The River Christian Church Launches on Easter!!!

The River Christian Church, the newest church in the ABCNW, will be launched on Easter Sunday, April 12th. Pastor Dave Griewe came to the Boise area in the Spring of 2008 with a clear sense that God was calling him to plant a new congregation. He and his wife, Cathy, settled on the Eagle area. Although there are other growing churches in Eagle he believed there was a need for a church specifically targeting people who would not come to a traditional church. They want to reach people that no other church is reaching. Part of their strategy is to create a "come as you are" culture, making it extremely easy for the unchurched to attend and check out spiritual issues. The ABCNW churches in the Intermountain Area have welcomed this new work with open arms, and many have lent their support in a variety of ways.

The River Christian Church held their first preview service on February 28th. They had 101 people in attendance. 20 of these were new people who had not shown up at any previous gathering. They had one re-commitment to Christ. Guests gave them rave reviews. And, the service went well. No glitches, according to reports from Pastor Dave. They have continued with preview services each Sunday, ramping up for the big launch on Easter Sunday. They've assembled a full staff, which is a great story in itself. People are getting excited.

Would you join us in praying for the Lord's blessing on this new work in our Region? Here are some of Pastor Dave's specific requests:

• Pray that people will come to church! We ordered 4,000 extra cards to distribute door to door in the neighborhoods surrounding the school where we meet. Pray for them to be well received and for a huge response!
• Pray for God to open the floodgates so we can lead many people to Christ over the next three weeks.
• Pray for our Easter and Grand Opening service details. We go to two services on Easter 9:30 and 11:00. Our hope is to stay with two services and not look back.
• Our children's ministry will have a special Petting Zoo on Easter Sunday. Pray for all the details to be worked out, including having enough animals and for us to find the money to pay for the cost of animals and set up.

In the midst of this new work Pastor Dave and Cathy have been beset by several medical challenges. Please keep their health in your prayers. You can learn more about this new project at www.riverchristianchurch.com. Also, you can request to be on Dave's email list. He sends out a weekly update on their progress and needs. His email is Pastordg@aol.com. The church needs financial support. If you can help, even if it is a small amount, they would appreciate it. There is also a need for assistance in paying for their medical bills. [The picture at the top of this post shows the staff: Dave Rowe, Susie Tilton, Dave Griewe, Don Steinke, Kason Wedel, and Phil Eastman.]

Karen Refugee Ministry @ FBC Boise

Many ABC-USA churches are stepping up and assisting Karen refugees as they make their way to the U.S. from refugee camps overseas. Most Karen are Christians who came to know Christ through the faithful efforts of American Baptist missionaries who came to their area in the 19th century. They consider American Baptists to be their spiritual forebears. FBC Boise has been working with the Karen in the Boise area for more than a year now. The ministry continues to mature and is truly wonderful. I received this brief update from Pastor Bruce Young several weeks ago:

I wanted to forward a very cool picture from yesterday. After church yesterday we had a potluck gathering for just our Karen refugees and the FBC volunteers who have adopted them. It was very cool to see what God has brought together and the true friendships that have developed between the FBC people and their assigned families which they have adopted.

If you would like to assist with this ministry I am sure that FBC would love to tell you how. Contact information may be found at their web site: www.fbcboise.org.

Jesus @ the Center

This morning I continued reading in the LLC book for March, The Relational Way by Scott Boren. Often I read chapters out of order. I will read the last chapters to get to the bottom line, and then later go back and read the rest. Today I was doing just that, reading Chapter 2, "Gathering Around the Presence."

Boren makes the point that we often subcumb to the temptation to organize small groups around a particular good thing, and then we expect them to thrive. In doing so we miss the true dynamo that creates Christian community. Jesus Christ is that power. Groups need to be centered first in Jesus Christ. The things that eclipse Christ's centrality can be "excellent curriculum", "dynamic group leaders", "the perfect small group organization system", and "the right group model." (He explains each of these in the chapter.)

As I thought about it, we can get tripped up by this temptation at any level within the church. We can "organize" our hopes for church transformation around great worship, attractive programs, charismatic personalities, tasty lattes, and the latest church growth techniques. We can become disillusioned and even embittered when none of these produce the results we were expecting, e.g., stopping decline, inreasing attendance, attracting young families, improving the finances, etc.

Consider the corrective to this expectation in the following quote from Boren. I've replaced the word "group" with "church." See if this doesn't have great implications for us:

"The job of the church leader is to take people to Jesus and to take Jesus to people. Jesus is the authority and only his keys matter. At the same time, Jesus provides practical ways to improve the church. He uses books and seminars to highlight activities and tools that work. However, these things are not the starting point. Jesus is. The books or seminars on church leadership describe the keys, but they do not provide them. A leader can only get these keys directly from Jesus. The keys are based upon the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is the one who brings life to a congregation. He is the one who causes people to share honestly. He is the one who touches lives and changes people. He is the one who moves through the body to reach out to the unchurched. He is the one who raises up leaders who begin new ministries and new churches. Jesus is the key." (pp, 60-61)

Increasingly I am convinced that church vitality and effective disciple-making, will never happen until we experience a deep renewal in our love and devotion to Jesus Christ. He is the Center. Of creation. Of life. Of salvation. Of discipleship. And, of the Church. Apart from His life-giving vitality and presence, all of our efforts, even the good ones, are only so much hollow strivings. In His presence there is life, hope, joy, energy, direction, creative ministry initiatives, and dare I say it, FUN! (Read Boren's chapter and you will see why I put that last one in....)

One last quote to close this out: "If Jesus is the head of the church (Col 1:18), then the church is only the church of Jesus Christ when it is living in vitality with the head." (p, 47) Amen, and amen!

(If you would like to know what the Leadership Learning Communities are reading check out the book list at http://abcnw.org/pastors/llc-reading-lists/.)

One Church, Multiple Congregations

Last Sunday I visited Spokane Valley Baptist Church where Dr. Norm Haupt is the pastor. I was pleased that they showed a video clip from the America for Christ promotional DVD (I've embedded it at the end of this post.) This clip showed Stan Crews and the revitalization taking place at Monte Vista Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ. Over the years the congregation has experienced dramatic aging and decline. However, it has recently been renewing its vision for outreach. They jump started their outward focus by opening their facility to other churches that needed meeting space. (One is Hispanic and the other is Karen.) And more than providing space, they partner with these congregations in ministry so that together they are reaching their community for Christ. The presence of these two congregations holds the potential to help the "mother church" start a new life cycle of renewed vision, outreach and growth.

There are several churches in the ABCNW that are hosting a congregation within their facilities. Some are congregations that have their own identity, a church within a church, if you will. Some of these are "fellowships" comprised of a particular ethnic group.

For example, under the first category there is the new Communidad de Esperanza meeting at FBC Bremerton; the new Everett Community Church meeting at FBC Everett; El Camino meeting at Southside UP Church; Tabernaculo Biblico Bautista de Utah at FBC Ogden; Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana at FBC Buehl; and Beautiful Baptist Church, a Korean congregation, meeting at The Bridge in Snohomish, WA. Blessed Life Church in Bellevue, WA was planted by Seattle Chinese Baptist Church, and originally met in the facilities of the Newport Hills Community Church.

Under the second category there is a new Mongolian fellowship meeting at Newport Hills Community Church. At this point their intention is to be a fellowship group within the congregation, not a separate church. Also, there is the Karen fellowship which is a part of FBC Boise (more about both of these exciting developments in another blog).

There is a third category that is emerging, which I believe to be the wave of the future. And that is the intentionally, multi-ethnic congregation. This is one church composed of multiple ethnic fellowships or sub-congregations. But there is one board, one budget, one staff team, and one church. This is the direction that FBC Yakima and La Verdad are taking. It's been a long and challenging journey, but as of last Sunday the two previous congregations officially affirmed the transition into one, multi-ethnic church. Congratulations to pastors Dave Roberts and Manuel Luquin and the people of both congregations in this historic transition!

In fact I am so excited about this last model that we selected our 2010 ABCNW Biennial speaker in part for his commitment to multi-ethnicity. Efrem Smith, pastor of the Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, MN, will be our speaker. What a dynamic guy! His church was planted in 2003 with the intention of being multi-ethnic from the ground level. This is now a thriving congregation of a 1,000 people in worship attendance. We have much to learn from churches like his. (For more info and sermons go to http://www.sanctuarycovenant.org/)

I believe that sponsoring a new church plant, or embracing an emerging ethnic Christian fellowship, within an existing church's facility is one way to be a church that is truly mission-focused. Indeed, the world has moved to our front door steps, and the possibilities for engaging in mission in our own communities are endless.

Anxiety in the Church System

Leadership insights may come from surprising places. After watching the movie The Changeling I was checking out the bonus features on the DVD. John Malkovich, who played the social activist Presbyterian minister, complimented Clint Eastwood's directing. He said, "[Clint] doesn't give you his panic and his pressure. A leader has to sort of keep that to themselves and find a way to help you keep your eye on the prize." Wow. Right on!

Family systems theory reveals that anxiety in any social system can effectively block progress. As a church journeys through transformation conflict increases, and along with it anxiety. It's not unusual for the pastor to unnecessarily increase tension in the body by processing his/her own anxious thoughts among the church members. In this way the pastor unwittingly acts as an anxiety accelerator. This increase in anxiety can manifest itself in strange ways. Often they are subversive. For example, the pastor may take the lead in a new initiative, which in itself may be benign. But the push back from some is so intense that the pastor will wonder, "Where did that come from?" The pastor will have little idea that he or she helped set the stage for it.

Conflict in the church is a normal part of transformation. It should be expected. In fact, an absence of conflict is a certain indicator of little forward movement. So, how should a pastor and the leaders process their anxious feelings which are a normal part of leading change?

Certainly not among the general church members! This is the first rule. Learn to bite your tongue. Externalizing one's pain without discretion is a mistake many pastors make to their regret.

Self-discipline is required to process anxiety in a safe place. This leads to the second rule. Pastors must select carefully with whom they will process their pain. A trustworthy covenantal group of ministerial colleagues is one best place. This is one of the primary functions of the Leadership Learning Communities (LLC). Not only can the LLC listen and empathize and pray, the group can coach the pastor to take appropriate responsive action.

A third rule is to increasingly pour out one's worries and anxieties to God in prayer. This is one of the good things that can come from conflict as the tension reinforces motivation for pursuing spiritual disciplines. Personally, I am more consistent in prayer, meditation and scripture memorization when I am dealing with conflict. I recommend applying what Paul commanded, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)

And, fourthly, follow the example of Clint Eastwood (I never imagined I would be giving this advice) and become a non-anxious presence for the congregation. Concentrate on avoiding defensive reactions. Lead by continually refocusing the church on its God-given mission of reaching the world for Christ. These steps will help reduce tension in the system, providing a more conducive environment for discernment and forward movement.

Tools for the Trade & Rick Rusaw

Every year in March we host a training event in Western Washington called "Tools tor the Trade." This year the event took place on Saturday, March 7th at FBC Everett. There were at least 195 people in attendance. Our guest plenary speaker was Rick Rusaw, and he hit a home run every time he spoke. Rick has become a real friend to our Region and a supporter of what we are trying to accomplish. (Check out Rick's church, Lifebridge Christian Church, for more info.)

Thanks to the leaders in the Far West Area and FBC Everett for making it happen. I'm especially grateful to the following: Pastor Roy Lindberry (Gorst Community Church) who was the point person for the planning team; Brian Harpell, senior pastor of FBC Everett, Alan Love, associate pastor and local arrangements coordinator; the worship team led by Gloria Love; workshop leaders; and many others from FBC Everett and other churches in the Far West and N. Puget Sound Areas. I know there were many behind the scenes persons, and I'm grateful for their hard work. Thanks to everyone who helped.

I would press upon you the importance of how externally focused thinking is changing how churches understand their purpose. Many of our pastors have discovered the transformational power of having their leadership board and key influencers read certain seminal books together. In particular these four are having notable influence. I recommend that your church study these writings and take them to heart:

The Externally Focused Church, by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson
The Present-Future, by Reggie McNeal
Simple Church, by Thom Rainer
Breaking the Missional Code, by David Putman and Ed Stetzer

To whet your appetite for ideas along these lines, consider these quotes from Rick Rusaw:

"One of the most effective ways to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ today is through real and relevant acts of service. Honest, compassionate service can restore credibility to the crucial message we have to share. To tell the truth, we must show the truth."

"Good deeds create good will that open hearts to Good News."

Five Characteristics of Externally Focused Churches:

1. They believe the community cannot be healthy without the church.


2. They believe that Christians don't grow until they begin serving, outside the church as well as inside.


3. They understand the power of service to open hearts.


4. They are evangelistically effective.


5. They partner with other agencies and entities, secular and Christian alike.

Purpose of the Mission Northwest Blog

Thanks for checking out my “Mission Northwest” blog. The digital communication revolution continues to accelerate, doesn't it? It used to be that a printed newsletter did the trick. Well, maybe so, maybe not. Newsletters are slow, expensive to produce and mail, and aren't accessible through electronic means. Employing blogging as a communication tool, in addition to the Region's web site and periodic emails, makes good sense in today's digital universe. This is all an effort to communicate more often and more widely. I'm going to give it my best shot.

Here's what I hope to accomplish with this blog:

• Provide updates on what God is doing in local ABCNW congregations.
• Communicate insights related to the Region's vision: “Growing Healthy, Mission-Focused Churches that Multiply Disciples.”
• Reinforce the Region's Landmarks: Leadership, Church Transformation, Connection & Church Planting.
• Pass along ideas, resources, reflections, quotes....anything, that will help the churches and the pastors of this great Region advance the mission of Jesus Christ.
• Inspire a deeper commitment to faith in Jesus Christ who calls us to venture out of our safe havens and take a wild walk with Him on the mission side of the street.
• Pass along prayer requests. (“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” 1 Tim 2: 1)

I hope you will check in often. Make sure you leave a good comment every now and then.

Grace and Peace!