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looking to fall

Summer has been nice. It has been a great change of pace compared to the rest of the ministry year, busy but different. Looking ahead to the fall, I know that it too will be different compared to what we've experienced thus far. I anticipate it to be an exercise in balance. It will be a balance between what we've been done all year (Bible studies, working at the Firehouse, and hanging out), the worship gathering we started this summer, and what we will add in the fall.

I mostly envision the addition of my Americorp grant to be the big wild card for balance. I received a part-time grant to do community organization in my neighborhood. This will add 20 hours a week to my schedule. My hope is that some of those 20 hours will be absorbed into existing activities, but that is yet to be determined. Ultimately it means defining or redefining what "ministry" means; what it means to me; what it means to the CRC; and what it means to everyone else. Does community organization or making coffee or volunteering fit into my calling as a missional pastor creating a new church? Answering this question is important to my relationship w/ those who support me, to our budding church, to my integrity as a pastor in the CRC, and most importantly to my call to be obedient to God's calling on my life and the life of my family.

To me the answer comes from meditating on the "Great Commission" from Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...(NIV)" A better translation would be "AS YOU GO make disciples of all nations..." As I go and do what I do in different settings, my call is to make disciples, build up the church that He has called me to pastor, and love Him, while I love others in His name. Definitions of "ministry" for organizations will vary, but to me it all goes toward fulfilling the Great Commission. So navigating and balancing my time this fall between different organizations and commitments will become a matter of translation and integrity. May He be glorified as we navigate the balance.

worship gathering

I just finished cleaning up, after having many friends over for our 5th worship gathering. It was a great discussion tonight, about making time to engage w/ neighbors, following Jesus' spirituality of engagement (Mk 2:13-22). Cool crew of folks tonight. It is a pleasure and honor to host and lead such an event!

Here's some photos form our 1st gathering back in June:

the table!

We are very excited to announce that the church plant finally has an official name... The Table! Our leadership community made the official decision this week. We are excited about our name, as it evokes images of rich relationship and community. “The Table” matches the rhythms of the new church, of hospitality, discipleship, and blessing. A table is a great place of connection between new friends… a table of hospitality. A table was where Christ invited his disciples into greater fellowship… a table of discipleship. A table is also a place where the hungry are fed… a table of blessing.

Now that we have a name, we plan to continue to doing what we have always been doing: living out our rhythms of hospitality, discipleship, and blessing. Our desire is to continue to make room, as individuals and as a church, in our lives to welcome others in; to continue to make Christ the focus of the hope we have and share; and, to continue to seek ways to tangible bless our neighbors. It is an exciting season at The Table! Here’s to God’s work at The Table!

doing dishes

Last night, I again finished a small pile of dishes, after hosting a party. This has become a frequent thing, that I have grown to enjoy. Usually the small, or big, pile of dishes is from a church group of some kind, whether a Bible study, leadership meeting, or worship. I enjoy doing the dishes of my guests. Strangely enough, it has become a meditative activity of worship. In this tactile act, I have a chance to rest, reflect of the evening, and thank God for His goodness, His provision, and His movement among us.

Last night as I did the dishes, I was reflecting on the leadership community meeting that happened that evening. What a great group of folks! They are such a blessing and a source of encouragement. We ate, drank, and shared what was going on in our lives. We talked about our worship gatherings, planned some things (including our next worship gathering on July 25), and discussed names for the budding church we lead. Then we prayed, daydreamed, and nibbled some more. It was a great night, and, as I meditated about the evening over the dishes, a feeling of great blessing fell over me. God is good. He is the source of hope in my life, and it is cool to see Him forming a new community, and bless His people. For this reason, I love seeing a pile of dirty dishes.

preaching from the hamper

Last night was our first worship gathering as a church plant. It was awesome! We all showed up at our home at 5:30pm and ate a meal together for about 45 minutes. Then the kids left and did their own Bible lesson and activities, while we sang sangs, prayed, had a discussion on Mark 1 (I lead the discussion while sitting on my hamper...funny), and then took communion together. Then the kids came back and we hung out and ate dessert.

It was so encouraging to see so many people in my small apartment (about 40 folks). It was so much fun to see our small community come together and worship and party together. i look forward to seeing what God will do in the future. Our next gathering is on July 11 at 5:30pm. It should be another great time!

prepping

This week is the first week of its kind. The church plant is having its first worship gathering this coming Sunday evening. I've planned many worship services, but this is different. In the past I've planned services, and simply pulled out the blank "worship order" and filled in the blanks, tweeking it occasionally. This time there is no blank worship order to fill in, just a blank sheet.

It's quite cool actually. We can do whatever we want, however we want. There is no schedule or thing to follow, because we are on "day 1". It is a fun process of discerning what is valuable and meaningful to our little community.

At this point I am using the elements seen in Acts 2:42 as a checklist, of sorts. It says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." So, we are making eating together, praying, a Biblical teaching, and communion a priority. We are trying to keep it simple and authentic. I am excited to see the personality this gathering will take, as we tweek it as we go.