You Never Know Who Might Show Up

I didn't get nearly enough time to talk to David - maybe I'll find him downtown tomorrow.
David heard about us through the "Come to the Fountain" crew.
Here's what David wrote on his 'Info Card' at New City:
I would like to be loved without judgment
Other - just passing through. Thanks for the warmth & vibes

by Eva Dameron
Daily Lobo

David Wray is riding his BMX bike across the United States and writing a book about it.

"I've got the introduction written," Wray said. "It's kind of hard to be experiencing everything and still find the time and focus to take notes. I'm definitely going to tie in a lot of other angles, like spirituality, politics, art, freedom."

Wray left Monterey, Calif., in June and arrived in Albuquerque mid-September with a 130-pound trailer strapped to his bike. He's staying at the Albuquerque Bicycle Park BMX track, where he bathes in the janitor's closet and helps maintain the track and supervise bike races.

Before he started the trip, he was a calibration technician, using skills he learned in the Navy, working in California and living in Portland, Ore. He said the job was trying his integrity.Then he lost his job, his house and his fiancée - all in one fell swoop. Facing credit problems, he took his car to the Monterey, Calif., coast on June 6, and he tried to blow out the engine.

That didn't work, so he left the car there with a note on the steering wheel that read, "This car belongs to the Navy Deferral Credit Union." Then he got on his bike and left town."I've just had it," he said. "I've had it. I've had enough of expectations. I've had enough of manipulations, whatever angle that comes from - whether it be family or relationships or job or just everything that had weighted me down and kept me from doing things that I really wanted to do. I'm going to live this adventure and see what happens."

Wray began BMX racing at 12 and got well-known after winning some big races, he said.

He rode through Death Valley for three days in 120-degree weather, he said. He can't go faster than eight miles per hour, because it's a single-speed bike hauling a 130-pound trailer. He went through Las Vegas and Colorado and ended up in Albuquerque via Taos and Santa Fe. Wray said he has been resting in Albuquerque while his broken shoulder heals, but he's fine with that because he's not racing against a deadline.

"I am planning on ending up in Maine," Wray said. "That's the one state that I've never been to. From here, I'm going to keep heading south. I've never been to Roswell.

From there, go through Dallas, Austin, Houston and then New Orleans. And from there, I'm going to go through Mississippi.

"In Mississippi, he said he wants to see the crossroads from the legendary story of Robert Johnson, the grandfather of delta blues. "I've recently learned it's actually a railroad crossing, but in the legend it's told as a dirt road crossing," he said. "He's there at midnight, and he's got a guitar on his back. And he's not sure what he's going to do with his life.

"Then, Robert Johnson meets the devil. "And the devil's like, 'If you make this deal with me, I'll give you this guitar sound and that'll be your signature on history,'"

Wray said. "So I want to go to that spot and then, from there, see what happens. Maybe I'm due for a deal - and I'll make one."

After A Year and a Half...

Me and the boys hit the track - with our photographer - Amy!
This was my first trip back with Robby since he had his bad crash - and broken femur.
Robby's bike had been sitting too long and we couldn't get it running, so he rode his cousin's pit bike. I rode my bro-in-law's Yamaha 450f. The fever is now back - full force!

You're Gonna Get Mugged

When we tell people that we are getting ready to move downtown, the reactions are pretty amazing. We don't normally spend much time answering because people aren't really asking - they are expressing their fear and concern. So, here I want to answer - where normally I don't:
1) Oh, no!
Oh Yes!
2) Really, you can't live where you are and minister downtown?
No. That, for us, would be like missionaries called to Uganda but choosing to live in London. We have been called DOWNTOWN. Like missionaries to Uganda, we will move to the place, people, and culture we are called to.
3) Downtown is so dangerous.
Well, sure, so is the bathroom - lots of people are injured and killed in the shower. But, I know what you are thinking - gangs, guns, thugs, and violence. The crime rate in the downtown area is actually lower than other suburban areas. So, statistically we will actually be safer than most of you!
4) You're gonna get mugged.
That was just this week! See above, and avoid all malls, shopping centers, WalMarts, and grocery stores.
5) I didn't think there were any decent places to live downtown?
Wow. Have you been downtown? some of the most beautiful homes and neighborhoods can be found downtown.
In fact, I wanted some of you to see one of the neighborhoods we are looking at - home of the Pink House. This hood is about 7 blocks from the 567 and the Capitol Theater. The homes are late 1800s for the most part. There are several churches just down the street - St Josephs Catholic Church - a beautiful Cathedral, First Baptist which is right across the street from St Joe's, and the Unitarian Universalist Church! There are 3 parks - 1 just separated from the Pink house by another home, another less than 1 block away, and Washington Park is only 2 blocks away. The streets are beautiful old brick. There is a coffee shop 1 block away as well as a huge library. It is quiet with little traffic - and I could walk or ride my bike to the office...
I understand that not all of New City's people will move downtown - that's OK - it REALLY IS. But WE - My Family - have been called to move to the city.
So - Enjoy some pics of the area:

Coming SoonER

From Patrick's Blog - Burning Vapor:

As many of you know by now our timetable has jumped ahead by a month. We had once planned on leaving in January and that has been moved to just a short couple of weeks. Jennifer and the girls will leave on Dec. 6th and the boys and I will follow in my truck shortly after. So here is what it looks like approximately:

Dec. 6th: Jennifer and girls fly to GA

Dec. 9th: Packing the moving truck

Dec. 10th: We begin preparing the house to sit on the flooded real estate market.

Dec. 12th: The boys and I will begin the 2500 mile drive to GA.

Dec. 17th: We arrive (Lord willing and the crick don't rise - as my grandfather used to say)

You can read more here.

Quoted - Good or Bad

Chris Horne and I talked about the city and New City over a cup of coffee at the 567 earlier this week. Here's a peek:
Keith Watson planted New City Church in downtown Macon because he believes its revival is vital to the growth and survival of the city, an opportunity that excites him as a citizen and a Christian...
My favorite:
“It’ll help with the homeless—it’ll be a help and not just a kick in the butt,” Watson says.
You can read the article here.

Weekend Review

2nd Friday Gallery Talks

The Nov-Dec Artist at the 567 is J. Alan Gibson. Alan lost his sight a few years ago yet continues to paint. His artwork is bright, bold, sometimes whimsical and funky - always beautiful. Friday night brought our best art crowd yet - a mix of Alan's fans and New City folks. Alan answered questions, talked about his work, his blindness, and his current battle with cancer.

Saturday Night on the 567 Stage

Josh Daniel

Josh is Middle Georgia born and raised, but now lives in South Carolina. Josh brought a mix of originals and covers of singers like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jr., and Waylon Jennings. Our crowd was smaller than usual, probably because Josh is a new artist to Macon and doesn't yet have a following. But as usual the music at the 567 Cafe was great.

NCCd's Sunday

We started a new sermon series entitled Engaging the Poor. The first sermon was a foundational message for the rest of the series. We talked about 3 Main things:

1) Engaging the Poor is more than a homeless issue. A 2006 Brookings Report notes that there are now more 'poor' in America's suburbs than in all of our cities combined.

2) God has a heart for the poor. We read dozens of passages in the Old and New Testaments supporting God's love of the poor and Jesus' ministry to the poor.

3) How we view the poor is a reflection of our understanding of the gospel as a) Jesus became poor so that in Him we might one day be rich, and b) the gospel is all about our poverty, weakness, and desperate need for help.

Our MC's should be hopping with discussion over the next few weeks!

Our 4th Sunday (December 7) will be a Q and A Sunday. We are fielding questions via e-mail and text messages now through Dec 7 and we (Cameron Barham and myself) will attempt to answer those questions as the sermon - should be fun!

The Power of the Kingdom Present

Acts 26: 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."
I had a great conversation this morning with a downtown friend. He may or may not be a Christian - though spiritual and having a 'Christian' background, I think C. wrestles with Christianity. He is also intrigued by New City's relationship with downtown. So, in the conversation this came up:

C: So, explain to me you vision for the church and the city?

Me: Well, the short is city renewal - we describe it as transformation. In leadership, we often ask the question, 'If the Kingdom of God were present in the city today, what would it look like?' We believe that the church should be a glimpse of the Kingdom, therefore we should see tangible transformation because of the presence of the church.

C: Like what?

Me: Well, if the Kingdom of God were present in Macon, would there be homeless people?

C: No.

Me: We don't believe that our presence will eliminate homelessness in Macon, just as we can't usher in the true and final Kingdom. However, if the Kingdom is present in and through us, then we should make a positive difference in the homeless community.

If the Kingdom were fully present there would be no crime. So, as a church, we ask, 'How can our presence make a difference in downtown crime?'

If the Kingdom were fully present, would there be ugly, broken buildings?

C: No.

Me: So we desire to see a tangible change to the buildings downtown. We will - through volunteers - help the Facade Squad when they line up facades to be worked on.

We believe that the church, as a glimpse of the Kingdom should be an agent of transformation in our city.

C: Keith, that's why I love you guys. Hearing what you say makes me want to believe. I feel like the King that Paul pleaded his case to.

The conversation was soon interrupted and C was out the door. I was awed that such a Kingdom vision would carry such power.

29And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."

the Kingdom Present

At New City Church we talk often of our mission - Gospel Transformation. We also talk about the tangibles of Gospel Transformation and often ask the question - What would it look like if the Kingdom of God were present in downtown Macon?

The short answer is everything bad would be made good as God redeemed a city. If the church is present in the city and if the kingdom is present in and through the church - then there should be tangible evidence of transformation and redemption in the city - glimpses of the coming kingdom [an already/not yet Kingdom view]. In other words - very practically speaking - New City Church should make tangible differences in our city as the Kingdom of God is moving in - in and through us.

One of the things I commonly hear from people with regards to downtown Macon is that it is a dangerous place. This is a pervasive perspective. People are afraid to visit downtown. So, if the kingdom of God were present - would people be afraid to visit downtown? No. Now - I know that our presence will not wipe out all crime - that will only happen when the Kingdom is ultimately brought in by Jesus Himself. But, should our presence in the city impact crime? Yes.

How?

An interesting development is underway. A week ago I was asked to meet with a downtown developer and a New Town Macon employee. The topic was security downtown. From that meeting I was asked to be a part of a board who would seek ways to increase security and help change the perception that downtown is a more dangerous place [statistically it is 'safer' than North Macon]. The developing board includes business owners, a member of the College Hill Corridor, developers, New Town Macon, and myself. This group met yesterday.

One of the possibilities recommended by Josh, with the College Hill Corridor, is that we form a proactive Neighborhood Watch that would include businesses and residents. This neighborhood watch would coordinate with a Macon PD foot patrol being added in January. The Neighborhood Watch would also work with the city on, among other things, adding emergency call boxes all around downtown.

The really interesting possibility is this - There is another neighborhood near Mercer doing this and the coordinator for the Neighborhood Watch is a Centenary Methodist Church staffer. He receives some funding from a federal grant for this oversight. Josh explained that he - the coordinator - does not proselytize - but does serve as the neighborhood minister. He knows everyone in the neighborhood and everyone knows him. Josh suggested that we look into doing the same thing through New City Church. New City Church has a guy coming as early as January - his job description (in part) before this meeting ever took place was oversight of the 567 and city renewal.

Josh is getting some info together for me, New Town Macon's board will hear of the plans tomorrow and may offer some start up funding - and JD, coming on faith with no job lined up for Corrie, and no income from New City, may have a free place to live and a little money.

This is far from being a 'done deal' and may never become a done deal - but I am constantly amazed at the avenues of opportunity God is graciously giving to New City church as we seek to see Gospel Transformation in our city!

A Thorne In Our Side

No - I didn't misspell thorn - and really it is 2 Thornes, not 1 - and they are really not in our side but ON our side. Crazy couple # 3 has made public their plans to move to Macon in the very near future to join NCCd in seeing Gospel transformation.
JD and Corrie Thorne will be coming from Dothan Alabama where JD currently serves as a youth pastor and Corrie currently teaches school. JD finishes his Masters work at New Orleans Baptist Theological in December and will also finish out his position as youth pastor in December. JD has been through Acts 29 Bootcamp and assessment and will be a great addition to New City. Pray for Corrie as she searches for a teaching job and is actually visiting Tuesday to talk with a school. Pray for JD as he will seek to raise some outside support in order to dedicate as much time as possible to New City. Pray for me and JD as I have a meeting Monday with a group of city leaders to discuss downtown security issues - our involvement may help JD and Corrie with a place to live - We'll See!

SO - Here's where we stand with incoming, providentially provided leadership at NCCd:
Today Tyler and Sarah (and baby V) joined us for their official 1st Sunday. Tyler will oversee bands and worship.
Coming in January - Patrick, Jennifer and Family McConnell. Patric is a GREAT generalist who has experience in most every area of the church. He will likely oversee our MCs and be our 'How' pastor - you know, How do we do this, and how do we do that!
Also coming as early as January - JD and Corrie Thorne. JD will likely head up the 567 and much of our Community Relations.

I'm taking a few days off!

A Church for the City

Check out this short of several pastors on being a church for the city...

A Church for the City (Reprise) from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.

We Are Jonah... In Need of the Gospel

We conclude our Jonah series this Sunday and as we do we see Jonah forced to answer the question, am I really so different than the people of Nineveh?
Like Jonah, New City Church is called to a city. A city inhabited by many people who seem so very different than us on the surface. But, in reality, this week, we are forced to answer the same question as Jonah, am I really so different than these people?