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Compassion for the City

"When he approached Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it." Luke 19:41

Jesus wept over Jerusalem because he knew they were going to reject the King and his Kingdom. The city was on a collison course, and Jesus knew it. The people were doing whatsoever they wanted, looking for the freedom to be. The only way Jesus could do something about it was to go to the cross and die for them.

Today, over 2000 years later, we have the same problems. People are trying to do whatsoever to find an identity and a way that is suitable and satisfactory. As a pastor in the city, I want the same compassion as Jesus, I want my heart to break for the people that live in my city. Jesus didn't engage in silly philosophical arguements, he didn't draw a line in his fundamentalist sand box, he drew the people in by his love, grace and mercy. He was compelling because he was completely true to his character. As we enter into the Easter weekend, I think it is vital that we weep (with compassion and love) over our cities and neighborhoods.

I came across this great video that tells the story of people in Richmond, Virginia who have this same compassion for their city. You can see it here.

Take some time today to pray for Seattle or whatever city you live in. Pray for your neighborhood and your neighbors. Look for opportunities to be compelling, and above all, serve.

Serve Seattle

This article is important for all of us who are working in the city. Seattle is setting the tone for urban improvement and building a strong urban core. As a pastor in Seattle, I see this as something that gives insight into what the city values and the receptiveness to what All Saints can bring to its vitality. As a church, our goal is to make Seattle better, this article gives us some good insight as to what and how.

Earl Creps

I am really looking forward to hearing Earl Creps this Sunday at All Saints. Earl is a friend and fellow church planter. He is taking the arduous task of planting a church in Berkley, Ca; probably one of the tougher spots in the country to plant a church. 

Earl brings incredible wisdom and insight and is such a cool guy. He will be at both gatherings on Sunday, August 9, it will be a great opportunity to hear about Earl's church and his understanding of the culture and how theology helps redeem it. 

Earl is also an author, he has two great books that I have read and enjoyed; Reverse Mentoring and Off-Road Disciplines. 

Earl will also be at El Diablo Coffee Co at 10 am Monday morning, August 10th. If you are interested stop by and listen to Earl while drinking some mighty fine coffee.

10 ways

I found this and plagiarized it from a site called Missional Order. I would be interested to hear your comments.

10 ways NOT to live missionally.

1. Live as if the only soul that matters to God is your own.

2. Busy yourself with what matters very little in the kingdom of God.

3. Seek all the things that you need first, then seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

4. Believe that the power of God resides in the Gospel, but evangelize and disciple others as if that were not true by using consumerist means.

5. Don’t pray for neighbors.

6. Use the Scripture as an instrument to judge rather than to motivate loving actions and good works toward neighbors.

7. Model a lone ranger approach to evangelize without connection to a close knit community.

8. Depend on the preacher to get it done. After all we’re not all learned and gifted to live missional lives.

9. Promise heaven to motivate acceptance of the claims of Christ rather than a life with God in the here and now that looks forward to eternal life with God.

10. Believe as if God bypasses the believing community in drawing the non-believing community unto himself.

Common Ground

I just got back from a dinner with some pastors and church planters from all over Western Europe and Africa. Wow, I am so humbled. What amazing men and women. They have a love for Christ that is real and passionate. They want to see their countries transformed by the gospel of Jesus. They are tired of status quo. They are entrepreneurial. They are innovative.

I get the opportunity to talk about my church, the church I love, All Saints. I am excited to tell them stories about All Saints'ers that will encourage and inspire. The comments about believe, doubt and seek resonates with these different cultures as they live and work in post-christian societies. I look forward to talking about this with them.

What an opportunity!