Friday, October 31, 2008

Stuff-that-makes-me-laugh-and-consider-getting-psychiatric-help...

Happy Halloween...be generous to the little "spidermen" and "Hannah Montana's" in your neighborhood...please don't dress up your pets!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

"Relevant"

We talk a lot about "current events" at actionchurch. I want to be a "relevant" church and not just ignore what is happening in the culture around us. I can't tell you the times that I have sat through sermons from a "verse by verse study of the book of Philemon" that completely ignored some horrific event that had just happened. Meanwhile every one in the congregation was praying that the sermon would end soon so they could talk about "what was really going on".

I don't believe for a moment that church should be "Seminary on Sunday Morning" ...or a "history lesson". God is not retired! The Bible is not a book about "cool stuff God used to do"! God is still at work in our world today.

Some "current" stuff I just can't bring myself to talk about...I know the Phillies won the world series...I just can't "make myself" care about baseball. (Sorry Phillies fan) I have purposely not talked much about the Presidential election because good people on both sides are so divided about the candidates. This Sunday as we wrap up the "In God we Trust?" series I will break that silence. I'm not going to "endorse" a candidate. (like anyone would listen to me anyway...) I'm not going to "urge you all to vote". I'm going to talk about politics in the way Jesus talked about the Romans...with an understanding that there is a power at work that is so much greater than Political, Economic, or even Military power! So many people missed the point of Jesus when he was here, because they expected him to "save them" from the tyranny of the Romans...he did...just not they way they hoped he would. Long after the Roman empire crumbled the kingdom revolution that Jesus started is still around...

It's not about money, it's not about politics...it's about who you can Trust. More to come Sunday morning, 11am @ club 19.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Bail out...

If you'd like a little "good news" I think you'll enjoy this... I ran across this story of a woman who noticed another woman crying at a (Dallas TX) home foreclosure auction. A complete stranger felt compassion for her and purchased her former home and returned it... The generous stranger said "people need to help each other...that's all there is to it". Amen. That's a "bail out" that I can be excited about.



'Auction angel' comes to homeowner's aid October 27th, 2008
Two strangers were brought together by a leap of faith and one piece of property that was among 200 North Texas homes facing a foreclosure auction this weekend. . . (Read the rest)



Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Our neighbors are coming...

I know that followers of Jesus have different opinions and thoughts about Halloween. If you can't celebrate Halloween with a clear conscience...ignore this...take the family out for dinner Friday night and give your waitress a tip that is more "treat" than "trick".

For the rest of us... Halloween is the only time of the year( other than "girl scout cookie season", which I believe should be declared a national holiday by the way) when our neighbors will show up to our house in great numbers and ring our bell. Let's make the most of it! I challenge all of you to be the "best house" on the block. The one that kids (and parents) love to come to. It's a great opportunity to be generous...to give to your neighborhood "no strings attached".

Michele, Princess Belle (Reagan), and I will be having a free hot chocolate/hot cider stand (with candy for the kids of course) in our driveway. We've been doing it for three years now and it is a hit with parents and kids. It also allows us a chance to "meet" and speak with people in our housing development we might otherwise never meet... And no, other than displaying our awesome "actionchurch-o-lantern" that we were given Sunday...this is not about "church". We will not be handing out tracts or actionchurch invites...just serving and getting to know our neighbors.

So here's the challenge...be creative...be generous...be the "best house" on the block! I'd love to hear your stories...

Monday, October 27, 2008

Change or Ignore?

I luv spell chek, its the greatest nvention ever. Unfortuntly, I allso like to missspell stuff on purpos. Words lik "kinda", "sorta" and "gimme". I also like 2 use words that arenot in the Diktionary...like actionchurch and actionkidz. Im also "addicted to the overuse of "dot, dot, dot" and qoutation marks..."

The problem is that when the spell check box pops up at the end of by blog post or email, I often mindlessly click "ignore" over and over...or just click "ignore all". I miss much of the value of spell check because I don't want the hassle of going through the list of things I don't want to change... Mis-spellings and bad grammar areas get through, because I am so quick to "ignore" the prompt to "change".

I was thinking this morning that God works in our lives a lot like Spell check... He won't fix all our mistakes for us...but his Spirit is there to give us correct options and prompt us to change. The "trick" is to listen to the promptings. To Respond. To not be so arrogant (like I am sometimes) that you think you "know better" and just mindlessly "ignore" the promptings. It's our choice...It's up to us...will we click "change" or "ignore"...

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Sunday Recap: In God we trust? pt 2




Today was week two at Club 19 and week two of the In God we Trust? series. I talked about God's promises and plan for our finances from Psalm 37 using the metaphor of fitness/weight loss. Managing money and weight loss are similar because there is no "easy" way to do either...for all the commercials on tv promising miracle cures the only way to lose weight is to expend more calories than you take in...the only way to be financially fit is to take in more than you put out...both are simple and difficult..and sure to offend someone when you talk about them. God cares more about us being "healthy" financially than our cultural idea of "wealth". Seventy percent of the world would love to be "poor" in America. Psalms 37:21 The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. God wants his people to be part of the SOLUTION for America...not part of the problem...


The Highlights:

  • Check out the actionchurch-o-lantern! (above) Unbelievable. I was wanting to do a logo pumpkin...but the Grows created art...thanks Guys...we will display it with pride!
  • The sophomore jinx must be real...or maybe it's "bad luck" for a certain someone to cut off all their hair:-) but everything went wrong for the service today. Josiah's Mac is in the shop...I shouldn't have made fun of him because my pc freaked out and I could not get the video card to communicate with the screens. For a while it looked like we would have three laptops and still not get the main screen to work. Yikes! After much rebooting and frantic prayer my pc decided to work....(Josiah's command center below)
  • We also had a last minute band cancellation. Thanks so much for the guys of Solar Child for stepping in and playing like they had been on the schedule for months. I'm really grateful for their help.
  • Allowing questions via txt msg always adds something to the service...I really enjoy the opportunity to be more interactive than "lectur-y".
  • I talked about my pants being too tight in the sermon...and actually ripped them before the service started...I fixed them with duct tape. Duct tape+leg hair= pain!
  • Attendance was down from our launch last week but up from the week before at Fat Daddy's...Club 19 is a great new home for actionchurch.
  • I announced that next week we will have the "actionbus" set up as a play area for parents with small children. Parents will be able to watch the service while their children play...
  • Lot's of exciting possibilities popping up for ways to expand as we grow at our great new venue...thanks so much to all of our great Crew for making it happen each week...

Gotta run...I'm off to the Candy Bowl Race at Susquehanna Speedway to see the Bob Race the actionchurch legends car for the final race...

Friday, October 24, 2008

In God we trust???

It's amazing how things can change in a year. I noticed on a news archive page this morning that the "most important" and numerous news stories of October 2007 were about Britney Spears... I remember being annoyed at the time by all of the stories about her...today I would be kinda happy if the news was filled with stories of misbehaving pop stars instead of stock market plunges and gloomy economic scenarios.

It's impossible to predict the future. Impossible to prevent "bad news" from happening. The real question is whether we will spend our lives being tossed around on the "waves" of situations that are beyond our control...or anchored to the one who is in control.


16 “I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. 17 But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Isaiah 54:16-17

Thursday, October 23, 2008

More questions/comments from Sunday...

Here's some more questions that were sent in during the sermon Sunday via txt msg. I will try to get to more of the questions live this week. We experimented with this format this summer and plan to make Sunday mornings more interactive (via txting) on a more regular basis in the future... I love the questions and comments, keep them coming.

Q. If you trust God but stop caring about what happens to you is that ok?
A. I'm not sure exactly sure I get a good "read" on this question...I wish I had a follow up. In a large sense we are to trust God with everything...and not worry about our self. That doesn't mean we should walk around with a "deathwish"...stepping out in front of buses unnecessarily because we "trust God to take care of us".

Q. Tv preachers sometimes talk down about society...why?

A. That's how (some of them) make a living. "Look at all these evil people in the "world"...we can stop it...we're professionals...just send your checks to..." People like to hear about how bad the sins are that they are NOT committing...that kind of preaching gets "amens" in churches...and checks in the mail. ...not a lot else is accomplished in my opinion.

Q. How can we be sure we are trusting enough in God?

A. I don't think any of us (myself in particular) trust "enough" in God. If we really truly completely "believed" he was all powerful...and had our best interests at heart...we really wouldn't worry about anything. The key is to listen for God's direction...ask him questions...check out how he has interacted with ordinary people throughout the ages in the Bible. If we do that...and put it into action by trusting God to guide us and provide for us in our lives...even in small ways...we'll experience God at work in our world...and our trust and faith will grow.

Q. How do we get God as our savior-get 2 Heaven?

A. Follow Jesus. What does that mean? Give up on your way of living...your standards...your goals...and ask Jesus to show you his way of living...his standards...his goals. Accept his death on the cross as payment for your sins...and begin a new life as part of his Kingdom plan for earth. A good first step is to tell someone else about your decision. Baptism is the way of "going public" with your decision.

I know that over the years the church has tried to "simplify" that process by making it much more complicated. There are prayers...accrostics...diagrams..."roads"...and series of questions. None of them are "wrong", but together I think they may have "skewed" the idea of Salvation into something you "believe", "know", or "have an emotional response about" that will somehow "get you into heaven". I can't find anything in scripture about "asking Jesus to come into your heart", but I do find thousands of references to people who believed that Jesus was the Son of God...and turned their lives upside down to be part of his movement. Heaven is a wonderful "by product" of following Jesus (as are God's protection and blessing). It would be foolish to think that you can receive the pension plan, salary and benefits of working at Harley Davidson by just filling out an application and never showing up for work... I think it is equally foolish and presumptuous to think that we are entitled to eternity in heaven, and God's blessing and care here on earth, just by saying a prayer and walking away to live completely as we did before. Does that make our salvation about our "works" (what we do for God)? Nope...because God doesn't "need" us to do anything for him...we aren't "qualified" for the position...but he loves us and accepts us into his kingdom anyway.




Wednesday, October 22, 2008

"Lifting Holy (or Severed) Hands"

One of the "deal with it" situations of having church in a nightclub is Halloween decorations. Club 19 was decorated for Halloween with severed arms and skeletons hanging around the club. We asked if we could "raise" the arms up into the rafters and secure them during the service...I'm really glad one didn't vibrate down and surprise someone during the music. Ashley Z spotted our "hidden" decorations and captured them...

I went by Fat Daddy's afterward to pick up our "we've moved" sign and our "old lobby" was completely filled with witches, spiderwebs, and bats...so all in all the few severed arms were easy to deal with...

So how do you "deal with" Halloween? Do you ignore it? Protest it? Embrace it? I'm reprinting a post I wrote last year about how we have come to celebrate Halloween as a family (Below)

Halloween Multiple Choice.

Halloween is...

a. ...a holiday celebrated in October best known for children dressing up in costumes and asking for candy.
b. ...a celebration of satanism, occultism, and consumerism in America.
c. ...an opportunity for seemingly "normal" guys to squeeze into some size 14 pumps and fishnets and head off to a party without be labeled cross dressers. (What's up with that?)




The best way to share your faith at Halloween is...
a. ...be generous, friendly and kind. What other time of year do your neighbors actually come to your door? No crappy candy, turning off the lights, or leftovers from your kid's Easter basket!
b. ...answer the door but tell everyone you don't celebrate Halloween because you are Christians. (I actually saw this on a Wife Swap episode)
c. ...Tracts, and only tracts! (NO CANDY) The scarier the better! Extra points awarded for those who mention the Spanish inquisition or name the Pope as the anti-christ! Enjoy getting the toilet paper out of your trees...



The best way for Churches to share their faith with their community...
a. ... be generous, friendly, and kind at a community event. Get involved. Give away great stuff! Urge church goers to be the "most generous house in the neighborhood.
b. ...have an alternative event. Call it a harvest party, Hallelujah party, or Fall festival. Bonus points if you feature gospel music, ban costumes, or give out prizes for reciting Bible verses. Great entertainment for the religious.
c. ...ignore it! Only 196 days 'til Easter!


The best thing to teach your children from Halloween is...
a. ...the joy of giving. How to be live out your faith in a post-christian world.
b. ...the joy of taking.... Turn out your lights and take them to all the "best neighborhoods". Grab as much candy as you can...make sure they split with you.
c. ...to be scared of witches, Satan, and cultists. ...that church Harvest parties are "almost as good as" Halloween parties. ...that they can't wait to grow up and be "normal".



What's the "right" choice...It's up to you.

I'll give you a hint what I believe...like the Fonz I say a-a-a-ay!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

In progress...



Stuff we are working on after Sunday:

  • Looks like we have come up with a place for families with small children to take their little ones and watch the service on a monitor while they're toddlers play. (stay tuned for more info)

  • Still working on a better way to move a slate top pool table safely and more easily every week...

  • ...will probably try different chair/table lay outs to see what works best.

  • Jerry and Steve will be bringing the sound in mains down next week... I'm sure we will still be called "the loudest church in the east" like we were at Fat Daddy's...but we are not trying to start a new ministry to the deaf :-)

Lot's more tweaks and work to do to make Club 19 into actionchurch... but I definitely feel blessed to have such a clean and well-put-together place to have church in on Sunday mornings!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Flicker Site link- Photos from Club 19 launch.

Here's a link to Ashley Z's photo's from yesterday at Club 19. (link)

Faith is not a "superpower..."

I had some great comments and questions sent in during the sermon about trusting God, Faith, and belief. Since they all hinged around the same thought...I thought I'd take a moment and address them here.

The big Question: Jesus said if we had the faith of a "mustard seed" we could command mountains to move... Moses parted the red sea with his shepherds staff... Elijah trusted God and had the faith to bring down fire from heaven... The apostles in the New Testament healed people... So the "TV Preachers" say that if we believe enough...we can have it all. Can I "believe enough", or have enough faith for God to give me a sweet "MTV cribs style" house and a fleet of Bentleys? Why not? Jesus said if I had faith I could move mountains...why couldn't I just use my "Faith and belief" to get some sweet stuff for the crib?

Here's why I called that idea "a bunch of Crap" yesterday. If you notice in every instance in the scriptures where people did amazing things "by faith"...they were always responding to God's command, and having enough faith in him to do what he said...to be part of his plan...and then amazing, miraculous things happened. Never once do we see in scriptures an instance of people using "faith" or "belief" to somehow "force" God to get them "stuff". In fact one of the ways Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, (read it) was to try to entice him to use his power to turn rocks into bread because Jesus hadn't eaten in 40 days...Jesus refused. Faith or belief is not something that we can "concentrate" and produce results like Hiro stopping time on Heroes. It's not a "power". It's not an "ability". It's a decision to trust God...even when all odds are against you...and do what he says...even when (and most of the time it does) look idiotic or futile. Faith is a decision that grows based on trust. We trust God in small things...we see him work...our faith grows...we trust him in larger areas...he shows up...our faith grows...and so on.

I believe faith is real. I fact, I believe we observed some of the results of it yesterday. I think it is God's plan for everyone in York county (and the world) to hear the Good News of Jesus...even those who don't feel they "fit in" to a "normal church". Because people believed God, they acted in faith...they used their talents...they donate their time, their equipment, their knowledge, their toys. Because they believed God and had faith in his plan, we all got to go to church in an unbelievable environment yesterday. 'Way better than a 8 month old church "deserves" or could expect. In the midst of a failing economy, with no "fund raising drive", no "capital campaign", no mortgage, we just moved into a great new larger venue. The "kicker" is that our expenses at Club 19 are actually considerably lower than before. That's the way faith and belief work... Ordinary people believe God and attempt extraordinary things for him...

Could we use that same "faith" and "belief" to get us all Hummers and 60 inch flat screens? I'm thinkin' not so much...

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Pics from Club 19







Photos by Ashley Z...shaky shots that look like they are from a webcam strapped to a monkey by me.

Sunday Recap: In God we Trust? pt. 1

Tear Down
Today was the first week of the "In God we Trust?" series...and our first week meeting at Club 19. Today I talked (from Psalm 37) about how we can trust God to "keep score"...to judge evil and reward good. I think so much of our frustration and anger as a country comes from the injustice we see when good responsible folks struggle and those who harm others and do wrong prosper... Justice is coming...we just have to remember that the one "keeping score" is not public opinion, the media, politicians...or even you or I...it's God!

The Highlights:

  • Eight months after launching on February 10th at Fat Daddy's Nightclub...oops we did it again! actionchurch 2.0 launched today at club 19. What a great Venue.
  • actionkidz looked amazing...It's hard to imagine what the guys did with basically a diesel garage stall...I am really excited for the future of the "kidz"
  • Thanks to Jerry for loaning us all the cool automotive memorabilia...
  • I know this is going to sound like a "thank you note" but thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make this new launch possible... Special thanks to Michele for never allowing me to settle for "good enough". We are a better church because of her attention to detail.
  • Fire From the Sky on stage today...the bigger stage really allowed them to turn loose some high energy stream of consciousness punk.
  • I loved having the new "big screen" behind me (Thanks Shawn from Stagemasters)...and I really loved the "big screen" monitor in front of me (Thanks Keith!)
  • Josiah needs to grow a third arm to run all the stuff in "command central" but the graphics were incredible...and it is going to be really useful being able to send different images to the various screens.
  • This was Garrett's first week as actionchurch's first Stage manager. He managed to do something I have never been able to accomplish...getting the band on the stage and playing in less than a minute...unfortunately I told him the wrong time...which is exactly why we need a stage manager!
  • Lot's of great txt msg questions today...I'll cover some of the ones I didn't get to later this week here on the blog.
  • Thanks to everyone for showing up early this morning and making it happen...and staying after and tearing down. We were finally at the point at Fat Daddy's that set up and teardown were "second nature". I have no doubt that in a few short weeks we will have it organized again!
  • I know, I know, it didn't seem like we had a lot of "extra" room in the "bigger package." We still have a lot more chairs and more arranging to do ...but it did seem to be pretty full already today. I'm determined to just continue to tell the good news about Jesus in a relevant "action filled" way...and trust that God will continue to provide more seats for the people that show up to hear. The fact that we are able to meet at a venue like Club 19 shows that you should never (as the guys sang today) "underestimate my Jesus".

Stuff we are working on...

  • I understand the music was a "smidge loud" :-) New club...new system...we'll bring it down. I was beside the stage instead of in front of the mains like I used to be at Fat Daddy's so I thought it was actually quieter than normal...not so much.
  • We have to have a place for people with small children too young for actionkidz...and too young to handle the music...we should have a solution this week... Sorry for those with little children this week...stay tuned.

Lots of stuff we need to do better...lots of stuff to tweak..but I am really grateful and proud of the job that the actionchurch crew is doing...this is only the beginning.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Holy crap!!!




Just a little taste of what tomorrow at Club 19 is going to be like... I am actually speechless. We are so blessed to have such a great new venue...and such talented and hardworking people. Thank you everyone who has been part of this thing...
Do not miss tomorrow!



Thursday, October 16, 2008

In God we Trust?

I think the new series starting Sunday may be the most timely teaching we have ever done...I say "we" because Josiah and I started discussing the idea for "In God we Trust?" in late August/early September. (I think the series artwork is his best yet!)

At the time I had no idea the financial/political/cultural/turmoil and uncertainty we would be facing now...I just had this feeling that we were "missing something". It seemed at the time (and still does) that everyone was looking for answers...no one really trusts anyone else anymore...and all of our "solutions" and "hopes" seemed to depend on everything but our creator.

I'm looking forward to talking about what we can actually trust God to do. I'm looking forward to your questions and comments coming in via text msg. What I will not be doing is endorsing political parties or candidates...giving Dave Ramsey style financial advice... or pontificating about how to "stop the gay whales from smoking in public". It ain't about politics...it ain't about money...it's about who you can trust.

See ya Sunday at Club 19...bring a friend and your phone.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Signs, Signs, everywhere Signs.


I just got the message that our signs are ready at Fast Signs. I love the smell of new signs early in the morning. Our single largest expense for the move to Club 19 is signage... and this is just the beginning.

I never want to become a church that "doesn't need signs". ...a church that everyone attending "already knows how to get there". I want every week to be someone's first Sunday at actionchurch. Signs help take a little of the anxiety out of going to a new place...point you toward places you have never been. If you can't tell already ...I'm excited about new signs to point even more new people toward actionchurch...and then Jesus. We need a Billboard on Rt. 30!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Rev. Run

I've never been a rap fan but I'm a big fan of "Run's House" on MTV. Besides the fact that I am Jealous of the fact that he can make a clerical collar look cool...while driving a Bentley...I really admire the way he leads and loves his family. I heard him say something in a recent interview that really sort or stuck in my head...

He said, "I'm a Reverend but I don't run a church, My whole ministry is to show the love of Jesus in my life whether I am with my family or on tour with Kid Rock...the cameras just catch the action and spread it around" (my paraphrase)

I'm pretty sure that's the "point" for all of us...whether we are a "Reverend" or not... Well said, Rev. Run.

Monday, October 13, 2008

"Church is People"

Psst...Church is people. I think one real benefit of our move to Club 19 is that it visually reminds us that like soylent green...church is entirely made up of people! If you think that church is a building...or "stuff" or equipment...right now all of our "church" is packed in a van down by the river..err bus in my driveway. From yesterday afternoon when we moved out of Fat Daddy's Nightclub until Friday when we move into Club 19 there is technically no actionchurch "building"...we're "homeless".

The great news is that actionchurch will reapear next Sunday and actionchurch V2.0 will be better than ever, because we are made up of people...not buildings or stuff!

So thanks for being actionchurch: people who helped us load our stuff after church yesterday. The people who will help us unload and set up on Friday. People who have invited their friends to a crazy church service at Fat Daddy's. People who will now invite their friends to Club 19. People who have given their hard earned cash to pay the bills for each weekly gathering. People who got up early on Sunday mornings to make sure that things were clean and set up for others...(enjoy your well earned break!) People who have showed up and allowed us to "practice" being a church from the very first service...people who just started attending last week. The list is too long to remember everyone...bands, sound engineers, artists, builders, cleaners, greeters, designers, coffee makers, coffee drinkers...you all make up this beautiful, messy, powerful, and broken thing called the church... Thank you all...I cannot wait to see what you become in our great new venue!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Sunday Recap: Moving day...

Today was moving our final Sunday at Fat Daddy's Nightclub.
Next Sunday we will be meeting at Club 19 so we had to pack up all of the "church" in the "actionbus" after the service ended. I talked about "looking after you leap" about faith being obeying God without knowing the outcome. It's so easy to read stories in the Bible and see the end result and miss the "process". I talked about the blind man in John 9 who was healed by Jesus...after Jesus put "saliva mud pies" on his eyes and told him to go jump in the pool...I bet the still-blind dude with mud on his eyes had lots of questions about the outcome as he walked toward the pool. That's the way it is when you follow Jesus.
The highlights:
  • Everyone was so helpful loading up...we literally had everything we own (including the baptismal "trough" loaded into the bus in less than an hour! Thanks everyone.
  • Speaking of Baptisms...I offered the chance to "go public" through baptism...I honestly had no idea why...other than I felt like I should...and it's pretty difficult to preach about "faith is being obedient to Jesus without knowing the outcome" and not being obedient myself...Thanks John for sharing your story and choosing spontaneously to get "baptised in a bar" on Sunday morning.
  • The Historic on stage today...they were really our most unusual act yet...and I really dig them. The best way I can describe them is "1940's Rock n Roll"... I really like their original stuff. Phil Rohr (also of the Gulls) is a really talented dude. They started the service with the Thrice tune"Come all ye weary". The line from that song "you've been spurned by fine restaurants and tossed out of church" sounds like the reason we started actionchurch!
  • Awesome Job by Josiah today creating the "Fight Club" video bumper. He set up the "Jump" sermon perfectly...removed the numerous "F-Bombs" in the clip...and faded into the sermon graphic. I thought I was preaching at a mega-church with a video department for a moment. The artwork for next week's series is ridiculously good also...We are very lucky to have Josiah as our "Chief Creative Officer" (CCO)...he's got a cool title...now we just need to pay him in something other than free coffee and all the donut's he can eat.
  • After loading everything into the "actionbus" it wouldn't start! aaarrrgh! I was seriously wondering what we were going to do with all of our church gear if they had to tow it into the garage... Fortunately after lunch it decided to start right up on the first turn...thank you God.
  • It was awesome reading all of the kind things written by people on our thank you notes for the crew at Fat Daddy's ...very touching. Michele Reagan and I are taking them by the club tonight along with their "thank you gifts"
  • I am so thankful for the amazing things God has Done at Fat Daddy's Nightclub...looking forward to seeing even more amazing things at Club 19!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Donation Boxes...

I thought I'd preview our spiffy new donation boxes. I know they may look like some cheap tool boxes that I picked up at Harbor Freight to replace our current ragged cardboard boxes...and they are.

I'm gonna miss our old cardboard donation boxes...I still remember making the decision to put them out... to not "pass a plate"...to allow people the freedom to choose to support actionchurch financially without pressure or scrutiny. Thanks for choosing to give. Because of you we are able to purchase the equipment and supplies we need to move into our new venue. Because of you we are positioned to be a blessing on our community...and not a burden in financially difficult times. Because of you all 25 of the employees of Fat Daddy's nightclub are going to get a little "early Halloween surprise"(picture below)...made up of a goody bag and a gas card (thanks Michele and Reagan for putting them together.) Because of you, people in York County have a little bit different idea of what a "church goer" is...

I just wanted to say thanks... and I am looking forward to the difference we can make as we begin to fill our "spiffy" new boxes....

Thursday, October 9, 2008

"Chairs-that-look-like-thrones-that-no-one-sits-in"

...had a funny conversation last night with someone who grew up in the same religious background as I did about the "Chairs-that-look-like-thrones-that-no-one-sits-in" on the platform of churches... (I found out they are called clergy chairs.) The funny thing I remember about them growing up is that NO ONE ever sat in them...but they were present at every church I attended. Long after whatever function they served was over...Churches still purchased them or moved them to their new auditoriums...because you couldn't possibly do church without "Chairs-that-look-like-thrones-that-no-one-sits-in".

As much as that makes me laugh, it happens in every church (including actionchurch) if we don't constantly guard against it! It's so easy to let something outside of our mission become "tradition" because "that's the way we have always done it."

Can you imagine the strange "traditions" that actionchurch could develop if we forgot about our mission of introducing people who don't like church to Jesus, and focused on our surroundings at Fat Daddy's? It would become tradition to have a giant Buddha statue in the back of any auditorium we moved to... "Tradition" to have an atm in the lobby and Bud Light signs on the windows... "Tradition" to have go go dancing platforms in the children's area... Sure it sounds silly...but that's "the way we've always done it"!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Final week at Fat Daddy's Nightclub

In the middle of all the crazy-last-minute-stuff to get ready for the first service at Club 19 it's really hitting me that this is our final week to meet at Fat Daddy's. We are going to end our time at the club just like we began...full of faith...without a clue about what is actually going to happen...
I believe it's going to be a really special and memorable week. I'm gonna talk about faith...and demonstrate a little faith (or stupidity) by bringing along the "Baptismal horse trough" and offering a chance for people to go public with their faith in Jesus. I'm not sure if anyone will respond...no one has yet...I just feel really strongly that I need to offer a chance to be baptized on Sunday...no real clue what will happen...and that's the way it should be...
Want to know more about baptism? email info@actionchurch.com or check this out (Baptism FAQ)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Trust...

I was reading Psalms 78 last night and it reminded me of ...uh...well, me. It's basically a "laundry list" of all the great things that God did for the people of Israel in the past...rescuing them from Egypt...parting the red sea...leading them with a pillar of fire in the day and a pillar of fire at night...providing them with food and water in the desert...etc. In spite of all these great miracles they had witnessed...they still completely pissed God off ("fire of his wrath=seriously pissed off) by doubting that he would provide for them in the future.
Man is that a serious temptation for me...how about you? I've seen God do amazing things. I give God all the credit for the fact that our personal business has even survived over the years... I don't deserve to have the family or life I have been blessed with. It's seriously crazy that actionchurch launched and stayed open for more than two weeks...definitely a God thing. Having seen those things and countless more, I am still tempted to worry about the future. I'm still tempted to wonder if God can "do it again" as we re-launch at Club 19... To wonder if God can provide in some seriously "spooky" economic times... (can you watch cnbc without wanting to jump out the window?)
So...I've decided to not piss God off like the Israelites...to trust that he will "come through" as he always has in the past. I don't think that it's any accident that the next four weeks I will be talking about Faith (Jump) and Trust (In God we Trust?) on Sunday mornings. I'm certainly not an expert on faith or trust by any means...but you can bet I am motivated to learn all I can...and pass it on to you all. Buckle up..this should be interesting.
" 19 They even spoke against God himself, saying, “God can’t give us food in the wilderness. 20 Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can’t give his people bread and meat.” 21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious. The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, his anger rose against Israel, 22 for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them." Psalms 78:19-22

Monday, October 6, 2008

Club 19 move update..

Here's a quick update on whats happening at Club 19 to prepare for our move there on 10.19.09 (oh yeah....we are moving to "19" on the 19th):

  • a large video screen is being installed behind the stage (pictured above)...there is simply not a "bad seat" in the house. Everyone will be able to hear and see everything going on!
  • Dave Brubaker has been playing the "actionchurch board game" at home(below)...and here's the seating you can expect to see on the 19th...except the tables won't be made out of Mountain Dew Boxes. Lots more tables...plenty of room to expand seating up to 200 comfortably.
  • Signs are being ordered to direct everyone from Rt 30-one block up George St.-and to the club...and then to parking. Josiah is designing them this time...so they should look great...and be readable. (I'm the one who designed the black road signs with gray lettering that can only be read if you stop and get out of your car!)
  • Everything will be fresh in the actionkidz area...we have a "semi-permanent" home for the "kidz" (We don't have to pack it up every week but it all must be able to be moved for special events)
  • The Check in area for actionkidz is being built this Saturday (10.11.08) Welcome Race fans to actionkidz...
  • Lot's of cool stuff happening that will make Club 19 totally "actionchurch" when we start meeting there...I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised that a "newborn" church like we are has been blessed with such a great new venue...

Thanks so much to all of you who are giving your time, talents, and financial gifts to make this happen...It is going to be amazing!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Sunday Recap: (Behind the music addition)

Today was the final week of the "Rock Band" Series. We talked about Act 19:8-10...where Paul took the believers out of the local Synagogue and instead held discussions at the local lecture hall. I can't think of a better example of what actionchurch is all about... taking the message of Jesus to outsiders...instead of just arguing with religious folks. Because of this move in Acts everyone in the province of Asia heard the good news of Jesus...that is our dream for York County...that because we are taking the good news of Jesus outside of religious circles...everyone will hear.
The Highlights:

  • Chambered was insanely good today.... Five Finger Death Punch (Never Enough) to open..followed by a really sweet new original (Never Give up). Next was Disciple (Game on) which they absolutely killed...in a good way. Final song was Shinedown (Save me) which led up to next weeks message "Jump" perfectly. These Guys have not missed a beat since reforming after the Clean Slate Break up...I just wish they would play some "heavy" music...:-)
  • Jake had the music crankin' today...I think he loves turning Chambered UP... We're going to miss working with Jake every week (He owns the Sound system at Fat Daddy's) We will be using the Sound man From Club 19 but Jake has agreed to be our back up sound engineer.
  • Feeling kind of nostalgic today...I'm really excited about the move to Club 19...but I think everyone will miss Fat Daddy's....I kept snapping pictures of "behind the music" stuff that I wanted to remember...here's some below.

Guys playing pool before church started this morning...

Here's my "secret" restroom by the stage...

I remember lots of last minute "desperation" prayers before preaching

after we first launched in February...I was terrified!

Below is the closet that ALL of our "church" fits in downstairs...

  • Finally- Somebody lost some money at church this morning...we found it...let us know what you lost and it's yours...we don't want to take an "accidental" donation...

Talledega is on...Dale Jr. is leading...I gotta get back to it. Thanks to all of you who make actionchurch possible each week!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

"loudest church in the east"

I just noticed that Chambered (playing Sunday) have actionchurch listed on their myspace as the "loudest church in the east". That made me smile.... We might also be the only church on the east (or west) coasts to start their service with "Never Enough" by Five Finger Death Punch... The "rock band" series is going to go out with a bang!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Quote of the Week:

"All the good that has come in this world has come from Fools with Faith..."

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Garage band?

Here is yet another example of how Churches are like Rock Bands...(and church-goers are like rock "fans") I have so much respect, admiration, and love for LCBC (Lancaster County Bible Church). Michele, Reagan and I attended there for the 18 months we were planning and preparing to launch actionchurch. I can say without reservation that attending LCBC was our best experience with attending a church ever... If we didn't feel like our purpose in life was to help start actionchurch we would still be happily attending there.

Let me say congratulations to LCBC for making the 100 largest Churches in America list again this year. (link #84) The funny thing is that I know by posting this that I will have hits later in the week from people who want to talk about how LCBC has "Sold out"...how it has "watered down the gospel" (whatever that means), how much it sucks. There is a whole group of people out there set on tearing down any church that does what the church is actually supposed to do...grow and influence more people!

It's funny, this whole "argument" against mega-churches reminds me of "indy music fans" who live in their mom's basement and post about how great U2 was "until they sold out and became popular"... post about how they used to "like the White Stripes before anyone had heard of them"...whine about how "Mettalica sold out since the black album". I swear it is the same "argument"...maybe even the same "arguers".

Not every church is going to grow as large as LCBC. Not every band is going to become as huge as U2. I have to say though that I think U2 has made some of their greatest music after becoming a "mega-band"...and "Saint Bono" definitely has more influence for good now then he did as the mulleted front man of an unknown Irish rock band.

So congratulations LCBC... not bad for a Church that started out in a Garage (link). Maybe this is the ultimate story of a "garage band" that "makes it"!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

actionkidz check in work day...

I mentioned last week that we would need to build a "set" for actionkidz. The new actionkidz area is basically a really clean "garage" with a large garage door on each end. (the Club 19 building was actually an auto repair business at one time) So...the new actionkidz "theme" is pit area/Garage. (I can't believe I didn't think of that!)

The date for the "build" is Saturday October 11th. We will basically need to build a "Set" or Facade (approx 13.5' wide by 12' tall)that fits that theme (I think the picture above might need a little too much repair), functions as a check in center, is able to be moved on its own wheels...and won't fall over and crush the children...that's pretty important!

Email me for details... I know someone Sunday said they had Set building experience...if you are that person please email me...I have questions. info@actionchurch.com