hey all everybody. I have a new blog page. Panther city is now defunct.
Check out the new blog at
http://eikonchurch.com/myownpath
peace
Friday, July 20, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Most controversial newsletter article ever...
I love the church I work at part time. The first Presbyterian Church of Granbury takes very good care of me and I love it. I am not sure why, but I felt particularly feisty this month as I sat down to write my monthly newsletter article. So here it is. It was not published. :)
Friends,
Pastor Charles once asked me if I would rather be a priest or a prophet. A priest, he explained, was someone who cared for the people's needs. The priest stayed in one place and ministered to the people and provided them a way of experiencing the divine. The prophet by contrast very seldom stayed anywhere very long. The reason: no one liked him. The prophet sought not to meet people's needs, but to engage in truth-telling for the benefit of God's purpose. Most of us know how often our purposes and "needs" conflict with the gospel and God's call to love beyond ourselves. Back to the question, am I a priest or prophet. Well, since I am not ordained yet, I think I will try my hand at both.
You see, I deeply care about all of you. I deeply care about our youth. I want to be able to help connect them to Christ. However, the prophet inside tells me that God also cares about people beyond my reach. Pastor Charles is correct in reminding us every so often when we remember our troops that we should also remember the lives of innocent Iraqis that have been killed in the fighting. In that spirit, I want to bring some light to something we may never think about. Gordon Brown, probable Prime Minister of England after Tony Blair, has said that in the past, global hunger and poverty was a problem we simply did not have the technology or know-how to overcome. "now", he says, "with the science, technology, and knowledge available, we must face the truth that the real barrier is indifference." America lacks the political will to eliminate poverty. Many of us have not thought critically of our countries policy decisions, but here is where the prophet in me must speak. The war in Iraq costs America $1 billion per day. Congress has repeatedly shot down bills that would give $5 billion (over 5 years) to homeless shelters and food banks which are desperate for support. The cost of the war thus far could have eliminated global poverty and then some. Some call this security, and it may be, but I believe God would call this sin. Jesus' first message to the people was "good news to the poor." Political will is needed for us to act in accordance with the scriptures.
Far from critiquing America's military and troops, instead I feel that Christians must be unified FOR the poor. Over 17% of the Bible speaks about God's heart for the poor and those who should be called God's people being judged for not helping. With such a diverse group as we are, we have such a powerful opportunity to stop splitting our churches over secondary issues and unite under God's heart for the down and out. We all realize our own thankfulness to God for our spiritual salvation, now lets turn our heart to those who need God's physical salvation through the hands of his body, the church.
God bless you all for how warm you have been to the children and youth of our church. They are going to make history. Let's train them well.
Your friendly neighborhood youth leader,
Chad
Friends,
Pastor Charles once asked me if I would rather be a priest or a prophet. A priest, he explained, was someone who cared for the people's needs. The priest stayed in one place and ministered to the people and provided them a way of experiencing the divine. The prophet by contrast very seldom stayed anywhere very long. The reason: no one liked him. The prophet sought not to meet people's needs, but to engage in truth-telling for the benefit of God's purpose. Most of us know how often our purposes and "needs" conflict with the gospel and God's call to love beyond ourselves. Back to the question, am I a priest or prophet. Well, since I am not ordained yet, I think I will try my hand at both.
You see, I deeply care about all of you. I deeply care about our youth. I want to be able to help connect them to Christ. However, the prophet inside tells me that God also cares about people beyond my reach. Pastor Charles is correct in reminding us every so often when we remember our troops that we should also remember the lives of innocent Iraqis that have been killed in the fighting. In that spirit, I want to bring some light to something we may never think about. Gordon Brown, probable Prime Minister of England after Tony Blair, has said that in the past, global hunger and poverty was a problem we simply did not have the technology or know-how to overcome. "now", he says, "with the science, technology, and knowledge available, we must face the truth that the real barrier is indifference." America lacks the political will to eliminate poverty. Many of us have not thought critically of our countries policy decisions, but here is where the prophet in me must speak. The war in Iraq costs America $1 billion per day. Congress has repeatedly shot down bills that would give $5 billion (over 5 years) to homeless shelters and food banks which are desperate for support. The cost of the war thus far could have eliminated global poverty and then some. Some call this security, and it may be, but I believe God would call this sin. Jesus' first message to the people was "good news to the poor." Political will is needed for us to act in accordance with the scriptures.
Far from critiquing America's military and troops, instead I feel that Christians must be unified FOR the poor. Over 17% of the Bible speaks about God's heart for the poor and those who should be called God's people being judged for not helping. With such a diverse group as we are, we have such a powerful opportunity to stop splitting our churches over secondary issues and unite under God's heart for the down and out. We all realize our own thankfulness to God for our spiritual salvation, now lets turn our heart to those who need God's physical salvation through the hands of his body, the church.
God bless you all for how warm you have been to the children and youth of our church. They are going to make history. Let's train them well.
Your friendly neighborhood youth leader,
Chad
Monday, May 28, 2007
immigration
These remind me of a cartoon from the mid-90s of a white man marveling at a new immigration proposal and saying "Good, now these immigrants will go back where they came from," and an Indian next to him says, "Ok, I'll help you pack." lol.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
I am done drinking Coke
In what might be the most controversial blog ever, I want to call everyone who reads this blog to stop drinking Coca-cola products. Why? you can watch the 3 youtube vidoes below, but first, I want to make something clear. I am not boycotting Coke because Coke is bad. I am not boycotting Coke because "Jesus wouldn't drink Coke". I once heard a quote along the lines of, "even the finest cloth is ugly if it makes pain and unhappiness." This is true. It is like a really hot girl that is mean to little kids. She just gets less hot. Things that might be good get less attractive when they create horror. That is what Coke is like. I really like Coke and Coke products. They taste good. But no personal taste benefit to me is worth the lives of millions worlwide. Here is why Coke is no longer hot to me:
- In Plachimada, India, Coke depleted the water wells of locals. Adding insult to injury, Coca Cola also distributed "free fertilizer" to indigenous farmers. The "fertilizer" was a by-product of its production process and was loaded with cadmium, a carcinogenic toxin.
- A Coke plant in Mehdiganj has caused Indian citizens in twenty towns to face significant water scarcity, with water tables dropping by 18 feet.
- In Colombia, nine Coca Cola-employed union leaders have been killed and hundreds of union workers tortured, kidnapped, or attacked by right-wing paramilitaries. The timing of the violence of the paramilitaries has coincided with union agitation and contract negotiations.
- "They are right at the top of the worst companies in the world, and yet they've created an image like they are American pie. When people think of Coca-Cola, they should think about great hardship and despair for people and communities around the world."
Goodbye Coke. You were so attractive. Now you look like a murdering whore. We are through!
Below are some alternatives to Coke, with much better human rights records.
Cadbury Schweppes PLC
Cadbury Schweppes drink brands include 7Up, Canada Dry, Dr. Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's juices, Orangina, Schwepps sodas and Snapple. It's American division is located in Plano, Texas at (972) 673-7000
(Dr. Pepper is HUGE in TEXAS! Plus, Snapple rules!)
Jones Soda Co.
Jones Soda makes and distributes alternative or new age beverages, including Jones Soda, a premium soda; Jones Naturals, a non-carbonated juice and tea drink; Jones Energy, an energy drink, and WhoopAss, an energy drink
(Jones had comic book heroes on its labels once. So it rules)
Pepsico Inc.
Pepsico drink brands include Pepsi, Tropicana juices and Gatorade.
(Pepsi has had its fair share of human rights violations, but has a better record than Coke of fixing them. I would still try to stay away...)
Hansen Natural Corp.
It's engaged in the business of marketing, selling and distributing alternative beverages, natural sodas and fruit juices.
(Better for you, the environment, and the lives of children worldwide)
Coke seems to be able to play the smae game America does. They create an image that they sell to us in our nation, but when they get beyond America's borders, we see them doing whatever it takes, killing, damaging, exploiting, to get thier profit higher and thier power secure. I am very sad that I have been so nieve for so long. Unfortunately, everytime I look into this kind of stuff, lots more of things get less attractive. I used to buy all of my clothes at Old Navy, but The Gap owns them and Gap is one of the worst human right violators in the world. Also, I have read stunning things about Wal-Mart lately, so they are getting less attractive.
Please hear me on this: I am not saying you shouldn't buy or shop from these companies. I am hoping that you will be so disgusted by them that they no longer hold value for you. Please let it be said that our convenience or cheap products was more important to us than the lives of people who were made in the image (Eikon) of God. Cheers!
- In Plachimada, India, Coke depleted the water wells of locals. Adding insult to injury, Coca Cola also distributed "free fertilizer" to indigenous farmers. The "fertilizer" was a by-product of its production process and was loaded with cadmium, a carcinogenic toxin.
- A Coke plant in Mehdiganj has caused Indian citizens in twenty towns to face significant water scarcity, with water tables dropping by 18 feet.
- In Colombia, nine Coca Cola-employed union leaders have been killed and hundreds of union workers tortured, kidnapped, or attacked by right-wing paramilitaries. The timing of the violence of the paramilitaries has coincided with union agitation and contract negotiations.
- "They are right at the top of the worst companies in the world, and yet they've created an image like they are American pie. When people think of Coca-Cola, they should think about great hardship and despair for people and communities around the world."
Goodbye Coke. You were so attractive. Now you look like a murdering whore. We are through!
Below are some alternatives to Coke, with much better human rights records.
Cadbury Schweppes PLC
Cadbury Schweppes drink brands include 7Up, Canada Dry, Dr. Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's juices, Orangina, Schwepps sodas and Snapple. It's American division is located in Plano, Texas at (972) 673-7000
(Dr. Pepper is HUGE in TEXAS! Plus, Snapple rules!)
Jones Soda Co.
Jones Soda makes and distributes alternative or new age beverages, including Jones Soda, a premium soda; Jones Naturals, a non-carbonated juice and tea drink; Jones Energy, an energy drink, and WhoopAss, an energy drink
(Jones had comic book heroes on its labels once. So it rules)
Pepsico Inc.
Pepsico drink brands include Pepsi, Tropicana juices and Gatorade.
(Pepsi has had its fair share of human rights violations, but has a better record than Coke of fixing them. I would still try to stay away...)
Hansen Natural Corp.
It's engaged in the business of marketing, selling and distributing alternative beverages, natural sodas and fruit juices.
(Better for you, the environment, and the lives of children worldwide)
Coke seems to be able to play the smae game America does. They create an image that they sell to us in our nation, but when they get beyond America's borders, we see them doing whatever it takes, killing, damaging, exploiting, to get thier profit higher and thier power secure. I am very sad that I have been so nieve for so long. Unfortunately, everytime I look into this kind of stuff, lots more of things get less attractive. I used to buy all of my clothes at Old Navy, but The Gap owns them and Gap is one of the worst human right violators in the world. Also, I have read stunning things about Wal-Mart lately, so they are getting less attractive.
Please hear me on this: I am not saying you shouldn't buy or shop from these companies. I am hoping that you will be so disgusted by them that they no longer hold value for you. Please let it be said that our convenience or cheap products was more important to us than the lives of people who were made in the image (Eikon) of God. Cheers!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Church plant update
First let me apologize for taking so long for this prayer update. Tons of stuff has been happening for us, so please continue to remember us daily.
Bullet points for prayer:
- Praise God for our meeting with Tim Boal. It exceeded our expectations.
- Praise God that Christina (my wife) is pregnant again. Pray for health for her and the baby.
- Pray for our neighbors. We have seen sparks of God in them. Pray He cultivates them.
- Pray for Michelle to get a new job. Her old one seems to have fulfilled its usefulness.
- Pray for our future meeting space. There is a building we want, but we have run into difficulty finding out any info about it.
- Pray for our launch date. We are tentatively set for September.
- Pray for my school, that I can do well and apply what I learn.
Last month, we had our long awaited meeting with Tim Boal. Meeting at the amazing H3 Steakhouse, Tim affirmed that GBNAM definitely wants to work with us and also include us in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Tim noted that GBNAM will begin to pay our medical insurance as soon as possible. He also said that as a GBNAM church planter, they will pay my salary starting in September. Church plant training, help finding meeting spaces, and amazing connections to other churches doing the kind of ministry we want to do were also talked about. We are very excited to join the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and look forward to God's will being done in everything that happens from here on out.
In other news, Christina is pregnant again. Praise God, but most of you know that Christina has fought lots of medical battles this last year and a half so pregnancy makes us a bit timid at this point. Pray that her lupus, psoriasis, and other misc. health issues do not impact her pregnancy.
There is an area here in Fort Worth called Lake Como. It refers to a lake in the middle of the community (which isn't really a lake anymore) where lots of dead bodies would turn up. Needless to say, its a rough area. God has put it on our heart to bless folks in this area. We have participated with a small group of people to have barbeques every couple of weeks there for people to come and eat free, which ends up being a real treat for the kids. We look forward to increasing the frequency of this and perhaps doing even more (bounce houses, games, etc...) to bring a sense of community to a place that has been known for its darkness.
There is a property that is an abandoned warehouse that would be perfect for a church. Pray that the government (or whoever owns it) will just give it to us!
September is when we will probably start to have our preview services. Probably pretty low key, working out the kinks in how we put our services together. Afterwards, we will have a public launch, and invite as many people as we can.
I have been in contact with a group called CMA (church multiplication association), which is a non-denominational church planting resource group. They are flying me to Indianapolis to meet with a coach in order to help us build a strong plant. They "might" also help us a bit with finances.
School is crazy. My brain hurts.
Thank you all so much for praying. I believe that your prayers have allowed so many good things to happen in the last few months. Please, if you all need any prayer, you know where to find us (press reply). God bless,
Eikon (the church plant's name), which is:
Joseph and Michelle Brandley, Kris and Rachel Rosier, and Christina, Autumn, Chad, and One-On-The-Way Presley
Since we are no longer considering calling the church panther city, be on the look out for this blog to change names.... peace out.
Bullet points for prayer:
- Praise God for our meeting with Tim Boal. It exceeded our expectations.
- Praise God that Christina (my wife) is pregnant again. Pray for health for her and the baby.
- Pray for our neighbors. We have seen sparks of God in them. Pray He cultivates them.
- Pray for Michelle to get a new job. Her old one seems to have fulfilled its usefulness.
- Pray for our future meeting space. There is a building we want, but we have run into difficulty finding out any info about it.
- Pray for our launch date. We are tentatively set for September.
- Pray for my school, that I can do well and apply what I learn.
Last month, we had our long awaited meeting with Tim Boal. Meeting at the amazing H3 Steakhouse, Tim affirmed that GBNAM definitely wants to work with us and also include us in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Tim noted that GBNAM will begin to pay our medical insurance as soon as possible. He also said that as a GBNAM church planter, they will pay my salary starting in September. Church plant training, help finding meeting spaces, and amazing connections to other churches doing the kind of ministry we want to do were also talked about. We are very excited to join the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and look forward to God's will being done in everything that happens from here on out.
In other news, Christina is pregnant again. Praise God, but most of you know that Christina has fought lots of medical battles this last year and a half so pregnancy makes us a bit timid at this point. Pray that her lupus, psoriasis, and other misc. health issues do not impact her pregnancy.
There is an area here in Fort Worth called Lake Como. It refers to a lake in the middle of the community (which isn't really a lake anymore) where lots of dead bodies would turn up. Needless to say, its a rough area. God has put it on our heart to bless folks in this area. We have participated with a small group of people to have barbeques every couple of weeks there for people to come and eat free, which ends up being a real treat for the kids. We look forward to increasing the frequency of this and perhaps doing even more (bounce houses, games, etc...) to bring a sense of community to a place that has been known for its darkness.
There is a property that is an abandoned warehouse that would be perfect for a church. Pray that the government (or whoever owns it) will just give it to us!
September is when we will probably start to have our preview services. Probably pretty low key, working out the kinks in how we put our services together. Afterwards, we will have a public launch, and invite as many people as we can.
I have been in contact with a group called CMA (church multiplication association), which is a non-denominational church planting resource group. They are flying me to Indianapolis to meet with a coach in order to help us build a strong plant. They "might" also help us a bit with finances.
School is crazy. My brain hurts.
Thank you all so much for praying. I believe that your prayers have allowed so many good things to happen in the last few months. Please, if you all need any prayer, you know where to find us (press reply). God bless,
Eikon (the church plant's name), which is:
Joseph and Michelle Brandley, Kris and Rachel Rosier, and Christina, Autumn, Chad, and One-On-The-Way Presley
Since we are no longer considering calling the church panther city, be on the look out for this blog to change names.... peace out.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
R.I.P. Robbert Webber
It is with great sadness that i found out today about the passing of Robert Webber. Robert Webber helped me a great deal in understanding early church culture, but also was very influential to many in seeking to understand where the church is going. He wrote books like "The Younger Evangelicals" and "Ancient Future Worship". I only met him once, but I am having a hard time understanding why his death is affecting me so much. I don't often get choked up. But here I am. Thanks for everything, Mr. Webber.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
you should know
If you take the time to read my blog, you should know which musical albums are my favorite. So here they are. In ascending order.
Number 5: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle
Folks, for happy feet feel good music, you just can't beat CCR. I guarantee you that if you listen to this stuff just 30 minutes a day, you will save yourself some counseling bills. How can you go wrong with such greats as "heard it throught the grapevine", "down on the corner", "green river", "proud mary", and 16 other classics?
Numero Quatro:They Might Be Giants - Flood
Ok, this album is rediculous. But it is rediculously brilliant as well. I first heard two of these songs on tiny toon adventures (Istanbul; not Constantinople, and Particle Man) and the rest of the album is rad too. Political, moral, and mental, the Giants bring home satire, wit, and silliness with a good mix of WTF.
#3: Caedmon's Call - 40 Acres
I am forced to overlook the hard Calvinism that runs through thier lyrics, but I happily do so because these guys speak it where I am. A struggle through the Christian life in a way that is niether preachy nor powerless. They tell folk rock stories about love, God, powerlessness, weakness, happiness, and fun. We should all be so committed, or at least as honest.
Number 2. Led Zeppelin - unnamed album
(aka Led Zeppelin IV)
I seriously hesitated putting this number 2 for fear of offending the rock gods. But it is a VERY close number 2. For sheer music genius, you cannot beat Led Zeppelin. In fact, I could have put in any Zep album here. I however, love "The Battle of Everymore", "Misty Mountain Hop", and "Going to California" all on one album. If you don't have this album, RUN to the store (or internet) and get it now. My FAVORITE ALBUM CAN WAIT! GO NOW!
# one. Best album of all time. Barenaked Ladies: Rock Spectacle
The Ladies are best live (trust me I have seen them many times). This album includes much of thier legendary live schtick. No other album goes through the entire range not just of human emotions, but of human experience like this one does. Who would have ever thought that a song about a window washer could peer so deep into my own soul and become my favorite song of all time? Where else can you find a man staying with a girl so as not to break her heart, but finding out the girl would have rather broken up with him than to have a half-assed relationship, breaking his heart in the process? Simply amazing. If you all feel any emotion for me whatsoever, you will first become a possesed revolutionary for Christ, and the next thing you will do is buy this album.
Peace
Number 5: Creedence Clearwater Revival - ChronicleFolks, for happy feet feel good music, you just can't beat CCR. I guarantee you that if you listen to this stuff just 30 minutes a day, you will save yourself some counseling bills. How can you go wrong with such greats as "heard it throught the grapevine", "down on the corner", "green river", "proud mary", and 16 other classics?
Numero Quatro:They Might Be Giants - Flood
Ok, this album is rediculous. But it is rediculously brilliant as well. I first heard two of these songs on tiny toon adventures (Istanbul; not Constantinople, and Particle Man) and the rest of the album is rad too. Political, moral, and mental, the Giants bring home satire, wit, and silliness with a good mix of WTF.
#3: Caedmon's Call - 40 Acres
I am forced to overlook the hard Calvinism that runs through thier lyrics, but I happily do so because these guys speak it where I am. A struggle through the Christian life in a way that is niether preachy nor powerless. They tell folk rock stories about love, God, powerlessness, weakness, happiness, and fun. We should all be so committed, or at least as honest.
Number 2. Led Zeppelin - unnamed album
(aka Led Zeppelin IV)
I seriously hesitated putting this number 2 for fear of offending the rock gods. But it is a VERY close number 2. For sheer music genius, you cannot beat Led Zeppelin. In fact, I could have put in any Zep album here. I however, love "The Battle of Everymore", "Misty Mountain Hop", and "Going to California" all on one album. If you don't have this album, RUN to the store (or internet) and get it now. My FAVORITE ALBUM CAN WAIT! GO NOW!
# one. Best album of all time. Barenaked Ladies: Rock Spectacle
The Ladies are best live (trust me I have seen them many times). This album includes much of thier legendary live schtick. No other album goes through the entire range not just of human emotions, but of human experience like this one does. Who would have ever thought that a song about a window washer could peer so deep into my own soul and become my favorite song of all time? Where else can you find a man staying with a girl so as not to break her heart, but finding out the girl would have rather broken up with him than to have a half-assed relationship, breaking his heart in the process? Simply amazing. If you all feel any emotion for me whatsoever, you will first become a possesed revolutionary for Christ, and the next thing you will do is buy this album.
Peace
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Wii redux
I now have a wii. I vow to beat Mike Goldsworthy's high bowling score. If I don't, then I will give up. So there.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Wii
I am going to refrain from cursing, but there are over 75 retail outlets in the Fort Worth area that carry the Wii gaming console and every single (non-curseword)-ing one of them is sold out. Today, a dude at Wal Mart said it is Nintendo's fault and that they are doing it on purpose to increase excitement and demand. Those (non-curseword)-ing (non-curseword)-ers! Still, I played one the other day and I have to say that it (non-curseword)-ing rocks.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Eikon
Hey all everybody,
This is an excerpt from our last prayer email for the church plant. If anyone wants to receive said letter, please let me know. Keep your eyes open for a new myspace page, alternate blog, and/or website to pop up soon for the church specifically.
Here ya go:
Wow, lots of new stuff going on. We had a great time in Seattle. We went up there with the idea that we were going to be taught the nuts and bolts of planting a church. The boot camp was not geared that way, but it was still informative. It was more like a pep rally for church planters, which for some, is a legitimate need. Once we got back, we began to make headway into some formal issues. We are soon to incorporate our new plant as a non-profit entity. Our budget is under construction at the moment, and we are looking all around Fort Worth for potential meeting areas and resources.
As a refresher, remember that our vision for the short term (3-5 years) is threefold. Phase 1 is to start a worship gathering. This will be our "church service" where we are always inviting people to worship God with us, evangelizing non-believers with worship and preaching, and using our spiritual gifts in community. We will invite people to believe and belong to Christ through weekly worship.
Phase 2 involves daily life in the community of Fort Worth. By opening a Coffee Shop/Art Gallery/Music studio, we plan to subversively and organically evangelize the hard to reach segment of Fort Worth. Check out a book called "the Celtic way of Evangelism" by George Hunter for more information on this approach. Here, we desire to allow people to belong before they believe, since the front door of evangelism is closed to many un-churched and over-churched people.
Phase 3 is a restoration project. It involves embracing and adopting a neighborhood that might be considered "run down" or dangerous and transforming it through God's Spirit into a safe and life-giving community. There is a group in Fullerton called Solidarity that is doing this extremely well. The idea is to rent/buy a house/apartment in this community and begin to meet the needs of this specific place. Already, we see needs that include Internet access, early childhood care, English lessons, job skills, and aesthetic things like painting and cleaning houses and sidewalks.
We have another meeting with Tim Boal, who is the head of GBNAM, one of our major supporters, on April 18th. Pray that God's will is done and that I hear what Tim can teach us. Pray also for new potential core group members Josh and Joey. I meet with Joey for coffee this week to discuss joining with us. We have built relationships with them and they seem excited about what we are doing.
Lastly, we have chosen a name for our worship gathering. From now on, we will refer to our worship gathering as Eikon (pronounced icon). After much discussion, we chose the Greek word for "image" because we believe that it communicates who we are (made in the image of God), who we are trying to reach (those who are made in God's image, but don't see that in themselves), and what we desire to see God do (restore the world's communities to His image). To some, it may seem like a different kind of name, but it reflects the culture we exist in and that of those we desire to reach. Other newer successful church plants go by names like "Ecclesia", "Sanctuary", "Jacob's Well",etc... It also begs the question of meaning. We look forward to being able to explain what Eikon means to those who ask.
We are currently looking forward to a Fall launch date. Pray that everything we do over the next 6 months will be the steps that are led by God. Thank you all so much. We covet your prayers and thank you for your commitment to God and to us. We could not do this without you.
This is an excerpt from our last prayer email for the church plant. If anyone wants to receive said letter, please let me know. Keep your eyes open for a new myspace page, alternate blog, and/or website to pop up soon for the church specifically.
Here ya go:
Wow, lots of new stuff going on. We had a great time in Seattle. We went up there with the idea that we were going to be taught the nuts and bolts of planting a church. The boot camp was not geared that way, but it was still informative. It was more like a pep rally for church planters, which for some, is a legitimate need. Once we got back, we began to make headway into some formal issues. We are soon to incorporate our new plant as a non-profit entity. Our budget is under construction at the moment, and we are looking all around Fort Worth for potential meeting areas and resources.
As a refresher, remember that our vision for the short term (3-5 years) is threefold. Phase 1 is to start a worship gathering. This will be our "church service" where we are always inviting people to worship God with us, evangelizing non-believers with worship and preaching, and using our spiritual gifts in community. We will invite people to believe and belong to Christ through weekly worship.
Phase 2 involves daily life in the community of Fort Worth. By opening a Coffee Shop/Art Gallery/Music studio, we plan to subversively and organically evangelize the hard to reach segment of Fort Worth. Check out a book called "the Celtic way of Evangelism" by George Hunter for more information on this approach. Here, we desire to allow people to belong before they believe, since the front door of evangelism is closed to many un-churched and over-churched people.
Phase 3 is a restoration project. It involves embracing and adopting a neighborhood that might be considered "run down" or dangerous and transforming it through God's Spirit into a safe and life-giving community. There is a group in Fullerton called Solidarity that is doing this extremely well. The idea is to rent/buy a house/apartment in this community and begin to meet the needs of this specific place. Already, we see needs that include Internet access, early childhood care, English lessons, job skills, and aesthetic things like painting and cleaning houses and sidewalks.
We have another meeting with Tim Boal, who is the head of GBNAM, one of our major supporters, on April 18th. Pray that God's will is done and that I hear what Tim can teach us. Pray also for new potential core group members Josh and Joey. I meet with Joey for coffee this week to discuss joining with us. We have built relationships with them and they seem excited about what we are doing.
Lastly, we have chosen a name for our worship gathering. From now on, we will refer to our worship gathering as Eikon (pronounced icon). After much discussion, we chose the Greek word for "image" because we believe that it communicates who we are (made in the image of God), who we are trying to reach (those who are made in God's image, but don't see that in themselves), and what we desire to see God do (restore the world's communities to His image). To some, it may seem like a different kind of name, but it reflects the culture we exist in and that of those we desire to reach. Other newer successful church plants go by names like "Ecclesia", "Sanctuary", "Jacob's Well",etc... It also begs the question of meaning. We look forward to being able to explain what Eikon means to those who ask.
We are currently looking forward to a Fall launch date. Pray that everything we do over the next 6 months will be the steps that are led by God. Thank you all so much. We covet your prayers and thank you for your commitment to God and to us. We could not do this without you.
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