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.