I have great news!  I have moved to my own domain, and (I feel) a better functioning website.
Please, check it out..

www.andydisher.com (<– it’s really easy to remember.)

Hope to see you there!

I find it interesting that just a few short days later, I’m reading this chapter … and find myself nodding my head along to it. (Also.. to the music playing in the background.)

This actually goes beyond just saying words and going to church and warming a seat.   Transformation is about depth.  It’s about a TRUE change.

How does that look?

If you’ve been following my blog (.. which, by the way – is soon going to change location!!  That announcement, soon.) then you know that I’ve been stuck on the book “unchristian.”  It’s an incredibly challenging, convicting and hopeful book.  Challenging and convicting because – well.. the truth hurts.  Hopeful, because, it’s not too late.  It’s not too late to show the world, our friends, neighbours and community .. that we are, in fact, true Christians.  Not just what they may see or hear in the media.

Transformation (.. got off on a tangent there.. sorry.)

… The author of “unchristian” states these seven elements of what a Christ follower should be passionate about…

* worshipping God intimately and passionately
* engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers
* pursuing faith in the context of family
* embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth
* serving others
* investing time and resources in spiritual pursuits
* having faith-base conversations with outsiders.  (p.80)

Here’s the bottom line: “The ultimate goal of transformation is to become like Christ.” (p. 81)

In our thinking.

In our loving.

In our listening.

Often times, .. when it comes to the word and idea “transformation” – I have gotten too caught up in the thought “.. well, that person isn’t meeting my standards of transformation.”

I have judged.  And, admittedly, I still do.  I’m not proud of that.  Not one bit.  I will say this though – since reading this book, having conversations others and reflecting over both – I have been able to catch myself.  When I find myself judging someone, looking at them with a raised eyebrow or assuming something.. I stop.  And I love.

Now.. all that being said – I know that transformation in every individual looks completely different.  The timing, the manner – the situations… they are all unique to each person.

And the question is raised (in my mind, anyways) – can I help someone in their process??

Should I help?

I believe this:  Transformation is becoming like Christ.  Will we ever be fully like Him?  … not any time soon. But I can strive.  I can try.  I can make choices that will help me towards that goal.

I believe that, while we are being transformed – we can also help transform others.  again.. not by judging, condemning – but by loving.

But.. how does that look?

It looks like Jesus.  How did Jesus love?  How did Jesus relate to his friends, family, community?  How did Jesus confront?

Love.

There is a perception out there… that says “Christians are insincere and concerned with only converting others.”

It’s actually interesting that such a general statement has been said.  Today, on a local radio station, there was a topic being discussed that revolved around church, religion and God (thanks, Rob Bell for writing your book that has caused so much conversation..) and I was saddened to hear individuals calling in and automatically attacking one certain denomination – and therefore equating ALL churches / denominations to the standard of the one.

As I said to one person this past week.. “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.”  Also.. don’t judge a church by the mistakes of another.

The chapter continues about this perception that the world has.  This perception needs to change.
That change.. will only start with Christians.

The new perception should be this: “Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.”

There are two words that stuck out in this sentence. “Cultivate.  Deeply.”

I’m not a farmer.  I like vegetables and meat and things that come from farmers.. and I like to get them from the grocery store (and on sale, please.)  However, that being said.. I know that in order for that produce item to be on the shelf -it takes time.  Time that the farmer puts into maintaining, watching over and (very important) .. cultivating the land so that it can produce the healthiest produce.  Cultivating takes time.

Secondly, I like water.  I was having a conversation the other day with someone of how blessed we are to live in a  country where we can walk to a tap at any time, anywhere, and have water.  I am personally blessed that I live in an apartment complex where the water is “free” (for me..)

And again, I’m no expert and digging wells.. but I do know this.  The deeper the well, the more resources you have.

The deeper the transformation – BY GOD – the more life change.

.. but what does “transformation look like?”  That .. for a future post.

There were some other quotes that really struck a nerve (in a good way) in me..

“Christians have a reputation similar to that of Mormon evangelist.” (p. 68)

… why?  Have we tried to cram the Good News down people’s throat?  If something  is good.. but is forced.. is it still Good?

The book continues to talk about misconceptions and realities that are out there.
I’m not going to talk about all of them.. but a few.

One myth out there is that “the more, the better.”  The more people we reach at once.. the better.  The truth is that the more interpersonal and relational we are, the better.

I’m not at all saying that “mass evangelism” doesn’t work.  Nor am I saying that it’s wrong.  I’m saying I agree with the author when he says that it doesn’t work as well as having an interpersonal and close relationship with a friend/neighbour.

Our church does an annual summer event called “Celebrate Canada.”  There are bands, fireworks, free food.  We invite other churches/ministries to be a part of it. There’s an aspect of community outreach.  In a sense, it’s a “mass evangelistic” approach.  However, on the same token – it’s not.  We don’t preach from the stage.  We “preach” with our actions and words.  We don’t hand out tracts.. we hand out free food.  We don’t try and build relationships at once – we ask our church members to invite their friends out to the event -

We may connect with a few “new” people during this time… and invite them out.  But we don’t aim to “convert” anyone.  it’s a time that we purely show God’s love.

What about this one… “Anything that brings people to Christ is worth doing…” ??

Really?  Anything.  Hmm..
We live in  world where “media and technology create unparalleled opportunities, but they also wield the potential to harm the Christian image .. How we choose to share Christ is as important as our actually doing it.” (p. 71)

And lastly… “We cannot worry about the possibility of offending people when sharing the truth about Jesus..”

We should teach in love.  We “must be kind to everyone.” (2 Timothy) This passage in 2 Tim. also remind us that “people commit to Christ because God changes their hearts…

Sometimes, we try too hard to change people.  We must first examine ourselves, allow God to change us (.. which is a choice we make) .. and then act out that change.

We often forget, as well, that “outsiders” have had experiences in the past with churches.  And usually, those experiences have been negative.  Very negative.  It’s our (job / responsibility / duty / calling) to recognize the problem – and help those that are “outside” to come back in…

with love.  Not judgement.  Not assumptions.  Not distain.

Love.

“Do as I say, not as I do…?”

Hypocrites. (Even saying the word feels … slimy.)  At one point in our lives, we have all been one.  Whether you’re a Christian or not.. whether you attend church or not…. regardless of who/what you are.. we have all been there.. We have all said one thing and done another.  We have all been fakes.

And while sometimes we may have the best intentions (.. we want to look like we have it all together…) the truth is this: we are hurting ourselves and others.  Everyone knows that everyone fails. So, why pretend that you have it all together.  Why be fake?  (side note:  There is wisdom in being real.  You can be real, honest and transparent AND be wise at the same time.  Being real, honest and transparent does not allow you to be rude, offensive and disrespectful – to yourself or others.)

The Church (both globally and locally) has received a bad rapport.. for good reason.  There have been too many of us who have been hypocritical.  When are the rest of us going to stand up … and NOT be hypocritical?

If we are to be “like Jesus..”  (“To be like Christ = Christian”) .. then when are we going to be like Jesus?  Jesus wasn’t a hypocrite.  Jesus was against hypocrites.  “At the time of Christ, it was the religious people who were most likely to be perceived as hypocritical.” (unchristian, p. 45)

In Matthew 23, (you can read it here…) Jesus is pointing out the flaw in the religious leaders.. who they are “careful to clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are filthy – full of greed and self-indulgence.” (v.25)

Christians being hypocrites..??    How?  As David points out in the book – “our lives don’t match our actions.” (p. 46) If I may continue on that thought.. our actions don’t match our words…

We say.. I love Jesus.  I want to be like Jesus.  I want to serve Jesus, and serve others like Jesus.

Are we?

Are we serving others?  Or are we still putting ourselves first?

Are we selfLESS of selfish?

There’s a paragraph in the book that shares “when asked to identify their behaviour over the last 30 days, Christians..” were no different than “non-Christians.”

Lying.  Cheating.  Looking for the easy way out.  Abusing others.  Sexual immorality.  Revenge.  Gossip. Stealing.

The paragraph ends with.. “no difference.”  I wrote in my book.. “no wonder.”

No wonder the world views Christianity as a joke.  No wonder the world looks at us (Christians, the church) and says.. Thanks.. but no thanks.  My friends treat me the same way.. if not better.

When are we going to be different?

Paul warns us in Gal. 5:13-15…

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  For the whole law can be summed up in one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.  But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out!  Beware of destroying one another..”

Paul warned us against being hypocritical, judgemental and full of empty moral striving.

So.. we have been hypocrites.  Fakes.  Posers.  Liars.
Now what..?

Philip Yancey, in his book “What’s So Amazing about Grace” says this..

“Having spent time around ‘sinners’ and also around purported saints, I have a hunch why Jesus spent so much time with the former group:  I think he preferred their company.  Because the sinners were honest about themselves and had no pretense.  Jesus could deal with them.  In contrast, the saints put on airs, judged him, and sought to catch him in a moral trap.  In the end, it was the saints, not the sinners who arrested Jesus.” (p. 249)

If only we were more like Jesus, and less like “the saints.”

If only we remembered Matt 23:4 – “They (‘religious people/saints’) crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”

I love how David wraps this chapter up…

“As a Christian… are you lifting a finger?  Which one?”  (p. 60)

I’ve recently been reading the book “unChristian” by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.  Put out by The Barna Group – it shows – in essence – where we, the church, have gone wrong.  Where we have made rash judgements, quick assumptions and destructive choices against what they call, outsiders. (For the record, the term “outsiders” is the term they choose to use to describe those that are not “in the faith.”  That being said, they also recognize that many “outsiders” used to “be in church” and attend, but because of words, actions and judgements – have left.)

And as I continue to read this book – I have done the same.

I have judged.

I have made rash decisions.

I have assumed.

I have… sinned.

For the next few days/weeks, I want to share my findings, my learnings, my … failings.  If you are a student that attends the youth group… please.  read this.  Allow me to share my heart with you.  Learn from me.  Don’t make the same mistakes I made.  If you are a high school classmate.. (and are friends on Facebook..) .. please read.  I made some mistakes in the past.  And I would really like to make them right.

If you are a fellow Christian, my prayer is that you will read this.. and ask God to help you see in what areas you may need to change in your own life.  Or… (on the other side of the coin) be encouraged to continue to love your community as you are.

While there was a part of me that had some reservations.. there was a bigger part of me that looked and said.. “How can you show the love of God, but turn him away?”  His story was that he had to get to a doctor’s appointment in the city (a 40 minute car ride away) .. and he had no way of getting there.  Now, I know what some of you may be saying.. “How do you know he was telling the truth?”

I don’t know. And it doesn’t matter.  Sure, there are horror stories of individuals picking up hitchhikers or offering rides to strangers and the next thing you know, they’re inspiration for the season opener of CSI: CANADA. (.. hmm.. Dear, CSI franchise.  Please consider this idea.  You could feature Canadian Bacon, Moose, Lumberjacks and Maple Syrup. Oh, and the odd igloo – because we ALL live in those.)

I couldn’t get the thought out of my head — “For what you do to the least of these…”

I had no idea if “Joel” was telling the truth of not.  But I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt .. that I couldn’t turn him away with a clear head / heart.

Now.. my dad was a cop for 30 years.  He taught me a lot. (…. this is where the “how to” steps come in..)

I gathered as much information as I could before I left with “Joel”.  I got his last name, his employer, his employer’s phone number.

I made sure to get his date of birth, his address, any ID he had on him – and photocopy it.

As he waited outside, I connected with our office staff, gave them the information and also communicated that I would contact them as soon as I dropped him off.  I gave them a time frame.. so they knew if I didn’t contact them, that they would contact me.

And I also communicated to “Joel” these things:

1. I was not judging him but I was also taking a risk allowing a stranger into my car and driving him for 20 minutes.

2. I couldn’t turn him away.  How could I say.. “Sorry.. Jesus loves you, but.. you’ll have to walk.”

3. My story:  I shared with him who I was, what I do and why I do it.

4. Asked him for his story.. and he shared.

5. Encouraged him to get connected to a church closer to his home (not around here.)  I communicated to him that “having the feeling of belonging to something/someone is irreplaceable… and something that everyone really wants..”

6. Prayed with him. I asked if I could first.. and he readily accepted.

I don’t know if I’ll ever see “Joel” again.  But I do know that because of the guards that I took down today, the judgements that I chose not to accept, and my willingness to “listen and follow” the leading of God – lives were changed.  Maybe “Joel’s”.  Definitely mine

(Note: I say “if and when” only because I don’t know what the future holds.  I do know that I LOVE my church, the community where I’m serving and am looking forward to serving there as long as I can.)

As I write this, I am reminded of different situations – two in particular – of how one can react when leaving a church.

Here’s the bottom line: (and it may be early on in the post to reveal this..)

You may leave with honour, respect and integrity.. or.

You may leave as “the perfect person.”

Now, I’ve never been asked to leave from a full time ministry position.  And for that, I am incredibly grateful.  God knows that I probably should have been.  The love, grace, forgiveness and acceptance shown to me was/is incredible.

However, I’d like to think that if I were ever to be dismissed (or leave by my own choice for that matter.. ) I’d like to think that I would do so with honour.  That I would own up to the fact that I probably made some mistakes. That I would (despite the hurt, pain and confusion of a dismissal,) publicly show love, support and forgiveness for the church.

To leave as ‘the perfect person’ doesn’t mean that you’re perfect.  (For the truth is – there is no perfect person, youth worker or ministry – but that’s for a different post.)

My prayer is this: If you are an individual who has been let go, for any reason – you would not let your bitterness, pain and un-forgiveness seep out.  That you would own up to what you may (or may not have) done… And you would also know that you are still in youth ministry.  That the flock may look different, but you are still a shepherd.

Lastly, my prayer is that you, as a leader, pastor, shepherd – would ‘lead by example.’  That you would show dignity, respect, love, … that you would be like Christ in this situation.

The last few months have been a  blur.  From personal life storms, to ministry transitions to attending the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago.. it feels as if I can finally catch my breath.

it feels as if I can finally… gather my thoughts.

Focus.

And despite all that has gone on, I’m thankful.

For new opportunities.  For continued love and support. For … forgiveness.

As I reflect on the very recent past, I think that ‘forgiveness’ is a general theme for me. Forgiveness that must be given to others. Forgiveness that must be received by others. And forgiveness that I must give to myself.

It’s in this time -  A time of forced transition.  A time of questions.  A time of reflection – that I find myself drawn to Philippians 3:14.  I love how The Message puts this.. “I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.  So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us….. Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.”

I’m off and running.  I’m not looking back.  Now, more than ever, I’m asking, requesting, begging God to lead me through this.  I don’t know what the future holds.  But I know that He holds me.

I don’t know what will happen.  But I know that He does.

I don’t know what I’m to do.  But… you said it.. He does.

And so.. I look to Him.  I call, wait, and listen.  And –  He speaks.

Today started with .. well – looking back it’s a blur. A little because of how tired I was, and a little because of how quickly I ingested caffeine..

Here’s the bottom line: (only because this is going to be a short post.  It’s 2:00 am .. er.. 1:00 am here in Chicago… and I’m tired.
No matter where you are from, no matter what you’re background is.. SYMC is family. The Simply Youth Ministry Conference is like coming home.  And not it’s that crazy family that you don’t want to spend time with.  It’s that family that accepts you ,loves you, hugs you, and laughs with you.

I’m looking forward to the next few days.  The days to come will include a lot of coffee (buy stocks in Starbucks), a TON of running around and doing final prep stuff, and making new friends.  Speaking of.. I met one of the many other Canadians here (@geoffcstewart)  It’s nice to have another Canuck brother (or two) here!!

To be continued.

After an eventful night of not sleeping – I finally decided to get out of bed at 6:30.  I wanted to say “wake up” – but considering that I wasn’t really sleeping, I’m assuming that term doesn’t really apply.

For whatever the reason, I couldn’t sleep. So, I got up, packed – got ready and made my way to the bank.  Unfortunately, it was the one bank of it’s kind that didn’t open at 8 am like every other bank.  No, it opened at 9.  Grrr!!  So I then had to drive a little out of my way to go to a bank that DID open at 8 am.  After a brief stop at Starbucks (how can you go wrong with Starbucks..??) I was on the road to the border.  And this is where it got interesting..

Custom’s Officer: “Where are you going?”

Me: “To the airport.”

(He just stared at me.)

M: “I’m flying to Chicago for 5 days.”

CO: “What are you doing there?”

M: “I’m attending a Youth Ministry Conference.”

CO: “What do you do?”

M: “I’m a Youth Pastor.”

CO: “Why are you going to the Conference?”

M: “I’m attending… I’m also going to help out and volunteer my time.”

(At this point, he looked at the screen for a longer period of time than normal, and began to write some stuff down.)

CO: “So – what are you doing there?”

M: (slightly confused…) “I’m attending the conference, and also volunteering (stressing the word ‘Volunteering’) at the conference.”

CO: “Is this your vehicle?”

M: “yes…. (thinking.. what does this have to do with anything.)

I ended up in secondary inspection. Two words: not cool.

I sat there for a few (10) minutes listening to a couple behind me having explained to them that they can’t bring in fruits and vegetables, plants, and basically.. everything that they had in their vehicle.  I felt.. good that I wasn’t in their position – But also, started to freak out.  I was thinking.. “What in the world do I have in my vehicle?  Are they going to handcuff me because I forgot to empty out all the garbage on my floor?  Dang it!  I forgot to put away a bench vies (which was still on the floor of my car…)  .. are they going to accuse me of using that as a weapon?  Would they REALLY plant drugs in my suitcase??”  (yah.. I thought that.. )

My mind was reeling.  I had no idea what I did wrong, and why I was here… At one moment, I was thankful that I had left as early as I did – but I was still watching the clock.

The first officer called me up – and just took my ID.  I sat back down.  A little while later, a second office called me up, and wanted more information.  Where I was going, what I was doing, etc, etc.  Then (here’s the REAL reason) he asked the question: “Are you getting paid for this?”  (Oh.. if only he knew what the words “Youth Ministry” meant.) I replied “No.  I’m going as a volunteer.  They are covering the cost of my registration, but everything else I am paying for.”  His response? “Have a seat.”

Luckily, I have the hearing of a bionic eagle, so I could overhear the discussion when the original officer that sent me in finally came in.  “If he’s not physically being handed cash, there’s no issue” was what was told to him.  I’ll be honest – I felt smug.  Kind of a “I-told-you-so” thought crossed my mind.  I wanted to jump up, point and say “HA!” to the guy… but I was outnumbered.  Plus… they had guns.  And I had a flight to catch.

So, I thanked them for their time, and got on my way.

So, I know sit here at Detroit Airport, worrying like crazy that my luggage won’t make it, the plane will break, the On-Board drinks won’t be cold, and that I’ll have to hitchhike to Chicago.  (At this point.. I will.. if I have to.)

– to be continued..