Community 4:12

Hybels on Social Justice

Just read a great post on Jim Wallis' blog entitled, "Save Souls or Feed the Poor?"  He links to the Beliefnet blogalogue that this week focused on a "debate" between Billy Hybels of Willowcreek (representing evangelisim) and Paul Rausenbush (representing social justice).  It actually isn't a debate at all, but a refreshing dialogue that tries to eliminate the idea that the gospel is "either-or."  Both agree it is a "both-and."  I love the message Hybels consistently gives--in word and action--that the evangelical church can be a "both-and" kind of church!

Are you Justice-fied?

A friend pointed me to David Fitch's blog today.  I'd never heard of Fitch, but I think this is a blog I'm going to have to start following.  He had a four part post on HOW NOT TO MAKE JUSTICE INTO A PROGRAM AT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH.   Here is an excerpt from Part 4:  "Final question - CAN MEGA CHURCHES DO THE WORK OF CHRIST'S JUSTICE?  I think the kind of churches that will have the hardest time with a MORE ORGANIC, LOCAL and EMBODIED JUSTICE are the mega churches. Because if justice is relational, mutual and sharing of all things, this is just plain harder the bigger you get. I would argue that the mega churches with the most resourses often do the poorest job of social justice per capita. Don't get me wrong they are doing plenty of mercy projects. SOME VERY HIGH PROFILE but is it justice? Or is it a large relief and mercy program, which again is important, but from post #1, I suggest it is not justice. Then again, I know at least 2 larger churches (2500+) that are doing awesome work for Christ's justice."  This is exactly the kind of thing I am always thinking about, because the vision behind Community 4:12 has always been more about justice than about mercy.  But, because of the size of CCC, I am quite sure C412 is seen as a "mercy" ministry and not a "justice" ministry.  Not that it should be an either/or---it must be a both/and.  But, I constantly struggle with how to get the justice message out to the masses.  Mercy is easy to communicate and publicize.  Justice is much more complicated.  I'd love to hear other's thoughts on this, so please comment!

Get The Big Idea

I can't believe what a cool church I get to be a part of.  I've been attending CCC for seven years, and I have been on staff for three.  Every week my husband and I experience the Big Idea in the adult service and my kids experience a simplified version of it in Kids' City.  Every week I attend a staff meeting where we evaluate how well we executed and communicated the Big Idea in the previous weekend's services.  I see various meetings going on all week long--teaching team, arts team, Kids' City, StuCo, etc. to plan the Big Idea.  I have even occassionally been a part of planning a component of the Big Idea or writing the Big Idea Discussion Guide.  So, I would say that I am more familiar than the general CCC attender with the Big Idea process.  But, I have to say, I was totally blown away when I read Dave, Jon, and Eric's hot-off-the-press new book, The Big Idea.  To learn all the nitty-gritty, behind the scenes stuff that goes into planning each and every Big Idea series made me appreciate the staff I work with even more.  The process they use is downright brilliant and is based on umpteen levels of cooperation and collaboration.  When you think about how many different minds go into creating one weekend's services, it is pretty incredible.  If you attend CCC, you have to read this book to learn more about how and why we do what we do.  If you don't attend CCC, you have to read this book so you can help your church implement something similar.  I can't imagine a more powerful way to help entire families walk away from church every weekend with a clear, simple Jesus lesson and challenge.  And there are some really great stories in the book, too---including one about my kids and how the Big Idea impacted them!  So, click here now, to get your copy, and click here to check out the new Big Idea blog.  Congrats, Eric, Jon, and Dave!  We are really proud of you!