A Strong and Courageous Church

I have been challenged throughout the process of The Mission Central Project.  I have been challenged as I prepare and deliver each message for the series.  I have been challenged as we prepared for this part of our journey.  I have been challenged as my family has sought God's guidance in our level of financial sacrifice and I have been challenged through our 21-day Prayer Devotional.

Today's devotional asked a simple question, "Are you dangerous?"  Many of us have never asked that question before, not in the context of our predisposition toward violence or anger, but are you dangerous in the context of the spiritual battle for broken hearts.

Joshua 1 echos a theme of strength and courage.  That's what it takes to be dangerous.  As we seek collectively to take the steps of faith outlined in The Mission Central Project, and even further as we proceed to actually take those steps of faith, spiritual warfare ensues.  When we ask God for direction and begin to follow that direction...that is when we become dangerous.  That takes strength and courage.

It takes strength and courage because when we step out, Satan often steps in.  I have always said that Satan attacks those the most whom he fears the most.  When we take bold steps in life, when we take bold steps in ministry, in faith, in any area...that sends the evil one into a frenzy of fear.  We become dangerous.

It takes strength and courage to press forward.  God's Word says, "no weapon formed against me shall prosper."  It doesn't say maybe or could be....it says NO WEAPON formed shall prosper.  When we commit to God-sized things, when we pray God-sized prayers, and take God-sized steps of faith...no weapon formed against us shall prosper.

With strength and courage and God at our side, we will see GREAT things happen through our sacrifice and our commitment to the vision of life change he has charged us with.  This week, I am praying for strength and courage for each person who is on this journey with the church.  May we do as Joshua did and cross over the river to conquer the opportunity that has been presented to us.

Biblical Design

First off, allow me to give a little shout out to Pat Osowski for putting together our 21-Day Mission Central Project Prayer Devotional Guide.  I'm only in day 3 and am already being both blessed and challenged.

I thought I would take a moment to share some of my thoughts on Day 3 "Giving Worship".  Throughout this entire process, I have reflected upon 1 Chr. 29: 10-20 a lot.  It has certainly been a source of inspiration and instruction for me.  I do challenge every person of Skyline Church to read through that passage and let it speak to you, but also let me challenge you to read a little more of the context.

Take a moment to read 1 Chr. 28 & 29.  There you will begin to see some familiar themes.  David was making preparations for the Temple to be built.  Notice some of the things he does.

1. He casts vision for what God desired to do. (1 Chr. 28:1-8)
2. He plans the cost of the project. (1 Chr. 28: 10-18)
3. He offers encouragement. (1 Chr. 28:20-21)
4. He challenges the people to both commitment and sacrifice...the same commitment and sacrifice he was willing to make.  (1 Chr. 29:1-9)
5. He leads the congregation in an intense moment of worship acknowledging the fact that everything we have comes from God and it is His to use as He guides us. (1 Chr. 29:10-20)

Sound familiar?  I am reminded, yet again, today that what we are doing follows a Biblical Design and as we commit our selves to God's guidance, He most certainly can do greater things through our people.

"The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.  David the king also rejoiced greatly."  1 Chr. 29:9

I am rejoicing in advance for what our entire church family is about to do.  Let us intensely seek God on this journey so that He may guide our hearts in what we are to do in this time.  Let's live radically for Him.

The Mission Central Process

This weekend we kicked off The Mission Central Project at Skyline Church.  The Mission Central Project is a spiritual journey that we are taking as a church family that will lay the groundwork for ministry spanning generations.  This period of time is certainly a defining moment for us as a church that will challenge us as a congregation and as individuals.

Throughout this process we will be raising funds that will provide us with the opportunity to acquire land upon which we will build the initial campus of Skyline Church in the future.  That said, it is so much more than an opportunity to raise funds.  It is a spiritual journey through which God will do miraculous things.

The challenge for you is to begin an intentional conversation with God that will involve Faith in Him as our provider.  It will involve a commitment to the Vision of life change.  And it will involve Sacrifice of time, talents, and treasures.

Through this intentional conversation, it is my prayer that, each person who calls Skyline Church home will allow God to further challenge them.  As a family, allow God to challenge you and be willing to follow where He is leading you.

We are asking the church to do three things that will help propel our mission forward.

1.)Begin the journey through intense prayer as an individual and/or family.  Take time to seek God's will through both prayer and fasting.  Devour His Word.  Listen to His still-small voice.  Do this as an individual.  Do this as a family.  I believe it is imperative for families of the church to take this journey arm-in-arm.  Engage God in this conversation as a family.  Bring your children into the conversation and ask God to guide them as well.

2.)As you pray, I believe God will guide you to a commitment of time, talent, and treasure.  Financially speaking, we are challenging the church to make a 3-year commitment of sacrificial giving above and beyond normal tithes and offering.  These gifts can be made via weekly gifts or monthly gifts.  God may even stretch your faith in this commitment, but as we keep God as our Provider in the forefront of our minds...He will show up in ways that will bless our families and our church.  These commitments will be presented collectively during a very special service on May 6th (Commitment Sunday).

3.)In addition to a 3-year commitment, we are challenging the people of Skyline Church to pray about an initial offering we are calling a "First Fruits Offering" that will be given during the three-weeks following our commitment service on May 6th.  Would you seek God in bringing the largest one-time gift you have ever given to Him during this time?  This gift should be considered part of your total commitment during the three-year period.

As you seek God and as you browse through the information that has already been provided, you certainly will have questions.  We want to do everything we can to answer them for you.  Each person should receive an invitation to an "Epic Event" that will take place over the next couple of weeks.  During these events, you will have the opportunity to hear more about The Mission Central Project and you will have a chance to ask any question you may have.  I am asking every person who calls Skyline home to attend one of these events.

If for some reason your family does not receive an invitation by next Sunday, please let me know so we can get an invitation to you.  In addition, if you are unable to attend your specific event we will have another opportunity for you to attend.  Please let us know so that we can get you into another scheduled date.  We certainly do not want anyone to miss out on this opportunity.

Let me thank you in advance for allowing God to move in your heart through this process.  I am praying for Him to do incredible things through your life and as He does, we will see even more incredible things happen in our church.

Let's make our God-sized dreams become reality through Faith, Vision, and Sacrifice.