Community - Imago Dei Church

Ressurecting Gospel

June 17, 2020/in Community, Race & Faith /by Imago Dei

“Just preach the gospel.” “If people were this fired up about Jesus’ death, the world would be changed.” “Be careful of churches ‘going liberal.'” “A social gospel is a false gospel.”

Have you heard or thought of any of these ideas over the past few weeks? I have. And there is some merit to them, to be sure. Jesus Himself said, “what good will it do to gain the whole world and yet forfeit your soul.” Further, many who are alive today have seen churches and denominations lose their prophetic edge as they have been conformed to the image of this world rather than transformed by the renewing of their minds.

Is this current moment where the world is screaming for justice any different? Is it dangerous for the church to link arms with the world as it cries out?

If asked sincerely, these questions are good and wise. They ought not to be dismissed. If we consider them, we’ll see that the church ought to be fully engaged at this moment.

Christ in Politics

Have you heard people say that we should worry about changing hearts, not laws? Have you wondered why those two purposes are set up in a binary, mutually exclusive way? Are they? It seems to me that not only can we do both at the same time, but attempting to opens up far more doors to deep, heart-level conversations.

For as long as I can remember, Christians have been actively involved in changing laws. Pro-life? Traditional marriage? It seems to me that it might be helpful to ask – why is advocating for reform on economic, housing, education, and criminal justice policies – viewed differently?

When I consider the Scriptures, it appears that God has regularly had people involved in politics. The examples of the kings of Israel may not be appropriate, as Israel was a theocratic nation-state. America is not. But what about Joseph? Daniel? Nehemiah? Esther? Looks like God has regularly had His people advocate for the values of His Kingdom while in the middle of pagan nations. Like America. Seems to me that the issue is not so much political, but partisan.

May Your Kingdom Come

“This world will always be broken. It is not our home. We should not try to make it be.” This argument is typically stated so that we wouldn’t divert our focus from preaching the gospel and get “sucked into” broader social reform.

As I stated previously, these opportunities are not mutually exclusive. We regularly and rightly pour ourselves out in hope of change and health. Take marriage as an example. No marriage will be perfected until Jesus comes back to claim His bride and gives us all one perfect marriage. Still, many labor in premarital and marital counseling. We run ourselves into the ground to save marriages that are on the brink of disaster. We invest in the front end of marriages in an attempt to prevent disaster. And yet we all know that no marriage will be perfect. Some of our efforts will prove futile as some marriages will still end.

This is why we also “Seek the good of the city to which God has sent us. And pray for the city. Because in it’s welfare we will find ours.”

If there are unjust laws that make it hard for people to live in a home – why wouldn’t we work to help people have safe and sufficient housing? At every level of the conversation? If we believe that reading the Bible is critical for the Christian faith, why wouldn’t we work at every level to help people learn how to read?

Full Delight

We don’t have to be afraid of integrating our Christ-exalting, gospel-centered, Bible grounded faith in every aspect of our lives and God’s creation. That includes culture, government, family, and more. I would submit to you for your consideration that it is actually far more dangerous not to. For our own souls and for the world. After all, faith without works is dead. What would happen to the government – or any other organization – if Christians refuse to engage?

If we look at the world through the lens of Scripture, I believe we will see that engaging in issues of Biblical justice, for the good of the world, lets us see more of God and more of the gospel, not less. Perhaps we ought to preach the gospel – to ourselves. Maybe it would help us if we daily remembered that Jesus, though He was rich, became poor so that through His poverty, we might become rich – in Him. Maybe our hearts would soften if we reflected on the truth that the King of all Creation made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. The cross we deserve to hang on.

Perhaps if we saw the depths that God had to go to rescue our souls, because He so loved us, then maybe we would see that He so loves the world that now He is sending us into the world with the love that He first loved us with.

Let’s preach the gospel – and apply the gospel. Let us bring the gospel to bear on every area of brokenness in this world so that people from every tribe, nation, and tongue can delight themselves in the God of the gospel.

Just Engaging

May 29, 2020/in Community, Race & Faith /by Pete

Minneapolis is burning. More black bodies are on the ground. Justice is not being served. Distrust, anger, and fear fill the air. The unrelenting, indefensible racial injustice is mind-boggling. For some. For others, nothing has actually changed. Their reality has just gone viral. Combine that with nothing to distract us and it seems like new segments of our culture want to turn a corner, press into the reality of this nightmare, and perhaps offer a better future to our children.

The skeptic in me wonders if the outrage will pass with the next news cycle. Will people post so passionately about racial injustice when they can watch football again? Will we invest time in discovering the pervasive pain of a racialized reality that many cannot escape from – when we can invest time discovering the next great all-inclusive resort to escape to? I’m hopeful we will.

Many are asking – what can we do? How can we help? What can we do to change this mess? As a humbled learner, I would like to offer a few suggestions for Christians in the majority culture to consider as a starting place.

Be humble or be humbled

Please recognize that while the desire to help, fix, change the current situation is most likely a good desire, it is also mixed with arrogance. One of my black friends gently exposed this to me. She pointedly asked, “why do you think things can change because you’re involved now?”

We must recognize that many people who are smarter, more dedicated, and more faithful – have gone before us. This is not a new situation. Many of us are just new to the conversation. We must be willing to learn our place in the conversation. Which may be serving the table, not sitting at it.

Take in what God breathed out

Search through and pray the Scriptures. Ask God to open your eyes to see His heart for the poor and the marginalized. Pray God’s Word and let God soften and transform your heart. Pray through Psalm 10, Psalm 82, Micah 6, Amos 5. My goodness, especially Amos 5. Does your desire to worship in a church building match your desire to work for justice in the streets?

Embrace Dignity

Support black churches and churches serving in marginalized communities. With all of my heart, I believe that a robust application and demonstration of the gospel through the local church for the glory of God is the hope of the world. There are faithful men and women of color anonymously pouring out their lives to care for a traumatized community. As a white man, I cannot fully understand their experience. My ability to help will be limited. But not eliminated.

Consider what Dave Chappelle said in his stand-up special “Equanimity.”

“When I read that letter, in the moments after I read it, I did something that many black men in America do not have the time or the money to do: I thought about how I felt.”

I can support black pastors in ways that empower them to care for people in ways I cannot. Did you know that many pastors serving in the most under-resourced areas do so for free? These community pillars work multiple jobs in order to shepherd people without requiring a salary. Can you imagine working third shift all week, raising a family, feeling traumatized, counseling people, and preparing to preach a sermon to a video camera on Sunday? When you don’t have a tech team?

That situation is not uncommon in the black church. But don’t pity them. Honor them. Be inspired. Learn from them. Recognize the strength, dignity, and supernatural perseverance God is granting these leaders to honor Him by feeding His sheep. Consider ways that you can support them so that they can have a minute to think about how they feel.

Delight yourself in the Gospel

Empowered by the Spirit of God, we can joyfully take these steps. Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords knew what His place was in every conversation. Yet, He laid down His privilege to invite us to His table – so that He could serve us. He washed the feet of His followers, demonstrating that He would scrub the stains off of our souls. He became our sin. Our apathy. Our arrogance. Our bitterness. Our unforgiveness. It was crucified with Him so that God could forgive us.

Through the gospel, not only are our souls emptied of our sin, our hearts are filled with God’s Spirit. Because of what Jesus has already done for us, we can now join Him in what He is doing for others. We can love God with everything we have. And we can love our neighbor as ourselves.

Let’s start there. Maybe we end there too?

A Church Without Walls

April 8, 2020/in Community, COVID-19, The Church /by Rob Idom

Have you ever heard someone say, “the church is more than a building.” Have you thought about it or said this yourself? To be clear, yes it is. But it’s together, often in a building, that God stirs our affections for Him and each other! The author of Hebrews communicates this clearly:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV)

Stirring each other up for good works. At this time, we may not be able to gather together in person, but that does not stop us from being in church! It has not stopped us from cheering on good works for the good of the city. In fact, I personally have seen time and time again how the fellowship of the church gathering has changed hearts, while also seeing how God’s work in someone’s heart has changed the gathering! It is beautiful! There is nothing else like it. It cannot be quantified. It cannot be explained. And it is so good.

This is why I write to you. Not because we had a committee assembled to figure out how to be the church now. Rather, the church was “gathering” together online to care for each other well and to stir up some good works. If you are looking for ways to serve your neighbors and care for those that are most vulnerable, I have good news. You can! It is about being faithful stewards of what God has given.

Needs to pray about and to serve in

If you are like me and need help getting started, consider some of these options

Elderly Relatives and Neighbors

Helping with chores, yard work, errands, and just checking in on the elderly in your life.

Supporting Small Businesses

MKE Black is a resource to support black business and MKE Covid Carry Out is a facebook group supporting take-out and delivery services in Milwaukee.

Care for Mental Health

For personal mental health needs, but also for checking in on others to see how they are really doing. The biblical counseling care team has everything from videos, books, blogs, and more to help bring the gospel to bear.

Food Pantries and Shelters

Consider volunteering at one, and many are taking great measures to make volunteering still socially-distant. Jon and Michelle are volunteering at Feeding America on 4/3/20 (1-4pm) and the Hunger Task Force on 4/9/20 (1-4pm) if anyone wants to join and be in relative proximity to one another.

Consider Donating Blood

Donors are needed desperately during this time, and blood drives are taking steps to keep things sanitary and socially-distant for donors.

Sew Masks for Healthcare Workers

Here is the resource and instructions that go over how to do this, if you have the skills and access to materials to help.

Health Concerns and Pregnancies

Pray for and work to support those that are expecting and others that have prior health conditions that affect them.

Federal Stimulus Package

If the current legislation passes through Congress as expected, Americans will be receiving money from the government. If you don’t personally need it to get by, consider supporting ID, or one of our partners. Reconcile Church, Safe Families, or Compassion International.

Trusting in Jesus

There are good works to be done in the name of the great God we serve, Jesus Christ. We don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow. We don’t have to fear for our lives. We can trust the One who gave His life so that we might live. We can fully serve, generously give, and truly worship. And we can do it all for the glory of God alone.

Sentenced to Suffer

April 2, 2020/in Community, Milwaukee Church /by Pete

Should I even consider it? Should I dive in and prepare for the worst? What would you do if you felt like God was calling you to read the Bible’s “go to” book on suffering? Job. That’s what happened to me this week. In just my normal pattern of personal devotional time, I wrapped up the book of Esther and turned the page to…..Job!

Job is an Old Testament story about a man who lost everything because he faithfully honored God. In the end, everything worked out ok. But in the middle, not so much.

Turning to that book in this season scares me. I don’t want to have to learn from it. Over the past six years of church planting, God has humbled me to the point that I now know that I am not so special as to be exempt from suffering and trials. Some churches will not make it out of this international shut down. That could include ours. Even though we are doing ok, so far. So should I read and pray through Job to prepare my heart to suffer? Should I skip it? Do you, like me, ever hope that God does not speak to you because you’re afraid of what He might say?

Remember who the bible is about

I nervously wrestled with those questions until I remembered who the Bible is actually about. Spoiler alert – it’s not about me! Or you! While the book of Job does provide some tools we can use to trust God in the midst of suffering, that’s not the point of the book. It’s a book that points to Christ. Like the rest of the Bible.

Job was wealthy, favored, faithful, and fruitful. He lost all of it because God directs Satan to test him by attacking him. Through it all, though, Job ultimately proves faithful and God restores him to a higher position than he had ever known.

This is not a fable. It’s not a lesson that if we remain faithful when we suffer, then God will bless us with more blessings than we had ever been blessed with before. It points to Christ. He is the Favored Son of God. He lost everything. Not because Satan attacked Him, but because we have attacked God. How? In our sin, we’ve committed cosmic treason. We’ve tried to “de-god God,” and claim His throne in our own lives and in the lives of others. We have tried to shape others into the image we want them to be. We must admit that we make terrible gods.

This is why Jesus stepped off of His throne and onto our cross. He exchanged His crown of glory of our crown of thorns. He took on our suffering so that we could have His joy. He became our sin so that we might become His righteousness.

After Jesus was crucified and buried, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him above all, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

That’s the point of the book of Job.

Remember who our lives are about

Delighting in the glory of God is the point of our lives. God is committed to maximizing our joy in Him. So much so that He will even walk us through “the valley of the shadow of death.” Because Jesus suffered for us, we can have full confidence that He will now suffer with us. And that, not as an unsuspecting victim, but as a victorious Savior.

Even our suffering will be used by God to increase our joy in Him. He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. He will discipline us as a good Father. He will show us more of His unsurpassed compassion and tenderness. He will liberate us to love Him more than anything in this world.

Give it a read

So I think I will read the book of Job. Not to prepare to suffer. But to prepare my heart to worship. Which will prepare me to suffer. I will pray through this book so that I can learn more about Christ and how to be satisfied in Him regardless of what happens to my circumstances. Will you join me?

Good Grief

April 1, 2020/in Community, COVID-19, Milwaukee Church /by Sarah Lange

Over the past 2 weeks, our family, along with most others I know, were thrown into homeschooling, working from home, laid off, or have an “essential” job facing this COVID-19 head-on. (Thank you by the way! Your service is not going unnoticed!)

I don’t know about you, but this abrupt change has been… well… It’s been something… and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I have felt overly stressed or overwhelmed most of the time these past 14 days and we’re not even in quarantine! One thing is certain about me, I do NOT like abrupt change. HAHA! Anyone else with me?!

But, in light of all that, God’s got a sweet, constant reminder and gift for all of us… the gift of grace, especially in our time of weakness as 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 tells us. God intended this grace to be sufficient for a day’s use, one day at a time- like the Manna that he provided to the Israelites while in the desert, we too get the portion He knows we need for today alone. AND Tomorrow.., His mercy will be new in the morning, therefore, we can rejoice and be glad in it! Hallelujah!

On a heavier note, how many of us are working through the disappointments of thing after thing being canceled, rescheduled or postponed indefinitely? How many of us don’t get to find this time as a vacation but have to keep working, encountering the everyday anxiety of “What If I get the virus?!” or think/complain, “What’s all the worry?” or “Why are they not staying at home?” or “Why does this type of disappointment always seem to happen to me?” How many of us are afraid that we might lose a loved one because of this virus, and, if that’s the case, grieving this may be the last time we see them and it’s virtual?!

There’s hope in our complaint, disappointment, angst, and grief too. It’s called LAMENT. We’ve heard this over the past few months via email, at the pulpit or maybe you’ve read the book “Woke Church” by Eric Mason that was recommended to us during Black History Month (fantastic read btw). Below I have 3 more places to encourage you to go to learn, practice and grow more deeply in this form of prayer; “lament.” God’s familiar and comfortable with this grief, angst, complaint, etc when we are coming to Him with it. He invites us to come to Him with our heavy burdens, weary souls for He will give us rest because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

This season of COVID-19 is likely not going to get easier. It’s likely going to press into some of our deepest sorrows, idols, anxieties- this list can go on. I have found a few places that may be helpful to do what I mentioned above bringing hope in learning, practicing and growing in our lament and thus growing in closer, greater relationship with our Abba Father.

First, this blog was shared with me about understanding the coronavirus biblically, it’s just good, quick and good.

Second, Throughout the Psalms we can find Lament. Here are a handful: Psalms 3-7, 22, 25,26, 28, 51, 54-61, 77, 123, 143

Last but NOT least, (I am really excited about this- obviously not before the Bible)
“Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy,” by Mark Vroegep. If you can make time in this COVID-19 season to sit with your Bible, a journal and this book, you won’t regret it. It is written to teach us how to lament and lament with Scripture. It’s available at just about any bookstore online. Better yet, since we’ve gone almost all virtual, if you have a Milwaukee or Tosa Public Library membership, you can check out this audiobook, for FREE, via the Hoopla app. (If you need a library card you can get a temporary MKE Library membership by going to mpl.org and talking to a librarian via their chatbox on the bottom right-hand corner of your computer screen.)

As the grief of what is happening all around us in different forms, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in Milwaukee, in Wisconsin, in the US, around the globe, will likely grow, let us continue to learn how to Lament with God. We can do it with a joy that can only come from the Lord Himself.

I will leave you with the prayer that has been on my heart and mind the past 2 weeks:

ISAIAH 43:1-2 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

Grace and peace everyone!

Sarah Lange
Ministry Lead Biblical Counseling Care Team
Imago Dei Church
sarahl@idmke.com