New Wine Report July 2012

Life in the vineyard has been good. The month of June started with several of us helping in a Habitat for Humanity Project. This was a Blitz Build which meant that professional teams worked on it for free and it was done in less than a week! The day we volunteered we spent most of the day as the clean up crew, making sure the work site was clear of debris. It was still fun working with a team and observing the house go up before us in very little time. The house is near downtown and about 1 1/2 miles from where we meet on Sunday morning. A great lesson in how cooperation and volunteerism can do wonderful things.
I wonder if sometimes we think too small when it comes to changing our community. It reminds me of an admonition I once heard: "Dream Big, Think Big, Do Great things for God." This is not about building mega churches, but it is about us, not limiting our thinking, when God is really in charge. Pray that New Wine people not limit what we might expect we or the Lord could do.
   

Last month one of our church members lost a younger brother to suicide. Though the funeral was several hours away, several of us went to the funeral to stand along side our brother and his family in this time of tragic loss. I over heard one of our church members explaining to the family when asked why we came saying: "This is what we do." This is what we do when the Lord puts His love for the family of God in our hearts. I do not wish this kind of tragedy on anyone, but God often uses these hard times in our life to bring out the best in the people of God. Our God is a God of redemption.

Our Wednesday Cell group hosted a summer picnic featuring Flint's famous Koegel Hot Dogs. Nearly 40 people were served at the Davison senior apartment complex. Deb even played old favorites on her flute for entertainment. If it is all about relationships, this gathering that blessed our neighbors goes a long way in making inviting people to the cell groups a lot easier. These pre-cell gatherings soften the ground for relationship based invitations. This Cell group is studying the book of "Samuel" this summer and it has proved to be very interesting for those who attend. At the same time our Tuesday Griefshare group finished up at Roxbury in Clio. We have decided to try another gathering as we study the topic of the nature of heaven. This new session will start up the end of August/beginning of September after we throw an introduction picnic like they did in Davison.

There is nothing like sharing your story of God's work in your life. It is powerful and often invigorates you when you share. One Thursday night last month three of us travelled about an hour southeast from Flint to Clarkston and met with a pastor and leaders from a new work that began in January. They are building their Lutheran Church called "The Gathering Place" around a similar model to ours. We could see how our story encouraged and challenged them. We look forward to future times of contact and sharing as we proclaim the goodness of God.

A final noteworthy event from June was the ordination of Michael Cupp, the new church planter in Grand Rapids. New Wine sponsored Mike and Amy in their discernment process. The ordination in the world's eyes may have been small, but for the Kingdom we believe this was a big event. Mike makes several trips a month to GR and he and his family are looking to relocate if the Lord opens up the doors. Pray with us for Mike, Amy and their three small boys as they follow the Lord in this new venture.

Gathering Places

Jesus said "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:20) Thus we can surmise that when we gather together we are always sitting down with Jesus in our midst. I am thinking of several of those gathering places as I write.

Monthly area pastors have been invited by the mayor of Flint, Dayne Walling, to pray with him in his city hall chambers. I suspect the young mayor is desperate enough to tap every group and power available to try to move the city forward. Whether the mayor or others understand, Jesus is in this gathering too. Frankly, I wish I too would be filled with an ever deep sense of His presence in our gatherings. How would that change the ways we address each other? How would we spend our time differently if we could see the Lord gathering with us? Or how would our prayers change if we truly understood how close the Lord was in the time?

I like thinking of taking Jesus with me in my daily encounters. I can envision him at the Elbowroom Coffee shop each Monday where I meet with Pat and Jim, my accountability partners. We are each serious about the ministries Jesus has called us to. I think I need to pull up the "empty chair" more often to remind us of the Lord's presence and keep us thinking about others we should invite to our gatherings.

I can even see Him in the midst of our trustee meeting held at the Westside Diner. I love having church business meetings with our trustees in a "greasy spoon". It is great being interrupted by one of our regular waitresses who have even shared prayer needs with us. I actually think this is a business meeting the Lord likes to attend.

The church is always gathering is it not? Many limit their thinking and practice to only meeting on Sunday morning. The reality is that the people of God who are passionate about serving the Lord are gathering much more than 2 hours on a Sunday.

Just the other night three of us from New Wine met with the leadership team of a new Lutheran Church in Clarkston, Michigan (about an hours drive from where we live). They call themselves "The Gathering Place".   http://www.thinkoutsidethepew.org  What a joy it was to share with the group. They just kicked-off this new work in February. They are doing many of the things we have been living out the past seven years. They have rented some space below a Liquor Store and Tanning Salon. Part of their gathering space, just as you walk in, is a living room area. This greeting space is warm and welcoming and fits with their vision banner "we do church in your living room". Another space is dedicated to a play space for kids while the remaining space is partitioned off for small group study and seminar space for programs like Financial Peace and Griefshare. It was a great joy to encourage them as they start this new work. It was a joy to recount how Christ has grown us and met with us as we have gathered through these early years of church life.

May we ever grow in our sense that when we gather, Christ is in our midst.

"Growing For Christ" Napkin

Dr. Jon Shuler shared 6 essential for Christian growth.  They are so basic and I was trying think of a way to remember them when I am meeting with people our over coffee or a meal.  If it fits on a napkin I can remember it so here we go....

As a new or young Christian everyone wants to grow closer to Christ.  There are six key essentials to making sure you are growing and they all are about 3 relationships.  To help you remember this,  think of the phrase "Growing For Christ" and the 3 letters GFC.

The first relationship we need to tend to is God.  As you have already asked Him into your life, now one must keep talking with Him.  Any time is fine, but many set aside time for prayer in morning or at night.  Thank Him, praise Him and tell him your concerns.  But also learn to sit quietly before Him that He might inspire your thoughts and speak to your heart.  The second essential is get in the habit of doing a personal Bible study.  Start small but think regularly.  This is often how God speaks to His people today.  Your heart will often leap when the Spirit speaks to you directly through His word.  It is never too soon to start memorizing verses that speak to you.

The second relationship is with Christian Friends who know Jesus.  It is essential to begin meeting with a small group of Christians who are praying and studying the Word together.  It is best to meet weekly.  Some meet in a home, others at churches, while some meet at a coffee shop.  Talking about your faith with others will help you grow in leaps and bounds. Next find a mentor.  One person, usually of the same gender, whom you see is following Christ.  If you want to grow, sitting at the feet of a mature trusted Christian will put your growth process on fast forward.

The third and final relationship for growth is with a Church.  Find a fellowship that meets regularly near your home that honors God's Word.  Attend several times first but make a commitment to membersip soon.  The fifth essential to growing for Christ is to worship regularly.  You will be blessed but more importantly you will enter into what you were made to do, which is to give glory and praise to God.  This is a critical environment for your growth.  Finally, you must practice generous giving from the start.  You can not out give God, but in response to all He has done for you, He asked us to give of our time, talents and treasures.  People who give grow.

New Wine Report - June 2012

One of our folks at New Wine last month walked into our Sunday celebration when everyone was greeting one another. The room was overflowing with people catching up on the happenings of the week. The person turned to me and said: "This is New Wine uncorked!" So many people who have had reason to visit our fellowship remark that there is a gentle, loving and vibrant spirit present in us. I know God is certainly not done with us yet, but I am glad that what we have is being shared with those who join us, even if it is just for a moment.

I like this image of being "uncorked". I have to admit at times lately it has felt as if we were uncorked and flowing out into the world at a new level. From this little fellowship have had members in China, Columbia, New Zealand and Israel. Soon Kate Robinson will be going with a short term team to Rwanda. Micah & Stephanie, our seminarians, just graduated this month and will soon start ministry as an assistant in Missouri. Mike and Amy Cupp, who we helped in discernment, have begun their work in Grand Rapids. Even our new friend Tim Goodrich who is out in Philly was touched by his short time with us and is considering a more intentional relationship with the Anglican Mission. Can you hear the cork popping?

This month started with our Flushing Cell group participating in the National Day of Prayer and I helped coordinate a local prayer event that involved well over 100 people praying for our community and the nation. Next, over a dozen of us spent a Saturday morning in a time of listening prayer. See our blog (NewWineMission.blogspot.com) for more details, but the bottom line is that the Spirit reaffirmed in us that we were on the "right path". We are called to continue to build a community who loves God and loves each other. Last month I had several opportunities to share the vision of creating discipling communities through house churches with several people. One, a Lutheran church planter who is starting a new church in Oakland county, has asked me to bring a group of our members to meet with his new core group this month. Our influence and ministry continues to flow out!

In May the White House student Cafe ministry finished its first 11 week Friday Night coffee club near the UM Flint campus. We hosted over a dozen artists and probably saw over 50 different people stop by with as many as a dozen of them international students. The planing committee of this ecumenical ministry has decided to continue the work next Fall and expand it in scope. We sense the Lord's blessing and have seen significant conversations and relationships built as a result of this outreach activity.

Just last week our music team hosted another praise night in their home. This simple night of learning new songs is more than just a jam session. We sing old songs and new songs. We even broke out some rhythm instruments. One person said they could just feel the strong presence of the Spirit on our time together. She said she went away having come somewhat spent, now refreshed and strengthened . It once again shows that when the Lord is in the midst (even in our rehearsal time) people are blessed.

Finally, Deb and I were blessed with a new used car this month to replace the one lost in my March accident. To our total surprise donations came in to meet the whole cost of replacement! The full story of this blessing is posted again on our blog under "Kulchar Kruizer God's Gift". Thanks to all who prayed for us and were used to help make this incredible blessing.

Yes I can say last month that New Wine was "uncorked" in mid-Michigan.

Kulchar Kruiser God's Gift

Back on March 14th I was in a car accident in which our old van (1999 with over 160,000 miles) was totalled.  After a long search we were able to purchase a new used car last week.  I will use this car mostly for ministry as I travel to meet people and visit our house churches.  We had liability insurance only on the old van so there would be no insurance help as we considered finding a replacement.   We have tried to stay as debt free as much as possible and did not feel purchasing anything on credit was a wise choice at this time.  This meant our budget had to be between five and six thousand dollars from our savings.  But God had another plan!

Immediately after the crash, matter of fact the very first day, the Lord moved on a friend who heard the news to send us $300!  Soon after a couple of gifts were given through the church from New Wine members. We were so blessed that God had moved people to give. Then several weeks later a very large check was given via clergy and churches of our Anglican Lighthouse Network.  We were so humbled by such generosity and how this would ease the burden on our finances.  By this time I had been looking at cars online and at several used car dealers in the area.  I was very discouraged.  Everything in our price range, though in very good shape outwardly, had 100,000 miles or more!

Then some friends of ours introduced us to Daniel Liversedge, a member of the local Baptist church.  Daniel a retired car dealer, still sold on his own 20 to 30 cars a year he found at auction.  He sells them to family and friends as a ministry.  He finds cars with low mileage, sometimes with damage, but fixes them up so that the are a good deal.  When I called Dan, he said he had just got a 2004 PT Cruiser with only 41,000 miles on it!   It was at the repair shop so I needed to wait to see it.   Normally a car this old would have well over 100,000 miles on it.  Dan said he could sell it to us for $5500 which was in our price range. 

The repairs took longer than expected, but Dan wanted to get everything in good working order.  Finally on May 18th he called and wanted me to come look at the car and give it a test drive.  This was great but the real blessing came when we went to the mail box and another check for the Lighthouse Network had arrived for over $1800!  This was so unexpected.  When I met with Dan after the test drive and said I was still interested, I asked him about the price since more repairs were needed than he originally thought.  He assured me the his first figure of $5500 was still good, but that  6% state sales tax ($330) would be added so the car would cost $5830.

When I came home I asked Deb to total up the checks that had come in from all our different sources.   The Lord had sent us $5836!   The Lord had provided for us once again in an extraordinary way.  This is not the first time He has met our needs so precisely.  We are convince that this was the Spirit at work and that the "Kulchar Kruiser" is literally a "Gift of God."

 

Listening Day - Spring 2012

We began our gathering with a time of prayer and worship. This was before we retreated for 2 hours of silence. During this time we looked at texts from the New Testament that spoke of "being" and "doing". What is God calling us to be? What is God calling us to do? These two questions are often the focus of listening prayer.

After our time of retreat we returned to report on how the Spirit was speaking to us. Jim Smith started us off recalling Scriptures he had studied earlier in the week from Proverbs 15 & 16 which reminded him of what we are called to "be" and "do". Struck again by how the ways of the world are so different from the ways of the Lord in Proverbs, Jim was reminded we must be not just listeners of the Word, but doers (James 1:22). The world needs us to be a blessing that they might be drawn to the Lord. Cindy saw a picture of us intentionally working for the Lord together like a knitted garment in which each part was inter-woven and important. Each of us has unique and important gifts. She was reminded that our faith in Christ holds us all together which is at the core of who we are (Eph. 4:16).

This idea of going God's way and living God's way was further captured for us in what became the central image of the day - "The Path". Not two or three verses into Jim's sharing from Proverbs (15:10), that the text spoke of God's correction for those who stray from "the path". It seems in various ways the Spirit was saying again and again, "stay on the path". Pastor Dave shared an image given him in his listening time. The vision was of an open field with a earthen levy holding back flood waters. Near the levy ran a path. Not level but concave which forced the traveler to stay in the middle. He could not see where it came from or where it led, but felt compelled to follow the path and was forced by its shape to walk in the middle. He sensed it would be safe to walk there even though the flood waters threatened. There was comfort that came from knowing that the path had been prepared for him to walk in and if the waters overflowed the path maker would make the way safe.

Rebecca Loach, who joined us from Ohio for our Listening Day, then shared what she felt was a prophetic word (see NewWineMission.blogspot.com for full text). Likening our ministry at New Wine to traveling on a foggy road she felt the Spirit saying:

"Hang on. Stay true to the path you have chosen, those things you believe to be true, honorable and right....There were many times when you did not realize that it was My heart and My purpose at work in your life, for there were times when the path ahead seemed very dark, times when the answer did not seem clear. But I tell you the truth, My children, you have taken the right road and I am still leading you. For dear ones , do not forget that I am the One that apprehended you for this course. I am the One who called you to this task."

Her prophetic word ended with words of comfort and assurance that the fog will lift and that the Lord was calling us to "a season of restoration."

Being

Others, too, received a word of comfort calling us to rest in God. Anne felt an overwhelming sense of peace after a recent period of anxiousness as she quieted herself before the Lord. Kate also heard the Lord saying not to fear or fret but rest in Him. She was directed to Psalm 37 which says in part: "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it...rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, fret not yourself..." Rob who spent time walking a path over in the Flushing Nature Park was reminded of the creative wonders of Our Creator who knows every detail of all that He has wonderfully made. That includes each of us and the gifts He has placed in us. He also has created our unique Christian community which we call New Wine Anglican Mission. He has made us and will sustain us on our journey. (Rob had a very poetic word which is posted separately on our blog also.) Deb found herself reflecting on the image of being under the "Shadow of the Almighty". This was comforting, while she was reminded the the "shadow of fear" often casts a larger image than the actual object or source of the fear. This would suggest that we need not focus too much on the uncertainties ahead but know that the Lord is with us every step of the way. He is bigger than the things that frighten us. He is the light and will light our path (Psalm 119:105)

Doing

Beth spoke of our special calling in the heart of the city, a place of harvest and a need for restoration. She found humor in the fact that where she was sitting was in plain view of the church's "lost and found". New Wine is a place where the lost can be found. This is one of the things we do. June found herself reflecting on Galatians 6:9 "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." And again in Hebrews 13 "Through Him then , let us continually, offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that gives thanks to His name, and do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased." The idea of doing good includes strengthening "the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:12-13). Pat reminded us that that the Shepherd's Psalm (23) speaks of the comfort of the Lord for those on the path:

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want,

He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths
of righteousness for His name's sake!

Though a small church, we are mission-minded. Judy reminded us that there is much for us to do for "the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few". Anne pointed out that we have been sending many out as of late: Joy to China, Tim Goodrich to Philly, Mike and Amy Cupp to Grand Rapids, even Nick to Columbia and this summer Kate to Africa. As we continue on this path one might anticipate more will be sent.

This reflection does not capture all that was heard or all that was communicated, but has been an attempt to summarize some of what was heard as we waited on the Lord. As we attempt to listen for what the Lord wants us to "Be" and "Do" we need to make time more regularly to seek the voice of the Lord and listen. Near the end of our sharing time Jim Smith shared an object lesson that spoke to him that morning. As he was walking outside during our time of retreat he heard a bullfrog loudly croaking. It was so loud and pronounced that he thought he would have no problem finding it, but as soon as he got close the old guy went silent. He began to think of this drama like his time of seeking God. Initially the thought; "Why would God grow quiet as I got near?" But then he realized "I had it backwards". "I am the bullfrog and when God seeks me out, I tend to want to hide out of fear!" The message seems clear, let us not be hard to find when God wants to draw near and speak to us. Fear not and let us seek His voice as we serve Him on the path He has set before us.

New Wine Report - May 2012

New Wine Report - May 2012
A week into May 2012 and I feel like I am "chasing my tail". The busyness is good but I lament not keeping people connected in a more timely fashion. April was filled with special events at New Wine. We began with Holy Week where this year I tried to take communion to each of our small groups that met that week. Communion in a "house church" always seems to emphasize the communal nature of the sacrament. This sacred meal is always a community act of worship and is not meant to be primarily a private experience. When we share it in our homes with our friends it has a special significance. Much like when we have friends over for dinner it really helps build our relationships and bonds us in a different way. I am particularly moved when the group is small enough that we pass the elements around helping our neighbor receive. This simple gesture is powerful as we hand each other the bread and the wine, proclaiming "the body of Christ" - "the cup of salvation".

Easter was another joyful gathering as we broke out the "Alleluia's" in song and shouts of praise. We used the Anglican Kenyon Order of Service which requires a great deal of "call and response". No sleeping during this liturgy! I always feel a deeper connection with other believers from other parts of the world when we use this order of service. The music was excellent and helped us kick off this joyous season.

The following Sunday we had the Covenant Players proclaim the Word to us through drama. Their main presentation was a contemporary skit similar to Pilgrim's Progress called "The Upward Path". The picture is of being a radical servant because you have been served. The skit portrayed a picture of how compelling "unconditional service" can be. The next Saturday a few of us practiced what they portrayed by joining Central Park Neighborhood Association (where our Sunday gathering space is located) for their Spring Clean-up day. I was also able to invite the AFS International Student Exchange Group I have helped with to join us for their annual day of service. That meant we had over a dozen international students from around the world raking, picking up trash and serving our neighbors. I can safely say all were blessed at many levels including those of us from New Wine.

The next day Mike and Amy Cupp, one of our newest Church Planters in Michigan, visited us. We officially sponsored Mike during his discernment process and Mike will soon be ordained in the Mission. But because "performance often proceeds position" in the AMIA, they have already begun meeting with people in Grand Rapids and hope to move there in the near future as the Lord opens up doors. We officially laid hands on them and sent them out with a blessing April 22. But just as we sent them off, our daughter Katie returned from her 6 month YWAM mission. It has been a joy to hear how she has grown and found further direction as she hopes to serve full time overseas someday.

Finally, the last Sunday of the month we had Brian and Amy Wolthius from Holland, Michigan share with us their vision of being missionaries to their neighborhood. They intentionally located their family in the heart of the city to help revitalize their neighborhood. They have organized community gardening, rehab projects similar to Habitat for Humanity, and are now offering a community gathering space above their garage as a start up for a house church type fellowship. I love their heart that has led them to build relationships first and now as a natural out growth a church seems to be forming. Not your typical strategy and I love it!

This month has already started off strong with our Spring Listening Day. You can check out our blog to hear more about that at: www.NewWineMission.blogspot.com