When we grow up...Lifepoint Church

One of the most important aspects of growing up is having "heroes". Not the "super" type of heroes that fly or bend steel, but the ordinary kind that we "want to be like when we grow up"! Since as a church we have barely taken our first step, from time to time I want to point out other churches that we admire and "want to be like when we grow up".

Lifepoint Church in Wilmington North Carolina launched in February 2006. Their Pastor, Jeff Kapusta, was kind enough to tell me their story and it was definitely not an "easy" beginning. They meet in a middle school and a year later, even in the summer, they are nearing 400 people in attendance. You know what impresses me about them though? Not their "size" or "innovation" or "cool factor" (and they are a very cool church) it's the fact that they are a "Service church, not a Serve-us church" (Jeff's words not mine).

You can learn a lot about someone by who they look up to. So if your interested in what actionchurch could "become" in a few short years... check out Jeff's Blog (link). Most importantly please take the time to check out this news story about someone at Lifepoint who saw a need and didn't call the church to meet it...she called her friends from church...(link) That's exactly the kind of church I would like to be "when we grow up".

No Ice Cream, Just Sprinkles.

I'm hangin' out with Reagan this morning. She wanted "No ice cream, just sprinkles". Somehow she convinced me that since she had "already taken her vitamins" it was okay. Please don't call the authorities...

Hypocrites in church?

People I talk to about church often end up talking about "all the hypocrites in church". One person recently even asked me if "We would have hypocrites at actionchurch?". I told them that although I don't think a church that emphasizes actually "Doing" scriptural principles instead of merely "learning" scripture would be the "first choice" for someone living a hypocritical lifestyle, I am still sure we will have some in attendance.

I am far less concerned about "keeping hypocrites out of the church" than I am "keeping the church itself from being hypocritical!" It can be "hard", even for a Church, to actually put the teachings of Jesus Christ into action! It's so easy to "preach" one thing and "do" another.

• It's easy (and common) to preach about being generous- and then be stingy in the "business" of the church! (Why do you think businesses dread working with churches?)



• It's easy to preach about serving others, especially those who can't "help" you in any way- and then only "serve" those in the community that might potentially support or attend the church.
  


• It's easy to preach that it's not enough to pay just "pay your bills", that members should give God the first of everything-and then as a church, only "meet the church budget" and "pay the bills" without giving to others in our community and world!



• It's easy to preach about "walking by faith and not by sight"- and then refuse to "make a move" as a church without the approval of "feasibility committees", "planning committees", "suck-the-joy-out-of-living committees" and a majority vote of the congregation...


• It's easy to preach and teach "the word"- and still not obey the teachings of Jesus.
  


• And finally, it's easy to encourage everyone to be loving and kind to everyone...even their "enemies"- and then not show love to the "enemies" of the church...

God help us as church "body" to actually "live" what we teach. Help us to do the "hard" , "messy" things of faith, and not give in to the "easy" way of religiosity and legalism. amen

Let me tell you how I suck!

I love Chris Farley in Tommy Boy. One of my favorite lines from the movie is "Let me tell you how I suck!". Confession is good for the soul so I thought I'd share something I have really been "sucking" at lately...

The Bible says:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

I'm getting better everyday at "trusting in the Lord with all my heart". Not because I am such a great guy, or wonderful "christian", but because I have seen God do such amazing things over the years that even a "dummy" like me sort of just expects God to do what he says! I just realized yesterday though, that I am not doing so well in the "lean not on your own understanding" department.

I realized that whenever God gives me a vision for something that he is going to do I immediately begin "creating" hundreds of scenarios in my mind about how God will do it. I try to figure out how he will pay for it, how the events will fall in place, who will be involved etc. I am certainly not saying that as a leader I shouldn't plan or think strategically. I just realized that every time I am discouraged or disappointed it is not because God is not doing what he said he would...It's because he's not fitting in to any of my scenarios I have created! God doesn't do things "right"...or at least not the way I thought he would!

I'm going to concentrate on trusting God and being obedient...I'm going to spend a whole lot less time trying to figure out how he plans to "get it done". I am going to "acknowledge him" and let him "make my paths straight". It turns out he doesn't need my "help" on figuring out how it's all gonna work out...Can you relate?

Hangin with X-stream

Michele and I got the chance to go to an X-stream Youth Ministry camp out last night... It was flippin' Pouring rain.
They did not seem to care. When we got there a game of x-stream mud football was going full blast.

I am so impressed every time I hang out with Dave and Alicia and their "crew". I love the intensity that they live. I admire the honesty and openness that exists in their organization. I am always encouraged when I watch God provide for the dream he has given them! I think God loves when his "kids" have huge dreams...to help others...especially others that are easily overlooked and ignored.

"passing the plate"

I just added a way to donate to actionchurch online (below my picture to your right on the blog), so I guess we should "talk" about money.

First of all, I believe actionchurch is a great place to "invest" in! I believe it is actually possible to change the way York County thinks about the church and (by extension) Jesus! If I didn't believe in our cause, not only would I not invite others to give, I certainly wouldn't be putting our personal finances on the line to see this dream for York County happen. Second, we actually plan to not do the traditional "passing the plate" thing in our Sunday morning gatherings. We will instead have "giving boxes" in the back of the venue and encourage online giving. We are currently using Paypal for our online giving as they are the largest, most secure, and most economical way for us to accept donations at this point.

Here's our "plan" for receiving donations:

1. Make it "guilt free"- People may pull a crumpled "one" or "five" from their pocket due to guilt...but they won't actually "support" a ministry. We want people to financially support actionchurch because they support our cause!
2. Make it easy to do- Some of you have actually emailed me to ask for our address to send donations. Thanks so much, but it shouldn't be that hard! That's why we have added the online giving button on the Blog. It's simple, It's secure, and of course it is tax deductible. (Now accepting Visa, MC, Amex,Discover, and personal checks online)
3. Make it "Worth it"!- This is the most important thing to me. I know that everyone (including myself) wants to give to organizations that are actually helping their community. Imagine if a charity advertised that "100% of your donations goes to our salaries, buildings, and other overhead"...can you imagine wanting to donate to that organization? I certainly have nothing against salaries and necessary "overhead", but it's of utmost importance to me that actionchurch never become an entity that just "takes in" and never "gives out". To set the "tone" of being a "Service" church instead of a "Serve us" church our first event was to give money to the American Cancer Society. Right now all giving is going toward 1. Community outreach (Such as the York Fair) 2. Securing a meeting location for Sunday Mornings, and 3. Equipment needed for outreach or Sunday mornings...period.

Giving up...

I turn 39 today. It makes me think about all the things I thought I would accomplish by the time I turned 40. I guess I have one year left to make a whole lot of cash, win a Grammy, achieve world domination, and get rock hard abs.

I've decided to give up on those "ambitions". Not because they are too hard, or too large, but because they are too selfish and small! I'm going to focus all my energy on one thing, one dream, one ambition. I want to change the way people think about church and (by association) Jesus in our community!

A dream like actionchurch will certainly take more than a year to accomplish, and I know cannot possibly do it "on my own". But being even a small part of such a "big" dream sounds like a great way to spend the rest of my life. Oh...and I will keep working on those "rock hard abs"...I know they are "under there" somewhere.

Tivo Shakes up the ratings...

I just ran across an article about how my "friend" Tivo is shaking up the Neilson Ratings. (link). After owning a Tivo (or two) for over five years it has taken on "appliance" status at our home. (Meaning, if it were to break I would replace it immediately...like the fridge.) Because of Tivo, we no longer "waste" our very limited TV viewing time watching "whatever is on", we record and watch what we want to see. An added benefit is that we also don't have to watch commercials anymore...

That's where the "problem" for advertisers comes in. DVR's such has Tivo have become so widespread that the advertisers are losing their "captive" audience. Viewers have more "choices" when a commercial comes on than to flip to another commercial on another channel or get up and head for the bathroom or fridge. They can simply "fast forward" through the commercial. In short, fewer and fewer people "have to" watch commercials anymore.

It remains to be seen what advertisers do now that they are admitting that people aren't really watching their commercials. I expect there will be more products actually placed in the shows and events such as the Nascar race I watched last month that never "stopped" for commercial break...it just played commercials in a small window on screen. Advertisers "admit" they will have to be creative and engaging so more people will choose to watch their advertisements. (I actually thought that was what advertising was all about!?)

Every year, fewer and fewer people "have to" attend our churches. There is no longer a social stigma against people who don't attend. (There actually might be one against those who do.) Each new generation has fewer children "raised in church". We are losing our "captive audience". For years we've complained that people are "supposed to" attend church. In the last few years, some have even admitted (like television advertisers) that perhaps our neighbors don't want to hear our "promotional messages" for God. I think the next step is beginning... It's time that we become creative and engaging (in both our church services and lifestyles) so more people will choose to hear our message. (I actually thought that was what the "good news" was all about!?)

"Mighty Warriors?"

I love this verse:

1 Samuel 22:2 2 Then others began coming � men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented � until David was the leader of about four hundred men.

The reason why I love this verse so much, is that it documents the "start" of one of the most amazing group of warriors ever assembled! If you read about the exploits of these "bad dudes" in 1 Chron. 11 and 12 it is amazing! One verse says "the weakest of these could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand"! I love the fact that such an amazing army came from such a "humble" beginning.

It makes me think that perhaps God will use a lot of people with "bad" reputations, "bad" attitudes, and even "bad" credit to start something amazing in York, PA. Welcome to actionchurch!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

I know it's only the beginning of August but it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas..

Not because Michele and Reagan have been doing a lot of Christmas Shopping...seriously!

Not because I know we are about two weeks away from the stores putting out they're Christmas "merchandise"...they do it earlier and earlier every year!

But because... I suck at keeping secrets!!!! Every year I end up telling Michele what her gifts are because I am unable to keep a secret! It's not a "secret" exactly but It is killing me not to talk about the location that God is providing for actionchurch to meet at on Sunday mornings! I am so excited about the amazing things that have happened for us to be able to rent this venue. I want to tell everyone how it meets our needs and values perfectly...but contracts are not signed and T's are not crossed so it wouldn't be wise to announce it yet.

So... "Stay tuned" and pray for me this week as we finish up the "details" on this amazing opportunity to turn York County "inside out" and "upside down"! It's killing me not to tell you more!

Thanks Vanessa!

What if there was a place......where your skills and experiences could actually make a difference in York county, no matter who you are?

Wow, I am really seeing that part of the dream beginning to come true in so many ways. There are so many people using their talents and skills to help us launch this dream we call actionchurch. I am so grateful and amazed.

Here's a great example that I just have to "tell". Vanessa at Central Park Town Homes took the time to mount the newspaper story from the dispatch that you see in the picture. She printed out pictures and logos from this blog (I bet she needs a new "black" ink cartridge) to create something really stunning. I'm not sure if I should call it a collage or "blogart" but it tells the story of the "actionchurch car" and I was blown away when she surprised me with it... Here's where the story gets really amazing, She made four (4!) of these! One for my office, one for Bob's (car owner/driver)race room, one to display in their maintenance shop, and one for their leasing office! Over time, more people may see the story and learn about actionchurch from her "creations" than from the original news story! Awesome!

I got "Simpsonized"!

I got this link from Darren and had my self Simpsonized... Want to try it?

Simpsonize yourself!

Don't be an idiot...

Sometimes the simplest advice is the best advice. Wow, I wish I would have heard this "wisdom" earlier in life...like before I got that mullet hair cut...I could go on...and on.

Seeing...and being "kindful".

Our daughter Reagan has a word for doing good- "kindful". As far as I can tell, "kindful" is a combination of kindness, helpful, thoughtful, thankful...anything good is "kindful". I think it's a great word, I've actually started using it myself.

It's amazing how a 4 year old can actually remind you to live a more "kindful" life. A few days ago as we were walking out of Wal-mart, Reagan kept saying "Daddy stop, we need to be kindful!" We were actually some distance down the sidewalk before her little voice penetrated my skull. She was "adamant" that we needed to go back and be "kindful", so back we went... Reagan wanted us to pick up the trash on the sidewalk outside the Wal-mart. As we picked up the few smashed soda cans and wrappers she asked, "Daddy, didn't you know it's not kindful to leave trash on the ground?"

The truth is I didn't "see" the trash. I expect there to be trash on the sidewalk in front of Wal-mart. Quite frankly it seems like a situation for store employees to "handle". I've been doing some thinking... Maybe it isn't just that my daughter is blessed with the "neatness gene" from her "cleaning nazi" mother (I love you baby!) . Maybe she doesn't just notice more trash on the sidewalk than me because she's "a lot closer to the ground". (My excuse). Maybe she sees opportunities to be "kindful" because she "sees" more than I do. Her eyes haven't yet grown accustomed to the "mess" of this world we live in. She sees opportunities to be "kindful" everywhere.

I want to be more like her...

York Dispatch Photo Link

A few of the pictures from the York Dispatch article are in their weekly gallery. Here's the Link. (Go there)

"offensive"

I received some "advice" about starting actionchurch that still has me thinking. The advice was basically "be careful"... Be careful not to "lose your testimony" with other Christians. Be careful to go to places and gatherings that would cause other people to think badly of you. Be careful not to hang out with "unbelievers" to much or you might be tempted to "fall away"(I'm glad Jesus never got this advice...oh wait, I think he did.) . On and on it went. Since then I have realized something, although I firmly believe I am on the same "team" as the person who gave me the "advice"... I realized we are not playing the same game!

As I thought about it I realized much of church has become about playing "defensively". Trying not to "lose" anyone in the congregation. Trying to keep people happy. Trying to maintain a budget and a building. Trying to keep anyone from criticizing the pastor and leadership. Trying to keep the various ministries and programs staffed with volunteers. The "defensive plays" go on and on.

At actionchurch our only plays are "offensive plays". We are called to take new yardage. We care far more about reaching people than "keeping" people. We have nothing to gain by being "defensive" and nothing to lose by being "offensive". Being on the offensive will cause us to be a "risk taking" church. It will also drive us to our knees as huddle together and ask for God's wisdom and blessing before our next "long" attempt. We will have a few fumbles...sometimes we may lose ground. We will never be content to just "run out the clock" because lives are at stake!

In the end, being "offensive" means some people will be offended. Some will criticize our methods...some will question our motives. That's the price of being "offensive". I think Jesus said it best when he was criticized for being offensive:

33 For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Luke 7:33-34

Why we do what we do!

20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,
“Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand." Romans 15:21-22 (nlt)

I "never" do this but...

I usually have way too "big of mouth" to link to someone Else's blog but you have to check out Rye Taylor's post from earlier this week. (go there!) Wow do I love those quotes!

The pic is of Rye and I at Buzz conference. (Note the manly "side hug" with plenty of space in between.) Rye and his wife Mandy are starting an amazing church (Fusion) in Pittsburgh, PA. They are actually launching 2.10.08-the very same day we launch! Coincidence? I think not...

I am very excited for all the great church plants that are happening "down south" in places like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. I just think it's time we need to see some of that "God stuff" happening here in the fine state of PA! Maybe Rye and I can start the "PA Planting Posse" (P3?) to "represent" the Northeast. We just need to work on our "colors" and "gang hand signs" and we can rumble with the "Southeast Posse." What do you think, Rye?

What I learned from Hell's Kitchen.

Michele and I enjoy watching Hell's Kitchen (link) on Monday nights. I think it is one of the funniest shows on TV...even if it wasn't intended to be. So what can you learn about "church" from a Master Chef who is also a "Jedi master" in profanity? I think plenty... here's just one of the things I've noticed recently.

There's nothing more important than your good name!

Nothing makes Gordon Ramsey more angry (and that's saying something!) than when he believes something is being served from his restaurant that will damage his "name". "Your menu, my standards!" is what he yelled at an aspiring chef last week. I think church leaders, especially pastors, could learn a lot from that. When we allow substandard things to be "served" out of our churches to our communities because "they're just volunteers" or "it's close enough for church work" or "we can't afford to do it "right", I believe it dishonors both the name of Jesus and the wonderful men and women who chose to serve him. We should remember that when something is done poorly, stingily, half-way, ineptly, or sloppily it doesn't only reflect on the church or pastors "name", it reflects on Jesus!

I believe it also dishonors volunteers efforts when we allow low standards and lack of resources to cause them to put out a final result they can not be proud of. They are not "just volunteers" or "free labor", they are the heart and soul of our efforts to serve our communities! I actually believe the best use of church paid staff is to empower, train, and provide resources for volunteers. Instead of "patronizing" volunteers with low standards that reflect badly on the "name" of Jesus and the Church, we should honor them by guiding them into doing truly extraordinary things! (If you wonder why I'm so passionate about volunteers, I have spent much of my life in "unpaid" ministry positions...and to this point everyone, including myself, is a volunteer at actionchurch.)

I certainly don't plan to scream insults and curses at staff and volunteers like Chef Ramsey does to "keep standards high"! I'm pretty sure the "love your neighbor thing" pretty much rules out that kind of behavior. However, I've been reading Nehemiah , and he made "the Chef" look kind of tame when it came to protecting the "name" of his "organization"... Nehemiah 13:25 "I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. .. (link) Yeow! I think I'd rather work at Hell's Kitchen...

Has anyone tried this?

Has anyone tried this? I did but I honestly can't decide if I "like" it or not. I do have the desire to wear a white jumpsuit and have a television in every room of our house. ...of course to be completely truthful, I had both of those "desires" before I ate the peanut butter and "nanner" cup!

What, When, Where? ...and How?

One of the first questions people have who are interested in actionchurch is "where will you be meeting?" Up to now we have had to give sort of vague, "Stay tuned, we'll announce our location soon" kind of answer. That's all about to change!

Since the earliest planning stages of this roller coaster ride we call actionchurch, one location has been our primary target...There have been other ideas for "backup" locations and even future locations, but only one targeted location for launch. The problem with that location is that it is a true "long shot" in every sense. It has never been rented to another organization, it will be melt-your-face controversial, and to top it off the venues owners think I am crazy to even "ask" to rent it for our new church. No matter how many times I was turned away, I could not get it out of my head that it was "our" location. I cannot tell you how many times I prayed that God would give us another location so I could get this insane idea out off my mind. God answered prayer...as usual, not in the way I thought he "should".

This week, against all odds, the owners agreed in principle to rent "our" launch location to us! Please pray for wisdom and favor for me as I meet with them this week to finalize all the details. I cannot wait to tell you WHERE! I cannot wait to tell you the story of how God literally "opened doors" for us to rent this venue. I do not think for a second you will think that I oversold the "hugeousity" of this announcement when you hear it... It's gonna give York county "something to talk about"!

Let's review:

What? To forever change York County PA, by putting the teachings of Jesus Christ into "action". To see people who currently don't even consider Jesus to be a part of their "reality", experience the "good news".

When? Launching 2.10.08 (monthly "test drive" gatherings starting 11.11.07)

Where? Announcement Coming Soon!

How? God only knows. By faith. A little piece at a time... Through the generosity and self-sacrifice of people who believe a place like actionchurch should exist in York County...

Racing at Big Diamond tomorrow night.

Bob is racing at Big Diamond Raceway (link) Sunday night. Please pray for a safe trip and race in the "actionchurch car". We will be at the SSP (link) races August 5th and 19th...come out and "hang with us" it's a lot of fun!

Welcome...

For all of you visiting the actionchurch blog for the first time, welcome. Come on in, feel free to look around. Kick the tires. Look under the hood. Sneak a peak inside our medicine cabinet. Make sure to check out our actionchurch FAQ section.

I know this may seem very "different" and "strange" to you. It is. We have a cause, a mission. We are part of a movement of churches from all across America, of many different denominations and "worship styles". We have become tired of endless talk about the Bible, and "learning" about the Bible. We are bored with the endless "lectures", "practices", and "clubhouse pep talks"...we have decided to actually get on the "field" and play the "game". Our mission is to actually put the teachings of Jesus Christ into action! Our cause is to actually make the "Good News" be good for our community by being "salt and light" as Jesus taught.

If this intrigues you, perhaps raises questions you have been unwilling to ask for years...stick around. Ask those questions...maybe formulate a few new ones. If the idea of a church sponsoring a race car seems "out of bounds" or "breaking the rules and traditions" to you, we love you but please do not read this blog, it will only "offend" you more! We have only begun to "break the churchy rules" in order to share the love of Jesus Christ with our friends and neighbors. Walk away. Tell everyone you meet how "offended" you are, we would appreciate that. Because, in the words of the great philosopher Bachman Turner (Overdrive)- "You ain't seen nothin' yet".

Questions? Comments? Hate-mail? info@actionchurch.com

Front Page!

The story about sponsoring the race car just hit the front page of the York Dispatch. It's on the news stands now so pick it up if you can. I am very happy with the story...I think Eyanna Mcmillan captured the our vision very well. They even spelled our name "right". (actionchurch- lowercase "a", one word) I will post a link when it becomes available for you "out of towners".

How can I help?

Have you ever been "put" in a situation where you are the only person available to help someone but you felt unprepared? Sometimes you just have to send up a quick prayer, use what you already "know" and get a little creative... Mr. Bean shows us what not to do.

If you don't share my "sick" affection for all things Mr. Bean, skip the video and read this. (link)

"Staying" fit...

I had an epiphany last night as I was working out, unfortunately it wasn't that I no longer crave Oreo cookies. Instead, I realized that no matter how hard I work out, I really am just trying to "maintain" my level of fitness... Every year it seems I have to work harder to stay as flexible, as strong, as fit as I was twenty years ago. Sorry to bum you out if you've never thought about that...

Here's another "bummer" I have observed in ministry over the years. People who are relatively "young" in the faith are more likely to tell their friends about Jesus than those who have been "Christians" for years. They tend to be more passionate, more joyful, more flexible, more likely to serve others than those you have been in church for twenty years. It seems like so many times followers of Jesus start out healthy and fit and somehow church "sucks the life" out of them. Shouldn't it be the opposite? What's the answer, should we warn those who are new to the faith to stay away from churches?

What if we as "church people" are completely "off" when it comes to "spiritual maturity"? What if Christianity isn't a "union shop" and "seniority" isn't the measure of "maturity"? What if those who "sit around" in church for twenty years "just learning" aren't "growing" but are instead atrophying ? What if instead of trying to encourage new followers of Jesus to act more like "dried up" old church people, we warned them that they would have to "work out" in acts of service, joyful living, faith, etc. to maintain their "flexibility" and passion for Jesus. What if those of us who are "older" in the faith would be a little less proud of the knowledge and wisdom we have gained over the years much more serious about maintaining our "childlike" faith and love for Jesus? As usual, I don't have an "answer" yet...but I am definitely going to keep thinking about this. How about you?

"opening up"

I got my teeth cleaned yesterday and a new hygienist got the "pleasure" of working on my "38 years of drinking Mountain Dew and eating m&ms" teeth and gums. I was comfortable with my "old" hygienist, she knew all my dental "faults" (it would take a whole staff of another kind of professional to deal with all my non-dental faults.) Why is it so much harder to "open up" to someone new?

The whole experience reminded me of what true christian community is all about. (Hows that for an advertisement? " Hanging with Christians is like getting your teeth cleaned.") It can be a little uncomfortable at times, but "opening up" to our fellow followers of Jesus is the only way we can truly live a "clean and healthy" life... What do you think?

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. James 5:16 nlt

...a completely unrelated post.

This is completely unrelated to this post (link) but I sure do love American Chopper on TLC. I love watching them build "theme bikes" for corporations. I don't think they've ever built one for a church. Can you imagine what "compelling television" it would be if they built a "theme bike" for a new church and then donated it to the pastor so he could "spread the gospel" in style. I'm just sayin'...

Lord I appologize....

Not for sale

In May I posted this (link) about a show I really love, King of Cars. I got an email from A&E Television last week asking me to write another post promoting the new King of Cars DVD set. In exchange they offered a percentage of sales from this link or free merchandise. I think this is a really innovative marketing plan on their part, I'm flattered they chose this blog to be part of it, I love the show...but I still told them "no thanks"! Why? Because the purpose of this blog is to spread the dream and vision of actionchurch, not sell DVDs for A&E Television!

I think this is a good "teaching moment" for us all, so "gather around". We are blessed to have a very clear and compelling vision for actionchurch. (link) We know we are called to put the teachings of Jesus into action. We know we are to be "salt and light" to York county. In my experience though, good opportunities and good people will always come along to distract you from that vision! As we grow, more and more people will offer us "good opportunities" if we will just do something that is "not exactly" in our vision for actionchurch. They will promise financial support and promotion if we will "only tweak the vision to do this one little thing". They will say "your church could be so much more successful if only you would "do" or "be" more....". We will always politely say "no thanks!" Anything that does not fall directly into the vision we have been give is a distraction, plain and simple.

Allow me to speak clearly. I have heard pastors say that "people are more important than vision statements, so you have to be flexible to meet people's needs." That sounds reasonable, sensitive, compassionate even. Unfortunately it is also pure crap! If you believe you received your church vision "from God" then who is more important than him? If we become willing to "prostitute" the vision and direction of our churches for money we may as well post our church vision on EBay and at least let it go to the highest bidder! Secondly, once we open up the leadership and vision of our church to "the highest bidder" people will actually "want" completely opposing things. One will promise support if you would be "slightly more traditional" while another "bidder" will want you to be "more cutting edge". How do you decide between competing "interests"? Do you "pick" the one who gives the most money? Or perhaps the one who has been there the longest? It all leads to confusion, distraction, and eventually inaction.

I do not believe we (actionchurch) have the "best vision", the "only vision", or even the "correct vision" for doing church! We do however have a vision that we will convey to our community in the clearest way possible. Whether is accepted or rejected, it is not for sale!

action heroes-"Going out of your way".

How has your week been? Have you been able to use you "position" in life to help someone? I've heard a couple great stories about people being "action heroes" this week. The first story is very funny but impossible to "tell". Let's just say that our unnamed "action hero" showed hospitality to a young magazine salesman who desperately needed to use the restroom. Hilarity ensued as the "gastricly distressed" salesman proceeded to re-enact the bathroom scene in Dumb and Dumber for what seemed like an eternity. Meanwhile our "heroine" was on the phone with her husband who was hovering between calling the police, an ambulance, or rushing home to kick down the bathroom door as the minutes ticked away. In the end (pun intended) everything was okay as a very appreciative and pale salesman did finally emerge from the "facilities."

Millie in Idaho started her story of helping "someone" by asking if it "counted" to help lost animals. She went on to tell about finding two dogs who had escaped from their yard running loose in the street. With the help of her family she was able to capture the dog's, leave a note for their owner, and "dog sit" the animals at her home until the owner could pick them up. It's a great story so I'll let her tell it:

" There was one point in time that I asked myself, "IS this really worth it to help these two tiny creatures? After all, you are tired, hot, not feeling well, on and on goes the scenario. BUT, helping others isn't always "convenient"---usually NEVER convenient! :) I felt God was saying, "How many times have I helped you through difficulties"? Well, needless to say, I DID remember and I KNEW He wanted me to help these little balls of fur!!!!! It's just like us with Him. We are all running all over the place, THINKING we are having a ball, ignoring all of the danger signs!
Those two little guys certainly taught ME a lesson! I was having a really difficult day dealing with "things" and wasn't in any "mood" to be helping others/other things! :) I had been asking God to give me someone I could encourage and help, and look what he sent my way-------------2 fur balls that needed someone to rescue them from their escape from home!!!!! GOOD LESSON IN THIS EXAMPLE!!! God DOES HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR!!!!
-Millie

Wow, As a pet owner I can just imagine how thankful those dog owners were that someone went so far "out of their way" to help them. Let's let these stories be the inspiration for our next "mission".

Mission #2. Go "out of your way" to help someone. Do something "inconvenient", something "over the top" something "too much" to help someone this week... We would love to hear your story this week in either the comments or at info@actionchurch.com

(L)earning

Reagan helped me wash the cars today. She's been "helping" me since she could barely walk but today she wanted to earn 50 cents to buy some stickers, so it was her first car washing "job". Since she doesn't read this,(she's 4 after all) I can tell you that she isn't really a "help" to me. When she "helps" I usually end up drenched from being sprayed by the hose, and the job takes twice as long. You know what though, I love having her "work" with me!

I think God looks at our efforts as his children to "earn" his blessing or attention much like I look at my daughter's efforts to "earn" money by helping me wash the cars. God can do whatever we can do better and faster without us...but he loves to have us "help" him. So many times we think we are "earning" when he knows we are actually "learning" to be more like him.

Speaking of learning , the picture is of Reagan washing the wheels on her own "ride"... Just like Daddy. That's my girl.

"feats of unlimitedness"

It's no secret around here that I have big hopes and dreams for what God can do in York County. One thing that I really haven't even dared to hope for was any kind of encouragement and support from other churches in the area... Once again I was wrong.

I met yesterday with the staff of Friendship Community Church in Dover. I love when a church "lives up to their name" (ex. actionchurch) and these guys truly do! Their Pastor, Dennis Hall planted the church 15 years ago, and their worship pastor Rich Thornton and family pastor Mike Miller both have church planting experience also. It was so encouraging to see their new building, hear their plans for the future, and the stories from the past of how their church grew for 12 years in the local YMCA. Very inspiring! I have and will learn a lot from these guys.

I actually met Pastor Dennis and Rich in Washington DC, at Buzz conference... I definitely do not think that was an "accident" . So thanks so much guys a great lunch and "showing yourselves friendly". Thanks God for amazing me once again with another "feat of unlimitedness". Sorry Verizon I love my "chocolate" phone ...but God has you beat in that area!

Lending to God?

I ran across this verse last night in our family Bible reading.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD � and he will repay you!

Proverbs 19:17 (nlt)

It really sounded "strange" to me the first time I read it. Does God really need a loan? From me? I thought he had everything. Is God an eternal "tightwad" who is sitting on piles of cash but never reaches for the check at dinner?

After thinking about it here's what I came up with: Walmart and Microsoft don't need a "loan" from me-or you! However, both companies will allow us to invest in their companies by buying stock. When you have invested in a company you have in a sense loaned them money in hopes they can turn it into even more money! God is offering us a chance to invest in "God Inc." when we help those who don't have enough. He even promises to repay us! Sounds like a sweet investment opportunity to me!

For more of the "fine print details" about investing in God's plan for earth, click here. (link) Both the "interest" and the "penalties" are incredible.

Two things I'm not too proud of...

1. I want to see this movie-seriously. Even the previews make me laugh.

2. Michele is getting this CD set (link) for my birthday-It's the only thing I asked for. I can't wait.

What is wrong with me?

613,335 reasons

We just reserved a spot for the "big black tent" in the York Fair. We will be located right across from the 105.7 "the X" (link) tent. I'm excited about that...105.7 is my favorite station so at least I know we should have some good tunes playing at the tent.

What we know:

• The York Fair is Sept 7-16th this year (link)
• The Concert line-up this year is awesome. Daughtry, Hinder, Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins etc. (link) I really,really, really, want to see Daughtry...
• We will be serving Free Coffee and Hot Chocolate, and giving away actionchurch balloons and invite cards (for our 11.11.07 "test-drive" service)

What we're working on:

• How do you serve great free coffee to over 600,000 people?
• How many people will it take to staff the tent for over 80 hours we plan to be "open". (To be honest, more than we have right now.)
• How much will it cost? (More than we have right now.)

Why we would even want to attempt this:

• In order to connect with people who normally don't go to church, we must go where churches normally don't go...
• It's an actionchurch "tradition" to do events that are some how "out of our league"! (link)
• 600,000+ people who will attend the Fair this year, many of them have not been introduced to a church that engaged them enough to attend. All of them need to meet a "church of action" who wants to meet them, and put a great cup of coffee in their hands...no strings attached.

Got any answers? Are you part of the "Solution" ? Email me at info@actionchurch.com

Stay tuned for more updates!

You Can do it, We can help.

I'm inspired by Home Depot commercials. Really. Not the ones with Tony Stewart doing donuts in the infield (OK, maybe a little) but I am inspired by the ones telling the stories of ordinary people who repaired their homes with the help of Home Depot materials and "know how". My favorite is the one where the single mom recounts how many "trips" to Home Depot it took for her to patch and paint her damaged drywall. I love the look of accomplishment and pride on her face... I love their slogan: You can do it, We can help. I think "church" could learn a lot from Home Depot!

For years the Church has said just the opposite. They have said in words and actions: " We can do it, you should help! " We (the church) can reach the community if you will give enough money to support our programs and build our buildings. We can change this county if only you would volunteer more, teach more classes, attend more classes...help us. We can "reach" your friends, families, and neighbors if you will bring them to our "salvation professionals". We can change "you" if only you would spend more time listening to our preaching and studying our information . Results show they were wrong.

What if Church operated more like Home Depot? What if it taught things you could actually take home and use to "repair" your world? (Last time I checked, the Home Depot didn't offer classes on the history of drywall...they do have a class on how to actually repair it though.) What if you could be certain that the money you gave would result in more "materials and hardware" being released into the community-instead of just building a bigger organization? What if the church's biggest "advertisement" was stories of people (action heroes) who had "repaired" their world? That's just the kind of place I dreamed of from the very beginning of actionchurch. That dream inspired me to write these words:

What if there was a place...

...where you could be yourself and still fit in?..

...that cared more about doing good in the community, than looking good to the community?

...that would never lecture you, bore you, or waste your time?.

..where your skills and experiences could actually make a difference in York county, no matter who you are?

...where each week you could hear one practical idea of how to live a more satisfying, meaningful life-instead of being overloaded with pointless information?

What if that place turned out to be a church?

You can do it, We can help!

Does this make me look fat?

Bob (race car owner/driver) and I did a photo shoot with the "actionchurch car" for the York Dispatch today. Here's a couple of pictures Michele snapped. I'll post a link for the article as soon as I find out when it runs. Michele kept calling it a "press conference" which really made me laugh. I could just imagine, "Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we've called you out to this hot parking lot to introduce you to the new sponsors of the Bob Lash Racing #222 car..."

Bowling Balls and Bibles.

I had and epiphany as I walked into church yesterday. The people who bring their own Bibles to church are like the people that have their own ball and shoes at the bowling alley...they must be in a "league" I don't know about.

I guess that makes the dudes with the Bible covers with handles like the bowlers who not only have their own ball and shoes but also wear the "pro" glove and wrist support thingee.

I'm just sayin'...

This is the Truth...

I've been wanting to post this for a while. Thanks to Granger Community Church (link) for "turning it upside down".

action heroes: How's your mission?

So how was your week? Did you have a chance to use your position to help someone? If you're new to the blog you can "get up to speed" here and here. Did you miss an opportunity to help someone and regret it later? Perhaps you took an opportunity to help someone and regretted it later...I've heard some interesting stories this week.

I can't say that I "regret" taking part in the "mission" this week. It was difficult, but I did learn something that might help all of us on our mission to become "action heroes". I'll spare you the details but in the "territorial" world of contracting that I work in being "on schedule" makes you "right". I know those standards may seem amazingly high but in "contractor world" just showing up on the day you said you would to do your job makes you "the man". This may be shocking to an "industry outsider" but some contractors don't show up when they say they will. Some (gasp) don't even follow through on promises they make! I ran into just that "rare" sort of contractor this week that was behind schedule and a few bad excuses short of the good graces of the site supervisor. I had a decision to make. I could use my "rightness" and my "position" to kick everyone else out, and get my painting done as scheduled. (That's what the supervisor suggested) Or, I could extend mercy to the "offenders" and work around and with them until they caught back up.

I chose "mercy" and I wish I could say everything went easily from that point on. In reality, it made my week even more difficult. No one said thank you. In fact, I'm not sure that my kindness was not viewed as weakness by the other contractors. Being "nice" may make it harder to defend my "territory" in the future. Oh, well... I did learn this: Sometimes the only way to "use" your position to help others is the "give up the rights" of your position... Kind of like the "ultimate action hero"!

6 Though he (Jesus) was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. Phillipians 2:6-8

Quote of the week:

I'm not sure if this will make the York Dispatch article...but it made me laugh! It also gives an insight into how people who are not church attenders view churches.

When asked by the reporter if he thought we (actionchurch) had started a trend, and other Churches in the area might sponsor race cars, Bob (owner/driver) replied: "I don't think so, I'm pretty sure the other churches want my money. I don't see any of them cutting me a check."

Bob and his wife Joan have been so good to us throughout this whole endeavor. I count it a real privilege to be able to sponsor their race team. Besides, I always love working with plain-spoken people who have something to say and the courage to say it!

Assimilation

We went to the "wrap up" meeting for the York Relay for Life last night and I think I learned something valuable about assimilation.

Here's what I noticed last night. This was not my first Relay for Life meeting. In fact we attended a rally or team meeting every month before the relay. I noticed that something felt different last night. I felt like "part of the team". I felt like I "knew" people. It felt more like family last night...so much so that my new "family" felt comfortable making fun of the fact that I can't fill out a form properly to save my life. (Can anyone say-administrator needed?)

So what changed? Relay! One night of serving together for a common cause did more for "assimilation" than all the rallies and meetings. It makes me think that the best way to move someone from "spectator" to "team member" or "family" in church is not to fill their lives with more meetings and classes, but to actually get them out onto the "playing field" of life-serving others, together. It certainly worked for me...

Sunday School Song Questions

If Vh1 ever does a "40 top Sunday School Songs of all time" countdown, what do you think the Number one song would be? (It could happen, they already counted down the 40 most softsational soft rock songs.) My vote is for "Jesus Loves Me" in the top spot, with "This little Light of Mine" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children" rounding out the top ten. Did I miss any?

I can't imagine any song could beat "Jesus Loves Me" on the countdown. Does anyone in America not know that song...even if they never stepped foot in a Sunday School their whole childhood?

I wonder if "Jesus Loves Me" is so ingrained in the thinking of American church goers that it affects the way we "do" Christianity. I'm not "hatin on" Jesus loves me...It was the first song we taught Reagan...she calls it "The bible so". Although it is always dangerous for me, I'm just thinking out loud.

What if we "did" our lives as Christ-Followers a little less "Jesus Loves Me" and a little more "Jesus loves the little Children of the World"? What if our lives were a little less "They are weak but he is strong" and a little more "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"? What if the message of the church was a little less "for the Bible tells me so", and a little more "Red and Yellow Black and White, all are precious in his sight"? Would a simple change in focus and attitude change the way we connect with the world around us? I think so.

Planning -vs- Preparation.

I think as followers of Jesus we are so sincerely amazed by the things we see God doing that we naturally say stuff like "It was all God" or "It was way beyond anything I could have planned". We do it out of a sincerely thankful heart. I have found myself saying those very words lately as I talked about sponsoring the "actionchurch car". I don't think we should ever stop being thankful or in "awe" of what God does. I'm beginning to think though, that it is not good leadership to "leave out" the details of our preparation as we share our stories. In doing so we allow people to think that serving Jesus is more like playing the lottery, than the hard work that it actually is. It can sound like we just pray and once in a while "our number comes up" and God does amazing things...

I find in both scripture and life that God does amazing things we could never "plan", when we have busted our butts to be "prepared"! Noah (Evan) could never have "planned" for "his" boat to be guided through the worst flood in history, land on the top of a mountain, and allow him and his immediate family to repopulate the earth! However, there was the little matter of "preparing" by spending about 100 years building the ark!

I'm really excited about sponsoring the "actionchurch car" this year. It's definitely a "God thing" I could have never planned for these opportunities. However, last year, preparing our logos and "image" was some of the most difficult, expensive, and seemingly slow moving portion (3 months) of this thing we call "actionchurch". I am so thankful we were obedient to God's plan or we would have never been prepared for the opportunities we have encountered lately.

Are there any "preparations" you feel like you should be making? Are you ignoring making those preparations because God has not "revealed the plan" to you? Remember, it wasn't enough for Noah to "pray about" the ark, journal about the ark, or talk to his pastor about the ark...he had to build it long before he ever even saw rain. Without preparation, that story could have turned out very differently.