Pastor Stephen

I’m on Vacation!

Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:17:22 -0700

A real one - with no computer or anything! So it’ll be a bit quiet around here this week. The picture above is Austin from the last vacation - but we’ll be back at a hotel pool quite a bit - they are our favorite!

So thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you next week when I start a whole new year of web site endeavors!

TIME: Quote

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 08:13:08 -0700

Patience is one of the characteristics of monastic life, but even the patience of the brothers was being tested by our slow Internet.

FATHER DANIEL VAN SANTVOORT,
Cistercian monk, on his Welsh island community's decision to get broadband

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I say a a well thought out, and formed quote can be equally compelling -communicating truth we often struggle to convey. Less is more, as they also say. I have quotes from TIME on my front page, and could not resist sharing this one.

Coming into August (It’s important you know)

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:40:38 -0700

I have arrived once again at this vital time of year. Camp Meeting is over. I have been away from my church for some time, yet been incredibly busy, while achieving nothing tangible in my own community. This is frustrating for me, yet, hopefully, helps me learn to trust as I am going to have to over the next 12 months. Most people are returning from vacation, and I am about to go.

This is not just an incredibly busy time of the year around church/school/family - but it is also probably the most important time of the year. What happens now effects what happens for the next 11/12 months.

Church: New students are about to start contacting us (we hope). Once again, people who we choose to serve and invest heavily in are about to get their first impression of us, as a community, a church, and as individuals. We need to be ready.

It is also at this time of year that many of us settle into our routines again. And I for one, as pastor, shepherd, and leader of this community, want this church to be a valuable, integral part of that routine. This means we need to be at our best, or at least at our most hopeful and optimistic right now. This is a big year for our church. We have not been growing for some time, not like the real growth we experienced a few years back. This is not unusual, most churches, even growing ones, go through periods (I like to call them seasons) of stagnation/darkness before the light and rejuvenation begins once again.

This year at church we are going to very intentionally get back to our calling of “Helping People See God”. Of using Bible, Relationships & Prayer as our tools to serve God and let Him be seen and be known in this town, these college campuses and this county. You all will have such a huge part to play in this, and if you are one of our leaders in any way in our congregation, you’ll be contacted soon as we begin. Don’t miss being a part of this.

School: 3 of my 4 family members go to Valley View every week day (and many weekends too!). Valley View is the Adventist school in Arroyo Grande our church supports. It is going to be a rough year there as we continue to try and reverse certain trends, some over recent years, some over decades. This is going to take prayer and following our convictions in ways we are not necessarily used to. We have a new principal, new students, and some might say even a new direction. This institution must learn to thrive while developing leaders for tomorrow, and supporting a wide faith community and its children and youth ministries. We must run to our core, not away from it as we aim to build up what we have lost over such a long time. This is obviously a very important time of year there as we make final (but huge) decisions for the coming school year. I am committed to to seeing this place succeed. Until we have a viable alternative to serve our children and youth (and we don’t have anything close) we must use what we have, and make it be truly a big God thing - in the lives of our students, families and churches.

Family: None of the above makes any sense if the family is nothing. And this is such an important time of year in this department too. Susie is taking on a full time job, with arguably more than full time responsibilities this year (teaching kindergarten in the morning, and 7/8th grade in the afternoon). We understand this in our house. We both are fully committed to what we do, and our core beliefs - and seeing this word be a little better through, and for them. It means we are both going to have to guard our schedules, and be very intentional in all we do, if we are going to follow our call, and see happen what we both feel God is calling us to right now.

On top of this our kids, Claira and Austin are going into new grades and are growing up so much. I am so proud of my children and what they are becoming. This is an important year for them. And August is the beginning of this year.

Personally: My own goals are all wrapped up in what I have mentioned above - only to add I want like never before to pray, read the Bible and develop my faith in Jesus like never before. I have always desired this, but feel a need for it like never before. I find this invigorating, and I look forward to leading, while following, and seeing all that we have in store.

Since Camp Meeting I have been sick, had my 13th wedding anniversary, and am struggling to keep up with calls and e-mails. So be patient with me right now. I only have a few days before going away for a weeks vacation.

But starting in earnest August 18 (I’ll be in and out and attending meetings before then) we’ll really get going. My God richly bless us and all we do to serve Him and each other this year.

Religion is a Lifestyle - Faith is NOT

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:39:33 -0700

Jesus never called us to run to our base.

Say what you like about George Bush and his chums. They knew how to run a campaign and get elected. All they needed was 51% of the vote they reasoned. (Depending on who you listen to they did not even need that!)

They did it all by running to their base. Finding those who thought just enough like them to vote for them.

It’s arrogant, selfish and insular. And if this approach stayed in the world of politics (both extremes do it) and business - even entertainment, I would not be putting “pen” to “paper”. For I am neither democrat or republican. Neither party, nor any other ideology I know of will save me or give me what I am looking for. I am a radical. I am a Jesus follower.

Which means, in my ministry mission and commission, I cannot run to me base. I cannot throw well used phrases to my extreme Adventist members, getting them all riled up about how bad everyone and everything else is while thinking of myself as a good disciple.

Just before Jesus leaves the the spreading of the gospel to 120 spirit filled men and women, he says “go to all nations”. In the scriptures this word nations is very inclusive - and bears no relations to the word “base” as in “catering to”.
__________

Recently I heard an Adventist circuit preacher say - “people don’t witness because they are afraid. They have fear.” This fear keeps us home, silent and away from knocking on doors.

I would suggest fear keeps us form more than this. It keep us running to Holy Huddles, Formula Witnessing, and in our gathering and programs tearing down those who are not like us. This is so unattractive.

We must share the gospel - Jesus - the Good News. This Good News for life, every circumstance, every gender, race, sexual orientation. Every political affiliation, every culture - Anything less is to give into our fears and to lean on our own strength and our own ways. Human ways. Running to the base. Anything less will ensure this generation will never “finish the work” started by Jesus himself.

Matt 24:14 - And this Gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end shall come. - This will never happen catering to the base - settling for 51%.

Give to Get or Give to Give

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:23:54 -0700

Consider this:

Satan gives to get. It is all very self serving and about him.

God gives to give. It is not about him, but about you.

And where are you, and where am I on this scale? Do I give to others (friends family strangers) to get, or to give? And what about giving to God? Do we do this to get or give?

I would suggest that if you give to God in order to get, you will end up on a very legalistic path. There is work to cover, things to do and stuff to eliminate. Its hard providing for yourself. Don’t be fooled and encumber your life this way.

Rather, give to give. This is the way of blessing truth and life. Give. Just to give. With no thought of return. Life is easier this way. And filled with a kind of joy that cannot be bought, barely discovered, but certainly enjoyed.

Camp Meeting III - Cassandra & William

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:30:36 -0700

I just got done from attending the meeting at camp meeting where Austin’s old pre-school teacher and one of Claira’s classmates were interviewed. Cassandra was recently baptized, and this makes for good viewing here - click the read more button to watch the 4 and half minuet video.

Camp Meeting II

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:18:56 -0700

This is me. My tent anyway. For 12 days, I will be away from my home, my family and my church while I attend to my duties at our Soquel Campgrounds for camp meeting. I’m feeling a little bit lonely right now - Susie just left after a flying visit and I’m about to get ready for another night in this makeshift home. Still, its all good - I don’t have to spend the whole night here, as I have to get up at 5:45 am to host the first meeting!

Camp Meeting I

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:12:20 -0700

Soquel camp meeting is the Adventist churches annual gathering in central california. We were told last night at the opening meeting that 3-4,000 were registered for the whole 10 day duration, with upwards of 10,000 on the weekends. Walking around you know this is a big deal for those who attend. I am here as part of my job - its a requirement - but once again, I’ll be trying to get the most out of it. Its a break from my usual routine, and already I am finding myself beginning to relaxin the way only camping can bring!