church « MikeOharaLive

24Apr/090

God-sized Dreams

Here are some thoughts from Erwin McManus' session, day 2 of Catalyst West Coast:

There's never been an ordinary human born yet we live the most ordinary lives.
Church isn't about stopping people from doing wrong, it's about unleashing people to do right.
Church shouldn't be a prison, it's a portal.
It's not about calling people to my vision, it's about awakening the God-given dream in others.
Before we were pounded into the ordinary, we dreamed God-sized dreams.
People's dreams are trapped under the rubble of their fears.
Choose acts of heroism no matter how small.
I must destroy the obstacles that prevent others from dreaming.

Tagged as: Catalyst West Coast, dreams, Erwin McManus, God, vision No Comments

22Apr/091

Great first day of Catalyst West Coast. Erwin McManus' opening session on "third spaces" was inspiring and challenging. McManus divides one's relational life into three spaces: 1st space is where people are like you, you are the norm. The church is often a 1st space where no aliens or outsiders are allowed; 2nd space is a broader set of relationships where not everyone is like you, yet there's still relationships; 3rd space is where there's no relationships, and there won't be unless invited; you are the alien.

Tagged as: Catalyst West Coast, Erwin McManus, third space Continue reading

22Mar/090

Proud

I am so proud of Grace Bible Kapolei! Today was our Compassion Sunday. That means that individuals and families rose to the occasion and sponsored a child through Compassion International. For about a dollar a day these children will be rescued from the vicious cycle of poverty. They will receive medical care, an education, and most of all, they will meet Jesus. We had 39 children available for sponsorship and 28 were sponsored! Oh, man! 28 kids now have a great shot at a hope and a future. I'm so proud of the church rising up and living open-handed lives, understanding that what they do matters, and that Jesus magnifies their faith to make a difference. Way to go, GBCK!

Tagged as: Compassion International, Grace Bible Church Kapolei, Jesus, Pastor Mike Ohara, poverty No Comments

25Feb/084

Leonard Sweet’s discussion about the church

Leonard Sweet is the author of Soul Tsunami and The Gospel According to Starbucks, as well as 28 other books. He was one of the session speakers at the Wired conference at Saddleback Church. Here are some of his thoughts with a little commentary.
Churches should live out of the past not live in the past.
As an author, Sweet writes at least 10 drafts before his work is released for publication. He says there are many drafts to becoming a disciple; that is, we don't always get it right the first time. We can't forget that sanctification is a process.
Much like you'd defrag a computer, God is "de-fragging" the church and bringing it back to its original operating system.
What is the original OS? The church is missional (God sent) vs. attractional (come to us); relational (connective) vs. propositional (true/false); incarnational (ministry where you are; beyond the walls of church) vs. colonial (ministry to and at a localized population). I think using "versus" statements are too polarizing. I think church contains both sides of the equation. However, I agree with Sweet that there is an imbalance.
How people engage with information: He uses and acrostic called E.P.I.C.: Experiential, Participatory, Image-driven, Connective. This is good to remember for those who prepare sermons and teachings.
The more high tech we become the more high touch we need to be.
Sweet defines sanctuary not as a place free from risk but as a place where one is free to take risks. Is church too safe?
See your life as an extension of the biblical narrative: That is, the bible's story of God's activity in the world continues to unfold in our lives. This is what makes the bible relevant. We don't make the bible relevant, we just show its relevancy.
He quotes Luther: "The worse sin is to curve in."
Water baptism is a person's commissioning as a missionary.
Thank God for men like Sweet. We need these kinds of thinkers in the Body of Christ. Sweet's love for Jesus and his church really came through.
I hope these thoughts got you thinking.

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21Feb/081

8 Laws of Growth

Rick Warren described 8 laws that affect spiritual growth.

Spiritual growth is intentional: we grow by making commitments.
Spiritual growth is incremental: we grow through a process; step-by-step. A mushroom takes 6 hrs. to grow, an oak tree takes 60 yrs...which one do you want to be?
Spiritual growth is personal: we grow according to our shape (how God designed us).
Spiritual growth is habitual: we grow by developing habits.
Spiritual growth is relational: we only grow in community. One of the hallmarks of spiritual growth is love, and if you're not around people you can't learn to love. (This one was huge.)
Spiritual growth is mulit-dimensional: we grow through various ways and means. For Warren, this is through his five purposes (fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship).
Spiritual growth is seasonal: we grow in spurts. Fast, or immediate growth isn't true growth; it's swelling. True, healthy growth takes time. Roots grow deep in non-growth seasons and not very deep in growth seasons. Know your season.
Spiritual growth is incarnational: Becoming like Jesus is not through imitation but through inhabitation. Jesus comes into our lives and lives through us (incarnate). Nobody can do a better job of being Jesus than Jesus.