The New Blog

From this day on, regenerate x is history and now is officially Missional 2:42!

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Program…

Just a heads up that by the end of the month, this blog will undergo a name change and re-fuel. It’s time for new wineskins. regen will still be the parent blog but url and errythang is changing. I’m excited!

ChurchSpeak That Needs to Die #2: “Goin’ to Church?!”

2. “Goin’ to Church”
You’ve said it and so have I. We know what we mean but do we really? According to Scripture, the church is the body of Christ made up of His followers. The church is about being the “called out” together, meaning that we who have committed our hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ are literally rowing in the same boat.

But somewhere along the way, ecclesia became a building instead of a living body. No big deal, right?

WRONG!

As we begin to see “church” as a place, a location, and a bullet on the spiritual to-do list, it became easier to walk away from the same.

But what happens when the called out ones properly recapture the essence of what the living body of Christ is, rowing in the same boat? People find it a lot harder to divorce themselves people than a “location.”

Thinking on these things forced me out of the habit of saying “I’m goin’ to church.” I am already a part of the body of Christ! As my bonds with those I row with in the faith grow stronger, my faith in Jesus Christ has grown stronger and iron has indeed sharpened iron.

So stop goin’ to church and be the church!

ChurchSpeak That Needs to Die #1: Clergy/Laity

Chinchecks for ChurchSpeak

There are certain titles and phrases in institutional church circles that need to die a quick and cruel death so that we can understand who we truly are in Jesus Christ and be fishers of men and women:

1. Clergy vs. Laity. Neither word is found in the Bible. Yet thanks to Constantine and later the scholasticism of the Middle Ages, a divide in the body of Christ was sealed. Clergy mania turns worship into a spectator’s event where the laity (or lazity) watch the “reverends” do all the kingdom work. Equally horrific, some “clergy” believe the hype and develop a greater awareness of their own presence than the Holy Spirit’s. After reading 1 Corinthians 12-14, the Pastoral Epistles (which I just began studying) as well as Ephesians 4, I see no biblical justification for the distinction.

Pray for Pay?

I was disgusted earlier today watching one of my dearest friends on the planet take the time to post a prayer request on this site.

Why?

Well, the site starts off pretty well:

Receive prayers from thousands of fellow Christians!

If you or a family member is need of prayer, the Lord shall hear your request through the prayers of the entire Christian Prayer Center. You are not walking a lonely course, but rather holding hands with those who care. Christ loves everyone and is filled with happiness when they are praying together online or in church.

Healing is a long process that begins with prayer and faith. The Bible tells us what we must do, and we must have the strength to come together in Holy worship. Submit a prayer and read the prayers of those who are in need of help and guidance. Jesus loves us all. It is our religion that binds us together as humans on this Earth. God Blesses.

But after you go to the trouble of posting the request, you are asked to judge the importance of your prayer request:

How important is your request?
Not important Somewhat important Very important Extremely important

WHAT?! Since when did God call us to rate the prayer requests of those around us? Granted, when your friend Pooky asks you to agree with her in prayer that she marries someone else’s husband, the answer is fairly clear on that one and you answer her from the Word.

Guess what pops up when you “rate” your prayer?

How much would you like to offer with your request?
Nothing $7 $15 $50

100% of your offering goes to support the Christian Prayer Center to further God’s work.
Credit Card #: (info)
Expiration: /
Are you sure you do not want to offer anything? God cannot have faith in you unless you have faith in Him!

He who gives of himself receives all which is asked.

“Give, and it will be given to you. For with the measure you give, it will be measured to you in God’s gifts.” (Luke 6:38)

The Bible tells us repeatedly that the most important way to have our prayers answered is to have faith, and give with overwhelming generosity.

Give when times are tough, give when it does not seem that giving is possible, and God will reward your faith with His generosity in answering your important prayers quickly.

Foolishness. First of all, I do not find anywhere in Scripture where God “has faith” in me. That is the talk of dangerous Word of Faith nonsense that is shipwrecking the faith and testimony of so many people. Secondly, I know of too many people who have given every dime they had to some ministry in hopes of having their prayers answers. Guessed what happened?

Nothing.

Liars.

Once I chose “Nothing”, their tenacity at getting money from me persists:

Step 2: Do you believe in what the Bible tells us?

Yes, I believe in the Bible.
No, I do not have faith.
God answers our prayers every day, and He doesn’t ask for much in return — just our faith. If you want God to answer your prayers, you must have faith in Him. God says over and over, “Making offerings is necessary to prove your faith.”

“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give it forth, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” – Mark 10:21

The Bible tells us we MUST make offerings to have our prayers answered. He knew what was best, and HE WANTS YOU to have your prayer answered. Jesus wants to restore our health, fill our relationships with love, and shower us with wealth and good fortune. BUT, Jesus says we must make offerings to open up the doors of heaven.

So that God may answer your prayer, what amount would you like to offer?

Nothing
$7 – Small Request
$15 – Special Request
$50 – Urgent Request
$77 – Supreme Request
$365 – Divine Request
Credit Card #:
Expiration: /

What they are telling me is that because I have no money, God will not hear me. Biblical?

Heck 2 the NO!

In fact, the very spirit and method of this “Christian” site violates the example of the Lord Jesus Himself since He intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25). He does this free of charge, by the way. And no do not tell me that God the Father “sowed” Jesus’s life into the ground so that He could reap a harvest of souls to justify the greedology behind this shady money-thieving scheme. You cannot compare the blood of the Savior to a bank account since that bank account can’t keep you out of hell.

Needless to say, I stopped posting because I simply refuse to waste a prayer on this site. The Scripture twisting on this site was so blatant. The context of Luke 6:38 is not about how to get more money but about judging and offering forgiveness. Over and over, the pastor of site tells us that God has demands we give money to get prayers answered but offers NO biblical proof. This kind of lying and covetous spirit continues to rot local churches from the inside out and bring undeserved shame on other believers who are pursuing Christ no matter what their material circumstances.

Shame on Christianprayercenter.

P.S. I’m not the only one who has a gripe.

kl

Why I Hated Preaching Class in Seminary

Of all the courses I took, the “class” I despised the most was Preaching. That sounds weird coming from an aspiring pastor but the truth is that too often I found the divine calling and unction of preaching reduced to an “art form.”

Preaching is not an art but a calling. When we view the proclamation of the Gospel as the former, we run the risk of celebrating the method and deifying the messenger.

Does Seminary Hurt the Mission of the Church?

I wonder. Too many seminaries have produced a log-jam of great scholars but not pastors and church leaders equipped for ministry in the real world.

Perhaps the best approach for the 21st century model is to make the local church the streets the “classroom” while tailoring the ministry training to gifts and not to expectations of professional ivory tower seminary officials who put more faith in their ability to read the Biblical languages than in the power of the Holy Spirit working through the surrendered hearts of His people.

Toodles!

Worship From the Gridiron

Check out Cincinatti Bengals’ Ben Utecht’s CD. Awesome!

More Ridiculously Themed Study Bibles

Just when I thought the Green Bible would drive me over the edge (in a hybrid car, of course), along comes Thomas Nelson Publishers with The American Patriot’s Bible.

A hot mess.

I am concerned not because I believe that God did not have intentions for our nation or because our early history was not shaped by biblical principles but because we have twisted the American flag around the Word of God.

Who do we really worship here? God or America?

The Frustration of Dreaming Ahead of Schedule

I can tell you with all sincerity that I am frustrated.

Why?

Because the dream in my heart is bigger than the context I find myself in.

So what’s a girl to do?

Use my gifts and talents for the context God has me in now.

5 Summer Jobs You DON’T Want

5 Summer Jobs You DON’T Want

Posted using ShareThis

A great clip from a kid who needs money for college, lol!

Clearing Out My Reading List

I’ve been so busy with the school year that I have had little time to read the book I bought months ago. My goal is to have finished the following books by the end the summer:

Simple Church (Thom Rainer)
Gifted to Lead (Nancy Beach)
Axiom (Bill Hybels)
the book of Acts (The Holy Spirit)

Books/Literature I Will Be Teaching In the Fall
Macbeth (Shakespeare)
Beowulf (Anonymous)
This Present Darkness (Peretti)
Up From Slavery (Washington)
Paradise Lost (John Milton)
the poetry of Emily Dickinson
the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks

ARC All Access

Check out the ARC All Access feed for all you church planters and church planters to be

http://www.allaccessconference.com/

7 Questions: Women Church Planters

I was surprised and pleased a couple of days ago when I received an email about an old blog post regarding women church planters. Linda Wurzbacher, lead pastor of Blessed Hope Community Church, responded and was kind enough to answer seven questions I posed to her about her experience as both a pastor and church planter. Pastor Wurzbacher is also started a group to nurture and encourage women church planters (Christ Driven Women). Look for their first conference September 24th & 25th, 2010!

7 Questions for Women Church Planters and Leaders

1. When did you discover God’s calling to pastor and plant a church?
I never made a decision that I wanted to be a pastor, I just came to the realization (revelation) that I was a pastor! I was leading a blossoming Mom’s group at my church at the time and we had an interim pastor. I couldn’t figure out why all these people were coming to me, calling me and standing in line on Sundays to talk to me! I thought it was so very odd. And then it hit me one day, people were coming to me as their pastor. That was sincerely a shocking revelation to me. I was just so in love with Jesus but I never saw myself as a pastor at all. That was the beginning. The story is long so for this venue I’ll simply tell you that I was later ordained at a local church and I had prayed about starting a church for about 8 years before God said: “NOW!”

2. Who were the people who most encouraged and challenged you in your calling?
I’d say my husband and son have always been my biggest encouragers for sure, especially as far as planting a church. As far as being in the role of a pastor, I felt very supported, and encouraged when I was on staff at a church as “Pastor of Women’s Ministries.” God seemed to anoint and bless so much of the ministry I did there, it really did knock my socks off to see so much fruit. The people there encouraged me in huge ways as did my former senior pastor in the beginning. Without that, I’m not sure I would have had the courage to do it. As far as who most challenged me in my calling, I’d say the list is too long to mention–ha! I think some of the other local male pastors were the toughest actually. When I’d attend local pastor gatherings, I felt excluded and treated as a definite un-equal. That was tough to take. As I said, I was so insecure anyway! There was a few that really went out of their way to make me feel welcomed though. Those pastors I will never forget.

3. What are some of the challenges that any church planter (male or female) encounter as they do God’s will?
Honestly, one of the hardest things for me to overcome has been my insecurity. It wasn’t that I doubted God’s calling on my life as much as I just doubted me. I felt insecure, unworthy and just afraid of messing up! The problem with all of that is I made it about me instead of keeping my focus on the fact that God was going to build His church His way. I think insecurity is often the biggest challenge for any church planter, regardless of gender. Sometimes it comes across as arrogance, but it’s still insecurity. Other than that, some of the classic church planter mistakes are always about putting people in positions too quickly. We get worn out and desparate in the beginning and we often don’t wait upon the Lord’s leading and direction. I’ve made such a mistake that almost destroyed our church.

4. What are some unique challenges women pastors/planters face and how do you deal with them?
Our church is located in a very highly populated Catholic area. We also have a lot of Calvary Chapel churches that are very vocal about how they feel about women in ministry. I’ve had people call me and email me and tell me all the reasons I should not be a pastor. Many of the people at our church have felt harrassed by family members and friends for having a female pastor. It also feels pretty lonely at times. There’s a lot less peers to connect with and as a non-denominational woman church planter, it’s really impossible.

5. How has serving the body of Christ as a pastor and planter impacted your marriage and family life?
I have an amazing husband so I am very blessed there! He has always been by my side through it all. It’s been tougher on him really. I didn’t start our church until the year my son went away to college and now that he’s graduated, he’s a pastor at our church so overall, I’d say that part has been very wonderful. We do ministry TOGETHER!

6. What is your life verse that strengthens you as you pursue God’s will?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philipians 4:13

7. What advice would you give women who feel called to plant and lead churches? What advice would you give to men in how to relate to them?
Just Do it! Well, there is sooo much advice I would give. If they felt called to plant a church, I would tell them to go work / help a church plant in their area if they never have. They will learn sooo much from that experience. It’s the best training ground there is! I would tell them to count the cost because the cost is huge. It is twice as hard to be a woman church planter and it’s plenty hard for a man! I would tell them they need to make sure their husband is in it 100%! They may have to lead him to that point, but they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. There’s so much more of course…but that’s my short answer.

As far as advice to other men, I’d tell them that they need to do everything they can to support a female pastor in ministry. Of course, there are healthy boundaries, yes. But they need to pray for women pastors and encourage & support them just as they would any sister in Christ!

The Hypocrisy of the Gay Community

I will pull no punches with this brief post. I watched as gossip whore Perez Hilton asked “the” question about whether gay marriage should be allowed. Miss California, Carrie Prejean said that marriage should be recognized as that between one man and one woman.

Now she is under attack from certain peeps for her decision to offer a biblical answer and not a politically correct one. I find it very interesting that some (certainly not all) pro-gay groups and self-appointed activists are ready to call Prejean an intolerant bigot when in fact THEY are the ones who cannot stand still while someone calmly and politely answer a question that called for her view.

If you ask Prejean her opinion, do not whine about her response. But we know that is not the real issue. Prejean would have been lauded as “courageous” if she had just caved in and ignore the consistent biblical witness against homosexuality.

But in my opinion, Prejean is courageous.

“The way I answered may have been offensive. With that question specifically, it’s not about being politically correct. For me it was being biblically correct.”

Enough said.

Old School Gospel

Saturday was certainly and cold and numbing day for all who followed Jesus’s ministry. He was dead. But I can’t help but celebrate the divine turnaround a day early. The following Youtube clip is of a song I remember singing when I was 8 years old!

Good Friday & JWs

Just came off of a friendly and impromptu “discussion” about Jesus with some Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their contentions about Him (e.g. He’s created and not divine) did not depress me but rather encouraged me on this Good Friday to not only contend for the biblical faith but also to rejoice in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. In a culture that in certain circles celebrates sound systems over sound doctrine, it is easy for the noise of clamoring self-important agendas and cries for recognition to obscure the Cross.

Friday–for the horror and shame He endured on Calvary–is only good because Jesus died and in doing so did for us what we could not do for ourselves (but strangely and ironically, die trying to do for ourselves).

God’s Memory Is Better Than Mine

There are times when I question whether or not God remembers one promise He has made to me personally (assuming that the promise actually IS from God). I have been reminded in the last few days that contrary to my own suspicions, Jesus has a much better memory than I do.

The redemptive reality of such only helps me as I pray over issues that have not changed in days, months, and years. Time is like a set of clanging cymbals, smothering out the calm and assured voice of God who speaks about a matter. But after the noise has dissipated to a hush, the promise of God is still there.

“For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever” (Psalm 117:2, TNIV)

Enough Is Enough!

The recent wave of alleged Conflicker virus issues did not do anything to change my mind about the decision I made a month ago to go BACK to Mac.

For the record, let me state that while there are plenty of things I like about Microsoft Office, there are even more things that I HATE about Vista.

One of the major issues I have had with Vista is that the operating system conflicts with the antivirus software I used at the time. So Vista would turn my program OFF and then have the nerve to not allow me to turn it ON even after they provided the option to do so.

Enough already.

My old youth pastor gave me a Mac back in the mid-nineties and now its time for this prodigal to return home: Mac.

Mac is not perfect, contrary to the macolatry out there but at this points, I’ve had it with Windows.

Enough!

Twain on Expectation

“A thing long expected takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes.”

A Dramatic Twist on an Old Issue

From Strive to Enter

This is especially for those who’ve always imagined what Paul would say if he were visiting a Driscollized church (yes, I said Driscollized).

Joshua 5.1-12: Destiny Is an Inside Job

This short but powerful passage illustrates the faithfulness of God to a new generation of Israelites whose parents were circumcised but didn’t live to experience the destiny they were promised because of unbelief. Ironically, on the other hand, the next generation of Israelites—the children of the Unbelieving Generation—are on the cusp of destiny but have not been circumcised.

Circumcision was the physical sign of covenant with God and the fact that this ironic twist peppers the pages of salvific history illustrate one big idea for me to grasp: Destiny is an inside job. You can have the outward appearance of covenant relationship with God but the Old School generation lacked the faith–the faith that endures the unseen hard cracks of real time experience.

They lost out.

But this generation, however, the Joshua and Caleb generation, did not.

Part of taking hold of the new and going places where your parents and g-parents never went is letting go of the things that had a hold on them.

Only then, by God’s grace, can we enter enter in to the destiny God has for us.

Odds and Ends

Just a few observations:

1.) Contrary to popular belief, I am convinced that President Obama is fashioning himself not so much after Lincoln but after FDR.

2.) Evangelicalism died for me years ago. The Lord Jesus and the truth of His word, however, are very much alive.

3.) Besides his full-time job as a drama queen, NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens is also a team killer and lockerroom cancer. The Bills will rue the day they ever signed him.

4.) As a single (but still looking) 30-something with no children (yet), I notice that singles often get the shaft at church. I supposed since we don’t bring little people to church, we’re not worth talking to.

5.) Eugene Cho rocks.

6. The Charismatic-Pentecostal circles (with which I would most identify) of the Church will continue to reap the whirlwind of judgment. Enough of the shady begging masquerading as “kingdom sowing.”

7.) Jon Stewart laid the smackdown on CNBC’s Jon Cramer. Now both need to shut up.

8.) I love the TNIV more and more each day. I wanna give a shoutout to James Dobson and Wayne Grudem for pointing me in the translation’s direction. If not for their misguided and idolatrous rantings about the need for a “masculine” Bible, I probably would not have thought to switch from the NASB. Nice reverse pimping of an item you hate, gentlemen.

Joshua 4: A Walk to Remember

This chapter amazes me for two reasons:

1.) God commands that memorial stones be collected to commemorate an event that had not happened yet. Once again, God looks for opportunities to stretch and strengthen the people’s faith in Him.

2.) God exalts Joshua in the midst of the people. Every new leader who follows a great leader must have their defining moment before those he or she leads. Otherwise, trust is difficult to foster between the people and the leader.

The Un-Reformation

It suffices to say that thoughts by Michael Spencer on the collapse of evangelicalism. He summed up succinctly what I and a host of other believers have been struggling with for the last few years. I won’t rehash his comments.

I will only say that I personally am not looking for a reformation that heals the insipidness of denomininationalism.

Enough already.

What will come next is the complex power of Christ-centered consistency.

No frills, no foolishness, and no cool.

And I’m a Gen-Xer who has been “cooled” to death over the year. The buffet of “me a la carte” and “Jesus Lite” have left the American church sick to the stomach.

The course will be set, however, not by how much we blog about the gravity of our mess but rather how we respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and how we return to our first love.

God is not accepting any more theses pinned to the door of a church door; He wants His Word and His character manifesting in and through the believer.

The Great Conformation can now resume its regularly scheduled work.

The Danger of Theo-Branding

The problem with theological branding is that we become too territorial about our story of how our pet theologians interpret the revelation of God, losing sight of the grand and unified theme of God’s great salvific story: Jesus.

Only when we idolize our own stories at the expense of others the Lord Jesus has Himself written onto the pages of HIStory do we lose the plot of the greatest story of all.

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible & the Church

I’m currently teaching The Crucible. Although I strongly suspect that Miller had his own axe to grind with fundamentalists of his day (i.e. McCarthyites who still swear to this day that a Commie was under every bush—especially in Hollywood), there are important themes that are emerging as our class finishes up the first two acts. I won’t share any until we’re done with the book but there is one question that I asked my class to expound upon and I’ll leave it to you.

There is a scene where Rev. Hale asks John Proctor to recite the Ten Commandments to prove the authenticity of his faith. This “test” comes up elsewhere in the story. My question is simple:

Does right theology equal godliness? Is determining whether someone has memorized a particular passage of Scripture the ultimate litmus test for a professing Christian?

Joshua 3: Crossing Jordan

Big Idea: God’s presence makes everything happen for the possessor.

A. God’s presence guides us. According to 3:3, the children of Israel were to follow the ark of the covenant over into the Jordan. The ark of the covenant represents to just the law of God but also the presence of God. Whatever position they were in before this journey meant nothing now as they transitioned into destiny. What mattered now was that the presence of Almighty God was leading the people of Israel into their destiny. Here is the point: you will not get where God wants unless God Himself is leading the way.

B. God’s presence exalts others. The irony of God’s presence is that He willingly exalts His leaders in the presence of others while simultaneously glorifying Himself. God’s big point is not to deify flesh. Rather, God confirms the anointing and calling of Joshua for a people who had lost the only God-sent leader they had known. Joshua’s exaltation is less about him and more about God making sure that Israel understood that the LORD’s plans and purposes for them did not die with Moses. God is always bigger than the dream or vision He ordains.

C. God’s presence transcends obstacles and transforms our current situation (3:13-15). Biblical scholars point out that followers of false gods in and near Canaan often believed that gods proved the truth of something or someone using a trial-by-water test in which the truth of someone’s charge was determined by whether he or she sank or floated. If they floated, then the gods proved the person was telling the truth. If the person sank, the person was considered a liar. That God had miraculously parted the waters AGAIN was a testament to not only His integrity but also His sovereignty and power. He was and is the One True God. When the presence of God goes forth on your behalf, whatever obstacles are in front of you will cease to be an issue. Israel learned that and so must we in our present-day, realtime drama.

D. God’s presence prepares the way of deliverance for others (3:16-17). The ark of the covenant and the priests stood in the Jordan while the children of Israel passed on dry land. God is the deliverer but He often uses other people as instruments of deliverance and liberation. I should be willing to “stand in the water” while those in need of walk on the dry ground of liberation.

The Faith of a Prostitute: Joshua 2

Big Idea: God uses whoever is willing to glorify Himself and bring us into the purpose and destiny for which He has made us (Eph. 2:10).

II. The Faith of Rahab

A. She recognized God for who He was despite her location and polytheistic culture (2:9). What is important about her recognition is that she calls Him by His personal name, Jehovah which speaks to God’s “the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption.” (Bible.org)

B. Rahab recognized God’s hand upon Israel and His mighty miraculous works on their behalf for His divine purpose (2:10-11). We know that Israel struggled with responded in faith to God’s miraculous deeds on their behalf. But Rahab, an idolater and prostitute, responds in faith to what God has done. It is no wonder that she is listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:31.

C. Rahab trusted God to save her AND her entire family. The rest of the chapter shows a woman willing to risk her own life and household on the belief that the God of Israel would preserve them. Like the blood over the door post for Israel, the scarlet thread represents the coming Christ whose very blood would deliver those who place their faith in Him. Where the thread was, so too was the protection. Remember: this prostitute was ready to risk EVERYTHING for a God she did not serve who led a people who could have easily destroyed.

Idolatry in the House

Well, my aversions to ever declaring myself anything other than a Christian are even more justified by the theo-slapping going on over NeoReformed foolishness.  Scot McKnight called out the nonsense (read here) and internetmonk adds his own thoughts worth reading.

As a believer well-versed in reformed doctrine (I currently belong to a reformed church so I’m not creating drama to be a boop), I have grown tired of what I perceive as idolatry in reformed circles.  Yes, before folks go gangsta, there is plenty of clergy idolatry in other parts of the body of Christ.

But NeorReformed foolishness is what I’m taking to the shed now.

From my vantage point, there are too many male pastors in NR circles trying to be little John Pipers or CJ Mahaneys.  Sovereign Grace and the nonsense that currently grips their denomination would have non place if not for the fact that they have pastors in that camp who literally worship the ground Mahaney walks on.

Same for Piper as far as clergy-worship.  This is not an attack on Piper (I love Future Grace though I disagree with some of his premises in part).  Driscoll is Piper on steriods and other unmentionables go out of their way to malign non-reformed pastors and leaders.  I know of one Reformed group that won’t even carry non-Reformed books and curriculum to protect theological purity.

What the beep ever.