Here are some thoughts I shared with my church this morning. I hope that these thoughts will draw us together rather than push us apart.

On a weekly basis I find myself holding on for dear life. There are weeks that have ups and down, demanding days, and critical decisions to be made. In all of these circumstances I find my grip tightening with more resolve to hold on. But I know that my grip is part of the problem.

One of the pressing challenges in pastoring a church plant has been letting go of my selfish-ambition, my set timeline, and my entitlement to convenience.  I’m beginning to understand why Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:24-25). 

Somehow I was trying to see life spring up in a community without being the kernel that falls to the ground and dies. So I’m no longer holding on for dear life. I’m actually laying my life down.

“Dead soul, your Spring of life, is my dying side:

There die with me to live: to live in you I died.”

The Divine Love by Phineas Fletcher

I cannot understand how a city that has so much need can also have so many unused resources. One drive through the city will reveal blocks of empty houses no longer used as homes. A closer look will unveil vacant buildings no longer providing jobs. When we were looking for a building to host our Sunday worship I was astonished to count how many buildings were sitting unused at the same time our kids have few places to play. I keep wondering what would happen if we made use of what is here rather than focus on what is missing.

The greatest untapped resource in our communities are the people. There are so many people who find themselves in challenging circumstances and at the same time posses a special purpose in God.  I’ve found that one of the greatest tensions in ministry is loving and praying people from “common use” to a “special purpose”. My prayer is that God would give me eyes to see the unreached people and their unrealized purposes He has for them.

“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” -2 Timothy 2:20-21

Last weekend we celebrated the 200 year anniversary of our National Anthem that was written during the Battle of Baltimore. Lately I’ve been studying and contemplating the unity, courage, and sacrifice that embodied the people of Baltimore during such a challenging time. I’m convinced that the same qualities the possessed are invaluable for the people of God engaged in fighting for this city.

Two hundred years ago there was a man named George Armistead who led the defense of Fort McHenry. He is well known for ordering a large flag (42′ x 30′) raised so that they enemy would have no doubt where the fort was located. Major Armistead was brave and ready to fight for his city. What I didn’t know is that he was 34 years old at the time. There was also a leader named John Adams Webster who courageously played a significant role in the cities defense. Webster was 27 years old.

This has resounded in me as a thirty-two year old pastor. Youth is often viewed as a limitation of leadership. Yet history would show us a different perspective. I’m realizing that age doesn’t define our ability to lead–whether young or old. My prayer is that young leaders would rise up in Baltimore and courageously lead in the work of God in our city. I understand more clearly why Paul wrote these words of encouragement to Timothy:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12

I’m learning that regardless of our age it’s never too late to lead. Likewise, for the young adults of world, it’s not too early for you to lead–now. Faithful, courageous, and sacrificial young adults defended our city 200 years ago and we can do the same today. Let’s be an example of God’s work in our generation.

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. -Martin Luther King

When I look at the skyline of our times I find myself looking for stars and longing to see more. I hear many people describing darkness but wonder who will provide light for the path that leads to hope. I see many people establishing the validity of their perspective but I wonder who will take up the work to build a bridge that spans the gap.

Such a bridge is only built by love (1 Corinthians 8:1-2). And I think love is one of the most difficult tasks to be done in the church. The quote above is from King’s book, Strength to Love. It is not easy for us to love one another. Actually, it’s impossible in our own strength. We are only able to love one another because we have first been loved by Jesus (John 13:34-35; Luke 7:47).

My primary prayer for the people of Gallery Church Sowebo is that we would grow in our love for one another. This is a work that we are not naturally inclined to accomplish. The church in Thessalonica was taught by God to love each other and we also need to be taught (1 Thessalonians 4:9).  I believe it is only by the work of God that a group of people can love each other beyond their different backgrounds, unique cultures, varying levels of education and numerous levels of income. This is only possible because all the differences are surpassed by the common love of Jesus Christ.

I pray to see such profound love in the church of Baltimore. And I pray that this love would compel us to be radiant stars in the midst of great darkness (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. -1 Peter 4:8

I’ve had so many thoughts over the first five weeks of planting a church. There have been surprising highs and unexpected joy. At the same time I’ve had my share of gut checks in leadership.

The most significant gut check has been the strength to wait on the Lord in prayer. As a church planter there is so much to do and so much I feel I should be doing. It seems that I’m always trying to catch up to something. As a result I’m always postponing my extended time in prayer.

The Lord has blessed me to walk alongside men of prayer throughout my life and now I’m realizing why such men are hard to find. The demands of our responsibilities and the distractions of our days are always present to devour our time. It takes strength to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).  It takes faith to believe that God acts on behalf of those who wait on Him (Isaiah 64:4).  I do pray but I want to depend on prayer. Even more…I want to be a man of prayer. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying:

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”  

A sharper axe makes for efficient cutting. In the same manner, a deeper prayer life makes for empowered ministry. I am personally faced with this question:

“Give me three years to start a church. How will I spend my time?”

It’s interesting that the more we have to do–the less we tend to pray. The truth is that the more we have to do–the more we need to pray. I am resolved to wait on the Lord. Like Daniel, I will stop to call out to Him three times a day…because I need Him.

“I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” -Martin Luther

 

At the age of 8 I told my Sunday school teacher (who happened to be my grandmother) that I wanted to be a preacher when I grew up. I would actually walk around my house with a large dictionary acting like I was preaching like Martin Luther King Jr. This was my boyhood dream but I had no idea how it would become my reality.

This past Sunday I watched about 175 people fill into a room to worship God. Many came to support me on my first Sunday and I was overwhelmed by the support. I loved watching the diversity of the people (yes!), the new relationships, and the sincere worship.

This morning I was reading through the Psalms and came across a verse that described my journey. 

Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.

-Psalm 105:19

It took more than 20 years to see a boyhood dream become a current reality. During this time I was definitely tested and my character was formed. There have been many seasons of hardship, doubts, and discouragement. I have learned perseverance. Now I find myself learning how to accept the season where the word has finally come to pass. I know that every church plant doesn’t begin with the overwhelming support I’ve received from dear friends. I am thankful for everyone’s prayers, donations, and encouragement. 

I keep asking “Why Me?”. Why am I benefiting from the prayers and labor of those who have gone before me? The response that comes to mind is a quote by Arthur Ashe after he faced his greatest hardship. The question is flipped for me in this season but the same principle applies. I rarely asked “Why Me?” in all the hardships. I grew to expect obstacles. So why should I ask that question now?

“If I were to say, “God, why me?” about the bad things,

then I should have said, “God, why me?”

about the good things that happened in my life.”

-Arthur Ashe