Dr. Tom Schreiner is one of my favorite people in the whole world.  An eminent New Testament scholar, he is a humble, loving, godly, incredibly down-to-earth man.  Just last week, I emailed him a goofy question about my passage in Luke, and he responded quickly and graciously.  I’ve spent time in his home (have met Scamper), and he’s spent time in mine, and I deeply love and admire him.  Check out Patrick’s words here.

It was a great Sunday at Karis.  Here was Sunday’s liturgy:

Karis Community Church - The Gathering - Sunday, April 26th, 2009
The Call
Call to Worship 1.2.30 - The Worship Sourcebook

Opening Song
Infinite Divine - Joe Day

The Gospel
James 4:13-15
Confession 2.2.50 - The Worship Sourcebook
Jesus, I Come - Greg Thompson / William Sleeper
Colossians 1:13-14
We Are Listening - Jeremy Quillo

Welcome

Passing the Peace

Welcome - Jaylyn Salmons

The Word Preached
The Almighty {and the} Dollar: Be Wise With Your Cash (Luke 16:1-15) - Kevin Larson

The Supper
Dearly We’re Bought - Joseph Hart, Matthew S. Welch
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup

Offering Meditation
All I Have is Yours - Bobby Gilles, Rebbeca Bales
Receiving the Offering

The Prayer
Prayers of the Church - Aaron Harris

Closing Song
Wholly Yours - David Crowder

The Sending
1 Peter 1:17-19

In addition, I preached from Luke 16 on “Be Wise With Your Cash.”  Here are the main points I shared:

Be Wise With Your Cash (Lk. 16:1-15)
1. Invest funds generously for kingdom purposes (v. 9)
a) the command
b) the means
c) the result

2. Handle money faithfully in the here and now (vv. 10-12)
a) How we handle a bit of money displays how we’ll handle a bunch (v. 10)
b) How we manage our cash shows if we’ll receive eternal life (v. 11)
c) How we care for his wealth determines if we’ll get an inheritance (v. 12)

3. Fight aggressively against worshiping money (v. 13)
a) Money can be a powerful idol
b) God demands exclusive worship

Check out these practical suggestions from John Piper for preparing to hear the word of God on Sunday mornings.

Join the people of Karis and other citizens of our great city today, Saturday, April the 25th, for “Clean-Up Columbia.”  Karis will once again be leading up the graffiti clean-up in the “District.”  Meet us at 9 a.m. at the Cherry Street Artisan (9th and Cherry downtown) to get in on the action.

Karis member Max Lewis is featured in today’s Columbia Tribune. He won the top individual honor, as volunteer of the year, in a recognition ceremony sponsored by the Volunteer Action Center and the Tribune. We are so proud of our brother Max.  This is exactly what we want to be about as a community (Karis) in our community (Columbia).

Kevin Cawley of Redeemer Fellowship in Kansas City joined us this past Sunday for a special Karis Gathering.  He preached from Mark 2-3 on the Sabbath.  It was a very challenging, powerful message.  I’ll share his points with you in a bit, but, first, here was Sunday’s liturgy.  As I shared Sunday, I’m continually amazed at the way Luke studies the passage and submits to the Spirit and weaves everything together.

The Call
Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 Luke Daugherty

Opening Song/Prayer
Mighty Power - Lyrics: Isaac Watts; Music and Arragement: The Parsons
Isaiah 64:1-4 Michael Schembre

The Gospel
Majesty - Martin Smith, Stuart Garrard
Confession: Our Lack of Sabbath Rest - Sojourn Community Church
Resting in the work of Christ (Assurance) - Sojourn Community Church
Amazing Love (And Can It Be?) - Lyrics: Scott Roley/Charles Wesley, Music by the Northern Conspiracy
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go - Words: George Mattheson, Music: Christopher Miner
Isaiah 46:3-4

Welcome
Passing the Peace
Welcome Kevin Larson

The Word Preached
“Jesus, Our Rest” Kevin Cawley

The Supper
Jesus, I Am Resting - Words: Jean S. Pigott; Music: David B. Hampton
Serving the Bread and the Cup
The Bread and the Cup
Receiving the Offering

Community Life
Introduction of New Member Kevin Larson
Prayers of the Church Lynn Bruning

Closing Song
God of Justice - Tim Hughes

The Blessing
Ephesians 3:20-21 Luke Daugherty

Well, back to the sermon.  Some time ago, I heard about Cawley heading to Kansas City to start Redeemer.  I was excited.  I’m from the KC area and knew there was a huge void of gospel-centered churches, particularly in the Westport area.  We got acquainted and then were able to financially support Kevin.  So it was great to have him and his friend Jared Crabtree with us.  Here is what he shared in his message:

Mark 2:23-3:6

Three Questions About the Sabbath

1. Why do we need the Sabbath?
2. What is it about the Sabbath we fight against?
3. How does Jesus free us?

Four Reasons Why to Embrace the Sabbath

1. It’s a way to renounce idols.
2. It’s an act of liberation.
3. It’s a means of clarifying our calling.
4. It’s an act of faith.

Four Hows of the Sabbath

1. Build into your life worship and rest.
2. Make it about community.
3. Make it about getting more Sabbath time.
4. Embrace Jesus (Mt. 11:28-30).

Listen to Kevin’s sermon here.

Back in the fall, Southern Seminary professor and friend Bruce Ware joined us for “Theology Weekend.” It was an honor to have him with us for the weekend.  It was especially great to have some time to informally chat with a hero of mine in the faith.  We had lunch at Addison’s, and I shared with him my struggles with joylessness and anxiety that have been constant battles in church planting.  He shared two words with me that I hope stay with me for the rest of my life.  They are:

Dependence

Thanksgiving

There’s nothing really complicated about this, friends.  His point was that if we realize how dependent on the Lord we are and live conscious of that reality, we can’t help but see what God does and then live as thankful, joyful people.  It’s in thinking it’s all up to us, being dependent upon ourselves and our strength, that we find ourselves grumbling and worrying.  Dependence, of course, gets expressed in prayer, particularly petitions, as we go about our days, asking God to work.  Thanksgiving also gets expressed in prayer, looking more like prayers of praise.  Seeking to become dependent and thankful, we become prayerful.  And that prayerfulness makes us more and more dependent and thankful.

I was hit deeply by Bruce’s words.  But, of course, I filed them and then went back to my self-reliant, anxious life.  Then, a couple of weeks ago, in the midst of some amazing things happening - things only God could do - I found myself really worn down and desperate for a break.  I was sapped of my strength.  But it was if God was saying, “Kev, look what I am doing.  You need to rest.  You need to trust me.”  I’d heard horror stories of church planters like Mark Driscoll and Darrin Patrick wearing themselves ragged, literally making themselves sick in the process of launching a church.  I knew I was well on the way toward that.

But God has recently used a couple of other things that have brought back to mind Bruce’s words and are giving me hope.  First, I’ve been reading this fantastic book entitled Spirit Empowered Preaching by Art Azurdia.  It has reminded me of my great need to rely on God the Spirit in everything I do, but particularly in my preaching.  I will post a more detailed review of the book later, but God has used it greatly in my life.

Second, today my friend Kevin Cawley of Redeemer Fellowship came and preached this morning at Karis (listen to it here).  He looked at Mark 2-3, teaching us about the Sabbath.  It was the best message on the issue that I’ve heard.  He really reminded me that I needed to rest and acknowledge God’s work.  He challenged me to see that my lack of rest was due to my idolatry - trying to build my own kingdom and get the glory for myself.  I’ll mention more about the sermon in this week’s Gathering review, but God really spoke to me through the message.

The book I’ve been reading and the talk I heard today really served to reinforce those two big words I want to continue to impact me deeply - or, should I say, impact me truly this time.  Do you live a dependent life?  Do you rely on God for everything?  If you do, you’ll be thankful.  If you don’t, you’ll be anxious.  Pray for me.  Go before the Lord yourself.  Ask Him to do whatever it takes to get you and me to that peaceful state of trust in Him.

Tom Seagraves shares on his blog about his C-Group’s recent trip to Sol House, transitional housing for homeless teens.  Additionally, he links to a clip on “Pepper and Friends” that spotlights Zach, one of the teens staying there.  Check it out here.

Karis member Tom Seagraves talked about his experience as a Big Brother on KOMU’s “Pepper and Friends” this week.  You can watch the video here.

I recently announced that Karis was proud to be a sponsor of “Responding to the Church Crisis” presented by Crisis Systems Management on May 1st.  CSM’s Deborah McMahon and Rex Scism will be leading the event in Columbia’s National Guard Armory.  Churches around the country are wondering how they might respond if surprised on a Sunday morning by a violent intruder.  This day-long seminar will help church leaders be prepared for just such an unforeseen and tragic event.  Below is some additional information.  Visit this site to register.

Responding to the Church Crisis

Presented by Karis Community Church, Midwest Police Consultants, and Crisis Systems Management

May 1, 2009

8:30-5:00

$125.00 per person, lunch and training materials included

Registration through Midwest Police Consultants at midwestpolice.com or Karis Community Church

I.  Pre-Incident Preparedness

A.  Vulnerability and Site Assessments
1.  Assessments
2.  Reducing Vulnerability
3.  Implementing new Standards/Strategies

B.  Personal/Organizational Preparedness and Planning
1.  Individual/staff awareness
2.  Key indicators of danger & distress
3.  Crisis communication

II.  Mitigating the Crisis

A.  Identify/Evaluate Risk Factors
B.  The Police Response
C.  Personal Protection

III.  Crisis Recovery

A.  Management Roles
B.  Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
C.  Re-evaluation of security/response protocols

DESCRIPTION:  This 8-hour course is the first in a series of courses designed for pastoral leaders and those responsible for safety and security in a church environment.  This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the important steps in planning for a church crisis, reducing vulnerabilities, mitigating a crisis, and dealing with the aftermath of a crisis.

A historical perspective of church violence over the last decade will illustrate the importance of preparing your ministry for a risk-effective crisis response.

You will learn the basics elements of site and threat assessments and how to use the results of an assessment to reduce vulnerability and implement new standards for safety and security.

We will discuss strategies for improving both individual and organizational awareness and preparedness.

You will also gain a basic understanding of the psychological motivations of persons in crisis and learn to recognize the characteristics of emotionally disturbed persons as well as strategies for affecting a positive outcome.

Communication during a crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing anyone responsible for coordinating a response effort.  You will learn basic strategies for effective communication before, during, and after an incident.

A brief overview of the police response will give you an idea of what to expect when the police respond to a crisis as well as tips for building a collaborative relationship with law enforcement.

Lastly, we will discuss the role of church management in dealing with the aftermath of a crisis and the importance of a post-incident strategy.

PREREQUISITES:  Although there are no specific requirements for attendance to this course, the information is intended for pastoral leaders, staff, volunteers, and church members involved in planning for the safety and security of a church environment and related activities. Those attendees most responsible for direct mitigation a church crisis are encouraged to attend a more comprehensive 3-day Church Resource Officer Course

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  Students must participate in 8 hours of lecture discussion in order to receive a certificate of completion.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
Pre-Incident Preparedness
Vulnerability and Site Assessments
Reducing Vulnerability
Implementing new Standards/Strategies
Personal/Organizational Preparedness and Planning
Individual/Staff Awareness
Key Indicators of Danger & Distress
Crisis Communication
Mitigating the Crisis
Identify/Evaluate Risk Factors
The Police Response
Personal Protection
Crisis Recovery
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Re-evaluation of Security/Response Protocols

PRESENTED BY:   Mr. Rex Scism and Ms. Deborah McMahon have more than 50-years of combined law enforcement experience including extensive specialized experience in crisis incident planning and management and workplace violence.