Rean Meadows...a premier church?

I think you'd agree with me if you're reading this that there is something broken at Rean Meadows, we all have different ideas of what that is, but we can all agree (I hope) that there is something in our body that doesn't work. We haven't baptized anyone in too long, we haven't been seeing any net growth (sure we get families that join, but they only replace the ones who leave), and we don't have any ministries to the poor (which is "ture religion" as found in James). Humor me as you read this post and look past the pessimism to the hope that I believe this passage gives.
Every time I read Revelation 2:1-5 I think that the similarities between the church of Ephesus Rean Meadows is staggering. Listen to what the Lord tells the angel to tell the church of Ephesus, "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; And you have persevered and have patience, and have laobored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works (lit. the works you did at first) , or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent....He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Ask yourself these questions; not for your personal relationship with God but how they relate to this local body of believers:
1. What must we repent of? (remember as a body)
2. What was our first love?
3. How did we lose it? and
4. What were our first works?
I believe with all my heart that in less than 8 years, our church, Rean Meadows will be one of the premier churches in Kettering (maybe not the best, and certainly not the biggest), meaning that we will setting the standard for experimental ministries, progressive worship and teaching. I believe that Rean Meadows can be taking on the tasks of evangelism and discipleship that other churches are not willing to try. I really believe this! Do you?
Be at church on Mondays from 7-8 begging God for His blessing and on your face repenting for the sins of the church. I believe it will change everything.

Is it Really This Simple?

What's a simple way to get what you want? Ask until they give you what you're asking for, if nothing else, just to get you to go away. In Luke 11, Jesus asks a question to His disciples "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within [the house] and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?" And then He explains it, "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?...If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" So then, if we are persistent in our prayers (which shows an urgency and passion for our request) then we are told, we will receive.
Likewise in Matthew, Jesus told a fig tree to stop bearing fruit, and it did. The disciples were amazed and asked Jesus how He did that? Jesus said "Assuredly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast in the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Again, in John, after Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father, Jesus says, "...And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Tell me if this one hurts you as much as it did me when I read it. Later in John Jesus says this "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
How about hearing from someone other than Jesus, James 4:2b "You do not have because you do not ask." period.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or thing, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
What do you want for Rean Meadows?
Are you ready to receive...then ask...

Step 1: Admit That You Have a Gift

The beauty of the world of blogs is the ability for group communication. I would like to take the pulse of everyone who reads this blog. By that I mean, I would like to know what makes your heart beat. What is it that you feel God has equipped you with? (it's alright to acknowledge your strenghts, that's part of humility) Not so much how you plan on using it; simply what you have that not everyone else has. This could be talents, skills, passions, connections, resources, experiences, etc. I know it mind seem a little unorthodox for you to just come out and say "I think I'm good at..." and in a way that's not what I'm after, but in another way that's exactly what I'm looking for. What is it that you feel God has given you for a specific purpose that He hasn't blessed everyone with? I am a firm believer that God has given us each a special gift meant for the purpose of edifying the body. I am interested in knowing this so that everyone starts to see that we are more than just one body, we are many parts. Take time to read others' comments too, you'll be encouraged.
(To leave a comment, click on the icon in the upper left corner of this page called "Blogger". All you have to do is put in your name and create a username and password, easy as that)

How's Business: My Heart Concerning Rean Meadows

It is more than obvious that within a hundred yards of our church there are not only numerous families in homes but 3 apartment complexes. The thought is that if there are so many people under the shadow of our steeple, they would not only know about our church but look to it as a community safe place; a resource center. Rean Meadows has been very stragetically placed for personal ministry. I see a day when every single person in these apartment complexes considers Rean Meadows a place that they are glad to have in their community and as a place that has something they need. Several weeks ago, Mike Talbert asked a very loaded question to our congregation during Sunday morning...I'll ask it again here incase you forgot: "How's business?", if we are about the Father's business, then how's business? This is more than a plug for the upcoming campaign for the Chapel Hill apartment complex, this is a call for an attitude check. We proved to ourselves that we can get behind something if we see it's importance through VBS, AWANA, The Return, etc. So we don't have to worry about a certain ministry working; but what I'm concerned about is how passionate we are about ministry as a whole. This is my personal blog so I can say what I want to and if you want to know my heart about the church, here it is. I see a day when Rean Meadows is a light; a lighthouse power in the community, a day when we have ministries/programs to the community whether or not they are members of our church. (tutoring, single-parent ministries, recovery programs, etc.) But that day is not now, or tomorrow, we have a lot of work to do before that can happen and it starts with our attitudes. Do we care about the lost? (seriously) Do we care honestly about community development? Do we see the importance of reaching families through thier children? Do we care more about people's spiritual condition than whether or not they come to our church? These are questions I am beginning to ask myself, will you join me in evaluating your attitude towards people? I believe that God is preparing us for an enormous work ( I really do, I'm not just typing because I like the sound of the keys) but I'm afraid that we're not looking to do an enormous work.
In light of this, we are going to have another "Prayer Watch" soon, be listening for an announcement.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands. For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind."

It Shall be Done for Him

Well church. We are gearing up for what promises to be a very exciting event. May 21, mark it on your calendars, will be the first partnered prayer watch. This stems from Matthew 18:19 where Jesus tells His disciples that whoever agrees with another believer on what to pray about, it shall be done for him. I can't wait to see what God's going to do in response to our faithful prayer. Remember, God does not exist for us, He exists only for Himself; it's our command to exist for Him too.
I trust you all received the letter. I hope to see all of the time-slots filled come May 21. God bless.
If you ever have any questions or comments or would just like to contact me. My e-mail address is nathanalane@Cedarville.edu

The Ball's in Your Court

Until now, "The Awakening" has been run, operated, and fueled by the pastor and myself. We have discussed the ins and outs of what we should be doing, when, how, and where. Both of the 12 hour events planned have been solely by us. This ministry is one that will affect the whole church, seeing as how, when we pray for God's leading we are becoming vulnerable to uncomfortability...And that's the point. Some of you might be wondering how you can get involved. Well, it's funny you should ask because there is a lot more that we can be doing with more hands. If you are interested in working with the pastor and I in this ministry E-mail me at school at nathanalane@Cedarville.edu it's not that hard. I will get back with you immediately... I promise! These 12 hour events are small potatoes compared to some of the plans that we believe God has for this ministry...But we need your help. Come be a part of making God's dream for this church become a reality. It will involve sacrifice, commitment and a lot of flexibility. Please pray about what God wants you to do, if He isn't telling you to join this ministry, then please honor Him. However, if He is giving you a burning passion for "The Awakening", then follow His leading. This is a serious commitment, please don't take it lightly. We are so excited about what God is getting ready to do, don't miss out on being a part of it.

More Than Just "Take Two"

After the first "The Awakening" event, we saw many great things happen, and we praised the Lord for seeing His blessing. When God examines our church, I would like nothing more than to have Him say of us "Well done, they good and faithful servant." Let's take this second prayer watch serious, we want to be found faithful. I am so excited to see what God has in store for Rean Meadows and I hope you are too. April 23, come expecting God to do amazing things. "Now to Him who is able to do abundantly more than all than all we can ask or imagine, to Him to all the praise and the Glory both now and forever."