a church planters ramblings

I have a new blog

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:16:00 +0000

My new Blog(s):

http://divineinthedaily.blogspot.com/
http://ejmphotos.blogspot.com/

Axis is Closing its Doors

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:40:00 +0000

After 16 months, Axis Community Church is closing its *doors.

A wise person once told me that if you aren't able to raise money or recruit people then you shouldn't plant a church.

I wasn't able to raise enough money nor was I able to recruit enough people.

Most likely, this will be my last post here.

THE END.

---Joe Green

*Doors: If WE are the church, then the church doesn't really have doors to close.

The Axis Home Page

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:40:00 +0000

This is a screen shot of the Axis website that I put up a few minutes ago. Not a lot of answers right now. Click it to visit.

Shots for Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:51:00 +0000

A Church in Madera (The Ranchos for you locals) has been handing out free shot glasses at local bars as a way to get people to their church.

Read the article here.

The shot glasses read something like, "Give us a Shot" and it gave church contact information. The Chasers Bar on Avenue 12 gave the shot glasses away when people ordered a shot and requested the glass. The owner reported selling more shots than normal.

What do you think about this?

I've talked to people who think that it's "enabling" and "contributory" and thus might NOT be the best idea. I've also talked to people who love the concept and have no issues with it whatsoever.

I will remain neutral for the moment. What do you think about this? Is it wrong? Does it seem to condone or enable unhealthy behavior? Does it contribute toward alcoholism, drunkenness, or drunk driving?

ADDENDUM: Somebody asked me a good question, "Does 1Corinthians 8:9 come into play here?"

By the way, the local church isn't the only church to do this recently. Watch this Fox News report.

Starbucks and AT&T

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:54:00 +0000

During my breakfast this morning, I browsed news articles and I discovered a story that makes me happy. Starbucks is ending a 6 year deal with T-mobile and is now teaming up with AT&T to offer wi-fi.

Because I'm already an AT&T customer, I get wi-fi for free at Starbucks now.

I now have access to 17,000 wi-fi hotspots in the United States. The most by any carrier.

Read more here:

Gods Grace For Me

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 07:05:00 +0000

"Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world around me;

And with tomorrow begins another.

Why am I allowed two?"

- G.K. Chesterton

What Eddie Said Today

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:31:00 +0000

Playing in the Park
Originally uploaded by Joe and Sarah.

Today, while driving in the car, John Mayers song, "Waiting on the World to Change" was playing on the radio. Eddie asked mom to turn it up.

Then he said, "When I grow up, I don't want to wait on the world to change. He's grown up and he's waiting on the world to change".

Just thought I'd share.

"I'm Lovin' It!" - McChurch Franchise?

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:42:00 +0000

Eddie Johnson, Lead pastor at Cumberland Church is suggesting that we "franchise" church.

"Just like a Chick-fil-A, my church is a 'franchise,' and I proudly serve as the local owner/operator."

"No more late night sermon prep or “cramming” for me. As a video church pastor who speaks only a few times a year, I show up Sunday to “pray and push play” baby!! I’ve regained my life on Saturdays…and I ain’t lookin’ back."

In Pastor Eddies defense, it would be nice of me to point you to his original words/thoughts on the topic, in context.

Is this the future of the American church? The Mega-Church brand found in every city with the pastor as your local owner/operator?

Another Photo Get's Used.

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:23:00 +0000

This is the latest in a recent slew of photos of mine being used in blogs around the blog-o-sphere.

The composition of the photo isn't that strong, I only like it because she sticks out her tongue when she's concentrating (just like I do).

Anyway, you can view the blog that used the picture HERE. It's called, "Parents and Money". If they were writing an article about Hope's ACTUAL parents, then it would be titled, "Parents with no Money".

Just thought I'd share. Have a good day.

Launch Team Meeting #3

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:36:00 +0000

Eleven of us Gathered in Room 203 for the 3rd Launch Team Meeting.

We started on time. Yes, folks we started on time.

We heard from Amy (regarding Kids Church) and Heather (regarding the "Connection Team") - both of these talented ladies are trying to form TEAMS of people to drive these necessary systems. So, please, please get involved.

I blasted through "defining the launch team" and basically said the following...

"The main purpose of this team is outward focused toward the future church. It is a team of committed individuals who will work together to prepare for and execute an effective launch.

The Launch team is a temporary team in existence only through the Launch Day."

Lastly we brainstormed what could/should happen "Between the Sundays".
To set up the brainstorming session, I mentioned some of the phrases that characterize our church.

Church isn't a building
Church isn't a meeting on Sundays.
Church is people learning to love others and God
We want to be/build authentic community

With that in mind, here are some of the things that came up in that session. Anything in BOLD came up multiple times in different small groups. Please comment, if you'd like to add to the list

Game nights
Dinners @ homes - weekly
Bible studies: some specifics- video based ones, marriage (Love and Respect), a study that helps define "reasons to believe".
Play Dates - moms with kids
Theology Pub- poor some beer, pic a topic and discuss... can be done at homes or in bars/pubs
Movies and theology nights
Conferences and Seminars
service projects - local missions
Saturday breakfasts, studies
Dinners for Six
Community Activities like Sporting Games and Concerts

What else? what has been a rich experience for you in your past that's not on this list? You don't even have to be part of the infamous Launch Team to contribute here.

A Jazz Bistro

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:14:00 +0000

A travel website: www.gosanfransiscocard.com used one of my photos. Check it out here.

To see the photo on my flickr site, then go here.

If you are like like live jazz music, then you'd like .

Just thought I'd share.

My Birthday Blog - an open letter

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:51:00 +0000

I've often thought about turning the whole "give-me-gifts-for-my-birthday" thing upside down. What if the birthday person planned their own birthday party, but instead of the party being for themselves, what if the honored guests were every one in attendance EXCEPT for the birthday person?

I mean, instead of receiving gifts and being myopic on this special day, what if we gave gifts and cards to those around us who make life worth living.

Personally speaking, my life is more of a wonderful adventure than a simple existence. It's people like you who have influenced, taught, and inspired me... and in a very real way, you've helped me to become who I am today.

photo: birthday card from my daughter, given after the breakfast she helped to make for me. (click picture for more birthday photos)

You have made me laugh and made me cry. You've taught me about faith, love and hope. You have helped me grow in patience and long-suffering (you know who you are), and that's not really a bad thing at all! You've spurred me on to accomplish things I never thought I could. You've gently stopped me from doing things that I shouldn't. You have made my life enjoyable, fulfilling and worth living.

You've hugged me when I've needed one. You've challenged me when I didn't ask for your help. You've pushed me to do what I said I'd do. You've sent birthday, Christmas and random cards - even when I don't send them back. You've given money and gifts and shown me generosity at the most significant and unexpected times.

You've called me on the phone, sent e-mails or asked me questions and I haven't replied. Your patience is inspiring.

You've let me try to lead you, to teach you and correct you. That's risky. You're brave.

You've trusted me with your children and you've let me be part of your weddings, births, and deaths. You're brave.

You've lived in my house or let me live in yours... either way, thank you. You've let me into your families, your poker games and around your dinner tables.

You've allowed me to worship with you.

photo: that's me at my birthday breakfast. (click picture for more birthday photos)

You've been my mom, dad, brother, sister, pastor, mentor, boss, and friend. You've nursed me when I was sick. You changed my diaper when I was young and somebody reading this may change my diaper when I'm old(er).

You put up with my various incarnations of immaturity. You've put up with my bad hair days... remember my afro? Remember my 'tail'? How long did I have that goatee and why did I ever wear pants that tight or shorts that short? And what was with that hot pink tank top in the late 80's? Maybe those things are your fault?

If you are reading this, then you probably have affected my life in someway or another. Thank you.

I'm trying to say that my birthday celebration is more about you than it is about me. I'm not going to buy you all gifts this year (no promises about next year, either). I'm trying to say that you are what makes my birth bearable. You make my life a "LIFE!". Without you, this day is forgettable. Because of you, I am 37.

Launch Meeting TWO

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Last Week 11 of us gathered into room 203 at THIS church building and 'pondered' church. Outoud.

As a Leader, I know that a certain amount of discussion and input goes a long way in building team cohesiveness, but what I didn't know that our 'pondering' would take up the entire meeting time!

Although, we won't have the same type of meeting this coming week, last weeks meeting was quite significant to many of us. To use the words in the video we saw that night, I'd say our meeting helped our "hearts to beat more and more like God's heart". Hearts beating more like God's heart will go a LONG WAY towards the success of a church-plant!

After watching the video in the NOOMA series titled, "Sunday" we asked the question, "When it comes to church, what do you think God had in mind?". Here's a very quick summary of a very long and rich conversation

It's supposed to be personal, not just something to "watch" happen
It's about being connected, like a body
It's not about formal rituals, not about being "talked at", but "talked with"
More like a team than a hierarchy
Church should go out and do more things - show the way, not just talk about it!
It should put Jesus first, 'lift' him up, and feature him, not a 'show'.
It shouldn't just be about 'self-help' - we don't need church to learn about that, we need church to revolve around Jesus and his ways.
The people at the meetings should be excited, not boring.
There's a large group of people who are really interested in Jesus, but are really turned off by the church (I dream about a church that can actually affect our culture in such a way that people won't make the distinction between Jesus and the church).

See you Sunday at 6pm?

Love ya,

Joe

p.s. Below is a clip of the video that we watched. If you'd like to borrow my copy, I'd be more than willing to let you.

Join our Launch Team?
By 2020 our population in Fresno is projected to grow by 362,000 people. If we were to provide a church for only 10% of the new growth, we will need 72 new churches with 500 members.

No county in America has more Christians in it today than it did 10 years ago. Church planting is the most biblical way of evangelism. The Church is God’s plan for a broken and lost world.

Even though church planting is extremely important and significant, you don’t need any special skills to join this church planting team. We are looking to increase the size of this team every single day until we ‘launch’ in May.

Cheesburger Face

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Tonight at dinner, my daughter Hope said one of her many random comments.

She said, "If my face was a cheesburger, I'd eat my face all day long."

We were eating spaghetti. She makes me smile.

Just thought I'd share.

Hope turns seven years old tomorrow.

Launch Team Meeting ONE

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:59:00 +0000

Among other things, 13 of us spent time dreaming out loud what church could/should be.

Some of the thoughts:

A place where opinions/dialogue matters. Not simply told what to believe and blindly go with that.
A place where there is teamwork... everybody, not just a few, moving toward the goals.
A place where you know you're missed when you're not there. A place where you'll find people going through the same things as you. Imperfect people bringing what they DO have to offer and getting involved
a place for reality and honesty
Accountability... where someone will call you and ask you what you're doing.
Church should be a place you act the same as you do when you're home. Not a place where you "get conservative" and "fake" to attend, only to be 'normal' the rest of the week.
TRUTH. The message. The plain, uncompromising truth in the scriptures. Church should be a place for that.
A place the values and emphasizes kids and family
A place for creativity
A safe place to not be perfect
Community - a place to journey together as much as possible. People shouldn't feel alone in the church. A place to connect, to carry other peoples loads and to be carried at times.

The Church is Beautiful. I expect us to spend more time dreaming about what Church could/should be, because the above might only scratch the surface.

We desire to tap into the brainpower and life experiences of those who will be part of The Launch Team. So, we broke into small groups and spent a short time asking the question, "How do we increase the amount of people on our Launch Team?" Here are some of the ideas.

1. Every group put emphasis on the “personal invitation” including use of all normal communication… e-mail, friends at work, etc.

2. Dinners for Six (this idea comes up about as often as a drummer!)

3. Message Boards – online (Myspace, etc.) and physical places like Colleges or laundry rooms

4. Using the 5,000 gifts idea and tweaking it so that it’s something like “5,000 reasons church should be amazing”.

5. Hang out where people hang out.

6. Invite a person with Church Planting experience to come into our meetings and suggest ways to increase the Launch Team

7. Speak with Churches

8. Christian Colleges like Fresno Pacific.

Thoughts? Comments? Anything to add?

What Are We Doing?!

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:11:00 +0000

As a young, new and non-traditional church, we have the luxury of unplugging for a season in order to Regroup, Reload, and Re-launch.

No, we’re not out of money. No, we didn’t forget to pay our rent at Kastner Intermediate School. No, we’re not on the verge of ‘shutting our doors’ for good. We simply get the chance to re-group and re-plan many things in order to best maximize our efforts at a successful church plant.

A short story: I was talking with an old friend at Starbucks (surprise, surprise) last Wednesday. He’s part of a brand new church. He was envious when he learned that we were going to back up and re-group. He wishes that his church would do a “bold move” (his words) like that. He feels like his church would be a better place, in the long run, if they had the luxury of stepping back to relook at some things.

My reason for telling this story is simply that although it’s risky to do what we’re doing (people might get the wrong impression) it’s good and wise to do what we’re doing at this stage of our development.

This time of pulling out of Kastner Intermediate School will allow us to do several things including:

Attempt to raise needed monies.
Attempt to find more people.
Train a Launch Team
Create needed indispensible, ongoing systems of organization.
Find a new and better location than our previous location
Plan a way to get the word out that we exist.

Ultimately we’d like to Re-launch Axis Community Church in a new facility in the near future (possibly Easter 2008).

Join us any Sunday night from 6:00-7:30 at Woodward Park Baptist Church for more information. Click here for map.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:46:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:51:00 +0000

What's on your Christmas list?

What do you wish for right now?

The Wild Pursuit of Mankind

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:26:00 +0000

The Wild Pursuit of Mankind
Originally uploaded by Joe and Sarah.

This Week At Axis.

Will you be there?

Update on my Daughter:

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:59:00 +0000

Just the other day, Hope rode her bike without training wheels for the first time! Notice how she sticks out her tongue when she concentrates? Her dad does that too.

First: Thank you VERY much for your concern and your prayers! Our prayers matter to God, and they matter to me.

THE LATEST NEWS:

The Echocardiogram: This test confirmed that Hopes heart is structurally normal. This is very good news.

Irregular Beats:
Hopes heart beats irregularly about 25% of the time. The irregularity happens mostly when she’s sleeping or resting. Currently, we do not know why this is happening.

Normally, the upper chambers of the heart will beat and then the lower chambers will follow. 25% of the time, Hopes lower chambers go “rogue”; meaning that they don’t wait for the upper chambers to beat. Thankfully, the lower chambers are strong enough that they are pushing enough blood so that Hope doesn’t feel faint or dizzy.

Next:
Soon we will go in for a more tests, including an exercise test. Sarah and I are hoping that we can get some answers as to “why?”

Please continue to pray for the medical costs. Because Sarah and I are planting a church, neither we nor the church currently have the finances to afford health insurance for our family. But, whether we have insurance or not, we are certain that God is our provider and we trust Him. This isn’t spiritual rhetoric. We truly trust God to supply our every need and that’s why we pray.

Note: we just got the first bill in the mail. Let me just say this – it’s not in the hundreds.

About our Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 02:54:00 +0000

IMG_9779
Originally uploaded by Joe and Sarah.
About our Daughter:

The Story: Late last week we took Hope in for a “Wellness Check”. The Nurse Practioner heard an irregular heartbeat and immediately referred us to a heart specialist at Children’s Hospital.

Yesterday (Tuesday) we took Hope to Children’s Hospital and met with Dr. Caton. His initial examination included and EKG and lots of listening with his stethoscope. He felt that Hopes heart was functioning properly, but that she probably has a mild “innocent” murmur. He wanted to monitor Hopes heart for 24 hours so, she was promptly hooked up to a Holter Heart Monitor which she carried around everywhere.

This morning, we returned the monitor to the doctor. I asked when we would hear about results of the monitoring. The answer was, “We will call you if there is something to report. No news is good news.”

Late this afternoon the phone rang. Hope answered it and informed Sarah that it was her doctor. Apparently there was news.

The News: There is something irregular happening when Hope is resting and/or sleeping.

This coming Monday we will be taking Hope back to Children’s Hospital for more testing. The testing will include an echocardiogram.

There is no diagnosis yet. The testing should produce a diagnosis soon.

The Parents: We are doing “all right”. We trust God. We are certainly different in how we are handling the news and the stress... Sarah says it’s simply the difference between men and women. Certainly we both are appropriately concerned. We’d be lying if we didn’t say there was some worry or anxiety involved on both our parts. Did I say yet that we trust God?

Besides Hopes heart, we are a bit concerned about the cost. We don’t have health insurance.

Prayers are welcomed, expected even.

We’ll keep you up to date as time goes on.

---joe

Taking Daughter to A Heart Specialist

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 23:03:00 +0000

Hope's EKG
Originally uploaded by Joe and Sarah.

Today we took Hope to Children's Hospital to see a heart specialist. I secretly whipped out my camera phone to snap this shot behind the nurse's back (literally). This picture is of hope during her EKG... there's about 25 wires attached to her right now.

The Doctor thinks that her heart is fine, but we'll know 'for sure' tomorrow after we take off the 24 hour heart monitor that she's wearing right now.

Thanks for praying

---joe

Response to an Inquiry

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:33:00 +0000

To: Me
From: Justin (in the deep south)

“Dude, your obsession with this 5,000 gifts thing is making me do a double take on it. Explain to me again what this is all about? Oh, and looking for an album recommendation from you...I've got iTunes cash that's burning a hole in my virtual pocket...and since you're in my musical parallel universe...”

Justin –

To summarize:
This 5000 gifts thing is birthed out of our small church’s desire to live lives of worship far beyond the Sunday Church thing. It’s birthed out of questions like, “If every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights, then what exactly are these good and perfect gifts? What would change in our lives and our church if we were to spend far more time than we are currently spending looking for God’s good gifts?”

To unpack it a little bit more:
In addition to questions like the ones above, we think the exercise of finding God in our daily lives would go a long way into shaping how we view God and how we approach the life He’s given. If God is always at work in this world, then there are infinite number of places (including “dark” places) that I can find God’s good works in operation and If I stop long enough to identify those places, then God get’s honor, glory, praise and worship… which just happens to be what I’m created for.

I think the spiritual practice of gratitude has often been underrated and overshadowed……wait, hold on, I’m trying keep myself in check… I’m feel a long-winded blog coming on. Focus, Joe, focus…

So, Justin, the 5000 gifts project is a place that we can collectively tell of all of God’s wonders (Psalms 9). We recognize that a collection of “Thank You’s” couldn’t possibly tell of all God’s Wonders, but it’s sure if fun trying! At some point, the idea came to shoot for a massive, global list that goes far beyond our little community.

As far as an album to purchase:
Here’s a few that I wish I could buy, but It’s a high possibility that you already have these (or don’t care to own)

Over The Rhine: Drunkards Prayer through the latest, “The trumpet Child“
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City
The Cure: Festival 2005
David Crowder Band: Remedy
Van Morrison: The Best of Volume 3
John Mayer Trio: Try – live
Angels and Airwaves: I-Empire
Sinead O Conner: Theology

I Will Not Be Silent

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:34:00 +0000

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God,
I will give you thanks forever.
~ Psalm 30:11-12

I'm loving the 5000 gifts project because it allows a whole bunch of us to be much less silent about God. It allows people from around the world to collect a list of the wonders of God for all to see!

It's about not being silent about what God has given. It's about living lives of gratitude. It's about stopping long enough to ponder every good gift that comes down from our father in Heaven (Read the book of James).

Would you like to join us? We're officially Massive (over 2,000 gifts listed). We're officially international (Canada, USA, New Zealand, and Guatemala). We officially think that 5,000 "thank you's" is way too little considering how absolutely amazing our God is!

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.
~ Psalms 75:1

I'm Grateful but That's not all I Feel

noreply@blogger.com (Divine in the Daily EJPhotography) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:10:00 +0000

I look at that picture, and immediately I'm grateful (to God) that that's not me or my family in that situation. That is certainly a good thing to be thankful for.

Gatitude isn't the only thing I feel. I feel guilty, like I'm not doing 'enough'. I feel selfish. I sense arrogance in me. I feel spoiled. I feel out of touch with reality.

How do you feel? What do photos like this cause you to think about?