In my reading, I was drawn to books that spoke on the subject; books like, “Authentic Relationships” (Wayne & Clay Jacobsen), “Loving Our Kids On Purpose” (Danny Silk) & “Becoming A True Spiritual Community” (Larry Crabb).
Last Sunday in Exeter I got to share some of what God’s been saying to me about it. Rather than posting the usual style “Sunday Set List”, I thought I’d put up a recording of what I said…
God With Us – Mike Ellis
It’s been a very interesting few weeks. Things have been quite busy lately and I’ve not managed to post. I must admit to getting withdrawal symptoms.
There’s an expression that comes to mind, “Constant change is here to stay”; I’m not sure where I first heard this, but it has certainly been my experience.
As a church, we’ve been on a voyage of discovery. Along the journey, God has been reminding us of the vast richness of His great grace; He’s been revealing His heart for relationships and delivering us from the obligations of religious performance. We’ve been reminded that we are the church (the people) – not the building and not the Sunday service. Church isn’t somewhere we go, or something we do – it’s who we are.
Don’t get me wrong, we’ve always had a heart after God (I’m not the only one that God has told to move half way across the country to be involved with what He is doing here). As a group of believers, we’ve always sought to be real & passionate – in our worship and in our study & application of His word. It’s been good. We’ve operated to the best of our ability with the knowledge we’ve had. Yet still, we somehow missed the mark. We’d built an organisation… not a community.
God has been deconstructing the organisation and is now in the process of building the community. As part of the next step in the journey, we’re changing the way we meet together (in the Stevenage congregation – initially). From the Sunday just past (13th September) and for a period of 4 weeks, we’re not meeting together in one large gathering; rather, we’re meeting in smaller gatherings in homes. The main proviso being that we break bread together. Thereafter, we will alternate our large, “whole family” celebration & the smaller home-based meetings each week.
Will these changes bring about community? No (certainly not if all that happens is reproducing the larger meeting in smaller venues). That’s not the intention in doing this. Rather than being a cause, the changes in the way we meet together are an effect, a consequence; a means of expressing the life & love of God in community.
As an aside, I’ve heard reports back from several of the smaller groups which met Sunday. All have been positive. It did feel surprisingly bizzarre for me, however, not “going to church” Sunday morning & leading worship. Whether or not that says something about any addiction I may have to church attendance I don’t know (I guess doing something differently after 27 years will feel strange).
One of the upshots of what’s happening right now is that from the end of this month I will no longer be employed by Redemption Church. I believe that I should still continue with as much as possible of what I do here; so the challenge is to find a suitably flexible means of generating an income that allows me to do that.
I am genuinely excited about what is happening. I feel as though I’ve stepped over a threshold into a place I’ve never been; a much bigger place with no familiar landmarks. If you feel so inclined, please pray for me to have clarity & courage at this time.
Credits:
The title of this post is credited to Mark & Sandra Neale. The phrase came up in on one of our conversations on our Journey to Exeter. We were talking about what God is doing with His church; they said that if ever they were to write a book, it would make a great title.
The picture at the top of the post is from ASBO Jesus – cool site!
Since writing the last “Sunday Set List” post, I’ve been wondering what part my expectation plays in what happens during a time of worship (or in anything else for that matter). As I wrote about my preparation time for worship and how a particular song stood out; and then about how worship took off during that same song in the service, I began to wonder how much of that was because of my expectation?
Why did worship take off at that point? Had God decided beforehand that he wanted to do something during that song? Was it because I’d believed He wanted us to sing the song and expected something to happen? Had we reached a point of critical mass, where enough of the believers gathered had gotten to the place where we were more aware of God’s presence than our own circumstances, so creating a momentum? What part did others’ expectancy play? Perhaps all of the above were contributory factors.
As the cartoon above (courtesy of ASBO Jesus) suggests, are our expectations sometimes misplaced or misguided?
I believe that our expectancy plays a part in worship. I’m curious as to what others might think or have experienced.
Let me know & join the discussion!
As a church family, we have been on a tremendous rollercoaster ride over the past few years. We’ve been rediscovering God’s grace, His passion for His church and His heart for relationships (how we relate to Him & to others). At the end of his message last Sunday, Mark read out the following statement adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & Galations 5:22-24 (from The Message translation) as a vision of what church life could be:
Church life never gives up, cares more for others than for self; we don’t want what belongs to others. We don’t strut and display a swelled head, we don’t force ourselves on others, we are not a “me first” family; we don’t fly off the handle, we don’t keep score of the sins of others, we don’t revel when others grovel, but we take pleasure in the flowering of truth; put up with anything, trust God always, always look for the best, never look back, but keep going to the end. What is more, we have a growing affection for others, exuberance about life as well as serenity in a mad world. We have developed a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. We know that legalism is helpless in bringing this life about; in fact it only gets in the way. Because we belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good — crucified.
I’m reminded of the verses in I John 4:19-21 where the writer states that we cannot love the God we can’t see if we don’t love the brother we can see; also in John 13:34-35, Jesus said that our love for one another would be how all men would know that we were His disciples.
“Oh God, let the worship I bring be an authentic expression of the love you gave to me; and let that same love flow freely from me to those around me.”
Writing a Sunday Set List post has got me thinking about the criteria I use for gauging the “success” (or not) of a particular worship service. Of course, any evaluation is going to be subjective; but, why is it that on one occassion, I can say, “That was good, we met with God today” and on another, “It didn’t go well this week”? What measuring stick am I using? Against what am I comparing?
I then began to think about the perspectives of others, how they might differ. So, I thought I would ask the question; I’m curious. What does a successful worship service look like – for you? What specifically has to happen in order for you to meet together with a group of believers & come away knowing you’ve encountered God?
There is a whole raft of possible criteria. Is it conneted to the style of the service itself e.g. open & participatory, or led from the front? Does the tempo or the style of music have a bearing on your definition? Perhaps more or fewer songs, or liturgy… or is it something else entirely. You get the picture.
I’m also intrigued to discover whether there is any correlation between a person’s role or function during worship & their perception of its’ success or their criteria for measuring it.
So, when you leave a comment giving your definition of a successful worship service, please state what role or function you fulfill during worship (these will vary according to your style of service) i.e. whether you play/lead in the band, read scripture etc., or perhaps, you have no specific function.
Join the discussion!
Being “real” has always been a desire in my life. What I mean by that is having integrity in the sense of being open and honest; not pretending or putting up a front, or wearing a mask. I love the innocence of youth; the beauty of being unashamed and unafraid to say what you think or feel. Of course, over time I have learned to be selective about whom I allow myself to be real with. The sad truth is that I have even learned to not be real with myself. (Neither of which is necessarily good.)
While the desire for reality in this sense is perhaps, a noble (though at times, possibly unwise) one; reality (in the sense of what we experience) is, in fact, subjective. What is real for me my not be real for someone else. If, for example, someone were to grow up being constantly told that they weren’t good at a particular activity or skill (say: sports, art or music), then they would ultimately believe what they were told; even if it were not actually true – and especially if it were an influential person in their lives that was telling them. A gifted young artist may never grow to exhibit her creations if, inside she believes that they aren’t of any worth or value (even though they may be the finest, most exquisite pictures ever painted). My point is this: our thinking defines our reality.
“What on earth has this to do with worship?” you may ask. Well, if our thinking defines our reality, then what we think about God will define the reality of our relationship with Him and will ultimately determine how we experience Him. If we believe that He is a distant, austere deity then we are unlikely to want to share our deepest, most intimate thoughts and feelings with Him.
Jn 8:32 says, ” You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”; and in Jn 14:6 Jesus says of Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. Truth is more than mere doctrine or theology. Many wars have been faught over such things. Many factions and splits have occurred in the church over differences of opinion about how to interpret both. Truth is a person. That person is Jesus; and we have been called into a glorious, vibrant, passionate, vital relationship with Him.
As with all relationships, our relationship with God is meant to grow, develop, mature… change over time. As we get to know Him more, our thinking (at a heart level) is changed; and as our thinking changes & grows, so does our experience of God.
Iam not advocating relativism; there are some absolutes (especially where God is concerned). Mal 3:6 says, “I am the Lord and I do not change”; Heb 13:8 says that Jesus is “…the same yesterday, today and forever”. For example, we can count on the fact that God is Love (1 Jn 4:8,16), and that He is for us and nothing can separte us from His love (Rom 8:31-39).
So, let’s not look to our reality (our experiences) to define God, but rather let Him define our reality. Yes, our experience of Him changes & grows as our thinking does in the context of our relationship with Him; this is the transformation process that Paul spoke about in Rom 12:2 – changing the way we think. We are on a journey; an adventure, a voyage of discovery together with God and each other; a journey that reaches beyond this time and space – into eternity. We’re in this for the long-haul. Let’s enjoy it!
I’m currently reading through an amazing book by Wayne Jacobsen & Clay Jacobsen called Authentic Relationships. At the start of the book, they quote the following which is taken from a sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, a children’s home in Calcutta. It really inspired me. I hope it does you.
Anyway
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.
Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People need help but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
As promised, here is the interview with Frank Viola & review of his latest book, From Eternity To Here. At the end of the post I will publish a list of other bloggers participating in today’s blog circuit. If you’d like to gain other perspectives on the book, visit their sites and join the discussion.
Before we get to the questions, here is my take on the book.
“From Eternity…” is to Viola what Star Wars episodes I to III was to George Lucas, or what the “Origins” films are to the “X-Men” series. To give it a biblical metaphor, you could say it is the Genesis of his writings.
It is a prequel, if you like; the inspiration for and foundation on which his other books are written. Viola himself says that if you were to read only one of his books, then this would be the one to choose.
The book is a compelling narrative of God’s eternal plan in the church, following 3 distinct threads: the church as the bride of Christ, the house of God and a new species i.e. the body of Christ and the family of God. The upshot being that the Father wants a house to dwell in and a family to relate to; and the Son wants a bride to marry and a body to express himself through in creation.
I must confess that the first section of the book, (on the bride of Christ) was my personal favourite. This in no way diminishes the other sections. I found that reading through the exploration of Jesus’ passion for His bride stirred a heartfelt, passionate response in my heart and reminded me of why it is I do what I do.
That Viola has a passion for the purposes of God is plainly evident. If you are passionate for God and His purposes, then read this book.
As with his previous writings, this book may (and should) challenge your paradigms concerning church. Don’t let that put you off. Whether or not you agree (either wholely, or in part) with his ultimate vision for the practical expression of church, this book is a must read.
____________________
So, here are the questions I posed to Frank and his answers.
1. In chapter 14 of the book, you contrast Moses’ & David’s tabernacles. There we see a beautiful picture of “God’s people… worshipping freely” and “God’s holy presence… open for all to enjoy”. Do you see those involved in what is currently referred to as the “worship ministry” (i.e. musicians, singers & worship leaders) playing a part in the restoration of the tabernacle of David? If so, would that look any different to what we currently see – how?
No, I do not. The whole worship leader/team phenomenon is a throwback to Old Covenant worship. We are in the New Covenant now where all believers are ministering priests, and they should be allowed to function as such. In organic church life, all carry a piece of the ark. Worship is in the hands of everyone together under Christ’s headship. (I describe what this looks like in my book REIMAGINING CHURCH.)
The tabernacle of David is a powerful picture of the ekklesia of God where all of God’s people are functioning, ministering, and beholding the glory of God with unveiled faces. Those who have experienced authentic church life … organic body life … understand this experience. Due to space limitations, I wasn’t able to go into depth on it in the book, but I have done so in a spoken message on the topic.
2. As congregations become more aware of God’s ageless purpose in the Church, what advice can you offer those who would seek to embody the expression of the bride, house, body & family of God in the Earth? Can you offer practical advice drawn from the experiences of other congregations who have made the journey?
Those Christians who are captured by the vision of God’s eternal purpose naturally seek others who have the same vision so they can stand for and display it with them. The eternal purpose is corporate, it’s not individualistic. Displaying and fulfilling it, therefore, requires a body of believers in a locale.
Two practical suggestions. One is to ask the Lord to bring others who have a vision for the eternal purpose into their path. Believe it or not, Facebook (of all things) has been used by the Lord to accomplish this recently. There’s a new Facebook page for the book where people of like mind and heart are connecting.
Secondly, there are special events going on all over the country this year on the Eternal Purpose designed to connect like-minded folks together in person and give them both vision and practical help on how to begin fleshing it out in their cities. People can find out more about these events at www.ptmin.org/events
____________________
OTHER BLOGS PARTICIPATING IN THE “FROM ETERNITY TO HERE” BLOG CIRCUIT
Today (June 9th), the following blogs are discussing Frank Viola’s new bestselling book “From Eternity to Here” (David C. Cook, 2009). The book just hit the May CBA Bestseller List. Some are posting Q & A with Frank; others are posting full reviews of the book. To read more reviews and order a copy at a 33% discount, go to Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Eternity-Here-Rediscovering-Ageless-Purpose/dp/1434768708/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233609867&sr=1-4
For more resources, such as downloadable audios, the free Discussion Guide, the Facebook Group page, etc. go to the official website: http://www.FromEternitytoHere.org
Enjoy the reviews and the Q and A:
Out of Ur – http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2009/05/viola.html
Shapevine – www.Shapevine.com (June newsletter)
Brian Eberly – http://www.brianeberly.com
DashHouse.com – http://www.DashHouse.com/
Greg Boyd – http://www.gregboyd.org/blog/
Vision Advance – http://vision2advance.blogspot.com/
David Flowers – http://ddflowers.wordpress.com
Kingdom Grace – http://kingdomgrace.wordpress.com
Captain’s Blog – http://www.captainestes.blogspot.com/
Christine Sine – http://godspace.wordpress.com
Darin Hufford – The Free Believers Network – www.freebelievers.com
Zoecarnate – http://zoecarnate.wordpress.com
Church Planting Novice – www.churchplantingnovice.wordpress.com
Staying Focused – http://kimmartinezstayingfocused.wordpress.com/
Take Your Vitamin Z – www.takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com
Jeff Goins – http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org
Bunny Trails – http://bunny-trails.blogspot.com
Matt Cleaver – http://mattcleaver.com
Jason T. Berggren – http://blog.jasonberggren.com/
Simple Church – http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/
Emerging from Montana – http://wordofmouthministries.blogspot.com/
Parable Life – http://www.theparablelife.blogspot.com
Oikos Australia – http://www.oikos.org.au/blog/
West Coast Witness – www.WestCoastWitness.com
Keith Giles – http://www.Keith.Giles.com
Consuming Worship — http://www.consumingworship.org
Tasha Via – www.tashavia.blogspot.com
Andrew Courtright – www.andrewcourtright.blogspot.com
ShowMeTheMooneys! – http://www.showmethemooneys.com/
Leaving Salem, Blog of Ronnie McBrayer – http://leavingsalem.wordpress.com/
Jason Coker – pastoralia.missionaltribe.org
From Knowledge to Wisdom – http://isthistheway.typepad.com/
Home Brewed Christianity – http://www.homebrewedchristianity.com
Dispossessed – http://kblog.kevinjbowman.com
Dandelion Seeds – http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Dandelionseeds
David Brodsky’s Blog- “Flip the tape Deck” – http://flipthetapedeck.blogspot.com/
Chaordic Journey – http://jeffrhodes.wordpress.com
Renee Martin – http://www.reneemartinmusic.com/profiles/blog/list
Bob Kuhn – http://organicchurchnola.wordpress.com/
Living with Freaks: www.livingwithfreaks.com
Real Worship – http://therealworshipleader.com
Fervent Worship – http://ferventworship.blogspot.com
Julie Ferwerda Blog – www.JulieFerwerda.com / www.OneMillionArrows.com
What’s With Christina?! – http://w2christina.blogspot.com
Irreligious Canuck – http://www.irreligiouscanuck.com
This day on the journey – http://guychmieleski.blogspot.com
Live and Move: Thoughts on Authentic Christianity – http://liveandmove.blogspot.com/
Spiritual Journey With God – http://www.elvineve.blogspot.com/
Dries Conje – http://www.echurch.co.za / http://www.thejesusfeed.com / http://www.bookdisciple.com.
Journey with Others – http://journeywithothers.blogspot.com
On Now to the Third Level – www.080808onnowto.blogspot.com
Christine Moers – www.welcometomybrain.net
Breaking Point – http://marybethstockdale.wordpress.com
Hand to the Plough – http://www.handtotheplough.com.au
Jon Reid – http://jonreid.blogs.com/oneanother/welcome-pilgrim.html
Weblight – www.blog.worldwidewebservices.se
D. L. Webster – http://gzmproductions.com/dlwebster
Searching for the Whole-Hearted Life – wholeheartedlife.blogspot.com
I’m currently reading through Frank Viola’s latest book etitled, “From Eternity To Here – Rediscovering the Ageless Purpose of God”. In it, Viola explores and unfolds the mystery of God’s eternal plan for the Church.
The exciting news is that I’ll be taking part in the blog circuit and asking Frank 2 questions about the book and publishing them (along with his answers and the review) on June 9th. The reason for this post is to open out the question asking opportunity.
So, If you’ve read the book and have any questions you would like to ask, let me know. The deadline for getting any questions to me is May 30th.
During a prayer meeting in Stevenage this week, one of the Pastors brought a prophetic word about us “going digital”. The point being made was about us being able to instantly receive God’s broadcast signal (hear fom God) with clarity, as opposed to spending a while trying to “tune in” and then filter out the interference, as with an analogue receiver.
Without taking the analogy too far, the following comparison was made (which I thought was pretty cool - and accurate):
With some old aerials, you may remember that you would have to bend and move them whilst standing in various positions in order to try and receive the best possible signal. Well, religion will have you do just that. It will have you jump through hoops, bending this way and that, performing various rituals in order to hear from God. It will tie you up in knots!
The truth is this. God is always broadcasting in digital high definition – there’s nothing wrong with His transmitter. I believe that part of what God is doing at this time is bringing clarity, understanding and vision to the Church. He’s opening our eyes to see things from His perspective; to be consumed with His purpose and His kingdom.
As a Church, both in Exeter and Stevenage, we’ve been spending the last few months seeking after God, asking this very thing; as in the words of the song by Paul Baloche, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord…I want to see You“.
It was also interesting that earlier in this meeting, I felt God have me sing “releasing the sound of heaven on the earth”. I believe that this is part of the Church’s mandate, as ambassadors of His kingdom – to impact this world.
Have Your way God. Increase our bandwidth. Awaken Your Church to See You as You really are. Your kingdom come, Your will be done. Amen!
"Real Worship" is the weblog of Mike Ellis; follower of Jesus, husband & father of 3; musician, singer, songwriter, instrument tutor; part of the Redemption family of churches
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