Not going to write in paragraph form… Lessons learned after 40 days and 40 nights. Some of these might seem small, simple, dumb or a bit off the wall, but lessons learned non the less
In no particular order.
*God was at work in this area long before I even thought about planting a church. My job is to try and figure out what God is up to here and how I can align with that vision.
*God has prepared certain people to completely “own” the cause of this church.
*If you ask God to bring people to you, you better be ready.
*It can be difficult to love people without an agenda.
*People can see right through a person who is not genuine.
*People are hurting and have been hurt by the church.
*I can’t imagine having any other office space than Starbucks.
*”Be all things to all people”, might be the best advice I’ve heard in a while.
*Planting a church, or evangelism, for that matter, can not and should not be reduced to an equation.
*There is a faith that I have been missing out on until doing this.
*The point of Christianity isn’t reading the Bible, praying, being held accountable, or witnessing. The point, according to Matthew 22:37 is to Love God and Love people. The trick is that if you are seeking to love God and love people
*Demons are hard at work on people, and I believe I’ve seen it first hand.
*Planting a church is not cool. It’s messy, confusing, stressful, depressing and intimidating, but there is nothing else I would rather do.
*Planting a church is also: encouraging, beautiful and fulfilling.
*It’s not up to me to change people, only to provide them with an opportunity to be introduced to a God who will convict us of change.
*Being comfortable can lead to apathy. Don’t be satisfied with the way things are just because that’s the way they have always been.
That’s probably not everything, but these are the ones that stand out to me tonight. God bless
September 16, 2007 at 2:15 am
What a journey you’re on! God is using you! Doug and I are praying for you and your family. Blessings, katie
September 16, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Jake,
Happy Birthday! I know it’s not your real “belly button” birthday, but the lessons you have learned, at least the ones you’ve mentioned here, make it very clear that God has opened your heart in a way that very few ever get
to experience…EVER…
A very dear friend told me one time about a friend of his who said he looked at the “goal” of Christianity as something like being on a freeway. As long as you did what you were supposed to, you got to ride on all the best roads and make great time getting to your destination. My friend on the other hand explained how totally different his view was…that it was more like getting AWAY from the paved superhighway of life and taking all the backroads and “short cuts” that came along…the goal being to trust that God was there leading and directing and basically showing you the best of the trip along the way.
From the sounds of it, you’re going to be seeing some GREAT back roads and country lanes and maybe even a few dirty backstreets…but OH WHAT A TRIP!!!!
Travel well!
And don’t forget to ask for directions!
Best
Uncle Doug
September 19, 2007 at 1:25 am
jake, keep the posts coming, this is great stuff man. i can’t wait to be on the ground like you are!
September 19, 2007 at 1:46 am
thanks man. You’ll love it. Get ready to be changed!
September 19, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Good stuff Jake. I’m enjoying reading this also. God Bless you in Indy
September 21, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Okay, I’ll admit it…I’m hooked now…checking in to see if you’ve added anything new. LOL
I wanted to ask you about one of your “Lessons Learned” that you listed…
*”Be all things to all people”, might be the best advice I’ve heard in a while.
I’m missing the point on that one… can you ‘splain it to me’?
Later,
-d-
September 21, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Basically it is to be interested in what they are interested in.
They’re into poker, try to get in their game. They’re into hanging out
it pubs, invite them to one. They’re having an art show, show up and
support the cause. They’re homless, eat a meal with them on the
streets. Just a couple of the things I’ve done so far.