Lou’s visit last weekend at GV reminded me of a couple of things tohold on to as we consider our future at GV. They revolve around keywords: humility, new beginnings, openness, and leadership.

Humility. The ability to own ‘what is’ and admit the truth takes couragefrom the Father. Most churches, like people, often come to admitthings only after it’s too late to affect needed change (think of failedmarriages). Failures should be acknowledged, missteps named forwhat they are, and fruitless paths abandoned. The Remmel church beganto turn around when they owned “what wasn’t working”– humblyjettisoning certain of their “wineskins” that were no longer conveyingthe mission and message of “the new wine” of Jesus!

New beginnings. “What once was” gives way to “what will be.”While building on the past and sifting our history for what is of value tothe vision God has given us, we look to a different future. Tweakingthe old gives way to re-imagining our future, as we are lead into it bythe Father.

Openness. Willingness to be commanded - even if we go (as Lou describedsome of the ministries they got involved with), “kicking andscreaming!” No master plan on their part. Simply open and availableto the Spirit’s leading into new paths of community service. You’llhear about 8 areas your leaders sense God has been leading us into andblessing at GV.

Leadership. Point men and women who want to be ‘difference makers’among us at GV. Folks who see in front of us opportunities forministry. Leaders who have passion for taking a piece of the visionand living it out… with followers. Leaders– who if nothing else– helpall of us stay out of the way of God working in and through us!To God be the glory!

Van

Our elders, deacons, and administrative team have had a couple of ‘stimulating’ meetings as we seek to live think out and live out the Father’s purposes among us at GV. PLEASE pray for this ongoing undertaking…that all of us will not become ‘weary’ as we plod through this process! All of us recently read a book, Making Vision Stick, by Andy Stanley. His last page summary:

It will always be difficult to make vision stick. After all, vision is about creating something new—something that should be, but won’t be, without someone’s dogged determination to see it through to the end. If God has given you a picture of what could be and should be, embrace it fully and refuse to allow the busyness and urgency of life to distract you. Whether it’s a business, educational, or spiritual endeavor, do what it takes to make your vision stick.

Making your vision stick requires bold leadership. It will require you to develop a healthy intolerance for those things that have the potential to impede your progress. All the leaders I’ve met have mental pictures of what could and should be for their organizations, but now every leader is willing to pay the price to turn his or her ideas into reality. It takes more than imagination the passion to make what could be and should be into what is. Seeing a vision become a reality requires more than a single burst of energy or creativity. It requires daily attention. Daily commitment.

If you are consumed with the tension between what is and what could be…if you find yourself emotionally involved…frustrated…brokenhearted…maybe
even angry about the way things are…if you believe that God is behind your anguish…then chances are you are on the brink of something divine, something too important to abandon.
Pay the price. Embrace the vision. Do whatever it takes to make your vision stick!

Amen and amen!

Of all Sundays to get slammed with a bug!  I hate I missed our Valentine Love of a Different Kind effort last Sunday.  But notwithstanding my issues, 120 or so of you ate pizzas, got directional briefing, divided up, loaded up, and caravanned to downtown Indy.  Why?  To see the Colts roll?  No.  To attend a concert?  No.  Why give up a chunk of your Valentine Sunday: to be available to God in meeting and ministering in some small way to the homeless in downtown Indy.

I do not know of any church of this size– or larger, for that matter– that would have 120 adults and kids willing to step up and do this.  No, it wasn’t everything that we might have hoped for, and many of you were disappointed that you did not get to meet and serve in person some of the homeless.  But all who have shared with me appreciated the “field trip” and the experience of touring the shelter, or meeting Eric and hearing about his amazing ministry to the homeless.  Some of you did indeed describe your en-counters under the bridges….and how it touched you deeply.

Enormous thanks to Mitchell, who helped me plan and organize the day.  And thanks to all of you who pitched in to help him “improvise in the field.”  Your spirit is outstanding!

We have all been reminded that, even as we seek to serve God outside the walls of the church building, we hold our plans and expectations “lightly”– trusting the Father to do what He will do and what needs to be done in the moment.  Our task is, as always– to be open and available.

You guys remind me of what Paul said about the Thessalonians.

Every time we think of you, we thank God for you.  Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.  It is clear to us, friends that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.
1 Thessalonians 1: 2-4  The Message

Van

February 7th

Ever wonder what the football team does in the locker room at half-time? For starters,the meeting lasts about 20 minutes. They do rapid assessment of what happened in the 1st half….. What’s working and what’s not working. They refine the game plan they’ve been using– or if necessary, scrap it and put in something totally new. Also, at half-time a determination is made as to who “can go” in the 2nd half. Who has the heart and the health to get back on the field. And yes– sometimes personnel changes are made and misslotted players are given new positions and assignments for the 2nd half.

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 7th, right after service, we are having a 20 minute half-time meeting in our locker room here at Green Valley (a.k.a. old auditorium). This will be for all deacons and ministry leaders. We will do 2 things:

(1) Begin to sketch out a new game plan for ministry at GV. You will be given great input on the shaping of this. More on this later.

(2) Find out from each deacon and ministry leader if you are “up” for another half. Maybe you are spent and need a break. Maybe, you just need new direction with your “position on the team” (i.e., your ministry). Or perhaps, you feel the tug to a whole new role on the squad (I know… I’m over-working the football metaphor, right?!)

Whatever you decide about continuing as a “player” at GV, know 2 things:

(1) The game plan will change! Time for a new approach. No need to rehash the “1st half.” We know it didn’t work. New day. New strategy. New opportunities for you.

(2) Your commitment is needed. Will you suit up and be a player at GV? Do you need a break? Either answer is ok. What is NOT ok is slopping along with indifference.

The real point is that, like the Colts in the Super Bowl– the game is won or lost in the 2nd half! We need just a few who are committed. Will you help be a ‘game-changer’ here at Green Valley?!