Fringe Faith - Sermon from 1/18/15 about Fringe Church

I (James) got an opportunity to preach at our home church yesterday. It was the first time that we've shared this information with the whole church and it was a fun message to prepare and to give. I shared about why we're doing Fringe Church in the way we are, how we've gotten to this point, what's been happening over the past few months, and what we're hoping to do over the coming months.

If you're interested in listening to it, please click on the link below.  I'll likely be sharing a message about once a month and will be sharing the audio for those as well. Thanks!

https://app.box.com/s/8k2698n1wl1heq215bzjjoqc3xhjh9ba

One Foot in Front of the Other

Have you ever taken on a task or a mission in your life that was years in the making? Maybe in the beginning you weren't even sure what the mission exactly was.

2015. I think back over this young century so far. At the beginning of it, Amy and I were 23 – babies in many ways – getting married. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, and Amy was kicking off her accounting career. Zero plans to be in ministry back then.

Our position with Church at the Ranch where we were brought on to train to be church plants began two years and one week ago. But really God started our mission in our hearts long before that. It started way back in Texas when my counseling practice was set up at our church. It continued when that turned into me taking on some church responsibilities and overseeing the small group ministry. It continued further when God distinctly and definitively called me to be in ministry. It continued further when things changed at our Texas church requiring us to think about what was next. And it continued even further when God loudly and clearly called us to move to Denver – BEFORE he would provide me a job. Then it continued even more when I was one of 70 applicants to apply for my position at Church at the Ranch and the search committee unanimously felt led to choose me and Amy for the position. No seminary degree, limited previous church experience, but God wanted me. So humbling – and I’m so grateful.

It continued even further as God has worked on me and Amy over the last two years to give us a heart for the fringe and a vision that is different than the traditional American church of today. It continued as we searched for our church plant location originally thinking it was one area and God closed those doors leading us to another. It has continued as we’re meeting more people in the new area each week, and the small community group we’re a part of is already busting at the seams.

What it feels like is a snowball. (Hey – we live in Colorado. Roll with me on this – pun intended.) It started small, but God asked us to roll it up a hill. So, we did. He asked us to keep rolling, and we did. And now it feels like we’re almost at the top of the hill. The momentum is about to change. And we can’t wait.

There are a few things we know. We know God is currently leading us to the community of Arvada. We know God has opened some great doors with a non-profit called Jefferson County Prosperity Project that will allow us to partner in service from the very beginning – something we want to be a heartbeat of our church. We know that we have one other couple on our core team committed to this mission. We know God has given us a passion for the people in Arvada and for planting this church. We know God is moving in the hearts of our Arvada friends – lives are being changed for the better. People are getting to know God and learn to follow Christ.

But there is so much we don’t know. When exactly does God want us to take the leap to move up there? Who else will join us to be part of the core team? Where will our children go to school? Who does God want us to meet and disciple and minister to? What in the world are we supposed to put in our bylaws on how to govern a church that hasn't started yet? Will we need a nanny or should we look for a preschool? Who will help support us financially to get this off the ground? What innovative church planting ideas are out there that God wants me to hear/learn/talk through with other pastors?

As we start to crest this hill we've been climbing, there’s a mix of knowns and unknowns. The challenge is in making plans by faith in an effort to follow the will of God while also leaving room for flexibility if it changes. God doesn't always answer our questions on our timeline. So, we make the plans based on what we do know and the doors he’s opening. At the same time, though, if things change and doors start closing or he starts opening the window on the right instead of the door on the left, we’re trying really hard to keep our hearts open to move and react as he leads no matter what.

Because, we know this: We don’t want to go anywhere he doesn’t lead. Not ever. This is His work, and we are the vessels. Not for one footstep do we want this to be about us. The best way we know to avoid that is prayer. Constantly looking to him to guide us each step of the way.

2015 looks big for us. We anticipate it’s a huge year of relationship building and discipleship. We anticipate there will be a move for our family. We anticipate that our little community group – or maybe two community groups soon – could turn into a little church service. We anticipate 2015 will be a year of loving our neighbors – really loving them.

With the above as a lens, we will leave you with this thought. We look at those of you reading this blog as our support network. We know many of you are already praying for us, and we beg you to continue and remember us in prayer. We so appreciate that, and it’s exactly what we need – now and as we continue. Specifically, please pray for the specific people God is calling us to reach this year. Pray for the timing of when we should move. Pray for God’s wisdom and leading. Pray for additional people to join our core team. Pray for the transition for our kids and for personal friends for them and for us. Over the break, we got some work done around the business side of starting a church. We are officially incorporated in the state of Colorado, we have a PO Box, we have our Constitution drafted and are working through our bylaws. We have a checking account and can officially start accepting donations. Even though we plan to start this ministry out of our home, we have hopes down the road to move to a coffee shop or other community-oriented location. Of course it will take funding to get there. We’d humbly ask you to pray about whether God is leading you to support this mission. Monthly or one-time gifts would be equally appreciated. We can accept checks made out to Fringe Church as well as donations through Paypal via the link on the right. And yes, any donations will be tax deductible and statements provided. Thank you in advance for your love and support.

May you have a blessed 2015 where each step you take is in God's will.