Shadow or Substance

"So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance is of Christ."
- Paul the Apostle, Colossians 2:16, 17

"I am the bread of life."
- Jesus the Messiah, John 6:48

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
- Jesus the Son of God, John7:37, 38

"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
- Jesus of Nazareth, John 8:12b

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There are many things written in scripture to symbolize or liken Jesus too. In the Old Testament and in the New Testament there are words spoken to signify who He, Jesus, is. But neither symbol nor word is Jesus Himself. He IS the Word of God, the Word that became flesh and lived among us. Or as Eugene Peterson's Message Version of the Bible says, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." - John 1:14

There is a CD entitled 365 names of God by John Paul Jackson, in which he reads, to music, 365 names for God. He is all these things, but more than that he is God. I don't know if this is making sense what I'm saying or even why? It would seem that most would agree with what I'm saying and not even really be sure if there is any issue of concern in the matter.

What is the matter any ways? For me, it is the matter of a difference between shadow and substance.

Let me expound.

Shadows

In the Old Testament the first "shadows" we see of Jesus Christ Himself is in the Garden of Eden shortly after the fall. It could be in that Adam and Eve "hid" from the presence of among the "trees" of the garden? For this is what sin causes us to do, hide from the presence of God. Yet through Jesus dying on the cross (hung on a tree literally) we are no longer hidden in our sins but we are now "hidden with Christ". Another mention is in, "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel". The "heel" of Jesus bruised in His death on the cross, but the bruise of his "head" is that of the defeat of the power of the law, sin and death, and ultimately Satan himself. And again in that Adam and Eve covered their "nakedness" with fig leaves, but God would cover them instead with the skin of an animal (Gen 3:21). Leviticus says that "without the shedding of blood (animal sacrifice) there can be no remission of sin".

From there until the book of Malachi the scriptures are littered with these "shadows" of who Jesus Christ is. The calling of the great patriarchs of Judaism (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, etc...), even the Law itself, the Tabernacle, the Temple and the worship practices to take place in it. Every article in the Tabernacle and Temple was a symbol of who Jesus Christ is.

But as with any shadow to exist there must be a substance in light reflects off. The sun in the sky, the extension of your hand and the shadow on the ground. The Holy Spirit is the son-light that reflects on the Person of Jesus Christ and the result is the shadow we read about in Scripture.

But the shadow is NOT the substance

Jesus is the substance of every type, symbol and word spoken in the Bible. Jesus is the "rest" that the Sabbath could never bring. Jesus the the "fullness" of God that the manna in the wilderness could never sustain in us. Jesus is the life that the water flowing from the rock within is (our hearts) was symbolized in the desert years for Israel. He is the Tabernacle (the dwelling of God) the Temple (the House of God) the Ark, the Mercy seat, the blood atonement, the Menorah, the Table of Showbread, The Incense, the Bronze Altar, the Breastplate on the Priests, the High Priest, the Veil, the Door, the Gate, (this isn't a comprehensive list of all the items of worship) whatever you can put the word "the" in front of in the descriptions in the scripture of all that is Holy; Jesus is.

No wonder Paul would say to the church in Colosse, don't get so wrapped up in to earthly things, food, drink, festivals, etc...because they are only the shadows of the substance; Jesus. It would be ridiculous to order food from a menu but settle with eating the menu itself. But we can do this with even the most holy of things in Christianity; church, music, even the Bible! Sundays, the Spiritual gifts, manifestations of the Spirit, miracles and signs and wonders, all the stuff that is the result of the Presence of the Person of Jesus, but are Not Jesus Himself.

Do you see what I'm saying? It is possilbe that we stop just short of Jesus Himself because we get too focused on the "stuff" that comes from Him or happens when He is present. It doesn't make those "things" bad or un-holy; indeed they are not for they are of Him. But they are NOT Him. And this is the point.

Substance

Jesus. Only Jesus is the substance of Jesus. Not the shadow of Jesus. Jesus. So if someone comes to you, a brother or sister and they bring something of great value and it is of Jesus, that has a place. But not higher than Jesus Himself. Fellowship is a great "thing". But fellowship with Jesus is the substance. "Worship" is a great thing. We say this all the time, "I love worship". What we mean I believe is that we love to worship "Jesus". I know that, so that is what I take it to be from those that say it. At least I hope it is. I love to study the word. But knowing the Word, as Holy as the Word is, can fill me up with pride if I am not coming to a personal knowledge and intimate encounter of the Holy One; Jesus. The gifts of the Spirit and the manifestations of the Spirit are wonderful! I expect them because of the Presence of the Holy Spirit in my life the way a farmer expects fruit from his fruit trees. But the "gift" and the "manifestation" is not the Holy Spirit Himself.

In our walks with Christ this can be of huge consequence if we are not careful. For we can go and do so many "things" in the name of Jesus Christ, but in the end of all things we can be un-known to Him. Wow! So close yet so far away. We could have our lamps and wicks trimmed, but not have the "oil" to fill and light them.

It should be that in all of our "being" together, relating to each other and what we have to give to one another, that we recognize the differences between shadows and the substance. For if we do not and we focus on the shadows we will inevitably be divided from one another. But when we focus on the substance, Jesus, we are untied and find the peace that exists only in Jesus Christ Himself. God did not send the World His only begotten Son so that we would settle for anything less. So why do we?

Why do we settle for the shadow when the substance is right there in-front it?

A Prayer

Father,

I love and adore You. I love Your Son Jesus. Jesus I love You. I love Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit I love You. I love Your people, the body, the church. I love them and pray for them today. I ask You Father to reveal Yourself in greater measure to those who are not seeing You in areas of their lives. Show them Jesus. Bring revelation and wisdom to lift them and bring them to the heavenly place You have for them in Jesus Christ. I pray that the eyes of their hearts would be opened with understanding by the light of the Spirit that they would know what is the hope of Your calling, and what the true riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints is, that they would know the exceeding greatness of Your power toward those who believe is, according to the mighty working of Your power which You worked in Jesus Christ when You raised Him from the dead and when You seated Jesus at Your right hand in heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. I pray that Your people will not stop short of Jesus. I pray that they would go all the way to Him. I pray we would mature in our ability to see and hear the difference, and in our hearts never settle for any less than Jesus Himself. I pray that we would develop spiritual appetites for the real food and drink and treasure of life; Jesus. You have chosen Him therefore we chose Him, Jesus.

May the World choose Him too.

In Jesus Christ Name I ask and pray and thank You.

Tim

Ingredients & Measure

So for this Valentine's Day I decided to "speak" the love language that my wife Gina speaks the most to people she loves; food. She has a gift for preparing, presenting and downright enjoying a great meal with friends. It's one of the ways she communicates and receives love. I had the idea to make something for her so that she would experience what others do by her taking the time it takes to plan the meal, buy the ingredients, prepare the items, cook them at the right time and in the right order so that every item of the meal comes together hot, not undercooked or over cooked, but perfectly! Not to mention she makes it look so effortless...like a pro!

Me on the other-hand, I can barely make cereal or toast! But be that as it may, I decided to cook her a Valentines meal with the help of my boys. I settled on steak (really though, this meal was for her, I just shared in the benefits). Well you just can't grill up a slab of meat and serve it up as a meal exactly now can you? So what else can I put along-side such a fine cut as a rib-eye? Salad. Yes. Ceasar. Vegetables. Yes. Asparagus & broccoli. Perfect! What else? Oh almost forgot! Appetizers! Ok, so crackers, cheese-spread, anti-pasta plate with olives, marinated peppers, salami-slices, prosciutto-mozzarella roll. Perfect! A glass of Chardonnay before the meal and a glass of red with the meal! Perfect!

Oh my gosh! I have to go buy all of this now! With the boys? At the grocery store? What have I gotten myself into! No turning back now, let's go! Upon returning from the store it's time to prep the food. The boys set the table, music on the stereo, praying all the way through for help, we finally got everything together and ready to serve. Appetizers first, meantime get the grill hot and ready, in and out of the back door between grill and oven, the boys had already made the brownies for dessert later and it seems like everything is going relatively smooth. Well, that was until I looked closely at the ingredients for the glaze I was about to make for the topping on the steak.

It was measured for six to eight steaks; I had two!

It seemed like everything was about to fall apart! Remember, I'm a guy. I need it to be idiot proof! Exact directions with exact measurements, times, temperature etc...what do I do now? Then it hits me; "the ingredients are the same, the measure is the only difference". Ok! I can do this! Everything resumes and we're back on track! Pull the meat off the grill, tent with foil (Gina taught me that too), plate the veggies, drizzle the glaze over steaks, pour the red wine, boys call Gina down to the table and we sat and enjoyed a Valentine's Day meal together. We were able to give to her what she gives to us and so many. Love via food.

THE INGREDIENTS ARE THE SAME - THE MEASURE IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE Over the next couple of days I began to hear the Holy Spirit bring this back up to me in a couple different ways. I see this in scripture and in the world around me. But one place I want to focus in on in this letter is where I see it in the Church. Yes, the Church. For four years now theRoots has been an official "entity". A Church. Some would struggle to see it as a church because they don't see some of the key "ingredients" they expect to see when looking at a "church". There's no building to begin with. No church offices with front office receptionist. No pastoral offices because there really isn't an official "staff". No children's playground or program. No youth ministry wing or youth ministry program. No parking lot, ushers, greeters, church bulletins, or tithe baskets. There's a post office box and a web-site. Once a month there is a gathering at our house of about 30-80 people depending on the weather and what the sport-season at the time is. Yet in some strange way there is an undeniable reality that a "church" people refer to as "theRoots church" does exist. But where is it? What does is look like? How does it work? What do these people who call their "church" theRoots do the other 29-30 days of the month?

It all begins with the ingredients. Jesus is King of Kings. And yet the Kingdom is with Him. He brought the Kingdom with Him and then placed it within us. Jesus is the Head of the Church; His people. And wherever two-or-more are gathered He is there with them in the midst. He is the Head, presiding over the gathering or two or two-thousand. He directs their movement through the Holy Spirit in them, upon them and with them. And it is this very thing that makes the ingredients the same but the measure different. He uses His Word, His Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. He uses whatever He desires to use in order to direct His church. Mostly, He uses love. As we read through the New Testament we see that there are times, especially in the book of Acts, that there seemed to be a very large multitude of people gathered in one place as something significant happened or happening. Brings to mind the Day of Pentecost, or after Peter's message in response to the Holy Spirit's baptism that day of about 120 people. It happened multiple times as Jesus walked throughout Israel and healed people, did miracles and taught them of the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet when it comes down to it we see the "life" of the Church not just in activity but in relationship. Specifically in relationship to God and to others. The life of the Church is not carried on the activities people alone. It is carried in the people themselves. In the OC the Ark was carried on the shoulders of the priests, but in the NC the Presence of God is carried in the hearts of men & women. No wonder Jesus said that where two or more are gathered in His name he would be in their midst. In the OC there was division of Jew & Gentile. In the NC there is One New Man in Christ. A "New Creation" in Christ. The Church. The people in Christ, the people of Christ. When Jesus looks upon the world He sees ONE Church; those who belong to Him. The measure changes when we look at a nation. It changes again when we look at a region. It changes again when we look at a city, a town, a neighborhood, a home. But the ingredients are the same. Jesus and His people. Once a month theRoots gathers in our home for "church". People ask me what time does it start. I tell them 10:00am because if anyone comes earlier you might find us all running around trying to get dressed! But once people arrive; "church" has begun. Do you see what I mean by church is not carried on the activity of people alone? Church is when two or more gather in His name; Jesus. When we intend to be with one another because of our relationship to Jesus and to one another; this is church. It may be carried out in being together, but it resides within us too; just as the Kingdom does. We bring food and drinks to the gathering so we aren't hungry and can hear what the Spirit has to say over our talking stomachs! But in the same way we each bring a food item that makes the meal a banquet, we too, when we gather, each bring a "spiritual" element to the table. Each of us has been given gifts. We bring them and use them for the good of others and the glory of God. The more we bring the more it looks like a banquet. We worship, pray, bring words of prophecy or testimony or teaching or encouragement. The measure varies with how many people show-up on any given gathering, but the ingredients are the same; Jesus and His people. Why am I going to such length to say all of this? My point? My point is I (we, the Crozier's) don't want to mislead anyone in any way shape or form in what Church looks like or could look like or where and how it happens. 954 Capri is not the only place theRoots comes alive. theRoots is like a zip-code, that's all. It's a name given to a group of people within a certain region in San Diego that have a relationship with God and each other and choose to intentionally be with one another in Christ. However that may look is entrusted to those in the relationship. But "the CHURCH" is the official name and designation of those people. The "CHURCH" of Jesus Christ is the PEOPLE of Jesus Christ. I would suggest that you each consider how to be & do church yourselves. Start with your family. Or start with a friend. Two or more remember? The ingredients are the same, the measure scales accordingly. Find a way to bring the "ingredients" together as best as you can. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you, lead you, empower you and anoint you. Whether you decide it is for prayer, Bible study, worship, serving, fasting, reading through a book together, sharing a meal together, going on vacation together, the beach, a short-term missions trip, it can be so many different ways and measures, because the ingredients remain the same; Jesus and His people. REDUCTION = FLAVOR When making a pasta sauce, a glaze or something of the sorts, you begin with a certain quantity of ingredients but then over time and with heat the ingredients are broken down to bring out all of their individual characteristics. Together, these bring an aroma and a flavor that apart from one-another could never exist. The same is with the Church. It seems that it always starts with a large amount of ingredients but over time and "heat" the reduction process begins and all the flavors begin to surface and mix together to create something unique and magnificent! All the while the "Head" Chef is carefully working and watching over the ingredients in the pan. I want to exhort you to "pour yourselves out" on His behalf. Come together with your family, brothers and sisters in Christ as often and in as many ways as possible. Let Him be Head over all of us and our activity together. We will find all the ingredients we need within one another and within Jesus Christ. In Christ Jesus, Tim Crozier

In The Ministry?

Last Saturday I did a wedding for a very close friend of mine. We met while I was a youth pastor at a church. He was a youth leader with the High School ministry at the time I was pastoring the group. We made a good connection in that context and it carried over into a more personal and ongoing friendship even after we both were no longer leading in that particular youth group. We spent a lot of time surfing together and always stayed in touch over the phone. We would meet for lunch or coffee and talk about life together. We were always encouraged by our friendship and the time we spent together.

He wanted to pursue ministry for some years. Now he is pursuing teaching and working with youth and in so doing being "in" their world and ministering to them through it. As my wife and I sat at the table with friends he had worked with, both in ministry and in the market-place the common thread kept reappearing; he is such a good guy, with character, strong work ethic, a good friend and a great follower of Christ. It was obvious not only at our table but with many others that his life had impacted everyone for Christ. Just the caliber of those who were called his friends made that apparent.

But I want to actually tell you about a person who wasn't so obvious at the wedding that night. After the ceremony the wedding party was inside waiting to be announced with the bride and groom to be announced last before moving into the dinner. As we were all standing inside the community center the on-site security guard, who was standing near me, asked if I was a "pastor of a church"? I said "yes" and explained to him the kind of "church" I pastor and "pastor" I am..

It came time to "bless" the meal and for me to go and do my "priestly duties" (said with my best Nacho Libre impression). So I said we would talk more later. In that brief exchange I learned that he had gone to Seminary and had even gone to Russia for several years to "do ministry". He spoke and taught Russian. He also told me that he had been in a "Job" for over the last 10 years and wanted so badly to "get back into ministry".

Later that night as I went back in to get a drink he was standing near the bar. We picked up in conversation again from where we left off. As he explained to me the circumstances that led to and are associated with the "Job" season, and how he longed to be married some day, I heard the Spirit say that getting into the ministry was not necessarily what he needed or even wanted. He needed the acceptance and approval that can only come from the Father.

More specifically that he needed to know that God doesn't look at His children as "those in the ministry" and "those not in the ministry". But that God sees "ministry" IN us instead. So when I felt it was right to share that with him I did. The scriptures came flowing out of me. I had not prepared for this but could tell the Word and the Spirit had. The opportunity presented itself and because "it" is in me it flowed supernaturally out of me.

That reminds me of a truth Jesus taught; that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and that out of the abundance of the heart a person will bring forth good treasure. This was one of the scriptures that flowed out in the conversation. That ministry is something that is IN us, not something we're in.

Now in the OT is was. You were either of the Son's of Aaron and therefore part of the Levitical Priesthood or you were not. But in the NT Peter tells us that we are ALL a royal priesthood. That we are part of a Kingdom of Priests. I like what I see in Paul's life too. When Saul was called by God he actually was "in" the ministry...the ministry of death(law). But God by His grace called him out of that ministry and put the Gospel of the Kingdom, the Gospel of Jesus inside of him. God made him (Paul) a minister of the Gospel. God's grace and the power of His salvation became the outward work of Paul.

Paul didn't then go and seek out the official members of the official ministry of the day and seek for a position on staff. He didn't get a 501 C 3 organization started, funded and developed in order to begin ministering. Instead he actually disappears from the "scene" for nearly a dozen years and then comes to Jerusalem. Even then he wasn't looking for acceptance into some organized form of a ministry. No, he sought out "brotherhood" and the "Kingdom". Paul realized that the only thing that matters is if God has called you.

So it is with this conviction that Paul ministered with or without the approval of man. Because he had the approval of God. He ministered with or without the acceptance of man. because he had been accepted by the only One that matters if we're accepted by; God. I'm not going to do your homework for you. Read Acts and the Epistles Paul wrote and see this for yourself.

And it is with this in mind that I said to "Joe" the security guard. "Each of us called by God are in the ministry to the extent that we believe the ministry is IN us." You can't give something that you don't have. Or, like Nike, "Is it in you"?

Paul says "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it s encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." -Romans 12: 3-11

There are so many followers of Christ that have this wrong perception of what it means to "be in the ministry". Take a close look at Ephesians 4. Jesus gave "some" to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Pastors (each office to teach from their giftings, callings, anointings) in order that the "saints", for the sake of this reading, "all of us" to DO the work of "the ministry". If this is the case, and it is, the emphasis on the gifts of the "some" is that they exist to serve (equip) the "many" to DO the ministry. It seems that there is more emphasis placed on the "some" in church today and not on the "many" the way it is in the Bible. And we claim to strive for "Biblical" Church?

Did Jesus ever look to be accepted into a ministry? Did He even establish a new or better ministry than the one already in place? Was that why He came? Hebrews does say He did have a ministry, but it was carried in what He did, not because He was a "part" of a ministry. Hebrews 8:6 "But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises." The "ministry" Jesus received and administered was that of the LOVE and GRACE of the Father to provide a sacrifice once and for all for all, for all time for all sin. And Jesus is the ONLY One who could have ministered this. No mere man would have been able too. The only ministry I am in is the ministering of Jesus' love and grace to me from the Father. And it is this love and grace that so fills me to abundance that out of the overflow of my heart and the treasure of His love and life in me...that I have anything of any value to "minister" to others.

One of my friends told me that the definition of "ministry" is meeting the needs of others in love. Jesus did this for us. You my friend, called of God, saints of the Most High, are in the ministry because the ministry is in you.

Just do it.

Tim

*PS - if you're wondering what happened between me and the guard he asked me to pray for him so we prayed together in the room were the food and drink was served. I prayed God show him the "ministry that is within him and then release him into the doing of it by Your Spirit and Your power wherever he goes. Reveal to him the extent of acceptance and approval we have received from You through Jesus Christ so that we are confident in our ministering to others."

Maintaining the Mission

I've heard recent criticism and have read several articles that insist one of the main problems with "house church" or "simple church" or "organic church" whatever you're calling it is that "they" tend to lose their "missional" mandate. Or another words they become too "inward" focused and not enough "outward" focused.

Personally I believe this could very well be the case for some, but not all. Not for those who have come about as the result of the Gospel of the Kingdom. The first two letters of Gospel is "go"...so I believe if we are staying true to the Gospel of the Kingdom, the only gospel Jesus preached, then it carries within its DNA a sense of "missionality" in everything about it.

Last night we had church at our house. 2 of the people are gearing up for "mission" trips. One is a missionary in the sense of Paul and others in the New Testament. He goes around the world (literally) planting small "skate churches" and then moves on to another country to continue his work. He often goes back around to those he help to plant and nurtures, injects vision, worship, teaching, whatever is needed and then leaves again so that the established leadership can continue to minister. He raises 100% of his support through an international ministry. But the place he calls home, family, church, is here in Encinitas, with theRoots community. He is ordained and commissioned to "go". And man does he GO!

Then there is our sister, "K". She used to work at one of the San Diego colleges and a little less than a year ago she felt God calling her "out" of the job and into a more "missional" position with another ministry team. She had at that time been on several short term mission trips with this ministry team and come back from mission trips and ministry events a little more transformed each time. She is now a consultant to the college she used to work full time for and has the flexibility to "go" as the needs arise. She works and raises support.

For this brother and sister we support them financially, in prayer and in any other way possible to enable them to "go" when God says too.

But what about the group that continues to meet every other week when these two are gone? Have we lost our "missionality" in that we're not out there "going"? Some might say yes. Others no. I guess it depends on a couple of things.

1. Your call. You see I believe that no matter where you are in life, work, play or community you are a MISSIONARY. Because this is not your home. You're from another country. You've learned to speak this cultures language, customs, lifestyles, etc...but you're representing another world, another culture and another Kingdom! I live in Encinitas and I consider it my mission field. If I go to get gas, I'm in the mission field. If I go surfing, I'm in the mission field. Take my boys to school, I'm in the mission field. Go to dinner with my wife, I'm in the mission field. You get the point?

2. The Gospel. If your Gospel paradigm is that of the Kingdom "getting IT out there" is carried in everything you do and in the way you go about doing it. If it is the gospel of the church then everything is about "getting it in Here". One says you have it now go and sow it. The other says you don't have it come and get it. One focuses one DISCIPLESHIP the other focuses on CONVERSION.

3. Your daily life? I would like to close with this portion of Romans from theMessege.

Place Your Life Before God
Romans 1-3
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

For me I've seen that the Spirit of God keeps bringing us all back to the "simplicity" of the Gospel. But in no way does it mean "insignificant" or "powerless". Often I find His presence and power involved in the mundane and ordinary aspects of life.

Keep it real.

Tim

What would church look like if...

I heard a startling number the other day. It was the estimated value of land and buildings held by the church in North America. It was something to the tune of 70 Billion dollars! Yes, billion!

With that much invested in real-estate, the question has to be asked, is it worth it? Is having that much invested into a structure and an address really helping the church be her best?
I’ve been wondering lately about what the church would and possibly will look like if all of that real estate were to go away? What is the fore-closure scence begins to include the churches and other non-profit organizations? Would the “programs” and people they are running and numbering still remain intact? Who will oversee them? Where will they be held? How will they be funded?

If there is no Senior Pastor, no executive board, no elder board, pastoral support teams, facilities crews, grounds keepers, etc…how will the church continue? What will that look like? When there are no more Sunday sermons, mid-week Bible studies, book stores and the latest releases on CD, DVD, Book or other; what then? When Saturday nights “contemporary service”, Sunday mornings at 8, 9:30 and 11:00am services and Sunday nights are no longer held because there is no pastor, no teacher and no place to gather for the ‘service’; what will church look like?

What if, God forbid, but very possible, it becomes a crime, punishable by imprisonment or worse, to preach from and teach from the Holy Bible the name and gospel of Jesus Christ? What will church look like? What if there were no bulletins listing all the different care ministries offered by the church and staff because the church has been closed permenately; what will church look like? When the pastor of the church you used to ‘go to’ has been arrested and sent to prison or even put to death for hate crimes? What will church look like then?

I know these scenarios and ponderings seem afar off…but are they really? And how do we know just how far off they are? Did Germany see the Holocaust being “far off”? Did America see Pearl Harbor and 9/11 as “far off”? Did Thailand, India and Indonesia see the Tsunami’s as “far off”? Did Noah see the flood as “far off”? Did Jesus see the Cross as “far off”? Did the person who just died in the last 5 minutes since you’ve been reading this see their death as “far off”?

My point really in writing this is to try to get you to consider what church would look like if these and many other potential circumstances were to happen in our time. In our generation. In the generation after us. As I’ve thought about these things what comes to mind is the “early church”. Which, interesting enough, is still the church that is alive today just as the adult of 50 years of age was an infant 49 ½ years ago. It’s still the same person isn’t it? If this is true, then the “early church” is just a time description of an era and not of something different at all.
So we would see the church of “today” with all of its additives being forced to reduce, like mom’s pasta sauce on the oven. The longer it sits on the flames, the more it reduces it’s ingredients down. Do we really need all the “bells and whistles” in order for the “wheels on the bus to go round and round, round and round”?

Let me put it to you straight. What would YOUR current church experience look like if at the very least some of these things were to happen? If the economy never recovers? If the government continues to eliminate the religious freedoms that make it legal to gather for “religious causes and instruction”? If the police, state or federal, were rounding up “church leaders” and taking them to prison? Would you still have a “church experience”? Or, quite possibly, would you find yourself experiencing church for the very first time in your life?

What do I mean by that? I mean would you remain part of a family that knows you as intimately as you do each of them? Would you still come over to each other’s house to eat, worship, pray and read the Bible together; all 6 of you? All 4 of you? All 3…or 2 of you? Would you be able to read the Bible for yourself and hear the voice of your Father in heaven? Would you still come to serve the poor, but instead of the shelter downtown it would be at your front door? Instead of going on short-term mission trips you would see your neighborhood for the first time as your mission field? Would you become so dependent on your brothers and sisters in Christ just to survive daily, that you put aside theological differences of when a person is officially saved or not, baptized or not, sprinkle, emersion, flipped or dipped! Pre, Mid, Post, or not at all, it just wouldn’t matter at all! Would you begin to see every person around you as a “minister” within the group of “friends” you now live with?

Are you seeing the difference? Do you want to see the difference? Could it be that when the world is at its very worst, Christ’s Bride, THE Church, will be at her very best? Will these kinds of changes be so drastic you might not recover from them, or would it be more like going over a speed bump? That all depends on your current “church” experience; is it living and breathing, or stale and stagnant?

If it’s not like that found in the book of Acts, and yes that includes all the messes and mistakes, the tongues and the prophecies, the healings and the deliverances, the salvation of the 1 and the thousands, the shadows and handkerchiefs of apostles healing people, the radical opposition of the government and “religious leaders” of the time, the hatred of the world and those given over to their evil nature, the intense manifestations of God’s Spirit in numerous ways, the signs and wonders, the sweet gatherings of people who follow Jesus together in their homes or wherever they possibly could, the letters of others being passed from community to community to encourage and give direction to the believers in them, to sharing of everything owned with others, the eating together out of desire and necessity, the love of God which would rather suffer for doing righteously rather than to compromise and give in to sin and evil even at the cost of your life. If it’s not, maybe “change” really is the word for our generation. Maybe it’s been the word to many generations? Maybe change is what’s needed most?

I trust you with that conclusion.

Tim Crozier

Being "Davids" in a "Saul" Society...

And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.” So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went his way. 1 Samuel 24: 6, 7


At this point in the life of David, Saul, the King of Israel, had already tried numerous times to catch and kill David. This murder campaign had come from unrestrained jealousy and envy of and towards David. It began when David killed Goliath and people sang songs in the streets of David killing more than Saul. It continued within the Kings courts as David came to serve Saul there. And even the Kings son, Jonathan, couldn’t persuade his father to give up his desire to kill David. The prophet of Israel warned Saul, David countless times showed himself pure in motive towards Saul and his family. David even fled the country to put distance between himself and his pursuer.

Some of you are familiar with the scripture at from 1 Samuel 24: 6, 7. You may have heard this is a context of not bringing any kind of accusation of question of a pastor or church / ministry leader. That they are “beyond” question of accountability because they are the anointed of God. Too bad the context of the passage is only that of a King and not a pastor or prophet of sorts. And too bad that those who say this in their defense don’t see clearly who they are comparing themselves with; Saul.

Now, before I go any further, I want to be clear on this point. I am not speaking in a political way. Matter of fact, I’m really addressing you who see the entire system of man as being the “Saul” in our world more than an individual. Gene Edwards wrote a terrific short book entitled A Tale of Three Kings. In it he recounted to the lives of 3 Kings of Israel; Saul, David and Absalom. As you read the book you come across the good, the bad and the ugly of each king. And you do so in a way where you begin to see a little (or a lot) of each king in yourself. So I’m trying to speak with as little judgment and condemnation as possible, for I recognize the Saul like characteristics in my own life at times.

What I’m really driving at is this; we are called to a life that reflects the heart of David in a world of Saul.

Saul was chosen in the midst of Israel greatest rebellion; they chose to be ruled by a man instead of God. They wanted to be “conformed” instead of being “transformed”. They wanted to be a kingdom with a king (literally) rather than a kingdom of priests and kings. They saw the nations around them and wanted to be like them, instead of being who God wanted them to be and as result, draw those nations to God. Samuel knew this and began to take it personally; he thought Israel was rejecting him and his leadership. After all, he was the nations prophet speaking on behalf of God.

But God said it was not Samuel they were rejecting, but Him (God). And after Israel would not relent God said to Samuel to listen to them and give them what they wanted; a king. But God was very clear in telling them what a “king” would do and require of them. How he would take their men and make them his warriors in his army. How he would take goods from them, and make them serve him. But after all of the warning of what it would be like to be ruled by a man instead of by God, they still persisted on having their own king. And that is what God gave them. They got what they wanted. They got the leader they asked for.

And was he any different than what God said he would be like? Not at all. Read 1 Samuel. See for yourself. Yet in spite of how Saul behaved, David behaved differently. What was different about the heart of David from that of Saul’s? Why is it, that David was said to be “a man after God’s own heart”? Why was it that when David had a chance to kill his enemy (Saul) he didn’t take it? Why was it that when the man who did kill Saul came to David he didn’t receive a reward, but instead received a swift execution? How is it that the man who wrote so many psalms that expressed so much emotion and tenderness was also one of Israel’s mightiest warriors?

I believe it is because David remained tender towards God in the midst of the fire, persecution and an enemy pursuing his life.

You see, when God has your heart, and you have the heart of God, you honor and respect God even when you are not honored and respected. When your life is threatened you don’t threaten back. When your life is minimized you maximize the life of others. When you are hated, you love in return. When you are accused you do not return the accusations. This is why when David had the chance to stretch out his arm and take the life of his enemy (and king), he did not.

I don’t know where you stand in relation to the results of the election. I do know that either way America has the leader she asked for. In any case, we are called to be David’s in the midst of a Saul society. A society that over time has chosen to be lead more by men and women who profess to know God, but deny the power within. Over time, we have even come to the place of removing the word “God” from our government buildings, historic national monuments, and currency. We have inched God out of our schools, cities, and communities. And in the process we have put in place leaders of our choosing. And God has given us what we asked for.

David was a young man who as a shephed faced and lion and a bear before he took down Goliath. We must also look back on the victories God has brought us through so that we have the faith and courage to face the “giant” before us now. And most of all, we have our King, who will rule on the throne of David forever who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, and whose govenrment there will be no end!

Stay connected to the King and His Kingdom!

Tim Crozier

The measure of Leadership

“Leadership is not measured by how many people are behind you, but rather by how many people you are behind.” – Tim Crozier

I can’t help but see this quote in the way Jesus lead His disciples. Yes, for a season they did “follow” Him. He did call them to follow Him after all, so to be anywhere else would have not been good. But there comes a transition between where Jesus is and where we are.

In Luke chapters 9 Jesus calls the 12 disciples to Him and He gives them authority and tells them to go. And in Luke chapter 10 Jesus calls others, 70 others to Him and does the same. Both groups return and tell the stories of what happened as they went. Amazing to me and on a side note, the 12 disciples and the 70 others went out and did relatively the same things. I guess it doesn’t really matter if you’re a “professional” minister or “lay” minister. If you’re sent in the Name of Jesus Christ, His power and authority, you’re a minister!

At the close of the Gospel’s Jesus commissions His disciples and in doing so, invites them to begin to do in His place what He did with them and often for them. So much so, that as He departs to heaven, angels tell them to stop standing around! What were they supposed to do? Go to Jerusalem and wait there for the Holy Spirit to give them the power to go out and be witnesses to Jesus in all the world. GO!

Are you getting the picture? He calls them to follow Him. He walks with and works with and teaches them. He says to them, now you go out and do it too. Come back and let’s “review”. Now, you’ve got it! Go! Go out and do what you have seen me do! It’s time for you to lead. Its ok, I’m with you. I’m behind you. I’ve got your back! I believe in you more than you believe in yourselves. You’ve got my permission. Be who you were created and called to be! I’m releasing you, I’m resourcing you, I’m supporting you, I’m behind you all the way! Go for it! Go!

Yes, this is how I see Jesus leading. Look how many people He is behind. His servant-leadership challenges me to the very core. Every motivation and inspiration is purified by His heart. “Not My will be done, but Yours.” He calls them. He walks with them. He sends them. He backs them. He stands behind those 5 fold gifts that He gave to the church; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers. He stands behind the missionary, the artist, the musician, the poet, the dancer, the writer, the actor, the singer, the song-writer, the sculptor, the leader, the servant, the host, the healer, the giver, the exhorter. He stands behind the church, just as a husband stands behind his wife with loving support and affectionate strength. He stands behind you!

For me, this is the way I want to lead. I want to get behind and encourgae, equip, empower and release others into the "work of the ministry". To be and do what God has created and called them to be and do. There are many who haev done this for me. And doing this for others is what I'm called to do. If you are someone who needs encouragement to do what you believe God has called you to do, to breakout and into something more, email me. I would like to hear your story and what you believe god has called you to do. If we can't help you, we will point you and connect you to those who can!

One of my main desires is to work with individual and groups who have a desire to build "community" based on Christ. I would like to work with people who want to step out and begin to explore and discover what "Church" is outside of the walls of what "church" has become. From autonomous, simple, house churches to networks of the same. I am called to help connect, ignite, stir-up and spur on those who are searching for "The Kingdom" in their midst. I want to walk with those who see the land they stand on as their "mission" field.

For the last four years my family has been on this kind of a journey. We left the "institution" in search of the Kingdom and the Church. And we were lead right smack dab into it! Right here in our front yard! How could something so grand and divine be in front of us for so long and us not see it? Amazing! Thank God for His grace to give us eyes to see and ears to hear! And we walked away and out of so much! But we have come into so much more! SO MUCH MORE! There is always MORE in the Kingdom! And most of all, we have come to know just how truly Jesus is behind us all the way!

I know this to be true. Isaiah said it this way, “And the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard”. Jesus is behind you. Just go!

Tim Crozier