From the blog ...

Stradivarius On Loan

Most sermons on money seem to have one objective: to make you give more of it. The same pastor who will tell you we are no longer “under the law” will also tell you we are “robbing God” by not paying at least 10% of your income into “the storehouse.” (Read: My Church.)

The New Testament, and especially Jesus, teach that everything (not just 10%) belongs to God. And, that a practitioner’s stewardship (the responsible management of something entrusted) is deciding what to keep.

The Stradivari Society is the finest example of true stewardship I have encountered in modern times. They match deserving young players with million dollar stringed instruments made by Italian Masters. It is a win-win, because the great instruments increase in value for the investors when played rather than shelved.

Life is a Stradivarius on Loan from God.

-What have been your experiences good and bad with money and the church?
-What do you have that you hold onto too tightly?
-Why and how do you give your money away?

Mar 4, 2010 by Keith • category: Continuing Conversation • comments: 3

Come Together

Each year, at this time, we remind ourselves and each other that we were created for relationship. The God who created us all, is a God of relationship. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Yet, they are one and in perfect relation to one another.

Then Jesus, when he walked among us, showed what it was like to live in relationship by choosing the twelve to be with him.

In order to illustrate our being made for relationship, we use the Lego®. Legos aren’t worth anything alone. They don’t even make decent blocks. But used with other Legos, the possibilities are endless.

Join the conversation, as we explore what it means to “Come Together.”

- How are we like or unlike a Lego piece?
- Tell us about a relationship that has affected your life.
- How do you connect with others here at Agora or in the Marketplace?

Feb 24, 2010 by Jeff • category: Continuing Conversation • comments: zero

Extreme Makeover: Church Edition

Week before last, Vicki and her friend and partner were able to provide the work of making curtains for several rooms in the Tulsa Extreme Makeover House. Their work will be part of the reveal in March on the TV show.

But what would it look like if the Church were to go through an Extreme Makeover?

Today we explore that idea and try to debunk what I call the Myth of the Three Story House. Most of us who live West of Asia Minor make a rather dubious distinction between the sacred and the secular, the spiritual and the profane.

It is a distinction we make at our own peril. In fact, it is such a distinction that makes for some really bad theology. Join the conversation today as we do an Extreme Makeover: Church Edition.

- What are the good things and bad things about a multi-story house?
- What would it look like to you if there were no distinctions between the sacred and the secular?
- What would you do if you saw your neighbor’s mailbox all over the yard while you were on your way here?

Feb 17, 2010 by Jeff • category: Continuing Conversation • comments: zero

The End of Pomp and Circumstance

Today marks our 5th Anniversary. “Happy Birthday to us! Happy birthday to us…”

Every February, in recognition of our anniversary, we spend a few weeks reviewing our mission and vision—our reason for being. This month is no exception.

Today we attempt to ReThink Church. A total paradigm shift is in order. We cannot keep doing what we’ve done for the last 150 years and expect different results.

Join the conversation as we ask the questions, “Why?” and “How?”

- Tell us about your most interesting experience in a church that rivals Mr. Bean.
- What does “church” look like to you?
- Do you have questions for me or the other members of our leadership team that we can try to answer?

Feb 17, 2010 by Jeff • category: Continuing Conversation • comments: zero

Garage Sale

Every weekend you can find a garage sale somewhere. Someone in a neighborhood near you is trying to sell off some of their “stuff.” It’s an American pastime for some people every week of the year. And don’t get in their way.

Author Phyllis Tickle recently commented in her book The Great Convergence, something to the effect of: Every 500 years or so the church has a huge rummage sale—deciding what to keep and what to throw out.

Today we look back on our first 5 years and ask: What should we throw out and what should we keep?

Maybe it’s time for an Agora garage sale.

- What is your favorite garage sale story?
- What are some ways we can be good news to our surrounding community?
- What are some other options for our next 5 years?

Nov 6, 2009 by Jeff • category: Continuing Conversation • comments: zero

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welcome

A•gor•a (Ә-gōr' -Ә) ∍n., pl. [Greek] 1. Marketplace. 2. A place of assembly, debate. 3. Town square.

In the Ancient Scriptures, a public gathering place for: a. business dealings such as the hiring of laborers (Matt. 20:3), b. the buying and selling of goods (Mark 7:4), c. the games of children (Matt. 11:16; Luke 7:32), d. exchange of greetings (Matt. 23:7; Mark 12:38; Luke 11:43; 20:46), e. the holding of trials (Acts 16:19), f. public discussions (Acts 17:17), g. bringing the sick to Jesus (Mark 6:56).

Agora is a gathering of Jesus followers, seekers, doubters, and skeptics who are on a life journey together. Our relationships with one another help us to discover, decide, and define what our relationship to Jesus will ultimately be.

We are located at:

4959 South 79th East Ave
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145

Please feel free to email us at agora@agoratulsa.com or visit our contact page for phone numbers and directions to the church.

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