Do we ever question our church culture and how it seems to others?

[ht: Kevin Bussey]

Is it just me? Or does it feel like our nation just exhaled after a long time of hold our breath. Now, I know people feel both ways when it comes to the election results (presidential and otherwise)… but do you feel it? It’s like all the air came rushing out. We now begin to move forward. The future is here - for good or bad. I’m just glad that the feeling of waiting and anticipation is over. Change is a constant and change is upon us. I’m just glad to know that I’m not following after any mere man or any political party. That would be hope wasted. I know that the Lord is almighty and I’m following Him. I’m a nomad, a sojourner in this place and that will never change. So how do I walk in this new season? The same as the last. I wander, stumble, and journey after the Lord.

This has been rattling in my mind for quite a while and it all kind of poured out of me during Catalyst in my journal. This is an idea. A catalyst. Some primal desire for change, but nothing we do should be outside the scope of community. So, my friends, readers, critics… I need your help. I want input and ideas. Let’s make this some sort of collaborative conversation. I’m looking for change. I’m looking for something more. I’m not even sure why I’m writing this, but I’d like to hear from you about this manifesto.

A Manifesto of Revolt and Activism in a Journey

Out of the Cluttered Woods of Faith

This is a clearing, a walk in spiritual anticipation for a tribe of earth shakers, lovers and heretics.

1. First and foremost, we are followers of Christ, lovers of God and chasers of the Spirit.
2. We the people are discontent with the way churches are today.
3. We want to do the work of Jesus and join in the healing of a broken world.
4. We are fueled by compassion, driven by love, and broken by God’s unfathomable grace.
5. We will not complain or bicker or dissent about the current state of the broken church, but we will incite change through our actions, meditations, prayers, and love.
6. We will pray and seek the Lord in the world around us.
7. We will break the mold of religious traditions and the American dream because we are sojourners, aliens, nomads following in the steps of a wandering Aramean.
8. We are social and religious heretics who are only accountable to the sovereign creator of the universe.
9. We are lovers of change, hope and compassion and will shake the status quo by how we step outside the herd and barbeque the sacred cow.
10. We will work out our faith in transparent community of broken followers stumbling after Christ.

Come experience Urban Hymnal 3 is this Saturday. I’ve been told it’s post-modern worship music and apparently it’s a free/donation based concert. We’re making it a Ventus worship night field trip.

If anyone is in or around the area, you should join us! If you’re going - shoot me an email and you can join the bunch (sdelony@yd.org).

Here’s the details:

November 1st, 2008 - Kane Hall @ the University of Washington

Check it out here: Urban Hynmal.org

Here’s a Free Mp3: Psalm 13

Yes, stop. Everything. Now.

Go on over to Joel Klampert’s blog and check it out. There’s also prizes if you register on his site.

The site has changed my life. I’m a better husband. I won the lottery. I no longer have that embarrassing rash. And I now can speak Mandarin Chinese… fluently.

Why are you still here reading this when you should be over there…

Click here

[So, how's that for a endorsement, Mr. K?]

The bulk of this article hinges upon your religious worldview. If you don’t put much stock into Lucifer/Satan/the Devil  or spiritual warfare, then click here to watch something happy and dilute yourself.

That being said…

Here is a simple three step list of how to really piss Satan off. This list is by no means comprehensive, just a few pointers that can probably be expounded upon.

Step 1: Introduce secular, pagan, non-chuched teens to Jesus

Step 2: Nurture them in a wild walk after Him

And here’s the kicker…

Step 3: Teach them to worship, I mean really sing praises to the Lord

Do steps one through three, then sit back and watch all hell break loose. It’s actually quite comical. Since Saturday we’ve had such oppression and odd circumstances happening. Sleepless nights. Credit card fraud on the ministry gas card. People trying to break in to our office. It’s only just started. Someone kicked the hornet’s nest.

Now, I’m not telling anyone to go looking for a fight… just keep tracking with the Lord and the fight comes to you. Aide others in a journey towards freedom in Christ? Have fun and look out…

“We are not to find work to do, rather are we to be sent to work by God. Once having understood this we shall truly experience the reality of the authority of the kingdom of the heavens.”

Spiritual Authority - Watchman Nee

In ministry,  often find myself being bombarded with with all sorts of good things to engage in (conferences, work with other ministries, or causes). They all seem like upright and good things for the Lord. But no matter how good and profitable they may be,  if they’re not what the Lord is calling me to do, then they are ultimately a waste of my time. My life is busy and always seem on the verge of getting busier. Knowing the Lord’s will is paramount in doing Kingdom work and also in keeping my sanity. There are many good paths, but only one right one.