Archive for the 'Random' Category

17
Feb

Pentecostal Alternative

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith, Politics and Random

As I begin to write this blog I realize I may get some criticism.  And I don’t wish to cause issue with anyone I’m simply using this space to voice what is playing out in my heart.  My heart is deeply committed to Christ and this assurance has played out extremely Pentecostal (if that means I believe in speaking in tongues).  I believe there are many gifts of the Spirit, but my Christian life has grown in the shadow of charismatic movements and I’ve associated myself with these movements.

I still deeply believe in the Pentecostal view in regard to the Christian faith, because its view of the gifts is to empower believers to be a witness in the world.  I genuinely believe this is the purpose of the empowering Spirit, to be Christ witness.  I’m convinced all the gifts of the Spirit are meant to bring people (body of Christ) closer to Him and outward to others.  The purpose of the gifts is to be agents of change – ushers of the Kingdom of God.  So I think less about the initial physical evidence of tongues as the sign of the Holy Spirit and more of what gifts the mission calls for.

Please understand me.  I have a prayer language and believe it is uniquely from God.  But if I view the language like a walkie-talkie, but never leave home base, then it’s just a two-way radio between me and God.  I view that a little egocentric.  I agree there is much evidence for the initial evidence, but there’s more evidence for suffering.  Maybe we should view the evidence of the Holy Spirit by the amount of suffering one undergoes beginning the day one confessions their faith, because to undergo suffering one would have to be on mission with Christ. And I’m not talking about suffering because you speak in tongues, stump your toe or your guitar string broke.  Biblical suffering: rejected by family, discriminated for faith, unwanted for your commitment to Christ, abandoned because you live so radical that your spouse can’t remain with you.

Just so we’re all clear.  I believe the greater gift is the mission of Christ.  Jesus’ life, message, and prayer (Matt 9.10) was the ushering in of the Kingdom of God (Matt 13.41; Luke 22.30; Rev 1.9; 2 Tim 4.1; Eph 5.5; Rev 11.15).  When we come to faith and obedience we turn to God and become part of this kingdom and its operation. And I desire to be apart of this kingdom. The true power it not in the gifts, but in the kingdom and manifested in the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Ascension, and passed on to all who follow Christ.  We continue the ministry of Jesus as the Church.

This power is not limited to any denomination, institution, buildings, or particular politic but is best understood through imagery such as salt and light (Matt 5.13, 14), concern for the needy (James 1.27, 2.16) and the oppressed (James 5.4-6), the opportunity to influence society, by denouncing unjust laws (Isaiah 10.1, 2) and seeking justice and goodness (Micah 6.8; Amos 5.14, 15).

I’m not denouncing my roots, I’m announcing the kingdom.  I want to be apart of the Kingdom of God that radically changes human personality and life, not just private life.  Through people who recognize its authority and live by its standards, the Kingdom of God invades the stream of history.  That is the kind of kingdom I desire to embrace and participate in and I believe the early Christians agree with me.

14
Oct

Q Gathering

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith, Politics and Random

As a Christians Leader I’m bombard with “conventions” and “gatherings” for leaders.  And something it’s hard to decide which to attend, because they are all so well marketed.  But in April 2009 a gathering (known as Q) of leaders meet in Austin.  The Fermi Project is (was) a collective of innovators, artists, social entrepreneurs, church and societal leaders experimenting with ways to advance the common good in culture.  Recently, they expanded their work to more formally exist through Q.

Q is a gathering of people committed to learn and educate each other in our role and opportunities to embody the Gospel in public life.  Leaders who attend Q believe that exposure to old and new ideas is the best way to stimulate imagination for ways the Gospel can be expressed within our cultural context.

I believe in this community so much it was the only gathering I attend this year.  It was worth every penny.  April 28-30, 2010, Q will meet in Chicago and this gathering is limited to only 600 attendees to keep it faithful to it’s purpose.  I would encourage everyone leader to attend.

In addition, they have launched a new website at Qideas.org where they give free access to a vast collection of our 18-minute talks (from previous Q gatherings), essays, podcasts and blog articles that will further expose us to important ideas and people advancing the common good in our world.

27
May

A Desk by the Window

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Church Plant, Ethics, Faith and Random

I actually feel very blessed to have my “tent-making” job by a window.  I complain but honestly God is in the details of my circumstances, BUT I really wish I had my way.  To have the luxury of supporting my family entirely from doing what I love – ministry.

Why does God insist on the long road – the job you hate, consent physical pain, delay of immediate joy?  Didn’t Jesus get the memo – accept Him and life gets better: more money, better friends, nicer clothes, and any job you want.

Peter had a lot to say on this issue.  He said, “Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. (1 Peter 4.2)”

Ouch.  I think the part that says “…instead of being tyrannized by what you want,” hits the hardest.  Reminds me of the last LOST episode for the season where Ben asked Jacob, “What about me?” and Jacob responds “What about you!”  So often we assume because we are doing what Jesus expects or commands there is something in the works for us.  Our reward is Christ and no promise of friends, fame, or fortune. 

But this doesn’t mean God is absent.  When life gets really difficult, we can’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job (1 Peter 4.12).  You see if you find “life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it (1 Peter 4.19).”

Here is the conclusion I have come to – true freedom comes from pursuing what God wants and He wants us to care for His people with all diligence.  Not because you have to, but because you know that makes God happy.  Not calculating what you can get out it (salary), but acting out of spiritual impulse (God will provide my needs).  Not telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way (1 Peter 5.2-3).

I’ve come to the assumption that it’s unjust to ask people to live for Christ daily outside your sanctuary, if you sleep on the pews.  Actually, I think true Christianity comes from being the church without buildings and actually just living with people.  Maybe this is unorthodox but maybe the deeper truth of Christ is in getting our hands dirty and clothes frayed daily with the people we are sharing the Kingdom of God with?

Nonetheless, I’m content with who I am, and don’t want to put on self-importance.  God’s strong hand is on me; he’ll promote me at the right time. So I live carefree before God; he is most careful with me (1 Peter 5.6-7).

Disclaimer: I don’t really believe Christian = more, better, nicer, all-inclusive
13
May

Don’t Ever Forget

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith and Random

I have a confession.  Left to my own resolve I rush.  This causes me to miss so much and forget so easily.  There are those moments that I will never forget, images carved into my memory.  I’ll always remember a huge fight my parents had when I was about four. I can’t forget the smell of my grandfather’s woodshop. The first time I kissed my wife or touched of her hand will always been dear.  I won’t forget how beautiful she was on our wedding day.  And the moment my daughter was born is treasured.

I find remembering the special moments easy, but how about the bad?  The entire Bible is full of those remember commands.  It was the specific command God passed down to Israel through Moses. “Don’t ever forget that you were slaves in Egypt and God, your God, got you out of there in a powerful show of strength.  That’s why God, your God, commands you to observe the day of Sabbath rest (Deuteronomy 5.14-15).” 

I forget. I try to remember but when you have a garage with two cars tucked away inside, bedrooms for everyone including your desktop Dell, and running water in overflow – one forgets.  Maybe that is why the Agur (Proverbs 30) wrote asking that God give him neither poverty nor riches, but only his daily bread. Otherwise, he may have too much and forget God or may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of God.

It’s hard to remember.  We don’t want to remember the pain, life’s sting, and unwarranted grief.  It’s even harder to remember the past when it wasn’t your own.  The command to remember was equally directed toward future generations of Israel who would enjoy the suffering of their ancestors.  

I believe that the command to never forget is central to the gospel.  It’s central to how we interact with our world, “such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6.11). So today take a moment to sit still, allow the hush to engulf you, and think back to who you were.  Think what Christ removed you from, delivered you to, and continues to promise.  To fellowship with Christ is not to forget the past, but to remember it; because it there that Jesus sat you free.

21
Apr

What is your preferred environment of worship?

By Chris 1 Comment
Categories: Church Plant and Random



07
Apr

Human Filters

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Ethics, Faith and Random

What’s your filter?  Everyone has a filter, it’s whatever worldview, orthodoxy, or understanding you use to strain, sort, and categorize what goes through your senses (hear, see, smell, touch, taste). These filters can be good and they can be harmful.  The definition of the verb filter is the act of slowly or partially obstructing the passage (you could insert message).  This isn’t all bad.  Our filters cause every message that we encounter to pass or slip through slowly, as through an obstruction. This allows us to decide if the information is worthy.

 Now you may be thinking, “This is not news!”  Except what if our filters are congested? 

 When we bought our house, we also bought a new refrigerator.  If worked wonderfully.  Except after two years, when friends came over, the water pressure slowly decreased in the door.  I would just tell them to push the button to reset the filter.  But they still complained.  Then two years ago my father was visiting and asked when the last time I change the filter?  I responded that I didn’t know we needed to change the filter.  After reading the owners manual we learned it should be changed every six months.  Our filter was two and half years old – gross.  I actually need to change our filter now.

 So how do we change our human filters?  That is much harder and there is no expiration date.  But it’s important to assess and sometimes reset our filters.  Here are some ways I continually assess and reset my filter to make sure I’m responding to my world candidly. 

  • Read books.  Find books about subjects your comfortable with and read a different point of view. A Christian should read a Atheist’s argument.
  • Listen to different people talk about their view of world issues and dialog.  The secret here is to listen, not convert them.  Listening is much more powerful.
  • Try new things.  I remember in middle school going to a Bat Mitzvah.  I’m not Jewish but the experience left a lasting impression of the origins of my own faith.
  • Visit other countries and get involved.  The world is much smaller due to the internet and you have no excuse for never leaving home.  I know a woman who was born, educated, and raised her children in Texas — until recently she had never left the state.  At age 50 she left Texas for the first time to visit her daughter in LA.
  • Open your life to people not like you.  I think about Jesus often when it comes to this action.  He was completely God and Man – no one was like him – but he opened himself to everyone who would have him.  It’s sort of living life on purpose. 

The real message here is be aware of your filters.  We need to reset these filters to allow us to interact with the world more truthfully.  The best way to do this is to leave your box, bubble, or whatever is keeping your from growing.

23
Mar

Book Recession

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Random

Let me be honest we’ve been blessed to not be directly impacted by the “recession” besides some close family salaries being decreased.  But Summer and I work in fields that are doing well during this time. 

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t felt the consequences.  I love reading.  I remember as a child my mom taking me to the local library to pick out a book for the week.  As we walked in the door she would walk me to the children’s section identified by the green and orange chairs chrematistic of the 70’s.  She would then go the section where her novels shelved. These trips produced a love for non-fiction.

So as an adult on a budget I often borrow my books from the library and save the money to purchase those hard to find books (i.e. church planting).  And until recently I’ve been very happy with my relationship with the local Pleasant Hills Public Library.  As of late the books have been hard to get.  I’m now always on the waiting list and not just for the popular books (Outliners by Gladwell) but the not so popular (Reimagining Church by Viola).  When I go into the library the place is full.  Part of this influx could be their newly reduced hours, but I think a lot of it has to do with the economy. 

People are borrowing more books, instead of buying.  They are visiting the library or sitting outside in their cars to access the WiFi because maybe they’ve canceled their internet, just another luxury expense.  People can relate at the library.

This is nothing new to some people.  When we moved to Austin five years ago, here to plant a church and still looking for jobs, I would go to the library with a friend to borrow CDs and movies because it was cheaper than a album purchase or the rental.  Although I don’t think either of us borrows music or movies from library anymore, it has become common during our “recession” to see people browsing the libraries media, like we once did.

Now let’s pray this remains my only product of the economy.

13
Mar

Video Confessional // March 13 2009

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith and Random


Video Confessional – March 13 from Chris McCool on Vimeo.

10
Mar

We Must Change

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Church Plant, Faith and Random

Did you know the phrase “under god” in the pledge of allegiance has not always been in the pledge.  It was put in during the Eisenhower administration (1953-61) to help distinguish the United States from the “godless” communists in the USSR.  Did you also know Christian churches have consistently decreased since the 1950s, but since 2001 there has been a significant fall in numbers?

America is drifting away from religion according to a recent study by Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.  According to the American Religious Self-Identification Survey (ARIS) Christianity’s hold on many Americans is slipping, losing out not to other faiths but to “no faith.”  “Americans are slowly becoming less Christian…The challenge to Christianity does not come from other world religions or new religious movements, but rather from a rejection of all organized religions,” said the ARIS.

Catholics remained the largest religious group nationwide, thanks largely to immigration from Latin America into Texas and California.  But mainline Protestants lost the most ground dropping from 18.7% in 1990 to 13% today. The “no religion” group gained 20 million adults since 1990 and is the only group to have grown in every state.  Only 10% of that group explicitly identifies as atheist or agnostic. 

The survey is clear that adults are leaving denominational religions and not returning to church and claiming no religion, or going to nondenominational or evangelical churches, although they too have seen a decline.

The Northeast now surpasses the Pacific Northwest as the least religious part of the country.  And that is not the end.  For the first time, the ARIS 2008 survey included a question on belief about God, and the findings suggest some Americans may not share fully the theology of the groups with which they identify.

A little less than 70% believe “definitely in a personal God,” with 12% believing “in a higher power but no personal God.”  Some 2.3% say there is no God, while 10% either don’t know or don’t think there is a way to know.  So 30% or more people wouldn’t fit the definition of a disciple of Jesus. 

These numbers bring up a good question.  People normally remain with the faith they grow up with.  And now that a good fraction of the population is being raised outside the religious influence, what does it mean for religious institutions?  Can Christianity change it’s methods enough to reach those leaving the church and/or be positioned to reach the growing future generations who will be “no religion,” agnostic or atheist.

18
Feb

What is Love?

By Chris 2 Comments
Categories: Church Plant and Random

Okay, so I’m on some love kick!  But since I’m leading a missional community and many of the people involved are returning to Jesus or investigating faith the subject of love and relationships are all around us.  I find myself thinking about the difference between love, lust, infatuation, passion, desire, even obsession.

Here are some thoughts.  I’ll keep with Infatuation and Love to avoid confusion.  But I believe Love is clearly different once looked at from a distance (which is the hard part). So you could replace any word (lust, passion, desire, obsession) for Infatuation.

Infatuation is the instant desire that is in fact a primitive, biologically based drive, like hunger or sex. My wives favorite quote is “Love is friendship on fire.”  I like that.  Love is friendship that has caught fire.  It takes root and grows, one day at a time.

Infatuation presents feelings of insecurity.  You are excited and eager to see them, but not genuinely happy.  There are nagging doubts, unanswered questions, parts of your beloved you would rather not examine too closely for fear of spoiling the dream.

Love is at home with imperfection with quiet understanding and mature acceptance.  Love is genuine and rejoices with the truth.  It is real.  Love grows and nurtures the object of that love.  You are warmed by their presence, even when they are away.  Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres even when miles separate you.  Near or far, you know they are yours and you can wait.

Infatuation says, “We must get married right away. I can’t risk losing you.”

Love says, “Be patient.  They are yours.  Plan your future with confidence.”

Infatuation has an element of sexual excitement. Whenever you are in one another’s company you are hoping it will end in intimacy.  It has a sense of self-seeking and you become easily angered when it doesn’t turn out as expected.  It can be rude.

Love is the maturation of friendship. You must be friends before you can be lovers.  You find kindness and selfless rewarding in love.

Infatuation lacks confidence. When he’s away, you wonder if he’s cheating.
Sometimes you check.  Infatuation records unprovoked wrongs.

Love means trust. You are calm, secure, and unthreatened. She feels your trust and it makes her even more trustworthy.

Infatuation might lead you to do things you’ll regret later, but love never will.

Love lifts you up. It makes you look up. It makes you think up. It makes you a better person than you were before. Love never fails.

 Reference cited: 1 Corinthians 13
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