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Summit College’s City Project: A Student’s Perspective
Jan 17 | Pastor J.D. | 1 Comment |This post by Nick Corbett, a recent N.C. State Grad:
College students, do something bigger with your summer with The City Project. Want to spend two months being immersed in the local church and cities around the globe? How about traveling to New York to learn more about one of the Summit’s North American church plants? Or you could spend four weeks receiving theological training through seminary classes, give your life away to the city of Durham, North Carolina by partnering with ministries and meeting the needs of the hurting, all while partnering with a Summit staff member as a summer intern. Finally, how does it sound to cap off the summer by traveling internationally to see how God is working through the church? Why choose one of these options for your summer when you can choose them all? Download an application (due Jan 27th) today and read more about Nick’s experience with last year’s City Project.
“This time last year the City Project was barely on my radar for my summer plans. However, after a grueling battle with the Holy Spirit, I was convicted and led to step out in faith to trust God where he was leading me. Initially, I faced opposition from family members, had some personal fears regarding support-raising and was anxious that this experience would impede my future career plans.
Despite all of these, God continued to prick my heart to serve Him through CP. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This verse, especially in its context, struck me at the core and gave me the confidence to embark on this experience. I knew that God would provide for His child, and He faithfully did so in ways I never would have imagined.
I began the summer knowing I’d be a changed man after 2 months. And changed I was—but in ways I had never expected. I grew to trust Christ more and more daily, as I learned to rely on His strength and not my own. Being in a constant, gospel-centered community with other college students for two months stretched my faith, too. I learned how the body of Christ faithfully and effectively works together as students and Summit leaders from various backgrounds converged to do life together.
Through ministry with Muslims during CP, God really burdened my heart for them to know Christ. I was able to continue this ministry after CP through a Friends of Faith group at NC State. Now I have graduated and am searching for what’s next. I know that I want to faithfully follow the Lord wherever He leads me.
The Lord has shown me the sweetness and necessity of staying involved in the local church and being a part of the mission He desires to carry out through us. So, as I enter this next stage in life, I trust God will lead me to a career that glorifies Him in a place where I can continue to work alongside a local church, like the Summit, in sharing the love of Christ with everyone.”
Keller on Jonah and Jesus
Jan 16 | Pastor J.D. | 1 Comment |As we’re in this series on Jonah, “Castaway,” I found this section by Tim Keller in his King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus, pp. 57-58, on the contrast between Jonah and Jesus pretty fantastic:
We have a resource that can enable us to stay calm inside no matter how the storms rage outside.
Here’s a clue: Mark has deliberately laid out this account using language that is parallel, almost identical, to the language of the famous Old Testament account of Jonah.
Both Jesus and Jonah were in a boat, and both boats were overtaken by a storm—the descriptions of the storm are almost identical.
Both Jesus and Jonah were asleep.
In both stories the sailors woke up the sleeper and said, “We’re going to die.”
And in both cases there was a miraculous divine intervention and the sea was calmed.
Further, in both stories the sailors then become even more terrified than they were before the storm was calmed.
Two almost identical stories—with just one difference.
In the midst of the storm, Jonah said to the sailors, in effect: “There’s only only thing to do. If I perish, you survive. If I die, you will live” (Jonah 1:12). And they threw him into the sea.
Which doesn’t happen in Mark’s story.
Or does it?
I think Mark is showing that the stories aren’t actually different when you stand back a bit and look at it with the rest of the story of Jesus in view.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “One greater than Jonah is here,” and he’s referring to himself: I’m the true Jonah. He meant this:
Someday I’m going to calm all storms, still all waves.
I’m going to destroy destruction, break brokenness, kill death.
How can he do that?
He can only do it because when he was on the cross he was thrown—willingly, like Jonah—into the ultimate storm, under the ultimate waves, the waves of sin and death.
Jesus was thrown into the only storm that can actually sink us—the storm of eternal justice, of what we owe for our wrongdoing. That storm wasn’t calmed—not until it swept him away.
If the sight of Jesus bowing his head into that ultimate storm is burned into the core of your being, you will never say, “God, don’t you care?”
And if you know that he did not abandon you in that ultimate storm, what make you think he would abandon you in much smaller storms you’re experiencing right now?
And, someday, of course, he will return and still all storms for eternity.
If you let that penetrate to the very center of your being, you will know he loves you. You will know he cares. And then you will have the power to handle anything in life with poise:
When through the deep waters I call you to go, The rivers of woe shall not overflow; For I will be with you, your troubles to bless, And sanctify to you your deepest distress. The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.10 Things to Know about Planting a Church in the Urban Context
Jan 14 | Pastor J.D. | No Comments |This post is by Jerome Gay, pastor of Vision Church in the Southeast Raleigh area. He is one of the many church planters that we’ve had the privilege of supporting over the past few years. In this post he gives great insight into the reality of what church planters face. Here is the link to the original post.
1. You’re a Limited Leader (Exodus 18:18)
People will want you to be the omni-gifted leader and you’ll be tempted to believe it. It’s important to know who you are and who you are not. The only thing worst than the people wanting you to be omni-gifted is the pastor who believes he actually is. This will quickly drain you of the joy of shepherding people. Embrace your limits and work your strengths.
2. Process your Hurt (1 Peter 5:7)
Pastors aren’t exempt from hurt and many have ‘daddy issues’ that haven’t been addressed. Oftentimes the pulpit is the ‘see I made it’ platform to address the hurt caused by an absentee father or an overly aggressive mother. Whatever the case it’s vital that you realize that you need God’s grace and much counsel. In short, get help and embrace your frailty and dependence upon the King. If you don’t you will look for the church to heal these wounds only to find out that the help is not there. On top of that, these wounds will only be highlighted in your church plant. Seeking counsel isn’t a sign of weakness, but in fact it’s a display of humble strength.
3. You’re not Planting the Church; Your Family is Planting the Church (Ephesians 6)
It’s vital that you don’t make the plant your baby. Your plant could fail and God may very well use that to bring you closer to Him. I’m sure you believe you’re the exception and that’s fine. I want your church plant to thrive, but the reality is that’s not always the case. Church planting is ugly, brutal and tiring, but it has the greatest rewards. If the church is everything, you’ll neglect your family, and they don’t deserve that. Plan for your family prior to planning everything for the church. Don’t fail your family and not include your wife in crucial decisions throughout the growth and pains of your plant. Remember, your family is planting with you.
4. You’ll Experience Inner and Outer Prejudice (Galatians 2:11-21)
Many people of your own race won’t understand the theological stances, but those outside your race will assume you’re rare because of their lack of exposure to true gospel-centered, biblically orthodox African-American pastors. It comes with the territory. Stay faithful to the word and don’t build identity around this. If you do, you’ll see yourself as a savior to the context as opposed to being called to the context.
5. Go After Men (1 Timothy 6:11-16)
Men are an apologetic within themselves in the context because this is literally the most fatherless generation ever. It is vital that you speak to men, encourage men and give men a platform to use their gifts for the King. Nurture the men of your circle and train them to go after other men. Men will bring families to your church(and I love my sisters), but it’s vital that we don’t exploit them by having them do everything within the ministry. Get men and get as many as you can.
6. Get a Spiritual Father (1 Timothy 1:2 & Philippians 2:22)
Some see this as charismatic, but the bottom line is, its biblical. Get strong men that can speak into your life. Men that you would follow and submit to and allow them access to the you that only your wife and children know. Let them speak into your life about your family, finances, church, sex life and hurt. This will pay HUGE dividends in your life and the life of your church.
7. Date your Wife (Ephesians 5)
It’s easy to replace your wife with the church. Allow her to be honest with you about how she’s feeling and be intentional about dating her, loving her, listening to her and romancing her. Don’t take her for granted she’s worth more than that and deserves your best. Don’t give the church your all and give her your leftovers. As you are visioneering for your plant be sure to visioneer on how you intentionally show and tell your wife how much you love her.
8. Establish Unity with Your Core Team (Philippians 1:27-28)
Have a clear sense of your philosophy of ministry and communicate it well with your core team. You want to be unified on three major fronts: Theologically, Relationally and Philosophically. Clearly define your theologically open and closed handed issues. Examine how you relate with the leaders on your team and ask explicitly if they embrace your philosophy of ministry. This will ensure unity along with a healthy board and longevity for your plant.
9. People will Leave (John 6:58-66)
In John 6 many walked away from Jesus after hearing hard truth and many will leave you too. Don’t trip, but listen to what those that are leaving are saying. Don’t dismiss them all because you’re hurt that they are leaving. Some of them will have valid points for leaving, which can be a necessary thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10) of a church planter to keep you on your knees. When people leave, it will hurt, and that’s ok. Don’t pretend that you’re not hurt, but don’t let those that leave define you either. Some will talk to you on their way out, while others will just shoot an email or just leave you to find out on Facebook that they’re at a new church. Although you may not want to confront them you should have streams for growth and exits. Conduct exit interviews for people on their way out, you may find some holes in your leadership team that need to be addressed. Lastly it’s rare that people are honest with you about why they leave, but allow this to keep you reminded that Christ will build his church.
10. Fundraise for Longevity (Philippians 4:15-20)
Secure your salary and healthcare and another guy to be on staff on the front end. If you plan on being bivocational for the life of your plant then you can have some leeway with this, but you want to secure as much money as possible prior to launching because this is a burden that you don’t need on top of everything else needed for your plant.
In all of this love Jesus and his gospel, your identity isn’t in the success or failure of your plant. Your identity is in Him. And as simple as it may sound, you’ll be prone to forget this. Remember this: you weren’t chosen because you’re special, you’re special because He chose you (John 15:16). The truth is you don’t have what it takes for what you’re about to embark on. If your joy is in the plant and not in Christ, this will become evident quickly and you’ll burnout and quit or abuse your people and make the plant about you. Christ loves you and you’re His son. He didn’t die for you to be a great church planter, he died for you to be His son and that’s more than enough. I’m praying for you and wish you much godly success.
God is moving in Murfreesboro!
Jan 13 | Pastor J.D. | 7 Comments |Just got this update from Trevor Atwood with exciting news of what God is doing in City Church, one of our recent church plants in Murfreesboro, TN. Check it out!
“All of you took a calculated risk and called your people to make a sacrificial investment in the gospel, in City Church, and by extension, in me. I do not, and pray never will, take that for granted. I never want the checks written to City Church to be given without a vision for what God is doing among us, so I joyfully share some of these things with you. Your faithful investments in City Church have helped in a tremendous way to make this last year happen.
In 2011:
–Twenty-five people moved to Murfreesboro from our home church (the Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina) as well as from Texas, Virginia, and a few places in Tennessee specifically to plant City Church.
– Sixteen others already living in Murfreesboro committed to planting City Church with us.
– God provided 13 jobs for those that moved. That represents jobs for every person that asked for one. No one went for more than 2.5 months without employment.
– God provided a recording studio/event space for us to meet less than 2 miles from MTSU’s Campus, in the center of town, with all the chairs, lighting, and sound equipment included. We asked God for the proximity to campus and the location in town–He threw in the other stuff as a bonus!
In the 4 months since we have been meeting publicly:
–Twelve people have joined City Church as covenant members, 10 of whom did not have a church home in Murfreesboro.
– Six of those new members are college students. We specifically prayed for male college students to join to help us reach MTSU, and all six of these new college members are men!
– Six people have been baptized.
– Four people have moved from death to life by trusting in Jesus Christ. All four are co-workers or neighbors of our team members.
– 70+ people on average attend our gathering every Sunday night.
– Five Community Groups have been started in the city since October, with an average attendance of more than 50 people each week.
– These groups have served the community by hosting international students, partnering with a local ministry to the homeless and poor, mentoring kids, throwing a baby shower for a Muslim couple new to America, having neighbors over for dinner, just to name a few.
With Money:
– At the current rate of giving, our people are projected to give enough to cover 2/3 of our budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
– We set a goal of $10,000 for our Christmas Mission Offering. That offering will go to current and new church plants, church planting networks, sending agencies with whom we are involved, and ministries in our city that are ministering to people physically and spiritually (with the gospel). Our people gave $8,600 toward our $10,000 goal. While we didn’t reach the goal, we blew out our original goal of $6,000. Our people were cheering when we told them what they had given.
– In our Christmas Generosity Experiment, we gave away $720 to the people who attended our gathering on Dec 18th with the challenge for them to take the money, add to it, and use it for the glory of God in our city. Then, they were to report on our blog about what they got, what they added, and what they did…anonymously. So far, $385 has been reported , and more than $400 has been added to that. Check out the blog linked above for the stories.
For 2012:
– I’ll be gathering some of the men in our church once a month for leadership training.
– We hope to double our community groups.
– We are currently praying about a potential public launch in August.
– We are planning on commissioning Jeremy Young as an elder in January and beginning another elder candidacy with another covenant member.
– We are asking God to use us at MTSU through the students he has given us to be a part of a gospel movement there.
– We are asking for more neighbors and co-workers–with whom we have been sharing life–to come to trust Christ.
– We hope to serve our city this year through an event that will be a catalyst to ongoing relational service in our city.
None of this is possible without the grace of God, your prayers, and your investment in the mission of our Savior–to seek and save the lost. I cannot express adequately my gratitude, on behalf of all of the people of City Church, for your generosity and faithful prayers for our part of this mission.
Go and tell what God has done, and ask him for more!
In Christ,
Trevor”
Does Your Church Have What It Takes to Reach College Students? Part 3
Jan 11 | Pastor J.D. | 1 Comment |Here are the concluding points of the 9-point article on how to effectively reach college students in our churches. Here is part 1 and part 2.
7. “One-on-one” and “small-groups” are often more effective for evangelism than are large groups:
The “come and get it” approach of many churches and campus ministries has become less effective with today’s students. Plus, there are usually a lot of groups already doing that on campus, and that “market,” if you will, is already glutted. All that to say, there are more lost kids on campus than ever, but most them won’t go to the typical “large group evangelism” events. We have found that one-on-one and small group approaches will, however, reach many of these “radically un-churched” students.
Also, it’s easier (and cheaper!) to draft younger, “just out of college” workers than it is to hire a career “college pastor” (which is what you’ll need if you’re going to run an effective large group on campus). Not only are these younger workers easier to find and employ, they have an easier time engaging students one-on-one and in small groups. They are also less likely to be arrested for hanging out in the dorms.
8.Providing multi-generational connections for students within the church is essential to discipleship:
Students need a Titus-2 type connection with older men and women. This can happen in both the formal and informal settings: by encouraging healthy couples and families to integrate students into their families; in multi-generational small groups; and through having students help out with children’s and student ministries are all ways students can connect. Five college students guys hanging out together sharing their collective wisdom is not the “manifestation of God’s varied graces” that God promised in the church (Eph, 3:10; 1 Peter 4:10); it’s more like Lord of the Flies.
9. Cultural adaptation is important, though not essential:
Personally, I have a hard time understanding why churches hold on to the cultural mores and styles of previous generations and at the same time complain at their inability to reach this one. I know we can’t make the gospel more attractive through our “coolness,” but, face it: if the 1950’s ever come back, many of our churches are going to be ready. But they are not coming back. We need to reckon with that.
That said, the real appeal of the church is in its timelessness, not its trendiness. The authenticity of the message is more important than the coolness of the messenger or the loudness of the music.
The “traditionalism” of most of our churches usually kills not because it is “uncool,” but because it is a counterfeit of the gospel. I know of churches very effective in engaging students that have more of the ancient, reverent feel than a vibrant, energetic one. Our church has more of a modern feel, but the gospel’s power can reign in both settings. We would encourage you to lay all cultural elements of your church at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to show you how to prioritize the mission over preference. Every effective missionary in every culture has thought this way. God help us if we value our cultural traditions more than our children!
Does Your Church Have What It Takes to Reach College Students? Part 2
Jan 09 | Pastor J.D. | 1 Comment |Here are some continuing thoughts on how to effectively reach college students in our churches. Part 1 is here.
4. Remember that we live in the Bono generation:
Serving the community and the poor around the world is now, for lack of better terms, “cool”. And while “Tom’s shoes” certainly has a different agenda than does the church, this generation’s awareness of global suffering ensures that any message that fails to address global and societal needs will fall on deaf ears. The awareness of global suffering actually provides a wonderful opportunity for the gospel. We can show the gospel provides a better, more holistic answer to the problems of the world.
Our church has identified 5 areas (the homeless; the orphan; the prisoner; the unwed mother; and the high school dropout) that we plug students into. We use these as opportunities not only to win our community, but also to disciple students. Opportunities to serve the poor becomes some of our best opportunities for the evangelizing of lost students. Many students will serve alongside us in projects directed toward these groups even when they won’t come to our church services.
5. Lift their eyes to the nations:
God’s agenda for the world is nothing short of people from every people group worshipping Jesus (Rev. 5:9-11). We should teach students to choose their life’s path based on this end-goal. Even those students who do not go into “full time ministry” can choose their career path in light of the Great Commission. They have to get a job upon graduation somewhere, so why not do it in a place where they can be a part of church planting? We teach our students that unless God has put a better plan in front of them, they should plan to spend 2 years in one of the places we have a church plant (both domestic and abroad).
6. Aggressively develop summer projects and overseas opportunities:
Summer projects and mission trips are great “farm teams” for training students in mission. We have seen tremendous returns from students who served on one of these projects. Currently, we have projects each summer in our city; in places we have church plants domestically; and overseas.
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