rehashing our Core Values

I know, we talk about them a lot.  So, I figured, why not talk about them more?  Palm Harbor Church has 5 basic Core Values: Mission, Community, Growth, Prayer and Acceptance.

Mission – mission is why the church exists, though it’s not who the church exists for.  The church exists for Jesus.  John Piper said, “Mission exists because worship does not”.  The goal of life is not mission.  The goal of life is for people to worship Jesus (not just on Sunday).  Mission exists, and the church’s heartbeat is mission as a means to an end: the loving, lifelong and passionate worship of King Jesus.

Community – community really means this: together.  No one was created to be on an island.  It just doesn’t work like that.  We were made to need each other, and to depend on one another.  In fact, most of the time when our spiritual growth is “stagnated” it’s not because of the pastor, or the worship leaders at church, or the inability to find the “right” bible study.  It’s because, more often than not, we’ve segregated ourselves from others.  Sometimes that’s physical presence, but usually emotional and relational stiff-arming.  Not only did Jesus die to reconcile us to the Father, but also to reconcile us to each other.  Remember the Garden of Eden?  The only relationship that was severed wasn’t between God and man was it?

Growth – the idea here is something we talked about at TEAM DAY; that a natural result of any healthy church is that we’re united and expanding.  That’s our value of growth.  That we’re growing in unity (spiritual depth, maturity, love for Jesus and each other) and that we’re growing by expansion.  Yes, we want to grow bigger here.  I’ve noticed some confusion on this point.  Growing big isn’t necessarily a value, but staying the same certainly isn’t either.  By God’s grace, we want to grow.  But not to build our kingdom.  We want to grow to build His.

Prayer – prayer equals risk.  Say it again, prayer equals risk.  It’s easy to associate prayer with the opposite of risk, but that would be less than accurate.  We don’t pray to keep safe and secure, or even right or righteous (although, to be sure, the more we pray, the less likely we are to sin).  We pray to ask God for our marching orders.  God never promised us heath, wealth or safety.  He did, however, promise that we’d be his witnesses, and that in this world, we’d have trouble.  Prayer equals risk.

Acceptance – all people are acceptable to us, because we are acceptable to God.  Even those that are detestable to us, are acceptable, since our sin is detestable to God, yet we are still acceptable to him.  Why?  Because of Jesus.  Because of Jesus we have grace, and every one that was previously unacceptable, or unforgivable, including ourselves, is now accepted and able to be forgiven.

Palm Harbor Church is a fame-of-Jesus-reverberating-and-outsider-focused church.  Can you dig it?

PLANTED

If you’re in the Palm Harbor area, and are interested in Jesus, but not really attracted to religion, you should know, so are the people of Palm Harbor Church.  Starting this weekend, April 3 and taking us through April 24, which is Easter, we’re going to be looking at some “essentials” so to speak of christianity.  We’re going to deal with some Big Questions that you’ve probably asked, and you may or may not have been given an adequate answer to.  Questions like, “What is the bible?”, “What is the Gospel?”, “What is the Church?”, and “Who is Jesus?”.

If you’re looking for religion, you will likely not find it here; and to whatever extent you do, we’re just trusting Jesus to purge it from us, and we believe that the closer we get to him, the more so he will.

So I hope you’ll join us each weekend in April as we unpack some of the basics of what the whole christian message – or the Good News – is, what we can do with it, and how it could change everything in us.

why. because.

Why does God work through and in me?

Because my uselessness accentuates his worthiness.

My weakness highlights his strength.

My inability intensifies his ability.

My past emphasizes his future.

let God do it

One of the strangest things you begin to learn as you get deeper in to the christian faith, is that what you know or what you can offer becomes less and less important.  Of course, you only discover this as you obey what the scriptures and Jesus say, rather than just knowing what they say.

Anywho…I can’t name a single person I know who’s “done great things” for the sake of Jesus, who wouldn’t readily admit that they didn’t really do anything but obey and watch.

For an example, go read Acts 4:1-22.  What you see there is that the Spirit worked for – or in spite of – the disciples, and people were moved by Him, not as a result of the disciple’s knowledge or expertise.

What we’ve got to do, in order to see God do a great work amongst us, is to let go.  After all, as christians, we aren’t looking for followers-of-us.  We’re inviting people to follow Jesus, and we’re relying on the Spirit to do the work in people’s hearts and minds that only He can do.

Have you been wowed by Him lately?  Let’s pray that we would be.

Prayer isn’t safe

Let’s take a look back at our Core Values this week: Mission, Community, Acceptance, Prayer and Growth.

Some of these terms are fairly self-explainable, and some aren’t, but all of them need at least some explanation.  Today, let’s see if we can understand exactly what it is that we mean by “Prayer”.  To put it simply, by saying we value Prayer, we are saying that we value doing what God wants us to; not what we want us to.  That is, it’s not about thinking up some cool idea or planning some flashy event, or even setting out to reach some specific people group, and then praying to ask God to bless it.  Instead, prayer is about asking God what he’s doing, seeing where he’s already working, and then trying to get in on it.

In other words, what we mean by Prayer would look a lot like the disciple’s experiences in the first 4 or so chapters of Acts.  These were people who were on a mission to take the message of Jesus to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the Earth, and they did so by following what the Holy Spirit told them to do.

That’s the simple way to say it.  The complicated way to say it will actually take less words, at least for now.  The complicated way to say it, or how we’d describe Prayer as we dig a little deeper into the concept is the idea of Risk.

Since we are Americans, we don’t often care for the idea of Risk.  Now, there’s bad Risk (not what we’re talking about), and there’s good Risk (what we’re talking about).  We want to be as wise in our lives as possible and avoid bad Risk.  But the life of a follower of Jesus is a life of Risk; albeit the good kind.

So if we are going to be people of Prayer, what that really means is that we are going to be people of Risk.  What are we going to Risk?  Good question.  If you want to know what the people of the first church Risked, read Acts 1-4 (and be at PHCC starting in May for our new DRIVE series which walks through the first four chapters of Acts).  But understand this: the reason they risked, and the reason we do, is because we’re already promised something greater, something that we can’t lose, something that will literally last forever.

I pray that for you and I, whatever Risk our Prayer leads us to, we do it for the fame of, and our love for, Jesus.

the Big Idea

Last Sunday, we wrapped up the Big Idea series at PHCC by asking the following 10 Questions of ourselves, evaluating “church health”.  If you read this, you’ll have a pretty clear idea of what our view of “success” is here at PHCC..(I’ve scored us on each of these on a scale of 1 – 10; 1 being failing miserably, and 10 being no room for improvement.  5 would be doing “barely decent”, or about average).

1. Is there unity?

Do we make allowance for and prefer others, and do we collaborate together for ministry and mission?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will gladly lay down our own preferences to make Jesus look awesome and so people can get closer to God.

My score: 7 – 8

- We can grow here by actively looking for opportunities to serve, both within the Sunday morning context, and the community at large.  That is, ask “What am I good at” AND “What needs to get done so that more people know Jesus”.

2. Does a core of people do life together, by taking ownership in each other’s lives, spiritually, physically, emotionally and relationally?

Do our pockets of people who do life together make room for new comers, thereby being inclusive rather than exclusive?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: I am my brother’s or my sister’s keeper.

My score: 6 – 7

- We can grow here by everyone taking ownership of new people.  When you show up on Sunday, make it an intentional effort to look for new people, introduce yourself and ask them if they have any questions or need help navigating the community.

3. Do people adequately understand the vision and mission?

Do we fully understand why PHCC exists?  That is, are we here to “do” church, or to “be” the church?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will relentlessly Love God, Love People and Follow Jesus, and nothing will get in the way of people coming to know Jesus.

My score: 7 and rising.

- We can grow here by personally moving from attendance at church gatherings, to seeing the church gathering (and every other day of our lives) as an opportunity for someone else to meet Jesus.

4. Is there a growing interest in and hunger for the scriptures?

Are people genuinely desiring more of Jesus (not just seeking more head knowledge)?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will strain and discipline ourselves to know Jesus more.

My score: 6 and rising

- We can grow here by personally disciplining ourselves in growing our relationship with Jesus, by reading our bibles and doing what it says.

5. Is it generally considered to be a safe place to ask questions?

Do new-comers feel safe taking off their masks, because they see US doing that?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will repeatedly demonstrate that it’s okay to not be okay by taking off our own masks and throwing them in the ocean.

My score: 4 – 5

- We can grow here by personally being honest, authentic and and not keeping the people around us at an arms-length away from truly knowing us.

6. Are people excited enough about what’s happening that they eagerly bring their friends with them?

Do we invite our non-church friends and neighbors to Sunday gatherings, AND do we invite them to participate in activities with our PHCC friends?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will be ridiculously generous with our time, our resources and our relationships so that this community is the worst kept secret in town.

My score: 7 and rising

- We can grow here by personally inviting our friends to church gatherings, but more so by actively sharing the amazing story of Jesus and the life he offers with people around us.

7. Is the church (people and organization) pastor-dependent?

Do we lean on the pastor too heavily to accomplish the work of the church?  This question is asked for our sakes, not the pastor’s, because Jesus told the followers, not the pastors, to go into all the nations, making disciples.

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We are not a church of volunteers; we’re a church of leaders.

My score 4, but rising

- We can grow here by personally stepping out of our comfort zones, and doing ministry by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than the power or ability of ourselves.  By recognizing my dependence on Jesus, I become independent of my weaknesses and inadequacies.

8. Are gathering and scattering equally and simultaneously emphasized?

Do we think either (gathering or scattering) is more important that the other?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will be known by our love for Jesus because of our words AND our actions.

My score: 4 and rising

- We can grow here by looking at Jesus’ model of discipleship and emulating that: Gather, send, repeat.

9. Do people regularly pray for each other, and their not-yet-Christian (and each other’s not-yet-Christian) friends?

Do we believe that people’s primary problem is that they are lost (both spiritually and physically), and that their only hope for anything is Jesus?

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We will work tirelessly for both the physical and the spiritual needs of the people around us.

My score: 6

- We can grow here by personally and intentionally praying for two people who need Jesus, for every one person we pray for who needs surgery.

10. Do people view themselves as missionaries, understanding that ministry isn’t a service that “the church” provides, but instead is something that we are each commissioned into as Jesus-followers?

Do we see a major difference between professional Christians (pastors & missionaries) and “laity” (church-attenders)?  Pastors aren’t special and they have no greater value to the Kingdom than non-pastors.  They have a job to do, and so do we.

HOW WE’D SAY IT: We are equally valued, uniquely gifted, and radically commissioned.  We are each sent.  We are the church.

My score: 5 and rising

- We can grow here by personally seeing (in our work-place) each day, each meeting, each project and each person we deal with, as placed before us by God, for the fame of Jesus and the benefit of others.

This is our scorecard.

books I’m currently reading

Church Planter by Darrin Patrick.  One of the better books I’ve read lately.

Church Planting is for Wimps: How God uses Messed up People to Plant Ordinary Churches that do Extraordinary Things, by Mike Mckinley.

Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God’s Unfailing Love, by Jerry Bridges.

Live Sent, by Jason Dukes

Right Here, Right Now: Everyday Mission for Everyday People, by Alan Hirsch and Lance Ford

Then a couple in the que…

Because He Loves Me:How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life, by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement, by Dave Ferguson and John Ferguson

four perspectives on Jesus

In his book, The Radical Reformission, Mark Driscoll gives a helpful breakdown of the differences of the “four gospels” in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).  He says, “Some critics of Scripture have argued that the differences between the Gospels are contradictions.  This could not be farther from the truth.  The four Gospels simply are similar to your local nightly news.  The first three gospels are like local network television affiliates for ABC, NBC and CBS….John on the other hand, is more like one of the national cable television newscasts–such as CNN–which have stories that are rarely found on the local nightly news” (57).

He gives a table that’s helpful, which I’ve adapted to a list here:

Matthew

Author: Jewish Christian; former despised tax collector.

Primary Audience: Jews

Portrait of Jesus: Jewish Messiah and king

Jesus’ Genealogy: Traced to Abraham and David, showing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy

Notable Features: Roughly 60% of the book is Jesus’ words from his teaching as a rabbi; about fifty Old Testament quotes.

 

Mark

Author: Jewish Christian; cousin of Barnabas

Primary Audience: Romans

Portrait of Jesus: Faithful servant

Jesus’ Genealogy: No genealogy, since Jesus’ accomplishments, and not his family, are what is important.

Notable Features: Briefest gospel; few Old Testament quotes; explains Jewish words and customs for non-Jews; 150 present-tense verbs emphasizing Jesus’ actions; thirty-five miracles, 40% of the book is Jesus’ words.

 

Luke

Author: Gentile Christian doctor

Primary Audience: Gentiles

Portrait of Jesus: Perfect man

Jesus’ Genealogy: Traced to Adam to show that Jesus was fully human

Notable Features: Roughly 50% of the book is Jesus’ words; thirteen women mentioned that are omitted from other gospels; Jewish customs explained; a focus on Jesus’ early years and emotional life.

 

John

Author: Jewish Christian and Jesus’ youngest disciple

Primary Audience: Greeks

Portrait of Jesus: God

Jesus’ Genealogy: Jesus as the eternal Word of God

Notable Features: Roughly 90% is unique to John; no parables or exorcisms; seven “I AM” statements of Jesus prove he is God.

 

I hope this helps your reading and understanding of the first four books of the New Testament often referred to as “the Gospels”.

 

 

what do I know?

Admittedly, the teacher in me sometimes wants to unpack and explain everything.  But sometimes, you just have to sit back and marvel at what you can’t explain.  I don’t think that I think often enough of the vastness of Jesus, and the amount of him, to which I could never comprehend, let alone explain.  There’s a song that reminds me of this fact.  It’s by a band I use to use for an event when I was a middle school pastor, and it goes like this:

I made you promises a thousand times.

I try to hear from heaven, but I talk the whole time.

I think I’ve made you too small.

I’ve never feared you at all.

If you touched my face, would I know you?

Looked into my eyes, could I behold you?

 

What do I know of you, who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood, but the shore along your ocean?

Are you fire, are you fury?  Are you sacred, are you beautiful?

What do I know of Holy?

 

I guess I thought that I had figured you out.

I knew all the stories, and I learned to talk about -

How you were might to save.

But those were only empty words on page.

 

Then I caught a glimpse of who you might be;

the slightest hint of you, brought me down to my knees.

 

So what do I know of you, who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood, but the shores along your ocean?

Are you fire, are you fury?

Are you sacred, are you beautiful?

So what do I know, what do I know of Holy?

 

What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?

And a God who gave life its name.

 

What do I know of Holy?

Of the one who the angels praise?

All creation knows your name.

 

On earth and heaven above, what do I know of this love?

 

What do I know of you, who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stoood by the shore along your ocean?

Are you fire, are you fury?

Are you sacred, are you beautiful?

Lord, what do I know of Holy?

The band is Addison Road, the song is What Do I Know of Holy, and you can find them here.

 

Permission

I know I shouldn’t be, but I remain somewhat surprised by people’s general perception (or perhaps better said, assumption) of church culture, which includes how we gather, and I suppose just our general persona. A few observations:

1. One of the things that I say a lot, which I now believe I’ll say repeatedly for the rest of my life, is that the church doesn’t (or shouldn’t) have an agenda that culminates on itself. In other words, the church isn’t (or shouldn’t be) about self promotion. Even though I understand why it’s the case, I still find it a little strange that people are surprised when they find out that we give out homeless care packs that have absolutely nothing in them or on them about PHCC. I suppose I’m a little saddened that it’s generally assumed that every church, when they do something “for” someone else, it has strings attached or contains an ulterior motive. But they have good reason to assume that. However, I’m interested in convincing our neighborhood otherwise.

2. We’re nothing like what you see on TV. If I can be completely honest, I’d like to invite most TV preachers out to an alley for a little boxing match. I think it’d make for a good network reality series. I probably shouldn’t say that out loud, but be honest; it’d be lots of fun. Actually, they’ve got a decent thing going. It’s smart. If I were smart (or if I had the resources) I’d broadcast PHCC gatherings on the internet so people could see what we look like without having to actually show up on campus, the same way the TV guys do. I just wouldn’t talk about “sowing $50 seeds”. Or wear a shiny suit. Or use a handkerchief. Or blink uncontrollably. If you haven’t been to a church gathering in a while, you might be surprised that most of us are actually quite “normal”.

3. I can say this confidently about PHCC, as well as several other area churches that I know personally. These churches are all about PERMISSION. “What do you mean, Chad?” Did you know that there is absolutely no reason to “clean yourself up” before you show up to a church gathering? I mean teeth-brushing and deodorant are encouraged. What I mean is, you don’t need to get your junk together. You need not put on your Sunday best, nor do you need to try and be someone else. Just be yourself. Need more than just my take on it? Check it out: “Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!” (Matthew 28:16-17). This is right after Jesus’ resurrection, after he appeared to the women, and he told them to tell the disciples where to go meet up with him.

The disciples. The ones that lived with him. They saw him do all kinds of crazy and awesome stuff. Even some of them doubted. But the point isn’t that some of them doubted. The point is that there were those that doubted and there were those that believed. By Gods grace, they were all at different points in their convinced-ness. This is a beautiful picture of the local church; a collective of people, all at different points in the journey. Some of them doubt, some of them believe. And they each give each other permission to be right where they are, trusting God to show up.

I’ve noticed…he’s been showing up a lot lately for people.