Our website is up

Well, we have a website.  It is an interesting exercise to figure out exactly what to say on the web, and how we want to say it...  We're learning as we go.

Feel free to check out our site and let me know what you think.  

www.journeychurchne.org

What makes people consider church?

Ever wonder what makes a non-church goer reconsider and think about going to church?  I recently came across three motivations that often get people reconsidering church.

The first is children.  When a couple begins to have children, they often begin to think about their children's spiritual development.  Every parent wants to be able to talk about spiritual issues that inevitably come up with children.  Yet another reason to have a healthy ministry to children and families.  

Another motivation is change.  When people move to a new city, they are often willing to integrate new pieces into their life, including church.  Interestingly, this is one reason why new churches are often effective at welcoming previosly unchurched people.  Folks are more willing to jump in when things are new, rather than coming into something established.

The third motivation is crisis.   Crisis makes us re-evaluate priorities in life.  When life moves into the realm of 'out-of-our-control' it is comforting to turn to a God is is never out of control.  God has often used negative circumstances and times of crisis to help people wake up to spiritual realities.  

These are all motivators in preparing someone to reconsider church.  But they alone will rarely get someone to walk into church without an invitation from a friend.  Always, always, always... the number one reason a person will walk into a church is because a friend they trust invited them.  So be aware of these issues going on in the lives of your friends.  It may be a good time to invite them to attend church with you!

Here's pictures of the Thomas Elementary, on Hwy 370 just east of town.  The cafeteria area will hold about 175 chairs.  The school will let us use their chairs as well as store some stuff there on sight.  This is a huge praise, as we won't have to purchase chairs or a trailer to store them in!  We will also be able to use three classrooms just off the cafeteria for children's ministry.  The principal at the school was extremely kind, and we are excited about being a blessing to her school.   

Journey Church Logo

Check out our sweet logo!  

Our friend Chrstine, who works in the Communication Department at CCC has created this logo for our use.  It's just another step on the road to creating an identity for our new church.  Thanks Christine, for using your talent to get us up and running!

Prayer Meetings

We have had two prayer meetings for Journey church so far, with plans to have one every two weeks.  I've got to tell you, they've been great.  What an encouragement to pray with a dozen or so people all in one accord - that God would begin a new church to help disconnected people connect with God.  

It reminds me of doing a house project.  If you're painting, there is all kinds of prework you have to do, from choosing colors to setting up the drop cloths.  But there is nothing as fulfilling as rolling that first bit of paint on the wall.

To me, praying is like putting the paint on the wall.  We're working hard getting things lined up for Journey Church to launch, but praying together actually feels like we're accomplishing something!       

The next prayer time is scheduled for Monday night Sept. 22nd at the Warren's.  Shoot me an email if you're interested in attending... and even if you can't come, please keep praying.

We're Official!

This week we received our articles of incorporation, meaning we are an official church and ready to roll!  So if you want to drop a note in the mail to us, or want to send a gift of any kind, send it to 

Journey Church

P.O. Box 345 

Gretna, NE, 68028

We are shooting for a preview service on January 18th, with a second service on February8th.  Our goal is weekly services beginning March 1.  Much ground will be covered between now and then.  Please pray!

Possible Timetable

What would a reasonable timeframe look like for getting Journey church off the ground? We are praying that we will hold our first service as a core team in January. We are hoping to hold periodic services in January and February, and officially launch weekly services by March 1.

We need help making this happen. We need people to pray. We need people to come and serve. We need people who can give while we get this church up and running. Please consider what part God would have you play in bringing the gospel to an under reached part of town.

High School Ministry

Last week our high school pastor at Christ Community resigned. This has left a hole in the high school ministry, and the board has asked if I'd be willing to step in for a time being as the church searches for a new pastor. I've agreed. In fact, I couldn't say no. I love the student ministries too leave while it's hurting.
This does not mean that the church plant will slow down. CCC originally agreed to let me go full time planting starting September 15. It now looks like it's possible I will go 50/50 with my time beginning then, until the transition takes place.
It's all good. There are many pastors who start new churches in a 'bi-vocational' role - working somewhere else while they start a church. With Jim Warren's help, we feel we can still get Journey Church started in a reasonable time. But pray for us! We don't want to short change either the high school ministry or the church start.

Something to celebrate!

I just got off the phone with Jim Warren. Jim has been helping get a Fellowship of Christian Athletes bible study going in the High School. Jim just called to say that 16 girls were present on the first night! Even better, the leaders presented the gospel on the first night, and many of the girls prayed for the first time to begin a friendship with Jesus, and to follow Him with all their heart. So start praying for these girls, as well as the leaders of the Bible Study. It feels good to see God at work.

Now what?

Jody and I have just returned from three weeks away. We spent two weeks in Hawaii celebrating Jody's parents 40th wedding anniversary. What an amazing couple. And what an amazing family reunion. The we spent a week at the Okoboji Bible Conference, ministering to middle schoolers (and enjoying every minute of it!)

So we return rested and ready. What's next? Our plan is to enlist support from as many of our friends as possible. Tonight Jody and I perused the Christ Community address book, circling friends we've made over the past ten years. What a fun time remembering all the people we've had the pleasure of ministering with, and to, these past few years!

Soon we will mail each of these folks a letter, letting them know we'll be inviting them to attend an informational party to learn more about how people can support us, if they are so led. We'll host as many meetings as it takes to get the word out. See, the deal is that no church is started by one person, or one fmaily. It takes MANY people to begin a church. People who will pray; people who will serve; people who can give. So we're getting ready to get the word out. God is on the move! We hope many of our friends will be a part of it...

Values

About five minutes ago, as I sat in my bed working on a rubik's cube, these ideas came to me as potential values for Journey Church people... Tell me what you think. This is the first draft.

At Journey Church, we...

• Depend on God
• Declare the Gospel
• Display Grace
• Do good

We depend on God for all things - salvation, wisdom, guidance, resources, relationships. Everything!

We declare the gospel becasue it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believes. (Romans 1:16)

We display grace to people regardless of their past or present situation.

We do good, because we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

please tell me what you think...

Good Questions

Here's some good questions a friend asked today.

1. When will the plant start?

• Ideally, the best time to start a church is in September. The second best time after early fall is January. At this point, it seems January is going to be a good time to start. CCC has asked me to stay with small groups stuff until September 15. After the 15th, I'll be fully devoted to getting the church plant started.

2. Where are we meeting?

• At this point, we're trying to secure Thomas Elementary School for the plant. It is located on hwy 370 about a half mile east of the High School. It has adequate parking and a great sized gym.

3. What about Wednesday night stuff for children?

• Don't know the answer to this. Without a facility, we'll have to think creatively about programs. It may be we don't have a traditional Wednesday night program. But we just don't know right now...

thanks for asking questions... Keep them coming!

What's the Difference?

Why a church plant instead of a Multi-site?

There isn't any single clear answer here, other than to say that we believe God asked us to travel the church plant road instead of the multi-site road. Both Multi-sites and church plants have their strengths and weaknesses. Both are being used by God like crazy to reach people for the gospel.

The mantra of a multi-site church is, "One church in many locations." So CCC will eventually have a large number of 'sites' where they meet. (The first site was probably Access, eight years ago!) Each site will look different depending on its location. But the leadership of these sites remain the same. Same elders, same lessons, same vision, same DNA.

A church plant will need an entirely new set of all of these things. While both of these strategies pull people into leadership, a church plant allows for leadership at levels that are presently occupied at the sending church. In that way, they are natural leadership catalysts.

In the end, I think both endeavors fulfill the mandate to make disciples. There's far more in common with each other than different.

What's in a Name?

Some have asked about a name for the church plant. Right now we're planning on calling it "Journey Church".

Why? I believe we are all on a journey with God that doesn't end until we breath our last breathe. Some people are very very far from God. Some even view him as their enemy. For these folks, the journey has not yet begun. Other people have grown up serving the Lord their entire lives. These folks too have more steps to take. None of us ever arrive. All of us are in the adventure of a lifetime. All of us have a next step in our journey.

Some know my friend Joe Darago, who planted a church in Peoria, Arizona. You may know that he serves in a church called Journey Church. Am I copying him? Yup. And I intend to copy a bunch of his stuff too. That guy does good work down there in Arizona. Check out his web site for proof. (http://www.lifeisajourney.org/) I hope you like his website. I'm going to copy that too, hopefully.

Do you have other ideas? Second Alliance Church of Gretna perhaps? Leave your comments for consideration!

What do you want to be famous for?

If you were going to start a new church, what would you want the church to be known for? What characteristics should come to mind with the church you want to plant? What will be the 'DNA' of this new church?

Jim and I have been discussing this question a lot lately. Here's our first draft of what we consider to be guiding values for this new church endeavor... (They are all equally important)

• We value God above all, and we value His purpose for our lives.
• We value people regardless of their past, and desire to plant a church where people feel they can belong, even before they begin to believe.
• We value people’s spiritual journey with Christ, regardless of where they are in that journey. We believe everyone has a next step to take in their walk with Christ. We want people to be challenged to take that step.
• We value practical love expressed to our city and world.

In short, we want to plant a church for people who don't like church. Come to think of it - maybe that's what we should name it! Welcome to "The Church for People who don't like Church."

What do you think? If you were planting a church, what would be the important values you'd champion? Leave your comments. We might rip off some of your suggestions!

Isn't there already a CMA church in Gretna?

CCC is part of a denomination called the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I came to know Christ in a CMA church, attended a CMA college, and have served in CMA churches since I began ministry in 1991. Naturally I would look to partner with the CMA to plant this church.

Interestingly, there is already a CMA church in Gretna. One may ask - Why start another one?

I think every church is unique. And God is able to use a variety of churches to reach a variety of people. No one church is going to be uniquely poitioned to reach an entire town.

At Christ Community Church, there are two church services that occur simultaneously every Sunday morning. In the sanctuary, we have a blended service. In the gym, we have Access. Access is more of a guitar and praise band type of service. At CCC we have people who attend the service that helps them worship best. There is no 'competition' between Access and Sanctuary.

In the same way, I think the Gretna Community Church that is already there and this new church can cooperate together to reach a larger group of people. If two services can cooperate under the same roof, I think it's possible for two churches in the same denomination to serve together in the same town. Truthfully, I think it brings strength to the denom to have two different looking churches that both share the same vision - helping people connect with God!

Jim Warren

One of the most interesting aspects of this adventure is how God led Jim Warren and I to have a similar heart for a church plant. As a matter of fact, about the same time I was speaking to my denomination about planting another church in the Omaha area, Jim Warren was having a cup of coffee with Ian Vickers. Jim was explaining to Ian that he felt God was calling him to consider a church plant in the Gretna area. Ian told Jim, "I think I know someone you should talk to..." and a few days later Jim and I were comparing notes.

We both desired to plant an externally focused, community church. So on my next day off Jim and I spent a few hours in Gretna. We noticed how fast the community is growing. (Gretna is the fastest growing city in the state, percentage wise, and has been for quite a number of years) We also noticed that there were only six churches in town. We looked at many acres of yet to be developed farmland. We drove through the many developments that had cement trucks pouring foundations.

One of the interesting things about Jim is that he was once mayor of Gretna. When I suggested it would be interesting to find out if there were any schools available to plant a church in, we were sitting in the school superintendants office within an hour. By the time we left, we had discovered that there is a school in Gretna with adequate parking and space to use. We discovered the price was extremely reasonable, many thousands of dollars cheaper than OPS would have charged. We also were asked by Dr. Riley if we would consider sponsoring a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter in the High School.

In a few short hours, God had brought us to...

• The fastest growing area of the state
• to an underchurched area
• with a location available at a fraction of what it might have been
• with an invitation from the school superintendent to help start an FCA group in the school.
• and with the potential of partnering with the well respected, one time mayor, Jim Warren.

Needless to say, I walked away extremely encouraged with the days events. Honestly, I drove away feeling that God had opened doors that demanded I walk through. I prayed on the way home, "Lord, if it's not the Gretna area, you are going to have to speak very loudly, because it seems like all systems go right now."

The next question I began to ask was, "What will this church look like?"

Why I Love Pastor Mark (Part I)

I was tentative about this discussion with Pastor Mark. I knew that my life was going to be significantly different, one way or another, after the meeting. But I want you to hear the heart of Pastor Mark.

Phil: “Mark, I believe God is asking me to explore the possibility of starting a new church in the Omaha area somewhere. So I would like to ask your permission to talk to our District, to see if they have any desire to see something like this happen. What do you think?”

Mark: “Phil, this city needs more churches. If God is calling you to plant a church, then plant it. And I don’t care where you plant it. Even if God calls you to plant a church in Old Mill, then by all means do it.”

I probably don’t need to tell you that a lesser man may have had issues with it. A lesser man may have been protective. But CCC has a great pastor with a huge heart for the Kingdom of God.

The next day I called the District Superintendant, Randy Burg, and set up a meeting. He was enthusiastic about the idea, and sent me off to research some areas. The two areas we thought about were the North Central part of town, where I currently live, and also the southwest corridor of Omaha, which is the fastest growing area of the state. The ball officially began to roll.

Planting seeds about a Church Plant

After wrestling with inner conflict, God begins to work on my heart about the possibility of planting a new church in Omaha. Now you must know I don’t exactly fit the mold for church planters. (I’m kind of old to be doing this, and I don’t have a goatee. Yet!) But check out some of these observations made by David Olson in his book, The American Church in Crisis:

• Seventy Seven percent of Americans do not attend a local church on any given Sunday.
• Studies show that new churches have three to four times the conversion rate per attendee than established churches.
• The percentage of people attending an Evangelical church has declined by more than 4% in Nebraska over the past five years.

The fact is that Omaha is underchurched. There is a need for more life giving churches in the Omaha area. So a few months ago, God planted these facts in my heart. And like the oak trees that began growing in my gutter last month, the idea of a church plant began to grow in my heart. (Probably not a good metaphor – Gutter = Heart – but run with it, okay?)

After some consideration and deliberation with God and with Jody, we decided the time had come to broach the subject with Pastor Mark…

The First Chapter of the Next Chapter

So how does this all begin? How does the first chapter of the next chapter start?
Slowly.

After ten years of loving life at Christ Community Church, it took a few months for the Lord to work on me before I figured out what God was doing. The fact is that I could have easily stayed at CCC for the rest of my life. But the deal is that God moves us when he wants.

It took a few months for me to recognize what God was doing. Part of my problem was my inability to differentiate CCC from the City of Omaha. And so I lived in this weird sense of turmoil, feeling a sense of release from CCC, but also feeling a sense of calling to the Omaha area. Normally, when a pastor leaves a church, he often ends up moving to another city. So I couldn't reconcile my sense that God was calling me out of CCC but at the same time telling me to stay in Omaha.

I lived in this inner turmoil for a few months. so I'll stop writing and start the next chapter of the next chapter