On Earth as it is in Heaven!: Aug 24, 2019
Have you ever had one of those moments where you think, “I should really get back to ______.†You can fill in the blank for whatever that is for you. Maybe it’s painting, crafting, changing out of your sweats everyday? Judge me. Well, among other things, for me, it’s writing. I had no idea it had been a year until my grandmother re-posted my last blog, but I had thought about it many, many times.
Wow. For anyone who cares, please forgive me. I spent the last year growing a new family member, which is a really good excuse if you ask me.
I’m so happy to pause again and reflect on the goodness of God over the last year. It’s unreal to think that next month will be our 2 year Anniversary since we started Sunday services, and 3 years since we began meeting as the 316 community. This has been such a wild and fulfilling ride. If I had to choose one thing I’ve learned more over all others, it would be how in love Christ is with His Bride. I have a new love for her myself and hold her in a sacred place in my heart. I will forever be grateful to 316 for giving me that revelation deeper than I’ve ever known.
Since the last few months of pregnancy, I’ve taken a step back. Which has been both hard and good. Really leaning into our home life and being present with the kids has been my goal. And even though taking my hands off of things at church is challenging, it’s been a great time of dreaming and seeing what God has in store for the future. I feel like an architect in this season. I can see spiritually all the plans being laid out and how things will work together when it’s time to break new ground. I’m stirred deeply to journey with 316 in the prophetic, while Cam’s apostolic nature always seems 10 steps ahead of everything. And together, we desire to dive deep into the work of racial reconciliation. It’s a true joy to be alive and in Christ alongside him.
In Cam and I’s first year of marriage, we lived in Salina, KS. We did campus ministry and he was pastoring in a couple of different roles already. But he had carried the 316 deep in his heart before it ever had a name or took form. As we enter year 3 as a church I find myself thinking about those nights in Salina. I would wake in the middle of the night and find my husband praying on the side of the bed, sometimes writing things down in his notebook, and stirring so much with plans and anticipation. I was so ambivalent in the beginning. But there was something growing inside him and I knew it was God’s will to bring it forth. I’d never seen anyone go through something like that before. I never watched up close and personal someone carry a vision so sacredly.
If there was a way to talk to him out of it, I certainly tried early on. I can now say with all my heart, I’m so glad I couldn’t. I would ask him constantly what he was doing up all night and to my amazement he would have entire team building strategies written down, along with very intentional ways to accomplish unity and diversity. One morning I woke up and he had an entire method of discipleship on paper. There was really no end to his prayerful consideration for this thing inside him. He held this seed tightly in his heart, and sat with Jesus for hours upon hours asking Him to grow it.
We both shared a passion for unity and diversity. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. We knew a truly unified church that crossed cultural and racial walls was our greatest hearts desire. As impossible as it seemed, we walked every step of it out knowing God was going to do it. One of the things we knew had to happen, was to be diverse from the top down. We had to be that which we seek. To say we want diversity but not reflect it in leadership is something we believe hinders many communities with a sincere desire for it. We also started intentionally driving this vision into every meeting we had together. To this day, when we have our Tuesday meal followed by a simple bible study, we start out by saying that all points of view are welcome, that it’s okay to disagree, and that no matter what we discuss at the table, we leave as friends. Because although we may see things differently, we can all agree that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and this means we are family.
Unity doesn’t always mean uniformity. Unity is our choice and mission. It’s motivated by Love and fueled by the Spirit. It is God’s will for his church. IT. IS. POSSIBLE. And it matters so much. Especially in a racially divided nation.
Through our years in church, Cam and I both have been members of all black churches and all white churches. Growing up I went to a Mexican church where the entire service was done in Spanish, not even speaking Spanish myself. You don’t have to be very observant to see that there is a great divide. So if we take an honest look at ourselves and the church, just in our lifetime alone, I think we can acknowledge that as a whole, we haven’t done the work of racial reconciliation. We haven’t done unity and diversity well. Talking church and race can be an intimidating topic. It’s a sensitive issue, and a real issue. But whether we like it or not, the church must lead the way in this if we want to see real change in our communities and world.
Cam and I were recently invited to Sterling University to speak to the students and spend a few days with them. Sterling is a very small town with only a single stop light. It’s safe to say it’s not a very diverse place, and even more so if you’re not on campus. On our last day there, the president of the college and his team asked for a Q and A session with us over lunch. One of his questions was, “How can we accomplish unity and diversity organically?†Isn’t this such a rich and honest question? And even more encouraging to know presidents of Universities are asking it. But we believe that as much as we all want it to happen organically, we have to be really intentional. We just have to. We must do the ground work. We have to lay the right foundation for it. We have to set the stage, if you will. If we want people from every culture, nation, and race to come together and be willing to do life together, we have to be intentional about tilling the right soil for that garden. Because we naturally cluster with those we most understand, with who we’re most alike. That’s okay, it is what it is. But stereotypes will only end, where relationships begin. And the opportunities for relationship are literally all around us.
The church is supposed to be a place of healing. The church is meant to have a distinct voice in the world around it. But so often, we are the opposite. At times, we’ve actually brought a lot more pain into this conversation. I think one of the biggest places we go wrong is when we look for the answer in government or politics, and not in the message of Jesus. Politics and the gospel are two totally different starting points in finding unity and diversity. Politics are designed to divide us because it forces us to choose a side. What continues to happen is much of our worldview, and even sadder, our theology is getting wrapped up in our lens of political affiliation, instead of our affiliation with Christ. Jesus HAS to be the center. He has to be the beginning, the middle and the end of this mission, or we will always go wrong in loving one another.
Peter walked and talked and spent time with Jesus on a regular basis, all throughout the book of Acts when some of the most amazing outpourings of God’s Spirit were taking place. And he still missed the message that the gospel was for everyone. Which means we aren’t going to get heaven-on-earth communities by accident. We have to be intentional and do the work. We can’t lead people anywhere we’re not willing to go personally. The church we see in the book of Acts what a multi-cultural, multi-generational, multi-people group church. And we want our congregations and communities to look more like the throne room with each passing day.
It’s so exciting to be part of the biggest blended family on earth. And an honor to partner with the Holy Spirit to represent it well. I can’t even imagine all God has in store for us in the future but we’re here for it. We are so thankful for The 316 community for committing themselves to each other and doing the hard work. It’s an honor to be on this journey with you.
This is the best life.
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.â€
-John 13:34-35 (MSG)
Author: Stephanie Jackson
Wow. For anyone who cares, please forgive me. I spent the last year growing a new family member, which is a really good excuse if you ask me.
I’m so happy to pause again and reflect on the goodness of God over the last year. It’s unreal to think that next month will be our 2 year Anniversary since we started Sunday services, and 3 years since we began meeting as the 316 community. This has been such a wild and fulfilling ride. If I had to choose one thing I’ve learned more over all others, it would be how in love Christ is with His Bride. I have a new love for her myself and hold her in a sacred place in my heart. I will forever be grateful to 316 for giving me that revelation deeper than I’ve ever known.
Since the last few months of pregnancy, I’ve taken a step back. Which has been both hard and good. Really leaning into our home life and being present with the kids has been my goal. And even though taking my hands off of things at church is challenging, it’s been a great time of dreaming and seeing what God has in store for the future. I feel like an architect in this season. I can see spiritually all the plans being laid out and how things will work together when it’s time to break new ground. I’m stirred deeply to journey with 316 in the prophetic, while Cam’s apostolic nature always seems 10 steps ahead of everything. And together, we desire to dive deep into the work of racial reconciliation. It’s a true joy to be alive and in Christ alongside him.
In Cam and I’s first year of marriage, we lived in Salina, KS. We did campus ministry and he was pastoring in a couple of different roles already. But he had carried the 316 deep in his heart before it ever had a name or took form. As we enter year 3 as a church I find myself thinking about those nights in Salina. I would wake in the middle of the night and find my husband praying on the side of the bed, sometimes writing things down in his notebook, and stirring so much with plans and anticipation. I was so ambivalent in the beginning. But there was something growing inside him and I knew it was God’s will to bring it forth. I’d never seen anyone go through something like that before. I never watched up close and personal someone carry a vision so sacredly.
If there was a way to talk to him out of it, I certainly tried early on. I can now say with all my heart, I’m so glad I couldn’t. I would ask him constantly what he was doing up all night and to my amazement he would have entire team building strategies written down, along with very intentional ways to accomplish unity and diversity. One morning I woke up and he had an entire method of discipleship on paper. There was really no end to his prayerful consideration for this thing inside him. He held this seed tightly in his heart, and sat with Jesus for hours upon hours asking Him to grow it.
We both shared a passion for unity and diversity. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. We knew a truly unified church that crossed cultural and racial walls was our greatest hearts desire. As impossible as it seemed, we walked every step of it out knowing God was going to do it. One of the things we knew had to happen, was to be diverse from the top down. We had to be that which we seek. To say we want diversity but not reflect it in leadership is something we believe hinders many communities with a sincere desire for it. We also started intentionally driving this vision into every meeting we had together. To this day, when we have our Tuesday meal followed by a simple bible study, we start out by saying that all points of view are welcome, that it’s okay to disagree, and that no matter what we discuss at the table, we leave as friends. Because although we may see things differently, we can all agree that we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and this means we are family.
Unity doesn’t always mean uniformity. Unity is our choice and mission. It’s motivated by Love and fueled by the Spirit. It is God’s will for his church. IT. IS. POSSIBLE. And it matters so much. Especially in a racially divided nation.
Through our years in church, Cam and I both have been members of all black churches and all white churches. Growing up I went to a Mexican church where the entire service was done in Spanish, not even speaking Spanish myself. You don’t have to be very observant to see that there is a great divide. So if we take an honest look at ourselves and the church, just in our lifetime alone, I think we can acknowledge that as a whole, we haven’t done the work of racial reconciliation. We haven’t done unity and diversity well. Talking church and race can be an intimidating topic. It’s a sensitive issue, and a real issue. But whether we like it or not, the church must lead the way in this if we want to see real change in our communities and world.
Cam and I were recently invited to Sterling University to speak to the students and spend a few days with them. Sterling is a very small town with only a single stop light. It’s safe to say it’s not a very diverse place, and even more so if you’re not on campus. On our last day there, the president of the college and his team asked for a Q and A session with us over lunch. One of his questions was, “How can we accomplish unity and diversity organically?†Isn’t this such a rich and honest question? And even more encouraging to know presidents of Universities are asking it. But we believe that as much as we all want it to happen organically, we have to be really intentional. We just have to. We must do the ground work. We have to lay the right foundation for it. We have to set the stage, if you will. If we want people from every culture, nation, and race to come together and be willing to do life together, we have to be intentional about tilling the right soil for that garden. Because we naturally cluster with those we most understand, with who we’re most alike. That’s okay, it is what it is. But stereotypes will only end, where relationships begin. And the opportunities for relationship are literally all around us.
The church is supposed to be a place of healing. The church is meant to have a distinct voice in the world around it. But so often, we are the opposite. At times, we’ve actually brought a lot more pain into this conversation. I think one of the biggest places we go wrong is when we look for the answer in government or politics, and not in the message of Jesus. Politics and the gospel are two totally different starting points in finding unity and diversity. Politics are designed to divide us because it forces us to choose a side. What continues to happen is much of our worldview, and even sadder, our theology is getting wrapped up in our lens of political affiliation, instead of our affiliation with Christ. Jesus HAS to be the center. He has to be the beginning, the middle and the end of this mission, or we will always go wrong in loving one another.
Peter walked and talked and spent time with Jesus on a regular basis, all throughout the book of Acts when some of the most amazing outpourings of God’s Spirit were taking place. And he still missed the message that the gospel was for everyone. Which means we aren’t going to get heaven-on-earth communities by accident. We have to be intentional and do the work. We can’t lead people anywhere we’re not willing to go personally. The church we see in the book of Acts what a multi-cultural, multi-generational, multi-people group church. And we want our congregations and communities to look more like the throne room with each passing day.
It’s so exciting to be part of the biggest blended family on earth. And an honor to partner with the Holy Spirit to represent it well. I can’t even imagine all God has in store for us in the future but we’re here for it. We are so thankful for The 316 community for committing themselves to each other and doing the hard work. It’s an honor to be on this journey with you.
This is the best life.
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.â€
-John 13:34-35 (MSG)
Author: Stephanie Jackson
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