Special Days

We are sometimes challenged to share where we were when something significant happened. For many years I would hear people say, "I never will forget where I was when JFK was shot." I was only 3 years old when that happened so I don't remember where I was. Then, the tragedy happened on September 11, 2001. I will never forget where I was and the feelings I experienced as this tragedy unfolded.

For some reason it seems like most of these memories are tied to negative or tragic events. Today I am delighted to share another pivotal moment that happened in our lives (i.e. Lisa and I) and I remember exactly where I was. Today is our daughter Ashley's 18th birthday! This life-changing event for us is one of those "I will never forget where I was" times. I can still hear the doctor say "It's a girl" when we felt positive that we would have another boy. (Yes, we actually waited until she was born to know her gender). I immediately started thinking what it would be like to have a daughter. I thought, "I've got to get a gun because boys will want to come over and see her!" (This wasn't my first thought but I was repulsed at the thought of some boy getting a piece of my daughter's heart).

Many things have happened through these 18 years that have shaped who we all are. Ashley is a wonderful young lady, full of life and still bringing so much joy to her Mom and I. We just hope this is a wonderful day for Ashley. We miss her very much now that she is in college but are so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

This special day is a reminder for me how quickly time passes by and how easy it is to miss out on the best times of our lives because we are preoccupied with things that will never be talked about when we die. Faith, family, friends, etc. are the ingredients of LIFE! While there are many mistakes I regret in these last 18 years of parenting I can honestly say that we have loved Ashley with all our hearts and have tried to spend quality time with her through the years. One of the greatest commentaries on parenting is when your adult children want to come home and be around you. I hope our friendship with our adult children will grow stronger through the years.

Happy Birthday "Baby Girl!"

Connecting Point Church Update

I am amazed by all the time and mental energy required to "Plant" a New Church. While it is very invigorating it is also very draining. I have said in my heart and mind many times how this should have happened in my life when I was in my 30's. But, God doesn't always do what "makes sense" to us! With all the energy I have expended in writing, training, organizing and trying to keep people "plugged in" without a weekly meeting, I haven't had much left to blog.

I just wanted to send out an update on the current status of Connecting Point Church, asking for your prayers as we pursue our official "launch." At this time we are pretty sure of about 75 adults who are committed to be "Founding Partners" of CPC! When you count their children and our students we have over 100 people. This is an awesome number to start a new work with. We have some very gifted, passionate, and enthused Core Leaders who are stepping up to take care of the necessary details for our House Churches and for our Corporate gatherings on Sundays.

Our Vision is a little different than most churches -- both established and new churches. As I have networked with several "Church-Planting Pastors" these past few weeks, I have been intrigued by their reaction to our Vision. So, what makes us different? I'm glad you asked. I will share a little bit here in this blog. If you want to know more visit our website: www.connectingpointchurch.cc.

While all New Testament churches place emphasis on Small Group ministries and missional work, for the most part, churches are evaluated by how many people we can get into a building one or more times a week; how much money we receive; and by how many buildings we construct. With Connecting Point Church, our primary goal is to establish viable, healthy Churches in people's Homes right in the very communities where we live. Instead of retreating to our private neighborhoods to escape the pressures of our hectice lives, we want to take the ministries to these places where genuine Christianity can take place at any time during the week instead of just one or two days a week.

While it will be a challenge to have homes that become places where vibrant ministries take place, I believe this is the future of the Christian church in these final days that we are on this earth. Every day the American government is becoming less tolearant of the "Corporate" version of Christianity we have constructed. As our many different denominational churches suffer persecution from big government, the Gospel ministry will become more subverse, taking place in the environments where we LIVE and WORK and PLAY-- 24/7!

I hope to continue sharing more about our progress in these next few weeks as Connecting Point Church becomes more clearly defined. After over 20 years in "Ministry" trying to do what the "Church" expected of me, I feel a sense of freedom and expectancy in stepping out on faith to follow God's lead as we strive to see our communities transformed by the Gospel. Stay tuned and I promise to do better about sharing on this wonderful media. Thanks for reading.

Growth Dynamics

These are 3 of the 20+ watermelons I raised in my garden this year. Two out of these three were so sweet. I have been eating watermelon every day. I have also been giving them away almost every day because we can't eat all of them. I gave one away yesterday and the guy said with amazement "Did you grow these?"

It is a good question! Believe me I have been surprised myself that the watermelons have grown so well and have tasted so good. Then, just as I'm feeling kind of proud at how good they turned out, I am reminded that something much more in depth is involved in the privilege of enjoying this harvest. For one, it is amazing that we can place a seed in some soil and watch as green plants emerge from dirt! Don't get me wrong, I did a lot of work plowing, preparing and fertilizing the soil. I even subsidized the needed water when it didn't fall from the sky. But, without the dynamics that occur between that seed and the nutrients in that soil (with the addition of sunlight, warm soil, and water), there would be no FRUIT to enjoy!

As most of you know ("You" meaning my host of 9 or 10 readers) I am in the process of partnering together with a group of dedicated Christ-Followers to "Plant" a New Church. The church is called "Connecting Point Church" and will be launching public worship services the first Sunday in October. We will meet at Carolina High School in Greenville, SC. (Ok that's my commercial). In these days of preparation and anticipation there always seems to be the lingering question: "I wonder if this will work?" In essence the question entertains the issue of success or failure; making it or dissolving; etc.

The more I thought about how wonderful those watermelons turned out this year because of God's dynamics of botanical miracles, in the same way, whether or not any church survives and becomes PRODUCTIVE depends on God's dynamics. There are many things we can do to get ready for God's blessings but He is the only one who can actually make anything grow. To settle a dispute in the church over people who followed human leaders, Paul made this statement: "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, BUT GOD MADE IT GROW!" (1 Cor. 3:6) There certainly has to be planting, plowing, cultivating, watering, etc. but it is only God that can make things grow!

This same principle applies to every aspect of our lives here on earth. Whether it is our work, career, family, etc. we all have a part to play but it is always God that determines the outcome! I have every intention of doing my part and pray that our Partners will do their part as well. But, we can all rest assured that our perception of success or failure rests in the internal dynamics that are completely in God's control! Do your part in whatever life-situation you may find yourself and let God take care of the part that you and I have no control over!! Let me know if you need some watermelon.

The Journey Continues

Connecting Point Church is beginning to take shape. We had our first information meeting last Sunday, July 25, in the scorching heat. I think the heat index was about 105 but the home made ice cream helped us survive. I was blessed that approximately 75 adults and children showed up. There was definitely a sweet spirit in our gathering as we began sharing some of the details about our NEW ADVENTURE. There were some wonderful questions asked affirming that people are making this step of faith with "eyes wide open." We are not chasing some silly dream or trying to find the "greener grass." I believe God is "CALLING" out a People who sincerely want to be a part of something so challenging that we know God will have to do it!

WE have our second Information Meeting at the same shelter this Sunday evening (Westside Park). This week we are meeting at 7:00 instead of 6:00 so hopefully it will be cooler. At this meeting we are going to talk more specifically about the "House Church Movement." The more I read and study the more convinced I am that this is the future! The generation we are striving to reach are tired of the whole persona of the organized church. At the same time, people who have been a part of the church for years are growing more and more disinterested in "business as usual." Author and conference speaker Reggie McNeal says:

"People are not leaving the church because they have no faith;

they are leaving to preserve their faith."

I read another statement by a leader in the House Church Movement who, like me thought we could reform the organized church. He pointed out how God has not called us to REFORM the Reformation. He has called us to Make Disciples! Our model doesn't work and hasn't for years.

God has stirred my heart so many times over the years to just break free from the constraints of man-made expectations of Pastors to pursue what God designed me to do. As a popular song says: "I believe I can fly!" I am ready to take a leap with full assurance that God will hold us up, lead us, provide for us, and use us to reach those who are far from Him!

Connecting Point Church

It is official -- after over 10 years of wondering if God would ever lead me to start a New Church He is moving me and a solid Core group of people in a NEW DIRECTION, with a fresh vision and loads of enthusiasm. For over 19 years I have tried my best to lead two established churches to accomplish the MISSION our LORD has given us. (i.e. to take His Gospel message to those who do not know Him! see Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 19:10; etc.) My first Pastorate was for 11.5 years and I have been in my current position for over 7.5 years. In both of these churches I have done my best to follow Scripture's mandate in accomplishing His vision. Unfortunately, the established church has long been self-absorbed to the detriment of the masses of hurting people in our world.

Don't get me wrong, I love both of the churches God has allowed me to serve! I have met some of the greatest people in the world and have made lifetime friends (eternal relationships!). I in no way put down any of the churches I have served or any of the established churches many of my dear friends serve as Pastor. My calling in this stage of my life has become more and more passionate for those who have never heard or experienced the TRANSFORMING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST. In order to get those who need Jesus the most to listen to His Message, I believe we have to "earn the right to be heard."

Basically I mean that we have to demonstrate our claim that we really want people who are far from God to come near to His loving embrace. If we claim that we want these "lost" souls to know Jesus then we have to seek practical, loving methods of demonstrating this desire. This will cost us something! It takes time, energy, money, and a willingness to be humiliated for Jesus to get His message of LIGHT to the DARKEST corridors of our world! In organized churches we became so "busy" working for God that we just didn't have any time left over to take a cake to our neighbor who had surgery, or cut our neighbor's grass while he was on vacation! (as well as numerous other practical ways that we can show the love of Christ to our world)

For the next few days, weeks and months I will be sharing the progress of this exciting new journey on this blog. The name of our NEW Church will be: CONNECTING POINT CHURCH. Another amazing thing about this adventure is that it looks like we will be meeting for a period of time in the High School where me and many of our Core group graduated. The facilities are brand new but the name and location are the same. I am excited about this because I rebelled against God in my last two years of High School. To have the opportunity to go back and preach on the same campus where I denied my Lord over 30 years ago is nothing but a God thing.

I ask for your prayers as we take this journey. I have never done anything like this before so I am both excited and a little tense. Some of the things that I have tried to work on this week have not materialized so pray for me to have complete trust in God's Sovereignty in this "birthing" experience. Stay tuned for more information about CONNECTING POINT CHURCH.

Head for the Mountains

My recent blog-vacation turned into a Sabbatical! I did not intend on staying away from this online newsletter for such a long time. To say that I have been busy is an understatement. Since we left for our family vacation in mid-June til now has passed so fast! Ashley will be starting Furman in just a few weeks. I can't believe my baby is going to college.

Last week I was at Student-Life with our students and some other great adults. Chris Tomlin's band led the worship all week and Louie Giglio brought the Word of God. I knew before going to Daytona Beach that the worship would be incredible. God surprised me with something even more than I imagined. He showed up and did something special for us on the very first night. Then, things just got better. We worshiped our Lord with abandon and learned very practical Truths from His Word that are immediately applicable. I was blessed to experience this with these Students. I believe some of them had an experience that have the potential to make their teen years different.

I know that these camps are "Mountain Top" experiences and many criticize this process by saying that it does not last in teenagers lives for more than a few weeks. I have no argument against this being a "Mountain Top" experience. What I do suggest is that these kind of 'spiritual highs' are necessary on our journey through this earth. It is way too easy to get so ensconced in our everyday lives that we treat our spiritual relationship with our Creator very casually. It many times takes a difficult time in our lives to make us stop and think about our need for God and about His mercy and grace for our lives.

I wonder how long it has been since you have had a "Mountain Top" experience? I encourage every Christ-Follower to do something to alter your routine by specifically focusing quality time on God's Word and worship. You will find that these experiences, no matter how short-lived, can make a huge difference in the quality and passion of our walk with Christ.

TRANSITIONS

Isn't amazing how many different transitions there are in our journey through life on earth? Some changes are exciting and challenging while others are filled with dread and are very painful. How we view CHANGE itself has great influence on how we respond to changes we didn't plan or want. I once heard someone say that the only people in the church who like change are the babies with dirty diapers. I don't think that is true but it does highlight how many people just want things to stay the same -- even if the "same" isn't accomplishing our objectives.

It is a season of change in my life personally. My daughter is graduating from High School and is ready to move on with the exciting things taking place in her life. My son is working out of town now so we never see him (ok he's 24 but we still like seeing him). My wife realized it was getting close to being just she and I so she got a dog!! I could sit around and feel down-and-out about these inevitable changes or embrace them, learn "in" them, and maximize every opportunity they bring. The real issue is my attitude and heart, not my circumstances.

In many ways it is also a time of transition for us spiritually. WE are living in a time when the organized, structured church is just not accomplishing the objectives given to us by our Founder, President and C.E.O. -- Jesus. For many in these organizations such "realities" are troubling but not enough to motivate any radical changes. I empathize with those who like things the way they have been for a long time. There is something soothing and comforting in things staying the same.

Unfortunately this is not the way God's church grows and impacts our world. Churches everywhere are struggling to keep up buildings and maintain programs while simultaneously proclaiming that the church is not buildings, it is the PEOPLE! When suggestions are made that veer too far from the "norm" it is viewed with suspicion. The church is confused and we know that confused people don't do anything daring or risky!

My dear friends, Christianity is risky and daring. It takes great COURAGE and the STRENGTH that only God can give to be a part of something God-Sized! The sad thing is that CHANGE is being forced on God's People when it could have been embraced and maximized long ago. WE have waited far too long to show the world who our Savior is instead of promoting our next program or "selling" the great services we can render for your family. PEOPLE NEED THE LORD, NOT THE CHURCH! Once they get SAVED then they will WANT to be around other BELIEVERS!

I am realistic about things changing and can't wait to see how God will bless those who step out on faith. God told a man named Abram: "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." (Gen. 12:1) Then we read, "So Abram left, as the Lord had told him." (Gen. 12:4a) God is looking for a group of people who are willing to "Follow" Him by using the FAITH we see demonstrated by a man named Abram. A hurting world needs to see what God can do for them and not what the church can do for them. Ultimate Triumph awaits the daring risk takers who FOLLOW God's CALL. Read the ACTS stories to see what God will do IF we are willing to trust Him.