A Drought Resistant Church Plant

"Church Plant"

Recently following a VCC service a hip couple gave me a most unusual and most inspiring gift, a Cactus. They explained it was drought resistant, like VCC.

A drought resistant church plant.

I love a good pun.

They also gave me a letter and usually in my experience a letter from someone in your church is never a good thing, but this letter was different.  

This letter was map.

Three key landmarks for VCC to follow.

And I'd like to share this treasure with you.

Below are some excerpts from the letter, because I believe they are truths worth sharing.

Three key points of wisdom for a drought resistant church plant.

1. Planting Take Patience 

"Copious, absurd amount of patience.  The plant grows on it's own time. It is a test of faith.  But grow it will, it has no other choice." 

The temptation with any test is to look at your friends paper.  When the nerves come and clock ticks, sometimes all you need is a peak at another sheet to see if you are on the right track.  To see if you are where you are supposed to be.  To see if there really are a lot of 'C' answers.  

It's hard to not notice other church plants growing faster; getting noticed and getting ahead. 

Growing faster may make headlines but growing healthy makes strong roots.

There is a culture at VCC growing.
We are now laying the groundwork with a system of volunteers to support the growth that is coming.

That each volunteer plays a part to help those Find Hope in the Valley. 

2. Nourishing the Plant

"The ego of humans can get in the way of this process.  This is natural, and must not be taken personally.  God wants to see you getting your hands dirty."

A very obvious truth, but also deeply profound.  The definition for NOURISH is...  provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. 


We tend to gravitate to the first two health and growth, but what about good condition?

I want to check my ego at the door.
I want to be in good condition so that my church can be in condition.

I am interested in discovering the other substances necessary...


And that takes help.
It takes others.

Knowing that I do not have everything figured out.

Resting on the shoulders of God and those around.

My hope is for VCC to be a bridge not an island.

3. Planting is Trusting


"You are learning to listen to and trust your voice. To trust the still, small Voice."

There is a trend in the church to copy what is successful.

What is the latest series from the latest great pastor/speaker/author and lets do that in our church and see the same results.  How many pastors out there today are preaching someone else's message and passing it off as their own.

Either intentionally or unintentionally.  And we all have a tendency to want to copycat what 'works.'

My wife's grandfather has told me many times to be a Voice not an Echo.

His words reverberate in my head.
That is what I want for VCC.

David lamented to sing a "new song."
Jesus declared "I make all things new."

It is time for VCC to sing it's song and do something new.

(Thanks Gabe & Nikki)

Jesus in the Bathroom: A Blog About Kid's Ministry

I always was a fan of Kid's Ministry.

It wasn't until recently that I became a believer in Kid's Ministry.

The impression of Kid's Min I had over the years was spiritual babysitting but with better snacks.  Following our services I always like to check in with our volunteers to see if the kids had fun, but then I started to receive feedback about the kid's having more than just fun, they really love the bible lessons; love Jesus.

As a church planter I knew we needed to have something for kids, I didn't realize it could change their life.

Last week this revelation really came to fruition.

We have been featuring The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson with our volunteer team during our service planning meetings, watching the DVD and reading the book as a team.

The Circle Maker has inspired my prayer life and our team.  No other book has redefined my approach to prayer like this one, and it has been encouraging to see what God has done with Batterson's church from the early stages in a school to the transition to the theater with 7 campus across Washington DC.

Last week I was engergized by Mark's prayer walk around Front St and Union Station in DC to do a prayer walk of my own around the community center grounds where VCC meets.

I took my two year old son and we started to walk.

When we reached the front of the community center he started to pull my hand to go inside and said repeatedly, "Net's house! Net's House!"

"Net" is one of our head Kid's Min volunteers, her name is actually Lynnette.  I always have confidence in her and know that she does a great job with kids; however this gave me a whole new perspective when I heard my son call VCC, "Net's House."

One of the most telling quotes from Orange a conference that focuses on Kid's Ministry was,
“What you do with kids now will have a profound impact on how they define church later.”

As a kid we all have that family member or neighbor whose house was cool and fun; where everyone wanted to hang out.  For my son and other kids VCC is that place.

Another comment I heard last week that made me tear up and crack up was from a post on our Facebook page from Sarah, a mom who attends VCC...

"So today we came home from church and my son told me " Jesus loves us mommy" I replied with "yes your right he does". He continued on to ask me who Jesus was and I wasn't really sure how to give an answer to a 4 year old that he would understand. My reply was "Jesus watches over us and is with us all the time". He wanted to know if Jesus was here right now and I said yes. Now he has been coming to me all day telling me that Jesus is over our house, and so far he's been on the couch, in Cason's room, in the shower and peeing in our toilet LOL!!"


I love it!

I love that at such a young age my son and other kids at VCC can have special connection to church, and that is because of people like "Net."

I love having a great Kid's Ministry not just for kids to have fun,
but for them to love a great God.

I HATE YOUTH PASTORS!

I've seen a trend.

It was a perception I felt as a youth pastor.
It is a reality that seems to be true now as a lead pastor.

Maybe HATE is a strong word.
Maybe MISUNDERSTOOD is more palatable.

At times I see a lack of respect.
A total distaste for youth ministry.

There is an analogy that runs in circles that Pastors are like coaches.
And coaches hire and fire their staff at will.

Assistant coaches are just cogs in a larger machine, replaceable.
Hours are greater than their opinions.
And pay is less than well, its just less than.

Youth pastors are seen as less than...

It works for the NFL but not for the ministry.

Another approach maybe to view Lead Pastors as Principals and
Youth Pastors as Teachers.

Teachers are noble and honorable.
Teachers are essential in developing education.
Teachers are molding the next generation.

Donald D. Quinn, professor at Akron University says, "If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job."

Sounds like youth ministry to me.

I believe the best schools have the best teachers.

I believe that churches would be much healthier
if they treated their youth pastors with the respect they need.
The respect they deserve.

Here are some of the quotes and opinions I've heard first hand in regards to youth ministry,
some are from pastors and some are from church officials.

-"Youth Pastors should be seen and not heard in church board meetings."
-"The Senior Pastor is King."
-"Youth ministry is not a priority at this church, anyone can do it."
-"He was a good youth pastor because he always did what he was told."
-"We are excited to have these youth pastors at our church we got them for a bargain."

Despite the discouraging perspective on youth ministry there is a shift taking place.

One of the best opinions I've heard on youth ministry was not on the internet or in a book, but it was from a pastor of over 25 years experience talking to another pastor; that I had the privilege of listening to their conversation.

"I do not understand my youth pastor, and I am not supposed to...
he speaks a language to a generation that I cannot reach."

Youth Pastors may not be hated,
but they are certainly misunderstood,
and maybe that is a good thing.

"...To reach a generation that I cannot reach."

Free Fallin' & Church Plantin'

It's like reaching the peak of a roller coaster one link at a time and then...

It's like stepping inside the batter's box adjusting your swing and then...

It's like jumping out of an airplane and there is no going back. 

It's like church planting.

We planted, launched or jumped in faith Valley Community Church April 1, 2012 and it was no April Fool's joke.  It is one thing to TALK about church planting, it is another to DO church planting.  Four years of talking and planning lead up to this moment, and I was sick, sicker than sick.  On the surface it looked like any other church service but we did it...and there was no looking back! 

The day was a success, but now the reality is hitting me in the face at over 100 mph. 

I feel like Jerry Maguire stepping out of the comforts of his job and into the dream of the unknown. 

The dream of doing things different.

The dream of meeting a need.

The dream of Hope in the Valley.

Each service is another exercise of praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on us.  It is amazing how I've come to value each person, each soul that walks thru the Community Center doors.  I have to be honest, it's hard to remember to do an official count of how many people there are on a given Sunday, but I never forget to make a conscious effort to talk and connect with our VCCers. 

There is pressure to get this church off the ground, much like there is pressure to get anything that is new  stable and moving in the right direction.  Although this feels like a scary ride I just have to sing and remind myself that the scariest rides sometimes make the most memorable rides. 

I am Free Fallin'. 

Free Fallin in Faith.

(I find myself singing in my car like this a lot, and just as off key too).

Soundtracking the Bible Pt. VI Ezekiel - Amos

The genre transitions from wisdom literature to the writings of the major and minor prophets.

The prophetic writings fit together to connect the Old and New Testament like a Swiss watch who's value comes in the intricacy and complexity as numerous parts work together to create seamless movement.

These are books that can be easily passed over because of the cryptic writing and bizarre visions. However, underneath surface lies the inner workings of the gadgets and gears that keep the bible in time.


25. Ezekiel - Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin 

One of the most controversial songs and yet popular of all time is Stairway to Heaven.  Surrounded in rumors of mysticism and backward masking,  the original message was about materialism and inspired themes by Tolken's Lord of the Rings.
Ezekiel is a prophetic book that a good portion of the theology of Lucifer is derived and end time prophecy.  The core of the book is God's faithfulness. How he would rather forgive than judge.

(Check out this amazing cover at LCBC a church Central PA)




26. Daniel - Ring of Fire: Johnny Cash

More than just a play on words as Daniel was thrown into a "Ring of Fire," he is a character that stands for integrity and truth.  Written during a time of the Israelites being in captivity, the main theme throughout is how God's love remains faithful even though His people may not. 
Ring of Fire echoes that same theme of faithfulness.  Written during a time of addiction for Johnny Cash, his wife June Carter wrote this song to her husband.   The title may seem ominous but it is actually a song about falling in love.

(The song takes a more tender tone performed by June Carter)




27.   Hosea - Pretty Woman: Roy Orbison 


The life of Hosea plays out like a modern love story as the song of the same name was featured in the movie "Pretty Woman" about a man who falls in love with a prostitute.  Hosea was also a man that fell in love with a prostitute despite her cheating ways.  The picture of being faithful to the unfaithful mirrors God's love that is the same for us.
The song Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison was about his wife Claudette and has a similar history to Hosea as well.  Written when Orbison and his wife had a falling out.  She cheated on him and filled for divorce but Roy's loved never failed and the couple remarried.



28. Joel- Is It Any Wonder? : Keane

Often thought as the "Prophet of Pentecost," because of the connection with v. 2.28 and Acts 2.16 and the outpouring at Pentecost in the New Testament.  Digging deeper into the book you find a people struggling under a corrupt young king Joash and manipulated by his father.   Joel had a mind like a chess player seeing a couple moves down the line and brought a message of judgment but also promise.
The UK band Keane pens a similar note in the song "Is It Any Wonder?" Tim Rice-Oxley, the main lyricist for the band, said in article for Q Magazine, "It articulates something that a lot of people have felt over the last few years: being powerless and totally misrepresented." The song is also said to have have another message of a trouble relationship between two people, much like God and his people in the book of Joel.



29. Amos - Get Up Stand Up : Bob Marley 

This book is a response to the social injustice of Amos' day.  Amos speaks of how God has a special interest for those who are poor and exploited, as the northern kingdom was oppressing the people of the southern kingdom.  The message of Amos is a timeless one as their are still volatile social issues today when it comes to racial minorities, social classes, single moms, and even the elderly. 
Bob Marley was voice much like Amos speaking to the injustices of his day.  "Get Up Stand Up" was a song about taking action against the oppression in his country of Jamaica and Marley transcended generations as a voice fighting for respect and acceptance.



Next week will close out the Old Testament and the remaining books of Minor Prophets. 

Pearl Jam Pastor

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam

I loved the music of the 90's.

Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins changed music over night from hair-bands and ballads to crunchy guitars and flannel.

Interesting enough, most of those bands did not set out to be famous.

The "Grunge" movement was counter-cultural and these artists were in it for the music not the fame.

“We didn’t write to make hits. But those fragile songs get crushed by the business,” Eddie Vedder frontman for Pearl Jam told Carmon Crowe in an interview for Rolling Stone.

They just wanted to have integrity and make great music.

As a Pastor I struggle with the need to be famous.

I want to have a mega church.
I want to write books that sell millions of copies.
I want to speak at large ministry conferences.

It is frustrating that even myself and ministry can get sucked into the "Fame Machine."

The other side of the "I wants..." leads more out of my heart than my ego.

I want to be a good family man.
I want to have integrity in my craft.
I want to serve my church and community.

This is the place that I want be, but the culture of the day pushes me to not be happy, to want more.

Despite the pull to be bigger and have more it is the small that fuels America in business and in the church.

A recent study by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy counted 26.8 million businesses in the United States.


Of those, 99.9% have fewer than 500 employees and as such are considered small businesses. This means that only one-tenth of one percent have more than 500 employees. Yet, more notable is the fact that according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 98.2% have fewer than 100 employees. And if you are impressed with that number, you may be amazed to learn that in the same report it states that 89.3% of the businesses in America have fewer than 20 employees! Bear with me for just a moment more as I drive this point home. Even more amazing is the fact that 78.6% have fewer than 10 employees and 60.8% have fewer than 5 employees.

A recent study by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research reported 300,000 Protestant and other Christian churches (excluding Catholic Churches) in America.

Of those, 94% have fewer than 500 worshipers and are considered a small church. And to break that number down even further 59% of churches have 99 or less worshipers on a given Sunday.  The Mega Church that is considered to have over 1000 worshipers makes up 2% of the churches in America. The Joel Osteen and the Craig Groschel churches of 10,000 worshipers or more make up .01% of the church population in America.

I may never get that book deal, because quite frankly I am not a good writer, or speak at an awesome church conferences like Catalyst...

but I love my family.
I love my church.
I love what I do
and that Rocks.

Soundtrack the Bible Pt. V: Ecclesiastes - Lamentations

One of the hardest things to do is understand tone from text.

How often do you misinterpret an email or a text message because you cannot hear the inflection in a persons voice?

The same can be said about certain books of the bible, especially Ecclesiastes and Songs of Solomon.  Two books that are definitely not on the Junior Bible Quiz reading list.  The content is deep, poetic, and mature;  and yet, insightful and true.

The songs that cover this collection of books play out like a 90's movie; complete with grunge and classic rock soundtrack.  It was music that was misunderstood, but music that gave a generation a voice.

20. Ecclesiastes- Loser: Beck

You cannot be more straightforward than, "Meaningless, meaningless everything is meaningless."(Ecc 1.2)

In relation to Beck's chorus, "I am a loser baby/ so why don't you kill me."  The voice of Ecclesiastes is a very wealthy man (almost beyond wealthy) at the twilight of his life in contrast to the voice of "Loser" who is young and very poor.  Ecclesiastes was a book Hebrews used for instruction; to find significance when the world can make you feel insignificant.  Beck's anthem did the same for Generation X. 

Both are often misinterpreted.

Both are speaking of time.

(It's interesting that song will find it's way to be a voice of another generation of "losers")

21. Song of Songs- Crash Into Me: Dave Mathews Band

I remember discovering this book of the bible as teenager and it was probably one of the first times I actually got excited to read the bible, and quote some scripture.  The picture of love and beauty is raw, graphic and yet also poetic and enchanting; without being pornographic  Dave Matthews Crash follows the same tension of desire and love.  Crash was the song that began the genesis of thought for this blog series.  When I hear this song or read this book, I see a love story.  

The meaning of Songs of Songs has been highly debated, but great art often does that very thing.

22. Isaiah- Dream On: Aerosmith

The first in the series of four books labeled Major Prophets, Isaiah is a haunting and prophetic book.  The two fold message of judgement but also promise of a Messiah.  The language is poetic but also has a bite, challenging the nation of Judah to live right. "Dream On" by Aerosmith originally released in 1973 was the blueprint for power balleds to come.  Is it a love song or is it something more? "Half my life

is in books' written pages/Lived and learned from fools and from sages/ You know it's true/All the things come back to you."  This song is as relevant today as it was almost 40 years ago.

23.  Jeremiah- All Apologies: Nirvana

Often called "the weeping prophet," because he is one of the most persecuted characters of the Old Testament.  Jeremiah's contemporaries cursed him, beat him and even threw him in prison (Jer 15, 20, 32, 37).  Kurt Cobain's troubled soul is similar to Jeremiah's struggles to know God's plan for his life.

The refrain "I wish I was like you/ Easily amused" echo's Jeremiah's anxiety.  Underneath the unwanted label of the leader of Grunge, Cobain often struggled with the artistic vision of Nirvana be misunderstood.  It is bittersweet to find that Jeremiah never got to see his prophesies come to fruition; and Cobain's life cut short before he could see the influence of his music on future generations.



24. Lamentations- Long December: Counting Crows

Jeremiah's writings are elegantly dramatic, much like Adam Duritz prose style of writing with Counting Crows.  They say misery loves company, and you can picture them both merry in their melancholy.  It is unfortunate that in the American translation loses the aesthetics of an acrostic poem covering his pain and sorrow "literally from A to Z" in the first four chapters. 

Long December was written during a time when Durtiz spent many nights in the hospital visiting a friend who was hit by a car.  This song came out of that experience. "The smell of hospitals in winter/ And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls/ All at once you look across a crowded room/To see the way that light attaches to a girl."

There is comfort in knowing that someone understands your pain. That is the hope Lamentations and the hope in the music of Adam Duritz, "like a lot of songs on the end of an album it's not about everything turning out great, but it at least it is about hope... and the possibilities."

What are some songs that bring you comfort in the midst pain?