Sunday's Recap

Today turned out pretty good...we had one more family visit. There's nothing like new people being part of Sunday's experience. Man, I can't wait until things are defined (as far as me staying as pastor or not). I really want to do some vision casting along with the establishment of systems so as to reach more people for the Lord at a more exponential rate. Plus, the need for a ministerial team is so obvious. Just two and a half more months to go...

After our gathering this morning, it was pretty cool to just hang out with my cousin and his family. We then hung out with another dude, who is actually a prospective leader for the church. We'll see what's up later on. Dude just had his first kid. Congrats to Abercrombie and Fitch.

Don't forget the Sabbath

So, about 2 months ago, I was supposed to take some time off (4 days, I think), but on the second day, I couldn't resist the temptaion to check my voicemails...Big mistake!! I had forced myself to keep my phone off, and when I turned it on, I had a huge list of people to get back to...mostly work related. So, as a good workaholic (or busy bee), I decided to cut my time off and head back home.

By the way, I was at Santa Barbara...chillin on the beach, which is where I took this pic. Those 2 days were pretty relaxing, but the next day, after some work was done, I was pretty upset with myself for going back to work. At this rate, I'm not sure when I'll have a real vacation. Now, it may seem as though I'm just crying and complaining about working too much (or just staying busy), but in reality, a lesson was learned (or re-learned).

Moral of the story: God created the sabbath for man! God rested on the 7th day of creation. Did he need to? Was he just pooped and wiped out for having created the universe??? As enormous a task as that may seem, I seriously doubt God just had to get some rest because he'd be confined to bedrest if he didn't. I believe he was teaching us from the very beginning to take a sabbatical, be it a daily, weekly or yearly one. Mark Driscoll has some insights into this as well (Death by Ministry blog).

So anywasss, this is something I really need to implement and live by. I've seen many a people get burned out in ministry, or burn their families out. Gotta live vicariously and deal with this now and not wait until the family is at the boiling point...when I have a family, that is. :)

Anywho, just my thoughts on the sabbath and how it can relate us.

Another Sunday with momentum

Last Sunday's momentum carried over into this one, and we are seeing a slow, but steady, increace in attenders. We may have had a tad more last week, but it's just awesome to see what God is doing. I perceive morale to be higher than when I started, and I'm noticing that trust is being built. Thank God!! I'm really looking forward to teaching next weekend and continue on the series.

Also, our experience needs to go to another level, although, we'll probably have to wait until we have a team to take it up a notch. I'm open to any suggestions for a creative, meaningful and life-changing experience.

New Book

Last week, I ordered Chazown by Craig Groeschel and am pretty excited about reading it. I've only heard good reviews about it, including from my boss, David Ramírez. So anywaysss (as Nacho would say), as I got into the office this evening after being gone all weekend and busy with a meeting today, I found Amazon's shipping competence even better than anticipated because the book was sitting on my desk as I arrived. So......off to read it. Peace!

Recap of Sunday

This past Sunday was a good day! As start time (11am) approached, there was absolutely nobody there, which freaked me out a bit....but almost out of no where, people began showing up and streaming in as the experience started. We had way more people than expected, including a new family that committed to coming on a regular basis. Although, they did not make a decision for Christ then, I will continue to pray for them and that the Holy Spirit continue speaking to their heart.

After our morning experience, we headed toward a nearby park to grill out and spend time together as a family. Three more couples showed up, and although they didn't "go to church" in the morning, relationships were built, a seed was sown, and I'm sure that it's only a matter of time before they make commitments to follow and serve Christ.

Although today's events may not sound like much, it was a huge sign of hope and life to me, and in many ways, it was as though God were speaking to me...letting me know that he's doing his thing despite challenges that may arise. Plus, the church's mission statement, core values, purpose statement, etc. have not been estabished nor has a specific vision been cast. It's humbling to see how God works despite not having all of this stuff yet. We definitely serve a sovereign and all-knowing God.

At the end of the day, I spent some time with some friends, a couple, who live in the general area sharing our heart and vision for this region (Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Upland, Fontana, etc.) and even sharing some strategies to reach the community. I am praying for a team who can join with me to take on this challenge, and they are definitely prospects for this task. I'm pretty excited about what God has in store for this area and am looking forward to being a part, or as Rick Warren would say, looking forward to "riding God's wave!"

All in all, Sunday was a great day!

About a month later...

It's been almost a month since we started pastoring at the church now, and it's been quite interesting. There's so much to do and so much potential, but there are some things that have been left up in the air that they somewhat diminish any sense of stability among the people as they view their pastor. I'm almost sure questions, like, "how long is this pastor going to be here?" or "Is the old pastor coming back" arise. Despite all of this, however, there is peace in my heart, and I'm excited about the possibilities.
Right now, I'm using the midweek gathering as a basic study of what the Church is, and using our Sunday gathering as an uplifting experience that will continue to evolve into a contemporary, life-changing experience.

Another thing, I live about an hour and twenty minutes away from where we meet. This is killing me!! There is so much more I want to do during the week, such as small groups (for outreach, discipleship, fellowship, etc.) and ministry training tracks, but the distance is an obstacle right now. I'm praying that God provides a healthy and strategic place to live in the general area.

The place where we meet right now is located where there are approximately 10+ similar churches within a mile radius. So, I'm praying that we move out of there soon and am already searching for another place. I wouldn't even mind if all the meeting space we had was for Sundays only so that way we could focus on small groups at homes, cafés, restaurants, etc.
A ver que pasa...

In addition to all of this, we're really waiting on the Lord for direction and for the Vision he wants to be cast. He gives me hints here and there and am trying to put it together. Although the vision may tarry, I won't jump the gun but wait for it. It's a-coming!! Oh yeeeah! lol

Pastoring

Well, almost 3 weeks ago, I began my time as a pastor(lead, that is)...for the first time. It's so funny how you tend to see things clearer when you're on the outside! It's kinda like all of us sports fans who see what Coach Carroll, Coach Weiss, Dusty Baker, etc. should have done, and there we find ourselves...screaming at the TV because he should've called this play or he should have taken out that pitcher or he should have brought in a pinch hitter.
It's definitely a humbling experience, and I constantly find myself seeking ways of doing ministry and being effective. The work is almost overwhelming in spite of the size of the congregation, but it's exciting and such an adventure. Gotta love it!