The church is becoming the Church

A lot is changing as I get older.

1. My body – I recently took a #4 clipper to my head and shaved away all my previously hair that was dyed black.  What was unveiled underneath the faux coloring was some of my natural hair coloring and dozens of bright white friends who have decided to sprout.  Not only is my head hair turning bright white (not grey), but I even have nose hairs doing the same.
2. Our culture – We are becoming more separated by the day.  The lines between black and white are becoming much clearer.  This distinction leads to angry parties on both sides, but also forces us to choose where we stand.  Straddling in the grey is no longer an option.
3. The Church – see below

The American church, historically, has been a self-centered church.  Churches that were established with the intention to rescue the sick and dying soon found their most significant passions were to build a kingdom for themselves and spend the majority of their time ensuring that no one they “owned” ever left that kingdom.  Churches considered their competition to be the Baptist church down the street or the Methodist church across town. 

The Church had been divided by the church. 

That’s the environment I grew up in, and you may have as well.  Church was about getting and maintaining.  It was never about serving.  And it definitely was never about working together for the cause of Christ.

But…things are changing.  When we planted ONCC I was pleasantly caught off guard by two pastors in the area who are passionately seeking to build God’s Kingdom and not their own.  They both have what I would consider “successful” churches, yet their passion remains in serving God by serving alongside others rather than competing against their brothers.

Phil Ayres – Phil is the lead pastor at LifePoint Christian Church (www.LifePointChurch.com) in Lake Mary.  They meet in the YMCA every Sunday morning.  Phil is the guy who approached me about us moving into a facility they rent in downtown Lake Mary for a fraction of our current cost so they can help us get more established as part of the body in this community.  Two churches sharing a facility for the purpose of reaching this community for Christ!  Phil’s also organizing the senior’s intervention group in Lake Mary where local churches are working together to serve the elderly and helpless in our community.  I love Phil.  This past Sunday he invited me to speak at LifePoint.  Their service is literally two miles from where we host our services.  Doesn’t the typical church mindset suggest that I could be a threat?  People may come to ONCC if I do a really good job.  What a great place to recruit.  Instead Phil brought a brother in so we could be one Church.  It was awesome.  At one point during the service Phil posed the question to the congregation – “How many churches are there in Lake Mary?”  At which point I began to think in my head, “Well there’s us and LifePoint, The Well, St. Peter’s Episcopal…” and in unison the congregation shouts – “ONE CHURCH!”  Serious goose bumps at that point.  I was embarrassed by my inward response and inspired by the truth of these people.  Way to go Phil!

Isaac Hunter – Isaac’s one of those geniuses trapped in a young man’s body.  His teaching is deep.  His passion for Jesus is contagious.  He just loves Jesus and it’s so evident.  Isaac is the pastor of Summit Church (www.SummitConnect.org) off Colonial in Orlando.  Isaac has helped me tremendously as a church planter.  Despite having a tremendously busy schedule he’s taken it upon himself to host a monthly church planter’s luncheon where local planters get together to share thoughts, frustrations, etc. with one another.  Why?  To build the Kingdom together.  I’ll be speaking at Summit on July 26^th and am counting down the days in anticipation.  A church with resources and vast amounts of wisdom pouring into the little guys across town for the sake of the Kingdom.

I see hope for Christ’s church through guys like this.  Ever wonder why churches that are very possessive of what’s “theirs” are the same churches that are dying today?  I think we all know the answer.  Building our kingdom was never God’s plan.  Building His always has been.

RD