Broken People

This week at our Ministry Leadership Team meeting we prayed that we would be a church that reaches broken people. We talked about the blessing of God bringing people to New Song who were seriously struggling and who are now living a new life in Christ! I get so excited watching miracles happen in the lives of people who were broken and then restored in Jesus.

When we think of broken people we often have a stereotype in our mind. When I think of broken people in our area I think of people who...

> Are in pain because of a divorce or marriage struggles.
> Are stressed out financially because of circumstances, poor choices, or the economy.
> Are frustrated with how to raise their children in a successful way.
> Are struggling with addictions like alcohol, pornography, or drugs.
> Are lonely and need support.
> Are confused because it feels like something is missing and there should be more to life.

God loves people who are broken and hurting like this. Psalm 34:18 tells us, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Jesus came to comfort the brokenhearted and He calls us as His church to do the same.

How do we care for broken people? One way is to pray for them. I have found that if I offer to pray for people who are struggling they always say yes. If someone you know shares a struggle or stress in their life, ask them if it is OK if you pray for them? Everyone appreciates prayer and it usually opens a door to talk with them about Jesus. The old saying is that, "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." Prayer is a great way to show that you care.

Here's one exciting example that I recently received in an email from Joanna Thomas, "God answered the prayer you asked us to pray on Sunday for an opportunity to talk to folks and share our stories of how God has loved us. I had listed a couple of my staff in my notes, and this morning, my boss mentioned that one of those gals looked really upset. I called her in, and she ended up sharing a laundry list of personal and professional challenges she's facing, all the while crying and using phrases like, "I just feel so lost." So, I shared with her about how God had laid her on my heart on Sunday, and that I had prayed for just such a chance for us to talk. Turns out she used to go to church in Folsom for a number of years, and said she used to have a strong relationship with God. She was grateful for the talk and the prayers (and we even prayed together before she left my office), and will think about joining me at church sometime."

A second way to reach broken people is to be a broken person yourself. Sharing our story of pain and then the healing, freedom, and love found in Jesus often opens the door for people to relate and understand the Gospel. In his book, The Monkey and the Fish, Christian author Dave Gibbons writes about the pain principle. Dave writes, "The pain principle grows out of two axioms: (1) ...pain in life has a way of deconstructing us to our most genuine, humble, authentic selves...(2) For most people, regardless of culture, it's easier to connect with [someone's] pain and shortcomings and mistakes than their success and triumphs."

In order to be comfortable sharing our brokeness with others we first have to bring our pain and sin to the surface and let Jesus heal us. When that happens it gives us freedom to love and care for others who are hurting. My prayer is that we welcome broken people into New Song because we know what they are going through (we've been there) and like God we care.

Sunday Recap

Two thoughts on yesterday that I have to share...

1. Thank you to everyone who helped set-up and tear down. You worked so hard and did so much! Thank you for your participation and willingness to serve the Lord in this way! You were such an encouragement to me. Each Sunday our tear down team usually consists of Kingsley Chigbu and whomever happens to be on hand to pitch in. As they say, many hands make a light load and this Sunday that was true! We were done cleaning up in record time!

2. Worship was amazing on Sunday! Brad and the team did a great job leading us as we celebrated God. I was so encouraged to see everyone take to heart the message on worship and respond to God's love in such a powerful way. For years I have prayed that as we sing, those of us in the chairs would actually be louder in our praise than the band on stage. This Sunday, as I was singing I closed my eyes realized that the people behind me were louder than the people on stage! I have been praying that our church would take a step forward in our spiritual enthusiasm and passion for worship and this Sunday we did! Way to go!

In-N-Out Burger

While I was on my Sabbatical I picked up a copy of "In-N-Out Burger," which was a fascinating history of the burger chain. When I worked in San Dimas at Christ's Church of the Valley the church was built on the old Snyder family homestead. The Snyder family owns In-N-Out burger. Esther Snyder (one of the founders of In-N-Out) even came by the church to see the development. The old Snyder house was our church office. My office was the pool house out back where I had a 1000 square foot office and my own swimming pool and jaquzi. I picked up the book because I heard a lot of rumors over the years about our church property. It turns out the rumors just scratched the surface. For a season, the house itself was the headquarters of In-N-Out and the kids names scratched into the concrete outside my office were the Presidents of In-N-Out (Guy & Ritchie). It was a fascinating book that got me thinking about how In-N-Out is a success by doing a few things well. Did you know that in 50 years they have only added one item to their menu? It was Sprite soda.

God has shown me recently that he really only calls us to do a few things well. Lift up Jesus and help people become complete in Him. As a church we will always have limited resources, but not limited opportunities. So, in order to have a quality church with spiritual enthusiasm I believe we have to focus our resources into the few things that we can do well. With that in mind, this fall we are going to be slimming down and focusing on four key areas: 1) Sunday Mornings, 2) Children's Ministry, 3) Life Groups, and 4) Youth. We are planning on postponing activities in some other ministry areas in order to focus our attention on these four ministry programs.

Within each of these four programs we'll emphasize our C2 goal by highlighting 1) Personal Growth, 2) Community, 3) Serving, and 4) Reaching Out. If you have trouble remembering this strategy think of a 4x4 truck. Four programs (Sunday Mornings, Children, Life Groups, Youth) and four emphasis (Growth, Community, Serving, and Reaching Out).

My prayer is that by focusing our prayers, energy, and passion into these four ministries that this fall we can lift up Jesus and reach more people for Him than ever before!