june 2010 prayer letter

The June prayer letter is up. Just click the "prayer" tag off to the left to view it.

leadership community

Last night was a sweet night. After a couple months of inviting trusted friends to be a part of the church plant’s leadership community, we finally got together as a group for the first time. My only agenda was to eat, share our stories w/ each other, and pray. All of those things were accomplished. Over a meal we told each other about ourselves. It was cool to hear new aspects of my friends’ lives and journeys. We spent a brief time prayer for the future of our community, our group, and our church, that God would grant us wisdom, unity, and fun. It was everything I hoped the party would be… and more.

After our official times was over, most folks stayed around, and immediately we began daydreaming together. I had the desire to gather the church for worship over the summer, but did not know when we would begin. I tend to want to move faster than is relationally realistic. So I was playing “the patient card,” waiting to see the timetable of everyone else. And to my very pleasant surprise, the crew last night wanted to start a worship gathering very soon. So we set a date (June 27th at 5:30pm at our house), and began scheming what needs to happen to pull it off. There was an obvious spirit of excitement in the air, as people were suddenly speaking a little louder and quicker, and rapidly throwing ideas back and forth. It was awesome.

I feel tremendously blessed and thankful for how God has moved. The process of forming a community out of nothing is draining at times. And it is moments that I rely on my own efforts that cause me the most stress and grief. But, when I sit back and observe how God is forming the church, and moving in our lives, those are, by far, the most rewarding, productive, and encouraging times. Psalm 127:1 says that unless God builds the house, we labor in vain. It was apparent last night that God is doing some building.

So now our task is to be obedient to what He is forming, and laying on people’s heart. We will be figuring out a liturgy as we go along, how we will structure ourselves, and how God wants us to serve Bellingham. It is a freaky, humbling task. But I am blessed to have some friends to do it with, for His glory.

plant update

So we've been at this thing for about a year and a half now. This thing being, starting a church. For the first 6 months we discerned where in NW Washington God was leading us to serve. Bellingham kept coming up, and was confirmed, so about a year ago we moved here. Since that time we have made it our priority to simply build relationships and friendships, w/ neighbors, coworkers, fellow church goers. It has been a fun year, living in a fun place.

About a month ago I really felt the nudge from God to begin taking the next step of faith. I believe after a year of living here, it is time to start gathering our initial prayer/planning group, our launch/core team. So for the last month I've been having intentional conversations w/ friends who have walked w/ us for this year. In some conversations my friends said they did not feel the tug to join us in the ambiguity of starting this church, and in other conversations friends had been waiting for such an invitation. In all of them, I feel like friendships were deepened, and God was honored.

So now I am done w/ my initial short list of friends I was going to ask to join us. We have 5, maybe 6, households. Now my hope is to get them all together and have a party, a time when they can all get to know each other better. Then hopefully soon there after we will meet, and pray, and begin daydreaming about what God has in store for us. Perhaps we will decide on a name, a worship time, and how we can serve our neighbors.

I am very encouraged. I am excited to see what God has in store for us this season. Thanks for your prayers and support of us and the ministry God is unfolding.

waiting

Lately I've been thinking about God's timing, how sometimes it feels like forever as we wait for an answer of some sort from "above". When we are in the thick of waiting it stinks.

I was thinking of all this again, when I was reading Acts 23-24 today. In these chapters Luke (the author of Acts) gives us the account of Paul on trial before two different courts. In Acts 23, he was seized by the ruling authorities in Jerusalem, and in this Jewish council he proclaims his hope in the resurrection of Christ.

This scene is followed by Acts 23:11: "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.'" Jesus encouraged Paul in what he just did, and proclaims what he will accomplish in the future.

How often do we feel like God has something for us, but the timing is not right? We receive the call, or the inspiration, and are excited. But then time drags on and we wonder if we heard from God at all.

I believe Paul may have been in a similar spot. After hearing that word from Jesus he was rushed out of Jerusalem, and in Acts 24 stood trial before a Roman official, Felix, but nothing really happened. In Acts 24:27 it says, "When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison." Two years after his trial with Felix, Paul was still in prison. I would be discouraged, and I'm sure Paul was also, to some extent.

If we read the rest of Acts we know that Paul did make to Rome, and Jesus' words from Acts 23 were fulfilled, but what a wait! If Paul was anything like I am, he would have been impatient.

Our time tables are different from God's, sometimes He moves quicker than we would, and other times slower. His timing throws us off guard; it screws up our plans; it makes us realize that WE are not in control at all. What I gather from these last chapters of Acts is that God is faithful to fulfill what He promises, and says that He will bring glory to Himself through us, and that He provides for what we need.

I'm not sure what you're waiting on, or what you feel is moving too quickly, but God is faithful. We can rest in the uncertainty, knowing He is in control and has our best in mind. I pray that He would give you peace and encouragement, while you're in the middle of it. And, may He have all the glory through you.

rhythms

It certainly feels like I have found a rhythm to my week. There are exceptions of course, but I basically know what each day of the week MAY look like, at least for now. For a while there, I was living in denial that Sunday was still a day of rest. So when Sunday showed up and I was expecting to sneak a nap in, I was repeatedly disappointed, and found I was missing a day of rest. We all need a day to rest, whether resting means relaxing or being active. I wasn't getting that, so I felt out of sync, w/ myself, my family, and my work.

It has been amazing how much better my weekly rhythm feels now that I look at Sunday as "my Monday." The first part of my week is now quite busy, w/ church, Firehouse work, small groups, meetings, and running around. The second part of my week is laid back, w/ volunteering, writing, reading, and lots of time hanging w/ K8 and Montana, and friends. It is nice to have rhythms of working hard and resting.

The idea of Sabbath is pretty profound, if you think about it. God leads by example and rested (Gen 2:1-3); Christ often sought solitude in the middle of His busyness (Mt 14:13, 23). It is good for us when we are able to stop from or normal work, and do something different. It's nice when we have the time to stop and listen, give thanks, and worship. This picture is a good one, but a bit dualistic, compartmentalized. It's nice to look forward to the second half of my week, but what about first half of the week.

Is it possible to find rest and worship WHILE we work or are busy? Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk known for his teachings in "The Practice of the Presence of God", encourages us to find the peace of Christ in common things. One of the things he's known for is making the average experience of washing dishes an experience of worship. Brother Lawrence was obviously able to find rest and worship outside of Sunday morning.

It's a blessing to have rhythms in my week, and important for me to guard these rhythms. But more importantly, it's a blessing to find moments of rest and peace in Christ no matter I'm doing. My prayer is that God would reveal to you and me moments of worship today, whatever rhythm we're in, however mundane.

may prayer letter

I've posted my latest prayer letter in the prayer page to the left. Enjoy!

my monday

I'm finding that things that used to feel unique, or I didn't know how to address, have become normal.

For instance on Monday, I went in early to the coffee shop the read before I clocked in. As I walked in, a crowd of regulars greeted me w/ smiles and waves. After getting a drink I sat down at a table and read from my Bible.
As a regular found his seat (at the table next to me), he leaned over and asked, "What are you reading there, some sort of dictionary?"
"No," I said, w/ a smile, "it's my Bible."
"Oh," he said, looking a bit surprised, "is it for personal study, or something else?"
"Yeah, I'm reading in preparation for studying w/ some friends tonight."
"So you're a Christian?!?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Oh, well that's interesting," he said, more to himself that to me, and turned around.

During my shift, making coffee, I was greeted with many different folks, most of whom I know by name. One regular came in, obviously very excited. She told me that she and her partner had just filed for their domestic partnership w/ the state. These 2 ladies have been together for 20+ years, and they were in the coffee shop to celebrate. Next, another woman came up and asked what she should do, as a Christian, in giving her cousin advise on an ethical issue. Then after a regular denied being pickup for a future date from her old boyfriend, I chatted w/ her about love and relationships and aging. All in a day's work at the Firehouse.

Walking home, I prayed for our Bible study and for the Lord to lead our time and give us wisdom. Coming inside our home, K8, Montana, and a friend were looking at photos. It's cool to come home, knowing someone dropped in to hang out. I could smell the good soup, that another friend made, warming on the stove. Soon our home was filled w/ friends eating and drinking, laughter, and kids screaming. As 7:15p approached, we setup a computer in the bedroom for the kids to watch a video. The adults slowly gathered in our living room. We opened up our time praying for the concerns of each other. Then we took turns reading Acts 18 (the night's chapter for discussion), and then shared observations or questions we had from the text. And as usual a rabbit trail of awesome discussion is followed. On Monday, two rabbit trails lasted. The first was how to handle the undeserved grace that we receive, even when we know we deserve so much less. The second was encouraging each other to embrace the mystery of God, even as we desire to know more and have "things figured out." It was an intense evening of grace and raw humanity colliding. We then gathered again in prayer, holding hands. This was followed be more food and drink, until folks left. God answered the prayer of leading and wisdom.

These different things that happened Monday used to be unique, but are now par for the course. The course being one of the best I've ever played. I am thankful for my friends/family, that God has blessed our family w/, from the coffee shop to our weekly groups. May He be brought glory through all our lives.