Contagion

I'm heading out to our denomination's district conference this early afternoon. It's going to be good to get my head into a different space to just relax but also to have some different brain stimulus to hopefully generate some new creativity for the future. I feel like I'm in a rut right now so it will be good to have some change. We're going over to Victoria so that's always a nice getaway. However, our whole family is sick with colds and sore throats so we'll have to see what happens. There is a wireless hotspot in the hotel but I'm not sure how much I'll actually use it. (knowing me it'll be everyday but I'm not sure how much I'll blog)

Yes I know, the blogsphere is going to be lonely without me...but rest assured...I'll be back soon:)

I'm extremely disturbed right now. I just watched Blood Diamond and it made me sick to my stomach. It wasn't because I thought the movie was bad or the acting. It wasn't even the content of the movie (based on a true story). What disturbed me most is how stinkin' ignorant I am of the world around me. That my life is so wrapped up in our high class part of the world that most times I honestly don't care what's going on in other parts of the world and that is an extremely sad realization to come to...even as I sit here typing it out.

Part of our dream for TXC from the beginning is that we would make a positive impact that reaches into our community and across the world. It has to happen. It's so easy for me to get wrapped up in figuring out to be a pastor that I forget to be a human being that loves others just because I love them. That maybe I can love someone without some crazy agenda of getting them to come to our church. Why can't I love them because there is injustice being done to them and it's my duty as a fellow human being that lives in complete freedom to do something about it...anything.

This is only the tip of the iceberg of what's going on in my brain. Some would say this is guilt I'm feeling but I think it's God convicting me of the way I've been living my life. I believe that God has put me in Mission, right now, for a very specific reason. I believe that our influence is going to begin to reach into the corners of the earth and we're going to see some crazy amazing things take place that only God can accomplish...and I believe that he's going to start seeing them accomplished through us...now.

Wow, what an answer to prayer! Bek's been getting job interviews like crazy over the last few weeks but she's particularly wanted one. anyways, today she got offered that job.

I'm stoked for her first because it gives her different type of confidence. She's been stuck at home with Emma for the last year and for her to get out and be free for a few hours a day is huge. It just means that I'm stuck at home now but I can get most of my administrative work and sermon prep done from home so it's not too big of a deal.

I'm also stoked cause it will give us some breathing room financially. It really is quite amazing because this last month we made a decision to up the ante with our tithing and take it to the next level. We really didn't have the means to do it but we prayed about it and decided that if God was going to take care of our church that as the leaders of it, we needed to step up and step out and trust God on a whole new level. This choice meant that we were going to have to trust Him for our personal finances at a whole new level too. And then along comes this job offer.

Some may call it coincidence...whatever. I call it God. And it took us to step out without the knowledge of any return at all and this happens. It blows me away at how God takes care of us every step of the way. And we have gull to think we can make it on our own. I'm so glad I don't have to make it on my own.

One of the challenges I love about preaching is figuring out how to communicate in a way that makes sense. Some would argue that all you have to do is get up there, read some Bible and stop. The problem is that if we don't take into consideration who our audience is we could be just flapping at the mouth and facilitating an extended nap time. It's way tougher when you have to study, not only the Bible and it's message to us, but also the people in who you are communicating to. The truth is the truth and that never changes. Yet a lot of times, how we hear the truth determines if it's received well or not.

For instance, I was watching "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" late last night and it was hilarious (albeit crude and profane...maybe I shouldn't have been laughing). But one thing I noticed is that this guy has a really tough time communicating in a way that people will receive what he has to say. Maybe he's learned from experience that being nice doesn't change a restaurant and being a jerk does. Nonetheless, if I was the chef on the show last night, my knives would have been looking very tempting as Ramsay cut into this guy about how his food tasted like *beep* and that he was a *beepin* moron for thinking that his *beep* would actually be considered *beepin* food. On and on he went and the chef (who's food definitely looked like *beep* and he was a young, cocky punk) was just getting angrier and angrier as the tirade went on.

The point is that the truth hurts sometimes but how you communicate it can take the edge off. My bottom line is that I want the gospel to offend (if there is any offending that is going to take place). I don't want my bumbling fool head to do the offending. And that's the challenge I like: communicating the truth in a way that makes sense. It's those "light bulb" moments that I love when God illuminates something and someone says "I finally get it!". If no one's getting it, I might as well throw in the towel. But I think God has been gracious to me so far. I have so much to learn and I won't ever arrive and "The world's best communicator of truth". But I love the journey. I love the challenge. I love the result: life-change.

I gotta say...I'm impressed. I know Dave likes recognition (everyone does no matter what they say) but he's probably getting sick of me brag about him on my blog (maybe not). But today was one of those days where someone's character shines in a way that sets them apart from other people.

He hadn't slept since 8am yesterday and his flight got into Vancouver @ 3am this morning with him getting home at 5am. A short little cat nap and he and Charlene were up and at 'em. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have shown up this morning. Dave kept saying "No, I'll be there" and I was like "We'll see". I knew he was loyal but I had this little inkling that when he got back and realized how tired he was he'd be calling me up (On the phone he lost on the trip...nice) telling me that he just couldn't make it. I know I would. But whether he just had to prove me wrong or whether he just really has some good character going on...he showed up. And he was good! The whole band was good which was awesome cause they just did a quick run through this morning and that was it. It was good seeing Donavan on bass again...just like "the old days"

Donovan Price made his debut as he kicked off our series "The upside down way of God" and he did a great job. I felt like I should be doing something. I rambled on and on during my welcome...I think I've got some "listen to me everyone issues":) I'll be back on the saddle next week...hopefully I have something to say! (ya...don't think that will be an issue)

Everyone needs easy friends. They are the kinds of people that you don't have to perform for. I mean, you shouldn't have to perform for anyone, but we all do. We all want people to think our house is nice and that our kids are perfect and that our bathroom "is always this clean". (ya right!) But if you have to perform for all of your friends, sooner or later, it's gonna burn you out.

That's where easy friends come in. They are the friends that don't need you to entertain them. They are the friends that are okay with silence when there is nothing to talk about. They are the friends that don't care if you've had a shower in the last week (I mean...uh...did I just admit that?). They are the friends that don't expect stuff (like my new towel I'm getting from our "friends" in mexico?:) to be given just because. They are the friends who don't drain you. They are effortless (kind of). They are the friends that you can call up when you're other plans fall through and they don't mind being second pick:) They are the friends that aren't offended when you call and tell them you're bored and that basically, they are the last choice on your list of things to make you un-bored! They want to hang around with you as much as you want to hang around with them. They are hard to find but once you find them, they're hard to lose. (at least they should be!:D) We don't have very many of these kinds of friends and to be honest, I like it that way. It just really sucks WHEN THEY'RE NOT AROUND!

So if you don't have any easy friends, find some. Take the time up front to invest in the relationship. These friendships aren't formed over night but once that friendship is formed, you won't regret the time spent in the least.

Here's to you...our easy Mexican friends!

Warning: Extremely incoherent post ahead! Read at your own risk!

• Donovan's preaching for the first time this weekend. I'm stoked! He told me a bit about what he's gonna say and it's gonna challenge us in a huge way. It's also the start of a new series
• I'm getting the preaching itch! It has almost been two full weeks that I haven't preached and I can't wait to get back. I didn't think I would missed it this much but I do. I think part of it has to do with the fact that it keeps me thinking about where we are headed. Maybe a better description would be that it "forces" me to keep thinking.
• Dave got sick on Tuesday and spent the night puking! He says he's better now. His plane gets in at 3am on Sunday morning and we start setting up at 7am. He better show up or he's fired!:)
• I've been finding it challenging to find the motivation to make sure I'm spiritually growing on my own. I read books like no one's business but lately when it comes to me reading my Bible, it's been a tough go. That doesn't make it okay. That's just me being honest and transparent. That's hard to admit when you're a pastor because there is this hidden expectation that the pastor should read his Bible 3 hours a day and be a master at knowing everything spiritual. I guess we have bad days (weeks,months) too.
• I'm as excited today about the future of our church as I was just over a year ago when the whole thing was still just a concept!
• I really want us to be more involved in the community more. There are so many needs and lots of times I feel a little bit like a deer caught in the headlights, not really knowing which way to go. I think we just need to start with something. Maybe one day in the near future, some of us can head on down to the union gospel mission and meet some of the folks there. It's so easy to talk about not being in the Christian ghetto and talk about being missionaries to our community, it's another thing to do it. I don't wanna be a church that is all talk.
• I wonder if the potential flooding in the coming weeks is going to effect the theatre? It seems that it's in the prime location to be flooded out if it does happen.
• Does anyone have any connections with the owners of the bingo hall/liquidation world mall? I want it! They just need to be willing to sell it for a couple hundred bucks!:)
• It sure is going to be nice when we can pay multiple staff and we can all be on the same page throughout the week. Sometimes (like this Sunday) it feels like we've been in totally different worlds (which we have) and it can be a challenge to be going in the same direction. I think we are doing a great job but it will be nice to be able to meet during the week.
• On that note, does anyone out there have some FREE office space they would like to let us use for a church office? Yes I know, I'm asking a lot. But hey, if I don't ask, who's going to?! And what's the worse that can happen, I can get laughed at? It won't be the first time!:)
• I love the fact that we can break the mold of "how church is always done" and actually enjoy ourselves without getting all bent out of shape because "that's not how it's done" in church world. I love the fact that we have people that are a part of TXC that are willing to experiment with us in new ways of connecting the disconnected to Jesus. This is only the beginning of the journey...the best is yet to come!
  
• I sure am blessed to have a roof over my head, food to eat and an amazingly beautiful wife that is also an amazing mom to our incredible kids and an awesome partner in ministry.
  

I think that about does it...random thoughts from a scattered mind

Tonight was our UnderCurrent and it was the first one in a few weeks. We've had an interesting time getting it off the ground, just with family stuff coming up and all. This week, Ryan was sick in the hospital so the two remaining couples paid him a visit in the hospital. To be honest, (not that Ryan being sick was a good thing) I liked doing that more than having a "canned" discussion about something "spiritual". I think that connecting with each other exactly where we are at is the most spiritual thing we could do. Imagine if we walked into the hospital room with our DVD player and said "We're gonna watch our nooma video and talk about God tonight because that's what we do!" Ryan would never come back. I'm way more of a "let's just be real" kind of guy. I love God and because of that, I always know that my conversation will more than likely steer in His direction...I don't really have to plan for it to happen.

Afterwards we went out for coffee with Mark and Trish (the other couple) and she said something interesting. She recalled the first time they visited I said something to the effect of "Our lives are messy and that's okay. If yours isn't...you may not be human. We want to invite you along with us as we walk towards Jesus and become the people he wants us to be" (sounds like something I'd say) But she was just saying that it was refreshing to hear someone say that it's okay for life to be messy...that there aren't always a lot of answers (at least not the ones that we are looking for or want to find all the time).

When she said this I found it interesting. I don't know if it's just because I've been thinking this way for a long time but I just assumed that other churches are like ours. I'm not sure why anyone would ever feel the need to portray that they have their crap all together. I don't know how anyone would think people would find that attractive. I know I wouldn't follow someone that wanted me to think that because I'd know they were full of you know what immediately.

I was telling them that I really don't know what I'm doing. It's almost comical sometimes! I mean, I could call up some really cool sr. pastor guy and ask him how to do the whole "sr. pastor thing", but does he really know what he's doing either? I know, some of you can't handle the fact that I don't have it all together. That I have issues just like you. That some days I wake up and am not sure why I do what I do. That some days I doubt God. That some days my life is a mess.

But that's who I am sometimes. I don't have the magic formula for this thing. I'm in the process of becoming who Jesus has created me to be just like you and we're on this journey together.

And just like Mark and Trish, I love being a part of TXC because of that...the freedom to become rather than the restriction of being who others "think" I should be. This freedom belongs to you as well...will you walk in it?

I haven't led worship in 8 months! At our sending church, one of my roles before I left was co-leader of the worship department. But when I got the dream to start a fresh new church, the first person that came to my mind to ask to lead our worship was Dave. He was with me for 5 years leading the worship for youth every week. In fact, I think he may have only missed one wednesday night in that whole 5 years. He came a long way from when he started. Initially, I was the worship guy for youth as I was a volunteer working with the current youth pastor. As a volunteer I recruited Dave to come onto the team. Thinking that what a good leader does is replace himself, I replaced myself with Dave and he became the worship guy. I worked out perfect because when the youth pastor resigned, I took over. In hindsight, it was a very naive but good move.

5 years later, we're planting a church together. The thing I love about Dave is that he is so stinkin' talented but when he's on stage he's not all showy. He just leads and he does it well. His guitar playing hasn't even been showcased at TXC like it could be. He's insane but knows how to bring it out when it's the right time. He can make any song sound good.

The problem is...he's in Mexico! And he's scheduled to fly back into vancouver at 3am this Sunday morning. He's assured me that he is still gonna lead on Sunday. I want to believe him...I really do! If it's in his power, I do believe that he'll be there. But what if something happens that is unforseen. Like he gets picked up on drug trafficking charges, or his plane is delayed or that ring worm that he picked up from the taco he ate on monday decides to wreak havoc on his body? So, in the case of one of these things coming up, I'm getting prepared. And am I ever rusty!

Until last Wed., it had been 8 months since I had even picked up my guitar! I originally thought that I was going to be some worship pastor somewhere, someday, but since planting TXC, I have had no desire to even touch my guitar. Leading the church and preaching is where I feel like I'm supposed to be. I love it! But this week...this week could be my reintroduction into the worship scene. Compared to Dave, I'm a toddler on the guitar. I can barely remember where my fingers go for each chord! I can't sing nearly any of the songs he does!

So it's guaranteed to be all acoustic driven with no technical prowess and all "Olllllld Schoooooooool" (insert sound effect here). Yes I know...some of you are cheering like crazy right now cause you love old school...but unfortunately, that's not who we are! You can get old school anywhere you want in the fraser valley!

Anyways, pray like you've never prayed before! We need Dave back this Sunday, healthy and without too much of a sun burn (because we are all so cool and we wouldn't want him to wreck our look :D) Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder. I've realized that so much of what Dave does gives me a headache and having to do it during is absence is driving me nuts! Now if he can just get past those drug sniffing dogs...we're all set!:D)

Today I had a chat with my friend who replaced me at my sending church and I was reminded that church planting is my sweet spot. Throughout my whole time as a youth pastor I never felt like I was totally lined up with how I was wired as a person. I can't really pin point it but I just know that church planting is awesome! I don't have it all figured out in the least. A lot of the time I feel sick to my stomach because I don't know what's going to happen next (which is a good thing!). I'm not totally sure how to lead a church the way I'm supposed to (maybe that's a good thing too!) I feel like I've grown so much in the last year as we've planted TXC. I feel Bek and I have grown so much because we've had to have a whole new level of faith when it comes to the finances of our family and what our future will look like. I've had to learn to listen to the voice of God and take risks, even when it looks like the outcome could be less than perfect to me.

I just feel like I'm in the exact place I need to be right now. The future is uncertain but I wouldn't have it any other way!

It's 6am and all I hear and smell is popcorn...30 bags of microwave popcorn to be exact! so much popcorn that my microwave won't pop it in the time it says it will because it's starting to die due to overload! All this because my darling wife had the incredible idea to go and buy this popcorn, juice boxes and tons of candy to make candy bags at 9pm on Saturday night!

I stood there popping this popcorn with a pit in my stomach thinking "What on earth are we doing?" I had heard numerous people say "Oh, we're not going...it's 'just' a movie" and they had got me thinking that it would be just me, bek and our kids at the theatre on Sunday morning. That's a lot of popcorn for us to eat to make me feel even remotely satisfied about popping it and getting sick because of it!

We had known that we were showing a movie for "church" for a few months as Dave and Charlene were going to be in Mexico on a holiday (which is where they are right now...lying on a beach). so instead of doing what we normally do, only way worse...we decided to go a different direction and encourage some dialed down community by watching an Imax video. Originally, we weren't going to have popcorn, juice boxes and candy bags because we had just had a continental breakfast the week before and didn't think we needed to do any more. But, leave it to my wife...she came through in a huge way (even though I had the treacherous job of the popcorn!).

At 9:50am, Ryan Peppler looked at me and said "Is this all the people coming?" Oh man...yep. That's all it looked like. The faithful few. But for some reason I forgot that every week, everyone shows up at 10:01 and sure enough...that's what happened. Even though of our regulars decided that watching a movie didn't merit "going to church" but we still had the same amount of people that we normally have. The crazy thing is that we couldn't get people to stop talking in the lobby/atrium. There was such a buzz in the air. We had to start "herding" people in so we could, in fact, do what we came to do:) As people started walking in, their faces lit up as they saw that there was popcorn, juice and candy for anyone who wanted it. The lineup felt like it was actually a movie. As everyone made their way to their seats, the sound of crunching popcorn was hilarious as we're used to having people just sitting there. And for the first time, I got up front a prayed before a movie! It was awesome to see the diversity in the crowd from little tiny babies to grandparents...and everyone was excited to be there.

As the movie ended and we were all making our way out, I had so many people say that they had a great time...that it was really nice to have a change of pace and just be together without any other agenda. It was an experiment, especially doing it during the time when we normally "have church" but it was one of those experiments that boosted momentum instead of breaking it down.

Next week, things will be rockin! Everyone will be rested up (hopefully! Dave and Charlene's plane flies into Vancouver this sunday at 3am! Hopefully they'll show up!) and ready to get back to what we normally do.

Donovan Price will be making his debut on the teaching team as we kick off our new series titled "The upside down way of God" I'll be speaking the following week and I'm telling you, I'm feeling the itch already! You may not be able to shut me up!

I don't know what's happening with TXC, but from what I can see right now, it's something amazing!

This post may offend some folks because it will sound like I'm ticked off and that I think our church is better than everyone else's. Trust me...it's not and I'm not ticked. I just think we need to answer a few questions if we're going to make a difference that lasts.

So the question is "If younger generations (youth/young adults) can't stand going to church on Saturday/Sunday, does it really work in the long run to start up a separate ministry for them so that they will enjoy learning about God? What happens once they graduate? Is the Sunday service still going to suck? Then what?"

I had a conversation with a youth pastor friend of mine (one of the guys going on a sabbatical) today and we didn't really get into it, but this was one of the questions that came up right as he was leaving the coffee shop. He's feeling a little burnt out with youth ministry and is basically restarting all over again which happens more frequently than we would like to admit. His frustration is that lots of the youth in his youth ministry don't go to church on Sunday because it's lame. He's contemplating starting a young adults thing for the same reason.

But my question is "Why?" What happens when they are too old for young adults and what happens on Sunday still sucks? Then what?

At the same time, my experience tells me that changing a church that is dead set in it's ways is next to impossible.

My answer to him: plant a church. Not out of rebellion or anger, but out of a desire to connect emerging generations to Jesus. Because the reality is that there aren't a whole lot of churches that are concerned with that. They are more concerned with doing what they've always done. If a young person can't handle it, they should learn some respect and deal with it.

The problem is that they are learning to deal with it...they just aren't coming. Period. So what do we do with that?

When we started TXC we tried our hardest to not be reactionary and not birth out of what we weren't going to be. Instead we actively tried to focus on what we would be. That's a hard thing to do and we haven't got it nailed down yet. The problem is that we do have to be a little bit reactionary just because of what has already happened. We also want to continue to be proactive so that we don't have to react in the future. Some of the ways we are trying to be proactive:

1. Because a lot of people who are disconnected from Jesus view church as Sunday morning, a lot of them will check out Sunday to get a feel for the church. We want Sunday to be good. Not too impress people, but because we don't want to be there either if it sucks! We want a 13 year old to walk out of the theatre saying that he connected with God, not "That sure was lame"

2. We are going to do our best to connect people together that are in the same generation but we definitely aren't planning on starting any age specific programs. Mainly because we don't think that we can do anything better than what we are already doing on Sunday. If a teen/young adult doesn't like what we do on Sunday, anything we start for them in competition with Sunday is definitely going to suck.

3. We have chosen to be progressive and change. A lot of times it can be easy to get stuck in doing things the same old way week in and week out. The problem is that emerging generations are used to change and it happens in our world every single day. We've chosen to embrace change and those that can't handle it will eventually leave and there is nothing we can do about that. Our music will change. Our look will change. Our style will change. Our intimate feel will change as we get bigger. We will change. Traditions and history are great to look back to and see where we've come from. But living there just doesn't make any sense.

4. We are trying to live out and communicate the fact that the collective gathering that takes place each week isn't what being a Christian is all about. Honestly, this is a challenge for me. I don't know if it's just my brain or what it is but it's very easy for me to default to "going to church" mode instead of "being the church". When we get so wrapped up in what happens at the gathering that it's what we live for, we're missing the mark. It's not that we can't be excited to get together...but that's what it should be about...being with the other people that are a part of our faith community. It shouldn't be about wondering what songs we're going to sing or what the "most holy preacher" is going to reveal from God's word or what he's going to be wearing or how many people are going to show up so that I feel better about myself. I think that the gathering should be about us as a collective faith community, looking back at what God did this last week and looking forward to what he's gonna do this coming week. Everything should point to that and if there's something stealing the show and causing us to focus on it rather than on what God is doing among us, there's a problem.

It's so easy to be the church and yet it can be extremely hard. Learning that I need to be in the middle of the world. I need to have friends (or at least be around people) that don't know Jesus. It helps me stay aware of what's really going on in the world and it creates a tension of trying to figure out how I can provocatively live my life in a way that shows something different. God's only plan to reveal himself to the world, after Jesus of course, was through the people called the church. The problem comes in when we stay huddled up in our fancy buildings with walls that are impossible to get through. Even when we don't have a church building we can get caught up in our little Christian ghetto because we're scared spitless that the Devil is gonna get us if we venture out into the world where real people live. It's as we live as if Jesus really was in us that people will see something they want. We won't even have to pick up our megaphones or walk around with our billboards anymore. Jesus is attractive. It's usually us that people don't like.

I know 3 youth pastor's that are taking Sabbaticals this summer. Two of them are already gone, one is getting ready. Must be nice. Too bad I'm not a youth pastor anymore. Actually, I wouldn't go back to being a youth pastor even if I got paid double I make now. It's not because I hate youth (we have youth in our church so that wouldn't be cool) but because I love being a church planter. I absolutely love the rush of not knowing what's going to happen and that the whole thing will fall apart if God doesn't come through in some miraculous way. Don't get me wrong, this almost puts me in my grave sometimes as well, but a majority of the time I love it. I love the fact that we get to try new new things and go in new directions without having to tip over years' worth of sacred cows, ticking hundreds of people off (Maybe we'll be there one day...but right now I'm loving it!). I love the diversity I see in our congregation already. I'm not sure how it happened but we've got quite a few people coming that would stereotypically hate our style and how "unprofessional" we are.

So I'm not even close to wanting to take a Sabbatical. This week we're watching a movie and next week Donovan is making his debut on the teaching team so I'll have two weeks without the constant nagging feeling in my head that I've gotta preach in a few days. That'll be enough to give me some wind back in my sails for the summer. I'll enjoy the time off (I'll still be there on Sunday) but I really do feel in my element when I preach so I'm sure there will be some craziness going on when I'm back in the saddle.

I can totally understand why my friends need a Sabbatical. Maybe they should plant a church!

This could be the longest that I've ever gone without posting but this week was just one of those weeks where I didn't have much too say. I was anticipating what would happen on Easter and I think there was a fair bit of spiritual warfare going on in my part of the world which made life interesting. But I made it! And today rocked.

Leading up to easter we had to make a choice of what we were going to do, make a big splash with everyone and do stuff we never do just so people think we are cool or keep doing what we always do so that when people come back the next week they know what to expect. We went with option number 2.

We continued to experiment with the conversation style of communicating and it was awesome. It's a bit of a challenge for me because I like to have it all mapped out and know exactly where I'm going. This way, I've gotta make sure I'm ready to go off any of the comments that are made. I actually don't have a lot that is firmly memorized, just a basic concept now and that's a little nerve wracking. One of the questions was "Why do you follow Jesus". It was silent for the first little bit and I thought that maybe we should all pack up and head home but then we started talking and talking and talking....and talking some more. It was cool to see some of us share something and have their comment spark something in another person who continued the conversation. Never have I seen a 12 year old boy share openly in church about his faith in Jesus and why he follows Him...until today. It's been an incredible experiment for us and we've had endless comments from people saying how much they love it and can't figure out why they haven't experienced this until now.

We did communion for the first time today and it was amazing. We decided to do two things that were different from how we normally experience communion. First, we chose not to tell those who don't consider themselves to be Christ followers that they couldn't participate thus singling them out and making them feel stupid. I think most people know that we aren't just serving up bread and juice for "snack time" and that it means something. I explained why we do this in a very clear (hopefully) way so that people understood why we talk about the blood of Jesus and why we're washed in it, drink it, get purified as white as snow by it, etc...and why we drink juice to remember what the blood did. It was kind of a good friday/easter sunday style morning...the whole deal all wrapped in one. Second, we invited people out of their seats and down to the front to get it and take it back to their seat. We don't want this to be something people do because it's being passed down the row right in front of them. We want them to want to participate. I was getting prepared for 5 of us to come down but I was blown away when the music started up again that people just started streaming down. We didn't read the traditional passage and we didn't do one part at a time all together. We left it up to each of us to determine when and how. And to be quite honest...it rocked! The word I've been hearing to describe TXC lately is refreshing...and that's the word that best describes today. Like you've just been out on the hot sun and you fall backwards into a nice refreshing pool...relaxing...rejuvinating...safe...challenging.

This week I want to challenge you to live like Jesus is actually alive. We have a reason to be excited. We have a reason to have peace and joy in the middle of life's storms...to love people for who they really are without a hidden agenda...to have a smile on our faces (yes...I'm talking to myself!). Sometimes there is no distinguishable difference between us and the next person except for the fact that we "say" we follow Jesus...but saying we do...does that REALLY make any difference? Does saying we do mean we are? And if we say we do but really aren't...why? Why do we even care about following Jesus? If people can't see that you are different does what you say matter?

If you say you are...let your life SCREAM this week. Try shutting your mouth and let who you are point people to Jesus.

"Live" the mission...

It looks like there may be a new wave of energy at TXC. Last week was an unusual spike everything and I wondered if it was just one of those "fluke" Sundays where everyone was just visiting at the same time. Dave made the comment that maybe it was the start of a new trend....that appears to be what it was. It's maybe a little obvious because it's easter and that is typically when people "come out to play" as it were but nonetheless, as a young church that is on a mission of connecting people to Jesus...it's a breath of fresh air each week when it happens.

I was really nervous today. Not because I had to speak or anything like that. But because I had no control. (yes...it's true...you can read multiple other posts about my desire for a script in front of me that tells me everything that's going on...I won't get into it today). We were attempting something new that was either destined to succeed or destined to fail. I hardly ever bring notes because I usually memorize what I'm saying...but today was different. I had no notes because there were none!

I read Matt.23 when Jesus had a good 'ol throw down with the Pharisees and then we had a discussion. I asked how are we like these Pharisees and how have we treated people in society the same way. How has the church made itself the gatekeeper for who "does or doesn't make it in" and thus make it impossible for anyone to want to come in...

This was where I was a little freaked. I like to think that I'm "progressive" and all that other lovely stuff but I'm pretty stiff and traditional deep down cause it makes me feel safe. I was pretty much worried about where the discussion would go and if I would have the ability to track with it. My issue is that I'm not a very quick thinker on my feet. When someone burns me...the comeback shows up about 5 hours later. So I was worried that I would be left saying "Okay...that's all I've got...see you next week!" But that never happened.

It seems that people DO have stuff to say. They aren't interested in just listening to someone yak on about things they already know. Maybe it was just all of the opinionated people talking but I think on the whole it gave the whole bunch the feeling like we all had a say in today's gathering. I loved it and hopefully it's the beginning of something with us.

I hope the point got across loud enough that I'm sick of playing games and that we won't be a "gatekeeper church" but that we will live in the cross current of where people live. The place where the kingdom of God is brought to the world. The place that chaotic at the best of times but it's the place where life is meant to be lived. And in a round about way I said that if that isn't cool with you...maybe it's time to find a church that won't tick you off every week! I'm just sick of us saying we're one thing and then living a completely different life. What a waste of time! Pick something! If you're gonna follow Jesus, then do it! Stop trying to have the best of both world because living on the fence sucks and then you actually get the worst of both worlds.

----deep breath....ahhhhhh----

so what was I saying? Oh yes...today. The band was awesome again...but it wasn't the typical awesome...they sounded great but today was the first time where we had one of those "worship moments" where people were connecting with God and God was connecting with people and you could feel it. It was one of those times where there was hardly any music playing and the air was almost heavy. Nothing weird or hokey...just God speaking to people and vice versa...it was very refreshing. I haven't had one of those experiences in a long time and it almost felt like a weight was being lifted off my back. Kudos to the guys for being sensitive enough to let God take the stage and not hoard the limelight.

I'm stoked for Easter. I don't know what will happen but it's gonna be good. We don't have any tricks up our sleeves except a full band. I'm not a fan of putting on a huge show and then having people come back the next week to see something super lame because we spent all our resources for the "Big Day". We are who we are and that's what guests see every week and that's what they'll get this week. It's the following week that will be different as we won't be doing what we usual do on a Sunday. We are still in the works of deciding what is best to do but I just want to encourage you to have an open mind and broaden your horizon of what Sunday morning can look like.

If there's anything you do this week...please stop playing "God games" and get serious about "what you are about". If it's God...then let it be him with everything you are. Start living the mission wherever you find yourself.