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.

3.10 prayer letter

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

resting in uncertainty

SkyMall, seen on many airplanes, is awesome. In what other catalog can you purchase a Snuggie, the world’s largest crossword puzzle, and a door bell for pets? "Honey, I know it's early but my Christmas list is finished!" It is awesome. But right now, it's not doing it for me.

As I write these words on my Blackberry, I am sitting on the runway of Grand Rapids airport preparing to return home to Bellingham. We've been delayed an hour and a half, and I am uncertain if I'll make it home today. Being patient in the face of uncertainty is familiar territory in this season of life and ministry.

With my wife, Kate, I am planting a church, and currently forming a launch team. Lately, I have been telling people that we are in the season of "DTR's". "DTR", or Define The Relationship, is a term I used in high school/college to describe a conversation to determine if a girl who was a friend would be interested in being a girlfriend. Through the Bible studies, parties, and service projects we host, we've made many good friendships. This however doesn't necessarily translate into folks joining us in the church plant. That's where the DTR comes in. I had one DTR just before flying out to MI, and in the next couple weeks I hope to have a several more. After these are all through, my hope is to gather all those who are "in" and have a party, then later begin the journey of daydreaming together.

Those are my HOPES, but I can't call them PLANS, because I am uncertain if anyone will say "yes" to my DTR's. Despite my mellow, laid back disposition, I genuinely dislike waiting, and right now I'm ready to take the next step of ministry and move forward with my launch team. I know, however, that for the moment (and for the long-term health of our church) I need to sit in uncertainty and wait to see who God is calling to join us.

I'm still here on the runway, and I'm wondering if I'll make it home today. As I sit here, I'm also wondering what the people around me are reading. "That one looks interesting. I wonder if I can read it without him noticing. Has it come to this? I'm a second hand reader." Waiting is no fun.

Patience in midst of uncertainty is not unique to travelling or church planting. I'm sure as you read these words you can easily think of an element in your life where the future is unknown. I wonder if you're asking, "How will I make it without [insert name]", "How am I going to make ends meet", or "How are we going to move forward and make a decision." If you're like me, you want to know what will happen. You want to know the outcome and the timetable, and the longer you have to wait, the more confined you feel.

It's like the guy sitting in front of me on the airplane. He has just fully reclined his chair without warning. Why do they do that? Now I can't reach my Sudoku.
Resting in the midst of the unknown stinks. I rebuke myself for being impatient, knowing I wasn't created to be anxious, knowing I was rather designed to rest in security of my savior.

There are many great texts in scripture that speak to this security, but the one that comes to mind, as I'm trying in vain to open this tiny bag of airline pretzels, is Psalm 46. In this Psalm we are confronted with the sheer power and presence of God in the midst of apparent uncertainty. While natural disasters and political chaos seem to rule the day, we are corrected and told that God is in fact the one in control. He powerfully rules over creation, brings wars to an end and shatters the tools that inhibit peace and justice. In the midst of this grand display of awesome authority, in the face of our fear and anxiety, in the mighty thunder of His presence, the Lord gently grabs us in verse 10, sits us down, and says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." In light of all the uncertainty and chaos, God tells us to relax, take a breath, and know that He's sovereign, and His purposes will be fulfilled; He will be glorified and He will be with us.Here on the runway, I know we won't be taking off anytime soon. So, I decide to kill some time and check out the airplane washroom. What an amazing place! When I'm in there in feel a little freedom, knowing I'm not always going to have share an armrest with the woman in the wool sweater next to me. It feels good to know that I'm not stuck.

Knowing that God is in control and will accomplish His purposes, even though it seems uncertain to me, gives me comfort. I am confident that He has called us to start a new faith community, and will provide the means to make it happen. When I think about it, there are too many things for a church planter to consider, structures, fund-raising, tax statuses, strategic planning, not to mention serving your people or DTR's. But in the midst of the apparent chaos and uncertainty, the Lord gently grabs us, sits us down, and says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

I'm curious about you, as you think about waiting in the midst of your own uncertainties. Waiting stinks. But, I'm curious if you feel you can rest in confidence in that place, knowing our God is sovereign and will fulfill His purposes in your life.

Finally we're taxiing again. The flight attendant has told us we can’t take off until we all turn off our "approved electronic devises", although I'm not convinced. I'm still not sure if I'll make my connecting flight in Chicago, and be home tonight, but I know we serve a God who will be exalted among the nations, and will be exalted in the earth. So, I can relax, take a breath, get out the SkyMall catalog and figure out if my wife would prefer a three-foot tall ceramic bigfoot statue or a digital tea kettle for her birthday.