So, what’s the “church” or a church plant in my case, supposed to look like? And when I say “look like” I don’t mean the faces of the people or what they are wearing or where they live, but the nature, culture, values and such of the church.
First lest clear the air, you might be wondering why I’m asking this question. Am I angry, hurt & bitter, do I dislike church,…well you get the picture. The answer is No to all the prior. In fact I love the “church”, for many reasons, the simplest…the church is the family of God, the community of the redeemed and the redeeming community, but that’s another blog entry.
For those who might not know I am the Associate Pastor here in Cincinnati at LifeChurch West Chester (www.lcwestchester.com) and will be planting a new church, LifeChurch Norwood, in Norwood Ohio this September. So this question has been…BIG, real big! I have asked my self this question many times and had many (well just about everyone I tell that we are planting a church) ask me. Now, on to the answer.
I believe that “the church must build every ministry around a culture of prayer and intercession, actively participating with Jesus in His end time purpose and ministry.” (Ya that’s some ones quote and if you can guess who I’ll buy you a cup of coffee, but I agree with it 100%) This culture of prayer is central to being a church and I don’t mean just talking about how important prayer is, but having the structure in place to back it up. Where everything flows out of the place of prayer, specifically cooperate prayer, and since we are talking about the “church” the Pastor should be the one leading the prayer meeting with many others participating in leading as well.
The 3 core fundamentals of a “culture of prayer” in a church:
1. Obeying the great commandment (putting the first commandment back in first place)
2. Fulfilling the great commission (contending for revival and Holy Spirit outpouring in geographic regions through intercession)
3. Preparing people for the great judgment (discipleship, raising up passionate followers of Christ and releasing them into their destinies)
Everything must flow out of those three and those three begin and must be maintained in prayer, specifically corporate prayer. So lest break down those three as simply as we can.
Number 1: in obedience to the first commandment we find our worth and identity. Most of the time we find our worth in what we do or can do, but that’s just off. Our worth is in the fact that God loves us, there for we have worth and value. We experience that worth by freely giving our love back to God, this means we get his pleasure and delight in receiving our love. Our loving Him back is what He really wants and the best place to do this is in hidden place of prayer and corporate prayer, I don’t know anything else that I feel is so week yet kills my flesh more than anything else I know! Oh ya, this is what makes prayer enjoyable, His love for us in our weakness.
Number 2: The only way the great commission can be fulfilled is through a great prayer movement. The corporate body of Christ singing out in a concert of prayer and intercession asking God to what He already wants to do, fulfill it. Didn’t Jesus tell us to prayer for more laborers, didn’t the early church pray for signs and wonders and boldness to be done before they did them? Until we have a burden for the lost in prayer the lost will remain lost. We must still go out and be fiery witnesses preaching the gospel to all! Don’t get me wrong, we must fund missions, train up missionaries and as Paul put it, do the work of an evangelist!
Number 3: Discipleship! The easiest people I know to disciple are those who have a really prayer life or should I say a life of prayer. I don’t mean all of them prayer 60 hours a week but they place a very high value of prayer and make time it their day to truly withdraw and pray. Also, those who have had a hand in discipleship me that had a life of prayer have been the ones with the greatest character of Christ towards me and had more wisdom to give me when I really needed it. Also, Jesus walked, ate and lived with his disciples for three years. He gave that part of his life to them, don’t you think it would be a good model to follow. Yes, we need discipleship ministries but that’s not all we need and that’s not where it starts. It starts with some one taking responsibility for the spiritual well being of others. I will just say this, as leaders/pastors when we begin to let out hears be turned towards the sons and daughters of the faith, giving them opportunity to lead, forgiveness, grace and loving room to make mistakes, correcting them in those mistakes with the heart of Christ not a hammer, and release them with the power of believing in them, lives and the world will be forever changed. (Thank you Randy)
With that, the church should look like a group of forgiven sinners who love to love God in their weakness through corporate prayer and loving others; who long for the return of their Lord because of love which motivates them to contend in corporate intercession for the reconciliation of the world to God and go out and preach the Gospel to all because it is the power of God unto salvation; giving their lives to others in discipleship, mentoring, and serving through intentional community, the community of the redeemed and the redeeming community.
There’s so much more to say but I believe this is the core, the center of what the church is to look like.
So Im sure you have been wondering where all my great blog posts have been? Well, mabey there not great but at the very least some what interesting blog posts. To answer my own statment: I have been very, very, very, BUSY!!! As most of you, if not all of you know my family and I are planting a new Church in Norwood, Ohio.
Certain aspects of planting LifeChurch Norwood have been taking up a large amount of my time. We are sponcered by the Assemblies of God Ohio Network and the Association of Related Churches. (for more info on either go to www.ohioag.org & www.relatedchurches.com) which means there is some….A TON…of paper work to do and I have my final exam for the AG at the end of this month to be credentialed.
At the end of this month, the new year, I will have much more time to blog, to meet with you and mabey even buy you a cup of coffee (i know the best sopt in the city), share out vision for Norwood and Cincinnati with you. I will be able to tell you about the House of Prayer we are planting simultaneously with LifeChurch Norwood. Share how you can be a part of this , even if your not here in Cincinnati.
Thank you for your patience, thank you for you interest and support! We are doing great!
And special shouts to everyone reading this that I went to High School & College with. Its been great to catch up and reconect over facebook and twitter.
This morning was a beautiful one. The air was cool and crisp making my coffee even better, the leaves have turned into the beautiful rainbow of midwest America. I had a 9am meeting in Norwood, where LifeChurch will be planted in September of 2010. I try to be in the city as much as possible since we are not yet living there. The meeting went great, it was with one of our team members who just moved in to the city. On a quick side note; its amazing when the Lord brings people into your life who are so willing to serve the Lord. Two of our team members have moved into Norwood to serve and be a part of the Church Plant. They are both amazing people!
After the meeting I went to do my prayer time at the city municipal building. I parked across the street at the old Methodist church thats for sale and began to open my heart to the Lord. Sometimes I find it hard to find the words that communicate what my heart is feeling. So I began to pray in the spirit and before you knew it my heart had been tendered before the Lord and out poured my feelings and heart for the City. I prayed for the police, the mayor and the council men, for the people of the city and Xavier. As I walked around the building and up the steps I felt impressed to go inside, so I did. As I walked through the halls of this 100 plus year old building I took in the size and beauty of the craftsmanship as best I could. I walked that halls praying in a whisper and smiling the who way. Feeling like “this is my municipal building, I am here for these people who are working for the city, I am here for you and you will know Christ soon if you dont already.”
As I wet up to the second floor where the Mayors Court was, the doors were open and the room was empty. I looked in and saw old portrates of former Mayors, ancient looking benches and seats, the look was stirring. I them walked into what looked like a nother large open room with smaller offices with in. As I began to look and admire the size of this room an older man came in. He sais “Hi” and asked if he could help me with anything. I said, “No thanks, just looking around and the building, I have never been in here, its beautiful.” Just them this smiling man began to tell me of his coming and going from the building for the passed 30 years. How the building is like “an old friend to him.” It was great. I introduced myself and asked what the man did. He said, with a large smile “I’m the Mayor.” It was great just the two of us admiring the old building. I very briefly told him that we are starting a new church there in Norwood and want to help him serve the city and assist him however we can. He smiled again and invited me back anytime to meet with him and said “I would love to work with you too.”
It was an amazing experience. I was just outside his building praying for him and for the city he serves. And the Lord just opened up the meeting, I am praying for more experiences like this one. That the Lord would open up a door for His Word to run and have impact on the lives of those governing the city.
Last Night
I had a great time last night with every one at LifeGroup. Your probably wondering what’s LifeGroup. Well, it’s a group of people doing life together. And what do I mean by “doing life together?” I could try to put it simply in just one or two sentences but its more than that. We care about each other, we are there for each other and take time out of our hectic schedules to enjoy life, friendships, good food and the Lord. He is really the tie that binds with us. We’re all very different but we have Him in common. Sure there are similarities among us. But no matter where we come form or where we are, we all care about one another and have a desire to be there for the other when things are hard and best of all when things are great.
Sundays usually look something like this: Around 6:00 pm people begin to show up. Immediately we all enter into that place of friendship and acceptance. We begin to talk, share and laugh about each others stories of the week and of life. Then we usually snack or have some dinner together, there’s nothing life great people and great food. Last night Amberly had home made chili for everyone (So Good!). Sara made cookies and Svetlana made brownies; both were great!!! Who doesn’t love dessert??? Then more fellowship and food. At about 6:30 to 7:00 pm we move into some prayer then a Bible study. We are going through the book of Nehemiah, last night we got through chapter 1. During this time we share what we feel the Lord is saying to us through His word. Every person has unique insights because each person is unique and we all learn and grow from each other through the Lord. We end with a time of prayer for the city, each other and what ever else we feel the need for. Then we all fall right back into where we left off before we started. Laughing, smiling and enjoying life together. It’s a great time!! There’s so much more but it would bore you to sit here read about it. So why don’t you come to the next small group. It will be Sunday October 18th at 6:00 p.m. The address is 491 Halifax Cir. Cincinnati OH. 45244
If you want to know more just email me at joshuawotawa@clcalive.org
Vacation Travles
So I’m blogging. For those of you who know me try to stop laughing so hard. I know it’s funny but come on. Honestly you will get a glimpse into me, the secret world of Joshua. Not that theres really any secret just ask me, I’ll tell ya.
Reading my blog is guaranteed to make life more enjoyable and add 10 years to your life. 3 out of 4 doctors recommend reading this. You will laugh, smile, be moved by the griping details of what it’s like to plant a church.
You’ll find out that even the best spell check known to man is no match for me.
What you’ll get is an honest uncut true story that is live taking place right now. No matter if you live here in Cincinnati or in California you will become a part of the story and that’s what I’m hoping for. My invitation is for you to join in the story and become a part of it.
