This week I was asked to oversee our worship ministry at church. What's interesting to me about that is that for 2 years I have thought about and talked about what I would do differently if I were able to lead that group... and now that I have been given the responsibility I can't remember most of those ideas. ;-)
Its exciting, humbling and scary... I realize how much needs to happen and how gently it must happen and the challenge is to bring us all forward without leaving anybody behind. I have gone through some changes in the past few months in my attitude towards worship (I am using the word worship here to mean that part of a church service where we use music to worship God).
When I first experienced Vineyard worship it moved me deeply. I loved the music, its style and passion. It was so personal and really drew me into experiencing the presence of God like nothing I had ever heard. I had heard and loved some of the contemporary worship songs from Maranatha and Integrity but there was something that drew me in the intimacy of the Vineyard songs. I spent the next 7 or 8 years leading people in that style.
When I moved to California in 1998 it was primarily to learn a new way of doing church. I spent 4 years with a church that was 'seeker modeled' and the worship service focus was more on quality and an atmosphere of excitement than in intimacy. I loved it... I embraced it... and it changed the way I viewed everything.
When I came back to Mississippi... back to a church that was, in effect, trying to split the difference between those 2 positions, I found that I leaned toward the California model. I wanted to see more joy, excitement and quality in our worship. Over the past 2 years I believe we have raised the quality bar significantly (but not as far as I would like). And we have raised the 'energy level' of the worship with more passionate music.
But lately I have lamented the loss of some of the intimacy. As I recently began to write on Vineyard 'DNA' it caused me to consider where it was we came from as a movement. As I look around these days most Vineyard churches don't look a lot like Vineyard churches anymore... most are barely distinguishable from their independent, charismatic or contemporary Baptist counterparts. The worship in most is excellent... is exciting... even passionate... but rarely moving. God is stirring me to bring us back to a place of intimate interaction with his spirit through the act of worship. To teach and draw his people into loving relationship with him by the Holy Spirit via corporate service.
The beauty of this is that it won't look like it did 10 years ago... it will have a new contemporary style... it will have a new focus on quality and excellence... it will have a new focus on atmosphere and excitement... because nothing God has taught us is irrelevant... its all part of where we are going... every lesson is to be considered as we move forward. But the primary objective of our worship is to introduce people into the presence of a powerful, personal, loving God... the God that created the universe and sculpted the butterfly desires to intersect our lives.
The destination is the journey... the Bible says that he has given us "life-- and that more abundantly". I think that describes this process of learning... evaluating... and moving on to the next place with God.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Monday, December 6, 2004
Individualism
We have made the most important unit in the world, and in the church, the individual. We have made it 'all about me'. We have failed to disciple converts because we no longer relate in genuine 'koinonia' and because we have made the salvation of individual souls the conclusion of our mission. We have in many senses made the beginning the end.
Our standard definition of Christianity has become about an individual decision. We love to tell people that God has a wonderful plan for their lives - and this is true - but before that, God has a wonderful plan for His world and He is building His Kingdom not simply 'working' for our salvation,. For God so loved the World!!
This individualism has also resulted in a shallow Christianity. Our churches are full of people who know so much and do so little.
Our standard definition of Christianity has become about an individual decision. We love to tell people that God has a wonderful plan for their lives - and this is true - but before that, God has a wonderful plan for His world and He is building His Kingdom not simply 'working' for our salvation,. For God so loved the World!!
The opposite of My plan for my life is not God's plan for my life but God's plan for the World - a plan that I am invited to be a part of. Our over individualization of the gospel has bred passivity. "It's like a line in the sand, and we say," The most important thing in life is to be on the other side of this line." OK. People cross the line. What then? They try to get other people to cross the line. OK. What then? I see a huge contrast between crossing a line in this way, and following Jesus on a journey. It's as if we have taken what is for Jesus the starting line and turned it into a finishing line. Sounds like another case of modern reductionism - going for the greatest efficiency, the most measurable results, the least common denominator."
Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christian (San Francisco CA: Jossey-Bass Inc.2001) p. 130
This individualism has also resulted in a shallow Christianity. Our churches are full of people who know so much and do so little.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Seeker Sensitive Church
I know... been awhile since I wrote. Lots happening right now. I did, however, just run across this dialog I had with a friend of mine way back in 1999. He was writing of his observations after moving to Thought you might enjoy his comments.
How do you like the "seeker sensitive" model?
I have put a lot of thought into this question. Especially since there was such a big change for me when I came to the desert. But anymore I don't think that what we do is really seeker oriented. I'll have to explain a bit. There are all of these categories that you can talk about. Seeker driven, seeker sensitive, I've even heard "seeker aware." If there was a continuum of styles it would be hard to even say how to draw it up. Lets say that the continuum goes from totally seeker-driven like Bill Hybels to believer-driven.
I'll say that Bill Hybels would look like this: concert style music that is not deep but rather entertains and conveys a message of hope or joy or about the alternative nature of the gospel as opposed to our culture. Not much about blood, lambs, thrones or whatever else. The teaching would be topical and would address needs. How do you have a great family, dealing with stress, loving better and so on. The things about this service that are seeker are these: little biblical content but rather containing biblical truth, no deep worship but rather an appealing relaxing atmosphere to get your spiritual needs met while the church is wooing you into deeper commitment to Christ.
There are obviously some things about this service that we don't do. We don't have shallow worship and we don't have shallow teaching. We have big well produced worship but not shallow. So there is a problem there. The next problem comes up when you try to define what a believer service is... fellowship, communion, deep worship, ministry, deep teaching. I think that all of these things have an evangelistic, supernaturally appealing thing about them. Deep down I believe in the evangelistic quality of a real biblical community. I believe in the foolishness of preaching, the power of worship to draw and in the power of communion and love in fellowship to draw people. So in that way I wouldn't even say we are really seeker driven. So then what is seeker sensitive? Do seekers get into our worship, do they understand when we teach on tithing? I think the issue is accessibility. A big issue is the time factor. We try to make services 1:15 because everyone is busy. We try to make them uplifting in worship style. We try to make the worship shorter so that it doesn't pass them by. I have actually found that long worship is bad for most people unless they are at a conference. Another issue is excellence. We try to have things appear orderly and well done. We put a ton of work into children's programs and in worship. So I think we simply have a regular church that doesn't do expository teaching.
Here are some questions that I don't have the answer to.
* How long does worship need to be for it to be worship?
* What do you have to sing about for it to be worship?
* What do you have to teach about for it to be teaching?
* If seeker churches try not to drive people away who are seeking, what are non-seeker churches doing? Are they trying to drive them away? Do they not care?
* What day should your service be? Does it matter?
Here are some other questions I want to answer better:
* How can we make the gospel easily communicated to those who need it?
* What do I do that is not required by God that keeps people away from him?
Does it meet all of your expectation?
This is hard question to answer too. What I expected to learn when I came here was how to make disciples, do evangelism, build a program and train leaders. I wasn't drawn here because of the seeker thing. Like I said it is not really a seeker deal to me. But I will say that in general we should not put all of our eggs into the seeker basket. That movement is here to teach us to remember that people that need Christ need someone who will tell them. An analogy will help. If I went to Africa I would not speak in English I would learn a new language. So I want to fight the tendency to shrink and continue to extend into speaking the language that seekers speak. I don't think that the future will validate the criticism that Barna brings against the seeker movement. The issue is not whether you bring your bible to a service but whether you are making disciples of the people who are getting saved at your seeker service. A study should be done by George Barna someday exploring how people came to Christ before the printing press. I realize he was talking about biblical literacy.
What will YOU do differently when you plant a church someday?
This is a huge question that I don't really want to answer right now. Maybe some other time.
What will you keep that you think could work anywhere?
1. Focus on making disciples, real ones will do evangelism
2. Be concerned with the momentum of the body. Help use it to create greater investment on the part of the believer
3. Assess where people should be and coach them into that place
4. Talk about the present and the future and closely related: talk about what is going to happen not what won't happen
5. Communicate well with people
6. Prioritize your time and don't let trivial things run your life
7. Read all the time for pleasure and stimulation
8. Visit other people who are doing it well
9. Don't hang around ministers who are negative unless they want to get better
10. Get away often to reflect
11. Initiate the creating of your church culture rather than having it dictated by default.
12. Talk about what is going on in your area and not what Anaheim is doing.
How do you like the "seeker sensitive" model?
I have put a lot of thought into this question. Especially since there was such a big change for me when I came to the desert. But anymore I don't think that what we do is really seeker oriented. I'll have to explain a bit. There are all of these categories that you can talk about. Seeker driven, seeker sensitive, I've even heard "seeker aware." If there was a continuum of styles it would be hard to even say how to draw it up. Lets say that the continuum goes from totally seeker-driven like Bill Hybels to believer-driven.
I'll say that Bill Hybels would look like this: concert style music that is not deep but rather entertains and conveys a message of hope or joy or about the alternative nature of the gospel as opposed to our culture. Not much about blood, lambs, thrones or whatever else. The teaching would be topical and would address needs. How do you have a great family, dealing with stress, loving better and so on. The things about this service that are seeker are these: little biblical content but rather containing biblical truth, no deep worship but rather an appealing relaxing atmosphere to get your spiritual needs met while the church is wooing you into deeper commitment to Christ.
There are obviously some things about this service that we don't do. We don't have shallow worship and we don't have shallow teaching. We have big well produced worship but not shallow. So there is a problem there. The next problem comes up when you try to define what a believer service is... fellowship, communion, deep worship, ministry, deep teaching. I think that all of these things have an evangelistic, supernaturally appealing thing about them. Deep down I believe in the evangelistic quality of a real biblical community. I believe in the foolishness of preaching, the power of worship to draw and in the power of communion and love in fellowship to draw people. So in that way I wouldn't even say we are really seeker driven. So then what is seeker sensitive? Do seekers get into our worship, do they understand when we teach on tithing? I think the issue is accessibility. A big issue is the time factor. We try to make services 1:15 because everyone is busy. We try to make them uplifting in worship style. We try to make the worship shorter so that it doesn't pass them by. I have actually found that long worship is bad for most people unless they are at a conference. Another issue is excellence. We try to have things appear orderly and well done. We put a ton of work into children's programs and in worship. So I think we simply have a regular church that doesn't do expository teaching.
Here are some questions that I don't have the answer to.
* How long does worship need to be for it to be worship?
* What do you have to sing about for it to be worship?
* What do you have to teach about for it to be teaching?
* If seeker churches try not to drive people away who are seeking, what are non-seeker churches doing? Are they trying to drive them away? Do they not care?
* What day should your service be? Does it matter?
Here are some other questions I want to answer better:
* How can we make the gospel easily communicated to those who need it?
* What do I do that is not required by God that keeps people away from him?
Does it meet all of your expectation?
This is hard question to answer too. What I expected to learn when I came here was how to make disciples, do evangelism, build a program and train leaders. I wasn't drawn here because of the seeker thing. Like I said it is not really a seeker deal to me. But I will say that in general we should not put all of our eggs into the seeker basket. That movement is here to teach us to remember that people that need Christ need someone who will tell them. An analogy will help. If I went to Africa I would not speak in English I would learn a new language. So I want to fight the tendency to shrink and continue to extend into speaking the language that seekers speak. I don't think that the future will validate the criticism that Barna brings against the seeker movement. The issue is not whether you bring your bible to a service but whether you are making disciples of the people who are getting saved at your seeker service. A study should be done by George Barna someday exploring how people came to Christ before the printing press. I realize he was talking about biblical literacy.
What will YOU do differently when you plant a church someday?
This is a huge question that I don't really want to answer right now. Maybe some other time.
What will you keep that you think could work anywhere?
1. Focus on making disciples, real ones will do evangelism
2. Be concerned with the momentum of the body. Help use it to create greater investment on the part of the believer
3. Assess where people should be and coach them into that place
4. Talk about the present and the future and closely related: talk about what is going to happen not what won't happen
5. Communicate well with people
6. Prioritize your time and don't let trivial things run your life
7. Read all the time for pleasure and stimulation
8. Visit other people who are doing it well
9. Don't hang around ministers who are negative unless they want to get better
10. Get away often to reflect
11. Initiate the creating of your church culture rather than having it dictated by default.
12. Talk about what is going on in your area and not what Anaheim is doing.
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Thursday, October 7, 2004
What is the Vineyard
Something I found among my old sermon notes. I don't know when I taught this and I'm certain much of it is borrowed but its valuable and I thought you might enjoy it.
1. Who is the Vineyard?
We are an association of churches
We are not just a "wild onion" church, springing up all over. We are a worldwide affiliation of churches. This means a lot to me. When you attend other Vineyard's when you have the opportunity, there really is a sense of common purpose and vision. It is like coming home. There is also a global vision that is incredible. You grow so much when you begin to see that you're part of something a lot bigger than yourself or even your local church.
2. What is Vineyard?
This question comes up often. How many times have you found yourself trying to describe your church to a friend and you didn't know what exactly to say when they asked you, "What kind of church is it?" I want to help to answer that question today.
I may use some terms that you are unfamiliar with, so in order to simplify some of my terms I will likely resort to stereotyping certain moves of God or denominations. I don't intend these stereotypes to be offensive or derogatory but I am using them to point out extremes. Do not interpret this as finding fault with the way they worship, but only that I believe that God has led us to a different place of worship.
I will wait until next week to go more into the history of the Vineyard and will focus right now on what it is that the Vineyard "targets" to be.
Historically there have been two main protestant theological camps. One would be the Evangelical churches and the other is the Pentecostal churches. Although there are many different specifics that characterize these groups, and this oversimplifies, we will call evangelical churches "those fundamental conservative non-charasmatic churches". Pentecostal is characterized as "all classical pentecostal or charasmatic churches practicing tongues and other gifts of the spirit" Mainline denominations within Evangelicalism would include Southern Baptist and Bible Churches and include people like Billy Graham. Those within Pentecostalism would be the Assemblies of God and United Pentecostal and include people like Oral Roberts.
Each have their major areas of emphasis. Evangelicalism has a strong emphasis on knowledge and study of the Bible. This emphasis has produced many strong Bible Colleges and teachers and most of the world's most prominent theologians. They also emphasize missions and evangelism.
Pentecostalism has put the primary emphasis on "experiencing God". The infilling of the Holy Spirit with the evidences of speaking in tongues is a key ingredient. There is a reverence for the Bible and a desire for evangelism but it is not as "priority" as it is in the evangelical circles.
Indeed, historically the Evanglicals have looked down their noses at Pentecostals, seeing them as "caught up in emotionalism" and not fully appreciating the simple power of the Word of God. Any notion that God speaks outside of his written word is seen as an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the written word and borders on heresy. Their doctrines ruled out the likelihood that God still actively worked miracles today, finding it more believable that he had caused those things to cease after the church was mature.
Pentecostals have pulled against that notion of a powerless God. In many cases they were unable to explain or provide proper exegesis for what they were experiencing, they just knew it was real and it was good. This brought rise to many "country preachers" preferring to look down their noses at "educated" preachers that had no power. It didn't help things when people would comment on the service in terms such as "It was so good that the preacher didn't even get to preach" If Biblical exegesis was the highest call then everything precluding the sermon was fluff. Pentecostals saw the sermon as the icing, everything else was "spirit and truth" and the priority of the day.
Again, I am heavily stereotyping here to make a point, not to offend. I certainly am not saying that Pentecostalism doesn't have some strong exegesis or that the evangelicals have no anointing.
What John Wimber began to desire was both. He was seeking God from the Evangelical side of the fence. While teaching in a Bible College he began to see things that the charismatics were experiencing that, even if his evangelical counterparts were teaching against them, he wanted in his ministry. This began the process of trying to marry the two.
In order to do that we have to honor both sides. Recognize where people come from and how they got there. There is truth in both camps that, in order to thrive, we must embrace. This is not marketing or church growth strategy, we are simply talking about balanced theology.
What is the best of both worlds?
We are "Empowered Evangelicals" sometimes known as "Third Wave"
How are we like Evangelicals?
How are different?
How are we like Pentecostals?
How are we different?
To understand these last few items would require some understanding of the doctrine of the "Kingdom of God"
I'm not going to have time to cover it very deeply but let me give a nutshell version.
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Jesus taught us that the first thing that we are to pray for is for God's Kingdom to come -- where? (On earth as it is in heaven.)
The Kingdom of God is the central theme of the gospel. When we read about Jesus and His ministry, we discover that He made the Kingdom of God the center of His teaching. We are not able to separate the teachings of Christ from the Kingdom of God. The KoG was the gospel that John the Baptist preached. It was the gospel that Jesus preached. Jesus' parables explained the KoG. His presence announced the presence of the KoG. It was the gospel that Jesus told His disciples to preach. The kingdom of God is what the Bible is all about.
Kingdom of God is primarily the rule of God as seen by the exercise of his power and authority. This rule brings about the realm of salvation and deliverance for His redeemed subjects.
God's rule is already eternal and universal. He is, and has been, and will be Lord and King over all the universe. So what are we talking about when we are told to pray for the Kingdom of God to come on earth? The earth is the sphere of rebellion against God. The KoG is where God's rule is acknowledged by obedience to him. This rule brings about the realm of salvation and deliverance for His redeemed subjects. We are praying that the authority and power of God would be experienced here on earth in the same way that it is in heaven.
We are praying that God will powerfully intervene in the affairs of men. We are praying that God will exercise His authority and power on earth to overcome the forces of evil that come against us in our lives. We are asking God to set us free from our bondages, heal our diseases, and bring peace into our lives --- while we are still here on earth
In Jesus' life, and in the lives of his disciples, the preaching of the gospel and healing always went together. God's power was present in His word and manifested through His power.
Jesus spoke with authority and in the power of the Holy Spirit, men were freed from whatever held them in bondage. The demons were fleeing, diseases were healed. Hopeless was removed. Jesus' power destroyed every opposing force in the way.
When Jesus sent the disciples out, they saw the same things happen when they proclaimed the good news about the Kingdom of God.
Today, as we proclaim the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can expect to see demons flee, diseases healed, and people saved and set free.
The Three biblical views of the Kingdom
(this helps us with the questions of healing. Who's in charge here?)
The kingdom is near.
Mark 1:15 (NIV) "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Mat 10:23 (NIV) When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
LUK 9:27 "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."
There are only a few Christians hung up at the place where they think that nothing of the kingdom has already come.
The kingdom has come and is present
Mat 11:12 (NIV) From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Mat 12:28 (NIV) But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
We can't seek it if it isn't there!
The Christians who hold a "Kingdom Now" perspective think that we have all that there is to have because of what Christ did on the cross. Also, the Christians who preach the "Prosperity Gospel", "Faith-Only," or "Sinless Perfection" fall into this tradition.
We can understand "Kingdom now" with regards to salvation, but what about healing?
If everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is saved immediately, why is it that everyone that calls on the name of the Lord isn't healed immediately?
Is it because of lack of faith? Or sin in your life? Or is healing harder than salvation? It might not be any of these.
The kingdom is in the future
Mat 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
There will be wars and rumors of wars, flood, earthquakes, famines, false signs and messiahs ...
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 25:1-13 -- The parable of the virgins -- tells us that there will be a delay in the grooms coming.
Matthew 25:14-30 -- The parable of the talents -- tells us that there would be a long delay before the lord of the servants came.
In (Acts 1:6-7), When the disciples asked if He were now going to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus replied that it wasn't for them to know the times of the restoring of the Kingdom to Israel, but they should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses here on earth.
Because of these Scriptures, many Christians think that the Kingdom and all of its blessings are put off until the future -- when the "Perfect has come" (1Cor 13:10 ). They emphasize leaving all and suffering for their faith until Jesus comes.
These Christians say that there are no more miracles, or other demonstrations of God's power. They ceased with the apostles.
I have trouble with this because it's like God ran out of power, or that God isn't the same yesterday, today and forever, or that the giftings and callings of God are revocable, or that we have less than the OT people had. I know this isn't true.
Did they forget that they have salvation, eternal life, and the Holy Spirit NOW? These are deposits and manifestations of the power of the age to come -- breaking into our world today for the salvation and relief of the people that God has chosen!
The only rational answer, and the only answer that fits all of the Bible verses is that we are in a tension between the "Already" and the "Not yet".
We have tasted the power of the age to come, but we don't experience it all the time in its fullness. We see through a mirror darkly, but we do see!
Practical matters
If Christ came to save, to bring healing, righteousness, peace, and joy to earth, and if the Holy Spirit has come to bring the power of God -- why is it that we don't experience all of them all of the time?
The mystery of the Kingdom of God is the key to understanding the New Testament and the Christian life. It is the only perspective from which we can understand why healing occurs sometimes, and not at others. It explains why we feel the Lord's powerful presence sometimes and at other times we wonder if we are even saved. It is the only way that we can explain why Paul could say, "We are more than conquerors", and at another time he despaired even of life.
We have to see that the Kingdom has come, but in an anticipatory sense, but not in its fullness. We have the Holy Spirit of God, but only as an earnest, or a guarantee, or a deposit to show that our whole inheritance is waiting for us.
2 Cor 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
We have the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit is the power of God --- but we don't experience the fullness, just a part of what is totally our inheritance.
1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
We see Jesus now, but in a mirror darkly. (1 Cor 13:12)
We don't have the fullness of the power of the age to come, but we can taste of it. (Heb 6:4-6)
Eph 1:13-14 (NIV) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
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In the words of John Wimber, International Director of the Association of Vineyard Churches, we invite the Holy Spirit to come and give place to those things which are clearly taught in Scripture: the proclamation of the gospel so that the lost may be saved; the expression of the gifts of the Spirit as depicted in Scripture so that the Church may be built up; the equipping and empowering of the saints for the furtherance of the ministry of Jesus through the church to the world; the merciful acts of generous care which proclaim the gospel to the poor; the expulsion of demons; healing of the oppressed, and the building of the Church throughout the world through church planting and renewal.
1. Who is the Vineyard?
We are an association of churches
We are not just a "wild onion" church, springing up all over. We are a worldwide affiliation of churches. This means a lot to me. When you attend other Vineyard's when you have the opportunity, there really is a sense of common purpose and vision. It is like coming home. There is also a global vision that is incredible. You grow so much when you begin to see that you're part of something a lot bigger than yourself or even your local church.
2. What is Vineyard?
This question comes up often. How many times have you found yourself trying to describe your church to a friend and you didn't know what exactly to say when they asked you, "What kind of church is it?" I want to help to answer that question today.
I may use some terms that you are unfamiliar with, so in order to simplify some of my terms I will likely resort to stereotyping certain moves of God or denominations. I don't intend these stereotypes to be offensive or derogatory but I am using them to point out extremes. Do not interpret this as finding fault with the way they worship, but only that I believe that God has led us to a different place of worship.
I will wait until next week to go more into the history of the Vineyard and will focus right now on what it is that the Vineyard "targets" to be.
Historically there have been two main protestant theological camps. One would be the Evangelical churches and the other is the Pentecostal churches. Although there are many different specifics that characterize these groups, and this oversimplifies, we will call evangelical churches "those fundamental conservative non-charasmatic churches". Pentecostal is characterized as "all classical pentecostal or charasmatic churches practicing tongues and other gifts of the spirit" Mainline denominations within Evangelicalism would include Southern Baptist and Bible Churches and include people like Billy Graham. Those within Pentecostalism would be the Assemblies of God and United Pentecostal and include people like Oral Roberts.
Each have their major areas of emphasis. Evangelicalism has a strong emphasis on knowledge and study of the Bible. This emphasis has produced many strong Bible Colleges and teachers and most of the world's most prominent theologians. They also emphasize missions and evangelism.
Pentecostalism has put the primary emphasis on "experiencing God". The infilling of the Holy Spirit with the evidences of speaking in tongues is a key ingredient. There is a reverence for the Bible and a desire for evangelism but it is not as "priority" as it is in the evangelical circles.
Indeed, historically the Evanglicals have looked down their noses at Pentecostals, seeing them as "caught up in emotionalism" and not fully appreciating the simple power of the Word of God. Any notion that God speaks outside of his written word is seen as an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the written word and borders on heresy. Their doctrines ruled out the likelihood that God still actively worked miracles today, finding it more believable that he had caused those things to cease after the church was mature.
Pentecostals have pulled against that notion of a powerless God. In many cases they were unable to explain or provide proper exegesis for what they were experiencing, they just knew it was real and it was good. This brought rise to many "country preachers" preferring to look down their noses at "educated" preachers that had no power. It didn't help things when people would comment on the service in terms such as "It was so good that the preacher didn't even get to preach" If Biblical exegesis was the highest call then everything precluding the sermon was fluff. Pentecostals saw the sermon as the icing, everything else was "spirit and truth" and the priority of the day.
Again, I am heavily stereotyping here to make a point, not to offend. I certainly am not saying that Pentecostalism doesn't have some strong exegesis or that the evangelicals have no anointing.
What John Wimber began to desire was both. He was seeking God from the Evangelical side of the fence. While teaching in a Bible College he began to see things that the charismatics were experiencing that, even if his evangelical counterparts were teaching against them, he wanted in his ministry. This began the process of trying to marry the two.
In order to do that we have to honor both sides. Recognize where people come from and how they got there. There is truth in both camps that, in order to thrive, we must embrace. This is not marketing or church growth strategy, we are simply talking about balanced theology.
What is the best of both worlds?
|
Evangelicalism | Pentecostalism |
| Evangelization | Signs & Wonders |
| Knowledge | Power |
| Doctrine | Experience |
| Intellect | Emotions |
We are "Empowered Evangelicals" sometimes known as "Third Wave"
How are we like Evangelicals?
- We look to the written word of God as our only infallible guide to faith and practice.
- We believe that there is value to using our intellect to discern God's plan and will.
- We believe that God desire that we "bring the kingdom" on earth which includes evangelizing the lost.
How are different?
- We reject the notion of cessation or dispensation of the gifts of the spirit.
How are we like Pentecostals?
- We believe God is still speaking to his people today
- We pray for the sick with the laying on of hands.
- We embrace the infilling of the Holy Spirit with power.
- We embrace all of the gifts of the spirit and the working of signs and wonders as the early church experienced.
How are we different?
- We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion, not as a subsequent experience. However, dramatic manifestations of the Spirit infilling a believer may occur many times, often accompanied by signs such as tongues or prophetic utterances. Often such overflow of the Spirit occurs subsequent to the conversion but is simply a manifestation of the Holy Spirit through a person
- We believe that the believer may continually be filled or re-filled with the holy spirit.
- We do not accept tongues as the initial evidence of the spirit indwelling someone, but that it like other gifts is God's to give when and as he desires.
- We do not accept the belief that healing is part of the atonement and therefore required of God to grant. God's sovereignty is always maintained. We make no demands or claims.
To understand these last few items would require some understanding of the doctrine of the "Kingdom of God"
I'm not going to have time to cover it very deeply but let me give a nutshell version.
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Jesus taught us that the first thing that we are to pray for is for God's Kingdom to come -- where? (On earth as it is in heaven.)
The Kingdom of God is the central theme of the gospel. When we read about Jesus and His ministry, we discover that He made the Kingdom of God the center of His teaching. We are not able to separate the teachings of Christ from the Kingdom of God. The KoG was the gospel that John the Baptist preached. It was the gospel that Jesus preached. Jesus' parables explained the KoG. His presence announced the presence of the KoG. It was the gospel that Jesus told His disciples to preach. The kingdom of God is what the Bible is all about.
Kingdom of God is primarily the rule of God as seen by the exercise of his power and authority. This rule brings about the realm of salvation and deliverance for His redeemed subjects.
God's rule is already eternal and universal. He is, and has been, and will be Lord and King over all the universe. So what are we talking about when we are told to pray for the Kingdom of God to come on earth? The earth is the sphere of rebellion against God. The KoG is where God's rule is acknowledged by obedience to him. This rule brings about the realm of salvation and deliverance for His redeemed subjects. We are praying that the authority and power of God would be experienced here on earth in the same way that it is in heaven.
We are praying that God will powerfully intervene in the affairs of men. We are praying that God will exercise His authority and power on earth to overcome the forces of evil that come against us in our lives. We are asking God to set us free from our bondages, heal our diseases, and bring peace into our lives --- while we are still here on earth
In Jesus' life, and in the lives of his disciples, the preaching of the gospel and healing always went together. God's power was present in His word and manifested through His power.
Jesus spoke with authority and in the power of the Holy Spirit, men were freed from whatever held them in bondage. The demons were fleeing, diseases were healed. Hopeless was removed. Jesus' power destroyed every opposing force in the way.
When Jesus sent the disciples out, they saw the same things happen when they proclaimed the good news about the Kingdom of God.
Today, as we proclaim the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can expect to see demons flee, diseases healed, and people saved and set free.
The Three biblical views of the Kingdom
(this helps us with the questions of healing. Who's in charge here?)
The kingdom is near.
Mark 1:15 (NIV) "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Mat 10:23 (NIV) When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
LUK 9:27 "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."
There are only a few Christians hung up at the place where they think that nothing of the kingdom has already come.
The kingdom has come and is present
Mat 11:12 (NIV) From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
Mat 12:28 (NIV) But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
We can't seek it if it isn't there!
The Christians who hold a "Kingdom Now" perspective think that we have all that there is to have because of what Christ did on the cross. Also, the Christians who preach the "Prosperity Gospel", "Faith-Only," or "Sinless Perfection" fall into this tradition.
We can understand "Kingdom now" with regards to salvation, but what about healing?
If everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is saved immediately, why is it that everyone that calls on the name of the Lord isn't healed immediately?
Is it because of lack of faith? Or sin in your life? Or is healing harder than salvation? It might not be any of these.
The kingdom is in the future
Mat 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
There will be wars and rumors of wars, flood, earthquakes, famines, false signs and messiahs ...
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 25:1-13 -- The parable of the virgins -- tells us that there will be a delay in the grooms coming.
Matthew 25:14-30 -- The parable of the talents -- tells us that there would be a long delay before the lord of the servants came.
In (Acts 1:6-7), When the disciples asked if He were now going to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus replied that it wasn't for them to know the times of the restoring of the Kingdom to Israel, but they should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses here on earth.
Because of these Scriptures, many Christians think that the Kingdom and all of its blessings are put off until the future -- when the "Perfect has come" (1Cor 13:10 ). They emphasize leaving all and suffering for their faith until Jesus comes.
These Christians say that there are no more miracles, or other demonstrations of God's power. They ceased with the apostles.
I have trouble with this because it's like God ran out of power, or that God isn't the same yesterday, today and forever, or that the giftings and callings of God are revocable, or that we have less than the OT people had. I know this isn't true.
Did they forget that they have salvation, eternal life, and the Holy Spirit NOW? These are deposits and manifestations of the power of the age to come -- breaking into our world today for the salvation and relief of the people that God has chosen!
The only rational answer, and the only answer that fits all of the Bible verses is that we are in a tension between the "Already" and the "Not yet".
We have tasted the power of the age to come, but we don't experience it all the time in its fullness. We see through a mirror darkly, but we do see!
Practical matters
If Christ came to save, to bring healing, righteousness, peace, and joy to earth, and if the Holy Spirit has come to bring the power of God -- why is it that we don't experience all of them all of the time?
The mystery of the Kingdom of God is the key to understanding the New Testament and the Christian life. It is the only perspective from which we can understand why healing occurs sometimes, and not at others. It explains why we feel the Lord's powerful presence sometimes and at other times we wonder if we are even saved. It is the only way that we can explain why Paul could say, "We are more than conquerors", and at another time he despaired even of life.
We have to see that the Kingdom has come, but in an anticipatory sense, but not in its fullness. We have the Holy Spirit of God, but only as an earnest, or a guarantee, or a deposit to show that our whole inheritance is waiting for us.
2 Cor 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
We have the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit is the power of God --- but we don't experience the fullness, just a part of what is totally our inheritance.
1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
We see Jesus now, but in a mirror darkly. (1 Cor 13:12)
We don't have the fullness of the power of the age to come, but we can taste of it. (Heb 6:4-6)
Eph 1:13-14 (NIV) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
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In the words of John Wimber, International Director of the Association of Vineyard Churches, we invite the Holy Spirit to come and give place to those things which are clearly taught in Scripture: the proclamation of the gospel so that the lost may be saved; the expression of the gifts of the Spirit as depicted in Scripture so that the Church may be built up; the equipping and empowering of the saints for the furtherance of the ministry of Jesus through the church to the world; the merciful acts of generous care which proclaim the gospel to the poor; the expulsion of demons; healing of the oppressed, and the building of the Church throughout the world through church planting and renewal.
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
The Vineyard DNA
Recently I was talking with a friend from church about our spiritual journey... the process by which we came to find the Lord and how we came to identify ourselves with Vineyard Church. I made the comment that I knew pretty quickly that I was "Vineyard". I was somewhat surprised by the response I received. My friend seemed genuinely confused by my comment... asking how to know if you're Vineyard. This seemed a reasonable question and one which I think would be appropriate to attempt to answer here.
So, how do you know if you're Vineyard? We used to use the phrase "Vineyard DNA" to refer to the core value system that establishes what Vineyard stands for. I think in order to answer the question I will highlight a few of the things that I saw as I came into the Vineyard almost 15 years ago that set Vineyard apart from other denominations or churches. This is not saying Vineyard is superior to these churches or that they have more truth... just that these are some of the values that make Vineyard unique... their DNA.
This is by no means everything and there are places to go read more about the formal doctrinal distinctions, and I recommend doing so, but these are the areas that most impacted me. The things I listed are certainly all still true and relevant in varying degrees and still drive who we are and what we strive to be.
Hopefully you can see the things I highlighted and you'll be able to say of yourself with certainty, "I'm Vineyard!"
So, how do you know if you're Vineyard? We used to use the phrase "Vineyard DNA" to refer to the core value system that establishes what Vineyard stands for. I think in order to answer the question I will highlight a few of the things that I saw as I came into the Vineyard almost 15 years ago that set Vineyard apart from other denominations or churches. This is not saying Vineyard is superior to these churches or that they have more truth... just that these are some of the values that make Vineyard unique... their DNA.
- The first thing that comes to mind when I say "Vineyard" is their focus on worship... not just music but a genuine desire to "touch the face of God" through intimate encounters with Him by the Holy Spirit. Although worship is certainly valued at most churches in all denominations there was something unique about the way Vineyard emphasized worship... and their music was more modern and exciting than even the contemporary stuff I was hearing elsewhere. Vineyard calls this being "Culturally Current", doing ministry in a way that is consistent with the culture we're in, and it is primarily evidenced in their music and worship styles. It was the first thing that I noticed about the church and the thing that drew me initially.
- The focus on seeing genuine, powerful moves of God was definitely unique. I had been in many churches that talked about power and a few demonstrated some evidence of the Gifts of the Spirit operating, but I saw more real miracles and healings in my first few weeks at Vineyard than all the rest of my experience combined. Along the same line... Vineyard taught that this was a normal expression of Christian life... that it wasn't for the super-holy but for you and me... "These signs will follow those who believe..." Mark 16. This radical idea was instrumental in changing the course and focus of my life.
- Tied to this demonstration of power was an emphasis on personal evangelism. Now certainly Vineyard is not at all unique here... but they added a new perspective for me. John Wimber's book "Power Evangelism" offered the concept that the Power of God... the gifts of the Spirit were primarily given for the growth of the church through evangelism. Suddenly all of the power had a purpose beyond my own health and wealth.
- "Naturally Supernatural" is probably my favorite spiritual concept I learned through Vineyard. The value of authenticity... I was tired of the contrived, manipulated "moves of God" I had experienced in the past. I actually left ministry at one point because of the total disconnect with reality I sensed in much of the "ministry" I had seen. Vineyard was the most serious movement I had ever seen at trying to avoid a hyped, platform-oriented display of God's power. In fact, it seemed most of the healings, "signs and wonders" were occurring in home groups and individual settings rather than being performed by one person. I found in this an opportunity to allow God to use me without having to draw attention to myself or without having to be terribly weird... as if telling someone God wants to heal them isn't weird enough.
- In Vineyard I found an awareness of the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly the Holy Spirit wasn't an "it" but was a person walking with us. Ministry and prayers were dotted with phrases like "Come, Holy Spirit" and the sense of Him being right beside us, even inside us was tangible. Church wasn't about going and hearing, it became about coming and experiencing... I had an expectation of having an encounter with God whenever we got together.
- The teaching was powerful with a focus on the Kingdom of God that gave me a foundation for all that I was experiencing. The theology of the Kingdom explained many of the questions I had carried for years... why isn't everyone healed?... why doesn't God speak today?. There was a serious emphasis on the Word of God, again, not unique to Vineyard, but the combination of teaching and experiencing made church more like a college lab... learn then do.
- There was an expectation that God would speak. I had never seen "personal prophecy" before. What I thought of as prophecy was somebody in a church service speaking a "thus saith the Lord" message using King James english that was usually generic and uplifting. But in Vineyard I found people who would speak to very specific things with amazing insight and accuracy. Although of everything in Vineyard in my early days this single thing made me the most uncomfortable I always marvelled at it and grew to love and appreciate the fact that God speaks through his people.
- And finally, there was an overriding sense of purpose... training to send. Vineyard calls it "Recruit, Train, Deploy". We are all in boot camp learning what we need in order to get fully employed in the battle. The vision for planting churches at home and abroad is derived from this vision.
This is by no means everything and there are places to go read more about the formal doctrinal distinctions, and I recommend doing so, but these are the areas that most impacted me. The things I listed are certainly all still true and relevant in varying degrees and still drive who we are and what we strive to be.
Hopefully you can see the things I highlighted and you'll be able to say of yourself with certainty, "I'm Vineyard!"
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
I Am Stirred Up
I must confess that my trip to California this month really stirred things up in my spirit... or in my mind... I'm not completely sure which. While I was out there I received so much affirmation... many people encouraging us to come back out there. I had one solid offer and a couple of veiled offers to come pastor churches or plants. None of those situations particularly appeal to me but what did appeal to me was being back in the role of Pastor again. I have known that there would be other opportunities but I had not really given myself over to considering going back into fulltime ministry until the last couple of weeks. And now the thought consumes me.
God has allowed me to revisit almost every stage of my history in the ministry through the last month. I have had contact with adults whom I taught as children in Sunday School classes almost 20 years ago. I have spoken to a couple of people from a group I formed in college. I have revisited my first pastorate and have visited my last one. And God has used these people to affirm and confirm the calling he put on my life. I don't say this with an ounce of arrogance... in reality I say it with a great deal of fear and trembling... but God put me on this earth to pastor his people... to lead them... to protect them... to teach them... to prepare them for life and ministry. I crave that role again... not only as a subordinate but eventually as a Sr. Pastor again... setting the vision and goals.
In 1998 I went to Randy Knutson for a ministry assessment. This involved several personality profiles, life history analysis, gifts analysis... etc. I had already been in ministry for a number of years but I was at a crossroads... wondering if this was a calling or something I just fell into. It took hours to actually work through all of the paperwork and the forms... and I was pretty cynical by the time I got toward the end of my packet of tests.
One page in particular really annoyed me... it was a timeline that you were to draw of your life. I was to put the significant people and events on this line... particularly those whom had spiritual significance, ie. - the first minister I remember... when I got saved... mentors... prophetic words spoken over me... spiritual successes... and failures... I had already done pages of stuff and this little one page chart just seemed worthless. As I thought back and began to remember... and began to write... the Holy Spirit took over. I began to draw and weep. The Lord used that simple chart to remind me of all that he had done... all that he had prepared to bring me to this place... this point in time. By the time I had completed that chart I had been transformed. I had gone from "How could God possibly call me?" to "What a marvelous plan God has for my life! How brilliantly he has orchestrated each step."
(The entire exercise with Randy was wonderful and I recommend it)
I listened to a speaker on tape last night who read this passage from Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 1:4 - 10 (NLT) 4The LORD gave me a message. He said, 5"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." 6"O Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"7"Don't say that," the LORD replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"9Then the LORD touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth! 10Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them."
I have known God had a purpose for my life long before I understood his calling. I believe that God has chosen me before my birth, that he has prepared me for over 40 years for "such a time as this". I have endured things that have shaken my faith. I have brought things upon myself that have tested his grace. But through it all God has never removed, or even allowed to fade for long, that fire in my gut. He has put his words in my mouth to uproot and tear down, to build up and plant...
God has allowed me to revisit almost every stage of my history in the ministry through the last month. I have had contact with adults whom I taught as children in Sunday School classes almost 20 years ago. I have spoken to a couple of people from a group I formed in college. I have revisited my first pastorate and have visited my last one. And God has used these people to affirm and confirm the calling he put on my life. I don't say this with an ounce of arrogance... in reality I say it with a great deal of fear and trembling... but God put me on this earth to pastor his people... to lead them... to protect them... to teach them... to prepare them for life and ministry. I crave that role again... not only as a subordinate but eventually as a Sr. Pastor again... setting the vision and goals.
In 1998 I went to Randy Knutson for a ministry assessment. This involved several personality profiles, life history analysis, gifts analysis... etc. I had already been in ministry for a number of years but I was at a crossroads... wondering if this was a calling or something I just fell into. It took hours to actually work through all of the paperwork and the forms... and I was pretty cynical by the time I got toward the end of my packet of tests.
One page in particular really annoyed me... it was a timeline that you were to draw of your life. I was to put the significant people and events on this line... particularly those whom had spiritual significance, ie. - the first minister I remember... when I got saved... mentors... prophetic words spoken over me... spiritual successes... and failures... I had already done pages of stuff and this little one page chart just seemed worthless. As I thought back and began to remember... and began to write... the Holy Spirit took over. I began to draw and weep. The Lord used that simple chart to remind me of all that he had done... all that he had prepared to bring me to this place... this point in time. By the time I had completed that chart I had been transformed. I had gone from "How could God possibly call me?" to "What a marvelous plan God has for my life! How brilliantly he has orchestrated each step."
(The entire exercise with Randy was wonderful and I recommend it)
I listened to a speaker on tape last night who read this passage from Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 1:4 - 10 (NLT) 4The LORD gave me a message. He said, 5"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." 6"O Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"7"Don't say that," the LORD replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"9Then the LORD touched my mouth and said, "See, I have put my words in your mouth! 10Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build others up and plant them."
I have known God had a purpose for my life long before I understood his calling. I believe that God has chosen me before my birth, that he has prepared me for over 40 years for "such a time as this". I have endured things that have shaken my faith. I have brought things upon myself that have tested his grace. But through it all God has never removed, or even allowed to fade for long, that fire in my gut. He has put his words in my mouth to uproot and tear down, to build up and plant...
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