I didn’t expect the last post to be as popular as it was. When I think about it though it makes perfect sense. I believe there is a longing in us as human beings that craves intimacy. We want real relationships and we recognize when something is broken. Putting on masks gets tiring and the need for performance can be exhausting. Biblically speaking, our problem goes back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve shared in what God had intended relationships to be like, and when sin entered the picture that’s where the shame and the need to cover ourselves came from. Thank God for His covering us with His righteousness! Thank God for the grace that has been given us in Jesus!
This past weekend we had an amazing men’s retreat. Paul Dunk did an awesome job challenging our men. What is awesome is the comments I keep hearing from those who attended. The most common comments are about the incredible transparency of the men and their willingness to open up about sensitive details in their lives - even the leaders. I guess someone didn’t get the memo about “confess up, council down” or “to be careful about airing dirty laundry.”
I wanted to thank Scott Packard who has been a catalyst for this environment at Redeemer. A few years ago Scott began to face a pornography addiction in his life and by God’s grace has seen victory. When we were shooting a video illustrating the vision of the church, we asked Scott if he’d be willing to share his testimony. He did. You may have seen the video we did called “The Church I See,” but I want you to watch the last story – Scott’s story - and ask yourself how you’d feel if you knew this was going to be shown to 2000 people. It starts at 4:42 if you want to skip ahead to it.
I cannot emphasize how important it is for a transparency in leadership. If we cannot be transparent, we cannot truly experience love or grace nor can we truly grow into spiritual maturity. Scott’s testimony became a tool for the Lord to bring healing to many, many people and marriages and it continues to do so.
As I end today’s post I wanted to let people know about a resource we have used to help cultivate this environment in our church. It’s called True Faced. Their website is also an incredible tool that you can get to by clicking here. This goes without saying, but I thought it necessary to say anyway. I may or may not agree with everything in what I read or recommend. The important thing is to make the Gospel central and use that as the filter for everything. My prayer is that Redeemer becomes a place where people can experience the Gospel not only preached, but lived out in community. Have a blessed day.
