What would Jesus do?

Authory Tom Taylor has written a book called Paradoxy. He writes:

"Jesus frequently hung out with the unwanted, the immobile, the irreverent and the interracial. Jesus seemed to avoid the bueaucratic, the rigid, the cold and hard hearted, the arrogant and the duplicitous. In essence, Jesus befriended those were spiritually, often physically and emotionally broken and who were more than willing to admit it and ask for help."

Brokenness. Admitting it. Asking for help.

Brokenness. Admitting it. Asking for help.

We're at our best, I believe, when we're in touch with our brokenness and willling to admit that we need the touch of Jesus to heal us.

I think I sometimes believe that I'm OK, that I don't need the Master's touch. That's when I get into trouble.

What do you think?

Time for a Change

Good time last night. It's always fun to be in a relaxed setting, enjoying each other's company.

We all sense, I think, the need for ASCEND to change. In our hearts we know that what we're doing isn't having the impact we desire. Something isn't right. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's you. Maybe it's us. Maybe it's a lack of clear focus. Maybe it's a 'sit and soak' crowd. Maybe we're outside of God's will. It could be a lot of things. Change is in the air.

I think this is all good. In my reading and discussions with ministry leaders many are coming to the conclusion that our culture is going through a magnum force shift causing massive 'transitional confusion'. I buy it. What worked five years ago doesn't work anymore. Churches which looked like they had it all together are struggling. Service clubs like Rotary and Kiwanis struggle for membership. Schools wonder how to reach today's generation. The things I did in youth ministry years ago won't work today. As a result, everyone is looking for what does work in today's culture. Thus the confusion

ASCEND's model of ministry worked and worked well for a long time. I don't think we can ride the wave of the past anymore. We need to figure out prayerfully how to minister to single adults in this day and age. What does work? What doesn't? Where is God at work in our present ministry? What are we doing that seems to lack supernatural authority?

It's time for a change. What do we do? Oh, I have some ideas but I only see things from my vantage point. I want to hear from you. Check the comments section at the bottom. A window will pop up. Post your response to the question ..."What needs to change at ASCEND". Don't post anonymously. Use inclusive language ...'we' not 'you'. Be honest. Respond to the post other people make. Let's see if we can get some clarity of thought on all of this. Most importantly, Keep praying. Let's see what God does.