Thoughts about My Last Post!

In my last blog entry, I (Terry) recommended a book, "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. It is one of the few blogs that people have commented on. The recommendation of the book was out of my own personal journey.

While I take another view than the comments shared, I think it is key for us to be in conversation. This blog is for our church body (Matthew's Cafe) and its activities. But because I recommended the book, I thought it would be helpful to follow-up on the Aug. 28th post (see below) and share a response.

Up front...especially to those who were concerned... Fernando, Anonymous and Traci... NO... I have not deserted the faith, or drifted into some false movement in recommending a read of Blue Like Jazz... I too have been studying where we are at as the Church.

I do know there is much dialog out there about authors like Miller being one of the many writers that are being lumped together into what is called the "emergent movement." YES... I still fully embrace the Gospel which includes a belief in the presentation of sin, judgment and a clear presentation of truth... NO... I have not wavered in any way terms of my commitment to Jesus Christ, trust in him alone, and the authority of Scripture.

And YES... salvation is by faith alone... coming through a confession of sin, and belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior that sets a person free. And that alone.

So what was the point of the blog entry?
I feel that we who have surrendered our lives to Christ, and who trust is Jesus Christ, need to come to terms with the isolation that most of us have from the world Jesus called us to reach. We are for the most part sealed off from interacting with the very people Jesus came to seek and to save. It is time for us to go to them.

We need to engage in discussion and dialog with this growing wave of unbelief in the way that Christ did. Rather than turning in... Jesus left the Father, entered their world, lived and proclaimed the truth, and presented/translated the Gospel to them (Matthew 9), on their turf, even when the religious would not have it.

I do believe that taking the Gospel to the non-believing world is a call for us to become missionaries to our neighborhoods, like those who now serve around the world. These servants in foreign lands invest time and relationship into understanding where people are, and then build bridges required to take people from where they are, to where need to be... that is what it means to surrender and follow Christ in our day. Even if it risks being misunderstood.

NO... not so far so as to compromise truth... and NO not to forsake the preaching of the Word... But YES... far enough to make sure that what we are holding to actual truth alone, and not our preferences as Christians. It is being willing to (like Paul) to become all things, to all men, so that some might believe. Holding fast to truth, yet willing to lay down our preferred approach and style.

An observation: There have been things that have been said by the likes of John MacArthur, Chuck Swindoll, Chuck Smith and other leaders that I have not agreed with down through the years in my growth as a Christian. In the 80s I watched as John MacArthur has wrote off the whole of the charismatic movement, and assigned tongues to something not being not from God, but of the flesh and enemy. Thought I do not always agree, these same men have sharpened my faith and practice, and challenged me to grow.

I know some who feel Miller does not even fit in that same camp as the leaders above. But at the risk of being misunderstood, (and I could be wrong) much of the fears I hear often have more to do with the methods, than error in teaching. There is no doubt that Miller's upbringing and hurt from the church has made his unorthodox approach and methods to the non-Christian world not the norm.

Please do NOT in ANYWAY hear that as I am not committed to truth, and or have fallen prey to a movement that is not according to truth. Any of us can be wrong in our assessment of things. If we ever lose that reality, we will fall prey to false teaching. Rather, I have chosen to allow the practice of my faith (not the faith itself) be challenged and sharpened by those I still do consider a brother in Christ, though I might not always agree.

I read Blue Like Jazz last year, was impacted by it, and did not evaluate it to offer any a truth other than that which is according to Scripture. Oh... I was challenged, and yes I did not agree with all his methods, but my read landed it within the confines of Scripture. I voluntarily take on the challenge to read and review Blue Like Jazz, again, and will offer a review on my personal blog on Leader Breakthru blog in the next 30-days (www.leaderbreakthru.com).

My commitment: If I find that which is in the book, is not according to the Gospel, I will offer correction to where I think Miller is off, and not recommend it in the future, In terms of Miller's new book, and the posture that was ascribed to him, I will wait until it comes out.

I am glad several felt strong enough to dialog with me.
Let me be so bold to ask us each to not assign to each other a belief either may hold before dialog. Wholesale lumping of any of us in a group is not helpful, especially when comes to believing we are leaving the truth. We need the chance to truly hear where each other is coming from, regardless of what the other critics may say.

I have been hurt in the past (and I am sure I have hurt others) by doing that. We may not always agree with each other, but love for each other and brothers and sisters in Christ should be our trademark. Let us reason together, talk things through, and let iron sharpens iron.

I welcome your thoughts.
Blessings.
Terry

This Sunday - 5th Sunday @ Wildwood Park!

Hey this Sunday we are at Wildwood Park! See Map.

(NOTE ... NO meeting this week at Mangrove).
All starts at 10am - regular time.
Worship and Sharing ... and BBQ afterwards for lunch!
Fun time... and it ends when it ends!
Softball... water games... tug-o-war... etc.

Cafe will provide hot dogs, drinks, silverware, everything.
Bring chair or blanket for those who come with you!
We also need you to just bring the following:

A-L bring desert
M-Z bring side dish

Last fling of summer!
See u there.

ReThoughts about Blue Like Jazz!

I recently gave a recommendation to Donald Miller and his book Blue Like Jazz (featured in the picture).

It was featured under the blog I entitled: "7 out of 13." It caused a stir from several because of my recommending a book that gave references to recommending a writer who some beleive is abandoning Christianity as we know it today, and trying to more closely align with the actual teaching and life of Christ.

I am re-tracting that recommendation and blog post for two reasons:

1. While I do not fully agree with those who agrue that Miller is preaching a different Gospel, there is enough within the book that can be misuderstood, that it is not worth the risk of those who look to me, being led astray toward a gospel message different that the Truth of God's Word. For those who challenged me, I appreciate your efforts to check what I am recommending according to the Word of God. It is the same as the Berans of the new Testament, and as my brothers and sisters in Christ, I respect your calling me to account.

2. I also broke with a rule that I have held to when I suggest or recommend reading and resources that are more edgy and challenging. I did give to the reader some "pre-conditions" and state that I did not go along with all that is said. In the past, I have offered disclaimers when I know that things could be misuderstood and even more the opnion of the author, as opposed to truth.

I will read more widely than maybe most. The reason is not to embrace that which is not the truth, but to listen to what is being said, and how God wants us to take the Gospel into the discussions of the culture. My 40+ years as a Christian hase given me a fairly good filtering system.... in that I can embrace what I see to be the truth, while letting that which borders the truth, go.

But I do realize, and now re-enforce that truth that not all have that desire, or years of experience. So on both counts, I apologize if in anyway I have caused you to be misled by Miller's writings, and it the days ahead will work to hold to the two safeguards that I shared above.

Blessings.
Terry

GREEN LIGHTS!

Can we begin this new outreach?
Can we start this new ministry venture?
Can I use the Café for ______?

YES!
GREEN LIGHTS!

Here are FOUR questions. Answer them and you have
GREEN lights to launch a new ministry and become a sent-one of
Matthew’s Café:

1. Is your ministry/vision in-line with the mission and vision of the Café?
2. Is there more than one of you… a team… who believe and will be part?
3. Is it self-supporting financially, so it does not become a financial drain on the body?
4. Are you linked and connected to the Leadership team?

If the answers are yes to all four, you are good to go!
Seriously. The Leadership Team blesses you as being a
sent one form Café to Chico and beyond.

What about a tougher question:
Are we going to start up the COFFEEHOUSE again?
Answer. YES.
When?

When the body and its need for the Cafe mandates it!
What does that mean? When there are so many ministries wanting to use the Cafe, that it merits us hiring a team to keep it open full time... WE WILL GO FOR IT!
Green Lights!

How do we get going?

Pick up a GREEN LIGHTS form at the Cafe!
Fill this out. TURN into PAT LILLIE!
She will get you on the Coffeehouse Use Calendar.
She will then let you know your start date.

It's time again... to move out!