Day 104 and I spent half of it on the I-5 heading south to Tujunga, S.Cal. Redeemer's Church is working with a church in Tujunga CA and another church in Tacoma WS to help them turnaround. Every month I get to visit these churches and aside from bringing come coaching I get to hear stories of pastors, staff and leaders getting 'it'.
Today was no exception. When asked the biggest challenge the pastor was facing, without a blink or pause he told me 'Christians!' He then preceded to tell me that after many years of going the extra mile with Christians, of giving them priority even over his own kids etc ...he was drawing a line and for ungrateful, complaining, 'not getting it supposed Christ followers', he was showing them the door.
Wow!
This pastor had been pushed around, complained at, criticised and wrongly accused for years - but no longer. Christ, His vision and His mission, reaching lost people, extending God's kingdom, introducing people to grace - all this, rather than being pushed around and used by self absorbed seeming Christians who want everything and everyone to revolve around them, this - Christ and His mission (the Missio Dei) was finally getting his talent, time and calling.
Today made me even more grateful for Redeemer's Church and the people who own its vision and purpose. People who have ditched inward focused, selfish Christianity for getting behind a leadership that is all about reaching as many people as possible, and Redeemer's Church outworking it full redemptive potential.
Thank you Redeemer's!
My intentional follow of Jesus was to listen, to help and then on the I-5 journey back home to thank God for the community of Redeemer's Church and the thousands of people we're going to reach for Christ in the coming years.
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