Creating Culture

This morning, as I was reading up on my most favorite ministry blogs and jamming to some newly released music in my office, I came across a phrase that I've been "crockpotting" all day long. This post isn't necessarily a teaching post, but more a flow of thought. Hop on board this crazy train.

" Culture doesn't happen by accident... it is created."

We can zoom out and talk about the culture of consumerism in the United States (because that's definitely been created and FED for years). We can talk about the culture of Carpet sales (see, I'm learning all things Dalton.)  OR we can narrow in and dwindle it down to the culture inside of your home. In my case, the culture in which the kids come and experience inside of these church walls. We have been praying and asking for this place to be set apart right? That means we've been praying for a culture focused on Jesus, even though we haven't verbalized it in that way.

This is where my Sociology minor has finally come in handy in the real world. Now, let's define culture. Culture can be beliefs, customs and the language that is spoken. I see these things that can easily define you AND that can easily outcast others if they do not speak your own language, or sleep and eat the same times you do. But, another more applicable (for me) definition is "a common way of thinking, behaving or working." This includes everyone. This view exceeds language barriers, skin color,  or even religion.

We are living in a world that is continually challenging, and forcing us to evaluate what a "Christian Culture" means. This is being challenged throughout the WHOLE world. So, how do we respond to the culture that forces Jesus away from our children, from media, from our schools? It starts with looking at scripture, our own tool to know the "common way of thinking, behaving and working". What's that "common" way, you ask? I'll give you a hint. We have covenants that one man is faithful to and He brings to light, all hope of commonality, all unity and all peace is in made in... Jesus.

For this precious ministry of Children and Families, I know what the culture needs to be defined by, I'll say it again, Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.  Because of the great example Jesus Christ set for us in how to love, serve, teach and advocate on behalf of our community, it's all going to start with His life, ministry and words at the very core. How do we create this idyllic culture?

We pray it.
We talk about it.
We expect it.

Honestly, I'm seeing a culture forming in how these precious kids behave, pray and learn in which has exceeded every expectation I had. It is most certainly not because of my doings, or the volunteers doings, or the leadership's doings, it is because we expect our kids to hold each other to their covenants they made.  And because of how and when God works,  this common way of thinking, behaving and working has emerged. Do we still have our bumps and our disunity? You better believe it. I had to literally pull two first grade boys off of one another last week when they were wrestling on the floor. But,  the images of the older girls caring and nurturing the three year olds almost leaves me in tears. When we have 12 children in bible study that want to lead prayer, that's creating a culture. When the 5th grade boys talking about their fear of sin openly, that's creating a culture. When we have children engaging in scripture, and knowing and understanding it, that's creating a culture. When we have children who are willing to worship the Lord without inhibition, that's creating a culture. When we have 125 high-schoolers wanting to be here on a Friday night after a football game, that's creating a culture.

JESUS CHRIST is in the business of creating and transforming and it is wholly evident here. For that, I am filled and humbled I get to watch it happen, the culture here is being created. It's being created by the Creator of the WHOLE universe, and that should blow our mind. The very same God that spoke the moon and stars in the sky, is changing and creating new hearts in the lives of our children, youth and adults in Dalton, GA. Doesn't that make you want to fall to your knees!? He is actively at work uniting hearts in His name and we have so much to praise Him for. I am so, so blessed that I get to see it happen. I sit back and watch the Holy Spirit at work and get to take great, great delight in renewal, growth and call to selflessness.

But, because we don't want a culture that happens by accident, we ask for Jesus Christ to create a culture of commonality and of unity here, we pray it and I beg for it. When it comes to hearing and learning about Jesus, I believe whole heartedly, the relationships children have with the Church Universal ARE vital for a child to be secured in so that they know and understand the fullness of the love of Jesus Christ that abounds through generations.

What culture are you creating? Some areas of my life are a lot easier to create and change, where other places and relationships seem almost impossible. How can you challenge your children, your spouse and your co-workers to create and build a common way of thinking? WHAT will you common way of thinking and behaving revolve around? How will you teach it? How will you expect it?

Jesus Christ is faithful, and I can promise you that your family will change, if the culture and lifestyle of your home changes to center around Him. If it is already centered around Jesus, what can you do to teach that and verbalize it to your children? What can you do to challenge your children to center their culture at school around Jesus? The culture of their hearts?  It's such a great challenge to us all- what kind of culture do you want to be a part of? Go and ask for humility and for the LORD of the Heavens and of this very heart to create it! He will... and you will be amazed.