I cannot begin to tell all of you how long I have been wanting to post this blog. I know my boy Robbie Foreman can relate to this feeling of freedom I now have, since I can now release it!
I will say that along with this blog there will be a book review of "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick. This will not be your typical review though. I plan to review in how this book spoke to me and what it did and is doing in my life.
The whole idea of the book is to live out and Audacious Faith through audacious prayers and asking God for what can seem to be the impossible. Steven uses the story of Elevate (where he is lead and founding pastor) and how God used a Sun Stand Still prayer to ignite the city of Charlotte, SC through Steven and the core team. I will say, if you have not read it, go get yourself a copy, a cup of coffee (or 3) and read away and be transformed in your faith. If you want a more in depth review of the "content" just google Sun Stand Still reviews and read away. If want real life application, please stay with me, grab a coke, and read on!
I grabbed this book about 3 months ago with the intent of blogging about it, since that is why I was able to get a free copy, that I would agree to blog about the book. I couldn't get into the book for some reason (no offense Steven). The content was great, and life changing, but for some reason I could not be committed to reading and get it done. I later picked up Erasing Hell by Chan, read that quickly (another amazing book) and then felt lead to pick up Sun Stand Still and finish. Well, that took about 3 days and now I know why I could not get in it. I needed the message now, and not three months ago. God's timing was perfect, mine, as always, stunk.
Over the past 6 months or so I have been in prayer about the next step in ministry. I knew God was stirring my heart for something new. I think so often we feel that something new in ministry, means a new church, new people, and sometimes a new place to call home all together. There were times where I wondered where "next" was and where it was going to be, when all along God wanted it to be right here, where I am.
Three and a half years ago, I joined the staff and ministry here at Trinity. A young minister, finishing college, from a different denomination, unsure of the future, but certain of the call that God has placed in my life to come to the community of Pinopolis and begin my journey in ministry. The last three years have been full of ups and down, successes and failures, celebrations and sadness. After much prayer and many discussions with Father Hal, Karey, and mentors in ministry, my family and the church leadership has begun to see what God has called us to do as a ministry.
Recently Hal, the Rector (fancy name for senior pastor) I serve with, came to me about the realization of a needed change in focus at Trinity. The need was to begin becoming a church that lives out the Great Commission, Acts 2, in summary, be a church that goes and Evangelizes. Through prayer and discussions, the Holy Spirit laid on him a new mission and vision for the church and we began to move forward, with audacious faith. As we prayed and took time to realized the demographics of our area and our congregation, we noticed on big thing. The communities around us are slowly getting younger, but we as a church are getting older. There is a huge gap of what we call the "Next Generation" (Ages 35 and younger) attending worship. So, with the new vision and mission we realized that a core of what we do has to target them.
With that stage being set, I am excited to share that I have been called to step into the role of the Next Generation Pastor here at Trinity. As of September 11, I will no longer be attending the Sunday morning worship at Trinity and will be developing a worship service that is geared towards the next generation and the unchurched that will take place onsite Sunday nights at 6:00 PM starting September 18 (you are invited). I will be responsible for leading and developing Evangelism, Outreach, Worship, and Discipleship for the Next Generation (I will still be doing Youth Ministry on Wednesday nights). So right now I am flying an airplane and trying to put it together in the air, but God is guiding, blessing, and holding it all together. Stepping out on faith, since this model is very different than what most epsicopal/ anglican church are doing.
This is how the book ties in...
The idea of faith is something that was taught to me at a young age. I understood the concepts of by faith and not by site, by faith and not by works, but I believe I just realized what it means to live out and live in my faith. I began to understand to place my trust so hard in Christ that if he were to remove himself, I would fall flat on my face. I also felt that I was too busy praying and not doing anything, but waiting, when then I learned that I need to be working and praying at the same time (addressed in the book). The book gets you to the point of developing a Page 23 vision and Sun Stand Still prayers. SSS prayers can be short term and long term, and trust me, you will find both in your Page 23 vision.
I will say for me, I am still tweaking my Page 23 vision and my Sun Stand Still prayers, but I know that the new adventure of being the Next Generation Pastor is playing a huge role, as we step out in faith in this new service, knowing that God will bless it, and send people to hear about the gospel. I encourage you to live out your faith everyday and trust God to do big things in your life and through your life. I could easily debunk all of Sun Stand Still in this blog, but if I did I would communicate in a messy way what Furtick communicates so beautifully. Be prepared to be bold, step out and let God use you. I will say that it is a crazy ride, a beautiful struggle, and I am no where near the end, I am just at the beginning.
I do ask that you keep Karey, Sanders, and myself in prayer as we start this journey. Pray that Jesus will place a hedge of protection around our family from the darts of the enemy. The enemy wants nothing more than to keep people from walking into the light of Salvation, and seeks to target those who carry the Good News. Also be praying for the relationships we will build and for God to begin placing those people in our lives who would benefit from Trinity Sunday Night. Pray that our faith in God to do something huge in this community will change the way the gospel is seen in the lives of many. The days ahead are both clear and muddy at the same time, but I know that God is sovereign and will appoint the correct viewpoints and discernment in His time. I look forward to sharing with you what God is doing among us. Please never miss the opportunity to be used to further the Kingdom and know that I am praying for each and every one of you. Thank you for your support, love, and prayers. Keep the faith and press onward and upward.
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