Midtown Church Survey

Lost & Found

LOST & FOUND

These keys where LOST and FOUND this past week. Not to throw my wife under the bus but she lost them! We where on our way to some friends house for dinner. On the way we stopped to pick up some dessert and as we turned onto the busiest street in Roseville I heard a familiar sound. Like nails on a chalkboard, keys sliding from the roof of our car onto the street. I immediately ask my wife to look for her keys, she gives me the "I'm sorry look" as I pull over to begin the hunt. Yes it was dark, yes it was rainy, and yes the street was filled with cars driving way to fast. I began walking along the side of Douglas Blvd. in Roseville in search for our LOST keys. I was trying to catch the reflection from the street lights to see if I could spot the clump of keys on the rain glistened street. I walked a quarter of a mile down the road with no luck. It began to rain harder so I began running back to the car without our LOST keys.

I figured I would look for them in the morning when the sun had come out. After all they are metal, right, they should be fine, they won't break! Well in the morning as I turned the corner of Sierra College Blvd & Douglas there they where in the middle of the street. I quickly pulled over and grabbed them, poor keys, they where mangled, but FOUND!

Why do I share this story, well because I have been stuck on this Scripture from Luke 15:1-31. This portion of scripture is familiar to those that have been around the Church for any length of time. But it is Jesus telling three stories about a LOST sheep, a LOST coin and a LOST son all who where LOST & then FOUND. 

In Luke 15:1-3 the scripture says, "By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story."

Jesus was spending time with those who where LOST and the religious people didn't like it. So Jesus decides to share his heart for those that are LOST and his desire for them to be FOUND.

He talks about leaving 99 sheep and going to the wilderness to find the 1 LOST sheep. He talks about a woman scouring through her home to find a LOST coin in the dark, and a father throwing a party for his LOST son when he returns home and is FOUND.

Jesus' search for us, involved much more than walking in the rain, and the dark. Jesus search for us looked like Calvary, him hanging on a tree, seeking to show us, to prove to us, His love, His desire for us to be FOUND by him. 

5 Keys for How to Break Out of Christianville

Christainville (noun)- a place Christians get trapped in through to much church activity, to many relationships with other Christians, and to much time spent in circles with other Christians. 

As a pastor it can become really easy to slip into Christianville where everyone I see, talk to and have relationship with is a Christian. The following is a list of "5 Keys for How to Break Out of Christianville" and make an impact in the "circles of opportunity" all around us. Its my personal plan and I hope it can serve as a guide for you on how to reach those that are dis-connected from God.

1. Inquire of God- In one word, "PRAY"! Find out who God has placed in your life to reach for Him. Find out how God wants you to reach them. He knows what will be effective, and meaningful to people.

2. Identify circles of opportunity. "Circles of opportunity" are those circles of people in your life that are dis-connected from God. My "circles of opportunity" are:

• The gym
• My sons preschool
• People at our neighborhood park 
• Our neighbors
• Those I run into while "out and about"

3. Invest in meaningful conversation. Once you have Identified your circles of opportunity and inquired of God about these people. Begin to look for and step into opportunities to engage people in conversation

• Learn peoples names
• Make small talk (this helps people feel comfortable)
• Ask questions about their life (most people love to talk about themselves)

4. Invite people to church. Once you have Inquired, Identified and Invested its time to step out and Invite them to church or a church event or function. If you have invested in people relationally and have favor with them a personal invitation may be all they need to come to church. Christmas Eve, Easter, and church events are always good times to invite. Some things to remember:

• Carry invitations. Give them something with necessary information about what you are inviting them to.
• Remember no one wants to be a "project". Don't treat people like they are your "project" that will turn them off to your invite
• Make the invite simple. Don't feel like you have to "preach" to them before they come to church. Coming across overly "preachy" may turn people off to your invitation. 
• Have personal conviction. Sometimes coming across weak or un-convinced can turn people off. I believe that passion and conviction about your beliefs polarizes people. Those who are open will be drawn to you and those opposed will be turned off. Focus on the ones who are drawn in by your passion and convictions.

5. Include people in your life. After you have, inquired, identified, invested and invited make sure to include them in your everyday life. This one is hard because it means opening your home and life to people. Here are some idea of how to include people in your life:

• Have a meal or coffee together.
• Invite them to be a part of a small group you are a part of.
• Do things together. Shared experiences bring people together and creates vulnerability and trust. 
• Include them in a family birthday party or celebration

I am on a journey in living this out in a greater and greater measure every day. What has God led you to do to reach those in your "circles of opportunity"? I would love to hear ideas and stories. Is there anything you would add to these thoughts?

For more thoughts by like-minded people visit here.

3 Simple Life Changing Ideas

3 Simple Life Changing Ideas

1. Attitude- I am sure you have worked with someone with a lousy attitude sometimes that "someone" may even be yourself (I know it can be for me at times!). Being around someone with a lousy attitude is never fun, just ask my wife...

How to keep a good attitude even amidst lousy situations:
- Give Thanks- take a moment to make a list of the things you are thankful for. This will take your mind and focus off of what the negative situations in your life are.
- Learn- Read books, blogs, listen to podcasts, meet or talk with inspiring people. These are all things that have helped me "snap out of it" during a challenging season of life.

2. Responsibility- Responsibility is what I call the potter of development. Responsibility grows, molds and changes us into better people if we allow it to.

- Responsibility is the key to promotion. I don't know where we lost sight of this but today we see many people wanting more stuff, work, tittles, kids, and money yet they have been irresponsible with the relationships, and opportunities they currently have. If you are frustrated with your current life situation (work, relationships, finances) then try to excel in your current circumstance instead of changing it. Become the best version of you and situations will change over time. Patience, perseverance, and faithfulness  is what creates opportunity.

3. Vision- We can have a good attitude, be responsible people and live the most boring life known to mankind. Vision is what adds excitement, adventure, risk and meaning to life.

- Allow imagination to lead to innovation- inspiring and meaningful vision takes imagination to see, but innovation to craft. Work at developing both your imagination and your ability to innovate.

Is there anything you would add to this list? If so, comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts..

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

On Wednesday as I walked into the Renaissance Church office I heard a telephone message being taken for our on call Pastor. I quickly checked the calendar to see if I was on that week, unfortunately, not because of my excitement to serve those in need, but rather to see if my day and to do list would be interrupted by an inconvenient trip to the hospital. I sighed with an internal breathe of relief when my calendar revealed that I was not on that week.

A few moments after our administrator was done taking the message I heard footsteps inching towards my desk. I reluctantly turned around to address our gracious administrator as she explained how our on call Pastor had family in from out of town and was unable to respond to this request.

She went on to explain the situation, "A man from Anchorage, Alaska had called and asked for one of our Pastor's to go and visit and pray with a lifelong friend of his that is in her last week of life."

As I walk into the care facility off of Cirby Way in Roseville I was wondering why I was here, I thought to myself, I don't know this person in fact I don't even know the man from Anchorage that I am visiting on behalf of. I was reminded of the words of Jesus, "whatever you do for the least of these, you do it unto me". This provided my heart with motivation that this visit was not for growing the local church, it was not a favor for a friend, it wasn't about fulfilling any selfish ambitions, this visit was pure, because of that I became expectant of what God might do.

Before I left the church office I printed out the Romans Road to salvation in case I had the opportunity to share the gospel with Faye, the elderly woman in this care facility. As I walked into the room I was welcomed by one of Faye's friends that was there visiting. I introduced myself and asked to hear Faye's story.

She didn't share much except that she was in her last week of life and that she wanted someone to pray with her. I asked if she had heard and had an opportunity to respond to the good news of Jesus. She hadn't but wanted me to tell her. So I went through the Romans Road to salvation and as I read/preached to her tears began to fall on her cheeks.

At the end of my simple presentation I asked if she wanted to receive the gift of salvation and eternal life that Jesus purchased for her and she said, "YES!". I lead her in the sinners prayer and affirmed that her faith in Jesus has saved her and that she would be with Jesus forever in eternity.

After this amazing opportunity she began to express her concern for her two sons. She talked briefly about how desperately she wanted to see them and to make sure they were taken care of. I immediately began thinking of my two boys and the fragility of life and how quickly it comes and goes.

Faye's priorities blessed me, and reminded me of what is most important in this life. Taking care of my boys and living for eternal things. This life has much to offer but very little of what it has to offer will truly bring the fulfillment our souls long for.

What are your priorities? Will they leave you with regret when you look back upon your life? Or will your memories of a full, fulfilled life leave you with great peace? Its your choice, how will you live....

The Gratitude Experiment

When was the last time you said thank you to someone? No I mean you actually pulled someone aside and expressed your heart of gratitude for them, for who they are and for how they have helped you become more like the person that you want to be.

I don't do this as often as I should. So I am conducting a Gratitude Experiment. I am on a mission to express heartfelt gratitude to 100 people over this next month. It may not seem like much to you, but, hey I gotta start somewhere. So if you get a random text, email, Facebook message, or tweet from me saying thank you, don't think that you are just a part of an experiment, please just accept my long overdue expression of gratitude for you.

To get started: thank you so much for taking a moment to read this blog entry, I hope it was worth your time!

Who can you express gratitude to today?

how to find real rest..

This is an old, updated post from a couple of months ago: Jesus is the shepherd of our souls. He gives us rest. In our need for rest we take multiple vacations, mental health days, sabbaticals, go to conferences, and try to escape the business and craziness of life.

This is not a bad thing but sometimes these attempts to find rest leave us more tired an weary than before and we end up needing a vacation from our vacation.

But Jesus advice to those needing rest those feeling weary was, and still is, "come to ME all you who are weary and heavily burdened and I will give you REST." Matthew 11:28

I am on vacation this week but not vacation from the presence of Jesus. On vacation fully engaged in seeking the heart, presence and purpose of God.

And having a lot of fun, not thinking about work and focussing on my family and personal connection to Jesus! That's rest for me...