Infusion Conference Reflections

Yesterday, I posted that I would be attending an Infusion Conference this weekend. I did so last night and this morning with 5 others from CCF. The experience was helpful on many levels. My reflections are not all positive, but I have elected to share them anyway (although I realize the risk in sharing negatively online). Here are some of my responses to the event listed randomly. When I refer to the speakers, am referring to Frank Viola and Alan Levine. You may remember Frank Viola as the author of Pagan Christianity, which I posted several blogs on. Here goes:

• The speakers are wounded and hurt by their past church experiences (as long as 25 years ago) and it comes out in their sharing very strongly. That saddened me for them.
• This event felt (to me) like a platform for two men who are angry at organized church to share their frustration with a room full of people that feel the same. The bitterness I sensed in the room didn't feel God glorifying (and maybe I am no better for writing that here).
• Their books are flying off the shelves because people are finding language for their frustration with church...but they are also finding excuses to drop out of church and feel justified in it. So, while I deeply appreciate someone like Frank writing the tough (even true) stuff that he does, it is being broadly misused (whether he likes it or not).
• This experience seemed to confirm that "traditional house church" is not for me any more than "traditional institutional church" is. I really don't think that spending 6 years with the same 6 people cuts it...on many levels.
• I am more convinced now than I have ever been that there are gifts, strengths and beauty in every color, taste, style and size of church....that are all needed in the body of Christ! Additionally, I think that we are nearing a time when we will discover some form of hybrid model of institutional/simple/house church that takes us to a new place and I am excited to be a part of finding and living it.
• The final thing that this weekend showed me was this: For those of us that feel called to rethink, reimagine, and explore something new and different, the best thing that we can do is to keep a Jesus heart...gracious, humble, gentle, teachable, attuned to the Father and the Spirit! If we think we are better, we may end up bitter.

And what is the point of it all?

JESUS transforming people so they will worship and love him!

Welcome your comments and questions. There was so much more I could have said.

Infusion Event

I am about to head out to a conference called Infusion. It is tonight and tomorrow in Arlington, VA. The event is a two day conference centered around the missional/organic church stuff. A few authors whose work I have read and some cool leaders will be on tap. I am especially looking forward to hearing Frank Viola, Author of "Pagan Christianity" and "Reimagining Church." I will tweet my learnings and blog later about any rich highlights. We shall see...

Peace!

Noah

Lengtheners & Strengtheners

While listening to Larry Kreider teach last week, he shared this idea...

Almost every leader in the church is either a lengthener or a strengthener.

Lengtheners are always thinking out, beyond, bigger, better and more. They are broadening and enlarging the Kingdom of God. Lengtheners are typically visionaries, apostles and evangelists. Quantity moves them. They appreciate quality, but their gift to the kingdom is typically quantity increase.

Strengtheners are focussed on deepening, growing with and improving what we have! They are intent on deepening and strengthening the Kingdom of God. The are paying attention to who is right in front of us, not who is yet to be reached. Strengtheners are typically teachers and pastors/shepherds. We actually mislabel "Pastors" all the time.

What do you think of this? Which one are you?

Weight Loss for Missions. Week 2 Results.

Two weeks ago I started a journey to lose weight before leaving for South Africa. CLICK HERE to read all about it.

I asked people to sponsor and support me in the journey. Well, here is the two week update.

This week I lost 3 more pounds for a total of 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I am a tad disappointed because of how hard I am working, but I know that I am on the right track.

Also, pledges and commitments have increased this week and are now totaling $44.30 a pound! Kids have even joined in at $0.05 and $0.25 a pound! So cool!

I am still looking for people who want to partner with me either because you love me, want me to lose weight, have a passion for mission, share in our call and vision, or any other reason under the sun. We have a budget to raise in the next 6 months, and this is one of the many ways we will do it.

Please email, FB, comment, call, or text if you can support me.

Thank you and love you!

Introducing the New CCF Director of Children's Ministry...

Last week we made the hire and Sunday we announced to the church that we have selected Charlie Benjamin as our next Director of Children's Ministry at CCF. We are thoroughly excited about this selection.

Charlie joins us with many years of faithful and stable commitment to her church and her ministry of teaching. She worshipped and Grace Brethren Church in Lanham for the last 16 years and served as a teacher at Berwyn Christian School for the last 9 years. She is married to Mike and they have two sons, James and David.

She will be replacing my lovely wife and overseeing Capi's Babies, Capi's Kids, Club 56, AWANA, VBS and every other thing that has to do with birth to 6th grade at CCF.

Several CCF Partners have known Charlie for many years and worked alongside her in ministry, making us all the more excited about inviting her onto the team! I believe that we are in for a real treat as she ministers among us.

Be sure to welcome her aboard and find ways to get to know Charlie and the Benjamin family. She will join the staff on August 15. Tricia's last day on Staff will be August 31.

Account at EMM

We are official and have an account opened at Eastern Mennonite Missions! For all of you waiting to start sending money, mail it to:

Easter Mennonite Mission
PO Box 458
Salunga, PA 17538

(Vision packets will be in the mail soon!)

Beware of the Migratory Flock

While hearing Larry Kreider teach yesterday, I was impacted by several things that he shared. I will be posting a few of them in some upcoming posts. This is one...

He introduced me to a term I had not heard before (but a problem that I am far too familiar with).

The Term: Migratory Flock!

The Definition: People that move/migrate from flock (church) to flock (church). When they arrive at your church, they tell you how terrible their last church was. Then, slowly, they will try to influence you to change your church to become what they want it to be. Then, give it about two years, and your church will become the "terrible church" they left! That is how they roll. That's the pattern of the migrating flock.

The best thing that you can do is to encourage them to "sense the Lord's leading to a different church" than yours. And stay the course on the vision God has given you.

Also, beware of the "local-church-flavor-of-the-month-seekers." There are plenty of folks that hop around to whatever is the current popular flavor. Remember, God is at work using all kinds of flavors!!

Preach, Preacher!

Preaching is an interesting calling. Still not sure I have ever preached. I think I teach...and then accidentally preach sometimes. Anyway...while, preparing to "talk" last Sunday, I had an epiphany.

It seems to me that preaching usually goes something like this: Read a text. Then talk and yell and persuade and joke and talk and share about your point(s). And hope people are blessed and pushed toward God. The end. It just SEEMS (and I am guilty too) that the text is the intro and the rest of the talking is the preaching.

As I have preached this series on Colossians this month, the Lord has been showing me that the Bible can preach!!! Without my help! I can read it and let it do it's thing by the Power of the Spirit. It felt good this week to just let the Bible preach instead of me.

After all, what Pastor could ever preach a single sermon on Sexual Immorality, Impurity, Lust, Evil Desires, Greed, Idolatry, Anger, Rage, Slander, Malicious Behavior, Dirty Language, Lying, Mercy, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, Love, and Peace. The Apostle Paul did on Sunday at CCF--Colossians 3!

Preach the word!

Weight Loss for Missions. Week 1 Results.

Last Tuesday I started a journey to lose weight before leaving for South Africa. CLICK HERE to read all about it.

I asked people to sponsor and support me in the journey. Today, I want to give a one week update.

I weighed in this morning and in this first week, I lost 12 pounds!

Also, since announcing this last week, I have received pledges totaling $33.30 a pound! Kids have even joined in at $0.05 and $0.25 a pound! So cool!

I am looking for people who want to partner with me either because you love me, want me to lose weight, have a passion for mission, share in our call and vision, or any other reason under the sun. We have a budget to raise in the next 6 months, and this is one of the many ways we will do it.

Please email, FB, comment, call, or text if you can support me.

Thank you and love you!

Monkey Town

A friend of mine and fellow board member is reading a book right now entitle "Evolving in Monkey Town." He sent me this summary/excerpt from the book this morning and it really, really, struck me as profound. I WILL be reading this book, but wanted to share just this section with you. It's too good to sit on.

"With the best of intentions, the generation before mine worked diligently to prepare their children to make an intelligent case for Christianity. We were constantly reminded of the superiority of our own worldview and the shortcomings of all the others. We learned that as Christians, we alone had access to absolute truth and could win any argument. The appropriate Bible verses were picked out for us, the opposing positions summarized for us, and the best responses articulated for us, so that we wouldn't have to struggle through two thousand years of theological deliberations and debates but could get right to the bottom line on the important stuff: the deity of Christ, the nature of the Trinity, the role and interpretation of Scripture, and the fundamentals of Christianity. As a result, many of us entered the world with both an unparalleled level of conviction and a crippling lack of curiosity. So ready with the answers, we didn't know what the questions were anymore. So prepared to defend the faith, we missed the thrill of discovering for ourselves. So convinced we had God right, it never occurred to us that we might be wrong. In short, we never learned to doubt."

Jeff Rosinski

I am asking prayer for the Rosinki & Treat families. A college friend of mine, Jeff died suddenly when he fell while hiking in the Rocky Mountains in CO. He leaves behind a wife with two small children and a world of people mourning his sudden loss. He was an Associate Pastor at his father's church in RI.

______________

Here is the communique Dr. Meyer just sent to the Valley Forge Christian College employees and Board of Trustees.

Good afternoon, friends.

I am writing this afternoon to share with you the sad news of the home going of Jeff Rosinski, a VFCC alum. Anna, Jeff’s sister and a VFCC graduate of the class of 2009, called me last evening with the news. Jeff, along with his brother Greg , and two of Greg’s friends were in Colorado where they were climbing Long’s Peak. Greg and his friends decided not to continue up the mountain but Jeff went on alone. Evidently he made it to the top and as he was on his way down the accident happened. The person who found him reported very high winds on the mountain which may have contributed to his fall.

How our hearts and love and prayer support go out to his wife, Molly (also a VFCC alum) and their two small children (ages 1 and 3) as well as their entire family. Some of you know Molly’s twin brother, Brady Treat (also a VFCC alum) who is on staff at Glad Tidings AG, Reading, PA. A memorial service is being planned later in the week in Rhode Island where Jeff’s family lives. (Friday at 11am)

May God’s great grace minister to all of them and to all of us at this most difficult time.

Missionary Support Team Formed

Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) has blessed and impressed us over the last several months...far beyond our expectations. It is obvious that they pay major attention to ensuring that we are prepared to live out our call. We have been through loads of paperwork and process in the last months. They have cared deeply about each step.

One of the things that EMM requires is that we form a Missionary Support Team (MST). This is a group of people with an interest in and love for a missionary, and they serve as a vital link between the missionary, the supporting home community, and EMM. The MST leads and walks with us through the discerning, fund raising and sending process with EMM.

There were like 50-100 people that we would have loved to ask, but we were limited in our selection. Here is our team:

1. Sadie- Chair
2. June- Co Chair
3. Ruth- Treasurer
4. Barbara- Prayer Coordinator (leads prayer network)
5. Lia- Child Advocate (always thinking of Davis)
6. Abiola & Jaye- Church Communicators & Newsletter Managers
7. Lacreshia- Small Group Representative
8. Nelson- Pastoral Rep and CCF Missions Overseer
9. Pam & Joe- Family Representatives
10. Harmony- Sister, Family Rep and Fundraising Event Planner
11. Tracy Wenzel- Friend
12. Paul- Local Pastor and Strategic Connections

The idea with this group aligns with the Ecclesiastes 4 concept that a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken. Here are the strands in this missions sending:

1. The Missionary (Noah, Tricia and Davis)
2. EMM (Missions Organization)
3. CCF (Spiritual Community)

We will meet approximately 1-2 times per month from now until we leave for South Africa, then they will meet without us after we leave. This team has already been wildly supportive! Amazingly humbled by the love we feel.

Just wanted to share how we are being cared for...

Anti-Independence

I know. The title is a tad odd and maybe even controversial without an explanation.

Something happened to me on July 4 (Independence Day). God spoke to me as I prepared to lead our service that day. I realized something very deeply...

I do not want to be independent! Go read the definition of that word. Frankly, as a follower of Jesus, you would be hard pressed to make a case for independence in the Bible. But, our country, our society, our surroundings seem to be in grand favor of such an ideal. God's word neither says nor implies that God helps those who help themselves. I know what people mean (I think), but the very idea of me standing strong and alone without the need or influence of others is not what I call comforting! Not in the least.

In fact, I feel totally dependent on God and others. Actually, right now, Tricia and I feel more dependent on others than we have ever felt before.

We NEED Jesus!

We NEED community and people!

And I am not ashamed to admit it.

At the very least, we long to be interdependent! Definition: When two or more things are dependent on each other. Now, that is what I am talking about! Interdependence is not Christian welfare. It is the joining of forces to defend the faith and fight the good fight.

Aspiring to independence caused Satan's fall from heaven, Adam and Eve's sin in the garden and a myriad of other messes throughout the Scriptures and in the lives of people around us. Be careful when you wish for independence!

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." -Eccles. 4:12

Weight Loss for Missions!!

Ok, here we go. This should be fun. Tonight, I am announcing a weight loss campaign that I am launching tomorrow!

I have been overweight most of my life. For the last 10-15 years I have kept between 275lbs-295lbs, up and down and up and down within that weight range. It is starting to matter to me more now than it used to. Preparing to go overseas just upped the ante again. I deal with some fear about weight being a hindrance in my calling. Enough about that...

Tomorrow I am launching out into a weight loss program and I want to include those of you that want to participate with me. As most of you know, we are also right now about to enter into a time of active fund raising for our missions assignment. So, I have decided to marry these two initiatives.

The Ask:

I am looking for people who will sponsor me a dollar amount per pound I lose and donate the money toward our calling.

I am welcoming people to do:

$1.00 per pound

$2.00 per pound

$5.00 per pound

$10.00 per pound

$50.00 per pound

$100.00 per pound

$1,000 per pound

...Or anything in between.

How to make your pledge...

• Email me your pledge amount
• Facebook Message me
• Leave a comment here
• Call me
• Text me

Your pledge will will be forwarded to our Missionary Support Team (MST) and they will contact you with further details regarding your contribution.

We leave for South Africa exactly 6 months from today. I want to lose substantial weight in the next 6 months and this is a cool way to involve others while inspiring me to action.

Today, July 11, 2010 I weigh 295 pounds. (I will try to grab one of those "before pictures" tonight or tomorrow.)

Thank you in advance for your support. If not financially, please pray I lose weight!

PS- Tricia is joining me in the weight loss part, just not the putting-your-stuff-out-there part!

At CCF in the next 2 weeks

Just wanted to take a moment to outline again what you can be looking forward to at CCF for in the next 2 weeks...

This morning: Mission to Mission Drive (CCF is located and the intersection of 193 and MISSION Drive)!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards to traffic at the intersection in front of the church.

[Cancelled due to rain]

Tomorrow, Sunday, July 11th- Colossians Message 2 and Partnership/Baptism Sunday.

Also tomorrow, Sunday, July 11 from 12pm-2pm: On Mission to Mission Drive!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards in front of the church. Take 2.

Next Saturday, July 17 from 8:45am-12pm: On Mission to Mission Drive!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards in front of the church. Take 3.

Next Sunday, July 18th in Worship- Colossians Message 3

Also next Sunday, July 18 from 12am-2pm: On Mission to Mission Drive!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards in front of the church. Take 4.

Running Sunday evening, July 18 through Friday, July 23-- VBS EVERY NIGHT!!! Workers and prayer still needed!

Friday, July 23rd at 6:30pm- AWESOME closing event for VBS! For people of all ages. Let's pack the house!

Sunday, July 25th in Worship- Colossians Message 4

Hope you are planing to be in attendance at most of this!!!

Insecurity and Jesus...

So many of us struggle with insecurity. Some of us are impacted and even controlled by what others think of us. It is so sad and oftentimes decreases our abilities and capabilities--especially for God.

But you know, Jesus had a very STRONG sense of SELF.

He KNEW that he was loved unconditionally by the Father (Mark 1:11).

He KNEW what he believed--and because of this he was able to communicate and walk with authority and security, not insecurity (Mark 1:22)!

His call and mission were sure. Because of that, he could confront the powers of darkness head on (Mark 2:17 & Luke 6:26).

He knew who HE was (Mark 14 & John 13).

Jesus knew who he was and where he had come from. He did not need to meet others expectations of him and he had no fear of what persons thought of him. Therefore, he could be a non anxious presence in tense situations and he could respond rather than react to conflict.

How might you work at being more like Jesus in this way?

Glad We Don't Know What's Next!

Yesterday, I was eating dinner with a leader that I have high respect for. This was a leader with a global heart and years of missions experience. We were at the table with others and I was asked this question...a question that we have been asked countless times:

"What are you doing after South Africa? When will you be back?"

The answer: We DO NOT KNOW! We will do whatever God says and go wherever he calls.

We both believe that...I think. But it is not easy. There are a million and one reasons why our controlling selves would like to know what is next and where all of this is headed, but we honestly don't know. All we know is that we have been called to leave where we are and move to Cape Town, South Africa to love people and plant churches. That needs to be enough for now.

Back to this leader and our conversation...when he listened to this conversation, he responded with a powerful insight that really connected into us. He said:

If you knew what was coming after you go to Cape Town, it would significantly decrease, dilute and maybe pollute the impact of this calling because you would be making all of your decisions through the lens of what you know is next instead of through faith in Christ for the unknown that lies ahead.

WOW!! Powerful As it stands, we are wide open. There's nothing on the calendar for 2013 and beyond. And I think God wants it that way!

A Powerful Prayer!

O ingenious God...
I rejoice in your creation,
and pray that your Spirit will touch me so deeply
that I will find a sense of self
which makes me glad to be who I am
and yet restless
at being anything less
than I can become.

Make me simple enough
not to be confused by disappointments,
clear enough
not to mistake busyness from freedom,
honest enough
not to expect truth to be painless,
brave enough
not to sing all my songs in private,
compassionate enough 
to get in trouble,
humble enough
to admit trouble and seek help,
joyful enough 
to celebrate all of it,
myself, others and you
through Christ Jesus our Lord.

From: Guerillas of Grace, Prayers for the Battle by Ted Loder  

CCF Summer Outreach Schedule

On Sunday, I presented an exciting and aggressive summer outreach plan. This summer will be quite full of opportunities to step out of your comfort zone, reach out, and make a difference. Here is the full list of what is ahead. CCF'rs- you can sign up for as many as possible at church this Sunday.

Friday, July 9th at 6:30pm- CCF Dinner and Family Night in the Upper Room (Potluck, bring a dish, bring a game, bring your family, and let's have some fun!)

Saturday, July 10 from 8:45am-12pm: Mission to Mission Drive (CCF is located and the intersection of 193 and MISSION Drive)!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards to traffic at the intersection in front of the church

Sunday, July 11th- Colossians Message 2 and Partnership/Baptism Sunday.

Sunday, July 11 from 12pm-2pm: On Mission to Mission Drive!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards in front of the church. Take 2.

Saturday, July 17 from 8:45am-12pm: On Mission to Mission Drive!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards in front of the church. Take 3.

Sunday, July 18th in Worship- Colossians Message 3

Sunday, July 18 from 12am-2pm: On Mission to Mission Drive!! Hand out free cold water and invite cards in front of the church. Take 4.

Sunday, July 18 through Friday, July 23-- VBS EVERY NIGHT!!! Workers and prayer still needed!

Friday, July 23rd at 6:30pm- AWESOME closing event for VBS! For people of all ages. Let's pack the house!

Sunday, July 25th in Worship- Colossians Message 4

July 25- August 25- Strong Intentional VBS Follow Up (Led by Tricia Kaye and Charlie Benjamin- let them know if you can assist.)

Sunday, August 1- Pastor Lew preaches and Communion Sunday

Saturday, August 7th 9am-12pm- Local Neighborhood Prayer Walk and Trash Pick Up (instruction, advice, trash bags, gloves and CCF Invite cards provided). Goal: serve people, pray for people and build local friends.

Sunday, August 8th- Pastor Noah preaches

August 13th at 6pm- CCF Dinner and Family Night. Spaghetti Dinner (pasta and sauce provided) bring salad or bread or drink or dessert, bring a game, bring your family, and let's chill!

Sunday, August 15th- Caleb preaches- Title: [Fanatic] What do you worship?

Sunday, August 22nd- Pastor Noah preaches

Sunday, August 29, 10am-1pm- Back to Church Sunday! (HUGE OUTDOOR EVENT, Short OUTDOOR worship worship service and Pig Roast or Chili Cook Off. This will be an in house event and local outreach.)

___________

As a church in transition, one of the greatest things we can do is get our focus off of ourselves and onto Jesus and others! If ever there was a time that partners need to step up and become the church, it is now. We invite you to bathe these things in prayer.

Hanging With Our New Tribe

Over the course of the last 5 months, Tricia and I have been through a variety of emotions. We have been slowly letting go of many different things and have been feeling quite alone at times...not because there is no one around, there are plenty of wonderful and loving people around us. The problem is that there are few people around who understand what we are feeling, who have felt these things and know what it is to go through leaving the country, family and friends and the whole range of missionary emotions.

Well, this week has already been a gift of grace! We are spending the week in the presence of other missions families from around the world. They know what we are feeling. They can put our feelings into words. They see it. They get it. They even know what may be down the road still and are helping prepare us. This is so life-giving to be here. One day in and I am already enriched beyond what I expected. And Davis is even getting to hang out all week with TCK's (third culture kids). So cool!

We are running with our new tribe for the first time and it feels good.

(This week is Eastern Mennonite Missions Oasis week. By the way, we have been THOROUGHLY impressed with EMM as an organization thus far.)

Forgive Us

Mom sent me this the other day and I thought it was pretty powerful!

Forgive them all, oh Lord
Our sins of omission and our sins of commission
The sins of our youth and the sins of our riper years
The sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies
Our secret and our more open sins
Sins of our ignorance and of surprise
And our more deliberate and presumptuous sins
The sins we have done to please ourselves and the sins we have done to please others
The sins we know and remember and the sins so forgotten.
The sins we have striven to hide from others and the sins by which we have made others offend
Forgive them, oh Lord forgive them all for His sake
Who died for our sins and rose for our justification
Christ Jesus our Lord!

Great leaders are great repenters!