I haven’t written a lot about ICC stuff since I broke with the forums. I think it’s indicative of the reason I needed to leave them. However, I haven’t ignored church events completely. The two things on my mind at the moment are an article written by Gary Sciascia and Thomas’s latest sermon (not article). I’ll write about Gary’s article in different article.

Thomas’s latest sermon is entitled, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners”. I have to admit that the first 20 minutes was a genuinely good sermon. The story of Zaccheus, the woman cuaght in adultery, and the leper of many years being healed with a touch. Familiar themes and such, but a surprisingly coherent and effective message on compassion. I started thinking that my prayers for him and about him were beginning to bear fruit. I didn’t like the hype style and extended s on the end, but that’s a minor consideration.

So I’m about to click off the sermon and then the twist occurs. There’s a mention of ‘sold-out disciples(htdm)’ that appears from nowhere. Then, when talking about Jesus’ admonition to the woman caught in adultery, the real topic of this sermon emerges. After all the talk about the compassion of Jesus, the audiences hears that members of the Portland Church are not confessing their sins to their discipling partners. A familiar pattern returned where he confessed his sins that have plagued him since college. He “got open” with some folks about his sins and then he was “super-fired-up” again. That lead to a call for everyone to make sure that their discipling times happen and that when they happen, they should confess their sins.

This is where I tuned out and turned it off.

I still think, that in the bigger scheme of things, he works hard every Sunday to defend himself and his ministry from someone or something. Until recently, I just figured that he is aware of his waning influence and his own unpopularity. Nowadays, I wonder if the critics he addresses indirectly are people he is talking to fairly regularly. I know that the Chicago Leadership came to Portland at some point and discussed the Mother Of All Conferences(tm) (also known as the 2004 International Leadership Conference) and that he has addressed “our fellowship of churches” almost every week that he preaches. I get the feeling that he will not be there. If he is, I’m sure that he will have something to say in his October 2 sermon.

I’m glad I don’t tune in every week anymore. A friend of mine asked me if I keep up with him anymore, and she said that it might be good to check in every once in a while. She was glad that I wasn’t checking in every week, but she also mentioned that she wants to know, but doesn’t have the time do it herself. I appreciate that, but I really want to focus more on building relationships in other places.

I enjoy my freedom and the ability to get help from so many people without another appointment.