Karl Mueller

On The Road Again

2011-05-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

"On The Road Again" -- these famous words from Willie Nelson have described much of our life these past 3+ months. It seems that we are always driving to or from the airport.

Since our last update Debbie and I have been on the road to:

Homes of Hope in Fiji to see what God is doing in this ministry that serve women and their children who have been victims of abuse, incest and trafficking. It was a great trip. One of the things we talked about with the leadership is a possible partnership between Homes of Hope and Somebody Cares Malawi. We are praying about an exploratory trip with key Homes of Hope leaders to Malawi this fall -- hoping to discover if the models and principles of ministry employed in Fiji can be adapted to Malawi. Interestingly, Fijians believe that their islands were settled by East Africans about 3,500 years ago -- and many Fijian Christians believe that they have a call to go back to their roots and bless Africa. Could we be part of this? That is our prayer.
Warehouse 727 -- a Visionledd partner church in St. Petersburgh, Florida. We had a wonderful time sharing about what God is doing in Malawi.
Orlando, Florida where we represented Visionledd at the Orlando 2010 meetings hosted by the Mission America Coalition and the Lausanne Movement. Over 700 Christian Leaders from across the USA came together for 3 days. This was also a follow-up to the Capetown 2010 Congress on World Evangelization that Karl was able to participate in last year.
Guatemala to reconnect with Dr. Hugo Gomez of Global CHE Enterprises. Karl is on the Board of Directors of Global CHE Enterprises -- but we went to help assess a possible partnership between Mission Community Church in Gilbert, AZ and Global CHE Enterprises. We hadn't been in Guatemala for 7 years -- and it was great to see what God is doing through this ministry.

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

From May 10-14 we were in Louisville, Kentucky for this gathering of about 1,500 Christians from across the USA. Theresa Malila of Somebody Cares Malawi and Karl spoke a couple of times and Visionledd had a booth in the exhibit hall. We literally talked to hundreds of people concerned for orphans and vulnerable children.
Journeys of Faith

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit also afforded the opportunity to debut Journeys of Faith: A Resource Guide for Orphan Care Ministries Helping Children in Africa & Beyond. This 60 page publication features the partnership between Mission Community Church in Gilbert, AZ, Somebody Cares Malawi and Visionledd. Karl and Steve Bowler also contributed material to the articles on Short-Term Missions and wrote much of the article on Principles of Partnership. You can check out the publication online by clicking on the picture below.

We have worked on this publication for almost two years, so it is wonderful to finally see it in print. Pray that the Lord will use it to connect North American churches to ministries in Africa doing community-based orphan care.

Malawi - Youth Leaders/Pastors Conference & Short-Term Teams

Karl is actually writing this blog from Detroit -- he is on his way to Lilongwe, Malawi. It's "a long way to Lilongwe". He is going to participate in a large youth leaders/pastors conference that is hosted by Somebody Cares. From May 25-27 over 1,500 leaders will be gathering to be challenged by Jim Cantelon (Founder of Visionledd), DJ McPhail (Liberty Church in Johannesburg, South Africa), Brian Campbell (Calvary Church, Atlanta), and several Christian leaders from Malawi. In the past 3 years these conferences have proven catalytic to the expansion of the work of Somebody Cares. Pray that will happen this year as well.

After the conference Karl will be visiting some of the communities that Visionledd and our partner churches are walking alongside. He gets home on June 3.

On June 10, Debbie leaves for 5+ weeks for Malawi. She will be helping to facilitate a large team of youth from Mission Community Church and then leading a Visionledd/Mission Community Church short-term team.

Pray for us as we spend much of the next two months in Africa.

Thank you for your friendship, prayer and support.

Was Eisenhower Right?

2011-01-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

The link below is an interesting article reflecting the beliefs of President Dwight Eisenhower about the military-industrial-congressional complex. It gives some food for thought.

Ike was right all along: The danger of the military-industrial complex

Cape Town 2010 -- God Is On The Move

2010-11-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

It’s the song of the redeemed Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

And all the powers of darkness Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word

When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

In so many ways the words of this song by the Newsboys sums up Cape Town 2010. What an amazing experience! 4,500 people from 198 countries worshiping God, listening to the voice of God, being the Church and praying together about what God is doing in the world. It was an amazing privilege to be part of this, the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization.

Over the past 3 weeks, since the end of the Congress I have been processing what I learned and experienced. I know, that in the weeks to come, there will be more that I will be able to say, but for now, here are my thoughts.

God Is On The Move - I walked away with a greater sense of the fact that God is doing amazing things around the world. There are 1 million believers in Iran. An Imam in West Africa became a Christian about 10 years ago. Since then he has led about 1,000 other Muslim clerics to the Lord and churches are springing up across that part of the world as a result of his ministry. Palestinian believers and Jewish believers are being reconciled and are working together for peace. As the old song says "what a mighty God we serve"!

From Everywhere to Everywhere - The task of world evangelization is no longer from the north to the south -- it is now the task of the whole global church. That means missionaries are being sent from every nation to every nation. Latin Americans are going to the Middle East and Africa. Asians are going to Asia, Africa and Latin America. Africans are going to Europe. It is the whole body of Christ working together for Kingdom Purposes.

Partnership - The time for lone wolves is over. God is working in partnerships and networks where everyone has something to contribute and where everyone -- no matter the color of one's skin, one's gender, wealth or power -- has the opportunity to lead and fulfill God's call and vision for their lives and ministries. This new paradigm is a challenge for those of us who are in the West -- we are used to leading the charge. The call of God for us is now to partner as equals, to contribute to the vision of others, to listen, to learn, and to serve.

It Is About the Whole Church - It is not about the American Church, or the African Church, or the Asian Church or the Latin Church -- it is about the Global Church. It is about releasing the gifts of each church, of every culture, every language, of men and of women to use their spiritual gifts, natural abilities and skills. It about children, youth, men, women and those who are "old" being empowered to contribute to God's global redemptive purposes.

It is About Integrity, Humility and Service - One of the things I appreciated so much about the Congress was the fact that everyone -- whether famous or unknown, whether leading a large organization or a small one -- was identified only by their name and country of ministry. No titles. No lofty introductions. No celebrities. The focus was on humility. The call was for leaders to be people of integrity in every aspect of their life. The challenge was to serve. Perhaps Paul Borthwick of Development Associates International summed it up the best when he said the following:

As I looked across the 4000+ persons in the assembly hall, I could see Anglican Bishops from Uganda, Australia, Rwanda, and Nigeria. The Presidents of World Vision USA and World Vision Canada were there. The Presidents of Biola University, Gordon College, Asbury Seminary, Asbury College, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary sat at various tables with associates they were just meeting. Best-selling authors and well-known Bible teachers, hugely successful business people and heads of mission agencies were all sitting with people who knew or cared little of their accomplishments. Seated at these same tables, there were village pastors from India, an unknown pioneer planting churches from Laos, campus workers from Colombia, Bible teachers from the Sudan, and church leaders from Albania. It was an amazing image of that statement, "At the foot of the Cross, the ground is level."

There is much more I could say -- and I'm sure you'll eventually hear more from me about the Congress in the days ahead. What I do ask, is that you pray for me and the team I am leading as we leave for Burkina Faso on November 19 to work alongside Pastor Kouliga Nikiema and Vigilance Ministries.

Thank you so much for all your prayer and support.

Christian Politicians Should Start Acting Christian

2010-07-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

A good article from Richard T. Hughes is Distinguished Professor of Religion at Messiah College and author of Christian America and the Kingdom of God.

You can read it HERE.

Income Gap Between the Richest and Poorest in America Rises

2010-07-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

To see the latest report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities regarding the gap between the richest and poorest people in the USA, click HERE.

Does this bother anyone else, or is it just me?

Health Insurance Company Profits Increase 31% in 1st Quarter

2010-05-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

In the 1st quarter of 2010, the 5 largest health insurance companies made a profit of $3.2 billion. That's an increase of 31% over the same quarter in 2009.

Read the full report here.

Is There No Room For Dialogue in America?

2010-05-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

Over the past 3-4 weeks I've had several experiences that make me wonder about the future of the USA.

Politically, I am a registered independent. I hold some views that are normally considered to the right of the political spectrum (eg. I am pro-life, I think vouchers are a good idea for our public school system), and some views that are generally considered to the left of the political spectrum (I am a firm believer in gun control, I would favour a single payer healthcare system). I also believe that it is possible to have intelligent discussions on political issues without resorting to name-calling, inflammatory language, labeling, etc. I think if we actually listened to each other with humility and "with our hearts" we could actually work together to make positive changes on those issues that our country is grappling with.

However, my experiences of the last few weeks makes it hard for me to believe that our politicians or many of those engaged in politics on the "grass roots" level actually listen to each other -- or want to listen to each other. Instead, each side appears to prefer lecturing each other -- and if the object of the lecture doesn't agree - simple to talk longer, louder and with increasingly more inflammatory language.

A friend of mine and I both had experiences on Facebook recently that illustrate this. He happened to mention that he recently met a well known Republican politician. Immediately he was assailed by what can only be described as "diatribes" by people on the right wing of the Republican party who disagree with this particular politician. The comments were so egregious, that he had to remove them from the post and defriend those involved.

I posted a survey on what people in various countries thought about their respective healthcare systems. This led to a number of individuals attacking me because the US ranked #7 on the survey. Name calling and vilifying resulted. One individual suggested that I leave the USA. When I contacted a particular individual privately, they continued their "lecture". Conversation was impossible. I deleted the entire post and comments & made a public commitment to never say anything remotely political on Facebook again.

Today I received a phone call from a political party asking for my opinion on some issues. When I disagreed with the content of the phone call I was immediately cut off. It was clear that the only people they wanted to talk to were those that agreed with them. Apparently, it is important for me to hear their perspective -- but totally unimportant for them to hear mine.

I know that these are not isolated incidents as a result of contact with a few "crazy" people. As I look over the political landscape of the USA -- I find this kind of behaviour is increasingly becoming the norm.

We don't listen to each other. We demonize those we disagree with. We label people and resort to name calling.

If we continue along this road -- then there is little hope for the positive change in this country.

It makes me sad.

I Can't Afford Surgery in the USA

2010-04-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

An interesting article about an individual who was not insured, who went to Europe for his surgery. In addition to telling his story, the article talks about not only the uninsured who are going overseas for healthcare (over 800,000 a year), but now American Health Insurance Companies are using overseas care as a way to reduce costs.

You can read about all of this HERE.

The Capitalist Who Loves North Korea

2009-10-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

You've got to read this remarkable story about a remarkable man and his vision to bring hope to North Korea. You can read the story HERE

The Least of These

2009-09-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Home-Based Care volunteers are on the frontlines of the battle against HIV/AIDS in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. One of the things I do is try and find those in North America who would be willing to support the work of Home-Based Care workers in Africa.

Click on the link below to read a story of how HBC volunteers make a difference.

The Least of These

President Obama's Speech to School Children in the USA

2009-09-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

I was amazed at how upset so many people are about the speech President Obama is making to school children across America. People are pulling their children out of school, others have compared Obama to Hitler, or ironically telling us he is going to make us all socialists (as you know Hitler was a fascist, so how Obama can make us both fascists and socialists is a bit puzzling to me -- I don't think even he has that much power), and people are literally (in Biblical words) "weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth".

Whether you agree with the policies and worldview of President Obama or not, the reality is the President has a right to address school children. Presidents Reagan and Bush have also done this -- and apparently the world didn't come to an end, and we still live in a democracy -- so it seems that the President speaking to the nation does not lead to an apocalypse.

So, here is the text of his speech. After you read it -- tell me -- is the world going to come to an end, are our children going to become fascist socialists, or is this not a rather good speech?

Hello everyone - how's everybody doing today? I'm here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we've got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I'm glad you all could join us today.

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could've stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.

I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday - at 4:30 in the morning. Now I wasn't too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."

So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.

Now I've given a lot of speeches about education. And I've talked a lot about responsibility. I've talked about your teachers' responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn. I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox. I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working where students aren't getting the opportunities they deserve.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world - and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.
Every single one of you has something you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That's the opportunity an education can provide.

Maybe you could be a good writer - maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper - but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor - maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine - but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.

And no matter what you want to do with your life - I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can't drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You've got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.

And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.

You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You'll need the insights and critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.

We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do that - if you quit on school - you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.

Now I know it's not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.

I get it. I know what that's like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn't fit in.

So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I'm not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.

But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.

Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there's not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.

But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life - what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home - that's no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That's no excuse for not trying.

Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future. That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.

Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez.

I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three. He's endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer - hundreds of extra hours - to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind, and he's headed to college this fall.

And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center; start a program to keep young people out of gangs; and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.

Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren't any different from any of you. They faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.

That's why today, I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education - and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you'll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter. Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.

I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you're not going to be any of those things.

But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won't love every subject you study. You won't click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

That's OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. JK Rowling's first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

These people succeeded because they understand that you can't let your failures define you - you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.

No one's born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice. It's the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust - a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor - and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.

And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you - don't ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.

It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.

So today, I want to ask you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you've got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don't let us down - don't let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

The Last Temptation

2009-08-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

You can find a great interview with Wendell Potter, the former head of communications for CIGNA here

Who Healthcare Reform Will Benefit the Most

2009-08-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Here is another great article on how healthcare reform will benefit at least one segment of the US economy. You can read it here.

Persecution of Christians in Pakistan

2009-08-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

You can read an article from CNN about a group of 2,000 Christians living in the middle of a road here.

Money and Lobbyists Determine Possible Healthcare Reform

2009-08-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this New York Times article about the deal the Obama Administration has made with Big Pharma. You can read the article here.

Genuine healthcare reforms appears to be dead. Once again, the pharmaceutical industry has used the billions of $ in profits it makes from you and me to be sure that whatever is coming down in terms of healthcare reform will benefit them much more than you and I. At one point in his campaign Obama said he would stare down the drug companies. Obviously his staring ability is not what he thought it was. So, come the fall, we can probably look forward to legislation that will give us more of what we have now -- only it will cost each of us more -- and many more of us will not be able to afford any health insurance. Oh, and by the way, aren't you glad the drug companies are spending $150 million of their profits on TV ads in August (in addition to untold millions of $ on lobbying they have spent the last 8 months) rather than on research that would actually produce medications that might help those who are sick?

Healthcare Reform? Who Needs It?

2009-08-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

Great article from Newsweek. You can read it here.

The Select Few: Shocking Corruption at the Washington Post

2009-07-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

This post has much more to do with how business is done in Washington than any specific issue. It simply amazes me that we allow this kind of activity and that we are "okay" with this process. If we weren't okay with it, we would do something -- like vote all the politicians who do this kind of thing out of office. But, we don't do that -- instead we would prefer to have our country run by Democrats and Republicans who are controlled by those with large sums of money.

Read the article here.

Roseta - The Epitome of Injustice

2009-07-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Jim Cantelon, the founder of Visionledd has called for "every church to be a Mother Teresa". Visionledd, who Debbie and I are working with, believes in a world where local churches are the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities, ministering to orphans, widows and those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Earlier this week, Theresa Malila, the founder of Somebody Cares, our primary ministry partner in Malawi sent me this story, and asked me to pass it on to others. The story is sad, yet filled with hope. Please read it, and then pray for Roseta, her children and the millions of others who Roseta and her family represent. Roseta's story is repeated everyday in tens of thousands of villages and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Pray also for African churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities -- and for North American churches willing to walk alongside their African brothers and sisters in the battle against HIV/AIDS and for transformed communities.

Please click HERE to read Roseta's story.

If you want to read more stories about the work of Home-Based Care volunteers in Africa go to the Home-Based Care Africa website.

American Politics, Lobbying and Healthcare Reform

2009-07-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here is why we need political reform in the USA -- especially in regard to lobbying. Just think, your insurance premiums are helping to fund lobbyists to the tune of $1.4 million a day, so that the current health care industrial complex can continue to reap profits on the backs of ordinary Americans who often cannot afford insurance premiums or the costs of health care not covered by their premiums. It really doesn't matter what side of the debate you are on -- all of this lobbying and the money being spent by ALL sides -- should make you want to see reform that reduces the huge influence of money on politicians. It is clear that our votes really don't matter -- who politicians listen to are industry, union, and multi-national corporations who have the funds to pay them off. When my African friends ask me if there is corruption in America I tell them yes -- it just involves much more money and is much more sophisticated and more "behind the scenes".

This article from the Washington Post lays it out for you. Check it out here.

When Charity Destroys Dignity -- A Book Review

2009-07-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

For the past 9 years I have spent a significant amount of time participating in partnerships between churches/ministries in the Global North and the Global South. Most of my time has been spent in Guatemala, Indonesia, Turkey and most recently Malawi and Zambia. As a result the issue of dependency is of great interest to me. In my desire to walk alongside churches in Africa I do not want to create unhealthy dependency on outside resources for the work of the ministry.

I recently picked up the book When Charity Destroys Dignity (Overcoming Unhealthy Dependency in the Christian Movement) hoping that it would be of help in thinking about the issues surrounding this topic. The book is written by Glenn Schwartz who was a missionary to Zambia in the 1960's and is now the executive director of World Mission Associates.

While I found some of the stories of dependency Schwartz sprinkles throughout the book helpful, my sense is that he is often addressing the issues he faced in the 60's in Africa more than the issues faced by churches and ministries working in the Global South in the 21st century. As a result, I was somewhat disappointed in this book.

Perhaps the most helpful chapter began on page 307 (Chapter 23) where Schwartz outlines some of the lessons missionaries have learned in regard to unhealthy dependency in the Christian Movement. These lessons are worth repeating.

The problem of dependency among mission-established institutions has its roots in spiritual issues. Without genuine spiritual transformation it is unlikely that people will move from being dependent on foreign sources for finances to providing the monies needed to support their own ministries.

The road to dependency is often paved with good intentions. Well meaning outsiders with hearts of compassion do for others what they might otherwise be able to do for themselves.

Self-reliance has little to do with wealth or poverty. Every community has assets, and every community can become more reliant on those assets and resources to support themselves.

Many transitions toward local sustainability include a direct revelation from the Lord to the church leaders involved. It seems that often those local leaders who want to break free of the shackles of unhealthy dependency do so after hearing "a word of the Lord' to do so.

Westerners often assume that their wealth is the missing ingredient in the spread of the Gospel or in doing health care or other community development projects. Ironically it is sometimes outside funding that prevents leaders or church and local institutions to look for resources in their own community. When money is easily available from the outside the motivation to develop a local funding base declines.

The transfer of psychological ownership of churches, ministries and projects is absolutely essential for breaking away from unhealthy dependence. This is perhaps Schwartz's best point in the entire book. The real test of ownership is to discover whether anyone locally will step in if outside resources are cut off. If the answer is yes -- you have psychological ownership from local people. If the answer is no -- outsiders really own the projects/ministries/churches.

Would I recommend this book? I would not discourage you from reading it, but I wouldn't put it on my "must read" list.

Leading With Scarcity or Abundance

2009-06-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

On my way to Austin, TX a couple of days ago I read an article on leadership in the July 2009 issue of Wired. Since I enjoy thinking about organizational development and leadership issues I found the article interesting -- especially the comments of the author about the "wastefulness" of nature and how our Western focus on efficiency seems to go against the way our universe operates (since I am Christian I would say how God created the universe to operate). At any rate, I found the chart that follows thought provoking. I've made a couple of adjustments to it and added some comments, but overall it follows the heart of the author.

Scarcity Management

Everything is forbidden unless it is permitted. This inhibits innovation and creativity so that in "brainstorming" sessions with management one often hear the words "can't", "that's not the way we do things", etc. Non-management personnel rarely even suggest new ideas or concepts.
Paternalism. Management knows what is best for the organizations or for clients.
Plans are focused on Business Models. All new plans need to be presented with a business plan that details how this will create more profit, be more efficient, etc. Everything must be planned out in advance -- as if we know what the future holds.
Top Down Decision-making Process. Decisions are made by top management and leave little room for those who are not "the deciders" in how to implement the vision, goals and objectives of the organization. Few innovations are ever adopted. To see the long-term results of this, just check out what is happening at General Motors.
Command and Control Organizational Structure. As much as possible is centralized in a small group of people. The job of everyone else at the organization is essentially to follow the commands of "the deciders" who have a tendency to micro-manage. One of the results of this kind of structure is the inability of the organization to keep entrepreneurs, innovators and creative people.

Abundance Management

Everything is permitted unless it is forbidden. Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurs thrive in this kind of organization. New ideas are encouraged, new products and services developed and growth explodes.
Egalitarianism. The customers know what is best. Those working on the frontlines know what is best. Listening is a hallmark of this kind of organization. The best ideas often come from those lowest on the totem pole.
Be Prepared. Preparation is more important than planning -- since in the 21st century it is difficult to plan or tell the future. Preparation for organic growth is more important than planning. Positioning is crucial. The plan is developed as the organization grows and takes advantages of new opportunities.
Bottom-Up Decision Making. Once everyone is committed to the vision, values and principles of engagement of the organization, decision-making is pushed down as low as possible on the corporate ladder. Strategies and tactics are largely determined by those doing the work -- as long as strategies and tactics are consistent with organizational vision, values and principles.
Organizational Structure looks a lot more like a web than an organizational chart. People at all levels of the organization are invited into the decision-making process. Less command and control -- more flexibility and chaos. More like dis-organized organization.

There is much that could be said about these two models. Both have strengths and weaknesses that have to be addressed. Some people are more attracted to the first model -- others to the second.

In the Christian world, denominational structures may more often than not look more like the first model. Youth With A Mission (YWAM) looks more like the second. It is my belief that organizations who want to thrive and prosper in the 21st century must look move to an Abundance Management style.

Quitting Church

2009-01-10T10:20:00.000-08:00

The link below is to an interesting interview with Julia Duin, the religion editor of the Washington Times about the future of the evangelical church in North America.

Whether or not you agree with her conclusions or her analysis, this interview is worth reading and contemplating the content.

Quitting Church

I'd be interested in your thoughts. Feel free to comment.

What Do You Want To Do?

2009-01-05T20:06:00.001-08:00

During the past two days I have had two significant conversations that brought to mind something I hadn't thought about for a long time. What came to mind is the following statement.

Do you want to build a big church (or organization),
or do you want to change the world?

I am convinced of the following. If you focus on building a big church or organization you will rarely if ever actually change the world -- because the primary question you will ask yourself is - will this help me grow my organization or church. If that is your bottom line, you will do those things that grow your church or organization whether or not they change the world.

HOWEVER, if your bottom line is -- I want to change the world -- then the size of your organization/church becomes irrelevant and you will primarily do those things that will actually change the world. At the same time, you may or may not, grow your organization.

Everything in the west pushes us to grow bigger churches and organizations. I used to go to large conferences for pastors and church leaders. When you met new people, within 5-10 minutes you would get the "a-b-c-" questions -- attendance, buildings, cash. In other words, people wanted to know how many people came to your church, what facilities you had, and what kind of budget you had. THEN, after establishing those 3 things, they knew where you stood in the pecking order. The larger your attendance, the better your buildings and the bigger your budget, the higher you were in the church leadership pecking order.

NOBODY, ever asked me how our church was changing the world. The result of these conferences and much of the church in the west is clear -- lots of people, attending church in beautiful buildings giving lots of money to get more people to come to church in even better equipped and bigger buildings. BUT, has the world changed?

My suspicion is that if we focused on doing what changes the world -- standing up for righteousness, for justice, for the poor and the oppressed, for the orphan, the widow, the disenfranchised -- for those Jesus focused on -- the world would be a different place.

The trouble with focusing on changing the world, is that we may never build big churches or organizations -- and we may never become well known or famous -- or rich.

Instead, God's kingdom may come, and His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

My commitment in 2009 is to invest my time, resources and energy into changing the world -- whether or not it results in a bigger ministry or fame or fortune.

Reflections from Malawi

2008-10-17T00:23:00.000-07:00

It is Friday morning, October 17 here in Lilongwe, Malawi. I'm half way through my 7th trip to Malawi in the last three years. This morning I am once again at the Korea Garden Lodge where the internet connection is slow but fairly reliable, waiting for Theresa Malila to pick Debbie and I and another couple up for a tour of 2-3 villages that are ready for a partner to walk alongside them as they work to transform their communities.

Every time I travel to Malawi I am confronted by disparities, oxymorons, poverty, joy, God, evil, hope, despair, faith, hopelessness -- and I could go on. I am here with a team of 19 people -- some of whom have never been outside the USA, others who have been here before and others who have traveled with me to other nations.

As I reflect on the last week, here are some of the things that come to mind.

In a nation where per capita income is US$180 a year, gasoline costs US$6.88 an American gallon and milk is US$8 a gallon, while you can buy a bottle of Coke for twenty-five cents and 5 litres of water for about US$3. That means you can't afford to buy gas or milk -- but you could afford Coke. Does that make any sense?
Food costs have gone through the roof -- partly due to the rise in fuel costs, but largely due to the policies of the government of Malawi that is getting praise in some circles for the job they have done in improving food security (the only people who believe there has been improvements are people who have money). A bag of maize (the staple food here) has gone up from about US$4 to US$40 in the last year. Tell me how that is helping the 70%+ people who live on less than $1 a day.
God is at work among the poor in Malawi. On Tuesday I was with a group of pastors, traditional leaders, an HIV Support Group and some Home-Based Care volunteers in the Mgona area of Lilongwe. Mgona is home to about 50,000 people. 50% of the population of Mgona are orphans and vulnerable children under the age of 15. Mgona is at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. The people who live there are considered trash. In the last 3 years I have been in Mgona many times and there is change beginning to happen. God is at work! Faith is growing! Hope is on the increase! I listened as pastors and traditional leaders spoke of how God has changed their lives and how they hope to see their community transformed. I heard stories of hope from people who were HIV+ and who only months before had been given up to die. I was humbled and blessed. I saw God at work! It was my turn to speak and all I could think of was what a privilege it was for me to be among these people -- people who others think are trash. I felt the urging of the Holy Spirit to say that one day people from across Malawi and even the world will come to Mgona to learn from them. God wanted to make them leaders and they should continue to seek Him, trust in Him and follow Him and He would be faithful. It sounded so foolish standing before this group of people who have no socio-economic power, no political power and no visible way to make anything happen in their lives -- yet I believe it to be true.
Yesterday I was in the community of Chilombo listening to a youth choir composed of about 40+ teenagers. They were singing about how God had changed their lives. Each of these teenagers had been involved in a Reach4Life (R4L) study group. They had been reading the R4L New Testament and had turned from a life of promiscuity and alcohol and drug abuse to a life of sexual purity and hope. I heard a girl of 15 or so tell us about the fact that she used to get her worth by having sex with men -- but now, because of the Gospel, she understood that she had value. She now respected herself and her life has turned around. Another young man told about how God had saved him from a life of alcohol abuse. Here, in a rural area of a small tiny country, in a community with no running water and no electricity God was moving. Such joy and hope! Malawi has a future if we can continue to influence the youth.
From there we went to a well that had been drilled as a result of money raised at a funeral of a friend. The well was providing clean water for 5,000 people ( I drank the water and it was GOOD). Sunday we dedicate it the well and place a plaque near it in rememberance of Dave Barr -- a good man. Fresh, clean water -- I take it for granted. Once again I grew in appreciation for what I have been given in life and my desire to help others was strengthened.

God seems so close here in Malawi -- often closer than in the USA. I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to come here and meet God. It makes life worth living. I have to figure out how to meet God at home -- I know it can happen -- it has in the past -- I know it will in the future -- but whether I am in Malawi, or in Turkey or Indonesia -- somehow he seems closer to those who are poor and oppressed than He is where we have power and wealth.

To the Centre or to the Frontiers?

2008-10-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

Many years ago when I attended the School of World Mission (now the School of Inter-Cultural Studies) at Fuller Theological Seminary Dr. Paul Pierson told us that God is always working at the fringes - rarely if ever is he working in the center of power. In fact, as you study the historical development of the world Christian movement you discover that God brings renewal to the church and renewal to a society by working on the fringes of the church and the society. Change rarely, if ever, comes from centers of political, religious or economic power.

Makes you wonder about all the "hoopla" of the current presidential election where both parties claim they will bring change and renew Washington DC. Somehow, I think not.

But, I digress.

This evening I started reading a book that was given to me by a Korean missions leader. The book was written by Paul Choi and is called "Global Spiritual Mapping". Not sure yet if I would recommend it, but he made some powerful statements in one of the early chapters that reminded me of what Dr. Pierson taught us back years ago.

Here are a few quotes:

People want to live in the center of the world's power.

Once people seize power, they struggle to hold onto that power in fear of losing everything that thye obtained with it. They take shortcuts and shamelessly flatter those with greater power, but in the end, their lives come to a ruin.

People are constantly moving toward the center because they see the power there. They say they can change the world by becoming succesful in the center. Yet that is not God's way. You cannot do anything at the center . . .

God does not work at the center of civilization. God works in the margins, the frontiers.

You cannot change the world at the center. If you want to govern the world, go to the center; but if you want to transform it, go to the frontiers.

When we go out to the frontiers, the center is affected.

History beings anew in the frontiers. When one frontier becomes the center of civilization, the cneter of history moves to a different frontier.

History makers do not go to the center. They go to the frontiers to discover new plans for the future. New history begins there.

Food for thought -- don't you think -- especially in the light of the fact that it seems that so much of the American church longs for the halls of power, longs to be part of the center of civilization. Yet Jesus started his ministry not in Jerusalem -- not in the center. He started His ministry in Galilee of the Gentiles -- far from the political, religious and economic center of Palestine.

Perhaps we need to look for God in the fringes where He often resides -- and stay away from the center, where He often appears not to be.

Does God Live in Istanbul?

2008-09-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

This morning as I was eating breakfast in a restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey I watched as literally thousands of people passed before me on the busy streets of this city of 15 million people. I drank my coffee and watched the frantic scene in front of me. Some of the people walking by were dressed very conservatively -- women with headscarves and men in their working clothes. Others -- mostly younger men and women -- would not have been given a second look in any city in Europe or North America. As I watched the parade of people I wondered how many of them ever had the opportunity to hear the Gospel in a way they could understand. My guess -- very few of them.

You see, Istanbul is in Turkey -- a country of 74 million people. In this vast nation only about 3,000 Turks are followers of Jesus. Which brings me back to the question -- Does God Live in Istanbul?

The answer to that question is a resounding YES. On Sunday morning I was privileged to attend a standing-room only worship service in a Turkish church in this city. The 100+ believers were crowded into a small building. The worship was exuberant. The joy was palpable. The preaching passionate. It was a wonderful worship experience -- and after the service people hung around talking, eating lunch together, and sharing their lives over a cup of chi or coffee. I knew that God was in Istanbul!

As I talked with some of the people yesterday morning I discovered that one man has been on trial for 18 months because he led 45 people to Christ and planted a church in another city. His wife and 2 small children are obviously concerned. The man who took the offering is a former communist who was tortured by police for 2 weeks. Story after story emerged of people who are following Jesus despite challenging circumstances.

Yet there was a deep sense of joy in this community of Christians. The same joy I have seen among believers in Indonesia who are planting churches among unreached Muslims - or the poor descendants of Mayan Indians in the mountains of Guatemala, or among those living in poverty in the middle of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Malawi. It seems to me, as I travel around the world, the God's presence is especially close to those who suffer and who hunger for Him.

Is God in Istanbul? YES HE IS! But how will the 15 million people in this world-class city know that He is there and He is not silent? How can we in the west walk alongside the our brothers and sisters in Istanbul and the rest of Turkey as they live out the Gospel in this nation?

The Limits of Power

2008-08-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

I would encourage you to watch this interview with former US Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich (now a professor at Boston University). Bacevich identifies three major problems facing our democracy:

the crises of economy,
government and militarism,
and calls for a redefinition of the American way of life

Watch with an open mind.

The Limits of Power

Saddleback Civil Forum

2008-08-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

Last night we watched Rick Warren interview both Barak Obama and John McCain on a variety of issues. Before the interviews I fully expected Obama to do much better than McCain, despite the fact that I suspected the audience would be more sympathetic to McCain. I was quite surprised by what I observed.

I felt that Obama often did not answer questions directly. He seemed rather uncomfortable in the setting and often gave long answers that didn't always answer the questions directly. While I hold similar positions to Obama on many issues (but not all), I was disappointed by his performance.

I was quite surprised by John McCain. He was funny, articulate, succinct and answered questions directly -- which forced Rick Warren to ask him additional questions. I was quite impressed with McCain's performance despite the fact that I disagree with him on several major issues (healthcare and taxes to name two of them).

Did this debate have any impact on how I will vote in November? Perhaps -- at a minimum I walked away from watching the interviews with a much more favourable impression of McCain than I had before.

I wonder about one thing however. Can either of these men make a difference in how politics happens in the USA? I am rather skeptical that they can. Both parties are slaves to lobbyists, big business, labour unions and special interests. We'll be able to see that first hand in the conventions coming up.

Politics is not the answer to the challenges the USA and the world faces. The answer lies in a church that understands how to serve. A church that understands the influence of "power under". While there is a growing realization that influence comes through service, too much of the evangelical/charismatic church still is too enamoured by political leaders and by concepts of "dominion" and the idea that Christians deserve to be heard and have the right to special status in our supposedly Christian nation. I do see some glimmers of hope out there, but I suspect it will take many years before we truly understand that discipling a nation comes from living like Jesus.

A Common Word - A Discussion Between Muslims and Christians

2008-08-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently was at Yale University for a meeting of Christian and Muslim leaders. His observations and comments can be found here.

It's Been an Interesting 4 Days

2008-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

The last 4 days have been interesting -- and not necessarily in a good way.

A week ago I received a letter from Janus indicating they weren't going to keep managing 403b accounts and that I needed to do something about that. So I went to my financial advisor and discovered that unless my employer has a different 403b plan, or I quit, I may end up having to take the money out and pay a ton of taxes. HOPEFULLY we can find a solution -- we have a few months to do that.

THEN, on the way home, I was slowly down at a stop light when I was hit TWICE by the car behind me. To make a long story short, a young guy hit a car at 45 mph. That car hit another car, driven by an 86 year old woman - and she hit me twice. Fortunately nobody was hurt to any degree. But 2 cars were totaled, and I have about $1,500 damage on my Ford Ranger. So, when I get in touch with the insurance companies, they tell me that if the guy who hit the 3 of us doesn't have adequate insurance, I may be stuck with getting little or no money for the damages on the Ranger. So, now I have to deal with that.

THEN, today I flew to Chicago to participate in COSIM. There are 67 organizations and churches represented here and the focus is effective international partnerships. It has the potential to be really good.

WELL, I started out this morning at 4:00am. Got to the airport on time and we boarded the plane as scheduled at 7:00am. The plane was to depart at 7:30. We had the honor and privilege to sit on that plane until 8:45am before it took off. Then, arriving in Chicago about an hour late, we then had the privilege of sitting on the plane even longer while they looked for a place to park it. Flying is so much fun!

So, I went to get my rental car -- and there were 20 people in line in front of me. So, I got to wait even longer. But I must give KUDUS to the good people at Avis who passed out ice cream bars after about 20 minutes for all of us standing in line.

So, I finally get my car (a Ford Focus - which is much improved over the older version) and started driving to my hotel. Well, there was a ton of construction, so I missed my turn-off and had to drive 10 miles down the road before I could get to a place where I could turn around and drive back. It was a toll road, and when I found my exit again, I had to pay the toll -- which I was more than willing to do. Well, I didn't have the right change, and there was nobody at the toll booth -- so I now have to figure out how to pay the toll -- because they took a picture of my rental car and if I don't pay in 7 days, I get fined.

Traveling is so much fun.

So, those are the highlights of my last few days.

How were your last few days.

Random Thoughts on March 30, 2008

2008-03-30T19:29:00.001-07:00

1. Yesterday I was involved in a memorial service for Dave Barr. Dave died of stomach cancer at only 70 years of age. Dave and his wife Janet have a heart for the world -- having spent time in China, Thailand and Africa over the past 5 years. Dave was a wonderful man with lots of integrity and a heart for God and people. When news of his passing became public Janet received scores of emails from people all over the world who had been influenced by Dave. I'm glad that before he died he knew how much people appreciated him. This has also been a comfort to Janet.

2. Debbie and I are leaving for South Africa and Malawi on Wednesday. I'll be back on April 14 -- Debbie returns on April 19. This will be our first trip together since 2001. I'm glad we can do this together. This is an important trip for us personally and for the work and partnership we have been involved in over the past 30 months.

3. On an increasingly less important subject -- the Phoenix Coyotes will not make the Stanley Cup playoffs this year. BUT -- there is lots of reason for optimism. Solid goal tending and some great rookies (Peter Mueller, Martin Hanzal, Dan Winnick, Craig Weller, Dan Carcillo, Joel Perrault, Keith Yandle, etc.) make me believe that in the next 2-3 years the Coyotes will be a force to be reckoned with. Gretzky is doing a good job coaching these young guys. It should be good. While I'm disappointed they didn't make the playoffs -- I have genuine hope for the first time in a number of years that things will get better for the Coyotes.

4. The Suns traded for O'Neal -- and the team has changed. O'Neal is playing better than expected. Steve Nash has definitely lost a step over the past 3 years, but is still a terrific guard. Stoudamire has really upped his play since O'Neal showed up. The Suns are good -- but I'll be shocked if they win the championship. With the age of their key players -- I think their window for winning has probably closed.

Well, that's about all for now.

Back to Malawi again

2008-02-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

On April 2 Debbie and I leave for South Africa and Malawi. This will be my seventh trip to Africa (and Debbie's 3rd) in the last 30 months. This will be our first mission trip together since 2001. We are excited!

Debbie and I have been captured by Africa and by the opportunities to walk alongside African churches and ministries as they bring hope to those infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Check out the link below to get more information about our trip and how you can help us get to Africa.

Thanks so much for your prayer and your help.

Yes We Can

2008-02-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

Check out this great little video based on Barak Obama's speech entitled "Yes We Can". I found it quite inspiring.

YES WE CAN

While I have a lot of political thoughts swirling around my head, I have been reluctant to publicly state what I think. I have narrowed down my political choices for the fall of this year to the following two individuals.

Republicans - John McCain
Democrats - Barak Obama

I believe both of these men have more integrity than most politicians out there, and that they are not afraid to tell us what they honestly think (even if we may not agree, or their party does not agree). We need more people like that.

MLK Day

2008-01-21T07:36:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, January 20, 2008 Barak Obama spoked at Ebenezer Baptist Church. I found it to be a very moving speech - much of it surely is inline with Kingdom purposes.

Like many of you who may read this blog, I have a tendency to cynicism. Obama is trying to become the Democratic Presidential nominee. He is speaking in a church. One could imagine that this speech was crafted for this particular audience. My hope is that is not the case. I have listened to both Barak and Michelle Obama, and they genuinely seem to be people who have a heart for the poor and the people of this country.

I would encourage you to read the speech. You can find it here:

MLK Speech by Barak Obama

Christmas

2007-12-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

Better Days

And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

And it's someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

- Lyrics by the Goo Goo Dolls

Hillary Clinton at the Saddleback AIDS Conference

2007-11-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

This afternoon Hillary Clinton spoke to the Global AIDS Conference at Saddleback Community church in Orange County. The audience of about 1,000 people from across the USA and 18 other nations greeted her very warmly (with a standing ovation). In fact, the greeting was much warmer than I had personally expected.

Rick and Kay Warren had invited ALL of the Republican and Democratic candidates for president to come to the conference. ONLY Hillary responded by appearing live. John Edwards, Barak O'Bama, John McCain, Mike Hukabee and Mitt Romney appeared via video.

Hillary was articulate and at times, passionate. She delineated a very clear plan about how she would deal with HIV/AIDS both in the USA and around the world. She obviously knew her audience, quoted Scripture with familiarity and impressed me and several of my friends who are not friends of Hillary.

Being a bit of a cynic, I wonder if she can be trusted. Hillary has reinvented herself several times over the years, and it makes me wonder if she just communicated what we wanted to hear (Bill was very good at that). BUT, if she really believes what she said, then I am on her side.

In would rate the video presentations in the following order (from best to worst):

John Edwards
John McCain (though he appeared extremely tired)
Barak O'Bama
Mike Hukabee and Mitt Romney tied for last

It was rather interesting to see what kind of background the candidates chose to make their video comments. Mitt Romney was dressed in a very expensive suit, sitting on a bench with an expensive painting in the background. He looked like an old style, highly sophisticated, aristocrat. Barak O'Bama had a background covered with his website address. His face filled the entire screen -- you could almost count his nose hairs. Mike Hukabee was video taped in what appeared to be his campaign office. People were moving around in the background. Came across like a nice, ordinary guy. He and Rick Warren went to seminary together, and Mike told us the best move Rick ever made was marrying Kay. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

I think that the candidates who didn't show up (that's all of them but Hillary) probably made a tactical error if they wanted to get a bit more of the evangelical vote. Lots of evangelical leaders at this conference -- would have been a good place to get support.

Other than this bit of excitement, the conference has been good -- just too many talking-heads, and not enough time to network or interact with others involved in the battle against HIV/AIDS.

Personally, it's been a good conference for me. God has been speaking to me about a number of things and is confirming some of what I have thought about in my heart - but more of that later.

Somethings Happenin Here, What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear

2007-11-23T00:10:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple of months I have had numerous conversations -- in Africa, Canada, Indonesia, and in the USA -- with people ranging in age from their early 20's to their mid 70's -- and the conversations have all had a number of things in common. These conversations have had me thinking, and here I am, it is 1:00 am in the morning, the day after American Thanksgiving, and I can't sleep.

I am still seeing, "as in a mirror darkly", but I feel like some things are becoming clearer. Let me "freely associate" some about what I have been hearing in conversations and sensing in my heart. Some of you who read this will probably say "duh", others may think I had too much turkey, and perhaps for some of you these thoughts may spark further ideas.

1. I think there is almost universal agreement that we are either at the end of "modernism" or in the final stages of "modern" thought in North America and much of the western world. What there isn't agreement about is where we are going and what we are transitioning into. The changes in western thought and culture have come relatively quickly, affecting every part of society -- including the church. Lots of people are thinking, blogging, writing and talking about what the future may hold. It is becoming clear to me that in the evangelical world two streams are emerging in response to the changes in our culture, and that these two streams are moving side-by-side, but not necessarily intersecting. In fact, the sense I get is that these two streams are moving further apart.

2. I think there is growing disillusionment with the evangelical/charismatic church as it is exists in North America. This disillusionment is not just among those in their 20's and 30's -- but is increasingly widespread among all age groups. As a result, more and more people are either dropping out of church, and/or are becoming less and less engaged in their churches. Many of these people are desiring a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus, are wanting their lives to make a difference in their communities and/or around the world, but are finding that the church is either in the way, or not helpful in their spiritual journey.

In the last week I have spent time with two small groups of believers who have a significant desire to impact the world -- one group was focused primarily on the community they lived in, the other on Africa. Both saw the church as a possible ally, but were focusing their efforts on creating other mechanisms to fulfill their God-given dreams because they realized that if they were going to accomplish what they believe God was calling them to, the church would probably make their lives much more complicated, and hinder their calling -- not help them fulfill it. Since I work in a church, this made me rather sad -- but I couldn't help but agree with their perspective. I know how they feel.

3. There is a growing "Jesus Movement". Christians want to know Jesus and be like Him. They are forming small groups, missional communities, loose associations, networks and all kinds of structures and mechanisms that they sense will help them become more like Christ, grow closer to Him, and enable them to fulfill God's calling on their lives. These alternative structures are usually being created outside of the structures of existing churches or religious institutions. They are informal and viral, committed to creating community with a purpose. Some are focused around local issues and causes. Others focus on global issues. BUT ALL of them are focused on Christ, and are relational within the context of a greater missional purpose. My sense is that these alternative structures and mechanisms will grow in number and influence. I wonder whether existing churches will embrace them unconditionally -- or only embrace them if they become part of the existing church structures and all that comes with that.

4. As is often the case in times of transition, the status quo, the existing power structures, when feeling threatened, have a tendency to strike out against those without power, who are on the edges of a movement, and who question the way things have been done. If you read history, Christian or secular, you quickly discover that change doesn't come from the centers of power or wealth -- it always comes from the edges. I sense this is happening today in the church on a variety of fronts. Those who have asked theological questions or have suggested new ways of "doing church" have at times been called heretics and/or had their character or relationship with God called into question. Sometimes the response from those on the edge has been in the same un-Christ-like spirit -- and so, instead of talking in meaningful ways that might provide some new insights into the Gospel and living like Jesus, only further division has resulted.

5. There is a movement toward a wholistic Gospel -- a Gospel, that like Jesus, is primarily about service -- about "power under" rather than "power over". This gives me hope for the church. I see this movement globally -- and now finally coming to North America.

6. The attractional model of church in North America is struggling and becoming increasingly ineffective. While some churches are trying hard to mix an attractional model of doing church with a semi-incarnational model (for example by becoming multi-site churches), I am not sure this will work. The church growth/seeker-sensitive model of the 70' - 90's will work less and less effectively in the years to come. But churches that have been built on the attractional model have buildings to pay for, and lots of emotional, psychological and physical investment in this approach. Change will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, without enormous challenges and lots of risk.

The attractional model will most-likely make church increasingly irrelevant to the existing culture. Research indicates that in the USA this model of church is only interesting, at most, to about 33-40% of non-church-going people. That leaves at least 60% of unchurched America uninterested in church. I am beginning to become convinced -- more and more -- that churches need to become part of the "warp and woof" (using an old Francis Schaeffer term) of a community. In other words, churches need to truly be incarnational -- they need to be part of the life of a community -- not just located in a community. Only if we plant communities of Gods people that are committed to genuine community transformation will we see God's kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

7. More and more people are realizing that you cannot consume your way into a deeper relationship with God, and into deeper discipleship. This is a challenge for churches that have largely become dispensers of religious goods and services. Hot worship bands, multitudes of often excellent programs, etc. do not make disciples. Service in the context of Biblical community does -- and that is what people are looking for more and more. It is in service in the community and the world that we will find Jesus.

8. I am becoming convinced that everything must change. We need to question much. We need to read the Scriptures with an open mind and heart. We need to try and unlearn much of what we have been taught. We need to ask Jesus to take the blinders from our eyes and see His heart, His way of being and doing, and ask Him "how then shall we live"? If we continue the way we are we will die.

I want my life to count. God wants my life to count. While I am very grateful for those who have taught me much over the years I have followed Christ, I have a growing sense I need to relearn and sometimes unlearn what it means to follow Jesus. That will take faith and courage, lots of God's grace and friends who will encourage me to question, who will listen to me, who will agree with me, disagree with me, argue with me, challenge me and love me.

Well, it is 2:00 am, and I am running out of steam. As I read this post over, I realize that I have not said everything I want to say, and much of what I have said I have said poorly. I will probably come back to these ideas several times over the next few months. As my Facebook profile says, my views on religion are emerging, changing, developing and growing. I trust that is a good thing.

Las Vegas Democratic Debate on November 15, 2007

2007-11-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

Last night I watched about 30 minutes of the Las Vegas Democratic Debate on CNN on my computer (since we don't have cable TV). I have really been rather disinterested in the race for president so far, and outside of Barak Obama and John McCain, there hasn't been anyone remotely interesting to me. On the Republican side I don't think John McCain has any potential for winning the primaries. He has alienated the Republican establishment so much, there is no way they would let him win. And, since I am registered as an "Independent", I'm not sure I can vote in any of the primaries anyway.

Last night one of the questions asked of the candidates was -- which was more important -- human rights or protecting American national security? Now, I may be quite naive -- but I was very disappointed that all the major candidates said "American national security". Some like Obama seemed to indicate that there was no conflict between the two. That simply is false.

Perhaps these candidates have not really thought about this very much, but it would seem to me that human rights are a fundamental value. If you say that protecting American national security is fundamental, then the protection of human rights becomes secondary and all kinds of things are possible -- eavesdropping on your own citizens without cause, torturing prisoners of war to get information that will protect our security, indiscriminate killing of innocent people; and the list goes on and on and on. If American national security is #1, then almost anything can be done and explained away in those terms. Kind of reminds me of some of the things have crept into our politics and philosophy here in the USA since 2001.

If I had to vote today for president, I don't know what I would do. Today the front-runners are Clinton and Giuliani. I wouldn't vote for Clinton. I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. Unlike her husband who is simply a people-pleaser, Hillary has principles but unfortunately it appears to me that her bottom-line principle is power. People who lust after power are dangerous people. I wouldn't vote for Giuliani. There just seems to be a bit of a smell around him. If he is the candidate, Republicans certainly can't claim any kind of family values banner. Hillary could actually claim that banner because she stood by her man while he behaved like Giuliani. If Rudy's only value is that he might beat Hillary -- that isn't good enough for me.

Perhaps the solution is to move back to Canada. Universal healthcare, budget surpluses for the past 10 years, falling taxes, and a currency that is worth more than the US$!

Reflections from Malawi

2007-11-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Over the past 24 months I have been in Malawi five times. Whenever I come back, Katie my co-worker tells me I am cranky for a couple of weeks. That's probably because I am processing all the stuff that has happened. Some of it is simply the shock of leaving a country where the per-capita income is US$180 a YEAR, life expectancy is 37, and in some communities people are so poor that there is no garbage. You know you are poor when there is nothing to throw away.

BUT, despite the grinding poverty, the spiritual warfare, the injustice, the feeling of being overwhelmed by all the challenges, I always meet God in Malawi. In fact, I often see Jesus more clearly than I see Him in my comfortable home and pleasant surroundings.

There are 3 people in particular in whom I saw Jesus this time around. Let me tell you a bit about them.

Harriet the GoGo

Harriet is a GoGo -- a grandmother who takes care of 16 grandchildren. Harriet has one remaining child -- the rest have all died, so she is left taking care of her grandchildren. She lives in a mud house with a dirt floor. She has no running water, no electricity and the closest borehole/well is over a kilometre away from her humble home. The first time I met Harriet she came running across the field to our van. She greeted us with great excitement and started speaking of the goodness of God in her life. A few days later we stopped by Harriet's home again. This time we prayed for her sick daughter. As we walked back to our van she told us that until she saw us that morning she was sad, tired and depressed. Who wouldn't be at the age of 72, taking care of 16 grandchildren, and having to work in the garden all day to simply get some food. She cannot read or write, yet that day she quoted Psalm 27:13:

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

She told us that when she saw us, she saw the goodness of God -- and she worshiped Him. The reality is that when we saw her, and her response to God working in our life -- we saw Jesus in the land of the living.

I intend to visit Harriet every time I am in Malawi.

Two other people made an impression on me this time. Lucious is a "Zone Leader" with Somebody Cares Malawi. As a Zone Leader and a pastor Lucious works with volunteers who visit widows, orphans and vulnerable children and those suffering from HIV/AIDS in their communities. Lucious oversees 15 volunteers who together have 75 patients in their community. In addition Lucious also organizes and supervises a feeding program in his community for over 250 orphans and vulnerable children. He does all of this as a volunteer -- and while he farms his two acres of land and takes care of his wife and 8 children.

Lucious and his Wife in their Cornfield

Lucious is also a pastor and helps to lead the pastors association in his community. Recently there was an opportunity to get some leadership training near Lilongwe. So, every morning Lucious got up at 5:00 am and rode his bicycle for 3 hours to the "pick-up point" where a flatbed truck came by to pick him up. Then after another 30-45 minutes on the back of the truck he reached his destination. After four hours of training, Lucious got back on the truck and then rode his bicycle for another 3 hours home. He did this every day for 6 days! I think Lucious could be my hero.

Lucious is a fortunate man in rural Malawi -- he can read and write, he speaks some English and he owns something very precious -- a Bible. I have seen him carefully unwrap his Bible, read it during church, and the gently and lovingly wrap it back up to keep it safe. He is a precious man, filled with Jesus.

Finally, I want to tell you about another man -- similar to Lucious. I don't remember his name, but I first heard about him about a year ago. This man lives in a rural community called Chikudzulire. A year ago he rode his bicycle more than 4 hours into town so he could ask Theresa Malila of Somebody Cares if they could help their community develop. They knew they needed help, they just didn't know what to do. So after 4 hours on his bike, and then a brief conversation with Theresa, he rode another 4 hours home -- with the hope that someday help would come.

The Man from Chikudzulire

God has honored this man's faith. In the year since he took the 4 hour bike ride to ask for help his community has been "adopted" by a church in Arizona, a new borehole/well has been dug, a feeding center for the more than 900 orphans and vulnerable children is under construction and the community has come together to work towards their own transformation.

I see Jesus in these 3 people -- Harriet the GoGo, Lucious the Pastor and the Man from Chikudzulire. Each of them is living under what we would consider difficult or impossible circumstances. We would look at their lives as hopeless -- yet God has given them hope, has answered their prayer, and they are seeing Jesus alive in their communities.

God is at work in Malawi. I look forward to going back and seeing Jesus there.

Global Leaders Forum -- October 11-12, 2007

2007-11-10T13:40:00.001-08:00

On October 11-12, 2007 I had the privilege of participating in the Global Leaders Forum that was sponsored by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), the Micah Challenge and the United Nations. About 220 evangelical leaders from the USA and around the world met for one-and-a-half days. The meetings began with a reception and dinner where the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon was the guest speaker. This was the first time a UN Secretary General had ever spoken to a group of evangelical leaders.

Much of the focus of the time was devoted to seeing how evangelicals can work together to see the fulfillment of the UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). If you are not aware of what the MDG's are, here is a brief description. The MDG's are 8 goals that the 192 member states of the United Nations agreed to achieve by 2015. The goals are as follows:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by reducing by half the proportion of people living on less than US$1 a day, and by reducing by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger around the world.

2. Achieve universal primary education for all children through at least primary school.

3. Promote gender equality and empower women at all levels by 2015.

4. Reduce child mortality among children under the age of five by two thirds.

5. Improve maternal health by reducing by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio.

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases by beginning to halt and reverse the spread of AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.

7. Ensure environmental sustainability by focusing on sustainable development, reversing the loss of environmental resources, reducing by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water, and achieve significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million urban slum dwellers by 2020.

8. Develop a global partnership for development.

On the 2nd day of the Global Leaders Forum attendees participated in small groups that focused on strategic issues related to evangelicals in the Global North and Global South working together with government, the UN, business and NGO's on achieving these goals -- many of which are fully in-line with "Kingdom" goals.

The 36 hours I spent at this forum were very encouraging to me for a number of reasons. I saw well known people from both the political left and the political right discussing the issues -- wondering how they can work together. I saw well- known evangelical leaders interacting with people from the United Nations, the Peace Corps and from various NGO's both Christian and secular -- talking about how to work together.

Finally, I saw hope for the words "evangelical" and "Christian". I saw hope, because I believe that if we as evangelicals and Christians work together and serve together to reach these goals -- many of which are Kingdom goals -- the name of Christ will be honored and the words "Christian" and "Evangelical" may no longer be dirty words.

Perhaps the story that impacted me the most in this regard was that of Geoff Tunnicliffe the International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance. He was recently in Germany speaking with Chancellor Merkel. He offered her help on behalf of the German Church and the global evangelical church in helping Germany do its part towards achieving the MDG's. Chancellor Merkel said something like the following to Geoff Tunnicliffe -- "Everyday I have people coming into my office telling me what I am doing wrong. Rarely, if ever, do I have someone coming to me offering me their help and assistance. Thank you so very much. You have an open door to my office."

This is the power of servanthood! This is the power of the Kingdom. This is what Greg Boyd talks about when he says that Christians should be characterized by "power under" not "power over".

I am encouraged that perhaps the day is coming when Evangelical Churches will be the "Mother Theresa's" of our time and the Church will be the greatest threat to injustice the world has ever seen.

"To plead the cause of the poor, afflicated and needy; . . .
Is that not what it means to know Me?" says the Lord.
- Jeremiah 22:16

GIVING -- How Each of Us Can Change the World -- Bill Clinton

2007-11-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

I purchased this book not because I am a big fan of Bill Clinton, but because I wanted to hear what he had to say about giving.

Frankly, I was quite disappointed. The book has a good introduction, excellent first and second chapters and a decent last chapter -- but most everything in-between is rather uninteresting; unless you want to hear about what Bill did (while president) and is doing -- and what his famous and wealthy friends have done and are doing.

While I would not recommend spending the money on this book, there were several things in the book that made me think or were fairly interesting. Let me mention a few.

1. Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.
- Martin Luther King

Great statement by a great man.

2. In every corner of America and all over the world, intelligence and energy are evenly distributed, but opportunity, investment and effective organizations aren't. As a result, billions of people are denied the chance to live their lives to the fullest, and millions die needlessly every year.

Because we live in an interdependent world, we cannot escape each other's problems.

3. Clinton identifies the three major reasons why people give to charities. I think these are quite interesting and should give those working to fund charitable organizations some food for thought.

About 1/3 of all giving is directed towards places of worship and their affiliated activities.
Another 1/3 is given towards local, national or global needs that are publicized in the media. Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami and children in a local community needing medical help are examples.
The final third of all giving is in response to local fund-raising activities by a group in which the donor is involved, or to which the donor is asked to give by a friend or family member.

4. Perhaps the most profound statements in the book are taken from a speech made by Bill Gates at Harvard University in June of 2007. Let me quote some of that speech here.

If you believe that every life has equal value, it's revolting to learn that some lives are seen as worth saving and others are not. . . . How can we let children die? The answer is simple, and harsh. The market did not reward saving the lives of these children, and governments did not subsidize it. So the children died because their mothers and fathers had no power in the market and no voice in the system. . . . If we can find approaches that meet the needs of the poor in ways that generate profits for business and votes for politicians, we will have found a sustainable way to reduce inequity in the world.

It is this last sentence that I find particularly sad. I think it is true -- but it is really very sad. What Bill Gates is saying is simply this -- the only way we can get the job done is if we can convince businesses that they can make more money by appearing to be concerned for the poor, and if we can convince politicians that being on the side of the poor will help them get elected.

I read this statement and I realized this is an indictment of the western world. If we can cater to the greed of corporations and politicians, then we can help the poor.

Perhaps this is what Bono has realized and why he started the "red" campaign. He convinced corporations to give a small percentage of their profits on some "red" items. It looked like this was good for business -- so corporations did this. No altruism here -- simply another way to make money.

Sad -- but unfortunately true.

Now I know that there are a small minority of business people who have a genuine concern for the poor (I've actually met some), and I know that there are some politicians who have a good heart and at least start out wanting to do what is right and just for everyone in our society. But, I think one would be hard-pressed to say that what Bill Gates said is not true. The good businesses and politicians out there are definitely in the minority.

5. Ideas are what change the world.
- Chris Stamos

6. We live in an interdependent world in which our survival depends upon an understanding that our common humanity is more important than our interesting and inevitable differences and that everyone matters.
- Bill Clinton

Some Thoughts after the Heritage Festival in Edmonton

2007-08-06T17:51:00.000-07:00

So, today we spent 5 hours walking around Hawrelak Park in Edmonton at the annual Heritage Festival. It was a wonderful afternoon for a number of reasons.

1. 75 ethnic groups had displays including crafts and artifacts, food booths and cultural performances. Living in the Phoenix area where 70% of the people are white, 25% Hispanic and 5% "other", it was wonderful to see so many people with different colors, music, languages, traditions and experiences. Our family misses that kind of cultural diversity.

2. There was virtually no commercialism at the event. There were only a couple of businesses that had booths (in out of the way places). So unlike a festival we attended in Colorado Springs in June that was essentially businesses trying to sell you stuff -- even though the event was billed as a city wide celebration. This was an event celebrating the cultural heritages of the people of Edmonton. Wonderful!

3. There was virtually no garbage around. People used the garbage cans. They recycled drink containers. Each booth had people volunteering to pick up garbage that may have dropped. The park was clean -- and there were over 50,000 people there!

4. No cars were allowed. The city provided transportation to the park. The only mode of transportation other than city buses or walking to the festival were bicycles -- and there was a bike park available that was supervised.

5. There were only a few police officers around. Apparently you don't need police when 50,000 people come to celebrate each other's heritage!

6. The event was FREE! The only "admission" was a suggested donation to the city food bank.

7. The weather was just right -- about +25 (mid-70's for Americans).

All around a great day at a great event.

Random Thoughts from Edmonton, Canada

2007-08-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted for a long time even though LOTS of stuff has been going through my head. But now, I am on holidays in Edmonton, Canada visiting my parents and I have a bit of time. So who knows, there may be a few posts coming -- some may even be interesting!

So yesterday morning we attended Central Baptist Church in Edmonton. Central was founded around 1900 by immigrants from Europe. It has a rich history -- at times quite innovative -- at times very conservative. The last few years have been innovative ones. I spent many years at Central when I was growing up. Even as late as 1972 the German language service had 450 people in it, while the English service barely hit 100.

So, yesterday morning I am sitting in the 9:15 service with about 200 people. The average age of those attending that that service was probably 70. The "satellite" service in the gymn had an average age of about 30. So here I am, singing hymns and listening to quite a boring sermon, yet I am in the middle of innovation. Here is why I say that.

The sermon portion of this service was being broadcast to the "satellite" service in the gymn. Not only that, it was also being broadcast live on the internet. In addition, another church, about 20 minutes away was also watching the sermon live via the internet. Really quite good -- considering that the "live" service had only about 25 people in it under the age of 60 and probably 100 people in it over the age of 70.

This may not sound revolutionary to you, but knowing the history of this church, and the people who are the primary financial supporters, this is all quite amazing.

Sometimes those of us who think we are innovative aren't -- and some of those who we think are boring, dull and anything but progressive -- are much more interested in trying new things in new ways. God is at work in lots of ways -- some we agree with, and some we don't.

Good thing I (or anyone of you reading this) are not God.

Observations from 6 hours in Heidelberg, Germany on May 19, 2007

2007-05-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

I am writing this from the Diner's Club lounge in Terminal 2 at the Frankfurt airport. Since I am about 25 hours into a 44 hour trip to Malawi, Africa is -- GOD BLESS Diner's Club. This lounge is air-conditioned, has free wireless internet and an abundance of food and drink. Not only that, there are very few people here, and it is all VERY pleasant.

After walking over 10 kilometres today all over Heidelberg, I have a few observations to make. These are not intended to astound anyone. These are just things that stood out to me.

1. Everything in clean.

2. Everything seems to run on time, and it is important that it is on time -- not late, not early, on-time. This morning when I asked about a Lufthansa bus from Frankfurt to Heidelberg I was informed that it left at 8:00 -- EXACTLY at 8:00 am -- and it did. This afternoon, in Heidelberg they loaded up the bus. It was full -- no room for any more passengers -- but it was 2:53 pm and it was scheduled to leave at 3:00 pm. Well, we all waited in our seats, and at exactly 3:00 pm the bus driver started the bus and we left.

3. Very few American tourists -- lots of Germans, French, Italians, Eastern Europeans, Koreans, and Japanese. Maybe it's because the tourist season hasn't started in the USA.

4. Young women in the USA dress much less modestly than young German women. Whether dress has anything to do with the following, I'm not sure. But a couple of days ago I was waiting in an office briefly and I read a Time magazine article indicating that American pregnancy rates, abortion rates, pre-marital sex rates, etc. are all higher than in Europe. Rather ironic since North American Christians tend to think Europeans are immoral.. I suspect that murder rates are much lower here as well. I have always wondered why American Christians tolerate high levels of violence on TV, and low levels of sexual activity. Perhaps it is more Christian to make war than to make love. My suspicion is that Christians should be against both sex and violence on TV.

5. Older (+40) German women dress much less modestly than older American women. I wonder why this is. But this trend could also partially account for the low birthrate in Europe among non-immigrants. I remember being in Turkey at a resort a couple of years ago and seeing a lot of 50-70 year old European men in "speedos" and 50-70 year old European women in bikini or "mono-kini" bathing suits. It struck me that seeing all that skin on people at that age would naturally reduce the birthrate. I think when you are 70, and you insist on wearing a speedo or "mono-kini" you should only be allowed to do that at night or during solar eclipses.

6. There are bicycles EVERYWHERE and people walk A LOT. Seemingly thousands of bicycles, driven by people of all ages and economic levels. People walk here -- it is kind of like a religion. (I have German relatives who are obsessed about taking a daily walk even when the weather is absolutely horrible). Perhaps this is also why you see far fewer obese people here than in the USA -- where we think walking is a mortal sin. We'll drive around in a parking lot for 10 minutes finding a parking space close to the entrance of the store we want to go to.

7. Cars are a lot smaller. Not only are there SmartCars, but Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Peugot, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen, etc. are all producing cars that appear to be about the same size as a SmartCar -- and people appear to be buying them.

8. Not having a speed limit on the Autobahn is a good thing. On the way to Heidelberg I sat behind our bus driver and we were generally traveling around 165 kilometres an hour (thats' about 100 miles an hour). And, even at this speed, she drove in the right hand lane because people were passing us.

9.Gasoline is expensive. In Heidelberg is was right around US$7.00 for a US gallon. No wonder everyone drives small cars.

10. Recycling and being "green" is valued.

11. The loudest tourists are Americans and Italians.

Like I said -- nothing brilliant or remarkable or perhaps anything you are the least bit interested in.

Well, that's what happens when you are tired and jet-lagged and facing another 19 hours of travel.

Back to Africa Again

2007-05-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

On May 18 I am returning to Malawi for the 4th time in the last 18 months, and to Africa for the 5th time. This time I am leading a "Vision Trip" for pastors and church leaders. There will be 15 of us on the trip from 4 churches in Arizona, Wisconsin and Maryland.

The purpose of the trip is threefold:

Enable these leaders to see firsthand the impact of HIV/AIDS on the ground in Malawi and South Africa.
To enable these American leaders to meet and interact with African leaders, pastors, churches and organizations who are on the frontlines of the battle against AIDS and for community transformation.
To see if any of these four churches are willing to to walk alongside African churches as they build hope, generate faith and minister in neighbourhoods and communities devastated by the AIDS pandemic.

This trip will focus on learning rather than serving. Our purpose is to understand, learn and build relationships.

I think that one of my biggest challenges as I lead this team of leaders will be to help them understand that the American "can do" attitude is the one we need to lay down. As Americans we DO, we plan, we attack problems, we try to solve them, and often without meaning to, we run over those we are "ministering to". But the challenge is to help them understand that if anything is going to happen positively in the battle against AIDS, it will take a "mission with" attitude, not a "mission to" attitude. We need to be humble, be willing for our African brothers and sisters to take the lead, and be willing to follow. That is very hard for us.

So pray for our team of leaders -- that we would become followers and learners.

We'll talk to you again in June -- hopefully with some pictures and good stories and reports.

A Sad End to the Hockey Season in Phoenix

2007-04-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Back on October 8, 2006 I posted a little something about sports in Phoenix. Well, unfortunately some of my hopes were dashed. But, here are the highlights of this years' sporting season.

1. As I predicted, the Arizona Cardinals were terrible. They did bring me some joy though. I watched most of the games that were on TV -- primarily for the joy of seeing them discover new ways of losing. I noticed that at times, my faith in them losing wained, BUT, if I kept hope alive long enough, and was patient, they eventually found a way to lose. So, all-in-all, I was satisfied with the NFL season as it pertained to Arizona.

2. The Phoenix Coyotes were a major disappointment. I looked at their off-season signings and had hope they would at least turn the corner and make the playoffs. But alas, they essentially stunk. We went to a couple of games -- one was actually quite good -- but as the season progressed, and they continued to play poorly, my desire to spend money to see bad hockey decreased. I am beginning to have my doubts about Wayne Gretzky as coach and judge of talent. I'm willing to give him another year, but if the end is result is the same as this season, I will join the growing chorus of people who would like to see new leadership. So, now I am left cheering for the Canadian teams to win Lord Stanley's Cup. Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa. I'll cheer for Western Canadian teams first. But if it ends up being a Canadian team (even the Ottawa Senators) versus a US team, there is no doubt where my loyalties lie. The Cup belongs in Canada.

3. The Phoenix Suns and Steve Nash are wonderful. He should be MVP again -- but I suspect he won't get the award. Nash is not only a brilliant player, but he is team man, makes everyone around him better, and has humility rarely seen in NBA players. The truly great players know how to stay humble and work hard. The fakes don't. The Suns have a shot at winning it all. I'll be watching and cheering for them. I'll cheer for anyone but the Lakers and Pistons.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks? Who cares! I certainly don't.

5. I'll watch the Toronto Blue Jays. And, I'll cheer for anyone who plays against the Yankees, any team Barry Bonds is on, and the Red Sox. Baseball really doesn't get interesting until October and the run to the World Series.

6. Can you believe that more than 184,000 people paid to watch the World Curling Championships in Edmonton, Canada this year! Curling is actually fun to play and can get interesting to watch if you know what is happening. Give me curling over baseball or golf any day of the week (and twice on Sundays).

Well, that's all for now folks.

Easter!

2007-04-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Christ has risen!

He has risen indeed!

When This War is Over

2007-03-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

When this war is over it will be a better day
When this war is over it will be a better day
But it won't bring back those poor boys in the grave

When this war is over, it will be a better day
When this war is over, it will be a better day
But it won't bring back those poor boys in the grave

Lyrics by J J Cale
from the CD entitled Escondido by JJ Cale and Eric Clapton

Latest numbers from Iraq:

Iraqis killed 139,000+
American soldiers injured and back in the USA 73,000+
American soldiers killed 3,240+

When this war is over, it will be a better day
When this war is over, it will be a better day
But it won't bring back those poor men, women and children in the grave.

The AIDS Crises: What We Can Do -- Deborah Dortzbach and W. Meredith Long

2007-03-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

This book is an excellent introduction to the AIDS pandemic. If you need AIDS 101 -- this is one of the books for you. If you already have basic knowledge the AIDS epidemic, this book is an excellent refresher.

The authors do a good job of talking about the broader issues related to HIV/AIDS, outlining the history of the AIDS pandemic and providing some basic statistics.

An old friend of mine (Winkie Pratney) once told me that a book was worth it if you came away with at least one good idea, concept, or new piece of information for every $1 you spend. That was a number of years ago, and with inflation, it is now probably one good idea for every $3 you spend.

Based on that, I would recommend this book for the following reasons:

1. The excellent retelling of Biblical stories that illustrated the response Christians and the Church should have towards AIDS. In particular I thought the retelling of Christ's encounter with the woman caught in adultery was very effective.

2. I thought Chapter 6 entitled Avoiding the Violence of AIDS was excellent -- perhaps worth the price of the book alone. The chapter starts out talking about David and Bathsheba and Amnon and Tamar and the long-term implications of bad choices. But the real focus of the chapter is the lack of rights that the majority of women have in the developing world. Women in most of the world have little choice in relation to marriage, sex, and almost everything else in everyday life. The way that Dortzbach and Long talk about this major issue related to the spread of HIV/AIDS is simply outstanding.

3. Chapter 9 on AIDS, Sex, Sin and Forgiveness. Simply an excellent discussion of the issues.

Bottom line -- if you want to get a good introduction to the AIDS Pandemic and how the Church should respond -- this is one of the books to get.

I'm Off to South Africa

2007-03-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning bright and early, I head to the airport for a brief visit to South Africa. I, along with 2 colleagues will be joining others from Canada, the UK, Australia, and South Africa in the annual meeting of Hands@Work. Hands@Work is a South African NGO working with more than 10,000 orphans in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Congo and Nigeria.

We'll be spending our time meeting with African leaders of Hands@Work and with others, who like ourselves, are attempting to walk alongside African Christians and churches working in communities devastated by the AIDS pandemic.

In the next 3 years Hands@Work will be taking care of 100,000 orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa -- so there is a lot of work to do.

I'll be back in about a week - jet-lagged and tired, but hopefully feeling like our trip was significant and accomplished the purposes of God.

Pray for us as we go. I especially need prayer for my health, as I am battling a bad cold/flu like thing.

Blankets for Malawi

2007-02-19T14:40:00.001-08:00

We are in the process of raising $20,000 to purchase 2,000 blankets for a village in Malawi. We will be purchasing the blankets in Malawi and working together with Hands@Work Malawi to distribute them to a village that they are working with -- and that needs them for the coming Malawian winter.

If you are interested in donating to this project, click on the link below. Thanks so much.

When God Stood Up -- James Cantelon

2007-02-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

When God Stood Up is subtitled A Christian Response to AIDS in Africa. In reality it is a prophetic call to Christians in the Western World and in Africa to "to arise" and "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God."

The book is a combination of stories and the examination of Scriptures -- primarily from the Old Testament. Having lived and pastored in Jerusalem, Cantelon is obviously quite at home in the OT and very familiar with Jewish teachings and customs. As a result he provides a significant amount of insight into OT texts relating to the character of God and His desire for His people to reflect His character.

I struggled with a couple of chapters in the book -- primarily the one on suffering (which I felt was very weak), and the chapter on the wrath of God.

However, overall, the book was excellent, and I would recommend that you read it -- IF you are ready to respond to the message of the book.

What is the message?

Cantelon begins the book by stating the following (pages 21 and 22)

The core concerns of most prophetic messages, generally refer to one of four "sins": idolatry (a low view of God), adultery (a low view of neighbor), neglect of the poor (again, a low view of neighbor), and the shedding of innocent blood (once more, a low view of neighbor).

The call of Scripture is that Israel (or the people of God) return to a high view of God (righteousness) and a high view of neighbor (justice). The focus of righteousness is love for God. The focus of justice is love for neighbor. . . . in Old Testament times, if someone was to ask the question, 'Who is my neighbor?', the answer would be, "start with the alien, the orphan and the widow".

As I read through this, my thoughts immediately went to those of us in North America who call ourselves Christians.

Are we idolatrous? Do we worship fame, church attendance, offerings and buildings, materialism, religious experience, celebrity, etc. more than God?
How are we on the adultery scale, when the divorce rate of evangelicals in the USA is as high or higher than that of the general population?
Are we neglecting the poor? What about immigrants -- even undocumented aliens? What is the Biblical response to this issue? Should we be standing up for the rights of aliens, or should we build a wall to keep all the aliens out? What about single mothers and fatherless children in North America?
The shedding of innocent blood -- most often used by evangelicals to talk about abortion -- one of our favorite subjects. I believe abortion is the shedding of innocent blood. But what about the evangelical support for a war, most likely built on false pretenses (at least the justification for the invasion of Iraq has changed numerous times) that has resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent people in the last 3 years in Iraq?

Cantelon ends the book with a powerful chapter on what the Old Testament prophets said about righteousness and justice. He talks about Jeremiah stressing the fact that knowing God is more than religious services, solemn assemblies and praise and worship, which in the absence of righteousness and justice is essentially hollow and hateful. Those who know the name of God, must know the names of the poor.

Jeremiah has a word of the Lord in Chapter 22:3

Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not she innocent blood in this place.

From Jeremiah, Cantelon moves on to Isaiah. The famous passage on fasting and prayer in Isaiah 58 becomes the focus. Through the prophet Isaiah God speaks to the His people and tells us that when we loose the chains of injustice, set the oppressed free, share our food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter and clothe the naked, then the glory of the Lord will be our rear guard, our righteousness will go before us, and the Lord will answer our prayers.

In case Israel (and those of us living in 2007) didn't get it, a few verses later this is repeated. If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, THEN your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

My question is -- are we listening? God is telling us that when we take care of widows, orphans, the fatherless, the poor and the hungry -- and we rise with Him against individual and structural injustice -- when we are concerned about ALL the shedding of innocent blood -- THEN, He will hear our prayer, and we as His people will bring glory to His name -- and His name will be honored among all the peoples. As long as we fail to reflect righteousness (His character) and justice (especially for widows, orphans, the fatherless, aliens and the innocent) in how we live, God's name will not be glorified.

How does this relate to the AIDS pandemic?

15 million AIDS orphans in Africa. That number is growing by more than 2,000 a day.
25 million AIDS orphans around the world.
Billions of people around the world live on less than $1 a day. Think about it -- a special coffee at Starbucks is 5 days of salary for more than a billion people.
Millions of women in Africa and around the world becoming widows due to AIDS.
Millions of women and girls being raped, sexually abused and thrown on the rubbish heap (more often than not -- literally) because they have contracted AIDS due to what was done to them by men -- or because of poverty or war, or a number of other reasons.
1 million HIV+ people in North America. While this is a very small percentage of the population, what has the church done to minister to those with AIDS right on our doorstep?

God is standing up -- ready to do something. He has sent his prophets -- Bono, Stephen Lewis, Jim Cantelon, Rick Warren, and numerous others. Will the church in the West and the church in Africa listen?

Will we stand with God?

Will I stand with God?

2007-02-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

You Tube

has got to be one of the

BEST THINGS

on the web.

Frost and My Flowers and Bushes

2007-02-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

So my friend Andrea tells me that my posts have all become to serious -- dealing with global issues, slavery, AIDS, etc. So here is a post that is fairly meaningless to everyone but me.

Having moved to the Arizona desert from British Columbia and Kansas, and growing up where things are naturally green, I try my hardest to keep a green lawn in the Phoenix summers and have flowers and bushes around as much as possible.

Due to global warming, in January we experienced the coldest two days since 1978 here in Phoenix -- it was -2C or +28F overnight. I know those of you from my home and native land are all laughing. I remember the good old days when -2C was when we took our jackets off and were tempted to go swimming. Well, since having moved to Phoenix I have become a wimp.

The other things that are wimps are the flowers and bushes around here. So, this weekend I have literally spent about 10 hours cutting away all the dead stuff from our Lantanas and Honeysuckles. What follows below are before and after pictures -- so you can appreciate my work and be sad with me. I think everything will recover -- it will just take a couple of years.

By the way -- all letters and cards of sympathy will be greatly appreciated -- especially if they include large sums of cash.

Anyway, here are the before and after photos.

My Honeysuckles BEFORE the Frost

My Honeysuckles AFTER the the Frost

My Lantanas BEFORE the Frost

My Lantanas AFTER the Frost

I trust that now you can cry for me and understand why my guitar gently weeps.

Boston Legal, Jay Leno, Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith and the Perception of Christians

2007-02-09T08:22:00.000-08:00

A couple of nights ago I watched Boston Legal and Jay Leno. Boston Legal was especially interesting. As you may know, at the end of each episode James Spader and William Shatner have a conversation on a balcony. These conversations are often philosophical in nature.

The conversation on Tuesday night was particularly interesting because it provided a very clear picture of the perception that those outside of the evangelical church have of Christians. James Spader asks William Shatner who the role models are for those who would be the moral police of our culture. Here was Shatner's answer.

On marriage and fidelity -- Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert
On heterosexuality -- Ted Haggard
On gun control -- Dick Cheney

Now Boston Legal is not a show that anyone would say portrays Christian values. Some would even say it is a propaganda tool of the "liberal media". All that may be true -- but the reality is that this is actually what people think about the leadership of the evangelical/charismatic movement. While there are millions of decent, honest, Christ-like followers of Jesus in the USA, their lives are often discounted because of the "witness" of those who have led us. I asked myself where are the Mother Theresas and the William Wilberforces of the 21st Century? Where are the Christian leaders who live lives that are so Christ-like that they can say the "hard things" and be listened to?

Later that night Jay Leno talked about Ted Haggard. Earlier that day a news story broke that after 3 weeks of intensive counseling Haggard announced that he is totally heterosexual -- despite the fact that in his confession he said he had struggled with homosexual leanings all of his life. Haggard also said that he was going to take an online masters degree in psychology and then perhaps become a counselor. Leno laughed, everyone laughed -- because it seemed rather ludicrous to everyone. I asked myself where are the Mother Theresas and the William Wilberforces of the 21st Century? Where are the Christian leaders who live lives that are so Christ-like that they can say the "hard things" and be listened to?

I also remembered what I heard and read on radio and online and in the newspapers about two other men -- Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith. Both men were coaching their teams in the Super Bowl. What I heard and read was so good -- both men, followers of Jesus -- whose lives matched what they believed. I heard respect. I heard admiration for their character. I heard respect for their faith. Again I thought to myself -- wouldn't it be wonderful to have more high profile Christians who actually lived like Jesus? Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were more people like Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith?

It brought me back to the conclusion that I am coming to more and more. If those who claim to follow Jesus, lived like Jesus, wouldn't we then have the opportunity to see transformation in our world. But as long as we focus on being the moral police, on being against people and against agendas and against . . . and fail to live like Jesus, fail to love, fail to do justly, to love mercy and to walk HUMBLY with our God, we will continue to be the laughing stock, we will continue to be considered hypocrites, we will continue to have little or no respect and continue to have little or no voice on those issues that God cares about.

May God bring to us more followers of Jesus that lead like Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, and William Wilberforce.

Amazing Grace -- The Movie

2007-02-09T08:12:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to a preview of the movie called Amazing Grace -- the story of William Wilberforce. If you click on the link below, you can go to the website.

Amazing Grace

Excellent movie. I would recommend it to one and all. A great story that stays fairly close to the facts. It is well done. Also gets you thinking about the current situation in the USA in terms of the war with Iraq (when a nation is at war ethics, integrity and morals tend to be forgotten), immigration issues, and how easily our consumerism and desire to be wealthy and comfortable perverts our sense of justice and what is right (the fight against the abolition of slavery was largely a fight about economics, standard of living and comfort).

I am so glad that I can call William Wilberforce a brother.

The movie also gave me hope that people who are wealthy and have political power can, if they choose to, make a significant difference in the world. William Wilberforce, because of his Christian convictions changed the lives of millions of people -- without violence and war. Perhaps we can too!

Go see the movie. Encourage your friends to watch it as well. You won't be disappointed.

Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid -- Jimmy Carter

2006-12-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

To be honest with you, this was not necessarily one of the books I had on my "must read" list, but it was a Christmas gift so I began to read it. I know the book was controversial, and that Jimmy Carter had received a fair amount of criticism.

The book is essentially a historical look at the situation in Palestine and Israel with a strong focus on the time since 1973. Carter writes a significant amount about his personal experiences in this part of the world with many of the leading Palestinian and Israeli figures -- from before the time he was President to 2006.

Simply put, the book is a call for peace - not a a form of apartheid between Jews and Arabs. If peace is to become a reality Carter believes 3 things must happen:

1. A recognition that if there is to be peace in this part of the world the security of Israel must be guaranteed. Arabs must acknowledge openly and specifically that Israel is a reality and has a right to exist in peace, behind secure and recognized borders and with a firm Arab pledge to terminate any further acts of violence against a legally constituted nation of Israel.

2. Israel should have permanent borders that coincide with those prevailing from 1949 to 1967. Any change in these borders should be negotiated and can be modified with mutually agreeable land swaps.

3. The sovereignty of all Middle East nations and sanctity of international borders must be honored. There is little doubt that accommodation with Palestinians can bring full Arab recognition to Israel and its right to live in peace.

It seems to me, that the most controversial part of Carters book deals with what he believes are the actions of Israel over the past 25 years to disregard previous agreements with Palestinians, illegally occupy land, cease to honor human rights, severely restrict the ability of Palestinians to earn a living, travel, educate their children, vote, and have access to healthcare. In addition, the building of the wall through Palestinian lands further exacerbates the issues related to finding a lasting peace.

While Carter clearly blames both Palestinians and Israelis for the seemingly ceaseless violence, it is clear that he holds the Israelis responsible for being the provokers.

I do not know as much as I should about the situation between Israel and Palestine. But I do think that anyone who wants to learn and gain perspective should read the book -- even if you disagree with Carter.

One of the things I will do is contact Palestinian believers I know who live in Bethlehem and work with both Palestinians and Israelis in an attempt to bring reconciliation between these two groups. It will be interesting to hear their perspectives on Carter's book.

In the meantime, read the book with an open mind.

Amazing Grace -- The Movie

2006-12-30T19:33:00.001-08:00

"You may choose to look the other way but you can never again say you did not know." This was William Wilberforce's conclusion to his three hour debate in the Houses of Parliament before Members of the British Parliament voted on his Abolition Bill in 1789.

While Wilberforce was able to see slavery abolished in the UK, unfortunately slavery is still alive and well in many parts of the world.

On February 23, 2007 a movie called Amazing Grace will hit theaters around the world. Amazing Grace, based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, is directed by Michael Apted (The World is Not Enough, Coal Miner's Daughter) from an original screenplay written by Academy Award® nominee Steven Knight.

The film stars Ioan Gruffudd (Black Hawk Down), Albert Finney (Erin Brockovich), Romola Garai (Vanity Fair), Michael Gambon (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), Benedict Cumberbatch (Hawking), Rufus Sewell (Legend of Zorro), Ciaran Hinds (Rome) and introduces Youssou N'Dour.

You can check out the trailer for the movie as well as a lot of background information by clicking on the link below.

Amazing Grace

For information on the associated campaign to change slavery in 2007, click on the link below.

The Amazing Change

He has shown 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

The Muellers Annual Letter -- 2006 Edition

2006-12-23T15:29:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that 2006 is almost over, isn't it? I don't know about you, but this year went by way too fast. Maybe it is just old age creeping up on me (you better not agree!). Anyway, here are the highlights of 2006 in the life of the Mueller family.

Donovan

Donovan had quite the year. He started the year on his Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach in Uganda and Kenya. Then it was back to Switzerland for a couple of weeks before heading to France for 3 weeks with a friend. Finally, in late April he arrived back in Mesa -- only to be off to Korea six weeks later. Donovan spent 3 months in Korea visiting a friend. He arrived back in Mesa in August, ready to stay home for a while.

Donovan playing guitar in Uganda

Over the past few months Donovan has been working as a web designer/programmer for several companies and organizations. His client list is growing! In January he will continue pursueing a degree in Computer Sciences in Software Engineering as well as continuing to grow his web business.

For his parents, it is great to have him home again.

Donovan at Home!

Debbie

Debbie continues to work part-time as a receptionist at Word of Grace. But her real love is throwing pots. She is taking classes at Mesa Community College, and is not only enjoying the classes and developing her skills, but also building friendships with people who are not yet followers of Jesus. As the proud husband I can honestly say that she is getting really good, and this year she has been able to sell a lot of her creations.

Some of Debbie's Creations

In August Debbie's mother passed away. So all three of us flew to Kansas City for the funeral.

Karl

I've had a busy year as well. I've been to Africa twice (Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda), to Turkey once and on several trips within North America. After racking up more than 50,000 miles, I'm glad to be home!

I continue to be responsible for Local and Global Outreach at Word of Grace and recently took over the young adult ministry as well. I am spending an increasing amount of my time and energy on the HIV/AIDS pandemic -- especially in Africa where more than 25 million people are HIV+. God has given us some amazing opportunities to walk alongside African Christians and churches particularly in Malawi. In 2007 I will probably be in Africa at least 3 more times.

Here I am at a borehole/well we drilled for the community of Matanda in Malawi.

Istanbul, Turkey in November

25 Years of Marriage

This year Debbie and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a wonderful two week trip to the Big Island of Hawai. We had a wonderful time exploring the island, swimming with the fish and turtles, and simply being a couple. It was the first time since our honeymoon that we were just the two of us on a holiday for 2 weeks. During our time in Hawaii, we also met some very interesting people -- as the pictures below indicate.

We found the Hawaiians to be friendly, but a bit wooden.

I'm Off to Turkey

2006-11-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

In a couple of hours I will begin a 21 hour trip to Istanbul, Turkey. I'll arrive about 2 hours after the Pope is scheduled to be there. This will be my 4th time to Turkey since the fall of 2002.

It should be an interesting week. I am meeting with a variety of leaders both Turkish and people from around the world to talk about leadership development issues. The church in Turkey continues to be under pressure, and harassment of church leaders in many forms is not uncommon. It will be good to get an update of what is happening.

Should also be interesting to be in the country the same time as the Pope. As the protests prior to his arrival have indicated, Turkey doesn't do well with freedom of religion as we define it in the west.

Reflections from my time in Malawi

2006-11-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was in Malawi the first week in November -- my 3rd time in the last 12 months. For those of you who don't know, Malawi is one of the 20 poorest nations in the world. Per Capita income is less than US$1 a day, and 50% of the population lives on US$120 a year. Life expectancy is about 37. There are 1,000,000 orphans -- more than 50% of those are as a result of HIV/AIDS. More than 15% of the adult population is HIV+.

In the middle of all of this, there are Malawian believers and Christians who are doing incredible ministry to the sick and dying, the women and grandmothers and the orphans and vulnerable children. We are trying to walk alongside the Malawian church as it ministers in communities devastated by the AIDS pandemic.

AIDS in Malawi is all-encompassing. Every aspect of society -- family, economics, education, religion, business -- everything -- is touched and affected by HIV/AIDS.

From this trip I have two images burned into my heart and mind. Let me briefly share them with you.

The other day I was taking a shower, and in the middle of that lovely, warm shower the following two pictures came to mind.

The new borehole/well in Matanda, Malawi

Carrying home the precious gift of clean water!

These two pictures tell a story. The Matanda area, on the outskirts of the capital city of Lilongwe is a typical Malawian community. There is no electricity. There is no running water. Until we dug this borehole/well this summer, there was no clean water available to the people in the area. This young girl walked at least one kilometre to get to this well, fill up her pail and walk home with her precious gift of clean water. She can't do what I do -- have a shower everyday with hot water. She can only dream of something like that -- if she even knows it is possible. My life and hers are unbelievably different. The question that I ask myself often is simply this -- what can I do to make the life of this young girl, and millions like her more human? What is my responsibility to see her life become more like God would want it to be? How can I help the Kingdom come to Matanda and to Malawi?

My second story is also about a young girl from the Lilongwe area. Her name is Matilda.

Matilda

Matilda is 12 years old. She lives in Ngona -- a very poor community in Lilongwe. Matilda's mother is dying of AIDS. Matilda lives in a small, one-room mud-brick house with her younger brother and her 17 year old cousin. Her cousin often gets drunk and becomes violent. One night her cousin will come home and may very well beat and rape Matilda. If her cousin doesn't do this, then one of the other men in the community probably will. The beating and rape of young girls is an everyday experience in Ngona. Women and girls have no rights, and the men who abuse them rarely suffer any consequences. Matilda represents thousands of young girls in Malawi and millions in sub-Saharan Africa.

But, unlike many other orphaned girls in Malawi, Matilda has something going for her. She knows a woman named Theresa. Theresa is looking for ways to help Matilda -- to find a safe place for her to live, to help her get an education, and to find a way to get her adequate food and clothing. Matilda has hope. Millions of other young girls and women don't know a Theresa, and there is little reason for hope.

As my friend George Snyman from South Africa says -- the fact that millions of girls and women in Africa live in fear of getting HIV/AIDS through no fault of their own, and that they are subject to beatings and rape as a regular part of their existence, and that they have no rights when it comes to sex or education or so many other things that western women take for granted -- all of this is simply UNACCEPTABLE if there are Christians in this world.

And, if this is unacceptable, then what am I doing about it? What am I doing to love my neighbor across the street or in Africa? What am I doing to see the Kingdom come to Matilda and the girls and women in her situation? What are we doing?

Returning to Africa

2006-10-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

On October 27 I am traveling to Africa for the 3rd time in the last 12 months. This trip will include stops in Malawi, South Africa and Uganda.

In Malawi our team of 6 will be involved in four things. First we will be doing some training for 75-100 pastors and church leaders from communities surrounding the capital city of Lilongwe. Many of these pastors do not own Bibles and are only semi-literate. This will be the 2nd time with this group of pastors for us. Two of our team are nurses and will be involved in training Home-Based Care (HBC) workers. HBC workers are volunteers who regularly go into their neighborhoods and take care of individuals and families infected or affected by HIV/AIDS as well as helping child-led households. We will be training 85 HBC workers. Thirdly, some of our team members will be be profiling the HBC workers for sponsorship. We are hoping that small groups, families or individuals will "adopt" a HBC worker by sending $35 a month, praying for them and encouraging them. The funds will go into a "pot" that will go towards HBC supplies, medicines, food and "incentives" for these volunteers. Finally, we will be sitting down with our African ministry partners and looking at how we can effectively work together for the next 2 years -- in other words -- some strategic planning.

In South Africa our team will be spending time at the headquarters of Hands@Work, one of our key ministry partners in Malawi. Their model of Home-Based Care has won "best practice" awards, and we want to learn as much as possible from them. If you want to check out the people we are going to work with, visit:

Hands@Work

VisionLedd

From South Africa I am going to Uganda for the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Development Associates International (DAI). DAI trains many of the key Christian leaders in Africa and Asia. You can check them out at:

Development Associates International

I'll be back home on November 14. I will be posting pictures on my photoblog:

Karl Mueller's Photoblog

Talk to you in November.

Hockey Season Has Begun

2006-10-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Hockey season has begun -- so the best time of the year has begun. Baseball is almost over (and we all know baseball is boring), so that is a GOOD thing. The Arizona Diamondbacks lost a ton of games again this year -- but that is nothing new.

It should be a good fall and winter for Phoenix. The Cardinals are playing the way they have for all but one year of their history -- that means they are losing. For some reason I get a perverted sense of pleasure watching them lose. I just feel sorry for Kurt Warner.

The Phoenix Suns will have another good year. Hopefully our favourite Canadian NBA player, Steve Nash, will play at the MVP level again.

AND, this year it looks like the Phoenix Coyotes have a decent shot at the playoffs, so, who could ask for anything more (other than the Stanley Cup -- but we are a few years away from that). I REALLY HOPE a Canadian team will bring back Lord Stanley's Cup this year. It's about time that happens.

HOCKEY -- THE GREATEST GAME ON EARTH

Practicing Greatness -- Reggie McNeal

2006-07-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Practicing Greatness is a good book for young leaders, but also for people like myself who have 25+ years of leadership experience behind them. For young leaders the book is an excellent guide ito becoming a great leader. For people like myself, who have been in leadership for a long time, it is a good book to take inventory of one's leadership and make the necessary adjustments to becoming a better leader. After reading the book, I think I have been a good leader -- not a great one. But, the book has also challenged me to aspire to becoming a great leader. I have a new determination to ibecoming the leader God has called me to be. I don't want to stay where I am, I want my last years in ministry to be my best.

What follows is an outline of the book as well as some of the key things he says.

. . . greatness begins with a clear vision that inspires people to get into the act of forgetting about themselves and committing to the greatest good.
- Ken Blanchard, from the Forward

. . . greatness in the kingdom of God is a journey toward humility. . . . Humility derives from the leader's awareness of where his or her source of strength lies . . . greatness in the spiritual world cannot be pursued without cultivating God-consciousness. . . . Jesus idea of greatness revolves around humility and service.

Great leaders bless people. . . . Great leaders help people be a part of something bigger than themselves. . . . great leaders leave people better off than they were before the leader entered their lives.

After introducing the book, McNeal goes on to describe 7 disciplines every leader must consciously and intentionally commit themselves to. McNeal also makes it clear that these disciplines are a process and that leaders need to be committed to these disciplines their entire lives.

1. The discipline of self-awareness is the most important because it protects leaders from being self-absorbed or merely role driven.

McNeal goes back to this discipline throughout the book. He also states that "family of origin" issues/lessons are the most important ones for a leader to deal with because they will spend the rest of their lives either building on or trying to overcome the lessons we have learned from our family of origin.

Another aspect McNeal focuses on is the idea of "the call". He believes that great leaders center their lives around their call, cannot be understood apart from their call, and have a relationship with God that is inextricably linked to the call.

McNeal concludes the chapter by stating that if leaders are not self-aware, they become hollow with no sense of self and work only from the expectations of others. The other option is that the leader becomes completely self-absorbed, so that everything is "about them".

2. The discipline of self-management acknowledges that great leaders must not only be great managers, but primarily and foremost they must manage their own emotions, expectations, temptations, mental vibrancy, and physical well-being. Leaders that fail to manage themselves are vulnerable to self-sabotage and/or derailment.

McNeal talks about most of the usual areas of self-management. The issues he raised that I appreciated the most were:

The importance of "muse time". Regular time to spend with God and to think about direction, strategy, calling, etc.
The importance of "emotional intelligence" -- the ability to work with people. McNeal believes only 1/3 of a leader's effectiveness is based on raw intelligence and technical expertise. 2/3 of a leaders effectivness is his/her ability to manage themselves and work with others.
The importance of managing money. Spiritual leaders hold attitudes toward and beliefs about money that color not only how they treat money but also their overall lifestyle and life choices.

3. The discipline of self-development is a life-long commitment to learning and growing and building on one's strengths. Great leaders NEVER STOP being curious and intentionally learning and building on their strengths. Unlearning the past is a key to learning in the future. Unlearning is harder the learning. The key to learning is becoming part of formal and informal learning networks of those effectively engaged in ministry and business.

McNeal also focuses on the importance of developing your strengths. Focus on your talent and develop it. One of the statements in the book that made an impact on me was this:

Our strengths are also our needs. . . . we each need to do what we do well. If we don't get a chance to perform in the area of our talents, we feel cheated, grow frustrated and court burnout.

Finally, McNeal gives some practical advice on how to learn from our failures.

4. The discipline of mission is the propensity of great leaders to give themselves to great causes. They order their lives missionally, and don't allow themselves to be hijacked by others' expectations and agendas, or dissapated by distractions that rob them of energy.

. . . leaders speak in terms of contribution, of significance, or changing the world. They don't work for an organization; the organization works for them. Their job, their role, their current assignment is the venue or platform from which they pursue their life mission. No matter what job they take or role they fill, they redefine the position to fit their mission, not the other way around. .. . the venue provides a platform for the leader to pursue a life mission. The venue is negotiable; the mission is non-negotiable.

This chapter reminded me of something Gary Edmonds once said to me. Leaders have a PASSION, they need a PLATFORM and then they need to figure out how to PAY for it all. I think Gary and Reggie are correct.

The focus of this chapter is about your central life purpose and how to cultivate it. Overall, an excellent chapter.

5. The discipline of decision-making is the ability of great leaders to know how to make decisions, when to make decisions, and what decisions need to be made. In this chapter McNeal focuses on the ability to ask the right questions, to listen to the right people, to collect the right information, and to use this to make the right decisions.

6. The discipline of belonging characterizes great leaders to nurture relationships and to live in community with others, including family, followers, mentors, and friends.

McNeal gives good practical advice on belonging to your family (family of origin, spouse, children), belonging to your co-workers (and your responsibilities to them), the importance of authenticity and relationships and mentoring (both being a mentor and learning from others)

7. The discipline of aloneness is the leaders' capacity to endure the loneliness of leadership but to intentionally practice solitude with God.

Overall I found this book to be very helpful. It may be because of where I am at in my life and ministry, the things I have been thinking about over the past several months, and what I have been feeling and sensing from God. I know that as I prayerfully read this book, God has challenged me to take some concrete actions. Some I have already taken. Others will follow in the next few weeks. I have been encouraged that some of the things I have been doing are on the right track. Other things I have to incorporate into my life in new and more intentional ways.

Read the book -- it will do your soul good!

For Those of You Contemplating Purchasing a Compaq/HP Notebook Computer

2006-07-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking about purchasing a Compaq/HP notebook computer, allow me to give you our family history with these notebooks.

1. In 2003 we purchased a Centrino based Compaq notebook for our son. It worked like a charm for 18 months. Then, things began to go wrong. Short story is that after 4 trips to Best Buy for repairs, resulting in 7+ weeks of no notebook computer, Best Buy declared it a lemon. Fortunately we had purchased the extended warranty, and we were able to get it replaced for no cost. If you purchase a computer warranty from Best Buy, be aware of the fact that you are able to replace it for a computer costing an equivalent amount -- not with one with an equivalent configuration. Some Best Buy staff will try to get you do the latter, when the former is what the warranty allows for -- and is a much better deal. So, with his new replacement Compaq/HP notebook computer, my son purchased the Best Buy extended warranty.

2. Now that my son's new Compaq/HP notebook computer is about 11 months old, he has been experiencing problems for about 3 months. When he first noticed the problem he returned it to Best Buy and after a week they returned the computer. They had cleaned the fan -- because the computer appeared to be overheating and then would turn itself off. That seemed to solve the problem. However, in the last 2 months the problem has gotten worse and worse. Now the computer regularly shuts itself off whenever it feels like it -- which makes it very difficult for him to work or do anything of substance with it. So, when he gets back from Korea, it's back to Best Buy.

3. The IT Department where I work purchases only Compaq/HP computers. I have had my most recent HP notebook for about 16 months. Now the keyboard is beginning to act up. First the "a" key didn't want to work -- then a week later the "e" key doesn't work, and today the "shift" key is misbehaving. So, when I get back from my sabbatical/holidays, I will need to get it fixed.

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

4. My son returned from Korea with his HP notebook not working at all. It went back to Best Buy and 2 weeks later it was returned -- with a new motherboard! The notebook is now working well. BUT, remember, buy the extended warranty. We think that in another year, he'll get a new notebook courtesy of that warranty, because this one will have needed at least 2 more repairs.

My advice is simple:

Don't buy a Compaq/HP Notebook Computer.
IF you do decide to purchase one, be sure you have a 3 year warranty that covers everything -- because everything will go wrong.
Seriously consider purchasing a Dell notebook. My experiences with Dell notebooks have been very positive. And, now that Apple has come to it's senses and is using Intel processors, it may be worth looking at Mac Notebooks (though I know 3 people who have had serious hard disk problems with their Macs). Macs may be the way to go, especially once they have got the running Windows thing down pat.

Communities First -- Jay Van Groningen

2006-07-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

Communities First is an excellent introduction to Christian-based community development -- locally and globally. The book is not just a theological treatise -- though it deals with some theology -- but mostly a very practical, hands-on guide to getting started in seeing your community transformed by the grace of God.

One of the key issues the author raises is this. Does your church want to do ministry to your community, or do you want to do ministry with your community? Ministry to your community will result in primarily relief ministries -- and little individual or community transformation. Ministry with your community will focus on community transformation. The former is much easier than the latter.

Doing community transformation with a community, at a minimum requires:

Developing and sharing vision WITH the people in your community -- even the ones who don't go to or like your church.
Becoming PART of the community. Your church members need to live intentionally in the community you want to reach. Your church needs to function as a genuine part of the neighborhood -- not just as the owner of land and buildings that happen to be located in the neighborhood. The people in the community need to have a sense that you are part of them -- they need to have a sense of "community" with your church.
Sharing ownership with the neighborhood of the projects and ministries you are involved in. If there is no ownership -- there will be no permanent change.

The implications of just these 3 points for the average local church are huge and revolutionary. It seems to me that the great majority of churches minister TO communities, not WITH. We know what the community needs better than the people who live there -- or at least that is how we often act. We really don't like sharing power -- especially if we are a large, successful church.

Perhaps this is why even though hundreds of churches are planted across the USA every year, we really see little genuine community transformation. Most churches have a vision for individual transformation, not community transformation -- and those churches that do want to see their communities transformed are ministering TO -- not WITH.

If you have influence in your church, and you have a heart for community transformation, I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Thoughts from the Beaches of the Big Island of Hawaii -- Part 4

2006-07-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

In the July 2006 issue of Christianity Today, Philip Yancey wrote a brief article entitled The Lure of Thoecracy. Here are some of his thoughts.

Yancey tells of a Muslim man who made the following statement to him.

I find no guidance in the Qu'ran on how Muslims should live as a minority in society and no guidance in the New Testament on how Christians should live in the majority.

This man put his finger on a central difference between the two faiths. Christianity, tends to thrive cross-culturally and counter-culturally, often coexisting with hostile governments. Islam, geographically anchored in Mecca, was founded simultaneously as a religion and a state.

In many ways Muslims see the state and their faith as one. Islam is not a private religion -- it is very public. It is a way of life. In many ways, Islam is theocratic.

What Yancey and I find interesting is that some of the very things many Christians resist in Islam, are the very things many Christians find tempting. Christians seek political power and a legal code that reflects Biblical morality (hence the focus on amendments to the constitution on marriage, homosexuality, banning abortion, etc.). Christians are rightly concerned about raising their children in a climate or moral decadence. Christians, like Muslims see others as a stereotyped community, rather than as individuals.

I have heard from many Christians the idea that we need to change laws to reflect Biblical values in order to preserve our Christian heritage. This has got me wondering -- maybe Christians and Muslims are not that far apart. Both of us are tempted to impose our worldview on the nation we live in. The Qu'ran encourages Muslims to do this. The Bible however, seems to be silent on this issue -- prefering to see individuals and communities transformed from within by the grace and power of God.

I wonder what we should be spending our time on. Signing petitions and attempting to exert political pressure -- or simply doing the Kingdom of God -- living justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God?

Thoughts from the Beaches of the Big Island of Hawaii -- Part 3

2006-07-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

I read an article in Christianity Today on the Didache. One of the quotes sparked my interest. Apparently the writes of the Didache in addressing issues related to the church, said that if a visiting speaker comes, and wants money, that is a sure way to tell that he/she is not from God.

How do you think this would go over in today's evangelical/charistmatic circles? Public speaking in churches, at conferences, etc. is quite lucrative (our church pays a visiting speaker at least US$2,000 for 3 services -- and I know we are on the low end). Having dealt with evangelical/charistmatic speakers over the years, I know that many of them ask for honorariums and benefits (golf trips, certain kind of hotel rooms, etc.) that the average person in a church would never be able to afford. Our Christian celebrities have come to expect certain luxuries. I was told by the senior pastor of a mega-church (who often benefits from these luxuries) that this is simply the price we have to pay for for getting speakers who will draw a large crowd. Well known speakers expect to be catered to, and we need to do the catering!

Wonder what the early church fathers would say about that? Wonder what Jesus would say about that?

Thoughts from the Beaches of the Big Island of Hawaii -- Part 2

2006-07-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

As a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (School of InterCultural Studies) I get the Fuller publication entitled Theology News and Notes. The Winter 2006 edition contained an article regarding the relationship of pyschology and religion -- Christianity in particular. Reading it reminded me of some of the things I had read in Generous Orthodoxy and a couple of other books I have recently read. Here is a summary of the 3 major concerns the author of this article expresses.

1. Christianity as a Utilitarian Concern in Psychology Christianity may be useful in helping people. In other words, prayer, meditation, church attendance, etc can all be therapeutic. So, just as Prozac or other drugs alter our moods and help us feel better, engaging in acts of personal piety can do the same. To value Christianity for it's usefullness is really a form of idolatry.

Is my Christianity utilitarian? Is the Gospel we proclaim a utilitarian one? Is this our approach to people -- both believers and not-yet-followers of Jesus?

2. Christianity in the formula for health may well be consumerist. Since capitalist cultures tend to take on the character of an exchange of merchandise, religion becomes simply a commodity one can select and purchase. If Christian interventions work, then religion is a cost-effective way of addressing rising health costs. In consumerism, religion and health are commodities, medical and psychological practitioners are purveyors, and health insurers are brokers. But is not health a gift rather than the result of a contract in which a Prozac god is bound to fulfill an obligation to reward devotion with health? We need to ask not "what God can do for us", but rather, what can we do for God. The answer my friend, is not blown in the wind, but found in Micah 6:8 -- to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.

3. Christianity associated with health is private. In our culture religion is private -- we each believe or worship what we want to, and as long as we don't push our beliefs/religion on each other, we are all okay. This idea reflects the individualism of Western cultures -- the self as autonomous, self-interested and unencumbered by responsibilites for others. Healing is not assumed to occur in the context of a community, and hence an individualistic culture constructs a Christianity that helps me achieve my mental and physical health.

All of this gets me thinking not only about the state of the church in the USA, the church I am part of, and particularily of my faith. Is my relationship with God primarily characterized by consumerism? Is my faith utilitarian? How does our proclamation of the Gospel (in word and deed) need to change? How do I need to change?

Thoughts from the Beaches of the Big Island of Hawaii -- Part 1

2006-07-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

For the past week I have been on the Big Island of Hawaii. My wife and I are here for two weeks celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. We love the Big Island. It wouldn't be hard to live here. I spent 5+ months here in 1977. Returned in 1986. Introduced my wife and son to the BI in 2002. My son spent 2 months here in 2004 volunteering time with the University of the Nations -- and here we are again in 2006. It is the perfect ending to my sabbatical time (though technically right now I am not on sabbatical, I am on holidays).

My wife and I have done some tourist things, but mostly we have spent time at various beaches, snorkling and reading. I've been reading various books and articles and thought I would share some of the thoughts I've had -- especially from some of the articles I've read.

A New Kind of Urban Christian -- Timothy J. Keller -- Christianity Today (May 2006)

Keller believes that cities are the key to reaching nations. Nothing new here. Let me summarize his key points.

1. More Christians should live long-term in cities. If we don't live in the cities of our nation and the world in at least the percentage of the general population, we will lose our influence on the culture. Christians who live in large cities, and who counter-culturally LIVE their faith can influence the arts, business, academia, publishing, the helping professions and the media in ways that will have an impact on their entire nation. Instead of fleeing to the suburbs or rural areas, or forming Christian ghettos (in actuality or in mindset) Christians should be engaging their culture by working in those areas that have the most power to influence.

2. Christians should be a dynamic counter-culture. Christians are called to be an alternative city within-the-city showing a Kingdom of God culture in how sex (abstinence before marriage and fidelity within), money (radical generosity, helping the poor, treating employees with fairness, justice and generosity) and power (power-sharing and relationship-building between races, social and economic classes and those alienated from society and the Body of Christ) can be used in non-destructive ways.

3. Christians should be a community radically commited to the good of the city as a whole. We must move out to sacrificially serve the good of the whole human community -- especially the poor. Revelation 21-22 make it clear that the ultimate purpose of redemption is not to escape the present material world, but to renew it (all creation groans). God's purpose is not only saving individuals but the world (see A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren) and inaugurating a new world order based on justice, peace and love -- not power, strife and violence and selfishness. Christians should not go to the city in order to get political, economic and social power so they can impose their agenda. Rather, Christians should go to the city to serve the city -- not just our own tribe. We must lose our power to find true power -- what Greg Boyd calls "power-under" in his book The Myth of a Christian Nation. Christianity will not be attractive enough to win influence except through sacrificial service ("power-under" -- doing the Kingdom) to all people regardless of their beliefs. As we do this, we will be misunderstood and sometimes attacked -- but we will gain the respect of those around us -- AS LONG AS we exercise "power-under" rather than "power-over".

4. Christians should be a people who integrate their faith with their work". If we don't integrate our faith, our Biblical worldview and our values into EVERYTHING we do, then we will not influence our culture.

The Myth of a Christian Nation -- Gregory Boyd -- Part 2

2006-07-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

Please read my previous post before reading this one.

After stating his central thesis, Boyd goes on to say the following:

For some evangelicals, the kingdom of God is largely about, if not centered on, "taking America back for God," voting for the Christian candidate, outlawing abortion, outlawing gay marriage, winning the culture war, defending political freedom at home and abroad, keep the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, fighting for prayer in the public schools and at public events, and fighting to display the Ten Commandments in the government buildings.

. . . this perspective is misguided, . . . fusing together the kingdom of God with this or any other version of the kingdom of the world is idolatrous and this fusion is having serious negative consequences for Christ's church and for the advancement of God's kingdom.

. . . What gives the connection between Christian and politics such a strong emotional force in the USA . . . is the longstanding myth that America is a Christian nation. . . . this foundational myth is a alive and well in the evangelical community . . . and is being embraced more intensely and widely now than in the past . . . because evangelicals sense it is being threatened. . . .

this nationalistic myth blinds us to the way in which our most basic and most cherished cultural assumptions are diametrically opposed to the kingdom way of life taught by Jesus and his disciples. Instead of living out the radically countercultural mandate of the kingdom of God, . . . this myth links the kingdom of God with certain political stances . . . and it has greatly compromised the holy beauty of the kingdom of God to non-Christians. This myth harms the church's primary mission.

Pretty strong words, wouldn't you say? What do you think? Are the majority of evangelicals in America idolatrous because they mix these two kingdoms? Is this sycretism? Is Christianity, America's tribal religion? Is this nationalistic myth blinding us, manipulating us, making us ineffective as God's people? Is it stopping us from truely being counter-cultural?

One of the things I remember vividly is being in a church service on the July 4th weekend in 2001. There were probably 1200 people in the service. We sang some worship songs -- and some people had raised their hands and were "getting into" the worship. The worship time was closed by a couple of patriotic songs including the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "God Bless America". As I watched the reaction of the people to these songs I was shocked. During these songs people REALLY worshiped. 3-4x as many people had their hands raised. People were swaying to the music, their eyes closed in what appeared to be "worship".

I remember standing there, looking around and thinking -- who are these people worshiping -- God or America? Maybe Boyd is right and we are an idolatrous people. Maybe we are more committed to America than to God, and that is why the church in this country is largely ineffective and shrinking in size. Perhaps, if we were more committed to God than to our country, evangelicals really would agents of spiritual, social and cultural transformation.

What do you think?

The Myth of a Christian Nation -- Gregory Boyd -- Part 1

2006-07-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago I finished Boyd's book The Myth of a Christian Nation. I have intended to review it, but have chosen not to until now. I have needed some time to think about what Boyd has written. At the same time I have been reading a book entitled God is not ... religious nice "one of us" an american a capitalist edited by D. Brent Laytham. Both of these books have been quite thought provoking. I've made some comments in previous posts about both books. What I intend to do in the next couple of days is write a series of short posts interacting with both books. Hopefully short posts will be more readable than long ones.

One of the things I find interesting is that Boyd thought that a sermon series that shrunk his church by 1,000 people was worth a book. Most senior ministers write books when attendance increases by 1,000 people as a result of a sermon series. But then Boyd has always thought a little differently.

Boyd begins his book by laying out his central thesis which is as follows:

I believe a significant segment of American evangelicalism is guilty of nationalistic and political idolatry. . . . evangelicals fuse the kingdom of God with a preferred version of the kingdom of the world (whether it's our national interests, a particular form of government, a particular political program, ...) I believe many of us American evangelicals have allowed our understanding of the kingdom of God to be polluted with political ideals, agendas, and issues.

A strong statement -- but one that I have by and large, discovered to be true among evangelicals across America. As a legal immigrant to the USA (I actually became a citizen last year) one of the first things that has become increasingly obvious to me is that the Kingdom of God and America appear to be one in the minds of the great majority of evangelicals -- and that by furthering America's agenda (political, economic or military) somehow we are also furthering God's agenda (after all, God is on our side). Disagreeing with the mixing of God and America makes one barely a Christian.

My reaction to the mixing of God and America and the reactions of the minority of evangelicals that don't necessarily believe that the Kingdom of God and America are the same has often been wrong as well. In our reaction to the religious right we have often become interested in forming a "Christian left" -- distancing ourselves from the self-righteous right. By doing that, we have become self-righteous ourselves, and fallen into the same trap as the Kingdom of God = America folks. We have become caught up in the kingdom of the world. We have stopped asking ourselves -- not in a trite way -- but seriously "what would Jesus do?".

If our task as Christians and the church is to represent Jesus, then we have to ask what that means in all areas of life. We need to ask, not what would Jesus do about illegel immigration -- but how wouyld He minister to illegal immigrants? The wrong question to ask about gay marriage is -- are you for or against gay marriage?-- but how are you ministering to people who are homosexual? What are you doing to help people in heterosexual marriages stay married -- in the church (where the divorce rate is 50%) and in the community? Our economic questions should not be about how can we make more money -- but how do we do business? Are we honest? Do we have integrity? Do we treat our employees with respect? Do we pay them what they are worth (not market value)? Are we using the finances God entrust us with to bless those in need, or are we building up treasures on earth?

These, and similar questions are much harder to answer and do something about, than the questions we normally ask -- because they require us to DO the kingdom -- to FOLLOW Jesus. These are not questions that are easier to answer for the right or the left.

So, I have determined, that when the polarizing questions arise -- I am going to try -- as hard as I can -- to avoid answering politically. Instead I am determined to respond by asking questions about what Jesus would do. How would He respond to the political issues of the day? And, by the grace of God, I will allow him to form my character so that I become less self-righteous, and more like Him.

2006 -- A Bad Year in Sports -- At Least for Me

2006-07-04T14:36:00.000-07:00

What a bad year in sports for me.

1. Canada doesn't even get a medal in men's hockey -- a national disgrace.
2. Edmonton loses the Stanley Cup -- and Canada's Holy Grail is in the Carolinas.
3. Germany loses in the semi-finals of the World Cup. So sad.
3. Phoenix Coyotes don't make the NHL playoffs.
4. Phoenix Suns lose in the Western Conference Championships in the NBA.
5. Toronto Blue Jays are a good baseball team, but will probably not make the American League Playoffs.

Same-Old, Same-Old

1. The Arizona Diamondbacks are bad -- and will probably continue to be bad for a few years. Hard to believe they won the World Series in 2001.

Bright Spot?

1. Steve Nash -- a Canadian -- wins the NBA MVP twice in a row. Not bad for a 6'3" point guard whose first love was soccer.

Predictions?

1. Arizona will still not have a professional football team this year. Ya, we have the Cardinals, but they will continue to be quite miserable. Sure, they will probably win a couple more games than last year -- but I will be shocked and awed if they make the playoffs. I suspect they will go something like 7-9 or at best 8-8.
2. The New York Yankees will continue to be the biggest overpaid losers in the MLB.

Hope for the Future?

1. Phoenix Coyotes should get nothing but better -- lots of good young players and they have already made some good trades to improve in the 2006/2007 season. They have a good shot at making the playoffs.
2. Phoenix Suns should be better with Amare Stoudamire returning -- as long as Steve Nash can pull out another MVP year. If Nash and Stoudamire return to their form of a couple of years ago, there is a shot at an NBA championship.
3. Maybe a Canadian team will bring home the Stanley Cup.

Overall, all this stuff has no real meaning -- but I do enjoy the diversion from everyday life.

Is God A Capitalist?

2006-07-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well, in the past few weeks I have read a couple of books that have turned out to be quite different than I anticipated. Not only have they been interesting but they have challenged me personally.

This afternoon I read an essay entitled God is Not A Capitalist (Michael L. Budde) from the book called God is not ... religious nice "one of us" an american a capitalist edited by D. Brent Laytham.

The essay I read today made me go "hmmmm" -- as in, these are things to think about. I work in a mega-church, and I am on the board of several Christian organizations, and perhaps some of what Budde talks about in this essay is applicable to my ministry situation.

Budde begins the essay by stating that "whatever we conclude God is or is not should have an important influence on what we think the church should or should not be". No argument from me on that.

He then goes on to talk about the fact that in North America and Europe there has been an increasing mixing of the for-profit world with the ministry world. Not only have churches and ministries begun to look at business models for how to run their ministries, but in some Christian circles for-profit companies have even begun to sponsor Christian events, concerts and conferences. Sometimes churches or denominations have lent their name or celebrities to for-profit organizations (see the phone card below I saw in Germany), while at other times Christian events have had corporate sponsors.

T-Mobile Phone Card Availabe in Germany Endorsed by the Pope

Some denominations, churches, and Christian organizations and movements have employed marketing companies to help them develop a more positive image. Discussions on "branding" have become more popular on the boards and leadership teams of churches and Christian non-profits.

Are there problems with these approaches, or is it simply a matter of Christians catching up with the rest of the world? Budde makes two comments in response to this question.

Using the tools of the for-profit industries (televsion, advertising, movies, marketing, etc.) also requires the ideological assumptions of those industries, including "don't get people depressed", "we need to keep the message positive", etc.
Once one moves from congregants to customers, the logic is relentless and its effects on the church are not easily contained.

But the melding of God/Jesus and the corporate nature of the Western world goes further. Over the past 15-20 years there have been an increasing number of books published about leadership and management insights from the life and teaching of Jesus. There have been numerous books published about how Jesus wants us rich and how to run a Christian company and make money. Perhaps the best known of these books was written by Laurie Beth Jones in 1995 called Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership. Michael Novak even compared the multinational corporation to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah.

In addition, countless books have been written that have taken the practices of leadership and management from the corporate world and introduced them to the church. For example, I can't remember how many times I have recommended Good to Great by Jim Collins to church and ministry leaders -- and how many times it has been recommended to me (it is a great book, by the way) or quoted in meetings I have been.

All of this (and I suspect there is much more) makes it seem that as Christians we believe that God, in some shape or form is a capitalist. After all, we don't seem to have problems with mixing the philosophy of capitalism with our Christianity.

But is God a capitalist? Budde suggests, that if He is, He is not a very good one.

In Matthew 20:1-6 Jesus pays people who work for Him for an hour, the same as He pays those who work for Him all day. Overpaying for work does not a good capitalist make (underpaying people makes for a much better capitalist).
In Matthew 18:12-14 Jesus leaves the 99 sheep to find the 1. Jesus obviously doesn't understand that getting so personally invested in individual sheep is a bad idea. Just as an employer can't get too close to employees he may one day need to fire or lay off, it is simply bad business to get hung up about a single sheep.
God's personnel policy isn't exactly capitalistic either. On more than one occasion He seems determined to call the lame, the poor and the marginalized. In fact He rarely seems to have good things to say about the rich, the compentent or the qualified. Not a great way to build a successful company.
God's benefit package isn't the greatest either. Jesus tells His followers that "as they do to me, they will do to you". Now Christ was persecuted and martyred. He obviously didn't get His corporate message right.
Jesus also kept saying things about " the last shall be first and the first shall be last". Wouldn't this be a sure way to scare away would-be investors, lose market share and push the most ambitious people out of the firm?
God also isn't real good on getting a maximum return on His investment. He sends Jesus to the backwaters of Galilee. Wouldn't Rome have been a better place to announce the Incarnation?

I could go on -- but it appears that God makes a pretty bad capitalist. Successful companies cannot continue by giving people more than what they deserve or produce, by privileging the weak and inefficient over the strong and powerful, by ignoring those with resources to give in favour of those who have nothing and appear to amount to nothing. Jesus passed up countless money-making opportunities -- He didn't charge or take offerings for healings, He gave away thousands of people bread and fish for free (without even an offering basket) and he alienated a rich young man who could have bankrolled His ministry.

So what does this all mean? I'm not 100% sure, but my suspicion is that we need to begin to think about economics differently. Perhaps we need to think about the role of the church and the corporate world differently. Perhaps we need to think about our economics in terms of what the church is called to be as a foretaste and forerunner of the Kingdom of God.

Now that there seems to be a resurgence of beginning to understand the church in missional terms -- as a community of people who are called by God to continue Jesus' kingdom work, perhaps we need to also think about the church as having its own economy, its own exemplary and real-world practices, ideas and theologies of provision, property and prosperity.

Perhaps we need to look at the Sermon on the Mount and see what it may have to say to us about economics, and how we live our lives. How do we live out Matthew 5:42, or the Lords' prayer (ask God for daily bread, not our bread for the next 10 years), or living like "the lilies of the field" (Matthew 6:25-33)? I don't know, and I'm not sure. I wonder if I truely have the faith to live like that. Perhaps I have become more of a capitalist than God, because I can think of LOTS of reasons why this is all impractical and it wouldn't work. After all this is 2006 and things are much more complicated, and, and, and ....

Some Thoughts on the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend

2006-07-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I was in an American church that had a Christian flag and an American flag on the platform. I was 19, and I was visiting the USA for the first time in my life. Though I had grown up in an evangelical church I did not even know that there was a "Christian flag". And, upon seeing the Christian flag and the flag of the USA on stage -- equal in size and prominence -- something just seemed to be wrong. Somehow it seemed to me, in my young, naive Canadian mind, that my Christian faith and my national pride should not mix. And, it seemed so inappropriate that while worshiping God in church I should have the symbol of a nation in view all the time. It somehow seemed wrong to me that a church would want to identify itself with a nation -- especially since I had read some world history and had learned that when Christians identified themselves too closely with a national government bad things always seem to happen.

I returned to Canada, but in 1981 I married a lovely young woman from Missouri and all kinds of things changed. One of which was that since 1996 I have lived in the USA (and last year, on July 4, I became a dual citizen -- both Canadian and American. These past 10 years have been a real "eye-opener" for me. I discovered several things, that perhaps for Christians who have grown up in the USA seem natural.

I discovered that America is a "Christian" nation. This came as a big surprise to me considering it's history of dealing with Native Americans, slavery, etc. I knew America was religious but it had never struck me as being particularly Christian.
I discovered that to be a "real" Christian I needed to belong to a particular political party and hold particular views on abortion, gun control, homosexuality, gay marriage, military involvement in various parts of the world, etc.
That as an American Christian I needed to be committed to "take America back for God." This surprised me because I always thought that God had called us to bring people into relationship with Him and see communities transformed by His grace. Somehow "taking America back for God" and the Great Commission didn't mesh in my head.
I discovered that instead of "doing the Kingdom of God" I was expected to spend time "doing" the kingdom of the world -- investing time in trying to make America a more Christian place through signing petitions, boycotting products sold by particular companies, protesting the correct issues, phoning or writing politicians, and of course voting for the correct political party. This also seemed strange to me, because as I read through the New Testament and looked at the ministry of Jesus or Paul or the early church it seemed that attempting to change the greater political or moral climate was not on their priority list. I saw Jesus and the early church "doing" the kingdom of God.

All of these things have never "sat well" with me. However, I must admit that I have gotten caught up in political debates, and other actions that have not contributed to the Kingdom of God. I have used my being Canadian in an ungodly way to make myself appear better than my American brothers and sisters. I was caught up in the kingdom of the world in the same way that those I disagreed with had. I was no different -- I just had different opinions. For that I am truely sorry.

So, this year, on the 4th of July weekend, I want to commit myself to "taking America back for God" by doing the Kingdom of God. I realize that it will cost me much more to "do" the Kingdom of God than to attempt to change the kingdom of this world. I want my walk with Jesus to be divorced from allegiance to a particular political perspective (right or left), a particular civil religion, or a particular nationality or ethnicity. I realize that if I am going to follow Jesus, I need to truely be a "foreigner". As Larry Norman sang many years ago "this world is not my home, I'm just passing through".

This means that I will focus my life on "working out (cultivating) my salvation with fear and trembling". I want to become someone who is characterized -- not as a German, or a Canadian, or an American (though I am all those things) -- but as someone who loves Jesus, lives like Jesus, and leaves behind those things that Jesus leaves behind.

I'm not sure how this is going to happen. But I am sure that God wants to work in my life in new ways. It does mean I need, in the words of Bob Dylan "to change my way of thinking". God will, as He has promised "renew my heart and mind" and "transform" it. It will be a process -- so please be patient with me. As Brian McLaren says, I am an "unfinished Christian".

Is God Nice?

2006-06-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

Since I am on "sabbatical" and I am sick (bad cold/flu), I have had some time to read and think. This afternoon I read an essay called God is Not Nice" by D. Stephen Long. This essay is found in a book edited by D. Brent Laytham called God is not ... Religious, Nice, "One of Us", An American, A Capitalist. Now, I know that this title will more than likely offend a number of people and also help one make assumptions about the content of the book. But, just like Greg Boyd's The Myth of a Christian Nation, the title doesn't always reflect the content of the book (more about this book later).

Now to get to what I am thinking about. Several years ago I read a book entitled The Missional Church (Darrel Guder). One of the statements in the book that has been influential in my thinking over the past while is this one

more often than not, the church has become a dispenser of religious goods and services."

If you honestly look around at the North American church, we have to admit that this is by and large true. Churches provide funerals, weddings, youth programs, children's programs, good music (in any one of the styles you find most appealing), good sermons, lots of entertainment, etc. Now, in and of themselves, most of this is not wrong -- but we all know that people leave one church and attend another one because the religious goods and services that the former church offers are not as good as those of the new church. In essence, one of the things we have been doing is developing religious consumers rather than disciples of Jesus.

Why has this happened? I am sure that there are scores of reasons, but Stephen Long said a couple of things in his essay that may make some sense. Long suggests that we have turned the God of the Bible into a "nice god". One that does things for us -- heals us, makes us happy and fulfilled, provides for us financially, etc. And, we have created this "nice god" because we have allowed our therapeutic culture and some of the theology of the Reformation to infiltrate our modern/post-modern church. In essence, we have molded the God of the Bible into a nice god that is acceptable in our materialistic, self-absorbed culture.

The nice god we worship emerges from our therapeutic culture where self-esteem and narcissism rule. I don't have to add much to this -- if we have open eyes, we know our culture is ruled by these two things -- and I more than suspect that the evangelical church has bought into these two values as well. Our nice god makes us feel good about ourselves (after all if He didn't, imagine what it would do to our self-esteem) and is there to provide us with everything we need and want.

If you add to our therapeutic culture the Reformation idea that we can primarily know God for what He does "for us" and "in us", you end up with churches that are primarily dispensers of religious goods and services. As Guder indicated in his book, and McLaren clearly states in A Generous Orthodoxy Jesus becomes our personal Saviour (a religious commodity), our healer, provider, etc. It almost sounds like it is "all about me" despite the fact that we sing a song that says "it's all about you Jesus".

Long says it even more bluntly. He suggests that churches sell people a product they want or need for their own fulfillment. Now we use religious words for our products -- but our "sales pitch" is that one of the primary purposes of the Christian faith is to give our lives "meaning" and to satisfy our individual souls. Our evangelism says "accept Christ, He is good for you." We are thrilled by the fact that people "make decisions" for Jesus (somehow I can't remember the word "decision" in the Great Commission). Our discipleship often concentrates on a "benefits package" that come by following Jesus. We preach sermons that tell us that Jesus is the means to a better life or marriage or job or attitude. These all turn Jesus into an expression of that nice god who meets my spiritual needs.

Is it any wonder then, that when Jesus doesn't meet all our needs or wants, or we lose a job, or get sick, or have marriage challenges, etc. that we begin to wonder about God's existence, His reality, etc.

Is it any wonder, that if we have been sold a religious commodity (Jesus), and if that commodity doesn't "work" we discard it and look for a better one?

Hmmmmmmm? Makes one think, doesn't it?

It also explains a lot about the church in the developing world. Whether I am in the mountains of Guatemala, the slums of Africa or in India, Indonesia or Turkey, I find "ordinary" Christians making extra-ordinary sacrifices to follow Jesus. Somehow it hasn't hit them that Jesus is to provide them with personal satisfaction, money, health and happiness. I wonder why?

Could it be that they know the God of the Bible rather than the "nice god" of the North American church?

Brian McLaren, Brenda Salter-McNeil and Greg Boyd

2006-06-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of weeks I have been reading A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren and The Myth of A Christian Nation by Greg Boyd. Then yesterday morning on the way to Prescott, Arizona my wife and I listened to a tape by Dr. Brenda Salter-McNeil on racial reconciliation.

It struck me that there was a common theme running through the two books and the sermon. McLaren talks about how following Jesus in really about serving. Boyd talks about the difference between "power-over" (kingdom of the world) and "power-under" (kingdom of God). Dr. Salter-McNeil talked about the importance of humility in racial reconciliation.

The theme is humility and service. It reminded me that God is humble. That Jesus came to earth in all humility. And, that as Boyd points out -- the Kingdom of God is about humility and service -- about "power-under". That if we are going to reflect Jesus personally and corporately, we need to be characterized by humility and service.

That got me thinking about how my city or state or country sees the church -- and the church I am part of in particular. Would the people in our immediate community see us as a humble church that desires to serve? Do the other churches in our city see our church -- as a church that is humble and desires to serve them? Do Americans perceive the churches in our country as churches that are committed to humility and service as we follow Jesus?

God also began to speak to me personally. I realize that I need to have God work in my heart as well to be someone who in everything I do am committed to service, humility and "power-under". My education, ministry experience, ministry position, country of origin or ethnic background really have nothing to do with anything. I need to follow Jesus and serve Him using the gifts, skills and abilities He has invested in me.

My prayer is that I will truly serve the Lord with humility.

Some Thoughts While Sitting in the George Bush Airport in Houston, TX

2006-06-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Getting back from New Orleans is turning out to be quite the nightmare. I have been in the New Orleans and the Houston airports since 1:00 pm this afternoon. As I am typing this, it is 10:15 pm -- and my next flight doesn't leave for another 75 minutes. Not only that, but the letter "a" on my notebook doesn't want to see to type anymore. Must have overworked it.

Anyway, I am reading a book called The Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd (I will review the book in the next couple of days) and I remembered a song written by Bob Dylan back in the 1960's. Here are the words:

Oh my name it is nothin'
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I's taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that land that I live in
Has God on its side.

Oh the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalries charged
The Indians fell
The cavalries charged
The Indians died
Oh the country was young
With God on its side.

Oh the Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
I's made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side.

Oh the First World War, boys
It closed out its fate
The reason for fighting
I never got straight
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don't count the dead
When God's on your side.

When the Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now too
Have God on their side.

I've learned to hate Russians
All through my whole life
If another war starts
It's them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side.

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side.

In a many dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you
You'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.

Quite the song isn't it? This song is 40 years old and it could have been written in the last 3 or 4 years. In Christian circles there are currently a lot of people identified as "prophets". I'm never quite sure who made them a prophet, but they are "Prophet _________".

The way God works always surprises me. He uses a movie star to provoke cultural conversation about Jesus. He uses a rock star to raise awareness of AIDS and poverty among evangelicals. Perhaps He used (and continues to use) Bob Dylan as a prophetic voice as well.

It would be just like God to do that.

10 Months After Hurricane Katrina

2006-06-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in a hotel room in downtown New Orleans. I'll be here through late tomorrow afternoon. My primary purpose is to visit a ministry in St. Bernards Parish that has been working with those who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Before Katrina the parish was home to more than 70,000 people. St. Bernards Parish was hit particularily hard. As I drove through neighborhoods 10 months after the storm I saw hundreds of homes on scores of streets that were empty and uninhabitable. The destruction was almost unbelievable. It was hard to believe that all this time could pass, and so little reconstruction had been done -- in a country that has more resources and wealth than perhaps any other nation in the world. Over 20,000 homes and businesses were destroyed by Katrina. The pastor I was with today thinks it is going to take a decade for the area to recover. He could be right.

In the middle of all the destruction I visited a church that has been working in St. Bernards Parish since the storm. This despite the fact that it's building was covered by more than 10 feet of water and the pastor's home was totally destroyed. In fact, he drives 90 miles everyday (one way) so that he can lead this ministry that is bringing help and hope to the neighborhood. The church is feeding 350 people day, provides a food bank (there are no grocery stores within 10 miles of the church), a medical clinic, help for families in rebuilding homes and a place where the people of the community can come for spiritual help. This truely is the people of God in action.

Standing with this church is Operation Blessing -- and this week -- a team of young people from Pennsylvania and another group of Lutheran young people from Wisconsin. They are helping to feed people, clean up and rebuild houses, and build facilities for the church to more effectively minister in the community. These youth are staying at the church -- on cots that fill every available room and part of the worship center. There is no air conditioning and only a couple of bathrooms for the 100 plus people helping. I was impressed by the commitment of the church and the teams working in difficult conditions.

As I toured the neighborhood with the pastor I met a young woman the church helped after Katrina. The woman was a Vietnamese refugee who had married an American. After the church helped their family they came to church and committed their lives to Christ. Now they are serving the Lord by helping with the reconstruction effort.

Sometimes I get discouraged about the American church. We seem to be so self-centered, not interested in our communities and unwilling to make a difference. Then I see a church like the one I am visiting in New Orleans, and God reminds me that He is still at work -- and there are still are churches that are interested in making a difference in their community.

A Generous Orthodoxy -- Brian D. McLaren

2006-06-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

A Generous Orthodoxy is perhaps one of the most controversial books written by an evangelical author in the last couple of years. I have read countless blogs and magazine articles which criticize this book from almost every angle possible. When a friend of mine in her 60's asked me some questions about it, I realized that I probably should also read the book. So, over the past couple of weeks, that is what I have been doing. When I have mentioned this to my friends I have received comments ranging from "what a piece of drivel -- can't McLaren stand up for anything" to "what a wonderful book -- I just love it -- my small group is studying it right now."

So, what do I think of the book? Well, while I don't think it is inerrant, or has been written as if dictated by the hand of God, I must admit that I love the book.There are a couple of things that make me go "hmmmm" -- but not in a bad way -- in a way that says I need to think about this more.

In all the critiques I have heard on A Generous Orthodoxy, there have been two things that have been talked about the most -- McLaren's ideas about salvation and the question of Christianity's relationship with other religions. I'd like to say a few words about both of these issues.

Jesus: Saviour of What?

I love what McLaren has to say about Jesus as Saviour.

. . . in Jesus, God is intervening as Saviour. . . by judging (naming evil as evil), forgiving (breaking the vicious cycle of cause and effect, making reconcilliation possible), and teaching (shwoing how to set chain reactions of good in motion). Jesus comes then not to condemn (to bring consequences we deserve) but to save by shing the light on our evil, by naming our evil as evil so we can repent and escape the chain of bad actions and bad consequences through forgiveness, and so we can learn from Jesus the master-teacher to live more wisely in the future. (page 96).

Isn't this a great definition of salvation?

But, this is probably not the controversial issue in regard to salvation. A couple of pages later McLaren syas that he used to believe that Jesus' primary focus was on saving me as an individual and saving other "me's" as individuals. This is of course the whole idea of Jesus as personal saviour. He still believes that Jesus is vitally interested in saving individuals, but McLaren also talks about the idea of Jesus saving the world -- not the idea of universalism, but rather the idea that God is saving us -- so we can be about the establishment of the kingdom of God.

Why this apparent move away from a primary focus on Jesus as personal saviour? McLaren believes that for too many Christians Christians "personal salvation" has become another personal consumer product (like a personal computer, personal journal, personal time, personal trainer, etc.). Salvation is the personal product that will save you from hell. So, in many ways, personal salvation is the ultimate consumerism. As he says:

In a self-centered and hell-centered salvation, doesn't Jesus -- like every company and political party -- appeal to me on the basis of self-interest so that I can have it all eternally and can do so cheaply, conveniently, easily and quickly?

He continues to talk about the fact that if we see salvation as primarily a personal issue, having Jesus as your personal saviour can actually make you more self-centered and less concerned about justice on earth.

McLaren summarizes his thoughts by saying that :

. . . although I believe in Jesus as my personal saviour, I am not a Christian for that reason. I am a Christian because I believe that Jesus is the Saviour of the whole world.

The more I thought about all of this, the more it made sense to me. America has 400,000 churches -- yet Christianity is increasingly become more of a ghetto within American culture rather than a force for positive change. We are planting churches all the time -- often filled with people for whom Jesus is their personal saviour -- yet Jesus seems to make little or no difference in their lives, family or community. Evangelicals have a divorce rate as high or higher than that of the rest of the country. It is hard to find anyone -- religious or not -- that believes that the moral, ethical and social climate in this country is improving. Yet, 400,000 churches and 40% of the population attends church. Why is there no change?

Why are all these churches we are planting not making a difference in our culture? A friend of mine who has worked in SE Asia for the last 10 years believes that perhaps here in North America we have become so concerned about people accepting Jesus as their personal saviour, that we have not seen the whole Gospel. We are planting "harvest" churches -- but not healthy and holistic churches -- churches that understand that the Gospel is not just about seeing people saved -- but also about discipling people (helping people love like Jesus and live like Jesus) and discipling nations (seeing communities transformed by the grace of God). So, instead of planting churches that engage and become part of our communities -- adding value to their communities -- doing what is good for their community, we plant churches that are concerned about personal salvation -- we plant churches for consumers of religious goods and services -- that they add on to the other goods and services they feel are important for leading a life as close as possible to the "american dream".

Something to think about -- don't you agree? Maybe McLaren is on to something here.

Why I am Incarnational

In the chapter on incarnation, McLaren talks about the relationship of Christ with other religions. The controversy surrounds paragraphs such as the following ones from pages 249 and 250.

. . . we are linked and bound through Christ's incarnation all people. I am not saying that all religions are the same, it doesn't matter what you believe, truth is relative . . . I am saying that because we follow Jesus, because we believe Jesus is true, and because Jesus moves toward all people in live and kindness and grace, we do the same.

Because I follow Jesus, then, I am bound to Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics, atheists, New Agers, everyone. . . . Not only am I bound to them in love, but I am also actually called to, in some real sense . . . become one of them, to enter their world and be with them in it.

Radical statement don't you think? McLaren goes on to say that the real enemy is not fundamentalist Islam, but the "McDonaldization and Wal-Martization of the world". The enemy of all people of faith is global consumerism and lust for personal items that make our lives better. I suspect most of us American evangelicals don't see consumerism as the greatest threat to our faith -- but my sneaking suspicion is that McLaren and Jesus are on the same side on this issue.

What does this mean practically? McLaren suggests a number of things.

The Christian Faith should become a welcome friend to other religions, not an enemy.
We should be a protector of the heritages of other religions and a defender against common enemies.
If we are truly to love our neighbour, then we should also be willing to learn from the good that is in our neighbours religion.
We must accept the coexistence of different faiths in our world -- willingly, not begrudgingly.
We should actually talk with people of other faiths, engaging in humble gentle and respectful dialogue.
We should not stereotype people of other religious beliefs.
Conversation with other religious faiths does not exclude evangelism, but makes it possible.
We must be aware that our "old old story" is not necessarily the true story. In other words, we must be open to the idea that our understanding of the Gospel -- as it was passed down to us by our forefathers -- may have elements of untruth in it.
If members of other religions are under threat, we must seek to protect them.

As a . . . Christian, I consider myself not above Buddhists and Muslims and others, but below them as a servant. Better, I consider myself with them as a neighbor and brother (page 263).

Food for thought, don't you think?

McLaren closes the book with the following;

To be a Christian . . . is not to claim to have truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on the wall. It is rather to be in a loving (ethical) community of people who are seeking the truth (doctrine) on the road of mission (witness) and who have been launched on the quest by Jesus, who, with us, guides us still. Do we have it? Have we taken hold of it? Not fully, not yet, of course not. But we keep seeking. We're finding enough to keep us going. But we're not finished. That, to me is, orthodoxy -- a way of seeing and seeking, a way of living, a way of thinking and loving and learning that helps what we believe become more true over time, more resonant with the infinite glory that is God.

My response to that is simple -- AMEN!

Edmonton Oilers Lose the Stanley Cup

2006-06-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a tough year for Canada in hockey. We failed to even get a medal at the Winter Olympics -- that is a national disgrace. And tonight, the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The fact that Edmonton should never have even gotten this far in the playoffs doesn't really make up for the disappointment of the game tonight. I lived in Edmonton and watched the Oilers play when Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, Grant Fuhr, etc. won the Cup 4 times. It would have been wonderful if Edmonton could have won tonight -- but it was not to be.

I don't think Americans understand what the Stanley Cup means to Canadians. If there is anything sacred in Canadian society -- it is the Stanley Cup. To win it, is the dream of thousands of boys and young men across the country. When you grow up playing street hockey or in the community rinks, in the towns and cities across the country, every young boy dreams of scoring the winning goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

For me as a Canadian living in the USA it is hard for me to believe that the fans in Carolina really understand the significance of the Cup. Somehow it just seems wrong that a team from there (or from Florida in 2004) has the cup. Yes, I know that most of the players are Canadian or European, but somehow that doesn't make a difference. It just seems wrong.

But, there are much more important things in life and in the world than hockey games. I'll feel better tomorrow morning.

Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes. They really did play well. And congratulations to the Edmonton Oilers -- at the beginning of the season nobody believed you would go this far.

Books You Should Read on the Missional Church

2006-06-17T11:16:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been reading books on the concept of the missional church -- partly because this is a topic that interests me and partly because I am trying to move the church that I am involved in to become missional.

Here are some of the best books I have read on the missional church issue over the past couple of years.

The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church
- Reggie McNeal

Written primarily to senior pastors and "contemporary" mega-church pastors, Present/Future encourages church leaders to think about 6 questions relating to:

replacing church growth with a vision for kingdom growth
developing disciples rather than church members
fostering new apostolic leadership
focusing on spiritual formation rather than church programs
shifting for planning for the future to preparation for the challenges of an uncertain world
replacing the idea of "every member a minister" to "every disciple a missionary"

For those who have done a lot of reading on the missional church, this book is not revolutionary. However, it will help you begin asking the right questions that can help you begin thinking in a missional direction. It is a great book to give to your senior pastor, church elder, etc.

The Shaping of Things to Come
- Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch

The authors present a new paradigm for doing church and missions. The book lays out the fact that the current western model of doing church is failing, and that attempts to maintain the status quo are most likely futile. Frost and Hirsch go on to present a missional model of the church, that those tied to the status quo will resist. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the future of the western church. BUT, this is probably not the book to give to the senior pastor of a mega-church.

This book resonanted with much of what I have been thinking and feeling over the past few years. My sense is that many mega-churches will be closing their doors in the next 10-20 years. Their campuses will become office complexes and shopping malls. Instead, we will find the growth and development of smaller communities of missional believers who are forming "churches" that look very different. Pottery studios, book stores, community centers, coffee shops, etc. will become the face of Christianity, as we penetrate our culture rather than conform to it or just retreat into our own ghetto.

Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World
- Bob Roberts

Another book to give to your senior pastor and church leadership that will help them think through the purpose of the church. This book is a call for the church to be missionary -- locally and globally. While there is a strong focus on church planting, the call is to plant churches that are missionary -- churches that want to engage their communities and see them transformed.

Roberts calls these churches "glocal". But the idea here is that glocal churches create disciples who, transformed by the Holy Spirit, infiltrate culture both locally and globally. As God transforms our lives, and those transformed lives form transformed communities, and those transformed communities serve the world locally and globally, community transformation takes place.

Again not a book that is revolutionary if you are familiar with missional church concepts, but one worth giving to those leading churches who are open to thinking in new ways.

Breaking the Missional Code
- Ed Stetzer and David Putnam

A good book for senior pastors and church leaders who have a desire to see the Gospel connect with their communities. Taking much of the good from Donald McGavran, the church growth movement, and the ideas and concepts developing in the emerging church and missional church movements, the authors talk about the need to understand their social context and communicate the message of the Gospel to those they sense God wants them to reach.

The thesis of the book is quite simple. One size does not fit all, but there are cultural codes that must be broken for all churches to grow and remain effective in their specific mission context. Breaking the Missional Code helps leaders go beyond the idea of becoming "missional" and talks about the implications and consequences of being missional.

One of my favourite ideas in the book is their definition of a disciple. So often discipleship has been defined as someone who knows the Bible, practices the spiritual disciplines, etc. Here is the definition offered by Stetzer and Putnam. A disciple is:

someone who loves Jesus and loves like Jesus
someone who lives like Jesus
someone who leaves behind what Jesus left behind

A definition that is simple, profound and thought provoking. My question is -- am I a disciple?

Race Against Time -- Stephen Lewis

2006-06-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

"I have spent the last four years watching people die." This is how Stephen Lewis, the UN Special Envory for AIDS in Africa begins this brilliant book. The book, is a personal account of Stephen Lewis and his experiences in Africa. He is honest, blunt, humorous and pulls no punches. This book is the story of Africa's plight and the wealthy world's betrayal. Much of the book recounts the Millennium Development Goals set by global leaders in 2000 that promised the poor such essentials as primary education, basic health and a reversal of AIDS by 2015. In this book Lewis shows why and how the promises can't be kept, probes the appalling gap between vision and current reality and offers some pathways to attainable solutions.

I too have been profoundly affected by those suffering from HIV/AIDS. In early October 2005 I spent 10 days in Kenya and Malawi mostly with people dying of AIDS. One day we did "home visits" in a Malawi slum. Our group visited about 20+ homes of people who were dying of AIDS or who had family members dying of AIDS. Within two weeks more than 10 of the people we had visited had passed away. I returned from this trip to Malawi changed in profound ways. I have been to more than 30 nations of the world, have spent much time with the poor, but never have I been affected by a trip like this one. Since the October trip I have continued to think about how I should respond to what I experienced. I have responded in a number of ways. In March I worked on a celebrity basketball game that raised more than $50,000 for an AIDS clinic in Malawi. In April, May and June 28 people returned to Malawi to work with those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. I plan on returning to Malawi in November.

The face of HIV/AIDS in Lilongwe, Malawi

However, I am quite convinced that my involvement must go deeper than simply taking a few trips, writing a book and working on fund-raising events. What that will ulimately mean for me I'm not sure.

At any rate, you need to read Race Against Time. It is an excellent book that will give you an understanding of global issues related to AIDS that is crucial for understanding the related issues.

Sabbatical

2006-06-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am on Sabbatical!

Wikipedia tells us that a sabbatical is a prolonged hiatus in the career of an individual taken in order to fulfill some goal. While some sabbaticals can be a year long -- I am thrilled that I am getting 4 weeks + an extra two weeks of holiday time. So, I am simply thrilled.

I have been working at the same place for 7 years now -- the last year was particularily stressful, and I am a more than a bit burned out -- emotionally, socially and spiritually. So, I am looking forward to 4 weeks of little people contact, some good books to read, and a project I am completing on global AIDS which will probably debut in Canada in August, and the USA later on in the year.

This year is also our 25th wedding anniversary, and we are going to Hawaii at the end of July for two weeks. I was able to find a condo for dirt cheap, we are flying to there on frequent flyer miles (my wife in first class, me in coach), renting a car, and then just spending time on the beach, seeing the sites, etc. It should be wonderful. We both love Hawaii and it will be a great way to end my time off.

So, my hope is, that in the next few weeks, I'll be updating this blog quite regularly -- especially with a list of books to read and a few comments about them.

Thank God for Sabbaticals!

Health Care in the USA

2006-03-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

Since I am over 50, it is time for a colonoscopy. So, a couple of days ago I called my health insurance company to determine how much this wonderful experience is going to cost me. Well, I will be paying about $1,000 out of my own pocket! Fortunately, I have a good job that pays fairly well, and I will be able to afford it. However, this year my wife will need one as a well (there goes another $1,000) and she will also need a mammogram (that should cost some $ too). So, 2 colonoscopies and a mammogram = one holiday (or for Americans, one vacation). We will be married 25 years this year, so I guess we will be celebrating by having something shoved our bum to take pictures of our colon. Maybe we could do this together and hold hands -- how is that for romance.

Now, here is my issue.

I currently pay $3,510.00 a year for health insurance. My employer pays an additional$7,800.00 a year. For this, I still pay a doctor $25 everytime I visit ($40 for a specialist), $45-$60 per perscription, $250 for an emergency visit in a hospital and I have a $2,000 per person deductible. Last year, about 15% of my income went to pay for healthcare. This year it will be about 20%.

In the USA we pay a higher percentage of our income on healthcare than any other western nation -- and we still have tens of millions of people who have no insurance worth speaking about. If I save my money, I can afford the colonoscopy. But I know lots of responsible, hard-working people who could not.

We live in what is perhaps the richest country in the world, but we don't take care of our own people -- why? Primarily because we are ruled by greed, consumerism, and multi-national corporations that have only one value -- the bottom line. The healthcare business -- and the legal profession which is also responsible for the absurd cost of healthcare in the USA -- both need to be confronted and changed -- but as long as there are politicians in the USA (both Republicans and Democrats) who are more concerned about getting re-elected and enjoying their perks, nothing will happen.

This country needs a single-payer healthcare system that combines the best of the private and public world. We can learn from other countries who spend less per capita than we do on healthcare, yet have a lower infant mortality rates, longer life-expectancies, and who provide basic healthcare to all those who live in their borders.

Will a single-payer system be perfect? No. But the cost of prescription drugs will drop by 25-50% or more ( don't buy the lies of the pharmaceutical industry -- they actually spend more on lobbying and advertising every year than on research), the number of unnecessary tests will drop dramatically (if we include legal reform), administrative costs will decline by $75 billion annually, there would be less conflict of interest (doctors couldn't own laboraties, etc.), health insurance premiums would drop dramatically, since much of the profit motive in healthcare decisions would be eliminated, and everyone would have coverage -- and the working poor wouldn't have to decide whether or not they should eat, or buy their medication -- and best of all, I wouldn't have to celebrate my wedding anniversary holding hands with my wife as we both get colonoscopies.

But, I suspect as long as politicians, lawyers, health insurance companies, etc. can continue to brain-wash the American public simply by saying the word "socialism", the healthcare in this country will become increasingly more like that in the developing world -- where a few rich people can afford decent care, and the masses die unnecessarily. It is not there yet, but talk to me in 10 years or so.

Islamic Cartoons and Evangelical Christians

2006-02-22T18:38:00.000-08:00

I had lunch today with a friend from Indonesia. He is a former Muslim who became a Christian a number of years ago. We talked about a lot of things, including the now famous cartoons that have sparked riots in a number of places around the world.

As we talked, I began to wonder what the reaction of evangelical Christians should be to these cartoons. I have heard Christians reacting in a number of ways. The question that came to my mind was the following:

If Christians believe that every person has instrinsic value, and that we should respect each other's opinions and beliefs (even if we disagree with them) then should we as evangelicals not in some way stand with Muslims who feel dishonored by these cartoons?

Perhaps evangelicals should publically express the fact that making fun of another individual's deeply held religious beliefs is simply inappropriate and wrong. We should condemn the violence, but just maybe, we should communicate how wrong it is to dishonor or shame those who follow Islamic teachings. People should always be treated with respect, even if we disagree with them.

A Sad Day for Canada

2006-02-22T18:36:00.000-08:00

Today Canada's Olympic hockey team lost 2-0 to the Russians. It is a sad day for me and for Canada. It is hard to believe that we will get NO medals. I am depressed.

Wayne Gretzky

2006-02-09T21:27:00.000-08:00

I REALLY, REALLY hope that Wayne is not involved in the whole illegal gambling scheme -- though it is hard to believe that with his wife betting $500,000 in just a few weeks, he wasn't aware of it. I watched Wayne while he was playing for the Edmonton Oilers -- when he was scoring 90 goals a year. The greatest offensive player hockey has ever seen (though I still think Gordie Howe was the greatest player of all time). When he came to Phoenix to help run the Coyotes I was thrilled. Someone who was a gentleman, had integrity, an all-around good-guy and had hockey smarts running the team. There was hope that in a few years Phoenix could be a Stanley Cup contender. Now, I don't know. I feel very sad. I hope that he truly is not involved. I hope he does not ruin his own reputation, that of the NHL, and that of Canada in the Olympics coming up.

Bono's Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 2, 2006

2006-02-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

This speech made me proud to be able to call Bono a brother -- a fellow follower of Jesus. It wouldn't be hard for me to believe that Bono is a prophet. If only the Church -- especially the evangelical church would have the courage to make speeches like this at political functions, rather than being seduced by political power and being scared to say anything that actually matters.

Below is the text of the speech. I encourage you to read it.

BONO: Thank you.

Mr. President, First Lady, King Abdullah, Other heads of State, Members of Congress, distinguished guests …

Please join me in praying that I don't say something we'll all regret.

That was for the FCC.

If you're wondering what I'm doing here, at a prayer breakfast, well, so am I. I'm certainly not here as a man of the cloth, unless that cloth is leather. It's certainly not because I'm a rock star. Which leaves one possible explanation: I'm here because I've got a messianic complex.

Yes, it's true. And for anyone who knows me, it's hardly a revelation.

Well, I'm the first to admit that there's something unnatural… something unseemly… about rock stars mounting the pulpit and preaching at presidents, and then disappearing to their villas in the South of France. Talk about a fish out of water. It was weird enough when Jesse Helms showed up at a U2 concert… but this is really weird, isn't it?

You know, one of the things I love about this country is its separation of church and state. Although I have to say: in inviting me here, both church and state have been separated from something else completely: their mind. .

Mr. President, are you sure about this?

It's very humbling and I will try to keep my homily brief. But be warned—I'm Irish.

I'd like to talk about the laws of man, here in this city where those laws are written. And I'd like to talk about higher laws. It would be great to assume that the one serves the other; that the laws of man serve these higher laws… but of course, they don't always. And I presume that, in a sense, is why you're here.

I presume the reason for this gathering is that all of us here—Muslims, Jews, Christians—all are searching our souls for how to better serve our family, our community, our nation, our God.

I know I am. Searching, I mean. And that, I suppose, is what led me here, too.

Yes, it's odd, having a rock star here—but maybe it's odder for me than for you. You see, I avoided religious people most of my life. Maybe it had something to do with having a father who was Protestant and a mother who was Catholic in a country where the line between the two was, quite literally, a battle line. Where the line between church and state was… well, a little blurry, and hard to see.

I remember how my mother would bring us to chapel on Sundays… and my father used to wait outside. One of the things that I picked up from my father and my mother was the sense that religion often gets in the way of God.

For me, at least, it got in the way. Seeing what religious people, in the name of God, did to my native land… and in this country, seeing God's second-hand car salesmen on the cable TV channels, offering indulgences for cash… in fact, all over the world, seeing the self-righteousness roll down like a mighty stream from certain corners of the religious establishment…

I must confess, I changed the channel. I wanted my MTV.

Even though I was a believer.

Perhaps because I was a believer.

I was cynical… not about God, but about God's politics. (There you are, Jim.)

Then, in 1997, a couple of eccentric, septuagenarian British Christians went and ruined my shtick—my reproachfulness. They did it by describing the Millennium, the year 2000, as a Jubilee year, as an opportunity to cancel the chronic debts of the world's poorest people. They had the audacity to renew the Lord's call—and were joined by Pope John Paul II, who, from an Irish half-Catholic's point of view, may have had a more direct line to the Almighty.

'Jubilee'—why 'Jubilee'?

What was this year of Jubilee, this year of our Lords favor?

I'd always read the Scriptures, even the obscure stuff. There it was in Leviticus (25:35)…

'If your brother becomes poor,' the Scriptures say, 'and cannot maintain himself… you shall maintain him… You shall not lend him your money at interest, not give him your food for profit.'

It is such an important idea, Jubilee, that Jesus begins his ministry with this. Jesus is a young man, he's met with the rabbis, impressed everyone, people are talking. The elders say, he's a clever guy, this Jesus, but he hasn't done much… yet. He hasn't spoken in public before…

When he does, is first words are from Isaiah: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,' he says, 'because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.' And Jesus proclaims the year of the Lord's favour, the year of Jubilee. (Luke 4:18)

What he was really talking about was an era of grace—and we're still in it.

So fast-forward 2,000 years. That same thought, grace, was made incarnate—in a movement of all kinds of people. It wasn't a bless-me club… it wasn't a holy huddle. These religious guys were willing to get out in the streets, get their boots dirty, wave the placards, follow their convictions with actions… making it really hard for people like me to keep their distance. It was amazing. I almost started to like these church people.

But then my cynicism got another helping hand.

It was what Colin Powell, a five-star general, called the greatest W.M.D. of them all: a tiny little virus called A.I.D.S. And the religious community, in large part, missed it. The one's that didn't miss it could only see it as divine retribution for bad behaviour. Even on children… Even fastest growing group of HIV infections were married, faithful women.

Aha, there they go again! I thought to myself Judgmentalism is back!

But in truth, I was wrong again. The church was slow but the church got busy on this the leprosy of our age.

Love was on the move.

Mercy was on the move.

God was on the move.

Moving people of all kinds to work with others they had never met, never would have cared to meet… Conservative church groups hanging out with spokesmen for the gay community, all singing off the same hymn sheet on AIDS… Soccer moms and quarterbacks… hip-hop stars and country stars… This is what happens when God gets on the move: crazy stuff happens!

Popes were seen wearing sunglasses!

Jesse Helms was seen with a ghetto blaster!

Crazy stuff. Evidence of the spirit.

It was breathtaking. Literally. It stopped the world in its tracks.

When churches started demonstrating on debt, governments listened—and acted. When churches starting organising, petitioning, and even—that most unholy of acts today, God forbid, lobbying… on AIDS and global health, governments listened—and acted.

I'm here today in all humility to say: you changed minds; you changed policy; you changed the world.

Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives.

Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone.

I mean, God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill… I hope so. He may well be with us as in all manner of controversial stuff… maybe, maybe not… But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them. "If you remove the yolk from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places"

It's not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It's not an accident. That's a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. [You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.] 'As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.' (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor.

Here's some good news for the President. After 9-11 we were told America would have no time for the World's poor. America would be taken up with its own problems of safety. And it's true these are dangerous times, but America has not drawn the blinds and double-locked the doors.

In fact, you have double aid to Africa. You have tripled funding for global health. Mr. President, your emergency plan for AIDS relief and support for the Global Fund—you and Congress—have put 700,000 people onto life-saving anti-retroviral drugs and provided 8 million bed nets to protect children from malaria.

Outstanding human achievements. Counterintuitive. Historic. Be very, very proud.

But here's the bad news. From charity to justice, the good news is yet to come. There's is much more to do. There's a gigantic chasm between the scale of the emergency and the scale of the response.

And finally, it's not about charity after all, is it? It's about justice.

Let me repeat that: It's not about charity, it's about justice.

And that's too bad.

Because you're good at charity. Americans, like the Irish, are good at it. We like to give, and we give a lot, even those who can't afford it.

But justice is a higher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment.

6,500 Africans are still dying every day of a preventable, treatable disease, for lack of drugs we can buy at any drugstore. This is not about charity, this is about Justice and Equality.

Because there's no way we can look at what's happening in Africa and, if we're honest, conclude that deep down, we really accept that Africans are equal to us. Anywhere else in the world, we wouldn't accept it. Look at what happened in South East Asia with the Tsunami. 150, 000 lives lost to that misnomer of all misnomers, "mother nature". In Africa, 150,000 lives are lost every month. A tsunami every month. And it's a completely avoidable catastrophe.

It's annoying but justice and equality are mates. Aren't they? Justice always wants to hang out with equality. And equality is a real pain.

You know, think of those Jewish sheep-herders going to meet the Pharaoh, mud on their shoes, and the Pharaoh says, "Equal?" A preposterous idea: rich and poor are equal? And they say, "Yeah, 'equal,' that's what it says here in this book. We're all made in the image of God."

And eventually the Pharaoh says, "OK, I can accept that. I can accept the Jews—but not the blacks."

"Not the women. Not the gays. Not the Irish. No way, man."

So on we go with our journey of equality.

On we go in the pursuit of justice.

We hear that call in the ONE Campaign, a growing movement of more than two million Americans… left and right together… united in the belief that where you live should no longer determine whether you live.

We hear that call even more powerfully today, as we mourn the loss of Coretta Scott King—mother of a movement for equality, one that changed the world but is only just getting started. These issues are as alive as they ever were; they just change shape and cross the seas.

Preventing the poorest of the poor from selling their products while we sing the virtues of the free market… that's a justice issue. Holding children to ransom for the debts of their grandparents… That's a justice issue. Withholding life-saving medicines out of deference to the Office of Patents… that's a justice issue.

And while the law is what we say it is, God is not silent on the subject.

That's why I say there's the law of the land… and then there is a higher standard. There's the law of the land, and we can hire experts to write them so they benefit us, so the laws say it's OK to protect our agriculture but it's not OK for African farmers to do the same, to earn a living?

As the laws of man are written, that's what they say.

God will not accept that.

Mine won't, at least. Will yours?

[pause]

I close this morning on … very… thin… ice.

This is a dangerous idea I've put on the table: my God vs. your God, their God vs. our God… vs. no God. It is very easy, in these times, to see religion as a force for division rather than unity.

And this is a town—Washington—that knows something of division.

But the reason I am here, and the reason I keep coming back to Washington, is because this is a town that is proving it can come together on behalf of what the Scriptures call the least of these.

This is not a Republican idea. It is not a Democratic idea. It is not even, with all due respect, an American idea. Nor it is unique to any one faith.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.' (Luke 6:30) Jesus says that.

'Righteousness is this: that one should… give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for the emancipation of the captives.' The Koran says that. (2.177)

Thus sayeth the Lord: 'Bring the homeless poor into the house, when you see the naked, cover him, then your light will break out like the dawn and your recovery will speedily spring fourth, then your Lord will be your rear guard.' The jewish scripture says that. Isaiah 58 again.

That is a powerful incentive: 'The Lord will watch your back.' Sounds like a good deal to me, right now.

A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord's blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea…

And this wise man said: stop.

He said, stop asking God to bless what you're doing.

Get involved in what God is doing—because it's already blessed.

Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing.

And that is what He's calling us to do.

I was amazed when I first got to this country and I learned how much some churchgoers tithe. Up to ten percent of the family budget. Well, how does that compare the federal budget, the budget for the entire American family? How much of that goes to the poorest people in the world? Less than one percent.

Mr. President, Congress, people of faith, people of America:

I want to suggest to you today that you see the flow of effective foreign assistance as tithing…. Which, to be truly meaningful, will mean an additional one percent of the federal budget tithed to the poor.

What is one percent?

One percent is not merely a number on a balance sheet.

One percent is the girl in Africa who gets to go to school, thanks to you. One percent is the AIDS patient who gets her medicine, thanks to you. One percent is the African entrepreneur who can start a small family business thanks to you. One percent is not redecorating presidential palaces or money flowing down a rat hole. This one percent is digging waterholes to provide clean water.

One percent is a new partnership with Africa, not paternalism towards Africa, where increased assistance flows toward improved governance and initiatives with proven track records and away from boondoggles and white elephants of every description.

America gives less than one percent now. Were asking for an extra one percent to change the world. to transform millions of lives—but not just that and I say this to the military men now – to transform the way that they see us.

One percent is national security, enlightened economic self interest, and a better safer world rolled into one. Sounds to me that in this town of deals and compromises, one percent is the best bargain around.

These goals—clean water for all; school for every child; medicine for the afflicted, an end to extreme and senseless poverty—these are not just any goals; they are the Millennium Development goals, which this country supports. And they are more than that. They are the Beatitudes for a Globalised World.

Now, I'm very lucky. I don't have to sit on any budget committees. And I certainly don't have to sit where you do, Mr. President. I don't have to make the tough choices.

But I can tell you this:

To give one percent more is right. It's smart. And it's blessed.

There is a continent—Africa—being consumed by flames.

I truly believe that when the history books are written, our age will be remembered for three things: the war on terror, the digital revolution, and what we did—or did not to—to put the fire out in Africa.

History, like God, is watching what we do.

Thank you. Thank you, America, and God bless you all.

Culture -- Some Comments Inspired by Darrow Miller

2006-01-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

This morning I attended a lecture by Darrow Miller of Food for the Hungry and DNA (Discipling Nations Alliance). While much of what he said came from the book Against All Hope -- Hope for Africa, he did make one statement that I thought was quite important to think about. Darrow said the following:

Our culture is derived from our worship. Who we worship determines our culture.

Western civilization as a whole, and the USA in particular were built upon a Judeo-Christian worldview. The God we worshiped was the God of the Old and New Testaments. Our laws, values, beliefs, etc. were all based on the worship of the Christian God. I don't think much of this can be disputed by anyone who knows any history.

However, if we look at what has happened in the Europe, Canada, Australia and the USA in the past 40+ years, I think you can agree that we have begun to drift from a Judeo-Christian worldview. This happened in Europe before it happened in Australia and Canada. It is now becoming more evident in the USA. As many have said, we are moving from a "modern" worldview to a "post-modern" world.

As this transition becomes more complete, who or what we worship also changes. This too, is quite evident in North America. Who or what do we worship today? I would suggest a number of things.

materialism -- and the bottom line
individualism -- "what is good for me?" or what I would call "me-ism"
convenience
comfort -- not only physical comfort, but also psychological, sociological, emotional and spiritual comfort.
pleasure

You could add a number of other "idols" I'm sure. However, if you think about what Darrow Miller said -- what we worship determines our culture -- and if we assume that the things I mentioned above are at least partially correct -- then we need to ask a question.

How will our culture change if we continue to worship materialism, individualism, convenience, comfort and pleasure?

How will our worship of these things affect:

the elderly and those that are sick or disabled?
unborn children?
our healthcare system?
multi-national corporations?
our individual, corporate and national generosity towards the poor, the disenfranchised and the oppressed in our own nation and in other countries in the world?
illegal immigration?
the sex trade and industry?
the slave trade that continues throughout the world?
our we respond to human rights issues in countries we trade with (do we value people or money?). Do we only worry about human rights in those countries that do not affect our standard of living? Do we ignore the human rights violoations of nations that are our economic and/or political friends (eg. China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the list goes on)?

I am sure you can think of scores of additional issues that a change in who or what we worship will bring in our culture.

Much for us to think about and consider.

Revolution -- George Barna

2006-01-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks I have read a number of critiques of George Barna's latest book entitled Revolution. Surprisingly, these critiques have come from the people who are usually huge fans of Barna, so this made me curious. So, over the past couple of days, I read the book.

What follows are what I thought were the most important things Barna said -- and some thoughts about the issues he raises.

1. Barna states that there may be somewhere around 20 million people in the USA who he defines as "revolutionaries" -- Christians who " are confidently returning to a first-century lifestyle based on faith, goodness, love, generosity, kindness, simplicity and other values deemed quaint by today's frenetic and morally untethered standards" (page 12).

2. What are some of the characteristics of these "revolutionaries"? Barna states the following:

They have no use for churches that play religious games (page 13)
They refuse to follow people in ministry leadership positions who cast a personal vision rather than God's. (page 14)
They refuse to donate money to man-made monuments that mark their own achievements. (page 14)
They are unimpressed with accredited degrees from Christian colleges and seminaries. (page14)
They zealously pursue an intimate relationship with God. (page 15)

3. What are the "passions" of the revolutionaries? Barna suggests the following:

Intimate Worship (page 22)
Faith-based Conversations. In other words, evangelism is about relationships and conversations, not marketing, big events, etc. (page 23)
Intentional Spiritual Growth. Revolutionaries don't want to be assimilated into the "borg" of the local church -- they want to become involved in things that will enable them to grow spiritually and in every area of their lives. (page 23)
Servanthood. Serving other people is the best way to express one's commitment to Jesus. (page 23)
Resource Investment. All our resources belong to God, and we need to invest them wisely. (page 24)
Spiritual Friendships. The Church is all about relationships. (page 24)
Family Faith. Faith grows in families. (page 24)

The end result is that the proof of someones faith is not in the information they know or the religious gatherings they attend, but in the way they integrate what they know and believe into their everday practices. (page 25)

4. We are not called to go to church, rather we are called to be the church.

5. Barna writes what may be the most important chapter of the book. Called "Spiritual Transitions in the Making" it focuses on the seven trends that he believes will lead to a "new church" that will facilitate the moral and spiritual revolution of the coming decades. Here are those seven trends.

The change in leadership from Builders and Boomers, to Busters and Mosaics. Barna believes the latter two groups are changing the ways in which people relate to each other, the types of outcomes deemed desirable, the procedures used to achieve meaningful results, the values and beliefs that underlie critical decisions and the role of technology in daily life. These transitions radically affect how people perceive and practice their faith. (page 42).
The Rise of Post-Modernism According to Barna post-modernism:

claims there are no absolute truths
suggests that good citizenship requires tolerance of all points of view and behavioural preferences
proclaims that relationships are the most important element of life
claims that the processes you engage in are more significant that the product of those procedures
states that the most apporpriate route to influence is through dialogue, not monologue or the imposition of one's beliefs or approaches on others.

Dismissing the Irrelevant Busters and Mosaics quickly abandon anything they deem as irrelevant to their personal passions. They demand things that foster shared experience and that these experiences be "real, adventurous and memorable." They have little patience for anything based on tradition, customs, ease or social acceptability. In a culture where there are no moral absolutes, exercising choice without any limits is a cherished right. (page 44)
The Impact of Technology Technology reshapes the marketplace, and reorients the community into new forms and relationships. There is an expectation that ministry resources can be found that respond directly to felt and real needs. Finally, there is a heightened awareness of global faith conditions and opportunities, and the desire to be part of the worldwide Church. (page 45)
Genuine Relationships Busters and Mosaics pursue meaningful relationships rather than making passing acquaintances. They are much more likely to invest themselves in the messiness of other people's lives, and the devote a large part of each day in building relational bonds. As a result, there is a greater focus on personal authenticity than in performance. Personal stories are emphasized in teaching rather than principles and commands. Team leadership and ministry is appreciated. Finally, organizations that demonstrate inclusiveness are preferred over those perceived to be narrow or judgmental. (page 46)
Participation in Reality People expect to be active and creative participants in the developing the reality of their experience. Evangelism moves from being event driven at a local church to relational in every-day life. Short-term missions is exploding. Funding for missions and ministry comes as a result of personal involvement.
Finding True Meaning A growing number of people consider sacrifice and surrender as the possible missing link to their maturity and fulfillment.

Barna ends this chapter by stating two simple facts.

Christians and churches may not like these trends, but you still have to deal with them.
The more you can anticipate some of the results of these trends, the greater will be your ability to shape the world in ways that are likely to honor God.

Personal Comment Everything that Barna has said so far, seems perfectly obvious to me. As someone who works primarily in the context of a "mega-church" what has become clear to me is that large churches of all kinds will need to understand the trends in our culture and adapt to them. Clearly, this will be painful. Everything will need to change. Leadership will need to be more inclusive. Simply telling people to give regularly to "the church" will fail to bring the finances necessary for these large institutions to survive. However, if a church is perceived to be missional, and to be making a signficant difference in their local community and the world, there will always be money available. Churches have to abandon the attractional model -- come on Sunday to hear good music and a good speaker. Instead, churches will need to serve their communities and neighborhoods in practical ways -- and, through relationships in the community people will become followers of Jesus. Words such as community transformation, social justice, community service, etc. will become key. Churches will need to understand that they don't exist for themselves -- they exist for the world. Whether or not mega-churches and other "modern" churches will be able to make the transition is not clear to me. I think a few will -- but most will not. My suspicion is that in 10-20 years from now, fewer mega-churches will exist. Instead we will see smaller, intimate Christian communities formed in all kinds of neighborhoods and communities. Some will look like traditional churches, but most I suspect will operate more like businesses or community centers. These new churches may include recovery groups, pottery studios, art studios, ESL classes, computer classes, tutoring programs, and all kinds of other things -- oh ya, also times of worship , Bible studies, opportunities for pastoral counseling, etc. But they will not look like the church of the 1990's or even the church of 2006.