This week is the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  Every day the news has interviewed people and attempted to dig into what has not been done.  There is a lot of complaining and finger pointing.  There will always be something that remains unfinished.  If you are waiting for the government or for perfection, you will most always be disappointed.

French traders have been camping near the site of New Orleans since 1690.  The city was founded in 1718.  It changed ownership between the French and the Spanish many times through its history. But the beginning as we know it today was 292 years ago.  New Orleans is nearly 300 years in the making and it was nearly destroyed five years ago.  It was 80% under water. 

To rebuild a 300 year old city is a huge undertaking.  Many want the government to do it.  Many are disappointed the government doesn’t have it done in 5 years.  I think there is much we have expected our government to do, that we should be doing ourselves. 

I saw much media coverage this week that showed both famous and ordinary folks who gave money and time to rebuild.  That is what it is all about!  It is a tough job.  It is overwhelming, but we must start somewhere, one piece at a time and do it.  Roll up our sleeve and dig in to rebuild.

Our neighborhood church is exactly like this.  It has diminished.  The numbers have dwindled.  Someone else must do the work to rebuild our churches.  It is a tough job.  It is overwhelming.  Someone needs to do something about this.  Some say they will return when it is rebuilt!  Some wring their hands in worry.  That is not theologically sound.

We have to roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves.  These are houses of prayer and the place people find grace, love and  redemption through Jesus Christ.  God wants the church strong and thriving.  With prayer, it isn’t as tough and overwhelming a job as you might think!  We can do this.  We cannot wait for someone else to step up and do it for us.  It is our watch, it is our responsibility. 

Who will answer the call to rebuild?  We all need to.

 My friend Chrissy took this photo last summer.  I wish the door to change was always friendly looking and fun like this.  Often in my mind change, is the dark scary cave with spider webs and bone fragments on the floor, or a step off of a 1500 foot cliff.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of God stands forever.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you guide us through the changes that come each day.  Help us to accept that life is change, and yet you are the constant in our lives.  You get us through, help us embrace the changes and thrive.  You are the center point, our rock and our redeemer. 

I pray for our soldiers, especially those overseas and who find themselves in the path of danger.  Protect them and bring them all home safely.  Help them and comfort them.

I pray for children everywhere this summer.  Let this be a time of joy for children everywhere, with lives filled with love and your protection.  May they all have enough to eat and the care they need from all of us. 

I pray for churches.  Help the church to grow, to nurture and teach; to show the love of Christ to each other and to the world!  Amen

This blog site is also going to experience some change in the next couple of weeks.  It will have a new look and the blog will not be the front page.  But embrace the change and enjoy the journey.  Blessings,  Erin

It is that time of year when Youth Groups from churches all over the country hit the open road.  They do various things when they travel from singing in other churches across the country to painting projects at Boys and Girls clubs, and helping with a spirit of service.

A couple of years ago I got to go on a trip with the youth from our church on a bus for a week.  We went to Wilmore Kentucky and attended a musical event called Ichthus. The locals call it Mud Fest because it often rains or snows and the event is held in a large field containing fine Kentucky soil so famous for growing tobacco, or grazing light, fast Thoroughbred horses.

Wilmore is a lovely place and traveling with the youth of our church was a great experience.

Father God, I would like to pray for the Youth Groups who are traveling this summer.  I ask that you would be with them always.  Open the way for them to enjoy the fellowship they experience within their own group and the places they visit along the way.  Bless them and bless the work of their hands.  Keep them tenderly in your care and bring them all home safely.  Amen

You know the weight and body mass of the bee, is in scientific theory too large and heavy to fly with the wing span the bee is given.  But it flies anyway.  It doesn’t know it can’t fly. 

(This is no longer true.  Science has proved the bumble bee can fly by changing the model to include “flexible” wings.  Thanks to reader Brian W. for keeping me from repeating false information from a story that started in the 1930’s and has now been updated.) My point of the example, was that not everything is simple or easily explained.  Life is full of wonder and miracles.  It is a shame if there is no mystery or wonder in our lives. 

Every single one of us is a cherished spiritual being.  Every one of us is a radiant child of God.  I believe this to be true.

So many people of different backgrounds and spiritual awareness visit this site each year.  I have had comments, prayer requests and emails from Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics and Buddhists.  I ponder often how we come to the belief we carry with us.  I have not had mean or hateful comments or email.  Most visit here with love and grace and it is awesome.  This is a site where we look for what we have in common, not for what separates us.

Our intellect has a journey, we read, we take classes, we grow.  Our body has a journey  and we must care for our eyes, hearing, muscles, bones, teeth and health over the course of our life.  Our spirit has a journey as well.  If your spirit is not on a journey, I ask “Why Not?  Why would you neglect this very important part of you?”

I have shared with you in the past, that I have several friend who are atheists,  There have been times I have been made aware they do no understand my faith.  They think I appear normal except for this crazy, old fashioned, unsophisticated area of faith.  Their grandparents went to church, but they didn’t know any better.  So people of Engineering, Science, Physics, Women’s Studies, and Math have outgrown the need to feed the spirit.  Prayer is an activity for less sophisticated people.  Baby boomers; people of the atomic age know things and control their own destiny.

This is what I think about it.  If the atheist believed in a supreme being, it would conflict with principles they believe to be true.  Principles of Science, math, engineering.  It is all or nothing thinking.  If there is science, there cannot be God.  The process of Creation in Genesis and the process outlined by Darwin follow the same path.  There is light, and there is darkness, and they become night and day.  There is water and there is land and they separate.  There are fish in the water and there are animals on the land and it is good.  There is man.  So the steps are the same.  Christians believe God did it.

There are many theories.  There is the Big Bang theory.  There is evolution.  There is random chaos.  Creation and creativity are chaotic.  God certainly has his own time frame.  He created it all in six days and then he rested.  His day might be a year to  you and me, or maybe it is longer.  Maybe a day is a day.  We must not get bogged down in the details.  We all know that the devil is in the details.  We start focusing on that and loose track of the main thing.   What is important is the journey.

I also know this to be true.  If you want to know if God is there you have to look for him.  God does knock on your door.  You are witness to miracles every day, but if you are not looking for them; you won’t see them.  You have to invite and enter.  You invite God to be with you, as you would anyone you hold in respect.  You enter into his presence.  That is where you find God and all are welcome at his table.

One friend told me once that if there were a God, the terrible things in the world would not happen.  My answer is God is not a magic button, or cosmic bell hop.  We are responsible for service in the world.  We are to take care of each other.  God gave us redemption through his son.  God gives us guidance (if we ask).  He gives us comfort, peace, strength, wisdom, health, … anything we ask for.  He doesn’t force Himself on us. We pray for others, and for ourselves.  We have to love each other.  That is how the world will know we are of Him.  We have to enter and invite.

I asked my friend if he had ever tried to talk to God.  He said no, never.  “How do you know He is there?” he asked.  “How do you know He is not?”  I asked. 

I have lingered in God’s presences.  He is there.  He is here.  No doubt in my mind.

“You never know who God is gonna use, a princess or a baby.  Maybe even me or you.” song lyric by Rich Mullens.

I have a couple of very dear friends who are atheists.  I don’t know why.  Perhaps my purpose is to pray for them, and of course to share my faith with them.   I have attempted on several occasions to discuss faith, God, Jesus, salvation and spiritual awareness with them.  They think I am completely wrong to have faith in something I cannot prove to them.  They don’t understand my faith.  I don’t understand their lack of faith.

One friend was over for dinner this weekend.  His son is dating a lovely young woman who has been raised in the Catholic church and a private parochial school.  She knows her church doctrine, and biblical teachings, as well as the theology she has been taught since she was four. 

My friend wants a wonderful relationship with his son and the girlfriend.  I find they frequently engage in spiritual discussions, and he is listening to her.  She is confident in her delivery when sharing her beliefs.  I love it.  She is able to share thoughts I have not been able to with him.  I believe she is getting through to him.  I am praying for her.  I want her to persuade my friend to give God a chance to transform his heart and his life.  It seems easier for her.  She is not worried that he will think she is simple or stupid.  Does that hold me back?  My friend cares very much about his son and this young woman, so he cares what she has to say.  I don’t know that she is fully aware of this, but she is using it to evangelize.  She is gentle, and loving about sharing her faith.  It is awesome.

I think evangelism has become a really bad word, synomomous with obnoxious, over zealous, “don’t confuse me with the facts”,  my way or the highway, fundamentalist and intollerant thinking.  I will beat you with my bible until you get it and morale improves, kind of thinking.  Terrible things have been done in God’s name or followed by the words, “God wills it!”  I personally want no part of that.

My own conversion was brought about with grace and love.  I am always hoping salvation comes to each of us in a gentle and grace filled way.  I am always believing there is room religion for progressive thought. (Spoken like a true protestant), Luther, Wesley, and Calvin all founded new churches with reform and new thought.

Let us pray today that God will utilize our gifts.  That we let people know we are children of the most high God by our actions, our love and our grace.  If we see someone God is using to do wonderful things for his kingdom, let us pray for them.  You never know who God is going to use, maybe you or me!

Psalm 34:1 – 34:10

I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear it and rejoice.
O Magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried and the LORD heard him.
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the LORD, you his saints;
For to those who fear Him, there is no want.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger,
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Life has an ebb and flow.  There are definite seasons.  When I am overwhelmed or not in good spirits, I read the Psalms.  They bring great comfort.  Seek God, and call on him.  He is there for all of us.

Most gracious and Holy God.  You are my rock and my strength.  I stand in awe and in fear of the maker of heaven and earth; the most high God. 

I pray for those who feel they are without hope.  I pray they will seek you even in their despair.  I seek you now.   Fill me with grace and wisdom.  Your word says if I seek you I shall not want for any good thing.   I seek you, LORD.  Hear my prayer. 

Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

Sometimes when churches get a person who says, “I can help with …(nursery, youth ministry, hospitality, finance committee, choir…) they plunge into a black hole from which they may never return.  Half a century later they receive an award for 47 years of continuous service with the finance committee.  They may have felt that after a year or two, they wanted to do something else.  Perhaps they were even “called” to do something else, but they were trapped and felt they couldn’t let people down. “Who would take over where they had been?”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

It is important to find our place, to find where we want to help out and serve.  It is good to do something we love in service to God.

Listen in your prayers and you will know the season.  Let volunteers follow that nudge in their spirit from God.  There is a rhythm to the seasons of our lives.  Often times we have different things to share and give at different seasons of our lives.  Be willing to make a change.  Pray for your replacement, it could be someone is waiting to be called to take your place and you should not rob them of the opportunity to serve with their best as well.

This weekend was 50 days after Easter and marks another change for the beginnings of Christianity.  It is Pentecost.  I like the words in the song, “Come Holy Spirit like the wind.”  It is an amazing experience in prayer when the Holy Spirit is invited and comes like the wind.  It touches your spirit.  You are certain it has happened.  You are never the same.  Let the Holy Spirit touch your life, now and always.

I spoke about prayer recently at a small neighborhood church in Indian Hills Colorado.  The woman in the photo beside me, is my very dear childhood friend.  She had not been to this church for a number of years as she lives in a different town, but came to hear the talk.  She was looking forward to visiting this church again because it was the place she found God.  I didn’t know that about her and her history with this church.

It was the place I found God also.  I was excited to visit the church where I had met God so many years before, and started my own spiritual journey.

This is the real purpose of neighborhood church.  It is a place where people find God.  It is a place where they can pray.  It is a place to grow in their spiritual walk and to learn about redemption and forgiveness and those really big ideas that Jesus brought for all of us.

The church I attend now is not my parents church, or my grandparents church.  I think it is quite modern.  Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.  But it suits me well.  It allows me to continue to grow, and to linger in the presence of God.

Church reform and change is not new.  Jesus was Jewish.  There are a lot of rules in the Torah, and in the first five books of the old Testament.  Jesus changed some of the rules.  He ignored some of the old rules.  He grew impatient with those who got really wrapped up in the rules and lost track of the main thing.

The first Church in the book of Acts was in people’s homes, it was small and grew and faced difficulties.  If people in the book of Acts had not invited other people to join in prayer and study, the church would have died in that first 100 years.  Inviting other people to share in the fellowship of the church is absolutely crucial to its  longevity and growth.

The church became more than a few informal prayer gatherings here and there, it became an institution.  The Catholic church was born. 

Then in the 1600’s things changed again.  Martin Luther brought us grace by justification and Protestant religion had a new (but based in Catholicism) set  of rules.  Shortly after the Baptists came into being and then John Wesley brought us Methodism.

Interestingly enough, the Catholics and the Protestants have often been at odds and even at war over the decades.  And yet,  they share the core belief and basis is that Jesus Christ is the son of God, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, dead and buried.  The third day he rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and from there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  Most believe in the Holy Spirit, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and in life everlasting.  

Whatever we fight over isn’t even the main thing.  Because that creed is the main thing right there.

The modern church will change.  We must invite new people all the time, every week.  We must love one another.  It was the last commandment Jesus gave the disciples at the last supper (a Seder). 

A new generation waits to find God.  Each generation seems fairly certain they want to live their lives without the rules of their fathers.  But they will set their own rules.  Goodness know the Lutheran church has rules just like the Catholic church. 

The important thing is to open your church to be modern.  Love the new seekers coming to visit.  Invite them.  Allow them to be part of the process in bringing your church to this new transition.  God transforms each of us.  We are not the same today as we were yesterday, or twenty years ago.  Be open to change. 

I truly hope to see growth in neighborhood churches.  I personally want to be a catalyst in this area and inspire people to pray for, plan and execute this growth and change. 

1. Pray for your church, hold a prayer vigil. 
2. Start a grass roots marketing plan,  invite people in your neighborhood, have a hour of prayer once a week for a year.
3. Shine your light.  Love the new people that come, embrace change and new ideas.  Open your minds and your church for tremendous new growth.  Find those seekers and let God work.

OK.  You are ready now.  Go do it.  God bless you.

I am a speaker, and visit many small churches throughout the year.  I  have been a member of a small church, also a medium size church (which are rare these days), and I have been on staff at a large church. 

There are phrases I hear over and over from church members in my travels.  There are things we speculate, some are right and some are not.  I will elaborate on a couple ideas we need to consider.  The numbered entries are the phrases I hear frequently, and the indented green copy is a result of my thoughts and research on the subject.

1. People only want the entertainment and activities of the mega church.  We can’t compete with that.

Not everyone is looking for the stadium environment.  Many people prefer the closeness, the simplicity, and the smaller family environment of the small church.  Small church has a special place and offers a unique quality in our lives. 

Don’t try to compete with a church with a $3 Million dollar budget.  Find your own offering that is unique to the small church.  My number one suggestion is to open the church up once a week for an hour of prayer.  Jesus said the temple was a House of Prayer Luke 19:46.  There was teaching, but people certainly came to pray.  You don’t need a huge staff or budget to add this hour one evening a week.  (It has to be in the evening, so people who work, can have the opportunity to come.)  Older churches with aging congregations tend to have all activities during the day and wonder why they can’t get younger people to come.  We are all working at 10:00 am. 

Some soft music (pre recorded instrumental is best), quiet environment, open sanctuary.  Light some candles, and create a sacred time for people to meet and be with God. 

If you can possibly raise some money for it, have a trained graphic artist design a flyer or a postcard about your new hour of prayer.  Get a hundred or more copies to start.  Open up 15 minutes early, and close up 15 minutes after.  Have a greeter welcome people as they come in, and thank them for coming as they leave. 

2. People can find us, they know we are here.

People will drive past something for years and not notice it.  I have done that very thing.  “Oh, there is a watch repair shop. Never noticed that before.”  Your church might have been there 100 years.  People drive by every day, but don’t notice. 

Also there is an entirely new generation of people who were not raised in church, (76 million of them).  Some have never been to church even for Easter or Christmas.  They don’t know what you are about at all!  They don’t know a church family is waiting to embrace them, to share the love of God with them and to grow with them on the spiritual path.  Truly, they don’t know.

3.  Young people just don’t want to go to church.

If you explore the thousands of self improvement and self development websites you will notice a couple of continuous themes.  Spiritual awakening and simplicity are nearly an obsession for many people from 20 to 35 in these online communities.  They are aware there is a spiritual dimension to their being.  They are searching,  they are into meditation.  They say, “I am spiritual, but not religious.”   Yet they search.

They are looking for simplicity as their lives are busy and high tech with work and starting out on their own.  They are minimalists in some cases.  They want to their spiritual life to be simple and straight forward.  It seems we always want what we don’t have.  Their parents complained of being forced to go to church.  This new generation is actively looking for God.  This is an amazing opportunity for your small church.

They may not want the traditional service you enjoy on Sunday morning, but your new hour of prayer can open up a new opportunities for members and you can keep your traditional service.  You may also want to add an evening bible study.  You can keep the 10:00 am one. 

So don’t feel you have to give up everything you hold dear about your church.  But do open up some new and creative ways for God to work in the lives of others through your church.  It isn’t an exclusive club, it is God’s house.  It is a house of prayer. 

4.  It is such a sad thing our church in dying.  There is nothing we can do.

There are things you can do!  It is going to require some change.  It will require a little bit of effort.  But not as much as you might think.

- Your image.  At the turn of the century, the church was a big part of people’s social lives.  There were not a lot of other distractions.  Young people have dozens of their own distractions now.  So they are looking for something different that your grandparents were looking for in church.  For the new image of the small neighborhood community church, think simple, inviting, quiet, consider the mystery of God, the sacredness, divine order and time for listening for the spirit of God.

As your graphic designer works on your marketing piece about the new hour of prayer, make it simple, inviting, a time quietness in the presence of God.  A simple time of prayer.  Nourishing your spirit.  It is a special treat, and special break from the hectic demands of the world.  Take an hour to be with God.  Make sure the marketing piece contains the W’s.

What:  New Hour of Prayer 

 When:  Day and time

Where:  The address and name of the church, remember not everyone knows you are there.

Why:  Simplicity in prayer. A break from the hectic demands of life.  A special time to nourish the spirit and explore the mystery of God. 

Take care in creating your image and message.  People need to know the benefits of coming there.  What is in it for them, not you.

- The power of doubling.  I’m sure you have heard about the power of doubling with a penny.  If you double it every day for 30 days, this is what happens:

Day 1: $.01
Day 2: $.02
Day 3: $.04
Day 4: $.08
Day 5: $.16
Day 6: $.32
Day 7: $.64
Day 8: $1.28
Day 9: $2.56
Day 10: $5.12
Day 11: $10.24
Day 12: $20.48
Day 13: $40.96
Day 14: $81.92
Day 15: $163.84
Day 16: $327.68
Day 17: $655.36
Day 18: $1,310.72
Day 19: $2,621.44
Day 20: $5,242.88
Day 21: $10,485.76
Day 22: $20,971.52
Day 23: $41,943.04
Day 24: $83,886.08
Day 25: $167,772.16
Day 26: $335,544.32
Day 27: $671,088.64
Day 28: $1,342,177.28
Day 29: $2,684,354.56
Day 30: $5,368,709.12

If you are starting with 20 people in your church, go ahead and look at day 12.  If every person is praying to find people to invite to your hour of prayer and each get one person per month, in 12 months you will have 83,886 and some change and you will need a larger church building.

- Canvas the neighborhood around the church.  This marketing piece about your new hour of prayer is a wonderful conversation starter.  Let people around you know about it and that you would like to invite them for the prayer time.  Leave the flyer or postcard with them, don’t be too pushy, just invite.  Move on to the next house.  Keep doing this until everyone within 12 blocks of the church knows about this.  Also they have your marketing piece so they have it all written down, the W’s.  If professionally designed and printed, it looks cool and they will keep it around, even if their first instinct was to say no.  God can work with it and they can change their minds.

- After sprinkling this inviting image around the neighborhood, also take it with you and look for opportunities to invite others you run into or meet.  God can certainly arrange meetings, especially if you are prepared to give people some information.  Keep a marketing piece with you all the time.

 - Get a sign made for the church that states you have a new Hour of Prayer time and the day and time.

- Give this some time to work.  Plan on supporting this hour of prayer for the next year and give it time to take off.

You have had a prayer vigil.  You have created a new hour of prayer and a marketing piece with an image of simplicity, love and the mystery of God.  You are well on your way.  You have inquired of God.  You have opened your hearts and your church up to grow and to serve God.  Expect miracles.  Next week, let us explore the new simple, modern community church.  So you can continue to grow and be a blessing to the new people coming into the fold.