Two Camps.

Last month my church honored my wife and I for 15 years of pastoral service.  I did not realize the significance until many of my friends from around the country started calling and saying, “Congrats.”  After the third or fourth call I figured it out when one questioned rhetorically, “Who stays at a church for more than 15 years and is not the senior pastor?”

Good question.  Then a few more bounced around in my head.  First, “Why had I never become, desired, or planned on being a senior pastor?  The answer was simple; I would burn out or bankrupt a church with my constant movement.  I don’t have good rhythm or pace.  Most senior pastors have a sense of consistent rhythm that sets a great learning pace for the attenders to learn and grow.  

Second question, “Why had I stayed at my church for so long?  The answer had to do with my relationship with the lead pastor of Capital Christian Center, Rick Cole.  Each week he leads with purpose and poise, consistency and courage.  I love that.  Over the years,  I have watched as he continuously teaches people about the value of relationship and the disease of religion.

I am drawn to relationship but I have seen so many people lose a passion in their pursuit for God because of religion.  In time, they were judged or condemned because someone yoked them with a harness of regulations, rules, and rituals that tethered them to tradition rather than truth.   It had very little to do with Jesus.  As they sought to become the best version of themselves, they were told they had to believe in order to belong. 

Craig and I are engaged in a relentless pursuit of reaching people with the restorative love of Christ.  The more we reach out, the more we are repelled from many within the church walls.  Please hear us, this in not the majority, just a smattering of people who have missed it; they missed Him.  Rather than growing in their own walk, they found purpose in micro-managing other people’s walk. 

It seems everyday we have to reset our empathy and compassion gauge and realize that love must extend to the religious, not just the reprobate.  If we are only cynical and suspect, we are no different than them and blinded by our own reverse pride.  We will become what we despise; judgmental of judgmental people.  It’s feels daunting.  But it must be done.

Since the completion of the Jesus Loves You project, we have seen relationships affected and enhanced.  Some have questioned whether or not Jesus really does love everyone.  The answer is an emphatic yes.  But not everyone loves Jesus.  Our hope is that when those far from Christ realize that a relationship with Him is available despite their precepts, the religious will be quick to offer the same love, acceptance and kindness that they were given.

Much hope and more love,

Jason

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