The Simple Service Initiative

i did something yesterday that i don’t normally do…and really don’t like doing, at all.  but i did it anyway.  i gave a commercial in my sermon.

after taking a look at a story of jesus and the disciples in mark 10:35-46, i took some time to lay the foundation for “the simple service initiative”, our plan for spring break in a couple of months.

honestly, i think that taking time during the sermon to promote a program or a trip is a mistake.  it cheats people who have come to be inspired by god’s word.  it causes a disconnect with people who are unable to participate.  they check out.  i think it happened yesterday.

in spite of that, i’m totally excited about the prospect of the simple service initiative!

North Point Bathroom Prayer

had been looking forward to yesterday’s sermon for three months.  here’s how it came about…

earlier this fall, north point was in some pretty deep funk in the giving department.  we had used up our savings safety net.  weekly giving was consistent, but it wasn’t quite covering the budget.  honestly, we were living from week to week.  we were cutting everything we could.  we were trying to make every adjustment we knew to make.  and then we get the news that we are entering the second coming of the great depression.  this was not good.

we had been reading, talking, and listening to just about anybody who had something to say on church finances.  lots of good ideas, but always missing the mark of north point’s personality.  a consistent idea was always the “commitment card”.  for the church rookie, a commitment card is something you sign with your money pledge for a project or a period of time…say, 2009.  lots of churches use them.  we have thought about them pretty much every year since i’ve been here.  we were seriously contemplating using them this year during our 2009 budgeting season.

when it came down to pulling the trigger, i just couldn’t do it.  it didn’t feel right.  that’s where the np bathroom prayer comes in.

i have always felt that our financial obedience to the cause of christ is the inevitable outcome of a life surrendered to the cause of christ.  healthy giving flows out of healthy living.  sacrificial giving is the result of how deeply connected i am to the heart of god.  my willingness to offer my money is tied directly to my willingness to offer my body as a living sacrifice.  first things first.

that’s why we will pray this prayer for 2009:

Lord,

• You alone are the Master
• May I see myself the way you see me
• May my choices emerge from your priorities
• May my giving be from sacrifice
• May my love for others reflect your love for me
• May I do all I can today to live as Jesus would
• May I always be motivated by your mercy

Some Goals for 2009

on this past sunday, i shared my personal goals for the year. they are based on three wrong assumptions that i have continued to make throughout my life as a disciple of christ. this is the year i am going to face those wrong assumptions “head on” and crush them. you watch.

here are the three wrong assumptions:

• “i’ve got plenty of time” – this is one of the grandest of all deceptions. we think we have a guarantee of tomorrow. we act like we’ve got unlimited chances to make things right. worse yet, we think that is true of others, also.
• “i’ve got to get my spiritual life together” – again, this is another deception. this one sounds really good, though. it sounds spiritual and purposeful and mature. too bad. it’s not.
• “i can do it alone” – not only is this a deception, it is openly promoted and praised as a virtue.

man, am i duped. so i’m going to stand up and fight this year. i am not going to live deceived any longer. here are my goals:

• keep the end in mind. i want to live with a deep reverence for life and a realistic awareness that the end of my life (as well as the lives of other) can and probably will come like a thief in the night. i know that’s the picturesque language the bible uses to talk about the cataclysmic end of time…but honestly, that’s what death is. i want every relationship i have to be seasoned with the reality that it could be over at any time, and i need to make the most of the time i have.
• live with integrity. this is not simply about honesty. it’s about living a life that is fully integrated. a life where all the parts are connected and moving to a consistent end. no more “sacred and secular”. no more “church life”. no more “public and private”. just a life that is lived fully devoted to christ. everywhere. all the time. with everyone.
• build deeper friendships. i want to completely smack the pride of the independent spirit right in the mouth. i want to live in praise of interdependence. i want to embody “we” and “us” and kick “i” and “me” and “mine” right in the crot…behind. i want to elevate the concept of asking for help to it’s rightful lofty status. i want to live the lifestyle of doing it together…all the time.

i think god will be honored with this kind of effort. do you want to join me?