GUEST  POST: Your Cultural Identify Influences AND Infects Your Theology

When Cultural Identity Becomes Sacred

by BRAD VAUGHN

In contemporary American society, a striking phenomenon has emerged: the sacralization of culture and cultural identity. To put it more directly, culture has become a religion. Cultural identity has become a religious identity.

Cultural and ethnic identities have ascended to positions of reverence and unassailable authority in the lives of many individuals. This shift is emblematic of a broader social transformation, where culture has, in some respects, supplanted traditional religion in its role as a moral and ethical compass. This post delves into this dynamic, shedding light on how culture has become a new creed and why it has gained a status that is beyond challenge.

Culture as the New Creed

The decline of traditional religious adherence in many Western societies has left a vacuum that has been filled by the rise of culture as a source of meaning. Cultural or ethnic identity has become the primary source of meaning, ethics, and community for many individuals—roles traditionally played by religion.

This transition is not merely about rediscovering or reconnecting with cultural roots; it is about elevating those roots to a status that is beyond reproach or challenge, where cultural practices, norms, and values are viewed with a reverence akin to religious dogma.

Religion, for centuries, has provided frameworks for understanding the world, moral codes, and a sense of belonging. As the grip of organized religion loosens, these alternative frameworks are increasingly drawn from cultural narratives. The stories, traditions, and collective memories of culture provide a scaffolding for individuals to construct their identities and moral understanding of the world.

This reverence for culture has reached a point where it has become a creed— a set of beliefs and practices that command the ultimate loyalty and devotion.

Unchallengeable Authority

The sacralization of culture is marked by the idea that cultural identity and its related practices are beyond criticism. To question cultural norms and values is to risk being labeled as an offender of cultural sanctity. Such social “sinners” are deemed “bigots,” “colonialists,” “racists,” “close-minded,” and some flavor of -phobic.

Much like how religious dogma has historically been protected from scrutiny, the challenge to cultural norms is often met with vehement opposition. In public discourse, this dynamic plays out in debates where the criticism of cultural practices or perspectives is met with severe backlash, often framed as a defense against cultural insensitivity or appropriation. “Cancelling” is one of the most common mechanisms used recently.

In this context, cultural identity is not only a source of personal meaning but also a form of authority that dictates social interactions, political discourse, and personal relationships. The perceived inerrancy of cultural norms can be so ingrained that it assumes an almost canonical status, guiding behavior and thought in a way that parallels religious texts.

Cultural Identity and Personal Meaning

The sacralization of culture (i.e., making culture sacred) addresses a need left by the decline of traditional religious structures by providing personal meaning and identity. In a society characterized increasingly by secularism and individualism, cultural identity offers a sense of belonging and a connection to a larger narrative. This need for connection and meaning is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and as traditional religious observances wane, the rituals, symbols, and collective memories of a cultural identity step in to fill the void.

For many, their cultural heritage is not just a backdrop for their life story but the very essence of their being. This heritage provides a link to ancestral history, communal values, and a sense of continuity in a rapidly changing world.

The deep connection to cultural identity infuses everyday practices and traditions with sacred significance, turning cultural festivals into solemn celebrations and traditional costumes into ceremonial garb. Virtue signaling is an act of devotion. Cultural narratives become not just stories of the past but moral lessons and guiding principles for the present and future.

The Veneration of Cultural Identity

The sacralization of cultural identity also manifests in the elevation of symbols and figures that represent cultural heritage to a status of veneration. Icons of cultural history are treated with a reverence that mirrors the respect given to religious saints and prophets. Murals, statues, and other representations become sacred relics that embody the collective spirit and pride of a people.

To deface or disrespect these symbols is to commit an act tantamount to sacrilege, provoking a defensive response that is both visceral and intense. In some cases, one must be born into a culture to participate in the pseudo-religious rites, lest one be accused of “cultural appropriation,” a type of social sacrilege.

The Role of Media and Education

In this climate of cultural sacralization, the role of media and education becomes ever more critical. They are the main channels through which cultural narratives are disseminated and reinforced. Through film, literature, and the arts, cultural stories are told and retold, each time reinforcing their sanctity and central role in the community’s moral fabric.

With evangelistic fervor, media and schools are primary engines for spreading propaganda.

Education systems have the responsibility of imparting knowledge about cultural heritage, but with the added challenge of doing so in a way that respects the sanctified status of culture while still encouraging critical thought and individual interpretation.

Challenges to Integration and Cohesion

While the sacralization of culture can strengthen communal bonds within cultural groups, it also presents challenges to social integration and cohesion. When cultural identities are held as sacrosanct, they can become barriers to cross-cultural understanding and interaction.

The reluctance to challenge or critically engage with different cultural practices can lead to a form of cultural isolationism, where communities become echo chambers that reinforce their own sanctity while being resistant to external influences.

Conclusion

Sacralizing (“making sacred”) culture and cultural identity in American society represents a fundamental shift in how individuals find meaning and a sense of belonging in the modern world. It is a testament to the power of culture to provide a moral compass and a communal identity in the absence of traditional religious structures.

However, this elevation of culture to a sacred status also brings with it challenges that must be navigated with sensitivity and openness. As America continues to grapple with its diverse cultural landscape, the dialogue around the sacralization of culture will remain a pivotal part of its ongoing narrative.

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Originally posted @ Patheos.com

GUEST POST: Discipleship + Mentoring ---> Evangelism

Ripple Effect of Mentoring Evangelists

GUEST POST: Reassess the Church Growth Movement

Karl Vaters works hard to be fair minded in giving his accurate assessment of the Church Growth Movement (CGM). He knows it well, and I believe it's own proponents and practitioners would appreciate his descriptions.

Undoubtedly, they will disagree with his disagreements, but he is not backing down. He believes in de-sizing the church. Which does not mean he is a proponent of small churches, but he believes a fundamental issue about the church growth movement has reshaped the church in the last 50 years. We are looking again at his new book, De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What’s Next.

Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash

In a later chapter, Vaters discusses three phases through which the church has gone through in his life. These resonated with me. The three are revivalism of the 50s-70s, strategizing at the end of the 20th century, and social activism – the rest of this paragraph is all mine – which formed into antagonistic poles from the days of Ronald Reagan on. Progressives sometimes complain that conservatives are overly politicized. But conservatives complained about progressives being involved in political activism well before the days of Ronald Reagan. A new book, which I have not read or seen, argues that Christian nationalism is a reaction to the progressivism of Protestant mainline churches. I believe there is enough blame to go in both directions.

The church growth movement, as practiced, emerged in his “strategizing” phase of the late 20^th Century. The author does not say this but the church growth movement is incompatible with the activism phases at work in the church today.

I want to sketch in my own terms briefly where he thinks the church growth movement went sideways. Then we will turn to what he thinks is critical to develop if the church is going to right its course.

To begin with, the fundamental movement sideways was measuring success on the basis of numbers. The bigger the number, the more successful. Furthermore, from the business world discussions of strategy, mission statements, and vision statements entered the church through the church growth movement’s major practitioners. Increasingly, fewer and fewer pastors had theological and biblical expertise and became entrepreneurs and leaders who could fill the seats.

Another fundamental problem that the author finds in the church growth movement was an obsession with methodology, which is the current vogue term for method. Pushing back against old fashioned stale methods led to preoccupation with better methods, which tail began to wag the dog. In other words, get the right method and the right results will follow.

One element of the church growth movement, but by this I mean especially the megachurches that I have been connected to, experienced, read about, or heard about, was what the author calls “toxic positivity.” Negative talk about anything seems to be verboten. Which was one of the reasons when scandals became news that so many in many of these churches did all they could not only to silence the critics but to preserve the reputation of the church. A church that does not recognize the importance of confession and honesty may give way to a positivity that prevents confession when confession is needed.

Of course, we have all recognized that the church growth movement, as it was going sideways, and this sideways action was often done by specific practitioners of the church growth movement’s ideas, was to platform pastors with proven success when success was measured by numbers. So conferences developed at megachurches to reveal to wannabe megachurch pastors how they did the job.

Vaters is aware of the significance of the suburban nature of the church growth movement. He is also aware that the suburban nature of these churches led to ethnocentrism and what I want to call “econo-centrism.” The sideways movement of the church growth movement was planted in suburbs and flourished for only a certain demographic. [SMcK: White folks, middle and upper class. Which is also why that demographic was fertile for a specific kind of political partisanship.]

My experience with pastors in the United States is that the church growth movement, combined as it was with these massive conferences at mostly suburban megachurches, diminished small churches, degraded small church pastors, and led to arrogance on the one side and shame on the other. A number of pastors have told me they quit attending the conferences because they knew in their community the ideas could never be implemented. They were looking for conferences by pastors who pastored people, regardless of the size of the church.

Vaters pleads for “integrity as the new competence.” Integrity, of course, is not really a new version of competence but the alternative, which leads to an entirely different church and culture. He compares the Bigness-Integrity Gap alone these categories.

Bigness: efficiency, leadership, success, hustle, increase, growth, excitement, effectiveness, passion.

Integrity, and here he punts to the fruit of the Spirit, which all OK by me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

For me, bigness measures numbers with reproducible methods while integrity points at Christoformity. Here’s how Vaters describes integrity:

We need to: 1. Do the right thing, 2. Every time, 3. For a long time, 4. With no agenda.

That’s wise. That’s virtue ethics in a simple formula; his idea of integrity is about character and culture formation.

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GUEST POST ~ #ReimagineLEADERSHIP…Less Methods & Meetings; More Counsel & Coaching

Shifting from Leadership to Fatherhood 

Glenn Bleakney

In a day and age when the presence of paternal influence is notably lacking, apostolic leaders face an undeniable and urgent need to transcend their conventional roles as mere leaders. Now, more than ever, they must fully embrace their true calling as spiritual fathers, offering guidance, nurturing, and unwavering care that can only be provided by those who embody the essence of a spiritual father. 

This generation yearns for a profound and intimate connection, as well as compassionate support that can only be fostered through the presence of spiritual fathers. As spiritual orphans wander, desperately seeking purpose and identity, it becomes imperative for apostolic leaders to wholeheartedly embrace the role of a father, guiding others to experience a deep, personal encounter with God the Father and embracing their true identity as cherished children of the Divine. 

Here are ten strategic shifts for apostolic leaders to become influential spiritual fathers, catalyzing transformative change in the lives of those they father. 

1. Embodying Christ-Centered Character: 

As spiritual fathers, apostolic leaders must embody the very essence of Christ-like character in every facet of their lives. In the same way that Paul implored others to imitate his example as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), leaders who embody the virtues of Christ become living testimonies of His transformative power. Through their embodiment of Christ-like character, these spiritual fathers inspire and influence those under their fatherly care. 

2. Cultivating Intimacy with God the Father:

Spiritual fathers must prioritize the cultivation of a deep, intimate relationship with God, serving as models of a life deeply rooted in prayer, worship, and devotion. The letters of the apostle Paul radiate with evidence of his profound intimacy with the Divine, serving as a compelling example for all spiritual fathers. By nurturing their own connection with God, these spiritual fathers create a sacred pathway for others to experience the boundless love of the Father and discover their true identity as cherished children of the Divine. 

3. Building Authentic and Meaningful Relationships:

At the very heart of spiritual fatherhood lies the importance of authentic relationships. The letters of Paul reveal his deep yearning for genuine connections with others. Spiritual fathers must invest their time and effort in building authentic relationships, characterized by vulnerability, transparency, and a genuine willingness to journey alongside others through both moments of joy and struggle. By fostering an environment of trust and authenticity, these spiritual fathers create fertile ground for transformative growth in the lives of those under their fatherly guidance. 

4. Equipping and Empowering the Next Generation:

Apostolic leaders are called to equip and empower the next generation of leaders, following the example set by Paul with Timothy and Titus. The mentorship of these young leaders beautifully exemplifies this crucial principle. In the same way that Paul entrusted them with responsibilities and encouraged them to fulfill their God-given potential, spiritual fathers invest tirelessly in the development of others, creating a legacy of multiplication that extends far beyond their immediate sphere of influence. 

5. Imparting Sound Doctrine and Unyielding Truth: 

Paul placed profound emphasis on the importance of imparting sound doctrine in his teachings. Spiritual fathers must ensure that they impart biblical truth and stand unwavering against the waves of false teachings. By grounding their spiritual children in the unchanging Word of God, these spiritual fathers equip them with the discernment needed to distinguish truth from falsehood, establishing a rock-solid foundation for their faith. Sound doctrine becomes an unwavering compass that guides and shapes the lives of those under their spiritual care. 

6. Correcting with Love, Grace, and Compassion: 

Approaching correction with a heart overflowing with love, grace, and compassion is a vital aspect of spiritual fatherhood. This mirrors the tone of Paul's letters, which were filled with corrective instructions delivered with immense compassion. Humility, discernment, and a genuine desire to witness transformation are crucial components in offering corrective guidance. When rooted in love and grace, correction becomes a catalyst for profound spiritual growth and maturity. 

7. Fostering a Culture of Honor and Affirmation:

Apostolic leaders should strive to cultivate a culture of honor within their communities, following Paul's example of honoring and affirming others (Romans 16:1-16). In doing so, spiritual fathers recognize and celebrate the unique gifts and contributions of those under their care. This cultivation of honor creates an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and empowerment, enabling individuals to thrive and fulfill their God-given potential. 

8. Providing Unwavering Spiritual Covering and Protection: 

Just as Paul provided spiritual covering and protection to the churches he founded, spiritual fathers offer steadfast guidance, support, and accountability to those entrusted to their care. This covering acts as a shield and guide, enabling spiritual children to navigate challenges and grow in their faith. Spiritual fathers become a source of strength and stability, 

9. Modeling Servant Leadership: 

Spiritual fathers exemplify the essence of servant leadership, mirroring the selfless nature of Jesus Christ himself. They lead not by exerting authority or seeking personal gain, but by humbly serving and sacrificing for the well-being and growth of those under their care. This sacrificial love and servant-heartedness inspire others to follow their example, creating a culture of servanthood within the community. 

10. Nurturing Emotional and Spiritual Healing:

Spiritual fathers understand the importance of addressing emotional and spiritual wounds that hinder growth and wholeness. Just as Paul demonstrated deep care and concern for the emotional well-being of his spiritual children, these spiritual fathers provide a safe space for healing, restoration, and inner transformation. Through compassionate listening, wise counsel, and prayer, they guide individuals towards healing and freedom, enabling them to embrace their true identity in Christ. 

Spiritual fathers have the incredible opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by impacting not just one generation, but multiple generations of spiritual children. Through their guidance, wisdom, and mentorship, they have the power to shape the lives of their spiritual children and equip them to become spiritual fathers and mothers themselves. This ripple effect creates a lineage of spiritual growth and transformation that extends beyond their own lifetime, reaching future generations who will carry on the legacy of faith and mentorship. Spiritual fathers truly have the privilege of nurturing and empowering spiritual children who will, in turn, become spiritual parents to the generations that follow.

Enjoy this teaching? Please consider partnering with us. Sign up to become a monthly partner of any amount or give a on-time donation at our website AwakeNations.org/donate 

For the Kingdom,

Glenn Bleakney

AwakeNations.org

KingdomCommunity.tv 

GUEST POST: Rethink Sanctuary

By Mike Glenn

In ancient times, church buildings were sacred places. If you needed any kind of help, you would go to the sanctuary and someone would give you food or water…whatever you needed.  If someone was after you, you could hide inside the church and no one could harm you as long as you were in the church building. A few years ago, several churches resurrected this doctrine to protect illegal immigrants – especially mothers with children– to hide them from authorities who would have arrested and deported them. There is a space where no one in the world can get to you. We call it “sanctuary.” 

Our digital age has changed our understanding of space. We can work from anywhere. We can connect from anywhere. We can do anything from anywhere which means anything can be done to us anywhere.

We aren’t safe anymore, anywhere. Not only do we have to worry about hackers stealing our personal and private information, we have to worry about being caught in a social media frenzy through no fault of our own because someone posted a picture or used us in a meme, all without our permission.

We’ve learned to live very guarded lives. We’ve learned to be aware of who’s using a camera on their phone, to be suspicious if anyone is taping our conversations. These days, everyone has a cell phone.

When in public, you have to assume everything is either being recorded or videoed. How many politicians, athletes and corporate executives have been caught in compromising situations because someone had a cell phone? How many adolescents have had their lives ruined because something about them got out on the internet?

The obvious thing is to always be aware that everyone has a phone these days and to act accordingly. But it’s not that easy. In our world of constant surveillance, we’ve lost something. We’ve lost trust in each other. We’re worried about what the other party will do with the information we’ve just given them. Does everything I say to you end up on social media? Will I find myself unknowingly quoted on X, or Instagram, or Tick Tock?

What’s more, we’re beginning to understand no one actually lives the way they say they do in their social media. Imagine that…people lie on social media. The consequences of this constant state of pretending is we’re slowly losing our true selves. Too many of us become our pretend selves, our public selves and we’ve lost our true identities because we can’t find a safe place. 

And where is a safe place?

In Corinthians, Paul reminds the early church they are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. They are to be careful about the places they go and what they do because wherever they go, they take the Spirit of Christ with them. It also means, we as believers take the sanctuary of Christ with us wherever we go. That means, when people show up in our lives, we do what we can to help. It also means that when someone, anybody, is in our lives, no one can hurt them. They are safe with us. We will give our lives to protect them. 

Sadly, churches and Christians have lost the presumption that people are safe with us. The sexual scandals and abuse stories that have broken across the whole spectrum of churches have resulted in people thinking churches and Christians are to be avoided rather than sought out. Christians are seen as self-righteous and judgmental. It breaks my heart to know we have earned these criticisms. 

But what if, as Christ-followers, we began to rethink the concept of sanctuary? What if, taking the teaching of Paul seriously, we began to understand that we, as Spirit bearers, are the sanctuaries, the safe places, of our communities and neighborhoods? What if the word got out that people were safe with us? When they were with us, no one would judge them, no one would harm them, and no one would condemn them. 

People could come to us and be themselves. We would listen, really listen, not just wait to talk. Our friends would know we’ve heard them and we know them. And we would love them. 

No, I’m not talking about a superficial “just love everybody” bumper sticker philosophy. I’m talking about a love strong enough to bear the cross for the beloved. To love a person through all the heartbreak, confusion and darkness that are part of all our lives. To be there, like a lighthouse, that doesn’t move and remind our friends every day, we’re still here. God is still here. We are bearers of His presence. 

And the world is safe with us. You can lay your burdens down and sort through them. You can face your pain and not be overwhelmed in the process. Sure, we’ll tell you the truth. True love demands that kind of honesty, but we won’t beat you to death with it. We’ll find a way forward.

More than that, with the help of Christ, we can find a better way. Jesus promised that. 

These days, everyone is looking for a safe place. We shouldn’t be that hard to find. Every Christ follower is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Every believer is a safe place. Every Christian is a sanctuary.

Sanctuary

SCOT MCKNIGHT

© 2024 Scot McKnight, 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104

The Price America Pays When Christians Throw Stones

GUEST-POST: A "Bell Curve" Perpsecitve?

Trends on any issue need to be viewed from the center of the bell curve.

Quick Quote - Source - Jeff Hilles

A Biblical Christian worldview perspective - With every issue, there will always be extreme opinions. I recently responded to a reader who stated that Christian preachers were calling for the execution of gay people.

I am sure one can find extreme views such as this if we look hard enough. However, in most cases, the extremes on both sides of an issue are in the minority. But they do garner media attention and gaslight viewers into believing extreme positions are mainstream. It is important to look to the middle of the bell curve, rather than the vocal extremes when evaluating the popular direction on an issue, especially a divisive one.

From the center of the bell curve, Christians don't hate gay people, they don't want to turn America into a Christofascist state, and most realize there are times when abortion is an appropriate medical need.

Author - Jeff Hilles | BCWorldview.org 

GUEST-POST ~ Discipleship: Walking In Eternal Life  

Walking in Eternal Life

by Francis Frangipane

God’s end time people will "end time." What I mean is that, as we near the end of the age, we will increasingly learn how to walk in eternal life, abiding above the boundaries, constraints and the pressures of the realm of time. We’ll see what’s coming and either avoid it or announce it, but we won’t be limited by it.

Jesus taught that those who come to Him "have everlasting life" (Jn 3:16). Right now, we have eternal life in our spirits. Yet, how do we access the timeless place of God’s presence? This is a serious question, for we have become more "time conscious" than "God conscious." Schedules, meetings, appointments and deadlines all fuel our anxieties and compel us to live horizontally, instead of vertically in the Presence of God. 

The Lord seeks to deliver us from anxiety, but that can only happen if we truly learn to walk in the Holy Spirit. The sad fact is, most Christians fail to spend time with the Holy Spirit. We pray, even calling upon the Lord, but few are they who have cultivated moment by moment openness to the Spirit of God. 

"But, when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:23).

The Holy Spirit "will guide . . . He will speak . . . He will disclose" to us what we otherwise could never know or attain. To guide, speak and reveal are forms of communication. Clearly, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to talk to us.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. There are issues in our hearts that the Holy Spirit alone can reveal and remove. Listen to Him, like Christ, He does not come to condemn but to save. His voice is Salvation speaking to us. 

Jeremiah said that the heart is deceitful above all things. We cannot objectively know ourselves. Yet the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth sees and understands our ways. Trust Him, He cannot be deceived. Indeed, the ancient Greeks used the same word for truth as they did for "reality." Thus, we could accurately say that the Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of Reality." He shows us the reality of our need and the reality of God’s answer. To hear Him is to hear the voice of eternal life. 

Jesus lived in union with the Holy Spirit continually. The miracles He accomplished came through the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit He saw the things the Father was doing; He heard the words the Father was speaking. Every strategy we may come up with pales in comparison to seeing God and doing what God does and hearing God and saying what God says. You see, Jesus lived in the dimension of time, but was not limited by it. His consciousness was always aware of the eternal realm. 

Even the urgent news of Lazarus’ illness did not make Jesus move anxiously. As right as it seemed to rush to Lazarus’ aid, Jesus was aware of another reality. He was conscious of the heavenly Father. Because He knew that the Father was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, He lived without hand-wringing or being driven by anxious thoughts or pressures.

Oh how we need to walk in the Spirit today. In every situation, we would consciously be aware of God's involvement in our lives! 

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

God has a system of thoughts and ways that are totally on another plane, yet He invites us to abide with Him!

Beloved, we are not mere human beings. We each are a temple for the Holy Spirit, but we must cultivate a listening heart if we will do the things that God is doing. A Christian is not just someone living out a natural life, hoping that God will bless him. No, God has more for us than that. Jesus set the standard, and He’s given us the Holy Spirit so we can follow Him.

Spirit Filled?
When we are born again, we begin a journey with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives us gifts to help us grow; He baptizes us in power to increase our effectiveness. All of this is to lead us until we are actually filled with the Holy Spirit, where we think and act like Jesus. 

Many of us think we are already filled with the Spirit, but we are not. We have three quarts of self and one quart of the Holy Spirit, and we think we have a gallon of God. There is still too much self ruling in our hearts. In America, some pastors identify themselves as being Spirit filled and say they pastor Spirit-filled churches. To be perfectly candid, I have never attended a church that is truly Spirit filled. In the Book of Acts, we see a picture of a Spirit-filled church. The leaders met daily for prayer, and on the way to prayer, their shadows healed the sick! Their offerings went to feed the poor. Out of their sense of love and community, they held all things in common. In that atmosphere, the church grew exponentially. 

I know some are thinking, "My church is getting close to this example." Oh, I forgot to mention, in a Spirit filled church, if you lied, you died (see Acts). 

You see, let’s not accept that we are further along spiritually than we are. God desires to take us further, deeper into eternal life. Having a spiritual gift doesn’t mean that you are filled with the Holy Spirit; being born again does not mean you are also Spirit filled. I have never met a truly spiritually mature person who was anxious; no one who is nervous about time can truly be led by the Holy Spirit. 

Where Do We Go from Here?
In our quest to walk in eternal life, we must allow the Holy Spirit to excavate our hearts of self. If we want to tune into the God channel we must tune out the "self channel," where the anxieties, fears and sins exist. 

I want a heart that can hear God; I want perception that can see God. We are too much like the world. How do we break this? Spend time with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to talk to your heart and then write down what you feel He is saying. If we want more of God, we must cultivate the awareness of His Presence, and especially listen for His voice.

We must also take faith and believe that the Spirit is here to help. Zechariah 4:6 teaches us that it’s not by our might or power, but it is by the Spirit of the Lord that we succeed. Acts 2:17 tells us that in the last days God seeks to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. I love the words "pour out." We must stop thinking "thimble" and think Niagara Falls!

It’s time to step out of the box called "time," and live in the Spirit. I’m not suggesting that you become unreliable or are late for your appointments, but that you give yourself to learning how to hear God’s voice and how to live in His presence. If you are one of God’s end-time elect, then it's time to rise above the pressures of time and walk in the eternal life of God. 

Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God

This is the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The thrust of these messages is geared towards those who desire the holy, powerful life of Jesus Christ. It is a penetrating study of the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.

Book - $9.60  (Retail $12.00)
Ebook - $9.60 (Retail $12.00)

Audio Book on CD $12.00 (Retail 14.75)
Audio book on MP3 $6.00 (Retail $12.00)
Companion Teaching - CD Series $26.25 (Retail $35.00)
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Disciples of the Cross
- audio series

As we learn to share in Christ’s sufferings, we join a society of redeemers who walk in God-given abundance.

Message titles:
Fellowship of His Sufferings
Wimps or Warriors
Disciples of the Cross
Conquering Conflict Through Character

CD Audio Series - $15.00 (Retail $20.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $7.50 (Retail $10.00)~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Christ's Image Training

New self-paced online format.

In Christ’s Image Training is an international online course developed by Francis Frangipane, designed to take Christians at all levels and lead them into a deeper understanding of what it means to be like Christ.

Learn more at www.icitc.org.

Training also available in Spanish / Español
 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 GUEST POST ~  Thom Rainer

Your Church Must Deal With Rapid Change

“Our team has conducted hundreds of church consultations. I did my first consultation in 1988. We have a plethora of anecdotal data and church member interviews where we see that Baby Boomers are often the most resistant to change. Indeed, in some of the churches, the Baby Boomer members decided to close the church rather than infringe upon their personal preferences (Church Answers Research).

“Many churches will likely have new opportunities to make needed changes for greater congregational health as the Baby Boomers fade from the scene.

“Innovation and change in churches will improve.”

https://churchgrowthmagazine.com/seven-ways-your-church-must-deal-with-rapid-change/

#ReimagineFutureChurch

 GUEST POST ~ Is This Your New Normaal?

Absolute Surrender; Undistracted Devotion

 by Mike Higgs

We heard a startling and sobering statistic the other day. According to the latest Gallop poll, 81 percent of Americans say they believe in God, which is the lowest percentage since Gallop started asking the question in 1944. Other polls tell us that around 63% actually identify as Christians. These percentages are not surprising to those of us who are observers of culture shifts in our country. But a statistic used by author John Mark Comer in a recent podcast highlighted what he calls "the chasm we have in the wider culture" between identifying as a Christian and actually living like one. He says,  "Any attempt to actually measure how many Americans are practicing the way of Jesus, like discipling under or apprenticing under Jesus, most estimates come in right around 4%." Yikes! 

     This statistic is sobering because we live in sobering times. Hopefully no explanation of that is necessary. For me, there is no 59% gap between what I confess with my mouth and how I live my life. But there remains a gap. And I am trying to minimize if not eliminate it, through what the author Andrew Murray calls "absolute surrender." For me, absolute surrender has meant developing my own" rule of life," so to speak, then praying regularly and desperately that I might life in accord with this rule. I put this together a few years ago, and call it My New Normal. It resides in my journal, where I reflect on it and pray into it several times a week.

My New Normal:
• Jesus has not made a difference in my life; rather, He is my life. I have died and my life is hidden with Christ in God. I am a new creation in Christ.
• I have not accepted Christ into my life; rather, I have surrendered my life to Him, absolutely, unequivocally, and unconditionally. My life is not my own. I have been bought with a price.
• While I have set apart a daily devotional time, my life is to be a 24/7/365 devotional time. There is no sacred/secular division or distinction. I seek to Practice His Presence continually, in unbroken fellowship and prayer.
• While Sunday mornings and other experiences of corporate singing, prayer and teaching are an expression of my worship, the offering of my body as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2) is my continual act of worship.
• I have no rights.
• I will be unoffendable.
• I will forgive always and without exception.
• I will always consider all others as more important than myself.
• I will resist any measure of conformity to any pattern of this world, and be transformed by the renewing of my mind.
• I will be all in, all the time, all the days of my life.
• I will love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
• I will give the rest of my days, with my wife, to awaken the church, equip the willing, engage the culture, disciple the nations, and otherwise bear witness of Christ. Together, we will help people discover their true identity, purpose and belonging through Christ.
• Following the example of the Lord’s Prayer – “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” – we will seek spiritual transformation in our community, through our prayers and our service.

     I have seen some significant shrinking of the gap in my own life over the past few years, and I think (hope) my wife would concur. But I have found there is an obstacle to further progress: distraction. And I am a master of distraction. One of my favorite authors, Francis Frangipane, says, "It is time to enter the place of undistracted devotion." More on Undistracted Devotion in the next newsletter.
 

GUEST POST: The Power of Stories: Learning from the Past to Shape Our Future

GUEST-POST: City Saturation = Prayer Saturation x Christ Saturation

1. Above all, you need to start by saturating your own life with more of who Christ is today.

To enlarge and enrich your own vision of and passion for the majesty and supremacy of God’s Son today so that, in turn, you can share this with others, go to ChristNow.com. Scroll down to “Exalting Jesus: A 21-Day Video Journey Into More of Christ” and click on the button—and get ready to be saturated with much more of our Lord Jesus Christ!

2. Next, try to saturate fellow believers with more of the wonders of Jesus that you have uncovered.

3. Form a Christ Awakening Servant Team (CAST) inside your church to transform your church.

4. Subscribe for free to the Christ Now Resources Catalog so you can keep growing in your life in Christ.

5. Pastors and other Christian leaders should definitely consider drawing on the in-depth teaching found in “The Christ Institutes Video Training Series.“

About the Author

Over the past 50 years, David Bryant has been defined by many as a “messenger of hope” and a “Christ proclaimer” to the Church throughout the world. Formerly a minister-at-large with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, president of Concerts of Prayer International (COPI), and chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, David now provides leadership to ChristNow.com and Proclaim Hope!, whose mission is to foster and serve Christ Awakening movements. Download his widely read ebooks at ChristNow.com. Enjoy hundreds of podcast episodes. Watch his weekly vlogs at David Bryant REPORTS. Meet with David through Zoom or in-person events through David Bryant LIVE!

Church Growth: The Road Less Traveled 

Does Your Church Position God Alone as Father? The Bible leaves no doubt about the identity of those who follow Jesus.  We are God’s children.  He is our Father.  Satan’s perpetual lie since the dawn of time is that our Father cannot be trusted.  Religious leaders throughout history have questioned our identity and access by positioning themselves as intermediaries between the Father and His children.  Christ came to prove once and for all that His Father (and ours) loves His children personally, unequivocally, and unconditionally.  Often unwittingly and unintentionally, church leaders divert attention from the Father to themselves and churches in ways that undermine our relationshipwith Him.  The result are churchgoers not grounded enough (in their status as a son or daughter) to represent Christ well, fueling popular perceptions of Christians as hypocritical and judgmental. Our Heavenly Father Produces Faithful Children Our Father knows His children and they recognize His voice.  If parents are rarely fooled by their kids, the Father is never deceived by His.  Jesus looked at the heart, merciful to those acknowledging their weaknesses but reserving His harshest words for those projecting under false pretenses.  Genuine Christ-followers pursue the Lord with all their hearts and seek His righteousness, not self-righteousness.  Our Father is interested in authentic Kingdom advancement, not the size of a church’s congregation or number of confessions of faith.  He is looking for true disciples, not cultural Christians, who embody… Growth – To find out “who was who”, Jesus preached His most challenging sermon at the height of His popularity.  His objective was relational, not numerical, growth.  How often do pastors “preach a church down” on purpose to weed out the insincere or (perpetually) unrepentant?  Losing excess weight typically makes people, and churches, healthier.  Jesus didn’t entertain (or, in some cases, tolerate) those only interested in what He could do for them, not a relationship with Him.  He knew who was seeking a favor (temporal help), not God (eternal hope).  Our Father is about depth, not breadth. Sincerity – In the early Church, no distinction existed between “disciple” and “Christian”.  A public profession of faith in Christ could be a death sentence.  Anyone that courageous was desperate for a relationship like Jesus had with His Father.  Persecution forced believers into small, house churches.   In America, where conspicuous church buildings dot the landscape and Christians are just beginning to experience relatively mild forms of persecution, it’s more difficult to tell those who has surrendered from who’s simply going through the motions. Obedience – We want our children to obey because they love us, not to get something or avoid punishment.  Their motive for obedience becomes more important than obedience itself.  Agape love, the purest of all motives, is the Greatest Commandment.  Jesus exposed those strictly following the law to appease God or impress people.  In today’s culture, sin has left our vernacular and society flouts and celebrates violations of God’s commandments.  Authentic Christ-followers repent, transform, and even love those who hate them. Discipleship – Jesus provided a vivid example of how to live out the Great Commission.  His discipleship approach was personal, intensive, and multiplicative.  Christians who don’t become a disciple or make disciples aren’t one.  We discover who truly walks in Jesus’ footsteps by how they respond to adversity.  Do they cower, revile, defend, or view disappointments as God’s appointments? Compassion – The Greatest of All identified Himself with the “least of these”.  Jesus’ economy flips ours on its head – rich is poor and poor is rich.  He modeled healing and feeding to open ears before disclosing who He is (i.e. the Gospel).  The implication of Jesus’ parables of the Good Samaritan, Sheep and Goats, and Rich Man and Lazarusis clear – no genuine Christ-follower will ignore the (materially) poor.  For roughly 1,900 years, churches took those warnings seriouslyyet few churches and Christians today make them a commensurate priority. Any intermediaries or impediments in our lives that operate outside the bounds of Agape will inhibit our relationship with the Father.  Their lack of authenticity will diminish ours as distance from Him impedes our growth, sincerity, obedience, discipleship, and compassion. Spiritual “Fatherhood” Produces Spiritual Orphans Intimacy with the Father suffers when churches repair the curtain (separating us from Him) that tore when Jesus was crucified.  Our last blog post listed 25 ways in which churches today insert themselves between man and God, redirecting attention from the Father to the institution.  It becomes difficult to sense the Lord pursuing us (as a child) when the church is pursuing us (as a member).  It’s hard to distinguish our love for our Father from our love for our church when both are asking for our loyalty and allegiance… Growth – While Jesus humbled spiritual “fathers” and demanded commitment to the Father, many churches today elevate pastors and emphasize commitment to the church (invite/involve/invest).  There’s nothing wrong with numerical growth if it’s attained despite regularly challenging members to follow Jesus’ non-negotiable call to authentic discipleship no matter the cost. Sincerity – While Jesus invested in those desiring God for who He is and not what He can do for them, most churches exhibit transactional behavior.  Services have been reduced to an hour, salvation to repeating a phrase, evangelism to extending an invitation to church, and metrics to achieving commercial objectives.  “Kingdom” and “Church” often take a back seat to “kingdoms” and “churches”. Obedience – While Jesus wants love to fuel our obedience, which is normally the case for aspiring pastors, temptations lurk once a church becomes “successful”.  We are to call no man “father”, but leaders can evolve into spiritual “fathers”.  They can begin to believe their own press and become less dependent on their Father.  Spiritual “children” of church “fathers” can be pulled away from our Father as reverence and affinity for pastors grow. Discipleship – While Jesus instructed parents to disciple their children, churches who don’t disciple members aren’t preparing them to disciple their kids.  Instead, parents drop them off at children’s ministry and youth group, counting on church to assume their discipleship role as spiritual “fathers”.  However, churches that don’t disciple adults don’t disciple children either (to ensure they have fun and want to come back next Sunday). Compassion – While Jesus treated those He healed and fed with dignity, most churches conduct local missions transactionally and paternalistically.  We are to love our neighbors year-round, but occasional outreach events that “check the box” perpetuate (rather than alleviate) poverty by fostering dependence. Contemporary church growth models encourage treating “church” as a place, members as “customers”, worship services as events, and metrics as a business.  Pastor-led churches can look like a “genius with 1,000 helpers”, drawing attention away from the Father and toward spiritual “fathers”. How Churches Can Position God as Father The following are steps pastors can take to ensure they’re positioning the Father as “Father” and members as His children (not their own): Growth – Risk losing lukewarmchurchgoers and all they’ve worked so hard to build by leading like Jesus, who loved His followers enough to challenge them and hold them accountable, finding out who truly is a child of the Father. Sincerity – Disintermediate by flattening the hierarchy, equipping and empowering members to resume their rightful responsibilities for living out GC3 (Great Commandment, Great Commission, Great Calling) all week, not just on Sundays. Obedience – Repent of a Priest/King dichotomy.  Swim against the cultural “current” by decentralizing “Church as We Know It”, relinquishing ownership of the “priestly” role and dependence on “kings” to staff and underwrite the operation. Discipleship – Reintroduce personal and intensive discipleship, starting with leaders, but quickly multiplying through parents to children and then to families, coworkers, and communities (reaching those who wouldn’t come to your church). Compassion – Plant or support ministries year-round that serve the materially poor, risking the culture shock of welcoming into the congregation those who look little like your average member, realizing we’re all in some form of poverty. Few church leaders would argue with that roadmap, yet it remains the road less traveled.  Prevailing church growth models encourage dependence on pastors and loyalty to church – undermining authenticity and intimacywith the Father. It’s Your Turn… Does your church position God alone as Father and Christ-followers as His children? The post Does Your Church Position God Alone as Father? appeared first on Meet the Need Blog. Read in browser »

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My 10 Commandments for God

Phil Miglioratti * Reimagine.Network

Context: I firmly believe in the God of Genesis 1:1 and the original 10 Commandments. I do not believe the Creator necessitates ten suggestions from me or anyone else. I do not believe a list like this provides God with new ideas. My sole (and soul) purpose is to invite readers, especiall those who are skeptical about God, to consdier these assertions as a way to reimagine God... and faith. 

1. I want to believe in the God of all gods, the God who created the gods, if they exist. And even if there’s a God who created the God who created the Earth, that’s the God I want to believe in. The Uncreated One. The True Self. The One Way-The Only Truth-The Life Source God.
2. I want to believe that God is real; not vapor, not chemistry nor technology, and certainly not mythology. This God would be the way to authentic truth about real life.
3. I want to believe this God expresses omnipresence (True Self is not limited to a body in form or function), omniscience (True Self knows all  that needs knowing) and omnipotence (True Self is almighty), each from a source of pure, holy (perfect) True Love.
4. I want to believe God makes every decision on the basis of love; a quality of love that demonstrates the beauty of the creation ("the land and the sky" of Genesis1:1) and who’s love is the guiding purpose and principle for all life; the model for all human interactions. This God cannot not love, even when destroying evil.
5. I want to believe in a God, who is just in character and action. True Self is righteous in motivation and methods and means. This God, rightly so, abhors evil as the cancer of the spirtual life of humans.
6. I want to believe God reveals the True Self in the majesty and beauty of every created thing and person.
7. I want to believe in a God who is knowable, wants to be known, and initiates communication with every created being. People have an all access pass to communicate with True Self through meditation and contemplation, praise and prayer, and through fulfilling their unique purpose.
8. I want to believe in a God who is our advocate, not an accuser, manipulator or deceiver. A rescuer who is also a redeemer, releasing us from all dis-ease, evil, and everything death-producing.
9. I want to believe in a God, who is a judge; a judge of all that is evil. A God who will defeat evil and one day destroy it forever. This God will also offer people the spiritual surgery necessary, so that they do not die with that evil, soul-cancer disease.
10. I want to believe in the almighty God people have no need to fear because the True Self is loving, forgiving, a source of true empowerment, and in whose presence is real peace. The True Self is the God all humans (and even creative things nonhuman) long for. If God has a name, that is The Name I will believe in, which I will pray in, and I will seek to bless and love and serve others.

If you can, read this list and agree with each of these “commandments” you are close to faith n the God I find in the Bible.

You are not searching for a religion. You are seeking, even yearning for, a relationship with the One walks with us along the way of truth that breathes life into our bodies-souls-and-spirits.

No matter what adjective you used to describe yourself (religious, political, philosophical; theist or atheist), this ancient wisdom may be a good place to (re)start:

You must trust the Lord
    and not your own judgment.

Always let him lead you,
and he will clear the road
    for you to follow.

Don't ever think that you
    are wise enough,
but respect the Lord
    and stay away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Jesus was right when he told us to "Seek God first ... live righteously ... and God will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:33).

God is real and has revealed True Self -  "Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God (wanting truth, hope, peace, love, forgiveness, eternal life) must believe that God is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him." (Hebrews 11:6) - This God I want to believe in wants to be found . . .

NEXT>>>You Are Noble; So Be Generous!

“Usually a host serves the best wine first.

‘Then when everyone is full and doesn’t care,

     he brings out the less expensive wines.

But you have kept the best until now!”

                     John 2:10 NLT

My way is the best course.

     Other paths claim to bring peace, but wind up being dead-end roads.

          Evil trails look inviting, but their promised ecstasy turns into agony. 

          Believers nestling near My heart experience inexplicable tranquility.

          My wonderworks change dull days into delightful days. 

     To access Holiness Highway, you must deliberately exit Evil Track. 

          Genuine belief is more than knowing My Word—it’s doing as I say.     

          Authentic love for Me is shown only one way—obedience to My orders. 

     Obey Me, and receive a special gift—I will make Myself real to you.

     I am the Wonderful Counselor—follow My guidance, and rest easy. 

My truth is the best creed.

     Other teachings seem reasonable, but are deceptive and deadly.

     My omnipotence can handle anything—no problem is too hard for Me.

          My glory can be glimpsed in creation’s beauty and grandeur.      

     My omniscience can see right through you—I can read your heart.

          I know your secrets, noble intentions and sincere desire to honor Me. 

     Life’s highest truth is this—get to know Jesus Christ and get to know God. 

     I am the Everlasting Father—focus on My glory, and know reality. 

My life is the best celebration.

     Other lifestyles advertise pleasure, but are dangerous risks.

     The evil one steals enthusiasm, kills joy, and destroys influence.

     My vintage wine gets sweeter every day—nothing else can compare.

          It did not come cheap—I trod the winepress alone on Skull Hill.

          I paid for you with My blood—I redeemed you at a very high cost.   

     Satan gives you the best he has to offer now, and then brings out his worst.

     I give you good things now, but I am saving the best for last.

          The Lamb’s wedding feast will be a celebration that will never end.

     I am the Prince of Peace—have faith in My government, and rejoice.

© By Johnny R. Almond                                                 

Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Book available on www.Amazon.com 

If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you.
       2 Thessalonians 1:12  THE MESSAGE

I honor those who honor Me—set your heart on My reciprocal honor.

Live gracefully—relate kindly to everyone.
     Behind the scenes, all people around you fight a hard battle—be kind.
     Living the Christian life is humanly impossible—be humble.
     Count on My power to enable you to do what I ask—be strong.
     Follow My example by living a life of love—be compassionate.
     Guard against arrogance—honor Me by relying on My power.
     Above all else, love.

Think calmly—respond peacefully in all situations.
     Let Me know what is on your mind, what is troubling you—be tranquil.
     Believe the future is as bright as My promises—be confident.
     Anticipate the perfect tomorrow I have planned—be optimistic.
     Climb into My grace hammock and be at ease in My care—be relaxed.
     Guard against angst—honor Me by trusting My promises.
     Whatever happens, look forward.

Serve faithfully—reach out to the lost with heaven’s Good News.
     Share the Gospel with everyone who will listen—be concerned.
     Remind unbelieving sinners there is hell to pay—be convinced.
     Turn your good intentions into noble initiatives—be committed.
     Invite others to join you on the journey to glory—be cordial.
     Guard against apathy—honor Me by offering My pardon.
     In My service, be loyal.

Endure unflinchingly—run perseveringly until the finish line.
     When tempted to give up the fight, look again at the cross—be brave.
     When you suffer for My sake, keep walking in My steps—be faithful.
     When you feel like I have forgotten you, recall My love—be grateful.
     When you wonder if it is worth the effort, struggle on—be tenacious.
     Guard against apostasy—honor Me by copying My pattern.
     By My grace, last.

 © By Pastor Johnny R. Almond          

Day 349, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Book available at www.Amazon.com 

          As we talk to our God and Father about you,
we think of your faithful work,  your loving deeds, and your
continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.               
                         1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT

Faith works—it dances here and now.
    Firm reliance on your Savior naturally results in joyful acts of service.
    Realizing urgency of tasks I have assigned, you are purposefully busy.
    Taking My Word seriously, you do more than ponder—you labor.
    Believing Me, you obey Me—the connection proves your sincerity.
    Trust becomes action, turning intentions into God-honoring initiatives.
    You are My masterpiece—reflect My work in you by your life’s work.
    Remember what you are here after—I will take care of your hereafter.
    Attentively race to Christ’s reward—My smile will make it worthwhile.

Love obeys—it walks every rough road without giving up.
    I desire only the best for your life—live a life of love and you’ll find it.
    Love never gives up on you—never give up on Me.
    In a hateful world, revel in My love—stay near Me and find joy.
    Love never loses faith in your potential—follow Me and be your best.
    You are not yet all I want you to become—obey Me and grow up.
    Love endures through all difficulties—when life is painful, persevere.
    The Via Dolorosa was not easy—Christian living is not a cake walk.
    Continue doing My will—distinguish yourself as an authentic disciple.
    Actively respond to Christ’s redemption—this is the path of blessing.

Hope dreams—it looks forward to the Second Coming of the Messiah.
    The Advent of My Son will solve the world’s stubborn problems—
         puzzles politicians, warriors, and economists have never solved.
    Tomorrow is as bright as My promises—gaze through hope’s window.
    Your destiny is a tearless, painless, deathless, sinless place.
    The King’s reign will end sin’s nightmare—hallelujahs will echo in glory.
    Anticipate Christ’s return—then My dream will finally come true.

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond            

Day 348, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Book available at www.Amazon.com

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8