Archive for April, 2008

29
Apr

Why Austin?

By Chris 1 Comment
Categories: Church Plant

Lately I’ve had to answer for, “Why start churches in Austin?”  It’s a good question because there are simpler places with cooler weather (~ha~).  But the truth is for years I have looked at this growing city and sensed God.  Although I know Christ is at work in this region He and the Church are greatly overshadowed by New Age philosophies, religious skepticism, Eastern religions, antagonism or ambivalence, agnosticism and even paganism. The statistics say it all: At last count, only 15% of Austin’s adults claim they attend a Christian church even once-a-month.

I believe you could compare Austin to Amos 8.11-14 when he prophesied:

“I’ll send a famine through the whole country.
   It won’t be food or water that’s lacking, but my Word.
People will drift from one end of the country to the other,
   roam to the north, wander to the east.
They’ll go anywhere, listen to anyone,
   hoping to hear God’s Word-but they won’t hear it.

 ”…lovely young girls will faint of Word-thirst,
   robust young men will faint of God-thirst,
Along with those who take oaths at the Samaria Sin-and-Sex Center,
   saying, ‘As the lord god of Dan is my witness!’
   and ‘The lady goddess of Beer-sheba bless you!’
Their lives will fall to pieces.
   They’ll never put it together again.”

People in Austin are looking for God, thirsty to hear truth, hungry for nourishment.  Thirst and Hunger are strange feelings because you reach the point when you will drank or eat anything.  When you find something (anything) you will gorge yourself - but you’re still hungry and thirsty because it’s not what you need - what you crave.

Jesus often used the thirst and hunger metaphors.  When he spoke of the beatitudes in Matt 5.6 He said, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  Here he speaks of God being your appetite, but Amos prophecies of those who don’t have a craving for God specifically.

I think the prophecy in Amos and the challenge we meet in Austin can be seen in the story of the woman at Jacob’s Well in John 4.7-15.  Jesus physically dehydrated from his journey asked for water. His request shocks a Samaritan woman because Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Soon Jesus is speaking of spiritual living water, while the woman speaks of drinking water.  Jesus elevates the conversation when He says (4.13-14) “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The Samaritan woman still thinks He is speaking of drinking water and asked for this “water” so she wouldn’t have to return to draw water.

Jesus takes the conversation into her personal life and soon she is speaking of a coming Messiah who would explain everything.  Jesus affirms He is Him.  Soon the Samaritan woman returns to town to tell of Jesus and the disciples arrive at the well with lunch.  Jesus isn’t hungry anymore because doing the will of His Father satisfied His hunger.

The story continues today.  People in Austin are thirsty and hungry for God.  Fabrications of God have been accepted as truth leaving one spiritually starved.  But Jesus said in John 6.35, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”  Graceland will help people understand their appetite and that Jesus can fill their yearning.

Welcome to Graceland pull up a seat.

28
Apr

My Wife is a Woman

By Chris 1 Comment
Categories: Family

Until Friday my wife was twentysomething. On April 25th she turned thirty and feels now life begins. I’m not sure what she thinks the last twenty-nine years represented? She had a great weekend with a night with the family listening to live music, to a day at the spa, to dinner with friends (suprised). She keeps telling me it was a good birthday.

I married the most amazing woman. I was pretty lucky she waited twenty-five years for me to get the courage to find and marry her. Werid, but my mother taught me to pray for my wife before I find her. When I was in college I typed up a long list of what I wanted in a wife. I use to pray for “my desirable wife” and that God would form me into the husband she needed. I know it sounds strange, but it worked. I married the person I prayed for - she had everything except the brown eyes. But once you see my wives eyes you realize I couldn’t have prayed for that shade of blue - I didn’t know it existed.

Now my daughters first birthday is next month.

22
Apr

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

By Chris 4 Comments
Categories: Church Plant

Over the past few weeks I’ve had some great conversations with individuals who are considering being involved with the launch of Graceland Church.  I believe in teams - its teams that win, not individuals!  We are looking for “people who have a passion to reach people” and the heart to do whatever it takes.  These types of people look for opportunities to serve and not positions to fill. 

Now make no mistake, we’re targeting pre-churched and de-churched people in the South Austin, but in order to launch we need people who share that vision.  I’ll be sharing more of the values and strategy of Graceland Church over the next few weeks and months.  In the meantime, we’re praying for God to bring together the best possible launch team.  

If you’re interested in the possibility of joining the Graceland launch team then here’s the short list of qualifications:

  • People who value and practice authentic relationships. People who love the benefits and accept the baggage of others. People who desire to help others grow into whole people.
  • People who are learning what it means to worship in every area of their life. Those who worship God through writing, music, art, and compassion. People who invite everyone everywhere into this way of life, and believe it is the best possible way to live.
  • Leaders who see potential in people. We want leaders who help others find their God-given gifts to carry out the ministry of the church and esteem others more highly than themselves. The leader that helps others see we are at our best when we serve, sacrifice, and love the things God cares about.
  • We pray for people who attract people. Influencers, who believe Christians should shape culture, not run from it or chase it. People who are salt and light in society. Pioneer in spirit and solid in their faith.
  • We desire people who feel a desire to “go” and “tell” - making Jesus famous in Austin.

Is likely that Christians will find Graceland Church to be different then other churches, but Christians are not our desired audience.  Jesus was sent to proclaim salvation and so are we (John 20.21).  At Graceland we want to live out the mission of Christ.  So if you live in South Austin and your heart resonates with this new church then leave a comment. We can talk, pray, and see what happens.

A church planting acquaintance posted the below disclaimer which may sound harsh, but it comes from a heart to reach people and I happen to agree with it.  So  after reading the disclaimer, if you’re still interested, then contact me:

1. We’re not looking for church hopping Christians!  If you can’t plug in at a church because you haven’t found the perfect church then let me save you some time.  We’re not perfect so mark us off of your list.  I’m serious!

2. We’re not looking for granola bar Christians!  Granola is made up of fruits, nuts and flakes.  We’re not interested.  We’re trying to reach people that are far from God and to be quite honest we do not want to push them farther away.  Weird in the name of God is still weird!

3. We’re not looking for disgruntled Christians!  If you are mad at your current or previous pastor/church then please don’t expect us to take your side (or even listen to your side).  We have more important things to do then to pacify whiny Christians.  Make it right and move on!

4. We’re not looking for trendy Christians!  We’re not trying to create a new church fad that attracts all kinds of Christians that are bored with their current churches.  We value and respect all kinds of church models and philosophies.  If you like getting on board with new church trends then you’ll find yourself in the wrong place!

5. We’re not looking for fix it Christians!  Please don’t come if you feel the need to fix pastors, ministries and churches.  You won’t enjoy it here and we won’t enjoy having you.  God’s vision for Graceland Church is not broken so please take your toolbox somewhere else!

I agree with him!

Check back often as I work out what Graceland Church will look and feel….

21
Apr

Graceland Church

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Church Plant

Graceland Church <— That is the name of the new church plant God has led us to start.

We are very excited about what God is doing in us. That doesn’t mean from time to time Summer & I don’t look at each other and say “What are we doing?” But that only confirms this is a God movement. I love it when we can see a part of the dream God has for the world. Our dream…our story is happening here in Austin.

I’m sure many of you want to know where did we get Graceland? Why South Austin? When will it start? How can we get involved? What do you need most? We have answers! But that will come later this week.

But we what we need most today - April 21, 2008 - is PRAYER. Please pray for us.

16
Apr

Dallas Tripping

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Family

Tomorrow morning my family is going on our first vacation together. Until now trips consisted of me and Summer playing together (say Florida). But tomorrow we go on a mini vacation to Dallas. I’m excited and you should be excited.

Chris

14
Apr

Do It or Die

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith

I’m one of those people that have to be very careful not to do it all.  When leading a team I often take more responsibility then I should, I go further then asked, and I carry a larger burn for our success.  I know - I shouldn’t.  I recognize the gifts in the team and know God has placed them there for what they can do that I can’t.  I’m learning!  But every leader knows the “buck” stops with them.  And sometimes it feels like you have no answers.

I get really stressed when I feel like everything depends on me.  I was reminded again how familiar Moses feels.  In Numbers 11.10-15 the people of Israel are in the desert and have been eating manna from heaven till their sick of it.  So they go and whine - Moses gets frustrated and God gets angry.  Listen to what Moses says and tell me if you ever feel like this occasionally (The Message):

Moses said to God, “Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, ‘Give us meat; we want meat.’ I can’t do this by myself-it’s too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I’ve seen enough; I’ve had enough. Let me out of here.”

That is probably the funniest appeal to God I’ve read all year - and so familiar.  I love it for two reasons.  First, Moses sounds like he fully expects God to do what He said He would do.  Actually, Moses really does believe God.  He makes it clear here that God called him to lead these people and he expects God to provide - or take Moses out of the equation (this wasn’t apart of the contract).  Second, Moses is completely honest and open about his feelings.  His posture is that of “give them meat or give me death.”  I promise I’ve prayed this same prayer once or twice - lets be honest I’ll pray like this again.

I love it. 

12
Apr

ahhhh…..!

By Chris 1 Comment
Categories: Faith

My daughter is 10 months (11 months if you ask Summer) and at the age when your child starts saying “NO” (or in Tatum cause Ahhhh) and it just makes you laugh.  I say no and she grunts back.  She knows what not to touch and does it assessing my response.  She gets mad at me. It’s hilarious.

It’s funny because it reminds me how I respond to God.  I don’t fully understand how He operates.  I was taught to submit to God (which I agree) but submitting does not mean accepting.  What I mean by accepting is not complaining.  I believe one can submit and still get angry.  Look at the world around us - poverty, pain, disease, injustice.  After college I had similar questions from unbelievers and had no answers (hard for a recent bible college graduate).  I read a book called “When God Doesn’t Make Sense” by James Dobson.  The book didn’t help me - but I’m sure it’s helped others.

I think one of the stories of scripture help me the most (1 Chr 13.5-13).  David has been crown king and desires to bring the ark of God back to Israel.  So they go to Judah, put the ark of God on a new ox cart, rejoiced before God with all their might on the journey home.  All is well until the oxen stumble and Uzzah put out his hand to brace the ark.  The most important symbol of God to Israel is about to role over into the mud, who wouldn’t reach out and hold the ark?  The alternative was to hold the ark as you washed it off and listen to your buddies make fun of you.  So God in His anger killed Uzzah.

So how does David respond?  Angry!  David was angry because the Lord had lashed out at Uzzah.  Then he became afraid of God to the point he decided not to return the ark to the city of David but took it to the house of Obed-edom.

There are a lot of lessons here.  You could teach about faith in God to prevent the ark from meeting the mud.  You could talk about not taking God lightly and how Uzzah’s death leads to a higher respect for God and the ark (2 Sam 6.9-13).  You could teach how blessing comes from sorrow (1Chr 13.14).  But the greatest lesson for me was that we can get angry at God.  We can stomp our feet, raise our fist in the air in protest, and God is big enough to handle it.  But this anger of ours shouldn’t lead us away from Him but toward a deeper respect for Him.  It causes you to say “God, I don’t agree with what you did, but accept your sovereignty over everything.”

How do you submit to God when He doesn’t make sense?

12
Apr

What’s Inside You?

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith

When I was in college I felt God clearly call me into church planting.  There was no second guessing, no “Did I miss God?”  I actually never saw myself as an entrepreneur type before being called.  This was before it was cool to plant churches.  So with single purpose and obedience I mapped out my pursuit of planting.

After three churches and eight years of support planting (bi-vocational staff pastor) we feel God calling us to lead plant a church.  Wisely many organizations have assessments, test, interviews, etc to determine if you got the stuff.  Do you have the church planter in you?  All these test and questions make me wonder if men in the Bible would have made the cut?

Moses (Ex.3) wasn’t a church planter - but he was a leader.  Often I feel like Moses.  I often pray God here I am please use me (3.4).  I hear the calling to go (3.10).  But when God gives a clear “go start this church” I question myself (3.11), ask for signs (3.12), want to know what to say (3.13), think of others objections and responses (4.1), make excuses for my gifts (4.10), and wonder if someone else should be doing this (4.13).  It’s very comical.  But Moses had something inside him.

The list is long, the characters different, but the stories the same.  Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Gideon, Samuel, David, Elisha, Daniel, Peter, Paul - all questioned themselves when God called on them.  However, each in spite of everything obeyed and went. Why - because there was something inside them. Something others couldn’t see but God did. 

What do you think God saw and others didn’t?

09
Apr

Assessing

By Chris 2 Comments
Categories: Family

Summer and I spent six hours Monday being assessed as church planters.  Strange feeling because that is all I’ve been doing for eight years.  I think it was a good opportunity for me and Summer to prove ourselves - to each other.  We are really going to plant a church.

02
Apr

Which Comes First

By Chris 0 Comments
Categories: Faith

To begin, I didn’t come up with this on my own. I read blogs often and one more frequently (because he makes me think and create). He wrote about how work (initiatives, reactions, output, decisions, etc) tells a story.

This diagram made me think about the Holy Spirit’s Work. If your not familiar with the phrase “Work of the Holy Spirit,” it is the Spirit of God showing us what Christ has done and how that makes a difference in what’s going on around us. The Spirit (HS) gives the gifts which make the Body (Christians meeting together) work effectively and powerfully. The Spirit moves people to compassion for others. The Spirit pours faith into us. But where this diagram hit home is how the HS works in us to make clear God’s purpose for us. The Work of the HS is what people talk about, because it’s what we experience. In other words, the Work tells a story.

We all have a story, journey, or personal narrative. But what if you haven’t figured out the story (of purpose) your in yet?

Then the Work of the HS feels random. Then the story is confused or ordinary or indifferent and Christ’s story doesn’t spread.

But what if you could identify what the story is, match the story with the work. You see and make decisions that lineup with the story. The story will become yours because you’re living it. Scripture becomes more profound, circumstances hold more meaning, people influence judgment, and confidence is birthed in prayer.

Does Billy Graham tell a different story from Rob Bell? Of course they do. But look how the Spirit worked in their stories…from the calling they received to the decisions they make about type of ministry and locations. They each have a purpose proceed by a story revealed by the work of the spirit which is the story.

Same is true for that little church down the street verses Fellowship Church. While the stories may end up being similar, each church lives a story in who they hire, how they present themselves, etc.

I believe we each have a story, a life design. We don’t know all the players names but we know their role. Look how the HS lead the story of the first seven deacons (Acts 6), or the church in Antioch in sending Paul & Barnabas out on their mission (Acts 13).

The Story is the Work, the Work is the Story.

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