WholeHeartedLife

I was revisiting...

The other day I was revisiting some recent posts and wanted to remind you that it's "Because of You":

^{29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. (Exodus 4:29-31 NIV)}

Have I mentioned lately how passionate I am about the mission that God has called us to?

How about the fact that there are tens of thousands of people within 10 miles of our front door who don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ but desperately need one. Have you been reminded lately that they feel a little guilty about the fact that they don't go to church, that they feel like they need to go to church BUT THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GET STARTED.

You see, most decided a while back that church just wasn't for them - although they felt that they should go they just didn't feel like they fit in - didn't seem to be the place for them. Most of them have never really been to a church like hyde park - "a different kind of church - a place that used music that wasn't real "churchy" and if you wore casual clothes you wouldn't feel as if you stepped into a formal party unaware that it was supposed to be formal.

Many of them feel that their kidz need to be in church and feel guilty for not doing so. They don't even know that hyde park cares so much for their kidz that we took the standard for engaging their kidz with the gospel of Jesus to the highest level we could. In the process we made church something that their kidz WANT to do instead of crying when they HAD to do it.

Most of them know that they aren't where they need to be with God. However, they think it's because they're not quite good enough... some of the things they are doing displease God and they figure they gotta get that taken care of before they come to church. They don't understand that they'll never get clean enough to come to God - they have yet to experience His grace. Most don't yet understand their need for a Savior.

Who are "they"? Your family members. Your neighbors. Your co-workers. Your waitresses and waiters. Your (you fill-in-the-blank). Most would love to experience a "different kind of church" and theydon't even realize that you go to one.

This is where the above scripture comes in. You probably don't see "this" in that scripture but I do. I see Aaron telling the people all that God has told Moses (v.30). That's like me sharing with you the vision for where we are going, what amazing things we are going to experience together as a church. Then we see Moses performing the miracles that God has given Him to do (v.30). That's you. You see, the miracle that you perform for those who are not living for Jesus is the miracle of a changed life. Not a religious life, "i go to church but it hasn't affected the rest of my life", life, but a "I've been going to hyde park and reading my bible and Jesus is rockin' my world" kind of life. It goes on to say that after the people saw these things that they believed (v.31). They believe in JESUS because of you and your testimony.

But you know what the best part is? (Verse 31b) "And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped". These people I've been talking about, they need to know that Jesus is concerned with them, that Jesus has seen their misery in their lives - they will only see that through you. When they do, I believe they will eventually bow their hearts and their lives and worship Jesus.

Isn't that what we're all about? We're in a period of our church's life where we can grasp the opportunity before us and acknowledge God's passion to reach this area or we can chicken out because of fear of the unknown... I think "they" are worth it!

What Are "THEY" Saying?

One of the pleasures that I receive in ministry (most of the time ) is seeing what the people who visit hyde park are saying about their experience. 

When a person or family drops in on us one of the things we do in follow up is send a self-addressed, stamped postcard that ask a few questions:

1. I came to Hyde Park because:
2. This is what I like best:
3. Here are my suggestions:
4. Sex and age-range

I wanted to share the last few that we received with you (each number represents the same card)...

I came to Hyde Park because: 

1. Looking for a church and knew some of our members
2. to see what you had to offer - we like what we experienced
3. a friend
4. we heard that it offered contemporary worship which I enjoy
5. of the pastor's friendship over the years and wanted to hear him and was very impressed.

This is what I like best:

1. the laid back but friendly atmosphere and the music
2. teaching, music, atmosphere, hospitality and enthusiasm of the people
3. I like a friendly atmosphere which this community exhibits
4. the worship music and the friendly family atmosphere
5. the music, teaching and friendliness of the people

Here are my suggestions:

1. none
2. none
3. for newcomers, a welcome committee for such events as fun as well as employments (? )
4. to shorten the service a little bit. It's quite lengthy. (once again, )
5. none

Sex and Age

1. Female / 30-40 years old
2. Female / 60+
3. Male / 50-60
4. Female / 18-30
5. Male / 60+

Here's what I see from the loose data:

• 4 of the 5 mentioned the atmosphere. They are obviously referencing the environment that we create each Sunday morning - the look, the servants, the service itself, the lights - you name it, it's all atmosphere. (Either that or they are referring to the mass of air surrounding the Earth; "there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere" )
• All 5 mentioned the friendliness or the hospitality of Hyde Park's people. The people ARE the church.
• 4 of the 5 mentioned the music (word.)
• 4 of the 5 came because they were invited.
• 3 of the 5 were over 50. So much for the thought that what we're doing only appeals to young people.

The cards I've mentioned here are not "carefully selected" - they were the last 5 cards we've received. We've always gotten favorable responses on this card (1 time a person said our friendliness was overwhelming - I told our volunteers that I'll lose them for that reason ANYTIME!). Sometimes it's easy to look at the glass the wrong way - it looks like half of the water's gone when in reality we have a half-glass full of refreshing water to offer.

I wanted to share with you what "THEY" were saying - you know, the people that God has placed us here to reach.

Overalls Aren't too Flattering

I've never been much for farming (that would be the other guy on our staff, the one who proclaims himself to be the better looking one ). However, I have always been interested in being part of the harvest.

I spent a couple of days last week thinking through the "parable of the sower" found in Luke 8. If your familiar with it you know that Jesus taught His disciples what it means:

The seed is the word of God. ¹²Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.¹³Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. ¹⁴The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:11-15, NIV)

See, I might be crazy but I'm thinking we can make the soil better... I'm thinking that the more that we work in the soil, with the soil, the better chance it has to become good. I want to cultivate the soil (the hearts) of this region... removing the stones, rocks and stumps that get in people's way. I want us to tend to the weeds when necessary, removing the thorns when they invade and even put up scarecrows when we need to making it possible for more and more people to have "good soil" that multiplies.

I feel that doing church in a different way than the norm provides an environment by which we remove stuff that gets in people way - I think we should always be looking to what we can do to help more people see the truth of God. Utilize the new stuff, the tools, the instruments, the lights, the environment. Use sermon props, video and hooks that help people remember. Just as long as we remember that it's the seed (the Word) that changes lives the rest is nothing more than the method we utilize to do our bidding.

You know, farmers may have a tendency to go with what they know but it doesn't take a genius to see that using a tractor is far superior to walking behind a stinkin' mule.

Now I totally recognize that in the text the primary sower is Jesus. However, every faithful person who carries and spreads the word of God is a sower of that word into the human heart that so desperately needs rescuing. This region is ripe for the harvest that God has been preparing and I have a front row seat.

Give me some overalls, some tools and a tractor (and a rockin' band ) and let's get it on - who's ready to get dirty? ²He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Luke 10:2 NIV)

What Do You Hear?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE TIME THAT YOU ARE LIVING IN?!?

Not the "end-times" that most believers are preoccupied with but the NOW, today, where you currently sit, how amazing the time is that you live in (spiritually speaking) and the blessing that God has given us to live in these times?

Think about it - we have:

• God's Word - God literally speaks to us through the Bible. Are you interested in hearing from God? What are you reading in the Bible? If you don't read the Bible YOU ARE NOT HEARING FROM GOD. This is an amazing time with all of the technology - the way that God is literally using that technology to take His Word to the ends of the earth. WOW!!!
  
  Do you love the Word of God? If not, I pray for you right now, "Father, in Jesus' Name I lift this one up to you and ask You, beg You, to work within them to give them a passion for Your Word. May Your Spirit give them understanding as they seek to hear from You as they search the rich pages of Your plan for us. In Jesus' Name, Amen". 
• God's Church - God lives out His plan for the world THROUGH the local church. The church isn't just what we do on Sunday because YOU ARE the church, distributed throughout the world when we leave the meeting place. You have more chance to be the church Monday through Saturday than you do on Sunday. How's that going? 
  
  These are amazing times that the church lives in... we TRULY have the opportunity to be part of taking the gospel message to the end of the earth. Let's never forget that the mission begins in Jerusalem (wherever that local church has been placed by God: Lumberton/Robeson County)
• God's Spirit - The Spirit of the living God is alive and lives within those who have surrendered their lives to Him. Have you done that? If so, God desires to live through you daily, instructing and guiding you through making the 1st two examples happen and so much more. 

"Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (Luke 10:23-24 NIV).  You are blessed, I tell you - blessed! 

Live like it.

Three Years Ago at BSU...

Tonite I will speak at the Baptist Student Union House on the campus of UNCP. I am coming out of my skin to preach the message that God has laid upon my heart for these students. Please pray that He will use me extravagantly and that the words that I speak would be from His heart and would cause all in attendance to give glory to Him.

3 years ago I spoke in a situation very similar to tonite... there was a holy anticipation among some of the students about what God was going to do in our midst. In the message 3 years ago I spoke from Acts 2:1-40 and focusing on verses 37-41

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
 ³⁸Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
 ⁴⁰With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." ⁴¹Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day... 

I asked the students this question: 

"What if what happened 'in here' (tapping my bible) happened 'in here' (motioning to the room). I went on to say,

"Before what happened 'in here' (the bible) can happen 'in here' (the room), what happened 'in here' (the bible) must happen 'in here' (my heart) because when what happens 'in here' (the bible) happens 'in here' (my heart), what happens 'in here' (my heart) will happen 'in here' (the room). And when what happens 'in here' (the bible) happens 'in here' (the room) THEN WHAT HAPPENED IN HERE (THE BIBLE) WILL HAPPEN OUT THERE ON THE CAMPUS of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke."

Did you get that? You may need to read it again until it clicks. 

Please join me in praying that God will ignite a flame among these students and do a work among them and through them that demands an explanation from a watching world.

Will We Fight It or Fund It?

On Sunday evening, Josh Shelley (our iServe Coordinator) and myself took 11 of hyde park's finest on a vision-building / encouragement trip to Elevation Church, Charlotte. After having an amazing morning at hyde park we all met back at hp for a 2:30 departure time... we were ready; Elevation didn't disappoint.

We were aware of the excellence Elevation Church is known for. I've been following them since their inception thanks to one of my favorite preachers, Clayton King (WHOOOOOOOOOOOOH!). Although I've checked them out very frequently online and through the podcasts and blogs this was my 1st trip to Elevation due to the fact that for a long time all of their services were on Sunday morning. Due to their explosive growth they added a 6pm service at Butler High School (can you say, roadtrip?)

For those who don't know here are the facts:

• Elevation is 3 years old.
• They have 3 campuses (all of which are portable - they set up and tear down weekly) 
• Their regular attendance is now around 5,000 per weekend (across the 3 campuses and multiple services)
• They have seen over 4,700 professions of faith. 
• They have baptized over 1,200 people during this 3rd year of ministry. 

With that in mind I wanted to share my experiences: 

• The moment that we arrived we saw the portable "A-frame" directional signage pointing us into Elevations parking area. The parking team were easily identifiable (parking vests) with Elevation Church tshirts underneath.
• The Greet team was amazing - they handled getting us everything we needed prior to the service and told us all we needed to know. They also told us if we would fill out the Guest Card and turned it in at the end that we would receive a free tshirt (you might not care but I'm a sucker for a cool tshirt!) 
• The lobby looked amazing - it didn't look like a school, it looked like a happening church! They utilized pipe and drape and banners excellently.  
• The lobby staff were friendly and knowledgable. They walked around asking our team question and wondering if they could help us in anyway.  
• Campus Pastor John Bishop saw our team and quickly engaged, showing them around (and even threatened to break the usher's rules ). 
• I was amazed that the greet team and lobby team were not all young people. I noticed that many of those serving at this rockin' church were my age and older. 
• We waited in the lobby until 10 mins before the service - they keep the doors shut until that time and people are escorted in to their seats. 
• We sat where they told us to. They fill the room up from the front to the back. Don't wanna sit at the front? Don't get there early - hang in the lobby or something. Most church-people would die if you told them where to sit. (I loved this: Elevation understands that too much empty space in a room kills momentum. Kudos to them for sticking to their guns on such an important issue). 
• The worship team was excellent! One of the best I've heard (and definitely one of the youngest). The music was rockin' and it was ALL ABOUT Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for us. The words were centered on the cross, the blood, life-change, surrender, obedience... you might not like the sound but if you don't like the content you have a problem with God. (I loved the sound).  
• They offer people earplugs just in case it's too loud for you. It really wasn't that loud - but I thought that the earplugs were great. It was saying, "we respect your hearing, please respect our culture", meaning, the people they're trying to reach like it a little louder than some... let's accomodate them. 
• The message was in-your-face. Pastor Steven preached from 1Corinthians 5 (the whole chapter) and confronted a lot of issues that most churches won't touch because it makes people uncomfortable.   
• There were a bunch of 1st time visitors (I'm saying more than 20, maybe in the 30-40 range). Remember, this was a 6pm service. And no, it's not a "Sunday Nite service", it's the Sunday morning service on Sunday nite. The people who attend that service don't go to church on Sunday morning - they attend on Sunday evening.  

Our people loved it! They were excited and pumped by the "Elevators" enthusiasm, they were challenged by the message (many of them said to me, "I really needed to hear THAT message tonite"). I was so proud of what I witnessed there - to see my brothers and sisters in Christ exalting Him so greatly in that city. To me, Elevation does portable church better than 99.9% of churches who have amazing buildings. Why? Because this church is sold-out to the vision of who they are: Elevation exists "so that people far from God will be filled with life in Christ". 

Just thinking out loud: every town in America needs a church like this, a church that dares to be truly different, a church that embraces people who aren't "church-people", a church that understands that they will do anything short of sin to help people far from God be filled with life in Jesus Christ. A church that embraces discomfort for the sake of others comfort, a church.. (LARGE SIGH) 

You know, I understand that everybody doesn't wanna go to a church that has loud, rockin' music; a church that offers earplugs to its attenders and tells them where they have to sit; a church that puts the comfort of those they are trying to reach above the comfort of those that they are trying to keep; I understand that might not be appealing to most WholeHearted readers, but you know, we have ALL KINDS OF CHURCHES that are the opposite of the above... where can someone in our region go to that kind of church?

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" 
      And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8, NIV)

I feel with every ounce of my being that THIS IS the future of the church. Not replicas of Elevation, mind you, but the Spirit of what was happening there. The way that I see it, hyde park can be that church or we can make it happen with someone else but you can MARK MY WORDS, it will happen.

Question is, will we fight it or will we fund it?

14 Thoughts

Someday I'm gonna be a part of a church plant - I don't know if it will be me as the planter or me as the supporter of a planter(s) but I'm fairly confident that church planting is in my future. Why? Because I have no confidence that we have any chance of reaching America with our current churches. It will take nothing short of revival to change the spiritual landscape of our nation and I believe that will happen with churches whose hearts burn with the heart of Jesus towards the lost.

I don't forsee that kind of sweeping change on the horizon for most of our churches. The status quo will not receive the spirit of revival - revival will only come to the heart which is open to the Spirit.

With that in mind (and a few other thoughts that have been circling) and the fact that I will have an exciting conversation this morning with someone who knows a little about church planting movements, I wanted to share with you 14 thoughts that Dr. Bob Roberts shared at the end of his book, "The Multiplying Church" - these are called, "Things I Never Want you to Forget":

1. Until you can stand up in front of a group of people and say, "imitate me", you have no business starting or leading a church.
2. If you go out and plant Northwood, you've failed. 
3. May we have such an impact that it will merit the attention of the historians. Upon research, the conclusion of the historians should be, "it wasn't because of any single one of them, but because of every single one of them." 
4. You've been called to the kingdom, not called to preach. 
5. Steal from every model, yet make sure you don't copy any one. 
6. Start a church for the world, not some little spot on the map somewhere. 
7. Finish it. Anyone can start a church; it takes much more to complete the task. What we need more of are not church starters but church finishers. 
8. You have enough time in the day to get every single thing done that needs to be done. 
9. You're not going to win the world for Christ 9am to 5pm, Monday through Thursday. 
10. Any vision that doesn't require your entire life isn't a vision; it's just a thought. 
11. If you make your family hate you for starting a church or winning the world, you did it wrong. If they hate you, what difference does starting a church make? 
12. Journaling is creating a catalog of reflections. 
13. It's all about the kingdom - kingdom in, kingdom out. 
14. Converts may grow a church, but disciples change the world. 

I want to change the world - I will never be satisfied just existing in the Sunday to Sunday routine because it's just not the way He made me. I am greatly challenged by all but rocked by #1 and #11 - which one's got your attention?

You Gotta See This!!!

Baptism is so amazing! The picture of someone who is becoming a new creation by the supernatural power of Christ. The reminder of someone who once was lost, realized it and wants to acknowledge to the world that He/She is a now follower of JESUS. I was telling a friend just this morning that I never would have thought my life would turn out as it has... I never would've pictured me living my life for God.

I love seeing people take the plunge!

This Sunday, February 1st, is our next baptism celebration - have you been baptized SINCE you believed. Remember, scriptural baptism is that which takes place after conversion (Acts 2:40-42, Acts 8:12,13, Acts 8:35-37, and more - if you're interested in more let me know). If you want/need to be baptized you can register here. We'll be in contact with you this week to make the necessary arrangements.

One more thing: when you get baptized make a big deal out of it - invite your friends, your family, anybody you can think of! What better way to share with them what is happening spiritually in your life than to invite them to witness the picture of your old life being buried with Christ in the waters of baptism, resurrected out of the water as a new creation? I'm very excited for all of you!

Check out the following video - you never know who God will use you to reach; maybe the toughest person, the one you can't imagine living for God is "the one" whom God will use you to reach. (facebook and those using a "reader" go to the original site to see the video: http://www.wholeheartedlife.typepad.com)

And join me tomorrow as I humbly attempt to answer one of life's toughest questions...
Andy from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.

My 2 Things

During Pastor's message Sunday I was in Matthew Chapter 6 and on the page opposite I found this note in my bible:

October 23, 2007

Sometimes it bothers me that I don't see "the whole picture". I mean, at times I feel as if I can really see it... other times, not so much. Walk by faith, right?

It's kinda like Furtick spoke of recently (note not in original - I heard Steven Furtick use this illustration in a podcast one day - I remember I was mowing the grass ) - following You (God) is like GPS: it will take you exactly where you're supposed to go but it only gives you one turn at a time. Therefore, you gotta stay plugged in - unplug midway and you'll just end up where you end up!

I won't unplug (at least I hope I won't) I don't intend to. My plans are to buckle up and prepare for the ride of my life. I know that if I follow you it will take me exactly where I need to go.

1. Raise up leaders in all areas I oversee
2. Shepherd my family

You'll take care of the rest... Lord, I trust You.

On the afternoon that this note was written in my bible I was REALLY struggling (ever feel like that?). I was in that place, spiritually, where I felt as if I just didn't know what God was doing in and through me. He assured me that afternoon with those two things: that if I'll raise up leaders in all areas I oversee and shepherd my family that HE would handle the rest of it.

What's funny is that on that day, although HE simplified what He wanted me to do I found myself on the hardest journey - look at the list again: CAN YOU THINK OF ANYTHING ANY HARDER TO DO?

Raising up leaders is one of the hardest things I have EVER done! I have poured my life into people only to have them, just short of achieving what they were training for, quit. It's happened time and time again - depressing. On the other side I can think of very little that I would rather do because on the day that you "finally get it" it will take you to another level and open you up to the truth that God has for you.

Shepherding my family is THE hardest thing I've ever done: they know the real me, faults, shortcomings and all. There is, however, NOTHING more important to me. I will not sacrifice my family on the altar of ministry.

So, If you wonder what has been driving me for the past 15 months I can tell you that these 3 things were never far beneath the surface. God has such a mighty plan for us - I don't know what it is exactly but just like that GPS if we keep it plugged in and continue following HE will show us exactly what we need to know when we need to know it.

I trust You, Lord.

(make sure to check out Pastor's Message - you can find it here)

A Rant About Hezekiah and True Holiness

Sunday morning I introduced hyde park to King Hezekiah and we looked at the way that he "rebelled" against the ways of the previous kings (including his father, King Ahaz). One of the coolest things though that Hezekiah did is found in 2Kings 18:4

 4 He (Hezekiah) removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called ^[b] Nehushtan. ^[c] )

The thing that I thought was so interesting about this was the fact that Israel had worshiped the Lord incorrectly for so long that for the most part they felt that the worship that they did was TO God. For example, Hezekiah's dad, Ahaz, actually built a pagan altar in the temple. IN THE TEMPLE!!!! And they did pagan sacrafices in God's temple. Unbelievable, isn't it?!?

The people for centuries had worshiped in the high places... taken part in the sex and religion Asherah worship... so when this King Hezekiah comes in, destroying their high places and making changes to the way that "they worshiped" it wasn't popular.

"He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it.". Do you think that's as crazy as I do?? I thought about this and honestly, even today Christians take up some of the siliest practices:

• Like going through the motions of singing the same song for a "call to worship". If they don't sing that song worship can't begin...
• or having to have a choir special right before the message...
• or having to sing a certain song EVERY SINGLE TIME that the offering is returned to the front of building by the ushers. It's ok to praise God from Whom all blessings flow, but can we not figure out a new song to do that by?
• or having to follow the same worship order week in or week out
• or having to wear a certain kind of clothes as being the acceptable clothing for church (even though the clothing that most believe is acceptable was not even invented when the New Testament was written). Sorry, Paul didn't wear a suit or a tie.

We christians have a tendency to make a big deal of traditions - sometimes to the point of making them "holy" (like the Judites were doing by burning incense to that snake). Example: I know churches that you go into that you can't move the "sacred desk" (the pulpit) as if it's "holy". It's a piece of wood - it's furniture - it's not a holy article. Sorry.

I think that the thing that we can learn from this is that we need to keep JESUS at the very center of our worship - Him and him only. Let's let our man-traditions be just that, traditions and not allow them to become religious dogma that eventually drags us down a road that leads away from the heart of true worship.

I am so thankful to live and serve and worship among a people who seem to have understood and applied these principals to their worship. Hyde Park rocks!