Missio Intensive

Just got back from Denver yesterday from the Missio Intensive Conference. These are the guys that wrote the book, Tangible Kingdom. I came back with a few new perspectives on the church...and figured I better write them down before I forget them.

Lots of people in the pews who go to church...but dont know why. We need to move them from that position to;
I'm willing to lay down my life for the Kingdom of God.

Offense vs. Defense
As a church culture, we have largely become defensive in the way we do church. The way we 'defend' our faith, or 'hide' the word in our hearts. Not to mention 'home school' and the "Christian Bubble' (which really does exist).
Why do we circle the wagons and try to keep sin out of church, out of our homes, and out of our school environments. Jesus was never scared or put off by sin...as a matter of fact, he ate with sinners, partied with sinners, and was friends and teacher to sinners. Yet we have closed off our world to them.
We know, that the gates of Hell will not overcome the Kingdom of God....so why do we act like they are. What have gates EVER overcome...nothing, they are defensive.
Offensive- Conspire (against the gates of Hell), Collaborate, and Create (means by which to have victories over hell)

Our generation is crying for relief from the system we have created.

4 Paradigm shifts
How to vs Want to- people dont share there lives and ultimately Christ, because they dont want to. Its inconvenient, its messy, it involves being selfless instead of selfish.
Coming to Going- we've always just opened the door and people came to church. But we are a sent people. We need to be going.
Protection to Proclamation- see above Offense vs.Defense
Relevance to Influence- use our relevance to influence people.

Church people are different than kingdom people- see the 80-20 rule.

3 E's
Expose- to the crisis via seeing, testimony and participation
Experience-getting hands dirty
Engage-once we've been exposed to and experienced the need...we are more likely to become engaged and even champion a cause.

As a church, ANC has been and will continue to push the 3 E's. There are needs and crisis all around us, we just need to need to know where to look, know that it is okay to help, and just be willing to jump in and try...even if that means failing.