Questions of Church Planting: Focusing on Structural Dynamics
I have been trying to stay away from blogging for awhile so I can focus more on writing visionary work for our hopes of church planting. Lately, I have been turning my thoughts toward the structural dynamics of Epiphany Christian Fellowship and after conversing with a friend about it, he sent me an email with a number of questions to ponder with its regards to ECF.
I have found that some of the questions seem to rub off on me a little negitively with regards to their lack of missional conciderations and what seems like (C)hurch Organizational (Institutional) Structural underlying assumptions. But I guess, I do need to spend a little more time mulling them over these issues and yes, of course, praying about them. Perhaps though, within your own context, you might like to have a crack at them also. How would you answer these questions in your own missional and cultural contexts?
Winning People
- How are you going to get people to know about your church?
- How are you going to get them to come to some church activities?
- How are you going to get them to understand the essence of the gospel and to make a commitment to Christ?
Integrating People
- How are people going to find a place to belong?
- Where is there space to find Christian community?
Nurturing People
- What do you have to help people through the tough spots in life?
- How will you care for those in dysfunctions and addictions?
- How will you care for people’s souls?
Discipling People
- What will you do to help people understand what it means to follow Christ fully?
- What will you do to help people live in a Christian manner?
- What will you do to help people hear the voice of God and know his will?
Setting People Free to Minister
- How will you help people discover their ministry?
- What will you do to provide coaching and care for those in ministry?
- How will you go about training your leaders?
Transforming the World: It always starts with the Actions of One Person – Maybe It is You!
“Sometimes we don’t need another chance to express how we feel or to ask someone to understand our situation. Sometimes we just need a firm kick in the pants. An unsmiling expectation that if we mean all these wonderful things we talk about and sing about, then lets see something to prove it.”
As a kid, I remmember going to the movies a watching great characters like Zorro, The Count of Monte Cristo, Luke Skywalker in ‘Star Wars’, and modern day comic heros like Batman and Superman. I would come running out of the theater in a full blown emotional high! Why? I don’t really know, but there was something about the ideal pursuit of truth and justice in a world which was full of oppression and so many disheartening erroneous wrongs. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Have you ever felt this way?
It always strikes me that the characters we are drawn to in films, books, and other entertainment that always fires us up looking for change or something different in the world around us usually, indicate something we desire in our own life. A deep hiden ambition maybe to make a difference in our own communities but we are to affraid or maybe feel to inadequate or “alone” to take the steps in actually doing anything about it.
It is true. Transforming the World around us seems like an impossible pursuit when we percieve it as being something we have to do all alone. But, if we take it into a smaller context; say a country, or a city, or even just your local community; then we can really grasp it as a personal mission and most likely there would be others who could join with you in developing its outcome.
Jesus says in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Typically we have interpreted the harvest as being those who are not “inside” the church but what if that is not what Jesus meant? Jesus himself took the harvesters (the disciples) outside of the church (the temple) and put them to work according to the needs that the people had. In this same passage Jesus tells them “pray earnestly”, “Go your way”, “carry no baggage”, “speak peace be with you” to others, “remain” and “eat and drink” with others in the household, “heal the sick”, and most of all tell and show them that “the Kingdom of God is near”. This seems more like a picture of pursuing social and communal justice for all the people of the community.
It seems apparent that Jesus himself modeled this idea that transforming the world starts by the actions of one individual. If we are following him, we will find ourselves called in the same way in that we each can and should pursue the transformation of our own communities for its better reflection of God’s Kingdom.
So, “What does God’s Kingdom look like?” If we truly believe that Jesus is in our inner most core and his Holy Spirit is really directing and guiding our thoughts, passions, and emotions; perhaps it returns to that earlier question of why we feel such an emotional high when we come out of a really good movie. When you concider the heros you had in your youth, or even the heros you have today; when you see your community or your city acting inappropriately or not acting when they should, and your blood presure goes through the roof; what is it that you think Christ would do differently? Then, what is it you think you can do to change it? Perhaps, there is a good place to begin the pursuit of transformation.
“Jesus evidently felt deeply the emptiness and futility of much… religious talk. He was interested only in those emotions and professions which could get themselves translated into character and action. Words have always been the bane of religion as well as its vehicle. Religious emotion has enormous motive force, but it is the easiest thing in the world for it to sizzle away in high professions and wordy prayers . In that case, it is a substitute and counterfeit, and a damage to the Reign of God among men.”
Empowering One Another
“If you explore the life of things and of conditioned being you come to the unfathomable. If you deny the life of things and of conditioned being you stand before nothingness. If you hallow this life you meet the living God.”
Martin Buber
Several years ago I can remember reading a quote in Philip Yancey’s book ‘Reaching for an Invisible God’. He quoted Gregory of Nyssa at the end of a chapter saying “Concepts create idols, only wonder grasps anything.” Deep down I couldn’t help but feel as though we seem to have forgotten this fundamental truth. It seems more like we have so neatly packaged our church communities to be managed through methodological hierarchies so that if you maintained a certain degree of appearance you were considered “in” the church while if you did not measure up to a certain likeness you would find yourself on the “outside” of any church community and most likely, whether spoken or not, considered inferior to those who were in the church.
What happened to our wonder and awe at the amazing graces God worked through our dreams and passions? Have we so modernized the way “church” is done that we have forgotten God’s creative nature and his love for bringing out the redemptive power of grace through all people and cultures? I hope not.
In Acts 2:17-18 Peter quotes the prophet Joel saying, ““And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.” Peter’s and Joel’s prophesy was becoming a reality. Thousands of those who stood there before Peter were being thrust into seeing how their visions and their dreams were all apart of God’s plan. It was no longer about what the temple and priests could give them but, it was about how the kingdom of God was so very near to who they already were and were becoming. Their stories and testimonies were already describing the redemption and freedom Jesus was offering everyone through the power of the cross.
Bringing the gospel to others today is no different then it was two thousand years ago. James Kouzes wrote that, “People already have tremendous power. It is not a matter of giving people power – it’s liberating people to use the power and skills they already have. It’s a matter of setting them free, of expanding their opportunities to use themselves in service of a common and meaningful purpose. What is often called empowerment is really just letting people loose, liberating them to use their power.” This is the story of the gospel at large. If we are to empower others, then we need to recognize and acknowledge the power to which is already in and working through their lives. Namely the presence of the Holy Spirit as we see him in their dreams, passions, and visions towards kingdom building. As we join relationally in that work with them we can begin a discipleship centered on Jesus as it is expressed through a communal relationship rather then individualistic gain.
How can we do this in a practical sense? Covenants are perhaps one of the best examples given throughout scripture which unit both God and people as well as people with other people. God created a covenant with Abraham to bless him and his people (Gen. 22:15-18) which united them eternally (Ps. 105:8, 10; Isa. 54:10) and was continually referred back to throughout the story of the gospel (Isa. 51:2; Acts 7:2-3; Heb. 11:8).We as Christ’s followers share in this covenant anew through our discipleship of Jesus (Rom. 11:25-36) but it must be affirmed through a personal and intimate commitment. It is in essence a covenant we personally write ourselves to and with God. When we are in covenant with God we naturally become committed to one another regardless of recognition or not as Paul says in Romans 11:28-29, “As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
With All of Your Soul – Faith Lived Out Through Holistic Practice
Ed Stetzer writes in his book ‘Planting Missional Churches’ that, “The most surprising news of postmodernity is that postmoderns are on a ‘spiritual search and not an intellectual quest.’ They’re willing to take that quest with Christians, if we’re genuine and live a holistic faith.” This is not a new concept which he is acknowledging but rather a reawakening of what Jesus was asking of us when he said to love God with all of our soul.
Harper’s Bible Dictionary articulates that by asking for the individual soul’s expression of love, “God expects to be loved with the totality of one’s being” A totality which includes ones mind, spirit, and body. Paul Achtemeier was quoted writing, “Generally, the Bible suggests that humans have visible and invisible sides. The terminology, however, is mixed: on the one side, ‘flesh,’ ‘body,’ ‘members,’ ‘outer person’; on the other, ‘soul,’ ‘spirit,’ ‘mind,’ ‘inner person.’ And the two suit and interpenetrate each other, so that physical organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and bowels function on behalf of the inner consciousness. The brain does not get the credit modern science gives it, and clean distinctions among thinking, feeling, and willing are absent (e.g., the heart thinks and wills, as well as feels).”
The church traditionally seems to lean heavily on the need to follow Christ from an internal or invisible standing. It would rather promote intellectual exercises of knowledge building and spiritual developments toward worship practices. They would ask members to take part in ‘Spiritual Gift Networking’ classes and to take part in activities centered on prayer groups and Bible Studies; all of which have value and are apart of the soul but they seem to miss the very physical identities and needs that each person encounters as a whole complete being.
The church today in essence seems to have fallen pray to the same temptation that the early church in Corinth did by believing our physical bodies and its properties too have little to no value and instead abuse them without care, expecting Christ like transformation only to be spiritual and internal in nature. Bruce Winter describes the Corinthians saying, “Being people of the spirit, they imply, has moved them to a higher plane, the realm of the spirit, where they are unaffected by behavior that has merely to do with the body.” Paul’s answer is quick and to the point, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
If we are to love God with all of our soul it must be embraced through a holistic practice of caring for, training, equipping, and worshiping him through every part of our being: Body, Mind, and Spirit.
With All of Your Heart: Seeking Christ Like Character From the Inside Out
“The heart is the center of emotions, feelings, moods, and passions. Equated with the heart are joy (Deut. 28:47; Acts 2:26), grief (Ps. 13:2; Lam. 2:11), ill-temper (Deut. 15:10), love (Phil. 1:7), courage (2 Sam. 17:10; Ps. 27:14), and fear (Gen. 42:28).” The heart of an individual defines both the positive and negative psyche he or she may experience through life and is not the bubbly wishy washy moments which to often are expected by many Christians. God loves and wants to know every deep inner part of you including the ups and down moments which seem toughest to experience.
The Psalmist David was quick to share the times of anger and frustrations which he experienced while running from King Saul in the wilderness. At the same time, I imagine Moses arguing and pleading with God over the frustrations he experienced while leading the Israelite people. In my own life, it is difficult to acknowledge the battles and struggles over being in a wheelchair to which I face daily, however, I know God is right there beside me as I weep and push on.
In his book ‘Fan the Flame’, Joseph Stowell says the “Heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person. It is the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It has been described as “the place of conscious and decisive spiritual activity,” “the comprehensive term for a person as a whole; his feelings, desires, passions, thought, understanding and will,” and “the center of a person. The place to which God turns.”
Loving God with our hole heart means we are acknowledging and embracing him first internally through each moment being lived out with truthful emotion, passion, desire, and a deliberate conscious effort to acknowledge and engage with his presence with a spirit of authenticity at all times.
Loving God: Pursuing His Utmost With Our Utmost
At the core of all things Jesus tells us that we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Love at first seems a simple term however; the love that Jesus describes seems to be lost in the translation.
By the English definition love is described as a “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties or affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests.” This kind of love seems tied to an understanding that it is a reactional response to something which is mutually experienced, beneficial or acquired between two individuals. Love is something which is earned through a relational development rather then a characteristic which is always present.
Although often interpreted this way by many unsuspecting believers this is not what Jesus meant when he called us to love God. The love which Jesus asks of us is in the Greek form of ἀγαπάω love which has the deeper meaning of “a God like love that loves regardless of the circumstances, a deliberate love that decides it will keep loving even if it is rebuffed. We are challenged to live out the highest love and to do so with the highest sincerity. Our love is to be genuine, not counterfeit.”
This is a love which seems most difficult to instill in the hearts of many people today. It is as though we do not trust that it has already been created within us. With the wear and tear of a consumeristic, competitive, self driven, and fallen society we have callused the relational sides of our hearts and hidden, even from ourselves, our own identities of ἀγαπάω love and the connection to which it gives us to God. In spite of this, the apostle Paul is still right in saying, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” We may hide from the love which is in our hearts but love is always present. Jesus knew this and calls us to acknowledge, revel, and bring that love to the surface of everything we do.
Mrs. A. E. Janzen describes the story of a college professor by saying, “A college president not long ago made this arresting statement to a class of graduating seniors: “It gets easier and easier for man to dominate his universe … and harder for him to dominate himself.” He went on to say, “It matters little what you learn or express if in the end you cannot find some ways of working things out with your neighbors.” We cannot dominate the universe, but, with God’s help, we can dominate ourselves.”
Similarly, Michael Frost quotes Vaclav Havel, “There is such an enormous gap between our words and deeds. Everyone talks about freedom, democracy, justice, human rights, and peace; but at the same time, everyone, more or less, consciously or unconsciously, serves those ideals only to the extent necessary to defend and serve his own interests, and those of his group and state. Who should break this vicious circle? Responsibility cannot be preached: it can only be borne, and the only possible place to begin is with oneself.”
Both Janzen’s story and Vaclav’s articulation point to the truth that love is not something which we can earn or acquire from God or others but is rather a conscious choice which we are free to express starting solely within ourselves. We are free to express love by choice and are not confined to expressing it through a consumeristic “what do I get out of it” mentality.
Loving God first starts by the words and deeds we begin within ourselves allowing others to see the transformation to which we experience and freeing them to recognizing God’s love within them. It starts by loving God with all of our heart by seeking the incarnation of Christ like character from the inside out and then extending that love outwards to all of our soul by living faith as a holistic expression of who God created us to be.
More Happy Quads
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m a member of an endangered species – one of the remaining members of the happy, well-adjusted, “just glad to be alive person with a severe disability” tribe. Now I’m not Marry Poppins, and I don’t go around singing show tunes all day, but I’m definitely genuiunely loving my life these days – even though I’ve been a wheelchair-using quadriplegic for the past twelve years.”
Barry Lindemann – ‘The Happy Quad’ (Spinal Columns Magazine 2007 Summer Issues Page 34)
This past weekend I was flipping through the most recent release from Spinal Columns and I came across an article by my fellow quad and friend Barry Lindemann. I have known him ever since we were floormates in the same wing of the old General Hospital shortly after we were both injured in 1994. Actually, he might not know this but I once took his electric wheelchair for a joy ride when he went home one weekend to visit his family. Man, I think I set some speed records!!!
Anyways, his article was a personal reflection to what it meant for him to be a quad and face life with a positive and Happy outlook. Beautiful to listen too and Barry, if you get to read this I hope you take heart in knowing that you are not alone in being a “happy, well adjusted, ‘just glad to be alive person with a severe [physical challenge]‘”. Reading Barry’s thoughts, emotions, and insights really led me to reflect on my own resons as to why we can all be “Happy Quads”; which I hope to perhaps convey and express here.
Live life to the holistic utmost of all of your abilities. I think to often we tend to submit to this unwritten prejudice that if “part” of are body doesn’t work we will neglect and suspend any physical activity at all. We tend to ask others to do for us rather then doing things ourselves not so much because we can’t do it but because it is easier to and/or quicker to have someone else do it instead.
It might sound radical but, why not try and make the the bed yourself, or cook rather then ordering in, or push up that impossible hill no matter how long it takes. When we are willing to embrace the challenge with a positive solution, regardless of new technique or time frame, that is when miracles happen and we end up blowing our own minds away at the possibilities and abilities to which we have!
Serve to bring a positive transformational presence to your community, city, and the people around you. I have a close friend who several years ago commited to going to Poland with a group of students and serving with a team that would teach English as a second language to a group of school kids. Thing was, he was born with Cerebral Palsy and would be spending the majority of the traveling time negotiating wheelchair access and/or the lack there of. Despite these challenges, he made an impact that will forever change and inspire the lives of the kids he taught not to mention the other students that traveled with him throughout the country side.
We can make a difference whereever we are. It might be standing up for the care and treatment of those in group homes and institutions, by writting and speaking to our representitives in the government. Maybe, we can join community or social programs dedicated to saving and taking better guardianship of our natural resources and the environment. It can even be as simple as saying you will go down once a month and serve at the Mustard Seed.
By being willing to serve others outside of our own needs we can find strength and encouragement while dealing with our own sufferings and life obstacals. Francis of Assi once said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” We can no longer afford to wait in our living rooms, watching TV and dreaming about what we could and should do. Intead we can go out into our communities and city, serve to make a positive transformational presence, and witness the joy and happiness it brings to our own hearts and minds.
Pursue and Embrace the passions, visions, and dreams that are deep down within your heart. I honestly believe that each one of us has at least one dream or passion that is sometimes buried deep within us and is despritley trying to be expressed through our pursuites and goals. Sometimes though, I think we suppress these hopes thinking we can never accomplish them because of our own physical challenges. It is true, we may face larger, more complicated issues then others who do not have these challenges but even if we pursue those dreams in different ways then the accepted “normal” way, we can find that the pursuite itself brings us even greater joy and excitment.
In the summer of 2004, Vancouver’s own Brad Zdanivsky embraced and tackled his dream to be able to go Mountain climbing inspite of being a quadriplegic. Growing up he had always enthusiastically been envolved with rock climbing. He had even been spending years before the summer of 2004 preparing and developing the equipment and proper techniques that he would need in order to scale a Mountain side. Finally, it had all paid off and Brad’s dream became a reality when he and a group of friends together climbed Mount Squamish Chief. His impossibilities became his exemplified abilities; and his dreams became his reality!
David the Psalmist had a dream, Ghandi had a dream, Mother Theresa had a dream, Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, Brad Zdanivsky has a dream, I have a dream, and yes you too have a dream! Together we can pursue each others dreams; encouraging, developing, equiping, and experienceing all the joy and happiness that comes out of them.
“All the way to heaven is heaven.”
Cathrine of Siena (1347-1381)
Seek out the real truth in all things beyond the expectations and false realities that this world and society profess to you. Over two thousand years ago there was a wise man named Paul who writting to a young follower of his gave the advice to “Fight the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) It was a deep belief in following truth and not what this society or world enforced or dictated as a false reality.
Yes, I know, if you have looked around at the other articles that I have published on this site it is true that I myself am a Christian and follow a belief in Jesus as the embodyment of absolute Truth and as such we can then all be in relationship with him in a subjective and contextualized understanding. However, when I say seek out the real truth in all things I am not saying that you must conform to the concepts which express my faith. No, I am encouraging and attempting to persuade you to continually ask yourself the deeper questions which shape and lead to your own beliefs and faith.
I suppose my resoning for saying this is because after years of being in a wheelchair myself, I have seen so many people who have faced physical challenges, for whatever reason, and simply assumed the conclusion that life is over and they are unable to take part in any envolvement with the people around them as a result of believing in a world view that excludes people who face such physical issues (few, that was a mouth full).
It is true, we live in a society that dictates that people with physical challenges are some how less capable then the rest of the average population. Their are people who will descriminate and be less accepting of us (people with physical challenges) and most likely persecute us because of it. There is a corporate “spirit” if you will, that can and sometimes will exploite the lifestyles created by our new physical needs (those of you on AISH or apart of any government or political subsidy or have delt with any Home Care Product Need know exactley what I am saying I’m sure!)
These are all false social expectations and realities! They may be practiced and repeatedley thrust into our face but, they are wrong and untruthful. We as people, as human beings have an even greater power then to accept these falsehoods that most people go through life without being aware of. We have the power to choose!!! To ask the real questions like “Why can’t I do this?” – “How can I do this?” – “Who am I really?” – and “What purpose can I fulfill as a created being?”
Several years ago I can remember watching a really popular show called ‘The X-Files‘ and every time they show the beginning credits they would include this quote; “The Truth is Out There“. The Truth really is out there but if we really want to find it, we have to get out there too! We have to be willing to ask the really tough questions and accept the fact that even if people do not accept the realities of our truthfulness we are still in a relationship with them and over time and hard effort we can bring about positive transformation resulting in existential joy.
I suppose that is enough to say for now when I think of what brings me happiness. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Barry Lindemann my quad brother and friend for making me ask that deeper tougher question myself. This list is also far from complete and perhaps, you are now asking yourself the question; “What makes you HAPPY?”
Tired: Bed rest is not all that it is cracked up to be!!!
Being stuck on bed rest for the last week has been making me stir crazy!!! I am becoming quit TIRED of it!!!
Reflections to ‘The Gathering’: Who Are the Nicodemus’ of Our Society Today?
This morning I read a terrific blog entry by Scott a recent church planter here in the Calgary area as he shared a radically different picture to what the gathering looks like. I quote:
“The gathering begins as this odd assortment of people sit in a large circle (the people consist of the homeless, students, proffesionals, christians and non-christians). Everyone is made to feel welcome and new folks are warmly introduced and invited into the community. A song or two usually kicks off the evening as someone plays the piano and everyone sings a classic hymn. My uncle then opens with a corny, cheesy joke and then tells stories and illustrates the gospel and God’s truth through real life events. A prayer closes the evening and then everyone takes their place for the evening to serve and minister to those who need food and shelter.” (Click Here for the Full Article)
What a great picture of the gathering!!! Seeing this kind of view to encountering fellow travelers at the well, I can’t help but feel a connective significance to the character of Nicodemus in John 3 and the wonderful sense of freedom, grace and acceptance he must have felt with Jesus and the other disciples.
Of course I then find myself asking the question; if I am in the “temple Pharisee” of today (as Hirsch would say a “bounded set church” rather then a “centered set church”) what answer shall I give Jesus when he calls for me to be “born again” and join in the gathering of Christ followers? In truth, like Nicodemus, my heart leaps with excitement and anticipation yet at the same time I stumble in fear at the thought of my family and friends reactions not to mention the uncertainty of any future realities!
My fear comes from this sense that any kind of open view of worship, like that which was expressed above, would be found to radical and push me to the boundries of unacceptance in the community I am already in. At the same time I see and recognize those who long to free themselves from these bondages of “atractional church” yet are unsure or unaware of anything outside of the acceptable model to what it means to be a Christian.
In honesty, I can’t help but wonder if many Nicodemus’ like myself exist in the church today (both in the shape of church staff and “laymen”) but, are unable or unwilling to take the next step because of that fear as to how wives, children, family, frinds, and even Church community, will react. Perhaps, they might even find themselves practiceing some form of twisted missional emergent “ministry” under the umbrella of the name and logo but, find its freedoms still within the confines of bounded set church expectations; either unware by delussional practice or acknowledged without the ability of knowing what they themselves can do outside of their scholarly traditions. Admittingly, I can see this as part of my own fears.
Dispite the fear, my heart also leaps at the excitment of letting go of all the “church” baggage and truly seeking out a missional calling and what it means to be a follower of the incarnational Christ. It brings this glimps and sweet taste of seeing everything as new and “real” in every sense of the word while giving a true sense of purpose and directional fulfillment. The diversity of encountering God’s creation and interacting and connecting with people and the environment is no longer limited by the burdens of self impossed expectations or outer obligations and instead is given a freedom to relational interconnection through the human condition and the journey of mutual Christ centered salvation.
No wonder Nicodemus and those who spent time with Jesus so long ago could not wait for his return! No wonder that in the authentic gatherings of today we still sense that awsome encounter and foster that longing and desire for Christ’s return! How glories and wonderful that Gathering will be!!!
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
Expressions
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years By Donald Miller
Eternity in Their Hearts By Don Richardson
Follow Me to Freedom By Shane Claiborne & John Perkins
Journey to Significance By Neil Cole
Organic Leadership By Niel Cole
Forge Canada
Friend of Missional
Missional Apologetics
The Missional Network
Verge Network
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