gotta have one...

Gotta have a web site -
need a really good one -
will settle for this one for now!

New City Church downtown

Should have my domain name (www.newcitydowntown.org) up and running soon.

Elijah said...

We're in north Ga right now - just outside of Helen. Its great to get away! Swimming, putt putt, pizza by the Chattahoochee river - good stuff. Elijah and Robby were changing clothes in the same room yesterday - Elijah looked at his tummy and then at Robby's - Elijah said, "we're different bubbas," as he pointed to the color of his skin. Robby said, "but we're still bubbas!" Amazing how my little 4 year old sees the difference. Earlier today while we were in Helen a little Hispanic boy walked by and with excitement Elijah said, "He's got hair like mine!" He watched the little boy walk a little further, then he pointed to the skin of his arm and said, "he's like me."
I think this is gonna be hard - at least on me. That's Elijah and me having some coffee - man I love my kids.

Good News....Bad News

Pastor David and I were talking yesterday. There is an elders meeting May 6 and he wants me to speak with the elders about the church plant. As of today, the elders as a whole have no idea of what Pastor David and I have been talking about. That's cause for uncertainty!
My thoughts -
It could go BAD
and the elders not be in support of the plant. I guess the worst case would be that they ask me to step down from my position at the church?
They could allow me to stay on until September and offer no support to the new church?
It could go GOOD
They could want to be the major supporter for the plant?
They could embrace me and a church plant and allow me to remain on staff until some future date when the church is up and running?

The Bad news - if there really is any - I don't know what the 6th holds (I don't know what the next minute holds either)

The Good News - On the 6th or soon after, the questions will be answered and God will be glorified!

New City's 1st test...

we want to be a serving church - I'll bet that's what most churches say! We do, though, and that's the vision I'm already working to cast...church happens outside of Sunday morning. So, I get an e-mail from Leslie McNeil with the Capitol (Leslie is on the board, and I hope she doesn't mind me saying, is currently an unchurched 30 something). Leslie is taking me up on the service offer! There is a Christian band coming May 31 - Rush of Fools - check them out. Leslie needs some help with the concert - our 1st test.

The funny thing is - we really don't even exist yet! Maybe that's the power of vision??? One way or another - we'll be there!

Launching...

I went to a Launch Conference last month in Atl. I was introduced to a new way of thinking about starting a church - the Launch (as in like a rocket). The idea is to have monthly meetings (3 to 6) and build toward a Launch date where services become weekly. Good stuff, buy the book, go to the conference - its worth it.
At the conference Scott Whitaker, a church planter from Newnan was introduced. I had met Scott a little over a year ago - I think right before he started holding services, but had no idea I would ever see him again. Nelson Searcy shared a little of Scott's story.
Scott and his family moved to Newnan Ga where they knew no one. After 3 months of meeting people and inviting them (unchurched and unsaved) to be a part of a church plant Scott held his first service. (Don't hold me to the #s but I think I'm close) Scott held 3 monthly services and then Launched. He used attenders and mail outs to build up to the first service. They Launched with 250 in attendance. Their first year has seen fluctuations in the numbers, but after 1 year 2007 has seen an average attendance of 323. That is a Launch. You can check out Scott's church at Stonepoint Christian Church

My previous model for a church plant was - have a Bible study in your living room and when you out-grow it, find a bigger place to meet...when you outgrow that one, find a place to meet... Obviously there are other models that are working.

One cool thing to note is that Newnan is like Macon/Bibb County in a number of ways - similar size, similar churches, 70+% unchurched. Another cool thing is that I have e-mailed Scott for some help and he is more than willing to share with me what he has learned. Looking forward to it.

Back from Mexico

Here's a few pics and then a thought or 2...


Nicole taking a little play break with the kids.

This is Sol (he's the big guy) doing what he does best - sharing Christ with patients! Sol is from Texas and often works with the Thompsons in Mexico.

Here's Dr. Murphy doing an eye exam.

This is Nicole and Christi getting some basic info for 1 of the clinic patients.

I suppose we saw a total of 100 or so in the 2 day clinic. Usually a general doc is on hand and the #s are higher (depending on the docs sometimes 500 to 600). Still, it was a good couple of days. Many were prayed with and all were prayed for. Most heard the gospel, and all saw Christ incarnate - in Rea and Judy Thompson, in Dr. Medina, and Dr. Murphy, in Nicole, and Christi, in all the volunteers at the clinic, and hopefully in me.

I love these trips - not so much for what i do, I can do very little to impact the lives of the people in Nuevo Progresso, Mexico, but because of what God does. And He always does great things! Even now, He is working in the hearts and minds of the 4 from Mabel White who made the trip. And I pray that He is working in the lives of those who heard and saw Christ.

I love these trips, but it sure is good to be home!

exhilarating...

Most of my days are spent in the safety of a church office. In the office I plan discipleship classes, mission trips, and all sorts of other church things for church people. Sometimes I do get out, but usually its with the "beautiful" people of the church to talk about things happening/not happening/needs to be happening at the church.
I have tried to involve myself in motocross - a great subculture of people who need Christ. The problem is, I am so busy with my church stuff that I don't get to ride much and I am almost never able to make it to public tracks.
I have been reminded over and over and over in the last several months of how Jesus spent his time - in part anyway - with "tax gatherers and sinners." Sure, he spent time with his disciples, teaching them, but he also took them with him as he went and ate with the "unsaveable."
Convicting.
I am soooooooo far from ministering like Christ did. The church culture (at least the one I find myself in) demands much of its ministers - much more than allows most ministers to really be Christ-like in ministry.

A cool thing - I have already had a number of opportunities to share my vision for this church with people who likely have no relationship with Christ. In each case I have been able to share with them how he ministered, how we should be his present incarnation in our community and culture and how as Christ followers we should love like he loved, and spend time where he spent time. The truth is, I enjoy that. It is satisfying.
Exhilarating

I can't wait to see who is next.

i'm leaning toward...

Now I can say it...

You're invited to join us September 16, 10:30 am at the Capitol Theater on 2nd Street in downtown Macon for our 1st Service. Starbucks will be served at 10:00am.

Looks like a go

Waiting is hard, at least for me! I have been waiting for some official word from the Capitol Theater - Today I got it! I took a friend to eat lunch at the theater (2nd Street Pizza) and ran into my friend Brad - as we were talking, in walked Leslie. Leslie books everything at the Capitol and she and I have not been able to get together. After talking about our needs Brad and Leslie agreed to present a formal price to me on next Tuesday - BUT they are both willing, as is the entire board to house our plant!!! Here's the good part - We will be able to use their projection equipment, their $100k sound equipment, their chairs and tables and coffee machines. I asked Brad for a ball park in his thinking for $ (here's the somewhat scary part)... normal base rental is $750 + $200 for their tech person (until we can get someone trained), probably under $1,000 - and when services go weekly they'll cut us a better price! One more step forward.

What did Jesus do?

This article was sent to me from a friend - it's a little long, but read it!

Let me know your thoughts. Probably from the title of this post you can guess mine!

And here's a little Baptist history for you.

Here's another good rant on the subject with some nice links - check out Caleb Land's take.

Saying Goodbye to an old friend...

For Sale

$2,500
2003 Yamaha YZ 250
Bought new off the showroom floor 2006

Brought lots of hours of adrenalin pumpin fun!!!

Hate to see it go...

Support from a nominal Catholic

I have started working on a budget. I know as I seek support from individuals and other churches this will really be important. My plan for launching is this:
Sept 07 hold 1st MONTHLY service
Oct 07 2nd Monthly Service
Nov 07 3rd, Dec 07 4th monthly service
Launch Large end of January 08 and begin weekly services.
I know that before the launch I want to do a huge mail-out. So I called in a professional mail-out guy. He is a demographics expert. So, I told him what I was working toward - Capitol Theater, the kind of music, the vision of seeing a church engaged in the downtown culture. I asked him if he was familiar with Macon churches. Somewhat, he said, I was raised in a strict Catholic home and haven't really been in church since I was a teen. I guess I rebelled against my up-bringing. We spent a lot of time talking about the church and a little time talking about demographics and mailings. The guy seemed to get more and more excited about this church plant and its potential to reach people as we talked! Anyway - he left, not only telling me he would work on the demographics and pricing, but also dropping names of influential folks that he thought would support the church and be on board with us! Imagine that, support for an evangelical contemporary church with rockin music from a nominal (at best) Catholic!

What's in a name?

OK, I need a little help. What'll we call this new church? A name is important.
Here are the 2 I have been bouncing around:
1) Community Church downtown. The "downtown" part is because we will plant other campuses (as well as churches). So, if we plant another campus in south Macon, it would be Community Church South Macon or Southside or whatever. But the name (as well as mission and vision) would carry to each campus.

2) New City Church downtown. here's why I like New City:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed …
Romans 12:2
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory… I Corinthians 3:18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
II Corinthians 4:17
I believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed transforming. Therefore, I believe that as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of our city, our city will be transformed and made new. It is the calling of New City Church downtown to see our city transformed and made new!

Tell me what you think.
Community Church downtown or
New City Church downtown

Calling all warriors...

TNT showed Braveheart not long ago - watched it with my 9 year old son, Robby - he loved it! One of the things that strikes me about the movie is the power of vision. For vision, people are willing to fight, to sacrifice, to die. Without vision, people wither and die for nothing. Here's a little of my vision for the church to come...

It is our dream that __________________________________ church 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 our culture.

We dream of a church engaged in 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, buildup one another and serve one another, the community, and the world.

Let me know your thoughts.

What's the difference?

So, what's the difference in the church I see and the church I'm at? We all say we are Gospel centered or Gospel driven - but are we? I want to be. There's truly nothing new under the sun. After reading countless mission and vision statements from some great places - I borrowed some things that spoke my thoughts. Here's who we'll be:

Our mission - to see the Gospel transform everything within our reach – ourselves, our church, our city, and the world.

We understand that our church is more than a building, an organization, a man, or a service. We are a group of missionaries, a family of believers, a population of diverse individuals united by, striving for, and growing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Better said, we are “a worshipping community of missional theologians.” (Dan Kimball, Vintage Faith Church)

Cheater, Cheater...

I hate cheaters...maybe that's a little strong, maybe not. As I began to take steps toward the reality of a church plant - talking with Brad, talking with Shannon - just saying it, I think I'm going to plant a church - I started feeling a little like a cheater. Like I was flirting with another woman, or worse - like I was actually becoming involved! I knew I couldn't pursue a church plant and continue at my present church like there was nothing going on.
Dilemma! If I say something I run the risk of being sent on my way, or being asked to choose one or the other. More to wrestle with.
I talked to a couple of friends over a weekend - began pursuing something secular. That would allow me to work toward this plant and NOT be a cheater.
A week later after lunch with our senior pastor, I couldn't stand it any longer - I had to tell him!
I did. I explained where I felt I needed to be - where I truly thought God was leading me. He said something pretty amazing - Keith, I've thought the same thing about you for the last few months...
We agreed that the time to plant a church was now - not 2 years from now. We agreed that while I can do what I do where I do it - God has shaped me for something different - a different context and culture.
Pastor David is for this. We will work toward our church being the primary planting church. Who knows what the future holds? (God) Maybe the church will back this, maybe not. I hope so. It would make the road a little easier (I think) - a little more secure for me and my family. One way or another I am F R E E! Free to work on planting stuff. Free to pursue that future. Free from being a CHEATER!

I don't know a musician!

I know what music I like and what i think would be a good fit - Passion, Charlie Hall, Tomlin... PROBLEM - I may know what I like, but I have no idea who can do it! Our student Ministry recently had a D-Now weekend and we were a host home. It kept us pretty involved over the weekend. They had a pretty good band. So, I thought maybe these guys could help - even talked to a few of them about a possible plant. No strong feedback.
Sunday morn the band played again for the students - I came to listen. I look over to my left and there was a guy from the church - wide-eyed and jaw dropped! Turns out he had a band a few years back - traveled for a little while - opened for Doc Holiday and Molly Hatchet - old school southern rock.
Maybe this was my lucky day! (I don't really believe in luck).
We talked, he's real interested in helping start a church and putting together a band. I haven't heard him yet, but Shannon has put together 3 or 4 songs, landed an old band member on guitar and has his sites set on a drummer.
God, did you line that up?

the BIG question - MOTIVE?

Here it is, the BIG question - am I desiring to plant this church out of frustration with how things are or are not where I am, or is there more? What is my motivation? This one can be tough. I thought and prayed thru this for a while - off and on for months.
Here's where I settled...
The Church I am at is a good church with some great people and a great staff. Its just not me, you know, square peg - round hole. God is using this church to expand His kingdom and reach people. People are growing in Christ. Good stuff - Not perfect (as if a church start would be). God will continue to reach people - there are people who are attracted to this church style, just not me (and I believe a host of others). So, with that said, I am not frustrated - just out of place.
Do I still want to plant a church? Yes!
Why?
While our church is effective for some, the fact remains true that there is a whole culture that traditional church isn't reaching. I want to reach them. I want to find a way to get the gospel to them in a relevant way. I want to see them come to Christ - to worship - to grow - to serve - and to reach others > to be transformed. And - I want my current church to succeed as well - reaching the people that it is able to converse with or connect with.
No hard feelings, no anger
Peace!

lunch with Caleb

so as I was dreaming of WHERE I might plant a church - downtown kept coming to mind. A lot of work and $ is going into rehabbing downtown Macon. New facades on old buildings, a new Sports Hall of Fame and Music Hall of fame, new stores, pubs, and sandwich shops. Caleb, our student minister and I went to lunch. I decided I would take a look around downtown and introduce Caleb to some areas of Macon he might not know. We had lunch at the Rookery - great burgers and walked around downtown.

It made my heart BEAT.

There was LIFE.

People walking and talking, having lunch at tables along the street.

There was the occasional homeless/street person, the hospital worker, the starched-shirted businessmen, and the whole spectrum of human colors.

That was the place.

That is the place.

me and amy

Went to Atl for the Passion conference this year. Lots of fun, good music, time to think about a church plant.
Here was a question or 2 I asked myself and a friend, Paul Evans:
Am I here (in my current church position) because it is comfortable and safe?
If money and insurance and other "securities" were not an issue, what would I do?

I think I would plant a church
What would you do?

Where do I begin?

So, here's what's going on in my world right now - how's that for a beginning? I have a good ministry job at a good church. I am basically the missions and discipleship pastor. Basically because its that and then some. I went through a period of great frustration with my position and the church as a whole - some sleepless nights and a few antacids. After a fog of about 3 or 4 months I began to see a little clearing. There in the clearing I saw what I felt God was leading me to do - the next step in my life (or maybe leap) - plant a church.

My first thought -I must be crazy! My second thought - no way I can do this. Then I began to get some encouragement from a couple of younger staff guys at the church and some affirmation to the feeling I had that God had wired me different for a reason. For now, I'll cut to the chase. After praying, reading, thinking, and talking I came to the place where I began to think - maybe this IS it - maybe I CAN (by God's grace) do this - and yes, I AM CRAZY. Amazingly, with that my frustrations over my position and the church as a whole faded... no more sleepless nights and no more antacids. Maybe I'm on to something.
So, that's where I begin.