Praying for LHC

June 5th, 2009 No comments

I use this blog to cover a lot of territory. It can be a forum to lay out some thoughts, disseminate news about our church and family, or—on occasion—rant about the Spartans.

When we began to plant Living Hope Church, we had a faithful team of prayer supporters who received a monthly email or print newsletter about our family and ministry. Since then, this blog and my twitter feed (www.twitter.com/joshmontague) have become the routes for those prayer warriors to keep in touch.

As LHC has grown, people within the church are now praying regularly (or perhaps irregularly). So at least quarterly and, Lord willing, monthly, I’ll post a list of prayer requests for those who faithfully pray for Living Hope Church.

Here are five for June:

1. Discipleship. We’re linking people together at LHC in groups currently called Triads. These are groups of 3-5 that meet regularly for prayer, Bible study, and encouragement. Pray that the gospel sinks deep into these groups and permeates our lives.

2. A Building. We’re still meeting at the Verona Senior Center, despite the average age of our church being about eleven. Ah, the beautiful irony. Finding a building to lease in Verona or Southwest Madison is not easy, but we keep looking. As we begin to stretch the capacities of the Center, pray that a place opens up for us to transition into.

3. Our Mission Groups. We run two groups that are structured to engage our community. Gray’s Theology meets once-a-month on Thursday to introduce and discuss a topic with a wide cross section of people from the Madison area. Philosophilm meets once-a-month on Sunday evenings to view and discuss a movie and its intersection with our worldview and theology. Both groups are unique opportunities for us to connect with people outside the Christian bubble.

4. Volunteer Organization. I was encouraged Sunday afternoon when we had a Children’s Ministry meeting and people showed up without my begging, pleading, and cajoling. People are hungry to see the church move forward in some key strategic areas. Please pray that this team continues to lead us well in this vital area.

5. Dane County Partnerships. Over the last 2 months, I’ve talked to a half dozen church planters who are contemplating or planning on moving to Madison. There’s a wave of church planting on its way here and my prayer is that Living Hope can be strategic about how we see the Gospel go forward in Dane County. We want to be a resource and help for those intent on seeing the good news of Jesus transform lives and a community here.

So that’s how you can be praying for us this month.

Paul writes this in Philippians 1:19: “…for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance”. God sovereignly works by His Spirit through the prayers of his people. Amazing.

Vacation

May 19th, 2009 No comments

This week my wife and I are celebrating our 12th anniversary with a long weekend in downtown Chicago. We’ve done the touristy thing (Scenic Riverboat Tour), hit some museums, and eaten well (my favorite = Cafe Iberico). It’s been a great, relaxing time. We’re heading to the Art Institute today and will be back in Verona tomorrow.

I’ve got a few blog posts to write upon returning. Look for some action on this blog next week.

Studying Philippians

May 5th, 2009 No comments

This Sunday at LHC, we dive into a two month study of the book of Philippians. We’re titling this one “The Pursuit of Happiness.”

During a conversation last week, a friend asked me what the main verse in Philippians might be. That’s a tough question. There are so many “coffee cup verses” in this epistle.
  • “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (1:6)
  • “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (1:22)
  • “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (3:8)
  • “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (3:13-14)
  • “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (4:4)
  • “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:7)
  • “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (4:13)
  • “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (4:19)
I’ve worked in a Christian book store. I’ve seen those verses pasted on all sorts of pastel-colored, flowery paraphernalia with flowing script. And many of these verses are radically mis-interpreted by Christians in our culture. We use 4:7 to guide our decision-making. We use 4:13 as a workout motivator. WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels wore a vest with 4:13 on it when he returned to the ring in 2002. We use 4:19 to lay claim to a bigger house and a better car.
So what is the main point of Philippians? Why did the Apostle Paul write this relatively brief letter to the church at Philippi?
I would point to 1:27-28a as the central paragraph of the letter. In particular, this call is key:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.

The Philippian church was planted by Paul, who — at the time of the leter — was in jail. The church wass undergoing conflict, both from within its ranks (4:2) and from outside (3:2). The church was being pulled away from joy in the Gospel.
Paul’s goal in this letter was to see the church strive “side by side for the faith of the gospel.” That means that people would have to grow up. Maturity was needed in the church. People would need to find joy in Jesus, not in circumstances. They’d need to be humble and forgiving. They’d need to know the good news and strive hard to see that the message of Jesus was not corrupted by internal sin or external opposition.
So we’re preaching through Philippians at LHC in order to see God work in our little community “for his good pleasure” (2:13). Be praying that God uses this study to mature us as a church and send us out on mission for the name of Jesus.
If you get a chance and are planning on joining us for this series, read through Philippians again this week. If you’re looking for some other resources to help you, here’s my recommendations.
Bible — Reading through Philippians often and letting the Spirit of God use the Word of God to shape you is where it all starts and begins. Get a Bible (without study notes) and just concentrate on the text.
ESV Study Bible — The introductory material to Philippians and study notes are valuable and will serve you well.
Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians, D. A. Carson — Excellent, non-technical study of the book by a Gospel-loving, brilliant teacher.
A Distant Presence: The Story Behind Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Tim Woodruff — This book’s hard-to-find, but if you can find or borrow a copy, it’s a good read. Woodruff writes a historical novel chronicling a likely scenario that prompted the interaction between Paul and this church. Lots of notes explain Woodruff’s conclusions and he doesn’t jump to wild speculation. Don’t let this book trump Scripture, but enjoy the read.
The Epistle to the Phlippians, Peter T. O’Brien — This is a technical treatment of Philippians and stands as the standard and some knowledge of Greek would help you work through O’Brien’s work. This commentary has served me well as I’ve studied Philippians over the last few months.
Be praying for me as I preach this series. And be praying that God works great things in LHC through His Word. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (4:23)

Church Planting and Jealousy

April 17th, 2009 No comments

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” —James 3:13-18 ESV

These verses have rocked my world over the last month. Our “micro-groups” at LHC read through James in March and the last half of the month found me dwelling on these verses. Why? I get jealous easily. I envy other’s church sizes, blogs, speaking styles, crowds, technology, humor, etc., etc., etc. ad infinitum.
I go to conferences and there’s this posturing as pastors gauge whether the guy on the other end of the conversation is a planter, small church pastor, mid-size church pastor, or mega-church pastor. It’s sick. Some dude gets up there, talks about how his church grew to 3,000 because he did a, b, and c. And we all want to be that guy. Jealousy … selfish ambition.
The Apostle James, inspired by the Spirit of God, says that’s demonic. Not just sinful or bad. It’s demonic. Satan uses that to destroy churches. When there’s jealousy and selfish ambition, a church experiences disorder and vile practices as we compromise the truth of the Gospel, trying to have bigger, sexier “ministries.” The inevitable result of wrong motives is disorder. Chaotic, destructive churches result from a leader’s jealousy or glory-seeking. While our jealousy and selfish ambition causes us to envy ministries that are slick, powerful, hip, and streamlined, the result of our wrong ambition is the opposite.
God has brought me to my knees over this passage. Will I serve him faithfully and trust him for the results or will my jealousy and selfish ambition move me to sell out the Gospel?
What’s the alternative? Verse 18 says this: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Make peace. Bring the good news of peace between God and rebellious humans. Bring the good news of peace between rebellious men and women. Seek the peace of the city. Jesus brings peace. We proclaim it. God builds the church not around leaders jealousy and selfish ambition, but around their peace-making.

Children’s Music

April 17th, 2009 2 comments

Kid’s music is fun. My kids roam around the house singing “I’m a Moose with a Cowlick” from Brent Holmes’ album all the time. Hilarious song.

There are a lot of good, silly children’s albums out there. Unfortunately, there are a lot of silly children’s albums that pose as Christian music or Sunday School songs. They may teach biblical stories, but many “Christian” children’s albums don’t go too much further than telling kids to be nice to their siblings, don’t lie, and be like Daniel. It’s moralistic religion in the form of children’s music. A few children’s albums do a complete job of telling the great biblical story of the gospel: God’s greatness, our sin, and Jesus’ sacrifice.
We’ve enjoyed Sovereign Grace’s “Awesome God” and my kid’s play it a ton on their little mp3 players. Sojourn Community Church in Louisville recently recommended a number of other children’s albums that I’m looking forward to getting in the mix at our house and our church. You can find their list here. If you’re a parent and don’t have “Awesome God”, get it now. If you have young children, make sure to get some good Scripture-based songs in the mix alongside songs about moose with cowlicks. Be a good household DJ.

New Sermon Series at LHC

April 13th, 2009 1 comment

There’s a few chapters in Luke’s Gospel that we haven’t covered and I’m planning on hitting them in July and August, but for the next three weeks LHC will embark on a 3-week study of “Church“.

This week - The Gospel: The Church’s Center.
Next week - Community: Bringing the Gospel to One Another.
May 3 - Mission: Bringing the Gospel to the World.
I highly recommend Tim Chester’s and Steve Timmis’ book Total Church. Great stuff on how the good news of Jesus’ work shapes our life as a church community.
On May 10, we’ll embark on a journey through Paul’s great letter to the Church at Philippi. We’re titling this series “The Pursuit of Happiness.” And for the record, it highly disturbs me that most people I ran that title by thought of a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air movie rather than the Declaration of Independence.

On Leadership

April 6th, 2009 No comments

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

HT: Buzzard

Quick Quote on Prayer

March 20th, 2009 1 comment

“Be much alone with God. Do not put Him off with a quarter of an hour morning and evening. Take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unbosom yourself wholly - every thought, feeling, wish, plan, doubt, - to Him. He wants [to] converse with His creatures; shall His creatures not want [to] converse with Him? He wants, not merely to be on ‘good terms’ with you, if one may use man’s phrase, but to be intimate; shall you decline the intimacy, and be satisfied with mere acquaintance? What! intimate with the world, with friends, with neighbors, with politicians, with philosophers, with naturalists, or with poets; but not with God! That would look ill indeed. Folly, to prefer the clay to the potter, the marble to the sculptor, this little earth and its lesser creatures to the mighty Maker of the universe, the great ‘All and in all!’”

–Jonathan Edwards, Letters and Personal Writings

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17th, 2009 No comments

I thought briefly about throwing something on about St. Patrick’s missional mindset or the great “Breastplate” prayer, but like my friend Jeff, I’ll just throw this on:

Quick Quote on Prayer III

March 11th, 2009 1 comment

I’m geared up for our sermon mini-series on prayer. This week kicks off three weeks of teaching on a subject I feel woefully inadequate to preach on. So I’ve been hitting the books and hitting my knees in preparation and discovering great gems like this:

  • “Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that he will provide the help we need. Prayer humbles us as needy, and exalts God as wealthy.”
  • “A failure in our prayer life is generally a failure to know Jesus.”
  • “A prayerless Christian is like a bus driver trying alone to push his bus out of a rut because he doesn’t know Clark Kent is on board.”
  • “A prayerless Christian is like having your room wallpapered with Sak’s Fifth Avenue gift certificates but always shopping at The Salvation Army because you can’t read.”
—John Piper, Desiring God