New Determination

I noticed that I haven't written a blog for a while. The last one was on March 11th so... There are several reasons I can give you but they would be pretty lame. :-) The guys on staff still laugh at one of my comments around the lunch table, "I read a blog once." Writing and reading blogs are not a top priority for me but it needs to be.

Tracey and I were at a conference last week and received some greater, new determination from the Lord. The interesting thing is that the person who made the most impact at a time when we really needed it, lives right in our area. Mark Batterson shared some of the struggles he and his wife went through in starting a church. This was good for us because a person (me) can feel alone/unique in their circumstances. In my head, I know others have had many different trials that are similar and I needed to hear that...again. I was beginning to think "doors are shutting" but they weren't. I am caught in some things that only God can work out for us and it can be uncomfortable. It challenges my ability to trust and depend on Him. But when you think about it, why wouldn't I just trust and depend on Him? I am one of His children, right? On that fact alone, I am set, right? Though some things are not going as we had planned, we still have a church family who is behind us in all these efforts God has orchestrated. Pastor Stokes is still very encouraging to us in our efforts and we really have nothing to fear or dread.

It is interesting that while I am going through this, my Bible reading plan is taking me through the book of Joshua. Isn't that incredible! This is a guy taking on a big challenge of taking the promised land and needs the encouragement to "be strong and courageous." I need to hear that and have been hearing it during this entire trial. I just need to do it now. Which JUST DO IT, by the way, was the series our pastor just preached during the time we were going through this trial! Now I'm thinking...am I just stupid or what?!! (Don't answer that question out loud to me, please. Spare me a dignity...) So God has been speaking to me in many ways and I now see myself in a state of blessing and care throughout my trail.

So...what are my current trials I am determined to get through? Well, we went up to Burlington the first full week of April and found "the perfect house and church building." Seriously, they are beautiful! We talked to the realtor 3 times on the other side of the house deal and let him know our contract was coming. He told us the house has been vacant since February so no problem get it in next week. Then, we talked to a community center in Burlington that would rent to us but another church was looking to rent. I told the person to talk to that church to see if they wanted the space before we took it. She called them and they were only looking so I said, "Great, we want it and we want to be exclusive renters for Sunday mornings." She said I will send you the paper work and we are good to go. We got back into town and talked to our pastor and his wife on Tuesday morning about "all the great things God has done!" Then we submitted our paper work for everything. The VERY next day we lost the house (rented out on the weekend we returned) and the church (that other church came back and wanted to rent here too). What?!! We were so discouraged because we had everything set up so we just had to gather stuff and move up on June 5th. Now we have to figure this all out again and find time to get back up there in May. On top of that, the buyer on our home in VA bailed on Friday afternoon! This buyer was patiently waiting for the bank who had negotiated 3 times with them and coming back with more changes. This was very frustrating but we understand why the buyer walked. They had an offer on our home since October 2009 and enough is enough.

So...these are the circumstances we went with to the conference. Pastor and Karen were as loving and gracious as can be. They showed compassion and knew what we were going through because they have been through many trials too.

I went to the conference wondering what to expect. When Mark Batterson was the first up to share how they lost 2 homes and a place for their church to meet then God gave them National Church in Union Station, I was ready to listen and experience the conference...selfishly. I was looking for things for me and my wife to help us recommit. I got a chance to talk personally to Ed Stetzer and ask him the "what would you do?" question about our circumstances. (Different set of circumstances regarding starting a church without a team but my family.) Then, the conference ended with hearing Francis Chan talk about leaving one church he started to start another in the heart of LA. In the message, he shared a 4 min. testimony his wife gave at their goodbye service. This was very good for us and gave me a greater appreciation for what Tracey was feeling. The bottom line is Francis Chan came to the conclusion that God wanted him to plant this church though he is 40 and pretty set where he is. He came to realize that though he wanted to stay at Cornerstone, he could never again speak of obedience before his people because he was not obedient. At that point, we fell in complete surrender and submission once again to be obedient to our call.

Tracey and I have new determination! We are frustrated with our circumstances and ask God daily to reveal Himself so we can move forward. We know it will change and we need to trust. God is good and we wait for His answers.

Interestingly, as we continue through our trials, my Bible reading plan has me going through another book, the book of Job. Is this incredible or what?!! God gave me a verse last week that I had read over and over but now took root in my heart. "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) Reaching for the gold now! :-)

Seriously...what is REALLY important?

Ever have a conversation that just makes you so angry afterward that you want to punch a wall so as to not hurt the person you just talked to because deep inside you really love them but just think for a moment that they are super stupid and miss the whole point?!! Ever read a run on sentence longer than that one? ;-)

I am going to say straight up that there are a lot of things that go through your mind and a lot of plans in preparation for a church plant. The more I check off my list and evaluate my heart and motives for what I am doing and thinking, the more "narrow minded" I am becoming. I am asking a truck load of why questions to myself (and to Tracey when she is willing to hear them). I do not want to waste time focusing on anything but what is entirely essential in starting a church.

Two incredible thoughts are spinning around me from the last two Unleashed Conferences in Anderson, SC from the mouth of Perry Noble.

Last year Perry said, "If God has called you to start a church, get your Bible and go preach with fire! Grab some dude to help you who can play a guitar and make it happen!" This was very encouraging to me because THAT'S WHAT I THINK! This is not an excuse to be lazy or to dismiss anything creative or costly. Planting a church WILL COST no doubt about it. Nor is this an excuse to think small...I plan on 100 Canadians to help me kick this baby off the ground. This statement is one of focus. God called - I go! Plain a simple. I fully intend on building a large church to God's glory. Rick Warren said, "There is no sin in being small but there is in thinking small." I just need to focus narrowly enough to know that the call to go has real, significant power accompanied with the promise of God to be with me as I follow Him.

This past year, Perry Noble said that we did not have to study and follow all the steps of starting a church. If God called you to start a church, he will give you direction. (I paraphrased but this is the essence of what he said.) This is not an excuse for lack of preparation or gathering information and ideas. I readily admit that I don't know everything about what I am getting ready to do but I have a pastor, David R. Stokes, who has offered his help. He is becoming more dear to me on this journey. He has provided vision, finances, mentoring, and education to move forward. I am going to the Exponential Church Planters Conference and I know that I will grow. I will find out more stuff and ways to reach people than I ever knew before but at the end of the day, it is God and I who need to "run the ball down the field." God knows where I'm headed and what am am capable of and He care about me more than anyone. I know I can trust Him and find what is right in reaching people of the GTA.

Since I have started this journey to Toronto, I have had a few "nay sayers." Yep...they are there and have discouraged me at times even before I get to TO! I had a few preachers and a counselor tell me of many churches that have tried to start in the area I am going. They said that there were some pretty talented preachers and gifted people come up there only to fail. I had another guy tell me of a church in that area that preys on churches that have stared and failed...THAT'S NICE, RIGHT? :-) They told me the whole strategy. The bigger church befriends the pastor of the new work. As it struggles, the pastor would dissolve the church and have the congregation join the bigger church. The bigger church will hire the church planter then fire him after 6 - 8 months. If this isn't building a large church to the glory of God, I don't know what is?!! (read: very heavy, heavy, extremely heavy sarcastic remark) When I hear this stuff, I can't help but think I am either being warned of my fate or I'd better be so committed and stubborn that nothing will move me. I choose to believe the latter! I am NOT going up there to fail. One thing I have that other church planters going to Canada do not is that I know church life up there and I grew up there. I know the hardships ahead of me...and I am still going!

So, seriously! What is really important? The call, preaching the word with power, fervent prayer life, and worship that reveals God is present. I'm just that narrow minded to believe that works!

A Little somethin' somethin' about my dad...

So...if you follow me on facebook and/or twitter, you have noticed a lot of verses in Proverbs. I have posted them because they speak to my heart and give great wisdom and guidance to any who would hear them. As a matter of fact, Solomon said that in proverbs several times...and he was the main author!

A co-worker said to me yesterday, "So, you reading through the book of Proverbs Pastor Roy?" And as a matter of fact, I am. This book has always been my favorite. I cannot tell you how many times I have used its wisdom. Sometimes even in a negative way...like when someone doesn't follow through on a promise. I love using the proverb, "an unfaithful man is like a loose tooth or a foot out of joint!" Those people love it when I quote that verse to them! :-)

So...where did my love for Proverbs come from? Well, I grew up going to a small Christian School in Canada. My father was the principal, administrator, and eventually even the pastor of that church and school. He wore all 3 hats! Suffice to say, "grass did not grow under his feet." One thing he always led at school was the opening devotion and prayer with the staff and students. It was only 5 - 10 min. long and he always used passages from Proverbs. I remember sitting there and soaking in the verses and brief commentary saying to myself, I hope I can be that wise or gain enough wisdom to do the right thing all the time. Dad loves Proverbs and passed that love along to his oldest son and I would dare say to all who listened to him day after day. I love my father for passing along that wisdom and giving of his time to others. I pray I am passing wisdom along to my family and those around me.

If you are not gaining wisdom from Proverbs, start today. If you're thinking you'll pass on that one, let me give you one old Canadian expression..."Smarten up, eh!" a.k.a. don't be so stupid. :-)

Something about Tracey...

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and I spent it with my wife of 20 years. We actually got to spend the entire weekend together since our daughters were away for a weekend camping trip with the church youth group. I would like to say we had a whole bunch of things planned with a weekend filled with romantic, loving acts and thoughtful expressions but we didn't. :-)

Friday night we went out for wings, watched a movie from blockbuster, and watched the opening of the Olympics in Vancouver, BC (I mean the opening was in Vancouver not us, we were on the couch). Saturday, we had breakfast together, did a few things necessary to be ready for Sunday church services, took in an early dinner and movie (we went to see Wolfman not that the Valentine movie...), and home early for me to work on my role for Sunday. Sunday, we went to church, I ran home afterward to clean the house for prospective buyers while Tracey finished a project at church, then we went to Wendy's for lunch. (By the way, have you tried Wendy's bacon blue? If you like blue cheese, this is a good burger! I will order it with two beef patties instead of one next time but I digress.) Then, we got the kids from camp, ran a few errands and enjoyed dinner and the all star basketball game with a few friends.

For some couples, this may have been a very lame weekend and I would agree with them as far as activities and gifts go, but for us, it was a combination of what needed to be done, what we wanted to do, and a lot of just hanging together. After 20 years, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather just do stuff with. She is my friend, my love, my joy, and my everything (reference to our new favorite song by Micheal Buble).

Tracey is a great woman with a wealth of interests. She has a great sense of humor and drawing personality. These things drew me to her 20 years ago and I still find them attractive today. I pray God gives us many more Valentine's Days together!

So...did you spend Valentine's Day with someone that comfortable to be around? Is your relationship good/comfortable? This was a weekend to test things like that and make sure you are enjoying each other for who you are and who God placed in your life.

Now, will Valentine's Day always look like this for us? I sure hope not! :-) I would hope we are creative enough in our relationship to make the next one special in it's own way just as we have done (or not done) in the past. I just hope we are always connected enough to roll with whatever is right for us each year.

Welcome to my blog...

Welcome to my blog. I am thrilled that you have taken the time to read about what is happening in our ministry and what God is doing in our lives. My prayer is that this will be an uplifting experience each week for you and a reminder to pray for the Dowdy family and the Burlington Community Church of Burlington, Ontario.

We have been called by the Lord and commissioned through Pastor David R. Stokes and the Fair Oaks Church in Fairfax, Virginia. Though we are an autonomous, independent church, we have been blessed to have the support and guidance of a larger ministry. It was through God’s leading and preaching of Pastor Stokes that this ministry came into existence. Fair Oaks Church has been phenomenal in its support leading in the area of finances, short term missions, and potential church planting members. Because of Vision TO, our ministry in Canada, we are partnering with this ministry for combined future missions efforts.

Burlington Community Church proudly proclaims the work of Jesus Christ and Salvation through His name. We are committed to reaching out to the community and living our lives as a faithful testimony of the transforming power of Christ. We invite you to do the same!

Continue to follow this blog and comment as God leads you. I am happy you joined me in the conversations and pray they will be a blessing to you.

Do you have a fishbowl?

Roy asked me awhile ago to post here on his blog. Here's my last post from the Fair Oaks Arts blog http://fairoaksarts.blogspot.com/




“We are praying hard for everything going on for you guys in the coming year. We have a Toronto fund for our trip up there... I save all our change and the rebates I've been doing with my crazy couponing in a fish bowl. Silly, I know - but not only is that fish bowl of money on my kitchen counter a good saving tool (and of course home decor fashion statement), it's also a good reminder to pray daily for you guys b/c I think God is going to do amazing things through you.”

That’s an email from my friend Jill (re-printed with permission of course).
In less than 5 months, Roy & I are leaving the comfort of the familiar to step out in faith & start a church in Burlington, Ontario, just outside Toronto. On paper, not much of this makes sense. Who in their right mind would leave the security of a solid ministry with strong leader & talented team to start all this from scratch?

That doesn’t even consider the personal aspect. We have daughters – 16 & 14 - who are starting over with us. My biggest concern when Roy & I started praying about all this was how they would react. They were immediately on board & for me, that was further proof of it all being God led. It would take hours to tell you all the ways God has opened doors & given us direction. All the time He was working on me & Roy He was working on our kids as well. He was also giving Pastor Stokes direction. God’s timing is perfect.

Our families are very supportive. Even more humbling is the support we’ve received from friends like Jill. There’s no way I would even consider something like this if I didn’t believe the vision God planted in our hearts Roy’s ability to lead the work.
All of this brings me back to my question about security & comfort. This is well outside my comfort zone. What is God asking you to do that is outside your comfort zone?

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis

Do you have a fishbowl? How are you stepping out in faith to be part of something bigger than the every day? How are you demonstrating your faith to your kids? To your unsaved family & friends? God may never ask you to pack up your life & move your family to another country and start over. But He does expect you to be part of His work. He expects you to stretch outside your comfort zone. Get out of your routine, out of your rut.

Remember, as Vance Havner once said,
“A rut is just a grave with both ends kicked out.”

New Year - New Creation

It is hard to believe that we move to Toronto THIS YEAR! Please pray for the Dowdy family and our move. There are a lot of things to get ready. We are finishing up details for a website, getting radio lined up and trying to sell our home in an upside down economy.

I will tell you that we are ready to do what God would have us do. We are setting up the details with Pastor Stokes for Fair Oaks Church and others to be a part of this project. God has blessed us and we look forward to the future.

I will keep you posted on our progress and when we have launched our website. Until then...Keep praying!