it's been 3 months

Well, I committed to wait on God...it has been so worth it. Church planting just took a big step forward. A small church that was on the verge of closing has voted to turn over assets and charitable status to be used for a church plant under my leadership. Two of the leaders from this church (I know them both well) have committed to join my launch team. We still have many months of hard work ahead, but we just took one really big step forward. We are now praying for others to join our launch team, if you know of anyone in the Niagara area that would be interested in joining, please contact me at thefallz@gmail.com

be still

Be still and know that I am God. That's what I am really getting a hold of over the last few weeks. It has been so good to attend a church where no one really knows me...except God that is. It has been refreshing to hear from Him and ponder what He has for me. It has been good to really focus on my family and make sure I am caring for them. Rest from ministry is a good thing, something I have not truly done in about 10 years...yes I've taken vacations...but this is different. I don't have to go back Monday morning...it is so refreshing. Will I reengage into ministry?Absolutley...when it's God's timing. Maybe a month and maybe few more than that. When I do jump in I know it will be in God's timing. Be still and know that I am God. It's good to know that he has things in control...and I can be still.

hey there

Been a little busy lately. Last week was the first full week doing carpet cleaning. Had a good week and learned a lot. I have been able to work with my son on some jobs and that has been really rewarding. I am thankful for the time we have spent together.

Today I attended a church here in town, it was so refreshing. No one knew me...at least anyone who knew me didn't see me (I slipped in and slipped out). It was great to just been known by God and sit back and let Him speak. This is the first time in almost 10 years that I felt like I was able to really totally relax in church. I'm not complaining about ministering over the last decade...it was just different and good.

I think these next couple months will be really good...I'm excited to see God work.

faces

Have you taken time lately to look into the faces of those in the grocery store, at Walmart or the mall...be careful not to stare they may call the police. Seriously though, people are hurting. This past weekend I was out doing the shopping thing and I was overwhelmed at the emptiness in so many people's faces.

My prayer is that God will never allow me to become use to the empty look on the faces of so many in my community.

"Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." Mark 2:17 NLT

We can't get comfortable...there are too may sin sick people.

take the next hill

One week left at my current church and then I'm a bi-vocational church planter....launcher. I've got my carpet cleaning business ready to roll, as a matter of fact I've done two cleaning jobs already. Over the next few months I will focus on my business and do ground work for the new church.
I was at Walmart last night and I just marveled at the great need...so many people hurting and in need of a relationship with the Savior. 80 % of churches in Canada are stagnate or in decline. Church at the Falls will be positioned to make a difference in lives and to encourage and equip other planters. Canada will be impacted only after churches get the big picture and realize we need to step up planting and roll out a bunch of churches.Let's take the next hill for Him.

mother's day

Happy Mother's Day! Here's some thoughts about my mom...

I know that my mom prays for me and loves me even if no one else does...and I do know there are others. The point is, mom is always there. There to listen and encourage, there to say a kind word and there to believe in me (even when I'm a little off my rocker). Thanks mom for modeling Jesus for me.
The really great part about my life is that I not only have a mom who fits the above description, but I also have a wonderful wife who is all of the above to my children.
I think the following verse sums it up best for both my mom and wife.
"Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Proverbs 31:28-29 NLT

life and hurt go together

One thing I have learned in my life, hurt happens. Hurt happens by the ignorance of others, hurt happens when others purposely hurt, hurt happens when others have no idea they are caused hurt, hurt happens because we do dumb things, hurt happens because we live in a fallen world. I'm reminded that, when my Savior hung on the cross his heart broke. You know...why should I marvel when at times my heart hurts. My heart is far from breaking like my Savior's did, but none the less there are times when this world throws stuff our way. What do we do when this happens...remember that the Savior who lay in the grave, broken hearted and all, rose on the third day. There is hope, there is healing and there is a reason that each of us presses on. Jesus Jesus Jesus...the greatest name of all. So many need to hear about Him. There is hope for the broken hearted.

Please know that I do not minimize any hurt you may be going through, but what other hope do we have outside of Jesus?

faith

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Another week has flown by and steps are being taken to set up my carpet cleaning business. My hope and prayer is that this business will not only provide the financial support for my church launch, but will also be a way to serve people and connect with the community. Wow! I just can't get my head around how all this will come to pass,(I mean I have planned and thought it through) but ultimately it's about faith. God has a good plan for my life and for Church at the Falls, my responsibility is to take steps of faith each day. Steps that seek Him and follow his plan. Will there be mistakes along the way? Yes. Will there be challenges? Yes. Will there be incredible God moments? Yes. Will there be lives impacted? Yes.
Again, it's God's plan, God's time and His church. I need to keep that focus... because fear, doubt and humanity can crowd in regularly.

Church at the Falls is about real people and real faith...God's working on that in my own life:-)

busy busy

It's 11:20 pm and the day has just blasted by. I did my training today for my carpet cleaning business, that went real well. Getting ready to do the bi-vocational bit as I head toward planting. Lots on my mind, just trying to slow down and hear God. I have the tendency to run ahead too quick and then of course I have to slow down and do some listening.

Thanks for those that are praying and helping. One day closer to launching Church at the Falls.

got a cold

I guess I caught a cold...started feeling kinda crumby yesterday and feel even worse today. You know, having a cold reminds me how human I am and how much I need God. I'll get over this cold, but one thing I couldn't get over on my own was the sickness that all humans have. That is the sickness that sin placed upon mankind. The good news....God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son to die for all of us and pay the price for our sin. That means if we individually accept that payment, our sin sickness is taken care of. Not to say we won't struggle with sin any longer, but we will have payment made by Jesus that will forgive every sin...past, present and future. My cold will come to pass in a few days, but I trust it is just another little reminder of how much people need God and that without Him we are a mess.

Dream Stage

Here's some of the stuff from the Purpose Driven Church Planting Conference I 've been working through.


1. Developing a clear vision for the church.

• Vision is God driven. The vision must come from God
• Vision is a picture of what the future church will look like.
• A church vision may be 3 months down the road or 3 years, but a planter must of a vision of the future of the church.

My vision is for a church where people can be real and can find biblical answers for their life. I see a place where teaching, singing and all we do is done with relevance and excellence. I desire Church at the Falls to be a place where people want to come and where the want to bring their friends. A church that reaches people and then helps them fulfill their God given purpose. A church that makes a differences in the community. A church that makes planting new churches part of its very DNA.

2. Determine the purpose of the church.

• Establish a purpose statement.
• A purpose statement needs to be short, clean and memorable.

Church at the Falls Purpose Statement: Church at the Falls exists to journey with people to faith in Christ and to help them live their full God given purpose.

3. Create a list of core values.

• Values will define the churches culture and its uniqueness among the other churches in your area.
• Core values are the non-negotiable of the church.
• Values are not what we say, but what we do.

Church at the Falls Core Values:

all people matter to God
authenticity (being real) is celebrated
everyone has a ministry
people reach people
applicational teaching leads to life change
we value excellence and relevance
care and life change happens in life groups (small groups)

I'll share more tomorrow about the Stage 1 of planting.

saturday

For all those considering planting...this is not for the faint at heart, but it's a lot of fun. If you think about planting, be ready to persevere and put your nose to the grindstone. Be ready to keep the picture of the neediness of your community right in front of you, that'll keep ya goin.

Next week I start my "tent making". Funny thing I told a friend that I was going to be a tent maker like Paul. She thought I was serious about the tent making and questioned whether I would sell many tents. I explained that "tent making" meant working a job to support myself while we plant the church.(here I am mister communicate in a culturally relevant way using a term that is not culturally relevant...serves me right) I'm not going to mention who said tents wouldn't sell, but I have laughed several times this week when thinking about it...thanks for the honest response...it was funny. Any how, I do my carpet cleaning training next week and will work on it part time for the next month and then full time from June on.

Saturday's are great...especially when they are sunny and warm. So here I am sitting at the computer thinking about how great it is outside...why am I still sitting here? See Ya....

the journey continues

Had a great meeting with my first potential launch team member. We talked a lot about philosophy of ministry, the how's, when's and where. Overall a great meeting. We plan to meet again next week after taking some time to pray about each other and whether it may be a fit.
I have also begun the journey of recruiting individuals to be trustees. The trustees will be part of the application for charitable status and also be the accountability factor for all financial records. I plan to use The Canadian Council of Christian Charities to handle the application for charitable status, this will insure we get the process done properly.
Each step is exciting, all part of the bigger picture of reaching the people of Niagara Falls.

Parenting...did I forget to read the label?

Why is parenting so difficult? Just when ya think ya got it figured out, bam another test comes along. I had to apologize to my son this evening and confess that I'm still learning how to parent. One thing I do know, keeping the lines open by admitting when your wrong is one thing that will help preserve the parent teen relationship.

Every opportunity I get to talk to parents with little kids I tell them wait till the teen years. After all, everyone said that to me when my kids were young the least I can do is share the truth with others. The reality...parenting is great and I wouldn't trade my kids for anything.

Life's an adventure...just step out and find out for yourself.

Commitment

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creativity), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then God moves too..." ~ W.H. Murray; Early Himalaya Explorer

I couldn't help but include the above quote in my blog today. It captures the reality of all that we have experienced and all that I believe we will experience. God is at work in my life personally, in our family and in the very early stages of Church at the Falls.

As I mentioned I will be looking for employment to support our family as we work toward planting. Actually, I'm looking no longer! Over the last number of weeks I have considered starting a carpet cleaning business and now have made the right contacts. This is just another one of the answers to prayer we have seen on our planting journey. I am excited to see how God will use this business to provide for our family and to allow me to make in roads in people lives.

Remember I said planters need to be a little crazy....well starting business and working toward a new church is a little crazy...a good crazy.

Wow

Today was a WOW day. Someone stopped by to see me and gave me the name of a guy from Niagara Falls who may want to be part of a church plant. I called him and we are meeting on Thursday. I was just praying this morning about God providing in the unlikely ways...he did.

Note to all parents...do not try to take your child to the doctor right after school because everyone and their brother has the same idea. Two hours in the doctors office is more than I can handle. Note to self...next time get the last appointment of the day and then arrive late.

Good Day

First Sunday at Harbour that people knew we would be leaving. Had a very good day. Many affirming comments. I think some people think we are crazy...but that's a good thing. Crazy is good when your a church planter.

We're off and running!

April 22, 2006
This is so exciting. Over the last several months we have been praying about launching a new church in Niagara Falls, ON. What seemed like a dream is a little closer now. On May 26 I will be leaving my position at Harbour Fellowship Church and beginning the journey of establishing a new church called Church at the Falls. Part of the journey is seeking employment or self-employment to support my family during the preparation and early stages of the plant. The task before me seems daunting at times, but a firm realization that God is leading this quickly puts this in perspective.
My desire is to establish a new church that is outreach focused. A church, where those who don’t have a church or for that matter don’t know what church is all about can come and hear the truth of God’s word taught in a practical life changing way. I also see this church as a haven for those who have been displaced from the church by hurt or rejection.
The need in Canada is great for new churches that are reaching out. The current church statistics clearly indicate that we are in great need. 80% of existing churches are not growing or in decline. The evangelical church across our country is only growing by 1.6%, that means we are not even reaching our own kids. The good news, church plants are making a difference.

You can be praying for Church at the Falls in the following ways:

• Wisdom for Brandon as the visionary leader.
• Strength and endurance for our family as we step out in faith.
• Strength to face the many challenges along the way.
• Employment for Brandon that will work well with the plant.
  Financial needs for new church.
• People that share the same vision to join the launch team.
• Clarity as to the right start date.
• For God to begin working in the lives of those that we will encounter through Church at the Falls.

Your prayer support is appreciated so much.

Planting has been a crazy ride so far. I'm sure I'll have lots to say.