Mike McLoughlin's Blog

Making a Real Commitment to a Real Conversation For The Sake of Real Community

Mike McLoughlin — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 13:10:55 -0700

Last week, I posted an article on Making the Hard Decision to Care Covenantally for My Church Family. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Being mindful of the need to prove what I say by acting upon it, I ask: how am I embodying the change I wish to affect at New Life church?

Firstly, I need to make a tangible commitment. I met with my pastor and his wife and offered to volunteer where they needed help. They suggested perhaps I could help in evangelism. YIKES! I thought that is the last thing I want to do! Honestly, I am not an evangelist. I don’t have a passion for evangelism. I can’t remember when the last time was that I lead somebody to the Lord. If there is one opportunity at church that I would avoid like the plague it would be evangelism. Whenever our pastor preached on evangelism my wife and I would feel like crawling under our respective chairs to hide ourselves! In fact, after more than 18 years at the church, evangelism, is the only ministry (other than dance J) that I have not been involved in at New Life.

So I am wondering what's my problem with evangelism? I am not alone. Most local churches need help with evangelism. Why is that and what does one do about it?

Perhaps the reason I get squirmy about evangelism is that I just can't see myself recruiting people to the church as it is now. Nor can I see myself trying to convince people of a message I am not sure really does justice to who Jesus is and was, especially 'The Four Spiritual Laws' version. Finally, the traditional Evangelical and Pentecostal approaches for evangelism, I think, are a set up for failure in today's culture. Hurling truth propositions at people from a great distance; confronting them with their mortality and the possibility of eternal damnation; and then promising them power in Jesus name for healing the sick, but when the crunch comes being unable to deliver on that power because nothing changes when we pray. These approaches are all 'non starters' for your post modern pagan.

Is this really what Jesus had in mind when he said to his disciples "As the Father sent me, even so I send you."? I don't think so. (For more on that check out Rob Bell's NOOMA DVD series especially the one entitled The Bull Horn Guy.) In fact, perhaps a better evangelism strategy would be for the church to confess its sins to the world and seek forgiveness for not being more Christ-like in its approach to communicating the gospel. (See Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality for more on that idea.)

So secondly, I need to talk about doing local church differently. What is wrong with the local church? What is right? Why this crisis of confidence in church? What's up?

Let this conversation go beyond the order of service, the orientation of chairs or the worship style. Let's go deeper: What is the purpose of local church? What is the local church THERE for? Is it primarily for the benefit of members? Is it for spiritual feeding once a week? A worship extravaganza? Prayer for emotional or physician healing? Who does the church exist FOR anyway?

Archbishop William Temple once said, "the church is the only voluntary society that exists for the benefit of its NON members." (emphasis mine) Is that statement true? How does that play out for a local church? What does that look like at New Life? What are we doing for our NON members? How are members oriented towards non members? Does the word 'evangelism' describe that orientation or are there better words? How about words like 'friendship', 'generosity', 'service', or 'hospitality'.

So many questions, not many answers. Let's be careful not to presume we can figure it all out, that we can solve all the problems of the local church with one bright idea. Let's start with questions that encourage a deep dialogue with one another. Let's talk about the things that give us hope and the things that disappoint us. Let's be open, honest and frank about our expectations and what is realistic. Let's talk about the things that are really important to us, that really matter, our friendships, our families, our love for God, our heart for the poor, our concern for justice, our longing for God's presence. Let us cry out with the psalmist, "Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me, let them bring me to thy holy hill and to thy dwelling!" (Psalms 43:3)

Talking assumes a third thing that needs to be done: community. This is not the kind of community that occurs at the church potluck. This is cathartic community: community where we are deeply honest with one another, where we face our short comings together, where we bring it all up onto the table, where we take off the masks and we get REALLY real: vulnerable and transparent. It is community where we see people's hearts, their pain, their tears, and their joy. We groan with each other, we weep with each other, and we so value each other that we forgive each other.

This is the kind of community that is a love shaped community. Love is the 'heart shaped' keyhole that God wants to pull us all through as a church at New Life. It is a time in which we are all pressed together so that we come out on the other side, one with another.

It is the kind of authentic community we all long for but are too afraid to risk our reputations to bring about. Well, I for one am ready to jettison my reputation so that I can get real with my church family. How about you?

Perhaps then we will win the lost because ...

This New Life - God's Future For the World Come Forward in Jesus & By the Spirit

Mike McLoughlin — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 14:42:19 -0700

Last weekend I had a conversation with a fellow who is an ex evangelical. After high school he got very involved in the Open Bible Church movement. After a few years though he became disillusioned and left the church. Today he doubts that Jesus even existed.

I must admit I was a little taken aback when he denied there ever was such a person as Jesus. His explanation for the existence of Christianity is that it is a self generated religion. In essence, what I heard from him was that Christians simply made it all up.

It seemed to me that much faith is required to deny the Historicity of Jesus and even more faith to think Christianity is self generated.

A number of non Christians historians from the first & second centuries do make passing references to Christians.

Had these pagan observers read the New Testament, though, they would have been amazed at the claims Christians made about themselves. According to the four gospels, Christians saw themselves as the principle agents by which the God who created the whole cosmos, heaven and earth, was at work in the world. In fact, according to one of their leaders, God intended to bring the whole world together under the authority and leadership of their founder, Jesus. (Ephesians 1:10). According to the New Testament, God had a future for the world and it was to come about through Christianity.

From the outside this claim would seem preposterous, even megalomaniacal. Christians would be considered delusional concerning their own power and importance. Upon what basis would reasonable or rational people develop such incredible ideas? Reading the New Testament one cannot help but think that the authors of these books are intelligent people. How then could they make such claims?

Their claims were not fanciful notions, as atheists assert, but were based upon certain experiences that the early Christians presently enjoyed. They believed they were no longer subject to the cosmic authorities that dominated their world, in particular, they were not subject to the Emperor or the worship of that Emperor. This is one of the complaints that turns up in the writings of Pliny the Younger, who tests the faithfulness of Christ followers by having them burn incense to the Emperor. (See The Letters of Pliny the Younger).

Not only were they not subject to ruling imperial authorities, they believed they were not even subject to ruling ontological authorities, in particular, the authority of death. They believed in and had as their current experience, the idea of salvation. Salvation was not something that happened to them a long way into the future, but it was a current reality. In it they found freedom, boldness, faith, hope and love.

These concepts generated very odd behaviors. Instead of weeping at funerals, they celebrated. (1 Thess. 4:13). Instead of succumbing to despair at persecution they submitted to trials with joy. (James 1:2). Rather than resentment in relationships they preferred one another over their own interests. (Phil. 2:1-3).

Further, the experience that generated these grandiose ideas of changing the world was something that came from outside of themselves. As Luke Timothy Johnson puts it in his book, The Writings of The New Testament,

If we try to cut deeper beneath the symbolization, we see that the Christian experience had to do with power: the Christians said they had been touched by an awesome force that in turn empowered them—a particularly paradoxical claim given their circumstances.

The terms for this power are various. It can be called

Ø an authority (exousia; see John 1:12; 1 Cor. 8:9; 9:4; 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10; 2 Thess. 3:9),

Ø an energy (energeia; see 1 Cor. 12:6, 11; Gal. 3:5; 5:6; Eph. 3:20–21; Col. 1:29; 1 Thess. 2:13; Phlm. 6; Heb. 4:12), or

Ø a power (dynamis; see Rom. 1:16; 15:13, 19; 1 Cor. 1:18; 6:14; 2 Cor. 6:7; 13:4; Gal. 3:5; Eph. 3:20; Col. 1:29; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:7; Heb. 2:4; 2 Pet. 1:16).

This power manifested itself outwardly in certain “signs and wonders” (Acts 4:30; 5:12; 14:3; Rom. 15:19; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:4) such as healings, prophecies, and spiritual utterances, but above all in the proclamation of the “good news” (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; 2:4; 2 Cor. 4:7; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:8; James 1:21).

It also manifested itself inwardly by the spiritual transformation of those who received it (Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 2:16; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 3:5; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10; 1 Pet. 1:22).

This power, finally, was not of their own doing, but was transmitted to them from another to whom it properly belonged (Rom. 1:4; 16:25; 1 Cor. 1:24; 5:4; 12:3; 2 Cor. 1:4; 6:7; 12:9; 13:4; Eph. 3:16, 20; Phil. 3:10, 20–21; 2 Tim. 1:7; Heb. 5:7; James 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:5; 2 Pet. 1:16; Jude 24). None of the elements listed here is found in the NT as a goal for which one is to strive; rather, each appears as a dimension of one’s present life. The relationships, states, dispositions, and transformations are experienced, not just desired. The case is succinctly stated by Paul: “The Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20).

Because of this new empowerment, Christians believed they represented something entirely new ...

Empowering A New Generation To Lead God’s Church Into the Future.

Mike McLoughlin — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 23:53:05 -0700

I was asked to present at a ICWM Roundtable in late August on the topic “The Next Generation: Are We Missing the Boat? A look at the next generation and what we need to do to equip them.”

As I was preparing for the event, New Life Church Kelowna, was going through a heart wrenching transition in leadership. (See The Power of Forgiveness). David Ruis, a founding pastor of New Life, preached the Sunday before I left for Virginia Beach & the Roundtable. His message concerned ministry ownership. Ministry at New Life was owned and animated by God not by particular individuals or groups. This reminded me of a 1989 prophecy he had about New Life. (Note: Main Street is the building we occupy.)

“I can see Main Street, and I can see hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people with their hands in the air and they’re twisting and turning and all praising and adoration is going up to God and prayer. I see us all marching, the whole congregation, we are marching, but we are not just marching. Each person has someone on their shoulders and someone on their shoulders and someone on their shoulders. It’s like this is the foundation of a huge ministry that will touch the world. This is a foundation. This is a foundation. You must listen to my Spirit, you must do all the things that I tell you, you must move in the direction that I tell you to go. You must pray for unity, for solidity and stability, for this is the foundation for a huge outpouring of my Spirit and many, many, many, in the world will ride on the shoulders of this movement that is starting right now.”

This word reflects the calling for New Life to mobilize for global mission. If you visit our sanctuary you will notice it is surrounded by flags. These flags represent various nations where members of our congregation have ministered. (See If Mission is What the Local Church is There For, New Life Church Kelowna Serves as a Model).

As I reflected on Ruis’ message and prayed for the upcoming presentation at the Roundtable, I thought about those standing on my shoulders. I represent the ground level of the congregation. Upon my shoulders is the “next” level, or the “next generation”.

The question I was asking God is how am I providing them the foundation for their calling? How am I facilitating the stability and the solidity so that they can march forward?

His answer to me was “It’s not about the next generation following you into the future, Mike. It is about you following them into the future!”

“What do you mean, Lord?” I asked.

He answered, “You want to equip them for ministry, right?”

“Yes Lord, I do” I replied.

“So are you going to equip them for what I have called YOU to do OR are you going to equip them for what I have called THEM to do?”

“Well, I suppose I want to equip them for what you are calling them to do.

“Exactly, they are on your shoulders. They have been called by me to be the future of my church. Are they following you into the future or are you following them?”

“I am following them, Lord!”

“Okay, so ask them what I am calling them to, equip them, facilitate them, and provide them the unity, the solidity and the stability so that they can lead my church into the future.”

“Amen! Yes, Lord! Show me how I pray!”

So his direction has been for me to connect with the next generation, make myself available to them, begin the empowerment process as to how I can best be the shoulders for them to stand on so they can go forward into God’s future.

This morning was my first opportunity. A friend of mine and I met for breakfast with my 18 year old son, Ben, my nephew (in the Lord), Lumuno Mutungu (also 18) and their friend Jeff (17) for a conversation about faith.

It went well. We asked questions. We shared stories. We connected. So I think we are off to a good start.

If Mission is What the Local Church is There For, New Life Church Kelowna Serves as a Model

Mike McLoughlin — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 18:15:07 -0700

This is my fifth and final installment (I, II, III, IV) on George Barna’s book Revolution. While there is much in Barna’s book that generates comment, to help sharpen the focus of my discussion let's ask, what is the local church there for?

Barna’s answer defines his measures for local church performance. Local church is there for facilitating the seven spiritual passions of worship, ...

Alpha in the Workplace Conference set to go September 17th in Vancouver, Canada.

Mike McLoughlin — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 17:54:57 -0700

This conference is for everyone with a heart for seeing their workplace transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. Its aim is to equip delegates to run an effective Alpha in the Workplace course.

Program Coordinators will be:

SHAILA VISSER has been running Alpha in the Workplace courses in Vancouver for the last seven years. She joined Alpha International in 2003 to head up Alpha in the Workplace ...

Steve Camp thinks I am Misreading his Mind

Mike McLoughlin — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 21:19:39 -0700

I sent a copy of my article The Scandal of Steve Camp's Mind to Steve for his comments. He replied that I had misread his thinking and that he is very much in favor of the redemptive value of cultural engagement. Yet, in CampOnThis: Where in the World is the Church?...is Evangelical Co-Belligerence the Answer? he agrees with a quote from John MacArthur which states:

“You see, the church has ...

Blogging my way out of Writer's Block

Mike McLoughlin — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 12:30:32 -0700

I am having a bad case of writers block. So, better to write about it than stew about it. I am writing a comprehensive paper on marketplace mission for a Masters of Christian Studies (MCS) program at Regent College in Vancouver. My professor is Paul Stevens, He is retiring as the Dean of Marketplace Theology concentration at the end of August.

Paul has been a mentor and ...

Blogging, Faith at Work and the Future of Capitalism.

Mike McLoughlin — Wed, 15 Jun 2005 20:45:44 -0700

I am having a conversation on the e mail with Jay Gary of the Christian Futures Network about blogging, faith at work, business as mission and the future of capitalism. Here it is in slightly edited format

Good to hear the "faith at work" movement is active, and self-reflective.

[MIKE REPLY:] Thanks. Blogging is a means to be self reflective in community with others. It's a great technology to connect ...

Why am I doing a Faith at Work Blog (a.k.a. FAWB)?

Mike McLoughlin — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 07:46:46 -0800

A Faith at Work Blog is a journal of one person’s faith engagement with the real world through work. It is theology in practice. Challenges at work, generate tension and questions. Faith goes looking for answers in God’s word through prayer. Theological reflection then informs response. Personal and workplace transformation are the result.

Some call this the hermeneutical circle. Interpretation begets understanding. Understanding begets action. Action begets transformation. Transformation doesn’t exactly ...

Jesus is risen from the dead! Therefore our work is not in vain!

Mike McLoughlin — Sun, 27 Mar 2005 08:29:59 -0800

Since our inception as human beings we have had a mandate from God to wisely order his good creation (Genesis 1:26). According to certain theologians this is a waste of time (see previous post) since we should really be investing our time in what lasts. Heaven is what lasts not earth, therefore, we must focus on spiritual growth and evangelism and not worry too much about mundane work. ...