There Are No U-Hauls Behind Hearses

Fall is fully upon us.  The mornings are colder.  The leaves are falling. And Starbucks is selling Pumpkin Spice Lattes, which I recently learned actually have no trace of pumpkin in them! It also means that we renew our financial and prayer support for our missionaries. We believe the most important thing people can know is that God offers forgiveness and new life in Christ. And there are many people in Utah who still have not heard this message of grace. Because of this we send all our missions money to local efforts to spread the good news of Christ. Let me share an illustration with you that I recently read in John Piper’s book, Desiring God. I found it convicting and a good reminder that we are simply stewards of God’s gifts. The illustration is based on 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Suppose someone passes empty handed through the turnstile at a big-city art museum and begins to take the pictures off the wall and carry them importantly under his arm. You come up to him and say, “What are you doing?”
He answers, “I’m becoming an art collector.”
“But they’re not really yours,” you say, “and besides, they won’t let you take any of those out of here. You’ll have to go out just like you came in.”
But he answers again, “Sure, they’re mine. I’ve got them under my arm. People in the halls look at me as an important dealer. And I don’t bother myself with thoughts about leaving. Don’t be a killjoy.”
We could call this man a fool! He is out of touch with reality. So is the person who spends himself to get rich in this life. We will go out just the way we came in.

Over the next two weeks I’d encourage you to pray about how to support our church plants and RUF at the University of Utah. There isn’t a right amount to give; that is a decision between you and God. But know that investing in missions gives others the opportunity to know that same grace that you’ve experienced in Christ Jesus!

Your brother in Christ,
Jon

God is at Work

Each time I return to the Southeast I have the opportunity to update people on how the work of church planting in Utah is going.  They always want to know about Jordan Presbyterian and the larger effort.

Giving these updates is always fun for me, and honestly its sort of clarifying. When I have to think about the ministry here and how to explain what is happening and answer questions it helps me think accurately. I refuse to embellish these reports but just want to be honest. So here is what I told them.
 
Our church is growing slowly but surely. If you came to church a year ago and if you came to church this past Sunday you might not think so but we are ministering to more people. It just hasn’t translated consistently to Sunday attendance yet. But because of recent new efforts at outreach like VBS and MOPS, Women’s ministry like the Beth Moore seminar as well our other outreaches we have more people today who would call Jordan Presbyterian their church than before. And I told them that our own congregation is beginning to invite friends more than you used to and that you do the best job of any congregation I have ever seen of welcoming guests on a Sunday morning. And our finances are solid.
 
I told them that the Devil has been active as well. But God has continued to protect us. I also told them how invaluable Pastor Jon has been in leading and coordinating ministries and developing leaders and in pastoring my crusty old soul. (They support the Stoddards financially and with prayer through their missions giving.)
 
I also told them how Pastor Jon has helped us to see our ministry role more clearly.  We offer an alternative to both the legalism of the LDS church on one side and the licentiousness of the un-churched on the other. Between these two we stand offering the Biblical Jesus, which means freedom to live and to enjoy God, not as slaves but as children.
 
And I told them about our plans for church planting that we hope to grow so that out of a position of greater strength and resources we can then plant healthier churches. That we called Pastor Jon as a co-pastor not because a church our size needs two but because we want to continue to expand this ministry.
 
And I updated them briefly on the other Utah ministries in the PCA. Some really good things are happening. New Song Presbyterian is calling an assistant pastor, Thomas Warmath, following in some respects our example. And did you know that Bryan Lee (from Gospel Presbyterian Mission) who has been so good to serve us when needed is taking his ordination exam? We plan to host his ordination service on Sunday night, October 19th.
 
Going back to where I came from always reminds me of why I came. It is gratifying to see and be reminded of all the Lord has provided and accomplished. And in some ways I honestly think that we are just getting started.
 
Serving with you,
Tim

Finding Freedom in Christ

One question I am often asked by people is what it is like being a pastor in Utah. I love getting this question because it gives me the opportunity to share about our church. I am able to tell people that our church is a place that offers a third way for people here in Utah. Anyone who has lived here very long knows Utah is polarized. Everyone is identified by their relationship to “The Church.” Some people look at the “The Church” and just see a bunch of rules that are forced on you. Other’s look at “The Church”  as the only foundation for morality and family values. 

 
And what Jordan Presbyterian provides (and any historic Christian church here does as well) is a third way, a way of the cross. And perhaps what most marks this third way is freedom. More specifically, freedom in Christ. Freedom in Christ means that we are a people who have stopped worrying about trying to make our relationship with God right. We finally acknowledge there was nothing we could do to make it right in the first place. God took every law that stood against us and nailed it to the cross with Jesus, silencing it forever. Freedom in Christ then means that we do not let others judge us by what we eat or drink. (Col 2:13-16) And so at Jordan we strive to be a people who live our lives out of that freedom we have. We are free to worship God out of joy. We are free to love others selflessly. We are freed from the burden of wondering whether we have done enough to please God. 

If you are asked what it means to be a Christian here in Utah how do you respond? One way I've found helpful is to say that being a Christian means have true and lasting freedom. I’ve discovered that is something that is exciting to share with others. 

A Book of Wisdom

Someone once said, “knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing that you shouldn’t put them in a fruit salad.”
 
Beginning the second week of August, Pastor Jon and I will begin a new sermon series through the book of Proverbs. The most gripping aspect of Proverbs is that it gives wisdom. The book simply and decisively presents wisdom and the benefits of accepting wisdom. It also clearly presents the devastating effects of trading in wisdom for folly.
 
We all understand this from experience don’t we? Well the wise do anyway. I have ministered to literally hundreds of people over the past 21 years who have traded in wise and godly counsel to pursue sexual liaisons, greater wealth, fame and possessions, and power.  These can take so many forms and always lead ultimately to discontented, unhappy lives.
 
But God’s wisdom provides something different. It provides at the heart level a peace and contentedness that has very little to do with how much or how little we have. The life of the wise is evaluated by quietness, a general happiness and the love of those you live with.
 
Everyone is foolish to some degree but what the book of Proverbs calls us back to and instructs us in is how God made us to work best. He designed human beings to function a certain way. And when we forfeit God’s design, our sense of well-being unravels. So the call to the disobedient is to come back. The call to the immature is “start on a good path and keep at it.” And the call to the wise is to live in such a manner as to be an example.
 
The Lord Jesus isn’t mentioned in Proverbs. And yet He is the very personification of wisdom. He once declared, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it to the full.” Christ saving us and paying the penalty for our sin is the power to see our lives for what they are and change where needed.  He is the One who changes hearts to make us desire wisdom instead of folly.
 
I have said many times, “anyone can make a mistake, but a fool keeps doing it over and over again.” Come to Christ and let the gospel correct and instruct you. Find the wisdom that He offers for your good and His glory. It all begins with a proper and healthy fear of God. Not dread, but fear. Only a fool would resist God’s invitation to listen and learn and live life to the fullest.
 
Growing with you,
Tim

People Count

One of the favorite things that people like to say to church planters is, “don’t worry about numbers, just be faithful.” And one of the things that church planters like to say is “I don’t care about the numbers, I just want to be faithful.” I have planted a church from scratch and I can tell you that they are probably lying. :>)
 
Numbers tell us a lot. In Acts 2 after the Holy Spirit had descended on the early Christians and gave them the power that God had promised, Peter very courageously preached about the risen, living Christ and we are told “those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” How did they know there were three thousand? Where did that number come from? SOMEONE COUNTED THEM.
 
You count people because PEOPLE COUNT. We have done that from the very inception of Jordan Presbyterian Church. (We are actually required to report those numbers to the denomination) It is interesting. Counting doesn’t mean “all you’re interested in is numbers.” Counting is one way of evaluating the effectiveness of ministry and one thing to consider when looking at a church’s efforts and resources to see if they are well spent. But numbers aren’t, nor should they be, the driving force of ministry. The gospel is the driving force. Numbers are just one thing to consider.
 
For the past four years we have had basically the same average attendance in church. That’s not to say we haven’t grown. We actually have. What I mean specifically is that while we have had many people move away our numbers haven’t really decreased. For example a small but significant deaf congregation used to attend here and they left, but our numbers stayed the same. For a period a number of the folks at Gospel Presbyterian worshipped with us. When they left our numbers didn’t really decrease. Two years ago we had nine High School Seniors graduate and they have largely scattered but our numbers are about the same. What this means is that more and more people are coming and finding a loving, Christ-centered fellowship of believers here.
 
We have something wonderful to offer. We have Jesus. I want to personally encourage you to invite and encourage people that you know who do not already attend a Biblical church to come and find what you have found here. Jesus did not reveal Himself to you so that you could keep it secret. His whole purpose for saving sinners is so that God will get glory. So give it to Him. Tell people how great He is and tell them where you are learning about Him. One place should be your church.
 
There are a number of opportunities to invite people to this summer. VBS, a church dinner, a women’s dinner, an ice-cream social, just to name a few. Don’t evaluate these things based on whether you like chicken or ice cream or women’s events. Rather think, “Do I know someone who might enjoy this?” We do these in part to give you opportunity to invite people. Not to mention we have weekly worship and Sunday School. So I encourage you just like always, if you’re in town and not sick come to church. That’s what Christian’s do. And bring someone with you. We’ll count them because each one of them counts. Your circle of people matter to God.
 
Serving with you,
Tim

Staying Alive

I have been told that the way they teach CPR now is to do the chest compressions to the tune of the old Bee Gees song, “Staying Alive.” It works out really well. As you hum it in your head you get the rhythm and the goal all at the same time. 

The Lord Jesus has made us alive. He did this by His own resurrection. The power in Christ’s resurrection is power that makes the dead come to life. Jesus went from completely dead to completely alive. And He is “staying alive” to continue to rescue people to worship God. 

To do that, the Father and the Son have sent the Spirit who is called the life-giving Spirit. Spiritually speaking, we were completely dead and now we are completely alive. And we are “staying alive” by the same power that brought Jesus back to life. 

 “Staying alive” is the rhythm and the goal of the Christian life. It is the idea that your relationship remains vibrant and joyous encompassing all of life. The same gospel that saved you, keeps you living and thriving as a Christian.  

It is not that staying alive should be our goal as Christians. Staying alive is Christ’s goal for us. He is fully committed to you and will not settle for anything less than you flourishing as a Christian. That should give you tremendous confidence and security.  And in order to make sure you thrive, He has gifted you. 

So Christ’s goal is that you live abundantly. And to accomplish His goal He has created a rhythm to the Christian life. It is consistently, regularly, rehearsing the gospel to each other. It is giving and receiving forgiveness. It is enjoying God’s provision. It is celebrating our mutual relationship to our Father in heaven. It is working together to expand Christ’s kingdom. And it is serving one another in love. If you embrace the rhythm then the life is vibrant. If you don’t then “church” becomes boring. But that can be easily remedied. 

Christ made you alive. The Holy Spirit then gifted you to serve in a local body of Christians. Again, I encourage you to ask God, “In what ways would you like to use me?” Some of the new ideas that are coming out of our recent “Network” class are things like a more intentional mercy/outreach/serving ministry, more fully developed children’s ministry, greater strides in music ministry just to name a few. 

Where do you fit in? Pastor Jon or I would love to talk with you further about this. I just want you to understand that “staying alive” in Jesus’ idea is actively, intentionally giving yourself unreservedly to the One who made you alive in the first place. It is blooming where you are planted, embracing who God has made you to be. 

Easter is fast approaching. Jesus is alive to give life. So are you. How will you use life to give life to others in His Name.

Serving With You,
Tim

Ministry Multiplication

For those of you who participated in the Network Study, this story will be familiar, but it’s worth repeating:

Once upon a time... right after creation... all the animals got together and formed a school. They established a well-rounded curriculum of swimming, running, climbing, and flying.

The duck excelled at swimming. In fact, he was better than the instructor! But he only make passing grades in climbing and was poor in running. He was so slow, he had to stay after school to practice running. This caused his webbed feet to become so badly worn he became only average in swimming.

The rabbit was at the top of her class in running. But after a while, she developed a twitch in her leg from all the time she spent in the water trying to improve her swimming.

The squirrel was a peak performer in climbing, but was constantly frustrated in flying class. His body became so worn from all the hard landings he did not do too well in climbing and ended up being pretty poor in running.

The eagle was a continual problem student. She was constantly disciplined for being a nonconformist. In climbing class, she would always beat everyone else to the top of the tree, but insisted on using her own way to get there.

In a couple of weeks we are holding an informational meeting to talk about my and Pastor Tim’s roles at JPC. All the elders have met and we are really excited about our plan! Earlier this year many of you went through the Network study. This study had a big impact on the discussions that Tim and I had as we talked about our roles at JPC. We realized that we don’t share the same top spiritual gifts, we have different styles, but we are united in our passion. So our question was, how do we both work in the areas where we are gifted. Or, in other words, we don’t want to be like rabbits trying to fly!

We believe that when everyone is are using their spiritual gifts in a way that fits their personality, for God’s glory, our efforts will be multiplied. And we need to multiply our efforts. God has given us something good–the knowledge that the power of sin is broken and that he is restoring broken, sinful people to himself. As a church we want everyone in this valley to have the opportunity to hear this good news, and there is a lot of work left to be done. This is an effort that is too big for just one person, or even one church. But we serve a God who took a few loaves of bread and two fish and fed 5,000 people. We are excited for this journey! Are you ready to join us?

Serving with you,
Pastor Jon