It's always an interesting thing to be the new guy . . .
On one hand, we have our dear friends Karl & Natalie, and their children, and we have some other friends in the area who we have not seen yet. Among them, its like a visit to see old friends, but as we reach out to their friends its exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.
This week we just met people that Karl & Natalie know, who are interested. We had 30 people come and worship, have communion, and listen to me speak about the Power of God, the Works of God, and the Word of God (John 5.19-47). It was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship. (Some of the sweetest saints I have ever met.) As we talked I felt like I had known some of them for years. At the end of the evening some approached me about coffee, about helping us unload our truck, and about what the next steps would be. Others said they loved it but they have a church home. (I appreciate that and do not want to "steal sheep.") As the evening ended I was filled with emotion. I felt excitement and yet I was left with a huge number of questions, more than answers. I am looking forward to having those coffee, lunch and dinner meetings with all of those individuals.
Meanwhile, we are working to settle in: banking appointments, school appointments, house shopping, car shopping, and all of those earthly necessities. These are also opportunities to meet new people, to pray for them, to share the vision, and to make new appointments with. Along the way we have discovered Lizzie's Coffee House. their pies made a debut at our first gathering. They have some of the best espresso I have ever tasted. Lizzie and Jay, the owners, are great people too. They made me feel welcome to Brooksville.
As followers of Christ, we are called upon to be a people of hospitality. I have moved often throughout my life, and experienced the uproar of change, of meeting new people, and finding my place. In that process it has occurred to me that while everyone is making me feel welcome, I must not wait for people to enter my life. My responsibility to not to sit and wait for people to make room for the new guy. Hospitality is a two-way street. As the people of Hernando County extend their hospitality, I need to reciprocate, show my interest, and make friends. I cannot wait for it all to happen to me. How about you?
New guy or old guy, who is new in your life. Who is the person who needs you to be Jesus? I don't mean preaching to them or changing them. I mean who needs your friendship, a place in your life, a cup of coffee, lunch, dinner, directions, you name it. Often we are so busy with the necessities of life, (bank stuff, house stuff, car stuff, work stuff) that we do not make time for what is best . . . people. People are the most valuable. Jesus did not come to save my stuff, he came to save me and you (sometimes from our stuff).
New guy or old guy, gifted in hospitality or simply following the Lord's example, how about rearranging your life for what matters most? Make room for the new guy?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Moving to Hernando County Florida
Well, this is not exactly a theologically centered post, its personal, but in that way it is deeply theological. This post is about the work of God within me that has brought me to the point of moving to Hernando County, leaving the security of a good job, pay, insurance, and all the people we have come to know and love in Dayton, Ohio.
I am sitting in the Starbucks in the Beavercreek Kroger. Many friends have come by as I have been sitting here, my internet is turned off at home. I cam here to write something "profound" and I became overwhelmed with the realization of my journey. This will be our fourth church plant. Yet nothing can prepare you for being the new guy, the unknown, the lack of trust, the suspicion. So why do it?
I am going to Hernando County for a multiple of reasons. One of them is the Leibensperger family has been asking me for eight years to come and plant a church. Certainly Florida itself is riddled with great qualities, not the least of which is the weather. At the end of the day, I cannot uproot my family and move for those reasons. I am moving because of the great call of God. Hands down I must go. I must leave safety and security, and loved ones, because of an apostolic mission that has been placed upon the church, and in this case upon me. Not that there are not other churches in Hernando County, all doing a great work, but there are not enough! Some might point out that there are not enough in Ohio either. I agree. Yet God called me to Hernando County. My friend Karl says, it was his prayers. He may be right. Paul received the Macedonian call when a man prayed for him to come to his home. So that is why I am going to Hernando County.
The vision for this church plant is what has been brewing in me since early 2000. Has the message we have preached in the American church produced the fruit, the kind of followers of Jesus that fill the church today by accident? I think not. We do not have weak followers of Christ in-spite of the message preached but as a direct result. If we despair of the condition of the church today then we must examine ourselves and the message of Matthew 28.18-20 and ask how does our message compare. I am going to Hernando County to tackle that issue head on in my life and in the life of the church in Hernando County. To make disciples who continually and regularly, make disciples, who will do the same.
We need your prayers! Will you pray for us, in this transition, over the next two years, will you cover us with prayer, and spiritual warfare intercession. Will you pray for my children, and for my wife to enjoy the journey, to make new trusted friends, to find their way, to succeed, and to make a new life in Florida? Will you pray for Tyler as he heads west, to begin his new career, apart from us? Pray for me in that one too?
Last will your pray for the church, not just the Hernando County Vineyard Christian Church, but for the whole church, maybe even for yourself, according to Matthew 28.19-20?
I am sitting in the Starbucks in the Beavercreek Kroger. Many friends have come by as I have been sitting here, my internet is turned off at home. I cam here to write something "profound" and I became overwhelmed with the realization of my journey. This will be our fourth church plant. Yet nothing can prepare you for being the new guy, the unknown, the lack of trust, the suspicion. So why do it?
I am going to Hernando County for a multiple of reasons. One of them is the Leibensperger family has been asking me for eight years to come and plant a church. Certainly Florida itself is riddled with great qualities, not the least of which is the weather. At the end of the day, I cannot uproot my family and move for those reasons. I am moving because of the great call of God. Hands down I must go. I must leave safety and security, and loved ones, because of an apostolic mission that has been placed upon the church, and in this case upon me. Not that there are not other churches in Hernando County, all doing a great work, but there are not enough! Some might point out that there are not enough in Ohio either. I agree. Yet God called me to Hernando County. My friend Karl says, it was his prayers. He may be right. Paul received the Macedonian call when a man prayed for him to come to his home. So that is why I am going to Hernando County.
The vision for this church plant is what has been brewing in me since early 2000. Has the message we have preached in the American church produced the fruit, the kind of followers of Jesus that fill the church today by accident? I think not. We do not have weak followers of Christ in-spite of the message preached but as a direct result. If we despair of the condition of the church today then we must examine ourselves and the message of Matthew 28.18-20 and ask how does our message compare. I am going to Hernando County to tackle that issue head on in my life and in the life of the church in Hernando County. To make disciples who continually and regularly, make disciples, who will do the same.
We need your prayers! Will you pray for us, in this transition, over the next two years, will you cover us with prayer, and spiritual warfare intercession. Will you pray for my children, and for my wife to enjoy the journey, to make new trusted friends, to find their way, to succeed, and to make a new life in Florida? Will you pray for Tyler as he heads west, to begin his new career, apart from us? Pray for me in that one too?
Last will your pray for the church, not just the Hernando County Vineyard Christian Church, but for the whole church, maybe even for yourself, according to Matthew 28.19-20?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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