Journey to Jesus - a Preparation for Baptism Part 1

Over the years, I've had many conversations with leaders from other churches where we wonder together about how to invite new believers and children into the life of our communities of faith. I hear from them, they listen to me, and we talk about sharing resources with one another... and then we never do.

I have said I would offer these resources many times, and then I just can't bring myself to package it in any sort of static form and send it off to another community. Contextualization feels so important. I feel paralyzed by the hesitation to offer something that has worked well in our community and assume that it will work well elsewhere. After feeling guilty about not putting it together in any kind of coherent way for a long time, I'm finally going to blog about it. That feels safer... I can do it smaller chunks, less permanent pieces, and get feedback along the way.

So here goes... I'm going to offer the nuts and bolts of what I have done with kids at Life on the Vine over the past years. I willingly admit and recognize that not all of this material is easily transferrable to adults. For adults, I highly recommend Robert Webber's books, which is where the general frame for what we do with our children has come from.

The time we spend together is divided into four basic stages (and these are Robert Webber's):
- Seeker stage: evangelism - what is the gospel? what is conversion?
- Hearer stage: learning the doctrines of the church, discipleship - what do we believe?
- Kneeler stage: spiritual formation - how do I become more like Jesus?
- Walker stage: moving into the full life of the community of faith - how do I become part of this?

I plan to blog about each of the stages, giving an overview of the stage, scriptures I refer to, activities we do together, conversations we have, etc. I invite your questions and comments and hope you'll share your ideas!

NOTE: Every part of this series will be specifically geared toward kids in a community of faith. Because of that context, not all of this will fit for people who have no knowledge of the Bible, of Jesus, or for adults. I am specifically writing out of the experience of leading the children of believing parents into discerning their own baptism and becoming part of the community of faith out of their own belief.

For the Love of the Bride (or, why I am attending ENG#14)

It's hard for me to imagine Christ being excited about returning for His schizophrenic North American bride, who is constantly tearing at her own face and hands, trying to remove the 'blemishes' that cause her to despise her complexion. With her teeth, she tries to chew through the cords that bind her ankles, while her hands tie new knots in the same places. But He loves her still. And He is longing to fill her to overflowing that She might be a beautiful picture, a compelling foretaste of the coming kingdom.

In the book of Revelation, we are presented over and over again with a strong and compelling image of a triumphant body of faithful witnesses who follow the Lamb at all costs and in all circumstances. Church with a capital C. The bride of Christ, who remained steadfast in her allegiance despite all temptation, seduction, and abuse.

In a world full of back-biting, defensive, belittling sarcasm, and stubbornly drawn dividing lines... we, the bride, must be different. We are committed to following the slaughtered Lamb all the way to the cross, and this includes our dialogue with one another. Too many vocal church leaders use words and The Word to accuse, blame, attack, and attempt to tear down those who oppose, making claims to be the truth tellers of our generation... which is why I cherish the Ecclesia National Gatherings. Although there is bound to be some banter and self-aggrandizing wit, there is also an honest admission of ignorance, weakness, and a humble longing to hear from Holy Spirit and from one another as we seek the Spirit's leading together. Although there are still more men than women, still more whites than non-whites, there is a longing and a hope to see the Church more fully reflect the diversity of the wedding feast of the Lamb.

This group of people, who long to see the fulfillment of God's Story, played out in the life of the Bride, are the people that I want to explore some of the hard questions of Scripture with. These are people I trust to be good listeners, humble learners, and Spirit seekers. Will you join us as we seek to bring the Word to life? Find more about ENG#14. Register here.

Wisdom Begins in Wonder (Or, Why I will be attending ENG#14)

What does scripture have to say about men & women? Homosexuality? War? Justice?

These questions have managed to divide the Church and have been the seed of contention and animosity between believers, denominations and traditions. So why bother to have a conference where these questions are stirred up? What is the point? Is it to settle debates? To point fingers at all who disagree? To come up with some sort of binding agreement and then ask local congregations to form a coalition? Or is there something more?

Unfortunately, Scripture has been debated and debatable in many evangelical conversations. When these issues are “debated”, the conversation becomes oppositional. The stance taken is one of “us” vs. “them.” The point of the debate is to find flaws and weakness in the other side’s argument with the goal of affirming one’s point of view and simplifying a clear position on particular issues. In essence, the goal is to “win” the argument, affirming current view points while pointing out the fundamental “sin” or “wrongness” of the other side of the issue.

I will be attending ENG#14 because, at Ecclesia National Gatherings, I have never experienced an atmosphere of debate. Instead, there is an attitude of collaboration, of openness. Multiple viewpoints are encouraged and judgment is suspended. Ambiguity is tolerated. But rather than creating an individualistic or relativistic environment, this openness actually allows us to collectively seek deeper understanding of complex issues together as we listen to the Holy Spirit and to one another. 

Listening to one another actually has a way of enlarging our point of view and even possibly changing the way we think. Rather than simplifying issues, we better understand the complexity of issues and acknowledge our inability to control or neatly package God’s story into moralistic mandates. Instead, we humbly submit to God’s Spirit and to one another, seeking to be faithful participants in His unfolding Story and proclaiming His good news, even as we receive it afresh.

While at Ecclesia gatherings, I am often brought into a place of wonder at what God is doing in His Church throughout North America. I hear stories of pastors and leaders from local communities who are depending on God’s leading. We wonder and celebrate together at His work, while admitting that we don’t fully understand and certainly can’t take credit. When I leave Ecclesia gatherings, I go home with a renewed sense of belonging to a tribe of humble servants who are grateful to be written into God’s Story and are watching with wonder at what unfolds.

It seems right that this gathering will be taking place in the season of Epiphany. At this time of year, we welcome “aha” moments, where Christ, the Word made flesh, is revealed to us in all His glory. I know there will be moments of revealed glory as we seek to receive the Word in all His fullness together at ENG#14.

Won’t you join us?