All posts by Greg Ellis

The Adventure Begins: Day 1 and Day 2

Jeannie made it safely to Haiti! Her trip wasn’t without some bumps. In Minneapolis, she got bumped on her first flight, and then was told that the airline wasn’t going to be able to get her on the the flight to Atlanta (she was flying on a buddy pass) because it’s such a busy time of year. At the last minute, however, they got her on the 7:30 am flight out. She was told that she wouldn’t make her connection to Port-au-Prince, and that she would need to stay in Atlanta for the night. But, since God is in charge, the flight happened to arrive in Atlanta early and a flight attendant basically told the passengers on Jeannie’s plane to let her go first and then thanked her on the loud speaker for caring for people. (So cool!) When she got off the plane and made it to the gate, she was told she couldn’t get on because she was supposed to be there an hour ago.  The other flight attendant was already printing her ticket, though, and even upgraded her to a roomier seat.  Yay!

 

She was told that chances were slim she’d even get on a plane with a buddy pass, but since God is in charge, she got on…and got upgraded!

Jeannie arrived safely in Port-au-Prince and spent the night in a guest house.  The next day, she took a little plane to Cap-Haitien to meet up with her friend, Dr. Manno.

Itty bitty flying space.
This is an orphanage that Dr. Manno wanted to show Jeannie. There might be ministry opportunities here for her.
In this neighborhood, the people build their houses on garbage because it is swamp area from the coast.
Hi, Jeannie! 🙂
A look down the street.
School Yard
Neighborhood “Pools”
Clothes Line

A view of Dr. Manno’s neighborhood.

Ocean View

During her time of rest today, the Lord gave her these verses:

Jeremiah 17:7-8 New International Version 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Malachi 3:10-12 New International Version 

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,”says the Lord Almighty.

Check back regularly for more updates and photos from Jeannie in Haiti!

Engaging Third Places

The Missional Church – Part 3: Living Missional Principles

Luke 10:1-12

Isolation

Isolation is a word that describes the kind of lives many people are living today. More and more people are spending less and less time with others.

 

Third places

Third places are represented by public places of common ground where people enjoy the company of others.

Questions

  1. What examples of increased isolation do you see or have you experienced in the lives of people? Are things really that different from 10 or 20 years ago?
  2. What might be examples of third places in our community?

 

Ray Oldenburg’s 1989 book:

The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Community Centers, Beauty Parlors, General Stores, Bars, Hangouts, and How They Get You Through The Day

(find Ray Oldenburg’s books at the Hennepin County Library here)

8 Characteristics 3rd Places Share:

  • Neutral Ground
  • Act as a Leveler
  • Conversation Is the Main Activity
  • Accessible and Accommodating
  • There are Regulars
  • Low Profile
  • Mood is Playful
  • A Home Away from Home

 

 

“Typical” Third Places

coffee houses, cafes, pubs, etc.

 

“Atypical” Third Places?

Missional Living Homework:

  1. This week discover at least 3 “typical” third places in your community and three “atypical” third places. What would you have to do for each third place to become a daily or weekly rhythm in your life?
  2. Pick at least one third place to enter into and spend at least 1 hour observing. Take note of conversations. What do you notice about the people? What is the vibe of the place? How does this third place bring life and vitality to the community? Where do you hear God at work in the conversation? How might you join him?

Facilitating Biblical Hospitality

The Missional Church – Part 3: Living Missional Principles

Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 14:12-14; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9

Missional Living Homework:

  • Each day this week, take some time to read the local newspaper and watch the evening news. Follow up by praying for the welfare of your city in light of what you know, asking God to bring his kingdom to bear upon those situations as well as the ones you don’t know about.
  • Each day this week, pray for the people who live on your street. Specifically pray for them by name (if you know their names). Pray for their physical and spiritual well-being, as well as any trying situation they are facing that you are aware of.

Hospitality

How would you define it?

φιλοξενία – the Greek word for Hospitality

compound word: philo – xenia “love” of “stranger”

Biblical hospitality is distinctive from the conventional view because it reaches out to undesired, neglected people who cannot reciprocate.

 

The Stranger

Strangers are not simply those we don’t know

Strangers are those who are disconnected from basic relationships

Barriers to Hospitality

Lack of Margin

Changing view of family & home

Practical Ways to Live Out Hospitality

  • Invite people into your home
  • Sometimes being outside is less threatening
  • Identify single parents in your neighborhood who need weekend childcare
  • Provide short-term or long-term foster care
  • Care for someone who is recovering from surgery
  • Be a “home away from home” for college students or others away from family
  • Hospitality isn’t always about inviting someone in. Provide hospitality at a local nursing home.

Questions:

  • In what ways does an understanding of biblical hospitality change your regular practices?
  • What first steps would you need to take to create a space in your home (or church) to welcome children, teens, the elderly, students, and so on?
  • Besides welcoming people into our homes, in what other settings might we be more hospitable?
  • What might you have to give up in order to make room in your home and church for hospitality?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Identify the “strangers” in your neighborhood. Make a list of those who are in need of hospitality.
  • List three things that need to change to allow you to make hospitality a way of life. Develop a plan to take steps toward being more hospitable toward strangers. Who is the first stranger your will welcome?

Like A Good Neighbor                   

The Missional Church – Part 3: Living Missional Principles

Jeremiah 29:4-7; Matthew 5:14

Missional Living Homework:

  • As you examined your budget, what stood out? Did you discover any space for deepening your participation in mission?
  • Was there anything you decided to sell (no need to disclose what it is) and pass along the proceeds?
  • What did you learn about yourself? What lifestyle changes have you settled on or are pondering for your missional future?

Seeking the Best for My City

When we make conscious and committed decisions to seek the best for our neighborhoods and cities, life flourishes not only for us but also for those whose lives we touch.

General Rules of Social Interaction

  1. If you see someone at your favorite place a few times, you have permission to give them the “nod” of recognition (or subtle wave)
  2. If you’ve recognized their presence a couple times, it’s socially okay to say “hello.”
  3. Once you’ve said hello to someone once or twice, it is okay to make comments like “hey, it sure is nice today” or “is that book you’re reading interesting?”
  4. After you’ve broken the ice, you can introduce yourself.
  5. Once you’re on a first-name basis you have social permission to have normal conversations with them, and things develop from there

Questions:

  • Up to the present, how seriously have you considered your street and neighborhood to be your mission field?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Each day this week, take some time to read the local newspaper and watch the evening news. Follow up by praying for the welfare of your city in light of what you know, asking God to bring his kingdom to bear upon those situations as well as the ones you don’t know about.
  • Each day this week, pray for the people who live on your street. Specifically pray for them by name (if you know their names). Pray for their physical and spiritual well-being, as well as any trying situation they are facing that you are aware of.

God’s Mission and Our Resources     

The Missional Church – Part 2: Principles of Missional Living

Mark 4:18-19; 1 John 2:15-17; Acts 2:44-45; Matthew 6:24-34

Missional Living Homework:

Sabbath & Solitude – how’d it go?

Listening Activity – What did you learn about Centennial Lakes? about you? about the process?

The Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

Thorns (things that choke out, strangle)

the worries of this life

the lure of wealth

the desire for other things

 

Three -Isms

Individualism

  1. a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action ofthe individual.
  2. the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action.
  3. the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests;egoism.

 

Consumerism

  1. a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products,
    misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.
  2. the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.
  3. the fact or practice of an increasing consumption of goods:

Materialism

  1. preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.

Questions:

  • How “thorny” is your life right now?
  • In what ways do you believe consumerism and individualism have worked to shape your identity?
  • In what ways do you feel like you can begin to prune away the thorns in your life?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Set aside some time to look over your monthly budget. Examine whether or not you can find space to eliminate a current want in order to help with others’ needs.
  • Choose a possession that you enjoy and care about. Give it away, or sell it on EBay or Craigslist and give the proceeds away to someone in need.
  • Prayerfully consider your current living situation and ownership. These are most likely your two most expensive possessions. Are there changes you could make to position yourself to live a more active missional lifestyle?

In It for the Long Haul (red light, green light)

The Missional Church – Part 2: Principles of Missional Living

Luke 24:49; Isaiah 40:31; Mark 2:27; Proverbs 4:23

Missional Living Homework:

  • How did you live out the Shema last week?
  • What was your sacrifice of worship to God this past week?

Luke 24:49 (NLT)

Which came first – the chicken or the egg?

Which came first – the red light or the green light?

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Mark 2:27 (NLT)

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

 

 

Principles: Red Light, Green Light Habits

Hitting the Pause Button

Listening in Solitude

Sabbath

 

Questions:

  • Are you more of a red light or a green light person? How difficult is it for you to hit the pause button and intentionally slow down?
  • Is the idea of observing a weekly Sabbath daunting to you? Does it seem unrealistic or unachievable? How so? When thinking about taking the time to “do nothing” through Sabbath, does guilt factor into your thoughts?
  • What non-work activities do you enjoy? How often do you partake in these?

Missional Living Homework:

  • At least four times this week, put aside 10-20 minutes to simply listen to the voice of the Lord. Don’t talk… just listen. Don’t do, just be. Open yourself to just hear his voice. Be sure to find a place where you can be alone with no distractions.
  • Plan and observe the Sabbath this week. Think through what you will need to prepare in advance in order to rest and enjoy your Sabbath. It is not important what day of the week you make your Sabbath. Remember, the Sabbath is for you; you are not for it.

Our Whole Lives

The Missional Church – Part 2: Principles of Missional Living

Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Mark 12:29-31; Romans 12:1-2

Missional Living Homework:

  • Where do I see God at work? Where and how do I see God working in the lives of those around me? Where and how is God working in my neighborhood? What about my place of vocation?
  • In light of my gifts and resources, how does God want me to partner in what he’s doing?

Different Worlds

The Shema

Polytheism -> Monotheism

Monotheism -> Polytheism

Lord Over All

Secular – “non-sacred” “apart from God”

Dualism

No such thing in the missional church

No such thing as a “kingsdom”

There is a real tendency to think of the spiritual life as a life that will begin when we have certain feelings, think certain thoughts, or gain certain insights. The problem, however, is not how to make the spiritual life happen, but to see where it actually is happening. We work on the premise that God acts in the world and in the lives of individuals and communities. God is doing something right now. The chipping away and sculpting is taking place whether we are aware of it or not. Our task is to recognize that, indeed, it is God who is acting, and we are involved already in the spiritual life.

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Questions:

  • In what ways have you viewed the world from the perspective of a secular / sacred divide?
  • How might Romans 12:1-2 affect the way you approach your daily life?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Take some time to meditate on the Shema, asking the Lord how you can most faithfully love God and neighbor.
  • Based on Romans 12:1-2, what “sacrifice” of worship will you offer up to God this week?

 

Participating in the missio Dei

The Missional Church – Part 1: The Missional Nature of God

week 3

John 3:16, 5:24, 14:26, 17:18, 20:21

Missional Living Homework:

  • What did you do (plan to do) to encourage proximity in your neighborhood?
  • What did you do (plan to do) to encourage presence in your neighborhood?

Three Movements in the missio Dei

God the Father ->

God the Father & the Son ->

God the Father, Son, & the Spirit ->

It’s about Priority

It is not so much that God has a mission for his church in the world, but that God has a church for his mission in the world.

Mission or Missions

John 20:21 As the Father has sent me, So I am sending you.

The Four Ds

Discover

Discern

Do

Debrief

 

Questions:

  • What thoughts do you have as you reflect on the quote: “It is not so much that God has a mission for his church in the world, but that God has a church for his mission in the world”?
  • In what ways are the Four Ds helpful?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Where do I see God at work? Where and how do I see God working in the lives of those around me? Where and how is God working in my neighborhood? What about my place of vocation?
  • In light of my gifts and resources, how does God want me to partner in what he’s doing?

Incarnational Ministry

The Missional Church – Part 1: The Missional Nature of God

Missional Living Homework from Last Week

  • Identify at least two people groups or geographical locations in your city or neighborhood to which God is looking to “send” someone.
  • List areas in your life that may need to change for you to be able to say, “Here am I. Send me!” What is the first step you will take to overcome each hindrance?

Missional

Is our direction

Incarnational

How we go

What we do as we go

The Incarnation

John 1:14 a  (The Message)

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.

John 20:21

As the Father has sent me, So I am sending you.

 

Proximity

We cannot demonstrate Christlikeness at a distance from those whom we feel called to serve.”

Presence

Identification & Surrender

(Philippians 2)

With and for

Questions:

  • How would you describe the concept of proximity? What about the concept of presence?
  • How does this influence the way you think about where you live and how you live?

Missional Living Homework:

  • Ask yourself, Am I in close proximity to those to whom God has called me? What will I do this week to encourage proximity? Identify one way to experience greater proximity and act upon it.
  • Ask yourself, Am I experiencing incarnational “presence” with those I live near? Do I identify and understand the fears and concerns of those around me? Now determine one way to experience a greater level of presence and act on it.