We’re talking about culture, the predominating attitudes that shape and characterize our life, our family, our churches.
One of the greatest teachings that impacted my life is the message of being life-giving. Being full of life, which overflows into your ministry and leadership. That message probably ranks in the top 5 for me as far as influencing my life and ministry. Living in the tree of life is so much better than living in the tree of knowledge. There is an innocence and child-likeness about the realm of the tree of life that is lost and replaced with cynicism and “concern” in the realm of the tree of knowledge. When I first heard the message on being life-giving, it really resonated with me. It was like something clicked on the inside of me, but it took several years for it to really take root. I had a VHS tape of a message on being life-giving and I watched it over and over again. I may do a little series of blog posts on this one because its so powerful.
I’m still growing in it and there are days and moments when I feel like the old tree of knowledge me comes roaring back. I lived in the tree of knowledge too long. I took myself and ministry way too serious. What we do is serious because it involves eternity, etc. But we’ve got to have fun doing it. I think we need to fully enjoy the journey. Here’s what I’m learning…
Freedom is better than control.
Laid back/relaxed is better than uptight.
Fun/playful is better than serious/concerned.
Hey John - awesome post. It really speaks to what is happening now at Promise Church. We’ve spent so long hunkered down and dodging the fiery darts that at times we forgot that this was supposed to be about LIFE!!! The Lord has released us (and especially me) for a season to let go of “the plan” and simply be in the presence of God and be humbly submissive obedient to what we hear.
As a result, we’re beginning to see people return to the Lord that under “the plan” we’d given up on. Get this… by simply “being obedient” to God in releasing power to our church, Susan’s and my marriage is better than it’s ever been!!!!! We are experiencing together shared purpose and vision. We’re bearing each other’s burdens. Rather than coming home and thinking, “Jeez now I got to spend time with my spouse when I’ve so many other things I need to think about” we look forward to our time in prayer together and our mutual encouragement. It’s amazing.
I can’t thank you or TLC enough for the role you played in breaking Susan and me so that the building would then rest on God’s solid foundation.
We love you and Leslie and your church!
Jay and Susan Hutchens
Lead Pastors
The Promise Church of Jackson
~Attitudes that are shaping my family~
Have you ever been around a grouchy old man? Everyone tiptoes around carefully avoiding him not wanting to be on the receiving end of harsh words and attitudes. You just don’t want to be around them. They make you feel like you can’t do anything right.
God showed me I was on the road to becoming that person, and I have decided I want to be a life giving father and husband. So, 1). I’m giving up my pet peeves (go ahead smack the gum, walk around in socks outside, kick the back of my seat, leave the DVD out of the case, etc. <– I could go on for hours). 2). I’m giving up my right to know it all (even though alot of time I do know). 3). I giving up reminding my wife how much every family outing costs and focus on having fun (we have 5 kids).
We can tell if we are living the Way of Jesus by the effect we are having on those close to us. And I want to have a life giving effect.
Hello Pastor John. My name is Tristan and I’ve recently started attending Life Church. I’m eighteen years old and I’ve found God. God has given me insight to how beautiful and glorious this life is. I used to attend another church and serve for the youth. However, my journey has brought me here, to Life’s congregation. I am still part of that church, in prayer and fellowship. On both Sundays that I have attended your 11:30 services, I was enlightened, convicted, and encouraged. I have even brought with me an unbelieving friend whom I deeply love and believe and pray for. She enjoys her time at Life Church. In my opinion, she plans on coming week after week and encourages me to go too. In this, I am deeply joyful that God’s will be done.As just a young man, Thank you and all of the Life Church family for help making this possible. As a child of God, I say Amen.
You’re right, its always good to rejoice in the freedom we find in God.
That’s awesome! I know I too can sometimes get too concerned with making sure everything is just right - getting a little uptight. It’s good to be reminded of how important it is to not take things that don’t have much eternal value so seriously; and it’s really great to have pastors who are setting the tone and defining the life-giving culture of a church that is changing lives every week. I’m looking forward to that series of blog posts. Thanks!