Mission Leader

Are you equipped? Coming this Friday March 1, Global Outreach at Hope Church presents Made for Mission. This is a 2-day missional equipping conference. It is God’s desire for all Christians to live on mission. We want to inform, equip and motivate you by bringing together a diverse, cross section of Hope Church and the community to share and learn from our unique ministry experiences.

Speakers include: Steadman Harrison and Rory Tyer from Global Outreach International, Mark Morris from Refugee Memphis, Soup Campbell from Eikon Ministries, Doug Landrum from Catalyst Missions, our very own Eli Morris from Hope Church, and more!

Friday night we will begin with a reception and opening program with worship. Saturday morning we will kick off with a light breakfast and fellowship before diving deep into our program.
Join us and explore your Made for Mission: NOT IF, BUT WHERE!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuCuLhdgec2/

BibleTelling is a dynamic method of telling Bible stories without memorizing words. Those attending this seminar will learn tips, techniques, and skills that will enable them to internalize and tell stories with ease. In addition to learning how to tell, they learn how to lead Bible discussions that will engage their audience.Internationally-known BibleTelling leaders will lead each session in this ministry-changing workshop. The 2018 training is in Memphis, TN. Our host: 

If you are a pastor who wants to start at the beginning of biblical foundations of mission and move toward building your church mission strategy, grab a couple of leaders and make plans to attend the upcoming Missions Intensive in Raleigh Durham area.

David Platt and J.D. Greear will be leading, along with some global missions experts. For more information visit the web site.

www.missionsintensive.com

Learn about the state of the Kingdom of God around the world. Pray together with other pastors regarding your church’s part in God’s advance in the world. Attend breakout sessions to explore practical handles on your church’s plans and strategies.

More Missions Intensives scheduled for Louisville, Nashville and Riverside, Ca.

You may be wondering what I think about The Shack. By the way in Josh Davis’ interview with the author we learned that he goes by Paul not William P. Young. Josh’s interview opened my eyes to the nature of the author, not for an audience of three million, but for his children.  Later friends convinced him to self-publish 10,000 copies and to put up a web site. With ZERO marketing budget – its a best seller. Paul called it a God thing. He’s a very humble man.

So here’s what I think about the book.

First of all – it’s fiction, and then some. In fact, it is superbly written fiction. Man! Paul has an uncanny ability to string together fantastic images that illuminate the beauty, power, and majesty of the One True God. This fiction kept me glued to the book and drew me personally into God.

The edgy imagery, which has raised questions in Christendom, accomplished its purpose. I’m reminded of my favorite worship leader, Miller Cunningham. He’s a gifted worship leader not only because of his musical ability, but because God uses Miller to lead people humbly, deeply, personally, repentantly, and delightfully to the throne of Grace.

When I finished the book, I found myself drawn to my Savior sitting and talking to God for an hour or more – just enjoying my relationship with Him. So I guess you might call Paul, author of The Shack, a very effective worship leader, at least for me.

Finally – yep, I only needed a “first” and a “final” here- Paul used trinitarian dialog (among the persons of the trinity) to make some profound theological statements.

Here’s some favorites:

We (the trinity) are already fully fulfilled within ourself. You are designed to be in community as well, made as you are in our very image.

Judgment is not about destruction, but about setting things right.

In a discussion between Jesus and Mack on Jesus’ passion for his bride, the church, Jesus (in The Shack) said the following, Mack, that’s because you’re only seeing the institution (of the church), a man-made system. That’s not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs…My church is all about people and life is all about relationships. You can’t build it. It’s my job and I’m actually pretty good at it.

God the Father speaking on the central role of Jesus and his nature – being fully God and Man and fully one with the Trinity – Like I said, everything is about him. Creation and history are all about Jesus. He is the very center of our purpose and in him we are now fully human, so our purpose and your destiny are forever linked. You might say that we have put all our eggs in the One (Jesus) human basket. There is no plan B.

I couldn’t help but make notes one some of the more outstanding dialog on the following topics:

God is Spirit, neither male nor female- p.93

Green living – p.132,144

Evil – p.136,137

Personal Rights?, p.137

Fear -p.142

Submission – p.145,149

Spirit Empowerment & Relationships – p.148-149

Purpose of Judgment – p.169

Church as The Bride – p.177-178

Trust – p.180

Anti-pluralism – p.182

Grace & Suffering – p.185

Jesus – p.192

Perceptions & Assumptions – p. 197

The Self-fulfilled Nature of God – p.201

The Old Law – p. 202

Freedom in Christ – p.203

God is a verb! – p.204

Forgiveness – p.225-227

So, I guess you could conclude that I really like this book because it drew me into the nature and the person of God who is a verb. To quote The Shack, God says,

I am a verb. I am that I am. I will be who I will be. I am a verb! I am alive, dynamic, ever active, and moving. I am a being verb.

So what do you think about the NY TImes best seller, The Shack, by William P. Young?

The book is a craze among students. They are swarming it like ants to a church picnic.

However, many our concerned that the theology falls short.

Many are aghast at the author’s presentation of God in the form of a woman. The storyline makes it clear that God presents himself in such a form to the main character because Mack grew up under a father figure who was an abusive, alcoholic who beat his 13 year old son for two days straight. Ultimately Mack ran away from home after nearly being beaten to death by his father. With that background, how could Mack be receptive to a male representation of the Eternal Father?

If you can get over that issue, there are a few more hurdles.

Another issue discussed among Christians is the fact that the author presents an absolutely equal state of each person of the Trinity. The Trinity is therefore, completely non-hierarchical.

Still others are concerned that the teachings put forth in the book are contradictory on the sovereignty of God.

The list of concerns goes on and on, but others retort:

“This is fiction and it is harmless. Besides, it is markedly Christian and the book holds great potential to draw non-believers into a conversation that could lead to redemptive faith.”

Regardless of what we may think, students and non-students are reading this book like crazy.

If you and I are familiar with the most popular book among students, maybe you and I can speak into their pursuit of the One True God?! Besides, don’t stats show us that of all age groups, young people are the most receptive to the Gospel? Shouldn’t we be ready to speak to them about what they are reading rather than simply condemning the book and closing the door to any conversation?

So, my wife finished the book yesterday and immediately started reading it. I read 100 pages last night and plan on finishing it by Thursday. Why am I pushing to read it by Thursday?

Because I want to understand the craze and I want to be able to speak into the conversation students are having about God. But that’s just one reason.

The other reason I’m pushing to finish it by Thursday is because a friend of mine, Josh Davis has scheduled a 45 minute radio interview with the author at noon Central Time here in Memphis on Kwam 990. Josh’s show is called “The Josh Davis Show: Shining The Light of Truth on our Culture” and it airs just prior to The Dave Ramsey Show. For those not in Memphis you can Listen Live on line at 12pm Central Time on Thursday.

Better yet, if you have questions about the book, send them to Josh tomorrow. I’ve heard him tactfully ask some tough ones so write Josh and he’ll try to work them into the 45 minute interview.

So, if you have an opinion or concern or question about The Shack, don’t ask me, ask the author on Thursday.