I want to start this entry with a disclaimer – This post is written in the middle of my thought process. I haven’t drawn any firm conclusions yet. The purpose for the entry is to get some of this stuff out of my head and on to my computer screen. I also want to welcome you into this discussion with me. So read, think about it, and respond if you feel so led.

This past weekend my church went on a retreat to Luther Park Retreat Center in Danbury, WI (I highly recommend Luther Park for smaller retreats). Dr. Jim King and his wife Carol came along and led our teaching/discussion times. The theme for our times centered on the question, “What are we inviting people into?” The “we” in this question being however you classify people outside of knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior – “unsaved”, “non-believer”, etc. Think about that question for a minute – “What are you inviting people into?” If someone asks you “What does it mean to be a Christian, born-again believer, etc?” How do you answer? What do you communicate to them?

I think the clearer question we entered into this past weekend was this – “What does being a Christian mean for this life?” If Christianity is only about heaven after we die, what do we do until then? Hang out or live life in some kind of holding pattern? Are there any benefits for following Jesus on earth? Now let me clearly say that I believe heaven is a part of all of this. Heaven certainly is good news! But is it the only good news for this life?

Having had a couple of days now to digest our discussions (everyone had unbelievable thoughts to give) and reflect on the Scriptures we read such as John 10 & 17, places in Ephesians, Philippians, Romans, and Acts, let me share what I am thinking right now…

I believe we are inviting people into an eternal relationship with God (The Father, Son, & Spirit) as Father, friend, brother, Lord, Savior, Counselor, & Lover. Eternal life is knowing God intimately in a highly relational & intimate way. To become a Christian is an invitation into communion with God. It is also an invitation into communion with the family of God. To become a child of God means you now have brothers & sisters. We have the ability to enter into intimacy with other humans that somehow reflects the unity and love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Much of the New Testament epistles deal with the relationship between the children of God. Thirty-seven one-another commands to be exact. Jesus even says in John 17 that they (the world) will know the love of the Father based on how we treat each other.

So here is where I’m at right now. More realistically, here are the questions I am working through right now. If I am inviting people into intimacy with God and intimacy with the family of God, how do I assist people in living that out or understanding the full reality of such a wonderful thing? How do I help someone know what it means to walk with God as Enoch did? How does the Garden Communities create environments for community and intimacy? How does the GC have community & intimacy with those that are a part of it, but also is inviting and welcoming of others to join in? The danger with creating intimate community gatherings is sometimes it is extremely hard for those entering in to feel welcome, etc.? Where is the balance? How do you achieve that balance?

So these are thoughts & questions running through my mind currently? Any responses? Are others asking these questions?

I have been reminded recently of the power of prayer. A part of my life consists of being an Intervarsity Student Fellowship volunteer at Normandale Community College. The leadership of IV at Normandale is made up of all volunteers actually because there isn’t an IV staff person there. Since September of 06, the leaders of IV & Campus Crusade, along with leaders of two or three churches interested in students at Normandale have gathered the first Friday morning of every month to pray. As far as I know, this is a pretty unique situation for a college campus.

As a result of our times together in prayer, a real sense of unity is present amongst the various groups. The unity is relational and characterized by friendship as opposed to an organizational unity. We understand that our programs, methods, and philosophy may differ but our mission is the same. Therefore, we gather and pray, asking God to empower us with his Spirit so we can reach students and faculty with the love and salvation Jesus offers. We are available to assist each other as well. Since Campus Crusade went through the process of becoming an official group this semester, the IV leaders helped Campus Crusade through this time. All groups are pitching in to help with our Pizza & God times designated to get the students involved in the Christian organizations together with other students at Normandale. It is wonderful to see Jesus’ prayer in John 17 become a reality at Normandale:

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

I truly believe students at Normandale are beginning to believe Jesus is from God and they see the love of the Father because students from IV, Campus Crusade, Evergreen Community Church, and others are striving to maintain unity.

On April 5 at Normandale we are asking all Christians in the Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, and other surrounding communities to ascend on the campus for a night of prayer & worship. We are going to echo Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6 for the kingdom and will of God be done on Normandale as it is in heaven. If you live in the area, join us. God is doing a work. It began with prayer and will continue with prayer. Jesus promised this in Matthew 18:

“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Imagine if 2-300 came to Normandale on April 5, agreeing in prayer for the Kingdom of God to be expanded at Normandale? Imagine if leaders on other campuses would gather to pray? Imagine if pastors gathered to pray? Imagine if churches gathered to pray?

I’ve opened the Consumed Pool to any interested participants. All are welcome to play. We don’t care what your strategy is! Pick all the higher seeds, choose the team with the best uniforms, go crazy with the upsets, whatever. I’ll give you a little hint though, pick OSU to win it all and you will go far! CBS Sportsline does a great job with their brackets. It is very user friendly.

To get in, go to this link: Consumed NCAA Bracket
Password: abs
If you don’t have a user name with CBS Sportsline, you will have to create an identity. Takes no time at all.

You can make your picks beginning on Monday, March 12 and have until the first game tips off on Thursday, March 14 to second guess and change some things around.

2005 Champion — Eric Beavers (He got lucky because his weak Tarheels pulled it off!)
2006 Champion — Jamie Miller (I won’t give up my title easily. AND, I’m still waiting on my wings!!!)

Over the last several months I have received E-mails & phone calls and have had i-chat & face-to-face conversations about Emergent. Questions like this seem to always be asked:

What do you think about Emergent?
Is Consumed Ministries a part of Emergent?
Do you think Emergent waters down the Gospel?
Etc., etc., etc.

For whatever reason (most likely laziness so now I can just refer people to this post when I’m questioned) I decided to blog about this topic. I want to start by saying something — I encourage each of you to personally read the books, blogs, & websites and listen to the podcasts available from people that are a part of Emergent Village. The common trend I have found from those that ask me questions is that they have heard things about Emergent but have never explored for themselves. The other popular thing to do is to make up your mind concerning Emergent based on someone else’s views rather than study, evaluate, and pray over Emergent and come up with your own opinions. Honestly, that is just lazy. If you really are curious, the resources are available to you.

Moving on…

I have read books from those in Emergent such as The Secret Message of Jesus, A Generous Orthodoxy, and Church: Re-Imagined. I listen to podcasts from Doug Pagitt, attended his church, and he did a podcast with Consumed Network. I read the blogs of Mark Scandrette, Tony Jones, and Doug Pagitt. Eric and I have been attending the Twin Cities Cohort the last few months as well.

This is what I have discovered about the men and women of Emergent either through listening, reading, or personal encounters:

– They love Jesus. They really do! They are moved by a love for Him. They desire to follow Him no matter what because He is Lord of their life.

– They love people. They desire to take the love of Jesus to both the poor & the rich, the weak & the strong, to those on the political right & the political left, those seen by the public eye & those in the margins, and those who grew up inside the walls of organized religion & those who did not. They believe God is active in the world today, redeeming all of creation. They just want to join in what He is doing.

– They love the church.

– They are incredibly smart. When I’m done reading a chapter of a book, or finished listening to a podcast, or come home from a cohort gathering, my head stinking hurts! They are incredibly studious. They know the Bible! They believe all areas of life are theological so they base their views on any subject with much thought.

Do I agree with everything I have read, seen, or heard? No. But do I agree with everything I have read, seen, or heard from anyone? Absolutely not! I believe my life and my community’s life has been enriched as a result of the time spent reading, listening, and participating with those of Emergent. I’m glad God intersected my paths with theirs. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors. I encourage you, once again, to explore on your own. Once you have done that, drop me a line and we can continue this conversation.