Transformative Relationships

I recently began reading The Body by Charles Colson. It is a book I remember fondly from my days in Bible college and I decided to crack it open again as I'm working on a paper concerning the church. In the first several pages there were a great number of ideas which grabbed my attention, one of which goes like this: "The hard truth is that we have substituted an institutionalized religion for the life-changing dynamic of a living faith."
Very difficult words to take in. Of course, there are many exceptions to this statement. I have benefited from believers who have given me much more than institutionalized religion - people who have allowed their lives to intersect with mine and who have blessed me with hour upon hour of personal time and with relationship. But there is indeed much truth in this statement.
As a pastor, I know that it is easy to fall into programming at the expense of life-on-life discipleship (and institutionalized religion is nothing more than programming taken to the extreme). I have nothing against programming in and of itself. Sunday school, worship service, soup kitchens and youth group are all examples of programs and each have a vital role to play in the life of believers and in the life of the church. Programming is essential. But it must never be alone. Both programming and transformative relationship must be held in proper balance if we are to be successful in the long-term. If we long to see committed and long-lasting followers of Jesus developed I believe that intentional relationship is just as important as solid programming.
But why do we fall into the trap of offering programs at the expense of close, personal interaction? Let me share three quick thoughts - if you have others please feel free to comment on this post!
1. Transformative relationships are hard work.
If we are going to enter into transformative relationships with other believers it will not be easy. It takes time--hour upon hour, day upon day, week after week, year after year. Many of these relationships last for very long periods of time. Our lives feel busy enough. We are all stressed out by innumerable items. We all desire more time to rest, not more work. We will have to do research to help out those we are meeting with. We will need to pray for them. We will need to be ready for phone calls at all hours of the day and night. In short, such relationships are not for those who desire quick fixes.
2. Transformative relationships are messy.
In these relationships we share our dirty laundry and hear others do the same. We do so for the sake of accountability, for the sake of confession, for the sake of being reminded of the love and forgiveness of Christ, for the sake of finding help in our struggles. And we often hear difficult questions related to the faith. In these relationships doubts about God are aired - doubts which we want easy answers to but for which easy answers do not always exist. 
3. Transformative relationships do not produce the same sort of measurable results as programs do.
When it comes to programs it is easy to measure growth (simply count how many people are coming) and relatively simple to evaluate the content (ask a few of the people who attended if they understand and enjoy what you are doing). With a discipling-relationship growth and success are not as easy to pin down. How can you measure how well someone is growing? And while the content and the discussion may be enjoyed and appreciated, is it the right content for the individual to be focusing on at this stage in their life? This is not always so clear.
4. Programs produce a greater sense of self-fulfillment for the leader.
One of the struggles pastors have is that the work they do is often slow. While a painter can see a room transformed before her eyes in a matter of hours, a pastor preaches to the same person for ten years and may only see one sign of discernible growth in that time frame. Programs have a clear beginning and end. They can be excellent or poor. As already mentioned they can be evaluated and even praised. A leader may feel more fulfilled after pulling off an excellent event than after spending an hour in a coffee shop chatting about an individual's struggle with a regular devotional life.

Thoughts - Romans 1:1-7

I do not like the term "human rights." While I understand what is behind such a phrase, I would prefer the words "human privileges" be used. I believe that nothing we are given in God's creation comes as a right, but rather as a blessing. Furthermore, the minute something becomes a "right" we risk the danger of ceasing to be thankful for it.
Why is it that believers are so protective of our rights? The world certainly enjoys talking about rights. We all want comfort and success and protection. These are all good things. We want help in the pursuit of all that life offers. We desire that no one be left behind or taken advantage of, at least in principle.
As believers, though we personally want to taste all good things, something else takes a higher priority, namely the will of God. We are slaves, and slaves are the property of another. By definition then, slaves have no rights. We are God's possession, to be used however He sees fit. Paul understood this clearly. Do I? 

With a Towel Around His Waist - John 13:1-20

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

I think that I would have been a great monarch. I don’t say this for the reasons you might assume (such as wisdom, a face that would look good on a ten dollar bill or a flair for polo) but for one essential personality trait which I possess: I love to be served. There is a certain laziness about me which excels in moments of being waited upon and being cleaned up after. Years of marriage are finally crucifying this sad aspect of my existence, but it has been a hard-fought battle, as Karen, my wife, can testify to.

            One of the most striking episodes in the Gospels is found in John 13:1-20. Here we meet Jesus as the one who serves. You would expect God in the flesh to set up His throne and demand all of humankind to wait on Him. However, Jesus reveals a beautiful aspect of the character of God – He is a God who loves and serves. The One through whom all things were made, the perfect and holy Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords takes off His outer robe, wraps a towel about His waist and cleans the dirty, sweaty feet of His followers.
            Foot washing, as you might guess, was a menial task. After walking on dusty ground under a hot sun feet would need to be cleansed. A servant would be made to deny him or herself and carry out this service. Or perhaps the lowest ranking member of a party would be drafted into this job. No one would ever expect the rabbi or master of a party to do this. And yet Jesus, the greatest human being who has ever lived, who was also fully divine, humbled Himself and did it.
            In doing so He set an example for His disciples. If Jesus, the Lord and Teacher served His followers, then these followers must also serve one another. They must follow the standard which He set.
            One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is pride. Do we consider ourselves too great to get down on our hands and knees and serve those in need? Would we rather look after our own interests than seek to help others? Does the call to deny ourselves resonate in our hearts? Is love our battle cry and lifelong motto? The call to discipleship is a call to die to ourselves. What opportunities for service did you take advantage of today?

Thoughts - Romans 1:1-7

Paul makes it clear that he is a slave - not simply a hired worker but a slave. He was bought by God at a great price and therefore his life is not his own. He has no personal rights and is the property of the Creator of the universe and the Redeemer of humankind. God has the right to decide how Paul will spent his life and He chooses to make him an apostle, a sent one, an ambassador of heaven taking the message of redemption to a lost and hurting world. What is it, specifically, that God has set you apart to do?

My Strength or His Strength?

Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
Psalm 68:28

Over the next several weeks in Faith and Focus we will be examining the topic of fasting. Westerners, as a rule, seem to adore celebration and feasting, but somber periods of prayer, mourning and abstinence are not high on our list of priorities.
While fasting, one often offers up strong and urgent appeals to God. We lay ourselves before His grace, admit that we are powerless to bring about a desired change in the world, our family or our individual lives and we seek His intervention. There is no better place to be, than at the feet of the holy, mighty and loving God in complete humility, dependence and trust.
All too often I try and fix situations with my own intellect or will power and find myself frustrated and my situation unchanged. However, my Father is the all-powerful God who created heaven and earth. He is mighty to deliver me from any situation. May we learn to seek His power first, rather than relying on our own resources. 

The Legitimacy of Seeking a Blessing

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
Selah
that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
Psalm 67:1-2

Do you seek the blessing of the Lord? For some, personal blessing is the sole goal of prayer. A better house. More money. Good grades. Health. All for my own comfort and glory. Such prayers are missing something vital. On the other side of the spectrum of petition we find the martyr who feels compelled to pray for others but never for him or herself. "Praying for the self is selfish, and the Christian life is a life of sacrifice," they reason.
In Psalm 67:1-2 we find the perfect balance. The Psalmist prays for personal blessing, but does so with a desire that God will be known and exalted in the earth. Abraham was blessed to be a blessing and it is my contention that we should also seek the blessing of God, not merely for our own well-being, but so that God may be exalted on the earth. When we are blessed by God, people will recognize that He is indeed God and they will turn to Him in faith, worship and love.

Who is Jesus? Saviour (Part 3)

2. Presence Leads to Peace

It is also helpful to realize that the presence of Christ leads to peace. Jesus was who these disciples wanted to be with. He is the one they wanted to listen to. Jesus was the Master they wanted to follow. Being with Christ must have filled these men with peace, while the prospect of losing Him might lead them into feelings of pain and loss.

            In this passage Jesus reveals that He was going to prepare a place for His disciples to dwell. After He did this He would return to them and take them back to be with Him. Knowing that they would one day be with their beloved Lord should have filled their hearts with peace, even in the midst of separation.

            At a night of prayer at our church we sang the song The River by Brian Doerksen. Some of the lyrics are as follows:

            To the river I am going bringing sins I cannot bear,

Come and cleanse me, come forgive me, Lord I need to meet you there.

In these waters, healing mercy flows with freedom from despair,

I am going, to that river, Lord I need to meet you there.

Precious Jesus, I am ready to surrender every care

Take my hand now, lead me closer, Lord I need to meet you there.

As the congregation was singing, I simply imagined myself by a beautiful river bend, surrounded by green grass on a warm day. I pictured myself meeting my Lord and Saviour there by that river. And I felt wonderful joy and peace and rest in my soul. Have you tasted the peace that the presence of Christ brings? Do you wish to know this peace for all eternity?