Brad October 8th, 2008

I am sitting in a St. Louis Bread Co. on the Delmar Loop in University City…

I’m surrounded by students from nearby Washington University, business professionals, artists, the urban poor, bohemians.

I’m a block away from such landmarks such as Vintage Vinyl, The Pageant, Blueberry Hill, The Tivoli Theatre, Fitz’s, and the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

I’m about a mile northeast from my home church community, The Journey @ Hanley Road.

The Loop is a microcosm of urban America. It is a melting pot for cultures, races, ages, socio-economic classes, etc. As for St. Louis, this is one of the most eclectic and vibrant spots in the Lou. The street life alone is amazing.

So why am I here? Because I’m convicted. I’m not living the Great Commission and the Great Commandment like I should. At least to the level I think God expects.

I’m a mile away from the church I attend and I feel like my worship has terminated on itself. Why isn’t it propelling me out into the surrounding community? I’m trying to face these questions head on.

So I’m here. To be a missionary. Commissioned by God. The Loop needs Jesus. And I pray I can be a shining light here…

I am painfully aware on my first day here that the task is a God task. It would be much easier to start some sort of an attractional event that would bring people to me. But that skips the most important step: relationships.

Relationships that form deep, lasting change. Working through the uncomfortableness of talking to strangers. Gaining their trust. Earning their respect. Answering their real-life questions + doubts. Making the Gospel attractive to them.

There is no hiding behind a pulpit here. And let’s be honest, we like to hide behind our pulpits, our blogs, our knowledge, our offices - rather than get out and put action behind our platitudes about missional living. Cred doesn’t come from talking about it. It comes from doing it. That’s why I’m here.

I have no illusions that incarnational ministry is gritty. I can feel the residue already on my soul. But this is where the rubber meets the road. Jesus was a friend of sinners. He went to people. He didn’t expect them to come to Him. Jesus embodied lived theology. It isn’t enough to just know these things. They must be lived…

So I’m praying for the Lord to move. To move me…

I’m praying for the gentleman sitting in front of me reading the Post-Dispatch.

I’m praying for the trio of business professionals sitting to the left of me planning a restaurant grand opening.

I’m praying for the young female student behind me who is engrossed in her studies.

I’m praying for the four young African-American ’skaters’ sitting to my left.

I’m praying for the homeless man sittting behind me who is eating bread and butter - probably his only meal today.

God, my heart is broken. I pray for opportunities to be Christ to the people at the Loop. Help me see where you are at work. Give me your eyes and your ears. Give me the courage to speak and the words to say. This is your work. May your will be done…

• culture , emerging culture , evangelism , incarnational , missional living , multi-ethnic , postmodern , reflections , relationships
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Brad July 2nd, 2008

1. Great thoughts from Ed Stetzer on how multi-ethnic our churches really are. In short, there not but I’m encouraged to read of those who are trying to get the conversation rolling…

2. Brian of Semper Reformanda Records continues to pump out great posts. These [here and here] center on the danger of inauthentic ‘marketing’ to our congregants. And the jumping off point is Jack in the Box tacos. Yes, you heard me right…

3. A.J. Vanderhorst has been doing a great series on “Planting With Small Groups,” which refreshingly sounds very similar to the missional communities conversation happening in church planting circles today. His most recent entry, “Connect the Dots,” unpacks the subtlety of how to build an organic “church of small groups” rather than a “church with small groups.”

4. Dan Kimball’s ruminations on preaching. He’s pro-preaching, but with a few caveats…

5. Couldn’t agree more. From Jordan @ Northwood Church: Why I Hate Patriotic Songs (in Worship)

6. I thought Tony Morgan hit this out of the park. He talks about do’s and don’ts regarding ministry growth. i.e., #1: You don’t need a logo, you need life change. Love it…

7. And finally, Bob Robert’s encouragement to young pastors: Keep Movin’ Forward…

• Bible , Bible study , Christianity , authenticity , church , church planting , culture , emerging culture , hermeneutics , incarnational , leadership , ministry , missional church , multi-ethnic , preaching , sermons , theology , worship
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