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My greatest desire isn’t to see Epic Church become great; rather to be used by Jesus in a movement to see the Gospel transform the lives of all people within our city.

We are in part 2 of our Membership Series at Epic Church titled: Growing a Movement.  As I have prepared for this series it is totally humbling as I notice all my short comings as it relates to growing a movement which would transform my city and the nations.  This week is about Giving Ourselves Away.  It sounds good.  I mean it is a great title for a sermon but making it become reality is going to be HARD work.  But by the grace of God I pray the Holy Spirit will use those connected to Epic Church to transform their communities by enabling them to give themselves away.

I really like hanging around people like Allan Karr, Alan Hirsch, Sean Benesh, Michael Frost and such.  But at the same time I really hate it because they JACK UP my way of thinking.  I am an out of the box thinker but they system I am in is so IN the BOX.  So, just when I get comfortable in my box I rub shoulders with these men and they make me ask the question, “Am what I am doing and how I am doing it the most biblical and most effective way of doing it?”

I am in San Francisco for a few days taking a seminary class.  The class is called Intro to Church Planting.  Really it should be titled something like, How to Be a Missionary in Your Culture.  This isn’t a class about best practices but rather a class on theology of church and how we fit into it.  This first day we have heard from the professor and from a guest speaker who just came back from an amazing experience in Thailand and Burma.

The Western church is not getting it done here in the west and if you think you can argue this point… you cant.  I mean if we take Hirsch’s example in his book “The Forgotten Ways” we seem to do church for only 12% of the population in the US.  And even if we do church the way we know it REALLY WELL we will still only do it for 12% of the population.  So, here we are planting more church for 12% of the population.

My question is what does a church look like for the other 82% of the population.  Or for even another 12% of the population and do I have what it takes to reach them?  How can I be a part of seeing Jesus become the savior to the people I love so much, the people of Tucson Arizona?

I have signed The Manhattan Declaration, have you?

Here is a Southern Baptist Seminary President and member of the Gospel Collation on why he signed his name to the declaration.

I am of personal conviction it is so much better to state what I am for instead of making a case about something I am against.  This declaration is just that.  It brings about the convictions of Bible believing followers of Jesus into the culture of today.  I am laboring in my city to see her a better place.  To see her made good though the obedience of followers of Jesus.  And to that end I have placed my name on this declaration.  And not only do followers of Jesus value this three things covered by the declaration but so do many others in my generation.  It is time to take a stand and declare we value the family.

The next three posts will focus on what Epic Church, and our lives for that matter, must focus.

Focus 1 – Our Focus Must Be On Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12)

Epic Church must focus on Jesus Christ.  As I prepare my sermons to the church I love so much I always ask myself this question, “How will this sermon glorify Jesus and allow Him to be the focus of our time together?â€Â  (John 17) This too is the focus of all decisions regarding all things Epic Church and all things Team Rasmussen.  To be honest, sometimes I feel like I fail, just being honest.  Without a doubt, if Jesus is not the focus of our lives and church, we will fail.  And fail BIG TIME.

It sounds kind of silly to write a post or even say out loud that Jesus must be the focus of our church.  I mean it should go without saying.  Right?  Well, one would think so.  It would be like a baseball game without a hot dog, or a church planter without a Mac, chili without beans.  You get the point, just sounds totally ridiculous.

I see all sorts of churches put their focus on something other than Jesus.  At times in my life have been focused on other things rather than Jesus.  Some churches put their focus on doing good things, giving a lot of money, building the best worship service, having the coolest artwork, having the best music and the list can go on and on.  But, we must – let me say it another way; WE MUST have Jesus as our central focus in all we do.  (Matthew 6:33)

This does not negate the need for other things to compliment our focus but they must not be the driving force behind what we do.  It must be Jesus.

The message of the Gospel and person of Jesus will permeate all we do as Epic Church.  Jesus lived a perfect life, died a gruesome death, fulfilled scripture, has given us hope, a future, a purpose, a heaven, and the list could go on and on.  (1Cor 15)  Because of Jesus we have Epic Church.  Because of Jesus we have a story.

What does it look like for a church to be focused on Jesus?  (Acts)
I have been asking this question for months.  What does Epic Church look like when it is focused entirely on Jesus Christ?

For Epic Church when we focus on Jesus we will see radical life-change and authentic community.  (Acts)

Look out for number two tomorrow.

Sitting in the Starbucks tonight studying for class and working on my sermon for Epic Church two weeks from now, titled: Growing a Movement.  This picture came to mind as I see the people coming and going.

The church used to be the focal point of any community, the tallest building and the soul of the city.  Only 50 years ago, it was the place where neighbors and near neighbors came together at least once a week.  Today churches can be difficult to find in the city where the skyline is dominated by banks and business buildings.  Still, the search for purpose goes on and the hunger for spiritual wellbeing is as great as ever.  As it says in Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

It begs me wonder, what am I doing to on Jesus’ behalf for the welfare of the city?  And what I am doing, is it enough?  Maybe it is enough but could I be doing it better?  And who could be doing it with me?  Our communities have real problems, real hurts, real needs and as cliche as it sounds, Jesus is the answer.  The question is though, how am I being Jesus to my community?

How are you being Jesus to your community?

$5 – Fresh Water.

I am super, super, super stoked that Starbucks Coffee Company is partnering with (Red) and giving a portion of every holiday drink sold to the Global Fund with a vision to “Make Poverty History”.  Buy Starbucks holiday drinks with confidence that they are giving back.

Because I am a partner at Starbucks I am excited this is happening but also because I am a Follower of Jesus, I am excited to see this happen.  Jesus Followers care about the “least of these” and we (together) can make a difference.  As excited I am for a huge mega company, Starbucks, to be partnering to help make our world a better place; I can’t help but to think if the Church, which is, Followers of Jesus would just be doing what that are “supposed” to be doing… would we even need something like (RED) or ONE or the Global Fund?

What part does Epic Church need to play in making our community, city and world a better place?

Read here for the article: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h8HCh-agGfWkC39bZJ218E0005nAD944FB8O1

Finishing up here in Ohio.  It has been good time for sure.  The people of Ohio are wonderful and gracious.  I got the chance to stay with the pastor of First Baptist Church Mason, Ohio for the weekend.  He is a wonderful man of Jesus and excited about what God has done in his life and has a great passion for the people of his city.  I mean, this guy knows the scores of the local high school sports like Cross Country and girls Golf.  This man is passionate about this community and just a few moments with him you know it. His wife is kind, funny, and so supportive of her family.  Just a great family!

As I have been here a few things came to mind:

I have enjoyed my time here but I am excited to get back to Tucson and continue investing into the people of Tucson to transform our city for Jesus!  Anyone with me?

A friend of mine put me onto this thing called, “Advent Conspiracy“.  I am moved to my core about the vision of this thing.  As I am dreaming of ways for me and my family to be involed I wanted to share it with you.  I wonder what would happen if like minded people stacked hands together to make this world a better place, and better yet… to make our city a better place.

Here is the link: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ Be sure to watch the video on the home page and let me know what you think.

Email:  jake@jakerasmussen.com

Twitter: jake_rasmussen

Facebook: Jake Jen Rasmussen