Charlie Wear’s Notes

I found this by way of Jordon Cooper's Church of the Exiles site. It is from David Fitch's Reclaiming The Mission blog:TEN THINGS ANYONE WHO JOINS IN A TWENTY FIRST CENTRUY MISSIONAL CHURCH PLANT SHOULD NOT EXPECT1.) Should not expect to regularly come to church for just one hour, get what you need for your own personal growth and development, and your kid’s needs, and then leave til next Sunday. Expect mission to change your life. Expect however a richer life than you could have ever imagined.2.) Should not expect that Jesus will fit in with every consumerist capitalist assumption, lifestyle, schedule or accoutrement you may have adopted before coming here. Expect to be freed from a lot of crap you will find out you never needed.3.) Should not expect to be anonymous, unknown or be able to disappear in this church Body. Expect to be known and loved, supported in a glorious journey.4.) Should not expect production style excellence all the time on Sunday worship gatherings. Expect organic, simple and authentic beauty.5. Should not expect a raucous "light out" youth program that entertains the teenagers, puts on a show that gets the kids "pumped up," all without parental involvement. Instead as the years go by, with our children as part of our life, worship and mission (and when the light shows dim and the cool youth pastor with the spiked hair burns out) expect our youth to have an authentic relationship with God thru Christ that carries them through a lifetime of journey with God.6.) Should not expect to always "feel good,"or ecstatic on Sunday mornings. Expect that there will ALSO be times of confession, lament, self-examination and just plain silence.7.) Should not expect a lot of sermons that promise you God will prosper you with "the life you've always wanted" if you’ll just believe Him and step out on faith and give some more money for a bigger sanctuary. Expect sustenance for the journey.8.) Should not expect rapid growth whereby we grow this church from 10 to a thousand in three years. Expect slower organic inefficient growth that engages people’s lives where they are at and sees troubled people who would have nothing to do with the gospel marvelously saved.9.) Should not expect all the meetings to happen in a church building. Expect a lot of the gatherings will be in homes, or sites of mission.10.) Should not expect arguments over style of music, color of carpet, or even doctrinal outlier issues like dispensationalism. Expect mission to drive the conversation.O AND BY THE WAY … Should not expect that community comes to you …. I am sorry but true community in Christ will take some "effort"and a reshuffling of priorities for both you and your kids. Yes I know you want people to come to you and reach out to you and you’re hurting and busy. But assuming you are a follower of Christ (this message is not for strangers to the gospel) you must learn that the answer to all those things is to enter into the practices of "being the Body" in Christ, including sitting, eating, sharing and praying together.If anyone out there is interested in this kind of place … join us or another missional church gathering somewhere.

This post by one of the folks who visited Next-Wave from the "slicers" is just too good not to mention. What a great, biblical approach to what we should do in the face of serious sin in our leaders. Nice work, Rick. From the post:
"First. We should never discuss a man's sins publicly. We who confront doctrinal departures must be careful not to mesh a brother's sins in the same boat. Just in the last several months the secular world was astounded by the forgiveness shown by the Amish community in the face of the murder of some of their very children, and now we go on "lost TV" and discuss the sin's of a brother in Christ as if the world has a say. The world has no part of us, this brother should be dealt with by the elder body and by the Lord himself, not Larry King (et. al.)."

Several years ago I sat in a pastor’s meeting as the regional overseer made the announcement. A prominent pastor had resigned his position in one of the leading churches in our association. “He resigned because of sin in his life: pornography, misuse of alcohol and prescription drugs. There have been allegations of improper use of church funds.” [It later turned out that nearly every one of these allegations was untrue, and blown out of proportion]
The announcement went on as I thought about the public confession of this man’s sins. “What if other people knew about the secret sins in my life,” I thought. "If my personal struggles became public knowledge would I be judged any more fit than the brother who was the subject of the meeting?" In the harsh light of my own self-examination, I found myself wanting.
I thought: “If they knew me, really knew me, they wouldn’t let me pastor.”
Questions and answers and comments flew around the room. I sensed an undertone of anger and judgment. I felt a personal sense of shame as I heard the leader say: “Now, if any of you are struggling with these kinds of issues, tell us so we can help you.” “Yeah,” I thought, “Help you out of the ministry!”
Now it seems clear that Ted Haggard was struggling with serious "temptation." Unfortunately, it is also clear that he had no one who could share his private struggle and help him carry his burden. Now an opportunist who is attempting to make a political point has accused him. Another sad chapter that points out the reality that even the most visible, and strongest of leaders may have feet of clay.
But here's my question. While others may gloat, who among us is without sin? Who among us is righteous enough to cast the first stone of condemnation? Whatever our politics may be, whatever our theological inclinations, I pray that mercy would triumph over judgment and that devastation in this situation might be minimized.

The Nov06 issue is online and the cover story by Dan Kimball deals with the barriers that get in the way of "being" the church every day of the week. Editor Bob Hyatt has put together another fine collection of articles and in his editorial he encourages pastors, leaders and others to contribute to the conversation by submitting articles to Next-Wave.