Since Wordpress went to version 2.1, I decided to go with a different theme. What do you think?

Well,

It took me about 2 and a half hours to get the macbook connected with our Linksys router. I did a firmware upgrade on the router and suddenly it worked.

Then, I took 3-4 hours to figure out how to enable printer sharing so that our Macbook could print through our XP desktop.

It looks like you have set it up every time to share files.

Then, I’m trying to set up Abby’s e-mail, and the thing is so dumbed down for people that I can’t get to the advanced settings…and can’t set it up without taking alot more time.

Yes, I am feeling the pain of adjusting…

I can see how people like it too, but being a windows man for so long it’s going to take a while to really adjust!

Well, we did it. I probably wouldn’t have made the switch so soon without Abby wanting one (since all her friends have one). I sold my brother my 17″ Toshiba WinBook and bought Abby this MacBook.     

Last Wednesday Matthew came over and we talked about InFlux and small groups. He’s giving me the green light to run with it.

Green light=scared and exited

Well, it seems that noone is ever equipped fully for any task that God gives them. The hypothesis goes that if you were confident in your ability to do it, then you wouldn’t have to depend on God. I know that God has been preparing me for this, but now that it’s starting to happen it’s a little more strange. Studying house churches for two years is one thing, actually practically doing it is another.

It’s almost like going to school for two years and then finally getting a job in the same field. You may know all that you can about a subject, but the real world is always different. Add that together with the fact that this group isn’t really starting as a house church, but as an extension of a traditional church and things get really interesting.

The thing is, I know that God put me here, at least for a time. I know I’m going to be learning, and this seems to be a safe environment to do it. Also, the associate pastor at The Gathering Place Chruch, Pastor Dan, is a great guy and I really feel on the same wavelength as him. He’s very educated, knows all the church theories and statistics, and has a heart for the age group we are involved in (18-24).

We had a “leader’s meeting” for all the heads of ministries in the church (though were are classified not as the leaders, we were invited), and Pastor Dan actually said that one of the problems with the church is that we are portrying the Sunday service to be the “be all, end all” of church, and it shouldn’t be! This is amazing to hear from a pastor.

What would happen if the church leadership decided, “Hey, lets only have service every other week. We’ll have small groups on those weeks instead. This way, you can all still have time to accomplish all your responsibilities and spend time with your family.” Crazy? I think not.

Anyone that knows me understands that I think Sunday services are a very unefficient use of peoples time. Even pastor Dan admits that although The Gathering Place is one of the friendliest churches around, people aren’t well connected. Sunday services don’t function that way unless you are a very outgoing person who likes to start up conversations with complete strangers.

It seems that Sunday church’s intention is to “equip the body” at most churches, but it’s hard to equip everyone in a service with a general message that is tailored to reach the most people. You can’t equip someone that way. In fact, the next few Sunday services are going to be dedicated to “end times prophesy,” which I think is great in terms of helping people to get out of a “the world is going to end and I don’t have to worry about the next generation” mentality. I’m sure the messages will be encouraging and I will enjoy them, because they are Biblical and will teach on the Victorious Chruch. Still, that is teaching and giving understanding, and can only “equip” from a general point of view.

So, anyway, I say all this to communicate the fact that I think the church is a great place to grow. I’m excited to see what will happen.

Any thoughts?(more in next post)