The Long Game

In our culture, we want things now. We don’t like to wait. We will actually pay five to ten times as much to get it tomorrow rather than waiting seven to ten working days for standard delivery. Today’s kids probably do not even know what an encyclopedia is - not when you can google everything in the world and have an answer in thirty seconds. When we are done shopping at the big box store, we spend three minutes scanning all the open lanes to see which has the fewest customers with the fewest purchases, just so we can save three minutes in the check-out line. We hate waiting.

We even like our evangelism microwave-style. We want three points and a prayer - or a clever diagram we can draw on a napkin - but, even as impatient and time-crunched as today’s culture is, the canned, elevator-speech methods of yesteryear, while perhaps appealing to the evangelist, are becoming less and less effective. To today’s listener, questions like, “If you were to get hit by a car today, where do you think you’d spend eternity?” only bring to mind the telemarketer. And I don’t know about you, but I hate being hung up on, and I would rather not be on anyone’s “Do Not Call” list.

So, what is the answer?

Relationship.

But why is that? On the surface, it seems counter-intuitive. It seems like the less time people have, the more brevity they would appreciate. But here is what I think is happening. Our frenetic pace and information overload has pushed people toward two extremes - gullibility or skepticism. But I see this as an opportunity, because, now, the only style of evangelism that really works is the style Jesus taught.

What can move the gullible away from the conman? Relationship. What can move the skeptic away from suspicion? Relationship. The old saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” has never been more applicable than it is today. 

Perhaps now more than ever before, clever methods and persuasive words are failing to bring people into a real, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, because people are either drawn to the flashy and shallow or they are rejecting the whole thing outright. The only way to overcome this is to do what Jesus did. 

We need to eat with people. We need to build margin into our schedules so we can respond to needs. We need to be intentional about relationships, not so we can evangelize them, but because trust takes time and trust displaces both gullibility and skepticism. In order to truly follow Jesus’ command to “love our neighbors as ourselves,” we need to follow Jesus' example and commit to the long game. Because, when we build relationship for its own sake, we do not have to be clever or persuasive. We can leave that to Jesus.

A BIG move for Quest

This is a press release we sent out 9/10/15:

Quest Church of Arlington Heights is partnering with St. Peter Lutheran Church and, beginning September 13, will hold their worship gatherings in the St. Peter Life Center. In this new venue, Quest’s worship will begin at 3:30 pm every Sunday. Previously, Quest met Sunday mornings in the Campus Life Teen Center, downtown, but has outgrown that facility.

St. Peter learned of the need, and offered a solution that would benefit both, and extended a hand to Quest. They offered their “Life Center,” which would seat all of Quest Church’s current members comfortably, and make room for considerable growth. Pastor Micah Greiner, Lead Pastor of St. Peter explains, “We recently made a significant investment in our Life Center to make it fit for worship. We have all sorts of plans for how we are going to use it for worship, but we didn’t even anticipate that God was going to ask us to use the space to bless another church! When the opportunity was before us, it felt like Jesus was lifting a veil over our eyes that allowed us to see how what He had prepared far exceeded what we could have imagined. We actually feel blessed to be able to let our space bless others!”

From October 2013 through May 2014, Quest Church met at the Metropolis Performing Arts, then relocated to the Campus Life Teen Center. Although that venue has worked well up to now, Lead Pastor Ed Taylor explains that Quest’s attendance growth required a change. Knowing it would be a big change for Quest to meet in a more traditional church setting, and knowing that, if they did, they might have to move to a less traditional time for their gatherings, Taylor and his team weighed their options. Having been very active in the Arlington Heights Ministerial Association, they extended a plea for possible locations where they could share space. From that plea, they connected with Greiner, who says, “I first met Pastor Ed and the other pastors from Quest through the Arlington Heights Ministerial Association, and we struck up a quick friendship. When I saw the need for a new place of worship for Quest, I responded, not actually thinking it would work out. Our building is in use almost constantly.”

Taylor and his team have been thrilled with the relationship that is growing between Quest and St. Peter, but Quest Church is no stranger to partnering with churches and other community organizations. In fact, one of Taylor’s earliest contacts after he arrived in Arlington Heights was Pastor Randy Thompson of Cross and Crown Lutheran, Arlington Heights. Now, through that connection, Quest partners with Cross and Crown and The Orchard to offer a laundry ministry for the homeless.

Also, all summer, Quest has partnered with Christian Church of Arlington Heights to provide a monthly supper for the homeless every second Sunday evening. And, during the fall and winter months, Quest Church also plans to continue its partnership with the Congregational United Church of Christ by providing a dinner meal once a month for their homeless ministry.

Quest has been active in the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, where Taylor holds a small leadership role, they have been “Red Shirt” volunteers at the annual Frontier Days celebration and part of the set-up and tear-down crews at the Taste of Arlington Heights, and they have, at different times, teamed up with Breakthrough Ministries, WINGS, Hands-on Suburban Chicago, Northwest Compass, and Community Threads. Also, Taylor is a member of the planning committee for the Mayor’s Annual Prayer Breakfast.

Taylor says of these partnerships, “From the beginning, it was never our intent to minister in a vacuum. We always intended to partner with other organizations, both secular and religious, knowing that we can accomplish things together that we could never dream of separately. We never intended to re-invent the wheel; we always planned to scan the horizon, see where God was already at work, and join in. That’s why this partnership with St. Peter feels completely natural to us.”

As a gift to their new neighborhood, Quest will hold a family event called Quest Fest, September 12, 3:00-6:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. It will be held in the field behind St. Peter, at 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights. There will be bounce houses, popcorn, sno-cones, cotton candy, outdoor games, music, and other fun activities. Come and get to know the Quest Church family.

In order to commemorate this new partnership, Quest Church will hold a ribbon-tying ceremony September 13, with the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at the conclusion of their 3:30 pm service, at the St. Peter Life Center, 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and Chamber of Commerce Director Jon Ridler will be present for the ribbon tying. The public is encouraged to attend this event.

Says Taylor, “For the last three years, in all that we have done, it has always been our goal to become the church that Arlington Heights needs, and we pray that this partnership will be a great stepping stone to help us reach that goal.”

For questions about Quest Church, please contact Pastor Ed Taylor at 309-712-6495, or visit the website at www.Quest-Church.com.

What would Jesus do?

The other day, I was manning a booth for our church at a local "Taste of..." event when a middle-aged guy came up and asked me, "How can I get rid of my sins?"

Right then, I suddenly realized I didn't like any of my answers to that question. I had officially lost my elevator speech. I fumbled and danced around the issue, partly because he was clearly baiting me.

He was obviously a Christian guy who, for whatever reason fancied himself the Chicagoland doctrine police, and I felt like he'd thrown down the gauntlet, and here I was, with no shield and sword to protect myself.

So he was baiting me, but also I realized most of the pat answers that were rattling around in the darkest recesses of my brain were pretty dusty, and were no longer resonating with me.

After this guy left, feeling like he'd trumped me with his question, I found myself wrestling with shame that sprang from my apparent inability to put Peter's command to "always be prepared" into action, but more importantly thinking, "Wait a minute. What was that supposed to accomplish?"

Was he supposed to be representing the seeker to me? If so, he failed. Honestly, what's the likelihood that any modern seeker would EVER ask that question? I'd say it's about zero.

After he was long gone (of course) I came up with the perfect response. I thought, "When he asked, 'How can I get rid of my sins?' why didn't I just do what Jesus would have done, and say "Why do you ask?"

The envelope please...

So, I haven't seen everything yet, but I have seen all eight Best Picture nominees. So, I'm going to pretend like that gives me some authority to share my picks for the 87th Academy Awards. I'm just going with the biggies because, honestly, who can be expected to predict sound editing or documentary short feature. So here goes...

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
What should win? The Grand Budapest Hotel - SO clever
What will win? Birdman - brilliant

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
What should win? Inherent Vice - assuming this because PTA is awesome
What will win? Theory of Everything - think this is gonna be their biggest win

VISUAL EFFECTS
This is a toss-up - I have seen all five and all were amazing. I'm rooting for Interstellar because it was so unusual.

SONG
What should win? Everything is Awesome
What will win? Glory - this is a shoe-in. This is one of two noms for Selma, and it is definitely not going to win Best Picture. So this will win.

ORIGINAL SCORE
What should win? Interstellar
What will win? The Imitation Game

CINEMATOGRAPHY
This is a toughy - but I'm giving it to Birdman

ANIMATED FILM
I don't think there's a standout here - I would give it to The Lego Movie, but it got snubbed. So I'm leaning toward Big Hero 6

DIRECTOR
All five brilliant. 
Who should win? Alejandro Inarritu - Birdman - This film was a stunning achievement
Who will win? Richard Linklater - Boyhood - likewise stunning - but it was an actor's film

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Who should win? Emma Stone - Birdman - She blew me away in this role - amazing
Who will win? Patricia Arquette -  Boyhood - She was great, but Emma was awesome

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Who should win? J.K. Simmons - Whiplash - all great performances, I'm sure, but...
Who will win? J.K. Simmons - if Simmons doesn't win, I'm going to Hollywood and starting a riot.

BEST ACTRESS
Of the big categories, this is the one I feel least qualified to pick, as I have seen only one of the nominees. However...
Who do I wish would win? Reese Witherspoon - Wild - everything I've seen looks amazing
Who do I think will probably win? Julianne Moore - Still Alice - This looks like a nuanced and sensitive performance - she seems to be the favorite

BEST ACTOR
First, I want to say, I have seen four of the five performances and they were all amazing, but...
Who should win? Michael Keaton - Birdman - I will be SO happy if he gets it, but...
Who will win? Eddie Redmayne - Theory of Everything - this is the kind of role Oscar loves.

BEST PICTURE
All eight are statue-worthy, but...
What should win? Whiplash - I was continually thrilled and enthralled from the first second to the last. It won't win, but it was incredible.
What will win? There's a chance this could go to Birdman, but I think Boyhood will take it. This movie was amazing. But more importantly, it was an amazing achievement. I really think this will win.

"Lucy" is much ado about nothin'

So, I was really pumped to watch "Lucy" because I have always liked Luc Besson and have been a fan ever since stumbling on "La Femme Nikita" way back when it was still new. Plus, in my opinion, ScarJo's stock just keeps going up and up (especially in light of her interesting turns in "Her" and "Under the Skin"). So I was willing to offer Besson a lot of latitude with "Lucy," even considering the ridiculous premise (that humans only use 10% of their cerebral capacity). But unfortunately this movie, while full of really cool visuals and some interesting ideas (not to mention lots of Morgan Freeman's reassuring baritone), was just silly.

In reality, we use most of our brain most of the time, but we maybe fully understand what is going on up there about 10% of the time. But I was willing to pretend that was not true in an effort to enjoy Besson's picture. No such luck.

I think elements of an actual good movie might have been in there somewhere, but they were obscured by the frenetic pace, the faulty, pseudo-scientific premise, and the endless exposition. Almost felt more like a metaphysical manifesto - a Besson belief statement, if you will - than an actual story.

I don't want to give a bunch of spoilers, in case you decide you want to watch it anyway, but I do want to challenge one idea that Besson introduced. He said, through the Lucy character, that humans have the mistaken impression that they are the "basic unit of measure" necessary to understand the universe, but Lucy offers her newfound insight that there is only one unit of measure that even matters - time. She makes this point by suggesting that if we watch a film of a vehicle speeding past us, and then we speed it up infinitely, eventually the car disappears. Forget for a moment the fact that her example merely exposes our finite ability to perceive the existence of the vehicle, and instead accept her premise that it is only time that gives the vehicle existence at all - that is, when we observe it at a particular place in time, we give it existence.

If we accept that shaky argument (which brings to mind quantum mechanics, kinda), rather than rendering man irrelevant, I would argue that it makes mankind essential. Without us, who does the observing? In Besson's worldview, the sole value of the universe springs from the fact that we see it.

Anyway, there are some other interesting ideas in the movie, but it is, essentially 97 minutes of nonsense and not much fun, really. Watch at your own risk.

Quest Cafe - September 28th gathering...

On September 28, during our weekly gathering, Ed asked the question, “What does it mean to belong?” Then we broke up into groups and discussed this question. Someone from each group was responsible to text answers to this question that arose from that discussion. Here’s what we got…

Doug

Merriam Webster 2b : to be attached or bound by birth, allegiance, or dependency -- usually used with to <they belong to their homeland>

Brandon

Everyone on the same playing field.

Loving people, even if it’s hard.

Not being alone.

Like family. Being accepted despite your faults.

It’s overused. Sort of lost its true meaning.

Contributing to the greater cause.

Finding answers as a group. Not being judged when you don't know the answer.

Club - pay a fee and get benefits.

Collective input.

Every individual has different specific talents, attributes, skills... But all are needed in the "Body"

All are needed to make up the Body.

All parts work together to be ONE.

You belong if you’re acknowledged.

Ed

There is a natural chemistry that draws people together.

Good to be a piece of the puzzle.

You don't want to be identified by what you do.

We matter more in small groups.

Sometimes it is good to be identified with a group. Sometimes not.

Jim

Feeling like I belong is a personal relationship that I have with our Lord and our Church.

The best way to improve that feeling is to be a part of that belonging for me is get involved in our Church.

Katie

For teams, they pick you. With Quest, you choose. Quest doesn't pick and choose.

We all choose to also belong to the body of Christ.

You can just come and sit, but you need to work at it and be involved to belong.

At Quest you feel compelled to participate. It comes naturally.

No matter how you feel or how your day is going, if you belong to the body of Christ, you can always feel better.

Sarah

To be responsible for and accountable to and for.

To be selected by, to have something in common, to make an investment in.

To be owned by something, at least partly.

What an interesting variety of ideas and understandings of such a simple concept as belonging. Some very church-specific, some not. But all very interesting. Go Quest!

To my dad, on his 76th birthday.

Was thinking about this the other day. When I was logging in to a new online bank account, I was asked the following security question: "Best Childhood Friend?" And while most people who knew me back then would probably think they knew the answer to that question, I realized they probably didn't, because - and I just realized it right then - even though I had several good friends back then, my best friend was really my dad. 

I can't remember him EVER saying, "No," when I asked if he wanted to go play tennis or golf, and most of the time, if he was going, he would ask me to go. For as long as I was in scouts, he was there, and for awhile, he was our scoutmaster (I know, Mom, that you were there more in cub scouts). When he had some new computer program or some new crazy invention that he was busting to tell someone about, he came to me. We would spend hours listening to people talk about how to build a better airplane every summer (I was usually the youngest person there, and I didn't really care all that much, just liked being there with my dad), and he taught me how to do about 1,000 random things, most of which I remember to this day. 

So, yeah, until I met my wife and had my kids, my dad was my very best friend. He's still up there somewhere, friend-wise, but life and work have put distance between us. Things change and life intervenes, but I just want you to know, Dad, that all of that mattered. Because you so valued me during those early years, I have always had a pretty healthy self-image, and I only hope I was half the father and half the friend to my kids that you were to me. I love you. Happy Birthday.