danmastrapa.com » Church

House2House & Greenhouse Training

Dan — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:54:20 +0000

Attending the House2House mini-conference today with Tony and Felicity Dale. I firmly believe that Sent Church will be a network of house churches scattered across our region. I’m excited about learning from these pioneers of the house church movement. This afternoon will begin the Greenhouse training with Neil Cole.

Idol Factory – new message series

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:29:24 +0000

Excited about our new message series that starts on Easter. IDOL Factory will be an eye-opening journey exploring the First Commandment. John Calvin wrote, “The human heart is a factory of idols… Everyone of us is, from his mother’s womb, expert in inventing idols.” You might be shocked at some of the subtle things that might be replacing our devotion to Christ. Idolatry is not about statues or religious trinkets, it’s a matter of the heart.

GROW a little

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:14:04 +0000

This coming year we have committed as a church family to grow together as disciples of Christ. We are embarking on a year long endeavor to read through the Bible. We are using the ESV Daily Bible Reading plan and I am encouraging every one to journal their daily devotionals using the R.E.A.P. (Read, Examine, Apply, Pray) Bible study method. Both of those items can be found on a special micro-site we have rolled out here.

The Cult of Personality in the Church

admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:56:53 +0000

Tony Morgan posted Phil Cooke and Brad Abare’s “5 Warning Signs of a Personality-Driven Church” in his blog today. The full article they wrote is in the current issue of Outreach Magazine.

Here is a summary of the 5 warning signs they identify:

1. The pastor doesn’t go on a vacation for any significant length of time. And, when he does, it isn’t announced.
2. When the pastor doesn’t preach, the attendance drops.
3. Unspoken fear that if something happened to the pastor, the church would be in trouble.
4. The pastor is unwilling to listen to and consult other team members. The staff and volunteers are there to carry out the directions of the pastor.
5. There’s no succession plan in place; therefore, leadership development isn’t happening.

Here are some that I would add to that list:

Only the senior pastor’s books and products are for sale in the church bookstore
The senior pastor’s name must be on the marquee in big, bold letters
His/Her picture must be plastered on everything; website, bulletins, all promotion
All ministry revolves around the preference of the lead guy
Church takes out massive key-man insurance policy in case the senior pastor drops dead or has an affair to ensure that the church’s massive mortgage on the building is paid off for fear that there will be a mass exodus of tithing people
Lead pastor is treated like a rock star and every whim he has is catered to.
Small army of bodyguards and entourage surround the senior pastor

I think some would add that multi-site has taken this cult of personality to another level, however, I would disagree with that assessment. Many of the prominent names in the multi-site movement do not appear to have over-inflated personalities. Certainly not like the personalities in the distinctive I have been a part of.

Having said all that, as a lead pastor now, I do understand that your personality is wrapped up in the work and the church by nature of the fact that you are the most visible persona. You set the vision, chart the course and give direction. You and the church you lead are inseparable in the minds of people. I don’t know any way around that. That in and of itself is not a terrible thing, however, like anything else, can play to the selfish motives that are hidden and lurk deep within our hearts. Our hearts are capable of unspeakable evil when they are not surrendered fully to Jesus.

Where are the men and women who follow the example of Christ as mentioned in Philippians 2:3-11? When we are the celebrity and not Jesus we are in a very dangerous place. Everything the lead pastor does must point to Jesus as being the Head of the Church. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, Senior Pastor and Apostle of the Church. The sheep belong to Him, not to us. Last I checked, I haven’t read of any pastor that shed his own blood, and gave his own life as a ransom for many. Any time we seek to elevate our name and personality above that of Jesus, well, I think that is referred to as idolatry.

“The human heart is a factory of idols…Everyone of us is, from his mother’s womb, expert in inventing idols.” –John Calvin

Your thoughts?

Lord Save Us From Your Followers

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:26:20 +0000

Lord Save Us From Your Followers, Dan Merchant’s much anticipated documentary about Christianity’s PR problem, opens today in select theaters. It will no doubt spark tremendous controversy and hopefully, much conversation. Go to the website and watch some of the clips and follow the story.
Here’s the movie trailer:

Amazing, absolutely incredible!

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:05:59 +0000

Did that get your attention? ChurchCrunch had a post yesterday on how we oversell things in ministry by the big words we use and how that has spilled over into the technological front. He showed a mashup of Apple’s keynote and their excessive use of these words.

I have grown tired by the over promotion, hyped up marketing, that many pastors and churches use to promote their next series, program, worship or whatever it is. “Don’t miss my next series it will change your life.” “Hear never before heard revelation that not even God knows!” “Our worship is the best on the planet and even the angels stop their worship to hear ours!” “This word I’m going to deliver is going to blow your mind!”

It seems that in order to keep people coming back they have to one-up their previous message as if the Gospel isn’t enough to keep people coming back. When everything is amazing, incredible, the best, wonderful, stellar, will blow your mind, knock your socks off and awesome — well then, nothing is!

I’m for marketing but we had better make sure we are delivering on our hype. This over use of powerful adjectives has desensitized a whole host of people to what is truly amazing, incredible, life changing, majestic, glorious, awesome — Jesus, transformed lives, maturing Christ followers, a community growing in love and good deeds and people coming to Christ. Now that’s amazing!

Psalm 12:3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts”

What do you think?

Seasons and Transitions

Dan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:08:27 +0000

Yesterday marked a very important milestone in my life. Pastor Sam announced to our congregation that at the end of the summer, I would be transitioning out from my role as executive pastor at The Gathering Place, to launch out on a business endeavor and to pursue the call of God on my life.

I am overwhelmed by the support of friends, family, the staff at TGP, Pastor Sam and our wonderful church family to the news of this transition. It did not come without much prayer, confirmation, soul-searching and the support of my amazing wife. I’ll be sharing more details about the business as well as a future church plant in the days ahead.

Here is what you need to know:
* Pastor Sam is fully behind this and overwhelmingly supportive. I wouldn’t do this without his blessing, it’s that important to me.
* Nothing is wrong — in fact, I couldn’t be transitioning when things are at a better time here at The Gathering Place. God is working in our church!
* It’s a step of faith and most definitely a risk! — I turned 39 yesterday! Most folks want to be settling in to a stable career by that time.
* I’ll continue in my current role through the transition and working just as hard to make sure everything is taken care.
* We’re not moving — we are called to this region and that is where we will serve God.
* God is faithful! He has demonstrated that to me time and time again.
* Following Jesus is never safe, comfortable or secure, but it is always GOOD! The purpose of life is not to arrive safely at death.

Please be praying for me and my family as we follow Christ.

Exponential Conference Reflections: Part 4

Dan — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:20:48 +0000

It’s hard to put in to words the closing session of Exponential. I felt like I was part of UCF smackdown. Francis Chan brought the sledgehammer to this session. He pastors Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. He is the author of Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

I first heard Francis at Catalyst ‘07 and his message there rocked my world. Francis has a unique way to call you back to the simplicity of the Gospel and following Christ passionately, radically and intensely.

Some notable points:

“When was the last time you were astonished by someone’s boldness?” – Acts 4:13 “God wants to astonish people”

“If I could start all over I would start with more boldness and start with the scriptures.”

The problem today is that most people do eisegesis instead of exegesis. If we just read the text and interpreted it without our bias, would we really come up with most of the expressions and ways that we do church today? Probably not!
Francis closed the session ministering to those that were called to church planting. His sincerity and passion is most definitely contagious.

Exponential Conference Reflections: Part 3

Dan — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:00:24 +0000

What can I say, Craig Groeschel, lead pastor of LifeChurch.tv, has got to be one of my favorite speakers. LifeChurch.tv has been on my radar for about 6 years now and I have been following their multi-site strategy for some time now. We had two back to back sessions with Craig and it was like drinking from a fire hydrant. I’ll outline both messages here:

Reflections on Movements

What I believe about church will determine how I do church.

Remix of Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to the pattern of the American church”

A movement will never be safe, predictable and clean. We must become dangerous again. Our churches today are too safe. We are asking people to come to Jesus for a better life. Preach a dangerous message, preach Christ. Lukewarm pastors build lukewarm churches.

A movement will never be about your ministry, it will be about His kingdom. Build your church on what your church is about, not on what it’s not about.

You will not lead a movement based on the old measurements of success. The scorecard has changed. The old measurements of “nickels and noses” are not valid. Your identity cannot be wrapped up in the numbers or you will be tempted to do things to bring people in rather than bring glory to God.

“What if” questions on Leading a Movement

Dare to ask the questions no one else is asking. What if…?

To lead a movement you will have to SEE what no one else is seeing. Ask God, “what’s coming?”

To lead a movement you will have to DO what others won’t do. Revolutionaries break the rules.

To lead a movement you will have to HURT like others don’t hurt. You will be misunderstood, criticized and maligned. The difference between where we are and where God wants us to be, is the pain we are willing to endure. You will be broken.

Exponential Conference Reflections: Part 2

Dan — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:15:18 +0000

Erwin McManus has been a big influence in my life. His writings and teachings have expanded my understanding of God, life, culture and what it means to be a Christ follower. His church, Mosaic, is largely considered one of the most innovative churches in America. Erwin is a futurist, I would dare say, a modern day prophet. He is articulate and has a unique gift of communication.

His message at Exponential was taken from his Wide Awake series at Mosaic and is based on Acts 17:16-34. I had heard the podcast of that message and this seemed to be a slight variation of it. It is still very powerful.

Some notable points:

What exactly are we trying to move when we talk about a movement.

There are three spaces we need to be aware of: 1st space, 2nd space and the 3rd space.

The 1st space is our place of comfort, it is the space that we try to invite others into to — the church. Paul went immediately to the synagogue to reason with the Christians.

We need a church planting movement motivated by love, not self interest.

The 2nd space is the marketplace. Paul engaged those outside of the church also. We need to engage this space because people are looking for those with the undeniable presence of Jesus.

If we don’t relate to the world we will not be effective in reaching it.

The 3rd space is the space you cannot go to unless you are invited. Paul was invited to speak at the Areopagus.

In this space we must earn the right and respect to be invited.

Erwin shared a lot of his personal story about the criticism he receives for engaging culture and he remarked that in order to enter that 3rd space we must be willing to suffer the disdain of the “Mary’s and Martha’s in order to reach Dionysius and Damaris.”