New Series – BOLD
This weekend we are diving into a three week series called “BOLD: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity”.
Never before have I felt such passion about sharing a message. Nor have I ever felt such a need for it. Lord prepare us, redeem us, speak to us and use us!
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One a day…
Two weeks back we put out the “One a day” challenge. The idea is simple. If you are living off of Sunday teaching alone for your spiritual and Scriptural intake then you are spiritually starving. It would be the equivalent of eating one meal a week and starving yourself for six days.
God’s word, the meditation on it, the living in it, the reflecting upon it and the Spirit moving through it that provides the eternally significant truth that we all need to hear. Yet, too many of our devotional lives are a mere afterthought, a fading prayer at bedtime.
So, here again is the challenge. Simple pick up a book of the Bible and read, reflect and pray over One chapter a day. God’s Spirit will move, his word will teach and you will find there the truth. Not always easy truth, but THE truth. Don’t know where to start. I’d suggest the book of Luke.
Remember, this is the book of good news: A messed up people (us) saved by the sacrifice of a gracious God (via God-made-flesh Jesus) not because we’ve earned it, but because, “He so loved the world (us)”. May we all know the grace, peace and gift that God has freely given.
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Manifesto
2 years ago. Before we ever launched the church we put together a Manifesto. This hasn’t been a published document because it’s design was to set direction internally. Now, two years later, I thought it would be a good exercise to measure how well we’ve done at keeping to these things.
Here they are…
We are a people, a church, committed to living missional lives that give glory to God.
We will not just be a church with a mission, but a people on a mission. We will be a fellowship of believers with a common mission. We will seek to follow Jesus through a missional lifestyle, a commitment to serving those in need and sharing the truth of Jesus through our lives.
We will be a church of “people”, not a “place.”
When the church is seen as believers on a common mission, the focus will shift from where we meet to why we meet. The church is not a building, it is the people living out faith in everyday ways and everyday places. When we eventually have a “place” the philosophy of living the mission will drive what it will look
like, and how we will use it. But, it will not define or limit our mission.
We will disciple in smaller groups
Couches not metal chairs will provide the environment for spiritual growth. “He (Elders) must enjoy having guest in his home and must be able to teach.” (1 Timothy 3:2b NLT) Building relational groups in homes & in the community will lead to deeply spiritual conversation, conversions, and continued spiritual growth.
Groups will develop into places of accountability, trust and discipleship. Groups will be encouraged to share life together for an extended and intentional period of time.
We will live and lead ministry as a team.
While Pastors and Elders are called to be a spiritual leaders, the weight of leadership should not rest on their shoulders alone. (Exodus 19:13-27) A team approach to church leadership allows accountability, versatility and creativity. Everyone is a minister and everyone plays an important role in the mission using the unique gifts God has given them.
We will be an active and contributing member of our community.
We will not be a church on an island. We will pursue the felt and unfelt needs of our community. We will serve the broken and be a hub for community connections and relationships. We will focus our attention on “incarnational” ministry (actively engaging people as part of our community) over “attractional” ministry (inviting people to come to us). We will commit to each other as a church and individuals to live this out.
Our Primary witness will not be our Worship Service, but the Worship of our Lives
Worship is worship, the honor and praise of the God whom we put our trust in. It happens at our desks, in our gyms and at our church. We will share our faith through engaging people in real community, going where they are and sharing with them our lives.
We will define success in terms of the effectiveness of the mission
Success will be defined by discipleship and mission and not by dollars and numbers. Success will be the transformed lives of those in our fellowship as they serve the broken in the community, and share the truth through their lives. Success will be the transformed lives of those who do not know Jesus into followers of Jesus.
We will release, equip and encourage people to be missionaries in every area of life
We believe that God has given each of us different gifts and that each of us is called to our own mission field. We will encourage people to engage the subculture that they live in. We will equip people to share their faith through their lives and we will celebrate the ministry that God is doing through people inside and outside of the church.
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2 years!?
It’s hard to believe but 2 years ago we were busy getting ready and planning for the launch of theAlley. In the next series of posts I am going to bring back some of the original documents and planning that we put together. Looking back it is amazing to see how God has used, grown and lead this church. I pray He is the One who continues to do so into the future.
So, for the flashback today… here is the article that went into the paper about theAlley almost 2 years ago! Click on the image to see a bigger version.
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Saturday at the Shelter
Thanks to Jon for taking the pics. Here’s a look at some of the fun we had at the Women’s shelter on Saturday. Thanks all! We’ll be back there again for a Saturday in August. And yes, people are wearing winter hats… because it was 50 degrees and windy! Gotta love Minnesota!
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Overflow…
The book of Hebrews tells us that, “God discipline’s those he loves.” I believe that discipline can come in many forms. Sometimes it is the two-by-four effect, a sudden and drastic wake up call. Sometimes it is in a hardship, calamity often brings clarity. But recently I experienced it in a way I hadn’t really thought of before, being emptied.
Sometimes the challenge of speaking every week, of answering questions, of connecting Spiritually where people need it can become a very draining experience. What I’m learning is that when that happens is when I’ve relied on the well of my experience, love and ability and not trusted in God’s. My well dries up pretty quickly. His is a never ending fountain, you might even call it “living water.”
I think there is a great temptation to turn and trust in ourselves when we are called to trust in God above all else. I find that when I’m at the center, the cup dries up fast. When Jesus is at the center, when his Spirit is working, there is an overflow that can not be contained.
So, I’ve been emptied of myself and now filled by Him.
Lead us all Lord to know the fullness of your truth, the comfort of your gospel and may that lead to a Spiritual overflow in our lives.
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New series starts this week
We’re launching a new teaching series this coming weekend called Signs: Knowing God’s Will. Bring your Bible and a pen, this one is a game changer.
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Thank you!
To the anonymous person or persons who recently gifted us. Thank you! Most who read this know that I am not handy. In fact, I fear I am the enemy of handy. I tend to break everything I try to fix and that has left a lot needing to be fixed or replaced in our house. Thank you for the thoughtful and very generous gift.
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Ted Haggard interview
His secret sin was made painfully public, his silent addictions became national news, and his face became associated with Christian scandal. Yet, through it all, his wife stayed with him, his faith was renewed and God’s grace was seen for the gift that it really is.
Check out this powerful interview with pastor Ted Haggard and his wife.
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