Idealism and Reality - Youth Ministry 2 Years Later

Real always shapes Ideal.  Here's an example of what I mean:
The US has thousands and thousands of children who need adoption.  Ideally, Christian families would step up and adopt a child.  If that happened, there would be no need for foster care.  BUT then there is reality - every Christian home will not adopt a child in need of a home - many for very legitimate reasons.  This reality means that we need foster homes and a system in place to care for the un-adopted children.

Two years ago I wrote a series of posts that explained why New City Church, Macon would pursue the ideal of having students incorporated into our existing and new Missional communities.  There have been some great stories about our students being ministered to and incorporated into the body of the church - there have been some successes... but reality is causing us to re-think and re-shape how we minister to students and families.  The reality is that some existing parents are not at a place where they feel comfortable with their children sitting in on discussion (a great ideal) and many of the students don't feel comfortable participating in discussions with adults (another great ideal and application of Titus 2, and a reality of life in this culture and context).  The results?
Middle schoolers and high schoolers are not in Christian community.  This means they are not receiving the input of older Christians (Titus 2), and they are often not participating in the missional partnerships of the MC.
Another result is that we are missing missional opportunities to reach non-believing and non-connected students and their families.  Students who aren't plugged in are not inviting other students.  Parents who love their children and want Christian community for their children don't connect at New City as readily because the reality is that our ministry to students isn't thriving.

So the reality is - We are not ministering well to our existing students and we are missing out on missional opportunities to reach both students and parents.  The past few weeks we have begun great discussions on how to correct course - minister well to students and be missional in our city, and do this without compromising our values of Worship, Mission, Community (including Titus 2 diversity), and Theology.  Look for more explanation in the days to come!  I am excited to re-think student ministry and to find a way to keep our ideals, even if reality reshapes our practice.

Planting the Gospel

I have heard more than once that planting churches isn't really planting churches as much as it is, or should be, planting the Gospel.
I agree.  Planting a church should be about planting the gospel and seeing it grow a gospel-centered church.  BUT planting churches is only ONE way to plant the gospel in an area or a city.
New City Church is committed to church planting, but more, we are committed to planting the gospel.  So we are talking, praying, and working toward other ways to plant the gospel in Middle Georgia.
One of those ways is by planting gospel-centered MEN in Middle Georgia.  We just finished up a class led by Cameron Barham, one of our New City, Macon elders, to teach guys how to preach.  This was what I would consider a seminary level preaching course and included men from New City Church, Warner Robins, New City Church, Milledgeville, and New City Church, Macon.  Our hope is to plant these men in the pulpits of existing Middle Georgia churches as pulpit supply for churches who need a preacher to cover a short period of time, as interim pastors for churches seeking a pastor, and as long term pastors to shepherd congregations in the gospel for years to come.
Yesterday one of our New City, Macon partners, Damon Gardzelewski became the lead pastor of Bloomfield Gardens Baptist Church in Macon.  I have initiated conversations with a few other local churches recently on behalf of another New City, Macon partner who is ready and able to serve as a lead pastor.  In addition I recently offered our guys as pulpit supply for a couple of small local congregations looking for a pastor.  We are praying that God would use these men to plant the gospel throughout Middle Georgia.  Would you pray that with us?

No Resolution...But Resolved

Last November I finally went for a physical exam.  JOY.  The doc checked me...pretty thoroughly and then gave me the news... "everything looks pretty good for someone your age (WHAT?), but your blood pressure is high and you need to lose weight" (the truth is I already knew that I was overweight and that my blood pressure was high).  "Start eating better and get some exercise," is what he left me with.
So I did.
I finally gave in to a friend's persistence and joined North Macon Crossfit.  I started eating a little less and cut out a lot of sugar and carbs.  I lost weight.  My blood pressure went down, and I feel pretty good most days (which is probably good for someone my age).  I even convinced Amy to start working out with me - one of the best ideas I have ever had.
I am blogging this as a shout out to all of the North Macon Crossfit crew - thanks for not laughing too loud at my early work outs... heck, my current work outs!  And as a shout out to Amy - thanks for joining me, and keeping me going.  This is no resolution, but I am resolved in staying in shape for a long, long time!

A New Year... A New Start

Every January 1, we get to start over.  2012 proved to be a difficult year on many levels and a year filled with major changes - staff changes at New City, adding 2 children to the family through foster care, losing some terrific families from New City because of moves...  While not all of the changes were bad, this year, maybe more than any year I can remember, I feel happy, glad, joyful to leave 2012 and enter a new year.  

It feels like a fresh start.

Maybe today has helped the start of 2013 feel fresh - our new web site is up and running, a beautiful new series of photographs fills the art gallery, I just met with Ryan and Andy to outline the new sermon series - Freedom, a study of Galatians, Charlie Colgan our newest New City team member is here, he joined us for the sermon series outline this morning, we are one step closer to a new New City Church site, and I am blogging.  

A fresh start.

Truthfully, and thankfully, grace allows us to start over every day...every minute of every day... so I welcome the New Year, a new start and I join with the Apostle Paul and declare, one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I (will) press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3) 

My Girl and A Picture of Leadership

That's my daughter Ivey at a recent event - she's jumping like a champ... and giving a great picture of leadership.

I don't ride horses, but from what I understand from Ivey there is definitely a right way to jump and a wrong way.  

The Right Way - As rider and horse begin to approach the jump the rider makes sure that they are lined up for the jump.  Then the rider makes certain that the horse's stride is right for the obstacle.
As the horse begins its jump, the rider has a firm grip on the horse and is already looking ahead to the next jump.  Looking ahead to the next jump gives direction to the horse upon landing.  Notice Ivey in the photo - the horse is just taking off and already she is looking ahead for the next obstacle.

Once the horse and rider have landed, the rider leads to the next obstacle, lines up the obstacle, sets the stride, and at take off is looking ahead for the next obstacle.

The Wrong Way - 
Ivey had to learn to trust her self and her horse when they took off on a jump.  That trust allows her to not focus all of her attention on the landing but to look ahead for the next obstacle.  If all of her attention were focused on the landing, the horse upon landing would lack direction.  Without a specific desired and communicated direction the horse could veer almost anywhere and would likely slow down.  This causes the rider and horse to have to work harder to get back on track and in stride.  This is all terrible for a smooth and consistent ride that yields a good score.

What does that have to do with leadership?

Leadership is similar in many ways.
Think of the event, or project as the jump or obstacle.  The event or project doesn't just happen on the due date, there is a lot of planning and work that goes into making it happen - lining up the jump, setting the stride.  As a the LEADER you give the team direction.  You set the pace and establish the stride.  How quickly will this need to happen?  When do we speed up?  When do we slow down?  What are the capabilities of the team?  Who can do what?
Then there is the event or project itself.  When all the work has gone in and the project or event is ready to go you jump.  A LEADER doesn't let go of the reins during the jump.  That would be disastrous!  Like the rider, you must maintain a firm grip on what is happening.

With trust in the work that has taken place before the "jump" and the team that is launching,  a LEADER must look past the landing to visualize what happens next.  What is the next obstacle?  Where do we go next?  How do we best get there?  A good LEADER maintains direction and pace for the whole team.

Take a look at the picture again.  Is that how you are leading?

B I G Changes - Right people / Right Seat

Jim Collins, leadership guru, teaches that it isn't enough to have the right people on the bus - they must also be in the right seat.

Translation - Your leadership must not only be on board, but they have to be in the right place.  The New City Elders feel like we have taken a couple of BIG steps toward having the right people in the right seats... Ryan Lyons will be moving from Milledgeville to Warner Robins to take the role of Lead Pastor.  Andy Blankenship will be moving from Albany to take the Lead Pastor role in Milledgeville (putting New City Albany plans on hold indefinitely).

Below is the New City Church Milledegeville announcement that follows announcements in Warner Robins and Milledgeville during yesterday's services:

In case you missed the big announcement – Sunday, February 19, 2012

by New City Church Milledgeville

New City Church is a multi-congregational church seeking to see the gospel transform Middle Georgia and beyond. Currently, we have three New City Church congregations – Macon, Milledgeville, and Warner Robins. Our goal is for each of these congregations to have a Lead Pastor and congregational elders who will lead and shepherd their particular congregation. Currently, I am the Lead Pastor at New City Church Milledgeville and Keith Watson is the Lead Pastor at New City Church Downtown. Up until now, we have not had a Lead Pastor for New City Church Warner Robins.

After much prayer and consideration, along with unanimous agreement among all New City Church elders, it has been decided that I will begin serving as the Lead Pastor at New City Church Warner Robins. Andy Blankenship, who has been serving with us for a number of weeks, will soon become the Lead Pastor at New City Church Milledgeville, taking my place.

This transition – Andy becoming the Lead Pastor at New City Church Milledgeville – will happen over the next few months. I will remain the Lead Pastor of New City Church Milledgeville for the immediate future, but Andy will immediately begin serving alongside me in Milledgeville, like a “co-pastor.” He will begin preaching at least 50% of the time and will be utilizing his time in Milledgeville to build relationships with the New City Church Milledgeville congregation. Andy will also be “learning the ropes” during this time in order to ensure as smooth of a transition of leadership as possible. If all goes well, Andy and his family will be living in Milledgeville by May and Andy will be ready to assume full responsibilities as Lead Pastor of New City Church Milledgeville by early June.

On a personal note, this decision has been very difficult for Lori and me. We are grateful for the opportunity we have been given to plant and lead New City Church Milledgeville and we genuinely love each and every one of you who are a part of New City Church. While it is difficult to cease being the Lead Pastor of New City Church Milledgeville, there are at least three reasons why I am comfortable with and confident about this decision.

1. I am confident that this is the Lord’s will and will help us advance our mission of seeing greater gospel influence in Middle Georgia and beyond. Lori and I believe the Lord is leading us to make this move, and the other elders of New City Church have affirmed that leading. 
2. I am leaving you in good hands with Andy Blankenship. Over the last few months I have been privileged to get to know Andy and his family better. Andy loves Jesus, loves the mission of New City, and is committed to laboring to see the gospel continue to transform Milledgeville. He will lead you well and I am thankful that God sent him to us. 
3. I am still a part of New City Church, meaning that we are still a part of the same larger organization and I am still working side by side with you, just in a different position, to see gospel transformation in Middle Georgia and beyond. 

Please be in prayer as we work through this transition. Pray for Andy and his family, for my family and me, and for unity for our congregation. Pray that our mission of seeing the gospel transform everything within our reach will continue to be advanced in Milledgeville, Warner Robins, Macon, and beyond.

For His Glory,

Pastor Ryan

Join us is praying for both families in transition as well as both congregations.

With and For Our City

 Sarah Treem (Head Writer/Producer for HBO series
IN TREATMENT. Writer/Producer for HBO series
 HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA) 

When we planted New City Church downtown, we didn't just want to be a church located downtown.  We wanted to be a church involved in our city's renewal... a church engaging its culture... a church celebrating creativity and engaging creatives.  Today is day 3 of 4 for The Macon Georgia Film Festival and through The 567 we get to play a huge role in this growing film festival.
I am thrilled to see downtown changing.  I am thrilled that as a church planted right smack in the middle of downtown, we participate in its change.  While we don't have it all figured out, and while we do make mistakes and miss opportunities, I am thrilled to say that we are not just a church in our city... we are truly a church With and For Our City!

Much to Celebrate - New City turns 4!

New City Church turns 4

January 2008 - New City Church held its first weekly gathering at The Cox Capitol Theater... it seems like yesterday in so many ways.  Who would show up?  Would we receive enough in offerings to rent the facilities for another week?  Could our volunteers set up and tear down and man all of the stations, not just once but every week?  Could we really do this?  Those and a thousand similar questions.
Well, we did it - purely by God's great grace!
Over these 4 years we have seen some amazing fruit - marriages saved and families restored; homeless addicts healed; de-churched re-churched, unbelievers becoming believers, mended families, lots of new children (probably as many adopted as born!), and a great impact through us and The 567 on our downtown community... all by God's great grace.
Just over 4 years ago 40 people (including kids) believed that God wanted to do something through a new church in Macon - one of the most churched cities in the US.  Together we dreamed of seeing the gospel radically impact lives - we dreamed of transformed people, a transformed city, and beyond.  More than a Sunday gathering, we dreamed of true community - people doing life together - seeking, striving, growing, serving, loving - in true community.
Today those 40 have become well over 600 - today that 1 gathering has turned into 3 congregations in 3 cities - today the dream of community has turned into 15 Missional Communities with 5 about to plant and more in the planning stages - today our home base is a 12,000 sf building in the heart of downtown that we renovated - it serves as not only the home of New City Church but also as a true community center for downtown Macon... all by God's great grace.
Don't get the idea that it has all been easy and always beautiful, it hasn't.  Sadly over 4 years we have lost many of our core families and friends for various reasons - some destroyed by sin, others discontent with the difficulties of planting, and a few who realized they weren't dreaming the same dreams that we were.  Each has been painful. But God's great grace has been sufficient.
We have much to celebrate at New City Church - downtown, Milledgeville, and Warner Robins... we have much more in mind for 2012... and by God's great grace we will be celebrating even more in January 2013! Thank you God for your great grace - thank you New City volunteers and missionaries for dreaming, believing, and working to see the gospel transform everything within your reach.

New City Planting makes the Paper

New City expands to WR, keeps focus on communities

By MICHAEL W. PANNELL - Sun News correspondent

(online article HERE)

Fifty families from Warner Robins and surrounding communities who were attending a Macon church were sent in August to start New City Church Warner Robins.

The group had been attending New City Downtown (Macon) and had already begun meeting during the week in area home groups they call missional communities.

On Aug. 14, they began a new congregation that meets Sunday evenings at 6 in another local church’s building, The River on U.S. 127 in Kathleen.

Patrick McConnell serves as pastor of the new church. He said New City Church Downtown was begun in Macon about four years ago by Keith Watson. New City Church Downtown, he said, committed itself to downtown revitalization economically, in the arts and spiritually. Not only does the church meet downtown, it also offers start-up business space and operates The 567, a gallery and music space.

“Any time we had events in Macon, people from Warner Robins drove there,” McConnell said. “Since our focus is community, we were defeating ourselves going to Macon and not investing here. New City Downtown always had church planting in mind. Having a good core group of people living in Warner Robins -- then the offer to use The River as a meeting place -- made the time seem right.”

McConnell said there is a New City church plant in Milledgeville and one beginning in Albany.

New City is associated with the Acts 19 Network, a network of churches and church planters based in the Pacific Northwest.

McConnell, 38, said he is more accurately the campus pastor for the Warner Robins church. He said Watson is considered lead pastor for the churches in Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville and Albany. He said all of the pastors are elders in New City and share preaching responsibilities.

Though McConnell said the Warner Robins church will not necessarily locate in what would be considered old downtown, the commitment to community is still there.

“We have three missional communities in Warner Robins now and plan to have a fourth this month, then a fifth around March or April,” he said. “We do have Bible studies in these groups, but they’re not just for that. They are people on a mission to do life together and serve the wider community with the gospel and by being good neighbors.”

He said one group is partnering with foster care families in Houston County to provide respite and general help. In another group, one of the leaders is an Air Force officer and they help military families with deployed spouses.

“When you look at New City Church Downtown and the heartbeat there, you jump to arts and business,” McConnell said. “Here it looks a lot different because it’s just not the same. We still want to be a light, but our missional communities are doing different things throughout the community. We all share the same philosophy to impact our cities through the gospel.”

McConnell and his wife, Jennifer, moved from Macon to Warner Robins with their six children to lead the church. McConnell serves the church part-time and works full-time for Geico.

He said New City Church Warner Robins plans to reach certain goals before a full-time pastor comes aboard.

“Jennifer is from Macon and I’m from Sharpsburg,” McConnell said. “We met while attending college, married while I was serving in the Air Force and wound up in Spokane, Wash. When I got out of the Air Force, I knew I wanted to be a pastor and went through a pastoral training program at a church affiliated with John McArthur’s Grace Community Church. I did youth work and co-pastored.”

McConnell said he also worked with an adoption agency and later became executive director of a nonprofit agency called Grace Giving International, a group working with orphans in Ethiopia and Uganda.

The McConnells have two biological children and have adopted four. They moved to Macon to be part of New City Downtown a year after it started.

“We believed in the vision of New City Church for church planting, verse-by-verse expository teaching of the Bible, the sovereignty of God and the missional aspect of the church. We don’t want to just serve an organization but rather we want to build relationships with people and let them see the affection we have for Jesus.”

Planting Again... in Macon

Things have been super busy - as usual!
We are working hard in Milledgeville and are excited that New City Church Milledgeville is moving to John Milledge Academy on January 15.  The move will provide them with enough space to go from 3 services to 1.  The move will also allow them to expand their mission and be much more inclusive of families... good stuff.

Warner Robins continues to grow and will be adding 1 new MC this month and possibly another around March.  We are planning for 2012 and hope to see a real push to grow our core and work toward launching Sunday morning services in our own space.

Downtown (Macon) is going great as well.  We sent out about 50 people in August of last year to Warner Robins and have seen our downtown attendance continue to grow - even averaging MORE in attendance in 2011 than 2010 even though we sent 50 people to start a new congregation.
AND
we are in the planning stages for a second site in Macon.  Crazy, I know.  We are praying and working toward the possibility of a January 2013 launch.  We have tons of unanswered questions and a lot that needs to happen before we could do it.


To help people understand our next Macon plant (WHY, HOW, WHAT...) and encourage other churches to take steps toward planting, I started a new blog - New City Planting .  Check it out and help plant churches!