The Day

Todd and I spent some good time this morning at Atlanta Bread Company (no link because I was displeased! We couldn't connect to the internet and they didn't have any outlets!). Anyways we did get some things accomplished. I was able to listen as Todd walked step by step through the process of the beginnings of Freedom Church until now. This was very educational for me! There is soooo much to think about, and it hasn't even launched yet! When J.R. asked me what I wanted to get out of this internship I told him that if I could walk away with the knowledge of where to start if one day I desired to plant a church I would be happy. Today was a big step in that process!
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PGA Tour Superstore

Last night my friend Dan and I, as well as Dan's Brother Kent, met to play some tennis but when dark clouds rolled we decided to head over to the PGA Tour Superstore. It truly is a superstore, this place was huge! They had an indoor court where you could play and try out almost any racket they sell! I played with the racket used by Andre Agassi, I like it!
They also had those really big tennis balls that say "U.S. Open" on them, I've always wanted one of those but thought it would be more appropriate to get one if I were to ever actually go to the U.S. Open.
We had a good time!!

Dan's Monster Serve

Good Word - Cont...

J.R. had a great quote/thought/challenge similar to what I was talking about in my last post...check it out here.

Recent Chewing

Although I am just now beginning to dabble my feet in church planting there have already been some challenges to my thinking. Mostly, these challenges are things that I have not thought much about and therefore do not have many preconceived ideas. (I just want to note: this is why I love reading, I love being challenged and love to learn. I must say, I am truly enjoying this summer and all the reading I get to do.)

I mentioned before, I am reading Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age by Ed Stetzer, a leading author on church planting, so I’m told. I have only read the first two chapters but I am really enjoying it so far. I just finished the second chapter entitled: Redeveloping a Missional Mind-set for North America. The chapter basically tackles the subject of tradition vs. technique, both are pitfalls. I was challenged to begin thinking biblically and practically (should be one in the same) about how the church should look in today’s world. I grew up in mostly traditional Baptist churches in the bible belt and now, working with Freedom Church, which will be much more contemporary in style, I am having to think through all the biblical implications of church life.

I have only been in Georgia working with the beginnings of Freedom Church for a week and already I am learning and being stretched to think about things that I haven’t really thought much about…I love it! You want to become real familiar with what you actually think and believe about theology, try and plant a church! Or just think about it! Think about ALLLL the implications of how you’re going to conduct the services, and church life, and music. It’s a lot to think about and a lot to try and organize in your head, but it’s so good for me.

Anyways, the challenge of this chapter has to do with breaking out of the traditional mold in efforts to reaching a changing culture. Stetzer is not saying that tradition is necessarily wrong but that it becomes very difficult to reach new generations with the old traditions of the past. He states: “Every culture is imperfect, and thus, at times hostile towards the gospel. But cultures remain the context in which Jesus Christ meets persons by grace. We must pay attention to the culture if we are to be truly missional(pg 24).” Stetzer is neither appealing to technique but saying: “The missional church rejects the false hopes of tradition and technique, repositioning itself as a body of people sent on mission(pg 17).”

Should all churches look the same? Should they all sing the same songs and have the same style of preaching? These are some of the questions that have been posed to be by this chapter. Stetzer says: “The church always struggles with the need to enculturate while guarding against syncretism(pg 25).” Let me say that Stetzer has prefaced these issues with a strong appeal to biblical fidelity. First making sure that your church is biblically sound, then looking at some of the outlining issues. I enjoyed this paragraph:

Indigenous churches look different from culture to culture. Thus, one would expect that a biblically faithful church would look different in Senegal from an indigenous church in Singapore. One must also expect an indigenous church in Seattle to look different from one in Sellersburg, Indiana. Indigenous churches look different from location to location. Further, they look different from generation to generation. Faithful indigenous churches take their teaching from the unchanging biblical text and apply it to the ever-changing cultural Milieu(pg 25).”

I nearly dried up my highlighters on this chapter marking good statements. Here are some other good statements, some more food for thought:

-Stetzer quoted C. Peter Wagner “The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches.” –Pg 28

-“Church planting is always on the cutting edge of North American Missiology because it has no emotional investment in the patterns of tradition.”-pg 29

-“We risk Condemnation of those who are comfortable within the crumbling walls of Christendom. They may never understand the necessity of taking these risks because they choose to equate contextualization with compromise. They cannot understand because they love their church culture too much.” -pg 29

-“Church planting can reach those untouched by the established church. New churches approach evangelism in a way that tends to be more culturally indigenous than established churches. If new churches can avoid the trap of technique, they can engage the changing culture effectively with the unchanging gospel of Jesus.” -pg 30

Hmmm.

I've realized that I could spend way too much time reading different blogs! the community of bloggers is truly booming! Not all of them are always worth reading but I have learned quite a bit even in the last couple of weeks since beginning blogging and reading more blogs. Any ways I was reading earlier Jay Hardwicks blog and he had some resources posted that made my mouth water. He is partnering with North Point Community Church and Andy Stanley has written some material that looks intriguing. One is named Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication. As an aspiring preacher, this book looks like it might make the fall reading list!

Good Word

I have often struggled with saying no. With that, I have also struggled with seeking to please people more than Christ. Gary Lamb had a good word to say about it; check it out! It was June 8'th's post, titled, Quit Feeling Guilty!

A Pause.

Things have been pretty quiet concerning Freedom Church the last few days. Most everyone is out of town tying up loose and such. The weekend has been good, however. I was able to experience something new that I must say I enjoyed thoroughly! What was this new thrill? Road bikes!
My Uncle allowed me the privilege of accompanying him through the hills of North Georgia on one of his bikes. We went all over, it was great. I got to ride both and they both are a thrill in there own way. Perhaps in the future I may do more of this!

Ponderings Lite

1. Seems like I spend a ridiculous amount time in Coffee shops lately.
   
2. I wish I had the internet where I'm staying.
   
3. I wish the media would report about things that actually matter.
   
4. Who the heck cares about Paris Hilton?!
   
5. It stinks living with your heart in two locations.
   
6. I miss my church in Louisville.
   
7. I can't wait till everyone from Freedom Church gets back in town and things really get rolling.
   
8. I hope I get a lot done this afternoon!
   
9. Emotions are a blessing and a curse!
10. Bob Marley can be very relaxing.
    

Great Books I

Title: Manly Dominion: In a Passive-purple Four-ball World
Author: Mark Chanski
Publisher: Calvary Press
Publish Date: 2004
Pages: 244
Amazon Price: New- $8.99 + 3.99 Shipping




It is obvious to anyone who looks around in todays world that any sort of manly assertion, initiative, or leadership is frowned upon. Men in todays world are taught to sit back in passivity while women are taught to stand up and lead. This is not the picture of a godly man we are given in Scripture. It is difficult for men, seeking after godliness, to be the men that God has called them to be when everyone else in the world is screaming at them to sit down and shut up.
In Manly Dominion, Mark Chanski does a remarkable job defining what a biblical man aught to look like. One thing I love about this book is that it not only defines what a biblical, godly man ought to look like, but it is extremely practical in explaining, with Scripture, how this can be attained. The book is broken down into seven sections containing a number of chapters in each. The sections contained are as follows:

1. Manly Dominion in Scriptural Perspective
2. Manly Dominion in Vocational Laboring
   
3. Manly Dominion in Decision Making
   
4. Manly Dominion in Spiritual Living
5. Manly Dominion in Husbanding
   
6. Manly Dominion in Child Rearing
   
7. Manly Dominion in Romance Managing

Whether you are a single person (like myself) or married, this book gives great insight and practical advice, from a pastor, on how men in today's world can stand up, lead and shun passivity in our everyday lives. This is something that I feel is sorely needed in our world today. Let us be the men of God we are called to be!

Meet The Chillins

Last night, everybody who will be involved in Freedom Church and are in town got together last night to spend some time together. This was great for me to get to know everyone. There are some great people involved in Freedom! I plan to post some family profiles at some point but for now, here's a look at some darn cute chillins!

This is London: One of J.R's Little girls
Truly a Precious Moments Child

London with Brayden, Todd Lollis' little Boy

London and Lexi: J.R.'s little girls

Brayden Lollis

London loved this slide!

This is Anniston: Todd's little girl.

Noah Ayers, Mark and Heather's little boy.

There was quite a bond between these two.

May I Introduce You To

The Pastor of Freedom Church, J.R. Lee. Always a good time, for sure! My history with J.R goes back quite a ways. I first met J.R. when I was in Middle school. He and a good friend of his Mark Ayers were my camp counselors. Some of my favorite memories were at camp in Panama City at a Coffee Kettle at 3 o'clock in the morning while J.R. tried to eat a whole plate of pancakes drenched in a pitcher of syrup. There was never a dull moment let me assure you!
On a more serious note, J.R. and Mark were both extremely influential in my spiritual growth as a young person. We had some crazy times but also some serious spiritual growth times as well. His heart and passion makes him a great fit for the pastor of Freedom Church!

Today's Goings on!

Well, so far today has been a good day! Spent some good time in the word earlier, finished Esther, spent some time in the Gym, meet with the Pastor and another staff member of Freedom Church and now get to spend some time in the Coffee Shop reading.
I don't know if you've ever read Esther, but it is an amazing book and yet it never mentions God in the whole book. His presence and sovereignty are all over it however. Accompanying my reading of Scripture has been Mark Dever's book The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made. It has been great walking through the book with this helping along the way. Dever mentions a few quotes by Charles Spurgeon that were truly inspiring, I thought I would note them here!

"We frequently hear persons say of a pleasant or a great event, "what providence!" while they are silent as to anything which appears less important, or has an unpleasant savour. But, my brethren, the place of the gorse upon the heath is as fixed as the station of a king and the dust which is raised by a chariot-wheel is as surely steered by the providence as the planet in it's orbit. THere is as much providence in the creeping of an aphid upon a rose leaf as in the marching of an army to ravage a continent. Everything, the most minute as well as the most magnificent, is ordered by the Lord who has prepared his thrown in the heavens, whose kingdom ruleth over all!"

"It seems a very small matter wheather you or I shall sleep tonight or toss restlessly on our beds, but God will be in our rest or in our wakefulness; we know not what his purpose may be, but his hand will be in it, neither doth any man sleep or wake but according to the decree of the Lord."

That, friend, is comforting. For all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose! Rom 8:28.

Traveling

Will be traveling back to the ATL today. Should get in around 6:00 pm. Can't wait to jump in!

Climb Every Mountain

Mountain climbing is something that I've done little of. When I did do it, however, I wanted to die...until I reached the top. My first Mountain climbing experience was in Southern Argentina climbing a Mountain in the Andes that I think was named Mt. Faulkner. No one knew for sure exactly how high it was but it had to be close to 14,000 ft. because it was well above the tree line and that's at 11,000 ft. I was with a bunch of Gringos (North Americans) which is the reason for the glorious flag; we were proud!


Well, my sister and I have a new goal...Pikes Peak! Located in Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak is exactly 14,110 feet in elevation. After reading about it, it doesn't seem like it will be that difficult. The website I was reading said thousands do it every year. I've seen pictures of the trail and it seems pretty smooth. What I will need, however, it stamina! I like to run and all but this is about 13 miles long and takes 6-10 hours at a moderate pace. The climb will be a beast but the pay off worth it I'm sure. There is something great about an accomplishment like that. My sister and I hope to make the climb in August, virtually the only time the summit is free of slow. Until then, I guess I should spend some time in preparation.
My mom and I drove up Pikes today so that I could see and get a feel of what I was getting into. Sadly though, from the summit, you could see nothing because it was surrounded in the clouds. Good time anyways though.
Well, we'll see what happens in August.

Fox 'n Friends

Today will be a good day. I spent some very profitable time with the Lord this morning and hope to get some good reading done. I return to GA on Sunday and am ready to jump into Freedom Church . Until then, I hope to soak up as much of the Mountains as I can.
Just thought I would share with you all some to the critters that are known to wander about the backyard from time to time. Some seem to be permanent residence due to the fact that my mom runs a wildlife food kitchen out back; or close enough! You're probably not suppose to feed them, but we like it!

Originally named: Foxy. Every now and then you'll see the babies running around; cute little guys. She normally has about 3-5 little ones.

She even lets you feed her; she loves hot dogs!

Regrettably, I have never seen the Bear. My dad was able to capture these photos on our back deck. I hope she'll come back around soon!