The random technotheolosophical blogging of Reid S. Monaghan
Kasey and I are putting our house for sale as we work towards moving to New Jersey to plant Jacob's Well - if you know anyone who might be interested in moving to Franklin, please put them in contact with us. Blessings
Here is a link to the listing.
I posted a brief update on the Jacob's Well web site today on the progress God is bringing in our church planting efforts. You can read that here.
It is amazing how off line life can keep me from developing content for the blog here. I in no way resent this, but feel the reality often. I have had a great holiday with much "quality time" (not said cynically, but will joyful sincerity) with my wife and three kids. It is a great delight to know and walk with my little people - even more to be known and understood by them as they get older.
I have loved getting to know Kylene better as she rounded her four year mark last week. She is on her way towards learning to read with her letters and most sounds under he little belt. She loves to run back and forth in our house (yes, we let our kids run a bit in the house - bad parents!) and spend one on one time with Mom and Dad. She is also able to ride in a booster seat now so it is fun to take her out with me places without having to take the mini-van. Not that I have van shame or anything.
Kayla, our six year old, has become a bit of a football buddy of mine over the holidays. Yes, I have watched too many games and read less than I intended. Alas, I must learn to give grace to myself. But Kayla and I just love watching a game together. She understands almost all the rules (not sure she gets touch backs and safeties yes) and is a pretty active fan. Some man will be blessed some day - just doing my part. We continue to learn the 10 commandments and teach them to Kylene - fun to see how 4 and 6 year olds see the relationship between Law and Gospel. I am also reading Nehemiah with Kayla to prepare her for our new series in "big church" - she comes with us now must Sunday mornings and was scratching out here little sermon notes today. I did almost get teary eyed. It is fun to have both girls exclaim loudly a cacophonous "Boooooo!" whenever we read the names Sanballat or Tobiah in Nehemiah. Equally fun to hear them yell "Yeaaaaaa!" when we read the name of God. Rowdy bed time Bible time - I just love it.
As always these little girls really steal my heart away. I took them to see a movie the other day and just watched them sitting there and prayed for godly young men for both of them some day. I love having daughters and it is one of the greatest callings of my life. I can't help but be thankful. Young boys on notice - me and Tommy are watching you already - speaking of Tommy.
Little Tommy Reid has been a great treat for me this season of slowing down. I have so enjoyed getting him up for breakfast, sitting him in a little chair and talking to him like he is a big man. I also like the fact that he can come into the bathroom and watch me shave (fascinates him). With little girls there are certain things you cannot share, but having the little man with me for bathroom time is really a trip. He also has learned a new word which he says whenever he passes a television..."butball" - Yes, did I mention I have watched too many games? I love it that he like balls, wrestling with Daddy and head butting. Oh why did God give me a son - too rich of a grace.
Finally, I have enjoyed the times with family both in North Carolina where Kasey's parents live, a weekend with my Mom and Brother and some time with my Dad her in Tenn. Parents are also gracious to allow me to take my bride out on a date or two while they baby sit/play with/bless/grandparent our kids. Kasey and I are have had some laughs over the break - I have even willfully went shopping with her. She is also encouraging me in my goals for the spring of getting in better shape and deeping my walk with Christ. We have our moments for sure, but I still think God gave us something special in our marriage and friendship. I hope it infects others because it is really something God given and good.
Well, I have a book review and probably a review of my new non Macintosh laptop coming here on the blog. I travel up to a seminary class next week on monkeys and men (actually entitled Origins) and I have a myriad of to-do(s) associated with Jacob's Well and Inversion. By the way, if you know anyone with a spare 150K to invest in church planting up north, please let me know - it would help with my schedule - smile. We are still on track to move in the summer (God willing) and look forward to focus more on the new direction here soon.
As 2008 began I did not list a whole bunch of books, music, or highlights from 2007 here at Power of Change - but I did want to write a bit tonight about those with whom I spent the last days of 2007. I call them the Monaghan Home Team - and I love them deeply...much more than I love to blog...even more than football games.
I have been thinking a bit about American holiday traditions and what we celebrate these days. Now, I know many of you grew up thinking Christmas was about Jesus away in a manger, but I want to tell you there is a different reality for many in America. Personally, growing up Christmas was about Santa Claus and getting stuff. Later in life - after that horrible day when you find out that "he isn't real" you expect expensive presents from your parents. Of course you join in the whole Santa conspiracy from the top end of the ladder enjoying the delight of the younger cousins and kids in the family. This year after seeing that almost all the cartoons on television were about Rudolph, Frosty and Satan Claus I realized that something has really shifted in our celebrations and holidays. In many ways, Christmas is about celebrating nothing. What do I mean?
Some of you may very well know that our word "holiday" derives from the Old English haligdæg, from halig "holy" + dæg "day." In other words, a holiday was a holiday set aside for observance and celebration of something. Usually holidays are created by people for the remembering of important or sacred events. This pretty much carries throughout all cultures where people set aside time to remember important things from their histories. We still observe this concept pretty much today, but something strange is happening with Christmas. For all the Christians reading this post, this really will not apply. For believers in Christ still celebrate advent and incarnation...although on the awkward day of December 25th (for a short history of this go here). Yet for many others Christmas comes once a year to celebrate something for sure...namely, CHRISTMAS!!!
In other words, many now celebrate a holiday to celebrate the holiday. Something has slipped out of the event somehow. We celebrate the holiday itself rather than something sacred or of importance to remember. So what do we really celebrate? Well, my cynical answer would be the percentage of consumer spending and the propping of our "way of life" and economic engine. We spend and buy and go into debt for the sake of our friends and loved ones while it keeps our economy purring along. But that answer is too simplistic for me in light of sociological realities. I don't want to get into taking back Christmas for Jesus arguments here - we can do this in our own families if we fight the demon in the red suit, but I do want to look at the nature of Christmas celebration without Christ's advent central.
What is celebrated?
Perhaps the easiest way to see what we celebrate is to observe the expectations, affections and movings of your soul. What comes to mind when Christmas is looked forward to? I would guess for many Americans it would be seeing friends, family, and giving and receiving material things. From the view of advertising and attitudes I have observed in children, I would say most are excited about "what they are getting for Christmas." So it seems to me that celebrating Christmas is not the setting apart of a "holy day" but rather a celebration of contemporary values supplemented by exciting children's mythologies like Rudolph guiding a slay and made up magic to fill the emptiness of our souls.
Now, most of this you will say is just plain good fun. I agree - Christmas was and is really fun for me and our family. Yet I am just reminded of the emptying of this holiday - it is a mere rejoicing in what we already like, rather than remembering something important or sacred which defines and marks us as a people. Of course, this may be indicative of what America is - a common set of "holy" days may be forever removed as we simply no longer have a central story of cultural cohesion.
I am thankful we still have some common holidays like July 4th, where we celebrate the creation of our republic, days set aside to remember our fallen soldiers and the freedom they secured, we even have days for presidents and civil right leaders. I thank God for these. But for the Christmas season most of the center is gone in public discourse but is still echoed when we sing some carols in which theology sneaks back in. It sort of both humors me up and fills me with sorrow to hear about my daughters "winter party" in our local public school. I thought what will be left for us to celebrate "together" as a broad public in America - maybe that it is cold, dark and it some parts snows.
I love the diversity of God's creation, the earth and all its peoples. We love parts of many cultures in the world in which we have participated. Yet the great chink in the diversity movements splendor is that it offers no way of unity within the beauty of diversity. It only separates and multiplies us out into ever smaller groups - each needing its own day during the darkest time of the year. Perhaps we will all agree on peace of earth and good will to men - but we dare not ask or care or look into the origin of that phrase or the ontology of of that goodness. This would lead us back towards the holy...which large segments of western culture simply do not want during our holidays.
Merry Christmas...
We so often live in our own moments that we forget to see what wisdom would teach us if we spent time thinking about the passing of life. This Christmas we were with my in laws in North Carolina and I experienced a few moments that have reminded me of the brevity of life.
We know Scripture exhorts us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom. We can read how life is but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. We can read the great philosophy of Solomon reflecting of the emptiness of life under the sun without any transcendent meaning or reference point. People can tell us that time flies and we can see how shocked we are as the grains of time slip through the hour glasses which are our lives.
Yet there is something helpful in being with people from many generations during our days which help us to experience the truths of Scripture. I had a couple such interactions this week.
The first came as my wife, her father and I watched my six year old daughter swing on a little wooden swing set. The joy of youth seemed to grip us all and it was at that moment where my Father-in-law chose to speak. He said simply:
Now guys, you realize that one third of Kayla's time in your home has already passed and the next two thirds will seem to pass even more quickly.
I realized a few things - I love my kids and I have very mixed emotions about them growing up. First, I already sense an ache of loss - of times spent today which will be lost forever from our grasp. My little girls will soon be past the age of nuzzling up into my arms. I can still hold one on each limb and I already mourn that this will not last forever. At the same moment I have loved watching them learn, grow and become. I don't like it, but I rejoice in the process. I also paused to say - yeah, she is only 4-6 years from hitting puberty. Oh dear Jesus help out Dad.
The second moment came with my wife's grandfather Elmer Underwood. Papaw, as Kasey calls him, is a spry 84 year old preacher who has worked as a carpenter for much of his life. He was an encouragement to me, as he has often been, in my calling to the gospel. This holiday was different for Elmer because 2007 marked the passing of his beloved wife Betty. Betty went to be with Jesus and I missed her this Christmas. I know Elmer misses her very much. It was almost like she wasn't dead - I caught myself mentally thinking, "Where is Mamaw?" a few times when Papaw and I were together.
Death is not a comfort nor a kind companion to humanity. It is an enemy that comes upon us in stealth. We ignore his coming, we feel and sense as if "today" will continue in perpetuity. Yet there is a calling upon each of our lives where we will pass from this age into eternity. So many of us run to and fro building piles of stuff in our homes, seeking accomplishments for ourselves and looking to advance in life. Far too often we forget to stop and think - this is ALL soon coming to an end.
I thank God that my father-in-law and grandfather-in-law spoke and exhibited wisdom to me this week - I am hugging my kids more, thanking God more and have my now mingled with both joy and sadness as this life continues to ebb away. If but for this life we had hope we should be most pitied among men - an apostle once wrote these words. Yet thanks be to Christ, the resurrected one who promises eternal life to all who believe. Will he allow me to put my girls to bed in feety pajamas in the life to come? I'm not sure - I kind of hope so. But I do know I have a few more laps around that track here on earth. I want to run well - going to nuzzle a bit tonight as we head off to bed.
Yesterday I sent out a note to friends and partners of Jacob's Well. For some odd reason I felt led to write some Haiku as we reflected on life and calling this Christmas. For some reason I really liked learning Haiku poetry in elementary school and that has stuck with me. For all the fellas who might mock writing poetry (or particularly Haiku) let me just say that my wife digs my poetry. Mock all you like. Anyway, here are the little poems
One Last Tennessee Christmas
Three Poems
By Reid S. Monaghan
Grace Abounds to Us
Tender Tennessee Christmas
Soon We Must Depart
Gospel and Mission
A Coming Day in Jersey
God Walks Before Us
A Babe Incarnate
Friends, Prayer and Partnership
New Hope Eternal
As you might observe I used the standard 5-7-5 syllable format which brings up a question that might involve regional/cultural dialects in order to answer. So here is my question: Does the word "Prayer" have one or two syllables? Or more accurately, in the way you say the word, does it only have one? What do you say - one or two. If two then my last poem is valid 5-7-5 - if only one syllable I would change it to read "Friendship, Prayer and Partnership"
Do you say Pray-er or Prarrr?
There is much made in our culture, certainly in corporate settings, about the importance and nature of leadership. There are those who advocate coalition building, those who advocate proactive decisiveness, those who still validate hierarchy, and those for flattened non hierarchical structures. Even definitions for leadership bounce all around with the the latest gurus offering their counsel. My thoughts and experience of leadership have grown over the years, but there is one principle that I keep returning to which I find both effective and biblical.
I guess someone could have a name for this but I simply call it leading from among the people. To be honest, I have found myself in leadership roles my entire life. Whether leaders are born or made, probably a little of both, I know that it has been somewhat natural for me to find myself leading others. Whether it was quarterbacking the high school football team, leading the honor society, captaining our wrestling team, my days as a teen were filled with leadership. In college it seemed that many of my college teammates and classmates would come to me for counsel and insight into life difficulties and problems. During my life, God has has consistently placed me with and among leaders in ministry. Anyway, the leaders I have found most attractive, and the kind I pray to become, are those who “lead from among the people.”
First, i want to describe some ways of leading which are counter to this sort of leadership. Second, I want to give a few illustrations of what I mean when I say “lead among.” Two will come from Scripture, one from history/culture, and one from the Leader of Leaders and Lord of Lords.
What it means to NOT lead from among the people
A few examples of leading among
Life Reflected in Film
One of crazy Mel Gibson’s movies demonstrated the kind of leadership with which I resonate. No it is not Passion of the Christ, but we will get to Jesus’ leadership in a moment. The movie is entitled We Were Soldiers. The 2002 film features the story of Lt. Col Hal Moore and the Battle of la Drang in during the Vietnam war. Col Moore’s leadership style was strong but very clear. I will not forget his line in the movie “Men, I will be the first one off the chopper and onto the field and I will be the last one to leave.” There was no question that he was the leader; there was no doubt he was in charge. Yet he was found with and among his men and did not bug out when things got hot. The director dramatically portrays this in the film with his boot hitting and exiting the ground of that bloody battle field. Men love to follow guys like this who lead from among.
Biblical Leadership - Old Testament
One of the most prominent example of this I find in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament Song of Deborah (Judges 5) a great battle had been won by the nation of Israel over its enemies. Deborah sings a song of celebration after the victory where God is honored. A few things stood out to me in regards to the leaders of Israel. The song begins with stating something obvious, but the entire point of leadership:
1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day:2 “That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly,bless the Lord!
First, we see that the leaders actually led and did not abdicate or leave the people in confusion. Second, the people offered themselves willingly without which you have only coercion and not true leadership. These simple realities were enough case for rejoicing. Additionally the song says the following of the people in verse 9:
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the Lord.
It seems the Hal Moores of the world existed in our ancient past as well. The leader who leads at no cost to himself does not gain the level of respect as the one who fights along side of his men. The Old School kings would fight; new school leaders sit aside from the battle. I like the Old School.
Biblical Leadership - New Testament
In the book of 1 Peter, their is an exhortation given to local church elders; men called to give leadership in the local church. The “among them” principle is found here as well in chapter 5.
5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Now I could spend way too many words here expounding on this but to be honest I think the words “among you”, willingly, not for shameful gain (TV preachers/fleecers?), not domineering, examples, humility…well, these words can just speak for themselves.
Finally, the incarnation which we celebrate at Christmas is the prime example of this principle. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. If anyone had the right and ability and position to lead from above it would be Jesus. Who being in the very nature God…took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:1-11). He took on human nature, walked with people, taught from among, exemplified from among, healed from among and died among the people. He gave his life for others, served others, and lived in full obedience to the Father. In my opinion he is the greatest leader in human history. Here are his words on leadership.
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,44 and whoever would be first among you must be slaveof all.45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
To summarize, leading among people means living out with people the goals and callings of an organization. It does not mean that a leader has to participate in every job or have his fingers in every aspect of a group. It does mean that people experience him with them in tangible ways. How that works out will depend on the organization, its tasks, its size, and the nature of its calling etc. People want to be appreciated, valued, have their work validated, and to know that another human being is as interested in their life. Yes, it matters what their life accomplishes for the team, but biblical leaders will also love the people involved. Such leaders I will follow; the other kind I will ignore. I am not saying I will not submit to and respect rightful authority which is placed over me. What I am saying is that I will pursue legitimate paths to align under different leaders and will not waste my life under men and women who neither know me nor go to battle with me. Life is too short for that.
The worship ministry here at Fellowship Nashville and several artists from the church have put together a Christmas Album entitled Ring the Bells - A Christmas Offering. The unique thing about the album is that ALL proceeds are going directly to our church's mission partnerships in Africa. You can see a video about the project here (wmv format).
The CD features the following tracks:
| track | name (click to preview) | artist |
| 1. | Ring The Bells | Ronnie Freeman & Cindy Morgan |
| 2. | Angels, from the Realms of Glory | Three Strand |
| 3. | Angels' Lullaby | Christy Nockels |
| 4. | O Come All Ye Faithful | Jason Ingram |
| 5. | Little Drummer Boy with Savior Glorious | Laura Licata, Cheri Keaggy, Denise Jones & Christy Nockels |
| 6. | Gladdest Noel | Evelyn Brush |
| 7. | What Wondrous Love Is This with What Child Is This? | Heidi French |
| 8. | Some Children See Him | Amy Stroup |
| 9. | Glorious Impossible | Carl Cartee |
| 10. | One Small Child | Tofer Brown |
| 11. | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel | Erin O’Donnell featuring Ronnie Freeman |
| 12. | Emmanuel | Geoff Moor |
The CDs make great Christmas gifts and are just $15.00. They can be purchased directly here. Do some good along with your gift giving this year.
I am by no means what someone might call a prolific blogger. I have a day job, a wife and three kids, am in Seminary, working on planting a church...and I enjoy writing when time affords. Yet I just noticed something fun on my Movable Type Control Panel today...[for those who want to know - POCBlog is powered by Sixapart's Movable Type Software - Word Pressers I know you guys are cool]
I don't share too much the metrics of this site (for instance, how many page views a month we see) but I thought this was a bit different. After being at this for a bit, the POCBlog is at 995 entries and 957 comments which means two fun milestones are just ahead. First, the 1000 entry mark and second, the point at which comments eclipse the number of posts. It has been fun to see a community form here with common interests and friends old and new. I even love all those Mac people who always comment when I praise or mock the Apple cult.
Anyway, what began as a way to put my thoughts down has turned into something I really enjoy. I like thinking with you, hearing from you and keeping in touch with friends all over the world. Thanks for walking these paths over the past few years and we look forward to the continued exchange of thoughts, laughs and Zune information in the days ahead.
It is a bit difficult to keep up with the POCBlog these days. I would mention how many days I have had off in the last 2 months but then the Sabbatarians would tell me what a sinner I am. Believe me, I am very aware already. Life has moved along at quite a clip with being a husband and father, speaking, leading inversion, raising funds for Jacob's Well, travel to NJ, seminary...and blogging. Well, at least once in a while I find a moment to write.
I just returned from a week in New Jersey which ended with a delightful day long delay in Newark airport and a midnight arrival on Sunday evening. From there I had to get up and read about 100 pages and then report to my church history class for a quiz and the 411 about our upcoming final exam. Jersey was good. I spoke twice at Rutgers, went to the RU/Pitt football game and met with some pastors and campus ministry leaders in the area. I feel like I am learning more and more about the community God has called us to...it really going to be a walk in the park - an easy cushy church job. Just kidding...there have been a couple of days when I have asked Jesus if he still liked me after calling us to Jersey.
To be honest, where we live today is just a great place. Lots of families, lots of friendly people (a few shallow church folk as well), lots of housing, low taxes and cost of living, some good churches, good schools etc. Let's just say that Jersey is about as different from Nashville as Toby Keith and the Dixie Chicks. A few thoughts on Jersey culture are here. One of my prayers is to actually become a Jersey guy - I guess about 10 years from now I will feel abrasive to southern folk...wait, I already feel abrasive to some southern folk. Perhaps I have a little Jersey in me already. We'll see.
Anyway, I am back home and enjoying the final days of a church history class, meeting with some friends about partnering with Jacob's Well and deeply thirsty to have some down time for Scripture and reflection. Our schedule is intentionally going to slow down here in the coming months to focus on relocating and the church plant...but more importantly for time to drink deeply with the Lord in preparation for our coming labors in the northeast.
I have greatly enjoyed the slow reading of Alistair McGrath's new book Christianity's Dangerous Idea - The Protestant Revolution from the 16th Century to the 21st. I am going through it as a pure pleasure read - which for me means no highlighter and no sticky flags...though I did dog ear a few pages on the plane Sunday :) Look for a review here some time before the Rapture (if you believe in such things).
Finally, I ran across a few interesting articles today. First, Bishop Desmond Tutu echoes the current zeitgeist about homosexual practice over on the BBC. It is quite clear that the demonization of anyone who holds traditional morality is a present reality. The malaise of the Anglican communion is indicative of a greater disjunction of many churches from their scriptural moorings. Second, Dan Kimball, a prominent voice in the emerging/emergent conversation writes some excellent thoughts regarding the balance between Kingdom living now and gospel proclamation associated with the after life. A find balance that we have been preaching from day one at Inversion. I don't jibe with everything Kimball, but this is a timely and good word. If you are not familiar with Kimball - you need to at least check out his stray cats like 1980s rock-a-billy hair. Nice.
Finally, I had a great reunion with my beloved family this week after being out of town for a good 8 days. It was great to be home to contemplate the future together. Kasey and I are wrestling with schooling decisions - mainly between public (great missional opportunities to meet people...no extra money) and Christian (laying a cooperative gospel foundation in the early years) schools. Please pray for us on that and your opinions are welcomed.
My most recent talk in our Gospel of Mark series is up online...I have so enjoyed studying this gospel and communicating its words to my friends. The gospel is the story we live in and I am humbled by God's grace to me - in all my pride and sin - extended my way on the cross of Christ.
May you all have a great Thanksgiving - a meaningful day for those who have someone to thank.
The most recent update on Jacob's Well is over at the www.JacobsWellNJ.org - you can jump to it directly here.
Just as an update, as soon as a few checks come in, the 35K match has been reached - a few of you POCBlog readers chipped in. Thanks so much for praying for us and helping us towards our move north in June.
I just go word that John Weber, Athletes in Action chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys just passed away on Thursday. Though I only knew John from a few short conversations he was as respected as any I knew in the AIA world.
There is a story about him over at the Dallas Cowboys Web Site. John was a guy that quietly impacted many lives serving others in the name of his Lord.
Here is the link - please pray for the Weber family as they grieve the loss of a kind servant.
My good friend Andre Davis is having a great day for the Houston Texans - as of the beginning of the 4th quarter Dre has 5 catches, 117 yards and a touchdown...represent Dre! Andre was part of our ministry at Va Tech, helped me out here in Nashville with an inner city football camp in Summer 06. When VT made the national championship game in 1999 Dre was on the cover of Sports Illustrated...with a symbol that marks his life on his glove. He and his lovely wife Janelle are dear friends expecting a son in January.
There are seasons in life which are just full. I don't particularly like the word "busy" as it is overused, reflects no sense of value and it seems to communicate very little. So I choose the word full to describe life in certain seasons like the one which we find ourselves. We have started a new season with the Inversion Fellowship, a group of men and women who have become so dear to me. We are working on raising funds for church planting so that we do not have to take a salary from the new church for the first few years, yet be full time in the work. It is also a season involving some travel and time away from my wife and kids.
Last weekend we had a weekend retreat with Inversion - a passionate look at the Missio Dei, the mission of God in the world. Currently I write these a few feet from a burrito buffet line at a Campus Crusade Fall Retreat for the students at Western Kentucky University. I am spending time with the students this weekend teaching about the nature of the gospel and its import for young people launching out into the world. Our dreams must be in the gospel and this then must define our views of success, relationship and calling. So far I have preached two times and it has been rich. But I am also aware that my little 6 year old girl is playing soccer with her Mom as the coach...and I am unable to be there. Not exactly suffering, but a small sacrifice that feels like a loss in the soul.
This afternoon I have some free time - so I am debating whether to redeem the time and work on a paper I am writing on Emerging Churches and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Or I may take a nap. Neither is the more godly choice and I think it might be possible to do both. This Thursday we will discuss all things emerging at Inversion - should be interesting.
On Saturday and Sunday of next week I will preach 4 services at our church out of Philippians 2:12-30 - a rich passage which has shaped my view of life in community, reflecting God's grace as we work out our salvation in fear and trembling. We work and live out the salvation brought to us in Christ, but it is God who works in and through us to will and act according to his good pleasure. Or as Calvin put it:
There are, in any action, two principal departments — the inclination, and the power to carry it into effect. Both of these he ascribes wholly to God; what more remains to us as a ground of glorying?
John Calvin, Commentary on Philippians available from http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom42
Yes, we rejoice in his work in us as he changes us through the gospel so that we shine like lights in a crooked and depraved generation.
That Sunday afternoon I hope to take a nap, do a midterm for a seminary class I am taking and then we hit the mini-van as a family to travel to our former home of Blacksburg, VA. There are close to 30 church and parachurch organizations working together on an event to share Jesus on the campus in the aftermath. One of my good friends, Danny White, is working on many of the details. I trained Danny in campus ministry years ago. It will be great to see what God does these two days in October. During our time in Blacksburg I will also preach at our home church Oct 14, catch up with several old friends and connect with many about partnering with our church plant Jacob's Well.
Finally, Oct 21 we will present the church plant to the people of Fellowship Bible Church in Tennessee by way of a video my friend Scott Moore it putting together and hold some interest meetings on Sunday nights Oct 21 and 28. Then I want to crash for a bit...then off to New Jersey for a week (Nov 10-18) meeting with some pastors and speaking on campus at Rutgers. Then I pray to enjoy some down time with Kasey and hopefully a little vacation...before a writing push in December.
I sit here around 160 or so students eating lunch and I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to the creator of all things - Jesus Christ. He saved me in 1992 , put calling on my life, gave me a great best friend and wife in Kasey and some wonderful kids. I cannot see the future any more than I can see past the stars, but I know who made and holds both...and for this I am grateful.
Some of you may have noticed that I posted a video from Southpark on the founding of the Mormon religion by Joseph Smith. I wreslted with whether to post it or not. The reason I posted it in the first place was simple. First, I thought it was funny. Second, although in caricature, it did follow the story of Joseph Smith pretty well.
After having the video up for a day or so I decided to take it down. I received no complaints about it, nor any comments on the post. Quite frankly, I was convicted by the fact that the video was not exactly charitable. Though I make no defense of Mormon teaching and I consider Joseph Smith to be a false prophet, the nature of Southpark is to make fun of people, not only ideas, and by posting I was chiming in. I do not think beliefs should be immune or free from scrutiny or ridicule, but the more I prayed and thought about it, the video went beyond critique of doctrine to mocking a whole group of people. Perhaps I am being a bit too sensitive and need to lighten up a bit, but the decision was made to take it down.
Thanks...
I wanted to publicly thank our Lord and Master Jesus Christ for the work he did in our Inversion community this weekend during our fall retreat. Thanks to Jonathan and Jennifer, my partners in Inversion crime, who planned a great event. God knit our community together in the gospel and called all of us to care about the lost and hurting around us. Tom Pussel, fellowship church planter in Louisville shared with us from the Scriptures during the weekend and his final 15 min with us was walking through a slide show of pictures of his life "as a missionary in his culture in Louisville, KY"
I grabbed two of our men and said to them "That is church planting..." Notes have been coming in to me via e-mail and Facebook this morning from our people who just had a great time. On Saturday night we met with Jesus at his table and I watched my Inversion family participate in Jesus' body and blood and I lost it. I love these people - and I am leaving them soon. Jesus is doing a great work in them and in the Inversion community, to send all of us into this world, into culture with the gospel. Also, I know some guys were at the retreat who are not sure they are in with the Jesus thing...they seemed to be very much "of us" by the end.
I am so prayerful that Bible belt folks would step out of "I like this band, I like this preaching, this place has great kids ministry, consumerist church shopping nonsense" and beg God that our mission is about him, about the broken, the lost all around us. Too often in my conversations over the last three years I have met Christian after Christian that simply have no relational contact with non Christians. This must change - this weekend I saw God's light breaking onto many of us, that we must change...to be with the people whom Jesus spent time with - tax collectors, sinners, prostitutes...or in our day the guy at work, folks at the bar, people at the clubs, the waitress we work with, people downtown in impossible circumstances, the person across the street. We do not need to go change everyone, get them to buy a certain flavor of upstanding appearances...but we need to be with them and tell them about Jesus, a Jesus who redeems and rebuilds lives, saves souls and brings a Kingdom. This has been my hope and prayer for us - and for myself and my family. We all fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace...he then calls to us "follow me" and he meant it. His road was with sinners, his disdain for the self-righteous and religious, his compassion was on sheep without shepherds, his destination a cross of shame, yet to then conquer death and be raised. This is our message - a crucified and risen God - whose hope dawns every day, his mercies new every morning...Great is his faithfulness. We are his ambassadors that means we rep his rule and reign in the world among those who remain under the dominion of a wicked ruler whose cruelty is immense and whose time is short. I am thankful to be called a follower of this Jesus - that he would have anything to do with me, let alone love us as ravenously as he does, and give us a mission in his world.
I know our ministry has inched forward these three years, but we have been more about reshaping a community, their passions, our hearts than simply filling up rooms. This was a good weekend in that evolution - which by God's grace will turn into a revolution in all of our lives.
To my Inversion family - go now and follow Jesus...fear not, love deeply and give your life away.
We recently had a photo made of our three kids and it turned out to be a fun picture. I'll fill in the details with some commentary.
OK, this is my one year old boy Thomas Reid Monaghan. AKA Tommy Reid. I know many of you prayed for this little guy last year when he had so much trouble at his birth. We are thankful that he is healthy, growing and doing push-ups. Well...sort of.
A prayer for young Thomas:
My Son, May grace rest upon your soul
May humility mingle with boldness as you grow into a man
May you grow in wisdom, stature and in favor with all
May you learn to trust, but learn to question
May you learn to labor, and learn to rest in God
May you embrace sanctified masculinity, but never barbarism
May you rise to love, serve and lead well all those who will surround you
May you not give way to a generation floundering in a sea of lust
May truth be your guide, hope your companion and the risen Christ your vision all of your days.
You are loved and treasured - but not above our God - may he alone rise to the highest place in our affections. May our hearts ever be one in him.
For some reason God has made my theological studies take the long route home. After starting at one institution and playing around in some philosophy classes at a large state school, I have been slowly picking away at a degree at Southern Seminary. I take a class here and there, mostly during January and Summers when my ministry load is not as heavy. This makes the following exhortation perhaps easier for me but I still think it holds for all engaged in theological training.
Over my years of study I have found it quite natural to pass on and actively teach the things I am learning to those I serve in ministry. Whether it was athletes I was walking with in campus ministry or this weekend with some young adult leaders, I have found natural ways of translating that which I am learning into active ministry and discipleship.
Think about it for a moment. We can easily think that our course work will "apply some day" when I am in ministry while we study away. Yet the hard work of on the street ministry is connecting deep theological and biblical insight to common situations and people outside the academic guild. God has you studying XYZ, perhaps doing a pile of reading. Could it be that something you are reading is actually for the people you work with, walk with in church or your family? Now, some of you are thinking...yeah, how do I teach infralapsarianism to the guys I work with? Or, how do I talk about federal headship with my kids? Or, how do I teach the significance of chiastic structure to my Sunday School class? Such is your task to translate doctrine into people's real worlds. I have a firm conviction that what we are learning, can be readily conveyed to others. But it takes some meditation, it takes some work. It takes knowing the content of your studies and the world of people around you - and bridging those worlds.
Here is a simple example. In reading for a church history class I saw the same thing repeated about three times about the nature of the early spread of the Christian church. Over and over the author stated that the Christian gospel spread not primarily through preachers and missionaries, important as they may be, but rather through ordinary people, merchants, servants, families and friends. In encouraging some of our young adult leaders to live the gospel out in the open world, I shared this with them. It has always been the case that the gospel has spread through nameless Christians who faithfully live for Christ and share the good news of God's forgiveness through the work of Jesus on the cross
So here is my simple exhortation - teach someone what you are being taught. Your preparation for ministry will be significantly different in two ways. First, you will learn how to think and minister deep things at a popular level, moving your people towards depth and conviction. Second, you will not leave seminary and think "all that stuff I was taught doesn't help real world people" and be begin to dumb everything down because you have not learned to do the hard work of translating.
In fact, if you are a parent - this is a great parenting deal. Just teach your kids what you are learning about in life. Translate it into their world and level of understanding. Whether science, current events, sports, stuff you are reading, Bible, technology, history, gardening etc. Now, you may ask "What if I am not learning anything?" - My reply: quit being a moron and learn something. And make it helpful, good and useful knowledge...your kids need to know more than Xbox Live.
Yes – we are moving to New Jersey. This is usually the answer to a follow up question in many of our recent conversations. It most often occurs when catching up with friends or family and explain our desire to plant gospel centered churches in some of the least churched lands in America. We have had this sort of dialog many times:
None of these conversations have been negative for us at all, but it does seem that Jersey needs a new PR campaign. But when it comes down to it, our motivations to move to the state have little to do with what most people think of when relocating to a city. I have come to realize that in America there are 3Cs which matter deeply to people regarding where they desire to live: Comfort, Cost of Living, and Quality of Life. Well, maybe just 2Cs, but I couldn’t come up with another C which would say it better that “Quality” of life. Perhaps I could throw in "Career" as well.
The odd thing is that most of the people we are sharing our plans with are Christian people. It seems our motivations are quite similar when it comes to choosing where to live. Not that this is always a bad thing, but it has caused me to reflect a bit on the teaching of Jesus who indicated that the Kingdom of God was more important than the things of this current age.
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” - Luke 18:29,30
We are well aware of the difficulties of moving to New Jersey to plant churches. It is expensive, it is crowded, it is unfriendly to the gospel and the biblical worldview. But none of these things deter the vision to which God has called. In my reading of the New Testament it seems to me that Jesus has asked us to follow him, place him, his call, his mission, poor people and lost people before other concerns. This was true for the fisherman and tax collectors of Jesus day and for the businessman or professional of today. No matter what our vocational calling, we are to seek first the Kingdom and allow all else to be added by the sovereign hand of God.
Most of the people we have talked to know that New Jersey is not a place where gospel centered churches are thriving and that Jesus is like a long lost relic from the past to many people there. Yet, if the gospel of Jesus Christ is true – if Jesus is the unique Savior of the world – then the Northeast is a spiritual disaster in our times. New Jersey may not make Money Magazine’s top five places to live. It may not make the travel channel's top US cities list. It may not be the place I would choose to live myself. Yet because of the call of the gospel, we will joyfully go live in this land and among its people.
A friend of mine closes his e-mails with a quote from John Piper. The quote reflects on the beautiful exhortation found in Hebrews 13:7-16. Here is the quote:
Since we have no lasting city here, stop working so hard trying to make it lasting and luxurious, and 'go forth to him outside the camp'--outside the safe place, outside the comfortable place.
We have learned that people love to call New Jersey the armpit of America. We made deodorant to solve the problem of the human armpit – we believe God desires us to establish new churches in the great land of New Jersey. We would love for you to join us?
