A Month/Night with Gary Black

Our blog post today is written by Rick Johnson about some thoughts he had in the wake of Gary Black visiting our church last month:

Many of us at Oak Hills were strongly encouraged with the recent month long visit and evaluation from Gary Black, currently working on his P.H.D. Doctorate on “Willardian Theology” at Exeter , England . Gary's research and upcoming dissertation is on a recent movement with some new Evangelical Churches in the United States to pursue Discipleship and intentionally Living in the Kingdom of God as their mission. After studying dozens of other churches attempting to pursue this mission, Gary then this last February and March studied Oak Hills transition from a "Seeker" based church to a Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation based church.

As you are probably aware, about 10 years ago Oak Hills Church was in the midst of being a successful "Seeker" growth model based church with a robust and growing church body, then shifted to a Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation based church (for more details regarding that calling and shift refer to the Elder Board Blog posted on 8/16/10), weighing heavily from the teachings and writings of religious scholar Dallas Willard. Part of Gary Black's evaluation unique to Oak Hills, was whether a church can successfully transition from a "Seeker " or growth model church to a church based upon purposeful Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation, as many believed it is impossible to do so and too risky to try.

Gary discovered that after a sometimes painful yet necessary transition, Oak Hills Church led by its Church Leadership has become a model centerpiece of a Discipleship /Spiritual Transformation based church with a smaller yet committed and purposeful body many of whom are knowledgeable of and practicing Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation concepts and disciplines, including those taken from Willardian teachings such as "Renovation of the Heart" VIM-Vision, Intent and Means-as evident in forums such as Small Groups, Missional Living Group, the Spiritual Formation Academy and the Men's Retreat. There have been countless stories and testimonies by Oak Hillians whose lives have been transformed by purposefully entering into the reality of Christ and living in His Way and Kingdom Living as a church community at Oak Hills.

At a special evening with the Elder Board, Gary tearfully commented that based upon his research and from his own church experience that this was the closest thing he has found to purposely Living in the Kingdom of God together and what he has been looking for in a church. To a tee the Elder Board then reflected "Where Else Would We Go" than a church based upon Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation? Gary advised that Oak Hills Church use this evaluation as a Benchmark, and that we just continue to press on in pursuit of and seeking after Christ as disciples and that the rest will fall into place through the power of the active Holy Spirit according to God's Will...

So much for the nostalgia! Seriously though, I for one say despite our imperfection at seeking after Living in the Kingdom of God as a church, where else would I go! We still have much to learn about Discipleship and Spiritual Transformation, thankfully, but through God’s Grace we are purposefully and intentionally seeking after Jesus Christ and to "Follow Me" together with the higher truth and abundant real and glorious life that only comes with it. What can be more important and better than that, where else would we go? Yes, despite all the hardships that also come with “Follow Me”, Living in the Kingdom of God and Jesus' Way, IT IS WORTH IT!!!

I and the Elder Board would love to see your comments and feedback?

A Few Thoughts on Fasting

Over the past couple of years, the idea of a “full body cleanse” has become a popular topic in the media. The idea is that a person will stop eating altogether or severely restrict their diet for a period of time in order to allow their digestive system to expel the accumulated “gunk” in their system from years of eating less healthy foods. I have listened to these pitches with a fair amount of skepticism over the years. However, as much as I have no desire to spend a month eating the edible equivalent of wood chips, I must admit there is a certain appeal to this “cleansing” idea.

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I always feel more comfortable and confident driving my car after an oil change and car wash. There is simply something good about knowing that I have just washed away (or had someone else wash away) the grime and waste left over from my daily driving for the past three months. Somehow, my car feels fresher, and I feel that my engine is healthier than it was before the oil change.

It is this positive feeling that I have after getting my car’s oil changed that makes a “full body cleanse” an intriguing idea. If I were to eat a certain way for a month, would my body feel renewed and fresh? Would I be able to wash away the effects of eating cheeseburgers for the past several years? Well, probably not. But just as an oil change helps mitigate the effects of my daily driving, I can imagine a body cleanse would help refresh the body.

As we enter into the Lenten season, I found a similar line of thought occurring with regard to fasting and the health of my soul. Fasting is a good thing, and a well-established spiritual discipline, for many reasons. For example, fasting provides us with an opportunity to rely on and seek God when we remove those things from our lives we otherwise rely on in lieu of God.

I also think that fasting can have a cleansing effect. Every day, I engage in activities that are not particularly bad, and sometimes are even good, but that leave their traces on my soul. Everything from listening to the radio and surfing the internet to watching television and looking at magazines in the checkout aisle, my mind is being constantly barraged with messages that affect my thoughts and my soul. These messages are varied and numerous: I am the most important person; my desires and pleasures matter most; winning is all that matters; looking good makes me a better person; rich people matter more; and on and on the list goes.

If I stop to think about it, I know that these messages are false or dangerous or both. I don’t always stop to think about it. As a result, these messages creep into my mind and color my thoughts. They affect my perception of the world, and they begin to change my behavior. Before I realize it, these messages have made their way into my habits, like a splinter under a thumb nail.

I have developed habits and thought patterns based upon these messages. I have become numb to real beauty and true heartache because of the accumulated “gunk” left behind by the messages telling me what I should have or deserve. The constant appeal to my desires and pleasures has blurred my vision of God, of those hurting or in need, and of my own brokenness and salvation.

As I enter into Lent this year, I have decided to “cleanse” my soul by finding ways to limit the barrage of soul-numbing messages from various mediums. I am going to leave my radio off. I will severely limit my use of the internet (check email; pay bills; update this blog). I will use the space left by those things to focus on and rely on God and His messages for me.

One more thing – a “full body cleanse” or an oil change are allowed by and limited in their effects by the laws of the physical universe and the shortcomings of the physical vessels which are involved. The renewal of the soul is a spiritual matter, and it is therefore essential that it be done with an open heart to God. If you go through the motions of performing an oil change, you can expect that the oil will be refreshed because you are dealing with physical matters in a physical way. However, just going through the motions of a fast does not guarantee a particular result, because you are dealing spiritual matters that require more than just physical actions (though our physical actions matter). In fasting, we must ask God to renew our souls, we must seek His Truth to show us the way, and we must rely on His Goodness to refresh us and draw us closer to Him.

Will you join me? Is there anything you will give up for Lent as an invitation and request to God to refresh your soul?

Back Up and Running

Welcome back to the Elder Blog! As Valerie has come to the end of her term on the Elder Board, she has signed off of the Elder Blog. However, she created a very enjoyable and useful thing, and the Elder Board has decided to continue the blog.

I think that I can speak for the Elder Board (something I will not typically do) in expressing our deep gratitude for Valerie’s service as an Elder. Not only did she create and maintain this blog, she was a consistent, wise and gracious Chairperson of the Board. Her presence at meetings has been and will continue to be missed.

Now, I will address a few “housekeeping” type matters regarding the blog, so that hopefully we will not have to revisit them often. I will be the moderator of this blog. But since I am not as skilled or prolific of a writer as Valerie, I have asked for assistance from the other Elders. Frequently, the posts will be from different members of the Elder Board. Hopefully, you will enjoy the varying perspectives over time. Also, this blog will consist of the musings and opinions of the individual elders contributing to the blog. Finally, I encourage lively discussion and thoughtful debates about anything said on this blog, but also demand respect and civility. I will not elaborate further, in the hope that I have already said more than necessary.

I am looking forward to this endeavor, and I hope that you all will come back frequently to share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section. Please look for a new (more substantive) post early next week.

In the meantime, if you like, let’s have a little fun in the comment section with a couple of fill in the blanks:

I truly enjoyed Valerie’s blog post on _________ because ________.

I would like to see Mike Lueken interview the following fictional animal or character: ________ (e.g., the Cowardly Lion).

Signing Off

It is with real regret and sincere thanks that I sign off on this blog. To those of you who have been reading, I appreciate the connection that we’ve had together. The opportunity to write this blog has helped me clarify my thinking and get in touch with my feelings on a wide variety of topics over the last few years. The diarist Anais Nin noted, “We write to be able to transcend our life, to reach beyond it. We write to teach ourselves to speak with others, to record the journey into the labyrinth. We write to expand our world…” This has been true for me, whether writing about politics, banned books, or civility; engaging with the church calendar or the invitation to say “yes” to God. All of it has been a part of my own journey and hopefully every once in a while it has helped or challenged you as well.

It isn’t clear if the next board will continue with the blog or not. It may be used as issues arise or perhaps several different elders will contribute their thoughts. I suggest that you check the church website from time to time (in case the link changes).

As the 2011 Elder Board meets next week to choose a new chairperson and engage with the business of the church, I would like to encourage you to pray for each of them. They shoulder a heavy burden by willingly taking on the responsibility for discerning what God is doing in our church and making staff, financial and ministry decisions. They are a great board, men and women who love God and love Oak Hills, and I have every confidence that God will use their collective wisdom to lead us into this New Year! If you’re wondering how you can help to carry the burden of the church here are my three suggestions: give your time, give your prayers, give your money. And then expect God to use them to expand his kingdom both within you and within the church.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
With much affection,
Valerie

Streams of Waiting

This year I’ve been thinking of Advent as a flowing river. We are invited to step into the story, letting the stream of events swirl around us. The prophecies of old and the promises of God course by as we light the candles and sing the carols together each Sunday, yet we still stand in the stream of time, waiting for the arrival of the long anticipated Messiah.

As I reflect on it, there seems to be three different Advents that we are waiting for. The first is the coming of Christmas Day. On this day we celebrate God’s amazing plan for our salvation and redemption with the birth of Jesus, the Christ who was foretold in scripture. We mark the days with Advent calendars and the weeks with the lighting of Advent candles and it all leads up to this annual event by which we remember the gift of love God has given us.

But we also wait for the return Advent of Jesus, when the kingdom of God will be unshakably established for all time and the whole earth will rejoice in the restoration of all creation. When I see the Advent colors, the candles, the Christmas decorations, I’m reminded that another year has rolled around and still we are people who wait for our coming King.

Finally, I wait for the Christ to be fully birthed in my life. As much as I wish that what Paul said was true of me, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” (Galatians 2:20) I know that I’m still in process. Sure, I have a few fleeting moments when it is Christ who is in charge and I’m surrendered to his will, but it is far more common for me to be in a struggle for power and control.

And so this Advent I celebrate the wonderful story that has already been given to us, even while I look forward to the future events that remain hidden around the bend. And perhaps most importantly, I remember that in this moment, right now, I can surrender and welcome the Advent of Jesus into myself. Thomas Merton said, “The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” I want so much to be flooded with the reality of that, to be “ready for Christmas.” Amen! Come Lord Jesus, Come!

A Litany of Gratitude

As I reflect on this season of Thanksgiving, and all the many blessings I have in my life, I have been thinking of the gifts and graces that I have received from serving as an elder at our church. This isn’t maybe the normal way of thinking about service, and I’ll admit that lots of times I’m more focused on what I’ve given than what I’ve received. Sometimes, I’m more prone to conjure a litany of complaints than otherwise. But as I prepare to leave the Board after a longish stint, I’m in a mood of thankfulness.

I have received the obvious gifts of a place to serve and use my talents, the camaraderie that develops from working on a team, the fun of being in the middle of things. But the real standout moments have happened when I have been invited into other people’s stories and been asked to pray for and with them. These moments of prayer and anointing have been incredibly humbling and sacred times for me. I have been awed, over and over again, at how God meets people at their point of need, and in some mysterious way I also receive a blessing just by being a part of it.

There are certain moments that I treasure and which I will carry with me always. The chance to participate as a celebrant of our communion liturgy was a surprisingly big deal to me, partly because the inclusion of women in the life of our church is always on my heart and partly for the personal expression of trust that I took from the opportunity.

Another moment occurred after an anointing service, when someone I didn’t know well circled back after everyone had left and offered to anoint me, too. It was a profound and unexpected blessing.

And just last week I was invited to come to the final meeting of a James Bible Study. After the group discussed the last verses of James, where he exhorts them to call the elders to pray and anoint them with oil, they had me pray for each person who desired it. Again, I left incredibly blessed and touched by the experience.

There are twelve years of anecdotes and not enough space to recall them all, but, my heart is full of gratitude for each person who has trusted me with their need for healing, guidance, forgiveness or blessing. You have no idea how much it has been a grace in my life to be invited to stand in the gap with you. It’s been an amazing privilege!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Living in Rhythm

As we’ve been reminded in our current series, For All Intents and Purposes, our life with God requires intentionality. We will not be zapped with lightning and changed in an instant, despite our very strong wish that this could be so. Instead, our transformation is more like a long journey, requiring steadiness and purpose to arrive at the destination. We want to be Christlike, but how do we get there?

For years I heard about the practice of developing a Rule of Life, which is a statement of an individual’s (or group’s) specific intentions for daily, weekly, monthly and annual living and cooperation with the grace of God. However, nothing with the word “rule” in it is appealing to me. For one thing, I don’t like being told what to do and immediately want to do the opposite. Clearly, I have some issues. Secondly, even writing my own Rule made me feel like I would be boxed into my relationship with God, and I’ve been on the journey long enough to know that change is good and discomforts me in ways I need to be stretched and challenged.

But then I received a little booklet from Renovare on Rhythms of Life and read that the word “Rule” was more closely related to a ruler – that handy device for making straight lines. To quote from the booklet, “A Rule of Life outlines a pattern of living which is immersed in Christ, and invites us to shape ourselves to it- to become straight and true. Those wooden rules we used in school never commanded us to draw triangles, nor told us where the triangles should be drawn, nor did they make us draw rectangles instead. But, when we wanted to draw a triangle well, they suddenly became invaluable.” With that encouragement, I began to draw up my own Rule of Life. After using my Rule for the past year or so, what I lack is the voice of another asking me “How are you doing? Why is this commitment in your Rule and yet you almost never do it? What are your true intentions?”

A group of people recently went through a Spiritual Formation retreat on how to develop a Rule of Life, and I thought about how useful it would be for me to have others to experiment with in this endeavor. So, I am going to be meeting with anyone who wants to join me over ten Thursday evenings to share our Rules, refine them, and most especially implement them. And ask some nosy questions about where we’re finding it hard to put our “intentions” into actual practice. If you find this appealing and would like to meet with us, send me an email or give me a call. Even if you didn’t attend the retreat, you can get a Rule developed before our first meeting. Start by reading the eleven page Renovare booklet – it’s packed with practical information. We’ll meet from October 21- January 13 (with breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas) at the church. Hopefully at the end of this time we will have fully engaged ourselves in living with our own rule and rhythm and will have become more “straight and true” in our lives with Jesus.