by C. E’Jon Moore

I have been studying through the Book of Acts lately. It is one of my favorite books to study—so rich with history. It shows you the larval stage of Jesus’ Church on earth. It shows you the boldness of the early Christians, especially Peter and Paul as they crisscross the known world spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the process, people are transformed. Given time, entire cultures are transformed. And today the message of a Jewish carpenter is believed by millions.

One of the things I like to do when I’m studying Scripture is have some praise music “setting the mood.” This is not unlike when you put on sensual music to create an atmosphere for lovemaking. I simply like to be in a worshipful mood when I encounter Christ in the Scriptures. Anyhow, I have really been digging the sound of Planetshakers worship album “All For Love,” especially the song “Surrender.” Simple lyrics in the song state, “All that I am is Yours/All that I have is Yours/I give You my heart and soul/Lord I’m Yours.” Not very groundbreaking in the grand scheme of lyricism, but it captures the heart of the lyricist and is an awesome, yet difficult, prayer to pray or proclaim.

Recently, I read Acts 2. It is a personal favorite and many people cite it when they are talking about their church. You may or may not know what I’m referring to, so let me explain. When talking about their particular church, especially in Protestant circles, people often tell me, “We’re trying to be an Acts 2 kind of church.” I hear this statement a lot. But, let’s be honest, “trying” is the operative word here. How many churches—besides the Amish—are really that invested in one another? How many people do you know that are selling all their goods and giving to each other as needs arise? How many churches do you know where the people are totally committed to the apostles’ teachings? In my experience, if something doesn’t sit right with someone in a particular church, they move to another one. I’ve done it. Maybe you have, too. Heck, I cannot even begin to fathom how many people will walk through the doors of City Church because they are dissatisfied with another church in the area. All are welcome, of course. But, let’s call an ace and ace and a spade a spade. Very few people are the church we see in Acts 2.

What is more, Acts 2 is a long chapter. Forty-seven verses. And when people say, “We’re trying to be an Acts 2 kind of church,” they are often only referring to v. 42-47. Five verses out of forty-seven. Not a bad thing to strive for, but impossible if it is not accompanied with the boldness of the forty-one verses that precede it. I mean, Peter stands up, preaches an amazing sermon, illuminates the meaning of Scripture for his listeners in a way they’d understand, and accuses them of killing Jesus, and calls them to repent of their evil ways. Three thousand people become Christ followers that day. Three thousand people turn to Jesus after Peter accuses them of nothing short of murdering God. Of course Peter let’s them know that there is forgiveness for their sins against God…and humanity. But, the “murdering God” and “repentance” part is not a very popular message in any era.

What does that have to do with surrender?

Good question.

I have witnessed within the church, even the one I am currently involved in as I prepare to launch City Church, a proclivity to not totally surrender our lives to Jesus. Sure, we sing songs about it, but we don’t really mean it. Not when we’re tested anyway. We’re not going to sell our possessions to help out as any has need. That sounds too much like Communism. And we’re Americans. And so was Jesus. And he helped us win the Cold War so Communism would no longer be a threat to good, God-fearing American citizens. And we’re going to tone down the “sin talk.” We’ll “struggle” until Jesus comes back, so there really is no need to change. Jesus asks me to come as I am, just like that dude with Billy Graham used to sing back before we discovered fire and a pitch pipe. “Repentance” sounds so “modern.” Postmodernism is all about embracing the “mystery” of the Gospel. Stop sounding so sure about what the Bible says about stuff. You don’t understand the context on the situation when Peter was preaching.

As I pray over this new church plant and the direction God wants it to move, one thing I am committed to is surrendering it to Jesus. The arts are cool. Music. Film. Theatre. Whatever have you. That’s all cool, but it’s meaningless if it’s not surrendered to Jesus. It’s pointless if it’s not done with Jesus in sight. When was the last time you heard of three thousand people coming to know Jesus in one day? That is my heart for the city of Detroit. My heart is that City Church would be a city within a city—a city of surrendered people showing others how to be surrendered to Jesus.

I have no hidden agenda. My purpose is to point you to Jesus. My purpose is to preach with love and boldness the reality of my sin, your sin, and our collective need to repent and ask forgiveness. My purpose as a minister of the Gospel is to model surrender so that others might see what it means to follow Jesus in the same way.

Jesus,

Help me to be a leader of such conviction that I am not afraid to preach the hard things from Your word. May you heal my hurts and discouragements in ministry and break me and humble me. I am devoted to your teachings. Amen.

Jesus,

Teach me to have the heart of a disciple. So often I scoff at the need for qualification, Lord. Cast your lot in my favor, that I may continue the work of Jesus in my generation. Amen.

In September of 2012 a new church will open its doors in the city of Detroit, Michigan. This church will be called “City Church Detroit.” It is my sincere belief that God cares deeply about the city. Not just the city of Detroit, either. I mean “the city.” Detroit. Atlanta. Los Angeles. Dallas. Any city. It is from the city , from urban locales, that culture emanates. It is from the city that new ideas and revolutionary movements spring. This was true of Jesus’ day and it is true of our own.

But, the city also brings with it unique challenges. Crime. Poverty. Homelessness. To name just a few. I believe these things break God’s heart. Do you hear that? God’s heart is broken over the city. People are trapped in cycles of violence and hopelessness and God weeps…bitterly. While there are vibrant parts of the city, the city has been ravaged by the effects of sin. And, like Nehemiah, I am undone that “The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” (Neh. 1:3b).

There is a passion, though. There is a passion burning deep in my soul that God has called me to the city of Detroit to plant a church that seeks to acknowledge and embrace the culture of the city of Detroit for Jesus while also seeking to “reverse the curse.”

I freely admit. I’m not a city boy. I’m not from the hood. I don’t know all the hot spots and the ins-and-outs of how the city works. But, I am called. I cannot help but follow…who’s coming with me?

GOD give your servant success today by granting him some of your favor/I need to, You need to , We need to Rebuild the City –Sho Baraka’s “Rebuild The City” from Turn My Life Up