Peter Blue | On the Mission

Don't Pull Punches

2011-12-20T23:33:00.000-08:00

I was challenged by a statement today that hit close to home. "Never feel bad for asking people to make the same sacrifices that you were asked to make." This is a struggle for me. I always seem to feel bad for asking people to make sacrifices. But when I do that I pull a punch with those people and they miss out. What I forget is that the sacrifice I was asked to make completely changed my life and by not asking others to do the same causes them to potentially miss out on those earth shattering moments. My life came alive when I did something absolutely crazy and decided to join Jesus on his mission. But when I'm faced to ask someone else to do the same thing I often pull a punch and just ask people to give what's convenient, comfortable or responsible. How many people have missed out because I didn't ask them to do something that could turn their world upside down but also might change them forever. As leaders we first need to remember that someone looked us in the eye and asked us to do some pretty big things and we thank them for doing so. We then need to turn and look at those around us and call them to this mission and ask them to make the sacrifices that will change them for eternity.

Let Your Roots Grow

2011-12-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

I grew up in a small town. I mean small. No stop lights and the main stop sign was a RIGHT TURN PERMITTED WITHOUT STOPPING. Small town. After moving to Seattle and going to the University of Washington I always thought a small town was something good to be from. I thought I was a city kid for life. Something has happened this past year. I have become a small town kid again...and I love it! Although, I don't know whether it's a small town thing or a city thing at all. I think it's a mission thing. But it wasn't instant or over night...it has grown over time. This Christmas I began to realize something that has helped this love grow. Heather researched all of the events going on this Christmas and we did one simple thing...we showed up. Jesus has grown our hearts and it's changed my life in the process. There are a few things that have helped me live a more missional life this year...

1) Volunteer in your city
2) Show up to the events in your city
3) Allow Jesus to grow your heart for your city

Let your roots grow and see what happens to your heart and to the mission this year.

Own Christmas

2011-12-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

A friend of newlife is a pastor in California and he challenged Wes when it comes to the Christmas season. He said you know you have connected with the city when you see people connected to you in a significant ways during Christmas. He said that Easter is usually the largest day of the year in church but it's mostly celebrated by Christians. In contrast, nearly everyone in the culture celebrates Christmas. He said you know you've connected with the community when you see them joining you for Christmas. Whether that's a party, gathering or group, you know you are starting to impact your community at large when you "Own Christmas" for the city. Let's own Christmas this year and bring hope and grace to people this Christmas. Jesus brought heaven to earth...let's bring Christmas to our community this year...let's own Christmas and tell Kitsap how Jesus does "beautiful things!"

Love the City || Serve the City

2011-11-29T21:52:00.000-08:00

I love my city. I haven't always been able to say that and mean it. Now, I have said it in the past but it felt different than it does these days. When most people say they love their city they mean they enjoy the local bakery or they like the schools or they find their neighborhood appealing. But do you really love your city? It's not a nostalgic feeling but it's action. Loving the city isn't looking to the city for what it can give you but what you can give in return. I understand this at a deeper level after coaching football as a volunteer at the local high school this fall. It was a privilege coaching the Vikings of North Kitsap High School and serving the city I now love. As my family begins to look for more ways to serve and love the city we look forward to Jesus growing our hearts for the people of Poulsbo. This Christmas let us serve the city like Jesus has served us. If you say you love the city...prove it...serve the city.

serve vs. volunteer

2010-10-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

If the local church is driven by task management then all we ask people to do is volunteer to be "a part" of the church. If the local church is driven by discipleship then what we do is ask people to serve the community. Serving the community is what Jesus came to do (Matt. 20:28) and in serving the community we become more like Jesus..."that's people becoming the church."

We need to stop looking at volunteerism as asking people to do something for church leadership. Rather, we need to look at it as something they do for their community and for the least of these. Jesus said when we serve the least of these, we serve him (Matt. 25:40). And when we serve Christ we become more like him. That sound like discipleship to me. Leaders need to see serving in the local church as a part of an individuals discipleship process. That way there is longevity in service and there is greater purpose behind asking people to serve.

"Serving the Community...Becoming the Church" I like the way that sounds.

Life In the Hinge

2010-10-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

For many years now, I've often thought that my generation would be a pivotal generation. One that would help turn culture and the future of the church. My friend...let's just call him Dan Serdahl for now...uses the word hinge to describe it. He always has the cool ways of saying things.

It seems like "life in the hinge" is one that has many unexpected moments. One of those unexpected moments has been summed up by a question by another friend...let's just call him Eric Bryant. EB asked me the other day, "So what's the deal with all these worship leaders becoming church planters?" I think It's life in the hinge. When Jesus is up to something that changes paradigm and goes against the current culture, unexpected things happen. Like guys who are great at making music and leading worship all of a sudden feeling the nudge towards something crazy.

That's what Jesse Butterworth called it when he described his story to me last week. It was a story that sounded all too familiar. It's strange...here are two guys that didn't really see themselves as church planters at first nudge but still had a feeling like there was something more to ministry and something more to church leadership that what they were currently experiencing. I guess we just weren't connecting the dots?

I look forward to the hinge. I embrace the hinge. I own the hinge. What I want to ask my generation is are you willing to be a pivotal generation even if you don't get to see the fruition of your dreams and aspirations? Are you willing to live life in the hinge so that the generations that follow get to live out life in the new world, the new dawn, the new life? We may not ever be able to step foot into the promise land, but someone has to lead the crew through the wilderness.

That's life in the hinge.

3am

2010-10-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about 3am lately but it's becoming a companion of sorts. "Oh. Hello 3am. How are you today?" 3am is fine. 3am is always fine. 3am is faithful, consistent, even predictable and me waking up to my friend is becoming more predictable as well.

Being tired of laying in bed, feeling a mild level of guilt for not praying like all those spiritual people do when they wake up in the middle of the night, I did what any sensible person would do. I created a blog. Actually, I created another blog. Truth be told, it wasn't because of some epiphany or radical transformation in my life that I started a new blog. You see, old emails and passwords are difficult to remember at times and make for great reasons to start new blogs. Plus, I hadn't posted on my old blog in two years.

So let me be the first to welcome you to my new blog.

Visit any time and check in as the Blue's continue to find out what it means to be on mission with Jesus as we discover the new journey we're on.