A Ragamuffin Voice

I've been reading Alan and Deb Hirsch's book Untamed for a second time.  There is so much good stuff in there that I just had to work through it again.  Something settled on my heart this time that kept pushing at me.  How do our churches and, in particular, small groups help people open up to the power and wonder of the Holy Spirit? Perhaps I'm wondering this because we're heading toward the celebration of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit has been on my mind a lot lately.  Or perhaps it's because, as a pastor, I do yearn for my church to be set on fire by the movement of the Spirit that we will see and do those amazing things Jesus says his disciples will do in John 14:12, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father."  And because Jesus is going to the Father, he will send the Holy Spirit, the counselor, guide, director, spiritual conscie...

I recently had a conversation with someone in our church who felt somewhat frustrated with where the church seemed to be heading. As we have been discussing our vision and identity as a church, conversations and round-table discussions made it clear that the majority of the church believes we must become far more active in our community and abroad. This particular member thought it a waste of time and money to send me and another church member to Zambia on a scouting trip to assess ministry needs in an area where we support a local pastor. They saw no value in such effort believing that the financial support we've sent for the past nine-plus years to be quite adequate. I assured her that there will be greater value in further developing our relationship with our friends in Zambia, with a hands-on, side-by-side ministry that you can't put a price on.   People's lives are changed in such ministry environments in incredibly profound ways not to mention the intimate rel...

Alright, since the closing of Abundant Life Church our house is up for sale and I'm going to back to Seminary to finish my Master of Divinity. WOW! I never thought I'd say that. But when God says, "Go", you go. Jeremy and I arrived safe and sound in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Wednesday Feb 22. We left early on Tuesday morning with no bad weather or vehicle trouble over the two day journey. Freda is staying behind to sell the house. Josh and Nate are with her. We realize this is going to be tough, but God is faithful and He will do it. So stay tuned for the latest updates on our new journey. 'til next time.

I know that outreach can be a scary thing to some of you.  I remember the days back when churches were doing a thing called Evangelism Explosion – an effective outreach ministry where you’d go door to door and ask very personal questions.  You’d go through intensive training to help build your confidence, memorize scripture and learn how to lead someone in the sinner’s prayer to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Going door to door certainly wasn’t everyone’s thing.  It was very personally challenging and often very uncomfortable.  No one likes a door slammed in their face.  And in the 1980’s that’s often what you got.  While Evangelism Explosion was very effective in the 70’s, it was not seen as culturally friendly by the mid 80’s. As Christians, however, we are still called to reach people for Christ.  It’s not limited to those with the gift of evangelism.  In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus makes it real clear...

One of the worst catastrophes in this country has happened and we are still trying to regain some composure. If you're like me, you are watching exerpts throughout the day to see what is happening in New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama. I cannot begin to imagine how deeply seated is this turmoil in their lives. I have found myself in deep anguish over the loss of life and the helplessness of the people I see on TV and read about in the paper. I think I am in a personal struggle as well, wishing there was something more I could do besides giving money and praying. Personally, I don't know anyone in any of the areas -- that I know of. One of my former youth and member of ALC was going to attend Tulane and then was sent home. It was covered in the Sentinel on Saturday. Other than that, I feel somewhat distant both physically and emotionally from the whole thing. Even with the inundation of media coverage, one cannot fully connect. But one thing I do know -- God is with these peop...

It's been awhile since I posted on this site, but things have been quite busy. PRAISE THE LORD! We finally have all the permit stuff taken care of. I want to put out a special thank you to Andrew Golike who took time off work and more to chase all of this stuff down. Thanks to Cary Eidsness, Orville and Coreen Caldwell, and Bud Knapton for going the extra mile on the Restart Team, to make this happen. I also want to thank John Paxson from New Life Church for being so involved and an incredible support to ALC. I thank God for these folks every day. Let me bring you up to speed on all the happenings. The offices will no longer be at West Gate Inn. I have an office in my home for the time being. The phone number is still the same. Vickie Golike has come on board as a volunteer office manager type person since Coreen had to take another job. I am very sad that we can not pay for the position at this time. Coreen is still involved in small groups, Taste and See, and prayer. ...