imagining how the church can reorient around mission

I am writing simply to inform you that I have moved my writing over to Substack. It is a free-access blog so I would love to invite you to follow me over there. Just hit the link, and when you get there, subscribe.

Here is the link: https://robertfairbanks.substack.com/ read more

It is the 4^th of July. In many ways, at this moment, I grieve about what I see happening in and to the U.S. I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but I’m genuinely worried about its future.

I find it unnerving that the recent Supreme Court ruling about Presidential Immunity falls so close to the day we celebrate our shared freedom. Regardless of who is president now or the potential of a convicted felon returning to the office, I do not believe the role entitles anyone, anyone to be above the law. IMHO, it is a setup for some very bad stuff to transpire. What is the line? “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” If you call me a cynic, you would not be wrong, but anyone occupying the most “powerful” job in the world makes me at least a bit nervous, but even more so when we essentially are telling whoever that person might be that there are some illegal actions that can be done with impunity. WHAT??? Even typing that feels like an electric shock just went through my body. It is dreadful how badly that insults my sensibilities. This is abhorrent and could very well contribute to the very collapse of our land. Again, does that sound overly dramatic? Perhaps, but I am 66 in a few days and I am not new to this game. It may be slow and incremental, but anyone who is not concerned is not paying very close attention. read more

Sept 14th- 9 am-1:30 pm – Free lunch included – hit the barcode below to register

This event, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Movement (PNWM), is free and open to all Pastors and Christian leaders interested in what church planting would look like in a rapidly changing culture.

“Church planting is not an end in itself, but one aspect of the mission of God which churches are privileged to participate”

Stuart Murray

Church planting is a dynamic and purposeful endeavor that involves establishing new Christian communities within specific cultural and social contexts. There are three ideas that will prove to be very important as guiding principles for success. read more

So, I am in vigilant resistance to that type of control and authority and want to give way to a liberty I believe with all my heart true Christianity can and absolutely should provide.

As we journey through our Christian faith, it is important to reflect on the influences that have shaped us and how we perceive and interact with the world (read discipling you). Our families, schools, media, and culture have all contributed to making us who we are. Our discipleship is an ongoing process, including how we view and experience church and God.

It is essential to honestly acknowledge that our cultural background can shape our interpretation of the Gospel, or as my friend Lenore Three Stars often says, “There is no culture-free Gospel.”To continue growing and learning, we must also be willing to deconstruct our beliefs and scrutinize what we hold as true. This requires honesty and vulnerability within a Christian community. read more

You should know Dr. Haley Jacob, a notable theologian who was supervised by the renowned N.T. Wright during her Ph.D. studies. We are so fortunate that she is a member of our church community and on our preaching team at Immanuel. Her research on Romans 8 is unique, even groundbreaking, and needs to be heard by every Christian. I am not exaggerating. It will set you free to imagine following Jesus in a new, IMHO, more beautiful way. In fact, I was so moved by her teachings that several times during the presentation, I physically gasped. Trust me; you don’t want to miss out on what she has to explain.

Evil is evil, and it is wrong for me to attempt to soften it for myself or others.

Today, innocent suffer, people are exploited, friends die, and disease ravages. To give meaningless platitudes steals dignity from honest and real grief. read more

The story of the burning bush in the Bible is not only a contextual story but a metaphor for the universality of everyday sacramentalism.

There’s been a ton of talk recently about what is happening at Asbury University. It’s been called a “revival” by some. It’s been called an “awakening” by others. To be sure, something extraordinary happened. The last thing I want to do is take away from the wonder of what transpired. It is marvelous and has seemingly impacted tons of people.

But, there is a revival going on in our church community (Immanuel Church, Spokane), as well. read more