Andy Cornett | living in the new creation

endlessly captivated by the person and work of the resurrected Jesus

From one to another

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Sometimes the simple words in Scripture say exactly what you think and feel. Today as I leave New Hope and head to Signal Mountain, these speak as if from my own heart:

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:8-11 NIV)

Amen! May it be so.

on customizing curriculum

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You’ve done this. You open up a file or flip through the pages of a curriculum script for the week. You start to think – how am I ever going to do that? You know it’s one thing to get a tool out of a box; it’s another to figure out how to use it in the best way.

At New Hope, we use the XP3 curriculum (put out by ReTHINK) for both our midweek middle and high school programs. That means a basic 3-step process for any series:

  1. We read through the whole package and make some decisions about whether to tailor its focus/theme, how many sessions we’ll do (sometimes we stretch it or subtract), whether to retitle them, and how to incorporate the “XP” (experiential piece).
  2. Since the same person speaks at both environments, one person primarily reworks the content for each week.
  3. We target the content first to high schoolers, then edit it for middle schoolers, and then condense and rewrite the questions for our small group leaders (we shoot for only 6 questions).

Let’s circle back and look at #2. The thing I love about XP3 stuff – its thoroughness, detail, and communication flow – also presents its biggest challenge: how to take all this material and own it to contextualize it for your church environment and the students you get to love. Here’s how I handled the first session of the “Guardrails” series.

  1. Try to remember the great, 4-part advice under “How to find your own voice!” and pray for God’s leading here as you prepare!
  2. I read through the outline structure in detail (to get an idea of the key points and flow) and then read through the whole text, starting to mark what I can skip, keep, or change.
  3. Since we try to keep our midweek talks to only 15 minutes, I do a good bit of editing. In this case, I cut out about half the talk, condensed/rewrote some, and ended with something about 2000 words or 40% of the original size. Yes, I felt bad. (Here, I cut out the part of Scripture and application on drinking – and subbed in a different illustration – because we planned to add a week and focus on that issue as its own session).
  4. I spend a lot of time rethinking the bottom line – trying to make it shorter, more memorable, and (if needed) closer to the Scripture. Here, “God wants you to set up some protective barriers to keep you out of the danger zone” became “God wants you to set up guardrails to keep you ON the road and OUT of danger.”
  5. Once I have this, I try to write the key paragraph around it: these are the words I want to get right and repeat throughout the talk (defining guardrails and show why you, why now).
  6. I usually change the first two sections of the talk to use both a personal story of mine and imagery or video that relate. I had tons of fun here showing pictures of guardrails in dangerous places and how they keep us on the road and out of danger. (HS students had this nailed, MS needed more pictures – then told me I should have talked about “bumpers” in bowling lanes instead.)
  7. Write it, rehearse it, pray for the students, pray for God’s wisdom and grace, and go for it. There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t feel inadequate or wish I’d had more time to change things.

[For the record: Andy Stanley and Lane Jones’ “Communicating for a Change” is a tremendous resource for helping you think about how communicate in your own church.]

God of the small step

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Last Sunday night I sat around with some friends in our small group and we swapped stories of what God has been teaching us these last few weeks or particular ways we’ve seen his hand in our lives. It was beautiful. But one thing that kept coming up again and again is how our own Plan B or Plan C in something seems to have been God’s “Plan A” all along.

It put me in mind of a quote shared with me by an elderly woman in our church who sings in the choir and likes to read theology books and biblical commentaries in her free time. Every now and then we’ll talk about what she’s reading, and a while ago she brought me this clipping from a commentary on Romans 15:14-24. I keep this highlighted page (along with a small collection of others) pinned to a board by my desk.

Did Paul ever get to Spain? There is no evidence whatever that he did. But his desire to do so, and the fact that he wrote Romans as part of the preparation for such a trip, points out an extremely important lesson for us all. Perhaps God sometimes allows us to dream dreams of what he wants us to do, not necessarily so that we can fulfill all of them – that might just make us proud and self-satisfied – but so that we will take the first steps towards fulfilling them.

And perhaps those first steps (as they appear to us) are in fact the key things that God actually wants us to do. Paul may not have got to Spain. That didn’t matter; the gospel got there fairly soon anyway. What mattered then, and has mattered enormously in the whole history of the church, is that, as a part of his plan to go to Spain, he wrote Romans. We should never underestimate what God will do through things which we see as small steps to a larger end.

[I’m not certain of the source; I think it is NT Wright in his Romans for Everyone.] When I first read that, it was a flash of light to my mind. It perfectly captured how I think God so often works in our lives – “never underestimate what God will do through things which we see as small steps to a larger end.” It is one of the myriad of ways in which God seems to delight in surprising us, sometimes playfully, sometimes mischievously or infuriatingly, by doing what he intends regardless (or in spite of) what we intend. Call it part of the mustard seed miracle of the kingdom of God. We plant, God grows. While we are sleeping it off or planning some other grand project, God quietly works. Sometimes the seeds sprout in the unlikeliest of places. Sometimes the sidelined plants with minimal attention bear the most fruit.

What I think of my work isn’t nearly as important as what God is doing in it or through it or behind it. Yes, I have the confidence that I can give my all to it, that none of it is a waste, none in vain. But at the end of the day, I don’t carry the load. I can’t see far down the road or even around the next bend. All I have is light enough for the next step (and it’s no small truth that his word illumines both the path and my feet). May God give me – may God give all of us – eyes to see.

Dream big dreams. But do not forget the God of the small step.

on a new assignment

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Part of the reason it’s been so quiet here is that I’ve been preparing for a big change. Last Sunday, May 6, I made a big announcement to our students and leaders at SoulStation and to our church at all three worship services: it’s time for the Cornetts to take a new assignment. Here is an edit/excerpt of what I got to say personally to our church (Curt’s sermon that morning was 1 Thess. 1 and faith, love, and hope):

“My heart is too full to say this well, but the time has come for me and my family to leave. I am stepping down as Assistant Pastor for Student Ministries here at New Hope in order to take a call as Assoc. Pastor of Youth and Family Ministry at Signal Mountain Presbyterian in Signal Mountain, TN. For ten whole years you have been gracious and kind to me and my family, allowing us to live among you, serve with you, love you, and grow with you. You have encouraged my faith even as I have worked to strengthen yours in Jesus Christ. You have been a shining example of a church that hopes in Christ, a local church that represents that hope to its community and each other. And finally, we love you and we know you love us. Together we have lived out what 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says so well: “we loved you so much that we delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives as well.”

It has been my great privilege to get to know you and lead you (mostly in student ministry) as together we followed Christ and asked him to lead our church and its ministries where he wanted them to go. And now it is clear to me that, in asking God to lead us, He is leading me away from here and to a new work at a different church. Last Sunday, on April 29, the congregation at Signal Mountain voted to call me to their church … and I accepted that call. That set in motion a careful process. On Monday this past week I told our pastoral staff; on Tuesday, I shared the news with the elders on our Session and the Personnel and Christian Ed Councils; and on Wednesday, the staff. They all kept their word and sealed their lips until I could tell you all face to face this morning. (Robin and I told our own kids last Sunday night – and Michael, Caroline, and Elanor – I am so proud of you for honoring your mom and dad and keeping the news to yourself for a whole week).

Let me try to anticipate a few questions:

How long has this been brewing?

Answer: a very long time. I had an encounter with God last May that left me very clear that it would soon be time for me to leave New Hope; I just didn’t know when or where. Signal Mountain contacted me in early October, and then I had a series of interviews over January – April.

Why are you leaving?

Answer: For all the good reasons. I cannot say this clearly enough: there is nothing or no one here that is causing problems or encouraging me to leave (and besides, that wouldn’t cause me to go). It’s not you – it’s me. But it’s not really me – it’s God. This is a tremendous church and I have every reason to stay … except the most important one: I am absolutely convinced that God is leading me and our family away. I have prayed long about this and have a deep sense of call from the Holy Spirit to go this new work at a new church.

What is your timeline?

Answer: We will move sometime this summer in order to get settled before a new school year. I have some work here that’s important to me to finish (including our trips) and I want to leave well.

What do you want to say?

Answer: I am so glad you asked! As we have lived and served together, I’ve always tried to point you – and especially you students – to Jesus Christ and following him. He is completely trustworthy, completely able, and worth all our faith and obedience. And when he calls, you have a choice to make. To follow or not. To go or to stay. You don’t know how this step is going to turn out, but you know He’s the Lord and has prepared the way. So take the leap and follow Jesus – go forward!

And finally, thank you – thank you – thank you. It has been such a privilege to serve among you. You have been our church, our family, our home. We love you and we will miss you!”

[As to the longer story and how God has met me in this process, I will tell it on this blog over the next few weeks.]

Update on 5/9: My wife Robin blogged about the move at her business site, and New Hope has posted an official update as well.

On ORANGE and taking a breath

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It is a privilege, really. For the next few days I get to join a team from New Hope and participate in the 2012 Orange Conference in Atlanta. It’s part cheerleading for flagging spirits, part training seminar, part warehouse for ideas and inspiration in all things family ministry (from infants to college, kids to parents).

Here are the key things on my mind as I enter the next three days of learning and planning, and yes, strategizing (I get all excited by that last word). I can’t predict the learning outcomes, but I pray that these will bear fruit for us at NHP.

  • “Orange” has a simple philosophy for ministry: combine the influences of the church and the family for the sake of a greater impact in reaching the next generation of students. I get it, I preach it, I try to live it. But finding “entry points” for systemically implementing it within a church is a lot harder. It has deep roots biblically and theologically, but can’t just trickle down programatically. What are the practical next steps for church leaders? For parents within the church? What are the “on ramps” for approaching families “outside” the church? And within the church, how do we keep ministry to students a priority? How can the local church live out its call as an extended family of God to those students?
  • Wake up calls: Everyone of us has areas of ministry that become honed skills … but repeated action can dull the edge. I am particular interested in sharpening my skills in middle-event planning (retreats/special events), reaching out to new students/families in the community, and in coaching/training adult leaders. I hope that a few breakout sessions will offer some wake-up call moments to review and rethink how we do some of thes things.
  • First who, then what: I want to take some extra time these next few days to linger a little longer in prayer. The recent weeks blew by at a breathless place I need to tether some time to drink deeper from the well of salvation we have in Christ. It’s knowing God more deeply and knowing myself through him. Second, it’s the who of us as leaders among students. I want to try to set some thoughts down for us as leaders among students. Who are we becoming? Are we being the real thing with grace-shaped lives … or just looking like it? Do we build the bridges in conversation and relationship that points toward the goal of becoming like Christ?

    • So come on, Orange – bring it.

    on grace

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    Tim Keller on grace:

    “In Christ I could know I was accepted by grace not only despite my flaws, but because I was willing to admit them. The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less. I don’t need to notice myself – how I’m doing, how I’m being regarded – so often… It is only grace that frees us from the slavery of self that lurks even in the middle of morality and religion.”

    – The Reason for God. 187, 192.

    a prayer for Easter

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    So I had the task of writing a prayer of adoration for our Easter services last week. Public prayer is difficult. Some think we need better public prayers and pray-ers, some think Christianity ought to just do away with it for awhile. Both those voices need to be heard. Truthfully, I second both for different reasons and at different times. But as one who happily lives in a church that treats public prayer (whether silently or out loud) as an important part of worship, I embrace it. Here is the prayer I wrote for our worship this last Sunday.

    —

    O God our Father – thank you for the gift of what we just read and the truth you so clearly laid out in your word. For you are our Creator: you have made all things in heaven and earth. Everyone here owes the gift of our life and breath to you, Lord! But not only have you seen fit to make us and everything that is, but you outshine all of it in the glory of what you have done in and through your son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

    Jesus, by your cross and your life laid down you set your people free. In your grace and mercy you saved us and obtained forgiveness for all your people. We praise you for your limitless patience with us and your mercy to us that is greater than all our sin. We adore you for your strength revealed in your suffering and sacrificial love on the cross. We bless your name this morning, Jesus, for reconciling us to the Father so that we may know you and enjoy you for all time. All praise and honor and glory to you!

    Now, Father, make yourself known in a fresh way today as our savior and mighty deliverer! You know the hearts of everyone here this morning. You know all our desires, thoughts, and secrets. Would you come and cleanse us, make us new by your Spirit? Would you fire in us a bright and burning love for your son Jesus Christ? Would you give us the grace to let ever fiber of our lives praise and magnify your powerful name? Whether we wake or sleep, whether we work or rest, whether we live or die – only let you presence be with us and at all times shining through us.

    Oh Jesus, that we here at this church would have the grace to reflect your great love to this community in our own sacrifice and service! We are counting on your resurrection to see us through. We are bold to ask these things for our brothers and sisters present today, for it is in your strong and loving name that we pray, Jesus, in the power of the Spirit – Amen!

    —

    Full disclosure: I based this prayer in part on our scripture readings and song selections for Easter, and I also borrowed from the BOCP Collect for Purity, a traditional “Savior of the World” prayer, and “God Enjoyed” (found in the Valley of Vision).

     

     

    on truth and kings

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    And we who now stand at the foot of the cross have to face the most searching questions because we, too, find it desperately uncomfortable to look at the face of God’s Image, the man, the king, and see there the perfect likeness of the maker and redeemer of ht world. We are so stuck in the system so Caesar – his swords, his coins, his gambling soldiers – that we too have a hard time recognizing truth of any kind, let alone speaking up for it We are so anxious to protect the philosophies upon which our modern works is built that we will do anything to declare that we have no king but Caesar, that when push comes to shove religion is just a private thing which musn’t affect the public sphere, even when Jesus is reminding Caesar’s representative that he only has power because god has given it to him. And perhaps that is one of the reasons why the church is in such pain at the moment, caught between ‘what is truth?’ on the one hand and ‘no king but Caesar’ on the other.

    But the good news – and this is after Good Friday – is that this story, for all its searing challenge, remains the story of the scriptures and the power of God, and therefore of the glory and love of God … and if it is true that that love must transform our whole lives, our public life, our grasp of truth on the one hand, our dealings with Caesar on the other, this can only be if we are first grasped and transformed by that same love at the very deepest level of our personalities.

    Tom Wright, from “Good Friday,” in The Scriptures, the Cross, and the Power of God: Reflections for Holy Week. 64-66.

    on the cross of Holy Week

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    These are some of my favorite words on the cross of Holy Week. From Tom Wright on Matthew 23:34-46, “the Law and the Lord:”

    Not a jot or tittle, said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, will pass from Torah until all is accomplished; and as he articulates the greatest commandment in Torah, so he is on the way to its ultimate accomplishment. The vertical commandment, that we should love God with all our heart, is joined together with the horizontal commandment, that we should love our neighbours as ourselves; and Jesus combines the vertical and the horizontal into the greatest symbol of triumphant love the world has ever seen, a symbol at once clear and obvious and yet fathomless in its profundity, all the more so for its having been up to that point a symbol of the triumph of Caesar, his coins and his empire. The cross stretches up to God in loving obedience, and out to the world in loving service, and all because it is not only David’s son but David’s Lord who hangs there, so that the real stretching out is downwards, from God to us.

    from “Palm Sunday Matins,” in The Scriptures, the Cross, and the Power of God: Reflections for Holy Week.

    on Holy Week

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    Much of Holy Week consists, or ought to consist, in our going back in mind and heart to those first and unique events. In our day particularly we need to be reminded that what happened then was not just one example of a general pattern, but the central and unrepeatable events which form the hinge upon which the great door of cosmic history has swung open at last. That is perhaps the hardest thing for our generation to believe, and we have to rub our noses in it over and over again. But when we do that – when we grasp the unique and decisive and one-off nature of those events, from Palm Sunday to Good Friday and on to Easter itself – we discover again, and it’s bound to be almost as deeply disturbing, that there are similar lessons always to be learn in the church and in our own hearts and lives. When Jesus comes to his church, and to this people, today, he comes with the same message, and with the same warning. He comes seeking fruit, the fruit which belongs to his father. And those of us who decide to make the journey from Palm Sunday to Good Friday can never therefore do so in anything other than fear and trembling. We are, says St Paul, the temples of the living God. God forbid that when the Lord whom we seek comes once again to his temple he should find it necessary once more to come with stories of judgment. May we so hear the word, so live within the story that we find ourselves in six days’ time at the food of the cross, and in eight days at the empty tomb, and find ourselves saying, “this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

    – Tom Wright, “Palm Sunday Matins,” in The Scriptures, the Cross, and the Power of God: Reflections for Holy Week. This book (meditations and addresses from Matthew 21-23, 28 and John 13, 19, 20) has been my holy week companion for several years now. I expect to do the daily readings again this week and post a choice quote or two here or on facebook.

    grace and peace – Andy