Worship is at the core of the nature and the purpose of the church.  We are redeemed for worship (Exodus 20:2-3 and 1 Peter 2:9).  We are empowered by the Sprit for worship (John 4:23).  We are called to make worship our lifestyle (Romans 12:1).  We are created know and to love God forever, and worship is the way we express that life here and now.

Worship is also highly contentious.  Just about everyone has their opinion about what they like or don’t like about worship.  But worship is not foremost about what we like—it’s about God.  It’s about a community of people responding to God through adoration, praise, thanksgiving, lament, intercession, confession, repentance, trust, belief and more.  We respond to what God has done, and to what he is doing, and to what he promises to do.  That life is called worship.

In my next few blogs I hope to carry forward a conversation about worship that recently emerged at the church I serve, Redwood Covenant Church, as we sought to discern the values and vision that would guide us into a new chapter of worship.

My hope is that you will enter the conversation and that our conversation would rise above  personal preference toward a vision for worship that is biblically faithful, culturally relevant, and responsive to the mission and vision of the church.

Deepening Cynicism

The senseless acts of evil in our world led some to conclude that the world is going to hell in a hand basket, so, they say, “Let’s circle the wagons and insulate ourselves from an increasingly evil world.”

The problem with that response is that it’s self-reinforcing: the more we look for evil, the more we find evil.  And the less we look for goodness, the less goodness we find.  The fruit of that cycle is a deepening cynicism that is just no fun for anyone, especially for the people who are around you.

But even in the midst of the recent bombings, we saw people responding with goodness and courage.  There were marathon participants who ran past the finish line to local hospitals where they donated blood.  Another man rushed toward the explosions and ripped off his belt to create a tourniquet for a wounded victim.  One man ran in and out of the danger zone, carrying people a hundred yards to safety.  Joe Andruzzi, a retired NFL football star who won the Super Bowl three times with the New England Patriots, was seen carrying multiple victims away from the finish line. All three of the Andruzzi’s brothers were firemen who rushed into the wreckage of the Twin Towers on 9/11.

Paralyzing Fear

While London was bombed during WW2, CS Lewis wrote an essay called “Living in an Atomic Age.”  Addressing the crippling fear that many lived under, especially after the development of the atom bomb, he wrote:

“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. ‘How are we to live in an atomic age?’  I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.’  In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation.

This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things like praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint–not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”

So be at peace, my friend.  Feed your mind with whatever is good, beautiful and true.  Do not fear what you cannot control.  Love God, do what He asks, and give to God what you cannot do.  And, above all, trust God, no matter what.

“Whenever we spot spiritual openness in our friends and neighbors, we are then confronted with the huge internal question: How do I respond without totally messing them up?!  Faced with what feels like a high risk on any reasonable cost-benefit analysis, most of us simply bail out or, at best, do something slightly half-hearted that is merely bemusing for our friend to witness.

For a long time I struggled with sharing my faith in a way that had real meaning but didn’t risk blowing up a friendship.  Then I had a revelation moment: I need to stop treating my lost friends differently from my Christian friends.

We do that all the time.  When a Christian friend is sick or stressed, I’ll pray for them right there and then.  When they need encouraging, I’ll share with them what Jesus is saying to me this week.  When they are in need, I’ll serve them practically.  But with our lost friends, all too often we either water-down our faith, seemingly losing the Jesus from our lives (or alternatively turn into some hyper-spiritual nutcase!)

This is a failure to respect your friend enough to be who you really are – to trust that the person they know and like includes the spiritual you, and thus Jesus-in-you.  The underlying problem is that we live a dualistic life: operating one way with Christians, but another way with the lost.  Instead, we need to treat our lost friends the same way we treat our Christian friends, so that the authentic, Jesus-loving you can shine through.

How Do I Live This Out?

To take things a step further, here are 4 ways to respond to your friends – both Christian and non-Christian – in a naturally supernatural way.  These 4 questions, or tools, are always available for you to select from in any situation:

1.  ”Can I pray for you?”

If they have a need, or are sick, or are worried about something, stop right there and then to pray for your friend.  Be open to God giving you a word of encouragement, strengthening or comfort – and share it simply and naturally with them, in everyday language.  Interestingly, even if there is no directly observable answer, your non-Christian friends will be really touched by your sincere expression of love.  And when God DOES answer that simple prayer of faith… amazing conversations follow!

2.  ”Can I serve you?”

Babysit, cook a meal, make them a cup of tea (the godly response to almost all the world’s problems!), give a hug, mow their lawn.  Whatever you do, the point is to stop and help.  (And be looking to invite them to join you in serving others – as you go together, the Spirit of the Lord goes with you.)

3.  ”Can I share my story?”

Whether it is your big story of how you first met God, or (more usually) your story from this week of what Jesus is saying to you, your walk with the Lord is amazingly impactful upon others, if you have built an authentic relationship with them.  Listen to and respect their story, but also don’t be bashful to share your own story.  God has given it you for a reason.

4.  ”Can I share God’s story?”

As you pray, serve and share your story, you will find yourself in that holy moment where you can go deeper still.  There is a time and place to share the content of the Gospel, to help your friend come face-to-face with the power of the Bible as it reveals the story of God to us.  Obviously you won’t download it all in one sitting, so let the Holy Spirit lead you in selecting a relevant narrative, theme or verse.  You will point them to the One who is the ultimate expression of being naturally supernatural, so that they in turn can play their part in extending His Kingdom to others.

We are called to share the words and works of Jesus.  Let’s use these four questions to live a life that is naturally supernatural.

CONSIDER:  How can you be more naturally supernatural over the next 7 days?

Sean, the Press Democrat Reporter, and I enjoyed a delightful conversation.  He seemed genuinely interested about the direction Redwood was taking.  He asked informed, thoughtful questions.  I spoke openly, and our hour together flew by.

The article was scheduled for Easter Sunday.  I was a bit preoccupied that morning to make any attempt to see it.  But after the third worship service, a friend asked me if I had seen the article. “No,” I said.  “You’re on the front page,” he replied.  “It’s a lengthy, front-page feature, and it’s really good!”

I stopped at Safeway on my way home to buy a copy, and I read it after I returned home.  I liked the article’s focus about a church being mobilized to love one another and to love our neighbors in practical ways on their turf.  I felt like it captured the heart of Redwood.  And I felt that it captured my heart also.

I was a bit embarrassed about having my picture on the front page.  I never want the church to be about me.  If I were to add anything to the article, I would say: “It’s not about me.  It’s about a community, guided by God for the sake of the world.”

I am deeply thankful to God for what He is doing among us and through us at Redwood.  And I am deeply thankful to the many, many people who are doing the work of ministry and doing mission though Community Groups.  God is guiding us, and we’re all on this walk of faith-in-action together.

To my readers: I’ve taken a break from blogging.  I’m back

My last four months have been very full.  That’s why you haven’t heard from me.

It began with Advent/Christmas planning, and it continued with the death of John Strong, former pastor of Redwood Covenant Church and the exit of Andy Cater, our Pastor of Worship.  Add the search for the next Pastor of Worship, and my assuming a wider role in worship design, and, well, blogging took a back seat.

But I’m back, and if you’re listening, then thanks.  People who listen humble me.  Some of you have spoken or written encouraging words about words I’ve spoken.  Thanks.

It’s been quite a season, and I’m very excited about what God is doing.  More to come!

For many years, Jesus was a mainstay on the covers of the three big newsweeklies: Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report. Every Easter and/or Christmas they’d throw Him on the cover, usually with some cobbled-together news rationale. His face guaranteed a boost in newsstand sales, and it also reflects our enduring curiosity about the man who changed the world.

On one hand, there seems to be a growing number of Christians who are disenchanted with church fads and programs, but who are increasingly interested in knowing and following Jesus.  On the other hand, there is a growing segment of people outside the church who are uninterested in the church, but are very interested in understanding more about Jesus.  It seems that God is stirring people inside and outside the church to discover Jesus.

As we enter this New Year, I believe that God is calling me, and the church I serve, to rediscover Jesus.  To help, I’m planning a message series that will focus on the unpredictable, surprising, even shocking Jesus we find in the Gospel of Mark.   I anticipate that a fresh look at Jesus will help us renew our faith and reclaim our first love.  But several other things are vital if we are to grow as followers of Christ.

Here’s what we can do to rediscover Jesus in 2013.

▪   Let’s agree to get to know Jesus.  This year, I encourage you to wear out the Gospels; those first four books in the New Testament. Bathe yourself in Jesus, his words, his stories, his miracles, and his example. Do it on a regular basis for an extended length of time. (Matthew 11:29)

▪   Let’s agree to follow Jesus.   Rather than debate what Jesus said, or water it down, let’s obey the clear things he says for us to do. If we do, he will bless us with the gift of knowing the truth and setting us free to be who he has called us to be. (John 8:31-32)

▪   Let’s agree to invite Jesus into every area of our lives.  While many point to Jesus’ statement in Revelation 3:20 (“behold I stand at the door and knock…”) as an example for non-Christian’s to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  But a closer look indicates that this passage addresses a Christian Church.  Jesus stands at the door of the church and knocks.  Will we invite him in to take control of every area of our life?

▪     One of the most effective ways to grow as a follower of Jesus is to share him with others in word and deed.  As we share Jesus with others, his power becomes clearer in us. (Matthew 28:18-20).

As we enter a New Year, I can’t think of anything more important than for us to have Jesus as the focus of our worship, our lives, our prayers, our friendships, and our church.  Let’s make 2013 the year we rediscover Jesus, renew our faith, and return to our first love.

Let’s rediscover Jesus again for the first time!

This year, we enter Christmas with continued news of layoffs, a looming fiscal cliff, and cutbacks.  Many are struggling to make ends meet, out of work, or just feeling pinched.

That shrinking feeling is but a small, small glimpse of what Jesus did when he squeezed into a human body.  “When the time came,” writes Paul, Jesus “set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process” (Philippians 2:6, The Message).

This Christmas, should you be feeling pinched, consider the degree to which God stooped low.  Allow the mystery of the incarnation to settle into your mind and heart.  Consider again God’s supreme act of condescension, and follow the Magi’s lead by bowing to worship the One who stooped low.

Bowing in adoration to the God who bent low to us means that we acknowledge that our ultimate security is not found in the stock market, or a new political program, but in the God who became poor so that we might become rich in the ways that matter most:  rich in hope, love, peace and joy.  These are true riches we discover as we follow Jesus, who opens doors that lead us into the riches of God.

What door is God opening up to you this Christmas?  I urge you to ask God to show you.  Is it a door that leads to a deeper trust in His provision?  A door that leads to a life-giving connection with others?  Or a door that leads to you offering a gift of extravagant generosity to God’s work?

It is my prayer for the church I serve that we will continue to grow rich the ways that matter most:  in our connection with one another, our worship of the Living God, and our service in the world.  In these ways we will become that light that Jesus envisioned us to be, bright with life and bowing in service, just as Jesus bent to serve us.

It is easy to assume that the gifts we enjoy are gifts we’ve earned and own.  But the truth is just the opposite.  Everything we have is a gift from God.  Everything.

When we think about giving thanks to God, we often think about giving to God a proportion of what is ours.  Leonard Sweet, writing in SoulSalsa, challenges this view when he writes, “Jesus discipleship entails a trustee ethic, not a stewardship ethic. The New Testament Greek words most often translated as “stewards” (epitropos and oikonomos) are better rendered as “trustees.”

Trustees are the legal entities of an institution or estate.  Technically, trustees “own” nothing, but they are legally accountable for everything.  Jesus features a trustee in His story about a king who entrusts money to his trustees to invest while he goes away (Matthew 25:14-30).  Three of the trustees invest the money, making more money for the king, and one does nothing, hiding the money.  The one who hid the money is rebuked, and the others are commended.  In each case, the king expects his trustees to release his money so that his estate might grow and prosper.

What would it mean for us to see ourselves as trustees this thanksgiving?  Would it make a difference in how we receive and give thanks?

One of our first reflexes as infants is the grasping reflex.  Place a finger in the palm of a small child, and they will grab tight.  This instinct was probably very helpful when escape from a dangerous situation was necessary for an infant, but the instinct is dangerous to our spiritual wellbeing when we carry it into adulthood.  Grabbing tight to whatever — under the illusion that it’s ours — is a sure way to shrink our soul.  God calls us out of that bondage by inviting us to release our grip, and the first step is to recognize that we are trustees.

This Thanksgiving, I invite you to consider yourself a trustee who is learning to “give thanks.” Begin to see yourself as a trustee of God’s good gifts and I bet you will find yourself receiving and giving with greater thanksgiving

In Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, which remains the high water mark in presidential theological reflection, he notes that “Both (the North and the South) read the same Bible, and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.”

The heart of the political problem, as Lincoln recognized, is that no human system can claim to embody all of God’s will, and no political platform has the ability to extricate itself from the deceptions of the human heart.

The human race needs an administration of another kind.

Jesus announced a very different administration when He said: “The Kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe the good news.”   As scholars, like N.T. Wright remind us, Jesus intentionally used politically loaded words in His inaugural announcement.  “Kingdom of God” is a direct challenge to the Roman Empire or any political system that demands allegiance.  And “good news” is a deliberate parody of the claims of Rome that Caesar was Savior. The death of Jesus reminds us alliance to God can get one in trouble with the powers that be.

The gospel of Jesus is politically loaded, but it must never be co-opted by any political party.  Indeed, it cannot.  The politics of Jesus go higher and deeper than any political system can go.

Amidst a nation bitterly divided, followers of Jesus need to offer another way of discourse –one that is respectful, circumspect, and, at times, ambivalent about political outcomes.   Politics matters, as one theologian said, because “there is not a place where God has not said “this is mine.”  But, as Jim Wallis reminds us, “God is neither Republican or Democrat.”

Let the discussion begin, with less partisanship, please!

Turn to the New Testament, and it quickly becomes appairent that the “spiritual practices” of the early church were not individual, but communal.

“Those who believed were baptized and added to the church—about three thousand in all. They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.”   (Acts 2:41-42)

In this snapshot of the early church we see vital connections though shared learning (“the apostles teaching”), shared relationships (“fellowship”), shared meals (“breaking of bread”) and shared spirituality (“the prayers”).

In all this sharing, the loving connection shared within the Trinity and brought into the world by Jesus is demonstrated and experienced by disciples through community in the world.

This month at Redwood Covenant Church, we are launching mid-sized Community Groups for fellowship and mission.  In doing so, we are doing what was  obvious to the early church, namely, that our growth as individuals is inextricably connected to a community of disciples in relationship to one another because of their relationship to God through Jesus.

Life in Christ is life together.  And that communial dynamic is important not only for our growth, but also for our witness.

Each Community Groups at Redwood has a defined mission focus that works in two ways.  On one hand, each Community Group will plan and do mission adventures together.  On the other hand, each Community Group will invite people into their Community Group to give them an experience of Christian Community.

We introduced Community Groups three weeks ago at Redwood.  Since then, over 500 people are signed up for one of the 14 Community Groups at Redwood.  This is very exciting, and it’s just the beginning of a new thing, that is really an old thing that goes back to the earliest church.  By tapping the DNA of the early church we are reclaiming a simplicity of discipleship that sometimes gets lost.  Fellowship – sharing life together, and mission – sharing God’s love with others, are vitally important ways our faith is formed in and through community.