Creativity “attracts” (yeah I know we’re not supposed to use that word…whoops) creativity, weaving together  a beautiful expression of the mission of the church and an accessible way to unveil facets of God’s character.    City Community Church is ridiculously blessed with oodles of creative talent.  Seriously.  Songwriters, theater majors, graphic designers (God send us video producers…yes that was a cheap plug:) fashion folks…the list goes on. It’s rare to see so much amazing ability crammed into a church plant that’s only 13 weeks old.  Makes me giddy with excitement and  tremble in wonder about what God is up to in Indianapolis….  

I love listening to a new song that engages me to interact with God on a totally different level.  I love seeing a dramatic sketch that challenges my often tightly held (and inaccurate) perceptions.  I love a painting that gives my thousand words a rest as I gaze into it’s purpose and meaning.  I love a message that draws me into the tension of a creative moment.  I appreciate creativity that draws me closer to my Creator and gives me a glimpse into the unfathomable depth of His being.  

Traditionalism kills creativity.  Safety kills creativity.  Religiosity kills creativity.  Insecurity kills creativity.  Jealousy kills creativity.  Once you rid yourself of those mindsets and exit the man-made institutional church prisons that foster such ideas, you’ll unleash the creatively redemptive image that dwells inside of your heart and we’ll all grow from it.  

Please.  We need you to create…get to it!  …getabsorbed…n

I see a ton of businesses and church plants try to do the Lone Ranger thing and quite frankly, it often struggles to work.  Did you know Tonto was originally written into the radio script just so the Lone Ranger would have somebody to talk to?  I mean sure the Lone Ranger could kick butt and shoot people yet he was bored, didn’t know where to go, depressed and often suicidal. (ok I made some of that up:)  ”Leadership is lonely at the top,” they say.  Well, it doesn’t have to be.

Of course I think they called him “lone” cause it felt American, independent, tough.  If they woulda called it “Two Guys on Horses” it probably wouldn’t have felt so cool.  I mean nobody wants to share credit, right?  What, did you forget about the other fella?

Tonto wasn’t just a side-kick or a multi-cultural token.  The guy was on par with the Ranger in wit, courage and general whoop-up skills.  Two were way more effective than one and it showed in every half-hour episode.  We at City Community Church know it to be true. 

What about you?  Are you the Lone Ranger type?  Might wanna rethink that one cause well, he kinda wasn’t…getabsorbed…n

So often I see good intentioned people wanting to make a difference in the world but motionless in their approach to bring a ray of hope.  I should know.  I’m people.

Sure there’s a lot of talk, but talking about doing something isn’t real useful to the something you’re talking about.  You gotta move.  Here’s a few resources that might get you outta the chair and into the adventure…

Go on a trip

Extend compassion

Do something in your community

Give to a cause

Read a dangerous book…doesn’t sound like much but becoming aware can have a great impact on your motion

Find a screening

Sponsor a child

Attend a conference

Subscribe to a newsletter

Buy a map

Watch a video

getabsorbed…n

Here’s some brief, random things I’m learning from our adventure in Indy known as City Community Church…might be helpful to others planting or just people breathing:)…I still can’t believe God has entrusted this moment to us…are we writing any of this down??

Focus on preparing people for the 167.  (hours that is)

True disciples aren’t mass produced by an efficient “church” machine..they’re hand-made over a lifetime by devoted followers of Jesus Christ

Be flexible…structures gotta bow to functionality.  It’s easy to set something in stone and then 2 days later feel the overwhelming urge to jackhammer it.  Only then you can’t cause it’s too hard.  Might as well just let Jesus be the only Rock and leave everything else soft and pliable. Clayish, if you will.

Be mobile…don’t get too much stuff or you’ll have too much stuff.  The great evangelist and philanthropist George Muller was know to say (I’m paraphrasing) “Never have more stuff than you could pack in a day.”  I want to be ready to go, to do and to become all that God desires.  The more stuff I have the harder that becomes.  Tough to GIVE when all you’re worried about is what you’ve GOT.

Cultivate your first love.

I’m moving from what I was, into I AM

Be there for your family.  Yes, you wanna love the world.  Start with those closest to you.  If your twitter peeps and facebook friends take precedence over your spouse and kids, you’re a sad, sad little person preparing for a lonely virtual existence.  Seriously.  You’re not that important.  But you could be…

Create space in your life. 

Be compassionate…everybody has a story; what’s yours?  It’s easy to become judgmental and impatient until we realize what God continues to do in and for us on a daily basis.  The story drives the action.  Help someone re-write their story or walk alongside as God renews their perspective and you can speak into the future of their actions with growing compassion.  Point fingers and..well…that hasn’t worked out too good.

Look into people’s eyes.

Lead and follow.  Leadership by committee doesn’t work.  Heck doesn’t really make sense but on the other hand, it seems like everybody has been a part of a poor, authoritarian leader’s ego trip.  I’m a leader.  I’m also a follower of the greatest leader the world has ever known and He calls me to serve as He did.  Only servants know how to serve…

Visioneers cast vision that vision-nots can see.  Vision-nevers will try to gag and blindfold both.

Build THE Kingdom…not yours…getabsorbed…n