This weekend was a special time at LifePoint Church and for me personally. I got to introduce three friends to my LifePoint family. My good friend and long time partner in ministry, Paul Austin spoke this weekend, and did a fantastic job of sharing God's plan for making Jesus famous in our valley - Sow, Sleep and Reap from Mark 4. I love this message (yes, I had heard it before, but that's why I love it!) because it's so clear and timely: we as Christ followers need to be sowing the seeds of the Gospel, the love we have from Jesus, into the world around us. Then, we need to trust God for the growth, not trying to force God onto our (normally impatient) timeline. Finally, we need to be sensitive to the whisper of God to join Him in the harvest when those moments arise.
That message resonates with my heart, because so many folks have been doing just that with our 12 Ways of Christmas and the ongoing opportunities to share generously the hope that we have in Jesus through the Diaper Drive for the Community Pregnancy Center (over 10,500 diapers collected!!!), and now the blood drive this February. We as a church are sowing seeds of the Good News with each act of generosity, and with each story of lives touched by our small groups, by individuals, and by our church family as a whole. It's amazing to watch what God is doing in us as He does this work with us and through us.
The other two friends I introduced are new, and I'm excited to be getting to know them and serve with them now and into the future. Josh Uht is our new Worship Pastor, and he and his wife, Johanna are joining our LifePoint family after a year long search. As I said this weekend, we had several very good candidates come through for the position, but Josh stood out as the right choice for many important reasons. We are blessed and excited to have him on our team and he is quickly assimilating to our culture and leading with grace and vision. Johanna is a delightful person and will be a great addition to our church family as well, so please pray for both of them as they land here and become a part of helping us all to be Loving God, Loving People and Leaving a Legacy.
It is a privilege to share my friends with my church family and my church family with my friends. I'm a happy, happy pastor today!!
Showing posts with label church life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church life. Show all posts
2.13.2012
8.08.2011
A New Start
This was the week I had intended to have a new "social media strategy" in place, linking up my twitter, Facebook and blog to help me to communicate what God has put on my heart and help me lead, serve and share better. It was all a part of the grand design, waiting until I got my vacation out of the way, and things had settled for a moment before we hit Fall.
When men plan, God laughs.
The past two weeks have been more than what I bargained for in the "get caught up after vacation" department. But now, I believe, we've seen a crest to the wave of 'stuff,' and I can start getting posts up, tweeting and (I can't believe I'm saying this...) regularly updating on Facebook.
I'm going to let you in on a couple of the thoughts that have been rolling in my head the last few months, and then move on forward with the part where my social media opportunities can be used to lead, serve and share better. I'm actually looking forward to it, as much as it has been a hit and miss thing for the last 6 months or so.
I'm taking the advice of CJ Alvarado and Margaret Feinberg, the two of whom spoke at a workshop at the Thrive conference last May. They gave all of us some pointers on the best way to leverage social media for the Kingdom of God and the ministries we've been called to serve. I'm going to try it out, and I'll let you know if it goes.
Meantime, check back here for more regular updates on life, LifePoint, leadership and most importantly, Loving God, Loving People and Leaving a Legacy.
Talk soon,
Bill
When men plan, God laughs.
The past two weeks have been more than what I bargained for in the "get caught up after vacation" department. But now, I believe, we've seen a crest to the wave of 'stuff,' and I can start getting posts up, tweeting and (I can't believe I'm saying this...) regularly updating on Facebook.
I'm going to let you in on a couple of the thoughts that have been rolling in my head the last few months, and then move on forward with the part where my social media opportunities can be used to lead, serve and share better. I'm actually looking forward to it, as much as it has been a hit and miss thing for the last 6 months or so.
I'm taking the advice of CJ Alvarado and Margaret Feinberg, the two of whom spoke at a workshop at the Thrive conference last May. They gave all of us some pointers on the best way to leverage social media for the Kingdom of God and the ministries we've been called to serve. I'm going to try it out, and I'll let you know if it goes.
Meantime, check back here for more regular updates on life, LifePoint, leadership and most importantly, Loving God, Loving People and Leaving a Legacy.
Talk soon,
Bill
4.01.2011
Friendship Friday
There's always a lot going on at a dynamic church like LifePoint, but in the midst of it all this week, I had a few moments to savor the gift God has given me of friends. There were several conversations this week, some face to face, some on the phone, some via text or email, that reminded me that I am rich in one of the only measures that matter - I have great friends. I have friends both near and far that love me in spite of who they know I am, who aren't in relationship with me just to get what they can from me, and who are willing to both listen to my life and tell me what I NEED to hear, not simply what I WANT to hear. That is such a blessing. Proverbs 17:17 is a verse I memorized in college (thanks to a friend...), "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." Yes, family is supposed to have your back, and I know mine does. But I have lived far from my family for 20+ years, so I have had to rely on friends who are like brothers (and sisters) to me. In the struggles of leading churches, pastors tend to not make friends, or at least not many. I've tried my best not to become jaded by the experiences and stay open to the God-honoring friendships that have come my way. Yes, there have been false friends along the way, and people who pretended to be my friend for the benefit of being close to the pastor, or for the opportunity to try and influence the direction of the church by bending my ear. But after a few rounds of walking through adversity with people, you figure out motives and meanings eventually. I don't always get it right, but I've learned. So this week, when I needed some friends, they were there. This is my tribute to them, and to the ones who I didn't get to talk to, but I know are still there. And to the ones that I have yet to make, but in God's timing and with His grace, I know I will. And to all my friends, I love you, I honor you, and I will continue to try to be there for you, just the way you have been for me.
3.27.2011
On the road to Easter
This past week reminded me that Easter is on it's way. Not the Cadbury Egg commercials, not the previews for "HOP" on TV, but the fact that so much is happening at LifePoint Church. Just a few of the challenges/opportunities around here:
- Jeremy and Amy Malekos announcing their departure from our church staff has been a mixed blessing. Of course we're excited for their next adventure, and we know God has something for them in California, but it hurts to see them go after all that they have invested in ministry here. They will be missed, and they do leave a whole that God will need to fill.
- One of our facilities staff, Dave Henry, has also tendered his resignation. He's taking a position at a local coffee roasting plant (and he better get me a tour...). We wish Dave all God's best in his transition, too.
- We're working to hire an administrative assistant in the church office about now, and that process is underway.
- We're still looking for a Worship Pastor, and are hoping to have one this summer.
- We're going to break ground this spring on a solar collection system that Nevada Energy is giving us for FREE that will power our campus almost entirely, giving us a huge cost savings each month.
- We continue to see new people connect to our church, and people in our church connect in small groups, and our small groups connect to serving in the community. NICE!!
- Included in that small group movement is our Senior Thursday group, just getting off the ground, but growing in enthusiasm and momentum.
- We baptized 22 people this weekend, 18 in regular services, and 4 more as a part of Jeremy and Amy getting some 'last chance' opportunities.
That's not even the complete list! There's much more happening around LifePoint, but it all reminds me that while there are hard things, there are also good things that God is doing all around us. And Easter means that we will need to ramp up everything: serving, helping, loving, inviting, giving, and most especially PRAYING!!!
Pray for your church, for the leaders, for the folks who are working to make Easter a special, hope-filled event, and for the thousands of people who will come through our doors looking for hope. Now is the right time to pray, and I hope you'll join in as we follow the road to Easter.
3.25.2011
It Will Feel Better (When It Quits Hurting...)
The announcement this week that Pastor Jeremy Malekos will be leaving our staff and taking a position in the power industry in California was greeted with mixed emotions. For some, there is sadness over losing Jeremy and Amy from our staff, and their family from our LifePoint family. For others, the joy of knowing that God has laid out a plan for their lives that will put them in position to continue to serve God, learn and grow, and be better prepared for the next ministry calling God would put on their lives in the future. There are also some feeling confusion about what this means for LifePoint, for our Student Ministries, and for our own personal lives and relationships.
So before we make any other public announcements about this transition, let me say this: we will all need space to process this both mentally and emotionally, so let's give ourselves and each other permission to grieve and walk through this loss. We all will need time to process all that this will mean in our lives and our church, and no one is in a rush to 'just get over it.' We need to move intentionally to deal with all the feelings and aspects of this loss.
A friend of mine used to joke whenever someone stubbed a toe or hit their thumb with a hammer: "It'll feel better when it quits hurting!" That's actually true. It won't feel better before the hurting is done, so you can't rush it. Some things just take time, and as Pastor Roy Conover likes to say, "There's no substitute for time." But when it does quit hurting, when the grief and grieving are past, it will feel better. We will have a fresh perspective on our lives, our church and the steps God has ahead of us, and we will be able to appreciate where we've come and get excited about where we're going.
I just want everyone to know that the leadership at LifePoint is working on the details of moving forward in this transition time, so you don't need to worry about that just yet. Focus on loving the Malekos family through their transition, and then on healthy processing of this whole deal. If you need to grieve, then do so without feeling pressured or rushed. Just walk it through, and let God's wisdom and grace (along with His family, the church) help you through it.
And trust in the promise that God has our church right where HE wants us. It's going to feel better...
So before we make any other public announcements about this transition, let me say this: we will all need space to process this both mentally and emotionally, so let's give ourselves and each other permission to grieve and walk through this loss. We all will need time to process all that this will mean in our lives and our church, and no one is in a rush to 'just get over it.' We need to move intentionally to deal with all the feelings and aspects of this loss.
A friend of mine used to joke whenever someone stubbed a toe or hit their thumb with a hammer: "It'll feel better when it quits hurting!" That's actually true. It won't feel better before the hurting is done, so you can't rush it. Some things just take time, and as Pastor Roy Conover likes to say, "There's no substitute for time." But when it does quit hurting, when the grief and grieving are past, it will feel better. We will have a fresh perspective on our lives, our church and the steps God has ahead of us, and we will be able to appreciate where we've come and get excited about where we're going.
I just want everyone to know that the leadership at LifePoint is working on the details of moving forward in this transition time, so you don't need to worry about that just yet. Focus on loving the Malekos family through their transition, and then on healthy processing of this whole deal. If you need to grieve, then do so without feeling pressured or rushed. Just walk it through, and let God's wisdom and grace (along with His family, the church) help you through it.
And trust in the promise that God has our church right where HE wants us. It's going to feel better...
3.11.2011
Why we own a house
We held the first 'official' event at our home yesterday, and it reminds me of why we bought a house in the first place.
Yes, we've had a few friends over, and yes, we're not counting those as 'official' events, because we just called some folks and invited them to hang out. Yesterday was an Open House for our Senior Adults at LifePoint Church, and we had over 20 people fill up our living room with smiles, conversation and laughter. It was great!! We're launching a new Senior Adult ministry next week (we're looking for a cool name, don't have one yet...), and Beth and I wanted to take the opportunity to invite these precious folk over and let them see us in our 'natural habitat.'
It was great fun to talk to the folks, get to know some new people and enjoy some goodies, but the best part was hearing how they were so excited about where we are going as a church family and how they are looking forward to having their own ministry as Seniors, complete with small groups, Bible study and outreach projects to do. These folks have more experience and more time than working folks, and combined with a real desire to follow God, this is going to be the beginning of something great!!
The whole event reminded me why we own a house: it's a tool to do ministry. We live here, yes, and we raise our kids here, which is a ministry unto itself, but like everything God has given us, it's a tool for Him to use to serve His Kingdom. I love it when we get to enjoy the gifts God has given us with other people, and to use them to see His church grow. Our house is God's house, and His gift to us is a place to live and a base for ministry.
Here's to the good gifts God gives, and the opportunity to use them for Him!
Yes, we've had a few friends over, and yes, we're not counting those as 'official' events, because we just called some folks and invited them to hang out. Yesterday was an Open House for our Senior Adults at LifePoint Church, and we had over 20 people fill up our living room with smiles, conversation and laughter. It was great!! We're launching a new Senior Adult ministry next week (we're looking for a cool name, don't have one yet...), and Beth and I wanted to take the opportunity to invite these precious folk over and let them see us in our 'natural habitat.'
It was great fun to talk to the folks, get to know some new people and enjoy some goodies, but the best part was hearing how they were so excited about where we are going as a church family and how they are looking forward to having their own ministry as Seniors, complete with small groups, Bible study and outreach projects to do. These folks have more experience and more time than working folks, and combined with a real desire to follow God, this is going to be the beginning of something great!!
The whole event reminded me why we own a house: it's a tool to do ministry. We live here, yes, and we raise our kids here, which is a ministry unto itself, but like everything God has given us, it's a tool for Him to use to serve His Kingdom. I love it when we get to enjoy the gifts God has given us with other people, and to use them to see His church grow. Our house is God's house, and His gift to us is a place to live and a base for ministry.
Here's to the good gifts God gives, and the opportunity to use them for Him!
3.08.2011
Year One: Transition with a Captital T
This month marks the one year anniversary of my family leaving Idaho, our home for 14 years, and moving to Minden, Nevada, to LifePoint Church and to a whole lot of...transitions. Change is another word, but people don't like it much. Transitions - the moving from one idea/reality/concept/place/way of thinking to another. That's all we've done for a year.
We've sold and bought a house, moved twice, engaged in negotiations about real estate both personally and on behalf of the church, and learned a lot about banking, loans and customer service. Learning is a huge part of transition, because what got you to where you are won't get you where you want to go next.
There's been staff transitions of all kinds, and changes in relationships all around. There's been much growth and learning all around, and I'm very proud of the folks who have engaged in the transition with open hearts and minds to what God is doing here. It's been hard on some folks, and some haven't managed the transitions as well as others. It's the same back in Idaho where we left: some have managed to transition gracefully and others without much grace. People are people, and we deal with the changes in life the best we can. I'm learning that.
I've transitioned my leadership style to fit the new adventure of LifePoint Church (and I'm still learning this one, too!), and I've spent the last year leading a cultural shift, because as I've come to learn recently, "Culture eats strategy for lunch!" (That might be a Peter Drucker quote, no one seems quite sure. I know it's true, whoever said it.) The culture was ready for a change, but had we started with strategy, we'd have been in trouble.
We have even now begun to transition into more strategic initiatives, like our Project 40/40, our attempt to do 40 missional projects in the community in the 40 days before Easter. The buzz is palpable! People are getting into small groups just to be a part of this opportunity to show God's love to our community with no strings attached. It's exciting to hear the projects that our groups are planning, and I can't wait to see where this ends up.
But God has orchestrated all this transition, and the ones that are coming. It has been a wild ride, with ups, downs, spirals and loop-the-loops, but God's hand has been in it all, making the transitions, however challenging, all work into HIS ultimate plan. Praise God in the transitions!
We've sold and bought a house, moved twice, engaged in negotiations about real estate both personally and on behalf of the church, and learned a lot about banking, loans and customer service. Learning is a huge part of transition, because what got you to where you are won't get you where you want to go next.
There's been staff transitions of all kinds, and changes in relationships all around. There's been much growth and learning all around, and I'm very proud of the folks who have engaged in the transition with open hearts and minds to what God is doing here. It's been hard on some folks, and some haven't managed the transitions as well as others. It's the same back in Idaho where we left: some have managed to transition gracefully and others without much grace. People are people, and we deal with the changes in life the best we can. I'm learning that.
I've transitioned my leadership style to fit the new adventure of LifePoint Church (and I'm still learning this one, too!), and I've spent the last year leading a cultural shift, because as I've come to learn recently, "Culture eats strategy for lunch!" (That might be a Peter Drucker quote, no one seems quite sure. I know it's true, whoever said it.) The culture was ready for a change, but had we started with strategy, we'd have been in trouble.
We have even now begun to transition into more strategic initiatives, like our Project 40/40, our attempt to do 40 missional projects in the community in the 40 days before Easter. The buzz is palpable! People are getting into small groups just to be a part of this opportunity to show God's love to our community with no strings attached. It's exciting to hear the projects that our groups are planning, and I can't wait to see where this ends up.
But God has orchestrated all this transition, and the ones that are coming. It has been a wild ride, with ups, downs, spirals and loop-the-loops, but God's hand has been in it all, making the transitions, however challenging, all work into HIS ultimate plan. Praise God in the transitions!
2.20.2011
Gratitude Abounds
A weekend to remember: first, after a week of snow and ice, we held our Volunteer Appreciation event, and our staff took the time to thank, encourage and entertain our amazing volunteers. It was so fun to see the smiles and hear the laughter of the folks who do the bulk of the work to move the ministry of LifePoint Church forward. If you missed it... all I can say is... You. Missed. It. If you're someone who likes to laugh until your sides hurt, then you will want to make plans to volunteer this year, and show up next year. And whether you were there or not, let me say it again: thank YOU for all you do to serve Jesus at LifePoint!!
Then, we celebrated our thirteenth birthday at LifePoint church. In 1998, a small group of people, full of God's vision for a church for people who didn't like church, launched Carson Valley Christian Center, now LifePoint. Dr. John Jackson and his wife, Pam, led the charge to launch the new church, and over the past 13 years, God has done AMAZING, life changing ministry. This weekend, Pastor John and Pam were here, and Pastor John taught about having the faith to keep going forward into the next chapter of the future of our church.
I am so excited about this crossroads between our past and our future. The celebration of the current ministry through our volunteers, then a look back and forward this weekend was a great opportunity to stop and reflect on where we are. I'm going to do a couple posts on this, but right now, it's a moment to celebrate and be thankful. Thankful for God's grace, thankful for God's vision, thankful for people like the Jacksons, Conovers and Negrettes listening to God's voice and thankful for God's hand of blessing on LifePoint. I am grateful to God for the people on who's shoulders we stand to see the future. And thank God for the future we have in front of us!
Then, we celebrated our thirteenth birthday at LifePoint church. In 1998, a small group of people, full of God's vision for a church for people who didn't like church, launched Carson Valley Christian Center, now LifePoint. Dr. John Jackson and his wife, Pam, led the charge to launch the new church, and over the past 13 years, God has done AMAZING, life changing ministry. This weekend, Pastor John and Pam were here, and Pastor John taught about having the faith to keep going forward into the next chapter of the future of our church.
I am so excited about this crossroads between our past and our future. The celebration of the current ministry through our volunteers, then a look back and forward this weekend was a great opportunity to stop and reflect on where we are. I'm going to do a couple posts on this, but right now, it's a moment to celebrate and be thankful. Thankful for God's grace, thankful for God's vision, thankful for people like the Jacksons, Conovers and Negrettes listening to God's voice and thankful for God's hand of blessing on LifePoint. I am grateful to God for the people on who's shoulders we stand to see the future. And thank God for the future we have in front of us!
2.03.2011
Getting Excited...
Much to be excited about these days, I just need to share:
- LifePoint Church got to celebrate 13 baptisms this past weekend, including three from one family that just started coming in the past few months. So honored to share these milestones with everyone! And Pastor Jeremy got to do three of them, so bonus!!
- Week two of the Restructure series had more people in attendance than week one, which has me fired up! Folks didn't run away from hearing God's wisdom on finances, they came back and brought friends!!
- Speaking of finances, more people buzzing about the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class, can't wait to see what happens when some of THAT wisdom drops on people.
- Children's ministry is bursting at the seams! If you are a family with kids and you attend the 10:45 service, and you can AT ALL jump to 9 am or Saturday night, it would help a bunch if you would, we are getting too full in our kids ministry at that hour.
- Read that last one again... WHAT A GREAT PROBLEM TO HAVE!!!!
- Hearing buzz about fresh ministry for Senior Adults... stay tuned!!!
- Pastor Mark is telling me we've got 46 small groups in our system, plus a few more that are not yet in the system - look at what God is doing there!!
- Tuesday Nights started up again, and over 80 people were there for worship, groups, classes and recovery. Pastor Roy was fired up, and word is, more folks are coming!
- Cool stuff getting planned for the run up to Easter this spring... you won't want to miss this, trust me!
- Birthday weekend is coming February 19-20, celebrating the 13th birthday of LifePoint, and our founding pastor, Dr. John Jackson is coming back to teach that weekend!! Don't miss it!
And there's more yet to come, because God is stirring things up around here. So thanks again to all who are praying for LifePoint, serving as volunteers, and giving to see God's Kingdom move ahead in this area. It's WORKING!! Keep GOING!!!
1.09.2011
What a Week!
So, as weeks go, this one was amazing!
I got to talk to a friend from Idaho, encourage him and get some encouragement. That was good.
My beloved Seattle Seahawks won not one, but two games, including a huge playoff win as serious underdogs. That was amazing.
My daughter's basketball team won their first game of the season. That was huge.
My church gave over 940 items, from coats and sweatshirts to gloves and blankets, to give away to folks in need in our valley and maybe even up at Lake Tahoe. I am SO EXCITED about that!!
We learned a lot in the process, and we got to see three dozen volunteers step up to sort, fix, count and bag the gifts. It was amazing to see the whole lot of them across the front of the platform last week, but I got to see the excitement of the folks sorting and fixing zippers. The enthusiasm of folks knowing that they were helping our church to be generous to others, and that we were going to help hundreds of people be warm through that generosity - I could see on their faces how much they were enjoying the experience.
As a pastor, I was blessed, blown away, and fired up for what this means for the future of LifePoint Church. God is moving, I'm so proud of our folks, and can't wait to see where this all goes next. Just a great week!!
I got to talk to a friend from Idaho, encourage him and get some encouragement. That was good.
My beloved Seattle Seahawks won not one, but two games, including a huge playoff win as serious underdogs. That was amazing.
My daughter's basketball team won their first game of the season. That was huge.
My church gave over 940 items, from coats and sweatshirts to gloves and blankets, to give away to folks in need in our valley and maybe even up at Lake Tahoe. I am SO EXCITED about that!!
We learned a lot in the process, and we got to see three dozen volunteers step up to sort, fix, count and bag the gifts. It was amazing to see the whole lot of them across the front of the platform last week, but I got to see the excitement of the folks sorting and fixing zippers. The enthusiasm of folks knowing that they were helping our church to be generous to others, and that we were going to help hundreds of people be warm through that generosity - I could see on their faces how much they were enjoying the experience.
As a pastor, I was blessed, blown away, and fired up for what this means for the future of LifePoint Church. God is moving, I'm so proud of our folks, and can't wait to see where this all goes next. Just a great week!!
11.17.2010
Catching Up
Okay first, thanks for hanging in and being patient with me. Things have been intense lately, and I haven't had moments to read blogs, much less write one. So, here's the update, and the plan going forward:
After a process that tried my patience to the MAXIMUM, Beth and I were able to purchase a house last month. It's a very nice three bedroom home with a great kitchen, and a back yard full of... potential. It was bank owned, so the yard was abandoned months and months ago, leaving the grass and most of the trees dead. It will be a project for the spring, but some nice folks from church put in new grass in the front yard, so the neighbors like us right away. The house is closer to the church and in a nice neighborhood, close to Rachel's school and Mac's best friends. I just tried out the walking trail this morning, it is in great shape. I, however, am not.
We have spent the last month packing up, moving our stuff over, unpacking and setting up the new house, so workouts and just about anything else has been on the back burner. Other than cheering the SF Giants to the World Series win (while unpacking boxes), there's been little on the 'fun' side of the ledger. I'm so tired of cardboard right now...
Also while all the packing and moving and unpacking has gone on, we've been working on the budget for LifePoint Church. We're changing our fiscal year to start in July, so we're doing a 'mini-budget' for January through June. It's been a challenge to change how we think about budgeting and to try to forecast our congregation's giving going into the New Year. What's the economy going to do here? What's the excitement level going to be for what God is unveiling to us about the future?
The move of placing Pastor Mark Marsella over our small group ministry and take him out of Worship Arts has already paid dividends. We're seeing a huge influx of people wanting to be in groups, and we're praying and looking for leaders to rising to the surface to take on those groups. Mark and Gayle just went to a training event in Stockton this week, so progress and a plan for the future are both being made.
I'm excited about the current series, "Name That 'Tude," and Pastor Roy gets another opportunity to teach in this one. The Christmas series, set design, Christmas Eve services and all that are coming together very nicely right now, and the energy is building. I'm fired up to see what the end of this year and the start of 2011 have in store for us in God's plan.
Okay, that will get you (mostly) caught up. I'm going to try to blog two to three times a week, and we'll see what comes out of it. God is teaching me some great lessons, reminding me of some more great lessons I learned along my journey, and preparing me for more lessons to learn. It's an exciting time, and a time to learn to trust God more and more.
After a process that tried my patience to the MAXIMUM, Beth and I were able to purchase a house last month. It's a very nice three bedroom home with a great kitchen, and a back yard full of... potential. It was bank owned, so the yard was abandoned months and months ago, leaving the grass and most of the trees dead. It will be a project for the spring, but some nice folks from church put in new grass in the front yard, so the neighbors like us right away. The house is closer to the church and in a nice neighborhood, close to Rachel's school and Mac's best friends. I just tried out the walking trail this morning, it is in great shape. I, however, am not.
We have spent the last month packing up, moving our stuff over, unpacking and setting up the new house, so workouts and just about anything else has been on the back burner. Other than cheering the SF Giants to the World Series win (while unpacking boxes), there's been little on the 'fun' side of the ledger. I'm so tired of cardboard right now...
Also while all the packing and moving and unpacking has gone on, we've been working on the budget for LifePoint Church. We're changing our fiscal year to start in July, so we're doing a 'mini-budget' for January through June. It's been a challenge to change how we think about budgeting and to try to forecast our congregation's giving going into the New Year. What's the economy going to do here? What's the excitement level going to be for what God is unveiling to us about the future?
The move of placing Pastor Mark Marsella over our small group ministry and take him out of Worship Arts has already paid dividends. We're seeing a huge influx of people wanting to be in groups, and we're praying and looking for leaders to rising to the surface to take on those groups. Mark and Gayle just went to a training event in Stockton this week, so progress and a plan for the future are both being made.
I'm excited about the current series, "Name That 'Tude," and Pastor Roy gets another opportunity to teach in this one. The Christmas series, set design, Christmas Eve services and all that are coming together very nicely right now, and the energy is building. I'm fired up to see what the end of this year and the start of 2011 have in store for us in God's plan.
Okay, that will get you (mostly) caught up. I'm going to try to blog two to three times a week, and we'll see what comes out of it. God is teaching me some great lessons, reminding me of some more great lessons I learned along my journey, and preparing me for more lessons to learn. It's an exciting time, and a time to learn to trust God more and more.
9.19.2010
Thoughts From The Weekend
I'm very excited by what God's doing at LifePoint Church, and before I fade into my bed tonight, here's a sampling:
- I had dozens of people come find me after services this weekend and tell me they were done 'hiding in plain sight.' Folks were looking for places to serve, connect and show that their relationship with Jesus is real to them. There were expressions of generosity and folks making sure to tell me they were working through their issues to be ready to serve. God promises that His Word will accomplish what He intends. This weekend is proof!
- There were a couple dozen people raise their hands to accept Christ as the Leader and Forgiver of their lives - that NEVER gets old!!
- I am loving the response to the whole No Perfect People Allowed series. From the video (the 'confessional' landed on some folks, for sure!) to the responses afterward, people are hearing from God, and I am fired up to see what He does next!!
- Despite some setbacks this week, our Worship Department created an experience for people to enter God's presence and give Him our full attention. Great job, team!
- We had a group of youth and leaders go to the Thriving Musicians Summit in Roseville, learning and growing in their musical abilities and worship leading. Can't wait to hear how this shows up in our Student Ministries.
And as excited as I am about what's going on right now, I can't wait for the Assessment process to let us know what we're doing well and what needs work. Have you taken the survey yet? In my 'end-of-the-weekend-exhausted' state, I just finished it. It won't hurt a bit, and it will help your church to be more effective in the future, so take a few minutes and get this done.
Taking the day off tomorrow, then right back to another week of making Jesus famous in the Carson Valley!! Goodnight!
9.18.2010
The Week That Was
I love this time of year. Selfishly, it's partly because of my birthday being mid-September, but there are other reasons:
In Sports: Baseball becomes meaningful in late August and into September, with pennant races, playoffs on the line, and late season call ups to see how next years rookies are going to look. Basketball talk starts to warm up and preseason camps will start to open soon. But the most important, like changing event is the beginning of football season! (HALLELUJAH CHORUS!!) My heart beats faster at the thought of pads popping and all the sights and sounds of football. It brings me back to many great memories on the field and in the stands. I. LOVE. FOOTBALL.
In Family: The kids are back in the swing of school, they are connecting with friends, doing homework, getting smarter and finding themselves a bit more every day. I am in awe to see the growth and development of my son as he becomes a young man and finds his way around the world. He's making good friends and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. My daughter is showing off her brains again, accepted into a competitive math team (math? really?), and doing great in school.
In Church: All the ministries that lay dormant over the summer spring back to life: kids midweek stuff, Adult Bible study stuff, Women's ministry stuff... all of is comes back like the flowers in spring, only on the other end of the calendar. I love the energy, the excitement of seeing the life changing message of Christ shared in so many venues. It's invigorating, like the crisp air we are beginning to notice in the mornings.
I love this time of year! It is my absolute favorite. Do you love it, or do you prefer something else?
In Sports: Baseball becomes meaningful in late August and into September, with pennant races, playoffs on the line, and late season call ups to see how next years rookies are going to look. Basketball talk starts to warm up and preseason camps will start to open soon. But the most important, like changing event is the beginning of football season! (HALLELUJAH CHORUS!!) My heart beats faster at the thought of pads popping and all the sights and sounds of football. It brings me back to many great memories on the field and in the stands. I. LOVE. FOOTBALL.
In Family: The kids are back in the swing of school, they are connecting with friends, doing homework, getting smarter and finding themselves a bit more every day. I am in awe to see the growth and development of my son as he becomes a young man and finds his way around the world. He's making good friends and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. My daughter is showing off her brains again, accepted into a competitive math team (math? really?), and doing great in school.
In Church: All the ministries that lay dormant over the summer spring back to life: kids midweek stuff, Adult Bible study stuff, Women's ministry stuff... all of is comes back like the flowers in spring, only on the other end of the calendar. I love the energy, the excitement of seeing the life changing message of Christ shared in so many venues. It's invigorating, like the crisp air we are beginning to notice in the mornings.
I love this time of year! It is my absolute favorite. Do you love it, or do you prefer something else?
8.29.2010
Something Fun To Try
I like Twitter, I enjoy taking the 140 characters I've been allowed and make a message. I like reading the short, pithy comments and thoughts of people I want to hear from. It's a powerful discipline to be brief and clear in a world so full of words. I'm an extroverted, verbal processing teacher and speaker, and one of the hardest things for me to is work to keep things brief. So it's good to work hard to be concise.
Here at LifePoint Church, we've put together a team that is working to rethink, revise and reconnect to the vision God has for our church family. It's exciting work, important work, and just plain hard work. The first exercise: express a statement of belief for each of several concepts in 10 words or less.
So, reading scripture, praying, thinking, I sat down to work on this, and can I just tell you: THAT'S HARD TO DO!! Say what's really important about what you believe about prayer in 10 words or less. Go ahead. Or the Holy Spirit. Or church. It's not as easy as you think.
Now, imagine sitting in a room with a group of people who all come from different backgrounds, different church experiences, different educational experiences, and different life stages, and all of them have their 10 word statements, too. Now, you've got to combine, discuss, sift through and, most importantly agree on a single statement out of all you just did.
This is what I've been doing all weekend (around the great services at LifePoint), and it's been the most amazing experience. I'm learning a ton, sharing what I know, and growing along with the rest of the team. It's been hard, but it's been amazing. I can't tell you how great this experience has been. I'm so proud of the Lifers on this team, I'm so glad to have Dr. Bill Hoyt from Growing Healthy Churches come help, and I cannot wait to see where this whole process leads us as a church. More to come on all this, but I'm exhausted, exhilarated, and excited to see what comes next after all this work. So, in 10 words:
Preparing for God's powerful next chapter of ministry at LifePoint!
Here at LifePoint Church, we've put together a team that is working to rethink, revise and reconnect to the vision God has for our church family. It's exciting work, important work, and just plain hard work. The first exercise: express a statement of belief for each of several concepts in 10 words or less.
So, reading scripture, praying, thinking, I sat down to work on this, and can I just tell you: THAT'S HARD TO DO!! Say what's really important about what you believe about prayer in 10 words or less. Go ahead. Or the Holy Spirit. Or church. It's not as easy as you think.
Now, imagine sitting in a room with a group of people who all come from different backgrounds, different church experiences, different educational experiences, and different life stages, and all of them have their 10 word statements, too. Now, you've got to combine, discuss, sift through and, most importantly agree on a single statement out of all you just did.
This is what I've been doing all weekend (around the great services at LifePoint), and it's been the most amazing experience. I'm learning a ton, sharing what I know, and growing along with the rest of the team. It's been hard, but it's been amazing. I can't tell you how great this experience has been. I'm so proud of the Lifers on this team, I'm so glad to have Dr. Bill Hoyt from Growing Healthy Churches come help, and I cannot wait to see where this whole process leads us as a church. More to come on all this, but I'm exhausted, exhilarated, and excited to see what comes next after all this work. So, in 10 words:
Preparing for God's powerful next chapter of ministry at LifePoint!
8.22.2010
Tahoe Baptisms
Trying to get back to the blogosphere...
Today, LifePoint Church held it's 10th annual Tahoe Baptism service. We went up to the lake after church, there was food, lots of folks hanging out and having fun, and laughter filled with joy. Then we gathered by the side of the water and began to sing some worship. It was amazing to watch people's faces as they sang to the God of Creation by the side of one of His most beautiful creations.
Then, after a quick talk, a quick game of 'dunk the pastor,' and some instructions, people started coming forward to be baptized and make a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. I was struck by the way the crowd celebrated and cheered for each one, but what really touched by how special it obviously was to each person being baptized. There were real tears, and shouts of real joy. God has changed these people's lives, and they were ready to celebrate it with their LifePoint family! There were 35 people who went public with their faith today, on a public beach in the most public way. And I am so humbled and blessed to be a witness to it, much less a part of it.
Hours later, people were still milling and talking and laughing and playing on the beach when I packed up my family and started for home. My first Tahoe Baptism, the church's 10th, and such an amazing preview of coming attractions. The fellowship was deep, and the joy was real. So good to be a part of this!!
After I got home, ate some pizza and reflected back on what we experienced today, I am again blown away by God's amazing love and grace. That I get to be a part of a ministry like LifePoint, where God's hand of favor is obviously on us is a blessing beyond words. In a season of transition, while we work to clarify the next steps in the life of this church family, to see and celebrate so much life change is a rare and beautiful thing. All praise to God for His abundant blessings!
I'm going to bed here soon, exhausted from a great day, full of joy for the ministry God is doing, and more excited than ever before about what He has in store for us next!!
Today, LifePoint Church held it's 10th annual Tahoe Baptism service. We went up to the lake after church, there was food, lots of folks hanging out and having fun, and laughter filled with joy. Then we gathered by the side of the water and began to sing some worship. It was amazing to watch people's faces as they sang to the God of Creation by the side of one of His most beautiful creations.
Then, after a quick talk, a quick game of 'dunk the pastor,' and some instructions, people started coming forward to be baptized and make a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ. I was struck by the way the crowd celebrated and cheered for each one, but what really touched by how special it obviously was to each person being baptized. There were real tears, and shouts of real joy. God has changed these people's lives, and they were ready to celebrate it with their LifePoint family! There were 35 people who went public with their faith today, on a public beach in the most public way. And I am so humbled and blessed to be a witness to it, much less a part of it.
Hours later, people were still milling and talking and laughing and playing on the beach when I packed up my family and started for home. My first Tahoe Baptism, the church's 10th, and such an amazing preview of coming attractions. The fellowship was deep, and the joy was real. So good to be a part of this!!
After I got home, ate some pizza and reflected back on what we experienced today, I am again blown away by God's amazing love and grace. That I get to be a part of a ministry like LifePoint, where God's hand of favor is obviously on us is a blessing beyond words. In a season of transition, while we work to clarify the next steps in the life of this church family, to see and celebrate so much life change is a rare and beautiful thing. All praise to God for His abundant blessings!
I'm going to bed here soon, exhausted from a great day, full of joy for the ministry God is doing, and more excited than ever before about what He has in store for us next!!
7.11.2010
Time Away
Yep, it feels like we just got here, but it's time to get away. We have not been to visit Beth's parents since Rachel was about 2 years old, so today, on Rachel's 10th birthday, we're packing to go see Hal and Dee. It will be a fun two weeks, and I know that everything at LifePoint will run just ducky without me.
Taking time to unplug is vital to our mental and emotional health, and when you're job is ministry, it's also important to unplug for spiritual health. Being 'on' all the time as a pastor leads to burn out, and taking time away is powerful medicine against it. Burn out is an epidemic in church ministry, and I don't want myself or anyone on our staff falling victim to it. Pastor Mark took his family for a break a couple weeks ago, Pastor Jeremy before that, and Pastor Roy and Pastor Tracy just got back from theirs. The time is right for me to take a break after the last six months of candidating, leaving our great life in Pocatello, moving our stuff, getting kids in school, finding our way around church and a new community, and managing somehow to get some ministry done in the meantime. Before the run up to launching the Fall season and the slow climb to Christmas (yup, I said it... :) ), it would be good to take my family and get away.
I will expect to hear good things!! Pastor Roy and Pastor Mark will be teaching, and they're primed with their parables to let it rip! I will be heading to church a couple times with Beth's folks and can't wait.
Thanks to all who have already expressed their encouragement and prayer support for our trip, it's great to know that so many understand that a pastor can't be there every weekend. I really feel prayer making a difference in my life and ministry here, so please keep it up!
I promise I'll have a story or two when I get back. Maybe even a shirt. :)
Mahalo, Ohana!! (Thanks, Family!)
Taking time to unplug is vital to our mental and emotional health, and when you're job is ministry, it's also important to unplug for spiritual health. Being 'on' all the time as a pastor leads to burn out, and taking time away is powerful medicine against it. Burn out is an epidemic in church ministry, and I don't want myself or anyone on our staff falling victim to it. Pastor Mark took his family for a break a couple weeks ago, Pastor Jeremy before that, and Pastor Roy and Pastor Tracy just got back from theirs. The time is right for me to take a break after the last six months of candidating, leaving our great life in Pocatello, moving our stuff, getting kids in school, finding our way around church and a new community, and managing somehow to get some ministry done in the meantime. Before the run up to launching the Fall season and the slow climb to Christmas (yup, I said it... :) ), it would be good to take my family and get away.
I will expect to hear good things!! Pastor Roy and Pastor Mark will be teaching, and they're primed with their parables to let it rip! I will be heading to church a couple times with Beth's folks and can't wait.
Thanks to all who have already expressed their encouragement and prayer support for our trip, it's great to know that so many understand that a pastor can't be there every weekend. I really feel prayer making a difference in my life and ministry here, so please keep it up!
I promise I'll have a story or two when I get back. Maybe even a shirt. :)
Mahalo, Ohana!! (Thanks, Family!)
6.30.2010
Seeing God In The Mess
Yesterday was one of the top five hardest days in my ministry. No lie. I can only think of a couple that were much more difficult.
Our LifePoint family has been made aware of the difficult financial situation we are in as a church, and the potential of layoffs for staff. We got to that point over the weekend, and I had to deliver the bad news to both the individuals that were being laid off and to the staff team as a whole. As a pastor, called by God to love and care for the flock, being a part of that was not easy, not fun and not without real pain on my part. I love to share good news (and The Good News), but this was bad news. Hard news. News that was going to hurt when it landed.
But God did what He always does and what I too often forget that He will do: He showed up in the middle of the mess and made Himself known. All the folks who were laid off were amazingly upbeat about it, and each one was willing to offer whatever time they would have in the future to volunteer in ministry. Instead of hard feelings and running away from the pain of losing a job, they were understanding of the situation, and even encouraging in the midst of this. Honestly, I was touched deeply, humbled and blessed to have the privilege of working with such high character people.
Difficult times are what God uses to reveal our character, and the depth of maturity exhibited by these folks was very evident. I've been privileged for much of my career to work with high character, high capacity people, but this was a special moment of getting to see the bedrock of people's character revealed, and I'm just in awe of God's handiwork in their lives.
Once again, when I'm trying to look at what is happening and what might happen from it, God is already there in the middle of it all, bringing peace, pointing a way forward, and loving everyone through the mess. A friend told me recently not to run from pruning seasons in my life. While there is no escaping the pruning God is doing in this season, I also sense there are deep lessons to come in my life and in the life of our LifePoint family that come with this season. Right now, the main lesson is: God is with us in this. He doesn't abandon us when the going gets tough. He's walking through this with us, and all the work He's been doing in our lives has been preparation for these moments.
I'm clinging to that truth. I'm aiming for a better future, knowing that the mess we're feeling isn't the end of the story. God is the end of the story. Keep reading!
Our LifePoint family has been made aware of the difficult financial situation we are in as a church, and the potential of layoffs for staff. We got to that point over the weekend, and I had to deliver the bad news to both the individuals that were being laid off and to the staff team as a whole. As a pastor, called by God to love and care for the flock, being a part of that was not easy, not fun and not without real pain on my part. I love to share good news (and The Good News), but this was bad news. Hard news. News that was going to hurt when it landed.
But God did what He always does and what I too often forget that He will do: He showed up in the middle of the mess and made Himself known. All the folks who were laid off were amazingly upbeat about it, and each one was willing to offer whatever time they would have in the future to volunteer in ministry. Instead of hard feelings and running away from the pain of losing a job, they were understanding of the situation, and even encouraging in the midst of this. Honestly, I was touched deeply, humbled and blessed to have the privilege of working with such high character people.
Difficult times are what God uses to reveal our character, and the depth of maturity exhibited by these folks was very evident. I've been privileged for much of my career to work with high character, high capacity people, but this was a special moment of getting to see the bedrock of people's character revealed, and I'm just in awe of God's handiwork in their lives.
Once again, when I'm trying to look at what is happening and what might happen from it, God is already there in the middle of it all, bringing peace, pointing a way forward, and loving everyone through the mess. A friend told me recently not to run from pruning seasons in my life. While there is no escaping the pruning God is doing in this season, I also sense there are deep lessons to come in my life and in the life of our LifePoint family that come with this season. Right now, the main lesson is: God is with us in this. He doesn't abandon us when the going gets tough. He's walking through this with us, and all the work He's been doing in our lives has been preparation for these moments.
I'm clinging to that truth. I'm aiming for a better future, knowing that the mess we're feeling isn't the end of the story. God is the end of the story. Keep reading!
6.22.2010
One Foot In Front Of The Other
Sometimes making progress looks like a freight train: all kinds of noise and momentum, steam and smoke and nothing can stop it.
Sometimes making progress looks like a traffic jam: stop and go, with frustration and hopefully music playing, but not getting there quite as fast as you had planned.
Sometimes making progress looks like putting one foot in front of the other. It's just taking the next step, and then the next one, and then... pretty soon there are a few steps run together and you are further than you thought.
Right now, I feel like I'm in that season, one step at a time. The great things that God is doing in our church are real, they are obvious and they are resounding with life change. Two more people this past weekend accepted Christ in the ESL class we do on Saturdays. Ten kids made a profession of faith at our kid's camp last week. The Chiapas Mexico mission team is getting their final funding together to be able to go and bless a growing network of churches down there. I'm hearing reports of lives and marriages put back together in our Biblical counseling ministry. So much good is happening, I can't help but give praise to God each day.
This past weekend, we had a family discussion in worship concerning the church's financial situation. Tough stuff. I'm not going to lie, it's never easy to stand up and talk about those things. In church, money is one of the most, if not THE most sensitive topic to discuss. But during the weekend, many folks were bold enough to take steps of faith toward what God wants to do here at LifePoint Church, and several were kind enough to encourage the other leaders and myself who had to deliver the news.
Sometimes progress is made $5 at a time. Sometimes progress is made $500 at a time. Sometimes it's made one step at a time. I'm glad that God doesn't run a stopwatch on our steps. He just celebrates each one that brings us closer to Him. May all of our steps move in His direction.
Please continue to pray for all those who are out of work and looking for jobs right now across the country and in our own valley. God has promised to provide, so let's ask Him to take care of His people this way.
Sometimes making progress looks like a traffic jam: stop and go, with frustration and hopefully music playing, but not getting there quite as fast as you had planned.
Sometimes making progress looks like putting one foot in front of the other. It's just taking the next step, and then the next one, and then... pretty soon there are a few steps run together and you are further than you thought.
Right now, I feel like I'm in that season, one step at a time. The great things that God is doing in our church are real, they are obvious and they are resounding with life change. Two more people this past weekend accepted Christ in the ESL class we do on Saturdays. Ten kids made a profession of faith at our kid's camp last week. The Chiapas Mexico mission team is getting their final funding together to be able to go and bless a growing network of churches down there. I'm hearing reports of lives and marriages put back together in our Biblical counseling ministry. So much good is happening, I can't help but give praise to God each day.
This past weekend, we had a family discussion in worship concerning the church's financial situation. Tough stuff. I'm not going to lie, it's never easy to stand up and talk about those things. In church, money is one of the most, if not THE most sensitive topic to discuss. But during the weekend, many folks were bold enough to take steps of faith toward what God wants to do here at LifePoint Church, and several were kind enough to encourage the other leaders and myself who had to deliver the news.
Sometimes progress is made $5 at a time. Sometimes progress is made $500 at a time. Sometimes it's made one step at a time. I'm glad that God doesn't run a stopwatch on our steps. He just celebrates each one that brings us closer to Him. May all of our steps move in His direction.
Please continue to pray for all those who are out of work and looking for jobs right now across the country and in our own valley. God has promised to provide, so let's ask Him to take care of His people this way.
6.18.2010
Updating Along The Journey
I had a great talk with a friend from Idaho last night, and was reminded how much work and time is involved in the transition, any transition, that we walk through in life. It's hard to remember that it takes time to settle things down, to figure out what the 'new normal' will be, whether that's in a friendship after someone moves, or in a new job, or in the twists and turns of ministry. Things don't always go according to our plans, and the unintended outcomes of our decisions along the way sneak up on us from time to time.
For instance, my friend was telling me that they get that my life here is full, it's just hard to remember when they are missing me and can't talk to me every day like we used to. It's a process, getting used to the changes that God takes us through. So we took time to reassure each other of our friendship and that in the midst of finding the 'new normal,' we still pray for each other and still care for each other. It's hard, but God is in it, so it will be good.
So one of the places where I want to be effective is on this blog, but in the midst of the transition, my time to post has suffered. I'm still finding my way, and despite my ever-changing schedule, it seems I can't figure out when to post, or how to carve the time to do it. I could use your prayers for effective ministry, and that the right priorities, including time to blog, get sifted through the God filter and show up where He wants them to be.
This week has been up and down, but all good. My 100th day on the job at LifePoint Church was Tuesday, and it was marked with some good stuff and some hard stuff. Other meetings and appointments were about important, God-focused opportunities and the challenges that always accompany them, but the hand of God is clearly moving us forward.
This weekend there will be a special message for the LifePoint family. If you can be there for one of the services, please do. There will be a special time of prayer offered afterward for anyone in need, so if you need prayer, come get some, and if you want to pray, come bring some.
As the pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson liked to say, "The future is as bright as the promises of God!" Keep looking to the promises, and we'll see the future continue to light up!
For instance, my friend was telling me that they get that my life here is full, it's just hard to remember when they are missing me and can't talk to me every day like we used to. It's a process, getting used to the changes that God takes us through. So we took time to reassure each other of our friendship and that in the midst of finding the 'new normal,' we still pray for each other and still care for each other. It's hard, but God is in it, so it will be good.
So one of the places where I want to be effective is on this blog, but in the midst of the transition, my time to post has suffered. I'm still finding my way, and despite my ever-changing schedule, it seems I can't figure out when to post, or how to carve the time to do it. I could use your prayers for effective ministry, and that the right priorities, including time to blog, get sifted through the God filter and show up where He wants them to be.
This week has been up and down, but all good. My 100th day on the job at LifePoint Church was Tuesday, and it was marked with some good stuff and some hard stuff. Other meetings and appointments were about important, God-focused opportunities and the challenges that always accompany them, but the hand of God is clearly moving us forward.
This weekend there will be a special message for the LifePoint family. If you can be there for one of the services, please do. There will be a special time of prayer offered afterward for anyone in need, so if you need prayer, come get some, and if you want to pray, come bring some.
As the pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson liked to say, "The future is as bright as the promises of God!" Keep looking to the promises, and we'll see the future continue to light up!
5.30.2010
Getting Back To The Blog Business
Sorry to all you who like to follow the blog, I wanted to leave the post up about Priority Time so folks could see it, and then things got exciting all week, so I didn't get back. Oops. :)
I'm in the process of thinking what would work best here, what the best times/days to post, the right subjects, etc... So feel free to pray for me. In the meantime, I'm going to be adding some blogs I've been reading to the side, and throwing out a book or blog review from time to time, in case that would help anyone out there.
Things are going well for us here in Minden, church is moving forward well, with some really exciting things and some definite challenges, but God is really very present and moving, so all good stuff. Family is good, healthy and looking forward to the end of school this week. Beth is getting opportunities and offers to do some cool ministry, and I'm banging away at all I need to learn.
Meantime, thanks for praying, and please keep it up! Much left to learn, much left to hear from the Spirit.
I'm in the process of thinking what would work best here, what the best times/days to post, the right subjects, etc... So feel free to pray for me. In the meantime, I'm going to be adding some blogs I've been reading to the side, and throwing out a book or blog review from time to time, in case that would help anyone out there.
Things are going well for us here in Minden, church is moving forward well, with some really exciting things and some definite challenges, but God is really very present and moving, so all good stuff. Family is good, healthy and looking forward to the end of school this week. Beth is getting opportunities and offers to do some cool ministry, and I'm banging away at all I need to learn.
Meantime, thanks for praying, and please keep it up! Much left to learn, much left to hear from the Spirit.
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