view from my broken churchy window....

Attempting to lead a church in a more Biblical approach to ministry in a community rather than a traditional route of doing ministry has its definite challenges. So many of us who were raised in the church were taught that a healthy church is one that gets people to church and then gets them so involved in church that their entire new social network and schedule of weekly events involves only church events and people. Here at New Heights we are learning how to focus the people who genuinely desire to follow Christ to not busy themselves within the church calendar and culture, but rather minister within their natural network of co-workers, friends and family in their neighborhoods, and other parts of the world as the Lord leads. True discipleship is not busyness. I have found as a Pastor that it is not hard to get people busy within the church. But how busy we are in the church means nothing and really has very little to do with the real business of the Kingdom. We are learning daily how to validate this community and global approach to ministry as people follow Christ. For instance, we have one couple, who on their own have stopped attending on Wednesday night (Bible study and connecting track) to intentionally meet weekly with a pre-christian couple that are their friends. They meet each Wednesday to watch a TV show together and bond. Most churches today would consider this unhealthy and a lack of commitment from the believing couple to their church. My entire past ministry preparation would say the same. But the truth of the matter is this couple is living out the great commission. The church for so long has been so worried about who is influencing who in these type of situations. so concerned, that we feel the only safe route for a true disciple of Christ to live is a sheltered, isolated life within the confines of the church culture - music, movies, friends, education.... As if our life purpose once we come to Christ is supposed to be "Safe" rather than full of "Faith." The seeker sensative model of the church now and in years past has also fed this "inward" approach to reaching the lost. The emphasis is to get the lost into church. I love it when lost people come to church, don't get me wrong, but this tells most believers that their effort in the community to promote the Kingdom of God is only useful in the arena of "inviting someone to church." This does not validate what believers are doing outside the four walls of the church as true ministry and healthy priority as a disciple of Christ. The church is there to equip the saints, not to be the "ministry center" to the masses. The "ministry center" to the masses are the daily lives and networks of the believers outside the four walls of the church.

We don't have it all together, but we are learning how to validate people who are making choices to reach out to their family and friends through genuine relationship and divine appointments. The outcome will be a harvest of souls that the church culture could never have reached, nor were ever meant to reach. But people loving people is the Kings way. As Christ sent his disciples out in twos, we too need to each week send our congregation out into a real world with real issues, knowing that real faith and witness works within the confines of real relationships.

We are going down a good direction in our way of thinking here at New Heights, but how to put legs on it and equip people to live it out is the challenge that I am learning to embrace daily.

tag, you're it....

Day off today and lovin it!
Kids have a snow day too!
We're making the most of it!

reminded of what matters most.....

Today was the craziest snow day as of yet here in Spokane since we've moved here in 2000. We've already received school closure notices for tomorrow. By the time midnight roles around tonight, a total of a foot and a half of snow and sleet have accumulated leaving our driveway nearly inoperable. Over 2/3rds of our congregation at New Heights were absent today for worship due to the weather. January overall has been challenging, mostly due to the weather each weekend not being very safe to drive in. But I remain incredibly optimistic of things to come. I've learned to see this city through God's eyes and to feel what he feels toward the people of the Inland Northwest. I'm learning to serve God faithfully whether or not I see fruit. Some days it is not easy, but I'm trying to prayerfully process my thoughts and experience in the ministry here in Spokane in a healthy manner and to focus on what matters most.

What does matter most? I realize that my calling as a pastor, ministry coach, husband, father and friend are important, but not most important. I am first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. All these other areas of calling and responsibility simply flow from that personal relationship and commitment to my Lord. It is in moments such as these, while being somewhat "snowed in" that I am forced to go back to that basic element of my own walk with the Lord - my biggest responsibility of all.

grave yard shift....

I'm tackling an all-nighter tonight in order to get everything done that needs to be done. I can tell that New Heights Church is on the brink of something very big. Some would say, "it's in the air." Keeping the main thing the main thing can be a challenge in a growing congregation, but God has gifted this church and the various ministry teams with so many quality people. Much of what I'm working on this evening has to do with items that are being handed over to capable people with a heart for the mission of this church. The current paradime shift in our fellowship is leaders leading instead of doing. This is crucial to our team-based ministry model functioning correctly. As the Lead Pastor, it is exciting to see this begin to take shape. You could say that I've waited years for this. I thank God daily for the incredible people that I get a chance to minister alongside of. Jesus said it, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." I've got to get back to work....

Shabbat...

Today I woke up to 13 degree weather. We could feel the chill in various parts of our house. The kids have today off from school thanks to Martin Luther King, Jr. We are resting and vegging today for the most part. I take Monday's off each week hoping to achieve a true blue "Shabbat" (sabbath rest). It is work for me to mentally and physically rest. I don't come by it very naturally, but the results are felt throughout the week. I was hoping to get my hybrid diamondback road/mountain bike out today for long ride, but the wind chill today changed my mind. Monday's are notoriously tough on a lot of pastors. I have sure had my share of a few rough ones. But lately I have not battled a lot of the Monday blues that can sometimes follow a tough ministry weekend. Verses like, "...the Lord is my strength and my shield.." and others like it have found their way into my heart and head each Monday.

I say it often to others, but the personal comfort I find in it's truth makes this statement far more than a catch phrase in a sermon, it's a fact I bank on weekly..... "The Word Works!"

here's your change sir....

Oh January! Tis the season of desired change....
Currently, in all arenas of my life, change is happening. Some of the change I have absolutely no control over. Such as the children growing up and leaving home to chase and catch their dreams, of which I fully support. Other arena's of life are changing within the boundaries of my own predetermined limits. In other words, change the boundaries set by my own limited way of thinking and understanding and the greater results of true lasting change will happen. For me, this includes everything from leading to eating. I just returned from spending 24 incredible hours with friends of mine in the Open Bible family who were also discussing the much needed change and potential strategic plans to bring about that change in the course of the next few years in our ministries. Change isn't a buzz word I hear around me, it is currently the most consistant and clear word from the Lord and daily prompting of the Holy Spirit wherever I turn. It is also a wonderful thing when everyone and everything around you, and in you, goes from speaking about change to actually seeing change. It is that season in my life (seeing the results of much needed change) that I look the most forward to. Physical, Mental, Spiritual and behavioral change! This is one of the most beautiful things about life, People can change. The tools and support are out there if we only "apply." Application, like you see in the picture above, appears easy and systematic, but all of us know it takes our full cooperation with all that God has supplied to tranform us from the inside out. Many things in our lives can't just be painted over, they must be rooted out. I embrace this. There is so much of life to live, souls to save and adventures to tackle. Even in our dying, we change. So, out with the old, in with the new. I want to cooperate with God's work in my life. For me it seems He's taken some very old testament words and today in a very fresh way is going ahead of me in every aspect of my life paving the roads of transformation, declaring.... "Behold, I do a new thing!" How cool is that. Change is not only possible, it's happening.

2008 off & runnin....

Nearly a week has passed since ushering in the new year. I have already got the bike back out and started getting in better shape with an added workout routine. I've dropped six pounds in six days. The first ten pounds have always been easy for me. Sneaking a peek at this week, it appears to be pretty busy, but necessary since I'll be in Sacramento for three days next week. Both Myrtha and I have entered this new year a bit on the tired side. But our sites are set on a great year ahead of us. Both 2006 and 2007 were years of huge change and transition for us. This year will have some of the same with our oldest son, Vaughn II, ending his senior year early to head to the Art Intstitute in Seattle in March to study for an Audio Production degree. I haven't become accustomed yet to the way these kids grow up so fast and move away (VaughnII will be our second), but it is all a part of the overall plan ("be fruitful and multiply"). I couldn't imagine a life without my children. I also couldn't imagine not bringing children into this world at such a time as this. The difference they make in our lives as kids, and the way they will make a difference in the world as they grow and expand their sphere of influence is an exciting thought that is continually in the forefront of my mind. Some days I feel like I'm simply a passenger along for the ride, other times I know God has used us in their lives to make them what they are today, and all they will become tomorrow.

There is also so much that I hope to change about myself this year. I never bore of the opportunity to improve myself in every facet of life. I'm sure glad the Lord never tires of guiding, assisting, leading, correcting and loving me along the way.

Go Hawks.....

I am so jeolous... I mean, extremely close to the actual sin! A brother is making me stumble, literally! My bro-n-law has tickets to tomorrows Seattle Seahawks playoff game against the Redskins - I'm steamed! Thank the Lord I took my beta blocker today!

Actually, I'm really excited for him. I told him he has to stand out so I can see him on TV, like holding a huge 4x8 sign that has John 3:16 on it, or some doom and gloom end time message for all the world to see on it (like announcing Hillary Clinton for President) - boy I'm full of it today, aren't I? I did tell him what any loving brother-n-law would say, "keep your shirt on dude!"
This other football pic is of my dad and I in So Cal when I was in fifth grade. These were great times. He scared me then and to be honest still scares me today, in a good way.



GO HAWKS......

Dream Team.....

I am completely blown away with the incredible people that God is currently giving me the opportunity to work with. I am fully convinced that none of us can accomplish what God is calling any of us to do without others. The servant hearts of Lex, Michelle, Kelly, Brandi, Myrtha, Jane, Kastiney and Nina blows my mind. Besides daily putting up with me, I love the way in which nothing turns miraculously into something on any given project as each person steps up to the plate and carries their load of the ministry, beautiful things happen. Their are others as well that help New Heights function in such a way that it appears to run smoothly as we reach, build and send....
Weekly, a new friend walks into our sanctuary as a first time visitor. They sit, stand, pray, laugh, cry and some respond to the Gospel and begin a new life in Christ. But as they see me stand and deliver the message, they don't get to see all those incredible selfless people who do so much to make that service, and others like it, happen.

I am forever grateful to my God for giving me an incredible team of warriors that weekly tackle the many ministry milestones that dare to cross our path. What a team! Today, I give thanks Lord! Bless, Heal, Guide, Empower and Keep these incredible servants Lord!