Encounter Week Recap

Encounter Week exceeded my hopes. I wasn't sure how things would go with mostly home-team ministry, but real encounters took place.

• Public reading of Scripture - We made it through the Bible as one by one, people came and read the Bible openly in the sanctuary. It took us ~57 hours. We couldn't have finished without Jeff LaMotte who when he came at 5:30 on Saturday, we were only at Eph. 1! He finished the Bible even though it took him over four hours!
• Elder-led prayer on Wednesday - I was grateful for the leadership our elders demonstrated. At different points, I found myself thanking God for depth of devotion and attention to Scripture that they modeled, as well as humility and transparency--such an important value for us here at SCCC.
• Night of Praise - Pr. Scott and the team led us into a evening of passionate praise and worship. We ended with our shoes off in worship. What a night.
• Sunday morning w/ Pr. Jim Stern - Jim's message on Building a culture of encountering God was right in line with what God has been saying to us. What an energetic guy! Glad to have him in St Louis leading a great church in West County. 
• Holy Spirit Service (Sun. eve) - As so often happens, good things come to those who wait. After many came forward to receive fullness of the Spirit, some lingered. The band played for another 1.5 hrs! People were changed, impacted and filled. 

Many thanks to our C.M. teams and Music and a/v teams who pulled long hours this week.You made a difference for eternity!

I've heard many reports of God-encounters in the Word and Spirit. If you've heard any good reports, let me hear from you.

The Mishpaha

There is a danger in the dominant theme of modern Christianity with the emphasis on individualism. We emphasize the freedom of conscience, individual priesthood, personal devotion, private confession—could it be that we have come to see ourselves as self-sufficient believers? The end result can be this: “The Lord spoke to me…and you shouldn’t question it.”

I recently picked a book back up: "Our Father Abraham: The Jewish roots of Christian Faith" by Marvin Wilson. In it he talks about the Hebrew word for family: mishpaha. For the Hebrews, this was more than Mom and Dad. It included the larger family: distant cousins, uncles and aunts. Wilson's premise is that Christianity has lost this idea in its western pursuit for individualism.

I had the mishpaha who helped me learn what it meant to follow Christ. That being said, I grew up in a church where grace was not really understood. Some parts of it weren’t healthy. But other parts were. There were older women who knew Jesus, who loved His Word and His presence. They knew God was holy and they had a passion to please Jesus. They walked as an example and even though I never told them, I watched them. Their input into my life was real. There was sacred influence and my eyes were on them.

I can remember specifics. I remember Ronnie who taught the Jr. High boys class during VBS. I remember how when we made a mess in the front lawn of the church, and the pastor was irritated, Ronnie helped us clean up the mess and said, "Pastor, we'll take care of it." He covered for us. I remember Sis. Latham (I still don't know her first name!) my S.S. teacher who taught us how important it was to memorize scripture, how she had the S.S. class to her house and played board games with us and laughing so hard she would cry. I remember my parents too. But I remember my Jr. High class and the teacher who taught us to pursue the Lord’s presence. I remember one prayer meeting I can never forget where I was changed. I can remember the room, where my teacher knelt in prayer. I can see my buddies crying out to the Lord. Here’s what I mean friends: We're not individuals. We're in desperate need of the mishpaha. Paul: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” That’s what I did. That’s what they are doing. And that’s what we should do.

Are you living in a way that those who watch should imitate? If the next generation imitates and follows your example, what kind of church will there be?

Abandon the planet?

The brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking is suggesting that we may have less than a 100 years to survive on this planet. He cites numerous factors like self-destructing behavior such as nuclear or biological warfare. At the heart of his observations, there seems to be the focus of insuring the survival of the human species. Interesting article. I find it fascinating that one of the most respected physicist's is suggesting such a mission.

As the author Alan Boyle writes, "Considering all the trouble that NASA has been having with human spaceflight lately, how much do you think we can get done by 2110?" 
 

Secret to Joy

Groups forming now! Instead of our usual selection of common interest groups, this semester we will focus on a Bible study on the theme of “Secret to Joy.” Beginning September 12 for seven (7) weeks, there will be multiple opportunities for you to connect with others around God’s Word. I will lead our study on Sundays in this series based on the book of Philippians. Then during the week, all over the city, nearly 100 groups will be meeting all over metro St. Louis in homes, coffee shops and places of business. Registration is beginning now and will officially kick-off on Aug. 15. During our ministry fair, Aug. 22 & 29, you’ll have additional opportunities to find a group and register. I’m certain there is a place for you to connect and grow in relationship as we discover together the secret to joy.