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Jonathan Andersen

A young pastor in an old denomination

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The Rejuvenate Conference

I follow many people on twitter that I’ve never met in real life (IRL). Many of them are fellow United Methodist pastors. Through twitter, I’m able to hear their stories, discuss issues facing the church today, be encouraged, and, of course, read lots of quotes from famous dead people.

One of those pastors that I began following a while back is Paul Lawler, lead pastor of Christ Church United Methodist in Birmingham, Alabama. I became interested in the church Paul pastors when I found out that over the last six years they have helped plant over 102 churches around the world!

That’s not your average United Methodist Church.

I became even more interested in Christ Church United Methodist when Paul began advertising the Rejuvenate Conference—a conference focused on the renewal of the American church that is hosted at Christ Church each year. After seeing the vision for this conference and its list of presenters, I knew that I had to register and join in on the conversations.

Rejuvenate

Recently, I had the chance to chat with Paul about the Rejuvenate Conference,and I’ve become even more excited about going. I hope that after reading this interview with him you’ll join me in Birmingham on February 21-23. You can register here.


What is the Rejuvenate Conference all about?

Rooted in the belief that God can renew the mainline church and the North American Church in general, Rejuvenate 2013 is a renewal conference centered in the prayerful hope of God renewing our first love of Jesus Christ resulting in a revived expression of disciple-making and missional movement in our cities and among the nations.

How did this conference come about?

Rejuvenate was birthed out of prayer and intimacy with Christ.

I was praying in my office with our mission staff in the spring of 2011 and we began to get into discussion around the potential of doing a church renewal conference for the greater church, which would serve both the need for renewal in the North American Church, as well as the United Methodist Church.  The conference idea had been stirring in my heart for several years, but we sensed that it was time.  The Rejuvenate Conference takes place every other year in late February.  Rejuvenate 2013 will be the second Rejuvenate gathering.

Rejuvenate was also birthed out of people wanting to learn about what we are doing as a local church.

Let me clarify that. The Rejuvenate Conference is NOT about Christ Church. We are keenly aware that Christ Church is not a perfect church.  But the fact that many were inquiring about what God was doing at Christ Church provided some of the catalytic seeds for our doing the conference.

Over the last six years, Christ Church United Methodist Birmingham has made a high commitment to equip persons for discipleship multiplication.  We define discipleship as follows:  To develop fully devoted followers of Christ who are committed to developing fully devoted followers of Christ.  As we embraced a full-orbed commitment to disciple-making, we watched Christ begin to move more fully through His people.  The fruit of developing disciples is as follows:

Christ Church has planted 102 churches around the world over the last six years.  Many of these churches have now planted daughter and grand-daughter churches.  This has resulted in over 13,000 persons making first time professions of faith.  This effort has not been led by ordained clergy, but by the people who have been equipped and trained to serve as fully devoted followers of Christ.

Christ Church also made a 25 year commitment to serve a specific segment of inner city Birmingham.  We want to serve them long enough for us to develop life-long relationships that cultivate love and trust in order to be “with them” (i.e. Incarnational Ministry).  This involved church families willingly relocating to the inner city out of their first love of Christ; tutoring and mentoring in schools; forming 501C3’s which refurbish existing houses and make them available for the poor; and engaging in intentional collaboration to serve in the development of community shalom.

In light of what we have been experiencing as a local church, it is our conviction that every local church can be renewed in her first love of Christ in a manner resulting in revived expressions of disciple making and holistic missional movement in our cities and among the nations.

How does the founding of this conference also connect with your own personal experience as a pastor?

This is a very personal question for me, but I am willing to be transparent.

The conference was also birthed out of a holy wreck that happened in my heart and thinking in 2007.  I had planted a church in a medium-sized southern city and served it for sixteen years.  The church had grown to be a vibrant witness in the community and around the world.   In 2007, I was given the opportunity to then serve an existing church in Birmingham, Alabama.   Upon my assignment in Birmingham, I quickly became aware that the critical mass of people in the church could not give a simple definition of the word, “disciple”; nor did they understand our responsibility in “making disciples” as Jesus taught.  Most of these persons had been in church for decades.  I kept questioning:   How could so many people miss the main thing Jesus taught His church to do?  All of this was in blaring contrast to what I had experienced the previous 16 years.  It was a rude, heart-wrenching, awakening.

Out of this holy wreck came the conviction that it is unjust for any local church not to understand and live out Christ mandate to “make disciples.”   I was reminded through this season that this was not just a Christ Church Birmingham problem, but remains a problem for much of the North American Church and particularly for many mainline churches.  This is why The Rejuvenate Conference not only focuses on the rekindling of our first love of Jesus Christ, but on a myriad of ways to live out and demonstrate this love through disciple making, ministry in our inner cities, among the nations, and unto those facing immense suffering around the world.

One of the conference’s purposes listed on the website is “to restore the church to its primal expressions.” What do you mean by that?

We are not only witnessing the fade of Wesleyan Christianity in North America, we are witnessing the fade of Christianity in general.  Many say we are already post-Christian.  Do we soberly contemplate the effects of the absence of “salt and light” in our culture?  I am not only alarmed by the trends, I am also alarmed so few are alarmed by the trends.

I find there are many who are baptized in the comfortable accoutrements of Christendom.  They are, therefore, not allowing themselves to be disturbed by what is happening on our watch.  Christianity will not re-surge merely because Christendom exists.  All we have to do is observe what happened in Europe one hundred years ago when a strong Christendom existed and a vibrant Christianity was absent. History proves that Christianity surges where the apostolic faith in Christ is vibrant.  Therefore, I would submit we need to revisit our primal origins and embrace them.

Ultimately, what do we mean by “primal expressions?”  We mean that Christendom needs to re-discover her originating impulse.  Her originating impulses were centered in a clear understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ; a commitment to its propagation; a commitment to disciple-making among all peoples; and a willingness to serve these originating impulses with a selflessness that impacted the poor, and marginalized, and the culture in general for the glory of God.  You can read more extensively on this topic through a series on the Rejuvenate blog.

The session speakers (David Platt, Timothy Tennent, John Perkins, & others) have a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and current leadership roles.  What are your hopes for bringing this group together?

First of all, I would submit that it is completely Wesleyan to embrace a diversity of Christian leaders and influencers who are committed to lifting up the name of Christ in the framework of historical orthodoxy.   While Wesley and Whitfield had their heated differences, most Methodists are aware of how John Wesley spoke lovingly of George Whitfield at his funeral, “There are many doctrines of a less essential nature with regard to which even the most sincere children of God…are and have been divided for many ages. In these we may think and let think; we may ‘agree to disagree.’”

The Rejuvenate Conference speakers are diverse. I believe this diversity brings voice to the church and not just a church. This voice is strengthened by their passion for the supremacy of Christ and a relentless commitment to His mission. Each speaker brings an expression and capacity for equipping the church to serve God’s call to the reached and un-reached in discipleship, among the poor, the persecuted, and the trafficked.

Rejuvenate Speakers 2013

While the conference isn’t geared specifically to United Methodists, it is being hosted at a United Methodist Church (UMC) and features Dr. Tim Tennent, the President of Asbury Theological Seminary, as one of the session speakers.  How do you think this conference will contribute to the conversations about renewal and revitalization that are so common in the UMC today?

While this is a trans-denominational gathering, we are very intentional in hoping this conference will have a positive effect in a resurgence of vibrant Christianity through the UMC.

We are hosting a pre-conference Whiteboard Session hosted by Dr. Robin Scott.  Dr. Scott is a District Superintendent and a future Episcopal candidate.  He will facilitate a whiteboard discussion on renewal in the UMC as a part of the Rejuvenate pre-conference program on Thursday afternoon.  Information will be coming out on this gathering in a few weeks.  Participants must be registered for the conference in order to participate.

While there is much conversation regarding renewal and revitalization going on today, I find there is a great void in dealing with the essentials of primal or core Christianity.  We have much conversation around pensions and programs, buildings and budgets; but not around His Person and purpose.  We are hopeful, between the Whiteboard Session which focuses on spiritual renewal in United Methodism, blended with the focus of the conference itself, that a positive contribution will be made into the DNA of United Methodism that serves to spark a resurgence of vibrant, life-giving, Christianity.

There are now so many great Christian conferences that someone could attend them full time if they wanted.  What makes this conference different from all the other ones out there?

Three reasons.

First, the Rejuvenate Conference is focused on church renewal which is unto cultural renewal.

Christian history demonstrates the following axiom:  A renewed Christology results in a renewed missiology.  The primary purpose of the conference is to serve the cause of renewing our first love of Christ.  As our first love of Christ is re-kindled or ignited, the conference is designed to lead us into the ministry of Jesus to the world.

There are many conferences that teach you how to “run a more efficient church.”  There are many conferences that focus only on evangelism or serving the poor.   The Rejuvenate Conference is different via her holistic nature.  By combining times of corporate prayer, worship through song, stirring exhortations by world renowned presenters, and practical application of the expression of disciple-making and missional movement in multiple breakout sessions, this conferenceis designed to light a fire that spreads in your context of ministry.  I am not aware of any conference that is focused on spiritual renewal that is unto revived expressions of disciple-making and missional movements in our cities and among the nations of the world.  This makes theRejuvenateexperience different for her participants.

Second, the Rejuvenate Conference has a diversity of presenters from all over the world.

This conference has presenters serving movements making historic impact in Asia, Africa and North America.  The majority of Rejuvenate presenters are practitioners, and not merely theorists writing books about what others are doing.

I encourage people to research the “Billy Graham” of China named, Peter Xu, and the rich diversity of persons from around the world which we have an opportunity to learn from on the Rejuvenate website.

Third, the Rejuvenate Conference offers nimble application in your context.

If you would like to be intentional in making disciples in your context, there are those who will help you serve more effectively.  If you want to involve your church in planting churches in 2013, you can learn how at Rejuvenate.  By the end of 2013, your church can be actively participating in having planted several new churches.  If your church has no ministry to those suffering the plight of human trafficking, there will be those who can assist you in launching a ministry to those being trafficked.  Everything is designed so that you and your team might be renewed in Christ and so that you might be equipped to equip and empower others in your context of ministry for the glory of Christ.

Paul will be interacting in the comments over the next few days.
Feel free to make a comment or ask him a question.

January 15, 2013 by Jonathan Leave a Comment

How do United Methodist pastors end up at their churches?

“How many times did you worship at the church before you went on staff?  Once, twice?” asked a friend the other day.

“Zero,” I replied.

“Huh?”

“It’s a bit complicated, but let me try and explain how United Methodist churches work…”

I’ve had the above conversation many times recently.  Most of my friends from high school and college are members of Presbyterian, Baptist, or non-denominational churches.  Explaining how a pastor ends up at a church in those traditions is similar to how anyone else in America ends up at a job—you’re open for a position, you find openings at churches you’d like to serve, you interview and send in reference materials, a group at the church gives you an offer, and you decide whether to accept or keep looking.

To understand how pastors end up at United Methodist churches, forget all of that.

Churches in the UMC receive new pastors through a system called itinerancy.  Itinerancy is a system of church organization in which ministers are sent to local churches by a Bishop and are regularly rotated from one to another.  Ministers and Bishops are all part of a geographically organized conference (mine is North GA), which is broken down further into districts.  The conference limits where a Bishop can appoint each pastor to serve.

The appointments aren’t random—every year the Bishop and District Superintendents consult with those like me seeking a pastoral appointment and with each church in the conference.  Through much prayer and conferencing, they then seek to determine where to send pastors so that the UMC can best live out its mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  The gifts of the pastor, his or her family/life situation, the needs of a local church, the needs of the denomination, and many other factors are involved in the process.

Bishops send pastors to their churches in the UMC
Bishop Mike Watson of the North GA Conference. Photo courtesy of NGUMC.org

Typically, pastors find out where they’re sent via a phone call in the spring.  Some are sent far away, some are sent to a church nearby, and some are asked to stay where they are.  Those moving begin to envision life and ministry at a church they’ve never visited.  One week in June, all the pastors who have been appointed to new churches move and begin ministry at their new churches.  All appointments are made for only a year at a time.  However, the average length of a UM pastor is around four years.  There is also a trend towards longer appointments.  You can read more about the current itinerant system here.

Many Methodist Churches in Britain, Central America, and all over the world continue to use this system that has a historical basis from Methodism’s earliest days.

The UMC website sums up the history well.  “John Wesley began the itinerant system during his work in England. Wesley developed circuits for his assistants to travel, each of which included a large number of appointments. Preachers visited these appointments about once a month and changed circuits from year to year, depending on the current circumstances.”

1839
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Established 1839. Wilmore, KY.

On American soil, itinerancy adapted to the conditions at hand.  Traveling preachers became known as circuit riders as they rode from one outpost to another helping organize, lead, and perform the sacraments for groups of Christians across the frontier. This system enabled Methodist preachers to reach new settlements quickly.  The rapid growth of Methodism throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in America can be partly attributed to this form of organization.

“We have found by long and consistent experience that a frequent exchange of preachers is best. This preacher has one talent, that another; no one whom I ever yet knew has all the talents which are needful for beginning, continuing, and perfecting the work of grace in a whole congregation.” – John Wesley

If you are still reading at this point and you’re not a Methodist, you are probably thinking, “What a crazy system!”

If you are a Methodist congregant, you are probably thinking, “I’ve seen a lot of itinerant preachers come and go.  I’ve seen some crazy ones and many gifted ones.  I’m just thankful that we’ve never had a time without a pastor and that this church isn’t dependent on one person.”

If you are a Methodist pastor, perhaps like me you are thinking, “Lord, this itinerant system is counter to a culture that tells us to do what we want, look out for ourselves, and never submit to authorities.  I’ve placed myself in the hands of your church—in its beauty and brokenness.  I’m trusting that the Holy Spirit is present in the appointment process and that you are actively working all things together for good.  Give me strength, peace, joy, and a renewed love for you and your people as I travel to a new place.”

In the future I hope to write about the strengths and weaknesses of the itinerant system.  For non-Methodists, what do you think about this system?  For Methodists, how have you found living within this system?

June 21, 2012 by Jonathan 25 Comments

My first full-time position in ministry

Last Tuesday, Bishop Mike Watson licensed me to be an Assistant Pastor at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church in Dacula, Georgia!

My role on staff will largely center around discipleship—introducing new people to Christ and his call for a new way of life and helping those who have already placed their faith in Christ follow him more faithfully.  I will oversee the small group ministry, facilitate opportunities for people to participate in God’s mission in the community, and serve on the pastoral team in many other capacities.  If all of that sounds somewhat vague… it’s because the Senior Pastor of the church and I are still discussing the vision for this new role.

Hamilton Mill UMC was started 16 years ago, leading it to be a rather young United Methodist church.  The church is located on I-85 twenty-five miles north of Atlanta.  It is in an area that has experienced rapid growth in the last 20 years.  Currently, around 1,000 people worship there each week.  Many of them have already made me feel welcome by donating furniture to my barren rental home (facebook and hospitality are to thank for that hookup)!

Everything moving from Durham to GA fit in that little box. Sharing an old house with five others helps cut down the need for many househould items.

The founding pastor, Dr. David Davis, continue to serve as Senior Pastor and has already made me feel welcome and like an integral part of the staff and church community.  I’m beyond excited to be in a place where I am part of a team of ministers.  One of my desires for my first full-time position in ministry was to be in a place where I could be mentored into ministry by others with years of experience.  Hamilton Mill UMC is an environment that provides exactly that.

Those who talked with me throughout my last year at seminary know that the above description is the type of situation I prayed for and desired for this next season of ministry.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort!

I have one request for you as I share this joyful announcement.  Please keep me in your prayers as I enter my first full-time position in pastoral ministry.

And feel free to visit the church when you’re in the area, or make it your community of faith if you live nearby.

June 17, 2012 by Jonathan 5 Comments

The Myth of the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral”

This is the first post in a new series: “John Wesley – The man, the myth, the legend “

If you’re a Methodist, you may have heard the phrase “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” thrown around.  It probably wasn’t dropped in the middle of a dinner conversation.  But perhaps your pastor has used it in the pulpit or a teacher mentioned to you that the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” was a method you could use “to do theology”—aka reflection on things pertaining to God.

If you’re not a Methodist, you probably have not heard the phrase “Wesleyan Quadrilateral.”  But you probably have used this method to handle theological questions.

The “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” is best described by a line from the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Book of Discipline where it states, “Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason.”

Think about how you may have used this method.  Take the theological question, “As a Christian, is it okay to hurt someone I don’t like?”

To answer this, many Christians would first look to what the Bible says on the issue, for it is primary in any reflection relating to God.

They would then seek to understand what Christians throughout history have said.  Here, they would be looking at tradition.

Next, they would use reason to interpret the Bible, understand tradition, and infer implications where these things may be silent.

Finally, they would think of the question in terms of theirs and others experiences involving violence against people in their community.

This method has its flaws (see the sources section below the interview), but I believe it can be helpful as a basic framework.

However, this four-fold method is not John Wesley’s.  He never used the term “quadrilateral” or made a clear argument for the use of these four criteria.  Rather, the quadrilateral is a modern attempt to understand how Wesley went about doing his theology that many believe is a good model for the church.

These reasons lead me to think that perhaps we should stop attaching Wesley’s name to it.  Labeling it the UMC quadrilateral or the Albert Outler quadrilateral (after the scholar who formulated it) would be more accurate.

Another problem with attaching Wesley’s name to the quadrilateral is that it lends authority to a theological method that is often misused and misconstrued.  These misrepresentations ultimately  lead to a misrepresentation of Wesley and his beliefs.  Since its formulation, the quadrilateral has taken on a life of its own.  Its most egregious misuse occurs when people treat all four sources as being of equal authority, thus belittling scripture.

One day in my Methodism class a student mentioned the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral” to Wesley scholar Dr. Richard Heitzenrater.  He promptly responded, “Do you mean the Outler quadrilateral?  The quadrilateral is not John Wesley’s.”

Many people in the class sat stunned as a myth about Wesley that they believed all their life was busted by the man who first cracked the code of Wesley’s diaries.

Recently, I sat down with Dr. Heitzenrater for an interview about Wesleyan myths.  Below is the part of the interview regarding this moment in class:

[Read more…] about The Myth of the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral”

May 3, 2012 by Jonathan 40 Comments

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