A few weeks ago I began new teaching series on Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. Every year I try to teach one long series. Last year it was a series on Jesus; the year before on Ephesians. This year's series will stretch close to five months.
A lot goes into preparing for a series like this. I've been in prep mode for the last six months. What does prep mode look like for a series like this?
First, I've read 1 Corinthians many times. And as I've read, I've thought not only about what God said to the church in Corinth, but about what he wants to say to our church. In a lot of ways we're very different than the church in Corinth, separated by time & culture in big ways. But in a lot of other ways this church is our sister. So not only have I read this letter; I've also prayed it.
Second, I've taken notes as I read. I sometimes do this on my computer, but this time I used a spiral bound notebook. I went chapter by chapter, noting observations, questions, words that needed further study, etc. That in-depth study then helped me discern how to break up the letter for our series. If you want to know more about how I've broken it up, you can read an intro paper I wrote. You can also see the Sunday night schedule here.
Third, I've read a lot of commentaries. Some of my favorites have been by Gordon Fee, Anthony Thiselton, Richard Hays, Craig Blomberg, and Ben Witherington (not a commentary but very helpful).
Fourth, I've listened to sermons from other pastors and teachers. My favorites have been from Trinity Grace, Soma, & Imago Dei.
Through all of this I've continued to internalize this letter, and as I've done that the teaching has been flowing out, not only in sermons but in discipleship and coaching. I'm grateful that God continues to speak through such an ancient book, and I'm grateful for how He's going to work in our church this year through it.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Emotionally Healthy Church Planter
I read a great book this week. Two great things about it: it's short, and it's free!
It's called The Emotionally Healthy Church Planter, but don't let those last two words throw you. You could insert any profession into this and the book would be beneficial. The e-book is by Pete Scazzero, and it's based off his books Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and The Emotionally Healthy Church.
Listen to what he says here, and again, insert what you do in place of church planting. This is more a symptom of our overall culture than anything else.
Doesn't that make you feel tired just reading it!
In this book Scazzero makes the case that emotional health cannot be separated from spiritual maturity. He talks about how we cultivate a relationship with God, what it looks like to really rest, what a rule of life looks like, and how our interior lives impact our marriages and our leadership.
I highly recommend this ebook. You can download the kindle, mobi or pdf version here.
It's called The Emotionally Healthy Church Planter, but don't let those last two words throw you. You could insert any profession into this and the book would be beneficial. The e-book is by Pete Scazzero, and it's based off his books Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and The Emotionally Healthy Church.
Listen to what he says here, and again, insert what you do in place of church planting. This is more a symptom of our overall culture than anything else.
Church planting can be like an addiction—only it is not an addiction to drugs or alcohol, but to activity and doing.
Our bodies cannot seem to physiologically get off the adrenaline rush in order to slow down. We battle to make the best use of every spare minute we have. We fear how things might fall apart if we slow down or stop, so we just keep going. We end our days exhausted from the endless demands being placed on us. We know we need to rest and recharge, but who has time for that when the church plant is hanging by a thread? Soon even our “free time” becomes filled with demands as we try to squeeze more “doing” into an already overburdened life.
Doesn't that make you feel tired just reading it!
In this book Scazzero makes the case that emotional health cannot be separated from spiritual maturity. He talks about how we cultivate a relationship with God, what it looks like to really rest, what a rule of life looks like, and how our interior lives impact our marriages and our leadership.
I highly recommend this ebook. You can download the kindle, mobi or pdf version here.
Monday, January 21, 2013
NC DNA
Mandy and I have written some posts on the NC Blog about the history and DNA of Neighborhood Church.
How This All Began
Our Current Reality
Our Posture
Dreaming of What Could Be
How This All Began
Our Current Reality
Our Posture
Dreaming of What Could Be
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Two Tales of Redemption
As I wrote a few days ago, Mandy and I went to see Les Miserables and loved it. Neither of us have ever read the book, but we've both seen the stage version several times, and it's always been one of our favorite musicals. Watching the movie made the story come together even more for me, though. Particularly through the theme of redemption.
Redemption is a key theme in Jean Valjean's life. He, like many others in that day, was dealt a difficult lot in life. What got him arrested was stealing food to feed his nephew. Not much of a crime, yet it put him in prison for 19 years. Once he was let out of prison, he still wasn't a free man, and because of his "yellow ticket-of-leave" he would always be marked and would never have much of a life. After trying to get a job and continually being denied, he stumbled upon a church and was given food and a bed for the night. The film does a great job showing the turmoil going on inside Valjean's mind. He is grateful for the charity, but knows it can't last. He makes the decision to steal from those who have taken him in.
Valjean doesn't get very far before he's arrested and taken back to the church. The bishop, though, does something surprising and frankly unthinkable, at least in Valjean's eyes. He tells the police that he had given those pieces of silver to "his guest," but he had actually forgotten to take all of them. After the police leave, the bishop looks into Valjean's eyes (and heart), tells him to use these things to start a new life, and tells him that God has redeemed him.
It was this act of love that set Valjean free to be the man that God had created him to be. Valjean understood the weight of his sin. He received the gift of grace and forgiveness, and he was changed. Instead of looking out for number one the rest of his life, he sought to do good and to pass this grace on to others.
This is a beautiful tale of redemption, but it's not the only tale in this story. The second one occurs many years later. It's the story of Inspector Javert, who has been chasing Valjean all of these years.
At the barricades, towards the end of the story, Javert is captured and Valjean has an opportunity to kill him. Years ago, he wouldn't have thought twice. But he's a different man now. He holds his knife up to Javert, but instead of killing him he cuts his ropes and tells him to leave. Javert assumes that Valjean has struck some kind of deal, but then he realizes that he hasn't. Valjean, the man he pledged his life to find, is offering him mercy, and he has no idea what to do with it. Javert tragically chooses to end his life rather than receive mercy from his enemy.
Before watching the movie I had never noticed that the melody that is used as the songs for both of their reflections after being offered mercy is the same. Same beautiful melody, but polar opposite reflections. Valjean, the sinner, receives the free gift of mercy and grace with humility, and he goes on to live a beautiful life of freedom and generosity. Javert, on the other hand, who happens to be known as a man of the law, cannot receive this free gift because of his pride. Whereas these two enemies could have become brothers due to experiencing the same type of grace, Javert couldn't do it. Javert would rather die than receive grace from a thief.
Each of us has been offered redemption, no doubt in many ways but especially by God. What will we do with that redemption? Receive it with humility or reject it because of our pride?
Redemption is a key theme in Jean Valjean's life. He, like many others in that day, was dealt a difficult lot in life. What got him arrested was stealing food to feed his nephew. Not much of a crime, yet it put him in prison for 19 years. Once he was let out of prison, he still wasn't a free man, and because of his "yellow ticket-of-leave" he would always be marked and would never have much of a life. After trying to get a job and continually being denied, he stumbled upon a church and was given food and a bed for the night. The film does a great job showing the turmoil going on inside Valjean's mind. He is grateful for the charity, but knows it can't last. He makes the decision to steal from those who have taken him in.
Valjean doesn't get very far before he's arrested and taken back to the church. The bishop, though, does something surprising and frankly unthinkable, at least in Valjean's eyes. He tells the police that he had given those pieces of silver to "his guest," but he had actually forgotten to take all of them. After the police leave, the bishop looks into Valjean's eyes (and heart), tells him to use these things to start a new life, and tells him that God has redeemed him.
It was this act of love that set Valjean free to be the man that God had created him to be. Valjean understood the weight of his sin. He received the gift of grace and forgiveness, and he was changed. Instead of looking out for number one the rest of his life, he sought to do good and to pass this grace on to others.
This is a beautiful tale of redemption, but it's not the only tale in this story. The second one occurs many years later. It's the story of Inspector Javert, who has been chasing Valjean all of these years.
At the barricades, towards the end of the story, Javert is captured and Valjean has an opportunity to kill him. Years ago, he wouldn't have thought twice. But he's a different man now. He holds his knife up to Javert, but instead of killing him he cuts his ropes and tells him to leave. Javert assumes that Valjean has struck some kind of deal, but then he realizes that he hasn't. Valjean, the man he pledged his life to find, is offering him mercy, and he has no idea what to do with it. Javert tragically chooses to end his life rather than receive mercy from his enemy.
Before watching the movie I had never noticed that the melody that is used as the songs for both of their reflections after being offered mercy is the same. Same beautiful melody, but polar opposite reflections. Valjean, the sinner, receives the free gift of mercy and grace with humility, and he goes on to live a beautiful life of freedom and generosity. Javert, on the other hand, who happens to be known as a man of the law, cannot receive this free gift because of his pride. Whereas these two enemies could have become brothers due to experiencing the same type of grace, Javert couldn't do it. Javert would rather die than receive grace from a thief.
Each of us has been offered redemption, no doubt in many ways but especially by God. What will we do with that redemption? Receive it with humility or reject it because of our pride?
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
A New Kind of Journal
In the spirit of New Years' Resolutions, here's a new kind of journal that you might enjoy. Mandy and I both received one of these from Santa this year.
It's called a Journal 10+. Each page represents a day of the year, but it's that day for the current year plus the next ten. It's not meant for long journal entries as much as it is for brief daily recaps or thoughts. And the idea is that you're able to capture memories much better. I love the idea and am glad that Mandy and I will be doing it together.
You can order one here.
It's called a Journal 10+. Each page represents a day of the year, but it's that day for the current year plus the next ten. It's not meant for long journal entries as much as it is for brief daily recaps or thoughts. And the idea is that you're able to capture memories much better. I love the idea and am glad that Mandy and I will be doing it together.
You can order one here.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Les Miserables
Mandy and I saw Les Miserables last night. So, so good! Anne Hathaway should win an Oscar for her portrayal of Fantine. "I Dreamed a Dream" was about as moving and gut-wrenching as anything I've ever seen. Go see it, whether are a fan of Broadway or not.
Some Kindle Book Deals
Here are a few Kindle books that are currently on sale.
The End of Sexual Identity, by Jenna Williams Paris ($1.99)
Creature of the Word, by Matt Chandler ($5.99)
The Resolution for Men, by Stephen Kendrick ($4.99)
Grace for the Moment (children's book), by Max Lucado ($1.99)
What Jesus Started, by Steve Addison ($4.99)
The Parent Adventure, by Rodney & Selma Wilson ($2.99)
The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson ($3.79)
Draw the Circle, by Mark Batterson ($3.79)
Moneyball, by Michael Lewis ($5.46)
Love Does, by Bob Goff ($1.99)
A Year of Biblical Womanhood, by Rachel Held Evans ($1.99)
Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young ($1.99)
Forgotten Ways Handbook, by Alan Hirsch ($1.99)
The Call of Jesus, by Derek Worthington ($4.99)
The End of Sexual Identity, by Jenna Williams Paris ($1.99)
Creature of the Word, by Matt Chandler ($5.99)
The Resolution for Men, by Stephen Kendrick ($4.99)
Grace for the Moment (children's book), by Max Lucado ($1.99)
What Jesus Started, by Steve Addison ($4.99)
The Parent Adventure, by Rodney & Selma Wilson ($2.99)
The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson ($3.79)
Draw the Circle, by Mark Batterson ($3.79)
Moneyball, by Michael Lewis ($5.46)
Love Does, by Bob Goff ($1.99)
A Year of Biblical Womanhood, by Rachel Held Evans ($1.99)
Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young ($1.99)
Forgotten Ways Handbook, by Alan Hirsch ($1.99)
The Call of Jesus, by Derek Worthington ($4.99)
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
2012 Top Ten Lists: Moments
2012 was a great year. Here are my top 10 moments:
10. Joining the Memphis Men's Chorale. It's been 15 years since I sang in a choir. It was time. It's been a great outlet. It's very different from church work and real estate, it's allowed me to meet new friends, and it's given me the opportunity to use the gifts that God has given me.
9. Family moments, specifically Taylor's wedding and the birth of Olivia to Mandy's sister, Megan. It was an honor to officiate Taylor and Jim's wedding. It was a beautiful one, and I'm grateful that God has joined these two together. And I'm an uncle now, and to a sweet little girl no less!
8. The Clean Water party at the Brass Door a few weeks ago. Not only did the party raise close to $4000 towards the building of a well, but it was one of the more surreal moments I've experienced. I told NC the next night that we're doing a lot of things right now that I've dreamed of for a number of years, but I don't think I could have ever dreamed up what happened that night. Again, "surreal" is my word for that night!
7. My work - I'm now in my third year with InCity Realty. I really enjoy real estate. And I'm very grateful to be able to pastor Neighborhood Church. God has allowed me to do, as I said above, the things that I've been dreaming of for a long time. I wouldn't trade NC for any other church. I feel that this year we've solidified our vision and strategy. Our folks know what we're about and they're continuing to be released to do the work of God. Both of these jobs give me the flexibility I need, plus they continue to challenge and fulfill me.
6. Mandy's work - I am my wife's biggest fan. Her passion and tenacity for education reform continues to amaze me. I'm grateful that her work is fulfilling to her, but also that it doesn't dominate and keep her from her favorite profession: mom to Adam and Micah. I have a feeling that we'll look back in ten years and see that God used Mandy to bring amazing change to our city.
5. Adam & Micah's friendship - at 7 and 4 now, they are becoming friends. The age difference still plays a factor at times, but they really love each other and enjoy being with each other. Since school got out for winter break they've been with each other non-stop. Last Friday Adam went to an art class and Micah went to my mom's. They were so excited to see each other when they reunited. For a humorous take on that friendship you can read this.
4. Trip to New York City - What a fun trip! It was a first for both of us. Like many others, it's now one of our favorite cities. We're planning on going back next fall. The conference we went to was amazing.
3. The Midtown Prayer Collective - I've written about this before, so I won't repeat myself, but I do feel that God is going to use this time, and the times ahead, to do great work in individual lives, in our churches, and in our city.
2. Our California Adventure - Two weeks in California was so much fun for our family. Time with the Currier's in Pasadena, a day at Disney Land, and then a full week in San Francisco was so good for all of us.
1. Adam's baptism - Again, I've written about this here, but leading Adam to Christ and then baptizing him a couple of months later was the highlight of my year. I'm so grateful for what God is doing in his heart.
2012 was one of the best for our family. As we celebrate the birth of Christ today and look forward to the start of a new year, we leave you with our annual video.
Merry Christmas!
2012 Christmas Video from MANDY GRISHAM on Vimeo.
10. Joining the Memphis Men's Chorale. It's been 15 years since I sang in a choir. It was time. It's been a great outlet. It's very different from church work and real estate, it's allowed me to meet new friends, and it's given me the opportunity to use the gifts that God has given me.
9. Family moments, specifically Taylor's wedding and the birth of Olivia to Mandy's sister, Megan. It was an honor to officiate Taylor and Jim's wedding. It was a beautiful one, and I'm grateful that God has joined these two together. And I'm an uncle now, and to a sweet little girl no less!
8. The Clean Water party at the Brass Door a few weeks ago. Not only did the party raise close to $4000 towards the building of a well, but it was one of the more surreal moments I've experienced. I told NC the next night that we're doing a lot of things right now that I've dreamed of for a number of years, but I don't think I could have ever dreamed up what happened that night. Again, "surreal" is my word for that night!
7. My work - I'm now in my third year with InCity Realty. I really enjoy real estate. And I'm very grateful to be able to pastor Neighborhood Church. God has allowed me to do, as I said above, the things that I've been dreaming of for a long time. I wouldn't trade NC for any other church. I feel that this year we've solidified our vision and strategy. Our folks know what we're about and they're continuing to be released to do the work of God. Both of these jobs give me the flexibility I need, plus they continue to challenge and fulfill me.
6. Mandy's work - I am my wife's biggest fan. Her passion and tenacity for education reform continues to amaze me. I'm grateful that her work is fulfilling to her, but also that it doesn't dominate and keep her from her favorite profession: mom to Adam and Micah. I have a feeling that we'll look back in ten years and see that God used Mandy to bring amazing change to our city.
5. Adam & Micah's friendship - at 7 and 4 now, they are becoming friends. The age difference still plays a factor at times, but they really love each other and enjoy being with each other. Since school got out for winter break they've been with each other non-stop. Last Friday Adam went to an art class and Micah went to my mom's. They were so excited to see each other when they reunited. For a humorous take on that friendship you can read this.
4. Trip to New York City - What a fun trip! It was a first for both of us. Like many others, it's now one of our favorite cities. We're planning on going back next fall. The conference we went to was amazing.
3. The Midtown Prayer Collective - I've written about this before, so I won't repeat myself, but I do feel that God is going to use this time, and the times ahead, to do great work in individual lives, in our churches, and in our city.
2. Our California Adventure - Two weeks in California was so much fun for our family. Time with the Currier's in Pasadena, a day at Disney Land, and then a full week in San Francisco was so good for all of us.
1. Adam's baptism - Again, I've written about this here, but leading Adam to Christ and then baptizing him a couple of months later was the highlight of my year. I'm so grateful for what God is doing in his heart.
2012 was one of the best for our family. As we celebrate the birth of Christ today and look forward to the start of a new year, we leave you with our annual video.
Merry Christmas!
2012 Christmas Video from MANDY GRISHAM on Vimeo.
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