Sunday was Raw

• We decided to have one more service in the warehouse. We threw down the stage and set up a few chairs. There was no sound system, no power point, no video, no bulletin, no children's ministry, not even a nursery. It was just us and God.
• Joe led s in three songs and did a great job. We had donuts and cold drinks for everyone to enjoy.
• Did I mention that we had a major downpour and everyone was soaked getting in to the service?
• My message was called "The Rantings of a Mad Pastor." Mad, not as in angry, but I was wondering if I am insane to think that church can be different. I am tired of the Americanized church. I think that we have confused the "American Dream" with the "Kingdom of God." I don't believe that the goal of a relationship with God is to make our life comfortable and extravagant. Could we get back to when the church had everything common? Could church be a place where your sorrow is my sorrow, your joy is my joy, your debt is my debt, and your prosperity is my prosperity? But churches have become little kingdoms in themselves. The entrepeneural spirit of America has made church planters more individualized and domain centered. I have been around some "big vision" people that have become small in my eyes. God's mission is greater than anyone's vision. Many can't see beyond the borders of their individual kingdoms. Sometimes we forget that we are brothers. My family drove 2 hours to help but I have brothers and family 10 minutes away who never thought to lend a hand. We say that we are doing church to reach the unchurched but how can we say that we love God and let our brother go in need. I know that I am speaking from the needy side of his equation. I was and am the one in need. I am not trying to fault my Christian brothers. Would I be writing this if everything was going well and my needs were met and I was comfortable? Would I come to help bear the burdens of my brothers if the roles were reversed? I do not know but I think this is what God is teaching me. I spoke from 1 Peter 2. In this passage, Peter describes the church as "living stones," "a chosen tribe," "a royal priesthood," "a holy nation," "a peculiar people." Am I insane to think that church could be this? If it is to be, it will start with what Peter started with. His first call was for us to become like "newborn babes." We must rid ourselves of malice, hypocrisy, greed, and any other vice that would keep us from being "peculiar" or insane. We must nurse on the Word of God rather than on the latest book or strategy. We must return to the Word where we first tasted and knew that God was good. God is teaching me these things and maybe when the roles are reversed, I will use my resources to not just expand my own personal kingdom but will help my brother fulfill his vision also. Maybe I am insane.