Yesterday in our Crazy Love series at our Cross Point Nashville campus we talked about three phrases which sum up the kind of community that Jesus came to create. We had a bunch of t-shirts printed up (thank you so much Miranda) that some of the greeters and band members were wearing just to help reinforce the point. The three phrases were…
EVERYBODY’S WELCOME
Jesus modeled a community for us where everyone’s welcome. He would welcome, love, accept, embrace, and include anybody who came up to Him. It didn’t matter—prostitutes, Samaritans, tax collectors, Gentiles, lepers, or sinners. We dream of a church where people, even if they don’t agree with everything we believe yet, and even if they don’t understand everything we teach yet, can discover a place where they are welcome “as they are”.
NOBODY’S PERFECT
Jesus helped us understand that we’re all equally in need of the forgiveness of Christ. Because of this there is no need for any sense of spiritual superiority. We dream of creating a community at Cross Point where there is no need for hiding, no need for reputation building, no need to impress anybody because we are all
sinners, saved and living by grace.
ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE
Jesus continually chose to believe the best in people. He looked at people like Peter, who was inconsistent, unpredictable, and shaky in his faith at times and still chose to believe that transformation could happen. Likewise, as Christians we’re called to believe the best in all people. We’re called to look one another in the eyes and see the men and women that we can become through the power of Jesus Christ.
Here’s my question. Which one of these three elements of community is most difficult for you to practice with others? Why?
Nobody’s Perfect – that’s been a tough one for me this past year. Our Church has gone thru a major division and I’ve seen elders even our two Pastors do things that were largely disappointing. It’s been hard for me to see – I wanted to believe they were perfect. Our leaders, my mentors. I had unrealistic expectations of these people and I’ve learned and grown thru the experience. I love them, despite!
Anything is Possible…
It’s hard to get out of our own minds and really believe that God will do and can do what he says he will. I think once we really start to believe that, the weight of the world is lifted off of our shoulders. I long to be in the place where I can do that.
Everybody’s Welcome….
WHY do we judge so harshly?? Your message was right on! We tend to talk about people and bring them down instead of BEING NICE and bringing people UP. I know for me, I want to love people the way Jesus did (does)… I love welcoming people at CP…. I know what it’s like to be an “outsider” in an “insiders world”…
Nobody’s Perfect: It’s one thing to be loving, accepting and gracious toward others, but when they constantly disappoint or hurt, it gets more and more difficult to accept them. There are a lot of people that live their life with a pattern of mistakes/sin that greatly affect others. Emily mentioned that she’s grown through her experiences. What if you are dealing with a person that has that pattern of messing up, feeling genuine remorse, asking forgiveness, but never truly changes? Is there ever a point when it’s okay to walk away? I suspect we are supposed to be persistant in love and in prayer…that’s really tough for me.
Nobody’s Perfect…..
I have hard time remembering that no-one is perfect,and that I am as far from it as possible sometimes. I tend to hold other pepole to a MUCH higher standard than I hold myself.
Nobody’s Perfect: I hold myself to this ridiculous set of standard that I am only now learning is not HIS standard for myself. I find it easier to forgive others and offer them mercy than I do for myself. I’ve been learning that not forgiving myself makes it harder for me to remain open and tender to others. It makes it hard to let others in to see the “real me” that I feel the need to protect. Pride, pure and simple, but I’m finding release and healing slowly in His grace and patience with me! I’m blessed to be part of a church family and a natural family that loves and encourages me in this journey.
“EVERYBODY’S WELCOME!” That’s an easy statement to make, but hard to live out. The First two acknowledgments of belief, the last requires action!
I even found myself facing this issue this past week. I was in a room with a bunch of other parents at 1st grade orientation and I caught myself judging the people by their appearance and hygiene. I think at one point I even sneered!
Immediately, I repented and God has been convicting of this issue since. Welcoming Everybody takes daily prayer, practice, humility and sometimes a good dose of seeing ourselves in God’s eyes so we don’t ever think we are better than someone else (Galatians 6)
Great Post! Great Series! I want some of those shirts for our Launch in October!
I actually forgot to answer my own questions. I’m going to go with “anything’s possible”. Every once in a while I meet someone and I think “never”. There is now way that they will ever come to church. There is no way they will ever open their life to Christ.
Wow! I’ve been so wrong on those assumptions again and again and again.
Nobody’s Perfect: I was raised in such a spirit of legalism that it’s hard for me to comprehend grace. I have struggled with judging others and sometimes I still slip into that mode, but I usually have an abundance of grace for others and no grace at all for myself.
We launched our new campus yesterday and these were three of our principles…not in that wording, but in our action as we have started. We have longed to simply love people so that they would know the love of Christ by our actions…not our building or just our words. I love what you are doing. Hope you are well man.
Great post Pete! I think a combo of the first two is the hardest. I want to be a pastor who welcomes whomever and to pastor a church that does the same but it is easier said than done. I was challenged by John Burke’s NO Perfect People Allowed to broaden my world and make less snap judgments. I still find myself struggling with not cringing (and making a judgment) when I see someone plastered with tattoos. I am becoming much less judgmental of homosexuals though. That happens when you pray for it and then meet one.
We (the church I pastor) is focusing on No Perfect People Allowed in October. I am praying for a breakthrough-for me and them. Thanks for the post.
One more thing: where can I get some of those T-shirts?
Thanks for the shout out Pete!
I struggle with, NOBODY’S PERFECT, Big time. I am so quick to judge and want to assume that others are doing worse than I am. I have a hard time seeing the good in people, I often quickly jump to noticing their faults. It is a bad mindset to have and I pray for a BIG change in my heart. It is something I have struggled with for some time.
I love being a part of this CRAZY LOVE journey!
Anythings Possible… if I could deal with this one, the other ones would easier to manage as well.
Nobody’s Perfect:
I am definitely a forgiving person but it’s before the forgiving happens that I forget everyone makes mistakes! I have a tendency to put people up too high and expect so much from them that when they don’t meet those unrealistic expectations I am surprised. I have to remember that we ALL make mistakes and no one can be expected to not do that…I also sometimes judge too quickly. Thanks for writing this and Crazy Love sounds awesome!
Don’t know why I am having trouble getting this posted but here is another attempt.
I am being completely transparent, I have to say all three. Maybe not all three at the same time or all the time, but they each come to play in my life under different contexts.
For example;
Would I be willing to invite someone that I don’t ‘like’ to join my Sunday School class knowing that I would have to spend time with them every Sunday? This could be tough because it could make it difficult to be transparent in that setting when you don’t ‘trust’ the people there. So definitely an area that I would have to work on.
As far as perfection, it is too easy to cast our own inadequacies onto others and expect them to handle them better. I know that I have my struggles but for some reason I expect the Christians around me not to have theirs. And that expectation leads to frustration.
I think the “Anything’s Possible’ area is the crux of the all three issues. If we were able to completely surrender our will to the Lord, then we wouldn’t have to ask these questions. I know that I like to think that I believe that anything is possible but when I truly start examining my actions in light of that statement, I have to say that I have a long way to go in this area as well… especially, after reading Francis Chan’s book – Crazy Love.
So sign me up for the trifecta cause I don’t know which one I struggle with the most.
AFriend, this….. Would I be willing to invite someone that I don’t ‘like’ to join my Sunday School class knowing that I would have to spend time with them every Sunday? really punched me in the stomach. I have a couple of people in my life that if they ended up in my church I would be tempted to leave because I was so badly hurt. I know in my heart I am wrong, but the thought of having them in worship with me puts my stomach into knots and I just realized how much unforgiveness I have for them. Wow do I have work to do.
@Tony, sorry dude. Somehow you were ending up in spam.
Anything is possible.
The reason this is the hardest is because I don’t think most people believe it. If they did, you would not see some of the entitlement mentality that we do.
I am in total agreement with ‘the gangs all here’. I struggle with forgiving myself. With my past, with my present, all of it. I hold myself to a crazy high standard and never allow Christ to bathe me in His Holy incredible forgiving grace. Why do I do that? I preach and pray that over so many people…but for me? Nope. I live in harsh condemnation and what I know to be un-reality. Dang.
Anything is possible
I am so much of a ‘now’ kind of person and I don’t visualize the future very well (much to the chagrin of Heath!). I am a the person who wants to make things happen. To allow change in people to evolve is my weak point. While I know that God can transform anyone…sometimes it is hard to wait on Him.
Oh – can we make those the CP shirts? I would love to have something like that to tell about church!
‘Anything Is Possible’ is definitely the one that I struggle with the most in my context. The reason, I don’t give God enough credit. In my context, I see people, who in my eyes will never change, so I write them off and say ‘it is impossible for these people to change.’
I know this sounds terrible, but this is where I am at much of the time. I just get tired of seeing such a complacency in people’s life and an indifference towards those who are hurting and in need of the hope that these indifferent people claim to posses. As you can see, the ‘anything is possible’ is a tough one for me.
Great discussion Pete.
I’m curious about the phrase: We dream of a church where people, even if they don’t agree with everything we believe “yet”… The idea that Everybody’s Welcome means accepting people regardless. This word choice could be taken to mean it’s believed that everyone who comes to your church will someday believe exactly as you do. I’m certain that’s not the case! Still, this is such a subtle thought in our Christian worldview that somehow when people mature or attend church with us for a period of time that our views will somehow sync up and we will all be like-minded. Of course, there are essentials we agree on to be called “Christians” but beyond that–are we willing to accept that not every believer will think, believe, or even vote the same way we do…and can we handle that? Just an observation! Great post
NOBODY’S PERFECT!
Believe it or not, I want to be perfect or at least have been trying for years. I have realized after 38 years, that is a waste of time. And that it is okay to make mistakes, God loves me just as I am-IMPERFECT! I want a shirt too!
Happy Day Pete!
Jen from Cali
@Sue, Great observation. I think you are exactly right. I think it’s an unreal assumption and probably an unhealthy one to think we will all believe exactly the same.
My reference had more to do with believing in God. I want us to create an environment (just like Jesus) where people who don’t even know if they believe there is a God can come in and experience His love first.
I guess it really depends on the day. Somedays I fail at the “Nobody’s Perfect”. Mostly with myself. As a small group leader for a women’s group and a (just graduated to) high school group – I try to set the bar as high as possible for myself.
I have learned to be more transparent and real, especially over the last 1.5 yrs – because I have (Obviously!) failed to be “perfect” – as we all do. But there are still days that I struggle admitting my shortcomings.
Other days, it’s the “Anything’s Possible”. Sometimes I feel like miracles aren’t happening anymore, that God’s plan isn’t going according to my time schedule. But this, I believe, is the enemy clouding my vision and casting doubts in my heart. If I really look around with eyes of faith and expecation, there are miracles everywhere! And I just have to grow in patience and belief to trust that God can do anything through me if I let him.
Pete,
Been doing some more thinking on this subject and I keep going back to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5,6,7) … it is there that I think Christ laid out THE plan for Christian community.
First of all, I love the three phrases. Sometimes I long for the simplicity of Jesus’ message rather than the dissection of His message and all the rules and decisions made by us about what He wanted. Sometimes I really need to be reminded of the simplicity of “love one another as I have loved you.”
I think because I don’t have a “community” to go to anymore simply because I can’t get out and about, I’m looking at this a little differently. I’m more limited in who I have contact with. In some ways being more alone has helped me with the “nobody’s perfect” because I’m not as concerened with the heirarchy and what other’s think of me. I do believe anything is possible, but I think I still struggle with the “everyone’s welcome.” Because I have limited energy, I find myself being picky about who I spend that energy on. Am I only giving to the people who fill me up, rather than spending my energy on the people who I know need filled? Do I choose to be selfish or selfless with my limited energy and time. That’s the one I need to work on.
sara
http://www.gitzengirl.blogspot.com
Pete- to be honest I’d say that I struggle with practicing all three on some level or another. We live in community – so believe me when i say that I know the ups and downs of this kind of life!
But on another note i love that the guy in the middle has longer hair! My husband has long hair too – he is a musician and soon to be overseas missionary and buisness man – and you wouldn’t believe how much crap he takes because of his hairstyle! One church actually said that they wouldn’t support us because of his longer hair. Check out the blog to see what my wild man looks like : www. dugansincahoots.com . It drives me nuts that so many people base character on looks- instead of true heart values and lived out Godly principles… anywhoo what is your thoughts on that?
anything’s possible
sometimes i have problems wrapping my mind around the fact that anything is truly possible. i believe, i trust, i have faith… but anything! i allow doubt to creep in and take over.
Anything is possible…
Sometimes I feel like I just go through the emotions and I give into that little voice that tells me what I am attempting to do is pointless and worthless. I was inviting a guy at the mall to our church the other day, and as I am talking to him, I caught myself ‘thinking’ – “I am wasting my time…this guy will never show up.”
@duganfourbrasil, Actually I do know how much crap someone can get over a hairstyle. One Sunday someone put in $50 with a note attached saying they wanted me to use it to get my hair cut.
Anything’s Possible: I have a hard time stepping out in faith with this and inviting that person to church who I think would never even think about going with me or getting coffee with the person that I feel like will never change. Me of little faith.
The shirts dude! What about the shirts?
anythings possible…
http://jonmarkmusic.org/2007/06/27/ideal-candidate/
Good, good stuff, Pete.
For me? Well…all 3.
Anythings possible: I want to have faith, I need faith. I don’t always have faith.
Nobody’s perfect: Then why do I feel like it’s expected of me ? Why do I feel like I can’t show those mess ups other than the ones we all feel comfotable sharing?
Everybodys welcome: Yes, we want everyone to come…but do we really. That’s uncomfortable…that’s Jesus…but still uncomfortable.
So, was your conculusion that it is possible?
@danielle, Yes. I do think it’s possible. I don’ think it’s easy or convenient. I think it will be messy and at times very difficult. But I do think it’s possible through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Woowa. I have to come to your site when I have time and read/digest this incredible post. For now I wanted you to know I blogged you in light of Brandi’s recent post and your comment. Let me know if problem:
http://sharingnotes.blogspot.com/2008/08/soap-box-kinda-day.html
Roxx
A mixture of “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Anythings Possible”….
Great post, Pete.
Hi,
I’m not christian, but I’ve been reading your posts almost on a regular basis. You bring up some topics I think are worth discussing no matter what religion you believe in, so I hope you don’t mind my participation.
For me, it’s “no body’s perfect.” But my issues really doesn’t lie on my judgement of others. In fact I tend accept other easier. But for me I have difficulty not passing judgement on myself. I am my worse critic in every way possible. At times it helps push me to be a better person and at other times it’s defeating. Do I think all three are possible? Yes of course, but not without a litle bit of focus and humility.
Like I said, I’m not christian, but all are welcome, I hope it does include those who follow a different faith.
blessings…
So Pete – what did you do with the $50? Michael is going to laugh when he hears that!
@ Pete…That is crazy!!!! Was the note about the haircut serious?
I can’t stop laughing…
Wow…put that one in the book
This is very encouraging — especially considering the fact that we found a teenage girl lying in a field yesterday morning. Please be praying for Shantel — the story is on my blog today.
@duganfourbrasil, I spent it on new hair product! Just kidding. I let it go in the general fund.
@Scarlet, You’re welcome here anytime. I would love to hear your perspective on the things we discuss here. Thanks for being a part of the without wax community.
Pete,
I have some friends who just moved to Nashvegas and tonight he was telling me of his church and I sent him to your site as our conversation meshed perfectly with the passion and message you are teaching right now. So expect your visitor count to increase next week!
Everybody’s welcome is hard for me. When it comes to nobody’s perfect I get it (story of my life) and my life has been transformed in many ways believing anything is possible. Without that one I wouldn’t be blessed the way I am today. Why is it so hard to unlock the parts of my heart and my mind to be able to welcome anyone? I can love like there’s no tomorrow, but God help me, I have a long way to go with “everybody”.
Pete said: @duganfourbrasil, Actually I do know how much crap someone can get over a hairstyle. One Sunday someone put in $50 with a note attached saying they wanted me to use it to get my hair cut.
LOL You need to tell more stories like this hehehehe although it might sort of burst my naive – everybody respects & loves the pastor – bubble
Your message really hit home for me on Sunday. I was struggling with how to handle a cetain situation and lisening to your sermon helped me realize how it needed to be handled. I followed through today and it went really well-better than expected. God is awesome! So, thanks for the sermon. Can’t wait for next week. I love the shirts and second the motion to have more made for CP members
great blog.
Your post brought to mind German theologian Helmut Thielke’s words—”When Jesus loved a guilt-laden person and helped him, he saw in him an erring child of God. He saw in him a human being whom his Father loved and grieved over because he was going wrong. He saw him as God originally designed and meant him to be, and therefore he saw through the surface layer of grime and dirt to the real man underneath. Jesus did not identify the person with his sin, but rather saw in this sin something alien, something that really did not belong to him, something that merely chained and mastered him and from which he would free him and bring him back to his real self. Jesus was able to love men because he loved them right through the layer of mud.”