Compassion by Design Survey:
Valley Forge Christian College celebrates the leadership and services that make our community great and also identifies the areas where we need to work together to continue to build a strong and vibrant place to live, work and play. This survey is being conducted in the Phoenixville area, and is a Valley Forge Christian College class project.
1. Zip Code: 18949
2. Nominate one organization in each of the following categories: (Nominate those that represent the BEST of our community during the last year)
- Education Provider: Pen Rich School districts (Bucks County)
- Recreation: Bucks County Community Sports Recreation Facility
- Business that gives back: local Pizzaria
- Restaurant or Coffee Shop: Calvary Church Cafe
- Nonprofit & Charitable: YMCA
- Public Services: Bucks Police
- Culture, Arts and Historic Enrichment: High School Art Exhibitions
3. The greatest thing about our community is: People are hospitable & ready to connect.
4. If there is one area in which our community needs to improve it is: Spreading out--connecting
5. In our community, I think the following areas pose the greatest challenge:
- Financial Pressure
- Sense of Permanence
- Marriage & Relationships
- Job Security
- Resources for low-income families
- Jobs (period)
6. The one thing that would make family life better in our community is: if they would simply come to church
7. I'm concerned about what is going to happen in the future with: finances--resulting from the economic crisis
8. A new affordable service that would really help us is: rent out rooms/host events w/ sponsors and other community partners.
9. A service that really needs to be improved is: charity
10: Comments on any of the above: More christlike/centered focus in families.
A place for my thoughts, concerns, and defenses for the Christian faith.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Speaker/Guest: Bill Ellis: Oakmont
Golf Video Segment: was humorous and yet I had no idea what the point of the video was about.
We need churches that does more than welcomes people of faith into a new set of doors. We need churches that are welcoming to those who may have not yet experienced faith for the first time.
Were the disciples Christians? Not technically, Christ had not died yet for their sins, and they did not know that he was going to either.
• Two ways of understanding what the church is:
○ Functional View: the church is God's place in the owrld where you go to do God things
○ Incarnational View: the church is not only a place that performs functions, but it is a place where God dwells. It is a people in whom God lives.
There are two kinds of people who attend church:
a. Those who "go to church"
b. Those who see themselves "as the church"
Our challenge is to help people who me3rely "go to church" become those who see themselves "as the church," and help them find the part they are to play in putting God on display to the world.
"People aren't tithing to God, they're paying for services that the church provides in way of programs; when they're dissatisfied with the programs, they take their money and leave."
"The American Church in Crisis"
1. Less than 20% of Americans regularly attend church--half of what the pollsters report.
2. American church attendance is steadily declining.
The culture has changed so dramatically that people are no longer identifying themselves by their religious views.
3. Only one state is outpacing its population growth (Hawaii)
4. Mid-sized churches are shrinking; the smallest and largest churches are growing.
5. Established churches--40 to 190 years old--are, on average, declining.
6. The increase in churches is only 1/4 of what's needed to keep up with population growth.
7. In 2050 the percentage of the U.S. population attending church will be almost half of what it was in 1990.
"It was C.S. Lewis who observed that 'there exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So we must strive very hard, by the grace of God to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it." (as quoted in The Forgotten Ways, by Alan Hirsh, p.55)
What are the right questions we should be asking?
1. Should we be asking "how can we get people to come to our church?" Or, "How can we get our people to engage our community?"
"Christianity is better received as a voice of one crying in the wilderness than a city preacher on a podium with a bullhorn." -John Schaffer
2. What are ways we can engage and bless our communities beyond the walls of the church
3. If your church was removed from your community, who besides your attendees, would miss it?
4. How can we get people to down-size in order to make room for compassion in a super-size me culture?
5. How has consumerism infiltrated the way we do church?
Bill has recognized that they're ready to pull the plug on Children's ministry for his home church because what they're realizing is that its become more of a drop off locale for families. What they're recognizing as a result of this is that parents are shoveling the Christian education responsibilities onto the church for their kids, rather than parents owning the responsibility to teach their kids and rear them as well. Now they are realizing that parents are needing to be educated on how to be parents.
If kids down participate in worship with their parents how are they going to realize this is something they'll need to continue on into adulthood?
I thought that Bill presented some of the more critical concerns our generation of leaders are pressed with. Unlike many of the other speakers, Bill presented a rather visual picture of what the future of the church and this country may be facing in the next couple decades. Since this is the church and country we are going to lead, I found most of what Bill to share tonight to be most resourceful than any other speaker this semester! Thank you for bringing him to share a little about his life and theological/philosophical positions on the church and the world today.
Golf Video Segment: was humorous and yet I had no idea what the point of the video was about.
We need churches that does more than welcomes people of faith into a new set of doors. We need churches that are welcoming to those who may have not yet experienced faith for the first time.
Were the disciples Christians? Not technically, Christ had not died yet for their sins, and they did not know that he was going to either.
• Two ways of understanding what the church is:
○ Functional View: the church is God's place in the owrld where you go to do God things
○ Incarnational View: the church is not only a place that performs functions, but it is a place where God dwells. It is a people in whom God lives.
There are two kinds of people who attend church:
a. Those who "go to church"
b. Those who see themselves "as the church"
Our challenge is to help people who me3rely "go to church" become those who see themselves "as the church," and help them find the part they are to play in putting God on display to the world.
"People aren't tithing to God, they're paying for services that the church provides in way of programs; when they're dissatisfied with the programs, they take their money and leave."
"The American Church in Crisis"
1. Less than 20% of Americans regularly attend church--half of what the pollsters report.
2. American church attendance is steadily declining.
The culture has changed so dramatically that people are no longer identifying themselves by their religious views.
3. Only one state is outpacing its population growth (Hawaii)
4. Mid-sized churches are shrinking; the smallest and largest churches are growing.
5. Established churches--40 to 190 years old--are, on average, declining.
6. The increase in churches is only 1/4 of what's needed to keep up with population growth.
7. In 2050 the percentage of the U.S. population attending church will be almost half of what it was in 1990.
"It was C.S. Lewis who observed that 'there exists in every church something that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. So we must strive very hard, by the grace of God to keep the church focused on the mission that Christ originally gave to it." (as quoted in The Forgotten Ways, by Alan Hirsh, p.55)
What are the right questions we should be asking?
1. Should we be asking "how can we get people to come to our church?" Or, "How can we get our people to engage our community?"
"Christianity is better received as a voice of one crying in the wilderness than a city preacher on a podium with a bullhorn." -John Schaffer
2. What are ways we can engage and bless our communities beyond the walls of the church
3. If your church was removed from your community, who besides your attendees, would miss it?
4. How can we get people to down-size in order to make room for compassion in a super-size me culture?
5. How has consumerism infiltrated the way we do church?
Bill has recognized that they're ready to pull the plug on Children's ministry for his home church because what they're realizing is that its become more of a drop off locale for families. What they're recognizing as a result of this is that parents are shoveling the Christian education responsibilities onto the church for their kids, rather than parents owning the responsibility to teach their kids and rear them as well. Now they are realizing that parents are needing to be educated on how to be parents.
If kids down participate in worship with their parents how are they going to realize this is something they'll need to continue on into adulthood?
I thought that Bill presented some of the more critical concerns our generation of leaders are pressed with. Unlike many of the other speakers, Bill presented a rather visual picture of what the future of the church and this country may be facing in the next couple decades. Since this is the church and country we are going to lead, I found most of what Bill to share tonight to be most resourceful than any other speaker this semester! Thank you for bringing him to share a little about his life and theological/philosophical positions on the church and the world today.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Compassion By Design Survey #2
Compassion By Design Survey
Valley Forge Christian College celebrates the leadership and services that make our community
great and also identifies the areas where we need to work together to continue to build a strong
and vibrant place to live, work and play. This survey is being conducted in the Phoenixville area,
and is a Valley Forge Christian College class project.
Major Nancy Townsend- Salvation Army Corps Officer, Norristown Pennsylvania
1. Please enter your zip code:19040
2. Nominate one organization in each of the following categories:
(Nominate those that represent the BEST of our community during the last year)
Education Provider
(School, college, day care, after school, educational service or business):
EASTERN UNIVERSITY- a handful of students help out in the Norristown Community especially here at the Norristown Salvation Army Corps.
Health Care Provider
(Hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, medical service or business):
MERCY SUBURBIAN HOSPITAL
Recreation
(Park, fields, facility, organization, league):
PAL
Business That Gives Back
(Contributes to the community with funds or other support):
THE SALVATION ARMY
Restaurant or Coffee Shop:
BLIMPEES
Nonprofit & Charitable
(Local foundations, nonprofits, charities and benefit drives):
THE SALVATION ARMY
Public Service
(Any local service operated by government—library, police, fire department):
THE COURTHOUSE
Culture, Arts and Historic Enrichment
(Museums, etc):
THE NORRISTOWN ZOO; TOURING THE CITY AND VIEWING THE HISTORY BEHIND THE OLD BUILDINGS AND CHURCHES
3. The greatest thing about our community is:
THE HELP IT NEEDS! IF WE JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO IT! PEOPLE WILL RESPOND! NORRISTOWN IS A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THAT JUST NEEDS SOME CONNECTION
4. If there is one area in which our community needs to improve it is:
CLEANING UP THE STREETS. THERE IS PLEANTY OF TRASH ON THE STREETS OF NORRISTOWN.
5. In our community, I think the following areas pose the greatest challenge:
(Pick up to 5 of the following):
__X_ Financial Pressure __X_ Marriage & Relationships
_X__ Substance Abuse ___ Job Security
___ Affordable Housing ___ Time Pressure
__X_ Crime/Violence ___ Single Parent Resources
___ Sense of Permanence ___ Childcare
_X__ Stress __X_ Loneliness
_X__ Education ___ Public Transportation
___ Cultural Tolerance _X__ Gangs
___ Jobs ___ Resources for lowincome
families
___ Traffic ___ Cost of Living
_X__ Discrimination __X_ Negative Media
___ Professional Development _X__ Health Care
___ Teen Resources __X_ Sense of Community
_X__ Immigration ___ Support for Charity
__X_ Lack of Public Services ___ Other:__________________
6. The one thing that would make family life better in our community is:
FAMILIES STAYING TOGETHER! ATLEAST TRYING TO MAKE AN EFFORT. WORKING AS THE OFFICER OF THE SALVATION ARMY IN NORRISTOWN, PA- WHICH IS ALSO A HOMELESS SHELTER, I SEE WAY TOO MANY SINGLE MOTHERS IN AND OUT EVERY MONTH.
7. I am concerned about what is going to happen in the future with:
THE AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE AND DRUG ABUSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS SLOWLY SPEADING IN HIGH SCHOOLS, AND NEXT IS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
8. A new affordable service that would really help us is:
A COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY- EVERYONE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD GETS OUT AND HELPS CLEAN THE STREETS- THIS, FORCING PEOPLE TO TALK TO EACHOTHER, AND HOPEFULLY FEEL BETTER ABOUT HELPING AND TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY LIVE IN BUT ARE SURELY DESTROYING
9. A service that really needs to be improved is:
POLICE ACTIVITY. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ALWAYS FINDING SOMETHING TO CATCH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE.
10. Comments on any of the above:
NORRISTOWN TRULY IS AN AMAZING CITY- IT JUST NEEDS THE HAND OF GOD LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE
Developed by David Mills, Compassion by Design, dmills@compassionbydesign.org
Valley Forge Christian College celebrates the leadership and services that make our community
great and also identifies the areas where we need to work together to continue to build a strong
and vibrant place to live, work and play. This survey is being conducted in the Phoenixville area,
and is a Valley Forge Christian College class project.
Major Nancy Townsend- Salvation Army Corps Officer, Norristown Pennsylvania
1. Please enter your zip code:19040
2. Nominate one organization in each of the following categories:
(Nominate those that represent the BEST of our community during the last year)
Education Provider
(School, college, day care, after school, educational service or business):
EASTERN UNIVERSITY- a handful of students help out in the Norristown Community especially here at the Norristown Salvation Army Corps.
Health Care Provider
(Hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, medical service or business):
MERCY SUBURBIAN HOSPITAL
Recreation
(Park, fields, facility, organization, league):
PAL
Business That Gives Back
(Contributes to the community with funds or other support):
THE SALVATION ARMY
Restaurant or Coffee Shop:
BLIMPEES
Nonprofit & Charitable
(Local foundations, nonprofits, charities and benefit drives):
THE SALVATION ARMY
Public Service
(Any local service operated by government—library, police, fire department):
THE COURTHOUSE
Culture, Arts and Historic Enrichment
(Museums, etc):
THE NORRISTOWN ZOO; TOURING THE CITY AND VIEWING THE HISTORY BEHIND THE OLD BUILDINGS AND CHURCHES
3. The greatest thing about our community is:
THE HELP IT NEEDS! IF WE JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO IT! PEOPLE WILL RESPOND! NORRISTOWN IS A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THAT JUST NEEDS SOME CONNECTION
4. If there is one area in which our community needs to improve it is:
CLEANING UP THE STREETS. THERE IS PLEANTY OF TRASH ON THE STREETS OF NORRISTOWN.
5. In our community, I think the following areas pose the greatest challenge:
(Pick up to 5 of the following):
__X_ Financial Pressure __X_ Marriage & Relationships
_X__ Substance Abuse ___ Job Security
___ Affordable Housing ___ Time Pressure
__X_ Crime/Violence ___ Single Parent Resources
___ Sense of Permanence ___ Childcare
_X__ Stress __X_ Loneliness
_X__ Education ___ Public Transportation
___ Cultural Tolerance _X__ Gangs
___ Jobs ___ Resources for lowincome
families
___ Traffic ___ Cost of Living
_X__ Discrimination __X_ Negative Media
___ Professional Development _X__ Health Care
___ Teen Resources __X_ Sense of Community
_X__ Immigration ___ Support for Charity
__X_ Lack of Public Services ___ Other:__________________
6. The one thing that would make family life better in our community is:
FAMILIES STAYING TOGETHER! ATLEAST TRYING TO MAKE AN EFFORT. WORKING AS THE OFFICER OF THE SALVATION ARMY IN NORRISTOWN, PA- WHICH IS ALSO A HOMELESS SHELTER, I SEE WAY TOO MANY SINGLE MOTHERS IN AND OUT EVERY MONTH.
7. I am concerned about what is going to happen in the future with:
THE AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE AND DRUG ABUSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS SLOWLY SPEADING IN HIGH SCHOOLS, AND NEXT IS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
8. A new affordable service that would really help us is:
A COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY- EVERYONE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD GETS OUT AND HELPS CLEAN THE STREETS- THIS, FORCING PEOPLE TO TALK TO EACHOTHER, AND HOPEFULLY FEEL BETTER ABOUT HELPING AND TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY LIVE IN BUT ARE SURELY DESTROYING
9. A service that really needs to be improved is:
POLICE ACTIVITY. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ALWAYS FINDING SOMETHING TO CATCH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE.
10. Comments on any of the above:
NORRISTOWN TRULY IS AN AMAZING CITY- IT JUST NEEDS THE HAND OF GOD LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE
Developed by David Mills, Compassion by Design, dmills@compassionbydesign.org
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sam Masteller, Lancaster, PA
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sam Masteller,
*Often positions open up in churches that are available to people that happen to know someone in the church.
Revival Central: (
700 Students of “Christ for the Nations” were ticked off by something Sam said: (do not insert this into the blog) The fist series he did in his church, he began to share about a vision of William Booth (from the Salvation Army) the vision was a sea full of people drowning… then a rock began to rise out of the ocean and people began to swim to this rock. Where they eventually became comfortable and didn’t reach out top help the people who were still drowning in the ocean. Sam said that it doesn’t matter if we ever speak another word in tongues, prophesy or have another vision, if we come to the point where we are no longer drawing people to Christ we have failed and should thereby close our doors… apparently this made the congregation members upset. They apparently only focused on the notion that they felt Sam didn’t speak in tongues and was out to attack them.
Most churches do not change because of the wield and manipulation of a few families in the church.
Blog: Sammasteller.com
Not everyone is going to agree with you and the vision you may have for the church. This is where it will take persistence, integrity, passion, patience, proposal of gifts (not bribes) and ideas. The picture of what the vision is: the Church is a table…
Sam’s Church Government Model: Staff Driven—Board Accountable
Staff: all come to the board meetings, they are part of the discussion and give reports of how things are going in their position of the church.
Who sets the Church Budget? Finance team would be separate from this gov’t. She is hired by the Senior pastor: Sam.
On Board with the Vision, In Sync with the Vision: These are terms that Sam uses to communicate whether or not people are willing to do what’s necessary to bring the vision to life and keep it alive and moving in a positive direction.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Questionaire for New Believer #2- Mark (Mont. Community College Student)
Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
o My parents are Christians and I always went to church. I really didn’t care much about the whole God thing and just went with the flow. It wasn’t until New Year’s Eve at a lock in at the church when I realized how true being a Christian is and what it’s all about.
What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
o I saw the way people were responding to the Spirit. I realized there was more to Christianity. It was a hard decision, but it must have been done. I was struggling with cigarettes and knew they would be no more in my life once I became real with Christ. I knew if I was going to make a commitment like that to Christ, nothing, especially cigarettes will have power over me.
What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
o I feel different every morning. I feel like I have a reason to smile. My parents seem to appreciate and love me more. I am sure they always did but now they feel more comfortable with showing me that unconditional love that they do have for me.
What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
o Some of the friends I had outside of the church don’t really talk to me anymore. It’s difficult losing people in my life, but I know it was worth it for losing my life to Christ.
What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
o My parents. We have bonded so much closer over this. My dad is my mentor. He shows me the best example I can have on how to be a God-like man. For my mother to see this, it’s the greatest testament ever.
What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
o It’s not about you. You may want to fit in with everyone else. I don’t think that gets us anywhere. If you’re parents are Christians, don’t be afraid of their life style. Imagine yourself as a happier person with something to live for. Keep people mentoring you and your faith will grow.
o My parents are Christians and I always went to church. I really didn’t care much about the whole God thing and just went with the flow. It wasn’t until New Year’s Eve at a lock in at the church when I realized how true being a Christian is and what it’s all about.
What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
o I saw the way people were responding to the Spirit. I realized there was more to Christianity. It was a hard decision, but it must have been done. I was struggling with cigarettes and knew they would be no more in my life once I became real with Christ. I knew if I was going to make a commitment like that to Christ, nothing, especially cigarettes will have power over me.
What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
o I feel different every morning. I feel like I have a reason to smile. My parents seem to appreciate and love me more. I am sure they always did but now they feel more comfortable with showing me that unconditional love that they do have for me.
What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
o Some of the friends I had outside of the church don’t really talk to me anymore. It’s difficult losing people in my life, but I know it was worth it for losing my life to Christ.
What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
o My parents. We have bonded so much closer over this. My dad is my mentor. He shows me the best example I can have on how to be a God-like man. For my mother to see this, it’s the greatest testament ever.
What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
o It’s not about you. You may want to fit in with everyone else. I don’t think that gets us anywhere. If you’re parents are Christians, don’t be afraid of their life style. Imagine yourself as a happier person with something to live for. Keep people mentoring you and your faith will grow.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Gerry Stolzfoos
Gerry teaches @ Master's Commission an extension of Valley Forge Christian College Church Planting Unit. This class is being taught in Gettysburg and Teen Challenge Rehrersburg.
Grew up "Beachy Amish" (got its name from its founding fathers) . Somehow during his childhood he came to realize that he grew up as one of the more weird people of the world. Whenever he tried to turn a subject to Jesus, the subjects usually turned to asking questions about why they are so weird.
He asked himself why he brought people to his church if all they did was turn away rejected later on. Suddenly he realized that he wanted to know where he could invite people to a place where people would feel accepted and loved.
He had a friend that asked him where he went to have fun. Gerry replied that he went to Church. And the guy couldn't believe it… eventually he was persuaded to go on the idea that he might get laid. He was saved the very first night he went.
Gerry thought the worship was terrible, the sermons were long and boring and seemed to last endlessly. The only reason he felt the church was any good was because of his friends that reached out to him in love and acceptance. He realized that the people at this church were inviting to everyone who came, it didn't matter what their background was or what they looked like.
So it appears that from what Gerry is saying here is that the key to someone feeling comfortable in attending a church is not a matter of what the worship is like, or the pastor, or the color of the carpet or anything of the sort. It’s the people and their love and genuine interest in accepting and receiving anyone who comes through the door.
His family went through a period of rejecting him from their family (Amish) when they realized that they were being entirely un-Christ-like. Gerry said that the Amish church is hostile to people. There was a reconciliation that came around to Gerry with his family where his father even made him the executor of his will because he felt that he could only push his other sons around.
Gerry had an unfortunate experience when he was a 29 year old youth pastor on the verge of becoming the senior pastor of his church. The church board had a meeting and didn’t think Gerry was mature enough to take over the church at his age. Essentially they served him compensation to plant a new church with severance and wished him well.
A Church in New Oxford found that Gerry was looking to plant a church and asked him if he'd be interested in planting a church with a few churches in their area. They said they prayed for someone like Gerry specifically and they invited him to a meeting. When he came to the meeting he found that they were Assemblies of God. Gerry backed out ready to leave letting them know that he didn't like anything about the A.G. They realized everything that Gerry didn't like in the A.G. was exactly the reason they felt God was calling Him to help them plant this church. They knew Gerry loved Jesus and that’s what would make the difference.
Gerry knew that he was somehow called to minister to people who have given up on the church, who have been hurt. The experiences of Gerry's past with the church was going to be an instrument to help him reach people who feel the church has ruined them.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the tattoo parlor and the one girl with all the piercings and tattoos and how the tattoo parlor was packed with people attending a bible study there. How the church eventually bought the tattoo parlor and kept it running by the first guy who got saved there. The shop is called "In The Blood: Tattoos & Rock N Roll.
Grew up "Beachy Amish" (got its name from its founding fathers) . Somehow during his childhood he came to realize that he grew up as one of the more weird people of the world. Whenever he tried to turn a subject to Jesus, the subjects usually turned to asking questions about why they are so weird.
He asked himself why he brought people to his church if all they did was turn away rejected later on. Suddenly he realized that he wanted to know where he could invite people to a place where people would feel accepted and loved.
He had a friend that asked him where he went to have fun. Gerry replied that he went to Church. And the guy couldn't believe it… eventually he was persuaded to go on the idea that he might get laid. He was saved the very first night he went.
Gerry thought the worship was terrible, the sermons were long and boring and seemed to last endlessly. The only reason he felt the church was any good was because of his friends that reached out to him in love and acceptance. He realized that the people at this church were inviting to everyone who came, it didn't matter what their background was or what they looked like.
So it appears that from what Gerry is saying here is that the key to someone feeling comfortable in attending a church is not a matter of what the worship is like, or the pastor, or the color of the carpet or anything of the sort. It’s the people and their love and genuine interest in accepting and receiving anyone who comes through the door.
His family went through a period of rejecting him from their family (Amish) when they realized that they were being entirely un-Christ-like. Gerry said that the Amish church is hostile to people. There was a reconciliation that came around to Gerry with his family where his father even made him the executor of his will because he felt that he could only push his other sons around.
Gerry had an unfortunate experience when he was a 29 year old youth pastor on the verge of becoming the senior pastor of his church. The church board had a meeting and didn’t think Gerry was mature enough to take over the church at his age. Essentially they served him compensation to plant a new church with severance and wished him well.
A Church in New Oxford found that Gerry was looking to plant a church and asked him if he'd be interested in planting a church with a few churches in their area. They said they prayed for someone like Gerry specifically and they invited him to a meeting. When he came to the meeting he found that they were Assemblies of God. Gerry backed out ready to leave letting them know that he didn't like anything about the A.G. They realized everything that Gerry didn't like in the A.G. was exactly the reason they felt God was calling Him to help them plant this church. They knew Gerry loved Jesus and that’s what would make the difference.
Gerry knew that he was somehow called to minister to people who have given up on the church, who have been hurt. The experiences of Gerry's past with the church was going to be an instrument to help him reach people who feel the church has ruined them.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the tattoo parlor and the one girl with all the piercings and tattoos and how the tattoo parlor was packed with people attending a bible study there. How the church eventually bought the tattoo parlor and kept it running by the first guy who got saved there. The shop is called "In The Blood: Tattoos & Rock N Roll.
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