RE:boot

I am starting new over at chipanderson.wordpress.com.

This is What I Want

There are a lot of people who want or want to be a lot of things.  And I am no different.

Some people want power. Some people want to be famous. While others want money and to be wealthy.  I struggle with wanting these “wants” too.  But for me, I have always thought they have conflicted with my faith and the teachings of Jesus.  So, placing my faith first I am working on being humble, content and grateful.

Notice the lines above are written in the present tense.  I am “struggling.”  “I am working.” This is an almost daily battle.  But I wonder if there is not a faithful and more Christ-like way to fill these same desires.  I wonder if these desires themselves are not good and right, but that the most common avenue for satisfying these wants is misdirected and loaded with deception.

You see, if I had power, fame or money I would want to be different than most who possess these things.  Of course my view of those who have these “resources” is skewed. I often think they are exclusive or reclusive people who don’t hang out with average (or less than average) people and they are rarely generous with what they have (except for the tax breaks).  It’s as if they believe their own press releases and look to foster the hype that makes them powerful, famous or wealthy.

But instead of wanting power, fame or money, I wonder if a God honoring version of power, fame and money  isn't “influence.” 

Wanting to be powerful seems inherently counter to being humble and a servant.

Wanting fame smacks of selfishness and pride.

Wanting money is greed.

But what about wanting to be influential? Is there anything wrong with that?  Is there anything anti-biblical with this desire? 

Jesus was not powerful in the eyes of 1st century Palestinian cultrue. Although he had some notoriety, I would not call it "fame" per se, because most of it seems to have been mere curiosity or self-interested groupies. And certainly Jesus was anything but flush with cash.

All the while, no one would ever deny the influence he had on his disciples, Judea and the rest of the world.

One time while on Meet The Press Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church said, “The purpose of influence is to speak up for people who have no influence.” He says it here too.

Influence for the sake of others, for the sake of service  and for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

Hmmm....

This is what I want.

The Bible and Tattoos

Q: “What’s the biblical view of tattoos?”

A: Tattoos have been around longer than the biblical prohibition against them. In my opinion tattoos have suffered from “guilt by association” and poor biblical understanding for generations.  At one point in American history tattoos were seen as symbols of rebellion worn only by thugs, criminals and potty mouthed sailors.  No self-respecting Christian would have ever subjected themself to tattooing because of the people or segments of the counter-culture they would have been associated with.

As it turns out, this was the very reason God told his people not to get tattoos. The only direct reference to tattoos in the Bible can be found in the Old Testament.

Leviticus 19:28 "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord."

One of the main motives for God to give this command and others in the Law was to create a clear line of distinction and separation between his people (Israel) and those who were not his people (the Philistines, Canaanites, Amalekites, etc.).  God wanted his people to standout, be seen as different and separated from the cultural inhabitants around them. God wanted his people to be “holy,” (Lev.19:2) which has the meaning of being unique or separate from the common for a specific purpose.

At the time, the above command about tattoos was given because pagan cultures would cut, mark and tattoo themselves as part of funeral rites.   This was an almost universal practice.  It was a way for the people of these nations to mourn, worship and show allegiance to their gods.  Hence, the God of the Bible wanted his people to worship him and to not be mistaken for the people of their surrounding cultures.

But today the question has to be asked, “Do tattoos still have the same cultural meaning as they did in the Bible?”  With tattoos being fashion statements, tributes and a form of self-expression the answer is clearly “No.”  Marking one’s body through cutting or tattoos is not used by the culture at large in practices of mourning or worship of false gods. This leads me to believe the restriction on tattoos is culture bound and not universally applicable to today.

Now there are lots of things to think about when considering a tattoo that people should not take lightly. Here is a list of the things I considered before getting my tattoo:

Commitment (it will be with you for a life time.)

Design

Meaning

Accuracy (if it's a symbol or in a different language)

Placement

Artist

Cost

Safety

Remember, the Apostle Paul says our bodies are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16), so be informed and wise about how you may decorate your temple.

  

For further insight into tattoos and the Bible check out these links:

http://www.sacredink.net/tattoo_and_the_bible/

http://www.sacredink.net/pdf/tattoo_research.pdf

Lent Journal Entry #28: 40 Hour Retreat

Psalm 103:2–5

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

who forgives all your sins,

heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit,

crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things…”

“Who satisfies your desires with good things…” hmmmm.  I have desires.  I have wants and perceived needs. 

When they arise, where do I go to have those needs met?

What is my response to those desires? 

Do I stop and reflect on the origins of these desires?

Do I ask why they have arisen or what is causing this desire to show up now? 

Or do I simply find the easiest and quickest way to meet my desires?

This does not mean my desires are bad, evil or selfish. They could be, but they might not be. The desires will most likely find their way out through the poor choices I make because these are the easiest and quickest kind of choices to make.

God says in Psalm 103:5 he will meet our desires with good alternatives, not empty calorie substitutes or not with surrogates which are not in my best interest. But with those that are good, wholesome, satisfying, productive and meaningful.

He meets my short comings with his goodness. He provides what I need and offers ways, roads and directions to lead me closer to him and not away.  God offers good because he is good and he is good to us.

Basic Stats

Here are some basic stats from Q Portland, which Jared, Brian, Phil and I attended last week:

Median Age:
37 Years Old

Channels of Cultural Influence Represented at Q:
43% Church
13% Social Sector
12% Business
11% Education
9% Media
9% Arts & Entertainment
3% Government and Politics

Lifestyle Types Represented:
49% Suburban
40% Urban/Metropolitan
9% Rural

The middle set of stats is one of the reason why the conference was so interesting and different then ones I have attended before.

Robbed Hell

Is this constructive?

Is this value added?

Or does it just continue to add to the polarization?

Bill Maher on Islam and Buring the Koran

Would you agree with Bill Maher or not?

Two at TNL

People say, ‘Time flies when you are having fun.’  If that is true I am in a time warp.

April 1 will mark my 2nd anniversary at TNL.  And let me tell you it has been such a rush!  Over the past two years I  have laughed, cried and challenged you, and you me.  Together we have shared meals, our stories and our lives.  I have visited some of you in the hospital, trusted others to watch my sons, and I’ve even had to say good-bye to some in my time here.

Even with all the ups and downs, the joy and sorrow, and the critiques and compliments there is not any other church community I want to be a part of, journey with or lead.  Just this morning I was thinking about how difficult it would be to find another church like TNL. I think TNL has wrecked me for other churches.

We are a community of people who are honest and messy in our faith. We are not pretentious about our successes or distraught in our failures. We are generous not only with our money, but with our lives.  We hope for the best but will deal with whatever comes next. And when that “next” does comes we do not let it destroy us, but we let it shape us. Not only who we are and who we are becoming by the grace of God.

Over the past two years I have loved getting to know the people that make The Next Level Church. I am humbled by how you have impacted my journey with Jesus.  I think I have underestimated how greatly you have shaped me as a Christ follower, a father, a husband and as a pastor…one of your pastors.  For all of this I am grateful.

Splitting My Time

The Next Level Church has it's new website up and rolling. The new site has a blog which I will regularly be contributing to.  So much of my blogging will show up there, like this post from Ash Wednesday.

However, this blog will remain the place where I can shoot off my mouth without endangering the church.  This is the place I will post what I think without it being edited or making it sound a certain way. This is the place where stuff will go that just rolls out of my head.

A Lot To Live Up To

Letter to Diognetus: 2nd Century

"Christians are not distinguished from other men by country, language, nor by the customs which they observe. They do not inhabit cities of their own, use a particular way of speaking, nor lead a life marked out by any curiosity. The course of conduct they follow has not been devised by the speculation and deliberation of inquisitive men. The do not, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of merely human doctrines.

Instead, they inhabit both Greek and barbarian cities, however things have fallen to each of them. And it is while following the customs of the natives in clothing, food, and the rest of ordinary life that they display to us their wonderful and admittedly striking way of life.

They live in their own countries, but they do so as those who are just passing through. As citizens they participate in everything with others, yet they endure everything as if they were foreigners. Every foreign land is like their homeland to them, and every land of their birth is like a land of strangers.

They marry, like everyone else, and they have children, but they do not destroy their offspring.

They share a common table, but not a common bed.

They exist in the flesh, but they do not live by the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, all the while surpassing the laws by their lives.

They love all men and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned. They are put to death and restored to life.

They are poor, yet make many rich. They lack everything, yet they overflow in everything.

They are dishonored, and yet in their very dishonor they are glorified; they are spoken ill of and yet are justified; they are reviled but bless; they are insulted and repay the insult with honor; they do good, yet are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if raised from the dead. They are assailed by the Jews as barbarians; they are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to give any reason for their hatred.

To sum it all up in one word, what the soul is in the body, that is what Christians are in the world."

Church Advertising: What's the Difference?

What is the difference between these two ADs?

Both are from churches.
Both confront a topic the church is not comfortable dealing with.
Both want people to attend the events associate with them.
Both are creative.
Both are hard to forget.

However, the second AD requires out of the box thinking.  It does not rely purely on shock value.  In comparison the shock value of the second AD is low.  Is it head-scratching without explanation, yes (a church hosting a bra drive?), but not too shocking. The first is suggestive and the second thought provoking.  The first communicates sex and the second communicates a cause and information.

The first AD is also bate and switch. The person interested in a sex life that does not suck, will go to the advertised website only to find a video filled with discouraging statistics about how society has mishandled sex, not steamy videos of the couple.  The site also reveals the need for another step before you get the better sex life, "Oh yeah, we led you here to mainly tell you about our church."

Mood killer!

Now, I am all for a biblical understanding of sex and how God's version of intimacy is so much more enjoyable, satisfying and "exciting." But the first AD looks more like a Viagra AD, then a church teaching series.  It mimics cultural advertising in the fact that it lacks intelligence and is aimed at a lowest common denominator audience. While the second is honest and authentic.

Then again, maybe I am just be bias.

Organized Religion Is Big Business, But Should It Be?

"It's the economy, stupid . . .

Big Businesses famously roll on in this country because we're scared of letting them fail. And if there truly is an American business that's too big to send swirling down the economy's drain, it's the Organized Religion Industry (O.R.I). For an industry of which the major American branch (Christianity) uses as its mission statement the anti-materialist words of a poor carpenter, the O.R.I has done all right in the rapacious fray known as the American economy."

Read more

Pushing People Forward

Have you ever been volunteered for something? Ever been in a line of people and had no one step forward to accept a challenge, but saw everyone step back making it look like you were the one to step up?  Well, TNL has doing that to people in the past weeks.

As TNL prepares to host Denver's Biggest Bra Drive we have been purposely pushing other people, businesses and organisations into the lime light. We have not wanted to be the recipients of all the attention and focus.  We have actually tried to redirect any attention to others involved in this event. People like Andrea Ball, who will be preforming. Organizations like Free The Girls, who is actually collecting and distributing the bras.  Businesses like the Gothic Theater and Cafe 180, where the event is held and who are providing a pay-what-you-can dinner for the event (respectively).  Not to mention, that Jesus is the sole reason for all of this.

TNL is not looking for press. We are not looking to be the center of attention. We are not looking to be seen as cool, progressive or holier-than-thou.  We just want to be a community who seeks to be active in setting wrongs right, dispensing mercy and walking humbly (behind the scenes) with our God. 

Why Would a Church Hold a Bra Drive?

Usually church is a place where you go wearing your "Sunday Best" not a place you go carrying your underwear.  So, why would The Next Level Church partner with Free The Girls to host Denver's Biggest Bra Drive?  Church is no place to talk about "unmentionables," right?

Wrong!

When you think about it, the church is the perfect and most appropriate place to have a bra drive when you understand:

• Pound for pound bras sell for 5 times the cost of other used clothing items in Africa.

• Bras are the number one demanded used clothing item in Africa. When large containers of used clothes arrive in Africa bras are always the first items taken.  Followed second by shoes!

• A women who wear a bra in Africa is seen as having disposable income, a job and being more self reliant.  This makes her less of a target for adbuse and mistreatment.  Simply put, an African women who wears a bras is less liekly to be raped!

This bra drive is about mercy, justice and love. All things the church should be about! With this in mind how could the church not host bras drives all over the US?

“Truly I tell you, whatever you 

did for one of the least of these

 brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  

-Jesus

What Will Be The Top Religion Stories of 2012?

From the Hunffington Post.  Notice any trends within the trends?:

1. The only American-born world religion will have its first resident in the West Wing, as the American people will send a Republican administration to the White House that includes the country's first Mormon President or Vice-President.

2. The Book of Mormon will be on the New York Times Bestsellers list throughout the Fall '12 campaign.

3. The Chinese government will completely de-criminalize being Christian, seeing this as a necessary step towards their goal of overtaking the USA as the world's top economic superpower.

4. Fundamentalist Christians and Muslims will begin to agree on at least one thing: that the Antichrist is living among us -- as a prominent, deceptive, spiritual man who pretends to bring hope for all of humankind.

5. As Pope Benedict XVI is about to turn 85 years old, there will be rampant speculation within the Catholic Church as to his future, his effectiveness, and whether or not he may retire. Pundits will continue to compare him to Celestine V, the Pope who quit in the 13th century.

6. If a papal election happens by the end of 2012, we may see for the first time a supreme pontiff whose first language is Spanish. The Honduran cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga is a strong possibility.

7. Church and synagogue attendance will drop by a full 10 percent in 2012, after holding steady or seeing slight increases over the previous two years.

8. People will begin to distinguish between attending "brick and mortar" religious services from "virtual" attendance.

9. Ministers, priests and rabbis will begin to embrace virtual ritual and observance. You can always make a minyan on-line.

10. More than 30 million residents of the USA, on average, will attend virtual religious services at least once a week by the end of 2012. Christians will take Communion. Jews will say Kaddish.

11. The spirituality of food will burgeon, just as food shortages begin to spark regional wars and conflicts in parts of the two-thirds world. Articles, books, blogs and conferences will be held by Christians seeking to develop traditions similar to Islam's halal and Judaism's kashrut.

12. One of the world's most popular evangelical Christian preachers will launch a virtual religious service as a new aspect of his weekly electronic ministry.

13. The winter solstice -- Dec, 21, 2012 -- will come and go and the world will not end, despite weeks of intense tabloid speculation that the Mayan calendar, constructed a millennium ago, foretells the apocalypse for that day.

14. The Mayan discussion will be seen as silly by most of us, but will nevertheless fuel a desire in millions of people to re-examine the meaning of life as the Gregorian calendar turns to 2013.

And that at least -- the renewed human desire for meaning -- never changes.

Jesus, Bras and Common Grace

This past December our church (The Next Level Church) was displaced from its regular meeting place.  The church where we gather on Tuesdays was having a women's candle light tea, so we got bumped.  Needing a place to go we hatched a crazy idea of renting the music venue right by our new offices.  Seated it would hold 500, standing a 1000.  But instead of just doing our thing at the Gothic Theater, we decided to partner with a charity.  It seemed self serving to do otherwise.  To make a long story short, the night was a great success.  Not because of the number of people, but because we more than triples our goal of raising $5000 for Charity:Water.

Well, in a few weeks we are getting displaced again and guess where we are going?  You got it, the Gothic. Only this time we are partnering with a organization started within our community, Free the Girls.  Although, this time we are not looking to raise any money.  We are collecting bras.  Yes, you read correctly bras!  5000 bras to be exact.  TNL is hosting Denver's Biggest Bra Dive.

So why is TNL doing this?

Are we trying to look edgy and progressive? No.

Is this a desperate attempt of a church community that has been declining for over a decade? No.

Are we hoping to look cool by jumping on the social justice band wagon? No.

The reasons are simple: People.  Both locally and internationally.

We were not hoping to get more people to come to TNL, because our attendance the week after the last Gothic event was one of the lowest in a long time.  We were not hoping people would give money to TNL because the last Gothic event actually cost us money. Not only did we have to pay to rent the theater, but we did not take an offering that night either.  So, the event actually cost us double!

But our community made some amazing relational connections:

• with the owner of the Gothic.  He was SUPER skeptical of a church using his building. A place where Dimmu Borgir, Gwar and Timbaland  have all played.  But now he thinks we are doing some good work.
• with the Gothic staff. As a staff they have "prayed" against another church in the area.  Now they are promoting our event on their marque, website, Facebook page and in their AD for the Westword.
• with the house production manager. He probably thought he got the sucker's end of the job having to host a "Church" group using his building, until we told him we were doing a beer tasting back at our offices!  He come over for the hand crafted beer by indigenous TNL brewers (Bottom Line Brewery) and stayed until we closed the place down just before midnight!
• with our neighbors.  The quasi retired guy who lives across the street from our offices came last time.
• with our friends, coworker and family. After the last Gothic event we heard story after story about people's atheist, agnostic and non-church going friends, coworker and family who came and supported Charity:Water.

In the end, these events common ground to foster common good and common grace.  They are not just charity fundraisers.But a church community sharing the grace Jesus Christ. They are about people living what they believe to be true about God, mercy and jsutice. And that is why we are doing it all over again. 

Six Big Themes of 2010

Barna Research did more than 5,000 interviews in 2010 and found six big themes that were emerging in the church-at-large in 2010.  See if you agree with their findings:

1.  The church is becoming less theologically literate.

2.  Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.

3.  More people are less interested in spiritual principles and more interested in pragmatic solutions.

4.  More Christians are becoming more involved in community action programs

5.  Tolerance is winning in the church

6.  The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible

Here is the twist....

Politics and Religion

Preach if you are going to preach.
Politic is you are going to politic.
But don't confuse the two.


"It started as a comment in local coverage of Republican Robert Bentley’s swearing-in, provoked rebuke in left-leaning commentaries, and has now gone national. Giving his Inaugural address on Martin Luther King Day, Alabama’s new chief executive left some people with the idea that only considers fellow Christians to truly be his ‘brothers’:"
Read more...

Am I wrong here?

Women and the Gospel

In the past couple days I have been thinking about how the gospel affects women.  This has led me to think again about women in church leadership, roles of men and women in marriage and the whole egalitarian vs. complementation discussion.

In the mists of this I made this comparison: At some point in the future this whole debate about women will be like discussion about eschatology (end times):

• Both sides will be able to present their views backed by Scripture, history and opinion, but there will no be consensus. 
• There will always be extremists pro and con.
• For the most part this discussion will become fodder for conversation and not a reason for division within the church. 
• The issue will move (if it has not already) from an "A" list issue to a "B" or "C" list issue, losing its intrigue, ire and staying power at the table of theological conversation.

The question then becomes, is kind of evolution of the debate good for the church or not?

Do You Believe God Exists?

Here are the some current results from a poll being taken on the New York Daily News website:

Poll Results

Thank you for voting.

Do you believe God exists?

Yes.	64%
No.	28%
I am undecided.	9%

Vote if you feel so compelled.