7 Lessons I’ve learned this first year:

Lesson 2

The joy of community. For years Joanie and I dreamed of being part of a community of believers (in Silverton) that loved God, wanted go deeper in Christ, and to reach out in His name. I’ve never been a part of a church like this. People genuinely care about each other, pray for each other, and are trying to live life for Him. Some of the community stuff is radical and amazing, but usually it is so simple. Our family came home from a vacation this summer to a de-thawed freezer. All the food ruined. I didn’t even tell anyone, but the next day members from the church (who had heard about it somehow) stopped by with a freezer full of food to give us. We have friends and co-laborers right where we live who have accepted us and become our good friends. Super cool. And it is a sheer joy to walking with this group and growing in Him together. Amazing.

7 Lessons I’ve learned this first year:

Lesson #1:

Death is all around us. I know it sounds morbid, but it’s true. I had never even thought about this but within the first three months of church planting I had performed 2 funerals. I knew that pastors did that sort of thing, but I never even had that on my radar as something I would be doing. We had friends diagnosed with cancer. We saw addicts return to their old habits, financial collapse, and much more. The weight of life taking it’s toile. Listen, I learned this year that life is hard, and we all hurt. And if it weren’t for a merciful and loving God, I’d have no place to take the pain of pastoring. There is hurt everywhere, but there is also life, and I have learned more this year than ever that He is the source of life and I/we will cling to Him.

What went wrong tonight?

This evening I had one of those moments where in worship I totally biffed it! :) We were singing 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman, and I went up an octave at one pint only to find I could not come back down for a whole chorus! Painful! I was so out of tune vocally I think it sounded like a dying Yak. But you know what, I felt like God was there in the moment. This moment of me pushing my way into His song. He reminded me that it's about Him, and we need to fall into His presence, that I need to just dial down and really focus on Him. From there I slowed down and our church entered into some really sweet worship. I love it when God loving reminds us of the right priorities, and that He is in control and He gets the glory.

A Deep Cry.

This week I have been moved deep in my heart to pray for our church. All week long I've been praying over and over for our members. I talked on Saturday about Hosanna and in the Hebrew how this word was originally a cry to be saved, and this theme keeps reverberating in my spirit. God would you save us! Save us from ourselves, save us to be Yours! I keep finding myself taken back to a place that aches for the restoration of the lives of the people in our church. For us to be freed in Him so that when we cry out Hosanna, it is both a cry to Be Saved, and a celebration of the salvation we have in Him. Our church NEEDS one thing, and that is Him. Take us deeper. Ignite a flame. Let us walk with You.

Last weekend our Core group met to check in and review our first 6 months. It was awesome! We had a great time of worship and prayer, then dove into how we're doing and where we're going. I am absolutely amazed at the men and women I get to "do the stuff" with in this church plant. They have such amazing hearts for God to meet the people that are being drawn in to our church. They are a group of people who love God and long to see the Kingdom of God advancing here and now. We got some stuff to work on, that's certain, but for the most part there was a consensus that we are on the right direction. :) I love it! If you're checking out this blog I want to give you a link to an incredible resource; http://www.vineyardusa.org/site/church-planting-audio

I have been diving into lots of old Vineyard stuff, and if you can get your hands on the Cost of Discipleship by John Wimber, it will be SO worth your time.

Blessings,

Benson

The Times they are a moving, quickly

So the last several weeks at EVVC we've been consentrating on being intentional to think about the death and resurrection of Jesus. On Saturday nights we have walked through ideas like giving up or giving in, confession, devotion and this week humility. For this season of Lent I opened my big mouth and was challenged to give up one of first loves, coffee. And this has been an absolutely wonderful and grounding experience for me personally. Time is flying by here, and there's a ton of stuff on my plate to do. Seems like it's hard to even catch my breath, or turn my mind off. BUT then there's this Lent thing, and I am not kidding, multiple times a day, I want some coffee and then I stop to think. I take a deep breath, and I think about the cross, that Jesus gave it all for me, and I find moments of centeredness and deep calm. Reflecting on the price that was paid seems to be impacting my heart, and despite the rush of life there are pockets of grace throughout my day. :) May you experience His presence and find the moments to reflect on His great love for you

Tomorrow is the Start of Lent :)

So tomorrow is the beginning of the Lent season. I wonder what people will choose to set aside so that they can intentionally focus on God? I am excited for our church community. I am praying and believing that as we give up and in to Him we will find new life. Ready Church? Here we go. :)

Blessings,

Benson