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First Century Church: is it relevant?

// March 31st, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Bible, church, ministry, vision

As someone that is modeling a church plant after the first century church as described in Acts 2, I was a little thrown when I read a comment from a friend of mine. Darin has some experience with a negative side of the first century church. He posted about it to his blog last week. He ended his post with these words:

The Bible is used as a weapon where people’s pet peeves and personal likes become authorized by God.

If only we would allow the Spirit to rule our hearts and minds.

Apparently, Darin tried implementing a first century church model only to settle on something different. It seems that some have cited the Acts 2 model of church as being the only true church.

I tried responding to Darin’s blog post directly, but in the end, I am not quite sure what to say. How can anyone say that the first century church as described in Acts 2 is the only true church? Obviously, the churches in Corinth and Ephesus did not meet in the same manner. Also, with the amazing things happening through ministries such as LifeChurch.tv, North Point Community Church, Seacoast Church, Newspring Church, Elevation Church, etc. how could anyone say that unless you are gathering together in a smaller setting, breaking bread, listening to the Apostle’s teachings, and giving sacrificially you cannot be the true church? The amazing thing about being in ministry today is that God is using all kinds of models and movements to serve as the church. Churches are groups of 3 or more in homes, or 20 people in a coffee shop, or 75 people in a traditional church cathedral, or even 40,000 in a former NBA basketball arena. God is everywhere and he is creating ministry in many different settings. The reason is that no model or building can be the church. We as Christ’s disciples gathering together are his true church.

So, is the first century church relevant? Of course it is! However, so is the church that gathers in a movie theater, school multi-purpose room, small apartment, or traditional church building. Besides, how can we really define what the first century church really was? Many of us like to refer to Acts 2, but as we know from reading the Epistles that there were large church gatherings in the city such as in Ephesus and some rowdy gatherings in Corinth. Some churches gave sacrificially, while others did not and were rebuked by the Apostle Paul. Some idolized signs and wonders and some followed men rather than Christ. Therefore, who can say exactly what the first century church really looked like? It was probably as diverse back in 70 AD as it is in 2009 AD.

I truly hope there are not people that idolize the church over gathering in the name of Christ to worship him and serve others. I also hope that church leaders would be above something as trivial as turning a beautiful passage in Acts 2 into something personally sacred and putting the look and feel of the church above loving others and letting God build his church through a unique vision he has entrusted to a worthy servant.

At Revolution Church Sacramento, our vision is to be a transformed church that God may use to help transform the lives of others. Gathering together in a way similar to what is described in Acts 2 is just an extension of the vision. Because of our love for God and our love for others, we want to: gather and enjoy fellowship with each other, break bread together, let God’s Word teach and edify us, witness amazing signs and wonders of God’s Holy Spirit moving through our community, and give sacrificially for the sake of others coming to know God’s love and mercy. It’s all about loving God and loving others. The rest is in God’s hands and no church model or strategy will ever overrule that!

Please don’t make the church your idol! Let God be your God and Christ the head of the church. Anything else will just end in futility.

Can Acts 2 be lived out in a second-gen Asian-American church?

// February 25th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // church, church planting, culture, multi-cultural church

I’ve posted previously about some thoughts on Asian-American churches here, here and here. However, after reading this post from Francis Chan, pastor of the multi-cultural Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA, I was drawn to consider something. Would Chan’s thoughts on being an authentic Acts 2 church–where people gave sacrificially by selling their cars and homes–really work in the Asian-American church? Asians are a very proud people and generally want to have the appearance of being well off. Older Asians usually are really committed to family and it seems many younger Asians are focused on work and social media.

Could a group of twenty-something Asian-Americans really embrace the lifestyle of looking to their fellow man as their brother and giving sacrificially so that someone could get off the street or see someone fed and clothed, etc.? Could the church truly become an extension of the family unit?

I have been involved in several discussions about next generation ministry to second & third generation Asian-Americans. It seems that the standard position is that no matter how blended into the American culture Asians may seem to be, that without some understanding of what makes Asian-Americans unique is missing in the church. That second generation Asians are on a quest to find something that they don’t even understand they need, yet continually drawn to the search. If Asian-Americans are looking to get something from the church, would they really be willing to give back in a sacrificial way like they did in the Acts 2 church?

Francis Chan and I are on the same path. I am committed to seeing our church plant become an Acts 2 church with a focus on unity through the verses in Ephesians 4 as well. However, the difference seems to be that Chan’s Cornerstone Church and most other churches modeled after Acts 2 seem to be predominantly white or mostly white with a little multi-cultural sprinkled in. As we move forward in our journey of planting Revolution Church Sacramento, it appears God has a different plan for us and has connected us exclusively with Asian-Americans with a heart to connect with and help empower other Asian-Americans. So, can second generation Asian-Americans really live as the church and love others as much or more than they love themselves? I’m sure hoping God reveals a way to make the vision of Revolution Church Sacramento to be in harmony with the hearts and minds of Asian-Americans if that is his will for our journey.

And the Lord added to their number daily

// December 17th, 2008 // Comments Off // church planting, evangelism/outreach, missional

A large part of the missional church movement is a call to action within our communities. There is an underlying core belief that we need to get out and let the world know we are disciples of Christ intent on sharing his love with others, rather than holed-up in a building on Sunday mornings with others that believe as we do.

I know the mission of the missional church clearly rubs some people the wrong way. Let me clearly state that I while I don’t feel called to lead a fellowship of people into becoming the next mega church or follow purpose driven principles, I applaud you for doing what you do and reaching people the way that you do. However, your calling is not my calling and God will use all sorts of people through all sorts of methods to see people come to know him through his Son Jesus the Christ.

A lot of us in pastoral ministry tend to take sides on evangelism. We all cite the Great Commission as something that needs to be taken seriously as disciples, yet we don’t all agree on what carrying the Great Commission looks like. For some it’s having an attractional church with lots of programs to meet the needs of families. By drawing them in with programs, they can be exposed to the gospel. Others send missionaries to various parts of the world and help support them. Many churches will do special events and ask congregants to take advantage of the opportunity to invite their friends and neighbors and co-workers for a chance to come in and be hooked by the gospel.

The one thing that I stand upon is that nothing about the gospel in Scripture is attractional. Throughout the entire New Testament, there is one clear, underlying theme to the gospel: repent and be baptized. Call upon the Lord for forgiveness of sins and profess his name and you will be saved. In so doing, the Lord will never leave you, nor forsake you. It’s pretty simple and blatantly clear.

To me, being attractional means living a life in celebration of Christ and taking seriously his commands. So, I guess in that sense I am attractional. Our vision for planting and launching Revolution Church Sacramento is based upon this through our vision statement: We want to be a gathering of transformed people that God uses to help transform the lives of others in the Sacramento area. I am a firm believer that our vision and mission are supported by Scripture in Acts 2:42-47:

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

If we live a life of faith praising God and give of ourselves for the sake of others that have need, God will add to our number daily those that are being saved. This is first and foremost they way we should evangelize. We cannot cause someone to know Christ, but through us and our living witness to the glory of Christ Jesus, God can use us to sow seeds that he will nurture and grow into fruitful service to the kingdom of heaven.

Father God, I pray that you will continue to speak to your servants and call them to be used by you for the sake of others coming to know you through your Son Jesus. Thank you for your call upon all of us as your ministers of the gospel to live a life that honors and glorifies you and being open to be at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing to impart thoughts of your love into the minds and hearts of those you are about to call into the kingdom of heaven. Thank you for using each of us individually to do your work for your people. That no greater love exists than your love for your people. A love so strong that you sent your Son to die for the forgiveness of all sin because we could not do not so by ourselves. Bless the work of your Church and the people in leadership to show love for all and to be burdened for others more than for themselves. Bring us to a place of peace and unity within your body so that we may be living witnesses that draw others to be added to our number daily those that are being saved. You are good and your mercy endures forever. I pray your anointing and favor on your people and those in pastoral ministry whom you have entrusted with your flock. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Missional vs. Missional

// October 8th, 2008 // Comments Off // Bible, Christianity, God, church, church relevance, ministry, missional

I’ve posted previously about missional vs emergent and missional vs the mega church model. However, I don’t see how it would be possible to validate a missional vs. missional argument though. The reason being is that there is a basic, fundamental understanding of what it means to be a missional church, therefore there isn’t any relevant argument regarding that. Alan Hirsch, author of The Forgotten Ways defines the missional church as: “a church that defines itself, and organizes its life around, its real purpose as an agent of God’s mission to the world.”

Now, we could argue what the mission should like in a given community or whether advertising the mission through press releases in the local newspaper is relevant to the mission, but we can’t argue the foundation of being missional. It is this that gives momentum to the missional church and through transformations happening on the local level, missional churches will have global impact on the kingdom of heaven.

Before I continue, I want to make it clear that I am not in opposition to those with a vision to lead emergent or mega-churches. I think God can honor their work and that transformed lives could be the result. However, let me point out some observations I’ve made that lend themselves to momentum within the missional church:

• Overall, churches are shrinking in numerical size, therefore being positioned to be better able to mobilize behind a missional movement
• Budgets are being drastically cut as church members are giving less or not giving at all. Smaller budgets many times means smaller staff or fewer programs. This creates an environment conducive to change and reorganization, going away from past methods that are deemed not to work and seeking something new
• We’re in a post-Christian era where over 90% profess a belief in a god or gods or a higher power, yet oppose Christianity and discussion centering on Jesus. Missional church fulfills the Greatest Commandment and causes people to look at Jesus through love, not condemnation.
• Many Christians have left the traditional church and choose to worship God individually without being in fellowship with others. The missional church can help bring them back into fellowship through uniting them in a common cause that they feel is relevant.

There is a culture shift happening and it’s causing many church leaders to take notice. Some may see their budgets shrink and believe the answer is to waive their salary and take full-time, secular job. Some churches may see positions phased out and consolidation occur. Other churches may think a new focus from the pulpit on tithing may be in order. In reality, this is the kind of culture shift that should be leading people to see that God is moving in a different way. As we get closer to the day of Christ’s return, we need to get back to our roots. Things will go full circle and what was ancient may become modern again.

Our focus should really be on God and serving his people with the love of Christ. We must have ultimate faith in God and His Word for salvation and trust Christ to really be the head of His church. Instead of responding to what the market dictates by trying to give people what they want or tell them what they want to hear, we should respond in a way that reveals God in our midst. As we see numbers diminishing within the church here in America, it’s clear to see that the kingdom of heaven is growing exponentially in China. Under threat of persecution the church in China is for the most-part an underground movement. It is very reminiscent of the description of the first century church in Acts 2:44-47:

44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Where there is sincere love for God and love for others through giving as they have need, the kingdom of heaven will grow daily with those being saved. If the missional church stays on mission, salvation and growth will be fulfilled through God. People will care about other people and love others because God first loved them. Transformation will occur and the gospel will be preached to all nations and the end result will be glory to the King of kings as he returns for his bride.

As the church, I say we should look to return to the root of our existence–loving God and loving others–and repel those things which cause us to focus on worldly things like money, pride, control. If we trust in Jesus to deliver his saving grace upon the earth, God will add to our number those that are being saved and instill in them a passion for loving He that created them and all of whom He created.

Missional vs. Mega-church

// October 8th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // church, church relevance, ministry, missional

Let me start with a question: Can the seeker-sensitive, mega-church model really be missional? I’m one of those that thinks it can. Missional really is a matter of the heart that is realized through application. Serving others becomes relevant because it is in the very nature of who we are as missionaries. Can such an environment exist in a mega-church? I think it can.

The biggest problem facing the missional mega-church is one of how it can be organic and easily mobilized when it operates with 2-5 services per day and affects 2,000-50,000+ in attendance on any given weekend. Menlo Park Presbyterian Church actually closed its door one Sunday in April last year to be the love of Christ to the surrounding community. With about 2,600 of its 5,000 members committing to serve others as reported in the Oakland Tribune:

For only the second time in its 134 years, a church in Menlo Park today canceled Sunday morning service and shut its doors.

It’s no crisis — it’s only because the majority of its 5,000 members instead spent the weekend renovating homes, refurbishing schools, assisting the homeless or building thousands of support kits for AIDS caregivers in Africa, among scores of charitable activities throughout the Peninsula.

As Pastor David Meysembourg stated in a comment to one of the previous posts here on the blog about the missional church, “So for those who are already doing church, the real work lies in becoming missional without losing the flock. The difficulty comes in transitioning from a more traditional church (which is many of the things missional is not) to a missional church. Education and training, modeling missional values, discussion, reading, all are an important part of this process. One of the first things we’ve done is to define ‘church’.”

Ask 100 pastors to define what the church is and you may find 100 different responses. Sure, the underlying theme and overall context may be similar, but just as God calls individuals to lead/preach/teach he also inspires them with visions that complement their giftedness and passions. Another point made by Pastor Meysembourg that we as pastors must be united on though: Church is “Not a building, not program, not an event, but people living God’s plan for their lives.”

What is God’s plan for our lives? Simply stated in the eloquent words of Christ himself in Matthew 22:37-39:

37″‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

If we gather together as the body of Christ and love God completely and love others with the love of Jesus aren’t we being missional? Must there be a 100% buy-in from all that gather in a Sunday service in order for the church to be considered missional? If we look at missional as some formula of how we can “do” church, then the answer would be no. However, if we look at being missional as a matter of the heart and an application of our love for our fellow humans and realize that not everyone may be willing to walk in the same shoes at the same time, then any body of Christ that exemplifies the Greatest Commandment is in-fact going to be missional.

As Alan Hirsch states on page 182 of his book The Forgotten Ways,

“One of the reflections arising out of my fifteen years’ experience at SMRC is that as we grew and began to operate in the classic church growth mode it became increasingly harder to find God in the midst of the progressively more machinelike apparatus required to ‘run a church.’ With numerical growth, it seemed that we were increasingly being drawn away from the natural rhythms of life, from direct ministry, and that our roles seemed to become more managerial than ever before.”

With Mr. Hirsch’s statement being a generalization of what is thought to occur in the mega-church model of ministry, there are definitely large, looming issues inherent in this model that could or would prevent a missional dna from developing as the environment can lend itself to becoming consumeristic and inwardly focused. However, with a missional vision for a mega-church committed to the Greatest Commandment, all things are possible with God.