What I mean by that, is quite simply a larger congregation (think 600 to 800 people or more) which meets together to worship and fellowship on Sunday, but is primarily made up of mid sized groups (30 to 60 people) who live on mission together week to week.  These mid-sized groups meet in homes, or other marketplace arenas like coffee shops, businesses, etc. to live the kingdom life together as extended families in Christ for the sake of the world. 

If I am completely honest about it, the dream died for a few years at the end of seminary and while God was restoring my confidence in the wilderness (i.e. Curtis, Nebraska).  My time in Nebraska was awesome and it actually made me start dreaming about what this would look like again, because the rural life naturally manifests missional community in some ways.  Proximity, interdependent relationships, sharing of common goods, etc. were natural parts of life. 

When we were called to the Mason Vineyard, the vision came back to life and is now right before me, within reach.  I can taste it. 

When I went to seminary in 2003, I had just left the U. S. Coast Guard.  I left at the tipping point of my career.  I was having the time of my life…and could have had a fine career.  God had other things in mind.

I had just finished a tour of duty in Seward, Alaska as the Executive Officer of a 110 foot patrol boat.  Not only was it amazing to spend two years in Alaska, but being an officer on a patrol boat was about as cool as it gets. 

Above is a picture of my patrol boat moored in Seward.  I have been longing to re-create the extended family feeling I experienced while stationed on that boat ever since.  It was what 3dm calls Oikos.

We had 18 permanent crew members attached to the Unit and 2 reservists.  The majority of the men attached to the unit were married and had children, but about 8 were single and lived in a housing unit (which was right behind my house).  So, between men, wives, children, reservists and their families, in total, there were about 4o people who were USCG Cutter Mustang in Seward, Alaska. 

We each also made friends in town.  Specifically, my wife and I got attached to a church and made friends with some folks there (interestingly, one of my reservists and her family went to church there!)

When we were in port, we stuck together.  We had barbecues at each other’s homes!  We hung out.  We went out to restaurants together.  We went to the movie house (an experience).  The 8 single guys went to the bars (in summertime, the bars did not close, because the sun did not go down).  We performed weddings for each other (I’m not kidding).  We went hiking.  We went snow boarding.  We went kayaking and fishing.  We drove to Anchorage together and stayed the weekend and grocery shopped at costco and went to the movies and we pretty much just lived life together. 

For two years I experienced this.  It was awesome.  I was in my late twenties. 

When we got under weigh, it was an incredible experience of brotherhood as we put our life’s on the line for the mission.  We ate, drank, slepte, waked, the mission and in the sea’s of Alaska, we quite literally trusted our lives to one another as we enforced Alaska fishery law, secured the port of Valdez, and patroled in and out of the fishing grounds to provide search and rescue assistance to fisherman and recreational boater’s and outdoorsman year round. 

There are all kinds of metaphors to be drawn upon about mission and about being on mission together with like-minded, committed people from this experience. 

But, I think you get my point. 

The only thing missing was the fact that the mission was not Jesus and the Kingdom of God, it was the Kingdom of America my friends and that got tired.

I’m still Facebook friends with a bunch of those folks!  It was amazing.  It was the good life.  I often find myself wondering where those guys are and what they are doing, because some of them are serving in the USCG around the world, doing some pretty amazing things.

I will never forget going to lunch with an elder at my Vineyard church while in seminary and attempting to explain this life to him and how I thought that was what church was supposed to be like.  I wanted to plant a Vineyard church and I was hoping that it would look like the Coast Guard Cutter Mustang – or a bunch of Coast Guard Cutter Mustangs maybe.  I had started reading Missional literature and I was beginning to catch glimpses of a theological perspective that leaned in that direction.  It was very theoretical, mind you.  The practical stuff was still experimental and not attractive (house church movement stuff does not do it for me).

He looked me in the eye and said, “well Jason, that will never happen!”  My heart broke.  But what has broken my heart even more over the last 10 years is that I can not create it! 

When I started reading Mike Breen’s books and especially when I went to hear him speak live and ESPECIALLY when I went to Pawley’s Island, SC and experienced it in person, I realized – I AM NOT INSANE!  There are people in this world who are DOING THIS and who have DONE THIS and who WANT THIS!

This picture is from a Missional Community at Trinity Grace Church in New York City. 

Since I have been back from the Discipleship and Mission Conference in Pawley’s Island a few weeks ago, I have been slowly realizing that I have finally come full circle.  In 3dm language, I have had a Kairos moment.  It has been brewing for the last several months.  I have been trying, in my own strength, in my own remembrance of this experience in the Coast Guard, to recreate this experience of Oikos.  At times, over the last few years, I have relinquished the dream, relinquished my need to be in control, I have given it back to God, you know, all that stuff.  But, the Kairos for me, over the last few months is this:

“Fear not, little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

I truly believe this is the Kingdom and God desires to give it. 

It is my responsibility to learn the “unforced rhythms of his grace” as I come to Jesus to learn how to do all this. 

I am reminded over and over that he knows exactly how to do it!  It is, quite frankly, exactly how he did it when he was here!  When I read the Gospels, I go, “lookie there, that is what USCG Mustang looked like.  3, 12, 70.”

Why do we make it so difficult? 

One of the missing ingredients is the building of a discipling culture?  So, more on that as we go…and the vehicle of “huddle.”  I hope to write on that in my next post.

The moral of the story is the fact that the lost thing, the coin, the sheep, the prodigal son, is Sought!  It is longed for, hoped for, waited for, looked for, searched for, the house is turned upside down for it, the 99 are left behind for the 1, the LOST THING is not forgotten. 

We Christians try to be kind and say things like, “they are far from God.”  The truth is….they are not far from God…if Jesus’ parables mean anything, they mean God is out searching for them, turning over heaven and earth trying to find them, trying to get their attention, leaving the 99 (the found) alone while he searches out the not yet found!  He is probably close to them, on the porch, waiting, watching them walk down the road, so he can run out to meet them, throw a robe around their shoulders, and a ring on their finger, and roast up a fattened lamb! 

The choice seems to be, are we going to join the God who is out looking?  Because, he’s probably wishing we were helping.

If you notice in this picture, one cup is not like the others.  One has a lid on it and a straw in it.  That would be my wife’s cup. 

My cup, the big pappa bear sized cup, does not have a lid, because I do not like to have a lid on anything.  Mainly because my Mom taught me how to chew ice, so I like to drink soda and chew the ice.  There is also something about Culver’s Root Beer that can not be experienced through a lid and a straw.  Root Beer must be experienced with all your senses.  It has a certain aroma and the head tickles your nose when you take the first drink – if you do it correctly!  The same is true with a good latte…it must be experienced.  I think Erwin McManus has a sermon about this that I heard once, so I didn’t come up with it.  But, it’s true. 

Now, here’s the thing….my boys, Jack and Ben, have already begun to be like dad in this regard.  They love to drink drinks without lids.  They love to chew ice.  They love Culver’s root beer and I’m convinced they “get” that it must be experienced in this way! 

Already, they have frustrated my wife and some of our friends, because they typically spill their drinks.  They have not developed the proper motor skills to handle cups without lids (neither has dad), but Dad is Great, he gives us the chocolate cake!  I let’em do it anyway… Raise a child in the way he should go and all.

When I saw this scene, I laughed, because I realized I have disciples.  And after being at the 3dm Discipleship and Mission workshop last week, the reality that “You are making disciples, whether you acknowledge it or not” kind of hit me while we were her in Culver’s.

My boys were laughing as they watched me snap the picture.  And, of course, I had to explain what I was doing and that they were “My disciples.”  Which, THEY LOVE!  They love being my disciples.  And, they totally get what disciples are, by the way…

Point in case….later on Sunday, my wife, who is 7 months pregnant was taking a nap and my youngest son Benjamin came in.  He was snuggling with her and started hugging her belly and talking to the baby. 

“Hey baby, this is Ben.  I can’t wait to meet you!”  He says. 

Emily was telling Benjamin how she thinks he will have a special relationship with our new little boy and how they will be buddies and the new little guy will follow Ben around.

Ben says, “Yeah, I know…

He’s gonna be my disciple!”

IS YOUR LIFE WORTH IMITATING?

This story – The Joseph Story – in Genesis 37 through 50 – sets up the framework for the story of God’s people.  This story precedes THE Great story – the Exodus.  It explains how in the world God’s people got to Egypt.And, the truth is, this story replay’s itself over and over and over throughout the history of Israel.Actually, it is the story of humanity.  It is the story of humankind.  It is really your story and my story.  

Joseph is the beloved son of a Father who has chosen him as his own and clothed him with this blessing.  In the story, Joseph is given a robe at a time and point in his life where he is underserving of such a gift, it only represents how the Father feels about the son.  It does not represent anything the Son has done.

(I think in the abstract, this represents us, God’s heart is for us, he desires to have us, to clothe us with a robe that fully expresses how he feels about us.)

But, Joseph exists in a reality that is dysfunctional – he is unable to fully live into the blessing.  This chosenness of Jacob.  (In the abstract, this represents the fallenness of mankind – no matter what – we are born into brokenness.  Some of us experience this at different degrees or in different ways than others, but we all, no matter how good we have it experience it.  This is true of Joseph.  He had it great, and his brothers sold him down the river).

And, actually, Joseph’s own brokenness, his own inability to live in humility gets him in trouble.  Although he gains an awareness of his chosenness.  The blessing of his father upon him, he is unable to live in it, because he himself is dysfunctional.  He is broken.(This is ultimately true of us too – we choose sin and brokenness.  We all are guilty, scripture says.  It affects us, no matter what, and even though Joseph gets the raw end of the deal, when you read or hear the story, you realize he was a little punk.  “Guess what guys?  You’re all going to bow down to me!”)

Now, everything about Joseph’s reality is broken.  His relationship with his brothers is broken.  His work is broken.  He does not know how to work and earn respect and authority properly – he wants it given to him based on something dysfunctional.  A dream.  He is sent out with his brothers and probably not able to keep up or do his share of the work, wearing this stupid robe and reminding them all the time that his is dad’s favorite and telling them of these dreams.   Don’t miss it, this story is an expression of the dysfunction that ensues after the fall.

So, Joseph is taken out.  There is an enemy brought on by the dysfunction that creates enough turmoil that Joseph is literally taken out and he loses the relationship that expresses this covenantal love of Father to Son.  He loses the safety and security of that loving relationship.  

The story is meant to rip your heart out!  Can you imagine!  Can you imagine the gall of those brothers coming home with that Rotten Stinky rob and pulling off that Hoax on their dad?  I mean, that took some serious will power, right?  No, Dad, he’s in the belly of the lion, or the bear?  It ripped him to shreds, all that’s left is this stupid robe you put over his scrawny shoulders and look at it.  It’s soaked in dried up, stinky, nasty blood.  Jacob’s heart was destroyed!  I can tell you, my heart would be destroyed if you took my boys away from me!  

That is how God’s heart feels about the brokenness of this world!  That is how he feels about sin.  That is how he feels about what happened in the Garden and that is how he feels about it when each and every one of us has to choose to succumb to the dysfunction of the fallen world we are born into.  That is how he feels about His enemy taking you and I out. 

So, Joseph is carried off to Egypt. Egypt, in the Story of Israel represents more than a geographical location.  You can find Egypt on a map!  Yes.But, Egypt, to the People of God – represents Exile.  Exile means WE ARE NOT WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE! 

We are not at Home with Our Dad!  

Joseph is not at home with Dad.  Egypt is that!  Exile is that. This is the story of humanity.Sin and death – brokenness – dysfunction – the reality of the kingdom of this world – is Egypt.  It is not HOME.  It is not where Dad is!  Dad, is God the Father.Jesus called him Abba when he taught the disciples how to pray.  Which means Daddy.So, Joseph finds himself in the far off place, which is not home.  It certainly could not have felt like that dream he had as a boy.  It certainly could not have felt like things were going to go his way.  It was humbling.  It was crushing!  So, now put yourself in Joseph’s shoes.  Months go by and you are saying to yourself, “Okay, wait a minute.  What were those dreams about?”  And, it is sinking in that you are alone.  You know your brothers have schemed.  Everyone is against you.  Everything is against.  It seems as if even the fabric of the world, this dysfunctional world, the brokenness of the world are against you.  And now, you are in Egypt.But, here’s something about this story that is incredible.  Although Egypt represents exile, and the removal from “home.”  

Egypt does not represent the absence of God for Joseph.We see throughout the story of Joseph that he chooses over and over to be transformed by his experience and to believe, think, experience God with him in this place.  In this place that appears to represent “not home”  “away from Dad”  Joseph experiences “favor of God”  “God with me”  “God having my back”  “God showing up”So, here are a few things we can see from Joseph’s experience:[Slide 16]God is with Joseph, where he is, Joseph does not have to be where God is.That is true for us. Even in God forsaken Egypt.Are you in Egypt?  God is with you.God come from Home to Egypt to rescue Israel.Eventually, God comes from where he is to get Israel!He sends Moses to deliver his people, and says, “I am with you!”In the Jesus version of this story, because this is the story of mankind.God’s plan is even to save Egypt.  God comes for everyone.The key to Joseph’s story is his Journey of Transformation:HumilityResponsibilityJoseph has to humble himself and take responsibility.  The young punk in the coat is not the man who reconciles with his brothers in the end of the story.

Here is a new post about some things happening this week.

I’m excited about what is developing in the Cincinnati area with the concept of discipleship.  When I say the word discipleship, I mean simply, a movement of people attempting to imitate Jesus – that is, be like Jesus. (It’s kinda rare if you think about it.)

Thursday, I will be attending, with several of my elders and my wife, a brief introductory meeting with Mike Breen, at Crossroads Church.  Mike has been doing some consulting with Crossroads and their Senior Pastor Brian Tome. 

Crossroads is a very kingdom minded mega church in the Cincy area and every year they do a city-wide spiritual journey (children’s, youth, small group, and sermon based experience) that has gone multi-state in the last few years.  The most recent journey was called STRONG JOURNEY.  The last number I heard was 85 churches participated.  Last week, Brian Tome sent out an email inviting all the pastors who participated in Strong Journey to come hang out with he and Mike Breen for a couple hours. 

So, I have to admit, I caught wind of the fact that Brian was hanging with Mike at the end of November and my interest was piqued.  (I was a little shocked.)  Part of the Strong Journey is a preacher’s meeting where several pastor’s get together once a week to share preaching ideas for the upcoming sermon . I got a sniff that Brian had been reflecting on some of this content, and then I saw on Mike’s Twitter timeline that Brian was going to Sheffield, UK to hang out at the church Mike Breen first implemented some of the ministry concepts that now shape what 3dm is doing here in the United States.  If you are interested, it’s called St. Thomas Sheffield.  I emailed Brian hoping to have some time with him and see what Crossroads was up to.  We did and after coffee, I don’t know if I or Brian knew what he, or Crossroads, was up to?  It appeared that Crossroads was just committed to let Mike come, check them out, diagnose their discipleship culture, and see what happens.  I’m intrigued to see what happens.  We will see…  Even if all it does is effect next year’s journey, it will be awesome, but I am thinking it will have a larger impact.

Interestingly, I just listened to Brian’s January 1 sermon.  He did a little bit of Mike Breen – Kairos Moments!  Check it out.

To be honest, I don’t know what will or can happen in 2 hours with Mike.  I am excited to let my elders and my wife get some time with Mike and hear a little more.  I realize that this is going to take time and I just need to keep exposing my team to it and lead them into it one step at a time.  It will come.  I am just hoping that they experience something tomorrow during the meeting that they like. 

Another cool piece of this puzzle is that Vineyard Cincinnati’s Small Groups pastors will be attending this meeting on Thursday.  They are also reading Breen’s books and wrestling with the concept of Discipleship.  Here are links to Breen’s books:

Next week, I am headed to Pawley’s Island, SC to go to 3dm’s Discipleship and Mission workshop with another one of my elders (I am hoping another joins us).  I think we will walk away from that with a pretty clear picture of what lies ahead as we forge the Mason Vineyard’s implementation of this.

I will also have some time with Ben Sternke, in Fort Wayne, this week to start laying some ground work for where we go over the next few months.  He and I will begin our coaching relationship soon, which will include weekly phone calls and familiarization with Lifeshapes and Building a Discipling Culture content.  Which I will elaborate on in the future. 

I will let you know how tomorrow goes…

I usually follow it fairly closely.  Need some room for The Spirit to move…

Well, here is the first sermon of 2012:

“Vow – Making” Over and Against New Year’s Resolutions…preached by Jason Smith – January 1^st, 2012

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

[slides 2-9]

¹You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me.

²You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

³You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

⁴Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

⁵You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

⁷Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

⁹If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

¹²even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

¹³For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

¹⁷How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand—

when I awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹If only you, God, would slay the wicked!

Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

²⁰They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversaries misuse your name.

²¹Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,

and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?

²²I have nothing but hatred for them;

I count them my enemies.

²³Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.^[1]

New Year’s Day

Are you a new year’s resolution kind of person?

No matter whether you like to make them or break them – there is something refreshing about turning over the calendar on January 1^st. There is something in the process of turning the page. It feels like a clean slate. Something new is afoot.

If you hang out on the internet, reading blogs or reading news articles or magazines for that matter, you have been inundated by productivity tips in the last week, helpful hints to turn a new leaf. How to get the most out of planning for the new year. How to be intentional about what comes next. How to have a plan for your life. How to make it happen in 2012. How to dream big and achieve everything you’ve ever wanted to achieve.

Some of us are jaded. When talk of new year resolutions begin, we get a bad taste in our mouth and start the self talk, “hmmm….new year’s resolutions are made to be broken.”

You might or might not know, but I had a final week of 2012 from hell. I suffer from chronic migraines. They are usually under control, but every once in about 2 years, I have one break through that won’t go away and it puts me down. Tuesday night, I did not sleep. I suffered.

I ended up in the Emergency Room Wednesday morning – nauseous, over sensitive to light – I almost threw up on the registration tech that came in with cologne on. They were able to abort the headache, but I literally lost 3 days this week as I slept off the effects of this killer migraine.

Normally, I am one who eats up the whole New Year’s resolution kind of stuff. I read articles all week. I take a retreat and reorient my personal values and my life goals and I think through what my year will be about and I usually have a written plan for how I will implement those goals.

But this week, I had a headache and then I had a hangover from that headache. And, I ended up sleeping a lot. And, although I will probably spend some time reflecting on what 2012 looks like for me, I just didn’t do much of that this week.

After a few days trying to get back on my feet, I asked God what he was trying to tell me?

Because I realized he was trying to tell me something.

I have learned over the last 10 years that there is something very centering about chronic pain. It makes the rest of the world fade away. When it comes on, you have a choice. You can either become overly self-centered and go into a “woe is me” cocoon, which sometimes is all you can do, because it just hurts so badly.

But, after time passes and you realize that there is no magic cure – that a supernatural healing might not happen – after you’ve seen all the doctors and tried all the meds and every remedy everyone you meet offer’s you – you realize you have to learn to cope and you have to deal – and the pain can be something that helps you focus.

It can help you move outside yourself. It can center you. It can actually help you pray and think about God. Every time I have one of these episodes, I am reminded that there are people who deal with this kind of chronic pain on a regular basis. I am fortunate to have it controlled. Invariably, today, there will be someone who passes on a cure to me.

So, this week, as I listened to God I found myself asking him, what he might have for me…what he might be telling me, and I heard a few things.

I’d like to share them with you.

The first thing I reflected on – the first thing I heard – was just how much stress I’ve been under at the end of this year. There is something unique to the calling of a pastor. As the shepherd of a body of believers, pastor’s are called to carry the burdens of their people. It is a very unique experience. It is a priestly responsibility and I affirm the calling within me, but it can be difficult sometimes as you walk with people in their struggles, their grief, their challenges, their decisions, you name it. Sometimes, we are called to go through that with people who choose to leave us, to betray us, or just to disagree with us. That has happened in the last few months quite a bit. It is hard every time. I am not made of steel. I have had disagreements, arguments, calm, cool, collected, conversations with people who chose to move on, received letters from people who needed to express disagreement with me and disappointment with our church and my leadership. I have had volunteers quit and had to ask volunteers to step down. Neither is easy. The latter is the hardest. I always try to help people grow toward Christ – usually, people interpret conflict as reason to run, I think it is always reason to lean in.

As I reflected a bit more upon this whole issue, I realized that I really do consider the Mason Vineyard to be extended family. We are attempting to create within this body the feeling of extended family and as we grow, we will probably have multiple extended families, but we want to always have a sense that the center of what you are attached to at the mason vineyard is family. And when the family is going through something, even the least connected members feel it.

Thinking forward, I realized that in 2012, I must be a bit more intentional about how much stress I take on in regards to the burdens of the extended family. It seemed to really snowball at the end of 2011 and get out of my control, which is probably the problem – thinking I had any control!

So…I started thinking about the whole concept of Resolutions (New Year’s or any other) in the framework of the biblical example. Does the bible even give us any indication of how to frame thinking through this kind of thing.

I began to realize that in our way of doing things, we typically sit down and make a list of things we are going to “add” to our lives when we make new year’s resolutions. If we are particularly emotionally mature, we might realize we need to compromise and cut something out to add that thing in our life. But, new year’s resolutions typically go like this: Get healthy – start exercising. Get closer to God: Add quiet time to my day. Learn Spanish: Buy Rosetta Stone, practice 1 hr a night. By the time you have finished your list, you need a 27 hour day.

So, I started researching the scriptural principle of a “sacred vow.” This intrigued me, because on one hand, essentially, when we make a resolution, we are hoping to make a “vow.” We are hoping to fulfill a promise. But, on the other, we mostly realize we don’t take our resolutions seriously. That is we tend to break them. We have great intentions, but by no means do we consider a new year’s resolution something that must be fulfilled as an act of worship to God.

The scriptural idea of a vow is pretty intense. Unlike tithing, sacrifices and offerings, Sabbath keeping, and circumcision, vow making was not something commanded by Mosaic Law. But they were considered a valuable act of worship to be brought before God in temple worship.

The purpose of a vow is to win a desired favor from the Lord,

To express gratitude to him for some deliverance or benefit (already received)

To simply prove absolute devotion to him by way of certain abstinences.

Biblical examples of vow takers were Samson (Samson was a Nazarite, who’s parents swore a vow that he would not drink wine or strong drink, eat anything unclean, or allow his hair to be cut – this vow was taken as worship to God because his mother was previously barren and God answered her prayer for a son), Samuel, was also vowed to God as a Nazarite, for the same reason, he was presented to Eli and served in the sactuary as a Levite. And, in the New Testament, John the Baptist has the same story – Elizabeth was barren and as we reflected upon in the Christmas series, his father was in the temple serving the Lord and an Angel announced that Elizabeth would become pregnant with a son. He did not believe and was struck mute. After it came to pass, John lived the life of a Nazarite – under the same type of vow that Samson and Samuel had lived.

These examples all appear to be for the favor of child bearing. If you have experienced the grief of losing children, you can understand the feeling of thanksgiving to God for a child when it comes to pass. Especially if it is in old age. I have a special place in my heart for this right now.

Frequently, however, vows were taken as a type of bargain with God. At Bethel, Jacob promised God worship and the tithe if he would protect him and supply his needs (Gn 28:20–22). Hannah pledged that if God would give her a son, she would return him to God (1 Sm 1:11, 27–28). In the Psalms, payment of vows is often associated with thanksgiving for deliverance from danger or affliction (e.g., Pss 22:24–25; 56:12–13).^[2]

Most important is that once a vow is made, the obligation is serious. To refrain from making any vow is no sin (Dt 23:22), but once declared, the vow must be kept (Dt 23:21–23; see also Nm 30:2; Eccl 5:4–6).^[3]

²² But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. ²³ You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth. ^[4]

One thing that seems to be present in all the sacred vows in scripture is that what is given up when the vow is taken is something of luxury.

And, that is exchanged for worship to God.

So, the vow taker, searches themselves and in some cases gives up the very thing they were even praying for – a son. Provision. Riches.

In exchange for deliverance. Healing. Protection in battle. Victory over enemies. You name it.

And, it always is met with worship and prayer – in excess.

Now, before you chalk this up as an Old Covenant – Old Testament thing of the past, I wanted to remind you that we do see the apostles undertake this type of behavior quite often. And, the Apostle Paul specifically practices Vow Taking in a few different places in Acts.

In Acts 18, when Paul meets Priscilla and Acquillla, they decide to depart Corinth together for Syria, but before he leaves, he has his hair cut, because of a vow he has undergone.

Scholars are perplexed by why exactly he has his hair cut at this point, because usually the hair was cut at the completion of the vow, but later Josephus did allude to a practice of cutting the hair at the beginning of the vow. It is believed that Paul probably took on the vow in response to the vision Paul had which Luke recounts in Acts: 19:9-11

⁹One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” ¹¹So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.^[5]

So, here, Paul is taking on a vow as thanksgiving for protection and deliverance.

Later, in Acts 21, Paul tells James and all the Elders of the church in Jerusalem about what God is doing among the Gentiles he is preaching the Gospel among. They are overjoyed to hear about what is happening, but there response is amazing. They ask Paul to join in a vow with four other men.

⁰When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. ²¹They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. ²²What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, ²³so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. ²⁴Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. ²⁵As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”^[6]

So, what am I saying with all this?

I guess I am encouraging you to rethink the New Year’s resolution and consider the ancient practice of taking a sacred vow instead.

How does one go about that?

Well, I would suggest keeping it very simple.

I would use the Psalm I started with today, Psalm 139. Especially the last two verses. And just pray the same prayer David prayed 3000 years ago:

]

²³Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.^[7]

Ask God if there is something in 2012 that is a luxury that can be given to him.

As I reflected on this, I was pointed most to simple things like:

30 minutes on the computer

30 minutes of television

30 minutes of

$25 on soda and coffee

$25 on fast food

Could I give some of those things up and offer them back to God?

I, personally, was also challenged to think about this concerning the blessing Emily and I have been given to bear a child at this stage of our life. After having 4 miscarriages and literally have a miscarriage 1 month before getting pregnant this time, the biblical example does not get passed me.

There is a specific element of consecration involved here.

When you take a vow, over and against a resolution, you must dedicate it to God in worship.

^[1] The Holy Bible : Today’s New International Version. 2005 (Ps 139). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[2] Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (1288). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[3] Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (1288). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Dt 23:22–23). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[5] The Holy Bible : Today’s New International Version. 2005 (Ac 18:9–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[6] The Holy Bible : Today’s New International Version. 2005 (Ac 21:20–25). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[7] The Holy Bible : Today’s New International Version. 2005 (Ps 139). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Most importantly – a God breathed surprise.  Baby Smith number 3.  Emily and I are having another baby boy this spring.  Can’t hardly believe it!  We are blessed.  We are hoping Emily will not have to work much after the baby is born.  We will see how that step of faith goes!

Here is what is on my plate for 2012.  The Mason Vineyard has pretty much graduated from the honey moon phase with me, I think.

That is to say, I think everyone has gotten over the initial excitement of having a new pastor and now we can get on to the real work of being the church … together.

In July, August, and the very beginning of September, we revealed our Vision to the church and as we move forward implementing that vision, it will take some serious commitment from myself and our leadership to stay the course.  The overarching vision of the Mason Vineyard is to Make Disciples and I am hoping to gain some clarity around that concept in 2012.  I think the Mason Vineyard has a unique place in our context (Mason, OH) to make disciples of people who will not be attracted to the disciples in other churches.  My goal in 2012 is to help my people begin to understand how we “go” and quit hoping they will “come.”

What exactly is going to be our method of making disciples?  Dallas Willard says the great question for the church in the 21st century is two-fold.  How do you as a church make disciples?  And, does it work?

We are in the beginning stages of a relationship with 3dm.  I have been reading Mike Breen’s books (all co-authored with others) and growing more interested with each step.  I have also been to a workshop in Chicago to get a taste of 3dm’s philosophy and a bit of their method of implementation for Missional Community – and more specifically, their discipleship vehicle called huddles.  In January, I will be attending a longer workshop and taking at least one of my elders along with me.

I am also working with Ben Sternke, who is coaching for 3dm.  Ben is semi-local for me.  He is in Fort Wayne, IN and he and I will be working through some things as we get on track in 2012 with our implementation of this model.

I am going to be blogging a lot more in 2012 and hopefully be reflecting quite a bit about this journey.

Here’s some more basic info:

First, one of the key concepts to understand is the difference between small groups and huddles.  What is a huddle?

This is a post by Mike Breen about huddles:

http://mikebreen.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/huddles-huddles-huddles/

For information on Missional Communities, check out this wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missional_community

Also, here is a very well done video about a church in Tacoma, WA which functions with as missional communities.

There will be a lot more to come.