Forge Conference

In late September/early October I will be speaking at The Forge Conference a.k.a. FORGECON. I'm very excited about this opportunity because I believe in what they are doing.

I believe in their vision to create "a worship and tech training conference that is small and reasonably priced for teams to come to" and I love the fact they are committed to helping smaller local churches.

I remember being in small churches (I've worked in all sizes) and going to conferences where I would leave discouraged because I didn't have the budget, connections, or buy-in to pull off the eye candy and musical heroics the host churches had. And, for some reason, I was lead to believe I had to strive to become what they were in order to be effective. I now know that isn't true. It's good to know there are conferences for creatives where they can network with and brainstorm with other like-minded and like-sized churches.

If you are in a small to medium sized church, consider registering for FORGECON.

This is a list of my talks for the conference:

Aggregates and Gateways: A Corporate Worship Philosophy and Methodology
The popular school of thought in planning weekend worship revolves around theme with the apex of the weekend being the message. In this widely accepted model, the message/sermon or theme is king—driving our choices for music, art, video, and whatever else we might “use” on a weekend. On one hand, this model provides ease of planning, a wealth of resources, tight transitions, clear communication, and a network of support. Conversely, the model has the potential for squelched creativity, lack of spontaneity, robotronic boredom, laziness, frustration, and lack of freedom in our weekend gatherings. We need a new model that doesn’t vilify the old, preserves what is actually working, and stretches us to question what we are actually trying to accomplish and how we go about getting there.

Sleeping Beauty: Towards a Theology of Beauty and Aesthetics
The word “ethos” has become quite a buzz word in the Church. Usually, when someone asks “what is the ethos of the church like?” they are really saying, “What is the vibe? Is it cool? Are they friendly? Do they do neat things? Is the music engaging? Would my kids dig it? etc.” However, the idea of ethos in Aristotelian thought is something much different and much more in line with a Hebrew understanding of beauty. If Aristotle stepped into your church and judged it’s ethos, you might be surprised at how he scores you.

All the Cool Kids are Singing It: A Plea for Indigenous Worship
We are killing our imaginations. As function continues to contend for beauty’s position, accessibility sucker-punches ingenuity, and uniformity trumps the hard work of creativity, we run the risk of creating “artists” in the church’s own image who in fact are not really artists. Or, at least, the artists are getting the art sucked out of them. Are church artists losing the ability to discern what is good, what is mediocre, and what is crap? A good metaphor for the artist in scripture is that of a priest or prophet—seeing the world as it is, experiencing joy and suffering with (and on behalf of) others, understanding the reality of the non-material world, challenging the world to be different, and surfacing a need to pay attention and see things differently. How are we doing?

They Aren't JUST Quirks #4

This is the fourth post in the series on plumblines. I highly suggest you read the first post first. In short, plumblines are those things a leader believes about ministry that shape the way he or she leads. A leader doesn’t need to explain them or justify them all the time. Larry Osborne says, “Plumblines don’t represent the only way to do ministry. They represent your way of doing ministry. So don’t worry if they seem somewhat narrow or controversial or even if they thin the herd…”

Let’s take a look at another Westwinds plumbline.

#10 EVERYTHING IN SUB:MISSION

Like most churches, Westwinds has a mission statement. Westwinds’ mission (Shadow God, Build the Church, Heal the World) is the whole entire reason we have a church in the first place. It's all about the mission. Mission first, mission only.

In the 90’s it was a big deal to have a mission statement—something churches borrowed from the business world—and it stuck. Personal mission statements were also a big deal in the 90’s. The problem with many mission statements—business or personal—is they are very inwardly focused. “This is what I want. This is who I am. This is how I operate. This is how I accomplish my goals, my dreams, my plans.”

We want to be clear our mission is not that. Our mission statement is the Great Commission in new clothes. Shadow God, Build the Church, Heal the World is our way of saying “Make disciples of everyone, baptize them, teach them to obey, remember I am with you.”

Because we won’t stray from mission, things that deter us or attempt to co-opt our energies (like political agendas or social agendas) must not be tolerated within the church. Often times we are asked to hang fliers and posters or put “Christian” voting guides in our lobby. Sometimes we are asked to endorse candidates from the stage. When we turn people down they will often say something to the effect that it is the church’s (meaning my or the other pastors') job to influence this. We believe it is not our job. It doesn’t mean we don’t have opinions. In any political agenda there are 100 different opinions. Some true. Some false. We choose to focus on the things we know are true. Or, rather, the person who is the Truth—Jesus.

The established power-brokers cannot have control at the expense of the mission. If someone ever uses the money card or the “I’ve been here forever” card to steer us off mission, it needs to be addressed. Likewise, the newbies cannot wrest control away at the expense of the mission. If someone has a good idea, a new ministry, a new direction, or a vision they want to share we are all ears. However, everything is sub:mission. Everything is viewed through the eyes of the mission.

With that said, we have a ton of freedom and creativity within the mission. We don’t do anything but we will do a lot of things. We aren’t boring and stingy. The mission is living and vibrant.

In light of this plumbline, we believe like-minded unity is more important than diversity, which is why we always look for staff and for leaders who think and believe like we do. Some will say there is power in diversity of opinion and perspective. While that may be true sometimes, we find things get done and stay on mission easier when leaders are like-minded.

We must be careful that we never become too proud to do the things that will help others shadow God, build the church, and heal the world. Nothing should ever be beneath us. We must be willing to get our hands dirty in light of the mission. This is why wearing a suit and tie to church has never sat right with me. The suit and tie church attire is a good metaphor for what we don’t want to be—polished and relaxed. The church is not a place you go TO all prim and proper, it is a place you go out FROM to break a mission sweat. (metaphors break down at some point. You can wear whatever you want to Westwinds. It’s a word picture).

We must also be careful that the internal needs and desires of the church don't force us to become insular and unconcerned about the world around us. Outreach should always trump in-reach. When we are busy meeting the needs of others, we don’t have time to cry about our needs not being met.

It should also be noted that mission and activism are different. Mission is about 'healing the world' and requires gospel-centered effort, whereas social activism is really only about good works and requires only good intentions. The mission is not specifically recyclable, organic, fair-trade, artistic or indie. Those things are good and honorable in and of themselves but must not be mistaken for the mission. They may be inherent in the mission, but they are not the mission.

To center us on mission, we tell our people that [1] everyone needs to understand the biblical foundation for why we do what we do, [2] everyone needs to invite the Spirit to change us as we do it, [3] the church must always be included in the story, and [4] Jesus must always be elevated.

Detours

Today I had to drive across town for a meeting. It was a last minute meeting set up last night.

I rarely drive through East Jackson but I did today. Michigan Ave. or the freeway? I took Michigan Avenue. Longer by about 5 minutes but prettier and quieter with the top down on the Jeep. I just took the top down yesterday after a rainstorm.

As I was driving I decided to take another road I seldom go down for a change of pace.

A half-mile down that road was a car stalled in the middle of the street.

Traffic was routed through a parking lot around a building to another side street.

On that side street was a lady leaning against a delivery van with two kids. As I drove by I asked if everything was okay. We could talk easy with the top down on the Jeep.

She said, "We're out of gas." Would you be willing to take my son to go by gas? I don't have a can but the gas station might have one if we give them a deposit to borrow it." My first thought was 1) I'd love to help. My second thought was 2) Wow. I must look trustworthy (* wink *)

I didn't know her but I thought she may have recognized me from the church. I introduced myself thinking she might say, "I know who you are." But she didn't.

I told her I'd be willing to take her son to buy gas. I introduced myself and told her I am a pastor at Westwinds across town.

I took her 13 year old son to buy gas. They didn't have a can to use so we had to buy one. We bought the boy and his sister a pop since they had been sitting in the sun.

After we put gas in the van, she told me they are looking for a church and asked what our service times are on Sunday. She told me she was going through a divorce and would love to find a place for her kids to feel comfortable. She told me she would see me Sunday.

When these little detours happen in life, I am reminded that God gives us freewill to make choices but he also orchestrates situations for us to cross new paths and meet new people outside of our routine. Those little detours are often written off as "coincidence." I choose to think differently.

• last minute meeting
• new part of town
• different street
  
• traffic routed differently from stalled vehicle
• through a parking lot to a side street
• a conversation with a stranded motorist made easy by a convertible
  

You be the judge.

Instead of "coincidence" I like to think of these detours as God-incidents.

This detour was pretty obvious to me. However, I wonder how many detours I have all the time without thinking twice? Do I get mad in those times? Frustrated? Sometimes those emotions seem inevitable. But what I really want is a perspective that takes stock of all the detours and says, "Ok, God. Who am I supposed to meet today?"

Our Children Must Never See This

I remember these stories in the Bible. The ones about all the white people dancing in bathrobes.

This is the very reason some children are afraid to go to church.

More stuff like this at Christian Nightmares.

They Aren't JUST Quirks #3

This is the third post in the series I promised on plumblines—“They Aren’t JUST Quirks.” I highly suggest you read the first post first. In short, plumblines are those things a leader believes about ministry that shape the way he or she leads. A leader doesn’t need to explain them or justify them all the time. Larry Osborne says, “Plumb lines don’t represent the only way to do ministry. They represent your way of doing ministry. So don’t worry if they seem somewhat narrow or controversial or even if they thin the herd…”

Let’s take a look at another Westwinds plumbline.

#10 EVERYBODY MATTERS

Because everybody matters both to God to us, those ministries that reach more people will be better resourced. Resources, after all, are almost always limited and should be allocated to those ministries that produce results.

A good case in point is our new youth center, The Hub. Ben has done such a fine job of creating momentum with youth and has such a vision for youth in our city we pooled resources and did a campaign to raise more to pour into the youth. It doesn’t mean other things don’t matter if they don’t get as much money but some things don’t have near the impact.

There are any number of things that happen in a church that are nice, or helpful, or meaningful, but they are the kinds of things Christians should be doing anyway. It doesn’t mean we should be willing to funnel money into any thing that is a kind gesture. Bigger dreams that reach more people and make bigger impacts require bigger amounts of money.

Money aside, we cannot be afraid to discontinue ministries that produce very limited results, if for no other reason that they draw on the time and energy and availability of our staff (who could be better utilized once freed from these low-return responsibilities). We often try new ministries that seem like a good idea at the time. Some are not good ideas. Some are good ideas but deserve a short shelf life. Some get reshaped and resurrected down the road. Bottom line, we are trying to reach people, not appease Christians.

As a corollary, we think that every dollar ought to get used twice (we call this the "Jesus double-dip"). By this we mean that we ought to think strategically about how to get extra use out of every purchase, every initiative, and every event. For example, our Beyond 1000 initiative operates on a triple bottom line in which every event needs to fulfill the mission, generate business-related revenue that can be worked back into the ministry, and garner some media attention—we want our Beyond 1000 initiatives to be so effective that every communication outlet in our town is knocking at our door to get the story.

This doesn’t mean we don’t spend money on little things. Our Beyond 1000 initiatives are missional in nature and we give a larger sum of money to individual ministries to make an impact. Not just buy supplies. Not simply put a Band-Aid on something.

Having a large scale Plumbline like “Everybody Matters” causes us to think things through, not spend willy-nilly, think creatively, think long-term, and think beyond doing something for the cool of it. Rather than saying “here’s some money, do what you want” we are forced to make sure what we are doing actually does make a difference in people’s lives. Rather than starting a ministry because some other church did it and most Christians expect it, we pause to think about what new things God is speaking into our culture.