Ribbon Cutting

Sometimes I think that the Christian community is like someone that has been invited to a grand party, but instead elects to throw their own. Their private party is smaller, only has people they know, and thinks it’s the only one in town.
I went to a ribbon cutting this week. Like many such [...]

Read Full Post »

Whew!

It wasn’t really that hot this morning, but I had rivulets of sweat running down my neck. I think it was actually liquid stress. Today was THE day. We had our first preview service.
None of us knew what to expect. Amanda generously provided nibbles and drink for sixty people. It turned [...]

Read Full Post »

Graduation

Tonight was the big night. Leadership Merced Class 21 graduated after 10 months of classes which concentrated on the life of Merced County. Twenty-one started but three dropped out.
Highlights of the graduation ceremony were the presentation of a $6800 check to the GREAT Program by our class, a slide show of class pictures, [...]

Read Full Post »

The Ask

Asking is getting easier now. We have something to ask people to. “We’d love to have you join us for our first preview service. Here’s an invitation card.”
I like the card also because it gives a visual image of what we are imagining–a church full of 20’s/30’s. This is not “your [...]

Read Full Post »

The Ask

Asking is getting easier now. We have something to ask people to. “We’d love to have you join us for our first preview service. Here’s an invitation card.”
I like the card also because it gives a visual image of what we are imagining–a church full of 20’s/30’s. This is not “your [...]

Read Full Post »

How to Eat An Elephant

“How do you eat an elephant?” the joke goes. “One spoonful at a time” is the answer. True enough. One bite at a time is all anyone can do.
I was thinking about that joke as I came back tonight from San Francisco. I had delievered Bev to San Francisco International Airport, [...]

Read Full Post »

Chamber of Commerce

Friday night was the evening of the annual Chamber of Commerce awards dinner. It comes at the end of the administrative year when new officers are installed for the new year and awards are given to outstanding businesses.
I was installed as a new Director and will serve a three year term. I’m honored [...]

Read Full Post »

New Friends

God keeps surprising me and delighting me with the people He brings to my path. Lately, I’ve had three long conversations with a friend and disciple of Jesus that I’ve met in Starbucks. We’ve talked about books, ministry, and reaching missing people, and I’m encouraged by the talk.
A couple of weeks ago I [...]

Read Full Post »

CPN

Whenever I wanted to get together with other planters I had to drive a long distance. These trips ate a big part of the day, for only a couple of hours with the guys. “Can I start a Church Planters’ Network in my neck of the woods?” I asked Roger Gibson.
Roger is director [...]

Read Full Post »

Church Planters Understand

Jeff Rye said that he would tow our trailer of equipment from Sunnyvale to Merced. We don’t have a truck that would enable us to do it ourselves. He was going to bring it on Tuesday, June 6.
But somewhere between Sunnyvale and Gilroy he called me. “Bruce I’m really nervous about towing [...]

Read Full Post »