Sunday, December 30, 2007
Matthias speaks to HCBC
Check out http://www.hcbc.com/sermons and click on the sermon which says "God's Faithfulness" to listen to the message Matthias preached to the HCBC congregation Sunday December 30th.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Love is a promise
"Judge not Christ's love by providences, but by His promises."
Thomas Wilcox
How comforting this is! The crazy circumstances we find ourselves in have nothing to do with the love God has for us. His promise of love must be our firm foundation when everything looks unfamiliar and scary.
We got an email this morning telling us that the wonderful house we are renting just went into escrow. It had been on the market for months before we got here so they agreed to rent it. No offers had been made in many months. We have been here three weeks and have nearly unpacked everything. Our kids love the house and the neighborhood. But, God in his providence is moving us to a different home. If you look at the circumstance it looks unloving. Our kids have just adjusted to a new state, we love this house, we are in the middle of planting a church. It doesn't make earthly sense for God to move us. And yet, His promise is sure: "He who calls you is FAITHFUL; he will surely do it!" 1 Thes. 5:24
I desire to love God for his promises, not his providences. Pray with us as we look for another house that will allow us to minister to the city of Austin and house all of us!! Andrea
Thomas Wilcox
How comforting this is! The crazy circumstances we find ourselves in have nothing to do with the love God has for us. His promise of love must be our firm foundation when everything looks unfamiliar and scary.
We got an email this morning telling us that the wonderful house we are renting just went into escrow. It had been on the market for months before we got here so they agreed to rent it. No offers had been made in many months. We have been here three weeks and have nearly unpacked everything. Our kids love the house and the neighborhood. But, God in his providence is moving us to a different home. If you look at the circumstance it looks unloving. Our kids have just adjusted to a new state, we love this house, we are in the middle of planting a church. It doesn't make earthly sense for God to move us. And yet, His promise is sure: "He who calls you is FAITHFUL; he will surely do it!" 1 Thes. 5:24
I desire to love God for his promises, not his providences. Pray with us as we look for another house that will allow us to minister to the city of Austin and house all of us!! Andrea
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas from Robby & Crystal
Merry Christmas!
We've had such a fun couple of weeks. It started with Todd, Robert, and Rolly coming to visit us in Austin. We hit the town and did too many things to list. One of our favorites is the Alamo Draft House (google it!). It is hands down the coolest theater I've ever been to. We really enjoyed the conversations and laughs that come from cramming so many people into a Hyundai Tiburon (and a 500 sq. ft. studio). On top of that, we are so excited that Todd and Rolly landed jobs during the visit and will be here to stay in Jan. Right now we're enjoying time with family and friends in Lancaster (and Vegas) for the Holidays. On the Dec. 30th, Crystal and I will be making the wonderful drive to Texas one more time. We're looking forward to moving into our new apartment downtown on Jan. 5th. A big part of what we are doing in Austin right now is simply making friends with people, spending time with them, and talking to them about Jesus. John Herrington recently told me that church planting is more of an art than a science, and we're finding that to be true. We'll write more later, but for now... Merry Christmas and our love... Robby and Crystal.
We've had such a fun couple of weeks. It started with Todd, Robert, and Rolly coming to visit us in Austin. We hit the town and did too many things to list. One of our favorites is the Alamo Draft House (google it!). It is hands down the coolest theater I've ever been to. We really enjoyed the conversations and laughs that come from cramming so many people into a Hyundai Tiburon (and a 500 sq. ft. studio). On top of that, we are so excited that Todd and Rolly landed jobs during the visit and will be here to stay in Jan. Right now we're enjoying time with family and friends in Lancaster (and Vegas) for the Holidays. On the Dec. 30th, Crystal and I will be making the wonderful drive to Texas one more time. We're looking forward to moving into our new apartment downtown on Jan. 5th. A big part of what we are doing in Austin right now is simply making friends with people, spending time with them, and talking to them about Jesus. John Herrington recently told me that church planting is more of an art than a science, and we're finding that to be true. We'll write more later, but for now... Merry Christmas and our love... Robby and Crystal.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
Hey Everybody!
It's the morning of Christmas Eve and I am sitting in the living room of our rental house in front of a roaring fire enjoying my third or fourth cup of coffee and listening to the bustle of our kids as they are making Christmas crafts in the next room - doors are closed and the mood is conspiratory - I guess these crafts are about to become Christmas presents for mom and dad.
This year has been a whirlwind of change and even though I lived through it only now in a slower more reflective pace of the holidays am I realizing the extent of change... or am I?
I am thrilled and terrified with our new assignment all at the same time and I know that without your love and prayers it would simply not have been possible for us to come this far.
Andrea and I are deeply appreciative for the many of you who have given of your love to us and have shared our lives.
To all who read this a very merry and blessed Christmas - we love you guys!
Matthias, Andrea & Kids
It's the morning of Christmas Eve and I am sitting in the living room of our rental house in front of a roaring fire enjoying my third or fourth cup of coffee and listening to the bustle of our kids as they are making Christmas crafts in the next room - doors are closed and the mood is conspiratory - I guess these crafts are about to become Christmas presents for mom and dad.
This year has been a whirlwind of change and even though I lived through it only now in a slower more reflective pace of the holidays am I realizing the extent of change... or am I?
I am thrilled and terrified with our new assignment all at the same time and I know that without your love and prayers it would simply not have been possible for us to come this far.
Andrea and I are deeply appreciative for the many of you who have given of your love to us and have shared our lives.
To all who read this a very merry and blessed Christmas - we love you guys!
Matthias, Andrea & Kids
News
- We had our first Core Team meeting where we spent time discussing what it means to be starting a church. We talked about the DNA of our church, the desire to live as missionaries in our community, the hope to be a blessing to Austin, how to share the unbelievable news of God's love and grace poured out to us in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we set certain milestone goals for the next few months leading up to our launch date in September of 2008. It was great to get going and see God form a team for His glory.
- The last couple of days have been great as we had several of our friends from CA come out to spend some time with us in Austin. Todd was here to try to find a job and after only two interviews he found a great job getting hired at the Four Seasons in Austin. He will be moving here by the 14th of January.
- We also have great news as Rolly is joining our team. He came out to visit George, loved Austin, and got a job. Now he went home to wrap things up in California, oh the season of unentangled youth.
- Robby and Crystal are home with Crystal's family in CA to celebrate Christmas and bring the rest of their stuff here on their way back - pray for another safe trip driving across the country.
- As a result of John Herrington falling of the ladder I had to do an emergency fill in sermon at HCBC UT, but God was gracious and last I heard at least on person received the love of God personally that day! I will be speaking again on the 30th of Dec. Pray that I could bring glory and honor to God as I speak about His faithfulness.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thank you for your Prayers
Hey Guys -
thank you so much for all your prayers. John Herrington had reconstructive surgery on his face and hand yesterday. The surgery lasted over three hours and they inserted plates in his face and pins in his finger. The surgery went well and John feels like he is more himself again and now can begin the healing and recovery process. His face is very swollen and he will require physical therapy for his hand but he is good spirits. Bob King and I went to see him in the hospital this morning and we were very pleased with how sharp he was. Keep praying that he would recover quickly and completely.
thank you so much for all your prayers. John Herrington had reconstructive surgery on his face and hand yesterday. The surgery lasted over three hours and they inserted plates in his face and pins in his finger. The surgery went well and John feels like he is more himself again and now can begin the healing and recovery process. His face is very swollen and he will require physical therapy for his hand but he is good spirits. Bob King and I went to see him in the hospital this morning and we were very pleased with how sharp he was. Keep praying that he would recover quickly and completely.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Thank you to the Elders of Central Christian
Serving at Central Christian Church during these last 3 1/2 years has been a great privilege and joy. Now they are partnering with us to see the city of Austin reached with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ! Robby and I are profoundly grateful to these men and how they have been a blessing to us and our families!
This is part of a letter I sent to them this past week.
Dear Elders of Central Christian Church -
Karl, Dave, Danny, Dave, Ryan, Mike, Jim & Allen
As Andrea and I reflect over these past couple of months, our hearts are so grateful for the support you have given to us. We were blessed to be a part of Central for 3 ½ years. Our lives were changed by the opportunities for outreach and ministry, and we grew in our love for Christ and our dependence on Him. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to teach, preach and lead, and permitting me to mature my gifts in service.
We saw God move in our ministry as we prayed for growth and for men and women to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and fill our services for the Glory of God. I will never forget the first Sunday in the Gallery. It was an amazing process to pray for a deeper ministry and see God move in ways only He could! Soli Deo Gloria!
These past months have stretched us and have been full of God’s intervention, even in minute details. Most of my time through the end of November has been spent studying church-planting in general, researching demographic and psychographic information, praying, walking the various parts of the city, doing surveys with people in different parts of the city and asking God to give us a heart for the city.
I remember a couple of months ago when I was here on my own, I was talking to Andrea on the phone about the people of Austin and how much I desired them to be gripped by God’s love and be reconciled to Him. As I was talking to her on the phone all of a sudden I completely choked up and started weeping for the people of Austin who do not know the love of God. It was a powerful experience, as I am not normally a crying kind of guy!
We have now completed our training phase with Glenn Smith a church-planting expert and consultant from New Church Initiatives in Houston and have been given the green light from the church-planting team and the elders here at Hill Country Bible Church as to where we will be planting the new church. We were given the downtown area of Austin. If you look at a map of the city we have everything north of Lady Bird Lake, east of the river, west of I 35 and south of Koenig. The area includes the area around the Capitol, downtown, 6th Street, the Campus of the University of Texas, and a number of family neighborhoods. We are thrilled to be allowed to focus on this area, even though we anticipate this area to be a challenging location.
We are dreaming of reaching the next generation of influencers not only of Austin, but men and women, future leaders and creative minds that will shape the culture and future of our nation and possibly the world. The slogan of the University of Texas at Austin is this: “We are Texas, what starts here changes the world!” That is exactly what we believe as well. We are profoundly grateful for your love, prayers, and financial support. We are so blessed with our partnership for the Gospel and the glory of God. We are amazed at the outpouring of love and support given to us by the people of Higher Ground, the Gallery and Central as a whole. Your partnership in the Gospel during this time is so precious to us. We pray that God will enrich your ministry greatly as you seek His glory and fame.
May God richly bless you during this Christmas season!
Matthias & Andrea
Would you join me in praying that God would greatly bless the ministry of Central Christian and the leadership of these elders.
This is part of a letter I sent to them this past week.
Dear Elders of Central Christian Church -
Karl, Dave, Danny, Dave, Ryan, Mike, Jim & Allen
As Andrea and I reflect over these past couple of months, our hearts are so grateful for the support you have given to us. We were blessed to be a part of Central for 3 ½ years. Our lives were changed by the opportunities for outreach and ministry, and we grew in our love for Christ and our dependence on Him. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to teach, preach and lead, and permitting me to mature my gifts in service.
We saw God move in our ministry as we prayed for growth and for men and women to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and fill our services for the Glory of God. I will never forget the first Sunday in the Gallery. It was an amazing process to pray for a deeper ministry and see God move in ways only He could! Soli Deo Gloria!
These past months have stretched us and have been full of God’s intervention, even in minute details. Most of my time through the end of November has been spent studying church-planting in general, researching demographic and psychographic information, praying, walking the various parts of the city, doing surveys with people in different parts of the city and asking God to give us a heart for the city.
I remember a couple of months ago when I was here on my own, I was talking to Andrea on the phone about the people of Austin and how much I desired them to be gripped by God’s love and be reconciled to Him. As I was talking to her on the phone all of a sudden I completely choked up and started weeping for the people of Austin who do not know the love of God. It was a powerful experience, as I am not normally a crying kind of guy!
We have now completed our training phase with Glenn Smith a church-planting expert and consultant from New Church Initiatives in Houston and have been given the green light from the church-planting team and the elders here at Hill Country Bible Church as to where we will be planting the new church. We were given the downtown area of Austin. If you look at a map of the city we have everything north of Lady Bird Lake, east of the river, west of I 35 and south of Koenig. The area includes the area around the Capitol, downtown, 6th Street, the Campus of the University of Texas, and a number of family neighborhoods. We are thrilled to be allowed to focus on this area, even though we anticipate this area to be a challenging location.
We are dreaming of reaching the next generation of influencers not only of Austin, but men and women, future leaders and creative minds that will shape the culture and future of our nation and possibly the world. The slogan of the University of Texas at Austin is this: “We are Texas, what starts here changes the world!” That is exactly what we believe as well. We are profoundly grateful for your love, prayers, and financial support. We are so blessed with our partnership for the Gospel and the glory of God. We are amazed at the outpouring of love and support given to us by the people of Higher Ground, the Gallery and Central as a whole. Your partnership in the Gospel during this time is so precious to us. We pray that God will enrich your ministry greatly as you seek His glory and fame.
May God richly bless you during this Christmas season!
Matthias & Andrea
Would you join me in praying that God would greatly bless the ministry of Central Christian and the leadership of these elders.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Pray
Hey everybody! Hope your Christmas season is going well.
I want to ask you guys to pray for our church-planting director John Herrington. John fell of a ladder this weekend. Fortunately he did not sustain life-threatening injuries. However he does have several significant injuries. John has a compound fracture in his hand, and he broke his eye socket in three places.
His leg and shoulder are pretty bruised and he has some swelling. The injuries to his face and his hand require surgery and John and Angela found a specialist (an ocular plastic surgeon) who will be able to do reconstructive surgery on his eye-socket. This surgery will most likely be Wednesday. Pray for John and Angela and for the upcoming surgery.
I want to ask you guys to pray for our church-planting director John Herrington. John fell of a ladder this weekend. Fortunately he did not sustain life-threatening injuries. However he does have several significant injuries. John has a compound fracture in his hand, and he broke his eye socket in three places.
His leg and shoulder are pretty bruised and he has some swelling. The injuries to his face and his hand require surgery and John and Angela found a specialist (an ocular plastic surgeon) who will be able to do reconstructive surgery on his eye-socket. This surgery will most likely be Wednesday. Pray for John and Angela and for the upcoming surgery.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Amazing Father
I wrote this a couple of months ago, but it was referenced by Ed in his comment on my post "Mishaps and Messiah", so i thought I post it here for your convenience. Plus it is a good reminder for me personally!
This morning in my bible reading a familiar verse sort of leaped off the page in a new way. I was reading through the minor prophet Zephaniah and chapter 3 verse 17 became real to me in a new way.
"The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing."
While meditating on these truths the following became newly real to me:
1. God is not only eternal, He is the ever-present I AM. He is in the midst of his people - He is not far off, but He is right here with us.
2. God is mighty - His power is limitless and His strength beyond measure.
3. God will save - He will take up our cause and will use His limitless might on our behalf.
4. The Father rejoices over us, His children - we aren't simply a nuisance or annoyance to God - He loves us deeply!
5. The Father comforts His children and quiets our unrest, fear and angst.
6. The Father sings over His children, because he has genuine delight in them.
WOW! What an amazing Father we have, immeasurably big and yet personal and approachable, intimately concerned and involved in the very details of our lives while at the same time holding the measurless universe in the palm of his hand...
This morning in my bible reading a familiar verse sort of leaped off the page in a new way. I was reading through the minor prophet Zephaniah and chapter 3 verse 17 became real to me in a new way.
"The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing."
While meditating on these truths the following became newly real to me:
1. God is not only eternal, He is the ever-present I AM. He is in the midst of his people - He is not far off, but He is right here with us.
2. God is mighty - His power is limitless and His strength beyond measure.
3. God will save - He will take up our cause and will use His limitless might on our behalf.
4. The Father rejoices over us, His children - we aren't simply a nuisance or annoyance to God - He loves us deeply!
5. The Father comforts His children and quiets our unrest, fear and angst.
6. The Father sings over His children, because he has genuine delight in them.
WOW! What an amazing Father we have, immeasurably big and yet personal and approachable, intimately concerned and involved in the very details of our lives while at the same time holding the measurless universe in the palm of his hand...
Friday, December 7, 2007
Mishaps and Messiah
It has been a whirlwind over these last several days of finally having Andrea and the kids join me here in Austin. Receiving our stuff from the moving company was a pretty big job, starting to find everything we've packed in various boxes an even bigger one. Now comes the fun part of actually setting up the house.
The house we are renting is very homey and we feel so grateful to John and Jacy Donovan who are letting us rent their place at this time.
In the midst of moving in we've had a pretty big mishap. As the washer was draining we had raw sewage back into our house and flood the place. The drain pipe was apparently blocked by a bunch of roots that had to be cut out and the sudden flood of water was too much for the partially clogged pipes. The problem resolved, we set to scrubbing the bathtub, shower and bathroom floors, only to discover that the episode had flooded the two adjoining bedrooms... What a disaster and what a mess!!! As I write this, workers have just removed the carpet padding and three large fans and dehumidifiers are working hard to dry out our house.
Andrea and I made beds for the kids in the living room on the couch. The kids think the whole sleepover in front of the fire-place is a really cool thing, Andrea and I are yet to be convinced.
It is frustrating, but at the same time we are trying to learn how to rest in God. On Tuesday Andrea and I went on a date wings as an appetizer and Handel's Messiah as the main course. Over dinner I shared with Andrea how I was feeling pretty stressed out with everything that is involved in starting a new church, trying to make things happen by simply working harder. Andrea was encouraging me to relax a little and trust God to build His church. Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God"; the NASB translation says it a little different, "Cease striving...", which is exactly what I have been doing.
Anyways back to Handel's Messiah. We arrived at the concert venue only to find that all the tickets were sold except the obstructed view ones, and we could not get two seats together. My suggestion was to just go hang out at the Domain, but Andrea kept saying, "let's just wait a while longer." (My question was - for what?!?)
After a few minutes a white-haired gentleman approached us and asked if we needed tickets for the concert and that he was there with a church from San Marcos who had bought a bundle of tickets of which two were extra. He ended up giving us the tickets and walked us to perfect center auditorium seats just in time before the lights dimmed and the Austin Symphony began their crescendo into the opening of the Messiah.
As we sat there Andrea said, "I just knew someone would give us tickets, I just had that feeling all night." I just leaned over and whispered back - "I guess that is the difference between striving and resting."
The house we are renting is very homey and we feel so grateful to John and Jacy Donovan who are letting us rent their place at this time.
In the midst of moving in we've had a pretty big mishap. As the washer was draining we had raw sewage back into our house and flood the place. The drain pipe was apparently blocked by a bunch of roots that had to be cut out and the sudden flood of water was too much for the partially clogged pipes. The problem resolved, we set to scrubbing the bathtub, shower and bathroom floors, only to discover that the episode had flooded the two adjoining bedrooms... What a disaster and what a mess!!! As I write this, workers have just removed the carpet padding and three large fans and dehumidifiers are working hard to dry out our house.
Andrea and I made beds for the kids in the living room on the couch. The kids think the whole sleepover in front of the fire-place is a really cool thing, Andrea and I are yet to be convinced.
It is frustrating, but at the same time we are trying to learn how to rest in God. On Tuesday Andrea and I went on a date wings as an appetizer and Handel's Messiah as the main course. Over dinner I shared with Andrea how I was feeling pretty stressed out with everything that is involved in starting a new church, trying to make things happen by simply working harder. Andrea was encouraging me to relax a little and trust God to build His church. Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God"; the NASB translation says it a little different, "Cease striving...", which is exactly what I have been doing.
Anyways back to Handel's Messiah. We arrived at the concert venue only to find that all the tickets were sold except the obstructed view ones, and we could not get two seats together. My suggestion was to just go hang out at the Domain, but Andrea kept saying, "let's just wait a while longer." (My question was - for what?!?)
After a few minutes a white-haired gentleman approached us and asked if we needed tickets for the concert and that he was there with a church from San Marcos who had bought a bundle of tickets of which two were extra. He ended up giving us the tickets and walked us to perfect center auditorium seats just in time before the lights dimmed and the Austin Symphony began their crescendo into the opening of the Messiah.
As we sat there Andrea said, "I just knew someone would give us tickets, I just had that feeling all night." I just leaned over and whispered back - "I guess that is the difference between striving and resting."
Monday, November 26, 2007
Learning...
These last couple of weeks have been pretty incredible. It has been a learning experience for sure, sometimes really frustrating sometimes elating.
I love it and hate it all at the same time, and the reason for it both is that I am not in control. I love being in charge, love controlling my own destiny - or at least thinking that I am...
Following Jesus to Austin has been one step of faith after another, and the journey has been intense. I have always worked in established environments, other than starting my own window-washing business several years ago. Things were nicely mapped out for me, the infrastructure was in place and I could control my fate by how hard I worked, how much I studied, how well I organized, or how inspiring and persuasive I talked to people. Well, not any more (to be fair - this has never been true, and God must receive all the glory for anything we did, but I certainly like to believe it is my effort, hard work, cleverness, etc. Oh, the sin of the human heart...).
We are here in Austin to start a church, but Jesus said 'I will build MY church'. We are here to reach people with the life-changing reality of Jesus' love and grace, but we cannot reach anyone, only God can and does draw sinners to Himself in love, saving them from their moral bankruptcy and giving them new and abundant life. Sure we can and should work hard, put ourselves out there, connect with people, love them, serve them in Jesus' name and for His sake, but God has got to do the life-transforming work.
It is true that anyone can make himself a Buddhist, make himself a Hindu, or a Muslim, but nobody can make himself a Christian. Conversion is passive, one is converted (passive) by the grace and power of God.
I love it and hate it all at the same time, and the reason for it both is that I am not in control. I love being in charge, love controlling my own destiny - or at least thinking that I am...
Following Jesus to Austin has been one step of faith after another, and the journey has been intense. I have always worked in established environments, other than starting my own window-washing business several years ago. Things were nicely mapped out for me, the infrastructure was in place and I could control my fate by how hard I worked, how much I studied, how well I organized, or how inspiring and persuasive I talked to people. Well, not any more (to be fair - this has never been true, and God must receive all the glory for anything we did, but I certainly like to believe it is my effort, hard work, cleverness, etc. Oh, the sin of the human heart...).
We are here in Austin to start a church, but Jesus said 'I will build MY church'. We are here to reach people with the life-changing reality of Jesus' love and grace, but we cannot reach anyone, only God can and does draw sinners to Himself in love, saving them from their moral bankruptcy and giving them new and abundant life. Sure we can and should work hard, put ourselves out there, connect with people, love them, serve them in Jesus' name and for His sake, but God has got to do the life-transforming work.
It is true that anyone can make himself a Buddhist, make himself a Hindu, or a Muslim, but nobody can make himself a Christian. Conversion is passive, one is converted (passive) by the grace and power of God.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving
After getting everything packed up, Andrea and the kids and I get a chance to spend some time in a vacation house in Big Bear Lake, CA. I cannot believe how good God is in providing us with this beautiful log cabin in the mountains. Theresa - thank you so much for blessing us with this time. A couple of days of family time and rest and relaxation over the Thanksgiving Holiday is just what the doctor ordered. I am really looking forward to some time playing with the kids, going on walks, playing games, doing puzzles, and just hanging out after being away from the kids since October.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
All Packed
Alright, we spent the last several days in our house in CA packing everything onto a moving truck. Washing windows, cleaning bathrooms, packing the final miscellaneous knick-knacks, getting the yard and the pool ready for our renters, etc. In the middle of packing our car broke down - hey and why not... But I got it fixed, glad it happened when I still had access to my tools and a couple of friends to give me a ride to the AutoZone.
The whole process has been exhausting and just a little frustrating, as the estimator way under-estimated our load, which cost our truck-driver and his crew some trouble and a good bit of frustration and us a bit more money. Moving is never fun!
However now everything we own is on its way to Austin. I am pretty stoked to have Andrea and the kids on their way!
The whole process has been exhausting and just a little frustrating, as the estimator way under-estimated our load, which cost our truck-driver and his crew some trouble and a good bit of frustration and us a bit more money. Moving is never fun!
However now everything we own is on its way to Austin. I am pretty stoked to have Andrea and the kids on their way!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Faith for the impossible
Why do we so often think we know better than God? I thought the only way we were going to get to Austin was to sell our house. I saw no other way. I was blinded by my circumstances. Unfortunately, many times we try and figure out our "perfect" future and then pray for God to act in that direction.
In the book of John, after Lazarus died, Martha came to Jesus and wanted to know why He hadn't been there when he died? She was mad because she knew that if he had been there he would have saved Lazarus. She had faith for that. We know she had told Jesus she believed he was the Savior of the world! Yet, later in the story, Jesus is moved to tears and goes to see Lazarus at the tomb. Martha follows close behind and when they arrive she warns him, "don't open that tomb, he's gonna stink!!" Are you kidding me? The messiah, whom she believes and adores, is at the tomb of her brother and this is her response? Her eyes have strayed to the physical elements surrounding her. She is stuck . Her "perfect" future didn't happen. She wanted Jesus to save Lazarus before death. She could not conceive in that moment that Jesus would do something far beyond her idea of "perfect". She was so focused on the fact that Jesus had not met her on her terms that she almost ruins the moment! In the end Jesus did something far more amazing and God-glorifying than only saving Lazarus from possible death. He rescued him from death itself...Oh for faith to see the impossible happen in Austin! People to be rescued from death itself. Andrea
In the book of John, after Lazarus died, Martha came to Jesus and wanted to know why He hadn't been there when he died? She was mad because she knew that if he had been there he would have saved Lazarus. She had faith for that. We know she had told Jesus she believed he was the Savior of the world! Yet, later in the story, Jesus is moved to tears and goes to see Lazarus at the tomb. Martha follows close behind and when they arrive she warns him, "don't open that tomb, he's gonna stink!!" Are you kidding me? The messiah, whom she believes and adores, is at the tomb of her brother and this is her response? Her eyes have strayed to the physical elements surrounding her. She is stuck . Her "perfect" future didn't happen. She wanted Jesus to save Lazarus before death. She could not conceive in that moment that Jesus would do something far beyond her idea of "perfect". She was so focused on the fact that Jesus had not met her on her terms that she almost ruins the moment! In the end Jesus did something far more amazing and God-glorifying than only saving Lazarus from possible death. He rescued him from death itself...Oh for faith to see the impossible happen in Austin! People to be rescued from death itself. Andrea
24
Wow! In terms of sheer adrenaline the last 24 hours of my life have somewhat seemed like an episode of 24.
The last 24 hours were an absolute crazy ride of excitement and witnessing God's goodness and providence in amazing ways.
It all started with a phone call from dear friends of ours telling us that they decided to give us a large sum of money. The timing of this gift is unbelievable and lets just say anytime you see a comma on a check it is good news indeed! The crazy thing is that we are dreaming to start a church in the city not in the suburbs and that rent downtown is significantly higher there than in the outskirts. This gift enables us to actually pursue renting in the city. You know who you are - thank you so much, you guys are so dear to Andrea and I!
The second event was that we heard back about a house we were trying to rent (it is right in the city and they are allowing us to rent it for a short period of time/3 months for now maybe longer), which will allow me to get Andrea and the kids out here to Austin. I am so excited about having my family here!
Thirdly, Robby and Crystal arrived safely in Austin and we got all their stuff stored and them moved into an apartment (free!). It is so good to see familiar faces. Not only that, it helps so much to no longer go at it alone! Thank you Robby and Crystal for what you sacrifice, I love you guys.
Finally, we just heard back from the elders at Hill Country Bible Church and our team has been given the area in downtown Austin to start our brand new church! Our map-point will be Lamar & 45th right in Central Austin. I am absolutely thrilled!
The last 24 hours were an absolute crazy ride of excitement and witnessing God's goodness and providence in amazing ways.
It all started with a phone call from dear friends of ours telling us that they decided to give us a large sum of money. The timing of this gift is unbelievable and lets just say anytime you see a comma on a check it is good news indeed! The crazy thing is that we are dreaming to start a church in the city not in the suburbs and that rent downtown is significantly higher there than in the outskirts. This gift enables us to actually pursue renting in the city. You know who you are - thank you so much, you guys are so dear to Andrea and I!
The second event was that we heard back about a house we were trying to rent (it is right in the city and they are allowing us to rent it for a short period of time/3 months for now maybe longer), which will allow me to get Andrea and the kids out here to Austin. I am so excited about having my family here!
Thirdly, Robby and Crystal arrived safely in Austin and we got all their stuff stored and them moved into an apartment (free!). It is so good to see familiar faces. Not only that, it helps so much to no longer go at it alone! Thank you Robby and Crystal for what you sacrifice, I love you guys.
Finally, we just heard back from the elders at Hill Country Bible Church and our team has been given the area in downtown Austin to start our brand new church! Our map-point will be Lamar & 45th right in Central Austin. I am absolutely thrilled!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Perspective
I've been thinking a lot about perspective. How do I view my world and my circumstances? There is a sense in which I can be so easily stuck in the moment, stuck with fears and frustrations of the present. Part of learning how to love the city of Austin and its people has been spending time with Tim Hawks, senior pastor of Hill Country Bible Church in Austin. Tim has been here for the past 19 years and knows and loves Austin like few people I know. He has been challenging us to view life in light of eternity.
Life on earth is as good as it is ever going to get if you do not know Jesus Christ as your savior. This is as close to heaven as you are ever going to get. Likewise, if you are a Christ-follower life on earth is as bad as it is ever going to get, as near to hell as you will ever experience.
So where I am at right now I am trying to live my life like that is true, pursuing an eternal perspective that takes the claims of Jesus Christ serious. He claims that there is a future judgment and juxtaposed a future of incredible joy.
Jesus promises persecution for those who follow him, he demands sacrifice on a scale that is mind-boggling, and he requires dedication that is absolute in order to follow him (If you are wondering what I am talking about look up these verses of scripture - Luke 9:23-24, Luke 9:62, Luke 14:26). However, he also promises reward that is unprecedented, reconcilliation with God and a perfect life in heaven with ever increasing joy for all eternity (a concept I can't even fully grasp).
Coming to Austin has been quite a journey, and Andrea and I have had to consistently lay down our desires in order to follow what God called us to - Jesus is worthy of us living our lives for Him!
In my journey of learning to have an eternal perspective the concept of trusting God and of faith in God's love and goodness has been a constant. I am learning to trust God more and more, and surprisingly, despite some of our circumstances, we are calm and at peace. A passage that has been occupying my mind is this:
'Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.' [Hebrews 10:35-39]
Life on earth is as good as it is ever going to get if you do not know Jesus Christ as your savior. This is as close to heaven as you are ever going to get. Likewise, if you are a Christ-follower life on earth is as bad as it is ever going to get, as near to hell as you will ever experience.
So where I am at right now I am trying to live my life like that is true, pursuing an eternal perspective that takes the claims of Jesus Christ serious. He claims that there is a future judgment and juxtaposed a future of incredible joy.
Jesus promises persecution for those who follow him, he demands sacrifice on a scale that is mind-boggling, and he requires dedication that is absolute in order to follow him (If you are wondering what I am talking about look up these verses of scripture - Luke 9:23-24, Luke 9:62, Luke 14:26). However, he also promises reward that is unprecedented, reconcilliation with God and a perfect life in heaven with ever increasing joy for all eternity (a concept I can't even fully grasp).
Coming to Austin has been quite a journey, and Andrea and I have had to consistently lay down our desires in order to follow what God called us to - Jesus is worthy of us living our lives for Him!
In my journey of learning to have an eternal perspective the concept of trusting God and of faith in God's love and goodness has been a constant. I am learning to trust God more and more, and surprisingly, despite some of our circumstances, we are calm and at peace. A passage that has been occupying my mind is this:
'Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.' [Hebrews 10:35-39]
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
You've gotta be kidding me!!!
To say that I'm blown away by God's grace in this moment doesn't even begin to express what Crystal and I are feeling. We're getting ready to leave for Austin in our moving truck tomorrow morning and we've already lived through so many miracles in this new adventure that God is leading us on. I've got to tell you about the newest one! As a lot of you know, Central surprised us last weekend by collecting a loose change offering for us at the end of each of the services. We're still reeling from the generosity that so many of you extended to us. Take a stab at it... how much do you think was given? We seriously could not believe it when Gerry called today to tell us that over $5,200.00 was collected. What!?!? I don't know what to say! This is such an incredible blessing to us! As we move to Austin to look for jobs, there is a lot of uncertainty for us, but there isn't a doubt in our minds that God will provide for us as we follow Him. -Robby
Monday, November 12, 2007
Spent for Jesus
"When the heart sees what God wants, the body must be willing to spend and be spent for that cause alone."
These words from Oswald Chambors have so challenged my thoughts and behavior leading up to this new phase of ministry in Austin. When my heart saw what God was planning for our next phase of life, I realized I must spend my life on Jesus' vision for Austin. Not in a false humility, or wanting to be congratualted for such a "sacrifice" of giving up all things dear to move across the country. But because He is worthy, I must give everything I have to the cause Jesus has put before me. It is easy in theory, hard in the day to day grind. I have been stretched beyond what I thought I was capable of and endured thus far by God's grace alone. May we all be willing to be spent for Jesus in the mundane everyday moments and in the major callings that shake our worlds upside down. Andrea
Leadership Community Mtg.
This Sunday we had our annual Leadership meeting at HCBC. Every year these meetings are incredible opportunities to connect with the leadership family at Hill Country Bible Church and allow the vision God has given us to sink in even deeper. The church planters are interviewed by John Herrington, the church plant director, at 14:00. Myself and the 4 other church planters are interviewed.
Listen to the audio
(Leadership Community Audio)
Or watch the meeting in Windows media player
(Leadership Community Audio)
or I-Tunes
(Leadership Community Video)
Listen to the audio
(Leadership Community Audio)
Or watch the meeting in Windows media player
(Leadership Community Audio)
or I-Tunes
(Leadership Community Video)
Friday, November 9, 2007
Party
Hey everybody, just a quick invitation in case you haven't heard. Tonight (Friday, Nov. 9) at my house (43950 Bobby Jones Dr. #19 Lancaster, Ca) we're having a giant goodbye party. You are invited. It is going to be super fun. You need to come. It starts at 6ish and goes all night. See you there... Robby
Thursday, November 8, 2007
COUNTER - INTUITIVE (Part2)
I really resonate with the idea that faith sometimes needs to just be faith. It is not about what will come out of it in the end. It's not about how it might turn out in my favor in the end. It is about trusting God and loving him enough to say - He is worthy! I will go and obey, and I will do everything possible to bring honor and renown to Jesus Christ. Whatever brings God the greatest amount of glory may not be the most comfortable for me. And it is hard to remind myself regularly that it is not about me, but about God.
As we look throughout history, we see men and women who loved God and were concerned about his glory, not just by giving lipservice to him but enough to suffer being eaten by lions and lit up as live torches for Caesar's garden parties to confess their love and allegiance to him.
Faith is about trusting in God's sovereignty. I trust him. I believe that my purpose is to bring glory to God. It is to leverage evey fiber of my being for the purposes and the glory of God - that's it, nothing more, nothing in it for me...
As we look throughout history, we see men and women who loved God and were concerned about his glory, not just by giving lipservice to him but enough to suffer being eaten by lions and lit up as live torches for Caesar's garden parties to confess their love and allegiance to him.
Faith is about trusting in God's sovereignty. I trust him. I believe that my purpose is to bring glory to God. It is to leverage evey fiber of my being for the purposes and the glory of God - that's it, nothing more, nothing in it for me...
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
COUNTER - INTUITIVE (Part1)
I just received an e-mail that greatly encouraged me. A dear friend and mentor, Rowland Forman, is the author of The Leadership Baton, and a founding partner of the Center for Church Based Training. He is one of those guys that just oozes wisdom and grace. For several years now Rowland and his wife Elaine have been coming to California to serve as a consultant at Central Christian Church where he has been spending significant time investing into my life and serving as a sounding board and mentor. "My guys" (the 4 pastors I have had the privilege to mentor over the past couple of years) and I have lovingly nicknamed him 'The Oracle' because of his wise and seemingly never-failing wisdom and advice.
Anyways, Rowland send me an email about faith. Let me quote him directly:
"I’ve been living in Hebrews 11 in the last three weeks and have been blessed by all the examples of authentic faith. It’s as if God has been branding my brain with the words, by faith. Yesterday I was meditating on verse 13: all these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Everything in me wants by faith to result in great outcomes. What I am learning is that God is just looking for faith—period! It’s not even faith that things will turn out the amazing way I want them to be (though humanly that’s what I want for the launch of Living Stones Church-Based School of Leadership). It’s faith that according to verse 11 is locked into the promises of the faithful One. I don’t know if I’m making sense, but to me this is profound and countercultural. Let’s keep placing our faith in the Faithful One! Our eyes need to be on our ever faithful God. The outcomes are his. The thing he most desires is quiet confidence in him, no matter what."
Also check out a blog Rowland recommended: Counter Intuitive Faith.
Anyways, Rowland send me an email about faith. Let me quote him directly:
"I’ve been living in Hebrews 11 in the last three weeks and have been blessed by all the examples of authentic faith. It’s as if God has been branding my brain with the words, by faith. Yesterday I was meditating on verse 13: all these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Everything in me wants by faith to result in great outcomes. What I am learning is that God is just looking for faith—period! It’s not even faith that things will turn out the amazing way I want them to be (though humanly that’s what I want for the launch of Living Stones Church-Based School of Leadership). It’s faith that according to verse 11 is locked into the promises of the faithful One. I don’t know if I’m making sense, but to me this is profound and countercultural. Let’s keep placing our faith in the Faithful One! Our eyes need to be on our ever faithful God. The outcomes are his. The thing he most desires is quiet confidence in him, no matter what."
Also check out a blog Rowland recommended: Counter Intuitive Faith.
Plans Formed of Old
How often in our zealous approach to serving God do we remember that all of the "plans" we make will be molded, and sometimes altered, by the very hands of God to fit His plans? I have been studying the book of Isiah and came across a passage that gave me such comfort, "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, FOR YOU HAVE DONE WONDERFUL THINGS, PLANS FORMED OF OLD, FAITHFUL AND SURE" (Isiah 25:1). We can rest in this move to Austin knowing that God has "formed plans of old" in Austin, for Austin, with Matthias and I playing a part in it. He is calling people in the city to himself. (They are just not aware of it yet!) We can be sure that if we remain faithful to His call on our lives, we get to be a part of these "plans formed of old". I am not "faithful and sure" but God is. How awesome to rest in His faith, not my own. We covet all your prayers! Andrea
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Of houses and homes
So, it looks as though we finally have come to a solution in regards to our house in California. Our good friends Joe and Krista Kelly are going to rent it for some time. They have had their house on the market for a little while and they have just gone into escrow.
This is a huge answer to my prayers because I am growing pretty tired of being without my family.
We are looking at Rentals in Austin now. If everything goes smoothly I will have Andrea and the kids with me in Austin right after Thanksgiving.
This is a huge answer to my prayers because I am growing pretty tired of being without my family.
We are looking at Rentals in Austin now. If everything goes smoothly I will have Andrea and the kids with me in Austin right after Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Humility & Compassion
I just had an interesting conversation with a guy named Trivett who is the drummer of a band called The Sword. They are a heavy metal touring band and their website is swordofdoom.com
I was doing some informal surveys downtown Austin to get an idea about what some of the primary issues in the city are. The day as a whole was an interesting experience - I think as Christians in general we often don't listen enough and are stuck answering questions nobody is asking.
Trivett made a crucial point - it's about Humility and Compassion. Wow! That is pretty much what Jesus was all about! He - God - stepped into human history and humbly served and loved and sacrificially laid down His life to save us from our sins and make us alive again. His life was characterized by compassion. Loving those who were despised by society, tax-collectors, prostitutes, etc.
How can we become more like Jesus Christ? Following His example and very practically and authentically live out humility and compassion is going to be a must to be a relevant representation of Christ!
I was doing some informal surveys downtown Austin to get an idea about what some of the primary issues in the city are. The day as a whole was an interesting experience - I think as Christians in general we often don't listen enough and are stuck answering questions nobody is asking.
Trivett made a crucial point - it's about Humility and Compassion. Wow! That is pretty much what Jesus was all about! He - God - stepped into human history and humbly served and loved and sacrificially laid down His life to save us from our sins and make us alive again. His life was characterized by compassion. Loving those who were despised by society, tax-collectors, prostitutes, etc.
How can we become more like Jesus Christ? Following His example and very practically and authentically live out humility and compassion is going to be a must to be a relevant representation of Christ!
John Piper is BAD...
A recent YouTube video is mixing Piper's preaching with Michael Jackson's BAD. You can check it out on this blog page. I like it because it brings home a deep theological truth. We aren't just in the habit of doing bad stuff we actually are bad to our very core.
We aren't just bad and need to become better; we are dead in our sin and need to be made alive with Christ!
Enjoy the video...
We aren't just bad and need to become better; we are dead in our sin and need to be made alive with Christ!
Enjoy the video...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Encouraging...
Did I mention I had a rough day. I believe I did. So a couple of things cheered me up. I got to spend some time with my direct supervisor, John Herrington and his wife. John and Angela have started several churches from scratch successfully and therefore they have more of an idea what is going on in my life than just about anybody. They were a real encouragement to me, just being able to say "this stinks right now" was good for me.
Secondly I found a message from Jocelyn Young on my Facebook page. We served in missions together and somehow it just reminded me of why I do what I do - because God really loves people and more importantly because Jesus is worthy!!!
And finally, I saw this verse as the "verse of the day" on Facebook:
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. [2 Corinthians 12:9]
Secondly I found a message from Jocelyn Young on my Facebook page. We served in missions together and somehow it just reminded me of why I do what I do - because God really loves people and more importantly because Jesus is worthy!!!
And finally, I saw this verse as the "verse of the day" on Facebook:
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. [2 Corinthians 12:9]
Bummer Day
So today was a bit of a rough day. Maybe because it is Halloween and I wish I was out with my kids trick or treating (albeit they are still in California hanging out at the Kelly's house where we spent every Halloween for the past 4 years); maybe because I am feeling kinda lonely in a brand new city without Andrea and the kiddos; maybe it's the let down after our presentations to the church-planting committee at HCBC yesterday; or maybe because I was trying to talk to people about Jesus without much success. Who knows but in my short career as a church-planter this day has really been a bummer.
I think one thing that is great in all this is that I really am beginning to long for being able to share the story of Jesus with people here and I am getting frustrated by not getting it done right now. Pray for that. I am excited to be in the various communities around town and talk to people, but I need God to give me an in...
I think one thing that is great in all this is that I really am beginning to long for being able to share the story of Jesus with people here and I am getting frustrated by not getting it done right now. Pray for that. I am excited to be in the various communities around town and talk to people, but I need God to give me an in...
Monday, October 29, 2007
No Way...!
Alright, this is incredible!
We just secured a free - that's right FREE - apartment for Robby and Crystal. They had found a fantastic apartment downtown starting January 5th but needed to find a place to stay until then if they were to come out to Austin.
We just confirmed that we got a free apartment for them from November 10th through January 10th, the exact time-frame they needed a place to live!
Did I mention it is FREE?!?
God is so good!!!
We just secured a free - that's right FREE - apartment for Robby and Crystal. They had found a fantastic apartment downtown starting January 5th but needed to find a place to stay until then if they were to come out to Austin.
We just confirmed that we got a free apartment for them from November 10th through January 10th, the exact time-frame they needed a place to live!
Did I mention it is FREE?!?
God is so good!!!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Relevant Church
So here is a question that needs some consideration: Is the church relevant?
Maybe we can interact about this a little but let me throw out my ramblings...
What I am asking is not is The Church relevant, but is a particular church relevant.
I believe that The Church, the one that Jesus established to be hope and life and grace and goodness and love is always relevant because it addresses the very core longings of humanity. We all long to belong somewhere, long to be loved, understood, connected. We want to know that we make a difference and that it matters whether we show up for something or not.
We want to know that we can mess up and be forgiven, that we can hurt and be held, that we can be on top of the world and have someone to celebrate with. (not much of a party if your on your own...)
We want to believe that things can be better, that this is not as good as it gets or all that there is.
As creative and as smart and ingenious as we humans are we long for a superior being, all our literature and movies point to this hero where ingenuity, creativity, power and courage is taken to the extreme.
Jesus Christ, the Messiah answers these longings. He offers acceptance, and belonging, hope and forgiveness, meaning and purpose, incredible love and kindness, grace and mercy! The Church he started is to mirror that - love and inclusion, care for the poor and forgiveness for those who messed up, belonging and purpose.
So what happened? Why is church seen as so irrelevant???
To answer that question we need to consider the indictment that is brought against churches everywhere. Let's consider some of the most popular ones:
The most popular is probably this on "Christians are all a bunch of ___________________!"
Yeah you guessed it HYPOCRITES! We claim to believe on thing but act contrary to it. Hmm... Or how about these:
Maybe we can interact about this a little but let me throw out my ramblings...
What I am asking is not is The Church relevant, but is a particular church relevant.
I believe that The Church, the one that Jesus established to be hope and life and grace and goodness and love is always relevant because it addresses the very core longings of humanity. We all long to belong somewhere, long to be loved, understood, connected. We want to know that we make a difference and that it matters whether we show up for something or not.
We want to know that we can mess up and be forgiven, that we can hurt and be held, that we can be on top of the world and have someone to celebrate with. (not much of a party if your on your own...)
We want to believe that things can be better, that this is not as good as it gets or all that there is.
As creative and as smart and ingenious as we humans are we long for a superior being, all our literature and movies point to this hero where ingenuity, creativity, power and courage is taken to the extreme.
Jesus Christ, the Messiah answers these longings. He offers acceptance, and belonging, hope and forgiveness, meaning and purpose, incredible love and kindness, grace and mercy! The Church he started is to mirror that - love and inclusion, care for the poor and forgiveness for those who messed up, belonging and purpose.
So what happened? Why is church seen as so irrelevant???
To answer that question we need to consider the indictment that is brought against churches everywhere. Let's consider some of the most popular ones:
The most popular is probably this on "Christians are all a bunch of ___________________!"
Yeah you guessed it HYPOCRITES! We claim to believe on thing but act contrary to it. Hmm... Or how about these:
- "It's always all about the money..."
- "Christians are so judgmental"
- "Rules, Rules, Rules..."
SHARE SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Alright!
Hey everybody! This is Robby. I thought it was about time that I finally start putting some posts up on this thing. Thanks for checking in from time to time and for praying for us! We really appreciate it more than you know. Crystal and I have been hit with the reality lately that we are really leaving Lancaster! And even though the details of the plan seem to change a little from day to day, it looks like its going to be really soon. Have you ever seen one of those game shows where the contestant is standing in the plexi-glass cube, and there is a tornado of dollars spinning around them and they have a really short amount of time to grab as many as they can? That kind of feels like our life right now. We have dozens of pretty important details kind of flying around us, and we probably sometimes look ridiculous as we work frantically every day to nail a few more things down. But at the end of the day we know that God has called us beyond a doubt to this adventure with Him. We know that we are living in this space where without His miracles we have no chance. We are seeing our faith in Jesus grow... a lot. And we're just trying to get there so we can start! I love it. Bye
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Pray for us...
" Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I (Paul) am in prison - that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."
[Colossians 4:2-4]
It is exciting to be here in Austin and to start meeting people that live here and are so far from the community of faith and a life-giving knowledge of Christ. The reason we are here in Austin is to share the hope of the Gospel with the people of this great city.
Just as the apostle Paul was asking the believers in Colossae to pray that he would clearly and boldly share the Gospel-message with people he encountered, so I would like to ask you guys to pray for us that we could clearly and graciously communicate the life-changing reality of Jesus with the people of Austin.
I am looking forward to sharing some of the God-moments we'll experience as time goes on...
[Colossians 4:2-4]
It is exciting to be here in Austin and to start meeting people that live here and are so far from the community of faith and a life-giving knowledge of Christ. The reason we are here in Austin is to share the hope of the Gospel with the people of this great city.
Just as the apostle Paul was asking the believers in Colossae to pray that he would clearly and boldly share the Gospel-message with people he encountered, so I would like to ask you guys to pray for us that we could clearly and graciously communicate the life-changing reality of Jesus with the people of Austin.
I am looking forward to sharing some of the God-moments we'll experience as time goes on...
Friday, October 19, 2007
Boots on the Ground
These last couple of days have been a whirlwind of activity and emotion. Monday at 5am Robby and I left California to drive my truck out to Austin. We drove for two days and had a great time driving through CA, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We spent the night at El Paso and then drove all day from there to Austin. It is crazy to think it took us almost as long from L.A. to Texas as it took us to drive through this enormous state - Oh well, everything is bigger in Texas.
We arrived late Tuesday and then had Andrea and Crystal join us via plane on Wednesday. We spent these last three days walking and driving through the city getting as much of a feel for Austin as at all possible in such a short time. It felt great to finally be able to get our feet on the ground. Doing demographic research on the Internet is great but it does not substitute for actually getting yourself into the city.
We hit 7 of the possible map-points for church-plant locations and we feel that God is stirring our hearts for the city. It is great to have Andrea, Robby and Crystal here to see and experience what these locations are like rather than trying to explain it to them on the phone.
Please pray for us as we explore where God is leading us to plant the church.
Robby and Crystal spent a good bit of time working on housing and God blessed them with a great apartment in an amazing location. Andrea and I are still praying and looking. Please pray with us as housing is significantly more expensive in Austin than where we came from.
All in all a great week - but an exhausting one...
We arrived late Tuesday and then had Andrea and Crystal join us via plane on Wednesday. We spent these last three days walking and driving through the city getting as much of a feel for Austin as at all possible in such a short time. It felt great to finally be able to get our feet on the ground. Doing demographic research on the Internet is great but it does not substitute for actually getting yourself into the city.
We hit 7 of the possible map-points for church-plant locations and we feel that God is stirring our hearts for the city. It is great to have Andrea, Robby and Crystal here to see and experience what these locations are like rather than trying to explain it to them on the phone.
Please pray for us as we explore where God is leading us to plant the church.
Robby and Crystal spent a good bit of time working on housing and God blessed them with a great apartment in an amazing location. Andrea and I are still praying and looking. Please pray with us as housing is significantly more expensive in Austin than where we came from.
All in all a great week - but an exhausting one...
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Catalyst Conference
Catalyst is a yearly event where church leaders gather to grow in their leadership skills and be refreshed and revitalized for effective service. A great place to start my new work and as all conferences a great time to bond with the members of your team.
In terms of team building I couldn't have asked for a better intro to the team at HCBC. There was a large group and I loved getting to know these men and women - what a great staff!
The conference had an impressive line-up of speakers and leaders: Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, Craig Groeschel, Erwin McManus, Rick Warren, John Maxwell and others. These are proven leaders in the kingdom of God and always have great insights into ministry and leadership. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to take time out and learn from these men.
However, this year the obvious bend of a number of the speakers was an obvious political agenda. It was disconcerting to me to hear several people say that theology did not matter. Half-quoted scripture verses and an obvious bend toward the social gospel (which of course is no gospel at all) as well as anti-war, anti-gun, and anti-everything sentiments were bothersome and somewhat surprising for a conference hosted by Northpoint Community Church.
I am for loving the poor, caring for the sick, supporting the needy, loving the down-trodden and being a provider for the widows and the orphans! As a matter of fact I preached about God's heart for the poor less than a month ago. However, our love for the poor needs to be thoroughly founded in our theology and based in the truths of scripture. There are more than enough verses to support a need to love the poor and care for the sick and needy, as a matter of fact James boldly proclaims that pure and faultless religion is this, to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep yourself from being polluted by the world. As ambassadors for our heavenly Father who is the King of compassion and the God of mercy we have to represent him well and be people of mercy and compassion as well, but this social activism must never replace the true Gospel of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross through which we can be forgiven for our sins, made alive in Christ, adopted into the family of the Heavenly Father and commissioned as ambassadors for the kingdom!
In terms of team building I couldn't have asked for a better intro to the team at HCBC. There was a large group and I loved getting to know these men and women - what a great staff!
The conference had an impressive line-up of speakers and leaders: Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, Craig Groeschel, Erwin McManus, Rick Warren, John Maxwell and others. These are proven leaders in the kingdom of God and always have great insights into ministry and leadership. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to take time out and learn from these men.
However, this year the obvious bend of a number of the speakers was an obvious political agenda. It was disconcerting to me to hear several people say that theology did not matter. Half-quoted scripture verses and an obvious bend toward the social gospel (which of course is no gospel at all) as well as anti-war, anti-gun, and anti-everything sentiments were bothersome and somewhat surprising for a conference hosted by Northpoint Community Church.
I am for loving the poor, caring for the sick, supporting the needy, loving the down-trodden and being a provider for the widows and the orphans! As a matter of fact I preached about God's heart for the poor less than a month ago. However, our love for the poor needs to be thoroughly founded in our theology and based in the truths of scripture. There are more than enough verses to support a need to love the poor and care for the sick and needy, as a matter of fact James boldly proclaims that pure and faultless religion is this, to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep yourself from being polluted by the world. As ambassadors for our heavenly Father who is the King of compassion and the God of mercy we have to represent him well and be people of mercy and compassion as well, but this social activism must never replace the true Gospel of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross through which we can be forgiven for our sins, made alive in Christ, adopted into the family of the Heavenly Father and commissioned as ambassadors for the kingdom!
Moving to Austin via Atlanta!?!
Alright - I finally made it to Austin. I actually moved here via Atlanta, Georgia. I know that seems like somewhat of a detour but there is a perfectly good reason for that.
Most of you know that Robby was going to help me drive my car out to Austin from CA and that we were supposed to leave Tuesday. Well, plans change. Crystal's Grandpa died last week and the funeral was scheduled for Wednesday night. This is obviously not a time for Crystal to be alone, so we decided for me to drive myself. Then I found out that all the church-planters were going to be a part of the Catalyst conference in Atlanta, GA and I called the Executive Pastor at HCBC and the Church Plant Director to see if I could be a part of that - the answer was YES!
Alright! I Love Andy Stanley...
Friday night I finally arrived in Austin where I am staying with the Executive Pastor Bob King. I cannot wait to get started!!!
Most of you know that Robby was going to help me drive my car out to Austin from CA and that we were supposed to leave Tuesday. Well, plans change. Crystal's Grandpa died last week and the funeral was scheduled for Wednesday night. This is obviously not a time for Crystal to be alone, so we decided for me to drive myself. Then I found out that all the church-planters were going to be a part of the Catalyst conference in Atlanta, GA and I called the Executive Pastor at HCBC and the Church Plant Director to see if I could be a part of that - the answer was YES!
Alright! I Love Andy Stanley...
Friday night I finally arrived in Austin where I am staying with the Executive Pastor Bob King. I cannot wait to get started!!!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Joining the Team
We have great news today!
Todd Inman just joined our team for church-planting in Austin.
Todd has faithfully been a part of the High School and Higher Ground ministries at Central Christian Church for many years and now feels a pulling to be a part of the ministry we are beginning in Texas. However, what I am most excited about is the fact that he is really good at befriending people of various backgrounds. This skill in making relationships with just about anyone will be a great assett as we endeavor to create a relationship network in the city.
Please pray for Todd as he is making the necessary preparations to relocate to Texas.
Todd Inman just joined our team for church-planting in Austin.
Todd has faithfully been a part of the High School and Higher Ground ministries at Central Christian Church for many years and now feels a pulling to be a part of the ministry we are beginning in Texas. However, what I am most excited about is the fact that he is really good at befriending people of various backgrounds. This skill in making relationships with just about anyone will be a great assett as we endeavor to create a relationship network in the city.
Please pray for Todd as he is making the necessary preparations to relocate to Texas.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Prayer Needs
At this point we are in need of some significant prayer support not only now but in the months and even years to come. Planting a church is really not about our skill in music, preaching or managing but all about God doing a miracle. We want to see Him do great things in these coming months for His glory's sake. PLEASE pray with us.
Right now we have a couple very practical prayer needs you could pray for. In the future we will post prayer requests on the side-panel of this blog.
--> Please pray for Andrea and Matthias' house to sell.
--> Please pray for a place for them to live in Austin.
--> Please pray for the transition process for all of them but especially for the kids.
--> Please pray for Crystal as she is leaving her family for the first time.
--> Please pray for a job for Robby as he is leaving his secure ministry job in order to help with this church plant.
Right now we have a couple very practical prayer needs you could pray for. In the future we will post prayer requests on the side-panel of this blog.
--> Please pray for Andrea and Matthias' house to sell.
--> Please pray for a place for them to live in Austin.
--> Please pray for the transition process for all of them but especially for the kids.
--> Please pray for Crystal as she is leaving her family for the first time.
--> Please pray for a job for Robby as he is leaving his secure ministry job in order to help with this church plant.
Austin: An Acts 13 Moment
This past week has truly been amazing. Robby and I went to talk to the elders at Central Christian Church again and outlined our desire to not only leave our current ministry positions well but to actually have them send us out.
The elders spent significant time with us asking about how we got to this point and also about the process of church-planting.
In the end they all agreed that God was doing a great new work in us and prayed for us and for God to be glorified as we went out. That night they also decided to partner with us financially.
Their prayers and encouragement as well as their financial partnership has been such a blessing and encouragement to us.
It very much felt like an Acts 13 moment. In Acts 13:1-3 we read that the elders of the church in Antioch were praying and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work which He was calling them to. The elders then laid hands on them and send them out.
The elders spent significant time with us asking about how we got to this point and also about the process of church-planting.
In the end they all agreed that God was doing a great new work in us and prayed for us and for God to be glorified as we went out. That night they also decided to partner with us financially.
Their prayers and encouragement as well as their financial partnership has been such a blessing and encouragement to us.
It very much felt like an Acts 13 moment. In Acts 13:1-3 we read that the elders of the church in Antioch were praying and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work which He was calling them to. The elders then laid hands on them and send them out.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Austin: Purpose of this Blog
The purpose of this Blog is to be a tool to communicate with as broad a number of people as possible the vision we have of planting a spiritually vibrant and strategically located new church in the amazing city of Austin.
We want to see the name of Jesus made great in the city and for the renown of God to spread throughout the greater Austin area.
We want to reach people with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ and allow people to be gripped with the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ.
We want to see the name of Jesus made great in the city and for the renown of God to spread throughout the greater Austin area.
We want to reach people with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ and allow people to be gripped with the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ.
Austin: Who we are
This little section is going to tell a little about who we are.
We are the beginning of a core team that will launch a brand new church plant in the city in the Fall of 2008.
So far we have two families that are committed to this cause.
Robby and Crystal Forsythe have been married for a little over two years. Robby has been the Youth and young Adult worship pastor at Central Christian Church for the last 8 years. He is a talented musician with a passion for worship and a love for people. He has not only done some recordings but has regularly played for large events and in coffee shops and the like.
Matthias and Andrea Haeusel and their 4 kids Bella (11), Emma (10), Hudson and Moselle (6) have worked in a number of missions settings and Matthias has served as Lead Pastor for Real Life in Los Gatos CA, and for the last 3 1/2 years as Lead Pastor for Higher Ground and The Gallery in Lancaster, CA as well as serving as the pastor for student ministries at Central Christian Church, Lancaster.
Matthias was born and raised in Germany and therefore despises light beer and bad food.
We love the people of Austin and want to see them gripped by the love and grace of an amazing and good God!
We are the beginning of a core team that will launch a brand new church plant in the city in the Fall of 2008.
So far we have two families that are committed to this cause.
Robby and Crystal Forsythe have been married for a little over two years. Robby has been the Youth and young Adult worship pastor at Central Christian Church for the last 8 years. He is a talented musician with a passion for worship and a love for people. He has not only done some recordings but has regularly played for large events and in coffee shops and the like.
Matthias and Andrea Haeusel and their 4 kids Bella (11), Emma (10), Hudson and Moselle (6) have worked in a number of missions settings and Matthias has served as Lead Pastor for Real Life in Los Gatos CA, and for the last 3 1/2 years as Lead Pastor for Higher Ground and The Gallery in Lancaster, CA as well as serving as the pastor for student ministries at Central Christian Church, Lancaster.
Matthias was born and raised in Germany and therefore despises light beer and bad food.
We love the people of Austin and want to see them gripped by the love and grace of an amazing and good God!
Austin: How we got here
Hey guys this is Matthias. Andrea and I are in a real time of transition right now. We actually just gave notice here at our current place of ministry at Central Christian Church in order to pursue what we believe God is calling us to right now: CHURCH PLANTING in AUSTIN, TX.
About two years ago we received a packet from a church in Austin, called Hill Country Bible Church or HCBC, that advertised a student ministry pastor position. We weren't interested in that because I felt like I was doing more ministry here (in terms of what I feel God has called me to and gifted me for) and that ultimately I wanted to be a teaching or senior pastor, but the packet was amazingly well done and included a DVD by the senior pastor about the city of Austin and their vision for it. He described the city and what was going on in terms of growth and development and gave his vision for how they could reach every man woman and child in the greater Austin area with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
While we were not interested in the church and the position they offered, the city and the vision to reach it somehow struck a cord with us and Andrea and I started thinking about Austin. It kept coming up...
Austin is an amazing city of 1.4 million people. Some researchers suggest that this city will be growing by 1 million people over the next 10 years. The vibe is young, creative, and somewhat unconventional. The city is only 17 percent churched, and most of the people there are really turned off to religion. Sociologists are saying that this city just overtook San Francisco as the most creative city in the nation. There is a new trend out that describes how society and culture will be shaped over the next couple of decades. They are calling it the creative revolution (think industrial revolution) or the rise of the creative class. The theory goes something like this, there are certain creative centers in the world were creative and innovative people gather (the top five are Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Raleigh, Washington/Baltimore) these people bounce ideas of each other and innovate which affects the way we live and view the world. Sociologists suggest that our world will be shaped by these urban creative centers. Anyways, there is a lot more to this, suffice it to say that I want to be a part of reaching these places…
A little while later we started looking at churches we were attracted to because they seemed amazingly effective at reaching the lost and advancing the kingdom. Northpoint or Mars Hill Seattle for example. Every church I was attracted to and did research on had started as a church-plant. So I started looking into church-planting. The more we looked into church-planting the more it seemed that in terms of evangelism and life-change church-planting was the most effective method of furthering the kingdom of God. I started reading about it, listening to people talk about it and praying about it. I even talked with our elders and our senior and executive pastors about this growing desire to be involved in church-planting.
We kept in touch with that church in Austin ( www.hcbc.com )through internet, listening to sermons, vision, business meetings, etc. They have an amazing vision for church planting and actually have a 12 months residency program that helps potential church planters train for planting a church in Austin and help with the launch. This church has actually strategically mapped dozens of locations throughout the greater Austin area and has an aggressive God-sized vision of reaching every man woman and child in the greater Austin area with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ. If you're reading this you have to listen to the vision for this (well - you don't have to but you could...) you can find it at http://sermons.myhcbc.com/index.html "Leadership Community Meeting" from fall 2006. We talked with them, went through a series of interviews and prayed a lot.
In June we were contacted by a ministry out of Houston called New Church Initiatives(they were hired by the church in Austin to assess potential church-planters and make recommendations as to who should come to Austin to plant)who invited us to be assessed as potential church-planters. Since we didn't know if we "had what it takes" we agreed to fly to Austin to be assessed. The process was grueling, but I really enjoyed it. It took place at the same church and the executive pastor, senior pastor and his wife took part as assessors.
Since then Andrea and I have been praying hard as to what God is doing in our lives and He has little by little given us direction and peace to give up everything we hold so dear here(our thriving ministry – we are out of room in our morning service at over 200 people every week and still run a large night service as well, our many close friends, salary, influence, position, house, yard, pool, etc.); all very unspiritual things but we were counting the cost and the sacrifice. It will be a costly move, and we will have to raise some support, but we are willing to make that sacrifice in order to be missionaries to the city of Austin!
About two years ago we received a packet from a church in Austin, called Hill Country Bible Church or HCBC, that advertised a student ministry pastor position. We weren't interested in that because I felt like I was doing more ministry here (in terms of what I feel God has called me to and gifted me for) and that ultimately I wanted to be a teaching or senior pastor, but the packet was amazingly well done and included a DVD by the senior pastor about the city of Austin and their vision for it. He described the city and what was going on in terms of growth and development and gave his vision for how they could reach every man woman and child in the greater Austin area with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
While we were not interested in the church and the position they offered, the city and the vision to reach it somehow struck a cord with us and Andrea and I started thinking about Austin. It kept coming up...
Austin is an amazing city of 1.4 million people. Some researchers suggest that this city will be growing by 1 million people over the next 10 years. The vibe is young, creative, and somewhat unconventional. The city is only 17 percent churched, and most of the people there are really turned off to religion. Sociologists are saying that this city just overtook San Francisco as the most creative city in the nation. There is a new trend out that describes how society and culture will be shaped over the next couple of decades. They are calling it the creative revolution (think industrial revolution) or the rise of the creative class. The theory goes something like this, there are certain creative centers in the world were creative and innovative people gather (the top five are Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Raleigh, Washington/Baltimore) these people bounce ideas of each other and innovate which affects the way we live and view the world. Sociologists suggest that our world will be shaped by these urban creative centers. Anyways, there is a lot more to this, suffice it to say that I want to be a part of reaching these places…
A little while later we started looking at churches we were attracted to because they seemed amazingly effective at reaching the lost and advancing the kingdom. Northpoint or Mars Hill Seattle for example. Every church I was attracted to and did research on had started as a church-plant. So I started looking into church-planting. The more we looked into church-planting the more it seemed that in terms of evangelism and life-change church-planting was the most effective method of furthering the kingdom of God. I started reading about it, listening to people talk about it and praying about it. I even talked with our elders and our senior and executive pastors about this growing desire to be involved in church-planting.
We kept in touch with that church in Austin ( www.hcbc.com )through internet, listening to sermons, vision, business meetings, etc. They have an amazing vision for church planting and actually have a 12 months residency program that helps potential church planters train for planting a church in Austin and help with the launch. This church has actually strategically mapped dozens of locations throughout the greater Austin area and has an aggressive God-sized vision of reaching every man woman and child in the greater Austin area with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ. If you're reading this you have to listen to the vision for this (well - you don't have to but you could...) you can find it at http://sermons.myhcbc.com/index.html "Leadership Community Meeting" from fall 2006. We talked with them, went through a series of interviews and prayed a lot.
In June we were contacted by a ministry out of Houston called New Church Initiatives(they were hired by the church in Austin to assess potential church-planters and make recommendations as to who should come to Austin to plant)who invited us to be assessed as potential church-planters. Since we didn't know if we "had what it takes" we agreed to fly to Austin to be assessed. The process was grueling, but I really enjoyed it. It took place at the same church and the executive pastor, senior pastor and his wife took part as assessors.
Since then Andrea and I have been praying hard as to what God is doing in our lives and He has little by little given us direction and peace to give up everything we hold so dear here(our thriving ministry – we are out of room in our morning service at over 200 people every week and still run a large night service as well, our many close friends, salary, influence, position, house, yard, pool, etc.); all very unspiritual things but we were counting the cost and the sacrifice. It will be a costly move, and we will have to raise some support, but we are willing to make that sacrifice in order to be missionaries to the city of Austin!
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