Author Archive
English as a Bridge
Posted by: | CommentsWhat does it mean at Antioch Church when we say that English is a bridge language? Largely we are talking about how we use English and other languages in our corporate worship gatherings. While we will always attempt to integrate as many languages as we can as a part of how we celebrate in worship, we recognize that for our church English will always be seen as the overarching and unifying language. Now, for some multi-ethnic churches the bridge language may be different, but it seems inevitable that there must be a choice made.
At this point it works out like this. We are integrating Swahili and Arabic into our services through prayers by individuals. These are not translated. We also read Scripture in all three languages with translation being projected on the screen in the languages not being read at the time. We are verbally translating the Bible story phrase by phrase. We are still fine-tuning translating the main points of the sermon on the screen in both Swahili and Arabic.
We are still considering several other ideas. One is to use electronic devices for headset translation. This is a challenge due cost and the need for an extremely talented real-time translator. It also raises the question of how many languages can be supported with this technique. We minster in a neighborhood with 70 people groups and certainly can’t fully translate to all of the languages that might come to a service. Another thought is to provide translators in cluster seating during the service, so that, those who want to hear things translated, that are not translated from the stage, can be close enough to do so.
The realities of striking a language balance in a multi-ethnic church are always going to be difficult. It requires grace and understanding. It requires sensitivity to those participating. It demands careful and thoughtful planning by leaders. But, believing that the celebration of multi-ethnic worship is one worth pursuing all of the demands are worth it. One further note, this type of worship also demands that opportunities are given, in our case through weekly Family Groups, for gathering in a context where the language barrier is not issue.
Please feel free to ask questions or comment, or by all means, if your church has a handle on these ideas share your solutions.
Mission…what?
Posted by: | CommentsAre we doing missions or are we being missional? Yeah, yeah, I know…semantics right. It’s just playing with endings, but it’s all the same. Well, whatever you want to call them, I think the two concepts are different. Surely the thoughts I’m pondering are not new or original, but they have been rattling in my head and heart a lot lately. So here’s what I’m thinking.
If we are simply doing missions, then we are by definition relegating the mission to a task, action or program. So, we simply go on mission trips. We have a missions department or ministry. We organize people to sign up and get equipped to do something.
If on the other hand, we are living missions, i.e. being missional, then by definition our mission begins to define who we are. We are equipping people to be something. Missions is not something we do, but instead runs through the fabric of how we think, what we love, and how we relate to others. We see the church as a community of called out people living out the gospel in every aspect of their lives.
Jesus came to live the redemption mission. God didn’t send us a revamped program of how to engage Him. He came, He lived, He died, and He rose again. This is what the mission looks like. It is an “all in” affair. We can’t just do “missiony” things and declare ourselves faithful.
Like the description on the Kingdom of God, living missionally, living “for the sake of the gospel” is like yeast it permeates everything. In other words you can’t be a little missional, slightly gospel centered or a tad Kingdom minded. The gospel captures everything about us and therefore our response should be to live it out in every aspect of our daily lives.
Welcome to Antioch Anthology ch2
Posted by: | CommentsSo, we’ve changed the address. We’ve changed the format. We’ve merged some new and some old content. We hope all the change will simply make it easier for people to find and read what is hopefully helpful and encouraging messages from the leadership of Antioch Church in South Louisville, KY. If this is your first time here, we’re glad to have you. If you’re back, thanks for hanging with us and we hope you enjoy what you read and hear in the days, weeks, months and years to come. Our request is that you pray for us to be wise in what we share and that you would feel free to comment and share your thoughts. Dialogue is always more fun than monologue. So, have fun and enjoy, we plan to!
Advent Week 4
Posted by: | Comments“The Visit of the Magi”
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find Him, report to me so that I too may go and worship Him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
The fourth candle of Advent symbolizes Love. God’s love is so powerfully illustrated in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. His love is so vivid in the humility of Christ to leave glory to come in flesh to save the world. His love is so deep in knowing that He came as a baby not to live only, but to die as a sacrifice for our sin. As the Magi are remembered for bringing gifts to Jesus, let us never forget that the real gift of Christmas is the loving gift of Jesus.
Advent Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for seeking to remove Your presence and influence from our lives today. We confess our rebellion against Your absolute sovereign lordship, and ask that You would create instead a deep desire for You to rule over us. Enable us to delight in this little child who is now the King of kings, and to show our love for Him through our obedience. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Readings
These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah. Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Luke 1:39-56—Elizabeth and Mary
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Luke 2:1-20—The Birth of Jesus
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Luke 2:21-38—Presentation in the Temple
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Colossians 1:15-23—The Pre-eminent Christ
Friday, December 25, 2009
Revelation 5:1-14—Worthy Is the Lamb
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Revelation 21:1-7—The New Heaven and New Earth
Advent Week 3
Posted by: | Comments“The Shepherds and the Angels”
Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The third candle of Advent is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the Advent of the Christ. Joy is a non-circumstantial reality in the life of the believer. It is based in our hope in Jesus Christ. That joy is never more real than in our remembrance of Christ’s coming as a baby to “seek and save the lost,” and in the hope of His ever present return to take his people home to glory.
Advent Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus,
There is a lot about Your birth and life we do not understand, but we understand enough to be amazed just as the shepherds were. Forgive us for not marveling more at such a gift; for not pondering this great message in our hearts. Help us to remember You. And help us to notice somebody who needs to be told about Your love today. Give us the courage to spread the Word. For the sake of Christ’s kingdom we pray. Amen.
Bible Readings
These daily Bible readings are for you to use at home as you prepare your heart for the coming Messiah. Set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jeremiah 23:5-6—A Righteous Branch
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Micah 5:2—A Ruler over Israel
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Zechariah 9:9-10—Your King is Coming
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Malachi 3:1—The Messenger is Sent
Friday, December 18, 2009
Luke 1:1-25—The Birth of John Foretold
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Luke 1:26-38—The Announcement to Mary