It’s been a great couple of days. I flew out to Fresno on Thursday, spoke at the Zoe Conference Friday, flew back Friday afternoon and then had a nice sabbath rest yesterday. This morning I presented a teaching on communion.
We’re in the middle of teaching series called “Reboot 07.” Like most churches do this time of year, we’re starting off by looking at some of the basics of our mission/vision/strategy. Only I’ve decided to go all they way back to the very basic stuff. The first Sunday I tried to summarize the gospel in just under 35 minutes (Not easy to do). Then last week I did baptism and then communion today. One of the things I’ve tried to do with both baptism and communion is to reframe them so that we think of them as privileges we get to do instead of duties we have to do. In my particular church heritage we’ve focused so much on the externals of baptism and communion, arguing ad nauseam over all kinds of details that I think we’ve sometimes lost the heart and soul of both acts. In other words, we’ve invested so much energy in trying to prove the essentiality of baptism and weekly communion that somewhere along the way we’ve lost sight of what God is wanting to do in us through these events. It’s been a good discussion and I believe the shift from “have to” to “get to” is a necessary one.
Greg and I have been getting some incredible responses to the article in LJ. We’ve heard from people from around the world and from all different church backgrounds. It seems to have hit a nerve. We find this deeply humbling and more than a little surprising.
One of the things we talk about in the article is how hard it is to get a church to let go of the old glory days so that they can receive something new from God. One way I judge just how glorious Garnett’s days were is by noticing how many people who do not live in Tulsa still call us Garnett Road. Back in the day, when Garnett had some of its greatest influence in our church network, it was located on Garnett Road, hence the creative naming of the church. Then the church moved into its new building which was no longer on Garnett Road, hence the creative dropping of the “Road” as a way to rename the church. We’ve been going by the name Garnett Church of Christ ever since. That was over 20 years ago. That’s right. We haven’t been the Garnett Road Church of Christ in over 20 years. Yet, people still call it Garnett Road. It’s not a big deal, but I do think it is an indicator of (and a tribute to) the impact Garnett had back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. That’s the name that has been cemented into everyone’s consciousness. I also think it shows just how easy it is to get stuck in a moment you can’t get out of.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Wade, I didn’t have the chance to tell you how much I enjoyed your session on Friday. We spent the weekend discussing what you shared with us and I have the feeling that “gooder” and “badder” have officially entered the vernacular here at College.
You spoke to many things we are working on, as did John York. Understanding how to interpret scripture relationally is our next step in knowing what it is God really wants us to be doing. And HOW He wants us to be doing it. Thanks for adding a step in the path.
It was great to have you here in Fresno, Wade. Thank you for sharing with us!
Wade,
I am really excited about what I read from your article. I wish your congregation blessings in this time of transition and spiritual growth. I am interested by what you’re doing with baptism and communion in your teaching: Would you perhaps consider blogging on some of the material you covered with your church? I’d like to get your perspective.
Wade, your article was brilliant. Truth be told, I expected nothing less. I am amazed at what the Spirit is doing in our tribe and how many churches are growing spiritually — and sometimes numerically — while being reborn. We’ve had a bit of a Gideon revival the last few years, but are now past that and back in positive numbers. Our prayers are with you and the faithful who meet there. As for having a hard time letting go, we ARE the fellowship who still print songbooks with 728B in them even when there are 900+ songs in the book. We can’t even get rid of a “B”, it seems.
You will be interested in Ron Martoia’s book: Static: Tune Out the Christian Noise and Experience the Real Message of Jesus
You can read a brief overview of the book at
http://dashhouse.com/
Here Daryl Dash has two blogs on this book.
Peace.
Mark–check out the audio page (Linked above) at our website for the mp3’s of the messages.
Ok… seriously. I loved the sermon on communion. It has always cracked me up how we always seem so solumn during what is supposed to be a great meal! You are always taught to be quiet in church (there is a time when that is good) don’t move… and infact.. if possible don’t breath, ’cause you might do something wrong…
Thank you for that lovely bit of fresh air. I think that is just what our church needs. Life.
I was glad to read your article – nice job – we are on similar path up here in the North. I thought of you too when I read Darryl’s review of Static!