Like sheep?

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

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

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

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

Launch Team

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


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

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

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

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

Backwards

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

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

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

Damn the Torpedoes, Go Ahead.

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

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



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



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

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

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

Bringin' serving back

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

What Churches can learn from Radio.

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

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

Seacrest out!

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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

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

To go...

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

Did ya get the memo?

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

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

So ya say you want a revolution???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Five things I learned at the York Fair

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

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

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

Welcome!

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

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

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

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

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

Fantasy Football and the Church

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

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

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

My favorite Girl and my favorite "gear"

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

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

Guest Blogger: Michele

Hi everyone, I'm Michele.

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

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

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

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

"Subway commercial" sin...

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

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

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

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

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

Why we are a "traditional" church...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Race car schedule

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

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

Top 10 Reasons we meet in a Nightclub

1. I think it's where God wants us to launch...simple as that. Obedience is my number one priority as a leader.
2. Jesus would do it if he were here...Sorry, my hero Jesus didn't get his reputation as a drunkard and friend of sinners hanging out at potlucks and "praise gatherings"...
3. It's just a building...does meeting in a nightclub mean you endorse drunken behavior? No more than meeting in a hotel means you endorse adultery and promiscuous sex. Or, meeting in a theater means you endorse "bad" movies. Or, meet in a school means you endorse evolution...or meeting in a church means you endorse all the ridiculous crap people do in the name of "religion".
4. It's just a building (part 2)...since we believe that actionchurch is called to be a multi-site, multi-venue church...it's important that participants realize that the "church" is not the building. Someday I believe we will meet in schools, nightclubs, theaters, multi-purpose buildings etc. all over this area and beyond.
5. Location, Location, Location... Fat Daddies is on one of the highest traffic count streets in east York, across from Lowes and Walmart, next to Perkins and Outback. (Of course if you live here you already know that...because almost everyone knows where it's at!) It also doesn't hurt that it was available on Sunday mornings!
6. It fits our values..."if we are going to be the church for people who don't normally go to church, we must go where churches normally don't go"!
7. Sound and Lighting Gear... Since Fat Daddies is a already a great rock venue it already is set up with the gear that actionchurch needs to "do business". Cutting to the bottom line...it saves us over $50,000 in start up costs being able to use their sound and lighting rig...and their sound man will run it on Sunday mornings...God is good!
8. Storage... We are able to store all our church signage and gear on premises... that means no trucks, trailers, and storage spaces to purchase and rent. Once again, huge savings in start up cost.
9. It welcomes lost, letdown, and looking people...and makes "religious types" really uncomfortable.. Both aspects are good in my opinion. By meeting in a club we hope to attract two types of people: those who are curious about Jesus and are comfortable in a nightclub setting, and those who are extremely uncomfortable in a nightclub setting but love Jesus enough to put that aside to tell others about him!!!
10. It's "buzz-worthy"... one of the biggest battles of a church plant is letting your community know you even exist. I think being the "crazy new church in the bar" is "something to talk about". Will it bring criticism? Big time! Does it matter as long as we become "un-ignorable"! I don't think so. If you love actionchurch, tell a friend! If you hate actionchurch and think we suck and are evil...tell everyone you know!

Disclaimer: This is a list of reasons why we choose to meet in a Nightclub. actionchurch does not believe all churches should meet in clubs. We are not "against" buildings with steeples, bells, or giant clown heads for that matter. We don't have all the answers. YMMV. Do not attempt if you are pregnant or nursing. Professional driver in a closed course. May increase your risk of vomiting and skin irritation. Call your doctor if your annoyance with this disclaimer lasts for more than four hours.

So I went to a bar last night...

No, I didn't get discouraged by our difficulty in nailing down a location and decide to "tie one on". My story is far stranger than that. I found myself sitting at the bar at Fat Daddys Nightclub at 4:30 in the afternoon yesterday, waiting to talk to a reluctant owner about renting the place on Sunday mornings for actionchurch.

Let me tell you how I "got there". Last fall, in the very earliest part of "downloading" the vision for actionchurch I was struck with a frighteningly unique idea. As I began praying and processing possible locations, it struck me (like a brick dropped from an overpass) that perhaps a nightclub, particularly Fat Daddys, might be the ideal venue in which to launch our church. The more I thought about it and prayed about it, the more reasons I could think of that would make Fat Daddys an ideal venue. (I'll post those reasons tomorrow.) As bizarre as the thought of starting a church in a bar was...I couldn't shake the idea. I told my wife what I had been thinking and praying about...she was rightfully horrified. Michele is now the biggest supporter of launching out of a club...(maybe I can get her to share here change of heart here sometime.) As I became more and more convinced that this crazy idea was actually from God I even told my 67 year old Southern Baptist Minister Father the "news". He was also appalled at first but now plans to attend our launch service. (I think that may be my parents first time "setting foot" in a nightclub...I'm not sure what that says about my "influence".)

Four months ago I began approaching the owners of the club with the "opportunity" of renting their facility to us on Sunday mornings. To say they were less than excited with the possibility of renting to a church would be an understatement. In fact, the first response from their managing partner was "Do you have any idea how ridiculous this idea sounds to me"? I had to agree with him... I am not a "salesman". I suck at "overcoming objections". If you've ever watched the first half of Tommy Boy you've seen an example of how much I suck at sales! Somehow, I could not shake the belief that Fat Daddys was "our place". I kept contacting the owners, trying to be persistent but hopefully not too annoying. I prayed that God would "release me" from this silly idea. I prayed that he would guide me to "normal venue" for a church...he never did. Finally I had a "break through". I went by the club on Saturday afternoon, the lights were off but the door was unlocked so I wandered around until I came upon a woman in the kitchen. I told her my "story" and she introduced herself as the mother of the brothers who owned the club...and she liked the idea of actionchurch...a lot! As I left she asked me how I got in the building... she said she was sure the front door was still locked!

To make an already long story a little shorter... After God "opened the door" and "mom" got involved the attitude of the owners changed, big time. They actually listened to my "pitch", as crazy as it sounded. They agreed to consider our offer. Later, they agreed in principle to rent to us. I got really excited! Then came three weeks of obstacles...of un-returned phone calls...of waiting...and as I posted yesterday, of knowing that if God didn't move-this deal was not going to happen! I believe in the favor of God. I believe that if could work through foreign kings in the old testament he can work through nightclub owners today. Last night he did! We can now invite York County to:

Rethink "happy hour"

Sunday Mornings 11-12

Coming to Fat Daddys nightclub-2.10.08!

Stay tuned for a lot more to come about this announcement!

Say what?

As "painful" as this video is to watch, I'm pretty sure this is what our Sunday morning sermons sound like to a lot of people that have wondered far away from God...

Here' why:

1. People come to Church with questions about how God is relevant to their lives...we can talk all we want, but if we don't answer "the question"...it sounds like jibberish.
2. You can use all the "right words" and all the "catch phrases" and still have nothing to say.
3. If you don't have a point...talking longer won't help.
4. If your message isn't completely understood by you- no one else is going to understand it.
5. Sometimes "I don't know" is the best answer...

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Participants wanted-"Members" not allowed!

What are you a "member of"? What membership cards do you carry in your wallet or purse? Right off the top of my head, I am a member of Sams Club, Blockbuster, and a shooting range. (I thought I'd throw that last one in after my nascar post yesterday). In each case I paid my "dues", agreed to obey the rules of the organization, and now I expect to receive something that "outsiders" are not entitled to.

What does that have to do with church? Nothing if you are looking for church membership in scripture... (I'm just sayin') In practice though, churches generally have members. They may be called different names but they are still people who pay their "dues", agree to obey the rules (membership covenant), and expect privileges that "outsiders" are not entitled to such as "voting" and being on "committees" that actually guide the church. If that sounds like the way church should be to you...that's fine...enjoy. My point is not to judge other church's leadership structures but to explain why actionchurch will never have a single "member"-ever!

We will constantly pray and act to attract participants-not members! We will honor those who actually participate in our cause of "making Jesus famous" in York county. We will invest time, resources, and training on those who want to be a part of the exciting business of sharing the love of God with our neighbors, friends, and families. Instead of membership training, we will train up Godly leaders and "release" them back into their communities. Instead of trying to be "find a ministry" for everyone within the walls of the church, we will strive to use staffing and technology to make the business of meeting as a church as simple as possible-so that our participants have time and energy to impact their circle of influence. We will make it very easy for "outsiders" to become participants...and impossible to become a "member". Participants wanted- "Members" not allowed!

Does this sound idealistic, impractical, and "not normal". Good! The Church written about in Acts did pretty well without members, committees, or even the New Testament to study. (Remember they were being the "Bible", not just reading it!)

If you've spent any time around church you probably still have one question. "How does a church without members "Vote"? Simple, everyone votes! In a "church without members" the vision and cause is clearly laid out by the leadership team and people of all races, religious backgrounds, and Pepsi-vs-Coke preferences vote...They "vote" with their participation and attendance. They "vote" with their financial support. They "vote" by inviting their friends and family to also participate in our cause. How do "participants" vote?...they "vote" with their actions-we are actionchurch after all!

Smooth...

I know, "you might be a redneck" if you post about farming and nascar in the same week. Technically Sunday starts a new week so I think I'll be okay... But I'll admit it, I'm a "gear head". I enjoy watching fast cars go around in circles. I understand stuff like "pit strategy" and being "loose" or "tight". Hi my name is Don and I am a nascar fan, I am part of "Earnhardt Nation". (Wait, maybe I am a redneck!)

To a nascar fan, one of the best races on the schedule is at Bristol, TN. Imagine cramming 160,000 rabid fans and 43 cars on a track probably smaller than your local Target parking lot. I think Bristol is what would have happened if the gladiators in the Colosseum had been given race cars to drive instead of weapons. Cars slide, wrecks occur, tempers flare, and excitement ensues...until last night.

This year they repaved "Thunder Valley". They made it very smooth. They reconfigured the banking so cars would have plenty of grip and wouldn't have to "beat and bang" their way to the front. Their new safer cars made it a much less dangerous place. In the pre-race show the commentators and the drivers raved about the new surface and how great the race would be now that it was so "smooth and easy to pass". I fell asleep. Without the "roughness" of the track, without the difficulty, without the "drama", the race became boring.

Sometimes I wonder why doing anything worthwhile has to be so difficult? Why it can't be "Smoother"? Why do there have to be so many "bumps" and "wrecks" along the way? Maybe the Creator of history also thinks "smooth is boring". Maybe (like everything else he does) HE desires to tell a "good story". Maybe the one who has been "weaving" our human story since creation also enjoys the drama of conflict and danger. Maybe because I am created in his image, "smooth" racing puts me to sleep...

Or, maybe I am just getting "too old" to stay awake after 11pm...

Pimp my tent!

I think Xzibit would be proud! I managed to install directional lighting and a 32 inch LCD monitor in our tent for the fair. While we are handing out free Dunkin Donuts Coffee, Balloons, and a info-card...our monitor can be "introducing" passers by to actionchurch, and "inviting" them over to our tent.

Is it "over the top" for our tiny church "fetus" to put on this kind of display for our community? I sure hope so! My dream is that actionchurch will always be "over the top" when it comes to being generous with our neighbors, and sharing the Good News in the most attractive way possible. I want people to be constantly surprised at the lengths we will go to make an impact on our world. At this point we "stretch" our very limited resources by being creative and innovative. Someday, if we are faithful in the "small things" God will reward us with many resources to "unleash" with creativity and innovation on our "unsuspecting" county! If we want to connect with people who normally don't go to church, we have to go where churches normally don't go. If we want to change the way people think about churches (and by extension, Jesus) we need to behave in ways other churches don't behave!

What are you known for?

I'm known for being such a freak about clean cars that, after three days of rain, my next door neighbor was giving me a hard time about having dirty wheels. I'm becoming such a freak about blogging that when blogger was down and I couldn't post yesterday morning some of you thought I might be sick or dead.

People notice when you don't do something you consistently have in the past!

So what are you "known for". What would people notice if you stopped doing? In the story of Nehemiah, (read about it here) God used the fact that Nehemiah had never before had an unhappy expression on his face in the kings presence to spark a chain of events that caused the city of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Would people notice if you had an unhappy expression on your face-or do they expect that of you? Would someone notice if you missed a commitment today-or do they not expect you to keep your word? Would someone notice if you said an unkind word today-or do they expect that of you? What are you "known" for? It's worth thinking about...

Do you take sugar or cream with that...

I sure hope so! I just picked up 3000 sugar packets, 5000 stirrer thingies' 1000 sweet n low packets, and loads of creamers for the fair. I can't believe we are only 2 weeks away now... If we don't give away a lot of coffee and balloons, I know what everyone on my Christmas list is getting. Who wouldn't like to wake up and find their stockings stuffed with sugar packets?

Education and Legislation

If you ask any lawmaker, regardless of their political party affiliation, how to change behavior in society-their answer will always boil down to education and legislation. It's simply the best government has to offer. Does it work? Not so much. If it did, surely by now people would be "educated" that murdering other human beings is really not a "nice" thing to do. Surely everyone in America is at least "educated" in the fact that murder is "unlawful" and will get you at minimum a long prison sentence (unless you are a celebrity with a really good lawyer). If education and legislation were successful in changing sinful behavior would there be still be drug use, drunk driving, rape, or for that matter, littering in our society?

Does religion offer a better alternative than education and legislation? Unfortunately, I think it's just more of the same. So many well intentioned evangelicals firmly believe that if people "just knew what the Bible teaches" about a particular behavior...people would "change". Really? Is that all it takes-more "Bible education"? Ironically, because even "good Bible teaching" doesn't stop the sinful behavior in our society, the same people lobby their legislators in government to pass more laws legislating sinful behavior. Issues such as abortion and gay marriage become rallying cries for the religious to "educate" and "legislate" our society into a sin-free utopia.

I believe there is a better way. I place all my trust in the Good News of Grace that Jesus gave his life for. I believe jerks like me (and you) can be given a fresh start and a new "identity". I believe in redemption. I will not waste one moment of my time as a pastor trying to "legislate" morality using the power of our government. I believe the only hope to truly change our society are found in the words of Jesus. When faced with an accusing crowd of "legislators", "educators" and a naked woman caught in the very act of adultery(read about it here)...Jesus didn't react in the way the crowd must have thought he would. First, he sent her accusers who wanted to enforce the legislation against adultery away in shame. Then he said the most hopeful,"grace-filled", and powerful phrase I have ever encountered. Jesus told the neighborhood slut, the woman that the religious people found beyond hope, the one woman in the village that the religious "police" were sure they could catch naked and "in the wrong bed" if they needed to prove a point to Jesus... He said to her..."Go now and leave your life of sin." It wasn't a threat or a warning-Jesus believed she could actually change! That's the power of Grace...I'll chose that over legislation and education every time.

Planting

The Bible is full of farming references and I'm not sure if it's because we are getting ready for the York Fair, my Missouri farm roots, or the fact we are planting a church, but I can't stop thinking about farming metaphors lately. The great thing about using farming as metaphor for starting and "growing" a church is that although the technology and methods have changed since "bible times", the principles of farming are still the same. No matter how much equipment or technology you have, you still have to plant seeds, wait for them to grow,cultivate, depend on God for the weather and conditions, and harvest...just like in Jesus's day!

Using that analogy we are truly in the season of "planting" actionchurch. Here's a couple of things I've been thinking about planting.

1. You have to get out in the fields to plant. You can't plant from the farmhouse or from the barn. You have to get out in the "dirty" "rough" ground of the fields to plant seeds.
2. Planting is risky. Nothing is more risky for a farmer than taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, seed, and fuel out into a field and "risking" them in the soil. There are no guarantees in planting. Sometimes you get a huge crop, sometimes you get washed out...it's up to God.
3. Planting is a "numbers" game. You have to plant a lot of seed, for some of it to come up, for even less of it to truly flourish and be "profitable". Jesus talked about this principle in the Parable of the Sower.
4. Planting must be repeated! If you plant a crop and harvest it and don't replant the field, the next year a few straggling plants will come up on their own...farmers call them "volunteer crops". Farmers know you have to plant every year because you certainly can't live off "volunteer crops". We want to make sure that planting is in the DNA of actionchurch. We can never stop planting just because the church is "up and running". I think the major cause of the lack of "harvesting" in American churches is not because the "fields" are bad, or they don't have seed...it's just that very few churches are out in the field planting! So many "farm hands" are sitting in the barn waiting for the "volunteer crops" to straggle in!
5. The more you harvest...the more seed you can plant! God has an amazing plan for farmers...and churches. When the miracle of a seed "dying in the ground" and a new plant beginning happens, it's exponential! The new plant doesn't just produce enough to "consume". Each new plant produces thousands of new seeds! I believe that God's principle for both the church and the farmer is that the more we "harvest" - the more "seed" God expects a wise farmer or church to plant back into the "fields". God is the creator of "church growth"...it's part of his nature!

9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9

Simplifying

I just changed our "coming soon message" on actionchurch.com. I remember when I first posted the original "six questions" back in March. Coming from a church background, I remember thinking, "can I really ask these questions?" and "Shouldn't I have a "doctrinal statement" posted somewhere?" "Is it "legal" to have a church website without having 27 scriptural references and a "vision statement?". In the end I chose to post the true dream of actionchurch. I chose to ask questions instead of giving "answers". I decided that people who looked for a church based on "doctrinal statements" wouldn't like us very much anyway. In fact I have come to believe that basing our religious affiliations on "believing the same" instead of "pursuing a common mission" is probably one of the most detrimental things that has happened to Christianity over the centuries. It tends to make us as evangelicals pompous "know-it-alls" instead of the humble servant/leaders of humanity that Jesus envisioned as the Church.

The original six questions have now become three. Not because the dream has changed, but because I believe we must constantly simplify and clarify our vision. Our mission is not to "speak", but to be heard and understood.

If we truly believe:

• That church was meant to be more than "seminary on the weekends".
• That God didn't just move in "Bible times".
• That "Bible Characters" were people just like us who obeyed and believed the Creator when he spoke.
• That God desires and invites us to be part of his kingdom plan for earth (set in motion by Jesus)

If we truly believe those things...it will change the way we view and "do" church. We will accept and welcome everyone-no matter where they are on their journey with God. We will value "doing" good over "looking" good. We will value transformation over information. We will not lecture, we will lead. We will truly become the church of "a little less talk, and a lot more action".

Perspective

We watched our neighbors house burn down last night. The fire trucks came but the house was a complete loss. As I stood helplessly by with people from the neighborhood we kept saying the same phrase, "Wow, it's scary how fast that house burned." Although we were happy that everyone had gotten out safely, I think we all were thinking the same thing... In a matter of about fifteen minutes, everything we own could be burned up.

All the stuff we saved for. All the stuff we went in debt for. All the stuff we neglect our families to pay for. All the stuff we're proud of. All the stuff that entertains us. All the stuff that gives us "status" in the community. All the stuff that we think we can't live without.... can disappear in smoke literally in minutes.

I'm so glad I now have "investments" in relationships, people, and heaven that can never burn up! Now...we must find out how we can help our neighbors.

York Fair update

We are now three weeks away from the York Fair (beginning September 7th) Here's an update:

• As you probably guessed from the picture we will be giving away Dunkin Donuts Premium Coffee. We have formed a relationship with the local franchise(s) owner and they will be supplying us really great coffee (including their cups and lid as pictured) for a really great price! We will also be serving Dunkin Donuts coffee and Donuts in our Sunday Morning Gatherings. Yum! I feel really blessed to be able to give such a quality gift to our neighbors at the Fair!


• We will be giving away black actionchurch.com balloons to "kids" of all ages...They are gonna look great.


• On Saturday the 8th we will be displaying the "actionchurch racecar" at our tent!


• Michele, Reagan, and I will be "carnys for the week". The Record family will be at the Fair for all ten nights. We are looking forward to meeting lots of new people!


• I am "pimping the tent" with a flat-screen monitor and some lighting...more on that later.


• We will be able to tell people where we will be meeting when they ask....YEAH!


• We have the opportunity to tell 600,000+ people that "yes Jesus loves them", yes, his people do too, and perhaps their ideas of what a church can be are all "wrong"!

Want to join us? info@actionchurch.com

Wanna buy a cup of coffee-or 100?

The local Dunkin Donut franchise(s) owner was really generous in his bulk pricing for our York Fair Give Away. We are able to give a way a 10 oz Dunkin Donut Premium Coffee, just like you would purchase in one of their stores, for a little less than .25 each! That includes the Dunkin Donuts cup, lid, and any sugar, sweetener, or sugar someone might want. That's pennies away from the cost of going to Sam's or Walmart and buying the cheapest coffee , cups and lids. I truly believe that if we are going to give our neighbors anything "in the name of Jesus" it had better be great! (People form their ideas about Jesus by how his followers treat them.)

So, want to join us in our Coffee Give Away? You could purchase 100 cups of coffee for only $25.00. How about 1000 cups for only $250.00? Or 10,000 cups for $2500.00? Seriously, I don't believe we will be giving away 10,000 cups of coffee (yikes) but it will be thousands in the ten days we are at the fair.

If you would like to help with the cost of this give away, please use our online giving tab on the side of this Blog. Michele and I could also still use some help at the Fair to pass out coffee, blow up balloons, and generally hang out!

Scholars or Soldiers?

Everyday I become more aware that people have radically different expectations about the "purpose" of church and religion in our lives and culture. I know that last sentence was a bit of a "mouthful", but I think I have finally found a practical analogy that describes the differences. What do you think?

Scholars- This group picks churches like high school seniors choose colleges. They look for the "right" programs and courses. They search for a place where they will fit in socially. Many are truly serious about their "studies", but they see them as mainly being helpful "after they graduate"... They study the Bible like a textbook and believe their greatest accomplishments come from "learning". They pay their tuition, go to their classes, and look forward to "graduation" some day. They consider their jobs and connections in the "off campus" community to be completely disconnected from their "college experience".

Soldiers- This group view joining the "service" as a calling. They study the Bible like an operations manual. They believe that the "battles" and "stories" and "techniques" written about in the Bible are not to merely be dissected and debated but contain vital "clues" about the nature of our commander and "battle" today. They need practical training and teaching because the life of a soldier is exciting and dangerous at all times. They believe that "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven", is an achievable goal, and not just pretty language. These soldiers don't fight other people, but the powers of darkness that steal from their fellow man. They realize that the only way to serve their commander is to serve others. Most of all, soldiers are "soldiers" where ever they are. They see no disconnect between their "training" and their lives "off base".

Is this an over simplification? Maybe. But there is definitely a "divide" that I see more clearly everyday. If you're wondering, I think of myself as someone who dropped out of the "collegiate christianity" lifestyle, became "radicalized" and became a soldier. And yes, using this analogy, actionchurch is a "militant" church for "soldiers" who fail to see the point of living life as a "scholar".

action heroes: The power of Cookies

Two things my wife Michele loves are the Pillsbury Dough boy and baking. That makes us the perfect couple because I love to eat what she bakes. (Make your own joke about me being white and "doughy" like the dough boy.)

Fortunately for my waistline, Michele doesn't let me eat all the cookies she bakes...she gives them away...all the time. Michele gives cookies to contractors, postal workers, people at banks, people in the neighborhood, anyone she comes in contact with on a regular basis. You know what, she loves baking them and people love eating them-go figure! Just yesterday she had a great conversation with a nurse at a nursing home she and Reagan visit, because she took a plate of cookies by the nursing station. That's the power of cookies...

We often think that being "kindful" or generous and serving people involves sacrificing and doing something we "don't want to do." Sometimes it does. But sometimes, it can be as simple as doing something you love-for others. It obviously doesn't have to be giving cookies, but if you love to bake-go for it. Guys- if you love to work on cars-use that to help others. 'Love to do carpentry or wood working-give it away, do it for others. Got a green thumb-give someone flowers you grow. Being "Salt and Light" can be as simple as doing something you love-for others!

What do you love to do, and how can you use it- for others? I'd love to hear your stories.