Tuesday, June 1, 2010
My Name Is "Johah"
Good Day To You!
On Sunday morning as I prepared to attend church God revealed to me that I have a new, Biblical name. That name is Jonah.
Like that prophet I was called to a special work and I declined the invitation. Long before coming to Westchester Christian Church I sensed in various ways that I was called to plant/start a new congregation. Over time I allowed my fear of doing that and the "comfort with the discomfort" of being at WCC, to keep me from taking that step. During my 16+ years at WCC several people (and one pastor in particular) have reaffirmed that calling several times. Until now, I've not been ready to accept that "invitation."
Like Jonah, God was patient with me but was not going to let me continue to run from my call. After being caught in the belly of MY whale (WCC) and delivered to my "destination" (when I was spiritually, emotionally and intellectually developed) I was spit out (from WCC) and challenged/invited yet again, to follow my call (make new disciples) in the form of the new community. I went to church, see below, with that understanding of where I am in my life.
Sunday was my second day of being "a pastor without a pulpit". As was the case on the first Sunday in my new life it turned out to be a very good day. After considering several alternatives I was led, after reading about the topic of his sermon on the church website) to attend the Sunset Park Christian Church in Santa Monica. I read and studied the scripture on which he sermon was based and prepared myself as I always hoped that my congregation would prepare themselves for the worship experience.
I have known the pastor for many years and been supportive of that congregation since my early days in Los Angeles. Like many people at WCC the people there are nice. elderly (with the exception of one family) and based on my impressions from their conversations, isolated from the world. Be that as it may, I was warmly greeted and enjoyed the service. Pastor Jim gave a succinct message that was quite deep. I don't know that his people received all that he offered but I took four pages of notes on what he said.
After the service Pastor Jim and I chatted and I told him that I was no longer at WCC. Upon hearing my vision and the mission of the Living Water Christian Community he invited me to return next Sunday to share musically and to speak about this new call. He expressed his complete desire to be a partner in this new work. I gladly accepted both offers.
Thank you for your prayerful support during this season in my life.
I pray that you enjoy a very safe and blessed weekend.
John-David
On Sunday morning as I prepared to attend church God revealed to me that I have a new, Biblical name. That name is Jonah.
Like that prophet I was called to a special work and I declined the invitation. Long before coming to Westchester Christian Church I sensed in various ways that I was called to plant/start a new congregation. Over time I allowed my fear of doing that and the "comfort with the discomfort" of being at WCC, to keep me from taking that step. During my 16+ years at WCC several people (and one pastor in particular) have reaffirmed that calling several times. Until now, I've not been ready to accept that "invitation."
Like Jonah, God was patient with me but was not going to let me continue to run from my call. After being caught in the belly of MY whale (WCC) and delivered to my "destination" (when I was spiritually, emotionally and intellectually developed) I was spit out (from WCC) and challenged/invited yet again, to follow my call (make new disciples) in the form of the new community. I went to church, see below, with that understanding of where I am in my life.
Sunday was my second day of being "a pastor without a pulpit". As was the case on the first Sunday in my new life it turned out to be a very good day. After considering several alternatives I was led, after reading about the topic of his sermon on the church website) to attend the Sunset Park Christian Church in Santa Monica. I read and studied the scripture on which he sermon was based and prepared myself as I always hoped that my congregation would prepare themselves for the worship experience.
I have known the pastor for many years and been supportive of that congregation since my early days in Los Angeles. Like many people at WCC the people there are nice. elderly (with the exception of one family) and based on my impressions from their conversations, isolated from the world. Be that as it may, I was warmly greeted and enjoyed the service. Pastor Jim gave a succinct message that was quite deep. I don't know that his people received all that he offered but I took four pages of notes on what he said.
After the service Pastor Jim and I chatted and I told him that I was no longer at WCC. Upon hearing my vision and the mission of the Living Water Christian Community he invited me to return next Sunday to share musically and to speak about this new call. He expressed his complete desire to be a partner in this new work. I gladly accepted both offers.
Thank you for your prayerful support during this season in my life.
I pray that you enjoy a very safe and blessed weekend.
John-David
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