Good Discipline

A beautiful day at Red Rock Camp - me and my family right before breakfast this morning.

Since I've been here, I've had a bit of an epiphany. The reason that camp environments make it so easy to live the Christian life and are so comfortable and safe is because of one thing. It's the one thing that so many people, including myself, often lack when they leave camp. It's the reason why you can have a spiritual high and then get sucked back into "the same ol' things" when you leave that environment. And it doesn't have to be that way. So what is the one thing that makes it so much better?

One word: DISCIPLINE. At camp, on a mission trip, at a retreat, wherever - there is a schedule, a plan, and clear expectations. There's discipline. Up at 6, breakfast at 7, speaker at 8, all through the day and then lights out at 11. I think what makes it harder, at least for me, is that I don't have that much discipline in my life when I'm not at a place like this. Hmmmm. Maybe that's why sometimes it's harder to enjoy life, make good choices, avoid temptation, love God and grow. Just a thought.

Quick Update

This is the first time in a week that I've been able to check my email and after looking at my inbox and the 300 emails, I decided I'd rather type out a quick post. We made it to Minnesota and are at the camp right now (thank God they have an open computer). We've shared a bit of our story a couple times and have more to share later in the week. The coolest thing is that Lora and I are seeing a number of the kids that we were camp counselors for 10 years ago. Not only that, they are now counselors themselves. It's just showing me that God is faithful to complete the work he began.

I'll fill in more of the details of this adventure story at a later time but let me just say that on our way here we got caught outside on a trail in a hailstorm! Yes, not just a soaking thunderstorm, but in a hailstorm. And whether you believe me or not (I wouldn't if I hadn't been there) it hailed for nearly 40 minutes straight and some places had accumulation of almost a foot! It's quite a story. Check back in a week or so and I should have it detailed for you.

One other thing. I checked in with Claude and his dad Bobby is in the very last stages of life. Nurses have told Claude that today may be his last. Please pray for Claude and Sheila as well as Claude's family. This isn't an unexpected event, but the prolonging of it is making it more difficult. He could use the prayers and you could probably use the practice.

Heading Out

Lora and I will be heading out in the AM for a road trip to Knoxville, Louisville, St. Louis, Chicago, St. Paul and Dayton. Most of our time will be in Wisconsin and Red Rock Camp in Minnesota, but we've got a few stops planned and people to visit. My blogging will be sporadic at best (read: not a priority) until June 29. Just thought I'd let you know.

Pray for us. Pray for Discovery Church.

Things I Don't Know

It's Friday and I usually think of a lot of different things I don't know on Friday's for some reason so I thought I'd share some of them.

I don't know....

how to fix a car (that's why I have Claude)
where in the world Carmen San Diego is
why I love tacos
who's going to show up for Second Saturday Service tomorrow
what 25 hours in a car with my 5 kids (including an 11 month old) will be like
who's speaking on July 1 (since Randy and Laci might have their baby then - or not)
why some people are truly stupid
why those same stupid people annoy me
where these crazy thoughts come from
but most of all, I don't know....
why God chose me or how he continues to love me some days.

Personal Responsibility

This has happened before and will certainly happen again I'm sure, but it really frustrates me. There is a prevailing expectation that the church and its pastors and people are supposed to simply "notice" when someone is disconnecting and withdrawing, and to a degree, that's absolutely true. But I don't believe it's a healthy or realistic expectation that the church its pastors and people get it right for everyone every time.

I'll be the first to admit that we haven't got everything up to the level that it needs to be when it comes to tracking people's participation and growth. While ideally, we'd like to make a phone call to every person who's been out/absent for two weeks straight and add a letter to the level of care if they're out for three weeks straight, we haven't consistently reached that level yet. That means that as a church, we're imperfect, we mess up, and occasionally people are going to be missed and feel left out like nobody noticed or cared. That needs to change and we're trying.

On the other hand though is the role of the person who's missing. When I go to a restaurant, they give me a menu, they don't order for me. Why? Because they can't read my mind. They don't know if I'm diabetic, want fried food, healthy food, a lot or a little. They leave that up to me and then I expect whatever I ordered to live up to my expectations.

Yet people walk into churches all the time, are given a menu of options to choose from. They stare at it without ever really ordering anything or getting involved (in ministry, classes, small groups, etc), and then wonder why they're not satisfied and fulfilled. Could it be because they're expecting us to deliver a meal that they never ordered?

People want to feel connected. So we provide the opportunities, but if they don't take advantage of them, where did the ball get dropped? People want something for their kids. We provide the best we can right now. If they don't like it should they a) leave; b) complain; or c) work to improve it? I'd like for "C" to be the first option, not "A" or "B"

All I can say is that the church, its pastors and people, should do the best they can and work to really know the needs of the people they're trying to serve. In addition, the people being served need to understand that there is an element of personal responsibility so stop blaming the church, its pastors and people for your lack of effort, initiative or willingness to put forth the time and effort necessary to improve things for everyone (not just you).

Why Am I Nervous?

I don't know why, but I'm about to go and shoot video for the message on Father's Day and I'm a bit nervous. We're trying something new. I'm going to be out of town then and since it's the last week of our Define The Line series, I didn't want to just hand it over to a guest speaker who hadn't been here to catch the whole idea and some of the messages. I actually really wanted to be a part of it. We toyed with the idea of a live teleconference type setup, but realized that at this stage we already have enough problems with simple setup some weeks.

So I'm going about to record a good chunk of the message in a story form (ala Rob Bell and Nooma videos) and then on Father's Day, Claude will pick up where I left off and finish out the message and the series. I think it will work great, but I'm nervous.

I don't manuscript my messages (big surprise to some) and I'm more comfortable standing and "reading" the audience. This will be a different experience. Me and a camera. Granted, editing can and will help, but still....too weird. Yet, you never know how things are going to turn out unless you give 'em a shot so, here goes. Check it out on Father's Day at Discovery.

The Big Picture

I debated even typing this, but transparency won out. Lately I've been feeling like I'm not doing as good of a job as I need to of helping people understand the big picture - the why we exist and why I even moved here to start a church called Discovery. Last night's staff meeting almost seemed to confirm that.

It wasn't anything that was said by any of the guys and nothing anyone of us did or reported on. It was the energy. Actually, to be more accurate it was the near complete lack of energy. I don't know if we all were drained - me from a intense weekend, Claude from 12+ hours in airports and on planes, Brent fresh off his honeymoon and Davey from late nights or there really is something going on. We've been talking for a few weeks about passion - who has it and who doesn't, how to create it, etc. The only place it showed up was in print as a word on the agenda.

Our prayers seemed a bit lethargic, and dreams....tiny, little, almost insignificant. What happened to changing the lives of everyone in Pitt county and beyond? Where are the crazy ideas that there's no way we could pull off without God's help? What's it going to take to reach our neighbors, coworkers and friends who don't yet know Jesus Christ AND how are we going to work to make that happen? What's the next thing we need to be working on and trying?

The big picture is so much bigger than what we're seeing now. I really believe we're just beginning. I actually got depressed when I talked with someone who thought we were doing great because we're a new church and have 125 or more people coming each week. There are thousands and thousands of people who don't know Christ and live within a 10 minute drive of us and we're doing great??!! We're not doing bad, but I certainly don't think we're doing great. Sure, we baptized 17 people last week, but why not 170? Can't we do more? I think we can. Would God like to see more? I think He would.

Please hear my heart though. I'm not complaining. I'm trying to challenge and keep us from being satisfied with mediocrity or being "better" than others by playing the comparison game. I want to see people discover "real answers for real life" that lead to real opportunities and that's already happening on a small scale. It's time to pull back a little and see all the potential that we have yet to live up to as a church and as the church.

I Am A Caffeine Addict

My name is Jason and I am a caffeine addict. (hi Jason) There, I've said it. How do I know? Because I've had a nasty caffeine headache all day as a result of not having had caffeine in nearly 48 hours. I think that means I've got a problem.

Problems are one thing, but solutions are another. Here's my solution. No more Mountain Dew, Mello Yellow, coffee or other caffeinated drinks at least until I get back from Minnesota. I'm thinking that this just might kill me, but all that high fructose corn syrup, sugar and caffeine isn't doing my body any favors either. Part of me wants to be healthy and the other part of me wants to overindulge on onion rings, Cubbie's cheeseburgers, Mountain Dew and bacon (lots of bacon).

But no, I will control myself. I will limit myself. I will thank God it's not too late for me to eat a little healthier. And I'll pray that my headache will go away and there will at least be some taste to the healthier food I'll be eating. I'm not going vegan or totally tofu, but better choices should equal better health, right?

Yesterday

It was busy, it was fun and it was wonderful. Yesterday at the end of the service we baptized 17 people which was great. A few married couples, one entire family and two of my sons along with a few others. I think everyone who was at church stayed to watch and cheer. Great stuff.

We tore down and packed up as quick as we could and then people went to grab lunch or a nap before they came back for a basketball and bocce ball tournament. The rain from tropical storm Barry decided to hold off and we played the games, grabbed some pizza and just had an all around great time (even if my team didn't win). I've got to say though, I'm beat. Not quite as young as I used to be.

Everyone's Getting Baptized>

Looks like a nice little tropical storm is making its way up the east coast and tomorrow's baptism will be a wet one for more than the people getting baptized! I'm liking the Boys and Girls Club more and more because they have a pretty large picnic pavilion so in case you're wondering, the baptism is still on and we'll be doing it under there to help keep the rest of you all dry. Pray for nice weather anyway though. And I just called the fire department since they weren't out there yet so pray that they'll be there within the next hour to get it filled up. I'm excited (and flexible)

Yep, It's Why We're Driving

So Claude and Sheila will be in around 8PM...only a little over 8 hours late. They could have driven back in less time then they'll have spent in airports and on airplanes today.

Why We're Driving

Claude and Sheila are supposed to be flying back today and should be flying in here before noon. So when I get a call from them I figure it's to say they're in Charlotte, but noooo. They had to get off their plane, go back out to ticketing where they are standing in line behind 30-40 other people trying to get on a different plane (any plane) that will get them to Charlotte so they can get here. Apparently something was wrong with their plane so they grounded it.

It might be a 24 hour car trip to Minnesota, but sure beats waiting around an airport for hours and hours. That's why we're driving. (well that and it's cheaper than 6 airline tickets and a rental car)

Catalyst

Just purchased our tickets to go to Catalyst this year. Love going with the ICC crew - they allow us to get a better deal (Uber-Sweet) and that ends up getting us floor seating. We had so much fun last year and learned so much that there's just no way we couldn't go this year. If you're a church leader of any kind and particularly a church planter...this is a must attend. Basically the only "can't miss" on the calendar.

I think the biggest thing we all got out of it last year was that the little things matter. When it comes to people who are questioning or far from Christ, the devil isn't in the details, the love is. We can say we love people, but the small detail of remembering a guest's name proves it. We can say guests are welcome, but good signage and personal guest guides proves it. We can try to explain that God loves all people, but cleaning trash, raking leaves or handing out a cold drink on a hot day demonstrates it. It's the little things that make the biggest impact.

TGIF

Long week is what it's been. I really hate it when I get in funk like this. The good news is that people have been sending in pictures and a sentence or two describing/explaining why they're at Discovery Church. I'm loving that.

Lora and I are going to be speaking as the "featured missionaries" at a summer camp in MN and so all the pictures and quotes are to make a scrapbook (yes, I actually used the word "scrapbook" on my blog). You see, we're going to be the first non-foreign missionaries in this camp's 100+ year history. So when they take up collections for us, we're not using the money they collect to put in indoor plumbing or dig a well, roof a mud hut or buy medical supplies. We'll use it to reach out and minister to American's who have everything they want but very little of what they need - specifically Jesus. We figured pictures and stories from those real people might connect and help people at this camp think differently about what a missionary really is.

You don't have to go over seas to be doing mission work. Heck, in most places in America you can pretty much just go over to the other side of the street. Countries where we sent missionaries are now sending missionaries here - to the US! People need Jesus and there's plenty of people in Greenville, NC that need him. That's why we're here. And that's what we're going to share with people in MN.

If you want to see some of the people in Greenville that have met Jesus, make sure you come to services this Sunday - we're baptizing over a dozen!