Dean Inserra

4. Christian families having their kids in public or secular schools:

Keep in mind, I said these were simply my opinions. I am not condemning folks who choose the opposite. No need to defend your personal decision. I do believe that the Christian family is a powerful unit that God uses to minister to others. What would happen to public schools if many listened to the urging of some Conservative Christian leaders to “pull children out” of the public school system? So they might have an agenda that is contrary to our worldview and convictions…guess what, so does the world where they will one day live. That provides some wonderful dinner conversations where true conviction can be developed.

I want Tommy to be around people who are not Christians. Especially in middle school and high school. Having him in a secular school also allows Krissie and I to have relationships with parents and teachers who by a large percentage, will not know Christ.

Could you imagine the Impact and Influence that Church could have if every believer decided they were going to see school as a mission field?

I know, there are other places where this can happen. I get that. Lets be honest though…the majority of the family calendar revolves around school and activities associated with it.

I know churches that push home-school. Others push a mass exodus from public school. I think this is a very sad thing.

We did not live in the greatest area when I was a little kid in Ft. Lauderdale. The schools were not the best either. My dad had a strong conviction that we needed to be in school with the kids from our neighborhood. I am thankful for the example he set for Todd, Sally, and I in that area.

I felt like I was selling out by going to a Christian college, but knew I needed to be trained in theology and Biblical studies to be a Pastor. So, I got a secular job and tried to use that as my vehicle to connect. Krissie and I did the same in Seminary.

Tommy will get his “christian education” at home and at the Well.

How much Impact and Influence are many in the Church neglecting? There is POWER in the Christian family being engaged.

2. Not creating a Church calendar that keeps people busy and prevents them from being the Church. For far too long Church calendars have prevented people from having the time to do anything else with their lives. When we started the Well we made it very clear that we would refuse to be a place that made people feel guilty for not being at every single event. How? By not having lots of events! We have worship services, community groups, and ministry/serving needs. We ask people to pick one thing to do in terms of ministry. Some do more out of our major need, but we are working on getting enough people to sign up for one thing…that others do not have to do two or three things.

I never want someone to miss the opportunity to hangout with non-Christian friends, miss an outing with co-workers, or happy hour with the girls because they were too busy at Church. This sounds nuts, but I would rather have one of our folks at the bar with their friend than at a “Well event.” Because in my opinion, that IS a Well event. Radical? I don’t think it should be.

I also never want couples to spend more time doing Church stuff than they do having dinner together. Why should we add to family stress?

How can you be a light when you are burning out inside a Church building? Our vision is living as the Church outside of the organized “Church.”

Please stop equating attendance and busyness with spiritual maturity.

3. Understand that people who are not Christians cannot, should not, and will not act like they are.

We are not trying to get someone to have better morals, behavior, or some sort of lifestyle change. That does earthly good, but has zero eternal significance. Our desire is to see people reconciled to God and that happens through the saving work of Christ.

There are a lot of sober people in Hell. They are joined by folks who had good marriages and never cheated on their taxes. People need Jesus, not a morality lesson. How quickly people forget who they were before their hearts were made new.

When we focus on behavior instead of heart change, we are missing the point of the Gospel. Oh yea, it really pushes people away too.

Irrelevance is as overused word that has reached Boring status. The Bible is relevant whether people realize it or not. My desire and prayer is for Believers to have legitimate impact and influence wherever God has placed them.

Sadly, this is not taking place in Tallahassee, and there is a good chance that the same is true where you live. Don’t get me wrong, the Church is doing wonderful things in Tallahassee and all over the place. There are certainly believers who are a strong exception to the norm. The problem is that society as a whole is less interested, more turned off, and genuinely more anti than it has ever been. Maybe your city is different, but those in the Christian sub-culture of Tallahassee are a bunch a really good folks, who are sheltered and clueless when it comes to those who could give a crap if the Church even existed. Most of this disassociation from the World is done by choice and in the name of being good Christians with family values. Little do they know (or perhaps care) that what we have created is not what the Bible ever described, nor intended.

This week, I am going to be writing about what I believe it will take for those who the Bible describes as “Ambassadors,” to actually become that.

Disclaimers: a. These will be my opinions…I am not an expert. b. I know there are believers who do get this and are tired of the same old, same old. c. If you are mad after reading these opinions…it is probably because I am speaking directly to you.

Above all things, it will take a continued commitment to God’s Word and walking in the Spirit. I get that. We are going to consider that a given for this.

What Is It Going To Take

1. Knowing/Following the Methods or Jesus as well as we do His Message.

We love us some good teaching. “I just need to be fed,” is a common cry ones hears in the Christian community. We staunchly defend our theology, can play some serious Bible trivia, and write our favorite verses in our Moleskines. The message of Jesus is rightly what we embrace and follow.

What about His methods?

While I believe the things Jesus taught, will I follow Him to the places He went? Will I love the people He loved? Have active compassion on those in need? Despise man-made religion? Not cater to the Church crowd? Be with people?

How many Pastors spend 8 hours behind a desk running a corporation and little time with people? Very different than the method of Jesus. But man oh man, they are preaching His message! By the way, WHY IS THIS OKAY? It is trendy to “call out,” but it never seems to change. Step #1: get rid of your freakin Pastor Reserved Parking Spot next to the front door. Makes me want to throw up on your car!

Those who are disinterested in all things “Christianity” want to see the life of Jesus, and not just hear about it.

We had several people make decisions to follow Christ today. That NEVER gets old! In fact, it is why we exist!

Today was a powerful day at the Well. I had many conversations after both services and people are responding to the truth like I have never seen before. This was our last week of the We’re Just Not That Into You, series and I think it is fair to say that it might have been the most important 4 weeks of preaching we have ever done at our Church.

We had our best morning service yet! That crowd was a lot of fun today. A great thing about having a morning service is that our “Well alumni” can join us when they are in town. I saw several folks today.

Krissie was awesome on the “Well Short” video. She Gets It like its her job. People are drawn to her. My wife just straight up rocks.

I am going to be doing a blog series this week on what it is going to take to see the Church have influence and impact in Tallahassee and beyond. These will be my opinions, but I hope it will be helpful.

On Sunday we will start our new series, Dateable. It will look at marriage, dating, and relationships in general. Our belief in the Gospel should impact how we live that crucial area of our lives. Can’t wait!

I recently heard a great ministry thought from one of my heroes, Howard Hendricks.

He said that the Church is great when it comes to teaching the message of Jesus, but really weak at teaching His methods.

I thought that was HUGE and so descriptive of what we deal with in the South.  We love us some teaching, but actually having to get out there and be with the people who are not exactly like us? Different ball game. Hendricks encourages all Pastors, small group leaders, mentors, etc, to teach both. You cannot have one without the other.

My favorite blogger and Krissie’s BFF, Lindsay Knipple has a great post today. Reading it will make your day after a long week.

Ole Miss being at #4 was a crime against the football world. What was that ranking based upon? However, their cake schedule will allow them to win 8 or 9 games. The 3 difficult teams they play will beat them. I would not have them in my top 20.

Have a great weekend. Get pumped for Sunday! Much bigger deal than tomorrow’s game. Much.