The Church - Imago Dei Church

Entering Rest

December 8, 2020/in Emotional Healing, The Church/by Pete

I can’t wait for this to be over. How about you? At this point, does it even matter what the “this” is? Election. Pandemic. Holiday weight gain. Running out of milk. Even when things go well, isn’t it difficult to fully enjoy it? At least sometimes? I worry about enjoying things so much that I try to make that thing my version of heaven on earth. Whenever I do, it always ends in disappointment for me and crushing expectations for others. I can’t wait for this to be over.

Limited By Design

Perhaps that longing is one of the painful realities of being a human being created in the image of God. One theme that permeates the Bible is “rest.” In the beginning, God creates everything and then “rests” from His work. Clearly, an infinite, omnipotent God does not need rest. So there’s something else going on here. Rich Robinson points out that keeping the Sabbath was an integral part of life for the Jewish people. The purpose of the Sabbath existed before the Law. That’s important.

Then we get to the New Testament book of Hebrews and we see how Jesus fully accomplished everything necessary for us to enter the complete rest our souls long for. He paid for our sin. Restored us to God. Dethroned the false gods we have exasperated ourselves trying to please. Secured our eternal position in His Kingdom. Provided a way for us to be restored to a right relationship with others and even creation. In Jesus, we can rest.

Behind The Scenes…Er…Pulpit

This is the basis for the sabbatical that Imago Dei Church is graciously giving my family.

We moved to Milwaukee in the fall of 2013 to follow God’s call to plant this church. Our family has given so much to see this baby church be born and learn to walk. It’s been rare for me to work less than 50 hours a week and not uncommon to be around 60. I have yet to use all my vacation. Or holiday time.

In the six years that we have hosted public worship gatherings, I have preached for six months straight without a Sunday off at four times. Can you remember the last time you made it to church 26 weeks in a row? Without leaving town or taking a vacation?

My wife has served on the worship team, led small groups, leads the design team, and more. We’ve let people live with us, helped countless people move – both to Milwaukee and away from us. I’ve had the privilege of welcoming new babies into the world and grieved with parents who have buried their children in the earth. I’ve officiated weddings, counseled people on the verge of divorce, baptized many people into the faith, and pleaded with many more not to leave. I’ve visited people in the hospital who have attempted suicide, held the hand of a man as he took his last machine-assisted breath, prayed with people during riots, met with government officials, and more.

Words can’t describe the joy this all has given or the toll it has taken. I wish I could say that I have done all of this to honor God alone. But that’s not true. My motives have been mixed at best. I have put pressure on myself to sacrifice in ways no one asked for but I thought would prove my worth in the world.

I have neglected my family – and my own soul – to care for others. That’s a confession, not a brag.

I have tried to be God and wanted people to worship me as God. I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It’s been a very long time since I have sought God for God’s sake alone.

Gospel Renewal

In the Old Covenant, God established regular patterns of rest for His people. Once a week on the Sabbath, multiple times a year for spiritual celebrations, even taking entire an entire year off from work. This was not for vacation. Vacations are typically used as an escape. God’s pattern of rest, though, is not to escape. It’s to engage. It’s for the purpose of encountering and enjoying God. To reflect on His work. To enter His rest.

Starting December 31st, my family will be going on a sabbatical. We’ll be resting until April 1st. This time is not a vacation. It’s an intentional time for rest and renewal – in God. It’s a time for us to seek God for God’s sake. It’s a time for the church to remember that Jesus is King, that Imago Dei Church is His, that the church is the people – all of us – not just the paid professionals.

This sabbatical is a time for us all to live out the image of God, in Milwaukee for the good of all people.

Virtually Goodbye

October 6, 2020/in The Church/by Pete

It’s not you, it’s me. Ok, it’s you too. But mostly, it’s me. It’s time for us to break up. Or perhaps more accurately and specifically, it’s time for me to step away from social media and custom news feeds. It may not be forever. But it needs to be so for now. I do not think that everyone everywhere should follow my lead. I fully believe that much good happens on these sites. Still, for me, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Here are my top five reasons for unplugging myself from the matrix.

1. I Am Too Self-righteous and Judgmental

“Join us at the totally awesome, super fun, church of the mega-overcomers, Milwaukee location!!”

Have you come across ads like that? I do all the time. And I judge the snot out of them. Seeing those ads is like adding gasoline to the self-righteous fire that burns in my soul. I just don’t need it.

The truth is: I actually think that I am better than them. And you, probably [Unless you’re reading this, Tim Keller]. Now, I don’t think that I am better than them, or you, at everything. Just the right things. The important things. The Holy things.

The more important truth is: I’m not better. I can’t even actually know if I am. But in my incessant desire to build a false identity on my “rightness”, I need to develop profiles in my mind of people who I can be righter than. Please forgive me.

If a drunk who wants to get sober ought not to hang out at a bar, I ought not to hang out online.

2. I am not strong enough to fight against the digital current that my heart created for me to feed on

After seeing the ad for the totally awesome, super fun, church of the mega-overcomers, I felt like God was leading me to take a week to unplug from social media and customized news feeds.

During this time, I think I started to be able to think again. I asked questions I hadn’t asked before. Questions I didn’t see other people posing. I noticed inconsistencies and hypocrisy in popular viewpoints.

Am I the first or only person to notice or question these things? Of course not. But the algorithms on our news feeds are designed to keep us coming back to whatever we will pay the most attention to.

When we hop online, nothing we see is random. It’s all tailor-made to keep us coming back to what is most likely to keep us coming back. It sucks us down a current that has nothing to do with reality or health.

I am not strong enough to fight against the digital current that my heart created for me to feed on.

3. Dumpster Fires are not Great Mission Fields

“Let’s be kind to the other side.”

Tim Keller tweeted something to that effect recently. And he got eaten alive for it. How in the world can anyone engage in meaningful, winsome, conversations in these environments?

Many Christians see the world wide web as a global and historic opportunity to communicate the good news of Jesus’ sacrificial victory over sin and reconciling power. But it seems to me that many, if not most, wind up arguing with other Christians – who they have never met in person – instead of reaching those who do not yet know how much God loves them. So then not only are those who are not Christians not hearing the good news, what they see from Christians doesn’t look like good news.

God may call some to this. But as for me and my household, we are committed to building relationships with and caring for the neighbors that we can take a walk with.

4. Broken Ladders are Dangerous

I have been going through counseling with a biblical counselor.

It has been nothing short of transformational for me. One of the issues we’ve been working through is my “desire to be admired.”

Social media is a virtual mirage. It can make you feel like you’ve discovered a sea of approval. Potential. Your big break is just around the corner! But in reality, it’s a broken cistern filled with false promises. It breaks my heart that people I know and love have a significant online following – but those followers don’t help them pay any bills.

Followers, likes, hearts, and shares can make you feel like you’re climbing a ladder. But the ladder is broken. And the summit is false. The higher you climb, the more painful the inevitable fall. I just need to step off while I’m not being propped up.

5. Virtual reality VS Reality

As a pastor of a local church, I have been charged by God to “shepherd the flock that is among you.”

I have not been charged to shepherd a global online audience. Nor have I been called to be an Old Testament, fire-breathing and brimstone-throwing prophet toward those I creep online but don’t actually interact with.

During my media fast, I was preparing a sermon for a Sunday morning worship gathering. I had to delete an entire page worth of instruction. Why? Because I was going to go on a rant because of what I had seen on my newsfeed from people who are not a part of my church.

I am not discerning enough to know how to “feed my sheep” while looking at other flocks.

6. Really Here

I hope that as I step away from virtual reality that I will become more helpful and healthy in reality. If you have any interest in keeping up with me, I will still preach at Imago Dei Church and blog occasionally at idmke.com/blog.

Further, my family and I are going to continue to grind away on our next middle-grade book: Fart Dad: The Case of the Web of Words. I’ll keep the progress updated at fartdad.com.

Thank God that none of this has caught Him by surprise. Jesus became our sin – exposing our shame – so that we could become His righteousness. He was strong enough to absorb God’s wrath against the sin that our hearts have created, so that we could enjoy the love of God that we were created for.

Jesus threw Himself into the dumpster fire of our false desires so that we could be satisfied by God’s desire to glorify Himself in our lives.

Jesus was propped up on our cross so that we could be welcomed into His Kingdom. From eternity past, God saw our situation for what it really was. Desperate and without hope.

So Jesus offered the sacrifice that we really need – being separated from the love of God because of sin – so that we could be given unhindered, unending access to all we need – God Himself.

Through what Jesus has done we can have full confidence that God is really here. Immanuel. And because the Father had forsaken the Son on the cross – it is finished – we can know that God will never leave nor forsake us.

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.

Transcending Trouble

March 19, 2020/in Community, The Church/by Pete

Thank you for allowing me to interrupt your daily scroll of terrifying apocalyptic news. I want to try to show you a picture that few people get to see.

One of the greatest privileges I have as a pastor is officiating weddings. Little in life is more moving, more powerful, more transcendent, than the moment a bride walks down the aisle toward her groom.

Can you hear the soft, instrumental music playing in the background? The groom is at the altar. Every eye is on him. The anticipation in the air is palpable. Then – the music shifts, the doors to the sanctuary open, and I struggle to gently say, “please rise.”

Everyone turns to see the bride. Hands cover hearts as smiles break out across faces. People turn back to see how the groom is doing as the most beautiful woman he has ever seen starts walking toward him.

An unmatched sparkle beams from her eye. There’s a smile that becomes uncontainable within the first four steps she takes. Her pure white dress screams to everyone in the room - I’m taken! Not a hair is out of place. But even it was, no one would notice. The joy that radiates from deep in her soul drowns out any imperfection.

At this point, it’s best not to look at the groom. Most likely, he’s a mess. And if you want to keep your composure, the last thing you want to see is a strong man turn into a pile of mush because the love of his life is about to give her love exclusively to him for the rest of their lives.

For the follower of Jesus, this beautiful moment paints a picture of something more beautiful than this moment. Revelation 19:6 – 8 reads like this:

“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”

Let me tell you about one of the greatest privileges I have as a pastor. It’s watching the church, the bride of Jesus prepare for her true and better wedding day. As a viral pandemic broke out around the world, I have seen the church of Jesus put on her wedding dress. That is, she has gotten her hands dirty with good deeds.

People have freely, joyfully given their time and talents to transition entire communities of faith to worship online. Cords were run, cameras were tested, hurdles were jumped over well into the night. All of this so that on Sunday morning, the church could gather to worship, even if online.

People freely, joyfully learned how to navigate new technologies so that the church would not have to forsake meeting together. Small groups of people met together – safely apart – to encourage one another, pray together, and study God’s Word.

Leaders have thrown out months of hard work in order to provide relevant care and content so that the church would not be helpless and harassed like a sheep without a shepherd. People have offered to help each other with rides, child care, groceries and more.

I don’t know if there is a more moving, powerful, transcendent sight in all the world than the church being the church. When the people of God dress themselves in righteous deeds like this, we scream to the world – we’re taken! We belong to Jesus. We’re giving all of our love fully to Him for the rest of our lives!

When we do, then there is no doubt in my mind, that there is a throne in heaven with a King whose heart bursts with joy. And He can’t wait to come back and get His bride.

Keep on serving, church. Keep on praying. Keep on giving. Don’t lose heart. Every good deed we do in the middle of this pandemic is just one more part of the process of getting ready for the wedding day that all of creation, all of history has been waiting for.

“…as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

~ Isaiah 62:5

How about you? What are some of the ways you have watched God work in and through His church during this time? Please leave your thoughts below!

Redeeming Church Leadership: Humility

July 24, 2019/in Humility, The Church/by Pete

Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble. A proud man cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity. He cannot give himself over to the rocking and rolling of his belly. But a poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego. ~ CS Lewis

Do the leaders of your church laugh easily? If you are a church leader, do you regularly, publicly, give yourself over to the rocking and rolling of your belly? If not, it could be that you are unqualified to serve as elder of a local church.

Titus 1:7 says that an elder “…must not be arrogant…”

Little wrecks a church, or a life, like prideful arrogance.

Do you enjoy being around people who ooze arrogance? How deeply will you open your heart to someone who always has all the answers? How willing are you to share your struggles with someone who regularly criticizes people?

Is this part of the reason so many churches are judgmental and superficial?

Pride isn’t just a vice. It corrodes your soul. We were designed in the image of a God who describes Himself as being “gentle and humble in heart.” Pride eats away at our dignity like rotting wood in a window sill. Eventually, the whole thing will fall apart.

But that’s not even the worst part! The Bible pulls no punches on this one. God is absolutely, unapologetically clear when he says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ~ 1 Peter 5:5

If you want to see how deformed a fully prideful human being is, if you want to know the extent to which God opposes the proud — look at the cross of Christ. Jesus emptied Himself of His humble, gentle, righteousness, so that He could be filled with our arrogant, violent pride. He did this, so that He could take all of our pride with Him to the cross — so that God could fully, finally destroy our arrogance by crucifying it with Christ. God opposed Christ so that He could give grace to us.

You cannot start or continue to follow Christ, to be a Christian, in pride. You have to get on your knees, humble yourself, and admit that you don’t just need some information, you need transformation. You don’t just need to be warned of the dangers of pride and be exposed to the benefits of humility — you need to be rescued. That is a massive offense to the prideful — and an infinite, eternal gift to the humble.

God hates pride, because He loves humility.

God requires the leaders of His church to be joyfully humbled by the gospel, so that the entire church, together, can mutually enjoy God as we serve each other.

The Spirit of God in you will keep your heart amazed by and satisfied in the love of God displayed through the gospel of Christ. Through receiving and applying the gospel, God restores the core of your being to increasingly display His image.

Through the gospel — you are free to laugh.

You don’t have to maintain a false appearance of dignity — you have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

Through the gospel — you are free to rest.

Jesus died on the cross, fulfilling the Scriptures. He was raised from the dead, fulling God’s historic, cosmic plan for redemption. That means the weight of the world is not on you anymore. You can be still and know that Jesus is God.

Through the gospel — you are free to work hard, to give it your all, to aspire to greatness.

Regardless of how talented you are or how much you’ve messed up. One day, you will hear God Himself say — ”well done, good and faithful servant.”

Through the gospel — you can forgive.

Because God has forgiven you. Not because you deserved it. But because He loves you, and now His Spirit in you can empower you to treat others as He has treated you

Through the gospel — you can drop your guard, you can take off your mask.

You can be you. There is nothing in you that could ever be exposed that has not been covered by the blood of Christ.

Through the gospel — the Spirit of God restores the people of God to bear the image of Christ.

This does not and cannot come about by our hard work, but rather, by joyfully, humbly submitting to the hard work God has already done.