Pastors' Blog

A great quote hear from J.I. Packer.

J. I. Packer:

[We can] correct woolliness of view as to what Christian commitment involves, by stressing the need for constant meditation on the four gospels, over and above the rest of our Bible reading: for gospel study enables us both to keep our Lord in clear view and to hold before our minds the relational frame of discipleship to him.

The doctrines on which our discipleship rests are clearest in the epistles, but the nature of discipleship itself is most vividly portrayed in the gospels.

Some Christians seem to prefer the epistles as if this were a mark of growing up spiritually; but really this attitude is a very bad sign, suggesting that we are more interested in theological notions than in fellowship with the Lord Jesus in person.

We should think, rather, of the theology of the epistles as preparing us to understand better the disciple relationship with Christ that is set forth in the gospels, and we should never let ourselves forget that the four gospels are, as has often and rightly been said, the most wonderful books on earth.

—J. I. Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2005), p. 70, 71.

HT: JT

This is the second part of a series of Q & A blog posts on the Boston Initiative, a church planting effort of Immanuel. There is additional information at the Mission Desk in Immanuel's building at Oak & Clay. Come check it out!

Juan, what is your vision for the church?

Simply put, our vision to to see Jesus Christ exalted through a church planting movement that blesses all the people in Boston and extends throughout the Northeast. Let me explain this.

First, the people of Boston need Jesus Christ, who is worthy of their worship. What Boston needs is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People need to receive and enjoy the benefits of trusting in Jesus‘ life, death, and resurrection. We want to both proclaim and display the Gospel. We want everything to flow from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This means not only how we do church but how we live our lives. We want the gospel to shape how we live in the city. For a very long time in Boston, the person of Jesus has not been exalted. Jesus is seen as a very good peasant: a moral guy who unfortunately died. That is the kind of Jesus that is normally preached in Boston. Instead of this “Jesus”, we want to preach a risen Savior who is worthy of everyone’s worship!

Second, Boston also needs a church planting movement. Unfortunately, the view of the church in Boston is really negative. People think it is some sort of a cult or a club. Very few really understand what church is suppose to be. We want to establish a local church that is not only committed to the gospel, but also committed to seeing many people meet Jesus. This means we hope to make disciples who then make disciples themselves, resulting in churches planting churches. As a church planter it is my responsibility to preach the Word to God’s people, to build them up, but also to equip them to go out and do ministry themselves. It is my hope that we are just a catalyst. The only way Boston it is going to be reached is for a new community of Christians to be formed who are committed to seeing others meet Jesus. Everyone must see the significance of building the kingdom of God and having a particular part in God’s story of redemption.

Third, Boston needs a people committed to serving the city. Although Boston is one of the most affluent cities in the world, it’s also a broken city. People are broken in all kinds of ways, whether it be relationally, sexually, emotionally, economically, or socially. We want to be a church that not only proclaims the Gospel but displays it, by providing healing through Jesus. We not only desire a great church but we desire a great city. We want to be a church that is committed to doing good to our city and seeking the welfare of our city like Jeremiah says. So we want to involved in our city and the life of our city. As people are redeemed the city will inevitably be shaped. We want to be committed to building relationships and blessing our community. As Jesus went around his part of the world proclaiming the good news and doing good, so we full of his grace want to do the same. We want to provide healing for the broken in Boston.
Ultimately, our vision is really simple – Jesus serving Boston through the church. Sadly, these are the things that have actually been marginalized in the majority of our churches in Boston. These are the things that have not been prized nor are these the things Christianity is know for. As for us, we want Jesus Christ to be worshipped by all and his gospel to shape our community, our mission, and all that we do.

Why start a church in the city of Boston?

By far the most important reason is the fact that there is little gospel witness in the Northeast, especially Boston. The Northeast is one of the most unreached and most unchurched parts of this country. In the Boston metro area there are 4.5 million people and only about 70,000 of those people attend some form of church, which is not likely evangelical. If most of the city are not evangelical then what are they? Recent religious statistics indicate that 40% are atheist or agnostic, 40% are Catholic, 10% don’t distinguish a view, 4% are Evangelically Liberal, while 4% are Evangelical Protestant, and 1% hold to Eastern Orthodoxy. Because its obvious there is tremendous need, we hope not only to plant a new church, but desire God would use our efforts to be a catalyst for a church planting movement, where 4.5 million people have an opportunity to respond the good news of Jesus Christ.

Another reason is because Boston is a strategic city which has significant impact on the greater culture. Consider Boston’s educational position: There are over 250,000 students spread out over 100 colleges. People come from all over the world to learn and then to spread themselves again throughout the world. Imagine these people becoming disciples to then take the gospel back to their homelands. Additionally, It is documented that about 25% of the world's leaders go through Boston before going out into the world – people in government, entertainment, education, and various other cultural influencers. The prince of Saudi Arabia, musicians of Rage Against the Machine and Weezer, entertainers like Conan O’Brian and Jay Leno , and even President Obama have all been educated in Boston. Simply said, Boston is a place that shapes future leaders that go on to shape greater culture. We want to be in a place where the gospel can take root, change people, and eventually see Christian ideas affect culture positively. It’s unavoidable: as the city goes, so goes the culture, and eventually the rest of the country.

This is the first part of a series of Q & A blog posts on the Boston Initiative, a church planting effort of Immanuel. There is additional information at the Mission Desk in Immanuel's building at Oak & Clay. Come check it out!

Juan, tell us a little about you and your family.
My name is Juan Maclean and I’m married to my wonderful wife Debbie. We have two sons named Jonas and Owen and a German Shepherd named Bodie. I work as a wedding photographer; I love photography – it’s a great job – I get to meet so many cool people. One of the great perks about my line of work is that I become friends with so many of my clients and now I’m traveling to great places to work. As a church planter in Boston, I hope to have this business while starting out since it will allow me both to provide for my family and meet tons of people. If we were not church planting, honestly, I think we would move to Los Angeles. Our best friends live out there and we love the beach and it is a really laid-back culture. We really love that a lot. I enjoy coffee too.

How were you involved in the life of Immanuel?
We were at Immanuel for four years and for the last two I served as a Deacon. The last year I served as the Lead Deacon. During that time I was given the opportunity to lead all the Deacons in their tasks and implement a new focus on leadership development, which put structures in place and changed our focus from all the work ourselves to being lead servants who not only provide examples of service but also delegate tasks to faithful volunteers. Honestly, being in this situation taught me to communication better, deal with confrontation, and delegate. Additionally members my wife and I served in various ways. We gave premarital counseling to several couples, we showed hospitality to various people, befriending them over dinners and lunches. This led to many friendships, which for us has been the most fruitful thing! We have served a lot through those friendships and all of it has been a great joy!

Where is God leading your family now?
Ultimately, we want to be a part of a church planting movement in the North East, starting in the city of Boston. This goal has been in process for about seven years since God began to move the hearts and minds of my wife and I toward the work of church planting in Boston. We have changed and grown so much in that time, and yet the desire to be part of what God is doing in Boston has remained a strong and driving factor in our lives. We left Virginia to attend seminary and better prepare for this task. Upon graduation we have devoted more time and prayer to continue our preparation. We have found ourselves surrounded by supportive individuals, churches and organizations who have affirmed how God has been leading us. We completed an extensive church planting training and assessment by Acts 29, a missional church planting network, who approved us as church planters. God’s leading has become clear and confirmed: we are to be church planters in the city of Boston. So here we find ourselves, admittedly a little anxious, but excited, expectant, humbled, prayerful, and knowing that we’re on the brink of something great that God is doing.

What is ‘The Boston Initiative?’

The following post will unpack the details of the Boston Initiative and explain different ways you can be involved. Please visit thebostoninitiative.com for more information.