Last night, I had the opportunity to spend time praying with a friend from church and another pastor friend of his. They wanted to specifically pray with me about the church plant, it was such an encouraging and powerful time of prayer. It reminded me again that apart from consistent and focused prayer, this effort of starting a new church in Downers Grove will fail. While together, we spent time talking about the story of Joshua. Joshua was given a charge by God, "be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged", and was given a promise by God, "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." These words from God provided Joshua with the courage to lead the people and take the land.
As we continue to dream about the new church in Downers Grove, there is a lot for us to be fearful about. Where will we meet, when will the money come in, who is going to come, how will we be received...these and many other questions are ones that can paralyze us with fear. But if we believe that God has called us to be a light in an area that needs the light of the gospel, and if we believe the promise of Scripture that He is with us, then we do not need to fear. The charge to Joshua is the charge to us, "be strong and courageous". We can go talk to people about Jesus and about the new church with strength and courage, not with fear. It does not mean that it will be easy, just continue reading the book of Joshua and you will see that truth. But we can continue moving forward with peace and confidence because we know that God has called us to be a light in darkness and that God has promised to be with us. And in the end, if God is for us, who can be against us.
So I encourage you, no I plead with you, to be committed to praying for the new church and all it's details. I am not just talking about short, two minute prayers (although those are great too), but will you spend significant amounts of time on your knees on behalf of the church plant? Do we believe that prayer makes a difference? And continue to be in the town of Downers Grove, sharing about Jesus and about the new church that is coming. As you do that, remember the charge to be strong and courageous for the Lord is with you!
Lastly, a reminder to all who are interested in the church plant that we will be having another Vision and Prayer Meeting on Thursday, May 7th at 7:00 PM. This meeting will be in Downers Grove, the details of exactly where will be finalized today so be sure to check the blog over the next few days. We will not have childcare, so be thinking about securing a babysitter. I am so excited for this meeting and what we will be talking about, please make it a priority to be there.
The journey continues...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Like Drinking From a Fire Hose
I have spent this past week at the Exponential Conference, which is the largest church planting conference in the country. Our days have been full of inspiring teaching as well as hours of practical church planting workshops taught by people who have planted before. I am here with Dave Schubert and when talking about all that we were learning and hearing, Dave said, "it's like drinking from a fire hose". It certainly has been a great week that will bear fruit as we move closer and closer to planting the church in Downers Grove.
Reflecting on the conference, I want to pass on two things that have struck me this week. The first is that there is a movement of church planting going on in the country and around the world that is exciting to be a part of. There are over 3000 people here this week to talk about church planting, we are not at this alone but are part of something bigger going on that God is using to change lives. Secondly, being away and thinking only about the church plant has given me a chance to do a lot of dreaming. Are you dreaming about what can happen? Are you dreaming about the lives that will be affected by the new church coming to Downers Grove? We serve a God that Scripture says can do more than we can ever ask or imagine. So as we plan and continue to take care of details, don't lose sight of the dreams for the new church. As we step out in obedience and plant this church, we just might see some of those dreams realized through the unimaginable power of our God.
Remember, for those interested, our next Vision and Prayer Meeting will be on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 PM. During that time, we will continue to flesh out the vision, discuss details, and pray together. If you are considering the church plant, please make this meeting a priority. We are working on the location, it will be in Downers Grove. Keep checking the blog for information. For so many reasons, I am increasingly excited about the Downers Grove church plant and can't wait to share this excitement with you on May 7.
Reflecting on the conference, I want to pass on two things that have struck me this week. The first is that there is a movement of church planting going on in the country and around the world that is exciting to be a part of. There are over 3000 people here this week to talk about church planting, we are not at this alone but are part of something bigger going on that God is using to change lives. Secondly, being away and thinking only about the church plant has given me a chance to do a lot of dreaming. Are you dreaming about what can happen? Are you dreaming about the lives that will be affected by the new church coming to Downers Grove? We serve a God that Scripture says can do more than we can ever ask or imagine. So as we plan and continue to take care of details, don't lose sight of the dreams for the new church. As we step out in obedience and plant this church, we just might see some of those dreams realized through the unimaginable power of our God.
Remember, for those interested, our next Vision and Prayer Meeting will be on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 PM. During that time, we will continue to flesh out the vision, discuss details, and pray together. If you are considering the church plant, please make this meeting a priority. We are working on the location, it will be in Downers Grove. Keep checking the blog for information. For so many reasons, I am increasingly excited about the Downers Grove church plant and can't wait to share this excitement with you on May 7.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Here We Go...
With this being the first blog post for the upcoming church plant, it feels like we have reached another milestone! The goal of this blog is to provide another venue for those interested in being a part of the Downers Grove church plant to gather information and dialogue. It is my goal to write somewhat regularly, especially since things are changing and taking shape on almost a daily basis. But let's start by reminding ourselves why we are planting a church.
The short answer as to why we are planting a church is that people need to hear about Jesus and be connected into meaningful, Christ-centered community. All the details we are figuring out, all the time we are spending praying, all the money we are trying to raise, and all the dreaming we are doing goes back to that vision of seeing people meet Jesus, grow in their faith, and get connected with other believers. Over the past few months, it has been amazing to me the doors that God has been opening and the confirmation that we keep receiving that we are doing the right thing. Maybe the greatest confirmation is the interest from so many people in being a part of the church plant and the step that many are taking of moving out to Downers Grove. To see people rallying behind the vision of what God can do is so energizing for me and makes me excited to see what happens through this church plant in the coming years. If you are one of those people, continue to bathe your decision in prayer, continue to connect with others going on the church plant, and continue to dream about how you can be used. If you are not sure about joining us, then consider letting us talk to you further about it. We'd love to buy you coffee and share our heart for planting a church in Downers Grove.
So here we go, we don't have a name yet, we don't have a location to meet, but we do have a big vision for what God can do in us and through us as we take this step. Who knows what exactly the future holds, but I do know that it is going to be one crazy ride. Keep checking the blog for new information and feel free to comment, I look forward to hearing from you.
The short answer as to why we are planting a church is that people need to hear about Jesus and be connected into meaningful, Christ-centered community. All the details we are figuring out, all the time we are spending praying, all the money we are trying to raise, and all the dreaming we are doing goes back to that vision of seeing people meet Jesus, grow in their faith, and get connected with other believers. Over the past few months, it has been amazing to me the doors that God has been opening and the confirmation that we keep receiving that we are doing the right thing. Maybe the greatest confirmation is the interest from so many people in being a part of the church plant and the step that many are taking of moving out to Downers Grove. To see people rallying behind the vision of what God can do is so energizing for me and makes me excited to see what happens through this church plant in the coming years. If you are one of those people, continue to bathe your decision in prayer, continue to connect with others going on the church plant, and continue to dream about how you can be used. If you are not sure about joining us, then consider letting us talk to you further about it. We'd love to buy you coffee and share our heart for planting a church in Downers Grove.
So here we go, we don't have a name yet, we don't have a location to meet, but we do have a big vision for what God can do in us and through us as we take this step. Who knows what exactly the future holds, but I do know that it is going to be one crazy ride. Keep checking the blog for new information and feel free to comment, I look forward to hearing from you.
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