Ebenezers

Monday morning I fly out to Washington, DC and will be visiting my cousin before I settle into a fun filled day with Mark Batterson and the National Community Church (http://theaterchurch.com/) staff that run Ebenezers Coffee shop. (http://ebenezerscoffeehouse.com/) DC's #1 Coffee shop and it's an outreach effort of a church that also meets in a theater. (See the connections)
I hope and pray that this trip will help me, help our team as we continue to press forward with the 10 South Broadway site of our possible outreach center / coffee shop.

I am grate that God as opened up a small door. new ministry relationship with Mark and NCC. I pray that this may be the start of new friendship and a time of personal growth.
You can follow my trip on both Facebook and my personal blog.

I ask that you pray for wisdom, open ears and God's spirit to lead me and NCC as we talk together. This is really a "yeah God trip" for all of Journey. Thanks for allowing me to go and making in possible.

31 day Challenge

This Sunday we kicked off a new discussion series "Wisdom For Living" based on the book of Proverbs.
At the end of the morning I placed a church-wide challenge to search, seek, cry out, read and explore one Proverb per day for the next 31 days. It has been really exciting to hear people's reaction to the challenge and their desire to seek more of God's wisdom rather than man's wisdom. Several people are journaling on face-book about their daily readings.

The biggest challenge that see for life transformation is allowing Wisdom (God) to move from the head to the heart. Only 12 inches... but it's so tough for so many to allow to happen. Why is that? If Wisdom is worth chasing after, why don't we let it get to our heart and really change us. Could it because we do believe that change will come and that's the very reason we keep the heart locked up. We are afraid of God size change.

But why fear a loving father, with all that wisdom for life?

12 inches... is that what's keep me and you from really being transformed and experiencing a better life?
12 inches.... what waste of space.

Goose Lessons

This week I got "goosed" at the Exponential Church planters conference on Orlando.
As I got "goosed" I had to do the chicken dance in front of a packed room of pastors and fellow church planters.
Thankfully... neither Bill Elliingson or Rachel Strouf (who made the trip with me) saw me do the dance.

But besides being "goosed" I was reminded of a powerful leadership/ life lesson from geese.
As the geese fly, the form a V-shape. One goose takes the point, while others fall in line on either wing. And then the next, and the next, and the next geese do the same. As they flap their wings together, they are able to fly 71% further than if they were trying to do it all alone. Plus as after awhile, as you get tried. You slide out of formation, drift to the end the V-Shape and allow someone else to take point, and allow all the other geese flapping their weeks help make your efforts easier.

This is how a vision driven church should move as well. All together, behind a common, mission, vision and goal.
If we form up intentionally together... we'll fly further and faster than if we were all "lone rangers" serving God.
The key is that EVERYONE must flap their wings, use their gifts, top help us get to where God wants us to go.
We all needs breaks, but we must not fall out of line.
We all will have our chance to lead out, but that doesn't make you any more important than the goose at the end.

As we move forward into another exciting and outreach focus Summer.
As we intentionally pursue the Outreach Center site.
Believe and commit to help us lighten the load, flying further than we can dream, as we seek to follow God's calling and direction.

Have you been "Goosed" by God?
Well start flapping!

Exponential Conference '09

Today was day one of of (if the largest) church planting conferences on all North America. About 3,000 planting pastors and leaders are expected to be at this years conference which is held at First Baptist of Orlando.
Today I tried to sit on a session that supposed to focus on leadership development. Man was I disappointed.
So I jumped to several other break out sessions and finally ended up at "Creating a Disciple Making Movement" with Jim Putman.
Rachel was sitting in on that one and was excited by how Jim was presenting and the information, ideas and concepts being shared. I was excited to hear how much of his presentation links up with what we are already doing at Journey. And how there were several solid take away concepts that may helps us improve our focus on "making fully devoted followers of Jesus".

I had the change to talk briefly with Mark Batterson about their coffee shop and our possible site for our outreach/ coffee shop.
Ebenezer is a great place and Washington and I look forward to learning more from Mark and his team in the coming weeks.

Take away from the day... "There are not growth barriers.... but really only leadership barriers." - Jim Putman

Here's to day two and a hearing from Erwin McManus for the first time live (in person).

Could this be it?

For five years we have prayed and searched for a place to create out outreach center. A coffee shop style place for people to relax, surf the net, listen to live music, connect and have spiritual conversations with friends, family and strangers. We have dreamed of a place downtown Rochester, that has plenty of parking, great signage and easy access. It has been very hard to find all of things, plus having it be a place that we could put some blood, sweat and tears into.

Well today I believe that God showed us the place.
Everything on our dream list and more!
The possibilities are unbelievable!

Today, begins a new chapter in prayer, focused research and planning.
I believe that there are times that God provides the amazing and he wants to jump in.
As far as I and the other Directors can see, this is the place and we need to jump with God.
The Journey Cafe may not be far from reality!

Dreams are just dreams until you step into them.
I pray, that we step into this and God provides over and above what we could ever ask or imagine!

Do you dare to jump with us?
Stay tuned for more exciting news. This has been an amazing God moving week!

Resurrectuion Day

Resurrection Day or Easter as most people call is an amazing day. It's a day of bitter joy, freedom, and new chances.
As a follower of Jesus, Resurrection Day defines my life. I am free to live completely in the knowledge that God loves me.
More than that, I am able to live life without fear, because God are I.... our relationship is restored.

The Apostle Paul writes in the book of Romans, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love." romans 8:38)
Nothing!
As a follower of Jesus, still living in a fallen, broken world it's easy to forget that no matter what I am ok with God. Not because of anything that I have done, or not done. But simply because of all that He has done for me through his son Jesus. As often as my kids blow it, they know deep down inside that they will always have mom and dads love. Yes the mistakes and pains of life may hurt and leave lasting marks... but my love for my three girls will never go away. Nothing, can separate me and my family!
The truth that because of Christ's death and resurrection God feels the same way about me is amazing and humbling.

But I don't get to just live because of Christ. I get to LIVE!
The apostle Paul writes, "Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (romans 8:37)
Overwhelming victory paints a picture of victory from a intense battle. Celebration breaks out in the streets as enemy forces are driven back and away from homes and families. That's how free we are in God's love.

The tomb is empty.
The Savior lives and walks among his people.
He longs to give life to everyone.... all we need to do is believe and accept this amazing free gift.
Do you want to be resurrected from your every day normal life of pain and suffering, loneliness and hurt.
Be convinced as Paul and I are... "Nothing can separate you from God once you've joined his family.
I pray, that this resurrection day many souls are set free, and we see people celebrating, dancing in the streets a life is renewed.

Anniversarys

This is an exciting, exciting time of year for me and my family. April is one celebration after another.
Today marks Cyndi's and mine 20 year anniversary!
It has been an amazing adventure and life with my life partner. At times it seems like we just got married, jumped through a time portal and ended up with a daughter as a Junior in H.S and Twins that are about to enter Middle School.
How did all of that happen?

Plus we celebrated our 5th anniversary as a church. Honestly there were so many that never thought we'd make it to our first or second year celebration. But by the grace of God we have and over 50 kids and adults celebrated with a pizza party and old picture memories.

Yeah it's a party month.

Seeing God

This week the question of really seeing God vs "seeing what you want to believe" has come up several times.
I agree that often we have the ability to see what we want to see in things. Believe because we want to believe in good not evil and so forth. So how we know really know that we are seeing God move and work today verse wishful thinking?

I personally listen to life stories.
How is pray answered.
How has a life been unexpectedly touched, blessed, even rescued for certain destruction.
Yes, I choose to believe in God and his movement in my life and the lives of others.
But as I choose to believe, I actually see more and more that confirms my choice to believe.

I know that there are many, that of a miracle of biblical proportions happened today they would still deny, write if off and not choose to believe. It happen during all of Jesus ministry and it will happen until the end of time.

I'm curious how do others "see God" and know that he is still moving among us?
How much does simple faith verse "having to see it to believe it" work in your life.

I do know the more that I pray, seek God, ask to see His movement.... the more clearly I see it.
It's like the wind... you can't see it, but you do see the effects of the wind.

Exciting Sunday

Every week we gather and we say that we expect God to do the unexpected. We pray, plan and expect the amazing to take place because God desires all of mankind to know him. Well this Sunday was a multiply God sighting Sunday.
First we had great attendance in our 9:00 a.m. gathering
Second we had record attendance in our 10:30 gathering!
As we dedicated two young kids from two different families... we had extra family, friends, co-workers... plus a bunch of people checking us out for the first time, It was exciting
Our kids ministry areas had a total of 30 people (kids and adults)

Then as we were tearing down and packing up, or financial secretary pulled me aside and show me a had written note with cash clipped to it (several hundred dollars). The note read, "Use these for someone on need."
Wow - we have never had a gift like that, from an unknown person, for some unknown need.
Never!

All day like I prayed, thought and meditated on "God give us a real need, to help some one big thing in there lives. Don't have us use $20 here and $20 there. Make it clear that this gift gets you correctly."

Just before 5 p.m., I checked my e-mail Sunday afternoon and received a personal request for help from a newcomer.
The requested amount was more than what we were given, but we could make a big difference with this person, their need and their life. I shared this at our Sunday night LIFE Group and everyone was in tears over the generous gift and the unique need.
God provided in advance, before the request was spoken.
That's a great God sighting.

We desire to a faith community that experiences the power of God and see people become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Days like Sunday, refresh us, encourage us, inspire us to continue to reach out and risk more and more.

"Lord may you bless that unknown giver and may we continue to see more and more of your amazing power, grace and miracles. May you Lord be praised."

I pray that we see more days like this. Not for our sake, but for the sake of others!
I hope you come expecting to see what God will do this week.
I hope that you are watching to see how God is moving every day. Take note and celebrate His great deeds.

Mutipersonality Required

This week I shared with other local pastors some of the high and lows of serving the faith community of Journey. As I spoke I asking, "does it help to have a split personality?" They said with smiles on the faces, "YES".
There are days when you go from one exciting meeting, life moment to the deepest most painful moment in a persons life.
It's not that you're faking it, but to best serve people you must be able to meet them where they are at.
"Weep when they weep, rejoice when they rejoice."
For some of us this "split personality" comes almost natural and actually helps is serve and show the love of God.
To other it is a burden, comes off fake and hurts our efforts.

I wonder how others view those of us that can make the jump and go up and down at a turn of a switch.

Is it helpful?
Is it fake?
Is it a natural part of serving?

I must admit that having this personality and making quick adjustments can wipe me out at times. That is, I go to bed... emotionally dead. Yet, I get up, excited to do it all over again the next day. Am I strange, or is that the amazing way God makes us uniquely gifted/ wired for ministry?

News Report: More Americans say they have no religion

This article came out today. The day after our Vision Day as I shared that 3,400 churches will close this year.
This only reinforces the truth... the church, it's people MUST rise up, shine brighter and go to our hurting world.

read, think and responsed.

More Americans say they have no religion
By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer – Mon Mar 9, 12:14 am ET
A wide-ranging study on American religious life found that the Roman Catholic population has been shifting out o of the Northeast to the Southwest, the percentage of Christians in the nation has declined and more people say they have no religion at all.
Fifteen percent of respondents said they had no religion, an increase from 14.2 percent in 2001 and 8.2 percent in 1990, according to the American Religious Identification Survey.
Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region, with Vermont reporting the highest share of those claiming no religion, at 34 percent. Still, the study found that the numbers of Americans with no religion rose in every state.
"No other religious bloc has kept such a pace in every state," the study's authors said.
In the Northeast, self-identified Catholics made up 36 percent of adults last year, down from 43 percent in 1990. At the same time, however, Catholics grew to about one-third of the adult population in California and Texas, and one-quarter of Floridians, largely due to Latino immigration, according to the research.
Nationally, Catholics remain the largest religious group, with 57 million people saying they belong to the church. The tradition gained 11 million followers since 1990, but its share of the population fell by about a percentage point to 25 percent.
Christians who aren't Catholic also are a declining segment of the country.
In 2008, Christians comprised 76 percent of U.S. adults, compared to about 77 percent in 2001 and about 86 percent in 1990. Researchers said the dwindling ranks of mainline Protestants, including Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians, largely explains the shift. Over the last seven years, mainline Protestants dropped from just over 17 percent to 12.9 percent of the population.
The report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., surveyed 54,461 adults in English or Spanish from February through November of last year. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. The findings are part of a series of studies on American religion by the program that will later look more closely at reasons behind the trends.
The current survey, being released Monday, found traditional organized religion playing less of a role in many lives. Thirty percent of married couples did not have a religious wedding ceremony and 27 percent of respondents said they did not want a religious funeral.
About 12 percent of Americans believe in a higher power but not the personal God at the core of monotheistic faiths. And, since 1990, a slightly greater share of respondents — 1.2 percent — said they were part of new religious movements, including Scientology, Wicca and Santeria.
The study also found signs of a growing influence of churches that either don't belong to a denomination or play down their membership in a religious group.
Respondents who called themselves "non-denominational Christian" grew from 0.1 percent in 1990 to 3.5 percent last year. Congregations that most often use the term are megachurches considered "seeker sensitive." They use rock style music and less structured prayer to attract people who don't usually attend church. Researchers also found a small increase in those who prefer being called evangelical or born-again, rather than claim membership in a denomination.
Evangelical or born-again Americans make up 34 percent of all American adults and 45 percent of all Christians and Catholics, the study found. Researchers found that 18 percent of Catholics consider themselves born-again or evangelical, and nearly 39 percent of mainline Protestants prefer those labels. Many mainline Protestant groups are riven by conflict over how they should interpret what the Bible says about gay relationships, salvation and other issues.
The percentage of Pentecostals remained mostly steady since 1990 at 3.5 percent, a surprising finding considering the dramatic spread of the tradition worldwide. Pentecostals are known for a spirited form of Christianity that includes speaking in tongues and a belief in modern-day miracles.
Mormon numbers also held steady over the period at 1.4 percent of the population, while the number of Jews who described themselves as religiously observant continued to drop, from 1.8 percent in 1990 to 1.2 percent, or 2.7 million people, last year. Researchers plan a broader survey on people who consider themselves culturally Jewish but aren't religious.
The study found that the percentage of Americans who identified themselves as Muslim grew to 0.6 percent of the population, while growth in Eastern religions such as Buddhism slightly slowed.

Dayligt Savings Time

Can we just get rid of this changing the clock twice a year nonsense please?
It really makes no sense and it only messy up people schedules and life.

Vision - Disney Style

On our recent trip to Orlando Cyndi and I had the chance to enjoy a few days at Disney World. Besides the fun of going to Disney, I really get inspired by Walt Disney's dream and vision. Here was a man that bought miles and miles of swamp land! He bought it because he believed that it could be transformed in to an amazing place, "where dreams come true."
What dreams can come true in a swamp?
Yet Walt, believed in the unseen potential of the swamp land and the men and women that would actually roll up their sleeves and bring the dream to life. I find it inspiring that where Walt was the dreamer, visionary, he intentionally placed other gifted, men and women around him to see that the vision was fleshed out properly. His brother was the financial wizard. Walt would dream big dreams, share them with his brother (Roy) and Roy would then have to figure out how to pay for the dream and see that it brought in a profit.
But what inspires me even more is that all these years, the basic vision and dream that Walt laid out is still very much alive and has not been messed with too much. Sure there have been those that have come into the Disney family, tried to change it to their vision, only to see it hurt the overall vision. Eventually the person is asked to leave (removed) and the Disney organization returns back to the foundational principles as laid out by Walt.

Oh that the church of Jesus Christ had such men of faith and vision today.
Visionaries that believe in the unseen Kingdom of God so much, that nothing would stop them from seeing it become a reality. That is in seeing the Great Commission fulfilled.
Oh that the church used the gifts and talents of people to the best of their ability so that the dream could be lived out. Let's let the visionaries hear and sense what God would have us do, share the vision with the right people and have it march forward. If Walt can have a vision of transforming swamp land into a world famous adventure land, can't we embrace the vision to go and partner with the Holy Spirit to see lives transformed and have people live as God designed to live.

I dream such dreams.
I believe in transformation.
I believe in investing all that I have, and in challenging others to help bring the dream to life.

Acts 2:17 says......
‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

I challenge you to dream with me, help build a place where the lame, the sick, the blind, find freedom and are transformed by God. I challenge you to help build an environment where going, being on mission with is the norm.
"I have a dream..... do you?

American Idol... Drama

This season I have tried to sit and watch more of the American Idol, simply because the rest of the family likes it.
I have to admit, I don't really get the big buzz on this show.
Thousands of people try and show that thy can sing and be the next "big star" in the music industry.
People will do anything, behave anyway to been noticed and get the audition!
This year there was "Bikini girl" and "Norman" that pushed the envelope and the "geek factor" as it its know.
Why?
Why do so many people want to have Randy, Simon, Paula and the new gal judge them?
Why do are so many people willing to have Simon, verbally abuse them in public?
Plus, each week if there isn't enough drama with the singers, the four judges have to go after each other and create drama for the network ratings. It's all so fake and so unneeded.

I have enough drama in my life, I don't need to sit and experience more drama... especially forced, created drama.

I guess, I find it sad, that so many people are willing to do anything, for anyone in order to be told that they are "someone"... aka STAR. I find it much more real, valuable and satisfying when my family and friends tell me truly how they see me.
Oh that can cause drama to, but it's real drama... not a network rating thing.

I wonder, how much the idol type of mind set is effecting our kids, work place and families.
The scriptures say that you should have no other idols before God... and that includes making yourself an idol.

Someone do Something

I recently got back from a conference that included about 200 church planters, spouses, and key leaders with in our nation-wide network of churches known as CONVERGE USA. Our network is one of the two fastest growing and most stable church planting movements in the entire nation. There is must to celebrate and yet so much more that needs to be done.
One speaker at the conference shared a sobering stat.

"At least 3,700 churches will close their doors this year...in 2009."

With population growth, the influx in internationals coming to our country... we can not plant enough churches to effectively serve, minister and reach people for Christ at the rate of churches closing. We are loosing the battle in a country that is seen a "Christian". Wow... that is a real sobering thought.

The speaker spoke with passion and urgency that "someone here, in this room has got to do something."
The scriptures tell us that the "fields are ripe but the labors (workers, servants, risk-takers) are few".
I can't stomach that.
God's word said the world is ready, that light should be expanding and yet not enough people are jumping up make a make in eternity. Someone has got to do something.
I believe that that not just or two have to do something, but an entire faith community must rise up and do something.
A bold movement God, the Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ needs to rise up and push back the darkness.
Instead of 3,700 churches closing this year.... 3,700 need to launched,relaunched, reignited.

As we begin this new series called "ALL IN" at Journey. I pray that an entire community of faith explodes with new passion, new sacrifice, new visions and dreams from the Holy Spirit. I pray that this community is the faith community, family called Journey. "SOMEONE HAS GOT TO SOMETHING."

Are ready to do something... then step forward. Don't waste another day. Another day, could see another church close and the darkness will over shadow the light.

Coming Home

I really have enjoyed this week. Several days meeting with some of best church planters and their spouses in our Converge movement of churches, plus some quality time with Cyndi. But a good as this time has been, I'm ready to come home.
When ever I travel over a period of time, I get reminded in my soul what I am called to do and where I am called to serve.

Breaks are good, but don't keep me on the sidelines and on the bench too long.
I could go crazy, without being in the service of God and His people.

From the 75 degrees back to the 17 degrees on Tuesday.
Get ready, Minnesota,..... I'm coming back.

Valentines at Disney

Today is Valentines day we concludeed a two - half day church planters conference in Orlando.
Converge USA our network of churches hosted the event and provided some GREAT deals to get over 200 pastors / planters and spouses at Disney. (suffering for God was tough this week).

After the confefrence Cyndi and I enjoyed at day at Epcot (thanks Tony). We had a fun time and enjoyed watching the fireworks at the Epcot lake. Can't see that enough.

We're celebrating Valentines and our 20 year wedding anniversary a bit early since we're here. (Really a huge God story!!!!)

I hope that you are enjoying a day with the one you love the most.

I'm a hopeless romantic!

Love & higs

Simple or complicated?

I have to admit... I'm a pretty simple guy.
Pizza, Peanut Butter and Jelly (grape jelly), nachos, and cheetos make me happy.
Movies that have lots of explosions and car chases I get.
God's grace and love I get and yet we often make it so hard to accept and live within.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a hard thing. God loved us, so much that he sent is son to live perfect, die a sinners death, rise victorious over the grave and give us freedom and life. Simply!
So why is it that so many people are confused by matters of faith? Could it be another simple thing... that we, the church, have made it more complicated than it was ever intended to be? Have we add layers and layers of programs, process, systems and vocabulary that it appears to be so complicated to the average person and spiritual seeker?
I would say, "yes" we have!

Just this week I heard from several people, "there's got to be more to his faith stuff, this can't just be it."
Part of Jesus mission was to simply live a godly life, simply love people and simplify our relationship with God.
Jesus came to simplify the countless rules, regulations, and boundaries imposed by centuries of religion.
The people of his day were drawn to his simple teaches and truth.
The religious leaders.... hated him for it! They like complicated.

Simple does not me dumb.
Simple does not mean it's not hard or no growth happens.
Rather, Jesus showed simple to be hard, intense, dangerous, radical, and powerful.
Simple brought understanding, understudying brought faith, faith brought action that appeared simple but rocked the world.

Maybe you're confused as you attend Journey, go to LIFE Groups, participate in various ways.
Maybe you're waiting for the simple to end and the complicated to start... because that's how it's always been in church.
I promise you, if you're looking and waiting for the complicated.... you won't find it here at Journey.
Rather you'll find the simple
So why not embrace the simple.... like Jesus taught, modeled and lived.
Simply show love to others.
Simply reach out to a hurting world.
Simply serve expecting nothing in return.
Simply give the best that you have.

Have you had enough of the complicated life?
Simply accept the simple gift of God.... accept and follow a simply power man... God's son Jesus.
Is that simply enough for you?

Inspiring week

This week I have been deeply inspired by the personal movement within people lives all around me. I have had more people coming and going through the office, having lunches, and dialoging via e-mail with than I have in a while. It's not just the volume of the talks, it's the depth and openness of them. There is a passion burning right now to go deeper and higher with God.
There is a desire to be vulnerable, hear the truth and press forward.

This last week we explored the "elephant in the church of the supernatural". How God supernaturally has gifted each of us, as believers to build up, equip and grow the church and it's people. People are exploring this elephant, and beginning to see new insights as to who they are in Christ and who they can become... if they engage these God-given gifts. It has inspired me to review my gift mix and make sure I am being all that I can be with the Holy Spirt and for Jesus.

I want to see the supernatural happen through God's people.
I believe that it does and is happening daily.
I want to make sure that use my gifts, not waste them, and see others grow and grow.

This week has been a domino effect type of week for me. If you're not seeing it, maybe it's because you haven't actively engaged in the supernatural with God, because you're not using your gifts that he has given you. If you have one of the handwritten test, take it and stop by my office.... it may radically effect your life and faith.
Or take a short version at this link (15 min max), and then forward the results to me at rich@journeychurch.net

http://churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.php

What a super.... supernatural week.... I long for more and more of them.
Thanks to those that have stepped up and engaged the Holy Spirit this week.
Now go... and use what has been given to you for the sake of the church/ God's kingdom.

New President

Today I watched history unfold. We say that we live in unique times, but today we have really watched and experienced global moment in time. As Obama was sworn in and began his address the nation and world, he pointed the finger at all of us. All of us that have failed each other, failed our country, failed our hopes and dreams. Rather than point finger at one group or the other, he pointed it to all of us.
Obama also make a strong reference to 1 Corinthians and the call to "grow up" and put away, "childish things". What a great attitude for us to hear. Our nation needs to take responsibility and actively take steps to change and make our nation healthy again.

I know many are have various opinions on our new president. But as Christians we are commanded to respect those in authority and pray for them. So as President Obama calls us to grow, let do so and show our support for him, our nation and God.
May this moment in time, not be wasted, but may it really bring us new hope.