Regrouping Again

Ministry seems to be a constant balance between charging ahead and falling back, then again that's how wars are won right? Some of you may have noticed that, for a time I had an icon on the landing page of the website for something called The Jesus Experiment. This was an idea that Mike and I conceived last year for a program that would integrate music, theater, story-telling and some killer audience participation in an effort to help people think outside the box about the ways in which we could reach our world for Christ.

Our goal was to offer it to churches, beginning with our home church, free of charge. In other words, Sound of the Trumpet Ministries would pay all expenses right down to the utilities and the custodians. We thought we couldn't loose. After all, who wouldn't like to have an effective and artistic program that challenged people to grow in their understanding of ministry dropped on their doorstep for free? The answer: evidently everyone. We shopped the idea first to our church and then to everyone on the Sound of the Trumpet email list and found no takers. Now granted, much of the known world has still never heard of this program and we remain firmly convinced that it is, not only a great idea, but one that God has called us to pursue.

Therefore we will continue to seek a venue for The Jesus Experiment - perhaps even one outside of the church itself. Now there's a novel idea. But, for now I have removed it from the website, because I think something else may happen first. Stay tuned, you never know where God will take us next. Like I said before, there's a time to charge forward and a time to fall back. I just wish Kenny Rogers were here to tell me when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

Be God's
Greg

Lakeside Part 2

Playing in the opening worship service of this year's Lakeside Methodist Conference was incredible. I mean, it's not every day that you get to play to 3000 people, but it was more than that. I shared in part one that the African Children's choir was also part of the service. Along with the adorable and talented children that make up the choir, there are some extraordinary adults that travel with the group as well. One of them is a young man named Joshua. I had the opportunity to speak with Joshua at length and I shared with him what I believe to be the main reason that American Christians are blown away by these African kids.

"I think that American believers see the joy that flows so freely from the children and wish that they could have joy like that," I said. "They find themselves so encumbered by the weight of their cares, their fears, and their wealth that they can't fathom being that joyful in their faith." I told him that I firmly believe that, if American Christians could tapp into such joy, they could truly change the world. With eyes that looked at me from a world away, he said, "I believe that their minds are the only things stopping them."

I thought about that all the way home, and I think he's absolutely right. Our minds are the only things that stop us from truly changing the world. We have to believe it is possible. We have to cheer each other on. We have to share our stories without worrying about how much it costs, how tight our schedules are, or how we've done it or not done it before. When we get out of our own way, I believe that world change is just around the corner.

On Your Road to Anywhere

Let me tell you a story...

There were two men walking a dirt road between a large city and a small village. They were not spectacular in appearance or status. They were simply two men that had witnessed one of the largest turn around scenarios the world has ever known. Jesus of Nazareth had gone from celebrated healer and miracle worker to a hated mad man in the course of a few days. They were deliberating and reasoning the events, trying to make sense of it all. They truly hoped that he was the deliverer of Israel, and his death and then the disappearance of his body had sent shock waves through them.

Suddenly a man appeared, clothed like another traveler on the way to Emmaus. "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk? Why are you so sad?"

These two men stopped and stared in astonishment. There was something odd about him, something vaguely familiar, but they could not put their finger on it. Suddenly his appearance mattered little as they spilled forth with information. "How can you not know what has happened? You must be the only person in Jerusalem to have missed this mobs and crowds and the crucifixion."

"Tell me about these things," the stranger replied.

"Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and in word, was killed and now we are told that the angels have taken his body from the tomb. We had hoped he was the Messiah."

The rest of this story involves Jesus explaining the prophecies that were fulfilled, and how the death and resurrection were necessary. Then he breaks bread with the men and they realize who he is, only to have him vanish, leaving the men amazed.

What strikes me about this story is threefold. First, these men met a stranger that was on a journey with them and they told him all they knew of Jesus. This is what we here at Big Spender Stories have tried to encourage. On our daily journeys we run into people who need to hear the story or be reminded of its importance. Just as they told the stranger of the impact of Jesus on their lives, we too should seek opportunities to share with others. Second, the man they shared with happened to be Jesus in disguise. We should take time to tell Jesus our story, and how he has impacted our lives. In this manner we are reminded of his importance and bolstered by his presence when the time comes to share with others as well. Third, the men called Jesus a prophet mighty in deed and word. The first thing about Jesus' ministry that impressed them was his deeds, the second was his words. Take time to do good deeds in the name of Christ, they solidify your words and give credibility to your ministry. Those deeds can be as big as buying someone groceries that is in need, or as small as offering to help an older person load his or her groceries in the parking lot of your local grocery store. Think outside the box. Let Jesus experiment with your life and everyday opportunities so he may use you to tell his story on your road to anywhere.

God bless

Mike Massie

Lakeside Part 1

I am sitting in Hoover Auditorium at the moment on the campus of Lakeside near Lake Erie. Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to play my trumpet for 3000 Methodists gathering for their state convention. This is an opportunity that I have prayed about for over a decade and I'm so excited to be here. Soon I will sound check, but for now I get to sit and listen to the African Children's Choir.

If you've never seen this extraordinary ensemble, you should. The choir is made up of 25-30 children from about 6 to 12 years of age. They are from Africa and they tour the world giving concerts. For a group of children, they are one of the most professional groups I have ever seen. In between songs they are completely silent and they comply with every instruction their director gives. When the music starts, they sing and dance with all their hearts displaying a joy that most American Christians could only dream of. Tonight they have truly blessed my heart. Not only have they displayed unbounded spiritual enthusiasm, but they've done so with the utmost professionalism and musical excellence. It's nice to know that there is room for both in the church.