Walk or Stop?

Worship is cool. Gathering together to lift hands in praise–sing songs about Jesus. Velocity is all about worship. I thank God for our inspirational worship. But when the hour has past and Monday rolls around are we living as Jesus lived. Are we the good Samaritan or just a passer by in life. God leads us in a ministry of boldness of spirit, if we allow Him. He will give us opportunities to stop in life. Busy, busy busy. We think we just don’t have the time. For some people, the unchurched, all they have is time. But what they need is for someone to stop–to help–to share or just communicate.

Walk or stop? Check out what Jesus did. He stopped and cared.  Let’s be the church like Jesus.

Our First Series

After prayer, deliberation and contemplation, Velocity Church will open on launch Sunday telling all in attendance that we want to be a church like Jesus. The early disciples modeled the church after the model teacher–Jesus. So, we at Velocity Church have an urgency to make certain that we are a gathering who lives like Jesus; acts like Jesus; prays like Jesus etc. This is a lofty goal. The church in general has often made attempts to accomplish this standard. Velocity has removed the walls that separate us from our mission field, opened the doors to welcome everyone who desire to come, and now chooses to build a church upon the solid Rock of Jesus.

September 21 is our official launch. Pray for us; pray for those we will reach, not just this particular Sunday, but for those we seek to help come to know Jesus.

Better and Better

Velocity Church is getting better at set up and at our take down. We are fine tuning our times of arrival, in order to free up space and time for our sound techs to get up and assembled, before chairs and curtains are set up. Plant Team–watch your emails for the particulars.

Worship went very well. Our band gave it up for Jesus and everyone was led in worship. Our encounter time around the Lord’s Supper was very meaningful. And the message was on point and relevant. Yesterday’s service is our planned launch Sunday service. God expects excellence from us and our times to practice give us a chance to hone the skills necessary. From setting up tables and chairs to preaching a challenging and relevant message–we all need to fine tune.

This week we will again be walking and praying at Taylor Farm Park, on Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Anyone in the Paulding area who wants to join  us in our prayer walk can do so. We want to be in prayer for our church, our communities and our country.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NLT)
⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

This Weekend at Velocity Church

Saturday is our second attempt to set up at the local elementary school gym for our Sunday worship and children’s areas. We are still adding equipment to the list that becomes the next, “must” have item. We are praying for a smooth set up. Hopefully we will not need every last minute of our 3 hour window. Our skill level is rising, if from nothing more than experience.

Sunday brings us opportunity to worship. Though it is “practice” in doing lights, sounds, etc. there is a sense of appreciation and thanksgiving that we are blessed to be in worship. I am looking forward to speaking on the subject–No More Walls.

Last evening we had two more people trying out for the worship band. You will have to check with Chase on their status, but I am praying we will see a full band this Sunday. We plan to turn the auditorium set up exactly 90 degrees to make better use of our space.

Finally, let me put the “hardware” issues behind for a moment and ask you to pray for the un-churched who may join us this week. Though we are not advertising our services publicly, word is spreading that we have started. The Holy Spirit is drawing people to the gospel and we want to be aware that just because we refer to our first few weeks as practice, in all reality, to others it is serious and a way to find God. So, be in prayer and be ready to open your arms of love and acceptance to welcome those who may come our way. After all, without giving away my message–with no walls–we must be ready to welcome whoever comes to find Jesus.

Measure Twice–Cut Once

I am not a carpenter. I received gift cards to a local home improvement center for the expressed wish I had to build an arbor in my backyard. I still have those gift cards. I am quite hesitant to purchase the material in fear that I will fail in my Arbor Project. Now this is not a backhanded way of seeking help…but…

Yesterday I attended our monthly preacher meeting and Pastor Rob shared a devotion from the book of Joshua. His words inspired me to spend some time this week and next in meditating on the principles God laid in place for Joshua and the children of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. As I began my reading this morning, I noted several comparisons of words that apply to Velocity Church as I prepare the plant team in the next few weeks.

Joshua is told straight up by God, to measure carefully 3 things as you prepare to enter the land. First, watch where you step. Measure your steps because where you step is land that God is giving you. Pride of accomplishment misplaced on self, instead of bringing glory to God will lead to loss. Great opportunities and great success will come to our efforts–but we should remember that God must receive the glory.

Secondly, God tells Joshua to measure carefully your courage. Again we often try to depend upon our skills. We will make it happen if we just work harder, be more creative than the next guy, or think outside the box. Now all those are good ideas, but our real courage or success is found only in seeking the will of God for our direction. We have no idea what the future will bring, so it is absolutely important that we stay linked to God, following Jesus as our leader. Jesus provides us security and courage in our walk.

And finally, we must measure carefully our relationship to God’s word. Madison Avenue leadership techniques might work to build giant corporations, but the church is built solidly upon God’s word. And that word is Jesus, the son of God. Peter was commended for this remarkable statement that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. That statement is the rock upon which Velocity Church must be built.

Measure twice–cut once. Soon I will find the courage to purchase some lumber and gather friends who know which end of the wood goes where and with their help and God’s grace–I might finally have my arbor built. But more importantly are the friends, staff and associates who have joined together to build God’s church.

Are You Ready for Fay?

Fay is on her way. This tropical storm, never reaching hurricane strength is causing quite a stir here in North GA. Fay dominates the news, the weather and the drought watch. We need the water. We don’t need excessively bad weather–just some needed rain. Fay brings the hope, the promise, the possibility for rain. For days now we have tracked this storm across the Caribbean, seeing it creeping ever closer to US soil. Now having landed in Florida, we see tracks change, predictions go out the window and reports of possible refreshing rain–dashed. Will Fay come to North GA? Will she pass to our south, our east or simply fade away, leaving us to watch again the tropical forecasts on TV? Who knows? And in the scheme of life–is Fay all that important. We swallow the camels and strain at the gnats.

Jesus tells us on many occasions–I am coming back. At his ascension we are promised to see Him return as He left. We read that we must be ready–Jesus’ coming is imminent, He can come at any given moment of time. But we seem so caught up in our earthly concerns–rain, tropical storms and such, that we loose site of the greatest event yet to happen. And we have been given notice that, unlike Fay, Jesus will come to wreck havoc on this world, on those who have ignored His grace and rejected Him. Jesus will bring peace to His followers and torment to the unchurched.

Don’t expect to see this on the local news. The Today Show will not cover this story. Jesus left that responsibility up to His followers. We are the bearers of this news. We share this news verbally. We share this news in our life examples. We want everyone to know–Jesus is coming soon.

So, are you ready? Do you know Jesus Christ as your friend, your Lord and your Savior? Velocity Church is taking the good news to a lost world–are you listening? Are you sharing?

Coming Together

Our weekend at Velocity was quite exciting. A great number showed up on Saturday to pack the truck and then journey to our host school and begin to unpack and set up for worship. We had the school reserved for 3 hours and I was doing the countdown with less than five minutes to go. Some stuff was just left to finish in the morning. Other stuff was put off till another worship gathering. So much was learned on Saturday that we found ourselves wondering how we will ever pull this off. We were loosely organized which helped us tremendously. Considering it was a “first” for so much. Our first day; our first try to assemble the curtains, the stage, the lights, the sound, the tarp and chairs…plus even more.

Sunday morning arrived and soon we were watching the countdown begin on the screen. Our prayers were being answered as we watched. Soon we were praising God with all of our hearts, lifting our hands and voices to Him. We celebrated together as Velocity for the first time and it was thrilling. As I stood to do my part and preach–I admit that I was apprehensive, nervous and anxious–all at the same time. I moved on adrenaline, hearkening back to tried and true ways to deliver the message–to my chagrin. I really wanted to be different–to capture the moment with power. God still blessed my feeble effort and we closed the service rejoicing and thanking Him for blessing us.

Then the take down began. Soon, within a fraction of the time it took to set it all up–we were walking away with our loaded truck, already thinking about next week. Next week we add the children area and hopefully remember my microphone!! Next week we will set up much faster and easier. Next week…well, soon it will be next month–routines will set in and we must never forget our real purpose–our real service is more than just a few songs and sermon. Our real service is reaching our community for Christ. Serving our community  in Jesus’ name. I believe that the excitement we felt this weekend, will double, triple or even more–when we begin officially in a few weeks.

Paul

Dealing with Ceasar

Today I spent over 5 hours at two different post offices. I added well over 100 miles to my odometer. I visited each post office 2 times, being sent back and forth, around and around, building to building, counter to counter and so forth and so on. What a day. But with some persistence, prayer and pushing, Velocity Church now has applied for a non-profit bulk mailing permit. We still have to be “approved”, but the leg work is finished.

I am now realize that I am a keeper of some strange sorts of knowledge, from just a few months on the job as a church planter. I now can determine the square footage of a building, just from a simple drive by. I can tell you if a straight bed truck require a commercial CDL licenses, by just looking at the truck. I can tell you that it’s a miracle that any piece of mail or package ever makes it through the post office to find its destination. And on and on my newly acquired knowledge grows.

Maybe I am just tired from my long day. But, it will all be worth it. This Sunday, Velocity Church takes on the world and all the forces of Satan. We plan to praise–pray–and publish for the Lord. Pray for our first practice service, testing the equipment and doing a dry run of our set up and tear down.

Meanwhile, I am going to relax this evening and stare at our newly acquired permit number–and pray for our approval from the P.O. Soon mailers will hit a mailbox near you!!

Jesus, Water and Perspectives

Jesus words tell us that faith the size of mustard seeds can move mountains. Jesus tells us that the widow’s mite was a great and generous gift. Jesus tells us that finding one lost sheep is worth every effort put forth. And Jesus tells us that a cup of water given in His name signifies the servant attitude. Seeds, mites, one lamb, and a cup of water might seem rather insignificant in the eyes of an observer, but we need to keep in mind the great lesson of perspective. Seeing our acts of kindness through the eyes of our Lord, small apparently insignificant offerings become magnified to become great demonstrations of God’s grace and power. God uses the humble, the willing, and the obedient acts of His children to accomplish ministry in ways that are beyond our comprehension.

Two nights ago, our plant team gathered to assemble gift sacks for teacher appreciation gifts. We intend to give each teacher in our host school a care package of paper, hand sanitizer, tissues and some sweet treats. It’s not much–and there are only 68 bags. Our plant team was stepping on each other as their excitement to serve accomplished this task in about 30 minutes or less. Today a few of us will take a lunch and these gifts to the school.

A few sacks of supplies and a lot of love and expectations. A few tissues bundled with love and appreciation. A cup of water–a tiny seed–not much, but in perspective–God sees not the amount, the size or the cost–he sees the heart of the giver; the desire of purpose; and God blesses beyond our dreams. These small gifts will be multiplied over and over by God’s grace.

And as if I haven’t made my point any clearer–learn the lesson from the young boy, whose small insignificant lunch was used by Jesus to feed thousands. Velocity Church will keep on giving–because that’s what Jesus would do and expect.

Thanks to the team for all the help and thanks to the Lord for all you will do.

The Beat Goes On

This is definitely going to date me–but maybe I just appreciate the oldies, since when I first heard them, they were the newies. The Beat Goes On, recorded in 1967 by Sonny and Cher.

The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da

Charleston was once the rage, uh huh
History has turned the page, uh huh
The mini skirts the current thing, uh huh
Teenybopper is our newborn king, uh huh

The grocery store’s the super mart, uh huh
Little girls still break their hearts, uh huh
And men still keep on marching off to war
Electrically they keep a baseball score

Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce
Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss
The cars keep going faster all the time
Bums still cry “hey buddy, have you got a dime”

As Velocity Church begins to aquire the public face–the image that John Q. Public will give to us, whether we deserve it or not–we have the chance to change the beat. Too many years the church just followed the drum beat–doing it the way everyone does it. Even in our contemporary arenas, we must fight against just becoming the next mega church doing it the same way–every day–always. The beat goes on–because that easy. The beat goes on because its expected. The beat goes on and on–and nothing changes.

Jesus brought a radical new plan and purpose to us. Being a Christ follower sometimes takes us against the beat. Church planting must live on a different beat as well. As one of my friends ( Cycleguy and Grace) characterized it, “We live by grace and only then do we experience the freedom in Christ.” When that’s applied to our walk as Christ followers, the beat is never the same–the worship is real, the relationships are close and getting down in the street to serve becomes the greatest joy in all of life.

Sorry Sonny and Cher–but the beat at Velocity has turned a corner–we are different in a Christ like way. We intend to change the beat–meet the need–be a church like Jesus.