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The church is a group of transformed follower of Jesus, who perceive themselves to be the Body of Christ in their local community and to the nations, and live as such.

This is a definition of church.  Help me interact with it and let me know what you think about this.

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?

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?”  (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.

• Started a new series today called Man to Man.
• 5 weeks of preaching without notes. Scary and a little anxious at times.
• Met two cool new people this morning.  One just recovering from brain surgery and 17 years old, the other a nurse.
• I LOVE EpicChurch and the family which is being created.
• Really enjoyed lunch today after the Gathering.
• Best part of my day, HANDS DOWN, was the family time at the mall and then swimming tonight.
• Totally stoked about the TTT coming Tuesday from the Tour de France.
• Really enjoy eating Milk Chocolate with my daughter really late at night.
• Pretty excited that my mom is on Facebook and Twitter.
• Amazed that the life of a follower of Jesus is easy yet extremely hard all at the same time.
• Excited that Sunday started another great week. Not excited about the amount of trash piled up for me to take out.
• I really enjoy having Mat Johnson at EpicChurch as the Emcee.
• Feeling guilty that I didn’t ride at all this weekend but looking forward to this week riding with Jackson and Kyle.
• I love being married to my best friend, Jennifer. Oh yeah and she help proof read all my posts!
• Last…  I predict…  M. Cavendish, T. Farrar, T. Hushovd

This was a good day. Here are some thoughts about church planting and maybe another random thing or two.  I also finished reading, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.  It was a really good read.  Surprisingly the book had a lot of scriptural references.  I think I will be able to use this book as a resources as a pastor and church planter in the future.  I would recommend this to anyone who is in sales, public speaking, training or marketing.

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?

Many of you know that over the past 30+ weeks have been part of starting a church in Tucson, Arizona called Epic Church.  This process has been uber stressful, very fun, sad and so much more.  But, one thing that I have been thing about is this…

People ask me often, with great sincerity, “What can I do to help?”

Those are powerful words and I welcome them SO much.  The problem is that I am not sure what to give people.  Have you been there?  Like you need help, you desire help, you are a team person but you don’t where to first lead others to help you?

Well, that is where I am at.  If you have any ideas, I would be open to the “help”.  (smile)

I have been stuck in the Atlanta airport today since early this morning.  I have been reading a bunch and working on the iLife series which starts this weekend at Epic Church.  But, I came across this thought provoking equation.  Read it.  Think about it.  Wrestle with it. Pray about it. Talk about it with others. Then share your thoughts.

Building + Clergy + Program = Church.

Body + Mission + Kingdom = Church.

*from http://threadsmedia.com/index.php?/store/detail/sent-leader-kit/

It seems to me the first is a very common way of “doing” church and even starting churches here in North America, in Tucson to be specific.  We find a location to meet, we raise some money to hire staff, we structure the best program we can think of for: children, youth, adults, bible study, and so on.  Then, we feel we have a church!  And the things I hear and even at times, I confess… think, if we just get a better place, get more staff, and have better things to do then we have a more successful church.

The later has a focus on relationships.  The relationship with Jesus as its foundation.  With the “body” being those who have accepted the forgiveness from Jesus Christ and have made a decision to journey with Jesus though life.  That journey is made with others toward the common focus which we hear over and over though the pages of the New Testament which is about brining the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.  Which leads the final addition to the equation; a Kingdom focus.  Not a “my church”, “my denomination”, “my city” focus but a Kingdom focus.  One that says, “I don’t care if my name ever become great, or if my church ever becomes great.  I desire for the name of Jesus to become great and that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is multiplied here on earth.”  When those things happen we have a church being born.  A place where you can be you.  Where you can journey with others toward a common goal, and serving our cities, friends, nation, globe, family… in the name of Jesus Christ.

I have more thoughts about this but thought I would share what I have thus far with you.

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:

• The Kingdom needs all types of churches for all types of people.

• Southern Baptist Church building styles are the same NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO IN THE US.

• God is good and works all over the place.

• The Cooperative Program totally ROCKS.  It not only supports Epic Church but over 10,000 missionaries, students, hunger programs, disaster relief, community programs and so much more.

• If we are to reach our country for Jesus we need to start in the cities and we must start SIMPLE. Complex, highly funded systems will not transform our cities and our nation. (Benesh taught me that)

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?

Something that continues to come across my mind is this idea that the people of Tucson desire not to “go” to church, but to “be” the church.  What Jake?  What are you saying?

I think… that the community of Tucson, painting with a broad brush, desire not to sit their booties in pews/chairs/couches to hear a message from the Word of God, or to sing along with a band.  I honestly think that people want to give themselves to something greater than themselves.

I believe that Jesus has called Epic Church not only to preach the Word but to live the Word out.  To seep into the cracks and crevasses of society to be the church to the city of Tucson.  Thus, preaching and living out the gospel of Jesus to be part of God’s redemptive plan in our city.

So… how?

I am dreaming of ways that Epic Church can be a catalyst in Tucson to connect all people into acts of service for the betterment of our community.  When people are giving sacrificially to their neighbors, family, co-workers, strangers… people are acting like Jesus.  That is where we as Epic Church come to help bridge the gap of understanding.

“I am doing these nice things to help people.”  —>  “I am doing these nice things to show people that Jesus loves them.”

“I am doing these nice things to earn my way to heaven.”  —> “I am doing these nice things to earn the chance to share with people that God is full of grace and desires to give them eternal life as a free gift.”

What do you think?