New Blog Design

If you made it to this address and noticed that I have posted in a while it is because I have moved my blog over temporarily to a new design. The temporary may be permanent. We'll see how this flies. My new design can be found at SteveVanDiest

Categories: Blog

Warren and Colbert - pretty good

Watched this morning and I thought this was great.

Enjoy!




Categories: God, Culture

Men get 41 miles per gallon. Not Bad!

During this oil consuming generation and high gas prices this recent stat I got from my good friend, Joe, was super encouraging.

• A recent study found that the average American male walks 900 miles per year.
  
• Another study found that the average American male drinks an average of 22 gallons of beer per year.
  
• That means that the average American male gets approximately 41 miles per gallon.
  
• That's not bad.

Categories: Culture

The Gospel in Its Fullness

Today I have spent some time reading UnChristian by Kinnaman and Lyons. In response to the the chapter that outsiders think all we, Christians, want is to get them saved, Chuck Colsen wrote this, The Gospel in its Fullness, response to help us change our perception. p. 86-88.

"The good news is summarized in I Corinthians 15: "Christ died on the cross for our sins," so that we can be redeemed. That is the narrow definition that most evangelicals embrace. I think we are wrong in limiting it to that. If you read the first twenty-seven words Jesus spoke in Mark, it's clear that he announced the kingdom. He said that the kingdom of God has broken through into history. He was saying that we would be seeing in his life a picture of the kingdom yet to come. It is a picture of what hte Hebrews called shalom, or peace, or wholeness, extending to every facet of life: the sick healed, the captives freed, the oppressed released, right relationships restored with God and humanity.

Then later, in Acts 4, you see this incredible story of the community of believers coming together. No one was in need because people were sharing their wealth; they were praying and studying the Bible. They created a community that absolutely dazzled the world right after the time of Jesus. They provided a foretaste of the kingdom yet to come in Revelation 22 and 23.

So, I'm one of those who believes that while the gospel is most accurately defined by evangelicals as the "good news," it goes beyond that. For instance, Catholics take it beyond that. The defense of human life is part of the gospel because it matters greatly to God. I think Catholics have a really good point in this. When we think about Jesus ushering in the kingdom, as we pray, by the way, "thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven," I think we begin to see the gospel in a much broader context.

The local church has to be responsible for "making the invisible kingdom visible," as Calvin said. When the local church is doing what the church is called to do--preaching the gospel, administering the sacraments, and exercising discipline--inevitably the surround culture will be affected. In other words, if we are really living as Christians, the church expands exponentially.

Consider the rise of Christians during the Roman era. People were drawn to Christians, not because of evangelistic outreaches or crusades, or through mass media--those didn't exist. The church grew because Christians were doing the gospel and had a community--a local church--where people really loved each other. During the great plagues that swept Rome in the second century, all the doctors fled, but the Christians stayed and took care of the sick. They embodied what Christians are called to do. Although many Christians died because they took cared of the sick, pagans were drawn to Christ because they saw both the love of Christians and Christianity itself as a better way of life. When Constantine declared Rome the Holy Roman Empire, people thought he did that for political reasons, but he didn't It was already Christianized; he just recognized the realities of what really happened.

One of the things I do when I meet people is ask them, "What is Christianity?" Undoubtedly half will respond, "A relationship with Jesus."

That is wrong. The gospel cannot be merely a private transaction. God didn't break through history, through time and space, to come as a babe, be incarnated, and suffer on the cross just so you can come to him and say, "Oh, I accept Jesus and now I can live happily ever after." That's not why he came...Jesus came as a radical to turn the world upside down. When we believe it is just about Jesus and yourself, we miss the whole point.

I even dislike using the words "accept Christ" anymore--because it is so much more than that. Christianity is a way of seeing all of life and reality through God's eyes. That is what Christianity is: a world-view, a system, and a way of life. I believe that when you truly see the gospel in its fullness, it's so much more. It is the most exciting, radical revolutionary story every told." Chuck Colson - founder, Prison Fellowship Ministries

When I use terms of doing Kingdom work, Chuck Colson helps define this so well. When I think of lives transformed by the gospel I don't think tickets to heaven but those here on earth that are being transformed by Jesus to bring the Kingdom, heaven to earth.

This is what we're praying for to happen in our communities, lives, ministry.

"Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus

Categories: Gospel, Kingdom, God, Spirituality, Evangelism

And the Shofar Blew

Okay, I'm finally coming out of the closet. I love Francine Rivers' books. Yes, she is a woman. Yes, she writes Christian fiction. But man she is a prophetic voice we all need in our lives, churches and leadership. Last year I read Redeeming Love and was rocked by God's desire for love. This past month I finished And the Shofar Blew.

I was convicted and my deepest level about my own leadership in the past. I can't give away the story line but I will tell you if you're currently in a ministry, leading a church, building a program you must read this.

Ask the Lord to show you where you are missing His heart for people, your family and Him.

In summary, my review is short. It will make you angry at yourself, the pastor in the book, church but at the same time in love with the work God does in leaders, churches and in your own heart. A must read.

Now I'm going back in the closet and will try to read some more manly non fiction book. :)
Categories: Leadership, Church, Books

Is There Hope for America?

The past 4-5 years I have been reading about the work God is doing worldwide through simple and traditional church planting. There are encouraging stories and discouraging ones alike. One of the reasons we felt like God calling us to Mexico 2 years ago was the stories of what God was doing in Latin America and we wanted to be part of it. God had a different plan for us and we're grateful for the hard lessons learned and taught.

Now that we're back in the U.S. we have focused much of our thoughts, prayers and energy into what God is doing in the U.S. and what are we, the church, missing.

Recently I started reading, thanks to my local library, Kinnaman and Lyon's book called UnChristian. It is the summary of 3 years of research on what the rest of the world thinks of church and Christians.

Our research shows that many of those outside of Christianity, especially younger adults, have little trust in the Christian faith, and esteem for the lifestyle of Christ followers is quickly fading among outsiders. They admit their emotional and intellectual barriers go up when they are around Christians, and they reject Jesus because they feel rejected by Christians. p. 11

It has been humbling and heart breaking to read their thoughts and how we are missing the point of Jesus.

Today I was reading Guy Muse's blog The M Blog and again my heart is heavy by some of the stats and observations of what is happening in the U.S. church. Read What's Wrong With This Picture?

In hindsight I'm glad the Lord brought us home to relearn His grace, mercy and Gospel. And I'm thankful for the new vision and heart He has given us for His church here in the U.S. I know there are many arguments and discussions on what is and isn't church but after those interactions all I think about is how much people, outside any form of church, are missing when they don't experience the love, grace and mercy of God. The rest of the world is looking for something, something that isn't just about words, theology, right thinking or saying yes to Jesus. They want a life that is transformed, supernatural, powerful, dealing with the wrongs and hurts, they want real relationships, authenticity, care and love. What they are looking for is what Jesus offered in the Gospels, not just in words, but in life lived in community. They want to experience the Kingdom Come.

I don't have all the answers but I do know when I see something in me, my past leadership, and in other leadership when we have missed the point. I was also reading Sam Metcalf's blog Under the IceBerg today about how to kill a movement. Here are a few things that kill movements and I will add supernatural kingdom church growth:
1. Require education for the leadership
2. Demand conformity of methodology
3. Refuse to provide administrative help and let it suffocate under it’s own weight
4. Get spooked by supernatural phenomena outside your paradigm
5. Make no room for younger, less experienced leadership
6. Be obsessed by theological purity
7. Put the safety of the people involved as a higher priority than sacrifice
8. Centralize the funding
9. Punish out-of-the box thinking

I can relate to these. I have led this way and have experienced some of these from others. Read the whole thing at How to Kill a Movement. Maybe a new movement of the Spirit, Church, and Jesus Followers is birthing that will do the opposite; bring about Jesus' Kingdom.

Now that I have broken every blog rule and have posted way too many thoughts in one post I leave us with an action point. Pray and seek the God of the universe to help all of us see clearly on how He wants us to move here in America.
Categories: Church, Movements, Leadership, God, Prayer

Organic Church Movements

In February, Christine and I, are heading to Ontario, CA for a short weekend to spend time with the CMA guys and gals who are training many on Missional Movements. We want to invite you to come, be part of the training and then trust God with what He wants you to do. You can find more info at CMA Resources.

Categories: ChurchPlanting, Movements, Leadership

Planting Trees

Been thinking about our future lately. This past week we closed our official chapter of Campus Crusade, at the Denver Christmas Conference, but will be relationally connected hopefully with those wonderful staff for a lifetime. My normal temptation is to start running full speed ahead, proving to others, that the work, future and ministry of ours is worthy to be spoken of. Yet, deep in my soul I know I should rest, wait on the Lord and ask Him to reveal exactly what He wants us to do to bring glory to Him.

A few weeks ago I had cafe with my good friend, Jeff Westrup, in California. Jeff started me on a journey of the heart about 5 years ago. I value his insights, fresh take on spirituality and encouragement to listen to God. He sent me a link to read a story written Jean Giono, The Man Who Planted Trees. Tonight I read it to my older boys and was encouraged by the story, real or fictional.

I was struck by the perseverance, simple vision to bless others and do the work that God had called the old man to. He wasn't about creating his own kingdom, seeking approval of others, or praise for his greatness. He knew the work he was doing would take a lifetime but it would refresh this barren land. Inspiring.

I too want to be about the simple work of blessing others, bringing glory to God, doing what He and only He calls me to. Read it. Ponder it. Reflect on what God is calling you to do for HIS glory
Categories: Spirituality, Movements

Global Service Associates

Crossing Boundaries and cultural barriers with the powerful life-changing message of Jesus.

If you have a child, grandchild or a good friend or colleague that grew up in church, youth group or a campus ministry but today they are not involved in church or following Jesus then you’re not alone. A large majority of the 20 and 30 somethings are saying no to church and walking with Jesus. You probably spent numerous hours on your knees for them and inviting them to church. But it seems they are not interested.

This current reality of young people breaks our hearts. We believe God is calling us to create, innovate and form new missional (going out with the message of Jesus) communities that will help our culture experience Jesus in a manner that relates to them and helps them see Jesus as the sustenance for life.

“According to research by George Barna, there is not one county in the U.S. that is currently experiencing overall growth in the number of Christians.” Felicity Dale

18 years ago Global Service Associates was formed to help Christian leaders follow the call of God on their hearts to expand the Kingdom of God to reach each and every person on the globe. Their desire was to provide an environment for Christian leaders where bold faith, creativity, deep relationships and new initiatives to share Christ would be honored and encouraged.

We are so blessed to have GSA give us the opportunity to lead and follow God to reach people in the gaps where they are not experiencing His love. We are excited to trust God with a ministry of simple Biblical methods to equip others to follow Jesus and to reach people with the Gospel. You can read more about GSA at their new website GSA along with bios of other staff members and some of their projects. GSA is a 501-c3 religious non-profit and governed by a board of directors. We hold to the historic creeds, The Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. Please post a comment if you have more questions.

For those of you who financially support us and that we have talked to this past month during our transition; thank you for your encouragement and continued partnership. Pray for us as we move forward in solidifying our final 30% of financial support. If you would like to support us prayerfully and financially please email us or visit our giving page at Giving

Pray for a deep work by God in us personally so that we will share this love with others. Thank you for your partnership in serving with us to bring about God’s Kingdom.
Categories: Prayer, Newsletter, GSA, Movements

Kingdom Signposts: Pointing People to Jesus

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.” Luke 10:2b

Every morning our cell phone alarm goes off at 10:02 am reminding us to pray this simple prayer of Jesus.

We believe that within minutes from every home, community, workplace and social network God is raising up men and women who will be a leader, a worker for Christ. Our dream and prayer is to see Kingdom Signposts (our new initiative), planted firmly in the ground so that people around the world know where to look for God and go to experience His love. This Kingdom Signpost could be a Bible study, a mom’s play group, a service project, a discipleship relationship, or prayer group.

Even today, for example, I met a pastor in Denver who is a leader of a 40 church alliance. He was referred to us and is wanting help to see how they can train and send out their youth to be workers for Christ in Colorado. Our prayer is to empower him and other believers to share Christ, disciple others, and create ministries out of their churches, homes and workplaces that point people to Christ. It is believing God for a generation of lay people who reach others for Christ and grow in their faith.

We will create a collaborative work of evangelism and discipleship with local churches and ministries and then these Kingdom Signpost leaders will build movements according to their unique gifting and calling. The Kingdom Signposts may not all look alike. Yet each will reflect core values of connecting our ever changing generation to Jesus, providing life changing discipleship, producing multiplying laborers and helping people grow in intimacy with Jesus.

A movement of Kingdom Signposts planted firmly in the ground all over our world giving people an opportunity to experience God’s Kingdom. Pray for our leadership as we connect with churches, ministries and those who don’t know Jesus. Pray with us this Luke 10:2b prayer so that the Spirit of God raises up a radical movement of Christians to be leaders for Jesus.
Categories: Prayer, Newsletter, KingdomSignposts, Kingdom, Movements

Project Revive

“...the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

Our cities and communities are full of people who are hurting, lost, lonely and needing the hands and feet of Jesus to bring about real transformation in their lives. Jesus desires to meet those needs with His love. Often until those needs are met the people living in our communities dismiss the message of Jesus.

Project Revive is an initiative that believes that the love of Jesus is expressed when the church locks arms together and commits to meeting the needs around them, spiritual and physical. We are giving leadership to this project to aid the renovation and renewal of our cities so that men and women from all walks of life experience God’s love.

Can you imagine churches, non-Christians, businesses, and non-profits all working together to help those in need? We can and that is why in the months to come we’ll be starting a network and partnership organization that will be a catalyst for this city-wide transformation. Pray for us as we connect with civil, church and social leaders to build relationships and opportunities to connect them to those in need.
Categories: ProjectRevive, Movements, Kingdom,
Prayer, Newsletter

Global Service Associates

I want to write and share our beta website that is partially up and running for Global Service Associates. It will come into fruition in the months to come.

You can click around to see some of the initiatives that the staff members are taking part of.
Global Service Associates

Categories: GSA

Only God Can Do This....

I have been thinking and reflecting a bunch on the power of God, His Grace, His desire to bless us and move in our lives. Last week in the midst of my cancer scare I had lunch with one of the most non-religious spiritual Jesus loving people I know, Tom, my dentist. We went out to lunch last week after he put my good looking gold crown on.

We were talking all about the changes in either of our lives, the presence of God and His church. Tom asked me if I ever tried to catch a butterfly without a net. I said, "No." He was teaching his kids this past summer and as you probably know, it is nearly impossible, except for maybe Mr. Miagi from Karate Kid. The key is that don't go and try to catch it but just sit still and let it land on you. The point he was making for my life is to stop trying to control, catch, create, manufacture what God can only do. Rest, be still, wait and let God do the healing, creating, birthing and moving in and around my life. That is exactly what I needed to know.

The previous night I was meeting with another non-religious spiritual Jesus loving Friend, Andy, over an adult beverage in Longmont. I love Andy's chaotic faith filled life. A year ago he quit his job, adopted 2 twin African American premies, that makes 6 kids in his house under 7. He was sharing with me the powerful year it has been. Turning down jobs, seeing God move, touching his family and blessing them. It increased my faith a ton.

Much of what I'm pondering and thinking about in our own lives, marriage, family and ministry has been about the real power of God. For so long, tied to my performance issues, I have worked hard for God, producing great results, becoming addicted to them, looking for praise and honor from friends, donors and family. I have done the tried and true strategies that I know with my power, strength and energy will yield great God results. The bummer is that in hind site it doesn't feel like God is moving at all. I'm begging God to bless me, move around me, do something supernatural but I'm unwilling to sit, wait and listen for God to show up.

Starting over in life, marriage and ministry gives us a great opportunity to create a new value system of living, loving and serving. Realizing that my issues are still tucked away in the corners of my heart, we're begging God to shed His grace on us. We need a new and fresh way of living and serving. We want to see the supernatural, not the natural.

Andy sent me this great article from a pastor of a church called, Time Square Church. It is well worth the read.

Maybe all we need is a great big push to move from the Natural to the Supernatural.

Categories: Church, Faith, God, Leadership, Spirituality

Healing

The past couple of days have been emotional whirlwinds for us since hearing my biopsy was melanoma.

Friday afternoon on the way back from Boulder area my Dr. called and told me he had great news. The skin cancer experts in Denver said that my biopsy wasn't cancer. My Dr. was excited and so was I. I didn't know what was the deal between the first pathology report that stated I had malignant melanoma and this secondary lab other than to say that Jesus healed me.

I was told that I had severely dysplastic nevus - pre melanoma. It was a-typical melanocytic poliferation. Yes, there might be spelling mistakes, but it wouldn't matter anyway. I don't know what those words mean except I don't have cancer. I don't need further test. I have a clean bill of health.

The Lord has taught us a ton this past week and year. He heals, He restores, He makes new all things. We fell deeper in love and trust of Jesus this week.

Thank for praying. I believe God performed a supernatural miracle.

Categories: Family, Prayer

Malignant Melanoma

Last night my Dr. called Christine and told her that my biopsy from a mole this previous week came back positive for malignant melanoma. As you can imagine I have been in shock all day long. The pathology reported at first said that the surrounding tissue was clear and that the cancer hasn't entered the dermis tissue. That is good. My biopsy was sent today to the leading skin cancer Dr. who happens to be in Denver. The next stage is to follow his advice. If the cancer cells have entered deeper tissue then we'll cut out more skin. At that point we'll go through CT scans, bone scans, etc. The best case is that it was localized and we caught it early.

It has been an up and down emotional day and week. Rich Lotterhos a fellow member, director of Global Service Associates and dear friend called just to see how I was doing. I shared all of it. The hope for the future, tension and anxiety of transitioning to a new ministry and now this news of cancer. Immediately he reminded me that Satan wants to take Christine and I out. I know and believe God has a plan but I am sure tired of Satan's attacks.

We know God has been with us all along. If we were still living in Mexico City I would have not had a physical. And because of our leaving Campus Crusade I wanted to use our remaining health care wellness before Dec 31st, therefore my physical.

Pray for us. Pray for complete healing and that the biopsy this past week cut away all the cancer cells. Pray for us emotionally and physically. We are spent. Pray for us spiritually. We are crying out to the Lord for help. He is the only place we can go.

Thanks!!

Steve
Categories: Family, Prayer

People Being the Gospel

I think a ton about people being the Gospel to others; loving, sharing, sacrificing, forgiving, showing mercy and bringing life. Not that I have figured it completely out in my own life but isn't that why I, you, we need the Gospel daily?

I love the Liberty Mutual commercials that have been blessing the TV airways.

When you watch these, ask yourself, what would it take for a follower of Jesus movement to look and act like this? Maybe we need to ask the question, what would it look like if followers of Jesus to even act like this, not what would it take? This might give us a vision for the simplicity and impact Jesus could make on a movement. Simple truths and experiences of Jesus passed onto others. Could it be the greatest movements throughout history didn't require high programs, tons of strategic plans, and high paid full time workers.

Enjoy and no be the Gospel to those around you.





Categories: Movements, Gospel, Culture, Media

The Cemetery Experience Keeps Giving

There was about 6-7 years in a row I would take college freshmen at CU to the great, old cemetery on the hill in Boulder. I would have them wander around in the dark, no flash lights looking at tombstones, the old cool ones, for someone who died when they were 18-20. Then we would speculate about their lives, relationships, dreams and experiences. Then we would open up the Word and see what God's perspective was on life, the shortness of life and what we could be living for that had an impact on eternity.

Today I received an email from Ox, Bryan Gullette, a great young warrior who is loving Jesus, loving others in Romania along with his wife, Alina. They are hereos of the faith after working for a few years, packed up and left for Eastern Europe to love others like Jesus does.

Here is his email. It was an encouragement to me today.

Hi Steve,

I hope all is well. I thought that you might be
interested to hear about how your influence has reached to Romania.
Tonight I led a small group of abandoned Romanian teenage boys to a cemetery to
talk about making life count, like we did for Bible study one night. “It
was classic” and I hope it’ll “change their lives, bro!” * Ah the
memories. Thanks for being an important part of my life, Steve.

As great as the legacy is that you left with Crusade, I pray that
it can’t hold a candle to what the Lord is prepared to do in this next area of
ministry. I am sure that it will look totally different, but I expect
amazing things to come of it. I hope the transition is going well.
If you just remember all the things you taught us, you should be
fine.

I also pray that all is well on the home front with your… is
it 18 kids now? Growing the kingdom one child at a time! Awesome! I
am excited about your family and your kids and I pray that they bring you much
joy and fulfillment. I ask God also for His special blessing on your marriage,
that it would be the firm foundation of love overflowing to the children and the
church and the world. Yeah, I know, it sounds like a lot of love, but we
know it is just a drop of what the Lord offers to us.

Take care,
Steve, say “hi” to everyone for Alina and I.

Bryan

Categories: God, Community

Starting a House Church

It was about 5 weeks ago I finished a new copy of my local library's book of Starting a House Church by Larry Kreider and Floyd McClung. A few years ago I read Kreider's book called House Church Networks: A Church for a New Generation and I remember that he gave a great balanced approach to Mega-church, community church and simple/home church. I felt like he wasn't attacking traditional forms of church but offering a new approach to church to compliment others. Since I had a good experience with him, I wanted to read this recent book since we have ventured out to start a home church.



For a couple of years in ministry I had been searching for the 'golden goose egg' in ministry that will solve all our problems. I would think, "If we just have this new technique, strategy, formula then we'll be an explosive, life changing ministry." What I realized about 2 years ago is there isn't a golden goose egg of ministry, other than what God desires to do through Christians; hearing and following the will of God. If you do take a look at New Testament Movements they were all pretty simple. Run by normal, unschooled men and women. They were bold, courageous, believed in a real Jesus, God and Holy Spirit that spoke, answered prayers and moved mountains. They didn't have church growth seminars or massive discipleship programs. They loved people and talked about the love of Jesus that changed lives. They brought Jesus to the streets and encouraged people to bring Jesus farther into their homes, business and yes, even bars.



After reading this book I was encouraged and reminded again how simple doing church is. We have made it pretty complicated. Normally today, in order to get more of Jesus, we need seminary trained teachers, buildings organized in way that maximizes the church experience, big amps and big bands, videos, youth and child-care centers and massive parking lots; all this to allow us to worship God who is a personal, communal, intimate God that is known through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and fellowship of 2 or more believers.



This is what we want to be about. Making Jesus known in homes, streets, workplaces, parks and bars. As Neil Cole says, "lowering the bar on church and raising the bar on discipleship." Let's teach people to follow Jesus and then they'll see how simple church is. Yes, I still believe church is a tool that God is using to make himself known to the world. Yes, church is Biblical. My thought is that the way we have known church the last 20, 200, and 2000 years is changing, morphing and adapting to meet those that want to know an unchanging, unmorphing powerful, intimate God. There are many forms of church and church is ecclesia, meaning "called out ones." Isn't church just the gathering of 2 or more believers, regardless of the structure, setting and education level of those leading?



I appreciate the vision, passion and heart of Kreider and McClung. They have been part of some pretty radical churches, big and small, traditional and non-traditional, throughout the years. They encourage the 'chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation a people belonging to God' to just go out and be church, not just attend one. Yes, they have an apologetic, how to's and questions you may have as to why simple/home church is uniquely platformed to reach this new generation of not-yet-Christians. But why is that all that bad? New forms, new wine skins to go out and love a lost and hurting world with the message of Jesus. I think the dream of many today is that we'll look across this planet and see many types of churches, some with huge steeples, others small and with a run down look and others you can't visibly see because they're hanging out gathering in homes and stores.



Here are some quotes:

• Could it be that God wants to change everything about how we view the church? He has created the church to be a dynamic, growing, changing movement, not a static doctrine. The Spirit of God calls each generation to re-imagine church for its own context and culture. The Holy Spirit invites every generation into the struggle to discover answers and approaches for themselves about church--answers that bring them into fresh partnership whith God and fresh contact with their culture. p. 17



• We believe that simple, small, non-building oriented, non-professional led, family based communities are some of the keys for re-evangelizing our nation. p. 30



• House church networks reproduce churches rapidly because the micro church model lends itself to more authentic relational connections, deeper and more natural discipleship accountability, quick reproduction of leaders and every member involvment. p. 33



• Rich Joyner says, "Pastors sometimes don't like having young stallions in their church. They seem to cause too many problems. But only young stallions can reproduce. Resist the temptation to 'fix' them so they cannot reproduce." p. 83



• The goal of leadership is to facilitate, release and encourage. p. 95

Go start and be the church!

Categories: God, Movements, Leadership, Books, SimpleChurch

Business and Mission

We arrived in Texas last night to visit Christine's sister and her family down in Waco. Yep, we're heading down to the Waco for a great Thanksgiving day and some wonderful Mexico Thanksgiving food her aunts make. Hmmm, I can't wait.

Today it has been great seeing the kids play with their cousins. I have been sitting around reading. A few weeks ago I received the Mission Frontiers Magazine. The whole issue is about Business and Mission. I am a coming out of the closet leader who would love to be in business and tie it into restoring our communities.

I have been thinking for some time now of opening up a laundry matt in Denver. I heard that Tony Campolo, not confirmed, has a bunch of these in Philedelphia. I would love to open up a bunch of these off Colfax and other places that are in need. My desire would be to make them break a small profit, throw it back into the business, make them the lowest cost laundry matts in town with a staff that loves, cares, listens and prays for the customers. Make it a place where people can be refreshed from the hardships of life while sitting around waiting for their skivies are drying. Who knows if this is even a viable plan?

I would love to create a business where lives are changed, a real service is offered and a model of business can be replicated by anyone. Could it be that business and mission are not oppossed to one another? Could it be that a profit could be made, a competitive edge could be kept and a service and blessing to a people is offered that allows for community restoration. Isn't that the way of the Kingdom?

One of the articles (go ahead and read the whole magazine at the above link) that challenged me was Over-steering a Cadillac. Click on the link and read it in pdf format.

If you're interested in partnering with me or have some capital you would like to invest, drop me a comment.

Categories: Missions, Business, Movements

Fall Photos are amazing

I just spent today watching the Broncos win. Amazing! But not as amazing as these family shots at VanDiestClan

Categories: Family, Photos