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church relevance

3 Questions About The Church: Jason Salamun

I asked several pastors to share their perspectives on three questions regarding the church. Each respondent is in a different geographical area and/or operating under different styles of ministry. Therefore, each perspective is unique and worth learning from. As you read their responses, try and imagine how you would reply to these same three questions. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Today we kick off the series with Pastor Jason Salamun of Project Church in Rapid City, South Dakota:

1) How would you define the (local) church?

Symbolically of course, the Church is referred to as the Body of Christ, Bride of Christ,and Family of God. Scripture gives us purposes, distinctions, and directions on how we are to function and organize but to answer your question, I’ll stick with my simple answer.

2) Is the church relevant? Why?

Five to ten years ago I would have said, “no.” The music is outdated, the dress code is too stuffy, the church buildings are on the cutting edge of 1890, etc. I’d refer to myself as a “Christ Follower” instead of a “Christian” because I didn’t want to be connected to THOSE people.

I was immature.

Many of us were.

Many of us still are.

A church is relevant because the gospel is (I’m assuming a genuine church is a gospel-centered church). The message is unchanging and relevant but communicating the message will depend on your culture. Speak the language but don’t change the message.

I’m all for contextualizing the gospel to our culture but it’s so much more than cool lights, killer environments, and pop worship. Frankly, a traditional church service full of liturgy can be just as (or more) “relevant” as a rock show worship experience. As I look out at the church planting landscape, I’m seeing a bunch of cookie-cutter “relevant” churches who somehow believe their graphic t-shirts and a coffee bars are the good news. Sad, so sad.

Throwing a pair of hipster jeans on the gospel doesn’t make it relevant.

The gospel is about a King and a Kingdom.

Every community is different but I do know this: love is relevant in any language. Jesus doesn’t need make-up to be attrative to our culture, he is to be lifted up and he said he would draw people to himself (John 12:32).

I’m not against creating environments, talking plainly, having modern music etc., (our church does that), but I think “relevance” as we know it is superficial at best. It’s so much more than style and preferences. I think our generation needs to understand the gospel better and learn how to diagnose idolatry in their culture and people’s hearts and treat it with the gospel. Show people how they fit into God’s epic story. That’s relevant to any people in any time, and any place.

P.S. Nothing is sadder than a middle-aged pastor wearing his teenage kids clothes and trying to talk Snoop in a sermon. That’s not relevant, that’s goofy.

3) Do you see the church looking different in the future? Please explain.

I believe in the church because I believe in Jesus.

This defeatist attitude we have about the church in the west is pathetic. We already know how this will all end! We are the Body of Christ! He said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The question is, do we believe it?
In the future, just as in the past, churches will gather in various expressions and models and forms, but we all have the same mission: Make disciples who love God and people. From house churches to mega-churches, from traditional churches to contemporary churches and everything in between, we need them all. The point isn’t to build the Church, the Lord will do that. The point is to point people to him.

I don’t know about tomorrow but I know about today. The future is a product of the present. We were born for such a time as this and the need for the gospel has never been greater. The time is now!

Imagine if churches followed Jesus and lived out passages like Luke 4:18-19,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

That’s a future I want to help create!!!

Follow more of Pastor Jason Salamun’s story at his blog: jasonsalamun.com or find out more about Project Church at their website: projectchurch.net. Jason is also on twitter as: @jasonsalamun.

The American Church and Racism

Continuing a bit with a theme I started on yesterday’s blog post here, I wanted to clarify something. For those of you that don’t know my story, I wanted to give a bit of background and to confirm my thoughts on race and the American church. Being an Asian with the last name Ingland, you can imagine that it can easily lend to some confusion :)

I was born in Japan, but put up for adoption. My adopted parents are bi-racial, being that my dad was white and grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania and my mom was a native Japanese woman. My parents met in Japan while my dad was stationed there in the US Air Force. So, while I have my adopted father’s last name, I am 100% Japanese. However, the context of my culture is really American. While my mom is Japanese, due to prejudice and racism she did everything she could to assimilate us into our exclusively white neighborhood. I was one of 3 Asians in my graduating class in high school. So, for me, most of what I know is rooted in white, American culture. In the conversation of Asian-American church, I am kind of the oddball. However, there are aspects of me that are inherently Asian…things that I don’t consciously think about or purposefully do or think, yet they are ingrained in who I am. This is the conflict I have spent the past 9 months trying to figure out--who am I and who am I supposed to minister to?

When I look at the predominantly white, American church I don’t necessarily see it as evil or racist. I don’t even really consider it segregated. What I do see though is that there is a perspective present there that only someone not white would understand. When a white pastor proclaims to a white congregation that they want to purposefully try and reach out to people of color, I know their heart is in the right place. However, in reality, this is a very difficult challenge because of the current establishment. Just as most white people would feel uncomfortable driving into a black neighborhood and worshiping as the only white person in a black church, people of color can feel the same discomfort in a white church. I know that you’re reading that last sentence and believing that it is not true of you, but I think if you were being completely honest you would agree, even if not publicly. Know that not only is there a discomfort for non-whites in a white church, but there is also a disconnect. American culture, as mainstream as it is, really lacks diversity and the incorporation of other cultural perspectives. You can bring in an African-American pastor to share a message on Sunday about Kwanzaa, but that really doesn’t help us break down the discomfort and the disconnect that exists in our churches today.

Having said all of this, let me reiterate again: I do not believe that churches that are predominantly one race are racist. I just believe that the method is causing them not to realize a congregation that truly represents the diversity of their community.

If you are part of a white church, in a white community, in a small farm town in the midwest somewhere, does that make you racist? Not at all. Part of the conversation of diversity and multi-culturalism has to exclude some people just because their ministry has no choice except to be predominantly white. Same is true if you are part of a black church in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.

Does racism exist in the church today? Yes, it absolutely does. However, so does idolatry, addiction, hypocracy, the making of celebrities..etc. The church today is not perfect! We don’t always practice what we preach. If we better-understood the message of Christ and grace, we’d be a happier church without judgment and criticism.

While I acknowledge racism exists in the church, I also believe that racial segregation is a by-product of how we “do” church today. It is rooted in how we have “done” church in the past. It’s become more about us and less about Christ. That being said, I still know that the heart of many churches is in the right place.

Know that if a church is trying to establish a ministry to Russian people that have migrated to the US and still know more about Russian culture and the language than they do about America and English, it does not make them racist. Also know that if white people in a swank suburb are being ministered to in the context of being white collar professionals with no programs or ministries to connect with people other than themselves, does not make them racist. People of different cultures, in different communities, will just naturally want to congregate together.

Know this as well: There are people being called into ministry to start doing a new work that goes beyond color or socio-economic classes. As the future of our American culture changes, we as the church must change with it. For some, the status quo isn’t about racism and segregation, but there is a feeling that change must take place. Let’s not try to bridge the gap of black and white, but instead let us bridge the gap to be people reaching people, regardless of color or social status.

church planting / church relevance / Dave (personal) / jesus / life / ministry / people — 2 Comments
30
Sep 09

What does the company you keep say about you?

Being in ministry and going through the process of planting a church, I have connected with people that can help me through: sharing wisdom, supporting me in meeting my goals, prayer, guidance, etc. If I shared my contact list with you, it would be obvious who I was.

I mentioned repentance in yesterday’s blog post here. It’s an ongoing process with me and the company I keep is something I feel I need to address. I look to Jesus as an example. In contrast to what others think of Jesus, he was not some lovey-dovey, goodie two-shoes person walking through the streets of Galilee 2,000 years ago. Instead, he was actually considered to be a very dangerous man! So dangerous that he posed a threat to the Jewish establishment. People were appalled at the company he kept. Even his inner circle of twelve consisted of a tax collector named Matthew. He was seen talking and dining with prostitutes & drunkards so often that people witnessing his lifestyle thought he was a sinning glutton and alcoholic (Luke 7:33-34).

Based on the company I keep, people around me in ministry bear witness to the fact that I am blessed with leaders that have invested time in my life to help me pursue the vision God has given me to see a new ministry take shape here in Sacramento, CA. However, what do the people of Sacramento see? Do they see a ministry leader that associates mainly with Christians and others in ministry, or do they see someone that has compassion and love for his fellow human regardless of his/her faith? Do my neighbors see a revolutionary of grace or the safety of a well-positioned minister to Christians?

I’ve spent a lot of time chasing the church and making it my idol. I’ve been wrapped up in believing that I am only as good as my church--that without formal ministry, I am nothing or will be labeled a failure. I’ve sacrificed time in my business (my only source of income as I don’t take a salary from the church), time with my family, and time from those in need of Christ’s love in my community. In reality, ministry is really about people and fulfilling The Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40)--we are called to love others above ourselves, not gain respect from our work in ministry.

Know that most of the people in my life are not of a Protestant Christian faith. Living most of my life as an atheist, you can imagine that I didn’t keep many Christian friends, nor witnessed any family members come to faith in Christ through my words. I do associate with people that spend time in bars or have been known to devote their lives to making lots of money. However, I feel that my focus has been on building new relationships that will help me move forward in ministry ahead of relationships that will foster the love of Christ in unknowing, anonymous ways. Too often I’ve brought attention to myself in the name of Christ’s Church rather than in the name of Christ period. I am repenting for this and moving forward in a more-balanced way regardless of what happens with my role in formal ministry. I’m looking at making a difference in the world anonymously so that people see Christ, not me and right now I can only do it one person at a time. I cannot let my natural instincts as an introvert lead my thought process.

How would people in the world view you based on the company you keep? It’s an important question that I hope you spend a moment pondering today.

church planting / church relevance / faith / rancho cordova / revolution church sacramento — 2 Comments
15
Jul 09

Church plant finances…a quick story

Church planting is a tough calling even under ideal circumstances. Starting this journey without a lot of support has been expectedly difficult. However, I am always amazed at how unexpected opportunities have crossed my path. Here is the story of one of those:

I got a message on facebook yesterday. It was from a pastor that I had never talked with before asking me if I knew of anyone interested in sharing a meeting space in Rancho Cordova--the exact urban ‘burb I have been praying that God would place us. I followed up and last night I got a tour of the facility. It’s in an office building with a 2,000 sq ft gathering place complete with chairs and audio/visual equipment provided. There are two offices--one for me and one for the other pastor. A nursery room, a Sunday school room and a large space for after-service fellowship. This breaks down to something like $0.33/sq ft. The other church would use it Sunday night, but we could use it Saturday night or Sunday morning. The building is directly across the street from local high school and therefore would be very visible within the community. It is already zoned properly as a church.

The lease is being negotiated with the owner directly, so the terms are very relaxed and less rigid than if it were a leasing company.

At a glance, this space is ideal for us moving forward. We wouldn’t have to be portable anymore and we could finally start going into the community and connecting people in fellowship with Christ. Only problem is we are currently six people targeting a generation of twentysomethings that really don’t give much of their finances for the sake of the gospel. At around $1,150/month this is seriously cheap for worship space, but it is probably out of reach for us at this point. I don’t even know who to turn to initiate the power of “You have not, because you ask not.” Mostly out of frustration because I see this opportunity not falling into place for us at Revolution Church Sacramento, I posted a jokingly sarcastic tweet on twitter:

anyone have an extra $14,400 laying around they’d want to contribute to fund a meeting place for 1 yr for Revolution Church Sacramento? lol

A few minutes later I get a message from a great friend named David Meysembourg letting me know he is praying for this. Then, he sends me a message with a suggestion of who might be able to help out. A few minutes after that I see this in the twitterstream:

@daveingland God is the God of the impossible. $14,400 is nothing. // Brothers in Christ give what you have in Christ. Prayers or Prosperity

I was completely stunned at the faith of Matt Taylor and how he just spoke boldly into my life at a moment when my faith was incredibly weak. He is absolutely correct and I know that in the scope of how I have seen God move, $14,400 (the amount I need to show as available to confirm a one year lease on the space) is ridiculously small. I’ve heard stories of $10 million in a single weekend from the offerings of a church. However, I am at a place of uncertainty and weakness not knowing who to call or how to get $14,400 in the next two days. I am at a place where God really can’t use me when I have such doubt and negative thoughts.

Thanks to my friends who stood up for me in boldness, I am going to see what results from applying some effort and trusting God that if it is meant for us right now I won’t worry. Even if no financial support for this building comes in and we have to stand by and watch another ministry take it instead, I will praise for the faith and action of my friends via twitter to jump-start me as well as praise that God put a ministry in the space that will do great things in the name of Jesus. I’m just holding out hope that it may be us doing that great work in that great space…in the name of Jesus :)

church planting / church relevance / Dave (personal) / life / people — 1 Comment
30
Jun 09

Disappointments

I don’t think I will ever get over how things that may seem negative can be turned into positives. I’ve experienced some things that have been very disappointing recently. It’s always when I put my faith in others, but luckily I am not measured by their actions and closed mindedness. People can do their best to make themselves look better by taking things out of context and slinging them back at me, but I don’t care. For me, it is all about the test of time. Who will still be standing because of the truth in their words and actions? It’s not about what others think, but more about how true I can stay to who I am and what I am supposed to do.

In the end, no matter what people say, often they are selfish at heart and when I can no longer contribute to something they lash out or just distance themselves. It feels like there was never any respect for my contribution--no acknowledgment of thanks--just disappointment in how they handle themselves.

I’ve been asked several times by people if I have been disappointed at the small numbers of people that have attended our public preview services for Revolution Church Sacramento. Since the preview services were more for our benefit in helping to get unified in vision, participate in something like One Prayer that showed unity within the body of Christ, and letting people know we were more than just a conversation in someone’s living room, I am not disappointed at all. Others may have been disappointed, but their perspective would be out of context of what I expected from our time together in June. For me, the truly disappointing thing has been when others have been there for me when I was giving of my time and talents to help them, but left me cold when I wasn’t there for them. I guess I’m more saddened than disappointed, but disappointment is a by-product of putting our faith in others based on present circumstances when it is inevitable that some will just end up showing themselves to be fair weather friends.

As I was thinking about this post, I decided to look for some quotes on the topic of disappointment. It turns out they were just what I needed and I hope that they help you have a new perspective on disappointing times and situations as well:

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.” --Robert Kiyosaki
“Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.” --Eliza Tabor
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” --Martin Luther King, Jr.
“People look at you and me to see what they are supposed to be. And, if we don’t disappoint them, maybe, just maybe, they won’t disappoint us.” --Walt Disney
“One’s best success comes after their greatest disappointments.” --Henry Ward Beecher

Through it all, we will never please everybody and trying to do so will lead not just to disappointment, but also to frustration and failure. We should always hope for the best in others, but know that there will be times when we let our expectations get in the way. In the end, disappointments are a fact of life and as the quotes above indicate, can be used to make us better and stronger. After going through some disappointments recently, I’m greatly anticipating some success as I position myself with where and whom God calls me.

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