Culture Stewarded Leadership

"Those who long for the development of a particular culture will draw lines in the sand and seemingly jeopardize community for the sake of their hope in that culture. Don't make friends because you need them - make friends because you desire to obtain the same things as those individuals (i.e.: peace/trust/hope/faith/mercy/justice)."

Hey Leaders - Yeah - I'm talking to you.

I want to discuss some things that have been ruminating in my heart for some time now, and I feel like I am finally beginning to have the words to discuss what it is that I've really been after. Basically, I'm realizing that I've really desired culture where I thought what it is that I desired was called community.

What I'm finding is that there is an incredible amount of teaching, coaching, preaching, development, and economic stimulus aimed toward creating community, working to change the current circumstances to fit our idealistic view of how we ought to interact and how we ought live out our civil duties, human services, or spiritual obligations. We consider this cultural development, but we're only developing communities that fit our priorities, therefore creating opportunity to share our agenda, connect, and in effect move forward with others looking down the same tunnel.

Don't get me wrong, I think that community is an incredibly important element of any lifestyle, but I also think that there is too much emphasis placed on this particular organization of societal structure - regardless of it's orientation or how much measured good can come of it. I believe that community is something that can be acquired, happened upon, and even developed as a part of daily regimen. I do believe that the importance of developing community is a good thing, but not when sought as a short term solution - forgetting about what might be good for generations to come.

I've been a part of many movements and involved with many organizations that are stewarding, working toward creating community (and I think accidentally, and to their benefit, some are producing some sort of sub-culture). Some of these are local entities, and some are national or international networks working toward extending their influence to a few that will (in)formally commit themselves to the ideals these organizations are presenting to those who are willing to listen.

This is where my discussion gets messy, and I think that even a part of my own thinking is jogged in the following statements. Prepare to be offended. I am most definitely not an expert on social trends and development, so please don't think that I'm here to be 'righteous', because I am only expressing my heart - so hear me out. FYI - I'm particularly speaking toward the American Christian church - from perspectives I've experienced in or around a Christian worldview.

There are a whole slew of hungry, lonely, and dying people in the American church. Most of you don't even know it. Many of you do. Many of us have charismatic and even pentecostal leadership that is feeding to us the idea that there must be more, and with the anointing and calling on their life are able to produce some pretty awesome experiences that affirm their stance. I think this is good, and somewhat beneficial to the body, in that we are able to be a part of something bigger than ourselves - and create an atmosphere of worship that is reliable, stable, and for the most part honest in our offerings of worship.

However, there is a lie that is being fed to us that says things should be a particular way that's not the way they currently are, and we need change, and the lie says that we're supposed to create communities to help steward that vision of the church leadership, or denominational umbrella. It encourages groups of like-minded people to assemble and further digest what can't be given to them during their short attention spans at church - all the while incorporating some hype about how they need each other and let's see what happens - oh, and let's make them feel important by telling them they are discipling each other by being open about our sexual sins, debt, and honestly discuss how I treat my family.

NEWSFLASH - If people are not active in a community on their own accord based on their various associations or affinities - IT WON'T HAPPEN ANYWAY. What makes us think that 'cell' or 'life' or 'fellowship' or 'home' groups (not to mention short term missions) are going to produce a foundation for our churches that will in turn prime the pump for the 'more' in which we are supposed to be living and operating? I've been in church my whole life - I'm not convinced. Community is not a bad thing, but c'mon - the 'more' we're being told that is out there is out there - and I'm pretty sure there's only one way to get it.

According to Barna, people are leaving church by the droves. New people are coming to church as well, it's just that those that have been a part are leaving dissatisfied and doing what they know in their heart is right (and feeling ostracized), or turning to other available spiritual alternatives to the affirmation they seek. They desire to actually be a part of something that is actually bigger - way bigger. There are more reasons that we could apply to this than we could talk about in ten years worth of board meetings and coffee dates.

I'll sum this up - The desire that I have been given to seek first the Kingdom is heavy, and it is invading, and I've tasted and I've seen things that I cannot deny. I must find others who have found what I've found - I desire it more than anything, and I believe with all my heart I don't have to try at community to find them. I think that wanting something bigger than yourself means that you have to say no to things and people that you know are not willing to go where you know you've been drawn. Our lovely Savior desires to give us all our inheritance now - and I'm going to get mine.

I do know that there are a lot of people that come across our path that we find enjoyable, relatable, and we find that we have what it takes to be what they may need at certain times. I am NOT saying that we remove ourselves from communities or friendships that we have. What I am trying to communicate, is that we need to consider what it is that God is saying, what He is doing right now, and that we need to consider those things before we create another program (or friendship or support group) that needs more attention that we can give, and steals from us the much needed time and energy and joy that we need to seek first the Kingdom. 


I am telling you, and urging you, being an advocate myself for a Jesus Culture centered on the high authority of Jesus' glorious throne, that you ask for an encounter from God, to show you His love, which will reveal your purpose in the earth - which is to become a part of a culture that doesn't seek ministry opportunity, but seeks an invasion in the earth of Heaven. On earth now as it is in Heaven now.

Continue to ask the Lord for more of Himself every moment of every day, and I guarantee He will reveal Himself in a way that He can be found. In this, find yourself asking for the salvation of nations instead of how tomorrow could end.

I dare you to go beyond what you thought was possible. I dare you to realize that Heaven is a culture that revolves around the throne of our Almighty God, and nothing happens outside of His worship. Dare to believe that our faith is what pleases Him, not something that gets us through this life. Dare to abandon community for the sake of joining the ranks of Heaven's culture of redemption. Dare to pray the bigger prayer. Dare to believe in the compassion of our precious Jesus - our intercessor - our only viable route to the heart of the Father - which is your destiny. Dare to believe in the Gospel of Power. 


Dare to let yourself go and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you your destiny in Jesus, our beloved Savior. Dare to let God love you. . . . .