A thunderous night...

Yesterday we took the trip down the turnpike to Oklahoma City, to get a hotel and get checked in for Kristin’s OKC half marathon.  She had been training hard, and I hadn’t- so I hung with the boys (Maggie went to a work retreat at Camp Barnabas- check them out here)  and supported her run.  As we got into town there was crazy traffic and I knew why- it was game 4 of the OKC Thunder/ LA Lakers playoff series.  The Thunder had won their first home playoff game in franchise history, and there was a serious buzz in town about the team.  ”Fever pitch” may be a more accurate description.  We knew it could be historic, in sporting terms, and the chance to watch Kobe Bryant and team play our energetic upstarts the night before K’s run was a pretty cool opportunity.

While waiting for Kristin to check in and get her race packet, I checked craigslist for tickets and found some sweet deals.  There were several blocks of 4 tickets available for the very real deal of $300-$650 per ticket.  After Kristin got back the car I showed her the results of my search.  We could go for only $1200!  She looked at me sheepishly and said- “well, it would be a once in a lifetime experience.”  I nodded, and thought how cool it would be to take the boys and her to see what could be “historic”  and would indeed be a great memory for our family.

It was awesome.

The experience was awesome.

The Thunder won in a way no one could have imagined- the crowd was crazed, the young Thunder ran all over the aging Lakers.  It looked like a changing of the guard could be happening in a way that is usually talked about for years to come in sports circles.  It reminded me of when the Bulls swept the Lakers in 1991 for Michael Jordan’s first championship.  No one expected it.

The game was awesome.  My experience, however,  transcended the game. (note to readers- we didn’t go.) We ended up eating some great Italian food, I spoke words of life to my beautiful wife, and enjoyed some great time at the hotel pool with the boys playing like boys play. I caught the 2nd half of the game on TV in our room and was amazed with the play of the Thunder.   We woke up way early, and saw Kristin off for her half marathon run.  It was the 10th OKC Memorial run- and we remembered those who lost their lives in the bombing there 15 years ago.  Her performance was her best ever- and we cheered.  Upon visiting the Memorial, I saw a Marathon medal hanging on a chair with the name of a child who lost their life in the bombing.  I cried.  The sky was blue, and life moved on, and there was beauty in the midst of this painful place.

And while I missed Maggie- she was with beautiful people from Liberty Church at a beautiful place helping people.  This weekend was indeed a once in a lifetime experience.  For all of us. Everyday should be like that- even when they’re not that spectacular, even if they’re mundane.  Even if they don’t cost $1200 or are “historic.”  I wonder if with all of our talk about changing the world, that we might be missing it- looking for something “big” and not being aware of God present- here, today.  Can we be thankful today- and engage life, because it is a one time deal?

God bless and make today a once in a lifetime experience.

ck

Today is Easter Sunday.  I attended church today and was overwhelmed with the idea that “God came near” and is relational, and He has the final word on relationship.  In my jobs at camps, education, and youth ministry I’ve been called an expert in relationship ministry.  I have believed that I was that expert on many occasions.  I get asked to give advice, do weddings, help groups come together, and I have quite a few facebook friends.   I know, its a big deal… (the word friend has a “broadened” definition these days..)

When I think of the people who do relationship well, the people who I revere and wish I was more like, I become aware that my “expertise”  isn’t worth much.  They typically are are small group of people who, as Dave Jewitt would say, “under promise, and over deliver.”  They have a congruence, a consistency.  They practice what they preach, and they don’t preach what they don’t practice.  They take courageous paths, but don’t seem as concerned with changing the world.  They just make a true contribution to their little corner of it.  They are hospitable, gracious, honest, humble, and reverent towards God.  They don’t take on more than they can handle, because they know their specific role, and they give attention to that.  They let go of what isn’t theirs, knowing God is big and able.  That sounds like me in my dreams on a good day.  Also, they don’t seem to be trying real hard on these fronts.  It just flows from the inside (or at least it looks like that on the outside!)

Then I go to church today, and am reminded that God is a relational God, and Jesus demonstrates God’s relational nature by joining man and his pain.  Jesus then gives me the example of always doing what He says He’s going to do.  He relates to those who He is supposed to, and He doesn’t give everyone what they want (thats not a relationship.)  He spends time alone, He enters into pain for the benefit of those He loves, and He gives us the miracle of restraint in His response to the temptations in the desert, and to the unbelievable temptation to forgo the unthinkable pain and suffering He endured on the Cross.

And I’m reminded, that I am no expert at relationships. I’m just fortunate to be in them. I love that I get to be in relationships- with friends, my wife, my children, the folks at Challenge Quest, the people I serve, people from past jobs…  Brother, I am blessed.

I want to be better at doing what I say I do, and not talking about what I am not willing to engage.  Perhaps now passing age 40, the approval of any man or the need for my own sense of significance will not matter, and looking to the redemptive Christ will remind me, will teach me about what real relationship is.  I’m no expert- right now I’m feeling a little more like John Lennon in 1965 when he sang “I’m a Loser, and I’m not what I appear to be…”  And, I feel good in that place because I am in awe of a demonstration of grace and congruence in the person of Jesus Christ.

Easter reminds me that there is death that precedes new life.  The blossoms today give me energy to allow that death in my life to run its course- because my eyes fixed on Christ will yield a beauty I can’t manufacture in my bogus attempts, which even look very good on the outside.

Hebrews 12:2-3 tells us: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

May we today consider His example, take an honest account of our life, and let the best relationships grow from His example, from His relationship with us.  May we do what we say we do, and help others see the story for what it is:  New Life!

• Lets engage the adventure of new life!
• Lets look for the new life in acts of justice, where we care for God’s people!
• Lets let new life flow in Community!
• Lets consider who we are in the identity of new life!
• Lets look for God’s new life acting in the world today!
• Let us most of all, look to the Author of New Life.

How might you do this today?  This year?

Investment in Africa. What does investment in your community look like for you?

I want to be a giver.  Sometimes I am.  Sometimes I give because it makes me feel good about myself.  The older that I get, the more I am realizing how much my behavior has been motivated by looking good to others and myself, perhaps God…. rather than being a person whose actions are motivated out of thanks for the life and grace offered me.  I’m a wanna be giver, and a person who talks often about the fact that we as people are image bearers, and therefore made to contribute and create.  When I do give out of a heart of true generosity, I experience what I call the “transubstantiation of service”.

Transubstantiation is the idea my Catholic friends talk about when during the Eucharist (communion), the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ- not just a representation, but a supernatural embodiment of the risen Christ.  Whenever I choose to contribute to those who struggle, and even those who are doing  ministry to be a part of “kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”, I hear the words of Jesus.  He said- “whatever you’ve done unto the least of these, you have done unto me.”  When I join in that gift, I wonder if Jesus speaks to us in literal terms, that He embodies those contributed to- much like the bread and wine.  I know that when there is relationship involved in my service, and when my motive is right- the presence of Christ is palpable- its thick.  Perhaps my awareness is just heightened- and I get in on what is true all along.  He is with us.  This is what He said of course in His last words before the ascension.

When I give- there is a time for charity.  Charity is giving to people because they are desperately in need.  I can help them move from point A to point B and it usually involves someone’s daily survival.  Charity is a real challenge because everybody it seems needs your contribution, and when you give $10 or $20 to the guy on the corner with the sign, there’s someone else on the next corner.  When you send your contribution to the child in Africa, its just one child, and another organization needs your contribution in the Philippines (which is where my Compassion International child is.).  Parker Palmer said that when you give, you should give from your heart, according to what God puts inside of you rather than giving in response to the world’s needs- because the world needs everything.

Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

So I want to be a giver, and acknowledging all my shortcomings, my weak motivation, and my questions about how to be a good giver- there is one thing I now know:  While charity is good, and necessary- investment is better.  Everyone is worthy of investment- and that is the work that I want CQ Missional to be about.  We are giving our time and resources to help young people discover their unique role in God’s story.  Our mentoring and educational experiences do this.  We invest, so they can invest, and God’s life flows through that work.  I am so excited to be a part of it.  We also are very interested in helping with community change.  We are partnering with and supporting folks who believe in investment.  Hope International is an organization who have their finger on the pulse of what investment is- and they’re taking on poverty as a calling from God.  Check out this excerpt from their blog about the difference investment makes versus mere charity.

“I believe we have misinterpreted God’s commands to help the poor. Jewish scholars state that woven through the Torah is an understanding that “not all charity is created equal.” They cite that “the greatest level [of charity], above which there is no greater, is to support a fellow Jew by endowing him with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with him, or finding employment for him, in order to strengthen his hand until he need no longer be dependent upon others.”

Does this prescription align with the majority of our charitable endeavors? Brian had deep respect that this Kenyan ministry served the “least of these.” But, was this charity in alignment with the biblical model of charity? Were they helping these women…

1)      To no longer need to receive charity?

2)      Experience the dignity of honest work?

3)      Enjoy the blessing of providing for their children?

4)      Know the joy of giving charitably to others?

In fairness, there are times when the only appropriate response is to freely give things away. The Haiti earthquake and support to the disabled are examples of such. But, barring such exceptions, our long-term aim should always be to help in a way which frees recipients of the need for our charity, “so that they might help others in need” (Eph. 4:28). Well-intentioned charity devoid of this goal can lead to unhealthy dependency and even addiction.”

Read more at the Hope International blog here.  Please consider supporting their work and read about their efforts.  Maybe they’ll challenge your idea of how to be a giver.

How do your efforts to help “the least of these” look like an investment that keeps on giving?   Do you see that your contribution is a kingdom building deal, where life is given perhaps for generations?  Are there people or communities that are right in front of you that could use your investment?  Is your intersection with them a divine meeting?

To all of those who invest in CQ Missional- thank you- and we plan to pay it forward.

I’ve been talking for about a year about the contrast between people who understand they are “image bearers” and those who don’t acknowledge this. The vision is important because if we are made in the image of God, then we were made to create and contribute. We have what it takes to create life around us and great things are possible when we believe that. What happens when you believe you already have enough? Enough stuff, enough relationships, enough experience, enough support, enough strength- to be the best you that you can be right here and right now. Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God, and enjoyed it. They were people, His creation, and He was God- and He was big enough to take care of them.  This changed when they believed they didn’t have enough.

We, as image bearers, have the DNA to listen and trust when that “still small voice” speaks to us saying “you have what it takes to make a difference…”  This trust characterizes people today who regardless of their income, social status or situation- believe they were made to make a contribution to this world- and they have been given enough to do so- today. These folks are attractive to say the least. We follow people like this because they give us courage to believe and hope in the fact that we have big time value, and we can make significant contributions to a greater good. They provide leadership just because they have a “sound estimation” of who they are- and they act with confidence with this knowledge. Their anxiety is limited, and their hospitality big, no matter what measure of “stuff” they have on a scale determined by the world.

On the other side of the coin are most of us- who believe we don’t have enough. We (I say “we” because I spend more time in this camp) are Consumers. We believe we need more. We may not acknowledge it, or show awarness of how our behavior reflects this, but most of us live life as if being a consumer is not just something we do, but someone we are. This isn’t just about material possessions, or the entertainment that most of us believe is paramount to a full life. Its about relationships, skills, belief, ability, gifts, context. Most of us believe that we need “more.” This is reflected in behavior that shows an expectation of the consumer to spectate and not participate. We evaluate and engage in constant transaction….its commerce at all levels- economic, social, spiritual, physical. In church- many people go, and evaluate it, and ask each other- did you like it? Was the singing good? Much of the questions center around the quality of whats presented, and how we would “rate” the experience. These are similar to questions we would ask about a new Mexican restaurant, or a movie we saw last night.

The contributor, however,  expects a life of collaboration.  They plug in.  They accept responsibility for their part, and trust the responsibility of others to live into their part.  They see life as participatory, and listen for cues from the Master Story Teller.  They trust that they have a specific role to play, and when they choose not to act- it is a choice based on trust, not an ambivalent lack of engagement.  I am developing these ideas weekly, and diving into this “consumer vs contributor” conversation more and more. I would appreciate your questions and comments.

I want, lastly, to comment on an experience I had last week that brings home this question of how we see ourselves. I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker for the annual vision dinner to raise funds for Camp David of the Ozarks in Rolla, Missouri.  This post is already a little long, but I have so much I would like to say about that experience.  The directors of this camp, who serve the children of incarcerated adults, are Ben and Grace Smith.  They are young, and not trained as social workers or counselors or coming off seminary degrees.  They just simply acted on a calling to help these children believe they are loved through a camp experience.  They are making a generational difference, and they started this big time work just 5 years ago.  When I got to tour the camp- I saw a beautiful piece of land, with a multi purpose building, a ball field, and a few small “covered wagon” tent cabins surrounding a fire ring in the woods.  This was camp!  No lake, no blob, no zip lines, just campers together with staff who love them and stay with them even when they’re difficult and resisting the very love they desire so much.  And, pretty much all of the urban children whose parents are in prison had never been out of the city or into the woods before their week at Camp David.  Oh yeah, and they all get to come to camp for free.  The Smiths just believed that people would come through and finance this great idea…. I mean, this calling.

Ben says that when the kids fight- he doesn’t like it, but it is a great opportunity for everyone to learn because they’re being honest at this time.  Ben gets it, and is “engaging adventure” by entering into their fights, making peace, and listening.  Behavior management is important in this camp community of “at risk” kids- but its not the ultimate goal.  Changed lives of kids who know they’re loved …. that’s the goal.  Its happening, too.

So, I show up to this fund raiser- and there’s almost 400 people there.  Everyone is local, from or around Rolla, population 16000.  There are people from the local college, groups representing Catholic ministries, homeschoolers too.  I met a guy who works for the Southern Baptist Convention as well as the Pastor of the local Assembly of God Church.  College students and local business folks were also in attendance.  The guy who was running the fund raising portion of the dinner said “This is our camp, this is Rolla’s camp.  What a difference we could make tonight if all of us who believe we are truly blessed, gave like we are blessed.”  Ben and Grace never once described their camp is “little.”  They spoke of needs, but spoke mostly about the kids, and how God is changing their lives.   It was also obvious that people who were coming around this fantastic work, were inspired to do so by this young couple who just said yes.  The Smiths didn’t bring a big endowment, or advanced degrees, or a persuasive multi level marketing plan.  They just changed their lives to love kids who are hurting- and they believe that they’ve got enough.  The dinner just was a method to share the joy everyone had who was already involved, with those who could claim their identity as contributers- and collaborate in this work of God.

The evening came to a close.  Everyone there seemed genuinely glad to be a part of the Camp David family when it was over.  I was inspired.  This “little” camp with its upstart leaders helped redefine what “big” can be.  They provided hope that we all can be true contributors.

They also raised over $33,000 that night.

What have you been made to contribute to?  What have you been made to create?

ck

Ben is in our Certificate in Missional Leadership program.  He is spending a year, getting a grad level education, personal counseling about his place in the world, and is immersed in an east Tulsa community at Garnett Church of Christ.  He has a big project where he is creating opportunities for stories to be told within the congregation, and beyond into the community.  His project is making a contribution to this community- people are connecting, and learning to care better for God’s children.  He’s learning a ton- and making a difference in the process. Here’s his first video.

Food Pantry and Clothing Closet from Ben West on Vimeo.

I get a one line email last night.  It asks me:  “What do you mean by “two years of not being challenged?”  I have not met the author (to my knowledge.)

Oh boy.  You know when someone asks you a simple question,  and you automatically realize that you may have messed up something up?  Is it just me?  I figured as much…

I go to re-read my email sent out a couple of days ago for contributors, partners, friends, which is aimed to thank folks and inform them about the new stuff going on at CQ Missional.  I’m getting the feeling that something I wrote could be taken the wrong way, and I’m thinking, “man, when you write up something quickly and shoot it out there- people who don’t know you read it, and you’ve got to do a better job of communicating your heart.”  I’m also reminded that when you shoot from the hip- you usually hit your foot first.  In the email,  I started some communication about a new “gap year” program we’re starting next year for community college students, and other high school grads.

Here’s what I read that I had written just one day before:  “Students are not usually thrilled about it, parents however, like the great value of it. “It” is going to Tulsa Community College for your entry into college life. The Tulsa Achieves program is free for qualifying students and a great choice financially. However, many students who stay in Tulsa for community college have 2 years of not being challenged, wishing they were somewhere else, and playing it safe and not engaging the promise of this time of life. Instead of really exploring a life calling and preparing to enter vocational training with confidence, they do a lot of hanging out.”

Hum…  Its that true?  Well, I am sure it is for some people.  In fact,  I know it is for some people.  However, my statement can be read as a judgment on the quality of what TCC offers.  That was not what I was after, especially because the Achieves program is exactly the kind of thing that excites us about living in Tulsa.  Its great.  It provides choice for those who haven’t had it before.  It gives opportunity.  Its city wide.

The notion that students don’t grow or develop during community college really says more about the student than about the college.  Our growth is always our own responsibility.  You know, like we were taught in grad school, that our outcomes are always a marriage of an experience plus our belief about the experience.  Attitude is everything, and people mine beauty from any place every day, and folks also blow it and fail to capitalize on something beautiful right in front of them, every day.

TCC has done a beautiful thing in the Achieves program and as I have commented on numerous occasions, what is a good thing will just keep getting better and better because of this injection of life into the community.  Here is the “to the point” explanation and purpose for the TCC Achieves program from their website:

What Is Tulsa Achieves?
TCC helps eliminate the financial burden of attending college by providing additional funding to fill the “gap” between financial aid and the cost of attending college.

For eligible students, Tulsa Achieves pays up to 100% of tuition and fees for a maximum of 63 college credit hours. As a gap-funding program, Tulsa Achieves pays any remaining balance after all state, federal and private aid and grant funding have been applied. There is no cost to the student!

Why did TCC start the Tulsa Achieves Program?
The answer is simple – Students in Tulsa County should have the opportunity to attend college based on an ability to achieve, not an ability to pay.

It’s all about giving back to, and improving, our community. By increasing the number of Tulsa County residents with higher education degrees, we can increase the number of skilled professionals available in the Tulsa job market. We hope to encourage students to graduate high school and engage their community through service learning/volunteer service. With Tulsa Achieves, TCC is helping to ensure that Tulsa continues to grow, just as Tulsa has ensured the growth of TCC.

This deal is SO what we want to promote in Tulsa, and any words that imply that they aren’t doing a great thing here- are just misplaced, and not what we want to communicate.

Can community college be the best possible choice for people trying to move towards their life calling?  Absolutely.  Even without “us?”  Um….yep.

Is it possible that students who stay in Tulsa to engage an education at a place like TCC might need what we offer to help them move forward in life, to pursue their unique role in making the world a better place?  I am convinced the answer to that one is yes also. We help people take responsibility for their potential on a personal level, and engage the adventure of what is right in front of their face- such as their potential contribution to this community.  Many people just need a personal challenge and relationship that helps them go to this place.

So, maybe a better way to have written that paragraph would have been:

“Some students may not be thrilled about it, parents however, like the great value of it. “It” is going to Tulsa Community College for your entry into college life. The Tulsa Achieves program is free for qualifying students and a great choice, giving tons of students the opportunity for free tuition to TCC’s growing academic  programs. The TCC experience also can offer a seamless academic transition to 4 year state Universities.  While having TCC and the Achieves program here is such a great resource to our city, many students who stay in Tulsa do not use their time to develop their unique role in the world.  Many don’t seek out the challenge that leads to growth during these years and play it safe instead- living in a holding pattern until they go on to a 4 year university, choose a major, and live on “their own.”   Instead of really exploring a life calling and preparing to enter vocational training with confidence, many students hang out, do their work, and wait.  We believe we can come along side of  students during this time, and help them engage the foundational questions of who they will be.  The result will be a student ready to engage more specific vocational and life training with courage and confidence- knowing who they are, and ready to dive into that adventure.”

The lesson for me?  James tells us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…”  I’m reminded that my perspective is limited, and I quickly forget that others have the ability to broaden my little window.   My quick words don’t give the whole story, and as I have experienced more times than I would like to admit, the crow doesn’t taste like chicken. I’ll eat it though (salsa  might help).

We look forward to serving people as they discover their unique role in making the world a better place.  Thanks to folks like TCC and the Achieves program who are doing that same work.  Our program to help students with their unique role in this world, called “GPS” will take off this August.

ck

Martin Luther King Day is one of my favorite holidays.  My family has a long standing tradition of gathering early in the morning, lighting candles, and walking through the neighborhood singing “We Shall Overcome”, and then we make an effort to work as a family to do our little part to eradicate various injustices.

Part of that statement is true.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  You probably wouldn’t know that, however,  unless you asked me about it- because I like most families, just try to enjoy an extra day off.  It is important, though, because it keeps the story of the value of people in front of me.  This day keeps the story alive, of the struggle of people who see themselves as being made in God’s image- and the people who see them as less than that- and will do whatever it takes to repress that vision.

My family had the opportunity to go to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis last year on our way to Florida, and the experience was powerful for me to say the least.  After an hour or two of reading of the struggle, watching video clips, and sitting in the bus where Rosa Park’s said “I am tired.” and refused to move; I found myself standing next to the place where King lost his life on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.  I stood looking through a plexiglass window at King’s room to my right and straight ahead was the balcony.  The building across the street from which the shots came was in my line of sight as well.  Something caught my eye when looking down at the balcony deck- there was a square in the concrete which had been cut out and new concrete poured in it.  The square was approximately 18 inches long and wide, to my recollection.   Not sure where I got the information, if it was someone there, or a sign through our self guided tour, but I became aware that the square was the clean up work by the owner of the motel.  This square of concrete was where MLK’s blood was, and it was stained, and not able to be cleaned.  So, the owner, cut the blood stained concrete out, and poured new cement in its place.

This kind of clean up happens every day where there is violent crime, and also where there are tragic accidents.  The clean up helps the rest of us not think about, or even know about, what happened at that spot in the past.  This is helpful for our communities.  In this case, though, it reminded me that with this murder- the life cut short led a struggle affirming God’s image in all men.  His was an imperfect life, full of contradictions, and yet not afraid to speak of justice and the peaceful way of Jesus.  People joining in grabbed hold of their identity as image bearers and had the revelation that jail time, pain, or even death could not stop them from taking that identity on to themselves as individuals.  There was unspeakable freedom in understanding this, and true community as African Americans and any other people who had experienced a generational repression started to own their place in America with diginty.  There was a consistency starting to happen between people’s inner lives and how they hoped to express themselves in the outside world.  Even more importantly for all of us- there was a collective assumption of identity that created a wave of change and courage, and for that matter- conflict.

And, while MLK the man is not by any means solely responsible for Civil Rights progress; he was a life that was a part of creating hope and helping people live with courage.  He helped people believe that they had value.  He challenged people who worked so hard to preserve their own power and deny worth in others.  So while this man was a larger than life character, his blood got cleaned up and the square on the balcony spoke to the enormity of this life, and the value of every man.  I stared at the square and started to cry.  My children got uncomfortable as Dad was all emotional and weird.  I couldn’t stop, as I was broken- so sad that this life of great value created such a story, was cut down so quickly, and the evidence of his murder got removed by a concrete cutter.

As I walked away from the museum, and drove with my family for our vacation to Florida, I was struck with the knowledge of the value of every person.  Every person as being made in God’s image is made to be a creator and contributor, and some take this idea to heart and live it out in ways that make the world a better place.  They live it out in ways that personify the prayer of Jesus when he prayed “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  I was also stuck with how true power that creates sustainable change comes from the bottom up, from stables outside of Bethlehem, from streets in Selma, where people live every day.  When people choose to believe that they have a unique role to play in this big story- things change for the better.  God help those who fight to deny this identity in people, and God help us when we are asleep to this identity and choose to orient ourselves toward consumption.

The balcony square can remind us that:  every life has value, every life ends on earth, while our lives may intersect with tragedy- we can leave an impact that can go on for generations.  truth lives.

What unique role will you, will I, have in helping the world become a better place?

I hope to continue developing these ideas.

Chris King

This post isn’t going to be controversial, I don’t think.  Although the topic: What is CQ Missional?- has proven to be controversial for some, confusing for others, and a great learning process for me- interestingly enough.

This post is about the words we use that help us describe what we do, and what we’re about. We want to get to the point in the description, and have clarity (something I’m not always great at, I like the “stream of consciousness” stuff).

Here is the answer: CQ Missional helps people discover their role in making the world a better place. Its not rocket science.  We want to help people…help people.  And while these words may sound a bit “vanilla”, they are all on purpose, and each has an important meaning and context.

Those words have risen to the top in the last 5 months- as I have fumbled trying to explain how we do things and what we offer and how that is unique or enough like what the people  want to hear. Some people have chosen to not work with us because the language doesn’t sound like something we hear at my church- and that causes them concern. Thats ok.  I just want our words to be honest, real, and easy to understand for anyone we may encounter- and I’m praying that is how we operate as representatives of CQM as well.

We do believe that Christ is the center of the story. I also know that we will work with people from all walks of life- and I am jazzed to interact with all of God’s children, and ….help them discover their role in making the world a better place.  A better place in a “Lords Prayer” sort of way…  That is our working definition of Missional- and it has much to do with the Lord’s prayer when Jesus prays “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

I’ve found my time explaining what CQ Misisonal is to be very interesting in what thoughts and questions the process has brought up in my own mind.  This is good, and not easy.  I want to explain what we do because it is a unique approach, and there is a vision attached. However- I am discovering that my own need to position us as “unique, creative, out of the box, …” motivates my stream of words. It starts to look like I’m the center of the story at that point.  To contrast- I would rather be part of a work that cares about the people we come across, and simply does the things we do well to help people find their unique role in the big Story.  If we get to help people…. help other people… (making the world a better place); then we’re doing our job.

So- helping people discover their role in making the world a better place… this is what we do. I’ll write more in future posts about the purpose of each of the words and the connectedness to what we’re about as a community.  I will also use this blog to post upcoming book excerpts for us to wrestle with.

I’m looking forward to the dialog.

Please engage our different blog posts which will be produced almost everyday by a variety of friends.  These are different people who provide engaging questions and content all around the “missional” life. You’ll find opinions and questions that will be diverse and expand the “missional” thread- shoot back with your perspective! I want you to help us think.  Maybe we can help you as well.  We want to be a community that helps people, and having our assumptions challenged in this group can be one way that we help each other grow. I am so thankful for our blogging partners, and excited about the content, stories, and most of all- the lives they live. Our agreement with our team goes for 6 months, and we promise not to edit or censor  their content- trust is a big fat word around here.

I also look forward to contributing weekly and connecting with readers as someone who cares, and who is a fellow journeyman. Not Journey, as in “Don’t Stop Believing” with short guy with mullet Steve Perry belting it out (thats excellent as well…) but more like sharing the life journey.    As we walk together with this community, we will have shared experience.  Shared experience plus reflection is big time way that our ears and eyes are opened to mission and purpose.  God is speaking to us all the time.  I look forward to seeing what you and I are discovering.

Here is an interesting story of some “missional” people where words and life meet to be a part of “Kingdom come”- or in everyday language- “making the world a better place.”
http://www.parade.com/news/2010/01/17-why-we-gave-away-our-home.html

Till next week,
Chris King

CQ Missional Year End Letter 2009

Well, friends, its been quite a year of change around here- and I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement.  We started this wild idea of helping people grow into missional lives through mentoring and experiences in September.  That means we’re wrapping up the 4^th month of existence and I would like to report some of the beautiful things we seen happen in what amounts to the “starting line” of something much bigger than me or my friends who are excited about this.

• 13 young leaders are involved in a mentoring relationship with me each month.  They are learning to own the life that God has given them- and are making decisions with courage in their respective worlds.  We are making a difference here- more on a specific story later.
• The Certificate of Missional Leadership program is a huge success for our participants and also the site we’re partnering with, Garnett Church of Christ and the Green Country Events Center.  We’re in month 3 of 10, and the life altering learning, and impact on a community is thick already.  We have “a-ha” moments with each gathering, and the church is thrilled with the process.
• We are starting to engage an organic gathering of 20s each week- looking for a community of people who love God and want to make a difference in the world.  The group is called 20/30 and meets in the “redemption house” where Ben and Beth West (participants in our CML process) live. (Ben and Beth, btw, are awesome and their experience has been a huge deal.)
• Work with Challenge Quest being a lead facilitator for groups of all sizes and shapes is enjoyable, helping pay the bills, and dovetailing in a sweet way with the CQM work.  While we haven’t met our financial support goal for coaching CQM clients, work with Challenge Quest has filled a gap there.  God has provided for our needs- and new opportunities arise out of this diversity of work.

One of the young leaders who I have the privilege to mentor every other week, is a great example of how the work of CQ Missional is all about investment- and a picture of how unlocking a leader’s God given identity creates life giving change all around.  I’ll call him Jim and he approached me one morning this fall wanting to talk about his job and life.  He is a young ministry leader, and as he described his life, his emotions broke loose with tears as he shared that he is dying inside, and didn’t believe he was capable of fulfilling the expectations of leading in his job, or for that matter, his family.  Over several weeks, some assignments, and some challenges to lean courageously into difficult conversations while saying no to things he didn’t need to own, he started to recognize God’s blessings in his life and all around him.  He is starting to apply a vision of empowerment that he’s seen,  and he’s releasing it in his own leadership style, he’s doing what he’s good at, and loving his wife and children with a new confidence.  He is understanding that God is at the center of the story and he has a beautiful part to play.  We’re discovering what that part is through our process- and the beautiful thing is that his ministry and more importantly, his family benefit from this investment.  The programs he creates and runs and the people he leads receive a new investment from Jim.  Because he is now living on mission. He just needed someone to listen, to ask good questions, and to encourage him to move forward with courage.

Because of God’s goodness, and your support, I get to do this kind of work.    I get to help people step back from their current and sometimes suffocating  context, and see the big picture with honest assessment.  We get to ask- Who are you in response to your Creator?  This is fun stuff, because it works, and eyes get opened, and as mentioned earlier- the investment goes on and on- and people live “in the light” as 1 John talks about.  It’s a beautiful thing.

As our year comes to a close- I am asking you to consider making an investment in the work of CQ Missional with a tax deductable gift.  Gifts on a one time or monthly basis create the opportunity for guys like Jim to access our work, and pass the investment on to everyone he leads.  Please prayerfully consider joining our team in this way. Our financial support level is at 60%.  Help us fill that gap and grow the work this year to impact more folks through coaching and experiences that help grow emerging leaders.  We need your investment to grow and create more investment in young leaders.

We are drawing up new experiences for the coming year even as I write.  Look for a new daily content driven website at www.cqmissional.com where at least 10 folks will partner with us to create conversations every day about issues surrounding missional living.  Our contributing partners in this work are pastors, business leaders, young leaders who understand culture and community, and we’ll also have guests who you may (or may not have!) heard of.  I’m excited to take the next step of bringing people together with this communication resource that will also steer folks toward our experiences and processes at CQM.

Lastly- let’s remember Mary’s response to the visiting angel in this Christmas season:  “Let what You have said be done to me.”  May all of us have ears open to hear God’s voice this new year, and respond with a mission to join His work.

If you would like to contribute- go to www.cqmissional.com for online and autodraw options, or you can mail your gift to:

• CQ Missional, Attn. Chris

1212 W Albuquerque Pl

Broken Arrow OK 74011

If you would like to make a pledge for contributions starting in the new year- please just let me know so I can budget and plan.  Thank you in advance.

God bless each of you, and do not hesitate to contact me regarding your story and what you are experiencing in life- perhaps we can work together.  Each of you are a blessing.

Chris