A Church Planter's Journal

1-29-10 (almost 4 Sundays after grand opening)

SCRIPTURE:

²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Romans 8

THOUGHTS:

Sunday I will be preaching the last in our DNA series: Living God's Masterpiece. The 4th message in the series is entitled Peace with Creation or Shalom with Creation. My journey here has really been born out of the more recent scholarship considering the breadth of the work of the cross and its liberation not only from Satan, sin, and death, but liberation also for the created order. I've never heard a message preached on this topic, nor can I find one online. There are plenty of books on the topic. So I've been consumed with getting my theology straight here. I believe this movement from being consumers of God's creation to being stewards of God's creation is highly important. I believe it is good news and must be essential to our participating in God's reconciliation mission. Our treatment of creation has dramatic impact on our witness and issues of justice and compassion.

I love the picture Paul paints here of a creation in "bondage to decay" being liberated in the same way the children of God will be liberated from Satan, sin, and death. Ephesians 1.10 says God's plan is to bring everything under the authority of Christ, and everything under that authority will receive the love and restoration that only Christ can give. 

I should also say that I believe it hurts the church's witness to not be actively engaged in creation care. Where we serve, people outside the church are far better stewards of God's creation than most people in the Church. We can learn a lot from them. 

My own stewardship of creation has been slow coming. I believe first I have had to confess my own sins against God in the way I have not cared for His creation. In addition, I need to see with new eyes the masterpiece God has created for His glory, and our mutual sustenance. I did start riding my bike a lot more last year and I've been taking the bus into downtown more. I believe we can probably reduce the carbon footprint of our house by 20% this next year. And it will be important we continue to use resources wisely at The Gallery. These actions, though, must begin I believe in a new attitude, an attitude of worship.

MORE THOUGHTS:

I posted a couple nights ago a controversial post on my FreeBeerifYouhateChurch.com site. It brought up two huge topics--homosexuality and non-violence. It's going to take a ton of work to respond to the issues raised by all the comments. But ultimately it is good to have these conversations...I think :-)

PRAYER:

Abba, as I look out the window and see the snow and the trees and the cars and the big box grocery store, as I breathe and type and think, I know nothing good does not come from You. It is all grace this life that allows me to live. 

I confess I have not been a good steward of Your creation. I have used Your masterpiece as if it were mine to do with as I please. Forgive me. Give me new eyes to see Your creation as Yours, and myself as a trusted steward rather than a consumer. 

And help me, Lord, anoint me in the purpose of this message. I feel so inept here. Give me the passion and the words so we might all renew our minds in Your truth. 

And most of all, Lord, I thank You for opening my eyes to the breadth of the work of Christ. May all things be brought together under the Kingship of You. Amen.

Jan. 27, 2010 (sent from Denver, 3 weeks after Grand Opening)

SCRIPTURE:

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3

THOUGHTS:

Wow. The theology expressed by Paul above must have sent shockwaves through its original readers. Could anything be more revolutionary than these words. Particularly striking to me in this very familiar passage is the clarity of Paul calling all those in Christ "Abraham's see, and heirs according to the promise." My goodness, what a proclamation. I am assuming this is Paul's declaration according to God's promise that through the seed of Abraham "all the peoples of the world would be blessed."

The leveling of the kingdom here is quite profound, of course. Paul declares the status levels torn down in Christ so slave and free, men and women, Jew and Gentile are now no longer separate but one. This is biblical shalom and it comes through the Prince of Shalom. Need anyone wonder why I'm a Christian after reading such a passage?

MORE THOUGHTS:

I'm writing this today from Denver where I am attending the Midwinter Conference for our denomination. Great time to get away. The weather here is warmer than MN, and it's great to be back where I lived for 3 years for grad school. 

I had coffee the other day with a couple old friends with whom I studied acting. Hadn't seen one of them in 18 years. I felt so blessed to be with them, but also blessed to in Christ as we talked. I felt His light in our conversation. Hard to explain, but I felt blessed.

I also have felt blessed to be where I'm at in church planting. I've heard some horror stories from church planters this week in regards to their relationship with their mother church. Crossroads has been very good to us. Thank You, Lord!!!

PRAYER:

Abba, Your faithfulness is astounding. How can I ever find the words to praise You and thank You for the way You provide. Every need, You fulfill. 

• I thank You today, Lord, for Crossroads Church and our denomination who have so generously funded our ministry. 
• I thank You for The Gallery's leadership. You have provided a staff far greater than I could have imagined. You have provided lay-leaders who give so much of themselves to Your mission. 
• I thank You for a core of people to plant this church that is far greater than I could have imagined. When compared to so many plants, You have provided us at the get-go with critical mass.
• I thank You for the 24 people new people who came to Pizza with the Pastor. Wow. 
• I thank You for the beauty of the many colors You are bringing to The Gallery. What a masterpiece!
• And I thank You for the peace You provide me as I walk this journey. 

And now, Abba, hear my/our prayer for future needs:

• Empower our core to reach out in even deeper hospitality to our new people.
• Where we are weak in leadership, raise up new leaders.
• Where we are weak in helpers for ministries, raise up new helpers.
• Give wisdom to those of us in leadership as we traverse the change that comes in the new gifts of new people.
• Please continue to raise up more givers to provide for our financial resources.
• Please give me wisdom and favor as I meet with Principal Lori Simon from the Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School on Tuesday. Guide our conversation and give us clarity if it is Your will we partner with them in The Gallery's 4-fold giving. 
• Today, Abba, inspire The Gallery to sign up for our Meal Group launch next Monday. Give us all a deeper thirst for You, Your word, prayer, and community.
• Empower our worship this Sunday so together we best testify to Your love and goodness.
• Provide spiritual protection for all of us in leadership so Satan's attacks are defeated.
• And give The Gallery deep faith and listening ears.

Amen.

Jan. 21, 2010 (11 days after launch)

SCRIPTURE:

²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor. 1

THOUGHTS:

Last Sunday we had our first Pizza with the Pastor after the 2nd Sunday service after launch. We had 24 people all new to The Gallery over the past couple months. Most of them had been with us 1-2 weeks. I sat there thinking, "Wow. How did this happen?" I felt a confirmation from the Spirit in those moments. It was like God was saying, "See...trust me." God has been faithful along every step of this journey. We have really wanted for nothing. 

The passage above states God is the one who makes us stand firm in Christ. So, I can't really take credit for anything. The call and the power to plant come from Him. And whatever is to come will come from His Spirit, not our power. This is good news, cuz I'm tired today. I really could go back to bed right now and sleep for a long time. 

I have two messages to work on today, though, and I really need get them done. So...I need to move forward in His power rather than my craving for an early nap :-)

PRAYER:

Abba, give The Gallery the peace of Your power. Mold and shape us, orchestrate Your people so we play together nicely, well, with power. You are all we need. You are all I need today.

I do lift up those among us and in my family who are struggling with relationships and money. So many needs. I have nothing to offer them but You, so come, Holy Spirit, upon Your people and give glory to Yourself through Your love, healing, and provision. Amen.

Jan. 15, 2010 (5 days after launch)

SCRIPTURE:

¹⁴ For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

    ¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor. 5

THOUGHTS:

It's been 5 days since I wrote in this online journal. Hmmm...with all the excitement about last Sunday, I think my human nature gets done with a day like that and says, "Take a break from being so holy." Really. I think all pastors go through this. After we spend a lot of concentrated time doing ministry, it's like, "I just want to be normal for a day...or more." Just being honest :-]

The passage above brings to the fore a theological mystery to me: "we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." Paul uses this theme often: we've been crucified with Christ, we participate in his crucifixion, etc. I have no answer for what he means here, only that I believe the accomplishment of the cross is still far greater than we've ever imagined.

I love the thought here: "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view." This is a beautiful work of the Spirit--giving us new eyes to see. Romans 5.6 says, "At just the right time...God died for the ungodly." This should give us new eyes to see not only our enmity before God, but the immense worth God places on our lives and rebirth. 

What will it mean for The Gallery to no longer regard people from a worldly point of view? I think it will mean we raise the value of every person whom we encounter. I think we also must see hope for every person no matter where they are in their spiritual journey. God's not done with any of us yet.

A quick synopsis of last Sunday's Grand Opening (for posterity's sake):

We had a great morning. My favorite part of the service was the opening--dj, violin, painter, dancer, ballet dancer, Melissa's poem. The message was strong and clear I believe. We had a 156 people--our core, well-wishers, and visitors. A great start. We went out to Billy's afterwards to celebrate. There were close to 50 of us there.

But this week, after all the excitement, it's back in the saddle, Sunday's a-comin'! Last week created follow-up necessary for this week. I also had my year-end-review with the conference last night. That went well. 

PRAYER:

Abba, there are not enough words to give You praise for now. As I reflect back how far we've come. We are so blessed at The Gallery. And it is all You. Your grace is amazing and Your faithfulness always sure. You give me great joy and confidence to move through this day.

I pray now for the power to be faithful to You. Help me be all You long for me to be. Give me a great sensitivity to Your Spirit, so I don't get ahead or behind You.

I pray for the family today that You would simply deepen our faith. Turn all of our confidence to You. Amen. 

Jan. 8, 2010 (2 days until launch)

SCRIPTURE:

⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24

THOUGHTS:

I have often thought about Jesus' counsel to "stay in the city," to wait until the Spirit empowers the new community. I know if I was them, that would have been very hard. I would have thought with His resurrection, we'd be good to go. "Let's go make disciples! He's alive!" But they wait and they receive, and it is only the Spirit's power that gives them what they need to accomplish their mission. 

I remember when I first heard the Covenant's church planting recipe: gather a core group, train the core, get to know the culture of the new area, 3-4 preview services, launch. My core group and I had been together for 4 years! I thought for sure we didn't need to wait. We could take the summer and get our act together and then launch in the fall. Thankfully, they told me to not do that. "Wait," they said. "Trust us." 

I'm so glad we waited. In fact, if I had to do it over again, I would have even throttled our fall services back more. We could have survived with far less money spent. We could have spent more time building teams in the fall to prep for this winter launch. Oh, well. We are ready for Sunday. It's a big Sunday, but really just another Sunday when we are trying to do our best to glorify God. 

And what we need Sunday is nothing more than the Spirit of God. We have some special stuff planned, but really it will be the living water of the Spirit that people will most desire and most remember having tasted. 

PRAYER:

Abba, more of You. That's really all we need is more of You. You have promised us Your Spirit to those who ask, and so we ask: Come, Holy Spirit.

Spirit, prepare our hearts for worshiping You together.

Prepare our minds to receive Your word. 

Ignite our gathering so together we give testimony to who You are in our lives.

Give us courage to invite our friends.

Prepare the hearts and minds of our friends to receive these invitations so they too would receive Your good news on Sunday.

Shine through our words and deeds so all those who know You would be drawn into deeper relationship with You, and so all those who don't know You would be drawn toward the well that is You alone.

Holy Spirit, unify our witness as we sing, as we pray, as we receive Your word, Your bread and Your cup.

Fill the hearts and minds of those who will lead Sunday. Give us a special gift of sensitivity to the movement of You.

We have faith, Abba, give us more faith! 

So come, Holy Spirit, come!

Amen.

1-2-10 (8 days to Launch)

SCRIPTURE:

²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

    ²⁹ "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, 
       you may now dismiss ^[a] your servant in peace.

    ³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,

    ³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

    ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 
       and the glory of your people Israel."  Luke 2

THOUGHTS:

I love these lesser known infant Jesus stories. They give such great insight into what the Jews were waiting for. Here Simeon declares, I would argue, Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham that through Abraham's lineage "all the nations of the earth will be blessed." Mary's Magnificat does much the same. Not only do these people praise the Lord's salvation from sin, but there are themes of justice that ring through them as well. 

I saw the movie AVATAR yesterday, and was struck by the spirituality woven throughout. A native people who sing, pray, worship a "god" who is tied to a millennia of living. As I sat there watching, I thought most people in that theatre probably were more interested in the spirituality of Avatar than in the church's spirituality down the street from where they lived. Why? The Avatar spirituality was far more holistic. I would argue it was born out of Shalom and that is my argument for seeing God's gospel as good news/shalom-restoring. One of the reasons the church's good news seems so vapid is its self-centeredness. If it's all about me and God only, then it's not good news to anyone else. But rather I see the biblical gospel as a holistic good news. God's final restoration is holistic, so we should see the good news as such. 

MORE THOUGHTS:

We are 8 days away from launch and I am amazed at the depth of spiritual warfare that has occurred and is occurring. The most profound is too personal to go into here, but Satan is blatant in what he's doing--picking on the weak spots of relationships, and attacking someone in my family who is the most vulnerable. He is truly a thief and destroyer. Thankfully, He who is in my family is greater than he who is in the world, but the oppression of it is unmistakeable. If I was to write it down, your jaw would drop. 

PRAYER:

Abba, send more of the Spirit upon my family. We need more of you. Mold and shape the thoughts of my kids so they live in truth and do not listen to lies. Surround our home with Your forces and banish all that is not of You to the place You alone can send it. Amen.