Today I heard Alan Hirsch speak at the Missional Track. It’s great to go back to where my whole vision started: simple, missional, incarnational. Basically what Alan Hirsch talked about was reaching the Western Culture for Christ. He started off with a simple illustration of cultural distance (in reference to knowing Chirst).

Cultural Distance

/—–/—–/—–/—–/

0 1 2 3 4

Each integer represents a cultural barrier to the gospel such as:

• Worldview
• Belief system
• Language

Thus, “0″ equals being a Christian, and “4″ is as far aways as can be from Christ.

The point that Alan made is that Western culture is moving further and further away from “0,” and that most church methods are based on reaching people by bringing people to the church (church as center, or “0″). While this is still well and good because some percentage of Amercan culture can be reach this way, we still need to figure out how to reach the other 60% (or more).

He made the point that the church growth movement has been around for 40 years, and has contributed (made evangelism more present), it still hasn’t been the answer for the decline of churches in America (and in Europe). In fact, the church is still in decline in America, and we must watch to make sure we don’t end up like Europe.

I can’t wait to find out what is next!

Well, the first day of the Exponential Conference is over. This conference is basically about starting churches, whether traditional or not, which gives you a mixed bag of folks. People like Neil Cole, Andy Stanley, and Rick Warren are there. There is definiately a clash of methodologies present, but at least we can all agree that the overall goal of everyone there is the same: we want the world to really know Jesus Chirst.

For those who have never heard of reaching a community through the “man of peace” method, I’m going to elaborate a bit.

The method is based on Luke 10:

Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing.
6 If those who live there are worthy, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.
7 When you enter a town, don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide you. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
8 “If a town welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you
9 and heal the sick. As you heal them, say, `The Kingdom of God is near you now.’

Luke 10:5-9 (NLT)

I felt like the Holy Spirit was having me read this and remind me of the fact that starting a community for Christ can be as simple as living with some people and serving them, and praying for the sick to be healed.  A modern example of this is a group of people were wanting to start a simple church and would walk around an apartment complex and pray for it.  One day it was raining really hard and a lady called them out of the rain into her apartment.  That lady eventually gave her life to Christ and she started to invite her friends in the apartment complex over for food and a Bible Study.  Turns out she was the most well-known lady in the whole complex and was friends with many people, and many people came to know Christ.

I was thinking that if Abby and I move to NYC, then maybe we could sublet a room in a condo/apartment and believe God to draw that person to them as we love on them.  Simple.

Yesterday I climbed down into Linville Gorge, which from what I have read is the “Grand Canyon” east of the Mississippi. I basically climbed down from 4050ft elevation to the river at the bottom, which was at around 2500 ft. then I climbed up and down on a loop that was probably 3-4 miles long, and took me 2.5 hrs. The last time I was as exhausted was when I ran a half marathon, but this felt worse. I had to backtrack (lost) and find the right trail 3 times, and I also saw three baby black bears on the trail ahead. Here’s my way zoomed picture of one:

Yes, I was freaked.
Tommorrow I’m supposed to go climb Mt. Mitchell, which is the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. I’m really debating whether or not to go. I don’t know if I’m in shape enough to brave a 13.5 mile trail with 5000 ft. of elevation gain.