God the Father? Pt. 2

On my trip to Boston earlier this week I had the opportunity to teach a Theology 1 class. The professor for the class asked if I could talk about how theology affects ministry. I thought it was a good opportunity to hear the students' voice in a discussion I've been having as of late regarding how our relationship with our parents can affect our perception of God.

Something that stuck out to me in the discussion with the students was from a girl named Allie, who had grown up in a broken home, like many others that I work with in Teen Challenge and around the world. Allie mentioned that in her early years as a believer she had trouble identifying God as her father because of the abandonment and failures in her own family. She said clarity came as she got older and was able to understand a little more the nature of God and as she aged, her mother and other family members became more intentional in affirming her and making sure she understood that her father leaving was not her fault.

In part 1 of this series, I asked what is looks like to be intentionally involved in a child's life who is lacking a parent? I believe Allie's story begins to answer that question, we must affirm that the situation in their lives are beyond their control, that it is not their fault and help them develop an understanding of the unfailing fatherhood of God. Any thoughts?

God the Father? Pt. 1

Over the last couple of days I've been reading through a book by Donald Miller titled "To Own A Dragon: Reflections on growing up without a Father." Donald Miller is one of my favorite authors because of his raw honesty and I enjoy the wit that he adds to his writing. I was actually looking for one of his other books, "Through Painted Deserts" when I decided to pick up this book- The library didn't have the other.

Initially I thought, I grew up with a good father-this book might not apply to me. Oh, how wrong I was. I got about 5 chapters deep and Donald Miller started speaking into my life, as a man now, and as a future father.

Miller begins to discuss how our parents and the authority around us influence our perception of God, the Father. For most of us, our parents weren't perfect, and for a lot of us we grew up without one or the other- and those things affect us whether we realize it or not. We can believe that God is present, real, and active: but like Miller touches on, we can forget that He is a father, He isn't a distant authority figure, but He is close, personal and present in our daily lives.

I want to share this from Miller's book, I'd love to hear some of your thoughts:

"I started thinking about the wisdom that is handed down when we have authority figures in our lives. We learn a trade by submitting to authority, we learn a work ethic by submitting to authority, we gain an academic life by submitting to authority, and more than any of this, we learn who we actually are by submitting to authority. And when we have earned authority ourselves, we teach others, because for so many years we have been taught. A guy like me, then, who has a resistance to authority, is begging to be useless. What I mean is, he isn't receiving any advice on how to live, and in turn he isn't able to hand advice down to those who are coming behind him. And if he is handing down advice, it isn't good advice. I mean it isn't tested and tried by years of experience."

Is there some knowledge and wisdom that children who are missing one or both parents have to learn on their own?

If so, do we have a responsibility to pass that knowledge on to children who are lacking that authority figure in their lives? Can we even be that sort of presence in their lives? If so, what's that look like? Thoughts?

Community: The Human Connection

Something most of us share as human beings is a sense of responsibility to be involved in the things around us. Rick Warren touches on this topic in his book, The Purpose Driven Life.

The other day my friend Ouida Bradford and I were talking about the recent popularity of different social movements like Rosa Loves, Junky Car Club, and Invisible Children.

The big picture behind these movements is that they are not only bringing awareness to the social injustices that are occurring in our neighborhoods and around the globe, but they are connecting people to other people.

As the church body we are involved in social projects around our community, our country, and our world. As a church we are interested in meeting the needs we see around us and whether redeemed or not, there is a chance our neighbors, co-workers, employers and city governments are interested in meeting those needs too.

There has never been a better time in history for the church to begin to do life with the community around it. What will that look like?

Church:Community

I believe that there is a need for the church to be involved in the community. Secular community. For no purpose other than being involved and building relationships. I'm sure you probably believe that too, but what does it look like? This is an extension of a conversation I had a few weeks ago with my good friend, Justin Chandler. Justin is the student pastor of theBurn at Hope Community Church.

Most churches I have been apart of have community events like a church BBQ or a halloween alternative and members are encouraged to invite their neighbors to events at the church.

Lets be honest. Most Church members probably haven't had more than a casual conversation with their neighbors. There's no relationship there, an invite to the annual church halloween alternative would just be awkward. Besides, their kids are probably already out having doing wicked things with all of the other vile 5th grades dressed as pirates and ghosts. (Sorry for the sarcasm, halloween is still and will probably remain as one of my top 3 holidays. excommunicate me.)

Secondly, these are typically church events geared to church people. Which is where the church has really succeeded. A big part of the Christian idea is building community within the body of Christ. However, I think we need to be more intentional about being a part of the community outside of the church. A great example is what my friend Justin is doing with Hope Community Church. Every year they have a church BBQ and in the classic tradition, members are encouraged to invite their neighbors. This year was different.

While Justin and his students were picking up trash on Commercial street he had the idea to have the annual church BBQ there. So they got all of the required permits and had a block-party on Commercial Street this summer. The business owners and community surrounding the area really appreciated it and now Justin, Hope, and theBurn have taken a continual active part in the community there and are building relationships with the people living, working, and investing in the area.

The fact is that this whole church movement. The story of Christianity-is about relationships. You, me, our neighbors, our community, doing life together.