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walkaboutmystic
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Name: Tom
Birthday: 10/13/1972
Gender: Male
Interests: Finding and Catalyizing Emerging Leaders into the World
Backpacking
World Travel
Playing with my Girls
Occupation: Consulting
Industry: Nonprofit
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
1/17/2006
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| Rythm of a Community of Sent OnesI am reading a book on the book of Acts in the Bible entitled "Mission in Acts". The chapter on holistic ministry comments briefly on how the Apostles, especially Peter and John lived a common life together (koinonia). Their life of prayer, fellowship, and ministry (or communion, community, mission) has disturbed me. I am beginning to wonder if the lack of power in my own life and much of the life of the church I know is due in part to our resignation to live according to the rhythm of western culture rather than Kingdom life together. Much of our time is spent trying to get our work assignments completed rather than following the example of our early church Fathers and our Master Jesus.
That said, this address is really for those of us called and committed to life in an apostolic community. I have not the right to speak to those disciples who find themselves in a non-ministry vocation, such as business or education where much of their schedule is dictated for them. I am questioning myself and those of us who are in a full-time vocational ministry outside the church-local.
So, what would such a rhythm look like? My time in NieuCommunities gave me a glimpse of such a life, yet even there, our corporate prayer time was allocated to only one hour per week. I invite comment and rebut. However, justification for my current actions is not my aim; The Kingdom in its power and glory is what I believe we should seek. I believe only through much prayer and aid from The Spirit, along with a contrite and repentant heart, will the answer to how such a community could exist today come. | | |
| Courage-Faith-LordshipMuch of my work which God has me doing in ministry, is meeting with Christian men and women to help them discern two questions: Who Am I? and What does God want me to do about? In other words, Tom help me know what God wants me to do with my life, so I can make a safe decision that keeps me from getting in trouble with God.
Lately, I have been thinking that maybe, just maybe those two questions aren't the most important issue.
As I talk with folks, I wonder more and more if the issues largely stem around basic principles of Courage, Faith and Lordship. Is my life my own or Jesus'? If so, do I really believe it and believe that Jesus would do something with my life if I gave it to Him? and even more honest, do I want HIm to do something with my life? Then, if my life is really Jesus', and I do want Him to do something with it, and believe He will if I let Him, will I in fact walk through the door to the unknown with HIm on some grand high adventure? Will I courageously follow? Lordship, Faith, Courage.
I am coming to the realization that many Christians, 'good' church going 'committed and dutiful' Christians actually don't have a healthy heart theology when it comes to these issues. What I mean by 'heart theology' is that they believe in their heart which motivates them to right action. Jesus is Lord of all, including all aspects of my life, that He does want me to be His sold out disciple 'being like Him'; that I am to then follow, even into the unknown over and above, personal security, 'resonsibility' etc.
Do we as Christians really want Kingdom life, or just merely fire insurance, and consolation that we aren't estranged from Jesus. In other words, do we want to go for it with Jesus, or just not have Him be mad and estranged with us? I think probably most of us want the latter than the former, though that is only because we are ignorant about the 'life' that Jesus really does offer if we go for it with Him. Our fears are more about the unknown of following Jesus, than doing what culture and we already know while risking HIs disapproval when we get to Heaven, We are more willing to risk His disapproval when we get to heaven than risk a secure life here and now. Yet what does the parable of the talents say about this very issue. The worker who didn't risk was thrown out while the ones who risked were rewarded. What will I do? What will you do?
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| Apostolic CommunityMy team met yesterday for our weekly meeting at a Coffee Bar in San Dimas.
In that meeting we discussed the powerful dynamic intentional missional community creates for its' participants.
One lesson that I feel the Lord is impressing on me to reconsider is to implement the regular weekly rythm we enjoyed in our experience with NieuCommunities http://www.nieucommunities.org that created a powerful catalyst toward missional living in Christ.
We met regularly throughout the week to pray, fellowship, share meals, study, and intentionally minister in the greater community around us (Acts 2). We spurred each other on toward good works in accordance with Hebrews 10:24-25. I miss those times. Yes, I realize work must be done, and we have our own families and lives to live, but God is giving us outstanding emerging leaders to develop and catalyze. And I think we go much more 'done' then then we even do now.
I have not oriented my life to reflect those lessons I learned. I feel led to do so. How can I suggest to others that that life is the life they are called to when I am not doing it myself? I feel the Lord is asking me to create that kind of missional community with my team and those the Lord gives us to develop and share life with.
How powerful that would be. NieuCommunities is not something you go to and that season ends. I believe that life is the life of Christ's body. I am making a committment to encourage, foster and organize such an apostolic community wherever I am.
I don't quite know what that will look like yet, but I believe the Lord will guide and direct. I pray He will.
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| Conspicuous ConsumptionI was driving on my way to Pasadena this morning and saw a young maybe twenty year old driving a new decked out $120,000 Mercedes SL 600.
I instantly thought to myself and prayed, "Lord, give me the opportunity to ask that girl; 'So, do you want to live out your day as a conspicuously consumeristic unfulfilled materialist searching for the next anything that will give you a cheap thrill while there are little boys and girls in Iasi, Romania living in virtual trash heaps formerly known as communist block housing, dying from falling off the stair well because there are no rails. Or do you want to do something significant with your life and make a difference in the world?'"
A bit ranty, condescending and potentially judgmental, I know. Then God said, "Tom, look at your last blog entry. You too struggle with that issue as well."
I have been talking with a few emerging leaders lately, helping them process what God might could do with their life if they begged Him to allow them be a part of His grand mission. It might be hard, a struggle and cost them everything, but I think I remember reading somewhere where Jesus said that was somehow part of discipleship.
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