Podcast
Infuse
Hosted by Unknown author · EN
sharing faith, life, and mission
11episodes
Episodes
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Podcast: The Inconvenient Kingdom
Mar 4, 2009Tap to summarizeThe Inconvenient Kingdom
Transcribe →Love Fox Valley
Feb 16, 2009Tap to summarizeI haven’t experienced much church unity in my life. I don’t necessarily mean within a church, though that’s been bad at times too, but unity between local churches. The unity of the entire body of Christ in a given city or region. There are three main ways I’ve experienced the relationship between local churches:Uninterested: When the most you know about the church on the other corner is that the sign out front says, “Ch_ _ch, what’s missing?” Inferior: Whether it’s because of doctrine, size, building, or softball team, you know you’re better than they are. The best example of this I’ve heard is when one church asked the church across the field to play a softball game and they were asked for their docrinal statement. The other church looked at the statement and then decilined to play. (Both churches from Evangelical denominations!) Competition: I have sat around with people from MY church bemoaining the gains of other local churches. Talking about how they’re taking “our” people. No one likes to admit this one, most of the time people won’t, but it’s real. It’s sad really. Jesus prayed that all those who followed him would be one in the way he was one with the Father. Paul yelled at the Corinthians on paper for creating distinctions between themselves rather than focusing on their unity in Christ. We are supposed to be unified with all those who are a part of the body of Christ.In the last year and a half I’ve had the opportunity to see what this unity is supposed to look like. It’s come in the form of a person and an organization. The person is Randy Schoof, pastor of the Warehouse Church here in Aurora. You can’t talk to Randy for more than two minutes without hearing about the importance of unity, and he devotes himself to helping it happen. (More on that in a second, because that’s the organization.) Since we moved to Aurora Randy has been one of our greatest supporters. If y0u are about following Jesus and helping others do the same then he is with you. The first time I met him he offered to let us meet in their building, told me to let him know if there was anything we needed, and introduced me to a bunch of people from other churches. He is about Christ’s Church, all of it.Which brings me to Love Fox Valley. This is the culmination of the efforts of a number of people, including Randy, to bring unity and action to the Aurora and Fox River Valley area by the church, the whole church. It is more of a network than an organization. The whole church in the area functioning together to show and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ. We had a meeting for it last week and there were at least 30 churches and ministries represented there, maybe more. There aren’t many places where this is happening, and I’m thankful I get to be a part of it.
Transcribe →WCLS: Efrem Smith
Aug 8, 2008Tap to summarizeDisparity exists based on race, class, and place.Find dwelling places where the hurting people are.The high pressure of what God wants to do is hitting the low pressure of what we'd rather do and creating racial and socio-economic storms.There's no institution that can make the case "we only cater to people who are like each other" except the church. (And that's not okay!)The church should lead in being socially innovative.And a great quote: "I'm tired of grown men havin' Lil' in front of their name. Lil' Wayne. Lil' Weezy. You grown men!"
Transcribe →WCLS: John Burke
Aug 8, 2008Tap to summarizeMaking and maintaining good soil is essential if people are to grow.1 Cor. 3:6-9 God causes the growth, we're responsible for the soil.Are you willing to get your hands dirty by meeting people where they are?Messy LeadershipGrace-giving Acceptance. If you find a Rembrandt covered in mud you wouldn't throw it away or even try to wipe it off. You'd take it to an expert who could clean it and make it good as new. We need to view people through God's eyes, not our own.Authentic Confessing Community. Leaders have to lead in being authentic. We have to actually care about each other.Stay Connected to Christ. "Apart from me you can do nothing." Stay connected, fruit happens.
Transcribe →WCLS: Gary Haugen
Aug 7, 2008Tap to summarizeWhat is leadership that matters to God? It is leading in issues that matter to God. In other words, are Jesus and I interested in the same things?2 Passions of GodThe World (Jn. 3:16) How can hurting people believe God is good? The Church is the plan to make people believe that God is good.Justice Biblical injustice is about the abuse of power to take from them the good things God has for them (i.e. life, liberty, dignity).Leadership matters most when the cause seems hopeless, scary, and difficult.Leadership when it seems hopeless.Refocus on where hope comes from.If God is passionate about getting it done than he is responsible for getting it done.Leadership when it seems scary.Jesus did not come to make us safe, he came to make us brave.Too many of us are on the journey with Jesus but we're missing the adventure. We won't experience God there.4 Leadership ChoicesChoosing not to be safe.Choosing deep spiritual health. (Not needed when it's safe and easy.)Choose to pursue excellence.Choose to seize the joy. (It should make us laugh that God uses people like us!)
Transcribe →WCLS (Willow Creek Leadership Summit): Bill Hybles
Aug 7, 2008Tap to summarizeMuch of the task of leadership is making decisions.Part of what leaders must do is make tough decisions--it is not for the faint of heart.4 Common decision making questions for Christian Leaders1. Does the Bible speak to it?2. What would smart advisors say?3. What does PGE teach you? (Past Pain, Past Gains, Experiences)4. Is the Holy Spirit prompting me?Make trial decisions and see if they lead to peace or turmoil within.If a decision turns out well, thank everyone who played a part in it. If it turns out poorly, blame only yourself.Leadership Axioms: Short sayings that guide decision making and come from a synthesis of learning from the four questions above.Some Leadership AxiomsThe best way to get rid of an enemy is to turn him into a friend. (Abraham Lincoln)Create movement for movement's sake.Promote a clash of ideas. (Colin Powell)Vision leaks. (Hybles)Get the right people around the table. (Hybles)Facts are your friends. (Hybles)When something feels funky, engage. (Hybles)
Transcribe →Willow Creek Leadership Summit
Aug 7, 2008Tap to summarizeThanks to a new friend, Jon Peacock (pastor of Axis, the 20-something ministry of Willow), I'm at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit the next two days. I'll be posting some notes throughout these two days, much like I did when I went to Exponential. I'd love to hear any thoughts you have!
Transcribe →Infuse In Focus
Jul 21, 2008Tap to summarizeBeginning this Sunday at 5:00 we'll be doing an in-depth three-week look at Infuse. It will include some discussion about what the terms "organic" and "missional" mean in relation to church, a look at discipleship and what it really means to follow Jesus, and some specifics about the vision and life of Infuse. Our hope is that it will serve as a solid orientation for those who are joining with Infuse and a clear picture for those who are just interested in what we're doing. I'm excited about it because it has shown me clearly how far we've come in a year. Our focus and ability to explain what we're about are far greater now than they were then.It's an open invitation, so if you or someone you know wants to come just email us and we'll get you directions.
Transcribe →Welcome Denver-ites!
Jul 14, 2008Tap to summarizeThis week Ty, Meagan, and Katrina arrived from Denver. And last night we had them with us on a Sunday night for the first time. (We also had Asa with us who's visiting from KY which was great!) It was an amazing feeling to have them sitting there as tangible evidence of so many prayers answered. We have been praying for them and their potential move for about 8 months now. In the process there have been obstacles, doubts, excitement, planning--but in the end God brought them here. It was an emotional moment realizing how amazing their move here really is.As you think of it, pray for them this week. They need to find jobs and places to live. They have left family and friends, and over the next few weeks that will really hit them. Pray that God gives them continued peace about coming here and that they're able to settle in quickly. Praise God!
Transcribe →This Week in Aurora
Jul 7, 2008Tap to summarizeDowntown developmentMore new condos are being rehabed in a historic building downtown and will be complete with a Potbelly, my favorite sandwich shop, and a wine shop. Riveredge ParkThis project is somewhat controversial here, but the economic impact and beautification of the riverfront has huge potential. It's something many of us are following, as it will mean more people downtown and new ways to connect with people. It'll be a great "third space." Now the city is looking for some grant money to help make the dream more of a reality.See the sketches here. " target="blank">FermilabThough in Batavia, it sits on the border of Aurora. Fermilab, a Department of Energy particle accelerator with lots of smart physicists, lost funding recently and has been in danger of forced layoffs and cutbacks. The good news is that those jobs were just saved by a supplemental appropriations bill last week.Crime in AuroraFor years Aurora has had a bad stereotype for being unsafe and crime-filled. Aurora police recently announced some good news that crime is again down, and no murders were committed in the 1st half of 2008.
Transcribe →
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