genesis DNA Spirit

"God therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matt 28:19

I love the Holy Spirit.

Coming to faith into both a Reformed theological story as well as a Charismatic experience was an act of divine kindness. I thought everyone believed what we believed and did what we did. It was only after a while that I found, to my surprise, that all did not have the same story.

Now I must say right at the outset, I have a prejudice against the charismatic subculture that has caused so much damage globally. But the sheer beauty, tenderness, intimacy and empowerment that the Holy Spirit brings, is too magnificent to neglect, ignore, hinder. We certainly don't want to be guilty of of believing in the Father, the Son and the Holy Bible [ as a substitute for the Holy Spirit]- either by proclamation or practice.

In our Statement of Faith we wrote:

"We believe the Holy Spirit indwells, sanctifies, leads, illumines, and graciously empowers for godly living and service all who come to faith in Christ. As well as the continuation of all the “charismata” of the Spirit, and that He desires to fill and empower believers for ministry, mission, witness, and for the building up of His church in love."

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity and deserves to be honored, listened to, heeded, responded and discerned. As this is about our DNA more than our theology allow me to explain.

We simply cannot achieve our divine mission without this third person of the Trinity. We have to surrender our right of prejudice and preference as to what he can do, and how he can do it. That does not mean we cast our brains aside. It does mean that we become students of the scriptures to learn of the ways in which the Spirit has ministered. Then accept the responsibility to be students of church history, to see how he has led the church in days gone by.

The older I get, the more committed  I am to die daily. It is so easy to justify disobedience to cultural sensitivity. That dear reader, dishonors the one we really need to be sensitive to.

Back in the day we borrowed the phrase from some of the British leaders who spoke of being "naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural". There is no room to change voice tone, gain a quiver in our prayers, to shake and somehow do things that appear more mystical. I simply do not see that in the life of Jesus, nor in his ministry. Whenever we are asked about such things I simply look for it in the life of Christ. If it is not there, clear and evident, it may still be God, but we cannot make it the big thing, if it is valid at all.

We want all of the Holy Spirit. We do not want to quench him, hinder him, resist him, prescribe to him, liturgically exclude him! Rather we want to be led by him, walk by him, live by the him, be empowered by him - see him evident in our daily lives, our weekly gatherings, our mission moments. Without him we simply cannot... 

  

genesis DNA Mates

"I used to call you servants... now I call you friends..." John 15:15

This is the glue!

When we began this intoxicating journey of church planting, we were ignorant, naive and passionate. We knew we wanted to "do life with mates". That was not a mantra or an official DNA piece. It was a passion. We were not professionals looking for a promotion or artists looking for a gig. We saw God is "three in one". The beauty, mystery and wonder of the Trinity drove us to believe that the glue of this story was our friendships ["communitas" as Alan Hirsch calls it - friendship forged under fire].

Then we looked at Jesus. The Jesus approach always seemed to be through the door of relationship. From before the beginning, through the beginning "let us make man in our image", the power of relationship was the glue that held every narrative together. When Jesus called the disciples to himself, there was not an employment arrangement with job descriptions. No this was the second person in the Godhead who was inviting 12 men onto a journey, to become friends, find 'communitas' through the depth of his tragedy as they became a true band of brothers "we few, we happy few, we band of brothers" W Shakespeare

I know the modern western church is systems driven. That is not our story. We love what the Australians call 'mateship'.  We love the front door to be real and true relationships. There needs to be a God joining of hearts. This takes time to see if there is substance to this connection.

This is a journey in "mateship". It is not the Chris and Meryl road show. Dear Lord forbid! It is a group of men and women, who God has joined together, sharing a deep and growing love for each other, on mission. Some of us have been friends for over 20 years. We have labored in different vineyards together.  We have walked the streets of foreign cities together. We have shared platforms together. We have planted churches together. We have dreamed together. We have cried together. We have prayed together. We have not always seen eye to eye - but have believed God has affectionately put us together in the looseness of friendships, not the claustrophobia of a system.

Others are newer friendships. Like courting, it is still sometimes a little interesting, even awkward as we take our baby steps forward. That is how these honest, real friendships work. There are days they are remarkably easy, then other days they require effort, labor, clarification, conversation. But if we are in it for the long haul, then it is worth it.

These friendships cannot be idols. Strong mateship can sometimes demand a loyalty beyond the Lord's requirements or  truth honoring. I do not want to live there, nor do we want leaders we are walking with, to ever feel this subtle but deathly pressure.

Having said that, our DNA acknowledges that this relational glue takes time. If it took Jesus 3 years with 12 men and one betrayed him. We accept that those true and deep friendships will take years to form. What we desire, is deep, honest, true, real and authentic relationships that are generous, inclusive and kind.

Leaders and churches that want to journey with us cannot look for membership forms. This is not a club they are joining or a network they qualify to connect with. This is a "A Family of Churches, who share a Common Theology, Together on Mission." There is between 6 months to a year where walking together will require keen steps of coffee, meals, getting to events we are holding, training days we are hosting, getting some of us into the community and see if there is indeed a sharing of heart, a connecting of soul, going on mission together - has God joined us together!? As this happens the other cool conversations can continue - that of theology, ecclesiology, missiology to see if there is more in common than friendship.

We were not designed to do this alone, nor were we architected to live in hierarchy. We were designed to live in a world of love, honor, gift recognition and real true relationships - bringing glory to the Father, proclaiming the great gospel of the Son and doing it all in the power of the Spirit .

I want to do it with mates...

genesis DNA E4

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to..." Eph 4:11

When I was first trying to understand the ways of God, I was very intrigued by the story of the Ark. My subsequent study seemed to point to this stunning conclusion - only one seafaring vessel would be able to withstand the forces from below, the power from above and the sheer turbulence at sea level. That was this vessel God designed. That made me sit up and ask: "The church faces similar challenges. Did God give such specifications for her as well?"

The church has been designed to withstand the forces of darkness from below, the weight and glory of God from above, and the turbulence from the daily fight . As specific as God was with the ark, he has not left us guessing. The Ephesians 4 gifts are major contributors to keeping the church-vessel buoyant and on course in this project planet earth.

To spell out what they do in a short blog like this is trying the impossible - so I beg your grace. These ascension grace gifts are those that Jesus distributed to certain folks - not all believers. [This is opposed to the "charismata" gifts of the Holy Spirit available to all]

Here is a very simple [or too simplistic] set of thoughts on each of these E4 gifts:

Apostle - the 'sent ones' who are entrepreneurial masterbuilders, laying foundations in churches so that the gospel can advance to all nations;
Prophets - by "foretelling" and "forthtelling" they are committed to ensuring that the "wells are unblocked and the life of God flows uninterrupted in each believer and in every church";
Evangelists - are proclaimers of the gospel, seeking to reach every man, woman and child with the gospel, being reapers of the harvest whilst seeking to give every believer a passion for this harvest field;
Pastors - their deep felt conviction is to nurture, disciple and walk every believer and church into health, wholeness and maturity;
Teachers -they are guardians of the truth. Their zeal is for accurate exegesis, that the bible is fully understood, communicated and applied, placing it in the context of the day.

For the sake of brevity may I make a few comments to bring clarity and a sense of value to these gifts as we understand it:
*  These gifts are not for all but "he gave some to be...". They cannot be learnt or trained into. They are Christ given and he chooses who he gives them to;
*   These gifts are not the top of the spiritual food chain - the new celebrities in a idol driven culture. They are servants of the Most High and eunuchs to the bride, readying her for her groom;
*   They are not local church offices [like elders and deacons] but are trans-local gifts who dispense their grace to churches, that they have relationship with;
*   In essence their task is not to "guest teach", but rather to provide ongoing collaboration with local churches to encourage, empower and equip them on their journeys;
*   Every church needs all 5 these gifts to invest into their community as they bring vital anchor pieces for health and maturity;
*   Sometimes their ministry simply blesses [it empowers but the E4 gifts and the church are not on the same journey], sometimes these gifts build [meaning their partnership in the gospel is ongoing to construct  both a local and a larger story];
*   Apostles and prophets lay foundations. These are needed when a church is being planted [launched], when a church is being replanted [she has grown stagnant, stuck in old ways], when she entering a new chapter [growth, influence, profile] or when calamity has struck [leadership failure, church split...], then these two gifts are needed on the ground with the community;
*   Apostles have spheres of influence [2 Cor 10] that includes the specific churches that they are working with at present. These other gifts work with them to complete the mission God has given them;
*   The local church is the big story NOT these gifts. This must be maintained at all times!
*   These gifts not only build up the churches but offer the churches a togetherness "together we can achieve more" Terry Virgo;
*   Like Jesus, these 5 [or some say 4 gifts as they see the pastor and the teacher as one office] gifts are there to multiply - like the parable of the mustard seed that becomes a large tree in which the birds make their nests - more churches, more leaders, more nations...

Although this is brief summary, I hope this peaks your interest for more study...

genesis DNA Indigenous

"For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles" Gal 2:8

When Steve Turner wrote: "History repeats itself, has to, no-one listens"... his prophetic poetic heart was calling for moments of deep honest review of all that has gone before. We should benefit from the lessons learnt of days gone by. They are our greatest tutorial.

It is therefore really good to reflect and debrief our story with honesty and biblical transparency. In the heat of the engine room spiking, we were so busy with global evangelization that we did not sit back and consider our ways, reflect on our processes. Why are several decades was what we were doing still so South African? Was that what the Lord required or was it our lack of consideration?

The last few years have been a gift of divine generosity to sit with friends and review a rather remarkable 3 decades of ministry. There have been some amazing moments of God interruptions and Macedonian calls. There have been some painful moments, where the hurt en route, was deeper than ever imagined. But in all of this, God is still great, His Mission is still global renewal, the Gospel is still revolutionary and our Call is still to churches, cities and countries.

As we studied the text, over and over again, certain things seemed to emerge:
*   Jesus raised up 12 men in whom he entrusted this grand assignment to disciple all nations;
*   They were to spearhead this adventure with no one man replacing him as a global pope - one man over all the work of the then church;
*   He also sent other apostles who "fell from the sky" [Michael Eaton] like Paul and Barnabas;
*   Each apostle was given a specific sphere [2 Cor 10] - Paul to the Gentiles, Peter to the Jews were the most obvious;
*   These spheres were not lines in the sand with a spirit of territorialism, rather there was a clear sense that Jesus was the head of the church, no man was;
*   There is a difference between first generation pioneering apostles and the second and third generation apostles - these latter gifts  were to provide apostolic continuity in a multiplied adventure not to simply repeat the legacy of the past;

These and other key moments of reflection began to shape our thinking massively. One of our cornerstone commissions in the unfolding genesis story, is to -

Recognize, raise up and release emerging indigenous apostles, to develop their own journey, in the context in which they minister. When that happens, our work in that area is complete. 

We are pretty passionate about establishing indigenous apostles and apostolic spheres in every context where we currently serve. They know their culture. They understand the storyline of their world. They know the pitfalls of their warfare. They understand the nuances of their context's silent screams. They get the gospel's work in their territory.

When that has been achieved, we will move on to the new place the Father opens up for us. There we plan to repeat this process... and again, and again. As Paul says in Romans 15 "But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions and since I have been longing for many years to see you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain...: vs 23 - 24.

Like Peter, this apostolic sphere may be among a specific nation or ethnicity or however the Father plans to define it. The very multiplying nature of the heart of God is so empowering. We are not seeking to simply add more churches, nations to our spiritual landscape. Rather we want to follow the example of Christ, to see as many indigenous apostles and their spheres, raised up and released before we too will say: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim 4:7

This is a radical departure from the classic way of building apostolic movements where the emphasis is addition under one leader. That is not our story. As a father I have loved seeing my kids grow up, find their story, leave home and live out their divine global gospel assignment. That is why this approach to biblical apostolicity seems so obvious to us. We are simply repeating what we do at home onto a global stage.

genesis DNA Believe

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of... Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season..." 2 TIm 3:14 - 4:5

When we speak of blurred edges, we do not speak of theology, doctrine, belief. We have some things that we are convinced of. Of our theology we simply place an intentional comma behind our definitions. This is what we believe now, but the knowledge of the Lord is a journey - there is still so much to know of him - how high, wide, deep, long... we are yet to discover.

I had the most wonderful few hours last wednesday with 3 young pastors who have brilliant minds. Their journey's both factual and theological have been very different. However as we sat to write out What we believe... I watched God the Holy Spirit, empower us to find a common / similar set of beliefs, with laughter and amazingly great Starbucks. It was like God grabbed the 4 of us and simply drew us together - from many stories he is creating one.

This is what we believe ...

                We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent and co-equal in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in his inauguration of the Kingdom of God, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory to consummate the Kingdom.

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential, and that only by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, and not of any work or merit in man.

We believe the Holy Spirit indwells, sanctifies, leads, illumines, and graciously empowers for godly living and service all who come to faith in Christ. As well as the continuation of all the “charismata” of the Spirit, and that He desires to fill and empower believers for ministry, mission, witness, and for the building up of His church in love.

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of judgement.

We believe in the church, local, global and historical, of which our Lord Jesus Christ is the head. The church is the redemptive community of Jesus called to demonstrate and declare the good news of God’s Kingdom in the world. 

genesis DNA Togetherness

"All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him..." 1 Sam 22:2

Don't you love that word - togetherness?

From when God made Adam in the garden, he said that it 'was not good for man to be alone...' The Trinity is the frame and foundation for all of life. This perfect togetherness is defined as being 'unity in diversity'. We were simply not made to be alone, work alone, partner alone [if that were possible].

When I met Dudley Daniel in 1983, he spoke then of this verse - a promise God gave him of those who would be joining him on this global adventure of discipling the nations. And we saw this happening. Many connected in from many backgrounds, with as many stories and God forged us into a strong fighting force advancing the kingdom. Paul echoed this sentiment when he wrote: "Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong...Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" 1 Cor 1:26 - 31

Whilst we were on sabbatical, we were enquiring from the Lord what he requires of us, He took me back to this text. The emphasis to me was not David as leader. Rather it was the glorious redemption of a gracious God who loves doing great things with ordinary people, together.

genesis has no dreams of global colonization. Rather there is the desire to see those who lead churches and even the churches themselves, journey from distress, in debt, discontented  to find new God grace rhythms to health and wholeness. Added to this is to see hub / base / lighthouse churches established who shine their light to provide love, protection, security, clarity and example to the smaller churches under their orb. And then of course, to see from each nation the emergence of an authentic indigenous apostolic story / sphere emerge [from one apostolic story, many]. That is a togetherness that is worth fighting for.

This kind of togetherness [like a family] celebrates diversity, uniqueness, creativity. It seeks to help every church find their own story whilst loving belonging to a bigger story at the same time. This kind of togetherness like a good father, who loves seeing each child as fearfully and wonderfully made without feeling the pressure to get each child to conform to one style, size or behavior.

Togetherness that revisits the scripture, embraces the solid foundation that the scripture provides [as we find it in our statement of faith], whilst allowing room for love, leadership, learning and humility. It values every church as well as incorporates a sense of belonging and the safety of not being alone.

"... you also are like living stones are being built into a spiritual house..." 1Pet 2:5
This house that the Father is building is not made of bricks[each one exactly the same - same words, theology, vocabulary, liturgy...] but of stones, each one gloriously different and yet similar enough to be built into a single house. This togetherness is not around conformity but similarity. Again I am not putting my passion on others, however the DNA that governs our journey is celebrating trinitarian unity and diversity. That is not an easy house to build, but it is a togetherness that is worth fighting for.

A peep into the language and imagery of the prophet reads: "I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together" Is 41:19. The clever people tell us these trees do not naturally live together. There ecological requirements are different - but when God joins us together on mission, it works... there is "a pool of water in the wilderness" vs 18

Those who in distress, in debt, discontented are not to be left in their trauma. True togetherness will place us on a journey "that you may mature and complete, lacking nothing" Jam 1:4. The perseverance that the trials will require include the challenges of togetherness. But I would not have it any other way.

genesis DNA Rights

"I will come and remove the lampstand from its place..." Rev 2:5
"I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent..."Phil 4:18
"Are you not the workmanship in the Lord... for you are the seal of my apostleship...Do we not have the right to...nevertheless we do not make use of these rights...?" 1Cor 9:1 - 27

This is a beautiful part of the bible story. In the kindness of God we have key pieces from the life of Peter, John and Paul that gives us an inkling into the practical workings of the apostles and the churches they helped establish.

The part we have to get right is the holy tension of between:
*   Each church has a specific, God given assignment, mandate [what the bible calls a lamp stand ] for which they are to be accountable and intentional.
*  The apostles are to catalyze a togetherness, bringing churches onto a incarnational global stage, enlarging their world, especially where 'together we can achieve more' Terry Virgo.

Both are sacred and have to be upheld, supported and made possible. Many churches find themselves in the lopsided posture, that their church is the center of the universe and the only thing that really matters is what they are doing. Major parts of the text are neglected and ignored.

There is tragedy on the other side also. When the togetherness piece overwhelms the local community and their own lamp stand is ignored, neglected so that the 'togetherness mission' is all that matters, there is no divine smile on this action. This denominational mindset requires conformity to the system and surrender to the sacred lampstand the Father has given. Conversely, when churches place themselves in the center of the universe, not only do they lack the global nature of the apostolic but they will be ruined by their independence. It is  a huge tension we simply cannot forfeit.

I love the example of the apostles and elders working together in Acts 15. Here a profound theological crisis is looming. How will these leaders walk out this holy tension on a matter that affects all of them? My love for this story is multifold. Firstly, the apostles do not bombastically assume that they are the 'top dogs' and all have to listen to their decisions. Secondly, the elders are not territorial about their church and hold the apostles at bay. Thirdly, the congregation is in the conversation as all of this does affect them. Fourthly James gets up and wraps up the dialogue holding all the perspectives in place. This is a wondrous example of how this can work - the integrity of the local church, matched with the collaborative involvement of the apostles whilst the congregation are actively present.

This can work, if we are not obsessed with local church territorialism, nor apostolic imposition. Rather through honor and respect, each is Spirit sensitive and appreciative of the value and necessity of the other. I love the way the encounter ends: "For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements..." Acts 15:28