The Dangers of Community (and blogging)

Years ago I proposed a theory about community in the house church model.  At that time, I had a good friend who was working as a Church Plant Movement Missionary, his job was to start a home church movement, not a small task.  One of the things that we realized is how hard it is to get people to come to a strangers house for Bible Study.

It's a really straight forward concept, the willingness of an individual to be open to a group is dependent upon that individuals desire to belong to that group.  If I want to be part of a group, I am more willing to be open and at risk in that group.  I will share about myself, I will risk involvement and I will open my self up to possible hurt.  One of the things we have discovered in the house church moment is it's difficult to get people who are not at some level in relationship with the hosts.  People don't seem to want to attend a house church if they are unchurched.  The unchurched don't have a strong desire to attend a church, otherwise they would.  We, unlike China, have ample opportunities for people to attend a church, and those who want to go to church, they do.

All community carries this risk.  When you open yourself up to belong to a community, you put yourself at risk, are the individuals in that community going to support you, or are they going to reject or even attack you.  For example, I shared some information on a blog and instead of the ensuing conversation being about the topic, I was attacked for the information I shared.  I have not been inclined to go back and write anything for that blog since that experience.  People have the same things happen at church, clubs, social events, even in groups of peers.  When we become open and our desire to belong increases yet we experience negative feedback, our desire to belong decreases.  When it does, our willingness to be open decreases and we pull away from that group.

I believe that is the trend we have seen with many of our Christian organizations, and with church.  When we as individuals are open in a Christian context about struggles, hurts or failures, often we are attacked, hurts and abused by those we attempted to connect with.  This causes a huge decrease in our desire to be part of that group, and therefore our willingness to be open.  In the church today, we see people who marginally want to be part of the church, they attend, but they are not open, they do not fellowship or connect.  These people are not inclined to join a small group, Sunday School and wouldn't attend a house church.

To make things harder, we often attempt to reach those who have had a negative church experience with a house church model.  We have not done real well at doing this, because those individuals have no desire to belong to a church.  There is hope however, and there are several house and cell churches who have discovered the secret.

In order to increase an individual's desire to be open, and therefore attend a small gathering, we must find to increase their desire to belong.  We have to be the kind of people that others want to spend time with.  We need to be friendly, loving and compassionate.  The small group that meets in my home is composed of people who I have a great relationship with.  I am not meeting with people who I barely know, and the people who don't care for me, they don't attend my small group.

In many ways, we have driven people away from the living water, because they don't want to have to stand next to us.  We have to get rid of the model of standing around in our group and waiting for people to show up.  We can't expect people to come because we are having church.  If they wanted to come to church, they would have shown up by now.  We have to go out and build relationships and share and be open with people.  When they see they can trust us, they will be more open and have a desire to belong.  That gives us the opportunity to share, to care and to disciple.

Atheist Farmer - an oxymoron

Have you ever met an atheist farmer? Thinking back to all the farmers I have met, many of them were not real religious, most prayed (especially when they were in need of rain). I have never met a farmer who didn't believe in God. As I was driving in rural Nebraska, looking at the corn and soybeans which were an unnerving shade of brown, I thought about the farmers.

I don't know of any profession that will get you nearer the heart of God than the farmer. The farmer works the land, plants the seeds, treats for weeds and fungus and bugs, and depends on God. Only God can make the crops grow. We have irrigation, but only God can make it rain. Only God brings the sunshine. The farmer has the responsibility to do his part, but the results are up to God.

What a beautiful picture of God's power and man's responsibility coming together. We do our part to share the gospel. We share the truth, answer questions, silence skeptics but only God brings someone to Salvation.

I have had many titles in my life. Teacher, leader,manager, pastor, director, but the title I would love to have is farmer. Tilling soil, planting and watering and praising God for the increase.

transitions

Life is certainly changing. I have resigned my position as Associate Pastor, but not my call to ministry. God has always put me in front line ministries, and that is what I am going back too. Student ministry, house church ministry, coaching,consulting and training. I am going to focus on where I am called and gifted.

Some have wondered if I got fired. No, I wasn't fired. I didn't just leave either, it was a decision that I made with the guidance of others. Parting was hard, but a friendly, loving seperation. I willn still maintain and build relationahip with that body of believers as I do the other things God has called me too.

You can be a part, by praying for us. Lots of changes and uncertainty. We are looking for a place to live and a job for me. Pray God opens the right doors. Thank you allnso much, the journey is just beginning.

A Statement of Woven Theology

We affirm that God's sovereign plan exists outside out time and in the realm of eternity. God's plan is set out, preordained and can never be thwarted or undone.

Romans 8:29, Ephesians 1:5, 11, Acts 4:28, Isaiah 46:9-11, Psalms 102:27

We believe that God's eternal nature is higher than man's ability to comprehend and to fathom. We only relate to this nature and aspect of God in prayer and worship. God's eternal nature does not change, and His plan and will does not change.

Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, Isaiah 55:9

We affirm that the concepts of predestination, election, prophecy and the end times are based upon this aspect of God's nature and character. All good things, all gifts and all holiness come from God and He receives all the glory, honor and praise.

James 1:17, Romans 8:29, Psalms 99:5, Hebrews 12:28, 13:15, I Thessalonians 1:4

We believe that God interacts with us in a relational and temporal nature in which we interact with in a very personal way. We see this all through scripture where God's nature and attributes connect with His creation in a very relational way.

I John 4:10,19, Jeremiah 31:3, James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8

We affirm that God related to Moses, Abraham, David and others in a relational way, working in time and with them in relationship. God connects with His creation in a way to build and grow relationship and understanding.

Exodus 3:12, Exodus 18:19, Genesis 18:17, James 2:23, I Samuel 18:14

We believe that Jesus Christ came to the earth and existed temporally and connected with the creation is a temporal, relational way. In this nature, we see that Jesus interacted with people in a relational way.

John 15:9, John 14:10, 11, I Timothy 1:15, Matthew 9:13, 36, Luke 7:13

We affirm that human kind exist with a sinful nature, tainted with the consequence of the original sin, understanding right and wrong and choosing wrong and sin and rebelling from God at our first recognition of evil.

Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Psalms 14:3, Psalms 51:5, Romans 7:8-11

We believe that we are responsible for our sin, and it's our sin and our choice that condemn us to hell. We have made a choice to rebel against God, our sin nature that is ingrained in all mankind draws us into rebellion against God, and we believe that ever person has sinned and in in rebellion against God left to their own. They are incapable of being free from sin, from seeking God and from any works that will save themselves.

Romans 3:12, Romans 6:17, Romans 7:7-11, Genesis 3:6, Hosea 6:7

We affirm that man does not work for, earn or merit salvation. Salvation is a work of God and comes only when the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and calls. In God's eternal plan, those individuals who are saved have been seen and predestined from God's eternal nature outside of time and before the foundation of time. Salvation is a gift of God, and God receives all the glory and honor for salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9, John 15:16 Romans 9:22-24, Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:28-30, Acts 13:48

We believe that man has a responsibility to trust Christ and put our faith in Christ. We have the responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our heart, not to reject His call through blasphemy. We are responsible for our actions and reactions in the context of salvation, our openness of ears, eyes and heart.

Romans 10:9, 13, Acts 16:31, Hebrews 4:11, Acts 2:37-39, Acts 7:51

We affirm that the process of salvation in an intersection of God in His sovereignty, power and foreknowledge and man's responsibility and response. It seems there is contradictions in this nature, but we see that God's eternal attributes in Salvation and not comprehensible, yet God's temporal nature interacts with us making salvation a relational experience. They intersect in a way that fit together in God's eternal plan and our relationship and responsibility.

John 14:15-29, John 17:6-12, II Corinthians 5:11-20

We believe that salvation always occurs from conviction of sin. Without the Holy Spirit bringing conviction of sin and enlightening the sinner to their true nature, the sinner will not repent. Without repentance, true salvation will not occur.

Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 8:22

We affirm that when a sinner takes the responsibility for sin and places their faith in Jesus Christ, then The Holy Spirit will regenerate their spirit, and once they Holy Spirit indwells the believer, they are secure in that Salvation for eternity. They no longer are their own, they are now a child of God, and in God's sovereignty that child will never be lost.

Romans 11:29, John 10:28 - 29, Jude 1:24, Romans 8:38-39

We believe that once the Holy Spirit indwells a believer, God's relational nature works in that individual in the process of sanctification through learning, faith, the church and through good works. Good words come through salvation and sanctification for the purpose of the believer experiencing God in a real way and touching the lives of other.

John 21:15-17, John 15:26, I Corinthians 12:3, Acts 10:47, Hebrews 2:4

We affirm that God uses His people to reach out and share faith. God's nature is relational and He chooses to use us to build relational unity in His Church. Salvation is a connect and intersection of God's plan and our responsibility and evangelism is God working through us and in us.

Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14-15, Luke 24:47

In summary, we believe that man's responsibility and choices are woven together with God's eternal attributes, sovereign plan and predestination. This interaction brings God's plan and will to pass in a way that builds relationship and connects His people in His Church for His purpose and glory.

If you would affirm this theology, please sign your name, your city and how you serve God in your local context.

Free Download Not Equipped for Failure

I want to offer a free copy of my book Not Equipped for Failure.  It's a guide for being strategically Evangelistic.  If you would please let me know your thoughts.

If you would like a copy, please email a request to jdanbarnes@yahoo.com.  Thanks.

Dryness

Have you ever experienced a time of dryness in your life?  I am having one with my writing right now.  I sit down to write, but I feel like I have nothing to give.  The well is dry and I scramble to put something together.  It's bad enough I am writing about not having anything to write about.

I am not sure where these times come from.  Dryness or depression or anxiety or despair or even times blankness, the blahs.  They happen to most of us, some more than others.  I hope you are doing better than I am in your passions and in your dreams.  Mine seem to be a little dried up and dusty right now.  Still have some projects, but seems like trying to pull and oak tree out of the ground by putting a chain on your bike.  Lots of effort, but the oak tree isn't moving.  I guess we just keep peddling.

My view looking at myself

One of the things I have worked on for years is knowing and understanding myself.  I have taken a large variety of assessments and critiques and I know what is good and bad.  I know that I am pretty interdependent, which is good and bad.  I have a tendency to isolate myself, don't form a lot of close connections and struggle to maintain healthy relationships outside of my immediate family.  I don't like to depend or rely on others, not strong at working in a group.  I have developed some leadership skills and qualities, they are not my natural tendency, my natural and default mode is independent work, which is why I am drawn to cars and computers and other task oriented things. 

I am pretty abstract, I think outside the box and I am pretty imaginative.  I am a theoretical thinker, which leads me in the direction of theologian and academic.  I don't like to be wrong, I like even less to be criticized, I don't particularly look for esteem or accolades either, mostly would just like to be left alone.  I struggle to do things that I don't see the value in, if I value or believe in something I'll work myself to death to make it happen.  If I don't fully believe in it, then I will do what I have too, but I have a hard time getting all in to it.  I am not particularly confrontational, but if it needs to happen, I usually end up being the one who starts off.   I have found myself in many leadership roles by default or by accident, where I was put in that position.  I am very analytical, I look for deeper issues in almost everything.  When it comes to problems, people, organizations when there is a problem I analyze it and look for the root of the issue, I don't want to deal with surface issues. 

When I get angry or frustrated I shut down, I don't express emotions as a general rule, I bottle up everything and repress it.  I love to share ideas and concepts with people, I enjoy teaching and leading in learning activities.  My leadership abilities are best expressed in a discipleship or teaching environment.  I enjoy writing and I try to read a great deal.  When I have a close relationship, I will invest a great deal into it, like with my wife and my kids.  I don't have a need to prove myself to anyone, but I do try to encourage and support people.  I care what people think, but I don't have a drive to try to impress them or make them think I am wonderful.  If someone dislikes me, it doesn't bother me much, because I am not a person oriented individual.  In my years of ministry, I have had to really work on connecting with people and not on the tasks to do.  Large groups who I have to interact with, especially in a social and unstructured environment exhaust me.  I have some anxiety that often centers around random things, and I am hard on myself often, I will beat myself up over my failures or conceived failures.  I don't like to have weakness or need because that puts me at the dependence of other people, and I hate that.  I have to really work on being connected to the Body of Christ and expressing need and letting people help and support me.  My flesh tends to push me towards isolation. 

I am cynical and have a melancholy, sarcastic and sometimes dark sense of humor.  I'm not particularly trusting of people.  I have the ability to read people pretty well, I have a knack for seeing what is really driving a person, and it sometimes leaves me suspect of motives.  I think many people are driven by motivations they are not even aware of.  In this country, we have celebrated pride and ego to the point it drives many leaders and they are unaware, but that's another matter.  I have to force myself to trust, I am suspicious and cautious.  I have a hard time with people who seem to have all the answers, because that means they aren't really asking the questions.  I want to see what is deeper in life, find the truth and examine the depths, and the shallowness I see makes me frustrated. 

I am very aware of my own condition most of the time, I stop and think about how I am thinking, how I am feeling and what is going on.  I am aware when I am a little manic, I am aware when I am struggling with some depression, I am aware when things are clicking and when things are not.  I'm not afraid to walk away from something that isn't working (other than my marriage).  I am committed to Jesus Christ and to Elaine, my kids are my kids forever, but if a job, organization, position, ministry, title or position isn't working, then I'm out.  I'm not in this to play games, build credentials, impress constituents or make money.  I do what I do to serve Christ, and if that isn't happening, I'll find someplace it will.  If Paul left places, broke company and went where the Spirit told him too and didn't go where it told him not to go, then it's good enough for me.  I could care less what American culture says about it, the American ideals that are not biblical and the notions we buy into about being great, or even "good enough". 

I worry the culture has changed Christians more than Christians have changed the culture, and I don't want to be part of it.  I want to be Biblical and sold out to Christ.  I will mold, shape and conform however I have to in order to fit that model.  In that context, I can and will work with anyone in any place.  I will do what I have to do to help, get along, get in line and fit where I am called.  When God puts me somewhere, I am there until He tells me I can do (not that sometimes I don't request to go).  I get frusterated when I feel trapped, when I feel like I am at the mercy of someone, especially if I don't particularly trust them.  I don't like games, I don't like politics and I don't like it when people are shady.  I am sort of a lay it all on the table sort of guy.

I struggle with having a disciplined schedule.  I am not much of a schedule sort of guy.  I do what I need to do when I need to do it and tackle things as they come or in order as they come up or importance.  I often work on multiple things at the same time, and I converse and work simultaneously sometimes.  I like to stay busy and have things going and plates spinning.  When there are things undone, I like the get them check off.  I don't leave unread e-mails in my inbox, I don't leave unread text messages.  I don't put CDs in the wrong case, I want my books put back right in my book shelf.  I can't stand it when someone opens something without using the already opened item (like shampoo or ketchup).  I don't like to discuss items with people who say they are open minded, but in reality are convinced of their own opinion and just want to tell you why you are wrong.

This is not an exhaustive list, this is not all of why I am, but this is much of what makes me up and how I operate.  Much of this I struggle though, I want Christ to be expressed in me.  Much of the issues are in my flesh, which I strive and seek to crucify each day, but I am not always successful.  I am constantly striving to become less so He can become more.