Random Thoughts

As I sit in a new third space (coffeehouse) my thoughts are pretty much all over the place but here is what has been happening this week in regards to Veritas.

1. I met with a college student on Tuesday who hooked me onto someone that I haven't heard before. I listened to Greg Boyd's sermon from August 26 called Shock God and it was an awesome message...It resonated with me and with the vision and dreams of Veritas. I would check out his messages on his church's website...woodland hills (i believe)

2. We are working on getting mugs to give away to visitors and it has been a pain to get the right artwork in the right file to them...but thanks to Ray..it all worked out and we should have them in time for the worship on the 30th.

3. I am really excited, nervous, scared, and pumped up about our move to the city of Lancaster.. holding our once a month worship gatherings on the 3rd floor above Prince Street Cafe. I am praying that God would bless that time, that people who haven't come to Veritas before will show up, that we meet many new friends, and that most of all God is honored in our worship time.

4. Related to the worship time- our theme is CREATE based off one of our Core Values--it has taken me a while to wrap my mind and plans around the theme but I think it is starting to come together. I have the worship time planned... and all i need to do now is just write a brief message, put together some theme slides, and work out the musical worship, etc... as well as the craziness that will happen that day (if anyone can help set up that day..meet us at 4 PM down in the city)

5. One question that keeps going around in my head is: How can I be and continue to be incarnational in my world? Where do I need to spend my time? How can I be truly missional? I know for one thing I need to spend more time down at Prince Street Cafe, I need to do a prayer walk around the neighborhood where we'll be worshipping, and I need to get out to other places where I can meet and develop relationships with people who I probably wouldn't meet in the confines of the church building....any other ideas..please let me know.

Also would love to see anyone on the 30th for worship.

Facebook-- An on-line social networking site

After a few months of debating and trying to find time to get a Facebook site, I signed up on Thursday night. One could spend literally hours on this social network site. I signed up and put out friend requests and put up pictures, etc.. I have put up 2 events (Flatfoot 56 concert and the Veritas worship on the 30th) and I have put together a Veritas group. I've gotten some friends and have some posts on my wall. But something has nagged me since signing up.

Facebook is a social networking website. It is suppose to help social networks. I feel that it does that to a point. I still believe the best way to develop true community isn't to post something on someone's wall, e-mail them, IM them, or call them on a Cell phone. I truly believe the best way to build community and get to know others is to spend actual time face to face with them. To sit across a table sharing a meal, to pray with them, to hang out with them, and just be together. That's why I believe our Veritas House Churches are so important to the life and ministry. Last night we sat around the table together catching up on life. But I think the most signficant thing happened when we shared the bread and cup and remembered what Christ did for us. We passed around the bread and the juice and then shared how the other has been a blessing in our lives. The person who shared the blessing to me spoke volumes into my life and encouraged me beyond what she could even know or realize...it made an true impact on my life and ministry.

So yeah Facebook is okay and I will continue to post things on people's wall, but in the end if it doesn't help build better face to face time, it isn't worth it. So give me face to face time more than Facebook time.