Recovery Groups

There are seasons of life when it simply feels like you’re fighting sin and losing a lot; it’s discouraging and exhausting. In John Owen’s book, The Mortification of Sin, he writes that mortifying sin is not a “one and done” task, but an ongoing battle. The good news is that God has enabled us to fight sin and fight for our identity in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit; God dwells in you if you’re a Christian. This means that fighting sin isn’t the pursuit of morality, but the pursuit of holiness.

In addition to the Holy Spirit, God calls us to be in community with one another so that we devote ourselves to one another (Acts 2:42), confess our sin to one another (James 5:16), and to encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13). At Storehouse McAllen, we try to emphasis gospel community as much as possible through a variety of avenues. When we read Acts 2:42-47, it’s not simply a description of the local church, but a prescription of what life together is meant to be like and while our main avenue of discipleship and mission is our community groups, we do have other groups that are seasonal such as Recovery Groups.

We’re launching this new ministry of groups next month and I’m super pumped!

RECOVERY GROUPS

The most common question that we’ve received for these groups is how are they different from our normal-rhythm of community groups. And for us, Recovery Groups are designed to be intensive seasons of discipleship (about 10 weeks). Recovery Groups are for those who are battling addiction and habitual sin. We want to help people find redemption in Christ through recovery and community. And we do this by diving into God’s word, a confidential community, and addressing matters of the heart and patterns of sin; idolatry.

These groups aren’t lead by licensed therapists or certified counselors, but by faithful teachers and facilitators who want to see faith and repentance strengthened and produced as individuals fight their sin and fight for their identities in Christ.

This is the first time we will be doing Recovery Groups and while we’ve been white boarding ideas and walking through content for months, I’d love to hear if your church does anything similar and how it works for you.

If you’d like to learn more information about Recovery Groups at Storehouse McAllen, then visit our website and get hooked up!

RECOMMENDED READING

• Redemption: Freed By Jesus By The Idols We Worship and The Wounds We Carry by Mike Wilkerson

• Christian Recovery: A Twelve Step Approach To Discipleship

On Mission | In the Ordinary

I think we all could use a little more of the ordinary. Seriously, I think the ordinary parts of our life are often overlooked and ignored because they're not extraordinarily unique, they're simply a part of life. You can plug your career in the ordinary; time spent with your family; seeing the same people at the same places. It's all ordinary and I think we could use a little more of it. 

When I look at the life of the disciples, for instance, I see 12 dudes who were working jobs and knew the culture of their city fairly well. Yes, I'm sure we could dive deeper into their lives, but that's not the point right now. These men worked a job, got paid, hung out, spent time with their families, had responsibilities, and then did it all over again the next day. And what'd unique about their story is that these are the men Jesus chose as his disciples.

THE ORDINARY

I suppose here's where I'll wrap it up. Jesus chose ordinary men and did extraordinary things through them and their daily life. I think we overlook this because we're constantly looking for our moment at Pentecost. I think, too often, Christians are looking for big moments where God is obviously present and at work and while that's not necessarily bad, the ordinary part of life is overlooked because it's not as exciting. 

Here's a few things that I would encourage you to consider: 

1. On Mission

Being on mission is cool if you're going overseas or someone where outside of where you are, but it's not as thrilling when you're at the park or pub. Mission primarily happens in the ordinary--when you're at the park hanging out with other families and their kids; at the pub where everyone knows your name; the gym; at home with your spouse and/or kids. 

Mission happens in the ordinary and it's an opportunity to advance the gospel in the mundane. We literally have opportunity to be on mission for the glory of Jesus in the everyday. 

2. Revival

Revival is a work of God done in the ordinary. Every time I hear the word "revival," I think about those giant tents somewhere in the middle of nowhere or next to the freeway. They're cool, I suppose. More importantly, revival is not necessarily something new happening, but God doing something He's always done. 

I saw a guy rescued by Jesus at my dinner table; others at coffee shops; some at the gym; and a few at swimming pools (when I had a staff of lifeguards)! Revival is God doing something He's always done--calling people to Himself in the ordinary and giving them a new heart.

3. The Church

Mission and Revival happen in the ordinary life of the church. If you are a Christian, then you belong to the church and God works in and through you for His redemptive purposes so don't waste it. 

Instead of praying for the big time, we should pray for men and women to be convicted of their sin, be drawn to Jesus, and receive redemption all in the context of the ordinary. This is where our hearts should primarily be, I think. It's no coincidence that you are where you are; don't waste the opportunity to advance the gospel whether it's for the sake of proclaiming the Word or empowering others to do the same. 

As the week closes and the weekend approaches, don't waste the ordinary moments, embrace and expose them. 

RECOMMENDED READING:
•  A Meal With Jesus by Tim Chester

• On The Block: Developing a Biblical Picture for Missional Engagement by Doug Logan

Adoption Fundraiser Recap!

This weekend was all sorts of crazy and excitement. On Saturday, we held our first fundraiser for a family (who's name should be implied, but cannot be said legally...yet) who is in the final stages of the adoption process for their son. And things got pretty intense! 

But before I jump into all of the details, I wish to start with one big honorable mention: our community group. 

FRIDAY COMMUNITY

Our community group was such an incredible help this past weekend! And as the cherry on top, friends from Denton, TX made the 8 hour drive down to McAllen to help support the fundraiser. While it's only been a day, simply looking back puts tears in my eyes because so many people came out to help and give up of their time and energy to put this fundraiser together.

Every person sacrificed their time to help load and unload furniture and appliances on Friday and we had several people hang out with us on Friday evening as we organized and priced everything out. I learned that pricing is a lot more trickier than I expected! At the end of the night on Friday, pizza was the greatest call in the entire world and we shared a table with laughs and exhaustion. To those of you who were there to help us organize, manage, and haul- THANK YOU! You did an amazing work and your support means the world. 

SATURDAY MADNESS

The fundraiser began at 7:00 a.m. and by 6:30 a.m. we had about 15 people outside waiting and several trucks parked, ready to be loaded. And let me say, there are some serious garage sale shoppers in the Valley! I saw people who were very intentional about the area they wanted to scope out first and rushed to it the minute the doors opened. I even saw a lady double hop on her way to the shoes! It was interesting to say the least. We learned that people came in waves and they had an agenda. After the 15 people cleared out their findings, things were pretty quiet for about 20 minutes. And then around 9:30 a.m. it picked up again and then quieted down. It gave us a chance to post on social media what we still had, new "deals" that we thought of, and reorganized our "departments." I felt like I was working at the mall all over again. 

We knew people would be looking for a bargain and some would talk it up! And they didn't disappoint. There was this odd line of thinking where my wife would process "we really need to sell this, but how badly do I want to get rid of it? Should I lower the price that much?" 

In short, it was great and such a learning experience. I managed all of the social media on the fundraiser and people came from all over with questions, negotiations, and quirks. But despite all of the bargaining and helping to load furniture, God was gracious and met our financial goal- even passing it for the day! It was wonderful, exhausting, and it has opened our heart in moving forward with an adoption ministry in the Fall. 

We have an incredible heart for adoption and many families lack information and resources. This fundraiser became a small catalyst for the beginning of something much larger. More details on that later on.

I write all of this after preaching two services, running on fumes, and after a long week so I apologize for the brevity, but please know to all of you who supported physically, financially, and prayerfully Thank You! As we move along, we will give you more details on how things pan out.

Have a great Sunday! 

Reflection on Nehemiah's Prayer

This past Sunday we studied the prayer of Nehemiah during his time of fasting as he begins to prepare for what God would have him do in as he is sent to Jerusalem. I felt that the verses were beautifully appropriate for the time our community and country faces. My heart is weighty and burdened for the families who have lost their loved ones over the course of last week's shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota, California, and Texas. I do not want to make this post long, rather I wish to encourage the church, that is the entire body of Christ, with a few quick thoughts I spoke on yesterday morning. 

HUMILITY

Nehemiah's prayer provides us with an example of humility as he reveals his dependence for God. In a time of great need, his immediate response isn't for the blessing of a great plan or some execution. Rather, he appeals to God's character and faithfulness (who God is and what He has done; not what Nehemiah needs or how "good" he's been). 

Humility begins with our need and dependence on God (Nehemiah 1:5-7). 

CHARACTER

Nehemiah's prayer is filled with scripture references which help us to see that he was firmly grounded in the Word of God; whether it's an appeal to God's faithfulness or a request, it's founded on scripture. If the church is going to stand in a time of confusion, anger, mourning, and grief then we must stand on the foundation of God's Word (Psalm 1:1-3). 

UNITY

As a nation, we are in disunity yet the church has been called to model unity and to carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and this includes the cries of our community and nation. Right now, there are many who are angry and scared yet the church has been called to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9). This is not a political or economic problem, but a moral problem. 

The church must model unity not because we have it all together, but because while we were still sinning, Christ died on a cross for us (Romans 5:8). We are called to be a bridge in our community not because we have all of the answers, but because the gospel reconciles us to one another and to God. 

FINAL WORDS

Church, in 3 months, when some of this has settled or become a little quieter, will you still be standing? The charge of the church cannot be sustained by simply changing your profile picture and with the use of clever hashtags. Church, the aim of our charge is love. A love that is only possible through a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5). 

A Night of Prayer

This Thursday, we'll be hosting A Night of Prayer at Logos Community Church in light of the shootings that occurred last week. We will be spending time in song and in prayer as we cry out to God to confess our sin, pray over our community and those who protect us, and stand in unity because of the hope found in Jesus. 

Check out the FB Event. 

Book Review: Gospel Eldership | Equipping A New Generation of Servant Leaders by Robert Thune

Gospel Eldership by Robert Thune quickly rose to the top of my list during my time off last month. It was one of the most edifying books I've read this summer; helping me evaluate myself and my relationship with the Lord, my family, and those I serve. In short, it was incredibly convicting and sanctifying.

If you aspire to be an elder at your local church, lead other leaders in ministry, or are in disciple relationships with other men, then this is a book that I recommend you work through as soon as possible. During my time off, I journaled through this book as Thune assigns verses and short articles to read throughout the short chapters. The piercing of the heart, at least for me, came from the questions in light of the reading. They helped and forced me to address sin issues in my own heart that led me to confession and repentance in many areas of my life. 

It's immensely practical and a valuable tool for any team. Thune takes big topic matters and places a microscope on them to help you address how you relate to them such as frustrations in ministry, conflict and resolution, and specific questions and insights pertaining to the role of what a pastor is. Gospel Eldership is rich in theology and Thune's approach to the hearts of men in ministry through this book is wonderful and pastoral. 

There are many books that have been written on the call of elders in the church or the 10,000 foot view of what it means to be an elder and I think they're great resources. However, Robert Thune's books provides a much needed emphasis on the realities of those in pastoral ministry and for those aspiring to the call. Because it's a work-book, it's format is elaborate and specific which means you really can't skip ahead until you address each question and reading.

In the initial pages, Thune gives the reader 4 expectations when reading this book (p.6): 
• Expect to be challenged.
• Expect to be surprised.
• Expect a deeper level of community.
• Expect a deeper love for Christ and his church. 

The book delivers each one of these expectations over and over. When you walk through it, you will be challenged spiritually and emotionally; provoked to action and evaluation of your life. You will be surprised because you're being challenged! In other words, you will quickly uncover your heart condition and selfishness. And if you decide to walk through this book with others, it will definitely help to bring together a strong brotherhood (I'm excited to lead a few of my guys through this book!). And finally, because it is very clear and compelling about pastoral ministry, it will help you to understand church leadership practically.

If this quick review sounds like something you'd want to work through with your team or your boys, then I would highly encourage you to check it out: Gospel Eldership: Equipping A New Generation of Servant Leaders by Robert Thune.