Who Will Be "The Pastor" in WR?

Let's start here - New City Church views "Pastor" as the equivalent of "Elder."

No one is given the title "Pastor" or "Minister" unless he is an "Elder." All Elders are Pastors, and as New City is an Elder Led body, we have a plurality of Elders.

Within the Elder/Pastor structure we have and will have different designations depending on the Pastor's specific role. For example - "Missional Communities Pastor." This Pastor is responsible for overseeing, ministering and leading our MCs. A Children's Pastor would be an Elder who oversees ministry to children... you get the idea.

Currently, I serve as the "Lead Pastor" of New City Church downtown. Ryan Lyons serves as the Lead Pastor of New City Church milledgevile. Patrick McConnell serves as our third Elder at New City Church downtown, and like Ryan and myself - wears a number of hats, including Warner Robins MC Pastor. Patrick oversees the Missional Communities in Warner Robins. With the WR plant, we are adding an Elder Designation - "Campus Pastor". Patrick will continue to oversee the MCs in WR and will take on the responsibility of General oversight of the new plant in its day-day functions (he will be the "Go To" guy in WR). NCCwr will not have a "Lead Pastor" initially. We will have a Campus Pastor and "Teaching Pastors". The Teaching Pastors being, Myself, Ryan Lyons, and Patrick McConnell. We will alternate teaching at the new campus on Sunday nights. The WR campus then will not have 1 pastor but 3! And it will continue to function this way until the Lead Pastor emerges that God has for this campus.

Why We Are Planting in Warner Robins, GA...

The mission of New City Church is to see the Gospel transform everything within our reach, ourselves, our church, our city, and the world. While there are almost limitless ways in which we can communicate the gospel – youtube, facebook, twitter, websites, radio, tv, print… - we believe that the Most Effective Way to see gospel transformation become a reality in the lives of people is through the local church.

It is within the context of the local church’s community that the gospel is most readily heard and seen. Here, in the local church, the Gospel is proclaimed through preaching and teaching. It is also made known in the context of relationships, often one on one, within the community of the local church. More than that, the gospel is most readily seen in the lives of Christians as they do life together as a community of Christ followers – working, eating, laughing, playing, loving, weeping, mourning, encouraging… This is true not only for those who are inside the church, but also for those outside the church looking in at the lives of its people. The local church then serves as a beacon of light and hope and joy both to those who are far from God, but looking on, and those who are near God within the church.

This is why New City Church is a church planting church. We believe the Gospel will be advanced in our lives, in our church, in our cities, and throughout the world by planting missional, gospel centered congregations in cities and communities around the world.

So – we are planting our third campus, August 14th , 2011 in Warner Robins, GA.
We are excited to be a part of this plant, not because there aren’t good churches in Warner Robins, but because there are still people in Warner Robins who desperately need Gospel Transformation.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

I admit... I enjoy a full flavored heavy, bitter beer. I remember now, as I write, the way I once celebrated St. Patrick's day... with no idea of who he was or what he did, my celebration centered on beer.
(that last part was more of a confession!)

Today is much different. I know a bit more of who St. Patrick was and what he did... and I am humbled. Patrick was an amazing missionary called to people far from God. Against the wishes and traditional methods of the established church he took his love for the Celts and the message of the Gospel to people considered "unreachable". Through him the Gospel went forth and Jesus changed a nation!

So here are a few quotes and an encouragement to celebrate St. Patrick's day and not beer. God's transforming grace is amazing!

I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.

I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop. I am certain in my heart that "all that I am," I have received from God. So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger and exile for the love of God. He himself testifies that this is so. I never would have wanted these harsh words to spill from my mouth; I am not in the habit of speaking so sharply. Yet now I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ's truth has aroused me. I speak out too for love of my neighbors who are my only sons; for them I gave up my home country, my parents and even pushing my own life to the brink of death.If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.

Did I come to Ireland without God, or according to the flesh? Who compelled me? I am bound by the Spirit not to see any of my kinsfolk. Is it of my own doing that I have holy mercy on the people who once took me captive and made away with the servants and maids of my father’s house? I was freeborn according to the flesh. I am the son of a decurion. But I sold my noble rank. I am neither ashamed nor sorry for the good of others. Thus I am a servant in Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I testify before God and His angels that it will be so as He indicated to my ignorance. It is not my words that I have set forth in Latin, but those of God and the apostles and prophets, who have never lied. "He that believes shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be condemned," God hath spoken.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Things I Do as A Planter

Some days end in exhaustion - today might. Most days, when I am done I can't figure out why I didn't get more done and often wonder - "What did I do today?" So I thought I would jot down a few things that I did besides the normal pastor a church stuff... whatever that is.

Today's list:

• Change 3 light bulbs – I have a special eye for noticing they are out AND the “spiritual gift” of changing them!
• Clean old show/event posters (and their tape) from the 567 display windows out front
• Ran an existing cable through pipe and attached it to the wall (like it was supposed to be months ago)
• Searched 3 storage rooms for a can of stain
• Met with an elder to discuss hiring
• Met with an attorney to sign IRS paperwork
• Emails back and forth with an attorney re immigration paperwork for a possible hire
• Phone calls back and forth with an attorney regarding an alley easement
• Phone call with local artist regarding art at the 567 and developing as an Art Center

Some things never change...

³⁵And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

³⁶When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

³⁸therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

10 results from the first 10 Experiment

In order of how they came to mind:

1. A check for $100 was given to The Macon Rescue Mission from Killian's Cafe. (That's a picture of the official check giving!)

2. Around $750 was given out to participants who met their matches in the Macon Money game during the 3 hour period. This was a great addition to a great day.

3. Almost $150 of that Macon Money was spent right there in Killian's that morning.

4. The day presented a great introduction opportunity - A really high percentage of the day's participants had NEVER been in Killian's.

5. The owner of Killian's told me that the numbers generated in three hours were equivalent to sometimes three days.

6. Greg, the owner of Killian's says that he seeing repeat business from the 10 Experiment's patrons.

7. Fox 24's Michelle Apon is working on a story that covers the day of the event, the day of the check to the Salvation Army, and the next event, giving great coverage of not only the event but downtown as well.

8. We had a great number of Mercer University students who turned out to support 10 and Killian's. For years people have been working to help mercer students connect with downtown for more than a night of drinking.

9. New social connections were made. Props to Macon Money's contribution here. Matching up game pieces meant matching up people - often people who had never met before! New faces, new conversations, new friendships.

10. A lot of fun happened. People waited in line for 30 minutes sometimes just to get a cup of coffee - and they did so happily! People talked, people laughed, people played Macon Money and were genuinely excited to take part in the day.

11. And a bonus - I think Greg, the owner of Killian's lost 10 pounds from working such a fast and furious pace! this was a benefit that we had not anticipated.

The Experiment - Amazing Day

Below is a copy of a quick email I sent about today's 10 Experiment... great day... fun... new people... amazing

Gene,
The 10 Experiment took place today – check it out on facebook if you haven't already - http://www.facebook.com/The10Experiment . We met at Killian’s Place – the coffee shop. During the 3 hours of 10 (10am-1pm) the place stayed packed! People waited in line for 30 minutes at a time for a cup of coffee – socializing, playing Macon Money, meeting new people. It was great! Michelle Apon from Fox 24 was there to do a story – they shot some video, she interviewed several people, even participated in Macon Money and 10!

Killian’s promised 10% of sales during the 3 hours to The Macon Rescue Mission – raised $100 for them – That’s $1,000 worth of coffee and stuff in 3 hours – not bad!

Another great thing about the day was that the vast majority of people there had NEVER been there before! Killians will enjoy a lot of repeat business and I guarantee you people will be talking about the 10 experiment for days and weeks! Businesses and non-profs are already asking how they can be a part.

This was a HUGE success.

Keith

The 10 Experiment - Already Fun

It looks like The 10 Experiment is taking off! There seems to be a LOT of chatter on our primary means of promoting 10e - Facebook... and it is turning out to be pretty fun. New City Church decided to help bring a crowd by giving 20 people a $5 gift certificate to Killian's Place. The response was great! New City and non-New City people saw the offer and jumped on board! The 20 gift certificates went fast and having people post on my status to get one was great... I have already made some new friends - people I will meet face to face on Thursday!

One of my new friends is Michelle Apon (That's her picture). Michelle is a meteorologist for Fox 24, a local TV station. She heard about 10e from a roommate. Not only is Michelle coming to see what's going on for a news story, but she is also shopping at Killian's Place as part of The 10 Experiment. Now - Michelle, give us a hand with the weather on Thursday and it should be an amazing day!

I'll post Michelle's report when we see it.

The 10 Experiment - With and For Our City

I saw a video at http://www.carrotmob.org/ - cool idea. My mind began to churn - we could do that here, but with our own spin, I thought. So I shared the idea - and it is about to happen as 10e - The 10 experiment! Watch the video - then check us out on FB - http://www.facebook.com/The10Experiment

The 10 experiment will:

1) Help Support Our Downtown Businesses

2) Help Support Non-Profits Working For the Good of Downtown

3) Socially Bring A Diversity of People Together as a Force For the Good of Downtown

It will also serve to show our city that New City Church downtown is serious about being With and For Our City! I cannot wait to see the doors this one will open to us and to the gospel through our love for the city.

* Since before our first day, New City Church has talked about being a church who is "with and for our city." We have done more than talk: we have volunteered in great number at festivals and downtown clean up days. We have attended downtown events in force, and we have recently adopted the downtown elementary school with the goal of making it Macon's most desired school. New City people dine downtown, shop downtown, and live downtown - all very intentionally with the goal of seeing the transformation our city.

Thy Kingdom Come

I am preaching Mark 1:14-15 this week: ¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Jesus proclaims the presence of the kingdom. I was reminded of this old post regarding a conversation with a friend about the kingdom and New City Church...

____________________________

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."