Do we need theology?

I'm trying to get rolling on my ordination and I'm using Millard Erickson's Christian Theology to get me started on the process. I'm reading the opening chapter and I thought there was a simple question that I should answer before starting this whole ordination process and that some of you may want to chime in on...

"...is there really a need for theology? If I love Jesus, is that not
sufficient?" - Millard Erickson, Christian Theology (1st ed.), 28.

What do you think?

Reformission #3: "shotgun weddings to Jesus"

This third chapter in Mark Driscoll’s book, The Radical Reformission, deals with evangelism, particularly as it is changing in a postmodern context. This may not apply to all of us because we’re all part of different sub-cultures, but there’s some interesting food for thought on the direction culture is heading and the ways we may need to think as a church – for the younger people in the present and everyone in the future. Despite the difference in approach Driscoll espouses, he clearly believes people are born into their sinful state and need to repent in submission to Jesus with their lives. Beyond that, it may be considered upside-down in relation to our usual order of operations.

“Reformission” (Driscoll’s term) is based upon relationships through a variety of ministries or individuals in the church. For example, they do things like host concerts for non-Christian bands just to build relationships with the kids who come. Evangelism is built upon relationships. Those who need Jesus tend to say “our church” before “our God” – in Driscoll’s experience. People tend to belong before they believe. In belonging to the church, they see “the natural and practical outworking of the gospel in people’s lives” (p. 69). Christians don’t hide their faith, they live it out authentically, talking about Jesus and praying, opening the door for communication. One woman at Mars Hill Church (Driscoll’s church) asked to host a Bible study in her home with someone else leading, because she knew she wasn’t a Christian, but she loved the people of the church.

Driscoll notes that one of the great things about this kind of “reformission” evangelism is that people are often evangelists, telling their friends and family members what they’re learning about Jesus, before they become believers themselves. And, when someone comes to Jesus in this model, they have cultivated the friendships to “belong” so discipleship will be more likely, and they have their network of friends still in tact that they can continue to reach out and love. People are not encouraged to leave their network of friends unless those friendships are leading them into “habitual sin.”

For this model to work, Christians need to repent of self-righteousness that we might open our community to those who need Jesus and model Christian love among brothers the way we’re supposed to. Our culture is increasingly individualistic, depressed, and lonely. And the gospel offers the hope that pays for our sin to restore our relationship with God and make possible relationships with others.

This time the questions are mine, so blame me, not Driscoll (except the last one!).

• What kind of relationships do you have with those who don’t know Jesus? Would you consider them friendships?
• Which of your friends or family members do you think might be interested in checking out your Christian community, whether they’re interested in Jesus or not?
• Where do you lack the confidence that your community would represent Jesus well to your friends?
• If community is vital to this kind of evangelism, it is important that it be modeled. Which people have sinned against you most grievously, and how has Jesus enabled you to forgive them? (Be sure to respect anonymity if you post!)
  

Why are you reading Voltaire?

Nobody has asked me this yet - except maybe myself. As it says at the top of the blog, I like to read a lot, but I don't think through things very thoroughly. I read it, say, "that was an enjoyable use of time," and shelve it. Now I've always wanted to be growing as a pastor so I've really worked hard at reading, to learn from the best minds available. But sometimes I grow weary of reading theology and the like (don't ask me how I grow weary of it when I don't do a great job of internalizing it) and I try not to get sucked into too many TV shows. Soooo ... I decided to branch my reading out a few years into a professional list and a personal list. The professional list has stuff that pertains to my "profession" as a pastor - OT/NT studies, theology, apologetics, preaching and pastoral books, stuff like that. I have a knack for making simple and enjoyable things more complicated than they need to be.

My personal list has stuff that I just like - Grisham (but I've had enough of him at this point), or baseball books. And devotional reading (like Yancey) or books on prayer (Foster and others). But, inevitably, obligation creeps in. I begin feeling like I should read something on church history, and then history in general (I loved history in high school, but it is a pretty distant memory), and then substantive novels (once I got bored with Grisham). Don't worry, I still read baseball books each year (Moneyball by Michael Lewis is my favorite) - at least for the last couple years.

This is where Candide by Voltaire comes in. I'm trying to "layer" my reading. So, for my "Missions" book (professional list), I'm reading Transforming Mission by David Bosch (it's been on my shelf since seminary). He's talking about how God's mission is being realized in different historical epochs. I was reading most recently about the Enlightenment (some great food for thought on another post). The next book I'll be reading in US history (personal list) is about Lewis, Clark, and Thomas Jefferson (Undaunted Courage by Ambrose). I knew Jefferson was a big Enlightenment guy (from reading John Adams by David MacCullough - great book). I decided to try to align my "novel" reading (personal list) with my historical reading - you know, an influential book of the time. I heard Candide did a great job of capturing the Enlightenment so I thought it would be a good one to read since I'm heading into Jefferson and I just finished reading about Mission in the Enlightenment.

I also try to wrestle with something I'm interested in, or that is controversial. Right now I'm reading, alongside the two lists, stuff on the emergent/emerging church. There's a lot of good stuff in the movement, but some things trouble me as well. That's why I'm reading and posting Mark Driscoll summaries right these days.

That's why I read what I read - for better or worse. What are you reading? Why? What do you suggest is good? What was a waste of time? Do you know of any good books on prayer?

Ordination #1c: "Preparation for Ministry"

The candidate’s preparation for ministry.

After returning from Portugal, I needed a place for training and my pastor’s daughter was at Christian Heritage College (El Cajon, CA) in the San Diego area (now San Diego Christian College). Since he was letting his daughter go, it must not be that bad. I earned my B.A. in Biblical Studies and served as a Resident Assistant and Resident Director. From there I went to Talbot School of Theology (La Mirada, CA) for my M.Div. in Missions and then my Th.M. in New Testament, which consisted primarily of classes on the gospels and my thesis: Theology of Mission in Matthew.

Most of my practical molding in ministry – successes and failures – came through Cypress Church. Before we came on staff, I was driving a forklift to pay for seminary and working to start a young marrieds class that never really got going very strong, but it was a good experience. In the summer of 2000 I took on the college ministry under the senior leadership of Bill Hull and came on full time a couple years later, overseeing missions and college, along with some oversight of children’s ministry. When Bill left, many adult ministries were shifted to my responsibility during the interim. It was an overwhelming time, but God has been faithful in bringing a great senior pastor to work with, Mike McKay, who is helping me learn to juggle these areas of ministry and move them forward to fulfill God’s purposes.


God wants to use you in ministry. How have you been prepared to be used by God right now? What are you going through now that God might use in the future?

Where have you seen God at work around you?

Last night in the college ministry we finished a series on the seven signs of Jesus. We finished up with Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In this post, I want anyone who was at the study to share what God taught them during the series.

I don't remember being nailed by one passage, in particular, but asking the question each week: "How did God show Himself to you this week?" was always a challenge because I'm often not looking around me to see where He's at work. But I know He is, so I'm encouraged to look more often.

Where do you see God at work in your world?

Or, what did God teach you during the "Seven Signs" series?

Ordination #1b: "Call to Ministry"

The candidate’s call to ministry.

After high school I was planning on going to state schools, going into education, and being a wrestling coach. After a couple years of school I wasn’t so sure. It was at that time that God, at a youth group meeting not at all associated with missions, laid missions heavy on my heart. I remember trying to shake it and make excuses and then found myself "accidentally" reading Moses’ story in Exodus 4. My excuses wouldn’t work. I spent a month with a missionary in Portugal and that was confirmation that ministry was something I could see myself doing. I went to seminary planning on going to the mission field to teach, but I thought I needed some practical training before I went so I applied for the college intern position at Cypress Church, where we attended while in seminary. I fell in love with my college students and the pastoral ministry at this point and have since seen my role as more of a missions mobilizer, though God may change that at any time.


I've been reading some stuff on vocation, and I don't believe there's only a calling for "ministry." Where do you think God has called you? What makes you think that?

Coming Next: "Preparation for Ministry"

Ordination #1a: "Biographical Sketch"

I received a message yesterday from the gentleman overseeing my ordination council and he wanted me to set a date. That freaked me out. I'm don't feel even close to ready for this process. But at least he scared me into getting to work. This first section of the License Paper is the biographical sketch. This will be three parts, probably two blog posts. Enjoy.

The candidate’s conversion and spouse’s conversion.

I grew up with a mother who went to church faithfully as far back as I can remember. I think she started going when I was about one or two. I went regularly as a child to Calvary Baptist Church in Renton, WA. I often felt “compelled” to go forward during the altar calls, but never did. During my junior year of high school I went to church more regularly again – after several years away. Our new church did communion on Sunday evenings and I asked my mom if I could go with her that evening. She obviously consented, but warned me that communion was only for believers. I knew I was supposed to commit my life to Christ for some time, but I just didn’t do it. I took this opportunity and told her I wanted to be a Christian. We went to her room to pray. I don’t remember much in terms of details beyond that, but that marked the beginning of my commitment to Christ.

My wife grew up on the mission field with her parents in Spain and Mexico. When she was five years old she was thinking about hell and didn’t want to go there. She prayed to receive Christ with her mother in the bathroom.


I'd love to hear your story.

Coming Next: "Call to Ministry"