A pastor’s words for the people he serves..

I have 3 autoimmune disorders: Fibromyalgia, Celiac Disease, and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Apparently, I lived with the disorders for many years before receiving correct diagnoses.
I control the Celiac disease by avoiding gluten. That’s pretty easy. But the other two disorders are more tricky.
Immunoglobulin A protects your mucus membranes – eyes, nose, mouth, respiratory system, and GI tract. But I don’t have enough of it for adequate protection. This means I get sick more often, more easily, and more severely than the average healthy person.
Fibromyalgia is a nuisance when you’re a pastor with two young kids, trying to re-start a church, planning for a large summer day camp ministry [after losing our very accomplished day camp director three weeks ago], and managing 5 churches and a funeral home sharing one aging facility.

But (usually), it’s no more than a “nuisance.” I live each day with varying degrees of chronic pain, muscle fatigue, drowsiness, and mental ‘fog.’ But I’ve had about 10 years to adjust. So most days are fine…until I get a “flareup.”
Fibromyalgia flareups differ with each person, but mine tend share the same symptoms of a severe cold, minus the fever: extreme muscle fatigue, severe mental fog, body aches, and lethargy.

When I get a flareup, I’m dead to the world. Forget whatever I planned or committed to do. It’s not happening.
Like most people with fibromyalgia, some of my flareups are predictable…happening after overdoing life. Some flareups come out of nowhere.
I woke up with a flareup Friday morning. It was bad. Really bad. It didn’t fully go away until Sunday morning. And it was predictable. All week I’d stayed up late working on my computer, or in bed working on my phone. I spent a few days working on renovation projects in a hot gym. I spent a lot of time in the heat working on the lawn, because I’m vain about how my lawn looks. Thursday morning, I suddenly resumed exercise after months of ‘not having time to exercise.’ Thursday afternoon, I drove to a conference an hour away. My friend had generously given me a free ticket. But on the way back, I probably had two-days-worth of calories in my fast food meal.

I ABSOLUTELY believe God can miraculously heal me of my illnesses. But I don’t think I want healing, at least not now. My bodily frailties are God’s gift to me until I learn an important Biblical concept… Sabbath.

Even though my thoughts spur me on to more and more work, my auto-immune disorders force me to keep Sabbath. If I were as healthy as my 31 year old body appeared from the outside, I could just keep working, and working, and working. Folks, that’s sinful.
My fibromyalgia flareups become the ‘Sabbaths’ I sinfully refuse to take. How unfortunate for my children, my wife, and myself that these Sabbaths do not help anyone but my physical body. My body finds rest, but my soul and my relationships do not.

My achy body, mental fog, and fatigue make concentration difficult. It’s nearly impossible to read my Bible or pray. I certainly can’t hold a quality conversations with my wife or play with my children. “Don’t bother daddy because he’s sick” is a common phrase during flareups.

God has a better way.

“Sabbath” is a recurring theme throughout the Christian Bible. God’s people (Jewish or Christian) have a long history of misunderstanding, ignoring, and dishonoring Sabbath. Throughout much of Scripture, “Sabbath” literally referred to the seventh day of the week. And this seventh day of the week was always supposed to be a day of rest. “Sabbath” and “Rest” are inextricably connected in the Bible. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, however, “rest” also becomes a place [hint: it’s also a Person ;)].

In the third chapter of Hebrews, the writer sets up a metaphor between the “Promised Land” and the concept of “Rest.” Chapter 4 starts connecting the dots:

“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1

“Now we who have believed enter that rest” Hebrews 4:3a

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10

My condition punishes my body every time I over work. It’s a physical reminder that Jesus has invited me to “rest from my works.”

Now, I’ve grown up in Protestant churches and received formal Biblical training at Protestant schools. I understand the doctrine that became a common catchphrase of Protestant Christianity… “Salvation by faith, not by works.”

I understand my works don’t save me (or do I?).

Yes, Jesus calls me to “rest” from a “salvation by works” mentality. But Jesus also calls me to rest from a “I can save it by my works” mentality. That mentality pushes me to over work:

I can save the church’s budget by my working harder in all things finance-related.

I can save our church’s image in the community by keeping a well-manicured Parsonage lawn.

I can save our summer day camp after losing our director.

I can save my family’s finances by bringing in more church members who give.

I can save my family’s finances by being a cheapskate.

I can save myself from leadership mistakes by attending one more church conference.

I can save refugees in the community who need help by personally furnishing their empty apartments.

I can save everything and everyone…until I can’t even get of bed.

Saving makes me sick.

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Christ, and Christ alone, can save. Christ saves churches, church budgets, ministries, families, and people. So, the smart pastor would only “do the work he sees the Father doing.”

Christ, therefore, calls me to rest from my works. My work is heavy, burdensome, and leads to unnecessary illness. Christ’s work “is easy and his burden light.”

What will it look like to only do the work Christ would have me do? I’m not entirely sure. But here’s a few guesses:

1. More prayer…prayer for help from others, prayer for wisdom on what work to do, prayer to know what I should leave undone, etc.
2. More Bible reading – I’m not the first God-follower to faces similar situations. I should see how God advised them and how they responded.
3. Working on tasks because God wants them completed, not because I (or others) want them completed. If I’m about to begin a task motivated out of fear, stress, peer-pressure, etc., I should pause and pray for direction.

God taught me this with two important lessons this week:

1. Yet, another, flareup caused by over work and
2. an unexpected $500 donation

While attending that conference an hour away from home on Friday, I saw a friend. We started talking about our summer day camp. Then, she suddenly surprised me with a $500 check for the church. That evening, and the next day as I rested in bed, God graciously reminded me of that check. God has the power to provide for our EVERY need. My hard work leads to exhaustion. Jesus’ work often leads me away from the crowds, into solitary places where I am refreshed and rested in God’s presence. The only work I need ever do is to follow Jesus.

Only Jesus has the power to save. Only Jesus can give me rest.

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1 Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

2 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

3 Come not in terrors, as the King of kings;
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings:
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea;
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.

4 I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.

5 I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness:
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Abide With Me! Fast Falls the Eventide, 

Henry Frances Lyte, 1793 – 1847

Want to read an amazing story about a loving God? Keep reading. 

I’m often asked (as recently as Sunday) how my family survives on my small pastor’s salary and how our church, filled with many poor members, can afford to serve so many poor in our community… especially since we never ask for money. In addition to my pastor’s salary and living in the church-owned house, my family is supported by generous extended family and friends, and the government (including food stamps and Medicaid). I also receive a stipend from another job, where my boss refuses to fire me for my poor job performance! God has provided our every physical need and given us a comfortable life. I’ve shared in detail on my blog how God has miraculously provided for my family. 

But today, I’ll share some events showing how God provides all our church needs to serve the people He wants us to serve. And God provides without us begging for money:

I recently posted on Facebook that I wanted to buy a used crib for an Iraqi refugee family. I met Gaaith and his pregnant wife when our church met at the park. They are from Baghdad. Now read how God worked…

My friend Christina read the Facebook post and tagged her friend Melody. I was looking to BUY a crib, but Melody offered the crib and mattress for FREE. I had never met Melody until today, when I picked up the crib from her house. 

I drove to Melody’s house in our church van, which we bought for a bargain from another church. 

We paid for the van using money from an insurance check. 

The insurance check was intended to repair water damage in some rooms we had planned to rip out anyway for future renovations. 

But a volunteer work group completed those renovations for us. I had never met a single person in this group before they came to work here.

They came because someone outside of our church recommended the group serve at our location. 

The group donated all their time and materials. So the insurance money sat unused in our bank account.

In addition to the van, we put the remaining insurance money towards replacing two large sanctuary a/c units for $14,000. Our church doesn’t even use the sanctuary. We meet in my backyard, in the gym, and at the park. But the church renting out space from us has now been blessed with working a/c. 

I left Melody’s house in the church van with the donated crib in the back and to Gaaith’s apartment. His wife’s c-section is Friday, May 12 at 3:00pm. Please pray for her. On my to Gaaith’s, I asked Jordan to meet me. Jordan is our volunteer associate pastor.

Jordan first visited our church on accident! He and his fiancé intended to visit another church one Sunday morning almost two years ago. But he received incorrect directions as he tried visiting a church with a similar name to ours. Once inside our building, he didn’t even enter the right worship service! They entered our main sanctuary, used by another church. After a few moments, some church ushers suggested they might be looking for our worship service on the other side of the building. One year later, Jordan told me God called him to serve at our church even though we couldn’t pay him. Jordan is our new summer day camp director and will volunteer at the camp every day for 9 weeks this summer. 

Yesterday, I posted on Facebook the exciting news about another refugee who called me. She has an apartment with no furniture. I didn’t ask for money or furniture, only prayers for this new ministry God seems to be starting through us. 

Lindsay saw my post and offered to donate a couch and some other furniture. I’ve never met Lindsay. We’ve only been friends on Facebook for about 48 hours. 

I connected with Lindsay through Karey. Karey and I used to be neighbors. Karey shared a Facebook post about our church’s upcoming summer day camp. Lindsay asked Karey more about it and offered to volunteer. 

Then Karey commented on yesterday’s post, saying she has an old kitchen table she’d like to donate. I’ll pick up Karey’s table and Lindsey’s furniture next week. 

And my friend Greg saw the post and connected me with an organization that can help us with funds and resources to help in ways our church cannot. 
Dear friends, I believe Jesus loves you and me more than we know. He’s a loving father who provides for his children. And he will gladly provide the resources for you to obey his purposes. If you need something in this world, Jesus is the first one to ask. You may find, as I have found, Jesus often uses others to answer your prayers. Just like any loving parent, he gladly gives to his children when we ask. 

On April 8, 1855 the famous British pastor Charles Spurgeon preached these words:

“I slew him-this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love.”

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There’s a phrase that’s made the American preachers’ circuit for many years: “If you were the only person on earth, Jesus still would have died for you.”

My Systematic Theology professor had his own spin on that phrase: “If I was the only person on earth, I would have killed Jesus.” 10 years later, that phrase fills my thoughts this Good Friday.

Do you see that picture at the top? That’s our kitchen table. God taught me a Good Friday lesson (and a good dose of humility) while sitting at that table last Monday. During supper our pre-schooler asked why people put nails in Jesus’ hands and put him on a cross. Great pastor and father that I am, I gave the fastest answer I could think of that required the least amount of thinking… “because they weren’t nice people.” Problem solved. On to the next topic.

But my wise wife saw the teachable moment I missed…

“Do you know why Jesus died? He died because people do bad things. That’s called sin. You sin, and Mommy sins, and Daddy sins.”

That’s right, Pastor Chris.

Jesus wasn’t crucified because those people “weren’t nice people” (how very self-righteous of me, by the way) Jesus died on a cross because I’m not nice people. Jesus died on a cross because people like me sinned against God. And people like me crucified God-in-the-flesh. Romans 5:10 states “while we were God’s enemies [i.e. people who would kill God if we had the chance], we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son.”

Why did Jesus die on a cross with nails piercing his hands?

Because I sin.

As I heard my wife’s words to our little boy, the second stanza from How Deep The Father’s Love For Us started playing in my head. The most piercing lines were “Ashamed I hear my mocking voice / Call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there / Until it was accomplished.”

Those words have played on repeat this Good Friday…

How deep the Father’s love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

–Stuart Townend

Thank you to all who have expressed support since my last post, Our Church Is Now Closed. But God’s Doing A New Work Here. If you don’t want to read that post, here’s the gist: We closed the church I’ve pastored for almost 4 years (Grace Tabernacle) and are starting a new church called Renovation Community, which officially launches October 1, 2017.

I’ll try answering some of the most common questions I’ve heard. I hope this helps you better focus your prayers for us.

Q: If Grace Tabernacle closed the end of Feb 26 and your new church doesn’t launch until fall 2018, what are you doing until then?

A: We’re inviting the public to join us as we prepare to start our new church. We’re hosting weekly community events. Last Sunday afternoon we had a cookout at a nearby park. We invited families there to eat with us and gave them information about Renovation Community Church.

Q: What about all the people who attended Grace Tabernacle? Where are they now?

A: They’ve known about this transition for a LONG time. Many have stuck around to help us start the new church, but some have left to find different church homes. We love all who no longer meet with us and pray they find the right place for them.

Q: If you closed, how are you getting money to pay for the facilities Grace Tabernacle owned?

A: I began preparing for this transition several years ago when I sought out groups to rent the building. The four other churches and funeral home that use our facilities subsidize many of our facility expenses.

Q: If you closed, how is your family getting money to live?

We’ll see how God provides. So far, those from Grace Tabernacle who stuck around are continuing to give when we meet together. Kelly and I work hard to manage our finances. But, as I’ve mentioned in other posts, God has also provided for us through others’ generosity. We have never asked for money, nor do we plan to begin asking, yet God has provided our every need (and many of our “desires”). Medicaid insures our boys and we receive food stamps. A day will probably come when we no longer receive government help. Until then, we thank the Lord for it.

Q: Grace Tabernacle was part of a global denomination called The Church of the Nazarene. Will Renovation Community be Nazarene?

A: Yep.

Q: Isn’t this just a name change?

A: No. I understand why people may think that… the lead pastor of the old and new church is the same person and many people have stuck around from the old church. But it’s not just a name change. All of November and December of 2015, I called our people to pray and fast about upcoming changes. I called them to pray about whether I should pastor them into the future and whether God wanted them to stay or go. I explained BIG changes were coming, changes that not everyone could handle. Changes continued to happen ever since then. In April 2016, I began an extended message series about “Becoming a Renovation Community.” The people who stuck around were those willing to help launch a totally different church, a church called Renovation Community. It just so happens that many of us attended the same church before choosing to start this new one.

Q: Can I start attending Renovation Community now?

A: If you’re not a Christian, the answer is YES!!  We’re having an Easter breakfast service at LeBlanc Park (6300 Granbury Cut-Off Fort Worth, TX 76132) this Sunday, April 16. And we meet Sundays from 4-6pm. But you’ll need to contact me or another member of our group to learn where we will be on a particular Sunday. We don’t always meet at Grace Tabernacle’s old building. You can also learn where each Sunday’s meeting location will be by following us on Facebook.

If you are a Christian, the answer is… MAYBE. We’re not interested in stealing people from other churches. Jesus didn’t come to earth and suffer death on a cross just so Christians could waste time jumping from church to church. If you’re considering joining us because you’re unhappy at your current church, I’ve got news for you…it’s only a matter of time before you become unhappy with Renovation Community. Every local church  consists of imperfect people (including imperfect pastors). We sin against God and others, we can mis-hear God’s plan for our local church, and we can make BIG mistakes. Consider this quote from 19th Century British preacher Charles Spurgeon:

“If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it.”

In other words, one reason your current church isn’t perfect is you. Sorry. I still love you. If you’re interested in joining us and believe your motives are correct, I’m happy to talk with you more.

Q: Will you fundraise?

A: No. We don’t believe it’s wrong to ask God’s people to financially support God’s work. But we don’t believe God wants Renovation Community to ask for money. We’ve learned to walk by faith about our finances. Instead, we’d rather you volunteer your time and serve alongside us. Read more about that below.

Q: What other ways can I help Renovation Community?

A:  For now, our greatest need is finding volunteers for Camp F.U.S.E., our summer day camp.  Although Grace Tabernacle closed, Renovation Community chose to continue this one vital neighborhood service. For as little as $1/day, low-income families can send their children to a safe and fun environment for breakfast, lunch, and weekend ‘Snack Sack.’ Each week, campers will learn about Jesus and the Bible in a daily chapel, play games, make crafts, and learn from Career Day speakers, and learn in our all-new computer lab.  Learn more and sign up to volunteer at http://campfuse.com/volunteering.

You can help us repair the aging church building we have inherited. If you can find the time, we can find the supplies needed to make repairs. Everywhere you look, the building needs repairs – paint, drywall, tile, roof leaks, a/c repairs, tile, outside drainage issues, landscaping beautification, concrete parking lot repair, electrical work, deep cleaning, plumbing, etc.

We also need help establishing church ‘infrastructure,’ like organizing ministry teams, forming good church policies, training volunteers, etc. I’ll share more opportunities to help in coming months.

You can like us on Facebook and share our posts about how God is working through among us. We’d love to spread the news of God’s great work in our neighborhood.

You can sign up as a prayer partner at www.renovation1000.com. We want 1000 people committed to pray for us before our October 1 launch. Our prayer partners will receive special updates on how they can pray for us and how God has answered prayers.

Have more questions?

Contact me. The more you understand what we’re doing, the better you can pray for us. I’ll gladly create another post with answers to your questions.

The church I came to serve almost four years ago is now closed.

Church closures can be nasty. Thankfully, this one wasn’t. It closed with dignity and grace. And its leaders gave me permission to do what I’ve felt called to do since I arrived…close this church and plant a new one at the same location.

Let me back up.

Our church had a truly beautiful history for more than 52 years. In the early 1960s, a group of people dreamed how God could work through a church on the far-west side of Fort Worth. The pastor most responsible for starting this church later went on to pastor one of our denomination’s largest churches in the country. God worked in mighty ways. He worked in the hearts of countless people who began following Jesus through this church’s ministry.
Time doesn’t permit recounting all the sweet memories that took place in this congregation for over 50 years. And I will always be incredibly indebted to the pastors who served before me.
But God made clear he is doing a New Work here. God has created new life. Many in our church have noticed the new life for quite some time. And, for quite some time, it’s like I have pastored two churches.
As one church neared the end of its life, it did so with beauty and humility. That church reminds me of the saintly grandmother, the strong and dependable family matriarch who lived a long and full life. Always thinking of others, she clung to life on the hospital bed until all family members have a chance to say their goodbyes.

After almost 4 years of hard work, prayer, ministry, and focusing on church health, we felt it was finally time to say “goodbye.”

People in the new church knew nothing of the older church’s long and storied past. Many also didn’t “look” like the average church member from the  came from different races and socio-economic backgrounds of than the majority of members from the old church. Many rarely showed up Sunday mornings at Grace Tabernacle…it’s like that church wasn’t their church.

Over time it became very clear. God was doing a new thing. And it just didn’t make sense trying to make this “new thing” fit into this 50 year old church.
So I asked our leaders permission to close and restart…
I explained there would still be a church in our building, and I hoped the people from the old church would join the new church. But it would be a new church, not simply a new name for the old church.

Thankfully, our leaders also noticed God’s new work. And they agreed to my bold request. Sunday, February 26 was Grace Tabernacle Church of the Nazarene’s last official Sunday for worship.

On Sunday, April 1 Renovation Community will officially launch.  Before October 1, we want 1000 people, the Renovation 1000, committed to pray for our new church. As I’ve shared in some of my other blog posts, God has taught me to walk by faith. He will pay all our bills. So I never need to ask for your money. But I will ALWAYS ask for your prayers. Will you sign up to pray for us?

To learn more about the new church or join our Renovation 1000 prayer team, go to www.renovationcommunity.church.

Or go to www.renovation1000.com for a direct link to our prayer team registration.

**If you have connections with Wedgwood/Grace Tabernacle Church of the Nazarene, please share this post and highlight our Celebration Service July 22. We hope to fill the building as we remember how God worked for 52+ years in that great church.*