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This Week At Foothills

I love being a part of all that God is doing here at Foothills Community Church. I have the privilege of having a front row seat to life change everyday. Our purpose here at Foothills is to reach the thousands of unchurched people in our geographic area with the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and to equip them to experience His presence and demonstrate His power. It happens everyday!

I also have the privilege of experiencing all this with a great group of people! Love the team God has allowed me to work with! Each week youth pastor Sam Stuckey and I put out very fun video highlighting all that God is doing around Foothills.

I give you This Week At Foothills...

Who said church announcements needs to be boring?!

Persecuted

Last week I had the privilege of being at the Right Now conference in Dallas Texas. In a question and answer session with Francis Chan, Francis was speaking about his recent experience in India. When asked what the Church of India thought about the American Church he simply replied, they don't understand it.

He said, they couldn't understand why people would leave their church. Why would a believer leave their church because they did not like they way their pastor preached? Why would a follower of Jesus leave their church because they did not like the music? Why would one leave their church because the children's ministry was not exactly to their liking? You see for those that follow Jesus in a place like India, they put their very lives at risk to follow Him. Faith is not something they claim with their lips but rather something they risk their lives for.

This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This Sunday as we head off to church with not a care in the world many thousands around the world are putting their lives in danger doing the same thing.

May this video produced by K.P. Yohannan, the founder and international director for Gospel for Asia move you like it did me. May it remind us to not only pray for the 40,000 people that are put to death for surrendering their lives to Jesus, but also help us consider our own journey with Jesus. May it cause us to fully surrender to the One that did likewise for us.

Mission of The Church

I love the Church. I am thankful God has given her to us. I can't imagine doing life without the amazing community of people God has placed me in.

So many times I have heard, "I have Jesus; I don't need the Church," or "I love God, I just can't stand the Church." While it may be true, fellowship with the Church does not equal salvation, we still need the Church, and the Church needs us. Yes the Church is far from perfect, yet in all it's messy imperfection God chooses to use us to impact the world with His message of love.

We as God's people are called to a life of mission. The mission ... the building of God's Kingdom. What makes it exciting, is we are not called to do it alone, rather we are called together into this great adventure. The mission of the Church matters and it is through the unity of the Church that it will be accomplished.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Foot Washers

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:3-5

Jesus was and is the perfect example of a leader. He was one that lead by serving others. One who led in love and in humility. He is the ultimate example of how we should lead and serve.

I love that my son, along with the others in his Kid's Church class at Foothills is learning to serve in a like manner. I am thankful for the those that faithfully and humbly lead them.

May we all be foot washers.

Game of Hope

Love this!

What an amazing difference we can make when we love people the way Jesus does!

At the end of the game Isaiah, the teenage convict-quarterback surprised everybody and asked if he could pray and he prayed, "Lord, I don't know what just happened so I don't know how or who to say thank you to, but I never knew there were so many people in the world who cared about us."

On the way back to the bus, under guard, each one of the Gainsville State School players were handed a burger, fries, a Coke, a Bible and an encouraging letter from the players from Faith Academy.

Sounds like "Sheep" to me!

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:31-40

A New Chapter Begins

It was with a mixture of sadness and excitement that I announced on Sunday my resignation as Associate Pastor at Rock Harbor Church. It has been my distinct pleasure to serve along side the wonderful people of Rock Harbor as we worked together to make a difference in the community of Sherwood and beyond. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity we have had to be a part of this wonderful community.

In recent months the financial, and personal needs of our family have grown and have driven us to seek the Lord in how these would be met. The way in which He has chosen to meet these ever growing needs can only be described as a God thing!

It has been through a great deal of prayer and listening to God that we have come to this place. It has not been an easy decision, yet one in which He has clearly led. We are saddened to say goodbye to our Rock Harbor community, yet at the same time excited about joining God in what He is doing in and through the community of Foothills Community Church in Molalla, Oregon.

Beginning on October 11 I will be taking a bold new step in my life. It is on this day that I will be following God’s lead in stepping out of the student ministry world as I begin my new role as Associate Pastor at Foothills Community Church. It is with eager anticipation that I move forward in my mission “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12).

To my family at Rock Harbor, know that you are loved and will always hold a special place in the hearts of my family. It has been an absolute joy and privilege to join with you in moving God’s Kingdom forward. To the students of Rock Harbor Student Ministries, my life remains open to you. Never hesitate to contact me. I am but a text message, Facebook message, email or phone call away. You are loved. Remain in community with one another and stay close to your leaders. They are fully committed to loving and caring for you. They are the best!

To our new family at Foothills, we are filled with anticipation as we look forward to joining you in your mission to reach the thousands of unchurched people in your geographic area with the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and to equip them to experience His presence and demonstrate His power. We look forward to doing life with you and experiencing the kind of community that comes from together seeking the heart of God.

The ride continues. Bring it on!

Church = Family

The Church is family. For a family to operate within it's intended design and purpose, family members must be committed to sacrificially serving one another. So it is with the Church.

Mark Driscoll nails it on this one...

He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice." Luke 8:21

Just Do It

Nike got it right. Don't just talk about. Don't just dream about it. Just do it!

Jesus also has it right. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24.

James certainly nailed it. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

Why do we get it so goofed up? Why do we tend to dismiss the words of Christ, by merely discussing them, debating them, and even memorizing them? Instead let's just do them!

I appreciate Francis Chan's admonition.

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

HT to Adam McLane for the video.

Missional Church

A good picture of what the church has been and where it should be going.

I Am A Chair

Oregon is where I make my home. It's a great place with lots of wonderful people. It is also considered to be one of the least churched states in the nation. I often wonder why.

There are churches all over the place in our state. Most are not full. Again, I often wonder why.

I am challenged by this video.

I am a chair from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.

May we as Christ's Church see people as He see's them. May we be committed to loving people as He does. As we do ... may we run out chairs.

Sacrifice

If there is one thing in this life that I attempt to avoid, it's pain and persecution. I don't know anyone that enjoys it. Unlike many in this world, we as the American Church find ourselves fairly sheltered from it. This concerns me. I am often haunted by the words of 2 Timothy 3:12, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Listen to John Piper's words and consider your life of sacrifice.

To live a radical life of sacrifice for Christ is both our highest calling as well as the highest honor we can ever achieve.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

HT to Adam.

Like Jesus

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it really means, and what it really looks like, to be a follower of Jesus. Is it going to church? Is it having a quiet time every day? Is it praying a certain amount of time each day? Is it tithing to your church? Is it living in America? What is it?

I hear a lot about how America is a Christian nation, or at least used to be. I have to ask ... Really? What makes us such? Is it because our money says, "In God we trust?" I tire of the forwards I receive in my inbox bemoaning the fact/rumor that our government wants to remove that phrase from our money. Does it really matter? Is it that important that our money contains that phrase, or are we merely paying lip service to God with it, because we really don't fully trust Him and live as Him?

1 John 2:16 gives us that answer. "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." May we as the Church not just admire Jesus from afar, or like Him for who He was, or pay lip service to Him, but may we truly walk as Jesus did.

Francis Chan said it well. Check this out ...

May we not just like Jesus but rather may we walk like Jesus.

Social Media Revolution

This just amazes me. For those that think social media is but a fad ... think again.

The social media revolution is nothing less than a cultural shift. A revolution. Social media has changed the way we do life, and for the Church the implications of all this are staggering. It excites me to be a part of it all.

What do you think?

Lord Save Us From Your Followers

I shared my thoughts on this provocative movie back in April of 2008 and continue to get a fair amount of traffic to this blog as a result. You can read what I wrote here. I'm now excited to learn that it will finally be hitting the big screen! Check here to see where.

If you have not yet seen this film be looking for it in theaters this September and do all you can to make sure you see it. It is my hope that this movie will continue to spark the conversation that is so badly needed in both the Church and culture at large.

This is a great song taken from the movie that will get you thinking.

From Eternity to Here

I have been reading a good number of books recently. I enjoy pushing my thinking beyond the paradigms and opinions I currently hold. This has certainly been the case recently.

One of the books I have been working my way through is one in which I was sent and asked to write a review for. The book is Frank Viola's most recent, "From Eternity To Here" (David C. Cook, 2009). The tag line of the book's title is, "Rediscovering The Ageless Purpose of God." The statement holds true.

After reading the book I have a far greater appreciation for Jesus and the love He has for us, His Church. What is presented is a God that is passionately and madly in love with His bride, the Church. What I appreciate most is how Viola draws out the scriptural analogy of the Church being the bride of Christ.

I yet to meet a groom, who was not absolutely smitten and passionately in love with his bride. In like manner, that is how Christ see us! The irony is, we all too often fail to see ourselves in the same manner.

Viola says it well when he writes, "In the eyes of your beloved Lord, you are the most captivating thing that exists in His universe. How then, can you think of yourself as being unworthy in the presence of so great a truth?" I don't know about you, but that truth stirs my heart.

This same truth is found in the words of Ephesians 5:25-27. "...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

It is only through accepting Christ's love, and His view of us, that we are able to serve Him from anything other than guilt or duty. It is when we accept His passionate love for us that we are able to reciprocate it through they way we live. Viola offers a great reminder when he writes, "We are His bride, not His slave or His maid"

It is my desire to love and live for my Lord not out of guilt or duty, but out of an intense love for Him. Why? Because that is how He loves me!

If you desire a new appreciation for the love relationship Christ has with you, read this book. It will open your eyes to how much He does indeed love us, and how the whole of Scripture is nothing short of a love story. A love story between Christ and His bride.

Today (June 9th), the following blogs are discussing Frank Viola's new bestselling book, "From Eternity to Here" (David C. Cook, 2009). The book just hit the May CBA Bestseller List. Some are posting Q & A with Frank; others are posting full reviews of the book.

Church Planting Novice

Emerging from Montana

Leaving Salem, Blog of Ronnie McBrayer

Jason Coker

From Knowledge to Wisdom

Home Brewed Christianity

Dispossessed

Dandelion Seeds

David Brodsky's Blog- "Flip the tape Deck"

What's With Christina?!

On Now to the Third Level

Irreligious Canuck

This day on the journey

Live and Move: Thoughts on Authentic Christianity

Spiritual Journey With God

Searching for the Whole-Hearted Life

Go to Amazon now and you can get the book at a 33% discount.

Following His Lead

One of my favorite aspects of following Christ, is the confidence that we can have in His leadership. A favorite scripture of mine has always been Proverbs 3:5-6,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

As we followed God's lead in stepping away from our ministry position of nine years we had no idea how God was going to lead. Where would He take us? What would He have us do? All we knew is that we wanted to be in the center of His will, to trust Him completely, knowing and believing that He would reveal to us His perfect plan. It has been quite a ride, and He has, as always, proven Himself faithful and true.

I am happy to share that this morning it was announced to the Rock Harbor community that as of June 1, I will be joining their leadership team as their Associate Pastor. Most of my time will be spent focused on student ministries with the balance of my time serving and leading in other areas of ministry.

We are so thankful for the church God has led us to. Not only is it right in our community, meaning no need to make a move, it is also a church that fits well with who we are, and is a church that values the things that we see as important in a church community.

Rock Harbor is a recent church plant of two and a half years that is committed to and focused upon four important values: Truth, Authenticity, Community, and Hope.

Truth – built on the foundation of the Word of God. Our teaching is bible-based and application oriented. We search for answers together in the bible.

Authenticity – a place where you can succeed or struggle and see others do the same. You are not expected to leave your baggage in the car but bring it with you to share with other believers and leave at the foot of the cross.

Community – connecting people with one another in caring relationships. Building relationships is not optional but expected. We will greatly benefit by bringing out each others strengths and helping to cover one another's weaknesses.

Hope – our only hope is found in Jesus Christ. It is not “wishful thinking” but a promise from God to us. Not only do we look to Christ for our hope but openly share it within our sphere of influence and proactively build relationships so that we may share our hope with others.

We are excited to follow God into this new chapter of our lives and ministry. We are excited to connect with such a wonderful community of people, and are excited to see where God takes us as we seek to be the church God desires. We continue to enjoy the ride!

If you are in the Sherwood area and need a church home, come join us!

Think On This

If your church is serious about reaching the unchurched, you must be willing to put up with the people who have a lot of problems. Fishing is often messy and smelly. Many churches want the fish they catch to be already scaled, gutted, cleaned and cooked. That is why they never reach anyone.
- Rick Warren

We're All In This Together

This is the first year in many that I have not participated in the 30 Hour Famine. It is a movement that I so believe in, and am thrilled to see the students I leave behind continue to embrace. If you know a student participating this year, give. Your participation through your giving will have a profound effect on many.

If there is one thing I have learned through World Vision's 30 Hour Famine, it's that we as God's Church, particularly in America, need to realize that God desires, and expects, us to responds to the needs of the world. For it is in fact the purest form of worship. When asked what worship is, the average American church goer will answer, singing. Singing is only but one very small element of worship. Bigger than singing, is responding to the cry of the needy, the suffering, and the broken in our world (James 1:27, Matthew 25:31-49, Romans 12:1).

I so appreciate what Hillsong United will be releasing this year. Were All in This Together, a feature-length documentary, will illustrate the inseparable union of worship and justice - aimed at inspiring people to see injustice, think creatively and act in response.

Watch this teaser and let it move you closer into the heart of God.

May we never forget ... we are in this together.

For more see i-heart.org.

Looking Back ... Looking Forward

Today concluded nearly 11 years of ministry at Grace Point. We were honored this afternoon with a wonderful time of appreciation and love over a great lunch. What a blast it was reminiscing over all the years of great ministry. What a wonderful community of people to serve with; truly family.

Good friend and long time partner in ministry, Aaron Geist, produced this great video looking back over the years.

As we move forward, we now look forward. We look forward to what God has in store for us next, and are anxious for this next chapter in our lives to unfold. Stay tuned!

Unique Churches

When asked about the Church, the first thing that often comes to people's minds is what sits on the corner down the street ... a building. We know though that the Church is not a building. It's not a place. It is people. Church is not something we are called to go to, but rather what we are called to be. It is the community of people that have given their lives to following the head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

That being said, I recently came across a fascinating series on Ten Of The World's Most Unique Churches, church buildings that is. What follows are ten remarkable feats of architecture. A true testament to the creativity of man.

May we as God's Church be as attractive and unique as the buildings that follow.

Harajuku: Japanese Futuristic Church

This futuristic protestant church is located in Tokyo and it was first unveiled by the design firm of Ciel Rouge Creation in 2005. The ceiling is specially made to reverberate natural sound for 2 seconds to provide a unique listening experience for worshipers and tourists.

Saint Basil's Cathedral: The Red Square 's Colorful Church

(photo: Lst1984)

The St. Basil's Cathedral is located on the Red Square in Moscow , Russia . A Russian Orthodox church, the Cathedral sports a series of colorful bulbous domes that taper to a point, aptly named onion domes, that are part of Moscow's Kremlin skyline.

The cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. In 1588 Tsar Fedor Ivanovich had a chapel added on the eastern side above the grave of Basil Fool for Christ, a Russian Orthodox saint after whom the cathedral was popularly named.

Hallgrímskirkja: Iceland 's Most Amazing Church

(photo: Stuck in Customs)

The Hallgrímskirkja (literally, the church of Hallgrímur ) is a Lutheran parish church located in Reykjavík , Iceland . At 74.5 metres (244 ft), it is the fourth tallest architectural structure in Iceland . The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 to 1674), author of the Passion Hymns. State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson's design of the church was commissioned in 1937; it took 38 years to build it.

Temppeliaukio Kirkko: The Rock Church

The Temppeliaukio Kirkko ( Rock Church ) is a thrilling work of modern architecture in Helsinki. Completed in 1952, it is built entirely underground and has a ceiling made of copper wire. It was designed by architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and completed in 1969. They chose a rocky outcrop rising about 40 feet above street level, and blasted out the walls from the inside. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki and frequently full of visitors.

Cathedral of Brasília: The Modern Church of architect Oscar Niemeyer

The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida in the capital of Brazil is an expression of the architect Oscar Niemeyer. This concrete-framed hyperboloid structure, seems with its glass roof to be reaching up, open, to heaven. On 31 May 1970, the Cathedral's structure was finished, and only the 70 m diameter of the circular area were visible. Niemeyer's project of Cathedral of Brasília is based in the hyperboloid of revolution which sections are asymmetric. The hyperboloid structure itself is a result of 16 identical assembled concrete columns. These columns, having hyperbolic section and weighing 90 t, represent two hands moving upwards to heaven. The Cathedral was dedicated on 31 May 1970.

Borgund Church: Best Preserved Stave Church

The Borgund Stave Church in Lærdal is the best preserved of Norway 's 28 extant stave churches. This wooden church, probably built in the end of the 12th century, has not changed structure or had a major reconstruction since the date it was built. The church is also featured as a Wonder for the Viking civilization in the video game Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.

Las Lajas Cathedral: A Gothic Church Worthy of a Fairy Tale

(photo: Jungle_Boy)

The Las Lajas Cathedral is located in southern Colombia and built in 1916 inside the canyon of the Guaitara River . According to the legend, this was the place where an Indian woman named María Mueses de Quiñones was carrying her deaf-mute daughter Rosa on her back near Las Lajas ("The Rocks"). Weary of the climb, the María sat down on a rock when Rosa spoke (for the first time) about an apparition in a cave.

Later on, a mysterious painting of the Virgin Mary carrying a baby was discovered on the wall of the cave. Supposedly, studies of the painting showed no proof of paint or pigments on the rock - instead, when a core sample was taken, it was found that the colors were impregnated in the rock itself to a depth of several feet. Whether true or not, the legend spurred the building of this amazing church.

St. Joseph Church: Known for its Thirteen Gold Domed Roof

The St. Joseph The Betrothed is an Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Chicago . Built in 1956, it is most known for its ultra-modern thirteen gold domed roof symbolizing the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ as the largest center dome. The interior of the church is completely adorned with Byzantine style icons (frescoes). Unfortunately the iconographer was deported back to his homeland before he was able to write the names of all the saints as prescribed by iconographic traditions.

Ružica Church: Where Chandeliers are made of Bullet Shells

Located over the Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, Serbia, the Ružica Church is a small chapel decorated with... with trench art! Its chandeliers are entirely made of spent bullet casing, swords, and cannon parts.

The space the church now occupies was used by the Turks as gunpowder storage for over 100 years and it had to be largely rebuilt in 1920 after WWI. Though damaged by bombings there was an upshot to the terrible carnage of The Great War. While fighting alongside England and the US , Serbian soldiers on the Thessaloniki front took the time to put together these amazing chandeliers. It is one of the world's finest examples of trench art.

Chapel of St-Gildas: Built into the base of a bare rocky cliff

The Chapel of St-Gildas sits upon the bank of the Canal du Blavet in Brittany, France. Built like a stone barn into the base of a bare rocky cliff, this was once a holy place of the Druids. Gildas appears to have travelled widely throughout the Celtic world of Corwall, Wales , Ireland and Scotland . He arrived in Brittany in about AD 540 and is said to have preached Christianity to the people from a rough pulpit, now contained within the chapel.

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