Jim's Blog
Blog Entry - Aug 04, 2009
Four months ago we were in Africa – our conferences were life changing. I just received this note from Pastor Mubanga:
“We learnt that compassion will lead us to see a need, whereas passion will lead as to do something about it, we have had compassion for long enough, now it is time to act.”
His words are so true for the Church in North America. The Church has lost its passion for those in need. We recognize the need and are compassionate towards those suffering, but very little is done to bring resolve to the devastating circumstances many orphans and widows are forced to struggle with each and every day. We have become comfortable and are forgetting the mission God had placed in our hands.
As I thought about all of this, I was reminded of the word of the Lord spoken in Isaiah 42:6 of “I chose you to bring justice, and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations.”
It’s not enough for the Church to simply recognize the need of those suffering with HIV/AIDS in Africa; it must also actively pursue a resolution by instilling justice and righteousness in the lives of those suffering. We have been called to bring light and hope to the nations. Our work is just beginning – it has started in Kabwe at the Pastors conference and is continuing to ignite in the hearts of our fellow African leaders.
Blog Entry - Jul 20, 2009
I already talked about the paradigm shift from internal to external and the shift from counting people to measuring impact.
The third paradigm shift is in mentoring and modelling.
The 21st century Church is shifting from a call for people to come into the church to a call for them to go out. And the sanctuary is becoming a place of training, encouragement and equipping. The focus is changed from internal spirituality to using the power of Jesus to impact and transform our communities.
A new day is dawned. Christians are practising what they preach. What a concept!
Blog Entry - Jul 06, 2009
I am tremendously excited by the change I see happen. In the
shifting paradigms of today’s Church the first shift is that people are
going outside of the safety of their sanctuary and into the community. The
second is a shift in measurement.
Churches are no longer content to take attendance – today’s churches are
measuring impact.
Matthew wrote: “The kingdom of
heaven is like yeast... mixed into a large amount of flour until it is worked
all through the dough.” (Matt 13:33)
Today’s generation is not impressed with size, numbers or tradition.
They are looking for a church that both models Jesus Christ and is centred in
the community. They are looking for the church to impact the community –
transforming the lives of people.
They are also asking hard questions like: “Would the community weep if
your church were to pull out of the city?” and “Would anybody notice if
you left?”
They are not counting the cars in the parking lot on Sunday morning –
they are counting the impact within the lives of the poor, the fatherless, the
struggling.
Blog Entry - Jun 01, 2009
I recently spoke about the paradigm shift many churches are experiencing. The first truly revolutionary transformation is that churches have moved from building walls to building bridges.
Matthew says: "You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world." (Matt. 5:13-14)
For several generations the Church has been barricading the world, keeping their small community of believers pure. By God’s grace the paradigm is changing.
Churches are not just opening their doors – they are stepping outside of their sanctuaries and discovering their communities. They are looking for ways in which they can become catalysts of change. God rejoices. For the Church was never called to be isolated from the community – it was called to be separate in lifestyle.
May we glorify God!
Blog Entry - Apr 30, 2009
“A small cloud is on the horizon. The winds of change are beginning to gather strength and with certainty a storm is coming… change is coming.
God gave me these words while in Africa.
I spoke to more than 2600 hundred church leaders from 248 churches. All over our nation, there is a quiet movement of the Spirit of God that is causing believers to re-examine how they “do church.” Churches around our nation are throwing out the old measures of success. It is no longer merely about size, seeker sensitivity, spiritual gifts, church health, or the number of small groups.
It is about making a significant and sustainable difference in the lives of people around us—in our communities and in our cities. There is a growing awareness that we cannot continue to do the same old things and expect a different result.
If we want to be the salt and light we as the Church were created to be, we have to do something different… we have to be something different! Community transformation is not found in programs, strategies, campaigns or tactics.
A paradigm shift is that moment when one sees things in such a new light that one can never go back to the old ways again. Each paradigm shift takes us from a model of thinking that we must discard to a new model that we must embrace. A new paradigm is the new wineskins that will be needed to hold the new assumptions about what is true.
Blog Entry - Jan 07, 2009
The New Year is a tremendous time to reflect and recalibrate. If you've been reading my blog these past few months, you'll know where I place much of my focus - on serving God with righteousness and justice. You might even think I sound a little like a broken record, but Visionledd's entire ministry hinges on our commitment to righteousness and justice - it's that important.
But this isn't the whole equation. In the book of Hosea we learn about two other critical priorities. I feel for the prophet Hosea. God instructed him to marry a prostitute and he obeyed -- despite her continued promiscuity and unfaithfulness. It's a sad story of marital dysfunction, but Hosea's marriage demonstrates for us how God viewed Israel's relationship with Him. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God pledged His love to His people, saying:
"I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord". (Hosea 2: 19 - 20, NLV)
This is a powerful promise that sounds much like a vow at a marriage ceremony. God commits to showing righteousness and justice but He also adds two other vital components to the covenant: unfailing love and compassion. These four things form the building blocks of a long term relationship.
As we begin the New Year I urge you to build the foundation of your own life on these same four principles - righteousness, justice, unfailing love and compassion. As we focus our lives on these essentials, transformation begins to occur in our own lives and in those around us. Then and only then can the sleeping giant that is the Church arise and impact the world in mighty ways.
I've posted another Truth to Go segment below that expands on this very theme. I'm sure it will encourage you in your own relationship with God. Please pass it on to friends and family as well - this message is critical to our lives as Christians.
Happy New Year!
Blog Entry - Dec 11, 2008
My favourite scripture passage in Old Testament prophecy is Micah 6:8. I'm sure many of you know it as well: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NIV)
I talk a lot about righteousness and justice, but the forgotten part of this equation is often mercy. Simply put - God requires us to love mercy. It's easier said than done. Being merciful takes a lot of maturity; especially in a culture that jumps on weaknesses. Just watch the evening news today and try and find even a thread of mercy. Most of us have a judgement reflex when somebody around us falls.
But the Kingdom of God requires something completely different - we are to love mercy. No guilt trips. No making others feel bad - just mercy. Can you imagine if the Church stood up and decided to exercise mercy as Christ called us to? Think of the orphans and widows in your community, the poor and destitute, the single moms - and in addition to that, the millions of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. What could the Body of Christ accomplish if it was truly mobilized with mercy? I'll tell you: transformation would occur. The Body of Christ would rise up like we've never seen before.
I've posted another 'Truth to Go' episode from the series produced by 100 Huntley Street that expands on this very theme of mercy. Please forward it on to a friend or family member once you've watched it. All of us need a reminder to be merciful - especially during the Christmas season.
I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas. May the peace and mercy of our Saviour dwell richly in your hearts.
Jim
