Lifting Up Jesus | Verge 2013 Discipleship and Mission Thoughts Part 1 of 3
The Verge 2013 Conference held at Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas was a pivotal moment in God revealing the vision He had for Emmaus City Church. What an experience to be part of a transdenominational, multiethnic, and multigenerational coming together of pastors and practitioners who are walking with Jesus and making disciples in Word and deed.
While the arrival of some new babies in the Emmaus City family will keep any from our crew returning to Austin this year during the weekend of March 27-29, 2014, I look forward to watching some of the sessions online and reflecting on my notes from the previous year. I'm sure I still have more wisdom to gain from the three days I spent with Verge and I look forward to sharing some of my notes from that time in the near future on this site.
In the meantime, I'm going to provide three posts featuring some of the inspiring and convicting quotes spoken by the men and women who shared at the conference. I continue to be thankful for their faithful dedication to following Jesus and loving His church by equipping us to be disciples who make disciples in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and cities. I also provide a quick reflection after each quote to share about the person and how their words continue to shape Emmaus City.
"Lift up Jesus and His kingdom and leave the results to God."
Civil Rights activist, pastor, community developer
John Perkins has been a leader in the church for decades. His life's testimony makes this quote resonate even more. After Jesus found him, Dr. Perkins later returned to Mississippi as a minister to serve people who hated him for his skin color, where the memory of a police officer shooting and killing his brother was fresh every day. He chose to serve bigoted people as Jesus would, and to serve with others, whatever their skin color, those who were impoverished in health, wealth, and spirit. In such hostile conditions, how could he not lift up Jesus and His kingdom and have to trust God with the rest? And he hasn't stopped lifting Jesus and His kingdom up since, whether as a pastor, community organizer, or speaking on behalf of the Spencer Perkins Center for Reconciliation and Community Development. Meeting him, shaking his hand, and thanking him for his extraordinary Christ-like example will be a moment I will always remember.
John Perkins has been a leader in the church for decades. His life's testimony makes this quote resonate even more. After Jesus found him, Dr. Perkins later returned to Mississippi as a minister to serve people who hated him for his skin color, where the memory of a police officer shooting and killing his brother was fresh every day. He chose to serve bigoted people as Jesus would, and to serve with others, whatever their skin color, those who were impoverished in health, wealth, and spirit. In such hostile conditions, how could he not lift up Jesus and His kingdom and have to trust God with the rest? And he hasn't stopped lifting Jesus and His kingdom up since, whether as a pastor, community organizer, or speaking on behalf of the Spencer Perkins Center for Reconciliation and Community Development. Meeting him, shaking his hand, and thanking him for his extraordinary Christ-like example will be a moment I will always remember.
"We are addicted to and obsessed with the work of the Kingdom,
with little to no idea of how to be with the King."
vicar, visionary, missional community creator, innovator
Mike Breen has inspired me in so many ways. He has helped plant hundreds of churches throughout Great Britain, Africa, and North America. He is the innovator and originator of missional communities and has been helping the Western church rediscover its identity as an outpost for His kingdom for the past 30+ years. Because of my interaction with Verge and 3DM, I've had the joy and pleasure of sitting in a home with him and enjoying a meal with him and his wife, Sally. As much as I've needed to relearn about the work of the Kingdom, I know the work is not possible without resting in the King. That precious rest is completely evident in the presence of Mike Breen. He is a humble, wise, gracious, whimsical, and Jesus-like man. And that's not just my opinion. Others who know him much better than me say the same and more.
Mike Breen has inspired me in so many ways. He has helped plant hundreds of churches throughout Great Britain, Africa, and North America. He is the innovator and originator of missional communities and has been helping the Western church rediscover its identity as an outpost for His kingdom for the past 30+ years. Because of my interaction with Verge and 3DM, I've had the joy and pleasure of sitting in a home with him and enjoying a meal with him and his wife, Sally. As much as I've needed to relearn about the work of the Kingdom, I know the work is not possible without resting in the King. That precious rest is completely evident in the presence of Mike Breen. He is a humble, wise, gracious, whimsical, and Jesus-like man. And that's not just my opinion. Others who know him much better than me say the same and more.
"There is an eternal difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus."
church planter, pastor, author
I've never met Matt, but the church he helped plant and leads, The Austin Stone, continues to be an inspiration. Whether Emmaus City becomes a church of a hundred faithful disciples or grows to become more, Austin Stone's network of 400+ missional communities, For the City Center, and wonderful worship through song and art ministry is a great example for how to declare and display the gospel in every area of life in a city.
"Jesus was friends with notorious sinners.
Jesus got this reputation because He was with 'those' people.
He loved them."
church planter, pastor, author
When I met Hugh, I saw in him what my uncle would be like if he knew Jesus. Hugh stares you straight in the eyes with an almost alarming strength combined with a disarming compassion. Hugh loves people, particularly those many in the church avoid too often. He's rough around the edges in all the right ways and he doesn't cater to misplaced priorities. He does a good of stretching me and I've greatly appreciated the resources he provides through Missio including AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church and The Tangible Kingdom Primer. I hope Emmaus City has more than a few Hugh-like people who help propel us to be among the many "notorious sinners" in Worcester Jesus loves and has invited us to love with Him.
When I met Hugh, I saw in him what my uncle would be like if he knew Jesus. Hugh stares you straight in the eyes with an almost alarming strength combined with a disarming compassion. Hugh loves people, particularly those many in the church avoid too often. He's rough around the edges in all the right ways and he doesn't cater to misplaced priorities. He does a good of stretching me and I've greatly appreciated the resources he provides through Missio including AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church and The Tangible Kingdom Primer. I hope Emmaus City has more than a few Hugh-like people who help propel us to be among the many "notorious sinners" in Worcester Jesus loves and has invited us to love with Him.
"Jesus' disciples were His schedule."
poet, artist
Jackie's story is a potent one. But in the words of Reading Rainbow, "You don't have to take my word for it." She's a poet and tells it herself much better through "My Life as a Stud" and "The Death of Me." When God met her, he spent time with her and changed her. She now knows Jesus and His grace by the power of His Spirit, where before she only knew abuse, pride, lust, and addiction. She's a starving artist who just signed with Humble Beast and will be getting married soon. In fact, you can watch the proposal and help fund the marriage and honeymoon if you feel so moved. Her heart's response to where she was and who God has called her to minister to is always sharp, insightful, and compassionate.
Jackie's story is a potent one. But in the words of Reading Rainbow, "You don't have to take my word for it." She's a poet and tells it herself much better through "My Life as a Stud" and "The Death of Me." When God met her, he spent time with her and changed her. She now knows Jesus and His grace by the power of His Spirit, where before she only knew abuse, pride, lust, and addiction. She's a starving artist who just signed with Humble Beast and will be getting married soon. In fact, you can watch the proposal and help fund the marriage and honeymoon if you feel so moved. Her heart's response to where she was and who God has called her to minister to is always sharp, insightful, and compassionate.
"Mission is about people, not projects."
pastor, blogger, campus and community leader
Todd Engstrom serves alongside Matt Carter at the Austin Stone as the executive pastor of campuses and communities. His blog has been so helpful in providing pastoral insight and examples of how those who have been steeped in a "go to church on Sunday" culture can learn again the instructions of Jesus so that they exemplify His heart, head, and hands to those God has sent them to in their neighborhoods and workplaces. A huge part as to why he has been so helpful is because he keeps the mission of God and the great commission given by Jesus at the forefront of reconciling people back to God through the power of the gospel.
"We shouldn't be asking 'Do you want to be saved?' They should be asking us, 'What must I do?' because we're living Jesus."
Civil Rights activist, pastor, community developer
Todd Engstrom serves alongside Matt Carter at the Austin Stone as the executive pastor of campuses and communities. His blog has been so helpful in providing pastoral insight and examples of how those who have been steeped in a "go to church on Sunday" culture can learn again the instructions of Jesus so that they exemplify His heart, head, and hands to those God has sent them to in their neighborhoods and workplaces. A huge part as to why he has been so helpful is because he keeps the mission of God and the great commission given by Jesus at the forefront of reconciling people back to God through the power of the gospel.
"We shouldn't be asking 'Do you want to be saved?' They should be asking us, 'What must I do?' because we're living Jesus."
Civil Rights activist, pastor, community developer
And one more from John Perkins because I think if we're embodying what all of the quotes above are saying, then we will see Jesus' church shine His light in dark places in Worcester. We will have the privilege of providing glimpses of Him and seeing that others can't resist drawing close to Him and His humble church.
Next post: Discipleship and Mission Thoughts Part 2 of 3 | Empowered by the Spirit
– Sully
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