A Season of Newness

November 6, 2007 7:59 pm admin Blogs

As of today, no baby yet. But new life is on the way for sure because I don’t think my petite little wife can get much bigger! I’m sure I could easily be charged with that subjective trap where you think of everything through the lens of your own personal experience but I believe that new things are in store not only for me in being a dad but also for us as a church.

Three Sundays ago I preached a very difficult sermon for us all which basically took an honest look at where we are as a church plant. It was difficult because I don’t like being the bad guy but as I’ve personally told several people, if I didn’t preach it I wouldn’t be doing my job and I would be a good pastor. The response, I have to say has been very encouraging. Several people are excited and have really stepped up in regards to serving Jesus’ church and there are a number who have made some strong resolutions to live their lives differently. It is awesome to hear about God’s work of grace in your hearts.

Here are the new things that will be happening for us as a church:

In the middle of this month a girl’s mid-week community group will begin. The group will meet every other week for spiritual discussion and prayer at Gema Torrenes’ house and then once a month the group will do something for fun and invite non-Christian friends. I encourage all of you girls to make a committment to be a part of this.

In December, I will begin leading a group of men to meet every other week to talk about what it means to be a man according to the Bible. We will meet at Frank Johnson’s house, look at the Bible, talk about how you are doing as a man, and work through Douglas Wilson’s book “Future Men.” I want as many as you men as possible to be a part of this. You need this. The picture of a man in our culture is so askewed that we think if you talk rough, smoke cigarettes and wear a wife-beater then you are a man. I want to show you the picture of a man in the Bible and open up my life as a godly example to you. So men, be there! Or I might have to break out a holy can of whoop a$$ pastor beating on you.

Third, beginning in December we are going to start to have once a month church plant meetings on Sunday nights at our building. It will not be a service but a time for us to sit in a circle together to discuss how we are doing as a church plant. This will be a good community building time for us a church as we really attempt to create a glory driven, gospel centered, city within the city in San Diego. Look for more information coming about what Sunday of the month it will be and what time.

God is working and we are attempting to follow our leader, Jesus Christ, with all our might. For his fame in the sake of the gospel, this is an exciting season.

-Pastor Duane