Word of the Day: It is exciting to think that the fellowship we are starting in Bock, MN (at the Borgholm townhall on Wednesday Nights at 6:30 p.m.) will start tomorrow. Now before you rush to check your calendars, know that you are not invited to the very first service. As we birth this church in faith, we have laid all of our expectations at the feet of Christ, knowing that He will lead those who are hungry for Truth to us in His time. Yet the first service is not for you. It has been sanctified for the Lord.
Tomorrow is a special day. It will be a time where my wife and our two children will worship the Lord at the facility that God has provided for us to speak His Truth and love others. It will be a time where our family can truly sanctify (or surrender) our lives to serving the people who God will lead our way. All ministry takes time, energy or money. Most effective ministry costs all three. Knowing this, our family (in unity) is about to place our wants and desires on hold in order to take on His wants and desires for His kingdom. Tomorrow as we worship, our family will transition into the roles of shepherds.
Therefore, before we minister to a single person, we are going to make sure our hearts are in the right place. As ministers of the gospel, we desire to be used by God. This can only happen if we are willing to surrender ourselves to follow Him in every aspect in our lives. It is the sacrifice all followers of Christ are called to make as we allow Christ and His plans replace our own. And nothing outside of following in Christ’s footsteps brings such joy.
As Paul writes to the young pastor Timothy. He teaches, 20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (2 Tim. 2:20-21)
As we begin to actively minister to our neighbors, we seek the Lord to prepare our hearts for every good work. And we will be content with whomever the Lord pulls our way. As humble ministers of the Gospel, we are going to be vulnerable and build relationships with those who seek to know more about Jesus. Our goal is not to build a mega-church. Our goal is to make disciples through intimate relationships by means of mentorship. The goal is not to place people in seats. The goal is to empower disciples to GO.
Therefore, calculate the cost of joining our flock. For no one will feel comfortable sitting in a seat and checking off a box under this pulpit. Here you will be stretched. Here you will be forced to wrestle with your pain in order to receive his peace and joy. Here the Truth will uncover the deception and lies that Satan has used to keep God’s people in bondage. We pray that through the power of Christ all who come our way will be transformed.
Please pray for us as we humbly prepare ourselves for ministry tomorrow as a family. We know how important prayer is and covet the covering you can place over us as we go out on faith and start something new.
Good news. After our fist service tomorrow, we will begin a 5-part bible study series before we hold our first worship services in March. The great news about this Bible Study is that you are invited to come. Starting on Wednesday February 12th at 6:30, the public is invited to join us as we begin to share (through the Word) the type of ministry we will be starting.
You might say, “Why is that needed?” In truth, we are attempting to start a fellowship (church) that is stripped of as much religion as we can. But let’s be clear, stripping away tradition and religion in no way means changing the Gospel or redefining God’s commands and laws. Therefore, this prototype ministry will place a much lighter yoke on its fellowship in regards to church structure, yet will never compromise the Word of God. We will always share His Truth in love.
Tomorrow we start a church fellowship with no sheep as our family humbles ourselves to the Good shepherd. And one week later, we will open our hearts to receive any who walk through the door to check out what we are about to start. The first study will be on how we need to truly allow God to be our provision rather than storing His resources for later use to minimize risk. This is counter to the methods found in most traditional churches. God will always provide the needed provisions to fulfill His plans.
We hope you join us next Wednesday at the Borgholm Townhall, there won’t be any signs on the road. There won’t be a fancy coffee bar or food. All you will find is a humble family seeking to love you where you are at and to share with you a God who loves you. We pray that God is going before to prepare the hearts of those who will join us. If you have left the church, this ministry is for you. Would you give us some time to shape it into a safe place for your family to learn about God? We are not perfect. Come, give us feedback. Methods will always change, but the Gospel itself is unchanging.