"Christian Values"

I know that it is quite permissible and even "in vogue" in our society now to criticize a certain group of lets just say, "religious people". I guess over the years I have been as guilty as anyone of criticizing these "people of the book". In order to be fair and "balanced", I thought I should point out some of their truly admirable values.


Here goes in no particular order:

1. They defend the Scripture... Whatever I might think of some of their doctrines and actions I must give these guys "mad props" for defending the scripture. I mean you can't just have "someone" come along and add on a whole "new" testament or something. Scripture is written, God has spoken, and that's that!

2. They defend morality... In a world filled with homosexuality and drunken orgies these guys have the courage to stand up and say "cut that out"! Sure they may have a few hypocrites in their midst (who doesn't) but they are still far more moral than the "pagans" in society.

3. The "fight evil" with political power...These guys realize that the "real power" to change the world is found in legislation. They are a political "majority" to be reckoned with. Even if "pagan" politicians do not like them, they certainly fear them and know they have to protect certain of "moral codes" if they want to stay in power.

4. They defend orthodoxy and tradition... As much as tradition may seem "stuffy" after a while, it does serve an important purpose...There are "essentials" that must be defended and there is wisdom and safety in thousands of years of "the way we've always done it." You can't just let "outsiders" come along and say "God wants to do things differently now, the way you've done worship for thousands of years is finished". That just can't happen!

5. They teach the Bible... In a world interested in scandal and the latest lewd gossip, these guys are the undisputed "teachers" of scripture. In fact they view it as their most important responsibility. Not only do they teach adults, they are unbelievably thorough in their "youth training". The Pharisees didn't think it was enough to hire a youth pastor and send the teens to "bible bowl"...they made sure that every male memorized the first five books of the bible by the time they were thirteen years old.

...What, you didn't think I was talking about the pharisees? Who did you think I was writing about? Take a moment and re-read all five "values"...all of them were true about pharisees.

Why is it so easy to criticize Pharisees? Would we have done anything different? How did "Christian Values" end up having more in common (at least in public perception) with the religious sect that "framed" Jesus than with the teachings of Jesus himself....? Where do we go from here?

Bike Weekend

It's Bike weekend and everything on Rt. 30 is set up to welcome "bikers". Makes me think two things...

1. Just another reason I love York, PA. As Rodney Atkins says..."these are my people".
2. We have got to be "geared" up to serve the people of this event next year...I can just see the black actionchurch tent out there giving away coffee, water, etc...
   

Support the Rabid!

Okay, I understand that makes no sense unless you watched the season premiere of The Office last night. If you have it tivo'd I won't spoil it for you but it was funny as always. I love the office (every workplace should have a "Dwight") and judging by the ratings, "America" loves watching the story of the most dysfunctional paper company in Scranton, PA unfold also.

I think part of the popularity of this show is that so many of us have experienced a boss like Michael Scott. So many of us suspect (or know) that we may actually know far more about actually doing our job than "management" does. So many of us have watched in amusement and frustration as our "bosses" struggled with situations that seemed like "common sense" to the average employee. I think a show like The Office is funny because it is, in an exaggerated way, "true"!

Want to fix your "failing" company? There are guys in the break room that know what the problem is and probably have a good idea how to fix it. Want some real "solutions" to the problems we face as Americans? Don't go to D.C., go to a working class coffee shop in K.C. (Kansas City). Want to know why your Church isn't growing and impacting your community in the "unstoppable" way God intended? Don't ask the "steering" committee, ask the guy who owns the diner down the street...he's heard why people don't want to be part of your church's "deal".

I believe in the wisdom and power of "ordinary" people. My Bible is full of stories of how they changed their world. I am so thankful for the very clear vision God has given us for actionchurch. What excites me most is that our vision is made up of so many "What's" and "Where's" but so few "How's". We know "what" people we are to serve, we know "where" we are going, we know "what" actionchurch should "look like" etc.....but there are so many "how" questions that still need to be answered! That's exciting to me, because I know each "how" answer is going to come from an "ordinary" person who has just been waiting for someone to "ask".

How are we going to organize and energize the amazing children's area we need to serve all the kids that are going to come? Someone knows. How are we going to make people from so many diverse backgrounds and experiences feel welcome...in a nightclub? Someone knows. How are we going to organize home groups so these new "revolutionaries" can stay connected to each other and God? Someone knows. How can we most effectively gather and send "action teams" out into our community to serve others? Someone knows. How will we "pull off" getting Fat Daddy's clean, set up, and ready to have church in just three hours each Sunday morning? Someone knows. I can't wait to meet all the "ordinary" people that God is sending ready and prepared to answer the "how" questions that we cannot...

Are you that "someone"? info@actionchurch.com

My new "Leadership Prayer"

This is the second year now that we have been reading through the One Year Bible as a family. I can't tell you how valuable I think this time has been for us as a family, but like every other "discipline" it has it's "ups and downs". Sometimes it can be a real chore to get everyone together and read for 15 minutes while Reagan is (usually) jumping up and down and Michele and I are trying not to fall asleep. God forbid you ever get behind and have to "catch up". In spite of that, it's so valuable just to spend time "togebber" (as Reagan calls it) and sometimes the words from the scriptures seem to just "leap off the page". Last night was one of those nights.

I can't believe I've never noticed this in Psalm 69 (nlt):

5 O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. 6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel. 7 For I endure insults for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face. 8 Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.
9 Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

Wow, that makes me feel a lot better that David prayed prayers like that...I think that's going to be my new "leadership prayer". Except for the fact that my "Brothers still speak to me" I can totally relate to that prayer as I lead actionchurch. Besides, it sounds so much more "Holy" than the remarkably similar prayer I often pray: "God, you know what an "idiot" I am. If you don't guide me I will screw this deal up so badly that everyone will be embarrassed. Please speak to me". I somehow feel a lot better knowing I am not the only one to pray a prayer like that...

Isn't it ironic...

One of the things I am really looking forward to about meeting at Fat Daddy's is the "fun" we can have with it. (Maybe that should be #11 on my list.) Here's something I am really looking forward to- We are going to have a sign made to place above the Fat Daddy's dress code sign that says:

Sunday Mornings-

No Dress Code

No Cover Charge

This is going to be a lot of fun...don'tcha think?

"Small" miracles.

It's pretty easy for me to start focusing on the things "not going right" instead of all the amazing things God has already done... It's easy to mistake "drama" in our story for an unhappy ending. That is, until you consider all the "small" miracles that when "woven" together are the unmistakable fingerprint of our creator. I think I'm gonna have to make a list...how about you?

What can't you stand???

I've been reading the new Bill Hybels book, Holy Discontent, and it asks one very important question. "What can't you stand?" Bill has a theory (and I "buy into it") that every person who "changed their world" from Moses to Mother Theresa was initially motivated by a situation that they considered intolerable. He theorizes that ordinary people can work in concert with all-powerful God, when we our view of injustice and human suffering lines up with God's. This principle truly came into focus yesterday at church as I listened to Pastor David interview an HIV positive African woman who started an AIDS awareness and relief organization because she could not stand to see so many of her family and community die of the disease. I always walk away from a service at LCBC inspired...but I thought this week was amazing.

So what is it that you find intolerable? What can't you stand? Moses couldn't stand to see his people brutalized. Mother Theresa couldn't stand to see the poor literally dying in the gutters of Calcutta. Harriet Tubman couldn't stand the idea of her people being enslaved. What is it that moves you past tears into action?

I can't stand the idea that hundreds of thousands of people in York County alone are missing out on a life of purpose and meaning and an eternity of reward...I truly cannot tolerate the idea that many of these people are "missing out" because the "bride" of Jesus has become so self-absorbed and "out of shape" that she (the church) is many times irrelevant and "unattractive" to our community. I want more that anything for actionchurch to be able to provide another "alternative" for the lost, letdown, and looking , the "outsiders" of our community to truly experience the love of Jesus. I "cannot stand" the thought of that not happening.

We are currently looking for others who can't stand the idea of church being irrelevant and boring. We need people who cannot tolerate people not feeling welcomed and "invited" to church. We need people who can't stand the Idea that children are being bored and turned off to the "greatest story ever told". We need people who can't stand the idea that the creator of music would not have the very best at gatherings supposing to honor him. We need people who cannot stand the idea that the church would not use the very best technology has to offer to further our cause. We need people who can't tolerate the thought of the church thinking that it is enough to "teach" people without first meeting their physical needs. What can't you stand?

"Corrosion"

I spent most of my Saturday putting new brake pads and rotors on the family SUV. It's a pretty mechanically simple job and since brakes aren't covered under warranty, and the dealership wanted eleventy billion dollars (their exact quote) for the job, I gladly took the job on. I actually was in a warped way looking forward to the job since I am usually found working on some 40+ year old rusty, crusty, VW. I actually thought working on a clean, 3 year old, vehicle would be a "piece of cake". I was wrong...

Corrosion had already set in, even on this relatively new , pampered vehicle. Every bolt was a struggle, every possible part was "stuck". I spent at least 2 hours of the day just beating on the brake rotors with a very large hammer to "persuade" them to come off even after all the bolts were removed.

I think our hearts are like that. I think it takes a very short time to become "corroded" and "hardened", and a whole lot of "persuasion" by God's Spirit to "soften" us. I think in a very short time we can become cynical. I think in a very short time we can lose hope. I think in a very short time we can lose our "childlike" faith that in "partnership with our creator" we can actually change the world. I think our lives are filled with "corrosive agents" that make it very hard for God to do his "work" in our lives... I know it's something I have to deal with every day. How about you?

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. Hebrews 3:12-13 nlt

Elk Creek lift off!

Please pray for Elk Creek Church in Oxford, PA. They are a great Church launching tomorrow morning at 10:30. Mike Silliman and "crew" are truly creating a "service church" and not a "serve-us" church. I am really thankful to have Mike as a friend...he has been so generous in sharing what they have learned along the road to "lift off". Check out his blog (here) if you would like to follow along.

Godspeed Elk Creek! Oxford won't "know what hit them"!

The "downside" of more...

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 nlt

What an amazing scripture! God wants to do "more and better" things than we can even ask for or imagine. It's true, and it "really works"! If you've spent time in church you've probably heard a minister talk about this passage...its so inspiring! Here's the part you have probably never heard a "preacher type" talk about: There is a period of time between not getting what you asked for and things not turning out like you thought- before God shows up with the "better" and "more", that really really really Sucks!

That's right! In order for God to give you something that is more than you ask for-there will first be a time when you do not get what you asked for! In order for God to make things better than you ever imagined- there will first be times when things don't turn out the way you "thought they would", at all! It's painful! You can be praying with all your heart and be "certain" that you know things are going to turn out "well", and God simply says "N0" because he has a better plan.

I am so freakin' thankful that God would allow me to be part of actionchurch. I am overwhelmed by the people I meet that have been "waiting" to "meet Jesus in a nightclub". I am pumped about the great people God is sending to be on part of our "team". It's "way better than I could have imagined or asked for", and I wouldn't want to be anyplace else in the world. In order to get "here" though, I had to experience "not getting what I asked for or imagined". A year ago I was fired from my associate minister position at a church I had poured my heart, time, and resources for nearly five years. The church had grown and I thought my focus on bringing new people into the church made me an integral part of the team. What I didn't "imagine" or "ask for" is that our new "growth" made "outreach" unnecessary in the eyes of the church leadership. Their "classroom" was full so they could get back to "teaching the word". No need to continue using the creative "tactics" and "methods" that had brought the new people. I disagreed of course, so I was deemed "unnecessary" and tossed. I can look back now and say that was the best thing that God has ever done for me...but it still "stung" at the time.

Right now my heart is breaking for some people I love and respect who are currently experiencing not getting what they "ask for"...and certainly things not turning out the way they thought. Maybe that's the part of life you are in also? I wish I had better advice than this but "hang on"! Don't let becoming bitter keep you from receiving the "better" that God has for you! But most of all...even though it seems like it now...realize it is not over! "Infinitely more" is on the way.

Kitchen Nightmares

We watched the new Chef Gordon Ramsay show Kitchen Nightmares last night and I am definitely adding it to our Tivo "season pass" list. I really liked it. I am not a "fine dining" guy (I "heart" Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden) but I love to watch the Chef at work.

The show reminds me of a mix of Extreme Home Makeover (If Ty cursed and screamed at the people before building them a new house) and Super Nanny (because of the British accent and the behavior of the "makeover subjects").

However you package it I am a "sucker" for any show where ordinary people submit their lives to an "expert" and their lives are forever improved...it reminds me of what Jesus does in lives everyday...minus the "bleeped" out language.

Like sheep?

One of the first Bible verses I learned as a kid in Sunday School was "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to their way. Is. 53:6a There are lots of references to God's people as "sheep" in the bible. Jesus told the stories of the the Good Shepherd, the 99 sheep, and even told Peter to "feed his sheep" before he ascended to heaven.

In spite of all the "sheep imagery" in the Bible we don't often talk about followers of Jesus using those terms. Except for a few lame "preacher jokes" about "Christians being called sheep because they are dumb animals", Churches generally talk about following Christ in terms of our human experience. We talk about "baby" Christians needing "milk". So many people proudly proclaim, even after years of attending church, that "they just want to be fed". I think this thinking colors much of what Churches do today . Since we think of new followers of Jesus as "babies" we allow for many years of "education", "training" or "discipling" before someone is considered a "mature" christian. Many of our "teaching programs" actually encourage dependence instead of independence. It is even a popular sentiment among pastors to say that we need to "balance" evangelism and "discipling" because we certainly can't have more "baby Christians" in the Church than we can properly care for.... I think I've heard that argument before...it was just from a very different "crowd", and the implications make me very angry.

What if we were more like sheep? What if after three months of "eating at mom's diner" we were able to feed and forage for ourselves. What if we went to the Good Shepherd to be led not fed? What if within a year of our "birth" as followers of Jesus we were considered "mature" because we could produce new baby sheep? What if within a year of our birth we were actually productive members of our community sacrificially providing warmth and sustenance for others? (...as the old joke goes, for the sheep- wool is a contribution,and mutton is a sacrifice.) How fast would our "sheep herds" grow? How much of an impact on our "fields" would we make? Would our "professional shepherds" have to "lead sheep" instead of trying to "educate sheep"? What if we as sheep could form large "herds" and follow the Good Shepherd instead of "going our own way"? Could a movement of "sheep" really change the world?

I think so. Jesus thought so... It's happening in other cities in America... I think it's going to happen here..real soon. But then again, I'm just a "sheep".

Launch Team

We will begin weekly Launch team meetings on October 14th -November 4th(Sunday nights 6-8pm). I know "Launch Team" isn't a phrase you hear every day so I thought I'd try to make sure everyone understands what it is (and is not)


the Launch Team is: People who are absolutely convinced that actionchurch should "happen" in York County and are willing to put their time, talents, and resources behind the idea. People willing to get their hands dirty. A limited commitment-the team will meet and work together from October 14th until our launch date in February (2.10.08). People who don't plan to show up at actionchurch Sunday morning...they want to be the people who are there to welcome others when they show up. People who want to be part of the revolution. Launch team members are the history makers and innovators of our county who have been waiting for an opportunity to change the way York thinks about Church (and by extension) Jesus. (No previous "church" experience needed)

a Launch Team meeting is: A time to get to know others on the team. A time to eat desert. A time to hear first hand what a "typical" service at actionchurch will "look like". A time to ask questions. A time to use your particular talents and background to help solve problems.

the Launch Team is not: A "planning" "steering" (or any other kind of) Committee. A Launch Team is closer to a SWAT team than a committee. We will not meet to discuss "if" we should move forward...rather how we should overcome obstacles and move forward.

'Sound like you? Ready to be part of the action? Ready to help start a Church in a Nightclub? Ready to help "make Jesus famous" in York County? Contact me at info@actionchurch.com

Backwards

I think a lot of the difficulty "christians" have in connecting with our communities is that we are so often doing things "backwards". Gods plan (laid out in scripture) is that we would love our communities as much as we love ourselves, and he would (through his spirit)point out sinful behavior and "Judge" people. I personally find it much easier to judge people and point out their sinful behavior and then leave it "up to Jesus" to love them (because frankly "they" get on my nerves.) Unfortunately, we are never going to change the world as long as we have the whole process Jesus left us with "backwards".

Jesus demonstrated this when he picked "rough" and "sinful" commercial fishermen (think Deadliest Catch) to be his disciples. Interestingly enough, he did not send them off for a nice haircut and four years of seminary-instead he just said "follow me". Does that mean we can't be discerning? Nope... That's why we will have background checks for workers in our actionkidz areas. It just means that our primary activity is not to "judge" people and "let them know what their problems are"...truthfully, they probably already know. Our job is to "woo them" through our loving actions into the presence of Jesus.

7 But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Psalm 75:7 Niv

Damn the Torpedoes, Go Ahead.

It was a year ago next week that this whole journey and dream of actionchurch began. I'll post more about that next week, but coupled with being our final day out at the York Fair it really makes me pause and reflect a bit this Sunday morning. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit surprised at how I feel this morning.

• Michele and I are both actually sad to see our time at the fair come to a close...I really thought we would be "celebrating" that the ten days were coming to a close...we are very tired but we have met so many great people that we hate to see it end.



• I am more hopeful and excited about God's plan for York County then I have ever been in my life...this time last year I was discouraged, tired, and honestly losing hope in the ability of the local church to actually impact the community (in a good way at least!)



• I feel ready to fight! The reason for the picture of the "civil war dude" Rear Admiral David G. Farragut is that he was the originator of the famous quote "Damn the Torpedoes". When everyone thought it was too risky to move forward...he decided it was too important not to! That's exactly the way I feel after this week! I've talked to literally hundreds of people: older, younger, gay, straight, single parents, families, broken, "successful", rocker, goth, country, ...whatever. Every person had a story to tell and a reason why they desperately needed Jesus and a place where his followers would accept, love, and embrace them like he would if he still walked the earth. That fires me up... and I hope it will you also! I am willing to do whatever necessary to make sure that actionchurch launches successfully and becomes the place where everyone can experience that kind of love and acceptance. It's not that it would be interesting to start a"hip" new church in York County . It's not that it would be "novel" or "controversial" to launch a church in a nightclub...It is absolutely clear to me that God has "planned this in advance" and it is essential that a church like actionchurch exist to welcome the thousands of people who will choose to follow Jesus! Damn the Torpedoes...full speed ahead.

Stay tuned for "ground floor"opportunities coming in the next few weeks to be a part of this movement...

Questions??? Comments??? Hatemail??? info@actionchurch.com

Bringin' serving back

Since we've been having such a good time serving Dunkin Donuts Coffee at the York Fair, I thought I'd post a little "music to serve by"(link) from the guys at Community Christian Church. Be careful, you'll find yourself singing "please have some cocoa from my beverage pack" all day long!

What Churches can learn from Radio.

We've been set up across from 105.7 the X all week at the York Fair. The X "crew" has been really nice and we are looking forward to advertising with them in the future. As I have watched them work so hard all week to meet and connect with York "Countians", I think there is a lot of things actionchurch (and churches in general) could learn from radio.

1. It's about being "heard": Radio Stations and Churches both need to be heard. We can talk all we want, play all the music we want, play all the "games" we want but if we are not being heard outside of our walls in our community-it's just pointless.
2. You've got to pick a freaking "format". I listen to the "X" because it's a rock station, pure and simple. But lots of people like hip-hop or country instead. Ever wonder why there are no country/rock/hip-hop/easy listening/hits of the 40's/50's/60's/70's/80's/90's/and the "future"? Wouldn't that make "everyone" happy? Actually you don't see stations with that kind of format because they would make no one happy. The same is true of Churches...if you try to please "everyone" you make no one happy. It's important to know who you are, have a vision, and allow people who aren't "into" what you are doing to go to one of the other 800 churches in town.
3. It's important to "go out" into the community. I don't think radio stations spend tons of money and time on promotions staff, equipment, etc. just so their air talent will have somewhere to go nights and weekends. Churches can learn a lot from radio's relentless presence at events everywhere. If there are people who haven't "heard" yet, they will be there with something to give away and someone to "meet". I think church should be a lot more like that.
4. Be willing to change...while staying on "target". This one goes along with picking a format. Good radio stations constantly change, (new music, new "programs", new advertisements) while still reaching out to their target audience. When something "gets old" they change it...they just never forget who they are in the process.
5. You gotta please the "sponsor": Even though it would seem like Radio is all about reaching and pleasing listeners...in reality it's even more important to please sponsors...the ones who actually buy ad time and pay the bills. It's the same thing with churches. We have to remember that it's OK (in fact it's expected) that we be innovative, compelling, and entertaining. It's important to play great music and have lots of "listeners"...but in the end our number one "job" is to please Jesus. He's the reason we do this whole thing...the reason we try to be "heard". Our job is to "make Jesus famous" in York County.

Seacrest out!

Jesus, Google, and the art of wooing...

I have had a great time meeting people and answering questions at our tent this week, so much so that my voice is just "gone". Here's a question I have fielded several times so I thought I'd answer it here.

Q. Why give away coffee, balloons, etc...why not just give out tracts or literature, why not "preach the gospel"...wouldn't that be a better use of your time and resources?

A. Here's why we do what we do:

• Jesus didn't just preach, he also fed people, healed people, befriended people...and was hated by the religious folks for it. When he sent out his first followers he also told them to do the same.


• It's part of God's larger plan for his followers to actually serve others! God Loves the world (John 3:16) , Not just "church goers", "believers" or "Christians". God's love for everyone is demonstrated by his promise to judge his followers on how they served others!


• It still works today! If you've searched the Internet you've used the technology that Google "gives away". This blog is published (for free) on Blogger, a Google company. Google actually makes its billions by selling advertising...can you imagine if they decided to by-pass all of this "give away" stuff and just post advertisements on our Google site. Can you imagine if they decided that they "helped people enough" by telling people where to get cheap Viagra and vacation deals and so there was no need to continue"giving away" Internet searches? Nuff said.


• The scriptures describe followers of Christ as a "Bride". This metaphor works on many levels. Can you imagine trying to convince a stranger in a public place to become "engaged" to be your bride? Can you imagine handing out pamphlets to strangers asking them to become "engaged" to you? If that sounds pushy or creepy to you, you now understand how most people view tracts and street "witnessing". Can it work? Maybe, people can also fall in "love at first sight" and get married in Vegas. More commonly though, relationships start with a gesture, a drink purchased, a flower given, a dinner invitation, followed by lots of time spent together . It's called wooing...it's a funny word but I think it is the way a loving God invites people to be part of his plan for eternity. It's certainly the way actionchurch will connect with potential followers of Christ.

So there it is...why we do what we do. Is it the "right" way? The "only" way? Nope, It's just an "old fashioned","low tech", way to demonstrate God's love to others.

To go...

I love it when preparation plus inspiration leads to innovation. A couple of days ago we realized that some of the people that would most enjoy a cup of hot coffee, are the people working the midway and other booths who can't leave and get one. Michele and Reagan have been enjoying taking our wagon filled with free Dunkin Donuts Coffee "to go" ever since. I believe generosity is contagious because even though they are making it very clear that the coffee is free (we don't even hand out any of our actionchurch cards unless someone asks) some of the carnival game operators have literally been throwing new "stuffed animal friends" into the wagon as they leave. Although in the picture it appears that my princess may have passed out, she's actually hugging her new "friends" of the evening. Sometimes this is just too much fun!

Did ya get the memo?

I'm an idiot...I freely admit it. That's why last night I managed to turn into the entrance of the fair from the wrong direction. To make matters worse, Michele was dutifully following me in her SUV so we were like an "actionchurch motorcade"-going the wrong way of course. I wasn't surprised when the fair "police" stopped me at the gate and told me I had come in the wrong direction...I said I was sorry and I recognized I had made a mistake. He was going to make us go back out and come in the right direction until I respectfully asked "wouldn't that mean we would have to go down this street the wrong way in order to turn around and do it the right way?" He decided to let us in.

Here's what really made me laugh though, both the "ticket taker" and and "parking pointer" who were only five feet away and definitely in earshot of our conversation decided to stop me and remind me that I had come in the Gate the "wrong way". Both of them! This whole ridiculous scenario reminded me of two things: First it reminded me of a clip of one of my favorite movies, Office Space. (clip) Second, it reminded me how important it is that actionchurch is a church that points people in the right direction (to Jesus) instead of pointing out the wrong turns they may have made in the past. Seriously, after being told three times in a row that I had messed up and perhaps I should go back out and "come in the right way" I had a "Vietnam flashback" of a couple of churches I have attended. So remember, at actionchurch we believe it is our "job" to love and serve people (no matter how many wrong turns they have made) and God's "job" to judge and point out sinful behavior...if we could all just make sure we do that from now on...that would be greaaaaaat.

So ya say you want a revolution???

They rocked "Revolution" by the Beetles at Church yesterday! I'm not a Beetles fan but I can not get that song out of my head now...especially the line(s) "so ya say you've got a real solution, we'd all like to hear the plan". In the spirit of "Revolution" here's a cliff notes version of what the actionchurch to-do list looks like between now and February:

September: York Fair- recuperate from fair- meet with potential "house band" members(Do you Rock?)- announce launch team meetings.

October: Launch team meetings and activities! (Launch team participants are simply people who want to see a church like actionchurch happen in York County. We are looking for lots of different skills and personalities to make up the team (think Oceans 11 without the grand larceny). If you would like to help "make history in York County...you will have an opportunity to be part of the "revolution". (Religious background or experience not necessary. )

November: Launch team meetings. Build sets and childrens areas for test drive in December. Eat pumpkin pie.

December 12.09.07 Test drive #1 at Fat Daddy's Nightclub. Daddy's Nightclub. (The idea behind monthly "test drive" gatherings is the same as having a friends and family night at a restaurant before it opens. We will have small (but growing each month) gatherings at our location leading up to Launch! This allows us to refine and improve our services before launch while introducing our friends and family to the possibility of "church in a club".) I can't wait for this one! We are doing a "Christmas Story" themed service titled "BB guns or Bunny Suits". One of my favorite stories!

January 1.13.08 Test drive #2 at Fat Daddy's Nightclub. Our final "test drive" will be our final "practice" and most like the "real thing".

February 2.10.08 Launch I cannot wait to kick off the "Re-think" series as we invite York County to "Re-think" then many things we all "know" about Jesus, the Church, Prayer, and Scripture.

During the next four months until actionchurch "launches" we will also have lots of opportunity's to meet new people, hang out with our "new" launch team friends, and serve our community...It's gonna be really busy but "don't you know it's gonna be-alright, alright, alright. (I still can't get that song out of my head.)

Five things I learned at the York Fair

Two day's into the fair and here's what we have learned:

1. People love Dunkin Donuts Coffee...especially free Dunkin Donuts Coffee...just not so much when it's hotter than the face of the Sun!
2. People love the Race car, people want to try to get in and drive the race car...thanks to Bob and Joan Lash for bringing the car and hanging out with us all day. (Especially since it was wrecked pretty hard last Sunday night...Bob really thrashed to put it back together!)
3. I should have paid attention in math class...especially fractions...Thanks to Joan for teaching me how to make coffee that doesn't cause cardiac arrest!
4. Kid's love Balloons, but I suck at tying them...thanks to Shaun for teaching me how to tie a balloon...wow I have a skill now.
5. Bloomin' onions and Funnel cakes should not be eaten in the same month...let alone the same meal...and never before a spinning kiddie ride...I'm just sayin'.

We are having a great time meeting lots of new people and telling the actionchurch story. If you are out at the fair this week we will be across from 105.7 the X and the Fairview Cafe every afternoon after 4. See you at the Fair.

Welcome!

For everyone checking out actionchurch blog for the first time, especially if you ran into us at the York fair, as my tacky gnome friend says...Welcome. (Wow, just one run-on sentence into this post and I have angered gnome-lovers everywhere!)

You're probably wondering "what's up with us" so I thought I'd try to answer a few of your questions. I understand why you would wonder...What is up with a Church that makes it a point to give things away without pushing tracts or literature on people...that sponsors a local race car...that will meet in Fat Daddy's Nightclub on Sunday mornings...that uses black instead of white...that has a gear as a logo instead of a cross or a dove....what's that all about?

There's a reason we are different than other churches. Not because we hate them-actually we think there are some really great churches in York County! Not because we think we are "better than" other churches-read this blog long enough and you will find we think we may be the most "imperfect" church in town. Are we just trying to be "different" to stand out?-not so much. We are different because we are speaking to a different group of people than other churches-the people that do not go to church!

So who are the people that don't go to Church that actionchurch is "geared" for: Normal people, good people. People who are don't think of themselves as religious but have a sort of "Truman Show" suspicion that there is more to life than just what they can see. People that have been "burned" by Church. People who once considered themselves to be church goers but over time lost interest because it never seemed to "go anywhere" beyond listening to sermons. People who are experiencing everything that is "supposed" to make us happy...but still seem to be "missing" something. Messed up people. Broken people. People like you? People like me...

Welcome to actionchurch. Look around. Ask questions. Kick the tires. "Snoop" in our medicine cabinet.

Fantasy Football and the Church

Football is here again and fantasy football is more popular than ever. Millions of people have spent a ton of time and effort getting ready for their "season". Obscure facts have been memorized. Rules have been studied and will be debated and tested. Money is being spent, and meetings have been held. Soon the bragging will start about how well members are doing in their league...but the "game" of foot ball is never actually played! Ya got that? "Fantasy" football is millions of guys talking about football, "studying" football, having meetings about football...but never actually moving the ball down the field.

I am not a fantasy football "hater". If you enjoy it...I hope you have a great "season". I just think that Church should be nothing like Fantasy football! I've been around church most of my life and have seen it happen time after time. It is so easy to become inwardly focused. It's so easy to talk about God, spend money, have meetings, learn the "rules", memorize the "playbook",work on our "club house", and pat ourselves on the back for "winning"... and not impact a single person outside our "league" of fellow Christians. It is so easy to put all our effort into "learning" about church and never become the churches we study, where the hungry were fed, "slaves" were freed, lives were changed and the broken were healed! Because of this I think most of our neighbors who don't attend church view us in the same way I personally view fantasy football-They don't mind that we get together and "have our fun" on Sundays, they just really don't want to hear about what happens "in our league".

I want actionchurch to be a church that actually plays the "game". I don't want to be a gathering of "fantasy Christians". I want to play to win-not "defending the faith" but actually advancing a cause. I want to "move the ball" for church and actually change peoples mind about what followers of Jesus could be like. I want to attempt things that are too "big" (like having a tent at the fair before starting public meetings). I want to be a Church that is known for giving instead of taking. Because of this, we will sometimes fumble the ball, we will get "dirty", we will bleed, and sometimes we will even "lose a game". I'm fine with that,we are actionchurch after all. It's what we do... The name "sit-around-and-talk-about-it-church" was already taken.

My favorite Girl and my favorite "gear"

I love it each time our logo gets printed on some new "gear". Reagan is "modeling" the balloons we will be giving away and the new jacket I got for my birthday. Here's three reasons why our "cog" is more than just a sweet looking logo.

1. It symbolizes cooperation: A gear is only useful when it meshes with other gears. That is why we will cooperate with other outward focused churches and nonprofits that "do good".
2. It symbolizes centrifugal force: The faster something spins the more centrifugal (outward) force it generates. The more momentum and mass actionchurch gains-the more impact we will have in our community.
3. It symbolizes transmission of power: I don't want to get all "auto shop" on ya, but the gears in your transmission and differential in you auto are what converts the power from the engine into motion. I can't think of a better thing for a church to do than "transmit" the power of our creator to our community.

Guest Blogger: Michele

Hi everyone, I'm Michele.

When Don first started talking to me about starting actionchurch at Fat Daddy's Nightclub, I admit that my first reaction was not very "pastor's wife-ish". As a matter of fact, it had a few "bleepable" words, followed by fear and panic. I was appalled at the idea! How dare he expect me to take our precious daughter to a nightclub to learn about Jesus. I really thought that the stress of running his company and being fired from the church we served at had caught up with him. I just knew he was "losing it"!

Over the next several week I began a pro/con list to build my case for Don about why we should not do this. I just had to convince my insane spouse that this was a very bad idea. I listed many items in my "Con" column. Then God started messing with my heart. He ever so gently reminded me of my not so perfect past. He asked me when, in my search to become a "better Christian", I had lost my compassion and become judgemental and less forgiving. He asked me to reread Phil 2:4 "Let each of you look not only for his own interest but also for the interests of others."

When I finished my "list", only one word stood in the "Pro" column. It was the same word printed on a coin I received months ago from the church we attend LCBC. The word was "OTHERS". I realized that that was the only "pro" I needed. I don't want to just read my Bible...I actually want to Live it! I am a now a certified-Church-at-Fat-Daddy's-Fan! I want OTHERS to feel loved by God, comfortable in their environment, and accepted by all of us at actionchurch.

Now that I think about it, I can't think of a better way to teach our daughter about Jesus than to take her to a Nightclub every Sunday morning!

"Subway commercial" sin...

Have you seen the new Subway commercials? Not the annoying ones with Jared and his giant pants, but the new ones where people order fast food by what it does to your body after you eat it. Example: "Could I get some thunder thighs and a 'I can't believe how big my Butt looks". Or a guy might say. "Could I get an order of 'please don't take your shirt off". They kind of annoy me also, but they do make me laugh...I was thinking maybe it would be helpful if we could think of sin like that. Here's some "ideas".

Materialism- "Hey look, I just got a card in the mail that says I can charge up $15,000 worth of things I don't need to impress my friends...wow, it says I'll regret it for years! " "It even says I'll be paying this bill long after I forget what I purchased!"

Bitterness- "Could I get some of that 'It hurts me way more than it ever hurts the one I'm bitter towards" Oh and could you make sure that I get the kind that "Takes away all your joy and makes you a hateful black hole of emotion that no one wants to be around?"

Adultery- "Hey I just met this nice new woman at work who invited me to come over to her house and loose my family, my self-respect, and most of my earthly possessions!" She promised that later I can deal with regret and shame while I live in a "van down by the river".

I'm just sayin'...it's all in how you "advertise" this stuff. Got any Ideas for new "commercials"?

Why we are a "traditional" church...

You might think that a church that is meeting in a nightclub, has a rock band instead of a choir or "praise team", and is more likely to decorated with diamond plate than flowers, would be against tradition. Actually quite the opposite is true.

I was speaking to my dad, who has been a baptist minister for 45+ years, this week and he said something that really stuck out of the conversation. He said: "Most of what we think of as being "traditional" today is just yesterdays methods that have out-lived their effectiveness." Think hymns are the "right thing" to sing in church? They were once scandalous because they combined religious words with popular music (even bar tunes) of the day. Think it's wrong to "entertain" in a church service? My dad recounted to me how years ago, before the widespread availability of television and other home entertainment, going to church with "everyone else" in your community to hear live music and preaching was considered quite "entertaining"! Even though they seem "old school" today, tent-meetings were truly "events" in the small town America of yesterday.

From the beginning of the Church, God has had a "traditional" way of "doing business". Again and again, God chooses to show his mercy to an ever more inclusive group of people, and in doing so he uses "unworthy" people to spread his message of grace ....which of course completely angers the religious "experts" and "professionals" of the day.

God sent his son Jesus...in the body of a Jewish carpenter... a man definitely deemed "unworthy" and "uneducated" by the standards of the religious experts and professionals. To make matters worse, Jesus spread his message of forgiveness and mercy to even more "unworthy" common people...tax collectors, fisherman, and prostitutes to name a few. Things didn't get a lot better for the religious elite after they killed Jesus. God continued his "tradition" by empowering the "riff raff" that had followed Jesus to spread his message of mercy to even more "unworthy people"...gentiles, pagans, foreigners, you, and me. Over the centuries, every time the religious "experts" managed to "properly civilize" and neuter the Gospel of Jesus...God would send more "unworthy men" to spread his message to the "common" people. God sent wild-eyed reformers, "rebellious" monks, and circuit riding preachers who wouldn't follow the laws that made preaching outside of the cathedrals illegal. God used humble printing press inventors and operators to harness their trade to spread his message of grace and mercy. Their "technology explosion" took Gods word out of the hands of the religious "experts" and "professionals" and into the homes of an ever more inclusive group of people.

So does God's "tradition" continue on-even today? I think so. Once again the revolutionary Gospel has been tamed and civilized into a series of lectures and studies led (of course ) by proper religious "experts" and "professionals". Instead of living lives of mighty deeds, we memorize creeds. Salvation is a doctrine to be dissected and argued about instead of something to be offered to the masses of "unworthy" people God intended it for. The Church speaks to "church people". Once again I see God inspiring "unworthy" people all over the world to share his message of grace and mercy to ever widening circles of people. God (as he "traditionally" does) has by-passed the religious elite and "Bible-trivia" experts and is pouring out his spirit on "common" men and women once again. I am so proud that actionchurch , as unworthy as we are, is a tiny part of that "tradition"!

19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

Race car schedule

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...the "actionchurch car" will be racing tomorrow night at SSP at 6pm. We've had two rain outs in a row but the weather is supposed to be beautiful and Bob says the car is running great!

Next Saturday, September 8 Bob (owner driver) is bringing the car out to display at our tent at the fair. Thanks Bob! If you haven't seen the car yet, stop by and say hello ...