People of the Way

I love that the first followers of Jesus were identified by the person they followed - JESUS!  Today, it is easy to define the new churches starting throughout North America organizationally or by where they meet (building, home , etc.), instead of, the WHO of our movement.

We start new churches not as the end goal.  We start new churches to capture the curiosity of those 'looking on' in the neighborhood so that they may say of us, "those people follow Jesus and they love this neighborhood/community" = people of the Way.   We start new churches in order to help facilitate the work of God's Kingdom into the lives of those who are not yet convinced how much Jesus loves them.  We start new churches to help followers participate in the Kingdom of God - the way, the truth and the life.  Church starting shouldn't be the goal.  Jesus Kingdom is the goal.  New churches should help Jesus followers do life together as part of the Kingdom, for the Kingdom. 

Jesus' Kingdom come and His will be done should be our goal.

As you think about your neighborhood, how will people know you follow Jesus?  How will they know your faith community follows Jesus?  What will make your neighbors say, "they are people of the way"?

localism - the reigning philosophy of the day and the implications for the commuter church

As the culture is rediscovering the importance of place, perhaps the Spirit is also nudging the church to re-examine what it means for her to be “the personal presence of Jesus by the Spirit in the world.” http://thev3movement.org/2015/07/postcommuter-neighbourhood-life/ via @v3_movement

Placemaking

How will we as followers of Jesus embrace the neighborhood to make it a better place?

"The market pendulum has swung towards communities that generate a sense of place. Although placemaking is attractive to a broad range of socio-economic groups, young adults, college educated people, and relocating Boomers are particularly drawn to walkable places. Businesses who want to attract talent are looking to communities with a sense of place. Unless communities want to lose the young and the educated, they’d be wise to invest in ways that enhance, rather than detract from, a sense of place. That goes for cities, suburbs, and towns of all sizes."

“Placemaking is the process of creating quality places that people want to live, work, play, and learn in.”

Read more about PLACEMAKING here:

http://bettercities.net/news-opinion/blogs

Pray for Portland

I was walking and taking pictures on SE Division street in Portland today with my son Cody (actually Cody was taking the real pics). The Clinton neighborhood was one of our stops.

Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more disciple makers to this neighborhood along SE Division, especially the streets from 20th thru 39th (Caesar Chavez).

Portland = The Distribution of Urban Fabric

These comments from Jeff Kovel, an architect, are helpful in understanding the difference between the city of Portland and other western cities, like Denver and Seattle:

"What Portland has going for it is the distribution of urban fabric. Everywhere you drive around, people are investing, trying to make their neighborhoods better.  Try driving around in Denver--there's like one neighborhood doing that. In Portland, we have great decentralization. You have a more vibrant city. A lot of cities, you don't know where to go. In every direction in Portland, you run into an interesting neighborhood. In Seattle, you need a tour guide" (Portland Monthly Magazine, April 2014).

Pray for Portland. Pray for these Portland neighborhood in need of disciplemakers who will make new disciples which may become a new church;
1.  Portsmouth/Kenton/University Park (North Portland) = First time home buyers.
2.  Richmond (Southeast)  = urbanites
3.  Sellwood/Moreland (Southeast) = Investors
4.  South Waterfront (Southwest) = empty nesters.

How Will They Hear....in the Pearl District and in the North Pearl?

Housing is booming in a North Portland neighborhood called the Pearl, specifically the North Pearl. The North Pearl lies just beyond Lovejoy Street.

Currently, there are 6 multi family projects totaling more than 1300 units being developed. This will bring an additional 2,000 people to the central city. We as Northwest Baptist and the North American Mission Board have no churches in this high density neighborhood. What an incredible opportunity for those not faint of heart!

The Barry Apartment Report estimates 10,000 to 14,000 new apartment units in the Portland metro area this year and next--half of them in Multnomah County. How will we go and make new disciples among these urban hipsters?

Who will go and join God in His work in the North Pearl? What team of disciples willing to push into the darkness and make disciples will go? What partners will stand in the gap to pray, support, and serve this band of brothers and sisters in order to see God's church expand to these neighborhoods?

Want to read more? Find the Portland Tribune article here:

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/213588-71976-housing-projects-popping-up-in-pearl

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Simple Rule = Increased Effeciency

Years ago, UPS engineers devised route-optimization plans to increase efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and get drivers back to their centers earlier. They came up with a simple rule:

Minimize – or sometimes, eliminate – left-hand turns.

It's simple but effective.

Since 2004 UPS has saved an estimated 10 million gallons of gas.

Carbon emissions were reduced by 100,000 metric tons – the equivalent of 5,300 cars off the road for an entire year.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is a qoute from Jesus (the Message version):

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get. "(Matthew 7:12 MSG)

Kingdom Placemakers: Becoming Attached to the Place You Help Create

Placemaking is a bottom up approach to shaping a public space.

According to Project for Public Spaces, "Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. Put simply, it involves looking at, listening to, and asking questions of the people who live, work and play in a particular space, to discover their needs and aspirations. This information is then used to create a common vision for that place. The vision can evolve quickly into an implementation strategy, beginning with small-scale, do-able improvements that can immediately bring benefits to public spaces and the people who use them" (http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/).

There are 11 steps guiding the PLACEMAKING strategy (building a better community):

1. The community (the people of the place) are the experts.

2. Create a place, not a design.

3. Look for partners

4. You can see a lot by just observing.

5. Have a vision.

6. Start with the Petunias: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

7. Triangulate

8. They Always Say “It Can’t Be Done”

9. Form supports function

10. Money is not an issue

11. You are never finished.

Read more here on the 11 steps: http://www.pps.org/reference/11steps/

The result is community ownership and excitement. See the quotes below....

"If you’re not building social capital in the community where you’re working, you’re not Placemaking; you’re just reorganizing the furniture."

“Human capital and creative talent increasingly goes where it likes; talent increasingly goes to great places; but talented people become most attached to places that they help create.”

 

As you think about making disciples who make disciples and form a church in a local place, community or neighborhood, how might these steps help along the way?

As followers of Jesus into the neighborhood, we alert people to the reign and rule of God's Kingdom through Jesus. We enter into these public places proclaiming the good news both with our words/stories and by our ACTS (the acts of Jesus followers), demonstrating a kingdom place worth entering into!

Let's be Kingdom Placemakers!

 

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How are You Engaged in this Neighborhood Conversation?

Have you ever prayed this : "Our Father who is in Heaven, Holy be your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven....." STOP there for a second. Why don't you join God in being the answer to that prayer as a new church, a new church leader, and/or a disciple of Christ. What could you do to make your neighborhood a better place - a community place where people liked to be with one another?

In the article entitled, How to Be a Citizen Placemaker: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper, the author suggest citizens re-engage their communities to make them better places. Here are some highlights from the article:

"When you think about making your neighborhood a better place, think Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC). In public space design, the LQC strategy is framed as a way for communities to experiment with a place and learn how people want to use it before making more permanent changes. That experimental attitude can be adopted by anyone. Just ask yourself: what’s one thing I already enjoy doing that I could bring out into the public realm?"

“If you don’t spend at least some time thinking about the state of mind of Placemaking—every decision, behavior, everything that we do as residents in our place every day—on top of the infrastructure that’s provided by the place itself, then you miss a really important part of the conversation, where everybody gets to have some of the responsibility.”

"If you are a change-oriented person, we need you to lead. Whether you want to move your office outside, organize a citywide cooking festival, or start small by making a concerted effort to engage directly with your neighbors every day, know that your own actions are an essential component of your neighborhood’s sense of place, by virtue of the fact that you live there."

“We need professionals to think about themselves not narrowly disciplinary professionals, whose work is to simply solve a narrow disciplinary problem, but as citizen professionals working to contribute to the civic health and well-being of the community.”

"Team Better Block co-founder Andrew Howard explained how his own LQC street transformations in cities around the US have caused his understanding of how people engage with places to evolve. “As a planner,” he explained, “I always thought that, if I made the best plan, that would attract the right people to come from somewhere else and make that plan happen. What I’ve realized through Better Block is that every community already has everybody they need. They just need to activate the talented people who are already there, and shove them into one place at one time, and that place can become better really quickly.”

Read the entire article at this link....

Article

Church, it is time for you to intentionally engage your neighborhood as a missionary. Step fully into the life of the place you live for the sake of the Kingdom of God

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(YOU) Build a Better Block!

Everyone of us would love to have the perfect block/neighborhood - whatever it is you imagine a perfect block/neighborhood to be.  Jason Roberts, featured in the video below, decided to do something about creating the perfect block where he lived in Dallas, TX. He didn't wait for someone else to jump to action.  He did something- actually, him and a few of his friends.

Watch the video and ask yourself:  What did Jason do I could do to make my block better?  Here are my thoughts.  Below the video you will see Jason's KEY steps to changing everything to make a better block!

Here is what I saw in the video:
1.  He had a vision of his DREAM neighborhood (took a trip).  And, personally took responsibility to make a better neighborhood.
2.  He joined others, GOT INVOLVED and found opportunities to INFLUENCE from a big picture perspective (joined the chamber of commerce).
3.  Don't walk away from those who are different than you. Those in the room probably want change as well (joining the chamber of commerce).
4.  He first helped someone else pursue their dream of a better neighborhood (the old theatre), then; he began to do something on his "better block" list.
5.  Investment follows enthusiasm.  Being "drunk" on enthusiasm compels you to other dreams. (theatre and art show).
6.  He listened to the community by asking, "What other problems are there?" (library, study).
7.  He asked others to join him in the adventure to build a better block (friends/neighbors).
8.  He created the appearance something was happening - and people thought in fact something was happening- and then made something happen (street car).
9.  He created culture in order to change culture (bike community)
10.  You don't have to own a "bike" to create a "bike" culture.
11.  Sometimes you have to break every rule/law in order to create the perfect block (city block ordinances)-challenging old assumptions/structures, in order to create new paths.
12.  If you start something, there is a good chances people will come along and help you, making it last. (children art studio).
13.  In as little time as one weekend, you can create a better block and a dog park.  Just do something.
14.  He kept it close and personal, before he went broader and bigger (local to city hall plaza; neighborhood to nation).
15.  Took a plan (you don't have to be the originator of every good idea) and built it, making the dream a reality (city plaza).
16. Led from passion not from expertise (bike ride).
17. He was inspired (Portland) to leave something better for others (kids).

Jason's HOW's:

• Show Up:: be present - keep going.  If you don't "someone" will and they hate everything.
• Give It a Name - give it an identity.  This creates attachment and ownership (Portland neighborhoods ;)
• KEY STEP:: Set a Date and Publish it (Blackmail yourself). If you don't you will talk yourself out of it.  

"DO THESE LITTLE THINGS YOU REALLY CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING" - J. ROBERTS.

Is Christendom Stuck in a Sacred vs. Secular Divide?

Jesus moved into the neighborhood to show the fullness of God to humanity.  He chose to incarnate himself into this world, being fully God and fully man, to show the world a better way in HIS Kingdom.  As followers of Jesus, we can't be scared of this world.  We can't escape it.  We must choose to live as ambassadors in a "foreign" land. We do this as followers of his who embrace ALL of life as a sacred trust and responsibility.  Lecrae says,

"I believe that the reason why the church typically doesn't engage culture is because we are scared of it. We're scared it's going to somehow jump on us and corrupt us. We're scared it's going to somehow mess up our good thing. So we consistently move further and further away from the corruption, further and further away from the crime, further and further away from the post-modernity, further and further away from the relativism and secular humanism and we want to go to a safe place with people just like you. We want to be comfortable."

 Jesus moved into the neighborhood.  Where is He calling you to live your life?  Where is the neighborhood you must move to as His ambassador?

Read the entire article here:

Christian Post Article: Sacred vs. Secular Divide

What do you think?

Nextdoor.com - What if we saw our Neighborhood as our Parish?

If you serve a missionary God, by default, YOU are a missionary. He (God the Father) sends Jesus (God the Son) who in turn sends us and promises us a Helper (God the Spirit). We are to be his ambassadors. We are to be His missionary people. This is what followers of God do. If disciples love Him -Jesus- they (disciples) do what He says.

Where do missionaries in obedience begin to think and act like missionaries? In the places they are planted and rooted- in the NEIGHBORHOOD! Next-door-neighbors, across-the-street-neighbors, out-the-back-door neighbors are the context for missionaries to live for Jesus and invite neighbors into the Kingdom of God.

It is time for disciples who are God's missionary people to see the neighborhood where they live as their parish. This is the place we GO to and then STAY. We go to a church service to celebrate what God is doing in the neighborhood. We don't go to a church building to go on mission. We go to the person next door to be on mission.

Watch this video from nextdoor.com to consider how you might become the neighbor next door to create community, participate in community, be a blessing and tangibly express the Kingdom of God.

http://vimeo.com/59427424

Come back and tell your stories.

 

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Stumptown Coffee for the 1st 10 Partners Signed Up Via Twitter During #sbc2012

We need partners (10:02 Partners) and you need coffee from Portland OR. Not just any coffee, this is Stumptown coffee. Retweet this with the hashtag #sbc2012 and follow @SENDPORTLANDOR during this year's sbc meeting. I'll DM you to get your address, you will pray for Portland and pray for followers to be mobilized in Portland! Go here for more information. It starts in the neighborhood.

Luke 10 Prayer Partners Needed http://goo.gl/fb/xTdE9 #sbc #sendportlandor #sbcnola #sbc2012

http://ping.fm/fZqJ2

(Sent via Seesmic http://www.seesmic.com)

Now that Halloween is Over.....My Relections and a Challenge

It is official Christmas is here. But before we bypass Thanksgiving, let's reflect on what happened on Halloween:

1. Kids, despite high unemployment, a lackluster economy, etc. etc., were full of smiles last night. When you are LOVED the world looks different.
2. Favorite costume of the night: two kids, one was dressed as a toilet which served as his "candy bucket" and his sidekick, "the magazine rack, toilet paper dispenser." Epic imaginations. I love watching how creative kids can be this time of year. Young people have great imaginations if given the opportunity.
3. Is it me or are more parents having "drinks" while the trudge the streets with their kids? Parents are socially engage with other parents in this "progressive party." Community matters.
4. More and more kids are "trick-or-treating" in large groups.
5. Opportunities abound to bless others. You and I must take responsibility to be SALT AND LIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
6. My kids are growing up as they hit the 'hood on their own. I have to rediscover my purpose on Halloween.

So.....what did you see, hear and do?

Here is what we did:

A. We didn't serve our whole neighborhood, but we did BLESS through an abundant supply of candy and smiles to give to our nightly visitors OUT OUR FRONT DOOR. God's mission for you and me begins on our front steps of our homes. This is where the Church serves the neighborhood through the ministry of presence.

B. I found ONE to serve and BLESS. I brought something hot to drink to my neighbor across the street and HOSTED him in conversation...twice. He was dressed as "the Devil" and I was going to be his NEIGHBOR, reflecting the person of Christ to him as he sat on the porch this cold Halloween night.

Halloween is behind us and Christmas cometh. How will you "bring good news of great joy" to those in your neighborhood this Holiday season? How can you join with your church plant or your church community to do something together to serve and bless a family(ies), a neighborhood block or a commnity? A bike, a blanket, a turkey,  a tree, a gift can all make a difference to one person or to one family.  What will you allow Christ to do through YOU (the individual and the church)?

Think about it and do something. Come back here and share your stories.
#mission #churchplanting #bless #gospel #neighborhood #namb