Hitchhiking to Substance

What a weekend! I hope you guys enjoyed John Bolin! Talk about a fun guy. It was also a huge blessing to me as I was preaching at NorthCentral University’s Missional Conference.  I would be exhausted today if I had to preach 3 services, a leadership service, and then 3 more sessions here at the NCU conference.  

Today I got to do three different sessions to a room full of pastors and ministry majors. And man, it’s fun to brag about all of you delightful men and women of Substance. There’s no church like you!

Specifically, they wanted me to speak on how we attract so many young people …which was pretty easy to explain  (Our worship director Jamin Cousins, is so good looking : ) (j/k);  but, it was amazing how many churches are struggling over how to stay up to date.  I suddenly realized that Substance really is unique.  (Some of you are like “Hel-lo there pastor!”)

I also got to speak to the entire student body. And right before I went up the M.C. asked, “How many of you have been to Substance?” And i’m telling you… half the student body raised their hands. I was shocked and blown away by how many people God has enabled us to influence. My wife, Pastor Nick and I all had to pick our jaws off the floor. I mean, we’re just a brand new church! It feels so humbling that, in a few short years, we get to do this kind of stuff. I mean, who am I to be able to speak to all of these young people?

As I walked away, I felt like God was speaking to my heart about the future of Substance. God is giving us influence. And this is a precious gift of God.  I guess, if I could put it another way, I just felt a strong challenge in my heart to “live a life worthy of the calling I received” (Eph 4:1).  And I hope that you receive the same challenge.

You see, the question is not:  “Does God want to promote us?”  Rather, the question is this:  “Am I the type of person that God could safely promote?”

So, thank you God! Thank you for letting Substance impact the lives of others!

What a great week it’s been!  As many of you know, it’s been a bit crazy around here.  We’ve been neck high in decisions over our Operation Center in Roseville!   Wow!  Talk about fun watching this thing become a reality!  Of course, many of you also know that we recently hired a newer office administrator in Leslie Kauer!  (She’s been such a blessing already.)  In fact, she was voted “best staff prayer” already.  So, we’ve got to think of a fitting trophy to commemorate her accomplishment  : )
But with all the new changes coming we thought it smart to do a little staff planning retreat.  After all, once we’re in the Operation Center, we want to have our official battle plan in order.  So, we had the whole staff pack up their laptops, their suitcases, and a mindful of Substance’s biggest logistical difficulties, and off we went!
But “to where” you ask?  Well, why not do it in Wisconsin Dells!  My wife and I have a condo at an indoor waterpark resort there.  That way, in between mind numbing corporate brainstorms, we can go down giant innertube water slides.  (And there’s something refreshing about listening to Pastor Peter Morse and Jamin Cousins squeal like little girls while going down tube slides)… O.K., I’ll admit it… I did some squealing too.  But it turns out that Pastor Nick has never been to a waterpark in his life!!!!!!!!   Who knew?  I mean, everyone needs to have at least one near-downing experience at a wave pool.   However, Jamin (our worship producer) kept getting whistled at by the life-guards.  So I think he’s got a dangerous streak in him.
Anyway, in between ingesting large quantities of chlorinated water up our noses, we had some pretty exciting staff meetings.  So thank you all for praying for us!  Substance is about to enter a new season of health.  We also thought of some pretty fun sermon series for later on this year.
P.s.,  Get ready for this Sunday (Feb 22nd).  We’re flying in an amazing guest speaker from South Carolina, John Bolin.  This guy is a nationally known author and church leader for a reason!  And besides, he’s just a stinkin’ cool guy on top of it all .  So be there or be square.  And check back… I’m gonna blog an update on the operation center soon!