This Beautiful Mess.

On Mondays I'd like to blog some of the highlights from the KAMP's Gathering talk.

I' d like you to blog some of the highlights from your perspective, not just the talk, but the relationships and the stories of transformation that we are experiencing together.

So here goes...

We started Mars Hill because we believe every generation must ask the question: “What does it look like for us to BE the church here and now?”

We are passionate about BEING the church, not simply attending it.

It is our turn to step up and take responsibility for who the church is going to be for the next generation. It is our turn to redefine and reshape and dream it all up again. It is our turn to rediscover the beautiful, compelling idea that a group of people, surrendered to God and to each other, really can change the world.

We are learning that the church is at its best when it gives itself away. It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display.

The church has spent way too much time, energy and resources attempting to DO church outside of the box. We are not trying to think outside of any box. THERE IS NO BOX. If I had a box and a sledgehammer, I would demolish the box and ask God to set us all free from religion that boxes God in and boxes people out. And Jesus came to announce that those that we think are out are actually in.

Jesus came to announce and invite us into a new kind of Kingdom.

Mark 1:14-15 says, “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Luke 17:20-21 says, “20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within[b] you."

You see the Kingdom of God is this upside down, inside out, backwards, anti-hierarchy, paradoxical, last are first, lose your life to find it, die to live, give to receive, kind of reality. A new reality is already upon us. The vision Jesus paints for his followers is that of a heavenly reality landing smack dab in the middle of everyday life. The Kingdom is how things really are.

We are on a journey. We have not arrived. We don’t have this all figured out. The Kingdom of God is a journey not merely a destination. Earth can become like heaven and people can be saved from hell on earth. We are on a journey. We are moving forward. We are not going to sit around and lament the downward spiral of culture and the church. Today is a new day.

New world order is coming, called the kingdom of God and it will bring beautiful order to our normal messes and a beautiful mess to our normal orders.

God’s Kingdom is a reality ushered in and discovered by questions. And this journey is guided more from pursuing profound questions than seeking practical answers. Jesus was always following questions with questions. What does it look like for us to BE the church here and now? What are the essentials of being a disciple of Jesus in OKC here and now? What are the non-essentials, the Jesus AND stuff? Which parts are leftover encumbrances from generations gone by? I ask you to leave behind, as best you can, preconceived ideas AND ideals – presumptions of knowing what’s best. To ask some questions and really listen for the truth. Not our reality. But a new reality. The Kingdom.

God’s Kingdom is a reality ushered in and discovered by stories. Stories and questions are connected. And stories are connected to experience NOT mere knowledge. Jesus was a story-telling machine. He tells us that His way AND ultimate reality will be understood through story. Mars Hill is committed to measure success by stories of transformation.

The Kingdom of God is NOT a science it’s an art. Many of us have experience life as a giant paint by number kit. This is a big blank canvas, waiting for something of beauty to emerge. This is not church by numbers, faith by number or life by numbers. This is art. This is the Kingdom.