been spending a lot of time in prayer and thought about the vision and tone of ministry I want to lead and influence at my new church. There is a lot already happening that is fantastic and so what I bring will serve to supplement or enhance the great things already in place.
Whenever you step into something new it’s usually not wise to push your own philosophy and vision into the mix until you’ve taken the time to build relationships, and have earned a level of trust. As I’ve spent time just being with people, having conversations, watching and listening, I’ve been blessed to find that my heart-cry for the younger generations is very similar to what’s already been alive and thriving at my new church home.
My heart’s deepest desire is to see a generation of young people become utterly convinced that they are loved by God more than they can possibly imagine. I, myself, am utterly convinced that this is the key to a lifelong, un-shakable relationship with Jesus that will not falter when they leave for college or begin their chosen vocation. It is the love of God that draws people into repentance and, I would add, into an eternal relationship with Him.
Knowledge of the Bible is incredibly important! However, plenty of people read the Bible and reject its ultimate declaration that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Many young people grow up in church learning the memory verses, memorizing the books of the Bible, and drilling to see who can find a particular chapter and verse the fastest. Many also go off to college or enter the work force to find themselves gasping for breath and barely holding on to what they once thought they believed.
I believe the key to longevity of faith is placing your ultimate faith and belief that Jesus loves you no matter what you’ve done in the past, what you’re struggling with in the present, or what you’ll face in the future. Everything else rolls off of this key belief in the heart of a believer. We can’t earn His love or favor - we just have it - because He is a good, good Father.
My language has been shaped around this concept over the past few years and, since coming into this new season, I finally decided to write it down. It’s nothing revolutionary from anything that’s been written in the past, although this will cause a revolution in the hearts of some who hear it for the first time. It’s nothing mind-blowing, although it might cause some to feel challenged and amazed at the revelation of this kind of radical love.
My ministry vision is now wrapped around and among the following five statements. I have come to think about all of the aspects of ministry, discipleship, evangelism, and mission as having their unique places within these five ideas (what I consider to be facts).
God loves you no matter what (past, present, future).
Romans 8:38-39; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 2:4-5
Some of the main points around this are:
Jesus desires to have a relationship with you.
He wants to be a part of your daily life.
Nothing you could ever do will keep Him from loving you.
He is always ready to forgive, to heal, and to restore.
God beautifully and uniquely made you.
Psalm 139:13-16; Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:27
Some of the main points around this are:
You have value and worth to Jesus.
He paid the highest price for you.
You don’t need to compare yourself with anyone else.
You have a place here at IRCC (Indian Run Christian Church) and in the Kingdom of God.
Ephesians 2:19; Romans 12:4-5; John 14:2-3
Some of the main points around this are:
IRCC is a sanctuary of peace, safety, and belonging.
This is a place for you to explore, build, and deepen your faith in God.
There is a bigger plan for your life than you realize as you join with believers from all over the world in this gospel mission.
You are a called and sent missionary.
Matthew 28:19-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8
Some of the main points around this are:
You can make a difference in your own context of everyday life.
God has placed you in your neighborhood, your school, your job, and even in your family to influence positive change and Christ-like principles.
You don’t need to compare your skills with other Christians you know or respect. God has gifted you with exactly what you need to impact the people he needs you to interact with.
You can be a multiplying disciple maker.
2 Timothy 2:2; Matthew 4:19; Colossians 1:28-29
Some of the main points around this are:
No matter who you are, what you know, what your vocation is, or what your unique gifts are - you can influence those around you.
You can be a teacher to someone who is hungry to learn about God.
God looks at the heart and not the outward qualifications.
Everyone who believes in Jesus has been given the mission to make disciples.
You can have a multi-generational impact.
The foundation of all of this is found in Scripture. It’s all built upon what I believe the Bible teaches about God, his creation, his story, and our place in it all. We don’t have to exchange experience for head knowledge. They can exist and work together to enrich the life of any believer. We don’t have to exchange truth for experience, either. Both should be allowed to thrive and deepen our faith in God.
The foundation of this isn’t based on a humanistic approach to studying and understanding the Bible (I’ve been accused of such before). Rather, it’s built upon the very real fact that Jesus came to seek and save his creation. Us. His most prized creation is his children. I don’t know how one can read the entire message and theme of the Bible and not see that.
The younger generations are seeking truth. I believe this will all of my heart! They see the chaos of the world around them and they are deeply intuitive about the need for answers and a better way. The question is: what kind of answers will the older generation pass down to them? Are they answers peppered with political preference and idolatry? Are the answers they’re hearing filthy with prejudice and self- preservation?
My heart is burning for the chance to ignite a fire in the heart of the younger generations below me, those generations around me, and those above me for a gospel that demands movement. This movement must embrace the immeasurable and radical love of God for them in the deepest part of their heart if they are to make a lasting impact on this world for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Furthermore, I refuse to dress the younger generations in my own war clothes (ways of doing things) as King Saul did to David. I want to release them into their own calls and dreams for following the way of Jesus. I also refuse to just send them out without walking alongside them. Saul should have been by David’s side, but he wasn’t. Too often, the older generation assumes the younger doesn’t want them there, but I believe that they are seeking mentorship and companions for the journey.
Who do you need to walk alongside in this season of your life? Who can you mentor and teach about the love of God? Finally, how can you live more fully in the knowledge and understanding that God loves you more than you could ever imagine?
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Yes!! We need all five of these in our faith walk. We can't do just one or two of them. We need them all! Good word!