Jeff's homepage blog - quite recent 7/01/08  AND  Sunday Night Fellowship Update

The reality is people want church the way they want it. They want instant church. They want programs. Features and benefits. Serve it up.  I can't say that I blame them. After all this is America.  I want it all - I want it now...From Queen to Dr. Pepper to church hunting- This seems to be the sentiment.  Visit any church in it's infancy and you will not see church as you are used to seeing it.

You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny. Huh? Did he really say that?  If you visit our new church plant  fellowship you may hear and see some things you might not expect.  You'll hear straight talk. You'll hear the practical and the simple played out within the deep and theological. You'll hear heaven and hell. You'll hear sin and repentance. You will discover the deep doctrines of God's grace. What you'll you'll hear will be real, relevant and definitely reformed. What you'll see will be real people with real hearts for the glory of God. Interested?  Read on, but be careful.

If you are a Christian serious about being part of a church plant then you are serious about Christian ministry. Most 'working folks" would like to have or be in "ministry". Generally when most people think of ministry they think "mercy  ministry".  But before a church can effectively have a mercy ministries they first have to become a church. This takes people willing to crash through some major spiritual obstacles before "ministry" is in place.  Church planting sounds romantic. It's not. It is uncomfortable and messy work. But it's great too. Unfortunately most church plants fail and leave a wake of spiritual damage behind them. That is why I do not sugarcoat the reality of church planting. I do not want to compromise the spiritual health of individuals and the church for the sake of numbers. This may never be a 'mega- church' but it will be a healthy and effective church. If you love doctrine and theology, have a sense of humor, are not too uptight (frozen chosen), love to love people, and are passionate about the Glory of God, then I've got a place for you.

Church planting takes faith, commitment, grace, patience and vision. If people who come in are not willing to be authentic and committed to take a risk, then their time exploring a church plant is just that - exploring. Hey, I'll be the first to go exploring and I think exploring is great. But, you can only look around so long before it's time to get on the bus. There IS value in exploring. I'll be honest - most people don't have what it takes to even go along for the ride. That's because church planting tills the soil for ministry for the first time through. It breaks new ground and throws out all the rocks. It's a challenge. It's gritty. And like Greg says...It's glorious! (spoken like Don Pardo)

Now that I've thoroughly convinced you not to even visit us why don't you give us a try. If you've read this far you just might have what it takes.

Want to help a ministry? Show up and explore. Want to be part of a ministry? Show up every Sunday evening for fellowship and you'll find yourself in ministry.

If you are interested in visiting we'll do our best to make you feel at home. Next week, 07/06/08, we watch a clip from Braveheart as we continue our expositional teaching from Galatians. Freedom! (roll the 'r')

Below is a video clip we watched a few monyhs ago. It is from the TV show ER. The questions it raises are real and relevant. It's powerful. Take a look and ask yourself how would you answer this man's dilema?