"A Picture's Worth A 1000 Words"

I began our all church celebration 2 weeks ago by saying this . . .

There is a verse in the bible that inspires me every time I read it . . . But what’s strange is that the same verse also haunts me a little . . . it says, “without vision the people perish.” Psalm 29:18

Another translation of that verse says, (“Where there is no vision – the people cast off restraint”,) they can’t focus, can’t reach their goals, can’t follow their dream. And I’ve seen this to be true time and time again throughout my life . . . without vision; people lose the vitality that makes them feel truly alive, especially in the church.

Folks, my role at this church is to be the primary vision communicator for this faith community and my responsibility is supposed to be to help clarify the days ahead for us as a church . . . to give all of us a clearer picture of our future together.

So that’s what I’m gonna do today . . . and I’ve been asking God all week to multiply what I say into your hearts and minds and spirits.

Pray

Let me tell you a little bit about the very first church . . . . . . after the death of Jesus . . . a small group of His followers began very boldly spreading the news about how peoples hearts and lives could be changed by the power of God, and they passionately spoke of how peoples souls could be lit up, and how their character could be transformed . . . and as those 1 st century Christ followers spoke about their faith and lived their lives . . . literally 1000’s of other people began to follow Jesus by faith . . .and join them in community . . . and almost as simply as that the church was born.

Now, the very cool part is that the bible (in just a few words) captures the essence of what it was like to be part of that 1 st church of Christ-followers. In Acts II . . . it gives this description . . .

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) That’s the description that St. Luke gives to the early church. A church with thousands of people connected to it – a church that not only changed their culture but a church that would eventually change the world and all of our lives . . .

Late me fast forward a little in February 1989 I was 22 years old and I was sitting with a group of church leaders at a conference and the speaker got up and began painting a picture of what the local church is supposed to be like . . .and he described that picture from this 1 st church in Acts II . . . he said something like this . . . “There was once a community of Christ followers who were so totally devoted to God that their life together was ignited with the power of the Holy Spirit. In that community of faith, Christ followers loved each other with a radical kind of love. They shared life with one another, hiding nothing. They laughed and cried and prayed and sang and served together in authentic Christian community and fellowship. He went on to describe that church . . . He said those who had more, shared freely with those who had less – and suddenly the social and economic barriers faded away. People related together in ways that bridged racial and gender gaps like never before and this community of Christ followers, this church . . . offered those who were seeking God a vision of life that was so beautiful it took their breath away. It was so bold and dynamic and loving and attractive that they couldn’t resist it! In fact, people came every day to join this magnetic community of faith . . . that 1 st church not only changed their city – but would eventually changed the world as Christianity swept across the globe . . . And when he described that Acts 2 church that day in 1989 something happened inside of me that I will never forget.

I was inspired . . . (that’s not a good enough word), I was impassioned . . . I saw a picture of my future and the future of this church . . . and I knew in that moment that God was calling me to give my life to see that Acts 2 picture of His church become a reality . . .

And that day I prayed a very simple prayer but I think it was a big

one . . . I said, “God please let me be part of building that kind of church in Saskatoon. God let us have a taste of that life changing power in our faith community. God, make Lakeview that kinda church . . . and then I promised Him I’d give my life to seeing an Acts II kinda church duplicated in Saskatoon.

Now, the good news is 17 years later we all get to be part of the answer to that prayer and the prayers of dozens of other church leaders from those days in our history . . . But catch this next part . . . it is out of the backdrop of Acts chapter 2 and that 1 st century church . . . that came the specific vision for our church here at Lakeview. Our vision is to become an authentic community of Christ followers and in 1998 – I wrote these words to further describe our church’s vision (you can read them on our web page). It’s a vision of oneness and community that is felt deeply, and it’s a vision of life being lived together and it’s a place to belong with out the fear of betrayal – rejection or loss – and it’s a place of acceptance and unconditional love.

This vision is embodied by 3 defining elements – that helps clarify our specific mission as a church. Our mission is simply this . . . To help seeking people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. We’re about 3 things . . .

(Finding – Maturing – Caring)

Let me start with our mission to Care.

Caring – very simply put – Lakeview is becoming a place where every person will very naturally and on a regular basis . . . take part in meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs – of other people – we desire to share one another’s burdens in life . . . sharing our time and possessions will simply be what is normal in the future . . . and our desire is to have Lakeview church become a place where love is shown continuously in practical everyday ways. Love from 100’s of people inside to 1000’s of people outside. But not just caring but also maturing.

Maturing – We also desire to be a community that is deepening our faith walk all the time . . . Our goal is that there would be multiple ways for each of us to connect and learn and serve . . . and that each of us would be able to expand in depth of spiritual knowledge and insight in increasing ways . . . Folks, the end result of Lakeview church is to produce Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ – mature – whole – complete people . . . – full of Godly wisdom . . . that’s the goal . . .

Lakeview has always been and will continue to be a place with increasing levels of spiritual depth and maturity . . .

The third element of authentic community after maturing and caring is

what we call finding . . . Lakeview church has a very clear mandate . . .and that is to see spiritually seeking people (people who are not yet connected to a church or God) – become fully devoted followers . . . meaning our church will never be a church that is inward focused . . . We will always look outside and we will always be about the next 1000 people who want to find a relationship with Jesus Christ are not yet among us.

Now, I don’t know if all of you realize this or not – but this outward focus is what makes this place unique and different from most other churches . . . We have just made an intentional choice to swing the front door wide open . . . and it’s become who we are . . . And I think it’s the best part of Lakeview.

3 Quick stories:

Treadmill Guy – So I’m at the gym this past week. He says, “you’re Dean right?” I just started coming to Lakeview (never attended), my kids love it – they wake me up to come to church – I’ve never seen anything like it. You speak to me like I’m the only one there.

Abs Girl – I’m doing some crunches . . .This girls says, “you’re Dean right?” I go to Lakeview – me and some college friends – it’s awesome – we love the service it’s an amazing atmosphere to be with God.

Weights – Wedding – Bench. “You’re Dean right?” You’re gonna do our wedding – we love Lakeview. I’ve never been to church before this – I can’t believe it. It’s like God is right there with me and it’s so much fun!!

If you want to know what we’re really about . . . that’s it. We’re about providing a fun- energized – meaningful place for seeking people to find Jesus and not just on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings, but everyday of the week – within every ministry and every program . . .We are about people finding a relationship with Jesus and learning to follow Him.

Finding – Maturing - Caring

I was wracking my brain all this week trying to find a new great way to make our mission and vision come alive to you . . . and I couldn’t find it . . . Then just this morning I got thinking about (and thanking God for) the last couple weeks of my life . . . and in this church . . . So let me just give you a glimpse of the last 2 weeks here and I think it more than adequately describes our mission . . .

We have walked beside a family through the dark days of facing death and stood with the Gidluck family as they buried a father and a son on the same day . . . and somehow the church was there . . . in the centre of grief.

We are in a marrying season just now . . . with a dozen weddings in a very short span of time . . . but there’s one that sticks out more in my mind than any others . . . a couple who are getting a second chance (at love and marriage) and allowing God in at the start of their marriage . . . This time as opposed to the back end . . . and the church celebrates with them . . and leads them.

I had the privilege of sitting with Lloyd Colborne for a few minutes this week . . . Lloyd is 84 and he’s my hero and he embodies the church. Prays for as many of you my name as he can and endures music he can’t understand in order to see so many young people see Jesus . . . When Lloyd sees you young people finding a relationship with Christ . . . he weeps . . . and in those tears is the church . . .

. . . I heard a story this week of yet another family who lost a grandma (the Cooke’s) and how their small group just cared for them during these days . . . that’s the church.

Tonight there is a kids sleepover there at the church . . . and my Sharaya was so fired up she could hardly sleep last night – leaders building spiritual values into our kids and sacrificing time and energy and sleep to show them love . . . that’s the church . . .

Being part of an amazing staff is something – but watching our staff put on a exceptional volunteer appreciation night for over 200 volunteers was amazing . . . and somehow the staff and the volunteers serving one another was and is a very clear picture of the church.

Watching this past week our Zoo ministry to junior high kids . . . and our Mix ministry for high school students . . . every week those leaders make church a destination for a couple hundred kids who are trying to see

God . . . and when those kids are here and rocking the whole place . . . that’s the church.

Seeing over 20 people baptized this month and make very clear spiritual choices . . . and move from seeking to believing and to joining this community of faith. That’s the church . . . seeing those lives transformed . . .

And then just 2 weeks ago . . . watching a group of church leaders show love and incredible support to a member of the gay community here in Saskatoon . . . showing love without judgement . . . was a clear a picture of what Jesus would have done as I have ever seen . . . and that’s the church – unconditional love . . .

Now, I can talk to you all day about finding, maturing and caring . . . but it’s those stories that make us who we are . . .

Let me give you a few more highlights from this past year that have clearly helped us move towards realizing our vision.

Care Ministry

• clothing exchange at The Bridge on 20 th St. in September; undertaking again next weekend.
• 125 food hampers over the year – 100’s of people bringing food, huge amount of work to sort, pack and deliver hampers, and it means so much more than just meal.

The Mix – High School Ministry

• biggest turn around ministry
• attendance was 12 and now is up to 65; (50 average)
• 20 kids went to YC in Edmonton the last weekend in May

Music

• Huge year – Ryan Jacobson has lead us so well . . .
• Best new ministry - choir (awesome) – 4 times this year
• Our music team is so awesome and they serve us so well . . .

Encounter

– Great team of volunteers planning, teaching, worship

Weekend Programming

• Carmen Schock best new leader – among us – 23 years old
• home makeover in November – amazing volunteers who helped; led to a volunteer led home makeover in May
• 2000 people at Christmas Eve

Leadership Summit

• 60 volunteers, 220 attendees – 91 from Lakeview
• serving award
• serve other churches

Folks, it truly is amazing what God has been doing . . .

Enough about what has happened – let me turn the corner to what is gonna happen. Ready – buckle up . . . this is cool.

Over the next 10 years (together) we believe that God is gonna give our church much greater influence in this city . . and in peoples lives . . and that very simply means – we’re gonna grow in #’s of people . . . lots of people . . .

I have always had a dream that I believe was put there by God – but that dream (or picture) is to see 10,000 people connected to Jesus through this community of faith . . . her in Saskatoon.

Now, I don’t know what that looks like, I doubt if it’s just a bigger room . . . it will look different that what we think - but I believe God wants it to happen . . .

He’s calling us to make a huge spiritual impact on this city and in this province . . .

He’s called us specifically to open the doors of our faith community to 1000’s of seeking people . . . Now folks . . . I’m not sure of a lot of things . . . but I’m sure of that . . . we are supposed to give seekers a place to seek and find Jesus . . .

Now, that’s a really long range big picture . . . but what about the next leg of this race . . . I mean . . . the purpose of this message is to gather all of us around a specific call as we face the next year together . . .

So here goes . . .

I believe 2005 is a watershed year in the history of this church and this weekend is part of that.

Our staff and ministry leaders have created 6 very concrete goals for us as a church and what I’d like to do tonight is call you to work with us on these goals and own this next stage of our journey together with your leaders . . . I gotta be honest, none of these goals for this organization work without each of us owning them individually . . . and let me say these are not just some nice thoughts we’ve thrown together. As close as we can tell these 6 goals are what God is calling us to in the year ahead and my job is to communicate that to you as clearly as I can.

Tonight / (morning) I’ll introduce them to you, but as the year goes on we’ll keep talking and listening to each other and to God about these six . . .

So with God leading us here is what we hope to accomplish together in the next 12 months.

• Finding Goal – that 200 new people be connected to our church community by June 30 2006 . . . Now . . . to be honest during these last couple years we’ve been in a bit of a lull when it comes to inviting seekers join us and find a relationship with Christ. But folks, its really time for us to look outside again. There are now so many connection points for you to invite new people to this community; . . . there are so many ways for you to connect people . . . It used to be the only place to invite new seeking peole to . . .was the weekend service . . . Now there’s Moms, Youth Programs, Support recovery groups, divorce care, small groups/ALPHA, and weekend services. We promise they will be creative and done with excellence. Use these weekends to invite people to find Christ. Next fall – awesome line up of weekends.

People the truth is that spiritually lost and seeking people matter greatly to God and His call on us is to help them be found . . . . . and to be honest . . . that’s what this church does best . . . so . . . start thinking and praying about who you might invite very shortly to join us as we follow Christ. Two hundred new people connected in the year ahead.

• Maturing Goal – During this past year something great started among us, it’s called Encounter. Over the next year we will have three six week semesters of Encounter. It’s a time of worship, a time of teaching, a time of community, a time of prayer. These are awesome experiences for us to deepen our faith walk together. We’re going to ask you to join us with your families and commit to attending at least one of the Encounter semesters. This past year we averaged about 225 people at

Encounter . . . We’d like to see that number doubled . . .as we seek to deepen our knowledge of God’s word and how we worship Him. Join us at Encounter (October start)

• Caring – This really gets me going. Our Care Ministry is under a reorganizing as Jacqui Acree has moved to another ministry opportunity in Kelowna B.C. So we thought, why sit around and see what happens, lets keep focused on Care Ministry. So during the fall you can expect some very clear communication coming to you about the dozens of opportunities available for you to connect in and participate in our Care Ministries department. There is a spot for everyone in Care Ministry and if you want to make a difference in peoples lives, this is a great place to start. Care Ministry month is coming up in November. Come and join us as a thousand of us make a difference in thousands of lives in this city… Awesome!

This is a huge goal . . . and it will take all of us to reach it . . .but think of the impact that a 1000 people could make . . . on the needs of a city like Saskatoon. This is a great goal. In September you will hear specifics on how you can be involved.

• Equipping – A significant part of this church’s mission is to equip you folks very well to serve others in the ministry of the church. Gloria Reimer has lead most of the pioneering work and teaching among us on this.

Her basics ministry class has helped all of us see what it really means to find fulfillment through serving . . . and being equipped more fully to do God’s work . . .

Well, we need to see this expand greatly over the next year. We are expecting 1000 new people over the next 3-4 years to join this church . . . Now to make that number become a reality . . . we need 200 more first time volunteers to get plugged into ministry this year. And it helps to think about it like this; 20 different ministries adding 10 volunteers to each one – 200! The strength of this church is in the people who serve. And that’s you . . . so – sign up and serve . . . and if you know somebody else – sign them up to! Communication will be coming in the fall about how you can connect as a volunteer . . . . . .There are dozens of entry level serving opportunities in each ministry of this church . . . You can volunteer with any amount of

time . . . Join with us . . . because the next 1000 people need to be served.

• Operational - Folks, this is a really big deal. Simply put – a growing church takes money. (More money than ever before) and we anticipate to cover the costs of growing this church in the next few years. It will take 100 additional families this year giving financially to support the ministries of this church as we move forward. I gotta tell you, this is not a time to shrink back from this responsibility and commitment that we all share. If that’s you then sign up. Folks, I gotta be honest, most people think someone else is taking care of giving the money. Well it’s not true – you are, and you are, and you are and if you’re not, it’s not happening! Here’s what I really believe – I believe God wants to change this city spiritually through his church . . . and He uses our financial resources to transform lives . . . and this is a big deal . . . but I believe its true . . . I believe we hold back God’s plans when we don’t give. So we’ve got to get better at this money thing.

There is so much God wants to do, so, what’s our goal? The goal is 100 additional families giving financially at new levels in the year ahead . . . You’ll be getting more info on this shortly – In fact – most everybody will get a letter talking about our present financial needs this week . . . in the mail Respond to that – it’s part of this goal.

• Chapter 6 – Wow!~ What can I say about chapter 6? It has just taken a lot of leadership energy and focus to keep this thing on the rails . . . and we actually started the facility this month . . . You should get fired up! Folks, . . . there is no question that we need this facility to reach the next 1000 people. God wants us to build it – that has been very clear and my bet is that none of you would ever think that the next 1000 folks will fit in this room.

But we’re a ways away from being done chapter 6. So we’re calling you to help us finish as much of that facility as we can and as quickly as we can. You’ll be hearing about the completion of our Capital Fundraising Campaign in late August and September of this year and I won’t hide it from you – it will take a significant effort and a substantial commitment financially to finish chapter 6. But we’ve got to do it! The next 1000 seeking people are depending on us to finish it.

A couple quick items connected to chapter 6:

• We are going to have an official sod turning ceremony and prayer time connected with our Annual Membership meeting this Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 pm then annual meeting at 7. This is gonna be a great moment in our history . . . join us . . .
• Also, this facility was sold to a land developer – P.R. Development. I need to tell you that Ellen Remai has been very good to us . . . (free rent etc.) Since P.R. Development purchased this building, Rock of Ages Lutheran Church has approached P.R. Developments and has purchased this building from them. So Rock of Ages will be moving into this facility. Awesome group of people – God has been in it!

Folks, keep praying for our facility planning team. Critical decisions need to be made as they build and they need wisdom beyond what we have. Then in the fall when we talk with you about raising more money, open your hearts and minds and wallet to what God is asking us to finish . . .

People, this is a critical goal for us to complete . . . and it’s gonna take all of us – so far 250 families are taking part in this goal . . . and there is another 250 families who have yet to jump in. If that’s you . . . sign up (in September you’ll get a chance).

So there is our focus for the year ahead – 6 goals. And I need to tell you that this is not an easy undertaking. This is HUGE and really its’ pretty aggressive. But we believe God is calling us to it. We have a great staff to lead us and they are highly committed to these 6 goals. Pray for them – they sacrifice so much.

This church, people, is an amazing thing. God has called us together from every corner of this city and from every background and past that you can imagine. He’s called us to follow him with all of our hearts and then he’s specifically called this church to something unique; to focus outside. He has called us to give away the church to seeking people and we have openly agreed that everything we call Lakeview Church is not just ours, but it belongs to the next 1000 people in this city who need to find Christ.

So here’s the challenge : We must not lose that edge. We must not lose the vision that spiritually lost and seeking people matter to God and that Jesus gave his life for the whole world, not just for 1000 of us.

We can’t step back from the vision He’s called us to because eternity hangs in the balance for 1000’s of people in this city and in this province.

Folks, what God is doing here is no small thing and I really believe it will take the commitment of all of us – focused commitment to see His plans for our city move forward.

I’m in with 100 % of my energy and life. I’m asking you to jump in too . . . Let’s work together and pray together and believe together to reach the goals God has placed in front of us.