e-news for week of 12/28 - 1/3

When I was ordained years ago, the person who spoke the message of challenge to me was Tom Ellsworth – the senior minister at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana. Preaching from the book of Jonah, Tom spoke these words from the Lord to me, “Scott, I charge you to preach with the effectiveness of Jonah so as to call a whole city to repent….” I’ve never forgotten and will never forget the charge. Friends, I believe that is one of the reasons God led us to Columbia. That is one of the reasons that as a church we have adopted a multi-campus approach to ministry. As a church, we are moving into a ministry mode that is new, exciting, challenging, and has the long term potential to turn a whole city toward Christ.

Do I think that it all falls on me or that it all falls on Forum? Yes and no. From life observation I would notice that “everybody’s job is nobody’s job.” Therefore I’m going to work as though it is exclusively my job and Forum’s job to call the town into relationship with Jesus. I know other churches, other pastors, and people from other parishes are part of the mission, but in terms of work and zeal, I’m going to give my all. 2008 was a year of coming together as a church and even as a staff. We brought on Katelyn Morris as our new children’s minister. We raised money toward this project. We’ve been training worship leaders and additional children’s workers. We are ready to roll with publicity. Here’s where I feel like Abraham: we are still in negotiations connected to the site.

Here’s where I am on this: God told Abraham to go. He went. No road map. No – “Here’s where you are going” from God. He simply went. We are getting close to ready to do what God laid on our hearts to do – and we’re going to do it. We’re seeking God’s perfect timing and seeking His lead. I didn’t want to talk about this through the holidays and diminish our focus on Christ. Frankly, from the pulpit I don’t like talking about the mechanics of ministry because it diminishes the call and challenge of Christ. We preach Christ and Him crucified. That’s what preaching is to do. Mechanics, techniques, and methods are not part of the proclamation. As a church and as a staff we’ve rallied, we’ve given over and above, and I know many of you are ready to serve.

You are asking the same question that I am: Where will the north campus be?

Let me make sure I’m clear – we are working on this diligently. We have options in front of us that are all good options – we are simply seeking the best option for maximum impact. Don’t you think that’s what God would have us to do?

I look forward to God’s clarity in that I know it will come soon and I can’t wait until we are able to announce it – until then – I guess I’m on my knees seeking and asking God to lead. Hope you are there with me. Here’s what I do know – the preaching/teaching rotation is slated to start March 1 for the multi-site. I’m going to keep working/thinking/ and praying that direction until God makes it absolutely clear we need to change the time line.

I would ask you – as a church – to fast next Monday, January 5 during your noon meal and pray. We’ll have an elders meeting that night and I would ask that we all pray in an unparalleled way. Pray about the people in this town who need Jesus. Pray about God’s leading us to the right location. It’s prayer time.

We start a new series this week called, “Road trips” coming out of the book of Exodus. God has every one of us on a journey. A journey toward promise and hope. A journey that can change an entire landscape and alter destiny. I’m so glad God enlists us as partners in ministry. Looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. -- Scott