Jesus Is The Reason For The Season?

Merry Christmas to everyone...here's a few thoughts from actionchurch's Chief Creative Officer- Josiah

If you attended a christmas eve service last night you may have been reminded that: "Jesus is the reason for the season." I attended two different services because I needed reminded of that twice... (No, not really, I am just a good boyfriend and a good son)

It made me think though. This time of year is already crowded with tv ads from Target, donation pleas from food banks, emails from African princes, and church's trying to get you to come to their christmas eve service. Do you ever feel like Jesus is being sold for Christmas right along with the Tickle-Me-Elmo's, Wii's, and cowboy boots? I am not disputing that Jesus came to earth at this time of year, or that we should be thankful that he was sent.

But I, like most other Americans, just try my best to ignore advertising and its various messages now. We all have become callus to companies and churches trying to sell us what they believe we need. Even the message of "Don't forget what Christmas is really about" needs another message on top to remind me to "Don't ignore the 'don't forget what Christmas is really about' message."

I think the best present we can give our neighbors is not an invitation to a christmas eve service, but maybe a friendly invitation to coffee and christmas cookies at our house Nobody cares if you figured out a clever catch phrase to put on your church sign. Let's stop selling Jesus 1 month out of the year, and start showing some love that Jesus showed to our neighbors all the time.

Merry Christmas.

Josiah

(w)rapper...

Yeah, I'm a "wrapper"...(not that kind, although I do "rock the mike like a vandal") I'm the wrapper at our house. I wrap up the Christmas gifts. I actually enjoy it. I like to make each gift look great...I like to be creative with the packaging to preserve the "surprise". (I'm so glad I'm not saying this on stage...because I'm sure Josiah would have some comment about that "mental image".)

I was thinking yesterday as I "wrapping" though, that Michele and "Grandpa" actually purchased 95% of the gifts. (She actually purchases 100% of the gifts that people actually enjoy each year ...including hers!) Someone else did most of the work...found the "perfect" gift...stood in the check out line...made the purchase. I'm just lucky enough to get to "wrap it up" and put it under the tree...'cause I HATE shopping!

I've been thinking that I am a "wrapper" on Sunday mornings at actionchurch as well. I don't "create" the truths I get to "wrap up and put under the tree" each Sunday. I just get to create a little "surprise" with my "wrapping". I don't actually do the things that are making actionchurch the great "gift" to our community that it is becoming each week...you do! You create the atmosphere, fill (and set up) the chairs, play the music, make the coffee, welcome the guests, design the graphics, teach the "kidz", tell your friends, pay the rent, set up the signs, ..."run the show". Thanks for letting me "wrap it up" each week...it's an honor...and a real pleasure.

actionchurch of the future...

December is going to fly by so I thought I would toss out some of the stuff that we are working on for '09. I am really truly grateful for what God is doing at actionchurch. I love our people. I love the "can do" attitude of our crew. It is simply ridiculous that we have been blessed so much...so quickly. (See, I'm trying to be grateful for the "now"- people. I'm seriously working on it!)

That being said...Here's some stuff we are working on for the future :-)

1. Church Survey- We're not a church that "votes" on stuff. We simply put out the direction that the church is going and allow people to "vote" with their feet and their wallets. (If people weren't voting "yes" for actionchurch with their giving and attendance we would be history by now.) We do; however, value our peoples input. We want to know how we are doing. We want to know what we can improve. Expect a church Survey before our first "birthday" as a church...prepare to sound off. (All comments about my sweater this Sunday will be disregarded)
2. A real website! 'Nuff said! (Thanks Josiah for continuing to find ways to make actionchurch look better...not just on Sunday Morning...but all week long.
3. "Universal Texting"- In '09 Texting questions, comments, etc to the screens will become more of the "normal" thing at actionchurch than a "special" deal. I think the future of the "sermon" at actionchurch is for it to become more of a "discussion" less of a monologue. We will continue to make our Sunday mornings more interactive. The "format" we are planning to use is kind of what you would expect from a "call in show" on TV or radio. The "host" (me) will still ramble on incessantly...the callers (or txters in this case) will be put on the screen if the "Producer" (Josiah) thinks it adds to the conversation. Sometimes there will be lots of txts used...sometimes few or none...but every week the "Lines will be open". I'm looking forward to this...
4. An "alternate economy"- Seeing how the great people of actionchurch responded with such overwhelming generosity to our "Extreme Christmas Makeover" has really confirmed that we need a way for people within actionchurch to communicate and help each other in these difficult times. We are working on ideas both online and off for people to communicate the stuff they "need" whether it be goods or services. Other actionchurch folks could then respond with items or services they have available. Helping hands could be extended...barters made...gifts given. I am convinced that many of the "answers" to our prayers are available now...we just need a better way to make our needs known to our church family.
5. ????????? (Who knows)- The truth is that in spite of our best planning and preparation, the best things that will happen in the coming year- are stuff we can't even imagine yet! We will respond to great ideas from our crew. (NONE of the stuff above came initially from me!) We will respond to "problems" and opportunities (generally the same thing) that arise. Who knew that we would be we would already be in our second venue as a church? I sure didn't. I am sure as we look back at '09 we will have the same "surprised" and grateful attitude. One thing that will NOT change in the coming year (or ever) is our relentless, obsessive, desire to introduce "people who don't like church" to Jesus...and to trust Jesus to guide us on our way...

"Tension"

I've come to realize that there are certain "constants" about being part of leadership of a church. One such "constant" is tension. I don't mean the "tension" that happens between people (although come to think of it that happens too) but the tension that happens between ideas and values.

In a church that is growing and dynamic there will be tension:

• between never being satisfied with "good enough" -and- being thankful for the resources that you have been given.
• between being "wise managers" of the money that people have donated -and- living out "faith" as a church by following God's leading even when all the finances aren't in place.
• between meeting peoples needs -and- not allowing your organization to become so cluttered with "ministries" and "services" that it is unsustainable and unwieldy...
• between giving people freedom to fully utilize their gifts and talents (which means they will not do things exactly like you would)-and- protecting the "identity" and "DNA" of the church ...
• between serving those in the community outside the church -and- meeting the obligations necessary to "put on" the church service on the weekend...

These are just some of the areas of the church that will always exist in tension if we wish to continue to grow and impact our county. The temptation that faces us as a church is to chose comfort over tension. To chose "bylaws" and "checklists" over prayerful consideration of issues... It's not supposed to be "easy". The written record of the first church in the New Testament is filled with "conflict", tension, constant challenges for the leadership...and constant growth. The "power" of a spring becomes evident when it is stretched...I think the same is true for churches. I pray that actionchurch will continue to grow, to move, to remain under "tension".

Doing Good in "Bad" times...

'Decision time. How do we react to difficult times...as households...as businesses...as churches?

Do we pull back? Hold onto "what we have"? Worry about our needs...ignore the needs of others? Is it time to panic? Sell our belongings on ebay, buy food and ammunition and build a bomb shelter in the basement? Do we ignore it? Fill our homes with more crap we-don't-need but-were-able-to-buy-because-we-just-got-a-new-credit-card-in-the-mail? Decisions...Decisions...

I can't (and wouldn't want to) make those financial decisions for anyone else... here's my personal "tough times" plan.

At home: Business as usual with the exception of being very careful to only make large purchases that we absolutely need. (Translation: Allow Michele to do her usual fantastic job of making a buck stretch...) Avoid buying anything on Credit. Continue charitable giving at our normal levels....trust God.

Business: Be frugal about purchases. Offer additional services at no additional charge to better serve customers who are definitely feeling the pinch of the poor economy. Communicate with customers and work together with them to improve their business and cut costs... Remember that "doing good is good for business. Most importantly...trust God.

Church: I think actionchurch has been prepared for "tough" financial times from our first day... We've trusted the generosity of God's people for our existence every week...we've never had any large scale "backing" or reserves. What are our plans for the future? More of the same. We will continue to "focus on others" instead of just thinking of our own survival. Last week we took in more money for the York Rescue Mission than for actionchurch...this week we will kick off our "Super Secret Christmas Project" to benefit a needy family outside of the church. We've chosen our path...we've tightened our belts expense-wise...and now our financial "plan" is to trust that God will provide for our needs. He always has!

So what's your plan? Pray about it...ask God for wisdom. Choose to live a life of Faith not Fear...

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

McDonalds Cappuccino Commercial Faith.

Have you seen the new McDonald's Cappuccino commercial? (If you haven't,watch it above) From the first time I saw the commercial...it reminded me of church...and why we started actionchurch.

You see, I used to think that because I follow Jesus I had to pretend to love Bible studies and khaki pants. To follow Jesus I had to pretend to listen to only "contemporary christian" music and enjoy hearing "preacher types" tell me what words in the Bible meant "in the original Greek". 'Thought I had to pretend to enjoy attending church "whenever the doors were open" no matter how boring it seemed. My desire to follow Jesus was genuine...but my "love" of "church culture" was as phony as the one dudes "trendy black framed glasses" in the McDonalds commercial.

I don't consider myself an "intellectual" person...I can't make myself care about the "original Greek". (There is enough amazing truth in the latest translations of the Bible to intrigue me for a lifetime). I've virtually stopped reading any "non-fiction" other than the Bible for now...my mind needs a break. I'm a blue collar guy who listens to Modern Rock, 80's Metal, and when I'm in the mood, country. My nails are short and my hair is long. I'm much more likely to say "Damn it" than "praise the Lord" when I slam my finger in the door of my truck. I am absolutely passionate about serving Jesus and being part of his Kingdom plan for all eternity.

One of the things I love most about what actionchurch is becoming...is that it is a place where I can be "me". Flawed. "A work in progress". Forgiven. I don't have to pretend to like "church stuff". (and neither do you.)

Does that mean that it's wrong to like "original Greek bible study" and Chris Tomlin praise tunes? Not at all. Is there anything "wrong" with going to Starbucks? Not at all. What is "wrong" (and an extremely unsatisfying way to live-think itchy turtleneck sweater) is being phony...

Starbucks isn't going to shut down because McDonald's started serving "coffee house" coffees...but I bet a lot of people who enjoy cappuccino but didn't feel like they fit into the Starbucks "culture" will be served.

Welcome to McDonald's...would you like to try our new coffee house premium coffees?

Welcome to actionchurch...would you like to hear about Jesus...

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

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

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"!

"Limber"

So it sorta goes without saying that I am a big proponent (read "loud mouth") about Churches being willing to "stretch" and change their structures and programs in order to grow and continue to be relevant in our society... I must admit though, that it gets progressively harder as a church grows and gets "older". actionchurch is only 8 months old...but it is difficult already to make some of the changes necessary for the much needed move to Club 19.

Our new relationship with Club 19 means we have to leave behind a really good relationship we have built with the Fat Daddy's crew. Our growth and move means that many of our great volunteers will have to change jobs and responsibilities... Some people will love the new facility, some will miss the "old" one. Even at this early stage of church growth...change is a bit painful at times...

So what do we do to "avoid" the pain of change and stretching? If we want to continue to do the work that the church was designed to do...nothing! We simply must be willing to go through the "growing pains". My prayer for actionchurch is that we remain "limber". That we constantly "move", stretch, and change to continue to connect with people in our community who are far from God. That we never get "set in our ways". That we are always ready to "risk it all" for the next opportunity to serve our community... My prayer for actionchurch is... "Lord keep us limber..."

"Bar Band"

So for the next three weeks I'm comparing the Church to a band in the "Rock Band" Series...and it made me think. If actionchurch were a Rock Band, what kind of band would we be? The answer is... A "nineties" boy band, with matching outfits, "tight" harmonies, and choreographed dance moves! (Sorry just a "dream" of mine...I can't believe I said that out loud)

Actually, If actionchurch were a band, we would be...a Bar Band!

• a band of "ordinary guys"(and gals!) who practice after work and show up on the weekend to Rock!
• a band that expects to carry their own equipment...
• a band that is always looking to play bigger clubs...to attract a bigger following...but wouldn't think of "selling out" to get there...
• a band used to having the occasional insult (or bottle) flung their way...
• a band that realizes they "aren't stars"...
• a band that appreciates the fact that they get to do what they love, because of the people who come out each weekend to hear them...
• Finally... a band who's "sum is truly greater than it's parts"... a band that is surprises every one who "knows them" individually when they see them together under the lights. That's the power of a band...and even more so...The Church!

...and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Mathew 16:18

The power of incompetence...

I can't help but compare this years York Fair "coffee and balloon extravaganza" with last years event. The main difference this year is that there are so many people doing things better than I did last year. We have people who can make a better pot of coffee than me... (a couple of the batches I made last year were only semi-liquid...like the kind that you buy in a truck stop at 3am). Everyone is better at giving away balloons. (For some reason kids are generally frightened by me...go figure...just a long haired dude in a black t-shirt lunging at them with a balloon...) We have lots of people that are better at telling what actionchurch is all about than me. Incompetency has its rewards!

I think actionchurch is getting better as a whole because of my (self admitted) incompetence... Our visuals are so much better since Josiah took over. (Have you seen the new invite cards?...) Our pictures are much better since Ashley Z took over... Set up has never been better than the last few weeks since Bill, Dave, Garrett and crew completely raised the bar... The cool thing is that the more things the people of actionchurch "do better" than me...the more time and focus I will be able to put into the one area that I actually excel at...drinking massive amounts of Caffeine and dreaming up new "adventures" for us to embark on as a church... dreaming of things that seem impossible even in light of the great things we have already seen God do as a church. (Which of course will highlight some new area of incompetency and allow many other people to participate and make actionchurch a better place!)

Play the "incompetency home game":
What do you suck at...how could you replace those efforts with something you excel at?

(Since Michele reads this blog I must add that I have never used this "incompetency strategy" at home to "show" that I am incapable of loading a dishwasher, clothes dryer, or hitting the hamper with my socks....YMMV...may cause cranial bleeding. Performed on a closed track by proffessional drivers.)

Prayers needed...

I don't often do this but I know a lot of folks pray for actionchurch...so I thought I'd give you something specific to pray for today...

1. Brian Neal (scheduled to play on Sunday) had a family emergency and had to go out of state unexpectedly...pray for his family...and pray for me to find a replacement quickly (Got a Band that is ready to rock on Sunday?)
2. I have a meeting with the club owner today that is very important...we were packed on Labor day weekend with a lot of people traveling...we seriously need more space for the fall...exciting stuff is happening...none of it is "safe" or "routine". ..Pray for favor and wisdom me today please...
3. The Fair: Please pray for everyone that is giving their time and talent out at the Fair. Pray for people who "just happen to be looking" for a church like actionchurch to be drawn to the tent....If you wouldn't mind praying for Reagan, Michele, and myself during the next two weeks we would appreciate it....between the business, school for Reagan, all of the eleventy billion tasks Michele has, Sunday morning church...etc this is going to be a very exciting, busy, and tiring couple of weeks...please keep us in your prayers.

On Sunday I will be telling the final portion of the story of Gideon...how God "raises the odds" in our lives so that his presence and power is "undeniable"...I think we are kind of living that out this week...pray with me that God will work in an "undeniable" way.

"authority"...

One final thought from the "txt msg" series. This series has been making me think a lot about the future of "preaching". I think we are just beginning to tap the power (as are other churches) of using media to make Sunday Mornings "interactive"... Frankly, though I think the whole dynamic of "preaching" is changing. We live in a world where any local "joe" can write his own review of a new book on amazon...where a stay at home mom can become the "authority" on an issue by writing her own wikipedia entry and starting a website. I think the days of the "learned pastor" coming "down from the mountain" of seminary education and being the "final authority" on scripture are coming to an end... People are less likely to except the "authoritarian preacher" when (if the church has wi-fi) they could pull up more information than a single seminary degree can provide on their laptop...

I know this transformation scares a lot of religious leaders...what will happen to biblical truth?...we can't exactly "wiki" the gospel and re-write it in any way we chose... we can't exactly put the parts of the Bible we may not like up for an "online vote"... However, I actually think the future for "preaching" looks bright.

I know that people don't come to actionchurch to listen to a bobble head like me because of my great education... I clearly state most weeks that I am "some guy you met in the bar" who has never been to seminary. Every week I just try to "do my homework" on a "life question" and present some new possibilities from God's word for it's solution... I don't see my job on Sunday morning as being a final "authority"... but as someone who serves by doing the scriptural "research and development" for the topic...Preaching becomes an act of service...not a show of "dominance"... Something "old" is "new" again.

42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.

Mark 10:42-43

Plan "D" God...

Remember taking "multiple guess" tests in school...routinely answering "A", "B", or "C" until you finally came to the question where none of those answers seemed correct. Were you overlooking something? Did you miscalculate? Or was there another answer out there that was simply not listed? Remember wondering if it could possibly be time to check the "none of the above " box "D"???

I think God delights in throwing a "none of the above" " plan D" our way occasionally. Just when you think you have a problem narrowed down to solution "A", "B", or "C" I think God delights in bringing a plan "D" solution...one that you never even thought of...one you weren't even asking for...a solution that quite frankly you didn't know existed. It reminds us that "He is God and we are not!"

One year ago it seemed "impossible" that actionchurch would exist today...we didn't have a place to meet...we didn't have funding...and only a handful of people were "crazy" enough to imagine that anyone would even want to attend a church for "people who don't like church". We had read all the church planting books...made all the typical plans...and to be honest none of them were working. Because God is a "Plan D, none of the above" kind of God- actionchurch is growing and thriving in a place that no one would have thought possible...Fat Daddy's Nightclub.

I don't think God is nearly finished yet...In fact I believe God is about to "go all Plan D" on us again...to do something undeniable...out of the ordinary...something that doesn't fit into our little "A", "B", or "C" reality... Stay tuned.


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

I am so thankful we serve a "Plan D" kind of God...how about you?

...looking at the waves.

The Gulls did a song a couple of weeks ago called "Drifter" based on Peter walking on the water with Jesus...and later sinking and having to be rescued when he began to "look at the wind and the waves".

It's easy to "laugh" at Peter. How can a guy who is "brave" enough to walk on the water with Jesus get frightened and almost drown? Never mind that all of Jesus' other disciples didn't have the courage to get out of the boat and join them...it all seems kind of silly...until you get out of the boat...and realize that it is completely "reasonable" to believe that you are going to be smashed by the waves.

It's a matter of focus and faith actually...even in the midst of great acts of Faith..if we take our eyes off Jesus and begin to focus on the "waves", the dangers, the all-so-real probability that we will be swamped...we begin to "sink". The good news is Jesus is ready and willing to pick us up...in spite of our lack of faith. Rescue comes when we admit our lack of faith and cry out to Jesus...paralyzing fear comes when we focus on the "waves".

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Mathew 14:29-31

What kind of prayers?

I'm guilty quite often of praying "safe prayers"...prayers that don't really need God to be answered. "Bless us all...thank you for your blessings"...not "bad" prayers...just wimpy "safe" prayers...prayers that "won't make God look bad" if they don't get answered.

Part of the way I prepare each week is to print out the scripture I will be using and carry it around in my pocket and read it whenever I have a chance. This verse is seriously "messing with me".

7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7 nlt

I've been "holding back" in my prayers for actionchurch...for my family. I think I'm going to have to start praying some "dangerous" prayers...prayers that make me look a "little insane"...a little "out there"...

What kind of prayers are you praying? Anyone want to join me in some "crazy dangerous prayers"?

"accidental" growth

Last night I was working out...after eating peanut butter oreos and milk (seriously) and I realized that I had "accidentally" added 20 pounds of resistance to my bench press.

What's the point you might ask?

1. It's really difficult to figure out which power rods on a bowflex "add up" to a certain weight...I need a calculator.
2. I am bragging that I now bench press 40 pounds!!!
3. Even though I would have sworn that I was "not ready" to add more weight...I did it with only a little more difficulty. I didn't even realize I had added resistance until after my bench presses were over.

I'm wondering if this sheds some light on why God seems to push me into "areas of more resistance" that I swear I am not ready for... Maybe we limit ourselves by what we "think we are ready for". Maybe God has to "surprise" us with more "resistance" so we will continue to grow and not plateau. I'm starting to "rhyme" so I must go...

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...

"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???