BLeach

In Line for Star Trek

Stick to your Notes

On Sunday, while preaching about the importance of mutual submission in relationships, a metaphor popped into my mind.  So I went with it...

My wedding was a crucifixion!

As soon as I said it I realized the analogy has its limitations:)  So I quickly added, "Except it was happier, and less bloody!"

Fortunately, our church shared a good laugh and my understanding wife has a terrific sense of humor.

Here was my point. Some men want their wives to submit, but they don't want to die.

Marriage will beat the selfishness out of you. The day you get married is the day you die to yourself and choose to live for someone else. It's a beautiful exchange that ultimately leads to surprising satisfaction.

Submission is actually freeing. To submit to God, a spouse, the scriptures, or a small group is to be freed from the awful burden of always needing things to go your way. Seriously, I'm convinced self-absorbed people are the most miserable people on the planet! If your happiness is tied to getting your own way, you're bound for a life of constant disappointment. Some people are still angry today because thirteen years ago one thing didn't go their way.

Imagine being freed from that burden by finding joy in yielding to others.

Think Tank Notes

Last night I met with a group of creative thinkers who love the church to dream about ministry opportunities in a down economy.  Together we tackled five questions:

• What opportunities exist for the church to accomplish our mission during a recession?
• How should our approach to discipleship be impacted?
• How should our approach to outreach be impacted?
• How can the church best assist people who are losing jobs and houses?
• What is Jesus saying to His bride in Metro Detroit?

It was two hours of great discussion and prayer!  There are four words that still stand out to me.

Awareness: The church (which is the people) can't meet each other's needs if they don't know what those needs are.  We talked about developing a website, a catalog, or even a simple bulletin board where people can post their needs as well as the resources they have available to help others (finances, talents, skills, time, etc). I think small groups become even more critical, since they are an intimate setting in which people can be real about their needs in relationship with people who are committed to lifting each other up.

Practical Discipleship: When money is tight we've got to teach people to live on less.  That means teaching on budgeting, cooking, and strategic shopping (fancy word for coupons).  We can do classes, but I think the better approach is life on life mentoring. 

Partnership: If the economy continues to struggle for some time, it will become more and more important for churches to cooperate by sharing resources rather than competing for them.

Hope: The Great Depression didn't just refer to a depressed economy.  The term describes what happens to people emotionally.  It is obvious that problems like disappointment, depression, fear, anxiety, and hopelessness are on the rise in our city.  This is an opportunity for the church because we're hope dealers.  It's time for a hope campaign.

Thanksgiving: If you focus on your problems long enough you start to think that's all there is.  But let's be honest.  Even in a recession we've got it better than most of the world.  We're surrounded every day by real, tangible, gifts from God.  It's time to stop complaining and start drawing closer to Jesus through praise and thanksgiving.

Ready to Graduate!

Women in Ministry Quotes

I'm streaky with Twitter.  I tend to post more when I'm traveling and sitting.  So I was a bit more active yesterday during my various flight delays. 

I especially enjoyed following Geoff Surratt while he posted updates from Nancy Beach's talk at the Orange Conference.  Here are some of my favorites:

• God has created many women to be leaders and teachers and he didn't make a mistake.
• Whether complementarian or egalitarian we all need to approach the subject with more grace and humility.
• Churches not using women leaders is like soldiers fighting with one hand tied behind their backs.
• Men need the blessing and guidance of women leaders as well as men leaders.
• If you don't listen to and seek the wisdom of women leaders in your church you are a bonehead (not sure if that one's from Nancy or Geoff).
• On sexual attraction between male and female leaders: "Sorry guys, we're just not that into you."
• Sometimes the greatest barrier in the church to women leaders are other women.

Geoff is posting some great links again today from the conference.  Follow him here.  And you can follow my irregular tweets here:)