Lessons From Grace Part 3. Gasp

Lessons from Grace- Part 3

I've gained so much from my three years here at Grace Community Church in Goshen, IN. So I've been posting some of my biggest take-aways.

Part 1 was on a driving sense of calling and mission. Part 2 was about our unique calling to reach the men in our community. Part 3 is going to be on something that is borderline not-spiritual, but I think is very biblical and sadly all to absent in many Christian circles. Its the "F" word:

FUN. 

We flat out have fun here. I think when guests come to Grace, they can quickly see that we are not God's "frozen chosen". To quote a friend from Grace Community in MD, "we may be fluffy, but we ain't stuffy". 

There are so many negative examples of celebration within the world- alcohol abuse, provocative and sexual dancing, licentiousness and the like. Christian culture may have accepted the lie that we shouldn't dance or celebrate because we certainly don't want to be like that; because we don't want to be 'worldly'. Over the course of Christendom, church has started to look more like this: (pardon the gross characterization, but this is funny.)

Church, lets redeem celebration. A quick look at the stories in the Bible have tons of celebrations; The Israelites after crossing the Red Sea, David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. In fact, If anyone in the world has a reason to celebrate, its the Church-- the people who actually have hope to offer and a reason to rejoice. We should be first-class celebrators. 

There are certainly times to be sober and serious. Those times abound. But we are quick to celebrate when the occasion calls for it. Here are a couple of examples: 

•Baptism-- Its like a party here. People "whoop" and "holler" when they see the outward testimony of God's transforming power in the lives of their friends and family. We cheer after every person gets dunked. I've seen more baptisms here at this church than I have in all my 30 years of church-life combined and its awesome. I never tire of baptisms. Praise the Lord for how He redeems our junk and turns our ashes into beauty!

•Communion- (Gasp). I am a devoted and life-long Grace Brethren'r- and we love our communions-- foot washing and all (foot "warshing" from some areas of the country). What I love about Grace Community is that we deeply love remembering the cross with all sobriety-- but when it comes to looking forward to our hope of glory in heaven, we pull out the confetti, loud music, joyous dancing, balloons and really celebrate. I love the fact that my children get to see what biblical celebrations look like. Our communions are not for the faint of heart though-- they regularly go three hours. Just warning you. 

•Worship through singing and giving generously- We have no hesitation about being joyful and celebrating through our worship and giving. 

•Major holidays and celebrations- For our Easter celebration this year, we opened with a flash mob. It was a blast (both literally and figuratively). Was it very spiritual? Not really. Did it set the tone of anticipation and celebration for a day where we celebrate the New Life we have in Christ? I think so. Did it show our guests that this is a place where its ok to smile and have fun? I think so. Was it a blast for everyone who got to participate? Absolutely. 

• We threw a winter Luau celebration for our guests with special needs. There was absolutely nothing strategic about this. We weren't doing this to increase attendance or giving. We just wanted to show these valuable community members that Jesus loves them and so does Grace Community Church. It is one of the funnest things we do here (yes I said "funnest").

Lord, may your church regain its ability to celebrate with joy. May the world take notice of the hope we have. 

Our confetti machine is just about worn out; awesome.

LESSONS FROM GRACE PART 2

Lessons from Grace part 2.

I have had the privilege of seeing and being a part of many different churches across the nation. Some huge. Some small. It was God's purpose that we spend the last three years here at (the famous) Grace Community Church in Goshen, IN. This place is awesome. Here's another reason why;

Men's Ministry.

Most churches are geared for women; the messages are mild, the carpets are mauve and most of the service opportunities are in the nursery or on the decorating committee (and there's nothing wrong with that). They have a high value on security and gentle words rather than challenge and the heroic. Most men feeling completely disconnected (if they come at all).

Grace Community Church has recognized this trend and our focus on men has been a core part of our DNA. Our mantra is "You get the man, you get the family. You get the family, you get the community. You get the community, you get the world". We are intentional about targeting the men. As a result, this is a place where men feel challenged but not coddled. This is a place where men feel like they have the opportunity to be a part of something epic and heroic. Our men are challenged to fight for their Lord, their brothers, their daughters and their sons, their wives and their homes.

Evidence of this is littered all over the place.

•When you step into the lobbies, the decor is industrial rather than floral (as a matter of fact, the only time we have used flowers to decorate was for 3 weeks during a series for women called "Daughters") .

•We champion unusual and uncommon acts of courage, victory, accomplishment, drive, devotion and love.

•The worship and the messages are high-octane and full of challenges that cause men to rise to the occasion.

•The entire male staff competed in a 12 mile special ops obstacle race called "TOUGH MUDDER"- leading the way for other men to step up and take on the challenge as well.

•We regularly have epic service opportunities. One Sunday, we put out the call that we needed to send bikes to Chicago pronto and in three days our lobby was packed with bikes and we had to overload the truck.

•We have pioneered a ground breaking men's ministry called "FIGHT CLUB"

• Hundreds of men drive through the night to WILD AT HEART- a mountain in the Appalachians for two days of awesome fellowship and discipleship.

Recapturing biblical manhood and fatherhood is a core value of Grace Community Church- Just one of the reasons this place is awesome.

www.gracecommunity-church.com

Lessons from Grace- MISSION

Update from the Avey's

After spending three years as the media and tech director at Grace Community Church in Goshen, IN, we will be moving on. I accepted a Worship Pastor Position at Grace Community Church in Frederick, MD. We are very excited about the move.

Though honestly, the transition is bittersweet. We are excited for what God has ahead for us. But we are simultaneously saddened as we love the church here in Goshen.

I have learned so much here. I love the DNA, the mission and leadership here. I am so happy to be spring boarding into further ministry from this sending church.
I will start up a series of posts that I will affectionately call "Lessons from Grace"
Some lessons I have learned from Grace Community Church in Goshen IN and by watching the leadership here;

Part 1- MISSION

Mission is huge (Notice I didn't say "MISSIONS" in the sense of missionaries, but MISSION-- what drives you and what God is calling you to do). It creates focus and unity. It not only determines what you WILL do but also what you DON'T do. It determines where you spend your time, talents and treasures.

Nothing can stop a church that is on mission. And nothing can motivate a church that has no sense of mission. Each church has to figure out what God has called it to do. Nothing will have a bigger determination on the efficacyof a church more than 1) the blessing of the Holy Spirit and 2) it's mission.

Mission provides clarity. Clarity provides unity. Bitter in-fighting that is (unfortunately) so common in churches (particularly in the areas of music/worship) are diminished because I can put up with my exact desires not being met if I know that you will do anything in order to save my unsaved grandson, neighbor or friend.

There is a ton more to say about this, but for now, Grace Community Church is awesome at this.

Lord, help me bring this sense of mission with me to my next assignment.