Where Did Jesus Go?

I grew up in a Pastor’s family and I went to a Christian College. After college I went to churches where I was basically paid to take care of church members. For the first 30 years of my life I was sheltered from the non-Christian world. I moved to Portland, Oregon in 1999 to start a church but God had a lot to teach me so we didn’t start Church! at Bethany until 2006. For several years I spent time working various jobs in secular environments and the result was that I began to love lost people.

As a church planter I have the responsibility of setting my own schedule, which is both a blessing and curse. A lot of pastors find themselves in offices barricaded behind the church doors away from lost people. Our tendency as Christians is to separate ourselves from the world. We have Christian concerts and Christian schools and Christian TV but is that what Jesus did?

Lately I’m asking myself where did Jesus go? As a follower of Jesus I want to do what He did and go where He went.

When I read the Gospels I discover that Jesus went where lost people were gathered. He went to wells and weddings and tax collector’s houses. Jesus spent his time out in the community ministering to people. When I look at our culture I think that Jesus would hang out at coffee shops and go to sporting events and I think Jesus would be involved in the local community.

Because of that belief I have purposely scheduled a majority of my time to be out in the community. Before we started the church I joined the local Chamber of Commerce. I took a Leadership class sponsored by the city and Chamber to learn about the history, social needs, culture, and government of the community. For the past year I have served on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce developing relationships with several business and government leaders.

Instead of spending lots of money on leasing an office I spend my time in coffee shops. Instead of spending money on expensive real estate we meet in a public school. Even my leisure time is spent with people from the church and community attending public sporting events. I spend time coaching in the local basketball league and volunteer at the public school where my kids attend.

For past couple years God has been using me to plant and water seeds. He has moved me from behind a desk out into the community.

Jesus’ last words to his disciples were this: “Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (emphasis mine).

Where are you going?

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