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From the Front Lines One Pastor’s Reflection On the Re-Launch Journey Where are we? Where are we going? How are we going to get there? Isaiah 43: 15-19 (ESV) “I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 17 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 18 Crisis • Does it hurt bad enough? • Desperation is often a crucial part of faith Call • Are you called to do this? Genesis 31:3 (NASB) Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” Genesis 31:13 (NASB) I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” 13 Call • Are you called to do this? • “Now is the time and you are the one.” • “You are running from, not being called to.” Courage • Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward in the face of fear. Courage “You are not just asking people to follow you where they’ve never been. You are asking them to follow you where you’ve never been.” ~Andy Stanley Next Generational Leader Aragorn’s Speech Isaiah 43:16-17 (ESV) Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: Courage • Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward in the face of fear. • Remember for Courage Hannah’s Prayer “John 12:23-28 What is it in my life that must die? What must be sacrificed to produce new life in others? Lord, please show me. I do not want to love my life here so much that I miss out on the wonderful things You have placed in ‘my box’. I want to follow You, Christ! I also want to lead others to follow You! May the prayer of my heart be -as Christ prayed‘Bring glory to Your name’. Thank you for the glory already given, and for the continuing work You want to do IN and THROUGH me! Courage • “If you don’t believe you are dying, you will not have the necessary internal capital to pay the price of a transplant.” Credibility Time + Authentic Transparency + Patient Suffering + Integrity Credibility . Credibility • Credibility means you will stay the course – i.e. you will stay past the transition to ensure stability, security. • “3-5 years before changes take root.” ~Tom Cheyney Core • Ministry Leadership Council (MLC) • With 15 people, representative cross section of the church • Invited member participation Core • These will be the ones who will carry you in the darkest days. Core • Two important things to consider They must feel the weight They must have/maintain unity • Read Simple Church (Rainer) Clarity/ Communication • People need as much clarity as you can honestly give them Isaiah 43: 18-19 (ESV) 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Clarity/ Communication • People need as much clarity as you can honestly give them • Forget for clarity Clarity/ Communication “If we are going to go anywhere, we’re going to have to risk venturing into the unknown. Life is about adventure, not maintenance.” ~ John Maxwell This change is not a quick fix, but an ongoing process - a journey. The path before us is not a nice The path before us is not a nice, neat, clearly marked path that leads to a nice, neat final destination The path before us is not a nice Rather it is an invitation from God to follow His leading into what now looks like a fog, therefore trust and courage are critical. Mistakes will be made. We will experience failure along the way. The fear of failure is one of the greatest obstacles to individual and church growth. Removing this one obstacle - the refusal to be held captive to supposed failure will do more than just about anything to help us on our journey. Clarity/ Communication “One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.” ~ Andre Gide New Wine New Vision Proverbs 29:18 (NASB) Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. New Vision Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed. Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to 19 me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 20 The Why of Our Church We exist to make disciples of Jesus (little Christs) “the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose.” C.S.Lewis, Mere Christianity The What of Our Church Disciples in our church are becoming people of HOPE people of FAITH people of LOVE The How of Our Church FAITH HOPE LOVE People in our church are becoming mature disciples FAITH WORSHIP Experiencing the Faith is participating in God’s eternal story through the Word and personal expression small Looking group Hope Inward small Looking Hope group Inward small Looking group Hope Inward small Looking group Hope Inward small Looking Hope group Inward Enjoying the Hope is growing confidence in the unseen reality that is ours in Christ Looking Outward ministry LOVE Expressing the Love is emulating God’s selfless nature as we relate with our church, community, and world. New Wineskin New Wineskin • New governance • New Constitution & By-Laws • New name *Vision is boss *Our vision is not to make little Baptists, but make little Christs New Name • Grace is at the core of who we are, why we are and what we celebrate. • This is a journey, not a destination. • We travel together in community. • The grace journey together is called the church. Grace Journey Community Church New Wineskins • 2012 Preached entire year for preparation • Shut down all ministries • Said good-bye to what was • Closed the “old” church for one week (Sunday of Prayer) • Re-opened the next Sunday Cost • Loss • Scary for people-loss of control • Sad for people-loss of something precious • People will be angry • People will grieve Cost • You will personally experience loss at many levels Cost • This is when your call will be paramount • This is where your courage will be tested • This is when your core group will be important Celebrate The call of God He is not finished Celebrate The journey You will encounter God You will be changed Celebrate The pleasure of God Celebrate The pain of loss You are invited into the privilege of suffering for Christ’s sake. Celebrate What God has in store Celebrate A new vision A new life A new hope Celebrate Lives that will be touched and changed