One of a kind

Mike Burns, my friend and compadre from across the pond and beyond, is like a mountain man who likes to hang out in a mall.  A diverse fellow for sure, who can try to explain to you what a particular verse means is Scripture, and then offer you a torrential outpouring of verbal abuse like you haven’t had in your life time, all with a smile on his face.  This is why I like Mike – I dig the diversity, and the bit of the sacrilege he brings to the table.  I’m sure Jesus would have had hung out with him if He were here, so I will too.

Mike wrote the last comment of my post yesterday (up to this point) called, “Not that person anymore” where he said, “I mostly only read the comments (speaking of my blog), and not the post.”  Knowing Mike, this was meant to be a quick jab at me.  Mike claims (and certainly in some ways is right) to be “a friend who will help me with my ego.”  However, this particular jab was very much a compliment, whether it was intended or not.

I’m no genius like Garret or Jeffrey or the other engineers, doctors, and scientists God has blessed me to be around in this wonderful area of new England.  Nor do I claim to have a corner on God speaking to the masses in America or anywhere else.  But what I do bring to the table, Mike pointed out covertly.  I bring out an idea, let people process the idea and share their opinions, then connect with one another like they might not have done otherwise.

The geniuses are the ones commenting on these blog posts and sharing their opinions, and helping me to form my own through their relationship, both with this blog and face to face.  The real authors are the ones who follow up my posts with their insights, more times than not much better than my own.  The real innovaters are my friends who directly share their opinions, many time unwaveringly, and respond passionately to my quick thoughts or ideas.  the Daves, Ians, Katies, Brians, Dionnes, Darrens, and others of you who make this blog worth reading beyond my own thoughts.

The real geniuses are you.  So… thanks.

This last Sunday the unthinkable happened, and it scared me.

We had just gone through an amazing service focusing on the story of God, and the music had been great, I felt comfortable with the message God had given to me, and the energy in the room was awesome.  Al and the band were finishing up their last song, “All we”, which was rocking my face off (Thanks Darren).  The music silenced and people cheered when up onto the stage walked a young lady who had been sitting towards the front and who had come in by herself.

I can tell you this now because she eventually told me, but at the time I had no clue who she was – she had very little church experience and only then had attended Catholic churches.  She had told a few people that she was looking for something more.

I noticed as I preached that day that she rarely made eye contact, so I had no idea what she thought about the service, the music, or my message.  So it would be an underestimation to say that I was nervous as I watched her walk up the front stairs and take the microphone stand from Al.  Here’s what she said:

“Most of you guys don’t know me. Tina and Steve do, that’s why I’m here.  I just had tears s come over me, and now tears again. (wipes her face)  Let’s just put it this way, I have 3 upcoming rock concerts I’m going to that, you know, you pay for, big names like the Dropkick Murphys, and I didn’t even know these guys were here (pointing to Al and motioning to the band), (Scream/cheer from the audience, so next phrase is unheard), …but all I need to do is come here on Sundays and come to a concert!”  (she turns around and shakes Al’s hand, and he gives her a hug)

I talked to her after the service, and she clearly loved what she had just experienced.  She filled out a card and signed up for just about everything we have,including wanting to know more about life groups, getting involved in service, and most importantly, she writes that she started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I wonder if trying to focus and reach a younger generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth it because (my mindset):  “If we just slowed down a bit or put some more piano in the mix, older Christians would come too.”  And then I realize…

I’m not a manipulating salesman who does this for the money. I do this because I’m called to reach people like Kirsten, who one day found herself on stage in front of a large group of people she didn’t know, thanking them for their input into her life that day.  And I do this for Phil, a 20 something first time guest this last Sunday.  Phil came as a guest of a member of our church, and who called her up Sunday afternoon thanking her for bringing him to Fellowship Church.  Phil hadn’t stepped foot into a church for about 10 years, since he last left the catholic school he attended then.  And I do this because of the group of 50 and over friends who made their way to my office on Sunday morning to pray for our service and to ask God to work in the lives of people that morning.

And we’re called to reach people like Kirsten or Phil so that one day they will grow to be Christ followers like Garret or Keith and Dawn or Steve or Ian and Katie or Al, Billy,Jeff or Pam, all of who are maturing in the Lord and who understand that we are not a part of the Kingdom of God so that we can start programs to make church people happy, but to reach and teach other people to grow in Christ.  This ensures that the real church of Christ will last far beyond my time here on this earth.  Nothing makes me more excited than this!

And it’s why I exist.

Just look at this guy.  He loves to dance.  And the last place he goes is Seattle, Washington.  They say his name is Matt, but I think it’s…

Ian Ferguson.