Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Annual Meeting Summary
Hey, AC3 Family and Friends-
As you may know, we recently had our annual business meeting after the service on June 9th. We realize not everyone was able to attend, so here is a summation of the things we discussed so you, too, can be in the know.
In regard to the Elders, Shea and Lori Caperoon have stepped off for this year and we welcomed new elder James Boerner, who was voted in during the meeting. Each year, the elders go on a spring retreat and pray and decide whether or not to let their names stand for the vote for another year, or whether to remove their name from the vote for family, ministry or other reasons. Then we decide if we need to open up the elder nomination process and possibly add a new member or two to the team. This changeover happens at the annual meeting. Welcome James!
Speaking of new people being added, there are a few more that have taken on roles going forward into the next year. Braeden Crain has been faithfully serving as our Youth Pastor on a part-time basis. Because of the need, and because of your faithful giving, we were able to bump her up to full time beginning in September. We are very excited about this! B has been building the youth ministry in such powerful and legacy building ways. Thank you, Braeden!
We have added the volunteer position of Small Group Coordinator. This position will actually be a team of two: Jaime Dodds and Sarah Ade. They will be active in equipping people to lead or small groups, coach new leaders, help groups to craft guidelines, and provide helpful information for anyone who has wanted to lead or join a small group. This is right in line with our values of Grouping and Growing, and building relationships. Welcome Jaime and Sarah!
We have also added the volunteer position of Care Team Coordinator. Michelle Daniels is filling this need for us, and we are so happy about this! What is the Care Team? If someone in our midst ends up with a need, such as a surgery or illness, normally their small group would contact them and help coordinate meal delivery, rides, housecleaning…whatever is needed. But we realize that sometimes a person has not yet connected to a small group, or their particular group cannot meet all of the needs. They can now contact Michelle, and she will contact people on her team to see who is able to meet that need. Having a coordinator will help us make sure that no one falls through the cracks, or that we don’t end up duplicating services that aren’t needed. If you wish to be a member of this team, please complete the form on this page http://ac3.org/compassion-outreach/ac3-care-team. There is no pressure on this team; if you are unable to fill the need she is requesting, simply let her know and she will move on to the next person. It’s a wonderful way to serve and to get to know others in your church body.
In other matters, AC3 has a new mobile app. You can now download and use this app to find services times and directions, give your tithes and offerings, take Applications classes, access sermon audio files and more. To get the app, go to your mobile app store and down load Church Center App.
It has been ten years since we last undertook the big job of researching our local church body and our unchurched community to see how we are doing in reaching people. So, as in the past, we are going to survey people and our community, and evaluate ourselves. One of the ways we can do that more easily and objectively is to potentially pay an outside company to conduct interviews, find common themes and boil them down so we can have solid recommendations. The Elders have approved this, and the Board will crunch the numbers. If there is room in the budget, we believe this will be money well-spent to further our Kingdom work in the best way, reaching those who need Jesus the most.
Applications, our discipleship and growing program, is now online! Yes, you can receive all the Biblical teaching and tools for growth from your very own home. You can access this content here: http://ac3.org/next-steps/applications As you complete the levels under each topic, you will have a chance to request a log-in and access materials for going deeper into the learning, with online and in-person participation. Visit the site and watch the introduction video for more information. And a big SHOUTOUT to Dan Hazen for completing this huge task and accomplishment, and his team of volunteers who helped to make this happen.
We voted in the new operating budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. We are an open book operation, so if you’d like a copy of the budget, please request a copy from the church office.
Lastly, a couple of good questions were asked by attenders. Although the turnout for the annual meeting was strong, some felt as though people who were not members were being excluded, and that perhaps not enough of an effort was being made to get them into membership. Just so everyone is aware, ALL people are welcome to come to the meeting. No one is excluded from attendance. We do our best to get the word out in our announcements and social media for anyone who wants to be there. So at our next meeting, feel free to invite everyone who would be interested to attend. They can ask questions, bring up ideas, and be heard.
The only thing that requires membership during the meeting is the actual vote on the budget and the voting in of elders. To become a member, you simply sign up for one of the AC3 Mission classes throughout the year. Here you will know who we are and why we do what we do. That way you know what you are joining! Membership at AC3 also requires baptism. We feel that is an important part of declaring your desire to follow Jesus, and continue to follow him throughout your life. After that, a brief one-on-one interview with one of the elders so you get the opportunity to tell your story and how you came to faith. That’s it. Then you are welcomed into membership, and have all the voting rights you want. If you are deciding about membership, please don’t let that stop you from participating in all of the business meetings, small groups, classes and fellowship opportunities we offer.
Another concern raised was to make sure we don’t forget about the Saturday night services when we are having our meeting. We agree! That is why several years ago we started having semi-annual meetings after the Saturday night service. One reason is because we felt a whole year without an update on the status of our church, budget, and operations was too long. Another reason is because we wanted to include Saturday night people in all the goings on in our church. And finally, it lets us welcome new members more often than once a year. You are always welcome to attend any service, any class, and every business meeting we have. And as you each have been specially gifted by God to further his kingdom, please know there are many volunteer opportunities where you can walk beside someone and get your gifts in the game. AC3 needs you. AC3 is you. We are all a part of the larger body of Christ, and you belong!
Ephesians 4:4-6
4 We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5 For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us.
As you may know, we recently had our annual business meeting after the service on June 9th. We realize not everyone was able to attend, so here is a summation of the things we discussed so you, too, can be in the know.
In regard to the Elders, Shea and Lori Caperoon have stepped off for this year and we welcomed new elder James Boerner, who was voted in during the meeting. Each year, the elders go on a spring retreat and pray and decide whether or not to let their names stand for the vote for another year, or whether to remove their name from the vote for family, ministry or other reasons. Then we decide if we need to open up the elder nomination process and possibly add a new member or two to the team. This changeover happens at the annual meeting. Welcome James!
Speaking of new people being added, there are a few more that have taken on roles going forward into the next year. Braeden Crain has been faithfully serving as our Youth Pastor on a part-time basis. Because of the need, and because of your faithful giving, we were able to bump her up to full time beginning in September. We are very excited about this! B has been building the youth ministry in such powerful and legacy building ways. Thank you, Braeden!
We have added the volunteer position of Small Group Coordinator. This position will actually be a team of two: Jaime Dodds and Sarah Ade. They will be active in equipping people to lead or small groups, coach new leaders, help groups to craft guidelines, and provide helpful information for anyone who has wanted to lead or join a small group. This is right in line with our values of Grouping and Growing, and building relationships. Welcome Jaime and Sarah!
We have also added the volunteer position of Care Team Coordinator. Michelle Daniels is filling this need for us, and we are so happy about this! What is the Care Team? If someone in our midst ends up with a need, such as a surgery or illness, normally their small group would contact them and help coordinate meal delivery, rides, housecleaning…whatever is needed. But we realize that sometimes a person has not yet connected to a small group, or their particular group cannot meet all of the needs. They can now contact Michelle, and she will contact people on her team to see who is able to meet that need. Having a coordinator will help us make sure that no one falls through the cracks, or that we don’t end up duplicating services that aren’t needed. If you wish to be a member of this team, please complete the form on this page http://ac3.org/compassion-outreach/ac3-care-team. There is no pressure on this team; if you are unable to fill the need she is requesting, simply let her know and she will move on to the next person. It’s a wonderful way to serve and to get to know others in your church body.
In other matters, AC3 has a new mobile app. You can now download and use this app to find services times and directions, give your tithes and offerings, take Applications classes, access sermon audio files and more. To get the app, go to your mobile app store and down load Church Center App.
It has been ten years since we last undertook the big job of researching our local church body and our unchurched community to see how we are doing in reaching people. So, as in the past, we are going to survey people and our community, and evaluate ourselves. One of the ways we can do that more easily and objectively is to potentially pay an outside company to conduct interviews, find common themes and boil them down so we can have solid recommendations. The Elders have approved this, and the Board will crunch the numbers. If there is room in the budget, we believe this will be money well-spent to further our Kingdom work in the best way, reaching those who need Jesus the most.
Applications, our discipleship and growing program, is now online! Yes, you can receive all the Biblical teaching and tools for growth from your very own home. You can access this content here: http://ac3.org/next-steps/applications As you complete the levels under each topic, you will have a chance to request a log-in and access materials for going deeper into the learning, with online and in-person participation. Visit the site and watch the introduction video for more information. And a big SHOUTOUT to Dan Hazen for completing this huge task and accomplishment, and his team of volunteers who helped to make this happen.
We voted in the new operating budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. We are an open book operation, so if you’d like a copy of the budget, please request a copy from the church office.
Lastly, a couple of good questions were asked by attenders. Although the turnout for the annual meeting was strong, some felt as though people who were not members were being excluded, and that perhaps not enough of an effort was being made to get them into membership. Just so everyone is aware, ALL people are welcome to come to the meeting. No one is excluded from attendance. We do our best to get the word out in our announcements and social media for anyone who wants to be there. So at our next meeting, feel free to invite everyone who would be interested to attend. They can ask questions, bring up ideas, and be heard.
The only thing that requires membership during the meeting is the actual vote on the budget and the voting in of elders. To become a member, you simply sign up for one of the AC3 Mission classes throughout the year. Here you will know who we are and why we do what we do. That way you know what you are joining! Membership at AC3 also requires baptism. We feel that is an important part of declaring your desire to follow Jesus, and continue to follow him throughout your life. After that, a brief one-on-one interview with one of the elders so you get the opportunity to tell your story and how you came to faith. That’s it. Then you are welcomed into membership, and have all the voting rights you want. If you are deciding about membership, please don’t let that stop you from participating in all of the business meetings, small groups, classes and fellowship opportunities we offer.
Another concern raised was to make sure we don’t forget about the Saturday night services when we are having our meeting. We agree! That is why several years ago we started having semi-annual meetings after the Saturday night service. One reason is because we felt a whole year without an update on the status of our church, budget, and operations was too long. Another reason is because we wanted to include Saturday night people in all the goings on in our church. And finally, it lets us welcome new members more often than once a year. You are always welcome to attend any service, any class, and every business meeting we have. And as you each have been specially gifted by God to further his kingdom, please know there are many volunteer opportunities where you can walk beside someone and get your gifts in the game. AC3 needs you. AC3 is you. We are all a part of the larger body of Christ, and you belong!
Ephesians 4:4-6
4 We are all parts of one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5 For us there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and we all have the same God and Father who is over us all and in us all, and living through every part of us.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Man Up--Week 3
When my son was young and in school, I used to dream of being a teacher myself. But as a single mom of three boys and working long hours, there was no way to go back to school. Still, I longed for it. I remember the eventful day that dream changed, however. My young son and I were sitting at the kitchen table and I was trying to teach him to tell time. (Remember analog clocks?!) It did not go well. Tears may have been shed. He wasn’t happy either. Not only did that session change my ideals about becoming a teacher, it made me doubt myself, my son and whether I really knew how to tell time! What I said and what he received from me seemed to be two different things. I had no idea how to teach this boy. When he turned 16 and got his driver’s license, I tried to teach him to drive a stick shift. These were hard days, people.
What I realized is that all the things I tried to teach my kids: kindness, the Golden Rule, the love of Jesus, fractions…. I was teaching them the way I would want to learn them, not the way they could easily learn them. In particular, when it came to growing into young men with the strength and confidence of becoming adults, no teaching from me was going to do it. I realized that mentoring and accomplishment were the ways my boys were going to come into their own. My kids were still in elementary school when Shea and I married. He let them get under the hood of a car and help change spark plugs. He apologized to them after an argument that had unnecessary words in it. He let them try things, do them badly, then help them correct it patiently and with praise. This is mentoring.
Mentoring is more than just teaching. It’s modeling, encouragement, problem solving together, coming alongside. It’s not solving someone else’s problems, it’s helping them work through them beside them. Mentoring a child or an adult should feel like support to the mentee. It should feel empowering, encouraging and give them a sense that they can solve the issue at hand or make an idea happen. When it’s done well, mentoring is a beautiful and organic thing.
When done poorly, mentoring is the worst thing that can happen to a person who is vulnerable and ready to be led. It tears down. It is judgmental and full of ridicule. It conveys disapproval and condescension. It is not beside someone, it is over them. The fact is, most people using this kind of “mentoring” don’t even realize they are doing it, but it is harmful. It can cut the growing branches off the tree entirely.
Think of someone who’s been a great mentor in your life. Were they generous? Patient? Did you walk away from them feeling better about your situation or yourself? Empowered? When you look back at the people you feel have helped you in your life, did you even realize you were being mentored at the time? Everyone loves a great mentor- it feels good. But here’s a harder question: Who have you mentored? Who have you let walk beside you and watch you and ask questions? With whom have you been patient and generous?
Jesus was a tremendous mentor. He modeled all the important things for his disciples that are hard to teach on a blackboard: Love, forgiveness, generosity, trust, prayer, when to pour into people, when to go away alone and commune with God. He modeled loyalty, teaching, follow-through, how to pray, when to get angry and when to turn away from anger. He had strength of character and was not afraid or influenced by others. He is not done mentoring these things, friend. He’s mentoring you today if you let him. Scripture lets us continue to learn from him.
If you have been yearning for a mentor, asking God to send someone your way that you can glean from, maybe you are forgetting the other part of what Jesus did. He mentored others. There is always someone who can use the mentoring you have to offer. I’ll go a step further: Maybe you are already mentoring someone, though maybe you haven’t realized it. Your kids, nieces or nephews, siblings, co-workers, small group members, neighbor. Someone who looks to you and your actions for guidance and example. Maybe ask God who he has brought into your life that needs you. Maybe you are the person God will send to someone else who has been praying for a mentor. When you participate with God in this kind of activity, you are in the sweet spot and it is amazing.
As for me, I have had the great benefit of learning from others and mentoring others, both. Both are rewarding. There are great rewards and teachings in being the mentor as well. I have received many, and I am thankful. I’m thankful for all the ways people have taught me. I’m thankful for the ways Jesus continues to mentor me. And I’m thankful for digital clocks.
What I realized is that all the things I tried to teach my kids: kindness, the Golden Rule, the love of Jesus, fractions…. I was teaching them the way I would want to learn them, not the way they could easily learn them. In particular, when it came to growing into young men with the strength and confidence of becoming adults, no teaching from me was going to do it. I realized that mentoring and accomplishment were the ways my boys were going to come into their own. My kids were still in elementary school when Shea and I married. He let them get under the hood of a car and help change spark plugs. He apologized to them after an argument that had unnecessary words in it. He let them try things, do them badly, then help them correct it patiently and with praise. This is mentoring.
Mentoring is more than just teaching. It’s modeling, encouragement, problem solving together, coming alongside. It’s not solving someone else’s problems, it’s helping them work through them beside them. Mentoring a child or an adult should feel like support to the mentee. It should feel empowering, encouraging and give them a sense that they can solve the issue at hand or make an idea happen. When it’s done well, mentoring is a beautiful and organic thing.
When done poorly, mentoring is the worst thing that can happen to a person who is vulnerable and ready to be led. It tears down. It is judgmental and full of ridicule. It conveys disapproval and condescension. It is not beside someone, it is over them. The fact is, most people using this kind of “mentoring” don’t even realize they are doing it, but it is harmful. It can cut the growing branches off the tree entirely.
Think of someone who’s been a great mentor in your life. Were they generous? Patient? Did you walk away from them feeling better about your situation or yourself? Empowered? When you look back at the people you feel have helped you in your life, did you even realize you were being mentored at the time? Everyone loves a great mentor- it feels good. But here’s a harder question: Who have you mentored? Who have you let walk beside you and watch you and ask questions? With whom have you been patient and generous?
Jesus was a tremendous mentor. He modeled all the important things for his disciples that are hard to teach on a blackboard: Love, forgiveness, generosity, trust, prayer, when to pour into people, when to go away alone and commune with God. He modeled loyalty, teaching, follow-through, how to pray, when to get angry and when to turn away from anger. He had strength of character and was not afraid or influenced by others. He is not done mentoring these things, friend. He’s mentoring you today if you let him. Scripture lets us continue to learn from him.
If you have been yearning for a mentor, asking God to send someone your way that you can glean from, maybe you are forgetting the other part of what Jesus did. He mentored others. There is always someone who can use the mentoring you have to offer. I’ll go a step further: Maybe you are already mentoring someone, though maybe you haven’t realized it. Your kids, nieces or nephews, siblings, co-workers, small group members, neighbor. Someone who looks to you and your actions for guidance and example. Maybe ask God who he has brought into your life that needs you. Maybe you are the person God will send to someone else who has been praying for a mentor. When you participate with God in this kind of activity, you are in the sweet spot and it is amazing.
As for me, I have had the great benefit of learning from others and mentoring others, both. Both are rewarding. There are great rewards and teachings in being the mentor as well. I have received many, and I am thankful. I’m thankful for all the ways people have taught me. I’m thankful for the ways Jesus continues to mentor me. And I’m thankful for digital clocks.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Celebrating a '10' Year Partnership!
With Legacy in mind, the Kreek Kids ministry team along with insights from AC3 families and leadership, officially became a cooperative partnership ministry in the 2009/2010 ministry year!
At that time we understood and believed two things to be true. First, that parents really are the number one influencers in their child's life. Secondly, that a traditional Sunday School model would not continue to work for us and who we were as a church.
Knowing we could no longer effectively do children’s ministry or provide safe staffing ratios without the support of both AC3ers and Kreek Kids parents working together, AC3's Kreek Kids Co-op Ministry was born!
Knowing we could no longer effectively do children’s ministry or provide safe staffing ratios without the support of both AC3ers and Kreek Kids parents working together, AC3's Kreek Kids Co-op Ministry was born!
When we serve together and with Legacy in mind, we have the ability to create environments where kids feel welcome, have fun while learning Biblical truths creatively and we become a SAFE place for visiting parents to drop off their kids with confidence during weekend services. Our Kreek Kids partnership and co-op format is the key to what we call the BEST HOUR in every family's week!
AC3 is still passionate today about leaving a legacy of faith for the next generation and currently uses C.A.R.L. as a filter to help ensure that we are meeting our Compassion, Alignment, Relationship and Legacy objectives. Because AC3 wants to continue to be relevant to seekers of all ages in our local community, a new Direction Team is being organized. This team will use a similar process that was used during our Five Year Planning Initiative in which C.A.R.L. was formed. They'll be collecting fresh data about our growing neighborhoods, how we currently invite our friends to church and much more. This team will be under the direction of our Pastoral Team and Elder Board.
As AC3's Kreek Kids Director, it's always hard to do the BIG ASK and let others know there are needs in our ministry and we do have a few. So if leaving a legacy of faith with the next generation of faith is important to you but you're not sure you have what it takes, let's chat over a latte! It's not as scary as you think:)
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The Church + Home = Greater ImpactLight (yellow) + Love (red) = Orange |
Help Us Celebrate '10'!
Choose to do just ONE thing, a ONE time serve option to help support our Kreek Kids in the coming year. Looking for a total of 10+ serving opportunities filled by someone NOT currently serving in Kreek Kids. What a great way to tell our parents and volunteers 'I see you and I support you' in the coming ministry year 2019-2020.
Choose to do just ONE thing, a ONE time serve option to help support our Kreek Kids in the coming year. Looking for a total of 10+ serving opportunities filled by someone NOT currently serving in Kreek Kids. What a great way to tell our parents and volunteers 'I see you and I support you' in the coming ministry year 2019-2020.
A few Celebrate '10' one-time serve opportunities include:
- Behind-the-scenes cleaning, organizing and classroom prep options
- Provide childcare during one of our Kreek Kids Team Training
- Provide childcare during a Child Dedication class or team meeting
- Be a substitute classroom or nursery helper
- KK Entry-Level Positions PDF
Call me with any questions you might have. I look forward to celebrating the NEXT '10' years of partnership with you!
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Heart of the Matter
The Heart of the Matter~
I have a complicated and slightly neurotic approach to the third Sunday in June. To say I have daddy issues is what I consider to be a vast understatement in regard to Father's Day. When the elders looked at our blog calendar, it seemed only natural to have me write this week's introduction to weekend services. After all, that, my friends is how we grow. We confront the things that make us uncomfortable, and we lean into God in ways that allow HIM to be glorified even when it hurts. So here I am putting to paper the issues that nearly consumed me and writing about my own triumph over deep sadness and loss. I know it is only by the grace and mercy of our mighty Yahweh-Rapha that I am able to truly say GOD in His mercy and righteous nature bestowed upon me a supernatural blessing of a forgiving heart.
Early on a Saturday morning my foster father Terry Joe Carlson lost his battle with leukemia. He died in a hospice bed in the living room of his home. He was surrounded by people who loved him most in this world. During the last days of his life he said things to me that I will always hold dear to my heart.
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| Dea's foster father, Terry and her oldest son, Chase. |
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| Dea's foster father, Terry and her oldest son, Chase. |
When he took his last breath, in that moment I believed I would cry every day for the rest of my life. He had been my father for almost a decade, and all I wanted was more time with him. I had taken off my watch the last week of his life in a foolish attempt to slow down time. And yet, time continued. The man who had opened his home to me was gone. Although I wasn’t a believer, I did have a seeker's heart. Matthew 11:28 says “come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Despite being lost and broken and having the proverbial rug ripped out from under my feet, I was also a young wife and mother. I found that I just had to deal with the hand I was given and would be a broken-hearted daughter who was untethered, hopeless, and fatherless the day before Father’s Day.
I hadn’t always been fatherless. In fact, over the course of the last few years I discovered I was like the character Sophie in the Meryl Streep movieMamma Mia! I had three possibilities for the role of father in my life. In recent months, I have named my neurotic notions The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (queue spaghetti western-themed music). The good dad is my notion that a father wants all the right things for his child and knows how to give good gifts. The one who if he knew about me would move heaven and earth to make his way to “rescue” his precious daughter. My idea of this man is one who is both sacrificing and loving and strong and brave. This man who not only hates injustice but does his part to defeat it in any way he can (within the limits of the law). The one who embraces his role of father and nearly every choice he makes is one that is measured against the lens of Scripture. The father that will raise his children in ways that honor God so when they are old they will not depart from it(Proverbs 22:8). By contrast, since I fashioned the idea of a good dad, then it stands to reason that I conceptualize the bad dad. The bad dad idea is the type of dad that is distant, removed, preoccupied—the one that puts his own needs and desires above his family. This dad squanders his abundant blessings of family. He does not intend the harm he causes, and yet he does not cherish fatherhood as an honorable pursuit. The good and the bad can be two sides of the same coin. They are the potential, the beginnings, the foundation of who a man makes a choice to become the moment he takes on the role of father. 2 Timothy 1:7says “for the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline.” To be a man of integrity and character is not for the faint of heart. The reality is I was not raised by either of these ideas of the good or the bad. I was raised by The Ugly.
Ugliness is the epitome of the father I had known the longest in my life. This father is the one that like the enemy, prowls around like a roaring lion looking to devour. This enemy destroys and hurts and robs and breaks hearts. This is the father that tortures psyches and steals innocence.The Ugly dad is the antagonist in every good versus evil scenario. This Ugly brings with him chaos and destruction. He is the father behind the staggering statistics of childhood abuse. The reason in which little girls are removed from their homes by detectives on June mornings. The father in which forgiveness is reluctantly given—eventually—but given nonetheless, so that peace is paramount, not anxiety, brokenness, and despair. This supernatural approach to forgiveness can only come from our sovereign God in Heaven. A human heart in my experience can only forgive because the cross teaches me the hard lesson of forgiveness.
The ugly earthly father with all his flaws and demons set me on a course that would ultimately bring me into the home of Terry Joe Carlson, an earthly father of flesh and blood. Terry and his wife would embrace me and call me daughter. Terry and Launa would begin to heal in me my deep-rooted sadness through love and humor. They modeled healthy boundaries and discipline. I am a slow learner, and there were definitely pitfalls in the process in which I could discover what it means to be loved by a doting parent. I made quite a few false steps that were riddled with consequences, but no matter how far I veered to the left or right, I could come back to center because my foster father fostered in me the desire to live a life that is good. And in giving me the idea of good, how could I not find myself pointed in the direction of the Gospel?
God, in HIS mercy pursued me and introduced me to HIS Son. Jesus did not come for the healthy; He came for the sick. He came for me so that I may live! God in HIS divine nature gave us the gift of the Son so that we may not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus came so we may have life in abundance (John 10:10). I am healed from my broken heart. I am a new creation in Christ. I know who my Father in Heaven is, and He calls me His. I am redeemed. There is power in fixing your eyes on Jesus and overcoming the things of this life that seek to destroy you. There is hope and a future for us because God made a way with Jesus.
Over the course of this last year, my daddy issues, though not completely resolved, are greatly simplified. I discovered I am the biological daughter of Jesse Bryant, a man my mother mentioned by name on my 25th birthday. Through the wonder of spit in a test tube, I connected with family and visited the Mississippi cemetery where Jesse has been for almost fifteen years—that is a blog for another day. But in that chapter of self-discovery, I have learned God gives and He takes away. But in all things there is forgiveness, and that is the heart of the matter.
~Written by Dea Braaten
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Get to know... James Boerner
We will be voting on the Elder board this weekend at the annual meeting. James Boerner is our only new nominee, so let's get to know James a little bit!
As a youngster, my parents did the best they could. Seriously, they did. They understood only too well that their youngest child (yours truly) was full of rebellion and a fighting spirit. “If only we could channel that fighting spirit for good”, I’m sure was a recurring thought in their minds. So, they did what I’m sure all Christian parents do; they tried to turn me to God at an early age. In my teenage years, I rebelled against that, too.
It took God a mere 20 years to bring me back to Him in the Spring of 2009. An investigative mind (who am I kidding? I’m a nerd) led me down a path in search of Truth which in my 30s I already recognized was an external thing. I landed an engineering job that was dependent on that fact; that my opinion of a thing doesn’t change a thing. Truth is an abstract thing that exists outside of myself. One morning on a Wednesday in March of 2009 while reading the Gospel of John I saw a man declare himself to BE the Truth. The embodiment of Truth. That amongst other things resonated powerfully with my journey and after the declaration in John 10:28 that no one can be taken out of His hand it became clear that though I had left Him, He had never left me. That very moment in the bathtub while reading the Gospel of John, I uttered the words “I’m Yours. Save me.” I was saved in that moment, brought back into the fold. Plus, since I was in the bath at the time it was a free instantaneous baptism, so bonus!!
A few years later my family and I walked through the doors of AC3, and have been rooted here ever since. Early in my Christian walk, I asked God where He wanted me to go to church. I never got an answer. At some point in those first couple of years attending AC3, a sermon was preached about the local church and what it’s supposed to be. During that sermon, sitting in the audience I asked God this time “Where do you want me to serve?” The answer was clear, and we’ve been serving at AC3 whenever we can, going forward with the gifts we have. This next season I’m honored to be serving as an Elder at AC3. Like any other endeavor I land myself in, I’m committed to serving the church body as best I can, with whatever gifts I have now and Lord willing, with the gifts He will grow over time.
I’m a husband, married to my lovely wife Fedra, coming up on our 14th anniversary. I still have friends at work that can’t believe I managed to successfully date, let alone get married. I guess I understand. It surprises me sometimes, too! We live in Marysville with our two children and my mother-in-law (Rocio), Matias, aged 7 and Gabi, aged 4. My boy Matias is a sweet soul, and a good friend. Gabi is every bit the fighter and fierce little bobcat that God said she would be before she was born. My God is a God that starts things with the end in mind, so I chuckle at the thought that a recurring conversation between Fedra and me is “If only we could channel those fighting spirits for good”.
Thank you, AC3. We’re looking forward to serving you, and doing this thing called the Jesus life with all its messy beauty, together.
-James
As a youngster, my parents did the best they could. Seriously, they did. They understood only too well that their youngest child (yours truly) was full of rebellion and a fighting spirit. “If only we could channel that fighting spirit for good”, I’m sure was a recurring thought in their minds. So, they did what I’m sure all Christian parents do; they tried to turn me to God at an early age. In my teenage years, I rebelled against that, too.
It took God a mere 20 years to bring me back to Him in the Spring of 2009. An investigative mind (who am I kidding? I’m a nerd) led me down a path in search of Truth which in my 30s I already recognized was an external thing. I landed an engineering job that was dependent on that fact; that my opinion of a thing doesn’t change a thing. Truth is an abstract thing that exists outside of myself. One morning on a Wednesday in March of 2009 while reading the Gospel of John I saw a man declare himself to BE the Truth. The embodiment of Truth. That amongst other things resonated powerfully with my journey and after the declaration in John 10:28 that no one can be taken out of His hand it became clear that though I had left Him, He had never left me. That very moment in the bathtub while reading the Gospel of John, I uttered the words “I’m Yours. Save me.” I was saved in that moment, brought back into the fold. Plus, since I was in the bath at the time it was a free instantaneous baptism, so bonus!!
A few years later my family and I walked through the doors of AC3, and have been rooted here ever since. Early in my Christian walk, I asked God where He wanted me to go to church. I never got an answer. At some point in those first couple of years attending AC3, a sermon was preached about the local church and what it’s supposed to be. During that sermon, sitting in the audience I asked God this time “Where do you want me to serve?” The answer was clear, and we’ve been serving at AC3 whenever we can, going forward with the gifts we have. This next season I’m honored to be serving as an Elder at AC3. Like any other endeavor I land myself in, I’m committed to serving the church body as best I can, with whatever gifts I have now and Lord willing, with the gifts He will grow over time.
I’m a husband, married to my lovely wife Fedra, coming up on our 14th anniversary. I still have friends at work that can’t believe I managed to successfully date, let alone get married. I guess I understand. It surprises me sometimes, too! We live in Marysville with our two children and my mother-in-law (Rocio), Matias, aged 7 and Gabi, aged 4. My boy Matias is a sweet soul, and a good friend. Gabi is every bit the fighter and fierce little bobcat that God said she would be before she was born. My God is a God that starts things with the end in mind, so I chuckle at the thought that a recurring conversation between Fedra and me is “If only we could channel those fighting spirits for good”.
Thank you, AC3. We’re looking forward to serving you, and doing this thing called the Jesus life with all its messy beauty, together.
-James
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Man Up--Week 2
Be Strong, Be Strengthened Warrior
Ah men and their addictions...
Porn gets much of the spotlight in the christian culture these days, followed by either drugs or alcohol or a soupy-swampy cocktail of both. What we don't hear much about it seems is violence addiction. "What's that?" you say? Exactly my point...
Movies and TV series force feed us violence at unprecedented levels these days. I know Game of Thrones has had all kinds of controversy within the church because they blatantly show some boobies - but the level of violent display goes all the way to eleven. If you watched it (and I'm not saying you should or shouldn't have) consider the feeling you felt when that hated character of Joffrey got what was coming to him. The feeling of elation at the violent death of a character you have been led to despise - it is a toxic formula for your heart. The worse a bad guy is in a movie, the more you look forward to the spectacular death that awaits them. Sure this has a word to us about justice, and who can fault anyone for upholding a thing like that, but it also generates a blood frenzy within our hearts that does not belong alongside the mind of the one following after Christ.
Just as porn takes a healthy masculine desire (sex) and twists it into a thing pernicious, so does extreme consumer violence take a healthy masculine impulse and buckles it into abuse and cruelty and bloodlust. That impulse is warriorship.
"Protecting yourself is self-defense. Protecting others is warriorship."
I rather like this simple definition of warrior. Yes it implies physical confrontation, but it surely goes beyond that. As warrior, you are committed with protecting the people you love, whether family or community or perhaps even an ideal you hold as beneficial to your loved ones and theirs. In this world you will have trouble, and there is a time for both peace and for war. Days will come, and may be upon you in a tick, when you must take up your sword and enter the struggle.
Why is Rick such a great teacher? Because he is a warrior about it. He teaches to strengthen you and protect you. He, as a spiritual leader, is committed to seeing you grow and thrive because you have much to contend with and fearsome enemies at your doorstep. These enemies are not savages with curved swords. These adversaries look like complacency and consumerism and self-absorption. They may be a simple disgust with the Good or a disregard of the Beautiful, or disdain toward the Truth.
A warrior is one who is actively engaged in the battle. I would suppose it is possible to be a warrior and a pacifist at the same time, but certainly it is not possible to be a warrior and a spectator at the same time. I know there are many warriors among us here at AC3 - please allow me now to call you forth as our champions to stand with us and for us.
Quoting one of my teachers - as I like to do:
"The true warrior is not merely a superb fighting machine.He needs to confront and overcome much more than mere opponents. He must triumph over adversities, philosophical stumbling blocks, spiritual trials, emotional crises, social and cosmic injustice, his own weakness and possibly the devil himself." ~David Carradine
If you were to visit my house and peruse my movie collection, I'm confident that you would be quite impressed with the kung fu section. (we can discuss my own violence addiction later...) I've been watching kung fu movies my entire life. As a kid in Hawaii, I often spent my Saturday afternoons in front of the tv. I was not watching Scooby-Doo or Gilligan's Island like the rest of the kids... no, I was watching Kung Fu Theater - Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Gordon Liu and all the rest. My favorite part of any kung fu movie is the training scene. This happens shortly after the protagonist's master has been murdered by the evil bastard warlord and justice must be fulfilled at any cost. Our hero then goes into a season of training... beating his body to make it strong and capable. The fight of his life, and possibly his death, awaits him.
Watch this for a taste (really, I mean it, spend 3 min and actually watch it):
https://youtu.be/G6f0w5BRasw
"Kung fu lives in everything we do. It lives in how we put on a jacket, in how we take off a jacket. It lives in how we treat people. Everything is kung fu."
In China, the word Kung Fu refers to any practice that requires discipline, patience, energy, and an extended period of time to complete. It is not specifically a style of fighting even though that is how we use the words here in the states. In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any skill achieved through hard work, tireless study and relentless practice - the grueling training scenes to strengthen the mind and the body are a great example, but the idea can be applied easily to how you live today.
Kung fu lives in how you show up at your day job, in how you treat your wife and children, in how you study the scriptures and apply the wisdom God gives you. It lives in how greet a brother, in how you serve a sister, in how you teach the young and revere the aging. Kung fu lives in how you respect and love and fight to protect.
Kung fu results in honor and a code - every true warrior has a code. The one without a code is brute beast and no man. There are things worth fighting for and people worth protecting. The code of the warrior rightly assigns value to these and sets the price of protecting them. This is not a thing that can be stolen from another nor passively received - the strength of the warrior must be developed through training and resilience.
You may not think about "gentle Jesus meek and mild" in a conversation about warriorship, but give it some thought. He carried the ultimate code - the gospel of the kingdom, and he paid the ultimate price to protect the ones he calls friends. He spent years developing his kung fu - the temple elders were amazed at his grasp of scripture even as a child, and He could not be tricked by his adversaries but turned their words back upon them time and again. He fought in life and he fought with His death. He was and is the True Warrior in this world.
Now, we are in a series about biblical masculinity, but I want to make it clear that women also have an instinct to warriorhood. It doesn't always involve swinging battle axes on bloody battle fields (though in some stories it rightly does - think Joan of Arc). The female warrior protects and nurtures. The female warrior has moved beyond petty competitions and fights the good fight so that her children and her tribe may be harbored in the safety of her strength.
Whether man or woman, the Word speaks the same call to you:
Be strong in the Lord for the fight
Train fiercely for the conflicts that lie ahead
Stand firm before the destroyer and protect those that would be his prey
Watch for attacks from the left or the right, ahead or behind, within or without
Be strengthened by every encounter for your adversary will be relentless
I will leave you with another training scene (real life stuff here) - not because I want you to develop the Infamous Iron Palm Technique but rather I desire to inspire you to train up the Force of Iron Faith. The battle of your life is still before you but LORD is with you mighty warrior (Judges 6:12)
https://youtu.be/EL1Nvy6bMDs
-Written by Shea Caperoon
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