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Living All of Life in View of the Cross

Filed under: discipleship

Give Up the Gimmicks: A New (Old) Way to Disciple Youth

I just across a book, Give Up the Gimmicks: Reclaiming Youth Ministry From an Entertainment Culture, that echos a need for youth ministry that I have sensed for quite a while. Here is a blurb from the author, Brian Cosby:
"All too often, youth programs have turned to entertainment-driven models of ministry in order to bring in youth. Success has become the name of the church-growth game. The devastating effects, however, are not only seen in the number of youth leaving the church after high school, but also in a spiritually and theologically shallow worldview among many American teenagers. The irony is that these same teens actually want to grow and learn hard truths. They want to know how to think about suffering, how to pray, and why Jesus had to die."

Is there no place for fun and games! Of course there is! A full-orbed biblical worldview has a substantial place for laughter and enjoyment. The problem comes when we substitute substance with the shallow and replace the gospel with gimmicks. 

For more on Cosby's introduction to this new (old) way of doing youth ministry that is based on the ordinary means of grace, go here.  To oder the book, just go here.  

Mission and Discipleship

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Thanks to Craig Salee for sending me to Mike Breen's blog, where he says that the mission of the church will fail without a conscious, intentional focus on discipleship.  

Here is a quote: 

"There is a reason so many movements in the Western church have failed in the past century: They are a car without an engine. A missional church or a missional community or a missional small group is the new car that everyone is talking about right now, but no matter how beautiful or shiny the vehicle, without an engine, it won’t go anywhere. So what is the engine of the church? Discipleship. I’ve said it many times: If you make disciples, you will always get the church. But if you try to build the church, you will rarely get disciples." 

Here is the entire blog post. Let me know what you think.

Don't Underestimate Either Sin or the Spirit

This past week we began men's and women's DiG Groups. DiG stands for Discipled in Grace, and doubles as a metaphor for "digging" deeply into the gospel. Anyway, one of the foundational principles that we are working with is the fact that the law-gospel paradigm is a two-edged sword. The law tells me that I am more sinful (and have more of a propensity toward evil) than I realize. On the other hand, the gospel tells me that I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I even have the capacity to grasp and fully appreciate.

This means two things. First, I should never underestimate the power of indwelling sin. I should not be surprised when I do or say sinful, or just plain sinful things. The sin monster within is a beast. Do not underestimate it. However, second, I also should not underestimate the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This means that I need not despair of my sin, thinking that there is no hope for change when my sin monster raises its ugly head. The Spirit is stronger than the flesh.

My role is to let the two-edged sword keep me humble and hopeful as I rest in the reality that I am no longer under the condemnation of the law, but am safe under the promise of God's grace in the gospel. I am his, and not because I am good. I am his because—and only because—of his grace. Grace that looks me in the eye and reconfirms to my heart every day that God has made a wretch a son by making his son a wretch. This is the good news of the gospel. 

DiG Group Time Change

The Wednesday DiG Groups are now scheduled to meet from 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m. at the church offices on the square (rather than 8:00-9:30 p.m.).

  • The men's DiG Group, led by McKay Caston, begins THIS WEDNESDAY, Sept. 8.  If there is enough interest in two men's DiG Groups, we will have an early group that meets at 6:30 p.m., and a late group that begins at 8:00 p.m. The registration form now includes an option.
  • The women's DiG Group, led by Kristy Caston, begins NEXT Wednesday, Sept. 15. 

If you plan to attend, please sign up online ASAP.
Click this link to register.

Our goal is that men and women who are equipped through DiG will be prepared to lead other DiG groups, which will give us the opportunity to have more groups that meet on various days at various times in various places. But Creekstone, as a church "plant," is still but a sapling. As we grow more offerings will be available. 

Visit Creekstone's website here.
Join Creekstone's Facebook page here.
Join Creekstone's Gallery here.

 

Are You Ready to DiG? Register now — Groups begin next week!

Are You Ready to DiG into the Gospel?
Register online here.

DiG is a twice-monthly gathering in a small group context that stands for "Discipled in Grace."  These in-depth study groups will meet from Sept.-May, with a break in December. Due to the nature and purpose of these groups, attendance is expected for those who register (except for unique, providentially hindering circumstances). 

The Men's DiG Group, led by Lead Pastor McKay Caston, typically will meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8:00-9:30 p.m. at the church office. However, this month we are beginning on Sept. 8th (which actually is the 2nd Wednesday- but who is really paying attention?). 

The Women's DiG Group, led by Kristy Caston, typically will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 8:00-9:30 p.m. at the church office.

 

A Call to Radical Discipleship — Are You In?

via theresurgence.com

This video, by church planter Darrin Patrick, is a call for men to grow up and be men—to live out the radical implications of the gospel in all phases of life... at home and in the community. It is a challenge for us to establish a movement of grace empowered lives in our area that will impact generations for the glory of God. Are you with me?

One way to get on board is to join Creekstone's DiG Group for men. DiG stands for Discipled in Grace, and will meet on alternate Wednesday nights of each month beginning next week, Sept. 8, from 8:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

If you are ready, man-up and register here.

There will also be a women's DiG Group meeting at the same time on the other Wednesday nights of each month beginning Sept. 15. Ladies, you may register on the same form on the same link, just click here.

Youth Discipleship Begins Tonight

Just a reminder that Creekstone's Youth Discipleship (for middle school through high school) begins tonight (Wed.) at the home of Rosie and Bruce Johnson.  Parents are welcome to attend. For those who are unable to stay, drop-off is at 6:30 and pick-up is at 8:00.  

This is going to be a time filled with fun games, singing and substantive yet practical, gospel-centered teaching by yours truly. 

Hope to see everybody tonight.

 

Post-Game Message Review: "Discipleship 101: Living in Light of the Gospel"

Main ideas from last night's SNF teaching on Discipleship...

1. Chrisitan discipleship is not primarily about performance and practices (what to do as a Christian), but about identity (discovering who I am as a forgiven and adopted child of the King).

2. "Being precedes doing" / "Being empowers/motivates doing"

3. Four key elements of Christian Discipleship:

- The priority of theology

- The significance of relationship

- The necessity of friends

- The centrality of grace

4. When Jesus says "follow me," he leads us to the cross.

5. Being a disciple (follower, learer) of Jesus ultimately is about learning what it means to live in light of the gospel/cross/grace.

 

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