Churches working together

Do you believe that churches from different denominations can work together? I do. I hope that it is possible. I have been a pastor for years and I know how busy your congregation can keep you as a pastor. It can dominate your life, so to think about working alongside another church for a project in the community or just trying to encourage each other in our ministries, may just be too much time. But can I suggest another way to look at it?

How cool would it be to work together to show a picture of unity to a world that finds it easy to criticize the church and allow the church to be there excuse to not go to church. Wouldn't it be great to see the body of Christ BE the body of Christ and work together to win people to Jesus and show as an example by being the hands and feet of Christ together?

Instead of a distraction it just might be a source of refreshment and reinforcement that we all so desperately need at times.

I look forward to the day when we don't worry about our fishbowls and try to reach more together all for the cause of Christ. Am I alone here?

Take care,

Rod

Preview #2

Well tomorrow is our 2nd and final preview service. I am pumped about it. I know we have some new people coming and a great lunch afterward. You know I love Sunday mornings with this team. Working with all the people setting up, positive attitudes, and a willingness to help out in any area. It is really an uplifting time.

I am not naive. I know it wont be like this forever. I know that the newness wears off, people get tired, and personal lives begin to crowd in. But I am going to enjoy this time right now. I think it is a great picture of how the church should be. People working together, doing whatever it takes, to get the job done.

One last thing, when you begin to plant a church, you get the feeling that you are on your own. Your not, but you sometimes feel like it. It is so nice to have a team around you doing the work side by side.

I can't wait until tomorrow!

Take care,

Rod

The Lion

Last night I watched a show called Primetime Outsiders. It was about two men who each are trying to tame and protect Lions in Africa. Both have completely different styles. One is part of the pride of lions, the lions play, lick, and sleep with him. He walks among them, they lay on top of him, they run up and hug him, it was pretty neat to watch. Then they interviewed a man who was an expert of lion behavior and as he watched this interaction he simply said "terrifying". When asked why? he replied that one day a lion could just be in a bad mood and there is nothing that man will be able to do about it. It will be over.

The other guy on the show was confrontational with the lions. He used to train lions for TV and shows. They asked him if he was safer working with the trained lions or the lions in the wild. He felt he was safer being in the wild. The trained lions knew his every move, and if he ever slipped up and made one mistake, they would make him pay.

I thought, lions look like they are these guys friends and companions. Kind of like a friendly dog, a true pet. But the truth of the matter is that these lions don't love their trainers, if they had the chance, they would and could destroy their trainer.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 that the enemy is like a lion seeking someone to devour. A lot of us flirt with the lion like the two guys in that show. We dance around truth, accept compromise, change our priorities, and wink at sin. The Lion (enemy) waltzes with us, laughs with us, and gets us comfortable until the right moment where we slip up...then BOOM, he pounces.

Flee from the things of the enemy, he is not acute little imp in red tights...he is the destroyer. He hates you and your family. He is our enemy.

Be on watch in your life.

Take care,

Rod

The death of another Kennedy

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died yesterday. The Kennedy's have been in the news for generations here in the United States and all over the world. Unfortunately, it has been mostly because of their tragic and untimely deaths. I won't recount them all, I don't have too, you know the stories and headlines.
But yesterday another Kennedy passed away and this one is not tragic or dramatic. It was the end of the life of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She lived a full life. A life with a purpose that brought joy and purpose to so many people. A "special" people, people with disabilities. Driven by her own sister's disabilities, Eunice Kennedy Shriver spent a major portion of her life starting, funding, and supporting the Special Olympics. What a great venue and a place where dominance comes in the form of humility and competition gives way to unity.
Eunice's life was lived with a purpose and it will go on long after her. It is nice to celebrate her life instead of mourning a tragic death. She was a bright spot on a family that needed one.
Just my thoughts.
Take care,
Rod

Praise Report

Yesterday was our "Dry Run" Sunday in preparation for our Preview Services on the 9th and 23rd. I was hoping for 15 people to be there to help set up and all. Instead we had 30! We had a great time of worship at the school then a great time of fellowship afterward at the Pizza Factory in town. My family all said that we feel like we have known this group of people for a long time. They make you feel so welcome! Good stuff all the way around. I was flying high last night!
Well this next Sunday is our first of two preview services before we LAUNCH on September 13th. I am so pumped. I am hoping for 70 people this Sunday and that we can build up our Launch Team to 50 people by September 13th. Our goal for the September 13th service is 200 people...crazy for a small city like Fernley, but God is the one who makes things grow, so we are totally trusting in Him.
This coming Saturday a team from Texas is coming in to help us out for a week. We are having a children's VBS in the park and a Family Movie Night. It promises to be a great week of fun and ministry. They will also be there to help us on our first preview service. WOW what a big week!
I appreciate all the prayers and goodwill sent our way. Thanks so much.
Take care,
Rod