Hi folks:
I am floating a trial balloon of sorts. I want and need some feedback.
There seems to be a lot of conversation about a "church" that would
begin in Springfield . Many conversations and words about Springfield
have led us to this consideration place. So, let's review this. What
does it look like? I assure you what we think it looks like is like
nothing around here. Why? Because we believe that it represents a
return to the first years of the disciples. We do not see a lot of
what exists in church today, that most of us agree, is what it really
was. Without going too deep in this letter, we want to share our heart
with you. We have spoken to a group of people who believe in us,
Springfield and what God wants to do here. We have had many promises
for Springfield that have not been fulfilled. Tina and I are going
back to what we know best. If you would like to hear some of the
recent words we have received for Springfield please let us know. At
the same time this needs to be "on you," because much of our words
include taking people to the region, so we would not be available
every weekend. And we are not asking for "preachers," but people who
want to work at what their callings are.
Those that have seen our thoughts for NEST or the way Tuesday night
Deeper Relationships is unfolding know what we believe and where we
would like it to be.
Our thoughts are simple.
A weekend meeting that resembles our Tuesday night. Coffee before.
Worship. Prayer for one another. Lunch(If it is in the morning) Our
focus will be on building relationships in the church on Sundays,
believing for incredible worship and loving prayer for one another.
Teaching-an evening meeting devoted to teaching of the word. A place
for new believers and mature believers. (If we have guest speakers
from time to time this will be their place.)
A strong emphasis on reaching the lost. We (Tina and I) will have a
core of believers we work with, sharing our hearts and laying out a
"message" of the week. This weekly message can be taken by individuals
to share with their circle of disciples. That's it. Your Bible. A
couch. And food!
And before you go "NO WAY!" My "survey" of many of you has indicated
that Sunday morning messages are not necessarily "changing" your life.
This would be our precursor to our NEST training center. We hope it to
be a model for NEST plants as well.
We want to know your thoughts if you will. Please. I have listed them
by step. We do not go to step 2 until step 1 is resolved. We do not go
to step 3 until 2 is resolved. And so on. We can not go forward with
out these steps.
Administration:
We would need 3-4 couples and/or individuals who would plug in with
the day to day parts of ministry that I am not good at. At present
Tina does not have a lot of time, though if you are a woman and
thought she could help you in growing in your Christian walk, you
might ask her. We are not looking to be "pastors" as it is not our
gift. Tina is a gifted teacher and I just like to build things and let
them run. So, what does that mean, when I say "day to day?" I mean we
would need people who will counsel people in truth. We need people
with a willingness to disciple others. People who would occasionally
go to a hospital to visit someone or bring a meal. It would need
someone to help with paperwork and organizing a calendar. Helping
people know what meetings are going on.
Children:
By having a Sunday morning service with no teaching children can join
in eating, worshipping and praying. If we do adult teaching in the
evening one night of the week, then we can figure out children's
studies.
Building:
Our house is already starting to max at 25 and there are many not
coming yet. We will need a building soon. This could be a school, a
Holiday Inn, or the Springfield S&L room. The latter 2 would require
moving our equipment each week. We might even be able to work out an
arrangement with another church for their afternoons on Sunday. We
would need someone to pursue this at the appropriate time. Part of our
offering will be set aside for this. We think the number we max at
here will be 40. When we hit 40 we need to move.
Money:
A few weeks ago I was with Wayne Anderson. He told me to "talk" more
about the kingdom and money. We go by faith. Most of us understand
tithing and offering. But I am being real when I say that if we move
to the next level, then there is money to resolve. Whether it is a
rental space or feeding the poor, we need to agree that money will be
open and discussed. Tina and I have committed our tithe and offering
to this work.
Commitment:
This can not be done by commitment. Tina and I were hurt in a lot of
areas by well meaning people, but we realize we are not "done." If you
are one of the "administration" team we are going to ask you for a
commitment time frame. We feel that is reasonable.
Why would we consider a switch from "home?" Because so much of what we
see happening in the home church of New England is not that much
different than the methods we saw in a more traditional church. I
think what I am suggesting allows flexibility and freedom. Most of us
said we do not need more messages (Even great ones.) but relationship
and sorting out what we already know. Why do I say the lost. This week
I am meeting with a Buddhist who wants to talk about life and it's
meaning. He is one of many I will speak to this week. I want a safe
place for him. If he converts I will be devoted to his care. And we
have seen too many people sitting in homes alone. I do not believe
this is the Lord necessarily. I am concerned about discouragement and
disappointment setting in.
I will tell you. Last night I prayed from 2:30 til about 4:30. I told
God my plans. I felt like He said I was being too safe. It was one of
those "is this the devil speaking" moments. I am concerned. I value my
marriage and my family. I am not trying to kill myself. I am clear
when I say that I do not have the "gift" of pastor. Those who sit on
my couch may differ with that statement. But a week ago I was given
the word by a prophet to build warriors. So, the word says "believe
the prophets and you shall prosper." As I said in the beginning this
is a trial balloon. I shared the word about safe houses. I have been
given very strong words about the exodus to come. I do not want to
miss God.
Tina and I are in prayer about this. Please talk to us.
And see you Tuesday. BTW-it is our 14th anniversary and we want to
share the goodness of our marriage and our home with you.
Thanks!
Blessings,
Lee & Tina
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