I haven't posted in 27 days. It's been a busy month. My job as the Satellite coordinator ended March 1. I was married on March 18th. The disenfranchised group of people from Satellite have formed a home church called, at least for now, "the experiment." Life has been busy. But I'm excited to be home and getting used to married life. I'm sure there will be plenty of posts on that in the months to come.
Our wedding was beautiful. Thank you to all of you who were with us. Our honeymoon was relaxing and fun. It's been wonderful getting used to sleeping next to someone every night.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Preaching Re-Imagined::section 3:chapter 4
The Roots of Speaching
Much of this chapter, Doug explains some changes that took place through the history of the church that led to sermons into the well crafted speaches. Back in the day (pre-industrial reformation) rural communities would have a residential pastor along with their own community's church. With the industrial reformation and people migrating into the cities the days of a "residential pastor" were fleeting. This opened the door for the itinerant preacher to come in, set up shop (large tent) and preach to a large community. Doug wrote:
This transition in mindset made a lot of sense when I thought about it. Having a pastor directly involved and living in the community would allow them to ask the question How are we living..., and when the transition happened that would change the relationship between the pastor and parishioners.
A quote without context, but I believe that it stands strong on its own:
and one more:
The last quote seems a bit sensationalized, but I like it.
Much of this chapter, Doug explains some changes that took place through the history of the church that led to sermons into the well crafted speaches. Back in the day (pre-industrial reformation) rural communities would have a residential pastor along with their own community's church. With the industrial reformation and people migrating into the cities the days of a "residential pastor" were fleeting. This opened the door for the itinerant preacher to come in, set up shop (large tent) and preach to a large community. Doug wrote:
Over time the issue in the minds of the pastor and parishioner was not How are we living with GOD? but What do you have for me to hear?
This transition in mindset made a lot of sense when I thought about it. Having a pastor directly involved and living in the community would allow them to ask the question How are we living..., and when the transition happened that would change the relationship between the pastor and parishioners.
A quote without context, but I believe that it stands strong on its own:
It's difficult to justify the more natural exression when the synthetic has become the norm.
and one more:
But we will flourish in settings where there is dialogue, where we become part of the learning and growing process of our congregations--not just as leaders, but as peole who are also learning and growing--in ways we never imagined possible.
The last quote seems a bit sensationalized, but I like it.
a day of reflection
Yesterday was my last day at 4Cs. I spent the morning cleaning out my office. It wasn’t very difficult-there wasn’t much there. It did take me a few hours because I found that I kept stopping to reflect on things that I found. Here’s some things I remember about Satellite; more specifically, things I’m proud of. I’ll try to remember them in chronological order. If I’m leaving anything out, or if you have a different perspective on things please let me know.
I remember two summers ago when Donnie and I started to gather a “core team” of people who desired to see a ministry for college/young adults/young families start in Arvada. I remember those meetings we had at the Hinshaw’s house. We shared food, had incredible moments of worship, read Scripture together in a way that made it come alive, and shared openly about our frustrations and desires for what could be. I remember moments together when we would sit in silence and allow GOD to send the Spirit to speak to us. I remember tears. Even as I’m reminiscing, tears are forming in my eyes. Those meetings were beautiful.
I remember the “HomeTeam Kick Off.” I remember the group of 50 people that met at the Depot at Five Parks. I remember meeting people there who have now become great friends. We had people who wanted to be apart of a HomeTeam in Thornton, at CSU, at Western, commuting college students in Arvada, young adults, young married couples with kids. I remember sitting in a big circle and looking around and trusting that GOD had big plans for us. I also remember the chili. Roger made some dang good chili.
I remember the two preview services that we had that fall. I was so anxious about those. We had people coming early to volunteer for all kinds of things. Set up/tear down teams, a team to make things look nice, worship team, greeting/ushering teams, prayer teams, and I sure we had a few more. I remember the energy that was palpable for those services. I remember starting every service by standing in a circle, hearing scripture read aloud, and praying together. I remember serving hotdogs downtown after both preview services.
I remember hearing stories from the group that went to Habitat for Humanity. There’s a story about painting a forklift. I heard that that opportunity to serve brought that group of seemingly random people together.
I remember the strong desire to just start meeting weekly, and not wait till the New Year. But we waited. I remember when we started to meet weekly. I remember how that we really helpful to forming a larger community.
I remember how we created one:twentyseven and committed to serve others in some capacity every month. I remember taking chili downtown; I think we served 150 cups. I remember bringing socks and blankets and jackets and gloves to people who needed them. But what I remember most is talking with people down there. I remember seeing Satellite people engaged in authentic conversation with people. I remember having a smile on my face as I saw Satellite people scattered all around those two blocks sitting in the dirt to talk with people. I remember when we were able to remember names and faces of those living on the street.
I remember hearing about the joys and struggles of being a HomeTeam. I remember the perseverance of some to keep a struggling group together. I remember hearing who some found life through their group. I remember hearing about the prayer that became the life source of the group. I remember hearing about kids waiting for a certain person to be done so they could play beauty shop. I remember the need to start another group because one had become too big. I remember that those groups were not just a Bible study. Those groups were places for laughter, tears, confession, confrontation, and growth. I remember that life was found in those groups.
I remember going through the tough decision to start meeting on Sunday nights. I remember being concerned for those who couldn’t be with us on Sunday. I remember moving into the sanctu-nasium. It was great to have all that space to spread out during the time of worship.
I remember ultimate-Frisbee.
I remember the summer when every week was a different group of people, yet despite all the changes those nights were great. I remember going from 35 people one week to 8 people the next, and being certain that GOD was moving regardless of who was there. I remember the move to tables and chairs. We started experimenting with what Satellite really was. We had nights when we didn’t do any music for worship. I remember nights of corporate silence. I remember writing together. I remember singing together.
I remember when we felt comfortable as a group of 20.
I remember moving into the Fellowship Center.
I remember the Thanksgiving we shared together. That was some good food. Mmm, sweet-potato casserole. I remember meeting for “core” meetings to talk about Spiritual Gifts, how we can serve better, and what dreams/visions we had for what Satellite could be. I remember Christmas Caroling. And the Christmas Party.
I remember trying to figure out what we were going to do after each Satellite. Old Chicago, Chili’s, Spudnutz, Chipotle.
I remember being uncertain of what the future held, but being certain that we were heading in the right direction. I think it was those last two months when we felt most comfortable with who we were as a group.
Certainly, there were times of frustration, confusion, regret, disappointment, and fear. We said good-bye to people leaving our HomeTeams. We said good-bye to HomeTeams. We said good-bye to Donnie and his family. We never knew who would show up each week. We lost focus, a lot. We didn’t care enough for people inside or outside of Satellite. There were moments of alienation for some people.
I am certain that everything that happened with Satellite was not beyond GOD’s reach. I am convinced that GOD was pleased with what has happened over the last year and a half. I believe that Satellite has not been a failure.
If you have any other memories to remind me of, please let me know, I would love to hear them.
I remember two summers ago when Donnie and I started to gather a “core team” of people who desired to see a ministry for college/young adults/young families start in Arvada. I remember those meetings we had at the Hinshaw’s house. We shared food, had incredible moments of worship, read Scripture together in a way that made it come alive, and shared openly about our frustrations and desires for what could be. I remember moments together when we would sit in silence and allow GOD to send the Spirit to speak to us. I remember tears. Even as I’m reminiscing, tears are forming in my eyes. Those meetings were beautiful.
I remember the “HomeTeam Kick Off.” I remember the group of 50 people that met at the Depot at Five Parks. I remember meeting people there who have now become great friends. We had people who wanted to be apart of a HomeTeam in Thornton, at CSU, at Western, commuting college students in Arvada, young adults, young married couples with kids. I remember sitting in a big circle and looking around and trusting that GOD had big plans for us. I also remember the chili. Roger made some dang good chili.
I remember the two preview services that we had that fall. I was so anxious about those. We had people coming early to volunteer for all kinds of things. Set up/tear down teams, a team to make things look nice, worship team, greeting/ushering teams, prayer teams, and I sure we had a few more. I remember the energy that was palpable for those services. I remember starting every service by standing in a circle, hearing scripture read aloud, and praying together. I remember serving hotdogs downtown after both preview services.
I remember hearing stories from the group that went to Habitat for Humanity. There’s a story about painting a forklift. I heard that that opportunity to serve brought that group of seemingly random people together.
I remember the strong desire to just start meeting weekly, and not wait till the New Year. But we waited. I remember when we started to meet weekly. I remember how that we really helpful to forming a larger community.
I remember how we created one:twentyseven and committed to serve others in some capacity every month. I remember taking chili downtown; I think we served 150 cups. I remember bringing socks and blankets and jackets and gloves to people who needed them. But what I remember most is talking with people down there. I remember seeing Satellite people engaged in authentic conversation with people. I remember having a smile on my face as I saw Satellite people scattered all around those two blocks sitting in the dirt to talk with people. I remember when we were able to remember names and faces of those living on the street.
I remember hearing about the joys and struggles of being a HomeTeam. I remember the perseverance of some to keep a struggling group together. I remember hearing who some found life through their group. I remember hearing about the prayer that became the life source of the group. I remember hearing about kids waiting for a certain person to be done so they could play beauty shop. I remember the need to start another group because one had become too big. I remember that those groups were not just a Bible study. Those groups were places for laughter, tears, confession, confrontation, and growth. I remember that life was found in those groups.
I remember going through the tough decision to start meeting on Sunday nights. I remember being concerned for those who couldn’t be with us on Sunday. I remember moving into the sanctu-nasium. It was great to have all that space to spread out during the time of worship.
I remember ultimate-Frisbee.
I remember the summer when every week was a different group of people, yet despite all the changes those nights were great. I remember going from 35 people one week to 8 people the next, and being certain that GOD was moving regardless of who was there. I remember the move to tables and chairs. We started experimenting with what Satellite really was. We had nights when we didn’t do any music for worship. I remember nights of corporate silence. I remember writing together. I remember singing together.
I remember when we felt comfortable as a group of 20.
I remember moving into the Fellowship Center.
I remember the Thanksgiving we shared together. That was some good food. Mmm, sweet-potato casserole. I remember meeting for “core” meetings to talk about Spiritual Gifts, how we can serve better, and what dreams/visions we had for what Satellite could be. I remember Christmas Caroling. And the Christmas Party.
I remember trying to figure out what we were going to do after each Satellite. Old Chicago, Chili’s, Spudnutz, Chipotle.
I remember being uncertain of what the future held, but being certain that we were heading in the right direction. I think it was those last two months when we felt most comfortable with who we were as a group.
Certainly, there were times of frustration, confusion, regret, disappointment, and fear. We said good-bye to people leaving our HomeTeams. We said good-bye to HomeTeams. We said good-bye to Donnie and his family. We never knew who would show up each week. We lost focus, a lot. We didn’t care enough for people inside or outside of Satellite. There were moments of alienation for some people.
I am certain that everything that happened with Satellite was not beyond GOD’s reach. I am convinced that GOD was pleased with what has happened over the last year and a half. I believe that Satellite has not been a failure.
If you have any other memories to remind me of, please let me know, I would love to hear them.
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