Not Coasting…

Posted on June 3, 2009 by donrecord

Pictured above is the first photo I took at Fat Daddy’s Nightclub over two years ago when I first went to “explore” the club as a possible venue for actionchurch. I had no ideas when I snapped this shot of a tiny stage and a beer pong table that it would be the start of a really amazing (and sometimes terrifying) ride.

We’ve been meeting on Sundays as a church for over a year now. We are entering our second Summer. We’ve made it at least one year longer than our critics would have ever imagined. God has provided the right people and the right resources at just the right time- over and over again. We are now in our second venue (Club 19) Instead of doing everything for the “first time” we can now say “remember how we did this last year?”. The question is what to do now…

It’s tempting to start to “coast” as an organization. To start to operate out of “tradition” (yes, even a church in a bar develops tradition). It’s tempting to start doing things “the way we’ve always done it”. It’s tempting to “cut back” our efforts due to economic pressures. It’s tempting to “recycle” ideas and plans instead of creating new ones. It’s tempting to say “we’re heading into summer…let’s just kinda coast through the time when so many people go on vacation”. I’ve been feeling in my gut (okay, I know “feeling in my spirit” sounds more preachery…but I have a big gut!) that “coasting” is the exact WRONG thing for us to do as a church right now.

I believe with all my spirit, mind, and intuition that now is the time to “pedal like crazy”. Now is the time to trust God to do even bigger things…things that seem out of our reach. (and yeah…we’ve been through this. Having faith that God wants to do more at actionchurch involves us “pedaling like crazy” because “faith without deeds is dead!”) Here’s just a few things that we are working on to expand actionchurch over the summer.

Music- We are currently working with 315 artists management and all the bands of actionchurch to “pedal like crazy” musically. We will be seeing some new acts this summer (rumor has it that we may even see a “signed” band on the actionchurch stage.) We are becoming a church filled with musicians so I also look forward to seeing more of our “home grown talent” on Sunday mornings…Musically I think this summer is going to rock!

Sermons- I think Josiah and I are clicking better than ever creatively…but we will not be “doing it the way we did it last year”. We are going to be “pedaling like crazy” creatively. I am working to get better at the way I present the Good news each week. We will be experimenting with new ways to communicate truth…new formats…new methods. I want to create more of a “discussion” than a “presentation”. It’s so much easier to “coast”…to “phone it in” during the summer. Instead I want to work harder…get better…pedal harder. Every Sunday is crucial.

The Facility- Club 19 has been great for actionchurch. We are so blessed to have such a great place to meet. One thing that we have been lacking though is a place for parents of small children. Unlike at Fat Daddies’, there is no patio for parents to “escape” to when either the music (or their children are too loud. The club owner approached me Sunday about how he is considering expanding the club and adding a VIP area in the back that will have a Video link to the stage. Unlike the “baby bus” it will be more spacious and comfortable and will allow our guest with small children to enjoy actionchurch on Sunday mornings. Will it cost more…yep. We’re gonna pedal harder.

Looking outward- It’s most tempting in tough economic times to focus “inward”…to look at only our own needs…to coast. I am convinced we need to do the opposite. Please help us as we support Relay for Life this year as a church. Please join us in promoting actionchurch to our friends that “don’t like church”. Because these are difficult financial times we will work to use all of our resources wisely. To cut costs where we can…except in the area of helping others…In that area I think we need to pedal like crazy!

These are just a few things we are working on for this summer…they may be called the “lazy days of summer” but actionchurch will not be coasting!

Killing me with kindness..

Posted on June 2, 2009 by jerryduncan

I have often thought, “if only people were nicer to one another, the world would be a better place”. And although I still believe that in theory, I wondered, can you be too nice?

I work in a small office, which is located in a much larger office area. There are three of us in my area. We nicknamed it “Area 51” because no one really knows what we do all day in here.

We talk about all kinds of stuff and on this particular day, we were talking about music and singing. It was at that point, one of the ladies I work with told me she was singing at her church on Sunday. Now I am all about music. Listening, writing, performing, helping out and supporting others. So, I told here I would stop by to hear her sing.

I got there a bit early and took a seat in the back of the sanctuary knowing that I was going to slip out right after she was finished singing. I wanted to just blend in and not draw any attention to myself. At least that was the plan. As people came in they seemed drawn or duty bound to come back to me and welcome me to their church. The first lady was very nice and welcomed me with a handshake. She was quickly followed by three other gentlemen, two other ladies, an Elder and the guest Pastor for the day, all who asked my name, was this my first time at their church, where did I usually go to church and how glad they were to see a NEW face in the crowd. By now I was a bit on the defensive side. When I told them I went to actionchurch, they were unaware of the name. When I went on to explain, “It’s the church that started in Fat Daddy’s Bar” they looked surprised and didn’t know quite what to say. I followed up by saying “mysterious ways Hun”!

Just about then the music started and everyone went to his or her seats. As soon as the first chord rang out on the guitar and piano, everyone stood up; hands rose in the air and began to sing along with the words on the screen. Side note: That would be cool at actionchurch, a room full of people singing “Momma Told Me Not To Come” in unison. Anyway that went on for 5 songs in a row. These folks were really getting into it. Then I could hear a man talking in a different language, “could he be speaking in tongues?” I thought to myself? One young woman was so inspired she began to do an expressive dance in the side isle of the sanctuary. All of these things were very powerful and very sincere! For me it was all just a bit overwhelming. I was thinking, “am I that out of the spirit or what?”

After the last song, and while everyone was still standing, I slipped out and headed toward my car. It struck me that worship can be very different from church to church and you can have a very different worship experience in each church you attend. The point to all this is not to bash any church or to put their worship style under a microscope. It’s simply this; we never know how someone is feeling when he or she walks into actionchurch. Are they excited, scared or nervous? Do they know anything about the bible? Does a rock band opening the service and a guy in jeans and a T-shirt delivering the message put them off? We Don’t Know! (Only when he’s wearing an Argyle sweater!)

So before we kill them with kindness or completely ignore them for fear of coming on too strong, try to remember your first time in a new church and how you felt. Maybe a smile is enough to say It’s OK no matter who you are or were you came from!

So you see there really is no “right way” to worship! You want to learn more about who you are? Visit other churches, worship with them and take a walk outside your comfort zone. You may find something you were missing or you may click you heals together three times and say, “there’s no place like home”.

Sunday Recap: Service/Serve-us?

Posted on June 1, 2009 by donrecord

actionkidzsetup

actionkidz set up

Sunday was the wrap-up of the Service/Serve-us? series. The question of whether the point of church is to “serve us” or if it instead “service” for others is one of the most hotly debated and contentious theological (and practical) arguments of “Christian living”. Thanks for all the great questions and comments (txt) Sunday. I thought I’d finish out the series by thanking the people of actionchurch that truly exemply that church can be about “service for others”.

Thank you… all of you that give financially to make sure that actionchurch is open on sundays for others who probably would never hear about Jesus if it weren’t for your support. (and since actionchurch isn’t exactly the kind of place that puts brass plaques on everything to honor giving…you all definitely do it to serve others)

Thank you… to those of you who get up early on Sunday morning to make sure that every person that comes to actionchurch will have a place to set, a great sound and lighting experience, a GREAT place to send their kidz!

Thank you…to those of you who set up the hospitality area so people can have coffee and donuts, set up the signs so people can find club 19…make amazing things happen with wire and duct tape each Sunday.

Thank you to all of you who stay after and help tear down gear and store it away… thanks for being late to lunch so that we can do church each week.

Thanks to all of you who “admit” that you go to to “church in a bar”… Thanks for inviting your friends…even though you have to explain what “church for people who don’t like church” is all about.

Thank you so much for all of you who make actionkidz a great place…who make my daughter say “Sunday is my favorite day of the week”. I know not many people see the great work you do behind the garage door of actionkidz…but you are all heroes.

Thank you to those of you who are walking and supporting Relay for life…I am NOT satisfied yet with how many of you there is this year. WE NEED MORE…but thank you all who are walking.

I know I’m missing somebody…I know I’ll probably have to edit this…but in case you miss my point…actionchurch is a “SERVICE” church- NOT a “serve-us” church. If you invest, invite, or are involved at actionchurch…you are living out “service” every week.

Thank you all.