Last week Jesse moved us through an amazing meditation on lent and how to make this season more meaningful to us. One of the things that came up was a Ted talk that dealt with business. But they said people don't buy the product they buy from the company that has answered a set of Why they are making such a product. I watched the talk and I agreed. I knew what I did. I knew relatively how I did it. But rarely have I gone to that next place and said "WHY DO I DO THE THINGS I DO?"
I went to town.
- Why do I make websites for a living? To bring beauty and functionality to people's primary contribution to community.
- why am I a dad? Parents are producers of a joyful, loving, stable world. How: By growing children into loving, joyful people who impact tomorrow by being who they truly are.
- Why am I a husband? Because I love crystal.
So after a week of why I thought I would answer it for why I have decided to be a pastor. It is a little out of my element to have a sunday in which I talk be about me... Usually I hide behind clever concepts and rude word pictures, but I guess today I am taking off the blinders and showing my endgame.
So first I want to tackle Why I do what I do.
When I was looking at this I really couldn't Portland this up very well. However much I wanted to rephrase or restate. I couldn't get the reality out. So I'll state it bluntly: I serve Jesus. There are all sorts of ways I can say that differently but really it doesn't change that statement. So the real question is why do I serve Jesus?
So first I want to tackle Why I do what I do.
When I was looking at this I really couldn't Portland this up very well. However much I wanted to rephrase or restate. I couldn't get the reality out. So I'll state it bluntly: I serve Jesus. There are all sorts of ways I can say that differently but really it doesn't change that statement. So the real question is why do I serve Jesus?
1. Because Jesus extracted me from being an inward person that just wanted my way and had no real direction.
When I was growing up I was in cub scouts and boy scouts. And one of the things that boys scouts are known for is helping old ladies accross the street. Now even though I wasn't an evil child. service was pretty much not something that came natural for me. And Perhaps it is the scout way to train service into you. However, they couldn't do that either. I had to be required to serve, and then when I got my signature I was off doing what I wanted to do.
When I was growing up I was in cub scouts and boy scouts. And one of the things that boys scouts are known for is helping old ladies accross the street. Now even though I wasn't an evil child. service was pretty much not something that came natural for me. And Perhaps it is the scout way to train service into you. However, they couldn't do that either. I had to be required to serve, and then when I got my signature I was off doing what I wanted to do.
The seeped into my college years when i became a buddhist. I remember studying the monks in Tibet and how they would get up early and sweep the streets. I idealized them... yet service was another requirement that I was getting checked off. This time to do service would mean the ultimate check off: enlightenment. However it still was like pulling teeth to get any service out of me... and I was the scout handbook this time.
At 20 when I became a christian, something very odd changed. I can't say it will happen to everyone, but for me, when I adopted Christ as my own, I began naturally serving people. I was doing loaves and fishes for elder people, I was playing music for the kids program. And I was just looking for something else to do. This I might add was not for any sort of signature or discipline. It just was naturally coming out ... so I have a great gratitude that my relationship with Jesus took me out of a self centered game, and into a life of living for others on terms I enjoy.
2. I believe Jesus is the Picture of God.
I didn't used to really think this, in fact, there was a sermon I preached once that because I didn't have the concept firmly in my mind that on a single sunday 10 people were so infuriated with what I said they left the church. To put that in perspective, think if you after reading this were so infuriated with me that you decided to never speak to me again. Now multiply that 10 times. Thankfully the people of the bridge are much more able to consider the speaker and their fallibilty over their theology. My hope is before relationship is severed over theology that healthy doses of commitment to the other are administered
I didn't used to really think this, in fact, there was a sermon I preached once that because I didn't have the concept firmly in my mind that on a single sunday 10 people were so infuriated with what I said they left the church. To put that in perspective, think if you after reading this were so infuriated with me that you decided to never speak to me again. Now multiply that 10 times. Thankfully the people of the bridge are much more able to consider the speaker and their fallibilty over their theology. My hope is before relationship is severed over theology that healthy doses of commitment to the other are administered
After reading a lot, I now have a solid stance on why Jesus is an accurate portrayal of God. We all have weird views of God. In fact many people hate God because of their view of people in general, however if you ask the same people if they hate Jesus, it seems like a silly question. It sort of is like hating the sweet old lady down the street. It kind of says more about you than her. Jesus is hard to hate because he is the solid form of God that we can relate to. This is why I think he is an accurate picture of God.
3. I believe that by knowing Jesus, living with the Holy Spirit, and being a part of what God is doing now (ie the kingdom of God)- by doing all of those things I have the ability to be truly who I am designed to be.
Over the course of my eight years as pastor here, it has been a little schizophrenic. I'm sure everybody has their own way of communicating with God. Mine functions as a conversation in my head. Lilly Tomlin joked “Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying, but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic?” This is how I see communication with God:
Basically the above says... the closer you are with God the less he has to Tell you stuff and the more you already want to do it.
That said, I feel that there is a design for each one of us to be exactly who we are. And my specific bent suggests that with the partnership and communion of the Holy Spirit I can get there. And I feel so can you.
I believe that Jesus' death and resurrection is a change agent that removes me from self-centeredness, and allows for clear access and communication to God, which is necessary to live my life in harmony with creation, and in the joy and turmoil of solving life's problems.
I believe that Jesus' death and resurrection is a change agent that removes me from self-centeredness, and allows for clear access and communication to God, which is necessary to live my life in harmony with creation, and in the joy and turmoil of solving life's problems.
I think by relieving ourselves from being in charge we begin to tap into the actual creation forces that begin to work for us. (land timeline, and nature) Personally I think much of the earth's disharmony is based on people who are taking control for themselves.
So in a nutshell Why do I follow Jesus?
- Jesus takes me out of self-centeredness, is the picture of God, by being in partnership I am more of who I've been designed to be, and more able to live in harmony with creation
Those are the reasons I am who I am
NOW ... How I do what I do.
Why have I decided to be a pastor of a church?
I am honored to expose anyone to Jesus to who would consider it, because it has made such a huge impact in my life.
When I was going to college and learning the bible. People asked me "what are you going to do with that?" I told them plainly, I want people to pay me to tell them about Jesus. And I guess today they do. Not enough to live on... but I have other employment thankfully.
Why have I decided to be a pastor of a church?
I am honored to expose anyone to Jesus to who would consider it, because it has made such a huge impact in my life.
When I was going to college and learning the bible. People asked me "what are you going to do with that?" I told them plainly, I want people to pay me to tell them about Jesus. And I guess today they do. Not enough to live on... but I have other employment thankfully.
I want to share and help. Sometimes we need someone to coach us into better techniques, and Jesus has taught me some things, and if you want I would love to coach you in the way. I believe that we all need coaches in becoming better people. And I wish to encourage the relationship between you and Jesus.
I also value the beauty of people coming together from all walks of life and impacting each other with their own piece of God that they have singularly been designed to share in their timeline. It is in this coming together that allows us to become better people. Basically more in line with who God has designed us to be. I feel that by taking on the responsibility as leader in this church I can keep this community doing what it does. AND I can be a significant agent in more people becoming more themselves and celebrated because of it.
I also value the beauty of people coming together from all walks of life and impacting each other with their own piece of God that they have singularly been designed to share in their timeline. It is in this coming together that allows us to become better people. Basically more in line with who God has designed us to be. I feel that by taking on the responsibility as leader in this church I can keep this community doing what it does. AND I can be a significant agent in more people becoming more themselves and celebrated because of it.
Nutshell: Why have I chosen to take on the role of pastor?
- I wish to coach and encourage the relationship between you and Jesus. And to do what I can to encourage us coming together so that our own personal pieces of God can form an amazing picture of who God Actually is.
Finally Where I do what I do
Why do I serve at the bridge?
I believe that all people should be loved and accepted
Why do I serve at the bridge?
I believe that all people should be loved and accepted
I feel that Jesus was a great model for boundaries, love and acceptance. And by exposing those aspects of benevolence that he modeled we are inspired to love, as well as included by those who are so inspired.
Usually the people that have found the bridge as their home are those who have been hurt by the corporate machine of church either in the capacity of being in it or by those in the proximity of it. So we are a spiritual ER that tends to the wounds of those that are bitter, sarcastic, flagrant, and flamboyant. And the reality is that some Die. We are a triage unit that patches and moves, diagnoses and suggests care. We have to move quickly to get people to surgery, and we pray for their recovery. It is very exciting and exhausting, and if you've been here a while ... it's very hard.
Usually the people that have found the bridge as their home are those who have been hurt by the corporate machine of church either in the capacity of being in it or by those in the proximity of it. So we are a spiritual ER that tends to the wounds of those that are bitter, sarcastic, flagrant, and flamboyant. And the reality is that some Die. We are a triage unit that patches and moves, diagnoses and suggests care. We have to move quickly to get people to surgery, and we pray for their recovery. It is very exciting and exhausting, and if you've been here a while ... it's very hard.
I have a profound respect for someone in this community that is challenging us all by speaking out, and giving up for lent the traits of God that they never thought were congruous with who God really is. Why is this profound and groundbreaking? For me it is because I simply never thought that my God was riddled with asterisks, carrots and caviots, and realistically reflected much of broken humanity. Yet by this person speaking up, and challenging hidden agendas that have been masked in theology, we all are exposed to a view of God that demands rethinking.
This is a special place for that person.
This is a special place that is for you. The person who needs God without the cultural minutia that doesn't include others.
Simply I serve here at the Bridge because I love the people that need a Bridge.
This is a special place that is for you. The person who needs God without the cultural minutia that doesn't include others.
Simply I serve here at the Bridge because I love the people that need a Bridge.
How this works itself out is I communicate to those that would listen: the emotion, action, and sound of Jesus as the picture of who God is.
And I think WE do this CHURCH THING by using current terms, current stories, current people to communicate a life of beauty, equality, harmony, reality, liberty, justice and joy.
Why are you who you are? How do you express it? Where do you express it?
I encourage you this week to sit down and list what your different roles are, and why you do them. I think this exercise will strengthen your everyday efforts. Perhaps as a result you will hopefully let your why be expressed here at the Bridge.
And I think WE do this CHURCH THING by using current terms, current stories, current people to communicate a life of beauty, equality, harmony, reality, liberty, justice and joy.
Why are you who you are? How do you express it? Where do you express it?
I encourage you this week to sit down and list what your different roles are, and why you do them. I think this exercise will strengthen your everyday efforts. Perhaps as a result you will hopefully let your why be expressed here at the Bridge.
