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.

Bird "Trouble"

We had this "trouble" a couple of years ago also. A bird built a nest in the wreath on our front door. When these little guys hatch the problems really begin. First of all, we can't use our front door...since the door opens inward, when you open the door you are bringing the "bird family" into the house. Secondly, Michele can't change the wreath...I would personally probably still have the "Christmas wreath" on the front door, but according to her "it just isn't done"! Finally, when these little guys hatch they are going to be noisy, demanding, and poop all over our front door! So why do we put up with this "problem"? Because they are alive and I'm not going to toss their little lives in the garbage because it's inconvenient to me!

Our little "bird family" reminds me of all kinds of "new life". Pretty much all forms of "new life" from puppies, to babies, to new followers of Jesus are a lot alike. New life is messy, noisy, inconvenient, and "demanding" of our time and resources. For actionchurch to be a place filled with new followers of Jesus on a consistent basis, we must decide now to be the kind of church that loves "new life". We must love new followers of Jesus even when it gets messy, noisy, and demanding of our resources. We must decide now to never toss lives in the "garbage" because it's inconvenient for us to deal with them.

God, please help us be the kind of church that consistently fosters new life. Fill our hearts with love and our meetings with messy, noisy, "inconvenient" new followers of you...just like the new baby birds you sent to us. Except for the whole pooping on the door thing... Amen

action heroes: intro

There's a reason that this video was at the top of the countdown for so long... Take the time to watch it (again?). I don't know about you, but even though the video moves me with its accounts of people's actions who single handedly changed history, I can't imagine doing something so "heroic". Each account seems "bigger than life", somehow out of reach.

I am convinced; however, that each of us can change the "history" of someone by simply living out the lifestyle Jesus taught when he walked the earth. Each of us can be "salt and light" to those around us. I believe God's loving nature is best illustrated by the fact that he not only has an amazing eternal plan for those who chose to follow him, but also makes the primary "business" of his followers to improve the lives of those who choose not to follow him....simply amazing.

At actionchurch we believe so much in the power of the "stories" of simple kindness and generosity that we plan to take time each week in our short one hour meeting to tell the stories of our "action heroes". We believe "if it matters, count it!"(link) I've decided to start now! I am amazed at the number of people who chose to gather at this blog each week. I hope each of you will chose to join in our first mission. I hope each of you will report back with your stories in the comments or email (info@actionchurch.com) Please do not feel like you are "bragging" by sharing your stories...you can even be anonymous...its' the Internet after all. No matter where in the country you live I hope you will join in, because I know if you do it will be an amazing experience both for you , and the people you "bless". You were born to be an action hero!

action heroes: 1st mission.

If you haven't read the intro (link) please take time to do so:

Our 1st mission: Use your "position" to help someone (show God's kindness)...with no strings attached.

Soon after David became King of Israel, the bible says he began "wondering if anyone in Saul's family was alive so he could show God's kindness to". Saul was not only the king that preceded him. but the dude who had tried to kill him-for years. In spite of their bad history David used his "position" as king to help one of Saul's descendants... Read the complete story. (link)

How can you use your "position" in life to help someone? Someone you don't know. Someone who might not deserve it. How can you (and I) show "God's kindness" to someone through our "position" God has blessed us with. Each of us have a "position". Stay at home mom, manager, employee, coach, etc...everyone has one. The question is, how can you use that position to show Gods kindness??? I'll get started in the comments with my story. God speed on your mission!

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...