Well Served by 3 Preachers

There is a leadership team at our church.  It is comprised presently of 2 elders and the Rev.  One of the priorities established by this team is to remain connected to our denomination — which is quite a task for a fellowship on the extreme west coast dealing with family on the extreme east coast.  As a result, I must make regular trips back east.  And as a further result, we must seek “pulpit supply” (folks to fill in when the Rev has his routine interrupted by travel, etc.)

We recently had 3 friends fill the pulpit:

 Dr. Ken Priddy– Ken is a “church growth” consultant with the ARP.  He’s got great credentials, and a very clear message on what churches need to do to remain healthy.  He also had a great topical sermon based on this:  Israel is found in the scriptures to be often alienated or dominated by a foreign culture.  This hinders them from pursuing the proper worship of God.  Folks like Moses and Ezra lead the Israelites out of the dominating culture so they can pursue the worship God proscribes for His people.  APPLICATION = Today’s church is dominated by a “non-Christian” culture (or should we say a ”hostile Christian” culture?)  What should our response to this be?  Nothing revolutionary people! “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

 Rev. Joel Pelsue — Joel oversees Arts & Entertainment Ministries in LA.  His message raised issues about Daniel in Babylon.  Joel established a premise proposed by Jonathan Edwards: The church properly functions when it accomplishes 3 things; 1) Pursues Theology, 2) Pursues Piety, & 3) Engages the culture.  When any one of these areas dominates or wanes, the effectiveness of the church wavers.  APPLICATION = Because of this trivium, Daniel would permit his name to be changed — it did not violate any of the 3; but when it came to eating certain foods, or bowing before an idol, or hindering his prayer life… these would have compromised one of the 3 priorities.  Because his convictions were set, his battles were defined, and though it brought conflict, as a result of it, he became a successful “minister” in 4 administrations.  Ergo, when the church maintains these convictions, they will equally gain success.

 Brett Bonecutter — Brett was called to pastor a church plant in the OC, one that HAD many goals similar to ours; but the project had to close down.  His blog speaks rather candidly about the things he has learned as a church planter, and in my opinion, his advise is sound and has been implemented in our work with success.  Brett preached an excellent message from Philippians, chapter 1: Reasons to Praise and Pray.  His sermon offered an excellent critique of what true “fellowship” is and how it is really lacking in the “mega churches” (or is it giga churches?)  APPLICATION = “Fellowship” cannot happen for 15 minutes after church with a cup of coffee and a danish.  Until we really serve side by side with someone and truly learn to love people “up close and personal,” only then will we capture what “communion” really is.

What did they all have in common?  Not to be too self serving, but they all commented very consistently at how impressed they were with the friendliness of our congregation, and with the “atmosphere / environment” that our people are creating.  APPLICATION = Thank You Lord for establishing this new work with people who are really seeking to welcome people into communion with them.

SDG,

RevK

Best Month Ever

We planted with an awesome launch team.  If you met them all, you would conclude, “This church cannot fail!  Look at the quality of people starting it up.” 

Well, that is human reasoning — and never the “factor” in a spiritual endeavor.  Our launch team, over time,  had a few strikes against it:  First, a number of families that helped us “plant” moved out of state, thereby, depleting our core group.  Secondly, almost all of them were driving into the community each Sunday — so they were not actively involved in the community or meeting with the locals outside of church events.  Third, we were comprised almost entirely of young families (which is great for a “family experience” at church, but most were committed to spending time at home with family rather than mid-week fellowships).  Fourthly, the pastor (yes, me right here) started his preaching campaign with some objectives not entirely embraced by new visitors (more on that another time). And finally, our initial location was a blessing, but not a source of excitement.

Well, by the time we made our move to a new facility (a year and a half after our start), the VAST majority of our launch team has stayed with our work.  We’ve also been joined by some wonderful people who have replaced the movers (a gracious blessing!).  Secondly, most of these new participants are from our surrounding community (with a mid-week meeting in the area starting to grow!). In addition to this, we are identifying local community events in which to attend, rather than designing our own outreach events focused primarily on our campus.  Third, our young families — they attract young families!  So yeah, our mid-week meetings are all young and childless; but having kids around means having fun around, even if it is just on the weekend (moms know how to get together on their own anyway).  Related to this, we are even more thrilled about our new facility and its childcare room.  Fourthly, the pastor has been implementing some personal guidelines in order to enhance his preaching (more on this later).  Finally, the new location is SO CHOICE!  Great street location, and just a more “church like” space (you should hear the congregational singing now!).  Each week, our “designers” make improvements, and each week we are feeling more like we are at home. (Still need to figure out how to deal with the sunlight filling the room and the A/C buzzing overhead).

All of that to say that September ‘07 brought us a lot of blessings in how a church plant measures growth and vitality.  Glory to God.  And may He grant us more favor as we seek to make His name known.

 View from the inside is a view to the outside

RevK