I have made a mistake
I was also a Bible college, Institutional church/traditional church trained Pastor. Because of that these last months of deconstruction from that which I was, towards what I am has caused my mistake. You see before I launched into this blog, before I accepted a nudge from God to begin to go back into ministry I was in ministry. I was strategically discipling people God had placed in my life, I was doing lunch meetings, breakfast meetings, dinner meetings and helping people in the ways I described above.
Then I said I was starting a new church and something happened. Many people began to see that as a threat to "their church". Many people saw that as an attempt like so many others before them had done to "get them in the doors" and in fact it was. I am sorry to say when my family and I decided on this path our intention was to begin to disciple families, to begin to minister to peoples needs by pouring our lives into theirs, And then my mind took over. By that I mean I began to start using opportunities to disciple as opportunities to promote "coming" to a Bible study hosted in my home, and while our intention and our heart was in the right place, my old nature of "church" just kind of took over.
So now my wife and I (well really me because she somehow lovingly helped me realize my mistake) are going back to the beginning. For those whom I have talked with about a new church I am sorry, this is about US being the church, and helping people go deeper in their faith,and become more of the people that God created them to be: as husbands/wives, and parents, and individuals, as workers and employers, and last but not least… as followers of Christ. For those of you whom God has given us to speak into your lives I say thank you. Thank you for understanding that I am human and as such am prone to mistakes, and to say thank you for giving me and Liela and our family continued opportunity to share our faith with you on an ongoing basis!
So: who's over for dinner next?
Comments? please feel free to share them here!
posted by Carl at 12:15 PM
8 Comments:
You are a humble man! All of us have to constantly remind ourselves that the destination no matter how great it is can not overtake us to where we forget about the journey. I think most of the time that the journey essentially is more important.
I hope that our sphere of influences are challenged to become more transparent and patient as we all walk this journey together.
I hope that my personal relationship will grow to where there is real growth for all of us in Christ and how He wants us to live.
Although we are a work in progress I look forward to the JOURNEY with all of you!
I feel better knowing others have their blunders also.
Carl, it's not a mistake here, it is a growing process. You are growing. As you move to redeem lost people there are those in the church who will feel that you are stepping on their turf. Does this seem weird to anyone else but us.
liela is right you know!
From my perspective it is a mistake, but I am thankful for the journey, the loving reminder, and friends to walk through it with!
thanks you two!
OK, Carl, I'll be the first to admit, when I first heard the words "starting a church" come into play, it made me uneasy. I know we tried to get together for dinner for a long time, and I wasn't really avoiding it, but it wasn't a priority, because I was afraid of having to make a decision. My problem is, I love both, and I don't think I can make a decision. I love our church, the pastors, our friends, our life group leaders, everyone there. But I also love you guys, and am thankful every day that God put you guys into our lives. I'm also very thankful for the things ya'll have already done for us. So in other words, I'm hoping to have both in my life. And if I'm reading your post right, sounds like that is going to be doable. Am I right? I will be VERY excited if that is right!!
Tonja
Tonja,
What we are trying to do we dont even want to call church right now. This is about discipleship. About pouring our lives into each others in a Biblical way, structured and geared towards spiritual maturity. I honestly dont know what it will look like in the future. We have some other folks who are in the same boat as you are and thats just fine. They still go to and are plugged into their "traditional" church environment.
Our goal is to develop real authentic community, where relationships that are Biblical can develop and grow. where discipleship are real spiritual dept are obtained, and where the world around us is impacted. It is about taking on the role of discipler of our children and taking responsibility of their spiritual growth away from a program and into the parents. It is about Living with a mission and being missional about our focus.
Will doing those things make us a "church" someday... perhaps... And I believe it will, however it will not be what your thinking, But I gaurentee if and when it does if God is speaking to you about what His plan is for the future a decesion will not be hard to make. We are all about letting God lead and us simply following him as He points us in the direction He wants us to go.
From days gone by we have wanted you and Kirby to participate with us, I believe you have much to offer, both in our lives and into the lives of those others who are joining with us, and I also believe God has much to offer you through us. No Pressure Just let God lead and we'll see what comes next.
So to answer your question at the end of your comment...yes it is very doable, I am not asking you or anyone else to walk away from what they have always know, I am only asking them to listen to God and be open to His direction. So what do you think? would you like to walk down this journey with us? We would love to have the company!
Absolutely, Carl! I think we have wanted to for a long time, even before YOU decided to do it!! We know and have known for a long time that you and your family have a lot to offer us, in your knowledge and your willingness, we just weren't prepared to have to make a decision. We left your house a few weeks ago after discussing our situation that we are going through, and I told Kirby that if we could do both, I would do it in a heartbeat. He agreed. So I think we are in. Just tell us when and where!!!!
We are finding that those who do both, can and will for a season. But in time as they work in the disciple making priority they soon see less of a need for the things they think they need right now.
Tonya, you can do both, but there will come a time when what you love in the church now will be overtaken by the love for something you have not yet experienced. Soon the church routine etc will no longer satisfy as you personally see lives changed through your investment in them. This new movement will far exceed what you think you need in the tradition etc. Hang with the both of them, but don't be surprised if one doesn't fall by the wayside and be picked up with something so freeing and productive that the other is never missed again. This new fresh wind will seem more like walking on the beach as you step into the sand footprints the Master Jesus.
Nothing is living more closely to Jesus than living out His Great Commission of making disciples personally. Carl can show you just how easy that really is.
Wow! I am so thankful for an obedient husband that truely goes for what God wants of him. I am anxious and excited to begin to really prepare for discipleship with your family Tonja. I do understand how hard it would be to have to make that decision. I was one that loved going and ministering in church. Children are my passion they always have been every since I was one actually. I can say we are agreeing to step on a spiritual journey together as God teaches us our unique need and way to disciple. All I can say is YEAH!! I so want our relationships to each other and God to deepen. I will be talking to you soon about our thoughts to get started. (maybe tonight at soccer)
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