Becoming more Prophetic

Have you ever driven through a neighborhood with an intense burden to pray for it?

Maybe decided to have church right next to it and try to explain the coincidence away that it is called the sanctuary?

Walked through the same neighborhood at night, passing out invitations, because it would be too hot during the day?

Wondered if you were still where you were supposed to be?

I did all these things. Today I was invited to watch football with a young family that lives there. She's from Socal. They have two kids. He works in the small package delivery business, some company called UPS. She's a beauty college student, same school as my wife. Coincidence? Maybe. But, I don't think so.

Today, I am once again hopeful.

Anybody else down with being a relational/contextual missionary in the suburbs?

Catching Up with Family... What do you love about your church?

Hung out with the old Spoons on Friday. Caught up with bro-in-law J.P. and his girlfriend on Saturday. Had an intervention meeting with cousin Matt on Sunday. Wonder who I'll see today.

So in my recent series of questions about church, there have been alot of "things that shouldn't matter but do" (like including the word valley in your church name). Today's question is more meaningful and positive. What do you love about your church? Is it the pastor's speaking? the really cool name? the correct doctrinal statement? the events? your small group? the coffee shop in the foyer? the kids program? the friendly parking attendants? Besides "feeling called" and "being committed", what keeps you where you are?

I apologize to those who don't currently have a "home church" or who are pursuing fellowship in less traditional means. I would be interested in your thoughts as well. What do you think folks desire as far as a community of faith?

Here is what I love about my church...
On Sunday Matt was dropped off at my church at 1:03PM ( I happened to glance at my phone). Church had been out for about a half hour and many people were lingering, visiting with each other, making lunch plans, etc. Matt and I got in the van and headed out to pick up some diapers and lunch. While we were at Super Target picking up diapers we ran into a family who are a part of our church. After normal chit chat, inviting their middle schooler to our September events and hearing about there soon to be born grand daughter we moved on to the infant/toddler section. After debating the cost difference between the 29 pack and the 44 pack, moving to the counter, paying and heading to the car, I was given a huge unsuspecting hug from Alberto, a boy in my son's class at church. I waved to his folks and exited the store. On our way to get lunch, I was sitting at a light across from a young couple in our church I had the priveledge of marrying. I waved to them and turned right. We went to the drive through at Del Taco to grab lunch which took a long time. Sitting in the drive through allowed some subsational time for Matt to really fill me in on some of the circumstances he is facing. Things were getting fairly intense when he says "Do you know those people, becuase I think they know you." I look over to see four young adults from our church making faces and waving from inside the restaurant. I did my best to introduce evryone through the window, got our food, and dropped diapers and lunch off at the house before taking Matt to my office.

At one point in our conversation, Matt says. "I just think life should be about relationships." I said "I agree, but the most important relationship is with our creator. In fact Christianity is supposed to be all about relationship." We talked about some of the foundational differences between Christianity and some other faiths. Finally Matt says, "I see that here." I asked what he meant and he says. "Ever since I got here, Everyone has been waving to you!"

Pray ( if you're the praying type) that Matt finds more helpful meaningful relationships. And feel free to leave your own thoughts. What do you love about your church?

Compartmentalized

I recently have expressed to several loved ones my desire for my life to be less compartmentalized. I'm not sure what this might look like but I'm sure it would include more grace and further understanding. For example, folks at church might understand my need to find friends outside the church. My friends outside the church might understand why I love serving such a beautiful group of culturally peculiar people. Folks I serve with as a staff might understand that the time I spend chillin with my brother or taking rest is spiritually important and good. My family might understand that I am different than their pre-conceived mis-conceptions about the "church". It is these same feelings that have caused some of these same loved ones to seek dramatic changes in their life and vocations.

As I have processed through this some, I realize that at one point, my life used to be like that. me, my wife, our families, my church, my friends, my ministry were all trapped in a fairly traditional, fundamentalist, Bible thumping, non-smoking, non-drinking, generally abstaining from all appearances of evil, bubble. It wasn't all that great.

I'm thankful for the tension and also the diversity of relationships that are present in and shaping my life at this moment.
Yesterday I started my morning at a typical greasy spoon "Kountry" diner for a hearty breakfast and good conversation with Journeyman. We discussed some shared sufferings, longings, and experience in what I call "the joys of second chair leadership". I felt a divine confirmation that I need to be in Minnesota next spring, maybe for a week or two longer than I originally planned.
The yumminess continued as I met a friend for drinks at Mickey D's. Yes, the Ronald Mc Donald Place. There was a Starbucks across the street, but we settled for some McFlurry goodness. My favorite wells fargo banker, Paul (not his real name) has a real passion for Apologetics, (and also Apologetix). Paul is fulfilling some essential leadership roles at our church as a volunteer and is longing for the glorious days of vocational ministry. I keep trying to tell him that "vocational ministry" is not always all it's cracked up to be. I mean, I think it's the best job in the world. But certainly enough of my friends are pursuing exit plans so they can pursue ministry with out the constraints and expectations that come with being part of a "church staff"... and I totally understand why they would do that.
From there I had some great phone conversations with some of my compadres about summer camps. Our speaker, I have not yet met in person, is growing on me as we have more phone conversations together. He lives in Baltimore. I then visited and prayed with one of the greatest pre-school teachers in the world. She had major surgery this week and she is one of the reasons I love serving such a culturally peculiar group of people. I thought she was peculiar before, but after seeing her on drugs? I'm convinced.
I then went to deliver a Sourdough Jack to my bro, and favorite pizza delivery man. We opened the bag and were disappointed to find no sourdough jack. Why does that always happen to me? We had a nice lunch and visit. I again am so thankful for this season of having Tim close by.
I got back to church in time to put together a lesson for our evening student gathering. We used Steve Case's Book of Uncommon Prayer and had a fairly liturgical, student led service, outside, celebrating the arrival of summer. It was a little weird, but wonderful all the same. I ended the evening with my favorite person. My wife, cafe con leche, and our green couch. It was a pretty good day.

The day before included equally as meaningful conversations with an Indonesian missionary, Wisconsin worship leader, Californian church planter and Arizonian English teacher. Did I mention how much I appreciate the diversity of meaningful relationships in my life right now? It's been good.