Anyone out there?

I write blogs. Do people read them? It's funny how you get into a habit and encouraged to do so but wonder what good it is doing. As a church planter, it is instilled in us to use all the methods and communication vehicles of the times. Since blogging is one of those things, I do it. This is done purely out of habit because I am convinced, no one is reading this. My wife likes them but she kind of has to say that...you know, stroke the male ego...

So...you reading? Really? That would be exciting and I'd love to see your comment...

I preached about Gideon on Sunday and told our church of the importance of small things. (Like a comment on this blog is a small thing with huge impact for me.) Gideon took on the Midianites with 300 men! This was a small amount, small deal but it was huge! God wanted them to know that He was going to win the battle for them and Gideon needed to learn that as I am trying today. I get really frustrated sometimes because my efforts don't seem to go anywhere. I wonder if it is even worth it!

Then I remember...the little things mean a lot. I have a guy who is excited to play the guitar for our church. He told me on Sunday that he wished he had more time, money, anything else he could give. Another man in our church told me, "As long as you and Tracey are here, we'll keep coming." Yet another man in our church told me he loves coming because of how friendly everyone is and he and I have a Bible study together each week. One lady has been coming very faithfully and she is a huge example because she is the first to tithe in our church. All these things may seem little but for me, they are huge!

Any little things you can point to today that will make a difference for you? As I think through all the little things about BCC, I am recharged about my mission here. I am honored that anyone would even follow us on this mission. God is so good because He works! His might and power is revealed in the little things too...

Hey, maybe your comment could be about the little things you are doing that mean a lot for God! Now you even have a topic so... ;-)

There's a Wall There...

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach about the Walls of Jericho and the 1st city the Children of Israel were to conquer under Joshua's command. It is a great story and what I like about it is that it has the plan passed down to Joshua with a promise and then communicated through the rest of the people so everyone knew what was going on, what the outcome would be and what was their part in the process. It is a great story of biblical leadership and how leaders can keep their people focused and engaged in the process. As I leader, communication is needed but I know I leave details out. I am working very hard to communicating detailed information about who we are, where we are headed and what God has been telling me. Regardless of how things play out, we all face "the wall."

The first wall is the YOU/ME Wall. This is the wall of getting over ourselves. Yep, we can be very selfish and self centered leaving us a monumental wall to conquer. We allow doubt about ourselves to keep us from moving forward. We doubt plans, God, our abilities...you name it we have the capacity to doubt it. We also deal with our failures and never feel we are good enough or measure up. Then we can sometimes wallow around in disappointment. Things don't go the way we want them to so we become one big sucky baby (warning: Canadian Term). Pat Burns passed away this week after a long fight with cancer. He coached the Canadians, Leafs and Devils in his professional career and brought them all to victory. He had more wins than losses in his entire career. At the end of his life and tribute this past Saturday, he said, "Don't be sorry for me, I have had a good life." What strength, right?! He also told his children not to be sad because something ends but be proud of the fact that you were able to be a part of it.

The second wall is the RELATIONSHIP Wall. There is a lot here for this wall but with God's power, you can overcome. Too many times we guard ourselves because of fear. We simply become too afraid of new relationships, meeting others or witnessing. We fear rejection, intimidation and risk of getting too close to others. We fear that others may come to know too much about us and not like us. This fear causes us to not trust and put walls up to protect from times we may have become too close and gotten hurt by someone else. The relationship wall is a tough one!

The third and final wall is the GOD Wall. This one may take years to tear down. We live in a world that examines everything by experiences, attitudes or cause and effect. The problem with that is that God is bigger! He is bigger than my circumstances, my abilities and He requires my faith to make the walls crumble. Too many times we are eager to believe things about God based on our own human experiences and He never fits. He never will fit! Let this wall come down and experience how awesome and great He is. If we can do that, show faith and follow without growing weary, we will reap and see great and mighty things!

There is a wall there...are you conquering it?

The Blob

Ever watch the movie, The Blob? It is meant to scare you because it takes over everything. I enjoyed the movie as a kid but have experienced versions of it as an adult. For example, I alway get a kick out of Hank Hill from King of the Hill and the pot shots that show takes on "The Mega Mart" and how they are wiping out the small businesses. Big corporate banks have done the same! There are probably many examples we can point to. In a way, they are like The Blob because they grow and take over. In no time at all, they gain control and wipe out anything in their path.

Are there Blob churches? I thought about that this past week after a pastor friend of mine and I had dessert together with our wives. He mentioned a very aggressive growing church movement here in Canada that is coming into our area. He said, "I know as churches we are not in competition but..." I actually really like this church, the pastor and all the creative things they are doing. I even listen to this guy's podcasts. I know that when they roll into town it will be a big wave, many will attend their services and they will scoop up a lot of church people because of their fame. In a sense, very much a blob church.

I have no idea what the outcome of their presence will be. I met a great Pentecostal pastor here in town who has a great church and seeing people saved weekly. Last time I talked to him, they were baptizing 14 people! My heart just bursts in my chest when I hear this because I am excited for them and want to see that in my own ministry. 14 people baptized...that was my attendance last week!

When I think of that Pentecostal pastor, the pastor friend Tracey and I had dessert with, and The Blob Church, I begin to wonder why the 14 people we had on Sunday would even bother coming. To top it off, Tracey and I are going through a rough spell right now that is partly related to the huge sacrifices that had to be made to make any ground here in Burlington. Then I need to encourage myself because...if there are 14 that would follow us, THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE OUT THERE!

We won't be taken back by The Blob Church because we have nothing to lose. :-) As a matter of fact, we had a visitor from The Blob Church on our first Sunday. They liked me and the church but when I asked them to join the endeavor, they wanted Blob Church. They liked Blob Church preaching, programs, and the fact that they can go and sit. You can't do that at Burlington Community Church. As a matter of fact, pretty much everyone has to do something. There are a few still flying under the radar but not for long. Church plants take sacrifice...sacrifice Tracey and I were not aware of until we were in it. We have no reservations asking for people to sacrifice because we've already done that ourselves! Jesus put it this way, "Take up your cross, and follow Me."

I had several conversations with Christians from other churches who would have come to help me but wanted to give me a week or two of there time. They were even trying to calculate how they could serve in two churches at once. I am not asking the people to enjoy a comfortable time, or enjoy my preaching (though I hope my preaching is not completely boring!). I am asking them to die with me, and I told them so this past Sunday. I will have to reassure them next Sunday that I didn't mean like in a compound kind of way where everyone drinks Kool-Aide at the end. ;-)

The Blob movie never scared me as a kid and The Blob Church is not a threat as an adult. As a matter of fact, it is a Kingdom work that I pray will continue to grow and win many for Christ. My prayer is that God will send more to Burlington Community Church and allow His kingdom to grow in many unique and powerful ways through men and ministries surrendered to Him! The important thing is that we are on track with what God has called us to and not worry about Blob Church coming to town.

Refreshing

You know that verse in Proverbs that says, "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."? That was what this weekend was like. We had some friends up from Virginia (Mike & Brenda Zizolfo) and they were lots of fun and a big encouragement. We are so excited about our church, the people, and the cool things we are doing/trying to do. It was great to have a few from our home church up here to experience a church service with us and take in a few of the sights.

It was also great to work with friends we worked with in Virginia, and now again in Canada! The added voices and guitar really boosted our services. We really do not get artistic work out of our music right now so it was great to have a nice song before my message. We are usually a few songs, praying and message. We may incorporate a video but that is all we have for now.

We are always looking for guests to come up and just hang out with us. If you are up for that, email me asap!

Thanks again Mike and Brenda for coming to help us for a weekend!

Do you have an enemy?

It is interesting how God directs a person when in charge of praying for and guiding a church. As Burlington Community Church has been working through the series Epic, we stopped yesterday to talk of the epic battle in heaven when Satan and his angels were thrown out. It was kind of cool with yesterday being Halloween to have a creepy, scary story. Even bigger than the story is the fact that we face this enemy everyday of our walk in Christ. He is our accuser, author of evil, deceiver, liar and much more. We most of it...have a part 2 next week and I can't believe we had to cut short. I usually don't have that much to say! ;-)

We do have an enemy. His name is Satan and we must resist him and learn how to counter his attacks. We cover that this week, Nov. 7th. If you are in the Burlington area, stop in at 10:30 a.m. at the Tansely Woods Community Centre to check it out! More information on our website at www.burlingtoncommunitychurch.ca