Church is a Verb!

I just finished reading a great book by Reggie McNeal the author of Missional Renaissance. In it Reggie says, "to think and and to live missionally means seeing all life as a way to be engaged with the mission of God in the world." I think that is such a great definition of an often confusing or misunderstood concept. I would encourage you to pick up a copy of this book, read, mark it up and begin to look for ways that you can begin to live on mission, and give your life away. Lead the way for this in your local church, create venues for others to practice it as well.

To whet your appetite watch this video of Reggie speaking a year before the book came out. This is such an excellent and direct talk to the Church and one I know I will come back to again. I had no idea Reggie was this funny, watch this and hear the heart behind the book!

Amazing Race meets Ugly Americans

I really enjoy watching the show Amazing Race, in part because of the competition but also to see new places around the world. It cracks me up though to watch contestants get so flustered, angry and downright ugly when they can't find someone who speaks English. Who do you think you are? Where do you think you are?!

CNN recently did a piece on U.S.tourists combating the typical ugly American stereotype. Here's 5 suggestions on how not to be an ugly American:

1) Research the area and its culture before you travel to your destination. Read guidebooks to learn about the region.

2) Learn some basic words in the language of the region you are traveling to. Don't expect everyone to speak English.

3) Travel with a desire to experience the local cuisine. Don't expect to get a hamburger.

4) Don't flash around money or expensive items like cell phones and cameras.

5) Try to really experience the culture. You are less likely to offend if you understand.

-- Travel experts Chris Baker and Beth Whitman

Highlights from Transform World: Houston

1. Launch of the 4/14 Missional Focus:
Luis Bush's who gave us focus on the 10/40 window now is launching a new focus and initiative that he calls the 4/14 window. The 10/40 window referenced a geographic frame with the fewest Christ followers; the 4/14 window describes a demographic frame - a life season comprising the 10 years between the ages of 4 and 14 and highlights the strategic importance and potential of the 1.2 billion children and youth in this 4/14 window. Luis says,"it is crucial that mission efforts be re-prioritized and re-directed toward the 4/14 age group worldwide"!
2. Nation Transformation Stories:
There are too many to list here but the two that where the most profound to me personally were: Hearing about 200 secular mayors who over the last couple of years have presented their cities to Jesus, publicly presenting him the "key to the city"
Hearing about children prayer movements in Indonesia, Brazil, and India. These are networks of prayer that are led by children who are praying for transformation in their cities, nation and the world.
These stories have helped me see God in a new way and have been so humbling to see the work of God around the world.
3. Prayer:
It is so clear to me and was good to be reminded of that transformation (personal, church or national) does not take place without prayer.
4. Meals with people from Nations all over the world:
I am inspired to meet so many gifted people who are giving their lives to living missionally all over the world to see transformation come in their life time.

Transform World

I am humbled, honored and feel undeserving to be included with this group of delegates that make up Transform World. I'm excited to listen and learn over these next few days of what God is doing around the world. I am indebted to Jerry Wiles for this privilege to be included.

Here is the exciting history of Transform World, taken from their website at http://www.transformworldhouston.com/index.php?page=transform_world

In May 2005 over 550 leaders from 55 nations met in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a leadership forum called Transform World. The gathering climaxed as 100,000 believers filled the National Stadium for a four hour prayer meeting. This final event was connected simultaneously to 56 other sites with one million participants.

In less than three years the Transform World movement has spread to five continents with national gatherings in places like India, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Burundi, Africa, and across Latin America. Momentum continues to grow as new events are planned in nations around the globe.

In the United States leaders of ethnic communities met over a 4th of July holiday in Washington, D.C. Several expressed gratitude for the role the United States played in bringing the gospel to their nations. They felt indebted to the U.S. Their goal in D.C. was to revisit our spiritual heritage and explore their roles as catalysts in the process. They were passionate for the United States to rediscover and fulfill her spiritual destiny. Transform World has served each of these gatherings.

This movement was a result of the World Inquiry. In collaboration with Lausanne and the 2004 World Evangelization Issues Forum and co-sponsored by Fuller Theological Seminary, a three year research project visited 100 global cities and met with leaders from 600 cities. The World Inquiry was looking for expressions of the mission of God.

The World Inquiry discovered that servant catalysts were experiencing new and dynamic ways in which God was impacting their areas of influence. The report described these expressions as emerging streams of transformation. In several cases the results were so significant that a call was issued for a global forum. The response to this call was the first Transform World event in Jakarta, Indonesia, in May 2005.

Our international colleagues believe it is time to introduce this movement to leaders in the United States. Several have mobilized groups and prayer networks in their nations to pray toward this goal. And now Transform World has come to Houston.

Generation1 mural in Houston's Third Ward

The kids in this mural are kids that this ministry is reaching. In the "Tree of Life" section the painter let the kids come in and paint on the wall. Then he photographed them and painted the picture of them painting the wall...very cool!

Missional is incarnational!

I have been so inspired by two different people in the past two weeks who are living missionally and incarnationally, which I am learning those two cannot really be separated.

The first, is a 69 year old woman named Scotty who left behind a 9000 square foot home for a 900 square foot apartment to reach and love on children. Within the first week she had a bullet hole in her car! Every week she throws a bible club for these kids, in addition to that she runs a community center where people can find jobs, and get other assistance. I was inspired by how she moved in to the neighborhood in the name of Jesus and is loving on people who aren't just like her.

The second is a guy named Mike who started Generation One in Houston's Third Ward. Like Scotty, Mike has moved into the neighborhood from the comforts of Clear Lake and is working diligently on community and life revitalization. He has torn down crack houses, cleared lots, enlisted mentors, and developed childrens programs. He is always looking for people to help him on a weekly basis. Find out how you can volunteer: http://generationone.net/ I am inspired by how Mike is serving the under-resourced and margainalized in his community!

I love this city!

HOUSTON FACTS:

• Metro population: 5.5 million
• America's 4th largest city
• 7th most diverse city in the world
• 300 people groups from over 140 nationalities
• Over 150 languages are actively spoken
• Every 4 minutes somebody moves here

But most of all, in this huge city, God is doing huge things and transformation is taking place!

We are living in exponential times!

Are we there yet?

I love that question and I'm annoyed by it at the same time. I've always been a futurist of sorts. I love dreaming of what could be. So with my combined love of travel, road trips and annoying backseat riders who ask, "Are we there yet?" I want to explore that question in the days ahead.

Where is "there"?
How will we know when we get there?
Are we on the right path?

For me personally, my "are we there yet" is all about living on mission. I believe that the world is growing weary of hearing the gospel preached by the church and is dying to see it practiced by it. So for me, to become a mission-mined person is not about another Bible study, or a spiritual to do task. It is a relational and lifestyle driven decision that I have to make everyday.

Are we there yet? I don't think so, but I do believe we are on our way.

The start of something new...

To all of those I have made fun of for blogging, forgive me. Today I join your ranks if you'll still have me. I have entered a new phase of life this month and feel it may encourage others to share my journey, musings and questions along the way.

After 20 years of leading student ministries I am know living out another passion that has been growing over the years. My passion is mobilizing people to be involved in the activity of God in the world around them. I have recently transitioned into a missions pastor role which I am so excited about.

I hope this blog encourages others to see the world in a new way, and perhaps for the first time help others realize that God really wants to use them to make our world a better place.