"Competition"

Ashley shot some great pictures Sunday (Thanks) and the one above of the band hanging out before church reminded me of something I have been thinking about lately. I shot the picture of one of our banners next to a Miller Lite banner on Sunday as well. I've been thinking that although it may look strange at first to see church advertising next to beer/nightclub signs that is really the environment that the church exists in America...

We are "competing" for people's time on their weekend...we are asking them to come out on a Sunday morning in prime-sleeping-sports watching-hanging out-recovering from a hangover-time... We better make it "worth" their time if they are going to continue to wake up-show up-and participate. Although actionchurch may be one of the few churches to actually put our signs up next to the Miller lite signs...we're not the only ones "competing" for a slot in every one's weekend plans...maybe we are just one of the few that realize it.

Sunday Recap: Summer at the Shore

Today was the final week of the Summer at the Shore series. I talked about what you can expect if you become a follower of Jesus. (John 21) Final week of the Series...final week for Clean Slate...
Here's the highlights...

• Awesome set from Clean Slate. I had them do five songs today. They started off with "Calm before the Storm" a Staind Cover "Everything Changes" "Open your eyes" and then a Seether cover "Rise above the this" They closed out the day with "Believe". We are really gonna miss them. I invited Dave and Chris to play when they get their new project together... I hope they will.

• This was a very complex morning...lots going on. Five Songs...two videos...and Josiah was on vacation. Everything went great...thanks Rob for a great fill-in job on video.


• Lot's of the normal "crew" on vacation...thanks to everyone who came to help set up...and tear down. We were actually up and running as early as we have ever been finished. I am really happy with how much "depth" we are getting in our volunteer base.


• Great crowd again...even with so many people gone on vacation. June has probably been our best month yet for attendance...go figure. actionchurch folks have never heard of the "summer slump"


• I am looking forward to starting the new "at the movies" series...I don't know that I will do another "5-week" series any time soon...I have about "zero" attention span.


• I probably talked about more personal "experience with Jesus" stuff than I have...but I want our people to know that I am on the "journey" with them...I'm certainly not "there".


• Thanks to everyone that continues to invite your friends, invest your cash, and be involved at actionchurch...you are the reason we are able to do what we do!

Clean Slate on Sunday...

It's hard to believe that Sunday will be the last appearance for Clean Slate. They have been such an important part of the actionchurch story from the very beginning. They played our first "Test Drive" services and our Launch on February 10th. They were prominently featured in the first television coverage of actionchurch. These guys are some of the nicest most talented people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Jason (pictured) and Glendon are stepping away from the band after Sunday... Dave and Chris are putting together a new project and hopefully we will hear them in the future.

If you have appreciated the guys from Clean Slate as much as I have make sure and tell them "Thanks" on Sunday...

Goals...

Have you ever seen someone run the ball to the "wrong" end zone? ...get distracted and confused and make a layup on the "wrong" goal? Ok, It's kind of funny when it's six year olds- or it's not "your" team...but in reality it's just sad. All that energy and talent wasted...on the wrong goal.

At actionchurch we have one "thing", one "goal". It's in our name... Our goal is to put the teachings of Jesus into action...to encourage people who don't like church to become followers of Jesus. We have to constantly be vigilant about distractions...about things that would divert our energy and momentum toward the "wrong" goal. And guess what? The most "dangerous" distractions are not "bad" things (I don't think we'll ever "forget" that we are a church and become a illegal gambling parlor) ...it's the "good" things that distract churches. Things that are not bad...but distract from the "one thing"

• Keeping people "happy"(not offending anyone)- not a bad thing...but when trying to "keep" people interferes with connecting with new people...we are headed for the "wrong" goal.
• Becoming a "big" church- I like big churches...since actionchurch is "the church for people who don't like church" and there are literally tens of thousands of people who "don't like church" in York county...we will probably someday be "large"...but if we make that our "goal" we are missing the point.
• Teaching the Bible- Yep, I meant what I wrote. If our goal is to "teach the Bible" we could be successful in that goal...have the most "Biblically informed" church in the county...be "seminary on Sunday morning"...and miss the goal of encouraging people to be followers of Jesus. (And create a lot of arrogant religious "know it alls" in the meantime). We use the Bible to get direction as we put it's teachings into action...as we encourage others to follow Jesus...just "knowing" Bible stuff is not enough.
• Creating a great "worship experience"- There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a great time of "worship" at church where people connect with their emotions while singing and praising God. It would however, absolutely interfere with our goal of connecting with people who "don't like church"... make people coming to church for the first time confused...uncomfortable. I believe in "intimacy with God"...but making that the "goal" on Sunday mornings at actionchurch would cause us to miss our "one thing".

That's just a few of the "good" things that could possibly distract actionchurch from our "goal". There will be more. More "good" things...more "good" suggestions...but they all have to be "tested" against our "one thing"...our one goal. Everything else is just a distraction...

Crunch n Munch Breakfast...

For those of you wondering how I stay in the "Olympic athlete" physical condition that I constantly maintain...sorry...I choked on that. Here's my fitness tip of the week. Crunch and Munch for breakfast! It has corn, (popcorn), peanuts, and all the "carmelly" goodness you will need to get you through the day.

This picture was snapped at around 6am at the Relay for Life by Ashley. Michele looks surprisingly perky considering at the time the picture was taken she had been walking nearly seven hours straight. Reagan is asleep...she must have forgotten to eat her crunch n munch. Here's a flicker link to more of Ashley's pics from the event.

I love this picture... Thanks Ashley

"Rest"

Sorry for the ugly foot picture but I wanted to remind myself of something I did yesterday afternoon. I read a novel... Not a "leadership" book... Not a book about church planting or church growth... a detective novel. Completely "pointless"...something I need to do more often. Ironically I read the novel in our sun room that we built to relax in on beautiful "sunny"summer days just like yesterday...the sun room I hardly ever enter...

What about you? Do you feel "guilty" about being unproductive when you relax? Are there things you have purchased to enjoy with your family and never have a chance to use because you're too "busy"? Why is "Resting" so hard to do?

2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
Genesis 2:2-3

Make a meal...

If you like to cook (or carry out) and would like to do something to make life a little easier for Josh and Dwan, contact Michele about making a meal for their family... info@actionchurch.com

"Everything" I know about church I learned from being in a band...

Okay, maybe not "everything"... but I was having a conversation with Josiah and some of the guys from The Recovery after church yesterday and I realized that starting a church is a LOT like being in a rock band.

• If you are going to attract a "following" you are going to have to do something "distinctive"...maybe not "original" (nothing really is) but distinctive enough to give them a reason to show up to hear you...
• It sounds like a lot of fun...and it is... but after a while it turns out to be a lot of work.
• Branding! Branding! Branding!...you can't do enough to tell people "who you are"!
• You have to be able to deal with every one's strengths, weaknesses, and "weirdness" if you are going to stay together.
• Everybody has their part...if they play to their strengths...the band and church are better off...
• Bass players rule! Sometimes the "instrument" that gets the least attention makes the band...or the church!
• Good band mates disagree...they may even fight...but the have each others backs like brothers.
• If you're not "offensive" to someone...you are "selling out"!

I'm really thankful for my "band mates" at actionchurch and it's not surprising that most of them have "band" experience...people used to ask when we first were promoting actionchurch "is this a "real" church or a band? I'm not sure exactly how to answer that question except to say that our goal is to introduce people to Jesus instead of just selling out shows...

Bonus Question: Do you recognize the Princes...or should I say "Princess's" (hint) of Hair Metal pictured above???

Sunday Recap: Summer at the Shore (Baptisms)

Today was our first baptism day at actionchurch. I spoke briefly about the Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8. Even though he had traveled many miles to worship and was reading Isaiah when Philip met him I talked about how he would never have been "fully accepted" into Judaism even if he converted...but God sent Phillip to let him know he was "fully accepted" by Jesus. I ended up by asking everyone the same question he asked: Here's water...why shouldn't I be baptized?

• Six people went public with their faith in Jesus and were baptized today! Nothing could be better than that.
• The Recovery on stage...Great set as usual...their song "more" was the perfect "period" for the baptism.
• It was especially emotional baptising both Josh and Dwan after preaching the funeral for their little one on Friday...It's comforting at least to know that they will be together again someday...
• The horse trough "baptismal" worked out perfect. We were able to fill and empty it easily and it really fits the actionchurch "vibe"... I think everyone was thinking it was a lot smaller from the picture I posted earlier...
• Great crowd again today...we have lots of people out on vacation etc...but it seems like "new faces" fill in the empty chairs every week. I had several people tell me someone had invited them...that's how it happens..
• June has been a financial struggle for the church...we pay rent weekly so "five Sunday" months are really tough... I know that finances are tight for everyone but we are going to need to see more financial resources come in to continue to pay the bills. I am absolutely believing that God will provide since I cannot imagine not being able to continue because of finances when so many people are hearing the "good news" and responding each week.
• It was cool being able to "tag team" the baptisms with Jeff Compton. Jeff and Chrissy caught the vision for actionchurch before there was anything to "see"...'Awesome to see in just a few months some of the "harvest"!
• Thanks to all the people that stay and help "tear down"! A lot of our normal "tear down crew" were out today...but everything still got put away really quickly.
• I loved the "dunking" part of the service but I just felt "tired" and "off" speaking today... I'm not sure if the "Oh Brother where art thou" clip worked like I hoped it would either... Some weeks are like that in spite of all the hard work and expectations.
• It's been a tough week and Michele and I are both exhausted...but I am thankful to be just a little part of this thing we call actionchurch!

"Baptism at the Bar" June 2008 pics...

Adventures in being "Bi"

Relax, I'm talking about being "Bi-vocational" (having two jobs-preacher/painter) Here's what I am working on right now.

1. Looking at some awesome new graphics Josiah is creating for the upcoming series "at the movies" (July) Check out the new Blog header he just cranked out! Sweeet Huh? Thank you Josiah...I dub thee" emporer of all things creative" at actionchurch.
2. Finalizing Plans for the Funeral for Josh and Dwans daughter Syndell Rose Althoff today...I want so badly to lend some comfort to this family...but I feel really helpless to come up with any words that will help. Please pray for all of us.
3. Still working on putting Sunday's Baptism Sermon "to bed" I usually am "finished" by Friday...I think I am having difficulty "finishing" it because I am preoccupied with the funeral...
4. Still have a 3 bedroom townhouse to paint this afternoon and tomorrow...hopefully everything will go smoothly...that's how we pay the bills.
5. I need to pick a final movie for July 27th so that we can get the "at the movies" invite cards printed next week...I'm not sure yet.
6. Also need to finish the "baptismal trough" so we have something baptize people in
7. Praying/Trusting that it will all come together...it always does somehow.

So that's a little peek inside my head...In the past I would have said that I had a "third job" of being a husband and father... I don't think so anymore. Instead I now believe that Michele and Reagan are the "glue" that actually holds my life together and makes it worth doing all this other stuff...thanks girlz!

Baptism FAQ.

I've had a lot of great questions about baptism lately, so I thought I would try to answer them in a post and put it in the FAQ section.

Q. Why would a church that doesn't seem to care a lot about traditions do some thing like have a baptismal service?
A. Because Baptism is not a tradition...it's part of being an obedient follower of Jesus. The bible says repent (turn from your old way of living..and join Jesus kingdom plan for life) and be baptized. (Go public with your decision to "choose sides"). (link)

Q. Will Baptism make me a member of actionchurch?
A. No. Baptism is entirely about going public with your decision to become a follower of Jesus...there are "no members allowed" at actionchurch.

Q. Will Baptism "guarantee me a spot in Heaven"?
A. Sorry, no. Baptism won't "guarantee" you a spot in heaven any more than a wedding "guarantees" a lifetime of wedded bliss. Only your relationship (that you are celebrating in baptism) makes you part of eternity with Jesus...the good news is he promises to never "fail or abandon us" like people sometimes will. He is also legendary for his forgiveness of those of us who fail him.

Q. How do you know that everyone who gets baptized is "serious" about following Jesus?
A. We don't...In fact Jesus said here (link) that some who initially get very excited about the good news of Jesus will not "finish". He also said here (link) that it is not our job to try to figure out who is "in or out" of the kingdom...

Q. Why do you fully immerse (Dunk) people when you baptize them?
A. Because that's the way they did it in Jesus time...There is a lot of symbolism in being taken under the water (buried) and brought out of water (raised to new life)...but our main reason for being "old school" about baptism is because that was the way it was done then.

Q. Shouldn't you be in a "church" to be baptized?
A. It was many hundreds of years after the time of Jesus before the first "Church" buildings appeared...so being baptized in church is a relatively new development.

If you have any questions concerning the baptism service on Sunday or Baptism in general please send them to info@actionchurch.com. I will update this post as necessary.

Funeral on Friday...

Just wanted to let everyone know that the funeral for Josh and Dwan's daughter Syndell Rose Althoff will be on Friday. Viewing is from 11-12 at John H. Danner Funeral home on 822 E Market St. Please keep Josh and Dwan in your prayers during this tough time. Our hearts break for their loss. You can link to the obituary here

So I'm going to buy a horse Trough...

Every new thing we do at actionchurch turns into an episode of Macgyver. We're going to have a baptism on Sunday...so obviously we need something to "dunk" people in... It needs to be something that can be set up quickly and moved easily due to our time constraints on Sunday morning. Originally I planned to use a hot tub, but I don't think we could get it in and out in enough time. My second plan was to use one of those inflatable swimming pools but after some quick calculations of how many gallons of water they hold I wasn't sure we could get it filled and emptied in time. Also, water weights 8.33lbs/gal...so I could imagine the pool and the person getting baptized falling through the floor into the basement like the tub in the movie Money Pit...

"Final answer"! Unless anyone has a better idea I am going to buy a 8x3x2 horse trough from Tractor Supply (I might purchase a manure spreader also). A horse trough seems to fit all the needs we have and kinda fits the "wild west" way we do things at actionchurch. If we slap a logo on it...it actually fits the "decor"... besides, our new "baptismal" can also ice down a lot of drinks at a party...

So this was the "how" we will baptize people...tomorrow I will post about the "why" and "who" of baptisms.

Storms in "Real Life"...

I preached on Sunday that "storms happen"... no matter who you are. This morning I got a call that I thought would be a joyous one. Even though Josh and Dwan were actually there at church yesterday I knew that today was the day they were planning to induce labor. When Josh called I was expecting him to announce the birth of their new daughter...instead he told me that the doctors could no longer find a heartbeat...that their daughter would be still born.

Michele and I were able to spend a few minutes with them today in the labor room. I wish I could say we had great words of comfort or wisdom to share...we just shared our broken heart and our prayers for them.

If you know Josh and Dwan, please let them know they are loved, supported, and prayed for... If you don't, maybe we could send up prayers and sympathies for their loss in the comment section and I can send them a link later.

I don't claim for a moment to understand or speak for God but our heart breaks for this couple...
I heard this song on the way to the hospital and it seemed to say it pretty well...

Hospital...

So here's the question that growing churches face. "How can you be a place that welcomes sick people, broken people, people with problems...without creating chaos for everyone else? How do you deal with the problems people bring with them? What do you do when their problems affect others around them? Do you apologize for them? Try to conceal the problem? Try to fix the problems with "niceness"?

At actionchurch we want to operate much like a hospital. We unapologetically welcome "sick" people, people with problems, people with issues! Can you imagine a hospital bragging that all their people were "well"? That wouldn't be a very effective hospital would it? Part of being a hospital though, is that some aspects will be unpleasent. "Niceness" isn't an option when people's lives are at stake. Some very tough conversations have to happen if you truly love "sick" people. Messy situations will arise. Sometimes a patient will be out of control and harmful to others who are trying to become well themselves. If you love your patients...all of your patients... you will restrain or remove the patient that is harming others. There are some very unpleasant aspects to loving "broken" ,"sick" people...but all of the uncomfortable conversations and the chaos pale in comparison to the joy that everyone feels when someone becomes "well" and walks out into life a changed person...

And no, in the hospital analogy I don't consider myself the "physician". I'm not a doctor nor have I played one on TV...I'm more of the hospital administrator/security/janitor. I'll leave the "doctoring" to the "great physician".

10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum? 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mathew 9:10-12

Summer at the Shore (Part 3)

Happy Fathers Day. Today I spoke about Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:23-27. I talked about the fact that "Storms Happen". You don't get any "closer to Jesus" than actually being in the boat with him. There are times when it seems like "Jesus is asleep" but if you want to be sure that you will "get to the other side" the key is not to try to get Jesus to get into your boat...It is to get into the Boat with Jesus..
The highlights:

• The Shakedown on stage for the very first (but not the last) time. I really dig this band...their style is hard to explain (Happy hardcore??) but they rock. People actually were yelling for an encore after the service ended...pretty cool. Just a great band that was really great to work with.
• I am so proud of the actionchurch team(s) at Relay. I announced the final tally- Over $3000 raised for the American Cancer Society. Over 300 lbs of ice shaved and turned into delicious (FREE!) sno-cones for the crowd. ...hundreds of miles walked...lots of tired feet soothed in our foot spa area... thousands of trips down the big firetruck slide at the event...AC Allstars on stage. The chance to let our community know that we care about them...priceless!
• One of my favorite proverbs...14:4 "Without oxen a stable stays clean" or as I like to think of it.."If you are actually accomplishing anything there will be crap to clean up!" We are getting lots of stuff done at actionchurch...there is crap to clean up. We could have a nice neat church if we were willing to be small and inward focused but Jesus said it is the sick that need a doctor. I have at least one really uncomfotablee meeting to have this week but It is a small price to pay for having a church actually on the move. (I'll blog more about this "crap" tomorrow)
• Great crowd today...I truly thought we would be down on attendance this week after all the people out at Relay all weekend.
• I also thought we would be down on volunteers this weekend...I was completely wrong. We actually had more people than ever...thanks!
• I'm looking forward to Baptisms next week!
• I'm gonna get off the computer and enjoy a Fathers Day nap?!

Here's an "at the shore" pic of some actionkidz under the "palm tree".

Night pics from Relay 2008

My new found "marketable skill"

Thanks Shirley for some cool "Night pics" from the Relay.

Relay pics:

I'm beat...I can't feel my feet...but I am so proud to be on the actionchurch team...you guys rock!

Got any pictures of relay 2008? Email me: info@actionchurch.com

Happy Birthday to Michele..

I don't have to tell anyone that Michele is the "glue" that holds our family, actionchurch, and my entire "universe" together. I know this is an "old man" thing to say (maybe it's because we just watched the "Bucket List") but it doesn't seem that long ago that she was 21 and absolutely the most beautiful "older woman" I had ever seen...at 41 I still feel the same way.

So happy birthday Michele, I love you...and without you I would be "dead in days"...

Directions to the Relay.

For a map to Relay for Life (West York High School) click here

Floor cleaner thingee...

Yesterday afternoon I was at Fat Daddy's learning how to use the new "floor cleaner thingee". (kind of like a zamboni for tile...only you can't ride on it...I tried) I'm really excited about how much time and effort this will save our actionkidz volunteers on Sunday Mornings...no more mopping, Chrissie! Now if they could only invent a bathroom cleaning robot...then Michele's job would be much easier/less disgusting on Sunday Mornings...

I am really thankful to the owners of Fat Daddy's not only for continuing to upgrade the club but for always including us in the process...I honestly could not think of another place I would rather rent for actionchurch at this point. Only God could plan such an odd and great relationship between a church and a nightclub...

Storms...

I've been "Tivoing" the History Channel show Axmen all season. If you haven't watched the show it's the story of some seriously tough loggers from Oregon filmed "Deadliest Catch style". I finally made it to the end of the season and was amazed at the Typhoon that hit the Oregon coast in the last two episodes. The storm was unbelievable, 100+ mph wind for three days, constant rain, flooding everywhere. This storm destroyed the loggers homes, businesses, roads, and the trees they harvest to make a living. The amazing thing is I never even heard about it on the news. These dudes just sort of cleaned up the mess and went back to work...

It reminds me that Storms happen everywhere! Once in a while we focus our attention on a big disaster like Hurricane Katrina...but the truth is there are storms everywhere on a consistent basis...storms that we just "don't know about".

I think it's the same in people's lives. My heart is breaking for the local pastor's family dealing with the loss of their child, friends who are struggling financially in spite of their best efforts, the list goes on and on...but these are just the storms I "know about". Other people all over this area are dealing with less visible storms in their lives that perhaps even their neighbors aren't aware of.

So how do we deal with "Storms" in our lives? Why do they happen? Is God angry with us? Did we do something wrong? Would our lives be "smoother" if we had more faith? ...if we were "closer to Jesus"? I'm gonna be dealing with all those questions in the sermon on Sunday. Meanwhile I have a lot of thinking and praying to do...

About 3000 reasons I am proud of the people of actionchurch...

Warning: I'm gonna do a little "bragging" here...not about me...except maybe that I can eat more double stuff oreos than anyone in the world. That's what I'm best at.

I'm going to "brag" because I truly am proud of the people of actionchurch... I love being part of such a generous and serving church. We will have nearly 40 people at the relay either walking or volunteering. So far we have over $2700.00 raised for Relay. Thanks to each of you that donated and raised money for relay...give yourself a hand! We will be providing a carnival size inflatable slide to the event free of charge to entertain the kidz of the event. We will be providing and staffing a "foot spa" area for tired feet. Here's another really amazing story that I just have to "brag about" because I have absolutely nothing to do with it... One of the families of actionchurch owns a shaved ice machine and will be giving away free snow cones at the event! Every ones generosity is just overwhelming-thank you!

As "cliche" as it may sound, people can still join together and make a difference -if they chose to focus on others instead of just themselves. We are a four month old church in a nightclub. There are a lot of good excuses to just worry about our deal...most weeks it's a struggle to pay the rent. But because our people our "outward focused" and are concerned about others in the community we will be able to make an "un-ignorable" impact on Relay and people suffering with cancer in our area... I am so proud to be a little part of the "action". Thank you all..."Brag Mode" off.

Innovation comes from Desperation...

One of the things I have learned this past year while being a part of the actionchurch journey is that Innovation usually comes from Desperation instead of Inspiration. We set out to plant actionchurch with a vision to create a church for people who didn't like church... We knew that music, video, sound and lighting were important tools needed to communicate in our culture. The "problem" was that all of those elements were expensive...and we had no financial backing and very little money. Out of "Desperation" we started to look at nightclubs because they had the sound and lighting capabilities we needed for our vision, but were "available" on Sunday mornings. Out of "Desperation" we hired bands because we didn't have the musicians or resources necessary to have our "own band"... We've had many other "desperation to inspiration" moments...But where we meet and the bands that play have been two of the largest "shaping" elements of actionchurch culture...and neither were in the original "plan".

So what are the things that you "know" you should be doing...What's holding you back? A lack of resources? Time? Training? Maybe it's time for some "Desperation Innovation"...

Sunday Recap: Summer at the Shore (pt. 2)

It's street rod weekend in York...above is a shot from the motel parking lot next to Fat Daddy's.
Lots of "action" today. I'll try to remember the big stuff. I spoke from Mark 5 about the naked demon possessed dude who lived in the graveyard..."Legion". The most amazing part of the story is that the people of the area sent Jesus away because they were afraid... after he messed up their "pig farm". A couple of important take aways from today were: What are you afraid of that keeps you from having an encounter with Jesus? Also, our stories are so powerful...the same people that sent Jesus away because they were afraid were "amazed" at the now fully clothed and sane dude's story...pretty cool.

• Unsettled on stage today...they "killed" today. Great set Starting with Matchbox 20 "Real world" Followed by "Monster in the Lake" "Remittance of my soul" and the coolest version I have ever heard of the old Hymn "Turn your eyes upon Jesus"... Wow. Unfortunately their keyboard player is moving out of state until December so we probably won't see Unsettled until 09'. We are going to miss them...they have been with us since week 2. (If you missed them today check out the video of "Remittance" below.
• Crazy morning...One of our largest crowds ever...gonna have to set out more chairs.
• Speaking of a "crazy morning" had a kid throw up during the service...had an asthma attack..."lost mom"...where ever I looked as I preached I could see Michele and Lori running to deal with some emergency!
• I can't believe how many shirts we have sold already. We raised almost $800 for relay in T-shirt sales alone!
• Speaking of Relay- It's STARTS FRIDAY... go here for updated details- (link)
• So far we have over $2700 raised for Relay... You guys are unbelievable. I am so thankful to be part of such a generous church!
• By the end of this week we should have another Race car running around the track with actionchurch logos on it! It's gonna be fun to cheer for the #87 Lance Danmeyer Super Stock car and the #222 Bob Lash legends car. I'll get pictures next time we hit the track.
• Our crew rocks! Lori, Jeff and Chrissie, Dave, Josiah, and of course my "super hottie" Michele...Thank you...we could not do actionchurch without you! ...even though Jeff and Chrissie played a very mean trick on me this morning.
• New crew upstairs in actionkidz...I heard they were awesome...Thanks Jared and Mellisa!
• Had several cool conversations today where people related how the sermons over the last few weeks have been "exactly what they needed to hear"... I have to give all the credit to God for that because we plan a long time in advance and have no way of knowing who will be there...It just shows God cares about us and wants to speak to us.

It's been an awful week...and an awesome/awful Sunday...this is why we do actionchurch. In spite of all the tough things we are facing I was "praising God like I was Pentecostal" on the way home...too cool.

When long term planning fails...

I believe in long term planning when it comes to sermon series'. And no, I don't believe that "the Holy Spirit works best when we don't plan and stand up and wing it on Sunday morning"... God's plan for salvation has been "in play" for thousands of years so I'm pretty sure God's cool with long term planning. I think long term sermon planning is really helpful because it allows you to gather illustrations and media over a period of weeks and months instead of days. Sometimes you have to make adjustments though...

In the series Summer at the Shore I have been talking about "encounters" that Jesus had with people on the shore that completely changed their life. Next week (June 15th) I had in my "plan" to talk about the woman with the "issue of bleeding" from Mark 5. I was going to use a clip from "House"...it would have been cool. I say would have been cool because I realized earlier this week that the "third Sunday in June" turns out to be Fathers day... NO WAY AM I GOING TO TRY TO TURN THE WOMAN WITH "BLEEDING ISSUES" INTO A FATHERS DAY MESSAGE!! Yikes. Adjustments have been made...

Evangelicals and GM

I've been listening to all the news of GM closing plants and Ford's "eleventy billion" dollar loss this week and it all sounds vaguely "familiar". General Motors has a terrible "image" problem. The created their current image problem by complacently ignoring the threat of foreign imports. For years they cranked out bloated "oldsmobuicks" to a loyal, but aging clientele that felt socially compelled to purchase their product as long as they made slight changes every few years and continually tacked on new accessories and comfort features...GM spent much of it's effort competing with the other American automakers and ignored the rising tide of buyers looking for a more efficient nimble product. They allowed their work force to become inefficient and their leadership bureaucratic. In the last decade they have attempted to compete with the "imports"...They actually have been cranking out some pretty sweet SUV's and Trucks. Unfortunately by the time they began to compete the market had completely changed. People still want and need to purchase transportation...perhaps more than ever...but I just read a survey that showed that over 50% of car buyers wouldn't ever consider buying an American Car...

I know it's a dangerous analogy to compare evangelical Christianity to a car company...but it's certainly raising some warning flags in my mind. Are Churches still depending on an ever-aging but loyal "clientele" to "buy" their product? Are we bloated and inefficient...out of step with the times? Have we allowed our leadership to become bureaucratic and inward focused? Have we ignored our primary "competition" for the hearts and minds of our country? What can we do about the image problem we have that causes over so many to say they wouldn't consider church? People still need Jesus...long for spiritual direction...they are just not looking in our direction. What should we do about that?

This is still a very "incomplete" thought...I'd love to hear what you all have to add...

Relay information:

Wow, Relay is only a little over a week away (June 13th-14) I'm going to use this post to keep everyone updated on the event. I will link here from the website and the newsletter and add any new information that comes up between now and the event. Thanks to everyone that is walking and raising money for the even...you guys rock!!!

• Sponsor packets and donations are due Sunday June 8th. If for some reason you will not be there Sunday please email Michele at info@actionchurch.com and she will make other arrangements to get your donations turned in before Relay.
• The Relay starts at 4 pm Friday and runs through 4 pm Saturday the 14th.
• The event is held at West York High school track. (1800 Bannister Street, York)
• If you know the approximate time you will be coming to relay sign up with Michele on Sunday.
• Our biggest need for volunteers at this moment is on Saturday from 8am to 3pm to work at the "bounce house slide thingee" we are donating for the kids to play on. (Volunteers need to just make sure the line moves and no one gets in the inflatable with a ninja sword, javelin, etc... basically watch kids go down a huge slide.)
• If you have an actionchurch T-shirt we would love to see lots of them at the Relay.
• Speaking of actionchurch t-shirts...they are still on sale until the event for $12 with all proceeds going to relay. (looks like we are going to raise around $800 just from the sale of shirts-Thank you!)
• We are bringing t-shirts to the event if you missed a chance toget one.
• Bring a jacket if you are walking at night...don't know the weather yet but last year I had 4 actionchurch shirts on at about 3 in the morning...I wasn't prepared.
• The actionchurch tent will be set up at the event stop by and hang out. Michele and I will be there for the entire 24 hours and are looking forward to getting to know everyone. better.

Update: Looks like we have raised over $2700.00 to go to help people in our area with cancer so far! Way to go actionchurch...I love being part of a church that is barely 4 months old that instead of just worrying about "surviving" is generously caring for others in the community. You guys rock!

The trouble with lists...

I saw this pic over on Los' blog (link) and it made me laugh and feel really sad/angry at the same time. First of all it's sad that this is how one church ( one of many?) thinks they should tell people the "good news" of God's kingdom plan for earth...

Secondly I think it perfectly illustrates the danger of "making lists" of "sins that God hates" instead of admitting the truth-that we are all sinners who deserve judgement.

• Note that murder didn't make the list...but being a "sports fan" did?!?
• "Pot smokers" made the list...luckily I just switched to crack...
• What about Kyle Busch fans...how did they not make the list? Ooh I guess they were listed under "sports fans".
• Note that "the list" includes mostly visible "outsider"sins not the "acceptable" church people sins of being unforgiving, bitterness, envy, arrogance, being judgemental....
• No mention of the "sin" of having too many "christian" bumper stickers on the back of your mini-van...I'm pretty sure that should make the list...oops...there I go...making my own "list".

That's the trouble with "lists". They allow us to forget that our "job" is to Love our Neighbor as our self...and God's "job" is to convict and judge sin... It never goes to well for us when we get those two things reversed

"Search Party"

I was reading the parable of the "Chick who lost her coin" today and it gave me a whole new "meaning" for the term "Search Party". Check it out...

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:8-10 (nlt)

That's what I want actionchurch to be like (especially at our upcoming baptisms on June 22nd). I don't want to be a "cool church", an "alternative church" or a "happening church" for the "already convinced"...I want to be part of a church that "lets our lights shine" and "sweeps the entire county" for those who are "lost" and separated from God. I want to be part of a church that is relentless and never gives up 'til "all are found"! I also want to be part of a church that calls our friends and neighbors and parties like crazy every week over the fact that people are being "found" and starting new lives! Let the "Search party" begin...

Sunday Recap- Summer at the Shore (pt.1)

We kicked off the Summer at the Shore Series today. I talked about Jesus calling the first disciples to "come fish for people"...played a clip from "Deadliest Catch" where the crab fishermen stopped crabbing to rescue a crewman from another boat that had fallen overboard...I couldn't have possibly "explained" Jesus offer better than the clip did.
Here's the highlights

• Jerry and the "AC All-Stars" on Stage. More of an accoustic vibe today but wow did they bring it. Lynn Royer Closed the service out with "Anyway" (Martina McBride) It was amazing...It was difficult to speak after she finished.
• Really a downer to say Goodbye to John and Yvonne today... they have been with us from the beginning and are moving back to England...We will miss them so much.
• I wish I had more "answers" for some of the stuff going on with some of our actionchurch "peeps" right now...I feel so helpless sometimes when all I can say is "I don't understand either"...I want so much for God to "show up" in these situations...
• I'm also praying for all the people struggling right now about whether to chose respond to Jesus' call to "Follow Me"...I love the fact that people are honestly struggling and questioning spiritually... I know that "If you seek, you will find"...
• It was nice to have Bill Galinato and his Evangelism Sunday School Class drop by for a "field trip" form Church of the Open Door...I like Bill a lot, he is definitely a dude that "Gets it" when it comes to "fishing for people"...
• Good crowd today...offering was low. It honestly doesn't surprise me a bit...whenever we are getting ready to bless others as a church (Relay) we are tested financially. We are going to chose to be generous and God will provide. That's just how we roll.
• I was envying the people setting out on the Deck today. How cool is it that we have a facility where you can actually be outside and still be able to hear and see the service...I love it!
• I'm pumped that every week new people chose to give actionchurch a test drive...
• A very "different" Sunday morning at actionchurch...but that is why I love doing this so much...you just never know what God is going to chose to do on any given Sunday.

Here's a little Bonus footage of something "at the shore" that didn't make the final cut for video this morning...but it makes me laugh...