Last week I was at a loss for words when in a meeting I heard Bishop Porter mention that another murder took place in Maywood. The number of murders for the year has reached into the double digits within our little village, which possibly places us amongst the worst in the U.S. per capita. Of course this is where we begin playing the blame game, but what I'm more interested in is someone stepping up to the plate and accepting responsibility for failure.
A 21- year old brother joined Proviso Community Church last Sunday, and one of the things that he mentioned in conversation was very interesting. He said that he was so thankful to be alive at 21. Now indeed, he does recognize that making it to the age of 21 is a gift and that every good and perfect gift comes from above. But there was something more to that statement than a celebration of God's grace, there was an undertone of the pessimism with which our young men view their future when they've grown up in Maywood and even Proviso Township as a whole.
I met a brother at PLCCA in Maywood a few weeks ago. He was there for a job fair, I was there to register voters. When he registered to vote, I spoke with him briefly and he talked about the fact that he needed to find a job because he needed to get "off the streets." He said he had gotten grazed by a bullet a day or so before. He's also 21-years old. Unfortunately, there aren't many jobs for him within our community. And the schools haven't prepared the average grad to compete very well in the job market outside of our community. This is unacceptable!
Proviso Community Church, in partnership with the Maywood Police Department's Community Policing will be working with Proviso East's principal Milton Patch to ensure the safety of our students after school between 1st avenue and 5th avenue on Madison St. We're seeking out men and women in the community to serve in a security capacity for a 30-minute period after school. This has come as a plea from the school because of the violence that oftentimes takes place within this area after school. It's a shame that our students sometime walk home from school fearful of a drive-by or a gang fight breaking out right in front of them.
This has to change! This community has sunken to an incredibly low level. It's time for the people of God to stand up!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
It's Been 8 Weeks!
Praise God! It's been 8 weeks and we're still rolling. God has given us tremendous favor. We've got one of the baddest church bands in the area and our ministry team is always fired up!
So far we've made a very solid impression upon the community. On Tuesday, September 2nd, several of us prayed on the campus of Proviso West High School as the students returned from their Labor Day weekend. This is the day that the school sees it's largest number of students in attendance, so we accepted the invitation to pray for a safe and productive school year. Friday, September 5th was the launch of our "Bless the Block" initiative. There are key areas within the community, especially Maywood and Bellwood, that we're targeting to take back for Christ. Approximately 15 of us prayed on the corners spanning from 19th/St. Charles to 19th/Madison in Maywood. One family drove from as far as Chicago's Northside to participate. The neighbors were very receptive to our "phase one" of "Bless the Block." We're looking forward to rolling out phase two within the next several weeks. After the prayers, most of us hung out at Home Run Inn, which was an awesome opportunity for us to get to know some new faces.
This is what it's all about... Celebrating God, Serving God, Serving the Community, and Sharing with each other. I'm so excited that we've captured this essence already!
I'm beginning to get accustomed to preparing sermons every week, but it's still not easy. It's a discipline that develops total dependence on God. Some weeks I approach the podium with what I would consider a "mess" and God somehow turns it into a "message." I'm desperately trying to develop the ability to get my sermons done by Friday so that I can spend Saturdays doing something other than staring at my laptop. These are usually great days for my wife and I to hang out. Thankfully, our Assistant Pastor, Rev. Antoine Simmons, is preaching again this week, allowing me a second week of rest. I thank God for his willingness and his ability.
Even though I'm thankful for the rest, I'm still anxious to get back on that stage to deliver a message. I guess I just love preaching.
If it's God's will, I 'll be preaching again beginning next Sunday, October 5th. Wow! That'll be here before I know it.....better get started now.... Gotta Go!
Simply Caring, Simply Community, Simply Church
So far we've made a very solid impression upon the community. On Tuesday, September 2nd, several of us prayed on the campus of Proviso West High School as the students returned from their Labor Day weekend. This is the day that the school sees it's largest number of students in attendance, so we accepted the invitation to pray for a safe and productive school year. Friday, September 5th was the launch of our "Bless the Block" initiative. There are key areas within the community, especially Maywood and Bellwood, that we're targeting to take back for Christ. Approximately 15 of us prayed on the corners spanning from 19th/St. Charles to 19th/Madison in Maywood. One family drove from as far as Chicago's Northside to participate. The neighbors were very receptive to our "phase one" of "Bless the Block." We're looking forward to rolling out phase two within the next several weeks. After the prayers, most of us hung out at Home Run Inn, which was an awesome opportunity for us to get to know some new faces.
This is what it's all about... Celebrating God, Serving God, Serving the Community, and Sharing with each other. I'm so excited that we've captured this essence already!
I'm beginning to get accustomed to preparing sermons every week, but it's still not easy. It's a discipline that develops total dependence on God. Some weeks I approach the podium with what I would consider a "mess" and God somehow turns it into a "message." I'm desperately trying to develop the ability to get my sermons done by Friday so that I can spend Saturdays doing something other than staring at my laptop. These are usually great days for my wife and I to hang out. Thankfully, our Assistant Pastor, Rev. Antoine Simmons, is preaching again this week, allowing me a second week of rest. I thank God for his willingness and his ability.
Even though I'm thankful for the rest, I'm still anxious to get back on that stage to deliver a message. I guess I just love preaching.
If it's God's will, I 'll be preaching again beginning next Sunday, October 5th. Wow! That'll be here before I know it.....better get started now.... Gotta Go!
Simply Caring, Simply Community, Simply Church
Monday, August 4, 2008
Survivor Stories...
Regardless of who we are, and where we're from, all of us are survivors and overcomers in some regards. Some are survivors of heartbreak or shady people. Some are survivors of abuse or neglect. Some are survivors of financial hardships and devastation, but we all made it through.
What's your survivor story? Dare to be bold enough to share one for the building up of the rest of the believers. You never know who may be going through what you've already conquered.
What's your survivor story? Dare to be bold enough to share one for the building up of the rest of the believers. You never know who may be going through what you've already conquered.
Sermon Outline and Discussion (Aug. 3, 2008)
“By God’s Grace, I’m a Survivor”
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
(New International Version of scripture)
Exegetical Idea (Big Idea): Our sufferings, and our death-like situations, leave room for us to experience God’s resurrection power.
Transition: Paul explains that he has experienced and shall experience this resurrection power in two ways:
He’s experienced this resurrection power and subsequently emerged as a survivor 1st of all of…
I. Outward Trials
A. Pressed (v.8a “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed”;)
(New International Version of scripture)
Exegetical Idea (Big Idea): Our sufferings, and our death-like situations, leave room for us to experience God’s resurrection power.
Transition: Paul explains that he has experienced and shall experience this resurrection power in two ways:
He’s experienced this resurrection power and subsequently emerged as a survivor 1st of all of…
I. Outward Trials
A. Pressed (v.8a “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed”;)
1. Supporting Scriptures
a. 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.
b. 2 Corinthians 11:26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.(emphasis mine)
c. Acts 9:23-30 (Paul always managed to escape the crushing, by God’s grace.)
2. Sermon Excerpt
“…But the amazing thing, and it testifies to God’s power, is that even though like Paul we’re hard pressed on every side, the good news can be found behind the “but.”
The text says, “we’re hard pressed on every side, but not in depair.” Thank God for the “but nots” in your life. Every believer whether you want to admit it or not has a “but not” testimony. The “but not” essentially says that God has defied logic in your circumstances. And even though your dead circumstances warranted a certain doom and disaster, you somehow emerged as a survivor.
Some of us have been guilty, but not convicted
Some of us have been jobless, but not broke
Some of us have been penniless, but not homeless
Some of us have been without food in the refrigerator, but not starved
Pregnant, broke, jobless, heartbroken, written off, but not in despair
Somehow you’ve emerged as a survivor!”
“…But the amazing thing, and it testifies to God’s power, is that even though like Paul we’re hard pressed on every side, the good news can be found behind the “but.”
The text says, “we’re hard pressed on every side, but not in depair.” Thank God for the “but nots” in your life. Every believer whether you want to admit it or not has a “but not” testimony. The “but not” essentially says that God has defied logic in your circumstances. And even though your dead circumstances warranted a certain doom and disaster, you somehow emerged as a survivor.
Some of us have been guilty, but not convicted
Some of us have been jobless, but not broke
Some of us have been penniless, but not homeless
Some of us have been without food in the refrigerator, but not starved
Pregnant, broke, jobless, heartbroken, written off, but not in despair
Somehow you’ve emerged as a survivor!”
B. Persecuted (v.9a “…persecuted but not forsaken;”)
1. Supporting Scriptures
a. 2 Cor. 11:24 “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25) Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea…”
b. Deuteronomy 25:3 (rules for flogging)
2. Sermon Excerpt
“In almost every city that Paul went, he was almost sure to face some persecution. All because of the boldness and conviction with which he proclaimed Jesus Christ.
· In Jerusalem he was arrested,
· In Philippi he and Silas were jailed because Paul had driven the demons out of the slave girl, whom the word says brought her master much gain.
On another occasion he was stoned and left for dead”
C. Struck Down v.9b (“…struck down, but not destroyed…”)
1. Supporting Scriptures (none)
2. Sermon Excerpt
“Almost everybody who grew up during my generation had one of those inflatable-clown punching bags. The interesting thing about ‘em was…
· You could punch it, but it would…bounce back
· You could kick it, and it would…bounce back
· You could lay out on it, but as soon as you got up, it would just…bounce back
I never could quite appreciate it when I was a child, but when I got older I discovered that the reason it was able to be kicked down, knocked down, beat down, and still get back up again, was because of something on the inside of it.
But I’ve discovered that not only is this true of the inflatable clown, but it’s also true of the Christian, because some of ya’ll have been knocked down, beat down, stepped on, and treaded on, but somehow or another you keep…bouncing back
They thought you were down for the count when you were heartbroken, but somehow you…bounced back.
Really they thought that the depression had you but you…bounced back
They thought the trials, tribulations, and tears had torn you down, but you…bounced back”
But none of it was because of you, none of it was because of your own power, none of it was because of your own endurance, you bounced back because of what’s on the inside!
The Holy Spirit has enabled you, to take a licking and keep on ticking”
II. Inward Trials v.8b “[we are] perplexed, but not in despair.”
“Almost everybody who grew up during my generation had one of those inflatable-clown punching bags. The interesting thing about ‘em was…
· You could punch it, but it would…bounce back
· You could kick it, and it would…bounce back
· You could lay out on it, but as soon as you got up, it would just…bounce back
I never could quite appreciate it when I was a child, but when I got older I discovered that the reason it was able to be kicked down, knocked down, beat down, and still get back up again, was because of something on the inside of it.
But I’ve discovered that not only is this true of the inflatable clown, but it’s also true of the Christian, because some of ya’ll have been knocked down, beat down, stepped on, and treaded on, but somehow or another you keep…bouncing back
They thought you were down for the count when you were heartbroken, but somehow you…bounced back.
Really they thought that the depression had you but you…bounced back
They thought the trials, tribulations, and tears had torn you down, but you…bounced back”
But none of it was because of you, none of it was because of your own power, none of it was because of your own endurance, you bounced back because of what’s on the inside!
The Holy Spirit has enabled you, to take a licking and keep on ticking”
II. Inward Trials v.8b “[we are] perplexed, but not in despair.”
(more notes to come...)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
2 Weeks to Go!
Two weeks from now, I will deliver a sermon for the first time as pastor of Proviso Community Church. I don't think I've really been able to wrap my mind fully around the implications of this, nevertheless I'm excited. I think my excitement is mostly centered around finally getting started. The planting process has not been a long one, relatively speaking, but it has been a bit difficult lingering in the middle.
My entire team has been going through what I would call "life" over the past few weeks, and amazingly God has begun giving me insight and discernment to see what I wouldn't ordinarily see. I guess this is part of the pastoral transformation that God is taking me through. My wife and I have begun intereceeding on behalf of so many, and our hope is that many are interceeding for us.
What transformations have you been experiencing in life lately? What new season has God been preparing you for? Are you ready? You may only have weeks to go!
My entire team has been going through what I would call "life" over the past few weeks, and amazingly God has begun giving me insight and discernment to see what I wouldn't ordinarily see. I guess this is part of the pastoral transformation that God is taking me through. My wife and I have begun intereceeding on behalf of so many, and our hope is that many are interceeding for us.
What transformations have you been experiencing in life lately? What new season has God been preparing you for? Are you ready? You may only have weeks to go!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Great is Thy Faithfulness
It comes as no surprise that God has been faithful in putting people and resources in place for the local church plant. Last week I did a one year budget for the church, however I specifically left one important line item out of the budget, "the favor of God." The reason for this omission is so that I will always be able to recognize what it should/could have cost and taken to be successful, minus the favor factor.
Perhaps in the midst of this recession you've found yourself looking at your personal budget and the numbers just don't seem to add up on paper. Just remember that the missing line item is "the favor factor."
LORD, great is Thy faithfulness.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
One is Worth it!
One of the challenges of being what I call "Second Generation Mega Church" is the ability to easily get caught up in numbers. For the last 11 years I've consistently attended services where seating capacity was a major issue, and where thousands of worshipers gathered week after week for fellowship, worship, and to hear a Word from the LORD. However, as I get ever closer to the launch date of the new local church plant, the question that looms over me is, "what if no one shows up?" The space that we're renting has a seating capacity of close to 1,500. It takes a lot of bodies to make that space not look empty! But in reality it's not about the numbers. But then again there's a wonderful feeling that I get when I'm preaching to a crowd of 1,000 high energy worshippers.
I think the sum of the truth is this, if the whole church plant is for one soul to be saved, it's all worth it. If one individual walks through those doors as a sinner with a gaping hole in his/her life that only God's love and redemptive power can fill, and he/her leaves that place with an authentic relationship with God, it's worth it!
Indeed, my prayer is that God would send masses of people, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to preach to just one. In fact, to preach at all! Paul said that we have these treasures in earthen vessels. I count it as a privilege for God to entrust me to carry this treasure despite the simplicity and frailness of my vessel.
I think the sum of the truth is this, if the whole church plant is for one soul to be saved, it's all worth it. If one individual walks through those doors as a sinner with a gaping hole in his/her life that only God's love and redemptive power can fill, and he/her leaves that place with an authentic relationship with God, it's worth it!
Indeed, my prayer is that God would send masses of people, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to preach to just one. In fact, to preach at all! Paul said that we have these treasures in earthen vessels. I count it as a privilege for God to entrust me to carry this treasure despite the simplicity and frailness of my vessel.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Not How? Who?
As I really avail myself for the necessary preparation involved with the local church plant, I find myself facing tough questions. The common denominator of most of the questions is the word "how." Over and over again I've come up with another question within my mind involving the word "how." As of this date I have nothing but a vision and an incredible call and burden that God has placed upon my heart to plant a local church in Maywoood, IL. I need the auditorium at our local high school as a worship facility, I need financial resources, musicians, and countless other individuals willing to serve. In addition to these needs, there's a possibility that I may have to step down from my job as CMO at my current church, which could significantly affect my family's budget. My prayer is that God allows me to maintain this position and salary until the new church is financially stable.
As I stare at this mountain of needs, which I feel inadequately equipped to scale, the question that looms is, "how?" How can I afford to bring this vision to fruition? How will I be able to obtain the resources needed? How, how, how?
But then again I realize that it's not "how?" It's "who?" Who will make it happen? Who will provide? If I can just throw 3 words back as a volley against every "how" in my head and heart, they would be:
God is Able!
"Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or think according to the power that works in us." Eph. 3:20 (paraphrase)
As I stare at this mountain of needs, which I feel inadequately equipped to scale, the question that looms is, "how?" How can I afford to bring this vision to fruition? How will I be able to obtain the resources needed? How, how, how?
But then again I realize that it's not "how?" It's "who?" Who will make it happen? Who will provide? If I can just throw 3 words back as a volley against every "how" in my head and heart, they would be:
God is Able!
"Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or think according to the power that works in us." Eph. 3:20 (paraphrase)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Trying to Find Balance
One of the most difficult things for me to accomplish in ministry is, balance. Constantly I'm finding myself overworked and neglecting one thing or another. Below is a list of the things which I'm responsible for currently:
- CMO (Chief Ministry Officer) - Victory Cathedral Worship Ctr.
- Exec. Director- SmokieNorful Ministries
- CEO- "45 Company" an upscale custom tailoring and alterations boutique
- Chairman & President- ProvisoPromise NFP
- Interim Youth Pastor- Victory Cathedral Worship Ctr.
In addition to these things I'm actively involved in various initiatives within my community, I believe God is leading me to plant a church this summer, and last but certainly not least, I'm a newlywed.
So to say the least, "balance" is a major issue for me!
I definitely need to learn to say NO to some things, but that's easier said than done. How do you create balance in your life? What measures have you had to take? How do you learn to JUST SAY NO?
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