The Church: 'Ya'll Come!' or 'Get Going'?

Earlier this week I spent a bit of time visiting with a family newer to Christ's Church, getting to know them a bit, and hopefully helping them get to know us a little better. (By the way, should that family read this - thanks for a great visit!)

During our conversation we spoke about many things but one area in particular has continued to stir my thoughts. What are the differences between a 'missional' church and an 'attractional' church? Why are we more missional than attractional?

As you have probably figured out, I have some very clear answers to those questions. But, before I bully-pulpit the issue, what say you? What do you think of those two terms? Do you think CCA fits one more than the other? Let me know what you think and I'll take this matter further in a day or so with a follow-up.

Technorati Tags: Missional, Attractional, Ecclesiology

In The Aftermath Of The Storm

I spent last evening with my brother Dave, hearing more about the February 2nd tornadoes that devastated the community. He gave me the highlights about the storm itself, as he remembered it. But then he went on to tell me about the amazing things that are happening since the storm.

First, the storm itself. Dave was awakened at around 3AM because the lightning was so frequent it lit his bedroom like it was daylight outside. He turned on the television and the local Doppler radar was tracking a massive system on a track that would bring it right through Deland. He made a few quick preparations and went out on the back porch to see what he could see. Just a bit of hail - and as quickly as it came up, it was gone. His phone rang a couple of hours later saying he should get out to one of the church family's home, as it had been heavily damaged.

What followed was confusion. When Dave arrived there was much misinformation given by rescue workers. There was confusion as to whether Dave would be allowed into the perimeter that emergency workers had set up. But in the next couple of hours they managed to get the answers, and the access that they had hoped for - but news they had hoped not to hear.

The aftermath, however, continues to be a marvelous story. The local churches in the community came together in a way never seen before. The churches found out where needs were in the community and mobilized together to meet them. They partnered with the Red Cross is being among the earliest and most committed responders. The community noticed.

Dave learned some valuable lessons. First, he became an unofficial information officer of sorts for many family members and friends. He hadn't anticipated this, but when he forwarded his church phone number to his cell, and was on the scene, he became the man with the most up-to-date information. He recalled having to tell many loved ones and friends that this family was gone. He learned that there are right and wrong moves in being among the first responders - things that you can do to help, or things that you can do that would hinder emergency officials. He learned that the Red Cross offers training for first responders that teaches all this important information. At present, a number of people in his congregation, and a number of people from other local church congregations are taking the course - so should there be a next time, the church will be even more ready to be on scene and making a difference.

There's nothing like the church bringing light to the community!

Technorati Tags: Florida Tornadoes, Mission

Me? Emergent? Who?

HT to CartoonChurch.com

As I've said a number of times, the difficulty I have with criticism of the 'emerging church' or the 'emergent movement' is that there is not one satisfactory definition of just what constitutes the animal. Ask ten different self-professed 'emergees' to define it and you'll get ten different answers... at least.

Here is an article from Dan Kimball's blog that I found most thought provoking. He asks a question of critics: Just what information are they working with?

Where we are concerned, do any of these critiques sound to you like CCA? (1) drawn to ambiguity; (2) rejecting the notion that God's word is clear; (3) and that is it understandable; (4) the rethinking of or wholesale rejection of precious doctrines; (5) thriving on disorganization; (6) distrusting authority; (7) dislikes preaching; (8) recognizes few doctrinal boundaries; (9) few moral boundaries; and (10) feeds intellectual pride

There is one more allegation in the article, that is that 'everything is being questioned and deconstructed'. I think one of the markers of our society in these times is a propensity to ask questions and a desire to deconstruct - and I am seeing people come to Christ through this very process!

So, what do you think of Dan's article? The debate?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Emergent, Emerging Church, Ecclesiology

Are You Guys Emergent?

The question was posed to a CCA member last week. "Christ's Church? Are you guys an emergent church?" How would you answer that question? The person who was asked came and asked me on Sunday - "Are we?"

We've talked a lot about the words 'emergent' and 'emerging' before. We've also talked about what it means to be missional and conversant with the day in which we live.

This article on a Southern Baptist blog caused me both to chuckle and to scratch my head. Andrew Jones has some thoughts to share on the subject here.

What do you think? Is emergent heretical? Is too much made of labels? Is there any satisfactory definition of 'emergent' out there?

Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Emergent, Emerging Church, Ecclesiology

Welcome To Lent

Today is the first day in Lent - the season of 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday, leading up to the celebration of the Lord's resurrection (it's actually 46 days to Easter, but the six Sundays in the season are not counted).

Traditionally Lent is marked by observances of prayer, fasting and charity.

Last night one of my small groups took up the topic of Lent, and specifically preparing our hearts to celebrate Christ's resurrection - viewing Lent much like we view Advent in preparing to celebrate Christ's birth - and prayerfully considered how each of us might make the most of this season.

Do you plan to observe Lent? Do you have any ideas for making the Lenten season special?