Old preacher joke (many of which I've been guilty through the years):
"If you find the perfect church, don't join it! The moment you do, it will no longer be perfect!"
Sounds funny, somewhat insulting, but very truthful. Except that we'll never find that perfect church anyway, so the point is moot. But still many of us that have been Christians for many years have sought to find that "perfect church." You know, the one that has the best praise and worship. Not too loud, not too long, and definitely not too much talking during the music set. A pastor that is young, hip, mature, sensible, has a perfect family, drives a new car and has the best clothes...and doesn't take a salary! (another bad pastor joke!)
But finding a church that is perfect is like breaking a glass and trying to put all the pieces back together again and make it look as if it was never broken. It can't be done, because we all bring our brokenness to the table. But that is what it's supposed to look like. Never once do we see things be perfect in the New Testament church either. There were problems from the get-go!
Still, in spite of these obvious flaws, the church still turned the world upside-down. 2,000 years later, we're still involved in this incredible community we call "church."
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Isaiah 42:3 -
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;"
The Message Bible renders it this way:
"He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right."
Have you ever felt like the bruised reed or the burnt out wick? Know that today God promises he won't let you break or be "snuffed out," but that he will steadily and firmly set things right.
Church can have its share of heartache. And mostly, it because it's made up of us imperfect people. I hope that we can learn to own this fact, own our imperfection and begin to move beyond it.
If we can accept ourselves as we are, then maybe we can learn how to accept others as they are. Jesus said that we're to love one another as we love ourselves. Maybe the problem is that we haven't learned to love ourselves first. Maybe that's what is holding us back.
Love is what holds a community together, which is what a local expression of the Church is-a community of people who love one another and strive to live this journey of life for Christ together. And love though it accepts you where you are, it nudges you, pushes you, stretches you to become better than you are. It loves you enough to take you further than you ever believed you could go and dream and believe and live.
That's the kind of imperfect church I could live with. How about we make an imperfect church together?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
how does your friendships inform your faith?
That's the theme of our next service this coming Saturday, June 20th, at 6:30 PM.
So how does friendship help your faith grow? A part of our mission statement says that we desire to connect lives to Christ through friendship. We believe that even though we have personal relationships with God, our relationship with God cannot remain or grow as only personal. We are designed to be in relationship or as we like to say, in community, with others.
In community, we find that God uses others to help us develop and grow in faith. In community our character is sharpened and our spirituality is encouraged. In community we find our lives enriched and our understanding of Christ enhanced.
So, again, what has friendship done for your faith? Any stories? Feel free to share.
So how does friendship help your faith grow? A part of our mission statement says that we desire to connect lives to Christ through friendship. We believe that even though we have personal relationships with God, our relationship with God cannot remain or grow as only personal. We are designed to be in relationship or as we like to say, in community, with others.
In community, we find that God uses others to help us develop and grow in faith. In community our character is sharpened and our spirituality is encouraged. In community we find our lives enriched and our understanding of Christ enhanced.
So, again, what has friendship done for your faith? Any stories? Feel free to share.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
rebuilding faith
Well, our second night was a great success. I'm so thrilled at what God is doing here at renovate.
We had fantastic worship led by friends of ours, Jordan and Sarah Hoffmaster. In our second set of worship, Jordan sang one of his original songs, inspired by our first service, called Rebuild Me. It was incredible.
We were able to share with new visitors our style of worship and several said they want to return and hang with us again.
Check out an article our newspaper wrote up on me and the church in our "Faith Journeys" section last Saturday here.
I am working on a link for uploading my teaching notes. So check back for more updates.
Thanks so much for your prayers and love and support!
We had fantastic worship led by friends of ours, Jordan and Sarah Hoffmaster. In our second set of worship, Jordan sang one of his original songs, inspired by our first service, called Rebuild Me. It was incredible.
We were able to share with new visitors our style of worship and several said they want to return and hang with us again.
Check out an article our newspaper wrote up on me and the church in our "Faith Journeys" section last Saturday here.
I am working on a link for uploading my teaching notes. So check back for more updates.
Thanks so much for your prayers and love and support!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Saturday Night
Our second service is this Saturday!! Yes!
We'll post an update on our first service soon, but suffice it to say, we had a blast!
If you are in the area, come and visit. I'll be teaching on "Rebuilding Faith."
Our friends Jordan and Sarah Hoffmaster from Southridge Church will be our guest worship leaders. You will love the worship.
Come out and invite a friend to come with you.
We will be meeting in the Genesis UMC facility, behind the Video Warehouse off Morgantown Ave in Fairmont. If you need directions, email me and we'll get you some right away!
Hope to see you there!
We'll post an update on our first service soon, but suffice it to say, we had a blast!
If you are in the area, come and visit. I'll be teaching on "Rebuilding Faith."
Our friends Jordan and Sarah Hoffmaster from Southridge Church will be our guest worship leaders. You will love the worship.
Come out and invite a friend to come with you.
We will be meeting in the Genesis UMC facility, behind the Video Warehouse off Morgantown Ave in Fairmont. If you need directions, email me and we'll get you some right away!
Hope to see you there!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Mission Statement
renovate:
renovating church, rebuilding faith, and connecting lives to Christ through friendship, worship, and meeting needs.
renovating church, rebuilding faith, and connecting lives to Christ through friendship, worship, and meeting needs.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras. Pancake Day.
Traditionally this is the day before the fast of Lent begins, which starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Unfortunately, some of have devoted this day, the day before, to celebrate all the worldly things they like to do before having to “give it up” for 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter. But let us not focus on our faults and favorite sins today, but prepare our hearts for a journey.
Lent is historically a period of time which is set aside for repentance. For centuries, Christians were baptized on Easter, so this fast before was to prepare one’s heart and soul for baptism. But what is it that baptism represents?
It is representing that in yourself you are dying to your desires, and taking on Christ’s life. It is symbolizing your participation with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, claiming you believe and place your faith in what he has done on your behalf. This is why when one is baptized, they are laid back into the water, allowing the water to cover them as though they are lying in the ground, dying to self, and brought back out of the water, as though raised to a new life.
But it is more… Paul said you are baptized into Christ. It symbolizes the joining of a larger community. You become connected with others who represent Christ on the earth today. It’s throwing “your lot” in with others of like mind and like heart. It is no longer being an island to yourself, but finding purpose and relationship, inviting you into a family you’ve never met and caring about people who need your care. What stirs the heart of Christ, now stirs yours.
Baptism isn’t about the water, or dunking, or sprinkling, it’s about belonging. It’s about belonging to something bigger than you or me. It’s about becoming something bigger. Let this Lenten season be not just a focus on penance for sin, but be a preparation for something bigger…a baptism anew, into the family of God with fresh eyes, that on Easter we will be resurrected to new life as well and be able to draw new travelers into the journey of resurrection with us.
Traditionally this is the day before the fast of Lent begins, which starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Unfortunately, some of have devoted this day, the day before, to celebrate all the worldly things they like to do before having to “give it up” for 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter. But let us not focus on our faults and favorite sins today, but prepare our hearts for a journey.
Lent is historically a period of time which is set aside for repentance. For centuries, Christians were baptized on Easter, so this fast before was to prepare one’s heart and soul for baptism. But what is it that baptism represents?
It is representing that in yourself you are dying to your desires, and taking on Christ’s life. It is symbolizing your participation with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, claiming you believe and place your faith in what he has done on your behalf. This is why when one is baptized, they are laid back into the water, allowing the water to cover them as though they are lying in the ground, dying to self, and brought back out of the water, as though raised to a new life.
But it is more… Paul said you are baptized into Christ. It symbolizes the joining of a larger community. You become connected with others who represent Christ on the earth today. It’s throwing “your lot” in with others of like mind and like heart. It is no longer being an island to yourself, but finding purpose and relationship, inviting you into a family you’ve never met and caring about people who need your care. What stirs the heart of Christ, now stirs yours.
Baptism isn’t about the water, or dunking, or sprinkling, it’s about belonging. It’s about belonging to something bigger than you or me. It’s about becoming something bigger. Let this Lenten season be not just a focus on penance for sin, but be a preparation for something bigger…a baptism anew, into the family of God with fresh eyes, that on Easter we will be resurrected to new life as well and be able to draw new travelers into the journey of resurrection with us.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
a word...
A dear friend just brought us a poem that the Lord gave her for renovate at the beginning of the year and just hadn't been able to get it to us until now. As you read it, I think you will hear the confirmation of all that we said in the last prayer event.
A new day has dawned, a corner is turned.
A time to bring forth of all you have learned.
A path lies ahead that is steady and sure,
With roots that run deep and fruit that endures.
It's a land of much beauty, grace and delight
Full of rich treasures, teaming with light.
A haven of safety for those who are scarred,
A place where they're welcomed just as they are.
A home for the weary, where they can find rest
And won't be condemned when they've failed a test.
An oasis of sorts in a land that is dry,
Where I'll cradle the lowly and lift them on high.
A city of refuge to many - a port,
To others - a schoolyard, to some - a resort.
Some tender shoots will require much care,
But strong trees they'll be and much weight they will bear.
The blessings of unity will rain down as showers.
A deluge of mercy, wisdom and power.
Each step of your journey has been by design
I've called you and chosen you, handpicked you as mine.
For my heart beats with passion for the wounded, the lame
The burdened, the hurting who still bear my name.
A new love for others will spring forth from within.
You'll open your arms to those covered in sin.
The "could haves" and "should haves" with which they've been bruised
Shall be buried forever as you walk in their shoes.
For I never "look down" though I'm so far above,
But I walk alongside and I cover in love.
I've called you to be those who will show me as such,
A God who comes near and is willing to touch.
There is no provision that I'll not create,
To reach those for whom I've designed renovate.
New dreams I will give you, new doors will unlock.
New strength will infuse you, in new realms you'll walk.
The trail I've blazed will continue to shine
Brighter and brighter in 2009.
A new day has dawned, a corner is turned.
A time to bring forth of all you have learned.
A path lies ahead that is steady and sure,
With roots that run deep and fruit that endures.
It's a land of much beauty, grace and delight
Full of rich treasures, teaming with light.
A haven of safety for those who are scarred,
A place where they're welcomed just as they are.
A home for the weary, where they can find rest
And won't be condemned when they've failed a test.
An oasis of sorts in a land that is dry,
Where I'll cradle the lowly and lift them on high.
A city of refuge to many - a port,
To others - a schoolyard, to some - a resort.
Some tender shoots will require much care,
But strong trees they'll be and much weight they will bear.
The blessings of unity will rain down as showers.
A deluge of mercy, wisdom and power.
Each step of your journey has been by design
I've called you and chosen you, handpicked you as mine.
For my heart beats with passion for the wounded, the lame
The burdened, the hurting who still bear my name.
A new love for others will spring forth from within.
You'll open your arms to those covered in sin.
The "could haves" and "should haves" with which they've been bruised
Shall be buried forever as you walk in their shoes.
For I never "look down" though I'm so far above,
But I walk alongside and I cover in love.
I've called you to be those who will show me as such,
A God who comes near and is willing to touch.
There is no provision that I'll not create,
To reach those for whom I've designed renovate.
New dreams I will give you, new doors will unlock.
New strength will infuse you, in new realms you'll walk.
The trail I've blazed will continue to shine
Brighter and brighter in 2009.
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