Please God! Any Church But That Church!

I remember the days when my angry father stood at the basement doorway as he threw my sister down the flight of stairs. My father drank over a case and a half of beer daily before he had his spiritual encounter. He was close to suicide when he remembered the words of his godly grandmother.

She had told him years earlier, “When you don’t know where else to turn call upon God.” My family completely changed when he gave his life to Jesus in our living room. Yet, there was still something missing in our lives.

Nearly three years after my dad was healed of his alcohol addiction he began to have a hunger for the Word of God. There alone in his work office he opened up the Bible for the first time. His only exposure to the Bible had been during the few times he had heard it read after being dragged as a young boy to church by his grandmother.

Something came over him as he began to read the scripture. He began to weep almost uncontrollably. He felt directed to get in his car and simply drive. My dad says often of that day, “I was drawn to that church all the time protesting…Please God! Any church but that church!”

Did I mention I met my wife at that church?

He indeed found himself driving directly to that church and meeting with the Pastor. Our family had never attended church. This was something completely foreign to me as a junior higher. As we began attending church my life was personally impacted by the ministry of that church. In the years to follow I would give my life to Jesus, be baptized in water, receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and obey a call to the ministry.

Now that I embark upon the launch of The Sound I hope to be that church for our community. That church where the spiritually hungry are drawn and families find life in Jesus.

On that day my dad took a turn into the parking lot of a church that I still call home. I am so grateful for the faithfulness of Pastor Moen and the ministry of that church, First Assembly of God in Rockford, Illinois. And, I am so proud that The Sound is included in such a great group of churches that are a part of the world-wide, reputable network called the Assemblies of God.

Kill Whomever You Have to Kill & Other Hyperboles

“It is all about the children.” This has been the refrain of many politicians, parents, and even a few provocateurs. Capture the next generation and you have set the course of a nation’s future. This fact is not missed in the pages of scripture.

On the day of Pentecost Peter had his “leave no child behind” moment at the crescendo of the first New Testament message. Peter concluded his long discourse with the following exclamation, “The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

In the past year and a half I have spent time being prepared at conferences and various training events. Without fail I heard the same refrain. Even one presenter went as far as to say, “If you are planting a church…kill whomever you have to kill to take care of the children and youth.” I think that was a hyperbole?

In any case our next generation is important to the heart of God. In launching The Sound we are thankful to begin meeting at The Rainbow Station in the heart of Haymarket. When I first saw the facility I could only describe it as “kid world.” The facility is beautifully designed for families complete with a park equipped with playground equipment, covered picnic area, giant jumping pad, and more.

I can’t wait to launch The Sound on October 3. We have a busy schedule of preparation leading to this great day. To mimic Peter, we are excited to begin transforming the classrooms and gymnasium into Sunday sacred space for “you and your children” and for “whomever…God invites.”

What’s Taking So Long?

As a young minister I could not possibly know what would become of the rebellious junior high boy named Peter Breit. I peeled him off the neighborhood light pole, forcibly placed him in my car, and delivered him to school. I had responded to a frustrated single mother’s request for help.

Peter is a reminder to me that God is always at work even when we don’t see it readily with our eyes. What we are longing to see occur in our lives and in the lives of others does not happen overnight. Every pastor has asked what every mom inevitably asks, “What is taking so long?”

Admittedly, I have asked God this same question from time to time. What is taking so long? God has placed in our hearts a desire to reach out to the Haymarket-Gainesville area. It has taken some patience, but God has been at work while we have been waiting.

Our worship leaders, Roger and Lisa Coles, recently became parents. At times I think I have sounded a bit like Lisa a week before she gave birth to her baby girl. I heard her say multiple times, “When will this baby come out?”

Jesus is always at work behind the scenes to bring about His will. Peter Breit is now a husband and father of four while serving as a missionary to Mexico City. Baby Abrielle was growing during every moment of Lisa and Roger’s anticipation, and definitely worth the wait. And now The Sound Church has a launch date of October 3, 2010.

I will be writing more about The Sound’s launch plans, new location, and the heart behind the ministry in the coming days. Until then check out this story and you will see why I picked Peter as an illustration for this blog.

The End of the Beginning?

I know that this is not the end. Then what is it? Could it be the end of the beginning? How can that be when the beginning of the beginning is right around the corner?

Some have asked, "Can we still take off our shoes in our launch facility?"

“Have we begun yet?” This is a question that has been asked of me many times. I’ve had trouble answering the question. We have been worshiping in a home each Sunday morning in Haymarket at the gracious invitation of Doug and Myriam Wead for nine months.

Nine months? How fitting. I have often remarked that we cannot give birth to a new church until we are pregnant…pregnant with growth, faith, and expectation. An interesting thing happened while we were praying, preaching, and gathering people for what church planters call a “launch team.” Lost people began to attend.

As I write this blog tomorrow afternoon we will baptize four new believers. Their backgrounds vary from religiously growing up in another faith to those having no church background whatsoever. This has completely amazed our team and strengthened our faith in what God is about to do in our midst.

The Wead’s basement is maxed out. The life that new babies and children bring is barely contained by the living room areas. We are so thankful that God has prepared a place for us to begin. Did I say begin? Have we begun? More about that in my next blog.

Jesus Was No Rush Limbaugh

Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing. Talk about discernment! The Son of God ministered in precise timing, and spoke with confident authority. Jesus was the perfect Son of Man who ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus preached hard against the Pharisees who pretended in false piety to be perfectly clean on the outside. They were in truth dark hypocrites in matters of the heart. Our Lord reserved His most pointed words for these wicked preachers, yet, there was plenty of sin that could be found in the political leaders of the day.

Political preaching is what got John the Baptist’s head served on a platter. Herod Antipas was the foreign minded tetrarch king of Israel that put an end to the voice that cried out. This Herod built a city in Galilee named after the Roman Emperor Tiberius with an added view to foreign gods. This king in Israel was an adulterer who stole his brother’s wife.

There seemed to be plenty of political material for Jesus to preach against. Yet, Jesus did not enter the political fray. Jesus was no Rush Limbaugh. I’m not sure that John the Baptist was wrong in speaking out, but it doesn’t seem to fit his charge to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. I write all this with the complete realization that there have certainly been times in which God’s prophets have spoken out against sinful political leaders.

Could it be that Jesus in His perfect discernment realized something that not even the greatest man ever born could discern? Perhaps the true problem for Israel was not in the halls of the palace, but in the pulpits of the priests? Was Jesus preaching by His political silence that repentance starts in the house of the Lord? Could it be that domestic kings with foreign minds that bowed low before far-off powers were the result of prideful preachers?

If I took time to make direct application to our day I would be entering the tussle of politics. I think I’ll keep my head for one more day. Instead I pray that God would grant His church both purity and discernment for these days we live!

The Sound Update

I am excited about what God is doing. We have been making many steps toward the launch of our new church The Sound. There continues to be great interest and many inquiries. All that goes into laying the foundation of a new church is almost overwhelming, but God is helping us in so many ways.

Update:
-Initiated a weekly meeting for those committed to helping The Sound launch (launch team)
-501c3 status is complete along with articles of incorporation
-Bylaws have been submitted and approved
-Bank account established and non-for-profit tax ID number secured
-Website being developed at http://www.thesoundchurch.org
-Local and national pastoral oversight board established
-Discipleship and ministry model defined and being shared at ongoing launch meetings

We are looking for people with ALL levels of experience in life to add to our growing launch team! On Friday, October 30, we are having what we are calling a Launch Party. This will be an informal time in which you will have an opportunity to hear and ask questions about the launch of The Sound Church. One of our pastors wants to meet you and hear your unique story!

Click the following link for details and R.S.V.P. for The Sound’s Launch Party. We want you to be part of it! If you have any further questions feel free to call me on my cell at 703.346.0323. Hope to see you there!

What will make this church distinctive?

Defining a new church experience in Haymarket or Gainesville.

People need a place to discover God’s dream for their life. This is the Great Commission. The Great Commission is seen when someone gives their life to Jesus, expresses obedience through baptism, and then ultimately discovers God’s dream for their life. I believe the churches role is to create an environment where people are free to discover and fulfill the Great Commission.

God is giving me a dream for a truly life-giving church. God has been forming me for this moment. In my past ministry I have seen when people are truly released to do what God has designed them to do then souls are saved, families are restored, people are baptized in the Holy Spirit, called into the ministry, and neighborhoods are changed for Jesus.

I am excited that God has called me along with Pastor Marc Romero, and Pastor Roger Coles to launch The Sound Church. God continues to build a launch team around us with a vision to begin the first Sunday service on February 14, 2010. Please keep us in your prayers as we step out in faith to fulfill God’s dream to reach the world around us.

See Why I am planting a church, What kind of new church, & Why a church in Gainesville or Haymarket, and A different kind of church?

A different kind of church

A different kind of church?

It takes all kinds to reach all kinds. Many tastes, many flavors!

I hail from a city of some 150,000 people in Northern Illinois just outside Chicago. Rockford is known for having more parks per capita than any other city in America. It is also known for its great number of churches. There are numerous churches of every stripe. Yet, even in my hometown if it were to experience true revival there would not be enough seats for the seekers.

My hometown has not grown nor shrunk in population in decades. Yet even my hometown has been blessed by church plants. With new vision and energy one recent church now numbers in the thousands. Why? It takes all kinds to reach all kinds. Many tastes many flavors!

Every time I drive through the Gainesville/Haymarket area it seems a new restaurant appears. I find it interesting that in any given town there are scores of restaurants each serving food with each its distinctive flavor. It takes all kinds to reach all kinds. Even in a city saturated with restaurants you will find new ones opening weekly. The new opening restaurant is not a statement that there are deficiencies in the surrounding restaurants, but simply an offer of a different taste to the overwhelming amount of people that hungry.

See Why I am planting a church, What kind of new church, & Why a church in Gainesville or Haymarket?

Why a church in Gainesville or Haymarket?

More churches are needed for a burgeoning harvest field.

Again, consider the numbers. I heard Dr. Vinson Synan, who was the former dean of the School of Divinity at Regent University say, “Over 85% of all people who come to Jesus will do so in a church, and in conjunction with an invitation from a caring friend.”

And while this is true the church-to-population ratio in United States has been in decline for decades. In 1900 our nation had 27 churches for every 10,000 Americans. By 1950, this ratio had dropped to 17 churches for every 10,000 people. Since 1950, we actually have 30 percent fewer churches to reach the growing number of unchurched people in our land!

There are one hundred and twenty million unchurched people in the United States. That makes us the fourth largest mission field in the world. Truly the work of the great commission is incomplete.

God has placed a burden on my heart for a specific area of the harvest field. After much prayer the Lord directed me to target an area of great growth in Northern Virginia. Gainesville and Haymarket have grown so quickly that the numbers of churches are few in relationship to the growing population. There are over 70,000 people within a given three mile radius of downtown Haymarket. Less than 40% of the population presently attends church making this highly populated and growing area a tremendous opportunity for a life-giving church.

See why start a new church and why I am planting a church?

What kind of new church?

So if meeting the spiritual needs and evangelizing in a new community is the goal, how will it be done? There are two types of churches that experience great numbers of new converts, namely evangelistic centers and new church plants.

As expressed in my last blog. God has been calling me to plant a church. When my wife, Treche, and I left our first ministry position of five years in Minnesota we prayed together that we would be involved in an evangelistic center. God answered our prayers and for many years in Virginia we marveled as Jesus allowed us to take part in a church that was an evangelistic center. Our part in this work was a blessing as God built what was by all accounts one the largest youth groups on the east coast where many students and families were coming to know Jesus.

Now God is leading us to plant a church. The pastor that led my family to the Lord was a man named Earnest Moen. As my pastor and later as an important State Church leader he would often say, “The only way to increase the number of new believers is to increase the number of new churches.”

What my pastor believed instinctively has since been born out in study after study in landmark works such as Christian Schwarz’s Natural Church Development. In his book Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them says, Thom Rainer, writes the following:

“In the typical American church it takes the combined efforts of 85 Christians an entire year to reach one convert. This is not true, though, for new churches. They are usually filled with new believers. Ten to fifty percent of people in these churches will testify that they became Christians as a direct result of the efforts of the newly planted church.”

Roughly half of all U.S. churches did not add one new person through conversion growth last year. It is my prayer that many will come to know Jesus through the venture ahead.

See Why Start a New Church.