en No Perfect People Allowed! http://www.newhopechurch.org © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=75 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=75&article_id=1203 Fetch-a-Prayer Thu, 27 May 2010 12:39:19 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=75 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=75&article_id=1204 Fetch-a-Prayer Thu, 27 May 2010 12:39:19 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1205 What is to follow came from "A Year With God: Living Out The Spiritual Disciplines" by Richard Foster and Julia Roller. Acts 1:13-14 (NLT) says, "When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus." Not long after Jesus' ascension we find the disciples forming new communities of faith based on prayer and worship. Prayer is the center-piece of communal life. It is also the most prominent individual discipline. Repeatedly, we find Peter and John, then Barnabas, and eventually Paul waiting for God in prayer and then exploding into action as God's spirit propels them into the world. Vigorous petition, profound intercession, and pleas for guidance pour forth from the hearts of these early disciples. And heaven answers: "When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31). What do you think it would fell like to be so connected to God that your petitions are his, that you have "become Word," as this quote calls it? "Prayer is the superabundance of the heart. It is brim-full and running over with love and praise, as once it was with Mary, when the Word took root in her body. So too, our heart breaks out into a Magnificat. Now the Word has achieved its 'glorious course' (2 Thess. 3:1): it has gone out from God and been sown in the good soil of the heart. Having now been chewed over and assimilated, it is regenerated in the heart, to the praise of God. It has taken root in us and is now bearing its fruit: we in our turn utter the Word and send it back to God. We have become Word; we are prayer" (Andre Louf, Teach Us To Pray). Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:03 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1185 Some of us tend to do away with things that are slightly damaged. Instead of repairing them we say: "Well, I don't have time to fix it, I might as well throw it in the garbage can and buy a new one." Often we also treat people this way. We say: "Well, he has a problem with drinking; well, she is quite depressed; well, they have mismanaged their business...we'd better not take the risk of working with them." When we dismiss people out of hand because of their apparent woundedness, we stunt their lives by ignoring their gifts, which are often buried in their wounds. We all are bruised reeds, whether our bruises are visible or not. The compassionate life is the life in which we believe that strength is hidden in weakness and that true community is a fellowship of the weak. By: Henri J.M. Nouwen's Bread for the Journey Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1177 New Hope is committed to bridge the gap of hunger in the community among the homeless. If you would like to participate once a month, call the church office or email us for more information. Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1173 Join us this Sunday for our worship gathering at 5:30pm at 4400 W. Tulare Avenue. Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1161 Purpose We are a community of followers of Jesus Christ, committed to spiritual practices that the Holy Spirit uses to facilitate spiritual transformation that then thrusts us into a missional engagement with others as we naturally and routinely go through life. Equip for Mission Christ gifts the church with apostles (extend the gospel), prophets (know God's will), evangelists (communicator of the gospel), pastors (nurture and protect), and teachers (understand and explain) with the responsibility to equip (disciple) God's people to do His work (Ephesians 4:11-16). The Mission of God: The Upward Journey (Loving God) Our large gathering in community is a time of worship, celebration, stories of God's activity, gifts of the Holy Spirit, encouragement, teaching, giving, Holy Communion, water baptism, Children's and Jr. High (Road 678) Community Groups, etc. The Mission of God: The Inward Journey (Loving Ourselves) Missional Communities are the central discipleship arm and primary vehicle to accomplish our vision. The essential purpose of smaller communities is the practicing of love and trust and the growing into Christlikeness in a space of intentional grace. Missional Communities help us learn about and experience the incredible love of God, which helps us in turn to love Him and ourselves. The Mission of God: The Outward Journey (Loving Others) Loving God and ourselves helps us to love our spouse, children, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others around us. God calls us to love others and to go into all the world to make disciples. The mission of God leads us to be good stewards of creation and involved in God's justice (Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 58; Matthew 25). Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1160 Prayer:   "To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God. As soon as we begin to divide our thoughts about God and thoughts about people and events, we remove God from our daily life and put him into a pious little niche where we can think pious thoughts and experience pious feelings. … Although it is important and even indispensable for the spiritual life to set apart time for God and God alone, prayer can only become unceasing prayer when all our thoughts - beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful - can be thought in the presence of God. … Thus, converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer moves us from a self-centered monologue to a God-centered dialogue." Attractional:  "Jesus refused to be a stunt man.  He did not come to walk on hot coals, swallow fire, or put his hand in the lion's mouth to demonstrate that he had something worthwhile to say." Leadership:  "Christian leaders cannot simply be persons who have well-informed opinions about the burning issues of our time.  Their leadership must be rooted in the permanent, intimate relationship with the incarnate Word, Jesus, and they need to find there the source for their words, advice, and guidance." Power and Control:  "It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life..."  "The temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat.  Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead.  Many Christian empire-builders have been people unable to give and receive love." Name-Calling:  "Words like 'right-wing,' 'reactionary,' 'conservative,' 'liberal,' and 'left-wing' are used to describe people's opinions, and many discussions then seem more like political battles for power than spiritual searches for the truth." Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1144 It seems like the church in the last couple of decades is at possible risk of spending more time entertaining than equipping people for God's mission. We are highly vulnerable to a fixation with technological savvy and "cool" communication. This can often become a substitute for the Holy Spirit's power in our lives and in our pursuing a lifestyle that incarnates Jesus' ministry and power. We have a growing passion at New Hope for Jesus Himself, the Kingdom of God, and a pursuit for cultivating disciples as Kingdom agents on mission. Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1153 We should jealously guard God's glory in worship. It is not about us! We ought to be sensitive to the issue of showmanship verses worship. Worship is to be Christ-centered, not human-centered. Whenever the focus becomes the music or being trendy, cool, or gauging the experience by emotional responses rather than the glory of God, it should make us feel uncomfortable. We must value the activity of the Holy Spirit in our midst during worship and the importance of being sensitive to God. We can come to worship with an expectation to meet with God rather than putting on or experiencing a show. Worship is about an audience of One! May there be a strong "encounter" in worship - the people of God, in the presence of God, pouring out the praises of God. Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1141 Church is not so much an institution, but more of a training center for love - loving God, loving ourselves, and loving others (Matthew 22:37-40). Thu, 27 May 2010 11:58:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1201 A bit of humor for what many find on Sunday mornings around America. This video represents something that works for some, but not for others. We are seeking at New Hope to move away from the "entertainment based" and "cool factor" church to be a community of followers of Jesus who are transformed by Him so that we can join Him on mission in the world. "Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo. Fri, 21 May 2010 19:29:49 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1199 Fri, 21 May 2010 19:29:49 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1200 Fri, 21 May 2010 19:29:49 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1194 The Missional Church... Simple from jeff maguire on Vimeo. Fri, 21 May 2010 19:29:49 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=49 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=49&article_id=136 Sunday - 5:30 PM 4400 W Tulare Avenue Visalia, CA 93277 Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:22:02 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1186 We are a community of followers of Jesus Christ, committed to spiritual practices so that the Holy Spirit can bring transformation, which propels us into sharing and showing God's love to others. "This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls'" (Jeremiah 6:16 - TNIV). Would you like to journey with us? Mon, 5 Apr 2010 10:09:55 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=70 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=70&article_id=1117 No matter where your junior highers are in their spiritual journey, they all have one thing in common-an inquisitive mind with an overwhelming desire for real relationships. We have the answer. 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are invited to journey with us on Road 678 every Sunday morning at 9:00am. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:34:11 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=31 A mission statement does two primary things for a church. For those already inside the church, it helps them plan for the future with a specific focus in mind. With a clear sense of mission, a church can stay out of ruts, avoid stagnation, and grow in vitality and effectiveness. For those on the outside, a mission statement helps people answer these important questions: "Is this the right church for me? Can I best fulfill God's mission in and through this community?" We hope the mission statement of New Hope Church will fulfill both of these functions. Mission StatementWe are a community of followers of Jesus Christ, committed to live by faith, to be known by love, and to be a voice of hope. We are committed to spiritual practices that God uses to facilitate spiritual formation that then thrusts us into a missional engagement with others as we naturally and routinely go through life. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:32:27 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2&article_id=2 We are a community of followers of Jesus Christ, committed to live by faith, to be known by love, and to be a voice of hope. We are committed to spiritual practices that God uses to facilitate spiritual formation that then thrusts us into a missional engagement with others as we naturally and routinely go through life. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:30:42 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2&article_id=172 We are glad you visited our website. New Hope is a non-denominational diverse community of Christ-followers who believe that God's love is available to every person, regardless of their past or present circumstances. We are on a journey with Jesus Christ and we welcome all who desire to take this journey with us. You don't have to dress up nor be any particular age. We couldn't care less who you voted for in the last election. And please, don't feel the need to pretend about anything. New Hope is a place where God meets all people who are far from perfect. That means anyone is welcome, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. So learn at your own pace and ask questions, seek and explore, and participate and experience. We believe all who seek will find Him, and change. So, just come as you are. We invite you to come to our Sunday Gathering at 9:00 AM. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:30:02 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=40 New Hope Church meets at 4400 W. Tulare Avenue on the corner of Linwood and Tulare. We hope to see you this Sunday. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:24:18 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=137 Mailing Address: New Hope Church P.O. Box 7477 Visalia, CA 93290-7477 Office Phone: (559) 636-8733 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:23:01 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=9 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=9&article_id=12 Scott has been in pastoral ministry since 1988, serving in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, London (England), and now California. He has a passion to be and make authentic Christ-followers. He loves missional theology and has a desire to reach the unchurched post-modern generation and emerging culture. He has studied theology at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida (Bachelor of Arts), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Carolina (Master of Divinity), and Fuller Theological Seminary, California (Doctor of Ministry), and lectured in theology at South London Christian College, London (England). He is currently an adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific University. Scott and his wife, Dawn, have one daughter, Kara, and they reside in Visalia, California. scott@newhopechurch.org Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:29:40 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=42 Engaging a life changing mission in the footsteps of Jesus! We've created a process and a platform for engaging God's mission of restoration and reconciliation in today's world.  If you're reading this, chances are you're looking for something deeper in your faith.  You've been through the traditional Bible studies, which are great, and learned all the right information, but you want more.  You're looking for a way to create a richer, deeper experience and to put your faith into practice.  You are looking to discover what it really means to follow Jesus.  A Missional Community is your next step. To really engage God's mission, you need help finding the path.  You need people who have navigated the dark waters and charted the course to what it means to participate in the restoration of one's life.  You need help understanding how to create real community that can work through conflict and learn to work together on the journey.  You need help seeing a more holistic process that is geared towards the whole person. A Missional Community is a missional discipleship group helping people follow Jesus in today's world. We have developed a process for engaging God's mission of restoration and reconciliation, so we can bring love to a hurting world.  If you are looking for more than just pews and programs on a Sunday and want to take a deeper step of faith, we can help. This is a great starting point. Do you have questions about the New Hope Missional Communities? Send Scott an email at scott@newhopechurch.org or call him at (559) 636-8733. We'll try to help you get plugged into what's happening here at New Hope so that your life can be an example of faith, love, and hope to our city. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:23:14 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39&article_id=1171 The Divine Hours Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:15:28 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39&article_id=70 Bible Gateway Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:14:16 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=39&article_id=1167 Hands in the Community (HNC) has asked the members of our church to become involved in responding to both individual and family needs. Our church has agreed to partner with this ministry. The purpose of HNC is to provide an efficient network of services that respond to the needs of people in our community and our church community. Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:55:00 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=70 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=70&article_id=1158 7th through 12th graders are invited to attend this exciting community group. Join us as we build a dynamic community of students through good food, fun activities and relevant discussion. Fri, 5 Jun 2009 10:43:48 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=35 Mark 10:16 says, "And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them." At New Hope, we believe that children are a wonderful and precious gift from God and should be handled with love and care. We develop our programming with their physical, mental, and spiritual needs in mind. We program for maximum effectiveness. Translated, this means it is a lot of fun! Once our teachers and leaders have gone through the process of joining our team, they are trained for their specific roles. We place a high value on relationships. We try and help kids become better friends with each other as well as with their leaders. In order to best serve your entire family we have developed a variety of ministries that we think will facilitate spiritual growth, nurture friendships and be a whole lot of fun. For more information on our programming or to speak with the children's pastor, please call the church office at 636-8733 or email: Raylene@newhopechurch.org. Thu, 21 May 2009 13:11:32 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=9 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=9&article_id=14 Raylene joined the New Hope Staff in 2000. She has brought 32 years of experience in Children's Ministry as Camp Speaker, Conference workshop presenter, and ministering to toddlers through High School. She lives in Visalia, has 2 sons, Chad and Jason, and 4 grandchildren. Her greatest joy is connecting with kids when they are talking about something that is important to them or when she gets to communicate how special they are to Jesus. Raylene's commitment is to have a safe environment for children to learn about the God who has created them, to learn to love Jesus as their Savior, and to know that even the littlest person can be used to touch lives in a mightly way! raylene@newhopechurch.org Wed, 6 May 2009 10:47:31 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=55 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=55&article_id=152 Elevate is a worship gathering for college students and young adults. Everyone is invited. Our desire is that you would experience an inviting environment where you meet the Living God through innovative worship, creative expression, clear communication, uthentic hospitality, and relevant teaching. Elevate meets 7 p.m. Tuesday Nights at 210 on center street. (Corner of Locust and Center) Tue, 9 Sep 2008 14:37:33 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=33 The Beginning From the very beginning of time, God set in motion His very purposes. God created us for relationships - relationship with Him, relationship with our marriage partner, relationship with our friends, and relationship with creation. It is not good for a person to be alone, not in God's story anyway. We Blew It The Creator did not create humans as robots or machines, but as humans with the freedom of choice. We are free to respond to God's invitation to be in relationship with Him, to be in His story, or to go our own way, and then create our own story. This is the beauty and curse of free will. We have a tendency to lean toward isolation, independence, and aloneness. Our selfish behavior becomes number one priority, the independent spirit, and this is the primary characteristic that destroys connection, relationship, community, and that is what eating the fruit is all about. And as a result of "eating the fruit," we cover and hide from God and others - losing the intimacy and vulnerability which we were created and fashioned for. The Invitation God entered into a special relationship with a man named Abraham. The Lord said to Abraham, "Leave your country, your people, and your father's household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Throughout the last four thousand years, because of our tendency toward crisis and chaos, we have misunderstood those words. When we think we are chosen only to be blessed, and forget that we are blessed to be a blessing, we distort our identity and drift from God's calling for us. When we assume that we are blessed exclusively rather than instrumentally, when we see ourselves as blessed to the exclusion of others rather than for the benefit of others, we become part of the problem instead of the solution. If more people understood what it meant to be religious in this way - being blessed to be a blessing to others, not just to be some spiritual elite or some fat overly blessed person - then religion would have a better name in the world and more people would enter into relationship with God. Abraham's family is being enrolled as God's helpers, co-workers, partners, team-mates in cooperating with God on mission, to be blessed to be a blessing...calling people into relationship with God and each other. That has always been our calling. The calling hasn't changed. Co-Workers God continued in relationship with His people through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Over a period of time God raised up Judges and then Kings. He also sent priests, prophets, poets, and philosophers. God continued to be faithful to His people, this special formed community, even though they disobeyed Him by walking out of relationship and thus writing their own story. God had relationship with these people and sent them to call this community back into relationship with Him and one another. God continuously called His people back to join His story, to fulfil His purposes. For hundreds of years we have a group of people walking in and out of relationship with God and one another. Christ God sent Jesus into the world to absorb all the punishment for our sins. That is what the cross was all about. He became the substitute for all of us. He was the Victor over sin and death. Jesus became a representative of all humanity, as a way of acting out real repentance for the human race. Jesus is showing God's loving heart and makes visible the self-giving love of God. Jesus demonstrates what the Kingdom of God is all about - self-sacrifice and vulnerability. Community Jesus called people to follow Him...to be His disciple. The word "disciple" means "learner." A disciple wants to know and do what the teacher knows and does, so we apprentice ourselves to the teacher. Jesus was creating a community of followers. A disciple is a follower of Jesus - and there was a way of living as a disciple. They were disciples, which speaks of their being called together to learn and follow Jesus. They were also apostles, who would be sent out to practice and teach what they had learned. That is what apostle means, a person who is sent on a mission. So Jesus brings together this community of men and women who are called out from the crowds to be disciples, and then these disciples will be sent back into the world on a mission of expressing Jesus' message of God's Kingdom, and helping others become disciples who will in turn help others, and so on. Jesus was sent into the world, and He also sends us as a community of faith, to express, in word and deed, the saving love of God. Jesus was sent here on a mission, and He said, "As the Father sent me, so I send you." This mission has us! The Holy Spirit is changing us to be Christ-like people - transforming our lives from the inside out. The Holy Spirit tries to do something in us - makes us more like Jesus - and then tries to do something through us by involving us in God's mission and giving us some special part of the mission to do. The Holy Spirit connects us with a community so we can together learn and follow Jesus and carry out this mission to make disciples of all nations. The End There will be a day coming when we will be told, "Well done! You forsook your own story, laid it down, to live out my Story. You have lived your life as my disciple (learner, apprentice, follower) and have made disciples too, by your words and deeds. You have an eternal place in my story. Come, continue in relationship with me for all eternity." Or God can say, "Sadly, you forsook my Story to live your own. My heart is sad because I love you so very much. But because you have rejected me all your life, you have chosen to live according to your story, and will have to continue to live for all eternity apart from me." What story are we living - Gods or our own? "For what does it profit a person if he pursues a story of personal gain that makes his soul languish and his character miss its chance to really come to life? It would be better to lose that selfish story, to abandon that plot line, and to enter God's better story..." God invites us to repentance by forsaking our own story, our own independence, isolation, and selfishness, and join His story, putting our faith and trust in God through Jesus, realigning our lives with God's hopes, dreams, and purposes. Tue, 20 May 2008 17:03:36 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32&article_id=34 What does "baptizing" mean? Baptism is a ritual or practice involving water to identify someone as a disciple of Jesus. Or, another way of saying the same thing, baptizing is identifying someone as a disciple of Jesus through a ritual or practice using water. Meaning of Baptism So what is the meaning of baptism? Baptism is rich in meaning. Listen to these scriptures that shed light on baptism. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV): "3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." Colossians 2:12-14 (NLT): "12For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. 14He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): "17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Romans 6:4 (MSG): "4When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus." Baptism suggests cleansing. When we are a disciple, we understand that we are cleansed by Jesus. We understand that Jesus died in our place on the cross, paying for our sins, fully forgiving us for all our wrongs. We are cleansed from guilt, and we are becoming a cleaner, healthier, more whole person. Baptism suggests an ending and a new beginning. Immersion especially dramatizes this: a person is buried under the water - signifying the end of his or her old before Christ life - and then rises up out of the water - signifying the beginning of his or her new life as a disciple. Baptism indicates a new identity. By way of analogy, when people get married, they accept and wear a ring, which is a symbol of their vow and commitment. The ring isn't what makes them married, and it isn't what makes them each other's spouse. The commitment is what makes them married, and the relationship is what makes them love each other. But they wear the ring as a symbol of their new identity in commitment and relationship to each other. Baptism suggests that a person has similarly entered into a relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ. It says, "Our relationship has progressed from a casual acquaintance or friendship to a deep, lifelong commitment." Like a Wedding Ring Not only that, but through baptism, like wearing a wedding ring, a person is going public. They are saying, "I'm not ashamed of this commitment. I want to be publicly identified as a person of commitment." In a marriage, the ring is often associated with taking on a new name, which suggests a new identity. A woman says, "I am now the wife of George," or a man says, "I am now the husband of Linda." Before those words were not true; now they are. Now they describe a new identity. A New Identity Baptism means that we now identify with God as our Father, with Jesus as God's Son, with the Holy Spirit as God not only "up there" but also God "in here" - God alive and present in our own heart, our own life. It means we aren't ashamed of this new identity. It means we are going public with our commitment. Baptism Makes a Statement If we are committed to learn from Jesus how to live life to the full, and if we are committed to help others learn to live that way too ... if we have accepted God's invitation into a lifelong relationship ... if we have accepted this new identity as a disciple ... then we should be baptized to demonstrate that commitment. By being baptized, we are saying, "I am a disciple, and I am committed to the mission of helping others become disciples too." Joining the Community of God More than just a "vertical experience" (you and God), baptism is a "horizontal experience" as well (you and God's people, the church). By being baptized, one is saying to the church, "I am one of you now. We are family who are committed to Christ, His church, and His cause." Baptism becomes a celebration of the entire family of God. Frequently Asked Questions Who should be baptized? Every person who follows Jesus. When should we be baptized? When one begins to follow Jesus. Acts 2:41 (NIV): "41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 8:12-13 (NIV): "12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw." Acts 8:35-38 (NIV): "35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." What if I was baptized as an infant? There are different perspectives and beliefs under the umbrella of Christianity regarding baptism. Some denominations and traditions baptize infants while others do not. We certainly want to show respect to the person who was baptized as an infant and also to the parents and their viewpoints, as well as be grateful to God for any spiritual influence they have had in your life. However, our understanding of what the Bible teaches is that baptism follows repentance of sin and faith in Jesus - in obedience after one starts to follow Jesus Christ. Should I get "re-baptized" if I was baptized at another church? As long as you were a follower of Jesus when you were baptized, and the other church was a Christ-centered church, then you do not need to be re-baptized. If, however, your baptism was merely a church ritual done prior to your decision to follow Jesus or if the church was outside of the mainstream of Christianity, then we would encourage you to be baptized. Can my children be baptized? Absolutely, as long as they thoroughly understand what they are doing. New Hope requires that you wait until your children are old enough to make an intelligent decision to follow Jesus and a profession of faith that is their own. We certainly believe that a young child can be a Christ-follower, but the older a child is, the more they will understand and the more meaningful baptism will be for them. If your child is asking questions about baptism, you may make an appointment for them with Raylene Culbertson, Pastor of Children's Ministries, or Scott Pedersen, Lead Pastor. Can a family be baptized together? Absolutely! If each family member understands the full meaning of baptism and each one has personally decided to follow Jesus, to become His disciple. However, it is important to remember that baptism is a personal statement of faith, not a family tradition. It is usually not wise to delay one's baptism while waiting on other family members to become a Christian because it can put unnecessary pressure on them and only delays one's obedience. What do I bring with me to the worship gathering when baptized? A towel, dark clothes to be baptized in, and a change of clothes for afterwards. Mode of Baptism We practice immersion, where one will be fully immersed into the water, signifying Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as our own, like we have already talked about. Fears, Concerns, or Questions I would strongly encourage you to sign up for baptism if you have not already experienced and practiced believer's baptism. Don't miss this opportunity just because you have some fears, concerns, or questions. Signing up just let's us know you are interested and we can attempt to answer any questions, deal with any concerns, and eliminate any fears before the baptism service. Summary: Why should I be baptized? To follow the example set by Jesus. Mark 1:9 (NLT): "9One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River." Because Jesus says we should. Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT): "19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." It demonstrates that we really are a follower. Acts 18:8 (NLT): "8Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and all his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also became believers and were baptized." 1 John 2:3 (NLT): "3And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By obeying his commandments." Sign Up Now! Tue, 6 May 2008 20:40:46 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2&article_id=53 Imagine a group of broken and messy people who have discovered and been transformed by the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ.They have gone from being overlooked, confused, and insecure to being found, known, and loved by the One who created them.They see others through God's eyes and empower each other to fulfill His dreams, mission, and purposes.They are willing to get their hands dirty because they are in it and God is in them.They cease climbing rungs and instead stoop to serve.They tear down fences and embrace those around them.They worry not about their own needs being met and instead give their lives away.They laugh, sing, share, reach, suffer, grow, and hope together as they join hands in their journey.They are us. Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:45:08 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=169 We practice unity in the essentials.We practice liberty in the non-essentials.We practice love in all things. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:42:40 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=4 Jesus Christ is the perfect revealing of God Himself. Both fully human and fully God, He represents both humanity and divinity. His death on the cross, followed by His resurrection from the grave, makes forgiveness of sins available to every person. His central message was the in-breaking of His Kingdom in this world. Christ-followers are not those who simply have "been saved" (though that is an important aspect of following Jesus). Christ-followers are those who shape their lives around the Kingdom principles Jesus taught and exemplified. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=5 The Holy Spirit is God's guide for us as we work out what it means to follow Christ. He cultivates community (the church) and gives gifts to help encourage and prepare followers of Jesus on this spiritual journey of faith and mission. He forms and moulds our lives more into the image of Jesus Christ (spiritual transformation). He continues to empower us so we can follow Jesus and reflect His image. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=6 There is such a thing as absolute truth. What is not absolute is our ability to fully and accurately know and understand the truth. This is why we need a community guided by the Bible. As we wrestle with truth together, sharing and learning from each other, we come to a better picture of truth. Our task as Christ-followers is not to limit truth to a set of abstract propositions, principles, or statements, but instead to realize that truth is a person: Jesus Christ. Living in the truth is much more than believing certain creeds or statements. Living in the truth is about following Jesus Christ as a guide for life. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=7 The Bible is God's inspired word to us. Written at different times, through different genres, by different authors, it captures the heart of God for His people in all ages and places. While the Bible does not always offer a clear answer for every question, it does give us the needed guidelines for determining what a Christ-focused life should look like in the 21st century. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=8 Every person is created in the image of God (imago dei). This means every person has significant worth in His eyes, regardless of their racial, economic, educational, or past background. No person is exempt from God's love. However, every person has tainted the God-image in their life through sin. Every person who has ever lived is in need of forgiveness and restoration back to the image God intended for us. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=9 When a person places their life into the hands of Jesus Christ (this is done through repentance and faith) they enter into the salvation process. Salvation is a process in that it is both instant and ongoing. In one sense, we are "saved." That is, we have been forgiven and have entered into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In another sense, we are "being saved." That is, our lives continue to be transformed into the image of God. This transformation will take the rest of our lives and will only be complete at the end of our lives when we meet God face-to-face. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=10 God desires for us to work out our salvation in relationship with other Christ-followers. The church is the gathered community of people who have surrendered their lives to God's leadership (rule and reign) and transformation. The church is a foretaste of the Kingdom Jesus preached about and demonstrated. God has sent His church into the world as a missionary to be a sign pointing to His Kingdom. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=11 One day Jesus Christ will return. We don't know if this will be sooner or later. Our task as Christ-followers is not to try and figure out when that return will be, but rather, to live every day in light of that return. When Christ does return, His Kingdom will be brought to its perfect fullness. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=3 God is a perfect community of oneness. Sometimes called "the Trinity," God is both three and one. He is the perfect union of Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:39:52 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=19&article_id=23 Jesus is still here on earth through His body. One of the best things we can do for our friends who do not yet know, love, and follow Jesus is to introduce them to our other friends who do. Jesus said that the love our unconvinced friends observe between us and our friends who are already followers of Jesus will be the most telling evidence possible for His reality, relevance, and authenticity. In the context of imperfect but genuine Christian community, the message of Jesus will come alive in a way that a booklet or sermon never could communicate. If our community of faith is filled with arrogance, divided by pride, infected with superiority, stagnant with lack of concern, or critical of others, we have other issues to deal with. We believe that people will decide to follow Jesus in the context of authentic Christian community, not just in the context of information. Community is an expression of the gospel, which is the good news of Jesus. It is both our way of interpreting (hermeneutics) and defending (apologetics) the gospel. The most powerful apologetic for the gospel is this: a community of people living in the power of the Holy Spirit. The best we have as followers of God to show the world is how we live in community with Jesus at the center, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in community. Community is not an extra or bonus: it is the essence of what Christians have to offer. We desire to talk the right talk about the gospel of Jesus in a culturally relevant way; live the talk as convictions and practices cannot be separated; and be community where we live. We will seek to love and live out community through our local community of faith, called New Hope Church. We are honored by every person whom God adds to our community. We aim to work together to build the community of faith through maintaining mutual respect, open communication, determined cooperation, and believing and speaking the best about each other. We also seek to love and be in community with Christians across denominational lines. We make an effort to be in unity with Christians from other traditions, emphasizing what we hold in common rather than focusing on our differences. A church for us is more than services and programs. At heart it is a community of people. At New Hope we want our community to be dynamic and alive, not static or stagnant, and so we value and encourage innovation, creativity, freedom, thought, dialogue, diversity, and lifelong spiritual searching and growth. We are unapologetically a Christ-following community, rooted in the historic Christian faith, guided by the Bible, and learning to be vibrant followers of Jesus Christ. However, our approach to ministry is geared to reach the changing (post-modern, post-Christendom) culture. We intentionally use contemporary forms of music, casual dress, and a non-religious, non-hype, and laid back style. "You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor" (James 3:18 - MSG). Sat, 18 Nov 2006 11:30:46 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=20 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=20&article_id=19 Streams of Living Water There have been six major streams that have been found in the body of Christ throughout church history. Every denomination, every movement, and every church has been influenced by at least one of these streams/traditions, whether one is aware of it or not. If we are going to be balanced and whole followers of Jesus, we need to have all six of these streams flowing through our lives and churches. Contemplative: prayer-filled life ...focuses upon intimacy with God and depth of spirituality. This spiritual dimension addresses the longing for a deeper, more vital Christian experience. By God's grace, I will set aside time regularly for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading and will seek to practice the presence of God. "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God" (Ps. 42:1-2b). In what ways has God made His presence known to you? What experiences of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading has God given you? What difficulties or frustrations have you encountered? What joys and delights? Holiness: virtuous life ...focuses upon personal moral transformation and the power to develop "holy habits." This spiritual dimension addresses the erosion of moral fiber in personal and social life. By God's grace, I will strive mightily against sin and will do deeds of love and mercy. "Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Tim. 4:7b-8). What temptations have you faced? How did you respond? Which spiritual disciplines has God used to lead you further into holiness of heart and life? Charismatic: spirit-empowered life ...focuses upon the grace gifts of the Spirit. This spiritual dimension addresses the yearning for the immediacy of God's presence among His people. By God's grace, I will welcome the Holy Spirit, exercising the gifts and nurturing the fruit while living in the joy and power of the Spirit. "Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts" (Eph. 5:18b-19). Have you sensed any influence or work of the Holy Spirit? What spiritual gifts has the Spirit enabled you to exercise? What was the outcome? What fruit of the Spirit would you like to see increase in your life? What disciplines might be useful in this effort? Social Justice: compassionate life ...focuses upon justice and peace in all human relationships and social structures. This spiritual dimension addresses the gospel imperative for equity and compassion among all peoples. By God's grace, I will endeavor to serve others everywhere I can and will work for justice in all human relationships and social structures. "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream" (Amos 5:24). What opportunities has God given you to serve others? How did you respond? Have you encountered any injustice to or oppression of others? Have you been able to work for justice and peace? Evangelical: word-centered life ...focuses upon the proclamation of the evangel, the good news of the gospel. This spiritual dimension addresses the need for people to see the good news lived and hear the good news proclaimed. By God's grace, I will share my faith with others as God leads and study the Scriptures regularly. "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-27). Has God provided an opportunity for you to share your faith with someone? How did you respond? In what ways have you encountered Christ in your reading of the Scriptures? How has the Bible shaped the way you think and live? Incarnational: sacramental life...focuses upon making present and visible the realm of the invisible Spirit. This spiritual dimension addresses the crying need to experience God as truly manifest and notoriously active in daily life. By God's grace, I will joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that I say, in all that I do, in all that I am. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor. 4:7). In what ways have you been able to manifest the presence of God through your daily work? How has God fed and strengthened you through the ministry of word and sacrament? Sat, 18 Mar 2006 09:06:10 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=22 These "Journey" documents have been designed to help us in our spiritual growth. Each one is designed to develop a key area of our relationship with Christ, His church, and His cause. We believe that none of us have "arrived" in our spiritual life. Rather, all of us are journeying together. Chances are, if we are reading this information, something inside us is unsettled. Every so often, something in our hearts stirs and seems to say, "It's time to grow." Our spiritual life needs to be nurtured as much as our physical life. Just as we need food, rest, and exercise to grow physically, we need to be intentional about our growth in Christ. However, as many of us have found out the hard way, spiritual growth is not always easy. Growth seems sluggish and difficult at times. Yet something inside us continues to seek for more. Growth is a process. Or, as we like to put it, growth is a journey. The path to spiritual maturity is ongoing. And just like any journey, there are going to be some seasons where the road is smooth and straight...and there will be other seasons where the path is challenging, filled with potholes and blanketed in fog. This Journey information will not eliminate all the potholes and fog in life. Nor will it make that inner ache for growth disappear. That ache is something God has placed in us to keep us growing. However, we hope that it will become helpful guides to us as we continue to travel on the road to spiritual maturity and to fulfilling God's purposes in life. Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:33:41 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21&article_id=20 This list is designed to help us get a picture of the with-God life presented in the Bible and the role of the Spiritual Disciplines in fostering that kind of life toward its fullness. This list does not include every practice or situation that could actually serve as a discipline in the process of spiritual formation. The Bible is all about human life "with-God" and how God has made this "with-God" life possible and will bring it to pass. Celebration: utter delight and joy in ourselves, our life, and our world as a result of our faith and confidence in God's greatness, beauty, and goodness. Confession: sharing our deepest weaknesses and failures with God and trusted others, so that we may enter into God's grace and mercy and experience His ready forgiveness and healing. Fasting: the voluntary abstaining from an otherwise normal function - most often eating - for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Fellowship/Community: engaging with other disciplines in the common activities of worship, study, prayer, celebration, and service, which sustain our life together and enlarge our capacity to experience more of God. Guidance: experiencing an interactive friendship with God that gives direction and purpose to daily life. Meditation: prayerful reflection upon God, His Word, and His world. Prayer: interactive conversation with God about what we and God are thinking and doing together. Sacrifice: deliberately forsaking the security of satisfying our own needs with our resources in the faith and hope that God will sustain us. Secrecy: consciously refraining from having our good deeds and qualities generally known, which, in turn, rightly disciplines our longing for recognition. Service: loving, thoughtful, active promotion of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves. Silence: closing off our souls from "sounds," whether noise, music, or words, so that we may better still the inner chatter and clatter of our noisy hearts and be increasingly attentive to God. Simplicity: the inward reality of single-hearted focus upon God and His Kingdom, which results in an outward lifestyle of modesty, openness, and unpretentiousness and which disciplines our hunger for status, glamour, and luxury. Solitude: the creation of an open, empty space in our lives by purposefully abstaining from interaction with other human beings, to that, freed from competing loyalties, we can be found by God. Study: the intentional process of engaging the mind with the written and spoken Word of God and the world God has created in such a way that the mind takes on an order conforming to the order upon which it concentrates. Submission: subordination to the guidance of God; within the Christian fellowship, a constant mutual subordination out of reverence for Christ, which opens the way for particular subordination to those who are qualified to direct our efforts toward Christlikeness and who then add the weight of their wise authority on the side of our willing spirit to help us do the things we would like to do and refrain from doing the things we do not want to do. Worship: expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supranatural reality of the glory of God (His presence). Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:21:42 MST http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16 http://www.newhopechurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16&article_id=18 Many today are simply no longer content with either "spiritual goose bumps" [in other words, a religion or spirituality with just emotional euphoria or ecstasy] or a cerebral, intellectual, or logical religion [in other words, a religion or spirituality with just the mind, that is divorced from daily life and living]. People are looking for and expecting a faith, a spirituality, a religion that will thoroughly and completely transform their lives - something real, authentic, alive, and practical. What is Spiritual Formation? Spiritual Formation, another way of saying discipleship, breathes new life into religious experience by reconnecting theology to practice. We need right orthodoxy (right beliefs and doctrines) as well as right orthopraxy (right practice and living), and this includes both the mind and the heart. When Paul said to the Galatians, "I am in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you" (4:19) he was speaking of Spiritual Formation. When he told the Romans, "Those whom (God) foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son" (8:29) he was speaking of Spiritual Formation. When he reminded the Corinthians that "All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image" (2 Cor. 3:18) he was speaking of Spiritual Formation. So what is Spiritual Formation? Spiritual Formation is the continuing process of life and experience through which we are progressively formed, conformed, and transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Christian Spiritual Formation is intentional formation. We purposefully seek formation of a particular kind which will lead us in a particular direction. The particular kind of formation is the "imitation of Christ." The particular direction this leads to is Christian virtue, Christlike character, Christlikeness. In the fifteenth century Thomas a Kempis wrote in The Imitation of Christ, "we must imitate [Christ's] life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ...Anyone who wishes to understand Christ's words and to savor them fully should strive to become like him in every way." We are not a church that believes, teaches, and practices consumer-Christianity-without-discipleship. Christian Spiritual Formation is really hammered out in the harsh realities of ordinary life - ear infections, broken arms, late buses and trains and tubes, unreasonable bosses, stock market slumps, irrational neighbors, difficult spouses, challenging children, losses in life, etc. As we move forward in Spiritual Formation, it is important that we remember these three areas. Focusing on Jesus First, we must focus on Jesus. This is not formation in general, but formation into Christlikeness. Everything hangs on Jesus. He gives skeleton, sinews, and muscles to our formation. We find definition, shape, and form for our formation in Jesus. Jesus is our Savior to redeem us, our Bishop to shepherd us, our Teacher to instruct us, our Lord to rule us, and our Friend to come alongside us. We are constantly learning to live our life as Jesus would live our life if he were we. Focusing on Scripture Second, we must focus on Scripture. God, in sovereign grace and outrageous love, has given us a written revelation of His own being and nature and of His purposes for humanity. But the intrinsic power and greatness of the Bible does not make it easy for us to receive the life it offers. In fact, we can often use the Bible in ways that stifle the spiritual life and even destroy the soul. Sometimes we study the Bible for information alone in order to prove that we are right and others are wrong in particular doctrines, beliefs, or practices. At other times we study the Bible to find some formula to solve the pressing need of the moment. But both approaches to the Bible leave the soul untouched. No, we need to study the Bible with a view to the transformation of our whole person and of our whole life into Christlikeness. We come to the Bible to receive the life "with God" that is portrayed in the Bible. To do this we must not control what comes out of the Bible. We must be prepared to have our dearest and most fundamental assumptions about ourselves and our associations called into question. We must read humbly and in a constant attitude of repentance. Only in this way can we gain a thorough and practical grasp of the spiritual riches that God has made available to all humanity in His written Word. Focusing on Spiritual Disciplines Finally, we must focus on Spiritual Disciplines. The life we find in the Bible is meant for us. Jesus' declaration, "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" is intended for you and for me (John 10:10). It is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is solid. It is simple. It is serene. It is radiant. But, it is not automatic. There is a process, a God-ordained means, to becoming the kind of persons and the kind of communities that can fully and joyfully enter into such abundant living. This is the reason for the Disciplines of the spiritual life. They constitute the way God has given us for intentionally "...training ourselves in godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7). (TMB): "...Exercise daily in God--no spiritual flabbiness, please." (NLT): "...Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness." This is why the Spiritual Disciplines are the third essential focus of Spiritual Formation. Frankly, no Spiritual Disciplines, no Spiritual Formation. The Disciplines are the God-ordained means by which each of us is enabled to bring the little, individualized power pack we all possess-we call it the human body-and place it before God as "a living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1). It is the way we go about training in the spiritual life. By means of this process we become, through time and experience, the kind of person who lives naturally and freely in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23) as well as other things the Bible talks about. What are these Spiritual Disciplines I am speaking of? Oh, they are many and varied: fasting and prayer, study and service, submission and solitude, confession and worship, meditation and silence, simplicity, sacrifice, celebration, and the like. The commonly identified public religious activities are important to be sure, but the less commonly practiced activities like solitude and silence and meditation and fasting and submission to the will of others as appropriate are in fact more foundational for Spiritual Formation. All Disciplines should be thoughtfully and decisively approached for the purpose of forming the life into Christlikeness, or they will have little or no effect. It is vitally important for us to see all this spiritual training in the context of the work and action of God's grace. As the great Apostle reminds us, "It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). You see, we are not just saved by grace, we also live by grace. And we pray by grace and fast by grace and study by grace and serve by grace and worship by grace. The training of the Spiritual Disciplines must always be seen in the context of an intimate, personal walk with Jesus Himself. We are not looking for some exhaustive list of the Disciplines so that we can cross every "t" and dot every "i". Nor are we looking for any "formula for blessedness". No, this is a dynamic, interactive life "with God". In practicing the Spiritual Disciplines we are simply learning to fall in love with Jesus over and over and over again. Spiritual Formation, discipleship, Christlikeness...all for the sake of the world! The inward journey of Spiritual Transformation will help us to embody, demonstrate, and share the gospel of the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom (rule and reign) to the world. Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:16:35 MST