Light-Weight, Low-Maintenance, and Life!

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Pastor Jesse

So, we had a retreat this past weekend.  And it was wonderful.  People encountered the Lord.  Friendships were formed and deepened.  We felt like a family.  The food was outstanding.  The facilities were comfortable.  The weather was cool, but clear and brisk, excellent for outings!

But what makes me excited as I reflect is the shared responsibility for pulling together the retreat!

We kept it light-weight and low-maintenance.  It was kind of hard for me.  I have a history of planning and executing retreats.  With good work, they come together like clock work.  And I also have a history of needing a day or two to recover.

This one, there was planning,  but not so much.   We were intentional about Up-In-and-Out.  As a small group, things like food prep and transportation were easily shared and coordinated.  Worship, teaching, outings, and games seemed to fall into  place.

Like, maybe, the Spirit of God was at work doing what He desired to do in us and through us.

As we said good-bye this morning, mainly what I heard from people was a desire to do it again!

fcmc family

FCMC Family

 

 

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FCMC RETREAT!

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Pastor Jesse
So February 12-13-14, we’ll be holding our FCMC retreat at the ECO Lodge in fabulous Fargo, Georgia!  Details below!
Let us know if you are coming!
Amenities:  We have rented the ECO Lodge, which is operated by Georgia State Parks.  We have the whole place to ourselves.   There are a number of cottages connected to the ECO Lodge.  We’ll divide up by families, with options for individuals to share lodging and young adults (same sex) to be together as well.
What kind of retreat is it?  FCMC is much like an extended family on mission, so this is a retreat for that family.  If you take part in our mission, are in one of our huddles, are on the board, attend our worship gathering, or just want to get to know more about FCMC, then thisretreat is for you!
Food: We’ll be cooking and eating together.  More details to follow.
Cost: We’re asking $50 per person ($200 per family max).  But if that’s a problem, come on anyway and pay what you can afford.  The point is to be together.
What will we do? We will do life together in such a way that there will be opportunities to experience Up-In-and-Out throughout the weekend.
Schedule (Very loose): 
Friday
Arrive after work. (Those who can get away early may check in at 4:00.)
(We’ll have some food to share for anyone who is hungry.)
Games, perhaps a movie
Saturday:
Breakfast
Up – Worship followed by free time
In – Lunch!
Out (after nap time for those who are up for it)
In – Supper
Up – Evening Worship and prayer
In – Free time, games, movies, etc.
Sunday
In- Breakfast
Up – Worship
Clean and go! (Check out by 11:00am)
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Are good works evangelism?

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Pastor Jesse
(Our next worship service is February 13 at our retreat at the ECO Lodge in Fargo, Georgia.  Feel free to stop by)
Last week, a friend sent me this question:
Regarding today’s intro lesson, the concluding action was to go out and follow Jesus’ instructions to teach and heal.  Under which of these is evangelism or is it a part of both?  Another alternative is that the act of going out to teach and heal is evangelism.  What do you think?
This followed a study of the Up-In-Out triangle and Luke 6:12-19.  Here’s my response, with a few additions and edits for clarity.  (By the way, I’m posting this with his permission).
###
Great question, probably a better one for a conversation than an email, but here’s my answer.  Now, we were talking about how Jesus did “Out” in that particular passage.   You may remember that “Out” is about meeting the world’s needs with God’s love, grace, and power.  Evangelism, teaching, and healing are all forms of that.  They all have this in common: they are distinctive practices associated with advancing God’s Kingdom.
One way of looking at it – there would have been no one for Jesus to minister to at “the level place” mentioned in Luke 6:17-19 without someone sharing the good news (evangelism) that Jesus was doing amazing things and that Jesus would be there.  So evangelism is vitally important for ministries of teaching and healing.  Jesus himself launched his ministry with an evangelistic message (from Mark 1:15),  “The time is here.  The Kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!”
So, I wouldn’t call evangelism an alternative to teaching and healing.  Rather, they are complementary.  To over simplify: No one would have shown up without evangelism. However, the evangelistic message would have proven empty without a life changing ministry taking place (healing and deliverance in the case of Luke 6:17-19).  And finally, people may well have misunderstood what was most important without the follow on teaching ministry.
There would need to be an invitation to meet Jesus (evangelism),
a real encounter with Jesus (healing)
and then help to understand what had just happened (teaching).
Depending on where and with whom the activities took place, all three would fit within “Out” – and of course, there are many other forms of “Out”.
There’s so much more to say, but again thanks for the question!
Hey, by the way, I sometimes write on my church’s web-site about things that are helpful for mission and discipleship.  Would you mind if I posted your question?  (I can edit out names and the personal correspondence if you’d like)?  Let me know!
God is good!
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Why I loved not preaching last night!

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Pastor Jesse

If you know me (this is Jesse), you know that I feel very strongly called to preach.   That call was very clear – and while I was reluctant to step into it at first, I’ve come to deeply enjoy the experience of preaching.  When I preach, I often sense the presence and the working of God’s Spirit.  I feel like I am doing what I have been called and gifted to do.  Eric Liddle famously said, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.”  For me, that happens when I preach.

But last night, when FCMC gathered for worship, I was there, but I did not preach.  Kent did!  And as pastor of this wonderful, non-traditional church, I am thrilled.

Now, Kent did a good job.  He proclaimed the word, working on Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Soil.  He talked about the process of going deeper in rocky soil.  It was relevant for me.  There are days when I feel like I’m getting harder, spiritually.  I feel like God’s Word isn’t getting in deep.  I needed the message.

But that’s not what thrilled me.

And it was cool to see a bunch of folks show up.  There were many of our number who had schedule conflicts or who were out of town.  But the room was full!  And the singing was strong and uplifting!  And we commissioned Emma and Lee to serve at Young Lives camp!   I love that!  It was a really good worship service.

And as thrilling as that is, Kent’s preaching  thrilled me, more.

It means a lot to me that Kent preached.  Someone has now stepped up to do that which, prior to, had been required of me.  And Kent wasn’t a sub for me while I was out of town.  He wasn’t a last-minute fill-in.  Kent was acting as an elder who was answering the call to proclaim God’s Word. God’s Kingdom is advancing.

I am thrilled because it means that multiplication is possible.  It means that an important part of what we do, celebrating in worship, can happen without me.  It means that a foundational piece of a movement of mission and discipleship is more firmly in place.  This cool thing we do can advance without me!

One of the greatest thrills for me as a leader is becoming unnecessary for the organization!   Now, we aren’t there yet.  But what happened last night was a milestone.

So come, Holy Spirit.  Work in us and move in us and through us to advance your Kingdom!  And thank you for what you are doing in Kent’s life and for his willingness to say yes to your invitation!  Thank you, Lord Jesus!  Amen!

By the way, next month we’ll be worshiping in Fargo Georgia as part of our retreat.  Let me know if you’d like to come along.  And on the second Saturday in March, I’ll be preaching again.  But I look forward to hearing Kent preach again, of giving him opportunity to sharpen his skills!  Hope you can join us!

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New Year’s Prayer Requests

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Pastor Jesse
(Next worship service: January 9 at FCC: 3450 CR210, 32259)
It is almost the New Year, and I know a number of you have a discipline of praying at the beginning of the New Year.  The Lord has been doing some wonderful things in and through the lives of those at First Coast Missional Communities.  So I wanted to invite you to pray “Up, In, and Out” for First Coast Missional Communities.
Up: Please pray for our relationship with God…
1) for sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit, especially for our leaders.
2) for continued renewal of faith, hope, and love in our lives.
3) that God would remain central in our worship gatherings.
4) for our eyes to be opened more and more to what God is up to on the First Coast.
In: Please pray for our relationships with each other, especially in our discipleship huddles
1) that we’d continue to build one another up.
2) that we’d equip one another as disciples
3) that we’d “spur one another on” to love and good deeds.
4) that God would protect our sense of community.
5) for a new huddle that is forming.
Out: Please pray for us as we go out to serve.
1) that God would lead us to people of peace.
2) that we’d love our neighbors well!
3) that we’d grow in terms of opportunities and skills for sharing the good news of the gospel in our words and actions.
4) that God would bless the ministry partnerships we enjoy – especially with Young Lives.
Finally, pray specifically for
1) Kent as he preaches at our worship gathering on January 9
2) Norma as she begins serving at the National Cemetery through the Jacksonville Women.
3) for our relationships with co-workers.
4) for opportunities for those who are being discipled to disciple others.
5) for the upcoming retreat (February 12-13)
6) for the mission trip to Nicaragua (June 4-11).
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