theCityShouldBeDifferent: Simple things: living life on mission is not complicated

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Simple things: living life on mission is not complicated

TOMORROW's SUNDAY GATHERING NOTE:

We are gathering tomorrow, October 21, at Glen & Jordan's House. Call/text paul at 794-9891 for easy directions.
Sunday Night we are planning to go to First Baptist Westlake for a Youth Night with a cool guy coming to share and theCityBand leading worship!

Simple things: living life on mission is not complicated

When we want something to change, we have this tendency to look for complex or huge ideas in order to see that change come to pass. Usually, however, sustained growth starts and is sustained by simple things, done as a way of life. What I mean by "way of life" is that it becomes who I really am and how I live everyday. Not just when I go to an event or a church meeting. And while some of the things we try or dream are big and involve more than just a couple of people (thereby making them more complex), the building blocks of growth and change are usually simple.

Last night, some of the young men in our church (early 20's) "kidnapped" (with parent permission) a young man and took him on a little man initiation evening. Nothing complicated. But it communicated that the young man was a part of the movement, important and valuable. And it was fun.

We are on the #90dayjourney, and so much of what we are learning to practice is SO NOT COMPLICATED! Take the simple ideas from today's exercise:

Some of the steps we are taking require coordination with others, such as the non-profits we want to work with. That takes planning and preparation. You can't short cut that work. But if we just wait for someone else to do the planning and set things up, and we skip the lifestyle change that Jesus calls us to (to be oriented around being a blessing to other people, helping them see who Jesus really is by the way we live and the words we say) then we will stay pretty much in the same place.

Don't wait! Start right now. Expect God to grow you and your heart for Him and others as you follow Jesus and love others, including the least of these.

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theCityShouldBeDifferent

Since #JesusIsAlive, then from #Goosport2Graywood #theCityShouldBeDifferent

theCityShouldBeDifferent.com

a move to Unite theChurchatLakeCharles.us

and Transform the city

through Building Capacity for Engagement

So That John 17:20-23 can happen here, now.

OK, that sounds good, but what does that mean? So here is an Example: We have this enormous industrial expansion headed to SWLA, bringing 25,000+ new construction jobs. There are lots of, say, young men in our area who are not meaningfully participating in the workforce, but who could certainly fulfill the unskilled helper jobs that will be a small portion of this large construction workforce needed. What they need to be ready for these jobs is some hope. We, church, are charter members in the hope trade. So, via relational engagement, we let the young men borrow some hope from us, inspiring some to begin working on improving their character and soft skills, getting ready for this meaningful work opportunity.

There are a bunch of kickers in this real-life scenario.

1.) The industrial construction helpers can make $15 an hour, and typically have lots of overtime. This scenario really stomps on the gas pedal in this way: a new entrant into the workforce in this situation can save enough to buy a reliable car in 1-2 months! That is hope building; dignity establishing!

2.) If we are going to see a thousand young men (that's my vision) pass through this opportunity, we will need a whole-bunch of support systems, meaning mentors, encouragers, soft-skills instructors, rides to work and more.

3.) When we engage with our real-life neighbors, in real-life serving, everyone's character, everyone's faith in Jesus gets a real shot at growing! It's what you call, Discipleship.

4.) When a young man gets a job that can pay $40k a year, they have real options! They can get more education and training. They can inspire those around them to follow them. They can be inspired by those who invested in their life for free and set them up for this situation, and they can help the next group of young men who aren't working get on board.

5.) When people from all corners of the city who are a part of the Jesus story get engaged together on a real-life mission worth doing, one that doesn't benefit any of the men or their churches directly, but the benefits are so powerful and real, then we get to build trust, relationships and capacity and see that Jesus unites and trumps race or class. We get new respect for each other and our capacity to do go and be real brothers is greater than we could have foreseen

...

Are you getting a little glimpse at the picture?

The people who follow Jesus are carrier's of the Hope of the World. We, in the Lake Charles area, have a beautiful opportunity to engage with our community, building relationships and helping lots of people see who Jesus is more clearly.

There is lots more to say, so stay tuned and, if you are intrigued, lean your voice into the mix. Contact Paul Pettefer at 337-794-9891, paul@employmentisbetter.com, @paulpettefer, or stop by the InterGalactic Offices of theCityShouldBeDifferent.com located inside Laundry World, 2712 Lake St, Lake Charles.