And a Dangerous New Year to you...

Seems pretty crazy that it's already ten years ago that the world was going through the Y2K scare, doesn't it? Here we are on the doorstep of 2010...And I couldn't be more excited about what the future holds, although I AM a little disappointed that we're not all driving flying cars or wearing jetpacks already...I've never been much for New Year's Resolutions, but I have made a promise of sorts to myself this year - actually, it's more of a promise to God. Most of you reading this know that this is the first "Lead" pastor position I've ever held, and the past three months have an absolute whirlwind for me...Transitioning into the role, getting a feel for what the Element community needs from me (and what it doesn't need :), and making some sense out of all the stuff flying around in my mind the whole time...It hasn't been the most relaxing time of my life, to say the least! But getting back to the promise...I don't want to be safe. I don't want this church to be safe. And I know, if you've been around Element for a while, you might have heard that we desire to be a "safe place to consider the claims of Christ." I still agree with that, as long as we have an understanding about the word "safe". "Safe" in this context means simply that you're free to check things out at your own pace without pressure. It means that your questions, no matter what they are, are welcome. It means you can be free to be yourself, and not have to pretend that you're someone you're not. I hope Element will always be that kind of safe.
     But I don't want to approach this whole journey timidly...I don't want to navigate through life guided by a fear of offending...I don't want to act like there's not a lot at stake, because there is. I don't want to take the easy way out. Jesus didn't. Why do we sometimes act like the church's role is to be a warm place to seek refuge from the nasty world, without seeking to actually change the nasty world? I'm reminded of something I heard Francis Chan say...He said that if Jesus had a church near his, his church would probably be bigger than Jesus' church. The reason? Francis admits that his church is safer than Jesus' church would be. The bar Francis sets for people is much lower. Jesus requires a full-on, "go nuts for what you believe in" attitude. In other words, buy into the idea that Jesus can change your life, or don't. What's the point in allowing Him only part of the way in? And I don't want to do that. I want my life to personally be a reckless pursuit of God. I want this church to be a place that God changes lives so completely that we stand amazed, continually amazed, by God's power. I know we're only human beings, and we get wrapped up in the petty concerns that humans get wrapped up in, but I can't stomach the thought of that being the model for how we live our lives, and how we pursue Him together. I want a dangerous pursuit of Him. We'll have to risk more, that's true. But we'll see Him in a whole new light, and the risk becomes nothing compared to what God has in store for you and me. Let's make this a year of living dangerously...I look forward to the journey with you all!

Real vision, or just a fleeting fancy...

I had the great privilege of hanging with some of the Element community last night and talking about vision. Now, the thing about vision is, it gets me super stoked to think about what kinds of things could possibly happen in the future, but I often find myself wrestling with the difference between a God-breathed vision and something that I cooked up for some kind of selfish gain. I assure you, I'm not thinking that's what I'm doing while in the middle of it, but we as people deal with this struggle all the time. The danger, of course, is that we often get off-track with vision from the beginning, and then it becomes incredibly difficult to correct (or be corrected) later. That's why last night was so affirming, encouraging, and necessary for me...I believe that the vision for this church from the beginning was solid, it was and is God-designed, and it excites me like you wouldn't believe to think about what God has positioned this community to do! We are called to connect people with the hope of Jesus Christ. We are called to give ourselves away for each other. We are called to live life together. That's it. No frills, no grand plans to take over the world - just a simple desire to be real with each other and pursue God. To see that vision alive and well in you guys, to see the reality of who God is come alive in the way you all love and encourage each other - I face the day knowing that people need God and that Element is a church that's passionate about connecting each other to Him: that's life-changing for me! I'm honored to be journeying with you!

A little food for thought...

Hey Element people! Just wanted to kick off this new blog with a quick thought...I don't have enough deep thoughts to post on here daily :), but I will periodically share a few things with you that are kicking around in my muddled brain. First, I am incredibly blessed to be able to serve you guys in this position...I can't even tell you how humbled I feel. For the last few years, I have felt the tugging of God to change the direction of my life (in terms of where my time is spent) to supporting the Church...And now that's exactly where He's put me. I love you all a ton, and I'm so eager to see what kinds of amazing things God does as we take this journey together in the Element community. I had a really great conversation yesterday with a dear friend, you know the kind that seems to help with gaining perspective and sharpening focus all at once? I was left with a real simple thought - If I love people, and God's put me in their lives, then they oughta know how much I care about them. It's way too easy for me to get wrapped up in the details of the stuff that has to get done...But if I don't visibly and tangibly show love, then the stuff is just another task that ultimately doesn't mean a whole lot. Now this might well be something you've got a great handle on, and since I know a lot of you, I can tell you that some of you ARE exceptional at this, but for me, it's a constant choice. Show love, or retreat into my comfort zone. Show love, or bury myself in task completion. I want to show love. Love changed my life. The love of God changed my life. It's that simple. And it leaves me no choice...