Statement on Relationship We certainly have made, and will continue to make our share of mistakes, both as a leadership team and those who follow us. We have such a high value for freedom and risk that it has created a kind-of research and development culture where people are encouraged to take risks. This stems from the fact that we view ourselves much more as pioneers than settlers. Therefore, as GRACEland we celebrate relationship, creativity, revelation, invention and innovation above comfort, safety and security. This R&D culture has attracted, and will continue to attract, some of the most wonderful and extraordinary individuals on the planet. Of course, we have also managed to draw, and will continue to draw, some very broken and/or strange people. It’s important for us to remember that there are some strange and broken people mentioned in the Bible who God used powerfully. Unique people like John the Baptist, Ezekiel and Hosea come to mind as well as messed up people like Rahab and Samson. GRACEland has chosen to be a family, and as such we do our best to love people wherever they are at in life, regardless of their character, doctrine, political views or philosophical persuasions. Much like our natural families (whom we don’t get to choose), God often assigns people to be part of our spiritual family who, like Jacob, walk with a limp, so-to-speak, yet they still deserve to be loved. We work hard to try to understand these people although we sometimes don’t agree with their perspectives. These factors are combining to form one of the most extraordinary experiences in our history, and yet it’s also inspiring many challenges. I could go into great detail about many areas that we have been, and will be challenged by, but I want to reference one in particular today. And that is the nature of a family concept that we are creating a culture that will celebrate all people whether they agree with everything we say, think or practice. We believe that it’s important to give people the freedom to disagree with what we teach or practice without feeling like they are being disloyal or dishonoring. We have strong feelings about certain subjects that are even contrary to what some of our good friends believe. But we don’t want to be right at the expense of being together. We value our connection with people above their level of perfection of living. Relationship in regards to broken people. Nothing troubles me more than what is often reported about our view of the grace of God and what is perceived as a lack of conviction for holy living or great character or a “anything goes” culture. Actually, the very opposite is true. Our passion is for Holy Living and Purity. So much so that we are willing to press through walls of tradition and theology that tell us that “Holiness” or “Purity” has to look like “this”. We are not concerned with a reputation, only His presence. We believe, however, that the core message of the gospel is that Jesus loves sinners. Not only does Jesus have intense passion for them, He has the power to transform anyone no matter how deeply they have fallen or how often they have failed. This has been, and will continue to be, the central theme of our ministry and message. Jesus demonstrated this best when He chose Judas to be the treasurer of His ministry although He knew he was a thief. Why would He do that, you ask? Because Jesus believed in people BEFORE they deserved it, which caused eleven men to become world changers (Of course, even one of His world changers fell away for a season and denied knowing Him. But Jesus took Him back and made him one of the pillars of the church, and a foundation stone of the heavenly temple). A lot of people have, and will, come to us for help. Believing in these people in the midst of their crisis can look irresponsible or naive. This is especially true when we choose to confront them privately but empower them publically. But, if we can celebrate someone who is living with a situation that is unhealthy secretly, what type of standard would we be setting, and what type of relationship would we be fostering if it is exposed and we banish them instead of aiding in returning them to health? Have we done everything right in the restoration of people? NO! We have learned over the years that there are great principles that help to restore people, but there are no magic formulas that work every time. We do our best to love people and to discern whether or not their repentance is authentic. The problem is that some Judas’s look like Peters, and then again, some Peters resemble Judas’s. We do have a tendency to err on the side of Peters until they sell us out for thirty pieces of silver. So, then, what is our sin? Extending mercy to people who don’t deserve it? Trusting people who are still messed up? Maybe! Or is it that we give people hope who deserve to be punished? Probably! Are we too easy on sinners, don’t emphasize sacrifice enough, and refuse to acknowledge bad news as acts of God? Some think so. Or could it be that we are simple-minded and childish in our zeal to see God demonstrate His love and His fascinating wonders among us? Guilty as charged! (Portions taken from Kris Vallottons article “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. ibethel.org)
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:29:14 +0000
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