A great church is:

Connected deeply with the will of God through scripture and prayer
Purpose driven
Missional
Focused
It’s Budget reflects God’s values
Gets the unchurched to come because EVERYBODY asks them to come
Closes the back door through discipleship
Has a front door that is compelling, warm, relevant, creative, and authentic.
Searches for the unchurched
A learning organization and organism
Committed to excellence
Ancient / Future

it's reach is much greater than the corner of king and college---it goes as far as we do, and then we pay it forward often

Evaluates itself ruthlessly. Fearlessly faces reality.
Produces good works in the community
Takes God seriously, is sober about Satan, and does not take itself seriously.
Plants churches, connects apostolically, and sends missionaries out
Is in existence primarily for the benefit of its non-members
Not afraid of case studies that fail
Kills programming that doesn’t produce fruit
One that loves each other extravagantly, unguardedly, and outrageously
“not about you”
Understands the differences between leaders and managers
Shifts into new paradigms with enthusiasm
A place where legalism is treated as an enemy of grace
Politics are replaced by prayer
Implementation trumps philosophy
The call of “the rescue” [gospel] is given unapologetically by creatively and empathetically sharing the Jesus story
Has Christ’s heart for the poor, social justice, suffering, etc.
Worships deeply
Plays, laughs, cries, dances, grieves…with each other
A place where everyone is a servant-leader and priest of humility
Where healing happens, lives are transformed, and revolution is SOP
Afflicts the comfortable, and comforts the afflicted
The sermon is the rudder, Jesus mission is the North Star, and everyone works the deck to get to the destination
Church refitting is re-done every 5 years to make sure we don’t get lost and forget that the values are more important than the form
Diversity, dialogue and deference trump narrowness, diatribe, and domination
The Spirit can flow freely in the preparation of the services; or spontaneously take over the services
Creativity is deeply valued
Fruit is inspected
Church discipline is operational, normative, restorative, and unafraid

A chruch is a community of believers,enthused to show jesus love on a continous basis. Able to get rid of our flesh and walk with the spirit.Not only a group of friends but family, willing to drop anything to help all.Also, not to keep it in the walls of our chruch, but willing to overflow into the community therefore effecting a nation.

What do you think? Let’s add to the list

I started this blog in anticipation of a 'calling' to a new church. That said, I have been adopted by an extended family 11 hours away. There are some 200 people that are now connected to me in some way that I will soon discover. How weird is that!

So this is my my way of starting to say hi to my new family. It is a little awkward right now, but will fall into a stream of conciousness in a bit. Let me explain a few things 1st.

Why Phoenix? Because I am going to a 'land of ashes.' Or so named by someone and I thought that a phoenix was a good metaphor to illustrate my feelings of moving there.

Why Forresting: Because Forresting has 2 components that include planting and harvesting, which is a core part of my DNA which I'll explain later.

Anyway it's time for dinner. It's windy in Texas tonight and I just grilled a bunch of Jalepeno's, steak, and chicken. Our outdoor fireplace is blazing and it's starting to sprinkle on the table outside where we will eat. Latino music a few doors down is fighting with the jazz on my outside speakers in my little urban oasis of multi-cultural fun.

Why do I mention this? I suppose because I am dimly aware that I REALLY am finally leaving. And all the memories of this house seem now somehow fresh. The homeless couple with a 2 week old baby that we brought to live here; the scandanavian band that slept here when they played at our club and our pathetic attempts at trying to find the right words to explain pancakes to them; our friends playing worship music and dancing outside much to the amuzement of our neighbors; and so many other memories flooding in to moist eyes. And even now moments are forming for our future. The place we will live; the people who will become friends; the guy at the tattoo shop who will get saved; the college student who will find Christ; the new songs that will be written, and countless new adventures with Jesus.

The next chapter of my biography is starting to be sketched by God. What wonder!

Upcoming:

a longer version of my choice to become a jesus follower
my creed...rant...personal mission statement
pictures of the family
...