David Tarkington

Don't Waste the Time You Have Left

I should have seen this coming.

Back in the fall of 2012, while studying and praying for our church, God revealed that I needed to preach through the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians. Of course, at first look, it became obvious that God would be speaking to us in some very pointed and strongly worded passages. As I studied through the book and began logging mental notes of what God was saying, He led me to the theme for the series:

"Keep Calm & Stay Focused"

It was a play on the old British war poster that has become somewhat of an internet meme over the past few years, not to mention all the knock-offs printed on T-shirts and coffee mugs and other such items.

So, we began.

Keep calm? About what?

Stay focused. Focused on what?

Over the past seven months, as we have systematically studied through this book, it has become clear that these seemingly innocent words would become more.

KEEP CALM

There have been numerous things occuring among individuals and families within our church over the past few months that would naturally lead to any personal response other than "calmness." Deaths, marriage issues, rebellious children, job situations, foreclosures, etc. have all been experienced among people of our fellowship. Add to that the stress of an ever changing world with all the unknowns regarding personal safety, prosperity, taxes, bills, insurance, etc. and "keeping calm" becomes even more difficult.

Then, and behind all the worry, is the realization of the intense spiritual attacks and warfare many of us (my family included) have experienced these past few months. These have seemingly come from nowhere, but we understand it's part of a spiritual attack.

STAY FOCUSED

Perhaps this is the most difficult part. Keeping calm may result in just slowing down, taking some deep breaths, using learned techniques to slow down one's breathing and heart rates.

Staying focused - now that's another thing entirely.

This is what I meant when I said "I should have seen this coming."

The focus God has laser-guided us toward is that of the Gospel and our role in living it out and sharing it with others.

After reading about David Landrith and watching his message to his church from last Sunday, God has affirmed that we (all of us) are only here for a short time. Even those saintly seniors who have many decades in their history, when compared to eternity, the stay on this terrestrial ball is short.

No one is promised tomorrow.

It's more than "preacher speak" used to get people to make spiritual decisions.

It is reality.

Proverbs 27:1(ESV)
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Therefore, we must remain focused. Otherwise, we drift into stories that are small, insignificant and . . . in the big picture, don't really matter.

What a travesty!

As our staff met this morning (Tuesday morning) we discussed the importance of being on task. There are so many things that can, and often do, distract us from that which we are called to do.

How many churches find themselves in neutral because they lose focus? How many never regain that focus? Consequently, we end up with many churches starting and gathering with great intentions, but slowly drifting toward maintenance, or club mode, living out their existence as "brand expanders" while the world God has called them (i.e. us) to reach continues to slide further toward an eternity of separation and death apart from God.

No, we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Therefore, we must make the best of today.

Ephesians 5:15-16(ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Make the best use of the time you have left. We can know how much sand is in the bottom of the hourglass, but we just don't know how much is left in the top. No one is promised tomorrow. Don't waste today.

Some have been open with me about their struggle to be "Kingdom-minded" in all things. Yet, it's refreshing to hear that they know it's what God is calling them to be.

Here is what I sense happening at First Baptist Orange Park:

• God is refining us for a greater work.
• God is calling us to be strategic in our practice of making disciples.
• God is moving us out of maintenance mode.
• God is calling people out of comfortable "Christianity."
• God is leading.
• God is pruning.
• God is gifting.
• And more.

With that, the Enemy is working as well. This is a spiritual war.

• The Enemy is attacking.
• The Enemy is distracting.
• The Enemy is accusing.
• The Enemy is setting traps.
• The Enemy is leading people to focus on things that do not matter.
• The Enemy is lying.

We would be wise to know our enemy and understand his tactics, so that we would not so easily fall into his traps.

Since we know the Enemy (Satan) is at work in this way, we must be praying and worshipping and serving God more intently now than ever. There are lives at stake. There is eternity at stake.

It was exciting Sunday to see twelve people join our fellowship as members. The baptisms of Suzanne and Barbara were wonderful.

To top it off, to have three come to share publicly that God has called them into full-time service and another three seeking God in such a way to clarify the call is incredible.

Do you see this?

Do you see God expanding His Kingdom through His church?

Some cannot. They're too preoccupied in their small stories. That's unfortunate.

May we all step into the Story that matters and leave the small, petty, insignificant ones behind. We just don't have time for that. There's much to do.

Keep calm and stay focused.

Related articles

I Fear We May Be Brand Expanders

A "God Story" Was Written Today!

Students Prepare for Mission Trip to New Orleans. Could This Be More Than a Trip?

I just left a meeting with a group of our high school students and Dave Paxton, our Student Pastor. This is the first prep meeting for the Spring Break Mission Trip to New Orleans our students will be going on in just a couple of weeks.

It is a small group this year, but there's something special about this group (not that there wasn't something special about previous years' groups.) The trip is a little different than in the past. Our group will be working in a few major areas - "Just the Right Attitude" Food Bank, Hollygrove, Day Haven (a day care for senior adults), and the Edgewood Park community.

As Dave was sharing about the trip and giving the assignments to students, he said "Pray daily about how God will change the city." As I typed this on my iPad, I hit a wrong key. One of the great things about the iPad (well, sometimes great) is that when you mistype something, it automatically fixes it. Apparently, I hit a wrong key and the iPad changed some words. When I looked at my notes it said, "Pray daily about how God will change us."

Wow!

That's the point here isn't it? In the midst of the mission trip, God does a work on those serving on the team. We have students who have been before and some who have never been and for some reason God has orchestrated this year for this team to be together.

I have a feeling this is a "God story" in the making.

We closed our meeting in small groups praying. I was praying with parents of three other students. I shared openly that my prayer is for my son to be called into a bigger Story. I shared that I am concerned that the stories being played out here for our students are weak and not big enough for them to see God at work. There's too much familiarity and ease. God is at work, but for some reason, I believe that He is calling our young people to step up and into a bigger Story.

The other parents echoed this. They were saying "Yeah, we feel the same way."

For parents of teenagers, we live like the sand is running out of the hourglass quickly - too quickly. God is sovereign and He is at work. Join me in praying that our young people, especially those heading to New Orleans in a couple of weeks will have ears to hear and eyes to see God. May the traditions of past trips and the surface level expectations be left behind and God's Spirit be strongly blowing through this group.

Pray with me for the bigger story in the lives of these students.

Yes, this could be more than a mission trip. It could be the beginning of a new story.

Coffee Shops & the Kingdom of God (PDX)

Our team (Kaytee, Linda, Dennis, Neil & I) have been in Portland, Oregon all week. It has been exactly the type of trip I envisioned, yet is still difficult for many immersed in the traditional church culture to understand.

The reality is, as God continues to clarify how we as a church will strategically partner with church planter/missionaries here, Toronto and in our own city, He is showing us that Kingdom growth is measured on a different scale than that which we are accustomed to using.

THIS IS A LONG RUNWAY

When I first met with the church planting team here in Portland, I heard this phrase used to describe the challenges ahead for the planters in this region - "We have a long runway." The imagery is that of an airplane attempting to take off. Unlike a helicopter that takes off vertically from a relatively small footprint, an airplane needs a length of runway to gain lift. The illustration here is that the "plane" (the local church) here needs a longer runway to gain lift. What may take a few months or maybe a year in another area will potentially take many years here. Why? It's the culture. It's an open culture in so many ways, yet, hard and closed in others.

There is a different scorecard. There must be. Why? Because grading success with the traditional measuring stick will result in an incorrect result. It will miss what God is doing strategically here for His Kingdom.

Portland is a unique city. It's unlike our hometown of Orange Park or Jacksonville. Portland is the twelfth most "walkable" city in the United States with a score of 66.3. With its intentionality to create "20 minute neighborhoods," high content of bikers (bicyclists, not motorcyclists,) sidewalks and pedestrian laws that force vehicles to yield, Portland is a large city (metro area) made up of many communities. 

In contrast, Jacksonville is rated the fiftieth most "walkable" city in the United States with a score of 32.6. 

This is a gentrifying city. That term "gentrify" is not one I ever hear in Jacksonville. In fact, I never heard it until my trip here to Portland last year. On this trip, I have heard church planters, restaurant owners, bus drivers, guys at bus stops, coffee baristas and numerous others use the term to describe what is happening in this city.

So, for the church planter/missionary here. . .gentrification is part of the story. He had better know the term and understand the ramifications of it as it relates to the community and the church.

WHAT IS GENTRIFICATION?

In this case, Wikipedia describes the term well. . .

Gentrification is a dynamic that emerges in poor urban areas when residential shifts, urban planning, and other phenomena affect the composition of a neighborhood. Urban gentrification often involves population migration as poor residents of a neighborhood are displaced. In a community undergoing gentrification, the average income increases and average family size decreases. This generally results in the displacement of the poorer, pre-gentrification residents, who are unable to pay increased rents, and property taxes, or afford real estate. Often old industrial buildings are converted to residences and shops. New businesses, which can afford increased commercial rent, cater to a more affluent base of consumers—further increasing the appeal to higher income migrants and decreasing the accessibility to the poor. Often, resident owners unable to pay the taxes are forced to sell their residences and move to a cheaper community.

Change is natural. It happens everywhere and where the church is concerned, to avoid or ignore it is to set a strategy for future irrelevence to a community and, unfortunately and eventual closure. We see this in cities of all sizes and demographics.

SO WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF A MISSION TRIP TO PORTLAND?

This trip, like the ones to come in the future here as well as to Toronto and Carnaerfon, Wales, will not be what many consider "traditional" mission trips. There most likely will not be any crusade-type events hosted by our teams. We will not be on the street corner handing out Gospel tracts (which is illegal in some of our international areas.) We will not bring a youth choir to host a Christian concert for the masses. In many cases, there are no construction or refurbishing teams needed (though this is not always the case.) 

Our meetings with the planters have helped us realize the great need to provide support - in three tangible ways, 1) Prayer, 2) People (teams to provide encouragement, support, prayer-walking, mapping of communities, etc.) and 3) Provision (i.e. money and resources.)

Currently, our team is mapping and prayerwalking an area of Portland known as Sellwood. We have walked through the streets of this walkable community, engaged in some surface level talks with some of the folks living here. Dennis and I met a woman who moved to the region five years ago from Serbia. We had an interesting discussion about religion and church with her. Mostly informational for us to determine the pulse of the community (Yes, we are following the Holy Spirit's lead and as He opens doors, we walk through.) Linda is the most gifted of our group when it comes to engaging people in conversations. Throughout the week, she has talked to many and has some great stories (Ask her about the dog with the cigar in his mouth.)

I am sitting in a great little coffee shop known as the Blue Kangaroo. This shop roasts its own beans and the coffee is wonderful. Many people stop by here, drink coffee, work on their laptops and talk to others in the community. There's even a play area for the kids in the corner. Oh, and like just about every other shop and store in the city, dogs are welcome. That takes some getting used to. The owners of the Blue Kangaroo are two very nice ladies. They are partners and open about their sexual orientation. Like most shops, there are copies of local newspapers available for the taking. PQ Monthly sits prominently on the counter for customers. PQ either stands for Portland Queer or Proud Queer. Regardless, its prominence in the community is obvious. Not just the prominence of the magazine, but of the lifestyle.

I can overhear some of the conversations taking place at other tables. There is talk about spirituality, happiness and karma. This is a highly spiritual city. . .just not highly Christian.

Dennis just joined me here at the Blue Kangaroo. He had met a kind family in a very unique and eclectic house in the neighborhood. They invited him in and he took pictures of their beautiful home. Then, the homeowner asked him why he was here. He explained he was here with a group from church. She asked "Christian?" He said "Yes," and then the visit was cut short and the conversation was over. They were cordial. . .but the wall had been erected. 

KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD

In downtown Portland a wall in a highly trafficked area - right across from VooDoo Doughnut that has "KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD" painted across it. It's a title the city wears proudly. Weird. For those from other areas of the country visiting, they would most likely agree that Portland is weird. I guess my question is that if everyone is "weird" then isn't that normal and then weird isn't weird any more? But, I digress.

Here's what I have seen today. . .

• I see families walking by the front window of the Blue Kangaroo. They're laughing and heading to the food trucks nearby. 
• Hipsters drinking coffee with ear buds in making there way through the town. 
• It's not raining today, so everyone is out walking or biking. 
• A teenage girl with boots reminiscent of KISS, a spiked mohawk and multiple facial piercings just went by. 
• A mother is sitting behind me breastfeeding her baby and talking to friends. 
• Musicians and artists abound. 
• Another Suburu just drove by (they're everywhere.) 
• Someone's guzzling an RC Cola (it's a community wide protest against Coke and Pepsi, I hear.) 
• There's a couple who look so very Middle American. 
• Older hippies just taking a walk.

This is a city of openness. It's just that Christianity is viewed as a failed experiment by most. I've heard numerous people say "I'm not into religion" or "The church thing isn't my scene." There's a "been there, done that" feeling here when it comes to Christ and the church.

And yet. . .our church planters are here. They are committed to expanding the Kingdom of God, believing He has placed them here intentionally. There is a story being written here. It's a long story. It's an epic. The planters, wives and families here are a part of that story. They need to know they are not alone in this journey, in this battle. 

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT PORTLAND (TORONTO OR CARNAERFON) WHEN THERE ARE MANY IN ORANGE PARK AND JACKSONVILLE FAR FROM GOD?

For some reason, God has chosen a group of Christ followers from the deep south, in Orange Park, Florida, to partner with planters in areas that are foreign to our previously known Bible Belt culture (BTW - our city's culture is changing, too, but that's a posting for another day.) 

By engaging in Kingdom work wherever God leads, it expands the Kingdom. Our "return on investment" may not be seen this side of heaven, but it is real and tangible. . .and worth it.

Let's not miss what He is doing and may we trust Him in this journey. 

Join with me in praying for Caleb, Sean, Clay, Andy, Matt and Wes and others as they work to till up the hard spiritual soil in this area. May they never think they are out here on their own.

The Problem with Mission Teams

A team of five from our church is preparing to travel to Portland next week to work with church planters in the city. In preparation for this, we are reading through the book Tradecraft: For the Church on Mission. This book is hot off the presses and is causing quite a stir (in a good way.) It was written by members of The Upstream Collective.

One of the authors is Caleb Crider. Caleb serves in Portland and we will be meeting with him next week. About a year ago, Neil Jimenez and I met with Caleb and others in the Portland area to discuss what urban planting and contextualization looks like. I asked the pointed question to Caleb, "So, when a church sends a mission team, do you find it difficult to keep them busy or keep them focused on assisting in the work already begun?" This led to an interesting conversation centered around the fallacy many churches step into when developing and sending short term mission teams.

It was something I had feared was the case, but thought I'd check with one of the guys in the trenches. I have since had this discussion with missionaries overseas and other planters in larger, urban settings in our nation and beyond. The stories are similar. While the desire to have church groups come help is strong and very positive, the reality is that often the teams are not really prepared. The great danger is in having a team serving for a week to ten days and actually push back the Kingdom framework that has already been put in place. No church desires to do that. 

In Tradecraft, Crider shares this. . .

In had been a church planter in Western Europe for about six years when I began to realize just how great the divide was between churches and God's mission. Throughout the year, groups from various churches in the States would come to assist us in our ministry. For them, this was a "mission trip," but for us, it was real life. We wanted to treat them as peers - a bit of fellowship, some mutual encouragement, and then go out and engage people in gospel conversations. But for the most part, the well-meaning participants on these trips were missiologically illiterate. They were incapable of participating in international mission in any meaningful way.

One Monday morning, we sent a group of American Christian college students to hang out at the local university to learn all they could about the spiritual climate on campus. We prayed together, divided the group into pairs, and sent them on their way. Of the six teams, two had trouble navigating the metro system and never found the campus. Two teams played frisbee on the soccer field, not speaking to a single student the entire time. One team quickly put together a "survey" and approached random students to ask them spiritual questions. Because what little response they received was quite negative, this team was discouraged. None of the teams came back with any meaningful spiritual insight about national college students.

These groups were good at doing what they were told. On previous trips, they had all painted fences, handed out blankets, and played games with children. For the duration of their ten-day stay, group members were perfectly happy to sleep on the floor, walk great distances, and feel generally out of place in this "foreign" environment. But when it came to the reasons for doing these things, the whys of mission, most of them had no idea beyond some vague concept of "reaching people" and a performance-based sense of duty.

So when we asked these volunteers to go out and incarnate the gospel, they were at a loss as to what, exactly, that might mean and how, practically, to do that. They had no understanding of urban living, social tribes or persons of peace. They had no experience gathering pertinent geographical, social, or spiritual information that might assist in church planting efforts. They were unfamiliar with the unchanging gospel, and fearful of culture. Worst of all, few had any sense of why they were participating in such a trip in the first place. Without basic missionary tradecraft, a Christian is incapable of moving beyond volunteerism into partnership in mission.

While pretty blunt and to the point, and to some potentially offensive, I must say that Crider echoes what I have heard numerous times. Don't get me wrong, there are many short term trips where the group attending truly doesn't understand the missiological impact of what is to be done, and in spite of that God has used them. In fact, God has often called participants into full-time service as pastors and missionaries as a result of such trips.

There are times when such trips could be avoided. I don't propose churches stop sending teams. I believe in the short term mission trip, strongly. (I am leading one next week, you know.)

What should be done? 

What is the fix?

First of all, communication with the missionary, pastor or planter on the field is a non-negotiable. The team arriving should see their mission as not only to the community, but to the missionary on the field. Encouragement is always needed. Prayer is vital - and not just a token "bless those folks" prayer offered every so often. Sincere, strategic prayer is required. The Enemy does not want the Kingdom of God expanded. Therefore, he will do whatever he can (though limited) to disrupt or push forward his kingdom. So, we'd better pray.

The church must step up when it relates to missiologically preparing teams. Otherwise, we will end up with transplanted team members doing good deeds, but not pushing forward God's Kingdom. 

We need to also understand that an improperly prepared team could conceivably undo work the planter/missionary has put in place. It's one thing to be ineffective. It's another to be destructive.

Understanding the identity of the missionary (i.e. all Christ followers are missionaries) is key. Mission is not something we do. It's who we are. 

I am excited as I read, think and pray through this. It's evident that God is doing a great work. He's been at work, is at work and will continue to work on a Story that expands His Kingdom. How incredible it is that He invites us along on the journey. Let's play our role well.

I Fear We May Be Brand Expanders

Over the past few months. . .well, years. . .God has developed within me a discontentedness. It's not really a negative thing. I'm wired in such a way (by God's design) to see things and wonder why they are the way they are.

It's always been this way. I remember sitting in our worship center shortly after we opened it in 1994. I'm sure there was an inspiring message that day and some great music, but I could not get over the fact that the round windows on either side of the stage area were not centered. Why is the window on the right closer to the stage area than the one on the left? Yes, this still bothers me.

Also, why are the doors that go behind the stage different? Why does one open "in" and the other open "out?" Is this so we can run laps around the stage and just push the doors open?

These are just examples, but you see what I mean, right? I wonder why things are the way they are. Was it accidental, intentional, or just something that's "always been done that way?"

Some of you understand the DISC personality profile system. Guess what? I'm a "High D." I'm sure that's a shock to all of you who know me.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HIGH "D" PERSONALITY

• Directness
• Key to motivation is challenge
• Basic intent is to overcome
• Likes to be in charge
• Thrives on challenge, pressure and tough assignments
• Desires change
• Fears being taken advantage of
• Needs direct answers

Shocking right?

As this holy discontent has set in over the past few years, I have begun to ask some harder questions. Questions like. . .

• Why do we seem to have gatherings called "worship services" when very few in attendance are actually worshipping (or at least appearing to)?
• Why does it seem we are content on "making church members" rather than "making disciples?"
• Why, in a community with so many churches does it seem that the church (as a whole) is making so little impact?
• Why are so many people content with being church members?
• Why are so many churches focused on building new buildings rather than building disciples?
• Why are so many self-proclaimed Christians angry all the time?
• Why don't we live as missionaries here in our own community?
• When did a person's political party become the litmus test for their Christianity?
• Why is there an overabundance of orthodoxy with no identifiable orthopraxy?
• How did we end up with this subculture we call "Christian" that looks so different from what Christ has called us to?
• Why do so many within the church say "We're kingdom minded" but act like other churches in our community are the competition?
• Why do some church members (me included) get upset over things that don't matter for the Kingdom, yet do nothing tangible to expand the Kingdom?

There are more questions. I always have questions like this. I'm still wondering why the windows are the way they are.

God has brought some folks into my life over the past few years that seem to ask the same types of questions. Men like Wes Hughes, Caleb Crider, Sean Benesh, Matthew Jolley, John Robinson, Wallace J., Jeff Christopherson, Andrew Lamme, Brett Porter, Scott Swanstrom, Rick Wheeler, Hal Haller, Bob Bumgarner, Reggie McNeal, Ed Stetzer and tons more.

Believe me, having a cup of coffee with these guys is an experience. Maybe one day, we can all get in the same room just to pray and talk and solve all the problems in the world of the postmodern church?

Seriously, God is definitely at work in this generation of churches. Apparently, I am not the only one with a "holy discontent" regarding the state of the church.

We are the remnants of a less than effective church growth movement. A movement that has successfully placed more people in a smaller number of buildings regularly, but has failed to see widespread growth of the church in cultural settings that are either post-Christian or well on the way to become such.

In Jeff Christopherson's excellent book Kingdom Matrix, he presents graphically that which is happening in our culture (both community and church cultures) as it relates to the expansion of the Kingdom of God. (I love when an author writes what I've been thinking. It makes my thoughts seem more legitimate.)

The first thing we must understand is that there are two Kingdoms - the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness. There is no middle kingdom, though modern Christians have tried to create one. There is no "grey area" here. We are either expanding and moving forward the Kingdom of God or the Domain of Darkness.

So, three basic understandings are needed here:

1. At any given moment I am either building the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Darkness. Period. There is no third kingdom. However, we have "built" one. We have created a third kingdom that doesn't really exist or matter.
2. It's possible to participate in church expansion and unintentionally be an agent for shrinking the Kingdom of God.  As the church, we are fascinated with outputs. The church growth movement celebrated this. In the midst of this, we have forgotten the mission of God at times and the reason for the church being placed here, or in a specific area. In other words, we have made the church the end result - the output, rather than the expansion of the Kingdom of God.
3. It is possible to unknowingly value the Kingdom of God before acknowledging the value of its Source; the King.

These are illustrated through forms, in this case identified as either "sacred" or "secular." (I know, I know, "everything is sacred" but for the sake of this illustration the designations make sense to my Westernized thought patterns.)

Here's the bottom line. The bottom left quadrant is bad. . .really bad. This is the darkest area. This group of Self Seekers is prominent in our culture (best illustrated by the characters on the sit-com Seinfeld and others.)

The next worse is the group known as Brand Expanders. These seem spiritual, but are fake. We are to avoid this group. The problem is that often we naturally drift toward this quadrant as individuals and churches. It's hard to avoid ourselves.

Kingdom Seekers are those who do not know Christ, but are on the journey toward surrender. They are lost, but curious. They know there's a bigger story and they believe they're not the central part of it, but they just haven't stepped over to Christ, yet (for various reasons.) I like to call this group "pre-Christ followers." I'm optimistic.

The Kingdom Expanders as designated in the top right quadrant is where we need to be. This is the sweet spot. This is the place where the Story and the Author (God) are central. Self-centeredness has no place here. The local church is not the end game here, as it is for the Brand Expanders. The local church is the vehicle to expand the Kingdom. When here, we understand that the "payoff" most likely will not be this side of heaven. In fact, the "payoff" is not even considered the goal. Expansion of the Kingdom is the goal.

So, why do I fear that we may be Brand Expanders? Just look at these descriptors of how Brand Expanders deal with certain things:

BRAND EXPANDERS AND. . .

• MONEY - results in religious consumerism. This is what you get when you cross the values of materialism with the subculture of Christendom. We get the crowd that followed Jesus in search of a show, a miracle, a meal. It's a gathering, but it's not the church. It's more Pharisaical than we would like to admit. It puts us, or even our local church, as the center of the story. We become "fans" of Jesus and proud of our church. . .but we don't become disciples.
• ENERGY - results in competition. Yes, I know this is hard to believe, but churches often say they're on the same side (God's side) but live as if they're competing with each other. It would be as if Coca-Cola and Pepsi stated publicly that they were friends and wanted everyone to enjoy the taste of cola. Yet, everyone knows they hate each other and would love to put the other out of business. Now, churches would never say that (I hope) but how many have secretly celebrated the demise of another local congregation? It's sick. It's done all too often.
• CHANGE - results in conformation. I know, we all hate change. That's what we say anyway, while we Tweet on our iPhones and Skype our grandkids and set our DVR to record Duck Dynasty. Hate change? Not really. We just hate change in how we do church. The Brand Expanders promote conformity, which looks simply like behavior modification without a heart change. Christopherson states, "Neither the old lifeless legalism of 'believe and behave,' nor the cool, funky, hipper versions of a more open-minded conformation can produce the inner change that advances the Kingdom of God an inch. We may be marching in a straight line, but we will be following a different Commander."
• COMMUNITY - results in group isolation. The Self-Seekers live in isolation. The Brand Expanders do so as a group. Often lived under the banner of "church autonomy" (which as it is played out in our day is far from what we see in the Book of Acts) are those who isolate themselves from others and gather in their "holy huddles" for the sake of their group, not God nor the Kingdom of God. "As long as our expectations of the disciple do not include the humility of authentic community and only requires weekly exercises in group-isolation, we have created adequate elbowroom for darkness to maneuver unhindered." (Christopherson)
• LOVE - results in storage. The evangelistic motivation of reaching a certain target group often results not in a missiological selfless love for others, but in a strategy to reach a desired group that will fit into the current "church." We love those who look like us, think like us and won't cause us stress. We will often ignore the racially, economically, and culturally diverse by leap-frogging them to reach those who . . . are just like us.
• AUTHORITY - results in a love of corporate identity. This is where the local church becomes the end all, be all for the people. It's about the church. It's about the organization. It's about my "small group" or "Sunday School class." I have heard many people brag on their small groups to such an extent that I wonder if they even know why they gather? Bragging on the King? Bragging on Jesus? Not the Brand Expanders. These are the people who have "visitation nights" and go market their class and church to such an extent that they seem less like disciples of the King and more like Kirby vacuum cleaner salesmen (no offense Kirby vacuum cleaner salesmen.)

The holy discontent is real and holy in that God has brought it. You see, I believe the Brand Expanders are akin to those who are neither hot nor cold and make God sick (Revelation 3:16).

Yet, we drift there. It's easy to be a Brand Expander. It's easy and in our culture, seems right. It seems holy. It's affirmed in 2 Timothy 3:5 in that these people are "having a form of godliness but denying its power."

We must get out of this quadrant and lead others to as well.

Why?

If we do not, we are destined to be just another church in the Bible belt that gathers for sake of ourselves, feeling good, having programs for the kids and classes for the adults, blessing a community. . .and yet, not making disciples nor expanding the Kingdom.

Are you a Brand Expander?

• Are you focused on things that do not matter for the Kingdom?
• When was the last time you bragged on the King?
• Do you love people. . .well, only some people?
• What is your most recent "God story?"
• Are you angry. . .at things that really don't matter. Seriously. Will God say to you one day, "Why did you waste so much emotion and energy on that when you could have experienced life, abundant and free and expanded My Kingdom?"

Some say we need revival. I believe we do. We need to move from the quadrant that seems spiritual and godly but in truth is expanding the Domain of Darkness to become Kingdom Expanders.

How do we do this?

We start with REPENTANCE.

To be a Brand Expander is a sin. No debate. No questions. No "but, what about. . ." It's sin. Repent and surrender to the King and begin living like we believe.

Partnering Strategically with Church Planters in Toronto

We were privileged to host Jeff Christopherson and Andrew Lamme of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) on Sunday. Jeff and Andrew are key leaders in the church planting initiative in Toronto. Our association (Jacksonville Baptist Association) and members churches are seeking to partner with Toronto officially as a "Send City" for the purpose of engaging the culture and increasing God's Kingdom.

Andrew spoke at our 9:15am service. You can listen to his message here.

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Jeff spoke at our 8am and 10:45am services. You can listen to his message here.

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Why Toronto?

A few weeks ago I traveled to Toronto with Neil Jimenez and some leaders from the Jacksonville Baptist Association for the purpose of meeting with church planters and missionaries in the region. The North American Mission Board has designated Toronto as a "SEND CITY."

It's been said, and proven over time, that if you reach the cities in a nation, you will reach the nation.

Over 83 percent of the population now lives in metropolitan areas. The major population centers in North America are vital mission fields for Kingdom growth and influence.

NAMB has prioritized its work in 50 cities throughout North America. The map below shows the initial 30 cities where work is being channeled. Toronto is one of these cities.

Our church is strategically positioning to work in two SEND Cities (Toronto and Portland, Oregon) for the next few years.

But why Toronto?

There is great need there, but also many things we can learn from the missionaries and church planters serving in this city. With Toronto's increasing international and Muslim population, insights into connecting and reaching these people is invaluable for us.

Jacksonville has been designated a sanctuary city by the US State Department and consequently, our international population is growing substantially. Jacksonville now has areas known as "Little Baghdad" and other monikers which are descriptive of the heritage of those moving in our area.

This will be a partnership that will increase the Kingdom of God, both here in Orange Park and Jacksonville, but also in Toronto and surrounding areas.

FAST FACTS

There are over 6 million people in Toronto and surrounding areas, with 4.2 million in the metro area. Currently, there is one SBC church for every 167,000 metro Toronto residents. The CNBC (Canadian National Baptist Convention) and NAMB have a strategic plan in place to break through the darkness with the Light of Christ. An essential part of this plan is church planting.

The basic needs right now for this region are Prayer, People & Provision. We desire to be a provider of all three Ps.

 

REAL Manhood: The Life and Martyrdom of Uncle Jack

The country districts of North Jiangsu China were wild and dangerous in the fall of 1931, but the missionaries kept on preaching, trusting their lives to God's keeping. At Haizhou near the coast the Reverend John W. Vinson, otherwise known as Uncle Jack as he was affectionately called by the younger missionaries, insisted on going into the country. “But Uncle Jack,” they said, "you're not strong enough to go so soon after your operation."

“I must go,” he replied. And then added, “I must witness for the Lord while I can.”

Mr. Vinson went to a little market town called Yan-Chia-Chi about 30 miles to the southeast. And there he was warmly greeted by a little group of Chinese Christians, many of whom he himself had through the years baptized. After talking with them about the services to be held the next morning, he went to sleep there in the little chapel.

That very night a wild army of bandits, more than 600 in all, swooped down upon the little town looting, burning, killing and wounding the people all that night and the next day. When they finally departed, they took with them about 150 Chinese men, women and children to hold for ransom. Their prize captive was the American missionary, Mr. Vinson.

An army of government soldiers pursued the bandits and overtook them at a little village called Lianyungang, where the robbers barricaded themselves behind the village wall. The government troops immediately besieged the village.

"Do you want to go free?” the bandit chief asked Vinson.

"Certainly,” he replied.

"All right, you write a letter to the commanding officer of these soldiers to withdrawn his troops and we will let you go.”

“Will you also free all these Chinese prisoners?” the missionary asked.

“Certainly not,” replied the bandit chief.

“Then I, too, refuse to go free,” said Vinson. He was adamant even in the face of vehement threats.

That night the bandits tried to break out in the darkness. Many of them were killed, and 125 of the 150 captives escaped. The bandits fled taking Vinson with them, but he could not run because of his recent operation. The daughter of a Chinese pastor was one of the prisoners who escaped from the bandits. She later told of having seen a bandit threatening Mr. Vinson with a pistol and trying to frighten him.

“I'm going to kill you,” he said as he pointed the gun at the missionary's head, “aren't you afraid?”

“No, I am not afraid,” came the calm reply, “If you kill me I will go right to God.”

He was killed, shot and beheaded. At the time of his death a writer, E.H. Hamilton, was also working in bandit territory between Zhejiang and Haizhou. When he reached a little railroad station to return home he heard the sad news. And when he arrived home he read the full glorious account written by the Hijo missionaries of Jack Vinson's fearless witness for Christ.

This writer went to his study and sat silently for a few minutes. Then, picking up his pen, he began to write. Within 15 minutes the five verses all were written and never have been changed. If ever a poem was given of God, this one was.

The writer calls it "Afraid of What?" Here's the poem:

Afraid of what?
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace?
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
Afraid to see the Savior's face?
To hear His welcome and to trace the glory,
Glean from wounds of grace?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
A flash, a crash, a pierced heart?
Darkness, light, O heaven's art?
A wound of His a counterpart?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
To enter into heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid of that?

Afraid of what?
To do by death what life could not?
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid of that?

Later on at Mr. Vinson's funeral, Chinese officials who knew not Christ marveled that here was man who refused to save himself. The missionaries then told them of John Vinson's Master, who saved others. Some of the little churches in Mr. Vinson's country field, which had been cold now, took on new life. Many of the church members became hot-hearted for Christ. And many more received Christ as Savior after Jack Vinson's martyrdom.[i]

---

[i] Barry, Lisa. "Back to the Bible - Afraid of What: Missionaries to China." Back to the Bible - Afraid of What: Missionaries to China. Bac to the Bible, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2012. <http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Gateway-to-Joy/Afraid-of-What-Missionaries-to-China.html>.

Let's Help a Refugee Family Have a Great "First Christmas"

I received this letter from World Relief here in Jacksonville. Our desire here at First Baptist Church is that each of our small groups would adopt one of these refugee families for Christmas. The State Department has designated Jacksonville as city of refuge and we hear that up to fifty families are arriving in our city monthly. We have a great opportunity to show the love of Jesus Christ to these families who will be experiencing their first Christmas in America.

As the holidays are approaching, World Relief would like to invite our partner churches to be part of our Refugee Christmas Project.   Each year, Refugee Christmas Project pairs sponsors with newly arrived refugees to the city of Jacksonville.  These refugees arrive in America with little personal belongings, sometimes only a bag of clothes.  We want to help spread the Christmas cheer by providing joy to their new season of life!

 

Sponsors help refugees experience a warm welcome for their first Christmas in America by providing Christmas gifts.  Gifts can be new or gently used and may be personally delivered [December 15^th or 16^th] or dropped off at World Relief [December 10^th-14^th].

 

We can match you with refugees from Cuba, Colombia, Burma, Bhutan, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq and Sudan.  Sponsors are provided with a family profile and gift suggestions. We encourage a personal touch by adding a handwritten note and picture of your family.

 

Sponsors can be churches, groups of volunteers, individuals, families, schools and businesses.   The deadline for sponsorship commitment is December 3rd, 2012.  If you would like more information or to become a sponsor please reply to Katie Sullivan, Volunteer Coordinator at ksullivan@wr.org or 904-448-0733 x112.

I pray that many families and that every small group at First Baptist will participate in this opportunity. The contact information for Katie is above. This is a way for your group or family to be strategic in the global mission God has called us all to, without even leaving the country (without even leaving Jacksonville.)

We Have No Excuse for Missing the Mission

Many times people will hear of our mission trips here at First Baptist Church that take us to cities and regions throughout the world. We are blessed to have a number of people committed to make these regular trips in order to minister to our missionaries and church planters in the regions as well provide feet on the ground for projects and events as needed.

However, there are always some who say "I just cannot go on a trip like that." In many cases, there are legitimate reasons, such as health, finances, travel restrictions due to work, etc.

With our partnership with Samaritan's Purse and the Operation Christmas Child ministry, those excuses are no longer valid. Everyone can participate in international missions through providing a shoebox gift for children in other parts of the world.

It's more than a box full of toys. It's a tangible gift to a child in a region of the world where much is not available. This gift shows grace. It shows love. Most of all, due to the way the gifts are distributed and the gospel booklet provided, it shows a way to receive the greatest gift of all - life through Jesus Christ.

We are collecting shoebox gifts at our church through November 18. Our goal is to provide over 600 shoebox gifts from our fellowship. Together, we can do this. We may never know this side of heaven what happens with the gifts provided, but rest assured God will use them. Perhaps a child and maybe even more in his or her family will come to know Christ through the message of the Gospel provided.