Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Why I hate community

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Between Thursday and Friday each week I have multiple meetings focused on how the Gospel needs to change us as individuals and a body. Saturday and Sunday evenings I am faced with challenging messages (like this one) from Josh. Sunday mornings I meet with my Fight Club- me and two other guys who will (lovingly, not literally) punch me in throat if I don’t deal with my sin issues. Mondays, my small group meets where we attempt to build up and challenge each other, and Tuesday mornings I meet with a group of godly guys for prayer and encouragement.

I hate it

The sinful, prideful, arrogant Jakob doesn’t want any of this. Deep down, my flesh hates it: “Community? Really? Why on earth would you want others involved in your life? You can and should do this on your own! Why let others challenge you when you are doing just fine!?”

I don’t want to be part of Gospel-centered communities because they hold me accountable for my sins and encourage me to grow. They challenge my heart. They force me to look at myself and my actions and compare them to God instead of others. They speak the call of Gospel into the life that I so want to be in control of.

I need it

But I cannot imagine being away from any of it! I sometimes wonder what my life would be apart from these people, the Church, God…

What would it be like if I dropped the Fight Club? If we ended our small group? If I quit Atmosphere? Nothing. Nothing good anyway. Pastor Cousineau talked about that in a recent sermon- if I stop moving forward I begin moving backwards. That is why I need my small group, Fight Club, and everything else: they hold me accountable for my sins and encourage me to grow. They challenge my heart. They force me to look at myself and my actions and compare them to God instead of others. They speak the call and the comfort of Gospel into the life that I so want to be in control of.

Being part of the body of Christ is vital to staying connected to the head.

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Missional Community

Monday, February 8th, 2010

We showed this clip at Atmosphere Park Ave. this past weekend. We hope that you can take the goal of Atmosphere and run with it into the community that you have been called to.

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Starbucks and Church

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Most of you know I spend a good amount of time at Starbucks. For me there is more to it then just coffee (here’s why). Recently I was part of a conversation with someone who was saying how they wished when they walked into Starbucks the barista knew who he was.  This made me think of the old show cheers, which most of you have never seen – so here is the intro:

In the theme song it says Where everybody knows your name, where the troubles are all the same. Does this describe Atmosphere? When you come are you excited because you know you are going to a place where community is active and intentional? Most of us walk in and walk out, the whole time being alone.

Now I know many of you might not like Starbucks, but isn’t this what we want to have in church? Now I’m not saying we want our church to be like Starbucks, but don’t you want and need a place where when you walk in everybody knows your name. Shouldn’t we want to be a community of believers who know each other and care for each other. Shouldn’t Starbucks look at the church for true community and not the other way around.

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Why I spend time at Starbucks

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Many days you will find me sitting in Starbucks, Bible open, Computer open, or book in my hands working away on plans, sermons, blogs,  and reading. Those who know me well know that I don’t do much in my life without thinking through it. I have a reason for just about everything I do.  With that said I spend time at Starbucks for many reasons. Here’s why:

Missional Living – As a pastor I don’t see many people who either are not Christians or are not being drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit.  So, basically, I usually don’t interact with people who are in desperate need of the Gospel. But, the people at Starbucks don’t have a clue about who Jesus is.

Intentional Relationships – Now I’m not attempting to romanticize me drinking coffee at Starbuck but I truly feel that Jesus if He was on earth today would not spend all His time in an office alone, He would be out and among the people.

Input – I have different opportunities to speak into the lives of many people just by being here.

Contextualization – I have a chance to hear what people are talking about, what people are going through, their struggles, joys, hardships, concerns etc…

Why do you do what you do? Are you living with intentionality, or just going with the flow?

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