My family is part of The Branch Family Church.
When I think about the Branch today, there are 4 things that come to mind.
The first three, in order of importance are: people, people, and people.
1) People – the lost. The Bible says the Lord does not want anyone to perish, to be eternally separated from Him. Jesus paid a tremendous price to provide salvation to everyone. The Lord is not holding anyone’s sins against them, but many people are still blind to His love. God was, in Jesus, reconciling the world to Himself. He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. God’s heart is to use the people of the Branch to bring the Good News about Jesus to hundreds, thousands, who knows how many people. If we love God and love people, the Branch will see many people confessing “Jesus is Lord.”
2) People – believers who need to receive. Jesus said “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” Over and over and over, the Gospels record miracle after miracle as Jesus met the needs of those who came to Him. Never did He turn anyone away empty. He healed broken bodies and broken hearts. He met financial needs and spiritual needs. He taught those who would listen and challenged those who would not. Pastor Derek has an anointing, and this church has an anointing, to minister restoration. As we love God and love people, the Branch will see hundreds, thousands, who knows how many being restored.
3) People – believers who are ministering in Jesus’ Name. Jesus commissioned his disciples to go forth into all the world and make disciples. These disciples were Peter, James, John, and (insert YOUR NAME here.) We do that in different ways, according to the gifts He has given us. The people of the Branch have an ingrained understanding that we are to take that which we have been given and share it with others. Jesus said “It is better to give than to receive.” Here’s another way to think about that: it is better to be living in abundance, and to share that abundance with others, than to live in lack and need others to share with you. We have been commissioned by Jesus Himself to minister in His Name. As we love God and love people, (insert YOUR NAME here) will begin ministering in our giftings and with the same anointing He shared with Peter, James, and John.
Here is another way to say it: The Branch is a place where people get planted, grow strong, and branch out.
Those are the first three things that come to my mind today as I think about the Branch.
The fourth I really should call the First. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He is also the head of the church.
He is first in everything.
The Branch is the work of God, created for His pleasure and the glory of His Son Jesus Christ. As we love God and love people, Jesus is honored and He is glorified. And He is pleased. Isn’t that really what it’s all about?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
What I Believe about the Branch
There are some things I know, and some things I believe, about the Branch.
First of all, here is what I know.
I know that the Branch is a church. I've been a Christian for 33 years, have been a pastor at 2 different churches and an administrator at a third. I have a Bachelor of Theology degree. So I know some things about church. When I say the Branch is a church, I'm not talking about a building, or a tradition, or a meeting. I'm talking about the Biblical definition of church - God's people gathering together to worship Him, living for God without reservation and sharing their lives together. When we first visited the Branch, it felt like home. For 2 years we drove 45 minutes one way on Sunday morning. Wanting to be more involved, we sold our home in South Charlotte and moved to the University area. We were very hungry to experience God's presence and to worship with God's people. We are still hungry for that and are very glad to be part of the Branch.
I know that the Branch is a place where I have grown closer to the Lord. At the age 12 I was the first person in my family to become a Christian. I began praying and within the year saw my parents, my brother and my sister all become believers, and a church started in our home. (Today that church is one of the largest in my hometown.) So I know some things about walking in faith. I know that being part of the Branch has helped me love the Lord more, being more genuine and real in my relationship with Him, and has helped me better understand how much He loves me.
I know that the Branch is a place where my family has grown closer to the Lord, and closer to one another. I know that the Branch is a place where my children are flourishing, and our family relationships have become a higher priority than ever before.
I know that the Branch has been a place of healing and of restoration, a place where we have seen dreams fulfilled and new dreams born. While we've been here, God has fulfilled some promises He made to me a long time ago, and He has made some new promises that I am still standing on.
Those are some of the things I know about the Branch. And now, some things I believe.
I believe the Branch is lovely in God's sight. I belive that the Lord will fulfill every promise He made to Derek and Sarah. I believe that Derek is God's chosen man for this time and place, and that Sarah is also chosen for this task, and that we all are part of something eternally significant. I believe that God will use me in this place to be a blessing to others, and that He will use us, each of us here this morning, in ways we have not yet imagined. I believe that people here are genuine, and their love is genuine, and their faith is genuine. I believe that faithful are the wounds of a friend, and that even when we all try our best we each will have the opportunity to forgive. I believe that others will forgive me when I need it, and I will forgive them when they do, and we will walk in humility and grace and love toward each other. I believe this is a safe place to share my heart and that people here can be trusted. I believe the fields are white unto harvest, which I guess is a churchy way of saying that a lot of people are open and ready to receive God's love even if they don't know it. I believe God is about to do something in the worship portion of our services that is absolutely miraculous. I believe that as our children learn who God is and who they are, they will excel in every way. I believe that the Branch is God's planting, the work of His Hands, and that He will be glorified. I believe the best is yet to come, and that He will surprise us yet with His goodness.
First of all, here is what I know.
I know that the Branch is a church. I've been a Christian for 33 years, have been a pastor at 2 different churches and an administrator at a third. I have a Bachelor of Theology degree. So I know some things about church. When I say the Branch is a church, I'm not talking about a building, or a tradition, or a meeting. I'm talking about the Biblical definition of church - God's people gathering together to worship Him, living for God without reservation and sharing their lives together. When we first visited the Branch, it felt like home. For 2 years we drove 45 minutes one way on Sunday morning. Wanting to be more involved, we sold our home in South Charlotte and moved to the University area. We were very hungry to experience God's presence and to worship with God's people. We are still hungry for that and are very glad to be part of the Branch.
I know that the Branch is a place where I have grown closer to the Lord. At the age 12 I was the first person in my family to become a Christian. I began praying and within the year saw my parents, my brother and my sister all become believers, and a church started in our home. (Today that church is one of the largest in my hometown.) So I know some things about walking in faith. I know that being part of the Branch has helped me love the Lord more, being more genuine and real in my relationship with Him, and has helped me better understand how much He loves me.
I know that the Branch is a place where my family has grown closer to the Lord, and closer to one another. I know that the Branch is a place where my children are flourishing, and our family relationships have become a higher priority than ever before.
I know that the Branch has been a place of healing and of restoration, a place where we have seen dreams fulfilled and new dreams born. While we've been here, God has fulfilled some promises He made to me a long time ago, and He has made some new promises that I am still standing on.
Those are some of the things I know about the Branch. And now, some things I believe.
I believe the Branch is lovely in God's sight. I belive that the Lord will fulfill every promise He made to Derek and Sarah. I believe that Derek is God's chosen man for this time and place, and that Sarah is also chosen for this task, and that we all are part of something eternally significant. I believe that God will use me in this place to be a blessing to others, and that He will use us, each of us here this morning, in ways we have not yet imagined. I believe that people here are genuine, and their love is genuine, and their faith is genuine. I believe that faithful are the wounds of a friend, and that even when we all try our best we each will have the opportunity to forgive. I believe that others will forgive me when I need it, and I will forgive them when they do, and we will walk in humility and grace and love toward each other. I believe this is a safe place to share my heart and that people here can be trusted. I believe the fields are white unto harvest, which I guess is a churchy way of saying that a lot of people are open and ready to receive God's love even if they don't know it. I believe God is about to do something in the worship portion of our services that is absolutely miraculous. I believe that as our children learn who God is and who they are, they will excel in every way. I believe that the Branch is God's planting, the work of His Hands, and that He will be glorified. I believe the best is yet to come, and that He will surprise us yet with His goodness.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Watching and waiting
It has been a different season in my life. Jesus told a story illustrating what the Kingdom of God is like - a farmer planted some seeds. Then, night and day, whether he was asleep or awake, the seed grew all by itself. The farmer didn't even know how.
When the farmer was planting, you could see the physical activity. Later, when the farmer was collecting his harvest, you could see the physical activity. But in between, while the seed was sprouting and growing underground, you couldn't see much of anything. Just the earth where the seed had been planted.
That's kind of how I feel right now. By that I don't mean there is no physical activity going on right now - the kids are out of school for the summer so the house is hopping! There is a lot to accomplish at work. We're getting ready to visit family in AL for a week to celebrate a big birthday. But I'm thinking about my spiritual condidtion - I know I have planted some seeds, I am holding on to some promises, but right at the moment I don't see a lot of activity or results.
But, like the farmer in Jesus' story, I know what's going on. I don't understand all the how, but I know the seed has life in itself. I believe my heart is good soil. I must make sure to keep out the weeds, I must continue to remove the rocks. But the seed will grow all by itself. Night and day, whether I am awake or asleep, His word hidden in my heart will bring about His purpose in my life.
Thank you Lord for accomplishing your purpose in and through me. I will pass all the tests, for You are my Victory. I no longer stand accused, for You are my Advocate. I will be the one pleasing to You, for You are the Author and Finisher of my faith. I will reap a harvest of righteousness, all my hope is in You.
When the farmer was planting, you could see the physical activity. Later, when the farmer was collecting his harvest, you could see the physical activity. But in between, while the seed was sprouting and growing underground, you couldn't see much of anything. Just the earth where the seed had been planted.
That's kind of how I feel right now. By that I don't mean there is no physical activity going on right now - the kids are out of school for the summer so the house is hopping! There is a lot to accomplish at work. We're getting ready to visit family in AL for a week to celebrate a big birthday. But I'm thinking about my spiritual condidtion - I know I have planted some seeds, I am holding on to some promises, but right at the moment I don't see a lot of activity or results.
But, like the farmer in Jesus' story, I know what's going on. I don't understand all the how, but I know the seed has life in itself. I believe my heart is good soil. I must make sure to keep out the weeds, I must continue to remove the rocks. But the seed will grow all by itself. Night and day, whether I am awake or asleep, His word hidden in my heart will bring about His purpose in my life.
Thank you Lord for accomplishing your purpose in and through me. I will pass all the tests, for You are my Victory. I no longer stand accused, for You are my Advocate. I will be the one pleasing to You, for You are the Author and Finisher of my faith. I will reap a harvest of righteousness, all my hope is in You.
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