Church too big?

I was talking to someone this week who used the word "mega-church" in a sentence like a "bad word". We were talking about Church and this person said "I would never want to attend one of those "mega-churches" like my mother does. I want to go to a church where everyone knows me, and my family sits in the same pew each week." I didn't argue...I just said that there are plenty of churches like that...I'm sure you'll find one. (It's kind of like someone looking for a "boxy" subcompact or an "egg-shaped' mini-van, chances are good that they will find one-where ever they look.)

As we prepare to launch actionchurch we are currently attending a "dreaded mega church". LCBC is "Big" in all the right ways. Big in vision, big in impact in their community, and really big in attendance. Can I tell you something though? I am completely finished with the argument about how "big" a church should be. I'm Done! I've come to believe after hearing the same "big churches are bad" arguments from both pastors and attenders that: A person's "ideal size" church is determined by their understanding of the purpose of the local church.

Here's my thinking:

• If you think church is a "place to learn": Big classroom = "bad"/ Little classroom = "good"
• If you think church is a place to be "fed": Crowded restaurant = "bad"/ Half empty buffet = "good" (As long as there is plenty of food to stuff your face.)
• If you think church is a place to care for your "hurts and ills": Crowded doctors office = "bad"/ Personal physician = "good".
• If you think church is the local gathering of "kingdom revolutionaries" who's mission is to "conquer" your city with "salt and light": Big revolutionary force = good!!!/ Small revolutionary force = not as effective.

actionchurch wants to gather "kingdom revolutionaries". The more the better! Even if that means "everyone doesn't know everyone", the parking lot is crowded, and you might not get "your seat". Viva la revolucion!

Coming Soon: "action heroes"

From the beginning, this blog has been about sharing the dream and vision of actionchurch with anyone who cared to follow along. First of all thanks to all of you who join us each week...I'm blown away. Something has been bothering me recently though. At actionchurch, "action is our first name"...wow does that sound corny- but true. We believe in "a little less talk and a lot more action". Yet so far, this blog has been mostly informational in nature...that's about to change! I think I have a way that we can all "play along at home" as we gather at this blog each week.
Stay tuned for a new "feature" called action heroes!


Disclaimer: Don't worry, we are not developing "actionchurch: the board game." action heroes will not involve forwarding hokey religious emails to "ten of your friends as-soon as-possible-before-they-fry-in-the-pits-of-hell"! action heroes will not involve cashing large cashiers checks for my uncle who just happens to be a Prince in Nigeria. Relax, there will be no prayer cloths or anointing oil to purchase. If you do choose to participate, I believe it could be one of the most rewarding things you do each week...no matter what state or city you live in!

Parable of the Car Club...

There once was a Father with teenagers, lots of them, too many to count. The Father loved his children, every single one of them. As you can imagine, the most "important" thing to teenagers was having a vehicle to drive, they simply "couldn't live without one". Since the Father knew that his children would never be able to purchase a car on their own, he decided to provide a car for each of his children.

Although the Father was extravagantly generous he did put a few simple conditions on receiving the new car. He loved each of his children, so he requested that in order to receive the car each child would have to come personally to him and ask for the keys so that he could enjoy the "moment" with them. Anyone who became a new car "owner" would also be responsible for caring for and cleaning their new car. Finally, because he loved even his children who might reject his generous offer, the father requested of each child who came to him to request "their" keys that they agree to use their cars to "serve" their brothers and sisters who had not taken advantage of his generous offer.

Over time, many of the Fathers children received their new cars. Others decided they would try to purchase one on their own. Some resented the Father for "manipulating" them with his "free offer". Others were content to walk.

Some of the "new drivers" drove recklessly and didn't care for their "free cars". Others were so cautious about damage that they never really enjoyed driving...they just polished their shiny cars in the driveway. A vast majority of the new drivers formed "car clubs" where they gathered to study their drivers manual, give thanks to the father for their cars, and plan ways to best serve their brothers and sisters who chose not to accept the offer from the father. Over time, the car clubs became more about "deep manual study", car cleaning training, and riding around with other car owners. Some of the "car owners" did remember to serve their non-driving brothers and sisters. Sometimes their cars got dirty going to some off-road place to pick up a stranded non-driver. Sometimes they were so busy running errands for their brothers and sisters that they missed car club. Sometimes car club members looked down on them for all their contact with non-drivers. However, through their service and efforts, many non-drivers saw the benefit of being a "driver". Many former non-drivers even requested a new car. That made the Father very happy.

16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. 17 God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again John 3;16-17 (the message)

Racing Update:

Without turning this completely into a "racing blog", I do want to give a quick update on what is happening with "team actionchurch".

• We went to the race on the 3rd and had a lot of fun. There were lots more families there than I imagined. I see a lot of potential to connect with our community at the track.
• We heard from the Track owner through our driver...we will be able to have a hospitality tent at the track as long as we don't give away something they sell at the concession stand. We are very OK with that! We're thinking of giving away actionchurch balloons for the kids, stickers, and a food item yet to be named. Stay tuned.
• Our next races on the schedule are both Sunday night races. August 5th and 19th. One of those dates will be when we set up the "big black tent"... I'll let you know when the date is confirmed.
• Thanks for all your prayers and emails. I had a really enjoyable talk with Eyana McMillan from the York Dispatch... I'll keep you posted on when the story will hit the paper.
  
  

York Dispatch Interview

I'll be sitting down today with a reporter from the York Dispatch to talk about actionchurch and why a church would sponsor a race car. This will be my first time doing an interview of any kind so please pray for me. Part of our strategy is that "the good news should make the news", so we are hoping that we can develop a good relationship with local media and God will use that relationship to help spread the word about our cause. So far, both local papers have shown interest in running stories about our "racing adventure."

I'm not "nervous" about speaking to a reporter...and if you've read this blog for more than a minute you know I am not lacking for "something to say". My main concerns that I am praying for are these:

1. That God will be pleased with what I say.
2. That I will share the cause and mission of actionchurch in the clearest and most attractive manner.
3. That I will completely "positive" as I speak....always talking about what actionchurch is and will be...instead of talking about what other churches do not do!

Thanks for your prayers.

Thanks America...

I'm actually going to "celebrate" much of Independence Day by working, but that doesn't mean I am not thinking about what this day means. As simple and as unsophisticated as it may be, I really want to say Thanks...

Thanks America...

• for allowing me to work where and how I think will best provide for my family.
• for allowing me to worship freely.
• for allowing me the freedom to express my opinions and beliefs even if when they are not popular. (or even particularly well stated)
• for allowing me access to information of all kinds., Good, Bad, Silly or Inspired.
• for allowing me to gather my friends, family, and neighbors together to do this thing we call "church".

Finally I am thankful to be born here, in America, for "such a time as this".

Packaging

We celebrated our daughter Reagan's 4th birthday yesterday. (It's actually today, but Monday is our family day off, and have you ever met a four year old who would not want to get their presents a day early?)


One of my "Daddy Duties" is to remove toys from their packaging. ("Mommy Duties" include: buying the presents, making the cake, buying the decorations, answering at least a million questions about the presents, cake, and decorations, and putting up with me. ) It may seem like "no big deal" to remove the packaging from toys (especially when compared to Michele's list) but it is a serious pain! Some time in the last few years toy companies have fallen in love with wire ties and twist wraps. I consider myself to be a pretty mechanically apt sort of guy, but it is seriously easier to pull the engine out of my old truck than it is to get Barbie out of her package! (Besides pointing out the fact that I really should consider being a "hand model", the picture to the left shows how much "hardware" is used to secure a single toy...seriously)

What does this have to do with anything? Just this: I'm sure the toy companies have a "good reason" for packaging their products like they're made of plutonium. I'm sure it makes for less shipping breakage. I bet it cuts down on in-store pilferage. (I can barely get the box open at home with an afternoon and a garage full of power tools at my disposal.) They've simply forgotten one little aspect of their business... the consumer!

Packaging matters! We may be "selling" the "Best News Ever" as churches but if we forget to "package" it in a way that is accessible to the public we have failed! Consider this: Surveys show that Americans get most of their information and "opinion guidance" from Movies, Television, Magazines, Websites and Blogs...yet the primary method churches use to communicate the Good News is the "Lecture" (preaching). When is the last time you or one of your neighbors or friends attended a "public lecture"? Before the proliferation of inexpensive printing and of course electronic media, public lectures we quite popular and well attended. Churches and "revivals" were also... Hmmm. I'm not suggesting that we should discontinue preaching, I am a preacher after all. I'm just saying that opening our church buildings on Sunday mornings and wondering why more of our friends and neighbors don't attend our "God lecture" may not be the best packaging. What is "good" and "comfortable" for the Church may be a real pain to "unwrap" for our non-church attending friends, family, and neighbors...

Steamy Hot Race Car Pics!

The graphics are on the car and trailer and we are ready to go racing! Bob Lash and his wife Joan have been so kind to let us put our "mark" on so much expensive equipment for such a small amount of sponsorship dollars...we owe them big time! We will be racing at Susquehanna Raceway (link) Tuesday night (July 3rd). I will post a full schedule later this week. We have plans to have a hospitality tent at the track later this summer. Also, Bob has been kind enough to offer to bring this "rig" to our outdoor community events to draw attention to our tent...the possibilities are really amazing! I've started a new "actionchurch racing" blog category to make it easy to follow along.

Edit: I forgot to thank the crew at Fast Signs for doing such a great (and fast) job on the vinyl graphics!

A confession...

I've been realizing lately how in how many ways I have been guilty of breaking the 2nd Commandment in my lifetime. For those of you keeping score at home that's the one about "taking the Lords name in vain" or as more modern translations say misusing God's name.

I have Taken the Lord's name in Vain as an American by using God's hatred of certain behaviors to condemn whole groups of people...instead of loving them as he commanded.

I have Taken the Lord's name in Vain as a friend and neighbor by promising to "pray" for someone when a more honest retort would be, "I'm sorry you shared that disturbing bit of information, I'm far too self-absorbed to do a single thing to help you."

I have taken the Lord's name in Vain as a church attender by claiming to be a "Christian" when in truth I was much more a half-hearted adherent to my churches rules and regulations than an actual "Follower of Jesus".

I have Taken the Lord's name in Vain as a preacher by claiming to teach the "Word of God" when in fact I hadn't heard anything from God in weeks...but since I was teaching the usual "Bible Trivia" that people expect from preachers, no one complained.

I have Taken the Lord's name in Vain as a child of God by confessing sins "in the name of Jesus" that I had no intention of actually quitting...I just wanted to feel less guilty and more "righteous".

...and yes, if you're wondering, I have said those two little words you are undoubtedly thinking right now. Somehow I think that is perhaps the smallest way in which I have "misused the name of God". .... I'm pretty sure God thinks so too.

Truly Funny

They say for something to be funny it must have an element of truth in it. I think this video is so funny because it is so true. Sit back and enjoy a little slice...

Listening...

I love nothing more than to tell the story of actionchurch. It pumps me up to tell the vision for York County that we have been given. The last few days, though, I have gained so much from listening:

• Listening to the stories of an older church planter who made 22,000 phone calls to gather his first crowd...(even though it might get you "run out of town" by 22,000 angry people today-it worked then and his church is still going strong!)
• Listening to men of God with tremendous records of success share some of their "failures" to encourage and warn "newbies" like me.
• Listening to guys ten years younger than me who already know ten times more than I do about leading a church.
• Listening to God who is urging me to do even more listening...

In the "Spirit" of Listening- I'll shut up now.

What's wrong with this picture...

Here's a shot from my hotel bathroom. Yup, that's an ashtray with a no-smoking sticker in it and a lovely "faux marble" counter top nearly covering the toilet! How many freakin' non smoking rooms in this hotel have "no smoking" ash trays? How many have the counter top half way over the toilet? How come no one ever asked "why do we go through the trouble of putting stickers and ash trays in non-smoking rooms? How come no one ever asked... "Hey boss, these new counter tops sure are swell...but won't they make it kinda difficult to actually use the "facilities".

I couldn't help but think how important it is that we cultivate a culture at actionchurch where people feel free to question: "Is this really working?" Our neighbors, friends, and families lives are too valuable to go through the "motions" of church without considering whether we are actually accomplishing anything! I would much rather "defend" the usefulness of ministry to honest questions, than see useless motions waste the time and energy of our staff and volunteers. I think that would be a much bigger "tragedy" than "non-smoking" ashtrays and "not so easy access" toilets!

Blogging from Buzz

Enjoyed and awesome day one of "Buzz". As is "usual" (for every event NCC puts on) their people are helpful and friendly and their attention to detail and "packaging" are impeccable.

Here's the Highlights:

• Awesome "spy kit" conference swag...It did make me smile when all you heard at first during the opening session was the sound of the "kits" being opened and unwrapped...unintended consequences.


• NCC band...They keep sounding better every time I hear them.


• Mark Batterson...unique twist-always makes me think.


• Tim Stevens...awesome, the fastest passing hour I have experienced in a conference-ever.


• Craig Groeschel...I'm really looking forward to hearing more from him tomorrow.


• Sweet new leather reclining seats...seriously...I want some for my office...If the speakers hadn't have been so good I would have definitely snoozed.


• Hanging out with Rye and the crew from Fusion....they are launching the same day we are in Pittsburg...and they're from Missouri. I had a blast getting to know them.


• If your interested in any of the notes from the session check out Ben Arments blog...seriously dude, how do you type so fast...reading it is like being there. (I ran into Ben in the parking lot coming in...luckily not with my car)
  

Off to Buzz.

I'm off to the Buzz Conference in Washington D.C. ("our nations capitol" as Forrest Gump would say.)

Buzz conference will always have a special place in our hearts. Last year Michele and I attended Buzz during a very tough period of our life and ministry. We were on staff at a church and truly felt like there "must be something wrong with us" because we were not content to view church as some sort of "refugee camp" in a "lost and dying world". We truly felt (it turned out not to be true) that we were the only one's who thought the church should get off of it's "blessed assurance" and actually engage the world with the Good News of Jesus. When we went to Buzz we found we were actually part of many people (I believe it is a movement) who are actively "compelling them to come in" . We still call Buzz the "I'm not crazy" conference! ....OK, maybe we are "crazy" for doing this...but definitely not alone.

Magic Book???

I'm a little ashamed to say I watched the "reality"show Wife Swap on ABC the other night. (Would I sound more "manly" if I said I watched it while I was working out?) If you haven't seen it, the plot is "swap" two wives and mothers from very different families and conflict and hilarity ensues... What caught my attention on this particular episode is that they swapped a self professed "evangelical christian" into a household of self proclaimed "atheists". Although there were many "cringe worthy" moments the worst for me was when the Christian mother "took charge" of the atheist household. Her first "move" was to give the entire family Bibles and insist they read and study them. When the father protested she demanded he read it "so he could get saved"! I found myself agreeing with the atheist.

I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. I believe that the time I spend each day reading the scriptures both as a family and personally is time well spent. I do not however, believe in magic! I do not believe that the Bible is a book of "magical incantations" or a magical book that "has the answer to every question" like some ancient magic eight ball.

I meet "magic book believing" Christians all the time. They say things like "if everyone would just read the word, there wouldn't be all the sinnin' going on..." Really? More people per capita read the Bible in prison than on the "outside" and I hear it's lovely there...especially this time of year. They are led by "magic book believing" preachers who say things like "the only important thing is that you teach the Word". No need for preparation, original thought, illustration...you know, those "gimmicks" that Jesus used when he taught. No need to use the "tactics" of Paul who in Acts 17 taught the scripture believing Jews from the scriptures, and taught the local "pagans" using nature and their poets as examples. (link)

What would happen if we stopped reading and studying the scriptures like high school students cramming for an exam? (I'm pretty sure there is no written exam for heaven.) What if we began reading God's word so we could find out more about the our Creator...and how to please him? What if we began to integrate the Bible into our thinking...and put it into practice in our actions! What if instead of trying to get the "uninterested" to read the Bible, we lived out the good news in front of them? (Remember, the church in Acts was studying the Old Testament... and being the New Testament.) What if instead of being proud of our "Knowledge of the Good Book" we were humbled by how few of our neighbors had experienced the Good News? What if though our study we actually began to act more like Jesus? Wow, this is starting to sound like a lot of work...maybe it would just be easier to believe that a "magic book" will somehow change the world.

"Hard Core Biker"

I don't talk about it much on the blog but i am a "hard core biker". (The single-speed, coaster brake, steel frame, kind.) There's just not much better than "hitting the sidewalk" with the wind in my hair and a very pretty girl on the back! (Except maybe an oxygen tank for that one big hill.)

Yep, when Reagan and I take my "hog" for a spin around the neighborhood, women are impressed, men are envious, and children and small animals are scared... or at least they seem amused.

"Inside out"

I was reading this week about how the phrase "the whole nine yards" came into existence. (And no, it wasn't from the really bad movie staring "Chandler" from Friends.) In the World War II era the machine gun ammo belts were 27 feet long. When a pilot would empty his ammo belts into a target he would say he gave it " the whole nine yards". Did anyone else know that? I didn't.

I've noticed that as I and others have the chance to share the vision and dream of actionchurch certain phrases are quickly becoming part of our vocabulary. We say we want "a little less talk, and a lot more action". We want our message to be "louder than words". Lately I've found myself using the phrase "inside out" a lot so I would like to "officially" make it part of the "actionchurch vocabulary".

Inside out- use: " we want to be an inside out church" A common vision in churches is to build a large organization filled with "ministry opportunities" so that every member will have "a place to serve". If that's what your church is called to do, God bless you, we are called to do exactly the opposite! Our dream for actionchurch is to be a lean, efficient organization. We are interested in producing the best possible "weekend worship experience", with the fewest volunteers possible. I have seen far too many wonderful cub scout leaders, soccer coaches, charity volunteers, and community leaders convinced (by well meaning people) to give up their ministries in their community to take on the "religious busy work" of teaching a class or joining the choir! I believe that the very best work of the church happens outside it's walls! It is my passionate dream that actionchurch be a place that inspires, prepares, and assists people in serving their neighbors...rather than a "drain" on their ability to do so!

There will be times that we will as a church "gather the troops"! Times when we will ask that every possible person join us in single effort. Our focus at these times will always be on serving our community. (link) We will always strive to make these events worthwhile and memorable enough to be worthy of our "fellow revolutionary's" taking time away from their families and busy lives. You can also bet when we gather to serve and bless our community...we'll give them "the whole nine yards"!

A Tale of Ten Toothbrushes.

I know this doesn't exactly make us exceptional, but our family values tooth brushing. We think it's extremely important. It's part of our "family culture". Our three year old, Reagan, doesn't share that "value" yet. She hates it!

So what is the best way to get a toddler to brush their teeth? Over the past few years I've actually tried to brush them against her will (I know, father of the year), but it is impossible! If you don't believe me and don't have a toddler around, try to brush the teeth of the next cat you can find-the results will be the same. We've tried lecturing, rewarding, bribing, you name it...we've tried it all! Finally, my brilliant and beautiful Michele, found the solution. "Mommy" utilized Reagan's love of "all things princess" and began to buy her a variety of different tooth brushes and pastes. Now tooth brushing has become an adventure for our "princess". She has a toothbrush for every outfit, every occasion, every mood. Tooth brushing is no longer a "battle".

Even though Michele's solution was actually effective I can't tell you I was immediately "thrilled" with the outcome. It offended my biases. (People should only have one toothbrush- it's ridiculous to have ten.) It didn't meet my traditions. (When I was a kid we only had one toothbrush... and we had to carve it out of wood ourselves...and we liked it that way.) It went against my personal comfort. (Why should I have to pay for ten toothbrushes... they're not free you know.) In the end, my love for my daughter and my belief that tooth brushing is essential won out!

Those of us who value the Good News of Jesus find ourselves in a similar dilemma. We are surrounded by a community of people who simply don't share our value. We can try to lecture, shame, bribe, or "trick" them, but in the end...the Church has not been very effective using these methods. The good news is that this is not a "new situation" to our creator. The Church has had to "re-invent" itself many times over the centuries since Jesus walked the earth. New "ways of doing church" that are effectively reaching communities are being developed every day! The question for each of us is this: Are we willing to put aside our biases, traditions, and personal comfort to spread the essential truth of the Gospel?
The answer to that question lies in another, much older, question: Do we love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves???

We're going racing!

Part of the vision of actionchurch is "in order to connect with people who don't normally go to church, we must go places churches don't normally go." (link) I think God is definitely making it possible, even at this early stage, to live out that vision. Last week we were the only church to have a team in the York Relay for Life , this week we signed on as the primary sponsor for the Bob Lash Racing #222 legends car!

I cannot tell you how excited I am about the possibilities of introducing ourselves to thousands of race fans at our local speedways. I snapped these pictures as I was measuring the car and trailer for our logo's. (How cool is it that Bob's race team colors just "happen" to be red, black, and silver?!) I will post a race schedule and pictures after our logo's are applied next week. Our first race is scheduled for July 3rd at Susquehanna Speedway if you are would like to help us cheer Bob and the "actionchurch car" on. More details coming up...

Good Friday

No "rant" for me this morning...no sir! I am totally in my "happy place"...

Here's a few reasons why:

1. I am so stinkin' thankful for all God does to provide for our family and our extended actionchurch family!


2. I just got into the Buzz Conference! I waited too long and they ran out of spots so I was "flying standby". I found out last night that a spot had opened up so I will be heading to D.C. next Thursday and Friday...Sweet!


3. God really positioned me at the "right place at the right time" to be able to share his good news on the job site yesterday. That always pumps me up!
   
4. Tomorrow I will post an announcement about a really exciting and "fast-paced" way we will be introducing actionchurch to the community! I cannot wait. Stay tuned!

I guess I could have titled this "Thankful Friday" but it didn't have the same "ring". What are you thankful for today?