New Ploy - Marketing "Community"

We just finished a sermon series on "Community" as we prepare to kick off our Missional Communities at New City Church. We have had a good number of people sign up for one of our seven MCs, but we don't have 100% - so I am working on some new ideas to help us reach 100%...

1) We could excommunicate everyone NOT in an MC - or kill them, like in the Spanish Inquisition. (I think that is extreme - and not a GOOD extreme)

2) We could offer a Money Back Guarantee (someone would probably catch on that we don't charge for an MC, and we don't require giving to the church either)

3) We could Market Better - Yeah! That might do it.

HMMMMM - We just need a marketing slogan...

How about this one (because I LOVE stupid church signs) -

COMM NITY - Its Just Not The Same Without U

Thats good stuff isn't it?

Or Maybe this one -

Without U its just Comm Nity - and what the heck is that?

I just wish we had a church sign!

Build, Don't Watch!

I don't know 'church' in every culture. I do know church in my culture. Church in my culture is primarily a place - we go to church, or a nebulous institution that is outside of us - the church should feed the poor, or do this, or that.
What I find is that only rarely do we understand that WE are the church. People, believers, followers of Christ are the church - not a building or an institution.
Even as I write this, and even as you read this, I am sure that we are in agreement - at least in the realm of knowing the truth that the church is people. The real difficulty comes not in knowing, but in living this truth.

Our church gathers at the Capitol Theater on Sunday mornings - but the Capitol Theater is not our church. The followers of Christ who gather there ARE the church.

The church should ___________________ (fill in the blank) - means that the PEOPLE - Mike, Chad, John, Cameron, Paul, Merry, Amy, ADD YOUR NAME HERE_________... should__________________ (same fill in the blank).

What I am getting at is this - YOU are the church. No, not you alone, but YOU as a part of US. So the mission of the church is YOUR mission. And the needs to be met in the church are to be met by us - which includes YOU - as does our vision.
Notice in our vision the action involved.
The call to Christ is a call to His body - the church. It is also a call to His mission. It is a call to BUILD the kingdom, not sit back and listen to others talk about it, or even to watch and cheer them on.

Vision
It is our dream that New City church downtown be a people engaging its culture at work, at play, and in worship.

We dream of a church that shapes culture, not runs from it or chases after it.

We dream of a church that celebrates the arts and looks for creative ways to engage our culture, a church willing to cross traditional lines and take significant risks to bring Jesus into the public square.

We dream of a church with multiple campuses, each campus strategically placed to engage its culture.

We dream of a church intent on planting new churches that will engage cultures around the world.

We dream of a church whose people are a multiplying movement of disciples of Jesus Christ, disciples who look like Jesus, love like Jesus, live like Jesus.

We dream of a church where people connect in authentic relationships and nurturing small groups to love one another, encourage one another, build one another up and serve one another, the community, and the world.

The call to Christ is a call to His body - the church. It is also a call to His mission. It is a call to BUILD the kingdom, not sit back and listen to others talk about it, or even to watch and cheer them on. The call to Christ is a call to action - not from duty, as if you might 'pay Him back' but a call to follow Him, to walk as He walked, to be His hands and feet.
Are you watching - or are you building? Are you living the mission and vision, or do you just 'like' it?
If you want to engage but aren't sure how or where, e-mail me, I'd loe to help.

Meet Bill - Never a dull moment downtown

Meet Bill - He's in construction - a wood worker. Walks with a cane. Maybe hasn't had the easiest life. Bill stopped in this week to check out the space, maybe see about playing one day. I invited him to do 30 mins or so Saturday before the Red Swill plays. No - I've never met or heard Bill - just seemed like a good chance to take.

So today Bill shows up, guitar in hand. He thought maybe I should hear him since he hasn't played in years and I have never heard him. So - we opened the doors to the 567 - plugged Bill in - mic in place - Bill freakin' rocks! He can flat play the guitar!

So - right now - I am enjoying live blues!

Supposed to be working on sermon - but this is a sweet little break.

Come meet Bill - Saturday night at the 567 - 7:00PM.

(Dang this is fun church)

New City a "Highlighted Downtown Business"

I received this e-mail today from New Town Macon and thought I might share with you what crazy stuff God does in our midst:

Pastor Keith –

We are tracking new “businesses” downtown and want to highlight the church in our annual report that we are working on this week. Can you tell me when you opened; what investment has been made in the church; number of members or avg on attendees and any other anecdotal info that we should highlight about you being downtown.


Thank you,
Laura

I sent lots of info - we'll see what happens!

Oh Dorian

I had a great conversation with Sean Pritchard today - Sean is a high school student in Macon who also books and works with bands all over the place. October 4 Sean has booked some great artists for the 567:
Aaron Lee Martin from New York
Besides Daniel
TannerMerrit (From O Brother)
And Oh Dorian
I am pumped. Here's a clip of Oh Dorian - she will be a great sound at the 567 - but this is a warning - the truth and pain of her lyrics are not always easy - PG

Racism, Unity, and the 567

One of the questions I frequently get is - What is New City doing in the area of racial diversity in the church? Having been a part of a church plant several years ago (before I really knew what a church plant was) in which most Sundays my family was the fairest skinned of all, I know that breaking down THAT wall is one of the hardest of all! While some of the problem rests in racism from both sides, the issues are really much more complex than just color and a fear, hatred, or dislike of other colors. Culture, preferences, and upbringing are just a few non-racist obstacles that keep churches segregated.

Last night at the 567 I had one of those 'moments.' You know - when BANG! something comes to you like a light switch being turned on - a WOW! moment - a HOLY COW! moment - a THIS IS REALLY COOL! moment. Last night was the second night of a kickoff with Platinum Sound and Media where they will use the 567 to showcase many of their recording artists. It was primarily a night of R & B - and it was sweet. The talent was amazing. I looked around the room and saw a diverse group of colors and ages smiling, singing, clapping, and enjoying the art of music. And in our midst was not only a diversity of color and age - but a spiritual diversity as well - one of the keyboard players I had met a couple of months ago, he is a Christian who plays in his church, Andrea and Trace and family (from Platinum) are Jehovah's Witnesses, there were unchurched, there were New City folks, and many I didn't know.

And then the MOMENT - HOLY COW! in a small way it is happening! WOW! for a couple of hours at the 567 race didn't matter at all - we were a mixed up group of people unified over good music.

THIS IS REALLY COOL - this is MY OFFICE - this is our church - this is beautiful!

I don't know where all this will go - what all will be changed, but I am awed with the work of God in our midst and constantly amazed at the opportunities presented to New City Church. I have never seen anything like this!

What is New City doing in the way of racial diversity in the church? Come by on Tuesday night for Poetic Peace, or check out Thursday's in October as Platinum Studios continues R & B Nights @ the 567 and see for yourself!

An Artist at Heart

Who says I'm not an artist?

The kids LOVE to be buried in the sand. So, I bury them.

But its just not enough to BURY them.So I shape the sand into things.

Like a race car, or a boat,...

or a Hot Dog in a bun!

We Have Vacated

Catching up on some blogging.
Saturday started a family vacation to the beach- something we haven’t done in a couple of years. But before we could head out, we had the first game of the season at FPD’s Viking Football League. It was a great battle on the grid iron – Robby’s team fought like true warriors to the very end. They were down 7 – 6 with seconds left and the ball on their own 1 yard line after an incredible goal line stand. The last play of the game – a sweep – the pitch to the back bounced into the end zone and the other team recovered for a TD as time expired and Robby’s team fell 13 – 6. It was a great game and a lot of fun. I am one of Robby’s coaches this year and it has been great for me.
After the game – a quick shower for Robby and we were off for the sand, sun, and Gulf of Mexico. The place is beautiful, the beach unscathed by Ike - but the ocean is a little rough (which is great fun for us). For the first beach trip since Ivey was born, the kids LOVE being at the beach more than the pool! We’ve been riding waves, splashing, and building sand castles!
Sunday morning I took a short vacation break to watch our first ever New City Church downtown live streaming video – Thanks Howie! Pretty cool tech stuff. So – we will work toward setting that up as a regular, weekly thing.
OK – time for some sun screen (mostly on my head) and we’re off to the beach again!

First Art Show @ the 567

Tonight was our first art show at the 567. Unfortunately we picked the same night as the Museum of Arts and Science opened a HUGE art exhibit. So our crowd was not great. But for our first show it was good.
The slower crowd gave me some great conversation time with Craig Burkhalter, the artist. Much of Craig's work has reference to spiritual matters, the Bible, and religion. So I got to probe a little and listen a lot. Craig's girlfriend also came by. She wanted to hear all about the church - our history, our start, why we started, what our services were like, our affiliations... She and Craig had already talked about coming to check us out - now they will in the next few weeks.
The conversation with Craig didn't stop with Craig, or his girlfriend. Michael's on Mulberry sent one of their folks over to set up and sell cold beverages. So, from hearing our conversation - he and I began to talk. He stopped going to church several years ago - tired of the fakeness of institutional Christianity. Through a series of topics that included depravity and good works I was able to share the beauty of the gospel - Jesus came because we couldn't do it on our own.
So - an incredible night that most of you missed! The art is good stuff. Seeing the 567 re-set for an art show was cool - lights focused on the art, room to move and take in, and enjoy the creations of an artist. Being able to ask the artist questions was great. But talking with new people about God and Faith, the Bible and beliefs, and sharing the Gospel was beautiful. I could write more, but I will leave it there - God is doing His thing and I'm pumped to be a part of it!
Oh yeah - Crai actually sold a piece tonight! Yet another cool thing.

Jesus is a Friend

Happy Friday - I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Live Streaming of Services

NewCityChurchMacon- Broadcast your self LIVE

Sunday Update

New Sermon Series: Community

It is a really exciting time for New City - we are preparing to launch our Missional Communities (MCs). We will start with 7 MCs the 2nd week in October. We will have 5 Macon MCs, 1 Milledgeville MC, and 1 Warner Robins MC. Our vision from the start has been small communities meeting in homes throughout middle Georgia on various nights of the week. In essence, our vision is that New City would be a church of house churches that gather together for worship and celebration on Sundays. We are taking the next step toward seeing this vision become a reality! Today we had many, many people sign up for their MC.

The Numbers:

I am generally interested in numbers only in that they represent people. Our goal is people transformation. If we aren't reaching people with the message of the Gospel, we will not see people transformed by the Gospel! So, what are the numbers. January thru May we averaged about 106 in attendance. We lost a chunk of people when Mercer took a break for the summer. BUT our summer average only dropped to 105 as we have picked up several new families. Over the past 4 weeks since school started back our average has jumped to 140. The big question - How many will we be able to move into the heart of NCCd, Missional Communities?

I am thankful that I have been able to work full time as a church planter. We are breaking even financially as a church - in part thanks to some individuals who continue to give though they don't actually attend New City.

The 567:

The 567 has been everything we imagined and MORE. The musicians have been fantastic. Every musician has enjoyed playing the 567 stage and so far every musician wants to come come back. The amazing thing about that is that many of these musicians make several hundred dollars for a night playing in a good bar. We can't pay any of them - they basically play for tips.

Next Friday, September 12, we will have our first art show. The artist - Craig Burkhalter. Craig has some beautiful work that you can check out HERE.

Right now the 567 schedule - Mondays a local band led by Scott Baston practices, Tuesdays are open mic nights for Poetic Peace, Wednesdays are practice nights for NCCd, Thursdays beginning in October will be R & B nights hosted by Platinum Sounds recording studio, Fridays and Saturdays will be music nights as well.

Some Things You Don't See

Monday - Labor Day - while many were hanging out at the lake or grilling in the back yard with friends, we had a New City crew at the Ronald McDonald House cooking food, serving the residents, and washing dishes. While they were there, they prepared snacks for the chemo center's patients downtown.
Today those treats were hand delivered by a couple of our NCCd Mercer students, Ashley and Meredith. Here is what Janice sent me (she's the one behind this service opp - and who was having her own round of chemo).

Ashley and Emily were wonderful with the chemo patients today. They had the snacks in a red bucket and went to each patient and caregiver asking them if they wanted a snack. Everyone enjoyed the snacks but the most important ministry was that these girls took the time out of their day to minister to these folks during their difficult time. They showed warmth, compassion and gave each the sense of God's peace as well as the concern and caring of a friend who does not know their name. I
was blessed by just watching as the girls made their way around the chemo room. Thank you Keith for helping to make this possible.
Love, Janice

P.S. Connie Carey took me today to chemo. She was so impressed with the snack ministry! The girls were great representatives of New City Church!

Sunday morning before New City's service several of our folks headed to the Macon Rescue Mission to lead residents in a worship service (songs and music, children's teaching, and preaching). From the Mission they headed to New City - with a young lady who was homeless and had nowhere to go. Following the service this young lady was fed and taken to a nearby hotel. Some personal items were purchased for her and her room and meals were provided for several days. Her physical needs were met as several tried as well to meet her spiritual needs in Jesus.

A couple of weeks back on a Sunday morning our college crew had a special breakfast on campus and then headed to NCCd with new students and lots of great breakfast leftovers. They proceeded to fix plates of food and hit the streets taking a warm breakfast to those on the streets and inviting them to church.

One of our NCCders has many unbelieving friends - she weeps for them, and prays for them, and walks with them and tries to BE and PROCLAIM the Gospel to them.

Another has a boyfriend who had given up on church. She managed to get him to New City - and he's come back again and again!

Every week I hear of things that seem to often go unseen. I could type on and on about the conversations that I have had or that others have told me about. It is beautiful. In so many ways New City is becoming missional in our lifestyles and being Jesus in our city.

Death By Love by Mark Driscoll

I am officially adding this to my 'Wish List' of books.


You can read more about the new book or order a copy (or 2) from HERE.

Still Sick

So, I'm not well.
At first I hoped (and prayed) that the sickness would just go away and for the most part I ignored it. This is how I usually handle sickness.
Then I realized as things get worse and worse that I should call a doctor. NOTE that I said CALL a doctor, not go to one. So I called the only doc who is also a very good personal friend. After a lengthy discussion and evaluation he calls in a prescription.
I start the prescription - about 5 days later than I should have (because I was waiting on it to just go away).
2 days later things are only worse.
So, today I went to see a doctor. "Yep, that's pretty bad," he said. More meds - more days of bed - but I should now start getting better. Thanks for the comments, e-mails, and calls. MAYBE just maybe next time I will not wait so long to see a doc!

sick

Sick - home - in the bed. Who has time for that?
Not me, yet here I am!
Too much to do to be here - but REALLY cannot be anywhere else.
OK - maybe I could be at the Doc's office or the hospital.

Help on the way - Sonner and Later and Later later

This weekend we were visited by several folks drawn to NCCd and ready to roll up their sleeves as co-laborers in the plant. It seems that Help is on the way!

Sooner
We are praying that a job will come soon for a couple looking to join in and help out on the music and worship arts end of things at New City. He has experience in leading worship, but even better - in leading multiple bands AND helping put bands together. On top of that, he has church experience with overseeing all aspects of a worship service - music, arts, sound, visuals - all of it. He has resumes out and will be able to make a move to NCCd as soon as the job lines us. This would allow him to resign from his current church position and take a non-paying church position. (Sounds crazy doesn't it?)

And Sooner than Sooner
I have been talking for some time with Patrick McConnell about ministry, church, theology, and for the past year and a half, church planting. Patrick and Jennifer's blog is Burning Vapor. Patrick and Jennifer have felt a HUGE pull back to the South - to Macon - to New City Church. Patrick has served in 2 churches and most recently at an adoption agency in Spokane Washington. Patrick, Jennifer, and their 7 kids - YEP SEVEN KIDS - were working toward a December move and connection with NCCd where he would serve as FREE staff. It seems God wanted them here sooner! So, Patrick, Jennifer and the team may be here in a month! You can read Patrick's story HERE. (It just gets crazier and crazier!)

AND Sooner or Later
We were visited by another couple this weekend as well. She has just taken her first teaching position - He is 2 and 1/2 years at his current church as College and Youth Pastor. There seems to be a pretty good chance that they will be moving to GA to join us as soon as she is out of her teaching contract (perhaps December, if not - May). He has been through the Acts 29 Boot camp and Assessment process. Among other things he would likely take over the reigns of the 567. (Did I mention how crazy all this is?)

And Later later
It was also great to meet another young couple considering a move to Macon from a nearby city. They are considering a move to Macon next summer with desire to possibly join in and help out at New City.

Over a year ago, before our first service, I remember telling a couple of people - Paul Evans being one of them - that young leaders would be drawn to New City and that many new leaders would come from FROM New City. It is really, really exciting to see that happen - to consider those whom God has already placed in the midst of New City, and those He seems to be bringing!