Over the past few weeks, I've had a number of conversations around the topic of "good theology." Many of these were sparked by a comment I made in a recent message where I said "What you believe will largely determine how you behave."
Perhaps a more thorough explanation of that deduction can be found in Mark Driscoll's book "Doctrine" where he says "Because we are made in the image of the triune God to reflect His glory, we will never stop longing; yet our sin stained longings destroy that reflection." ("Doctrine" published by "Good News" publishers 2010)
It's fair to say that in our experiential age, very little time is devoted to understanding why we do the things that we do thus resulting in sometimes shallow thinking and rather reflexive behavior than Spirit lead actions.
There's no quick fix to this issue but I have repeatedly shared with our team that I purpose to give a good deal of my future time to deepening our theological core and helping everyone who's willing to sink the roots of their theological understanding into the soil of God's word so that they're not easily swayed by the winds of diversity or prosperity that might come our way.
We are all theologians whether or not we identify ourselves as that. The reality is that we simply are acting on "good theology" or "bad theology": the choice is up to us!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
P.S. For some suggestions on how to get started in reading broadly in the theological world without getting overwhelmed I recommend Mark Driscoll's book as a starting point and then following with some of his references. Another great contemporary voice with solid theology is Charles Colson and all his writings.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
We're Moving!
Anyone who has ever gone through a "major" move knows how painful the experience can be.
The accumulated "stuff," whether valuable or not comes roaring to life demanding to be accounted for one way or the other.
We are moving our primary offices at North Way Wexford down to our main building which will do many positive things to consolidate the ministry and to enable all of our members and guests to access the people they need and spaces that they need more easily.
On the other hand, the whole experience of moving seems like some form of "purgatory"! It's a painful, but necessary purging of things that eventually leads to a better place.
So please forgive the brief nature of today's entry but understand that by this time tomorrow the move will be complete!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
The accumulated "stuff," whether valuable or not comes roaring to life demanding to be accounted for one way or the other.
We are moving our primary offices at North Way Wexford down to our main building which will do many positive things to consolidate the ministry and to enable all of our members and guests to access the people they need and spaces that they need more easily.
On the other hand, the whole experience of moving seems like some form of "purgatory"! It's a painful, but necessary purging of things that eventually leads to a better place.
So please forgive the brief nature of today's entry but understand that by this time tomorrow the move will be complete!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Power of Incarnational Ministry
In a recent conversation I had with our Student Ministries pastor, we were talking about what really affects the lives of students.
There's no doubt that in our media, tech, socially connected world the church could easily be left behind by all of the "toys" that are readily available to the general student population.
However, the one thing that the secular world can not manufacture is the "authentic community" that exists in a place where followers of Christ are seeking to live out their emerging life in Jesus.
The more we talked, the more I realized that what I had experienced 35 years ago with a small group of leaders over near Allison Park was the exact same thing that would affect students today: that is the power of incarnational leadership. Those students used to watch how we lived our lives when we were together, sharing our belongings, praying together, going to different events because we wanted to, not because we had to and sacrificing whatever it took to accomplish our mutually agreed upon mission.
These things are still attractive today, still worth giving up one's individual pursuits to attain and still the most powerful life changing way to do effective ministry.
Jesus knew that giving himself to the 12 disciples would create an example that the whole world would watch. That same simple model is just as effective today as it was 2000 years ago, but we've gotten away from it through programming and substituting technology and toys for genuine, caring relationships.
My call is to return to incarnational ministry. It's effective not simply with students but with people of all ages who yearn to know and be known, to celebrate and be celebrated, to love and be loved.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
There's no doubt that in our media, tech, socially connected world the church could easily be left behind by all of the "toys" that are readily available to the general student population.
However, the one thing that the secular world can not manufacture is the "authentic community" that exists in a place where followers of Christ are seeking to live out their emerging life in Jesus.
The more we talked, the more I realized that what I had experienced 35 years ago with a small group of leaders over near Allison Park was the exact same thing that would affect students today: that is the power of incarnational leadership. Those students used to watch how we lived our lives when we were together, sharing our belongings, praying together, going to different events because we wanted to, not because we had to and sacrificing whatever it took to accomplish our mutually agreed upon mission.
These things are still attractive today, still worth giving up one's individual pursuits to attain and still the most powerful life changing way to do effective ministry.
Jesus knew that giving himself to the 12 disciples would create an example that the whole world would watch. That same simple model is just as effective today as it was 2000 years ago, but we've gotten away from it through programming and substituting technology and toys for genuine, caring relationships.
My call is to return to incarnational ministry. It's effective not simply with students but with people of all ages who yearn to know and be known, to celebrate and be celebrated, to love and be loved.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Monday, October 25, 2010
God Whispers
Last evening, I had a long trip because of the typical airline delays and traffic issues that inevitably seem to affect our travels.
However, it gave me opportunity to read a good portion of a newer book from Bill Hybels called "The Power of a Whisper."
Although much of the book is somewhat biographical, Bill Hybels reminds us that we all would do well to understand the absolute hunger on the part of God to spend time with us in intimate settings.
Hybels is fairly revealing in the book, sharing that he viewed God as more "The Big CEO" than anything else in the early and rather dramatic years of his ministry.
It wasn't until later, some 20 years later, that he began to hone in on this more important dynamic of listening to the voice of God in very specific ways.
1 Kings 19:12 provides the key verse for the title of the book. "After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
I know that, for me, the shear pace of my life, like most of you, is such that clearing out the clutter, the ambient noise of the social networks, the entertainment, the many interests that I have, in order to hear God's "gentle whisper" is one of the great challenges that I face.
I have no one to blame but myself for this. God has given me much favor in having opportunity to make time for Him, but I have far too often neglected to put aside those other things.
I would like to say that "I'm going to change" beginning tomorrow; but I've come to learn that I can only really change if the Holy Spirit both convicts and empowers me to do so. And so I simply want to profess that I'm going to pray for that power to change and to create the space to hear those whispers that guide even the unexpected details of my life to be far more profound and God pleasing than any human effort might produce.
Listening with you,
Dr. Jay
However, it gave me opportunity to read a good portion of a newer book from Bill Hybels called "The Power of a Whisper."
Although much of the book is somewhat biographical, Bill Hybels reminds us that we all would do well to understand the absolute hunger on the part of God to spend time with us in intimate settings.
Hybels is fairly revealing in the book, sharing that he viewed God as more "The Big CEO" than anything else in the early and rather dramatic years of his ministry.
It wasn't until later, some 20 years later, that he began to hone in on this more important dynamic of listening to the voice of God in very specific ways.
1 Kings 19:12 provides the key verse for the title of the book. "After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
I know that, for me, the shear pace of my life, like most of you, is such that clearing out the clutter, the ambient noise of the social networks, the entertainment, the many interests that I have, in order to hear God's "gentle whisper" is one of the great challenges that I face.
I have no one to blame but myself for this. God has given me much favor in having opportunity to make time for Him, but I have far too often neglected to put aside those other things.
I would like to say that "I'm going to change" beginning tomorrow; but I've come to learn that I can only really change if the Holy Spirit both convicts and empowers me to do so. And so I simply want to profess that I'm going to pray for that power to change and to create the space to hear those whispers that guide even the unexpected details of my life to be far more profound and God pleasing than any human effort might produce.
Listening with you,
Dr. Jay
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Ripples of Life
As I send out this communication via many networks and into many states and even nations, I'm reminded of the profound impact of one very "ordinary" life.
No, this is not a play on the life of Jesus and the poem that chronicles the never again to be achieved consequence of one man who never left his home region of Galilee.
This is, however, about one simple woman who spent most all of her life in the state of Virginia and yet through her teaching, serving and giving touched hundreds if not thousands of people all over the nation.
The reason I know that is that people are coming from as far away as California and as far south as Florida and as far north as New England to a small little church outside of Chesapeake, Virginia, to celebrate Mom Watson's 99 1/2 years of living a simple life dedicated to Jesus and His purpose for her.
I won't spend a great deal of time elaborating on how Mom Watson affected people but I do want to say that for anyone who may wonder if anyone notices when they serve quietly behind the scenes or when they quietly give a little extra that nobody acknowledges, please be confident that the Lord does see! And beyond that, people notice and eventually their lives are affected by the cumulative affect of the life of integrity, generosity and faithfulness.
It will be my privilege to lead the memorial service tomorrow at noon in the Simonsdale Presbyterian Church where Carol and her sister Mary Lynn grew up and Mom Watson put down her roots of faith over 50 years ago.
My only prayer is that we will do justice in honoring that life and in setting the hearts of all those who attend on seeking to emmulate the wonderful, biblical qualities that we all recognized in Mom Watson for her 99+ years that the Lord gave her on this earth.
Have a blessed weekend worshipping the Giver of Life wherever you may be.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
No, this is not a play on the life of Jesus and the poem that chronicles the never again to be achieved consequence of one man who never left his home region of Galilee.
This is, however, about one simple woman who spent most all of her life in the state of Virginia and yet through her teaching, serving and giving touched hundreds if not thousands of people all over the nation.
The reason I know that is that people are coming from as far away as California and as far south as Florida and as far north as New England to a small little church outside of Chesapeake, Virginia, to celebrate Mom Watson's 99 1/2 years of living a simple life dedicated to Jesus and His purpose for her.
I won't spend a great deal of time elaborating on how Mom Watson affected people but I do want to say that for anyone who may wonder if anyone notices when they serve quietly behind the scenes or when they quietly give a little extra that nobody acknowledges, please be confident that the Lord does see! And beyond that, people notice and eventually their lives are affected by the cumulative affect of the life of integrity, generosity and faithfulness.
It will be my privilege to lead the memorial service tomorrow at noon in the Simonsdale Presbyterian Church where Carol and her sister Mary Lynn grew up and Mom Watson put down her roots of faith over 50 years ago.
My only prayer is that we will do justice in honoring that life and in setting the hearts of all those who attend on seeking to emmulate the wonderful, biblical qualities that we all recognized in Mom Watson for her 99+ years that the Lord gave her on this earth.
Have a blessed weekend worshipping the Giver of Life wherever you may be.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Coming Elections
November 2nd cannot come soon enough! The steady drone of "attack ads" by politicians from the national to the local level seems to have multiplied in intensity and frequency this year.
Whatever it is about politics, the whole process seems to drive us away from wanting to deal with the real issues because the surrounding "packaging" of personalities and stories are simply overly negative, critical and sometimes "over the line."
I need no greater reason to understand the wisdom of scripture that exhorts us to "speak well of one another" than to listen to a series of attack ads and just feel dirty as a result.
The problem is that we have a responsibility, a duty, as David Barton called it in a recent talk that he gave here at North Way, to participate in our elections. I feel that duty more this year than most any other.
The real challenge is to work my way through all of the blather in the media and get down to understanding what the real issues are and where the candidates stand and to make my choices accordingly.
I'm so grateful to be part of a community where we speak well of each other, look for ways to encourage and uplift one another and "speak the truth in love" as Paul exhorted us in his letter to the Ephesians.
And so for about ten more days the political barbs will continue to fly but my prayer is that, in the end, we will have reaffirmed our political system and as a nation put representatives into place who will handle our concerns with integrity and honesty. I can't wait for it to happen!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Whatever it is about politics, the whole process seems to drive us away from wanting to deal with the real issues because the surrounding "packaging" of personalities and stories are simply overly negative, critical and sometimes "over the line."
I need no greater reason to understand the wisdom of scripture that exhorts us to "speak well of one another" than to listen to a series of attack ads and just feel dirty as a result.
The problem is that we have a responsibility, a duty, as David Barton called it in a recent talk that he gave here at North Way, to participate in our elections. I feel that duty more this year than most any other.
The real challenge is to work my way through all of the blather in the media and get down to understanding what the real issues are and where the candidates stand and to make my choices accordingly.
I'm so grateful to be part of a community where we speak well of each other, look for ways to encourage and uplift one another and "speak the truth in love" as Paul exhorted us in his letter to the Ephesians.
And so for about ten more days the political barbs will continue to fly but my prayer is that, in the end, we will have reaffirmed our political system and as a nation put representatives into place who will handle our concerns with integrity and honesty. I can't wait for it to happen!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Generous Heart
Last evening, a group of folks met for dinner and a time of sharing vision, testimonies and some good laughter in between.
It was all part of a "Golf Outing" and a banquet for support of the North Way Counseling Services.
What emerged during the course of those few hours together was just how generous of heart the people of our church family and their guests truly are! Though it was clear that people were not frivolous with their money, they were willing to part with it for the sake of the investment that it would become in the lives of people; broken and needy people who would be greatly helped by the ministry of the North Way Counseling Center.
This is a waning virtue in our culture. Generosity is not the first thing that people think about in tough and uncertain economic times. However, generosity is one of the true marks of the character of Christ in any believer and, for that matter, any person of high integrity. (Note the recent and highly publicized donations of multi-billionaires such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates.)
You needn't be a billionaire to be generous. You just need to have a heart that's willing to trust God and have your spirit be sensitive to the voice of the Lord nudging you when to give to a worthy need.
As Max Lucado points out in his book "Living to Make a Difference," it was Jesus who said that "when you do this to the least of these, you do this unto me." Matthew 25:40 That was true in the event that I experienced last night and I pray that more of that kind of heart will be seen throughout our community and many other lives that I am so blessed to be part of.
Blessings,
Dr. Jesus
It was all part of a "Golf Outing" and a banquet for support of the North Way Counseling Services.
What emerged during the course of those few hours together was just how generous of heart the people of our church family and their guests truly are! Though it was clear that people were not frivolous with their money, they were willing to part with it for the sake of the investment that it would become in the lives of people; broken and needy people who would be greatly helped by the ministry of the North Way Counseling Center.
This is a waning virtue in our culture. Generosity is not the first thing that people think about in tough and uncertain economic times. However, generosity is one of the true marks of the character of Christ in any believer and, for that matter, any person of high integrity. (Note the recent and highly publicized donations of multi-billionaires such as Warren Buffet and Bill Gates.)
You needn't be a billionaire to be generous. You just need to have a heart that's willing to trust God and have your spirit be sensitive to the voice of the Lord nudging you when to give to a worthy need.
As Max Lucado points out in his book "Living to Make a Difference," it was Jesus who said that "when you do this to the least of these, you do this unto me." Matthew 25:40 That was true in the event that I experienced last night and I pray that more of that kind of heart will be seen throughout our community and many other lives that I am so blessed to be part of.
Blessings,
Dr. Jesus
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