Free e-Book: "What is the Gospel?"

noreply@blogger.com (Phil Simpson) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:44:23 PDT

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up: Greg Gilbert's excellent new book, "What is the Gospel?", is available for free for a limited time in e-book format. You can download it in Kindle format here. If you don't have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle app and then have it sent to your iphone, ipod touch, or ipad. You can also download the e-book through the iTunes store if you have the free ibooks app (requires iOS4).

This book provides clarity in a time when the message of the gospel is, sadly, often presented in an unclear manner. I pray you find it helpful to fuel your passion for the God who sent His Son to absorb the Father's wrath that we deserved, because of our sin. You can read Justin Taylor's brief review of the book here.

Enjoy!

Reblog: Video Games, Idols, and Your Child’s Heart

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:14:28 PDT

Reblog from

Sovereign Grace Ministries Blog
C.J. Mahaney's view from the cheap seats
& other stuff

Video Games, Idols, and Your Child’s Heart
By Chad Mahaney7/6/2010 3:56:00 PM

Video games are one of the most influential and time consuming recreational activities in our society today. On average gamers spend 18 hours per week playing video games. This extensive time investment is reflected in the money invested in video game consoles and software. In 2009, $19.7 billion was spent on video games worldwide, $2.6 billion more than was spent on movies in both box office ticket sales and DVD sales combined.* Many parents are surprised to discover that video games generate more profit than Hollywood.

What this all means is that few children escape the influence of video games, and the temptation to idolatry.

So how can parents lead their children in such a media-crazed world?

In this Q&A session C.J. answers one father’s question about how to monitor his child’s use of video games. The following excerpt was originally recorded during a Pastors College meeting on December 4, 2009.

=====================

Question: As kids get older, how do you deal with idols in their lives?...For example, my 12 year old son is generally obedient, but he loves to play video games. If that privilege is lifted he is like a different kid. How much do we restrict? Do we just say no more of this? What have you done in those situations?

C.J. Mahaney: Great question. We are always reluctant to answer parenting questions because they are so child specific, and the more you know about the child the more, I think, wise and precise you can be. But, in general, you want your child to be convinced that you can identify with them. So I want to find illustrations from my life that parallel an illustration in his life. So I could say, “Son, this is not a foreign topic to your dad. We are fellow sinners both in need of a savior.”

So I want to do two things. I want to try to introduce my son to a study that isn’t correction specific to an occasion. I want to study the heart, I want to study anger, I want to study idolatry, unrelated to an occasion where I am bringing discipline, so that the study hopefully can have the most effect. I want to engage in a study from Scripture. I want to choose age-appropriate material. I want to choose appropriate passages. And then my study with my son is supplemented by stories from my life, because I do the same thing. I don’t cry anymore like a child but I know how to cry in adult ways. I want my child to know that no matter what the category, I can identify.

So let’s say for my son fear of man would be a category. “Well, your dad is just as familiar with that, son, and here are the ways fear of man will play out in my life today.” Not “Here are the ways fear of man played out when I was 16.” No—“Here are the ways fear of man is a real temptation to your father this week.” I think by humbling myself, I hope I make it easier for him to receive from me, so that when I say “Listen,” it’s not “Listen to your self-righteous father who is angry at you because he doesn’t understand why it requires this kind of attention to help you to see how stupid a video game is.”

It is too easy for me to view my son’s form of idolatry as childish, but in essence, at root, there is no difference between our idolatries. His expression is consistent with a 12 year old, mine is consistent with a 56 year old, but in essence it’s no different. Therefore I must make sure my heart is softened by my own sinful tendencies. I don’t want the study to be punitive, I don’t want it to be (if possible) connected or related to discipline, because I think that can make it more difficult for a child to comprehend and to be convinced I have their best interest at heart. I want to supplement it with my own stories.

At 12 years old I would want to start leaving your son with questions to consider rather than pronouncements. But from 12 years old on up, it is far more complicated than when they are younger. For a toddler, discipline is pretty simple. You are not having to work through heart issues. It is a blatantly ethical world, at that age, nothing but right/wrong, yes/no. But as they get older you want to draw your child in and give him an opportunity to think about his own heart, think about it in relation to material, think about it in relation to Scripture, think about it with time for the Spirit to possibly convict. You are not bringing every conversation to a conclusion that he must agree with.

With your restrictions, you want to explain why you are doing what you are doing. Restrictions are important. We are fully for restrictions as long as the purpose is explained—so your child doesn’t think this is just punitive action we are taking in your life without explanation, without a why, without a purpose. We want to create an alternative. We want to anticipate this temptation, anticipate this restriction and [ask] what alternative can we present to wean our child from that particular form of idolatry.

Helping our children identify idols is hard work. Your son may grow out of his love for video games, but he will not grow out of the idol factory in his heart. So as parents, we need the Lord’s help, and we can be confident that he will lead and guide us as we serve and lead our children with the gospel.

-------------------------

Special thanks to Chad Mahaney (son of C.J. Mahaney) for writing this post during his work as a Sovereign Grace Ministries intern.

-------------------------

* Sources: http://bit.ly/4ICbOL http://bit.ly/5cZVcf"

View Original Post

A Singles Guide to Ephesians 5

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:15:13 PDT

The past couple of weeks at Crew have been highly focused on marriage as we have been going through Ephesians 5. This can be discouraging or even boring to those of who are currently far from marriage and applying these messages. I have to confess that Sunday morning I doodled through most of the sermon because I just couldn't focus on what Josh was saying and guard my heart/mind at the same time. I'm sure he could feel the disconnect because I'm normally attentively looking and nodding through his sermons, occasionally looking down to tweet a quote or thought. Anyway, I want to encourage you (as well as myself) to strive for biblical manhood and womanhood now, even as a single person. We were born single, will be single again because of death or divorce, and we will definitely be single in heaven.

I am well aware of the constant battle with our gender twisting society, social circles (that includes the Crew Gospel Community/small groups), and relatives pushing marriage and asking why you aren't married yet (aka what's wrong with you?). Just tell those people to shut up and mind their own business. The truth is that single people need encouragement in staying content and strong. Married people, don't tell us things like "there's someone out there for you" or "your time will come", etc. Lies. Those statements never really encourage us, just make us wanna roll our eyes. There's no guarantee of marriage in the bible; Jesus never married.

Married people, I implore you to not ignore your single friends. Too often people get married, have kids, and ignore the others in different stages of life. Truth is that married people need single people, single people need married people, unmarried couples need married couples, etc. Invite people over regardless of their life stage, you might be able to connect more than you think. (see this previous blog post "Singleness and the Christian Community. Ok, stepping off the soapbox to married people, and back to single people.

Desiring marriage is not a sin, but letting the desire for it to consume you is. Satan knows it is a mental weakness, and he will use it in his spiritual warfare tactics. Fight his lies. You are desired more than anything in the world by our savior Jesus Christ. Find contentment and strength in Him. Fight society, it really doesn't like you anyways. Remember that Jesus never married, and that marriage is only temporary in the eternal perspective. Singleness is your superpower to make a difference in your city and church. Use your free time (both mentally and physically) to serve Christ and glorify him. (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

Guys, practice leadership, provision, and the protective mission of women now (prove people wrong when they say chivalry is dead). Gals, let guys be chivalrous (let them open doors, pay for dinner, etc), fight our feminist society, and treat guys with respect and affirm male leadership in the church. You can build your home by being hospitable to others. Those who desire nothing more than to be a parent, you can still do this as a single. Be a spiritual parent, dive into kids lives at church, the community, etc. We have the gift of free time and can be mothers and fathers to far more kiddos than if we have them naturally.

I think most importantly, practice sexual purity mentally and physically (1 Corinthians 6:12-19). Behave in a way that you would want your (potential) future husband or wife's current significant other to act (aka, don't embarrass your grandma). If porn is your vice, see this previous post. Please talk to a church leader and/or get an accountability partner if this is an area of struggle for you. The battle can be won, even in our sex-saturated society. Many of us probably will get married, so be praying for your future spouse and be the person you want to marry.

There are many theologians who have done a much better job than I could ever do on talking about singleness /biblical manhood and womanhood so I'm just gonna point you to these sermons that I've found helpful:

New Attitude 2004 Conference (now called NEXT)

And on a lighter note, check out this previous post on {{real}} from stuffchristianslife.com:Stuff Christians Like #550. Surviving church as a single.

And as a single lady, I would love to talk with and support any other single ladies out there. I have a ton more resources, books, and ammunition. E-mail me at kim@crewcommunity.org. Dudes, I would suggest talkin' to Crew's elder-in-training/bachelor Jason "Jaybles" Black, jason@crewcommunity.org.

Break-In Membership Class - Starts June 27

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:07:23 PDT

If you are interested in who and what we are are Crew, then you need to check out our membership class - Break In. Each Break In course consists of 8 sessions of about 1 hour each. This class is required for membership, but feel free to sit in and see what we are all about. Childcare will be provided if requested.

This round of Break-In will be June 27, July 11, July 18, and July 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (we'll be presenting two sessions each week).

For more info, or to sign up, e-mail info@crewcommunity.org.

The Mars Hill Blog » 7 Things To Do To Get Your Schedule in Line

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:10:21 PDT

Original Post: The Mars Hill Blog | Blog Archive » 7 Things To Do To Get Your Schedule in Line

7 Things To Do To Get Your Schedule in Line

Earlier, Joel, 25, talked to us about what he’s learned about stewarding his time. Here’s a list of practical steps that have been key for him:

Fill your bucket.

Start keeping track of your time to see if you are wasting it. Either keep track of what you actually do, or set a schedule and see how and where you miss the mark.

Set your priorities once you know how much time you actually have: Decide what the five most important things are in your life.

Be prepared for what you have to do.

Plan to have downtime where you can do anything you want. If you live in Seattle, have plans for sunny days. (Not being ironic, here.)

Pick people to invest in and ask them or others to invest in you.

Get around someone who’s in that next stage of life. Figuring out what you want to do is sometimes as simple as talking to someone who’s doing it.

Here’s what part of Joel’s Ideal Week schedule looks like. (FYI, he gets up most days between 7 and 9 am. “P&T” is his job, in the Preaching & Theology department here at Mars Hill.) Click on the image to view in full:

Support Will Crabtree for Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Thu, 13 May 2010 08:20:17 PDT

From Crew attendee Will Crabtree:

"Hello All,

I'm participating in a Bowl for Kids' Sake event next Monday, which is primarily to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. For those unfamiliar, this organization helps kids by matching them with mentors for various activities (for more details, check out www.bbbs.org)

For those who would like to help support BBBS, all I need is your name, address, and an amount you would like to contribute. BBBS will contact you via mail to collect the money you pledge, so I won't be collecting the cash.

Please feel free to share this information with anyone whom you think might be willing to contribute. I'll be taking pledges through Monday, May 17th, so please send all information to me by then.

Thanks everyone!

Will"

Wanna support? e-mail will_crabtree@mail.com

The Gospel Coalition: How do I discover my spiritual gift?

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:16:43 PDT

How do I discover my spiritual gift?

The question about discerning particular spiritual gifts is probably the primary question on many a Christian’s mind. However, I want to propose that it is the wrong question. It is the wrong question because as I have already argued, the lists are representative, not exhaustive. Consequently, any spiritual gifts inventory will be limiting.
Another reason this is the wrong question is because once we believe we have found the answer (”I have the gift of ___________.”), it will limit how, where and when we serve. For example, I may have the gift of teaching (so it has been affirmed by others), but that is not the limits of my service. Can you imagine if we were breaking down after a church-wide meal and other brothers were moving tables and chairs, then they looked at me to assist them, but I said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m THE teacher! That’s my spiritual gift; I don’t do tables and chairs.” That would not be Christian; it would not be helpful; and I would not blame the guys throwing a few chairs in my direction.
The Right, Better Question: How can I serve the body?
We tend to get hung up on particular gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul broadens the categories of gifts under the umbrella the manifestation of the Spirit and argues that we manifest the Spirit when we serve one another in faith and in love (1 Corinthians 12:7; 13:1-3). Therefore, let us serve one another in faith and in love. How?

First, find out what help the body needs. What are the biblical needs of any body? There are, of course, word ministry needs (preaching, teaching, etc. – Ephesians 4:11). There are also serving needs: widows, orphans, elderly, parents, children, single mothers, etc. (1 Peter 4:10-11). Ask the leadership of your church to find out what specific needs exist.
Once you see and begin to understand the needs of the body, PRAY! Pray for the particular needs of the body (Ask the leadership how you can join them in praying for the needs of the body). Pray that the Lord of the harvest would raise up laborers. Pray that the leadership of the body would have wisdom in guiding these ministries. Then, ASK the Lord if He is calling you to serve in one of those areas.
Ask yourself, “What do I enjoy doing?” Why do we think that doing the Lord’s will has to be miserable? If the Spirit has gifted us, and if we are growing in grace, then we will enjoy serving the Lord and the body with these particular gifts. However, there may be areas of need that you may not be thrilled about (i.e., nursery) but that are important needs. The Lord may also have equipped you with certain capacities (i.e., accounting) that would serve the body well but which you may be reluctant to use because that is what you do all day, every day. Serve the body! Normally, it will be a delight!
Seek godly counsel – from elders (leaders), mentors, small group leaders, etc. Mature Christians with whom you spend much time will be observing you and caring for you. They will be a valuable asset in either confirming or denying whether or not you have particular gifts in certain areas. Listen to them wisely.
Serve! Don’t just sit there, do something! Each of us is gifted for the common good; therefore, let us use our gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11). We don’t have to wait until we have discovered our gifts to serve. Serve the church! As you are serving, you may even discover that you really enjoy it; the leaders in your church may confirm what they see; and you will have discovered one of the areas where the Spirit has equipped you to build up the body in love. Imagine that! You discovered your gift(s) while serving. Don’t just sit there, do something! May the Lord deliver us from consumerism!

by Juan Sanchez. Juan is the Senior Pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, TX and a Council member with The Gospel Coalition.

View the original article on thegospelcoalition.org.

How to Help with the Perry Adoption

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:43:31 PDT

As most of you know, Josh and Sarah are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. They are trying to raise $25,000 for the adoption. Crew wants to rally around this amazing family and support them prayerfully and financially. So how can you help?

This weekend they are having a huge yardsale, hotdog sale, and bakesale, with all monies going toward their adoption (That's Friday April 30 from 12pm-dark and Saturday, May 1 from 8am-3pm). See the Facebook event. Pass it on!
Follow their journey via http://jponajourney.blogspot.com and on Facebook.There will be many opportunities listed on these sites over the next year.
Donate money directly at Crew or securely online through their blog http://jponajourney.blogspot.com
Buy a t-shirt. This shirt not only raises cash, but awareness of adoption in Africa. Two style - Ringer for $25 and Standard White for $20. E-mail sarah.perry@crewcommunity.org to purchase.

Spread the word!!

E-mail josh@crewcommunity.org with any questions.

Seven Ways to Be a Missionary in College - from Mars Hill Church

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:46:51 PDT

Seven Ways to Be a Missionary in College

By Pastor Matt Jensen, U-District
by Mars Hill Church on Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 11:49 am

At many universities, the nations come to you. The University of Washington has over 100 different countries represented, which means you can be a cross-cultural missionary by knocking on the dorm or apartment door across the hall.
The variety of affinity groups is astounding as well. It’s easy to connect with someone over a common interest. (At UW, there’s even a Fried Chicken Club.) The options are endless.
Arguably the strongest connection, however, is life stage. Most students are experiencing radical changes in their lives, including unharnessed freedom, real responsibility, solidifying worldviews, and an increasing pressure to “get it together.”
The college years are an amazing time to be on mission, reaching your friends with the life-changing good news of Jesus. How? Here are some ideas, in no particular order:

1) Know non-Christians

It seems like common sense, but too many campus ministries are set up to babysit nice moralistic, hypocritical, youth group kids and create a bubble around them. As Christians, we have to be outward focused. As the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sends us into the culture. It’s so much easier to share the gospel if you belong before you ask people to believe. (John 20:21)

2) Think about where you will live

Make your living situation missional: meet new friends and build relationships to see students meet Jesus instead of secluding yourself with people who all act and think the same way you do. Grab a Christian friend and move into the wildest apartment complex in the neighborhood. Don’t conform, but be a movement of change in an area where it’s desperately needed.

3) Join the Greek system

There’s instant community established by living in the Greek system, and people in sororities and fraternities know everyone. Once you’re in, you become really well connected and are able to be on mission in an extreme environment. Yeah, I know: they sin a lot. So does everyone else in college. (1 Cor 9:19–23)

4) Get involved (not just at church)

Join a club relating to your major, hobby, or interest. Stop saying “yes” to every church obligation and begin seeking how the gospel can apply into all areas of life. Build relationships by playing intramural sports on a team without all your Christian friends.

5) Start a small group in public

Instead meeting in a house or apartment, start gathering in a coffee shop or study hall. This will not only allow you to support the local community, but it might also allow somebody else to eavesdrop on a worthwhile conversation.

6) Serve the community

Get involved with a local non-profit or service center. By serving the community alongside non-believers, you’re doing the work that Jesus calls us to do by being missional not only to the populations you’re serving, but also to the people you’re serving alongside.

7) Practice radical hospitality

College students aren’t known for being the most financially well-off or generous people around. Buying a classmate coffee or lunch is a small sacrifice that can speak volumes and make a huge statement in demonstrating grace. This could also mean driving the drunks home from a party and sharing the gospel with them the next day as you take them to get their car.
You have a few short years to reach people who will scatter throughout the world and live for something or someone. The key to being a missionary on a university campus is believing Jesus is worthy of every student’s worship, for his glory and our friend’s eternal joy!

Official post on Mars Hill Blog: http://blog.marshillchurch.org/2010/04/13/seven-ways-to-be-a-missionary-in-college/

Crewbucks Softball Schedule

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:47:10 PDT

Spring has finally sprung, which means we are gearing up for Crewbucks Softball. Crew once again is partnering with Starbucks to play in the Huntington city softball league. We have two teams this year, an all men's in the B/C league and a co-ed team in the C league. So why do we play in the city league instead of a church league? Well we want to be intentional with our mission: Pursuing Christ with Passion. Presenting Christ with Purpose. The latter applies here. We will be rubbing shoulders with many unchurched and unbelievers on our teams, as well as from the teams we play. We want to get to know these people, be their friends, and hopefully present the amazing message that is the Gospel and see lives change.

What you as Crew can do is come out and support the Crewbucks teams, and join in on this community ministry. This is a prime opportunity to get to know other folks from Crew, interact with our opponent's fans, build relationships, and enjoy some (hopefully) exciting softball. Games are played at Barr Field and St. Clouds Commons (F1-F4 Fields). Hope to see you there!

Crewbucks Men’s Team - B/C League

Day	Date	Field	Time	Teams
WED	4/14	Barr	6/7	Crewbucks vs. Geo Syntec
WED	4/21	F4	6/7	Crewbucks vs. Alcon
WED	4/28	Barr	6/7	Crewbucks vs. State Electric
WED	5/5	F4	6/7	J. Taylor Auto Collection vs. Crewbucks
WED	5/12	F3	6/7	Habitat vs. Crewbucks
WED	5/19	F3	6/7	BPSI vs. Crewbucks
WED	5/26	F2	6/7	Anne Yon for Commissioner vs. Crewbucks
WED	6/2	F2	6/7	Crewbucks vs. BPSI

Crewbucks Co-Ed Team - B/C League

Day	Date	Field	Time	Teams
TUE	4/13	F2	6/7	Crewbucks vs. MacReedos
TUE	4/20	Barr	8/9	Crewbucks vs. Cornerstone Hospital
TUE	4/27	F2	6/7	Prestera vs. Crewbucks
TUE	5/4	F4	6/7	Chesapeake Energy vs. Crewbucks
TUE	5/11	Barr	6/7	Crewbucks vs. Homestead Construction
TUE	5/25	F4	6/7	Hot Corner / Redmen1 vs. Crewbucks
TUE	6/1	F2	6/7	Crewbucks vs. Hot Corner / Redmen2
TUE	6/8	F2	6/7	Crewbucks vs. Rusty Tops

League and game updates (Standings, cancellations, etc) can be found here - http://www.ghprd.org/softball.html.

Worth Watching

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:45:01 PDT

Plan on watching this with your kids tonight or tomorrow.

Medical Perspective of the Crucifixion of Jesus 3/31/10 7PM

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:46:05 PDT

In preparation and reflection of this upcoming Easter celebration, Dr Yingling, the Internal Medicine Chair for MU Medical Center, is presenting an account of the physical sufferings of the crucifixion of Jesus from a medical perspective. This is taking place on Wednesday, 3/31/10, at 7pm. Location: Byrd Clinical Center (old Fairfield stadium). All are welcome to come.

Easter Celebration at Camp Anthony Wayne

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:05:28 PDT

Crew is gonna be doing Easter offsite this year. We will be worshiping at Camp Mad Anthony Wayne, April 4, at 7am. Following worship together we'll eat/communion and spend the rest of the day at the camp. We'll play, hike, talk, eat, and generally enjoy God and one another. Plan on spending the day together worshipping Jesus.

On a secondary note, we'll be having a bonfire, eatin chili, and a lil worship Saturday night (April 3) at the camp with the option of camping out, if you so wish. Email josh@crewcommunity.org with questions. Our hope here is to set this Sunday apart from all others and give prominence to celebrating the risen Christ.

Make sure you RSVP to the Sunday events on Facebook-

Pass the word!

A Couple Links To Check Out

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:08:15 PDT

I read a handful of blogs and regularly run across stuff that I think would be helpful for ya’ll to read, so:

ESV has a new app for the iphone (HT: Matt Perman, “What’s Best Next”)
Ed Welch of CCEF on What not to say to folks who are suffering (HT: Tim Challies, “Challies Dot Com”)

Evangelism 101 in Htown in the Coming Years

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:50:01 PDT

I’ve been having a ton of conversations with folks in our city over the last 6 months who deny Christ death for them. The conversations almost always go to things that most of us assume as believers. Things like:

God exists
The Bible is true
God is good
God is powerful
Jesus is a real person
Jesus died and rose from the dead
God is happy with Jesus’ death for us

Almost everyone that is not a Christian that I’ve talked to in the last year challenges several of those statements. I’m hearing less and less that they deny their sin, hypocrisy of the church, ineffectiveness of the church to do social good. I’m sure some of that is there, but that is not what I’ve come up against. It’s more intellectual and less visceral.
Now I know the gospel is the power of God to salvation and no mode of apologetics or conversation or persuading is “the way of evangelism”. I think my view on that is explicit on this. However, a faithful and effective sharer of the gospel must be able to walk through these issues with those they talk with. Also, we’ll need to be able to ask those who don’t know Christ to come face to face with their beliefs, just at they ask us to. We’ll need a competent grasp of things like:

Why do we believe in a god at all?
Where did our Bible come from? Why these 66 books?
The age old question: Why does God allow human suffering?
The historical facts surrounding the person of Christ
Why you believe the resurrection of Christ?

This is no longer becoming a necessity for those who are intellectual, it is becoming basic engagement of our culture in Huntington. This is the front end of where our city is going, even though about 10 years behind major cities.
I’ve pimped it before and I cannot do it enough. Buy Tim Keller’s book: The Reason for God. Also, I’d love the chance to work through all of this in a training group in order to equip you to engage your city. Email me if you’re interested: josh@crewcommunity.org.

Boekell Liquidation Sale

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:46:23 PST

The Boekells are doing a house swap, and they have a few things they wanna get rid of. Check em out here:
Link to the pdf on the web http://www.boekell.com/buythisstuff.html

March Hymn: And Can It Be

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:10:59 PDT

Alright, it’s time to get clued into the hymn we’ll be singing and memorizing in March. And Can It Be by Charles Wesley. Here’s a video we used to introduce us to Charles Wesley in December.

This hymn is particularly timely as we work through the book of Ephesians, especially Ephesians 2:1-10.
It’s a hymn of amazement that God would take the penalty of our sin. The ones who hated him, rejected him, and were dead to him. The ones who deserve wrath receive mercy. Sinners receive the righteousness of Christ through the death of Christ.

In verse 1, we are guilty of sin before Him. Had we been there we would have driven the nails. Our saliva would have covered his face. Our curses would have been heard in his ears.
In spite of our guilt, Christ has become the perfect God man in order to reconcile us to God.
Verse 3 sings like a Calvinist, of which Wesley wasn’t. Although he is now. It declares the deadness of man before God, completely enslaved and unable to respond to Christ. But God rich in mercy, makes us alive, raises us, and seats us with Christ.
Having been made alive we can now boldly stand before God. No condemnation, but access. We are in Christ and wearing his righteousness.
Good stuff and well worth our memorization.

And Can It Be
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above
(So free, so infinite His grace!),
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Crew Member and Gospel Centered Parenting

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:11:32 PDT

I mentioned Greg Lucas had a blog that I recommended. It’s getting more traction these days. Read the Gospel Coalition blog post and then RSS, Greg's.
Greg and Kim have modeled grace, forgiveness, love, humility, and servant hearted leadership for Sarah and I deeply. I’m honored to commend his influence to you.

Weekend Baptism!

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:52:14 PDT

Helping Haiti: Karah Cloxton

adkins.kim@gmail.com (Kim) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:52:29 PDT

One of our regular attenders, Karah Cloxton, has taken the talents and connections that God has given her, and is helping Haiti. She not only is taking a medical mission trip to Haiti, she talked her former coach at the University of Dayton into raising awareness AND support at one of their basketball games. We should all take a lesson from her and seek out how we can use our giftings to glorify Him and help others in need.

Dayton Daily News: Ex-Flyer Talked Coach Into Game Fundraiser

#Follow Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:53:17 PDT

Hey guys. There’s follow Friday on Twitter, but I’m going to drop it on the blog today as well. The first blog is Noel Piper's. She may be the lesser known Piper, but was the most impacting in Sarah and I deciding to adopt.
The other is Greg Lucas's blog. It has been life changing to have the Lucas’s in our small group. Greg and Kim have adopted all 4 of their children and were the most influential couple in our decision. Incidentally, Greg is regularly quoted and linked to by Noel and will soon be by you and I. So go ahead and subscribe to both of these…now.

In Christ Alone

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:12:35 PDT

This past week we sang the hymn Before the Throne in corporate worship and you guys knocked it out of the park. The voices of God’s people singing such great theology to God and one another by memory was beautiful. Thanks for taking this exercise so seriously.

This month we’re gonna memorize In Christ Alone by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. I wish more current singer/songwriters would write songs of such depth and beauty. I’ve talked to folks who assume that this is a hymn written hundreds of years ago, but it was written in 2002. The reason it has that feel is that the songwriters wanted to create a “modern hymn”. Another one of Townend’s songs we sing, that has that same feel and teaching depth, is How Deep the Father's Love for Us.

Stuart Townend was the youngest of 4 kids and raised in West Yorkshire, England. His dad was a vicar in the Church of England. He desires to write songs that capture biblical truth in ways that prompt believers to worship in singing, but even more be built up in their living for Jesus. Getty, an Irish composer, shares that same passion for songwriting.

In 2002 with a melody in Townend’s head, he and Getty, they started writing and in their words, “the theme of the life, death, resurrection of Christ, and the implications of that for us just began to tumble out”.
Townend’s commitment to singing theology are reflected in this statement, “I think content is vitally important to our corporate worship, sometimes great melodies are let down by indifferent or clichéd words. It’s the writer’s job to dig deep into the meaning of Scripture and express in poetic and memorable ways the truth he or she finds there. Knowing the truth about God and who we are in Him is central to our lives as believers. Songs remain in the mind in a way sermons do not, so songwriters have an important role and a huge responsibility.”

Sounds like our kind of guy.
Sean, has prepared an mp3 for you to download and serve you as you memorize this classic: In Christ Alone
Here are the lyrics and they speak for themselves:

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Disaster Relief for Haiti

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:13:05 PDT

Hey guys. I’m posting to let you know how we can partner with some relief organizations to serve Haiti. Crew’s setting up a relief fund that we’ll distribute across 3 streams (Compassion International, Worldvision, and Samaritan's Purse). On Sunday, we’ll be collecting funds that Crew will match and send in the name of Christ. Pray about how much of our obscene wealth Jesus would have us give away to show His love to Haiti.

Video from Churcheshelpingchurches.org:

Next Coaching Network Month 3

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:16:12 PDT

I’m Minneapolis for month 3 of 6 with the EFCA. They’ve given me and 10 other pastors the opportunity to sit with some great leaders in order to evaluate where our churches are and how to effectively lead them into the future. A more exhaustive look can be found here, here, here, here, & here.

Alright, this session is called Breaking Growth Barriers. And it’s going to be long. So come back when you have time. I’ve tried to break it up under headers for easier reading in one sitting. Also, you can take it bite sized chunks. Now, I know, trust me I know, this topic can be controversial. I don’t want to go there in this blog. Feel free to push back in the comments and ask questions. I’d love to talk through this with ya’ll. But I’m going to resist to go into all of the nuances here. Instead, I’ll take on the role of reporter and simply summarize the discussion we’re having for you to follow. Fair?

A Foundational Assumption of the Session
The leaders of the session and the training is working on the assumption that healthy churches grow numerically. There are periods of plateau and decline, but the trend should be numerical growth.

Growth Barriers
With the evaluation of church history and of the experience of many church leaders has emerged this term called “growth barriers”. These are places, things, or season where churches get “stuck” or “stalled” in their numerical growth. These barriers can be anything from lack of effective systems, leadership, sin, meeting space, culture shift, and/or inward focus. The most common barrier is 200 people.

I personally have been aware of this term and way of thinking for a decade now. I’ve had tons of questions and dialogue with folks on both sides whether or not this is valid, biblical, or helpful. So, rest assured that I’ve thought deeply on this and continue to think about “growth barriers.” This isn’t new revelation, but I share this with you in order to get you informed.

Next, we’ll address thoughts/tools that “experienced leaders”, who have broken through barriers, have discovered are helpful and useful to pass on those who come to the barriers.

Change Your Focus
Ed Stetzer, a missiologist, who I greatly respect, says that churches that break through growth barriers focused on two groups: leaders and folks who don’t know Jesus. In regards to leadership, if the growth barrier will be overcome, the leadership will either change or be replaced. So, focus your time, energy, and resources on developing godly leaders and reaching unbelievers with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Less time needs to go toward maintaining status quo.

Release Members
This brings with it the idea that every member needs to be engaged in the work of the ministry. Not just paid staff, not just visible leaders, but everyone. This is deeply rooted biblically. Eph 4 is a slam dunk teaching on this. Many leaders, don’t trust the membership do the ministry and put to much on a select few to do everything.

Hire Additional Staff
Crew is 150. The average size of the American church is 100 folks. Why? This seems to be the number of people one pastor can reasonably lead. Therefore a single staffed church is a bottleneck to growth. Now, obviously, the tension is that most churches of 100 can’t paid two dudes. A healthy rule of thumb is that 50% of the church’s budget should be invested in staff. I don’t know who’s rule or who’s thumb but that’s out there. Crew is just under that 50%. Crew invest about $4k into staff with a budget of a little over $8k.
Again, let me emphasize, there is debate over such things, but the materials and coaches here counsel that a church must take a plunge and hire staff rather than wait until you grow to need it. In their words, “You will never be able to afford additional staff for growth”. But you still staff for growth, not staff when there’s growth. The theory is that bringing on that staff will grow the number of the church that will increase the $$ and then pay for the staff. I think I just felt some of you shudder. Another option is to raise the money for the staff salary above and beyond your budget through saving or a campaign.

Begin Multiple Worship Services
Not sure this applies to Crew and our massive space right now. The corporate worship gathering is the front door for many folks into the church community. So, the space in which corporate worship happens can hinder growth.
A church should consider doing an additional worship service when the following things are 80% full: (1) seating capacity, (2) parking space, (3) kids space. If that’s happening then start another gathering. Also, this should follow hiring additional staff. And both service should have at least 100 in each of them. A great benefit to your current members who serve in kid’s ministry will be that they can serve the church and never miss worship. They can serve in one service and worship in the other.

Manage the Room
Now we’re really going to jack some of you out. This is the layout of the gathering space. I told you this is a pragmatic session. So relax. This greatly affects the “mood” or “vibe” of the room. Here are the tips:

Set up fewer chairs than you need. You want it to feel full regardless of size. This also can build morale and excitement when you add chairs.
Curved rows with plenty of space between. This adds warmth and avoids a feeling of institutionalization. It also allows space to move. You don’t want folks squeeze and bump into one another.

Walk through the Facility
Over time, members will become accustomed to negatives about the space. We don’t even notice, the smell, the burned out lights, and the dirty carpet. Newbies will notice and it can communicate poor values.

Pay Attention to the Kid’s Ministry
Families will struggle being a part of a church that doesn’t value their kids. Parents and kids want a worship environment and community that kids want to participate in, equips parents/kids to grow, and are safe. If you reach kids, you reach parents. It’s a exponential investment into people.

Well, there you go. That’s what’s been going on here. We’ll continue to pray, talk through, and plan with this information in front of us. Feel free to comment and give a take. I’d love to know.

Time to Hymn Again

noreply@blogger.com (Josh Perry) — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:17:37 PDT

Well, we’re entering month 3 of our blatant knock off of the idea of memorizing hymns as a church. You can get caught up here as to why we’re doing this.

This month we’ve come to one of my favorite songs we sing in worship at Crew and probably the one that I get the most comments of God bringing folks to tears, for what that’s worth. It’s Before the Throne by Charitie Lee Smith, later to become Charitie Lee Bancroft. She got married. Good for her.
First a bit about the author. Smith was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1841. She was a pastor’s kid. She wrote this hymn, her only well known one, at age 22. Other than her dad, this song, and who she married, not much is known about her. How encouraging to know that cultural unknowns can have such a legacy in the gospel. By the way songwriters so you can you. We need you to write music of depth and glory. We want to use the local gifts and the talent that God has given to our body. Write stuff that moves our affections for Christ for us, will you?
Now, the song itself. The song was originally titled “The Advocate” because of it’s teaching on the doctrine of Christ’s role as the believers advocate. We see :
Verse First

Christ at the right hand of the throne of his father praying and pleading and interceding for those he died for.
He is our priest and our advocate before God.
He knows us intimately and deeply
But our sin cannot accuse us. Through his blood we have bold confidence to approach God with our prayers and praise. He will never tell us to get out.

Verse Second

Satan, the accuser, has no power with our advocate, nor should he with us.
Guilt and despair in the inner part of our being are attacked not with shallow self esteem, but a right view of our sinfulness and the forgiveness that is offered through the satisfying (propitiating) death of Christ for us.
We are pardoned.

Verse Third

Look on Christ, who has conquered death and sin through the gospel
He never stops forgiving, he’s unchanging and eternal
Our identity and destiny is tied to Christ through faith in what he has done. To reject us is to reject himself.

Great song. The tune to which we sing it was added in 1997 by Vikki Cook. Sean’s going to load a demo for you to download, listen to, and memorize this month. Buy in with us. Great theology like this needs to be sung to ourselves constantly.
Before the Throne
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there! the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of Glory and of Grace.
One with Himself I cannot die;
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
Text: Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1863
Tune: Vikki Cook, 1997
Copyright © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship

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