Thursday, April 30, 2009

21

First thing, let me apologize for not posting last week. We had a couple of deaths in our church and I was preaching on Sunday morning. With all the extra activities going on, I did not get around to posting. If I would have posted I would have given you some insight on the past weekend’s prayer team meeting and the upcoming Q & A luncheon. Since I did not post, here is what has happened.

Our April prayer team meeting did not go so well. Between the weather and other obligations, we had four people show up. Four people is four people and I am grateful for those who showed up and prayer walked some streets for us. I also know however, that if we start becoming lax, we can justify our involvement and necessity for praying. Most of our churches have lost a sense of urgency in praying and approach it as an after thought. Lord help us to not lose sight of the power and importance of prayer.

We hosted a Q & A luncheon this past Sunday. Our leadership team provided the soup, sandwiches, and desserts. We had a great turnout and great environment. We had some great questions and great interaction. Communication has proven to be very important as we are starting this new adventure. People have been very supportive and encouraging as we put one foot in front of another moving closer and closer to September. Our goal is to host one more luncheon before September rolls around. We’ll keep you posted. However, you do not have to wait for the luncheon to ask a question. Feel free to send an email or leave a comment here that you would like to see addressed. Remember, we want to be as authentic and transparent as possible.

Sunday morning we were also able to meet with the leadership team. We had a great conversation about our vision and value statements. It was great to have everyone together. This is more than laying the foundation of Hamilton Village. This is also doing life with families and allowing God to use our giftedness, personalities, and passions to provide an environment that will encourage Kingdom growth. I am blessed to be a part of what God is wanting to do.

I read this statement in a book this week that really confirmed what we are doing, “There are two kinds of people in this world: those who live outside-in and those who live inside-out.” I really believe this team lives from the inside-out. They want what is on the inside of them (triune God) to change the world, culture, friends, family around them. Change that is eternal and significant happens from the inside out. Church has its own culture, language, and system. However, sometimes we allow the church to get in the way of life change. We expect them to change on the outside so they can experience change on the inside. Jesus’ invitation have always been come as you are. This team gets that and is excited about creating this environment in Fishers that is inviting yet points to the One who can facilitate life change from the inside out! The subtitle of the book I’m reading says it all: because knowing God changes everything!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

XXIII

Michael Jordan wore number 23. Perhaps, the greatest basketball player every to lace up a pair of shoes. The argument has been made that he’s one of the best but not the best. Regardless of his “rank” it is undeniable that he could play and play well. One of his biggest assets is how he can tune the crowd completely out. Jordan focused on the task at hand and played the game. It did not matter if he was playing at home or on the road, the crowds were spectators and did not influence his ability to dribble, shoot, or pass.

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve encountered a little noise as we prepare for September. If you focus on the noise, the noise takes precedent and you stray off task. It reminds me of Elijah on Mt Horeb. Elijah was running for his life and spent 40 days and nights on the mountain waiting to hear from God. He lost focus though. He was waiting to hear from God in the noise of the wind, earthquake, and fire. It wasn’t until the still small quiet voice came along that Elijah heard from God. You have to train your ear to hear it. If not, the noise will drown out the voice you are wanting to hear and the focus will be on the noise rather than the voice. And what good does it do to focus on the noise? It wastes time and you go nowhere quickly.

This week we were able to focus on the main thing and ignore the noise. We found a new home! Forum Credit Union operates a conference center in the heart of Fishers on USA Parkway. The conference center hosts, weddings, receptions, town hall meetings, and other banquets. Forum has more than adequate space and room for us to worship God in Spirit and Truth on Sunday mornings. We have signed the contracts to being using the conference center in June. Sundays at Forum is empty and quiet. Beginning with our soft launch in June, maybe we will be able to hear God’s still small quiet voice.

I also had a great time this week meeting with three pastors from Illinois.  Dow Baptist Church and Meadowbrook First Southern Baptist Church are going to be in Indy July 13-18.  They will be staying at Northside and serving in Fishers.  Holiday Shores Baptist Church will be coming to Indy sometime in August under the same arrangements.  All three pastors are excited about their churches being involved in church planting.  In our meeting yesterday they each expressed a desire not to make this a one and done trip.  Partnerships like this take Kingdom mentality where all those involved understand that every role is important, necessary, and crucial.  We are trying to align our schedules for me to be able to visit and share with all three churches in May.

God is good.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Twenty-four

Being a huge 24 fan and wanting to be Jack Bauer one day, I could not resist the opportunity to at least mention him and the show in this blog. There is a fascination with the heroics of Bauer. The guy does seem to save the day quite a bit. In fact, every hour he does something that is mind boggling. We are amazed by his abilities and activities and not so much by his personality or character. However, he is a fictional character and one day the show will come to an end and Jack will have to ride off into the sunset. I have spoken loosely about getting a t-shirt made that says, "I love Jesus and Jack." In all honesty tough, there are no comparisons.

Something funny happened on the way to planting a church. I have been blown away by how God continually shows up at just the right time. Not once have I have been worried about how God is going to fulfill His promises because worrying isn’t going to help the situation. So last week when it was confirmed that we were going to have to find a new place to hold services, I took it as another opportunity for God to be glorified in providing another space.

On Tuesday Jim Moran and I met with a local corporation about the possibility of renting some open space that they have available. The meeting went great and I am optimistic that we will be able to work out an agreement and contract. My faith in God would not have wavered if we were still searching for a location. My faith is rooted in who God is and NOT in what He does. As of this blog, I give God the praise for the open door that we’ve been able to knock on. If the door closes, I know that God is faithful and will complete this work that He began.

As far as week 24 goes, we are fast approaching the half way point. Beginning this month, the leadership team will begin meeting consistently. We will start discussing things like membership, assimilation, church polity, and systems. The reality is, we can set up Hamilton Village in a way that remains Biblical and yet has the flexibility to change methodologies to be the most effective. Our identity as a church is not tied to a style of worship, a program, or an event, but in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Finally, as we celebrate Easter, may we be aware of those around us that need to experience the power of His resurrection. May they see His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness and understand that they are the beneficiaries of it all. May we all fall more deeply in love with the Father for who He is and not because of what He does.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Week 25

Back in February, we hosted our first prayer meeting at Genesis Art Instruction. While I was speaking to the prayer team, I was very open and honest about the obstacles and trials that we would face in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. One would have to be naïve to think that everything would go as planned and stay on schedule. In fact, I have been encouraged by the insights of those who have gone before for us; just when you think you are ahead; you realize that you are behind. Not that I enjoy being behind or being late, but as the battle rages on, the enemy will put up a fight to keep his claim to what he thinks is his.

As I write this entry, I am reminded of those words I shared that day. We recently found out that we will not be able to meet at Genesis Art Instruction in Fishers. While I’m confident that God crossed our paths, circumstances have arisen that are out of our control. God will continue to use Kelvyn and Tami in the Fishers community for His glory. I have come to appreciate their hearts for our community and the arts.

I am confident that God has a place for Hamilton Village to meet and grow. Not only does He have a location for us to meet, but He has a place for us to call home. God is going to provide a ministry hub that meets the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of families in Fishers. Temporarily the hub will likely be a rented facility of some kind. This facility will be a place that has room for growth for our worship services as well as adequate space for our children. We are aware that a positive environment for children is key for a second visit and assimilation.

We have to remember that God is in total control of this process. He has brought us this far, He will lead us the rest of the way. Bring on the growing pains!