There is something that is so powerful about connecting with someone with whom you feel some sort of kinship. Today I had the privelege of connecting with three such people.
This morning I had a Starbucks meeting with a young guy that I have never met, but have interacted a bit with on John Chandler's blog. He is the son of a missionary who is in the states completing Bible College - about to hit the last semester of his senior year. I told my wife, he had a humble nature about him, yet when I asked him what he wanted to do after college, he replied, "I want to change the world." There was no air of cockiness in that response, just a heart-felt desire to make a difference. I love that. Too many college students are more worried about when the next X-Box game is going to be released than they are about pursuing the passions of God's heart (which, by the way, is to change the world). I felt that spark of connection - he has a faith to believe that God can use him to do big things. I pray that the world (or the church) never beats that out of him.
For lunch, Leslie and I met with her old youth pastor and his wife. I had briefly introduced myself to him once, but had never really interacted with him prior to today. Leslie was really drawn to the two of them when she was young and really wanted to reconnect. I now understand why. They're hearts filled ours. They planted a church in Issaquah, WA sixteen years ago and have lived to tell about it. We were able to talk about mistakes and hurts and all of the other things that make what we do worth it. Leslie and I really see them as potential "coaches" in this church planting process and look forward to more times around a table together.
Beyond just face to face contact, we have been so encouraged by emails and letters we have recieved from so many friends who are lifting us up in prayer and believe in the ministry that we are giving ourselves to. There are no words to describe knowing that beyond our "reach" friends around the United States are going to battle with us. This is how it should be!
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Monday, December 27, 2004
Would you like to be a partner?
Many of you have responded to our notes and letters asking how you can be a part of our team as we plant this church in the Seattle area. First, please pray for us on a regular basis. This area is known as the most unchurched area of the United States (along with Oregon). We have talked to many different church planters in the area who are struggling to make it. It is not an environment where churches thrive. Second, many of you have asked how you can give a one time gift or be a regular giver to our ministry. We are not yet incorporated as a church as of yet, that should come in the Spring of next year, so until that time, the Christian Evangelistic Association (the church planting organization that we are working with) is taking in our funding for us.
You can mail donations to:
Christian Evangelistic Association
Re: Dean and Leslie Kuest
P.O. Box 92
Edmonds, WA 98020
Thank you for caring about what we do here in the Northwest!
You can mail donations to:
Christian Evangelistic Association
Re: Dean and Leslie Kuest
P.O. Box 92
Edmonds, WA 98020
Thank you for caring about what we do here in the Northwest!
Kuest Boys Declare Christmas Best Ever!
Well, Christmas has come and gone and we at the Kuest household feel blessed. We were able to spend Christmas Eve with my parents up in Arlington and then spent Christmas Day with all of Leslie's Family. It was a bit overwhelming for us. We are used to fairly quiet Christmas' as we have never lived near our parents and immediate family. However, there is no better feeling than being surrounded by family and celebrating the birth of Christ. (I also think the new Gamecube contributed to the boys Christmas excitement.)
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Faith and Sight - A Paradox
Coming out of church today, I was overwhelmed with such a strong sense of God's calling us to this place. It is not a feeling that words can describe, simply an inward confidence and certainty that we are where God wants us.
At the same time, certainty does not mean that I have things figured out. It does not mean that fear does not creep into my heart as we begin to wonder where our financial support will come from and wondering where the exact location of our church will be. As someone said to me in church today as they were asking about our church plant, "My faith is a lot more easy when I can see where I am walking." He said this tongue in cheek, but I believe that this is a problem for me and for Christians all over. We say we have faith in God, but then fail to live a life that depends upon Him. We risk very little in our country by saying that we believe in God. Even a simple tithe is risking very little in the big picture of things. What do we do to lay our lives out there and say, "Lord, take me and use me no matter the cost"?
It is becoming so clear to me through this process that my life has been lived with faith that requires sight. True faith is lived when we "walk by faith and not by sight." I am praying that God will continue to exersize my "faith muscle" as we continue this journey. It strikes fear in my heart to pray that prayer, but I am confident that it will draw me closer to the heart of God.
At the same time, certainty does not mean that I have things figured out. It does not mean that fear does not creep into my heart as we begin to wonder where our financial support will come from and wondering where the exact location of our church will be. As someone said to me in church today as they were asking about our church plant, "My faith is a lot more easy when I can see where I am walking." He said this tongue in cheek, but I believe that this is a problem for me and for Christians all over. We say we have faith in God, but then fail to live a life that depends upon Him. We risk very little in our country by saying that we believe in God. Even a simple tithe is risking very little in the big picture of things. What do we do to lay our lives out there and say, "Lord, take me and use me no matter the cost"?
It is becoming so clear to me through this process that my life has been lived with faith that requires sight. True faith is lived when we "walk by faith and not by sight." I am praying that God will continue to exersize my "faith muscle" as we continue this journey. It strikes fear in my heart to pray that prayer, but I am confident that it will draw me closer to the heart of God.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Small World...Big God
Every once in a while you have those moments that make you feel like the world is as small as your home town. Those times usually involve seeing someone from your home town in a rather far away place. This is what Leslie and I just experienced.
My parents live about an hour north of us in Arlington, WA, so when we want a quick get-together, we usually meet in the middle. The middle is often the area around Alderwood Mall, which is just north of Seattle. My parents were out of town when we celebrated Joshua's birthday, so we called one of our get-togethers. We met at Cold Stone Creamery - we'll use any excuse we can find to do that, in Alderwood Mall. Afterward, we decided hit the mall for a bit of shopping. The first store we ventured into was the Disney Store. Now this is a huge mall and the Disney Store itself was good sized. While wandering around after my younger boys, I heard, "Well, if it isn't Dean Kuest." Now I know very few people in Washington and even fewer who would be at Alderwood Mall. I looked up to see Pam Melton, who was heavily involved in our youth ministry back in the early to mid ninety's.
She has been in Washington for about three years. She came out when her oldest daughter graduated from Seattle Pacific University, got married and stayed in the area. The odds of running into someone from our past up here like that are so astronomical that Leslie and I are convinced that God was at the center of it.
Please say a prayer for Pam. She just finished six months of chemotherapy as she is being treated for Hodgkins Disease. This is generally a curable form of cancer, but her's reached stage four before it was discovered. She is in remission at the moment, but will not be considered "cancer free" until after five years.
My parents live about an hour north of us in Arlington, WA, so when we want a quick get-together, we usually meet in the middle. The middle is often the area around Alderwood Mall, which is just north of Seattle. My parents were out of town when we celebrated Joshua's birthday, so we called one of our get-togethers. We met at Cold Stone Creamery - we'll use any excuse we can find to do that, in Alderwood Mall. Afterward, we decided hit the mall for a bit of shopping. The first store we ventured into was the Disney Store. Now this is a huge mall and the Disney Store itself was good sized. While wandering around after my younger boys, I heard, "Well, if it isn't Dean Kuest." Now I know very few people in Washington and even fewer who would be at Alderwood Mall. I looked up to see Pam Melton, who was heavily involved in our youth ministry back in the early to mid ninety's.
She has been in Washington for about three years. She came out when her oldest daughter graduated from Seattle Pacific University, got married and stayed in the area. The odds of running into someone from our past up here like that are so astronomical that Leslie and I are convinced that God was at the center of it.
Please say a prayer for Pam. She just finished six months of chemotherapy as she is being treated for Hodgkins Disease. This is generally a curable form of cancer, but her's reached stage four before it was discovered. She is in remission at the moment, but will not be considered "cancer free" until after five years.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Down to the Wire
We are coming down to the time where the decision will be made regarding our location. At this time, both Leslie and I feel that the Bellevue/Redmond area is where we need to be. Several reasons. One, all of the resources and people that we know who would love to be a part of a new church live in this area. Two, there are few churches doing a good job reaching the younger generation in this area. Three, Bellevue is a dichotomy. While it contains some of the richest areas in the eastside, it is also filled with poverty. There are $500,000 to $1,000,000 homes within the same square mile as apartments filled with people living in poverty. We have found very little being done for those families. In other words, there are great needs in this community.
Our other option is Mill Creek/Silver Firs. It is a white suburban area where there are many young families living. We would fit right in. Our selfish nature tells us we would love to live there, but we're not sure it is right to follow those feelings. Our church planting organization tells us that Mill Creek is what they "know." In other words, they know how to plant in a new and emerging community, so they are comfortable with us going there. They have never planted in an established area like Bellevue before, so they are nervous about that possibility, but not against it. They are hiring a company to conduct an intense demographic study of Bellevue before they commit to a decision.
Keep praying for us, we are anxious to land.
Our other option is Mill Creek/Silver Firs. It is a white suburban area where there are many young families living. We would fit right in. Our selfish nature tells us we would love to live there, but we're not sure it is right to follow those feelings. Our church planting organization tells us that Mill Creek is what they "know." In other words, they know how to plant in a new and emerging community, so they are comfortable with us going there. They have never planted in an established area like Bellevue before, so they are nervous about that possibility, but not against it. They are hiring a company to conduct an intense demographic study of Bellevue before they commit to a decision.
Keep praying for us, we are anxious to land.
Maple Valley Christmas
This morning Leslie and I took the boys to a Maple Valley Christmas. Some friends of ours have planted a church in that area this year and this was an outreach event that their church put together. It was really well done.
It began with a waffle breakfast for anyone who came - including the opportunity to make a waffle house that you can subsequently eat. There was live music, games for the kids, a train ride outside, ornament crafts and of course the picture with Santa. Over 400 people showed up, which is awesome for a church of 170. Shane and Cathy (the pastor and his wife) are sharp thinkers. It has been fun to get together and challenge each others thinking.
This will be an important relationship for us as we go on toward our launch.
It began with a waffle breakfast for anyone who came - including the opportunity to make a waffle house that you can subsequently eat. There was live music, games for the kids, a train ride outside, ornament crafts and of course the picture with Santa. Over 400 people showed up, which is awesome for a church of 170. Shane and Cathy (the pastor and his wife) are sharp thinkers. It has been fun to get together and challenge each others thinking.
This will be an important relationship for us as we go on toward our launch.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Thanksgiving Day
We have much to be thankful for here at the Kuest household. We were able to celebrate this day of thanks with both Dean's parents and Leslie's parents under one roof. (And everyone gets along well!)
We are so thankful for our friends and family all over the United States who are praying with us as we start this new church in Seattle. You have no idea how much we cherish your support.
We are also thankful that we our trip to the Emergency Room was short today. What is Thanksgiving Day without a morning Turkey Bowl football game. I took my older boys with me to the local park where a group of guys were getting together a game. About an hour into the game, on a potential touchdown drive, Joshua stepped in and blocked a pass that would have been a touchdown. Unfortunately, in the process, he broke his wrist. He was incredibly brave and never cried through the whole ordeal, even as the doctor set the bones. He brought home his X-Rays to show off to the brothers and is wearing his cast as a badge of honor. He is looking forward to having all of his friends sign it. Can you believe it? Five boys and this is our first broken bone. (Where is the wood? I need to knock!)
We are so thankful for our friends and family all over the United States who are praying with us as we start this new church in Seattle. You have no idea how much we cherish your support.
We are also thankful that we our trip to the Emergency Room was short today. What is Thanksgiving Day without a morning Turkey Bowl football game. I took my older boys with me to the local park where a group of guys were getting together a game. About an hour into the game, on a potential touchdown drive, Joshua stepped in and blocked a pass that would have been a touchdown. Unfortunately, in the process, he broke his wrist. He was incredibly brave and never cried through the whole ordeal, even as the doctor set the bones. He brought home his X-Rays to show off to the brothers and is wearing his cast as a badge of honor. He is looking forward to having all of his friends sign it. Can you believe it? Five boys and this is our first broken bone. (Where is the wood? I need to knock!)
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Snoqualmie, WA
I went on a trip with George Johnson this past week. He had a meeting with a struggling church in Snoqualmie, WA and he wanted me to see the area - not to mention that it gave us a good chance to talk.
It is a beautiful area, a bedroom community of Seattle on I-90, about 12 miles past Issaquah. Actually, it is a gorgeous area. If you were a Twin Peaks fan in the 80's then you probably already know that this little town is where the show was filmed. In the past it has been just that, a little, quaint town. But thousands of homes later, it is an amazing little planned community.
The next day, Leslie and I drove around out there. It was easy to picture our family living there, but we are not convinced that the town is quite big enough to sustain a church like we are hoping to plant. It is not likely that we will end up there, but it was fun to dream and help shape our ideas together of where we will likely end up.
I am attempting to meet up with two local pastors in the next couple of weeks to talk about working together in a partnership. We are praying that they could get excited about helping us to launch.
It is a beautiful area, a bedroom community of Seattle on I-90, about 12 miles past Issaquah. Actually, it is a gorgeous area. If you were a Twin Peaks fan in the 80's then you probably already know that this little town is where the show was filmed. In the past it has been just that, a little, quaint town. But thousands of homes later, it is an amazing little planned community.
The next day, Leslie and I drove around out there. It was easy to picture our family living there, but we are not convinced that the town is quite big enough to sustain a church like we are hoping to plant. It is not likely that we will end up there, but it was fun to dream and help shape our ideas together of where we will likely end up.
I am attempting to meet up with two local pastors in the next couple of weeks to talk about working together in a partnership. We are praying that they could get excited about helping us to launch.
Lost in America
Was able to attend a seminar at Rainier View Christian Church last week entitled, "Lost in America", which is a book written by Tom Clegg. The book's focus is to help the church regain it's passion for evangelism, but in a relational way rather than in a programatic way. Clegg's argument is that the church has become irrelvant to our culture because it has programmed itself for the people who are already inside. Our programs keep our church members happy and busy and they eventually lose all contact with those outside of the church walls.
Clegg spent over ten years in Africa as a missionary and he brings that mindset with him to his new passion of planting churches in the United States. He contends that if the church is to be effective, then it must become missionary minded. The United States is no longer a Christian Nation. A quick quiz below will help illustrate this fact.
1. What country has the Christian church with the largest attendance in the world?
2. What is the dominant religion in that country?
3. What is the location of the world's second-largest Christian church?
4. What is the dominant religion in that country?
5. In what country do you think the world's largest Buddhist temple is located?
6. Where is the world's largest Muslim training center?
7. What country has the world's largest Jewish population?
8. Which country has the 8th largest Hindu population?
9. Where is the world's largest training center for Transcendental Meditation?
(Answers Below)
1. Korea
2. Buddhist
3. Nigeria
4. Islam
5. USA - Boulder, CO
6. USA - New York, NY
7. USA
8. USA
9. USA - Fairfield, IA
In the Great Commission, Christ told His disciples to "Go into all the world"... today the world is coming to us and we need to be ready with the gospel of Christ.
Clegg spent over ten years in Africa as a missionary and he brings that mindset with him to his new passion of planting churches in the United States. He contends that if the church is to be effective, then it must become missionary minded. The United States is no longer a Christian Nation. A quick quiz below will help illustrate this fact.
1. What country has the Christian church with the largest attendance in the world?
2. What is the dominant religion in that country?
3. What is the location of the world's second-largest Christian church?
4. What is the dominant religion in that country?
5. In what country do you think the world's largest Buddhist temple is located?
6. Where is the world's largest Muslim training center?
7. What country has the world's largest Jewish population?
8. Which country has the 8th largest Hindu population?
9. Where is the world's largest training center for Transcendental Meditation?
(Answers Below)
1. Korea
2. Buddhist
3. Nigeria
4. Islam
5. USA - Boulder, CO
6. USA - New York, NY
7. USA
8. USA
9. USA - Fairfield, IA
In the Great Commission, Christ told His disciples to "Go into all the world"... today the world is coming to us and we need to be ready with the gospel of Christ.
Good-bye In-N-Out / Hello Burgermaster
It has been a while since I have posted, so I have quite a few things on my mind. The first is simply this - The Baconmaster with grilled onions is now my favorite fast food burger of all time. I did not think that a Double/Double Animal-Style could be beat, but it has happened. Thought you might want to know.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
My Psalm 119
I had the opportunity yesterday to spend some time alone down by the Bellevue waterfront. It is incredibly gorgeous at this time of year with all of the trees ranging from green to yellow to bright, bright red. It was warm yesterday for November and so I found a lone dock and sat on it for several hours just looking across the lake to the Seattle skyline. (I need to do that more often).
I only had my Bible with me and spent some time reading. I ended up landing in Psalm 119. It is an epic, but I poured my heart into and tried to allow the words to flow over my soul as I read. It was fairly discouraging.
David was a way more holy and confident guy than I am. Stanza after stanza, David's confident refrain is his guiltlessness, his passion for God and His Word, and his cry out to God for the help he deserves (because of the two prior confidences). As I was praying over these words, I decided to let God know what my Psalm 119 might look like. I think it would be something more like this.
I desire the wisdom of your Word O Lord. My sould longs to know You.
I think about rising before the dawn to cry out to you, but my alarm clock rarely rouses me.
I have hidden small snippets of your Word in my heart.
I meditate on your Word every once in a while, but am usually more captivated by television programming.
Direct my footsteps in spite of my failings. Let no sin rule over me.
I don't deserve any of it, but let your promises wash over me. I am afraid.
I only had my Bible with me and spent some time reading. I ended up landing in Psalm 119. It is an epic, but I poured my heart into and tried to allow the words to flow over my soul as I read. It was fairly discouraging.
David was a way more holy and confident guy than I am. Stanza after stanza, David's confident refrain is his guiltlessness, his passion for God and His Word, and his cry out to God for the help he deserves (because of the two prior confidences). As I was praying over these words, I decided to let God know what my Psalm 119 might look like. I think it would be something more like this.
I desire the wisdom of your Word O Lord. My sould longs to know You.
I think about rising before the dawn to cry out to you, but my alarm clock rarely rouses me.
I have hidden small snippets of your Word in my heart.
I meditate on your Word every once in a while, but am usually more captivated by television programming.
Direct my footsteps in spite of my failings. Let no sin rule over me.
I don't deserve any of it, but let your promises wash over me. I am afraid.
From A.W. Tozer
"The Pursuit of God" - Written in the 1948
"Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hallowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all."
"Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hallowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all."
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Save Lauren Reed
One of the blessings of doing ministry in one place over the past 14 years has been watching the students that you have worked with grow up, get married and have children and pour themselves into ministry. As a pastor you get to share the best of times and the worst of times with people as they walk through life.
I want to ask you to pray for Brian and Carrie Reed. I have known Brian since he was in high school. He was extremely plugged into our college ministry and now works as a construction project manager in the Phoenix area. His family is very special to us and they need our prayers more than ever.
Brian and Carrie have a little girl named Lauren (about 3 1/2) who has a Sanfilippo Syndrome. I don't expect you to know what it is, nor could I fully explain it other than to say her body lacks the enzymes to break down old cells; thus, they are simply stored in her body where they continue to build up over time. Her life expectancy, for this reason, is around 10-12 years.
Just yesterday, Lauren underwent a bone marrow transplant from her two year old brother, Nathan. You can read more about it here.
God has already worked miracles in this little girls life. People have come through from all over the world to give them the money necessary for this procedure which will be the first time it is ever attempted at this hospital. Only a handful have ever had the procedure anywhere and there is no surety of success.
Please pray.
I want to ask you to pray for Brian and Carrie Reed. I have known Brian since he was in high school. He was extremely plugged into our college ministry and now works as a construction project manager in the Phoenix area. His family is very special to us and they need our prayers more than ever.
Brian and Carrie have a little girl named Lauren (about 3 1/2) who has a Sanfilippo Syndrome. I don't expect you to know what it is, nor could I fully explain it other than to say her body lacks the enzymes to break down old cells; thus, they are simply stored in her body where they continue to build up over time. Her life expectancy, for this reason, is around 10-12 years.
Just yesterday, Lauren underwent a bone marrow transplant from her two year old brother, Nathan. You can read more about it here.
God has already worked miracles in this little girls life. People have come through from all over the world to give them the money necessary for this procedure which will be the first time it is ever attempted at this hospital. Only a handful have ever had the procedure anywhere and there is no surety of success.
Please pray.
Friday, November 05, 2004
The Green Light
Well, our assessment is over and Leslie and I are so thankful for the time we were able to spend in Portland. I'll give you a quick run down on the happenings.
Arrived Sunday evening - Nice hotel and they put us in a suite. Very nice.
Monday - We meet for orientation. There are three other couples that are being assessed at the same time we are. Two couples are from Canada (two sisters with their husbands) and a couple from Spokane, WA. We also meet our interigators...errr...assessors as well. They are all church planters who have been through the wars...so to speak. It was cool to see that they included the wives in on the assessment. That was one of the really neat things about the whole process...they truly value the husband/wife team. At the orientation, which included a devotion and prayer and a look at the schedule, George and Dottie, the head of the Christian Evangelical Association and his wife shared their story. It was incredible in that it was truly a story of brokenness and healing as both of them had prior marriages in which their spouse left them for someone else. God has truly brought healing to their lives and families and it was such a good way to kick off the time together because it tore down any shred of feeling like you had to present yourself as "superhuman" - which is easy to feel because you are, in essence, trying to sell yourself to these people in order to win their support.
Following the orientation, we were sent to our rooms where the next four hours were spent with a rotation of people coming through our doors. The assessors were paired up and they came by in hour intervals to talk about key characteristics that are necessary for successful church planting. They asked questions about our past and how we handled different situations in our life. Then the next rotation came by. It was exhausting, but did not feel like an interagation, but more like a friendly interview. This rotation also occurred again on Tuesday morning.
That evening, after a dinner out on the town, we returned to our hotel and shared our stories. Basically, conversion to why I am planting a church. It's a great way to see people's hearts and connect with them. I wish we had done this first.
Tuesday, more rotations in the morning. In the early afternoon, we headed for downtown Portland to hang out together. This is where they observe us interacting with the environment and each other. We took the light rail system they have into downtown Portland and hung out at a mall. They had gotten their wires crossed and had expected to ice skate in the mall, but it was figure skating night, so I was the only one allowed on the ice. Right. After hanging out, we went to a brewery downtown for dinner. It was election night, so the place was pretty electric around the tv monitors. It was downtown Portland so you can guess that there was not much love for W as he moved into the lead. I'm not much of a political activist, but I have taken a great interest in this election on the basis of the polarization of America. I got to talk to some twentysomethings about the election while I was standing in the bar. Can't repeat what they said on a G-rated blog, but suffice it to say, they were unhappy with G.W.
Wednesday had us surrounded by the entire assessment team as they met with each couple seperately. First they gave us one word descriptions of us. I can't remember what they were, but I loved that one of the words they used for Leslie was "Witty." That proves that she was comfortable with them. They also used the word "authentic" for her. The best thing for me about this assessment is the way that they valued Leslie and built her up. It was so cool.
Following the one word descriptions they listed their concerns for us. They were not concerns about us planting a church, but concerns that they felt we needed to take into consideration AS we planted a church. The first, was simply that with our giftings, they felt that we needed to plant a church with a team approach, rather than solo. This was no new news to me as I have been telling them that from the start. I don't want to do a solo plant. Second, they said that going from a "super-mall" church to a church where we were starting from scratch was going to be a major culture shock for us. Again, nothing we were not aware of. Third, they said that we needed to be aware of the demands of starting a plant and how that would effect our family of seven. 90% of the energy require to launch a rocket comes at lift-off. Good words to consider, but we have counted the cost. Finally, they loved my passion and said it will translate even better as we get more details put into place.
They then gave us the green light. We are officially planting a church with the Christian Evangelistic Association.
Arrived Sunday evening - Nice hotel and they put us in a suite. Very nice.
Monday - We meet for orientation. There are three other couples that are being assessed at the same time we are. Two couples are from Canada (two sisters with their husbands) and a couple from Spokane, WA. We also meet our interigators...errr...assessors as well. They are all church planters who have been through the wars...so to speak. It was cool to see that they included the wives in on the assessment. That was one of the really neat things about the whole process...they truly value the husband/wife team. At the orientation, which included a devotion and prayer and a look at the schedule, George and Dottie, the head of the Christian Evangelical Association and his wife shared their story. It was incredible in that it was truly a story of brokenness and healing as both of them had prior marriages in which their spouse left them for someone else. God has truly brought healing to their lives and families and it was such a good way to kick off the time together because it tore down any shred of feeling like you had to present yourself as "superhuman" - which is easy to feel because you are, in essence, trying to sell yourself to these people in order to win their support.
Following the orientation, we were sent to our rooms where the next four hours were spent with a rotation of people coming through our doors. The assessors were paired up and they came by in hour intervals to talk about key characteristics that are necessary for successful church planting. They asked questions about our past and how we handled different situations in our life. Then the next rotation came by. It was exhausting, but did not feel like an interagation, but more like a friendly interview. This rotation also occurred again on Tuesday morning.
That evening, after a dinner out on the town, we returned to our hotel and shared our stories. Basically, conversion to why I am planting a church. It's a great way to see people's hearts and connect with them. I wish we had done this first.
Tuesday, more rotations in the morning. In the early afternoon, we headed for downtown Portland to hang out together. This is where they observe us interacting with the environment and each other. We took the light rail system they have into downtown Portland and hung out at a mall. They had gotten their wires crossed and had expected to ice skate in the mall, but it was figure skating night, so I was the only one allowed on the ice. Right. After hanging out, we went to a brewery downtown for dinner. It was election night, so the place was pretty electric around the tv monitors. It was downtown Portland so you can guess that there was not much love for W as he moved into the lead. I'm not much of a political activist, but I have taken a great interest in this election on the basis of the polarization of America. I got to talk to some twentysomethings about the election while I was standing in the bar. Can't repeat what they said on a G-rated blog, but suffice it to say, they were unhappy with G.W.
Wednesday had us surrounded by the entire assessment team as they met with each couple seperately. First they gave us one word descriptions of us. I can't remember what they were, but I loved that one of the words they used for Leslie was "Witty." That proves that she was comfortable with them. They also used the word "authentic" for her. The best thing for me about this assessment is the way that they valued Leslie and built her up. It was so cool.
Following the one word descriptions they listed their concerns for us. They were not concerns about us planting a church, but concerns that they felt we needed to take into consideration AS we planted a church. The first, was simply that with our giftings, they felt that we needed to plant a church with a team approach, rather than solo. This was no new news to me as I have been telling them that from the start. I don't want to do a solo plant. Second, they said that going from a "super-mall" church to a church where we were starting from scratch was going to be a major culture shock for us. Again, nothing we were not aware of. Third, they said that we needed to be aware of the demands of starting a plant and how that would effect our family of seven. 90% of the energy require to launch a rocket comes at lift-off. Good words to consider, but we have counted the cost. Finally, they loved my passion and said it will translate even better as we get more details put into place.
They then gave us the green light. We are officially planting a church with the Christian Evangelistic Association.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Say a Prayer
Leslie and I leave tomorrow for Assessment. This is our first big hurdle to planting a church. We meet with a team of people who will "assess" our ability to successfully plant. We are not worried about it at all, but really seek to hear God's voice speaking to us this week as we discover more about ourselves and about this process that we are beginning.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers.
One of the things I love about Seattle
I went to Starbucks, which I often do with the rest of this newfound culture that I live within. There, sitting by myself with my journal, I began eavsedropping on conversations around me. The table ahead of me, four Russians (you can pick that language out instantly). The table behind me, an older Cambodian couple (I did not know this until the following conversation took place.) A white man approached the Cambodian couple and began a conversation as if among old friends. He is French and had once lived in Cambodia and was sharing with them all of the things that he loved about their country.
At the playground in downtown Bellevue this morning, it was like a who's who of nations as kids of all colors, shapes and sizes played together. There were Europeans, Asians, Americans and African-Americans all playing as if the world were right. And it was in that place.
At the playground in downtown Bellevue this morning, it was like a who's who of nations as kids of all colors, shapes and sizes played together. There were Europeans, Asians, Americans and African-Americans all playing as if the world were right. And it was in that place.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Decisions, Decisions
My brother-in-law offered me tickets to the Huskies - Beavers game for today. It happened to be at the same time that my beloved Sun Devils played the #1 ranked team in the nation - the USC Trojans. Decision - stay at home camped in front of the TV or spend time with my son Joshua at a football game that I could care less about. Turns out I made a GREAT decision. Josh and I went to the game together and had a blast - with five boys one on one time is hard to come by. As for the ASU game, let's just say that it would have been a long and depressing afternoon at home camped in front of the TV.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
A New Era
I recently read a quote by Henry David Thoreau which says, "How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading in a book!"
There were obviously more elements that played into my life than the reading of one book, however, there is one book that I give more credit than others. I read Erwin McManus' book, "Seizing your Divine Moment" at a time that I was eagerly seeking God, but I was looking for some easy pre-defined (by me) answers. I wanted certainty.
Isn't that ironic. I want to live by faith, but I want certainty. Faith implies a certainty in God's presence in our lives, but it doesn't remove uncertainty from life. It still requires the unseen or there is no need for faith.
A quote: "But don't look for God to fill in all the blanks. Don't wait for Him to remove all the uncertainty. Realize He may actually increase the uncertainty and leverage all the odds against you, just so that you will know in the end that it wasn't your gifts but His power through your gifts that fulfilled His purpose in your life."
There were obviously more elements that played into my life than the reading of one book, however, there is one book that I give more credit than others. I read Erwin McManus' book, "Seizing your Divine Moment" at a time that I was eagerly seeking God, but I was looking for some easy pre-defined (by me) answers. I wanted certainty.
Isn't that ironic. I want to live by faith, but I want certainty. Faith implies a certainty in God's presence in our lives, but it doesn't remove uncertainty from life. It still requires the unseen or there is no need for faith.
A quote: "But don't look for God to fill in all the blanks. Don't wait for Him to remove all the uncertainty. Realize He may actually increase the uncertainty and leverage all the odds against you, just so that you will know in the end that it wasn't your gifts but His power through your gifts that fulfilled His purpose in your life."
Speaking to Our Children's Hearts
There is a Russian family that lives down the street from us. Their two girls go to the same "homeschool" school that we take our boys to. We saw them at the bus stop last week and realized that they were taking the city bus to school every day. We talked to them and offered to give them a ride on Mondays and Wednesdays (the days we attend). This was the first week that picked them up.
I found out that they have lived in the United States for the past ten years. Elena, the wife, did not speak a word of English when she moved here and still struggles with her English, but is able to carry on a conversation with a little help from her 10 year old, Kristina.
Two things really impacted me in our conversation on our trips to school this week.
First, I began asking Elena about their church. They are Russian Orthodox. I wish that I could explain it in the broken English that she used because it was so cool. She said that in Russia, she did not go to church. Only old women like grandmothers go to church, but she was baptized when she was young. Her husband was raised Muslim. When they were married, he wanted to go "see" a church - just look, not for anything else. He began to read his Bible and has just recently been baptized into the Orthodox church. They seem to have a real hunger for a knowledge of God so join us in praying for Dimitry and Elena, that we would be able to help satisfy that hunger.
Second, she was explaining to me that most Russian familes do not teach their children the Russian language. This is very important to her. I asked why and her answer was powerful. "I cannot speak my heart to my children in English. If they don't speak Russian, I will never be able to share my heart with them." I know many families who speak the same language who could learn a lot from that statement.
I found out that they have lived in the United States for the past ten years. Elena, the wife, did not speak a word of English when she moved here and still struggles with her English, but is able to carry on a conversation with a little help from her 10 year old, Kristina.
Two things really impacted me in our conversation on our trips to school this week.
First, I began asking Elena about their church. They are Russian Orthodox. I wish that I could explain it in the broken English that she used because it was so cool. She said that in Russia, she did not go to church. Only old women like grandmothers go to church, but she was baptized when she was young. Her husband was raised Muslim. When they were married, he wanted to go "see" a church - just look, not for anything else. He began to read his Bible and has just recently been baptized into the Orthodox church. They seem to have a real hunger for a knowledge of God so join us in praying for Dimitry and Elena, that we would be able to help satisfy that hunger.
Second, she was explaining to me that most Russian familes do not teach their children the Russian language. This is very important to her. I asked why and her answer was powerful. "I cannot speak my heart to my children in English. If they don't speak Russian, I will never be able to share my heart with them." I know many families who speak the same language who could learn a lot from that statement.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Humble Pie
Part of the process of being a church planter is that of "Assessment." In other words, before an organization will invest their resources into you as a church planter, they want to make sure that it is a good investment. Leslie and I are going through assessment with five other couples in November. In preperation for the assessment we were directed to a website that would distribute three psychological tests that would be used (against us) to help analyze our strengths and weaknesses.
Now you have to understand that I like these tests. I find them fascinating and not the least bit intimidating. Leslie on the other hand feels quite the opposite. So I go first. In taking all three of these tests, it takes a little more than three hours of solid sitting in front of the computer to finish. I was fascinated by the fact that one of the tests includes some math and logic questions rather than the simple, "Would you rather be at a party or sit at a computer" type questions. I like that, math and logic. We homeschool our kids and I teach math and logic to my 4th and 6th grader. In fact, at one time I was pretty good at math having gotten through Calculus in high school.
I attack the questions with eagerness and breeze through it.
Now enters my wife. It's her turn to face the music and she does not like it one bit. I obviously can't influence her answers so I disappear (showing up every so often because I know that the math and logic questions are coming). There were three questions that were particularly tough and I'm just curious as to how she will handle them.
Let me make a long story short. I peak over her shoulder as she answers the tough questions. I really wanted to give her some advice on them, but I refused (gotta keep the test honest). After she had committed to her answers I could finally come to the rescue. "Honey, you got all three wrong, but those were really tough ones." So she asked me to explain how to get the right answers. One by one I explained. One by one she explained how she got her answers. One by one I realized that she was right on every answer and I was wrong.
Burning. Confusion. Frustration. Those were just what I was feeling the next morning when I woke up. "Now they are going to think I don't have a brain cell in my body." "Who is going to let a guy without logic start a church?" Those were just a few of my thoughts. But mostly, it was dealing with the fact that my lovely wife who hates personality tests schooled me in math and logic. God hates the proud and exhalts the humble.
I guess that is what I need to remember as we venture into this church plant. It's not about me...it's about God in me. Abraham lied. Jacob decieved. Moses stuttered. Joshua and Gideon were fearful. Elijah ran away. James and John fought for prominance. Peter denied. Paul fought the very work of God. John Mark got homesick. I can't find anyone in Scripture who did what they did based on their own skill or ability. It was all about God in them.
Now you have to understand that I like these tests. I find them fascinating and not the least bit intimidating. Leslie on the other hand feels quite the opposite. So I go first. In taking all three of these tests, it takes a little more than three hours of solid sitting in front of the computer to finish. I was fascinated by the fact that one of the tests includes some math and logic questions rather than the simple, "Would you rather be at a party or sit at a computer" type questions. I like that, math and logic. We homeschool our kids and I teach math and logic to my 4th and 6th grader. In fact, at one time I was pretty good at math having gotten through Calculus in high school.
I attack the questions with eagerness and breeze through it.
Now enters my wife. It's her turn to face the music and she does not like it one bit. I obviously can't influence her answers so I disappear (showing up every so often because I know that the math and logic questions are coming). There were three questions that were particularly tough and I'm just curious as to how she will handle them.
Let me make a long story short. I peak over her shoulder as she answers the tough questions. I really wanted to give her some advice on them, but I refused (gotta keep the test honest). After she had committed to her answers I could finally come to the rescue. "Honey, you got all three wrong, but those were really tough ones." So she asked me to explain how to get the right answers. One by one I explained. One by one she explained how she got her answers. One by one I realized that she was right on every answer and I was wrong.
Burning. Confusion. Frustration. Those were just what I was feeling the next morning when I woke up. "Now they are going to think I don't have a brain cell in my body." "Who is going to let a guy without logic start a church?" Those were just a few of my thoughts. But mostly, it was dealing with the fact that my lovely wife who hates personality tests schooled me in math and logic. God hates the proud and exhalts the humble.
I guess that is what I need to remember as we venture into this church plant. It's not about me...it's about God in me. Abraham lied. Jacob decieved. Moses stuttered. Joshua and Gideon were fearful. Elijah ran away. James and John fought for prominance. Peter denied. Paul fought the very work of God. John Mark got homesick. I can't find anyone in Scripture who did what they did based on their own skill or ability. It was all about God in them.
I'm in the 2004's
My good friend, John Chandler, still teases me about being stuck in the 90's - primarily because I always want a hard copy of everything rather than trusting a computer. So now, I'm hip with the jive - I'm a blogger! I've been reading several blogs for a while now and John has got me convinced this will be one of the best ways that I can keep in touch with people regarding our church plant here in Seattle. So here it goes. I don't know that you need to expect any words of great wisdom here, probably more questions than anything, but I'm sure that you'll see my heart bleed here every once in a while. Welcome to the 2004's.
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