Lest you be confused by the previous post, I can't wait until Heather gets home. 2 hours and counting. I am worn out. The girls are really excited as well that she's coming home.
The weekend has included the following:
Dunkin Donuts (2x)
Mellow Mushroom
Qudoba
Shane's Barbeque
Chik-Fil-A
...and one large energy drink for me (thanks to Brian).
Having taken care of the kids all weekend and taught the 1st-5th graders at CrossPointe this morning, I was reminded of this quote I have posted before. I think it is quite profound...obviously not from me:
Interestingly, “growing up” is largely a matter of learning to hide our spirit behind our face, eyes, and language so that we can evade and manage others to achieve what we want and avoid what we fear. By contrast, the child’s face is a constant epiphany because it doesn’t yet know how to do this. It cannot manage its face. This is also true of adults in moments of great feeling—which is one reason why feeling is both greatly treasured and greatly feared.
Those who have attained considerable spiritual stature are frequently noted for their “childlikeness.” What this really means is that they do not use their face and body to hide their spiritual reality. In their body they are genuinely present to those around them. That is a great spiritual attainment or gift.
The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard, p. 76
This week has been quite eventful and encouraging as I've had the opportunity to connect with several leaders in Orlando regarding church planting. It started off on Monday night at the Vision 360 dinner. This was the first time Heather and I got to connect with the staff and board members of our sending network. This truly is a movement of God in our city and around the world. Can't even put into words the Kingdom heart that these people have--they are so enthusiastic about church planting. As we heard stories and got a further glimpse of the vision, I had this overwhelming sense that I have no idea what I've stumbled into. This thing is so much bigger than our church plant. It was obvious to me that God has put us here and that it has nothing to do with my planning or skill. It is simply His gift and His grace.
Then Wednesday I got the opportunity to connect with a pastor named Jason Dukes. Jason pastors Westpoint Church. Just love that God keeps allowing me to connect with like-minded leaders who share a vision for our city--I have much to learn from all of these people. The reason for the meeting was to find out about a very intriguing coffeehouse concept Jason and his church pioneered. They want to be intentional about being missional and creating points of intersection with the culture. To that end they started House Blend Cafe. It is their pilot location and they hope to spread the concept into other contexts. Well if you take the time to link over to the House Blend Cafe site you will read about an idea that resonates with me because it is one of my hopes for the Winter Park area. Once I stumbled upon their website I just had to connect with whoever was behind this. My meeting did not disappoint. I'll keep you posted, but this is what I want to see happen in our context. I love the idea of resources, building, etc. being a reflection of a church's desire to live missionally. It's a very creative and practical expression of how the church is not something one attends on a Sunday morning.
If you're in the Orlando area, and you want to talk more about any of this, I'd love to connect. Shoot me an email at jamierhart@gmail.com The information site for the church plant should be live in a few days. I'll let you know when it's ready to go. It'll give you more information about the vision and mission of the church plant and how you can get connected and partner with us.
Getting my blogging in now, as Heather departs for St. Louis (gone until Sunday night) in a few short hours--which means dad is flying solo with the 2 kids! Mellow Mushroom and Dunkin Donuts here we come, but probably not much time for blogging. Hopefully you'll hear from me early next week...if I survive.
You have no idea how excited I was when I saw a tour update on David Wilcox's website declaring that he will be playing in Florida! Of course I already have my tickets, and you should get yours. It's a great, but small venue called Cafe' 11 in St. Augustine. Can't wait. If you've never heard him you should definitely check out his music (which you can get on iTunes).
Was also excited to find a podcast interview with Wilcox. The link is here. Started listening to it and very good thus far.
The new book from the Fermi Project called unchristian. Check out the videos below for more information behind the book and the motivation for the project.
The second is the latest David Crowder Band offering, Remedy. Get it on iTunes here.
The past few days have afforded me the opportunity to see things from a new or fresh perspective. Here are the two anecdotes...
One happened on Friday night when we returned home from our vacation to Boone, NC. As the twelve hour drive came to a close, and we started hitting some of the familiar streets of Winter Park and our neighborhood, I found myself seeing the area with new eyes. I really like our area. Granted, there are no mountains, and a few months of the year it is crazy hot, but all in all I like it. I like that being away brings a refreshed perspective. I like winding back to our neighborhood. I see more character here than I sometimes realize. It's a pretty cool place. It gets me excited about church planting here. The area has much to offer and much potential. I've also recently re-discovered an old college band cd that offers the following line in one of their songs:
Sure there are many places much prettier than this
With mountain streams and glaciers
But I've got the sun, the moon, and the stars
And the one thing I know...He put me here.
Not a bad way to view things.
The second moment happened yesterday at CrossPointe. Chan was preaching on faithfulness and the idea that it is closely related to integrity. To have integrity is to be undivided. Not compartmentalized. To be whole. For whatever reason, as we got ready to take communion (which we do every week at CrossPointe--big fan of that), these thoughts returned as I looked upon the broken pieces of bread. There in that basket of broken bread was this wonderfully counter-intuitive and subversive message...through the broken body of Jesus I am made whole. I can live an undivided, whole life. I am invited in. Somehow, in some way I don't completely understand, Jesus is broken and I get healed and put back together again. In that moment all seemed right in the world.
I am thankful that God gives these moments. I know the feelings and the perspective won't always be there, but I am glad when they do occur.
Link: Are Church Plants the most Effective form of Evangelism?.
Great post from a great blog. Helpful insights for both plants and established churches.
For whatever reason I have never been a great prayer-er. I’m not exactly sure why. Maybe I don’t always believe it will work. Maybe my mind wanders so much it is not effective. Maybe I find it boring at times. Not sure where to pin-point it exactly, but it has been something as of late I have made an effort to get better at. So I’m trying to build in some routines. Some ways to keep my mind and heart focused. To actually give some space to cultivate a better prayer life. Some days have been better than others, but all in all it’s been good to be more intentional.
All of that to say I’m no where near my 3 year old...she knows how to pray and is not afraid to ask for prayer. She just does it spontaneously, regardless of who is around. Like today, on the trail, after she had wiped out, she asked for prayer from Heather. She seems to know that she needed it and believed it would do something. Not to mention the people that were hiking all around, and the fact that I would be too embarrassed to ask for prayer.
Then about 30 minutes ago, with Mackinley wailing and unwilling to settle in for her nap, Sydnie ran up to me and said “Dad, we should pray for Mackie.” So she did. She asked God to help her calm down and get a good nap. 2 minutes later not a peep was heard from Mackinley.
Ah, to believe like a child. I have much to learn in this area, but I am grateful I have a three year old to help show me the way.
For the masses of people that would want to see it, below is the video footage from my licensing at CrossPointe.
Finally a victory. Not sure how much it means, but at least its a
start. I won't be sporting my Michigan stuff though as I'm currently
in Boone, NC--home of Appalachian State in case you didn't know. Well
here's hoping Michigan can upset Penn State next week.
This past Sunday was pretty cool as I was licensed as a pastor by CrossPointe. Though this doesn't necessarily change much functionally that I do, it did come with a good exhortation...Chan (the lead pastor) read from 1 Timothy before the elders laid hands on me and prayed. I am posting the text below, as it is something I don't want to forget.
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
--1 Timothy 4:9-16
This is a weighty challenge. I am thankful that I don't have to do it in my strength. It was a reminder of my continual need for the Gospel.
Dear Friends and Family,
It’s hard to believe it’s September already. August was a definite whirlwind, but one that was very encouraging for us. On a daily basis, we feel confirmed that God has us in the right place as we prepare to plant the church He has called us to plant. Thanks for partnering with us in this great adventure. You are investing in a new work that is seeking to extend the rule and reign of King Jesus in our city! We are grateful for your generosity.
Well the planning has begun. The apprenticeship is in full swing as the past few weeks have been spent praying and dreaming up what God would have us be about.
Though it is still very much a work in progress, a vision is beginning
to solidify. The mission is becoming clearer. Core values are taking
root in our hearts. Though much of the work has been conceptual thus
far, it has been challenging. We have received some wise counsel
regarding the importance of this stage. What is being written down,
discussed, edited, etc. will instill the “DNA” of the church plant.
Please pray for wisdom and that we would listen to God’s leading. The
next few weeks will focus on defining the discipleship process and
church structure. We want to architect this well and would appreciate
your prayers in this regard.
Additionally, we will be starting a neighborhood Bible study around the
first week of October. Please pray that people in our neighborhood
would be receptive to participating and that the Gospel would take root
more deeply in all of our lives. We are thankful that we have been
able to connect more intentionally over the past few weeks with many in
our neighborhood over a shared meal at our house.
We hope to have a website up and going soon that can provide you with
additional information and more content regarding the specifics of the
vision and mission. In the meantime, feel free to check out the family
blog at http://jamiehart.typepad.com You can read what has been on
Jamie’s mind or just look at pictures of the kids (probably the more
interesting option).
Hope all is well with you. Please email or call if there’s anything
you’d like to discuss or ways we can help or pray for you. Thanks
again for your sacrificial support!
May the Peace of Christ Be With You,
Jamie & Heather
At the end of this post you will find a link where you can download a very thought provoking article from Gabe Lyons of the Fermi Project. It's long, but well worth the read. You're welcome to just skip my thoughts and read the article, but for what it's worth...
I resonate with so much of the article. The idea that the church should reclaim it's voice and influence in culture, rather than create a freakish sub-culture is beautiful. I can't possibly over-emphasize how much I want this type of mindset to permeate the church plant. I hope the church has an influence beyond simply people "getting saved"--as important as this is and needs to be emphasized. As Christ followers we should be agents of change, working in a winsome and creative manner to allow the Kingdom of God to be more fully known and experienced. I also love that the article makes it clear that "real ministry" is not exclusive to those who vocationally work for a church, etc. If I had a different vocation, I would want desperately to participate in a Christian community that encourages me to influence the vocational sphere God has put me in...believing that it is not by chance, but rather strategic.
Is this all leading to a big "but"??? Sort of. For me, I just need to hold the idea of influencing influencers in check. I need to make sure I don't just spend time with people with some cultural sway. I also need to spend time with those who (from a human perspective) don't have much leverage. People who may never be on the cutting edge. People who are marginalized. People who are overlooked. People that Jesus seems to have spent time with.
It'll be a tricky balance, but one I hope the church plant can work towards. Being both strategic and intentional without losing love and compassion. I think the most helpful thing is a fresh dose of reality, as I realize that I was not chosen by God because of my influence, etc. There is nothing special about me, but yet God "stooped down to my level"--I guess it just comes back to living in light of the Gospel and not making this an either/or situation.
Download influencing_culture.pdf
Why am I not even surprised? So is the plight of the Michigan fan.
Terrible.
