Same Story Different Year

It seems like every year when the holidays role around, things get exponentially more busy. Is it just me or does it seem like work stays the same, yet life seems busier? How many holiday parties do we really need? Wait I’m sorry was I supposed to say Christmas parties, or can I say holiday parties? Maybe that’s part of the added stress too, we have to now have the proper word usage for things that happen in December.

I know, Christians freak out when anybody says “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” But what do you say when it’s not Christmas and you really are in the holiday season? I mean if it is in between Thanksgiving and Christmas and a store clerk says, “Happy Holidays” do we go pick up our picket sign and beat them over the head with it in a truly Christian manner? Or is it possible, slightly plausible that there truly is a HOLLIDAY time and then there is a CHRISTSMAS day? I know and believe that Christmas is Christ’s B-Day and it should be celebrated like that, but rarely do we begin celebrating our children’s B-Days a month out now do we? So I guess the point [yes I do have a point] to all of this is could it be plausible that we could reduce our Christmas/holiday/winter solstice season, if we would just put down our defensive attitudes and enjoy? Enjoy life – enjoy the falling leaves – enjoy the smell of peppermint, pine cones, and egg nog – savor the moment. Don’t make everything a fight. Don’t make everything your soap box. Just enjoy.

Mary could have easily picked up a picket sign and picketed every Inn in Bethlehem and talked about the legal housing act of 10 BC. But she didn’t. I think she humbly sat in that stable holding her new baby and simply enjoying the sweet moment in time where everything was okay.

Look around today, What can you enjoy? Don’t count the number of “Holiday” signs in direct comparison to “Christmas” signs, just enjoy the moment. The moment when everything is okay.

Thankful

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it was great. We spent the day with Patti's family in Huntsville, AL and we really had a great time. While we ate, my niece handed out pieces of paper that said, "I'm thankful for..." and then we were all told that we were suppose to write down what we were thankful for. It was cool. We all read them out loud, and when it came around to Patti she said, "I'm thankful for the adventure." That made my wheels turn. Life was created to be an adventure. Full of surprises, full of action, and full of heart thumping fun. Of course, the mundane can never be mistaken for adventure. Check out this scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 (The Message)
7-9Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

Many people are on an adventure, but rarely stop in the middle of the adventure and give thanks. We are too preoccupied by the need, or the hunger, or the danger, or the adversity. But really aren't those things the very essence of an adventure? Without danger, adventure could not exist. Without adversity could there really be an effectual fervent prayer?

So, I have to stop this year and look at the adventure I'm in and say thank GOD! Thank you for the problems. Thank you for lack, thank you for situations that are yet to be resolved, and thank you for making life an adventure! If we stop in the middle and say thank you, then we might just enjoy the journey a little more.

WELCOME Natalie Grace Brechin!!

Let us all welcome Natalie Grace Brechin! She was born on Monday, November 20, 2006. She weighed in at 8lbs, 3 oz; and is 21 inches long.
Mom (Becki) and Natalie are doing great! Please pray for an easy transition home. Brian is going to be able to spend some time home from work helping them all adjust! Sam, Isaac, and Abby are very proud of their new little sister!

Transition Fun

Change is kind of something I thrive on. I love it. I get the feeling sometimes if we don't have change then we are stagnant and BLAH! So I'm sure you realize that right now I'm kinda liking the life thing. I mean it is daily something new. New circumstances, new people, new adventures. It is challenging and yet, at the same time, totally invigorating. The other day i was lamenting to God in one of my bi-polar Davidic states [yea I think David was the first bi-polar person. Read the Psalms, they are full of ups and downs.] {BTW, don't email me and get serious about the bi-polar comment and King David. It was a joke. If you don't get it then you are probably reading the wrong Blog}, that I needed this, and I needed that. Whah whah whah. The great thing is that a week later I'm witnessing God answering the prayers! It just blows my mind how God can take a desperate situation and turn it around to be glorious! Why would anybody want to go through life without God?

I've heard sermons preached on why good things happen to bad people and why bad things happen to good people, and those are great messages that we need to know and have under our belt, but i tell you what.....God has just been totally awesome to me, my family, and SouthPoint!

Right now at SouthPoint we are in the midst of a transition time. We have been meeting on Sunday nights gathering a team and growing a team. Now we are entering the phase of plugging these people into some specific spots on the team. Tonight different people are talking giving the lay of the land and what each area will look like. I'm really excited about people getting truly plugged in to an area and gaining ownership in those areas.

I was impressed yesterday about how vital this team is to the advancing of the Kingdom. I'm sure each person has no idea how important they are. Individually we are mere people. But together we are a force to be reckoned. Each working in their area, to accomplish an overall goal, that is bigger than any of us. I might be the head coach, but without a team, I'm just a guy standing there with a clipboard.

Stuff.....Just Stuff

That's exactly what I have to do.....Stuff. I say stuff b/c at this point it is not all people work, ya know, ministry. It's stuff. Stuff that has to be done. Stuff that needs to be done, but nonetheless, stuff. Everyday, as I am so aptly reminded by different members of my team, how close we are to launching SouthPoint, the weight of things to be done seems to grow a wee-bit heavier. It's not that I hate it or even am disgruntled about it, it's just stuff. Calling this person about an ad, making this thing to go in this room. Preparing a talk, or preparing a blah blah blah! Stuff.

And then I read things like, "My burden is light." I wonder if that is for normal life but not church planting? Maybe parts of scripture only work for parts of life and they are not all inclusive. Ya know like maybe, : "Thou shalt not lie." Only applies to times when you are not being pulled over by the police and asked, "Do you know how fast you were going?"

That might actually make life a little easier. We would only have to do things when it was more comforable or easy.

Of course, that would mean God could be conditional too. Ya know like, "Hey God, can you hook a brother up with a little money to buy groceries for my kids? Your word says, 'I've never seen your seed out begging for bread.' I'm your seed and I might need to beg."
"Sorry, not in the mood. Go beg." God.

Yea after all that might not work out so well.

So I guess in the midst of stuff. Alot of stuff. I have to step into the 'easy' thing. i guess I'm learning more and more to trust Him and lean on Him in the middle of the stuff. I GUESS it's not really trust until it is crazy and I have to make the choice to either try it myself, or step back and trust God.

Yea, trusting God might really be a good thing, Huh?

Missionary Style

When I was packing up my life to move to Honduras, I had a myriad of thoughts and ideas. I had been on about 15 short term missions trips before. I was no neophyte when it came to being oversees, but this was the first time I was going to be living there. For months on end. I had a project. I had a village, and I had a budget. not to mention, I had a family [my family] going with me. I really wasn't scared as much as I was stoked. I was so excited I could hardly stand it. Looking back now, it amazes me how my entire mindset was to share the gospel with people. My actual job was to over see the building of a medical clinic up in the mountainous rain forest, but my passion was talking to people about Christ, setting them free from the bondage of rules and regulations and ushering them into a free relationship with Jesus. Everybody I met was my target, including those on the construction site.

What I have realized is that it is not an occupation, as much as it is a mindset. It's a 'missional' mindset. As church planters here in the grand US of A we need to be "missionally" minded. Everyday we realize that we have a higher mission than just paying our bills. Think about it.....seriously......the average american Christian goes to church on Sunday morning and then Monday through Saurday they live their lives - never sharing with others, never helping the needy, never getting involved in other peoples problems, basically not living with a mission. On the mission field I was not only sharing the gospel with them, but I was trying to figure out ways to better their everyday lives. So here in our grand nation, would it be so terrible to see others and think to ourselves creative ways to improve their lives?

I don't want SouthPoint to be just another church. Lord knows we have enough of those. What we are in desperate need of is groups of people that are "missionally" minded - people that when they leave church, they are just beginning. It's not like they have to work it up or go through some five step evangelistic outreach class, but they just simply care about people. When you care, you share.

Am I the only one that hates door to door witnessing? I mean come on! It drives me crazy when people come to my door, and if i went to theirs I would be annoyng them. But instead of going door to door, what if we went to our respected places of business with a mission. A mission to share God's love in a practical way. You know? WOW! If that were the case we really could alter Desoto County.

What an interesting and sad weekend

I have had a great weekend. First we went to watch Chris [launch team member] play soccer in the bittter cold. Then we had an awesome Game stop with fun, friends, and food. Then Sunday night.....WOW! Very cool. It was great to have Carter back on drums, and the band just basically rocked! Even though we are doing the acoustic unplugged thing right now, it was still amazing.

Of course underlying all of that great stuff were the announcments all weekend about Ted Haggard in Colorado. What a blow to the Christian-evangelical-community. I'm not really into slamming anyone even when they have done wrong....after all it is by grace that we all live. There is obvioulsy a huge need for repentence, healing, and grace.

But don't you find it amazing how valuable our lives are? I think many times we get so caught up in the daily minutia that we forget how many people are watching us live. Now if you're like me you are not the leader of a 14,000 member mega-church yet, but people are still watching. And on top of the watching, people are stll impacted by our lives. We affect people. That's what it means to live in a community. What I do does affect you, and what you do does affect me. How I raise my children inevitably affects you. We are all in this thing together and we do matter. How I handle sin and temptation does not only affect me and my life, but it affects you and yours. That is one reason why, in James, it says that teachers will be held to a higher level of accountability on judgment day. Plain and simple our lives do matter.

So even though I'm deeply saddened by Ted Haggard and the admitals of this weekend, it spurs me on to live with more character. More integrity.

Be honest in the little things, so the enemy doesn't have a chance to turn them into big things.

Tramp'n For the Kingdom

Planting a church is like jumping on a trampoline. There are a lot of ups, and a lot of downs, but if you stick with it,it's a lot of fun.

Ladies Night Update

This entry was written by Shana. Why is that important? B/c it is an overview of last night's ladies night and I would hate for anyone to get the impression that I went to the ladies outting......that would just be wrong.

Oh Yes, It’s Ladies Night. . .

Laughter. Side-splitting laughter. That’s what I had to endure for 3 hours last night. My sides are still hurting, and my eyes are still watering. Who knew that putting 10 women together, who come from all different backgrounds, walks-of-life, and areas of Memphis would laugh their heads off?

I would have to say that our first official “SouthPoint Ladies Night Out” was a success!
Through hours of food, stories, waiter harassment (the good kind, of course!), and laughter, I think that I know some SouthPoint ladies a little better.

Keisha loves animals, Brandy can feed her husband ANYTHING, Cyndy keeps point totals, Patti isn’t very competitive, Sonja has me all figured out, Sara = perfect, Lizisms are the BEST, Becki has the coolest DVD player, and Lisa is a GREAT listener!

If you think there are stories behind each of those, you’re right! You shoulda been there to hear them all. . .

I really feel very blessed to have each of those ladies in my life – and am looking forward to the next “Ladies Night Out”, with many more names to add to the list above!

Peace Out Y’all (see I CAN use it, right?!) –
Shana Leonovich

Pure Shock

Yesterday was one of those days. A day of shocking discoveries......Okay it might not shock anyone else but, well.....I've been counting down the days until we launch.
Days.
Not weeks.
Sunday morning I was sitting there going over some things and the realization hit me that we were only eight weeks from moving to the movie theatre. EIGHT! EIGHT MORE SUNDAYS! HOLY FREAK'N COW! That is not a lot of time. So yes, shock and horror set in. There are so many things to do to launch a church; it is absolutley mind boggling. I know it would be impossible by myself, and I thank God that I have a stellar team around me that is going for it! Praise God. So I have basically come to the realization that you can only do what you can do.
I know; profound.
But really we have all of these thoughts and goals, and when it all comes down to it, we can only do what we can do. Nothing more. I think this is where God said that whole thing about do all you can do to stand, then stand. Once the hububaloo of launch is past, we have to be able to look back and say, "Yup, we did ALL we could do." And then the rest is in God's lap. So, 8 weeks. The clock ticks, and we work.

Shock #2

Sunday night at the end of our preview service Cyndylou came up and surprised me and Patti with a pastor appreciation gift. It was awesome. They gave us a gift and a card signed by everyone. How cool. It was great b/c i was totally surprised. So nice. And then Cyndy almost cried, and I thought about it but refrained.
Thanks Team for all you guys do. You make me smile.

Word of Mouth

We know this good guy named Scott [not really his name but we will call him that to protect the innocent]. Scott manages a coffee house that I go into VERY often. No it is not Starbucks but a really good one nonetheless. Anyway, the other day Scott was in downtown Memphis taking care of some things and he stopped by Starbucks there to get some Java. He struck up a conversation with the one of the workers there and she said, “so what do you do?”
Scott replied, “I manage a coffee shop, but not a Starbucks.”
“Really where at?”
It’s called the Grove and it’s down in Southaven.”
“Really! WOW! Hey have you heard about that new church called SouthPoint that is going to be meeting in the movie theatre? I heard it was really cool?”
Scott stood there dumbfounded. Of course he had heard about it because we are in there all the time, but how did this girl in the heart of Memphis hear about it?

To me it is so cool how word of mouth travels. The best advertising is STILL word of mouth and friends telling friends. See if we really like something we tell out friends b/c we want them to get in on this really cool thing. For example-the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They take almost anything off of your walls. It is a really good product. The only reason I bought it is b/c Amanda told me. She found out about it b/c a girl at her office told her, who was told by her mother. Amazing!

Now if we would all get really excited about God. About Jesus. About what he is doing in our lives. And then……Get really excited about SouthPoint and the mandate that God has placed on us to be here in this place….imagine. Just imagine.

They say it takes about 5 times of someone hearing something [marketing wise] for them to finally investigate it and get it. There are only 1.2 million people in Memphis. We should have all of them told by next weekend. ☺

Weekend at Mosaic

Well, I’m on the plane headed back to the great Memphis area. I have been in Charlotte speaking at Mosaic with Naeem. We had a great time. I really enjoyed hanging out with everybody and catching up on old [okay not that old] relationships. It was a blast! We did two services in the morning at the movie theatre. Each one was full and the second one was packed. Then that night we went down town to the Visualite, which is a night club type venue that Mosaic has just started. Well, they didn’t start the nightclub, but they did start doing church there on Sunday nights. It was packed! People were standing all around with no seats left in the room. The old wood bar was stocked full of cokes, sprites and fresh water on tap. It was a great venue. Nick [one of the team leaders there] told me that when they arrive they have to open all the doors and turn on the fans to blow out the smoke because when they get there, there is still a fog of stale smoke from the night before. What a great place to do church! It was packed full of young people, all of which did not know Christ! Yip-ee! One of the girls that was on the team said that she sat next to two Buddhists gentlemen and they were intently listening the entire time and were touched. They were also planning on returning. Yea! Big win!

So now I’m stoked to return to where God has planted us. I’m looking forward once again to reaching out and touching those people that need Christ. Those that have never met him, and those that need to be touched again. What an awesome responsibility we have, and have been given by God. I was reminded how different we are last night. Naeem took me to a Gideon banquet. It was a room of about 300 people. All of which were well over the 50 mark. All of which had on coats and ties. All of them that is except for me and Naeem. We were a bit noticeable.

But we sat at a table with wonderful people who love God and are each serving Him in their own way. One lady that sat at our table was truly amazed that we were ministering and reaching out to the unsaved. She said [I kid you not] that she had never experienced a church that was that focused on saving the lost. She had only experienced church growth via sheep swapping. She asked a million questions about Mosaic & SouthPoint and then said, “wow. I would love experience something like that. It sounds fun and exciting, and I’ve never seen that in church.” WOW! Hey, let me say it again: I am so looking forward to doing church in a new way that is fun – engaging – life giving – and down right real. How about you?

Well, I just heard the ding-ding. Time to put my little computer away and help this pilot land.

Miracles Still Happen

Two weeks ago at bible study Becki [who is 8 months preganant] requested prayer that her baby turn, because at this point it is breech. The doctor has been preparing her for a C-section. Well, we prayed. While we were praying she felt the baby move over to Becki's side and do some wiggling. Well, today she went to the doctor and the baby has done a complete flip! It is in perfect birthing position and all is well! Praise God!

Second note worthy thing [not near as miraculous], our new website that will help in getting the word out is finally ready. Check it out at www.idigmychurch.com

Thanks Cyndy for all your hard work on the site. You are dy-no-mite!

Tornadoes and Joe-to-Gos

So, I have to be completely honest. I kind of didn’t want to go to pass out free coffee at the community college here in Southaven last night. No, we’re doing honesty, right? I REALLY didn’t want to go.

Last night was the closest we have come to tornadic activity here. Seriously, the winds were ridiculously strong – and the rain was that annoying mist that isn’t enough to really get you wet, but enough to curl straight hair. Cyndy throughout the night kept telling me that we would be in Kansas soon. . .

I digress,

Brian was all gung-ho about this outreach to the college students – since it is midterm week, and they would all be studying and stressing. So, Cyndy and I piled into her car, picked up 7 joe-to-gos, cups, and condiments and headed over to the student center.

After getting settled (and one run to the store for creamer!) we split into two teams. Brian, his son Isaac (one of the coolest 5 yrs old we know) and Keisha went upstairs, Cyndy and I stayed downstairs.

I have to say that I never would have imagined that I would have a good time standing and passing out free coffee. Harassing people isn’t my favorite thing to do, but harassing them to get a cup of FREE, TOTALLY FREE coffee is a blast! We would ask people if they wanted coffee, they’d say “No” and we’d say, “But it’s FREE!” They’d pause, smile, and come over. Isaac was by far, the best at handing out our SouthPoint coasters and magnets, and the Grove Coffee $1 off coupons! Who can really refuse a cute-as-a-button 5 year old?

We handed out about 50-60 cups of coffee, all said and done. We met some really cool people, and blessed a bunch of others. The remaining coffee was taken to the Baptist Hospital ICU Waiting Room, and hopefully blessed some people there.

So, long story short, I am really happy that I went! I am jonesing for the next event we’ll do – and would HIGHLY recommend to all of you that you participate. If you are not in Southaven, please get involved in the outreaches at your local church.

PEACE OUT-

Shana

Change

There are three things in life that I said I would never do….no wait four. Yea, there are four things in life that I said I would never do. #1 get a tattoo #2 Plant a church #3 switch from Windows to Mac #4 live in Mississippi.

Well, I'm 36 years old and I have now accomplished 3 of the four things that I said I would never do. Yesterday I went and got a tattoo of a huge eagle that covers my entire back. Each wing comes down and touches my elbows at just the right angle…..okay not really. No tattoos. But I am switching to Mac. And I am planting a church……and yes, I live 1.3 miles over the Tennessee border in to Mississippi and I'm loving it! Is there a point to all of this? Does it matter? Let's change the subject.

Don't you hate it when someone is in the middle of a story and they just seem to randomly change the subject? That drives me bonkers! So no I'm not changing the subject but I did have a thought about change. Change is constant.

Ed Young [pastor in Grape Vine Texas] says church evolves and God is constant. Kool quote. Craig [church planter, with no tattoos, soon to be a Mac user, living in Mississippi] says, combine the two and you have got an explosive combination. Church should be full of change. Continually moving. The problem is people hate change. The stat is like 83% of people hate change, and the other 17% do it just to tick off the other 83%. But seriously change is such a vital part of life, the eco system, and church world. As soon as you stop changing you have become a prideful person. I know that is a strong statement but think about the concept of someone who is NOT wiling to change. …….God is constantly doing new things. He is the creator of the "New and improved." Look at the children of Israel and their dessert experience. They were constantly moving. Continual change causes us to trust in God not in our own well formed habits and experiences. Change keeps us fresh and real. So when we refuse change we are basically telling God that we have got this whole thing figured about and we can take care of it on our own. Pride.

I'm planting a church in Mississippi, and I'm gonna do it with a Mac.

Still no tattoos.

Incredible Weekend!!!

TO use the 'incredible' word might be a far cry for some of you, but for us here in the top of the Mississippi it is an understatement! Here at Southpoint we had a super-win of a weekend. First off, a few us went to Huntsville for a launch party to raise some funds for the launch of our church. It was great! How great you ask? Well, we raised a chuck-o-change! How much you ask? 'Noneya bussiness!'
While we were in Huntsville the rest of the team set up a HUGE tent at Octoberfest in Olive Branch and gave away free Starbucks, Hot Cyder, and did free pumpkin painting for the kids. And of course balloons. It was awesome. We got so many compliments and hundreds [literally] of people told the team how awesome it was for the 'church' to do something like this. No gimmicks, no hooks, just love and life, and of course TOTALLY FREE!!! For more pictures of this stellar event check out the pictures to the right. Oh yea and they put us in the paper for being so all together kool at the festival.

But wait, that's NOT ALL! We were also the FRONT PAGE of the local section of the DeSoto Appeal [the main newspaper here]. They came and did a great article on us and what we are doing. You can check out the full article and picks at this link:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto/article/0,1426,MCA_451_5052557,00.html

And of course we had a Kick'n Preview service Sunday night. The band from Visible School continues to rock the house in fresh ways. 104 days till launch! Yip-ee!!

Just To Hang Out

Yesterday I was standing in my bathroom brushing my teeth and Phoebe came to the door. Now allow me to preface this by saying that ALL morning Phoebe had been in the "I want-I need" mode. So when she came to the door I was sure it was another "I need" moment. Anyway, she knocked on the door and said, "Dad?"

"What Phoebe?" [this would be me speaking. You can tell by the extra bold manly type]

"Can I come in?"

Exhale. Slightly annoyed.

"Why Phoebe? Why do you need to come in here?"

"I just wanna hang out with you."

Heart melt.

New smile on face.

I feel loved.

That little exchange got me thinking. I wonder how many times God wonders why in the world we want in His throne room AGAIN. I know he is awesome and absolutely perfect. I know God loves us like nothing we can even imagine. But I still have to wonder if now and then God would like to hear us say, "Hey Dad-can I come into your throne room and just hang out? I don't want anything. I don't even need anything right now. I just wanna hang out with you."

I wonder if we would make a habit of that daily……maybe weekly…..How would that totally transform our relationship with God. Not coming with a prayer, a scripture, or our favorite song, but simply sitting in silence and being in his presence. I wonder. In case you're wondering too, let me let you in on a little secret…….it's stellar!

HEY! Subject change!

This Saturday is Octoberfest and a Launch party in Alabama. So listen. You guys…..everybody…..needs to be praying for this weekend. We need to touch our community this weekend. Love on kids and speak peace and love to the parents. The launch party….we need money. I would love to make it some hidden bait and switch, but it's just not in me. There just isn't enough time to play games. We know we are here on a mission and we need money to achieve our goals of saving souls for the kingdom. So COME ON GANG! Let's hit a home run this weekend!

Removing the Wedgie

Team dynamics are so vital to health and wholeness of a church plant, I cannot even begin to explain. Who was that professional football player that was fighting with his own team mates in the locker room and stuff? I think he played for the Eagles? Anyway, the point is, you can't have a successful team if there is fighting on the team. And you can't have a powerful team if there is griping on the team. What does a successful team look like? Well, it looks like a group of people, with locked arms all moving simultaneously towards the EXACT same goal. A goal that they are ALL passionate about. A goal that is not frivolous, but in their minds is a matter of life and death. Each and every team member using their special God given time, talents, and resources to achieve the goal.

So what's the danger? Where is the peril? Well, you've worked with people enough to realize that any time you have more than one person in a room you have conflict. Whenever two or more are gathered in my name a crisis is there in the midst. Here at SouthPoint we have a dynamic team that has locked arms and are slowly walking towards January 21st. One of the main perils that I see happening right now is the enemies desire to wedge us. And we know how we all hate wedgies.

One of the great dynamics with a team is that each protects the one next to them. Safety in numbers. But right now, I feel like the enemy is trying to take each one, and separate them from the pack. Thereby driving a wedge inbetween the individual and the safety of the pack. Making that person thereby-wedged. A wedge-ya know-that thing that starts off very small and insignificant, but then, with time, it grows into a much wider, larger thing. At the start, it is almost un-noticeable, but with a little time and negligence it grows into a separating force that really causes a detriment to the team, and ultimately messes with the individual in a nasty way.

NO! I am NOT saying that I see this happening. What I am saying is I see the potential for this to happen since we do have a great team with positive dynamics. So what am I trying to communicate? Well, let me sum up:

If you are a part of a team then do everything you can to stay a vibrant part of that team. If a small point of contention arises. Fix it. Wipe it out. If you let it fester, it will cause more harm than good. Don't get wedged. Because after all, you're the one that would get hurt the most. So let's all stop allowing the enemy to wedge out good people from our church teams. Lock arms. Fix your eye on the prize and let's go

Church? A New Way? Continued.......

If you were one of the brave one who actually commented on the previous blog, THANKS! Feedback is lovely.

So church……yea…….I grew up in church. Did you know that? Did you know that on day number 5 of my life I was in church. I can really understand Paul when he does his little bragging session about being a Pharisee of the Pharisees. Do you remember that? [if not you can find it in the Bible. I'll give you a hint, it's in the New Testament.] I could just as easily say I am a Christian of the Christians. [so let's try it]

I was born as a fifth generation follower of Christ. On my fifth day I was brought into church. At the appropriate time I was dedicated to be raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I only missed Sunday school for death, major sickness, or loosing a limb. When the church doors were open, I was there. I have never been drunk a day in my life. I have never smoked a cigarette. I have never done any type of illegal drug [including marijuana for those who are not sure if it is illegal]. I was formed and shaped at a solid fundamental Christian University. Called into the ministry I served in many different capacities to serve the Lord and advance the Kingdom.

Wow! There is my pedigree. Impressed? I'm not. Not really. I mean really my only point was to say that I grew up in church. I know how it works. I can fit in. I speak the language. I know how to impress, I know how to tick off. I can play the game if put on the field.

Don't get me wrong. I am so NOT anti-church. I am so WAY pro-church that it might shock you. I strongly believe that people should go to church. Consistently. Like ya know, all the time. So to get back to our discussion, was' up with church?

Everyone has such varying opinions on what church is, or should be that it has separated people, and people groups for generations. So if you think I'm gonna write a blog to further the gulf……wrong. But church is more than a style of music, a form, a preaching, a time of prayer, a time to give $. It's more than kids programs, youth programs, drug rehab, single adults ministry and or a vibrant senior citizens outreach. It can be all of those things, or some of those things. Church, more than any of that is believers, coming together. When we come together we [hopefully] experience community. A community of faith. A place that through our relationships, God is worshipped. Through laughing, sharing, loving, crying, and hoping, a fragrant scent of worship goes up, and God is pleased. So I guess my real point is that church can have many different looks. It can have many different flavors. And that is a good thing. God is unlimited. He is multi-faceted. He is everything, and is there before you can think it. He is God.

Church Evolves.

God is.

Church? A New Way?

“I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State.

My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so that both of them together is certain death.”

George Carlin (1937- )

To say that church "screws us up" really makes a lot of you cringe doesn't it? You think to yourselves, "How can God's institution on earth do anything but create peace and harmony on earth. Come to think of it you will burn in the deep pit of fire for even putting that quote on your blog!"

Okay, you need to calm down and take a deep breath.

#1 it's my blog.

#2 I can explain.

Jesus said "Upon this rock I will build my church." But what is church? Really, what is the definition of "church?" How is it that we have accepted a definition of 'church' based solely on what we see, as apposed to what He said. If Jesus, working with & through Peter, started the New Testament church then maybe we should take a very brief look at what this entity looked like. Because I think we might be surprised. We might realize that the church of America today has more of the appearance of an executive business instead of a Spirit led/filled/guided/directed entity that is alive and moving. So before I go into my thoughts, how about you? What's your thoughts? What's your take on it? Do you feel the church as a whole is slightly askew? Maybe focusing on minors while ignoring majors? Leave a comment or two, no lengthy diatribes please, but what are your thoughts on this evolving entity called, "the Church."