Home Group: This Friday is not unlucky!

Friday, June 13th at the Perrys @ 6:30

Passage: John 14:5-14

 

This week we will be looking at a passage that highly offends our modern western culture.  In the passage Jesus makes some exclusive claims.  I believe that the beauty of the Gospel (Jesus’ message) is that it offends and challenges every culture (and person) at some point.  The paradox is that Jesus (Immanuel) came dressed in a very specific culture in a very specific time of history.  Even though he looked and sounded familiar to the people of his time, his message challenged the social and religious status quo… to the point of death. 

            Every generation has dressed Jesus’ message in their own unique cultural context.  And when allowed, that message has transformed not just the individual but also the society in which they live, work and worship.  What part of Jesus’ message offends you?  Is it his exclusive claim to be God?  Maybe it’s the inclusive way he treats people (“For God so loved the world”) and that he calls his followers to do the same regardless of what “the world” looks like, their sexual preference, or their political ideology?  What happens when Jesus offends you?  Do you look for a church that won’t?  Do you look for a group of people who hold your views?  I’ve done that before.  You know what, Jesus has a way of finding you.  He is tenacious.  See you Friday!

 

Info:

 

Mark your calendars. 

http://www.paramountartscenter.com Ashland, KY

Jazz Alley Series

Friday, July 18, 8:30 p.m. features Glenn and Lisa Ginn

 

Jazz Cats Everywhere! Slink in and curl up to an intimate evening of fine jazz music in a unique club atmosphere–sit on stage with the artists as they play. Each night brings you the finest jazz musicians, groovin’ on the dance floor, and a lot of fun! Drinks, including wine and beer, will be offered for sale.  (Paramount Arts Center)

“Never had it, never will. Ahhh, marvelous!”

 

 

This “church plant” is new and frustrating.  Those of you who are older will remember the 7Up commercials (late 70’s early 80’s) that featured Geoffrey Holder, a bald guy dressed in white with a heavy Jamaican accent.  He would say…

 

“It doesn’t look anything like a cola and doesn’t smell anything like a cola.”

“No caffeine, no artificial color, no artificial flavor.”

“Crisp and clean and no caffeine.”

 

7Up did a great job communicating how they differed from the status quo.  They called it the “Uncola”. 

 

I have a hard time communicating vision for the Well (sometimes even to myself).  With a few people I’ve even called it the “Unchurch”, with reference to the 7Up commercials.  “It doesn’t look anything like a church and doesn’t smell anything like a church.”  But in fact, it is a church… Ecclesia = “the called out” or “a called out assembly”.  A group of people “called out” of their culture (both secular and religious) learning what it means to follow Jesus by loving God and loving people.  In this “prototype”/“experimental” church I, and others, struggle with what it means to be “christian” without many of the traditional church props.  That is, the 2-3 formal meetings per week, committees, ministries and events that support our churches and fill up our schedule.  Is it enough to only meet once or twice a month with “the fellowship”, work at our jobs and spend more time with family, friends and aquantances while at the same time committing ourselves to reading the book and talking to God?  Going counter to the culture (both societal and religious) that says “what you are doing is not church”, is very difficult. 

 

Just last night I had a dream that I gave up the idea of planting a “missional church” (one that is outwardly focused).  I joined a church plant that was doing it “right”… contemporary, high impact and well funded (church growth experts say in order to plant a church “right”, one needs around $100,000 on hand for their first three years).  Compare that to The Well… eclectic, low impact and shoe string budget.  In fact, what we are doing is the antithesis of planting a church “right”.  “God help us!”…  this has been the cry of countless servants throughout the ages.

 

“Never had it, never will.  Ahhh, marvelous!”