My First Wedding Homily

Last month I had the great honor and privilege to officiate the wedding of my sister and her fiancé Chris. Not only was it so special to stand there officiating their wedding, it was special because it was my first. For posterity’s sake, I thought I’d post it here.

Welcome:
Dearly Beloved; We are gathered here in the presence of God and of this company, that Christopher and Sarah may be united in holy matrimony.

Charge to those attending:
Today is a day of great joy and celebration but it also comes with the sting of change.
Though we are here to celebrate your union, we are also here to send both you off into a new season of life where our standing ways of relating to you are changing.

For your friends and family, we have dreamt of this moment. God has prepared you for this moment. We have labored in His grace to prepare you for this day. But it is in this moment, that we are delighted to willingly YET soberly release you to one another.

To the family and friends here today today, I charge you to be a source of love, strength and encouragement to Chris and Sarah. As they begin to run this race, may we be their biggest fans, cheering them on all the way.

Giving away of the Bride:
Who here gives this woman to be with this man in blessing and confidence?

Intro:
Sarah, as your brother this day is even sweeter.
In all the stages of growing up, we have not just been siblings, but friends. I have had the privilege of seeing you at your best and at your worst, so I’m an expert when I say that you are one of the most precious, faithful, beautiful, Godly human beings I’ve ever met. Never have I met someone willing to work so hard to serve and love the people in her life. I am proud that I get to be your brother, and I am proud to be adding another brother here today.
Christopher, over the years I’ve known you to be a great man of faithfulness and strength, one who is tender before the Lord. I can think of no better person to be marrying my precious sister.

Marriage:
Marriage at its heart is a beautiful symbol of the covenant keeping love between Christ and the Church. In The story of Christ, we see an all powerful God coming in meekness to serve and love His church to the point of death on the cross, making a way for His bride (the church) to become glorious so she could share in His reign.
We here today are hopeful for your marriage. Not just because we think you both look cute together, not just because we love you individually.

We are hopeful for your marriage because when Jesus came, He died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin. His resurrection shows that He has triumphed over the curse of sin. He has opened the way to Life.

God placed His first man and woman in a beautiful garden where they lacked nothing.
It was here that we see God’s original picture of what marriage was to look like.
They experienced an intimacy with God that we could only imagine. They experienced love and delight untainted by the sting and shame of our current world.

But when they rebelled, everything changed. The ground was cursed and work became frustrating instead of joyful (as God designed it to be). Something as beautiful and life-giving as childbirth became exceedingly painful (so I’m told). Adam and Eve were displaced from the beautiful home God had prepared for them, and found the entrance heavily guarded.

It has become common to say that relationships are difficult. Every book on marriage, relationships, and communication, assumes that relationships are difficult to maintain. But that hasn’t always been the case. Relationships were whole and untainted by sin and doubt before the fall. We are specifically told that the man and woman were naked and were not ashamed (Gen. 2:25), a reality that signifies a complete trust and acceptance in their relationship.

All who trust in Jesus are justified before God and empowered to live in a new way, a way that is not doomed by the dreadful curse of sin. It goes without saying that this marriage will have its high points, and its low points. There will be times of great joy, and times of great pain.

The key to success for this marriage is not to try to simply survive hard times, and spend your time longing only for joyful times. The key to success is to give God glory. God is most glorified when you are most satisfied in Him.

If you look primarily to each other to meet your deepest needs, understand all of your emotions, and be a constant source of encouragement and strength for you, you will be frustrated.

One of you will surely fail to meet the other’s expectations at some point. If your hearts are as Eph 3:16-19 says: “Rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ” when those times come, you can lend strength to the other.

Strength is easy to lend when its not yours. God has made you such that only He can satisfy you.

Therefore find your delight and joy in Christ every day, so that no matter what circumstances life brings, your happiness is not solely based on your circumstances, but is found in the flame of love for God cultivated deep within your heart.

In order to truly love each other in this marriage, you must satisfy yourselves in Christ. God doesn’t intend for your spouse to satisfy you. God intends for your spouse to remind you that you need God.

I am hopeful for this marriage because of the work of Christ. Jesus died for His bride and sets the pattern for us to follow in our marriages.

Charges:

Sarah, you are called to submit to Christopher.
Though you are fellow heirs in Christ and children of God submitted to each other, in your marriage, Christopher is the head.
This means the consequences of responsibility fall on Him before God’s judgement seat.
By submitting to Christopher you are not just submitting to who Christopher is now, but to who he will become in the grace of God.
Your trust is in the Lord’s leadership in Christopher’s life, not Christopher’s leadership alone. Your trust is in God’s ability to make him into the best version of who we already know him to be.
Sarah are you ready to enter into Marriage with this man?

Christopher, because you are the head, your task asks more, because Jesus gave more.
Your calling is to lay your life down for your wife in the same way Christ loved the church and gave up His life for her.
That means the cost you are paying today is your life, and the goal you are setting today is her splendor.
Your mission from today until the day you die is to love, serve, protect and lay your life down for your wife until she is the greatest version of the dream God dreamed when He created her.
The command of the Bible to follow you as the head, should be easy for her because you are proving your worthiness to her through your meekness, humility, and daily fight for her destiny before your own.
Christopher are you prepared to enter into marriage with this woman?

I love what John Piper says about marriage: “The reason there is so much misery in marriage is not that husbands and wives seek their own pleasure, but that they do not seek it in the pleasure of their spouses.” Christopher seek your joy in Sarah’s joy, and Sarah seek your joy in Christopher’s joy, and you will be happy indeed.

Vows:
May we please now have the rings?
The bride and groom have opted to recite their own vows.

Communion:
The bride and groom are now going to take communion and pray with one another.
Parents and family blessing
Those that have been asked to pray for the couple, please come forward at this time.

Pronouncement of marriage:
Christopher and Sarah, you have declared your commitment to each other before your family and God. It gives me the greatest of pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss your bride!

Presentation:
I invite you to stand and join me as I introduce to you for the very first time: Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Jackman!

An Open Letter To Our U.S. Elected Officials: End Abortion

Dear Elected Official,

Since 1776 this continent has been a beacon to the rest of humanity for the individual rights of every human being. Though it has struggled to produce freedom for every people, in the end liberty for all has prevailed no matter race or creed. Our country was founded on certain truths that though at times have been wanting in application, have ultimately remained the cornerstones that uphold the spirit of this nation. Specifically the Jeffersonian proclamation:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

It is that credo that has driven this nation to the heights of glory and power it currently resides in.  The Constitution that governs this nation was founded on the belief that no man’s freedom can come at the cost of another, for all men deserve to live in liberty from tyranny, the fear of death and oppression.

In the History of this nation we have faced many challenges to this belief. At the risk of losing resources and stifling a growing economy, this nation took the necessary action and gave emancipation to those being enslaved on plantations throughout the South. The cost was hundreds of thousands of American lives but their blood was not in vain. The ultimate result was not a loss in economy but growth for a young nation torn apart. In the early 1900’s liberty was again challenged when children and orphans were being used for cheap labor to kick start a growing industrial revolution. Liberty for these children meant a drop in production and a loss in the Industrial age. The Children were freed, and instead of loss the industrial revolution grew, and 15 years later the nation would boast the largest profits the world had ever seen. Tyranny in Europe by Hitler, voting rights for women, Stalin in Russia, Vietnam, North Korea, Israel, Kuwait, and Iraq, our Nation has been dedicated to the democratic value that all men deserve the rights presented in the Jeffersonian mantra.

Today our nation has come to yet another paramount were the liberties of some have been cut off to supply liberty for another. The sexual revolution of the 60’s and 70’s has come at the loss of many. 50 million human beings have been murdered in the name of freedom. The right to live has been taken by the hands of doctors and parents around this country. Abortion has been granted as a right for a woman to choose, and lowered the value of life to a punishment on those wish to be free in their sexual lifestyles.

The liberties of countless human beings in our nation are in jeopardy. The leaders and decision makers in this nation, who serve at the leisure of the people, have failed those they serve. For 35 years they have stood idly by as a holocaust proportionate to that of Nazi Germany to have wiped out the lives of many. I petition those who hold office in congress to consider not the definition of life, but the definition of freedom. Many in government are in danger of the same type of hypocrisy that faced our nation during slavery, segregation, and manifest destiny. To take the life of a person, so as to allow another sexual freedom, is same type of injustice that inspired the actions of the continental congress 236 years ago.

To cease abortion would indeed be a risk. Federal dollars for foster care, and adoption are waning. Unwanted pregnancies or statistically higher in poorer urban areas, and the quality of life the baby would face is unknown. Yet no man should have the power to determine who lives and who dies. Such power is supposed to be protected and kept from governmental leaders by democracy. I ask amidst the consequences that come with the abolishment of abortion that you would consider the lives being lost. Would you consider the blood being spilt? Would you consider the advancement in social ethics our nation would take if life were valued higher than sexual freedom? Would you consider the cessation of government funds to organizations like Planned Parenthood, and instead redirect those funds to establish a better foster care and adoption system? You hold great power that has been rented to you by one who will one day return to reclaim it. On that day you will answer before Him, the author of life, for how you yielded that power. What will your legacy be before that throne? I pray that it’s one that will please the heart of God.

Our nation has lost its way in the fight for freedom. We have forgotten the “Eternal vigilance” that is required to maintain liberty. Our personal freedoms have come at a high price. For it’s not the blood of the unborn, but patriots that should be the refreshing streams of liberty. Knowing the high price of taking on this issue, I ask would you bleed and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. As long as it is still recited: “Liberty and Justice for ALL”.

Respectfully,

Zack Hensley

My Confrontation With Westboro Baptist Church

For years I’ve heard of the terrible and notorious antics of the folks just up the highway at Westboro Baptist church.  I have on many occasions been left with my head in my hands in disbelief whenever the stories of Westboro Baptist’s protests are told. Disbelief was usually followed by anger as I’d hear about them protesting a soldier’s funeral, or a gay kid who was beaten to death by his hateful peers. Anger would then lead to sorrow as I began thinking about the poor families being screamed at in their time of great grief. Sorrow also when I thought about the level of deception the people from Westborro must be under to justify screaming hatred. Following the progression of emotions, I began to grow bitter toward Westboro Baptist. Eventually that bitterness turned to hate. Hate turned into slandering them whenever I saw them on the news or heard about the legitimately horrible things they would do.

Most would find my hatred of Westboro Baptist completely justified as they are justifiably doing things to munger hate. However their was one person who wanted me to change my heart and attitude toward the infamous church. Jesus tells us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and give to those who harm us. I often teach these things, but just like anyone, have to follow through with what I teach. When I would go to pray after having talked trash about how much I hated Westbrro Baptist, I could feel that subtle prick from Heaven asking me to change my heart. No matter the sin they were in, nothing justifies joining them in sin, nor gives me the power judge them with slander. We don’t have to condone or stay silent in our calling them out in their error, but we have to do it from a place of love least we only continue the cycle of hate. In December at our annual Onething conference I was blessed with a chance to face my hatred head on.

Last year, for whatever reason, Westborro Baptist had decided to target our conference and stand outside in protest of it. The theme of the conference was “Jesus: Our Magnificent Obsession”. Every message, song and exhortation was centered around the theme of Christology, the person and work of Christ. Not even our Calvinist/ Cessastionists friends could have taken issue with this conference. Yet for what ever reason outside was Westborro Baptist with their notorious multi-colored signs, t-shirts and mega phones. I debated going down to talk to them for about 10 minutes, until I decided to just pull the bandaid off and confront them head on. Seeing them in the distance as I approached, I began to pray. “Jesus keep me tender, Jesus keep me tender, help me confront them in love, help me confront them in love.” I kept saying those two phrases over and over under my breath until I reached them.

Their message was confusing. Some signs said “God Hates Fags”, “Your Pastor is a Whore to $$”, others said “God Hates America”, “Stop Lying, God Hates You”, I couldn’t get a handle of what exactly they were protesting. Walking straight up to the leader he began screaming in my face “God hates you! God hates you!” over and over incidentally spitting on my face a few times. I suddenly felt a little foolhardy. Like I had decided to jump into the Hyena cage in hopes of taming them while they prepared to devour me. However I felt the need to persevere. I starred at the leader square in the eyes, calmly and patiently asking him if I could have 5 minutes of his time. The notorious founder Fred Phelps was not present, however his daughter and grandson were. His grandson was the one presently screaming in my face as I solicited a moment of conversation. After about 10 minutes he ran out of breath. Which to be honest was quite impressive in context. Screaming slander on the top of your lungs for 10 minutes without pause takes some serious pipes. He finally dialed down a notch or two and asked “what do you want?”

Trying to diffuse his energy rather than add to it, I asked calmly and quietly “What is it that you are protesting? You seem to be aiming in every direction.” Expectedly he launched into a tirade. “What are we protesting?! How about the fact that your church is taking millions of people’s money at this conference and whoring out the Bible. How about the fact that right now the leaders of this church are making money hand over fist from people without telling them about the coming judgement. How about the fact that you publicly support fags in ministry. How about that!” Genuinely, though not wisely, I snickered. My snickering only fueled another ten minutes of titration. I waited until he was done then I asked him the obvious question: “So you really have no idea what you are protesting or who we are do you? Because we are public about homosexuality being a sin, we are public about our belief in judgement, our conference is free, and we barely break even on it. So obviously you’ve been misinformed.” He stepped back and paused. He pondered another angle to come at us, then launched, “Well the leaders at this church are still living large while everyone else starves!” I snickered again and looked at him square in the eyes, “Sir I am one of the leaders here, and these are my only pair of jeans. If we are making a ton of money here it’s news to me.” I then proceded to laugh, honestly hoping to dial him down a even more. I coxed him along a bit, “Bro, you gota laugh a little bit. You gathered up about 30 people, printed signs and drove an hour to get here from Topeka only to find out you kinda wasted your time.” He snapped back, “But that’s not enough! You have to hate and publicly denounce gays or you’re going to burn with them.” I asked him, “What about those that lie on their resume’s, drink too much alcohol, or cheat on their taxes sometimes. Those are sins also, do those people need to be hated too?” “Yes!!” He yelled. “America is going to hell! God hates them!” Curiously, and with genuine compassion I asked him, “By that notion how do you plan to make it without going to hell?” This question struck his heart. For the first time in the conversation his face looked human. The tention and angst he was wearing disappeared. He hung his head and dropped his signs and mega phone to the ground. “I don’t know.” We stepped away from his still screaming crew and he began to open up a bit.

It was extraordinary. He told me that they simply go where they are told, that he actually never knows much about who they are protesting. He told me that they believe God is going to judge America with fire for it’s sins. He said they protest because they are terrified of being judged because of other people’s sin. He said he often lays awake in bed at night tormented by the idea that he is going to burn at the hand of God’s judgement. He felt that protesting is his way of screaming to heaven that he is not one of the sinners. He said it was a way of saying, “God don’t judge me! I’m not one of them!” Still not liking or remotely condoning anything they do, however for the first time I saw these hateful people for who they really were: broken. I offered to pray for him, and wanted to talk to him more, but he was teary-eyed and a little embarrassed about it. He gathered up his crew, they packed up their signs and left.

I wanted to feel victorious as I had taken on the most notorious protesters in the world and won. I wanted to walk triumphantly back into the conference and pump my fists bragging that I had gotten them to leave. Instead I was burdened for them. Having confronted my hatred I saw them for the lost and broken people they were. It doesn’t change my attitude toward their actions, but now when I see them on the news in a tirade of hatred I pity them. I pity them because they are trying to serve and represent a God they know nothing of. They are unknowingly agreeing with the voice of the darkness over the people they are protesting. And Sadly, they may even be headed for the very fate they are striving so hard to avoid.

They are still the object of God’s affections, the dream of his heart, and still have a chance at redemption. I pray for them regularly and I hope to run into them again.

Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of their understanding, that they may have their eyes opened to the truth and love of Christ.

“So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towardrepentance?” Rom. 2:3-4

Summer 2012 Turn Signal: Transition on the Way

For my wife Carrie and I the summer of 2012 will go down as one of the greatest we’ve ever had. In my 4th year directing Awakening Teen Camp we saw thousands of teenagers from 27 different countries come through Kansas City for our camps and conferences. We saw hundreds get saved, nearly a thousand commit to, and were commissioned as missionaries to their high school campuses. We saw a counselor team of 50 pour out their lives on behalf of the next generation. In turn they emerged from the 8 week marathon of camp with transformed hearts and appetites wetted to preach the gospel and make disciples. We saw a 40 person camp staff pull off the logistics and content of camp tirelessly and emerge with hearts alive. 8 weeks of non stop ministry, 5 camps and retreats, 2 conferences, 1 intensive, all of it fruitful. God made a significant impact this summer, and we are already hearing stories of teens rallying large numbers of their peers at their churches, homes, and schools to go hard after the Lord. It’s incredible!

This summer was also especially unique, because it was our last.

At the beginning of 2012 my heart began to ache for the state of our nation, and state of my city; Kansas City. The “ache” was primarily felt as a National conference speaker and organizer. I was meeting so many in the church whose hearts were legitimately sparked by the initial messages, but were so lost a month later because there was a lack of leadership where they were to lead them. Different friends and leaders floated the idea of my wife and I one day planting a church. At the time I thought it was a great idea… in 10 years. As things started to pick up for me nationally in conference ministry, the ache only grew. Conference ministry has a true and needed function, however for me I was longing to pick a region and labor with a group of people for a decade or two and make a lasting impact somewhere.

To make a long story very short: (As I plan on writing other posts about this journey)

In March Carrie and I talked with some different pastors, leaders, and heads of church networks, and they offered us the option to take over a church in Kansas City that is needing a a pastor. The truth is, today many churches are without pastors as many, among other things, are quitting at an alarming rate.

Since March, Carrie and I have been on the slow journey of transitioning to becoming senior pastors of a church here in Kansas City. As a result, we took the crazy leap of making this summer our final summer directing Awakening Teen Camp. A role I plan on blogging more about, but a role I have been so privileged to have held as I’ve gotten to see thousands of teens’ hearts and lives transformed by the grace and power of God.

So for those that follow here, pray for us in this transition. I’m being intentionally ambiguous on the details as they are still in a liquid state. I’ll share more when things solidify, which is why this is merely “the turn signal”, and not yet the turn.

Until things become final, we are still on staff at the International House of Prayer serving in leadership and in many various functions including teaching at the Bible School, and in the Prayer Room. We love IHOPKC. We love ATC. And we are excited to see where this journey takes us, and I’ll be sure to let you know when it starts!

 

My Favorite Conference of the Year

The summer is coming to an end. For my 5th summer in a row it has been 8 weeks of non stop ministry. I am so blessed to have this opportunity. So blessed to lead in this capacity. 

Every year we hold Teen camps called Awakening Teen Camp (that I direct) and Teen conferences called Fascinate (that I help lead) The Fascinate conference has become my favorite conference every year. Watch a few thousand teen come alive and the knowledge of Jesus, for me, never gets old.

Below is my sermon from this year’s first Fascinate Conference. Loved getting to preach with with my favorite worship leader, Misty Edwards. My message from the second one is coming soon.

Awakening Teen Camp Quarterly Update!

June marked the 4th year that I’ve had the pleasure of serving as the director of The International House of Prayer‘s Awakening Teen Camp.

Every year we have about 4,000 teenagers come out for 4 separate Awakening Teen Camps, and 2 separate Fascinate Conferences. Last week was the completion of the first camp and first Fascinate Conference. It’s was quite an amazing 2 weeks stretch as we saw God move in pretty incredible ways. We still have a lot of summer to go, but I thought I’d drop in with a quick update.

For me the story of this first quater of the summer so far is my wife Carrie. She came abord this year to help me lead and direct camp. It has been tremendous to get to direct with my best friend and comrade in faith.

The first camp alone we saw 55 teens out of 203 give their lives to Christ. (A fourth of the camp) Much of these commitments happend on the night Carrie preached on the message of the cross. She had a Charles Finney like glare in her eyes as she talked about the supremacy of Christ. A spirit of conviction gripped the room and most were in tears. Many came up to the alter weeping and repenting of their sins and dedicating their lives to Christ. I was not just proud of my wife that night. I remembered yet again why I need to continue to remember what powerful and anointed woman my wife is. She is easily more anointed then I am, and for real a conduit of Revival.

We had 120 teens make commitments to go back to their regions as missionaries and plant bible studies and prayer meetings. We had nearly 800 make the same commitment at the Fascinate Conference. God is raising up burning and shining lamps amongst the youth of our nation. It’s exciting to be apart of what God is doing with teens in this hour of history.

We have thousands more yet to come to KC, and tons more messages to preach, and young ones to disciple. Please pray for us as we labor to lay down our lives for the next generation.

 

Success Is A Homewrecker

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” -Proverbs 27:21

Over the years I have found the greatest struggle as a leader and in ministry is success. I mean it. Success is most often the bain of one’s leadership.  In case  you think I’m being contrarian, I’ll break it down.

Success in ministry is a seductive siren convincing you to stop in and rest for awhile. It distracts you from what you are doing with endless options and opportunities. It tricks you into thinking you are further along than you really are. It dulls the senses and makes one lazy. Success instills fear. Once you have it you are terrified to lose it and once you lose it you are terrified you’ll never find it again. You’ll spend all your time and energy trying to find that blasted siren once she disappears.That’s not to say that when success comes knocking you don’t greet her with respect, it’s just that you are married and success is a giant distraction that needs to be shown the door quick before you catch your self in infidelity.

Success leads to praise, praise leads to legacy, and legacy is something you build as a tabernacle to the brilliance of your life. That’s just it. As a minister it was never about you. The marriage I spoke of earlier represents the one you are supposed to praise. The one you are supposed to build a tabernacle to. The one who is responsible for any success you receive. Success tricks you into the thinking you are the hero of the story. That the life long race of ministry is completed, or that you have somehow “arrived”.

In ministry there are only two clear signs that the task is over. The first is death, or what Paul affectionately describes to the Thessalonians “falling asleep”. This sign is really easy to recognize.  For instance if you are currently starring at your computer screen, smart phone, and or electronic reading device it’s safe to assume that you are very much alive; congratulations the race is not over. The second sure fire sign is if the sky has recently split  open and if the physical geographic location of Heaven has changed from somewhere invisible to somewhere visible on the Earth. In other words if God has not yet made is physical dwelling on the Earth and Satan has not been locked in a pit, well it’s also safe to say the the race of ministry continues.

Don’t get me wrong, success has it’s benefits. It assures us that we are moving in the right direction, and encourages us along the way. But ministry is about surrender. It’s about weakness. It’s not about having the right answers but being faithful to lead those you are called to Him who does. It’s about being faithful to remain on our knees forever admitting that success is impossible apart from divine assistance. The greatest threat of success is its ability to take us from the place of prayer. The place where we gain the humility and authority to lead effectively. It’s His glory on the line, not our own. We love those we serve because He does and our affections belong to Him.

I pray so that success never wins it’s seduction on me. May we labor until we see His face.

“The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God.” -Henri Nouwen