You may have heard it on the news. You may have heard about it from others.Yes, it's true: This week, the UTSA campus organization "The Atheist Agenda" is indeed running their "smut for smut" campaign in which they encourage students to trade in one form of smut (from their perspective) for another form of smut. Specifically-they are encouraging students to turn in Bibles in exchange for pornography.
It is heartbreaking. It is also a snapshot of the "New Atheism" that is springing up in America-aggressive and confrontational. It outrages the senses of Christians. And the Atheist Agenda does this solely for this purpose: To get under the skin of Christians and to provoke an angry response so they can point at screaming Christians and say to their peers: "See-they are angry, self-righteous, judgmental people." The last time they had this campaign, tensions were quite high on our campus. This year the tensions are exceptionally high. I do not know what to expect this week.
As you can imagine-emotions are high this week on our campus. As students saw the posters for the campaign last week, many were upset, offended, angry.
Groups have been forming in response. Some groups are addressing the administration, others are forming to establish a 'counter movement' to 'fight back.' Some groups are starting prayer groups. Others are planning protests. Tensions are indeed high.
I've never seen a person won to Christ through legislation. If legislation could change the human heart, then we could be saved by keeping the Mosaic Law. Do I hope they change school policy when it comes to this matter-yes. However, even if the policy is changed, hearts are not changed.
I've never seen a person won to Christ through anger or arguing. All that is accomplished when spiritual forces are addressed in fleshly means is the further calcification of the position of the person outside of Christ.
And, I've never seen prayer as political or protest rally anywhere in Scripture, nor have I seen it change the hearts of lost humanity.
I am blessed by the students in BSM. They are intentionally missional. We have students investing their lives and relationships with Atheists, Agnostics, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindu's. We have students intentionally befriending the lost, praying for them, investing in them and God is using our students to profoundly impact lost humanity.
This past week, I challenged our students to re-consider Christ's words on ridicule, opposition, even persecution and what it means to take up our crosses and follow Jesus, to share in His sufferings, to pray with fervency on our faces, to intercede and engage in spiritual warfare. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. We too, apart from the Grace of God and the Redeeming Blood of Christ were lost once-just as the Atheists are now. We are praying for our campus, for other followers of Christ and yes, even for the Atheists.
I share this story with you to encourage to you please pray for our campus. At the same time, I share it with you because this is a snapshot of what is to come. We are now a land of many gods and no God. My heart breaks when I consider how much of our attention is spent on ourselves while we are surrounded by lost and broken humanity.
So please pray for us--and please continue to read (following two entries). There is GOOD news to report! Please read prayerfully. The enemy is at work, but our GOD reigns and HE is working in powerful ways!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Mission Trip Needs
For the third year, the BSM at UTSA will be going to Los Angeles (our 'ends of the earth') on mission trip. We will be leaving mid-May for a one week period of service in the roughest parts of Los Angeles: Skid Row and South Central (also known as "Gangland").
God has used these mission trips to profoundly impact and influence and shape our students and the ministry at UTSA. Every trip has been nothing short of transformational. Students are stretched (as am I) to the limits, and the lessons learned in that context are taken and applied to San Antonio-to our campus and to our city. This trip is not 'spiritual tourism' and not for the faint of heart. Each year we go, we pray specifically for only the 'called out ones' to go with us. We recognize that if a student were to go on this trip just to 'see Los Angeles' they will be highly disappointed (because we're not seeing the glitz and glamor of L.A.) and will crash and burn because the experience is quite intensive.
He has used this trip to transform lives in Los Angeles, our students' lives and as a result, our campus and city. Missionaries are birthed on this trip. Students come back forever changed.
These are tough economic times. The past two years God has faithfully provided for the called out students to go. We are trusting Him to do the same this year. The challenges this year are the tight economy and the 'giving fatigue' that many individuals and churches are experiencing. We are taking 22 students and the cost per student (airfare, lodging, meals, transportation) for the week is $900.00.
This year, students are finding it particularly difficult in raising support. We are taking a mixture of students who are returning for a 2nd or 3rd tour of duty in LA and freshmen who have never experienced this trip and what God does in this context. Our students do not come from the wealthy or privileged families-many of them are working to help get through school and are doing their best to save money and to raise funds to go and serve in Los Angeles. Many are reporting just how difficult it is to gain support. We are blessed in that many are covenanting to pray for and with us. We also need the provision only He can provide.
I am asking (and this is something I have not done before) in a very straightforward way if you or your church or a Sunday school class or a missions team would consider giving to help our students go. We will gladly do all we can to give you reports and information on the trip when we return. These students are passionate for Christ and are eager to go where most people would not want to go. They do have that sense of 'calledness.'
Any amount is greatly appreciated. We see this mission trip as a faith venture from now through our return. We can do nothing of value in our own strength. We do not have the personal or financial resources. All must be from Him and come from Him.
If you feel so led to give, please know that your gift is going to change lives-literally. Your investment in our students will leave an indelible mark on their souls as will the work they will be doing in some very difficult places.
If you are led to give, you can send a check to the San Antonio Baptist Association,, 5807 I H 10 W, San Antonio, TX 78201. Checks would be payable to San Antonio Baptist Association. In the memo section of the check, you may write: BSM L.A. Mission Trip Gift. All donations are of course tax-deductible.
There are over 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles has the greatest economic disparity between the 'have's ' and 'have nots' in the U.S. The darkness there is great-but there is also a Great Light shining Hope in midst of despair. Would you pray about and consider supporting our students as they prepare for one of the greatest and most challenging experiences they will have in their young lives?
Your prayers and consideration are greatly appreciated.
God has used these mission trips to profoundly impact and influence and shape our students and the ministry at UTSA. Every trip has been nothing short of transformational. Students are stretched (as am I) to the limits, and the lessons learned in that context are taken and applied to San Antonio-to our campus and to our city. This trip is not 'spiritual tourism' and not for the faint of heart. Each year we go, we pray specifically for only the 'called out ones' to go with us. We recognize that if a student were to go on this trip just to 'see Los Angeles' they will be highly disappointed (because we're not seeing the glitz and glamor of L.A.) and will crash and burn because the experience is quite intensive.
He has used this trip to transform lives in Los Angeles, our students' lives and as a result, our campus and city. Missionaries are birthed on this trip. Students come back forever changed.
These are tough economic times. The past two years God has faithfully provided for the called out students to go. We are trusting Him to do the same this year. The challenges this year are the tight economy and the 'giving fatigue' that many individuals and churches are experiencing. We are taking 22 students and the cost per student (airfare, lodging, meals, transportation) for the week is $900.00.
This year, students are finding it particularly difficult in raising support. We are taking a mixture of students who are returning for a 2nd or 3rd tour of duty in LA and freshmen who have never experienced this trip and what God does in this context. Our students do not come from the wealthy or privileged families-many of them are working to help get through school and are doing their best to save money and to raise funds to go and serve in Los Angeles. Many are reporting just how difficult it is to gain support. We are blessed in that many are covenanting to pray for and with us. We also need the provision only He can provide.
I am asking (and this is something I have not done before) in a very straightforward way if you or your church or a Sunday school class or a missions team would consider giving to help our students go. We will gladly do all we can to give you reports and information on the trip when we return. These students are passionate for Christ and are eager to go where most people would not want to go. They do have that sense of 'calledness.'
Any amount is greatly appreciated. We see this mission trip as a faith venture from now through our return. We can do nothing of value in our own strength. We do not have the personal or financial resources. All must be from Him and come from Him.
If you feel so led to give, please know that your gift is going to change lives-literally. Your investment in our students will leave an indelible mark on their souls as will the work they will be doing in some very difficult places.
If you are led to give, you can send a check to the San Antonio Baptist Association,, 5807 I H 10 W, San Antonio, TX 78201. Checks would be payable to San Antonio Baptist Association. In the memo section of the check, you may write: BSM L.A. Mission Trip Gift. All donations are of course tax-deductible.
There are over 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles has the greatest economic disparity between the 'have's ' and 'have nots' in the U.S. The darkness there is great-but there is also a Great Light shining Hope in midst of despair. Would you pray about and consider supporting our students as they prepare for one of the greatest and most challenging experiences they will have in their young lives?
Your prayers and consideration are greatly appreciated.
Awakenings, Revivals and the God of This City
Since I was a child, I remember the talk about our need for revival. I remember the revival meetings and prayer meetings. If you grew up in the church I'm sure you do as well. There was this collective sense we needed a fresh outpouring of the Spirit of God, that ultimately we needed God Himself.
I was blessed as a child to actually grow up in a church that experienced an authentic awakening and revival. Growing up in that context and seeing such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for years shaped my thoughts on what happened in church life. I thought what was happening in the church we attended was the 'normative' experience in every church. It was not until years later that I came to realize that the authentic revival that broke out at Castle Hills First Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Jack Taylor was not the 'norm' but rather a Sovereign visitation of the Spirit of God on that church.
As the years have passed, in every context where I have served (youth minister, church planter, pastor) in each church there was that prayer for revival, that talk of revival and awakening-but we cannot bring about revival or awakening in and of ourselves. It cannot be manufactured, programmed or scheduled.
We are seeing something on our campus that I can only describe (and I use this term carefully) as the beginnings of a potential awakening on our campus and revival among those who belong to Christ. It is a holy time. We are seeing Christian students thirst and hunger for greater intimacy with Christ, desiring for His Glory to be known and acknowledged on our campus and in our city. We are seeing young people praying with a sense of desperation and brokenness before Him over our need for Jesus Christ to be known and worshiped.
We are seeing young students who just 'show up' at our events, hungry and thirsty for something they cannot identify or name, but we know what it is-a longing for the Transcendent. God is moving. Please pray for UTSA. Please pray for the BSM on our campus. God is working in ways I have not seen Him work for so many years.
I believe that this movement of the Spirit is not limited to our campus. I see Him working and calling His people to pray across the city. I see a longing for Him that I have not seen for so long.
I do not know what is taking place in your church, among your people. Perhaps you are going through a difficult time. Perhaps your church is going through a challenging period. Perhaps the words 'awakening' and 'revival' seem like a distant dream in your context. I encourage you to join the growing number of people in our city who are on their faces crying out for the Lord to renew His works in our days. You are not forgotten. He loves you deeply. He is working.
Perhaps your church is experiencing the blessings of growth. I encourage you to give all glory to Him and to always be wary of the idea that we can somehow, in and of ourselves, 'grow' our churches or communities. Unless He is doing the building, we labor in vain.
In these tough times, more people are recognizing there must be something 'more' to life than the 'American Dream.' God is calling out to His people to return to Him wholeheartedly. He is calling out to lost humanity to find life through Jesus Christ, His Son. His Spirit is moving in remarkable ways. I pray that our city is awakened. I pray for revival in our churches. I pray that we humble ourselves before out King, crying out to Him because we so desperately need Him.
If you sense Him leading you to pray specifically for revival in our churches and an awakening in our city, I encourage you to join with others to specifically pursue Him in prayer. There is no better place for us to be than on our knees before our King.
I was blessed as a child to actually grow up in a church that experienced an authentic awakening and revival. Growing up in that context and seeing such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for years shaped my thoughts on what happened in church life. I thought what was happening in the church we attended was the 'normative' experience in every church. It was not until years later that I came to realize that the authentic revival that broke out at Castle Hills First Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Jack Taylor was not the 'norm' but rather a Sovereign visitation of the Spirit of God on that church.
As the years have passed, in every context where I have served (youth minister, church planter, pastor) in each church there was that prayer for revival, that talk of revival and awakening-but we cannot bring about revival or awakening in and of ourselves. It cannot be manufactured, programmed or scheduled.
We are seeing something on our campus that I can only describe (and I use this term carefully) as the beginnings of a potential awakening on our campus and revival among those who belong to Christ. It is a holy time. We are seeing Christian students thirst and hunger for greater intimacy with Christ, desiring for His Glory to be known and acknowledged on our campus and in our city. We are seeing young people praying with a sense of desperation and brokenness before Him over our need for Jesus Christ to be known and worshiped.
We are seeing young students who just 'show up' at our events, hungry and thirsty for something they cannot identify or name, but we know what it is-a longing for the Transcendent. God is moving. Please pray for UTSA. Please pray for the BSM on our campus. God is working in ways I have not seen Him work for so many years.
I believe that this movement of the Spirit is not limited to our campus. I see Him working and calling His people to pray across the city. I see a longing for Him that I have not seen for so long.
I do not know what is taking place in your church, among your people. Perhaps you are going through a difficult time. Perhaps your church is going through a challenging period. Perhaps the words 'awakening' and 'revival' seem like a distant dream in your context. I encourage you to join the growing number of people in our city who are on their faces crying out for the Lord to renew His works in our days. You are not forgotten. He loves you deeply. He is working.
Perhaps your church is experiencing the blessings of growth. I encourage you to give all glory to Him and to always be wary of the idea that we can somehow, in and of ourselves, 'grow' our churches or communities. Unless He is doing the building, we labor in vain.
In these tough times, more people are recognizing there must be something 'more' to life than the 'American Dream.' God is calling out to His people to return to Him wholeheartedly. He is calling out to lost humanity to find life through Jesus Christ, His Son. His Spirit is moving in remarkable ways. I pray that our city is awakened. I pray for revival in our churches. I pray that we humble ourselves before out King, crying out to Him because we so desperately need Him.
If you sense Him leading you to pray specifically for revival in our churches and an awakening in our city, I encourage you to join with others to specifically pursue Him in prayer. There is no better place for us to be than on our knees before our King.
Monday, July 13, 2009
LA Stories-And An Invitation to You!
All of the LA Stories are up on the Blog now! We all appreciate your prayers and interest. I spent the first two weeks after returning posting these stories on Face Book, now I've transferred the stories to the Blog.
I pray these stories are an encouragement to you. I know they were for us and for many who have heard them in person. When reading the Blog, you'll find that not all of the stories made it to the 'front page'-there were too many!
So as you read, and once you reach the bottom, click on the tab that says 'older posts'-and continue reading! There is a 'reward' at the end-an invitation for you to be a part of something very special that is coming to San Antonio at the end of July!
Check that out too.
Grace and Peace,
Kevin
I pray these stories are an encouragement to you. I know they were for us and for many who have heard them in person. When reading the Blog, you'll find that not all of the stories made it to the 'front page'-there were too many!
So as you read, and once you reach the bottom, click on the tab that says 'older posts'-and continue reading! There is a 'reward' at the end-an invitation for you to be a part of something very special that is coming to San Antonio at the end of July!
Check that out too.
Grace and Peace,
Kevin
LA Day One: Conversations With A PowerBroker
It is one of those relationships that really doesn't make sense: One of Hollywood's biggest power-brokers and a nobody minister from Texas. The relationship started five years ago. A long story-but it exists and on paper, it makes absolutely no sense. We touch base on and off each year. "How's life?" "How's the family?" That kind of thing. Whenever his Lakers play my Spurs (especially if my Spurs lose), the banter goes back and forth. He represents people like Denzel, Shakira, Robert Downey Jr., Russell Crowe, Beyonce, Liam Neeson, Hugh Jackman...to name a few.
I represent Baptist Student Ministries @ UTSA. (Now I know I represent Someone far Greater than these 'stars'-so don't get all spiritual on me-you get the point...it's not like we run in the same circles). He lives in Beverly Hills and has this incredible office in this amazing building on Melrose Ave. I live, well, I don't exactly live in Beverly Hills and I work out of a cubicle. He's in LA, I'm in SA. He is an observant Jew, I am a follower of Christ. He is talking about Iron Man II being in production. I'm looking forward to going to Iron Man II whenever it comes out. The whole thing just doesn't make sense. But God put this strangely wonderful relationship together and the conversation and dialogue continues.
I told him I was coming back to LA, bringing about 19 students with me to work with various ministries on Skid Row and among the urban poor in South Central LA. He doesn't get why we would travel all that way to LA to not (in his words) "have some fun!" but nonetheless he says, "Drop by and bring them all up. Want to meet them."
His schedule is tight. He has the whole power-lunch thing going on, the many appointments with the movers and shakers of Hollywood-and this guy says, "Yeah, bring your college students up here. Look forward to seeing you again and look forward to meeting your kids." Who does that in Hollywood?
Crazy.
So we land in LA. Most of us had little to no sleep the night before, arriving at the airport at this ridiculous hour to get to LA. The main objective of our first day is to get our vehicles and get checked into our dorms and go through some training for the week and hopefully stay awake for it all. Our appointment with him is on day one. I have no idea what to expect when I show up. Past face to face meetings were one on one, or my family and him hanging out. Very relaxed, always enjoyable-but I wasn't towing a tribe of college students with me during those times. This meeting will be a bit different. All I know is that he is a great guy, authentic (seriously)-and that for some reason he has let me in his world.
He's my age. We have kids who are the same age. Family is extremely important to him. We do have commonalities. Past conversations lasted 30-45 minutes, again, rather surreal since I'm sure he has 'people to see, places to go,' that kind of Hollywood thing going on. I wonder what he's going to do with 20 of us in his office. Maybe 5 minutes of meet and greet?
My family and I are in prayer for him. We have been for years. I have had conversations with him about faith, about life, priorities, goals, family....He's been given a book to read as well as a couple of well produced DVD's-and still the conversation continues-he hasn't shut me out. Bringing a bunch of college students to his office, I wonder, is this a bit too much?
But God gave us an appointment with him and we show up. I have no idea what to expect this time. We fill the waiting room. Rather uncomfortably fill the waiting room. The receptionist has this "Who are these people and why are they here?" look going on. She's more curious than annoyed-her response to us showed this kind of thing just doesn't happen in this office. In time, his assistant notifies him we are here. Again, I wonder what to expect. Soon another assistant brings out this large box of bottled water. "Anyone thirsty?" We grab our water bottles. Then we are told he'd like to meet us in the conference room across the hall, which to me is pretty amazing.
He comes out of his office and he's dressed quite casually, wearing a baseball jersey and jeans. After our appointment he's leaving to coach his son's baseball team. We exchange the 'man hug' backslap, hey bro how's it going kind of thing and he enters the room.
As he surveys the group I'm wondering what he's thinking. Then he starts talking-asking questions. Why are you guys here? Where are you going? Is this guy (me) going to let you all have fun in LA? He asks each student his or her name. He cracks jokes.
We tell him why we are in LA, we talk about The Soloist (Downey, another of his clients, starred in that true story). I ask him if guys like Downey ever realize how they have this positive impact on people's lives when they make such a film, if they are ever thanked. I was just curious.
He tells me "thanks" isn't something you hear much in Hollywood. The few times he's received "thanks" really stand out to him. We all make mental note of this. Gratitude and grace are in short supply in this industry.
He then tells us about lecturing at UCLA earlier that morning. He loves kids. He talked about the dangers of "playing it safe" of the importance of risk, of accepting failure as part of the learning and growing process, of not fearing failure, but rather learning from it and moving forward. He challenges the students to move out of their comfort zones and this is timely because we will be out of our comfort zones in the week ahead. We take note of this as well.
He spends a little over thirty minutes with this group. Again, it's not like he had to do this or that we are 'important people' in his world-but nonetheless he spends the time. It never felt rushed or awkward. It's as if this was something important to him on some level, and this too is something I take note of.
We speak of family and priorities and he quotes Denzel as something he values: "I work to make a living, but my family is my life." You probably didn't think you'd hear something like that coming out of Hollywood. But it's him. He's a big family guy.
Now you might be thinking: "When did you all break out the Four Spiritual Laws tract and share the Gospel with him?" Well, that didn't happen. So why did we go? What was the point of it all? Just to say we hung out with this really powerful guy in this amazing conference room? No. First, he is my friend, not a project. Second, and most importantly, God was present in that room and in that conversation.
You see, my friend is still trying to wrap his mind around a few things: First, why would anyone willingly fly across the country to come to LA to spend most of their time on....Skid Row? Why would people fly all the way to LA to spend time in some of the worst places in LA? What is the motivation? What is so different about these people? Second, he's trying to figure out this whole grace thing. He sees it and senses it and is trying to wrap his mind around it all.
He knows our being there, that 'something different' has something to do with our faith in Christ. He sees something in this group he doesn't see elsewhere and it is intriguing to him. There is a 'disconnect' for him and he's I'm sure he's also processing this strange relationship with this guy from Texas and these students he just met. He is also, I am sure, processing something within that says this whole group is doing something more than just religious activities...
Our stories speak to him. God is using this relationship. The spiritual soil is being tilled. Seeds are planted and watered...we continue to pray for him. I am trusting that the God Over All Creation will, in His Sovereignty continue to use this relationship and will bring other followers of Christ into His life. I am trusting that the Spirit of the Living God will continue to draw him to the Living Christ. I believe He is Big enough to do all of this and more, and in some way He will use this last meeting with a bunch of students he's never met to continue to speak Truth into his life.
So this was the beginning of our trip. Starting off our time in Los Angeles at the pinnacle of power, to soon plunge into the depths of the forgotten, the disposable was somewhat surreal. But He loves my friend as much as He loves the forgotten ones on Skid Row.
Pray for him. I do not feel comfortable giving you his name, but God knows who he is. We talk a lot about the 'power of prayer.' We affirm with our lips that God can do anything, that He can move mountains, that no one is beyond His ability to redeem. But sometimes, if we are honest, there is a part of us that reveals we may not believe that as much as we say we do. I am asking (and I am sure my students are as well) that you join us in praying for him. Consistently. I'm not saying that if he comes to Christ there will be this tremendous mass movement towards Christ in Hollywood as a result. I am simply saying he is a friend and I am praying he comes to know Christ. He matters to me.
Pray for me as well. This "strange" friendship is there for a reason. I do not believe in accidents or coincidences when it comes to God. Pray for wisdom and that our conversations would continue to grow in terms of depth and Gospel.
This is just one of many stories to share. Each story, each person matters-and maybe that's the thing. People aren't disposable-whether they live in Beverly Hills or on Skid Row. People matter. They matter to God and they sure should matter to us. We don't live for ourselves. It's not about us. It's about Him. His mission.
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
Including my friend.
I represent Baptist Student Ministries @ UTSA. (Now I know I represent Someone far Greater than these 'stars'-so don't get all spiritual on me-you get the point...it's not like we run in the same circles). He lives in Beverly Hills and has this incredible office in this amazing building on Melrose Ave. I live, well, I don't exactly live in Beverly Hills and I work out of a cubicle. He's in LA, I'm in SA. He is an observant Jew, I am a follower of Christ. He is talking about Iron Man II being in production. I'm looking forward to going to Iron Man II whenever it comes out. The whole thing just doesn't make sense. But God put this strangely wonderful relationship together and the conversation and dialogue continues.
I told him I was coming back to LA, bringing about 19 students with me to work with various ministries on Skid Row and among the urban poor in South Central LA. He doesn't get why we would travel all that way to LA to not (in his words) "have some fun!" but nonetheless he says, "Drop by and bring them all up. Want to meet them."
His schedule is tight. He has the whole power-lunch thing going on, the many appointments with the movers and shakers of Hollywood-and this guy says, "Yeah, bring your college students up here. Look forward to seeing you again and look forward to meeting your kids." Who does that in Hollywood?
Crazy.
So we land in LA. Most of us had little to no sleep the night before, arriving at the airport at this ridiculous hour to get to LA. The main objective of our first day is to get our vehicles and get checked into our dorms and go through some training for the week and hopefully stay awake for it all. Our appointment with him is on day one. I have no idea what to expect when I show up. Past face to face meetings were one on one, or my family and him hanging out. Very relaxed, always enjoyable-but I wasn't towing a tribe of college students with me during those times. This meeting will be a bit different. All I know is that he is a great guy, authentic (seriously)-and that for some reason he has let me in his world.
He's my age. We have kids who are the same age. Family is extremely important to him. We do have commonalities. Past conversations lasted 30-45 minutes, again, rather surreal since I'm sure he has 'people to see, places to go,' that kind of Hollywood thing going on. I wonder what he's going to do with 20 of us in his office. Maybe 5 minutes of meet and greet?
My family and I are in prayer for him. We have been for years. I have had conversations with him about faith, about life, priorities, goals, family....He's been given a book to read as well as a couple of well produced DVD's-and still the conversation continues-he hasn't shut me out. Bringing a bunch of college students to his office, I wonder, is this a bit too much?
But God gave us an appointment with him and we show up. I have no idea what to expect this time. We fill the waiting room. Rather uncomfortably fill the waiting room. The receptionist has this "Who are these people and why are they here?" look going on. She's more curious than annoyed-her response to us showed this kind of thing just doesn't happen in this office. In time, his assistant notifies him we are here. Again, I wonder what to expect. Soon another assistant brings out this large box of bottled water. "Anyone thirsty?" We grab our water bottles. Then we are told he'd like to meet us in the conference room across the hall, which to me is pretty amazing.
He comes out of his office and he's dressed quite casually, wearing a baseball jersey and jeans. After our appointment he's leaving to coach his son's baseball team. We exchange the 'man hug' backslap, hey bro how's it going kind of thing and he enters the room.
As he surveys the group I'm wondering what he's thinking. Then he starts talking-asking questions. Why are you guys here? Where are you going? Is this guy (me) going to let you all have fun in LA? He asks each student his or her name. He cracks jokes.
We tell him why we are in LA, we talk about The Soloist (Downey, another of his clients, starred in that true story). I ask him if guys like Downey ever realize how they have this positive impact on people's lives when they make such a film, if they are ever thanked. I was just curious.
He tells me "thanks" isn't something you hear much in Hollywood. The few times he's received "thanks" really stand out to him. We all make mental note of this. Gratitude and grace are in short supply in this industry.
He then tells us about lecturing at UCLA earlier that morning. He loves kids. He talked about the dangers of "playing it safe" of the importance of risk, of accepting failure as part of the learning and growing process, of not fearing failure, but rather learning from it and moving forward. He challenges the students to move out of their comfort zones and this is timely because we will be out of our comfort zones in the week ahead. We take note of this as well.
He spends a little over thirty minutes with this group. Again, it's not like he had to do this or that we are 'important people' in his world-but nonetheless he spends the time. It never felt rushed or awkward. It's as if this was something important to him on some level, and this too is something I take note of.
We speak of family and priorities and he quotes Denzel as something he values: "I work to make a living, but my family is my life." You probably didn't think you'd hear something like that coming out of Hollywood. But it's him. He's a big family guy.
Now you might be thinking: "When did you all break out the Four Spiritual Laws tract and share the Gospel with him?" Well, that didn't happen. So why did we go? What was the point of it all? Just to say we hung out with this really powerful guy in this amazing conference room? No. First, he is my friend, not a project. Second, and most importantly, God was present in that room and in that conversation.
You see, my friend is still trying to wrap his mind around a few things: First, why would anyone willingly fly across the country to come to LA to spend most of their time on....Skid Row? Why would people fly all the way to LA to spend time in some of the worst places in LA? What is the motivation? What is so different about these people? Second, he's trying to figure out this whole grace thing. He sees it and senses it and is trying to wrap his mind around it all.
He knows our being there, that 'something different' has something to do with our faith in Christ. He sees something in this group he doesn't see elsewhere and it is intriguing to him. There is a 'disconnect' for him and he's I'm sure he's also processing this strange relationship with this guy from Texas and these students he just met. He is also, I am sure, processing something within that says this whole group is doing something more than just religious activities...
Our stories speak to him. God is using this relationship. The spiritual soil is being tilled. Seeds are planted and watered...we continue to pray for him. I am trusting that the God Over All Creation will, in His Sovereignty continue to use this relationship and will bring other followers of Christ into His life. I am trusting that the Spirit of the Living God will continue to draw him to the Living Christ. I believe He is Big enough to do all of this and more, and in some way He will use this last meeting with a bunch of students he's never met to continue to speak Truth into his life.
So this was the beginning of our trip. Starting off our time in Los Angeles at the pinnacle of power, to soon plunge into the depths of the forgotten, the disposable was somewhat surreal. But He loves my friend as much as He loves the forgotten ones on Skid Row.
Pray for him. I do not feel comfortable giving you his name, but God knows who he is. We talk a lot about the 'power of prayer.' We affirm with our lips that God can do anything, that He can move mountains, that no one is beyond His ability to redeem. But sometimes, if we are honest, there is a part of us that reveals we may not believe that as much as we say we do. I am asking (and I am sure my students are as well) that you join us in praying for him. Consistently. I'm not saying that if he comes to Christ there will be this tremendous mass movement towards Christ in Hollywood as a result. I am simply saying he is a friend and I am praying he comes to know Christ. He matters to me.
Pray for me as well. This "strange" friendship is there for a reason. I do not believe in accidents or coincidences when it comes to God. Pray for wisdom and that our conversations would continue to grow in terms of depth and Gospel.
This is just one of many stories to share. Each story, each person matters-and maybe that's the thing. People aren't disposable-whether they live in Beverly Hills or on Skid Row. People matter. They matter to God and they sure should matter to us. We don't live for ourselves. It's not about us. It's about Him. His mission.
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
Including my friend.
LA Stories-Investors
They didn't have to do this for us. We aren't members of their community, their church, and his job description at church is to solely connect the church to non-Christians and non-Christian organizations that are doing good work in Los Angeles. Another relationship that in many ways 'doesn't make sense.'
But still, he shows up, takes time out of his day to bring two people he is mentoring to spend time with people he doesn't know (well, he knows me and I consider him a dear brother, but still...)-they come. They take time out of their day to train, to prime us for our time in Los Angeles. His name is Adrian, and I think he is one of the most amazing persons I know. Besides serving as the "Serve LA" pastor (unpaid staff) he is also a full time EMT and a husband...a busy guy. Still, he takes time and spends an hour and a half with this group from Texas-and he brings David and Britney, two young 20 something's along for the conversation.
This time is important for us. Adrian has a heart for the city. He loves Los Angeles and believes God indeed has a plan for this city. He invests himself in others, and in this city, to develop relationships for the King and His Kingdom-LA is his mission field, as well as the place he calls home. And this guy from the Midwest, a transplant, truly loves the city, the people, and sees harvest where most might see nothing but emptiness and futility. The ministry team he leads is always out among the lost, the least of these, the broken, those searching for meaning in a city where people are as disposable as yesterdays trash.
He talks to us about missiological principles, though he doesn't use that term, and he talks to us about core values, and the one that stands out to me is "Love is the context for all mission." This stands out because all too often people are seen as projects, missions as something we do for God-and if we are honest, sometimes missions is what we do "to" people as opposed to "with" and "for" people-mission work that isn't fueled by a love response to God and a love for people is simply work and people are merely projects. As Paul said, "if I don't have love, I am nothing..."
The thing that sticks out to me about him is that he's not giving us a religious pep talk. He is speaking from an authentic core, he believes this and lives this and wants us to grasp this. He calls us to love Los Angeles and the people we are serving. He challenges us to not simply go about doing work-but to serve in His Name and in love.
Why is this so important? It is important because in our propensity for religiosity, we can do many 'good' things for God without actually serving Him out of a love response, and we can do things for people without actually loving them-and this is not the way of Christ.
This training time took place at the end of our day, and frankly we were all exhausted. No sleep getting to LA, and by this time, we are fading-but his passion for Christ and for this city is contagious and God uses him to speak into our lives. What lies ahead, the week ahead, is not a series of projects, but rather multiple opportunities to flesh out the Gospel, to share the Truth, to share His love with countless people. We need to remember that in the midst of our busyness. He challenges us to walk with our eyes wide open, looking for places where God is at work, to join Him in that work. He calls us to walk in the Spirit and by faith and to trust that God can and will use us.
He encourages us. Challenges us. He takes time for us. He invests in us.
The two proteges (David and Britney) invest as well. They share their stories, their love for Los Angeles and the lost people and places God has called them to invest in. We are blessed to hear their stories and their authenticity.
For me, I am blessed by the gift of their time. Doing what they did for us is not a part of any of their job descriptions-in fact, we are the only Christian group they invest in. They don't do this for anyone else. Their connections are with the church and Los Angeles. Yet, they choose to invest in this group from San Antonio.
What is the point of it all? Well, I pray this challenges us all to think about the supremacy of love in all we do in His Name.
But I am also thankful. Thankful for a brother who continues to invest in me and in those I serve. And I am thankful for the gift of time. I have people in my life who are much closer geographically but when it comes to the gift of time...well, perhaps we are all that way-time misers.
Those who take time to invest in others (not just preach at them or tell them what to do), but truly invest time and energy and love-are few and far between, and this is why my friend, Adrian, and my new friends, David and Britney, are special. I thought you should know about them. They didn't view us as a nuisance, nor did they view us as projects, but rather as brothers and sisters in Christ and they chose to love us and invest in us.
Sometimes we tend to take such people for granted. We shouldn't. They are few and far between. People who come alongside you and say, "let me walk with you...if even for this moment in time..." This is the community of faith at her finest.
I pray their tribe increases. I pray that we all remember the supremacy of love in all we do. I pray we don't take for granted those special moments with those who choose to invest in us. I pray we remember that those outside of Christ will never know about Him unless they hear, and they will never hear unless we go to where they are and share, and do so in love, with all gentleness and respect.
It's easy to stay sequestered in our safe havens, in our four walls of the church-to look at the outside world and look at the messiness and choose to stay safe in our fortress, or to shake our heads at how 'messed up' ..."those people" are...it's easy to write a check for someone to do missions, easy to pray for 'all those lost people out there...' so easy to outsource and so easy to forget that we are on mission every day. It's personal. No follower of Christ is exempt-we all have this privilege, this responsibility as salt and light, as ambassadors, as witnesses, as representatives of the King and His Kingdom.
But we can't do that. His love compels us...and if it does not, then perhaps our hearts are not aligned with His-perhaps we're missing something when love for the outsider isn't there.
Thank you Adrian, David and Britney for reminding us, for investing in us, for taking time. Your efforts were not wasted.
This is the end of Day One. Tomorrow-A "Spiritual Tour" of the spiritual influences that shape Los Angeles-and the beginning of our ability to learn to love some very different people....
But still, he shows up, takes time out of his day to bring two people he is mentoring to spend time with people he doesn't know (well, he knows me and I consider him a dear brother, but still...)-they come. They take time out of their day to train, to prime us for our time in Los Angeles. His name is Adrian, and I think he is one of the most amazing persons I know. Besides serving as the "Serve LA" pastor (unpaid staff) he is also a full time EMT and a husband...a busy guy. Still, he takes time and spends an hour and a half with this group from Texas-and he brings David and Britney, two young 20 something's along for the conversation.
This time is important for us. Adrian has a heart for the city. He loves Los Angeles and believes God indeed has a plan for this city. He invests himself in others, and in this city, to develop relationships for the King and His Kingdom-LA is his mission field, as well as the place he calls home. And this guy from the Midwest, a transplant, truly loves the city, the people, and sees harvest where most might see nothing but emptiness and futility. The ministry team he leads is always out among the lost, the least of these, the broken, those searching for meaning in a city where people are as disposable as yesterdays trash.
He talks to us about missiological principles, though he doesn't use that term, and he talks to us about core values, and the one that stands out to me is "Love is the context for all mission." This stands out because all too often people are seen as projects, missions as something we do for God-and if we are honest, sometimes missions is what we do "to" people as opposed to "with" and "for" people-mission work that isn't fueled by a love response to God and a love for people is simply work and people are merely projects. As Paul said, "if I don't have love, I am nothing..."
The thing that sticks out to me about him is that he's not giving us a religious pep talk. He is speaking from an authentic core, he believes this and lives this and wants us to grasp this. He calls us to love Los Angeles and the people we are serving. He challenges us to not simply go about doing work-but to serve in His Name and in love.
Why is this so important? It is important because in our propensity for religiosity, we can do many 'good' things for God without actually serving Him out of a love response, and we can do things for people without actually loving them-and this is not the way of Christ.
This training time took place at the end of our day, and frankly we were all exhausted. No sleep getting to LA, and by this time, we are fading-but his passion for Christ and for this city is contagious and God uses him to speak into our lives. What lies ahead, the week ahead, is not a series of projects, but rather multiple opportunities to flesh out the Gospel, to share the Truth, to share His love with countless people. We need to remember that in the midst of our busyness. He challenges us to walk with our eyes wide open, looking for places where God is at work, to join Him in that work. He calls us to walk in the Spirit and by faith and to trust that God can and will use us.
He encourages us. Challenges us. He takes time for us. He invests in us.
The two proteges (David and Britney) invest as well. They share their stories, their love for Los Angeles and the lost people and places God has called them to invest in. We are blessed to hear their stories and their authenticity.
For me, I am blessed by the gift of their time. Doing what they did for us is not a part of any of their job descriptions-in fact, we are the only Christian group they invest in. They don't do this for anyone else. Their connections are with the church and Los Angeles. Yet, they choose to invest in this group from San Antonio.
What is the point of it all? Well, I pray this challenges us all to think about the supremacy of love in all we do in His Name.
But I am also thankful. Thankful for a brother who continues to invest in me and in those I serve. And I am thankful for the gift of time. I have people in my life who are much closer geographically but when it comes to the gift of time...well, perhaps we are all that way-time misers.
Those who take time to invest in others (not just preach at them or tell them what to do), but truly invest time and energy and love-are few and far between, and this is why my friend, Adrian, and my new friends, David and Britney, are special. I thought you should know about them. They didn't view us as a nuisance, nor did they view us as projects, but rather as brothers and sisters in Christ and they chose to love us and invest in us.
Sometimes we tend to take such people for granted. We shouldn't. They are few and far between. People who come alongside you and say, "let me walk with you...if even for this moment in time..." This is the community of faith at her finest.
I pray their tribe increases. I pray that we all remember the supremacy of love in all we do. I pray we don't take for granted those special moments with those who choose to invest in us. I pray we remember that those outside of Christ will never know about Him unless they hear, and they will never hear unless we go to where they are and share, and do so in love, with all gentleness and respect.
It's easy to stay sequestered in our safe havens, in our four walls of the church-to look at the outside world and look at the messiness and choose to stay safe in our fortress, or to shake our heads at how 'messed up' ..."those people" are...it's easy to write a check for someone to do missions, easy to pray for 'all those lost people out there...' so easy to outsource and so easy to forget that we are on mission every day. It's personal. No follower of Christ is exempt-we all have this privilege, this responsibility as salt and light, as ambassadors, as witnesses, as representatives of the King and His Kingdom.
But we can't do that. His love compels us...and if it does not, then perhaps our hearts are not aligned with His-perhaps we're missing something when love for the outsider isn't there.
Thank you Adrian, David and Britney for reminding us, for investing in us, for taking time. Your efforts were not wasted.
This is the end of Day One. Tomorrow-A "Spiritual Tour" of the spiritual influences that shape Los Angeles-and the beginning of our ability to learn to love some very different people....
LA Stories: The Celebrity Scientology Centre
There is a common misconception that Los Angeles, Hollywood in particular, is not a religious place, void of any 'spirituality.' Nothing could be further from the truth. 'Spirituality' is a slippery term that can mean a million things to a million people, but for the sake of this entry I'll define it as "man's quest to satisfy the God-shaped hole with some type of religious practice." We all have that God-shaped hole within us, a result of the Fall and our alienation from God because of our fallen nature. What we do to fill that hole...well, that is the penultimate question.
Hollywood is a place where people are disposable. People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams and so many are chewed up, spit out and discarded like so much human refuse. There is a tangible sense of emptiness, loneliness and despair in Hollywood. Beneath the lights and apparent glamor is this emptiness that comes from chasing the wind. Meaninglessness.
Like Solomon, who spent a good portion of his life 'chasing the wind,' most people eventually come to some conclusions: One, there has to be something more. Two, there has to be something, or someone who can bring meaning and order to life-and for many, that realization is in part fueled by a desire to be successful. People who come to Hollywood to 'make it' soon find out it's much more difficult than they imagined. The industry is a harsh, unforgiving machine that cares little for the individual other than what it can extract or take.
So there are a lot of people searching for answers. A part of our trip as we sought to understand Los Angles before immersing ourselves among the least of these was to understand the spiritual forces that influence the city-and there are many. Like Athens in Acts 17, Los Angeles is a city of many 'gods'-and people will turn to anything or anyone that offers some kind of construct for meaning.
Last year we visited the Scientology Celebrity Centre as well as the "Self Realization Temple." This year we returned to the Scientology Centre as well as the largest Buddhist Temple in the US. I'll talk about the Buddhist Temple in the next entry. For now, Scientology...
Scientology may seem foreign or on the fringes to people living outside of California, Los Angeles specifically, but they are a very visible and powerful influence in the "City of Angels"-especially in the concentrated areas of power, namely Hollywood.
I don't have time to get into the theology of Scientology. It is quite complex and so foreign it would take a book to go over the tenets, practices and beliefs. I will focus instead on the impressions from the center.
We pulled into the facility knowing we were under observation. The Scientology Centre is rather wary, if I can use that word, of outsiders who come to their facility. They knew up front that we were a student group coming to learn about Scientology and what they believed. To say that our point person, Jenny, was a little suspicious would be an understatement. If we had arrived as a group "seeking answers" we would have been welcomed and aggressively 'evangelized.'
As my vehicle entered the lot my phone rang. It was Jenny. She said, "I see you are here, come on up to the Garden and cafe area." These kind of phone calls are a bit unnerving. We knew prior to coming (from our last visit) that there are cameras throughout the building and that we would be monitored and our tour would be tightly managed. We would see and hear what they wanted us to see and hear.
We spent 2 hours at the center. Several things particularly struck me: The first perhaps being that I can understand how someone who is at the end of their rope, or desperately looking for answers, would find Scientology appealing. They have a plan for EVERYTHING. The religion is very much a "do it yourself" kind of religion, where you, by learning, by growing as a student of Scientology, can become the master of your own destiny. It promises answers to everything and 'technology' to help you achieve whatever your dreams and goals are. It promises a full and exciting and whole life...no obstacle too big, no problem too large, everything can be overcome by applying the teachings of L.Ron Hubbard.
Christianity promises infinitely more for both this life and the life to come, but the promises are the exact opposite of Scientology. Contrasting the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount with the teachings of Scientology is a the difference between night and day. Scientology says: "You can do this on your own and with our help you will achieve your dreams and goals." Christianity says, "You can't do this on your own-you need a Savior, and in following Him, true life will be found." Christ never promises earthly success or wealth or a trouble-free life. Scientology offers success, prosperity, the ability to overcome any trouble.
Our tour guide, a man named Salvador I believe, was from Argentina. I would like to say I know more of his story, but everything on that tour is absolutely controlled. Information is given, there is little give and take in terms of dialogue. There are opportunities to ask questions, but honestly, they are only concerned with questions that reflect well on Scientology, certainly not anything that might call into question their teachings.
So we take the tour, watch the videos, the demonstrations, visit the bookstore (and to be a good Scientologist one must purchase a LOT of books because one needs the answers to every life issue and or possible life issue), and watched the orientation film, which by the way, you can still, I believe, check out on YouTube.
Another thing that struck me was what we observed while we were hearing about the wonders of Scientology and how it brings happiness and wholeness and empowers the practitioners. As we walked around the center, I observed the employees and honestly, there didn't appear to be much in the way of joy or happiness. Some looked flat out miserable.
Before you judge, insert your own observation about many Christians and the church.
Last year, we had opportunity both while there (with our tour guide, Desiree) and after leaving (on Hollywood Blvd) to take what we had learned of Scientology and share Christ with Scientologists. This year, our tour was so tightly managed and every moment so controlled, we did not have that opportunity to slow our guide down and talk Gospel.
So why go? What good came from that?
Francis of Assisi said something to the effect of "preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary." In other words, our very lives should be a reflection of Christ-our words, our response to others, our actions...
And Christ was shining through our group. I don't think Salvador knew what to make of this group of students who were not Scientologists, but had this sense of peace, joy and happiness that we never saw inside the center. He was briefly disarmed and lowered his guard as we had opportunity to hang out with him in a garden area. He relaxed for a moment and as I watched him I could almost see the wheels turning in his head, wondering, "What is it with theses people? What do they have?"
Yes, I did have opportunity to tell him and another that we were followers of Christ. I pray the Spirit uses that knowledge to pique interest and curiosity.
Jenny, the coordinator was also curious on some level. Our conversations on the phone and brief personal meeting made some kind of impression on her. Later that day, she called to thank us for coming and asked if we had an enjoyable time. She also said we were a 'really great group.' Last year there were no follow up phone calls. As we prayerfully walked through that center we were asking Him to use us in some way. I honestly believe those we interacted with saw something different in us and they had no framework for understanding what that something different was, but it was appealing on some level.
The woman (and now I've forgotten her name, please forgive-but she is on our prayer list that we developed of every person we encountered in LA and prayed for every night-perhaps we will publish that list once it is typed) but this woman who spoke to us after the orientation film stood out the most. We were supposed to be out of the doors by 12:00 noon-but she wouldn't let us go. It wasn't that she was holding us hostage, she was just pouring out her life story. You see, she is a 'pastor' in the church and as she shared her story (from Woodstock hippie to Buddhist monastic to various other religious stops along the way to Scientology) it was so obvious that inside, in her core, she was still searching. So, alone with her in this room, she told her story and kept talking and talking-almost a cathartic experience for her. We listened and spoke as she gave us opportunity, but for her, she just needed to unload.
She stuck in our minds. Even as a 'pastor' in the church, she was still seeking...and we are praying for her. She enjoyed our group to the extent that we stayed approximately 20 minutes beyond our scheduled time (and believe me, the Centre runs a very tight ship) to listen to her.
The follow up is important. Thank you cards were sent to Jenny and to the 'pastor'-and I will be following up with Jenny by phone, to see if I might get her email (again, they are very guarded-so please pray she is open) so perhaps a two-way conversation can develop.
The great irony from our time there was the tangible sense of darkness, of control. While offering freedom and liberation from human limitations, Scientology instead brings a form of servitude and slavery. I can only imagine how difficult it is for someone who is immersed in the religion to walk away and break free without a lot of intimidation and harassment.
What are some take away points from this visit:
1) There is a lot going on in the unseen realm that truly shapes people, cultures, structures and communities-and Scientology is definitely one of those spiritual forces shaping Los Angeles.
2) There are times when you may not be able to present the story of Christ (Security would have ushered us out and those we interacted with would have been further driven from the Truth), but Christ can and will shine through you as others see the difference in your life that comes from Him being your life.
3) Scientology has a well-thought out vision, strategy and methodology and they are executing it exceptionally well. I think of the church, and honestly, we have the Truth, we have a much greater mission, but sometimes it seems we are so...unintentional about what we are doing. It's almost as if we have (not all, but enough to be cause for concern) this attitude: "Well, I'm in-I've got the whole eternal life thing...if 'they' want us, they know where to find us." It's like we've substituted the Great Commission for something we might call "The Not So Great Invitation." Go up and down Hollywood Blvd and you'll see not only the presence of Scientology but practitioners aggressively sharing their story to win 'converts.'
4) To walk into the heart of a dark place and to be able to establish relationships on some level with people in bondage is something God can and will use. Often we think if we don't whip out the 4-Spiritual Laws, tell the story, we've failed. But if we are really honest with ourselves, a lot of times when we do this, it is akin to a 'spiritual drive-bye" -we unload and drive off. If the person accepts the Message, we're pleased with ourselves. If they don't, or if they have more questions, we wash our hands and move on. We've 'done our job.' Perhaps there are cases when the most important thing to do is to let Him be seen in us and to intentionally develop relationships through which the Gospel will flow. It's much more difficult to invest long-term in someone, but many times, that is what is needed.
5) Sometimes our job is to simply till very hard spiritual ground. We all have a role in the harvest. Some work the soil, some come along and plant, others water...God provides the harvest. As such, we must remember that every encounter with every person we meet is opportunity for us to be used in some way by God in that person's life for His purposes. At the center we did some tilling and some sowing. We are praying that God will continue to bring others along to water and cultivate.
6) Which leads to the last point: The power of prayer. Followers of Christ affirm belief in the power of prayer, but often we live our lives as if we believe otherwise. Our group bathed our new 'friends' in prayer and will continue to do so. We believe God is Big enough, Powerful enough to continue to bring more followers of Christ into the lives of people like Jenny and Salvador. I ask that you pray for these two as well as our Scientology pastor friend. God is not bound by time, geography or anything. Wherever you are, you can pray for these three people created in His Image, these three for whom Christ died to ransom. Do you believe He is able?
Hollywood is a place where people are disposable. People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams and so many are chewed up, spit out and discarded like so much human refuse. There is a tangible sense of emptiness, loneliness and despair in Hollywood. Beneath the lights and apparent glamor is this emptiness that comes from chasing the wind. Meaninglessness.
Like Solomon, who spent a good portion of his life 'chasing the wind,' most people eventually come to some conclusions: One, there has to be something more. Two, there has to be something, or someone who can bring meaning and order to life-and for many, that realization is in part fueled by a desire to be successful. People who come to Hollywood to 'make it' soon find out it's much more difficult than they imagined. The industry is a harsh, unforgiving machine that cares little for the individual other than what it can extract or take.
So there are a lot of people searching for answers. A part of our trip as we sought to understand Los Angles before immersing ourselves among the least of these was to understand the spiritual forces that influence the city-and there are many. Like Athens in Acts 17, Los Angeles is a city of many 'gods'-and people will turn to anything or anyone that offers some kind of construct for meaning.
Last year we visited the Scientology Celebrity Centre as well as the "Self Realization Temple." This year we returned to the Scientology Centre as well as the largest Buddhist Temple in the US. I'll talk about the Buddhist Temple in the next entry. For now, Scientology...
Scientology may seem foreign or on the fringes to people living outside of California, Los Angeles specifically, but they are a very visible and powerful influence in the "City of Angels"-especially in the concentrated areas of power, namely Hollywood.
I don't have time to get into the theology of Scientology. It is quite complex and so foreign it would take a book to go over the tenets, practices and beliefs. I will focus instead on the impressions from the center.
We pulled into the facility knowing we were under observation. The Scientology Centre is rather wary, if I can use that word, of outsiders who come to their facility. They knew up front that we were a student group coming to learn about Scientology and what they believed. To say that our point person, Jenny, was a little suspicious would be an understatement. If we had arrived as a group "seeking answers" we would have been welcomed and aggressively 'evangelized.'
As my vehicle entered the lot my phone rang. It was Jenny. She said, "I see you are here, come on up to the Garden and cafe area." These kind of phone calls are a bit unnerving. We knew prior to coming (from our last visit) that there are cameras throughout the building and that we would be monitored and our tour would be tightly managed. We would see and hear what they wanted us to see and hear.
We spent 2 hours at the center. Several things particularly struck me: The first perhaps being that I can understand how someone who is at the end of their rope, or desperately looking for answers, would find Scientology appealing. They have a plan for EVERYTHING. The religion is very much a "do it yourself" kind of religion, where you, by learning, by growing as a student of Scientology, can become the master of your own destiny. It promises answers to everything and 'technology' to help you achieve whatever your dreams and goals are. It promises a full and exciting and whole life...no obstacle too big, no problem too large, everything can be overcome by applying the teachings of L.Ron Hubbard.
Christianity promises infinitely more for both this life and the life to come, but the promises are the exact opposite of Scientology. Contrasting the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount with the teachings of Scientology is a the difference between night and day. Scientology says: "You can do this on your own and with our help you will achieve your dreams and goals." Christianity says, "You can't do this on your own-you need a Savior, and in following Him, true life will be found." Christ never promises earthly success or wealth or a trouble-free life. Scientology offers success, prosperity, the ability to overcome any trouble.
Our tour guide, a man named Salvador I believe, was from Argentina. I would like to say I know more of his story, but everything on that tour is absolutely controlled. Information is given, there is little give and take in terms of dialogue. There are opportunities to ask questions, but honestly, they are only concerned with questions that reflect well on Scientology, certainly not anything that might call into question their teachings.
So we take the tour, watch the videos, the demonstrations, visit the bookstore (and to be a good Scientologist one must purchase a LOT of books because one needs the answers to every life issue and or possible life issue), and watched the orientation film, which by the way, you can still, I believe, check out on YouTube.
Another thing that struck me was what we observed while we were hearing about the wonders of Scientology and how it brings happiness and wholeness and empowers the practitioners. As we walked around the center, I observed the employees and honestly, there didn't appear to be much in the way of joy or happiness. Some looked flat out miserable.
Before you judge, insert your own observation about many Christians and the church.
Last year, we had opportunity both while there (with our tour guide, Desiree) and after leaving (on Hollywood Blvd) to take what we had learned of Scientology and share Christ with Scientologists. This year, our tour was so tightly managed and every moment so controlled, we did not have that opportunity to slow our guide down and talk Gospel.
So why go? What good came from that?
Francis of Assisi said something to the effect of "preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary." In other words, our very lives should be a reflection of Christ-our words, our response to others, our actions...
And Christ was shining through our group. I don't think Salvador knew what to make of this group of students who were not Scientologists, but had this sense of peace, joy and happiness that we never saw inside the center. He was briefly disarmed and lowered his guard as we had opportunity to hang out with him in a garden area. He relaxed for a moment and as I watched him I could almost see the wheels turning in his head, wondering, "What is it with theses people? What do they have?"
Yes, I did have opportunity to tell him and another that we were followers of Christ. I pray the Spirit uses that knowledge to pique interest and curiosity.
Jenny, the coordinator was also curious on some level. Our conversations on the phone and brief personal meeting made some kind of impression on her. Later that day, she called to thank us for coming and asked if we had an enjoyable time. She also said we were a 'really great group.' Last year there were no follow up phone calls. As we prayerfully walked through that center we were asking Him to use us in some way. I honestly believe those we interacted with saw something different in us and they had no framework for understanding what that something different was, but it was appealing on some level.
The woman (and now I've forgotten her name, please forgive-but she is on our prayer list that we developed of every person we encountered in LA and prayed for every night-perhaps we will publish that list once it is typed) but this woman who spoke to us after the orientation film stood out the most. We were supposed to be out of the doors by 12:00 noon-but she wouldn't let us go. It wasn't that she was holding us hostage, she was just pouring out her life story. You see, she is a 'pastor' in the church and as she shared her story (from Woodstock hippie to Buddhist monastic to various other religious stops along the way to Scientology) it was so obvious that inside, in her core, she was still searching. So, alone with her in this room, she told her story and kept talking and talking-almost a cathartic experience for her. We listened and spoke as she gave us opportunity, but for her, she just needed to unload.
She stuck in our minds. Even as a 'pastor' in the church, she was still seeking...and we are praying for her. She enjoyed our group to the extent that we stayed approximately 20 minutes beyond our scheduled time (and believe me, the Centre runs a very tight ship) to listen to her.
The follow up is important. Thank you cards were sent to Jenny and to the 'pastor'-and I will be following up with Jenny by phone, to see if I might get her email (again, they are very guarded-so please pray she is open) so perhaps a two-way conversation can develop.
The great irony from our time there was the tangible sense of darkness, of control. While offering freedom and liberation from human limitations, Scientology instead brings a form of servitude and slavery. I can only imagine how difficult it is for someone who is immersed in the religion to walk away and break free without a lot of intimidation and harassment.
What are some take away points from this visit:
1) There is a lot going on in the unseen realm that truly shapes people, cultures, structures and communities-and Scientology is definitely one of those spiritual forces shaping Los Angeles.
2) There are times when you may not be able to present the story of Christ (Security would have ushered us out and those we interacted with would have been further driven from the Truth), but Christ can and will shine through you as others see the difference in your life that comes from Him being your life.
3) Scientology has a well-thought out vision, strategy and methodology and they are executing it exceptionally well. I think of the church, and honestly, we have the Truth, we have a much greater mission, but sometimes it seems we are so...unintentional about what we are doing. It's almost as if we have (not all, but enough to be cause for concern) this attitude: "Well, I'm in-I've got the whole eternal life thing...if 'they' want us, they know where to find us." It's like we've substituted the Great Commission for something we might call "The Not So Great Invitation." Go up and down Hollywood Blvd and you'll see not only the presence of Scientology but practitioners aggressively sharing their story to win 'converts.'
4) To walk into the heart of a dark place and to be able to establish relationships on some level with people in bondage is something God can and will use. Often we think if we don't whip out the 4-Spiritual Laws, tell the story, we've failed. But if we are really honest with ourselves, a lot of times when we do this, it is akin to a 'spiritual drive-bye" -we unload and drive off. If the person accepts the Message, we're pleased with ourselves. If they don't, or if they have more questions, we wash our hands and move on. We've 'done our job.' Perhaps there are cases when the most important thing to do is to let Him be seen in us and to intentionally develop relationships through which the Gospel will flow. It's much more difficult to invest long-term in someone, but many times, that is what is needed.
5) Sometimes our job is to simply till very hard spiritual ground. We all have a role in the harvest. Some work the soil, some come along and plant, others water...God provides the harvest. As such, we must remember that every encounter with every person we meet is opportunity for us to be used in some way by God in that person's life for His purposes. At the center we did some tilling and some sowing. We are praying that God will continue to bring others along to water and cultivate.
6) Which leads to the last point: The power of prayer. Followers of Christ affirm belief in the power of prayer, but often we live our lives as if we believe otherwise. Our group bathed our new 'friends' in prayer and will continue to do so. We believe God is Big enough, Powerful enough to continue to bring more followers of Christ into the lives of people like Jenny and Salvador. I ask that you pray for these two as well as our Scientology pastor friend. God is not bound by time, geography or anything. Wherever you are, you can pray for these three people created in His Image, these three for whom Christ died to ransom. Do you believe He is able?
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