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Archive for January, 2008|Monthly archive page

let’s see…

In Big Church-Small Town;, New Hope Stuff on January 9, 2008 at 12:35 am

I survived the mountain fairly intact. If you know me…I am extreme to the max, so being a new skier who tackles whatever is not a good combination…so, this I know, that Our God Reigns or I would be in Heaven by now. And yes, I did every black diamond runs with ease…so I am getting better thanks to my friend turned ski coach Clay Braden…

Great time, though I never imagined wearing very little clothing while skiing in January in New York. People skiing gin shorts…come on! Just wait, I am sure we are in for it now that we were tempted with Spring…welcome to Ohio. So to brighten your day a bit cause by the time you read this reality will be back…here is a pic from the OBX from this summer…yes, I am also bald and white in the summer. Some things never change.

Let’s see…I am excited about all of our campuses this new year. I have been busy working on the details with our team, and I can tell you that if you are a big church in a small town, there is not much out there to help you in planning. Most of the big guns have staff, money, and other resources at their disposal. We have…well, a vision and God on our side (not that they don’t have that too).

But that’s how New Hope got started in the first place. Oh yeah, and Jesus burst onto the scene worse than we did…for we did not have to move the livestock out of the barn to start ministry. Close to that, but not quite. We do have bats in the church though as one swooped some of my best friends in for Dad’s party…(They are working in the bell tower in the old part for Youthscape…so don’t fear.) I think someone caught it and ate it or something like that…welcome to Ohio again.

So let’s see…what’s your take on the amazing dreams God has given us to take the Great Commission seriously? (hit the comments below) We are called to go into all the world. I guess we figured after Loudonville that Wooster and Ashland were great places to start as we go into all the world! We truly feel that we have a unique ministry that we will bring to those towns who are looking for a touch from Jesus in a unique way. That’s New Hope. We are different. We are unique. We want to reach those who wouldn’t normally go to church. We are not afraid.

No people. No money. No staff. No problem. We just trust God will take care of the details and refuse to sit back while the world around us continues to go to an eternity without Christ. The Bible calls the place Hell, and Hell it will be.

Thanks for kickin’ it up a notch at the Hope and for taking God’s Word seriously. Yes, we actually believe and obey that stuff.

(Ashland launch team meeting this week…see details here.)

p.s.–Special prayer request please…I will be doing a funeral this week for a 22 year-old young man who took his life. Pray for the family and for me as we minister through this time.

Hope to hear from you below…

Blessings and peace. and let it snooooooooooooooooow.

vacation?

In Church Leadership, My Life on January 4, 2008 at 10:03 pm

Not really. With my traditional 2 weeks off after Christmas, which usually bring relief, this year it hasn’t happened. Not that I am complaining…I’m not. I just need some time off to refresh as the new year always brings a huge roar of pushing ahead on the vision. Do you refresh? Read this previous post on the importance of rest.

With Sandy’s services and some inner-church related issues that came up, today I finally am free of the mess and will be off through Monday and work a bit from home Tuesday and Wednesday.

Highlight is the skiing trip this Sunday-Monday @ Holiday Valley in New York. I learned how to do the aerial freestyle course (ramps, rails, etc.) and am excited to pursue my Winter passion. (My knees are black and blue and swollen really nice. After the first 2 ramps, I finally figured out it was better to land on both skis and not my butt and/or knees).

I ask prayer as I go through the next few days as I try to release from the normal strains of the ministry world and focus on some rest and fun. (And if anyone has a vacation home in Hawaii, that would come in handy each year at this time…hard to just cruise into the church when in Hawaii!)

Oh…and tonight is my Dad’s 60th surprise birthday party at the church. Can’t wait. The family has planned an awesome event! His birthday is the 23rd (mine is the 18th…large bills accepted). I figure I can announce it now that we are almost there.

So…catch you in th bloggosphere when I can…(which is by the way relaxing and a passion of mine ans not considered work to me…no thanks to Tom Roepke, who got me into this mess).

Oh…and catch this Perry Noble post on Presidential Candidates. I say DITTO.

Go Bucks. Please.

Blessings and Peace.

oh eight

In Church Leadership, New Hope Stuff on January 1, 2008 at 4:42 pm

I just graduated last week didn’t I? Man time flies.

Had a great time last night celebrating the new year. Glad there are no photos of me on the dance floor…though I did surprise a few people with my groove…anyway.

Here is how I see oh eight @ New Hope (short list):

  • Spiritually Growing Church With Many Becoming/Growing as Christ-Followers
  • Connection Points with our Church Community
  • Connection Points with our Community Outside the Walls
  • New Campus in Ashland
  • New Work in Asia
  • New Growth @ the Wooster Campus
  • Continued Growth @ the Loudonville Campus
  • New Staff/Direction/Incoming Vision
  • More Love for One Another and the World at Large–We Will Make an Impact
  • Stronger Core of Spiritual Living/Growth/Disciplines
  • Staying Uncomfortable
  • Way Too Much Fun, Creativity, and Impact as we Live Out the Mission

I am more excited for oh eight than I ever have been. As you know, with eternities on the line, and people who need a touch from the Savior here and around the world…we must not sit back and get comfortable. As we keep working toward our mission…we will through Christ become an unstoppable force. r u in?

blessings and peace.

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