Letters from the Field

Time To Say Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (Kristie K) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:13:00 +0000

Maybe we will come back later in another form. You can check our own individual blogs or look for us on facebook where we will have redeployed. Thanks for stopping by!

We NEVER get beyond the gospel

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:13:00 +0000

"We never “get beyond the gospel” in our Christian life to something more “advanced.” The gospel is not the first “step” in a “stairway” of truths, rather, it is more like the “hub” in a “wheel” of truth. The gospel is not just the A-B-C’s of Christianity, but it is the A to Z of Christianity. The gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we make all progress in the kingdom.
WE are not justified by the gospel and then sanctified by obedience but the gospel is the way we grow (Gal. 3:1-3) and are renewed (Col 1:6). It is the solution to each problem, the key to each closed door, the power through every barrier (Rom 1:16-17).

It is very common in the church to think as follows: “The gospel is for non-Christians. One needs it to be saved. But once saved, you grow through hard work and obedience.” But Colossians 1:6 shows that this is a mistake. Both confession and “hard work” that is not arising from and “in line” with the gospel will not sanctify you—it will strangle you. All our problems come from a failure to apply the gospel. Thus when Paul left the Ephesians he committed them “to the word of his grace, which can build you up” (Acts 20:32).

The main problem, then, in the Christian life I that we have not thought out the deep implication of the gospel, we have not “used” the gospel in and on all parts of our life. Richard Lovelace says that most people’s problems are just a failure to be oriented to the gospel—a failure to grasp and believe it through and through. Luther says (on Gal. 2:14), “The truth of the Gospel is the principle article of all Christian doctrine… Most necessary is it that we know this article well, teach it to others, and beat it into their heads continually.” The gospel is not easily comprehended. Paul says that the gospel online does its renewing work in us as we understand it in all its truth. All of us, to some degree live around the truth of the gospel but do new “get” it. So the key to continual and deeper spiritual renewal and revival is the continual re-discovery of the gospel. A stage of renewal is always the discover of a new implication or application of the gospel—seeing more of its truth. This is true for either an individual or a church."

-Tim Keller

We NEVER get beyond the gospel

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:13:00 +0000

Who Stole the Men?

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:21:00 +0000

Some disturbing stats (taken from Mark Driscoll's talk two weeks ago):

• There are 11-13 million MORE women Christians in the US than men

Women are:

• 100% more likely than men to be involved in DISCIPLESHIP
• 56% more likely than men to be involved in CHURCH LEADERSHIP
• 54% more likely than men to be involved in SMALL GROUPS
• 39% more likely than men to HAVE A NORMAL DEVOTIONAL/QUIET TIME
• 33% more likely than men to VOLUNTEER AT CHURCH
• 29% more likely than men to READ THEIR BIBLES
• 29% more likely than men to ATTEND CHURCH
• 29% more likely than men to SHARE THEIR FAITH
• 29% more likely than men to GIVE FINANCIALLY TO A CHURCH

If your heart doesn't break when you read those stats then... well I don't know but it is way sad.

So here are my TWO QUESTIONS:

1) What are we doing wrong? (including in Campus Crusade for Christ since we have men and women pass through our ranks)

2) What do we need to do to fix it? (Assuming you believe the kingdom of God is meant to be populated equally by men and women)

CCC Prez has the "Inside Story"

noreply@blogger.com (Rev) — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 01:28:00 +0000

Steve Douglas (CCCI Prez) is coordinating the “Inside Story” Conference this November 15-17.

Whether you know about the conference or not, or are familiar with its origins or not I think it is a worthy conference to take note of.

This particular conference was born out of a movement I have been following for a couple years. It was born out of the 2004 Lausanne Conference in Thailand as a special taskforce on “Making Disciples of Primary Oral Learners”. What came out of that meeting was the OneStory Partnership, the International Orality Network (or ION) and other key missions connections. I was at the 2005 International Orality Network Conference last year and I remember hearing that the following years the ION conference would branch into two conferences. One concerned with oral communicators internationally and another concerned with Secondary Orality in the postmodern West. The latter conference was called the “Inside Story" Conference for the postmodern or concrete-relational communicators. Steve Douglas has taken lead as coordinator for this conference.

Word is that Steve Douglas is going to talk about his own Bible narrative work in some university in Florida that he says can be turned into a effective and transferable model.

Check out the conference website for more info on what the conference aims at accomplishing. You might find this right up our alley as we need to constantly rethink effective gospel communication at Cal-Poly and elsewhere.
Any questions?

Any thoughts?

Missional Evangelism from iMonk

noreply@blogger.com (Kristie K) — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:27:00 +0000

Nevermind how I found this article at iMonk, but I did. I don't read iMonk regularly, so don't get the impression I agree with everything he says because I don't know what he says. But this article about the "Future of Missional Evangelism" is interesting.

I looked at one other article in his series "Physician Heal Thyself" and iMonk pits reformational evangelism against revivalist techniques. One thing I have noticed in this article and other reformed books on evangelism is that a false dichotomy is created in that either evangelism is "friendship/earn-the-right-to-be-heard" evangelism or else it is a hideous "bait and switch" type of evangelism.

In CCC, we have always been about taking the initiative to share the Gospel and then leaving the results to God...as the old saying went. But no CCC'er I have ever known likes the idea of lecturing people without listening or spending time putting on big "revival" meetings where we twist people's emotions. We hate that kind of stuff, amen?

Missional evangelism is appealing because it falls in line with what we already have seen is the most successful evangelism--friends introducing friends to Jesus....which involves opening your mouth and communicating with real words about Christ.

That is not to say we don't see people come to faith when sharing randomly on campus. I have a friend who came to faith at Cal Poly Pomona over 25 years ago after a staff person approached her during lunch and shared the 4-laws with her. My friend says she was just "ripe fruit" ready to be picked. God ordained for her to meet this staff person "doing randoms" near the stables one afternoon.

Of course, I hear some of you saying, "Yeah, that was 25 years ago....things were different." Yeah, I am an old guy. But remember what the Bible says about gray hair. Watch it.

Anyhow...that is not really my point.....it's just that I came across this article on Missional Evangelism and it articulates some of the things we have already been discussing.

A little encouragement...

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 04:36:00 +0000

This post recently by Piper encouraged me, so I thought I would share it with you all. Piper was feeling the pressure of comparison after his national conference and all the amazing speakers that were there. So in meditating on John 21:18-22 God led him to these conclusions:

"Book after book, conference after conference, DVD after DVD—telling me how to succeed in ministry. And all of them quietly delivering the message that I am not making it. Worship could be better. Preaching could be better. Evangelism could be better. Pastoral care could be better. Youth ministry could be better. Missions could be better. And here is what works. Buy this. Go here. Go there. Do it this way. And adding to the burden—some of these books and conferences are mine!

So I was refreshed by Jesus’ blunt word to me (and you): “What is that to you? You follow me!” Peter had just heard a very hard word. You will die—painfully. His first thought was comparison. What about John? If I have to suffer, will he have to suffer? If my ministry ends like that, will his end like that? If I don’t get to live a long life of fruitful ministry, will he get to?

That’s the way we sinners are wired. Compare. Compare. Compare. We crave to know how we stack up in comparison to others. There is some kind of high if we can just find someone less effective than we are. Ouch. To this day, I recall the little note posted by my Resident Assistant in Elliot Hall my senior year at Wheaton: “To love is to stop comparing.” What is that to you, Piper? Follow me."

You can read the full article here. It is worth your time, whether you are in ministry or not.

Fifties Evangelism Today

noreply@blogger.com (Jim) — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 04:48:00 +0000

Our recent team discussions about the ineffectiveness of our modern approach has been hard. We are having to admit that sharing the Four Laws like we did in the fifties is not working as well.

Bill Bright got it right back then for his generation. It was incredible. Contextualized and spot on. Things have changed and if Dr. Bright were alive now I think he would in his modern pragmatic view cheer us on to recontextualize again to our current culture.

We took a straw poll on our team and the majority of our conversions in the recent past have been predominantly Catholic. They have the Judeo-Christian world view still intact to work from - similar to the college student of the fifties.

The obvious nut to crack here is how to communicate the Gospel in our postmodern setting. As a general rule our students are great at sharing the "laws", but as products of their postmodern world, parental upbringing, church background are horrible at making friends and initiating in everyday encounters with non-believers.

We are actually thinking of teaching our students on basic social skills. "How to make friends" When our student leaders saw this they laughed. But then said they would come because they wanted to see what the staff would actually teach. If we adopt some new postmodern method to communicate (contextualize) the Gospel, there is still the awkward step of faith to say something about God much less Jesus, particularly when no one is watching.

I think sharing Christ a heart issue. Sharing about Jesus must come from a full heart centered on the cross and its implications. Out of a full heart of Jesus flows a desire to share.

Moderns are asking now: How do you get people to live this way much less measure it. Or is this just another Modern way of thinking? Is tracking effectiveness and taking statistics a Modern way of doing things? Scripture is full of number keeping. Singularly to give God the glory.

What do you guys think? I can't wait to talk more on Friday in our field staff meeting to figure this out.

My NEW Favorite Moment of the Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Alisha) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 04:30:00 +0000

Wow, today was full of amazing speakers. I can't even begin to get it down on the blog. Check out Challies for full reports on the talks until I can gather my thoughts, post, and ask you guys lots of questions. I've have a lot of thoughts and lots of questions, especially for our staff team. Read up on Tim Kellers talk so we can talk when we get home.

So, now for my new favorite moment...

After dinner took a little longer than we thought, we were a few minute late getting to the session, so we ended up sitting way up on top. A few minutes after we sat down, I noticed someone else squeezing in a little late in the row in front of us. I looked over and sure enough it was CJ Mahaney. I know ... crazy :) Then a few minutes later Joshua Harris joined him. I feel so blessed that they sat in front of us because it gave us an opportunity after the session to thank them for all they've done to encourage us in our walks with the Lord.

CJ's book, Living the Cross-Centered Life has had a profound impact on my life. DJ and I were able to tell CJ and encourage him with how much we have used the book in our movement. We had a great little conversation with him. It's funny because I've read his book twice and check his wife & daughters blog so I feel like I'm a friend of the family or something.

Anyway, I'm sure CJ wouldn't want me gushing over this because he's just a normal guy, but it really meant a lot of me to get to share those things with him.

Tomorrow we have the last session with Piper talking on Joy, so it should be a great way to finish the conference. More when we get home. Here's a picture from the top:

ps - we sat right up front for Driscoll today, here's a pic of that:

Desiring God National Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Alisha) — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 05:02:00 +0000

DJ and I along with Mer and Alex are in Minneapolis for the Desiring God National Conference which is on The Supremacy of Christ in the Post Modern World.

I forgot to bring my camera cord, so these are pictures off DJ’s phone - sorry for the low quality. I’m really tired after flying out here and an amazing night meeting with the Lord, so I’ll keep this short.

My top 3 things from my first night at the Desiring God Conference:

1. Christ-centered, God exalting worship! Every song we sung tonight was focused on Jesus and the cross. Worship was so easy because the words were an overflow from my heart and I didn’t have to translate them into worship while I was singing. (That’s another post for another day) Here’s the songs we sung: In Christ Alone, A Mighty fortress is our God, Doxology, Jesus Thank You, and one more I can’t remember. I love it!

2. A message that lifted my heart to Christ. An overview of Hebrews and how it exalts Christ as Supreme. Then he challenged us that this is the Jesus we are to preach no matter what context or setting we do it in. He highlighted a picture of Christ as already winning the battle and standing on the neck of the enemy, it was such a great reminder. We were reminded that the time we are in now is just the enemies last ditch efforts and attempts but he won't prevail. WOW, it made me love Jesus more!!! After the conference all the talks will be up on-line for free ... I’ll link to it so you can listen.

3. Highlight of the night - a panel discussion lead by Justin Taylor between Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, and John Piper (that’s the picture above). It was funny, entertaining, deep, profound, and so encouraging to my faith and ministry. My favorite part was when Justin Taylor asked the following question:

“Mark, you are all about being part of our culture, you listen to music, attend movies, go to Comedy clubs.

John, you don’t do any of that.

Mark, How do you stay faithful?

John, How do you stay relevant?”

Isn’t that the best question for these two guys! I couldn’t have asked a better question myself. I feel like I go back and forth between how to remain faithful and pure and still “be in the world” in order to share the gospel. It’s a tricky balance.

Challies is live blogging the conference so I’ll let you check it out his blog and read the full answer because I’m sure I can’t do it justice.

So there you go - I honestly can’t wait for tomorrow but more importantly I can’t wait to meet with Jesus and thank Him for the cross and worship Him as LORD! I’m guessing that is what they want most of all from the conference, so good job Desiring God!

This gets me excited

noreply@blogger.com (Alisha) — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:27:00 +0000

Article: New Missions Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Kristie K) — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:39:00 +0000

Hello Troops. I came across this article in Christianity Today online about college students and missions. What I found interesting is the observation that young folks these days today like the aspect of social justice....but often leave out the Gospel.

Unfortunately, many students today exhibit theological confusion. "Too many college students are not convinced about the exclusive claims of Christ and the eternal lostness of humanity," says Terry Erickson, InterVarsity's director of evangelism. "Students today are more grace-oriented than truth-oriented." Erickson notes that young people on missions trips today may not be articulating the gospel's promise of eternal salvation through Christ's death on the Cross as clearly as they are demonstrating their concern for social justice and compassion for the poor.

Interesting.

Interview with an Intern

noreply@blogger.com (Rellis) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:30:00 +0000

Q: So Rellis, you were one of the first people from Crusade I met as a freshman. Back then you were a student, then you came back from over seas as an intern on campus and you are soon to be "staffed" (sounds like a bad word huh?). Now that you are soon to be staffed, can you tell me why you like campus ministry so much?

A: College is a time of transition, change, and growth for everyone. For some, this process is slower than for others. Many students are living on their own for the first time and most are faced with opportunities they've never had before. College students typically also have goals for their future and are motivated to reach these goals. Investing in the lives of college students now really does have the potential to influence the world for Christ in the future. Students are challenged to question their beliefs and look inside for the answers. We know that if we truly look inside ourselves, we are not going to find the answers. We do find the problem, however- sin. I want to be a part of helping students really see this and realize their need for a Savior. My experience with Campus Ministry is that we are very focused on evangelism and getting the Gospel to lost students, here at Cal Poly and around the world. It is exciting to be used by God to help fulfill the Great Commission and it is when I am a part of ministry that I learn the most about God and myself. That's kind of a long answer, so in short: I like campus ministry because of the abundance of opportunities to share the Gospel, multiply my faith into other people, and cast vision for being part of God's global harvest.

Q: Tell me about your current ministry responsibilities with Campus Crusade for Christ?

A: I am currently an intern with Campus Crusade, just accepted to be full time staff after winter training. Since we're still in our summer break, I'll base my answer on my responsibilities during the last academic year and summer project.

I'll start with a list:

I co-lead a Target Area ministry in one of the residence halls with another new staff member

I co-lead a Target Area ministry in the business college with a student

I oversaw the campus finances

I helped with following up freshmen contacts from some of our summer outreaches to freshmen

I helped with campus administration for our ministry

I co-lead the summer project team to Central Asia this summer

This next academic year I will be adding "Partnership Coordinator" to my responsibilities

Is that what you meant?

If not, as new staff my main focus is evangelism, especially reaching out to freshmen. This focus doesn't really change much, but as I am discipling more girls, evangelism will eventually become more part of discipleship and not as much on my own.

Q: In what ways have you seen God's grace in the ministry at Cal Poly Pomona?

A: The example that comes to mind first is my target area in one of the residence halls on campus. The hall I was leading in has the reputation for being the party dorm and having students who are interested in trying out everything they couldn't do in high school. At the beginning of the year, I was pretty intimidated by the reputation of my target area. However, despite my fear in trying to reach this area on campus, God worked in mighty ways. Our first study had one girl who was having a VERY difficult time adjusting to university life. By the end of our first time together, my co-leader and I thought that she would never come back... but she did, and God has been faithful to show her His grace throughout the year. God also continued to move in the hearts of other girls in our target area and by the end of the school year, we had five girls coming consistently, seven had been through basic follow up (making sure they understand assurance of salvation, grace, growth, etc), and two of them went on summer projects with Campus Crusade. All of this was by the grace of God and I was blessed to be a part of God's work in these girls' lives first-hand.

Q: What are you personally hoping that God will do at Cal Poly this upcoming year(s)?

A: I am praying and trusting God to deepen the relationships the students have with each other and with Him, through doing ministry together, studying the word, and taking steps of faith together. I believe that God will use this to reach out to the freshmen class in a big way. I pray that students will see that the purpose of campus ministry is really turning LOST students into Christ-centered laborers which can be done in a multitude of ways, all of which are dependent on God for results.

Q: Now... you spent the summer overseas sharing the gospel with college students. Where did you go? And what was that like?

A: I went to a country in Central Asia that was formerly part of the Soviet Union. Although it was my third trip to the city in which we ministered, the summer was still different than I expected and challenging. I was on a team with 5 students, 4 staff, and 3 staff kids. No one except myself had previously been to the city or spoke the language. We were in a third-world country, but stayed in one of the 4 big cities in not third-world conditions. Living in another country for any period of time provides numerous opportunities to learn about God and to trust in Him. When you all of your usual coping mechanisms for stress are stripped away, you HAVE to trust in God to give you strength and motivation to continue. I still love the city and country we were in. I love my team. And I learned a lot about myself and God's faithfulness.

Q: Do you think it is important for college students to experience that kind of cross cultural ministry?

A: Absolutely. I think you can only learn so much about other cultures and people from books, movies, news, and other sources. But, until you have been in another country, doing ministry cross culturally, you can't really understand that part of God. Through each people group that I interact with, I am able to see more of God. The diversity that He created is incredible and the ways He appears in different cultures is so amazing. It's almost indescribable. Also, many students only understand the Great Commission in words, but they haven't made the heart connection yet. By experiencing ministry internationally and cross-culturally, I have seen many students first-hand gain a greater understanding of what it means to reach the lost people of the world with the Gospel.

Q: What do you think affects students the most in an overseas project?

A: Being away from everything and everyone they know, except God. This causes students to rely on Him completely and they realize that He is the only one in which they should be finding comfort anyway. The relationships with other students around the world also greatly affects students. Seeing the similarities of students around the world is eye-opening for many and heart-breaking for many. University students around the world share many struggles and dreams, but all need the Gospel in order to understand their purpose in life.

Q: Do you work closely with your staff team and student leaders? What do you like most about working with staffers and student leaders?

A: I am extremely privileged to work closely with my staff team and the student leaders on our campus. In fact, I have even chosen to live with one CORE student leader and four target area leaders. Our staff team is like a family, but not the dysfunctional kind that no one wants to spend time with. :) We share the Gospel together, do devotionals together, coach students together, launch movements together, and live relatively near each other. One of my favorite parts of being an intern at Cal Poly is the relationships I have with my staff team and the students. I am blessed to be working alongside such incredible people from whom I learn every day as we trust God to use us to share the Gospel with a lost and dying generation of apathetic college students.

Q: As you look to another Fall quarter what are major challenges that face the progress of Crusade ministry in "building spiritual movements everywhere, so everybody knows someone who truly follows Jesus"?

A: Looking at the ministry, what we do, and who we are, I think it is easy to get caught up in the relationships that we build as a result of doing ministry together. It is natural to "stick together" in trying situations and it is a lot easier to hang out with believers all the time rather than pouring out your life into non-believers. The problem with this is that as Christians, we tend to gravitate towards other believers becoming inward focused. When we spend all of our time doing activities (spiritual or not) with other believers, we are not providing opportunities to develop relationships with the people who still need to know Jesus. What we constantly need to do is stay focused on God and His glory as we LOOK outward and REACH outward to the non-believers surrounding us.

The Gospel as Relevant and Offensive?

noreply@blogger.com (Rev) — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 22:33:00 +0000

Do you have ministry heroes? People who lift up Jesus in a powerful, life changing and biblical ways? Some of my ministry heroes are the organizers for the 2006 Together for the Gospel Conference. These are four ministry leaders from different church and denominations who want to encourage other ministry leaders to have a gospel-focused ministry.

One of them, Mark Dever, a pastor of a small but influencial church in Washington DC has posted a piece about evangelism at the Together for the Gospel blog. Its about being relevant with the gospel while understanding that relevant doesn't always mean the gospel isn't offensive at times

Here is a snippet of the post here.

When you share the Gospel, think carefully about the language you use. One of the best conversations I can remember having about evangelism was with a secular Jewish friend of mine. I was to give talks soon on a college campus about evangelism. And I decided to ask my friend about it. We’ll call him “Michael.” (In fact, that was his name!) “So Michael,” I said, “have you ever been evangelized?” “What’s that?” he asked. “You know,” I said, “when someone who is a Christian starts talking to you about God and Jesus and asking if you’re saved.” “Oh, that!” he said. “Yeah, I guess I have been.” Anyway, Michael and I got into a long and good conversation. Now, the truth is that I had evangelized Michael a number of times before then, but he thought those were conversations. As we talked about it, he thought evangelism was something that someone did to him. And he didn’t understand it very well.

I realized in talking with him that I couldn’t take the meaning of words for granted. “God”, “prayer”, “heaven”, “good”, “moral”, “judge”, “sin” were all words which I realized I had not done a good job defining. I could have misunderstood what Michael thought if I had simply gone through a quick, persuasive sales presentation and gotten him to say “Yes!” He would have been saying “yes” to much that he didn’t understand....

One part of clarity sometimes missed by earnest evangelists, however, is the willingness to offend. Clarity with the claims of Christ certainly will include the translation of the Gospel into words that our hearer understands, but it doesn’t necessarily mean translating it into words that our hearer will like. Too often advocates of relevant evangelism verge over into being advocates of irrelevant non-evangelism. A gospel which in no way offends the sinner has not been understood. Look at Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2. He wanted to be relevant. But that relevance gave his words more bite, not less. How did Peter witness to those he wished to see saved? He said to them, among other things, “let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ,” (Acts 2:36).

Relevant? Yes. Pleasing? No. Clear? Undoubtedly.

Be clear about the fact of sin (Isa. 59:1-2; Hab. 1:13; Rom. 3:22-23; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; I John 1:5-6). Be clear about the meaning of the cross (Matt. 26:28; Gal. 3:10-13; I Tim. 1:15; I Peter 2:24; 3:18). Be clear about our need to repent of our sins and to trust in Christ (Matt. 11:28-30; Mark 1:15; 8:34; John 1:12; 3:16; 6:37; Acts 20:21). What would it mean to evangelize without being clear about what the Bible says about these issues?

You can read the entire post on the T4G Blog. What do you guys think?

Adorning the gospel.

noreply@blogger.com (Alisha) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 15:45:00 +0000

I've been reading Caroline Mahaney's book, "Feminine Appeal". Parts of this post are from her chapter, "Transformed by Titus 2." I was struck by her assessment that, "The commands found in Titus 2 have been given to us for the all-important reason that transcends time and culture. The reson is the gospel of Jesus Christ."

This chapter does not just address women, it addresses older men, younger men, older women, younger women, and slaves (anyone under authority). I'm pretty sure that covers all of us! Each of us have instructions given directly to us about how to live out our lives. Listen to the purpose the passage gives for these clear distinctions and commands:

vs. 5 "... so that the word of God might not be reviled" vs. 8 "... so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. vs. 10 "... so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior

The way we live our lives, in accordance with our God given roles, is so the Gospel will be proclaimed to those around us. By living these out, we can adorn the gospel like a queen does her crown or jewels. I don't just love my husband because it's "a good thing to do" or "because God tells me to." I love my husband because in doing that I can "adorn" or show-off the gospel and in my actions show how the gospel has changed my life.

When I don't follow the commands in Titus 2:10 to submit to those in authority over me, "in everything" and be "well-pleasing, not argumentative" I'm not adorning the gospel as I should. What a challenge for my life! Oh that I would adorn the gospel well and follow the commands the Lord has set before me do so that can be true of my life.

After reading the "Cross-Centered Life" by CJ Mahaney, I've discovered that the Gospel is the motivation for all that I do in the Christian life. It's why I'm on staff with Campus Crusade down to why I desire to bless and not curse someone who cuts me off on the 10 freeway. What would it look like if I walked slowly enough to consider the gospel in all the decisions I make and sentences I speak through out each day?

Read Titus 2 and see what roles God has laid out for you to showcase His Gospel to the world!

Moving from Seeker-Sensitive to Missional

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:43:00 +0000

My wife and I just started reading a book by Mark Driscoll called "Radical Reformission," and it has been great so far. One of the main themes of the book is becoming a "missional" person, which is a catchy term that is being thrown around emerging church circles, and it is a mindset that I am convinced every Christian needs to have. It also articulates well what we desire our students to be in their movements of Campus Crusade for Christ (and how I want to be!).

Let me explain what being a missional movement/church/Christian means by contrasting it with being a seeker-sensitive movement/church. The seeker-sensitive model is one that most people are probably very familiar with, and has been championed by very influential churches like Willow Creek. The model can be said to work like a business model, seeking to offer commodities to the community the church is in. So the model looks to the needs to the community and sets up programs in order to draw in those from the community. You offer something that the community needs and then hopefully once you have people in your church (or movement) then you can tell them about Jesus. So it is a drawing people into your group or church in order to get the gospel to them. One of the problems with this model is that often people complain of the "dumbing-down" of services and events in order to reach non-believers. Pragmatism is a big thing in the seeker-sensitive model.

Another thing the model brings about is a mentality that evangelism is an event-focused thing, namely it is driven by specific one-time (or possibly more) events where the gospel is shared, usually at the end of the presentation. Of course, I am over-generalizing what it means to be seeker-sensitive, but hopefully this gives an outline of the basics of the model.

On the other hand, being a missional movement/Christian operates on assumption that every believer is primarily called to be a "missionary" to all the people they commonly come in contact with day by day. The model says that believers already have their own social-networks where they interact with non-believers all the time; places like clubs on campus or classes or community groups or local government or sports teams. People in missional models are then told that they are God's agents to reach other people and tell them about Christ. They are then encouraged to "be a missionary" to the people that they are around everyday; that is, get to know them, find out what they are like. What drives them? What is there worldview? What do they think about religion? About Jesus? And then as you operate like a God's missionary to these people you have opportunities to share Jesus with them.

Meetings and church services then are focused on feeding Christians, not on reaching non-believers. Christians are fed and then sent out to reach people where they already are, not bring people to the church service (or to the weekly meeting) primarily. Instead of the seeker-sensitive model of bringing people in, you are sending people out.

I find that the missional model is one that is easily found in the Scriptures. In Acts you see believers coming together to fellowship, hear teaching of the Word, break bread together, and the like (Acts 2:42), which is what their churches were. And then those believers would scatter and go and tell people about Jesus. It is not that non-believers were never amongst them, there were, but the meetings and services were not focused primarily on reaching the non-believers in the group and making them happy. They were focused on building up the believers SO THAT they could effectively reach people where the most non-believers naturally are, the world.

This is what I really long for in my own life and in the lives of our students on campus (and the churches around us). Our students so often get stuck in the mindset that evangelism is only done at events once a quarter, or is only done from 12-1pm when we go out with surveys. Once the event is done, they turn off "being a missionary" and don't think about all the amazing opportunities to reach people where they are. We spend so much energy to get people to our events (which isn't bad, I love organized, relevant outreaches) when all along there are non-believers around us if we would just get to know them and share Jesus with them.

I think "being missional" needs to really be taught to believers today. Too often we are caught up in our Christian cultures of church and Crusade movements with Christian music and Christian friends and Christian jewelry that we aren't seeing the tons of chances to reach lost people around us. This is so convicting for myself as well, because I am realizing that I need to see the people in our neighborhood as the lost people God has called me to reach. I have to become missional myself as well!

I pray these distinctions of seeker-sensitive vs. missional can help you in your own church/movement and your personal life. I hope to really engage our students with this stuff this coming year myself.

To check out a video of Mark Driscoll talking about this topic, click on this link:

http://www.desiringgod.org/media/video/2006_National/national2006_driscoll_interview8.mov

Faith that Embraces Science

noreply@blogger.com (Pablo) — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 23:58:00 +0000

“A fact established is as sacred a truth revealed”- Arthur Custance
“Since all truth points to Him, all truth is sacred”- RC Sproul

I agree with these two statements whole-heartedly. The Christian should pursue scientific discovery so that the natural laws may be understood for it’s true purpose, namely the purpose for which God designed it. When the unregenerate discovers something, he cannot explain it for it’s true purpose. He can explain what it is and maybe what it does he but cannot put in the context of God’s plan for creation. The Christian can and therefore should because when he does, then I believe we will grow in our appreciation for what God has created because we understand it in light of what God designed it for. And ultimately the more we understand the complexity of how and why God designed the universe (and all it’s parts) , the more beautiful it will become. The more beautiful the universe is to us, the more beauty and magnificence we ascribe to it’s creator. The more magnificent God is to us the more we give glory to Him.

To be sure, we cannot take all ‘discovery’ as truth. But I have no doubt that God has given us minds to understand to a large extent his creation that we may behold his handiwork and give glory to Him. So I believe science has uncovered things that are truly the way God designed them. These are facts that cannot be ascertained from scripture but which scripture supports as true. In fact, I believe it is only when these discoveries are understood in light of scripture that these discoveries can be truly understood and it is when scripture contradicts these discoveries (say evolution) can we be sure the human mind has errored in its search for truth. But, turning this around I wonder if until we begin to apply to our theology what science has determined to be true (in so far as it does not contradict scripture) deeper meanings of certain passages and some fundamental doctrines of our faith will remain shrouded in mystery. Not that we can’t believe them, we should! because it’s revealed, but our understanding of it will remain limited.

For example: We can have greater appreciation for the virgin birth because we may understand it not as a mere concoction of God at the last moment, but as a process he instituted in Adam and Eve for redemption from the beginning. Because science has discovered the process of embryology and scripture says he was born of a virgin we know that Jesus was born of an ovum without sperm. So we see that God worked within his natural law and indeed created his natural law for this very purpose of His entrance into earth and time. By separating Adam and Eve and consequently their respective seed he could be born a man (essential for our redemption) by the woman’s seed and escape the sin nature (essential for our redemption) from the man’s seed. So we see the two realms of science and special revelation shedding light on themselves.

So then, since things become more beautiful the better we understand them, and since science can help us uncover truths that point towards God and his Holiness, then the more we understand the universe by embracing science the more beautiful God is to us. And so if we fail to understand the truths of science through the lenses of our faith (and arguably but maybe to a lesser extent truths of faith through the lens of science), we will fail to give God the most glory because we will not behold fuller beauty as we retain a limited understanding of all that he has created and revealed.

What's the difference?

noreply@blogger.com (Alisha) — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 16:24:00 +0000

I've been rolling this around in my head for the last few weeks and I decided to do a post on it. As the campus ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, we have always had the mission statement, "Turning Lost Students into Christ-Centered Laborers." All of us know this and use this statement to raise support, guide our schedules, lead our SP Processs, and as our reason for joining staff.

At our staff conference Steve Douglas our President unveiled our new "focus." I call it that because I'm not sure if it's a new mission statement for the whole of Campus Crusade, or just a new vision that he has for us. I've asked other staff and I've gotten a range of answers so for now, we'll call it a new "focus". The new statement goes like this, "Building spiritual movements everywhere, so everybody knows someone who truly follows Jesus."

My question is what does this mean for the campus ministry? Does this new statement replace the old, come along side it, or are they the same? Should our ministries and priorities change and be lead by building spiritual movements or was that always part of turning lost students into Christ-centered laborers?

So as I've thought about this, my first step has been to ask the post's title question - What's the difference? Are these statements the same or do they have major differences. Here's what I have so far:

Christ-Centered Laborers

Evangelism & Discipleship are key (lost, turning, laborers)
Student Specific
Talks of Lost students
Goal: Christ-centered laborers
Action: going to lost students to see them "turn"

Spiritual Movements

Movements are key (building movements)
Wider audience - Non specific (CCC as a whole)
Talks of lost students and students who follow Jesus
Goal: Movements Everywhere
Action: finding students who will build spiritual movements

At this point, this is as far as I have gotten ... this is where you come in. I have a few questions for my fellow bloggers and our readers.

Do you see other similarities or differences that I have missed?
Can you do both and be effective or are they too different?
What changes would you see needing to happen if we focused on building spiritual movements?
Which one motivates you more?

This post is just a start, I'll try to answer these questions as we go too! Looking forward to hearing from you ...

Why I Love the Cal-Poly Staff

noreply@blogger.com (Rev) — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 03:54:00 +0000

I'm not on staff with CCC. I'm not called to staff on CCC. But I cherish precious friendships with people who are (and were) on staff on my campus. The Staff at Cal-Poly Pomona have had some of the greatest impact on my life than any other group of individuals I know.

I do not know much about staff on the regional or national scene. While, I've known some through projects and whatnot I really can only speak for those staff persons who have graced Cal-Poly Pomona. Here is what has impacted me the most about the character and calling of my Staff friends at Cal-Poly.

Incarnational ministry: The very fact that I can be good friends with staffers as a student shows the level commitment and joy the staff take in ministry on campus. It blows my mind to hear some people on staff who join Crusade as a step to figure out what they really want to do. They just wanted to try out college ministry. Huh? Did God call you to campus evangelism or to contemplate your navel? On the contrary, the staff I have had the joy to work with have live out a strong sense of calling in their ministry. It is a joy to be a student partnering with such people for the gospel.

Gospel Orientation: Cal-Poly staffers loved the gospel. They love talking about victories of the gospel in sharing encounters. They also share stories of difficulty and trial in witnessing. They love talking about movements of God in the development of young believers. They love talking about Jesus, the Bible and the gospel. In their free time they dream up new ways to challenge students not to waste their lives in a life apart from Christ. They love what they do, even though it is often difficult and fast paced at times. They love the gospel.

Patient Coaching: Staffers take great risk and care in deploying new leaders. Fresh student leaders might do a good job, others leave scraps for the staff to patiently sweep up, others explode into a thousand pieces under the pressure of ministry leaving the Staff to solve, pick up, and finish the task themselves. Whatever the outcome of these fledgling student leaders first attempt at flight the staff are ever so patient to do whatever is necessary to keep the movement going. I'm sure i left a lot of scaps in the things I have lead. So, I am so thankful for the humility and patiences in Staff people to have people like ME participate in leadership.

Loving Correction: Student leadership is often messy. Sometimes there is pride, personality issues, moral problems. Staff lovingly must do the hard thing: confront issue. Often this is confronting a leader about (dare i say?) sin. That method of lovingly calling out sin issues is a very un-hip method today. But is it is necessary for the sake of the movement, ministry, and individual to be accountable. Confronting sin issues is indeed loving. I am so grateful that staff so often do the hard part of love in correcting others and myself. No doubt, loving correction does not always meet a receptive heart or a willingness to confess and repent. but i have seen it change people dramatically and restore people who were heading down terrible directions. I admire staffers bravery in this regard.

There are more points I could add but these four are the most impactful on me. Imagine these qualities being lived out by servant leadership in the context of a lost and dying secular campus. These Staff shed so much grace in their ministry to those around them. What a privilege it was to minister with them.

Why I Love Campus Crusade for Christ at Cal-Poly

noreply@blogger.com (Rev) — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:21:00 +0000

As a former lowly student I've been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ movement at Cal-Poly Pomona for just under 5 years. I've done leadership stuff for a little over 4 years. I've been under 3 different campus directors. I've seen campus staff come and go, and the student leadership team shrink and grow. I've seen the movement experience various sizes and levels of influence on campus. I've seen multiple movements launched on this highly diverse campus. I've seen leaders groomed from unlikely students, and seen many with great potential fall to the fringes and waste their last college years.

As I look towards seminary in the fall and the possibility of a two year mission project I look back at over the years of campus ministry as a student and have many things that I'm grateful for. There are some things that have lodged into my heart that, I believe, will forever mark me and others for the glory of God.

Things that have a lasting impact on me and others

Biblical Foundations for Life and Ministry: I came to campus as a fairly young believer. I was given some critical foundations shown from the Bible and lived out in life. Bible study, interpretation, memorization, prayer, basic soteriology, the Holy Spirit, evangelism, spiritual multiplication. I learned how I can share my faith, my testimony, and follow up with a new believer, lead Christians to reach a target area with the gospel. I was coached on how to lead a bible studies for non-believers, believers, for leaders and those being groomed for leadership. I was convinced with Scripture the biblical principles of spiritual multiplication, "Win Build Send", and Crusade's mission to turn lost students into Christ centered laborers.

Resolved to Reach the Lost. I was constantly reminded of the plight of my campus, the incredible gift entrusted to me, and the perspective of eternity. I was in a campus full of lost people who need to be told about Jesus. Before me was put the biblical foundations of responsibility, accountability, and the command to share and live the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit. Again and again the main issue was, "how can we share Christ those who do not know Jesus?" This kept everyone on track.

Entrust the Ministry to Others. The principle of 2 Timothy 2:2 was implanted in me early on. And it has been a reality I've seen lived out on campus for 5 years. The Staff were constantly praying and looking for laborers to be raised up to reach the campus --and teaching us to do the same. Faith and humility is required to step out to invest in and entrust vital aspects of ministry in the hands of young leaders. Sometimes, they would take steps of faith even before anyone emerged capable of leading. I learned humility, because we cannot reach the campus by our own gifts or effort, we need more laborers. Faith, because God would raise laborers and there was no guarantee that those they were investing in would be able to lead when the time comes.

Whatever it takes to be Faithful! Lastly, there was a pervasive desire to do whatever it takes to be faithful to what God has called us to on campus. Success is measured in hundreds of ways. But the only measure of success that seems biblical and leaves a lasting impression on me is that of faithfulness to a calling. Staff in particular live out a joy and passion to their calling in campus ministry. I have learned to take this very seriously. Numbers, and other success criteria may be high or low, but what matters most is, "are we trusting God with what he has given us?"

But not everything sticks. Here are some things that got a lot of attention but didn't seem to have a lasting, transforming affect on campus or my life.

Things that fell by the wayside: Fad flavor of the day. (if you are not on Staff you might not know what i'm talking about)

Most fads I was involved in were things that are stated in fresh ways and reconstruct or redefines issues BUT fail to be a biblical foundation you can build on.

The most impactful people in my life were passionate enough to not live with "boundaries", yet they were humble enough to realize (or be told about) their own limitations. Staff people who lived a life of incarnational witness had the most impact on me not those with a "healthy" distinction between ministry and life. Those who had ministry as the love and labor of their lives convinced me that ministry is that important. In my ministry days I was engulfed in Wild at Heart fad in its hay day. If anyone judged the success of a book or set of teachings by the level of enthusiasm it received from student leaders Wild at Heart would have to be at top in my campus. But years later, wounds did not define our problems, nor did initiation into manhood, or that I was not wild at heart "like Jesus was", or take risks "like God did". Nor will I ever use Last of the Mohicians as a illustration of the Trinity with a new believer. Love languages, gift inventories, or Kiersey/Myers Briggs temperaments will not be in my ministry toolbox on the mission field. BTW If there is anyone who knows that system in and out i do! And for you INTJs probably don't believe me just ask around.

In my day there was the Cloudisms, Eldredgisms, Briggisms. Maybe the future fads are McMannusism, CampusChurchism, OrganicChurchism. Only time will tell. If future fads are not foundational and biblical, they will not transform the future trajectory of anyone no matter how interesting or how much adrenal passion it gives your students now.

Despite the fads, Crusade has done immeasurable good in the life and faith of this former lowly student. May God bless you, and may you all continue to turn lost students into Christ centered laborers.

Valuable Post on Conversions

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:50:00 +0000

I thought this post by Mark Dever on "Should Evangelists Question Professions of Faith?" on the Together for the Gospel Blog would be pretty valuable for people like me and others on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ, in that we long with all our hearts to see true conversions and people streaming into the kingdom. May this help us to examine ourselves and those in our movements and churches.

"Sometimes I get the feeling that people think there's something wrong with questioning the reality of a profession of faith. It's legalistic, or judging, or holier than thou. Or something.

But if evangelists want to see lost sinners saved, and if evangelists know that we sinners can deceive ourselves, then it's not surprising that we want to try to make sure (with all appropriate qualifications about our limitedness) that conversions professed are conversions possessed.

Or is it just sour-faced theologians who think about such things? Are preachers who think about such things unevangelistic? Here's what one preacher said, reflecting on Jesus' parable of the sower and the soils. “There are so many stony ground hearers, who receive the Word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgment till I know the tree by its fruits. I cannot believe they are converts until I see fruit brought back; it will never do a sincere soul any harm.”

Does such a determination seem uncharitable or unevangelistic? What preacher would say such a thing? That was George Whitefield (as cited by Carey Hardy, “Just as I am” in John MacArthur, ed., Fool’s Gold, [2005], pp. 136-137). I don't think George Whitefield was unevangelistic for wanting to know a tree by its fruit, and neither are we today. In fact, I think such a concern would actually help our churches to do more real evangelism.

And besides, as Whitefield says, such caution "will never do a sincere soul any harm."

What should we do? Encourage the new believer in all things good. Remind them of the gospel. After some appropriate time (which would vary much from case to case) they should be baptized and join a church. They should regularly hear the preaching of the Word, commune, fellowship, pray and obey the Word. They should be building relationships in order to do that. And they should be told to hope in Christ alone for their salvation. Our desire is to find every professor getting safely home to heaven.

And then what about counting converts? The final tally will be made by God in due time. And that's the only tally that matters."

The Danger of Falling in Love with the "Love" of God

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 16:24:00 +0000

There’s something about being engaged with lost people and sharing the gospel with them that really opens your eyes to the lies that Satan has thrown out there “to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 4:4. Being on our short missions trip this summer has brought heightened awareness of what lost people think, and really makes me concerned about how we share the gospel.

The beginning of the “4 Spiritual Laws” (a tool that we have used in Campus Crusade for Christ for decades) starts with the first Law that “God loves you and created you to know him personally”, or some versions say “God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.” When this was written 40-something years ago I think it really probably hit lost people in a great way. But today I am realizing that the gospel of the God of love has been so watered down, in my opinion, that telling that to people hardly does any spiritual good. I think today the majority of lost people (and Christians!) have heard that so much that they think things like, “Darn right he loves me! Why wouldn’t he? I am a good person.” Now I don’t think we need to not tell people that God loves them, I just think we need to get to a biblical definition of God’s love, and we need to teach out disciples and churches how to properly share the love of God. Let me explain.

Our culture today is so saturated with self-esteem that we are constantly told from day one in school that we are “special.” We are told how marvelous we are and that all real problems come from not believing that we are good and have good to give. Therefore, when the Christian enters in and says that we are loved by God it isn’t hard for the person to believe. But step in and tell the person that they are sinful and under God’s wrath and you have a whole ‘nother story!

We did an outreach the other day where we had huge signs on the beach that said “Confessional” and we stayed around the signs and talked to people. We didn’t want people to come to confess to us (which didn’t happen once by the way) but we were confessing to them our sin and the ways we have not represented Jesus well to the world. It was a humbling time, but the hope was to humbly find ways to get into the gospel and the real message of Jesus with people, that we are all sinners in desperate need of a wonderful Savior. As I was standing at the sign an older man approached me and asked, “You are not one of those narrow-minded, judgmental Christians are you?” I didn’t quite know how to respond, but decided to go at it from the point of the outreach saying that we were first telling people ways we have not showed Jesus to the world and have sinned. He liked that, and proceeded to tell me how all I have to do is to tell the message that “God is love.” I asked him what he meant, and he went on to tell me about how he is a homosexual Episcopalian with his partner at the beach and their adopted daughter. He is a weekly and active church-goer, and loves being a part of his “Gay and Lesbian church group.”

I struggled with where to go with him, but decided to tell him that I was concerned with telling people about God’s great love as well, but that I was very concerned with the words of Jesus about hell, a place of gnashing of teeth and eternal fire and conscious torment. I told him that I didn’t want anyone to end up their. In his pride the man side-stepped that point, telling me that God knows our hearts and we can’t judge anyone, and all we need to do is tell people about the love of God.

As the man walked away after a bit more conversation, my heart sank and was incredibly sad. The man was so proud and unwilling to admit his sin, and had only heard from his church that “God is love” and accepts everyone. He has heard a false gospel, a very incomplete gospel, and one that will send him to hell.

So as I processed the conversation some more I started to realize some very hard things about our Christian culture as well. I hear so much in churches about how loving God is, and when people tell their testimonies they focus so much on that, and so little on the greatness of God that he forgave our unbelievable sin. I fear that many of us are in love with the “love” of God. If we are, and we are not living in the truth that we are desperate sinners in need of a Savior, that we deserve only wrath and punishment because of our sin, then we do not know Jesus for who he is, and we do not know ourselves.

We are gravely mistaken if we think God is JUST love. God is also holy, perfect, and righteous in every way. Because of his great character he hates sin. Psalm 5:5 goes so far as to say that God “hates all evildoers.” God’s wrath burns against all sin, including the sin of Christians.

In a recent post online, John Piper wrote in his article titled “Defending My Father’s Wrath”:

“There are cultural forces at work inside and outside the church that make me eager to defend my Father’s wrath against me before I was adopted... My destiny was to endure “flaming fire” and “vengeance on those . . . who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus . . . [and who] suffer the punishment of eternal destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). I was not a son of God. God was not my Father. He was my judge and executioner. I was a “son of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). I was dead in trespasses and sins. And the sentence of my Judge was clear and terrifying: “Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).

There was only one hope for me—that the infinite wisdom of God might make a way for the love of God to satisfy the wrath of God so that I might become a son of God.”

I am learning that I need to make this clearer to lost people when I share with them (with tears!), and that I need to teach people to share the gospel by highlighting our terrible sin and God’s terrible wrath. I need to share the love of God as from Romans 5:8;

“...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still SINNERS, Christ died for us.”

God’s love is most clearly displayed in that when we deserved wrath, when we hated God, when we were sinners, he sent Jesus to die FOR us. Unbelievable! This is the great news of God’s love! And now as those in Christ, all his wrath against our sin and hatred of it is absorbed by Christ, and we get nothing but mercy. We must tell people that, even though God loves you in a measure, he hates your sin and will punish you. This is how we must share with the lost, this is how I must share with them! Oh God help us to see your love as it really is, and help us to share about your terrible wrath, that your Son on the Cross would be seen as beautiful as he really is!

Not Sharing the Gospel with Tears

noreply@blogger.com (DJ) — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:49:00 +0000

Alisha and I have been in Santa Monica on a Campus Crusade summer project for about 2 weeks now. For those of you not familiar with Crusade summer projects, we spend a lot of time training students, a lot of time helping them love Christ more, and a lot of time sharing the gospel. We do a lot of what is called "ministry-mode" evangelism, which is your basic no-previous-relationship, cold-turkey evangelism, where we go up to people with surveys that lead into the gospel, or we just try talking to people in a real way. Our hope is that students would leave the summer well trained in how to reach their campuses for Christ, with the heart and love for Jesus needed to do it.

But a few things have struck me deeply as we have gone sharing in Santa Monica. Several people (non-believers) we have shared with have mentioned how other believers they know try to "shove" the gospel down their throat, or have looked down on them in condescending ways, or have just told them they are sinners and are going to hell. You hear things like this a lot when you share your faith a lot, and when you really ask people what they think of Christians, but Santa Monica has raised it to a new level.

Now, first let me say a couple things before I get to my main point. I am more willing to trust that my Christian brothers and sisters who go out sharing their faith do it with the best of intentions and heart, and less willing to trust these non-believers who tell me how Christians talk to them. I want to believe the best in my family who love Jesus. So I take what lost people say with a grain of salt, knowing all to well my own sinfulness and shortcomings in communicating the gospel well.

Second, the answer is not NOT telling people they are going to hell. I have heard people say that the reason people run away from Christians and don't stick around to hear about our great God is because we tell them they are going to hell. Well let me say that if you DON'T tell people that apart from Christ providing the forgiveness for their sin, apart from trusting and treasuring him, they will go to hell justly as punishment for their rebellion against God, then you are NOT sharing the gospel. There is NO gospel without the preaching of hell. I could take time to justify this biblically, but I think you would all agree that if we do not tell people the horrible consequences of rejecting God in our actions and hearts daily then we are not sharing with them the true gospel of the good news of Christ.

But my main point is that the problem seems to come not in telling people they are going to hell, but not saying it with tears. Let me explain what I mean. As I have approached people to share the gospel and asked them questions about Christ and found out what their worldview is and then shared Jesus with them, I have been struck that people have been super receptive. I am way real about sin, in fact I am about as bible-thumping as you can get. But these non-believers keep telling me that if more Christians were like us they would listen more. No one has turned and trusted Jesus with me yet, but they have listened to the whole message. (we did have one guy accept Christ with another couple, praise God!) I am not sharing a different gospel, I am being real about sin and hell, but I believe the LOVE and CARE that is shown to people is what is making the difference.

That is why I say we need to be people who share the gospel with tears, not pride. Pride gladly tells someone else they are going to hell for their sin; tears mourn that our sin is just as great as anyone elses, and that this person is defaming the glory of Christ and missing out on knowing Him. Pride doesn't care much for lost people, it is too much consumed with itself. Tears weep like Jesus did over those who are like sheep without a shepherd.

Far too often my heart is somewhat disengaged when I share my faith, but oh that this would change for all of us! Oh that we would draw near to the cross, where we see the true depth of our sin, and the true glory of Christ! Let us look to him, really talk to lost people about their wack worldviews, and become loving people who share about Jesus. Let us become people who with tears tell people they are going to hell because of their sin, but that salvation in Christ is the best news ever. Oh God draw us near to the cross that non-believers would see a greatly different love in us, and that they may give glory to our Father because of it!

If Jonathan Edwards Blogged

noreply@blogger.com (Kristie K) — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 03:56:00 +0000

It is pure speculation, but it is possible that if Jonathan Edwards were alive today, he would at least give blogging a try. I say this, in my limited knowledge of him, because he was a man who was an early adapter. He kept up with the latest discoveries in science, as well as read the most recent books and philosophers coming from Europe. Certainly being the prolific writer that he was and desiring to leave his mark on the intellectual world, he would have a difficult time resisting the opportunities afforded by the medium we know as the Blog.

So if he were alive and blogging today, what would be the principles he would blog by? I went back to his Resolutions to give us some clues:

1. He would have only said nice things about this parents.

#46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.

2. He would seek to be kind when leaving comments on other blogs.

#58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.

3. If he ever lost his temper or had crossed the line by ranting, he would at least catch it before going to bed at night.

#37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year.

4. He might participate in memes, but they would have always have a spiritual emphasis. He wouldn't use photoshop to make funny photos.

#61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc.

5. He wouldn’t visit Purgatorio on a Sunday.

#38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord's day.

6. The bulk of his blogging would be centered on the Scriptures.

#28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

7. He would never put his blog before spending time in serious prayer.

#29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

8. He would check his facts before bringing out an accusation.

#36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it.

9. There would be times he would see the need to correct error, and he would endeavor to do it nicely....except in certain cases.

#66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

10. Even then he would never completely blast someone, not even an Emergent pastor.

#69. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

11. He wouldn’t be the perfect blogger, but he’d sure try.

#14. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

12. He might after a short time, he might consider closing down his blog forever, or at least close down the comments and remove himself from all blogrolls for fear of some "unlawful" connection that would lead someone to sin or bad theology.

#39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

What is the Love of God?

noreply@blogger.com (Rev) — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 22:02:00 +0000

No single book of the bible gives such a comprehensive explanation of the gospel than Paul’s Letter to the Romans. In Chapter 1 & 2 Paul is making the case that everyone is under sin and under God’s judgement. In Chapter 2 Paul briefly address a particular objection to Paul’s line of argument.

Or do you presume on the riches of [God’s] kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

Apparently there were people in Paul’s day who presumed that since God is so immeasurably kind and patient (today people might just say, loving) that sin and judgement is not serious concern. How many spiritual non-Christians today believe that God is all-loving and all-forgiving regardless of faith in Christ? Most in my experience. In fact this kind of belief in the love of God keep many from understanding the Gospel. So many people believe in God’s love to the extent that they presume that sin, righteousness and judgement are not realities that they need saving from.

Today, I believe a Romans 2:4 view of God’s love dominates American spirituality. Some leaders of popular ministries and churches moving this way... Some leaders of the Emergent Church seem to be saying that God’s love and mercy is incompatible with thousands of years of conviction on what the Bible clearly teaches about the judgement of hell. Omni-benevolence has become an attribute of God that excludes biblical warnings of sin, judgment, Hell. And ultimately it diminishes the meaning of the Cross. Jesus becomes a life enhancement option or a spiritual booster to a relationship with God. But the Gospel tells a different story of God’s love.

So are we contributing to this false view of God’s love? Or are we confronting it with the biblical reality of God’s love?

As people passionate about the Great Commission how do we communicate to the lost what the Love of God is? Is it clear? Does it magnify the need for the lost to “repent?

Paul says that God’s kindness and patients should lead to repentance (not keep you from it!) [Romans 2:4]. I’m going to give you a test. Are you ready? What follows is a summary of the gospel messages recorded in Acts. See if you can identify what the early Christians preached as the good news of God’s love.

Acts 2:14-41 Pentacost: Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, he was crucified by sinful men, but God raised him from the dead. Moreover Jesus ascended to the right hand of God and is Lord and Christ. Peter points out Israel’s corporate sin in crucifying Jesus. Repentance and baptism in to the name of Jesus is proclaimed for the forgiveness of sins and free gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3 Lame beggar healed. Peter points out how Israel rejected and denied and killed Jesus the Author of Life. But God raised him from the dead. Peter points to faith in Jesus’ name as the reason for the healing of a cripple. People are called to repent and to turn to God.

Acts 4:5-12 Peter and John before the hight priest. They show how the high priest and elders rejected and killed Jesus. But God raised him from the dead. Salvation is given through his name.The name of Jesus is only name given by which we must be saved.

Acts 5:21-32 Apostles arrested before the high priest. They point out the leaders’ sin in killing Jesus, but God raised him from the dead and exalted him as Leader and Savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 7:1-60 Stephen before the Sanhedrin gives a history of Israel. Stephen points out the leaders sin in persecuting the prophets who testified about the Christ. and when the Christ (Jesus) did come they murdered him. But Christ was raised and is in heaven standing at the right hand of God.

Acts 10:34-43 Peter before Cornelius. Jesus came preaching the gospel of peace. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power --doing good and healing the sick. Jesus was put to death by the Jews. But God raised him from the dead and appointed Jesus to judge the living and dead. everyone who believes in the name of Jesus receives forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:13-47 Paul and Barnabas in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Jesus is the promised son of king David. He was executed under Pilate. But God raised him from the dead --fulfilling God’s promises. In Jesus sins are forgiven and we are set free from everything that holds us captive under the Law of Moses.

Acts 17 Paul before the Greeks in the Areopagus. God is one, absolute, creator and benefactor. God calls everyone everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day of judgment in righteousness by the man Jesus Christ. This was confirmed by God in raising Jesus from the dead.

Acts 24:24-26 Paul before Felix. Paul spoke about faith in Jesus Christ. Paul reasoned about righteousness, self control, and coming judgment. Felix trembled.

Ok did you get it? Tell me what God’s love is?

Here are some wrong answers:

God’s love is a benevolent feeling God has for everyone that dominates everything that God does.

God loves everyone as part of his family and we are all loved as God’s children.

God has a man-shaped hole in his heart that only YOU can fill.

God is standing like a gentleman outside of your life and he want your acceptance of him and his love for you.

God loves people so much that he will even forgive people who have rejected the gospel or who have never heard.

God loves you so much, and if you give Jesus a try, you will know God’s love better.

So what is that gospel message of God’s love???

God’s love is that he delays his wrath, and sent his Son to die on the cross to forgive the sins of godless people.

God shows our love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Romans 5:8

...God is love, in this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him 1 John 1:9

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be a propitiation [(wrath bearer)] for our sin 1 John 1:10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life John 3:16

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us 1 John 3:16

So lets be careful. There is a kind of Romans 2:4 message of God’s love that diminishes the Cross, insults Christ, and damns people.

Yet the biblical message of God’s love is fixed on the cross of Jesus Christ. So living the cross centered life is the place where God’s immense love is known most fully.

This is an huge challenge for us. The love of God towards the world is understood as God’s patience in delaying wrath and judgement (Romans 2:4) so that people would repent (2 Peter 3:9) and believe in Jesus who propitiates (1 John 1:10) God’s wrath for our sin on the cross. God’s love is giving eternal life and rescue from eternal destruction (John 3:16). God’s love is the gift of imputed righteousness of his Son so that we can stand before a holy God for all eternity (Romans 5:17). God’s love is brining us to God himself through the death of his Son (1 Peter 3:18) so that we can worship and enjoy him forever.

Lastly, God’s love is demonstrated by offering this salvation to everyone everywhere. To receive it God calls everyone to repentance of sins and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

May God magnify that love!

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