Our Hangout

Our Living Room

I've had so much I've wanted to post on, but my schedule has kept me from doing so. Still, today we started "Living Rooms" (small group environments) at POG. I wanted to get some thoughts down. There's a chance that you've been in a small group before. There's a good chance that you've been in some good small groups and maybe some bad ones too. But after several years with many different small group experiences (some good, some bad), I'm more convinced that this is what church should really be all about. No, I don't mean just getting together in a house, eating food and sharing, sharing, sharing. Those are components of it, but not everything. I think where a small group gains the opportunity to become Church is when they capture a vision for ministry for mission. To know that they've been brought together not to be another religious social gathering of Christian acquaintances. But to be brothers in sisters in Jesus Christ called to be his hands, his feet, his mouth, his heart to our world. We're trying to figure out how this needs to look like as we engage in our Living Rooms. There's a buzz, an excitement about what God could and wants to do in our midst. We thought there might be interest for two groups (we didn't want anyone forced into this) Instead we're starting three groups. That's almost half our church. It was cool to see someone who wasn't supposed to be here drive in from Hamilton just to make it to our first meeting. When a group of people walk into such an environment longing for God do something, willing to commit to whatever it is that will help them surrender more to him, that's a recipe for God Stuff happening. This Motley Crue in our living room probably wouldn't impress many. But I believe God's about to take them for the ride of their lives. I am really, really excited!

"Just look at me now!"

I posted this at the POG site.

Here's a comment from one of our communication cards this past weekend...

"Before I came to this church, I was in a very bad place in my life. My mother had just overdosed. I was trying to get away from drugs, but it was hard. So, I turned to God for help and, well, look at me now! My whole family is clean and I'm back in school and for the first time in my life I'm happy. I just wanted to thank you for the help!"

And this is why we want to be church at POG! So that all of us, wherever we are, can seek God, turn to him, and, together, journey toward, and experience everything that he created us to be.

POG Annual Meeting

I had my first Annual Meeting at POG today. Best congregational meeting I've ever been to.

We discussed, leadership, vision and finances. There were no votes and we were done in less than 20 minutes.

Several people, somewhat new to POG, also commented that that had been the best congregational meeting they'd ever been to.

For those who are Robert's Rules of Order crazy, this definitely would not have measured up.

The meeting was followed up with a potluck and all in all a very fun morning.

New Website

PORT OF GRACE HAS A NEW WEBSITE!

www.portofgrace.org

Have a look around...

Baptisms

I love Baptisms. People saying, "I will follow Jesus."
"I want Him more than anything else"
"I have counted the cost and whatever it is, it's worth it.

Below are some pictures of our recent baptisms. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the two baptisms that happened Easter weekend.

This last one is Lucas. Lucas is my firstborn. You will have heard much about Lucas and his life questions and journey on this blog over the last 4years. It was my pleasure, privilege, to baptize him this past weekend.

Lucas came to Vania and I two weeks ago, before the last baptism, and asked if he could be baptized. That led to a discussion about him maybe waiting until he was a little older. That discussion went on for quite a while, until he said, somewhat hurt, "I just want to follow Jesus!" Vania and I looked at each other and knew the discussion was over. We had a great time with many family members who came down for the baptism and just to celebrate with Lucas and us. It was a great time, and something I believe Lucas will always remember.

Good Friday @ POG

Good Friday at POG began early in the morning, 7:00am to be exact. A bunch of guys coming and going, setting this and that up, talking, laughing, all getting ready for breakfast at 9:00am. This is doing life together. As we were getting ready I must have had over 10 different conversations (deep stuff) with different people, or with several guys here and there. We discussed theology, life, family questions...it was clearly my favourite part of the morning.

Once again our guys were putting a meal together on for the rest of the church. We're talking buying the stuff, getting it, setting up, cooking - all with no help from any of the ladies (except one who snuck in to wash some dishes in the end, but she was quickly kicked out.) I noticed that normally when it comes time to thank the people in the kitchen at most churches (no judgement, just an observation) you usually thank the ladies in the kitchen. Both the last times we've put on a meal for the church, it's been all guys. And each time more of them are involved. Really cool!

I've no idea how many people we got out for breakfast...lots, we had no more room...and little food left over. It wasn't just a church thing. Talk spreads quickly around here. Talk of a free meal, even quicker. So we had lots of people drop in, eat and leave. I must say in my heart, I was troubled by that at first...but we had enough food and in the end it became a connection point with them...I'm okay now.

The rest of the morning consisted of a very simple worship service. Four or five songs, a video clip of the crucifixion and communion together. A nice and simple celebration.

Yesterday had the feel of family. There was something in the air. You couldn't keep people quiet. There was a buzz. It was exciting. And everybody who came seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Here's a picture that I thought captures "POG"...

Why are the flowers in Jail?

Found myself dressing up Sunday evening to speak at another church just outside town. Ok, dressing up is a stretch, but I'd been in jeans in the morning, so anything else these days is dressing up. I just like not having to "have to" do it anymore. Even though I've never been very good at doing it, even when it was expected of me.

The most interesting comment in the evening came from Nina (our three year old), who asked the question, "Why are the flowers in jail?"

The church has a baptistry at the front, but in order to keep the kids from using the baptisty as a short-cut, the church put up some steel bars (the kind that keep people from breaking into shops windows). On the other side of the bars was a flower arrangement.

Sometimes if we could see with the eyes of a three year old, maybe we'd see things differentely.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging the church. Some would say POG wouldn't exist if it weren't for this church. Actually, I don't really believe that. But God did use them in our history and I respect that.

But Nina's question just reveals that many times we make decisions in church without thinking of how things appear.

Anyway, most of all, I just thought it was a funny observation at the time.

Neat Sunday all around

Yesterday was a neat day at church for several reasons...

For the first time in many years, I didn't take any extra medication before heading out to church. Which meant that, after church, I was able to stay awake and spend the day out with Vania and Lucas.

We also had a communion service centered around communion, with no sermon. We had a ten minute (Rob Bell) video clip, followed by a two or three minute explanation and the celebration of communion together. (If you're not familiar with Rob Bell, he's one of my favourite preachers.

Everyone also walked away with a bouncy ball as a connection to a spiritual truth. We kept the children in the service (cause I thought they would get it). Later in the afternoon, I asked Lucas about it, and he thought the video was boring, but when I asked him what the point of it was, he got it! One out of two isn't bad, but the next time I need to make sure it's 2 out of 2.

Great time together. There were more things, our prayer and praise time was awesome. But I'll leave it that for now.

Christmas Windows

One of the real cool things about being a store front church is that we have, a store front. Something that we can be creative and send messages to the community, as well as draw out curiosity in people.

These are our Christmas windows. Pictures just don't do them service, but that's just the way things are. Anyway, one just wishes everyone a Merry Christmas from us. The other one has a picture of our Christmas series and has gifts in the window. On the front of each gift is a very short blurb on this week's talk, with several questions that, hopefully, will make people curious.

The neat thing is watching people walk by, stop, look and come a little closer to get a better look. Also leads to some neat conversations. Although it was really cold today and as I was talking to one person I had tears just streaming down my face (from the cold)...eventually I invited them to step inside where we continued for the next ten minutes or so.

I like this window thing! Much better than a sign!

The fun goes on

Thursday night our executive met to discuss findings from a recent leadership meeting and to move from that to some priorities that would hopefully begin to lay the groundwork for some direction...

So, what did we come up with? Nothing earth shatering, but this is us and this is where we're at.

These are not in any order...and I'm just remembering them off the top of my head, might be missing one or confusing two...oh well, of no consequence.

1. We have space problems and they're only getting worst. It's such a cool problem to have, on the one hand, but it means that we're working hard to try and be able to find better configurations so we can seat more people in our limited place. A better configuration right now means lots of rows, something impersonal, that I don't like much...but it seems we don't have much choice in. There's a restaurant in town I'd love to buy...but that's a dream away. I did speak on generosity this weekend, so I might have made some room :). Beyond all this we want to take a complete look at our building and how we're using it, so we can maximize our potential for ministry in and beyond our walls.

2. Finances...with small churches come issues of finances. Actually, I've been in churches of different sizes and find that finances aren't an issue of size. Still with getting more people usually comes more money. But also more needs and more demands and you got it, more finances...am I going in circles? Good thing God owns all the cattle in the fields, because he's gonna have to take some to auction.

3. Leadership training. We have a few people doing lots of work. Not just that, of the few that are working it isn't really an organized effort. No criticism here...these people really have sacrificed to be where POG is at. And when you're smaller you don't need as much structural organization, but then you get to where we're at and in order to move forward you need more training and a more organized effort. As well, as perhaps, the most challenging fact of all which is working in "teams" of people to accomplish the things that in the past only needed one or two people to do.

4. Children's ministry. What can I say? We have some incredible, wonderful, people trying to make do. We need more people to do something impactful at all levels with our children of all ages. I think that I'm mixing this up. In truth Discipleship, overall, is a major need in our midst.

So, does that sound like a challenge? Here's what I realized on thursday night, if it's up to me, we're done! But I also realized something else, it isn't up to me! Some comforting words came to me since then, "I desire obedience, not sacrifice." Kind of like, obey me and watch me work. My part in all this, demonstrate this and help others get it.

I'm excited about what is ahead. Yes, I'm sure we'll have our mountains to climb and with mountains come valleys, as well as mountain tops...best of all I'm glad we have the one who made the mountains and the valleys leading us.

We meet next week to discuss some action plans.

First general leaders meeting

Yesterday was our first general leadership meeting @ POG, since my arrival.

Although the complaint (lighthearted fun) was that we started late, we did end early, a few minutes anyway.

It was a great time of prayer, discussion and presentations. The neat thing was that as we brainstormed at different tables...there were clear running themes and threads all throughout the night. Giving us all a sense that God was doing something beyond ourselves, almost inviting us into more of Himself.

I'm not used to describing meetings as fun - but it was. There was plenty of laughter and even some firsts for some people (like my friend Darren presenting for his table - I'm sure he never believed he'd do that before), and there was popcorn - something I learned from an old friend.

All in all, a great night. You could have more people, but that, too, will come.

Only a month?

As I was making my way around the blogosphere and thinking on how I've sort of been away for a while, with the exception of casual posting. I realized that I've been busy.

It's hard to believe that I was only hired a month ago (in a couple of days) and that I've only preached three times in that month. In a very positive way, it feels like longer. The experiences of this past month while; preaching, watching people respond to God, jamming with the band, praying with a small group of people, talking to people who are in the midst of some deep pain - have filled this month and my life with the overwhelming sense of God at work. And don't get me wrong...I'm more convinced than ever before in my life, that it's not what I have to offer that's making the difference. For some reason Jesus has decided that this is the time and place to do some really neat things...and I'm along for the ride. Don't get me wrong...I'm not sure what this all means...I can't tell you that our church is going to grow to this or that number, actually, on certain sundays I've been afraid that it's going to grow by less people wanting to be a part of this.

God is blessing our family so much, in so many ways that I keep getting blown out of the water. Just last week I spent an afternoon with a group of pastors from different denomination representing all the churches in the town but three (not all were there that day-but that's usually the group) anyway, we ate, we talked about being the Kingdom driven here and beyond and how God might want and could use all of us together to accomplish it and then we prayed. We prayed for one another and we prayed for one of them whose life is just being turned upside down and I was just blown away by thanksgiving that filled my heart to just be present.

I am busy and so posting seems to come like this, in spurts and then I want to put in everything at the same time...not good posting...but that's how it is right now.

God is good, so many God-stories happening all the time. I know there will be "other" times, but I thank God for these times. This Sunday is our welcome celebration to POG, I'm looking forward to it with great anticipation.

Don't let me mislead you. This is a church like every other church. A church filled with broken people trying to love and serve Jesus. Brokeness is evident at every level. But so is surrender. The same guy who just put out his cigarrette outside will come in and tell you how God removed the fear from death from his life and how he is experiencing that peace that passes all understanding. And I think...this guy is ripe for some major Kingdom work through his life.

Well, it's late and Thanksgiving (the holiday) is done. But my heart is swelling with thanksgiving, in ways that I don't know how to express it, it's so cool.

ok, I'll shut up...more later, maybe...

God bless you with the peace, joy and thankfulness that defies all understanding!

What time is it???

Had my first middle of the night crisis!

The phone rang somewhere between 1:30 and 2:00am and grogilly I answered.

All of a sudden there was this very excited police chief on the other side asking me if I was the new pastor at Port of Grace, and how long it would take me to get to the church? I think I mumbled five minutes and arrived a few minutes later at the church to a fire truck and several police cars parked in front of the church. Of immediate interest was that the main church door was cast aside off of it's hinges.

I was greeted by like (50) firemen as I got out of the van. Ok, it must have been 15, but it felt like 50.

Now, I've got you hooked.

Well, here's the deal. There was a storm last night. And we've been having a problem with our fire alarm. When there's a power outage, something goes wrong and our fire alarm goes off. Well, when they arrived and were about to break into our lock box, that would keep a church key available so they could get in, there wasn't one, because the last time they broke in they destroyed it. So, they just took the main door of the hinges and did their thing.

Anyway, we're in the process of getting this stuff fixed. The awkward part about this all. Were this to happen in TO, and I would have have several very irritated firemen to deal with. Instead, these guys were all really nice (I know you're getting tired of hearing this stuff) but they really were. He even asked if I had an extra key that I could give him so that they could carry it around with them in the truck for the next time. "The next time?" They just expect that they'll have to come back and do this again. I was expecting a lecture on how if this happens again, they won't come and all that jazz. You could argue with a lack of fires, this is fun because they get to play fire trucks and all that stuff. They certainly had enough firemen there, to a citywide fire out :)

Okay, I won't bore you...about fifteen minutes later the door was back on, locked, and I was back in bed wondering whether it was just a dream.

My first middle of the night crisis is under my belt! Okay, I don't wear a belt...whatever.