This year is all about Growing up.  I know that sound odd, and it in no way implies a lack of current maturity, but in the life of any person, group or organization there are season in which we have to move on, take the next step, or develop new goals, skills or vision if we are to continue to fulfill the purposes God has called us to.  That is where The Well is in 2012.  So for us this is going to be a year of Cultivating.

One of the things I am most excited about this process is all the new opportunities for ministry and leadership that this is going to create.  We will need two more families to step into the roles as Deacons, we are adding a number of families as team leaders and Ministry directors, our staff meeting have blossomed to over ten starting this next week, we are adding another service producer, new worship team members, with auditions going to be held late winter or early spring, we are adding ushers, greeters, kids teachers and helpers and on and on and on…and I’m not done, we will be adding small groups in every areas, additional opportunities for worship, discipleship and spiritual formation, more guest speakers from within and outside out congregation, trips, retreats, campouts and more.

But through all of this our intention this year is to GROW!  Grow spiritually through intentional pastoring and mentoring at every lever.  Grow stronger through healthy community which will also cause us to Grow numerically.

For those of you who are interested in what I am going to be reading this year, here is the early line up:  With Elder’s, Francis Chan’s Forgotten God, with Staff, John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (a leadership classic), with Deacons, Billy Hornsby’s Attractional Church, with the youth and children’s ministry, Brian Haynes’, Shift, and for my personal fun, Erik Larson’s, The Devil in the White City.

Many of you ask about Chris’ Meta Palindrome video, we can’t post the video but here is the text…

What if – a Meta Palindrome

By Chris Pyle

I am defined by my failures

So I can no longer believe

God does answer prayer

His Word is true no matter what my experiences tell me

God doesn’t answer prayer

I would be lying if I said that

My marriage can be better

That my loved ones can be healed

That I’ll conquer my addictions

That this year will be better than the last

Here’s what I know

That I’ve tried too many times

I’m too insignificant for Him to care about my needs

or

He just isn’t there

Never again will I say

He hears me when I pray

He has a plan for my life

He was who He said He was

and

He’s really here…

But what if

(Now read back up)

Father,

We pray your blessing and presence on our lives, our families, The Well and this year.  Be formed in us Lord, to the point that you are clearly seen in everything we do and everything we are!

Your Son,

Jerry

In Joshua 10, Joshua finds himself in the middle of a battle in which God has promised him he would emerge victorious.  But before the victory can be completed he finds himself running out of daylight.  So there in the middle of the battle and in front of all of his followers he prays the impossible, he asks God to make the Sun Stand Still.  Here at the Well, the faith community I am a part of, we have just finished a series of teachings from this passage inspired by Steve Furtick’s book Sun Stand Still challenging our people to believe for the impossible.  To live at the level of their highest hope, and never be afraid to believe or ask God for the ridiculous.  For some of us it may be new life in a dying marriage, or health for ourselves or a loved one, maybe it is restored relationships between us and our kids or us and our parents, perhaps the need is financial, or spiritual, but for whatever reason it has gotten so big that it is overwhelming and seemingly impossible.  All of these are perfect candidates for our Sun Stand Still principle.

But the one thing we didn’t have time to talk about is, what happens when the Sun Sets and we didn’t see our answer to prayer?  Here is an excerpt from an e-mail conversation I have been having with a couple dear friends whose Sun seems to have set:

They write:

We are struggling. Big time.  I personally have pushed God away and, I am ashamed to say, given up. I get tired of trying to figure it out. Trying to find those moments of where He is working. Why does it have to be so complicated ? I know God moves in mysterious ways, but come on ! I know He has a different time schedule for us. I know He “refines” us by these worldly troubles, but sometimes I get really tired of the refining. I don’t feel sharp– I feel dull.  How is it helping if I feel anger and frustration with Him ? Trials and pain are supposed to bring us closer to Him, but I don’t feel any closer. I know it’s a choice we must make daily…to have faith in the dark times and in the light. But many times I feel like He is an elusive God.

Have you ever been there?  I have, probably more times than I would admit to most days and maybe even more times than I realize.  So here were a couple of my thoughts.

I get it, and this isn’t a sign of poor Christianity or lack of faith, I think the word is authentic, and I am confident God understands.

Asaph (the psalmist) said,
Ps. 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Jeremiah said,

Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you.

Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

2 You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit;

you are near in their mouth and far from their heart.

3 But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you.

Job said,
God has cast me into the mire,
and I have become like dust and ashes.
I cry to you for help and you do not answer me;
I stand, and you only look at me.
You have turned cruel to me;
with the might of your hand you persecute me.
(Job 30:19-21 ESV)

I think it is safe to say you are in some pretty good company right now kid.  These are the men we base our faith on…of course Christ is our chief example, but these and many others are our…more human example.  Keep asking, keep banging, keep crying, just don’t give up, never give up.  He will come, I promise, and when he does it may not make any more sense then it does now, but you will know that He was faithful.

I think about Joseph, going from bad to worse over and over, from a well, to slavery, to prison, and then finally a palace.  This is a story that repeats itself over and over throughout our shared biblical history.  Maybe this is what Paul was thinking about when He wrote, don’t become tired of doing the right thing, because eventually you will reap what you have sown, if you don’t give up.  That is the crux, not giving up.  Solomon, the smartest cat who ever lived said, keep casting your bread on the water and soon, maybe he should have said, “inevitably” it will return on every wave.

There have been so many times in my life when I have found myself standing on the edge of a ferocious sea, with what I was sure was my last crumb in my hand about to through it into a sea that so far hadn’t produced a single thing in return, but I can’t tell you of one time when God didn’t come through some how.

So now when I find myself in that place, I say a pray, steady my nerves and go all in…again…!

I know it sounds cliche’, but I know the one in whom I have believed, and I am confident that He is more than able to keep that which you have committed to Him.  So having done all we can do we continue to do what we can and wait for God to do what we can not, and to keep us in the process.

Hang in there.  To say that, to ask that hurts my heart, because I know you have been faithful and it is difficult for me to make sense when things look and feel like this, but I do believe somehow, God will make a way, even if we can’t see it or make sense of it for now.

Today my heart goes out for all those who find themselves in impossible situation with Suns that seem to have set.

My prayer for you is peace,

May the Lord bless and keep you

May He make His face shine on you and be gracious towards you

May He lift his countenance upon you and give you….

Peace.

This year The Well, the church I serve with, past a major mile stone.  We moved into our first building.  It has been a tremendous blessing, and we have grown considerably in the short time we have been there, but it is an older building and very run down.  We knew we would have to update the building from the beginning and even made provisions in our lease…and here is where I need your help.  The renovations are going to cost around $230,000.  That’s right 230K!  Our congregation has already pledged a little over $100,000 and we still have pledges coming in.  In addition to asking our community to give we decided to do a raffle to help raise money for this event.  The prizes are ridiculous!  First prize get $5,000, second gets an iPad 2, and third gets a $500 gift  card.  But don’t do it for the prizes, although they are awesome.  Do it either because you want to help build God’s kingdom and see the impact of our Faith Community grow, or so I can beat Andy!

Andy is a Google Sales “Big-Wig” who has headed up our Build a BetterWell capital campaign and is apparently more connected than Kevin Bacon!  This guy has already sold 117 tickets and is riding me like crazy.  This is a David and Goliath story; the little shepherd boy (me) taking on the fierce giant (Google Sales Big-Wig Andy) in a grudge match for the ages.

The tickets are $25 a piece, make any checks out to The Well and I will hold your tickets for you in your name or send them to you if you prefer.  You can also make a direct donation if you feel led, or make a pledge that would need to be paid sometime between now and the January 31, 2012.

I am confident God is going to do some amazing things through The Well and in these facilities that He has given us for now.  We want to do everything we can to remove any of the hinderances that people might have to coming and experiencing God for themselves in this place, and to maximize and be good stewards of the space.  I invite you to partner with me and The Well faith community as we seek to live up to the full measure of who God has ask us to be…………and…………,

For all the little guys who are tired of mega mogul giants pushing us around, now is your chance to rally for the sake of God’s kingdom……and, so I can beat Andy!

This year The Well, the church I serve with, past a major mile stone.  We moved into our first building.  It has been a tremendous blessing, and we have grown considerably in the short time we have been there, but it is an older building and very run down.  We knew we would have to update the building from the beginning and even made provisions in our lease…and here is where I need your help.  The renovations are going to cost around $230,000.  That’s right 230K!  Our congregation has already pledged a little over $100,000 and we still have pledges coming in.  In addition to asking our community to give we decided to do a raffle to help raise money for this event.  The prizes are ridiculous!  First prize get $5,000, second gets an iPad 2, and third gets a $500 gift  card.  But don’t do it for the prizes, although they are awesome.  Do it either because you want to help build God’s kingdom and see the impact of our Faith Community grow, or so I can beat Andy!

Andy is a Google Sales “Big-Wig” who has headed up our Build a BetterWell capital campaign and is apparently more connected than Kevin Bacon!  This guy has already sold 117 tickets and is riding me like crazy.  This is a David and Goliath story; the little shepherd boy (me) taking on the fierce giant (Google Sales Big-Wig Andy) in a grudge match for the ages.

The tickets are $25 a piece, make any checks out to The Well and I will hold your tickets for you in your name or send them to you if you prefer.  You can also make a direct donation if you feel led, or make a pledge that would need to be paid sometime between now and the January 31, 2012.

I am confident God is going to do some amazing things through The Well and in these facilities that He has given us for now.  We want to do everything we can to remove any of the hinderances that people might have to coming and experiencing God for themselves in this place, and to maximize and be good stewards of the space.  I invite you to partner with me and The Well faith community as we seek to live up to the full measure of who God has ask us to be…………and…………,

For all the little guys who are tired of mega mogul giants pushing us around, now is your chance to rally for the sake of God’s kingdom……and, so I can beat Andy!

This year The Well, the church I serve with, past a major mile stone.  We moved into our first building.  It has been a tremendous blessing, and we have grown considerably in the short time we have been there, but it is an older building and very run down.  We knew we would have to update the building from the beginning and even made provisions in our lease…and here is where I need your help.  The renovations are going to cost around $230,000.  That’s right 230K!  Our congregation has already pledged a little over $100,000 and we still have pledges coming in.  In addition to asking our community to give we decided to do a raffle to help raise money for this event.  The prizes are ridiculous!  First prize get $5,000, second gets an iPad 2, and third gets a $500 gift  card.  But don’t do it for the prizes, although they are awesome.  Do it either because you want to help build God’s kingdom and see the impact of our Faith Community grow, or so I can beat Andy!

Andy is a Google Exec. who has headed up our Build a BetterWell capital campaign and is apparently more connected than Kevin Bacon!  This guy has already sold 117 tickets and is riding me like crazy.  This is a David and Goliath story; the little shepherd boy (me) taking on the fierce giant (Google Exec. Andy) in a grudge match for the ages.

The tickets are $25 a piece, make any checks out to The Well and I will hold your tickets for you in your name or send them to you if you prefer.  You can also make a direct donation if you feel led, or make a pledge that would need to be paid sometime between now and the January 31, 2012.

I am confident God is going to do some amazing things through The Well and in these facilities that He has given us for now.  We want to do everything we can to remove any of the hinderances that people might have to coming and experiencing God for themselves in this place, and to maximize and be good stewards of the space.  I invite you to partner with me and The Well faith community as we seek to live up to the full measure of who God has ask us to be…………and…………,

For all the little guys who are tired of mega mogul giants pushing us around, now is your chance to rally for the sake of God’s kingdom……and, so I can beat Andy!

Well I am getting ready to head out of the office, with another week come and gone, but I couldn’t help but stop and reflect about all the changes that have happened so far this year.  We started this year, rocked by the news that we were not going to be able to stay in the Randall 15IMAX theater that had been our home for nearly three years.  We had seen God do so many amazing things in that place and so many people come to experience Christ in a life changing way, many for the first time.  We had no idea where we were going to go, or how we would afford all the changes that were coming.  It seemed that this would be the end of so much we had planned for the year.  But as I set getting ready for our Annual Baptism service we have more people scheduled to be baptized than ever before.  We also lost Ed, our executive pastor but now there are some amazing things happening, that I can’t tell everyone exactly what but it involves expanding our team in ways that we never could have imagined.  We had no building and now we are getting ready to start a major building renovation and God is already beginning to supply in ways that are humbling and miraculous.  And all the while we have grown nearly 30% over the past three months.  Honestly I don’t think we have every experienced so much favor in such and short amount of time.  It leaves me sitting here, half shocked, half humbled and half scared to death. (and apparently completely unable to perform basic math)

Anyway, Thank You Father!  You really an amazing God.  And it is the greatest and most humbling experience of my life to be able to serve you and watch how you work in and through the lives of men.

Your overwhelmed son,

Jerry

Well it is nearly fall again.  My favorite time of year.  There is a disconnect for  me a little this time of year, seasonally it is the last season before winter and traditionally symbolizes an ending, but for me it always feels more like the beginning of my year.  The school years is just starting, it is the windup for Christmas which leads right into Easter, the fall is when we do all of our annual planning/visioning, budgeting and calendaring, and often times when we make some of our biggest changes.  And this year is no different.

This fall we move into our busy season down one.  Eddie and Kristi our long time partner at The Well decided at the end of the summer they were ready to return to Arkansas, Kristi’s childhood home to be closer to family and take on some new responsibilities at The Journey, the church Ed and Kris had been at before coming up to Chicago.  While that leaves a whole in our hearts it also creates new opportunities for new people to step into all different kinds of leadership at The Well.  And that is exactly what has been happening.  From Children’s church to Environment, From Worship team to Making Waves, our social justice outreach, we are seeing men and women step into new levels of leadership and thrive, and not just them but the Well.  Our new team of deacons, transitions that we will be announcing soon with staff and a renovation project launch on our new building all speak to the fact that God is up to something, and it is going to be great.

This is a season of new beginnings, it is a time to believe for anything, and then strike out and see what God will do.

Father,

Thanks for giving us eyes to see what you are doing and a will to join in,

Jerry

Life is a rare and mysterious thing.  Despite some who would try to make it seem common, cheap or in over abundance, we can’t help but know otherwise.  I think of the way we marvel in the spring at the buds on the trees, the baby geese and ducks in the river or the amount of care that goes into showing a child the first glimpse of a baby bird in a nest.  Look in the face of a child as they introduce you to their baby brother or sister or the face of a man or woman who has just lost someone dear.  Watch the news and listen to the words we use, the faces we make, or the feelings we have when life, any life has been senselessly taken or lost.

Life is a rare and mysterious gift!

My sister, Michelle, and her husband Mark are missionaries to Turkey.  It makes me proud just getting to say that.  Found out a few months ago they were going to be parents again for the fifth time.  We were so shocked and excited.  We had all thought we were all done having babies in our family until the next generation took over, many, many, MANY…years from now.  But to our elation there was going to be one more.  I think we all looked forward to that gift again.  More baby feet and baby toes, baby giggles and even the baby cries, remember it is a mystery why we love it so much.

Then last week they found there was a problem with the baby.  Routine ultrasound and found fluids on base of the babies head near the spine.  The first thoughts were that there was a genetic disorder.  Michelle and Mark called and we prayed.  The doctors wanted to do all the things that doctors do.  I played my role as concerned brother, spewing worthless advice and trying to be strong.  We have been very blessed in our family, there has never been a miscarriage, a problem pregnancy, or any real health issues with our kids, Carrie’s sisters kids, My sister’s kids, her in-laws, none!  Until now.  So we prayed and tried hard to stay closer, more in touch.  Michelle and Mark were amazing!  I don’t think they missed a single step.  Have a mentioned that I am proud of them.

Yesterday Michelle went into the doctor for continued studies to try to understand what was going on with the baby, but what they learned was that he had passed away.  I talked to my sister today and we cried…

They induced labor and delivered a baby boy, Caleb Isaac.  Michelle held him and loved him the way only a mother can no matter what.  When we talked Michelle seemed more interested in comforting me.  The pastor who struggles with death.  I tried to pray, I didn’t do a very good job…and then I thought, whatever struggle this child would have had in life, he skipped.  God in his grace took the child before he struggled a day.  He had the love of a family that will go on for eternity.  We are not limited in terms of time to know him, or to love him, because we will be together forever.  Whatever struggle Mark and Michelle would have face, and I know they would have faced it willingly and gratefully, God has taken from them.  But not the joy.

So today I marvel at the gift and mystery of life.  Today I am the proud uncle of a baby boy named Caleb.  I haven’t met him yet, but I have loved him and will continue to forever.  I will mourn the fact that we never got to play together here, that I will never hear him learn to call me uncle Jerry.  That I won’t get to take him on his first hike or wilderness adventure.  I hurt for my sister and her husband.  I will never forget her face today…but life is not  defeated.  It is more enduring than that, more precious, more eternal.

Life is a rare and mysterious thing.

Father,

Be present with Mark and Michelle today when I can not.  Bring joy in this sorrow, peace in this pain, and life out of this loss.  Be God, so that we may worship you fully.

Your broken son,

Jerry

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,^[a] he desires an honorable position.” 1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT)  Well it is no secret the Well is growing at an incredible rate, which creates some new and unique opportunities.  Namely, room for new leadership.  The Well has had Staff, the pastor’s and their families, Elders, those families that help oversee the life, vision and health of our faith community and overseers or apostles, but now we are going to be adding Deacons.  In Acts 6 it tells the story of the formation of the first Deacons, then in 1 Timothy 3 it outlines the requirements for these families.  But it is not a small or light thing to stand in that place and should be entered into lightly.

Therefore, I would ask all those of you who have partnered with us at The Well to be in prayer  with us as we consider who God is adding to our leadership team for the building up of the Well and the greater Kingdom of God.  Begin now to pray for all of our leadership families on a daily basis.  Ask God to give them Grace, Peace and Wisdom in how to lead, direct and steward the portion of His Kingdom that He has entrusted to our community.

I have written a dozen blogs since March 29th, but didn’t post any of them.  I keep coming back over and over trying to capture how I am feeling, particularly about the death of a good friend, Pam Kegerris, but nothing I say seems to do justice to the profound since of gratitude I have for having known her, the magnitude of respect, admiration and love I have/had for her, or the depth of loss that I feel.

I am a pastor, I deal with death and the idea of death all the time, and I am really, really….REALLY terrible at it when it affects with me.

A week before Pam past away, two other close friends of mine, Beth Johnson and Sharen Ireland and I took Pam for a walk.  By this time she was so weak she could barely get in and out of the house, so I scooped  her up in my arms and carried her in and out of the car.  As I held her tiny frail body in my arms, I could feel how thin and weak she had become, but none of that hit me till later.  We were outside, where we both loved to be, going for a walk along the Fox River, Talking, laughing, all the things we had done so many times before.

A week later, she was gone.

I was there, when she slipped from this life to the richer, fuller life still to come for us.  I was there alone with Jeff and the girls.  What a privilege it is to walk with people in there most private and difficult moments.  Never take that for granted.  As I left I faltered…that isn’t new for me, I told you I don’t do this well.  I just kept thinking about her in my arms, just a week before.  I was committed in my prayers to her being healed.  I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye.  I guess in some ways I am still struggling with it.

Later that week I was walking and “praying” (crying and griping at God).  I swear I could feel her weight in my arms and then it was gone.  And then I heard Him, “I have her in my arms now…” And I was broken….

Father,

Please take good care of my friend, tell her I love her and I miss her.  Be with Jeff and the girls, they will need you more now than they did when they had her.

I don’t need to understand, maybe I don’t want to, but keep your word to use this to build your kingdom and perfect your people.

And please Lord, heal my broken heart.

Your broken child,

Jerry