The Living Church

Newsletter – October 29, 2013 (pdf)

The Living Church…I’m a big “ideas” guy, so I love it when someone puts language to some really big concepts that I know to be true of the kingdom. My favorite from the school so far is the “interdependent” church. Where the traditional church could be described as an “institutional” model where the church is the point and the individuals in the church come serve and participate in its programs; and many more contemporary churches practice more what could be described as an “independent” model where the individual is the point and the church exists to serve the needs of the people coming; the idea of the “interdependent” church is simply family.

“Family” means that the people are the church, and both are the point. Because God made people for family, and no person will ever be fully who they were meant to be apart from relationships and connectedness. Practically, that conviction expresses itself this way: “the church changed when you walked in.” The church is not a set of programs, it’s a living dynamic response to the people God chooses to bring. Because when you walk in the door, you bring unique needs and a unique journey of growing and maturing, and you bring unique gifts and talents and unique dreams and passions. Family adapts and stretches to make room for every new addition God brings.

Multiply that dynamic times the somewhat unusual happening of 31 new eager, full-time family members arriving all at once, and you get a little picture of what’s been happening the last month! The end result is God forming a bunch of amazing, life-giving relationships, and also launching a bunch of amazing, life-giving ministries. I’m going to be part of leading a team launching a prayer room, and serving other teams launching prophecy and healing rooms, doing service evangelism at senior mobile home parks and all sorts of mercy ministry outreaches to the homeless, hospitals, prisons, etc. There’s also a whole team of creative types brainstorming together for different arts, business and media outreaches and projects.

The Master of Multidimensional Chess…It’s been moderately chaotic at times, but so beautiful! I am unashamedly a “why?” guy. Some may think it childish, I find it more childlike : ) Not a rebellious “give me one good reason” why, but the curious why of a son who wants not just to help his Father, but to understand his Father. So while I’m asking about what I’m here for, I’m also asking about the why behind the what. Which is such a fun conversation to have with God! Because, while I can’t see nearly all of it (not being omniscient and all), there are so many why’s behind everything He does in His family. It’s about things He’s shifting in this family’s heart, people He’s healing and encouraging and building up, relationships He’s forming, calls and destinies He’s unlocking, and at the same time His bigger strategy for transforming and reaching this region.

Seeing the why makes my heart come so alive at getting to do what He’s given me to do! Thank you so much for your prayers and support that let me play the part He’s given me to play in His beautiful family!

~ Tim