And the Winner is… April 2, 2008

Some of you may now that we did a coffee tasting on Sunday at FC.  I talked about it here.  We were choosing the new official Fellowship Church coffee.  The Coffe comes from 963 coffee  a “fair trade coffee supplier that does a lot of work in the communities of the farmers.  They are a great company and I am excited that we can partner with them.  Well with out further delay I am proud to announce the New Official Fellowship Church Coffee.  And the winner is…

(drum roll please)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

“The Triple Tango” is a Latin american blend with a medium roast.

32 votes were cast in our coffee sampling and in a route 21 votes went to the winner.  We will begin brewing this coffee in our cafe’ hopefully on Sunday.  The order was placed yesterday now it is just a matter of roasting and shipping. 

For those interested we will have all of the different coffees for sale at the cafe’ or by clicking the link below. 

963coffee.com

Later,

Billy

Frustrating Christians. March 27, 2008

I work for a Christian bookstore so I have this unique “privilege” to “Christians” at their best and worst.  Yesterday they were at their worst.

The conversation went something like this.

Me: Hello, how are you today?

Customer: <exacerbated> I need a bible!

Me:  OK well first do you have a translation preference?

Customer: the study kind.

Me: OK by translation I mean NIV, NLT, King James, New King James…

Customer: <irritated> I need the “Saint James, new living application international version study bible!  And it has to be The HOLY Bible!”

This is a good place to stop.  I should mention that this customer is a “pastor.”  When I asked what bible she read she couldn’t tell me.  when I asked what the “official” bible was for her church or the one she preached from on Sundays she replied “the saint James international study new living application Holy bible.”

To clarify she is looking for a KJV (king James version), NLT (New living translation), Life application, NIV (new international version), Study Bible… oh and it has to be Holy!  That is 3 different versions and 2 different sets of study notes all wrapped up in a nice neat little Holy package.

I can’t stand when “career Christians” come in and can’t even tell me what version of the bible they read.  On our Employment application it asks “what is your favorite Translation of the bible?”  more than 50% have a bible verse written below the question while another 25% have a quote like “God is good” or if you can’t say something nice…” AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Later I had a pastors wife come in looking for “THE sinners prayer.”  For one of the deacons in her church whose husband was dying of cancer.  He is not a believer and the wife had never felt comfortable (and still doesn’t) sharing her faith with him.

That story is HORRIBLE!  A wife not comfortable enough to share her saviour with her dying husband.  A pastors wife looking for “THE sinners prayer” because “any old words won’t do.”

Now I am not the best Christian I have my faults and struggles.  I don’t run into a phone booth rip my shirt and become super christian.  But these people that don’t take their faith seriously grate on me… 

This is what you believe…

Jesus Christ Came from heaven, and died on a cross for you.  Yet you have a cavalier attitude to it all.

One final note the “pastor” spent $60 on an “NASB Life application Study bible” (she picked it out because the box was black.)  When she handed me the money she said “I ain’t even worried about it.  God’s gonna pay me back 10 fold fo sho!” 

I pray she reads it.

Tell me what you think.

Later,

Billy

My Easter March 25, 2008

I have been meaning to write about my experience this Easter.  I have been busy with prep for the coming week and I am really looking forward to seeing what God can do this week.

So You may recall reading this post about how I wasn’t really feeling the “Easter spirit.”  Well very shortly after I wrote that post (and I mean very shortly after because as I recall I went to bed right after writing it) I realized that the Easter spirit is one of renewal, one of new birth and I realized that I was in need of that.

My friend Jeff had asked me a day earlier if everything was ok and that he was concerned about me.  I told him everything was fine just the “normal every day stresses.”  I was being truthfull, their really was/isn’t anything wrong more than the “normal everyday stresses.”  But sometime those little rutts are enough to through you off.

Back to Sunday.  The worship was great.  The songs were perfect, the videos were very well done there was a great energy in the room.  The first part of service I was torn between looseing my self in the worship and staying engaged to the needs of the ever increasing population in our auditorium.  As it was we added 2 rows of seats about 30 min. in to service.  I doing that I had the opportunity to poke my head into the kids class rooms.  The leaders and children were engaged with one another, and you could tell they were all excited to be there.  The message was next and I thought Marty did an outstanding job.  You could tell that he was passionate about what God had given him to communicate.  That translated into the room.

As I went about my day I realized that I had been a part of an amazing day at Fellowship church.  That God was there and did his thing.  We saw friends that hadn’t been around for a while as well as some guests that will hopefully become new friends. 

So I still have my “normal everyday stresses.”  But I can honestly say that after Sunday I feel spiriually renewed.  I think I just needed to see others in that place.  Donald Miller says in Blue Like Jazz “Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.”  Just being around people that loved what they were doing and people that were worshipping the one that loves us.  A pastor passionate about his message

Easter March 22, 2008

Well, I haven’t written in a bit and I was thinking today about why that is.  I could blame it on writers block or being too busy and those would be somewhat true but really I have been trying to get into the Easter spirit.  Sadly to say with out much luck.  I could blame that on a number of things.  All the finger pointing though would be unjustified.  Truthfully I just haven’t gotten there.  I was struck the other day with the realization that Easter is tomorrow.  I work for a Christian bookstore, and a Church.  You would think that I would have been in the spirit a few months ago. 

I know all the stories of Easter.  The radical, life changing truths of this season are not lost.  What I missed though was finding the intimacy with God that I find myself at this 11th hour (literally and figuratively) longing for.

I was out at lunch on Friday with some of the guys from church and one of them noticed that another one of the guys was particularly quiet.  When Jeff (the first guy) mentioned it Steve (the second guy) said that his life group had taken communion a couple of nights earlier and it had left him in a pretty somber state.   I felt this piece of me scream “I WANT THAT!!!”

I want to be rocked to my knees tomorrow.  I want to be overcome with the knowledge that I was bought by blood.  I want to fall in such deep love with my creator that everything else seems worthless.  I want to live with that knowledge everyday at the front of my mind.  I want to see the same for others.  I want to see those far from God brought crashing to their knees.  I want to see amazing life changes happen. 

I will be at church early tomorrow (nothing new).  I am going to spend some time in prayer and then go on with my usual preparations. 

Join me in praying that got really rocks Holden, Ma and Fellowship Church.

Peace,

Billy

Comfort for those that can’t sleep March 10, 2008

I couldn’t sleep so I decided to check my feeds.  First up was this story on Ragamuffinsoul.

 I read a story of a pastor that in the span of a week has left his church his wife and his kids… for a married woman.  And I felt angry.

I read a Blog about this story from the former Worship leader of that church.  And felt angry and sad… but more sad now.

My heart started to do that fluttery thing like when you have a deep chill or are all hopped up on adrenaline after a car accident.  And although it’s cold out the flutter isn’t from that.  It’s because by heart is broken for those families and that church.  I am less angry now.

I have never been too the church, and as far as I know I don’t know anyone that has been there.  Yet I feel for them.  I have read the pastors blog before and thought he had some great insights and pearls of wisdom.  That is my only real connection to this situation.  But I feel so involved and so connected.

Perhaps it hits home as I am in ministry and had an argument with my wife tonight over something stupid.  A baby gate for those interested.  Now I don’t think that my ministry and his are anywhere even close to the same level (he was pastor of  a multi-camps church) or that my wife and I are going to split over a baby gate.  But it is sobering.  And calls things into perspective. 

It makes me appreciate my wife and all the incredible things she does.  from working full time, volunteering at the church, cleaning the house, raising 2 girls (and 1 husband), balancing the difficult schedules and keeping everyone happy.  She is a wonder women and I probably don’t tell her that enough…

Then I read a blog from my friend Jeff.  How true are the words of Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  They came at a great time for me.  and Jeff I too am emotional as I write them.  God is here (with me), God is there (with the family and friends of the pastor), and God is with you.  He comforts those who mourn.

Peace,

Billy

did I miss something? March 4, 2008

When did atheism become a religion?  In order to have religion don’t you need to have a common belief IN something?  Specifically I would think something spiritual.  I hardly think the common belief that their is no “higher power” constitutes a religion.

What do you think?

Also please note I am not trying to anger atheists.  I am trying to see how people are defining religion.

Later,

Billy

3,2,08 March 2, 2008

I am still trying to digest my thoughts on church this morning.  The whole morning never felt settled to me.  There were some things that would lead me to feel that way but things never found their groove.  May be it was me… I’m not sure.

We had some technical problems this morning.  The biggest being that none of the instruments could go through the house.  Meaning that the sound guy (me) had no control over the instruments once we got started.  All adjustments had to be made before service.  The monitors were acting like the house speakers which meant Marty’s lavaliere mic was feeding back so we had to unplug them for the service.  But God is awesome and he did his thing in spite of us.

Marty spoke about feeling in adequate for the call that God placed on his life.  He used great examples of different biblical figures who encountered some similar struggles.  And how God used them despite their short comings.  I think we all need to remember that God uses broken vessels.  And most often it is our cracks and blemishes that bring him the greatest glory.

Back to the band.  They did a great job in spite of the technological set backs.  They really kept their heads in the game.  I think I might sabotage things each week to keep us on our toes.  They did seem a little distracted but I think the heart of the songs shown through.  I intentionally didn’t say “the heart o worship” as we sang that song today.  It really brought the truth of that song out.  And it was good to have Al hear for his first of many back to back appearances.  Although we should still be in prayer for him and Erica as they search for a new permanent residence and continue to unpack.  Also Al starts his new job tomorrow.

 All in all I thought it was another awesome week to be at Fellowship Church.  Some times you need to be set out of your groove and left feeling unsettled.

Later,

Billy

Sunday Morning February 18, 2008

I wrote this yesterday and never posted it… here it is. 

The band just finished round 2 for this Sunday and I must say I was impressed.  It was a small band compared to some weeks.  Marty sang a played acoustic, along with Ben also leading with voice and the acoustic, They were joined by CJ on keys and Joel on the bass.  No drums… no problem.  They were smooth with transitions and style.  One fear I have when I see 2 acoustic guitars is that they won’t play together.  Often times the 2 guitarists play the same thing and create loud muffled sound.  Not so today.

I must say the folks in first service lacked energy… Marty lobbed joke after joke.  and they landed flat.  Nothing he tried grabbed the attention of those sitting in the seats.  Their loss.  I think it was a great sermon.  A great way to end the Atom Bomb series.  Speaking on multiplication and the importance of growing and sharing our community with others.  It’s funny the first three points in this series Authentic community, Transformation, and Outward reaching are easy to agree with and wrapp our heads around.  Multiplication is not so easy.  The thought of adding to your group and possibly being vulnerable with people you don’t know is scary.  But just think you wouldn’t be in “your group” if some one didn’t invite you in.  And it wouldn’t be so hard to move out if you hadn’t been vulnerable with those people.  So it seems rather logical to multiply and let others in and to share what you have.

There were quite a few new people this morning.  I love to see new people come in and check us out.  I love more when I see them come back and even more when I see them get involved in the life of FC.  That all hinges on the people they meet and the experience they have on there first visit.  Think about it.  If they have a negative first impression they look other places.  We need to have the  same culture in the foyer of our church that Marty was talking about in our small groups.  We need to have authentic community and be outward reaching and think multiplication when we see people coming for the first time, or even the second time.  How awesome would it be if we stepped out of whats comfortable and took a chance to love people the way Jesus did/does.  I know we would see some awesome changes take place in our community and our own lives.

Marty’s jokes are hitting in the second service.  Something about a squirrel.  and people really seem to be in tune with what Marty is saying. 

Life is sweet

Later,

Billy

My Sunday Morning February 12, 2008

If you have ever looked at some of the blogs I visit regularly you will notice that Marty my pastor, and Al the production guy have given a recap of Sunday Morning from there perspective.  So I thought I would begin doing the same.

So,my Sunday morning recap begins on Saturday night when I went to the store for some NyQuil.  sore throat, chest congestion, cough, inability to hear out of my right ear. 

So I get a very nice, restful, nights sleep and head out to the church for 7:30 band practice. when I find that my van that I just spent nearly $900 to fix won’t start.  my awesome wife gets the girls and herself ready in about 10 mins. and we are all off to church. 

The Band Sounded Awesome… Mike Burns was back visiting from Germany and playing his “crappy backup gear” that sounded oh so sweet.  Al and Amy did a fantastic Job on Vocals, and Tom as ussual was top notch on the drums and CJ other than being a Yankees fan is a good guy and one heck of a piano player.  The band lead people in worship with a few excellent songs.

Then we stepped aside for Jeff.  I heard Jeff speak for both services.  Each time he brought a little something different.  He spoke about how we need to be outward reaching in our lives and how sometimes (all the time) we fill our lives with so much stuff that we get to busy for others.  He spoke about a particularly busy day in the life of Christ and then challenged us with some homework.  I think Jeff did a outstanding job.  I think people were really keying in on his points and if they don’t forget about it like just another message I think we will see some amazing things happen as a result. 

The Band closed out with one more worship song and Played through the song as people exited.

After the second service we held our “First Annual Fellowship Church Vision Experience.”  This was a great time for Marty and the rest of the staff to really lay out the vision for our church in the coming year.  People were given an opportunity to ask questions and I think those that stuck around will now have a clear understanding of where we want to take fellowship church.  Not Just in 2008 but into the future.

If any of this is incoherent please for give me.  I am still hopped up on cough medicine.

Later, 

Billy

Excellence January 15, 2008

I wrote a blog the other day in response to a blog about the lack of excellence in Christian music and Christian art as a whole.  Which has lead to more thoughts.

!st.  My Pastor Spoke a while back on the idea of excellence.  It is also a running theme in our staff meetings.  The idea of doing things with excellence can seem daunting, and unattainable.  However striving for excellence and doing things as excellently as WE can, is a spiritual act of worship.  If we skimp out on things and take the easy way out that is not only a reflection on us but also our Creator.  And I don’t think he took the easy road in creating us.

2nd.  I forgot to mention one of my favorite Christian artists.  He is Derek Webb, formerly(and i guess now currently) a member of Caedmon’s call.  He has several albums all with an acoustic folksy style.  He is NOT the typical Right wing christian.  In fact in one of his songs he says that the 2 biggest lies he has heard is first “if you eat of the fruit of this tree you WILL NOT surly Die” (the snake to eve) and second “that Jesus Christ was/is a white middle class republican.”  Talk about not mailing it in.  He constantly challenges “the way things are.”  There is no fluff with this cat, he is completely sold out to finding the heart of God where ever it may be.

3rd.  Check out my friend Jeff’s Blog.  he is a member of our church’s lead team and a thinker.  Picture the statue of the guy on the toilet entitled “the thinker.”  That is Jeff.  Anyway he sparked a little controversy and personally I think it is great.  He is seeking out some biblical truth and could use some input.  Who would of thought someone looking to the bible for answers would be so criticized?

Later,

Billy